Bold Brows

Not many makeup tricks completely change the look of your face... but that's exactly the power that your brows have! A fatal combination of over-plucking in high school and having oddly light eyebrows and fair skin creates an almost brow-less look after applying a full face of makeup. Let's just say that's not a cute look on anyone! Adding this 3 minute step to your beauty routine polishes any look and exaggerates everyone's best feature, your eyes! Think of your brows as a frame for your face, they help to draw attention to the center of your face and also highlight strong cheekbones. If you were lucky enough to be blessed with full brows, just a bit of brow wax or gel and a spoolie are all you need to tame and shape your brows. If you are like me and need to fill in sparse or fair brows, reach for a tinted powder or pencil in one shade lighter than your hair color to fatten them up... Please remember to follow the natural shape of your own brows, the old "comma" of the 90's is something to avoid. Today's brows are fuller and a bit more refined, but also natural looking.

And just because I love you... This is me with one brow filled in... eeeek! A bit scary I know, but I just wanted you to see the difference it can make!

I suggest NYX Eye Brow Pushup Bra, an awesome double-ended brow pencil/matte cream highlighter. The universal shade is flattering on all skin tones and the highlighter is super creamy. The brow pencil end is a dry formula that "feathers" nicely, easily creating the illusion of fuller brows. For under $10 this pencil is a great find!

Lancome's Le Crayon Poudre is very powdery (as the name may suggest) which creates a very natural look. This pencil works just the way thickening hair powders work, it tints and "fluffs" (sorry I couldn't think of any other word to describe it). This type of product works best when your goal is to fill in thin brows. This is one of my faves, but it is pretty pricey (around $25).

Maybelline's Master Shape Brow Pencil is a creamy wax formula encapsulated in pencil form. Combing through with the spoolie end and then lightly defining the shape is all you need when you are just looking for a more polished brow. The waxiness helps brows keep their shape throughout the day and is perfect for girls who may have wavy hairs in their brow. Since this is such a creamy formula, you will be sharpening this pencil a good bit... but the $6 price tag helps when you need to replinish! For the same price, NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder Kit is also a good option for similar results, if you prefer filling in with a powder and a brush. After filling in, use the wax and spoolie to set the powder and shape. It includes two shades of brow powder and wax in each kit.

Anastasia Clear Brow Gel is perfect for the girl who just needs to tame her brows. The gel comes wih a short bristled wand that grabs the hair and combs it into submission! CoverGirl also makes a version under $5!

Everything above can be found at Ulta!

xoxo!
Alicia

Top 5 Drugstore Faves of September

Hi there dolls! I wanted to share some of my favorite drugstore products that I have discovered lately that are ahhh-mazing... like so amazing that you will be shocked at how little they cost.

1.) Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation
This product is ridiculous!! I was totally expecting it to fail me. My skin type is super oily (like blotting hourly oily!) and sensitive. I usually airbrush my face with Dinair when going out, and had been using Lancome Teint Idole Freshwear daily for running errands or going to class. I like the buildable coverage of Freshwear, but I was having to powder and/or blot continuously, even though this foundation is supposed to be a lightweight mattifying formula. I had heard good things about this formula's coverage and staying power... but honestly I was being a brand snob and feeling extremely skeptical about the claims. AND THEN I tried it and had to eat my words. The Youtube reviews were on point! I usually set this foundation with Make Up For Ever HD Finishing Powder or Ben Nye Cameo and I am good to go... like good all day. No touchups. No blotting. No caking. You get full coverage with a velvety smooth finish. Actually the coverage is so nice that I often find that I don't even need concealer! The mattifying power of this foundation is unreal, but dolls with normal to dry skin beware: this foundation will be waaaay too drying for you! If I don't moisturize before, even I (the oiliest of the oily) will experience tightness. I recommend applying this foundation with a flat long bristled foundation brush for the most even coverage. ($12)

2.) Milani Baked Blush
The shade Luminoso is a well-known dupe for Nars Orgasm, however, I prefer the Milani blush! Orgasm is a red-based coral with shimmer, while Luminoso is a pink-based coral with a hint of sheen. Both blushes are absolutely gorge (and are pictured side by side below)... but the red undertone and amount of shimmer in Orgasm is not all that flattering on my fair and oily complexion. The color makes me look a bit like a cherry tomato and the shimmery finish on shiny skin... not cute! I have used Orgasm on clients with golden undertones and it creates a glowy flushed look. If you like Nars blushes, be sure to check out Milani Baked Blushes and pay 1/3 of the price ($8!!).

