Back to School - Part 2 - Color You Gorgeous!

Fall is my favorite season!
As I mentioned in my previous post, I really, really dig fall. As a kid, I grew up in Wisconsin, where fall actually meant crisp air and falling leaves and back to school in September.  In Fort Worth, where I currently live?  Not so much.  Kids start school in August and fall doesn't hit until much later in the year...late October, early November or so.  I relish in it once it arrives!  Whether you're in school, you're a teacher, going to work every day or a mom running kids to class, Back to School is a state of mind...the end of summer, time for transitions.  If you read Part 1 of my Back to School beauty tips (if you missed it, click here to read), then your skin is in shape...now it's time to add a little color to your life!  What are some easy ways to switch up your makeup routine this fall?  Read on....

 

Change up your lip game -  Fall is  great time to switch out your clear gloss or summer lipbalm for a creamy lipstick in a peachy/pink or even a deep berry...these colors look great most everyone and will work well with your new wardrobe too.  If you're not a lipstick fan, try a lipbalm/stain combo like Revlon's fall Colorburst Balm Stain in Crush or Smitten....it applies like a lip balm, but adds a sheer wash of color.

Stick to pinks, berries, reds and peachy shades....brown shades are everywhere in fall, but they're not always flattering, especially on paler skin tones.

Personally, I love a really deep berry for fall!  It looks great with heavier clothing and darker colors, plus it really gives a pop of color to my (year 'round!) pale skin....
One of my favorite shades is "Shame" by Urban Decay....even though it's not technically fall yet in Texas (still around 100 degrees daily), I had to break out a little wishful fall makeup last week!

Try a new way to blush - Have you been skipping blush on top of your tan this summer, or just using bronzer? When cooler temps hit, you'll need to transition to a little more cheek color to compensate for paler skin. Try a sheer, blendable gel formula (Try Butter London's Cheeky blush in Abbey Rose) for staying power to last through long days of class and after school activities.  Blend well onto the apples of your cheeks with a dampened Beauty Blender sponge...don't bring color too low!  For even longer lasting blush, try a gel formula, set with powder and then add a light dusting of powder blush on top.  Pinks, peachy shades, sheer poppy or berry all work on a variety of skin tones.  Go easy on bronzer in fall and winter, use sparingly for a light glow!


(photo credit: lipstickwithsunshine.com)

 

School /Work Appropriate Eye Makeup - Not sure how much eye makeup is appropriate for school , work or PTA meetings this fall?  Easy test.... if your eye makeup would fit in at the club or on a red carpet, it's definitely too much for daytime!  When it doubt, keep it simple.  A wash of buttery gold shadow (try L'Oreal infalliable shadow in Iced Latte) or shimmery taupe shadow provides a bit of definition and looks

(photo credit: seeyourinterest.com)

great on most everyone.....avoid bright colors and too much sparkle, save that for nights out. Dark brown or black liner traced lightly into lash lines,  plus mascara will give your eyes a bit of polish that looks great whether you're a sorority pledge or the one teaching a roomful of students....pretty much any situation! 

 

Fall-worthy Lashes and Brows - If your lashes are very light or got bleached out from summer, be sure to coat your lashes all the way down to the tip!  Choose a mascara with a tiny wand, such as one made for lower lashes, like Maybelline Lash Discovery.  Other ideas?  You can buy small disposable wands at a cosmetic supplier inexpensively to use with your favorite mascara, and Sephora has a great brush to try...it's a tiny fan brush that lets you paint on your favorite mascara root to tip. (Sephora Pro collection brush #220).

If your brows are like mine...much lighter than my hair and bleach out easily in the sun....be sure to fill them in a bit.  Use a bit of brow powder (Senna and Anastasia have great options) and a tiny angled brush.  Don't go overboard!  Just lightly fill in sparse areas and darken them up a bit if they're bleached out.

Follow these tips for a fresh look that is just right for fall!  What's YOUR favorite way to transition your makeup look from summer to fall?  Share in the comments below!

 

Five Drugstore Beauty Favorites!

I attended a vendor open house earlier this week at the Orchard, a venue that refers me all the time...thanks guys!  It's a lovely venue out in the country that actually sits on ....you guessed it...a pecan orchard.  When I attend an open house, I like to offer a fun giveaway that brides can sign up for....this time, I decided to create a goodie bag with 5  of my top drugstore beauty favorites!  Five products you can find at any Walgreen's, CVS or Target and run $15 or less (one is only $1!)...all affordable, yet effective.  Great products to mix in with more expensive skin care and cosmetics that you already love.  All the brides were excited to discover a new product that wouldn't break the bank! 

Want the lowdown on the fun stuff I included in this goodie bag?  Here ya go.....maybe you'll discover a new favorite!

