Make-Up The Basics Part I

So this weekend we went up to NJ for my brother-in-law and now sister-in-law's wedding (Congrats!!). It was so much. They looked beautiful and the day was great. My little hobby of playing with make-up came in handy too. I ended up doing not only my make-up but one of the bridesmaid's and the bride! :) I need to say I don't have any training - this is all stuff I picked up along the way from practice, magazines, websites, etc. And the one thing I am shocked about is when people say they are scared of make-up. When someone says this to me, I always encourage them to just play. It's not permanent. You can wash it off and start again. Take a Saturday morning and just do different things. Tear photos from magazines and try to mimic their make-up. Start small. Maybe do something like conceal dark circles or a zit. Then work on smokey eyes. There is nothing to be scared about - I promise.

So this is the start of a few posts. Make-up basics. I'm not going to teach you anything crazy just yet - just a little how-to of what you need. First up for the make-up rookies the basics of what you need. I'm not advocating rushing out and buying the most expensive make-up out there. Find what works for you whether that be drug store bargains or high-end splurges. I tend to mix and match. My photos are of things I use but you should try any and everything until you find the right fit for you. This weekend I used Lancome on them -I've never used it but I was super impressed with the consistency and colors. Proof you will learn something new when you experiment with different brands.

First up...

Moisturize

So important!! Your skin needs moisture. I apply moisturizer as soon as I'm out of the shower or after I've washed my face. Find what works for you and stick with it. Tip: Put moisturizer on a few minutes before you put on your make-up. This way it can soak into your skin and you're not damp before you start.

Hands down my favorite moisturizers are Eucerin (not pictured) and Estee Lauder (the little pink jar). Both come with anti-aging properties and sunscreen. For a girl whose always running late (me) it's perfect. I don't need multiple steps when I'm short on time. Loads of people swear by the Clinique moisturizer pictured (left) - I've used it off and on for years - this one was a freebie. For my skin it's not enough but my skin tends to be pretty dry. This is proof that you need to try different things - Clinique may be great because it doesn't break me out but I need a more heavy duty moisturizer. You may find their moisturizer works just find for you.

Tinted Moisturizer

I know I just said moisturizer but for non-foundation fans this is tool number one. The bonuses: if you have normal or oily skin you can maybe skip the moisturizer and opt for a tinted version (look for sunscreen and use a night cream (at night) to get anti-aging benefits) or if you're like me simply layer on over your regular moisturizer as your foundation.

This little beauty does the work of a foundation and moisturizer in one step and most come with some sunscreen protection - yay! It's not as thick as foundation but it evens you out a bit. I love this in the summer - lighter than foundation and perfect for hot days (or the beach) where you want a little help but not a face full of make-up.

Since they are not as heavy duty as foundations they typically don't come in a lot of shades - Estee Lauder's (which as been discontinued) came in light, light-medium, medium, etc. Try a few - even with diligent sunscreen use you'll probably see a little change in your skin tone from summer to fall.

Cream Blush

So you're moisturized and tinted - next try a cream blush. Easier to use (I think) than powder, I think. These blend in with your fingers and are great for layering on color. Start with a bit and amp it up until you get the desired shade. The three I pictured are from Maybelline (technically a mousse not a cream), Clinique and Sonia Kashuk's Target line (technically a liquid not cream). I think the Maybelline and Clinique are the easiest to use. Put a bit on your fingers and blend in. It should look like a natural flush - like you just finished a brisk walk or stepped outside in the snow. Don't go warpaint and paint stripes across your cheekbones. The trick with blush is natural. The Sonia Kashuk blush's motto should be a little bit goes a long way! This is more of a stain. One drop (I'm serious) is all you need for both cheeks. This is harder to blend but can look beautiful and since it's more of a stain will last a bit longer. (Next time I'll tell you my trick of making blush last longer).

As far as colors - I tend to go for rosy pinks, it's more natural with my skin tone but take a look in the mirror and see what color your cheeks tend to be. Maybe a bronze would look better or a peach. Practice!! Most make-up counters will let you try it out and CVS (last time I checked) has a great return policy where if you try it and hate it - you can return it!

Natural Eye Shadow

I'm a big eye shadow fan. I think it's the most fun product - where else can you put all that color. But if you're a newbie - I don't suggest running out and buying up a bunch of black, purple and blue eye shadow. Why? Simply because done wrong you could be stuck in a time warp or look like you got punched. You can buy them but practice first with some natural looking browns. It's the easiest to master. Trust me.

