How to Conceal Redness or Acne on Skin using Color Correction feat. NYX HD Studio Concealer Wand

This post contains affiliate and referral links. *

Alright. It seems like concealing skin imperfections ranks high on your need-to-know list. Can't blame ya. Few things take the wind right out of your sail quite like skin troubles. I get it. I've been there.

We recently discussed how to use color correction to make dark under eye circles vanish.

And you guys requested more.

Specifically, you want to know how to hide redness on your skin when foundation and concealer alone aren't doing the trick.

Whether its a pimple rearing it's ugly head, rosacea, or a red nose courtesy of the winter weather, you can use color correction to conceal it.

The same color theory principles apply here. But instead of reaching for an orange tone, you'll be reaching for green. A green color corrector, like the NYX HD Studio Concealer Wand ($4.99), will help counteract red tones in your skin.

Why? Because red and green fall on opposite sides of the color wheel.

Now, let's take a look at how to use green color corrector to hide redness in your skin in the video below. Don't forget to keep submitting your requests!

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How to Cover Dark Under Eye Circles feat. NYX Dark Circle Concealer

This post contains affiliate and referral links.*

Whether you suffer from them often or only occasionally, I think we can all agree on one thing:

Under eye circles are a drag. They need to be annihilated.

As if going about your day to day responsibilities weren't tiring enough, along come dark under eye circles to emphasize your exhaustion.

Worse yet?

When they seem to permanently stick around, no matter how much sleep you get, as if to announce to the world that you're some kind of tired old hag.

Well, eff that.

Let's render those suckers invisible and continue kicking ass at whatever we're doing today.

You can conceal dark circles quickly and effectively with color correction. If dark circles are your nemesis, then then a peach, salmon, or orange toned corrector is your weapon of choice. It all comes down to color theory. Orange falls on the opposite side of blue on the color wheel, making the orange tones of your corrector counteract the blue tones in your under eye circles.

You can combine your favorite concealer with a bit of corrector  to mask them. Or you can look for a concealer that already has a peachy/salmony/orangey tone to it, like the NYX Dark Circle Concealer ($5.99), for a one-step approach (an excellent choice if you battle dark circles regularly).

Let me show you how.

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tutorial: How to NOT Look Hungover | Makeup to Look Well Rested

This post contains affiliate and referral links.*

Holidays gotcha struggling? Imbibing a bit too much at your office party? Poppin' champs at New Years? Maybe you just knocked a few back at the family holiday get together?

Hell, maybe it was just another crappy Monday and you decided to cozy up on the couch with a glass of wine that turned into a bottle.

Whatever it was, you're paying the consequences this morning and you still need to be a functional human.

You take this round, grown life.

So now you need to look presentable. You already have a headache to deal with. Try not to add public shame to the equation. It's time to pull yourself together.

Let's talk about how to do that -- quickly and without too much effort.

Products: Nip + Fab Dragon's Blood Serum | First Aid Beauty Triple Remedy Eye Cream | Garnier BB Cream | Benefit Boi'ing Concealer | Qosmedix Blending Sponge | 

Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer | Milani Romantic Rose Blush | NYX Tame & Frame Brow Pomade | Benefit They're Real Mascara |  Nivea Kiss of Care & Color Sheer Berry

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more!

Join the ULTA Rewards program (free), get a $10 coupon! 

Use ebates for added savings and cash back when you shop! (Get a $10 gift card when you sign up)

*Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How to Apply Airbrush Makeup featuring Luminess Air | Everyday Makeup Look + Discount Code!

This is a sponsored post* 

For my wedding, I had my makeup professionally done and asked for airbrush makeup because it was Spring in Florida and we all needed our faces to stay on. 

It was nice to have my makeup feel light as a feather while achieving excellent coverage that looked great in person and pictures.

But I never thought I'd one day be doing my own makeup using an airbrush system. It always struck me as something that required special training and additional time to be able to use it day to day.

Enter the Luminess Air Legend system -- a small at-home airbrush system that helps you achieve the same professional results at home. 

Turns out, I was totally mistaken.

The Luminess Air Legend system is really easy to use, doesn't take up much time (or space) at all, and comes with everything you need to create your go-to, no-makeup makeup look that's appropriate for your daily life (e.g., school, work, etc.)

