DIY Organizing!

Hey guys!
I thought I would share with you a few ideas that I have used to help me organize a few things. I like to be able to see everything that I have, so that I can decide what I want to use,

Here is how I store my nail polishes. I used this video as a template to make it. It's just foam board and hot glue, surprisingly sturdy for only about $3.

This is a pizza pan that I hung with ribbon, and then hot glued magnets to the back of my single shadows. Total cost $8.

I did this the other day. I just nailed up some gold ribbon and hooked my earrings on them. Total cost $1 

Hope this gave you all some ideas!
XO-The Addict

Back to Basics - Picking out Foundation

Hello There!


We have all fallen victim to this, wearing the wrong color foundation. For me it usually happens in the summer, I don't realize how much sun I have gotten and all of a sudden my face is lighter than everything else and I look like ghost. For most people they simply don't know how to pick the correct shade or the undertone is wrong and you turn orange. For information on understanding your skin tone check out this Back to Basic. 


There are basically three types of foundation: powder, liquid and gel/cream. Typically coverage is as follows Powder is Sheer, Liquid is Medium, Creme is Full. Of course there are exceptions like tinted moisturizer which usually is packaged like liquid foundation.


OK now you know your skin tone and what type of coverage you want its time to  find your perfect match. If your shopping at the drugstore unfortunately its just a guessing game. The best thing to do is go to Sephora or a department store so that you can test the colors. Find a brand, type and finish you like, then swatch them along your jaw bone (Try using a cotton swab or a cosmetic sponge). Your looking for the color that disappears into your skin.

 Brush Vs. Sponge?

Some people think that you should only use foundation brush's and others are pro sponge. So how do you choose? My best advice is to try both and use whatever your most comfortable with and you feel gives the best result for your skin. 


Brush's are the greener choice since you wash and reuse them the same way you would any of your cosmetic brushes. I like to use a brush because you have more control over where your product is going and the result is more full coverage than a sponge since it doesn't soak up your foundation.


Sponges are convenient since they are disposable and are my applicator of choice when applying foundation to a client. Most people don't know this but you can use sponges two ways wet or dry. By wetting the sponge you cause it to soak up the vehicle in the product (The ingredient that delivers the pigment to your face, usually an oil) this gives you a color only deposit to you face. 


Do you still have questions on how to pick out foundation or application? Let us know!


Until next time! -The Artist

Pick of the Week

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season, I know we are!
For this Pick of the Week I choose NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder. If you don't normally use bronzer or are looking for a less expensive option this is a great product and will only set you back $2.99.

NYC Smooth Skin is a matte powder and I believe only comes in the shade Sunny. I use it two ways, First as a contour powder. If you want to lose a quick 5 lbs apply bronzer under your cheek bone and blend up into your blush to get a quick skinny face. Second, to use as a bronzer for a fast tan apply to the high points of your face; cheek bones, temples and down the center of your face.

Finally ordered the NYX Haute Jersey pallet, I can't wait. Look for that review coming soon!

XOXO- The Artist

Facebook!

Want more Artist and Addict goodness? Check out our Facebook page! There you will find mani of the days, face of the days, quick tips, and all sorts of awesome extras! 

The Artist and The Addict Facebook Page

Pick of the Week!

Hello lovelies!
Sorry that this is so late, I have been in CA for the last week and didn't get home until late last night.
Enough excuses, let's get started. This product is one that I have been using a lot since I got it in my Cyber Monday elf haul. It is the elf Studio Mascara Primer. I had heard people say that they liked it, but I wasn't sure why because I didn't really understand what it did. So I decided to give it a try with a couple different mascaras and in different amounts (light layer and thick). I do like this product, I feel like it adds length and thickness before you apply your mascara, intensifying the the look. It also helps your mascara stay longer, flake less, and glide on smoother. It even makes my lashes feel more conditioned and it seems like it's easier to remove my mascara at the end of the day when I use this.

$3 at eyeslipsface.com

How many of us have a bunch of half used mascaras in our collection that we stopped using because they weren't all that great? I know I have a few. What's great about this primer is that it can take a so-so mascara and make it great! For example, I have been using it with my NYC Sky Rise Lengthening Mascara which isn't terrible but it's not really anything special on it's own. When I used the primer first then used the NYC Mascara, I had noticeably more intense lashes. They looked awesome! 


