Reviews
Best Budge-Proof Cream Eyeshadows
Hi everyone! Looking for a great low-maintenance shadow that’ll last all day? Cream eyeshadows are wonderful because they can be quickly applied to the lid or smudged on the lower lashline and blended with your finger tip. Unfortunately, there are many cream shadows on the market that need a disclaimer… some really won’t last unless you make sure to use a primer first or set them with a powder shadow. I’m thrilled to have found several great lines of cream shadow that require no extra work… and they’ll wear all day (crease-free). As an added bonus, if you do decide to layer powder shadows on top of these to create different looks, these cream shadows can serve as fantastic long-wearing bases. Let’s take a look!
Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Shadows ($6, Drug/Discount Stores)
After trying so many drugstore cream shadows that either fade or settle into the crease within minutes, the Maybelline Color Tattoos are a breath of fresh air! As with all of the cream shadows I’m going to be mentioning, when you first apply them, you have about 30 seconds to blend them out and get them looking just how you want them- and then they’ll set and go into “smudge-free” mode. You can dab them on the lid with your finger or apply them with a brush. The shades I especially love (shown above) are Tough as Taupe, Bad to the Bronze, and Inked in Pink (from the Metal collection). Lately I’ve loved using the pink on the inner part of the lid, and blending the bronze or taupe shades on the outer half and into the crease.
Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Sticks ($25, QVC.com)
These shadow sticks are probably my ideal format for a cream shadow. The twist up stick (no sharpening needed) is slightly larger than a typical eyeliner, and allows you to easily use the cream shadows as a smudgy eyeliner. They apply with such ease. I love Mally’s shade selection, and some of my favorites (shown above) are Champagne, Bronze, and Nautical. Champagne is the perfect shade to brighten the inner corners of the eyes, and it gives the most beautiful sheen to any powder shadows you want to layer over it. Bronze looks good on all eye colors, but especially makes blue eyes pop. Using Nautical on the lashline and smudging it out with your finger or Q-tip makes for a wonderfully quick smokey eye. Best of all, once you apply them, they DO NOT MOVE! 
Milani Shadow Eyez Sticks ($7, Drug/Discount Stores)
Another fabulous smooth and creamy line of shadows from the drugstore is Milani Shadow Eyez. While I don’t love having to sharpen large, ultra creamy sticks like this, the shades are beautiful and you don’t have to worry about them migrating around your eye throughout the day. A couple of my favorites form the line are pictured above- Aquatic Style and Champagne Toast. Champagne Toast is a great basic and I love its rose gold tone. Aquatic Style is lovely for an unexpected pop of color on the lower lashline. A limited edition selection of more neutral shades recently launched, so keep an eye out for those in your local drugstores.
What’s your favorite way to achieve a low maintenance eye look? Let me know in the comments section! Have a great day!
The 5 Best Brow Helpers
Between Cara Delevingne’s massive popularity, services like Browhaus’ Brow Resurrection (P.S. I had it done and it changed my life) and bold brows ruling the runway for a couple seasons now, I have to declare 2013 is the year of the brow. Full, robust brows rebalance your features, make you look more youthful and give your look that extra allure, just like they do for a young Brooke Shields in “The Blue Lagoon,” above. Not born with Brooke brows? Not to worry; I’ve compiled a list of the brow helpers you need now to fake them.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow ($20)
The very best, longest lasting arch enhancer there is. Paint a little on your hand and dip with a stiff, angled brush to simulate real-looking brow hairs yourself that will stay on until you physically remove it with lots of face wash and water. You can even skip a brow gel with this one.
Sephora Collection The Shape Shifter ($12,)
An adorably tiny case houses a stainless steel tweezer, mascara wand, and brow brush for grooming on the go. You’ll never get stuck without your tweezers when you’re in desperate need of a short stop in Tweezertown again. The best part? It all comes in a mirrored compact for easy fixes.
Maybelline Eye Studio Master Shape Brow Pencil ($7)
This inexpensive iteration from Maybelline barely costs more than a latte and comes in natural hues for a customizable, perfect brow look. It even boasts its own spooly brush on the other end to help soften the simulated hairs for a natural effect.
Benefit High Brow Pencil ($20)
Draw on a little matte pink pencil under the arch and on the brow bone for a little lift to be your own archeologist. I love the brow brightening effect it has, especially for an evening look.
Anastasia Clear Brow Gel ($22)
As Tina Turner once sang, this one is “simply the best, better than all the rest.” I’ve repurchased this one again and again because it’s the most phenomenal brow groomer in all the land. It keeps my brows in place without making them stiff or “dandruffy” like some brow gels can.
