Summer Makeup Tutorial( with Oily Girls in Mind for the face products) :)

Ahh, yes.. the inevitable makeup meltdowns are about to begin with the summer weather. Being oily, I have some fabulous face product recommendations for you gals, and then the rest of the tutorial (eyes, lips, cheeks) can obviously be done with any skin type. :) This is all drugstore except 2 products (that could easily be substituted for a drugstore product)

Here's my face picks and reasons why:

 1. Smashbox PhotoFinish primer: Because of the foundation used, you would want a primer with a more silicone-y feel to it so the matte foundation blends easier onto it. I recommend Rimmel Fix&Perfect and the Maybelline Baby Skin to mimic the feel of the Smashbox one.

2. Rimmel Stay Matte mousse foundation: This stuff is incredible oily guys and gals!!! It is medium to full (if builded) coverage. I actually prefer using my fingers with this foundation. It blends a lot easier over a silicone-based primer as I said before. I tried this with the Rimmel Stay Matte primer and found it harder to blend. This foundation is so worth it. :)

3. Physician's Formula Concealer 101 Perfecting Concealer Duo in yellow/light: I used this to cover my blemishes or any extra redness (on the bridge of my nose from my glasses, etc.). I like this because it is not super creamy, which creaminess is great in a concealer, that it won't slide off in the heat. Sometimes a drier concealer can be useful. :)

4. NYX Dark Circle Concealer: Because of the matte finish on the face, I wanted to keep the undereye area bright and radiant. This has decent coverage but I do have extreme circles for my age. :/

5. Maybelline Dream Lumi in Radiant: I topped the NYX concealer with this to do a little more brightening and enhancing. This is great for layering on things because of its light consistency.

6. NYX Stay Matte but Not Flat powder foundation: This is what I sue to set my foundation everyday!! It has wonderful coverage (medium) for a powder and it just adds a nice boost to the foundations I use with it. This gives such a nice finish, too... not super matte and cakey like other mattifying powders.

7. NYX Matte Bronzer: I find that this bronzer is pretty warm-toned so I like to use it as a complexion booster to add some warmth. 

On to the eyes! Products I used:

1. Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original.. honestly you can use whatever primer works for you! (Drugstore options: e.l.f eyelid primer, Milani eyelid primer)

2. Essence Stays No Matter What jumbo eye pencil in Cute Copper

3. NYX Love in Rio trio in Cabana Boy

4. Essence gel eyeliner in Midnight in Paris (black)

5. Almay blendable eye pencil in brown

Okay so first I wanted to map out my crease/outer v so I used the Essence shadow pencil and did the desired shape, and then blended it out with a dense eye brush because it is a cream (e.l.f contour brush).

Then taking the darkest shadow in the trio and a fluffy blending brush I blended the shadow pencil with the shadow:

I did my crease first to make the lids pop out and not be muddy and messy with the crease. Now taking the lightest shade I went on my lids. Using the second shade I went towards my outer lid a little bit:

(OMG WHY DID I GET MY NOSE AT THE MOST AWKWARD ANGLE)

You'll end up with a golden, bronzed look.

Let's line those eyes! I used the brush that came with my Cailyn gel liner:

Finished eyes:

Now the finishing touches..

1. WetNWild's Mega Glo in Spotlight Peach is a great option for summer because it adds such warmth and dimension to the face while staying on all day. This doubles as a highlight, too. :)

2. WetNWild's MegaLast lipstick in 903C Just Peachy.. while these are a matte finish and can be drying, I think this shade in particular is a nice pop of color that brightens the face. wear a balm underneath and you're fine. :)

3. Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie gloss in Smooth Talker.. the blush is so warm and pretty that I would go with a gloss that is warm with some golden shimmer like this one. These smell like mint chocolate chip ice cream, too. :)  (Drugstore glosses I like: Maybelline Color Elixirs)

4. Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Voluminizing Mascara.. this mascara is average and you could just use whatever your favorite is! I try not to buy mascara too often I need to use mine up!! :) (Drugstore options I love: Maybelline The Rocket, Covergirl lashblast Volume)

One quick thing!! I did my inner rim liner and smudged it on my lower lashline after mascara using the Almay pencil photographed earlier.

Here's the final look..

Brushes I use daily!!

Brushes are the all-stars that are hardly mentioned or recognized for their wonders so i thought I'd show some love! I used my stippling brush this morning so it is a little dirty in its picture (sorry guys!).
The brushes I use daily:

My Real Techniques Buffing Brush is what I use to buff and blend in my Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation everyday. This is not too dense where it will feel like you're rubbing a rock on your face, and the bristles are super soft and high quality. I used to hate using a brush for blending foundation because I found the brush caused streaks and line on my face, but with this there are none and you can apply the perfect amount of pressure. This brush also washes very well, as well as all of my Real Techniques brushes do.

