A few years ago, I became really interested in learning more about makeup, specifically eye shadow, and how to apply it. Until that time I was buying drug store eye shadows, the ones that come four to a case and following the instructions on the back. But I wanted to expand my horizons. One day on a trip to Macy's, a light was beckoning me toward it. It looked like this:
Hesitant and intimidated, I let it draw me closer. There were pretty colors everywhere. There were lipsticks and lip glosses and blushes! The eye shadow displays were color coordinated, but each color was sold separately. Wait, what? How do I know which colors to wear? How do I know where to put them on my eyelid? I longed for inspiration, knowledge, and assistance. Then an angel in beautiful, colorful makeup appeared. She didn't know it yet, but like many sales people I encounter, she would be sorry she approached me. I talked her ear off for an hour and a half, trying to suck her dry of her makeup knowledge. It was silly of me to think that I would learn everything in 90 minutes. But she was wonderful and she assisted me in how to pick out eye shadow colors, the proper tools to use and as she applied it on me, she talked me through it, step by step. I bought everything she suggested and I walked away anticipating my next trip.
That's how it started for me. When Sephora opened in my area, I was thrilled. MORE MAKEUP! Sephora sells over 200 different brands of beauty products and the sales people are knowledgable. The possibilities are endless. The best part about MAC and Sephora and department store makeup counters is, unlike drug stores, you get to test out the products before you purchase them. Of course the pricing is substantially different, but in some cases, the product quality is better.
Then came Pinterest. Pinterest has ruined my life. I pin everyday. Their Hair and Beauty board has only made it harder for me to stay away from MAC, Sephora and drug stores. Through Pinterest, I discovered two makeup blogs, Makeup Geek and The Beauty Bybel. These blogs have how-to videos that have since encouraged my makeup obsession. Please check them out, I've included their links below.
Click here for Makeup Geek
Click here for The Beauty Bybel
These stores and sites have taught me some tried and true lessons. I'd like to share some of my basic, general makeup must-haves with you.
There are a few products that I cannot live without when it comes to makeup. Each will be discussed in further detail in upcoming posts, but I want to mention them today because I think they are important. They are:
Primer - for the face and for the eyes. Primer is a cream that goes on your face or eyelids before you put on any foundation or eye shadow. This helps your foundation and eye shadow last longer, no matter the quality of the makeup. I wear face primer every day and I wear eye primer whenever I'm wearing eye shadow.
Makeup brushes - these are essential if you want your makeup to look smooth and natural. There are many different types of brushes for the face and eyes. I have quite a few, but not every type. Brushes help blend your makeup. It is all about blending! Please throw away those eyeshadow sticks that come with the drug store eye shadow and invest in some brushes. MAC and Sephora sell professional brushes, but you can also get them at any drugstore for a reasonable price and they will last if you keep them clean. I will talk about this, also. Stay tuned!
Makeup remover towelettes and eraser sticks - these are great. One rule I have always upheld is to never, ever go to bed without washing off my makeup. The towelettes are wonderful for helping remove heavy makeup and you can use them all over your face. I love Target's brand, they are only $3.64 and I use them everyday. Almay's makeup eraser sticks retail for $4.89 and they are my number one favorite thing. They look like cotton swabs, but they have makeup remover in the stick part of it. You snap off the one end and the liquid drains into the end with the remaining swab. I used these to help erase mistakes with eye shadow, mascara and eye liner, or I use them to take off the tough eyeliner that soap just doesn't get.
Bronzer - what can I say? I'm a Jersey girl. Bronzer gives you a sun-kissed glow and I wear it all year long. If you look like this
then you've used it incorrectly. Bronzer is applied to the places that the sun would naturally hit, your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin.
My advice for anyone interested in upping their makeup routine is to check out the links I posted, there are so many great tips and product recommendations on them. I have purchased some of the products they recommend and I am working on some product reviews for you. So be sure to check back here each week. I also recommend visiting MAC and Sephora and the department stores where there are people there to help answer your questions. Also, know that if you decide to purchase drug store makeup and you don't like it, you can return it. I have done this at Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid and Target and I have never had a problem.
If you visit the stores and links I provided and are interested in experimenting with new eye shadow colors, but do not want to spend mucho dinero on a few shades, I have the perfect product for you.
That's it for this week! Did I talk your ear off? I encourage you to comment, ask questions or give me ideas. Have a great week!
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