THREE EASY-TO-DO MAKEUP TRICKS

These makeup tricks are so easy to replicate, you can practically start...NOW!

Here are three little tips to make your look naturally glowing:

1. Use brow pencil as liner for a more natural eye look

Using Maybelline Brown Pencil in "Dark Brown"

Gives eyes a softer lining

2. Dab a little shimmer to the middle of your lips to make them appear fuller

Using E.L.F Shimmer Eye Shadow

Dab a tiny amount in the middle

Top with a consistent coat of gloss for full, voluptuous lips

 3. Dust bronzer on the apples of your cheeks and the tip of your nose to give yourself a healthy, sun glow

 
Using Cover Girl Bronzing Powder

 
A little on the cheeks, a little on the nose, a little bit of sun-kissed glow

HIGH MAINTENANCE FOR A LOW MAINTENANCE LOOK, BY HARD CANDY

A few months ago, I received a gift from a lovely fellow blogger Marie, who writes Marie Loves Makeup.  One of the items, Hard Candy Eyeshadow in "High Maintenance," has become a favorite of mine.  

Its subtle pigment makes a great day wear, with sheen that brightens up the eyes in a sophisticated way.  

With just a sweep of the darker shade inside the crease, and blend the lighter hue all over the lid, an easy, graceful eye makeup is done:

Skin Care Blog Post - Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub

Does green equal clean?

While we all love the natural benefit of organic products, some of them don't possess the cleaning power we seek.  

However, I have often heard good reviews on Burt's Bees personal care products - a friend of mine boasts their lip gloss the best she ever tried - so I thought: why not?

And to the drugstore I went and picked up Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub.  Let's find out if it worked:

The Claim, according to Burt's Bee website:

"...provide gentle exfoliation

...mild enough for daily use on all skin types

...help naturally remove traces of dirt and makeup

...moisturize your skin" 

Exfoliates, cleans, and moisturizes - Sounds like a winner, right?  Here's my take:

Likes:

• Fruity, citrus-y smell
• Took off my makeup
• Grounded texture did a good job exfoliating
• Left my face soft, clean and refreshed
• Came in a glass jar - very environmental

Dislikes:

• Direction was hard to follow, but eventually I got used to it
• My face felt a little oily afterward

 

Overall Rating: 4/5


Re-purchase? Maybe. I do like St. Ive's Apricot Facial Scrub better, and it costs less, so I will probably buy that instead. But please don't get me wrong.  The Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub did work well.

Final Impression: For an organic product, this facial scrub cleaned thoroughly. I guess in this case, green does equal clean.

Love the reusable glass jar it came in

 Very dry on the first touch

 Much softer and smoother after adding water

EYE MAKEUP REMOVER ALTERNATIVE: VASELINE

In 1859, petroleum jelly was discovered to protect and heal cuts and burns.  A young scientist named Robert Cheseborough then created a lighter version of petroleum jelly and mass-produced it as an ointment.  His first factory opened in 1870 and he named it "Vaseline".  Since then, Vaseline became a vastly popular item on drugstore shelves everywhere.


Overtime, people used Vaseline in more creative ways, including as a beauty product.  Like them, I am a huge fan of Vaseline and often use it to sooth chapped lips.  However, only until recently did I learn of this awesome, new trick: Vaseline takes off makeup!

Just look at all the mess that came off with two gentle wipes:

As a frugal girlie girl, I hated spending $20 on pricey makeup removers.  At $2 - $3 a bottle, Vaseline works just as well.  It also makes my skin soft and smooth, and doesn't irritate my eyes.  What a great discovery!