Un(mask)ed

Here’s the scoop: Lush is a brand of cosmetic and skincare products that are one of my absolute favorites for many reasons. They believe “in making effective products from fresh organic* fruit and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics.” Check out their website to read more about their company beliefs, charity work, and fight against animal testing. I could go on for days listing everything I love about them, but I’ll spare my readers! One line of products they carry is face masks. There are many different flavors with various ingredients such as coffee beans, blueberries, cranberries, rose, honey, etc. My favorite is called Mask of Magnaminty. It includes peppermint, giving your face a cool and calming sensation. One of the workers even recommended storing the mask in the fridge so it is cool when you apply it.

I’m sharing this with you all because I love everything that this brand stands for, and also because everyone’s face needs a break once in awhile. No matter how great makeup products are, they eventually can increase the oil on your face which further creates clogged pores and break outs. Try to give it a rest once a week and apply a mask for 5-10 minutes. It will leave you refreshed!

Check out my photos of this awesome stuff.   

Product Spotlight: Eye Brow Pencil

Product:  Eye Brows

Brand: MAC Cosmetics

Uses: Helps shape eyebrows while adding color

Price: $16.50

Places of Purchase: Macy’s, Nordstrom, Kohl’s, maccosmetics.com

Direct Competition: Too Faced Instant Attitude Brow Lift

My Experience: Eyebrow pencils are one of the less commonly used cosmetic items, but they are starting to become more popular! I love the “Eye Brows” pencil from MAC cosmetics for many reasons. I’ll start off by telling you I used to have extremely thick eyebrows, but waxing and constant plucking has really thinned them out. Unfortunately, now they are a little too thin and even have some spots where the hair barely grows. Thankfully, these pencils do the trick! By gently penciling over your eyebrows, it begins to fill in those lighter spots. This gives a much fuller look and adds darker coloring as well. These pencils can also be used to shape your brows better. I personally do not have much of an arch, but adding the eyebrow pencil to the top of the brow creates an arched effect. In order to use it to the best effect, press extremely lightly. It should gently touch your skin, but you do not want to color yourself like a crayon. The more you go over the area, the darker it will become. Remember to buy a color that is similar to your natural hair color. A little warning for all of you: this product will smear on your face if you rub your eyebrows. Just like mascara, it can smudge if you are not careful. If you’re worried about that, you can always try an eyebrow gel that dries better.

Feel free to comment any recommendations on a gel product! I’m always willing to try something new!

Ready to try?

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/13834/263/Products/Makeup/Eyes/Brow/Eye-Brows#/shade/Strut

Take it off!

Eye Makeup Remover: I absolutely cannot stand going to bed with makeup on. In order to start fresh in the morning, you have to use a good makeup remover. I would recommend Mary Kay® Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. It is priced at $15, but it is well worth the purchase. It is great for sensitive skin like my own, and does not leave a greasy film on your face like other brands. I typically apply a small amount to a cotton pad and rub it directly on my skin to remove eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow and foundation. I’m typically careless with this process, so sometimes it gets in my eyes. While some products may burn when exposed to the eyes, this remover by Mary Kay does not cause any irritations. I have also heard of people using makeup remover wipes. While these are convenient, they are also more costly for what you’re getting out of them. The Mary Kay bottle typically lasts me for MONTHS, especially if you are conservative with the amount you’re using. All you have to do is order online at the link below, or find a local Mary Kay representative to help you out!

http://www.marykay.com/en-US/Makeup/Mary-Kay-Oil-Free-Eye-Makeup-Remover/180101.partId?eCatId=10003

Check out my before (with makeup) and after (removal) photos:

Product Spotlight: Mascara

Product: Better Than Sex Mascara

Brand: Too Faced

Uses: Add volume and length to your eyelashes

Price: $23

Places of Purchase: ULTA, Sephora, toofaced.com

Direct Competition: Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

My Experience: Of all cosmetic products, I think mascara is probably one of the most popular to use. It’s relatively simple to apply, but it can make a huge difference in the definition of your eye. I’m highlighting the Too Faced line of Mascara Better Than Sex. I know a lot of mascaras claim to add volume, but this one really does the trick. After one application, it applies thickness to your lashes without the clumpy effect that other brands have. After a second application, you’ll see noticeable length added to your lashes. No need to use multiple products when this one does it all! In the past, I used a cheap brand that always made my eyes itch. It flaked off and clumped my eyelashes together terribly. My roommate actually recommended this brand, and after trying it just one time, I had to have it. My eyes no longer itch, and I do not have to reapply during the day. I’m also happy to tell you that Too Faced is cruelty-free and vegan friendly which always makes me feel better. I would like to mention that this mascara is not waterproof, and I know some people may not like it for that reason alone. Personally, I don’t like waterproof mascara because I have trouble getting it off when I want to go to bed. Better Than Sex mascara is my happy medium between long-lasting length and volume, and easy removal at the end of the day.

Don’t take my word for it, you know what to do!

Ready to try?

https://www.toofaced.com/p/mascaras/better-than-sex-mascara/#reviews-list

Contour those eyes!

For a rounded look:

Start by applying a VERY thin layer of eyeliner to the top inside corners of your eyelids. Continue following the upper lash line to the opposite outer corner.

Thicken the line of eyeliner in the middle of your eye.

Use a subtle ‘wing’ at the upper outer edge.

Apply a thin line of liner to the lower lash line from corner to corner.

For an oval look:

Start by applying a thin layer of eyeliner to the top inside corners of your eyelids. Continue following the upper lash line to the opposite outer corner.

Thicken the line of eyeliner at the upper outer edge, but stop at the corner of your eye.

Add a thin line to the outside corner of the lower lash line, but stop in the center of the eye.

To make your eyes appear closer together: 
Apply a thick line of eyeliner to the inner corner of the upper lash line. 
Narrow the line of eyeliner to the outer corner of your eye using a tapering effect. It should start thick at the upper inside corner and slowly thin out towards the outside corner.

You may or may not want to add a thin line to your lower lash line.

To make your eyes appear farther apart: 
Visually separate your eye in to four sections. 
Do not add any liner in the first section of the upper inside corner. Instead, start a thin line at the second section of your eye and continue to thicken the line towards the last two sections. 
Apply liner to the lower lash line, also thicker in the outside lower corner.