Bargain Bronzers for Every Need
Hi everyone! It’s that time of year where I want to turn into a golden goddess… but I don’t want to deal with the dangers of laying out in the sun. There are lots of great self-tanners for the body, but my favorite way to give my face a believable bronze glow is with my trusty bronzers! The drugstore can be very hit and miss with bronzers… some make you look greasy instead of glowy, or orange instead of sun-kissed tan. But through my bronzer trial and error, I’ve found some diamonds in the rough that can cater to a variety of skintones and preferences. As you’ll see in the pictures below- these are products in my makeup collection that truly get a LOT of use!
The Subtle Bronzer: N.Y.C Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny ($2.99, drug/discount stores)
I’ve mentioned this bronzer before, and it’s probably one of my most recommended drugstore products. This is a totally matte bronzer, and it’s great for those with fair or light skin who just can’t find a bronzer that looks natural. With a powder brush or blush brush, you can apply this as a contour just under the cheekbones, around the nose, and forehead. For a quick all-over glow, lightly dust this all over the face. It’s hard to go overboard with this product. It’s such a natural color!
The Sculpting Bronzer: Revlon PhotoReady Bronzer in Bronzed & Chic ($11, drug/discount stores)
If you want to really contour and sculpt your face, matte bronzers are the way to go. You don’t want to see lots of sparkle as you try to create those natural-looking shadows that slim the face. For those with medium to tan skintones, this bronzer from Revlon is fantastic. It can go quite a bit deeper than NYC Sunny (mentioned above). This one is totally matte, and incorporates four different tones. Swirling your brush in all four shades give you a nice medium-toned bronzer, but you can go deeper by using the bottom 2 shades, or lighter by sticking with the top two. I love using an angled blush brush with this bronzer to sculpt my cheekbones. While this bronzer comes with a small brush, I don’t recommend using it. It’s not full enough to give you a blended look.
The Sun-kissed Glow Bronzer: ELF Studio Warm Bronzer ($3, Target or eyeslipsface.com)
So I’ve mentioned two options for matte bronzers that can be great for contouring and shaping the face. Once you choose one of those, you also want to get a glow! This bronzer from ELF can do just that. It’s very hard to find a bronzer that gives you the subtle glow you’re after, without making your skin look oily. When you swirl your brush in all of these shades, you get the perfect sheer, light bronze glow that can look great on any skintone. You won’t end up with flecks of glitter all over your face with this, but to keep the application sheer, I like to use a duo fibre style blush brush to apply this bronzer. Lightly dust it where the sun would naturally hit for a sun-kissed look! Added bonus- these shades make beautiful eyeshadows!
Hopefully this post takes the fear out of finding the right bronzer! Do you have any must-haves? Make sure to check my YouTube Channel, Beauty Broadcast, for more makeup recommendations and step-by-step tutorials! Have a great day!
<3 Emily
10 Under $10: The Best Drugstore Gems
While there is merit to some beauty products that cost the earth (this gal has bought several replacement bottles of $150 Rodin Olio Lusso, for instance), the phrase “you get what you pay for” can be as incorrect semantically as it is grammatically. There are a bevy of fabulous beauty buys at your local drugstore that can be scored for under a Hamilton note. Here, my favorite inexpensive makeup, hair, skin care and body buys.
1. Revlon BB Cream: Revlon’s foundations have long impressed me, and the brand’s foray into the BB cream space is worthy of a parade. It yields light, smooth, even coverage with a hint of hydration ($9).
2. Avon Shine Attract Lipstick: Pigmented color, shine and hydration—all in a single tube. Keep one by your front door and one in your purse ($9).
3. Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Removing Lotion: My lids and lashes have become a “no-fly zone” for regular face washing since I started getting lash extensions at Courtney Akai Lash Boutique and recently became a convert to Browhaus’ brow resurrection service. This creamy lotion on a Q-tip removes all traces of even the most stubborn liner, shadow and mascara ($5).
4. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Mask: This is my go-to when I’m about eight months deep into a haircut. You and I both know highlighted, heat-styled ends are absolutely a Greek tragedy by that point. This creamy, lush masque whips them into shape without scissors ($6).
5. John Frieda Full Repair Perfect Ends Sheer Mist: Similarly, spritzing this stuff on ends before flat-ironing or curling can help me eke out another two months of wear on a haircut ($9.99).
6. Yes To Carrots Hydrating Shower Gel: Moisture, great cleansing, a crisp, refreshing scent and natural. Get involved ($7).
