Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

Hold Me Closer, Tiny Dancer

June 3rd, 2016 by Karen 27 Comments

Our little peanut turned three months old yesterday, and she’s just as feisty (she kicks like she has a black belt in karate!) and chatty as ever.

Her cute baby sounds have gotten more complex, too, and now, in addition to the staccato cooing and gurgling noises, she strings together longer baby “sentences” that sound like “wah-wah-wah-wah” and “maw-maw-maw-maw.”

Right now Connor Claire likes…

Working out at the “baby gym,” also known as the Fisher Price Rainforest Melodies & Lights Deluxe Gym. She can easily spend hours in it staring up at the flashing lights, reaching for the hanging toys (her favorite is the orange monkey) and listening to the rainforest setting’s chirping birds and croaking frogs.
Gnawing on her hands — particularly her left fist! She hasn’t quite figured out how to suck on her thumb yet, though… But she’s committed to working on it.
Going for afternoon walks. I’ll either pop her into her baby carrier or just hold her and walk around our neighborhood circle a few times. She loves looking up at the trees and the sky and listening to the wind and the rustling leaves.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

How to Choose the Perfect Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Formula to Be a Glowing Goddess This Summer

June 3rd, 2016 by Jen Clark 8 Comments

Becca Opal collection — The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors come in liquid, cream, and powder form!

My nightly routine consists of getting into some comfy jammies, snuggling my boys in bed and, as soon as they fall asleep, that’s my YouTube time. From the time I discovered YouTube beauty videos in college all those years ago, I can’t sleep until I watch the newest videos from my favorite beauty gurus.

And a lot of the time when they’re talking about highlighters, Becca’s in the conversation! Now after finally using them, I see what all the fuss is about.

Opal is my favorite Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector shade. It’s the perfect champagne, and I think it looks stunning on everyone. They’ve got some other shades as well that are more cool toned, and some that are more golden, so there’s something for every skin tone out there.They also come in three formulas — Liquid (the O.G. Skin Perfector), Poured (which is a cream), and Pressed (which is a powder).

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Opal ($41 for 1.7 oz.)

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured in Opal — Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Opal

I love how versatile the liquid version is. There are at least three different ways you can use it, like you can use it as a primer and apply it all over your face before your foundation for a really subtle lit-from-within glow.

Probably my favorite way to use it is to mix it in with my foundation. I just put my foundation on the back of my hand and mix in about half a pump, and it makes your foundation gorgeously dewy! Be warned, though — it’s suuuuper glowy, and if you’re already oily, it may be a little too much for your skin.

The last way I like to use it is as my highlighter. After my makeup is all done, I tap just a little bit on the top of my cheekbones and blend it out with my beautyblender.

But I usually only use it that way on lighter makeup days, because I don’t like to put liquids on top of powder. It can kind of chunk up, so I only use it when I haven’t set my makeup with a powder.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured Crème in Opal ($38 for 0.17 oz.)

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The Classic, Now in a Value Size: Limited Edition Value-Sized NARS Orgasm Blush

June 3rd, 2016 by Anna Oh 10 Comments

So…#whatmakesyoublush?

For me? Spicy food, walking around on a cold day, and a little swirl of this Limited Edition Value-Sized NARS Orgasm Blush ($39, 0.28-oz).

I can’t open a magazine without seeing pictures of this iconic pinky peach blush in a shoot or reading an inspiring woman casually mention that it’s one of her go-to’s. I think it has to be one of the most famous blushes in the world.

And now it’s SUPERSIZED. This limited edition $39 value size has the same amount of product as a full-sized 0.28-oz. NARS Bronzer (compared to a regular 0.16-oz. $30 NARS Blush, which is about 40% smaller).

Why Orgasm? Because it’s a chameleon…

NARS Orgasm is sort of like a chameleon, and if you don’t already have one (or more) pans in your collection, it’s a classic. It can be subtle or dramatic; warm or cool. I’ve tried Orgasm dupes in the past, but most of them run peachier/pinker/darker/more metallic, and none of them hit the mark like NARS Orgasm does (hmm…).

