In a world that glorifies youth and dismisses the beauty of aging, it's essential to recognize the power and wisdom that come with growing older. Let’s reshape the narrative surrounding aging and explore how embracing the journey can empower you to feel beautiful and confident at every stage of life.
Aging is a beautiful and natural part of life. By redefining beauty standards, challenging ageism, and celebrating your unique experiences, you’ll feel beautiful and accepted on your own terms. Embrace aging with grace, and let your inner beauty shine through, for it's a testament to your strength and wisdom.
]]>Melissa Lewis is sharing her success story
I have never been a big makeup person. In high school I wore nothing and barely anything in college and grad school. When I started working I wore the basics and when I say basics, I mean just eyeliner and mascara. I would step out with lipstick when I went out- woohoo! I then became a wife and mother of 2. With a full life of working and caring for my family, my focus on myself was minimal. Being young, I had youth on my side.
Now I find myself in a new phase of life. I am in my mid-50’s, a widow with one child in college and another one there soon. Being in between jobs, I have a lot of time on my hands. It’s the first chance in a long time that I have had time to focus on me and who I want to be. I’m able to make it all about me now and I’m spending time doing just that. I’m getting in shape, eating right and trying to be healthy. With that, I needed a change – new clothes, some new makeup and a whole new attitude. I want to look and feel great, and I think at this point, I needed more than my old item list. That’s when I found Beauty For Real and I love these products.
I met Leslie, founder of Beauty For Real and a seasoned makeup artist with a history of working with thousands of women of all ages and backgrounds, at a makeup event with a group of girlfriends. I was drawn to the concept of looking better in minutes with an easy application and lasting effect- just what I needed! I purchased several products with amazing success- each product easily makes me look like a better version of myself in minutes.
Here are a couple of my favorite products-
MVP Tinted Moisturizer and Concealer is a hero! First of all, I love the fact that the package has 2 products! Great value and easier to deal with. I flip the cap on the top of the tube and the concealer is right there in a pot so I can use my finger to place it. I prefer it to a liquid concealer – much easier for me to apply the right amount and get it right where I want it. The tinted moisturizer is awesome- with SPF and enough tint to even out my skin tone. Three products in one! I LOVE the way it feels. I am usually not a fan of most products with SPF because I can feel them – weird, I know! MVP feels moisturizing and goes on so smoothly, I don’t feel like I am wearing anything, but my skin is protected and looks so much more even and healthy.
I’ve never really worn lip liner as it seemed to be too much trouble and I didn’t want that horrible overlined, blown up lip look. You know the look I’m talking about! As I’ve said, I barely wore any lip color at all, but I knew I’d benefit from enhancing my lips a bit so I wanted to try something subtle to start. The Neutral Light D-Fine liner is light enough that it defines my dissolving lip line (Another bonus to aging!) without looking overdone. Then I top it with Lip Gloss in the color Turned On - the color is like my lips, just a bit better. I love the applicator with the mirror and light, which come in very handy and the gloss feels great, not sticky, just smooth and light. This combo has become my go to- my lips look and feel great and the universal color goes with everything I wear and everywhere I go. Easy!
This experience of experimenting with new makeup has been really fun, I feel like it’s helping me achieve my goal of going into the world as the best version of myself with a beautiful finishing touch.
]]>- How does a health and fitness regimen affect skin health?
Fitness gurus often rave about the glow they get after sweating it out at the gym. You may have even noticed your own face looking radiant and flushed after a challenging workout. According to Dr. Eddiong Kaminska, a board-certified dermatologist, this is due to an increased blood flow to all organs, including the skin. When you get your blood pumping with exercise, oxygen and nutrients are provided to your skin cells, clearing impurities and creating that post-workout glow.
What you eat also impacts your skin. A poor diet consisting of high sugar and fat content can lead to significant skin inflammation and psoriasis flares. On the other hand, a fitness regimen that involves consuming a more balanced diet has been found to restore the gut’s health and suppress skin inflammation, based on a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
- What to do for better skin and fitness
Staying active and eating healthy is vital for staying in shape, but it’s highly beneficial for your skin, too. A fitness regimen supports your overall well-being and is a great way to manage stress. Pairing these efforts with a skincare routine is a surefire way to enhance your skin’s appearance. Here are some things you can do to build a fitness regimen that your skin will thank you for.
- Fuel up with whole foods
Having a balanced diet that is comprised of whole foods not only promotes natural weight loss but also supports healthier skin. Consuming at least 30 grams of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is key for weight loss as it slows down digestion, keeping you fuller for longer. As obesity can cause skin complaints, such as folliculitis and capillaritis, being in good shape physically can help you have better skin.
Also, older skin cells are continuously being shed and replaced. So the steady supply of nutrients delivered by fiber- and antioxidant-rich foods is essential to support skin turnover. And, of course, don’t forget to stay hydrated!
- Stay active
Exercising regularly boosts cardiovascular and mental health. Interestingly, some studies reveal that it can also prevent skin aging. As we get older, the second layer of our skin gets thinner, and our bodies produce less collagen, causing wrinkles. Research suggests that aerobic and resistance training can improve skin elasticity. Weightlifting has been shown to increase dermal thickness more so than other types of exercise. It even increases certain gene activities that produce proteins for strengthening connective skin tissues.
- Get ample beauty rest
You may not be old enough to remember, but there was a time, not so long ago, when magazines were everything. Before the internet, they were the source for current information, it’s where you went for the latest. In the fashion and beauty world, the bible, the pinnacle, full of incredible photography and beautiful, inspiring stories, the September Issue of Vogue. I’ve saved 12 issues with the oldest from 1993. I can’t believe I’ve kept them through a dozen moves but that’s how much I loved them. They were enormous, the biggest I have, from 2001, is 772 pages.
It’s got be a bit tough to be a magazine in 2023- the current September issue is a thin 368 pages, half as many pages as the issue in 2001, but I was still excited to get one and I’m happy I did.
The new cover, always a HUGE deal, features the 4 biggest models of the 90’s, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington. The most gorgeous creatures ever- with such physical beauty, they were like freaks of nature. They created a sensation that became The Supermodel.
Even in those days, even with those women, photoshopping and editing the photos were a regular thing to reach absolute perfection. The new 2023 cover and photos inside were certainly edited and altered. Here’s how a friend and Beauty For Real fan, Melissa, in her 50s reacted-
“I used to covet the September issue of Vogue magazine. It was filled with wonderful articles and images about fashion and make-up. It really helped me create my personal style. I was very excited to see this issue as the models are close to my age. I wanted to see how they showcased their beauty at 50+! This issue, however, was disappointing. What I saw were these women airbrushed. Really? I thought we were beyond that….
It is impossible to look 20 for your entire life. I just want to age as gracefully as I can. There is no way I can be air brushed, I don’t want to be injected with who knows what, and plastic surgery scares me to death. I just look at all of the famous, wealthy women who are permanently disfigured. If they can’t get good outcomes having access to all options, then how can I?
I don’t want to cling to my younger image. I want to enjoy my age and stage. Isn’t it all about attitude and how you feel? I am focused on being healthy and strong. I like to get dressed up and wear some new make up - to give me an added boost. I feel invincible when I am healthy and strong and look good.
I love the approach that Paulina Porizkova and Isabella Rossellini are taking. They show their real selves. They are older but beautiful. These are the image models I need.”
I agree with her. We need women of all ages being represented as they are, not trying to look like something they aren’t (20 years old). But then I did have the pleasure of seeing some of the supermodels in person and again, they are freaks of nature- we didn’t look like them when we were 20 and unfortunately, we won’t when we’re 50. I guess making them look perfect is meant to be aspirational, but I get her frustration.
Where I really take offense is when something is presented; a product, or an item of clothing that has been so altered with editing it’s misrepresenting the product or item. We see it constantly, especially with beauty products. In my opinion, this is false advertising. In fact, in 2011 L’oreal, the world’s largest beauty company, was fined over false claims for a Lancome skin care product. In 2014, the Advertising Standards Agency in the UK banned Lancome advertisements featuring Julia Roberts and Christy Turlington for being too airbrushed and not realistic to product results. We often see ads for mascara with very small hidden text saying “lash inserts were used.” Really? False lashes for a mascara ad!? That’s totally misleading and lying to the consumer.
Imagine my pleasantly surprised reaction when I opened the first page of the new September Vogue and saw Julia Roberts at 55 in an ad for a Lancome fragrance looking gorgeous with a few fine lines and crows feet. On turning the second page I was more surprised with a close up photo of Isabella Rosellini, Lancome’s house model for decades until she “aged out”, looking fabulous with her beautiful face showing her 71 years!
Are the big guys getting on board with what we at Beauty For Real have been doing for years? Showing women of all ages looking great with no editing, no filters and no photoshop? I’m sure there’s still some editing on these ads but they’re moving in the right direction.
I think this should be the standard for beauty marketing for a couple reasons. First, women should not have to feel like they must look 20 years old for rest of their lives to feel like they are beautiful and enough. This leads to insecurity and a lot of excessive procedures that often look, well- wrong. You’ve seen them, come on! Instead, we should feel proud of a long life well-lived. Also, when photos aren’t edited and videos aren’t filtered, what you see is what you get when you buy the product shown. You actually see what the product truly looks like on and how it performs- that seems fair to me.
So, cudos to Vogue for putting four 50-somethings on their September cover even if they are nearly perfect- now if they could just get real and ease up on the editing.
]]>Do better brushes make a difference in your makeup application? Absolutely! First, it’s how the product is picked up and held, then it’s that you can achieve correct placement with the right shape along with the firmness/softness and blendability of the brush. Of course, there’s also the way it feels and looks- is it soft, lux and beautiful or old, dirty and beat up? Perhaps it’s time for an upgrade!