Start with a lighter shade (the one on the left). You want something subtle so look for something a shade or two lighter than your skin - you can try a matte or a shimmer - shimmers will give you a bit of a highlight but mattes can look a bit more natural). I run this all over my eye from lash line to eye brow. One it's a great base for the next color on your lids and gives your brow line a bit of a highlight. Next take the darker brown and run it over just your lid. Start about a pinkie tip in from the corner of your eye. You can do a V-shape along your lash line and crease or simply fill in your lid. I like to do a modified v-shape (my name for it). I do the V so the shadow is darker at my lashes and the crease (usually darkest in the crease) and then lighter of the rest of my lid. Go back to the lighter shade and blend everything. If it still looks too dark take your finger or Q-tip to blend some more.

This is one area where you need to practice what looks best for your eye shape!


Mascara

I cannot say enough about mascara. It instantly opens your eyes - making you look more awake and your eyes bigger. I like mascara on my top and bottom lashes. For the bottom open your eyes wide and simply swipe the wand down your lashes - use a Q-tip in eye make-up remover to get rid of any that hits your skin.

For your top lashes - I tend to press the wand as close to my eye as I can (any on your lid will look like liner - saves a step) and wiggle it to the ends. This helps get even coverage.

I'm not a fan of waterproof mascara for everyday. It's a pain to get off and I found made my eyelashes brittle and prone to falling out. Two of the ones pictured are Estee Lauder freebies I've gotten in gift packs the other is Maybelline. For the money I've found Maybelline makes the best mascaras. Another tip I'd give - go with a black mascara. Unless you have really fair skin and hair (and even then I think a soft black would look nice) I don't think brown mascara looks great. Black will give you a bit more definition and you can go as heavy handed as you want - for natural or a falsies look.

Lip gloss

I'm not a lipstick fan. I think gloss is a subtle easy way to do your lips quickly.

If you want to layer over lipstick dab the gloss in the center of your lip (top and bottom) and then press your lips together. The gloss should spread outward but the heaviest concentration will be in the center of your lips making them look fuller.

I tend to go for more natural colored glosses but here almost anything can go. If you're just starting out you'll probably feel most comfortable in something a shade or two darker or lighter than your natural lip color.

I would stay away from anything too sticky or shiny. You're going for subtle sheen not like you used car wax on your face. As far as sticky - I just don't like it clinging to everyone you kiss or your hair, etc. Test them out to find ones that work for you. Again there are great finds at all price points.

One last tip. I tend to use brushes and my hands a lot. If you're going to use your fingers - wash your hands! You don't want to spread germs all over your face. I personally think some make-up tinted moisturizers and cream blushes included go on better once they're warmed by your hands. And your hands are a great way to even out mistakes. As for brushes - invest in a quality set. Yes, it seems a splurge but you'll use them for years. I have make-up brushes from five years ago. Wash them regularly with face wash and set them out to dry before you use them again. Brushes are great for things like eyeshadow to give a better finish than those little sponges that come with them (keep the sponges for clean-up though  if you make mistakes!).
Ok this was just a few basics. I wanted to get you started. I honestly think you could do a whole routine with just those products and look fabulous. Once you've gotten it down I doubt it would take more than 10 minutes. Have fun!

Inside a Make-Up Junkies Bag I

This is a new topic for me which I'm going to try and see how long it lasts. With summer fast approaching (if not already here) in the South, I'm changing my beauty routine a bit. It sounds strange at first but I tend to wear powder (mineral) foundation in the winter and tinted moisturizer in the summer. You would think my skin would want the extra moisture in the winter but I have to rave that Bare Minerals looks completely natural without the cakey-effect that I feel like some foundations leave. And you already know I swear by Eucerin face lotion.


Anyway, I switch to tinted moisturizer in the summer for one reason - it's easier. Who wants to put on a bunch of make-up when it's three hundred degrees in the shade? Winter is the time for the arsenol of beauty products - concealer, foundation, bronzer, powder. Summer is the time for quick and easy. My one true love in tinted moisturizer comes from Estee Lauder. It's called Day Wear Plus Multi-Protection Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 - I get light medium 02. I actually wear it with the Eucerin because short of the product getting discontinued I'm not giving that up and I don't feel like my face gets too greasy. That being said my skin tends to crave moisture so unless you have super dry skin I would try it alone first and see how your skin does.

I can't say enough about this product. Clinique used to make a tinted moisturizer and I had used that forever until it got discontinued - but Clinique's loss is Estee Lauder's gain because I would not switch back and it has opened the door to my trying out more of their products.

I wear this instead of foundation. Dab a bit of concealer around your eyes if you need it. Throw on some blush or bronzer and mascara and you're set. You can even wear it to the pool or the beach and get a tiny bit of cover-up without looking like you're wearing a full on mask. The price isn't horrible - $36 range - about the same as regular foundation at the department store and it last forever. You only need a dime size amount.

What's in your summer beauty bag?

