OK - before your cringe, let me explain.  I'm not talking about the huge chunks of glitter we all thought looked so good in junior high.  I'm talking about 'microfine' shimmer that looks soft, not discoball-esque.  Shimmer is a great tool to give your face a glow and adds dimension.  I highly recommend using it after a really long night.  You'll never hear the phrase, "You look tired!" again! 
   In order to prevent a junior-high repeat, you need to apply shimmer strategically.  Great places I like to apply it are the brow bone, inner corners of the eyes, the tops of your cheekbones, and the collarbone.  Apply with a light hand, and you'll avoid the trip down memory lane to the place where acne was prevalent and beauty was scarce.
    There are a couple of different formulas you could choose for your shimmer, including powder or cream.  Some of the powder formulas come in this nifty package with a brush, and the shimmer is in the handle.  Those are perfect if you have a few extra minutes.  I personally like cream formulas in a tube because they're quicker to apply and last a little longer.  Plus, they're great to travel with.  Choose any formula in a neutral shade.  I recommend a pale pink, cream, or skin-colored shimmer.  Avoid anything that looks like it belongs to a clown, and you'll be looking gorgeous!

    Hey guys!!!  Today I'm going to talk about blush.  Blush is an amazing tool to instantly warm up your entire face.  It makes you look healthy, young, and awake.  I recommend adding it to your staples if it's not already there. 
    There's a couple of different formulas that are out there, each with it's own pros and cons:


Powder = probably one of the more common formulas - looks kind of like a powder compact, except the powder is pink instead of brown!!!  These are good for beginners, because it's really easy to clean up mistakes (just add a touch of beige powder for blush overkill).  Warning:  DO NOT use the little brush that comes with the package.  It makes you look stripe-y.  Invest in a full size blush brush.

Cream = this has the same consistency of cream eye shadows.   Super blendable, it's great for girls on-the-go.  You don't need any special tools with this blush - just use your fingers to swirl the blush on your cheeks.  This is a more natural look than powder blush, but isn't reccomended for super-dry skin because it'll make you look flake-y. 

Stain = This kind of blush usually comes in a lip gloss container, complete with sponge applicator.  Don't use the sponge directly on your face.  Instead, dab the sponge on your fingers, then apply onto cheeks.  This is the most natural looking of the blushes, and lasts until you wash it off.  Great for a night out on the town! 

    Applying blush can be a little tricky, but once you've got it down, it's like riding a bike.  Whatever kind of blush you use, use sparingly - you don' want to look sunburned!  Also, it can be a little tricky of where on your face to put the stuff.  The easiest way is to smile!  The roundest part of your cheek, or the apple, is where  you should initially apply the blush.  Then, blend back and up towards your temple.  Apply any formula of blush in circular motions, which makes it blend in with our skin naturally. 

    Bummed out about which colors to use?  Fair skins can get away with bright pinks.  Beige/Medium skin look good in mauves or darker pinks.  Deep skin looks good in deep plums or dark reds.  A safe bet for any skin tone is a peachy coral! 

Stay Beautiful!!!

    Brushes are very important for applying your makeup.  If you don't have good brushes to apply your makeup, then it can get smudgy and streaky - who wants to look like that?  That being said, a good set of brushes can make even dollar store makeup look amazing.  Here's some tips to picking out the perfect brushes for you:

* buy the best quality you can afford.  For individual brushes, I recommend spending $10-$30 per brush.  For a brush set, shoot between $40-$200.  You don't need to spend thousands of dollars, but amazing brushes are worth a small chunk of money. 

* Keep your brushes clean.  Although they don't carry as much bacteria as a cosmetic sponge does, they still carry germs that can make you break out.  Clean your brushes once every 2 weeks with baby shampoo or another gentle formula. 

* The basic staples:  The brushes you really need are an eyeshadow brush, an all-over face brush, a blush/bronzer brush, a lip brush, and a concealer brush

Stay beautiful!

    Eyeliner is one of my favorite products by far.  You can literally change how the shape of your eye looks in a few simple strokes.  There's all different kind of liner: liquid, gel, pencil, self-sharpening, matte, glittery, etc, that can help you create a certain look.  For those times when you feel naked with just mascara on, liner is the perfect addition to your routine.

    First off, lets talk about the different types of liner, and how they can benefit you.