When it came time to create a new, custom designed from the ground up collection of makeup brushes, I took all of my favorites, picked out the elements I loved of each one and combined those elements into a collection of perfect brushes that I’m incredibly proud of.
The Essential Pro Makeup Brush Collection is all vegan, cruelty free, with incredible soft, yet durable lux fibers. They provide easy pick up and hold color, then deliver it with precise placement, definition and blendability. They’re evenly balanced to feel great in your hand and look gorgeous whether they’re on you vanity or in your bag. The yummy dark chocolate brown matte handle and ferrule with cream fibers are the height of sophistication- in the coolest way.
If you’re wondering about how to make the most of your brushes, here’s a description of each one and how it’s used.
Create more definition and precision with your eye application using our Contour Brush. Use the tip to pick up eyeshadow and apply in the outer corners of your eye or blend into the crease. The tapered tip will provide more precision and the contoured, round shape blends out the edges.
The paddle-shaped Shader Brush is an essential multi-tasker. First, it allows for targeted shading on your eyelids. Its firm, dense shape will pick up shadow and apply it to mimic an eyeliner with a softer effect. You can also use this brush to smudge out your I-Line eyeliners for a smoky effect on both upper and lower lash lines. This brush is firm and flat and works really well for applying shimmery shadow to the lid- fluffy brushes don’t hold your shimmery shades like The Shader Brush. It also works perfectly as a lip brush!
A large, fluffy eye brush, the Blender Brush is used for the placement or blending of powdery or creamy products. In addition to placement of larger areas on your eye, like a soft wash of color on your lid, this brush is used at the end of your eye application to soften and blend all shadows. It can also be used for targeted highlighter application on small areas of the face.
Our double-ended Angle/Spoolie Brush has a firm, angled brush for lining or stamping at the base of your eyelashes and shapes brows with precisely distributed color. The spoolie brush applies mascara, combs lashes and brows, blurring color for a natural-looking effect.
Ultra fine-tipped, The Liner Brush delivers a precise, firm stroke with which to line your eyes. It makes winged liner a piece of cake! It’s detail and angled handle shape make it easier to direct color, doing all the work for you. Use it with shadow, gel, or liquid liner to achieve eyeliner perfection!
The ultimate streak free foundation brush, our Complexion Brush provides natural looking flawless coverage of your favorite liquid, cream or powder foundations quickly and easily. Dense and compact, one makeup artist friend says it’s like a brush and a sponge had a baby!
The domed, angled shape of our Blush/Contour Brush makes applying blush easy. A large, angled brush that is specifically designed to expertly hug the contours of the face, the brush does the blending for you. It can be used with cream or powder blush, bronzer or contour for beautiful results.
I designed the Powder Brush as a large, incredibly soft brush ideal for applying loose and pressed setting powder formulas. Because of the tapered shape, you can also use the tip to apply powder blush with precision. Use the side of the brush to dust a bit of bronzer or contour products around the face or set your foundation focusing on the center of the face.
The brushes are available individually or save $$ with a Set of 5 for eyes and Set of 3 for complexion. I confidently recommend them as I know they’ll make the ritual of applying your makeup that much more enjoyable. Beautiful tools for your beautiful face! xxoo, Leslie
]]>Article was written by BFR's founder Leslie Munsell
If you haven’t gotten on board with the silver eyeliner trend then it's time to give it a try. If you have, you know it looks brilliant on literally everyone, lightening and brightening your eyes. There are a million ways to wear it- here are some of my favorite silver eyeliner looks.
This can easily be done with a gel eyeliner pencil. Draw a smooth, clean line from inner to the outer corner, thinner on the inside of the eye and wider as you get to the outer corner, then flicking the wing up on the outer corner to lift your eye. Try Beauty For Real I-Line 24/7 Eyeliner in Totally Titanium.
Just when you’d think wearing silver on both the top and bottom of your eyes would be too much, (heaven forbid!) never fear! Try it on your top lid above the crease with a crisp line and then smudge a softer gel line under your eye. Keep the rest of your eye makeup simple- just lots of mascara to keep the focus on the silver. For water-resistant mascara, try Beauty For Real Hi-Def Mascara.
Try applying your regular wing liner and at the inner corner of your eye to add extra brightness just where it's needed. Apply it with gusto for impact. Pairs beautifully with hydrated skin and Beauty For Real's Skin Revival Vital Nutrients Serum delivers gorgeous skin daily. Make the rest of your makeup minimal to keep the attention on your eyes.
For a little extra drama, smudge a black gel liner on the upper lid from lash line up just beyond the crease of your eye. Then smudge a silver liner under your eye. Finish it with a shiny nude lip like Beauty For Real's Starlust Lip Gloss + Shine.
Smudge some silver eyeliner into your traditional smoky eye to lend it some extra glam. It’s great to smudge silver eyeliner around your eyes, then layer some shadow over the top to increase the blended, smoky look. For added intensity, apply a black pencil liner to your waterline. Use cruelty free Beauty For Real I-Line 24/7 Eyeliner in Black Magic.
For a cool, modern rock and roll look, ditch the black and go silver! Apply liner all around your eye with an extended cat eye keeping the edges less than perfect. Pair with a matte nude lip, try Beauty For Real Be Seen Matte Liquid Lipstick in Exposure.
Apply a warm topaz or bronze eye shadow blended onto the upper lid from lash line to crease of your eyes and then silver eyeliner under your eyes for a modern take on neutral that will bring your eyes to life. Try Beauty For Real Shadow Stx 24/7 Eye Shadow in Midnight Marathon for crease proof long wear.
When you’re feeling creative and a bit adventurous, apply shimmery silver eyeliner above the crease of your eyes and add a clean, crisp liquid liner at the upper lash line. Try Beauty For Real Finish Line Liquid Liner. This will look great with a creamy, classic red lip. Make a statement in Beauty For Real Lip Cream + Color in Really Red.
To brighten up the inner corner, diffuse a silvery color on the top, into the corner and under the eye. Use a soft burgundy liner and/or shadow blended from the midpoint of the eye out for depth and definition. To bring even more focus to the outer half of the eye, apply mascara more intensely on outer half. For maximum volume and definition, try Beauty For Real Hi-Def Mascara.
If you’re loving metallic, go all the way and use gold and silver eyeliners together on the inside of your eye along with black or gunmetal on the outside and under eye to create shine and intensity. Make sure your metallic liners are soft and creamy to blend together seamlessly over your entire lid. Try Beauty For Real I-Line 24/7 in 24 Karat (gold) and Night Fever (black metallic) for waterproof, long wear eyeliners.
I hope these looks give you some ideas and inspiration to get your silver on- Now go out and have some fun!
]]>Article was written by BFR's founder Leslie Munsell
Recently, I was really fortunate to meet and spend an evening with a great group of successful female entrepreneurs. We talked about business, (of course, we had to go there!) family and friendship. We enjoyed our time together with a delicious dinner at a gorgeous restaurant in downtown Miami called Quinto. There’s something about being an entrepreneur that allows you to fiercely connect to another entrepreneur in minutes- it’s a defining part of who you are. I immediately want to support each of them and their small businesses. Their businesses ranged from lingerie, children’s products, banking, social media management and of course, beauty!
This got me thinking about the importance of supporting female owned small business, both brick and mortar stores and e-commerce sites. Over 80 percent of purchases and purchase influence are made by women, yet there is a gender gap between women and the leadership of companies that manufacture, market and sell to them. Although women drive the majority of consumer spending through their buying power and influence, they represent only 6% of the CEOs of S&P 500 companies.
Female owned businesses often struggle with past historical challenges such as access to bank funding, generational wealth, sexism, discrimination, and others. Spending some of your income at a small female owned business will help fight systemic sexism and it can help make a difference in income inequality, putting pressure on those mostly white male CEOs who make tens of millions of dollars.
The most direct way to vote or drive change is with your dollars and where you spend your money. You can exercise that form of democracy every single day. Every time you shop for groceries, pick out makeup or a new outfit, purchase something online or grab a cup of coffee, you can make the impactful choice to shop at a female owned small businesses.
Here’s something else to think about- As we’ve turned more to shopping online, the U.S. e-commerce marketplace is an $800 billion dollar industry. Most of that money—over 70% of it—goes directly into the pockets of 15 mega-retailers. SEO, cookies, and search algorithms push your purchases to a big box retailer. This leaves small businesses, local retailers, and boutique brands on page 10 of your online search results.
Amazon has increased the fees it charges independent sellers up to 34 cents of every dollar spent. Nearly everyone now buys on Amazon and as an independent small business, to be seen, you must be on Amazon, even if you lose money. And as a consumer, you are left to buy from the big guys or spend hours looking for what you need from a well deserving but hidden-pages-back small business.
I recently came across Goodbuy as a great alternative. It’s a handy app you register for and then choose your preferences (cruelty free, sustainable, women owned, etc). When you google an item and then get on one of the big guy sites, your Goodbuy icon will pop up with recommendations of the same product or type of product directly from a small business, saving you lots of time and potentially money. It’s a win-win! Check it out at the following link!
Supporting small business is important for all of us as small businesses create two-thirds of new jobs and deliver 43.5 percent of the United States' gross domestic product (GDP) In addition to keeping the economy running, small businesses also lead the way in innovation. Small businesses produce 16 times more new patents per employee than large patenting firms do.
Remember- where you spend your money means something. Each time you purchase your favorite Beauty For Real products, your Skin Revival, your MVP, your Hi-Def Mascara or favorite Gloss + Shine, you’re spending your dollars wisely by supporting a female owned small business. We always appreciate it.
