Ways to Wet n Wild

All products in this post purchased by me. All opinions are my own.

Hello friends! One of my favorite cruelty-free makeup brands at the drugstore is Wet n Wild. The very first lipstick I purchased with my own money was from this brand so it has a special place in my heart. This brand has grown so much over the years and offers some of the most affordable products with a truly impressive product range.

When I decided to do a one brand tutorial, I had multiple options in my stash to choose from. I decided on Wet n Wild because this brand is both easily accessible and affordable.  

Here is a tutorial teaching you one of the many ways to get Wet n Wild:

For my base, I used a few products from the Wet n Wild Coverall line. 

With a damp sponge, I applied the primer from this line which is a white creamy base that dries clear on the skin. With the same sponge,  I applied the brand's Coverall Cream Foundation,  and spot concealed by dipping a small brush into the Coverall Coverstick in #801 Light. To hide my dark circles, I chose the new mega Cushion Color Corrector in Peach, applying it with a brush, rather than the enclosed air puff.

Next, I groomed and filled in my brows with my new Retractable Brow Pencil in Taupe. For more coverage under my eyes, and to highlight the center of my face, I chose Come Correct Celebrity Concealer in Fair. This is a thick creamy concealer that comes in a squeeze tube, rather than a stick. I am not sure if they still make this, but I love it so much, that I bought a ton of backups in case they ever discontinue it. After squeezing some product onto the back of my hand, I dipped in a small flat brush and painted it onto the parts of my face that I wanted to be the lightest. I used a precision kabuki to blend under my eyes. Using a flat topped, dense brush, I buffed everything into the skin for a smooth look.

To set everything, I used the light side of the Wet n Wild megaglo Contouring Palette in Dulce De Leche, applying the powder with a slightly damp sponge. On the other side of the sponge, I applied the powder contour from the same palette. 

Using one of the Wet n Wild new Megaglo Makeup Sticks for blush (#802A Hustle & Glow) I was able to simply dot the product on straight from the stick, and blend it in with a brush for a flawless look. 

Next, I went to work on my eyes. Using a small eyeshadow brush from Wet n Wild, I picked up a beautiful copper color (labeled eyelid) from their trio Dancing In The Clouds and applied it to my eyelid using a packing motion. I then took a clean blending brush with no product on it and blended the edges.  Using a small pencil brush, I took this color along the lower lash line as well. 

To add more light to the center of the lid, without creating a true halo effect, I picked up the antique gold (labeled browbone) in this trio and using the other side of my flat shadow brush pressed the pigment into the center of my eyelids, concentrating the color closest to the lashes, and then blending all edges into the copper shadow so that they do not look like two separate colors on the eye. I did the blending on my eyelid using the flat brush, and used a clean fluffy brush along the edges. This technique helps the gold and copper kind of fuse together, creating more dimension to the look.

For my crease color, I grabbed one of my mini six-pan coloricon palettes,  called California Roll. With a fluffy brush, I picked up just a tiny bit of the red color in this palette and swept it along the socket, blending away any harsh edges with a clean brush. 

I realize they may not make these eyeshadows anymore as Wet n Wild recently revamped all of their eyeshadow palettes.  However,  the palettes I chose were pretty popular,  so you should be able to find them online if you don't already own them. Otherwise,  I intentionally used colors that are very dupeable. If you need suggestions on similar colors, please let me know. 

Using a very fine tipped brush that I picked up at an art store, I applied a very thin line of Wet n Wild's creme eyeliner in Carbon My Reach along the upper lashes. This eyeliner works quite well for tightlining, so I took it underneath the lashes on top, and continued along pulling it out slightly to create a very thin wing.This is one of their truly standout items, as it performs the same, if not better than many high-end liners I have tried. 

To complete the eyes, I curled my eyelashes and then applied my new megaslim Skinny Mascara (waterproof) from the brand to top & bottom lashes.

Wet n Wild does lip colors really well in my opinion. Ever since M.A.C. stopped being cruelty-free, Wet n Wild has been a top brand for me to find lipstick dupes from. They sell many different colors and formulas when it comes to lip color options. 

