Confessions Of Makeup Newbie

I started wearing makeup later in life, and when I finally decided to hide the uneven tones and redness from my rosacea, I tried several products before I found one that I loved. And to this day, I feel like the absolute best investment I have ever made in my beginnings of a makeup collection is the Bare Escentuals Customizable Get Started Kit. This kit comes with everything you need to get started with using the Bare Minerals foundation – three brushes, a brush shampoo, a get-started DVD, and the three basic powders you need to start your day. I was hooked from day one, not only because of the $100 savings from not buying everything piece by piece, but also because I found I enjoyed the loose powder over other foundations I have tried.

Eventually, this lead me to wonder how I would like loose powder for my eyelids. I began with a neutral color, something that would look very natural. Because of my new desire to dress up my eyes, I was gifted with the Big & Bright Eyeliner Kit. The whole kit is fabulous, however, one of my favorite things in this kit is the Brightening Opal eyelid primer. Unlike the plain primer I was using to dress up my eyes, this one has a slight sheen to it that helps accentuate my eye shadow. I recently started to use the Brightening Opal primer instead of water as a base for making eye liner from my loose powder. The tricky part to this is cleaning up the brush after use, but the results are amazing. (My tip: use a little Jojoba oil to clean the brush, followed by the Well-Cared For brush shampoo.)

My number one secret to beautiful, healthy skin isn’t in the powders or primers though. If there was one thing that I believe helps my skin, whether I wear make-up or not, it would be moisturizer. Even though I am new to make-up, I have tried many moisturizers over the years. My current choice is the Purely Nourishing Cream for Dry Skin. This moisturizer has a fantastic floral and citrus scent, and even though the cream feels thick, which I love in the winter time, it doesn’t sit on top of your skin. Having become a huge Bare Escentuals fan, I even tried another one of their moisturizers and didn’t find it nearly as pleasant as the Purely Nourishing Cream.

Being relatively new to make-up, I have found the kits to be invaluable to building up my beauty collection. I haven’t cast anything aside in my BE kits, because everything works so well together. But, whether I am putting on my make-up, or taking it off, nothing beats a great moisturizer.

About Our Guest Blogger: Lynda lives in Northern California with her boyfriend and their two dogs. She currently is going to school to learn web design, training for her next Olympic weightlifting competition and enjoys reading, writing, and goofing off on Facebook when she finds some free time. You can find her blog at http://crazynerdybeautiful.wordpress.com and she has a private account on Twitter @lovelylynda (though she will probably add you if you don’t look like a Twitter spammer).

MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation/Loose

Aside from my ongoing love-affair with Lip Glass, my first MAC obsession was their Studio Fix pressed powder. I’ve never liked wearing liquid foundation (does anyone?), and that stuff gave me awesome coverage and an even skin tone. However, this was when I w

as twenty and spending most of my time socializing at night in bars libraries. Eventually, I wanted something a little less…heavy. While Studio Fix, for me, is great for evening or formal events, it’s not so great for casual daily wear. Enter MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation/Loose. Or, as I like to call it: powder. Or, The. Shit.

I use MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation/Loose in conjunction with Select Cover-Up, and I’m not sure I’ll ever STOP using it. It gives the kind of moderate coverage that helps to dull the redder areas of my face without erasing my freckles and bleaching my beauty mark. (Ok, fine, MOLE. But it’s a delicate and lovely one.) It’s even better in the summertime when I don’t want the extra weight of makeup on my face. I never “feel” this stuff. Even better is that I’m not worried my sweat stream will clear a trail down my temples. I can even scratch an itch with my FINGERNAILS if I wanted, guys. And my face will *still* look stellar. (Or, you know, not smudged.)

The foundation/powder comes in a self-contained package, where the applicator sponge is actually connected to the lid, which serves as the handle. When you’re done, you just screw the lid back in place and you’ll never have to worry about spilling or messes. They even throw in an extra sponge if you’re into being sanitary and such. The whole thing is pretty convenient, and I feel like I’m never really wasting any of the product by dispensing too much or sending the stuff flying through the air with a wayward powder brush.

Now, at $29.50, the price tag is a BIT steep (my god, anything over $10 feels steep anymore), and if you use it daily like I do, you’ll need to buy a new one every two or three months. But as long as I can resist adding some (ALL) of their funky eye shadows and lip-glosses to my cart, I don’t feel too guilty about the purchase.

