Friday, January 30, 2015

Weekly Tip, Beauty News and Nail Color of the Week

Hello! It's that time of the week again. This weeks tip is great if you have dry skin. So be sure to check out the tip below. 

I actually have two topics for beauty news this week and unlike last week I actually have a new nail design this week. Hopefully I will have the Jamberry review up soon. I'm really glad that I'm done testing them out and I hate to spoil the surprise but I have to say I'm pleasantly pleased with Jamberry Nails. 

Like always, if you have any questions just leave a comment below! Thanks for reading!  



You know I have always suspected this but I didn't know if I was just crazy. But it did seem like everytime I used a brush my skin would look terrible. Maybe some of you are in my position and you know what I'm talking about. I have dry acne and when I where foundation it can tend to look like I have red dry circles all over my face. This is not a cute look and no one can pull it off. What makes it worse? Brushes. I know a lot of people use brushes and they're great. But if you have dry skin then it's a huge no no. Some brushes are ok. For instance, a stippling brush is appropriate for drier skin but honestly I recommend a Beauty Blender. 
Yes, Beauty Blenders can be pricey but they are a necessary investment if you struggle on a daily basis with dry skin. They provide extra moisture during application and they don't make dry spots apparent. If you don't want to fork out the money for a $20 sponge, Real Techniques makes a dupe for only $6.   






There's a new beauty trend among celebrities! Probably everyone else, too! As you can see in the picture above Adelle has her fingernails manicured but what makes them special is the red polish underneath her nail. How cute is that? I always hated the look long nails have when the under part of the nail is showing. I really think this provides an extra polished look and I'm sure it will be a huge trend soon. What do you think? 





There's a new product by Pixi Beauty coming out next month! How exciting. This weeks post must be all about dry skin becuase this Glow Mist will be a miracle for dry skin. I don't have all of the details but just by looking at it I know I want it. In the picture it says it is a glow mist with Propolis and Argan Oil. It is nourishing, hydrating, and protective. I'm sure it will be great for setting makeup if you're after a dewy finish. Maybe it will be similar to Mac's Fix+? I hope it is! We need a good drugstore spray that freshens makeup but still provides skin benefits. I'm just hoping the price isn't more expensive than Mac's Fix+. Pixi isn't exactly known for their affordable prices. I'm expecting it to be around $15-30. 

 If you're interested in it, then follow Pixi by Petra on Instagram. I'm sure they'll post updates. Also keep a look out for it at your local Target. If you do spot it, PLEASE let me know! 





For this weeks nail color I used E.l.f Cosmetics nail polish in Smoky Brown and Jamberrys nail wrap in Diamond Dust Sparkle as my accent nail. The nail polish is really cute but I would recommended skipping it. It had extreme chipping and I ended up removing it. I think I'm just going to stick with Jamberry nail wraps for now on! I just can't handle chipped nails. 

Are you going to follow Adelle's trend?
Are you excited for Pixi Beauty's new launch? 
Have you tried the Beauty Blender?
Let me know in the comments below!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Mystery Giveaway! Will you win?

USA only 

How many giveaways have you entered? Sometimes no matter how much you try you just cant win. Anything, ever. Fortunately, this giveaway is your chance to finally win like you deserve to. All that's required is following and reading this blog right here. Well you don't have to follow but I would suggest it. Keep reading to learn more!


This is one of the giveaways that I want to do this year. I'm really psyched because I've never done anything like this before on my blog. Actually, I haven't even seen a giveaway like this before at all. I guess I should stop babbling and get on with it, haha. 

Not everyone is a loyal reader and thats fine. However, I want to show my loyal readers some love and host a giveaway that they are likely to win.

So, at some point this year(2015), it could be tomorrow, next month, or even the last day of December, I am going to include a sentence in a random post that says you're the winner of my giveaway. Who ever finds it first and leaves a comment on that particular post wins the giveaway. You must be the first one to comment. Before anyone asks, I do not know what kind of post I'm going to include it in. I had thought about including it in a review but It would be harder for my readers to win the prize in poplular posts like reviews. So instead, it will either be in a tutorial, weekly tips, or just a post with a random topic. Just keep your eyes open and you CAN win this giveaway!

What is the prize? The winner will have the choice of his or her gift. It will either be a popular high-end palette or a gift card to Sephora or Ulta.


Are you excited about this giveaway?
Are you going to try to win?
Let me know in the comments below!

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

New Blogging Series: Undercover Blogger

Hello! I hope you're having a great day. I'm sure you're wondering what the heck Undercover Blogger is. If so, you clicked on the right post. I have been talking about it for a little while now but I haven't officially presented it in a post yet. So I thought I would go ahead and do that. I would hate it if everyone was confused when I posted this series for the first time. Enjoy!



