makeup-artist Archives

The Only Makeup Product You’ll Need That Won’t Break the Bank

What if I told you that there’s just one makeup product out there that will elevate your makeup look significantly? And it can cost as little as $1.50 at Ulta? You’re welcome in advance.

Two words: White Eyeliner

You may be thinking, “What can simple eyeliner do?” Allow me to explain. Eyeliner is one of the most popular go-to products for eye makeup. I, personally, rarely leave the house without it. Now imagine a majority of eye shadow creations you can make: most of them omit bright white (unless it’s in the inner corners as an accent). Typically, you find eye shadow in a lot of shades minus stark white.

All of that combined shows that white liner is unique enough to elevate your makeup – with or without anything else.

Every single time I have worn white liner, I get complimented on it – which is more times than if I did a full-face complete with eyeshadow and lips. To think that such a tiny product for such little money can make such a difference is incredible.

Not to mention, white goes with everything.

Black, brown, navy, purple, dark green… The list goes on and on. Even if you don’t have on any makeup, the touch of white eyeliner will add just enough pop to make it seem like you did way more with your makeup than you actually did.

White eyeliner also makes you look more awake.

For those who work long hours, don’t get enough sleep, or are just always tired, white eyeliner is a life-changing hack. This trick works on the bottom waterline especially, but can really be applied anywhere on or around the eye.

This comes in very handy for those who don’t really know how to do makeup.

A lot of people don’t really know the ins and outs of makeup unless they’ve been doing it for a while or went to school for it like I did. I’m pretty sure that I would be in the same boat if I didn’t get my certification. Makeup is a challenge – especially nowadays with such intricate, incredible looks. My point is, it’s hard to learn about makeup, which is why one swipe of white eyeliner will make you look like you mastered the art of the pencil in 10 seconds flat.

Your wallet will thank you.

Shopping at Ulta and Sephora, I have seen some very pricey makeup products. We’re talking in the hundreds – maybe more, depending on where you shop. For someone like me who’s on a budget (hello, student loans), makeup can get pretty pricey. But, let’s be real. You have at least $1.50 in your console left over from your last Starbucks run.

Want to try all of this for yourself? Run out to Ulta, Target, Walmart, a drug store… Really anywhere you can buy makeup and grab a white eyeliner pencil. Swipe on your lid and wait for the compliments to come rolling in. I mean, you did just elevate your makeup in a few seconds. You’re killing it.

About The Author

Emmie Pombo is a latte and tattoo-loving Tennessean who specializes in mental health and beauty writing. She holds a degree in Journalism and a certification in Makeup Artistry and Airbrushing. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

6 Ways You Could Be Ruining Your Skin

I get it… Skincare is both time-consuming and expensive – not to mention the weird standard that skincare is only for women. We do all have skin, y’all. But, what if I told you that some things you’re doing (or not doing) are seriously damaging your skin? A lot of these things have cheap and easy fixes that will not only help your skin now, but down the road as you age.

1. Not moisturizing

One of the biggest misconceptions about oily skin is that moisturizers will only make it more oily. That’s false. Most likely, your skin is oily because your glands have to go into overdrive to make up for your lack of moisturizing. Imagine if you could help all of that! Let me introduce you to moisturizer. There are so many out there that will cater to whatever skin type you have – even oily. Products range anywhere from $3 to $300 – all you have to do is know your skin and take your pick.

2. Not using sunscreen

I have great news for you: most moisturizers already have sunscreen in them. So, depending on what you choose, you could be killing two birds with one stone. But, if not, you’ll need to find some product with SPF in it. It doesn’t need to be a high number, but it needs to be something. Even if it’s cloudy and rainy, sun is still hitting your face. In fact, you can’t do anything without at least a little bit of sun. This simple fix will also help protect you from sun-induced skin cancer.

