5 Tips to Organized Beauty Supplies

Long hair or short, lip gloss girl or full on face femme, chances are you have a host of makeup and hair supplies sitting around your house and not exactly in any particular order. makeup_messDon’t worry, we’ve all been guilty of this at one point in time but, ask yourself a question, you would not store your pants with your tops so why would you throw your hair dryer in with your stash of lipstick? When it comes to your bathroom counters and bedroom vanities you should avoid the hair rising shenanigans that your cosmetics and hair care can cause. Here are five easy and effective ways to organize your beauty and hair supplies.

Out with the Old Products

When you’re unorganized it’s pretty easy to keep things that you really don’t need or just don’t use at all. Most likely, you have a favorite makeup applicator or hair brush and there are even greater chances that they aren’t in the condition they makeup_trashuse to be in. It doesn’t have to be edible to have an expiration date which means, yes, even your makeup expires so be sure to check to see if you have any outdated cosmetics sitting around. If you do, throw them out. If you haven’t used a certain makeup in the last three to five months it is likely that you won’t again, so go ahead and toss that as well. However, if you have any makeup that you haven’t opened and don’t have the inkling to ever use it, pass it off to a fellow girlfriend. The great thing about this step is that not only does it help you sort out your beauty supplies but it also promotes good hygiene.

Same thing goes for your hair tools such as curling irons and hair dryers. If you have a curling iron or even straightening iron that has began to rust/brown around the plate due to accumulation of hair products burning, get rid of them. It isn’t always as obvious to when it’s time to throw out your hair dryer but a good sign would be the constant sound of buzzing or wavering that can be heard during use or a burning smell.

Storing Your Beauty Supplies

dryer_straightProviding storage for your things is a key step to getting organized and staying organized. Designate a drawer for your stick products that can include eye liner, lip liner, mascara, eye brow pencil and lipstick. Invest in a vanity set that can be used separately from your mirror that you can hang on your wall that is designated for just hair supplies. Drawers and stands for makeup will help eliminate clutter and free up much needed counter space. Get creative with this step as it can easily be made into a DIY project. Use a salt and pepper shaker to hold things such as bobby pins and hair clips or get a plastic shoe rack to hang over your door. This is a great place to put large hair supplies that might not fit in the vanity such as hair spray and shampoo bottles.

Categorize Your Beauty Supplies

With use of storage and labeling, categorizing your belongings will help you manage your cosmetics accordingly. We’ve all accidentally ruined one thing or another by makeup_clusterdoing something like not completely closing the lid of our fingernail polish remover causing it to leak out into our eye makeup that happened to be in the same drawer. Well no more. It’s time to start categorizing your beauty care to keep these things from happening. Loose powders can easily cause a mess and when you’re trying to get organized a mess is the last thing that you want.

When storing your makeup, make an effort to put like products together. Not only does this keep the little accidents from happening but it also helps you keep track of what you have and know exactly where it goes.

Stash By Use

Most people have a favorite lipstick, eyeliner or evencoverups hair spray that they use practically every day and are their go to for any time of day. If this sounds like you then it makes little sense in rifling through all your things and creating a mess when you know exactly what you want.

Create a special container, preferably something that is easy to access and visible and put all your daily use things here such as straightening iron (my Babyliss Pro is always in need), blush and mascara. Every once in a while you might find yourself in a rush so, having a go-to stash would be beneficial because whenever push comes to shove you can always grab the entire display and jump in the car. All your essentials are with you and you didn’t have to rifle through drawers and cabinets to find that comb that works magic on your bed head.

Condense What You Have

Condensing your beauty and hair supplies may sound similar to the out with the old trick, but with condensing you take it a storganized_makeupsep further. Instead of throwing things away, you are simply swapping out larger sizes for small and turning the half empty glass into a fuller one. For example, if you have half a bottle of shampoo sitting around, transfer the contents into a smaller bottle. Same can be done with perfume, finger nail polish remover and even liquid foundation.

