What Goes On Must Come Off

After a long day of wearing makeup and exposure to the environmental conditions, my skin begs for some pampering, but my regimen is nothing fancy.

I start with an oil-based cleanser like Ponds Cold Cream or even a dab of Cold Pressed Coconut Oil along with a facial or baby wipe; a trick for me that pretty much removes everything, including my eye makeup.  Then I cleanse, tone and moisturize (twice daily) along with the weekly exfoliation. 

I generally, use the Aveeno Positively Radiant or Clear Complexion line to address my skin’s needs in order to keep it healthy, refreshed and hydrated.

How about you? 

When to Splurge vs When to Save - Part II

Knowing when to splurge on designer cosmetics or save with drugstore products can help you better allocate your beauty budget and get the most out of every dollar.  So below is the second half of the 2-part series of When to Splurge vs When to Save!!!

4. Lip Gloss

Designer or Drugstore: Drugstore

This is a definite bargain purchase, you don’t need the pigment you do from lipstick, and almost all lip glosses have the same formulas and contain the same ingredient combination. Go cheap and buy a few different colors.

NYX, Milani, L'Oreal and Sacha are the recurring lip glosses in my stash

  

5. Concealer and Foundation

 Designer or Drugstore: Either

Skin-colored makeup relies on too many factors to declare a winner, especially since you could potentially find your perfect match and coverage level just about anywhere though it may require a lot of experimenting. Oh experimenting is necessary because the worst thing is to commit to a costly foundation and the color matching is all wrong.

L'Oreal's Infallible Pro Matte Foundation and LA Girl's HD Pro Concealer are the ones for me - come on they are excellent products in a wide range of shades at great prices, so that's a big save for me.

6. Eyeshadow and Eyeliners

Designer or Drugstore: Either

I think a combination of designer neutral shades and drugstore trendy colors is best – you get great coverage for everyday looks, but can still spice things up without committing to a pricey palette.

As for eyeliners, they perform basically the same as I usually go for the fine-line pens.

My splurge here would definitely be my Urban Decay Naked3 palette but in the mix there is Maybelline's Color Tattoo and L'Oreal's Colour Riche Eye Shadow which are steals in comparison.

Oh as for eyeliner...that may always remain a big savings for me with my Jordana Fabuliner, an essential of mine for years. 

Let me know down below...When do you splurge or steal the bargain???

Warm Bronze - Drugstore Makeup Tutorial

Hi beautiful dolls, I came across two awesome tutorials that I wanted to share.

These looks were achieved using drugstore brands such as Black Opal, LA Girl, E.L.F., NYX, L'Oreal, Milani, Maybelline and even Black Radiance; all of which are available in our local beauty stores. 

Check them out and put our skills to the test...I know you will love it.

When to Splurge vs When to Save - Part I

Sometimes, you can justify the extra cost of designer makeup based on the added benefits of pricier brands, such as increased pigmentation, better fragrance, or a better applicator. However, as this is not always the case, I thought it best to share with you - in 2 parts - When to Spurlge vs When to Save!!!

1. Blush

Designer or Drugstore: Drugstore

Many powder-based blushes have the same ingredients; you really don’t need to splurge on pricey designer brands.

NYX and Milani are my go to blushes.

2. Mascara

Designer or Drugstore: Either

Personally, mascara is one of my favorite products. Therefore, I’m sometimes willing to pay more for a designer brand that I know and love – the cost per wear is fairly low, even with the added premium of a designer name tag.  Thing is mascara is one of the most common makeup products at the drugstore, so there are plenty to try on a budget.  The trick is to find the best mascara that gives you what you need.

My designer mascara is Too Faced - Better Than Sex and my drugstore fav is Maybelline's Colossal Glam Black

3. Lipstick

Designer or Drugstore: Designer

A good lipstick relies on excellent pigmentation and good wear throughout the day. Buying a more expensive lipstick can get you ideal color payoff again and again, so it’s often worth splurging. You tend to benefit from add-ins such as shea butter and other moisturizers the better brands include. However, you can nab cheaper shades for trendy colors you want to try, but aren’t yet willing to commit to.

So my Dose of Colors - Berry Me is usually my big splurge, however at TTD20 a pop LA Girl's Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick has recently stolen the show for me...lol

Look out for Part II of this series...

Let's Set this in Motion

We all know how much effort it takes to apply a face full of makeup, and there’s nothing more annoying than seeing the remnants of your hard work slide down your face by the end of the day.

That’s where makeup setting spray comes in handy. Like hairspray for your face, these facial mists will prevent your makeup from budging for hours (seriously, even through heat, workouts and a night out.)

My fav is the NYX Matte Finish but I do recommend that you check this video out as this youtuber goes through several great budget friendly makeup setting spays. 

Mastering the Blush and Bronzer Duo

As a follow up to the Highlighting and Contouring post - hope you ladies have been experimenting - it is only fitting to look at the getting that extra pop without breaking the bank.