The system ($249 retail cost) comes with: 

• Luminess Air Legend compressor and stylus (available in 4 colors -- shown in aqua) 
• Primer (0.25 oz)
• Two foundations (0.25 oz each)
• Blush (0.25 oz) 
• Highlight (0.25 oz)

All products are fragrance free so they are safe for sensitive skin.

Get 25% off your entire purchase at luminessair.com with code: Girlythings25 (I do not receive any commission on sales made using this code).

Check out my every day look below. Now, what would you say if I told you I was able to get it all done in less than 20 minutes every day?  Pretty great, right?!

I'm totally going to show you how. 

FYI -- the raw footage for the makeup application of my tutorial was only 10 minutes long. That means that once you get the hang of it, we're talking super fast morning routine. 

By the way, you can achieve anywhere from sheer to maximum coverage with the Luminess Air Legend system, so adjust the amount of layers you use according to your needs.

Here's a closer look at my medium coverage makeup.

Now let's take a look at how I achieve it, so you can try it too! And don't forget to let me know if you want to learn more about this product. 

Would you like a review? A tutorial on how to clean it (OMG so much easier than cleaning millions of makeup brushes by the way!)? Something else entirely? 

State your case in the comments!

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation

This post contains affiliate and referral links.*

Hey again! I hope you all had an awesome October! I can't believe we're already almost done with 2016.

But, some of my favorite holidays are around the corner. I can't wait to stuff my face with food on Thanksgiving. Mom makes pumpkin flan and I'm all about eating an entire one by myself. I know that's a little extra, but she only makes it once a year. I need ALL of it. I also need to get my butt in gear and learn to make it myself. But eating it is so much more fun.


Are you guys excited for the fall/winter holidays? Any special meals you're looking forward to?

Anyway, I've totally gone off topic. Today I'm here to tell you about the Anastasia Beverly Hills stick foundation. They released this early this fall and I was positively excited.

I've been a fan of stick foundations for a minute, even though I haven't talked much about them (I know, shame on me). I love how easy they are to use and how portable they are. But the one's I'd been using set me back nearly $50.

So, when I saw that the ABH foundation stick was going to retail for $25, I had to try it. I was even more shocked when I discovered that the cheaper price tag still delivered the same amount of product (0.32 oz or 9 g) as my my expensive foundations. SCORE!!

ABH Foundation stick in Warm Ivory and Contour stick in Fawn, Bdellium Tools 950 Oval Brush, NYX Contour brush

Alright, so before we dive in to the review, there are a few things you should know about the ABH foundation stick:

• It's meant for normal to oily skin, but works best for those of you with combination/oily skin
• It available in a whopping 28 shades
• It's meant to be buildable from light to full coverage
• Available at ULTA, Sephora, and some department stores

Check out the photo of me wearing it below. I like how it looks like skin, but still offers coverage. 

Ok, now that you know what it's supposed to do and what the final product looks like, let's chat about how it works overall. I have a few tips to share in the video below!

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more!

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How to: Winged Liquid Liner | Drugstore Dupe for Kat von D Tattoo Liner

This post contains press samples, affiliate and referral links.*

Today we're obliging another viewer request, because we're awesome that way. Haha! Oh modesty!

No but seriously, a few of you have requested a tutorial on how I apply my liquid liner. And I'm all too happy to oblige because a fierce cat eye is pretty much my favorite makeup look.

Why? Because you can keep everything simple, but when you add that winged liner all of a sudden your makeup slays.

Best of all, it's appropriate for any occasion. Work, school, date, errands. You name it and the winged liner will slay it.

And it pairs well with just about any look. From simple to full glam, this adds a little extra sass to whatever you're wearing.

But mastering the winged liner definitely takes practice.

Today, I'm sharing how I do it and a few tips that I've learned to help make the process easier.

Plus, I have an awesome drugstore dupe to share with you. Long-time viewers/readers know all too well that I only have eyes for a brush tip liquid liner pen. For years, I've been using the Lorac Front of the Line Pro liquid liner and more recently Kat von D's Tattoo Liner (talk about a budge proof liner!).

