Make Your Own Tinted Moisturizer

     Tinted moisturizers are a great option for foundation, especially for those of you don't need full coverage. Another advantage of tinted moisturizers is that they are much more wearable in hot summer weather than a liquid foundation would be. There are a variety of choices available in a wide price range. At your local drugstore you can purchase one for as little as $8 (check out Covergirl's Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15) or if you wear tinted moisturizers all the time and are looking for the very best money can buy, then try Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer. I've always used a liquid foundation because I usually need the full coverage, but as of late, my skin's been behaving better and it's been super hot and muggy so I decided to try a tinted moisturizer. I had some liquid foundations that I've been trying to use up and a great moisturizer that I really like...sooo...I made my own tinted moisturizer! If you decide to make your own just remember that it may take one or two attempts before you figure out just the right amounts that work for you.
     To create your own tinted moisturizer you'll need a face moisturizer (with or without SPF) and your liquid foundation(s). I personally need two different foundations to achieve the right color. Squirt one pump of moisturizer into the palm of your hand, the back of your hand or onto a mixing palette. It should be about the size of a dime. Next add the liquid foundation. Start with half of the amount you'd typically apply and go from there. Thoroughly mix the moisturizer and foundation until well blended and then apply with fingers/brush/dampened sponge. Make sure to work it into your hairline, back to your ears and down your neck. This technique gives you less coverage but your skin will look super natural and dewy fresh. Set with a finishing powder to lock it all in and then do the rest of your makeup as usual. I've really been pleased with the results I've gotten from doing this. My skin doesn't look like it's got makeup on it and even when I break into a sweat my foundation holds up and doesn't budge. Plus my skin feels more breathable, as if I didn't have any foundation on at all!
     Give this a try and please let me know how you like it. Have a beautiful and blessed day!

Reverse Lip Lining

     Reverse lip lining is a simple step that takes very little time and has very good results. We're all very familiar with the benefits of lining our lips. Lining your lips prevents feathering of your lip color and also makes your lipstick stay on longer and show up more true to color. Reverse lining is a quick way to make your lips look fuller and to cancel out the natural discoloration that women have around there mouths (chalk that up to those lovely hormones!). It literally takes less than a minute and you probably already have the things you need to do it!

     To reverse line you can use either a flesh-toned pencil (I use Natural Born Cosmetics Lip & Eye Crayon) or your concealer. I like the crayon from Natural Born Cosmetics because it's very multi-purpose. You can use it to reverse line your lips or use as you would a regular lip pencil to create a nude lip and you can use it to highlight below your brows, the inner corners of your eyes and also as a face highlighter on the bridge of your nose as well as the cheeks. And it only costs $5! However, the concealer you already own will work great too. Just make sure that the color matches your skin tone or is just a touch lighter. Either way use the crayon or concealer to line outside of your natural lip line. You can use a small flat brush or just the tip of your ring finger if using a concealer. Then gently blend it out until any harsh lines disappear...but don't blend it out too much, if you do, you'll lose the effect of fullness. Now apply your lip liner as usual, following your lip line (or reshape if you like). Top with lip color or gloss and/or then you're done! You're lips will look fuller and more defined and your lip color will also have another barrier to protect it from feathering.

The Best Exfoliant Ever...

...is sugar! Plain old sugar. The same stuff you use in your morning coffee or your favorite cookies is a terrific (and supa cheap!) exfoliant for your face and body. I'm an exfoliant freak. If I don't remove at least 3 layers of skin before I put on my makeup...I'm convinced that I look rougher than a corn flake. However, a lot of the exfoliating face scrubs I've used have done a number on my skin. First, the scrubbers are less than scrubby and, secondly, all the other chemicals in the face scrub irritate my already irritated skin.
     Sugar is perfect for the job because the sugar particles are small yet numerous enough to do the job. And, as you scrub the sugar dissolves which prevents you from over doing it. Did I mention that your face will taste delicious?!?!

     To try this out for yourself, splash some warm water onto your face (or better yet do this in the shower) to open your pores and to give the sugar something to stick to. A teaspoon of sugar will be plenty for your face, neck and decolletage. I like to keep a little scoop in the bathroom that I fill before I'm ready to wash my face. Pour the sugar into the palm of your hand and pat onto your face, then gently scrub in small circles. Now lick your lips!!! Then wash it off...easy, huh? Use it on your elbows or on your legs for a super smooth feel. You can also add some lemon juice (fresh or in the bottle) onto a face pad with the sugar for a sanitizing scrub that works great at removing skin's impurities and is also great for when you over did it with the fake tan.
     You'll be amazed how well this stuff works and at how cheap it is compared to all the over-priced exfoliating products out there...and you can't even eat those!

