Lipgloss lovers rejoice! Beauty ADDICTS Lip ADDICTION has officially launched in 10 must-have shades. The creamy, high shine gloss glides on and stays offering highly-pigmented color perfect for every skin tone and occasion.
Extra bonuses include:
· Packed with peptides to firm and add volume to lips
· Conditions with Vitamin E
· Hydrates with Jojoba Butter
All 10 shades are now available for $17 each at beautyaddicts.com.
It’s a fact. You’re makeup only looks as good as the tools you used to apply it. The downside: good brushes on the cheap are extremely hard to come by. Lucky for all of us makeup junkies, Morphe Brushes is hitting LA and has an online store packed with budget-friendly, high quality brushes.
The nation’s first dedicated brick and mortar makeup brush boutique, Morphe Brushes was born from the idea of supplying every beauty aficionado with premium makeup brushes at affordable prices. The company began online, manufacturing and distributing to beauty professionals and students, but owners and siblings Linda and Chris Tawil saw the demand in the beauty market for a makeup brush retail store for both professionals and consumers.
“The first question people always asked us at trade shows was “do you have a store?”, said owner Linda Tawil. “Our goal was to create a store that would act as both a seminar space and retail brush boutique; allowing customers to feel the brushes, ask questions and receive one-on-one attention while showcasing our brush collection in an organized and warm setting”.
So how do the brushes match up to the Lancomes, Sephoras and Bobbi Browns of the world? They rock. Morphe sent me a full set of brushes to try and I am obsessed. The 11-piece brush set has every brush I need for day to night and the quality is equal to that of pricey, high-end brands. The brushes are soft, durable and are literally priced as low as $2 each. Amazing.
From start to finish, Morphe is committed to exceeding beauty and makeup expectations. To make the shopping experience stress free and educational, the boutique is geared with an expert staff that is happy to assist customers in finding the perfect brushes for any function and application. boutique is stylish and inviting with décor similar to a French boudoir; with dark chocolate wood floors and chandeliers.
The walls are lined with Morphe‘s extensive selection of cruelty-free natural and fine synthetic bristles available in sable, goat, Italian badger, or vegan options. Morphe currently has nine brush collections: Studio Series; Studio Pro Series; Italian Badger Series; Perfectly Pink Series; Luna Badger Series; Morphe Luna Series; Morphe Synthetic Series; Morphe Duo Fiber Series; and the Morphe Esthetic Treatment Series. Each and every Morphe brush is entirely handmade, exceptionally durable, and carries warranties.
In addition to their brushes, Morphe also carries:
Morphe Brushes is now open to the public, and is located at 616 South Victory Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502. They are open 11a.m.-5p.m. Monday thru Friday, with Saturday hours coming soon. For more information, and to shop online 24/7, visit www.morphebrushes.com.
Attention Nordy fans and lovers! To celebrate the Anniversary Sale, one of my favorite brands (and former employers) is throwing a Beauty Bash tonight from 5-8 pm!
Customers will get to check out their complimentary blow-out bar, nail bar, facial bar, lash bar, and brow bar, learn the latest beauty tips and tricks from top brands and grab an exclusive goodie bag.
To find a store near you hosting an event tonight visit: http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/anniversary-beauty-bash.
Happy Friday!
Whenever I think eco makeup, my mind automatically goes to earthy colors without a whole lot of pop. Last week I was lucky enough to try out some products from NVEY ECO Organic Makeup, a line of organic makeup made in Australia with staying power and highly pigmented shades. Totally glam and adorned in chic, shiny black packaging, this stuff rocks.
In the organic beauty biz since 2005, NVEY ECO focuses creating quality products competitive with chemical-infused lines without harmful ingredients like parabens, petrochemicals and synthetic fragrances. The line is not tested on animals and great for everyday wear or going out, sans harsh additives. Whether you’re like me and trying to go “light green” (or all out green) by switching to organic products or have sensitive skin, this line is for you.
Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation #515 Golden Honey: Not going to lie, when I picked the shade online I was a little afraid that it would not be anywhere close to a match. I was totally wrong. Golden Honey works well for medium-ish skin (depending on the days between my spray tans) and the color swatches online look like the real thing. I love this foundation because it covers imperfections without looking cakey or overdone and keeps my ultra-dry skin hydrated and healthy all day with Vitamins E, A and C and organic Safflower Oil ($49.95).
Eye Shadow #168: This color is a makeup bag staple because it gives lids a brightening base when you’re going for a natural look, woke up late or running to the store With a hint of shimmer, I like to pair it with a few swipes of black mascara for a wide-eyed look ($29.95).
