Glam and Uncensored

For all of us, when we first starting using makeup we made plenty of mistakes. And we learned from those mistakes. Here are some pointers that I learned from trial and error.

APPLYING FOUNDATION TO A DRY FACE – Application of foundation to a dry face can make for an old and cracked look. However, when you use a facial moisturizer before using foundation, your skin will appear less dull and your makeup will stay on longer.

SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT FOUNDATION – When searching to find the proper color of foundation, a good number of us test the foundation on our hand. This will lead you to a color which is too dark for your face. Instead, apply a small amount of each product to your jawline, remembering which foundation is which. Make sure the foundation blends well into your neck as the skin of the neck tends to be lighter, and can be an obvious tell-tale sign that your foundation is too dark. When testing it, look into the mirror to see how it blends into your neck. What you’re looking for is a color that is almost invisible because it blends so well.

APPLYING BLUSH INCORRECTLY – The whole point of blush is to help you look youthful. If you apply blush incorrectly, such as too high or low, then you risk the chance of looker older than your actual age. Instead, smile and apply the blush to the apple of your cheeks. Then brush the color along the cheekbones. This technique will establish a glow which doesn’t make you look like a clown.

USING THE WRONG BROW PRODUCT – Using the wrong tool to apply makeup your brows can cause them to appear unruly and messy. If you use a thin, angled brush, this will help the strokes appear very natural.

MASCARA WOES – I cannot think of one woman who does not like mascara. I mean it makes your eyes bold and sexy. But there is one problem with mascara; the waterproof mascara. It can cause damage to your lashes with application and removal. But here are a couple of tips when using mascara. Using mascara which is more than three months old can make your natural lashes look clumpy. And using more than two coats of mascara can make your lashes appear clumpy. Avoid these two scenarios.

CONCEALER ERRORS – We all want to look perfect. The problems is, if you select the wrong color and put on too thick a layer, you will end up highlighting your wrinkles and making your face look aged. In order avoid this problem, do not use thick foundations. Use foundations which are fluid ones containing luminous particles. It will help make your skin appear healthy and natural.

These common mistakes can all be corrected. These few extra steps can help to boost your look!

I will admit it; I’m obsessed with makeup and makeup brushes. From the beginning, I had issues with storing my makeup and tools. So I was forced to sit in front of my laptop and come up with the answer to my problem. It took me about three days to find answers to my problem. But then it occurred to me that I could not be the only person suffering from this issue. With that, I drafted this blog to share my findings.

A) DOOR SHOE ORGANIZER – If you have a small bedroom, a shoe organizer which hangs over the door is going to help. Just hang the organizer over the door and place the cosmetics you use the most into the pockets.

B) PAPER TOWEL TUBE – Not only does an empty paper towel tube store makeup, you are also recycling paper products from your kitchen. Once you are done with your paper towels, simply take the empty tube, cut it in half, wrap it with patterned sticky paper and glue the tubes to a paper plate. You now have storage for cosmetics and brushes on a consistent basis.

C) MASON JAR CONTAINERS – Simply gather all the mason jars within your possession. Then go to your local hardware store and pick out your favorite color spray paint. Once home, gather your mason jars and place them on a flat surface, top down. Then get to work. Spray your jars with your spray paint and allow to dry. And here is the fun suggestion. Take painters tape and tape off sections of the mason jars. Next spray the taped jars with a second color and allow to dry. Once the spray paint has dried, take off the tape to reveal a colorful and useful makeup brush container.

D) MAGNETIC MAKEUP BOARDS – First find an old frame (i.e. frame from an old, unwanted painting). Then go to your local hardware store for a sheet of metal, and cut it to fit your frame. Once the metal has been cut, take your favorite color of spray paint and paint the frame. Next, get some spray adhesive to stick some fabric to the metal. Then attach the metal to the frame. After the metal and the frame are attached, choose the cosmetics you want to place on the magnetic board. Find some magnets and hot glue the magnets to the back of your cosmetics. Hang the frame to the wall and place the magnetic cosmetics to the metal board. You now have a new way to store your cosmetics.

E) SPICE RACK STORAGE – Looking for a new way to store all your nail polishes? How about a spice rack. Take your spice rack or second hand spice rack, and paint it your favorite color. Once dry, mount the rack on the wall, then place your nail polish on the rack; organizing the polishes as you see fit.

These are just five ways to organize your make-up and brushes. The ideas are cheap, simple and DIY. If you have ideas on how to store your makeup and brushes, please share.