(Even if my husband tells me he can’t even tell I’m wearing make-up. That’s the POINT, darling.)

I buy my MAC at the local Macy’s, and if you’re a first-time buyer, I’d highly recommend doing it in person. The pros behind the counter there are awesome at picking out the best shade to match your skin color, and this will save you the guesswork and return shipping.  Otherwise, go right to the MAC website to get your own Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation/Loose. With shipping, the whole thing will run you about $35.

NYX: So Awesome We Are Giving Some Away!

Have you heard of NYX?

I’m sorry to say that I actually had not – until I attended Getting Gorgeous (which you can hear more about by reading here, as well as staying tuned here at Buy-Her for future postings) in NYC.  NYX was started in 1999 by Toni Ko who named the company after the Greek Goddess who ruled the night.  Sounds sexy, I like it already!

Straight from their website, they say they ”offer a wide variety of products ranging from eye shadows to foundation and brushes to eye lashes and glitter to glosses.  Everything a professional makeup artist needs for the job or a goddess needs to create her look for a night on the town.”  And it’s true.  NYX offers just about everything you could want.  I spent so much time on their website, trust me when I say it is impressive ladies.  I was drooling over all of the things I could start ordering, because it is what I like to call hella affordable.  Can I say that?  It is!

We’re talking $8 eyeshadow trios that come in a cute compact with a mirror, $13 body bronzer which I am dying to try, even $4.50 candy glitter – say it with me - glitter eye liners!  Did not even know you could GET a glitter eyeliner but my glitter loving self is totally intrigued now.  And, that glitter eyeliner is infused with moisturizing ingredients that not only add sparkle but condition at the same time!  How awesome is that?  Ok, so you wouldn’t wear it to the office, but you might put it on for a fab night out of the town.

I could not get over how affordable all of NYX’s products are.  Even NYX’s nude on nude palette is only $25 – and that includes 20 neutral eyeshadows, 10 lip colors, a mirror and 2 applicators for eyes and lips each.  $25!  I feel like I could do an infomercial for them right now.

My absolute favorite part about NYX?  They offer actual tutorials on their website.  I don’t know about you, but I tend to be that girl who can’t put on her new makeup unless someone shows me how I should be applying it.  Here, you can look up what you might need some help with, watch the video and learn how to apply it!  Plus, under the video it lists the makeup they used to create the look if you would like to purchase it.  So easy.

I’d also like to mention that NYX is having a JAPAN EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI RELIEF FUNDRAISER.

“During the hours from 12pm to 5pm PST on Friday, April 8th, all of your purchases made through NYXcosmetics.com will benefit the disaster in Japan.  100% of our profits made during that time will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.”

What can I say, I am impressed and excited about this makeup.  Included in my swag from Getting Gorgeous was NYX’s Luxurious Black Label Lipstick in Twinkle Star and NYX’s Triple Eyeshadow in Anti Diva.  I am not a big lip stick girl (much more of a lip gloss fanatic), so I would rather someone who really likes lipstick get it for them self.  As much as I did not want to tear myself away from the Anti Diva (loving that name, and the colors) eyeshadow, I thought I’d give them both away together.

In the next 5 days from this posting, tell me what your ideal night out on the town would be.  Include your e-mail address so we can contact you if you win.  Winner will be chosen at random.

bareMinerals – Flawless Coverage

All my adult life, I have been looking for a makeup that gave me real coverage for my uneven skin tone, but that wouldn’t clog my pores and make me break out. Having a built in SPF would be an added bonus.

A couple years ago, I was in Sephora and on a whim picked up the bareMinerals Starter Kit. It was $60. I took it home and tried it immediately. And I was instantly in love with the coverage. It was exactly how I wanted my skin to look. I didn’t have any trouble mastering the “swirl, tap and buff” method of application. Best of all, it didn’t make my skin break out.

I had one complaint—all the powders. Between the foundation, the blush and/or bronzer, and the Mineral Veil finisher, it was a mess. And if I traveled, which I was doing a bunch of at the time, all the powders would end up spilling into the lids and making an even bigger mess until I was able to use up all that had spilled in the lids. I got so frustrated that I gave up and gave it all to a friend.