I decided to go for a bold lip, and used Wet n Wild Coloricon lipliner in #666 Brandy Wine. On top of the liner, I applied Cherry Bomb lipstick straight from the tube. To clean up the edges, I picked up the brush that I used to blend out my under eye concealer,  and just using the left over product on the brush, traced around my lips for a more precise line. 

Here is the final look:

What do you guys think? Do you want to see more one brand tutorials? Tell me how you like to get Wet n Wild in the comments below. 

 

Citrus Makeup Look

I have been really inspired by citrus colors lately. I began collecting inspirational photos on Pinterest here: Pinterest  

After seeing some of the beautiful makeup looks other makeup artists came up with I decided to try some of my own. I was originally drawn to some of the vibrant orange eyeshadows in my collection,  but then decided to use yellow, green and orange in one look instead. 

Here is my take on a citrus inspired eyeshadow look:

First, I primed my eyelids with Milani eyeshadow primer, applying it with a flat synthetic brush. 

Next, I applied the lime green color from Wet n Wild' s California Roll 6-pan palette allover the eyelid.

On top of that, I applied the matte yellow eyeshadow from ColourPop's Yes, Please! Palette to 3/4 of the eyelid. I blended the yellow and green together at the point where the colors met to soften any harsh lines. 

Next, in the same ColourPop palette, I picked up some of the bright matte orange shadow on a Furless PRO3M brush to smoke out the outter corner of the eye, as well as taking that color along the lower lash line.  

To get the desired shape, I cleaned up the edges with a cotton bud. Once I had the desired shape, I blended the matte orange into my crease using the Furless PRO2E.

To complete the eye look, I did some blending around the crease of the eye using a Furless PRO7E brush. With my Sigma E32, I applied a matte eyeshadow that was close to my skin tone just below the brow and down blended it to smooth out the look

I went back into the crease with a clean Kelley Quan E4 brush for a final blend.  

To complete the look, I added some mascara, and finished the face. On my lips is OCC lip pencil in Grandma topped with Smashbox Haterade liquid metal lip.

Here is the final look:

What do you think? If you try a citrus inspired look, please tag me on Twitter and show me your looks @MakeupMatters1

Xoxo 

Illinois Artists Helping Artists Logo Contest *CLOSED*

Makeup Matters Logo Contest

*A WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!*

In an effort to support local artists,  I am hosting a contest to create a new logo for Makeup Matters. 

Entries from Illinois based art students and aspiring artists will be considered.  

The Rules: files must be submitted in .eps or .ai format. 

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, or have a parent or guardian's approval to enter.

Entries must be submitted by May 31st 2018 via email to makeupmatters3@gmail.com 

One entry per person.

What you could win:

Prize Option 1:

The contest winner will get a complementary makeover, makeup lesson and makeup gift basket as well as the option to be featured on my blog. The winner may bring one friend or family member to the lesson.  

OR

Prize Option 2:

One Amazon.com gift card valued at $50.

The contest winner will have the option to choose between prize option 1 OR 2. 

Logo will be used on my blog and in marketing materials. You may add this project to your resume, and I will feature a blog post containing other approved artwork by the contest winner.  

If the winner does not wish to receive the makeover or lesson, he or she may transfer to a friend or family member instead. 

Amazon gift cards are non-transferable.

The purpose of this contest is to encourage artists to help other artists by supporting each other's work. You will have a platform to showcase your abilities, and help a local makeup artist build her brand. 

No purchase is necessary to enter. You must be subscribed to this blog, and meet all above requirements to be considered.  Group projects will not be accepted.  All artwork must be original and submitted by original artist. 

Please include with your submission a brief paragraph about yourself, explaining the logo you created and why you entered the contest. Feel free to include what type of makeup look or lesson you hope to win should your entry be chosen. A brief bio and selfie can also be submitted, but are not mandatory. 

Thank you for participating.  Good luck!