Brighten Up

     Recently, I was feeling not well. I was tired and achy and I looked like a professional boxer with a sleep disorder, but despite my not feeling tip-top I had things to do and people to see. So I used every trick I know of to appear living...and now I'll share some of those tricks with you! And, no, there is not a "before" picture...I burned it.
   
FACE: Before applying foundation it is always a good idea to apply a primer. If your complexion is a tad on the deathly side a brightening primer with a pink tint will add back some of the color you've lost. I used Benefit's "That Gal" Brightening Foundation Primer. 

EYES: To conceal dark under-eye circles use a salmony pink concealer. Under-eye circles have a blue-ness to them and the peachy-pink color counters that blue. Apply the concealer, using a fingertip or brush to just the circle itself and not above it and don't forget the outer corners of the eye too. I used Max Factor's Erace in the color Natural. Also, a hint of soft pink shadow across the brow bone adds warmth to tired eyes, check out my post Lovely Eyes for more! To finish, curl your lashes to open your eyes and add 1 - 2 coats of mascara.

CHEEKS: When a quick pick-me-up is what you're looking for then blush will definitely do the trick. Brush on a peachy-pink color right onto the outer apples of your cheeks then use a cool toned pink to blend out the edges. Try CoverGirl's Cheekers in Pretty Peach with Ulta Eyeshadow in Love to blend over it.

LIPS: Whiten your smile without a trip to the dentist or spending your summer Slushie funds on whitening kits. Line your lips with a brow pencil...crazy said whuh? Yes, that's what I said - lip colors with a brown undertone to them make your chompers look brighter and whiter. So a brow pencil has neutral tones and won't throw off the rest of your makeup. Lightly line your lips then pull the color inward with short strokes. Pop a petal pink lip color or gloss on top and you're ready to grin and bear it. I used the Ulta Ultimate Brows Shade & Shaper Pencil in Brunette with a subtle daytime pink over it.

Next time you're looking like Death, use these tips and tricks to warm you over so no one will know that you pulled an all-nighter, have a highly contagious virus or that you are actually a zombie. Ewww...zombies.

Product Review: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

     I began testing this foundation primer over 2 months ago. I've definitely been able to put it through its paces. I wore it when it was below freezing and dry, to the gym, when its been hot out, for photos and I've worn it for literally an entire day. Now, I have annoyingly oily skin. I should probably work for BP or something (but I don't want that kind of bad press) because within an hour of putting on my makeup I'm shiny enough to be seen from space. Which would be enough trouble in itself, but then, I also have very acne prone skin with scarring and ginormous pores. Ugh! So, as you can imagine, I've tried all sorts of things to try and solve this these problems. From oil absorbing toners to face powders; from foundations designed for oily skin to varying primers - nothings worked. Until...dun-dun-dunnn...anyway...
     Foundation primers are used to create a more even-toned, smoother surface on which to apply the rest of your makeup and to keep your makeup in place longer. There are primers in different colors (pink for brightening, green for reducing redness, lavender for balancing yellowness) and they come in different finishes (matte, luminescent, etc).
   
     Packaging: I personally love simple, black packaging. I like the professional look of it and that's what I like about this product. Both the full and travel size are clear and black. I personally have the travel size (.5 oz.) which I think is plenty big. I do think that the full size bottle might be a bit big if you're the kind of girl who travels with her kit frequently, so that's something to consider.
   
     Formulation: This primer is silicone based. (If you have a sensitivity to silicone then this is not the primer for you) It is clear and feels silky smooth. When you apply it to the skin it feels "frictionless".
    
     Scent: None
    
     Application: When you apply it to the skin it feels "frictionless". A small amount about the size of a pea will easily cover the whole face. You should put on a moisturizer on first, let it absorb into your skin for 5-10 minutes and then apply the primer with clean fingers. I really like the way this primer feels on my face.
    
     Longevity:  I was pleased with the way it felt. I definitely noticed that it minimized my pores and smoothed out the appearance of my skin. As I was checking it out in the mirror after wearing it for the day, I was trying to figure out what else looked different...and that's when I realized that I wasn't reflective and covered in enough oil to make a batch of fries! Smashbox Primer seriously mattified my usually shiny, oily skin. It combats the oil and prevents it from disturbing your makeup.
    
     Price/Quantity: Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer can be purchased at Ulta and Sephora, in store and online. A 1 oz. bottle ranges in price from $36-$38 and the .5 oz. travel size sells for $16-$17 and if you absolutely fall in love with this stuff they sell a jumbo 2 oz. container for $49. It comes in a variety of colors including clear, green, lavender, apricot, bronze and one with an SPF of 15.
   