What is it about? Over the past year I have found that bloggers are treated differently. People don't trust what they say or always expect them to know everything. To be honest, before I started blogging I thought bloggers should everything but now I realize we're all only human. I like to think I know everything but I don't. For instance, sometimes I just don't know if a product is good. I haven't personally tried every product on the market. So this where this series will come in handy. If I'm curious about a product, then I'll ask a crowd as an undercover blogger. This will also come in handy when I review a product but hate it becuase of my skin type. I don't want anyone to dismiss a product just becuase It doesn't work for my skin type. So I'll do a poll on it and report back here using the undercover blogger series! 

It's not just limited to that specific group of questions. I also want to use this series as an experiment. For my first post (which will be up soon), the question I will be asking is "Do you trust beauty bloggers/ vloggers?". If I was to ask that as a blogger people would probably answer differently or not even answer at all! But when a fellow beauty lover asks it, the honest answers are told and that's what I'm after. 

I'm sure as I further this series it will change a bit. I still have some things to work out. I also have moments where I ask myself if this series even makes sense. If it doesn't work out, then atleast I tried. I'm just really hoping that it does becuase I feel like this could be a fun series to work on, write and read. 

How can you participate? If you have a fun question that you would like me to research either leave a comment on one of my posts or send me an email. I have a very open mind. So ask anything! 

What should I do if I find one of your secret accounts? Please, don't say anything! Feel free to tell me and maybe you can get involved. Or I you can leave feedback on the accounts without telling me that you know who I am. 

Will people's names be included in the feedback from the social media? No, no ones name will appear on this site. Everything is anonymous. 

How often will a new post be uploaded? I would like to say 2-3+ times a month. It really depends on the feedback I get and how many questions worth researching I come up with. But like I said before, the longer this series goes on the more information I will have. The first post should be up on the blog later this week or early next week. Right now I'm trying to figure out the best way to format it. 

Sneak peak!!
The first post will have feature the question in the picture below!



 What do you think of Undercover Blogger?
Do you have any questions? 
Leave a comment below!






Monday, January 26, 2015

Makeup looks using the basic colors: white, brown & black- part one

Hello!
If you follow Taylorpiebeauty on social media, then you probably already know about this new series. If not, keep reading to learn more about.

Have you ever watched a tutorial for an eye look that you love but don't have the matching shades to recreate it? Well that's what this new series is all about. Pretty much everyone and and their momma has the basic colors: white, brown and black. If you do, you can recreate any look that I post within this new series. The majority of them will be easy to recreate and you'll already have everything you'll need. I really hope that you all enjoy this new series and learn something from it. I'm really excited for it. Please, feel free to ask me any questions you may have and requests are welcome for consideration. 







My inspiration for this look came from the "basic eye with bold lips" that everyone is raving about. So basically it's just contouring for your eyes. I highlighted my eye lids, contoured the crease of my eye and deepend  my outer V.  If you're looking for a natural look, then you're in the right place. It's natural but still beautiful. It enhances the eye but doesn't attract too much attention. So grab your favorite lipstick and pair it with this new look that you're about to recreate!

Now let's get Started!


1. Apply primer to your eyelids. I prefer using a primer that cancels out redness when I wear simple looks like this. A good primer choice would be Urban Decays primer potion but if you don't have their primer, concealer will be fine. 

2. If needed, apply tape along the outside of your eye where the liner wings out. Be sure to put the tape on your hand before you apply it to your eye area. The last thing you want to do is irritate your eyes before applying makeup. 

3. Now set your primer or concealer with a translucent powder. This will help you blend your shadows later on. 

4. Pick up a light brown shade with a crease brush and apply it to your crease. I find that using wind shield motions is the easiest method for this step. Once applied, buff that out using circular motions on the outer part of your eye only! 

5. Next, use your same brush and pick up a darker brown and apply it to the outer part of your top eyelid
For this step I prefer using a wiping motion toward the middle of my eye but don't actually drag it all the way to the middle of your eyelid. Then blend in very small circular motions on that area only. 

6. Optional, lightly apply black shadow to the outer V. Basically, just do the same step as five but don't take it out as far as the brown shade. Leave it on the very end out your outer V. This step is just for extra definition. I didn't do it in the picture provided but I do it most of the time when I wear this look. Especially when it's a night look.  

7. Use a flat brush and apply a white shade all over your eyelid. Start in the inner corner and work your way into the outer corner. Don't apply as much of the white shade to the outer corner as the inner corner. We still want the definition on the outer V. Be sure to stop where your crease begins. We want to avoid getting the white shadow in the crease. Reapply the white on the inner corner until you reach the desired brightness. 

8. Grab the crease brush from earlier and apply a little more brown shadow to the outer V. It doesn't have to be a lot. Just enough to deepen the V back up after applying white eyeshadow all over the lid. 

