Natural Makeup and Beauty Products-My top picks

As a woman who loves to use makeup to enhance my features I struggle with the information that is released on all of the terrible chemicals that are being used in our cosmetics.  I don't want to put anything near my face or hands that has traces of formaldehyde, that just sounds gross! The other side of the argument is finding products that yield beautiful results naturally.  In the last few years natural product lines have risen to the challenge and I am over the moon to share my top picks.  In the below images you will see all of my top picks that make my makeup bag happy.  Check out my pinterest board to see all of my pins on these cosmetics and their benefits.

These are just a few of my faves that I put my stamp of approval on.  These are pricier products but their results are phenomenal and this is money well spent.  I also like to remind friends that a healthy lifestyle of hydration, vitamin rich foods and plenty of rest makes for the need of less makeup.  When you take care of yourself you feel better and look better.  There is nothing wrong with splurging on a lipstick that will make you feel like a million dollars. 

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Monday Blues Part 2-Smokey Eye

A couple weeks back I showed you how to create a blue shadow look that was super Springy and bright. Taking the blue shadow to the next level by making it a little smokey. I found it to be sultry and fun to wear.  

After you have the base set with your blue eye all you will need is a deeper blue shadow, we used Atlantic Blue by MAC. 

In the photo below you can see how making the eye a little smokey changes the whole appearance.

Take the deep blue shadow and buff it into your outer eye.  By keeping the lighter blue around the top and the water line you enhance the look. 

Dewy Face

With Spring in the air and Summer around the corner I like to keep my face light and reflective.  A dewy skin look is one of my favorite makeup looks in warm weather.  This is a minimal coverage look that leaves your skin feeling bright.

What you will need;

A setting spray-We used MAC Fix+

An illuminating foundation with primer built in-We used Laura Mercier Base Preparatoire De Maquillage

For added glow we added a drop of strobe cream by MAC which is an illuminating moisturizer, you can skip this step

Spray your face with setting spray. Take a quarter sized amount of the foundation and a pea sized amount of the illuminating moisturizer (if using) and blend together in the palm of your hand with a foundation brush. Apply all over your face, blending with your brush.   

Once you have blended evenly all over your skin, it is time to go back over and do direct spot coverage very lightly on any blemishes that are too pronounced with your concealer.  We also took some nude pigment dust by MAC to use as a shimmery contour.  

Take the nude pigment with an eyeshadow brush and run it along your cheeks bones, inner eye and the bridge of your nose.  

To compliment my glowing skin, I used an orange lip which you may remember.  Let your skin shine!

Brows Matter

Your hair frames your face and your brows frame your eyes, the windows to your soul.  I am firm believer in your brows matter.  There isn't a day that goes by where I don't run a brush through my brows, like I do my hair.   Even on days where I am only wearing moisturizer, a simple brush of my brows adds a little freshness. Don't be intimidated by this task, just like anything you practice you will begin to master what works for you. There are lots of different methods and tricks.  Go to a trusted makeup counter and ask someone to help you find what works best for you or treat yourself to a brow bar visit where someone takes the time to truly shape your brows to your most desired look.  For me, I want to enhance what I naturally have and help them to look as even as possible.  Remember, brows are sisters not twins so don't worry if they don't perfectly match.  

What you will need;

  • A Brow Brush
  • A brow brush gel in a shade darker than your natural brown color-We used brow set by MAC in Beguile
  • A Highlighter Pencil-We used Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter
  • An angled eyeliner brush

Start by brushing your bare brows, start with the wand near the inner eye and brush up and over.

Take your brow gel wand and wipe off any excess product/clumps onto a tissue. In the same motion you brushed them bare, brush with the product, going up and over the brow line. Go back over and adjust any areas you may have missed.  The gel should help fill in and set your brows.  

Next, take your highlighter and add it under your brow, be careful and choose a highlighter that blends naturally into your brow line to enhance that isn't too obvious.  Blend the highlighter into your brows to achieve a natural and light look.

It is amazing how a subtle defined brow shapes, brightens and enhances your face. 

An Orange Lip-Spring Trend Alert

I have collected beauty tips and tricks over the years.  I have learned/studied what others do to accomplish a look and on my own tried to make it work for me.  There can be a lot of trial and error (like most things) but if you never try then you will never know.  One of my favorite things to always experiment with are new lipsticks.  I am a firm believer in a new lipstick can change your world.  As someone who likes to be encouraged by trends but be not ruled by them, I want to share with you how to achieve the orange lip that is popping up all over this Spring.  

Picking a shade; Don't be intimidated by the idea of orange, it can be extremely flattering. Find a shade that compliments your skin tone, I am more fair with pink and blue undertones so a warmer orange with red looks best on my skin type.  Unsure of your skin tone? Go into a makeup counter and speak with an artist who can help you determine your best shades.

For this tutorial we used MAC lipstick in So Chaud and MAC lip pencil in What A Blast.  

Prep lips; apply a moisturizing balm to your lips first, this helps keeps your lips moist and makes your color last longer.  I like to apply a concealer around the edge of lips to help outline them and it naturally enhances the look.  Blend it down into the lips so there is no obvious concealer line.  

Application; We applied this lip by using a lip brush, this offers a bit more control. Start from the center and work your way out to the edges of your lips.

For a finished look I would add a lip pencil.  If lip liner is not your thing than you can skip this step, I think it completes the look, adding definition which makes your lips appear to be perfect. Apply liner around the edges of your lips. Now go out there with your popped lip and have some fun!

The lovely and gifted artist Christa W. helped me with this post today. Please contact me for her info, she is a true talent.  My next beauty tutorial will be on how we gave my skin a natural and dewy glow to compliment this lip!