beauty blog – Page 4

DON’T EVEN BOTHER WITH OTHER NAIL POLISH REMOVER! JUST BUY THIS…

February 15, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you felt extra loved yesterday for St. Valentine’s Day and that you’re having a great week : ) I recently shared how I get Salon Quality Nail Treatments at Home and I try a lot of nail care items because I do my own nails. I decided that although it may seem like a silly item to dedicate an entire blog post to, I truly think that I have a nail polish remover that you *NEED* to try!

Cutex Spa Formula Nail Polish Remover

Why I Love It

This 98% acetone nail polish remover takes off my nail polish, even glitters and hard to remove polish, so much faster than any other nail polish I’ve used before. I love that I don’t have to use tons of cotton rounds or really scrub to get my polish off. This nail polish remover also claims to remove gel nails but I don’t typically wear gel polishes. Cutex Spa Formula Nail Polish Remover is not only fast-acting but it contains conditioning oils which is a nice bonus, too.

My Routine

I use cotton rounds or cotton balls to remove the polish off of my nails. It has been so nice not having to avoid glitter polishes because I don’t want to struggle to get them off, because with this it doesn’t take long at all! If I am wearing hard to remove polishes, such as a glitter polish, I will hold the cotton round on my nail for 20 or 30 seconds and then lightly rub to get the polish completely off.

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If you like random “must try” product reviews like this, please tell me to keep them coming! If there is something else beauty related you’d like to see, please let me know that as well! Thank you for reading! xx

SHOULD WOMEN SHAVE THEIR FACE?

February 13, 2017 & 3 Comments

Hi there! Happy Monday!

If you’re part of “Bachelor Nation” and watch shows such as the ABC network hit The Bachelor, then you probably know Michelle Money. I am a huge fan of Michelle’s, and have learned a lot by watching her different YouTube channels. Several years ago I saw a video where Michelle showed how she shaves her face (watch it here) and after seeing that I did a little more research and today I want to share with you WHY and HOW I shave my face.

Why I Do It

I have very fine, blond peach fuzz on my face but after seeing the video tutorial Michelle showed I was intrigued. One thing I found both in Michelle’s video as well as other articles I found on the topic, was how men typically look younger because shaving their face regularly is a form of exfoliating their face on a very regular basis! Regularly exfoliating is a great way to really amp up the function of the skincare that you’re already using, too, because it allows products to really be absorbed into the skin. I love that my skin looks beautiful and smooth, plus this makes makeup apply flawlessly. Essentially you are removing a layer of dead skin cells, so dermaplaning like they do at skin spas, but for only a couple of dollars and in the comfort of your own home. And just like shaving your legs will *NOT* make the hair come back thicker or darker, the same is true for shaving your face this way… that is a myth! Your hair on your face will come back in exactly how it was when you started!

How I Do It

I don’t have a set schedule doing this, but typically try to do this about every week or every other week. I use the Tinkle (yes, “tinkle”) brand eye brow razors to do this, but most “eye brow razors” will work for this. *Note: I NEVER use these “eye brow” razors to shave my eye brows and think that you should keep razors FAR away from your brows! Pluck, wax, or thread of your brows please! I begin with clean and dry skin, use a single-blade, single-edge razor, hold my skin taut with one hand, and then shave in upward motions holding the razor at a 45 degree angle. I avoid around my eye area, my eye brows, and anything too close to my hair line, focusing on my cheeks and by my ears. I also love to do this before I do microdermabrasion which I do at home using my PMD. After I shave I skip toner and I make sure to use a lot of moisturizer so that you skin isn’t dried out.

Final Thoughts

I don’t think this is a “must” by any means. Please only do what you are comfortable with. I suggest starting with just a little bit, perhaps the peach fuzz on your jaw line, and then see how it goes for you. If you’re under 18 years old please ask your parents before you begin incorporating this into your skincare routine. If you do decide to try this, always be careful and make sure to clean the blade after and don’t use a dull blade on your face because just like your legs a dull blade will make you more likely to nick yourself.

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Thank you for reading and please leave any requests or questions in the comments below! I want to talk about what YOU want to hear! xx

NATURAL CREAM CONTOUR MADE EASY!

