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Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Make- Up Essentials
Every girls needs to start their make-up collection somewhere, and sometimes it can be overwhelming especially in deciding what products to start with, whether to buy drugstore or high end, determining your skin type etc. That's why I've decided to talk about what I think are make-up essential every girl must have in her collection. I think I said in a previous post that I've really only been into make-up for about a year now, so I am not professional, believe me. The items that are listed below are what I believe to be products that would be good places to start and invest.
1. A good moisturizer. Honestly, without a good moistrurizer your entire face routine can get the domino effect and products will not take to their full potential. For the longest time I was using the Neutrogena Moisture Oil-Free for combination skin and thought it was the best thing ever. Then, a make-up artist asked me what moistruizer I was using, I told her, she told me to stop. Apparently it was drying out skin really badly and I hadn't even noticed. I now use the Garnier Skin Naturals Shine Control Moisturizer and I will never go back. It's amazing, I noticed an immediate difference in my skin.
2. Foundation- This is probably the most difficult one to choose especially when first starting your collection. The good thing is that there will always be a shade to match yours skin tone. If you are looking for something basic, I would try a drugstore brand first. L'Oreal, Revlon, Neutrogena, and Rimmel all have great foundations to start with. You do want to be conscious of your skin type when choosing a foundation, for example if you have oily skin choose a foundation that is oil-free and is long lasting or all day wear. If you have dry skin choose a foundation that says hydrate, and finally if you have acne prone skin, for your skins sake, choose one oil-free and made for sensitive skin. If you do want to move on to high end foundations check out Make Up Forever (Mat +), Chanel, and Dior foundations.
3. Blush- or bronzer, just gives you that extra little bit of glow when needed. The vast pigmentations allow you to get a more natural look or give you a pink sweep. I prefer blushes with peachy undertones, they look more natural on my skin tone. I use blushes especially when I look tired ( at school...) and I need that bit of color to make the rest of my face look alive again. There are plenty of blushes out there, you are bound to find some you love!
4. Eyeliner- I do not know what I would do without my eyeliner! I think you can ask anyone I know and they would tell you how much I love my eyeliner. The great thing about eyeliner is that you can make it bold and dramatic or simple and natural. Also, it comes in loads of shades which, if used properly, can make your eyes pop. I prefer liquid liner for lining my lid but pencil for lining my waterline. This is where it comes down to personal preference, I know some people who hate pencil and some who hate liquid. TIP: If you are lining your lid and waterline, use two different colors on the bottom and top if you are not going for a smokey eye. By doing so, your eyes will look bigger. I tend to use brown liner on my lid and black on my waterline.
5. Mascara- If you have lighter eyelashes guaranteed mascara is your best friend. Everyone wants dark, full lashes and the right mascara can accomplish this for you.It's also great for covering eyeshadow fall out. Mascara is a trial and error product, each mascara does something different for everyone's lashes. There are, however, great great drugstore mascaras, you don't have to spend a ton of money to get a good one. I love the Maybelline mascaras they have some natural ones and some dramatic ones. No matter what other mascara I try, these always come back into my makeup bag.
6. Eyeshadow- of course. I think the ultimate eye shadow must haves are neutral colors. Having a neutral color or color pallet is so versatile; you can dress them up or wear them casually as everyday looks. The good thing with pallets is that all the neutral colors compliment each other so when you are in a rush you don't really have to think about too much while doing your eye makeup.
7. Lip balm- I think this is pretty standard in any make-up collection. Using lip balm keeps your lips healthy and hydrated. I have a few so I can keep them in different spots so I will always have access to them.
8. Lipgloss- can be your best friend for everyday or going out at night. The range of shades allows you to make your lips pop or give a neutral glow. I think most girls prefer gloss over lipstick when beginning their collection because its less intimidating and you don't have to think about how to wear it.
9, Brushes- There is a distinct difference between how your make-up applies with brushes vs. sponges. Once I switched to using brushes I never went back. Brushes apply make-up more evenly and smoothly and even use less product than sponges.
10. Tools- Eyelash curler, tweezers, Q-tips etc.
Optional but worth it:
- Brow pencil
- Primers (Face/Eye Shadow)
- Lipstick
-Concealer (if you need it)
-Finishing Powder
Tada. Now go shopping :)
 |
| I'll never go back. Love this product http://www.garnier.ca |
2. Foundation- This is probably the most difficult one to choose especially when first starting your collection. The good thing is that there will always be a shade to match yours skin tone. If you are looking for something basic, I would try a drugstore brand first. L'Oreal, Revlon, Neutrogena, and Rimmel all have great foundations to start with. You do want to be conscious of your skin type when choosing a foundation, for example if you have oily skin choose a foundation that is oil-free and is long lasting or all day wear. If you have dry skin choose a foundation that says hydrate, and finally if you have acne prone skin, for your skins sake, choose one oil-free and made for sensitive skin. If you do want to move on to high end foundations check out Make Up Forever (Mat +), Chanel, and Dior foundations.
 |
| Physicians Formula Matchmaker Blush gives the face a nice, defined glow. http://www.physiciansformula.com . |
3. Blush- or bronzer, just gives you that extra little bit of glow when needed. The vast pigmentations allow you to get a more natural look or give you a pink sweep. I prefer blushes with peachy undertones, they look more natural on my skin tone. I use blushes especially when I look tired ( at school...) and I need that bit of color to make the rest of my face look alive again. There are plenty of blushes out there, you are bound to find some you love!
