My latest tip

So I've been on an internet beauty reading binge the last couple of weeks.  Sad, I know.  I have no contact with my boyfriend for three weeks.  I am merely four days into the three weeks.  Even though we only get to see each other on weekends with the distance right now, I now see just how much we are in contact throughout each day.  It's all very strange...

Anyways, I'm reading more and cooking more...but mostly playing on the internet more!

I took advantage of the Ulta Amazing Cosmetics Concealer deal, split with my friend Kim.  We both got the Golden Light shade.  I have never been the best applicator of makeup.  I love makeup and skincare, but never seem to want to put the effort into really learning how to apply it correctly.

I have been using Benefit Erase Paste in #1 for almost a year and love its brightening effect.  I have been using my finger to warm it up and then tap it onto my skin and the corners of my eyes.  Well, I decided to search on YouTube for tips on applying both Erase Paste and Amazing Cosmetics concealers.

I read a great tip about using a fluffy eyeshadow crease or shading brush to tap concealer on under the eyes if you're not looking for super thick coverage.  I can't stand having anything cakey or obvious looking in the way of face makeup.  I tried it with the Erase Paste and I think I prefer my finger on that one.  But, it works beautifully with the AC!! The perfect coverage for that area.

I happened to have a very reasonable extra eye shading brush that came in an Eco Tools set.
Eco Tools (came in a 5 brush set that was $10)

Sephora Musings

I popped into Sephora over the weekend, completely bare-faced. I wanted to play with Benefit Erase Paste in the #1 shade, and some tinted moisturizers. I put the Erase Paste on one side and was amazed. The fair shade is so much better on me. I can use it under my eyes and on blemishes, and around my nose where I get red creases. I used my store credit from returning Coralista (which looked super bright and fake on me) and went home with this wonderful (but not perfect, see here) product.

I also played with NARS The Multiple in Malibu. Wonderful. It was the perfect pinky brown shimmer, looked great on both my lips and cheeks. How I long for it...but at $37, so not going to happen.

Benefit sale

• Get 20% off all orders! 3 days only! Enter MAKEUP20 at checkout. One use per customer. Can be combined with shipping codes. Offer valid 5/27/09 - 5/29/09. • Get FREE US standard shipping with any $50 order. Enter PRETTY50 at checkout. • Get FREE international standard shipping with purchase of $115 or more. Enter promo code WORLD115 at checkout. • Get a FREE color plump in yoo hoo with any $35 purchase. No promo code necessary. Product automatically ships with your order. While supplies last. • 2 FREE samples with every order. • Shop our buh-buys section for sale items up to 50% off! (All sales are final on buh-buys merchandise.) • Secure shopping and easy online checkout when you shop at benefitcosmetics.com • Hassle-free returns. • Create a wishlist and send to family & friends. • Want to place an order by phone? Call 800.781.2336 • Have a beauty question? Need to contact customer service? Call 800.781.2336 or email us here. You are receiving this email because you have opted in to receive email promotions and special offers from Benefit Cosmetics LLC. If you wish to be removed from this list, or to change your email address click here © Copyright 2009, Benefit Cosmetics LLC

Benefit Erase Paste

Okay, I have a mixed review on this one. I am still up in the air as to whether I will purchase it with my store credit or not.

I had tried it when it first came out, and was not impressed with the staying power. Then, with my last Sephora order, I got the deluxe sample of it. I tried it on at the end of the day, so my skin was dewy and more hydrated (read: semi-greasy.) I was AMAZED by the brightening coverage under my eyes. Seriously, I did one side first and it made the other side look dark and haggard. Amazing coverage.

I have been wearing it everyday for about three weeks, and I have to say that I feel like I need it. It just covers those dark circles and brightens up the whole area. Now, to the negatives. Maybe it's because my skin is so combo--it starts off very dry early in the day and then gets oily--but it settles into the creases and feathers as the day goes on. I've even tried setting it with powder, but it still feathers. So, at lunch, I use the warmth of my finger to pat it and blend again, and it maintains coverage. But, I would rather it didn't feather at all. I don't want to be checking my makeup all day.

Some people use this on other blemishes, but it would only be an undereye concealer for me. It is kind of a pinky tint, which counteracts the blue under the eyes, but would look super obvious against my yellowish skin.

Benefit Erase Paste

My package arrived!!

All day, I was so excited to come home from work because I knew my Sephora package would be here...my Stila tinted moisturizer and my Benefit Coralista. AND, most importantly, my Benefit bonus!!

The first product I tried was the Rush Hour stick. It is called a "soft plum rose" shade, made to be used for lips or cheeks. Now, this is a preliminary review because most lip/cheek combos are too drying for my lips. But, so far, I love the color. I have been obsessed with finding the right rose stain for my lips (I will admit that this look was inspired by Whitney in last season's The Hills.)

This picture is taken after a long day of work, and I swiped a little on my lips and cheeks. Love it so far. It helps that it was free!

