Eye Primers and Bases

I hate when I find a gorgeous eyeshadow that looks completely amazing when I put it on, and then within a few hours, it's either faded or creased and looks like complete crap! For eyeshadows to look good all day, you need a good eye primer/eyeshadow base (either term works). There's a few tricks to putting them on, and I have a few recommendations on particular ones that I've used and had really great results with. I've used Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($17) and I have to admit, it took me a while before I really liked it. I finally figured out that I was using a little bit too much of it, and I had the same problem as Thea - it wasn't blending properly. Icouldn't get the color to move on my eyelid with a brush, it was almost stuck right where I first started applying it. Then, after using it for about six months and it was running out, I was scraping the last little bit I could get and had just a tiny amount to put on my lids. That's when I realized that I just needed to use less all along! I was using WAY too much of the primer, and it wasn't really drying and setting completely, so my eyeshadow was just gooping up in it and wouldn't blend out. So if you're a fan of the Primer Potion, try using just a tad bit less than you normally do - that just might work for you.

MAC's Prep + Prime Eye ($16.50) is another one I'm pretty fond of. It comes in three shades, and has a little bit of a creamy texture. When I use that, I dab it on gently with my ring finger and let it set for a few minutes before applying eyeshadow. Letting it dry completely keeps it from creasing up and provides the smoothest possible canvas to blend your eyeshadow properly.

Lancome's Aquatique ($24) is my all-time favorite eyeshadow base. It's a cream base, but it's almost dry in texture because it's waterproof. It sets pretty much instantly, so you can go to putting your eyeshadow on immediately. I'm a big fan of super black eyeshadow and when I prep my lids with Aquatique, it's easy to put on and blend in until I get it to that smoldering black perfection I want. It's the only base I've used that keeps my black from creasing or fading to gray throughout the day.

Another great option is to use a cream-to-powder finish eyeshadow. Clinique's Quick Eyes Cream Shadows ($15) come in nine shimmery shades that are all a perfect starting point for your eye look (my personal favorite is Sparkling Nude). They come in a tube with a wand like many lip glosses have. All you do is swipe a little on, then blend in. You can very easily add powder shadows on top because it dries to a powdery finish, so blending other colors is a piece of cake. I will say the one downfall I have with Quick Eyes is that once you've used what's in the middle of the tube, you end up with a lot left in the bottom and close to the top that you can't get to because the wand obviously doesn't bend. I've end

ed up using pliers to break off the top neck of the tube and I just put a little Saran-wrap over it and secure it with a rubber band so I can put a cotton swab down in there to dig out every last bit.

Nars Cream Eyeshadow ($21) is pretty great, too. It's super-blendable with that cream-to-powder finish. One downfall: not enough shades! My favorite is Cosmic Girl, a shimmery light gold color. It looks good with just about anything, and again because of the finish, powder shadows blend in easily over it.

An honorable mention on one other eyelid primer: Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Prime Time Eyelid Primer ($16) is specifically formulated for use with powder eyeshadows (duh! bareMinerals is all powder products, so it HAS to work for their eyeshadows). I've not used it on my eyes, but I was in Sephora and put some on my hand and then topped it with some eyeshadows to see how it would hold and how it blended - pretty good, I must say. That's my next experimental makeup purchase.

So, all in all, eyeshadow bases are a big must in my book, just remember to use most of them rather sparingly and let them set and dry before you apply any powder shadows over top of them and you should get a great eye look that will last all day.

On one last additional note - I'm getting my hair all chopped off and colored tomorrow! I'm a hair chameleon, I love to change my hair often. For the last year and a half, I've been growing it out and it's been my natural, very dark brown. It's past my shoulders now, the longest it's been since I was in tenth grade! I wanted it my natural color for my wedding, and my veil was very long and beaded so I needed my hair to be long enough to wear in an updo so it would have something to anchor to. Now that my wedding has come and gone, it's time for a new look! I'll be posting some pictures soon. Wish me luck!

Lime Green Love

If you know me at all, you know that lime green is one of my FAVORITE colors. I used it at my wedding (I wore lime green shoes!) and I have an affection for lime green eyeshadow.

These are a few of my favorite looks and products in the vibrant shade.

I love Katy Perry anyway, but this lime green shadow she wore in her "Hot N Cold" video made me love her even more.

I love this green mixed with the aqua-blue color!

This look is awesome - the contrast between the green shadow and deep black lashes looks amazing. And I love the bold pink lips!

MAC's Pigment Loose Eyeshadow in Golden Olive ($19.50) is a fun, very glittery limey-green with a hint of gold to it. To get it to stick to your eyes, swipe some of Lancome's Aquatique Waterproof Eye Base ($24) all over the lid and it will hold all day.

