Ipsy: November 2013 Glam Bag Review

I don't know about you, but I LOVE trying new beauty products! When I heard about Ipsy, an online subscription that sends you customized beauty products each month, I was thrilled! For a mere $10 a month I receive 4-5 deluxe samples and full size beauty products. I recently signed up and today I am sharing the November Ipsy glam bag with you! In this month's bag I recieved two lipsticks, eyeshadow, nail polish, eyeliner, and bronzer. The first lipstick is from Michelle Phan's new beauty line EM in "Hug Me ". It is a sheer nude that gives you that barely there lip. It is creamy, rich, and glides on smooth. In the photo below I am wearing this lipstick a long with the Pixie bronzer in "Subtly Suntouched". This shade of bronzer was a bit on the pale side. I would only use this to give a subtle, warm glow to my skin. I would not be able to contour with this color. Overall, the finish was nice.

The second lipstick in my bag is from Be a Bombshell. It is a bright red lipstick that is perfect for the holiday season. It could be paired with a natural eye or something a little more glam such as the Starlooks gem eyeliner in "Amethyst!"

This eyeliner is also an excellent makeup staple for the holidays! It is a beautiful silver liner that is perfect for adding a touch of sparkle to the inner corners of your eyes. I can't wait to try this look using this liner!

I received Galaxy Chic baked eyeshadow from BH cosmetics in the shade "Aphrodite." I was impressed with the quality of the shadow. It has excellent color pay off and glides on smooth. The eyeshadow color however is not a shade that I would wear. I would love to try it again in a different color.

The Nailtini nail polish was a pleasant surprise for me. I received the color "Champagne." It is not a color I would have normally picked for myself, so I am happy this was the polish chosen for me. It is definitely fun and glamorous!

 I loved trying all of these products! 6 beauty items for $10 is a great deal. I am already looking forward to my December glam bag! Have you tried Ipsy before or any of the above products?! If so, leave a comment below and let us know how you liked them!

How To Wear Dark Lipstick

One of Fall's hottest trends right now is dark lipstick. It is an ultra edgy look that if done right can look really beautiful. Today, I am going to share some tips on how to wear this look. Step 1: Exfoliate your lips. Dark lipstick enhances dry or cracked lips so you want to start off with a smooth surface.

Step 2: Apply chapstick. Let it sit for a few minutes, you don’t want to apply the lipstick to a fresh coat of chapstick because the color will run. During this time you could apply your face makeup. Remember to keep the eye makeup minimal. You want the lips to be the main attraction.

Step 3: Line and fill in your lips. Lipliner helps to keep your lipstick from bleeding. If the lipstick does bleed you can take a lip brush and apply some concealer around the lips.

Step 4:  Apply lipstick. You can either use a lip brush or apply directly from the tube.

If you want to gradually work your way up to wearing a bold, dark lip, you can apply your lipstick as a stain. You can easily achieve this look by applying your lipstick with your fingers.

Will YOU go bold with dark lips this Fall? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy Styling,

Rebekah

* The lipstick pictured above is Revlon's Black Cherry.

Flower Beauty Review

I was thrilled when I heard Drew Barrymore was teaming up with Walmart to launch a new cosmetics line. I love the mission of Flower  which is to provide quality products that you would find in a high end store but, at a fraction of the price. A couple other perks are that all of the  products are made in the USA and they are never tested on animals. The entire line of Flower cosmetics is lovely. Everything from the advertisements to the white and rose gold packaging is beautifully done. I was equally impressed by the color line. The lipsticks, blushes, nail polishes, eyeshadows and liners have colors that are fresh and modern. There were so many products that I wanted to try, it was hard to choose. I decided to start off with four products. I chose two lipsticks and two nail polishes.

I fell in love with the promo poster of Drew Barrymore wearing the high shine lipstick in the color "Rosebud." It looked like a great Fall lipstick color so I decided to purchase it. Rosebud is a bold red lipstick that is rich and creamy with excellent color pay off. I would definitely recommend this color to add to your Fall lipstick collection.