Though this works with a lot of items, you might find that you have some things that are just hard to minimize such as hair sprays, curling irons and hair dryers. Bigger may be better but try investing in travel sized bottles of hairspray, folding curling irons and small sized hair dryers. Turning your hair and beauty products into travel sized options is a great way to maximize your counter space and minimize your product size.

You don’t have to let a life of beauty run your life and overrun your bathroom counter. Simplifying your beauty and hair supplies can be a daunting task but it only takes five easy steps for you to get organized. Try them out and see the results, I’m sure you’ll be satisfied.

 What are your Beauty Supply organization secrets?

Choosing the Right Makeup for the Right Event

Makeup can be a girl’s best friend, especially when she needs a quick touch up to look her best, however it can also be her worst enemy. Several http://makeuptipforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/best-deals-on-makeup-250x250.jpgissues come up when picking out makeup; is it truly long lasting and is it the right shade for your complexion? The trickiest part comes when it comes to choosing the right makeup for an outing.

You might be in love with your “smoky eyes” but the look is not necessarily right for a big job interview or an office outing. However, just because you have to go to an office luncheon does not mean you have to forgo makeup altogether, you just have to know your limits. A big event can turn up at any time and you’re going to have put your best face forward, but what is that face? Well don’t fret because with some simple considerations and tricks of  the trade you will be sure to make a big impression at your big event all the while looking the part.

Night out on the Town

 This is a great time to try out your new glitter or even metallic eye shadow you just purchased and put it into action but before you do there are some things to think about. Whenever you plan to get a little wild with your makeup, take into consideration twonightoutontown things, your outfit and most importantly where you’re going. For example, if you’re heading to the club with neon pink lights and you’re wearing an even hotter pink dress, you might not want to wear your favorite shade of rose pink lipstick to offset your sparkly eye shadow and white eye liner. That is to say unless you want to look like a giant piece of glittery bubble gum.

To add a pop of fun to your look, try mixing a metallic shadow with a neutral color and black. The neutral color will act as your base. When applying the metallic, keep it towards the inside of your eyelid, typically mid lid to where your eye and the bridge of your nose meet. The black will be applied to the opposite corner of your eye. To take this look to the dramatic side of things, add eyeliner and mascara or even fake lashes.

For glitter eye shadow, the application is similar with the use of a neutral color; however, in this instance you will add drama by using two shades of glitter eye shadow, one lighter and one darker. The lightest will be applied to the inner part of the lid with the darkest on the out.matalic eye

Your eyes are surely the focal point at this point so, when you’re out on the town keep the blush and lipstick to a minimum and of course, one that best fits your skin tone.  If you are not one for blush then go for a shimmery bronzer to keep you the life of the party. Finally, when choosing a lip color, go for something matte as to not compete with the brightness you have going on up top.

First Date

A first date is all about the first impression so you want it to be a good one and the best way to do this is by enhancing your features. Enhancing your eyes is the best choice when going firstdatethis route and for a romantic evening, try adding a little romance with a smoky eye.

To achieve a smoky eye, first choose three to four colors that are in the same color family from lightest to darkest. Your lightest color will act as your highlight, the second lightest will act as your eye shadow base then you have your medium and dark. The application process is simple; first cover your entire eye lid with your second lightest eye shadow so that the rest of the colors have a base. Next, highlight the area just below your brow; this is your brow bone. From here you will then add your medium color starting from the lash line and blending upwards. Finally, use your darkest color. Be sure to keep this very close to the lash line. For the perfect smoky eye, be sure to blend upwards in a uniform method so that the color visibly goes from dark to light. For a more defined smoky eye, use your darkest color to fill in the crease of your eye. This is the area between the brow bone and your lid. Use a small brush to do this. Finish up by adding mascara and/or eye liner.

If you feel the need to wear lipstick, NEVER use a colorfameyeshadowdarker shade than your eye shadow and never use a color that is extremely too light. Instead go for a medium tone or simply go with a nude lip with a bit of lip gloss.

A little blush can tie in your look but, for a healthy glow that will look lovely over a candlelight dinner, try for a bronze instead. Brush on lightly starting at the apple of your cheeks and fade up towards your temple.