3. Not removing makeup

Ladies, if you take nothing else from this, hear this: take. your. makeup. off. Yes, every night. Think about it… Most makeup has chemicals and/or unnatural elements in it. Wouldn’t you want that off your face so it doesn’t soak into your skin? Not to mention the unmatched feeling of being able to rub your face at night. Leaving makeup on for extended periods of time will clog your pores which will cause breakouts which will cause scarring… The list goes on and on. Do yourself a favor and pick up a makeup wipe before your head hits the pillow.

4. Not washing your face

Honestly, this shouldn’t even need an explanation. Imagine all the dirt and grime caking onto your skin causing plugged-up glands, crazy blemishes, long-lasting scars… Have I made my point yet? Just like you wash every other part of your body (or at least you should), you need to be washing your face. Take the extra two minutes in the morning and night to just refresh. Your face will thank you.

5. Using expired makeup

I will admit, even as a makeup artist, I am so guilty of this. We spend good money on makeup so we can use it, right? And most times we don’t use it all in time, right? That’s the price we must pay for the health of our skin. To check if your makeup has expired, look at the product packaging. There will almost always be a little picture of a makeup jar with a number in the middle somewhere on the label. That number shows how many months you can use your makeup. After that amount of time, trash the products for new ones.

6. Not washing makeup brushes and sponges

Another one I’m guilty of. It’s time-consuming to clean your makeup brushes and sponges, especially if you use a separate brush for each product (which you should). But, do you know how many germs live in overly-used makeup brushes and sponges? Trust me, the number would totally gross you out, much like it did me. Luckily, there are things you can buy that make the whole cleaning process a little easier.

Your skin is the largest organ, so you should treat it with the utmost care. Even if you just start with washing your face in the morning, that’s a step in the right direction. Solve these 6 problems and your skin will feel and look much better.

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Colourpop’s Cherry Collection – Hit or Miss?

Colourpop has quickly become one of my favorite cosmetics brands. Their low prices combined with high-quality products show that you can get good makeup without breaking the bank (I’m looking at you, Dior and Estēe Lauder). You can get an eye shadow palette, lip color, highlight, and lashes from Colourpop AND STILL spend less than if you went to a salon to get your nails done. Ladies, I know you know the struggle.

So, when I saw a new collection launch, I was stoked.

The cherry collection includes everything from blush to eye shadow to liners, with a range of red and pink colors spread throughout the collection. I tried one of the serum blushes and cream liners in hopes of falling in love with both of them.

Liquid blush is something that takes some practice to master, and, even then, it can still be tricky.

I’ve tried several different types of blushes throughout the years – powder, gel, liquid, stick… None of which I’ve loved except powder, just because it’s easiest and quickest to use. But, I was willing to give this liquid blush a go.

Overall, I wasn’t wowed.

It was streaky no matter how I applied it, which was with my fingers, a brush, and a makeup sponge. The directions weren’t necessarily that clear, either. It kind of left the makeup lovers in the dark – especially those who aren’t the best with liquid blush. The pigment was good and lasted throughout the day, but if only some parts of my cheek had it and others didn’t, I still count that as a miss.

The liner, however, was a huge hit.

Again, I’ve tried many liners from liquid to pencil to gel to cream to everything in between. And, different occasions go with different liners (example: liquid liner on your wedding day is not the best idea). Cream liners are the ones that bring pigment in a jiffy and can be somewhat easy to remove if you mess up, due to their consistency.

In short, every makeup lover needs at least one cream liner, no matter what color it is.

In this case, I tried a red cream liner. One sweep across my lids and I felt like you could see it from space (in a good way). It shows brilliantly on camera and is a gorgeous shade of red. For someone who doesn’t have much time to do a full eye look in the mornings, using a colorful liner is the perfect way to jazz up your look in literally 10 seconds.

Both products are $7 which is incredibly affordable for what the products are.

