Jenn Johnson

Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip: StingRaye, $6.00

The search is always on for a classic red lip. For me, that ship has sailed. Red is a beautiful color that looks fantastic on everyone, but me. Not that I can’t find a good red.  I have four-hundred- zillion shades of red lipstick just hankerin for a night on the town. The problem is, one step outside my door and I have it on my chin, my clothes, the steering wheel, my dog , your dog—you get the picture.

I’m more of a nude gal.

But, nudes can be tricky as well. If you don’t get it right, you’ll look washed out or like someone slathered a wad of silly puddy on your mouth. Not attractive.

Nudes will always be a thing. So, here are some helps to get that nude lip to look it’s best—or any lip for that matter.

MaryKay Satin Lips Set, $18

Exfoliate

Lips should be part of your skin care routine. I don’t do it every day but, I do try to do it at least once a week. My all time favorite product for this is Mary Kay Satin Lips. It comes with a mask and balm, and it leaves your lips baby soft.

A close second for me is a new product from Clinique—Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub and Lip Balm. Or, if you’d rather a multi-tasking product you can also use the same scrub that you use for your face. Just make sure it’s gentle. Your lips need a tender touch.

Clinique Sweet Pots, $19.50

Not So Opaque

Instead, try a more sheer nude that is a shade or two darker than your natural lip color. This trick will help you avoid paste mouth.

MAC Creme D’ Nude, $17 (use with light skin)

Don’t Go All Frosty

There was a time for this lip circa 1986. We want natural so go for a satiny finish. *hint, if it feels good going on, that’s your girl*

Clinique Chubby Stick: Graped Up, $17 (use with olive skin)

Use the Tools Given to You: Your Fingers

Instead of slapping that on straight from the bullet, lightly tap it on the lip with your finger and blot your lips together.

And voila, you’re nude.

The thing is, however, is that there are several fantastic foundations at the drug store. I found a dupe list on Pinterest and in the ultimate sacrifice have spent the last eight weeks trying them out. These are some of my favorites.

1. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk ($62) / L’oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup

Probably one of the most hyped-up foundations of all time is the Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk.  It’s $62 hyped up dollars. That’s alotta scratch. But, L’oreal is a perfect dupe–and dare I say I like it better.

2. Estee Lauder Double Wear  Stay in Place Makeup ($38.00) / Revlon Colorstay Makeup for combo/oily skin ($9.49)

Double wear has more color spectrum to choose from but, consistency and wearability are nearly identical.

3. NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation ($48) / L’oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation ($11.99)

 I actually prefer the L’oreal foundation. My skin is oily, so “luminous” is not really a quality that looks great on my skin. This gives a dewy look without all the “dew”.

4. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation ($27) / Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless ($5.99)

Another one I prefer over the original. And it’s ummmm six bucks!

5. L’ancome Miracle Cushion Liquid Cushion Compact ($47) / L’oreal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion ($16.99)

The last one is a great dupe for a newer concept. The “cushion”. These are meant to be a more natural coverage and are fantastic if you are late for work because you’ve laid in bed watching Tivo’d Judge Judy all morning. #notjustmeihope

I hope these give you some great alternatives but, just in case don’t forget to save your receipts.

Historically, baking has been used primarily in the Drag community. A heavy layer of powder is applied over foundation/concealer and allowed to “bake” for several minutes to set and hold makeup under hot stage lights.

This torch has been passed to us to use to chisel our cheekbones and to make us look flawless. I would like to give a big “thank you” to our drag queen pioneers for, once again, giving us the tools to shock people with our real age.

Ingredients

Makeup Sponge

Clinique Face Powder #20

or Air Spun Translucent Face Powder

Fluffy Powder Brush (Sigma F20)

Buffing Brush Collection Set

Ok! Let’s Bake!

1. Apply foundation and concealer as usual.
2. Take the sponge and roll it side to side in your loose powder loading the sponge with powder.  Dab lightly and set powder under eyes, under cheekbones, and anywhere else highlight is needed. (see pic)
3. Now, we wait.  Let it “bake” for 10-15 minutes. This is the perfect time to do your eyeshadow.  If you have any fall-out from eyeshadows or glitter, it will be swept away.
4. Gently brush away all the powder.  What hasn’t “baked in” should brush away.  If it happens to look cakey in areas, continue to blend away lightly until it smoothes out.

Some Tips

• This technique does take a little practice.  The first time I did it, I thought it was the dumbest thing since headlight eyelashes.
• If you find that it gets cakey under your eyes, try applying a little less concealer. Also, make sure you use a nicely milled powder.
• Baking is not going to look good on all skin, especially very dry or more mature skin.

