Perscriptives Fall 2009 Collection

I have to say that the colors are gorgeous in the fall 2009 collection. I love shadows with a metallic sheen to them. The two pinks are my favorites. To date I have only ever purchased Perscriptives Calyx perfume and none of thier makeup but it looks like that will be changing soon! Especially with the 30% off Friends and Family sale. Remember to use code FRIEND09 when you do your shopping!

Today's Beauty on a Budget Buy - E.L.F.

This morning I got an awesome email from e.l.f. (Eyes Lips and Face) cosmetics offering two items I have looked at before but never purchased. For the low price of only $20 including shipping (yes, I said including shipping) they are offering The Beauty Encyclopedia makeup palette and the e.l.f. step-by-step instructional DVD. Normally these products would cost $51.95 including shipping. But today I bought mine for $20!!!

I know that in the beauty blog world there are some who only use high end, expensive department store brands. Well, I think cosmetics are a lot like wine. I love a good bottle of Burgundy but I also know that there are some great California wines that cost a fraction of one from France. So why limit yourself? The same thing applies with makeup. Use what you like and what you can afford. I love Avon lipsticks (did you know they are the #1 US retailer of lipstick?) but I also love MAC eye shadows. Just remember name brand recognition does not always mean a superior product.

Another thing that I do to save money on my drug store brands is check the Sunday fliers each week for sales. At least once a month CVS has a sale buy-one-get-one or buy-one-get-one-50% off on a liquid foundation I like to use. So when it goes on sale I get two to save money. You can do the same thing to try new products that you may normally not select and save money at the same time.

If you have wanted to give e.l.f. a try too but have been waiting for a great deal, now is the perfect opportunity. Save Now by using code:BTSABE.

Find your Bride Style + Subscriber Contest!

When you imagine your wedding day, how do visualize yourself? An artist can tell you what will look great on you and enhance your features. But choosing a wedding day look is not just about a professional opinion. It's more about understanding YOU and your vision. That's when the fun begins. A bride needs a look that flatters not only her features but more importantly, her personal style. Here is list of the most popular bridal looks. Which one are you?

Beach Bohemian Bride
Relaxed, Beachy, Romantic and Beautiful - She is a free spirit who looks as if she has been frolicking on a beach vacation the week before the wedding. Bohemian bride looks like she is not trying to hard, just naturally flawless, tan and glowing.

Recommended for: Daytime outdoor events

Makeup Ideas: Smooth, Fresh look. Flawless skin. Bronzey cheeks. Lots of individual eyelash extensions to make eyes stand out but look natural. Lips soft pink or soft nude with a gloss.

Hair Ideas: Beachy waves (Jessica Simpson style). Pull a few strands off your face and add
small flowers or orchids for a more bohemian look. Loose"effortless" updo is also an option. Waves are loose and not too coiffed. The idea here is "effortless" beauty. Very modern, fresh, relaxed and chill vibe.

Oscar Night Bride (aka Breakfast at Tiffany's Bride)

























Classy, Elegant, Glamorous and Sophisticated, the Oscar night bride loves the finer things in life. Her wedding will be a grand affair and she will look like an A List star walking the red carpet as she struts down the aisle, all eyes on her. She wants to stand out, play up her features and is not afraid of a little drama.

Recommended for:Evening affairs, both indoor and outdoor

Makeup Ideas: Eyes -Dramatic, Soft lips, False lashes. You've caught they eye of your groom, now all eyes are on you. Your eye makeup is dramatic, defined and can be smokey or done in cafe or plum in the crease. Dark brown liner and false lashes. Lips are soft so as not to distract from your eyes.
OR
Soft Eye makeup, more dramatic lips. Classic Movie Star Look of Yesteryear. Think Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe (Christina Aguilera channels this look today.) Eyes can be soft with a gold or champagne shimmer, classic retro inspired black liner and false strip lashes. Lips are stained in merlot, or a daring crimsonred. This look is not for the faint of heart.

Hair Ideas: Hair is more coiffed, sophisticated and structured. Bigger curls, hair can be teased at crown for more volume and worn half up, half down with some bling on your headpiece or a classy vintage brooch. Classic updos also work with this look.

Earth Mother Bride
Fresh, Very Natural, Earth Mother bride never wears makeup but knows she needs it to look good in pictures. You may be afraid of makeup and don't want to look fake. It's OK. Take a deep breath and we will take baby makeup steps. We promise not to cake it on!

Makeup Ideas: Eyes are soft and natural with soft neutrals for natural definition and a maybe a subtle hint of gold. Cheeks are Rosy or Peachy. You will look healthy, fresh, innocent and youthful.

Sex Kitten Bride
Lots of Lashes, Glossy lips - the Sex Kitten look is pretty, soft and girly – Think Brigitte Bardot.

Makeup Ideas: Eyes can be smokey or dramatic, lashes are a must, lips a pale glossy pink and skin flawless and smooth.