Job Interview

The key rule to remember when you’re going in for a job interview is that “a little bit goes a long way”. Even if you were doing an interview for a makeup artist, the employer wants to see you, not your foundation and your sugar plum eye shadow. There is so much to consider on the day of a big interview and you will most likely already be stressing over what you’re going to say, so doing your makeup should be as hassle free as possible.naturallips Pass over your bright color palette with a K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid) and go the all natural route. This look is great as it allows you to wear makeup and still look like the beautiful bare faced you. There are three main things that you need to pay attention to when it comes to the natural look and that is face, eyes and lips.

Most people have the typical liquid foundation, but for this purpose it is best to go for a powder foundation. A powder foundation not only allows your skin to breathe, it also gives you a much cleaner look than a liquid foundation. When using a powder foundation use appropriate brushes and avoid powder puffs at all costs as this can cause the foundation to cake on your face. Also, remember to tap off your brush after taking it to the powder to remove excess makeup.

No matter your complexion, a copper colored eye shadow will do the trick; just cover your entire lid. Too add a little depth to your look you can also take a shade of brown to the outer most part of your eye and blend towards the center of your eyelid. To complete your eye makeup, forgo eyeliner and mascara and instead use an eyelashinterview curler to give your eyes a natural wow factor.

To finish off your interview ready look, go for a nude lip. You can either do this with a simple gloss or a nude colored lipstick. Beware, choosing nude lipsticks that match your skin tone is tricky as some can either make you look washed out if you have fair skin or if you have a darker skin tone, it may look as if you are wearing orange lipstick. If you are not sure of your nude lipstick, when in doubt go without.

Remember, makeup is meant to enhance what you already have, not cover it up. Makeup does not have to be your best friend, but it is easy to get along with when you know how and when to use it. No matter where you’re off to, day or night, when applying makeup make sure that you have ample amount of lighting and that it is not fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lights, though efficient, are not efficient enough when it comes to makeup application. In fact, they have the habit of “fading” you out which may lead you to applying more makeup than you need. With this in mind and a few new tricks up your sleeve you are now ready for the next big event in your life and little doubt that you’re choosing the right makeup.

 

 How do you do your makeup for your big day?

Foundation Questions Are Answered!

What are ways to find the right foundation for specific skin types?

For dry skin, you will want a moisturizing liquid foundation that has a slight dewy texture as to add a healthy glow. Additionally, products with SPF will help to nourish and protect your skin from the drying effects of the sun. For greasy skin, choose to use a powder that naturally soaks up oil and has a matte texture that is meant specifically for oily skin and use non-oil based liquids to cover blemishes. For those with combination skin, use an oil-free cream foundation all over to create an even look and then apply a translucent powder to those areas with a little extra shine.

How do I prevent my foundation from sliding off when I sweat?

To prevent your foundation from streaking on those hot days, look for products that do not contain wax, emollients or oil that will melt and slide about. Instead, sport foundation that has silicone, an ingredient that holds up well against heat and liquid. Another avenue is to choose tinted moisturizers, as it is absorbed by the skin and, because the pigmentation is faint, any unevenness or streaking will be less noticeable. Consider carrying around blotting sheets, a handy tool that quickly absorbs oil from the skin’s surface. Furthermore, avoid substances that make you sweat, like caffeine and nicotine.

What is the most effective way to apply liquid foundation?

Foundation is generally applied three different ways – with a finger, brush or sponge. Each present their own benefits so there is no singular winner, but rather elements that address individual preferences. Applying foundation with a finger heats the product which allows for easier blending and more controlled application. On the other hand, a brush enables a more even look. Sponges are ideal for those who want a lighter layer as the sponge absorbs much of the foundation and allows for lighter usage.

How to Best Use Both Foundation and Concealers?

When using both foundation and concealer, it is best to use products from the same brand so they can seamlessly mix with one another. Additionally, match consistencies with one another so they easily blend – powder should be joined by powder, liquid with liquid, etc. Though this is not a set rule, generally speaking, concealer should be applied after foundation. Furthermore, slect a shade of cover-up that is slightly lighter than your skin tone as most blemishes are darker in tone.

