Five Favorites: September 2011

I cant believe its time for me to do another monthly favorites post, I feel like I just did August's. Time does fly, way too fast sometimes. This month, as far as beauty products was pretty simple for me. I don't feel like I used anything to fancy that much. I pretty much kept it simple, I find that I tend do this a lot in the summer months bc of the heat. Most of these products are ones I've had that I started using more this month. Hope you enjoy and please leave a comment :))

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moisture Treatment

Whenever I use this 3 minute miracle treatment my hair feels totally different. I've yet to find a regular conditioner that does what this does. I don't use it everyday, I probably would if I didn't have to wait 3 minutes to rinse it out. I know, I'm very impatient. I also found if I leave it in my hair for about 5 minutes the results are better. It's made for dry or damaged hair and its a simple solution to soft manageable hair. When I use this I can tell as soon as I start rinsing it out that my hair feels great. I have less tangles when getting out of the shower, I have an easier time blow drying and styling and I don't feel like I need to use as much, or if any kind of anti-frizz serum. One of the best things about this product is that its super affordable. This is my second bottle and I've never paid more than $3.99. The packaging makes it easy to get every last drop out of the bottle. I highly recommend this to anyone that deals with dry/coarse or frizzy hair. You can find it any local drugstore. 

e.l.f Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzer Duo

This is another great bargain, this cheap duo has gotten a lot of use from me all summer long. When I first opened it I didn't think I was going to like it because it lhas a shimmery look.  But once you put   it on you dont notice the shimmer. A lot of people have compared this to NARS Orgasam/Lugana Duo, I recently saw a YT video comparing the two and its not that similar but I like the elf duo better. I dont contour my cheeks everyday but when I do the bronzer works great for this and its buildable.  As far as the blush, I use it on top of my Milani Mineral Blush in Sunset bc its a peachy color. So when I mix it with a little bit of elf's blush it gives the peachy color a glowy light pink tint. The packaging on the other hand would be great if the mirror inside didn't fall off. But who knows, I could have dropped it a few times. I've never used the mirror anyway so it doesnt bother me. This was only $3 at Target! I know, only $3! If your local Target sells elf products you'll probably find it there or you can order it from the elf website.

                                    Rimmel's Fix & Perfect Primer

This is my favorite drug store primer because its not like the rest of the primers out there. It doesn't have that silky gooey feeling like the rest of the primers do. When I first tried it I got a little nervous bc it's not clear,its peach but when applied it blends right in and there's no traces of peach. Not only does this primer help my foundation stay on for a long time it also really evens out my skin tone. I know a lot of other primers promise to do the same but this is the only one that has delivered. On a good skin day, I've been able to leave the house with just the primer and a little blush or bronzer. It makes my foundation go on a lot more evenly too. I think I should go stock up on this in case it gets discontinued! On another good note it was only $7.99 and thats pretty good for me compared to the $50 I used to spend on Smashbox's primer. I've seen this at local drugstores (anywhere that sells Rimmel products)

Wet n Wild Coloricon in Lust 

I've been a huge fan of their new color icon palettes. I think I almost have every one. I'm missing a few but I'll defenitly get them. I'm so impressed with this new line. The colors are all so rich and pigmented and they last on my eyes for hours without that annoying crease you get with some other eye shadows. One of my recent  favs that I've been using more this month is called Lust. It has 6 different colors, 3 are matte and 3 are shimmery. The colors range from a light pale pink to a dark highly pigmented purple. You can make a very pretty purple smokey eye or an everyday pretty purple look. Some days when I dont have the time or dont  feel like doing a full eye makeup look, I will just use the pale pink or pale nude colors all over my entire eye lid and Im good to go. I love how you can get so many different looks with the colors in there palettes including this one. If you haven't tried these new palettes you really need to, take my word for it. I've read a lot of reviews that say they compare these to MAC's eyeshadows and I totally agree, except these are a whole lot cheaper. You cant go wrong. They have a trio palette's for $2.99, the 6 color palette's are $3.99 and the 8 colored ones are $5.99. You can find these at drugstores where Wet n Wild products are sold.  