     Shelf Life: This product should be discarded after 2 years.

IF YOU ASK ME
I really love this stuff! It seems pricey, but this primer will last you a good long time and it does the job, especially if you have oily skin. This will also be great for summer when you're going to be exposed to the heat and humidity. It kept the shine down to almost nothing after 8+ hours and it made my pores and uneven skin texture much less noticeable. This is without a doubt my new favorite primer!
    
     
     
     

Your On-the-Go Makeup Kit

     What does every girl need to keep in her bag to always look her best? Despite what you might think, you don't need to bring your entire makeup kit just to look as sensational as you did when you stepped out this morning (or afternoon!). Here's a simple list of the basics you need to keep on you to freshen up on the go and a few bonus items for those of you who just can't cut back.

• Blotting Paper - These little things work wonders! They soak up the oil that builds up on your face during the day without taking off or moving your makeup. And with warm weather on the way they're a must. My favorite's are e.l.f.'s Shine Eraser's,

• Q-Tips - Not very glamorous, I know, but Q-tips are perfect for cleaning up smudged eye makeup and blending away those areas where your makeup has creased (around the nose, mouth and outer eye area). Plus, if you're planning on taking your eye makeup up a notch for night, they can double as eye shadow applicators so you don't have to tote around your makeup brushes.

• Concealer - Concealer is pretty standard issue in a girls touch-up kit. Use it to up any blemishes or to cover those under-eye circles that are showing up because you're running on 4 hours of sleep. And, you can also use it as a highlighter to brighten up your face after a long day. Just apply it to the top of your cheekbones, under your brows and on the bridge of your nose for an uplifting affect.            Check out L'Oreal's True Match Concealer                 

The Extended List

• Your Go-To Lip Color - This could be a lipstick, a gloss or even a tinted balm. Choose a color that is similar to your natural lip color, something that could be dressed up or down. I like to keep a translucent gloss with me that has a hint of pink to it. It adds a healthy shine and a flush of color that isn't overbearing even when I'm in tennies and a ponytail, but gives a sweet rosiness to my pucker if I'm in a dress and an updo.

• Brow Pencil - Not all brows were created equal. If you are one of the many women out there who has to touch up your brows, either with powder, pencil or both, then you'll want to keep a brow pencil on hand for insurance purposes. It doesn't often happen that one of your brows goes MIA but if it does you'll want to be prepared. This can also double as eyeliner in a pinch.

• Mascara - I suggest you purchase your favorite brand in a smaller sample size if it's available. Adding a little length to your lashes is an easy way to glam up a look for evening.

• Cream Blush - If you look a bit pallid, then having a cream blush on hand is the answer! You'd be extremely surprised at the wonders a touch of color can do. If all you do is add some glow to your cheeks you're face will look lively and youthful without any other products at all. A cream blush is best because you can apply it with just your fingertips. No need for brushes! Maybelline's Dream Mousse Blush in Soft Plum will add a lit from within glow because of it's mauve tones.

Makeup Artist Trick #2: Lovely Eyes

     A great way to give your eyes a subtle warmth is to brush a soft pink shadow across your brow bone. Almost any pink will work so experiment with everything from pale pinks with mauve undertones to brighter pinks with hints of shimmer in them. Use a small fluffy eye brush to pick up some of the pink shadow and then lightly sweep it onto your brow bone (not above, but on). You can wear the pink color alone with just a coat of mascara and call it a day or you can use a pretty pink to tie your crease color and brow highlight color together. This simple little hint of pink brings a warmth to your face and helps give you a fresh glow just like blush. You can even use your favorite blush as a shadow!

