Makeup Archives - Embracing Beauty

The Gift of Sleep from Pampers & a Giveaway! Ends 10/26

October 17, 2013 by Ashley 79 Comments

I can remember it like it was yesterday. My husband and I simultaneously jumping out of bed in the middle of the night to care for our fussy newborn. First we’d check to make sure she was dry, wasn’t hungry, and that everything was right with her sleeping conditions (no hairs wrapped around her toes, etc.). Then one of us rocked her while the other one searched the internet (seriously, what did parents do without it?!) for a sleeping solution. After we gave her tummy drops it was time to hold her in just the right position till she felt comfy again. This is the point where the one who wasn’t holding the baby would sprawl out on the nursery floor for a few minutes of shut eye.

Fast forward two years and now both parents wake up early in the morning to a crying child (or a singing child usually, our girl is happy), dragging ourselves out of bed to change a toddler who has peed through her diaper. One tosses the pjs and sheets into the wash and heads for a shower while the other one starts breakfast for the family.

We’ve tried limiting her drinks in the evening, going up a size or two in diapers, trying the expensive overnight diapers, and well, sadly the truth is we’ve just made peace with waking up early 3 or 4 nights out of the week. Hey, at least a load of laundry is done before we would regularly get up!

Pampers had a better solution in mind. They’ve came out with TWO new diapers and I’m excited about both of them.

{Quick disclosure: This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links.}

The first new type of diaper is a new absorbent Pampers Cruisers. These are supposed to hold 12 hours of wetness. Our family is more than a little excited about these!!

The second new diaper isn’t exactly new, but they’re extending the sizes that the Pampers Swaddlers comes in. Now they’re available all the way to size 5. Isn’t that nice? I’ve always loved the comfort and softness of the Swaddlers and couldn’t understand why they couldn’t keep that softness an option as the child grows. I guess I wasn’t the only one who thought that. Thank you, Pampers for hearing the desires of moms and dads and doing something about it!

Pampers sent me on a mission. They provided me with a $100 gift card to buy the supplies to make a gift basket and give the “Gift of Sleep” to a family I know.

My mind raced as I thought through the numerous pregnant women I know and then I remembered one friend who just gave birth to a sweet baby boy. He wasn’t even a week old yet! With my $100 in hand I went in search of supplies for my basket.

I realize I could have given her a blanket, slippers, and candles but chances are she already owns those and already has her favorite brands of each. I thought about cozy baby clothes, swaddlers, or a sound machine but since this is her second son I knew she already had those. What I decided on was beauty products for a time-rushed, sleep-deprived mama who just wants to feel pretty.

There’s no denying that having a newborn will turn your life upside down and you’ll have learn to temporarily manage without a full night’s sleep. I still believe that those tired mamas want to look their best for themselves, for their husbands, and for those who come to visit…at least, I know I did.

I chose a Senna lip gloss which contains two shimmery shades I thought would look great on her. She can toss this in her diaper bag so it’s always an arms reach away.

The blue tube (pictured above) is Naturopathica’s Aloe Replenishing Gel. This is a miracle product that reduces redness and inflammation while restoring collagen. Ideal for those mornings when you’re not sure if it’s 8am or 8pm.

The orange box (also pictured above) is a wonderful product from Ole Henriksen. It’s their Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster. Here’s a description from the Sephora website, “Formulated…to support natural collagen production, brighten, and minimize fine lines, this must-have serum defends from environmental aggressors and free radical damage, leaving skin healthy and protected. ” A quick solution to brighten your skin and a refreshing orange scent to boost your mood.

Last but not least in this beauty bag from Vera Bradley, is a Julep nail polish that I got to name! This color, Evie, looks great on fingers or toes for the perfect shimmery combination of red and pink.

Along with two packs of Pampers’ new diapers, I threw in a box of my favorite baby wipes, Pampers Sensitive wipes. They’re actually the only wipes I’ll use. They’re thin, easy to maneuver, soft, and have a pleasant scent.

