What Compliments Your Eye Color?

When doing your eye makeup it's so important to remember that not every color is greated equal. Unfortunately, not everyone can pull off all eyeshadows and eyeliners. Much of this depends on your eye color. So, here is a little refresher course on what colors will compliment your gorgeous eyes best.

Blue- Applying metallic grays will really make those baby blues pop. A rose colored eyeshadow is a great contrast for your blue eyes. For a more natural look try earth tones like a taupe or light brown.  NO BLUES! For eyeliner try a charcoal and a brown mascara.

Brown-Brown eyes can pull off ALMOST any color. To make your brown eyes really shine try metallic browns or greens ( be careful with brown tones if not applied correctly it can look muddy against brown eyes). Pinks, peachy and apricot colors will be a more natural flattering option for daytime looks. Try a brown eyeliner for your natural looks and black eyeliner for your more dramatic looks. Mascara wise go with black to bring out your dark eyes.

Green/Hazel- To bring out your green eyes, try a variety of purples as they accent the green color Mocha brown, earth tones with a hint of gold taupe, copper mauve and orange undertones will also make your green eyes pop. Surprisingly,  a purple eyeliner looks really cool on green eyed gals. If that's a little too crazy for you go for a brown or black. When applying mascara go for a brown or coppery color.

The Big Bad "A" Word

Hello, lovelies!! Today, I want to talk about a dreaded subject.... ACNE (insert lightning blots and scary music). I know it's not fun, but if you have ever suffered from acne you know what a toll it takes on your self esteem and how difficult it is to manage. I believe if you understand WHY you have acne then you have a heck of a lot better chance of beating it. Many people don't realize that there are multiple causes of acne and therefore multiple different treatments not all created equally. Once you pin down what is causing your acne then you can begin treating it.

What is Acne?
Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples or "zits." This includes whiteheads, blackheads, and red, large inflammed patches of skin (such as cysts or boils). It occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Your hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands. These glands secrete an oily substance known as sebum that lubricates your hair and skin. Sebum normally travels up the hair shafts and then out through the openings of the hair follicles onto the surface of your skin. When your body produces an excess amount of sebum and dead skin cells, the two can build up in the hair follicles and form together as a soft plug, creating the perfect environment where bacteria can thrive.

Pimples are raised red spots with a white center(whitehead) that develop when blocked hair follicles become inflamed or infected. Blockages and inflammation that develop deep inside hair follicles produce lumps beneath the surface of your skin called cysts. Other pores in your skin, which are the openings of the sweat glands onto your skin, aren't normally involved in acne.


Why Do I Have Acne?
Three factors contribute to the formation of acne:

• Overproduction of oil (sebum)
• Irregular shedding of dead skin cells resulting in irritation of the hair follicles of your skin
• Buildup of bacteria

  

While there is really no one cause (other than oil multiplying the bacteria), there are a lot of factors that can contribute to acne and, when bunched together, cause it. A few examples are:

• Hormones. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives can also affect sebum production. Especially for women, they go through cycles where their hormones fluctuate. It is because of this that, during that oh so special time of the month, a woman might have more acne and during others, she might have no acne.

• Medication.Drugs containing corticosteroids, androgens or lithium are known to cause acne.

• Diet. Studies indicate that certain dietary factors, including dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods — such as bread, bagels and chips, which increase blood sugar — may trigger acne.

• Follicle fallout: As the body sheds dead skin cells to replace them with new ones, the hair follicle gets clogged with the skin cells. This blockage makes it so that the sebum cannot get out which results in acne.

• Heredity: If acne is something that is common in a family, there is a possibility that it will spread from parent to child. While it won’t be the same as the parents, heredity does contribute.

• Overproduction of sebum: Sometimes, the issue isn’t that there is a blockage, but that there is simply too much sebum being created that it gets backed up as it is released. This results in the pimples that appear from acne.

• Stress: Considerable amounts of stress and frustration, whether with life or with a job, can lead to acne. Tension causes the glands to close up and that results in the backup of sebum that would otherwise be released.