How-To: Bold Lips

     A brightly painted lip is an accessory in and of itself. It can compliment an outfit, shift a look from day to night and can also improve one's confidence! To wear a look-at-me lip color you do not have to be a celebrity but you do have to know a few of the celeb tricks to making a bold lip really look finished and flawless.
     Before you apply any lip color you should always moisturize your lips, but this is especially true of a standout lip color such as red or hot pink because a bolder color means more pigment and this can be more drying. Next, cancel out the natural color of your lips and the color around your lips too. A lot of us have a bit of a reddish-pink shading around the outside of our lip line. To cover this put your concealer (the same one that you use for your face) onto and then around your lips, and blend. Also, to help ensure that the color you put on stay's put, set all this with a touch of powder on a large blending brush.
      Now it's time to line your lips. Lining the lips keeps color from feathering and gives the lipstick something to grip to. Choose a color that's close to your desired lip color and then create your lip line (make sure the pencil is nice and sharp). If you want to alter the shape and size of your lips this is the time. To make lips larger, apply the liner just outside of your natural lip line; thinner, apply slightly inside your lip line. You can reshape your cupids bow at this point too. If you really mean business and don't want that beautiful color to run then I suggest Benefit's She' Laq Makeup Sealer. A thin line applied on your lip line will insure your shade won't feather and a thin layer over your lip stick makes sure it won't fade.
     Time to do some coloring! When you want to achieve a precision color application a lip brush is the way to go. They come in various shapes and sizes, just choose the one that's right for you. Neatly lay down the first layer of lip color making sure to get the edges, corners of the mouth and the inside of the lip where bits of your natural lip color can peek out when talking and such. Then, blot with a piece of tissue. Repeat these two steps as needed until you get the color as sheer or as opaque as you'd like. If you mess up and go outside the lines then just take some of your concealer on a small, pointed brush or a clean lip brush and reverse line by covering the spot where the color bled out of your lip line.
     Top with a sealer or use a fluffy blending brush to pat on a little powder to set it all. Last, if you choose, you can add a dot of gloss to the center of your pucker for shine. But beware, this can cause your color to wear off faster. If you are planning on a long day (or night!) then I recommend you bring your lip color and lip brush with you. A cutesy little pencil case (think girly flowers or Hello Kitty) works great and is easy to find in your purse! Just throw in your favorite shades and a lip brush and you'll always look fresh and flawless...

Mascara Application Technique

Look Pale in Pictures?

I can't tell you how many pictures I have of myself where my face looks ghostly pale and 2 dimensional. My body could have been as dark and as bronzed as a Butterfinger bar, but for some reason, every time I'd get my picture taken, my face became devoid of all color. I started the Cullen vampire look years ago...minus the sparkling in the sunlight thing. If this seems to happen to you as well then read on for my simple fixes for this pale problem...

•  When you get your picture taken it's often taken with the flash on. This can be part of the reason that your face looks lighter than it really is, so if flash isn't necessary than try not to use it. However, if the natural lighting isn't very good then you will have to use flash.

• Face products such as moisturizers and foundations that have SPF in them are made to reflect the sun's rays, but they also reflect the light from the flash on a camera. If you are going to have your picture taken for a special occasion or if you're only wearing makeup for an evening out then do not wear products with an SPF. Of course, for daily wear, these protective products are recommended.

• Apply a translucent high definition finishing powder on top of your makeup. These high definition powders are made to even out the appearance of your skin on both film and camera. It will slightly mattify your skin without changing the color of your foundation. You can also wear it alone. While the difference is not that noticeable in person it does make a big difference in pictures.

• Contour your face with a matte bronzer to give your face more dimension. A matte bronzer will enhance your faces natural shape, which can be lost a little when the flash goes off. Don't use a bronzer with shimmer in it because it can make you appear shiny/oily and will enhance imperfections. Using a blush/angled powder brush, apply light layers of bronzer to the hollows of the cheeks, temples, along the jawline and across the top of the forehead. Then blend gently back into the hairline. Finish off with a little more blended down the neck.

Follow these tips and you'll notice a big change in the way you look in pictures!

Trina's Current Favorite: e.l.f. High Definition Powder ($6)

The Two Foundation Fix & Choosing the Right Shade

It's great to find the perfect foundation; that lovely little miracle in a bottle (or compact) that makes our flaws disappear and at the same time reveals our natural, radiant skin. What's not so great is when you wear that same foundation, in that same exact color, every single day all year long. Because, unless you live on the dark side of the moon, you're skin does not stay the same exact color all year long. During the summer months, even with lots of protection from the sun, most of us turn a shade or two darker, and then as we move into the winter we fade back to a lighter color. What I see so often is women who, despite the fact that it's minus 20 outside, will continue to wear the same foundation that they wore after spending an entire summer in Tahiti. They aren't fooling anybody. Or I see just the opposite. Girls whose faces look washed out while everything else looks sun-kissed and glowing. When you don't wear the proper shade of foundation...you're head looks like it's on someone else's body.

