Money Saving Tricks :: Loose Translucent Powder

Hey everyone! I'm soooo sorry for my months long hiatus from blogging. It's been a tad crazy ... but I promise you that I'll be back to a normal blogging schedule starting 2010 once a few of my projects are completed and others are well underway (and no longer in prep stages lol) :)

So without further ado ... let's get on with this overly due blog, shall we? Hehe.

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To sum up this past year ... it's sad to say that the ongoing trend (not by choice) has been the giant financial struggle we've all had to deal with. So in light of the situation ... I thought I would add to my DIY series with a few "Money Saving Tips" thrown in every few entries to help all you makeup lovers get by with what you already have (or you can get for very cheap).

My first tip is to invest in loose translucent powder.

That's right ... loose translucent powder can be used in so many different ways, that it is definitely worth the investment.

1. Setting foundation and concealer

Why not start with the most obvious? As mentioned in previous entries ... you should always set your foundation and concealer with a setting powder to ensure longevity. It is also useful in mattifying your skin if you're a victim of oily pores.

*application tip* :: pat and roll the product instead of brushing it on. This will ensure that you are setting the product, not brushing/swiping the product off. I highly recommend a powder puff to apply.

2. Setting your eyeshadow/eyeliner

If you're worried about losing intensity of the eyeshadow during the day ... pat on a light layer of your translucent powder over your desired eye look and this should set it for a few more hours without reducing the intensity of your eyeshadow colors.

3a. Preventing an under eye mess

I believe I've mentioned this before in a previous entry, but no harm in repeating good advice, right? :) Start by applying a generous amount of loose powder under the eye prior to potentially messy eyeshadow applications. Then go about your normal eyeshadow application process. Once the application process is finished ... grab a big fluffy brush and gently sweep away the loose powder and eyeshadow fall out to reveal a nice, clean under eye area.

3b. Fixing an under eye mess

Forget to use the 3a method and created a mess? No worries! You can clean up the mess under your eyes by grabbing a smaller fluffy brush and blending away the mess with some of your loose translucent powder. Blend, blend, BLEND until the product is gone. It shouldn't take too long.

4. Blending your eyeshadow

This is probably my favorite use for my loose translucent powder (apart from keeping my oily face under control haha). Instead of adding color after color to create a blended look, I rely on my loose translucent powder to do that job for me without losing the integrity of my colors. Perfection.

5. Smoothly applying streaky blush formulas

Ever find yourself tossing out pretty toned blushes/bronzers because of its horrible streaky formulation? I'm definitely guilty of having done that. Thank goodness I tried out the following method--much better for the wallet: Apply a thin layer of loose translucent powder to cheeks prior to blush application ... then easily blend on the blush/bronzer.

6. Softening up heavy handed makeup applications

Do you over-apply your makeup? Ever find one side of your face slightly overdone than the other? No problem! Just take a big fluffy brush and gently buff the area until desired softness. Easy enough, right?

So there you go ... with just one product you can fix/prevent any under eye fallout messes, soften up your heavy handed makeup application, keep your streaky powder products, AND set your makeup look and increase the longevity of your makeup without having to reapply and waste product.

So? What are you waiting for? Go out and get yourself some loose translucent powder. You won't be disappointed.

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Happy makeup-ing!

xoxo,

Grace
makeup@gracechun.com
www.twitter.com/gracechunmua

Real Update Coming Soon

So sorry for the delay ... LA FASHION WEEK(S) has been ruling my life. I'll update as soon as its over!

BUT before I leave ....

Happy Shopping!!!

MAC COSMETICS HOLIDAY COLLECTION

*****

Happy makeup-ing!

xoxo,

Grace
makeup@gracechun.com
www.twitter.com/gracechunmua

Product Review: BODYOGRAPHY'S Natural Finish Face Bronzer

Bodyography

Natural Finish Face Bronzer

What it Does:

**what it claims**

Finally, a product that will give your skin that Caribbean glow…naturally! Created with minerals for every skin tone, this buildable formula is packed with powerful anti-aging ingredients. Natural Finish Face Bronzer imparts a revitalized feeling to the skin while providing light coverage and a gorgeous, natural looking tan!