Make Up Review Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothie

I'm a lip gloss junkie. Open my purse on any given day and fifteen lip glosses in various shades of pinks and nudes will tumble out. So when Clinique came out with the Vitamin C Lip Smoothie I had to try it out. And by try it out, I mean buy 2 of them.

Pros: No messy wands. Not super sticky like some glosses. Beautiful semi-sheer colors.

Cons: You have to twist the bottom of the tube to get the color to come out on the brush. The first time you do this, it takes forever and then a glob comes out. I'm not sure I like the brush better than the messy wand... jury is out on this. Price vs. quantity. At almost $18 a pop that's a little steep (I think) for a rather small tube of gloss.

I picked up:

Pink Me Up - a sheer almost bubble gum pink. I'm scared to say bubble gum because that makes me think 1985 but it is a pretty pinky pink. Goes on fairly sheer though so you're not talking bright grandma lips.

Raisin the Bar - a more neutral brownie-pink.

I like the lip gloss but I don't feel like it does anything dramatically different from my hoards of other glosses. Bottom line - its worth a try but I'm not sure it will land in my all-time must have favorites.

Retail Winners and Losers - My Comments

Yahoo must be after my heart. Now when I log in I get the latest news but I also get random entertainment stories. Today it was Retail Winners and Losers where they listed this years top performers and the ones that haven't done so well. Here is my take...

Top Performers:

TJX Companies (includes TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, AJ Wright). Basically the article says they're doing well because everyone is after a bargain. I've never been to AJ Wright (not even sure if there is one around here) but the other three are hit or miss. I probably go to Marshalls the most since it's the closest but I have to be in the right mood to search for fabulous deals. My take on these stores is I want an awesome deal on a brand or name I recognize. I'm not going to pay even $20 for a brand I've never heard of... snobbish? Maybe.

Ross Stores - can't comment never been to one. Basically sounds like a TJ Maxx/Marshalls kind of store.

Aeropostale - I haven't been in there in years but used to like it a lot in NJ for fun summer things. I think I've kind of out-grown the whole look though.

Saks - not even sure I've been there - there's one in town but kind of far from me and I'm not looking to to drop $100 on a t-shirt.

Costco - not surprised... not really much to say about buying cereal in bulk.

JW Nordstrom - loves.... which I had a bigger clothing budget so I could just shop their all the time. It's like retail heaven. Awesome dressing rooms, nice sales people, clean, clothes not all shoved everywhere.... I can't say enough good things about Nordstroms...

Weaklings

JC Penney - a little shocked they made the list because every now and then you can score some really cute work outfits for a reasonable price. Items are better made then stuff you find at Kohls (which didn't make the list and I refuse to even step foot in that place). Basically the article said since they are a mid-level retailer they can't get the high-end shoppers or the discount people.

Wet Seal - slightly trashy clothes. I personally think they are a little over-priced for what they are selling but that's just me. I've never been a fan of stores like this, Forever 21 or H&M...

American Apparel - never been there.

Dillard's - not shocked. The one near me is horrible. I don't even go in there unless I see a poster saying Clinique is having a free gift and then its in and out.

Hot Topic - yeah... not really into goth teen clothes so do not shop here and not surprised they made the list as no one should shop here - really unattractive clothes.

Abercrombie - not surprised since it's made the news the past few years how teens aren't really going there anymore. I think they hit their peak in early 2000's and probably are going to start fading fast. I have never really liked their stuff. I think it's over-priced, not really my style, and honestly not all that their fans think it is.

My favs that didn't make the list:

The Limited - I could live there. I love pretty much everything the store.

Old Navy - So you could probably try to throw them in the same category as H&M as far as price but I think Old Navy doesn't try to do a ton of trendy things instead they do a few basics and sell them cheaper than their sister stores (Gap and Banana). I love their jeans.

Ann Taylor (Loft/Factory Store) - I would think they might have done better. I think if you're still shopping high-end then this is a good bet for work clothes. I like they have a whole petites department (something The Limited should add).

Target - hello how did my favorite big box store not end up on the peak performers. I don't really buy clothes here that often but will wander their aisles forever.

Surprised they aren't an under performer...

Macys - a little surprised Macys didn't end up on the under performers just since I read they've been in a bit of trouble. I like Macy's overall - ones up North are way better. The ones in VA are pretty much old Hecht's that they changed the name but never updated the merchandise. I have to be in the mood to department store shop but I like their shoe department.

Gap - I think they are wedged firmly between Banana and Old Navy and are the unpopular one. Do we really need anymore button-downs with khakis. I just feel like their look is so tired.

American Eagle - same thoughts as Abercrombie.

Those are my thoughts. Are you shocked or not that surprised? What's your favorite stores?