I've found that it works best if you use a light-to moderate amount, to where they start to look white but not clumpy, then let it sit for a few seconds before you apply your mascara. They only negative I've noticed is that with the extra product weighing them down my curl doesn't last as long. I think it's a great product to add some oomph to your look or to help you use up some long forgotten products.

Til next time
The Addict

Favorite Holiday Nail Polishes!

Hey everyone!
We are so close the holidays! In fact, this week I will be in CA again celebrating Christmas early with my family. I have been having very festive fingernails lately, and I thought I would share with you my favorite Holiday colors!

Christmas:

Broadway Burgundy Frost, WnW Red Red

WnW Sagreena the Teenage Witch, Rimmel Rags to Riches

Hanukkah:

Essie One Day Without Blues (LE),  Love and Beauty Indigo, NYC Starry Silver

New Years:

WnW Diamond in the Rough & 24 Carats, Sally Hansen Extreme Wear Celeb City, Confetti Tazmanian Devil

Click links for sources

Happy Polishing!
The Addict

Pick of the Week

Hello Lovely's!


I am so sorry my Pick of the Week is a day late! We got a new puppy and she is taking over my life. 


Anyway I have a great pick for you! It is Jesse's Girl, Mineralized Baked Powder in Ocean Breeze. I really wanted a navy eye shadow and when Kaci was out here we stopped by Rite Aid and picked this one up. I actually did not have high hopes for it but for only $3.99 I figured why not. I ended up absolutely loving it!

The texture is very soft and blends out really well. In this picture I used a darker blue at the base of the lid with the Mineralized Baked Powder all over and a lighter shade to blend the edges into my highlight. Its a more dramatic look but super fast and easy to apply. 

XOXO- The Artist

Holiday Looks

Hey beauties!
I thought maybe you guys would like to see some fun holiday looks! These are just two that I cam up with.

For a holiday/Christmas party:

Using Jesse's Girl Antique Green foiled with elf Lock and Seal on the lid
Then I used a fluffier brush to blend it in the crease. With just a shimmery white as a highlight. Then I used elf liquid liner in Copper. With Maybelline One-by-one mascara and elf blushing rose on my upper cheekbone.

For New Years!

Starry gel liner in silver on the lids, then patted on Revlon diamond dust in 100 Celestial Silver. Then took my WnW matte black from the Blue Had Me at Hello and did a winged outer v and brought it down to the lower lash line. Maybelline master drama liner on the waterline and One-by-one mascara. Lastly a  light dusting on WnW pearlescent pink on my cheeks.

Enjoy!-The Addict

Review of Kirkland Signature Brush Set

Hey Y'all!
I had heard a lot about these brushes on Youtube, but had low expectations. How could a set of 10 brushes and a super cute purple "alligator" brush roll be only $25 and still be good? Well they are, they're more than good, they're awesome! They are so soft and dense. If I didn't know better I would think these brushes were $25 each, not $25 for the whole set. I definitely recommend this for yourself or for a gift!
The packaging was super cute, they were all displayed in a box set (great for gifting!) .  Unfortunately I had to leave the box in CA because it wouldn't fit in my bag.
All of the brushes are labeled with what type of brush it is, and there is a little booklet with descriptions of each brush and instructions on how to use them. Which is great, especially for beginners.

From the Costco website, which says the price is $32.99 (including shipping)

Brush Roll:
I had originally thought that this set came with a cute purple clutch, and I was pretty pumped. So I was a little disappointed when it turned out to be a brush roll, because I probably won't get as much use out of it. But it is cute and functional. When you put all of the brushes in, you have one extra slot. It has the fold over flap to protect from damage and to keep it clean. It also has a detachable pouch that you can bring on the go, that's where I put the highlighting fan and contour kabuki.

Contour Kabuki:
This little guy is so plush and soft it's ridiculous. I've been using this to contour around my cheeks, chin and neck. It is the perfect size for contouring the hollows of my cheeks, so it makes that step super fast. Up until now I have been using the elf studio blush brush to contour and then would blend with the elf flat top brush, but this brush does both jobs in one.

