Get Your Skin Summer Ready



http://www.cvs.com/



It may not be skin barring, summer weather yet-but it's so close I can almost TASTE it!  My thoughts are filled with Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion, Spray Tans, & mad amounts of exfoliation!  So much preparing so little time people!  Where's a girl to start?  Your body wash.  To prepare your skin for your bikini-clad summer fun, pick up Dove's new VisibleCare Renewing Creme Body Wash.  The commercials don't lie-your skin truly looks & feels softer in just one week of use.  With its highest concentration of NutriumMoisture the body wash contains building blocks to help improve the look of your skin with everyday use.  VisibleCare Renewing Creme Body Wash is so creamy that at fist use I didn't think it would lather when dispensed onto my lufa.  But oh does it lather!  It's so rich & creamy & the fragrance smells like pure soap so your man will have no problem using it either.  Dove's VisibleCare Renewing Creme Body Wash has earned a permanent spot on my summer skin regime!

Back To The Grind

Today I'm starting back part-time with Clinique & I'm so excited!  Just because I'll be working for Clinique now doesn't mean I'll be only blogging about that company.  Being the beauty junkie that I am there is no way I could only use 1 cosmetic & skincare line...it would be sacrilegious!!! But I must jet-wish me luck people :)



Eye Love You

Having received countless eye makeup removers as gratis from every luxury brand Sephora has to offer-I consider myself something of an eye makeup remover specialist. So does my favorite most effective eye makeup remover come from Sephora along with the expensive price tag?  Absolutely not!  It comes from your local Avon Representative.  For as long as I've been wearing eye make up, Avon's Moisture Effective Eye Makeup Remover Lotion has been there taking it all off! Where as some of the outrageously expensive removers are greasy, they burn my eyes, blurs my vision, or doesn't get all my eye makeup off...Avon's isn't greasy, doesn't burn, doesn't give me cloudy vision, and removes every trace of eye makeup for only 4 bucks!  Avon is always having specials & sales so you can usually get it for even less.  Sometimes they have it on sale for a dollar- HELLO, now that's the time to stock up!  Get in contact with your local representative (everyone knows someone who sells Avon) & give it a try.  I promise you'll never go back to your old makeup remover-& I might have just saved you a boat load of cash!  Your welcome people :)

My computer is slowly dying of old age & wont let me upload pictures so I borrowed this one from amazon.com

Chic Week

ATTENTION ALL SEPHORA BEAUTY INSIDERS

DONT FORGET ABOUT YOUR 15% OFF BETWEEN APRIL 15TH-21ST!!!

At checkout use the promocode : CHIC

Washy Washy

With the warmer weather starting to show its lovely self its time for me to switch up my skin care routine with some oil control products.  On my last sephora.com haul I purchased The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash ($11 for 8.4 FL OZ). This cleanser is best for blemished skin.  Luckily, with my daily use of the Clarisonic my skin has been acne free-but I want to keep it that way by still using some acne fighting products.  I've been using the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash for about 2 weeks & have no complaints.  This cleanser lifts excess oil without over drying my skin while also clearing my pores of clogging impurities.  Leaving my skin refreshingly clean!  Packed with a triple blend of acne fighting ingredients: lemon tree oil, tamanu oil, & tea tree oil, breakouts don't stand a chance.  All 3 of this ingredients have awesome  antibacterial proprieties & naturally purify your skin.  The tamanu oil is also great for those who have acne scaring, since it works to promote the formulation of new tissue.  The Organic Commuinty Trade tea tree oil used in this cleanser is made with passion by The Kenya Organic Oil Farmers' Assosiation (KOOFA). This means that not only is the tea tree oil great for your skin but for the Kenyan community as well.  Providing vital employment & protecting the base of Mount Kenya from further deforestation. 

The Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash is formulated without the use of: GMOs, Parabens, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, or Tricolsan. One thing it does contain are Synthetic Dyes (Carmel, Yellow 5 Lake, & Blue 1).  Personally, this was really silly on The Body Shop's part.  I much rather my cleanser be without color then the vibrant green that it unnaturally is.  This cleanser has great natural & organic ingredients & is formulated without so many bad things that it makes no sense to me that they wouldn't take out the synthetic dyes as well.  Some people might not purchase this product because of it & they are missing out on alot of opportunity in my opinion. Not to mention it would be an easy fix to just take out the synthetic dyes-it would have no effect on the function of the product.

I would totally recommend giving The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash a try this summer to control any excess oil & prevent yucky breakouts.  And hopefully in the future The Body Shop will realize it's totally not necessary to make the wash green...!

The Quest For The Perfect Foundation

I am currently on the hunt for the perfect foundation. I am almost through with my Clinique Superfit foundation which I did enjoy-but the color match could have been better along with the long-term wear. Primers tend to cause me to have breakouts.  So I usually don't wear one myself, but always suggest to people to wear one because they really extend the wear of your foundation & fill in fine lines & wrinkles. So that your foundation will not settle in them making them even more pronounced.  If I could wear a primer the Clinique Superfit Foundation would have been even better.

With that said, I thought I would start in the lowest price point & work my way up till I found the foundation that makes my heart sing.  So, earlier this week I headed to CVS with my $2.00 off any COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Liquid Silk Foundation. Before heading to the store I scoped out the COVERGIRL website & other beauty blogs to figure out which shade I would be since without being able to swatch the product it's like picking out a foundation shade blind. Which is a reason I dislike purchasing cosmetics at a drugstore to begin with.  I found the shade that would best suit my skin tone to be 310 Flax, which it does match my skin perfectly I must say.  But when I found the foundations I was shocked that it was $13.99...I feel like I rather just spend a little more money and not buy a drugstore foundation. I had the coupon & CVS has a great return policy so I figured I would at least give it a try.

When first applied I did enjoy the scent of the foundation but it doesn't last at all, which is fine because I wouldn't want to be inhaling fragrance from my foundation all day. After just applying the foundation with a foundation brush I really liked it.  It gave my skin a healthy glow.  Which I knew looked nice now, but in an hour was going to mean I was going to look like a greasy mess.  Which I did.  In a little over an hour the pretty natural glow-y finish turned into a greasy/powdery looking finish.  My pores looked 10 times bigger & my under eye area looked 10 years older-lines coming out of no where!

This was taken immediately after application

Who may like this foundation?  People with dry to very dry skin-but who also have zero visible pores & zero visible fine lines/wrinkles. Also you MUST wear a primer or you can expect to kiss your foundation good-bye by the days end.

My search continues...sigh...any suggestions for my next go?

GET THE LOOK: Bold Brights for Spring 2011

Products Used on Model:

Bare Escentuals PrimeTime Eyelid Primer

Cargo Cosmetics Color Palette Tahiti

Cargo Cosmetics Wet/Dry Eyelining Palette

Avon SuperShock Mascara

Kat Von D Kat Eye Brush Set ( Brushes used to complete this look: Angled Eye Shadow Brush, Eye Shadow Blending Brush, Angled Brow Brush, & Smudge Brush)

• Apply eye shadow primer from last line to under the brow with blending with your ring finger; bringing primer to under the lash line as well since this look has shadow under the eye.
• With your Eye Shadow Blending Brush apply the top left shade from lash line to crease.  Also sweep this shade in the outer corner of the eyes, and the outer lower lash line.
• Again with the Eye Shadow Blending Brush apply the top right shade into the crease.
• With your Angled Eye Shadow Brush apply the bottom right shade to the outer corner of your eye.
• Wet your Angled Brow Brush and sweep it through the vibrant blue (top right) in the Wet/Dry Eyelining Palette and apply along the top lash line, extending the line into a dramatic cat eye. Then take the Angled Brow Brush and again sweep a dry layer of the vibrant blue on top of your wet line to set & enhance the line.
• With your smudge brush apply the shade on the lower left of the Tahiti palette along the lower lash line.
• Again using your smudge brush apply more of the top left shade in the Tahiti palette to in the inner corner of the bottom lash line.
• Finish with black mascara

This season is all about bold brights not only seen in the fashion trends but all over the beauty market this season as well. 

