Operation Oily Eyelids: How to Prep them for makeup

These tips are taken from Beautiful Eyes:The Ultimate Makeup Guide by Rae Morris

*The eyelids can be as oily as the T-zone, which often causes eyeshadow to fade, crease and rub off completely

For correct eye prep that will ensure a long-lasting look:

1. Cleanse eyelids with a water based cleanser (Morris uses alcohol and perfume free baby wipes)

I found a few:

-CVS Cleansing Skin Cream Original: On sale for $2.39 for 16 oz

-Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser: $8.39 for 8 oz

-Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash: $9.99 for 12 oz

-Clinique Exfoliating scrub: $18.50 for 3.4 oz

-Shiseido 'Pureness' Refreshing Cleansing Water: $22.00 for 5 oz

-Ahava all in one toning cleanser: $30.00 for 8.5 oz

2. Apply foundation to the eyelids to create a canvas for the eyeshadow (eliminates blue and red tones). This will make sure that your eyeshadows true color is coming through because it won't be distorted by the natural colors on your eyelids.

-I tend to think that an eyelid primer such as Benefit's Stay Don't Stray ($26) can serve the same purpose as a foundation. I own this primer and it doubles as a concealer so it really evens out the eyelid

3. Lightly powder the eyelids with a translucent powder.

Some Powders:

-Coty Loose Face Powder: $6.99

-Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Finishing Veil: $9.99

-Nuance Selma Hayek Translucent Finishing Powder: $11.99

-Physicians Formula Mineral Face Powder: $13.99

-Makeup Forever Microfinishing powder to go: $15.00

-Bare Essentials Mineral Veil: $20.00

-Laura Mercier Pressed Powder: $30.00

From there apply your makeup and your good to go!

1960's Eye makeup tutorial!

Why not? :-)

watch?v=Jx7nODbyDvo

Revlon Lip Butters

This is a great product! They have the color payoff of a lipstick but with tons of moisture so your lips never look cracked or dry. They act like a lip balm but look like a lipstick! This product is definitely a winner all around!

Price: $7.49

Where to buy: Any local drugstore/ department store such as Target

I have: Creme Brulee, Peach Parfait and Tutti Frutti (same order as in swatch)

Store your brushes in style!

Storing brushes so that they are both convenient and aesthetically pleasing can be tricky! This is a great way for your brushes to be both super accessible AND easy on the eyes!

From Michael's Crafts:

Glass vases: On sale for $2.50

Clear Beads: $5.99 per bag (I used two bags to fill my vases)

Black shiny marbles: $2.49 (They sit at the bottom of the larger vase)

*Note: when you are searching for beads to fill your vases, try to look for something that will allow for movement. You want to be able to easily slide your brushes in and out, so you may want to avoid things like rocks, pebbles or large glass beads.

Hope this is helpful!

NARS sheer glow foundation Review vid!

watch?v=Tw9CXEQAZqA

Review of the Clarisonic Mia 2

**Update**
It has been sooooo long since I did my review on the Clarisonic so I thought it would be a great time to do an update. I used this product for maybe two months and then basically completely stopped using it. It was making me break out like crazy! I stuck it out for a few weeks, thinking this was skin's "purging" face, but the break outs just wouldn't go away. I did love how well this product cleaned my face, but it wasn't worth it to me to deal with blemishes everyday. I am tempted to start using it again, maybe just once a week or something, because of all the benefits it claims to have, but I am really nervous that it will make me break out again. As of now, its doesn't have any part in my skin care routine. This product does wonders for some people and I'm not really sure what I had a poor reaction to it! Hope this update was helpful! xoxo

What is is: The Clarisonic Mia 2 is a device that deeply cleanses skin using Sonic technology

Comes with: The Clarisonic Mia 2 in the design of your choice, 2 brushes (a deep pore brush and a gentler brush), a traveling case, a charging device, and a travel sized Philosophy Purity cleansing soap (2 fl oz).

Price: $120.00 from QVC for everything listed above

Owned: Since the end of November

Specs:

-Cordless

-Completely waterproof (can use in shower)

-Low and high speed setting

-Set timing (I love this feature...The Clarisonic will automatically run for 1 minute after turning it on. It beeps after 25seconds reminding you to change places on your face. For example, I turn on the device and keep it on my forehead until it beeps, I then move to my nose until it beeps again ect.)

-Charger that, as if by magic, magnetically connects to the base of the Clarisonic and begins charging: nothing is inserted anywhere on the device.