Cover Girl also has a great lime green shadow - Lime Alive ($3.99). It's super bright and stays on incredibly well.

Another few favorites come from MAKEUP FOREVER - they run $19-$20 and come matte, iridescent, or shimmery. Acid Green, Apple Green, and Flourescent Green are all ideal bright colors. They can be found at www.sephora.com.

And here's a peek of my lime green wedding shoes!

The Look I'm Obsessed with RIGHT NOW

Dark lips! I can't get enough of it! There's something totally alluring, mysterious, and vixenish about them. To me, dark lips show a little edginess. You've got to be brave to try rocking them, and you've got to have confidence to pull it off. Whether it's a deep berry, purple, or even black, I'm in love with this look.

MAC's Satin Lipstick in Cyber ($14) is an intense blackish-purple that I'm completely obsessed with. I found it online, and told Kim, the other beauty advisor at my counter about it and she got it for me for Christmas - what a sweetheart! We're both pretty crazy about it.

MAC also has Black Knight in their Satin Lipstick ($14) that's a creamy, true black. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but it looks pretty amazing!

MAC's really on a roll with the great dark stuff, because one other dark lipcolor they have that impresses me is their Mattene Lipstick in Midnight Media ($14.50). While the other two are creamier and have some shine to them, Midnight Media is a dense, matte black lipstick.

For someone who wants to do the dark lip thing but doesn't want to go quite so goth, Urban Decay's Lipstick in Confession ($22) is a great option because it's a sheerer, deep burgundy. They also have Apocalypse, which is a blackberry shade. Both aren't quite as opaque as the three MAC lipcolors.

You can also get a great dark lip look by adding a black gloss over any lipstick. Lancome's Color Fever Gloss in Piha Black ($25) was part of their Spring 2009 Pink Irreverence color collection but can still be found in some stores. It's a sheer, sparkly black gloss that simply deepens any shade of lipstick you already have on. It's particularly pretty over bold pink and red shades, adding depth and shine.

Now, you're probably wondering what to do with the rest of your face if you're going to wear a dark lipcolor. I love how Megan Fox looks with natural, glowing skin and minimalist eyes paired up with her deep berry lips. Her brows are groomed perfectly (ladies, do your brows - it pulls everything together!) and her eyes have just a little smudging of dark shadow at the lashline and lusciously long lashes. This is how I would recommend doing the dark lips for day because it's not so terrifyingly dramatic.

MAKEUP FOREVER does dark lips with smooth, matte skin and dramatic eyes to match. It's kind of a goth-chic look I don't necessarily recommend for everyone, but I think it looks absolutely amazing!

Kate Walsh proves that redheads can get in on the dark berry lip look and pull it off flawlessly, too! I love how she has a little touch of soft green shadow at the lashline on the outer corner of the eye - it really makes her eyes pop and surprisingly doesn't class with her burgundy lips.

This look doesn't exclude blondes, either. Model Agyness Deyn goes dark with very natural makeup otherwise and looks amazing (aside from her hair that I think could lose a little of its pouf).

And we can't forget about Lady GaGa. In the video for her new single, "Bad Romance", she wears dark lips with dramatic eyes and bold blush. Obviously, this isn't a look just anyone (or maybe even anyone other than Lady GaGa) can pull off without looking like either a complete clown or a drag queen. But I personally think she looks pretty fabulous!

Well, I think that's about it for now. Get some dark lipstick and be daring and confident with it! You might just love it.

What's a Good Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin?

Thanks for that great question, Thea! When you have sensitive skin, it can be so hard to find a moisturizer that doesn't turn your face into a broken-out mess. Targeting the particular ingredient that triggers a breakout can be nearly impossible, but I can say that a vast majority of people who break out from some kind of skincare product are more than likely having an allergic reaction to some kind of fragrance in it. Many fragrances in skincare products are made of various oils that irritate the skin. One brand in particular that makes all of their products fragrance-free is Clinique. Their Moisture Surge ($34-46.50) moisturizer is one of my all-time favorites (I could put it on from head to toe every day) - it's got a gel-cream texture that's lightweight but provides extensive all-day moisture. Skin practically drinks it up, leaving it nourished but because of the oil-free gel texture, it's never greasy and can be worn under any makeup. It's suitable for all skin types, too, which means if you're drier in the winter and oilier in the summer, you can use it year-round. Another terrific Clinique moisturizer is Moisture On-Line ($38). It's specifically for dry-combination to very dry skin, and is again fragrance-free. It's a little bit heavier than Moisture Surge, so if you're experiencing excessive dryness, this is a better option.

