More About Mascara!

Okay, so the last post I told you all about some of the different Lancome mascara products... all of which I LOVE! However, these are department store products and can be a bit pricey. There are many drugstore options that will help give you beautiful, lengthy lashes for a much smaller price.

First, there is Maybelline's Lash Discovery with the "Mini Brush." This is a very unique product, but I always recommend it. Lash Discovery is actually made to apply mascara to your bottom lashes, which is why it has the mini brush, but I have found that it is a great product for applying mascara to your top lashes. The small brush gives you great control and makes it very easy to comb through your lashes without getting any mascara on your eye lids or brow bone. The brush has very fine bristles, so your lashes are very separated and mascara is evenly applied. This is a great tool for daytime makeup, a quick pick-me-up reapplication or a really natural look of bare eyes and mascara.

Second, I have used and LOVED L'Oreal's Telescopic Explosion Mascara. This mascara has a one-of-a-kind brush... kind of a rubber, spiney bulb! Again, the unique shape of the brush makes it very easy to really pull through your lashes, giving them great length and even application. My technique with this mascara is a bit different than with most.. I hold the wand away from my face at about "2 0'clock" as opposed to the "3 o'clock" position where we normally hold the handle. This will give you a good angle with the round shaped brush to apply the mascara to your beautiful lashes!

Third, I have tried Maybelline's Volum Express Mascara in an attempt to find a comprable substitute for Lancome's Hypnose Mascara. I liked the stoutness of this brush and handle... it was very easy to use, but I did not like the actual product on my lashes. It goes on very thick, as it's supposed to give your lashes a full, bushy look, but it did not separate them well (the brush is straight and flat) so I felt that it made them look clumpy and like too much product was caked on. I took a lash comber to my eyes after applying this product to pull off some of the excess and give my lashes more definition, and I was much more pleased with the results after this second step!

Maybelline also makes the Volum Express Mascara in a "Lift Up" version which I need to try. It seems to be very similar to their normal Volum Express Mascara but it has the arc-shaped brush. This is more similar to Lancome's Hypnose Mascara and will apply the heavy product for thick+full while lifting and separating to give you great show-stopping lashes like those we envy in the ads!

Have any of you tried Maybelline's Volum Express Lift Up Mascara or any others for that matter? Please enjoy the post and leave a comment telling us about your experience with these mascaras or any of your personal favs!!!

Lancome Mascara

Hello All!

I'm sorry for the time since my last post, but I'm back and ready to blog away!

When I interned for Lancome, I was spoiled with their most coveted product... mascara! For the past year I have been using 3 different Lancome mascaras that each provide a different look. First, the Oscillating mascara was my first experience with any of the oscillating products that came out last year, and the stuff is great. You have to apply it correctly, which means holding the button down while steadily brushing it through your lashes (don't wave the mascara back and forth over the lashes), let the vibrations do the work! The oscillating mascara really separates and lengthens the lashes. Don't be intimidated by the vibrating mascaras... you can't even feel it when you're holding the wand and the product really is great!

The second Lancome mascara that I fell in love with was their High Definicils in black. This is a great day time mascara because it really seperates your lashes in a delicate way. Also, I feel like this mascara gives me a great grip to strongly comb through the lashes, really lifting them up and helping to make my eyes look bigger and more open. The brush on the wand is rubber so it stays very clean with each use and really gives your lashes high definition... true to its name.

The third Lancome mascara I used is my favorite! It is the Hypnose mascara in true black. This brush is really big so it gives your lashes that thick, bushy look. I love to do my eye makeup for a night out and then put this stuff on as the finishing touch... it makes them so dark and full! The Kardashian sisters swear by this product and it certainly shows. Lancome has also come out with the Hypnose Drama. I have not tried it yet, but it is an even more intense Hypnose look and I'm liking the sound of that!

Since my time at Lancome, the brand has launched its Precious Cells Mascara. I have yet to try this mascara either but Julia Roberts looks beautiful wearing the product as the new spokesmodel!

I love Lancome's mascara and use their product as often as possible, but it is a department store product and therefore expensive. I truly believe that there are plenty of drug store brand mascaras that will give you lashes as beautiful as the products found at Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus. My next post is soon to follow with allll of my favorite mascaras that can be purchased for under $10 as well as some tips for application and sanitation.