Why You Need To Try Furless Cosmetics

Why You Need To Try Furless Cosmetics

I've been using makeup brushes from Furless Cosmetics for years.  They are a cruelty-free and vegan brand that has brushes for everyone from makeup lovers to makeup artists. They also sell a large variety of professional grade pigments that are dream come true. Full disclosure, I did receive a 20% beauty blogger discount, but I did purchase these products with my own money because I truly love this brand.  I recently bought three brushes and  a beautifully bright yellow eyeshadow called Violate. I received my package on Thursday, and have enjoyed testing out these goodies all weekend.  When I test new products, I really put them through the ringer. I like to try brushes with a variety of products, and use pigments in as many different ways as I can think of.  I also always wash and dry my brushes to see how they hold their shape after a good cleaning. Due to the fact that I have had such success with Furless in the past, I was not surprised at all by how perfectly all of these products performed. Even if cruelty-free isn't a priority for you, I strongly urge you to give Furless a try. I am sure that you will be happy you did.  Just in case you want to know why I love Furless so much, I happened to put together a list for you (and some pretty pictures too). 

Here is why you need to try Furless:

1. These brushes are SOFT! I know a lot of brushes are soft, but these are like REALLY soft and smooth. 
2. Large variety of bristle shapes & sizes for any makeup job.
3. Their pigment containers are large and the colors are vibrant.
4. They offer brush handles in many lengths, for full sets and individual brushes.
5. Furless is a cruelty-free and vegan brand. 

Here is a picture of their Purple Domed Powder Makeup Brush (PF4): 

When I first opened the box, I was truly impressed with the size of this brush. I ran my fingers through the bristles and actually said out loud (even though probably only my dogs could hear me), "Wow, these bristles are so silky."  I tend to apply powder to the face with a powder puff, but always use a super soft brush to knock off the excess.  That is exactly what I love this brush for. The silkiness of the bristles allow you to sweep powder away from the under eye area (or anywhere on the face) without disturbing the foundation underneath.

This second brush (pictured above) is called the Couture Body Definer - Limited Edition (BC4) .  I purchased this brush because I looked through my collection and realized that I don't have one this size or shape at all.  This brush is truly multipurpose for me. I love it for contouring, applying blush, and highlighter. The size works great on the face, but it also is perfect for sculpting around the collarbone or applying body highlight in strategic places. I am really happy I picked up this super unique brush.  It is limited edition, so if you want one, be sure to pick it up while you can. 

Pictured Above: I used the Couture Body Definer - Limited Edition to contour my face.

Pictured Below: Perfectly Pink Eyeshadow Brush (PPM1):

This Perfectly Pink Eyeshadow Brush is a real workhorse. It is perfectly shaped to apply and blend eyeshadow, as well as contour the nose. As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, one of the reasons why I started this blog was that I wanted a cruelty-free/synthetic version of the M.A.C. 217.  This brush absolutely has that type of vibe to it. It is a bit smaller and thinner, which makes it perfect for working on clients with smaller lid space.  I used it to apply the new yellow pigment I picked up from the Furless site, as well as blend out other shadows and find this brush applies and blends like a dream.  If you are the type of person who likes to use only one brush to do your eyeshadow this one is a good pick because it is so multipurpose. 

I have no idea why, but this is the first time I purchased eyeshadow from Furless. I've loved their brushes forever, but for some reason, I never picked up one of their pigments. I have been really feeling yellow lately, so this bright yellow pigment in Violate caught my eye. This non-toxic, vegan, professional formula is super bright and easy to blend.  The container comes with 0.28 oz. of loose eyeshadow pigment.  I applied it and blended it with the Perfectly Pink Eyeshadow Brush both wet and dry.  I was surprised to see how metallic and pigmented it was right out of the container, before wetting the brush.  Both swatches above are brush swatches, not finger swatches. The packaging is beautiful, and I was truly impressed with the size. For comparison, Sugarpill's loose pigment in Lumi is 0.21 oz. and Alexis Vogel's Glow Dust is 0.04 oz.

Here is one of the looks that I created using all three brushes and the Violate pigment:

Have you tried Furless brushes?  If you are interested in purchasing any of the brushes mentioned in this post please visit: https://furlesscosmetics.com/ 

*Note: I do not get paid to write reviews. All opinions are my own. I do not get any commission if you purchase anything from Furless.  I am only recommending them because I honestly use and love their products! 

Favorite Ultra Violet Makeup

This post was requested through my Twitter poll. You can follow me on Twitter @MakeupMatters1.

