I am one to go into a department or drug store and walk up and down the beauty isles for what it seems like hours. For anyone else who comes with me, it may seem like days! I love reading labels, instructions, or ingredients, and then take them home and try them out. I have always collected make-up and skin care products. I like to be the 'go to' girl for my friends and family. What made me think to start a blog was this topic. You may think thats crazy... but this is my blog and this is what interests me! Besides, I realized that there needs to be a purpose of collecting all this information, other than my own benefit.
So here are some tips I have discovered:
* The best eye concealer in the world:
When I worked for Clinique about 3-4 years ago, they came out with an all in one eye concealer called, "All About Eyes Concealer". It is an eye moisturizer, puffy eye reducer, and cover up all in one. Thier "All About Eyes" is this really awesome eye cream I use to use, until they came out with the concealer that had the cream in it. I thought that was the best idea! Save money using one product instead of 2! This sells for about $16.00.
Then when I became a poor college student, I discovered a drug store brand that does the same thing for less! Hence my wonderful discoveries I must share! I have used it since.
It is the "Neutrogena 3 in 1 Eye Concealer". But this eye concealer has a SPF 20 suncreen as well! It sells for about $9.79. But, it lasts for a long time and it doesn't loose its tenacity or fresh feeling. I also use it on the top of my lids because concealer can help your eye shadow or liner last longer. 100% recommended!
Quick Tip: I recommend using a different eye concealer and imperfection concealer. I use Revlon's ColorStay Blemish Concealer for my imperfections as it has 0.5% salicylic acid in it, and it won't make your problems worse. Anything with salicylic acid in it treats and helps reduce breakouts. But it can also be too harsh for the sensitive skin around your eyes. So stick to where they are meant to be used.
* Mineral vs Liquid foundation:
In my own experience with foundation, I have gone back and forth between liquid and mineral. I think there are different reasons why you would choose one or the other, and it is particular for each individual. I have found the Mineral foundation is the best to give medium to full coverage, and lasts longer over moisturizer and concealer. Liquid foundation is better for dry skin types. Also a tinted liquid moisturizer or liquid foundation with SPF 20 is the best for the beach, because you don't want to wear anything to heavy while your pores are larger due to heat and possibly sweating. And its instant SPF and coverage in one. I like the tinted SPF moisturizers with added shimmer or bronzer to accentuate the sunkissed look. And for the shinny areas like your T-zone... I use a little bit of loose powder. And there is my sun look!
My recommended Mineral foundation is either Bare Minerals (which goes for about $25) or the Physicians Formula Talc free Mineral Wear (which is about $11 at the drug store).
I have now been using the Physicians Formula for over a year, and it is the best I have found yet! It is great for extra sensitive and break-out prone skin, and it will give you all the coverage you need!
I'd say one lasts for about 3 months. And, The best brush to use for the mineral makeup is a Kabuki brush. This make-up comes with a mini one, but I always use the full size.
Quick Tip: The brush needs to be cleaned every month or so with light soap and water or you can buy a make-up brush cleaner. This is because bacteria can build up on it from the oils on your face and whatever else it touches. This can contribute to breakouts.
* Lipstick, Lip Gloss or Chapstick? :
I think, again, there is a place and time to choose to use all of these. Really, you should always have something on your lips. You can be lip product addicted like me!
For every day use, I always have chapstick. Any of the "Chapstick" brands are the best. I have tried others and I always go back to the basic. Buy the 3 pack, so you can have one in your purse, one on your desk at work, and one by your bed. (I actually do this, and I never get chapped lips!) The cherry one has a little bit of a tint, but my favorite is the medicated light blue Chapstick. It has a bit of menthol and it is refreshing.
Lip gloss is fun, because it can be the only thing you wear on your face, and it will brighten you up! I tend to stick to the pink-nude colors. Nude is trendy right now, but not the 70's gogo look, but the barely there with a little bit of shimmer and shine look. If you are more of a red girl than pink, the cherry red colors are fresh and youthful, because when you put it on, lip gloss will never be as sharp of a color as it is in the tube. It will look like you just ate some really juicy strawberries! Right now, I am into the Victoria's Secret Lip Gloss tubes. They can be a bit sticky... and this could be why you choose not to wear lip gloss. But, if you are about to take a picture, its the easiest and most effective additive to your face!
Quick Tip: Guys don't like getting lip gloss on them, like my boyfriend. So when in doubt... use tinted chapstick!
Lipstick is the most classic and stand out type of lip product. Red lips are back in, it never really leaves the trend cycle, but how you wear it with your eye make-up is what cycles out. No matter what, I say choose one or the other. More eye make-up, or darker lip color. Red lips with nude eyes and extra mascara is classic. Make sure your eyebrows are groomed and fill in where needed. I use Benefit Brow Zings, which includes a wax to shape, a powder to fill in your brow, a hard angle brush and even little tweezers. I think this product is the most natural looking way to enhance your eyebrows.
Quick Tip: You can change the whole look of your face if your eyebrows are groomed and plucked. You can go from looking drab to fab. Promise! Even if it is the only thing you do to your face, its necessary!
Erica, I think you are absolutely adorable and I loved reading your blogs! Maybe I should start one up. Thanks for the tips on the make up! I'm going to go wash my brushes more often now.
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