Find the Right Foundation Shade

It may be because I'm a makeup newbie, but I feel like finding the correct foundation shade is becoming something akin to a spiritual journey. When you find that perfect match, it'll be as if you've just discovered the meaning of life.

One of my many searches led to a five-year-old post on a message board. The following is a recommended guide written by user "pbsadhaka" (one of the most in depth guides I've come across so far):

OK girls, here is a non-fail formula to find your true skin tone, and to match up what color of makeup and also hair color best compliments your skin tone. Save this, b/c it is always true, and failsafe!

Skin tones can be broken down into 4 categories: olive, red/pink, golden, & neutral. The easiest way to find your true skin tone is to hold a piece of white paper up to the skin where your neck meets your collarbone.

Olive skintones have an underlying tone of green, gray, or yellow. Olive people look best in either cool or neutral colors. Warm colors should usually be avoided unless it is of a darker value.

Makeup shades for cool/neutral skintones include: blueish reds (not orange/reds), plums, violets, silvery greens (evergreens), grays, and deep mauves. Haircolors that compliment olive skin are: blueish blacks, auburns, chestnut brown, dark golden brown. If you go lighter, you should never go lighter than a level 4 with a golden tonality.

Red/Pink skintones have an underlying hue of reddish brown, red, or blue-red. This skintone also looks best in cool or neutral colors. Warm colors are not recommended for this skin type. Complimentary hair colors for this type are any ashy or sandy blonde, burgundy browns, light cool blondes, avoid reds - it will make your skin look ruddy. If you want a red tone, go with a very light auburn or strawberry blonde.

Golden skintones have an underlying tone of golden-brown, gold, or peach. This skin tone looks best in warm colors. Makeup colors should include: grays, tan, browns, bronze, gold, grassy & mossy greens, warmer orange-reds, and corals. Complimentary hair colors should include ash and golden blondes, aubruns, neutral browns, and warm dark browns/blacks.

Neutral skintones have a balance of pink and gold undertones. You will have a hard time finding a dominant undertone in this type. Tis skin tone is usually described as ivory, beige, or brown skin. Neutral skintones can wear either cool or warm.

Taking your eye color into account can also help you decide your skintone:
Warm Eye Colors:
-Brown with red, orange, yellow or gold flecks.
-Blue with yellow or gold flecks.
-Green with reddish-brown, orange, yellow, or gold flecks.

Cool Eye Colors:
-Brown with black, gray-brown, gray-green, or gray flecks.
-Blue with white, blue, gray, or violet flecks.
-Green with blue or gray flecks.

When choosing makeup, there are other factors that you must take into consideration too. Women often choose a foundation that is too light for their skin. This gives you a pasty, pale "canvas" of a face. Then any makeup that you put on looks overly done - painted on. The other danger is going too dark with your foundation and ending up with an orange "mask". NEVER go more than 1 shade lighter or darker than your natural skintone. Also, don't rely on the names that the companies give to their foundations - look at the actual color of the product. What Revlon calls "golden", L'Oreal might call "beige". But whatever foundation you choose make sure that you BLEND and feather it from under your chin down onto the neck and behind the ears. But if you are choosing the correct level & tone, you should not see a line where your foundation stops anyway.

Eyeshadows can really compliment your eyes. Choosing a deeper/darker shade of a color will make the iris of your eyes appear lighter & brighter. A lighter eyeshadow will usually make your eye color deepen.

Sorry this post is so long, but there is a lot of info here. I use this guide all the time with clients, and there have been only maybe 2 or 3 times when someone did not fit this formula exactly!

If that doesn't get you closer to your "perfect" shade, then I don't know what will.

Budget-friendly Beauty: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

Although I love working for myself and being able to create my own schedule, I do find myself with a lot of down time every so often. A lot. And, unfortunately, this happens to be one of those times. So, to help me keep my hands from being idle, I've decided to start a new biweekly series here on my blog: Budget-friendly Beauty (yeah, no clever title here). In this series, I'll feature some of my favorite inexpensive products - a perfect complement to current times. Many of you may already be familiar with the products I'll be discussing, but for those of you who aren't, this is the place to familiarize yourself.

First up is the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin.


Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser is already a big favorite among many people (and multiple beauty award winner). Unfortunately, I find it a little too creamy and moisturizing for my oily skin (it's probably great for people with dry skin or those who live in extreme winter climates). Unlike the Gentle Skin Cleanser, the Daily Facial Cleanser is more like a face wash gel: it lathers up and rinses off clean. What I like about this particular cleanser, however, is that, while it's gentle and doesn't leave your skin tight and dry, it's still able to take off most, if not all of the grime on your face.