I added all the goodies into this reusable canvas bag that would be great to house baby blankets or other items in the new baby’s room.

I added a little fun crinkle cut paper to the gift bag and we we’re off to deliver our care package to the new mom.

As I should have assumed, the new mom, Sara, didn’t want her picture taken but her husband and son didn’t mind being included in this photo I took. Their son, our daughter, and my husband were playing dominoes in the floor while I was able to catch up with the new mom and her darling little baby Austin.

***Quick update about Sara and her family. Without going into much detail I just want to say that it looks like Sara’s father will probably go home to meet his Heavenly Father soon. Please keep her family in your prayers. Thank you!***

Enter to win! Pampers wants to give Embracing Beauty’s readers a chance to win a prize pack of their own. Below you can enter via Rafflecopter to win a Sleep Sheep Sound Machine (which I am a big fan of!), cozy blankets for Mom/Baby and a $50 gift card.

This giveaway is open to those 18 years and older with a US mailing address. We will pick one lucky winner when this giveaway ends on Saturday, Oct. 26th at 1pm EST. Good luck!

Update: This giveaway is now over and congratulations to Jennie S!

Connect with Pampers:
Pampers on Twitter
Pampers on Facebook

Filed Under: Life Lately, Makeup, Skincare Tagged With: Charity, Double Duty Divas, Pampers, Sleep

Tarte Beauty & The Box Eyeshadow Quad & Eyeliner Review

October 1, 2013 by Ashley 16 Comments

I’m a big fan of this Tarte Beauty & The Box Eyeshadow Quad that I received to review and I can’t wait to show it to you!

This cute little travel compact is only available for limited time and includes four eyeshadow and a mini Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes Mascara (that’s not pictured here).

The Eye Colors Included Are:

-Porcelain
-Silk Sheets
-Sunkissed
-Tanline

It’s a mere $22 and available exclusively at Ulta and www.ulta.com.

Here is the Tarte smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Onyx. Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s only $19, goes on so smooth, and it really is waterproof! I don’t know what it is about that Amazonian clay that makes it so wonderful but I absolutely love it! While I’ll switch between Tarte eyeliners but I’ll never stray from Tarte again when it comes to eyeliners. They. are. the. best!

The other end of the pencil comes with a convenient smudging tool for those who enjoy smoldering smokey eyes.

This is just a quick demonstration of how that thick looking pencil can make a very thick line and a very thin line without sharpening it once. I also smudged the lines together so you could get a look at just how easily and smoothly it blends.

Tarte always amazes me with their cute packaging. Their design team’s efforts aren’t lost on me.

Gorgeous, shimmery colors that could make quite a few lovely combinations just by themselves.

Here’s one look that’s great for everyday.

All in all I think this is a beautiful palette that would look great on anyone. It’s convenient for traveling and throwing in your purse for touch ups through the day. Plus, I absolutely adore this eyeliner. If you haven’t found an eyeliner that you’re absolutely crazy over you should give Tarte smolderEYES a try!

Filed Under: Makeup

Under Eye Issues: How To Use Concealer and Color Corrector Correctly

April 18, 2013 by Ashley 13 Comments

Most of us have some type of under eye issues. The most common problems include bags or dark circles under the eyes. Contrary to popular belief, these ‘dark circles’ are not always black or brown in color, although this can certainly be the case. Some ‘dark circles’ can be blue, red, pinkish, or even purple in color. It usually depends on your skin tone, and just how long you have been without sleep or have been really stressed out. But what do you do about these problems? How can you fix them so you don’t look like a zombie? The answer is simple. You use concealer and color corrector. Today we are going to show you how you can use either of these nifty tools correctly.

Color Corrector

Before you begin, you need to know just a few things about the color basics. First, the color green will neutralize red, so people who have a lot of redness on their face should use a green corrector before adding their foundation or concealer. Lighter skin tones will be the ones who benefit the most with these types of correctors. Darker skin tones have hyper-pigmentation and discoloration. They need oranges and bisques. Sallow skin will need a lavender or lilac type of corrector to brighten the skin.

