Saturday, June 22, 2013
Sweatpants and Lipstick: Everyday Smokey Eye with Nude Lip - Step by Step
Sweatpants and Lipstick: Everyday Smokey Eye with Nude Lip - Step by Step: I know, I know, everyone does smokey eye tutorials, but for some reason, it's the easiest to teach other than a no-makeup, makeup look ...
Everyday Smokey Eye with Nude Lip - Step by Step
I know, I know, everyone does smokey eye tutorials, but for some reason, it's the easiest to teach other than a no-makeup, makeup look (which has also been done by everyone). Here I'll show you how I go from bare-faced to full-face with mostly drugstore products. Pictures and explanations for everything I do will be included. Hope you enjoy :)
I started by washing my face with the Michael Todd regimen for acne prone/oily skin.
This is all of my no-makeup-what-am-I-so-miserable-for glory before I began
Looks like half of a mug shot...ah well.
After that, I moisturized my skin with Neostrata Anti-Wrinkle Cream
Then I used NYX Pore Filler in my T-Zone (forhead, nose, chin, and a bit on my cheeks)
Then I used my Beauty Blender and put on my Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation
Ta-daa.. Foundation = complete
Here is a beautiful before shot of my awful eyebrows that I'm trying so hard to let grow back to their natural state after an unfortunate waxing event... le sigh :(
And filled them in a bit using Elf's Eyebrow Kit in Medium
Then I used Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe as a base all over my lids, up until my crease.
(I roughly put it on with my finger..don't worry about blending it because we're going to put shadow over top of it).
I started with the right browbone shade in the Comfort Zone pallet from Wet n Wild and patted that all over the base we just put on using a flat shader brush.
Then I applied the light brown color from the same pallet in my crease and in the outer corners. Again, don't worry about making it perfect because we're going to do all the blending at the end in one step.
Then I took the reddish-brown definer shade and put that through my crease and outer corners as well to give it more depth and demension. Use a light hand when applying this shadow because it is very pigmented. Don't worry, you can always apply more - but it's harder to remove once you've used too much.
I also brought that same definer shade down onto my lower lashline and blended it so there were no harsh lines. Make sure you leave the inner corners bare so you don't close your eye up.
After that I took some black eyeshadow and lightly ran it across my upper lashline. This just gives your lashes the look of being fuller and eyeshadow is a lot more natural looking than eyeliner. It gives it a softer look.
Now that we are done with the eyeshadow, I took my concealers and concealed my undereyes (all while cleaning up any fall-out from the darker shadows) and blemishes. I used the Glamoflauge concealer on my spots and the Maybelline Fit Me concealer for under my eyes.
After concealer, just set your face (wherever you need to, if you need to) with some loose or pressed powder. I forgot to take a picture of what I used but it was Rimmel Stay Matte in Translucent. I just applied it wherever I used concealer and in my t-zone.
Then I contoured my face using NYC Sunny Bronzer
For blush I went with a light pink color - I used NYX blush in Peach (even though it isn't actually a peach color....)
Here's what we look like so far.. I am actually so awkward.
I took my favorite mascara of the moment (Doir Show New Look Mascara) and applied it just on my upper lashes. I did not touch the bottom ones. Now, before mascara, this would be the time for you to curl your lashes if you need/want to. I don't curl my lashes because they are already super long and curly and when I curl them, it's a mess haha trust me.
For lips I combined Rimmel's Nude Delight and Loreal Shine Stain in Pink Rebellion
I really need to do something about this mustache that I've got...ugh.
Here is the finished result with all of my awkwardness...I really can't pose for my own photos hahaha whatever. I'm over it. This is the look.
Before & After
Hope you enjoyed my first-ever step-by-step tutorial :)
Don't forget to follow for new blog posts & leave a comment if you would like to see more of these :)
xoxo Alyssa
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Holy Grail Products
Some of us have specific products that we feel we literally cannot live without. For me, mine are mostly drugstore, however, there are a couple of items that were a little more expensive than the rest. Below you will find my most loved products with swatches, reviews, prices, and my overall thoughts and because I love them all equally, they are really in no particular order. I hope you enjoy and leave me a comment letting me know what YOUR holy grail products are xoxo
Price: $28.50
This is the first ever high end mascara that I have ever used. It reminds me a lot of the Maybelline Lash Stiletto in the length that it gives your lashes. I was a little worried at first when I opened this mascara to try it because it was quite a bit drier than I like (I like a really wet formula in my mascaras). I only purchased this because it was on sale with a sample sized eyeshadow set from Dior and I figured, "why not?". I am so happy that I bought this because I absolutely adore it! I wish it wasn't so darn expensive though, so maybe when I run out (which should be soon since I've had it about two months and it is getting quite dry ugh) I will go purchase the Lash Stiletto again and see how well it compares. I have fairly oily eyelids and I don't really have a problem with smudging from this mascara which is kind of weird since it is not a waterproof formula which, again, I normally go for.
