March Madness!!!

MARCH FAVORITE!!!

Hi everyone, just wanted to share a quick "little" treasure I came across recently and quite possibly will never be able to live without!  My "one piece of makeup I can't live without" is mascara.  Always has been, always will be!  So you can imagine how excited I was to discover this product.  It's probably been out forever but it's hard to keep up with every new product that comes out immediately.  I tend to eventually come across them all at some point! 

It's the Clinique bottom lash mascara.  It's a tiny tube with a micro-mini brush.. we're talking teensy!!  It's designed of course to tackle that delicate lower lash line, but what really caught my attention was it's ability to isolate the tiny lashes in the corners of the upper lash line as well.  You'll find lashes you never knew you had!!!  Living in Louisiana the humidity is inevitable, so choosing a mascara that won't smudge is super important... especially for the bottom part of your eye.  With this stuff it really did last all day without smudging and flaking.. I'm so in love with this itty bitty product.  

More favorites coming soon!!  

Hope you all are doing fabulous my makeupnistas!!!

To prime or not to prime....

Primer... hmmm.  I've always been skeptical about face primers.  Do we really need them?  Do they really do what they say they do?  Over the years I've randomly tried different primers underneath my foundation.  Smashbox primer, Makeup Forever, Givenchy Mister Mat.. the list goes on.  I HATED all of them.  They left my face feeling slippery and feeling yucky.  I pretty much gave up with the whole must "prime" before foundation theory.  A face primer is used to even out the skin texture.  It acts as a barrier between the skin and the foundation.  It gives the makeup something to grab onto.  It is supposed to have mattifying properties to take away shine and reduce pore size.  Since I hadn't found a primer I liked or that did what it was supposed to do I gave up on implementing it into my makeup routine.  I felt that as long as I moisturized before I was good.  That is until I came across this lil gem! 

 It's the mineral veil face primer by Hourglass Cosmetics. 

I was shopping at Sephora and like always, I like to play with products that I've never seen or used. I noticed the mineral veil and intriguingly put some on the back of my hand and instantly fell in love!!  It left the most even, satiny finish, almost like I had foundation on.   I find that after I apply the primer I usually only need a brush of powder and blush and I'm on my way!  It has made my makeup stay on all day and leaves my skin looking flawless!  

  

* SPF 15 (PLUS PLUS PLUS!!!!)

* Minimizes shine

* Minimizes appearance of pores and fine lines

* Preps skin for makeup application while extending It's durability

* FREE of parabens, oils, fragrances, gluten, sulfate. 

* Water resistant 

I hope this helps those of you who have searched far and wide for a decent primer and for those who have given up on finding one.  If you have a primer you LOVE please leave comments below.  I would love to hear about the ones you've tried, loved, and hated.  

Stay tuned for more of my new finds!!

Love you my makeupnistas!!  

Check out my website www.ashleyanselmo.com & my Facebook page Makeup by Ashley Anselmo

Adele's Grammy makeup tutorial

Adele... Beautiful voice, Beautiful face....

She is my FAVORITE artist hands down.  When I heard she was going to undergo surgery to remove a polyp on her vocal cord I was devastated.  I couldn't imagine Adele not making any more amazing albums.  When I heard she was performing at the Grammy's I was super ecstatic. When I saw her on the red carpet I was blown away.  What a classic beauty.  So graceful and elegant.  When I thought It couldn't get any better she took the stage and I literally had tears in my eyes during her performance.  No fireworks, no rave music, no lip syncing, no crazy dance moves.... just pure, perfect, and flawless talent.  Since I was so enamored by her look and makeup Sunday night, I decided to write a blog on It. 

I obviously did not do her makeup for the big event (maybe one day ;) but It is pretty simple how she acquired the look or how I would mimic the look with my products.

So first things first.. She has a very fair complexion so she use a beautiful matte foundation.  I'd recommend the Makeup Forever Mat Velvet foundation.  It's a full coverage foundation that is for oil prone skin and it's also water resistant.  It just leaves the most flawless coverage.  

Once you've got your foundation on your obviously going to set it with a finishing powder.  Since she was in front of a lot of flashing cameras that night I would assume she used a High Definition powder.  I like using Makeup Forever High Definition finishing powder.  Don't let the white powder fool you.  It goes on translucent and does not leave your face white.  I use it on my clients when they make TV appearances and also on my brides for pictures.  