I will start by saying that this device cleans my skin better than anything I have ever used before. However, when I first received this product I thought that, because it is supposed to clean your skin SO well and SO thoroughly, I could stop using my other face wash at night and only use the Clarisonic. So I began using my regular face wash (St. Ives blemish and blackhead control)only in the mornings and using only my Clarisonic at night followed by my usual face creams. After about 2 weeks I noticed that my forehead started breaking out a bit more than usual. I had heard that your skin may go through a "purging" phaze so I attributed it to that. However, after another week or two went by my skin still did not reflect the amazing results that this device was supposed to achieve! So, I decided to re-introduce my St. Ives again to my nightly routine and use the Clarisonic after my original face wash. This has made all the difference. My breakouts went away and my skin has been looking good since I made that switch. It is also important to note that I used the "deep pore" brush when I first used the Clarisonic. When I re-introduced my face wash I also switched to the softer, more gentle brush. I think for those just starting with the Clarisonic it might be wise to use the gentler brush so as not to shock the skin. ---

I know this device is cleaning my skin better than my face wash alone because AFTER i wash my face with St. Ives, I will use the Clarisonic and there will be remnants (makeup, dirt ect.) on the brush. This shows that my face wash is not cleaning everything off because the Clarisonic seems to be picking up everything that's left behind! Overall, I have been happy with the results of this brush. It took some trial and error, but I really love how deeply it cleans and the massaging sensation it delivers.

What it does NOT do (at least for me):

-Clear blackheads from your nose: this is one of the main reasons I purchased the Clarisonic Mia 2, so I am bummed that it hasn't done this for me

-Reduce fine lines: I haven't seen a reduction in the fine lines around my eyes or on my forehead

-Eliminate all breakouts forever: Although I have not had any significant breakouts since changing my routine with the Clarisonic, I still get blemishes here and there on almost a weekly basis (though they are not too bad).

What it DOES do:

-Clean your skin extremely well: it really feels like it goes deep into your pores and cleans everything out. Your skin feels refreshed and massaged after using this tool. It is excellent for those that use foundation: this is great for women who wear facial makeup because it cleans deeply into the pores and works to remove all of the makeup so there is nothing left behind to clog pores and cause breakouts.

-Reduce pore size: KIND OF. I have not seen a huge reduction in the pores to either side of my nose, which is usually where they are the largest on people. However, I do feel like the pores on my forehead have shrunk slightly.

-Possibly reduce breakouts: I have never had an overwhelming problem with acne, but it has kept my skin under control since I started to use it

Would I recommend this product?

Yes, I would recommend this product because of the amazing clean feeling it delivers every night after I use it. However, it has not made my skin as perfect and "glowy" as I hoped it would. I wanted skin like the makeup artist Chloe Butcher! It is very pricey so if you are satisfied with your skin regimen as-is, I would forgo purchasing the Clarisonic and put the 100 some dollars towards some great shoes :-)

*Post questions below!!

Eye look using Milani Runway Eyes Palette

Free Deluxe Sample of Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance with any $25 Purchase. Code: RADIANCE

I think it helps to see how these products can be used to create a look! Here is step by step directions to create an eye look using first color (white shimmer) and the the third color (silver gray). I Also used Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink and L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara in Blackest Black

Step 1: Apply first color in palette (white shimmer) to entire lid and through crease

Step 2: Apply third color in palette (silver gray) heavily throughout the crease and across the lid

Step 3: Smudge the first and third color under the bottom lash line from the tear duct to the corner of the eye

Step 4: Apply a thin line of the gel eyeliner across upper lash line and create a small "flick" at the corner of the eye

Step 5: Apply gel eyeliner under the bottom lash line beginning halfway across the bottom lash, connect it to the "flick" you have already created

Step 6: Apply mascara

You're good to go! Takes about 5-7 minutes.

Milani Runway Eyes Eyeshadow Palette

Yippee my very first post!
Product: Milani Runway Eyes
Specifics: 08 Catwalk
Info: 6 colors, can be used wet or dry
Where to buy: Local drugstore
Price: $8.99
Pros:
-Gorgeous colors
-Nice pigmentation
-Can be used wet or dry (wet will achieve stronger pigmentation)
-Comes with double ended sponge applicator brush

Cons:
-Pricey for drug store brand
-Palette gets messy easily
-Bars of eyeshadow are thin, sometimes get some of the eyeshadow next to the one you want on your brush

Overall Opinion: Great purchase! I love the colors featured in this palette and the pigment payoff is great! However I do think it is pricey for a drugstore brand.