Category Archives: Best Of

Favorite products, tips and tricks and advice for makeup application.

Top 5 Quick & Easy Beauty Tips!

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Quick and Easy Tips: Take the “Time” Out of Timeless Beauty! by Sian Bitner KearneyIn the world of “I needed that yesterday”, it helps if a lady can cut down on her primping time without sacrificing great face. Thankfully, cosmetic companies everywhere have felt our pain and created a plethora of products to suffice. Here are our top five favorites!

• Nars ~ The Multiple. Not only are these colors gorgeous on nearly every skin tone, but this gem packs a double punch by being the go to item for both cheeks and lips.

• Stila ~ Convertible Eye Color. Gone are the days of searching through your beauty drawer for eye shadow, liner, and the tools to perform the magic. This multitasker has eyeliner on one end, a tool for smudging and blending on the other end, and a coordinated eye shadow color inside.

• Guerlain ~ Le 2 de Guerlain Mascara. Most mascaras promise volume OR length but let’s face it, the average girl needs it all! Instead of wasting money on two different mascaras, this one comes with one formula and two brushes. One brush has long bristles for length and basic volume, the other with small bristles for tackling hard to reach spots like corners and bottom lashes to create depth.

• Garnier Fructis ~ Miracle Dry Oil. Ever wish you could use just one lotion or moisturizer for your face, body, and hair? Wish granted! Made from olive and avocado extracts, this oil is light enough to use on the face but still has enough moisture muscle to tackle dry, frizzy hair.

• Sally Hansen ~ Complete Salon Manicure. While a salon manicure always looks amazing, who really has the time? This polish has a base coat, color, and top coat all built into one time saving bottle.

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Drugstore Beauty Finds For Under $75

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Yesterday, I shared some of my favorite tips with 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic (have you read her blog? You must!).  Of course, I wanted to share these tips with you as well. Remember, the great products don't have to break the bank!

So many women make the mistake of thinking they have to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks. Wrong!!! While it may make you feel sophisticated to spend $100 on foundation, you could look just as great with something under $10. Personally, I like the idea of having an extra $90 to spend on cute shoes, purses and outfits. In fact, if you know what to look for, you can build your very own beauty kit for $75 or less. I'm talking makeup, skin care and hair care. I had a feeling you'd like that idea.

Low Cost Makeup That Delivers

I can't rave enough about e.l.f (eyes, lips, face) from Target. From tinted moisturizer for just $3 to on-the-go eyeshadow, lip gloss and blush compacts for only $15. If you went with this line, all your makeup supplies could cost less than $30. That's including brushes.

If you want to branch out a bit, I recommend buying trio eyeshadow kits to create both day and night time looks. Almay and CoverGirl both have amazing sets for everyone for under $8. For foundation, get your best face with L'Oreal Paris True Match, CoverGirl Aqua Smoothers, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer (for skin toning) or Almay Clear Complexion (for acne prone skin) all for $10 or less.

For extra coverage, match your concealer and powder with your foundation. For instance, Neutrogena has a 3-in-1 concealer that works to make skin look healthier while covering. If you mix, ensure the colors don't clash.

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A Special Living Social Deal!

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Makeup Blogger Extra!

We know that every beauty diva loves her deals, so we’re starting kicking the week off with some smashing savings! Beginning this week, log onto LivingSocial.com,  and you can grab a five month Makeup Blogger membership for only $24 ($49 value)!

HELLO, GORGEOUS!  

So what exactly does your membership include? VIP access to the latest and greatest in trends, tutorials, and tips! Here’s a snapshot of the hookup:

• Beauty Mysteries Finally Revealed: Get Christina Farrell’s expert tips and insider secrets on how to avoid bad beauty days and look flawless anytime and anywhere!