Saturday Excitement

Nothing gets me more excited than a really good deal. Well, I exaggerate...many things get me more excited than that. But, on a daily basis, I love to get a good deal.

I have been wanting to purchase Stila Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer. It has SPF30, looks amazing alone or under my Bare Minerals, is full of physical sunscreen, and comes in a yellow enough shade for me (most have pink or beige undertones, which clashes considerably with the rest of my body, especially my neck...not pretty.)

I told myself I wasn't going to buy it until I got something free with it. In the meantime, I have been lusting after Benefit's new CORALista blush, but haven't wanted to spend that much on another blush when I have so many blushes I really like. I have looked for it on ebay and said I would treat myself to it as a completely frivolous purchase if I could get it for $20, instead of its normal $28.

WELL....today I got an email from Sephora that I could get this set with a $50 purchase, as long as you buy one Benefit item. ($113 value)
Every one of the items I considered purchasing at one time or another, but in my research, found a more perfect product at a better price (or decided I didn't need more stuff.) Well, I am splurging on yet another new blush, getting the TM I have been wanting...and this set.

It's a good day.

Benefit Sale!!

So, I just wrote about my love for Benefit Speed Brow. Well, I got an email today saying that they just put a bunch of stuff on sale on the Benefit website...including the wonderful Speed Brow and Brow Zings (a great addition to your arsenal if you have sparse eyebrows.) Also, a great product of theirs, High Brow...also on sale. It is a linen-y pink color to swipe/blend under your brow arch. Just makes your whole eye lift.

Thirty, Flirty and Fun

JOY

Remember that scene in "13 Going on 30" when the thirteen year old dreams of being thirty? Well, Joy just hit the big 3-0. She picked up some incredible new eyeliner yesterday, and we decided I should write about it on here. I then took it a step further and decided to overhaul her whole look with inspiration from new makeup and celebrities. I would have just emailed these ideas to her, but figured I might as well post it for everyone's entertainment (my ten dedicated readers!)

I have known her for nine years, and lived with her for four of those. Over the years, I did her makeup for a college senior banquet, for a music video shoot (oh, yes) and attempted to for her 30th party. She is one of those people who can pull off no makeup just as well as red lips. She looks great both in cool and warm tones.

Here goes:

I pulled up a few celebrity pics as inspiration. Her face shape most closely resembles Parker Posey's of these...but with coloring similar to the others. All of these are wearing more makeup than she would everyday, so we're not looking to copy, but simply glean ideas.

It looks like she is wearing NARS Orgasm blush here (or some other gold-flecked coral color) which I think would look great on Joy. I also like the lip color, and rich brown eye makeup.I love the 60's pale pink lips. The bright pink cheek color just pops too (in Bobbi Brown speak.) Same brown eye colors.

I wish I had a closer picture of Parker here. It is a contoured eye in blue and gray. Looks great on Joy.

This same lip color looks great on Joy.

Ok, now that we've seen the inspirations, here are my recommendations:

She already uses Bobbi Brown foundation as needed, finished off with Bobbi Brown powder. Then, Too Faced Bronzer. I know this because I picked them out for her. The only thing I would add to the face makeup is Benefit You're Bluffing Concealer. It is a pure yellow concealer stick that evens redness perfectly...especially around the nose or mouth. It would also be perfect for days she just wants to even out her skin without wearing full face makeup. My only complaint is that it has to be used on well moisturized skin or it can be a little drying.

Some products and tips for her eyes:

• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

• Using at least two different colors of brown eyeshadow on her eyes. One as a base color and one smudged in the crease and around the eye. She already has a quad of colors with light blue, navy, brown and a shimmery highlighter. She needs a mix of browns. I love my Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes because it is so convenient--the included undereye concealer, directions, mirror and a decent brush. BareMinerals has a great set (Ready-to-Wear Collection) that isn't sold in Sephora, but looks perfect.
  

• Just like she has in the picture, a little eyeliner in the lower waterline (only part way from outer eye to mid eye) and smudged into the upper lashes. For a dressier look, an all over brown smoky eye.
  

Lips and Cheeks:

• I think she should bring some blush into the routine. Benefit Dallas would look great on her. Or NARS Orgasm, the blush that looks amazing with all coloring. Or, like Rachel Bilson, I think a pop of pink would look great on just the apples of her cheeks with Bobbi Brown Pale Pink. I love that the website even gives instructions on how to do it.
• A great option would be a multi purpose product, like Benefit Rush Hour (yes, I do love Benefit.) The color would be gorgeous on her, on her cheeks and a little smeared with her finger onto her lips.
• For a different look, a pale pink or nude-ish pink lipstick. I have a discontinued Benefit one I love ("Hollywood Roll"), but nude pink in any brand would do...preferably a moisturizing one since I don't see her reapplying often. She could probably find one from her beloved Aveda.
  

That's it for now!