I tried several expensive brands of makeup after that, all with disappointing results. Then I found myself at the mall one day with time to kill and went into the bare Essentuals store and talked with one of the sales associates about my concerns. She agreed that the mess had in fact been a big problem for people, and they were starting to roll out containers that have a rotating cap so you can close it and not spill the powder everywhere. For the products that didn’t have it yet, she gave me an easy fix. Instead of tearing off the whole sticker (that covers the holes in the lid) upon purchasing the item, take a safety pin and poke only a few holes out. That way when you travel, it can’t make such a huge mess. DUH. What a simple solution. I bought ANOTHER Starter Kit then and there and haven’t looked back.

The system begins with a primer. The bareMinerals brand is called Prime Time and comes in a few formulas depending on your skin type. The second step is the foundation. I use Matte SPF 15 Foundation. To apply, you use a technique they call Swirl Tap Buff, which simply means you swirl the brush in the powder, tap the brush to remove excess powder, and then buff it on your face. Then you add your blush and/or bronzer, using the same technique. The last step is the Mineral Veil which sort of locks your makeup in place. I really love the look and the feel of the whole regimen.

I also have to confess to not being exactly um…. shall we say, consistent in my evening skin care routine. I’ve slept in this stuff far more times than I care to admit. Even then, it doesn’t make my skin break out.

The other thing I’d like to point out is that the brushes that come with the Starter Kit, as well as any additional brushes you may buy later, are of excellent quality. They require little care. Every couple months (or let’s be honest, when I remember) I just wash them with my shampoo and let them air dry. They don’t shed too much and they are soft but keep their shape.

I can’t recommend this stuff highly enough. If you are unsure, go to a Bare Essentuals store if you have one and have them put it on you. I think you’ll be a convert too.

Oh, O-Gloss!

It was a rare impulse purchase for me. I was at the online checkout at Sephora and there was a box on the page featuring Smashbox O-Gloss lip gloss for the bargain price of $10 (it’s normally $22). I love to wear a simple lip gloss that just kisses my mouth with color on weekend days, so I thought why not? Into my cart it went.

The minute the box was dropped at my doorstep I swooped down, picked it up and brought my prizes inside. The O-Gloss was the first thing I grabbed because I was dying to try it. You see, O-Gloss is intuitive lip gloss. It knows exactly the right color for you (in spite of the fact that it’s never met you). I wanted to see what color was right for me. I swiped the at-first clear gloss on and suddenly it turned pink. Way-too-bright-for-my-taste pink.

Crap.

Sephora allows you to return slightly used products, but honestly, the reason I buy online is that I don’t have time to trot to the mall often. And I usually get “lost” in Sephora whenever I go anyway, so my wallet stood to lose more than the $10 I paid for the gloss. Plus, even though the color didn’t rock my socks, I loved the feel of the stuff.

Call it busy-ness, laziness or some combination of the two, but I decided I was going to make this stuff work. I wiped it off and tried apply a much smaller amount.

Ah ha.

There’s the trick (at least for me): Use it sparingly. It’s highly emollient and feels amazing on. Applied with a light hand, the color is just what I wanted from a gloss. It’s become my go-to on the weekend.

So, would I recommend O-Gloss? I would certainly recommend you try it. It’s good stuff. Would I buy it again at the full price of $22? Probably not. It will last me a long time, but there are other glosses that make me just as happy for a lot less cash.

Smashbox O-Gloss is available at Sephora, Drugstore.com/Beauty.com , Amazon.com  and other retailers that sell Smashbox products.

Almay Wake-Up Hydrating Makeup

This past week I noticed the new Almay commercial with Kate Hudson for their wake-up hydrating foundation makeup.  I admit it, they had me as soon as they mentioned the instant cooling of hydrating water and cucumber.

Lately I feel like I look permanently tired.  It has been a few years since I left the house on a daily basis with anything more than my mascara and lip gloss on.  The thought of putting on a foundation that in a sense could wake you up, had me curious.

Almay products are already great because they are hypoallergenic.  Sometimes I come across a product that makes my skin break out a bit, but I know with Almay that is not going to happen.  I went down to Ulta and picked one up in ‘naked’.  (Choices are ivory, buff, naked and beige.)  It came in a small compact container complete with a brush you pull out of the top of the lid, which makes it super easy to throw in your purse and go.

