Tips for Wearing Bright Blush Without Looking Like a Clown

So... it's that moment when you fell for that practically neon orange blush and you just brought it home and have no idea how to wear it. We've all been there: one swipe on the cheek and you look like you just time-traveled from the 80's or are getting ready to runaway with the circus. Frustrated, you either have to start your makeup all over again or apply another layer of foundation to cover the offending blush.

 

I absolutely love bright and high-impact blushes, but there definitely was a learning curve to avoiding the above scenario (though sometimes I still end up being a little too heavy handed). Once I figured out how to apply them though, it was just head-over-heels love from there! Today when I was looking through my blush stash though I realized.... I need MORE bright blushes!! Feel free to give me any recs you have!

Tips for Applying Bright Blush: 

• The most important tip  to applying these beauties is to use a stippling brush. Stippling brushes are usually identified by their "skunk"-iness -- they have both white and black bristles. The black bristles are shorter and more dense, with the longer white bristles spread throughout. This means that you are able to pick up less product than a traditional brush but because the white bristles are still spread out, you're able to apply the blush over a larger area. Stippling brushes make it WAY easier to apply blush more subtly.

Sonia Kashuk "Highlighting" Brush (stippling/skunk)

See how the white bristles are spread out less densely?

Skincare and Makeup for Sick Days

So it's the start of the quarter which of course means I have once again come down with a bad cold. When the tissues start overflowing in my trashcan and I just want to crawl in bed and watch Netflix all day, here are some of the things I do to make myself feel look healthier.

Vaseline, generic Cetaphil, Nivea Creme, and Kose Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil

 Skincare:
I'm a keep-it-simple person when it comes to skincare (we're talking single-ingredient products like jojoba oil). When I'm sick and my skin is really dehydrated and is raw from blowing my nose, I love using good old Vaseline (or generic petroleum jelly). I take a dab of it and warm it up between my fingers then apply a thin layer wherever my skin is feeling dry. Vaseline doesn't clog my pores or break me out either, unlike other thick and creamy moisturizers. Nivea creme is also a good alternative if you don't like petroleum jelly.

Because my skin is already so dried out I try to use a more gentle face wash once a day, like Cetaphil or an oil cleanser.  I definitely stay away from any exfoliators or other harsh cleansers.

My hands also get really dry from washing my hands dozens of times a day so I love to keep a small bottle of lotion with me.

Makeup: 

MUFE F&B, NYX Natural cream blush, BB corrector, Revlon Rosy Nude, CG Lashexact WP

My skin looks more flat when I'm sick so I like applying a light coverage foundation and a good undereye concealer to brighten up my eyes and make me look more awake and refreshed.

A touch of natural pink cream blush and highlighter also adds a healthy glow, but don't go overboard otherwise you'll end up looking more sick!

I keep eye makeup simple because my eyes get watery and itchy when I'm sneezing so I just stick to a waterproof mascara and some waterproof gel/creme liner. If my eyes are less irritated I'll apply a soft wash of eyeshadow to brighten my eyes, especially in the inner corners. I make sure to define my brows to give more structure to my face and draw attention towards my eyes instead of my inflamed nose.

Applying a warm rosy MLBB lipstick also helps add color to my face and make me look healthier.

I hope these tips help, and to anyone who's sick --  I hope you feel better soon! :) In the meantime I'll be faking it with makeup, obsessively using my neti pot, and using enough tissues to stimulate the logging industry.

What are your tips for looking/getting healthier when you're sick?

Tips for Rocking Bright Lips

I love wearing bright lips but I know most people are deathly afraid of bright lipsticks, so I wanted to give my tips for pulling off bold lips. There definitely was a learning curve for me but honestly I think everyone is able to wear bright lips, they just have to find the right shades and balance the rest of their makeup.

First, I had to get used to actually seeing myself wearing bright lips. If you have never really worn bright lips before it takes some getting used to so try wearing it around the house. Then try wearing it out, you'll be surprised by all of the compliments you get on it!

That leads to the number one key to rocking bright lipstick -- CONFIDENCE! And don't forget to smile :)

Now for some makeup tips to balancing red or bright lips (for beginners):

• Keep the rest of your look simple, but you'll need a full face to balance the lips
• Even, natural skin is really important -- use foundation to even out your skin and undereye concealer helps brighten up your face
•  Fill in your brows. It is SO essential to define the rest of your face to balance the strong lips. 
• Use a very natural/neutral blush. I LOVE Tarte Exposed for this, I also like a soft pink like Rock & Republic Call Me, and you could even use just bronzer to be extra safe (bronzer looks really good with red lipstick)
• Soft highlighting on tops of cheekbones, down the nose, and in the center of the forehead will make you glow. Don't go overboard though!
• Keep eye makeup simple -- I stick to a sheer wash of eyeshadow, black winged liner, and mascara
  
  

Continue reading to see more photos and the products I used!

How to Create a Day-to-Night Look

When I'm going out and don't feel like completely reapplying my makeup, I add a few strategic extras to the makeup I already have on to kick it up a few notches. Depending on just how dramatic I want to go, I can easily vary how strongly I apply the makeup.

If you haven't seen it already, I posted the "daytime" version of this look here.

What I add to turn a day look into a night look:

• Eyeshadow: Apply a medium-dark shade all over my lid, then use a black or near-black shade close to the lashline (if you don't have Asian lids apply the medium-dark shade in the crease and the black shade in the outer v)
• Eyeliner: Using black gel liner, draw a thicker line and add a more dramatic wing
• Lashes: Apply 2 coats of mascara, or add false lashes if I want extra drama
• Brows: Fill in your brows to make them stronger to balance the stronger eye makeup
• Blush: Apply blush more heavily and, if I feel like it, contour my cheeks
• Lips: Either use a nude shade to balance the heavier eye makeup or use a brighter shade to brighten up my face (here I kept the lip the same)

Products I added:
Face: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder (to give my skin a semi-matte finish), Tarte Exposed blush (applied more heavily)
Eyes: Wet n Wild Comfort Zone eyeshadow palette (used the 3rd shade all over my lid, used the 7th shade in the outer 3rd of my lid along the lashline), Clinique gel liner in black (thicker line), CoverGirl Lashexact waterproof mascara

Do you like to start over or add to your existing look when you're creating a nighttime makeup look?

How to Create an Everyday Makeup Look

We all have that easy makeup look we find ourselves going back to day after day. While the components to our looks might vary, here's what I find essential for my everyday Face of the Day (FOTD).

What type of products do I use for my day-to-day looks?

•  Sheer foundation evens out my skintone and provides a base for my other makeup
• Undereye concealer is essential to brighten up my dark undereye circles
• Blush gives me that extra glow 
• A sheer wash of eyeshadow similar to my lid color brightens up my eyes
• Eyeliner, curled lashes, and mascara give my small eyes some extra definition
• "My Lip But Better" lipstick finishes off the look and pulls everything together

I use pretty much the same "formula" everyday but just alter the specific products.

This has been my everyday go-to FOTD using the products I brought with me on my month long trip. Today's is a warm, pink/coral version. You might be thinking, "coral in the winter??" Not to worry it's a balmy 70 degrees here in California!

Products I used:
Face: Make Up For Ever Face & Body foundation, Revlon Age Defying concealer, Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Exposed

Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Wet n Wild Comfort Zone eyeshadow palette (top 2 shades on the left), Clinique gel liner in black, CoverGirl Lashexact waterproof mascara

Lips: MAC See Sheer lipstick

If you're enjoying these posts don't forget to subscribe to my blog! Coming up next will be a post on how to create a day-to-night look! :)


What is your everyday makeup look?