But then, the dupe gods decided to smile down on me and my wallet and they introduced me to Jesse's Girl Cosmetics Liquid Liner ($6.99) and changed my life all over again. Just like the Kat von D and Lorac liners, this drugstore liquid liner has my must-have brush tip (think calligraphy pen) and easy-to-use pen shape. Best of all, it's jet black, fluid and inky, and BUDGE PROOF. I'm serious guys, this one didn't come off with plain old soap and water. It required waterproof makeup remover.

I mean, just look at how sharp that liner is.

Check out my tutorial (skip to the 2:15 mark if you only want to see the how-to) and listen to me rave about this dupe!

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more!

Join the ULTA Rewards program (free), get a $10 coupon! 

Use ebates for added savings and cash back when you shop! (Get a $10 gift card when you sign up) 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Also, some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards.Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review + Demo: Marc Jacobs Glow Stick | #MarcGlowStick

Press samples, affiliate and referral links used.*

Welcome back to another work week. Can't really believe the weekend is already over. It feels like it blew by. 

Maybe it's because I decided to abandon my hermit ways and be a bit more social for a change. 

I had dinner and drinks with my sister and her friends. That was followed by some much-needed time in the hair chair at my sister's salon. (By the way, you should check out my sister's Instagram if you want nail and hair inspiration. She's very talented.) And since I came home with awesome new hair, I couldn't let it go to waste. So the hubs and I went to the movies to see The Secret Life of Pets. We laughed so hard throughout that whole movie. Anyone else catch it yet? Did you like it too? I kind of want to see it again.

So that was my eventful weekend. I spent all of Sunday getting this video review and post ready for your guys. And since I'm guessing that's why you came here, let's talk about the Marc Jacobs Glow Stick ($42). 

I was ridiculously excited that Influenster chose me to receive this highlighter for testing and review. I never would've thought to pick this up on my own. And now that I've tried it, I'm wondering what else I've been missing from the Marc Jacobs brand. Because this cream highlighter is pretty damn awesome. For starters, it's a universal shade that actually works for everyone (pale girls included!) because it has a clear base with loads of silver and gold microshimmer. No chunky glitter here. No undertone clashing base color. No standing in front of so many options you're paralyzed to make a decision. 

It's not just easy to choose the right one (hey, there's only one anyway), but it's ridiculously easy to use. So you can get that angelic glow without any streaky stripey disasters happening on your face. 

Check out my detailed review below and stick around to the end of the video to see the product in action. 

Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator | Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter Poured Creme | Benefit Watts Up! Highlighter

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Join the ULTA Rewards program, get a $10 off coupon. 

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Additionally, some of the links in this post are "affiliate links" or "referral links." That means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for the service, I receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review + Demo | It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil

I'm pretty sure you've heard this before, but I'm going to say it again: Brows are important. Please don't neglect them.

Don't believe me?

Take a photo and airbrush the brows right off your face. (This is less drastic than shaving them off)

Do you look like an alien from some far off galaxy? Be honest. Because you probably do.

You know why?

Because eyebrows frame your face and give your face expression. Without them you end up looking like a hairless cat. Except far less cuddly.

With that in mind. I'm making it my mission to test out brow products, review them, and show you how I apply them to my face. In essence, you get a product review and eyebrow tutorial all wrapped into one snug package. Perhaps this can become a semi-regular series. You guys tell me. Are you interested?

I've already shown you how I shape and fill my brows when using a pigmented tinted brow gel.

Today, we're switching gears and focusing on the easy stuff: brow pencils.

In my opinion, brow pencils are one of the best tools for beginners when it comes to brows. We all know how to hold a pencil, scribble with it, and use it for shading. Even if you don't consider yourself artistic, this is some pretty basic stuff. Press harder and you'll get a darker pencil stroke. Use less pressure and you can create a softer shadow effect. That's why I love a good brow pencil. It's just so easy to use, which is especially perfect if you're just getting started. And because they're so much easier to use, they're great when you're pressed for time. You can get those brow snatched (on fleek is so last year) and run out the door.

Now all you have to do is pick the right pencil for you. There are tons of options out there. So today we're going to talk about the It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil ($24).

This pencil is fantastic for beginners and pros alike. The universal shade takes the guess work out of picking the right color. All you have to do to adjust it to your hair color is apply more (for darker) or less (for lighter) pressure when you apply. Easy peasy. Add to that the fact that it's waterproof, long-lasting, easy to blend, and natural looking and you've got a sure fire winner. No wonder it's on of the brand's best selling items!