Visit our website and store locations to find quality foundations and other affordable beauty supplies.

 

How to Know Which Lip Product is Best For You

With so many different cosmetic choices for lips, it’s easy to get a little baffled about which type  product is most-suited to fit your individual needs. To help, we broke down the pros and cons of the many options.

Lip balm: This product (often known as chap stick) is the most “low-maintenance” of all the various items for lips, as it is meant to predominantly provide moisture to keep lips soft and prevent chapping. Often containing bees or carnauba wax, it is normally without pigment. While certain lines have added color, the hue is never more than a subtle tint. Lip balm is perfect for those who want to address dry or burnt lips; another appealing factor is that this type of cosmetic is significantly cheaper than many of the other categories.

Lip Gloss: Considered the most popular lip product among younger populations, lip gloss adds noticeably more color and shine than lip balm but without the intensity and thickness of other products. This cosmetic comes in a vast range of both prices and colors, and can provide multiple effects like glossy, nude lips, overt shimmer or color transformation. However, as anyone who has ever worn lip gloss can tell you, it fades fast and needs to be consistently reapplied, a process which requires little effort or procession. While it is generally cheaper than lipstick and can be worn in both formal and casual settings, be careful to pick a color and texture that is age appropriate, as many of the more sparkly lip glosses are intended for teenagers.

Lip Stick: With heavier pigmentation, it is associated with both class and sexiness. Lipstick comes in a wide array of shades and shines, and lasts longer than its gloss counterpart. As a result, it is also often slightly more pricey and should be applied with a little more care. Be aware that, with this cosmetic providing noticeable color, it is a lot easier to choose “the wrong color” of lipstick or to overwhelm your overall look. This is an ideal choice when you want to play up your lips, but if you choose to also sport dramatic eyes then consider either wearing a neutral shade or switching to lip gloss.

Lip Stain: Like lipstick, this product provide consistent, solid color. Unlike lipstick though, many lines of lip stains ultimately have a drying effect. Furthermore, more procession is needed in application, or your look will appear sloppy and uneven. Additionally, color selection is somewhat narrow as this cosmetic isn’t as popular as many others. The benefits of lip stain? It stays on longer than any other lip product, so it doesn’t smear onto glasses and other items, or need to be applied multiple times a day.

Lip Plumper: The purpose of lip plumper is to make your pout temporarily fuller. How is this achieved? By irritating the lips to increase blood flow to the area. Common components that are added to to create this effect include cinnamon, chili pepper and niacin; though many manufactures try to minimize the stinging sensation with the additives of calming ingredients, most users report experiencing slight tingling. For better or for worse, the plumping attributes or temporary.  Like lip stains, the selection in color is limited though options do range from bright red to transparent.

Hot Lip Colors for the Cold Winter Weather

One of our favorite make up artists, Melissa Wilson of MAWBeauty Hair & Makeup Studio, clues us into the best ways to have smoldering lips this winter.

Being a Rhode Island resident, winter has become one of my least favorite seasons because of the cold, northeast weather. However, even though I’m not partial to snow and cold temperatures, I still always look forward to winter because of the beautiful makeup trends. Particularly with lip color. Winter, in my opinion, is the best time of the year to get a little more daring and bold with your choice of color. During the spring and summer, people generally opt for a clean, bronzy, “no makeup” look. However, when the coolers seasons come around, deeper and richer colors are top choice. Check out some of my favorite colors for this season!

Strawberry from Arbonne is definitely one of my faves. Everyone is looking for the “perfect” red lip, and this is IT! This beautiful, rich red color looks amazing on almost any skin tone, from the fairest of the fair, to darker skinned beauties. It has a creamy, long wearing texture, and it’s sure to get you noticed in a good way!

Another Arbonne favorite of mine is Scarlet. Scarlet is a deeper red color that, once again, looks fabulous on lighter and darker skin tones. If you’re trying to be bold, but not bright, Scarlet is a great choice.