Remember that darker skin tones will need darker tones, and lighter skin tones need lighter tones. It’s very simple. A little bit of trial and error will show you what the exact perfect shade for you is.

Using a color corrector is actually very simple. Simply apply a dab of the corrector on your skin- in this case, beneath the eyes, and rub in. Make sure you rub it in completely so that you don’t come out with a fake, caked on look. That’s it! Done!

When looking for a concealer, you need to find one that matches your natural skin tone- just like if you were searching for foundation or powder. A concealer should work to ‘conceal’ your blemishes and dark circles so that your skin appears even, smooth, and youthful looking. It should not look caked on, overly tan, super pale, etc. Remember that natural is beautiful, so pick a color that works best with your skin tone- whether that be light or dark.

You use concealer just like color corrector. Apply a bit to the area where you need it, and rub it in. It’s actually very simple to use, it’s the part about finding the right shade that tends to be so difficult.

Proper Way To Apply

There is a set order when applying your face makeups, and if you do not adhere to this strict order, you will not be able to come up with the natural looking desired results. So, for your convenience, we have listed them out in the correct order so that you can be sure to achieve that perfect look you have been trying to hard to get.

1 Color Corrector
2 Concealer
3 Foundation
4 Powder
5 Bronzer (if using)
6 Blush (if using)

You do not have to feel as though you must use all six face makeups. Some people will only be using foundation and powder, while others may actually be using all six. It all depends on your personal preference, and the look you are trying to achieve.

I hope that you found this to be insightful, and that you now understand how to get rid of those dark circles under your eyes…the correct way. Have something to tell us? Do you have tips or tricks, or a favorite product you like using? Let us know all about it in the comments below! We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

Author Bio: Amanda is a skincare fanatic and the author of SkincareHQ.org which recently featured an article on The Best Foundation For Oily Skin. Aside from skincare, Amanda loves to travel and dreams of one day going to Italy. If you have any questions or comments for Amanda, feel free to reach out to her @Skincare_HQ on Twitter!

Filed Under: Makeup, Tips Tagged With: beauty, Tips

How To Create a Light Summery Look With Makeup

June 21, 2012 by Ashley 7 Comments

Have you updated your makeup for summer yet? Bikinis and beaches call for a light,summery sparkle. For a light look, you need light products…check out one of my favorite beauty supply stores, Image Beauty, for all of the products you’ll need to get that beachy, carefree style that looks so perfect in the summertime.

During the warmer months, you’ll want light coverage that does double duty by protecting your skin from harmful rays. Use a tinted moisturizer for light coverage that won’t melt, such as Cover Girl Aqua Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 for added protection.

Blush is a bit heavy for a summery look; substitute a light bronzer or luminizer instead. A bronzer is perfect for those early days of summer when you’re still pale but want that sun-kissed look. Try L’Oreal True Match Naturale Shimmer Bronze for luminous color.

With all that color, you don’t want to neglect your lips! Lip color for summer is light and natural looking. Heavy lipsticks look out of place at the beach or barbecue. Try a lip stain like Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain in Flirty Nude. A little color goes a long way.

The eyes are perhaps the trickiest feature to play up for summer. Heavy shadows and liners can feel thick in the summer heat. Your best bet is to forego eye shadow and liners altogether. Define your eyes with mascara instead. To guard against water, sweat, or tears from that summer break up, use a waterproof mascara. Try Physician’s Formula Aquawear Mascara in Black/Brown.

Don’t forget your nails! Summer is the time to show off an immaculate pedicure. You could go with a clear polish or French manicure to showcase your pedicurist’s hard work. Alternatively, try Art Club Nail Art in Gold Glitter for a little color and shine. It really shines against tanned toes.

You can find all of these beauty supplies online or at any beauty supply store. Image Beauty is one of my favorite places to buy beauty supplies because they ship their products super fast and offer them at really great prices! So make sure to lighten up with these products for a fresh, beach-worthy look. Your skin and fellow beach-goers will thank you.

