TotalBeauty.com: Inner Beauty vs. Outer Beauty

Makeup can only do so much for our outer beauty.

Quiz: Does Your Inner Beauty Look Like Your Outer Beauty?

Find out how others see you and how to make your inner and outer glow align

This quiz will tell you if your inner essence matches your public face, and how to bring them into harmony if they're totally out of whack. Take the quiz

It's hot out there! Summer foundation combo #1

Hi guys! I finally have some time to post a new article.  So it may be officially "Spring" but down here we are having a very "Summer" weather. The beginning of March was extremely hot with 90ºF + temps. Luckily, these past few days the temperature has gone down to 85º-88ºF during the day. What does this all means? It is almost impossible to wear makeup! I mean, who would want to? Well, I have to if I want my skin to at least look even. And I have to look presentable if I'm meeting a client.

A few weeks ago I had to go with a client to inspect an old building (decades ago it was a mental facility for convicts--creepy) and I knew we had to walk for a long time and that I was gonna sweat like crazy.  Indeed it happened, but I was glad my makeup stayed almost intact.  When I went home, I was glad to see I still had coverage left and no mascara smudging or eyeshadow creasing!

I wanted my skin to look hydrated.  I added 2 drops of sweet almond oil and 2 drops of avocado oil to my moisturizer. You'll think "What? She has combo/oily skin!" Well, thing is my cheeks and the area under my eyes can get really dry and these oils left my skin feeling super soft and moisturized. After a few minutes, I added my sunscreen all over my face and then a small amount of primer just in the T-Zone (and a bit on the cheeks).

NOTE: if you have super oily skin, consider if you really need to use the primer on a hot day; sometimes sunscreen creams or lotions make good primers.

Now for foundation, well, I honestly can't wear powder foundation thinking it will last long on hot weather while looking great, not even my Studio Fix Powder +.  I need something that makes my skin looks hydrated and provides long lasting coverage.

So yeah, I use a very small amount of my always faithful Revlon Colorstay Makeup (for combo/oily skin) but I mix it with MAC's Strobe Liquid (you do know the Strobe Liquid Lotion has moisturizing properties, right?) Not only does the Strobe Lotion makes the Colorstay feel more light (while retaining its staying power) but since it has iridescent particles, it provides a healthy glow (not shine!) to my skin.  I must indicate I used a very small amount of foundation; I applied with the MAC 187 and blend like crazy.  I did not wanted to have lots of foundation on my face.  The coverage wasn't as full as I wanted but nothing my concealer couldn't deal with.  I wanted to be presentable, not perfect.

NOTE: If you have dry skin, consider using the Colorstay Makeup for Dry Skin, it doesn't has alcohol as the Combo/Oily skin formula.

NOTE: The reason I'm recommending the Colorstay Makeup is because it is the only one I have found that lasts through the whole day without totally fading or transferring to clothes.  Estée Lauder Double Wear Makeup is also a good alternative.

I then used both cream and powder blush. I applied a matte powder with a cosmetic puff as setting powder (LOVING the Maybelline Dream Matte Powder, seriously; I've been using it almost everyday since I got it a few weeks ago).  I used matte powder because I knew I was going to sweat and I wanted my skin to look healthy and glowy after a few hours, not shiny.

For the eyes, I just made sure to use two good primers + cream shadow: TFSI, Concealer and a MAC Paint Pot.

TIP: If during the day you feel you skin a little dry, keep in your purse a hydrating mist like MAC Fix+ Spray so you can use it at any time, I love it; If on the other hand you are all oily, Blotting paper is a MUST!. Do not keep using powder on top of your oily face. Blot first!

Here's a complete list of what I used:

FACE

Primer--Walgreens Sunscreen all over face and Smashbox Photofinish on T-zone

Foundation--Revlon ColorStay in True Beige mixed with a small amount of MAC Strobe Liquid

Concealer--Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer, #10 on blemishes and some dark spots

Blush--MAC Sweet William CremeBlush and Hello Kitty Tippy Blush on top (applied very lightly)

Setting Powder--Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Beige (Medium 2-2.5) --This stuff ROCKS!
Setting Spray--MAC Fix+ Spray (awesome!)