7. L’Oreal Paris Miss Pixie Nail Color: For six dollars, you can score the very same hue as talon titan Jin Soon Choi’s legendary Blue Iris Nail Lacquer, which beauty editors love. Note: You’ll need an extra coat or two; this one skews a bit more sheer ($6).
8. Hello Supermint Toothpaste: It’s natural, the packaging is beyond chic and the Supermint flavor transforms the brushing experience into a spa for your smile ($5).
9. Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Daily Gel Wash: Cleans my acne-prone skin perfectly and without residue in the increasingly humid climes of summer in NYC ($7.50).
10. Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out Refreshing Makeup Removal Cloths: Keep these by your bed for late nights out to ensure you won’t sleep in your makeup–the gravest of beauty sins ($6).
Drugstore Eyeshadow Picks for Spring and Summer
Much like lipsticks, eyeshadows are one of those products in the drugstore that I just can’t seem to get enough of! There are always new shades, and over the years I’ve found that drugstore makeup brands have really stepped up their game when it comes to quality. If you’re looking to add some fun to your makeup bag for the warm weather months, these are my picks for rich, pigmented palettes that don’t cost an arm and a leg. And whether you like to stay in your neutral shadow comfort zone or add a pop of color, I think there’s something for everyone in this mix!
Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio – “I’m Getting Sunburned” ($2.99, drug/discount stores)
I’m wild about this trio! The shadows are incredibly soft and give off so much gorgeous color. I love that instead of giving all neutrals, there’s a fun pop of pink that you can add. The deep brown is really handy… it can serve as a great smudgy liner or build it up in the crease for a dramatic smokey look. I’ve said it before, but you’ll be blown away by the quality of Wet n Wild eyeshadows. They’ve come a long way!
Maybelline Eye Studio Quad – “Coral Oasis” ($5, drug/discount stores)
Coral is one of those colors that you expect to see on the lips or cheeks, but maybe not so much on the eyes. I assure you- it’s so pretty, especially with the addition of the brown in this quad. To really jazz up the look, the pale yellowish-green in this quad is really nice around the inner corner. These shades are velvety soft and all have a shimmery finish. I’d compare their texture to the much more expensive Lancome Colour Design palettes.
Flower Beauty Shadow Play Eyeshadow Quad – “Foxy Browns” ($9, Wal-Mart)
So maybe you’re saying- enough already with the bright colors and shimmer! This quad incorporates a rich matte brown, along with several other shades that have a subtle pearl finish but aren’t overly metallic. This is one of those go-to quads that works for all occasions. The bronzy-brown (upper right in the quad) is what makes me think summer, and if you’re in a rush, blend that one shade all over the lid and into the crease for a fast one-shadow look. All in all, this quad will give you some great basics for your collection that work year-round.
NYX Cosmetics Bronze Smokey Look Palette ($12, nyxcosmetics.com)
If you’re adding a little extra bronzer or self-tanner to get a warm glow on the skin, why not add some warmth to the eyes as well? This palette from NYX is surprisingly small and travel friendly. While it packs in nine eyeshadows, a little drawer underneath reveals two bonus lip products. The shadows come in a variety of finishes from matte to shimmer to downright metallic. The dark, cool brown is what can take this kit from day to night, and I find that the golden/bronze shades really bring out the gold in my brown eyes.
So those are my bargain eyeshadow picks for Spring and Summer! What are your must-haves? For additional product reviews and video tutorials check out my Beauty Broadcast YouTube channel and blog. Have a great day! -Emily
7 Pink Lipsticks to Heat Up Your Spring and Summer
Oh, hello, lipstick! It’s so nice to see you “Back,” and that’s “Back” with a capital B.
With many beauty brands launching brand-spanking new lipstick lines this spring (at the drugstore and department store levels), it seems like there’s a new one there to tempt me every time I turn a corner!
And sure, there’s no shortage of pretty neutrals, corals, browns and reds among this latest batch, but lately it’s been the pinks that have been luring my lips and catching my eye, like these seven hot pink tickets here that range from $5-26.
NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Yu
1. NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Yu ($25)
My absolute favorite hot pink lipstick from this spring’s fresh crop! The pencil tip makes it easy to draw attention to yourself (ba-dum-bum!), and it’s kind of fun to use. Plus, this particular bright pink neither leans too cool nor warm, so it should flatter most skin tones.
Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Fresh Raspberry
2. Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Fresh Raspberry ($26)
Prefer your pink lipstick sprinkled with berries? Laura Mercier fed this full-coverage rosy pink lippie berry tones to keep it bright, yet wearable enough for most office jobs.
Buxom Full-Bodied Lipstick in Exhibitionist
3. Buxom Full-Bodied Lipstick in Exhibitionist ($21)
Not only does this electric pink blaze brightly on lips (a single coat should do you), it also plumps your pout, making it more luscious and kissable. Even better, it works without stinging or tingling.
Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Berry Bright
4. Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Berry Bright ($8.49)
Another dazzler infused with berry tones, $8.49 Berry Bright is also easier on pocketbooks than most. And it’s hydrating as all heck, too.
Milani in Rose Hip
5. Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Rose Hip ($5.49)
Practically spilling over with pigment, Milani’s creamy hot pink could pass for a $30 high-end department store lipstick, yet costs less than $6! Ooh, and I love the way a single swipe illuminates my whole look.
NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Jardin Des Plantes
6. NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Jardin Des Plantes ($25)
This deep fuchsia pink has a softer side that lasts, and it’ll keep you company from your last client meeting all the way through happy hour.
Milani in Hot Pink Rage
7. Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Hot Pink Rage ($5.49)
Ha! I can’t stop laughing at this lipstick’s name. Despite its moniker, this bright rosy matte seems playful to me, like it was made for party dresses and sky-high heels (or hot pink rage, haha!).
From the left: NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Yu, Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Fresh Raspberry, Buxom Full-Bodied Lipstick in Exhibitionist, Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Berry Bright, Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Rose Hip, NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Jardin Des Plantes, Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Hot Pink Rage
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
5 Makeup Must Haves… Each Under $5
Hi Everyone! Emily here. It might sound strange, but one of my favorite pastimes is finding great “diamond in the rough” makeup products. Ever since high school, I’ve loved picking up new drugstore makeup, and experiencing the trial and error. Fast forward 15 years, and I’ve tried a lot of very good (and not-so-good) bargain makeup products. I’d love to share five great finds with you (I’m wearing them all in the above picture)… and I didn’t spend more than five dollars on any of them!
NYC New York Color Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny ($2.99, Drug/Discount Stores)
Clearly this is a much-loved bronzer in my collection! I love that it’s a 100% matte, non-orangey bronzer, which makes it great for giving the whole face some natural-looking color. It also works well for contouring the cheekbones, forehead, and jawline. When fair to light skinned people ask me for a bronzer recommendation that won’t look overpowering, I direct them to this product!
ELF Studio Blush in Pink Passion ($3, eyeslipsface.com)
These blushes from ELF are an amazing buy, and are comparable to many high end blushes in my collection. There’s great color payoff, and a little goes a long way! While I love Pink Passion and think it’s great for spring, some other terrific shades from this line are Blushing Rose and Candid Coral. Each one comes in a sleek black compact that includes a mirror.
Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment ($2.99, Drug/Discount Stores)
This brand has come so far, especially where the eyeshadows are concerned. I love this particular trio because it can go from natural to smokey in a snap. The shadows are soft, pigmented, and very long-wearing, and there are very few drugstore brands that I can say that about across the board. For a couple dollars more you can get an 8-color palette, but in terms of some other great trios, I’d recommend Walking on Eggshells and Don’t Steal My Thunder.
Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara ($4.99, Ulta)
This one barely makes it into the under five dollar price range, but it’s definitely worth mentioning! This is one of my newer finds, and I love how quickly it builds up volume and length on my lashes, without making me feel the need to pile on coat after coat (my sparse lashes can’t handle that!) The formula isn’t overly wet, and the rubber brush has lots of bristles- including some tiny bristles at the tip which really help with separation. The end result for me is more length, and the look of more lashes!
Jordana Easyliner for Lips in Baby Berry ($1.99, Drug/Discount Stores)
You don’t have to spend a lot to get a great lip liner! These retractable liners from Jordana come in a variety of colors and are a long-time favorite of mine. They’re very smooth and creamy, therefore it’s very easy to fill in your lips entirely and wear them alone! The staying power is great. In the picture above, I’m only wearing the liner in Baby Berry on my lips. I also like using that shade for added definition with pink and berry lip colors. The shade called Tawny is a great neutral from the line.
There you go! Five great makeup products that won’t break the bank! Several are the kinds of must-haves that are so essential to me, I’ve repurchased them multiple times. So what are your best makeup finds for under five dollars?
-Emily, Beauty Broadcast
5 Spring Corals to Update Your Makeup Bag
Maybe you’re a gal (or guy) who likes to streamline your approach to seasonal beauty updates, as opposed to completely overhauling your makeup bag.
