August Favorites

All Products in This Post Purchased By Me

August Favorites

Fall is almost here, and for me that means changing from tinted moisturizer to foundation, lip balm to lipstick and bronzer to blush.  September is a month where we are in between seasons. It's still super hot outside, but later this month things will cool down. I spent much of August with minimal makeup, but continued to play with and test out the new fall lines that are already launching in stores. Like July, my focus was mostly on skin, an getting my base just right, for a minimal makeup look. 

To view a complete list of my favorite products from the month of August, don't forget to visit my Pinterest board at:

http://pinterest.com/makeupmatters1/august-favorites/

 As usual I tried a ton of new products last month.  My top 5 of the month included some new items to my collection, as well as a couple of old favorites. 

Here are my top 5 favorite beauty items from August: 

• Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm ($34) - I bought this BB Cream several months ago from beautylish.com, and loved it from the moment I tried it. Since I am always testing new products, I haven't finished the tube yet, but I am certainly getting close. I wore this skincare/makeup hybrid the most last month because it's just so easy!  It feels light on the skin, and stays put much longer than a regular tinted moisturizer. This product has a broad spectrum SPF 20 sunscreen, and is ideal for those who want to spend minimal time at the makeup table each morning. If your skin is a little bit on the drier side, you may want to layer it over a serum for added hydration.  The coverage isn't full, but it is buildable and a little goes a long way. I usually work it into my skin with clean fingers, then go back and apply a little bit more in areas where I need additional coverage. It leaves skin with a bit of a glow, which I find perfect for summer. My skin is pretty sensitive and this product does not irritate me at all. It is oil-free and a personal favorite among my BB Cream collection. The shade I wear is Vanilla Glow. 

• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Skin Conceal ($20) - I purchased these in a couple of shades directly from OCC's site because they do offer a makeup artist discount. However, Sephora.com now carries them as well. This concealer is not only cruelty-free, but it is also completely vegan, as is everything from this brand. The reason this one is a favorite of mine, is that I find it super versatile. I've used it for everything from priming the eyes, to creating my own tinted moisturizer (just mix a little with your regular moisturizer).  In addition to being a great product, the brand also offers an impressive shade range. The colors are broken up into yellow and red based skin tones, Y0 being the palest yellow based skin tone, and R5 being the darkest red based skin tone offered by the brand. This concealer is free of parabens, petroleum and fragrance, making it ideal for those with sensitivities. The pigment is quite concentrated, making it a great choice for covering blemishes, or anything else that needs maximum strength concealing. Most recently, I have been using this as a base for my eyeshadow. It helps cover up the veins in my eyelids, and when set with a powder shadow over top, my eyeshadow does not budge. As heavy duty as this baby is, it still feels super lightweight  on the skin.

•  Christopher Drummond Beauty Veludo Velvet Foundation ($4.99-$65) - This product is an old favorite. I've been using Christopher Drummond Beauty products for a while now, and have purchased them from a variety of places. One of my favorites from the brand is the mineral foundation. If you have sensitive skin, this product is a must have. I used it a lot last month, because it is super quick and easy to use, leaving my skin even and smooth.  This product is completely sweat resistant, making it a great choice for hot summer months.  I wore this yesterday, and was outside in super hot weather all day. At the end of the day, when I looked in the mirror, my skin still looked even, and there was no sign of redness popping through. If you aren't a fan of mineral makeup generally, this is a good one to try. I use it with a Mineral Mate tray, and flat top buffing brush. Unlike so many mineral foundations on the market, this one is bismuth free, feels super light on the skin and is completely vegan. I currently have this in Ivory and Light, and go between the two shades, or mix as needed. A little goes a long way with this finely milled powder, so one container will last you a while. The brand also offers sample sizes on www.christopherdrummond.com . Don't forget to check out my guide to mineral makeup here:  

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2012/12/mineral-foundation.html

 

•  Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee ($22) - I am so excited about this product! It just screams summer!  I first read about this in a magazine, then my friend Christine at Makeup Guinea Pig did a great review of it in July. So needless to say, my curiosity led me to purchase this. This gel blush is completely vegan and is a great choice for all skin types. What makes this cheek color different, is that it is so long lasting. I would almost consider it to be more of a cheek stain, than a gel blush. This can be applied with fingers or a brush, but I typically like to use a very small brush to stipple then blend along the cheekbones. It does contain argan oil, which makes it not only pretty to look at, but also beneficial for your skin. Sephora currently carries six different shades, so you are sure to find one that works for you. I purchased mine in Pink Escape, which provides the most natural flush on my skin tone. I love wearing this over my Too Faced BB Cream, for a natural fresh-faced look. 