9. Grab a clean fluffy brush and very lightly blend the brown shade into the white shade. Do not drag it all over the lid! Imagine a line where they both meet and stay on that line. Do not go past it. Swiping motions with a flick work best for me when I do this step. 

10. Use the same clean fluffy brush and blend out all of your work. I use circular motions above the outer V and wiping motions above the inner corner. By above I mean the the crease. Not directly in the crease but the top part of the crease where the shadow needs to have a gradient appearance.  

11. Remove your tape. 

12. Apply your liner and mascara. If applying eyeliner is troubling, then don't remove your tape before you line your eyes. 





Are you going to try this look?
Do you have anymore tips to share?
Let me know in the comments below!




Blogging Tips for Beauty Bloggers


I have read so many posts about blogging tips. I have learned a lot but most of all I have to say I was inspired. I love how bloggers support each other. Sometimes I feel like the the beauty world can be a dog eat dog world but bloggers who share their secrets always remind me of the support in the blogging community.

I really dislike it when bloggers are all about growing their own blog. When I was thinking about my impression to other bloggers I realized I haven't done my share of supporting.

So thats why I created this post. Let me know if any of my tips help you and feel free to let everyone know your tips in the comment section below.





Use an IPad to write posts-  Sometimes I just don't want to tote around me huge laptop. What suffers? My blog, which is not a good thing. Now I get a lot more done. I can blog on the go, in my bed, pretty much anywhere. At first when I blogged with my IPad on Bloggers website I had some difficulties with glitches. So I did some researching in the apple store and found a resourceful app that I  like to use to write posts. It's called Blogtouch Pro for Blogspot and Blogger. I believe it cost me around 3-5 dollars. There's also a version for WordPress that costs $4.99. I cant say whether or not if that one is good but if it's anything like the Blogger version, than I definitely recommend it.
Just keep in mind that I don't recommend adding pictures through Blogtouch Pro. The quality is much more superior when pictures are added from a laptop directly to bloggers website.



Take photos in bulk- This is a tip I have read before but cant stress enough. Don't get me wrong, I love taking pictures but it can be a pain in the butt when I have a toddler running around. Bright lights+ pretty makeup+ a toddler= a stressful disaster. So naturally, if I don't have any pictures for my posts, then I don't blog until I have the time to take more photos. I recently just started doing this and now I have seen a huge spike in the number of posts I have created the past couple of weeks. Taking photos in bulk is a great habit to stay organized with a blog and more importantly, to stay on schedule. This tip is also good for editing photos. I despise the task of editing photos in bulk but my goodness it such a relief when I have all the photos I need for an entire week.



Create unique series on your blog-No one likes blogs that have mediocre posts. I know every blog has to post reviews, makeup tutorials, ect, but every blog also needs a unique series that has never been seen before. For example, I just started a new series on my blog called "Undercover Blogger". It hasnt been seen before and It will attract new readers. Plus, it also gives your blog a uniqueness and will show that you have something new to offer to the table. The more unique series you have, the better.

Here are a few series that are only found on my blog ( that I know of)

Undercover Blogger
Makeup Looks Using The Basic Colors: White, Brown & Black
Monthly AllStar winner
The good and the bad (of a cosmetic brand)



Plan your posts in a weeks advance- No brainer. It makes your blogging experience more organized and advanced planning keeps you and your blog on schedule. 
 Planning and writing an entire post in one day is the wrong way to go about it.  I also think it's easier to write a post when you have had more time to think about it. For one, you'll have more notes for your posts and for two, you'll know exactly what you want to talk about. 

On Sunday, I write down everything I want to talk about on my blog in a weeks advance. When I have everything planned out I don't have to take the time to come up with an idea for a new post. Instead, I can have hours or even days to take notes for each post. This allows my posts to be more detailed and well rounded. For Monday's, I usually already have that post planned out from last week. If I have any unwritten posts on the current week schedule, I'll add them to next weeks and just fill in the rest of the days that are missing a post. I guess my system is kind of like a blogs version of a cellphone companies rollover plan.



Edit your photos!- I know some people refuse to edit their photos, and that's a good thing. To an extent. Please, don't think I mean photoshop your face or whatever else you're thinking. I actually mean photos of productsyou're  reviewing. When I first started blogging less than a year ago I didn't edit my photos at all, and trust me you can tell. The lighting was yellow and the products didn't look as good. Not only does this hurt your chances of loyal readers but it can also ruin your chance of working with companies.
 I'm sure a lot of you are thinking you dont have the budget for an advanced photoshop editor or an expensive  camera. The truth is you don't have to have any of that. I actually use a free photo editor for my blog (Picasa) and I use a small digital camera. My camera doesn't take the best pictures but editing mostly makes up for that. Even the best cameras can benefit from edited photos... But when youre able to I suggest upgrading to a better camera if you want to take your blog more seriously. I know a new camera is on my wishlist!



