An Easy & Sexy New Year's Eve Makeup Look!

Hi Everyone!

Happy New Year's Eve!  I thought I'd post this to give you all some inspiration for an easy, sexy New Year's Eve makeup look.  So, here's the completed look!

How to get this look:

Step 1:  Brighten under eyes with a concealer.  Dab a bit under your eyes, to the lash line, and blend with your finger.  (I used the Benefit Erase Paste.)

Step 2:  Apply your favorite foundation with a Beauty Blender, making sure to blend down into your neck.  (I used Makeup Forever HD.)

Step 3:  Apply additional concealer under eyes as needed, or to any blemishes.  Blend with Beauty Blender.  (I used the Cle de Peau Concealer in Ochre.)

Step 4:  Using a fluffy brush, apply a setting powder all over your face to set the foundation and concealer.  (I used Rimmel Stay Matte in Translucent.)

Step 5:  Apply bronzer lightly to your temples and around your jaw line using a fluffy brush.  (I used Nars Laguna)

Step 6:  Apply a peachy pink blush to the apples of your cheeks.  (I used Nars Orgasm, but the Elf blush in Tickled Pink will work just as well.)

Step 7:  Fill in your eyebrows, using feathery light strokes, and blend with a spooly brush.  (I used the Anastasia Brow Wiz.)

Step 8:  Apply eyeshadow primer using your finger.  (I used Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original)

Step  9:  Apply a silver cream-based shadow all over your lid and up to the crease, leaving about 1/4 of your innermost lid bare.  (I used L'Oreal 24 hour Infallible Eye Shadow in Primped & Precious.)

Step 10:  Apply a deep taupe/mauve shadow exactly over the silver cream shadow you just applied.  (I used the Urban Decay eyeshadow in Darkside, which is found in the Naked 3 Palette.)

Step 11:  Apply a metallic taupe shimmer shadow on the inner 1/4 of your eye, which should be naked.  Overlap your last shadow and blend it in.  (I used the UD N3 shade Mugshot.)

Step 12:  Using a medium pinky-brown matte shadow, blend out any harsh lines of your existing shadows into the upper crease of your eye.  (I used the UD N3 shade Nooner.)

Step 13:  Using a pale neutral pink satin shadow, highlight under your brows and in the innermost corner of the eye.  (I used the UD N3 shade Strange.)

Step 14:  Use the Darkside side on a small flat brush, and apply lightly to your lower lash line. 

Step 15:  Apply a black liquid liner as close to your lash line as possible, and wing out the ends slightly.  (I used the L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black.)

Step 16:  Tightline your lashes and waterline.  (I used the Marc Jacobs eyeliner in Black.)

Step 17:  Apply mascara generously.  (I used the Lancome Hypnose Mascara.)

Step 18:  Apply a pale pink lipstick.  (I used the YSL Volupte Sheer Candy Lipstick in #12 Tasty Raspberry.)

Step 19:  Spritz face with makeup setting spray.  (I used Urban Decay All Nigher Spray.)

Step 20:  Marvel at your beauty.

Hope you all have a lovely New Year's Eve!

Xoxo,

Cathy

My Favorites of 2013!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed the holidays.  Jeremy and I had a great time in Boston for Christmas!  It was a really relaxing, low-key holiday...the best kind.

I can't believe this year is ending, and I truthfully can't say I'm sad to see it go.  2013 was rough.  On to a bigger and better year!

That being said, I did want to discuss some of my favorite/most used products of 2013.  I'll go by category, and let you know what I've been loving.  With all that extra Christmas money most of us have, you never know, this may even turn into a shopping list for some of you.

Foundation:
High End:  Makeup Forever HD
Drug Store:  L'Oreal True Match Lumi
Drug Store Honorable Mention:  Revlon ColorStay Whipped.  I prefer the L'Oreal because the packaging is less clunky, has a pump, and the coverage is just slightly better.

Blush:
Elf Blush in Tickled Pink.  It's $3 and I like it just as much as Nars Orgasm, which is nearly ten times the price.
Honorable Mention:  Bobbi Brown Blush in Nectar.

Concealer - Undereye
Benefit Erase Paste

Concealer - All over
Cle de Peau Concealer
Honorable Mention:  Mac Studio Fix Concealer.  For serious blemishes, I usually use the Mac, but the Mac concealer is a bit thick/heavy for undereye areas, where you can use Cle de Peau for undereyes.    