It looks as though Adele used a contouring product of some sort.  She didn't over do it, she has amazing cheekbones but some contouring is always a must.  If I were doing this look I'd use my M.A.C blush powder in Clove Pro matte.  It's a peachy bronzy blush that works great for fair complexion's for contouring. 

And your just going to want to take a contouring brush and gently buff right under your cheekbones.  If you have a wide or long forehead, go ahead and contour around your temples extending upwards along the hair line making sure to buff into the hair line.  Also, if you want to define your jawline, contour right under your jawline giving the illusion of a more prominent jaw.  Here's a picture of all the proper areas that you can contour. Courtesy of Kevyn Aucoin. 

Obviously blending is a MAJOR factor when contouring.  Make sure you buff and buff so you leave no harsh lines.  This picture is merely to show you the areas of dark(where you want certain features to recede and the lighter areas where you want to it to seem more prominent)  I'll do another blog on contouring and highlighting soon.  There is a lot of great techniques that I'll show you.  It's amazing what it can do.  

Now we can move on to her amazing eyes that dazzled that night.  I love how she chose a very neutral lid since she really played up the eye liner and lashes!  I would start off with a M.A.C paint pot in Painterly.  Then I would apply M.A.C eyeshadow in Naked Lunch(I know, weird name) all over the lid

Then I would apply M.A.C shadow in Free To Be just in the crease of the eye very VERY softly. 

Now we can move onto the eyeliner part of the look.  She obviously used a liquid liner.  She made a thick line on the top lash line which made such a classic statement.  It was PERFECTION!  It made her green eyes pop and looked so glamorous.  You can use the Loreal Lineur liquid liner that I spoke about in the Eyeliner blog or any liquid liner that you love.  On the bottom lash line I would use a gel liner (M.A.C. Blacktrak) and get it as close to the lash line as possible.  Almost smudge it into the actual bottom lashes.  

Don't forget to fill those brows in also.  Get a trained esthetician to groom your eyebrows.  It's so important to maintain your eyebrows.  They frame the face and can totally complete your look.  Fuller eyebrows are making a comeback ladies so let them GROW!!  Just keep them groomed!  Fill them in with a powder that's close to the color of your hair.   

FALSE LASHES!!!!... This look was made fabulous by these dramatic lashes.  Just so beautiful.  I like to use the M.A.C. False lashes #36 in very black.

And last but CERTAINLY not least.. those fabulous red lips!!  I think she pulled them off fantastically!!  She looks like an old Hollywood movie star like Elizabeth Taylor.  If I were doing this look I would probably choose M.A.C. lipstick in Russian Red.  It looks great on every skin tone.  It's a universal red!  

I hope you try this look.  It's so simple but yet makes a statement.  If you do this look send me a picture!  I'd love to see your masterpiece!  Stay tuned for more blogs coming up.  I'll be talking about this coming Spring and the beautiful colors that are popping up everywhere.  Be sure to check out my Facebook page Makeup By Ashley Anselmo or my website www.ashleyanselmo.com.  

See you soon  my Makeupnistas!!  

DRUG STORE HAUL..

I don't know about you but I LOVE drugstores.  Especially wandering up and down the makeup aisle.  Some of my FAV's are straight from the drugstore.  I went on a quick drugstore haul and here are some of my fav finds!! 


First I'll start with a product that goes with another product I talked about in an earlier post.  It's the Instant Age Rewind under eye concealer.(around $8 dollars)

  I LOVE LOVE this concealer.  I only use it under my eyes though.  I don't know, there's something about the formula that smooths out the lines and it just looks nice and smooth. It also is good for dark circles (i don't have those yet but some out there may love that part of it)




Another favorite find is the new 24 hour tattoo paint pots by Maybelline ($6.99).  I've been reading and reading about them and finally caved in a bought some.  LOVE LOVE LOVE!!  I mean, you can almost say their comparable to M.A.C paint pots!  Their extremely pigmented and last ALL day.  I also noticed that they don't crease which I really like. I was so impressed with this find:)

 I started out with the colors #45 Bold Gold and #35 Tough as Taupe 

This is Bold Gold #45.  It's the perfect gold with just the right amount of shimmer.  It is so pretty when using it on the inside corner of eye and lid! 