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With Fresh Sugar Sport Treatment Sunscreen SPF 30, Be a Sporty Sugar, Not a Sporty Spice

June 2nd, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 7 Comments

Fresh Sugar Sport SPF 30 — Popping on Fresh Sugar Sport Treatment Sunscreen SPF 30 ($25 for a 0.2-oz. stick) pre-jog!

Who here loved the Spice Girls?

“Ooh! Me!” *Raises hand!*

And who here LURVES Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatments?

“Oooh! Me! Me! Me! Me!”

Put ’em together, and what do you get? Fresh Sugar Sport Treatment Sunscreen SPF 30, brand-spankin’ new for summer 2016 and available now for $25 wherever Fresh is sold!

As a runner, a sun-lover (PSA: I never leave the house without sunscreen, and you shouldn’t either) and a park/beach-going mom, I could not be more excited about this new oversized sunscreen-style take on Fresh’s classic Sugar Lip Treatment.

This bad-@ss moisturizing balm for the lips, face, and eye area has the same Sugar scent we know and love, but it comes jam-packed with skin-friendly ingredients, waterproof sun protection (for up to two hours), and a thicker, long-lasting formula. Plus, it’s safe for ages three and up and fab for the whole family.

So tell me what ya want, what ya really, really want. I’ll tell you what I want, what I really really want… It’s this convenient purse stowaway!

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A Subtle, Less Scary Way to Wear the Ombre Lip Trend

June 2nd, 2016 by Jen Clark 16 Comments

I can’t even tell you how often I’ll be scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram and see all these really cool chicks wearing the coolest makeup trends, then get super bummed because I don’t think I can actually pull them off! But even for makeup trends that are super scary, there’s usually a more wearable way to wear them, although we should all just be brave enough to wear whatever we want, whenevever we want. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

One of those trends I always “pin” but never wear is an ombre lip. I decided to grow a pair and just try it, and it turns out, I love it! And it turned out to be pretty wearable too! I could walk around wearing this and not feel like a crazy person, even though that’s sometimes a liberating feeling. 😉

I love how customizable ombre lips are; you can literally do whatever colors you want, and make them as dramatic as you want. For my lips here I decided to go with red and coral and fairly subtle.

1. Blank out the color of your lips

The first step is to use the leftover product of whatever you used for your foundation to blank out the color of your lips. This will make the lip colors you use more vibrant and longer lasting.

ombre lip tutorial — Using my leftover foundation on my beautyblender to pat over my lips

2. Line your lips, and bring in the color slightly at the inner corners

Next, use a lip liner in the darkest shade that you want to use for your ombre (gradient) effect. I used an ancient Sephora Collection Lip Liner in a deepish raspberry that I didn’t realize wasn’t available anymore (sorry about that!). Line your lips, and bring in the color slightly at the inner corners.

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The Forum: Answer My Beauty Questions and Ask Your Own!

June 2nd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 61 Comments

KIKO Wanderlust Free Spirit Lips & Cheek Free Flamingo Swatch — Let’s chat!

Are you down to mix things up a little?

Yeah?

Well, that’s just awesome, because today I’d like to open up a forum! My idea is that you can all ask for product recommendations or general beauty advice down in the comments. At the same time, it would be great if you could answer any questions from the other readers — and obviously, I’ll do the same!

Let me go first!

Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder Universal — I need alternatives to these products!

False lashes for long lashlines?

Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of falsies and only like those natural styles that basically just make you look like you were born with great lashes.

Individuals work quite well for that, but I’d also like to get a few full-strip styles that give the same effect. The problem is that in Italy it’s pretty hard to find any falsies other than MAC’s and MUFE’s, and I don’t really want to spend that much on lashes.

I can get other brands online, but it’s not easy to choose the right ones, you know? Like, I got a pair of Ardell Demi Wispies, but the strip is too short for my big eyes… Do you think I should get the Wispies, then?

Do you have any other recommendations? What I need is affordable, natural-looking lashes with a pretty long, clear strip.

Setting powder for a dry under-eye area?