It has a rubber bristle brush and it is actually quite small and the bristles are spaced out quite further than most other wands, but I don't really mind it - it gets into those stubborn corner lashes really nicely because of the smaller sized brush.
Before Mascara
(my apologies for my awful eyebrows...they need to be done like, yesterday)
After Mascara
As you can see, it doesn't really give much volume to my lashes, but it does give them some length (which I tend not to go for because my eyelashes are already very long). I'm not sure how well they would hold a curl because I have naturally curled eyelashes and next to never curl my lashes. I was definitely blessed in the eyelash department.
Price: $18.00
I'm not going to go into details about this product on here because I have an entire blog post specifically reviewing the Acne/Oily Skin Regimen from Michael Todd here. But let me just tell you I am absolutely head over heels in love with this scrub. Ugh. Beautiful.
Price: $4.00-$6.00
This product is so inexpensive, I'm surprised it works as well as it does. I am an extreme advocate for drugstore makeup as I don't think you need to spend hundreds of dollars to look and feel good (although sometimes there are exceptions to this rule - as with everything else in the world). I have super dry skin one minute and then it's like pools of oil the next and this one of the only powders I have tried that combat the oils and does not accentuate my dry patches either. This is an amazing powder and it is definitely a staple in my collection and I totally recommend this product.
Price: $7.00-$10.00
This does exactly what it says it does. Wakes you up (or at least makes you look like you're awake). It gives such a nice glow to the skin without making you look shiny or greasy and from someone with an oily skin type, that's saying something. I do recommend if you are oily skinned, to set it with a powder because it will start looking shiny throughout the day, but this is absolutely perfect for someone with dryer skin. It transforms dull looking skin into youthful glowing skin. I wouldn't say it has a dewy finish, but it is definitely not matte either. I would say it gives a medium coverage, but you can still see your skin showing through so it is very natural looking.
Before & After Foundation
(Clearly the before and after are on the wrong sides...oops)
Price: $3.00
YES. THREE DOLLARS FOR THIS COMPACT OF BEAUTY. I am telling you right now, for someone who is on the fairer side of the skin-tone spectrum, this gives you the most natural looking bronzed look (as an all over bronzer or as a contour powder). It is completely matte, too, so it makes the best contour in my opinion. I can't say enough good things about this. It does not make you look orange or muddy and it is so damn inexpensive you can't go wrong. Please go buy this. Just do it. Please.
Price: $32.95
Yes, I know, it's expensive, but I promise you it is work absolutely every single penny. It makes your foundation look absolutely flawless and because there are no edges, you do not get those stubborn foundation brush lines on your face. It is beautiful. You use it damp or dry (though I prefer it damp) and you "bounce" the blender on your face and it makes your foundation look magnificent. You can use it with cream and powder products and I do not know if I will ever use a foundation brush again (flat, stipple, kabuki - nothing). Unless I find a brush that can do what this does, I don't think I can go back to the days of trying so hard. It is effortless. It is latex-free and it is easily washable (mine is clean, but it is stained so it looks a little dirty). Just go buy this.
Price: $8.00-$10.00
This is my most-loved under-eye concealer. It makes me look like I've had a 12 hour sleep and it does not crease (at least, not on me). It is so creamy and smooth and so easy to blend (I use either my fingers or my beauty blender). It brightens my eye area and conceals dark circles. It is quite a simple product and I think that's why I love it. It still looks natural. Unfortunately, it only comes in 6 different shades, so unless you're light, light-medium, medium, or medium-dark, you may not find a match for you (by the way, I wish companies would start catering more products for you dark-skinned women because it's quite pathetic how little there is to choose from). Overall, I think this is a great concealer for under the eyes and I definitely recommend it to anyone in the market for something simple.
Price: $6.00
This is for special occasions (aka everytime I have a breakout...aka every day of my life?) because this is the thickest and most full-coverage concealer I have ever used. It literally goes such a long way because of how thick in consistency it is. The downside to this product is that it dries quite quickly so you need to work fast when it comes to blending it in. I wouldn't recommend it for your under-eye area because it most likely will crease but it is perfect for covering blemishes, acne scarring, and hyper-pigmentation. For only $6.00, I don't think you can go wrong to at least try it.
Price: $12.00
I purchased this whilst shopping in the states a little while back because I was looking for something to help with my pores (low and behold, I found this and it was on sale, yippee!). This makes my skin so smooth and fills in my pores so my foundation goes on like a dream. I've used a ton of different drugstore primers, but nothing works quite like this when it comes to pore control. I don't really notice much of a difference when it comes to making my face makeup last longer, but it does make it go on so smoothly that I can overlook that small infraction. I love this stuff and I use it every time I do my makeup. Now that I think about it, I think I may need to make a trip to the states soon and pick up another one (along with multiple different items because Ulta has become my favorite place).
