Tag: Ulta Beauty

10 EYESHADOW TIPS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

Published on by Lee3 Comments

Your eyes are arguably one of your strongest assets. They are the so-called windows to your soul after all, which is all the more reason to brush up on your eyeshadow skills. But applying eyeshadow like a pro can be tricky. What are all those different sections of a palette for? What type of brush should you use? Let’s go back to the basics. Ahead, find our ten golden rules for applying eyeshadow and you’ll be golden, too.

STEP #1: Always Use Primer 

An eyeshadow primer creates a clean canvas for you to work with, and it acts as a barrier between your eyeshadow and the natural oils in your skin. That way, your makeup stays put so you can keep touch-ups to a minimum. Try a formula like Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion Primer.

STEP #2: Enhance Your Natural Eye Color 

You want to choose an eyeshadow shade that accentuates your natural eye color. Finding colors that best complement your eyes takes some experimenting, but here’s a good place to start:

Blue Eyes: Shadows with bronze or peachy tones help blue eyes pop. Slate gray is another great option.

Green Eyes:A plum-colored shadow looks very flattering if you have green or hazel eyes. Rusty shades are also gorgeous.

Brown Eyes:If you’re a brown-eyed girl like me, we’re lucky because most shades look great on us. But gold or purple hues are especially flattering

STEP #3: Know Your Eye Shape 

Do you have deep-set eyes? Close-set? Hooded? Determining the shape of your eye helps you decide which shading technique is right for your specific features and plays up your natural beauty.

STEP #4: Decode Your Palette

You might be tempted to open an eyeshadow palette and just have at it, but it’s important to know which sections correspond to each part of your eye. Trust us, there’s a method to all this palette madness! There’s a variety of palettes out there, but here’s a general breakdown of your basic eyeshadow quad palette (the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette in Warm Neutrals is a great one to start with). 

Lightest color: This is your base color. Apply this shade from your upper lash line all the way up to right beneath your brow. You can also use this color in the inner corner of your eye to add a bit of brightness.

Second lightest: This is your lid color, as it’s slightly darker than the base. Brush this over your lid from your upper lash line to your crease.

Second darkest: This is applied to the crease for a contouring effect. This should go over the area where your brow bone meets your lid to create definition.

Darkest color: Finally, the liner. Using an angled brush, apply it to your upper lash line (and lower lash line if you want a bold boost), making sure to brush where the root of your lashes meets your lid so there’s no visible gap.

STEP #5: Blend, Blend, Blend

We can’t stress this one enough! Blending your edges can be the difference between your eyeshadow looking flawless and looking like … well, a hot mess. Don’t smear. Use a light touch and gently sweep your brush along your lid, blending harsh lines. To blend like a pro, you need the right brushes, which brings us to step #6.

STEP #6: Invest in the Right Brushes

There are so many eyeshadow brushes out there in every shape and size, it can get confusing. Here are the three most important ones you should own:

Basic eyeshadow brush:The bristles are flat and stiff, and you use this for all-over color.

Blending brush:The bristles are soft and fluffier for seamless blending.

Angled eyeshadow brush:This is a precision brush that is perfect for lining your eyes.

STEP #7: Take Care of Your Tools

Cleaning your eyeshadow brushes is probably at the bottom of your to-do list, but it’s really important. We’re talking about your eyes here, so cleanliness is key. Run your brush under lukewarm water and then pour a nickel-sized amount of baby shampoo into your hand. Swirl the brush in the shampoo, rinse well and pat dry with a clean cloth.

STEP #8: Choose Your Formula Wisely

Pressed eyeshadows are your basic, most common formula. They’re a great, mess-free option. Cream shadows are perfect if you want a dewy sheen, but they can crease easily — especially if you have oily lids. Loose shadows usually come in a small pot, and while you’ll feel like a professional makeup artist using them, they are definitely the messiest of the three.