If a product you want to review has been on the market for a while make a fun post out of it- Whew, that was long. I know sometimes I feel like I need a product but then I stop and think about how I should probably save my blog budget for new products.
Example: If you bought Mac's Pro Longwear conealer but you know a review on it is pointless. then include it in an inspired post similar to the following...

Different ways to use Mac's Pro Longwear concealer
Why I love Mac's Pro Longwear concealer
Why Mac's Pro Longwear concealer is the best on the market 

Don't let the  duties of a blogger keep you from trying products that are on your wishlist. Trust me, your readers really don't mind. 



Show your followers you care about them- No one likes a blogger who just blogs and never replies to comments or emails. It makes everyone think you dont care about anyone but yourself. It also looks bad to companies. If you dont have a relationship with your readers, why would they listen to your recommendations? Be sure to keep a look out for their questions on your blog and the social media accounts associated with your blog. I also recommend asking questions at the end of every post. It makes your readers feel more connected with you and gives them the feeling like they can express their opinions too. 



Follow other bloggers for inspiration- Everyone needs inspiration in their life, even bloggers. Inspiration is what keeps your blog going and growing. Without it your blog will be dull and boring. Follow other bloggers for inspiration and in return you'll inspire other bloggers. Your posts will be more creative and your photos will probably look better if your inspired by other blogs photography. Inspiration promotes improvement and if that's what your looking for, then you need to do exactly that. Get inspired and improve. It's as simple as that. 



Advertise your posts on social media-  Ok, I'm almost positive you have heard this one before. If you're looking to increase traffic, this is your best bet. Make an account for your blog on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Let your social media followers know when a post is uploaded on your blog. Make them curious what the posts are specifically about. When you add a link to a new tweet make the tweet intriguing. Don't just say "Hey, check out my new post:)!!". That's more likely to be skipped over than a tweet that says "Here's a new post about blogging tips that you seriously NEED to know". You'll get more views and followers that way. If you do use Pinterest, then make sure each blog post has a cute photo to pin. Fellow pinners are more likely to repin your pin if they're drawn in by a cute photo provided. 



Host a giveaway atleast once a year- This attracts new loyal followers and helps your blog grow. This also falls underneath of showing your followers you care about them. Hosting a giveaway is a bloggers way of giving back to what matters most. The readers. If you're on a strict budget and cant afford a giveaway, then I  recommend doing a giveaway once a year only. A good way to go about it would be saving $1 each week and by the time that year us up you will have over $50 for your giveaway. Maybe that idea would be good for your blogs anniversary.



Post regularly- I'm sure you have heard this before, in fact, I know you have heard it before. There's a reason for it too! If the last post you posted was a month ago a new viewer might think this blog isn't worth following. If the author doesn't update a couple times a week, shouldn't they just follow a blog that does? Not only does posting regularly help increase your amount of followers, but Google Search will have a better chance of picking up your blog.



Make your blog easy on the eyes- Colored backgrounds are cute but not necessary. Actually, not just unnecessary but a huge no no for serious bloggers. Colorful blogs can be distracting and hard to read. When I come across a blog I have to stuggle to read I almost immediatly exit off of it. Light backgrounds and black font are the best designs. No, I dont mean make everything look boring but keep it sweet and simple. Go read a few blogs and see what I mean. The best ones are the easiest on the eyes. Also dont forget to jazz up your blog with cute photos. The first thing people notice is the visual part of your blog and that certainly includes your photos! 



Think of your blog as a magazine- This is a tip I and my blog have lived by. If I never heard of this tip, I think my blog would be very different and not for the better. Magazines contain the latest gossip, fashion, quizzes, how to's, interviews, appealing photography, information on the newest products, ect... Your blog should be the same way. Think of all the possibilities. Your blog could go from just average to innovative and outstanding. 


Do you have any tips you would like to share?
Which tip from this post helped you the most?
Let me know in the comments below!

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Beauty Awards: 2014 Lips

Hello!
In my main post, "Beauty Awards: 2014", I stated that my plan was to talk about the products in each category. As you probably know, this category is Lips. In this post you will find out why the products chosen are the best of the best. If you have any questions about anything, just let me know in the comment section below. 




Lips 

Lipstick (Tube) 

Highend: Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Ladyflower -$39 for the set, $22 for the sheer lipstick

Urban Decays Ladyflower has intense pigmentation. Unfortunately, it was an exclusive shade to their Full Frontal Lipstick Stash Set ( Click here to buy for $39but it is part of their new Sheer Revolution Lipstick
line. It's a rosy pink shade with a hint of purple. It applies evenly to the lips and provides extra moisture from the creaminess of the lipstick. I love the whole lipstick line but I chose this shade because I thought it was very unique.   