• Too Faced Pretty Rebel ($46) - To be honest, this was a total impulse buy.  I saw the reviews on this palette, and thought it looked beautiful, but if there is one thing I have too many of it's eyeshadow palettes. One day I was at my local Sephora and saw it on display. The rest is history. I just couldn't pass up the beautiful packaging, and bold colors staring back at me. This palette begged me to buy it! Truthfully, if you have a lot of eyeshadows, you probably have similar colors in your collection. However, Too Faced really hit it out of the park with the pigmentation and texture of these shadows. I am very particular about the type of eyeshadow I like. I prefer softer shadows that have a more buttery texture, and lots of pigment because they are easier to work with and more pigment means they will show up on more skin tones.  I am a big fan of Too Faced as a brand, but I have to say their last couple of eyeshadow palettes have really been stellar. This palette speaks to my inner rebel, with it's collection of matte, shimmer and metallic shades. The palette is nicely put together, and you can create everything from a neutral day look, to a rebellious wild-night-out kind of look.  The names of the colors are very fun, and the packaging is pretty, yet functional. I really like the way the shades are laid out, and I feel that this is a complete palette, meaning you can easily create a variety of looks without having to bring in outside shades. I particularly love Dainty as a blending color. It is absolutely pigmented enough to blend out even the darkest shade in this palette. You get a total of 10 brand new shades that you can mix and blend together to create your own unique colors. The palette also includes a nice wide mirror, and a card with look suggestions.  I will likely post a tutorial using this palette soon, as I've been wearing it a lot lately. 

I hope you enjoyed this look at my August favorites.  I've been testing a few more palettes, and other goodies from various brands, so I'm sure to have some more exciting things to share with you all soon. I am also due for a giveaway, so I will probably have one later this month. Make sure you are subscribed so you don't miss it!

Thank you for reading, and don't forget to share your August favorites in the comments below!

Red Eyeshadow Tutorial

Some products in this post purchased by me, some sent for consideration

Red Eyeshadow Tutorial 

If there is one eyeshadow color that many people are afraid to wear, it's red. As a color, it says, "look at me!"  Those who want to get noticed may wear a red dress to a special event.  In the evening, some women may rock a bold red lip.  For some reason, red eyeshadow is just one place some people won't go. The reason for many is fear of not knowing exactly how to wear it. Worn incorrectly, red eyeshadow can simply make you look ill, or as though you have had some sort of an allergic reaction.  When done properly, red eyeshadow can look simply stunning. 

If you read my previous post on red eyeshadow, you can see that many different brands from drugstore to high end sell the bold hue. Hopefully this tutorial will give you an idea of how to wear this color, and take away a little bit of the fear factor.

Some tips to consider when working with red eyeshadow:

• Be sure any redness in your face from blemishes or discoloration are properly concealed. Unfortunately red eyeshadow can emphasize other areas of redness in the face if you skip this step.
• Bring in some other colors to help balance it out. I love gold, or coral shades to help balance out the heaviness of the red.  However, depending on the look you are going for, red works well with a lot of different colors. Experiment and see what works best with your coloring. 
• Line the eyes. Even if you don't normally wear eyeliner, I think rimming your eye with black liner really makes red more wearable. 
• Load up on mascara or try some falsies. When working with darker shadows, extra mascara or lashes will help open up the eye and help complete the look.
• Formula is key.  Decide if you like something with a little shimmer, or prefer a matte formula. Shimmery shadows can be easier to work with for some in terms of blendability.  If you choose a matte formula, make sure it is a good quality formula with a smooth texture.
• Choose your lip and cheek color wisely. I tend to prefer a peachy blush and nude or light peach lips when playing up the eyes. There are of course exceptions to every rule. 
• Do the eyes first. Even if you always do your foundation before the rest of your makeup, red eyeshadow is not fun to clean up if you experience fallout. To be on the safe side, I highly recommend doing your eyes first, and foundation second. 

Check out my Pinterest board on red eyeshadow for inspiration on other ways to wear red eyeshadow:
http://pinterest.com/makeupmatters1/red-eyeshadow/ 

Now on to the tutorial.  While, there are numerous ways to wear red eyeshadow, I tend to favor it in the crease, rather than on the lid.  Anyone can wear red eyeshadow, but it looks particularly beautiful on those with green eyes because red and green are complimentary colors (opposite each other on the color wheel).