The next lipstick that I purchased was So Gladiola. I have a weakness for coral lipstick so snagging this color was a no brainer for me.

So Gladiola is a matte coral lipstick. The color is fresh and modern and I love it for an everyday lipstick. The formula is a little drying since it is a matte lipstick. I suggest exfloliating and wearing a lip conditioner underneath it. Overall it is a really nice coral lipstick.

I had been wanting to build up my fall nail polish collection so I ended up purchasing Venus Fly Trap and April Showers.

I had been looking for the perfect burgundy nail polish and Venus Fly Trap is definitely a winner. I love the color. It needs at least two coats to achieve the color in the picture above.

April Showers is another excellent dark polish for Fall. In the store the color looked like a dark green color, but once I put the polish on it really is dark blue. In some lighting it actually looks black. Overall, I really like the color and will definitely be wearing it on a regular basis.

I am looking forward to trying out more of the Flower cosmetics line. Some of the products I am interested in trying are the cream eyeshadows, cream blushes, and eyeliners. I spotted some fun colors that I think would be great to incorporate into my daily beauty routine. To see more from Flower Cosmetics, you can find it here. Let me know what you think!

 Happy Styling!

Rebekah

Photography: Reagan Miura

Six Steps to the Perfect Summer Look + Glitter Eyeliner

by  Make-up Artist Ashley Carrel 

Step one: Use skin type appropriate toner and moisturizer. It's great for oil control, and helps makeup go on smooth and evens texture. A good skin care routine helps enhance and create a great canvas for your everyday makeover. Used on this lovely model, Danielle: BC Spa Facial PHA Regenerating Tonic and BC Spa Facial Moisture Lotion with SPF link

Step two: Choose correct formula of concealer and primer.  Usually for teens an oil free non-comedogenic formula is best. I used a very light and smooth formula in yellow to cover up dark circles under the eyes. I used a bit thicker formula for coverage of breakouts. There are three basic color primers choices:  1) yellow for dark and sallow skin, 2) green to cover pink and red, 3) and mauve (pink) to cover yellow tones common in Asian skin types. Used on Danielle: Secret Agent yellow primer for dark circles and Extra Help concealer in light for breakouts

Step three: Choose skin appropriate foundation. For FL summers I always recommend BC Wet/Dry Perfecting Foundation. It has a perfect balance of powder to the formula, and it blends and soaks up your natural oils throughout the day. Also it has great natural coverage for all skin types and is available in a huge variety of shades. Used on Danielle: Y-2 BC Perfecting Wet/Dry Finish

Step four: Use a good matte bronzer for contouring blush application and a good “pop” color for apple of cheeks. Bronzer is for areas you want to shadow and for the apple of your cheeks. Color may vary for skin types. Used on Danielle: Tuscan Sun Bronzer for mid cheekbone and out to ear applied in circular motions/ Pink Mineral blush for apple of cheek to create that sun kissed, fresh face look.

Step five: Eye primer, eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara. It is especially important for summer to use a good eye primer.  With oils of the day, your shadow can crease and smear. A good primer will keep that from happening. I recommend urban decays primer potion and for a more affordable option, BC control crème.  A good shadow should come with a full palette to work with like BC Color Shadow Trio’s. It provides three colors to accent the different parts of the eye. For a summer fun flare and a fun pop of color I chose a hot pink glitter eye liner! Used on Danielle: BC Control Crème in Taupe /BC color eye shadow trio in Au Natural /Perfecting Eye liner in black /Glitz Hot Pink Glitter /and Glitz Eye Glue to adhere glitter (water based, it's a one of a kind formula)/ for Glitter Eye Liner use angle tip duo shadow brush to apply (press on, not rub on)

Step six: Finish with a nice natural Lip Liner, Lip-gloss and Hydrating spray to set foundation. You can't go wrong with a nude lip for everyday wear! Bright lips are all the rage this summer, but may work best with a softer eye look. Used on Danielle: Nude Lip Perfecting Pencil /Bare BC Color Lip Gloss / and BC Herbal Hydrating Mist to set foundation.  It's also great for a cool down mist for a Hot Summer day. Keep it in your purse and on hand; it’s a hot day life saver!