I get it. I totally do. Sometimes, all it takes is a single, simple tweak to freshen your look while keeping your overall approach to makeup easy and organized.
That said, if you make one update to your makeup routine this spring, I vote for a new coral lip color. They’re like an instant makeup mood lift for me.
Whenever I wear corals, I feel like a bulb with a dimmer switched turned up high. Just brighter and perkier, ya know? Heck, I think I even hold my head up higher and have better posture, too (fo’ reals!).
With a wonderful range of new coral lip colors gracing shelves this spring, there’s a lot to like out there, from featherweight, sheer shines to full-coverage creams with KAPOW!
Here are some of my favorites this spring…
Laura Mercier’s Belize Creme Smooth Lip Colour
Laura Mercier Belize Creme Smooth Lip Colour ($26): If you haven’t jumped on the Laura Mercier bandwagon yet, this creamy reddish coral might get you aboard. With a 5-6 hour wear time and a semi-shine finish just flashy enough for date night, full-coverage Belize creates an opaque lip look with a single sweep.
Neutrogena’s Juicy Peach MoistureSmooth Color Stick
Neutrogena Juicy Peach MoistureSmooth Color Stick ($8.49): Looking for something more casual this year? Neutrogena’s twist-up gloss stick lavishes lips with loads of laid-back shine and sheer peachy coral color. A must for warm spring weekends when you only want to wear minimal makeup.
Tom Ford Insidious Lip Color Shine
Tom Ford Insidious Lip Color Shine ($48): This lightweight, semi-sheer coral lipstick makes dry lips shine and sigh with a surge of moisture. It’s definitely a splurge, but every time I hold the sleek, chocolate and gold case in my paws, I feel fancy!
MAC Style Surge Mineralize Rich Lipstick
MAC Style Surge Mineralize Rich Lipstick ($22): A neutral coral with a creamy finish, Style Surge is probably the most flexible member of this troupe. I think it looks just as stylish dressed up with smokey eyes as it does pared down with mascara on your upper lashes.
NARS Lodhi Satin Lip Pencil
NARS Lodhi Satin Lip Pencil ($25): Who says a bright, full-coverage coral takes work? With Lodhi, NARS combines the ease of a pencil with an opaque formula that lasts a full 6 hours. Just line your lips and fill them in. Yup, it really is that simple.
From the left: Laura Mercier Belize, NARS Lodhi, MAC Style Surge, Tom Ford Insidious and Neutrogena Juicy Peach
I hope you enjoyed this little look at coral lips today. Have a wonderful spring!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Best Multitasking Palettes for Travel
Whenever I have to pack for a trip, I tend to always take way too much makeup (and clothes and shoes… but that’s another story). But recently, I’ve had my eye out for makeup palettes that can do more than one thing for me, eliminating the need for lots of individual compacts. In this video, you’ll see five great palettes that are very streamlined, yet they can serve multiple functions. Hopefully you’ll find one to suit your needs!
Swoon-Worthy Valentine’s Day Lip Colors
February has arrived! The first half of the month is undoubtedly dedicated to discussions relating to the most polarizing of holidays, Valentine’s Day. Whether you dress exclusively in heart-printed tops or your ideal Valentine’s Day is spent making a heart-shaped meatloaf with the express goal of throwing it out a window once it’s done, festive lipstick brings both crowds together. Here, some of my pink and red lip hues of the season, perfect for whether it’s the spirit of love that moves you to don red and pink or simply the mandate of Hallmark.
Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Balm in Petal mimics the natural lip color of a baby’s perfectly pigmented pout.
Bite Cinnamon Plumping Lip Oil imparts the sheerest red-orange sheen and plumps without pain.
Shiseido Laquer Rouge in Drama will stay on from the time you leave the house through dessert, making the only drama the one on your pout.
CoverGirl LipPerfection Lip Color in Flame If you simply can’t choose between red and pink, this lip-smoothing formula yields a perfect hybrid.
Make Matte Lipstick In Scarlet If true red is your game, this matte iteration boasts an incredible consistency and longlasting finish.
Urban Decay Lip Junkie in Trashed This mint-infused slightly shimmery gloss is breath-freshening and pout-prettifying.
Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer In Rhubarb Perhaps the pie that gets the least amount of press, Burt’s Bees’ inexpensive iteration interprets the shade as a deep pink with warm undertones that hydrates, as well.
Do you skew more red or pink when it comes to Valentine’s Day?
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