The Tools: For my eye primer, I chose Stila Prime Pot in Taffy. As a base under the red shadow, I used Stila  Convertible Color in Poppy (red/berry), but this step is optional.  The red powder eyeshadow I chose for this look is from the Lime Crime Chinadoll Pressed Eyeshadow Palette. It's called Fly Dragon Fly (matte).  I chose this shade because I like the texture and pigment of the shadow. I find it very easy to work with. I also used the matte black shade in the palette called Lotus Noir, but any matte black will work. The other colors I brought in for this look were a shimmery coral-orange (middle color in the NYX Shangri-La Eyeshadow Trio), NYX Nude Matte Eyeshadow in Bare My Soul (cool matte brown with a tinge of gray in it), Arbonne Vanilla as a highlight (matte).  You will also want to have your favorite black eyeliner handy. I didn't use falsies, but gathered a lash primer and mascara to make sure my lashes looked extra dramatic. For foundation I chose, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness, to cancel out any red tones in my face.

 After priming your eyes, take a powder eyeshadow close to your skin color, and apply it from lash line to brow.

As an optional step, apply a red or berry colored cream base to the crease of the eye with a light hand. Blend out edges with a clean blending brush. Yes, this is breaking the rule of applying a cream product over a powder, but since we will be layering another powder product over it, it still works.

Over the red base you just applied, pick up the coral/orange shade from the NYX trio and blend into the crease. Apply a little bit to the outer corner of your top lid as well.  Use any color in your collection that is similar in color.

  Blend over any harsh edges with a clean brush.

Now for the fun part! RED!  Pick up just a little bit of your red eyeshadow onto a crease brush, and tap off the excess. You want to start with just a little bit of pigment to begin with, and then add more as needed, layering until you get the desired intensity. Go back and forth applying a little bit of color to each eye, and blend and build your layers until both eyes look the same.

Now pick up some of your highlight shade with a clean brush, and highlight your brow bone, inner corner of the eyes, and clean up around the edges.

If you look in the mirror at this point, you probably realize that this looks totally crazy so far. Don't be scared. Just keep moving forward, you'll love the final result, I promise!  Grab your matte cool brown shadow (I used NYX in Bare My Soul) and apply just to the outer corner of your eye. Blend the color inward toward the center of your lid.

Next, grab your matte black shadow, and using the same brush, go over just the very outer corner of the eye lid, not taking it as far in as you did the brown. Again, work in small layers, and always tap off the excess. Using the same brush, take the black shadow along the lower lash line as well. Don't worry if it's not neat, we will clean it up later.

Now go back to your red shadow.  Using the same brush you used to apply it to the crease, work the color along the lower lash line right over the black. You want to use a light hand so the color is diffused. We don't want a harsh line at this point.

Next, tight line and line your waterline with your favorite eye pencil. I used the kohl pencil from Hourglass, because I wear contact lenses, and find this doesn't transfer to my lenses the way gel liner often does.

With a black eyeliner, line your upper and lower lash line. I used my Stila Smudge Stick because it's waterproof and lasts all day.  Set with the matte black shadow, applying it with an angled brush.

Finish off the eye with a lash primer and lots of black mascara on top and bottom lashes.

Clean up time! Grab a cotton swab, and go over the edges of your shadow lightly to make sure the shape is even on both eyes.  If needed go back in with a clean blending brush.

Before you do your foundation, you want to make sure you clean up any fallout. I did my foundation last so that I could easily clean up with a makeup remover wipe.

You can also use the wipe to sweep upward, creating a cleaner edge to your eyeshadow look. Just be sure to go over the edge with a blending brush to soften the line.





Apply your primer, foundation, blush and lip color.  Fill in your brows if needed.  That's it! We are done.

Here is the finished look:

I actually wore this look out in the evening.  I think red eyeshadow can be wearable, as long as you keep the rest of the face neutral. If you try this look, or would like to see different looks using red eyeshadow, let me know in the comments below.  Tweet me a picture of your red eyeshadow look @MakeupMatters1

Thanks for reading!  Don't forget to share, and subscribe!

 *All opinions are my own. I do not get paid to write reviews. 

July Favorites

This post contains products sent for consideration

and products purchased by me

July Favorites

I can't believe it's August already!  My summer makeup routine is much more simple than any other season. Don't worry, I still tested out a ton of new products last month, and have pulled together a list of favorites to share with you. For this post, I'll focus on my top 5 favorites from July. To view a full list of favorites for the month, you can visit my Pinterest board here: July Favorites

To choose my top 5 beauty products for the month, I looked at which ones I used the most.  Since I have lots of different products and brands to choose from, repeated use is a sure way to know that I really do love it. The items mentioned in this post are not necessarily new to my collection, just the ones that were most loved during July. You may have seen a couple of these mentioned in previous posts, so I think it is safe to say that they truly are favorites! 