February 8, 2017 & 1 Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

In the summer I tend to stick to a powder contour since I have combination/oily skin, but lately I’ve been loving doing a very subtle bit of contouring with cream products to help define my features. I have used several products, and for every day use I have found my favorite that I keep going back to because one product gives me my contour, highlight, and blush.

Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Palette

Why I Love It

This product contains four .08oz cream products to contour your face and you only need a tiny bit of product to get a lot of impact. I like to apply these products using the Beauty Blender Blusher (the medium sized Beauty Blender) or with brushes. When I use brushes I use a brush like the Cover FX Dual Ended Contour Brush for the contour and highlight and a small stippling blush like my very favorite cream blush brush the E.L.F Small Stipple Brush (the BEST $3 investment you’ll make all month, promise!) to stipple on the blush. I personally tend to use the brushes more because I find it easier to not mess up my foundation this way, but the sponge technique does blend seamlessly which looks airbrushed and lovely.

My Routine

After setting my foundation and concealer with a loose power (I like the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder) I use the the contour color to contour my cheekbones, nose, and temples, the matte highlight when I want to highlight the bridge of my nose or between my cheekbone and jawline, the shimmery highlight for the tip of my nose, cupids bow, and cheek bone, and the blush to brighten the apples of my cheeks.

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If you have any questions, as always please ask! I love talking to you in the comments! Please don’t forget today is the LAST DAY to enter my giveaway!! You can enter to win a Target Gift Card and ChapStick goodies here!

THE PERFECT TAUPE/GRAY NAIL POLISH

February 6, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend and that you had a fun Super Bowl Sunday if you’re in the United States! Today I want to share the nail polish that I’ve worn several times in a row because with the nail polish collection that I boast, that is pretty rare.

Essie “Miss Fancy Pants”

Why I Love It

Neutral nails are very popular right now, but finding the perfect color for your skin tone can be quite the challenge. I have tried so many neutral shades, and I’ve finally landed on one that seems to compliment my skin, and it’s a beautiful taupe-y gray that I think would compliment a lot of other skin tones as well.

My Routine

I apply a coat of Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat then apply two coats of the Essie “Miss Fancy Pants” polish and then my Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. I find that this nail polish lasts well without chipping on me for several days, but I can’t seem to make it last a week! I will say that I am pretty tough on nails (read: I wash a lot of dishes!) and that this does seem to last better on me than some of my other Essie polishes. I am a huge fan of Essie’s color selection, but the staying power is hit or miss for me, but this one I’ve been pleased with.

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What is your favorite nail polish brand? I absolutely love nail polish but haven’t bought anything new in awhile..enable me ; )

Thank you, as always, for reading! xo

Why You Need THIS Lip Liner In Your Makeup Bag! Pssst It’s $2

January 25, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

There are certain staple makeup items that every woman needs, and a go-to lip liner for her every day favorite nude lipsticks is definitely an essential for every gals makeup bag.

Jordana Rock n’ Rose Lip Liner (center)

YSL Rouge Volupte 1 and Too Faced Melted Nude (bottom left to right)

Too Faced Melted Matte Queen B and Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina (top left to right)

Why You Need It

This lip liner is amazing because it is the perfect shade to match any nude or pinky nude lipstick. I mentioned this lip liner in 2015 here, so you know it’s a good one! This is the perfect liner to toss in your makeup bag because it doesn’t need to be sharpened which is perfect for on-the-go. I love that this doesn’t tug on my lips, but I am able to get a perfect outline and it also works for filling in my lips completely before applying a lipstick or gloss on top.

My Routine

I like to apply a touch of my EOS Lip Balm or Bonnie Bell Tsum Tsum Lip Smacker just to give my lips a touch of moisture and then outline my lips with the lip liner. I like to make my cupids bow pronounced, but I don’t tend to overdraw my natural lip line unless it’s a special night out. I then apply my lipstick or liquid lipstick and I’m out the door!

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What is your FAVORITE nude lipstick? Please let us know in the comments! xx

HOW TO DO A ONE COLOR BOLD EYE SHADOW LOOK IN 2 MINUTES!

January 16, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday! And Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Lately, on days like today, when I’ve been rushing to get my makeup on before rushing with the kids out the door I’ve been wearing a super easy eye shadow look that I want to show you how to easily recreate today.