If you’re gifted with the talent of mastering liquid blush, give the serum blush a try! And, for those who have no time in the morning to feel put together, try the red liner. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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Makeup Colors, Trends, & Products That Are Perfect for Spring

Despite some of the cold weather that blew through March, spring feels like it has officially sprung. One of the most exciting things about the new season is new colors for the next few months. Whether it’s with clothes, shoes, accessories, or makeup, the beauty world has blossomed with new colors and trends.

The 2021 colors for spring will be based on “hope and optimism” and “playful thinking.” Instead of focusing on pastels like past seasons, this year will feature bright colors – Marigold, Burnt Coral, Raspberry Sorbet, Illuminating (yellow), Amethyst Orchid, and French Blue to name a few. Neutral and earthy colors are also included featuring Ultimate Gray, Desert Mist, Dark Mint, and Buttercream. So, what does that mean for makeup trends? Read on.

Emerald Smokey Eye

Instead of going with the classic black and grey smokey eye, jump into the emerald trend that is blooming this year. Revolution PRO has created the ultimate emerald palette ($15) with four shades that range from mattes to shimmers. If you’re looking for a wider shade range, Makeup Revolution sells the 18-shade palette called Forever Flawless ($15) that is made with cannabis sativa seed oil.

Bright Monochromatics

Take into account the colors of Raspberry Sorbet and Illuminating and find eyeshadows, eyeliners, and lip colors in the same bright shades. Makeup Revolution created a 28-high pigment shadow palette, Revolution X Patricia Bright Rich in Color ($25), that has bright neons and sparkles. Smashbox sells highly pigmented lip colors ($22) that feature bright purples and pinks to match whatever shadow you pick.

Blue Lashes

The 90s called and they’re looking for their groovy styles back. Not only are brights making a comeback, but blue eye makeup, specifically, is coming in hot. If you’re looking to hop on the 90s train, ColourPop makes a blue mascara ($8) that perfectly encompasses this year’s spring trend.

Bold Blush

Keep the bright theme going and find some bright, bold blushes. Milk Makeup makes a lip and cheek color stick ($15) in colors like Coral and Bright Pink. This product is a personal favorite and goes on beautifully. The formula is like butter and will leave your cheeks popping in just a few swipes.

Purple Liner

Much like the blue lashes, the purple liner is making a 90s comeback. L’Oreal Paris created the Infallible Pro-Last Pencil Eyeliner ($8) in purple that is waterproof and smudge-proof – perfect for the warming weather. With a gel-like formula, the product is perfect for tightlining.

Sparkles

Another thing that has made its way to the top of the trend list is sparkles – specifically on the eyes. Whether you’re looking for a light shimmer or heavy glitter, there are products that are perfect for the look you’re going for. If you’re looking for glitter, Urban Decay released a 12-color palette, Stoned Vibes ($27), that features glitter in green, purple, blue, and more. If you’d rather go with a lighter shimmer, BH Cosmetics created a Blueberry Muffin 16-color palette ($18) with pigmented shimmer colors.

Heavy Highlight

Coming from someone whose favorite makeup is highlight, this trend is one of my favorites. There are so many types of highlighters out there – pressed powder, gel, liquid, sticks… Just pick your favorite and you’re good to go. If you’re looking for a quick application from a pressed powder, Ofra Cosmetics has one of the highest ratings on the Ulta website. My personal favorite is ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter that comes in a creamy packed gel-like powder. It’s easy to blend and gives a perfect shine.

Spring has sprung! With these new makeup trends, you’ll be prepared for spring, along with collecting some really great products that you can use for a long time.

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3 Of The Best Bronzers For Spring That Won’t Break The Bank

Although it may not feel like it now, spring is right around the corner. As we trudge through the rest of the winter months, you can already be thinking about what products to use for the warmer months; one of those products being bronzers.

Not to be confused with contour, bronzer can add an extra bit of color to your skin. If you’re confused between the two, here’s a quick explanation:

Contour

Contour is used to create shadows on the face that bring out or create depth and definition in your cheekbones, nose, chin, and other areas. Countour is rarely sparkly and is recommended to be used with a matte finish and more of a cool undertone.

