Splurge vs Steal: Eyeshadow Primer

I absolutely love to wear bright, extravagant eyeshadow on a regular basis.  So I always try to get more with less. I have found that I can buy less expensive eyeshadows as long as I use a great primer underneath. (For those of you who have never used an eyeshadow primer, you should. It will give you super rich color that lasts all day without fading.)

In my search for an eyeshadow primer, I tried several different brands looking for a perfect fit.

Ulta Eye Primer, Pop Beauty Eye Magnet Primer NYX Shadow Base

Here is a list of a few of those primers that I have ranked in order of effectiveness:

1. LA Splash Eyeshadow Sealer/Base:

This is one circumstance where I have found the cheaper product works the best! This primer has a gel consistency and holds glitter and loose pigment like a magnet! I get compliments all the time about how rich my color looks, and my shadow and liner stays on through sleeping (naughty me, sleeping in my makeup!). Apply a THIN layer with the applicator and wait until it is almost, but not quite, dry to apply your liner and shadow. Keep your eyes closed while it dries or you could suffer creases. For a mere $6.99, this product lasts months and is a makeup lovers dream! (LA Splash also makes a mascara primer which is well worth it.)

2. Urban Decay Primer Potion:

This one is very effective for eyeshadows, but pricier than the previous. I also had a harder time getting glitter to stick to it due to its creamy consistency and felt like I needed more to make my shadow brighter. The benefit is that they make it in four different shades: Eden (dries matte nude), "

Sin" (a popular champagney shade), "Greed" (a yellow gold shade), and original (invisible nude). Price ranges from $10-$30, depending on the size and container type.

3. Tarte Lifted Natural Eye Primer with Firmatol:

Only slightly less effective than the UD, but has the added benefit of lid firming, a nice benefit for aging eyes. Also has the creamy consistency. A benefit of using Tarte is all the products are paraben, phthalate, sodium lauryl sulfate, petrolatum, synthetic dye and fragrance free. Plus, they don't test on animals! $20 for a small tube with an applicator.

4. Too Faced Shadow Insurance:

Another great product. Similar to the UD and Tarte, just pricier for less benefit. $18 for a pretty small squeeze tube.

There are several other primers out there. A few products I have only briefly used and would like to try more extensively are Ulta Eyeshadow Primer ($8-10), NYX Shadow Base ($6.99) and HD Shadow Base ($6.99), Pop Beauty Eye Magnet Primer ($18), and Palladio Herbal Eyeshadow Primer ($7.99).

What's your favorite primer?

Pretty in Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness!

I wanted to do a makeover using pinks as a small way to honor and show support to those affected in one way or another by breast cancer.  Also, I want to thank everyone out there who donates and participates in supporting breast cancer awareness!  Just this month, Giuliana Rancic of E! News (whom I love) was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She has had surgery and is doing well.  She advises everyone to go and get checked whether or not you have a concern.  I think that is a great idea.  Every October, schedule your annual mammogram or doctor's exam.

It was fun to create this tribute to breast cancer awareness, and I hope you like it!

Karen

Embryolisse Lait Crème = Ah-MAZING!

Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream) is a rich moisturizing lotion. This specially formulated lotion is quite versatile; throw it in your travel bag when you don’t have enough space for numerous products. Our creamy lotion is really three products in one: the make-up artists use it as a primer, moisturizer, and make-up remover. It also reduces irritation after shaving!

Perfect for every skin type and under any foundation for giving life to even the most tired or dehydrated skin. Your skin will feel like butter - melted butta!

Size: 75 ml (2.6 fl. oz.) 30 ml (1.0 fl. oz.) $14.00 — $25.00

Available on Amazon & Embroylise.com

Makeup Guide for Every Decade - Part 2

30 something ......

Your best Makeup now:  Your skin may be just starting too show its first stages of aging.  But don't worry!  Primer is going to be your new best friend such as Smashbox's Photo Finish Light.  This primer will absorb oil where needed, but add moisture to dry areas.  Making sure to use moisturizer daily will also help keep your skin nice and plump.  If you have oil skin, use oil-free vs. skipping the step all together.  Clear, luminous skin will now start taking the place of neon eye shadow.

Get Cheeky: Play up a youthful glow by using highlight on the top of your cheekbones or a soft and suttle pink blush or a coral cream color to add to the apples of your cheeks.  