STEP # 9: Let a Bold Eye Shine 

A smoky eyeshadow looks gorgeous on its own, but once you add a dramatic lip into the mix, the two can overwhelm each other. Don’t be afraid to go bold, but just make sure your overall look has balance.

STEP 10: Keep it All in Place With a Setting Spray 

Get the most mileage out of your makeup by using a setting spray as your final step. Hold the bottle at arm’s length from your face and spritz away. We love the Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Matte Setting Spray.

Read More:

How To Apply Blush – And What You Definitely Shouldn’t Do!

Published on by Lee15 Comments

We’re calling it: blush is going to be one of THE biggest makeup trends of 2020. While some of you may think blush is a little old school, it’s a classic for a reason! When applied correctly, blush warms up your entire face and gives you the most stunning youthful glow. It also adds an element of harmony to your makeup game that we can’t live without (more deets on that later). The thing is, it has to be applied correctly otherwise a sun-kissed goddess is the last thing you’ll look like, and trust us, it’s easy to go overboard if you’re not careful! Here are all of our top blush tips, and how to avoid any blush-mishaps.

How to Find the Right Blush Shade for Your Skin Tone

Finding the right blush for your skin tone is one of the most important elements to get right. If it’s too bright it can look harsh on your skin, and if it’s the wrong shade it can disrupt the harmony of your look. The key is to choose a shade that looks like a natural flush; as if you’re blushing.

For fair skin tones: Light, pink-toned blushers work well for fair skin tones – the Benefit Cosmetics Dandelion Box O’ Powder Blush, $30, is perfect!

For light to medium skin tones: Peach shades will warm up your complexion beautifully. We’re obsessed with the Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Formentera, $45.

For golden or olive skin tones: Opt for brighter pinks and soft corals like Patrick Ta’s Monochrome Moment Velvet Blush, $32, in the shade She’s Passionate – a beautiful coral-pink.

For deep and rich skin tones: Hot pinks, fiery corals, and deep berry tones look divine. The Glossier Cloud Paint in Haze, $18, is perfect for rich skin tones; it looks super bright but it blends out like a dream.

How to Choose A Blush Shade To Complement Your Look

Of course, you don’t have to stick to one blush shade, you can experiment with different shades depending on your vibe. However, try to create an element of harmony by using similar hues for your eyes, lips, and cheeks. It’s an MUA rule that we live by – it’ll instantly elevate your look. Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta actually created a makeup collection dedicated to the monochromatic mantra including four sets of Lip Cremes, lip liners and Velvet Blushes in complementary shades to create a truly harmonious look.

For example, if you’re wearing a bold coral or orange-toned lip, opt for a coral-toned blush. If you’re wearing a brown nude lip like our Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Board Meeting $25, use a cool-toned blush with muted brown undertones like NARS Luster, $30. Check out our examples below for monochromatic makeup goals:

For fair skin tones: To match the Dandelion Box O’ Powder Blush, $30, we’d recommend Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in shade Rendez Vous, $25. It’ll create that soft feminine look that’s seriously trending right now.

how to pick the perfect blush
Source: Benefit

For light to medium skin tones: The Beach Stick in Formentera, $45, is in fact, a lip and cheek stick, so you can use it to warm up your complexion as well as your lips. This is actually one of the easiest ways to create a harmonious look; either by buying multi-purpose products or using a lip creme as a blush. Simply try to find a shade that matches the blush shade for your skin tone, as we’ve recommended above.

how to pick the perfect blush
Source: Charlotte Tilbury

For golden or olive skin tones: Patrick Ta’s Monochrome Moment Velvet Blush in shade She’s Passionate, $32, was created to be worn with Lip Crème shade She’s Independent, $24.

how to pick the perfect blush
Source: Patrick Ta

For deep and rich skin tones: Once you’ve applied the Glossier Cloud Paint in Haze, $18, to your cheeks, you can use it to stain your lips or try our Demi Matte Cream Lipstick in the shade Lady Boss, $20, which looks gorgeous on deep skin tones.