Check out my review and demo below to see why I love this pencil so much and how I use it to beat my brows down.

Money saving tip: The travel-sized Brow Powder Mini will save half the price. And it has plenty of product to get you through at least a month of daily use.

Well, what do you think? Would you consider using this product?

Eyebrow Tutorial | How to Fill & Shape Brows with Tinted Brow Gel ft. Serenity + Scott

In case you haven't noticed, your eyebrows play a prominent role on your face. They frame your features and lend expression to your face. Don't believe me? Imagine what you would look like without your brows. Kinda strange, right? 

That's why it's important to get them right. And I'm not about to act like it's easy. It definitely takes a lot of practice. But the longer I play with makeup, the more I realize that ignoring your brows is just not an option.

Now don't get me wrong. I was once squarely in your corner. Brows intimidated the life out of me. I'd seen far too many people out there sporting some unflattering brows and I was deathly afraid of walking around with caterpillar brows or the dreaded sharpie look. So instead of trying to learn how to do it, I simply chose to pretend the issue didn't exist.

You see, I have pretty decent brows on their own. Not too sparse. Decent shape. I always thought that all I needed to do was get them shaped up every few weeks by a professional. Boy was I wrong.  I came fact to face with reality when I saw my brows on camera. I could no longer ignore the truth. I needed to learn to fill my brows.

It's been a long road. And sometimes I still stumble. But I like to think that for the most part (let's say a totally unscientific 92% of the time), I get it right. And by that I mean, I manage to give my brows a similar shape without making them too dark or thick or completely drawn on.

With that in mind, I figured it was high time I shared how I do it. So I've decided to film a few video how-tos showcasing how I fill and shape my brows using a variety of eyebrow products. Today we're sharing one of the easier approaches: Using tinted brow gel (and a little assistance from a handy brow pencil).  Tinted brow gels are great because you can add fullness and color while simultaneously taming stray hairs. It's a great approach for those of you who don't have to do too much brow rehab.

If you've plucked a lot of your brows away, or simply have very thin brows to begin with, a brow gel can still help you out. But you'll definitely want to use a brow gel that delivers decent pigmentation like Serenity + Scott's Brow Gel ($16), which I demo in this video.  You'll also want to supplement your brow routine with a pencil (like I demo) or shadow to help add extra definition.

I hope you found this demonstration helpful. And remember, even though brows are challenging, you can't get discouraged! The more you practice, the better you'll get. Good brows can transform your face. It's totally worth the journey and the effort!

Tutorial: Victoria Justice/Eye Candy Inspired Makeup

I have a confession to make. I was totally into the new MTV show Eye Candy. As in, I set the DVR and watched it weekly. Seeing as I've aged out of MTVs demographic by quite a few years, when I get sucked in to watching any of their shows, it feels like a guilty pleasure. I'm way too old to be watching this. I should probably be cozied up on the couch watching a riveting episode of 60 Minutes or some other decidedly adult television entertainment.

But no. I still tune in to MTV. Especially for The Challenge shows. I wonder if I'll ever tire of those. Perhaps when I eventually no longer recognize anyone on the cast.

But anyway, this 30-something, grown ass woman was tuned in to this show geared specifically toward teens and 20-somethings. I think it's time I stop looking down my nose at all you Twighlight fans. I just have to hang my head low and admit defeat. Those tricky marketers got me.

The point of this confession is that while watching Eye Candy, I couldn't help but find myself admiring the makeup Victoria Justice wore throughout the season. The modern-day 90's look took me back to at time when it was still ok for me to watch MTV. It also reminded me of how incredibly inept I was back then at recreating the natural look.

Fast forward a few years, and I've learned quite a bit about makeup. And the biggest lesson of all is that natural looking makeup still requires some effort. That realization completely blew my mind. But you know what? It's insanely gratifying when you actually achieve that I-woke-up-looking-like-a-Neutrogena-spokesmodel look.

Best of all, that look never goes out of style and is appropriate for ladies of all ages. Whether you wear it to school or the office, you'll always look put together and appropriate for the occasion.

With that in mind, check out my tutorial for an everyday natural look inspired by MTV, Victoria Justice, and the makeup artists on the set of Eye Candy.



