Beautiful Travels

It's always so hard to decide what beauty items to pack when going on a trip. Should you just bring the bare essentials? Or enough to be prepared for anything? I probably over-pack when it comes to beauty related items, but that's because I almost never pre-plan a look, I just look at what I'll be wearing and make it up as I go.
I meant to have this video up before I left for Thanksgiving, but that didn't really work out. So I hope this helps if you are planning to go out of town for the winter holidays!

A few edits: When I got to security (TSA) they informed me that everything was supposed to be in a 1 quart bag not a 1 gallon bag. OOPS! Also, I don't know what I was thinking, but my foundation, tm, night cream, and nail polish was also supposed to be in the bag. Again, my bad.

Pick of the Week

Happy Holidays! 


While my sister and I were out shopping over the Thanksgiving break we stumbled across a beauty brand now at Forever 21 called love&beauty. My local Forever 21 does not carry the full line, there is a lot more on the website. So far I do feel like love&beauty has some good products, best of all the price range is $1-$6. I picked up some nail polishes and a lip gloss which I am really in love with. 


My pick of the week is the love&beauty sheer lip gloss, color is pink. This lip gloss will set you back a mere $1.80! This is a thicker lip gloss with a lot of shine and really delicious scent. I also kinda appreciate that the colors are called pink, red and coral, straight to the point. 

Have a very happy holiday season and we are committed to getting tons of great holidays posts. Also, look out for new videos!


-The Artist

Adopt A Polish this Holiday Season!

Feeling in the holiday spirit? Looking to give back? Here is a fun cause to get behind! It's called AdoptAPolish.org, and they are looking to give beautiful nailpolishes a good and caring home :)

“We have so many polishes who need a good family to take them in” said AdoptAPolish.org executive director Nikki Smith. “All it takes is filling out an application form describing how you can provide a better life for one of our in need nail polishes. We select the best application and take care of all the expenses, delivering your newly adopted polish directly to your door.” 

Please don’t let the agony go on any longer than it has to. The first round of adoptions closes December 31st. Apply to Adopt a Polish at http://www.adoptapolish.org/category/current-adoptions/

How cute is that? I've already submitted my application for Charleston and Angelina. Who would you like to give a good home to?

XOXO
The Addict

Pick of the Week

Hello beautiful people!
Today I'm bringing you another awesome pick of the week! It is my Essence Stay All Day 16hr Long Lasting Concealer. I love this stuff! I have been using it pretty much every day for the last few months. It is a medium coverage concealer that is very smooth and blends well into the skin. It's also great for the under-eye area because it does not crease at all. For someone like me that has oily/acne prone skin it's hard to find concealers that actually stay all day and don't make my problem areas worse. This works so well for me, and may just work perfect for you too! This is my favorite concealer right now, and it's a steal for only $2.50! Essence products are sold at Ulta stores.
Now I am off to the airport to go see my family for the holiday! Stay tuned for some great videos with the Artist & the Addict! Til then,
The Addict

elf Flat Top Powder Brush

Hello Beauties!
Today I am bringing you a quick review of one of my all time favorite brushes. This is a brush that I use every single day. It is the elf flat top brush and it is so versatile! I personally use it to apply my foundation, both liquid and mineral/powder. When using liquid I just pour some on the back of my hand and stipple the foundation all over my face, then using circular motions blend it all over. With my mineral foundation (Bare Minerals or Laura Geller Balance and Brighten) I use the swirl, tap, and buff method. I am so glad that I discovered this brush, I don't know what I would do without it! Best part is, it retails for only $3 on eyeslipsface.com or at Target stores.

Picture courtesy of eyeslipsface.com...mine was too dirty to photograph :)

Side note for the Revlon Colorstay lovers- this is kind of hard to wash out of this brush. I usually have to wash it twice with my elf brush shampoo. Also, since the formulation is a little dry many people apply it with a wet sponge, I like to spritz a little elf mist and set on the brush before I start applying and it goes on beautifully! 