3.) Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain
These great little twist-up crayons are a great alternative to Tarte Lipsurgence. They are highly pigmented, moisturizing and long-lasting... my personal recipe to a perfect lip product! They go on with a sheen but wear down to a matte finish. I own three colors: Smitten (blue-based pink), Sweetheart (true pink), and Honey (peachy nude). If you are looking for a lipcolor with stay power and pigmentation, these are right up your alley! ($7)

4.) Styli-Style Line and Seal 24 HR Semi-Permanent Liner
Don't let the name scare you, I'll admit "semi-permanent" is scary sounding... but believe me these liners are anything but scary! I discovered these fabulous liners years ago at Walgreen's. I have always had a difficult time finding eyeliners that stay on my waterline and don't get all raccoon-y on me. I have tried liners from Lancome, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Benefit, Tarte... all promising waterproof and smudge-proof results to no avail. These liners come in awesome colors and there are many metallic and shimmer shades that are super wearable. This liner also comes is a twist-up form, but I haven't tried them yet. My favorite liner colors from Styli-Style are Brownstone, Smokey Quartz, Copper, and Black Pearl. These can be difficult to find, I was ordering them from Styli-Style.com for a while until I recently found them in a local Rite-Aid... And snatched them all up! ($6)

5.) L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stain
These are a super close dupe to YSL Glossy Stains! They wear comfortably and the coverage is buildable, so you can control the intensity of the color. They go on with a high gloss and then wear down to a subtle shine. My favorites are Rose On and On (medium pink) and Pink Resistance (more nude than pink). I'm dying to try Endless Red and Berry Persistent. ($7)

 * I didn't include my nail polish that I have on in these pics as one of my top 5 drugstore picks for the month, but I did buy it this month and loved it too! It's Nicole's "Plum To Your Senses!" It reminds me of a purple-y version of OPI's Russian Navy which is one of my seasonal faves this time of year. ($7)

Makeup Snob...On a budget!

Hi Dolls!
While working for a luxury line and becoming addicted to several fabulous (and expensive) cosmetic brands, I had a painful realization that when I would eventually leave the department store that I would also be leaving behind my nice little discount (that 40% off at Christmas was always helpful!). After recovering from separation anxiety (from all that beautiful makeup!), I found several drugstore brands that were comparable to some of my fave items... however my most beloved products I just could not fathom parting with. My fave Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara runs for $26, after running some numbers, I was shocked to realize what I would spend in a year on mascara alone... a tube generally lasts me 3 months, so that's $104 per year for mascara! So I figured out a few ways to still get my hands on my fave products and still afford my other "necessities" (rent, food, shoes...) and would love to share them with y'all, so I'm spilling the beans...

1.) Gift with Purchase

 Gifts with Purchase are the most obvious way to save on high-end lines. The "Big Three" (Lancome, Clinique, and Estee Lauder) usually do four gifts each year, one per season so you can spread your shopping out to get the most for your money. Believe me, I had many clients that only came to see me during gift time! When they ask for your contact info, it's so that they can remind you of the next upcoming gift (and they also have all of your products written down just in case you forget your shade!). Cosmetic brands at Sephora and Ulta also do GWP throughout the year, so create an account on their website to stay up to date and also get member benefits.
Also check out these sites for great info on GWP!
http://gwpaddict.wordpress.com/category/gift-with-purchase/
http://mygiftwithpurchase.com/
                                                                     http://www.sephora.com/beauty-deals

2.) Purchase with Purchase

I generally prefer PWP's (purchase with purchase) because you usually get much more bang for your buck. In most cases, many items in the gift are full-size! Estee Lauder partners with designers (Michael Kors and Lilly Pulitzer this year!!) for signature PWP kits and include fabulous designer cosmetic bags. I purchased two of MK kits this Christmas and they were ridiculously gorge. Some of the sites above give updates for upcoming PWP's too, so make sure to check it out!                                                              