EYES

Primer--TFSI, Makeup For Ever Full Coverage Concealer #10 and MAC Painterly Paint Pot

Eyeshadow--none, just the Maybelline Dream Matte Powder on top of primers

Eyebrows--MAC Eye Brow Pencil in Stud

Mascara--Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara in Glam Black

LIPS

MAC Tendertone Lipbalm SPF12 in Pucker--feels so good

10:30 AM

7:00 PM

Not bad huh?

I hope to post another of my fave makeup combos for hot weather soon .

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Best & Worst Skin Brightening Products

Best and Worst Skin Brightening Products

See which reader-tested products will help you get the radiant skin you crave

Want luminous skin? Check out the best skin lightening/brightening products and avoid the worst ones, and you'll be um, good to glow. See products

Worst: No. 4: Ambi Fade Cream, $4.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.8*

"I put on my first application as instructed and hours later my face starting burning ..."

No. 3: Bremenn Research Labs Lumedia Facial Brightener, $80

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.8*

"I have been using this product for at least 6 months to give it a fair chance, but ..."

Best: No. 6: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Moisturizing Cream, $59

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8*

"This is my miracle in a jar …"

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!

EYEBROWS: MAC Eye Brow Pencil vs. Maybelline Define-A-Brow

I recently bought the the Maybelline Define-A-Brow Pencil in Dark Brown.  I remember I used it once years ago but it was too dark (black?).  The product def. reminds me of MAC Eye Brow Pencil, my all time fave.

Similarities:

1. Applicator is the same, honestly.

2. Both products are waterproof; for me it means they will last 8+ hrs without fading completely. They will resist hot temperatures too.

3. The texture is wax-ish but easily blendable.

4. Both tips are of the same diameter, very fine.

5. Both pencils are self-sharpening.

6. Both companies offer 6 shades.

Differences:

1. Qty of product: MAC offers 0.003oz for $15 USD while MAYBELLINE's pencil is 0.001oz for $7 USD.  So you get more produt buying the MAC pencil.

2.  MAC Eye Brow pencil is available only at their stores or Dept. Stores and online, MAYBELLINE Define a Brow is available well, almost everywhere?

3.  Mmmm, can't remember other differences.

I guess there are two basic reasons you would pic Maybelline's pencil over MAC's: availability and color selection. I use MAC E/B pencil in Stud and I find MAYBELLINE Define a Brow in Dark Brown also suits me well.

Just applied:

Left: Maybelline Define a Brow in Dark Brown

Right: MAC E/B Pencil in Stud

After rubbing my skin softly for 10 secs:

I think both products are wonderful. If you don't have time to go to a MAC Store or don't like their shades, I recommend checking out the Maybelline Define a Brow pencil.  Both offer great quality.  Remember to blend well the pencil after applying, I use a spoolie brush for that matter.


¡Espero que hayan tenido una linda semana! 
Hope you've had a wonderful week!



¡Vivan, amen y rian!

Hautelook.com: Vincent Longo on sale!

Just wanted to share that HauteLook.com is having a sale on Vincent Longo cosmetics.  Eyeliner, lippies, eyeshadows and my favorite: lipglosses!

Just today I was wearing my VL Virgin Lux Gloss in "Apollo Gold" and I'm always amazed  on how moisturizing these glosses are.  I LOVE THEM!  In fact, I will say without a doubt that I prefer them over the MAC glosses. I love that when the gloss is fading, you are left with oh-so-soft lips.  Read my review about VLongo glosses HERE.

So of course, I'm so happy to see them on sale!! LOL.

Click on the image below (my personal invite to join Hautelook!) or go directly to their website. 

Have a fun weekend!

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

TotalBeauty.com: Beauty's worst enemy

LOL! Right on target!!!

Why Stress is Beauty's Worst Enemy

See the effects stress has on your hair, skin and nails then learn how to prevent it

Is the stress monster starting to rear its ugly head? Well, you'd better make it stop (for your looks' sake). See how -- quick. See tips

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

LOOK: MAC Smokey Purples--Trax, Nocturnelle and Beautiful Iris

Don't you love when you have to do your makeup in a rush and it turns out really nice? I started this look wanting to add a bit of MAC's Nocturnelle E/S on the crease of my eyes just to give some color to them. Then I thougth "well, Trax would look fine on the lids" and then "Hmmm...Beautiful Iris would be a wonderful highlighter on the tearduct area..." THEN I thought "you know, it's not bad at all" LOL.

Here it is:

||All picks are clickable||

FACE

MAC Prep+Prime SPF50

REVLON Photo Ready Makeup in 006 Medium Beige -- I just bought it; still testing it

MAC Sweet William Creme Blush

MAC Shy Beauty Beauty Powder

MAC Blot Powder (Loose) in Medium Dark

EYES

TFSI

LORAC Persuasion E/S -- all over eyelids up to browbone (as highlighter)

MAC E/S: Nocturnelle (crease and lower lashline); Trax (eyelids); Beautiful Iris ( tearducts area)

MAC Blactrack Fluidline

MAYBELLINE Lash Stiletto Waterproof Mascara in Black -- okay, now I'm loving it.

MAC Eyebrow pencil in Stud

LIPS

SALLY HANSEN Healing Butter for Lips

L'OREAL Colour Riche Lipstick in Cashmere

STILA Lip Glaze in Jewel

OH, one of the downsides of doings things in a rush is that I spent all the evening with my blouse inside-out (without noticing it, of course) AND I was out with my hubby and kids at a social event...Hahahahahaaaa.... 

Have a nice week! ¡Linda semana!

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Update about me

Hi guys! 

Well, I know I haven't been posting many articles lately.  This time around it's because I'm taking 2 continuing education courses that are keeping me really busy during the week. I'm very happy to be attending this courses, one of them is about opening and managing a small business (surprisingly enough, I really love it! Super interesting) and the other is Energy Management--this last one takes me back to my college years when I was taking engineering courses  ||¡como ha llovido! jaja|| . 

 

I expect to finish the first one (small business) at the end of March and the other one... I'm not sure, maybe April or May, can't remember now. Too lazy to look for the course program now, =D

I'll try to do my best to keep posting new stuff. If you see I'm posting very sporadically, then you already know why. 


Hugs.  ¡Un abrazo!






¡Vivan, amen y rían!

TotalBeauty.com: Solve your skin Care Woes

Solve Your Skin Care Woes -- For Good

Proven tricks, tips and secrets to look and feel forever young

Whether aging has been creeping up on you since last year, or just hit you like a ton of bricks this morning, it’s a huge, depressing realization to us women. But there are proven ways to slow (and even reverse) the signs of aging -- from the sagging skin under your chin to brown sunspots on your face. See what dermatologists and makeup artists say will keep your skin in great shape, no matter your age. See tips

TotalBeauty.com: Best Products For Oily Hair

Best Products For Oily Hair

Part ways with your oily strands and start loving your hair again

Are you part of the "I hate my oily hair" club? Well now you can cancel your membership. We've got the best products and remedies to keep your hair under control -- everything from clarifying shampoos that get rid of oily build-up to thickening mousse that helps your thin, oily hair look fuller. See products

No 11: Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion, $23

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.1

"It gives the hair some "tooth" so it's not slippery …"

No 10: Bumble and bumble Sumowax, $27

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.2

"It doesn't weigh down my thick hair, perks up my roots, and lasts …"

No 9: Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, $5.59

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.4

"Makes my hair feel deep down clean without stripping the natural oils …"

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!