It should go without saying - a light touch is required with your bronzer and even your blush.  One general rule is that colour can always be added, but it’s much more difficult to subtract it.

Before applying bronzer, tap off any excess product from the brush, and then sweep on your bronzer, using a back-and-forth motion. For blush, gently taps the brush onto the apples and then swirl the blush into the bronzer, connecting the two for a seamless and desired finish.

Time To Make It Pop

Highlighting and contouring are two crafty lil tricks that you can use to enhance your bone structure and make it look like you’re constantly under the most flattering movie lighting possible. Even if you’re not going to an event, it’s fun to experiment with elements of ~drama~ in your makeup.

Just one note on picking your contour and highlight colours - don’t choose shades that are drastically lighter or darker than your natural skin tone.

Fair skin - use a very light shade to highlight and a fair to medium colour to contour.

Medium to Dark skin - use a medium-toned highlight and a contour slightly deeper than your skin colour.

Dark skin – use a dark eye shadow if you can’t find a deeper shade of foundation to contour.

Oh My Love...Mascara

Now we can’t all have mile-long eyelashes or even afford those costly eyelash extensions but we can still get bat-worthy lashes.  So without fail we turn to the most essential makeup product; ‘Mascara’. 

We can all agree that a coat or two of quality mascara can be the difference between looking dull and looking fresh-faced, wide-eyed and youthful.  But trust me, not all mascaras are created equal…mascara must lengthen, volumize and curl the lashes; it should also be flake-free and smudge-proof with a wand design that doesn’t leave a single eyelash unattended.

Some would agrue that the cost of the mascara doesn’t dictate quality; what do you think of this under TT$70 selection??? 

Eyeliner - A Makeup Bag Essential

Eyeliners are one of the products we go through in a flash or gets dried out. So why break the bank?

Here's a look of some pretty affordable handy eyeliners as well as a tutorial to get that winged flick. 

Eyeshadow Dupes - MAC vs Maybelline

This list of affordable dupes is for those who desire the effects of high-end and high-pigment shadows without denting your pocketbook too much.

Feel free to recommend any that you may be aware of that I have not mentioned.

Lip Color Fetish...Part II

I really needed to revisit the lip color selection I presented earlier...this is following my visit to one of our local beauty chains with my trusty side-kick in tow.

Not surprising that I was pleased to see the selection made available in my fav and usual picks in the NYX and Milani brands but then I stumbled on the LA Girl counter and was blown away...I asked myself..."When did LA Girl get this variety?" 

So after rummaging through the items, I, of course left with an LA Girl lip color haul of about 6 items that cost me just under TTD100 and I must mention, the color pigment lasts and though matte does not dry out the lips.

Impressed much...oh yes definitely

Smokey Eyes for less

Hey dolls, I am sharing two great tutorials on the art of getting that Smokey Eye Look with products that are available at our local beauty stores and drugstores.

Follow a couple of these tips and you can definitely achieve this look...

What's in your makeup bag???

Every time I look into my everyday makeup bag, I wonder if I have any makeup left at home and that is endorsed by the stares and looks I get when I am in the washroom and I whip out my makeup bag.

So I decided to cull and clean up and was left with the following essentials... Face Powder, Face Brush, Mascara, Lip Balm and Lip Color.

My makeup bag literally went from...  

To…

Lip Color Fetish

Not everyone can afford to cough up TTD175 for lipstick that they haven’t tested out for themselves.  Besides, there are so many affordable options that you can see and swatch at your neighborhood drugstore.

Now, it can be very overwhelming walking up and down the aisles in search of a flattering shade of red lipstick or the perfect nude. So here are a few to look out for on your next drugstore run!

Maybelline Color Sensational – The Mattes

Maybelline’s creamy mattes are a favorite as its creamy texture rivals that of its high-end counterparts and the pigmentation is just right. These are to keep handy whenever your lips need a pick-me-up from Siren in Scarlet to Nude Nuance. 

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Nude by Kate Moss

This is raved to be the best nude lipcolor with a lush texture; this shade has a pink pigment so lips are the perfect shade of barely there. 

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

This lip cream provides a highly pigmented color and a long-lasting matte finish – giving Lip Kits by Kylie Jenner stiff competition for a fraction of the cost.

Milani Color Statement Lipstick

Don’t let the price of this product fool you. This lipstick boasts a long-lasting and creamy formula in intense shades like Violet Void.

Affordable Brush Set Options

Good makeup brushes are a must-have for any beauty junkie - and whether you want some good brushes that will do the job without breaking the bank, or you're the kinda gal who wants all out luxe when applying your makeup, we've got a brush set for you. Check these out... 

Cala has a wide array of brushes with amazingly soft yet sturdy bristles that consistently does the trick. These brushes well out-perform many others on the market and also are very well competitively priced.