The Look:

leahtackles-easyonecolorboldeyeshadowlook-beautytutorial.jpeg

What You’ll Need:

oneeyeshadowlookintwominutes-quickeyeshadowlook-singleshadowlook-leahtackles.jpeg

-One bright color of your choice! Have fun I’ve been loving pinks, purples, greens, and even blues! (I used Wet n’ Wild I’m Getting Sunburned Trio the top pink/purple shade for my look today)

-A basic shadow brush (I used the Sigma Shader E60)

-A blending brush (I used the Sigma Blending E25)

Optional:

-A cream or ivory eye shadow to blend (I like Bobbi Brown in Bone 2 or Wet n’ Wild Single Shadow in Brulee)

-An eye shadow primer or base (I used Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink)

How To Get the Look:

Apply your base or eye shadow primer if you choose to use one. Take any basic eye shadow brush and apply the eye shadow of your choice on your lid all the way up to your crease or just above your crease. I do not use pat it onto the lids to avoid too much fallout with eye shadow falling onto the rest of your skin. If you do get eye shadow on your skin simple brush it off with a brush or makeup sponge. Then take a fluffy eye shadow brush or blending brush to soften any harsh lines and blend the edges of the eye shadow. If you wish, you can use the ivory or cream eye shadow to blend the eye shadow instead of blending only wish a clean brush. I then applied a slight winged liquid eye liner (I used L’Oreal Lineur Intense) and mascara (I used Covergirl Super Sizer in Water Resistant).

I hope you liked this look! If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below!

What Is A Matte Highlighter?

January 11, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday! And, much more importantly to me, HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY to my littlest love, Logan. I am so proud of you, and you’ll always be my baby!

Today I want to talk about a highlighting product that I had to try because the name itself was so contradictory to what I think of when I think of a highlighter, but it has become a go-to for me the past several months.

Benefit Shy Beam

Highlighting has been a huge trend for the past several years, and I love highlighting with powders, creams, sticks, and liquid highlighting products ranging from $2 drugstore steals to much more expensive high end brands. I love using highlighter on my cheekbones, and also my cupids bow, but because I tend to get oily on my nose/T-Zone area I often skip a highlight there. A few months ago Benefit Cosmetics launched and re-vamped a lot of their products, including their Dandelion blush, and they came out with Dandelion Shy Beam which they describe as a nude pink “matte radiance” highlighter. I was very intrigued by this “matte” highlighter claim since this is the opposite of what you think of when you think of highlighter, and honestly sounds a bit like an oxymoron.

How I Use It

I absolutely LOVE this for highlighting down the center of my nose, and for highlighting around the outer corner or my eye and cheekbone. This is fantastic for any place you want to highlight or any place the sun would naturally hit your face because it is so subtle that you can get away with using it in lots of places at once without looking like a disco ball. As someone with combo/oily skin, having a matte highlighter gives you a beautiful lit from within look that is fresh and youthful without risk of feeling like your skin looks greasy or needs blotting immediately. I like to dot this on with the brush applicator and then use a small stippling brush, like the E.L.F Small Stipple Brush, to tap it into the skin. You can also use a lightly damp Beauty Blender or your fingers to tap this into the skin. However you choose to apply this, be sure not to rub or you will risk rubbing off other makeup and won’t get the desired effect.

What are your thoughts? What is your favorite highlighter? Do you think the highlighting trend has become too much or are you still into it? Let me know in the comments! xx

HOW TO APPLY FALSE LASHES!

January 4, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a great week so far! I have been getting comments on some of my YouTube videos and Instagram pictures asking if I’m wearing false eyelashes or what lashes I am wearing. Up until about a year ago, I really only wore false eyelashes a handful of times in my entire life, but this past year I’ve been using them while filming certain videos and for special events, so today I decided to tell you about the lashes that I use and how I apply them.

How To Apply False Lashes:

Pictures Wearing False Lashes:

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When To Wear False Lashes:

Whenever you want! I definitely am NOT a false lash every day kind of girl, but I really love the way that they look on film and in pictures. I always have very long and dark lashes naturally, but the difference that false lashes can make is pretty remarkable!

How To Apply False Lashes:

1.Once you’ve removed your lash from the packaging hold the lash up to see if it fits your lash line or needs to be trimmed. If it needs to be trimmed you can do so easily with a small pair of scissors from a manicure set. For some, like myself, the lash bands are actually not long enough so I hold the lash up and figure out where to place it so that it starts in the middle and ends on the outer part of the lash line.

