*Friday Favorites*

Here is my second *Friday Favorites* post...Enjoy!


1. Laura Mercier - Limited Edition Lingerie Eye & Cheek Palette

I absolutely love this palette! It has the colors perfect for day and night, while also giving you a few options. What makes this compact versatile is that you don't have to use the whole palette each time you wear it, you can create your own look each time you open it up! The size makes it great for your makeup bag and even better for travel - it has your eye shadows and blushes in one slim compact.
$60 sold at Laura Mercier counters and online.

2. Laura Geller - Perfect Pairing Liquid & Powder Liner

I came across this product last weekend through my friend, and let me tell you - it's amazing! One side is a liquid liner, with an amazing felt point tip applicator, and the other is a black powder that has a felt applicator as well. The powder can be a little messy so I do recommend applying it before face makeup so you can clean your face after the application, but it stays on for hours! $26 from QVC

3. MAC Brush #187

All of you that know me know I call it my "Skunk Brush". This is my favorite brush for any liquid/powder/cream face lotions, foundations, etc. The reason why I love this brush so much is because it is dense enough at the base to be sturdy, yet the white bristles are more sparse, letting you not waste product, and ensuring that it applies evenly on the skin. Any product that I apply with this brush, which is about all face products except blush, I apply by creating circular motions around the face, giving an airbrushed effect. If the product is a liquid or cream foundation, I use a different #187 brush to apply the powder over it - again, in circular motions. You want your skin to look and feel flawless once your makeup is applied, and this brush does just that! $42 maccosmetics.com

4. Beauty Alert! Beauty Labels

These are great labels that you apply to your beauty products to let you know when they need to be trashed! You don't want to use products that are passed their expiration date, especially with beauty products - you can end up with a reaction that can be as subtle as an itch to as obvious as blotchy blisters. Certain products, such as shadows and powder products don't expire nearly as quickly as liquid products do. Find out from the company you are purchasing your products from how long they last, so you know when they need to go! $4.95 beautyalert.biz

*Most products, such as foundation, face creams, etc, if used every day, will last a certain amount of months, depending on size of the product - no product should expire before that time. However if you use only once a week or once here and there, it may need to be trashed before you finish it.

5. Valentine's Day Candy Vase

My one non-beauty item ~ I absolutely love this! I am obsessed with vases and different ways to display flowers, and this just was too cute - especially for this time of year! Placing the flowers in a clear tumbler glass with the heart candies just brings colorful happiness to me when I look at it - I think you will too!

Looking forward to some new Friday Favorites next week, and a few new blog posts in between!

 

There's more to Kim K than her butt! She has the illusion of perfect skin..and so can you!

Kim K is known for many things, her perfect hair, her perfect butt..but she's also known for her perfect skin! How does Kim get her makeup to look so flawless all the time, you may ask. There are tricks and techniques that you can apply on yourself to help achieve this look for your next party, or even for everyday!

First, make sure skin is properly cleansed, and the correct moisturizer for your skin type has been applied. If you don't know if your moisturizer is correct, then have someone that knows about skin, help you. If you aren't using the correct moisturizer, your skin can't look flawless!

Apply your eye makeup as you'd like. If you put a lot, or a little makeup, is your choice - have fun with it! Once done, clean - with a makeup wipe - any makeup that may have fell onto the skin below the eye. You don't want that getting into your pores, and you definitely don't want to apply product over that makeup.

OK, so now for the flawless skin part - I always start with applying a face primer over the moisturizer. I love Laura Mercier Foundation Primers. They have created a perfect primer for each skin type, so you know you will achieve the right amount of protection. Apply over entire face.

 

Once that has set in, I opt for Cle de Peau Concealer ($70) - even though it is a bit pricey, I believe it is the best! I have not been able to find another concealer that covers dark circles and fills fine lines as well as this one! I find that this concealer does its job no matter what skin type you may have. Also, since you are using it just under the eye, this stick will last a while (making the price worth it!).

Using your brush, bring the concealer down and over the top of your cheek bone, and up the side of your nose towards your bridge. This way, if your going to be photographed or not, your skin under your eyes is as bright as can be!

Now that you look like a raccoon with opposite colors (your very light under your eyes instead of dark) it is time for foundation! Again, just like moisturizer, you need to be using the correct foundation for your skin type. Not all foundations are made for everyone. Also, to get this flawless look, you need to use a medium to full coverage foundation. It needs to have enough coverage to fill fine lines and any discolorations you may have.

*Tip - If you have very dark spots, or spots that may need extra coverage - apply concealer over those spots first, then apply foundation.

Once the foundation is applied, which can look somewhat streaky if you used a brush, you want to use a medium coverage foundation powder to set your foundation, as well as add another layer of flawlessness (yes, that is a word I made up - hehe!)

Once you have applied a good amount of powder, with a brush, in circular motions around your face, you will notice that the powder gave your face an airbrushed effect.

Apply a little bronzer if you feel you need to, and always, always, always add blush. Apply to the top of your cheek bone, or under it, depending on if you want to highlight the top and/or create contouring.

Add lipstick and you're all set! Perfection!

Fun Beauty Stocking Stuffers!!

Want to get your daughter, mother, cousin, friend, co-worker a fun beauty stocking stuffer, but don't know what's out there? There is a great deal of fun, limited edition options available during the holiday season. Take advantage of these great sets and prices for others - but don't forget to get a little something for yourself!

Below I listed a few ideas with prices, all available at Sephora - so you don't have to go nuts running around this holiday season!


For: The Makeup Lover!
Lorac Bejeweled Day & Night Jewelry Box ($415 value for only $56!)
This embellished jewelry box features two high-shine lip glosses, a bronzing powder, two eyeliners in brown and black, and two versatile eye shadow palettes for both day and night!

