It's Makeup Baby!

I don't know about you, but I am honestly not a fan of the summer heat! I am big fan of glam all the time, so the summer heat tends to put a damper on my makeup needs. I don't like to tan, I'm not a big fan of the sun and I literally melt in the summer. I do wear less makeup on hot days, so I need products that will not only hold up in the heat, but also allow me the freedom to create different looks.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner



I find that most Kohl pencils provide wonderful movement and "smudge-abilty," but they are far from waterproof and will not survive the summer heat, often times I find that perfect bottom liner that I spent forever on is gone by the time I even get to where I am going. Stila's Smudge Stick Eyeliner is great! It goes on creamy and smooth; It allows you to really get in there and smudge away before it sets. It's precise enough to draw a thin line right along the lashline. Smudging that line creates the illusion of fuller lashes, pair it with a great waterproof mascara and you are good to go!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance



I love love love this product sooo much! I use it every single day! I'm actually shocked that I haven't reviewed it sooner! It is a eyeshadow primer. Believe me, I have tried many primers, but this one is the absolute best. Essentially what it does is even out your skin tone while creating a silicone barrier between your skin and the makeup. This prevents creasing and fading. It keeps the color rich and in place. I rarely have to retouch anything. It's so amazing. This reminds me that I am actually running low...after over a year of using the product! A little bit does the job, just a fat droplet on each eye and I'm covered all day! For $17, it is a steal!! This is a must have for anyone that wears eyeshadow. It is truly amazing..all year long!!!

Smashbox Browtech To Go
 


This solved my eyebrow woes! In the summer, my eyebrows disappear and since I am brow hair challenged I needed ONE product that could do the job when I am on the go. I recently brought this and really love how it's a small all in one product. It is double ended, with an angled fat pencil on one side and a brow gel with a mascara wand applicator and the other. The pencil isn't so creamy that it allows for hurried mistakes; it has the right texture to fill in missing spots. The angled tip is also great for precise work. After you've drawn your perfect arches, run the gel over them to set the pencil and place pesky hairs. The end result are natural looking brows that are long-wearing and water resistant!

Too Faced Chocolate Soliel Matte Bronzing Powder



Of course, you can't talk about summer essentials without talking about bronzers! This one is my favorite! It's a beautiful bronze pigment that has real cocoa powder in it, so it smells like chocolate...mmm. It is bronze...not orange (which is great).  It is totally matte and can also be used for contouring. It enhances all skin-tones and for this product again, a little bit goes a long way...especially if you are light skinned. Make sure to tap off your brush before applying.  I like to use large round circular strokes right under my cheekbones to add a little contour and swiping a little bit of blush over my cheekbones to create that sun-kissed California girl look! It can also be used to enhance your cleavage...va va voom

Just because the temperatures are rising doesn't mean that you need to put your makeup away! The right products can keep you glamorous all summer long!

STAY COOL AND HAVE FUN LADIES!

Brow Zings by Benefit



This product is called an eyebrow enhancer for a reason! If you do not have eyebrows or are "brow hair challenged" like myself this product is NOT for you! It is a wax and powder combo that is designed to sculpt existing hair with the gel and fill in spaces with the powder. Both the powder and gel need hair to attach to! Otherwise, after a couple of hours expect to have no brows, only smears of what once was. I have never returned a makeup product in my life. I will usually just make do to support the industry, but I'm returning this and sticking to my Maybelline and MAC combo. I thought about integrating it into my kit, but I can't take the chance of a client wiping off their eyebrows under the hot studio lights, on live TV no less!!

Having said that, just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it's a terrible product. The consistency of the gel and powder cling to existing hair and the packaging is great. I mean, it won Allure's Editor's Choice award for a reason!  It comes with two brushes, a hard angle brush for the gel and a blending brush for the powder. It also comes with (genius) mini tweezers for those stubborn baby hairs. I really wanted this product to work for me, but my lack of hair made it impossible. It does not have the control and longevity of a pencil, so if you're used to a pencil, this product will be a different experience for you. On the plus side, your brows come out really soft and natural looking in the end.  At $30, it is an investment that will last a long time, but it has to work for you! If you end up loving this product, then the $30 will go a long long way. Most people that have used this product love it, which is why I decided to try it. But it just wasn't for me. I hope you have a better experience!!