Please enjoy reading the blog and share your thoughts and comments!

Look, I'm Blushing!

Hello Lovelies! I hope everyone is enjoying the warm spring weather and a post spring break TAN!! I think that blush is one of the most important components of face makeup, so I decided that I should share a little info about the process...

First, when choosing a blush, a good rule of thumb is to pick a tone that matches the color of your cheeks after you exercise. This will be natural and give your face a nice pop of color. Swirl a clean blush brush in the compact and tap the handle against your wrist to shake off excess product. Smile, and start applying the color to the apples of your cheeks, then suck in your cheeks (make a fish face) and make brush strokes, spreading the blush up the cheek bone towards your temples. Go back over the blush line, making small, quick strokes downward to blend the product and avoid that 80's cheek-stripe look. Make sure that the brightest spot of color is on the apples of your cheeks.

After applying my blush color, I use a second brush with Lancome's blush in Miel Glace, which is a light, high-lighting color with a slight shimmer. I apply just one little swipe to each temple. This will help to brighten up your face! Also, if I am at the beach and have a lot of natural color on my face- I will only dust some of the high lighter color on my cheeks and temples to really enhance the natural glow.

Make sure that any liquid products you are using (moisturizer, self-tanner, foundation, etc.) are dry before you apply your blush, or any other powder medium, to prevent streaking or uneven application!

Happy Blushing and Enjoy!

A PERSONAL FAV

Spring Break is just around the corner and I've been trying to get in shape for it! But trying to squeeze in a good workout anywhere my schedule will allow doesn't always leave me with enough time to go home and shower/change before running errands, heading to a class, etc...

Having said that, LANCOME'S EAU FRAICHE DOUCEUR has recently jumped to the top of my "beauty-favorites" list. This stuff is incredible! It's a cleansing water that comes in a pump (so no leaking) and it smells INCREDIBLE. I pump the product onto a cotton ball and wipe my face/neck/chest area, throw on a clean t-shirt and I am good to go (I promise I shower when I do go home :)). It is super fresh and light so it does not leave you feeling sticky or oily like many "cleansing products" do. Also, this product is great if you live in an urban or hot environment where you're often exposed to pore-clogging elements (I'm even going to bring mine to the beach!) It is easy to carry and can be used throughout the day.

*Always remember to apply your moisturizer + SPF after you clean your face.

Give this stuff and try and let me know what you think!

Tired Eyes... NO More

Hello Everyone! So, it has been one of those weeks for me where my teachers have PILED on the work... tests, quizzes, papers, etc. and after 4 nights of late studying, I've started wearing the evidence. Luckily, I have some easy makeup tricks to help hide those dark-droopy-I really need to be sleeping right now- eyes!

First, when doing your morning beauty routine, wash your face with some type of exfoliating/ invigorating wash (Many drug store brands, like Clean&Clear make great morning washes). You should not exfoliate your face daily, but once or twice a week will help rid your face of dry, dead skin and expose a fresh layer. Wash your face with warm water and then finish with a splash of cold water, helping to close up your pores and wake you up!
Second, MOISTURIZE! Be sure and use a great moisturizer with SPF, and when applying around the eyes, DO NOT RUB (this pulls on your skin+lids making them sag even more). Instead, use your 3rd and 4th fingers, together, to PAT moisturizer ALL around the eye area. Next, choose an under eye concealer that is right for you. I use Lancome's Maquicomplet in Camee (this product should be 1-2 tones lighter than your face foundation color). Give the area a good swipe of the concealer, and use your concealer brush (looks like a flat paint brush) to spread the product out over the area. I go under my eye, across my brow bone, and in my inner eye (next to the the bridge of my nose) by turning the brush on its side and using the tip. Then, I use Lancome's Maquicomplet in Correcteur to give the inside and outside creases of my eye a tiny dot. Using your concealer brush again (preferably a smaller one if you have it) and gently spread this product in the creases. Next, I use Bobbi Brown's Eye Blender Brush along with her eye shadow in "Bone" and apply the light high lighter color ALLLL over. I go under the eye, eye lid, brow bone and creases. This color is great because it high lights the eye area without using a shimmer (I don't really like to wear sparkly eye color to school or in the morning). Finally, I curl my lashes with Revlon's eyelash curler (available at the drug store). Curling your lashes gives them a lift and makes your eyes look bigger, wider and more awake! BE CAREFUL WHEN DOING THIS STEP and do it VERY slowly so that you don't pinch your lid. I give the curler a good squeeze and count to ten for each eye. It's important to do this step BEFORE you apply mascara because if you have dry product on your lashes and then curl them, THEY WILL BREAK!! After I have curled my lashes, I use Lancome's Definicils mascara in Deep Black. This mascara, in particular, is good for the morning because it wears well all day without chipping and separates the lashes making them look longer.
The greatest cure for dark circles and tired eyes is certainly sleep, hydration and nutritious foods, but these tricks are great for those days when coffee is the only thing keeping you awake!
**This process is a great prep for any normal eye makeup routine and is a great pick-me-up for those who travel often!

