Ipsy Bag For April

Here is the bag that was dropped off at my home for April. I must say I was VERY pleased with this bag and cannot WAIT to try out all of the pretty pinkness contained in it. The bag that I get for this month will be apart of a summer giveaway I am putting together so see if you like it =). Hugs!

March Favorites

Here are the March favs!!! I am looking forward to going out and buying some loot here pretty soon to bring you more options and MORE savings. By the way, do YOU have a request? Send it to my email and I'll getter done! =)

 Becky is up first with her March favs!

First up is the limited edition Urban Decay 15 year Anniversary 24/7 liner set. Out the door, it's crazy expensive at $92 but you're only spending just over $6 per full-sized liner which is a crazy good value. I'm a huge fan of Urban Decay's liners and all of them are super pigmented and smooth. I love that there is a big variety in colors as well, I'm able to wear something different every day. They also work well as a base! Also included with the set is their Sharpener which is worlds better than your standard cheap sharpener (who knew!). My only complaint is that the packing plastic that it's wrapped in has a strong smell to it and you have to let it air out for a week and store the pencils elsewhere. Also, Perversion (which is THE blackest black liner I have ever seen) clouds up my contacts when worn on the waterline.  

Next up is Benefit's Boi-ing concealer. I'm always trying to hide my under eye circles and liked Erase Paste because it brightens but sometimes it would start look look cakey on me after a few hours. After hearing how much Jen loved it in a post I decided to try out Boi-ing and this is MUCH better for me! You need next to zero product and I just pat it on and it covers up my circles and the redness around my nose just beautifully. 

(image from bellamakeup.blogspot.com)

I am in love with Tarte's new Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Wear Powder Blush in Glisten.  I bought it in a set off of QVC (my first purchase from there- it was at a lower price of $52 for eight items if you include the bag!).  It's a great pinky-peach blush with some shimmer but it doesn't make my pores appear any larger as other shimmers usually do.  This Blush lasts 8 or so hours on me which is much longer than normal blush.  When I usually do a quick touch up in the late afternoon (thank you oily t-zone) I'm always pleasantly surprised that I don't need to apply more blush  .  Love it!!  (p.s. the brush with the set is ah-may-zing!)

Also, I've been using the Olay Pro-X... I'm a fan!
Next comes Sariah with her favs:

 I have an eye cream that I love that I bought from Sephora. It's called REN. I am a "weeper" so my eyes are constantly getting a dose of salt water tears which is incredibly drying. This helps out with that SO much!
I have also been using a face wash by Clean & Clear that I love. It helps out with blemishes and breakouts like it's nobodies business! (Psst, this is Jen, I wanted to post this so I'll have to ask her the name of it later!)

Long Lashes...Minus the Liner

Liquid eyeliner looks great but if you want your lashes to go on for miles nix the liner. Here we talk about how to do that with false lashes since you still need to hide the band.

"My Colors Are Blush and Bashfull"...Who Knows the Movie?????

*WARNING*

This post may make you blush!!! ; )
I got an email the other day asking some great questions about blush. I, myself have been looking into blushes lately and decided to share some finds from the store, mags and various sites =). You ready?????

Okay, first and foremost can I PLEASE just share my love affair with cream blush???It is perfect for the summer months, it's sheer so it doesn't look like you are wearing loads of make-up and it's great for a natural look. Rosy sun-kissed look for the beach anyone? The best thing about cream blush is that you don't need to spend a fortune to get great results!!! It's as if the rosy glow is coming from underneath your skin. It's great for older women ("recycled teenagers" as Grammy calls 'em) and those with dry skin. But one little tip from me to you...come closer....closer....dust just a touch of powder blush over it for staying powder. If you use more than a touch....what was the point of using cream? RIGHT?I also love it because it is so multi-purpose. Now, obviously the best use is to give your cheeks that extra glow when you're feeling washed out but you can also dab some on your lips as a gloss or on your eyelids for eyeshadow.

The two hottest colors of the season are actually rather subdued. Give dark, dramatic colors a rest and get a pretty, feminine look with blush shades and neutral nudes this spring.

Sugar Scape tried and tested the best on the market and here are their favorites:

Boot's 17 range. Their Get Cheeky cream blush is really easy to blend for a fresh natural glow and comes in three different shades to suit your face.

Also in the bargain end of blush is Rimmel's Mousse Blush, $3.49. Get it at Ulta!!!

It has an air-light formula and comes in two delicious sounding shades (they tried Peach Iced Tea, a peachy tone that is so on trend!). It promises to cool you down while it brightens you up. The water-based formula gives off a cooling sensation designed to keep your face refreshed and soft for at least eight hours. How COOL is that???

Maybelline's Dream Mousse blush in Dolly pink for $5.98 at Walmart.

Dream Mousse Blush uses advanced technology to air-whip the mousse, it feels virtually weightless and glides on quickly and easily creating a unique, silky texture without fading or creasing.

If you like to spend a little more on your make-up then they recommend this Blushcreme, $18.50, from Mac.

MAC artists are the masters when it comes to luxury and this blush is no exception. The luxuriously soft and creamy blush tenderly flushes the cheeks or brings them into full-blown rosy bloom. It blends really well and gives a vibrant, dewy fresh, slightly shiny look to the cheeks.

Also in the expensive end of the market is this cream blush. You can find it on Amazon but I haven't seen it on the Benefit website.

The lightweight-blendable formula dries down to a perfect silky powder finish. Benefit's sheer cream blushes give cheeks a perky pinch of natural color, there are three shades in the collection but with names like Ooh... Hush! and Shhh!

REMEMBER too that till the end of the week Wet N Wild is on sale at Kmart and their blush is GREAT!!!

WHEW...what a list eh? Okay, now that you know of some great products, how does one apply blush and what shade for what look? In my opinion it is all about preference. I would never tell anyone what color NOT to wear but maybe what color and color combo would look best for whatever look they are going for. If you are looking for the most natural blush color for your face there is one fail proof test. Check out your face when you come in from a cold day. Not only will you see your natural color but where to apply it as well.

It's always a good idea to have complimenting cheek and lip colors. For example, red lipstick and apricot blush might not be the best option. Stick to these matches: Red lipstick: reddish or pink blush. Rose lipstick: rose blush. Pink lipstick: pink blush. Coral or apricot lipstick: peachy toned blush. Brown toned lipstick: bronze shades of blush with the same undertones as the lipstick. I guess, just don't look like these girls k?If you are unsure of where to place your blush, smile big to find your natural cheek. Then simply brush on your blush while you are smiling. When you apply your blush, use sweeping upward strokes for flawless application.