Are you a fan of the show? What did you think of season 1?

GRWM: My New Year's Day Makeup

This post contains press samples and items I purchased myself

Ok, I'm declaring right now that I'm going to make a bigger effort when it comes to doing my makeup on camera. I tend to focus mostly on reviews because I know that there are a lot of people out there doing tutorials. But the thing is, I have all this makeup, I work at home (I live in my yoga pants), and I want a reason to use the stuff I purchase. I'm not a collector. I buy my makeup because I want to play with it.

Plus, I've learned a few great tips along the way while I've been running this blog and my Youtube channel (I can't thank The Makeup Show enough for a lot of the things I've learned). Many of the useful tips I've tried to share in posts, but sometimes, it just clicks when you see someone doing it, rather than just being told. And sometimes, I forget about a useful tip because I use it so often it's become second nature to me -- I forget it might be new to someone else. 

I like the idea of doing Get Ready With Me (GRWM) videos because it let's you just see what I do on a regular basis and how I do it. I feel like it takes the pressure off of coming up with a whole new fresh and innovative look. And let's be honest, it's getting harder and harder to do that these days. I'm not a professional makeup artist. I'm a makeup enthusiast. I want an approach to doing makeup videos that's more personal. Kind of like when you get ready with your friends before going somewhere. It's less formal, but you still learn things here and there along the way. 

That being said, here's my first GRWM video of 2015. 

Note: I filmed this video on January 1, before the whole Revlon lawsuit story was released. I use a Revlon product in this video, but have decided that I will not be using or reviewing Revlon products on this blog or on my channel going forward. I find the allegations very offensive. I am even more disappointed with how the company has chosen to react and respond to this incident. I will revisit my decision over time, depending on how this all plays out. You may or may not agree with me, but I simply don't feel right endorsing the brand at this time. 

Video Music: "Saturday" and "The Bottom" by Josh Woodward (Creative Commons Attribution License)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Cara Cosmetics items featured in this video are press samples. The rest of the products I purchased myself. This is not a sponsored video. For more information regarding the difference between a press sample and a sponsored video please visit my disclosures page. 

Glitter Gradient Nail Polish Tutorial

I know I've said before that I'm not a huge fan of full on glitter nail polish. Basically, I think I've outgrown the disco ball nail (unless it's for a very specific occasion, then maybe).

But here's the deal, from time to time, I like a little sparkle. And what's a gal to do when she's acquired a few glitter polishes? Not use them? Say it ain't so. No sir. This gal will find other ways to incorporate glitter into a look. And I'm partial to the glitter gradient, the glitter accent, and a glitter tip or moon.

I think that having a base color and strategically placed glitter helps give a sparkling manicure a little more sophistication. Don't you?

I may not necessarily wear it to the office (unless I worked in one where such things were encouraged, ahem, Zoya fairies), but I think this look is fun for the weekends or even special occasions (birthday sparkle, anyone?).

That being said, I recently stumbled on a pretty nail polish photo one Pinterest (where else, I mean, really?) and posted it on my Facebook page. It' seems a few of you liked it as well. So I decided to share a video tutorial on how you can achieve the same look.

Here's the photo that inspired my manicure:

Photo credit: Nemos Nails

NOTE: I already used the technique that Nemo's Nails demonstrates on her blog for doing a glitter gradient before I read her blog. However, it wasn't until I saw this photo that I thought to mix glitter polishes together to create more dimension. I've seen the light!

Check out the very easy technique that you can replicate for yourself at home:

Here's an extra photos of my finished glitter gradient nails so you can have a better look:

A few tips:

• I find using a neutral color (nude, pink, black, navy blue, white, grey) as a base works best, that way it won't clash with the glitter. But of course, you choose whatever colors suit your fancy.
• I like the technique of using multiple glitter polishes because it build dimension, however, you can easily just follow the same steps using one glitter color. 
• The same technique would work well with the same glitter color and different glitter sizes (e.g. micro glitter mixed with chunky glitter) and also give dimension.
• Make sure to wait between each coat to avoid too much glitter travel.
• This manicure is easy, but takes a little time so make sure you're not in a hurry because it takes a little extra time to dry and set all the way. 

How do you feel about glittery tips? Would you try this at home? Isn't it so much easier than you imagined? 