Article and Makeup by: Ashley Carrel

Photo credit: Elizabeth Garrard

Images Edited by: Jen Duarte

Get This Look: Jenna's Bold Eye Makeup

The colors of this season are soo exciting for a makeup artist like myself.  Bright and bold, just like me! LOL!  Pops of color have always been a great way to play up your makeup. However, pairing a bold lip and bold eye without looking like a clown, can be tricky.  To recreate Jenna’s fun Bold Eye Look, follow these easy steps: When using bright and pigmented colors, it essential that you prime your skin properly to ensure the makeup stays put!  On Jenna we used the Glo Conditioning cream to hydrate, then immediately primed her skin with the Glo Face Primer, and more importantly, the Glo Lid Primer.  The lid primer ensures that eye shadow stays put.  It also removes any discoloration and mattifies the eye area.  Other popular brands for priming the eye before shadow include  Urban Decay’s Primer Potion and Two Faced Cosmetic’s Shadow Insurance  which can be picked up from Sephora.

I wanted Jenna’s skin to have that “airbrushed” look so I applied Glo Minerals Satin II Liquid Foundation with a dampened foundation brush and lightly dusted her face with Glo Minerals Perfecting Powder to set.

To give her a soft glow I applied Glo Liquid Highlighter to her cheek bones and down the center of her nose with a taklon fiber fan brush, such a pretty sheen!  I then applied a soft rose pink blush to the apples of her cheeks.

On to the star of the show..the eyes!  Any bright richly pigmented color will work for this look.  I chose a jeweled green.  Apply a pale highlight color (white or cream works best) to the brow bone and inner corner of the eye.  Next apply the color of your choice to the eyelid and just above the crease.  Pat on a little extra color to make sure the color is deep!  Use a clean crease brush to blend the crease and soften edges.  Use this same color and a smudge (or pencil) brush to smudge just underneath the lower lash line.

Next, line the upper and lower lash line. I used Stilla’s smudge pot in black and dragged the upper lash line out a bit to create a little wing.  Then smudge a little black shimmering eyeshadow directly onto the upper and lower lash lines directly over the cream, gel eyeliner.  And finally, add lots of black mascara!

For her lips I tried two different Lip Colors and both looked great with her bold eye.  First I tried Glo Minerals Lip Stick in Socialite, a pale soft pastel pink.  Second, my favorite, I applied Glo Minerals Lip Color in Treasure, a bright intense hot pink - loved it!!

Jenna said she loved her look so much she was going to have to plan something to do that night!!!

Article and Makeup by: Melissa Kinsey

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Garrard

Images Edited by:  Jen Duarte

A Natural Look for Summer with Cream Based Makeup

We live in Florida... hot, humid, sticky Florida.  Make-up during the summer in this kind of climate is tricky, very tricky.  Here are a few tips to make your look stay all day without looking like you are melting: Crème based makeup during the summer is a great way to keep the skin looking fresh, hydrated and glowing and has staying power even in hot + humid weather.  When applying a cream, liquid or gel based makeup it's best to apply with a synthetic brush. Not only will it be much easier to clean, but you will get a much softer and even application. I started by prepping the skin with a light oil free moisturizer (Glo Emulsion).  Rather than using a heavy foundation, I used Glo Minerals Sheer Tint in Golden to even out her skin tone. Brow Powder in Taupe was added with an angle liner brush just to lightly fill them and define the brow.

Following the brows, I applied Glo Mineral’s crème bronzer to warm up her skin and crème blush in plumeria to the apples of her cheeks (soo pretty!).  To give that gorgeous glow we often see on celebrities, I applied Glo Minerals crème highlighter (a pretty sheer shimmery pink) to the tops of her cheek bones and down the center of her nose.  To do this I used a synthetic fan brush.

