Favorite Primers

I'm a huge fan of primers and with so many on the market it can become quite overwhelming to decided which is best suited for your skin type and needs, Below are my current favorite primers that I love to use on myself as well as my clients. Here are the four primers that I've been reaching for and loving lately.

The Nyx cosmetics Angel Veil is a great primer for all skin types. It primes the face perfectly if you're looking for a primer that'll help your makeup stay on longer as well as fill in any texture you might have to give your skin a smooth finish that's ready for your foundation to glide on.

Nyx Cosmetics Angel Veil Primer



If you have oily skin the Makeup ForEver Step 1 skin equalizer mattifying primer is a great option for you. It does a good job at keeping you matte but I also find that it smooths out my skin so if you have oily/ combo skin and also have some texture issues then I would definitely recommend this primer!
Makeup Forever Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer


If you have extremely oily skin the Face to Face Super Matte Anti Shine primer is for you! I tend to always have oily skin but in the summer I become an oil slick and not to sound overly dramatic but this primer has changed my life! Whenever I use this product I typically only use it on areas that get the most oily like my t-zone. It's definately a product you use sparingly and on deliberate places on the face.


If you have enlarged pores or texture problems then I highly recommend the Smashbox Photo Finsh Pore Minimizing Primer. This primer feels in the pores so well leaving a smooth finish on the face. A tip I recommend before applying it to your face is to squeeze a small amount on the back of your hand and warm the product up a bit with your finger before patting it into your face. Typically primers designed to fill in pores can crumble on the skin so I find if you warm the product up a bit you won't have that problem.
Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer

If you've tried any of these primers let me know your thoughts on them!

DUPE ALERT: Dupe for Mac Cosmetics Cosmo Lipstick

What makeup lover doesn't love a good MAC dupe?! It seems to me that us makeup lovers are constantly hunting down the next MAC dupe so when I came across this one, I became very excited! When I heard about Jordana's Modern Matte Lipsticks, I didn't see myself picking any up because I'm not the biggest fan of matte lipsticks. I have chronically dry lips and as much as I try to keep hydrated, moisturize my lips, and exfoliate them, matte formulas can feel like torture on my lips. With all that being said, when I went to my local makeup store, I found a display of the new lipsticks and since they were only $1.99 I thought well what do I have to lose besides 2 bucks?!

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick 01 Matte Bare

I picked up the shade in 01 Matte Bare and when I took it home I soon realized that it could be a possible dupe for Mac's Cosmo. Cosmo is my second favorite lipstick after Fanfare so its no wonder out of the 12 lipsticks in the line I would choose a color extremely similar to one I already own.

Left: Matte Bare
Right: MAC Cosmo

As you can see from the pic above they look to be nearly identical. I will state that for me a dupe doesn't necessarily need to be a 100% dead on match. A good dupe for me is one that if you already had one of the products you wouldn't need the second one because the difference between the two isn't nearly enough to warrant owning both even for a huge makeup collector who can spot the difference.

Left: Jordana Matte Bare
Right: Cosmo

Swatched on my arm the two colors look a tad bit different, but I think that has more to do with the lighting than the actual color of the two.

Here are the two lipsticks on my lips. Can you tell me which one is which?!

I will say there is ONE major difference between the two lipsticks and its probably the reason why you were able to figure out which was which. The Jordana lipstick  is a matte formula and Mac's Cosmo is an amplified creme formula. Coming from a girl who isn't a fan of matte lipsticks I didn't find the Jordana formula to be too uncomfortable. It is definitely a much more comfortable formula than say Mac's matte lipsticks. I wore the Jordana lipstick for a few hours and although it isn't as comfortable as Mac's Cosmo, my lips weren't begging for moisture like they usually do when I wear a matte formula.

So if you're in the market for an every day natural pinkish mauve color that will go with almost every makeup look and don't feel like spending $16 or prefer a matte finish, then I highly recommend the Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick in Matte Bare. Although I bought mine for $1.99 on Jordana's website they retail for $2.49, still a price that can't be beat!

Great Alternative to MAC's Superb!!!!! And ONLY $3!!!!