• Cosmetics: Some cosmetics and skin-care products are pore clogging ("comedogenic"). Of the many available brands of skin-care products, it is important to read the list of ingredients and choose those which have water listed first or second if you are concerned about acne. These "water-based" products are usually safe. Look for the "non-comedogenic" label when buying new products.

 




Face Mapping: What is Your Skin Telling You?
Founded by ancient Chinese medicine, it is said that face mapping is a way to analyze the skin and be able to explain why and how certain areas of your face are connected to other parts of your body. The different zones on your face correspond to different problems. With this map as your guide, you can address the underlying causes of blemishes and correctly determine how to prevent them from recurring.  For instance, many girls get zits on their chin while on their period.

 Now, How Do I Get Rid of My Acne?

NEVER POP YOUR PIMPLES!! Doing this will only spread bacteria and cause scarring. I know its tempting but its really not helping anything. If one is driving you nuts, try mixing baking soda and water into a paste. Sit the paste over the infected area for a few minutes. This will help pull the zit or cyst to a head and make it disappear faster.

For some causes of acne, you will need to visit your doctor or a dermatologist. Unfortunately, you can not simply wash away hormones, genes or a side effect to a medication.  They will be able to prescribe and antibiotic or topical cream to help manage your acne until a solution is reached.

Other causes are much easier to remedy. For instance, it may be as easy as realizing that new lotion you've been using is comedogenic and you just need to switch to an oil free moisturizer. You may need to try a week of no dairy products. If your skin clears up you may have found the source of your acne.

In the mean time, I have a skin care regiment that is great for acne.

1. Wash your face twice a day (morning and evening) with Cetaphil. For the amount you get, its super cheap. It's easy on your skin but a great cleanser. One of the things people try to do when they realize they have acne is wash their face and scrub away at it. This only irritates the skin and makes the acne worse. If the goal is to try and get rid of any excess oil and dead skin cells, simply cleanse it not scrub.
2. Apply Benzoyl Peroxide to the infected areas. This product WILL dry out your skin. They make benzoyl over the counter all the way up to 10% but more is not always best. Before using this product make sure you're obviously not allergic! Start out with a 2.5% formula and work your way up.  You will do this twice a day as well.
3. Finally, apply an oil free moisturizer. Since your skin will be so dry from the benzoyl, you will want to try an replenish some of the moisture. Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst is a great moisturizer and won't clog your pores.

Demi Lovato Smoky Eye Tutorial

Happy Monday, beauties! To get our week off right I'm going to do a tutorial for this gorgeous smoky eye. I love love this sultry look on Demi Lovato. It's a super easy look to achieve and the beauty of it is, this look is all about blending so you really can't mess it up! And if you don't have the exact products listed not a huge deal. There is nothing I used that can't be substituted. OK, so let's get started!


Start out with a clean face. The first thing I did was apply Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion all over the eye (eyelid to brow bone) and carried it underneath to the lower lid.

I then took Buck (a medium matte brown) from the Urban Decay Naked Palette and very gently applied it into the crease (forming a rainbow over the eyeball) with a round fluffy blending brush.

 

Then, I took a flat eyeshadow brush and applied Dark Horse (also from the Naked Palette-it is a dark smoky grey color with a hint of glitter) and pressed it into the lid. With this dark of color it is best to press the color in as opposed to sweeping it over the lid. Pressing it in makes the color last longer, stay truer and prevents fallout.

 After that, I took the same fluffy blending brush used to apply the brown into the crease and used it to blend the grey up into the crease to form a seamless transition.

To add a little more depth to this look, I took a black matte shadow and applied it to the outer 1/3 of the eye lid then blended (again with that same fluffy blending brush) the black in with the grey and brown. I was mainly focusing on the outer corner of the eye when blending this. As you can see, there is a sideways V forming on the corner of her eye due to the blending method. Try making little 7s from the outer crease to the lower outer lid and periodically bringing the color all the way over the rest of the crease.

Then, I applied Sephora Nano Eyeliner in Midnight Black to the top and bottom lashes..Obviously very sloppily! No worries, we will blend this out so if it's not perfect it's no problem.