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You know the old saying “time flies when you’re having fun”? Well, I’ve been having a terrific Spring and can’t believe it’s already late April! Are you feeling it too?
I want to catch you up on what I’ve been up to and the latest with Beauty For Real.
The past 4 months have been jam-packed with my favorite passions- beauty and horses!
Since I’m the founder of Beauty For Real and a pro makeup artist for 30+ years you know I’m engaged in beauty in a BIG way, but did you know that I’m also an equestrian? When I can combine those 2, it’s the ultimate high.
I live in Wellington, Florida and for 4 months (Jan. - April) it is the epicenter of equestrian sport with the Winter Equestrian Festival. All of the world’s highest ranked riders in show jumping, dressage (both Olympic Sports) and polo (super hot Argentines) are here with shows and events going on daily. Of course, I incorporate as much beauty into the equestrian lifestyle with pop-ups, photoshoots and presentations. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some incredible people who are at the top of their game throughout the years and I want to share one of my favorites with you. She is such an inspiration.
Laura Kraut is an Olympic Champion who’s gone to the Olympics several times between 1992 and 2020, along with numerous World Equestrian Games and Nation’ Cups. She’s been ranked the #1 female show jumper in the world numerous times over the years, is competing at the highest levels and going strong. Equestrian sport is the only Olympic Sport where men and women compete at the same level and at 57 she’s killing it against 25 year old men! If you’ve not seen live show jumping, it’s incredibly exciting to watch the horses going at break-neck speeds over 6 foot jumps and Laura goes balls to the wall and wins- now that’s inspiring!
I first met Laura a few years ago while collaborating with Brooke USA, a wonderful equestrian charity that we support. I created a collection of tinted lip balms with 9 of their equestrian ambassadors. You may remember a color called Laura- well this is that Laura! After that initial meeting I did her makeup for several photo shoots. She’s become a big fan of Beauty For Real and I’ve become a BIG fan of hers. Always friendly, gracious, humble and willing to share her talents as a trainer, Laura is the epitome of Beauty For Real.
The reason I’m sharing this with you is because Beauty For Real has started a campaign we are calling Beauty Unedited. We are focusing our imagery on people who are not always models or beauty professionals and are from all ethnicities, sexes and ages. We show them completely unfiltered with no photoshop or airbrushing- completely unedited. This is very unusual in the beauty industry where in most cases, women, usually teenagers with nearly perfect features and nearly perfect skin are shot and then edited to perfection. This is something that is completely unattainable in real life and is reinforcing the idea that if you don’t look this perfect and this young, you aren’t enough. Instead, we want to present visuals to you that really show you what the products look like on the skin, on people that you can relate to. Real women shown honestly and openly.
Now, I love amazing photography and can appreciate the work that goes into post production to create gorgeous images, but we think it’s time to get real when promoting beauty products, so that what you see is what you get. We hope you’ll agree. You are enough. That’s Beauty For Real.
Thanks for all of your support, Leslie
]]>After decades working as a makeup artist doing thousands of gorgeous faces from celebrities and models to non-professional beauties, I found myself feeling the most fulfilled helping people discover that they can look and feel their best with just a few simple, effective products. Thus, Beauty For Real was born and I was committed to creating a beauty brand that was high quality, affordable, uncomplicated makeup made for your real life at every stage of life.
In 2010, we launched Beauty For Real with our beloved lip gloss and a mission to simplify beauty for women at every age. Since then, we've launched over 50 products, expanded into new categories, hosted hundreds of community events, and partnered with numerous causes.
Together, we have built an incredible brand I am proud of with the love, support, and enthusiasm of you, our community. Through all the years, products, and evolutions Beauty For Real has gone through, it is you who inspired me at every step.
I think we can all agree that the last few years have been a little...well, wacky. I believe this moment in time has impacted us collectively, in many aspects of our lives. With that, comes change. As you continue to evolve, we want to evolve with you.
To do honor to the brand and the community that built us to where we are today, I recognized that the time has come to shake things up a bit and I want to bring you along and keep you updated, as we embark on this journey together.
This year will bring the addition of four new products that you have long been asking for, and I have been formulating for over a year! Yes, FOUR!
Additionally, we will be making improvements to some of our existing products and streamlining our product line. We are incorporating advancements in beauty technology to ensure we are purposefully producing the very best products. We're also upgrading our packaging with a fabulous new look - if I don't say so myself - oh, and improving functionality!
As we continue to innovate in new products, refresh our packaging to reflect the beauty of our community, and expand our mission, we commit to maintaining our uncompromising formula standards to create purposeful products that make you look and feel amazing at every age in just a few simple steps.
As a small business, I want to always "keep it real" with you that some of your favorite products may be sold out for a short period until we are able to get the upgraded products back in stock. If something is going to be permanently discontinued, we will inform you in advance.
In light of that, in the coming months, we will be offering some select products on sale at a deeper discount than ever before, so you can stock up and we can make room for the new incoming products in a sustainable sell-through practice. We commit to selling through, without creating waste and harming our planet.
To kick us off, we'll be running one of our best sellers, MVP at 40% OFF for the month of January. Don't worry - it's coming back, new and improved later this year! MVP takes a little longer than our other products to produce, so I recommend you stock up and save sooner rather than later on this one.
As I look to the future of Beauty For Real, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with joy and excitement for the future of our brand and also feeling immense gratitude.
One thing I can say for sure is that we would not be here today without the love and support of each of you.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Every purchase, every review, every share, like, follow, and dollar invested in our products touches me more than you can ever know.
With love, for real. xo, Leslie
]]>Article was written by BFR's founder Leslie Munsell
Now that we are solidly in the season of cooler weather it’s time to shift your makeup to reflect the change. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a lip update.
Get ready- we’ve got four new, super wearable liquid lipsticks!
Be Seen Weightless Liquid Lipsticks not only provide the full coverage and longwear that you love in a liquid lipstick, they also have an incredible custom formula with conditioning Candelilla and Carnuaba Waxes, Jojoba and Avocado Oils so they aren’t nearly as dry as traditional mattes. If you haven’t worn matte lipstick before and are looking for longwear, this is a great time to start and if you have, you’ll love this non-drying matte formula.
Here are some tips to use when crafting your perfect lip application-
Before applying lip color, make sure your lips are in top condition, especially as we go into cold weather. Use a Lip Scrub regularly to keep dry, flaky lips at bay. Nothing ruins the perfect lip application like unwanted texture in your lips. It’s great to use a scrub at night to remove your matte lipstick easily and provide the extra hydration.
Create a bit of dimension for a fuller pout by using a liner just a bit darker than your lip color. For a light nude combo use Neutral Liner with Exposure and for something a bit deeper try Neutral Deep Liner with Maxed Out Liquid Lipstick. Don’t be afraid to mix and match to get your favorite combo.
Love the full coverage of a matte lip but want a bit of emollient shine? I love a more slippery texture on my lips so after I apply my Liner and Liquid Lip into a perfect clean, defined shape, I’ll put on a coordinating Lip Gloss. It effects the longwear slightly, but for me it’s worth it for the reflective shine and makes a great statement. For a nude lip, try using Lighthearted Lip Gloss over Exposure Liquid Lipstick and Neutral Lip Liner.
Want to make a strong Fall statement? Viral Liquid Lipstick and Rebel Rebel gloss are the perfect combo for all skin tones and are shouting “WELCOME TO FALL”
]]>Article was written by BFR's founder Leslie Munsell
I’m not a sun worshipper per se. I don’t go to the beach, or sit by the pool (Except to work- those swimsuit models don’t do their own makeup!). I'm not one for a beach vacation, but must admit, when there are days in a row that are gray, (not often in Florida) my mood goes a bit gloomy too. Even those of us who aren’t sun goddesses can at least acknowledge the delight of basking in it, from the early morning rays to the inspiring beauty of sunset at golden hour. It’s nature, just doing her thing, as sunlight helps regulate everything from our sleep cycles to our production of vitamin D.
You know that saying “too much is never enough?” Not true when it comes to the sun- too much is definitely too much—and the results can be uncomfortable at best.
Too much sun exposure, especially when not protected by SPF, leads to an inflammatory response in the skin, It’s one of the major components of a sunburn: inflamed skin that’s hot to the touch. - Geeta Yadav - MD, a dermatologist in Toronto
This is where the best after-sun products come in. The most effective formulas typically offer anti-inflammatory agents to calm skin within minutes, as well as antioxidants (the countermeasure against UV-induced free radicals) to offset longer-term damage to skin.
Aloe Vera may be the best known ingredient among them.
In addition to being hydrating and naturally full of antioxidants, it's quite soothing on contact - Geeta Yadav
Another is Carrot Seed Oil, which is also packed full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Beauty For Real’s Skin Revival Vital Nutrient Serum’s 1st ingredient is Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice and the 3rd is Carrot Seed Oil along with Glycerin, an incredible vegan super humectant as the 2nd. Vital Nutrient Serum is the holy grail for treating post-sun skin. Soothing and lightweight, it provides anti-inflammation, anti-oxidants for long term skin protection and hydration to condition over-exposed skin. To provide additional hydration for your skin, nails and hair after a day in the sun, try Beauty For Real’s Skin Revival Hydrate and Glo Oil. It’s all organic, Marula Oil base along with Desert Date Oil and Plum Kernel Seed Oil are excellent sources for the hydration and emollients needed to restore hydration after prolonged sun exposure.
Remember that after-sun products primarily only help to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of a sunburn. “It doesn’t undo the damage caused by the radiation, including increased risk of skin cancer,” cautions Yadav. This means you must be diligent about applying sun protection each day.