Purple is my favorite color. I've even been known to drive a purple car back in the day. Sifting through my collection,  I found a bunch of purple products to choose from. For this post I really tried to parse out those that fit the actual Pantone Color of the year, Ultra Violet.

Here are some of my favorites:

From the Urban Decay Electric Palette, the pressed pigment Urban is hands down my favorite. 

Urban Decay really knows how to do Ultra Violet right! Their eyeshadow in Psychadellic Sister has been a long standing favorite of mine. I keep it in my "purple palette," which I assembled using the Urban Decay create your own six-pan palette.

Another favorite from Urban Decay is their 24/7 Glide On Eyeshadow Pencil in the color Delinquent.  I often apply them to the eye solo or as a base under powder eyeshadow.  These are water proof and set quickly, so I recommend blending immediately after application. 

If you are looking for Ultra Violet at the drugstore, I got ya covered. Sleek's Vintage Romance palette is super pigmented and has a beautiful eyeshadow in this trendy hue. 

We all know that no blog post of mine is complete without mentioning brushes. These Ultra Violet-tipped beauties are from the cruelty-free and vegan makeup brush brand Furless Cosmetics. They are super soft and high quality in addition to being fabulous to look at.  These brushes are a great way to add a pop of color to your makeup table.

I thought it would be fun to create an Ultra Violet inspired makeup look to go along with this post. I used Makeup Geek Prom Night eyeshadow, along with the Sleek shadow above, and Urban Decay's Urban from the Electric Palette. I tried it first with a nude lip, and then popped on Milani's liquid lip in Violet Addict for a more vibrant look. 

I hope you enjoyed this look at my favorite Ultra Violet products. What are yours?

Drugstore Haul & Cruelty-Free Dupes!

Drugstore Haul & Cruelty-Free Dupes!

A couple of days ago, I popped into my local Walgreens to check out their makeup section.  Just a day or so before, I purchased the Wet n Wild Rose in the Air 10-pan eyeshadow palette and fell in love.  I decided to go back and pick up the Comfort Zone palette from the same brand, and check out other new makeup items to the store. I found way more cruelty-free goodies than I was looking for....but I'm not complaining. When I got home, I began to immediately swatch and try out a few of my new goodies.  To my surprise, I found a number of the items that I bought could be dupes for higher priced items in my collection. My excitement grew, and I posted a few of my finds on Pinterest, but decided these items deserved a full blog post of their own. I also posted a poll (my first one) on Twitter today, and while there was a tie as to what post you guys wanted to see next, this is the one that received the most votes first.  Since it was a tie, I will be posting my Ultra Violet Favorites this month as well, so please make sure you are subscribed so that you don't miss it!

In no particular order, here is a look at some of my recent purchases from my local drugstore:

 

Pictured Above (left to right): Original Beauty Blender Sponge (dry), Walgreens Brand Mini Blender Sponge (dry)

Walgreens brand Mini Blender Sponge - $1.99 - While not a true "dupe," I still got pretty excited about this buy.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Beauty Blender.  However, we all know that replacing this egg-shaped sponge regularly can be quite costly ($20.00).  I have tried many other beauty sponges from a number of brands and usually come away disappointed. This version from Walgreens, while a tad smaller than the original Beauty Blender, works just as well at a fraction of the cost.  It is extremely soft, even softer than the Beauty Blender, giving that nice bounce to the face when stippling foundation.  While it is slightly smaller, it is not as small as the Micro Mini Beauty Blender sponges that I have used to blend concealer under my eyes. I haven't tried the Beauty Blusher Cheeky sponge, which is smaller than the original.  That may be a better size comparison, but even the Beauty Blusher sponge retails for $16.00 each. Since I just bought this drugstore version, I can't really say how long it will hold up over time, but if this little guy holds up, I just may have to replace my beloved Beauty Blender so that I don't break the bank. 

Pictured Above (left to right): Hourglass Cosmetics Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette ($34.00), Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Retractable Brow Pencil in Taupe

Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Retractable Brow Pencil in Taupe - $3.99 - This item is a true dupe in my opinion. The only real difference I could tell is in the size of the pencil.  The Wet n Wild version is a bit slimmer and shorter than the Hourglass version.  However, the price difference between the two is quite significant.  The angle and shape of the pencil are pretty much identical, and I could not note any discernible difference in the color.  I am very excited about this find, because I have been using the Hourglass version for quite a while, and while I love it and find it to be long lasting, the price tag makes me pause and consider using this Wet n Wild version going forward.  