4. Eyeliner- I do not know what I would do without my eyeliner! I think you can ask anyone I know and they would tell you how much I love my eyeliner. The great thing about eyeliner is that you can make it bold and dramatic or simple and natural. Also, it comes in loads of shades which, if used properly, can make your eyes pop. I prefer liquid liner for lining my lid but pencil for lining my waterline. This is where it comes down to personal preference, I know some people who hate pencil and some who hate liquid. TIP: If you are lining your lid and waterline, use two different colors on the bottom and top if you are not going for a smokey eye. By doing so, your eyes will look bigger. I tend to use brown liner on my lid and black on my waterline.
 |
| This is the newest Maybelline mascara. I love it for a more natural lash. http://www.maybelline.com |
6. Eyeshadow- of course. I think the ultimate eye shadow must haves are neutral colors. Having a neutral color or color pallet is so versatile; you can dress them up or wear them casually as everyday looks. The good thing with pallets is that all the neutral colors compliment each other so when you are in a rush you don't really have to think about too much while doing your eye makeup.
 |
| EOS lipbalm is great because its all natural. I have this one in summer fruit. http://evolutionofsmooth.com |
8. Lipgloss- can be your best friend for everyday or going out at night. The range of shades allows you to make your lips pop or give a neutral glow. I think most girls prefer gloss over lipstick when beginning their collection because its less intimidating and you don't have to think about how to wear it.
9, Brushes- There is a distinct difference between how your make-up applies with brushes vs. sponges. Once I switched to using brushes I never went back. Brushes apply make-up more evenly and smoothly and even use less product than sponges.
10. Tools- Eyelash curler, tweezers, Q-tips etc.
Optional but worth it:
- Brow pencil
- Primers (Face/Eye Shadow)
- Lipstick
-Concealer (if you need it)
-Finishing Powder
Tada. Now go shopping :)
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Brand Spotlight: E.L.F Cosmetics
Every time someone finds out that I use ELF products they always ask me the same thing; is it worth it. My answer is always yes. I found out about ELF about a year ago when I began taking more interest in beauty and make-up. I came across ELF through an advertisement online I believe. Since then, I still order from the site and may never go back when it comes to some of the products. This post will be more of a tips post for ordering off the ELF website rather than a haul.
 |
| Array of products from ELF's Essential line photocredit: http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1191291/ |
The first thing you always have to remember when buying make-up or any product in general is you get what you pay for. In this case, ELF products are cheap cheap cheap! Products start as low as $1 which is awesome especially when you are on a budget like myself. They have three make-up lines; essential being the cheapest, studio, and mineral being the most expensive. The problem with ELF is that some of the products live up to their price and do not translate well once applied. So here's what I suggest, read and watch reviews! There are plenty of reviews on the ELF website but I tend to watch review videos on Youtube. There are tones of beauty gurus on Youtube that are extremely helpful when you are indecisive about a product.
Second, is the shipping. It is reasonable if you are shipping within the US but if you are international like me shipping is pricey. Being in Canada I pay the base of $6.95 plus another $14.95 for taxes and border fees. This sucks! When I buy ELF products I wait until I need everything to order. That way I know I am making the best of the shipping.
An alternative to the crazy shipping is to buy the product in store. Unfortunately, being north of the border, there aren't many stores that carry the full ELF line. You can find some products in Winners and surprisingly Dollarama! In the US the products are quite available at Target which is awesome especially if you go to the US often or have family/friends that live there. I'm hoping when the Targets start arriving here in the next year or so we will have ELF products conveniently as well. Fingers crossed!
Lastly, wait for the sales! ELF has sales on one thing or another almost every single day. I usually wait out for the 50% off sales or $10 off or something in that ballpark. Imagine when the 50% off sale is on, some of the products come out to $0.50 which is always a nice surprise :) If you live in the US they often have free shipping and if you are international like myself, free shipping means we just pay the $14.95 which is still pricey.
I would definitely recommend this brand to anyone looking for simple products to use and especially for beginners who are looking to experiment with make-up.
Lastly, wait for the sales! ELF has sales on one thing or another almost every single day. I usually wait out for the 50% off sales or $10 off or something in that ballpark. Imagine when the 50% off sale is on, some of the products come out to $0.50 which is always a nice surprise :) If you live in the US they often have free shipping and if you are international like myself, free shipping means we just pay the $14.95 which is still pricey.
I would definitely recommend this brand to anyone looking for simple products to use and especially for beginners who are looking to experiment with make-up.
That's pretty much my low-down of ELF as a brand and some helpful ways to navigate around the site for the first time. You can find their products at www.eyeslipsface.com. Also, if you are looking for a Youtube guru who does ELF hauls I would recommend emilynoel83 from Beauty Broadcast (www.beautybraodcast.net is her blog). She is one of my favourites. I may be posting a few of my all-time favourite ELF products for your enjoyment!
Stay beautiful.
Almeera
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