Highlighting Fan:
I have a few fans that came with different products. I never use them, so I didn't think I would use this at all. But it is so much bigger and fluffier than all my other ones and I have definitely been using it to highlight my cheeks, nose and chin.

Finishing Brush:
If silk and clouds had a baby it would be this stippling brush. It feels amazing. I used this the last couple of days for my foundation and I didn't particularly like the result. I haven't really used a stippling brush before, so I think I need more practice before I can give a fair judgement on this one.

Pointed Foundation Brush:
This is the brush I never knew I always wanted. It is so perfect for concealer. I have just been dabbing my concealer everywhere that I need it and then using this brush to get it in all the little corners and blend it out. Works way better than my finger!

Powder Brush:
So far I've really just used this brush to dust on Benefit Daffodil all over to brighten up my face. Most inexpensive powder brushes have long floppy bristles that don't do a whole lot. But I was delightfully surprised with how full it is.

Cheek Brush:
This to me is a mix between the elf flat top brush and the Bare Escentuals kabuki. I haven't been using this for blush/cheeks, but it does a fantastic job of applying my Laura Geller Balance and Brighten with good coverage.

All Over Eye Brush:
This is dense and soft like the elf studio C brush, but stockier like the elf essentials e/s brush. Very good standard e/s brush.

Angled Eye Brush:
I thought this was going to be just like the elf Angled contour brush. The shape is essentially the same. When I first felt this brush it felt a little scratchy and I didn't think I would get much use out of it. But after a couple uses, it feels much softer (I have no idea why). Because of the texture it picks up a lot of product with very little fall out. I have been using it a lot lately, when I'm in a rush and just want to use one color for all over. Because of the size and shape it takes a whole 2 seconds to flawlessly sweep on shadow in the right shape.

Crease Eye Brush:
I have been wanting a big fluffy blending brush for a while now, and hadn't found any in the less expensive brands that was like what I wanted. That is, until I saw this brush. This one little brush is what sold me on this set. It is just perfect.

Liner Brush:
I am used to just using angled eyeliner brushes, but I found this to be great for tight-lining and getting product right up in the lashes.

I still cannot find my camera, so check out My Pinktastic Life, where I found these great photos!

Til next time!
The Addict

elf Open Box!

I just got my shipment from elf that I ordered on Cyber Monday! Yaaaay! Watch the video to see al of the goodies I got!

If you want to see and swatches, reviews, or tutorials for any of these products, please let us know!
XO, The Addict

Pick of the Week +Product Review

Hello Everyone!
Today I bring you a product that I had been wanting for a very long time. I finally had the opportunity to get my hands on these bad boys when I was in CA over the Thanksgiving holiday. To my knowledge (correct me if I'm wrong), they are only sold at Rite Aid stores. They are the NYC (New York Color) Blushable Creme Sticks. At the store I went to they were having a 40% off sale on all NYC products, so I went ahead and got all of them. They normally retail for $3.99. Unlike a lot of other cream blushes, these obviously come in a twist up (like chapstick) tube, which is good and bad. I like that you could just swipe this right on your cheek and then blend it out. However, in execution I felt like I was getting too much product that way. Instead, I've been rubbing it on my finger to warm it up and then blot onto my cheek then blend it out. Much like I would with any other cream blush. I have found that it is long lasting, doesn't necessarily need to be set with a powder, but that will definitely help the staying power. I have just been dusting a very light layer of a coordinating color or a translucent powder on top just so that that the texture blends more naturally with the rest of my face. Overall, I really like these! I would be very excited if they came out with more colors and started carrying them in other stores.

Photo Courtesy of http://www.luuux.com since I cannot seem to find my camera at the moment.

XO, The Addict

FREAKY Facts Tag!

Hello Ladies and Gents!
Today we are bringing you a super fun video! For anyone familiar with the Youtube Beauty community, you have probably seen this tag pop up all over. We had such a good time doing this video, and hope you enjoy it!

 I personally love videos like this because it let's you get to know the person/people who you are trusting with reviews and such.