 

Pictured Above (left to right): Walgreens Beauty Contouring Brush, Walgreens Beauty Stippling Brush

Walgreens Beauty Contouring & Stippling Brushes - $4.99/each - I think it is safe to say that no beauty haul is complete for me without throwing at least one brush in my cart.  Yes, I have a problem. I don't know that these are necessarily dupes for any particular brushes in my collection, but at $4.99 each, I couldn't pass them up.  We all have stippling brushes in our collections, and I absolutely use this type of brush for just about any liquid or cream makeup product I apply.  Having this smaller sized brush handy will make application a breeze in the morning. The contouring brush seems a bit more unique, though it reminded me of some of the styles that Sigma sells.  I did not get to try out the contouring brush yet but the bristles seem to be an interesting shape, softness, and density so I look forward to trying it out and reporting back.

 

Pictured Above: Wet n Wild Mega Cushion Color Corrector For Dark Circles

Wet n Wild Mega Cushion Color Corrector For Dark Circles, Peach - $5.99 - This adorable compact has been in my Walgreens for at least a couple of months now. I have been eyeing both this cutie as well as the contour color that comes in similar packaging.  I finally broke down and purchased it, and have used it for a few makeup applications.  Cushion makeup has been popular in Asia for a number of years now.  The US market has had a fair share of cushion foundation, and CC creams hit the shelves as well.  It is nice to see a drugstore version that is cruelty free.  The lid screws off revealing an air puff separated by a plastic divider so that the puff can stay clean, rather than get soaked with makeup by the product underneath.  I appreciate the nice thin layer of product that gets applied to the under eye area when using this product with the enclosed puff.  The peachy tone works well with my skin tone, and does correct dark circles.  However, I would imagine that the pigmentation/color is not enough for those with severe dark circles and/or a skin tone any darker than mine. 

 

Pictured Above: Walgreens Beauty Over The Finger Blending Sponge

Walgreens Beauty Over The Finger Blending Sponge - $4.99/2 pack - When I saw these in the store I immediately thought of The Makeup Bullet Finger Sponge ($24.99/3 pack).  Sadly, I have never tried the original Makeup Bullet, but it is a product that has intrigued me for a while now.  Since these were so affordable, I decided to try them first and see if they are something I will actually use before buying the higher-end version.  That being said, I did notice some differences between the Walgreens version and the original just from the packaging alone. The Walgreens version is made of latex, while the Makeup Bullet is latex-free.  This is not a personal problem for me, but many people do suffer from a latex allergy so I would not feel comfortable using the Walgreens version on my clients for this reason.  The Walgreens version is made in China, while the Makeup Bullet is made in the USA.  I have to admit, I had to really think twice about writing this post, as I have seen many products that were launched by women with an entrepreneurial spirit be swallowed by larger corporations copying her idea.  Sadly, I think of the Paw Palette, which E.L.F. now sells a Palm Palette version of, and the Benjabelle Brush Trees that had to stop manufacturing due to cheaper knock-offs erasing their profits.  I will always try to support small and women owned businesses where I can.  That being said, these less expensive versions may have a place and allow those who otherwise couldn't afford them to participate in a new product.  In my case, as I said above, I am using this as a try before I buy the actual Makeup Bullet to see if it is a product that I can actually work into my routine.  

Pictured Above (left to right): Make Up For Ever Uplight Face Luminizer (not cruelty-free), Wet n Wild Megaglo Hello Halo Liquid Highlighter in Halo, Goodbye ($5.99)

Wet n Wild Megaglo Hello Halo Liquid Highlighter in Halo, Goodbye ($5.99 each) - I purchased these liquid highlighters in two different shades. I have only tried the color Halo, Goodbye so far.  Another makeup artist, and friend of mine, had Make Up For Ever's Uplight Face Luminizer in her kit, and pointed out how much the two products looked alike. I swatched them side by side, and believe this to be a true cruelty-free dupe.  I am not sure if Make Up For Ever still sells this product, but the container refers to it as a gel, rather than a liquid like Wet n Wild. The Wet n Wild version is ever so slightly thinner, but I honestly can't tell any difference when blended out on the skin. I looked online, and the Make Up For Ever version is available for $13.88.  So if you are looking for a cruelty-free replacement, or just want to save some money, I highly recommend the Wet n Wild version. It looks beautiful on the skin, and blends effortlessly. 