The color above is called Tough as Taupe #35.  It's like the perfect dark satin taupe color.  If you layer it turns into a beautiful grey color. 

I can't wait to try the other colors soon!  They have some pretty vibrant ones also.

Another great product that I found is a Lipstick by Revlon.  Its called Nude Attitude and the number is #001

After a swipe of some clear/slightly pink gloss, I'm loving this look.  It's also a great to pair with a dark smokey eye.  It almost reminds me of my M.A.C. lipstick called Angel.  But for one third the price.  

My next find came from my sister Emily.  I needed to borrow some makeup remover because I ran out of my Clinique.  I've been using Clinique makeup remover for years and It's not cheap.  I asked to use whatever she had and she handed me this.....

I just knew this was going to be a nightmare.... I mean, Rimmel?  I put some on a cotton round and when I tell you my eye makeup came right off!  I LOVE LOVE this stuff.  It has NO oil in it so it doesn't leave a greasy after glow( I hate products that do that)... This product totally surprised me.  I'm addicted to it and use it on myself and during my makeup applications.  I consider this a MUST for every girls makeup removing regimen.  At  $6-7 dollars it is a definite steal!  

And the last product that I want to share is the new lip conditioners Baby Lips by Maybelline!  ($3.99)

Can I just say that I LOVE these?!!  My lips felt AH-MAZING when I applied it.  It has a slight hint of color that is perfection.  They also have two that are clear.  It has an SPF20 which we all know is super important!!  It enhances your natural lip color without it being too bright!  I like to exfoliate my lips with a little sugar and a toothbrush then apply one of these right after.  Feels just like "baby lips"..... seriously, the name says it all! 

Hope you enjoyed reading about my drugstore finds for the week!!   And remember to check out my Facebook page: Makeup by Ashley Anselmo or my website: www.ashleyanselmo.com

See y'all soon my makeupnistas!! 

Eye Spy... EYEliner :)

This blog is all about EYE LINER!!!!  
Liquid, pencil, gel, powders and don't forget that there are more colors out there other than black and brown.  Get creative, use navy, deep plums, or any other color you choose.  That's the great thing about makeup, you are creating a look that is personalized by YOU.  It is a form of creativity and art so have fun with it!!  

there are so many forms of how to line your eyes.  The purpose of lining the eyes is to add definition and shape to the eye for a more dramatic look.  Most of the time it makes your eye color pop and makes the lashes look fuller and more voluminous.  There are so many ways to use and apply eyeliner and we'll go over a few of my favorite ways and products.  

I'll start with my ABSOLUTE, hands down, staple FOREVER favorite... 

Loreal Lineur Intense liquid liner with the brush tip applicator.  I know, the brush is a difficult tool to master but I've been using it since i was 14.. literally the same product too.  The image on the right is the effect a liquid liner gives.  It's extremely dramatic and definitely makes a statement with your makeup.  For someone who is new to liquid liner and wants to try it i suggest starting with the felt tip applicator that Loreal makes.  It's the same formula just a different applicator.  You can find this at any drugstore for around $8-9 dollars. 

I find that liquid stays on longer and it's less prone to smudge or to run during the day.  It's definitely a difficult task to master but practice, practice, practice and you'll be a pro in no time!!

Your going to want to start with a lid primer.  I use a Paint Pot by M.A.C. called Painterly or Soft Ochre that is around $17.50.  Once the lid is prepped you can begin. For beginners i would start at the outer corner by making small dashes across the lash line like this

Once you have your dots across the lash line, now you can connect the dots with soft and short strokes.  Once you get the hang of it it will become easier for you.  I have used the trick of lining the lash line with a black or smokey gray shadow, then applied the liquid liner.  It's up to you with what works best for you.  Now applying liquid to the bottom can be tricky because of the way our lower lashes curl downward and get in the way.  I personally DO use it on the lower lashes and I'll go over it with a black shadow to soften it up a bit.  Sometimes I just use a shadow on the bottom if I'm not going for a real dramatic look.  

Another similar form of liquid liner is a gel liner.  The gel formula is a thicker consistency.  I LOVE using this on my clients because it gives the effect of a liquid without the harsh line that a liquid creates.  It just gives the prettiest shape to the eye.  My all time FAVORITE that i use is the Fluid line by M.A.C in Blacktrack ($15).

