Update

Hi all!

As some of you may know, from the beginning of this blog, I've been trying to pull together some video tutorials. let me just say, THEY ARE FINALLY COMING! 

I've been working hard on ideas, filming, etc. I hope for the first "official" video to be out within the next month! Yay! 

What makes mine different? 

I plan to work on REAL women with REAL issues. 

Not on myself. 

Not on models. 

Girls like you and me! 

So please get excited and keep your eyes peeled! I want these to be the best they can be, hence the long wait :) 

Thanks for the patience on the blogs as well! And if you have any ideas, concerns, questions, please feel free to pass them on via the comments section! 

This is for you! 

xoxo JEN

The non-makeup post..

So let me tell you why I've been distracted from writing an actual post about makeup...

This is Besos 

(kisses in Spanish!)

Yes,  my boyfriend and I are an "official couple" now that we have adopted a pet! ha!

So for the past 5 days, Jesse and I have been spending every waking moment with this precious little baby! He requires A LOT of attention-- hence the non-makeup blog situation :) 

I hope you'll forgive me after seeing these adorable photos of little Besos!

 There's Jesse and Besos napping-- he's a snuggler :) 

 No time for anything but kitty! Including my nails! 

Aunt Rachel and Uncle Josh came to meet the kitty!

 Our first family portrait :) 

Of course I have to send a big THANK YOU to the lovely Treehouse Humane Society in Chicago! They spent so much time with me and Jesse discussing the cat, answering questions, and getting us pet ready :) 

If you want to buy a kitty, be sure to check them out! Their fab! 

An actual makeup post will up next week- I promise! 

XOXO Jen

Picking the right Foundation

Foundation is JUST as it's named: It is the foundation of your makeup. 

So make sure it's done right! 

Here are a few things to keep in mind about foundation...

Picking the right foundation. 

There are SO many different types of foundations on the market-- so it can be a little confusing when it comes time to find one that works for you. I feel like there is a big misconception about foundation floating around..
Many women I meet tend to associate "thick, cakey and heavy" when they think about foundation. This is SO far off! 

What makes your foundation cakey? Improper application, using the wrong type for your skin, not properly preparing the skin, and using too much product. 

First things first, let's figure out the basics. 
There are 2 main things you need to determine before hitting the store... 

1. Skin Type

In order to find the right foundation, you need to determine what type of skin you have-- this will make for an easy and seamless application. 

OILY SKIN
If you have oily skin all over (not just the T-zone), you may want to investigate trying powder foundations. I am not a huge fan of powder foundations, I love working with liquids/creams, so go with your preference.
Try these...

SAVE with Neutrogena's Skin Clearing Mineral Powder

Use this alone on your skin for a light coverage foundation-- You can buff it into the skin with a brush (my preferred technique), or use a sponge. OR use at after applying a liquid foundation to keep shine at bay :) 

 $12 @Neutrogena

 SPEND Clinique Super Powder Double Face Makeup
This powder foundation gives Moderate to Full coverage.
$22 (not bad!) @Clinique

SPEND Makeup Forever Mat Velvet
If you prefer to use a liquid foundation-- try this mattifying one from Makeup Forever. If you have oily skin, this blends seamlessly and keeps shine away! Provides a Fuller coverage.
$36 @Sephora


DRY SKIN
If your skin has a hard time retaining moisture, or if you experience flakiness, and tight skin, you should stick to foundations that are hydrating! Liquids, creams, tinted moisturizers..

SAVE Cover Girl Smoothers Foundation
Medium coverage foundation that is hydrating and lightweight.
$6.94 @Target

SPEND Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer
Lightweight, super hydrating tinted moisturizer-- made with skin conditioning jojoba oil, so it glides on seamlessly and hydrates the skin. Sheer coverage.
$42 @Bobbi Brown

SPEND Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation

This medium to full coverage foundation is hydrating and still build able! 

$42 @Smashbox

COMBINATION SKIN
This is probably the majority of the population. If you get oily on the cheeks or down the T-Zone, but still have some dryness on other areas of the face-- you are combination! For combination skin, you may want to stick to a light liquid or cream foundation.