Model: Cree

Makeup & Photography: Amy Evans

  

Say NO To Carrots!

On a recent trip to Target I picked up a Yes To Carrots Moisturizing Eye Cream.  The line really piqued my interest with its natural & even some certified organic ingredients & the price point of $14.99 for a 1.7 oz jar of eye cream well that sold me!  With that said, I used it morning & night for 3 days & each time I used it my entire orbital bone would flair up in a fiery red!  It was horrible-& not only that my skin would feel all tight & dry like I just put rubbing alcohol under & around my eye area!  I do not have sensitive skin in the least-my skin is one tough cookie!  I have tried countless eye creams ranging from brands like Shiseido to Clinique & never had any issues like this.  After reading other beauty bloggers raving about drugstore brands I kinda got up the courage to give this drugstore brand eye cream a go & well quite frankly it must go!  I have an email into the Yes to Inc. brand that I sent to them on Friday about my reaction to the product but have yet to get a response...

As anyone else tried this line & had a reaction to it? 

GET THE LOOK: Another Way to Rock The Bronze Goddess Island Oasis Eyeshadow Palette

1st of all if you have yet to purchase your Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Island Oasis Eyeshadow palette-let me express people that you're making a horrible choice!  I've shown you one way to rock your Summer shadows & please now allow me to show you yet another beautiful look you can get with these colors.  Don't forget these two looks aren't the only looks you can do-there are endless possibilities!  Have fun with it, you Bronze Goddess, YOUUU!

Products Used on Model:

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Island Oasis Eyeshadow Palette

Clinique Cream Shaper For Eyes in Brown Sugar

Sephora Collection Nano Eyeliner in Coffee

Kat Von D Kat Eye Brush Set (brushes used to complete this look: Eyeshadow Blending Brush & Smudge Brush)

• Prime lids with Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen.  Apply Eye Basics with the wand then using your ring finger blend evenly from lash line to brow.
• Using your Blending Brush apply the 2nd shadow from the left from lash line to crease
• Again using your Blending Brush apply the 3rd eyeshadow from the right in your crease
• Then, again with your Blending Brush apply the 2nd eyeshadow in from the right in the outer corner of the eye-creating a "<" shape on your left eye & a ">" on the right eye blending the shadow in with the other shades, as to not leave a definite shape.
• With the Clinique Cream Shaper For Eyes in Brown Sugar apply a semi-thicker line then normal along the upper lash line.  Also take this under the bottom lash line-but keep this line as close to the natural lash line as possible.
• With your Smudge Brush apply the 1st shadow on the left & smudge it on top of the Clinique Cream Shaper For Eyes on the top lash line only.
• Apply the Sephora Collection Nano Liner in Coffee along the water liner only.
• Then with your ring finger apply the 1st shadow on the right under the brow as a highlight.
• Finish with black mascara, of your choosing, on your top & bottom lashes.

FF (For Free) Vol. II

"April shower's bring May flowers."  I get it but that doesn't mean I have to like it!  What I do like is this months giveaway-a sample pack of all my favorite floral perfumes.  Shower your self in floral fragrances this Spring! 

This giveaway will run till May 5th or when MakeupMeBlush! reaches 25 followers (whichever happens 1st)!  You will get one entry for each of the following : following my blog, following me on blog lovin' (the link to do that is on the left side of my page , just click the Eiffel Tower), Tweet or share this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook, & by following me on Twitter (the link to that is under the "About Me" section on the left).  Once you've completed your entries, in the comment section of this blog post tell me which ones you completed.  Once this giveaway has run its coarse I will put all the entries into a Sephora bag & my 16 month old will draw the winner!!!  Yay, baby your 16 months old today :)  

A little shout out to last months winner Caitlin Robinson! 