Powder:
Rimmel Stay Matte.  The one I use is translucent. 

Bronzer:
Tarte Bronzer in Park Ave. Princes

Eyeshadow Primer:
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original

Eyeshadow - Drugstore
Tie between:
Wet n Wild 8 pan palette in Comfort Zone
Wet n Wild eyeshadow trio in Walking on Eggshells

Eyeshadow - High End
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Honorable Mention:  Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette.  LOVE this palette.  It's getting OM simply because there are fewer shadows to love than the UDNP.
Note:  I was REALLY tempted to put the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette, but I've only been using it for a month or so, so I thought it wasn't an accurate representation of the year of 2013.

Eyeliner:
L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black
Note:  I've been using lots of other liners for tightlining, waterline...but I haven't been loving any lately.  I'm in the market for a new liner.  Recommendations anyone?

Mascara - High End:
YSL Babydoll Lashes
Honorable Mention:  Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara

Mascara - DrugStore:
L'Oreal Voluminous Full Definition Mascara

Lip Balm:
Tie Between:
Nivea A Kiss of... (My favorites are A Kiss of Smoothness and A Kiss of Olive Oil & Lemon)
EOS Lip Balm Stick in Vanilla Bean
Honorable Mention:  EOS Lip Sphere in Sweet Mint

Tinted Lip Balm:
L'Oreal Color Riche Balm (My favorite color is probably the Rose Elixr)

Lipstick:
High End:  Nars Lipstick in Dolce Vita
DrugStore:  Revlon Lip Butter  (My favorites are Berry Smoothie and Raspberry Pie)

Lip Gloss:
Nars Lip Gloss in Chihuahua

Brown Pencil:
 Anastasia Brow Wiz

Beauty Tool:
Beauty Blender

Body Wash: 
Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash

Hand Cream: 
Soap & Glory Hand Food

Nail Polish:
Essie Mademoiselle

Perfume:
Marc Jacobs Dot/Daisy/Honey (Three Way Tie)
Honorable Mention:  Disney by Sephora Ariel Kiss the Girl Perfume



So tell me...what have you been loving in 2013?

Xoxo,

Cathy

Fall Favorites!

Hi Everyone!

I really love Fall.  The weather is not too hot, or too cold.  I love watching the leaves change color, and when they fall, the little crispety crunch beneath your feet can bring a smile to anyone's day.  I love the feeling that the holidays are coming up, but you're not quite at the ZOMG WHAT AM I GOING TO GET EVERYONE stage.  It's such a great time of the year.

Now that we're towards the end of Fall, I wanted to tell you all about some things I've been loving this season.  Let's get to it!

1.  Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

I LOVE Starbucks in general.  The food is tasty.  The drinks are amazing.  The service is, usually, great.  And I always leave feeling like I had an experience, instead of feeling like, "eh, I grabbed a coffee."  But this Fall, Starbucks has left me with THREE favorites, the first being the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

The PSL has the perfect amount of pumpkin, cinnamon, caffeine, and creamy goodness...and it's delicious hot or iced.

2.  The Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice

I loved the Caramel Apple Spice in High School, but haven't had one in such a long time.  Recently, I was craving a tasty warm beverage with no caffeine, and voila, the CAS was reintroduced to my life.  They're so tasty and are amazing for times when you're not in the mood for caffeine.

3.  The Starbucks Gingerbread Latte

Now that it's red cup season, Starbucks has released the Gingerbread Latte.  To be honest, I've never been a fan of it, but when they burst out the holiday drinks, I noticed the store sign boasted a new recipe for the GBL.  I figured it couldn't hurt to try it.  And I'm SO glad I did.  The taste is delicious, just the right amount of gingerbread and cinnamon flavor, without being overpowering.  Way to change a bad thing, Starbucks!

4.  UGG Ansley Slippers

These "slippers" are great for indoors OR outdoors, as they have the sole of a driving moccasin.  They're super comfortable and have the coziest wool lining ever.  They're great for running errands and pair the comfort of a flat with the warmth needed for the cooler weather.  Mine are pink, and I love them.

5.  Benefit Erase Paste

I have been developing a completely new foundation routine over the past few months, and the Benefit Erase Paste is KEY to combating my dark circles.  I still use my beloved Cle de Peau concealer, but now I put the Erase Paste UNDER my foundation (to brighten up the dark circles), then apply foundation, THEN use the Cle de Peau concealer to handle blemishes and getting the under-eye area to match my skin tone.  This product is a Godsend, and just a little dab will go a long way.