Here are my top 5 favorite beauty items from July

• Nuance by Salma Hayek Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation ($14.99)- I purchased this product several months back, but for some reason have been using it a lot more lately. In my opinion it is the best drugstore foundation. While the shade range is somewhat limited, it has skin adapting technology, which is supposed to adapt to your skin tone. I haven't tested the shade range fully, but Light Warm is a perfect match to my skin tone. The finish is a natural one, not matte nor overly dewy. I would compare the finish to Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation. The formula is long lasting, hypoallergenic and paraben free. Although this product is only available at CVS and CVS.com, I think the quality rivals high end brands.  While I tend to stick to BB creams in the summer, there are some days where I just need more coverage, and this is the foundation I've been reaching for.

 Nuance Foundation in Light Warm

• IT Cosmetics No. 50 Serum Anti-Aging Collagen Veil Primer ($48)- I was fortunate enough to have IT Cosmetics send me this product for review. While I have already written a review on this, I have continued using it and am still really impressed with it. The bottle is now half gone because I use it not only as a primer under my makeup, but also as a skincare item. It is a hydrating primer/serum hybrid that contains essential oils and vitamins to nourish the skin. It is paraben free, talc free and sulfate free. You will probably see this product in a future post as well, because I've been asked to compare it against the Arbonne primer.  So after I fully test that one, I'll do a side by side comparison. 

 IT No.50 Serum Collagen Veil Anti-Aging Primer comes with a pump and dropper applicator, so you can choose which you prefer. I prefer the pump-style applicator.

 Although the product dispenses white, it blends in completely clear

• Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen ($34)- I have the full size of this in Fair, but since I have been using self tanner I am now working with a sample size in Light. I listed this product in my "summer must haves" post because I truly do love it, especially during the summer months.  It feels super light on the skin, and is a great multitasker. For me, this product can replace my primer, moisturizer and foundation on days where I am in a rush and don't want a lot of heavy layers on my skin. The coverage is light, but very buildable. The texture is smooth and creamy, and blends beautifully into the skin. Sunscreen is sooooo important all year round. However, I really can't live without it in the summer. My skin is pretty fair, and I am prone to burning easily. With an SPF of 30, this product contains a higher sunscreen than a lot of other makeup products out there. This is a must have for lazy days and can be worn both as a primer under your makeup, or solo. I may purchase light in the full size as well to get me through the rest of the summer. 

Swatch of Tarte BB Tinted Treatment in the color Light

• IT Cosmetics Hello Light ($35 including brush)-You may think this is funny, but I purchased this product just to get the brush! I am a big fan of the brushes by IT Cosmetics.  I purchased this product in a kit that came with Hello Light and the pointed brush for application. While I do love the brush, I love this product even more. It really gives that lit-from-within glow to the skin that looks super natural. When you use this product, people will just think you have beautiful glowy skin, not that you are wearing highlighter, which is exactly what you want a product like this to do. This product also contains anti-aging properties. It is paraben free and very hydrating. I just love the look of this when applied to the tops of the cheekbones. 

 Hello Light comes in a mirrored compact

 Swatch of Hello Light (above)

 Hello Light applied to the tops of the cheekbones and brow bone (above)

• Arbonne Bronzer ($36)- Arbonne sent me a sample of this bronzer and I instantly fell in love with it and purchased the full size. As you may know from reading previous posts, I tend to favor a matte bronzer. However, this one gives a very nice satin finish that really compliments self-tanned summer skin. Even though it is a little on the dark side, when applied with a light hand, it still works for my skin tone. The powder is silky and light, plus this product is completely vegan.  

 Swatch of Arbonne Bronzer 

I hope you enjoyed this look at my July favorites. I am counting on these beauty must-haves to get me through the rest of the summer. My primary focus during these hot months is to keep my skin protected with SPF, and keep makeup looking light, fresh and natural. If you use any of these products, I would love to know!

Please share your favorites from July in the comments below.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful and safe summer! 

As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate all the comments, and questions, so keep them coming! 

*Some of the products in this post were sent for consideration, some were purchased by me. I only included products that I really love. I do not get paid to write reviews. I do not get any commissions from any of the companies mentioned in this post. All opinions are my own.