 

Pictured Above: Milani Conceal & Perfect 2-In-1 Foundation & Concealer in 00 Light Natural

Milani Conceal & Perfect 2-In-1 Foundation & Concealer in 00 ($10.99) -  Unlike the majority of my purchases, which were largely impulse buys, I actually was in the market for a new liquid foundation.  I have been a big fan of Milani's makeup products for years, so I had to try this foundation.  It is a full coverage, water-resistant formula that dispenses with a pump.  The finish of this foundation is beautiful.  Sadly the color was a bit too yellow for my skin.  However, when I was writing this post, I logged onto Milani's site, and realized they have many more shades than my local store carries. I am so happy about this, because there appears to be a shade that might work better with my complexion.  The color I picked up is Light Natural, which is described as being best for those with a light complexion with peach undertones.  I found this foundation to look flawless when I applied it with a damp beauty sponge, but later in the day it oxidized and turned far too yellow for my fair complexion.   They have two fair shades available on their site, which I would recommend trying for anyone with my skin tone or lighter. This foundation does need to be powdered as it dries to a shiny finish.  The coverage is very impressive, and easily covered up any redness or pigmentation on my skin. The coverage is also quite buildable, which I guess is why they are calling it a foundation & concealer in one.  I am happy to say that this did not cause my sensitive skin to breakout, which is a minor miracle. It does blend well, but be advised that a little goes a long way. If you use too much product, it will settle into fine lines.

Below: I applied the Milani foundation to my face using a damp beauty sponge.  In the first picture, taken right after application, you can see, it looks beautiful. The second photo was taken at the end of the day.  The color seems to have oxidized and turned a bit yellow on my complexion. I also had some settling of product in the fine lines under my eyes.  This can likely be corrected by switching to a lighter shade, and applying the product very lightly around the eye area. 

Pictured below (left to right): It Cosmetics Tightline Mascara ($10.00), Wet n Wild Waterproof Skinny Mascara in Black ($4.99)

Wet n Wild Waterproof Skinny Mascara in Black ($4.99) - Of all of the products I purchased at Walgreens recently, this has to be my favorite. For years I have been complaining that I can't find a waterproof drugstore mascara that I really love. I always end up having to shop high-end, which I hate due to the fact that mascara needs to be replaced so frequently.  The makeup gods must have been listening because I finally found an awesome waterproof mascara that is super affordable. When I first saw the wand on this, I immediately thought of my much-loved Tightline Mascara from It Cosmetics.  The wand is not as skinny on the Wet n Wild version, so I would not call this a true dupe.  However, it certainly is thin compared to your average mascara wand.  I was able to press the wand right up against my lash line, creating a very similar tightline effect.  I was able to test exactly how waterproof this mascara is as well, due to the rainy weather here in Illinois.  This stuff stays put!

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palettes Rose in the Air & Comfort Zone ($4.99 each) - This is a very close second for my favorite recent buy. Wet n Wild has always been a go-to brand for me when it comes to their Color Icon Eyeshadow Palettes.  As many of you may know, they recently reformulated & relaunched some of their old palettes.  The internet informed me that the Rose in the Air palette is a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette ($42.00).  I was so excited when I found this out, because I never purchased the Anastasia version despite rave reviews.  I absolutely love the Rose in the Air palette, and find I can get a variety of unique looks from this little palette. The Comfort Zone palette is one I used to own and love back in the day, so picking up the relaunch was a no-brainer for me.  Pinterest and YouTube also taught me that Comfort Zone is a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario ($45.00).

 

Below are a couple of makeup looks I created using the Rose in the Air palette:

I think it is clear that Wet n Wild has really been a winner for me lately. While these are all probably more first impressions than full reviews, I highly recommend keeping a lookout for these items at your local drugstore.

Have you discovered any recent dupes?  Please share in the comments below.