6.  Yves Saint Laurent Babydoll Mascara

I feel bad even sharing this product with you...because it is so overpriced.  But this mascara, oh this mascara.  I originally got this mascara as a deluxe sample size from Sephora using my VIB points.  First mistake.  And now I'm in love with a mascara that's $30 a tube.  Oops.

This mascara is lengthening AND creates unbelievable volume...a combination most mascaras fail to successfully achieve.  It's a must try.  Even if it's just once.

7.  Cozy, Knitted Cold Weather Accessories

I love gorgeous, comfortable, warm accessories to wear now that it's getting chilly.  My friend Ashley, of Great Scott Knits, knits great hats like this that I wear all the time!

8.  My Family

By "my family", I also mean the friends that have become my family.  They give me a constant source of unconditional love, guidance, support, and even some pretty good laughs.  I would not be where I am, or who I am, without them.  I know that seems like such a silly thing to put in a Fall Favorites blog post, but this Fall, and especially recently, I have been thinking about how lucky I am to have these amazing people in my life.  :)

 9.  My Husband, Jeremy 

I am incredibly blessed to have the best husband a girl could ask for.  He is the best friend, partner, and person I have ever known.  He makes me laugh.  Every.  Single.  Day.  He makes me laugh, even when I want to cry.  He listens to me.  He respects me.  He does everything he can to make sure that I am happy.

2013 has been a tough year for us, complete with a cross country move and a tough job search in Chicago for me.  Every step of the way, Jeremy supported me in every way that someone can support someone else.  Every step of the way, he came home with a smile on his face, and showered me with love and support.  No matter what happened, Jeremy always made me feel lucky to wake up next to him.  He is the best part of my day, every single day.

Sooooo, now that I've gone all mushy gushy on you, tell me.  What are your favorite things for Fall?

Xoxo,

Cathy

Caldo Verde

Hi Everyone!

I'll be really honest.  This week, I haven't been super into makeup.  Shocking, I know.

You see, I've been battling a really nasty cold all week.  I've been congested.  I've had headaches.  I've had trouble sleeping.  And my lips are chapped from sleeping with my mouth open.  It hasn't been fun, or cute.

So today, instead of coming up with a half-hearted attempt to talk about beauty, which couldn't be further from my mind lately, I thought I'd share with you the recipe of one thing that always makes me feel better:  Caldo Verde.

Caldo Verde is an iconic Portuguese soup whose name literally translates to "Green Soup".  It's delicious, nutritious, and one of the most well-known traditional Portuguese dishes.  When I first got engaged, I asked my family for a book of all of the family recipes I'd ever need as a married woman.  Thankfully, the recipe for Caldo Verde was included in the book I received at my bridal shower.

Now without further ado, here is my family's recipe for Caldo Verde:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves coarsely chopped garlic
10 ounces linguica (Portuguese smoked sausage) to slice after cooking and before serving
6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut in pieces
8 cups cold water
1 pound collard greens (flat leaf greens), cut into very fine julienne
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.  In a large pot, add the potatoes, garlic, olive oil, and linguica and cover everything with water.  The water should be about 1 inch above the potatoes.  (You can add more water later, if needed.  The potato base should have a creamy thickness, instead of thin water.)

2.  Bring to a boil then lower the heat, simmering until the potatoes are cooked.  About 30 mins.

3.  Remove the linguica from the pot and slice.  Puree the remaining ingredients in the pot with a hand blender until the mixture is smooth and creamy.  If too thick, you can add a little water at this point.  (Remember, it SHOULD be creamy!)

4.  Add the greens and the sliced linguica to the potato base in the pot and bring everything back to a boil.  Then reduce to simmer for another 5 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serves 6 to 8.

Enjoy!

Xoxo,

Cathy

August 2013 Favorites!

Hi Everyone!

Now that it's September (When did THAT happen?!), I wanted to post a video of my favorite products from August.  Some of them shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that follows my blog, but some of them are new.

Check out my video and let me know what you think.  Don't forget to subscribe to my channel!

Thanks for watching.  Stay tuned in the coming days for a video of my makeup storage/collection!

Xoxo,

Cathy

Beauty Secrets that Cosmetics Companies Don't Want You Know!

Hi Everyone!