I'd like to first start off by saying that I have tried a lot of primers! They are designed to smooth and even out your face before you apply your foundation. I wasn't exactly set on any one particular brand, as none of the ones I had tried really made that big of a difference to my skin's overall look, feel and texture. L'oreal's Studio Secrets Primer changed the everything for me! It does exactly what is promises. It smooths, fills in little lines, and makes the skin feel baby bottom soft! It keeps your foundation in place all day and is not heavy or sticky. There are times when I will wear this product without foundation or heavy powders. I simply dust my Laura Mercer Translucent powder over it put on a little makeup and go. It's a wonderful product and for $12, it's definitely worth a try. I recommend this product to every woman who loves her skin. I'm really fortunate to have good skin and I am very careful of what I put on it. This product enhances the look and feel of my natural skin. I look soft, clean, clear and perfectly rested when I use this primer.

Tokidoki Perfetto Eyeliner



Felt tip eyeliners are my current new favorite. I bought the Tokidoki Perfetto Eyeliner in Archlecchino, which is a bright dark blue. I fell in love with its shade of blue. This eyeliner comes in many beautiful colors (white, black, pink, purple different shades of blue and green) that stay true even when laid on top of shadows. It is waterproof, in that it won't run, but if your eyes water it will get lost in your creases a little bit. I do recommend carrying it on your purse for minimal retouching throughout the day. The felt tip is great, if there is enough ink in it. If you try to use it when it's dry, the tip is a little bit abrasive and can scratch. Be sure to store it upside and shake it right before use. This product is perfect for any precision work, fine lines or cat-eyes. The color definitely drew me to this product, but I wouldn't say that I would choose this particular brand as my favorite.

Sephora Brand Doe Eyed Eyeliner



I have been wearing this product everyday for the last two weeks! It is amazing! I  love love love this product! I can very easily say it is my current favorite black felt tip liner. I stumbled upon it by accident, as I was in the market for the Hourglass felt tip liner. The Sephora location I went to, however, did not carry the brand. The store brand was recommended to me and I took a $12 gamble. This product does not disappoint. It is advertised as being long-lasting and that is honestly an understatement! It stays in place for over eight hours without a single touch up! Once it sets, if you make a mistake, you have to use makeup remover to get it off. Sweat and water are not enemies of this liner. The felt tip is soft and is never dry or abrasive. It draws precise lines in one stroke and does not feather. Just remember to cap it tight and store it upside down. It's not expensive and gets the job done. This is the must-have black felt tip!

*Please remember not to use store testers on your eyes or share these liners. The felt tip can absorb eye gunk and transfer it onto someone else!*

Nars Lipstick in Red Lizard



This it the most beautiful pin-up color I have seen in a long while. It is semi-matte and has a creamier application than matte lipsticks. It is a full bodied red lipstick that matches all skin tones and makes the lips look luscious! It has a little bit of a sheen when first applied but goes pretty matte, once it has set. This is a must buy for all of you that love the classic hollywood glam look. I can't say too much about it, other than it's awesome!!!

Cover Girl's Smoky Shadow Blast is a great concept. It's aimed at women who don't have a lot of time to sit in front of a mirror, pull out their brushes and makeup and create a smoky look. Each stick comes with two colors, a lighter color, to be used as a base over the lid, and a darker shade, to roll over the lash line and crease. After a little bit of blending with your fingers, you get a beautiful smoky eye. And for the most part, this product achieves its overall mission. It's quick, effective and very easy. You will notice, however, that the ads say nothing about the wear-ability of this product. Here comes the bad news...it never sets!! In order for you to be able to blend it easily with your fingers, the texture of the product must be creamy. The problem is...it stays creamy. So it moves throughout the day; it gathers in the crease. If you want to use an eyeliner with it, prepare for that line to stick to the product, dull and feather. I have even tried to put a setting powder over it, but that does nothing. I love the concept of this product, but not being able to count on it to hold up for a full day out is disappointing. I say, use it on a moderately cool day while running an errand, but don't count on it to get you through a day at work. It does not stay in place and it will either fade or run, depending on your day.



Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner is a good buy! It is a waterproof gel liner that can compete with some of its brand name competitors. It's supposed to be smudge-proof; it does smudge a little, but not more than expected for a whole day out without a light touch up. The color is rich and stays throughout the day.  It does come with a brush, not a great brush, but definitely enough to fill in the desired area with small strokes. Like other gel liners, it does dry out quickly, so make sure to close the lid tight after each use. I put it on my table upside down while in between applications. Overall, this product is pretty good. I wouldn't say it's the best gel liner in world, but it does the job. It is the gel liner I am currently using for my personal use. While, I don't use it everyday, it doesn't let me down when I do reach for it.

I love Lady Gaga and I am a huge supporter of the of the MAC Aids fund. So I try to pick up the Viva Glam's every year, as the purchase of the Viva Glam Lipsticks support the fight against HIV/AIDS.  Viva Glam Cyndi is a light reddish coral, so it naturally would have suited my skin tone a little better. But since I am Goo-Goo for Gaga, I had to give this product a try.

The color is beautiful, it's a light blue pink. It's young, funky and vibrant, perfect for light skin tones. The blue in it also helps to keep teeth looking bright. As a plus, if you are into saving a buck on the lip liner, NYX Dolly Pink is a perfect match.

But what about tan skin?????

When I put it on, it washed me out a little bit, which i didn't like and it looked frosty on my lips (this is after two coats). Using a small amount gave my lips a nice pink sheen, but I wanted to actually use the product, so I remedied it by buying a fuchsia lip liner (NYX Fuchsia).  I put a small amount of lip balm (Smith's Rosebud Salve) on and lined my lips. I blot-spread the product around so it darkened my lips slightly...not too much. I, then, applied two coats of the Viva Glam Gaga over the existing color. It added a little bit more blue to the pink, so it made the color a tad more rich. I, then, applied a gloss over it. It's still very bubblegum pink, but matches my skin a little better.

To get a brighter hotter pink, I used a tiny bit - just a couple dots on the top & bottom lip and blended- of MAC Hush, Hush Rose Lipglass on top of my Gaga/Fuchsia blend. This changes the color quite a bit, but it's really pretty on tan skin. Hush, Hush Rose is a tinted lipglass and is a darker blue-pink. It compliments the Viva Glam Gaga really well, but use a small amount because it will easily overpower the lighter shade underneath. In order to keep the color as true as possible, while also making it match your skin tone, just make sure to use more of the product than any other add on. I even swipe it over my gloss, just to make sure.

Happy playing everyone! :-)

So I have decided to review a couple of drugstore products at the request of some friends.

L’Oréal’s new True Match Roller™ Perfecting Roll On Makeup


Great idea!!! Designed to save time...but the product is a not what it promises. First off, the roller is designed to go on evenly, but it doesn't. The true match foundation isn't bad, but it feels like they had to make it even lighter to accommodate the roller. It feels very light, almost like a cream tinted moisturizer, when you roll over it with the roll-on sponge applicator, the sponge does not roll smoothly and snags a little while it turns. When you go to apply it on your face, the extra product that gets picked up by the sides of the roller leaves two streaks of product on your cheek. So you'd still have blend it out with a cosmetic sponge or a foundation brush! And you can only use the roller on your cheeks, forehead, and chin. You'd need to once again pick up your sponge or brush to get it around your eyes, nose and around your mouth. If the foundation was of better quality, I would recommend the product. . As it stands, it's just a regular drugstore product with a new gimmicky gadget to attract customers.