Drugstore: Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte lip color in Touch of Spice -$7.99(click here to buy)
Maybelline's Color Sensational Creamy Mattes are the definition of creamy lipsticks for a matte formula. Touch of Spice is a affordable lipstick that has high end quality. It's creamy, pigmented and long-lasting. If you're looking for that perfect Kylie Jenner look that is affordable, this is your best bet. It's an amazing lipstick and the shade is on trend this season. 


Lipstick (liquid) 

Highend: Too Faced Melted liquified Long wear Lipstick in Fig- $21 (click here to purchase)

The first thing I have to mention about Too Faced Melted lipstick is the smell. They smell A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. 
They feel very thin on the lips but pack a serious punch of color. They don't apply streaky or patchy. I can't find a single thing wrong with them. Even the applicator is perfection. They also last for hours and hours! 

Drugstore: NYX Xtreme Lip Creme-$5.99 (click here to purchase)

Nyx makes really good lip products but one of the best is there Xtreme lip creme. It's a liquid lipstick but in a lipgloss tube. It dries down to a matte finish that lasts all day. It applies evenly and the pigmentation is very opaque. It's a must have in your collection. 


Lip Liner
Highend: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil- $20click here to purchase)

Both of these lip liners are smooth and creamy. They pro long the wear of my lipstick and give me a much fuller look. 

Drugstore: NYX Slim Lip Pencil-$3.49 (click here to purchase)


Lipgloss

Highend: Gerard Cosmetics Color Your Smile Lipgloss- $24 (click here to purchase)
Gerard Cosmetics Color your Smile Lipglosses are highly pigmented, long wearing, non streaky and very creamy. They are one of the best lipgloss formulas out there. Not to mention their shades are adorable. 


Drugstore: Rimmel Show Off Lipgloss- $5.89 (click here to purchase)
Rimmel Show Off lip lacquers are my favorite lipglosses. They're so so creamy and pigmented. The shades are so pretty and the price is affordable for everyone. 


Lip Stain

Highend: It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Blush Hydrating Gloss Stain- $24 (click here to purchase)
The It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Blush Hydrating Gloss Stains are sooo moisturizing. If you want a nice tint to your lips when you wake up in the morning and hydrated lips, then buy this Lipstain. The shades are beautiful and pigmented. The packaging is really nice and the wand is super useful. The only downfall is the price. I think they would be a lot better if they were more affordable. 

Drugstore: Revlon Color Stay Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain- $9.49 ( click here to purchase)
These balm stains come in the form of a chubby stick. The chubby stick allows precise application with easy effort. They come in tuns of cute colors. They're affordable but still reliable. They stay on the lips all day and wear off evenly. I'm sure you'll love 'em. 


Chapstick/ Balm 

Highend: Benefit Lip Hydrator- $18click here to purchase )
I really like these lip hydrators because they have a tint to them but are still moisturizing. They last a really long time for a lip balm. The packaging is adorable and convenient. 

Drugstore: Burts Bees Lip Balm Tin- $3.29 (click here to purchase)
You need this in your life. Unfortunately, it can't be found in stores anymore but you can purchase it on Ulta's website. It's super moisturizing and affordable. It's my favorite lip balm of all time. 


What were your favorite lip products of 2014? 
De we have any in common?
Let me know in the comments below!


Friday, January 23, 2015

Weekly tip, Blog news and Beauty news

This one of those times when you want to read my weekly tip, news and nail color of the week posts. I have exciting blog news to share with you. Unfortunately, I don't have a nail color of the week. I'm still testing out Jamberry nails and I have the same design on as last week. So instead I decided to include more beauty news in this post(hence, the title). 

So if you want to find out this weeks news and beauty tip, then keep reading!

Weekly Tip


Is your mascara dried up? Maybe you don't have time to run to the store today or tomorrow? Put it in a cup of very hot water. It will loosen up the mascara and provide a couple more uses. I'm not saying you can do this to the mascara in your moms makeup bag from ten years ago. No, this works on mascara you have been using the pasts few months or one that you accidentally left open over night. I have tried it and it works wonders. I would recommend sitting it in a cup when you first wake up and by the time you're ready to apply your mascara the formula will be warm and creamy. 


Blog News


This is the most exciting thing about this post. I'm sure some of you are wondering what a mystery giveaway is...let me explain. 

I know some of you are loyal readers and I want to show some love to my loyal followers. So I decided at some point this year in one of my posts, it could be a review, tutorial, ect, I will write a sentence that states.. 

Congratulations, you are the winner of my mystery giveaway. Please, leave a comment below and claim your prize

You must be the first one to leave a comment. I might include it in a post tomorrow, next month or even December 31st. Just keep your eyes open and you could win this giveaway. The mystery item will probably be a palette of some sort. Whatever is hyped up at the moment. Maybe I'll even let the winner decide which palette he or she wants. I guess we'll see!