how to pick the perfect blush
Source: Glossier

How to Find the Right Blush Formula

When you’re searching for your perfect blush, the formula is another crucial factor to consider. There are so many variations on offer from matte and shimmer powders, cream pots and sticks, and stains and tints. Each formula has its own set of pros and cons. Powder blush is great for those who love to set their foundation with powder and prefer a more matte skin finish. If you prefer the no-makeup makeup look and glowy skin and rarely set your base with powder, then you’ll most likely gravitate towards a ‘wet’ finish blush, like a cream or a tint. Blush stains are another great option and can be blended with foundation, but they can be harder to blend out, so you have to be very careful with the application.

Blush
Source: Benefit, Morphe

We recommend steering away from very shimmery or sparkly blushes, as these can disrupt the balance of your blush. Creams are also often not as long-lasting as a powder, which is why Beyoncé’s makeup artist Sir John suggests layering your blushes; first by applying a cream, followed by a powder to set it. He notes this is especially beneficial for dark skin tones to ensure it stays put and the pigment pops.

How to Apply Blush

For flawless blush application, use a tapered or rounded, medium-sized fluffy brush. If the brush is too densely packed, you run the risk of picking up and applying too much blush, and if the brush is too small, then the blush will be too heavily concentrated and won’t look well blended.

Our Fave Blush Brushes

The Spectrum A05 Blush Brush, $10, which has a tapered finish and works beautifully for targeted blush and contour.

spectrum blush brush

The Patrick Ta Monochrome Moment Blush Brush, $35, has crimped synthetic fibers that easily pick up powder formulas and a tulip shape to disperse pigments for seamless application.

patrick ta blush brush

The Real Techniques Blush Brush, $9, is a classic and one of our all-time faves. The tapered bristles allow for precision application and flawless blending.

real techniques blush brush

How to Apply Blush for a Natural Glow

For a healthy flush of color apply blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend outwards using a circular motion. Scott Barnes, J.Lo’s go-to MUA told us “Instead of applying blush to the sides of your face, apply it towards the front of your cheeks, more under the eye line.”

What You Should Never Do…

Scott warns; “Applying blush on the sides, or stretching it out really far like it’s some sort of blush contour, will make you look older or outdated. The only time you want to put blush on the sides is if you are doing an editorial shoot or fashion shoot with a specific reason. Proper blush screams youth and that’s the makeup gospel truth.” And if there’s anyone we can rely on for youthful makeup tips, it’s JLo’s makeup artist – that woman doesn’t age!

How to Apply Blush for a Sun-Kissed Look

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6LdKxODf10/?utm_source=ig_embed

If you’re looking for a sun-kissed vibe, even in the dead of winter, blush is your BFFL. The trick is to apply a dusting (and we mean the lightest of dustings) of blush wherever the sun would hit. Think about the apples of your cheeks, the center of your forehead, and the tip of your nose. This looks works particularly well when it’s layered on top of a bronzed glow.

How to Apply Blush for a Warm, Sculpted Look

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eTe1vg2_S/?utm_source=ig_embed

For a warm sculpted finish, apply blush to the apples of your cheeks as instructed by Scott, then lightly warm up your contour with any excess product, like under the cheekbones, and the top of your forehead. This will warm up your face and balance a grey-toned contour; the key is to go lightly – only use whatever is on your brush after applying your blush.

Do you guys wear blush? Let us know in the comments below.

Beauty Q&A: I Bought The Wrong Foundation Shade — What Should I Do?

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Finding the correct shade of foundation can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you fall in between shades or are unsure of how to match foundation. What’s worse is heading home after a spree at Sephora only to realize that you chose the wrong foundation shade. Do you immediately turn around and return it, or should you add it to your makeup stash anyway? And even the Ulta Beauty and Sephora employees don’t always get it right.

