MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream to Prevent Creasing

June 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

If you have trouble with your eyeshadow creasing, do what us pros do and layer your powder over a cream. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream is what I carry in my kit not only because it helps shadow to last all day without creasing, but it’s also waterproof- key when so many of my clients are brides.

Now the shimmering nude shades are great, but don’t overlook all of the more vibrant creme colors they offer. You can of course use a light lavendar to intensify a plum, but you can also use it as a base for any color to give it a little boost- I’ll show you what I mean.

Here are a few of my Aqua Cream shades I carry in my kit, I also have #4 a white pearl and #15 taupe.

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I was sent #53 from the company to review, but the others I recently bought.

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Here’s an example of how layering the cream works; I have a powder shadow on its own and then over 2 Aqua Cream colors. You can play with different combinations to see how you can get slight variances in shades and finishes.

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Here’s a light pink shadow over Aqua Cream 16, a peachy nude shade. This is a great trick for these lighter shadows when you love the color but can’t get it to show up as well as you’d like. Using the cream first, you’ll get the intensity without darkening the hue.

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To apply just pat the Aqua Cream into the lid and then apply your shadows over top. If you’re in a rush, they’re perfect for a quick flash of color just on their own without adding powder shadows over top.

Filed Under: Eye Shadow, Found at Sephora, Make Up For Ever

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Rouge Liquid Lip Color

May 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Warm weather makeup is all about bright colors that can beat the heat. MAKE UP FOR EVER has their stay-in-place game tight with their Aqua Rouge collection. I’ve replaced most of my other long wearing lip colors with their Liquid Lip Color because it has what the others lack- a glossy finish. Other long wearing lip colors might stay put but they do that thing where they collect in the corners of your mouth and look dry and flakey. These have a light glossy top coat to lock the color in and give your lips a sheen that looks and feels like any other cream lipstick.

When I apply them, I lay down the lip color first, then use a liner to get a good boundary before adding the clear gloss. For years now I’ve used Aqua Lip liners in my kit- they’re creamy enough not to drag and they don’t bleed or breakdown.

My brides tell me their lips stay put from the ceremony to the end of the night while only occasionally reapplying the clear gloss to freshen up the color. It’s the real deal for events or for those who aren’t into a constant lip touch-up throughout the day.

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Filed Under: Found at Sephora, Lips, Make Up For Ever, Professional Makeup

Caudalíe Beauty Elixir

May 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Caudalíe’s Beauty Elixir is one of those one-size-fits all things that becomes a cult classic by mostly word of mouth. It’s a refreshing spray that visibly perks up skin and gives makeup a second life.

I use it on a damp Beauty Blender sponge to blend and set foundation and concealer but I also spray it on skin right before makeup as a last step prep. Most women carry it in their bags and use it throughout the day in place of powder to keep makeup fresh without looking chalky or heavy. It has been praised for shrinking pores, calming redness and breakouts, and adding a fine layer of visible hydration. I just know that my client’s skin looks much better when I use it which is why I’m on my 4th bottle.

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Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Caudalie, Found at Sephora, Multi Use, Professional Skincare, Tips and Tricks, Toner, Uncategorized

Things I Buy: Ole Henriksen

April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

When I was pregnant one of the first things I did was switch out my skincare. Goodbye Retin A and all the other hardcore products that keep my face properly sanded down and presentable. See ya later good skin- or so I thought. After some research I found that AHA’s, lactic acid, and a most natural exfoliating ingredients were safe to use so I looked into Ole Henriksen, a brand I’d been sent to review in the past and always really liked. I remembered their natural-yet-effective spin on skincare so I bought Sheer Transformation for a light moisturizer that would also aid in keeping dark spots away. (Sidebar: there’s no stopping that melasma when it comes on, you just have to wait until after the baby is born to tackle it and let it fade out on its own.)

Fast forward to today when I’m out of nearly everything and need to actually buy things because all of the samples on my desk are for skin types unlike my own. I remembered how much I loved my Ole Henriksen so I headed into Sephora to grab another Sheer Transformation. I had also read great reviews on their Walnut Complexion Scrub ($24) which I tried first on my hand- it’s gritty but not too chunky and foams up so I grabbed a jar of that too. I’ve also wanted to try the Invigorating Night Gel ($45) which is a big fave among Sephora reviewers for keeping pores cleaned out and skin really clear and bright. My Sephora bonus gift was Ole too! Small sized Truth Serum Collagen Booster, Ultimate Lift Eye Gel, Sheer Transformation, and Invigorating Night Gel.

I’m always excited to try some new skincare especially when I already know I’ll love it.

Check out the line HERE at Sephora.com.

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In my car after Sephora- the car is parked of course..

Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Acne, Anti-Aging, Antioxidants, Found at Sephora, Ole Henriksen, Pregnancy

Makeup Before and After: Coverage and Color From tarte

March 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Of all the BB Creams I’ve tried so far, tarte’s is the only one I’d be able to actually use in my kit. Most BB’s are skin-enhancing, so they give some coverage but not nearly enough to get skin looking great for a long day and tons of photographs. Kelly, is the bride below whose trial run for her upcoming wedding I photographed for a before and after. I used tarte’s latest foundation on her and we were both thrilled with the results. Her skin looked so great that very little concealer was needed and it looked invisible both in person and on camera.

On her cheeks I used tarte’s airblush maracuja blush, which is my new go-to for an easy flush, and then their LipSurgence lip luster on her lips for a finished look that isn’t thick or heavy.

Before...

Before…

... And After

… And After! There was a slight change in the natural lighting, but the photo isn’t re-touched at all.

tarte bb cream

tarte bb cream

tarte airblush maracuja blush

tarte airblush maracuja blush

tarte lip luster in achiote

tarte LipSurgence lip luster in achiote

Filed Under: BB Cream, Before and After, Cheeks, Found at Sephora, Foundation, Lips, Makeup I Did, Photos, Tarte, Wedding Makeup

Easiest Blush to Apply: tarte’s Airblush

March 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Forget eyeliner, I think the most difficult thing to apply is blush. Take a gander around your office and you’ll see women with heavy, streaky, or under-colored cheeks. It’s hard to nail the perfect flush. Technique accounts for a lot, sure, but so does the right blush. I’ve been using tarte’s Airblush Maracuja Blush for a few weeks now and I’m so impressed. It’s one of the easiest cheek colors to apply because of its consistency- not a powder but not overly creamy. You can use your fingers, but I use just a regular blush brush that captures and disburses the color softly and evenly. Don’t let the bold looking shades fool you either, they’re so sheer and buildable that you can pile on the color without overdoing it.

tarte airblush maracuja blush

tarte airblush maracuja blush

Filed Under: Best Of, Cheeks, Found at Sephora, Tarte
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