Gotta love Kelly's Korner for giving me a reason to post about makeup and hair.
First, I have to plug Cindy Crawford's Basic Face. I know this book is over 10 years old, but this is how I actually learned to put on makeup. I haven't always followed the rules, but it's a great resource when I'm in a rut or I'm having trouble getting something to look right. Every person learning to use makeup should have a copy.
Second, what I write about here is what works for me. I encourage everyone to get to their nearest Sephora or Ulta and play around with what works for them. Have fun, be daring, and, ultimately, go with what you're comfortable with.
I wear Bare Escentuals makeup for my base and cheeks (although sometimes a cream blush is the only way to go!). It's easy to use, easy to work with, and it looks good. (My favorite thing about wearing it? I look younger. And, trust me, without it, I tend to look older than I am.)
I like to have fun with my eyes. Since high school, nude (and sometimes black) eyeshadow and black eyeliner have been a staple for me. A few years ago, I began throwing purple into the mix. I have hazel eyes, and they used to look more green, but lately, they've been more brown. I use the purple to try to bring out the green.
I love the Kat Von D Rock n Roll eyeshadow pallette at Sephora. It has white, champagne, purple and black eyeshadows in it.
Cover Girl's Purple Pop eyeshadow rocks! Go light for a hint of purple, go heavy for intense color. It also pairs well with Clinique's Sugarberry, which may be discontinued. (I just found it, unused, in my treasure box of makeup.)
I got Bare Minerals Extreme Malachite, Perlite, and Pyrite around Christmas and they are glittery neutrals, if you're into adding a touch of sparkle when the occasion calls. It's a more grown-up glitter, so you don't look like you're a thirty year old who still thinks they're fifteen. Or twelve.
No eye makeup can be complete without eyeliner. This is usually my main source of color for my eyes. If I use colored eyeshadow, I stick with the same color eyeliner. But when I put a nude shade of eyeshadow on, I like to change the color of eyeliner, for a subtle burst of color. My favorites? Sephora Flashy Green (a teal, for when I'm in a peacock mood), and Sephora Turquoise, Glitter Black, and Glitter Purple in the Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner line.
Don't forget the mascara!
For lips, I like to keep it light. I rarely wear lipstick. Usually, I stick to gloss. I got Bare Minerals Strawberry Cream in a kit a month or so ago and I LOVE it! A little bit of color, but nothing dramatic (since that's what I do with my eyes).
Nail polish? I like to alternate between French pink (save money by avoiding the French pedi/mani and just go with the pink - it lasts longer, goes with everything, and is very classy) and Black. (If you can't tell, I like a little edge in my look. It makes me feel not so boring.)
And while I'm on the subject of nails, don't get acrylics (or gels) (or fake nails of any kind)! They harbor germs, ruin your natural nails, and are really expensive. Go to the drug store and get some Sally Hansen Hard as Nails. Use it liberally to revitalize your natural nails and when they regain their strength, use it once a week. It's so good, I've been told by a manicurist to quit talking about it 'cause I'd ruin her business. Surely she was half joking, but she was also a little serious.
What I have learned over the past couple of years is brushes make the difference! I don't use all my brushes like I am supposed to, but I have found what works for me. I believe what makes makeup so much fun for me is creating my own look. So, go to the drustore and pick up some cheap brushes. Cindy Crawford advises to go for paint brushes because they're cheaper than actual makeup brushes. My experience is go to the drugstore makeup brushes first because that is where the cheapest ones are. THEN when you find what you love and if you want something more expensive, compare prices on paintbrushes and department store makeup brand brushes. Paintbrushes get expensive, too. The cheaper ones are cheap, but the nicer ones get pretty pricey (also if you choose to go this route, check Hobby Lobby's ad for when paintbrushes are 50% off).
Moving on to hair...
Products - Pantene makes an anti-frizz serum/product that works wonders for the humid Alabama Summers and Falls. Love it!
Hairspray is a must for big hair :)
My latest favorite product is Jonathan's Spray Dirt and Silky Dirt. I love it for that messy, bed-head, rock star look. Be warned: it doesn't take a lot of this to get the look AND it can make your hair look really greasy, so avoid the top of your head (go in, at the roots, underneath).
Tools - I have a big, round brush that I sometimes use for blowdrying, and I have a small round brush that I use for teasing.
Bump-its are fun to use for play, but the look got really popular for a while, so sometimes it seems a bit cliche. What I got from my Bump-its kit, though, is a primer on how to tease my hair. Another love it!
And, of course, a girl's gotta have her blowdryer, flat iron, and hot rollers.
And what fun would looking all glam be without some perfume?
My favorites are:
Chanel "Chance"
and
Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things "Noir"