Hydrating Lip Lustre Cristal: A barely-there shade great for layering on top of any color. Non-sticky and hydrating, this is my new go-to gloss versatile enough to go from day to night ($29.95).
Shop the entire line at nveyeco.com and be sure to check out their makeup brushes, skincare and video application tutorials. Also stay up to date with new products and more on their Facebook page.
Working for Lancome, I learned some pretty awesome tricks of the trade. One of my favorites was how to apply foundation. To get that smooth, flawless look like you just left the makeup counter, the first thing you need is a good brush. My favorite is Lancome’s Foundation Brush #2 ($35), but if you’re ballin’ on a budget (no shame there) I also like E.L.F.’s Essential Foundation Brush ($1).
Next up, you get to pretend to be an artist. I like to use my hand as a palette. Put a little foundation on your hand then dip you’re brush in literally like you’re going to paint.
Remember that a little goes a long way. If you need more foundation, repeat the step above. Paint all over your face until your skin looks even and one color. Also, make sure to cover your entire face and blend with your neck. You don’t want “that line” that makes your face a completely different shade than your neck.
So why a brush? Why would you add more time to your morning makeup routine and just use your fingers instead? And what happened to using a sponge? Below is the proof. From top to bottom is finger, brush, sponge:
See the amazing difference? Here’s a closer look at using your fingers vs. using a brush. Your fingers cake foundation in certain places and skimp on other areas. Not a good look.
Below is also a closer look between a brush and a sponge. Let me be honest, I would rather you use your fingers than a sponge. Sponges make application uneven and absorb most of your foundation which sucks the life out of your wallet. Throw your sponges away…now. Also, disregard my amateur photography skills.
After you’ve applied your foundation with a brush and it looks perfect and flawless and you are ready to take on the world, it’s time for clean-up. Rubbing alcohol is my go-to and that’s what we used at the counter. Spray a little on your brush and rinse under cool water.
Lay flat to dry and your foundation brush will love you. You’ll also notice less breakouts from using clean tools.
Easy enough? Now get out there and buy a brush!
Above all things in the beauty realm, skincare is my favorite. I love trying out different creams and scrubs that promise to lift, tighten and glow like never before. Although there aren’t any proven miracles in skincare, I’m a believer that if you use good stuff and use it on a regular basis, your skin will be good to you too.
I’m always on the lookout for new skincare and Good4You’s bright and artsy packaging caught my eye. They have everything from floral toners to tinted balms for cheeks and lips, shimmer powder, scents, serums and even homeopathic super foods and medicines.
Here are my favorites from the line:
Rosey Salve: Made with locally gathered roses, apply to face focusing on wrinkles. Its thick texture makes a great night cream and it can also be used to soothe chapped hands and dry spots. Smells amazing and infused with a variety of skin-nourishing oils.
Rose Water Toner: A refreshing water infused with organic roses to soothe skin, calm pores and relieve redness.
Herbal Shimmer Dust: all over body powders that bring a gorgeous sparkle sheen. Great to wear all over body or pair with your favorite blush to highlight cheeks.
Hibiscus Shimmer Blush Salve: A little goes a long way with this sheer, silky balm that gives cheeks a subtle “just pinched” look and wears for hours. Flowers and oils not only give the salve a pretty sheen, they are good for skin too.
Island Herbal Scent: A light, clean aroma that reminds me of the beach. Great to mix with any unscented salve for fragrance staying power or wear alone for a light hint of fragrance.
Shop the entire collection at etsy.com/good4you.
There was a bit of a snafu with my August Glossybox so I just received it yesterday. Apparently it got lost in the mail, but I called them and they sent me a replacement right away. A+ for customer service. If you haven’t already signed up for Glossybox, I love it. It’s the best beauty subscription service I’ve tried and for $20 a month you get five deluxe samples sized luxury products that more than make up for the money you spent. Shipping is free and each month you get a gorgeous pink box that works great for storing jewelry and scarves. I’ve also stashed a few away for the holidays to wrap gifts.
Even though it’s a little late, I want to give you a peek inside the box:
Inside the August Glossybox there are five deluxe (and I mean deluxe!). Here’s the lowdown:
1. Biolage ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment: Tames flyaways and frizz. Remember: a little goes a long way!
2.Illamasqua Ltd Nail Varnish: I got bright green and I love it. It’s something I would never pick out for myself but it’s fun to try something new.
3. Touch in Sol Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base: Packed with collagen and hydration, this double-duty moisturizer and makeup base plumps skin to hide fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Ellis Faas Ellis Lips: Lip shine that packs in the color without the stick.
5. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster: Vitamin C boosts collagen and brightens for firm, glowing skin.
For more information on the August Glossybox products and subscription options, visit glossybox.com.
The perfect makeup brush is always hard to find. I mean, if I could have a complete set out of the glossy cabinet at the Chanel counter, I would be a happy camper. With limited funds, I’ve started to save up for a really good brush, buy it, then save up for another. While good in theory because I will have an amazing brush collection in 10 years, I need something to tide me over until then.
I’ve searched high and low for every brush in every price range. I know this sounds crazy, but besides the crazy expensive designer brushes, E.L.F.’s makeup brushes rock. Most brushes range from $1 to $3 each and if you really want to get crazy, there’s a $6 Kabuki.
I love all of their brushes but my all-time favorite is their foundation brush. Although it does not last as long, it holds its own compared to its name brand counterparts. Best of all, its $1.
Foundation Brush, $1.
Here are some of their other brushes I can’t live without:
Essential Eye Crease Brush, $1.
Bonus! From now until September 2, E.L.F. is having a buy one get one free sale. A great makeup brush for under $1? I’ll take that any day. Hurry and shop the sale before it’s too late at eyeslipsface.com.
Call it a problem, call it an addiction but I can never have enough mascara. Even if I’m running out the door for a quick errand, if I don’t have any on I feel like I’m missing something. Truth be told, it’s like icing on a cake. In other words, you gotta have it.
I poured out my makeup bag and picked out my go-to mascaras. Here’s the good, the bad and the total truth on each one.
Benefit BADGal, $19 at benefitcosmetics.com. Go big or go home.
Pros: Gets lashes big, thick and noticeable. This is your go-to mascara for a night out.
Cons: Can get clumpy.
Tip: When BADGal starts to clump on lashes, run the wand under water to get the excess mascara off. Dry and apply as usual.
Lancome Hypnose Drama and Definicils, $26 each at Lancome.com. Versatile enough for the drama queen or tomboy.
We all know I worked for Lancome so let me give you the skinny on their best mascaras. Hypnose Drama gets lashes bigger and fuller than any mascara I’ve used but can get clumpy. Definicils coats lashes and gives them color but doesn’t add volume.
Pros: Two very different but guaranteed looks from each different one.
Cons: Both flake. And Hypnose Drama flakes A LOT.
Tip: Use together by coating upper lashes with Hypnose Drama then comb through with Definicils. Use only Definicils also for bottom lashes to define. For big volume, try Lancome’s Cils Booster XL, $23. If you let it dry for a few seconds before you apply mascara, it really does volume wonders up both top and bottom lashes.
Hourglass Superficial Lash, $26 at hourglasscosmetics.com. The daily do-gooder.
Pros: Doesn’t flake, smear or run because of its a special formula that coats lashes and comes off in tiny tubes.
Cons: No cons. I love this stuff.
Covergirl LashBlast at, $7.79 drugstore.com. The best $5 you’ve ever spent…kind of.
Most recent fashion magazines I’ve read sing LashBlast’s praises. It’s not that I don’t like it, I just don’t think it’s the best mascara I’ve ever used. It’s reminds me more of a lash tint than a mascara and doesn’t make lashes much more noticeable.
Pros: No clumps, no flaking.
Cons: Not enough va-va-voom.
Tip: I use Lash Blast under my other mascaras as a base. Or if another brand on and it clumps, I use Lash Blast’s plastic spiky brush to separate and define my lashes.
Brighten up, baby! It’s time to trade dull colors of seasons past for a fresh crop of hues. This summer, eyes are neutral and flirty or teetering on edgy with the smoked up look.
First things first, apply a brightening eye makeup base. Lancome’s Aquatique Waterproof Eyecolor Base ($25.50 at lancome.com) can be worn alone or is the best base I’ve used to make shadow and liner stay put. Swipe on lids and in the corner of eyes to add natural light. Along with its brightening effect, it keeps shadows put so there’s no creasing or flaking.
If you’re not quite ready to take the plunge into the world of smoky, get your feet wet (and a wide awake look) with shadows that contain a bit of shimmer. Laura Mercier Metallic Crème Eye Colour ($22 at lauramercier.com)in a rainbow of wearable illuminating shades (I’m smitten with Platinum) and can be layered on top of one another for a two-tone effect. Glam it up with Hourglass Script Precision Liquid Liner in Jett ($32 at barneys.com).
Last but not least, brightening up eyes doesn’t require a stitch of makeup. Eyelash curlers work wonders for an instant wide-eyed look. The Shiseido Eyelash Curler does the job flawlessly ($19 at shiseido.com).
The Daily Glamourista 