For fall and winter, berry colors are very much in season. One of my favorite berry toned lip colors is Revlon Colorbusrt Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie. If you’re someone who isn’t really into the full coverage that a lipstick gives, and would rather have a more sheer color, then lip butters are great. Although the color isn’t as pigmented as a lipstick, you’ll still get beautiful, natural looking color; plus, they are super hydrating, which is something that is very necessary during the cold winter months.

If red isn’t your color, and lipstick isn’t what you prefer, L’Oreal Color Riche Le Gloss in Mystic Mauve is a great choice. This deep pink color will look great on all skin tones, and is a more natural looking alternative to a red lip, or even a berry. This true to color hue gives a beautiful, even, glossy finish, hydrates the lips, and is perfect to use every day!

So remember, winter is a great time to experiment with lip color. This festive season is perfect for trying different shades of reds and berry. Whichever color you choose, be sure to create a perfect base by hydrating your lips first, then topping with your favorite gloss or lipstick for the season!

The Beauty Item Vicki Cannot Live Without – The Eyebrow Pencil

Let’s talk about  necessity. You know what I mean . . . the one thing in your beauty arsenal that you feel you need and cannot live without. We all have that item and it really does vary from person to person. Believe it or not, my personal “I can’t leave the house until I’m wearing it” beauty product is . . . my eyebrow pencil. I know it sounds silly, but hear me out; I get incredibly irked when my eyebrows aren’t even and filled. Eyebrows truly are the frame of your face; they accentuate your eyes and a clean arch adds definition to your cheeks and jaw line. Messy eyebrows can make the entire face less polished, and thin or over-plucked brows can make the face appear larger and makeup seem unnatural. Plus, fuller brows are currently one of the hottest trends off the runway.

When filling in my eyebrows, I prefer a quality waterproof eyeliner pencil – the trick is to find a product that stands up to perspiration but comes off with a makeup remover. Additionally, I always buy a pencil that is a shade or two lighter than my natural hair in order to avoid making my look too harsh. I draw the top of the arch and then fill in both ends, making sure everything is symmetrical. I then use a eyebrow comb to brush them up and out to make sure they look clean and even. What do I specifically avoid when filling in my eyebrows? Pressing too hard and creating a single, thick line. Instead, I draw  with light, short strokes that mimic the direction of the hair in order to have my eyebrows look as natural as possible.

Do you agree that the eyebrow pencil is an important beauty tool or is there another item in your beauty supply that you have with you all times? Let me know in the comment section!

A Trip Down Memory Lane: Beauty from the 1950′s

The 1950′s was a decade of soft curls, feminine features. And, while the 60′s were all about the dramatic eye makeup, the 50′s favored bold lips, long lashes and strongly defined eyebrows. Some of the most admired beauties of cinematic history came from this era, and us 21st Century ladies can easily recreate their iconic looks.

To incorporate the expressive, sexy brows into your look, first you will most likely need to temporarily skip over your usual hair removal routine in order to achieve a fuller look. When your eyebrow hairs have grown in, you can apply a defined arch and fill them in with a shade that is slightly darker than your natural coloring. Additionally, consider carrying around a small eyebrow brush to maintain the beautiful, clean shape throughout the night.

To achieve the innocent, dewy lids loved by 50′s movie stars and housewives alike, look for a cream eyeshadow with a natural hue. As you might have noticed, women of the era tended to shy away from using bright colors in favor of attention-grabbing eyeliner. Using a quality, liquid black eyeliner, you can create a “winged” look with a solid line across the entire upper lid and upward turned corners. Multiple coats of mascara can be applied to the upper lashes, but the lower should feature a minimal amount to create the appearance of wide-eyed innocence.

The final touch is to add the brightly colored lips. First, use lip liner to define and shape your upper lip and to prevent your color from bleeding, something that is especially helpful for women with creases around their mouth. Next, apply that lipstick that works perfectly with your skin tone – we favor bright reds, corals, and dark pinks. When choosing the color that works best for you, take into consideration whether your skin has warm or cool undertones. Additionally, don’t be afraid to experiment to find that perfect shade; with a wide selection of discount beauty supplies at your fingertips, you can afford to play with your look.

So, this winter, consider paying homage to these timeless movie beauties by mixing their classic look with your modern fashion sense.