3.) Holiday Blockbuster                                                                                                                               

                                                                                 Estee Lauder and Lancome do an annual beauty blockbuster every year at Christmas and let me just tell you, girl you NEED it. They are basically just PWP's on steroids. Estee Lauder requires a fragrance purchase to be eligible. Since I don't really care for Estee Lauder fragrances, I usually purchase for the fragrance as a Christmas gift for my mom or my man's mom. Lancome requires a minimum purchase amount to be eligible. Both lines usually offer a warm and cool version of each gift. The blockbuster is definitely the best value you can find at a department store because nearly every item is full-sized!! I purchase the Lancome "Beauty Box" every year because of the ridiculous amount of product, and the fact that they are products in shades I actually wear!

4.) HauteLook/ Beyond the Rack/ Rue La La

If you haven't already subscribed to the sites above, DO IT NOW. You will not regret it, pinky swear. The beauty deals on these sites don't last long, so make sure to snatch up things that catch your eye quick! These sites have limited time deals that change almost daily. HauteLook is owned by Nordstrom and by far my fave site. I have scored some awesome deals on Make Up For Ever, The Balm, and Strivectin. Most of the deals I have found have been over 50% off!

 

http://www.hautelook.com/events#beauty

http://www.ruelala.com/category/womenhttp://www.beyondtherack.com/event/calendarhttp://www.beyondtherack.com/event/calendar

5.) All Wholesale Cosmetics & Makeup Mania

I love both of these sites! Makeup Mania sells artist supplies, as well as awesome brands like Ben Nye and The Balm at great prices. They usually have a discount code, so always check on the homepage! All Wholesale Cosmetics offers a riDONKulous amount of MAC... and Bobbi Brown, Stila, Smashbox, Too Faced. Most of the items are limited editions or discontinued products or shades. If you're fave high-end shade gets discontinued, check here first!

http://www.makeupmania.com/#gsc.tab=0

http://www.allcosmeticswholesale.com/

 xoxo,

Alicia

Value Sets That Are Actually Valuable

1.) Sephora Favorites Super Stars $75.00 (worth $280.00!)

If you have not purchased a Sephora Favorites Super Stars gift set, you are totally missing out. Almost everything in this kit is full-size! You read that right, FULL-SIZE! Trust me, you NEED this... like NOW. Some of my faves included in this kit are: Anastasia Clear Brow Gel, Josie Maran Argan Oil, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, Flowerbomb rollerball... actually everything in this kit make it lustworthy.

2.) Clarisonic Mia2 with Boscia $159.00 (worth $212.00!)

So I know this is pretty expensive... but I promise you this is a legit investment! The Clarisonic Mia2 provides gentle daily exfoliation without any irritation. Translation: clearer pores, brighter skin, no redness or inflammation! The Boscia products included are full-size, super gentle, and improve skin's brightness. Boscia products + Clarisonic Mia2= freakin' amazinggg skin. Pinky swear.

3.) Sonia Kashuk Double Duty Brush Set $23.79

Sonia Kashuk's line at Target has a few fabulous elements, her brushes ranking highest for me. This kit comes with a blush/contour brush, foundation/concealer brush, eyeshadow brush (one side for blending/one side for sweeping crease color), and finally a brow comb/eyeliner brush. This kit saves space and performs beautifully! I prefer these for traveling.

Hey Y'all!

So a little bit about me... All it took was a Bonne Bell Dr. Pepper LipSmacker when I was around 7 to turn me into a full fledged beauty junkie. Since then I have worked as a Lancome Beauty Advisor, and more recently I began doing freelance makeup for events and photo shoots as Dollface Beauty Events. I love both high-end and drugstore lines, and am constantly looking to try new products. I hope to use this blog recommend products, give you some low-cost dupes, show you a few tips I've learned along the way, and answer any questions you may have (if I don't know it, I'm happy to do some research). I would love any recommendations/suggestions/feedback you have and thanks so much for stopping by!

xoxo,

Alicia