2. Apply a very light layer of a mascara to help blend your lashes with the falsies. This step is optional, but I’ve tried this step and it is my preference to do this.

3. Apply a thin strip of lash glue to the band of the false lash and then let the glue dry for about 30-40 seconds.

4. This is the “tricky” step but I promise it isn’t that bad! If one side of the lash has longer lashes, that part should go on the outer corner of your eye. Hold the lash up either with your fingers or if you prefer, with a pair of tweezers, and right about your lash line until you get in where you want set it and then put it down onto your lash line. *TIP: Apply a slightly thicker than usual line of liquid eyeliner that helps to blend the false lash band and gives you a spot to “aim” when placing the lash.

5. Check out your handy work! If the lash is sticking too far out or not where you want it to be, lift it up and try again! If you need to, apply a bit more lash glue and repeat step 3. If you are happy with how your lash looks, make sure the band is pressed down and keep your eye closed or look down for a minute so that the lash can set.

6. Use a mascara to blend your lashes with the falsies, if needed. I like to add a little bit of mascara where the lash doesn’t reach near the inner corner of my eye, and then a little bit on my bottom lashes as well.

Repeat these steps for the other eye. That’s it! I know it is a lot of steps and sounds scary, but I promise it isn’t : ) I usually do one eye super quickly, and often struggle with the other once or twice before getting it how I want it, but it’s worth it for a little added drama to your look!

If you have any questions about how I do this, please let me know! I also re-use my false lashes several times by cleaning them after use, and if you’d like to see how I do that please let me know!

My Favorite False “Natural” Lashes

My Favorite “Glamour” Lashes

My Favorite Lash Glue

My Favorite Mascara

Thank you for reading! Have a beautiful day!

YOU NEED TO TRY THIS BODY WASH! UNDER $5

December 28, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Today I want to share one of my “holy grail” drugstore items that I always repurchase and always have on hand. Be sure to let me know your favorite products in the comments section because I love finding new amazing things.

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash

I prefer this over other higher end body scrubs and body washes that I have tried and I always repurchase this. This is an exfoliating body wash which makes it great for sunless tanning prep or just a good deep clean, but it’s also gentle enough that it can be used daily. I like all of the scents, but my favorite is the Burnt Brown Sugar and Karite Butter. I love this because it leaves my skin feeling smooth, clean, and it’s super affordable!

Thank you for reading! Have a wonderful rest of your week and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I cannot wait for 2017! Cheers love! xx

Kat Von D Alchemist Holographic Palette Review

December 26, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that all of you had a wonderful weekend, and if you celebrate, a very Merry Christmas! I had a wonderful Christmas with my family, and ate WAY too many cookies ; ) Today I am so excited to be sharing the *highly* anticipated Alchemist Holographic Palette from Kat Von D.

Kat Von D Alchemist Holographic Palette

Without Flash:

With Flash:

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What It Is:

This palette is being called a “transformer” palette because it can be worn as a highlighter, or as a topper for eye shadows and even lipsticks. Each of the four shades are formulated with “Double Dimension Technology” which catches the light from every angle, given a holographic effect.

My Thoughts:

I was intrigued by this palette because I have been watching Kat Von D slowly share sneaks on her Instagram account. Kat Von D has spent years working on these formulas and has called this palette one of her passion projects. Being a beauty lover, I knew that this was something I wanted to try for myself right away! I have worn two of the shades so far as a cheekbone highlight and it is stunning! A little bit goes a LONG way, but I absolutely loved the way it caught the light. I am excited to try this as an eye shadow topper, and think it would be a gorgeous look over a simple look to amp it up to something a lot more special.

Do I Need It?

I think that this is a must have for the makeup junkie who loves to try new things, play with makeup, and collect makeup. I think that this is beautiful for those looking for something new. I have noticed the similarities between this and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild highlighters, and after comparing swatches online they do look similar though not exactly the same. I think that if you have Moonchild you don’t need the Alchemist, but Alchemist seems more holographic and Moonchild seems to be more metallic or duochrome to me.

Do you have this? Are you planning to get it? I was able to pick it up on Sephora.com during the VIB pre-launch, but it is now available to everyone. Thank you, as always, for reading! I hope that you have a fantastic rest of your day : )

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