Liquid: kinda tricky to apply, but long lasting.  Not recommended for beginners, but if you're a perfectionist, it's a great way to get a straight line.  Good for date night when paired with red lips!

Gel: This kind comes in a pot, and is applied with a brush.  It's similar to liquid liner, but it has a thicker texture.  Good for creating smoky eyes, because it's very easy to blend, and once it's set, it won't budge.

Pencil: My personal favorite, and great for beginners.  I like it because it's a quick way to make your eyes pop without the fuss of the other formulas.  Great for girls on the go, or for girls who want subtle definition.

Powder: Powder liner is also tricky, but it's perfect for a smoky eye.  You dip a small brush in the powder and apply.  Blending is super easy with powder liner, so you don't have to worry about getting  perfect straight line. 


    Now that you know what types of liner there are, who color should you get?  If you want a natural look, I'd go with neutrals like navy blue, dark brown, or gray.  All are great options for everyday wear.  Save black for girls night out - or use sparingly during the day (I'm guilty of this.  I love the definition I get with black liner.  But DON'T OVERLOAD!).  Purple, or green look good during sporting events (for a spectator, not a player!) or for other fun activities.  Try a glittery liner for events like prom or for a costume party.  Matte liner is just basic color with no shine.  I personally use this kind every day, because it's not too flashy, but looks polished.  But again, do what feels right for you.  Want to look glam for class?  Go for liquid liner!  Feeling like you want to look dazzling?  Try glitter liner when you're doing errands.  It's all up to you!

Stay Beautiful!

    Probably one of my favorite makeup products is lip gloss.  It's a great way to brighten your whole face with a simple swipe of a wand and smooch of the lips.  Gloss is a great way to refresh your makeup, and look more put-together.  It helps tie your whole look together, especially if you're doing a strong eye (never ever ever do a bold lip and a bold eye at the same time!!!). 
    Lip gloss ranges from tinted, to sparkly, to lip-plumping, to breath refreshing.  It can be a little confusing about which type to wear to which event.  Here's a basic guide:

Date? = wear a plain gloss with no extra bells and whistles.  Or even better, wear a tinted lip balm.  this way if your guy surprises you with a quick smooch, he doesn't get covered in go0.

School? = use a gloss with a little shimmer.  This way you don't have to worry about looking good while in a math lecture.

Work? = try a gloss with mint in it.  The blast of scent/taste will keep you alert and help you perform your best for the boss.

Girls-night-out? = Apply a lip=plumping gloss.  You want to look fun and ready for anything you your friends, but have an extra boost of confidence if you happen to meet a special someone while you're out.  you never know!

Staying in? = wear whatever you need to to feel pretty wherever you are!  Personally, I like just a plain clear gloss, but if you require hot pink shimmer, go for it!

Stay beautiful!

Nail polish is a quick fix to turn your bad day into a glamorous one.  All it takes is a little color to liven up your nails.  Polishing your nails is one of the quickest way to make you more confident as you strut your stuff.
    There are many different types of nail polish colors and designs.  If you want to go easy, a pale pink looks best on every skin tone.  If you're looking for more sex appeal, try a bright red with yellow or orange undertones.  Want to look like you vacation in the Hamptons?  Try a French manicure with white tips. 
    To apply nail polish, you first have to remove the old stuff.  So grab a cotton swab soaked with acetone-free nail polish remover and run it over your nails until they are clean. Then wash your hands to get any residue off.
    The trick to long-lasting nail polish is layers!  A base coat is a must.  I usually use a clear base, so it will match all of the polishes I could possibly put on my fingernails.  Apply the base coat in three small storkes running down the length of your nail.  Let it dry for a few minutes, until hardened.
    Then it's time to add color.  If you're just doing a solid color, paint it in three small strokes like you did with the base coat.  If you're doing a french manicure, take a toothpick and trace a thin white line across the tips of your nails.  Add another coat of color to the first, letting it dry between coats. 
    Now it's time for a top coat.  Clear works best, but if you're feeling adventurous, try a slightly tinted top coat, or one with sparkles.  Again, paint it down your nails in three small strokes. 
    So that's all there is to it!  You have so many options before you, it's really easy to make it personalized just for you.  Try painting a design like a smiley face or a small heart.  Go wild!  Be bold!  If you screw up, there's always more nail polish remover.  think about your nails like a canvas, anything goes! 

Stay Beautiful!