• The Makeup Sessions: The makeup sessions allow you to recreate your favorite celeb’s hair and makeup looks and go from drab to dazzling faster than you can count your kabuki brushes! Check out these beauty survival must-haves at your immediate disposal:

  • Apply perfect makeup in 5 minutes or less
  • Tame nightmare hair in minutes
  • Learn about new multi-purpose products
  • Discover time saving celebrity secrets

• Not Your Average Tips: With most memberships, all you get is a few tips or photos that you can find anywhere. With The Makeup Sessions, you get insider tricks and tips and even instructional videos, including:

  • Exclusive how to step by step instructional videos
  • View interviews with prominent makeup artists
  • See application techniques in action
  • Check out complete makeover sessions

We did say this membership came with VIP access, and naturally VIP is synonymous with exclusivity! With your Makeup Blogger membership, you’ll not only get the lowdown beauty’s best kept secrets, you’ll also receive:

  • Discounts of up to 25% off with partner brands
  • Members only Facebook community
  • 25% off The Makeup Sessions online workshops and lessons
  • Special, can't miss giveaways
  • Exclusive makeup collection you help to create

The Makeup Sessions is the “IT” club for anyone who truly wants to look and feel their best. And with this great price, you can feel confident that you have all of the tools you need without stretching your bank account!

To check out more about the membership, simply head on over to our page! www.themakeupblogger.com/beautymembership

"She deconstructs celebrity make-up styles and shows the simple/easy/fast ways to to capture their looks... Plus, she has a humorous, fresh way of talking about beauty products that will make you want to get everything -- especially if you have dark under-eye circles like I do!" -- Fashionable Fan

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Jouer Cosmetics

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There are very few brands that I can honestly say make me feel "pretty". Yes, every brand has its hero product and every company has a product that adds to my arsenal of beauty must haves. But, recently I was asked to try out a brand that has been talked about by celebrity makeup artists in droves. Jouer Cosmetics is just gorgeous. One of those brands that instantly makes me think of bridal beauty, or romantic love scenes where the girl looks naturally glowing. Think "blushing". Think "soft and feminine". My favorite products (although honestly, I am enthralled with everything I have tried!) are Meg lipstick - the perfect peachy pink nude - and the Luminizing Moisture Tint. Both make me feel instantly flirty and like a prettier version of my day to day self. What more could you ask for?!

What's New: jouer Cosmetics Spring 2013 Collection | Beauty ...

The newest collection from boutique beauty brand, jouer Cosmetics is so feminine and pretty! See the latest products and swatches for spring.

Sleek and Chic: Jouer Cosmetics - Beauty411

Every now and then I'm introduced to a brand that is so smart, so chic, so wonderful, I've wondered how it is I couldn't have known about it. This recently happened to me with Jouer Cosmetics and I'm excited to.

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in Best Of, Makeup Products

Beauty Bloggers Favorite Spring Trends

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Beauty Bloggers Favorite Spring Trends
 

 

By: Christina-Lauren of Inspirations and Celebrations 

Beauty Bloggers' Favorite Spring Trends

From turquoise eye liners to coral lip balms (and everything in between), featured here are some of the world's top beauty bloggers' most loved makeup, hair, and nail trends for Spring 2013. Beauty Bloggers have become known as the 'go-to' women for helpful tips and honest advice on what's hot in the ever-evolving world of beauty. Because of their covetable knowledge, ingenious creativity, and rapidly-growing popularity, many top beauty bloggers have appeared in leading magazines and on television.

ALYSON of THE GLOSS MENAGERIE: "I'm absolutely loving bright, bold lips this spring. It's such a playful, fun way to wear color!"

ASHLEY at PEEK & PONDER: "My favorite trend for Spring is neon eyeliner. I like the idea of trading my traditional black liner for bright hues that are bold and daring!"

BROOKE PAKULSKI of BLUSHING NOIR: "I am loving the bold, matte lip. It makes a statement and draws attention to your perfect pout."

CARLEEN COULTER of BEAUTY AND FASHION TECH: "I love the bold lip trend this spring. Even better is that Maybelline did a line of vivids lip colors for it. the shades are great, the quality is wonderful, and they are also affordable!"

CHRISTINA FARRELL of THE MAKEUP BLOGGER: "My favorite spring beauty trend is the resurgence of tinted lip balms. Such a quick and easy way to get a pop of bright color without being overwhelming. "

CLARE NEILSON of GEORGE & BEAR: "Healthy, glowing skin is the most beautiful thing. It's a look that's relatively easy to pull off, provided you've taken care of yourself during winter."

GAIA FISHLER of THE NON-BLONDE: "Blue and green eye shadows - A little bit retro, a little edgy, and a whole lot of fun, blue eye shadows with or without a touch of green makes brown eyes look brighter."

