B.B. Cream

As you are probably aware, B.B. Creams are now extremely popular. Just about every makeup brand has their own version. I do not like heavy makeup, so I decided to try a couple of B.B. Creams. I tried Garnier and L'Oreal Paris.

Both claim to be "miracle skin perfectors." I see nothing miraculous about either. While they are reasonably priced at about $10 each, they don't do much for me. I will say that I prefer Garnier over L'Oreal B.B. Cream. First, the colors do not match my skin. 

On the left, is Garnier B.B. Cream and on the right, L'Oreal. I have fair/light skintone and I chose Garnier B.B Cream in 'light/medium' and L'Oreal in 'light.' L'Oreal starts off white and is supposed to adjust to your skin tone. As you can see from the picture, when it starts to adjust to my skin, it does not even come close. In fact, it oxidizes very quickly. I find that Garnier's B.B Cream is thicker than L'Oreal, however, it does not moisturize very well as the product claims. L'Oreal's has a built in primer so it goes on very smooth, but also does not moisturize well. While I prefer Garnier over L'Oreal, I still have to wear powder and concealer when wearing B.B. Cream. In my opinion, they do not provide a flawless look as they claim. 

My review of Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Nylon Lash Extension System

I purchased this lash extension system a few days ago at my local ULTA store for $35. This is a 3 step system:

1. prime
2. build
3. seal

The set includes an activating mascara base and top coat (steps 1 & 3) and  flexistretch nylon fibers. First you apply the mascara base. Next you use the flexistretch nylon fibers, which are best described as cotton swab like fibers. This builds the extension onto the lashes. Then you finish off with several coats of the mascara base/top coat (same wand).

Personally, I am not too impressed with this. Yes, I do see some extension, however, not much. I do not see any difference in fullness or thickness. I have seen better results with the Marilyn Monroe Collection from M.A.C. False Lashes Mascara (and Victoria's Secret Triple Drama Mascara.

Here is a 'before' and 'after' shot of my eyes using the Too Faced Better Than False Lashes System. Again, I am not too impressed with the results, especially for the price. I do not think I'll be purchasing this system again.

M.A.C. Lipglass as worn by actress, Katie Cassidy

I love Katie Cassidy's lip color in this photo. It is a beautiful shade of pink with great shine. I was having trouble finding the exact shade of M.A.C. Lipglass because the photo didn't mention it. However, I think I came really close with "Cultured A52." I love M.A.C. lipstick and this is the first time I've tried the Lipglass. While the color and shine are gorgeous, it is quite sticky. I normally stay away from sticky gloss, but the pros outweigh the cons for me. I love the fact that I can wear this lipglass alone without needing any lipstick under it. Lipliner enhances the pout, but is also not necessary.

My Favorite Primers:

With so many primers on the market how do you choose one that is right for you? Primers are crucial if you want your makeup to go on smooth and last throughout the day/night. Primers prep your skin for makeup application while providing a smooth poreless look. Several factors need to be considered when selecting the perfect primer, the most important being skin type.

If you have oily skin and tend to breakout, you may want to select an oil-free primer. If you suffer from redness or uneven skin tone, you may want to select a primer that neutralizes redness and evens out your skin tone. If you are unsure of what primer is right for you, you can always consult a makeup artist at a beauty counter or do some research online.

My personal favorite skin primer is from Victoria's Secret. I love the VS PRO Airbrush FX Perfecting Primer SPF 20. It comes in oil-free too, which is what I use because I tend to have oil skin as the day progresses. Victoria's Secret also makes this primer with a bronzer which is perfect for the summer. It gives a beautiful healthy glow while helping your makeup to stay put. These primers can be purchased for $18 in most Victoria's Secret stores or online at http://www.victoriassecret.com. A little goes a long way so this should last you awhile.

As far as eyeshadow primers are concerned, my personal favorite is Too Faced Shadow Insurance. This primer is about $20, but just like the face primer, a little goes a long way. This primer helps your eyeshadow to go on smooth and it helps keep it vibrant and crease free all day/night. I have tried a few other eyeshadow primers, but I tend to have oily lids and I find this one suitable for my needs. It can be purchased at just about any beauty store such as ULTA.

QC Makeup Academy:

As I mentioned earlier, I am on my way to becoming a Master International Makeup Professional (MIMP) through QC Makeup Academy. QC offers a distance education program in Makeup Artistry and Master Makeup Artistry. I personally have learned so much from this program and have a wonderful tutor who offers feedback on my assignments. If you are interested in becoming a professional makeup artist or just want to improve your skills for personal use, QC Makeup Academy is a great affordable option! You can check them out at: http://www.qcmakeupacademy.com/makeupcourses/mastermakeupartistry/

Introduction:

Welcome to my beauty blog! I am studying to become a certified Master International Makeup Professional (MIMP) through QC Makeup Academy. I love trying new beauty products and playing around with different makeup looks. I created this blog to give my own personal review of beauty products along with some of my favorite makeup looks, which I will sometimes recreate. I am new to blogging so any feedback would be greatly appreciated! I hope you find this bog helpful!