Found At Sephora | Hooked On Beauty

My 5 Minute Beauty Routine

January 5, 2013 by carissa Leave a Comment

In the 7 months since Harper was born, my morning beauty routine has evolved and now takes about 5 minutes. Besides foundation (or concealer if you need it) and mascara (an essential that needs no recommendation), adding color to my lips and cheeks and a little brightness and depth to my eyes is all I do for a running errands or low key days. Tarte, one of my very favorite lines, has the best Cheek Stain out there in a round deodorant looking stick that sweeps across the apples of your cheeks where you need a pop of color. It’s a sheer stain that’s easy to apply and blend. Color on the face is so important, it’s typically what’s missing when people ask you if you’re sick and you’re not. Universal Lip Liner is a touch deeper than a basic nude. I quickly line and fill in with it before adding a lip balm on top to blend both together. It isn’t glossy or thick so it makes a perfect light casual color. Side note: if you have a skin tone that’s deeper than a light/medium, check out LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint which will give the same effect and is available in a variety of colors.

For eyes I skip the shadow and line the top lash line with Skinny SmolderEYES in black. I make small dashes half touching my lid and half against my lash roots so it doesn’t look drawn on but still but adds depth. The last step I never forget is EmphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener, a flesh toned liner that when used along your inner rim (aka waterline) it makes my eyes look less tired and really bright. (Kim Kardashian always rocks a light waterline.) Since it works so well it went from being a sometimes thing in my routine to a must- it’s something you have to try if you ever have tired looking eyes.

That’s the extent of what I do most days. How about you, any essentials you think I should try? What are your tips for looking put together in a hurry?

Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Found at Sephora, Tarte

Sephora’s Holiday Gift Sets Are Here!

December 18, 2012 by carissa Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again! Stock up on fragrances, glosses, nail polishes, and eyeliners for way less than you’d normally pay. Break them apart for stocking stuffers, or give yourself a little something. Below is Tarte’s 5 gloss set sold for just $36 a $105 value. Click HERE to see all the gift sets Sephora has to offer.

Filed Under: Found at Sephora, Specials Tagged With: Slider

How to Get Demi Lovato’s Bold Lips

September 20, 2012 by carissa Leave a Comment

If you’re loving the bold lip look Demi Lovato has been sporting on the X Factor, check out Hourglass’ new Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipsticks. They’re really like nothing I’ve tried in the past- the color is pigment rich with a matte finish applied with a wand. I love this look a lot. It’s classic, attention grabbing, and works on everyone once you find a shade you love.

Here’s a snap of Demi at the X Factor premier party with a bright red/coral lip, a color similar to Hourglass Riviera shown below.

Photo Credit: XFactorUSA.com

Riviera

Her pink lips (and hair) were gorgeous on the first episode. The shade reminds me of Ballet (below) which I’ve been experimenting with lately.

Photo Credit: XFactorUSA.com

Ballet

I’m such a slacker when it comes to wearing lipstick, but these inspire me. There’s just something about a woman wearing lipstick that screams ‘I have my shit together,’ it looks so polished.

Check out the collection HERE at Sephora.com or Barney’s, Bergdorf Goodman, and Space NK

Filed Under: Celebs, Found at Sephora, Lips

And Speaking of Sephora..

August 20, 2012 by carissa Leave a Comment

While I was at the JC Penny opening at Park Meadows I couldn’t help but to fall in love with a few things that I’m sure I’ll pick up during my next Sephora outing.

Click to enlarge

Josie Maran Bronzing Argan Oil: I put a few drops on my fair skin and watched the shimmering bronze color melt. giving way to a natural looking tan glow. Just a few drops gave rich, natural color and a ton of moisture. I’d use it solo or mixed with another body oil to tone the color down a bit and make the bottle last longer.

I know I’ll be picking up a few Aqua Shadow Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils (pictured top middle) from MAKE UP FOR EVER, a line I love and carry a ton of in my kit. Just the slightest sweep of the pencil gave big color that was hard to remove and easy to layer. They seemed perfect for laying down color on the eyes and are formulated to resist creasing or smudging.

Aqua Rouge Lip Colors (middle, bottom) are another stay-in-place staple that I’ll grab. MUF’s Aqua line is a long-wearing collection that really delivers. I have a ton of MUF Aqua stuff in my kit because it’s the real deal- bold colors that blend and wear like nothing else.

And of course another fav line of mine, Tarte. They just launched a new foundation Maracuja (middle, center) which includes the nourishing oil of the same name to reduce inflamation, hydrate, and give skin a healthy glow. I’ve always had good luck with Tarte- nothing in the line has ever disappointed me or made my skin angry.

Another Tarte offering caught my eye, their new trio of Clean Slate primers (pictured right.) One for the eyes and two for the face; one to brighten and the other for perfecting the look of pores. I’m always up for a new primer- anything to make my skin look better.

Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Bronzer, Eye Shadow, Found at Sephora, Foundation, Lips, Primer

How to Do an At-Home Facial

July 17, 2012 by carissa 1 Comment

I’m a big fan of the at-home facial, and now that more and more masks use advanced ingredients that rival what estheticians use, it’s easy to have professional-grade glowy skin in about 30 minutes at home for a fraction of the cost. Here’s what I use for my own at-home facial routine.

I always start my facials with an enzyme especially if I’m doing extractions. I’ve been using Ole Henriksen’s Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask, a clear gel with fruit acids, lavendar, and Hyaluronic Acid so it’s hydrating as well as exfoliating. After about 15 minutes I remove it and then I steam my face with a hot washcloth before I extract all the yuk out of my pores. It’s a trick I’ve learned by getting great facials for years, they always start with an enzyme and some steam so your skin is softened and your pores are open making extractions easy and painless. It makes a huge difference especially if you’re using a great treatment afterward because your now clean and open pores will better absorb the ingredients in the next mask.

Now grab whatever mask you use that addresses your skin concerns. Since I’ve been trying to fade discolorations and get some radiance back, I use Priori’s Replenishing Masque twice a week. It’s a creamy formula superchanrged with vitamins, Lactic Acid, and moisturizers to nourish, exfoliate, and brighten skin. I see a huge difference in my skin’s overall appearance and texture right after I use it. I’ll still use a clay formula every now and again if I sense a breakout coming on, but I’ve really been favoring this more grown up mask that hydrates and delivers bigger results without drying.

Filed Under: At Home Spa Treatments, Found at Sephora, Masks, Ole Henriksen

Hourglass No 28 Primer Serum

May 10, 2012 by carissa 1 Comment

Primers are eveolving. There’s a big all-in-one trend combining skincare principals to makeup right now (hello BB Creams) so some primers aren’t just layer of silicone anymore. I’ve tried a few really great ones lately that I was going to lump together for a hot new primer post, but they’re so impressive that I think they deserve shout outs all their own. Up first is No 28 Primer Serum $68 from Hourglass which I find to be more skincare that just happens to also prime the skin for makeup. It’s infused with essential and plant oils along with vitamins so it can even be used as a skin treatment at night sans makeup, perfect if you like the feeling of a weightless slip to the skin.

It does provide a plenty of reinforcement for a long lasting foundation wear time and gives the skin a more refined look and feel. It’s a really unique serum that isn’t greasy or heavy – it has been pretty awesome as my new go-to primer in my kit lately. If you’re as serious about the look and condition of your skin as you are your overall makeup routine, you have to check this one out.