With so many drugstore concealers in the market, it seems impossible to choose the best one. But from dark circles to blemishes, I have narrowed down the concealers which are on the drugstore shelves today.

CONCEALERS

1. NYX HD STUDIO PHOTOGENIC CONCEALER – This concealer has the ability to cover blemishes, dark circles, and still give the look of flawless skin, not the appearance of some cakey mess. In addition, the NYX concealer will not clog your pores and will work fantastically with foundations all by itself. It may be purchased for $4.29 at Target.
   
2. ELF 16 HOUR CAMO CONCEALER – This highly pigmented, concealer is lightweight and its doe-foot applicator conceals, contours, corrects and highlights to help achieve the appearance of flawless skin for at least 16 hours. And since it is lightweight, it will not settle into fine lines or creases. The concealer is 100% vegan, gluten and cruelty-free. It may be purchased for $16.00 at Kohl’s or Wal-Mart.
   
3. WET N’ WILD PHOTOFOCUS CONCEALER – Want flawless skin? Turn to the beauty junkie’s best secret. Didn’t sleep well last night? Have no fear! Wet N’ Wild Photofocus Concealer will instantly brighten your complexion so you are always selfie-ready. This concealer has proven to be cruelty-free, gluten-free, and it delivers buildable, light-weight coverage hiding blemishes, dark spots and conceals imperfections. The Wet-N-Wild Photofocus Concealer sells for $3.40 and may be purchased through Amazon.
   
4. MAYBELLINE NEW YORK FIT ME LIQUID CONCEALER – This is an oil-free and non-comedogenic concealer that will rid any signs of tiredness by creating a more restful appearance. This concealer works to conceal redness, blemishes, and flaws. It is made to match every skin tone from light to dark, and stay on perfectly fresh throughout the day. However, this concealer doesn’t provide full coverage when first applied. But if you layer the concealer, you will do just fine. The Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer sells for $6.49. It may be purchased at your local ULTA store.
   
5. L.A. GIRL HD PRO CONCEALER – This is a budget-friendly concealer that is available in a majority of stores, and comes in 30 shades. It is the biggest bang for your dollar! The HD Pro concealer is crease-resistant and highly lightweight in texture. This long-wearing concealer formula hides any darkness under the eyes, any redness, and skin imperfections. It may be purchased at CVS and Wal-Mart for $4.99.

These are the best drugstore concealers. They are reasonably priced and work as well as a high-end department store concealer. They are creamy, provide full-coverage and last all day long. Finding the perfect drugstore concealer is a definite must for any beauty lover, and with this list you will have zero problems finding the best drugstore concealer for you.

Now that winter is upon us, the feel of heat and shine from the Sun is slowly disappearing. So we now turn to bronzer to help achieve a bronzed appearance. But for a lot of people, bronzer can pose some difficulty on application. So I have listed a few pointers to help you to apply your bronzer to achieve a natural sun-kissed look.

• First, choose a matte bronzer that is one to two shades darker than your natural skintone. Then choose a brush that is fluffy and wide with a curved top. When choosing the proper color bronzer for your complexion, follow these tips:
  
  • Do not choose a shimmery bronzer. This type of bronzer makes you appear shiny. If you have oily skin, it will not look natural. On a normal type of skin which is sweaty, it too will appear unnatural.
    
  • FAIR SKIN COMPLEXION – Look for a honey-colored bronzer.
    
  • MEDIUM SKIN COMPLEXION – Search for a rose bronzer or gold flecked bronzer; and
    
  • DARKER SKIN COMPLEXION – Use a tawny or amber bronzer.
    

1. To start, take your wide, fluffy blush and swirl your brush evenly around the bronzer. A key tip is to apply your bronzer in light, even coats building the color up, rather than adding one dark layer all at once.
   
2. Now apply the bronzer across your forehead. When making this application, do it in the shape of a three (3), beginning at the top of your face (forehead) to the bottom.
   
3. Next, brush the bronzer on your cheekbones. Example: Smile in the mirror, then begin applying on the cheeks and up to your hairline.
   
4. When finished with your cheekbones, complete the bronzing by sweeping the bronzer along the jawline. By completing this application, you will add total definition to your face.

COMPLETING THE LOOK:

To eliminate any harsh lines which may be leftover, dip a powder brush into translucent powder, tap off the excess powder, and blend over the lines again.

Applying bronzer is a fantastic way to add an attractive natural-glow to your complexion; especially during those times when your appearance looks a little dull. So give it a shot, and let the glow from inside show!