Everyday Essentials: Must-Have Neutrals

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Everyday makeup that makes your daily routine quick and effortless begins with neutral eyes.

Neutral Eyeshadows do not have to be boring. Sure they can contour and accentuate the eyes for a natural-look. But they can also enhance any smokey eye, hide flaws and/or be used to contour and highlight the face, fill-in brows and brighten the under-eye.

Here are a few of my must-haves:

MAC – Brule

Chanel – Lotus

Urban Decay – Naked

MAC – Uninterrupted

NARS – Bali

Bobbi Brown – Grey

Pint-Sized Palette: Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

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Launching in the US tomorrow, November 29th, is the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette. This pint-sized palette features five matte shades and one demi-matte shade. Four of the six shades are new and exclusive to this palette.

Perfect for travel or on-the-go, this palette can fit in your wallet or purse. It contains six full-sized eyeshadows, which include: Venus (soft, off-white demi-matte), Foxy (very light yellow/beige matte), Walk of Shame (very light pinky nude matte), Naked 2 (rosy taupe matte), Faint (warm, dusty brown matte), and Crave (deepest, darkest brown/black matte).

Urban Decay’s matte eyeshadows are some of the best I have used. They are in no way chalky, powdery or dry but super silky, finely-milled and pigmented. They are also long-lasting and true-to-color.

Starting on November 29th the Naked Basics Palette will be available at Urban Decay, Sephora, Ulta and select Macy’s. If you love neutrals and nudes to create a subtle and dramatic definition, then you will love the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette.

Summer Favorites: Blush

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In the summer, bright and vibrant shades of cheek color is a surefire way to look younger and healthy. Use these products to emphasize a tan, create a youthful flush or mimic a lit-from-within complexion.

Start by choosing the right shade for your skintone. To find your go-to blush shade, pinch your cheeks and then pick a color that mimics your natural flush. This trick will ensure that you’re choosing the most flattering color for your skin tone. If you have fair skin, try a cool pink. Medium skin looks great in vibrant apricot/peachy hues, and darker skin tones look radiant in fuchsia.

Cream blush is a great way to instantly look fresh and dewy. Although it’s staying powder is not the best, especially in higher temperatures, cream blush is a nice alternative for dry skin. To ensure staying power on oily skin, first prime the skin and then set with a powder blush or translucent powder. To apply cream blush, smile and lightly focus the blush onto the apples of your cheeks. Then blend softly back and up toward the hairline. If you apply too liberally, tone down heavy application by blotting the excess color with a clean makeup sponge. Or, use a sheer, luminizing powder to diffuse excess color. The blush then looks like it came from within the skin versus sitting on top of it.

FAVORITES:

Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush: I am a sucker for these gimmicky products. However, this one is fantastic. The formula magically adjusts to your skin’s natural chemistry to create a universal shade. It produces an angelic pink glow that makes you look “lit-from-within.”

It Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Flush Powder Blush Stain in Peony: The most long-wearing powder blush I have tried. The waterproof formula mimics the lasting power and glow of a cheek stain with the easy application of a powder. Packed with anti-oxidants and anti aging properties, this blush gives new definition to a “healthy glow.”

Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush in Rouge: These blushes are incredibly pigmented and easy to work with. They blend beautifully and last all-day. They feel lightweight on the skin and never settle into lines. A small amount goes a very long way, apply with a light hand for a sheer wash of color or add more for vibrant glowing skin.

Kevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow in Myracle: Full Review HERE.

NARS Cream Blush in Cactus Flower: On trend for summer, this bright coral blush is beautiful on both the lips and cheeks. The velvety texture is extremely easy to blend and apply. Subtle gold shimmers hide in the coral to help create perfectly flushed, luminous skin.

BECCA Beach Tint in Guava: This is the perfect color for summertime. It resembles the act of playing in the sun a little too long. The water-resistant formula can be used on both the cheeks and lips. Produces the most natural-looking flush and smells like summer.

Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Quickie: A lightweight cream blush that does not pull or disrupt a base. It can be used on top of foundation, powder… anything. The formula is sheer but buildable. The staying power is not the best, but I am obsessed with this color. Quickie is a sheer bubble gum, electric, cotton candy pink. The minute it is applied, it creates instant youthfulness.

Tropical Inspiration: Aqua Eyes

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Bold, turquoise green eye makeup is a perfect summer look. Tropical inspiration from ocean blues and palm frawn greens will make any eye color pop. This color family come in all sorts of textures and consistencies, choose from metallic, shimmering or pastel shades.

Aqua eyes is great look for both day or night. Start with a vibrant turquoise or shimmering green powder or cream eyeshadow and apply all over the lid. Build for more color or leave for a sheer wash. If you don’t want color on the entire lid, try a simple liner. Draw a thin or thick line on the upper or lower eyelid. For true vibrancy, first line the eye with a white pencil and go over with your favorite kohl, liquid or gel liner. This will bring the color to life.

Brighter colors tend to have more pigment and last longer on the skin – so less is more. It’s easier to build color if more is needed,  but harder to remove color if you put too much on.

Here are a few of my favorite tropical-inspired products.