**pink area = not my own words**

My Thoughts:

Just because summer has came to an end doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to your summer tans! I've been using this product for a few days now and let me tell you ... I am in love! I've never been a big fan of "fake bake" products (they tend to leave me orange, streaky, and unhappy), BUT there's something about Bodyography's Natural Finish Face Bronzer that keeps me reaching for it every morning. Not only does it leave a natural tan look without the orange/streaky tint ... it's buildable so that it can work with any skin tone. In fact ... its texture is so much like tinted moisturizer that even a heavy hand couldn't "over-tan" your face (though mixing with a moisturizer could be helpful for those with a heavy hand). The finish is light, non-greasy, and results in a gorgeous color. Can't find much wrong with that.

To avoid sounding like a gushing idiot ... I'm not even going to get into how good the mineral ingredients are for your skin. Just trust me when I say my sensitive skin has yet to rebel (and let me tell you ... my skin usually lets me know within minutes if it's pissed off) and feels even smoother/more moisturized than before.

And remember ... a tan face creates a slimmer look ;)

So let's get to my favorite part ... RATING!

Score: 8/10

Since I haven't really used many similar products, I don't want to give it toooo high a rating just yet. But hey ... 8/10 is amazing in my book. The product gives great tan results for an affordable price (just $27 at www.bodyography.com) AND it does wonderful things to your skin. It does, however, get all over your hands so you do need to wash your hands pronto!

Nice tan + anti-aging ingredients + affordable price = Happy consumer.

I recommend everyone try this out and let me know what you think.

*****
Happy makeup-ing!

xoxo,

Grace
makeup@gracechun.com
www.twitter.com/gracechunmua

Why Skincare?

So I got a few emails regarding my DIY posts. "I love the concept, but it's not makeup" has been the common subject matter to these emails. I was initially going to address these emails individually, but since its obviously something on a lot of your minds ... I thought I would write a blog to explain why I put so much emphasis on good skin care.


The whole point of putting on makeup is to make oneself look better. Without proper skin care ... no amount of makeup can do that for you. It's not often that we compliment someone's makeup if they have bad skin ... in fact, acne/blemishes distract from all the hard work you put into creating that beautiful look.


By taking care of your skin, you create a nice base for your makeup. Just as an artist preps and primes their canvas for a painting ... we must also prep and prime our faces for our work of art ;)


*****
Happy makeup-ing!

xoxo,

Grace
makeup@gracechun.com
www.twitter.com/gracechunmua

Long-lasting Lipstick

Seems harder to make this a reality than to say "long-lasting lipstick" 3 times in a row ... BUT that's only because you didn't know my fun tips ;)

Let's take a break from our DIY series and focus in on some REAL makeup issues, shall we? 

How to make lipstick last longer. Sounds impossible, eh? Well ... I hate to break it to ya, but lipstick is just not made for all-day wear. There's just no miracle that can make it completely stuck to your lips *maybe permanent marker? =/ jk ... please don't try* for an all day color pout. HOWEVER, I will share with you some tricks I've picked up along the way while working on runway events that should prolong the time between touchups :)

1. Exfoliate your lips :: Remember that sugar and EVOO concoction I told ya'll about a few blog entries ago? Well ... tada! It works on your lips too!! By exfoliating your lips and removing all your dead skin cells from the lips ... it'll prevent that flaky dry look and create a nice even base. 

2. Lipliner :: line your lips and color inside the lines. Just as you should use primer for your eye and face makeup ... your lipliner will play as a primer for the lips. Revlon Colorstay has a great clear lipliner that you can use without having to worry about color matching. Cost AND time effective. Perfect ;)

3. Apply-Blot-Reapply :: Apply lipstick *that has been in ROOM to COOL temperature* as normal after liner. Blot! This will press down the pigment into the lips and lift off any excess product and oils. It will also matte down the lipstick. After blotting ... reapply the lipstick for your final color. *remember to use the finger slide mentioned in my earlier blog entries to remove excess lipstick to avoid getting lipstick on your teeth*

3 *optional*. Powder :: Sometimes blotting doesn't do the trick ... you may need some extra help in maintaining that oily face of yours ;) Don't be shy ... there are plenty of us out there. Instead of blotting and then reapplying ... take the extra step of powdering. While you're blotting away on a tissue ... take another sheet and place on top of lips. Powder the tissue *the holes will allow for the powder to seep through* and then reapply the lipstick. This should help keep your base color in place. 

By taking the time to properly apply the first time ... it'll save you time in the touchup department later on in the day. Take the extra 5 minutes it takes to complete these steps ... you won't be sorry.  

*****

Happy makeup-ing!

xoxo,

Grace
makeup@gracechun.com
www.twitter.com/gracechunmua

DIY #3: Egg In Your Face!