Til next time,

The Addict

Makeup Secret Weapon!

Hello Everyone,


Working as a make-up artist and going to Joe Blasco make-up school I have picked up some amazing tricks and secrets. Some of which are kinda unconventional but will save you money, time and get your creative juices going.


Today we are bringing you something very special, a little known and awesome product, Pearl Ex Pigment Powders! This was suggested to Andi (The Artist) back when she was in makeup school. We have both used these for a long time, and they are amazing! 

This is a set of 12 pigment powders, which are meant for crafting but are safe and easy to use on the face and eyes. You get some awesome colors and a TON of product. This set retails for about $20 at Michael's Crafts or on http://www.dickblick.com. Wet or dry, with or without primer you get high impact color payoff that lasts and lasts. There are 2 different sets, we both have this collection. It has a great mix of bright and vibrant, warm, and metallic colors.


If you try this, let us know what you think!
-The Artist and The Addict

Pick of the Week

Hello Beauty Lovers,

We love elf here at The Artist and The Addict, they are really changing the way a lot of people (including myself) feel about lower end/drug store brands. This week is no different.

For this Pick of the Week, under $5 of course, is the elf All Over Cover Stick. We have seen a lot of mixed reviews about this product but I personally can't live without it. I found mine at Kmart, I've heard select Target stores also have it and of course you can order the All Over Cover Stick at eyeslipsface.com.

I use it to ways: as a concealer with my tinted moisturizer or all over for a full coverage look. I always set this with a highlight powder under the eyes and a talc powder all over for a finished matte appearance.

I know why your probably thinking "I can't use a product all over my face that only cost $1, it will ruin my skin". Everyone is different but my experience with this product has been really great, and my acne prone skin hasn't looked this great in years. I have been using the All Over Cover Stick for a couple months now almost everyday.

Do you have a great product for Pick of the Week? Tell us about it.
XOXO, The Artist

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters

Hello!

If you follow other beauty blogs you have probably heard of the New Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter. I heard about them on Beauty Broadcast who saw them somewhere else. Well they are so awesome I feel the need to mention them again! It took going to a few different places to find them, I found them at CVS in CA and Kaci found them at Walgreens in AZ. 

The Lip Butters are really soft, have great color, are long lasting and fade really nicely. They come in a variety of shades but the main reason I was drawn in was because I have been searching for pink lipstick and I didn't want something that was opaque matte hot pink.  I wanted something with some shimmer and shine.
Artist:
I picked up Lollipop and Sweet Tart and have been wearing them non-stop! Lollipop is a fuchsia with violet shimmer in it and Sweet Tart has no shimmer and is a glossy bright pink.

Ring is Forever 21

Addict:

I picked up two colors that are a bit more toned down; Berry Smoothie and Pink Truffle. Berry Smoothie is a shimmery berry pink, which comes of a little brighter than it looks in the tube. Then there is Pink Truffle, I love this shade! It looks exactly how it sounds, it's a creamy brown with pink tones, making this a super wearable brown. I am just loving it for fall!

From Left: Pink Truffle, Berry Smoothie

Until next time, 

The Artist and The Addict

How Much Is Your Face Worth?

Hello lovelies!
I saw this post over at Laura Thoughts and I thought it would be fun to do! Basically you just add up the cost of all of the products you would use in a day.
So I figured I would do two examples, an everyday look and a night out look :) It sure adds up quick, especially when you figure that this isn't even including makeup brushes or hair products.

