Tuesday Tip: Get Organized!

With the New Year coming in a few days I feel like now is the perfect time to clean out old makeup and organize my products. If you can find your makeup easily you are more likely to use it and enjoy using it. So, take time to go through your makeup and toss stuff that is old, or looks gross...remember mascara only lasts about 2 months tops, foundations and lip products have a 2-3 year shelf life. Powder based products last the longest, so use your judgment when looking at them.

Once you've gotten rid of any makeup that shouldn't belong, get organized...use small baskets or boxes in your makeup drawer to organize your makeup. I like to have my blush and powder in a basket, foundation and concealer in one, and eye products in another. I have multiple foundations, blush, and eye shadows, so that works for me. Use cute cups for your brushes, lip gloss and eye and lip pencils...I have 3 cups, one for lip products, one for eye products and one for brushes. So, find a way to make it work with what you have.

If you keep your makeup in a makeup bag think about using a smaller bag within your big bag. And be sure to empty out that big makeup bag so you can empty it of any pencil shavings and eye shadow powder.

Ulta has great makeup containers, so does The Container Store. You can always go to Wal-Mart to find small drawer sets for your countertop, or plastic baskets and tubs. Happy organizing!

Tuesday Tip: Ask Me

I want to blog about things you, my readers, want to hear about! So, what are your makeup and skin care questions? What products are you interested in and want to know more about? You can comment here with your questions or email them to me at summermakeup@gmail.com. In the subject line write makeup. I love to hear from my readers and to write about things you really want to know more about. I look forward to hearing from you!

And the Winner Is....

Congratulations Teri! Please email me the address you want this sent to within 24 hours and your new lipstick and samples will be sent to you! Thanks to everyone for commenting and reading my blog...happy holidays, keep reading!

Shu Uemura No More?!

I have bad news that some of you may have already heard...Shu Uemura, the cosmetic line best known for their oh so amazing eyelash curler (that I mention every chance I can) is not being sold in retail stores in the US anymore. I was in Sephora recently and the salesperson told me they aren't carrying the line in stores as of December. Ulta, Nordstrom, and any other location previously carrying Shu Uemura is in the same boat. I read about this in my Make-Up Artist magazine last month, but must have been in denial. I figured they were pulling the Shu Uemura boutiques, not all of it! Before you panic because you can't run to Ulta and get a lash curler anymore, know that you can still order it and other makeup online directly from the Shu Uemura website. If you become a member you will receive email offers including free samples, and free shipping when spending $50 or more. So, order your lash curlers in bulk, or go in with friends! Other items worth trying in their line are their brushes, eyeshadows and lip products. Thank goodness we can still order online, otherwise many of us (and our lashes) would be in a world of hurt!

Holiday Giveaway

Just a reminder you only have today and tomorrow left to comment so you can be entered to win a Maybelline lipstick from their new Pearls Lipcolor collection. The color is Bronze Beam (correction from Sugared Almond). I'm throwing in a few samples as well...see the original post from last week for more details. I'll announce the winner this Thursday. I hope everyone's holiday season is fabulous!!

Tuesday Tip: Red Lips

The holiday season is the perfect time to do a red lip. Red lipstick goes perfect with a black cocktail dress or a great pair of jeans, pumps and cute top. You can do red lips year round, but there is something about flawless looking skin with a neutral eye and clean eyeliner and red lips during the winter. So here is the thing about red lipstick...you have to try out red lipstick before buying it, which means you can't just go to the drugstore and pick one...it's a disaster waiting to happen, trust me, I've tried!

When buying a red lipstick go to a makeup counter and try a few out, or go somewhere like Ulta or Sephora where you can test them yourself. Know that you'll probably have to try a few before you find the right one. Since lip color, especially red, can change a little as you wear it I suggest when you find one you like you wear it around for awhile. This way you can make sure it doesn't run, turn pink, or orange...and that you like the color on yourself in different light. If you're like me and your lips turn lip color pink go with a brown based red. I can put on brown lipstick and it looks red--really! If your lips turn color more orange or brown go with something more pink based.

Are you a little afraid of bold red lips? Then get a red gloss, it will go on sheer and add a little pop of color. While I love a bold matte red lip, I also like a sheer subtle red.

A few lines to go to for red lipstick: MAC, Nars, Bobbi Brown (for brown or plum reds), Make Up For Ever...let me know any other lines YOU recommend for red lipstick. Remember there is only one more day to comment on a post from this week (12/7-12/15) so you can be entered in the holiday giveaway!

Quick tip: to make sure your red lipstick stays in place line and fill in your lips with a lip pencil. I use neutral lip pencils even with red lipstick, that way it doesn't conflict with the red.

Holiday Giveaway!

I have a new favorite lipstick...Maybelline's Pearls Lipcolor in Sugared Almond to be exact! I love the creamy texture and color SO much that I'm going to give one away to one of you, along with a few samples. Here is how you enter this giveaway:
1. Comment on any of my posts from now until Wednesday, December 15 (that's right, you only have one week). The ONLY way you will be entered is if you have commented.
2. Be sure to check my blog on Thursday, December 16 to see if you are the winner. You will have 24 hours to email me with your information or I'll pick a new winner.

Everyone who comments will be assigned a number in the order they comment and winner will be chosen by random.org

Happy Holidays!!

Tuesday Tip: Necessary Night Cream

Winter is here and my skin is CRAVING moisture, so I'm sure your's is too. During these cold months it is even more important to be moisturizing your skin twice a day. In the morning you need to be using your daytime moisturizer with at least SPF 15. Before you go to bed you need to use a night cream, something richer than your daytime moisturizer that will actually give back moisture to your face. I'm a huge fan of Kiehl's, as you know, and I love their Ultra Facial Cream. This can be used in the day, but is a rich enough formula for night time. Each line has different options for night creams, so you can find one for the stage your skin is at. If you are in your 20's 30's you need to use one that will really moisturize, this will help prevent dehydration lines that make you look older than you are and help prevent the aging process. As you get in your 40's and up you need to be using something that will firm your skin and reduce signs of aging (not that any of you fabulous readers have those signs). You can spend anywhere from $20 to $200 and up on a face cream, so here are a few of the top ones and my favorites.

Oil of Olay Regenerist Cream: This has been compared to top face creams on the market and you can buy it at a drug store. It has a bit of a fragrance, but works well!

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (and other products): You won't be disappointed with Kiehl's- great products at a great price point.

Creme de La Mer: You have to warm this between your fingertips before applying so it can give it's "soothing" effect. This is a top selling face cream, so if you are willing to spend $100+ it is a superb choice!

Giorgio Armani Crema Nera: A 1.7 ounce jar is $275, but I absolutely love this face cream! It has a different texture than your basic face cream, and during the time I used this I loved the way my skin looked and felt. It is classified as "anti aging" but anyone can use it, after all aren't we all trying to look younger?!

Other lines worth checking out: Neutrogena, Clinique, Lancome, Philosophy and Bliss

Remember, even if you have oily skin you need to moisturize...you must! Many moisturizers and creams on the market are oil free, so look for those.