Product Review: Benefit's Some-kind-a Gorgeous Foundation Faker

 

Awhile ago I went to the makeup counter in Macy's looking for a new foundation with my friend Brandy. I wasn't really looking for any brand in particular, just sort of browsing through all of them. Of course the girl from the Benefit counter saw me hovering over the makeup, so she came over and started asking me what I was looking for, and even though I usually don't like salespeople bugging me until I know what I want, I obliged and told her I was looking for foundation. Well somehow she convinced me to let her test out a foundation on me, which usually I don't allow (I'm kinda self conscious having strangers in my face). When she was done she gave me a mirror to check it out-wow! That's all I had to say! The "foundation" made my skin look smooth and silky, and felt like I had nothing on! She had also used their "that gal" primer, which gave my skin a glowing look, but sadly I could only buy one at a time, boo hoo :(

Anyways, I love this stuff, it's great for when I don't have time to apply tons of face makeup, or when I just don't feel like it :) It's called "foundation faker" because it's a cream to powder formula that is lighter than regular foundation. It's pretty sheer, so don't expect too much coverage, if that's what you're looking for. It just gives a nice silky finish and allows your skin to show through nicely. It comes in two colors, Translucent and Deep, Translucent will match most skintones, but if your skin is  medium or deeper colored, then go with Deep. For the best look, use with "that gal" primer, they really complement each other.

As you can see, I'm starting to run out-time to buy some more! :) It also comes with a sponge that's hidden in a bottom compartment. Isn't the packaging adorable?

Fabulous Deal for the holidays!

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This kit comes with everything you need to look your best:  84 eyeshadow shades, 36 lip gloss shades, 6 blush shades, 4 concealers, 4 shimmer cream shades, 4 bronzer shades, 1 face brush, 1 lip brush and 1 duo eyeshadow applicator. The sleek black packaging looks great and makes for easy travel when you don't want to haul around your giant makeup case.

You have to hurry though if you want to snag this deal, it only lasts 10 more days! This would make a great Christmas present for those makeup hungry addicts (like yours truly, lol). Be sure to enter offer code: 141PCFREE

Happy Shopping!!!

FOTD: Sage Green and Brown

Well here it is, my first LOTD using the e.l.f. beauty encyclopedia eyeshadows that I had previously posted about. Today I chose to go with a light sage green blended with a medium coppery brown and a darker metallic brown on the outer edges (the eyeshadows don't have any names or #'s so I have to try to describe them as best as I can :P). I really like these eyeshadows because they have decent pigmentation, go on smoothly, and allow for a lot of buildup without creasing.
Below I have listed the steps to get this overall look:
Step 1: Apply primer or concealer to your eyelids so that you have a smooth base to work with; this also helps the eyeshadow from creasing and lasts longer
(I always like to start with the eyes first, that way if you mess up or there is any eyeshadow fallout it won't mess up your foundation.)
Step 2: With a medium size fluffy eyeshadow brush, highlight your browbone with the white shadow, then apply a sandy beige or bone shadow on top of the white, this will soften the white shadow but still allow it to show through enough to make your browbone stand out.
Step 3: With the same brush, gently pat on the green shadow all over your lids and bring it up underneath your browbone. Layer on shadow until you get your desired shade of green. Using a fluffy contour brush, apply the coppery brown shadow in the outer edges of your eye and blend into the crease, then apply the darker metallic brown just to the outer edges. With a blending brush, blend until there are no harsh lines between the two brown shadows, but not so much that they turn into one color.
Step 4: Line your upper and lower lashline with a black eyeliner pencil, then retrace the line with black shadow to make the eyeliner appear softer and last longer. Smudge the liner softly to give your eyes a smoky effect.
Step 5: Curl your eyelashes and apply mascara to both upper and lower lashes.
Step 6: Using a brow gel or pencil, darken your brows and fill in any gaps to make sure that your brows look neat and clean.
Step 7: Apply concealer under eyes and anywhere else needed, then apply foundation, buffing it in to make sure it is blended well.
Step 8: With a big fluffy brush, lightly dust bronzer across cheekbones, nose, forehead, and around jawline. Try to choose a color that matches well with the brown eyeshadow. Apply a light dusting of blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards your hairline.
Step 9: Using a sponge tip eyeshadow applicator, apply white shadow to the inner tear ducts to highlight your eyes and make them appear wider.
Step 10: Lightly dust loose powder over entire face to soften your makeup and make your skin appear flawless.
That's it, you're done! Actually, we're missing a step because I forgot to apply gloss, but you can apply a light coppery gloss to bring out the brown in the eyeshadow, or you can just line your lips with a lip colored pencil and top with clear gloss for a simple lip look.

The makeup I used in this look:

Eyes:
e.l.f. beauty encyclopedia eyeshadows in sage green, coppery brown, dark metallic brown, bone, and white
e.l.f. beauty encyclopedia black eyeliner
Maybelline XXL Extensions Microfiber Mascara in Black
L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Plumping Mascara in Black
Maybelline Expert Eyes in Velvet Black

Cheeks:
Jane Oil Free Bronzing Powder in Sunkissed Bronze
Sonia Kashuk Face Palette Blush

Face:
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in #NC35
MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer in #NC30
Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder in Naturally Beige

Please let me know what you think of this look and if you have any suggestions for looks or questions that I can answer! <3

Celebrity Makeup Spotlight: Taylor Swift

VEVO Launches Premiere Destination For Premium Music Video

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Musician Taylor Swift attends the launch of VEVO, a music-video website, at Skylight Studio on December 8, 2009 in New York

I think Taylor Swift is gorgeous and she always looks so put together and classy, from her hair to her makeup to her clothes. I'm really liking the updo she chose for this event, it's elegant but not overdramatically so,  and the loose curls add a casual twist. Her makeup is especially pretty, with the main focus on her flawless and natural face.  You can recreate this look easily at home, just follow the steps below:

Step 1: Dab on concealer sparingly,  just where you really need it, like under the eyes and around the nose. Apply a sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer and blend in thoroughly to create an even finish.

Step 2: Apply a sheer neutral beige eyeshadow  to your lids and up to your browbone. Use a darker beige shadow and blend into the crease (make sure your brows are neat and trimmed, and fill in with brow pencil or powder if needed, but be sure to keep them light and natural looking).

Step 3: With a gel or liquid black eyeliner, draw a thick line on your upper lashline, extending it past the corners of your eyes just a bit.

Step 4: Apply false lashes to your upper lashline. Touch up eyeliner if needed after applying false lashes. Curl your natural lashes and falsies together then apply mascara to top and bottom lashes.

Step 5: Highlight your lower lashline and inner tear ducts with a shimmery white shadow or pencil and blend.

Step 6: For Taylor's pretty glow, first dust on a shimmery highlighting powder under the eye area and upper cheekbone area. Apply a rosy pink blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards your temples.

Step 7: Lightly dust on loose powder all over your face and blend well to get a flawless look.

Step 8: Slick on a sheer petal pink lipstick or lipgloss. For added fullness, dab a shimmery white shadow on the center of your lower bottom lip.

Finished! To copy Taylor's updo, curl your hair with a 1/2" - 1" barrel curling iron, spritzing occasionally with hairspray to set the curl. Part your hair slightly off center and pull back all your hair into a messy bun and pin loose ends with bobby pins. Pull out a few curls in the front to frame your face. Spritz hairspray all over to set the hairdo in place, but don't overdo it, you don't want it to look crispy! Add some sparkle to your 'do with decorative bobby pins, or place a fake flower in the side of the bun for a playful, romantic look.

Now you should be ready to turn heads just like Taylor!