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Hello!

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Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Happy Friday!

 

Be blessed. Be beautiful.

Penny

Tricks of the Trade - Eyes

Hola!
Over time Penny has spent countless hours researching beauty products and asked numerous professionals questions relative to make-up techniques and tools. I’ve mentioned these tips with in articles over the years but there is always something new to learn. Lately I have been scouring the many professional (and non-professional) make-up artist videos on YouTube for interesting tips and tricks for improving my make-up application…and finding new products to try. When it comes to make-up application there are definitely things that are the right (or wrong) way, but there are also lots of great tricks-of-the-trade that come from plain old trial and error. As the cosmetic industry grows, and technologies advance the make-up we're using today is definitely not your mother's make-up. LOL! So applying it the same way we did 10 years ago may not necessarily the best way.

 

Here are some of the more helpful tips that I've learned and tried recently with regards to eye make-up:

1. Use colored pencil eyeliner to make your powdered eye shadow pop and keep it in place longer. After preparing your eyelid with primer, use a soft kohl pencil or any type of long-wearing eyeliner as a base for your shadow. Good choices are Stila’s Kajal Eyeliner ($18, Sephora), Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil ($18, Sephora), or NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils ($4.50, ULTA). Urban Decay also has a 24/7 Glide-on Shadow Pencil that they say is crease-proof and water-proof ($20, Sephora).
2. Use face powder under your eyeliner to keep it from running. This is a tip I saw on YouTube this week. Using an angled or flat eyeliner brush, lightly dust a little face powder (translucent or foundation powder) underneath your eyeliner to keep it from running. You can also use eye shadow directly on top of your eyeliner to keep it in place. I use Bobbi Brown’s espresso eye shadow over my black pencil eyeliner on my top lid to soften the look and keep in place. On my lower lash line I use a smudging technique and set with powder to keep my liner from running.

3. Use cream eye shadow as a base for powdered eye shadow to help it last longer and the color to show true. M.A.C’s Paint Pot and Bobbi Brown’s Long-wear Cream Shadow ($22) work well and lasts long. Good base colors are Painterly or Bare Study (MAC) and Cement or Bone (BB). Use a brush specifically for cream products or your finger to blend quickly and evenly over the lid.

4. Use a brush to apply pencil eyeliners. I have always had a hard time getting a straight line by directly applying pencil eyeliner to my lids. Well thanks to my YouTube gurus I now use two different eyeliner brushes to get my liner just right. I use a firm angled eyeliner brush to work the pencil into my upper lid (i.e. Sephora Platinum Angle Liner Brush #22, $16); and a round tipped pencil type brush to smudge my lower lash liner (i.e. Sephora Platinum Collection Smokey Eye Brush #24, $18). I love my long-wear gel eyeliners but I like now having a choice and being able to use pencils for a softer line.
5. After encountering concealer slippage over my dark under eye circles; where at the end of the day it looked as if my concealer ran or just wore off…I sought professional advice. A male make-up artist at Blue Mercury suggested I use a mattifying (oil-control) lotion or gel under the eye instead of oil based moisturizer. He also said to stop putting my make-up (face) primer under the eye because the silicone based primer could also be the culprit. Both suggestions helped. I just use a heavier under eye cream at bedtime but under my make-up I use lightweight eye cream (ReVive’ sample) or mattifying lotion. If you don’t already use something for shine control on your entire face, try an inexpensive product like Boots No7 Mattifying Makeup Base ($9.99 @ Target). Urban Decay, Philosophy, Estee Lauder, and Peter Thomas Roth also make more expensive mattifying lotions. [Note: Eyelid primer is sometimes recommended for under the bottom lash line to keep eyeliner and eye shadow in place]. 

(read full story...)

Penny's New Powder

Hello Dears!
That pain-in-the-a*s Penny here again! LOL!  Just want to tell you about another new product trial. Well...new to Penny anyways.

For many years I have tried various powders to set my foundation or to wear alone for sheer, shine-free coverage during the warmer seasons. As posted in previous blogs, some of my favorites include M.A.C.'s Blot Powder ($23), and M.A.C's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder ($27)....used individually or together with the blot powder used only for touch-ups late in the day. Very few products will last ALL day, so I will at least touch-up at the end of the day if I'm going anywhere other than home.