To solve this dilemma is simple. And it doesn't require you to buy every shade of foundation ranging from "Graceful Swan" to "Ebony Smoke". If you want to always be sure that your foundation will be spot on then all you'll need is two foundations. The first foundation will be one that is nearest your skin color when it is lightest. The second should match your skin color when it is at its darkest (which is usually only one to two shades darker). When your skin color is lightest you'll only need to use the light foundation shade. As your skin darkens just mix in a small amount of the darker foundation, adding more of the darker one as your skin gets darker. To mix the two foundations you can use either a mixing palette, the lid of the foundation container, a wax-coated paper plate or the back of your hand. Mix them with your fingers or a foundation brush and then apply. You can do this with any kind of foundation - liquid, cream, airbrush or powder. It may take a couple of tries before you figure out the right amounts to mix but once you do its really easy.

Next, how do you make sure you're face and body will blend together seamlessly? You've probably been told that to pick the correct color of foundation you need to swipe a swatch (<---say that 3 times fast!) of the color onto your jawline until you find the one that matches. The problem with this is that some people's facial coloring is naturally a little off from the color of their neck and chest, either from having a ruddy complexion or skin discoloration. If you want your foundation to look as natural on you as possible then swatch foundation colors on the lower area of your neck. It only makes sense to find a color that matches this area since your neck is the median between your face and your body, right? Also, the base of your neck will never be more than one shade up or down from your face - which, by the way, you SHOULD NOT go more than one shade up or down from your current skin color. Ever. You look funny...and not like funny ha-ha.

Tight-Lining

What is tight-lining? If you're imagining some new act in Cirque du Soleil you're way off. Although for some women it conjures up the same sense of anxiety as if they were about walk a tightrope themselves. Tight-lining is when you line the inner rim (also called the waterline) of your upper and/or lower lids. I'm not talking about the area right above your lashes but the narrow space between the base of your lashes and your eyeball. Wait...what? You can do that?! But why?
The answer, quite simply, is because tight-lining your eyes really does give you a much more polished look. By lining this little strip of...I don't even know what to call it...you instantly create the illusion of more voluminous lashes. You also eliminate that blank space, so to speak, between your eye makeup and your eyes. This makes your eyes pop! You can also tight-line instead of applying eyeliner because it's a quick and easy way to add definition to your eyes without fussing over getting a perfect line.

Below, I will show you how to tight-line & the difference it can make. Cue the frightening close ups of my eyeballs...

Before tight-lining...

Fill in the upper inner rim...

Then the lower inner rim...

After!

To tight-line your eyes gently push your upper lid back and carefully pull down on your lower lid then lightly run the pencil (or whatever you're using) along the waterline. You can also line just the bottom rim and then tightly squeeeeze your eyes shut so the color from the bottom rim transfers to the upper rim. You can line either the upper or both upper and lower rims with a myriad of products including eye pencils, kohls, cream and gel liners and even powders. Just check to see if the product in question is waterline safe. What's really fun is lining with colors other than black. Not only can you line with brown for a soft, natural look but you can use any color you can think of (except I'd avoid using pinks and reds unless you want to look sickly). Think outside the box! Blues, greens, and purples can be used to enhance your specific eye color or you can use white or light flesh tones to brighten and enlarge your eyes.

Makeup Artist Trick #1: Setting Your Makeup

About 5 years ago I started doing the trick I'm about to share with you. It wasn't until a year ago that I learned that this has been a secret of stage actors for decades.
 
When you spend time and money to make yourself look your best you don't want all that effort sliding off your face. After you've completed your makeup and have applied a finishing powder (which also helps set your makeup) either pat a dampened cosmetic sponge lightly all over your face or use a spray bottle to gently mist some water onto your face (spray it sort of up into the air while facing upwards). This small amount of moisture is one extra - and free - step to ensure that your makeup stays where you put it longer. Not only does it help your makeup last but it also gives your skin a more natural, fresh and dewy look.

Brown n' Out

Over the past few months I've discovered a new appreciation for brown mascara. Before, I would never even have given it a second glance. I only happened upon my discovery by sheer accident. I mistakenly bought one thinking it was black but decided to try it out. All of my makeup life I've only ever used black mascaras. Once I believe I tried an electric blue but that can be a little festive for daily wear! Like a lot of women out there, I have a deep love for mascara. Well, I suppose it's not the mascara that I love but the long, thick lashes that I love. I've tried so many different brands, formulas, brushes...you name it. But never once did I try brown. Brown mascara. Egh. Why would I? It's just brown, right?
But the truth is brown mascara is actually wonderful. Although it might seem boring or that its defeating the purpose of mascara it really does have some good qualities. For starters, brown mascara is terrific for women who have light hair and fair skin. On these people, a black mascara looks unnatural and can wash you out. If you have light blond hair with soft blond brows and jet black eyelashes people are going to notice that something is not quite right. A brown mascara is dark enough to give your lashes the same definition without looking fake.
But brown mascara isn't just for the blonds. It's also for you ladies out there who aren't all that into makeup. It's a user friendly beauty product and is so subtle but is still very effective in opening up your eyes. Also, you can change up your eye makeup looks with this much neglected product just as you can change up your look by changing the color of your lips or the shape of your eyeliner. Brown mascara is great for a "no-makeup makeup" look or when you're trying to achieve a sun-kissed, beachy look or just to add a subtle softness to any look be it daytime office looks or a whimsical evening look.
When you wear brown mascara you still get long, thick lashes...they just look like they might be the lashes you were born with. And nobody needs to know otherwise...