Filed Under: Makeup, Tips Tagged With: beauty, Summer

Damone Roberts’ Interview with Embracing Beauty

February 6, 2012 by Ashley Leave a Comment

I was fortunate enough to be able to get an interview with Damone Roberts, celebrity beauty therapist and undisputed “Eyebrow King.” *Squeal with joy!* Here’s the interview:

1. EB: Hi Damone! My name is Ashley and I represent EmbracingBeauty.com which is an ultra cool blog (if I do say so myself) *patting back*. Congratulations on being the new spokesperson for THELOOKBAG.com! Does this mean that you’ll choose the selection of what goes into each and every bag?

Damone:* I’m thrilled to be the face of TheLookBag.com because I actually have a say as to what goes into each & every bag. I’ve been a makeup artist for many years, while working on some of the world’s most famous faces & I deal with women on a daily basis in my New York or Beverly Hills’ Salon. There are always new products that someone is telling me about & now I have the opportunity to share them with women all over the world.

2. What is a day in the life of Damone Roberts like?

*My life changes constantly due to the industry I am in, but typically a day in the life of Damone Roberts starts @ about 7:00 A.M with me laying in the bed staring @ the ceiling for a good 30 minutes. I find I think clearly in this tranquil state and literally will go through my entire day & always end it with giving thanks for entering a new one. Next is some type of workout either with my trainer, hiking or a bike ride. Coffee/breakfast while checking emails, before heading into the Salon. I usually take my meetings during lunch & end most days with a conference call between The DR Team.

3. I’ve read that each month, THELOOKBAG will contain 5 luxury beauty samples but I’m curious, are the samples are big enough to use more than once?

*That is actually something I really want to stress to your readers. I think people get confused when they here “testers”. These are not a little packet that can be used only once. We give you a travel size component that you can use for a few weeks to really find out if it works for you. One would easily pay $10.00 for one or two of these items, but we are giving you five samples monthly.

4. As one of the top beauty artists in the business, are there any celebrities whom you would still like to work with that you haven’t as of yet?

*I’ve been fortunate that I’ve worked with so many celebrities. Imagine growing up with posters of Madonna on your wall & then you get a phone call from her saying she hears you are the best & she needs to experience what everyone is talking about. I remember the 1st time I was introduced to the iconic Diana Ross & she said to her friend “I know who he is…I use his products”. Beyonce sitting in the waiting room with everyone else patiently waiting for her appointment, or Megan Fox telling me “I make her feel beautiful”. The list goes on and on! It has been a tremendous journey & I’m just thankful & excited for the next chapter.

5. How would you describe your signature look and what is it about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists?

*My signature look is a full defined brow with a carefully blended makeup application. I don’t like to see lines in the eyeshadow or blush. I’m also not afraid to use colors, but they need to flow into one another to create one beautiful look. I’m confident in my artistry & if I had to choose one word to describe it, that word would be flawless!

6. What is the most memorable moment you have had while doing a celebrity’s makeup or eyebrows?

*The other day I was taking care of Robert Downey Jr & we were talking about the movies of the last year. Him & his wife Susan have been clients for a long time & we all have become quite fond of one another. We both consider ourselves artist at heart & always share music, movies and things of that nature. We decided to write down our top 3 films of 2011 and then give the list to one another. The list was the EXACT same in the EXACT same order. Another fun story is when I went to the house of a huge A list actress to shape her brow’s. I was packing up my kit afterwards to leave and as I turned around, she was completely nude laying on the table with her legs up in the air. I asked her what she was doing and she replied I figured since you were here, you could just do my bikini as well. Needless to say that did not happen!

7. What is the most important piece of beauty advice that you can give to women?

* The most important beauty advice I would give to women is never negate the power of a good brow & always take off your makeup before going to bed!