Today I wanted to share some makeup tips and secrets that you'll never hear uttered behind a makeup counter, or by a cosmetics company.  Let's be real here.  Makeup companies are in business to make money.  They make money by selling consumers as many products as possible, at as high a price point as they can justify.  As a result, there are many times when the makeup associate behind a counter, or the PR person behind a desk, will either omit or flat out lie about certain rather valuable facts.  So, I've decided to expose some very important facts about our cosmetics and the industries that produce them.

1.  High End Brands Are Owned By the Same Companies as Drugstore Brands!

Many high end brands are owned by the same parent company as drugstore brands.  As a result, the products are often manufactured in the same factories, with very similar, if not identical, ingredients.  The packaging is undoubtedly fancier for the high end brands, but is the price justified?

Let's take the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows, for example.  The product, shown below, boasts "a formulation that lies between the comfort of a cream and the ease of application of a powder [for a] ... a luxurious, velvety texture."  It retails at drugstores for $7.95 for 3.5 grams of product.

Now, let's compare this product to the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Silk Eyeshadow.  Giorgio Armani cosmetics, also owned by parent company L'Oreal, describes this product as having an "innovative hybrid texture, which is not a powder, nor a cream."  This product retails for $33 for 4 grams of product.

I bet you'd be shocked to know that the difference in ingredients between these two products is that Armani has Calcium Aluminium Borosilicate first and L'Oreal has Calcium Sodium Borosilicate first.  Otherwise, the ingredients on the back suggest that the formulations are nearly identical.  

Aside from the fancy packaging, how different are these products REALLY?  Save your money.  Buy the L'Oreal.  (For a full list of cosmetic "parent" companies, click here.)

2. "Hypoallergenic" Schmypoallergenic

“Hypoallergenic” technically means “below normal” or “slightly” allergenic, but there is no standard in any country that provides an official certification or testing that an item must undergo before being labeled as hypoallergenic.

3.  They're NOT FDA Regulated

Claims on skin care and cosmetics are NOT regulated by the FDA.  Nor are there any regulations on words like "natural" or "safe".

4.  Many of their products are interchangeable.


In fact, many body lotions have the same, or similar, ingredients as much more costly facial lotions.   Take, for example, the ingredients in Olay Quench Age Defying Body Lotion compared to Olay Regenerist Nighttime Recovery facial lotion.  The body lotion retails for less than $1/oz., whereas the face lotion is over $13/oz.  If you look at the first 5 ingredients, you'll notice that both contain a high concentration of niacinamide, which has been proven to hydrate, eliminate age spots, and soften facial lines (Dermatologic Surgery, 2006).

5.  You don't need both.

You don't need to buy a brow powder.  Use a matte brown eyeshadow that is the same shade as your brows.  It will work exactly the same.

Want to try a cream blush, but don't want to spend the money?  Use a dab of your favorite lipstick.  That's how cream blushes got started in the first place!

You don't need to buy an expensive brow gel.  Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara is under $6 per tube and works just as well.

6.  Their Anti-Aging Products Suck

If their product boasts about it's anti-aging qualities, but doesn't contain sunscreen, it sucks.  Sunscreen is one of the FEW things that has proven to have anti-aging effects on skin.  So if your $300/tube anti-aging facial moisturizer doesn't have sunscreen, you got taken for a ride.

7.  The Salespeople Behind the Counter Have an Agenda

If you're going to a one brand makeup counter, the sales people will try their hardest to sell you as MANY of their products as possible...regardless of whether or not that product is the best you could get for your money.  They work for the cosmetics company, not for you.

Even at Sephora, where there is no brand loyalty, the salespeople on the floor get monthly bonuses that correspond to the store's monthly sales.  So they may steer you towards products that you don't actually NEED.  I'm not saying they all do it...but be aware.

Also, if a salesperson criticizes all of your favorite products, don't listen to another word they say.  They're trying to sell you their entire line.  YOU know what you like, and what works for your skin, better than any salesperson does.  And if you're happy with your product, don't be bullied into buying something you don't want or need.



Xoxo,

Cathy

How-To Eyeliner Series #1: Pencil Liners

Hi Everyone,

Many of you have requested some formal "How To" videos, particularly when it comes to eyeliner.  I've been thinking about the best way to show you my eyeliner techniques, and I decided the best way to explain this would be in a short series of videos.  After all, there are lots of different types of eyeliners:  pencil, liquid, gel/cream, mechanical, color, and glitter.  There are also LOTS of different ways to wear eyeliner, such as "regular", winged, cat eye, tight lining, and lining your waterline.  Needless to say, all of this could not be appropriately explained/demonstrated in one blog post, or video, of an appropriate length...so I decided a series of how-tos would be the best thing for everyone.