Mineral based sunscreens with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as active ingredients are much less likely than the alternative chemical sunscreens to cause skin sensitivity. Mineral blocks are also active immediately upon application and remain active as long as they are on, whereas the chemical sunscreens need 30 minutes after application to activate and become dormant after 90 minutes.
Mineral sunscreens are definitely the way to go when considering the environment as well. Some chemical sunscreens are actually being outlawed in Hawaii and the Florida Keys as a result of people gathering at the beaches, applying chemical sunscreens en mass and going into the water which is killing the coral reefs. Can’t be so good for people either, right?
There once was a time that mineral sunscreens had a very opaque white color and pasty texture but the formulations have improved so much that they’re nearly transparent. When choosing your sunscreen, look at the label on the package for active ingredients and choose since oxide and/or titanium oxide.
Try Beauty For Real’s MVP Tinted Moisturizer + Concealer with mineral sunblock (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) for medium coverage, hyaluronic acid for hydration, a concealer built in the cap and sun protection all in one terrific tube. It will be your MVP (most valuable product) too!
Wishing you protected fun in the sun and a terrific summer!
]]>Article was written by BFR's founder Leslie Munsell
Blush is the BIG trend for 2022 and cream blush is the product of the season. All over social media and on the faces of those in the know you’ll see a gorgeous pop of creamy color. In fact, sales of cream blush have increased by 89% from 2020! If you’re still using powder blush, it’s time for an upgrade.
As we age, our skin becomes drier and with that the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Applying powder products onto your skin will make your skin even drier, accentuating those unwanted lines. Using a cream delivers a youthful, healthy glow. You get the color without the drying effect.
Cream blushes create a more natural looking finish on your skin, they don’t sit on the surface like powder. It actually looks like you’re really blushing, and because it’s not dry, you also get light reflecting illumination.
This is for the lazy girl who wants it easy- on some days isn’t that all of us? Cream blushes can be applied and blended with your fingers. Of course, you can use a brush or sponge if you prefer, but I always think easy is better!
This is the latest- Have you heard about the “blush sandwich”? Depending on your age, you’re either like, “omg duh” or “what did you just say?” Broken down, a “blush sandwich” is just slang for a stack of contour/bronzer, blush and highlight. What’s new is the placement of all three elements going about half an inch higher than what is the norm for the Boomer, Gen X and older Millennials. As a rule of thumb, the blush shade doesn’t go on the apple of your cheek, but roughly half inch higher. The bronzer or contour goes below the blush, directly on the cheekbone and the highlighter very close to the eye on the outer corner. All three are angled up to lift your face and eyes, going up toward your temples. When done right, this gives you a lifted effect with no surgery or injections. It’s amazing what a little make up can do!
Try Beauty For Real Blush + Glo and Bronze + Glo for a unique cream to powder formulation giving you the benefits of a cream and the longer of a powder.
]]>Article was written by BFR's founder Leslie Munsell
What does it mean when brands use the claim Clean Beauty? Where there is no regulated list of banned ingredients eliminated from Clean Beauty, you could generally describe it as ingredients that don’t harm the body. Yet, there are many brands making Clean Beauty claims that are still using harmful ingredients because there is just no real regulation in the US.
Did you know that there are just 11 cosmetic ingredients banned by the FDA in the United States? Comparatively, over 1,300 have been outlawed or restricted in the European Union.
It’s possible to find formaldehyde, a known carcinogen banned in EU-sold cosmetics, in US hair-straightening treatments and nail polish. Parabens and phthalates, preservatives found in skin and hair products are linked to reproductive problems, same with oxybenzone an ingredient found in chemical sun-screens. They are in common use in the US but banned in the EU. Coal tar dyes can be found in Americans’ eyeshadow, years after they were banned in the EU and Canada.
“Many Americans are unaware that they are absorbing untested and unsafe chemicals in their products,” said Alex Bergstein, a Connecticut state senator who put forward legislation for the US to use the same guidelines as the EU, which didn’t pass. Bergstein was previously the chair of the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental health center.
“Generally, the EU has got it right. In the US we have a strong favoritism towards companies and manufacturers, to the extent that public health and the environment is being harmed. The pendulum has swung in an extreme way and it’s really going to take a general awakening by the public.”
"In the European Union, they take more of a precautionary approach, so if an ingredient is presumed to be hazardous, or thought to cause health harm, they'll restrict or prohibit it," says Nneka Leiba, Vice President of Healthy Living Science at the Environmental Working Group. "That's not America's approach. Here in the U.S., the laws haven't been updated since 1938."
Scott Gottlieb, the departing FDA commissioner, said cosmetics regulations are “outdated” and need to be overhauled to ensure public health.
“To be clear, there are currently no legal requirements for any cosmetic manufacturer marketing products to American consumers to test their products for safety,” Gottlieb said. “This means that ultimately a cosmetic manufacturer can decide if they’d like to test their product for safety and register it with the FDA.” Meaning they can register products but aren’t required to.
Consumers must realize they have the power to become more knowledgeable and then more vocal in demanding change to protect their health. In the meantime, one safe step towards Clean Beauty can be made by buying products approved for sale in the EU by falling within their guidelines for restricted ingredients. At Beauty For Real, we are proud to say that all of our products are registered and sold in the EU. That is our commitment to Clean Beauty.
]]>Article was written by BFR's founder Leslie Munsell
Let’s say you have 5 minutes to get some makeup on to get out the door and you’re going somewhere you need to be on the glam side. What do you do?
Here’s how I did it for a formal occasion recently and it was literally a 5 minute
makeup application. Of course, I pulled my hair back in an elegant chignon. No time for hair!
1. Prepared my skin with a little Beauty For Real Skin Revival Vital Nutrient
Serum and Hydrate and Glo Oil – estimate 20 seconds
2. Perfected my complexion with MVP Tinted Moisturizer + Concealer -
estimate 70 seconds
3. Filled in my brows with Anastasia Brow Wiz- estimate 30 seconds
4. Popped a bit of Pink Sands eye shadow from Beauty For Real Golden Hour
Palette in the inner corner of my eye to brighten my eyes- estimate 15
seconds
5. Curled my lashes and applied tons of Hi-Def Mascara ( This is the most
important part and best mascara is key) 60 seconds
6. Blush + Glo on the cheeks for color and on top of cheekbones for
luminous glo- estimate 45 seconds
7. I only had 1 minute left so I applied D-Fine Lip Neutral Lip Liner and
Barely There Lip Cream for the perfect nude. If I had another minute
before my husband left me home, I’d have put on Really Red Lip Cream
for a touch more elegance.
Here’s the result - what do you think? I bet you can do it that quick too!
Article was written by BFR's founder Leslie Munsell
With everything going on this time of year it’s inevitable that you get feelings of
overwhelm- especially when it comes to getting great gifts for everyone on your
list. I’ve got some ideas I’m sure they’ll love that will be easy on your budget.
Of course, the easiest and possibly most welcome present is a gift card. Ours
start at $25 and are sent by email. No gift-wrapping, no shipping, no hassle and
they’ll love you because they can get exactly what they want most. Done.
We’ve also put together an incredible selection of gift sets offering huge savings.
Do you know someone who needs a skin upgrade? Check out the Skin Revival
Duo to treat their skin to organic, plant based, vitamin packed, skin-loving
formulations and save $28!
Is there a lippie lover on your list? The Perfect Nude and Perfect Red Lip Kits are
sure to please with our best selling Lip Liner and Lip Gloss priced at only $24.
If it’s all about eyes you can’t go wrong with our Pick of the Patch eye set. It gives
her everything she needs to create unlimited looks- Valued at $71 for only $48.
My favorite set with something for every feature in our most popular universal
colors is the Spice Cabinet Set - this is a gift she’ll love and is a huge savings for
you. Valued at $69 for only $39. Perfection!
These are some of my top gift picks that I’m gifting this year, but check the whole
selection out for yourself and take some names off your list.
Wishing you happy, stress free shopping and a wonderful holiday season.
When we do our makeup, we all want to maximize our eyes- they speak volumes
right? Nothing does this like eyeliner- it brings focus and definition to the eyes.
There are lots of different types eyeliner that work to achieve various looks so I’ll
give you my pros and cons of the two most popular.
One thing that’s always essential- your formulas should be longwear and waterproof, they’ll then stay in place without smudging or smearing. Nothing is worse than looking in the mirror half way through your day (or date) and seeing poor eyeliner performance. Performance is everything!
I also always look for cruelty free (no need to blind bunnies- and yes, it’s STILL happening) and paraben free. (An undesirable ingredient often used as a preservative.)
First, consider the look you’re going for before beginning to apply your liner. If you want a smooth, crisp clean line, like a cat eye, then a felt tip liquid is the best choice. If you want to blend and soften the line or create a smoldering smudgy, smoky eye, then a gel pencil liner that allows for blending is best. There are also gel liners in a pot that you apply with brush, but this requires an extra tool and I’m all for taking the quickest, easiest route for the best results.
(I like a retractable as you never have to sharpen)
Easiest to apply- gel pencil liners go on so smoothly with no tugging on the delicate eye area. Beauty For Real 24-7 I-Line in Black Magic. Easy to blend- gel pencil liners allow 15 seconds to blend before setting for all day/all night wear.
Available in more colors- find a shade that contrasts your eye to bring out your eye color.
Beauty For Real 24-7 I-Line in Whiskey for blue and green eyes, Peacock for brown eyes will make your eye color stronger. A pencil is great blended as a base under shadows for more definition, color saturation and longer wear. Can be used on the water line.
Can be tricky to apply but once you get the hang of it (practice makes perfect) liquid liners are magic for quick, longwearing definition. Felt tips are usually easier to apply than brush tip liquids. Try Finish Line 24-7 Liquid Liner.