Blend eyeliner very lightly with a small blending brush as if you were coloring it on. Then with a small blending brush, I took Dark Horse and lightly blended it into the lower lash with the eyeliner to give that smoky look. 

I applied Make Up Forever Star Powder in shade 940 over the brown bone and into the crease to eliminate a harsh line and to give some highlight over the brow bone. Lastly, apply mascara. I used Too Faced Better Than False Lashes on the top and bottom lashes and applied the same eyeliner onto the waterline. 

 For the face, I applied Make Up Forever HD Foundation in shade 155 with a foundation brush. I then applied Smashbox High Definition Concealer in Fair/Light underneath the eyes to mask any darkness.To set the foundation, I swept a translucent powder over the face with a fluffy powder brush.

For the cheeks, I used NARS Illuminator over the cheekbones and dragged it on the apples of the cheeks. This gave a dewy shimmery look to her cheeks. For some color, I applied NARS Blush in Luster over the apples of the cheeks. I dusted just a hint of bronzer to the hallows of the cheeks, the sides of the forehead, down the nose, and  jaw line. This gives some warmth to the look and a hint of contouring. 

For this look, the eyes are the focus so on the lips I went with a pink nude lip gloss. I used  Tarte Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss in Adored, so as not to overpower the eyes. 

 

I really hope you guys like this look and get a chance to try it out! If there are any tutorials you would like me to do let me know! 

Have an awesome week, y'all!  

Check out my Facebook page!

 Follow @samanthafowler

All About the Lashes!

If the eyes are the window to the soul then sugar open those puppies up! And what better way to brighten up your eyes than...EYELASHES? Not all of us are blessed with long, full lashes which is why the good Lord gave us faux lashes! Here are a few things to consider when choosing your form of fake lashes.


Strip Lashes

• Inexpensive
• Can be found at any drugstore or beauty supply store and done at home.
• Come in many different styles, so choose one that suits you the best. Depending on the varying lengths and sizes, you can change focus to your inner, outer, or middle lashes.
• Many times the glue is included with the lashes (come in a tube).
• Generally, they last one day or an evening but depending on the brand of lash or glue can be re-used.
• Made from mixed synthetics and silk
• Not waterproof
• You can peel these lashes off as soon as you are done with them.  

Easy to Apply:

1. Remove from tray
2. Measure the length of the strip against your natural lash line. Trim if necessary.
3. Gently bend the into a U-shape around your finger to better adhere to the shape of your eyelid.
4. Apply a thin layer of adhesive to the lash band
5. Wait for 20-30 seconds until the adhesive becomes tacky
6. Apply the strip to the eyelid as closely to the lash line as possible.
7. Hold in place
8. Press gently across the entire lash, with a cotton bud or your finger to ensure they have fully adhered
9. Finish off by using liquid or creme liner over the strip blending onto the eyelid then apply a coat of mascara to blend in your natural lashes with the strip lashes.

Individuals

•  Moderately Expensive
• Must be done by a professional (esthetician or cosmetologist).
•  A semi permanent glue is used and placed directly onto the lash.
• These lashes are applied in between natural lashes to create volume and fullness without looking fake.
• Come in short, medium, and long sizes (so you can customize the length!). They usually come with 4 to 5 lashes in one cluster.
• Waterproof however, you should NOT get your face wet in a hot shower or get oil based makeup remover on them as this will loosen the glue.
• Individuals are a great way to wear false lashes since you don’t have to commit to covering the entire lash line. Seamless transition.
• Made from mixed synthetics and silk
• Last 2-3 weeks
• Must be removed by a professional! Because of the glue used, they cannot simply be ripped otherwise your natural lashes will come off with it!