Upon applying the makeup, I did notice a slight cooling sensation that actually felt nice.  While the color is a pretty good match to my skin and my husband didn’t notice any difference, I did feel like my skin was… well… a bit healthier looking.  I really feel like I could wear this every day with my mascara and lip gloss and look a little more put together – not to mention awake – without the need for a heavier foundation and added blush.  I felt like I gave me a natural looking glow.  It is also SPF 13 so you have some protection when you are outdoors.

My only real complaint about this product is that while you are supposed to be able to pop the brush out and put it into a locking position, mine tends to fall back into it’s compartment when I use it.  Still usable though.  I just hold the brush where it’s supposed to lock when applying the makeup.  It would just be nice if it held in place on it’s own.  Not a deal breaker though, I like the product enough to purchase it again.

I purchased mine in store at Ulta for $12.99.  Since I’m all about the bargains I took my Ulta coupon for $3.50 off a purchase of $10 or more that I received in the mail for being a Rewards member.  Not an Ulta rewards member?  You can print the coupon directly from their website.  No store near you?  No problem!  You can find it on Amazon.com for as little as $10.99.

10 Stocking Stuffers for Her Under $15

I like trinkets and trash, so stocking stuffers are my favorite part of Christmas. Have fun, don’t over think it, and take a look at ten of my favorite stocking stuffers for her (for the most part – some things are fun for all!) for under $15.

10 Stocking Stuffers for Under $15

1. Poochi Mini Pouches $10.50 – Super cute silicone pouches old-school bead closures that come in a rainbow of bright colors. Perfect for loose change, cosmetics or keys.

2. Snow in a Can $4.99 – Don’t live in a winter wonderland? Just add water and you’ve got yourself a white Christmas.

3. Jelly Camera Phone Filters $15 – Most of us use our camera phones more than our cameras, so why not take our camera phone photography skillz up a notch? These starburst, kaleidoscope and wide angle filters attach to your key chain and fit any camera phone with reusable gummy rings.

4. Holly GoNightly Sleep Mask $14 – Catch some zzz’s in this iconic sleep mask.

5. ila Pebble Personal Security Alarm $14.50 – Attach this little beauty to your key ring and if anyone calls your bluff just push the button and pull the ring to emit a 130 decibel siren that will sound continuously for 10+ minutes.

6. Sephora Color Wand Lipgloss $10 – Six mini lipglosses in one mega lipgloss wand? Yes, please! Comes in three color pallets and smells like mangos!

7. Holiday Smencils – Smencils make me feel like a kid again – and their holiday collection is irresistible! Smencils are made from recycled newspaper and packaged in biodegradable tubes so that holiday scents like sugar plum, holiday cheer, gingerbread, cinnamon, and candy cane stay fresh for up to two years!

8. Self Adhesive Mustaches $5.25 – Best. Holiday. Photos. Ever.

9. The Indie Rock Coloring Book $9.95 – Because coloring is soothing. And trippy. Don’t forget the crayons!

10. Holiday Socks $12.99 – No stocking is complete without goofy holiday socks for the entire family! Or you could get her something she wouldn’t beat you over the head with – like these moisturizing gel socks from Bath & Body Works.

Loreal Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner

I love the look of liquid eyeliner.  I love the drama that it adds to a face.  But let’s face it- with most liquid eyeliners, you almost need to be a professional artist to make it look good.  It smudges, is hard to apply, and will drive a woman to distraction.  Those little brushes that you dip into a bottle make you feel like you need to be Monet to make it look good.  I had almost given up on liquid eyeliner until I discovered Loreal Telesopic Liquid Eyeliner.