Nothing else gives you the sharp, precise tip that allows you to get really specific when creating shapes and points (like the perfect cat eye) for instant dramatic flair.
Not to confuse things, but sometimes when drama is called for, I’ll create a smoky
eye blended out with a pencil liner and go back in with a liquid liner at the lash line
for extra intensity.
If you’ve always only used one type of eye liner, the choice is not either/or but having both in your make up bag to have fun and create new looks with.
]]>While there are those that look really great- natural, believable and applied with constraint so as to enhance the look of the person wearing them, I know that they are going to be a thing we look back on in years to come as “can you believe those crazy those eyelashes we wore in the 20s?” Sort of like excessive shoulder pads in the ‘80s, some of these lashes are going too far- too long, too thick, too black. We have a tendency to take things just a bit too far. When someone is looking at you, you don’t want their focus to be only on how gigantic your eyelashes are- do you?
That being said, and knowing dear reader, that you would never go too far, I want to give you some pros and cons if you’re contemplating getting lash extensions.
Waking up every morning with full, gorgeous lashes. Looking in the mirror first thing and seeing you look just that much better without doing a thing- no mascara, no strip lashes with messy glue.
Some say they wear less makeup overall because they feel more confident with lush lashes. This is a potential time saver.
Although you may save time with less makeup, the appointment to apply extensions is a 2 hour commitment. Then you must go back for upkeep every 2 weeks for up to an hour.
The cost is definitely a consideration. The initial appointment runs on average $150-$200+ depending on where you live, how many lashes are applied and the technician you go to. There are places that do them for much less, but remember, you get what you pay for. They can sometimes be applying clusters, (small bunches of lashes pre-glued together) which can feel heavy and be more damaging to your own lashes. Essential bi-weekly touchups will run up to $100.
Because the lashes are glued to your own natural lashes there can be irritation from the glue if you have sensitive eyes. Too much glue can look and feel heavy so choosing an experienced technician is wise. Also, depending on how long you wear the lashes and your diligence to upkeep will determine the damage to your own lashes from gluing the extensions to them. Many report that after wearing extensions their own lashes were much shorter and thinner after removal.
You can’t get the extensions wet for at least 48 hours after applying and then must try to keep them as dry as possible to maintain adhesion. You won’t be wearing mascara and limited eye makeup is recommended as not to dislodge the glue when removing your makeup (because I know you completely take your makeup off every night, right?). You must not use any oil-based product near your eyes. It’s recommended to brush through the lashes with a dry spoolie regularly to keep them even and straight. Also recommended is a silk pillow case and no sleeping on your face. You must avoid as much rubbing or pressure applied as possible.
So as you see, while lash extensions can look fantastic, they aren’t without considerations. They may work for you, or even may be something you choose to do for an occasion or if you’re going on holiday.
Me? I prefer an amazing duo of lash growth serum and the Holy Grail that we all search for- the best mascara. I love the Grande Lash Serum and of course, our customer favorite and cult status Hi-Def Mascara. Less time, less money spent and healthier lashes are most important to me.
]]>familiar with the benefits of The Golden Hour. Back in the day, and still today ...
]]>"The period of the day just before the sun sets or after it rises, whenthe light is redder and softer than usual so that photographs taken in ithave a pleasing quality. - Cambridge Dictionary"
familiar with the benefits of The Golden Hour. Back in the day, and still today,
everyone comes to Miami Beach to shoot catalogs, fashion campaigns,
magazines, etc. and they all want to capture the best light at The Golden Hour.
That light makes everything looks just a bit more beautiful. What this means to
the makeup artists, hairdressers, models, photographers and the rest of the crew
is super early call times (5am) to get ready to shoot just after sunup and then
getting ready late in the day to capture the light just before sundown. Or both,
which can mean REALLY long days and amazing images.
Because the sun rises over the ocean in Miami Beach, there are a lot of sunrise
shots. Those are always a little difficult for me- I’m a bit of a morning person, but
being somewhere in top form at 5am is a push. But, I have to say once I’m there
and experience the sunrise over the ocean it is always worth getting up for.
There’s something enchanting about witnessing the beginning of a new day that
offers inspiration, along with the idea that it happens every single day that
provides comfort in it’s consistency- it’s invigorating yet peaceful at the same
time.
The idea for our new palette, Golden Hour, was inspired by this magical time.
The 8 colors in the palette reflect the beautiful light and the warmth felt during
The Golden Hour.
Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by our bodies that unfortunately, decreases as we age. The largest amounts of it are found in our skin, connective tissue and eyes.
Initially, when you think of the word “acid,” it doesn’t seem like something you want to put on your face or in your body. Truth is, some of the most effective ingredients in skin care are acids. Alpha Hydroxy Acid(Glycolic) and Beta Hydroxy Acid (Salicylic) are incredibly effective exfoliants (that’s another blog!) Hyaluronic Acid, the queen of hydration, also lubricates and cushions the joints and is effective in wound care.
The benefit of Hyaluronic Acid to skin is that it captures moisture from the air and retains it in the skin. The increased hydration in the skin supports collagen, which is our connective tissue. By filling the space between the collagen and elastic fibers, there is increased elasticity and firmness resulting in a firmer, smoother appearance to skin.
‣ Hydrates the skin instantly and throughout the day.
‣ Supports the feeling of skin elasticity and plumpness.
‣ Helps to soften the appearance of fine lines.
‣ Delivers a featherweight hydrating base layer.
There are a number of products in skin care and make up that use Hyaluronic in their formulas. It’s an ingredient that really pays off and is easy to incorporate in your beauty routine. It’s another reason to love Beauty For Real's MVP Tinted Moisturizer- along with MVP’s other benefits, Broad Spectrum Mineral Sun Block and a Full Coverage Concealer right in the cap! We love a make up product that is multi-purpose and also has skin care benefits, right?
I’m also taking a daily supplement not only to benefit skin, but to also reduce arthritic aches and pains in the joints. (No joke!) This brand is vegan-friendly, has no additional preservatives, are free of wheat and gluten and made like us, here in Florida!
]]>Are your lips dry, chapped and peeling from exposure to cold or prolonged sun exposure? Do you find your lip colors build up on your lips and create a weird line where your lips come together? Would you like your lip colors to go on more evenly and give you smoother, longer wear?
Everyone will benefit from a gentle lip scrub treatment- some people occasionally, others everyday. Just like the skin on our bodies and face, exfoliating your lips with a scrub will remove the dull, flakey dead skin and leave your lips feeling plump, supple and hydrated.
Because you are using the scrub on your lips, you’ll likely be ingesting a bit of it. Look for a one that has natural, all plant ingredients rather than petrochemicals (like petrolatum) as the base. The scrubbing granules are usually made from sugar and when used gently they have the perfect texture to provide exfoliation without being too harsh. Beauty For Real’s Lip Revival lip scrub is an all natural, plant formula using essential oils in 4 different yummy flavors/aromas. I love them all but my fave is the Orange Spice with orange and cinnamon essential oils.
Apply a bit to your lips, buff gently in circular motions for about 30 seconds, wipe with a tissue or damp washcloth (you may want to lick a little off!) and magically you’ll experience soft, velvety, line free, plump lips!
]]>It is the love of beauty for me; the glamorous beauty, the understated beauty, the creative beauty, the beauty that stirs that warm and fuzzy feeling inside when you hand your client the mirror and they say “wow”. That is my why- I want to make every single person I touch feel beautiful in their own desired way. My name is Natasha Katrina and I am honored to be known as a full time professional makeup artist. When I decided to change careers from the bustling world of hospitality and customer service to beauty and fashion, I was initially filled with a lot of self-doubt. How would I make sense of my 4-year business education? How would I be able to make a living? How would I be able to afford the products and tools to have a professional kit? So after a day (or week) of worry and anxiety, I decided I would take this one day at a time. That’s the thing about going after what you want- at first it’s a far-fetched dream, then it transitions to “maybe” a small possibility, then you go back and forth battling the fear of the unknown and then one day, you have the courage to shoot for the moon and aim to land amongst the stars.
I look back at where I started, giggle at the bold moves and conversations I had, and ultimately feel proud and fulfilled at my decision to become a full time artist.
"I learned many lessons, some good, and some hard, but it’s the difficult decisions and hard lessons that made me grow the most and find success in making this my full time career."
I believe that being an artist is more than enjoying makeup, it’s a fully encompassing business with equal parts creativity, clear communication, and the most important, excellent customer service. This is, of course, my personal point of view, but the lessons I learned in business are the same ones that I apply to my career now and I believe have led to me finding success. I believe that when deciding to pursue artistry as a full time career, there are a few things to keep in mind. Funny enough, many of these things are also the rules of doing business in most settings.
First things first, it’s true when “they” say that first impressions are the most important. From the first correspondence with a potential client, the way you present yourself when arriving to a job, and even the opening page of your business website or social media. In an industry with so much competition, focusing on making a great and lasting impression is imperative. I like to think of corresponding with a potential client, and even my agent, just like we (should) do in business- promptly. Early in my career, I asked another makeup artist to shadow and to my surprise, she agreed! I was elated and she asked me to send her some sample work, my social media site, and some details of what I wanted to learn in our time together. I responded back promptly and told her I’d send it all that night and continued my day, it was a long one, I got home tired, and ultimately got back to her 3 days later with all the info requested. To my surprise, she got back to me right away, but with a hard lesson-she turned me down. She (very kindly) taught me one of those lessons that would stick forever, if I wanted to be taken seriously in the industry, I would stick to my word. If I said I’d send the information that night, I should have sent it, and if I needed extra time, I should have written her so. Sigh- that was hard, but I will always remember her words and now, I stick to my timelines. If I tell a client to “standby” because I am with another client at the moment, I get back to them, that day. Even if it’s by text or pushing it back to the next day; staying on top of communication and being transparent in doing so is not only a part of doing good business, but definitely a part of being a successful artist.