Eco Tool has a collection of brushes with everything you need to apply your makeup beautifully. With incredibly soft bristles, sleek bamboo handles, and recycled aluminum ferrules, putting on makeup and feeling good about it will be a breeze. Oh, and did we mention they're 100% cruelty free? 

E.L.F 10 PIECE BRUSH SET is a great bargain brush set you will probably ever find - this 10 piece set includes ALL of the following: Blush Brush, Foundation Brush, Brow Comb & Brush, Eyelash & Eyebrow Wand, Eyeliner Brush, Concealer Brush, Eyeshadow Brush, Smudge Eye Sponge, Lip Defining Brush and Flawless Total Face Brush. 

Real Techniques are for beginners to the experienced and makes applying makeup a breeze. Originally, the makeup brush brand was created by beauty bloggers who really knew what the average makeup user needed in a brush—affordability, quality and style. The entire line of brushes is made from synthetic bristles and is cruelty-free too.

Tons of beauty gurus are obsessed with Morphe because of the brand's incredible quality and astonishingly low prices. The brand even collaborated with YouTube beauty guru Jaclyn Hill to create an incredible eyeshadow palette! These are not available in any of our local beauty stores but wanted to share anyway...

Mindblowing Foundation Dupes

Who doesn't love a good splurge...but a good steal is the real thrill, especially when we’re getting something less expensive that does the job just as well as the pricier alternative! This is why drugstore beauty dupes are SO popular!

Below you can find out all about 5 budget-friendly foundations that live up to their expensive counterparts and can easily be found in our local drugstore aisles…

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick (TTD375)
Dupe:  Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Stick (TTD75)

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF15 (TTD300)
Dupe: Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation (TTD65) 

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation ($425)
Dupe: NYX Invincible Fullest Coverage Foundation (TTD95)

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 
(available online for USD62)
Dupe: L’Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup (TTD99)

  

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation (TTD325)
Dupe: Revlon Colorstay Makeup For Combo/Oily Skin (TTD85)

Eye Brow Tutorial For Less

This is for the girls out there who want perfect brows for a fraction of the cost...this can be achieved using the NYX Micro Brow Pencil and Tame & Frame Pomade to create those Fleeky Brows. 

Ohh and these products are dupes for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil which are amazing products if you don't mind paying the premium.

10 Makeup Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making

Whether you’ve just started wearing makeup, or you’ve been dressing up your face for years, there’s always something new to learn about your daily beauty routine. 

Fear not, I have compiled a list of 10 makeup mishaps we ought to avoid.

1. Wearing the Wrong Shade of Foundation 

2. Sleeping in Your Makeup 

3. Not Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes 

4. Wearing the Wrong Colors 

5. Curling Lashes After Applying Mascara 

6. Not Blending Face Into Neck 

7. Pumping the Mascara Wand 

8. Keeping Makeup For Too Long 

9. Applying Blush Incorrectly

10. Not Testing Makeup Before You Buy  

Let's finish off that look...

When it comes to face makeup, most of us will go to amazing lengths in order to find that perfect product. That one foundation, powder or concealer that completely hides spots, minimizes lines and creates an overall flawless finish. Question is ‘Does one such product even exist?’

I have found that we will spend a ton of cash experimenting on varying products and brands, read reviews until we're dizzy and, of course, allow people to convince us of what is the best product us.

And, when you think of it, that’s a lot of effort for a category of makeup that shouldn't really get noticed, right? Well, here are a few ideas of mine that can put an end to this madness which you can get at the drugstore aisle or beauty counter.

Do we really need a PRIMER???

Obvious foundation streaks, noticeable pores, redness around the nose are makeup faux pas that can be avoided. And according to experts, by just adding one simple step to your morning routine – applying makeup primer.

Makeup primers are crucial at keeping oil at bay while filling in fine lines and providing a smooth canvas for your foundation to stick to...Now I know the question on your mind is ‘Which one???’ Well my question to you is ‘What’s your need???’

Primers come in different hues to address specific skin concerns and again you must figure out whether you have oily, dry or combination skin. Then, choose a primer that is suited for those needs eg. a mattifier, a dewy effect or even an high-definition one.  Ultimately, it must provide that barrier between your moisturizer and foundation.

Here are a couple budget-friendly ideas to consider, that you can find just around the corner…

Foundation Must-haves for under TTD100

Other than a great guy at her side...what does any girl want???

Beautiful, flawless, blemish-free skin that is supple and smooth from every angle…unfortunately, we don’t all enjoy these luxuries.  However, thanks to those masterful cosmetic companies, who have given us an opportunity to have just that and even more…And what other way to achieve this, if not by laying the right FOUNDATION.

We will all agree that all foundations are NOT created equally, to find the right one for you all depends on understanding your skin type and tone.  From normal to oily to dry, there are products that will give you that desired look without busting the budget.

Below are few of the great foundations I came across for my normal to oily (mostly oily) skin but this is in no way an exhausted list…just a couple ideas to dabble with…