For the first "how to" eyeliner video, I figured we should start with the basics.  I have shown how to apply a pencil eyeliner in a standard, NON winged liner look.  It's a fundamental building block that everyone should know how to do.

I really hope you find this video to be entertaining and instructive.  If you like what you see, please be sure to subscribe to my channel!

Until next time...

Xoxo,

Cathy

My Latest Sephora Haul - INCLUDING My Disney Ariel Collection Review!

Hi Everyone,

I went to Sephora recently to grab the limited edition Disney Ariel Collection.  While I was there, I also grabbed some AWESOME non-Disney products that I just HAVE to share with you.

First, I got the Anastasia Brow Wiz, which I had been lusting over for a while now.  I could just never bring myself to buy it, telling myself that I had other great brow products.  I'm glad I convinced myself that this time I really needed it...because this product is AWESOME.  On one side, there's a mechanical eyebrow "pencil" that's super soft & perfectly pigmented.  On the other side, there's a perfect spooly brush.  This product is seriously all you'll ever need for your brows.  It's amazeballs.

Anastasia Brow Wiz.  It's amazing.  Seriously, go buy it!

Next thing I got was the new Marc Jacobs perfume in Honey.  This is a Sephora exclusive, and I'm a sucker for Marc Jacobs perfume...so I got it.  It smells divine and if you like sweet smelling perfumes, this is likely one you'll love.

And then I got three items from the Disney Sephora Ariel Collection.  I have a lot of thoughts about this entire collection, which I go into a lot of depth about in the video below.  Watch it if you want to see an angry Cathy.  :P

I bought three items in this collection:  the perfume, the compact mirror, and the large palette.

The perfume and compact mirror are DEFINITELY worth purchasing.  The perfume has a very light cucumber-y water sort of smell to it.  It's a great scent and I wear it all the time.  The mirror is gorgeous and a great collectible piece to have.

The large palette....I have a lot of mixed feelings about.  Some of the colors are gorgeous, lush, and very unique.  Others are a complete waste of space.  One of the worst offenders, ironically, is a shade called Unfortunate Souls.  It's unfortunate all right.  It's crumbly, causes a lot of fall out, and is just blah.  I've seen matte medium purples done well...and this just isn't one of them.

For a more in depth review of my love/hate feelings towards this palette, and the entire collection, check out my latest vlog video!

I hope you all enjoy it!

Xoxo,

Cathy

Get Ready With Me!

Hi Everyone!

I thought I'd mix it up a bit and post a Get Ready With Me video.  In it, you'll see how I get ready for a day of errands.  No talking.  Just makeup.

Also, you should check out the awesome remix in the background.  LOVE IT!

Hope you're all having a great week!

Xoxo,

Cathy

My Summer Foundation Routine!

Hi Everyone!

I finally filmed my first video in... a while.  I thought I would give you all some tips and tricks for applying foundation in the summer.  I'll be perfectly honest and say that because of the insanity of our move, this video was the first time I wore any makeup in about two weeks.  So, it felt good for me to get back in the saddle.

I hope you all enjoy it!

Xoxo,

Cathy

Vacationing in Portugal...and Makeup in Europe

Hi Everyone!

I know I haven't been blogging for quite a while.

I was vacationing in Portugal with my husband.  Believe it or not, when we first bought the tickets to go on vacation, my first thought was, I can't wait to get there so I can check out the European makeup scene.  I know.  I'm a sick person.

So when I saw a Sephora in Portugal, I nearly soiled myself.  Unfortunately for me, shopping at Sephora in Europe was a sad, sad experience.  Ladies, if you want to buy from Sephora, do so in North America.  Sephora in Europe is a FORTUNE...and they're months behind in terms of products and promotions.  So what do I mean when I say it's a fortune?  Let's say you want to buy a product that in would normally cost you $20 USD at Sephora.  In Portugal, no matter the brand of the product, the rule universally was that you could add at LEAST $10-15 to the original price and THEN convert it to Euros.  So it'd cost 30-35 EUROS.  When you factor in the current exchange rate (which hovers around 1.3 Euros to the dollar), it was $39-$45.50 for a product you could pay $20 for on US soil.

It was just so, SO disappointing.  And I didn't find anything in the store that could exclusively be purchased in Europe.  The only real difference I noticed was that Sephora in Portugal carries Chanel and Shisheido cosmetics, which normally are carried by the likes of Nordstrom, Neiman's, Saks, etc. over here.

