May 26, 2011

BEAUTY ESSENTIALS!


Posted by Ethne and Special Guest Whit~

My sister, Whit, is my make-up guru.  You’ve heard about her here and here.  She’s pretty much a *Rock Star*.

See, Whit's gorgeous!
[That, my Friends, is a true-to-life pic of KD]


In rock star spirit, Lori and I know that being a WOM is more than just being a thrifty mom and cool gal.  It’s about feeling good about ourselves and having fun too! 

To keep ourselves WOM-ified, Lori and I spend time out with our friends (kid free), go on date nights with our guys, go on girls’ night out and Girls Trip with our very best girlfriends and go shopping and hang out (kids with or kid free) with our moms and sisters.  Or some combination of that!

Girls Trip '10

Part of this includes feeling gorgeous.  You know we are trying our best to work on our bodies and well-being in our Quantum Leap mission.  That will make us feel beautiful and healthy. 

Lori, our girlfriends, Thrifty Nana and Whit also know my motto:  “You only live this life once so you should live every day gorgeously!”  (Don’t quibble, that’s my word.  WOMs can make up words if we want to.)

Special Guest Steph and me, GT'10
Gorge-ous!

We want all of you WOMs to live gorgeously too.  And the best place to start is the basics.  We knew just whom to consult: Whit!  So here’s what Whit has expertly deemed the essentials of a make-up kit:


Essentials

Here is a list of things every woman should have in their cosmetics satchel (Whit likes this word better than bag).

Eye primer*

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin $19.00
         
It has the perfect nude shimmer (not glitter) that can be worn alone on the weekends or lazy days during the week.  The great thing about this primer is that no matter how oily, or dry for that matter, your eyelids are, your eyeshadow and liner will NOT move during the day.  Your shadow will also look more intense, allowing you to use less, and save money in eyeshadow costs in the long run.  I have tried them all, believe me, and this one is the best.
 
*I provide no alternative to this product, because frankly there is nothing that even remotely compares to the benefits of using this.  And to those of you who do not wear eyeshadow primer, it will change your life in terms of cosmetic satisfaction.

Face primer

There are many face primers that are wonderful out there.  Smashbox, Mally, Urban Decay, and Stila all make really great primers.  The primer I am liking (at the moment) is by Fusion Beauty.  The thing I love about Fusion Beauty is that they carry skincare and color cosmetics, and every single product has clinical research showing it gives immediate AND long-term benefits.  I’ve read the research, tried most of the products they carry, and am a believer. 

Fusion Beauty Prime Results Primer $42


Available in 4 options: Anti-Acne, Anti-Wrinkle, Anti-Redness, and Brightening.  All four are targeted towards combating that particular area, and as I said before, have long-term cumulative benefits as well as just being a great primer for a smooth canvas for foundation and long-wear.
FYI: The same woman who created Fusion Beauty also created the line of fragrance CLEAN.  I have to say that they are completely different than anything you’ve ever smelled.  All, or almost all, of the fragrances are EDP, not EDT, so they will last longer.  And with names like Fresh Laundry, Clean T-Shirt, Summer Linen, what’s not to love on a Saturday!  Warm Cotton is my absolute favorite!

Loreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base $12.99


I have not used this personally, but the reviews on this product have been glowing.  I have also heard many testimonials at work that it is just as good as some of the higher priced options.

Mascara

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara $20 (or 2 for $28!!)


This mascara is my favorite.  It doesn’t clump, flake, or irritate my eyes.  The black pigment in this mascara is the best I have ever encountered.  It also is a little shiny and that is a good thing for eyelashes.  It gives amazing length AND volume, and it is buildable to make the longest and thickest eyelashes you’ve ever seen.  My advice, wait a few seconds for it to dry before applying another coat.  And it doesn’t smear onto your face when you put it on your bottom lashes.  Please apply mascara to your bottom lashes too.  Yes, some makeup “looks” look fabulous with no mascara on the bottom, but using it on your bottom lashes really emphasizes your eyes and makes you look great.

Loreal Voluminous Mascara $6.99 in Carbon Black


This mascara has a cult following, and has been around a long time.  But why change a great formula?  It can clump, but if you dedicate a few more seconds to mascara application this can give you great volume and length.
 
Eyeliner

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner $21.00


I love this little pot.  It wears all day and into the night.  It does require a brush to apply, but you can achieve so many more looks by using a brush with eyeliner anyway.  A brush also allows you to get right between your lashes so there are no gaps between your lashes and your eyeliner (Ethne always has this problem).  The pot will last you a very long time.  The pigments are fantastically dark, again, allowing you to use less of the product.  You have a few seconds before this sets, so you can smudge or play around with it too.