Review & Demo: The Makeup Bullet

*Press Sample/PR Sample*

Press Sample

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Eva Jane Bunkley, creator of the Makeup Bullet, while at The Makeup Show Orlando. She was hanging out by the Alcone booth, right by the show entrance, showing everyone this cute little makeup sponge that was sure to make a few people stop and check it out. It's a product that gives you the flawless airbrush finish of the infamous Beauty Blender and fits snugly around your finger. 

Eva conceived of the Makeup Bullet after getting tired of constantly dropping her makeup sponges. She wanted a makeup sponge that freed up her hands, allowing her to hold other makeup tools without having to let go of her sponge and providing a method for applying makeup with a sponge that felt more natural. 

By placing the sponge on your finger, you can blend makeup just like you would with your fingers without actually touching your client's face (which is more sanitary). And because you're using a sponge, you get that sought after smooth, streak-free, airbrush-like finish we've come to love from other popular cosmetic sponges. 

After using the Makeup Bullet for the past month, here's how I felt it measured up to similar products:

Pros:

• Reusable and washable just like any other Beauty Blender (and Beauty Blender-esque) sponge
• Fits comfortably around finger
• Makes it easy to blend out makeup using the same motion you're used to when using your fingers
• Similar price point for three sponges
• Can be used damp or dry depending on the coverage level you want. Using it damp gives a medium or more sheer coverage that's easy to build. Using it dry will give a full coverage effect. 
• Super easy to use
• Can be used to blend foundation and concealer (shown in video below) and apply blush and eyeshadow (as seen here)
• Sized well for travel.

Cons: 

• The material is thinner than other makeup sponges, especially around the area where you finger goes. You need to be gentle when using and washing. I tried to be careful, but mine now has a tear in it (seen in video).
• Not available in stores
• When it's damp the sponge expands and doesn't fit as snugly around my fingers as it does when it's dry.

All in all, I think this is a great idea. I especially love using it to blend out my concealer because I can place it on my ring finger and blend as I would with my fingers.  When used to apply makeup on others, using the Makeup Bullet allows you to get a better feel for your client's facial contours (e.g., where his/her cheekbones and orbital bones are), which is useful later when applying highlighting and contouring. 

Check out my video below to see a review and demonstration:

I definitely think that Eva Jane is onto something big. I hope that future releases provide for a sturdier sponge because this item will get a lot of use and should stand up to wear and tear a little better. Other than that, I'm quite pleased with it.

A word to the wise though, if you're not a fan of using cosmetic sponges at all, you'll probably be better off skipping out on this one. It probably won't be your cup of tea. 

You can purchase The Makeup Bullet at themakeupbullet.com where you'll receive a 3-pack for $24.95. 

What do you think of The Makeup Bullet? Are you interested in trying it out? 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How to apply nail polish strips ft. Incoco strips

*Press Sample*

When Incoco contacted me a month or so ago offering to send me some of their nail polish appliqués, I was all over it. It seemed like a no brainer. I get to test these products out and show you how they look when you apply them. Plus, since nail polish appliqués are growing in popularity, I thought it'd be a good chance to do a quick tutorial on how to apply them.

Yes, it's a pretty simple technique, but it does require a little bit of practice to get it right. Be warned, the first time you try it you might end up with a crooked appliqué or a ridge or two. Don't let that discourage you. After one or two nails you'll get the hang of it.

The best part is that Incoco figured this would happen, so you can easily remove and reposition the nail strip without damaging the adhesive! That means you don't need to be scared about making mistakes. Plus, you'll get 16 total nail strips, so that if you do mess one up, you'll have extras. Don't worry if the one's you have left are too big for your nail, there's a way around that (that I show in my video demonstration).