Trina's Current Favorite: CoverGirl Lash Blast in Brown

Be Beautiful...On A Budget

     There are few things a woman loves more in life than good stuff for a great price. I am a self-proclaimed pincher of pennies; a chintzy chick...I don't really like the term "frugalista" (I can only picture that guy from 'The Frugal Gourmet' scouring Macy's) but "budget beauty" will do just fine. I must be fully persuaded that I will die without said item before I will shell out even $5. For me, this applies to makeup just as much as it does to clothes, shoes, jewelry and buckets of ice cream. Like all these things, sometimes more $$$ does mean better quality. In the makeup artist industry there are some products that work so well and are so reliable and that truly affect the artists quality of work so much that they are worth half a days pay. But a great deal of the time you can find less expensive beauty products that will give you the same beautiful look...and this is one of those times!
  
I'm sharing 3 of my favorite sites for buying affordable, quality beauty products. So, without further ado and in no particular order...

beautycrunch.com

This site boasts "artistry brands at beautiful prices" and its the truth. Some of the brands they sell include Stila, Too Faced and Pixi. On this site you'll find items that top makeup artists have in their kits but the prices are almost always marked down by 50% or more.

e.l.f. Cosmetics

e.l.f. (which stands for eyes.lips.face) is a brand that you may have heard of before. If not, you will definitly want to check this one out! They have an entire range of cosmetics available with most of the products costing only $1. That's right! $1! And they're sold at most Target stores too. I've purchased several things from e.l.f. and 9 times out of 10 I was very pleased. (The applicator on their liquid eyeliners don't work) If you buy just  one thing from e.l.f. it MUST be their eyelash curler! I don't know how it works so fantastically but it does. It's like a magic wand...and it's only $1.

Dulce Cosmetics
I recently discovered this website. Most of the products they sell are $10 or less. This site has great stuff for the younger crowd who maybe wants to update their makeup collection. A really good way to quickly expand your collection on a budget is to buy palettes. Palettes of eyeshadows, blushes, lip colors and concealers offer you a variety without the cost of individually purchasing each color. Dulce Cosmetics has a line of palettes and kits ranging in price from $8 - $18.

No matter what your beauty budget these websites will have something for you. I bet that if you rounded up all the change in your couch cushions you'd have enough for a shopping spree!

Trina's Beauty Blog TV!!!

     That's right, I'm going to be sharing my beauty know-how with you via video in the coming days. I just received a new camcorder and now all I have to do is make some videos for you guys.

So, the big question is...what do YOU want to see???

     Would you like to see a certain makeup look? Or is there a beauty dilemma that's baffling you and you'd like me to show you how to fix it? Are you curious about what's in my kit? Or maybe there's a specific type of product you want to learn about?

Comment below and let me know what videos you'd like to see!

Product Review: HiP Cream Eyeliner

I've always loved classic black eyeliner! Depending on the way you style it, eyeliner can take you from daytime to evening looks with just a swipe. The newest thing in eyeliner is cream and gel eyeliners. They are touted as being easier to apply, longer lasting and multi-purpose. As I said, I love eyeliner, so a few months back I purchased the HiP Cream Eyeliner in Black (905) with included eyeliner brush (small black one shown below).

Packaging: HiP, I feel, has attractive packaging for their products. However, my only complaint is that the pot that the eyeliner comes in weighs quite a bit. If you decide to purchase all of the eyeliner colors it's going to add a lot of weight to your makeup kit.

Formulation: The texture could be compared to that of a piece of fudge. It's thick and creamy.

Scent: This has practically none.

Application: This cream eyeliner is more forgiving than liquid liner. It goes on smoothly and with a few strokes a clean line can be created. BUT, I did not like the eyeliner brush that was included AT ALL. The line that it creates is way too thick. I use a painters brush that I bought from a craft store. Don't quote me but I believe it cost about $4. The painters brush is much smaller (less than half the size of the included one) and is perfect for creating thin lines, delicate winged tips and is also great for lining the waterline.
Left Line: Included HiP brush
Right Line: Artists brush from craft store

Longevity: It's been my experience when using liquid eyeliner that as the day wears on it dries out and then crumbly little chunks fall down onto your under eye area. With this cream eyeliner, although it does appear a little bit drier, it doesn't crack and crumble. I did notice a small amount of transfer of the eyeliner onto my upper lid when I used it.