If You’re Unsure of Your Shade, Go Lighter

If the shade is a little lighter than what you usually wear, you might be ok. It’s harder to lighten a foundation as there’s only really few tricks to do so, so it’s best to ask for a sample of the shades you think you are so you can take home and see. The samples are free. If you did buy a foundation that is a little dark, try mixing it with a lighter color concealer or use a foundation powder that is 1 or 2 shades lighter to lighten up the foundation.

Mix and Match the Same Formula

The best and easiest way to rectify purchasing a wrong foundation is to mix a lighter or darker concealer, in the same formulation, with the foundation to make it match your skin tone. If the foundation is extremely light, I suggest to strategically use bronzer to help deepen the shade. You can even try to mix the lighter foundation with a darker shade.

Contour to Your Advantage

The last tip is an important one: If you buy the wrong foundation shade, use your face structure to your advantage. “Since the face has natural contours to it, you can use that to your advantage when your foundation is slightly off from your skin tone. Highlighting and contouring in the right places will help conceal the foundation not matching your skin tone. So next time, before you run back to repurchase, play with some mixing and give it a whirl.

Soap and Glory: Drugstore Product of the Week!

Published on by Lee1 Comment

It’s true, I am OBSESSED with Soap & Glory, but for good reason! This body butter is definitely one of them! The Righteous Butter is such a creamy luxurious body cream, it’s almost hard to believe it’s a drugstore find! The beautiful texture, the girly but fruity smell, and the way it leaves your skin is, without doubt, a triple threat! I love putting this on when I get out of the shower, and I have been doing this for months now. I have dry skin, that’s actually kinda rough (SOOO embarrassing as a beauty blogger), and this has made my skin so soft, it’s unbelievable! It’s softer than a baby’s bottom now, lol. So I have to say, after a month of creamy-delicious-indulgence, I am literally addicted to this beautiful body butter!

For those of you who are not familiar with Soap and Glory, here’s a brief history on this brand.

Soap & Glory has been supporting the Clean of England since 2006, when they started formulating fun, fearlessly world-class products to give every girl THE BEST BANG FOR HER BEAUTY BUDGET.

Within weeks of the first launch, the word – and the gloss – on almost everybody’s lips was their (now iconic) super-plumping SEXY MOTHER PUCKER™. Soon after, our all-time, dry-skin classic – THE RIGHTEOUS BUTTER™ – was voted Britain’s Best Body Butter and our MAKE YOURSELF YOUTHFUL™ anti-aging peptide serum took The Times Beauty Awards Gold Star. The bar was set high. And every single Soap & Glory product that followed has been brilliant.

Was also featured on “How to Look Good Naked” reality tv show on 3/1/2008.

The texture to me is light but some may find it heavy, so make sure you apply this straight out of the shower, then pat dry after half an hour if you are going out! It’s not greasy, it does soak it, but just in case you over apply and get carried away!

The packaging of the Soap & Glory Righteous Butter is charming, pretty & fun. As with many of their products, it’s somewhat nostalgic & PINK!

One of my favorite things about The Righteous Butter is the Scent. It is amazing. Soap & Glory calls it their “original pink fragrance“. The fruity-floral signature fragrance is a blend of rose, bergamot, orange leaf, lemon, strawberry, gardenia, and jasmine. Some have compared it to Dior Miss Cherie perfume.

Bottom Line

If you are an all-natural gal, this may not be for you because it does contain parabens. If that doesn’t bother you, this body butter is worth a try! The company claims that a tub of this is sold every 20 seconds somewhere in the world. I can see why. It does what it claims to do – moisturizes extremely dry, dehydrated skin, it smells amazing and doesn’t cost a fortune! The Righteous Butter has become a staple in my bathroom and I will definitely continue using it.

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter
Available at Ulta Beauty ($15 for 10.1 oz), Sephora, Target ($14.99 for 10.01 oz) 

Have you tried The Righteous Butter? Or any other Soap & Glory Products? What are your favorites? As always, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave your comments below!