Good luck to everyone! 

Beauty News 


I have more beauty news about E.l.f cosmetics. They just launched a new brush that is a multipurpose tool. It can be used for blending, highlighting, contouring and stippling. It sells for $10 and is available for purchase right now on Eyeslipsface.com. To me, it looks very similar to Becca Cosmetics multipurpose brush, which costs over $50. It also has a Nars vibe going on. I'm surprised about the price but I'm also intruiged. E.l.f has a great studio brush line and I have always had good luck with them. But I have to say $10 is a large jump on the price scale. 

Blog News




My last blog news is about a new series from taylorpiebeauty.com. This series is about posts where I talk about my findings while going undercover. I have a few accounts on social media websites where no one knows I'm a beauty blogger. I ask questions and get feed back about various topics. I have always found people treat bloggers differently than people who are need. Some questions I will already know the answers but I'm curious to find out the honest answers I get from strangers. I really hope this series is successful. I think it will be very fun to do and write about! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below. 


Do you have any news you want to share?
What do you think of this weeks tip and news?
Let me know in the comments below!


Thursday, January 22, 2015

2015 Makeup Trends from a bloggers perspective


Celebrity red carpet looks are all the rage right now. Were they wearing smoky eyes, red lips or nude lips? Leading magazines have you covered on the latest trends in Hollywood, but you should be looking from a bloggers perspective instead. 



There are more makeup trends on social media, like dewy skin, light contouring, defined brows, ect. I just wanted to talk about a few that are less talked about by other beauty bloggers and magazines. 

Now let's get trendy...



Kylie Jenner has set a huge makeup trend this past year, but I have a feeling it's going to get even more popular. Almost every well-known brand is releasing their take on matte lipstick, some are even including the Kylie Jenner shade that has been all the rage since she first posted her 90's lip shade on Instagram. Not only did Ms. Jenner break the internet with a back-to-the-90's lip color but now everyone is obsessed with overdrawn lips. No one is lusting after the lip injections that swell you up like a bee sting. All that's needed is a lip liner to trace right outside of your lip line. Some even take it as far as just using a lip liner to fill in the whole lip. Matte is the most popular finish but I have noticed some beauty gurus using other finishes, such as satin.



Bold lips with minimal eye makeup is a growing makeup trend. Its seen on celebrities, and Instagram beauty gurus. Not only does a bold lip make a statement but it's an easy look for newbies to replicate. But dont think red is the only bold lip color to incorporate into this trendy look. Purples are popping up everywhere on social media. Be the first of your friends to jump and the band wagon and sport around a purple lip paired with winged eyeliner. 



Not everyone likes to wear a lot of makeup but some like a little something extra to "look alive". Last year on Youtube all the beauty gurus were posting "no makeup, makeup look". To be quite honest, I'm got really tired of it. However, most people cant wear makeup to work or school, so actually this trend is very popular with a vast amount of people. Not to mention its super easy to accomplish. Most people don't even need a tutorial!




 Two trending eye shadow shades are berry and gold. Not necessarily together but they do make a beautiful makeup look. One of my favorite eye shadow shades is from the Lorac Mega Pro palette. Its a nice matte cranberry shade without any glitter. It's easily dupe-able and looks great on every skin tone. It is stunning on the crease, on the lid and it even looks beautiful smoked out with black kohl liner all over the eye. Expect to see these two shades a lot this year. If you need a good gold shade, Lorac Cosmetics just released a new palette called "Unzipped Gold", which I will probably do a review on it soon. 




Ok, so far you have learned about the matte lipsticks but did you also know matte eye shadows are all the buzz right now? Matte eye shadows create sophisticated looks that are both gorgeous and flattering. The only problems is how hard a good formula is to come across. Lorac Cosmetics has a good palette with matte shades in it (Lorac Pro). The picture above is a great look to pair with the bold lip I was talking about earlier in this post.



Berry lips are so in right now. A nice bold red lip will always be classic but if you want to be super trendy, then show off with a mysterious berry lip. Aside from the intriguing color, I think the diversity made this shade popular. It flatters pale, medium and dark skin. Pretty much every makeup junkie out there can pull off this breath taking trend. Have you worn berry lips lately?



Everyone loves a beautiful cut crease. Not everyone will wear one but its definitely an admired new trend on social media. To some, a cut crease can be really hard to master. For example, if you have deep set eyes or hooded eyes. I know I do, but luckily I was able to figure out a way to work around the situation. By the way, I will have a tutorial up soon for the cut crease picture above.