SAVE Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation
This is a lightweight liquid that gives medium coverage. It controls the oily areas but is hydrating enough for your dry patches.
$10 @Target

SPEND Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation
This has great build able coverage- from medium to Full-- but still feels light on the skin. Great for most skin types.
$42 @Sephora


NORMAL SKIN
You don't have much discoloration, or dryness, or oil production-- then you have that annoyingly perfect skin :) If you even need to wear foundation, I would stick with a light tinted moisturizer, bb cream or sheer foundation.

SAVE Garnier BB Cream

For someone that needs minimal coverage-- this is PERFECT. Incredibly lightweight, minimal coverage and protects your skin from the sun :) 

$11 @Target

SPEND Dr. Jart BB Cream
I love this product! It's incredibly lightweight, and multi tasking! It's a very sheer wash of color to even out your tone, but also works to keep skin hydrated.
$34 @Sephora

SPEND Makeup Forever Face & Body Liquid Foundation
This is probably my favorite foundation! I've used it for years, I LOVE it! It is so incredibly sheer, but still build able. So if you need more coverage in one area of the face, it can handle it, without caking up! Works on most skin types (especially normal and dry), leaves a hydrated dewy finish.
$40 @Sephora


SENSITIVE SKIN
If your skin is very fragile-- prone to itching or burning when using products-- I would highly suggest going the au natural route. Try using organic products that won't hurt your skin. Figure out if you cater to the dry or oily side so you can find the right foundation.

SAVE Cover Girl Nature Luxe Silk Foundation

Lightweight and pulling natural resources-- oil and fragrance free-- Offers Medium to Full coverage. It's worth a shot! 

$10 @Target

SPEND Bare Minerals Original Foundation
This stuff provides medium to full coverage. I would highly suggest it if you cater to the oily side. It's composed of crushed minerals and is free of any fragrance, preservatives and other potential skin irritants.
$27 @Ulta

SPEND Tarte BB Tinted Primer

This BB Tinted Primer is great for those with sensitive skin who want a light coverage that also smoothes the skin-- this product line also offers a wide range of products that are free of mineral oil, fragrances, and other chemicals. Feel free to try their foundations and cream blushes! 

$34 @Tarte Cosmetics

SPLURGE Jane Iredale Mineral Liquid Foundation

This is a Medium to Full coverage foundation that reflects light and looks luminescent. It is on the pricey side, but a little goes a long way. This is another mineral based foundation that is easy on the skin. 

$50 @Jane Iredale

2. Coverage
The second part to finding the right foundation is deciding on the type of coverage you want. This is important! As I mentioned before, many women automatically think-- foundation=heavy.
NOT the case at all! 
Once you determine your skin type, and you have really taken the time to get to know your skin-- figure out what you want to cover and how much needs to be covered. Always remember you can do a quick wash of foundation and then go back in with correctors/concealers to cover any additional blemishes/discoloration.

LIGHT TO NO COVERAGE
For the girl that doesn't want people to know she's even wearing makeup-- try a BB cream. These creams are super lightweight and have less coverage than a tinted moisturizer. They feel light and fresh and if you're just looking for a quick way to even out your skin-- this is it!
Remember...
Garnier BB Cream
Dr. Jart BB Cream
Makeup Forever Face & Body

LIGHT COVERAGE
You don't want to feel like you're wearing makeup, but you don't necessarily want to LOOK like you're not wearing makeup-- try a tinted moisturizer or a super sheer foundation.
Remember...
Tarte BB Tinted Primer
Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer
Makeup Forever Face & Body (yes, again, it's build able coverage!)
Neutragena Skin Clearing Mineral Powder

MEDIUM COVERAGE
If you prefer a little more coverage than a sheer foundation can provide, you may want to try a foundation that promotes medium coverage. This will have a little more pigment-- less layering is needed to get the coverage you want.
Remember...
Covergirl Smoothers Foundation
Clinique Super Powder Double Face Makeup
Jane Iredale Mineral Liquid
Revlon Colorstay
Covergirl Nature Luxe Foundation


FULL COVERAGE
If you prefer a full cover of foundation you don't have to expect it to be super heavy or cakey! There are so many fabulous lines of foundations now a days that cater to those that prefer a fuller cover foundation, without all the baggage!
Remember...
Makeup Forever HD
Makeup Forever Mat Velvet
Bare Minerals
Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation


Here are some other things to consider when thinking about foundation: 
*Good makeup starts with good skin-- so take care of it!
*Skin Prep can drastically change the outcome of your makeup--Read more about it HERE!
*Find the type of application that works best for you, i.e.: brush, hands, puff, sponge, etc.