Now, many of you who are used to department store stuff probably shun the idea of using drugstore skin care products. And, for the most part, I would agree with you. Most of my forays into drugstore skin care has left me SORELY disappointed. And not just in a snobby sort of way. Most of that stuff has so much alcohol, fragrance, and other chemicals in it that it really does leave your skin for the worse. Cetaphil, however, is one of the few exceptions.

No, it doesn't contain all those fancy vitamins and minerals that promise to leave your skin looking fresh and radiant and a thousand years younger. ... But, guess what. All that stuff, when put in a face wash, is useless anyway. Why? Because you end up washing it all off before it has a chance to do anything for your skin. Your money is literally going down the drain. In the end, all you really need from a face wash is something that will leave your face clean and ready to go, and Cetaphil is something that will give you that at a decent price.

So, the next time you're looking to invest in a face wash, head over to your local Target, drugstore, etc., and give Cetaphil a try.

Barbie ♥ Stila (Stila Spring 2009 Collection)

Stila recently released its Spring collection, partnering up with the ultimate beauty icon for girls and women the world over: Barbie.


We can debate for days on end whether or not Barbie is an appropriate model of beauty for us, but the fact remains that, in our culture, at least, she and makeup pretty much go hand in hand.

The collection consists of 4 Paint Can sets (each containing one 3 pan palette of eyeshadow, one eyeliner or mascara, and one lipstick or lip glaze) and a Barbie version of Stila's famous Talking Eyeshadow Palette. You can order these goodies online or grab them at your nearest Sephora.

Just a warning, though: Fans of makeup - you'll be competing with Barbie collectors, so if you plan to get one of these, better now than later!!!

Ulta 20% Off Friends & Family Discount

Need to stock up on new makeup for the new season? Looks like it's your lucky day! Ulta is having its Friends & Family Discount. You get 20% off your entire purchase (excluding fragrances by Chanel, Estée Lauder, and Lancôme, as well as clearance merchandise), both in store (with a coupon) and online (using promo code 82548 at check out). If you haven't already subscribed to the Ulta email list, then check their website for coupon information. This is valid only until 1/19 (this Monday).

If you're shopping online, don't forget to redeem your Ebates bonus!!!

New Year, New Season, New Collections

Welcome 2009! What's in store in the world of makeup? A new year, a new upcoming season (Spring), all bring new collections. Don't have enough time to check out what's new at the mall? Thank God for the internet! Just visit the websites of your favorite brands to see what's new. In the mean time, check out some of these new collections (in no particular order):

• MAC Collections (including "Brunette Blonde Redhead" and the Dame Edna collections)
  
• NARS Spring 2009 Collection
  
• Shu Uemura "Mirage" Spring 2009 Collection
  
• Urban Decay Spring 09 Collection
  
• Clinique "Blackberry Bloom" Collection
  
• Benefit
  
• Estée Lauder "Fuschia Now" Spring 2009 Collection
  
• Giorgio Armani "Pink Light" Spring 2009 Collection
  
• Lancôme "Pink Irreverence" Spring Color Collection
  
• Chanel Spring 2009 Collection

And there are MANY more new collections to come (like MAC Hello Kitty!!! >_< )!

I know this list contains mostly brands that are a bit more on the expensive side. Drugstore brands usually don't have seasonal collections, so other than any new products, the "What's New" pages on their websites aren't that up to speed. If anything, you can at least take a look at the above just so you can get an idea of where the new trends are headed, and then head to your local Walgreens or someplace to buy some decent, reasonably priced dupes.

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Makeup Tip Week, Tip #5: Cleansing Oil

Ah, the end of my first series of makeup tips! I was worried when I first decided I would do this because I wasn't sure if I had enough tips that were worthy enough to publish on a blog. But here it is, the final post in the series! And what better way to end it than to talk about how to remove the stuff.

The cosmetics world is plentiful with makeup removers. Every cosmetics company produces at least a few. Cold cream, eye makeup removers, makeup wipes... The list goes on. However, the big question is whether or not they work... And sometimes they don't. ... Even after some heavy duty scrubbing.

If you've never heard of a cleansing oil, let me just take this chance to tell you how great they are. My current product of choice is Shu Uemura's High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Fresh, better known as "the pink one".