My Real Techniques Contour Brush is what I use to contour my cheeks with (using my NYX blush in "Taupe" of course). It is a nice targeted brush to get into the hollows of the cheeks. It's less dense than the buffing brush to the point where it is good for powder application, but not to loose where the powder isn't in the position you don't want it.

e.l.f (eyeslipsface) Blush brush from their Studio Line is a fabulous multitask brush! I use this to knock some excess powder off of my face, to apply blush in targeted areas (I prefer wearing my blush more towards the back of my cheeks/on the cheekbones.. so it doesn't get to close to my nose making it look like redness), and sometimes even for bronzer around my temples when I don't want to get it everywhere. 

My Real Techniques Powder Brush is what I use to apply bronzer to my cheeks and to blend my contour/blush seamlessly. It is nice, full, and fluffy.

My e.l.f Small Stipple brush from the Studio Line and I use this to blend out my cream blush, bronzer, and even concealer. It applies a nice even amount of pressure. 

These brushes are all very affordable ($3-$10) and I have experienced no shedding with any of these. They all clean very well, too. I use the Walmart brand (Equate) Baby Shampoo to clean my brushes and it's perfect, the buffing brush that I use with long wearing foundations is basically white after each wash. That's pretty amazing! :) Anyways bye guys! I'll be doing a long wear summer makeup look for girls with oily skin this weekend that should be up next week so stay tuned. :) 

MY MAKEUP COLLECTION PART 1: FACE

I love makeup collection videos and posts so I figured some of you guys may want a peek in my collection! 

Just a warning that I have way more makeup than one person would ever need, but I buy all of my makeup with my own money unless it's a gift. I have a lot of products because when I buy high-end I buy value sets instead one pricey item, and it tends to be a better value. When I buy drugstore makeup, I always go to Walmart/Target because my convenience stores are so much more expensive!! When I buy at an actual drugstore, it's usually only for a brand that isn't at mass retailers or if it's CVS beauty clearance!! Anyways, I'm rambling.. buckle up, here we go!!! I will point out my HG products and my total dud products! Things that are bolded with not parenthesis are things I like and ones with comments that are bolded.. well just read the comment!! It takes a lot to impress me when it comes to makeup. ;)

Primer:

 Top Row LtoR: Dr. Brandt Pores No More, Lorac Porefection, Murad Oil-Control Mattifier, Smashbox Photofinish, BareMinerals Prime Time.. these are all deluxe samples!

Bottom row LtoR: Urban Decay De-Slick in a Tube (not worth the $28 price tag..), Maybelline Baby Skin, Laura Geller Spackle primer in Champagne.. deluxe sample too!, Rimmel Stay Matte (MY HOLY GRAIL PRIMER, amazing for oily skins like mine).

Foundations:

Top row LtoR: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour full coverage (my everyday school foundation), Rimmel Stay Matte (I really enjoy this, amazing coverage and nice matte finish.. just a little too dark for my face), Covergirl TruBlend (don't waste your cash..), Revlon Colorstay for combo/oily

Bottom Row LtoR: NYX Stay Matte but Not Flat liquid foundation (I would  recommend the powder from this line WAY more it is amazing), Covergirl Clean Whipped Creme, Yaby natural finish liquid foundation, Revlon Colorstay for normal/dry (I have oily skin but bought this for a more natural finish). 

Disclaimer: I would never say one of these is my hands down Holy Grail foundation because I've never been 100% impressed by any foundations but the Tarte and Rimmel are very impressive especially for my oily skin!!

Tinted moisturizers/BB creams:

LtoR: Physician's Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer (very nice coverage for a TM, just too dark for my face at the moment), Too Faced BB, Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB with SPF (my fave BB for my skin, shade matches me so well too!!), IPKN Moist & Firm BB SPF 45

Concealers: 

Top Row are my correctors LtoR: Covergirl+OLay SImply Ageless Corrector, Benefit Cosmetics Erase Paste (DON'T WASTE YOUR CASH!!), NYX Dark Circle Concealer, Maybelline Dream Lumi in Radiant (Not enough coverage)

Next are my stick concealers and a pencil one: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Line Smoothing Concealer Stick, CoverGirl+Olay concealer balm (orange toned.. and this is the lightest shade), Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer pencil (very nice on blemishes)

Next are my cream ones: Physician's Formula duo made for dark circles, Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda concealer palette (too orangey!!!), Essence Match 2 Cover!

Liquid concealers with wand applicator: Maybelline Mineral Power (discontinued), NYX HD concealer (AMAZING. Best thing I have ever used for my undereyes/highlighting.. at a fantastic price).

Face powders:

Top Row LtoR: NYX STAY MATTE BUT NOT FLAT (MY HG, AMAZING FINISH AND COVERAGE), L'Oreal Infallible, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind

Middle Row LtoR: WetNWild CoverAll, Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, Coty Airspun Powder (I really enjoy this for setting and touch ups!!)