I’ve already told you numerous times that I have oily skin, but I don’t think I told you that my eye area isn’t. It’s actually more normal to dry, and I find that most setting powders tend to emphasize the dryness.

So, what’s your favorite setting powder for a dry under-eye area?

A brush for cream blush/bronzer?

I’ve mentioned here and there that lately I’ve been all about cream blushes and bronzers. I normally use my fingers to apply blushes and my Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush for bronzers, but that’s the brush I usually keep in my handbag, so I’d like to get another one.

What do you think of the Real Techniques Stippling Brush? Any other recommendations?

Now it’s your turn, ladies! Shoot any beauty-related questions you may have, and answer mine or those of the other readers if you can.

C’mon, don’t be shy. It’ll be fun! 😉

Carolina Braina

Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

Revisiting Old Friends With Herbal Essences Naked Clean and Refresh Shampoo and Conditioner

June 1st, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 7 Comments

As I sit writing this, I’m riding the Amtrak 69 train from NYC toward my hometown of Moriah, New York. I haven’t been home in a while, and it’s my grandmother’s birthday this weekend, so a lot of my cousins who I haven’t seen in a long while are going to be in town.

Making the trip by myself can be tiresome, but the scenery is nice. The Adirondack train runs daily from New York City to Montreal (and vice versa), so it’s a convenient, albeit long, trip (about as long as driving would take with stops to rest).

This week, in the spirit of visiting old friends and family, I also decided to revisit a shampoo I’ve tried before, but not since they updated the packaging and, I assume, reformulated it.

Now it’s called Herbal Essences Naked Clean and Refresh Shampoo ($4.99), but I think it used to be called Herbal Essences Naked Volume when it first came out. I remember being less than thrilled about the original version.

When I tried it back then, I was looking for something affordable that would cleanse my hair well and didn’t contain parabens and all that. The Herbal Essences Naked line was an affordable option.

While the Naked Clean and Refresh line (there’s also a $4.99 conditioner) isn’t marketed as “cleansing,” the combo gets the job done.

My hair is ultra-thin and fine, so experimenting with new shampoos and conditioners is always perilous. I don’t wash my hair often (maybe twice a week), but when I do, I typically alternate between a cleansing shampoo (for when my hair is super greasy or full of dry shampoo) and Clairol Shimmer Lights Conditioning Shampoo, because I’m not about that brassy life. And some days I’ll use a combination of both.

The (new?) formula

Herbal Essences Naked Clean and Refresh Shampoo definitely doesn’t lack in lather potential. If you’re a dime-sized amount user (short hair), you should get a good lather, but it shouldn’t be too much. I use about a quarter-sized amount for my hair and get a lot of nice suds.

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Dior Vernis Polka Dots Colour & Dots Manicure Kits for Summer 2016

June 1st, 2016 by Anna Oh 13 Comments

Right now, I seriously can’t help smiling every time I look down at my nails. 🙂

I’ve had negative time for my nails since starting night classes, but the new Dior Polka Dots Colour & Dots Manicure Kits ($31 each; three limited edition color combos available) remind me what a fun manicure can do to brighten my mood. Every time I’m driving or typing, I feel more put together!

I usually do my own nail painting, and I’ll stick to a few classic colors, rotating every two weeks or so, but I get bored of these same colors real fast. So, with these Polka Dots not only do I get two beautiful shades of the best polish formula (IMO), there are many ways to wear them together — or alone! If you can’t already tell, I’m completely smitten.

dior polka dots manicure — 002 Confettis and 003 Plumetis

As part of the 2016 Dior Summer Milky Dots Collection, each manicure kit comes with two 0.23-oz. bottles and a sexy “Dior” branded dotting tool. The dotting tool has also been a pleasant surprise. Now I can easily draw with my other polishes too.

The color combos — in classic Dior fashion — are elegantly intriguing; my favorite being 002 Confettis. The light orange shade is really doing it for me…and I WILL be using it alone in the near future! I’ve had no issues with the lighter color showing up on the darker color either.

Dior nail polishes have an outstanding formula. They have a medium consistency and apply opaque with two coats using a wide brush. One of them, Junon, is one of the longest lasting polishes in my collection.

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