Price: $6.99
You see, I have a problem with nude lipsticks because most of them make me look like I just woke up from a 6 year coma and it is not cute. This one, however, is my favorite nude lipstick in this whole entire world (Here I am, talking like I've tried every single nude lipstick in the entire world...ha). It does not make me look dead, which is always a bonus and it is so soft and moisturizing, you'd think you were wearing a lip balm. I love all of the lipsticks from this line that I've tried, but since we're talking nude lip only, I won't show you the other ones. Head to your local drugstore and create a swatch storm and pick your favorite. I'm sure they are all good and there's a shade for everybody.
Swatched
Swatched on my Lips
(Such a cute mustache...)
Price: $6.99-$11.00
Hi I love these. Wear them as a base or on their own. I only have three shades to show because I am not at home right now with my entire collection (and I have most of them...), but these are a few of my favorites
Left to Right: Tough as Taupe (Matte), Inked in Pink (Metallic), Barely Branded (Metallic)
They are so smooth and creamy and they last forever. I don't know about the 24 hour claim because I don't keep my makeup on for that long, but they do last for ages, I will tell you that much. They are a cream, but they don't dry sticky or wet, but more of a powdery kind of texture (I am so bad at describing things, my goodness). I don't really have much to say about them because they are just so good and not overly expensive either. A couple of my other favorite shades are Bold Gold and Bad to the Bronze. They are wonderful. Beautiful. Incredible. Go get some please.
Swatched on my Hand
Left to Right: Inked in Pink, Tough as Taupe, Barely Branded
So there a few of my favorite products. I probably should have picked like, five, but that would have been too difficult and I'm a very indecisive person. I highly recommend everything that I mentioned in this blog and I bought and paid for all of these items myself and my reviews are completely honest. I love these products so much that I would run out and buy them all in a heart beat if I were to lose any of these precious babies. Thanks for reading and I hope you found something good enough to go and buy if you don't own it already. Sorry it was so long, and this is just more words for you to read that you probably don't want to read. Okay. That's all. Goodbye :)
xoxo Alyssa
P.s. Please comment and let me know some of your favorite products and if you have a blog or a YouTube channel, please leave the link to it below! I am always looking for new blogs to follow or videos to watch :) xxxx
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Spot Treatment Showdown: Clean and Clear Popped Pimple Drying Paste vs.Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Clean and Clear Popped Pimple Drying Paste vs. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
One drugstore and one higher end product: which one works better?
High End: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Price: $17.00
Product Description:
The Drying Lotion is a fast acting, effective acne spot treatment. Formulated with salicylic acid, calamine and other quick-drying ingredients, this product will shrink ugly whiteheads virtually overnight while you sleep. While other acne spot treatments can irritate and dry delicate or sensitive skin, this product is safe and effective for all skin types.
Pros:
- lessens redness and inflammation
- shrinks whiteheads
- used overnight; works while you sleep
- don't need a lot of product
Cons:
- expensive
- smells awful
- doesn't work overnight like it claims
- not sold in Canada (have to buy it online)
Drugstore: Clean and Clear Popped Pimple Drying Paste
Price: $6.00-$12.00
Product Description:
The Clean & Clear Advantage Popped Pimple Relief Drying Paste works while you sleep to relieve acne-related skin irritations. This popped pimple paste is equipped with salicylic acid to dry acne inflammations and allow the skin to heal. Simply apply the Clean & Clear drying paste on the affected area before you go to sleep. It goes on blue then turns white so you know it's dry and starting to work.
Pros:
- shrinks whiteheads and lessens inflammation and redness
- works while you sleep
- inexpensive
- you don't need a lot of product
- can find it at any drugstore
Cons:
- does not make whiteheads disappear overnight
showdown
It is obvious that the Clean and Clear Popped Pimple Drying Paste won this round for a few simple reasons: both products work virtually the same however, for price, convenience, and smell, the Popped Pimple Drying Paste is the winner for me.
However, just because a product works/does not work for me, does not mean it will give you the same effects. Each skin type is different and no product will be the same on everybody. I hope this helps someone out there. I do recommend both of these products if you are looking for a quick fix to reduce the size and look of a stubborn whitehead. I recommend putting this on the same day you feel a new spot coming on. I don't believe the effect is the same if you allow the pimple to surface fully.
P.s. I do not use the Clean and Clear Popped Pimple Drying paste exclusively on spots that I have (guiltily) popped. I use them on all of them.
Happy blemish banishing,
xoxo Alyssa
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