Unfortunately, while cleansing oils are a staple of Asian cosmetics, they're pretty hard to find from companies here in the States (although, they are starting to pick up a little). And while there are other brands that offer a cleansing oil (like Lancôme, MAC, and Boscia), Shu Uemura's cleansing oils are the only ones that I know of that cater to different skin types.

Also, if you haven't noticed yet, cleansing oils are not cheap (they start at $20). Luckily, for those of us who are on the lookout for more economical options, Lumene offers a decent cleansing oil for around $10. However, like most of the other brands, it just offers the one formula.

When I first encountered cleansing oils at my local department store, I was hesitant to use them. I have oily, acne-prone skin, so I avoided anything with the word "oil" in it like the plague. I soon came to find that cleansing oils were different. They weren't something that I needed to shy away from. In fact, for someone who wears heavy duty makeup (when I do wear makeup), it was actually a godsend.

Let me tell you a little bit about how cleansing oils work. As we oily-skin gals already know, oil will melt and break down makeup. Because of this reason, most makeup removers are oil-based. Cleansing oils, however, go a step beyond normal makeup removers. Cleansing oils are formulated to react with water, which allows them to double as a facial cleanser. The oil emulsifies when water is added, like a detergent (depending on the formula, some oils may even foam or lather), which allows it to be rinsed clean off your face with no oily residue left behind.

That said, meet Ms. Makeup:


I applied MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC30, Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black, CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara in Very Black, CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 4-kit Eyeshadows in Tropical Fusion (turquoise shade), Stila Convertible Color (on the "cheeks") in Petunia, Revlon ColorStay Lipliner in Red, and Shu Uemura Unlimited Lipstick in Red 190. Basically, I chose products that I thought were some of the most difficult to remove completely. To finish it off, I set everything with a little bit of powder, so that any remaining moisture from the makeup wouldn't assist in its own removal.

I decided to remove half of Ms. Makeup's face with some Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (probably one of the better drugstore eye makeup removers).


As you can see, it did a pretty good job... But that's not to say that it didn't require some effort. It took me a good several scrubs to get every last bit off, especially the waterproof mascara. If it were my eyelids that I was doing this on instead of the back of my hand, I'm sure my skin would be nice and raw at this point. And, on top of that, I'd have to put it through another step of washing to get rid of the oily residue left behind (even though the makeup remover claims to be "oil-free").

For the remainder of Ms. Makeup's face, I applied some of my Shu Uemura cleansing oil.


For a full face, Shu Uemura recommends 3-4 squirts. However, I find about 2 squirts to be sufficient and more economical (FYI, though, you will need enough to be able to break down and rinse away the makeup thoroughly).

Remember, you have to apply cleansing oil to dry skin. Since the oil emulsifies with water, using it on a wet face will pretty much make it ineffective.


When you work the oil into your face, you don't need to scrub hard. Gently massage the oil into your face, concentrating especially on the hard-to-remove bits (like the waterproof mascara). Once you've worked the oil in sufficiently, add a little bit of water and continue to massage.


Once water is added, the oil will emulsify. As you can see, this particular formula just becomes a little creamy (as I mentioned before, some will actually lather up like a soap). Work it through again until you get all the oil, and then rinse.


And voilà! You're done.

The best thing about cleansing oils is that, unlike other makeup removers, you can get rid of your makeup and have a nice, clean face, all in one step. And, unlike other facial cleansers, cleansing oils don't leave your skin feeling tight and dry. As such, once you rinse off the oil, there is no need for any additional cleansing. You can just move onto the rest of your skin care routine. Congratulations! You just saved yourself some extra time (and your skin from being horribly irritated from all the wiping and extra washing).

And so concludes my first "Makeup Tip Week" series. It really was a challenge for me to be able to finish out the week, and I'm glad I decided to take it on. I don't know how useful these tips were for most of you reading this. I can only hope that at least one of the posts was able to help someone out there. And, really, that's all that I can ask for.

Hope you all had a good week! I know I did. :-)

Enjoy your weekend!

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Makeup Tip Week, Tip #4: Blush and Face Contouring

I don't wear makeup every day, so I know I shouldn't criticize some of the choices made by those who do. If there is one thing that bothers me, however, it's that a few people will have on a full face of makeup... and no blush.

I can understand the desire to not wear blush. Unfortunately, with blush, there is a fine line between looking like this:

and looking like this:


But that shouldn't deter you from wearing blush. Why? Because the decision to not wear blush for the sake of looking "natural" can actually have the opposite effect:


Foundation is meant to even out your skin tone. Unfortunately, the only way it can do that is by layering color on top of your skin (like paint). While a more sheer formula will let through some of your skin's natural pigmentation, if your skin's condition requires heavier coverage, ain't nothin' coming through that! So, if you don't want to look like a lifeless mannequin, your only resort is to add back some color to your face.

