Escentual Bases That Bare All

Foundation is defined as the basis or groundwork of anything, according to Dictionary.com. So it's slightly comical to me that my foundation is the third product I put on my face (it follows my moisturizer and spackle primer). I've tried both liquid and mineral and I'm here to tell you about my experiences.

For years I used Prescriptives' Virtual Matte Oil Control Makeup. This was a liquid foundation that I got by walking up to the counter in Macy's and asking the cosmetologist for some help. And from then I was hooked. I used my liquid foundation with SPF 15 every day for probably two years. There was only one problem. It always left makeup everywhere. I didn’t know any better. My face was oily and it didn't really do much to control oil (even though it's in the name of the product!). So I stopped using foundation for a while but every so often I'd use just a little to cover up main problem areas.

Then I heard about mineral makeup. I only discovered it really because I was curious as to what the buki brush's function was. I picked out the bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation by Bare Escentuals because I had seen it won awards and was recommended by Glamour and Sephora. At first I was not impressed because I felt like the powder went absolutely everywhere except for my face. But after reading and hearing stories, I realized that you need to take some on the brush, shake off the excess, and apply in a circular motion.

I didn't really use it all that much, until yesterday. I thought I'd give it another try and I must say that I really have noticed a difference. My face has looked brighter and the imperfections on my skin, including redness and some scarring from acne, is much less visible. I’m going to continue using my mineral makeup foundation all week and hopefully it becomes something that I can stick with, especially throughout the summer, as it seems light and airy.

I know foundation, no matter what form it's in, is certainly a base. And although it's not the first thing I put on every day, it's certainly an essential.

-A

Photos: Prescriptives.com and bareescentuals.com

Clean Up!

Ok so now we know any makeup lover has to have the essentials, one of them being brushes right? Well do we all know how much bacteria can build up on those brushes? EWWWWW!!

With that being said I would like to recommend the MAC brush cleaner, and I know what you're all thinking, why always MAC? Well the brush cleaner happens to be super affordable and preserves the life of the brush. I usually clean my brushes once a week. On the in between days I like to spray Sephora professional daily brush cleaner anti-bacterial formula. This is just to be sure that all that bacteria is killed on a daily basis. If any of you struggle with pimples or acne this could be the reason and something as simple as cleaning your brushes can help! Trust me - it worked for me.

-S

Photos: MACCosmetics.com and Sephora.com

Wedges are a Must

Today is a day for adding. As I applied my makeup this morning, I realized something. I really wanted to add to my post about priming because I never explained the technique I use with my beloved F.Y. Eye.

When I first began using the product, the girl at Sephora told me to use a Q-Tip to get some of the product out of the bottle and then to use a wedge for blending and smoothing purposes. Over time, of course, I became a little lazy and started using just the wedge to apply and spread the primer. I feel like this really is the easiest method. If you take the corner of the wedge and dip it in the primer you'll get enough to smooth over your lid. If you need some more you can always add.

But which end do you use? Well I like to use the thinner end to grab the product from the bottle and I then use that end to rub it in a little. Sometimes I'll use the fat side that's perpendicular to the thin side. So if you have a wedge with the longer side sitting on the counter, use the larger side that goes top to bottom to really blend the product. Otherwise you may get some extra F.Y. Eye leftover on your lids. You want to really blend enough of that product on your lids.

But don't be using that wedge for weeks on end because that's just unsanitary and wedges are seriously so cheap at your local drugstore. Go get 'em!

-A

Photo: Drugstore.com

shu uemura IS Fantastic

I feel like I need to counter, or add to, our very first post. At that time, I was still using my Revlon curler because it was something I had been stuck on for years and I thought, why change a good thing? Well, after much speculation and talking to some of my girls, I realized I needed to get myself the shu uemura stat.

AMB and SEV were adamant about the fantastic job this curler could do. They told me that they didn't even need to use mascara at times because their lashes would just look so so full after using the shu uemura. In our first post we led you to believe that there was really no difference between shu uemura and MAC, giving MAC a slight edge because of a price that was five dollars cheaper. But now I really believe in the power of shu uemura.