Another really fantastic moisturizer is Cetaphil's Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 ($10.99) - it's lightweight, fragrance-free, and one of the top moisturizers recommended by dermatologists because it's specifically formulated for sensitive skin.

Basically everything from the Cetaphil line is ideal for anyone who has sensitive skin.

One other particular favorite of mine (I grew fond of it when I was living in Chicago - the air there is so cold in the winter and it dried my skin out where it's normally quite oily) is C.O. Bigelow's All-In-One Protective Cream SPF 25 ($18.50). It's thick and creamy, but it goes on very lightweight and can be worn under makeup. It's packed with vitamins, nutrients, and

antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental damage and keep it healthy and glowing.

I hope this helps you out in finding a good moisturizer that will work out for you Thea!

Proper Foundation Application

Do you ever see a woman with her foundation caked on and wonder, "What was she thinking?" I see it just about every day - they've slapped on their foundation thickly and it looks heavy and unnatural, not an attractive look. There are a few simple techniques that can make your skin look completely flawless and natural, and help save you a few bucks in the long run, too. Investing in a good foundation brush is a terrific idea. It needs to be a synthetic bristle brush so you can wash it out easily and your makeup won't stain it or stay gooped up in it. The one below looks similar how most liquid foundation brushes come, and most cosmetics lines carry a brush similar to this.

The foundation brush allows you to apply the smallest amount of foundation necessary, keeping you from having it looking cakey. Using a sponge just absorbs the makeup, so you're just throwing it away basically! Foundation brushes can be pricey, but they can last for years if you take good care of them (I'll give you cleaning tips, too).

When you use the brush, you want to just put a little bit of foundation on the back of your hand first. Dab the brush in the makeup, getting a small amount on one side of the brush. You want to start in the center of the face and work your way out, with light brush strokes. Don't hold the brush like a pencil, hold it closer to the end of the handle with a loose grip. Work your way out from the center of your face to the edge, using the clean side of the brush to blend and soften any brushstroke lines. That's really and truly all there is to it, it's unbelievably simple.

Brushes like this can harbor bacteria, so you'll want to clean them regularly. On a daily basis, I like to spray mine and wipe them off with Clinique's Makeup Brush Cleanser ($13). Once a week, I like to use regular dish detergent (it cuts grease) and wash them thoroughly with water. You'll need to lay the brush on its side hanging off the edge of a counter so the air can reach both sides of the bristles to dry it completely overnight.

I'll work on getting a video of this up to show you how simple it is!

This one doesn't have anything to do with makeup, I just can't sleep and I'm bored!

1. Where is your cell phone? lost?

2. Your hair? long

3. Your mother? .........

4. Your father? hero

5. Your favorite food? Mexican - I could truly eat some kind of Mexican every single day.

6. Your dream last night? vague

7. Your favorite drink? dr. pepper

8. Your dream/goal? be a makeup artist to the stars

9. What room are you in? living room

10. Your hobby? photography

11. Your fear? death

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? chicago. but i'm fairly certain that won't happen. (my poor husband couldn't handle the cold!)

13. Where were you last night? work christmas party with some wonderful ladies :)

14. Something that you aren’t? intolerant of other people's beliefs
15. Muffins? banana chocolate chip - yum!

16. Wish list item? kim got it for me - MAC's cyber lipstick (it's an incredible, DARK purple-y color - amazing)

17. Where did you grow up? west virginia

18. Last thing you did? played with the puppy
19. What are you wearing? p.j's

20. Your TV? E! watching chelsea lately right now.

21. Your pets? miss coco chanel - my one-year, four-month old cavachon (a mix of bichon frise and cavalier king charles spaniel. she's precious!
22. Friends? lifesavers

23. Your life? content

24. Your mood? restless

25. Missing someone? some friends i don't get to see all that often. but i got to see liz today (who lives in pittsburgh) and that was amazingly awesome!

26. Vehicle? saturn ion...unfortunately.

27. Something you’re not wearing? makeup. surprise surprise!
28. Your favorite store? gap & nordstrom.

29. Your favorite color? black, lime green, and hot pink. and royal blue has been growing on me lately.

30. When was the last time you laughed? just a little bit ago - our puppy was running around acting silly.

31. Last time you cried? earlier. songs trigger tears for no reason!

32. Your best friend? durb (my husband, whose name is really dustin.)

33. One place that I go to over and over? target!

34. One person who emails me regularly? i don't actually e-mail that much!

35. Favorite place to eat? fiesta bravo is delicious, and i love jim's spaghetti, too.

Foundation Colors - How To Find The Right One

I would say one of the top two complaints I get from women is that they just can't find a foundation they really, really like (the other top issue being wrinkles, of course) - either the color doesn't match, or it doesn't cover the way they want it to, or it fades throughout the day. As far as makeup goes, foundation is the most difficult thing to find. There are so many formulas and shade types and questions that come with searching for the right one.