Best of luck! 
xoxo Jen

Oscar 2013 Makeup Trend...

Last night I watched the Oscars with anticipation and hope of some breathtaking looks and trends.
 What did I expect? 

Looking back at Fashion Week this year we saw a lot of Color! (which you can read about HERE.)

So of course I was expecting some bold lips or washes of color on the eye--Graphic liner was huge at Fashion week as well, so I was really expecting to see some exciting looks walking down the red carpet. 

Overall?

I was underwhelmed! 

I felt like everyone played it super conservative and safe. Mind you, most everyone looked great, but it was boring! No one really stepped out and WOW'd me. 

Wanna know some of my favorite looks of the evening? 

Watch me on WCIU's You & Me This Morning as I talk about some of my favorite looks of the evening:

The leading trend of the evening was definitely a clean/fresh natural face with some emphasis on the eyes. 

In honor of last night's hottest trend, I showed up to the station rocking out that look! 

So here is a sneak peek at how to get the look: 

Here is a close up of the makeup look

 Eye Detail...

A little blurry, but you get the idea :) 

 Products used:

 1. MAC cosmetics Eye shadows-- Names of colors listed below-- 

2. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Blackest black

3. Ardell #120 Demi Wispies

4. Laura Geller Makeup Spackle Primer

5. Makeup Forever Face and Body Foundation #20

6. Tarte Cosmetics Cheek stain in Vivid

7. Makeup Forever HD Powder

8. MAC Strobe Cream

9. Makeup Forever Aqua Lip #1C

10. MAC Lipglass in Nymphette (top) and Lust.
*Product sources below*

My Concealer Palette-- I used #1 to highlight, #2 for extra coverage, #3 for contouring and I also used the concealer to the left of #2 for my under eyes. It's Eve Pearl's Salmon Concealer in Medium :) 

 MAC Shadow Colors used for this look. 

Tools used for this look:

1. Eve Pearl Foundation Brush

2. Crown Brush Concealer Brush

3. Beauty Blender

4. Crown Brush: PP9 Oval Foundation brush

5. Crown Brush: C330 Blending Crease

6. MAC #217 

7. Crown Brush-- Don't remember the #!

8. Crown Pointed Lip Brush

9. Trucco Eye brow brush 

Step by Step Instruction

First thing's first, always hydrate! Moisturize that skin!

EYES: I always do eyes first-- I feel it makes for a cleaner application.

That said, I did prep the eyes with Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer (not pictured). Over that I packed on Vanilla with the #5 brush all over the lid up to the brow. 

From there, I took the #6 brush and lightly placed Naked Lunch and Shroom on the inner tear ducts of the eye, across the lid and then packed it on the brow bone. 

I then took the #7 brush with Mulch eye shadow, and place it on the outer corner of the eye. I create a "V" with this darker tone. From there I take my #6 brush again and use it to gently buff out and soften the mulch. 

Taking the same brush, I dipped it into the Cork shadow and placed it within the "V" shape I created with the mulch, and extended it across the crease. 

Buff until you reach the desired finish. 

I was pulling inspiration from Charlize Theron's Oscar look last night:

She has a super clean face, with some soft neutrals on her eyes, and loads of lashes! 

That was my goal. 

So, I skipped the liner :) 

I curled my lashes and applied a coat of mascara. From there I applied the Ardell Demi Wispies (I'd trimmed them down and cut them to fit my eye), using DUO adhesive in clear.

FACE: I applied my primer, followed by my foundation. 

To apply foundation, I usually go in with the #1 brush and then buff it out with a beauty blender or sponge. 

After applying fountain, I go back with concealer. 

Applying make up in that order allows you to wear less. 

I took brush #2 and the #1 concealer and ran it along the bridge of my nose, up to the center of my forehead and just over my brows. I also used this on my chin. Because this is a bit lighter than what a concealer for me should be, I use it to highlight areas of my face. 

Buff into skin with Beauty Blender. 

Then, I took the same brush and placed the salmon concealer under my eyes (covering any blueish tint from dark circles). 

I took concealer #3 to conceal any other redness on the face. 

