Do This, Not That!

Quite a stark difference, eh? These are commonly made mistakes (and since I'm writing this blog, I've made every single one!) that are so easy to fix. I hope you find this helpful! Check out my profile for lots of great pics! 

Do this: Make extra sure your foundation truly matches your neck and chest! 

To be honest, I'm not a super awesome pro at picking my shade in the store. I'm skeptical of foundation matching because I've gotten matched to the wrong shade several times before. This is what I do though, I almost always mix foundations. You don't have to have the same brand, same formula to mix shades. I would only mix like based foundations, water based with water based, silicone with silicone. If you don't see the ingredients or don't know, just google it! I find mixing foundation shades has made matching my face and body so easy! Whether I'm a little tan, more on the pale side, or anywhere in between, I always have perfectly matched foundation. If you apply a small amount first, you can see whether it's too light or dark, and adjust it accordingly. 

Not that: Nobody wants to look cakey and powder face. I have oily skin, so I used to go on the heavy side with powder. Since then I have learned that very thin, light layers of a translucent powder are a perfect way to set your look and not cover all the luminosity in your face. Also, I don't powder the tops of my cheekbones, or the outer perimeter of my face. People don't usually produce much oil in those places so it's nice to let the surface of the skin shine through. 

Do this: Take the time to apply your eyeliner as perfect as you can! I used to just draw my eyeliner on so fast and haphazardly. I remember around the time when I really started applying myself to watch videos on YouTube on how to apply perfect eyeliner. You have to take your time, really concentrate on making both eyes as symmetric as possible. Make sure the width of the line is equal on both eyes at the inner eye, the middle, and the outer eye. Even if I'm just doing a line on my upper lashes, I like making it thinner on the inner part, and slightly thicken it as you move out. This is also the first step of my cat eye/winged liner look. I find the felt tipped eyeliner pens are the easiest to work with. Revlon has a decent Colorstay one. I find they don't last as long as my NYX gel smudge liner (that stuff is the bomb!) but they are so easy to work with and I can do a cat eye in 2 seconds. I'll use the felt tipped pen if I'm just thinly lining my lash line or if I'm doing more dramatic eyeliner that doesn't have to look picture perfect or last for 8 hours. I'll also use the pen to touch up or finish smoothing a line at the end my eyeliner application and I'll toss it in my clutch for an evening out. It's perfect for quick touch ups on the go!

Not that: Don't make your eyeliner on your bottom lashes equal or greater thickness than the eyeliner on your top lashes. Always make your top lash line more defined than your bottom one. If you put liner on your bottom waterline, put it on your top waterline, every time! Something I love to do is taking a pencil brush and my crease color or a medium toned color and line my bottom lashes with a wash of shadow, kind of blend it out and make it a nice background for your lashes. This is a subtle but effective way to define your bottom lash line. 

Do this: Try out a finishing spray if you haven't! I have read reviews and scoured the Internet for more affordable options than Urban Decay but still work. Well, I didn't get too far. Urban Decays setting sprays have technology in them to actually keep your makeup cooler throughout the day. I always feel like the first thing to get warmer when I'm overheated is my face... and my makeup.. not a good look. If you have dry skin, go for the Chill Makeup Setting Spray. If you're oily, go with the De-Slick. And if you want your makeup to last even longer, they have the All Nighter Long-Lasting one. I personally love the last two, since oil control is an issue for me. These setting sprays have made all the difference. My blush actually stays on my cheeks now! If you try them out, remember to always shake them! 

Do this: Use a deep repair hair mask at least once a week. My favorite routine is to towel dry my hair after washing it, then apply my hair mask (my favorite is the Macadamia Natural Deep Repair Masque) and I throw it up in a little bun, slap a disposable shower cap on and wait for 20-30 minutes. I rinse it out with cold water to seal the hair cuticle and prevent further damage. After I use this hair treatment, my hair is so soft, yet weightless. This product, along with the Macadamia Natural Healing Oil Treatment have made such a huge difference in the condition of my hair. 

And always do this: Try to find something about yourself once a day that you see as beautiful. I find focusing on the things I like about myself, instead of all the things I'd rather change, really helps my self esteem. Makeup and hair and fashion, these are all things to enhance natural beauty, not cover it up! Find products and clothes that 100% work for you. Be a stickler, do a little research on products. You'll have a much better chance than something you happened to randomly pick up during an errand. And most importantly, find and think of things you can do that will make you feel better about yourself. Treat yourself every few days to a face mask, a body scrub, or a fragrance that you can get lost in. Embrace your body, no matter how much you love it or not, it's the only one you're getting in life! Take care of your skin, hair and nails; nourish your body. Hopefully it'll help you feel beautiful as you are, not you with all the makeup. ❤