 Garnier  The Refreshing Remover Wipes
As the name implies, they smell fresh and clean!  They run about $6 a pack and they remove all of your makeup with one sheet….even mascara and eyeliner...all without leaving any oily residue.  They are oil-free, safe to use with eyelash extensions and leave your skin feeling fresh, clean and soft.  Great to keep in your nightstand for nights when you are too tired to do your whole skin care routine, but still want to go to bed with a clean face!  I keep some in my purse too…they are great for removing any makeup stains on your clothes and in a pinch, can be used to cleanse your hands too. I love them….

ELF concealer brush

These run about $1 a piece…seriously! The low price allows me to buy several that I use for a variety of purposes. It can be used as a tiny concealer brush for undereye circles or to cover blemishes…simply dot on and blend.  It’s a great lip brush, and applies lipstick easily for a clean line.  It can also be used to apply powder eyeshadow as liner (a fave trick of mine) on upper and lower lashlines, or it can be used with gel liner for a precise application.  It has synthetic bristles, so you can wash with soap and water to keep it clean…a little Dawn liquid is also great to remove creamy products like concealer.

Sonia KashukEyeshadow  Medium Shader Brush

These run about $11 each and are one of my eyeshadow staples!  They rival brushes that cost 3 times as much, but since they are affordable, I have 4 or 5 of them to supplement my more expensive blending brushes. This is a medium size shadow brush that has a dense, yet soft head with a rounded top…excellent for applying color and blending.  Clean with brush cleaner daily.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lipbalm/Stain in Honey

Costs about $9 and is a great all around lip color.  Applies easily, like a big crayon….it applies subtle color that isn’t too glossy, and has a stain like pigment, so it lasts.  The Honey color is a soft nude pink that looks very natural and works on nearly everyone.  A great product for moms or any busy woman on the go....lipcolor and balm in one step!

L’Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara in Carbon Black

 
 

An excellent mascara that rivals brands that cost 3 times as much!  This is around $10…the formula is a glossy, VERY black one that applies smoothly with no clumping.  Doesn’t provide tons of volume, but it does create glossy black lashes that don’t look spidery.  One of my favorite mascaras!

And the lucky winner was.....Nikola H.!  I will be sending her these drugstore goodies next week.  If you follow me here, on Facebook or Instagram, then you know I spend a ton on cosmetics and love prestige brands, but why spend a fortune if you don't have to?  Much like great fashion, a high-low mix suits me well.....and I've already done the product testing so you don't have to!  What are some of YOUR favorite drugstore beauty finds?

They're Real....and they're SPECTACULAR!

A SUPER common question clients ask is "what's the best mascara?  I've tried everything and still can't find one I like..."

I'm a big believer that mascara doesn't have to be expensive to be effective.  Most mascara formulations are chemically similar...the biggest differences are in packaging, and of course, marketing.  Here's what I look for in a great mascara:  glossy, very black, non-clumping, and no awful smell (I'm very sensitive to products that smell really strong!).  I like formulas that are moisturizing and don't smudge, but also don't take an act of God to remove at night.  Tall order?  Maybe, but I've been lucky and found several I like!  Here are two in different price points to handle any budget.  First, the drugstore fave:

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Carbon Black

 

This stuff is pretty great, especially at around $9 a tube at any drugstore!  It's glossy, VERY black, non-clumping, easy to apply and lasts all day without flaking.  It has a small, comb like brush that coats lashes individually with zero clumping. If you need volume for sparse lashes, this is just meh...this is better for just giving lashes you've already got a nice, black glossy finish....all at a reasonable price.  Considering you should switch out your mascara every 3-6 months for safety and cleanliness reasons, this is pretty appealing!  Overall grade: A-

 

Here's my second current fave:

 

                                              Benefit's "They're REAL!" Mascara in Black

 

This is more of a prestige brand, and at $23 a tube, more of a prestige price.  I am LOVING this mascara!  Again, glossy, very black, lasts all day, etc.  But this one has more VOLUME and really adds fullness to your lashes.  The brush coats each lash and the little ball on the end helps with tiny bottom lashes.  Definitely my choice for a night out when I want more of a dramatic look.  Does it really look like false lashes...no, but it creates pretty nice real lashes!  At Ulta, Sephora and other beauty retailers that sell Benefit cosmetics.  I am a bit of a sucker for clever marketing too!  Overall Grade: A

Bottom line?  If you have a prestige mascara that you love and works for you, by all means...buy it!  The various brushes work better on different eye types, so when you find one that works, it's the Holy Grail.  Having said that, don't think that mascara is a category where you absolutely have to pony up bucks.....drugstore brands are very, very similar and can produce great results at an affordable price.  Which one will you choose?  What's your favorite?  Let's all LASH OUT!
PS....anyone get my Seinfeld reference in the title?!?!  I'll give you a hint, it has nothing to do with lashes......
Have a great day....see you soon!  J