Recently I came across quite a few positive reviews about Make Up For Ever's (MUFE) HD Micro Finish Powder ($15-$30, Sephora), and finally decided to try it. My final motivator was that it now comes in a travel size for $15 at Sephora and Sephora.com. Penny's gotta watch the budget. LOL! This powder is described as: "A universal translucent finishing powder to be applied over foundation or worn alone."  It goes with all skin tones. Well, I have used this powder to set my foundation and I love its staying power. This super fine (micro) white powder blends smoothly and does not leave an ashen look to the skin as some translucent powders can. It is a mineral silica powder that gives a matte look. But Penny's favorite use for this powder is to set my concealer. Often times you have to be careful with powder around the under eye area as it can settle into fine lines. I have also had the problem of creating a 'reverse raccoon' look where the powder used to set all that concealer I've piled on in an attempt to cover my super dark under eye circles, becomes 'too light' and shows up as white circles under my eyes (especially with flash photography). *sigh* However, this powder is so fine it disappears under my eyes but helps keep my concein place.   I apply my make-up to clean, moisturized skin, in this order:

1. Primer
2. Foundation (I use liquid or cream)
3. Concealer
4. MUFE HD Powder under eye only to set concealer
5. MAC Skinfinish Natural all over to even out complexion
6. MUFE HD Powder all over the face to set (read full story...)

Penny's Pesky Problem - Eyeliner Run

Penny here. I have often been asked about keeping eyeliner in place. I too struggle with this problem, no matter how 'long wearing' the brand claims to be.  How many of you have had the following issues?

1. You apply your eyeshadow primer, your eyeshadow, and your eyeliner, but half way through the day you notice black smudges underneath your bottom lashes and you look like you had a good cry at lunch. WTH? (This can happen whether you lined your upper lid or your lower lash line). 

2. Or how about those of us with oily lids, heavy lids or monolids; when the eyeliner transfers to the upper part of the eyelid.

These things can be a nuisance for Penny. Especially when the rest of the look has come together nicely. LOL!  So I've researched and tried a few of the following tips: (read full story...)

Penny's Plethora of Products (Part II)

Hello beautifuls...here we go again. Penny has been a busy girl these past few months. LOL!

M.A.C Peacocky Collection (Mega Metal Eye Shadow) - This is one of the

latest collections by M.A.C. I purchased the eye shadow called Unflappable. MAC describes it as a “frosted black with purple pearle.” I saw it on one of the make-up artist and it was very pretty; she was actually wearing three colors from the collection. Her complexion was very similar to my own so I thought I’d try it for one of my smokey eye looks. Unfortunately it just looked ‘dirty’ on me; none of the pretty purple metallic shimmer showed through. It’s supposed to be a long lasting formula with intense colors. I will probably return/exchange it. It is also a huge pot of eye shadow…would probably last for years. LOL!
- MAC store & counters, $19.50

M.A.C CremeSheen Glass (Lip Gloss) - This is a pretty peach gloss but more sheer than expected. I purchased the color called Richer, Lusher. It is definitely creamy but would probably be best used on top of a lipstick.
- MAC store & counters, $18

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Gloss - I love, love, love my Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss. They look pretty and wear well. I also really like the color, creamy texture and long wear of Revlon’s ColorBurst Lipstick. So when I saw the new Revlon ColorBurst Lip Gloss naturally I had to try it. Unfortunately Penny is puzzled by the ‘lipgloss’ that feels and looks like lipstick. I’m not impressed with the texture of this gloss; which is thicker than the Super Lustrous, but doesn’t wear as well. Revlon advertises this as having “5x more shine” but to me the shine is lost quickly. Nice colors, but not impressed. Will give it one more try by using it on top of their ColorBurst Lipstick.
- Target, from $6-$8

Lancôme Blush Subtil Sheer Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush - Penny is not big on blush but feels like it is necessary to complete ‘the look’…finish the face…and for others to find my cheeks. LOL! After receiving a gift in Sheer Amourose, I sampled this fine powdered blush and have come to like the smooth, natural, light look and feel. It applies evenly and lasts.
- Bloomingdales, $29.50

Lancôme Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Quad Smooth Hold - Nice colors. Great powder and application. I was able to try the colors in Innocence Couture, on a colleague and the colors applied smoothly, evenly and blended great. Penny also likes that the colors come various finishes…sheen, shimmer, matte and metallic.
- Bloomingdales, $42

Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick - Penny has always been hesitant about cream blu

shes because I’m not confident that I will know how to apply them evenly. But one of the looks I tried over the holidays recommended a cream blush under a powder blush for staying power so I tried this Clinique blush in the color Peachy Blush and liked it.
- Tap lightly directly from the tube onto the cheeks and blend with your fingers.
- Bloomingdales, $19

Bobbi Brown Cream Eye Shadow - Like cream blush Penny was a bit apprehensive about cream eye shadow. This Bobbi Brown formula blends evenly and is now my favorite ‘base’ coat for almost any eye shadow look. The colors I have are Cement - a grayish taupe & Bone - a light cream-yellow.
- The trick is to scoop a very small amount onto the back of your hand, tap onto the entire lid lightly, and quickly; blends best with your fingertips.
- Always keep the jar covered tightly as too much air exposure will cause the formula to dry and become more difficult to blend.
- Bloomingdales, $22

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
Penny

Penny's Plethora of Products (Part I)

