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Beginners Makeup Kit- What You Need

With thousands of different products and brands, the world of makeup can be pretty confusing.  How do you know which products you really need?  Here are my top picks that are essential for every makeup kit.  With these products, you can achieve a full face of makeup!

*Some of these products are on the more high end side, but they can be substituted for drugstore versions!

The first thing that is a must is a great primer or base.  This not only preps your skin for foundation, but also makes your makeup last better and longer throughout the day.  My pick is "Pore-fessional" by Benefit.  As the name states, it helps with enlarged pores and keeps makeup from seeping into them throughout the day.  Try it out here.

My next pick is a great tinted moisturizer or BB cream.  These are great because they give your skin the coverage its needs, while also being very hydrating, especially as we come into the cooler months.  Most tinted moisturizers and BB creams also contain SPF, eliminating the extra step of putting on sunscreen.  My personal pick is Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer with SPF 20.  This particular product gives amazing coverage, and leaves the skin with a healthy glow. You can purchase it here.

It is important to set your BB cream or tinted moisturizer with a light powder.  This will help, along with the primer, to keep your makeup in place all day.  I also like to use the powder to blend the tinted moisturizer into my skin, giving that natural skin-like finish.  Plus, powder can be used to control shine if you have oily skin.  My personal pick is "Natural Matte Powder Makeup" by Chanel.  It is pricier, but it really works great and lasts forever!  You can purchase it here.

Lets not forget about one of the most important facial features, if not the most important: EYEBROWS.  Please Please Please add an eyebrow powder or pencil to your makeup kit.  Filling in your brows will shape your entire face and complete any makeup look.  My pick is one by brow goddess Anastasia.  It is a duel eyebrow powder that works great at filling in sparse areas of my brows.  Click here to purchase.

Blush and Bronzer are both equally important in my book, but if you are just starting out with makeup, or do not want to purchase both, why not go for a blush/bronzer duo! That's right, two in one.  With one swirl of the brush, you will get the perfect amount of blush and bronzer at the same time.  A great option is "Solar Ray" by MAC, which was unfortunately limited edition.  However, a similar, almost identical option is available here.

Now for eyes, a great option would be an eyeshadow palette.  Palettes come with several eyeshadows in one package and can be a great investment.  They allow you to create many different looks with shadows that all "go together," without the hassle of trying to coordinate single eyeshadows you buy individually.  A great starter and even pro palette is the Urban Decay Naked Palette.  It comes with 12 colors that create both natural and smokey eye looks.  You can purchase it here.

Finally, lets not forget about lips.  To start out, I recommend going for a natural lip color that can be used with multiple eye looks.  A nude lip color will look both chic and effortless.  My personal pick is a nude with pink undertones by NARS called "Born This Way."  It can be purchased here.

I hope you guys found this post helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions!

xoxo

linds&bells

Lets Talk Lip Scrubs

Lately everywhere I turn people are talking about lip scrubs and how important they are for, well, you guessed it, your lips!  I wanted in on the action and decided to order Sara Happ's lip scrub, in the flavor cinnamon sugar.  I read lots of reviews, and this particular brand seemed to be one of the best, so I went ahead and picked some up! I also ordered the lip balm, called "lip slip" by Sara Happ, based on raving reviews.  Let me say, I LOVE them both.  The lip scrub is a true exfoliator for your lips and smells absolutely delicious.  Like I want to eat my own lips delicious, I am not kidding.  To use the scrub, I take a pea size amount on my fingers and gently massage it onto my lips in a circular motion.  After about 30 seconds or so, I rinse it off, and revel in my soft lips.  I can't even believe how smooth this makes my lips feel, seriously.  This product really does work.  It will be perfect for those dry chapped lips that come with the colder weather! Oh, and did I mention the incredible flavors the scrub comes in?! In addition to the cinnamon sugar, there is sparkling pink grapefruit, vanilla bean, lemonade, red velvet, and peppermint, just to name a few.  Check out all the flavors here!

As for the lip slip, I put it on directly after using the scrub, and it makes my lips so soft and smooth. It also works great under lipstick, for plump, hydrated lips.  The consistency is great as well, as it is not too thick or gloppy, and glides easily onto the lips.  You can purchase them both here.  Both the scrub and the lip balm retail for $24.00 each.  I would say to everyone, they are both worth the splurge.

Let me know what you think of these products if you have tried them!

xoxo 

linds&bells

My Favorite Eye Makeup Remover

Hands down this is the BEST eye makeup remover I have ever used.  And trust me when I say I have taken a very long walk down eye makeup remover alley.  From drugstores, to the top of the top, the Lancome bi-facial eye makeup remover does the best job across the board.  It takes off stubborn black eyeliner and mascara and is super gentle on your eyes.  Never have I experienced burning or stinging with this formula.

How I use it: I soak two cotton pads in the solution and hold them up to my eyes for a few seconds, then slowly wipe away all traces of makeup!

$28.00 for 4.2 ounces
To purchase, click here.

Top 3 Essential Makeup Brushes

I decided to write a post on makeup brushes because if you or someone you know is just getting into makeup, the world of makeup brushes can be quite daunting.  There are just so many!  How do you even know which one is for what?!  It took me lots of time to learn which brush was for which product, but I have narrowed it down to three main brushes that can be used for a full face of makeup.

Brushes are expensive, but if you play it right, you only need to invest in a few to have your makeup looking flawless.  Here are my top 3:

1. MAC 190 Foundation Brush- this brush is great for applying your primers and foundations.  It provides even coverage, while blending the product into the skin beautifully.  While it is on the larger side, you can also use the MAC 190 brush to apply concealer to larger areas, like cheeks and chin.  Use your fingers to apply concealer to your under eye area- they work just as well as a brush, plus the natural heat from the skin will melt the concealer, making it easier to work with.  You can by the 190 brush here.

2. MAC 150 Large Powder Brush- this large soft powder brush can be used to apply powder to set your foundation.  It can also be used to apply bronzers, blushes, and highlighters.  This brush really does it all!  You can buy it here.

3. MAC 217 Blending Brush- while the name does say blending, this brush can also be used to apply shadows to the lid.  Once shadows are applied, clean the brush and you can re-use as a blending brush to soften the edges.  You can buy it here.

xoxo
linds&bells

Accessories for Fall

Hey everyone! Just wanted to show you some accessories  I have been obsessing over these days.

I think a bold oversized watch is perfect for the season and is right on point for the "mens wear" inspired trend.  Mine is from Michael Kors and I LOVE it! It goes with everything! I also have been putting to use my House of Harlow necklaces, layering them up over chunky sweaters or even t-shirts for warmer fall days.  How are you guys changing up your accessories?  Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo linds & bells


 

Perfect Fall Lip

Well October 1st is here and that means it is time to put away those summer lip colors and bring out the vampy fall ones!  I have been obsessing over deep dramatic lips lately, paired with a softer eye.  I think it makes for the perfect fall look, not to mention how insanely easy it is!  Want to get the look too?! Try out Mac's "currant' lip liner paired with Benefits Marvelous Moxie gloss over top.  As a final step, outline your lips with just a touch of concealer to really make your pucker pop.

Which lip combos are you guys loving for fall?  Leave them in the comments below

xoxo linds & bells