Next, and possibly the most important part of finding in business, is customer service. How many times have you been in a store or restaurant and experienced bad customer service? I bet you’ve thought of that experience every time you’ve been back, if you ever went back again. Customer service in an artist setting can mean anything from your demeanor while you’re working on your client, the types of conversations you might be having (especially those you think nobody is listening to), how often you might be browsing your phone while working, and even how you follow up after the job is complete.
"I believe in treating every single person on-set with respect, showing up with a positive attitude and checking any emotional baggage at the door, honoring my commitment by showing up on time and staying through completion, and giving 150% effort to fulfill the job."
Remember, art and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so setting a clear and aligned vision with the client is an integral part of bringing it to life. Likewise, being flexible to adjustments while working is a must- if something isn’t working for the client, be quick, kind, and shift focus to something that works better.
Lastly, and perhaps the most obvious part of finding success as an artist, is to truly hone your craft. Whether you are a self-taught artist, transitioning from retail to freelance, or are on your way to getting certified in a specialty, make sure you are an expert in your field. Understand your target market as an artist- Are you focusing on special event and bridal? Do you want to work on movie sets or in theatres? Are you destined to join the union? Whatever discipline you are going for, educate yourself heavily. Invest in the best quality products for your segment to build a fully inclusive and comprehensive kit. Connect with other artists in that field and learn from each other. Don’t ever stop learning new techniques, new ways of keeping yourself and your clients safe, and new ways to operate your business to stay efficient. Know your value and never give up. Every single day doing something you love is truly a blessing, so treat it that way! Wishing you lots of success and happiness.
XX Natasha Katrina
]]>All of us make up lovers know it’s nearly magic how much better you feel when you apply a bit of your favorite products, right? In the spirit of looking better, feeling better and lifting the collective mood, lets put on some products and our
best face forward.
The mask is a double-edged sword, along with social distancing, we need them for protection when leaving the house, but it definitely puts a damper on our look.
Here are a few things to be mindful of in this time of wearing masks.
When you have a mask covering half of your face, eye make up is key as it’s front and center. Apply your eye make up appropriate for time, place and occasion. A full-on smoky eye may not be the best choice for a morning yoga class but could be perfect for evening. Make sure the colors you choose look good with the color of your mask.
If you are running out and will not take your mask off, let’s say you’re running errands, then skip the foundation and apply only SPF and concealer where needed to lighten and brighten the under eye area and to even any visible discoloration.
If you’re going out and will be removing your mask you’ll want coverage on your entire face. First, choose a long-wear formula foundation, tinted moisturizer, BB
cream or CC cream and apply it sparingly. Try Beauty For Real MVP for both
concealer and tinted moisturizer with SPF.Next, you’ll want to set it with a
translucent loose powder to keep the product in place and from rubbing off on
your mask. If your skin is dry like mine, you can separate a tissue to single ply, hold it up to your face where the mask will sit and dust the loose powder through the single ply tissue with a large powder brush. The best is Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.
Who doesn’t like a gorgeous, creamy lipstick or a shiny, shimmery lip gloss? It’s
all good until you have to put a mask over it- then it’s a mess. But, you need something on your lips for hydration and if you’re taking your mask off, you’ll want your lips done. Matte formulas work, but can be too drying to wear all the time. I’ve found the solution by applying a lip liner that matches lip tone for definition and a light swipe of a tinted lip balm for color and hydration. This combo is best for using under your mask. Beauty For Real Lip Revival Tinted Lip Balm and D-Fine Lip Liner in Neutral.
Wearing a mask can be hard on your skin. Gentle skin care can prevent your mask from causing skin problems. Cleanse and moisturize your face daily. This goes with out saying ,but I’ll say it anyway - Cleanse your skin! Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.
Dry skin is a common face mask skin problem. Applying moisturizer adds a
protective layer that can reduce dryness. I recommend using a moisturizer with one of the following ingredients:
Wash your cloth masks. Many health care organizations now recommend that you wash a cloth mask after each use. Washing it also removes oils and skin cells that collect inside the mask, which could lead to skin congestion.
The fabric is also important. Avoid synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, polyester, and rayon on the layer that rests against your skin. These are more likely to irritate your skin and cause breakouts.
For now, let’s all put on our masks and pray for the day (soon) when we won’t be wearing them at all- We can then collectively celebrate with bright red, creamy lips finished with a bit of red lip gloss!
Crisp air, turning leaves, pumpkin spice everything, and fresh fall makeup trends. What’s not to love when fall comes around? Although we’ll all be wearing masks this fall (safety first!), that’s no reason not to bust out your blush and lipstick. Plus, gorgeous eye looks are always a fall staple, so now’s the time to take out your Spice Cabinet Bundle and get creative with your Midnight Marathon Shadow STX and Whiskey I-line.
This season, it’s all about glowy skin, bold eyes, and blush for days. So, while you gather your sweaters and boots, here’s some of the best fall beauty trends of 2020.
We all love fall for its bold colors, and one of our favorite fall makeup looks is inspired by these fiery colors. All it takes is a dramatic application of orange, red, yellow, and a little bit of brown with a sweep of Ever Starstruck Shadow STX to cut the crease and add an extra pop of glitter. New to crease-cutting? Ipsy has a helpful guide.
A fall-inspired monochromatic palette is not only gorgeous, it makes creating a look super simple. And we’re all about simple! To get the look, all you need is a neutral lip and a subtle pop in the eyes with a rustic-colored eyeliner and shadow. We’ve got it all ready to go for you with our Spice Cabinet Bundle!
We’re not flirts, we just blush a lot. Blush is making its well-deserved comeback amongst our best fall makeup trends. When you’re going for a natural look with just a little something extra, blush is your best friend. For a classic style, apply it to the apples of your cheeks, like the beautiful Kate Upton shows us here with our In The Pink Blush + Glo Highlighter.
Another new trend to love with blush is applying it like contour, a technique called “draping.” To get this amped up blush look, just push your Blush + Glo stick further up your cheeks all the way to your temples.
We may all be wearing masks, but that’s no reason to put away the gloss and leave it behind on our list of fall makeup trends. Wearing a simple glossy lip goes with any look and gives you that extra boost of confidence to make your day just a little more beauty-full.
We recommend lining your lips with our Neutral Light D-Fine lip pencil before applying your favorite gloss.
We may not be getting sweaty like it’s summer anymore, but that doesn’t mean glowing, dewy skin should fade away! Get that dewy, refreshed look by applying a little of our MVP Tinted Moisturizer + Concealer, then top it with our Bronze + Glo Highlighter. Get extra fall-trendy by applying a little blush on your cheeks to finish the look.
No look is complete without a set of luscious lashes. That’s why no fall makeup look is complete without bold lashes. Whether you’re going for a bold look or something more subtle, these lashes give your eyes a sexy pop.
Pro tip: When using lashes, make sure you also apply a swipe or two of Hi-Def Mascara before you glue on your false lashes. Check out Teen Vogue’s quick how-to guide if you’re a newbie to falsies.
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Back when I was a young make up artist working with more mature women, it seemed they always complained about their aging looks and repeatedly pointed out and obsessed over wrinkles and sagging skin. I remember thinking “if you’d quit obsessing and stop focusing on looking older, it won’t effect you so much.” Well, that might still be true, but now that I’m here (61!) I realize how difficult it can be to look in the mirror and love the changes you see. Especially in a culture where the focus on looking young is everything. If I hear one more time- “you look so good for your age”. I know it sounds like a compliment, but why can’t it just be- “you look so good”? There are so many positive things that come along with aging; knowledge, experience, patience, acceptance, etc. that I’m embracing it and all of the fine lines that come with it.
I intend to age gracefully into my 60’s, 70’s and beyond. I’m not saying that a little help from a great derm now and then is out of the question, but let’s not go too crazy and end up looking like we’re trying way too hard. We’ve all seen it- restraint ladies!
Here are a few magical and easy makeup tips that will keep you looking your best at any age, but especially for us with more life experience.
The first absolute essential for applying great make up is a good mirror with a magnifying feature. Most of us over 50 wear glasses and you must take them off to do your eyes and this means you can’t see a damn thing. Without a magnifying mirror you may as well be putting your makeup on in the dark. Speaking of which, good balanced light is essential too. If you are able to do your makeup facing a window, natural light is the best for daytime applications. (Or if you’re like me, a hand held magnifying mirror in my makeup bag. I often do my make up in the car! Shhh). If you don’t have a window or are applying at night, I’d recommend a magnifying mirror with built-in lights. Trust me, it will change everything. I use and recommend Beauty For Real's Glo Tech Mirror
Hydration is everything as we age. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and requires hydration from both the inside and out. Dehydrated skin has more texture with increased fine lines and wrinkles but did you know it also leads to more skin sensitivity? Dehydrated skin is less effective as a protective barrier, its defenses are weakened creating skin sensitivity, irritation, and premature aging. When dehydrated, your skin tends to react easily to active ingredients or outside elements. By adding hydration back to the skin it becomes stronger, healthier and less reactive. So if your skin is over-sensitive and reactive, it could be a sign of dehydration. Drink up that water and slather on the moisturizers! Use Beauty For Real's Skin Revival Orgnaic Oil.
In addition to dehydration, there’s something else that creates more texture in the skin that is sometimes overlooked. That’s the dead, dry skin cells that are on the surface of your skin if you aren’t exfoliating regularly. As the skin cells age, they rise to the surface until they are shed naturally. A light exfoliation will accelerate the shedding of the aged cells, revealing a more even texture and brighter color. All skin treatments will become more effective and make up will go on more smoothly and evenly with regular exfoliation. Try twice weekly. Bliss Incredi-Peel Pads. These are great on your hands to lighten age spots too!!
