Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

General Tips and Product Recommendations for Oily Skin

May 23rd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 32 Comments

Oily Skin Tips Products — Having oily skin, blotting paper is like an extension of my hand, LOL!

After battling oily skin my whole life (well, since my teens, more like), I think I’ve finally come to terms with it. For the way I see it, you just can’t win a battle against oily skin, so the sooner you realize and accept it, the better.

I mean, think about it. If you have oily skin, it means that your sebaceous glands produce more oil than normal… Do you really think you can change the amount of sebum you produce just by applying something on top of your skin? I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t think that’s possible.

You can use products containing oil-absorbing ingredients that do help a little, but if you really have oily skin, nothing will keep you shine-free all day. What I try to do is use products that won’t make me oilier, which unfortunately, in my experience, is not as easy as it sounds, especially because many products specifically formulated for oily skin on me have opposite effects than they promise.

But luckily, after about 15 years of trial and error, I can now say that I’m finally satisfied with my skincare regimen, and today I’d like to give you a few general tips and product recommendations that I hope may be beneficial to at least some of you.

At which point I’ll insert the usual disclaimer: I’m not a dermatologist, and all the advice and recommendations in this post are solely based on my personal experience. Obviously, what works for me might not work for you.

That being said, if you have oily skin and are not satisfied with your skincare, the following tips and products might inspire you to change something in your routine that will hopefully help keep your skin under control.

Cleanse with gentle, yet effective products

You’ve probably heard it a million times already, but I’ll tell you for the million-and-oneth: cleansing properly is essential to keep your skin healthy. As an oily-skinned gal, it’s important you find the right products that get rid of any excess oil without being too stripping.

The Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser fits the bill perfectly. It’s not one of those cleansers you remove your makeup with (for that I love my Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – been using it for years!), but it’s great in the morning (which is my favorite time to use it) or as a second cleanse at night.

Opt for an alcohol-free toner

The Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion is alcohol-free and contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant that helps prevent any blemishes

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 424

May 23rd, 2016 by Karen 56 Comments

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past eight (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

What’s the newest article of clothing you’re currently wearing?
LOL! My underwear. My mom got me a six-pack of undies last time she went to Costco. They’re basic black and cotton — no frills or lace or anything fancy at all. But they’re super comfy.

Oh, and I don’t know if this is just something my parents do, but my mom will call me, like, 10 times from inside the store to ask if I need — whatever it is — a case of coconut water, a large rotisserie chicken, a 192-pack of diapers for Connor, a new sweatshirt, a box of 200 batteries, what have you. It’s so funny and cute!

What’s the newest piece of makeup you’re currently wearing?

A creamy pinkish nude called Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Naked (coming out in June). It’s moisturizing and — I know this sounds a little odd — but I can wipe it off easily.

Why, exactly, is this important?

Well…because when I kiss Connor, I don’t like to leave makeup on her, and I usually remove whatever I’m wearing on my lips before I shower her with kisses. Lipgloss is too sticky and takes a while to remove, as do mattes and long-wearing liquids, so I’m all about creamy lipsticks that I can wipe off just like *that*.

What do you find irresistible?
I wish I could say something interesting like “home decor,” because maybe then I’d have more than two pictures up on my walls and lamps I don’t despise, but alas, no. This homegirl is all about the shoes.

GIMME ALL TEH SHOES!!

It’s been a lifelong struggle…

Is life fair?
My inner optimist really, really wants me to say “Yes, life is fair,” but it’s hard to ignore the voice of my (often annoying) inner realist who says that, no, it isn’t. This is something that took me a long time to accept/figure out.

All we can do is the best we can. That’s all we can do.

Teacher or student?
Hmm… This is a tough one! I do like teaching and helping people, and I love that feeling when you see someone figure something out that you’ve had a hand in helping them with, but I also really enjoy being a student (I was an old-school nerd back in the day).

I could happily spend all day sitting in a classroom learning, seriously, whatever.

So I guess I’ll go with “student.”

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. What’s the newest article of clothing you’re currently wearing?
2. What’s the newest piece of makeup you’re wearing today?
3. What do you find irresistible?
4. Is life fair?
5. Teacher or student?

Heya, sweet girl! Happy Monday to you. I’m wiping my brow as I type this because this morning I had a moment of panic when El Hub said the following terrifying words: “The electricity is out.”

Terrifying because I had not yet made my coffee.

“Buuuuuut, how am I gonna make coffee?!” That was the first thought that crossed my mind.

Thank goodness the power wasn’t out long… I’m on my second cup now, so I feel almost human.