L'OREAL HIP High Intensity Pigments in Progressive

This is actually a random eye shadow or pigment that I picked up over a year ago at CVS bc it was 50% off.  I forgot I had it until a few weeks ago when I came across it in one of my draws. It's so tiny its easy to look over.

I use this as an eye liner usually on my lower lid. It's a rich dark bronze color as you can see in the pics and  they call it Progressive for some reason. I either use it alone or over a brown eye liner. It really makes your eyes pop, especially for blue eyes.  I use a slanted eye liner brush to apply this. You just have to be careful because the fall out could be a little messy and I have to be careful not to get one of the tiny  particles in my eye. ( Its happened and its annoying lol). Before I apply it I make sure that the color is packed on to the brush well to prevent fall out. Im not sure if they sell them anymore, they might. I haven t actually looked for them. They had a few other colors, I think a pretty blue, a silver, pink and a few others. This is another product that can last you forever because you only need  a tiny bit. Too much wont look right .I wish I could remember how much it was. Sorry. If anybody's seen these or owns them, let me know! 

   So these are my five favorite products Ive been using over this month. If you have used any of these products leave me a comment and let me know how you like them. 

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How To Use Makeup To Create The Illusion Of A New Nose:

Rhinoplasty is one of the top five most common plastic surgery procedures performed each year! Rhinoplasty is the technical term for a “nose job” and its considered  a major surgery because you will be put to sleep, and of course all the risks that are involved. including  anesthesia complications, bleeding troubles, infection and, in severe cases, death. (yikes)!  Unless you need this surgery for severe breathing problems, injuries or you really feel like you desperately need it done then maybe its worth it. However, for those of us who think our nose is either too long, too wide or whatever your reason is for wanting to change your nose, there's good news. Makeup can be an effective way to contour your nose. This isn’t something I do everyday while applying my makeup, its good for photo shoots or a special occasion or even a night out. It’s just a little tip I’ve learned that has helped me. I’ve always wished my nose was a little bit shorter and thinner. I hope you guys find this “how-to” helpful.  

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Contour Powder/Cream

They make products specifically for highlighting and contouring, you can purchase one of those if you’d like or you can easily use a foundation that’s 2 to 3 shades darker than your skin tone or a Matte brown eyeshadow will work just as good. (that’s what I use).

Make sure if your going to use an eyeshadow that there is no sparkle or glitter to it, it should be a Matte finish

Highlight

You can either use a highlighter that comes in a Contour and Highlight set or you can use white/nude eyeshadow or again a foundation 2 to 3 shades lighter than your skin tone.

Angled Brush

An angled brush is ideal for sculpting your nose. If you don’t have this exact same brush use one that is small so you have more control over where the product ends up.

Fluffy Blending Brush

After you contour your nose with the angled brush you need to blend it in so theirs no harsh lines. A fluffy brush will work or a blending sponge.

How to Slim a Wide Nose

step 1. Apply your foundation like you would usually. I would wait till your done with your entire face to start contouring, so that way you will be able to judge how it looks with your overall face.

step 2: Dip your angled brush into your contouring powder or eyeshadow and draw a line down each side of your nose. Keep it light. It’s easier to build more product than take it away. Check out my diagram above to get an idea of where to place your lines. ( lol…I know, they might now be the straightest lines but I tried, and at least the lines are where there supposed to)  

**Optional Contouring: Depending on your nose

*Option 1: If your nose is wide all the way up, carry the line to the bridge of your nose.

*Option 2:  If your nose is wider at the bottom, draw a small line outwards when you get to the bottom of your nostrils.

*Option 3: If the tip of your nose is really wide then draw a “down facing arrow” once you reach the tip

Step 3: Clean off your brush

Step 4: Dip your brush into your highlight/crème/eyeshadow color and draw a slender stripe down the center of your nose. (see my wonderful work of art above) really sorry about how bad this looks but im sure you get the idea anyway. Now I know why I always sucked in art class..lol

Step 5: Take a clean fluffy brush or makeup sponge and blend your lines (be careful not to blend your lines together though) Blend until you can’t see a line anymore; it should look natural. Obviously my diagram is just an example of where you should apply the lines. (even if there crooked lines, lol)

However, if you followed the instructions correctly you should notice a subtle change in your nose! Let me know if it worked for you or if you have any questions on my instructions.

xoxo Kelly