Blush these days come in a variety of colors, from nude peach to hot pink. If I could recommend some products here, a good, "natural" color for gals with fair/light to medium toned skin is Jane Blushing Cheeks in Blushing Petal (the color is actually a light peachish pink, nothing like the swatch on their website). Darker gals should look into something a bit more pigmented and saturated in color, like NYX Powder Blush in Mocha or Pinky, or even Desert Rose (anything in the lighter pink or peach ranges would just be lost on you).

How to apply? Sparingly!!! Most blushes these days are highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way. If you feel like you need more color, then start slow and build the color rather than going all the way at your first go. Depending on the shape of your face, a touch on the apples of your cheeks (the area of your cheeks just under your eyes that, when you smile, pop out and look like little apples) is great for a natural look. Some people like to extend the color towards their ears. This is fine for a more polished look, but if you want something more natural, just touch up the apples a little.

For us gals with a little more "volume" to our faces, it's best to keep the blush on the rear half of the apples (on my face, that's just about under the outer corners of my eyes) and back. For us, coloring our cheeks in full gives us a more cherubic look, accentuating the "fullness" of our faces.

Swipe on a little too much blush? No problem! Rather than going through the pain of wiping it off and starting over, just go over your cheeks with a stroke or two (or three or ten) of face powder or powder foundation to lessen the color.

Some people take advantage of blush, but they decide to not contour. I can understand that - contouring is hard and a bit time consuming. Unfortunately, as with the reason for putting on blush, a little contouring and highlighting helps bring back some life and definition into an otherwise completely whitewashed face.

You can find many face contouring tutorials in makeup books and online. My favorite YouTube beauty vloggers, Panacea81, Xteeener, and Scandalous Beauty, all have videos breaking down and explaining all the different steps. All three ladies explain the concept far better than I ever could, so rather than me trying to explain anything here, I'd rather you watch their videos.

I do have to say a little something here. Don't get fooled by the cosmetics industry by thinking you can only contour with products specifically called "highlighter" or "bronzer". These products are labeled and packaged differently, but there is nothing special about them. They are made with pretty much the exact same formulas as a regular blush or eyeshadow. In fact, my favorite highlighters are actually eyeshadows (MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl and CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadows in Snow Blossom and Pink Chiffon).

Makeup, like clothes, is merely a tool for your own creative expression. If I've learned anything about makeup in the short time I've decided to wear it, it's that you shouldn't feel as though you don't have the liberty to try something new each time you put it on. It's only makeup - nothing permanent. Have fun with it!

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Makeup Tip Week, Tip #3: Eyeshadow Primer

No, I'm not going to be giving you a crash course on eyeshadow.

I'm going to be talking about primer for your eyeshadow, as in a base (like primer for paint).

Somewhere between the last time I was infatuated with makeup (a lifetime ago) and now, makeup artists have added several more steps in everyday makeup application with this "primer" business. There's a primer for your face, for your eyes, for your lips, and even for your lashes! The basic idea behind them all is the same: they're meant to make your makeup go on smoother and have it last longer. Now, I can't vouch for all of these different products (Eyelash primer? Really?), but there is one that I think is a definite MUST, especially for us oily-skin gals: eyeshadow primer.

I can't speak for everyone, but whenever I would wear eye makeup sans primer, within a couple of hours, the eyeshadow would get faded and creased (that thing that happens when your eyelids get a little greasy and your eye makeup gets all gunked up in the creases of your eyelids). The look? Not quite as bad as raccoon eyes... Somewhere in the realm of faded lipstick with unfaded lip liner; just plain unfortunate. If I was going to end up looking like that, I might as well have saved myself the trouble and not worn makeup at all. ... Which is probably why I stayed away from makeup for so long.

This is where eyeshadow primer comes in. A good eyeshadow primer will bring out the colors of your eyeshadow (although, this also depends on the quality of the eyeshadow itself), and grab onto the makeup and hold on for dear life. No creasing or fading - that eyeshadow is not going anywhere!

As you may or may not know, there is a plethora of eyeshadow primers in the market that promise various things. The most popular eyeshadow primer (deemed a "cult fave") is Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

I have several samples of this that I've been using, and it really does deliver. The catch? $16 a pop. Not THAT expensive, but a little pricey if you're only used to spending $10 or less on your makeup. And, really, the prices just go up from there.