Huzzah! Three cheers for coffee! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 399

May 22nd, 2016 by Karen 22 Comments

Dear friends and felines,

It’s time to pack up the cooler and the sunscreen, because we’re going to the beach!

Actually, you’re going to the beach. I’ll be going to my beach houses in Ibiza, Miami and Waikiki. Stop by if you’re staying in Kahala, South Beach or Cannes.

I can’t guarantee I’ll be relaxing, because the paparazzi follow me everywhere… Some famous cats pretend that they don’t like having their picture taken, but you know, I’m not gonna lie — I love it. It gives me a chance to show off my fit bod, which, by the way, I’ve been working on for the last month and a half.

I mean, you know I’m always ready to show off these curves, but I want to be extra ready to flaunt it by June. I was given this perfect physique for a reason, and it is my duty to share it with the world.

I’ve been training rigorously to get my tum, my bum and my tail beach ready, and because I’m a cutting edge kitty, I don’t go for old-school exercises. I’ve hired the most forward -thinking personal trainers in the business. One of them, this guy named Teddy, works with Stephen Curry.

Yes, the Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Actually, Stephen introduced me to him.

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It Cosmetics Universal Contouring Palette for Face and Body: I Sculpt, You Sculpt, We Can All Sculpt With It Cosmetics

May 20th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 24 Comments

Sometimes the best beauty days are the ones where you don’t really try at all. Today I wanted to play with the new It Cosmetics Universal Contouring Palette for Face and Body ($40), but I didn’t want to spend more than 30 seconds on each eye. I also decided to channel my inner Pebbles Flintstone. Days like these are made for bold lips. It’s called deflecting!

Anyway, while It Cosmetics has created quite a lovely palette, I find the brand’s marketing description kind of off putting. The mention of plastic surgery and fillers sets the wrong tone for me and makes me feel like the goal with contouring should be to actually change your features instead of enhance them. Of course, there are times when the goal is to change facial features, but I think for your average cosmetic consumer (not makeup artist), that’s not what it’s about.

From It Cosmetics:

“Developed with plastic surgeons, the leading experts in contouring and aesthetics, each powder shade is formulated with proprietary Perfect Lighting™ Technology to mimic real facial contouring and provide a foolproof alternative to fillers. While the four contour shades absorb light and minimize the areas to which you apply them, the two highlighters enhance features you want to pull forward, creating the appearance of more volume. Talc-free, and perfect for all skin types and skin tones, these shades are infused with anti-aging collagen, silk and peptides to blend effortlessly and deliver smooth, natural-looking coverage that lasts all day.”

I just don’t want to be made to think that there’s something wrong with my face. I have to look at this mug every day! Makeup is heaps of fun and makes me happy, but I really try to only wear it to express myself, not cover up my insecurities. Also, I’m pretty sure that Perfect Lighting™ Technology is, like, matte vs. shimmer powders.

_MG_3176_web — It Cosmetics Universal Contouring Palette for Face and Body ($40)

Apart from my philosophical grievances with this palette, the formula is soft, pigmented, and soo easy to blend. I’ve been using it with this Contour & Highlighting Brush ($34.50 and also from It Cosmetics), and it does pretty much all the work for me. There is some dust that kicks up when loading up your brush, and the packaging is silver cardboard. It gets messy; I got contour powder in the highlighter pans more than once.

_MG_3122_web — Top: Soft Contour, Light Contour, Matte Highlight Bottom: Medium Contour, Deep Contour, Radiance Highlight

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#FOTD Starring the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette and My New Fave Clinique Lippie

May 20th, 2016 by Jen Clark 28 Comments

Daytime Glam FOTD naked 3 — Today’s daytime glam look!

You guys are all my friends here, right?

That’s what I thought, so I can vent a little bit? I know you guys will listen to me.

Well, there’s only so much my poor husband can handle. As a mom and, honestly, I know that’s partly a cop-out excuse, an introvert, I don’t get out of the house as often as I’d like.

When I do finally peel off the sweatpants that have been plastered to my body since the day before and put on an outfit that doesn’t make me look like a hobo, I want to do something nice with my makeup too. That’s when I usually go for something in the “daytime glam” category, which is what I did today.

But first, the venting. I spent a lot of time on my makeup and hair today, and I even threw on a dress. Lookin’ hot, I was ready for a day out of the house, but my son had other plans. He’s two and a half right now, and I know it has got to be hard to be two. He’s got an amazing vocabulary, but when he’s upset or overwhelmed, he sometimes has a hard time getting his feelings out in a way that doesn’t involve screaming or crying.

We hit the town, but he was not having it. At the first store we went to he had a total meltdown, for reasons unbeknownst to me. I’m talking a screaming-thrashing-snot-flying-everywhere kind of meltdown.