Extensions

• Very Expensive. $100-$500 depending on the brand, area, and salon.
• You can choose different lengths, and different colors, from basic brown and black, to funky greens, purple, gold, or even glitter, gem-tipped or other fancy embellishments like feathers.
• Must be done by a licensed professional. Not only an esthetician or cosmetologist but they must be certified to do lash extensions.
• Takes 1-2 hours to apply. 30-80 each eye are applied by hand. Some people only get the upper lashes done. You need to keep your eyes closed the whole time so the technician can apply fibers directly to the base of your eyelashes.
• Look and feel natural
• Waterproof. You can swim and shower with your extensions. Avoid all these things in the first 48 hours.
• NO using an eyelash curler! There is no need to apply mascara (so that cuts out a step in your morning).
• Made from human hair, mink hair and synthetic fibers.
• Last about 3-4 weeks. Extensions will need touch-ups every 2-3 weeks to fill in the fallen lashes. With routine touch-ups, the extensions can last 1 to 3 months, and then the procedure will have to be done over again.
• People with sensitive skin or allergies reported some irritation, itching or a burning sensation from the adhesive.

Check out my Facebook page!

Follow @samanthafowler

Gift Guide 2012: Holiday Sets!

This is the best time of year for stocking up on new make up or even starting your collection! If you're new to the make up world there are tons of starter sets available this time of year!  And for you seasoned cosmetic lovers, this is a great time to try out a new product or color that you may not have otherwise. 


Sephora Color Daze Blockbuster ($50)
This is a great gift for the girl new to make up in your life. It offers a little bit of everything! I got this palette for Christmas last year and I use it all the time! Color Daze Blockbuster offers 64 waterproof eye shadows so you can experiment with different colors and all varying in tints, hues and pigments. It also has 12 cream eyeliners, 6  lip top coats, 48  lip glosses, 3 blushes, 6 cream for eyes, cheeks, and lips, and 3 luminizers. With all this in one little box it really allows you to play around until you find what look suits you.



Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Collection ($36)

Make Up Forever eyeliner should be in every girls make up bag as far as I'm concerned. It is an award-winning, waterproof, smudge-proof, and fade-proof eyeliner that was originally created for the underwater ballet so you can rest assured it is going to stay in place and the color will remain true. This is a really great deal. Buying two full sized eyeliner from Make Up Forever would cost you $36 but with this kit you get that plus 4 minis thrown in for free.
 
The full sized liners are Mat  Black and Pearly Brown. The minis include Metallic Grey, Champagne (which is great for lining your waterline!), Black Purple and Turquoise.






Nars Make Up Your Mind Express Yourself Cheeks ($75)

   

NARS is known for their blushes and illuminators. This year they have complied a set of the best bronzer, blushes and highlighter. The NARS cheek kit has a full size Laguna Bronzer, full size Copacabana multiple, and Duo Blush in Orgasm and Angelika. These can be worn separately or all together for some killer contouring. It's a great set of NARS basics for face, if you don't have the products yet.







Buxom Time to Shine ($29)
The Buxom Time to Shine Collection is a new set of six mini lip glosses, with four lip polishes (sheer and shimmery) and two lip creams (more pigmented and cream-textured).  These glosses are plumping while being cooling, refreshing and have only a slight tingle (not painful like some can be). They have vitamins A and E to smooth and nourish lips.

The shades in this kit include:

Katie:  Very sheer pale pink with a subtle gold shimmer.

Gina: Glittery hot pink.
Berry Blast: Pigmented creamy fuchsia.
Sugar: Beautiful neutral bronze rose with a subtle silver shimmer.
April: Glittery pale pink.
White Russian: Pale, nude pink cream. 





Urban Decay Naked Palette ($50) 


This is absolutely one of my favorite palettes ever! It is a universally flattering palette and one you will use everyday. It even comes with a mini Urban Decay Primer Potion which is hands down the best eyeshadow primer I have ever used. If you've never used an eyeshadow primer, this is a great opportunity to try it out for a while and see the difference it makes! It was the number one best selling eyeshadow palette in 2011. The colors range from sheer neutral to very dark and pigmented so you can do and everyday natural look and a smokey dramatic eye with one palette.  I really can't say enough good things about this product. I have had mine for a year and it will last (hopefully) at least another year more.

 






Check out my Facebook page!

Follow @samanthafowler

Contouring Secrets

Have you ever wondered how Kim K's cheekbones are so chiseled or why it looks like a candle is constantly following her around giving her a perfect glow? Well, here's the secret, sugar! She has a great makeup artist who understands the power of contouring. It's so easy anyone can do it and it's customizable for every face shape. It can thin out your face, bring out features you love and hide features you may not be so fond of.