What is your favorite makeup trend?
Are you going to try any?
Do you know of any other trends?
Let me know in the comments below!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Most loved brands of 2014

Which brands were my favorites during the year of 2014? Find out in this post! Now I just want to say, just becuase a brand isn't on here, that does NOT mean that brands is not good. There are a lot of brands a adore but I just didn't have a favorite from them that beat my usual holy grail product. For example, Revlon makes amazing lipstick but I chose Maybelline''s becuase of their creamy mattes. I also loves products from Wet Wild but they didn't have any of my award winning products. However, their eyeshadow quads and lipsticks are the bomb. There are many brands that could have been on my list if I chose more than one product. I probably would have included Bite beauty, Hourglass, Physicians Formula, LA Girl, The Bomb, Bare Minerals, ect. Pretty much every brand has outstanding products and it can be hard to choose which is the best. So please don't judge a brand just becuase their not on the list. They could have your hidden gem. I can't think of a brand I don't even like. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this post! 



I came up with a point system based from my Beauty Awards of 2014. Each product awarded gives that brand a point. It's pretty simple. Check out the most loved brands of 2014 below! 


Winning brand with 7 points 

E.l.f               

                        
 
Brand with 4 points 

Maybelline                            



Brands with 3 points 

Stila                                       
Lorac.                                    
Nyx.                                      
Urban Decay.                        


Brands with 2 points 

Becca                                    
Loreal                                   
Mac                                       
Rimmel.                                
Benefit.                                 
Bh Cosmetics.                      
Too Faced.                            
Anastasia Beverly Hills.       
Sigma
Glamglow 
Clean N Clear                                   


Brands with 1 point

Skin 79                                  
Dermablend                           
Hard candy.                           
Tarte                                                 
Nars                                        
Milani.                                    
Makeup geek                          
Mally                                     
Essence.                                 
Nyc 
Pixi 
Gerard   
It Cosmetics 
Revlon 
Burt bees 
Sonia kashuk 
Real techniques 


What were your most loved brands of 2014? 
What were your favorites beauty products of 2014? 
Let me know in the comments below! 



Monday, January 19, 2015

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment mask review for acne prone skin

PR Sample 

Hello!
Five? Ten? Twenty? Or even one hundred? How many skincare products have you bought to treat your acne? Too many to count? Trust me I'm on the same boat. Fortunately, for me, I have finally found the perfect product for my bumpy skin. Glamglows Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask. You can find it at Sephora or Glamglows website for $69. It comes housed in a white jar with 1.2 ounces of miracle liquid in it (oops did hat ruin the review?). 



First, I need to let you know Glamglow did send this to me. However, I would NOT lie to you about the performance of a product. I even have before and after pictures to show you. So there you go, you have your proof.




Product description 

The World's most Scientifically Advanced Clearing Treatment. Clinically Developed by GLAMGLOW Dermatological Chemist to help fight all common skin concerns. Designed For Men & Women of All Ages & All Skin Types. SUPERMUD for Super Clear Super Poreless Skin.
TEAOXI® EUCALYPTUS LEAF
Groundbreaking TEAOXI® is GLAMGLOW’s proprietary continuous time-release technology, delivering daily fresh natural eucalyptol, natural linalool oil & powerful flavonoids direct into our formula from real pieces of Eucalyptus Leaf contained in our magical healing SUPERMUD®.
ACNECIDIC-6™
ACNECIDIC-6 4.4%. The World’s first Clearing Treatment with a proprietary 6 acid blend. AHA & BHA acids are perfectly PH balanced for mind-blowing faster results.
·         Glycolic – Helps Restore Photo Damaged Skin & Improves Skin Texture.
·         Salicylic – Helps De-clog to Minimize Pores & New Skin Rejuvenation.
·         Lactic – Helps Pigmentation, Moisture, Stimulation & Skin Collagen.
·         Mandelic – Helps Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Aging Skin & Skin Elasticity.
·         Pyruvic – Helps the Effects of Scaring & Clearer Skin.
·         Azelaic – Helps Fight Follicle Bacteria & Breakouts.
PORE-MATRIX™
PORE-MATRIX Our Activated-X Charcoal is an Xtreme absorption carbon, attracting toxic substances into its mass up to 500 times its volume from all skin types, within the deepest & toughest areas. Our new proprietary K17-Clay™ will better extract & encapsulate excess sebum oils, bacteria & toxins in a controlled stasis state, revealing a Pore-Matrix™ of extraction dots & areas, ready to be washed away for seemingly poreless skin.
BIO-LIFE-CELL-SCIENCE™
Uses the complex natural occurring skincare benefits of green life, for Advanced Scientific Skincare.
·         EUCALYPTUS LEAF - Helps Fight Toxic Skin Complications.
·         LICORICE ROOT - Helps Regulate & Alleviate Problem Skin.
·         PEPPERMINT PLANT - Helps Control Bacteria & Irritations.
·         CHAMOMILE - Helps Inflammation & Regeneration.
·         MARIGOLD - Helps Fight Viral & Microbial Issues.
·         COMFREY HERB - Helps Analgesic Recovery.
·         ALOE VERA – Helps Healing & Rejuvenation.
·         IVY – Helps Relieve Itching & Tightens Skin.
·         CUCUMBER - Helps Soothe & Calm Skin.


