To Prime or Not to Prime

I have been working like crazy lately, long hours, napping and school lastly. Makeup primer has become my new bff.

First of, what is a primer? A primer creates a barrier between your skin and your make-up. It can improve the coverage and help the foundation lasts longer on the skin. When do you apply primer? Primer is applied after you cleanse, tone and moisturize. It is also important that you do not apply primer too often as it can clog pores. Also, make sure to only apply primer where it tends to rub off easily, but all over works too.

Using primer is great for when you know you will be out for long hours or working long hours. It keeps your makeup set for hours without having to retouch your makeup so many times throughout the day. Give it a try and you will love how smoothly your makeup will go on.

I have a few that I love and adore. Keep in mind I have oily skin type. My all time favorite is Benefit the POREfessional because it also minimizes my pores and gives my skin a soft canvas to play with. I mentioned a few more for different skin types down below.

Primers for:

Oily Skin: Smashbox Photo Finish Light

Large Pores: Benefit the POREfessional

Mature Skin: Gosh Velvet Touch Primer Apricot

Dry Skin: Gosh Velvet Touch Cream Primer

Combination Skin: Rimmel 002 Primer

Matte Eye Palettes

Urban Decay took us by storm in 2010 with their first palette. Recently they came out with their second palette which is a bit similar to the first one, but matte is the whole rave this year. Urban Decay did not stay behind and came out with a mini matte version that fits perfectly in your makeup bag.

This palette come with 6 different shades, one of them has a bit of shimmer which is called Venus very similar to Virgin from the first and second palette. I love that makeup companies are coming out with matte colors because they are very flattering to older complexions. As well as younger if you do not like all the shimmer.

Many brands have matte palettes that are just as good though. I'll list a few of my favorites down below.

NAKED Urban Decay BASICS- $27

This all matte palette comes with 9 different shades that comes in both neutrals and colors. What I like about this palette is that is divided into three different looks. The palette also includes look cards tucked away into the lid that shows different looks using this palette. I also love that it has a magnetic closure lid.

Too Faced Matte Eye Shadow Collection-$36

This palette contains 9 matte shades named after the Balm's favorite Matt's. It also includes a small bristle brush in the kit, which I actually love because is better than those sponge brushes you get in the drugstore eye kits. I love that is made out of heavy duty cardboard and has a magnetic closure lid and mirror. This palette plus the name is perfection.

Meet Matt(e) by the Balm-$34.50

This palette is one of the biggest! It includes 88 cool matte eye shadows. The only downsize is that you cannot carry this in your bag like you could maybe one of the other options, but it comes with so many that is worth the price and value. If you are looking for something more affordable this will be your got to palette for sure.

BH Cosmetics 88 Cool Matte Palette-$11.97

When To Toss Your Makeup

We all make sure to look at the expiration date when dealing with food. Believe it or not makeup also has an expiration date. It is important to know when to toss your makeup. I just went through my makeup collection and tossed a few things that I know I don't use and also the makeup that just had to go.

Powder Blush-2 years

Cream Blush- 6 months, 12 months is okay too

Foundation- 12 months

Face Powder- 1 to 4 years

Concealer- 12 to 18 months

Cream Eyeshadow- 12 to 18 months

Powder Eyeshadow- 2 years

Mascara- 3 months

Eyeliner- 3 months

Lipstick- 1 to 2 years. I suggest getting rid of it when it starts to smell funny/rancid.



Lipgloss- 2 years

Lotion- 2 years

So there you have it! I believe the most important makeup items you should replace often is obviosuly mascara, and eyeliner, because they will be touching your eyes at all times and can cause to grow bacteria or cause an infection.

M.A.C Marilyn Monroe Collection

One of my favorite icons of all time has arrived at our M.A.C counters. I am so stocked! M.A.C has came out with their platinum hollywood glamour collection channeling the legendary Marilyn Monroe. She was well known for her sex appeal and those red lips. This collwction captures her perfectly and I cannot wait to get my hands on this collection. Just a reminder thart this collection is limited edition so hurry and get yours now.

Makeup Tips For Sizzling Redheads

I recently have changed my hair color to a range red color and loving it. I like to keep things more neutral for work but outside of work I like to play up my makeup that will bring out the red tones in my hair. So don't be afraid to play with makeup just because your hair color is a bit bright that just makes you more sassy.

1. Do wear RED lipstick

2. Tinted moisturizer or beauty balm

3. Pop of color with minimal lip

4. Pink lips

5. Cat eyes

6. Blushed cheeks

7. Jewel tone eye makeup

8. Plum eye makeup

9. Smokey eye makeup

10. Vampy lips

How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

I know from time to time we tend to forget about our makeup brushes. We make sure our face is squeaky clean and all but forget about our makeup tools. The thing is that cleaning and disinfecting our makeup brushes is just as important since that could be the reason why our face might be breaking out. I have a video posted showing you how I clean them. Feel free to watch it. Enjoy :)

15 Beauty Tips

There are endless beauty tips, in the world of beauty to keep you looking great. Below are some tips that I would love to share and if you have any that I did not mention please feel free to share.

1. Always wash your makeup brushes, to fight against potential bacteria and breakouts.

2. Want to get voluminous hair in the morning? Tie your hair into a loose high pony tail. This lifts your hair off the scalp, resulting in more height at the roots.
3.  Manicure with shimmery shades, your manicure will last longer because of the stronger resin.

4. Key to a really good fake tan is to exfoliate correctly before application. It gives a clean, smooth and even base for the product to work properly.
5. Finish your nail lacquer application with a horizontal stroke at the top to seal the polish and prevent chipping.
6. Use a lipstick as a cream blush.
7. Can't seem to hold the volume up in the crown area? Try crimping pieces of you hair underneath and spray hairspray. Let it dry then brush through it as usual.
8. Use two different face cleansers. A heavy duty one in the evening and a milder one in the mornings.

9. To make your lips appear fuller, take a white eyeliner or white eyeshadow and highlight the cupid's bow. I do this all the time in my makeup routine.
10. Have oily skin like me? Well take some napkins and take them apart where you have two small pieces and blot your face with them. It's free and it works just like blotting papers.
11. Run your eyelash curler under hot water or blast it with a dryer before using it to get a curlier result that lasts. Perfect for those night outs where you want to look your best.

12. Mix in a bit of your favorite foundation onto your moisturizer and voila you have tinted moisturizer.

13. If you have fine baby hair, dry shampoo would become your new BFF. Even after washing it spray a bit onto your roots to give a lift that lasts all day.
14. If you get yellow nails after wearing dark lacquers, try scrubbing with a nail brush and whitening toothpaste.
15. My all time favorite beauty tip, is mixing your lotion with a bit of olive oil or baby oil for baby soft an all over soft sheen.