After using a lid primer, I applied Maybelline’s Color Tattoo, these little magic pots of crème eyeshadow are smudge + crease proof +very water resistant. Trust me when I tell you, they will last all day!!!  The color options in this line are awesome!  I used a brush, but you could use your finger as well.

To finish her eyes, we applied Glo Minerals Crème eyeliner in ebony to the upper and lower lash line.

Since we love love love the bright pink trend of this season and wanted to give her look some “pop”, we used Maybelline’s Lipstick from their “Vivids” line in Brazen Berry! (You can purchase Maybelline's products from any drugstore.) I love this line soo much that I purchased several of the colors and love them all!

To finish her look I lightly dusted Glo Mineral’s Perfecting Powder in her TZone to prevent shine and set her makeup.

You could tell Emily felt very comfortable in this look and she commented that she didn't even feel the makeup!

Written by Melissa Kinsey 

Melissa is a licensed skin care specialist who offers facials and complete skin care, waxing services, makeup consultations and bridal/formal makeup applications (using airbrush or Glo Mineral Makeup). To purchase Glo Mineral Makeup, you may visit the Glo Mineral website or connect directly with Melissa through her facebook page.

Photo Credit:  Elizabeth Garrard

Images Edited By: Jen Duarte

Summer 2013 Trend: Bright Matte Lips

Bright lips are a huge fashion statement this Summer. Fashionistas everywhere are trading in their standard nude lipsticks for bold fuchsias, pinks, and oranges. Celebrities are rocking this look on and off the red carpet. Emma Stone is a trendsetter who is regularly inspiring us with her bold lipstick choices. She is not afraid to take risks and she looks great!

The key to pulling off this fresh and modern look is to keep the eye makeup minimal. A neutral eye shadow with a slight winged liner, mascara, and a subtle cheek color, make  your lips the main attraction. If you want to branch out and try these celebrity looks, the below lipsticks are a great place to start.

Whether you are sporting a casual or dressy look, a bright lip is the perfect accessory this season. The next time you are looking to add a certain "je ne sais quoi" to an outfit, it can be as simple as applying the right shade of lipstick. Have fun rocking this bold and colorful trend!

Happy Styling,

Rebekah

Pinks/Fuchsias:

MAC Candy Yum Yum, Nars Carthage, MAC Girl About Town, Maybelline Fuchsia Flash

Oranges:

Revlon Siren, Nars Heat Wave, MAC Morange, Maybelline Electric Orange

A Taylor Swift Inspired: Smokey Eye And Nude Lip Tutorial

A dramatic eye paired with a barely there lip is a classic look with high impact. Taylor Swift often wears this combination and it always looks amazing. Today, I am going to tell you exactly what you need to know in order to achieve this glamorous makeup look. For the face:

•  Start with applying a primer. This will help your foundation to go on smooth and last longer.
•  Next, apply foundation. I would suggest a full coverage foundation such as Mac Pro Longwear. Don't forget to put it on your eyelids and to set it with powder, this will help your eyeshadow to stay on longer and to go on evenly.
•  Apply concealer under the eyes and on blemishes.
•  Set your foundation with powder. Choose one that has a full coverage, flawless finish. Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder is an excellent option that has a radiant, red carpet effect.
•  Apply a peachy pink blush to the apples of your cheeks.