Before we get into the how-to, let's share a little background on and my experience using Incoco nail appliqués:

• They're made of real nail polish that includes base coat, polish, and top coat, so they look and feel like nail polish on your nails.
•  They're 3-free (no DBP, toluene, or formaldehyde)
• I like  that Incoco nail strips (unlike other brands I've tried) are a bit stretchy. This makes it easier to apply them without creasing and easier to fit most nail sizes (just don't pull too hard, they'll break!)
• These are perfect if you love nail polish designs but aren't into DIY
• They're also fantastic if you need to apply and go. No dry time needed!
• You'll also love these if you have a hard time giving yourself a clean, professional looking manicure at home. Fool proof!
• They come in more than 200 colors and designs, so you're bound to find something you like!
• They're affordable, only $7.99 and available for purchase at incoco.com
• Removal is easy and hassle free. All you need is regular nail polish remover. 
• If you mess up, you can remove and reposition the same strip (I tried this and it totally works!)
• Each package contains 16 strips to fit all your nails (plus a few extra in case you need to fix a few)
• They're easy to apply and provide a really pretty final product with very little hassle 
• I wish they had some kind of nail hardening property to them. While my manicure looks great, my nails don't feel as hard as they do when I use my nail polish. I'm afraid my nails will be more susceptible to breaking.

Once I got the hang of using them, I got a really nice final result and I actually found them easier to work with than other brands I've used that were a bit thicker, making it harder to tear or file along the edge of my nail without leaving jagged edges.

Now, without further ado, let's get into the tutorial and some tips to help you get the application right on your first try.

What you'll need

Step 1: Clean off your nails and buff (optional) them

Tip: Wiping down your nail with a cotton swab dampened with rubbing alcohol will help remove any dirt and oil off your nail so nothing interferes with the nail strip adhering to your nail. 

Step 2: Pull nail strips out of package and measure them against your nails

Tip: When in doubt, choose a nail strip that's a little too wide over one that's too narrow for your nail. Once you're done applying the strip, you can use your nail or a cuticle pusher to gently press around the edges of your nail bed. This will create a makeshift perforation and you can tear away the excess strip. (You can see me demonstrate this in the video below)

Step 3: Remove clear cover from the top of the nail strip 

This step might only be necessary for Incoco nail stops

Step 4: Peel the strip off the sticker backing

Step 5: Remove the silver tab from the rest of the nail strip

Step 6: Position the strip on your nail and gently stretch it to fit

Step 7: Smooth out the surface gently

Tip: In the photo I'm using the back of a makeup brush, but this didn't yield the best result (caused creasing). Learn from my mistake. Use your fingertip to smooth out the surface. It has more surface area, creating a much better finish.

Step 8: Fold the edges of the nail strip over the end of your nail and file off the excess

Tip: While the nail file works well, it can create some jagged edges. Instead fold the nail strip under the end of your nail and gently use your nail (or a cuticle pusher) to put pressure on the folded-over strip until it perforates, then you can gently tear it away (demonstrated in the video).

You're all done!

Now the question is, will these last the 14 days the packaging claims? Follow me on Instagram, where I'll be taking daily photos of my manicure to show you how it wears, how long it takes before it starts to show some wear and tear, and whether I can truly rock it for 14 days while still looking good. My fear is that nail growth will cause me to abandon the manicure before the 2 week timeframe, as I'm not a fan of that look.

Here's my how-to video to show you my application technique in real time (P.S. Watch for the giveaway!):

Are you a fan of nail polish appliqués? I love how they can make a manicure hassle free and make nail designs much easier to achieve.

Giveaway entry and rules:

1. Contest is open in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico
2. Must be 18 or older to participate (or have parental permission to do so because you'll need to share your mailing address with me)
3. Subscribe to my Youtube channel 
4. Leave a comment (on the video in YouTube) telling me (1) why you want to be entered to win the Incoco nail polish strips, and (2) your favorite color nail polish. 
5. FOR A BONUS ENTRY (optional): (1) Follow this blog using GFC, (2) leave a comment on this blog post about anything nail polish related, and (3) include your YouTube handle and GFC name (if they differ from the name you used to leave the comment. If they're the same, just say: "My YouTube and GFC handles are the same as my contest name).
6. Contest closes Saturday, August 31 at noon EST.  Any entries submitted after that will be void. 
7. I'll contact the winner via their YouTube inbox (so make sure you don't block emails!). Winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing information, otherwise I'll have to choose another winner. 
8. Once I notify the winner and receive their information, I will announce their name (YouTube handle) in this blog post and in the video's information bar. 

Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash. The makers and manufacturers of the items being given away are in no way affiliated with this contest. While I take every precaution to ensure packages are delivered to contest winners, I do not take any responsibility for items lost, stolen, or damaged during the shipping process once I have confirmed shipment from my end.