Multi-purpose uses: Cream and gel eyeliners can also be used as a base for eyeshadows. Apply a small amount to your lid with either your finger or a small flat brush. You will need to work somewhat quickly however because once this stuff dries (about 10 seconds) it does not want to move. You'll need a makeup remover to get it off.

Price/Quantity: The HiP Cream Eyeliner costs $12 and is available at drugstores, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. $12 may seem pricey to some but you get 4.5 grams of product and a little goes a long ways. Other colors include teal, eggplant, brown and midnight blue.

Shelf Life: This is a cream product. Cream products should be used or discarded within one year.

IF YOU ASK ME
This cream eyeliner is good stuff (as long as you don't use their brush). I enjoy putting it on. After a few tries you can definitely learn how to achieve a beautiful line. While it lasts noticeably longer than other liners I've used it's not the miracle eyeliner of all eyeliners. It will eventually move on you. Would I buy it again? Yes, it's worth the money. Especially if you love classic black eyeliner!

The Great Eyebrow Recession

During the 90's the Great Eyebrow Recession began. Brows were thinned out so much that, in some cases, they were completely shaved or plucked off and a pencil thin line was drawn on instead. They were dramatic to say the least, but like all trends, they went out of style. Now, full, and you might even say "bushy" brows are back. To be honest, I think people have learned their lesson. Eyebrows not only serve a functional purpose - to prevent sweat from running into your eyes - but they also are a sign of age. Think of eyebrows the same way you think of the hair on your head. If you see someone who's balding you perceive them as being older and the same goes for your eyebrows. If you have sparse brows it can add as much as a decade to your appearance. Look at animations of fairytale princesses. Do any of them have penciled in eyebrows? No, they have full, lush brows. And this makes them look not only youthful but innocent as well. Don't believe me...just look at the animations of the female villains in those same fairytales.
While we'll all enjoy not having to spend so much time in front of the mirror with a pair of Tweezerman's many of us (myself included) will face a new challenge. Growing back our long abused brows. You see, over plucking is not something that you can just stop and then next week expect to look like Brooke Shields. Over plucking can cause permanent damage and you may not ever be able to fully regrow your brows. Because of this, brow transplant procedures are becoming more popular. Much like a normal hair transplant, about 400 individual hairs are taken from your head and are transplanted to help return your eyebrows to what they once were. But before you bust open you piggy bank follow my tips for regrowing beautiful brows.

Put down the tweezers. This first step is usually the most difficult. For one whole week DO NOT TWEEZE A SINGLE HAIR. This will help you to see where your eyebrows should be. It's also very helpful to look at old pictures (from before you became a plucking addict) to see what your natural brow shape is. You don't want to try and stray very far from your natural shape.

If you don't know, don't pluck. After the first week you'll have a lot of short little hairs that you'll be tempted to yank out. Only pluck the ones that are very obviously outside of your emerging brow shape. The hairs that show up well below your brows can be plucked, but the hairs on the inside and outside ends shouldn't be touched yet.

Achieving the proper shape. You may like the look of dramatic arches but that doesn't necessarily mean you ought to wear your brows that way. Work with what you've got because trying to change their shape can negatively alter the appearance of your face. (Now get out a pencil or other straight edge.) Your brows should begin at or slightly past the invisible line that goes from the side of your nose and past the inner corner of your eye. Allowing the inner ends of your brows to grow a little closer to each other will make a wide nose appear more narrow. The outer ends should stop past the outer corner of your eye otherwise the width of your entire face will look. Using the straight edge, connect the side of your nose with the outer edge of your eye - this is where your brow should end. To find your arch, use the straight edge to make a line from the side of your nose past the outside edge of your pupil.

Regrowing your brows will require patience. It takes roughly 4-6 weeks for the hairs to grow back. But once they've come back you'll save time and product because it won't take so much effort to get them to look groomed and natural. They truly make a world of difference in the way you look. You may even feel like a whole new woman...

Moisturizing. Is It a Must?