Hi folks. Penny has been busy and struggling to find the time to give you guys a shout out. So I decided to do a product review dump. The following products were tested within the past 2-3 months and I wanted to share my experiences with you. I've been 'youtubing' alot lately and getting great make-up ideas and tips from the other make-up maniacs & professionals out there. So its been a fun time trying new things. Some worked and some didn't but as Penny always says...its all about trial and error. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil - This was one of my most awesome finds! I have never been good at applying pencil eyeliner or never could find one soft enough to work on my not-so-smooth lash line. Well this eyeliner literally glides on like the name implies; it blends easily yet dries (in 30 sec) with long-lasting, intense color. I bought jet black (‘Zero’) but would like to try the black w/ silver glitter (‘Oil Slick’). There are so many fun colors to choose from, I’m sure I’ll be trying these for a while. - Sephora.com, $17

Urban Decay Skyscraper Mascara - This seems to be a good lengthening mascara. Unfortunately Penny needs length AND volume. I got this because I was so pressed to buy the Glide eyeliner before the holidays that when I found that Sephora was sold out, I bought a gift pack with a small liner and a mini Skyscraper mascara in it for $14. LOL! Nice if you need length. - Sephora.com, $22

Make-up Brushes, by Bdellium Tools - These are fantastic antibacterial brushes found on Amazon.com. These brushes were modeled after M.A.C.’s line of professional brushes. Penny recently purchased several of these brushes as they are exceptionally priced for the quality. They clean well, and work with all my powder and cream products. Penny’s favorite brush is the Tapered Blending Eye Brush #785 (compare to M.A.C’s #224) it blends any eye shadow perfectly. - Amazon.com, from $8.00 - $20

Red Cherry Lashes - These false lashes are made of 100% human hair, but are a bargain at no more than $2 a pair (Amazon.com). Penny learned about them from a Youtube binge I was on before the holidays. One of the make-up looks I replicated this holiday season called for these lashes so I ordered them to ‘practice’ my faux lash application. LOL! They are beautiful but the first style I bought was too long for me. So I ordered a more natural length/style which I plan to try tomorrow. - Amazon.com, from $14 for 6-pairs

Coastal Scents 26 Eye Shadow/Blush Combo Palette - This palette’s has great colors that come in shimmer, pearle, and matte finishes. There are 21 eye shadow shades and 5 blushes. Once again this was a steal at the price for these high quality long-lasting shadows. This palette contains colors in nearly nude, to browns, taupes, peaches, pinks, rose and rich deep plums. Penny has tried many of the colors and two of the blushes so far. I always use primer before using any brand eye shadow for a long lasting look. (Sephora ‘Tricks of the Trade’ Eye Primer, $6-12) - Amazon, $19.95

Hope you find something fun for you to try yourself. Leave Penny a comment and let me know if there are any products YOU tried recently that Penny and the posse may want to try.


Be blessed. Be beautiful.
P

Ready, Set...Flawless!

Penny here!

During the holidays Penny went on a YouTube binge and came across lots of great cosmetics and beauty tips. I tried new eye shadows, new eyeliners, false lashes (yes, I put them on myself! LOL) and replenished my make-up tools. One of my fav finds was M.A.C.'s Mineralize Skinfinish Natural face powder ($26). I use this powder to set my foundation and concealer. I love the smooth matte finish but most of all the weightless feel and flawless coverage. My shade is Medium Deep (a rich golden tan). It sounds darker than it is (some of you are going, what part of Penny's skintone is 'deep?) LOL! I know I get pale in the winter but this gives a hint of color that doesn't make me look like I have a faux tan or anything. Trust me.

I purchased this because I was re-creating a look I saw on YouTube, but now I wish I had discovered it alot sooner. This Skinfinish low coverage looks better than translucent powder and does not leave a potentially ashy finish that sometimes comes across in pictures. A large full circular brush will do the trick. 

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
P

Happy New Year!

Penny wants to wish each and every one of you a

HAPPY, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS, and BLESSED New Year!

Ok...ok...so I'm a few days late...but better late than never I always say. LOL! 

As we start this new year Penny would like to ask you to be kind to yourself this year. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities of our lives that we don't stop to do things for ourselves. Pay attention to your body's needs and treat it well...(that's what I'm going to try to do anyway). If you're feeling sort of 'blah' or stressed out, go get a facial, massage, or body treatment. On a budget?...get your brows done or get a free make-over at the mall. Try a new body butter or body scrub and luxuriate at home. Get a new haircut or style to update your look. Buy a new lipstick, nail polish, or mascara as a pick me up. Experiment with a new fragrance (Penny has great tips on finding new fragrances). Make it about YOU from time to time and enjoy the beauty that is you...inside and out. 

Keep in mind that if you have a beauty question, I may have covered it already in an older post, so check my 'Archives' on the right side of the page.  You are also always welcome to leave a comment for me on any of the blog entries. If you prefer it not be posted for all to see, just let me know.

Have a beautifully blessed new year all!

Yours truly,
Penny