May Favorites

Hello everyone!
So our Pick of The Weeks have been basically nonexistent lately, so I decided to do a my first monthly favorites video! I hope you all like it!

XOXO-The Addict

Natural VS. "Natural"

Hello lovelies!

This post stemmed from seeing a girl in my building every day that wears so much makeup that I feel like I have no idea what she actually looks like. It got me thinking about how much of a difference makeup actually makes, even when doing an every day natural look. So I decided to take a picture of what I actually look like with no makeup at all, all natural. Then another picture after I have applied my "natural" makeup. 

What do you think? Do you feel like I or you still look the same after applying an every-day face? Also does anyone else feel like we are telling a little white lie to rest of the world about what we look like? Leave a comment, I would be very interested to hear others opinions.

XOXO-The Addict 

$20 Makeup Tag

Hey Beauties! Check out my new video the $20 Makeup Challenge/Tag!

Today's 5 minute FOTD

So I was running a little late this morning, so I rushed through my makeup routine and here's how it turned out. For my face I used Rimmel Face Primer, Maybelline Mineral Power concealer, Laura Geller Balance N Brighten, and theBalm Cabana Boy Blush. For the eyes Revlon Peacock Lustre on the lid blended into the crease with Mac Vex, Maybelline Master Drama liner on the upper lash line slightly winged and the outer third of the lower lash line. And then I just have some EOS lip balm on the lips :)

POTW! It's back!

Hello lovelies!
I don't know what happened to our Pick of the Weeks, but don't you fret, they are back now! So to get us back on track I bring you the Mascara that I have been using the last couple of weeks. It is the I <3 Extreme Volume Mascara from Essence. It's part of the new line that just came out (at least it just got to my Ulta). It has a very Interesting brush, With three rows of long bristles, and 3 rows of short bristles. It is very big and full.

$3.99

 I feel like this mascara really makes my lashes look fuller and longer with little to no flaking, which I usually have a problem with. It is also very buildable, one coat looks really nice but you can definitely use 2 or 3 coats and get super dramatic, va-va-voom look. But be careful when applying, because it is very easy to make them look clumpy/spidery. Here it is on the left eye (one coat) compared to bare lashes on the right.

Happy Mothers Day to all you moms out there!
-The Addict

Spring Into Color: Neon Nails

Hello dears!
So one of the hottest trends this spring is neons, and what easier way to wear them than on your fingers and toes? There are so many beautiful neon polishes out right now and I picked up a few the other day. After applying several coats they weren't coming out anywhere near as bright as in the bottle. So how do you get the most out of these ultra bright colors? Simple. Use a white nail polish as a base and then one or two coats of your favorite neon to get that intense color payoff.
So this is with 2 coats, 4 coats and then 1 coat over a white base. Can you see what a big difference it makes?

Here are the neon manis I have been rocking this week:

This was my neon tie-dye gradient attempt using a makeup sponge. What do you think?

Hope this helps!
Xoxo-The Addict

Beauty Secret Weapon - Don't Pay to Wax that Stache

Hello Beauties,

The product I want to talk about was a secret even to me until just recently. After a very unfortunate wax pot incident (no one was injured), I was desperate to wax my mustache. It's embossing I know, we as woman like to take care of these issues and pretend like they were never there. 

As you may know, I am a licensed esthetician and I couldn't fathom paying someone to wax me when I have been doing it myself for years. A while back I witnessed a friend of mine use the following product and I couldn't believe my eyes, who on earth would wax themselves when something they bought at the drug store, it's absolute insanity. But in my desperate state I needed a quick fix, and came across Sally Hansen's Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit for Face.

 

I would normally never recommend any OTC waxing products, I can't tell you how many scorched bikini lines I have seen from microwavable wax products. But these little wax strips are super easy to use, gentle and no microwaving needed.

I paid only $4.99 for 48 strips in three different sizes, and it came with a little bottle of aftercare oil. I honestly can't believe how easy these strips where to use and well they worked. The steps are simple:

1) Warm strip in hands

2) Separate double-sided strips

3) Press on, pull off

A few tips when your waxing, make sure to always pull the skin tight and you want to pull the wax strip against the grain for best results and less pain.

The whole process took less than five minutes. I will for sure be added these bad boys to my make-up kit as well, never again will I be tweezing out a unibrow or trying to cover us a mustache.

If you have used these products before or plan on it, please tell me about it! Happy Waxing!

Love, The Artist