For The Love of Makeup on a Budget

With so many cosmetic choices out there, and everyone on a budget, there is a resource for every woman to still look her best. Whether you are on a department store or drug store makeup budget, you can find fabulous products that won’t deplete your bank account.

My favorites from the drug store are a staple in my makeup case because they work great, look luxurious on and are affordable for the amount of makeup I go through. Although I mainly use airbrush cosmetics, I do incorporate traditional makeup as well that won’t take away from the airbrush effect when trying to create a desired look, and here are some of my favorites:

1. Maybelline mascara formulas in “Lash Stiletto”, “Lash Discovery” and “Full & Soft”, all in Very Black color.

2. Revlon eye shadows in rich purples, sage greens, grays and golden beige colors.

3. Prestige water-proof lip liners in Angora and Plummy colors. They look great on everyone and go well with many lipsticks (just blend evenly with a lip brush to avoid the obvious lip liner look).

4. Cover girl blush in peach tones. They look so beautiful on everyone, like naturally sun kissed cheeks.

5. L’Oreal eyeliners in dark purple or gray colors. These look fabulous smudged for a smokey look and don’t fade.

6. Foundation- well this is a tough one for me since I only use airbrush for that, BUT, I have to admit that mineral powder formulas are the best route to go for a more natural and even color that I’ve seen.

Compared with drug store and department store mineral brands, I couldn’t tell the difference when worn because both were pretty. Buying liquid foundation in a bottle has never been an exact science, so if that’s your choice, choose wisely and always match your skin tone to get the best coverage.

Don't Be Afraid of Makeup Artists

As women, we all have a horror story of getting our makeup done at the mall and hating it. But luckily those days of clownish hooker makeup are long gone because cosmetic companies today spend thousands of dollars in training their sales people to be makeup artists as well. The best way to ensure you get a great mall makeover is find someone who works there, whose makeup you like, and ask them to do your makeup. Be prepared to pay a small fee or purchase some products though when they’re done, because even a “free” makeover is meant to make a sale.

When it’s within your budget to hire a professional makeup artist (who is not in makeup sales), do not choose them on price alone. Pick an artist whose makeup style you like, one who has quality and quantity of photos that showcase their talent, one who is professional and seems to display a strong work ethic based on their experience. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for referrals of past clients or ask questions to see if they are the right makeup artist for you and your event. We are not only here to do your makeup, but to gain your trust as a potential client so you will refer us to others and come back to us again and again.

How to Take Your Makeup from Work to Play

You may be dressed for business, but your makeup can speak another language once you leave the office. All you will need are 5 things, in 3 easy steps, to transform your day look into a night on the town. If you always keep these in your makeup bag, you will be ready at a moment’s notice to touch-up and go meet the girls for a cocktail, or your honey for dinner.

1. A gray or dark purple eyeliner (looks great on everyone)

2. 2 Q-tips (to smudge liner on top and clean up on bottom)

3. Lip liner in a shade darker than your natural bare lip color

4. Lip gloss

5. Blotting sheets (oil absorbing papers)

STEP 1: Line your upper lids with eyeliner and use a Q-tip to smudge and soften the line for a sultry smokey look. Clean up any transfer or mascara flakes on the bottom with 2nd Q-Tip.

STEP 2: Line and fill in your lips with the lip pencil and apply gloss liberally.

STEP 3: Use the blotting sheets to absorb any oil you accumulated throughout the day.