I also found some L'Oreal products in Portugal.  Not in Sephora...in Cosmetics "Outlets".  Some of the products even seemed unique to Portugal.  But I'm sorry...I'm not paying $19 Euros for L'Oreal cosmetics...I don't care how unique.

The real jewel, cosmetics-wise, of Portugal came in the form of a Kiko Milano Makeup shop.  Kiko Milano is an Italian brand of makeup that, as far as I can tell, cannot be purchased in the US...not even on their website.  I was already somewhat familiar with the brand, as my brother lived in Italy for several years and would occasionally bring me some of their products.  Kiko makes fantastic products of excellent quality at reasonable prices.

So when I saw a Kiko shop in Portugal, I was overjoyed.  I was also fortunate enough to wander into the store on a weekend when they were having massive clearance sales.  It was meant to be.  Check out the GORGEOUS things I found!

One of the two blush trip palettes I bought.  This one was coral.  The other was mauve.  They were on sale for 5.90 Euros each!  They contain two blush shades & a highlight!

I got this GORGEOUS eyeshadow palette as a Birthday present for a good friend of mine.  The pigmentation of these shadows is FANTASTIC.  My only regret is not purchasing another one for myself.

I grabbed a tube of this gorgeous, creamy lipstick for 1.70 EUROS.  PENNIES!!!

Picked up some great polishes for CHEAP!

This is the softest blush brush EVER.  And it applies product beautifully.  I got it for 5.90 Euros.  Not a bad deal for a brush of this quality!

So next time you're in Europe and looking for some makeup, skip Sephora and find the nearest Kiko Milano store for some boas compras (as the Portuguese would say)!

Xoxo,

Cathy

June 2013 Favorites!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you're having a lovely Friday!  I am traveling to Chicago tonight to begin the apartment search and thought I'd post my June Favorites before I go.

This month, I'm changing things up a bit and sharing my favorites via my blog and not my YouTube Channel.  I hope you don't mind.

Anyway, so for the month of June, I have three products that I've been LOVING.  And they're all new to me.

First up is a product that's been around for a while and has a ton of hype...the BeautyBlender.

Ah, the BeautyBlender.  I've been avoiding buying one for so long because this little sponge will run you $20.  For one sponge.  I thought that was absurd, so I refused to buy one...until I had a giftcard to Amazon.com and was able to snap one up at no cost to me.
So it arrived at my house, in all it's adorably packaged glory...and I couldn't WAIT to test it out.  And, unfortunately for my wallet, it's 100% worth the type.

How does it work? 
You dampen the BeautyBlender with water and wring it out.  Once dampened, the BeautyBlender will expand to double its original size.  They you pick up some foundation and "bounce" (stipple) it onto your skin.  You can use the pointy side for hard-to-reach places like the sides of your nose and the round side for forehead, cheeks, etc.

Why is it awesome?
I love this product because it does three VERY important things.

1) Because you dampen the sponge before you pick up the product, the sponge doesn't absorb the foundation and you actually use LESS product than you would applying the foundation with a brush.

2) It takes the foundation-y feeling away from wearing foundation.  It makes your foundation almost feel airbrushed.  It doesn't feel like you're wearing ANYTHING at all.  I completely forget I'm wearing foundation at all.

3) It blends beautifully.  You can build up foundation, if you need to, without looking cakefaced.  A good foundation blender is a great tool to own.  And I LOVE the way this blends.



Next up is the Wet n Wild eyeshadow trio in "Walking on Eggshells."

I love this trio for a few reasons.

1) It's a great palette to create a complete everyday eye look. 
2) The colors are subtle, which makes it sort of idiot proof...for days that you're half asleep putting on makeup.
3) It's CHEAP.  I paid $2.99 for the trio PLUS a small tube of mascara.  God, I love Wet n Wild!
4) The color payoff is great.
5) There isn't a ton of fall out from the shadow.  (ie. They're not overly powdery and crumbly.)
6) The color lasts a LONG time...especially with a primer.

It's really a no-brainer awesome product.

Last on my list is a product I bought a week ago and am COMPLETELY obsessed with:  Yes to Blueberry Makeup Remover Wipes.  I got these at Target.  They're $5 or so for the pack, but if you bought two or more packs, you got a $5 Target gift card.