Lastly.. Physician's Formula Mineral Wear (not impressive for the price)

Blush:

Summer blushes Top Row LtoR: City Color Be Matte in Fresh Melon, The Balm's Hot Mama, Benefit's Bella Bamba, NYX cream blush in Boho Chic

Fall/Deeper blushes: NYX powder blush in Spice, Bare Minerals in Exhilarate, Be a Bombshell in Sweet Cheeks, Laura Geller in Maui

Peachy cheeks :) WetNWild's Mega Glo powder in Spotlight Peach, Covergirl Pretty Peach (not even pigmented...), Stila's Convertible Color in Lillium, WetNWild's Pearlescent Pink

Neutrals: Bare Minerals The One, Bobbi Brown Desert Rose, Physician's Formula Blushing Rose, Clinque cream blush stick in Rosey, L'Oreal mineral blush

Ones that do not show up at all: Revlon Softspoken Pink, CG Natural Rose

Bronzer/Contours:

Ones with shimmer LtoR: PF Mineral Wear Bronzer (too shimmery and orange-based), Happy Booster in Bronze Natural, Sally Girl Bronzer

Cream Bronzers: Benefit Some-Kind-a-Gorgeous Foundation, CG truMagic in The Sunkisser

Matte: Revlon PhotoReady, NYX blush in Taupe (MY HG CONTOUR), NYX Matte Bronzer

Highlighters:

Liquid: 2 of Benefit's High Beam highlighters, Benefit SunBeam, Nars Orgasm illuminator

Powder: PF Pearls translucent face powder, WetNWild Reserve Your Cabana SPF 15, Maybelline Mineral Power Illuminator, Bare Minerals Clear Radiance

Cream: Benefit Watts Up, Be a Bombshell The One Stick, e.l.f ALl Over Color Stick

Miscellaneous:

LtoR: MUFE Mist and Fix, Lorac Touch-Up To Go, MUFE HD powder, e.l.f Underyee Setting Powder (this is just glitter and does not set concealer at all).

YouTube Made Me Buy It!

I have had a lot of influence from social media and beauty gurus makeup wise and realized that a lot of things I own have been inspired by you guys and beauty gurus (mainly emilynoel83 on YouTube I've been watching her videos for years!!). :)

Revlon Colorstay!! Various gurus prompted me to this.

Who hasn't raved about this on YouTube?? I think this is just a fabulous foundation.. I've owned 3 bottles of this!

Physician's Formula Powders. Various people prompted me to get these.

I've owned their face powders, this bronzer, and a blush and they're just not worth the money to me. This mineral face powder appears cakey and this bronzer just does NOT show up.

 WetNWild Trios! Emilynoel83 prompted me to buy this!!

I have never had good luck with powder drugstore shadows until finding these! Wonderfully pigmented and well worth the price.

Urban Decay Primer Potions. Many people's raves prompted me for these!

I really enjoy these but do think there are cheaper options in the drugstore when it comes to eye primers/bases.

NYX Stay Matte but Not Flat Powder Foundation.. by Emilynoel83 of course. :)

This stuff is well worth the raves!!! Great coverage, beautiful finish, and wonderful texture.. I have 2 backups of this product!!!

WetNWild's Reserve Your Cabana.. prompted by Melmphs and Emilynoel83

Cheap, beautiful highlight that will actually show up and I actually feel glowy. :)

E.L.F eyebrow kit... creds to Emilynoel83 again.

Without this I'd be heartbroken, it SHAPES your brows with the tinted wax and the applicator actually does work. 

Essence's "Party All Night" shadow.. I remember hearing multiple gurus talking about Essence shadows in general.

This is cheap and pretty but the top layer is just a glitter overspray and once you get past that layer it's not the same color..still pretty but the first layer is GORGEOUS.

 Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda concealer palette.. from Melmphs, Em (again), and others

Creamy and nice texture but just too orangey toned for me. I like the green toned one for blemishes.

 CoverGirl+Olay concealer balm.. by Emilynoel83

Super creamy and nice to cover blemishes.

Maybelline Dream Lumi in Radiant... by various gurus.

This just does not give enough coverage!!!! This specific shade is supposed to be the salmon colored correcting shade but it just can't be used alone for my circles.

Revlon Lip Butter in "Juicy Papaya"... Emilynoel83

I will never see the hype with the lip butters but this shade is a nice sheer coral.

Jordana Easyliner for Lips in "Baby Berry".. Emilynoel83

I wanted to try lip liners so I bought this, it is a nice shade I just don't line my lips often.

 OCC Lip Tar.. a lot of gurus.

I have this in the shade "Pretty Boy" and just don't see the big deal.. It's nicely pigmented and does not take a lot of product but it just does not stay on for me it's too glossy and transfers. I would be willing to try others like the matte ones.