Did you miss out on Mac's limited edition Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb? Or do you use it sparingly because it might very well be over a year before this limited edition product is released again?! (I'm still waiting for the Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Whisper of Guilt to come back...why do you do this to us Mac?! Why?!) OR are you just in the market for a rose gold highlight?!? Well today I bring to you a great ALTERNATIVE to the MUCH loved Superb! I'm careful NOT to call it a dupe as I know that most beauty lovers only consider an identical match to be a dupe BUT what I bring to you today offers the same effect at a 10th of the price, therefore in my eyes,  it makes it a great alternative!

Mac Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb

The alternative I bring to you is is.......

E.L.F Baked Highlighter in Blush Gems

This is the Eyes Lips Face baked highlighter in Blush Gems and the best part is that it's only $3!!!!

Left: Mac Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb
Right: E.L.F Baked Highlighter in Blush Gems

Side by side both of these products look pretty darn similar right? But now its time for the true test SWATCHES!!!! I took a number of pictures because depending on the sunlight I was getting, the products looked identical at times and at others you could see the difference between them.

Left: Superb
Right: Blush Gems

The ONE main difference between these two products is that the base color of Superb is one shade darker than Blush Gems. Superb has a bit of a darker rose gold/ copper color than does the E.L.F Blush Gems. However, the micro shimmers in both products are identical to each other, so although not quite a dupe, a definite great alternative! Both products have a metallic finish and offer the same effect on the cheek bones!

Left: Superb
Right: Blush Gems

In the picture above the two swatches look a lot more alike!

Superb/Blush Gems

This picture was still taken outside but not in direct sunlight and I  blended in the two swatches to meet in the middle so you could see how similar they are.

This next picture is probably my favorite because I can hardly tell the difference between both of  the swatches.

Super/ Blush Gems

Depending on the light and the way the sun hit the swatches you could hardly tell the difference!When Superb was available it retailed for $30 and although I do believe it was worth every penny, since it is currently is unavailable, I definitely recommend you pick up the E.LF. Baked Highlighter for $3! The only other difference is that Superb does have a smoother texture which is to be expected, however, I did find that once on your cheekbones the texture of the products looked the same!

Who can wear this highlight?

Trust me when I say that a wide variety of shin tones can wear this highlight so don't hesitate to give it a try!

It's the first day of June and if you haven't been incorporating sunscreen into your daily skincare routine NOW IS THE TIME!!!

What better day to talk about sunscreen than the first day of June, which in my mind is the official start of Summer! For the past two weeks I've been testing out the new L'Oreal Paris Advance Suncare Silky Sheer Face Lotion Broad Spectrum, SPF 30  and the L'Oreal Paris Advanced Suncare Quick Dry Sheer Finish Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50+.

First let me start by saying that I'm a huge advocate of wearing sunscreen EVERY day. Since I live in Southern California I have no excuse to not use it year round. I'm also the type of person who doesn't tan, I skip the tanning step and go straight to a bright red sunburn so I can't afford to not wear SPF on a daily basis. Its safe to say I've tried several brands of sunscreen throughout the years and I'm 100% in love with both of these products which is a pretty big deal to me since I had yet to find a facial sunscreen that I really loved. I can officially stop searching because I've fallen in love!

$7.97 at Walmart

I typically have two concerns when it comes to sunscreen for the face:
 1) is it going to burn my eyes
AND
 2) is it going to make my already oily skin even more oily.
 I'm happy to say that this ultra thin, easy to blend sunscreen did NOT burn my eyes! I was so surprised because in the past I've tried sunscreens that were meant for the face and if it got anywhere near my eyes it would burn. It never really made sense to me because the eye area needs the most protection since the skin around our eyes is thinner therefore making it more delicate than the rest of the face. I will say I haven't placed any on my actual eyelid,  but I have placed the lotion right under and around my eyes and so far there hasn't been a burning sensation! SCORE!!! I also fell in love with the fact that this lotion did not make my skin any more oily than it already is. Actually, when I apply it, it left  my face feeling matte and completely absorbed into the skin within seconds. I even apply a generous amount because I'm always paranoid that I don't have enough on. I also found that it didn't leave a weird white cast on my face like many sunscreens do. I have been wearing it under my makeup daily and haven't found that it does anything weird or unpleasant to the makeup.