I'm going to address some of the top questions I get about foundations!

First off, how do I pick the right shade?

Answer: You don't want to match to your wrist or the back of your hand - the skin there is often a much different shade than your face, especially inside the wrist because it doesn't often get much sun and can therefore be much paler than the skin on the face. The best place to match is right on the jawline - you can stripe the foundation from your cheek down to your neck to see how well it blends and if there's going to be that always-dreaded foundation line that comes from having too-dark or too-light foundation. You want to base your color choice on your skin tone - if you have more pinks in your skin, you're a cool tone and if you have more gold in your skin, you're a warm tone. If you have a lot of pink and want to tone that down, you can opt for a neutral foundation that has an even balance of pink and gold to balance it out. A key mistake a lot of women make is getting a foundation too dark or too light for their skin. Let me be clear: THIS IS NOT ATTRACTIVE! It seldom blends in appropriately and usually ends up looking completely ridiculous! It aggravates me to see beautiful women buying foundation four shades darker than they need because it just simply doesn't look good. If you want to go darker, get some self tanner and have a true need for the darker foundation shade. My number one tip for finding the best foundation shade is to head to a department store and let a professional help you - they can help you identify your tone and what would look the most flawless on your skin. They've been trained, people! It's not easy picking one out on your own, and they can help show you what looks good and what doesn't!!

What's a good foundation for someone with oily skin?

Answer: I personally have very oily skin and I tend to like something that doesn't feel heavy on my skin. Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra ($40) liquid foundation is terrific for normal to oily skin types because it's an oil-free formula and is 14-hour retouch-free. So often, the oils in our skin break down foundations and make them fade or become splotchy throughout the day. A tip for oily-skinned women is to also use a great primer that tones down shine and helps hold foundation longer, like Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer ($36-$49). It comes in several different finishes to suit different skin types and tones.

What's a good foundation for someone with normal skin?

Answer: Laura Mercier's Oil Free Foundation ($42) is a buildable liquid that can go from sheer to full coverage, depending on application method. It has ten shades for various skin tones. The finish is natural but flawless.

What's a good foundation for dry skin?

Answer: Lancome's Renergie Lift Foundation SPF 20 ($40) is a fuller coverage liquid that smoothes the complexion and lightly moisturizes while also providing anti-aging technology and softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

What's a good mineral foundation?

Answer: Mineral foundations are all the rage right now, everyone wants one and just about every cosmetics line offers some kind of it. The obvious choice is Bare Minerals by BareEscentuals, the brand that jump-started this craze. But there are other great mineral foundations, as well. AmazingCosmetics Velvet Mineral Pressed Powder Foundation ($36) is a mess-free mineral makeup that gives a flawless, matte finish without settling into lines and pores and making them more apparent. Lancome's newest foundation, Oscillation Foundation ($48), is a loose mineral makeup that comes with a vibrating buffer that is also mess-free and provides a fuller coverage than most powder foundations.

What's a good option for someone who doesn't like to wear a lot of foundation?

Answer: Tinted moisturizers are a great way to even out the skin tone and give the skin a very sheer, flawless finish. Some really great ones are Laura Gellar Barely There Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($30) because it's oil-free and suits all skin types and Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($30) because it has incredible vitamins and antioxidants to help improve the skin's condition while protecting it from sun damage.

What's a really long-lasting foundation?

Answer: Estee Lauder's Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10 ($33.50) is an enduring foundation that lasts through just about anything. It stays fresh through heat and humidity when most foundations melt. It's oil-free so it suits all skin types and has a semi-matte finish that's not dull or flat but not shiny, either.

Department store makeup can be so expensive - what's a good foundation I can get from the drugstore that won't break the bank?

Answer: One of the top-selling drugstore brands these days is Loreal, particularly their True Match line of cosmetics. The True Match Super Blendable Liquid Makeup ($10.95) has 24 shades that are easy to pick on your own in the store, and their displays often have transparent shade finders to help with that task. It has a light to medium coverage with a natural finish and is oil-free, making it suitable for all skin types. The True Match line now also has concealer, blush, powder, and bronzer as well.

I hope I gave you some useful tips on finding a good foundation that works for your skin type and your needs! If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask and I'll do my best to answer them. In my next post, I'll be providing tips on proper foundation application. Everybody have a good Tuesday!!