I used concealer #4 (the very dark tone), as a way to contour my face. So I ran it along the hollows of my cheeks, my temples and the sides of my nose. 

Buff gently into the skin. 

Cheeks:

I then took Tarte's Cheek Stain and rubbed a tiny amount onto the apples of my cheeks with my finger-- blending it up towards the ear but focusing the bulk of the color on the apples. 

Set with a light dusting of powder using a #4 Brush.

I then took MAC's strobe cream on my finger and gently dabbed it on the highest point of my cheekbones, my cupid's bow, and just above my brow. 

I LOVE using this as a highlighter!

It's super creamy and is more opalescent than glittery, so it sits well on the skin and is soft enough to catch the light without being too distracting. 

From there, I lined my lips with Makeup Forever Aqua Lip #1C-- filling them in as well. 

Then I took about equal amounts of each gloss and brushed them on with brush #8, leaving my lips with a natural looking lip- something I'm NOT used to!  :) 

To finish off my look, I dipped my #10 brush in the Espresso eye shadow to softly fill in my brows. 

Ta-Da! 

The key to creating a soft natural look, is to use lightweight products.

Allowing your skin to shine through makes all the difference in the world-- so take care of that skin! 

All of the products I used for this look are ones I absolutely adore. So if you're in need of some new things, give these gems a shot :) 

XOXO JEN

Product Sources: 

MAC

Makeup Forever

Laura Geller

Crown Brushes

Ardell Lashes

L'Oreal 

Tarte Cosmetics

Eve Pearl

Spring Colors

I've been catching myself wearing a lot of color this winter-- partially as a way to brighten my mood-- but also in excitement for spring!

I know we still have some time before spring actually hits-- but I can't wait! I'm too excited for cute shoes and dresses, warm sunny days, and bright hues on my face!!

Spring might be one of my favorite seasons---colors bloom from the sad cold earth, creating a warm and happy environment. So what can we expect this spring?! Well if I haven't given it away already, it's COLOR! 

New York Fashion Week just ended, leaving us with all sorts of wonderful new beauty trends to try out and make our own. That's the secret to trends-- You don't have to replicate it exactly-- especially since it's so dramatic for the runway/photo-- you can become inspired by it and find a way to make it work for you. 

So here are some colorful looks for inspiration with some tips on how to wear them this spring.

Blues...

Versus 2013 Spring show

                       

Moschino 2013 Spring Show

Monique Lhuillier 2013 Spring Show

I am a HUGE fan of blue makeup. I think it's so beautiful, works on most skin tones/eye colors, and is such a pretty color! I know a lot of women stay away from blue (thanks to the 80's), many think it's a scary color that's tough to pull off. 

First things first, there are so many shades of blue! From bright neons (above) to dark navy's, smokey gray-blues, to cobalt-- there is a shade for you! 

*I think that blues can work on ANY eye or skin color!*

It's just a matter of finding a shade that complements, and use it in a balanced way.

Makeup Forever's Matte Navy Blue #60

This is a gorgeous navy that can be used as a liner (sometimes I'll do a cat eye liner with a navy rather than black for a little change up), or it's also really pretty used as a smokey eye shade. 

This works well on older women! YES! If you want an impact on the eyes, it does just that but it's less harsh than black. The subtle blue is a nice pop to help bring color to the face without dominating or highlighting fine lines. 

 Makeup Forever's Matte Turquoise #72

This beautiful bright turquoise is a great pop for any skin tone! It looks especially gorgeous on bronzed skin (the gold tones look stunning with this!), as well as very dark skin tones. 

It brightens the eye as well as the rest of the face! You can place it as a thick liner, or you can completely cover your lid. Have fun with it! Create a cat eye, or just add it as an accent color on the end of your eye, or maybe underneath the lower lash line. 

 Makeup Forever Matte Blue #159

GORGEOUS blue. It's still bright even though it's a deeper shade. I love it! This looks fab on any skin tone but also works beautifully on my pale skinned beauties. This blue will make any blue in your eyes pop!

What to avoid...

image c/o jounka.com

Frosted Blues

These can look dated and for older women, it can age you! All that reflective pigment is accentuating any fine lines you may have. These only work if placed very specifically on areas of the eye that have no sign of aging. So until you're familiar with your eyes and what works, I'd refrain from this.