Nothing shouts health and beauty more than a big, gorgeous smile. Keep yours clean and bright with regular tooth whitening. In addition to routine cleanings at the dentist, Crest White Strips do the trick for me.
When doing your makeup, don’t get stuck in a look from the decade you think you looked your best. Keep it fresh and new!
Something that’s fun and easy to do while adding a little touch of concentrated color is a Gel Eyeliner in an unexpected color blended into your lash-line. Get a long-wear, waterproof formula that won’t smudge or smear (eliminating the dark, aging under-eye raccoon look). I love Beauty For Real’s Jade, 24-Karat and In the Navy. Navy also has the added benefit of making the whites of your eyes appear whiter!
Great mascara is a must. Yours should be lengthening and volumizing, as a lush set of lashes brings focus to and really lifts your eyes. If you have issues with it smudging, make sure to get a water resistant formula and skip applying to the lower lash-line. Try the best Beauty For Real Hi-Def Mascara.
Lip Liner is also a must. Unfortunately, as we age we lose the definition and balance of our lip line, particularly the upper lip, making them look faded, thin and uneven. For the most natural effect, eliminating the tell-tale lip liner look, choose a lip liner that matches your lip tone and use it to redefine and re-balance your lip line. A liner will also ensure your lip color doesn’t bleed. Use Beauty For Real's D-Fine Lip Liner.
Next, when choosing your lip color there are 2 things to keep in mind- dark colors (dark burgundy, brown tones) will make your lips look smaller. Not good. And we do want a little color as nude skin tones can wash you out. Choose something with enough brightness to bring color back to your face. Anything from a tawny rose, a pink or coral, even bright red depending on your mood and the occasion. I like a tinted lip balm because it provides just enough sheer color along with needed hydration. The best are Beauty For Real's Lip Revival Lip Balm.
To frame your face and lift your eyes, shaping, balancing and defining your brows should be done regularly. If you find it hard to get the shape right, go to a pro to establish the shape, then do it yourself. It’s easy if you have the patience and the tools. You can always go back to the pro for a tune up.
Keep your brows in great shape with the help of your lighted, magnifying mirror (see above) and good tweezers. (The best tweezers I ever bought were from a legendary shop in Milan that sold all kinds of grooming tools and cutlery that no longer exists. I’m holding on to them for dear life.) Tweezerman makes great tools- the tweezers with the slant tip are easiest to use.
When defining your brows, if you’re a blonde, choose a color that is slightly darker than your hair color, if you’re a red head, slightly less bright than your hair color and if your hair is dark, slightly lighter than your hair color. This gives the most natural effect. Anastasia Beverly Hills has a varied selection of makeup for brows. My favorites are the pencil, Brow Wiz (12 shades) and the pomade, Dipbrow (11 shades) for easy application of defined and enhanced brows.
Another alternative for a more permanent solution to filling in your brows is to have them micro-bladed. I did this about a year ago and love it. Because it’s a tattoo and semi-permanent, make sure to do your homework in your area in finding someone who will do it with a light hand that keeps it natural. If you’re in Miami try the guru, Caleb, at Skn Elements for the best micro-blading.
Your complexion products should improve the appearance of your skin by evening out your skin tone and enhancing the overall texture, providing smoothness and luminosity. As we age, it’s imperative that the complexion products are not dry, heavy and mask-like. To provide hydration, radiance and an even skin tone, choose a lightweight foundation, BB Cream, CC Cream or Tinted Moisturizer. Make sure it matches the skin tone on your face and is complimentary to your neck, shoulders and arms if they‘re exposed. Use powders very sparingly, if at all, as they make your skin look matte and dry- which is aging. You can’t cover up wrinkles and most times less is more with complexion products.
Concealer should be just slightly lighter than your skin tone and is meant to provide more coverage under and around the eyes and anywhere you may need extra coverage. Because it is heavily pigmented, use it lightly only where needed and not as a highlighter. It’s too opaque and you’ll lose the quality of illuminated, healthy skin. This technique might look good in a photo, but not in real life. Beauty For Real’s MVP Tinted Moisturizer and Concealer has the tinted moisturizer in the body of the tube and the concealer in the cap of the tube taking the guesswork out of choosing colors and giving you a 2 in 1 product for convenience.
Cream blush is usually a better choice than powder to provide a bit of color on the cheeks while maintaining the glow and luminosity from your powder free complexion product application. It also blends better than powder on naked skin if you’re just popping a bit on in a hurry. If you’re a cool skin tone, choose a blue based pink and if you have a warm skin tone, coral and peaches look best.
Cream highlighter with a bit of shimmer (not matte or glittery please) on the tops of your cheekbone, on the brow bone, down the bridge of your nose and on the cupids bow brightens your face and gives it added dimension. Try Beauty For Real’s Blush + Glo for both Blush and Highlighter in one product.
Makeup can be magic - you know that feeling you get when you look good, it gives you that extra shot of confidence to face your day and give it all you’ve got.
Please share with us some of your favorite tips!
]]>Every woman deserves to feel radiant, luxurious, and confident in her own skin. We want you to always feel your most beautiful, so we put together a few tips on how to achieve the most radiant skin- ever- while busting some myths along the way.
Let’s start by busting down a few skin-hydration myths.
“I have oily skin, so I can’t use moisturizer.”
Oh, beauty, but you can! Using a moisturizer will actually help to balance out oil levels.
“I drink enough water, so I don’t have to worry about hydrating.”
The skin is composed of approx. 30% of water. So, drinking water does help, but it is not the cure-all to giving your skin the hydration that it needs.
“SOS, there are no moisturizers out there for me.”
Don’t give up hope yet. Not all moisturizers are created equal. A formula that is many-in-one might be exactly what you need.
Hydration is a key part of achieving a radiant and healthy glow, and here is why.
Helps Minimize Wrinkles
We’re not here to ask you to hide from your wrinkles, in fact, it’s time to get comfortable with the idea of wrinkles and embrace the story that they tell. But if you’re looking for more radiant-looking skin and a smoother complexion, making it a habit to apply moisturizer after your shower or when you wake up in the morning will help to keep skin smooth and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. That means you get to stay youthful and radiant for longer.
Flawless Makeup finish
Makeup sticks to dry places on the face and runs into cracks- especially those lines around the eyes and mouth. Use a moisturizer like our SPF Tinted Moisturizer that both hydrates and conceals. Wait a few minutes so the moisture can sink into your pores, and then begin painting your masterpiece.
Prevents Dryness
Our skin is naturally prone to dryness without hydration. A good moisturizer will have plenty of vitamins (like vitamins A, E, and B5) to build skin firmness, replenish moisture levels, and protect new skin cells from damage.
Calms Down Acne
Hydration is proven to calm down acne and other skin concerns. Opt for a lotion, face cream, primer, like our MVP, that is packed with nutrients and made specifically for all skin types.
It is time to get ready for a skincare self-care session that leaves you glowing. Your skin will love you for this.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating the skin removes dead skin cells and encourages new, healthy skin growth that appears bright and youthful. Try exfoliating at least 2-3 times per week.
Use a Skin Oil
A luxurious skin oil creates a shimmering glow and nourishes at the same time. The BFR Skin Revival Organic Hydrate + Glo Oil will help your skin find balance feel soft, nourished, and beautifully radiant.
Hydrate
Achieving radiant skin means remembering to hydrate every day. The skin naturally dries out, so once it loses enough moisture, it looks not-so radiant. Use a moisturizer that is packed with vitamins and natural ingredients to keep your skin looking flawless.
Protect with SPF
Harmful sun rays can damage the skin and cause it to look dull, so always opt for a moisturizer with SPF protection. Our MVP Tinted Moisturizer + Concealer is a 5-in-1 skin protector. Not only does it shield your face from the sun, but it also leaves skin looking smooth and radiant as ever.
]]>Any hour is happy hour in quarantine! Just kidding (maybe not…LOL). This fun spin on a cocktail favorite is inspired by Beauty For Real’s Lip Revival Scrub in Orange Spice, a deliciously spicy and sweet blend of natural sugar and essential oils that gently cleanse, exfoliate and condition the lips.
When I think spicy and sweet, I think Moscow Mule. With a few extra ingredients, this copper-mug classic tastes just like the everyday lip scrub.
If you’ve never made simple syrup, then you’re in luck because this recipe calls for it. Simple syrup can be flavored with just about anything, in our case we will be dropping in some cinnamon sticks to give our mules an extra kick.
If you have a shaker on hand, great! If not, no worries! This drink can be shaken or stirred. After you’ve combined all the ingredients into a copper mug (or chilled glass), garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick. Set the mood with some chill music, dim the lights and you’ll instantly be transported to a swanky bar without leaving your living room! Here’s what you need to bring this Moscow Mule variation to life...
Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 cinnamon sticks
Cocktail:
- 2 oz. vodka (skip this to make it a mocktail)
- 2 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice.
- 4 oz. ginger beer (substitute ginger ale)
- 0.5 oz. cinnamon simple syrup
- Cinnamon stick garnish
- Orange slice garnish
- Ice
Bring sugar and water to a boil, add cinnamon sticks. Simmer for 15 minutes, set aside to cool then transfer to an air-sealed glass container and chill in the refrigerator. Store 1-2 weeks for future use.
In a copper mug or chilled glass, add ice and all liquid ingredients. Stir, garnish and serve. Don’t forget to snap a pic and tag Beauty For Real!And that’s it. This recipe is super simple, spicy and sweet. Cheers!
Will you be trying this delicious Moscow Mule variation? Let us know in the comments!