Typical:
Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation: $26
Essence Concealer $3
Elf Studio Blush in Berry Merry: $3
Milani Baked Bronzer in Glow $8
elf eyelid primer $1
elf 32 palette $5
Maybelline Drama Eyeliner $6
Maybelline One by One mascara $6
eos lip balm $3
Cost-$61

Going out:
elf Mineral Infused face primer $6
Revlon Colorstay Foundation $13
Essence concealer (under eyes) $3
Hardy Candy Glamoflauge (any imperfections) $6
NYC loose powder $4
Milani Baked Bronzer in Glow $8
elf bronzer in Warm Tan $3
Hard Candy Blush in Living Doll $6
Too Faced Shadow Insurance $18
Tarte for True Blood Palette $52
Ardell Brow Powder $4
Maybelline Drama Eyeliner $6

Prestige My Biggest Lashes Mascara $6

Ardell Falsies $4

Duo Lash glue $8

Essence XXXL Nudes Lip gloss $3

Cost-$150

I tend to use more makeup when I go out, and I like to keep everything covered up for that flawless look. Whereas I'm okay with  more natural, light to medium coverage for work or school. I also like to use higher end products when I go out because in my experience they tend to last a little better when I'm sweating and shaking my groove-thang.

 I hope you enjoyed this! XOXO,

The Addict

Coastal Scents Haul and Swatches

Hello Everyone!

We am so happy to bring you some swatches of some awesome stuff we got from Coastal Scents! We got five Go palettes, the 88 Ultra Shimmer palette, the 10 blush palettes and a few brushes. These colors are so soft, pigmented, and gorgeous! As far as I can tell, only a couple colors had duplicates from the 88 shimmer palette (the gold and copper shades in Moscow). When I saw the GO palettes online, I thought the pans were going to be larger, but they are the same size as the pans in the 88 palette. I also thought the eye brushes would be fluffier. Other than that, I am so happy with everything! These swatches are without a primer, and single swipes on the skin.

Please excuse all of the little bruises, I was playing Volleyball earlier for the first time in many years! :) All rows are Left to right, or bottom to top.

Overall we give Coastal Scents an A, love the colors and they go on really nice.


Until Next Time-The Artist and The Addict

Pick of The Week

Hello lovelies!
This weeks product is a great one for all of your beautiful fall looks. It is the elf Studio 32 palette in Warm, and it's only $5 at Target or eyelipsface.com. This palette has everything you need for natural, smokey, or dramatic eyes, in warm versatile colors that are perfect for the season! These colors are beautiful and pigmented. There are some matte shades, but most have a satin or shimmer finish along with one chunky gold. The size is also perfect for traveling, not too big, but still has a lot of colors to choose from.

Back To Basics - Know Your Skin Tone

Hello Lovelys!

Here at the The Artist and The Addict we wanted to do a series of Beauty Basics, some you may already know. But if you feel like a wreck, you're a trainee or feel like you just can't seem to get something right, hopefully you will find some useful information here.

Understanding your skin tone!

Before you just dive into whatever look you saw on Gossip Girl you need to first take a hard look in the mirror and understand what is happening on that beautiful face of yours. 


Why does skin tone matter? Whenever you are choosing what colors to use on your face, hair or what to wear, having a better understanding of whats going on underneath will aid you in not picking things that are going to wash you out or make you look crazy. 

Skin tone can be divided into two categories: Ruddy and Olive aka Red and Green. This distinction is easy to identify. If you are looking in the mirror and you have a lot of redness on your face, it is most likely due to irritation or sensitive skin. A true Ruddy skin tone is almost always a natural red head and is only 1% of the human population all others are Olive.

Olive skin is much more complex then Ruddy as it can have many sub undertones and many different shades. However you can break them up into two groups: warm and cool. Warm undertones are yellow or orange, while cool undertones are blue or violet. This can sometimes be difficult to figure out, there are a lot of different ways determine if you are warm or cool. Check out these tests at The Beauty Department.

A basic rule to stick to when choosing color is to pick colors with the same undertones as your skin. Warm tones look great in golds, oranges, yellows and bright red-oranges. Cool tones will benefit from wearing silvers and beautiful jewel shades (purple, blue and green). 

Now that you know and understand your skin tone and undertones you will be able to apply this knowledge to future Back to Basics. Coming soon will be a B2B on how to pick foundation for your skin tone.

-The Artist