How long have I been trying it?
I used GlamGlow for about 12 weeks. I started out using it as a face mask two times a week and as a daily spot treatment. After a couple weeks my acne started to die down, so I decided to use it as a spot treatment only. 

Acne results?

Here is a picture of my skin before I started using Glamglows Super Mud Clearing Tretment mask..


As you can see I had moderate to severe acne. I mostly had large painful acne around my jawline and lips. On my cheeks they were smaller but still painful. No matter what kind of pimple, I would always have a mark left behind that wouldn't go away for months. I tend to get a little oily in my t-zone but dry around my acne. By the way, in the picture above that's not oil on my face, it's a moisturizer. After a few weeks my face looked like this..

At this point my acne was less severe but I still broke out like I usually do. Fortunately, my acne wasn't as flared and painful. Which resulted in less scars. I was really happy and I actually felt like I had a chance at clearing my skin for good. I guess it gave me a sense of hope. Then a couple weeks later my skin looked like this...


As you can see in the picture a lot of my acne vanished. Of course, I still had a few pimples here and there. But overall the results were miraculous. Even my marks were improving. Not to mention the texture of my skin was a lot smoother, which also helped the performance of my makeup. 

If you have acne, then this mask is a must have. It's not a pernamnet solution but it will help out your skin while your prone to breakouts. After I ran out I started to breakout again. So it's obvious that acne will come back if you don't continue to use it. Keep in mind though, Glamglow never did claim to cure our acne forever. The claim is to treat it, which it did! It's the only thing that has helped my acne this much. So in my eyes it's a miracle in a beautiful little jar. Yeah, it's expensive but it's totally worth it. If you can afford it, buy it.

Warning
There is one draw back(kind of) from this product. The first time you use this face mask, it might break you out. Keep in mind that all the impurities are deep down in your pores and  Glamglows face mask goes all the way to the bottom of your pore. So naturally, it's going to bring everything up to the surface. The majority of the impurities will be washed away but some might be stuck at the surface. If you breakout, don't freak out. Give it another week and your skin will be a lot healthier,  as well as a lot clearer. Good things take time. 

Does it work on blackheads? 
Surprisingly, I don't suffer from blackheads that much. I have a few but not enough to show remarkable before and after photos. However, I can say that it does remove them. When the job was needed, Glamglows supermud clearing treatment mask was my best bet. It removed every single one and left behind nice smooth skin. 

Using the face mask
When I first tried this mask I was blown away by the smell. It was so strong and I couldn't believe I would have to rub this all over my face twice a week. Oddly enough, I actually grew to love the smell. It kind of reminds me of black licorice but with a twist. If you're sensitive to scents you my not like it but it would be a tragedy if the scent got in the way. It's too good to be passed on just because of the scent. Maybe it will grow on you like it did me? 
Applying the face mask was really easy. It glided on my face with little to no effort and stayed put without dripping down onto my shirt. It's a rather creamy but thin formula. To me, it's just right. 
The mask definitely had a tingly feeling but it wasn't severe. It actually felt rather nice. It was probably just the acne treatment doing what it does best. Fighting my breakouts. 
After a few minutes it starts to dry. My skin would feel tight in some areas but there were still some wet spots that took longer to dry. I didn't turn to stone all at once. The highest parts of my face usually dried before the deeper parts. So I didn't have to sit like a statue during the whole purifying process. Towards the end is when my skin felt really tight and clean. During a typical use, I would wear it for 15-20 minutes. 
When it was time to rinse off the mask, it mostly rinsed off with ease. The only places where the mask was hard to remove was around the acne a currently had. Sometimes I had to lightly scrub with a damp washcloth. No worries, it didn't irritate my skin. 
When the mask was completely smooth I had a moment like no other. My skin could breath. I don't mean the feeling that we get after we wash our face and we're like"Ah, that feels nice". No, my skin could actually breath for the first time. I really wish I could go back to the moment. It felt better than mastering winged eyeliner for the first time. 

Overall Thoughts
The first thing that comes to my mind is you need it in your life. Actually, your skin needs it in its life. It's expensive but WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY! Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy it everytime I need it but I would if I could. It helps problematic skin so well. It's the best thing I have ever tried for my skin and I have been trying new products since elementary school(I'm now 21). If you're looking for something to help your acne, try it. It's the only recommendation I truly depend on. 














Size comparison 


Almost empty jar









Have you tried Glamglows supermud clearing treatment mask?
Are you going to try it?
Let me know in the comments below!