XO, Caro
Carolina Padron is a lifestyle, beauty and motherhood blogger. Make sure you connect with her on Instagram or on her website.
Hi there Beauty! Leslie here. I’m so excited to present to you our carefully curated Complexion Store. Inspired by the thousands of faces I’ve worked on as a makeup artist, our Complexion Store is the answer to the top 3 questions I’m always asked:
Your skin tone usually varies in different areas of your face, so I typically recommend choosing a foundation that matches the skin tone along the perimeter of your face. Your jawline is a great place to start because then you can see how it looks with your neck and chest. You want the foundation to disappear onto your skin as you apply it. Whether your skin concern is redness, unevenness, or discoloration, you want to select a foundation that offers light to medium coverage, like Beauty For Real MVP, because you can layer it on as needed to balance and perfect skin tone. Check it in natural light for best results. Pro tip: Because skin color can change seasonally, you may need two colors to always achieve a perfect match.
When it comes to concealer, because it is a more pigmented formula that Foundation, BB Cream or Tinted Moisturizer and offers more coverage, you want to use it sparingly. It should be used to cover darkness under and around the eyes and any blemishes, scarring or more intense discoloration. It’s best to choose a color just a slight bit lighter than your skin tone or foundation color. Click here for a video tutorial on how to apply your foundation and concealer.
Beyond understanding your complexion when selecting foundation or concealer, you also need to consider the undertones of your skin when selecting the rest of your products.
A quick and easy way to identify your undertone is to grab a white piece of paper and place it next to your face. Does your skin look rosy/pink or yellow/golden? If it looks rosy or pink toned, you can say your undertone is cool. If it looks golden or yellow toned, you can say it’s warm. If it’s somewhere in the middle, you are neutral.
While anyone can wear any color, shades like pink, purple, and blue are consistently more flattering on cool undertones whereas shades like red, brown, and gold should be your go-to if your undertones are warm. By sticking to this rule of thumb, you can trust you’ll always look great.
Staying true to our motto, “Beauty Simplified,” our Complexion Store emphasizes the idea that to highlight your unique beauty, you don’t need an unlimited amount of makeup — just a few perfect products.
Something for your face, something for your cheeks, something for you lips, and SPOILER ALERT: something for your eyes (free mascara included with every purchase for a limited time.)
With most of us at home and the additional responsibilities that come with it, we hope our Complexion Store makes feeling beautiful more effortless than ever. So we’ve got you covered, looking this great has never been easier.
]]>Disclaimer: Only because it’s nearly Valentine's Day am I going to write about what your date may think of your make up. Normally we choose, apply, and wear our make up to please ourselves, right?
I recently did an Instagram live with makeup for a Valentine’s date night on a woman going out for dinner with her boyfriend. I did a light complexion application (she has great skin), smudged a little silver onto her lids, then Finish Line Liquid liner (slight cat-eye), Hi-Def Mascara, Blush + Glo Highlighter In the Pink / Get Lit, and a Kiss Me Gloss. She looked fresh, pretty, and a bit flirty. Perfect for Valentine's Day.
This got me thinking, with the trend of wearing more makeup, what are dates (guys and girls) saying these days about make up? So I read tons of studies and interviewed some people myself. There were a few unusual answers but some consistent feelings run across all ages, backgrounds, and sexes.
*Nearly everyone said they like women to look “natural”. Use makeup to enhance what’s already there. Thing is, most can’t tell the difference between no makeup and an everyday, light makeup application done well. Men really think the “no-makeup look” is no makeup. (women know better!)
But here’s what they don’t like -
- Strong, overly drawn on brows, colorful eye shadow, apparent false lashes, too much foundation, especially the wrong color (a visible line at jawline), too much “orange stuff”- I think they mean contour or excessive bronzer, and bright lips (nobody wants to kiss a clown).
- Woman wearing overdone makeup seem insecure or unsure of themselves, she must be hiding something.
- Too much makeup can make women look older.
- Makeup done well to enhance a woman’s appearance rather than hide who she is coming off as a definite plus.
- Depends on the occasion - if we are running out to breakfast, she doesn’t need makeup but if we’re going to a formal wedding or a big night out, make up finishes the look.
- Women who are well-groomed with polished makeup are taken more seriously, it shows they care about their appearance but leave the overly made-up or creative looks for personal time.
The question becomes - What is overdone, too much or overly done makeup?
You must answer that for yourself. I personally think makeup should be fun, and you should be allowed to be creative and use it to express yourself. It can give you confidence- just don’t cover yourself up or use it to hide who you are. Be yourself and in the end, we’ll all love you for it!
Happy Valentines Day!
]]>In the many years I’ve been a makeup artist there has been an incredible amount of development in beauty. Amazingly innovative products with advanced ingredients have opened the door for new application techniques, driving trends to endless possibilities. The benefits of long-wear formulas, skin-loving ingredient discoveries, and primers for everything are just a few of the things that I love most. Some of these new products took years in the lab to create, others are quite simple but deliver huge results. One of these simple/huge result ideas is lip scrub. While it’s been around for years, I’m surprised it wasn’t really embraced until recently, as it’s a game-changer for lips.
Everyone wants fuller, softer, smoother, more hydrated lips, right? If you haven’t tried a lip scrub, you must, as that is exactly what you’ll get!
In these cold months when chapped, dry lips are often a challenge, lip scrub will be your best friend. Used regularly (Some people use it several times daily- can you say obsessed?) lip scrubs work to gently buff and exfoliate the dead, dry skin from the surface of your lips leaving them smoother and much softer.
Know any Chapstick or Carmex addicts? They are just coating their lips (over and over again) with petrochemical ingredients that cover rather than address the issue of dry lips. They must first remove the chapped, dry skin, then apply natural nut butters or plant oils for hydration and protection.
Know any matte lipstick addicts? They also can use a good lip scrub to exfoliate and rehydrate their lips, as matte lipsticks can leave lips excessively dry when worn regularly.
A perfect lip is obviously a huge part of any great look and when working with clients, I always use lip scrub as part of the preparation for all my make up applications. It’s the first step for a softer, smoother canvas and it improves lip volume. (The buffing increases blood circulation, temporarily plumping lips!)
When looking for a great lip scrub, find one with natural ingredients, as you’ll ingest some of it. (If it tastes good enough, you may lick it all off!) In addition to the exfoliating ingredient (I like sugar), you want a plant or nut base to give you hydration.
Simply buff your lips with scrub, then remove sugar with a damp washcloth or tissue. Voila- baby soft, smooth plump lips! What could be easier?
Try Beauty For Real Lip Revival Lip Scrub in Orange Spice, Ginger Lime, Vanilla Latte and Spearmint- flavored with all-natural essential oils.
Beauty For Real's Lip Revival Lip Scrub - Shop Here
]]>Eyeliner is having a strong moment in makeup now and there are a million eyeliners available with so many reasons to choose one over another. There’s one for every look and occasion. As a makeup artist and a woman wearing makeup for decades, I usually prefer pencils and liquid eyeliners as they seem to be easiest to apply and perform the best. If it’s difficult to know when to choose one over the other, read on as there are benefits to each (you should really try both!). Here are some things to consider when choosing which to use and when.
A great gel pencil liner formula should glide on smoothly without pulling or tugging on your delicate eye area. A waterproof, long-wear formula is a must as the last thing you want is your eyeliner going anywhere you didn’t put it. To enhance your eyes, keeping them bright and appearing more open, your eyeliner should always look fresh and clean not dark and smeared under your eyes.
Best for a blended smoky eye - Pencil eyeliners are usually quite blendable, so when you want to create a smudgy eye, whether its just a simple dab smudged into the lash line for definition or the base for a smoldering, dramatic smoky eye, the creamy texture allows you to blend and build color and intensity.
Most options in color and texture - Pencils usually have a vast color and texture selection compared to liquid eyeliners so when you want to play with color and shimmer, there’s more to choose from. To emphasize your eye color, try choosing an eyeliner color that’s opposite your eye color. If you have blue or green eyes and want to make your eyes pop, try Beauty For Real’s 24-7 Gel Eyeliner in Whiskey, brown eyes look great with Beauty For Real’s In the Navy.
Use on the waterline - A pencil eyeliner is the best option for lining the waterline. It’s hard not to get the liner in your eye when applying liquid to the waterline and that’s a recipe for disaster.
Convenient - Choose a pencil eyeliner that’s retractable and doesn’t need sharpening. It’s inconvenient to carry a sharpener and those little wood shavings can get in your eyes- ouch!
Just like when choosing your pencil eyeliner, you want your liquid liner to be a waterproof, long-wear formula to avoid the dreaded smearing that can ruin your day. (or night!)
Most precision - When you want the cleanest, most precise line, a liquid liner is the answer. Once the application is mastered, (practice makes perfect) nothing beats a liquid liner for creating a defined, perfect cat eye.
Ease of use - The two common options for liquid liner are a marker-like pen or one that’s a little pot with a brush. While the brush and pot can last a bit longer, I find the pen much easier to control. A tip with a defined point gives you the most precision. Try Beauty For Real’s Finish Line 24-7 Liquid Liner.
Build intensity - A beautiful smoky eye is all about the intensity at the lash line and gradation of color from the lash line out. To add real intensity to a smoky eye, first line with your pencil eyeliner, then layer over it with your eye shadow darkest at lash line, blended out. Next, to apply more depth and intensity, apply liquid liner very close to the lash line. Finish with tons of mascara.
With lots of options, trying different eyeliners is an easy and fun way to quickly change your make up look. Try a neutral brown pencil for a soft everyday look and black with shimmer, a bright color, a metallic or liquid for night or a more special occasion. Have some fun!
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