Add caption

For: The Fragrance Obsessed!

Sephora Favorites Deluxe Fragrance Sampler ($96 value only $50!)



This set of 12 fragrance samples includes a voucher for a full-size bottle, making it a perfect present when you're not sure what to choose! Its box opens to reveal a range of Sephora's bestselling women's fragrances that can be sampled right away. It's like having the fragrance department located in your own bedroom! 

For: The Traveler!
Laura Mercier The Book of Nudes ($93 value only $48!)
This collection includes subtle & sophisticated colors. The mirrored palette's colors will enhance eyes, face, and cheeks for a naturally flawless look. Create the perfect nude eye with shadows ranging from soft Buff to deep Granite, while lining and defining the lashline with Ground Espresso Tightline Cake Eye Liner. Finish the look with a trio of sheer shades for face and cheeks to give skin a natural, "no-makeup" glow.



For: A Happy Body!
Soap & Glory You Cube ($32 value only $25!)
This set is packed with the brand's essential bath and body products in tote sizes. The cube includes their shea butter and aloe vera Original Formula Righteous Butter Body Butter, Hand Food™ Hand Cream, and Clean On Me™ Shower Gel. Also has a loofah to complete the body cleansing experience!

*There are so many holiday gift sets available, you will find something for everyone on your list! Sephora Online always has great limited edition sets from all your top brands. Check out their website for great finds and shop online - will save you on gas and time on line in the store!

Two Gift Sets that are Great for the Woman Who has Everything! (and yourself!)

Just because its Holiday time, doesn't mean you can't purchase a few gifts for yourself! This is the time of year when "Limited Edition" is slapped all over product packaging! Many of the limited items are very similar to the brand's regular products. However, there are brands that give you a great deal on their products!

Below are two limited editions that everyone should check out:

The Book of Nudes, Laura Mercier ($48)
Available at Sephora, this neutral, but fantastic, palette can be used with any skin tone. Working with the colors to create a natural look, or a smokey eye look, this palette gives you the tools to go with your imagination. It includes lip and cheek colors, which makes it perfect for travel. This is a fantastic deal for yourself and someone else!

Make it Perfect Brush Kit, MAC ($49.50)

Brushes are the key to a perfect makeup application. If you have great brushes, even if you can't apply makeup well, it makes a huge difference in the outcome. So get rid of those icky sponge brushes that come in compact - they carry bacteria - yuck!

I absolutely LOVE my MAC brushes. I have had my same set for over eight years, and they are still going strong! I clean them regularly and keep them in a good environment (not too hot, not humid), which is important. When you spend $20-$50 per brush, you want them to last you as long as possible. MAC brushes do all of that and beyond - which is why this set is on my list today!

Only at Holiday time, does MAC sell a brush set.  Each year they create three separate sets - each including specific essentials for eyes and face.

Below I have shown you the "Essentials" Kit. It includes a face powder brush, a liquid foundation/moisturizer brush, and three eye brushes. Separately these brushes would be around $100. What is also great about their brush sets is that the handles are shortened. Therefore they fit perfectly in the makeup bag that comes with the set (or your own). Nothing beats great brushes; and this set, as well as the other two available, are worth purchasing! 

*I will be posting a few great gift sets every week - so keep checking back for more great deals*

You Asked, So I Answered...Must-Have Moisturizers for Winter!

Winter months bring snow, happiness, holidays, & family. But it also brings stress, dry skin, & high credit card bills! I can't do too much about the credit card bills, but I can DEFINITELY help with the dry skin (which may help reduce your stress as well!).

My Must-Have Moisturizers for the Upcoming Months!

*Face Moisturizer should keep your skin hydrated until you wash your face at night! Now, there isn't one product that works for everyone, since every has different skin. So here are my fave's!

Dry to Extremely Dry Skin - Dr. Perricone Face Finishing Moisturizer ($65+)

Using this moisturizer over a facial serum, my peronsal favorite being Zelen's Radical Defense Serum, gives a fresh, hydrated, clean feeling, without the skin feeling greasy or back to dry for the entire day! Dr Perricone has amazing serums as well, and Zelen's has amazing face moisturizers. This duo, for me, works well with my budget (the Zelen's is a splurge ($210), but necessary!)

For a more budget-friendly serum, Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum is under $25 and available at Target. It works wonders with hydration, aging and prepping the skin for the next steps.

Normal Skin - Oil of Olay Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid (under $15)

This is one of the best moisturizers out there - and its found at your local drugstore! I recommend using a serum with any skin type, however many people with normal skin tend to feel a little greasy when layering too many hydration products, even if they are oil-free. Using a oil-free foundation primer (if you wear foundation or powder) can add that little bit of extra skin protection that you need. I love Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer ($30). 

Combination to Oily Skin - Mary Kay Timewise Combination-Oily Moisturizer ($22)

Many are not familiar with Mary Kay. It is a independent sales company, where you work with a  personal consultant to get the products that work for you. Their Skin Care Collections have been number one in the US for over ten years in a row - most don't know about it since the product isn't sold in your local department or drugstore.

At a very budget-friendly price of under $25, Mary Kay's moisturizer is fabulous for people with comination to oily skin. If you are very oily, to keep the oil under control, try their matching cleanser. The set is under $35 and will last 4-5 months with daily use.

Mary Kay also has primers and serums, as well as many other products, that are designated for different skin types.

My Mary Kay Consultant is Nancy Morabito..check out her website here to see what will work for you!

*Please leave questions in the comment section below, or email me at makeupbyheathera@gmail.com if you want a certain question answered! I love helping out my readers!