Covergirl Liquiline Liner $7.99


This pencil liner rivals Urban Decay’s 24/7 eyeliner pencils.  It is very soft and waxy (this is a good thing), so it glides on and stays on.  The pigments are good, and comes in basic and a few wild colors.  You do have to sharpen this pencil, some people don’t like that hassle.  The benefit is the wood (or whatever it is encased in) keeps the product from drying out.  It has long-wear.



Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in Black $10.99


This felt tipped liner is amazing.  It is far more superior to many of the high end liquid liners.  It stays on all day and does not budge.  The color stays intense too I can’t speak to the serum claiming lash growth.  I do not buy into it haven’t noticed a change but it can’t hurt!  I also have very sensitive eyes and this has never bothered them.  I love the felt tip too, you can really get between your lashes or use it sideways to get a nice thick line.

Blush

Benefit Posietint $28


This is a little tricky to apply, but if you get your technique down it creates the longest-wearing lit-from-within pink cheek I’ve ever seen.  It is a gel-liquid that comes like a bottle of nail polish.  The way you apply it is to take out the nail polish wand and swipe it over your blush brush just a bit, gently smush your brush onto a piece of Kleenex and then apply it to your cheeks with the blush brush.  It sets very quickly, so you want to use the blush brush technique to avoid marks on your cheeks.  This blush is buildable too, so start with less to avoid clown cheeks because once this blush sets it is there all day.

Nars blush in Orgasm $27


This is my favorite blush of all time.  It is peachy-pink, and has the tiniest bit of gold shimmer.  The pigments are so fine that it practically blends itself and you can never overdo it.  I absolutely recommend splurging on this blush for every woman in the world.

Bare Minerals blush in Laughter $18


I like Bare Mineral’s blush because one container will last a year or more.  That is a great value in my opinion.  The color is a peachy pink with no shimmer.  I am a big fan of peachy pinks because it gives any complexion a happy, young-looking face.  I promise, try it.

Foundation

Bare Minerals Foundation in Original or Matte $25 or $28


I wore Bare Minerals for 9 years and loved it.  I decided to try something new because I just wasn’t getting the same look anymore with my BE.  I don’t know if my skin is changing as I get older from hormones or what but I just didn’t like the sheen from the ingredient bismuth in the BE original foundation any longer.  The BE Matte does not have the shiny bismuth in it, but it does not give me the coverage I desire.

Amazing Cosmetics Velvet Mineral Foundation Loose Powder $34
The mineral foundation from Amazing Cosmetics does not have bismuth in it, and I love the coverage I can get.  There are far less color options to this foundation, but it feels great on my skin and wears just as beautifully as BE used to.
 
I recommend a mineral foundation to everyone.  But be sure to check the ingredients to make sure it is actually mineral and not just a foundation company “saying” it is mineral to sell it as one.  Talc is an okay ingredient, but it is one that can cause the ghost-like look in photos.  [Talc in blush is fine, so don’t worry about that.]

Concealer

Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Concealer SPF 20  $21
This concealer is the smoothest liquid concealer I’ve come across that does not crease and really does wear all day.  It only comes in 4 options, and I don’t even really fit into a shade!  I use the lightest and then cover it with my foundation to blend it in with my skin color.  However, if you can use one of the colors, you will be so happy with the results.  It completely hides any blemish or dark circle, period.  And it has physical sunscreen in it (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) as opposed to chemical sunscreens, so it is ideal for the sensitive area around the eyes.  Complete coverage and anti-aging protection in one tube. Oh, and very little goes a long way.

I always recommend a liquid concealor for under eyes as opposed to using Bare Minerals Bisque or Foundation.  BE does not cover everything, and as much as the reps say it doesn’t, it does in fact enhance the look of fine lines.

Bronzer

Too Faced Sun Bunny Bronzer $28


Not at all orange and comes with two colors if you want to use the lighter one for contouring under your cheekbone.  I swirl them together and buff it on in a W shape starting at my temple, hitting my cheek, to the top of my nose, and repeating to the other temple.  I dust my hairline on my forehead, and touch a little on my chin.  I also bronze my neck, because the sun usually gets your face and misses your neck; and we want our “tan” to look uniform!  Using bronzer under your jawline is also an easy way to slim your face in pictures.

NYX Tango with Bronzing Powder in Bronze Ensemble $14.99


This product is almost identical to the Too Faced bronzer, but it is not as finely milled.