What to wear:  Laura Mercier tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 gives skin that youthful glow, it does not crease the skin or make it look cakey.  To really enhance and look more lumionous, dab-a pearly pink Benfits High Beam Highlighter on top of cheekbones.  For a POP! of color, using a brush apply a Moisturizing blush outwards from the apples of your cheeks.  Like Nars cream blush in Cactus Flower.

Next week we'll cover our final section, being fabulous at 40!
Sergio

Mascara Steps, Tricks, & Tips

Mascara Steps, Tips, & Tricks

Step 1: Application

Wiggle the wand left to right at the base of lashes. It's the mascara placed near the roots -- not the tips -- that gives the illusion of fullness.

Step 2: Separate

Pull the wand up and through lashes, wiggling as you go. This helps to separate lashes.

Step 3: No Clumps

In this final step, close the eye and place the mascara wand on top of lashes at the base and pull through to remove any clumps. You also want to do this after your eyeshadow application to over shadow dust on the lashes.

Step 4: Final Step

Once this dries, I recommend using a disposable mascara wand or an old (cleaned) mascara wand to comb through the lashes to further clear up any clumps. Then apply another layer. To avoid a lot of clumps in the first place, wipe off the wand on a wet wipe or scrape off excess product before applying. You can always add more layers as you go.

Tip: I personally like the look of mascara on the lower lashes. Although I would recommend just one layer. So as not to make it unnatural or harsh use brown instead of black on the lower lashes. If you have issues with mascara 'running' just on the lower lash, I recommend using a waterproof mascara on the lower lash. L'Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara Carbon Black is a very popular mascara among makeup artists.

There are many different types of mascara and you want to choose one to suit your needs. Do you want your lashes to appear longer or fuller or both?

Tip: Fat brushes (like Lancome's Hypnose mascara), create voluptuous lashes, while skinny brushes (such as Lancome's Definicils) will coat each lash perfectly without clumping. Curved wands will help curl lashes Lengthening mascaras have dense bristles that allow you to get more mascara on your lashes and especially on the tips of your lashes. Thickening mascara's contain a thicker formula of waxes and silicone polymers that coat lashes and make them appear bulkier. If you like the look of both, alternate one coat of thickening and one coat of lengthening mascara.

Tip: For extra help use a mascara primer it claims to doubles lash volume and boosts the benefits of whatever type of mascara you are using whether it be lengthening, volumizing etc. You apply it first, let it dry and apply mascara using the steps above. Revlon Lash Fantasy Total Definition Mascara & Primer is nice because they both come on one tube.

Tip: For best results and to stay hygienic, buy a new mascara every 3 month. Try not to squeeze or pump the brush into the tube when applying!

Tip: I recommend everyone use an eyelash curler before applying mascara. They is nothing to be afraid of ladies and they can make a big difference!

Trend: What about color? I say Yes! I grew up in the 80's and I am still a fan of blue mascara! Navy Blue, plum there are many nice colors to compliment your eyes that won't look too wild. But, on occasion it is fun to use a purple color. Again, try using the plum on just the lower lashes to make blue eyes more blue, and green eyes greener.

Have fun dolls!

Karen

A Makeup Guide For Every Decade - Part 1

There are major do's and dont's for every stage of your life and makeup is a common area of confusion. My name is Sergio, a new makeup artist with Dollface by Jules and I'm going to give you great makeup tips from 20 something to 40 something with this decade guide to staying fabulous.  We'll cover everything in 3 parts over the next few weeks.  So let's get started!

20 something.....

Your best Make-up now: Wear whatever that little hand and brush desire Honey!!! Having the best skin of your life , and the youthful vigor and pores to pull it off, right now you have the freedom to experiment with looks and find what goes best with your facial structure. This is the time to re-live the 80's in the Twenty-First century (bold splashes of color).  Be it blue eyeliner, hot-pink blush or matte purple lip-stick (just don't try more than one at a time!).

What not to Wear: Skip heavy moisturizers, your soft wrinkle free skin does not need it, and ultra-hydrating ingriedients are better for more mature skin.  Heavy moisturizer such as shea butter may make you look too oily, clog your pores, and cause breakouts.

What to wear and try: Start you day with a light moisturizer that contains SPF and antioxidants, such as Murad Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer Spf 15.  I cannot emphasize this enough but you have to protect your skin to keep it wrinkle and spot free in your 40's and beyond. For some sun kissed color, there is no boundries there, try it all because there is no point, in investing in something that you will only wear once. Try Rimmel Special Eyes Precision Eyeliner Pencil, for an abundance of different colors. also for the lips try Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstain for a color that lasts all day.

Next week we'll tackle 30 somethings!  Till then!