I love these wipes because they smell AMAZING, just like blueberries.  I'm not sure what active ingredients are in the wipes, but I am assuming they're all natural because they are SO gentle.  Seriously.

You know how at the end of a long day, when you want to remove your makeup, you pick up a wipe and start scrubbing your makeup off.  And it's not too bad, but sometimes it'll sting when it comes time to remove your eye makeup.  Yeah, this doesn't happen with this product.  I've removed eyeliner that I tightlined with and put on my water line with these wipes...and it doesn't sting my eyes.  It's AMAZING. 

Also, the wipes leave my skin feeling refreshed and moisturized.  They don't dry out my skin with alcohol like so many wipes will.  I HIGHLY recommend picking up a pack.


So that's it for this month's favorites.  Comment below and tell me...which products have YOU been loving this month?

Xoxo,

Cathy

Big News!!!

Hi Everyone!

So I have some really huge news.  Don't worry, it won't impact my blog, or my channel.  This is news of a much more personal type.  I've been waiting several weeks to make the announcement, but we wanted to wait until things were official...so here goes.

After nearly six years together, and nearly one year of marriage, Jeremy and I have an announcement...


We are going to be...


...moving to Chicago!!!

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  As soon as you get married, whenever you tell anyone you have news about anything, they automatically assume you're going to tell them you're pregnant.

Well in this case, that isn't it.  My uterus remains vacant, thank you very much.  But after nearly six years of living in Boston together, we're heading to the Windy City.  We're really excited to start this next chapter of our lives, and explore living in a new city.

The next few weeks are going to be crazy making for me, as I have to sublet my current apartment, fly to Chicago and find a place there, go on vacation to Portugal, and move half way across country, all in the span of a few weeks. 

Wish me luck on this crazy adventure!!!

Xoxo,

Cathy

How To Wear a Red Lip

Hi Everyone!

This morning, as I was getting ready, I wanted to mix it up a bit.  The easiest way to do that when you're in a rush is to wear a lipstick in a different color family than you typically wear day-to-day.  So I decided to go fishing through my lipstick drawer and see what struck my fancy.

I ended up pulling out a Rimmel London lipstick in Jetset Red.  I really love a true red lip, especially when done with a neutral eye, winged black liquid liner, and glowy skin.  It's classic.  It's elegant.  And it's appropriate for all seasons.

The only problem with a red lip is that a lot of people are terrified of doing it "wrong", so they never ever wear it.  (Justifiably so, I might add.  There are few makeup looks worse than a red lip gone wrong.)  So I thought I would share the "right" way to wear a red lip, in hopes that some of you may get inspired and rock a red lip.

Step 1:  Choose the right lipstick

• If you have yellow undertones (think Asian, Latina skin), your best bet is a true brick red, or an orangey red.  Avoid blue-toned reds at all costs.
• If you have cool undertones (think Scarlett Johanson or Emma Stone), your best bet will be a blue-toned red.
• If you're hesitant, wear a lipstick with a more sheer finish, like a Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple.
• A more sheer, glossy finish is also not a bad idea for the warmer months. 

Step 2:  Prep your lips

• Moisturize your lips.  Any chapstick will do.  You don't want to have any skin peeling or unevenness for a bright color to cling to.
• For a long lasting look, line your lips with a matching (or neutral colored!) lipliner.  Once lined around the perimeter, fill in the remainder of your lips with lipliner.  Once fully colored in, run your finger over your lips and smudge the lipliner into the lips.  Sort of creating a stain.

Step 3:  Apply Lipstick

• If you're scared, start with a little bit of lipstick.  You can always build up later.
• Don't forget to hit the corners of your mouth to distribute color evenly.
• After you smudge, go along the edges of your mouth with a Q-tip (or your finger, if you're lazy like me), and make sure that your edges are smooth and within the bounds of your actual mouth.
• Once all that's done, open your mouth and insert your (clean!) finger.  Suck on it the way a child would suck their thumb.  Pull out quickly.  The lipstick you just transferred to your finger is the bit that would later end up on your teeth.  You're welcome.

Voila!  You have red lips just like me!



Xoxo,

Cathy

Makeup Moneysaving: Depotting my Cle de Peau Concealer!

Have an empty? Maybe you just think you do! I've learned that sometimes even when a product LOOKS empty, there's TONS more product in the container. I thought my Cle de Peau concealer was empty, and a fluke accident showed me how much more product was still left in the tube! So glad I had that accident!