Bronzer

Bronzer is used to add warmth and color to your skin. It is typically shimmery or sparkly because it adds a pop of that natural glow, but can be more matte, as well. Bronzer usually has a warm undertone which is essential for the sun-kissed look.

Although both products may be close in color and are placed in similar areas on the face, the purpose that they both serve is very different. If you’re looking for definition and those glass-cutting cheekbones, contour is for you. If you’re hoping to look like you just spent a few hours on the beach, bronzer is the way to go. So, seeing as spring is right around the corner, here are three bronzers that are $6 or less that will get you that warm glow.

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer – Sun Dance

Featuring a waterproof formula, this bronzer from Rimmel has incredible pigment and an in-product shimmer. The product is said to last 10 hours and is one of four shades found online. The color works great on several different types of skin tones and costs under $4 on Amazon.

wet n wild Color Icon Bronzer – Sunset Striptease

This bronzer from wet n wild is a lighter pigment with less of an obvious sparkle. There is a slight shimmer and is meant to be applied very lightly. This product would be best suited for lighter skin tones due to its sheerness and is the perfect option for someone who is going for a more subtle look. The formula is a cream and powder hybrid and is under $4 on Amazon.

e.l.f. Primer-Infused Bronzer – Forever Sunkissed

This bronzer by e.l.f. has a matte finish for those who are looking to dodge the sparkle, and is infused with primer to help the product last longer. This color is the lightest of three options and is perfect to add the sun-kissed look without the shimmer for $6 on Amazon.

The Bottom Line

Bronzer is one of the best products to use when you’re ready to start transitioning back into warmer temps. Whether that includes sparkles and shimmer or just adds a touch of the sun, these bronzers are a must-have for your spring beauty collection.

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5 Beauty Hacks Every Makeup Lover Needs to Know

I’ve had my Makeup Artist and Airbrushing certification for almost five years now, and from someone who knows a thing or two about makeup, there are simple hacks that everyone can do, no matter if you’re an expert or novice.

1. Shattered powder palettes

This has happened to every makeup lover at one point or another. Your new, expensive palette got smashed through TSA, your pet thought it would be fun to knock it off the counter, or maybe you just have butterfingers. Whatever the case may be, there is an easy fix to make that palette good as new. Take a few drops of rubbing alcohol and mix it into the broken powder with a toothpick. Make sure it comes to a paste-like consistency and then let it harden overnight. Good as new!

2. Dried up mascara

We’ve all been there… You use your very favorite mascara until it starts crumbling. And let’s be honest: mascara is expensive. Bring life back to your tube with a few drops of eye drops! It can be whatever brand you want, so grab some from your local drugstore or megastore and add it in. Your mascara will be back to its glory in no time.

3. The long-lasting lip

From someone whose pet peeve is lip color that lasts no longer than 30 minutes, there are some tips I’ve learned along the way that help that gorgeous color stick around. Apply a touch of chapstick, Vaseline, or carrier oil before adding your lip color for a moisturized base that will keep that color looking as bright as the moment you put it on.

4. Brightening liner

For the days when you just can’t ditch those Chanel bags under your eyes, white eyeliner will act as a brightener. White eyeliner also makes the eyes appear bigger, so tightline your bottom waterline with a pigmented pencil liner for that instant anti-sleep deprivation look. White liner on your eyelid will also add a fun twist to your makeup in just a few seconds.

5. The foundation test

We’ve all seen the infamous way to test foundation: the wrist. However, did you know your wrist is a different shade than your face? In order to find that shade that really matches your skin tone, drag a drop of foundation from your jawline to the middle of your neck. From there, find the shade that matches, and you’re good to go.

No matter how you do your makeup, there are always hacks to help you get the ideal look you’re going for or to help get rid of those pesky makeup problems that happen to the best of us. Follow for more tips, tricks, and hacks of the best world there is – the beauty world.

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