For the eyes:

• Use a brow pencil to fill in and shape your eyebrows.
•  Choose eyeshadows in the following colors: light grey, light brown/or taupe, charcoal/or black, and white. Dior Royal Khaki has a fun combination of colors that work well in creating a smokey eye. You can use the gold shimmer in that palette as a substitute for light brown.
•  Sweep the light grey shadow on your lid up to the crease.
•  Take the light brown color and work it across the crease and then blend slightly above the crease. Mixing in a light brown or taupe color adds depth and warmth to a palette of greys.
•  Next, take the charcoal color and apply it to the outer corners of your eyes and blend in to the crease.
•  Use the white color to highlight under the brow bone and in the corner of the eyes
•  Take a black liner and line the upper and lower lash line. To soften the look you can take an eyeliner brush, dip it into the grey shadow and sweep it over the pencil line. For a more dramatic look, you can use the charcoal shadow to brush over the pencil liner.
•  Apply false lashes. Ardell Demi Wispies would work great for this look.
•  Apply a black, thickening mascara to your top and bottom lashes.

For the lips:

• Line lips with a neutral liner and add a nude lipstick. Mac lipstick in the color Myth works well, paired with Smashbox The Nude Lip Liner.

Now that you have all of the tools and steps that you need to achieve this look, its time to practice, practice, practice! Your makeup may not come out perfect the first two times or ten times! But, just remember that practice makes perfect. Once you have this look down, you are going to love it!

Happy practicing!

Rebekah

Top Ten Expert Makeup And Beauty Tips: Prom 2013

As a professional makeup artist, I am continually helping clients prepare for special occasions. Today, I am going to share some of these secrets with YOU! Here are my top ten tips to looking beautiful the day of your big event! 1. Start prepping your skin a couple of weeks in advance. Get into a good skin care routine. This is crucial for your make up to look its best. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize! Morning and evening. Exfoliate twice a week. If you do not have a good skin care line just yet, visit your local department store and chat with the beauty advisors in the cosmetics department. They can help prescribe the right skincare for you. Estee Lauder has an excellent skincare line that offers a variety of products that meet the needs of different skin types. Investing in your skin is key!

2. Drink lots of water, it is excellent for hydrating your skin. Not only that, but it can help to clear up your skin and give you a healthy glow.

3. Use a primer under your foundation. This will help your makeup to go on evenly and last longer. Moisturize, prime, and then apply your foundation. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is a great choice. A less expensive option is Sephora's Ultra-smoothing Primer.

4. Use a photogenic foundation. You will be taking a ton of pictures so you want a foundation that is not only going to last through out the event, but one that will photograph well. Mac Pro Longwear and Makeup Forever HD foundations are excellent options. A cheaper alternative would be Revlon's Photoready Foundation which can be found at your local drugstore.

5. Set your foundation with powder. You do not want your face to appear shiny in pictures. Powder sets your foundation and helps it to last longer. I recommend Mac Blot Powder, it is light weight and excellent for touch ups. A cheaper alternative would be Revlon's Photogenic Powder.

6. Wear your makeup just a little heavier than you would normally. You want it to stand out on camera.

7. Play up your best feature. If it is your eyes, do a dramatic eye and keep your lips in a neutral tone. If it is your lips, choose a lipstick shade that pops and keep the eye makeup simple.

8. Get inspired! Gather pictures of makeup looks and hairstyles that you like and start practicing! Practice makes perfect! Another option is to hire a professional. You can make an appointment at your local salon with a makeup artist and hairstylist. Call in advance to make your appointment and make sure to bring a picture of the look you would like to achieve.

9. If your skin needs a little boost of color, try a self-tanner. Make sure you exfoliate first and wear gloves when applying. St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse is a personal favorite of mine, it gives you instant color and has a natural sun kissed look. A cheaper alternative would be L'oreal's Sublime Bronze Tanning Towelettes.

10. Lastly, don't forget to wear a smile! It is your greatest accessory! If you are feeling a little self conscious about your smile, try some Crest 3D White Whitestrips. They are an inexpensive way to achieve those pearly whites!

Remember to have FUN on your big day! ENJOY the process of getting ready. Looking good starts with feeling good. YOU are going to look BEAUTIFUL! If you still have not found a prom dress, check out our blog post devoted to finding the perfect dress here! You can also visit our Pinterest Prom 2013 board here for more style inspiration.

Article by: Rebekah Miura

Photography by: Reagan Miura