$7.97 and Walmart

I also really enjoyed the spray version for the body. It doesn't  have an overly sunscreen scent which I really enjoyed and it lives up to its quick dry claim. One of the reasons I love sunscreen sprays is because it makes it so easy to apply, you no longer need to ask someone to help you with your back or any hard to reach area. It's alcohol free so it doesn't burn when you apply it and once it drys, you don't even feel it on.

I was officially sold on these two products after I went to the Dodger game this past Sat. It was a day game at 4:15pm and the beautiful Los Angeles Sun was out in full effect and I did not burn! There was no visible sign on my face, chest, or arms of a sunburn. Typically whenever I'm out in the direct sun for more than an hour even with sunscreen on, my poor skin sees the effects of the sun.

The final verdict:
Will I be repurchasing these products?
I most defiantly will!
Do I recommend them to you?
Yes! On your next trip to Walmart, Target, or any drugstore make sure you pick these up! If you typically hate the feeling of sunscreen on your face like a lot of people do, I highly recommend you try this one! You'll hardly feel it on and your skin and your skin will thank you later!
Hope everyone is excited for Summer and don't forget the ONLY way to prevent wrinkles is by wearing sunscreen!!!!!!! Protect yourselves ladies and gentlemen!

AMAZING Highlight: Essence Cosmetics 3D Eyeshadow Irresistable Vanilla Latte

Just like any beauty junkie I love testing out makeup products ESPECIALLY when they're affordable ones! So when I stumbled upon this little beauty at ULTA (ONLY $3.49) you know my little makeup heart skipped a beat! Although I have excessively oily skin, I still love highlighting my cheekbones so finding a new (to me) highlight that was under $5 was like hitting the jackpot! Essence 3D Eyeshadow in Irresistible Vanilla Latte is packaged as an eyeshadow, BUT I've found it to be an amazing highlight. With Summer right around the corner a gold tone highlight is going to look amazing on a tan, or in my case not so tanned face!

Essence 3D Eyeshadow in Irresistible Vanilla Latte

The eyeshadow is split into two shades. The left side is a true gold and the right side is a soft gold. Both sides can be used as a highlight separately OR swirled together. I find that the right side (the lighter side) is more of a pearled gold as I see a slight iridescence to it. Both are insanely beautiful and give an amazing cheekbone highlight. I'm in love! They have a very smooth texture and is easily buildable depending on how much you like to glow!

Both sides of the eyeshadow swatched separately

Here are the colors a bit more concentrated on my finger tips.

As you can see the left side of the eyeshadow is a true gold and the right side of the shadow is a light gold. In the picture below you can see how both of the shades swirled together and blended out look. It offers a nice subtle gold highlight perfect for Summer (but really you can wear it year round).

Here's s a swatch of both of the shades combined

The shadow looks very similar to Mac's Extra Dimension Skinfinishes (which I absolutely love) and I would definitely say that it does the same job at a fraction of the price. Of course the Mac Extra Dimension Skinfinishes are more finely milled, but when applied on the face I couldn't really tell much of a difference at all!

Here are a few pictures of me wearing the shadow as a highlight so you can get a better feel of how it looks on the skin.

Lipstick: Mac Watch Me Simmer

If you decide to stop by an Ulta and give it a try don't forget to check for an Ulta coupon! They generally always have a $3.50 off of $10 purchase just check on their website before you make a purchase or as the salesperson who is ringing you up! Also don't forget to let me know what you think if you give it a try!

Wet N Wild Fergie Centerstage Summer 2014 Limited Edition Lipsticks

Earlier this week I took a quick trip to Walgreens to take a look at the new Fergie Centerstage Summer 2014 Collection for Wet N Wild. I had started seeing pics floating around online and the lipsticks looked extremely promising so I knew I had to check them out! I ended up picking up all four of the new limited edition shades. First, let me tell you that Wet N Wild has some of the best lipsticks around! If you haven't checked out their Mega Last Lip Colors then you NEED to! They're only $1.99 and all major drugstores constantly have sales on Wet N Wild. I typically only buy them when they're 40% off, which Rite Aid does often.

So its of no surprise that the Fergie Perfect Pout Lip Color lipsticks would be any different. In fact, I find that the lipsticks in the Fergie collection are actually a bit creamier than the Mega Last Lip Color. The lipsticks in the Fergie line are $3.59 but Walgreens is running a 25% off sale till 5/10/14 AND all of the products from the Fergie Centerstage Summer 2014 Collection are 25% for the rest of the month of May! That makes each lipstick ONLY $2.69!