Hair Ideas: Hair is is loose big and flowy with lots of volume and body. Clip in hair extensions are a great option to and length, volume or subtle highlights to her hair. Sex Kitten bride wants to look like a Victoria's Secret model. She is sexy and sensual in a classy way and in touch with her feminine and girly side.

SPECIAL CONTEST Getting Married? Which Bride are you? Or Do you have a different vision entirely? Married? Were you one of these types? Let us know! Become a subscriber and post a comment below. One randomly selected follower will get a special NYX double ended eye pencil! Contest ends September 15th, 2009.

Eyeshadow Application Tips

Eyeshadow is the most important part of your eye makeup, because it can help to re-contour the eyes and add emphasis to them. How you apply your eye shadow will make a huge difference in your appearance. The following eye shadow application tips can help any set of eyes to look gorgeous.

First Things First

The first thing to know when learning about eye shadow application is that you should use brushes to apply the makeup, as opposed to eye shadow applicators. Brushes are a good idea because they help you achieve a specific look when applying the eye shadow – it’s best to steer clear of foam applicators. So when you buy your eye shadows, if the applicator that comes with it is foam, the best thing to do is just toss it and use a brush.

For hygiene reasons, it is also not a good idea to share your eye makeup tools with others. Sharing tools can spread eye infections, even if you didn’t know you had one.

A final safety tip before we move on to eye makeup application: if you ever get eye shadow in your eye, you should gently flush it with lukewarm water.

Eyebrow Shape

One of the best things you can do when it comes to applying eye makeup is to shape your eyebrows. It will make a difference in how the eye shadow looks when you put it on your eyes. This doesn’t mean you have to pluck them, but lightly brushing the brows into shape will help your eye shadow to stand out.

In mentioning the eyebrows, it is important to note that you should never cover your brow bone with deep color – unless you have the guidance of a professional makeup artist for a special occasion. The last thing you want is an overly dramatic look with too much eye shadow. Apply the eye shadow up to the brow bone, but don’t apply shadow on the bone unless it’s a neutral color or a highlighter.

Applying the Color

Color placement is another important detail when it comes to applying eye makeup. Light colored shadows are best for covering the entire eyelid; from lash line to the brow. For the lower eyelid, it’s best to go with a medium shade. The darkest shades should go on the outer corner of the eyes, from the lash line to the crease. For night time wear, you can intensify the darker shades for a more dramatic look.

When deciding which colors to use, it’s best to opt for the lighter pastel colors for daytime and the darker, more adventurous colors for night. It’s not the best idea to wear darker colors during the day, because they won’t look natural and they’ll drown out your overall look.

Blue eye shadow is no longer taboo. Matching the color of your eye with a shadow actually brings out the color. Play up your blue eyes with a shade of blue shadow. But blue shadow isn’t only for light-eyed beauties. Use your eye’s complimentary color to accentuate your hue and draw attention to your eyes. For instance, the complimentary color for blue eyes is orange, and brown eyes contrast with a blue eye shadow. The difference in color can make a subtle but noticeable impact.

When you want to apply light shades such as blue, beige, light green and light gray, first draw a thin line with the help of liquid eyeliner or eye shadow pencil. Draw the line over the upper lash line, because usually the light shades make your eyes look smaller in size.

Techniques and More

When applying eyeshadow, blending is the most effective technique to try. To blend your eye shadow, use three different colors: the highligter, which is usually a very light neutral color like taupe, a darker color for the crease and a main color for the lid. Once you’ve picked out your colors, you’ll want them to blend together well. To do this, you’ll need to apply the light highlight color first, and then progressively add the darker shades. This means first applying the highlighter, then the lid color and then the crease color. Make sure to apply the shadows gently – it’s easier to add more makeup than to remove it.

There are many tips you can use to effectively apply eye makeup. Other eyeshadow makeup application tips include:

• Set your eye shadow with a great primer base. Primers set eye shadow makeup and help it stay for hours. I like a cream primer base like the one from Scandalous Cosmetics, Lumiere or even a shade stick like NYX's Milk works great.
  

• Use eye pencils to help bring out the colors of the shadows you use. Eye pencils are great for adding some drama to your eyes at night, and they can help make small eyes appear larger.

• When applying your eye shadow, make sure you keep the other makeup colors on your face in mind. It is a good idea to coordinate these colors so they work well together.

• Remember that practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better you will get at applying eye shadow.

• Eye shadow’s chief purpose is to enhance the eye’s shape. Keep in mind that there are two main reasons for applying eye shadow: to add simple definition to your eye or to make a strong impact. This depends on your choice of color.

The trick to applying eye shadow knowing “when to say when.” It’s difficult, when applying neutral shades, to gauge how much shadow you need to apply. Additionally, it will look much brighter in outdoor light versus how it appears on your eye when using indoor lighting or a makeup mirror. Keep in mind that when it comes to applying eye shadow, less is more. Even when using bold colors or dark shades it is better to give the hint of color rather than to look like you’re ready for Halloween.