Loreal Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner is the very best liquid eyeliner I’ve ever tried- and I have tried them all.  I am currently using it in dark brown, but it also comes in charcoal and black.  What makes Loreal Telescopic different than other liquid eyeliners, is the brush.  The brush on the end of most eyeliner wands, has individual bristles. (and one of those bristles always seems to want to be a renegade, ruining your polished look with a tiny smudge!)  But  the applicator brush on Loreal Telescopic is all one piece- there are NO individual bristles.  The applicator comes to a perfect point and the brush tip is solid.  The firmness of the brush keeps the application easy.  No more of that “slapping paint on” look and feel.  While the brush is solid, it is not hard, so it feels smooth on your eyelid.  It makes application so easy.  With Telescopic, the construction of the applicator gives you  the ease and precision of an eyeliner pencil, but the dramatic look of a liquid eyeliner.  It is truly the best of both worlds.  Telescopic gives any eye the perfect polished look.  Use the tip of the brush for a thinner daytime look, or use the side of the brush with more pressure upon application, for a more dramatic nightime look or to complete the perfect smokey eye.

I bought my Loreal Telescopic at Target and paid &7.49 for a .08 oz. bottle.  It can be purchased at any drug store or retail chain or purchased on Amazon.

The Eyes Have It: Best Mascara(s)

I am a serious mascara connoisseur. People, I have tried it ALL.  Why? Because in real life my eyelashes look like this:

You’re saying ‘what eyelashes’? Right? Right. And I just can’t live like that.

So, here’s where I talk about my love of mascara. In fact if I was only allowed to have ONE make-up item, it would be mascara. That is how much I need it to look somewhat normal.

With vast amounts of money spent on mascara through out my life, I have come to rely on 2. Yes, this review is about 2 different kinds. I have my reasons.

First, my very favorite is Arbonne’s mascara. {Defines, lengthens and volumizes lashes to the fullest with a smudge-resistant, long-wearing all natural formula.} It is wonderful stuff.

But, this has to be ordered. Therefore, since I really stink at timing my orders correctly, I had to find a drug store equivalent. Enter Cover Girl Lash Blast (the orange one!). {Instant volume and fullness, smudge and smear-proof, hypoallergenic, suitable for contact lens wearers, no clump brush}. It too, is wonderful stuff. Only just a tiny bit less wonderful than Arbonne.

The reason I love these two? Because in a few quick swoops, I can look like this instead:

Okay, there may be eyeliner and shadow involved too, but you get the idea. One side Arbonne, one side Lash Blast. Can you tell which is which?

Now, go forth and mascara.

Feature photo by pumpkincat210

Mascara Help for Hazel-Eyed Girls

Today, I want to tell you about CoverGirl’s Exact Eyelights Mascara… or what I like to call only the most AMAZING mascara EVER!!!

I have hazel eyes.  Until discovering this product, the only option I thought I had was plain black mascara – and it’s been my staple since I was about 15.  I don’t put on a lot of makeup.  I’m not the girl that usually puts on foundation, blush, eyeshadow and all that jazz.  Sometimes I will, but my daily beauty routine usually consists of mascara and lip gloss (sometimes a lip plumper underneath).  Don’t look at me like that, I have 3 boys ages 4 and under.  I’m lucky if I do my hair in something other than a pony tail these days.

So, I can’t live without my mascara and lip gloss.  For years, depending on what I was wearing, I would get the questions “What color are your eyes?  Brown?  Green?”  It was not always easy to tell.  Of course, if I was wearing a green top my eyes looked a lot more green.

Fast forward to the first commercials for the Exact Eyelights Mascara.  It is not often that I run right out and buy a product the second I have seen it, but this time I did.  A mascara for hazel eyes?  I had to try this!  I ran right over to CVS and perused the choices. ’ Black Pearl ‘ for brown eyes, ‘Black Sapphire’ for blue eyes, ‘Black Ruby’ for green eyes… ‘Black Gold’  for HAZEL eyes!  That was me!

I drove home, put it right on and fell instantly in love.  CoverGirl advertises the product as a way to ”get 4x brighter eyes… Light-reflecting metallics and a hint of tint bring out your blues, browns, hazels and greens, while our patented no-clump brush helps define lashes”  While I can only speak for the hazel eyed girls out there, it is Totally True!  Goes on easy, no clumps.  And the best part?  People were no longer asking me if my eyes were brown or green, because the mascara brightened my already hazel eyes and really made them stand out.  I do not go anywhere without it, it’s definitely a must have.

And it’s affordable.  I bought mine at CVS, where it retails for about $8.99.  HOWEVER, you can also find it on Amazon for the totally amazing price of $2.70.    HOW CAN YOU BEAT THAT?!  Try this mascara.  I guarantee it will make you look adorable!

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