Maybellline New York Shine Sensational Lip Gloss



Overall...a little disappointing as well. This is a very sheer tinted lip gloss. The product is a little thin compared to the high end brands. You have to use a lot of product to get any hint of color at all and the shine isn't all that impressive either. By the time you have applied enough for the desired look, your lips feel heavy from the mound of product. If you move, smile, eat or even blot your lips, you can count on it getting everywhere. It isn't very sticky...which is good, but it's still lacking in the quality department. There is not enough shine or color payoff for the amount of product you are using. I do, however, enjoy the "flavor" of this product! I bought it in tempting toffee and the flavor is very light and has more of a smell than a taste. It gives me just enough of a "flavor" without tasting too artificial. This product is definitely to be used on top of your favorite shade. It just doesn't really do enough to stand on its own. I haven't completely given up on it and grab it when i need just a quick gloss, but I won't be buying any more shades.

Smith's Rosebud Salve is the greatest all purpose beauty invention ever! Chapped Lips? Salve them up! Dry elbows? Salve them up! Diaper Rash!? SALVE IT UP!! It really does everything and leaves your lips feeling so soft. The smell of roses is also a nice bonus. Rosebud Salve will literally replace your need for Vaseline! It works great on acne too! Mix it up with your favorite acne cream and wear it overnight. The next day your skin will be soft and that little pesky pimple will have either disappeared or shrunk down to nearly nothing. Wear it alone or under your lip color for added moisture. It's the best and it's cheap...go figure. Run down to Sephora, cough up the six bucks and you'll be hooked...really.



Whenever I am asked by anyone what the best mascara is (both on and off camera), I always respond with Christian Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara. It makes your lashes look lush, curled and long! I have really short eyelashes, so my quest for the perfect mascara had been on-going for years! I found Diorshow and I will never use another mascara again! It does not flake off and really does the job in one or two passes. It is a little pricey, but in this case...as in most...you get what you pay for!!




Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Matte Foundation is my favorite foundation...for my personal use. I don't need a lot of coverage and hate the heavy cake-y feel of some foundations. This foundation provides just the right amount of natural looking coverage and is a wonderful time saver! Just put some on the cap, swirl around with a kabuki brush, tap off the excess and apply! I bought the starter kit to begin with and it include the old original formula, which I loved! I stumbled upon the new matte version by accident, because I didn't read the packaging...I just picked my color and ran to checkout. BUT...i love the matte formula! I have combination skin and have trouble in the T-zone, but this foundation solves all of that...combined with the MAKE UP FOREVER HD Microfinish Powder to set and I am good to go!!

P.S. My only initial complaint about this product was the container. It was just holes in a plastic cover and the product would slip through the holes when it was in my purse. When I went to open it, there would be so much product in the cap and really no way to get it back into the main reservoir. They added this little plastic ring (pictured above) that open and closes the top, so product does not fly out randomly.




EYELINER wars! Well not exactly...I just can't choose! It's between MAC Powerpoint Eyeliner in Engraved or MAKE UP FOREVER Aqua Eyes Mat Black 0L. They are both waterproof, both smudge-able and both stay put once set. They are both soft and glide on easily. I just can't choose! Both are excellent. I am a big fan of eyeliner! A little eyeliner goes a long way ladies...and gentlemen!! The smudge-ability of both of these make for great guyliner!! Invest in a liner you love! It really makes a difference.

Find your products and bring out your inner Goddess and don't be overwhelmed..it's make-up baby!

I love love love Make Up Forever!  The HD Microfinish Powder does the job and then some! This product not only sets foundation and mattifies, but it also leaves a wonderfully soft finish. I apply it last on top of my blush and eyeshadow and it does not change or mute and color. A little bit goes a long way so make sure to tap off any excess before applying. If you use too much, it feels heavy and makes the ultra fine silica feel more like MAC studio fix...Use sparingly and this product will give you months..maybe even a year of use.



Secondly, the Full Cover Concealer is awesome! It's creamy and blends nicely onto the skin. It conceals everything from dark under-eye circles to tattoos. I usually apply it under my eyes after emulsifying it with a little bit of moisturizer, blend with a sponge and apply my mineral foundation over it. It provides just the right amount of coverage, while keeping my lower lash liner in place. This is a great product and again, a little bit goes a long way.

I encourage you to try any MAKE UP FOREVER product! Dany Sanz is a genius and though her style is definitely more runway, her products easily make the transition into everyday life.