8. What are some common beauty mistakes that women make?

*Women tend to get stuck in the same routine. I have found that women generally will keep the look that worked for them when they felt most attractive. The problem is styles change & products are constantly evolving. This is another reason why TheLookBag.com is so exciting…you can stay alert to what is new in the industry.

9. Do you feel that looking and feeling beautiful is important in regard to a woman’s confidence and self-esteem?

*I think that when you look good, you feel good! It really is that simple. Obviously if you have low confidence or self esteem you are not going to give your best, but the part I like the most of working in my salons is when women walk in with heavy shoulders & their head down, & then leave 15 minutes later with their chest out, flinging the hair & glossing their lips. When you look good…you feel good!

10. Do you feel that you have achieved all of your goals as a successful makeup artist?

* The journey has been great, but I have learned to never put a lid on a dream. When “US Weekly” named me the #1 thing that Hollywood can’t live without (before the Cartier Roadster or The Bentley), I thought I had truly arrived. Then I found out I was a question in the board game Trivial Pursuit, after that OPI named a nail polish after me. Next I was a question on the game show Jeopardy & just a few weeks ago they did a sketch on me for The TV show 2 Broke Girls. I also did The TLC TV series “10 years younger” for 3 seasons. I’m actually very excited to enter the next chapter.

11. Who are some people that have inspired you throughout your career?

* I’ve been inspired by so many & am smart enough to be a sponge when exposed to certain people or situations! I’ve been alone in the room with Madonna & observed how her business mind works. I’ve had one on one conversations with Oprah & observed her kindness, even when no camera’s or others were around to see it. Once I was flown on a private plane by a bank to take care of “The 50 Wealthiest Men in America’s” wives for a palatial, relaxing weekend. The bank does this yearly as a sign of gratitude for the members banking with them. I took care of the wives makeup & brow’s while the guys were golfing, but believe me whenever it was lunch or dinner I had my list of questions out for these guy’s. I know money does not bring happiness, but what inspires me is the people who take a idea or talent and turn it into success.

12. What products do you think should be a staple in every woman’s purse?

*No women should ever be without some type of gloss to keep her lips moist. Lastly you need Damone Roberts Clear Brow Gel. This keeps the hair upward, while opening the eyes. Two absolute essentials!

13. What do you suggest Embracing Beauty readers do to achieve the perfect everyday look?

*You need to start with a good brow! It frames the face, while adding balance & structure. I also recommend taking some of those powder papers to blot up excess oil throughout the day. Pressed powder can work as well, but can also build up on the skin if used too much. A nice tinted moisturizer can become a girl’s best friend & we all love a strong mascara.

14. How did your career begin in the world of beauty?

*I studied art for a period @ Rutgers University on a scholarship. Interestingly enough I got the scholarship off of a drawing I did of Diana Ross that won 1st place in a nationwide contest, so you can imagine what a full circle moment it was for me to meet her years later & have her say she’s a fan of my products. In school I learned how to blend & sculpt while emphasizing certain features, while hiding others. I literally just took all the skills I learned from painting on paper, to painting a face. The first company I worked for where I was able to show off my makeup skills was Fashion Fair & then of course M.A.C!

Filed Under: Makeup Tagged With: beauty, Damone Roberts, Interview

Terrific Tips for Organizing Cosmetics and Toiletries

March 24, 2010 by Ashley 5 Comments

This is a blog post from my friend, Eva Wallace, who blogs at ClutterControlFreak.com. I think you’ll find this guest post to be extremely useful in keeping your make up drawer fresh and organized.

Most of us use cosmetics or toiletries of one kind or another, but far fewer of us put a lot of thought into organizing them. Keeping these items organized can shave minutes off of your morning routine.

The first step in organizing your cosmetics and toiletries is to go through and get rid of anything that’s past its prime. Below are some helpful guidelines for weeding out the old stuff.

Cosmetic shelf life guidelines:

Unopened, sealed products usually have a shelf life of 3-5 years or more. As long as they stay sealed, they will last for years. The shelf life countdown begins when you open it. Consider using a makeup spatula or baby spoon to dispense non-pump products to reduce bacterial contamination and extend the shelf life.