HARSHLEEN of BEAUTYTIDBITS: "The Spring beauty trend I'm loving the most is neon eyeliner. Opting for a single pop of color (like turquoise, green, or vibrant aqua) on the lash line is easy and fun!"

JEN MATHEWS of MY BEAUTY BUNNY: "My favorite spring trend is coral and peach makeup. There's a shade for every skin tone, and you can dress it up or down."

KATHRYNE of THEFABZILLA: "I love coral and hot pink lippies and pastel eyeshadows for spring! I think it's fresh, fun and fabulous! "

KELLY GOULD of GOULDYLOX REVIEWS: "My favorite spring trend is doubling up eyeliner so you can really show off the seasons bright colors! I love to layer a black liner drawn as a small cat eye, with a bright color just above the black line."

KELLY KEETON of VAMPY VARNISH: "I am loving textured nails right now. I think it's a nail art trend people can actually wear because it's not SO out there."

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Sponsored – Cover Girl Outlast 3-1 Foundation

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Recently, I was asked to try out Cover Girl Outlast 3-1 Foundation and truly put it to the test. The newest formulation claims to last you throughout your day while keeping the skin shine free. One of the main selling points is that the foundation includes three products in one. Primer, Foundation, and Concealer in one simple step.

Honestly, I was extremely curious and my inner beauty sleuth happily took the challenge.

I invited filmmaker Zach Taylor to come and follow me around for one day and capture on film how the foundation held up.  He filmed me blogging, walking my dog Arthur, cooking, and finally ending my day with a glass of wine (everyone has that ritual...right?). Even Mike mentioned how "pretty" my makeup looked when he came home. It's true. My makeup looked fresh, and had an amazing coverage without looking cakey.

But, the true endorsement....I am still wearing this foundation. I even wore it last week during the two day (and 10 hour) LuckyFABB conference, where I am hanging out with some of the industries best and most critical beauty and fashion bloggers. I loved it that much!

For the price point, this is an incredible foundation. The coverage is medium-full, and provides a semi-matte finish. You don't even need to use powder! Another great bonus is the SPF 20 in the formulation. Perfect for Summer!  Seriously, in love.

Here are my tips:

  • Apply the foundation before any concealer.  This has a great coverage, so you might need less concealer than you thought! Personally, I only needed a small amount of color corrector to battle my dark circles. 
  • Let the foundation set before applying powder.  Honestly, the foundation does a fantastic job of setting to a soft powder finish, so be careful when applying any type of powder.  Just alittle on the T-Zone is all that is needed! 
  • Use a dome shaped foundation brush for application.  This gives an even finish, and can help apply foundation in the smaller areas around the face, such as around the nose and under the eyes. 
  • If you are struggling finding your perfect shade, try mixing two complimentary colors.  I use a small plastic dish to mix my colors at home. This is a great way to slowly add more warmth during the Summer months. 
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IT Cosmetics

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I have to admit that when it comes to cosmetics brands, I usually find one or two hero products that I adore, and then kind of feel "meh" about the rest.  It comes in waves, and I usually feel like my love affairs are brief, passionate, and unfortunately sometimes fleeting. Like all of us, I can be fiercely loyal to my old tried and true brands that I have been using for years, and even sometimes (sheepishly admits) can get in a "favorite makeup rut". Yes, even us beauty gals do it too.  

Enter IT Cosmetics by Jamie Kern.  I have fallen in love with this brand.  I was given a sample to try out a few weeks ago and did a review of the products that were a special QVC promo (see the original post here), and knew then that I had found a brand worth exploring. Their products seemed innovative and the payoff was impressive.

So, being the very dutiful beauty blogger, I tried out some more products that seemed to fit my everyday needs.  Here are my newest obsessions:

Bye Bye Under Eye:  This little goodie is going on my list of favorite concealers.  It is a powerhouse of a product that is waterproof and covers even the darkest of circles (which I have in spades).  I also love that the undertone is peach, therefore eliminating my need for an extra color corrector. 

Airbrush Illuminizer: Another new addition to the favorites list. I have afew foundations that this product has helped bring back from the dead. It imparts a very subtle glow to the skin, and illuminates any foundation you buff it over.  The first time I wore it, I let out a "oooooh" sound....and then my boyfriend said I looked extra pretty that day.  Enough said. 

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