Although I felt strange using it at first, as it is very different than the Revlon, I quickly became accustomed to the shu uemura. I have yet to see the grand effects that AMB and SEV have told me about because I still feel the need to put on primer plus three different mascaras. However, I think that my lashes look longer and fuller. And I think with time I may be able to wean myself down to just one mascara!

One thing is for sure, I'll definitely use my shu uemura every single day. Heck, I may even need to get the travel size and throw it in my bag!

-A

Photo: shuuemura-usa.com

A Tip About My Favorite Spackle

I fell in love with the Laura Geller Spackle when I used a sample from my giant collection. I then got my mom hooked on the stuff too. When I ran into Sephora to buy the full size, I grabbed the box labeled spackle, saw it had some extra perks like eye and lip primer, and threw it in with my huge stash of common products to be purchased. This is the Spackle Trio (pictured, right). Mind you, this purchase took me about five minutes and I spent almost $150. Why is it that you run out of the most important, expensive stuff at the exact same time?! I hate that!

Anyway, this was a serious mistake. My mom got the real bottle, which is comprised of 2 oz (pictured left), while mine only has 0.85 oz. I may have the lip and eye primers, but I am certainly not a fan. I tried the eye primer one day thinking that it could be a good switch from my beloved F.Y. Eye (not because I don't want to use my lovely Benefit product, but because sometimes it's good to switch it up). I was seriously mistaken. My shadow was all over the place within an hour and I was quite upset. And we already know how I feel about putting things on my lips so I doubt I will use the lip primer. But who knows, maybe I'll give it a whirl.

My other point about the spackle is that not only will you get more out of a regular bottle, but it also costs a lot less. For 2oz, you'll pay $21.50, but for the Trio it'll run $30. That was certainly a mistake purchase for me and I definitely will know better for next time!

-A

Photos: Sephora.com

Sleeping Beauty

I made extra sure this morning to apply my Too Faced Mineral Water Eye Brightening Pencil.

I didn't get enough sleep last night. That's what a night out on the town on a Tuesday night will do to you when you're no longer in college. I need my beauty sleep! I know everyone talks about beauty sleep but what is this phenomena?

Basically the phrase is completely true. If you get enough sleep at night (I like to say seven to eight hours is perfect) then you'll look rejuvenated and refreshed in the morning. If you haven't slept much then you will certainly look it, no matter how much makeup you put on. Remember, makeup is used to enhance and not specifically to hide (except in the case of concealer for those nasty zits!).

Even though I put on my Too Faced Eye Brightener this morning, I felt like my eyes were the size of golf balls, protruding out of my head all day. I was told I didn't look like that, but I guess that's the miracle of a good product. And you'd think that I'd make sure my hair was perfect to counter this interesting face today. But no, the hair is semi-up, which really doesn't work so well with a short bob.

I will certainly be getting my beauty sleep tonight. And it may not be as many hours as, say, Sleeping Beauty, but if you think about it that princess must have had a sad-looking face...

-A

Photo: Nordstrom.com

Unexpected Purchases

I had dinner with SEV last night and told her about my lip debacle. How, I asked her, could I find just the right lip color. Let me tell you a little story.

SEV is not the most makeup obsessed. She uses very basic makeup, but it certainly works on her. Upon walking through Bloomingdale's one day, she came upon a very interesting free gift set that was being offered by Clinique. But she had to purchase a certain amount of products before she could get the free gift. As she browsed through their products, SEV was kind of discouraged because she didn't specifically need anything.. you never really do if you're browsing. She really wanted this bag of free goodies, which she tells me she really only uses the cosmetic bag the most.

So she took one for the team and bought two products. One was a Brush-On Cream Liner that she now swears by. And the other was a Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss. She loves this as well and got me to try it last night. I'd like to keep checking out the products but I did, in fact, like this one. It wasn't as sticky as most glosses and I didn't really feel like I had anything on my lips. I think this is because it was a balm.

A few things come out of this blog and my dinner with SEV:
1. You can really find some great products when you least expect it.
2. I'm on my way in the hunt to find the perfect lip gloss.
3. Free things are always a plus (remember what I said about samples).
4. Talking about your problems with your friends will often help you find a solution.
5. Browsing may sometimes have you spending money you didn't expect, but it can and will make you happy!

-A

Photo: NeimanMarcus.com