BeautyBlog64 - Make Up 101 - Basic Introduction

Hey Lovlies,

So a friend of mine is visiting the States very soon and she asked for an overview and some tips for buying a little bit of everything. I thought it was a good idea to give you guys a small intro/overview of what to look for make up and skin care-wise if you're starting out or looking to try some new products but don't know where to start.

Note: This is targeted towards shopping in the U.S. but some/most products are also available in Denmark or online!

Make up:

Face primer:
Laura Mercier has a great face primer - in many different versions according to your skin type! If you wanna give it a go then I suggest giving her flawless face kit a try - includes the must-talked about tinted moisturizer and other goodies.

Foundation:
Liquid foundation-wise I would suggest the MakeUpForever HD Foundation or their MatVelvet+, if your skin is combination/oily. However, this is a 35-40 dollar foundation so if you want to go for a cheaper alternative go to your local drugstore for the Revlon Colorstay or Photo Ready foundation! The Colorstay gives great coverage and the PhotoReady gives a flawless finish - their version of the MUFE HD foundation AND the price is around 10 dollars!

Powder:
I only use a setting powder - and I would suggest the MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural - get shade-matched at your MAC counter or possibly the MUFE HD Microfinish Powder Many drugstore brands have great powders as well!

Bronzer/Blush:
Benefit's Hoola bronzer or Coralista blush are very popular. If you want to save money then go to MAC for a great color selection or even NYX for a 5 dollar blush. For creme blush the N.Y.C. blushable creme sticks have been getting a lot of well-deserved hype this summer. It's only like 3 dollars at the drugstore! N.Y.C. also has a great bronzer in Sunny for around 3 dollars!

For blush and bronzer a lot of people also love Nars products. They are pretty expensive but really good. Their blush/bronzer combo in Orgasm/Laguna is widely popular.


Eyeshadow primer:
Makes your eyeshadow last all day - I adore the Too Faced Shadow Insurance but a lot of beauty gurus swear by the Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Eyeshadow:
I love MAC shadows. If you go to a MAC store/counter you can buy a palette and choose four colors and make your own combo! Great idea!

I you are in the U.S. now or will be going soon then check out Urban Decay's amazing new limited edition Naked Palette

BUT eyeshadows are just as good if you get them at the drugstore - and cheap! Look for Maybelline quads in Expert Wear Eye Shadow Quads or Stylish Smokes quads.


CoverGirl Eye Enhancer Kits are also popular as are Revlon!

The difference in price from Sephora/department stores to drugstore ranges from 10-20+ dollars so it is definetely worth looking at the drugstore brands!

Eyeliner:
I just use anything black! I like Almay, MAC and Urban Decay.

Mascara:
My HOLY grail is the CoverGirl Lash Blast in water proof. I am waiting to try the new version called Fusion! (Price app. 7 dollars!)

There are of course loads of other brands to take a look at. First high end ones!

There is a lot of rave about the YSL Faux Cils - but it is 30 dollars!

There us also the Make Up Forever Smokey Lash - I am contemplating trying this one and breaking my two year + dedication to CoverGirl!
Benefit Cosmetics BADgal Lash har også fået mange positive omtaler på YT. http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P49014&categoryId=S10510&shouldPaginate=true

Dior Show - always a favorite - a classic! But I ditched it because it was not in waterproof - it is now so I might give it a new try as well!

Don't like MAC mascaras! So nothing on them!

Drugstore mascaras are a lot cheaper and many of them just as good from what I hear. Here are some of the ones that are getting good reviews:

The Colossal Volum' Express by Maybelline
Lash Stiletto, Sexy Curves Mascara and The Max Volume by Rimmel
Double Extended by L'Oreal - one of my YouTube faves, Kandee Johnson loves this! I tried it out and didn't like it (should have tried a waterproof I guess) Now it lives w my friend Helle;)
Telescopic Mascara, Voluminous and Volume Collagen Mascaras by L'Oreal
Define a Lash by Maybelline

All of these are given somewhat good reviews by loads of girls - and the occasional great guy!:) on YouTube.

Lipbalm:
Korres Lipbutters! My favorite one is Jasmin.
Drugstore balms include the L'oreal HIP Jelly Balms and this summer's hype, the EOS LipBalms - formed like little balls/eggs!

Lipgloss:
LOVE lipgloss but hate the stickiness! Therefore no MAC lip glosses except the CremeSheen Glass-no stickiness, only creamy consistency! Also love the NYX mega shines and Round lip glosses - and they are like 2-4 dollars! Also like the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss. Some of them are like the CremeSheen Glass and I want to try this summer's collection with Coral Reef, Peach Petal, Pink Pop and Lilac Pastelle!

Lipsticks:
NYX round lipsticks! app. 3 dollars! MAC is great for the color selection and formulas! app. 14 dollars. For drugstore lipstick look for Revlon Super Lustrous has so many different shades, app. 8 dollars, or their ColorBurst line! and Maybelline's Color Sensational line is also great!

Nails:
If you can find it I absolutely love OPI - app. 10. dollars a bottle. Essie! A classic and what you get at most nail salons along w OPI - app. 8 dollars.

Of course my first nail polish love Chanel!

For a slightly cheaper alternative check out ChinaGlaze - a lot of different colors - and their most famous one For Audrey /Something Blue - the Tiffany & Co color is everywhere;)

Remember the Top coat Dry fast favorite Seche Vite!

Next up is skin care!

Hope you found this helpful - please leave a comment w any thoughts, questions or such. If you need a website reference as to where to buy any of this from DK also let me know!

xoxo
msbeautyblogger!