Enjoy and please feel free to comment and share your fav beauty secrets!

Pretty Finger Nails!!!

Hey Everybody!

So, I don't know about you all, but I LOVE to do my nails. I think it's such a quick and easy way to look polished and pretty!

There are so many awesome colors out right now and similar to all things fashion- Anything Goes! I love the turqouise color, "Jade," by Chanel... I think it really pops. I also love Lancome's "Midnight Glam" (part of their fall 2009 "Declaring Indigo" collection). It is a beautiful DEEP blue with a slight shimmer... perfect for fall. Over the past year, I also found myself testing out some gray hues for the nails and I really liked those as well. OPI makes two great shades, "Metro Chic" and "You Don't Know Jacques" if you are looking to try. AND if you don't feel confident about rocking a crazy nail, any of the classics are ALWAYS sophisticated and fashionable: Red, French Pink or Buffed!

Now to the good stuff... have any of you tested the OPI Espana collection?? I spent this past spring semester studying in Barcelona so I thought that might be the reason for my obsession, but I don't think that's the case. The colors are truly stunning!


The TRUE Colors de Espana!

• "Here Today... Aragon Tomorrow"
• "Suzi Skis in the Pyrenese"
• "Give Me Moor!"
• "Pamplona Purple"
• "Ate Berries in the Canaries"
• "Pink Flamenco"
• "Conquistadorable Color"
• "Bullish on OPI"
• "Barefoot in Barcelona"
• "Can You Tapas This?"
• "Manicurist of Seville"
• "No Spain No Gain"
  

Check these out, pick your paint and PLEASE let me know how it goes... Enjoy!

Fall Beauty Forecast... Dark Lips!

Hello everyone!

My blog has officially been up and running for two weeks now, so I decided it's time to start talking about makeup, and what better way to start than the beauty forecast!

As most of you have probably seen by now, "punk couture" is taking over. In fashion, it's all about black, grey, zippers, studs, leather and straps, SO it's no surprise that the big-beauty-DO this season is a dark lip. Now, I realize that this sounds a little scary and most will not dare at the risk of looking like Morticia Addams; however, I encourage you to try. You don't have to wear black lipstick- try purples, deep reds, maroons, blue, etc. Chanel has introduced their Noir Obscurs collection which entails 3 shades of a beautiful, dark eggplant, maroon, and brown. M.A.C. has gone even further and is experimenting with dark shades that will give you a matte, cream, or metallic finish! (Please note that M.A.C. is theatrical makeup and has much more color pigment so it will apply a rich coat that is true to color- USE WITH CAUTION). Lancome makes a great black gloss called Phia Black that goes on more sheer. The list goes on... you will be able to find a dark hue on every shelf.

I played around with Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry, and I loved it! (they also make another great shade called Va Va Violet) For a glossy finish, I used Bobbi Brown's lip brush with Lancome's Juicy Tube in Icon of Stage.

Remember that this look can be intense so experiment before wearing out. Also, I suggest that you keep your hair sleek and minimal when sporting dark lips

Tips for applying:

1. Dark colors are going to be less forgiving when applying so make sure your hands are steady

2. Put a tiny bit of your face concealer on your finger tip and dab around the edge of your lips to fill in creases so that the color goes on smooth

3. If you're scared to apply lipstick directly- dab the color in the center of top and bottom lips then use the ball of your middle finger to spread the color over the entire lip

4. For a glossy finish (or just a gloss alone) use the wand applicator OR use a lip brush to apply evenly