If you’ve tried “baking” and love it or hate it, I would love to hear from you.  What would you like to hear from me?  Comment below!

Well, I am here to tell you: don’t bother.

Let me rephrase: you can if you want but it’s really not necessary. If you aren’t modeling in a photo shoot or bridal photos this does not need to be in your every day beauty routine.

Aside from being superfluous, contouring is not something you can just copy from a tutorial. The concept of a contour is to provide shade to areas that need to be concealed to give the illusion of a more “perfect” face.  If you are copying someone who has a round shaped face and yours is more heart shaped you are going to end up a bronzy, muddy mess.

It’s kind of the same idea behind why you can’t seem to create that perfect winged eyeliner. It’s a different technique depending on your eye shape. (I know my eye shape and I always end up with one perfect wing and one wing that looks like a let a five-year-old do it for me.)

Before you get upset at me for going all counter-culture on you, let me offer you an alternative.  This is something everyone can do AND it looks great on everyone. I promise.

It’s called the 3 rule.

Starting just above the arch of the brow, swoop down starting a C shape. Bring the tail of the C to just under the cheekbone stopping as you see in the picture, just at the iris. Then finish the 3-shape by going just under the jawbone.  Don’t do it ON the jaw line or you’ll have just that—a jaw line. Repeat on the other side and Voila! You have a beautifully shaped face with just the right amount of warmth.

Stay tuned: next week I’ll tell you some of my favorite products for executing this simple technique!

You’re tired.

You’ve come home from a long day of being amazing and you barely have the energy to crawl into bed, let alone pull a jackhammer out of the closet to get your mascara off.

Well, scrub no more!  Here are some tried-and-true mascaras that are near bullet proof and can be removed with just water. You read that right. A little warm water, a washcloth and you’ll be in bed before M.A.S.H. is on.  (That’s still a thing, right?)

These mascaras work by creating a polymer “tube” around the lashes.  The warm water releases the bond and the “tube” just slides off the lash, nearly intact—creepily looking a little like spider legs.  Just a few downward swipes and you are mascara-free and, even better, at several different price-points you are bound to find your perfect mascara.

L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tube Mascara

[MSRP $9.95]

You can find this in any chain or drug store out there.  The double-ended tube holds primer and mascara.  This one is unique (and great) because the primer creates the tubes AND lengthens your lashes in the process.

PRO: Affordable and lengthening

CON: Two steps

Clinique Lash Power Mascara

[MSRP $16.50-$17.50]

Found in any department store and online.  This has a 24-hour wear and is perfect for someone who is active because it withstands sweat, moisture and all that jazz.  Comes in two styles Lash Power and Lash Feathering. Personally, I love the original Lash Power because the small brush catches every single lash.

PRO: Great natural looking lashes and there’s always that sweet GWP

CON: Not an incredibly buildable formula

Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara

[MSRP $31.50]

This mascara is bad break-up proof.  It acts like true waterproof mascara without the sandblaster.  Also this one hits my personal holy trinity—it lengthens, thickens and has easy removal. The formula also comes in  a volumizing formula with a smaller, more detailed brush.

PRO: Near-perfect Mascara

CON: Only sold at Nordstrom brick and mortar stores in Utah, but also available online at www.trishmcevoy.com

Jenn also blogs on Facebooks (Makeup for Grown Ass Women).

#1. NARS Lip Gloss – Turkish Delight

Dupe: NYX Megashine Lip Gloss – Sugar Pie

#2. Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick – Beso

Dupe: Rimmel London Show-off Lip Lacquer – Big Bang

#3. Anastasia Liquid Lipstick – Pure Hollywood

Dupe: NYX Matte Lipstick – Spirit

#4. MAC Satin Lipstick –  Pink Nouvaeu

Dupe: NYX Matte Lipstick – Summer Breeze

#5. YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick – Frivolous Pink

Dupe: Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick – Pink Blush

#6. MAC Matte Lipstick – Velvet Teddy

Dupe: Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color – Bare It All

#7. Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour – Mademoiselle

Dupe: Maybelline Color Sensational – Iced Caramel

#8. MAC Matte Lipstick – Sin

Dupe: Wet n Wild MeaLast Lip Color – Cherry Bomb

#9. Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick – Dominant

Dupe: Maybelline Color Sensational – 5th Ave. Fuschia

#10. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Dragon Girl

Dupe: NYX Matte Lipstick – Bloody Mary