Like with many products in the world of makeup, you don't need to buy a proper "eyeshadow primer" to prime your eyelids. Many people also use cream eyeshadows, which seem to work just as well (Erin from Scandalous Beauty swears by MAC Paint Pots, and YouTube makeup artist Xteeener often uses Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadows).

Because of their nature and consistency, many cream shadows are made to last a good while on your eyelids without fading or creasing. Also, cream eyeshadows are offered by pretty much every cosmetics manufacturer, so you can easily find something that you can work with at your local drugstore (an extra bonus for those of us who are watching our budgets).

The great thing about cream shadows is that you don't need to color coordinate between the cream shadow base and the regular powder shadow on top. Of course, matching colors will help the colors pop a little better, but it's not necessary. A good beige or nude cream shadow base will work with any color. If you plan to wear a darker, more intense color of eyeshadow, a black or dark gray base will work nicely. Basically, because the cream shadow will be a little sticky on your eyelid, the powder shadow you apply on top will literally just stick onto the base. Although the color of the base may affect the overall color a little (lighter bases lighten the shadow a bit, while darker bases add a little more saturation), the color of the shadow on top will pretty much mask the color of the base underneath.

Another inexpensive option, believe it or not, is the Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel (not to be mistaken with their itch cream).

While many women swear by this as their makeup primer, I haven't gotten around to using it yet, so I won't really get into it here.

Do you ABSOLUTELY need eyeshadow primer? No. But, if you've ever dealt with your eye makeup fading and creasing, then I would highly recommend giving it a try.

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Makeup Tip Week, Tip #2: Liquid Foundation Application with a Kabuki Brush

For those of you who don't know, this is a kabuki brush:


They sell them almost everywhere they sell cosmetics, and almost every cosmetics company makes one. They'll have different names (Urban Decay calls their's the "Big Buddha Brush", while Benefit's is the "Bluff Puff Powder Brush"), and range in price from $10 to $100. Other than the quality of the bristles, they all serve the same purpose.

The one that I currently use is the Sephora brand kabuki brush ($22). I initially bought it to use with my mineral foundation. When I decided I didn't really like mineral foundation, that's when I decided to put it to use with regular, liquid foundation.

For those of you who haven't jumped on the foundation brush bandwagon, many people actually recommend that you use a brush to apply foundation. Not only does it cut down on the germ factor, but it also allows you to use less product (the foundation won't absorb into the bristles like it will into your fingers or a blending sponge). I also like using a brush because it allows you to blend your foundation better (no streaks; just an even, airbrushed finish). On top of that, with a brush, you don't get your hands all gunky or fill up your trash can with a billion little sponges.

Prior to using a kabuki brush, my foundation brush of choice was the MAC 187:


I LOVED this brush for foundation application. The only problem was that it took FOREVER to blend. Seriously, it would take me about 20 minutes just to get my foundation to look right. I can't even imagine what I'd have to go through if I used a regular foundation brush:


As you can see, while the 187 is round and fluffy, this foundation brush is stiff and flat, like a paint brush. Not exactly ideal for blending foundation on your face.

Anyway, the reason why it took so long for me to apply foundation was that the brush could only blend a small area of the face at a time. This is where the big kabuki comes in. Actually, I saw Erin from Scandalous Beauty first do this in one of her YouTube tutorials and decided to try it myself.


My foundation application went from 20 minutes, down to 3. I was sold.

How to apply? Pour a little bit of foundation (I do 1 1/2 squirts - about 1/4 tsp?) onto a palette, dish, or the back of your hand (my personal choice - your body heat will help the foundation spread a little easier). Rather than wiping the foundation onto the kabuki brush, lightly set the brush into the foundation and roll it around like a video game joystick. (You don't want to pick up all the foundation at once, so just dab a little at a time.) Now, go to town.

Many people recommend starting from the center of your face and working your way out. For people who have stuff they need to hide (like me), you can work out those areas first, if you'd like. You don't need to use a heavy hand when applying foundation. Just buff the brush over your face, kind of like when you wax the car or polish the silver (a little pressure, but not too hard). Some people use sweeping motions, but I like using circular motions (wax on, wax off). When you reach areas that are a little narrow (like the bridge of your nose), just squeeze the bristles of the brush together to form a more narrow shape. Dab on a little more foundation to the brush as needed, and remember to blend out your hair and jaw lines (there's nothing worse than when you can see the foundation demarcation lines on your face).