Universally Flattering Lip Colors

Ever buy a lippie that looked gorgeous on someone and you buy it and it just looks out of place? I've pulled a few lip products that I think would look good on everyone! Disclaimer: These are all neutrals but there's a pink option. :)

LtoR: L'Oreal Color Richer Le Balm in "Nourishing Nude", NYX Round Lipstick in "B52", Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural in "N9", BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in "Get Ready", Maybelline Color Elixir in "Caramel Infused", Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-hour Lipstick in "Inspired". 

 Swatches correspond with the line up above but with the Le Balm I did a sheer wash swatch (L) and then another swatch of it built up to the right of that one.

I think all of these would look good on anyone! 

The Le Balm may be harder to have it show up on darker lips, but it is amazing in the way it's a "YLBB" (your lips but better) type product in the way that it just evens out the lips and provides shine and a nice wash of color; this formula is also very smooth. 

The NYX lipstick is so pretty! I see this being gorgeous on everyone. Even on my pale skin, I think it's a pretty deep sort of neutral.

The MUFE lipstick is actually the one form the Beauty Insider birthday gift this year and almost reminds me of the Le Balm but in a lipstick form!

The BareMinerals lipstick is my favorite lipstick formula!! This is a very flattering rosey color. 

The Color Elixir is a pretty neutral that feels smooth and adds depth.

The Tarte was the more pinker of the options. It is a medium pink and I think it's fabulous; nothing too babydoll or bright.

These are all-star products by the way! I love all of these formulas. 

NUDE LIP DUPE EM COSMETICS VS. MAYBELLINE

I consider a dupe to be exact in color and finish and I was pretty critical when finding one for this Em lippie. 

This was the first dupe I've ever found! The cool part about it is that they are also very similar in formula, too! I really enjoy these formulas.

Quick overview:

-Glossy finishes

-Moisturizing feel

-Buildable formula

Em Cosmetics Lip Gallery Creamy Color Sheer Lipstick in "Nude" - 3.5g for $15

Maybelline Color Whisper in "Mocha Muse" - 3.11g for $5-$7 (Walmart is always cheapest for makeup.. drugstores are so overpriced!! With coupons at Walmart it's even better!!!) 

Swatches!!!

 LtoR: Em, Maybelline

The ONE difference between these is that the Em one does build a little faster, meaning that it is a little more pigmented. I did the same number of passes when swatching these so the pigmentation is a littttle better in the Em one. But the Color Whisper is very buildable that when swatching it a little more after this picture they were the same color and exact dupes. These colors are the exact same in person!! Love the feeling of finding a dupe. :)

Ways to switch up your makeup routine!!

While getting in a makeup routine/groove is nice, sometimes I don't feel like I use my huge collection to its ability so I like to switch out products a lot and try new techniques. I've compiled 4 things to do or use to get out of a makeup rut. :)

1. Using a powder blush over your cream blush. 

I really enjoy this Stila Convertible Color formula for a cream blush (Shade: "Lillium")

 The Balm's Hot Mama! Blush

Swatch of just the Stila cream:

 Stila cream topped with Hot Mama!:

Setting a cream blush with a powder makes it stay longer (it's like setting your liquid foundation with a powder) and makes it very versatile. What I mean by this is that you can take a cream blush and really play around with its finish (they usually are a little luminous because of their consistencies). Maybe you want to make it matte, just top it with a matte blush! Here in the pictures I wanted to give it a nice highlight/glowy effect and you can really see how the powder blush made it more golden.. I really like these two blushes alone and together!! 

2. Using a colored eye base

TtoB: Essence shadow stick in "Cute Copper" and "Whipped White Frosting", Revlon ColorStay Smoky Shadow Sticks in "Torch" and "Smolder"

What I think is so fun about this is that it's sort of like the cream blush technique where you're mixing colors. Also, it can really anchor a look; using a gold base under a gold shadow really intensifies the color. While I use my Primer Potion in "Original" a lot, I find colored bases to really make a difference with vibrant and even neutral shadows. 

3. Cream contouring

Covergirl TruMagic in "The Sunkisser"

I love using creams to contour! It's a new experience for blending out and it looks so seamless on the skin. Exploring new mediums was sort of a theme of this post I noticed while typing this post up. :)

4. Using a skin corrector

LtoR: Covergirl+Olay eye corrector, Benefit's Erase Paste

Wearing a light toned concealer right over dark circles only LIGHTENS them and does not CONCEAL them. I highly recommend trying a salmon/yellow corrector if you have darkness under your eyes if you find regular skin-toned ones are not covering those stubborn circles!! Trying correctors is fun just seeing how different colors really do camoflauge (only a makeup junkie would think that's fun haha). 

There's a few things to help switch up and regenerate some ideas for your beauty routine!!

:)