Oval-Shaped Face

The oval face shape is considered the "classic" shape that everyone is shooting for. I don't know about all that but ovals forehead and jaw are almost the same width, their jaw is only slightly narrower than temples, they have defined cheekbones and a gently rounded hairline.

Since this shape is ideal, you're pretty much set, luckies! Apply blush starting directly below the outer part of your eye, and blend along your cheekbones towards the top of your ear. Apply  highlighter to the top of your cheekbones right above the blush, and bring it up over brow-bone in a C shape. You can also apply a light dusting of matte bronzer right under your cheekbones.

Oblong

These darlings faces are shaped long and slender, with a narrow chin or high forehead.

The ideal contouring method for this face shape is to apply a matte bronzer along the hairline (forehead) and jaw line. Begin applying blush to the apples of the cheeks where you will focus the color. Blend to the outer edges of your cheekbones towards your ears. Apply highlighter  right above the blush.

Round Face

Round face lovelies have equal length and width, small forehead, rounded jaw, and fuller cheeks.

Try applying a matte bronzer on either side of the jaw, right below your cheekbones up to the edge of your forehead (as if you were drawing a 3 on the side of your face). Apply blush from the apples of your cheeks to the corners of your lip, then blend carefully into the hollows of the cheeks with the bronzer. Apply highlighter above your cheekbones, to the middle of forehead, and down to the middle of your chin.

Square/Rectangle

These little faces have a sharp jaw line and sometimes a square hairline. They have very defined features...jealous.

This shape face is fun to contour I think! Apply your matte bronzer shade to either side of forehead and jaw line. Gently, blend your bronzer toward center of face. Apply your blush on the apples of the cheeks and then blend upward toward your ears. Apply highlighter right above the apples of your cheeks, the center of your forehead, and center of your chin.

Heart

These sweeties have a wide hairline and temples then narrow down into a pointy chin.

To make your face even more sweet, apply matte bronzer on either side of your forehead and temples. Blend the bronzer on your temples along outer cheekbones. Apply blush to the apple of the your cheeks and blend toward the top of your ear. Finish by highlighting your jaw line.

Diamond

My diamond faced friends have a narrow forehead and chin with wide cheekbones.

To contour your face, apply a matte bronzer along the outer corners of your cheekbones. Apply blush in a curved shape starting at the apple of your cheeks and blending in with the bronzer out toward your hairline. To brighten up your face, highlight either side of your forehead and jaw.

Check out my Facebook page!

Follow @samanthafowler

Homemade Moisturizing Mask Recipes

You'll need:
1 raw egg
1 tablespoon honey

Simply mix the egg and honey together and spread over a clean face and neck. Let the mask sit for 15-20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. Then, finish the hydrating process with a rich moisturizer.


...or

2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon oatmeal- cooked and cooled
1 tablespoon honey



Mix the concoction together, then let sit until the oatmeal softens and forms a smooth paste. The yogurt will gently exfoliate and cleanse your face while the oatmeal and honey moisturize and re-hydrate the skin. Leave on for 15 minutes for optimal hydration.



...or even

1 egg yolk
1/4 of a mashed avocado
Drizzle cider vinegar in until it creates a smooth paste



The egg and avocado penetrates, softens and moisturize your face while the cider vinegar stimulates, tones and gently exfoliates the skin.




...just might be crazy enough to work

1 tablespoon of buttermilk or yogurt
1 egg yolk
1/8 cup finely diced rose petals
1/4 cup cooked oatmeal

The buttermilk or yogurt will gently exfoliate and cleanse your face while the egg yolk, honey and oatmeal moisturizes and re-hydrates the skin for the perfect winter glow.

*A honey mask can also be used to treat acne or as a spot treatment. To use honey as spot treatment, put a drop of honey on your finger or a Q-tip and gently pat it onto the infected area before bed. Cover with a bandage overnight. They honey will keep the area sterile by fighting off bacteria. Plus, it will accelerate the healing process.

Check out my Facebook page!

Follow @samanthafowler