Depending on how fast you work, your foundation application should be done within 5 minutes, and your face should end up looking immaculate, like it really has just been airbrushed. I usually use the same kabuki brush to apply powder afterwards to set my foundation, but that only takes a few seconds. Clean up for the brush? I wash it out at the end of the day with a drop of regular shampoo (remember to rinse thoroughly!).

Anyway, give it a try! I have to say, though: it did take me a couple of tries of putting foundation on with a brush to get it right. But once I got it down and saw how great foundation could really make you look, I couldn't understand why I didn't do it sooner.

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25% Off MAC

Get 25% off MAC online purchases through January 8. Enter code MACFF9 at checkout.

Makeup Tip Week, Tip #1: Smudge-proof Mascara

To ring in the new year (yay 2009!), I thought I'd do something new and have a week of makeup tips here on my blog. I know, I know. Pretty hilarious coming from someone who hardly ever wears makeup, right? I know. But that's not to say I don't have anything helpful to bring to the table when it comes to makeup advice. If anything, this will probably be very helpful to those who are just starting out with makeup.

First up is smudge-proofing your mascara.


This is something I know a lot of people have problems with, even those around me who have worn makeup much longer than I. Fortunately, this is also something that I found a way to deal with recently.

Even before I had renewed my interest in makeup, whenever I'd go out, one thing I'd do was put on a little mascara. I'd purchase products based on empty promises (stuff won't budge no matter what, or so it said), only to look in the mirror a few hours later and have a raccoon staring back at me. I wasn't crying, and I wasn't sweating or anything, but the damn mascara just wouldn't stay put. So, why? WHY?!?!

Not everyone has problems with mascara, but let me tell you who does. Oily-skin folks. And mascara can be waterproof, but it most likely will never be oil-proof (or else we'd never be able to get the stuff off). The bad part? Your face doesn't even need to be producing any major oil slicks for mascara to rub off. Just a little bit around the eyelids, and BAM! Hello, raccoon eyes!

So, now that we know this, how do we deal with it? Lucky for us, it's actually pretty simple: Powder. Any brand will do, but I would, however, look for something that is geared towards "shine control". My current product of choice is Urban Decay's De-Slick Mattifying Powder (available online and at your local Ulta and Sephora).

It's translucent, so it won't affect the colors of my makeup, and it does a pretty good job at keeping the oil at bay. Also, the compact is perfect to carry around for touch-ups throughout the day/night. But, like I said, any powder will do.

Now, how to apply? Easy. Apply powder generously under your eyes, focusing especially on the area just under your lower lashes (the blue-shaded area under the eye in the image below).


The end.

I usually go about it two different ways. I'll either grab a medium-sized brush (like a blush brush, or even a powder brush) and apply a good amount of powder under my eyes. Otherwise, I'll use an eyeshadow brush to apply the powder, so that I can concentrate specifically under the lower lash area. I usually do my eye makeup first, so that I don't mess up my foundation with any loose shadow, etc., but will save the mascara and the powder-under-the-eyes thing until the very end. Really, though, you can apply the powder before or after you apply your mascara (although, I'd do it before, as the powder will also help with fixing any mistakes, should you accidentally get some mascara on that area), but definitely do it AFTER you apply your face makeup (foundation, concealer, etc.).

Et voilà! Smudge-proof mascara. I can even wear the non-waterproof formulas now! Yay!

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Sephora Only: Too Faced Smurfette Collection

When I was younger, Saturday mornings were such fun for me. I would wake up at the crack of dawn, just to get in that extra hour of cartoons. Even though the shows that were on that early weren't that great, just the fact that they were cartoons was enough for me. ... Now, I'm lucky if I can even get up before noon. Sigh. (Not that the Saturday morning cartoons these days are what they used to be - am I right?)

Anyway, those of us that are fans of makeup and Saturday morning favorite "The Smurfs" can enjoy Too Faced's "Smurfette Collection" (exclusively at Sephora).


If I get anything from this collection, it would probably be the highlighting powder (pictured above), although I don't know how I'd feel about rubbing out Smurfette's face... For those of you who were wondering, the blue will probably not show up on your face (unless you only brush on the blue part). From the reviews I've read, it's a fairly light shade of blue, and those of us with Art 101 under our belts will know that the blue, when mixed together with the yellow (in her hair) and the red (in her dress), creates a brownish color:


This shade is probably similar to the color of the base/background.

Anyway, take some time to peruse the collection. I know times are tough (BELIEVE ME, I KNOW!), but that doesn't mean we can't look and keep ourselves updated with what's new. ;-)