Dior ~ Croisette Edition: $60.00

NARS ~ Shimmer Eyeshadow in Tropic: $24.00

Make Up For Ever ~ Aqua Eyes in 7L – Turquoise: $18.00

Urban Decay ~ 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Siren: $19.00

YSL ~ Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof in Majorelle Blue: $30.00

MAC ~ Fluidline in Waveline: $15.00

Maybelline ~ Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow in Tenacious Teal & Edgy Emerald: $6.99 (each)

Smashbox ~ Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow: $19.00

Holy Grail: Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Perversion

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Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencils are some of my favorite. They are creamy, intensely pigmented and have amazing staying power.

Perversion eye pencil was released as a limited-edition shade, but is now part of Urban Decay’s permanent collection. It is the richest and darkest black eye pencil, I have ever seen. With just one stroke, the matte black shade glides on smoothly and effortlessly.

The waterproof eyeliners are great for lining the waterline. My eyes are very sensitive to this technique and I rarely partake. However, the 24/7 eyeliners do not irritate my eyes as much as others. I think this is due to the fact that I only need one or two strokes of the pencil. The incredibly pigmented formula does all the work for me.

If you are looking for one black eyeliner that does it all, Perversion is it.

Glow-T Gift Guide: Beauty Stocking Stuffers

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Glow-T’s Gift Guide continues with beauty stocking stuffers. Fill your holiday with tradition and your stockings with tiny treasures. These simple, small, easy-to-pick-up beauty necessities are thoughtful and useful. From a washable makeup bag that will last forever to the “can’t live without” makeup sponge, here are a few stocking stuffer ideas.

Emi-Jay ~ Hair Ties (Pack of 3): $5.99

BeautyBlender ~ BeautyBlender Single: $19.95

Neiman Marcus ~ Prada Trapezoid Cosmetic Case: $170.00

Sephora ~ Sephora Collection Vanity Brush Set: $48.00

Sephora ~ Urban Decay The Revolution High-Performance Lash Curler: $20.00

How To: Glitter

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Sparkle this holiday season with a little glitter.

Application of glitter can go terribly wrong… fast. It is messy and can look too theatrical if not careful. To make glitter appear chic and sophisticated, use only a small amount in a concentrated area.

Start with product. The Illusion D’Ombre Eyeshadows by Chanel are by far my favorite. They have intense pigmentation and provide a classic shimmering effect with one easy-to-use swipe. They can be used with fingers or a very dense brush for perfect application. If actual glitter is desired, loose pigments/glitter are best. Make Up Forever Glitters are soft, concentrated and finely-milled for super sparkle.

How To Apply Glitter:

➺ On clean eyelids, apply eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone. (Favorite: Urban Decay Primer Potion)

➺ The glitter will need something to adhere to, apply a cream eyeshadow to the lid. This can be nude or a color that compliments the glitter. (Favorite: MAC Paint Pot)

➺ Using a small synthetic brush, dip into the glitter. Tap off excess.

➺ Press the glitter onto the lid in a dabbing motion. Do not sweep.

➺ Mist a setting spray gently on the eyes and wait to dry. (Favorite: Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray)

✴ If this technique is still too messy, on the back of hand or artist’s palette, mix cream eyeshadow and glitter together and apply to the lid. With glitter application, fallout is expected. Make sure to do eye makeup first and face makeup second. Dab the fallout with scotch tape to clean any loose particles.

Glow-T Gift Guide: Eyes

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Glow-T’s Gift Guide continues with eyes. Give the gift of  beauty this year with glamorous holiday sets. Playful, sparkly, pretty and glittery, these sets provide hundreds of beautiful eye-looks. From coveted neutral palettes to amazing collectors items, here are a few gift ideas for the glamour girl in your life.

Nordstrom ~ Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eyeliner Kit: $42.00

Beauty.com ~ Too Faced Brushes Essential 3 Piece Set: $39.00

NARS ~ Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself Eyes: $85.00

Urban Decay ~ Naked 2 Palette: $50.00

Sephora ~ MAKE UP FOR EVER Wild & Chic Aqua Cream Collection: $175.00

Sneak Peek: Urban Decay Naked 2

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Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

After much speculation, Urban Decay announced the release of the sought after Naked 2 palette. Just in time for the holidays, a new range of neutral tones have been selected. In true Urban Decay fashion, it looks very sparkly and glittery. If interested, go to the Urban Decay website and signup for up-to-date information on the release. Rumor has it – December 1.

Naked 2 List: Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout

Tried & Tested: Urban Decay All Nighter

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Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is a must-have product for people who need their makeup to last.

In an exclusive partnership with SKINDINÄVIA, the originator of the makeup setting spray, All Nighter promises to keep makeup fresh for 16 hours. Originally used on movie sets in Hollywood, so makeup artists would have fewer touchups through long days of filming, setting sprays prevent makeup from melting, creasing, sliding or caking.

But does it work?

A night of dancing with the girls proved this product’s legitimacy. At the end of my makeup routine, I had sprayed the super fine-mist on my face, about three sprays. The product felt nice on the skin and there was an immediate cooling/setting sensation. Fast-forward to end-of-night, after dancing for about 2-3 hours, makeup was still intact and I was left with a “healthy glow.”

All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is allergy tested, dermatologist tested, vegan, cruelty free, and free of oil, parabens and fragrance.

If you are planning on getting married, going to prom or out-on-the-town – pull an All Nighter.