How important is moisturizing? And does everyone need to do it? The answer - moisturizing is very important and everyone does need to do it. However, what kind of moisturizer and how much you use will vary depending on your skin type.
Moisturizers are an important step in your makeup routine because it creates a smooth canvas for the products you put on your face. When looking for a moisturizer, try to find one that has easily pronounceable ingredients, preferably natural, and make sure that it doesn't contain mineral oil which is considered a comedogenic (meaning it causes acne). If you have sensitive skin, it is especially important to find a moisturizer for your specific skin type. Cetaphil and Neutrogena are known for being very gentle on the skin. Avoid moisturizers that are heavily perfumed as they contain unnecessary ingredients that can be aggravating. Many people think that if they have oily skin that a moisturizer will only make things worse. Oily skin still benefits from a moisturizer, but only a very thin veil should be applied. Put a small amount, about the size of a pea, onto your fingertip then lightly rub it between your hands before applying. For best results, apply your moisturizer and allow it to absorb for 10-15 minutes before putting on your makeup. If you still have too much moisturizer on your face, just blot it off with a tissue or blotting paper.
Moisturizing at night is just as important and is very effective in providing you with deep moisture that will improve the quality of your skin overall. While you sleep your body is healing itself so this is a great time to give your skin the extra help.
The one area of your face that you generally do NOT need to moisturize is your eyelids. We naturally produce enough oils on our lids that a moisturizer would make your makeup slip and crease. And it could also cause the excess product to run down into your eyes. Ow!

Trina's Current Favorites:
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin (Daytime)
Neutrogena Visibly Firm Night Cream (Before Bed)

The Importance of Sanitizing

Before we even begin to talk about makeup we must talk about the importance of keeping your makeup clean. Think about it. You're makeup is something that comes into direct, prolonged contact with your skin which is, as we all know, the largest organ of the human body. If you aren't cleansing your brushes and disinfecting your makeup on a regular basis you are spreading bacteria and goodness knows what else all over your face...every single day. That's just gross! Keeping your brushes and cosmetics clean is actually very simple and affordable.

Here's how:

To clean brushes you will need antibacterial dish soap, olive oil, a dish and a towel.

1. Pour a small amount of both the antibacterial dish soap and the olive oil in a dish. A plate or bowl will work. The soap disinfects while the olive oil conditions the hairs of the brush.
2. Swirl brush in the soap & olive oil. Gently brush the hairs of the brush across the palm of your hand, working the cleanser into the brush.
3. Wash the brush under warm water. Make sure to avoid getting water onto the handle or above the ferrule (the metal piece above the hairs) as this will loosen the glue. Repeat until water runs clear and soap is gone.
4. Gently pat the brush dry with towel and lay brush on its side to dry or put on a brush guard and tip upright in a glass with hairs pointing down.

Do this once a week, at least. To keep your brushes clean in between weekly cleanings, wipe off your brushes on a baby wipe and/or spray them with a brush cleanser. Here's the one I use.

To clean your cosmetics (powders, creams, etc) you will need either 99% alcohol or a professional makeup sanitizer. 99% alcohol does the job but it tends to dry out and alter your makeup over time. The professional makeup sanitizers contain emollients that prevent your makeup from becoming dried out.
If you use the 99, simply put some into a small spray bottle. Hold it 6 inches from your makeup and spray. If you'd like a professional sanitizer I highly recommend Beauty So Clean's Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist. If you buy the large bottle it will seriously last you forever. Also, you can use a tissue to wipe off the surface of your shadows, cream products, etc. to help remove bacteria in between cleanings but a disinfectant is the only way to guarantee that you're killing those ucky germs.

If you follow these steps and make cleaning your beauty products a habit, your skin will be clearer and cleaner, and your makeup and brushes will last longer and work better. Do it. Do it now!

The Inevitable Blog

Really it was just a matter of time...

If you've kept up with my goings-on then you know that I've become somewhat of a makeup junkie. It began simply enough. One day I realized what I wanted to do with myself. I wanted to be a freelance makeup artist! So one thing led to another (that's the short story) and I'm now beginning to make that realization into a reality.
Now I've always had a love of makeup. What I lacked for many years, however, was an understanding of it. I look back with a shudder at the evolution of my attempts at self-beautification. I can gladly say that I'm well past the days when I would use magic markers for lipstick. I've learned and have expanded my knowledge of makeup and now my head is brimming over with all sorts of great information. Information that I'd like to share with you...
And that brings us (or you, rather) here - to my blog. This site will serve as a place where I can provide you with product reviews, makeup tips & tricks, tutorials and where you can inquire about my services as a makeup artist. I really hope that I can make this helpful to you and all I ask in return is that you give your honest feedback. An artist needs to be critiqued if they are to excel. So, please, let me know what you'd like to see on my blog!