Unreal Stila Sale

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Taylor

Drop everything you are doing you’re doing right now and go onto Stila’s website. They are having a blowout warehouse sale like I’ve never seen! I use their foundation (normally $36) and coverup regularly (normally $20), which is on sale for $8 and $5.50!!

I bought the following four products (was tempted by much, much more) and here are my reviews on these new steals:

Natural Finish Oil-Free Makeup $8

I like to blend this with a lighter weight foundation, but use it regularly and definitely recommend it for full face coverage.

Cover-Up Stick $5.50

Hands down my favorite Stila product. I’ve been using this for years because it covers up unexpectant blemishes flawlessly.

All Over Glimmer Powder $10

I was in desperate need of powder and am so happy I didn’t shell out $35 for one at Sephora before I found this. It has more shimmer than most loose powder, but I like the glow it produces. Definitely worth more than the cost.

Lip Enamel in Joy Red $7

I had never tried Stila’s lip enamel before, but have been meaning to pick up one in ‘Giggles’, an amazing bright pink color (find it here). When I saw this deep red, I had to get it even though I’m normally skeptical when it comes to a gloss for something I normally want an opaque look for. I was pleasantly surprised to try it and find the consistency is thicker than you’d imagine and produces amazing, long lasting color.

Total: $30.50!!!! That’s less than I normally would be paying for just the foundation or powder – so exciting!

Check out the sale for yourself by clicking here.

Can’t Live Without Makeup: Daily Essentials

Posted on August 18, 2012 by Taylor

This Summer was filled with back to back commitments. I’ve managed to fill in every spare second with visits with close friends and trying out new local restaurants. What I haven’t been great with, however, is ear-marked! No worries though, long flights and non wi-fi locations have left me with piles of magazines with turned down pages and as we head to Fall, I’ll be preparing posts in advance to be sure you’re getting your daily fill!

All the travel also forced me to minimize my daily essentials to only what I absolutely need, which is always a challenge for me. I listed below some of my favorite products, and although I definitely like to switch things up, I know I’ll be ok if these items are packed in my purse!

Can’t Live Without Makeup (in order of how I apply):

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream $38

Smashbox Photofinish Luminizing Facial Primer $38

Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme Foundation $43

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit $33

*I like how this one has two colors – not all skin tone is the same and it’s also useful when you’ve gotten some Sun or in my case a faux tan 😉

Korres Wild Rose Mineral Foundation $28

Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights $30

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush $25

Stila Eyeshadow Trio $28

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner $15

Benefit Cosmetics BADgal Lash Mascara $19

LORAC Cream Lipstick $19

Tory Burch Dash Large Brigitte Cosmetic Case $75

Foundation

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Taylor

Foundation is amazing. It transforms your look and evens out the most unbalanced skin tones. HOWEVER, it is perhaps the hardest (at least I think so) process to master. We’ve all seen people out with a streaky foundation or one that makes the face look flawless, but the neck look white. There’s just so many places to go wrong.

It’s VERY important to test before you buy foundation and one very important trick is to stock up on a few varying shades to interchange as your skin gets tanner/lighter. I also find it really helpful to use either a brush or a blender. My favorites are either the BeautyBlender ($19.95) and the MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush ($34).

Use clean hands and start with less then you think you need. There’s always time to add more, but applying too much will result in starting all over or going out looking like a clown. I have had the best success by using the MAC brush to dab into the product, then start at my nose, progressing to my cheeks. Next, I cover my jaw-line, neck and ears (don’t leave out places like ears, neck and hairline – it makes your makeup look cakey and not blended/natural). Lastly, I cover my forehead. After my whole face/neck is covered, I use the beauty blender to make sure there aren’t any streaks.

People have different theories on the next step, but I find it crucial to air out my foundation by waving my hands in front of my face for 60 seconds (I literally count out loud and yes, this is somewhat superstitious) before setting it in a loose powder.

My 10 Favorite Foundations: