A Firm Foundation!

So, I've been bombarded by several people lately regarding foundation. Questions like, "What's the best one?" "How much should I really spend?" "Does it even make a difference?" "Can I get away with discount store brands vs. department store brands?"

Let's start with the breakdown.

First and foremost, your foundation is the KEY element (say it with me) to your ENTIRE face. My grandfather always used to say, "You have to have a firm foundation." He wasn't talking about makeup, but it's still true nonetheless. Bad foundation=bad makeup job. Period!

So how do you determine what's good and bad? That's what I'm about to tell you. Take notes, ladies, because this is important.

If you are between the ages of 11 and 20 then you can pull off discount store foundation without a lot of hassle. Is it the best foundation you can buy? Heck no, far from it actually, but these are the years you're just honing your skills so you can get away with it. Best choices would be: Covergirl, Revlon, Neutrogena and Max Factor. Stay away from deeply discounted so-called bargain brands (they're a bargain for a reason-they're horrible).

If you are over the age of 20 then it's time to shell out a little more for a decent foundation. I'm not suggesting you empty your life savings, but go prepared to spend at least $25 or more on a good quality, longer lasting brand. Believe me, you'll come to appreciate it. You may spend more at the counter, but you'll be there less often and your makeup will look ten times better. The following foundations are good choices with reputable backgrounds throughout the industry. They've been used extensively by makeup artists and models alike.

Laura Mercier- foundations come in both oil free and moisturizing. They are light, sheer, but have fantastic coverage. If used correctly, a bottle can last you as long as six months. Average cost is around $40. That equates to $6 a month, a great bargain.

Bobbi Brown- she also has an oil free and moisturizing line. Her line also carries foundation sticks (a heavier version of her liquid line). A word of caution-these foundations tend to run more yellow. If your skin has a yellow undertone then you may want to go with Laura Mercier instead. Yellow on yellow just creates MORE yellow. Average cost is around $30-$40.

Makeup Forever-Another good, solid line with lots of sheer coverage. Lots of different choices make this a good fit for many people. Average cost is also around $40.

Givenchy-This line is great if you have an aversion to liquid foundations, as some people do. I love their powder foundations. They are wonderful in the summer when you want coverage that tinted moisturizers don't provide. These are a perfect alternative. They're feather light and oil free. Average cost is around $40-$50.


Cinema Secrets-far and away my favorite line. Not only is it specifically formulated for television and film, but it has lots of benefits that can make all the difference in your appearance. This line has the most color choices I've seen. It also has the distinction of having a completely different formulation from other foundations. It's silicone based. Why is this important? Mostly because it stays ON your skin, not IN it. It doesn't get sucked down into the crevices of fine lines or wrinkles. Best of all, after it has been set with powder (watch for next post about this), it will NOT move. Ever wonder what foundation the actress on television or the film you're watching has on? There's a good chance it's this foundation. Widely used throughout the film industry, this is, in my opinion, one of the best foundations you can buy. Average cost is $20-$30 dollars. When used correctly this foundation can last between four and six months.


With the exception of Cinema Secrets, all of the lines I've mentioned can be found at Sephora.com or Nordstrom. If you're unsure of which line you want to try and live close enough to either of these stores, I suggest asking the sales rep for some samples to take home and try before committing to a purchase. They usually won't offer, so you'll have to ask.

Coming up next: The Power of Powder! Plus, tips on foundation and powder application.

Calling All Winners!

Thanks for the comments and suggestions for how to make the blog educational and informative! I'm excited to get started on them! Now, on to the important stuff! Check who won!

Natalie-Lipstick/Powder set

Shelly-Arbonne Thermal Mask

Julie-Ogden Cannery Candle

Heather-Arbonne Lotion set

Kimberly-Brush set

Thanks for entering! Please tell your friends, co-workers, strangers, etc. Watch for more to come! Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

It's Giveaway Time!

Okay, here's the first official giveaway! Now remember, because it is the first one, it will be relatively small in comparison to ones that I will be doing in the future. Ready to get your glam on for the holidays?

Leave me a comment (one per person, please) with suggestions or something you would like to see featured on this blog. Tell me why you think you should win and then keep your fingers crossed!

Comments will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (MST) on Tuesday, November 24th. The winners will announced on Wednesday. GoOd LuCk!


First up: a fabulous candle from the Cannery Center in North Ogden, Utah! They are awesome, smell yummy and soy-based so they're good for the environment.


Two lucky people will win Arbonne Exfoliating Masque with Thermal Fusion. These masks are perfect for clearing up and refining pores, and give your skin a smoother, brighter finish. Loaded with beneficial ingredients including Kaolin clay, cucumber, and lemon extracts, it leaves you with a clear, pretty complexion.

Arbonne NutriMin C Re9 REfinish Hydrating Body Serum and Lotion is next up. With it's yummy smell and hydrating effects, it will leave you super-moisturized (but not greasy) and gives your skin a satin-finish feel. I love this stuff!


Wanna feel like Bella Swan? Well, here are two products to get you started. Benefit's silky smooth lipstick in good-to-go (a plum-brown color that's compatible with almost every skin tone). This was the lipstick used most on Kristen Stewart during the filming of Twilight!
Arbonne translucent loose powder in light to medium with powder puff. Great for setting your foundation and giving you an all-over pretty finish to help compliment your makeup.
Last but not least, one winner will receive this 10 piece brush set with case. Light weight, long handles help improve makeup application and the case keeps them free of hairspray, dust and other allergens that can get trapped inside the brushes.

Let the giveaway begin!

GiVeAwAy WeEkEnD!

Yay for giveaways! Watch for my upcoming post. It'll have fabulous things that I'll be giving away just in time for the holidays! Tell your friends! The more people who enter, the more there will be to give away.

Product Limelight!

Lancome Definicils mascara! Ever wonder what the pros use? Well wonder no more. This revolutionary little product is on every makeup professional's list. Why? The formula is sleek, smooth, non-greasy, and won't leave you with flaky or clumpy lashes.

Another great feature is how easy it is to remove at the end of the day. While this product isn't the cheapest thing you can buy (average cost is around $25.00), it's well worth the money. It lasts longer and wears better. If you simply cannot part with that much money at once here's a few suggestions of some other good mascaras that will get the job done.

Loreal Lash Out- This is as close to Definicils as you can get without actually getting it. Loreal is owned by Lancome, thus the formulations of their mascaras are pretty darn close, and it's a great alternative at around half the cost of Definicils.

Great Lash Mascara- Yes, you've all seen it, the pink and green tube. It's marketed in nearly every grocery and discount store in America. But here's the deal...it's actually a really good mascara. It comes in a variety of colors and brush lengths and doesn't flake or dry out too quickly. Plus, it's not expensive so you can replace it relatively cheaply.

Revlon Lash Fantasy-Overall, this masacara has it's good points. Just make sure you keep the lid closed tightly as it tends to dry out rather quickly.

If you decide that Definicils is not your favorite, but still want the quality then may I recommend Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes. It's similar to Definicils, has a great texture, won't clump and the rounded head applicator is great for reaching even the tiniest lashes.

Watch for more featured products and instructions coming up. Also, keep on the watch for product drawings and give-aways. Tell your friends! If you have a questions about products or simply want to know what the latest makeup trends are in Hollywood, send me a comment, and I'll break it down for you.

Now go bat some lashes!

Welcome!

This blog is for EVERYONE! I've decided to incorporate it as another tool for helping all of my present and future clients. This blog will be updated regularly with products, tips, instructions and just general information about makeup that everyone can use!

Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions about how I can make this blog useful and helpful to all of you! Have a question? Email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to help you!