Oil-Free Foundation: 1 year
Cream or Compact Foundation: 18 months
Concealer: 12-18 months
Face Powder: 2 years
Blush and Bronzer Powder: 2 years
Cream Blush: 12-18 months
Powder Eye shadow: 3 years
Cream Eye shadow: 12-18 months
Eyeliner: 3 years, sharpened regularly
Liquid eyeliner: 3-6 months
Mascara: 3 months
Lipstick: 1-2 years (longer if stored in the refrigerator)
Lip liner: 3 years, sharpened regularly
Lip gloss: 18-24 months
Nail Color: 1-2 years
Cream & gel cleansers: 1 year
Brushes: Wash every 2-3 months in a mild detergent
Sponges: Wash weekly and discard monthly
Natural cosmetics: These don’t contain preservatives and should be discarded sooner. Check with the manufacturer.
Perfume: 2 years. Best if stored in a cool, dark place.
Hairstyling products: 3-5 years.
Bar soap: 3 years.
Shaving cream: 2 years.
Deodorant: 2 years.
Anti-aging and acne treatments: 3 months to 1 year.
Body lotion: 2-3 years, particularly if it’s in a pump container.
Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel: 3 years.
Bath oil: 1 year.
Sunscreen: Check the package for an expiration date.

Remember, these are just guidelines. Regardless of how long you’ve had it, if it smells different than when you bought it, trash it. If it’s separated or changed color, trash it.If you can’t remember when you purchased it, trash it. The old adage for food applies to cosmetics as well; When in doubt, throw it out.

Handy tip: Keep a Sharpie with your makeup bag. Write your own expiration date on them so you will always know when it is time to toss.

Next, you need to decide where you want to store your cosmetics.

Ask yourself these questions: What kind of storage space do I have available; drawers, cabinets, counter space? Do I want my products out where I can see them or tucked away out of sight? Answering a few simple questions before you begin will help you purchase exactly the organizers you need, and will save you time and money in the end.

Here are a few suggestions for organizers:

·Store lipsticks vertically. http://www.stacksandstacks.com/lipstick-tray-organizes-24-tubes-of-lipstick-or-mascara This way you can easily see the name or color dot on the end and can avoid digging through a pile to find the color you want.

·A nice countertop organizer http://www.stacksandstacks.com/large-makeup-organizer-movable-compartments can keep your makeup looking pretty and in easy reach at the same time.

·Vanity drawer organizers http://www.stacksandstacks.com/large-plastic-vanity-tray fit in most drawers and some are even stackable. They can hold everything from hair accessories and lotions to makeup and nail polish.

·Small drawers http://www.stacksandstacks.com/3-drawer-mini-storage-cube are perfect for the countertop. They are compact and the clear ones allow you to see what’s in them easily.

·A nice travel case http://www.stacksandstacks.com/travel-cosmetic-case work well for home use, too.

Handy Tip: Sometimes we have what we need already. Try some of these repurposed items for your cosmetics:

·Pencil cups: Great for makeup brushes.

·Flatware trays: These make good organizers for drawers and have spaces long enough for mascara and long brushes.

·Portable tool box or tackle box: The ones with the divided trays that lift out make super cosmetic organizers. As long as it doesn’t smell like hubby’s last fishing trip.

·Craft storage containers: There are so many shapes, sizes and styles out there, you may have the perfect one already.

·Stacking drawers: There are a multitude of plastic stacking drawers available to fit anything from a large cabinet to a small corner of your countertop. I have one from Iris in my cabinet for cotton balls, cotton swabs, spare razors and toothbrushes, and feminine products.

What tips do you have for organizing cosmetics and toiletries in your bathroom?

Eva Wallace is the website manager for StacksandStacks.com http://www.stacksandstacks.com, the blog manager for ClutterControlFreak.com http://www.cluttercontrolfreak.com and has become the go-to girl for all things organized.

Filed Under: Makeup