The Budget Beauty Episode 8

To Blush or Not To Blush

 

1.  First choose the color using nature as your guide. According to InStyle, the trick is to find a color that matches your cheeks when they're flushed after exercise or being out in the cold. For a quick test, "spank" your cheeks and use the resulting color as a guide. (We suggest doing this in the comfort of your home away from other people, wink). Another trick is to match your lip color. Fair skin looks great in rose, olive in peach & dark skin in apricot or even red.

2.  Now that you have the color, choose the right formula for your skin type. Powder is typically best for oily and combo skin. Cream is great for dry skin. Liquid and gel are great for oily skin. For even better results, combine cream and powder together. "It helps my blush stay on longer and looks more luminous," said makeup artist Laura Mercier in O Magazine. Keep in mind stains -- great for well-moisturized skin, not dry skin -- tend to dry very fast so blend well and fast.

3.  Apply foundation, eye color &and lipstick. While blush is usually your second-to-last makeup step (before powder), you should experiment with what works best for you. Some makeup artists like to apply blush BEFORE foundation for a more "natural" look.

4.  Throw out the freebie "Barbie-size" blush brush that comes with the blush. Use a full brush instead (Try E.L.F. brushes from Target), but don't use the same brush you use for your powder.

5.  Put the blush on your brush, tapping off any excess or put a dab of gel on your fingers.

6.  Look into the mirror and smile. This helps you figure out where the "apple" of your cheek is.

7.  Since you want a healthy flush, it's best to apply blush only to apples of your cheeks. Keep color light and blended. If you're using gel or cream, NYC makeup artist Carlo Geraci (in O Magazine) suggests dabbing it on with your middle finger, then blend with your ring and middle finger. The clean finger will pick up any excess blush.

8.  If you've gone a bit too heavy on the powder blush, a bit of translucent powder over it will calm it down. For cream blush, blot the color off with a tissue. Since gel and liquid blush "stain" the cheeks, the only way to lighten them is it wash your face, moisturize and reapply your makeup, this time more sparingly.

9.  Finish your look with a sweep of translucent powder.

The Budget Beauty Episode 7

Lashes – True or False

The purpose of eyelashes is to keep dust out of our eyes and to act as a 'trip wire' to protect our eyes.  My niece, LaKendria, has the longest, most beautiful lashes on the planet!  And she has some huge beautiful eyes to match!  I just want to slap her! LOL

My lashes are the direct opposite.  They are very short; almost nonexistent.  They have no curl, no density.  Now there are products out on the market that claim to grow your lashes.  I did a research on Eyelash Growth Serums.   The name Envyderm Eyelash Growth Serum was the first thing to pop up in Google.  I took time to check out the first four ingredients.  The first ingredient is “Water”.  We all know what that is.  Next was “Butylene Glycol”.  It is a common humectant and solubilizer used in cosmetic and food preparations.  After that is Hydroxyethyl cellulose which is a gelling and thickening agent and next is Panthenol which is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B₅), and is thus a provitamin of B_{5 .}  In cosmetics, panthenol is a humectant, emollient and moisturizer.

I went to the website of the company that produces it just to see what the cost is.  People are paying $99.95 for this stuff.  Yes, $100.00 for 5ml/0.17 fl.oz. Don’t believe me?  Take a trip to the site and find out for yourself.  Here is the web address: 

http://www.envyderm.com/Nighttime-Growth-Serum_ep_56-1.html

Ok.  So now we have water; a humectant (something that attracts moisture).  One of the most common humectants is sugar.  Don’t believe me?  Put a hard cookie in a zip lock bag with a slice of bread.  In a day or so, you will have a moist, soft cookie and the bread will be dried out.  We need something to hold our ingredients in a gel state and a B vitamin. 

Reading over some of the ingredients of some products that I already have, I, Natasha Benton have deduced that all you need is Aquaphor and Vitamin E Capsules.  Now let’s see why.  Here are the Aquaphor Ingredients: 

Active ingredient:   Petrolatum (41%)  Inactive Ingredients:  Mineral Oil, Ceresin, Lanolin Alcohol, Panthenol, Glycerin (which is a humectant), Bisabolol. 

Now, the ingredients for Spring Valley Vitamin E (200 I.U.) Capsules:  Dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Gelatin, Glycerin, Water.  Personally, I just like Vitamin E.  You really don’t need it!

I have been using Castor Oil on a Q-Tip for about 1 week now.  I have not noticed any growth but I have noticed less lash fallout and less lash line itchiness.  I am going to make my own “Lash Growth Serum” and if you want my recipe here goes!

Tasha’s Lash Growth Serum

½ T Aquaphor

½ T Castor Oil

1 Vitamin E Capsule

Mix all ingredients together and store in a container with a tight fighting lid.  Apply nightly with a Q-Tip to the base of the upper and lower lash line.  Do not get product into eyes.  May also be used on the brows.

For those of you who are willing, you can pay me $50 for a 5gm jar of “Tasha’s Eyelash Growth Serum”.  I will even throw in some Q-Tips from the dollar store.  Just kidding!

For My Facebook Friends and Family ONLY!!!

I will be hosting a give-a-way January 27, 2012.  This give-a-way is for my Facebook friends and family only!  All you have to do is be a follower on my blog.  That’s it!!  Here’s a sneak peak at one and yes I did say “one” of the prizes!

This is the Coastal Scents 26 Shadow Blush Combo Palette!  The 26 shadow blush palette comes in nearly nude, browns, taupes, peaches, pinks, rose, and rich plums. There are 21 shadows and 5 blushes in shimmer, pearl, and matte shades. Some of the shadows can be used as blushes with great results.

With awesome palette you can create beautiful neutral looks.  This is also great for newbies!



The Budget Beauty Episode 6

The Eyes have it!  Part 1

1.   Your eyebrows frame the face

2.   If you want a natural looking brow, do not use brow powder; use a very sharp eye brow pencil to draw in eyebrow hairs ONLY where there is no hair.  Do not use a lip pencil as they are too soft.

3.   Where should my eyebrows begin, arch and end?

4.   The further apart your brows are, the wider your nose will appear.

5.   Super thin, overly arched brows make you look older.  Opt for a fuller, softer brow with a subtle arch.  This will soften the face.

6.  Contrary to popular belief, you do not want your brow to look drawn on

7.  Stay away from the “tadpole” eyebrow.

8.     DO NOT use black brow pencils or powders to do anything to your brows.

9.     Do not over pluck your eyebrows.

10.   If your brows are well groomed, you will look great without makeup!