Not such a bad thing ... at least not in skincare ;) 

I recall an incident from a past job when the doctor (a cosmetic dermatologist) I used to work for used the phrase "egg in your face" in place of "shit hit the fan." Funny that she, being a "dermatologist" and all  (too long of a story to explain why I put that in "quotes" haha), couldn't see the phrase in the positive light that I see it. 

Ingredients: 

Organic eggs

100% Pure Honey

EVOO

Directions for Under Eyes: 

1. Cleanse face and pat dry

2. Crack egg and separate egg white in a bowl and mix until frothy

3. Apply to under eye area and leave on for 5 minutes

4. Apply a second layer and leave on for 5 minutes

5. Thoroughly rinse off with warm water 

6. Enjoy your mini eye lift ;)

Directions for Face Mask:

1. Cleanse face and pat dry

2. Crack whole egg and mix

3. 1 tablespoon of 100% Pure Honey

4. 1 tablespoon of EVOO

5. Mix well 

6. Apply to face

7. Leave mask on for about 20 minutes *or until completely dry*

8. Thoroughly rinse off with warm water 

9. Set with cool water then pat dry

10. Enjoy!

Why These Ingredients?

1. Egg :: Egg in your face will help keep you looking young and fresh! The natural proteins found in a raw egg will tighten the skin (as well as pores) and greatly improve tired looking skin on your face INCLUDING the dreaded under eye area!! 

2. Honey :: A disinfecting, humectant ... check out my previous blog for more on Honey. 

3. EVOO :: What's there NOT to love about EVOO? Have your doubts? Refer back to my Facial Scrubs blog and see for yourself ;)

My Thoughts:

I'll take eggs in my face any day of the week! I may not be getting any younger, but my age surely doesn't have to show on my face. ;) 

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Happy makeup-ing!

xoxo,

Grace
makeup@gracechun.com
www.twitter.com/gracechunmua

DIY #2: Aspirin Mask

 Headaches from your acne problems? Try some aspirin! 

That's right ladies and gentlemen, take care of your headaches AND your acne woes with one of the most popular DIY facial masks--the aspirin mask.  With just 3 cheap ingredients, you can create the perfect combination of acne fighting goodness. 

**perhaps in a future blog I'll include some other variations I've used in the past, but this is the most commonly used**

Ingredients: 

Uncoated Aspirin Tablets

100% Pure Honey

Water

Directions: 

1. Cleanse face and pat dry 

2. Take a few uncoated aspirin tablets *1-2 for spot treating. 4-5 for entire face* place on to a bowl or your hands. 

3. Lightly sprinkle some warm water on to the tablets to soften up the tablets *about 3-5 drops of water should do*

4. Mash the tablets with finger so its a pasty texture

5. Add 1-2 tsp of pure honey and mix together

6. Apply to face with fingers and coat the area to be treated *spots or entire face*

7. Leave on for about 10-15 minutes *DO NOT LEAVE FOR LONGER THAN 15 MIN!*

8. Thoroughly rinse off mask with warm water.

Why These Ingredients? 

1. Aspirin :: What most people don't know about aspirin is that the active ingredient is salicylic acid. Sound familiar? It should! Salicylic acid is the key ingredient for most anti-acne products (like Neutragena and Clearasil). Due to the hydrolysis that occurs between the water and the aspirin ... the acid that is created is able to dissolve in the sebum *the oil created by our skin that is the cause of acne if mixed with bacteria* and create an exfoliating effect to the treated area. 

2. Water :: Not only does it help dissolve the uncoated aspirin tablet ... it activates the hydrolysis that needs to take place in order for the acid to be created. The neutral pH balance of water is necessary for this mask to be effective. So actually ... the whole point IS to dissolve the aspirin tablet. I just wanted to show off how smart (and redundant) I can sound =P

3. 100% Pure Honey :: Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, honey is great for acne skin. On top of all that ... honey is a humectant so it's great to counter the drying affect that could occur from the aspirin's exfoliation. 

My Thoughts:

Sooo basically ... the combination of the three results in the following: 

1. The aspirin and water dissolves sebum and exfoliates bad skin

2. The honey disinfects and cleans out the pores 

3. The honey moisturizes the skin to counter dryness from the exfoliation 

No complaints here! :)

*****

Happy makeup-ing!

xoxo,

Grace
makeup@gracechun.com
www.twitter.com/gracechunmua