Don't forget to check out all the different appliqué options over at www.incoco.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tutorial: Brown & Rose smokey eye

Smokey eyes are such a great way to achieve a sexy look. They black smokey eye is definitely a go-to look, but it can sometimes be a little harsh. For those days when you want that sultry look without reaching for your favorite black shadow, give this brown smokey eye a try. The the brown and rose tones soften the look while still keeping that sexy vibe.

Check out the tutorial below:



Music by Dan O at danosong.com

Five Minute Face Using Garnier BB Cream

Here's a quick video to show you my go-to makeup look lately. I wanted to make this video for two reasons:

1. It's a quick makeup look that should only take you 5 minutes (but definitely less than 10 depending on how long it takes you to blend) to do. You can look presentable no matter where you're going. The main focus is giving you a fresh-faced look that is flawless but not overdone, which means it's appropriate for anything -- groceries, errands, shopping, school, the office, or anywhere else you want to look presentable.
2. I wanted you to be able to see the Garnier BB cream that I just recently reviewed (get all the details here). I think it gives excellent coverage (almost foundation like) and has a great matte, natural-looking finish and you can see it for yourself in this video. 

I hope you like it! let me know what you think!

Video software and music: iMovie and Dan-O from www.danosongs.com

This is not a sponsored post. 

Stila Luxe Palette & Smokey Pink/Berry Eye Tutorial

I purchased the limited edition Stila Luxe palette while at the Makeup Show in Orlando and I really love it. In this video I show you the palette and the colors that come in it, and put together an eyeshadow look using the palette.

The luxe eyeshadow palette comes with nine eyeshadows, most of them quite neutral and useable, and a full-sized smudge stick (in lady killer - a slate grey/pewter liner with purple sparkles).  It retails for $45 and can be purchased at Nordstrom or Stila.

Note: In the video I say that the color Crushed Velvet is a matte black. However, I am wrong. I blame the bright lights in my eye. My original assessment while filming the tutorial section were right, it is a shimmer, but it's a plum shimmer. It's very dark, and can fool you into thinking it might be black, but it's a dark plum-grey shimmer. 

Music by Dan-O at danosongs.com

Comment below and let me know if you'd like to see a tutorial using any of the other colors in the palette.

Tutorial: Voluminous Top Bun

Tutorial: The Easiest Way to Apply False Eyelashes

Many thanks to the gals at The Beauty Department blog who posted this on Pinterest and ended my false eyelash application woes. I didn't shy away from applying the false lash strips, but it was always like a stealth ninja mission for me. I inevitably would put the lash strip, glue and all, just above where I needed to, getting glue on my freshly applied makeup. Never detered, I'd try until I got it right. But now, all I need is one single, easy, quick attempt and voila, I'm done.

Once I read their instructions and tried it for myself, I had to basically tell the world. So, naturally, I filmed a video on how to do it. Hope this helps you as much as it helped me. And let me know if it worked for you!


Makeup:
L'Oreal True Match Foundation - Creamy Natural C3
Rimmel Stay Matte - Creamy Beige
Sephora Cream to Powder Blush - Coral Flush (N2)
MAC Lipstick Ravishing
MAC Black Track
Cover Girl Lash Blast Macara - Blackest Black
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Macara  - Extreme Black
Urban Decay Naked Palette - Toasted, Buck, Darkhorse
Maybelline Define a Brow - Medium Brown

Music by Dan-O at danosongs.com

Songs: En La Brisa and Sunglass Rehab

How to Use Baked Makeup Products Wet

Since baked makeup products can be used wet or dry, I decided to make a video showing you how to used these products wet. Doing so gives the products a really nice finish, making your foundation and face makeup look almost airbrushed and feel just as light as powder. Using this technique with baked eyeshadows helps make the shadow more intense and vibrant.

What I'm wearing:
Sephora Microsmooth Foundation Powder - Nude
e.l.f. Baked Blush - Peachy Cheeky
Sephora Microsmooth Bronzer Duo - Honey
Sephora Collection Jumbo Liner 12-hr Wear - Taupe
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Mascara - Blackest Black
e.l.f. Hypershine lipgloss - Flirt

Nail Polish: Julep Daphne

Music by Dan-O at danosongs.com

Song: En la Brisa