Needless to say, with both of us in tears feeling so sorry for ourselves, we headed home… Just like that, our day out of the house was over.

I can’t even fathom how hard it would be to have two kids, but for those of you who don’t know, I’m having a baby girl in September! 🙂 Moms, please tell me it gets better and that having two isn’t hard at all. Lie to me if you must!

Now for the fun part of this post — the makeup! I recently did a little collaboration with Anna and Adia on how we rock pink eyeshadow, and I went with a really bright look. They did really pretty, more wearable looks, so I was feeling inspired to use some similar colors.

I decided to break out my Naked 3 Palette because it’s full of those gorgeous rosy/mauve tones I was looking to use.

I’ll tell you quickly how I got this look. I started by using ‘Limit’ (a light mauve-y rose) in the crease, then deepened it up a bit using ‘Nooner’ (mid toned mauve-y rose).

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Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: Now Waterproof!

May 20th, 2016 by Anna Oh 19 Comments

Remember when Too Faced made a mascara that was “better than sex?” Well, this one is even better than that one because it’s waterproof!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara ($23) works magic in every department now — volume, length, and (now) curl.

Feeling upgraded in every way, it’s packaged in a heavy metal tube with a water-fleck texture like the one I fell in love with from the MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection (2014).

Waterproof mascara isn’t for everyone, though. For some, it means blinking away black flakes, dry crunchy lashes, and even losing a few eyelashes trying to take it off, but I think this is one of the better waterproof mascaras I’ve used, and it’s worth a try if you’re looking for a new one. This one’s now my favorite mascara for special occasions.

Better lashes, here I come!

too faced better than sex waterproof — Closeup of the “Better Than Sex” wand…

So, the wand on this mascara is ridiculously huge, and my first few tries with it were super messy. I’m not sure if the wand has to be THIS big, because sometimes the product can collect into clumps on the brush.

But since I love the way it makes my lashes look, I can overlook a few messy applications. The jet-black formula really sticks to my lashes, but instead of weighing them down like the original Better Than Sex Mascara does, this one holds them in place.

Multiple layers are also possible because of the slow-drying formula.

Now, even though your waterproof lashes look amazing, what do you do with them at the end of the day?

Removing waterproof mascara

You grab Too Faced Mascara Melt Off ($17), which you swipe right onto your lashes, and the oil-infused formula conditions and literally “melts off” waterproof mascaras.

The main reason I don’t wear waterproof mascara more often is because cleanup is so difficult, and even though I always use a separate waterproof eye remover, this mascara still doesn’t budge easily.

But Mascara Melt Off works great and takes less effort. I just let it sit on my lashes for a full minute before wiping off the oil and the rest of my eye makeup with a warm makeup wipe (I warm the makeup wipe by running it under hot water).

These products were made for each other, and Mascara Melt Off really works.

See you in the next!

Anna

Anna Oh

Anna is an illustrator and designer from Atlanta, GA. Her work focuses on fashion, beauty, and awesome women. A former tomboy, Anna now happily embraces all things pink, glittery, and floral scented. You can see her illustration work at www.helloannaoh.com and on Instagram.

These MAC Prep+Prime Highlighter Pens Should Really Be Called PERK+Prime! Miracle Workers

May 20th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 12 Comments

I’m guessing that by now you’re all getting tired of hearing me bang on about how tired I am.

But really, it’s a vicious cycle. I recently read a meme on Facebook (don’t judge me) while scrolling through my feed during the wee hours of sleeplessness with a fussy baby that read, “Parenting is the constant battle between going to bed to catch up on some sleep or staying awake to finally get some alone time.”

L-O-L, is that ever true!

Hopefully for this tired mama, MAC’s new $26 Prep+Prime Highlighter click pens can help. They’re supposed to “effectively [bring] a soft, sheer wash of colour to skin.”

But first, can we briefly pause to appreciate the shimmering — dare I say sexy? — packaging? I’m in love with these boxes and tubes…

The MAC Prep + Prime Highlighters in all their glittery packaged glory!

Available in nine shades (including two correctors in peach and rose) to suit a wide range of skin tones, the Prep+Prime Highlighters are MAC’s answer to YSL’s eponymous Touche Eclat Stylo. Creamy and easy to apply thanks to the gentle brush head from which the product is dispensed, these highlighters do dry down quickly and oxidize slightly to a somewhat deeper tone than I’d expect based on the swatches.

Although the two shades on the right are just too deep for my complexion, any of the first three on the left would suit my skin tone, depending on what I want and need. The one called Light, for instance, is a classic highlighting concealer, while Medium would be better suited to cancel out the blue tones under my eyes.

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