Tuesday, April 19, 2016

summer "no makeup" makeup look

I'm a big fan of not wearing makeup. I'm also a big fan of looking perfect and flawless without any makeup, but unfortunately, I gave up on that dream along with being able to eat Ben & Jerry's every night & remaining a size 6. 

But I do think I've kind of mastered the whole "no makeup" makeup look, where you wear just enough to get by, while tricking everyone into think you're all-natural and fresh-faced. I've seen a lot of "no makeup" looks before that really frustrated me because they were still using 10+ products, and in my opinion, if you're going to do that much, you might as well just go full-face!

So my "no makeup" makeup look requires 5 products. (not including your 3 tools, a beauty blender any sort of fluffy ended eye shadow brush, and a powder brush, which is only necessary if you have oily skin)


First I apply this Garnier BB Cream (1) in little dots all over my face. I use my damp beauty blender to apply it all over. I love this BB cream because its lightweight and has decent coverage- remember, we don't want a full-coverage foundation, we just want to even everything out a bit and give our skin a bit of a natural glow- and it has SPF 20 which is great for a no-makeup beach or summertime look. 

Next, I apply my Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller (2) under my eyes. I use the same beauty blender to blend it out and into the rest of your face. This is my favorite, tried & true concealer that I use almost daily. Its actually more than a concealer- it has caffeine and some other magic that reduces puffiness under your eyes, AND has color to it so it conceals and evens out any redness. 

The next step is totally optional and not necessary. I use a fluffy blending brush and take a matte medium brown eyeshadow to my crease and outer corner. I included the Urban Decay Naked Basics (3) palette because it has a great neutral-shade matte.. but you can use any matte brown you want. I also love the medium shade in the Kat Von D Shade and Light palette. The goal in this step is to create more depth to your crease, which makes your eyes pop a bit more. 

Next I follow up with this Lorac Pro + Fiber Mascara (4). This is the best, most natural mascara. It isn't super dramatic or life-changing, but its great for making your lashes look dark and lengthened without having clumpy mascara. I actual have a couple layers on in the photo, only because I was touching up after a long day. But just one coat of this mascara makes your lashes look much longer and darker and thicker without making them clumpy, spidery, goopy, etc. Its a very natural looking mascara. I love this for days where I don't wear any makeup at all except for mascara because it doesn't look like I'm even wearing any. 

The last step is also optional and only necessary if you have oily skin. I use a fluffy powder brush and apply my Neutrogena Shine Control Powder (5) on my t-zone. This just keeps the oil at bay and helps keep my BB cream from breaking up throughout the day. This powder is great for making your face look matte and its translucent so you can't even tell you're wearing a powder. 

I love this look and these products for summertime, especially since the BB cream has SPF. Its great for going to the beach or pool or just doing something low-key where not a lot of makeup is necessary. As you can see in the photo above, my face isn't flawless by any means, but that's the fun part, because I'm just enhancing my face just a little, without feeling naked :-)

I hope you guys enjoyed this look and please tell me what your favorite "no makeup" makeup looks like! hope you're enjoying your spring so far
xo, katie


Wednesday, April 13, 2016

beauty blender giveaway


I recently gave in and started using a beauty blender to apply my foundation. It has quickly become one of my favorite makeup tools. A while ago I tried a knock-off beauty blender 'dupe' and hated it. I decided sponge applicators just weren't for me and gave up.

But do you ever just get in a makeup rut? You do the same things every day but some days you just don't like the end result and decide you want something new. My makeup brushes (as amazing as they are) just weren't doing it for me. My makeup never looked smooth or seamless or well blended.. and I knew it had to be my tools. Sooo, I gave in and bought the original beautyblender. After using it for the first time I was hooked.

The trick is that it has to be damp. (I'm sure most of you know this and this is old news!) Just run the beauty blender under your faucet for a few seconds, give it a few squeezes to wring it out, then voila! I like to dot my foundation all over my face with my fingers, then use the damp beauty blender to blend it all out. It looks seamless and blended and flawless every time, plus it picks up any excess foundation so it never looks cakey or heavy.

I'M TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE.. I'M GIVING ONE AWAY! (duh)

I decided to have a little fun with this one :-)

Its an Instagram giveaway, so you must have an account to participate.

Here's how to be entered: 

1. Follow @makupyourmind on Instagram
2. Like the giveaway photo
3. COMMENT below the photo on Instagram, TAG THREE FRIENDS, and answer this question:
What is your middle name? 


** NOTE: there is no 'e' in makup on my Instagram name!!!
*** the answer must be commented on the Instagram photo, not on this blog post.

The giveaway is open until Friday, April 15, 2016.

Good luck!
xo, katie


Monday, April 11, 2016

products to achieve my every day face


I've had a few people lately ask me which products I use every day and I realized that I haven't actually ever listed them out before. I have tons of favorites- things I love and use on occasion, products I use to achieve a certain look, etc.. but then there are the products and tools that I use [almost] every time I do my makeup. My tried and true, ride or die products that, unless I find something better, I use every single day.. if I'm going to lunch with a friend or shopping, dinner, etc.

I'm just going to list and link. The fact that I use them every day should tell you enough about them, but if you want to know my thoughts or have any questions, leave a comment!

oh! & the best part? you can get 35% off my favorite foundation (listed below) just for mentioning this post -- keep reading to find out how ♡


tools
Foundation/Concealer: Beauty Blender  • Real Techniques Buffing Brush, part of the Core Collection • It Cosmetics Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Blurring Foundation Brush #101
Eyes: It Cosmetics Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Blending Crease Brush #105 • Eco Tools Eye Enhancing Duo Set • Real Techniques Shading Brush • Urban Decay Dual Ended Brushes that come with Naked palettes
Contour/Highlight: Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Brush
Blush: Real Techniques Blush Brush

face
Foundation: Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Honey Beige (applied with beauty blender)
Powder: Neutrogena Shine Control Powder
Concealer: Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller • NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Bronzer: 'Bronze' shade in the Lorac Pro to Go Eye/Cheek Palette
Contour: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (please note, this is NOT the cream palette, I hate the cream contour palette!)
Highlight: Becca Cosmetics Jaclyn Hill in 'Champagne Pop'

eyes
Eye Shadow: Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette (absolute FAVORITE) • Urban Decay Naked Basics PaletteUrban Decay Naked 2 PaletteLorac Pro PaletteLorac Pro 2
Eye Liner: Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus • Lorac Pro Liquid Liner
Mascara: Cover Girl The Super Sizer MascaraMaybelline Volum' Express Colossal MascaraL'Oreal Voluminous Superstar Mascara (a new favorite & so far I love it!)

Okay, and now for the good part.

I ♡ my Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation. Obviously, as this post states, I use it every single day. It feels lightweight on the skin, not cakey or heavy at all, but has surprisingly great coverage and totally buildable. It has SPF 15, it is certified vegan, and has no harsh chemicals, scents, or mineral oils.

& you can get 35% by emailing kristindaniels7@gmail.com & mentioning this post. 

aaaaand everyone who purchases the foundation is also entered to win a free primer! :-) so just email the address above mentioning makeup your mind and place your order! I hope you all take advantage of the discount because you will love the foundation and love the discount even more!

have a great week, guys
xo katie