Fergie Centerstage Summer 2014 Collection

L-R Cray Cray, Turnt Up, Swerve, FOMO

Swatched on my arm in same order as previous picture

Unfortunately, FOMO didn't really come up on my arm very well but that's because its an extremely nude lipstick. FOMO is definitely what I like to call a concealer nude. As you can tell by the picture the lipsticks are extremely pigmented. I was most excited for Cray Cray because I thought it would be another great option for a radiant orchid lip BUT once I put Turnt Up on my lips I absolutely fell in love!

 Cray Cray is an amazing fuschia color. Another great option if you want to rock the radiant orchid trend. In fact I found Cray Cray to be very similar to Maybelline's Hot Plum lipstick.
















Maybelline Hot Plum has a tinge more purple in it than Cray Cray and Maybelline's Fucshia Flash has more pink in it. I would say if you already have Maybelline's Hot Plum then you don't really need Fergie's Cray Cray as they're extremely similar, not an identical dupe, but close enough to not need both in your collection.

Top: Maybelline Hot Plum Middle: Fergie Cray Cray Bottom: Maybellie Fuchsia Flash

Turnt Up

Swerve

FOMO

Turnt Up is an amazing orange/red color. I was completely stunned by this lipstick, it is definitely my favorite of the four. If you're looking to make a statement with your lip color then this lipstick is for you! I typically wear more blue based reds, however, there's just something about this particular shade that I'm dying over.














Swerve is a pastel strawberry/coral. In person it leans more coral than pink in the picture. It's a great color for spring and summer and I definitely recommend picking it up!


















I will definatley be returning FOMO. As you can see it doesn't look good on me. If you're into an extremely nude almost concealer color nude (some people can actually pull it off, im just not one of them lol) then this lipstick is for you! I also have more of a mauve/brownish natural lip color so I don't think my natural lip color suits this color.

Wearing Fergie's Perfect Pout Lip Color In Turnt Up

Just in case you needed a little more convincing on how amazing Turnt Up is here I am wearing it! It just pops on your lips! If you're typically not a red lipstick person, I encourage you to give this one a try! At only $2.69 (25% off) you really don't have much to lose! The pigmentation will amaze you, and the formula can't be beat!

If you pick up any of these lipsticks let me know which ones you get and what your thoughts are on them!

The Every Day Guide to Pantone's Color of The Year: Radiant Orchid Lips

By now I'm sure we've all heard that Pantone has declared Radiant Orchid as the color of the year for 2014, but what does that mean for us makeup enthusiast's?! Today, I'll show you two Maybelline lip products that are great options to sporting the color of the year! You'd be surprised how easy it is to incorporate Radiant Orchid into your every day makeup looks. It's a great color that really should be given some love! Pantone describes Radiant Orchid as, "a captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones," so its PERFECT to incorporate it into your makeup routine!

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lip Color in Hot Plum

 This lipstick just screams Radiant Orchid! The formula is extremely creamy and is very comfortable on the lips!

Maybelline Vivids Hot Plum

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids range from about $5.50 (Walmart) to $8.79 (CVS) so of course I recommend picking it up at Walmart or Target!


















Love the color but not quite sure how to wear the rest of your makeup?  Take a twist on the classic cat eye and red lips and swap it out for a Radiant Orchid color! I definitely recommend pairing a more natural blush with this lipstick as we want your lips to pop! I'm wearing a La Femme Blush in Nectar which is a soft pink blush.

























If you aren't the biggest lipstick fan OR you want to slowly and more subtly take the leap into the Radiant Orchid party, Maybelline High Shine Gloss in Raspberry Reflections is a perfect option! Ranges from about $5.50 (Walmart) to about $6.99 (Walgreens). It has a much sheerer wash of color than the Hot Plum lipstick but it's still pigmented enough to offer that Radiant Orchid color we want! I love this line of lip glosses because they're creamy, have a good amount of pigment, and aren't sticky at all!

Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Gloss in Raspberry Reflections

Here's Raspberry Reflections on my lips!

Left: Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Gloss in Raspberry Reflection Right: Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Hot Plum

Stay tuned for the next post on how to incorporate Radiant Orchid into your eye look & cheeks!