  

It will last you a LONG TIME!  I apply it with my M.A.C. 266 small angled liner brush($19.50).  What i do is dip my brush in the gel pot and just coat both sides of the angled brush with product and slide the excess product off on the side of the pot.  You need to kinda work fast with this product because it tends to dry quickly leaving little room to get the whole line lined.  It's ok to go back over the line to get a more opaque look.  I find it really great for the lower lash line.  The angled brush just slips between the skin and lashes and just goes on so smoothly!
  

Once you get the line and thickness you want, you want to get as close to the lash line with the product.  Try not to leave any gaps between the liner and lash line.  Like the above picture, Just fill in that space with product!  

The next type of liner we'll talk about is the pencil liner.  I'm not a particular fan of a pencil liner.  I feel like it smudges, runs, and doesn't really give a dramatic effect.  If you know me then you know i like a more dramatic look!!  But recently I've been loving the Urban Decay 24/7 glide on liner ($19 at Sephora or Ulta). 

Although it is a pencil is gives a very pigmented and liquid like application.  I find that it doesn't run throughout the day like most pencils do which to me is a plus!!  I also love lining the water line of the eye.  To me it gives a really sultry and dramatic look.  It's hard to find a liner that will stick and stay to the water line and i haven't found a product that works as well as this one!  For those who aren't familiar with the "water line" this is where it is. 

It's the inner rim of your bottom lash line.  Now don't get me wrong, if you choose to do this look don't forget to put your pencil in your clutch for the night because touch ups will be a must simply because that part of your eye gets wet.  I just like this product because it lasts so much longer than any others that I've tried.

The last product that i want to talk about is using a powder as a liner.  You can use it alone or along with any of the above liners.  it gives such a soft smokey effect.  I recently purchased the Urban Decay Naked 2 pallet($50) at Sephora and I'M ECSTATIC!!  You could use most of the dark shades of the pallet as a shadow liner.  Here's what the pallet looks like...

and here's what the swatches look like on the skin...

I mostly use the blackout and busted to line my eyes before i put the liner on to give a soft look.  Or feel free to just use the shadow alone for a more subtle look.  

I suggest using a M.A.C 219 pencil brush($24) to apply a powder to the lash line.  I'm currently obsessed with this pallet and before it's over with i may have to repurchase another one because it will be gone before i know it!!  

I hope you've enjoyed all my little tips on eyeliner.  Please feel free to send me any questions here or on my website www.ashleyanselmo.com and i look forward to seeing y'all next time :)

A Solid Foundation..

This blog is all about foundation.. First and foremost ALWAYS moisturize before any makeup application.  It will hydrate your skin and prep it for the makeup.  A great inexpensive moisturizer is CeraVe'(around $11) that can be found at any drugstore.   First your going to want to conceal any imperfections such as blemishes, discoloration, under the eyes, etc.. A concealer that i have been LOVING lately is by Sephora brand 

this little double ended ninja is fantastic!! I love the formula, it glides on and doesn't look cakey like some concealers tend to do.  You can literally swipe it on right from the tube so no need for a brush unless you want to.  A good concealer brush is the M.A.C 195 concealer brush($22.50)  

I just can't say enough about this concealer and it's $15 so it won't break the bank!!  After you've concealed everything you want to begin your foundation.  I know lots of us have spent TONS of $$$ on looking and searching for the PERFECT foundation.  Everybody has different skin types and conditions so it is important to choose a foundation that is for your specific skin (oil free, hypo allergenic, moisturizing, etc).   I tend to have pretty normal skin.  Of course my T-zone gets a little shiny at the end of the day but for the most part i tend to look for formulas that are semi full coverage and oil free.  I have a couple that i want to talk about that i absolutely love.  The one that i use on myself everyday and on most of my clients is Makeup Forever HD Invisible coverage. 