Will Work For Bold Lashes

Big, beautiful lashes are my favorite.  The bigger I can make my lashes the better.  I'm a huge fan of lashes & mascara & I've tried every mascara under the sun in search of the ultimate lash plumping formula.  Although, this search will go on for decades to come, I of coarse will find winners along the way.  And along the way it is my job to share with you which ones to splurge on & which to skip. 

 

So, for some reason or another I have never tried any makeup or skincare from Estee Lauder, until recently when they launched their Limited Edition Bronze Goddess Soleil collection.  Macy's was having their gift with purchase so I figured, why not give Estee Lauder a shot?  As you may have read I'm in love with the Bronze Goddess Island Oasis Eyeshadow Palette-this palette is really to die for & I look forward to Estee's future Limited Edition Collections!  Anyway, in the gift with purchase they included a mascara sample of their Sumptuous BoldVolume Lifting Mascara & I love it!  This mascara is well worth the $21.00 with its super rich black formula that wraps each lash into a flirtatious curl.  The look you get is truly a bold, lush lash.  After I go threw my sample this definitely a mascara I plan on purchasing. 

Left side w/ mascara & right side w/o

Prior to trying the Sumptuous BoldVolume Lifting Mascara I was using Clinique's High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara ($14.50).  Although the price is more budget friendly, I feel that in terms of "black-ness" the Clinique formula is almost gray in comparision.  And as for volume & curl again, Estee's mascara wins by a long shot!  So far I haven't noticed any clumping issues with the Estee mascara but with the Clinique there was some clumping on occasion.  In my opinion it's most definitely worth the extra $6.50.  The Sumptuous BoldVolume Lifting Mascara is on the winner's list- A+

Both sides with the mascara

Urban Ballerina Collction For Sephora by OPI

 <--- Break-A-Leg Warmer (opaque charcoal gray)

 <--- Shiny Dancer (opaque slate with iridescent glitter)

 <--- Whose Spinning Tonight (opaque metallic true grape)

 <--- Let's Plie (opaque metallic light beige)

<--- The Way Tutu His Heart

                             

                                     

<--- Leotard Optional

Introducing yet another wonderful nail polish collection from Sephora by OPI!  The Urban Ballerina collection was inspired by the eclectic style of an urban ballerina. This striking collection infuses a punk-rock edge with the typically soft, sweet (and pink) palette of classical ballet. The shades in the Urban Ballerina collection reflect the urban dancer's dynamic textures and colors, like shimmering pink satin, the steely gray of downtown buildings, and the neutral tones of a city landscape.  I am loving these colors for spring, the muted pinks, nudes, & grays!  They are feminine in that ballerina & pearls kinda way.  All Sephora by OPI nail polishes are formulated without Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Toluene, and Formaldehyde.

On model is the Break-A-Legwarmer shade (my personal favorite).

If it Doesnt Stop Snowing I Will Spray This Dry Shampoo in My Eyes!

Did you hear that, Weather Gods???  I'll do it! I'll spray this perfectly good dry shampoo into my eyes if I have to see any more white stuff on the ground!  I can't take it anymore, people!!!  On the other hand, I can take more of Suave Professionals new Dry Shampoo, that's for sure.  First of all let me just tell you that for $2.79 you can get yourself a 5 oz. bottle of dry shampoo--this is compared to the Rene Furterer dry shampoo that can run you $24 for a 3.2 oz. bottle! That's a savings of $21.21, people! Not to mention you get an additional 1.8 oz. out of the Suave Professional Dry Shampoo.  Having tried the Rene Furterer Dry Shampoo I can say that the Suave Professionals will refresh your hair as well as the Rene Furterer does (like the bottle claims). 

Unsure of what a dry shampoo does? Well, it absorbs the oil in your hair & refreshes your "do" between washes.  In other words, it's a huge time saver.  I hate having to wash my hair every day, then blow dry & flat iron it.  Not to mention I'm sure my hair feels the same way about all that damaging heat!  But if I don't wash my hair every day it gets greasy & limp.  With the help of a dry shampoo I can get some extra days in between washes!  With the Suave Professional Dry Shampoo not only does it save me $21.21, give me more of the product, & more of my time, it also gives my hair tons of texture & volume!