Check out this tutorial to learn how to depot an "empty" product and save some money!!''

Like what you see? SUBSCRIBE to my channel & make my day!

You can also follow my shenanigans on Twitter for a FOTD, or just a laugh: @WellD0neBeauty

How to Save Money on Makeup

Let's face it...makeup is expensive. Just check out my "How Much Does My Face Cost" video and see! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VlzKc...

For those of us who aren't swimming in money, which is most of us, it's important to know the smart ways to save money, look great, and not feel guilty about our purchases. Watch this video for smart tips on how to stretch your hard-earned dollars!

Like what you see? SUBSCRIBE to my channel & make my day!

You can also follow my shenanigans on Twitter for a FOTD, or just a laugh: @WellD0neBeauty

Xo,

Cathy

May 2013 Favorites

Colors of the Rainbow TAG & Giveaway WINNER!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I hope you're all having a fantastic week!  I personally can't wait for the weekend!  Today's video is a Colors of the Rainbow TAG video...AND I reveal the WINNER of my makeup giveaway!

So check it out.  Cuz it's awesome.  And you know you want to.

Xoxo,

Cathy

Makeup GIVEAWAY!!

Hi Everyone,

So after a particularly fruitful shopping weekend, I decided to spread the wealth and do my first ever makeup GIVEAWAY!  You can sign up any time between now and 12:00am on Monday, May 27th.  The rules for the giveaway are as follows:

In order to win you MUST:
1)  Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
2)  Follow me on Twitter (@WellD0neBeauty)
3)  Like this video
4)  Comment below and tell me what your favorite recent drugstore purchase was
5)  BONUS (optional) points if you watch & comment on my other videos
6)  If you are under 18, get the permission of a legal guardian to participate

Want to see what it is that I'm actually giving away?  Check out the video below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biLpWTj0OVM

Xoxo,

Cathy

Brief Walmart Haul & Smoky Eye Tutorial Using Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Palette

Hi Everyone!

I hope you're having a great week.  I went to Walmart this weekend and hit the beauty aisles...hard.  I learned that Walmart sells drugstore cosmetics probably about 20% cheaper than Target or CVS.  I am ashamed to say that I had no idea about this...and I have been overpaying for drugstore cosmetics as a result.  But don't you worry, folks, I rectified that little situation...

Anywho, check out the video below to see what I bought.  And to see the Smoky Eye look I created with the Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette that I scooped up while at Walmart.

I have to say that I LOVE that palette.  The duo-chrome "Definer" shade is just gorgeous.  It's an incredible dupe for the Mac Club shadow.  It's just so so so so pretty.  I'm in love.  I bought the palette just for that one shade.  And I lucked out because almost every other shade is also pretty. 

Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Palette Smoky Eye Look

In brief, Wet n Wild's Comfort Zone palette:
Color payoff:  Fantastic
Pigmentation:  Wonderful
Price:  Unbeatable
Runoff:  Unfortunately, so tap your brush before you apply the product

I give the palette an A.  (Would've been an A+ if not for the run-off...sorry Wet n Wild!)

I hope you all enjoy the video.  Don't forget to subscribe so you can check out all of my videos as they arise!  Have a fantastic Wednesday night!

Xoxo,

Cathy

How Much Does My Face Cost?

Have you ever wondered how much money you spend on cosmetics?  What about for your most basic, everyday makeup "look"?

In this video, I go through the products I use in my "everyday" makeup look.  I describe the product, where it can be found, and the cost.  The cost does not reflect tax, or the cost of the applicators/brushes to apply these products.  I discussed cosmetics only and did not include the cost of skincare products.

The total cost of the cosmetics I use for an everyday look total...

...$345.66!  Oh. My. God. 

How much does YOUR face cost?

Xoxo,

Cathy

Mini Haul from Sephora VIB Sale & Answers to Reader Beauty Questions!

Hi Everyone!

I think the title of this post is pretty self explanatory.  Sephora is having a sale for VIB members:  15% off your purchase.  So of course, I went and bought a few things.  It was actually very hard for me not to buy more, but I successfully restrained myself.

I made the video to show you my purchases and to give you all answers to the beauty questions you have asked me.  I hope you find my video entertaining and instructive.

Xoxo,

Cathy

I'm Back!!!

Hi friends!

So...after a long hiatus, I'm finally back to Blogging and making videos.  Today I wanted to fill you in on how I'm doing and the products I've been loving recently.  I hope you enjoy my video!

Xoxo,

Cathy