Want to make the trend work for you? Start small with just a swipe of navy rather than black for your cat eyes. 

image c/o hudabeauty.com

This photo shows the impact of a blue liner with a subtle line. If you're feeling bold, you can go bright like this photo, otherwise try the deeper navy. 

It get's the point across without overdoing the blue! 

Greens...

Derek Lam 2013 Spring Show

Marimekko 2013 Spring Show

 I love green shadow-- I know I don't use it enough! It's perfect for Hazel, brown and of course, green eyes.

MAC Pearlglide Intense Eye Pencil in Undercurrent

This is one of my favorite green pencils! It's emerald with flecks of gold, so it compliments any skin tone. You can line your water line for a little peep of color. 

If you wanted to do more drama, rim your eyes with this pencil and gently smudge it up and out for a soft smokey effect. 

Makeup Forever's Peacock Green Shimmer #80

This deep emerald shade is gorgeous for a sultry smokey eye. Softer finish thanks to the shimmer and it's earthy tone. Good for any skin tone.

Makeup Forever's Matte Apple Green #91

Great electric green-- Super bright hues like this are better in smaller doses! Use it as a liner, or accent. Maybe pop some across your lid before you hit the crease for a subtle blast of color. 

What to avoid...

Pale skinned beauties---

Having a wash of deep green may be a bit overwhelming for you. 

Want to make the trend work for you? If you want to use the deep green, start small. Use a little liner on your upper lash line, or line your inner rim for a subdued dramatic effect. Another tip for lighter skin-- use lighter shades of green. 

Try a minty colored green...

Makeup Forever's Celadon #34

You can put this across your lid or even try the look of Derek Lam's models from Fashion week, and do a full wash of this color up to the brow. 

image c/o bellasugar.com

Since it's so soft and delicate, it works. 

Pinks...

Donna Karan 2013 Spring Show

Pinks are great on all eye colors ESPECIALLY Blues and Greens.

Makeup Forever's Neon Pink #75

This bright fuchsia pink is BOLD! IF you're going for a super bright look (photo above), this is pretty much it! To go for something less abrasive than the photo above, use this on Just the top or just the bottom rather than fully rimming the eye. That alone will create a bold look without it overtaking your eyes! 

Makeup Forever's Dusty Pink #112

This matte warm pinky tone is great for light skin colors. It has a peachy undertone that would compliment cooler toned skin. This can be used all over the eye. It's matte complexion is subtle and the color is fresh. 

What to avoid...

Pinks are fun but be careful! If you have a lot of red in your skin, you may want to stray to more violet tinted hues. Using a bright pink may bring out whatever redness you may have in your skin. 

Want to make the trend work for you? Try pinky tones with more violet influence. 

Try this Velvet Eyes palette by Eve Pearl. 

The colors are vibrant and you'll still get that pink runway effect with this palette. 

Best part? This palette will work on ANY eye color/skin tone! 

Yellow.... 

Lela Rose 2013 Spring Show

Yellows look electric against Blue eyes! Aside from that, yellows can look amazing on ALL eye colors. The trick to pulling off this hue? Skin tone and restraint!

Makeup Forever's Yellow #2

This Bright matte yellow shadow is a bold statement. In order to make it work without it taking over your whole face, you can use it as a blending shade with other colors in the family to add a little punch to the look. I also love to use bright tones as liners for a softer hint of color.

Makeup Forever's Lemon #102

This matte butter yellow is a more modest form of the color. It runs a little more neutral making it easier for more skin tones to use and creates a softer look. This color is great on the lid or even used as a highlighter on the brow bone and tear duct. 

What to avoid....

Yellow undertones.

If you have a lot of yellow undertones in your skin, it's probably wise to find a cooler shade. 

*Example*

The bright shade will only make your skin look more yellow than it is which isn't what we're going for. 

Want to make the trend work for you? 

Go for golds. Using yellow/gold tones hint at this trend without being so literal. 

 image c/o glamour.com

I hope this post inspires you to use more color! If you're afraid of looking like Mimi from the Drew Carey Show...

Just remember that RESTRAINT is key! 

Start small with accent colors and once you get a feel for what colors work best for you, you can start playing more with smokey eyes, all over shades, etc. 

xoxo Jen

Runway images c/o

 harpers bazaar, real beauty.com.