Lip

Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 $8.99


I buy different lip products like candy, but one product that is a must for every woman is a good balm.  And I like a tinted balm because this way you can start off your day with moisturized lips that have just a little color in them.  And it protects them on the drive to work because it has SPF.  This Lip Balm is wonderful, it doesn’t sting or have mint tingle, and it is just a nice balm with about 5 color options.  Sunny Berry works on everyone, so try that one.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Naked $18


This pencil uses the same formula as the 24/7 eyeliners, but in lip colors.  It does really stay on well, and this particular color works under any lip gloss and any lipstick.  If you change your color of lip often, then this lipliner is perfect.  Because it is a nude color, you can also extend your lip lines or fill in your cupid’s bow.

Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked $19


You can wear this slightly minted gloss alone, or if you pair it with the Naked lipliner you will have the most gorgeous nude lip EVER.  These two colors work on everyone, and the result is amazing.  Some nude lips are too pink, peach or orange.  Naked and Naked liner create the most perfect nude on all skin tones and ages.  As I keep telling Thrifty Nana, wear gloss, it will make you look younger!

Brow

Benefit Browzings $30


I recommend the Light color for everyone except for almost-black to black hair.  The Medium is just so dark!  The product has a tinted taupe wax, and a taupe powder.  It comes with 3 miniature utensils, including a mini Tweezerman tweezer.  I am fair skinned with blond hair, so I usually use either the powder or the wax depending on my lazy level for the day.  Either will give you a great brow for the day.  But Benefit’s directions say that you should use the wax and then the powder on top to give it a natural look.  Using a good slanted brow brush, one with a handle and not the two minis included, will give you precise application and a natural look anyway.  I find that only if I am going out somewhere where it will be hot, sticky, or sweaty will I use both the powder and the wax.  This product will last you at least a year or more, so it is a good value for your money if you think of it that way.
 
BareMinerals Brow Color $11.00


This comes in a little tiny BE jar with no sifter, so be careful when opening and handling it because if you drop it it’s gone.  The shade options are so wonderful for people who are just starting to use brow products, because they can go on very lightly and not give a dramatic look.  I know Ethne is way to hesitant to do anything with her brows because she’s afraid it will look clownish.  I tell her that if she just does it a tiny bit, she’ll be amazed at how wonderful filled-in and shaped brows can frame her face.  This little pot will last forever.

Eye brightener

Mally Beauty Lightwand Eyebrightener Double-Ended Pencil $25 or 2 for $35 on qvc.com

Put the pencil on first, then dab the powder over the top, or use one or the other separately for a more subdued look during the day and then double it up at night for glam.  There are many lookalikes out there, but this is the one and only as far as I am concerned.  Mally picked out the 18 or so light-reflecting pigments that make up this wand and they are awesome.  They are not white (bad, don’t ever do it!), pink, or peach.  It is a very blushy pearl color almost, and if you use it in the inner corners of your eyes, you will have an ethereal glow that lasts all day and looks amazing in photos.  I have done this on every single bride I’ve ever put makeup on.  I personally will wear it every day or as often as I remember, because, well, why not?


Brushes

I recommend using brushes instead of spongy applicators anyday.  Brushes do not waste your product like sponges and can give you precise application and a blended and flawless look.  I recommend EcoTools brushes to many people because they do not harber the bacteria quite as easily, and the will last you double the length of natural hair brushes.  Don't worry, your mineral foundation will apply just as great with synthetic brushes too.  Just be sure to wash your brushes with a gentle shampoo or an antibacterial brush shampoo at least once a month and lay out to dry overnight.  And please, don't throw your brushes or applicators into your makeup bag with the rest of your makeup.  It can possibly spread bacteria, ruin your brushes, and just make a mess.  Keep them in an empty candle jar to recycle, or a pretty glass cup from GoodWill or a garage sale.

Ethne~ See Friends?  I knew Whit would be able to get you gorgeous.  The key basics are essential – to an artist like Whit, your face is a palette – you have to have these basics to prime your palette for the make-up that comes next!

Stay tuned for more Whit Tips.  She is a genius, as you can obviously tell, so whatever we post from her is sure to be GENIUS!  (I don't know about you, but my regular vocabulary does not refer to make-up in terms of face-framing and pigments.)  I have to say I am so proud to have Whit for a sister.  Each of us WOMs deserves to be gorgeous - and she'll make sure we are!


16 comments:

Roxanne said...

Great article! I'm going to have to pick up some eyeshadow primer. I've never tried that. I also love Two Faced Face Primer, good stuff.

Spa coupons said...

Those are cool makeup tools. Eye shadow is my favorite but yep, some brands do move a lot and yo have to be constantly checking to make certain it looks the way you left it. That brand sounds like it's a problem solver.

gianna said...

You look gorgeous honey! I also love Two Faced Face Primer, good stuff.

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