You just can't go wrong with this product.  It leaves a flawless coverage and it's not thick and heavy.  It comes in 25 shades so finding your PERFECT match is a breeze!  It is a bit pricey at $40 but it will last you at least 4-6 months depending on how often you wear makeup.  As far as application goes it completely depends on you and what you prefer.  I always switch it up.  Sometimes i use my finger tips because i like to warm up the product and apply it just like that.  I also use various brushes depending on what kind of coverage i want.  I love using my M.A.C. 190 foundation brush ($32) for a nice even coverage.  I also just started using my M.A.C 187 ($42) and REALLY love the way my foundation looks after I'm done.  It is a stippling application.  Stippling means applying product in a dotting fashion until complete coverage is achieved.  I do not blend or buff the product, just stipple it on to get an even coverage.  Here's what it will look like:

Another foundation that is on the opposite price range but an equally great product is Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser treatment($12.99).  

I'm always on the look out for products that are less expensive because hey, we're in a recession right?!  So, I decided to try this after reading some reviews about it, and I'm so glad i did!  I was super impressed with the way it covered and i liked the way the product felt.  It doesn't have a "full" coverage like the Makeup Forever does.  This product is more sheer so it's great for on the go makeup or if you just want a light coverage.  I was a little nervous about the sponge tip applicator but after researching it, I learned it has a built-in anti-microbial system which means you never need to wash the sponge applicator as you would a makeup sponge. In fact, you should only wipe the sponge tip with a dry tissue as needed.  Plus, your applying it to cleansed skin.  It also has an SPF 18 which is SUPER important.  I always try to get my foundation or powders with SPF in it so i don't have to apply a sticky zincy smelling product to the regimen.

So, these are just of few of my fav's lately!  I hope you enjoyed!  Please feel free to let me know some of your favorites and look forward to seeing y'all next time!!   

XOXO, Ash

MASCARA, MASCARA, OH MASCARA!

OK... I got too excited and decided that i needed to do a quick blog on my favorite mascara's.  Every girl i know if asked what would be the one product they couldn't live without would say MASCARA!!  And Lord knows I've tried EVERY SINGLE brand.  So here are my favorites over the years and hopefully you'll find a new one you like.  So my ULTIMATE, hands down, most favorite mascara is Voluminous by Loreal in Blackest Black.  I have yet to find a mascara that comes close to this one.  They do make a waterproof product but i only use that for brides and any occasion where there may be water works!!

Another Loreal voluminous mascara that i adore is the Loreal Double Extend mascara.  Small fibers in the primer prep lashes for the mascara. Combined, the dynamic duo seem to make my lashes look much longer than usual.  You can find both of these mascaras at the local drugstore or Walmart/Target for around $9-11.  

i have recently come across a new mascara i found at Sephora,(go figure,i live there)... It's called LORAC Multiplex 3D Lashes Volumizing & Thickening Mascara.

This mascara instantly delivers up to three times the volume of your natural lashes for a dramatic lash look while silk and keratin nourish and condition. Its professional curved brush easily grabs, lifts, and curls for maximum coverage and length.

Although this one is a little pricier at $22 and can be found at Sephora, to me it's totally worth it and it last A LONG TIME!  It doesn't dry out fast like most mascaras. I love LOVE this mascara!! 

and last but not least is a mascara that NO ONE would ever guess how amazing it is because of the label... NYC City Curls Mascara.  I bought this one day on my way to work after I discovered I left my Loreal mascara at home. Pleasantly surprised. This got the job done, it gave me curly thick lashes and was only around 2.50 at Walmart.

So i hope this helps.  You can spend a substantial amount of money on a mascara if it makes you think it may be better than others but don't be afraid to try different brands that are less expensive.  You will be surprised at how you can't tell the difference between the pricey ones and the least expensive;)  And here's a tip that i was not aware of that i want to share with you all... you know when you go into a drug store and see all the pretty makeup by you can never try on any of the products.. IT IRRITATES me to no end.  So i bought a couple products, went home, tried them, and hated them... i marched right back into Walgreens and politely asked if i could return the items, that they weren't what i wanted once i got home and tried them on.  They were super sweet and fully refunded me.  So don't be afraid to buy a drug store product, take it home and try it and if you don't like it, take it back... or else you'll end up with makeup drawers full of products you didn't like and didn't know you could return!!  

XOXO, ASH :)

OLE HENRIKSEN

Today's blog is all about my day and night skin care regimen.  I have probably used EVERY product out on the market because I'm OBSESSED with products.  If it says, "anti-wrinkle, instant lift, transforms in front of your eyes"... I'm suck a sucker.  So about a month ago i was looking for the next MIRACLE product and came across a line called OLE HENRIKSEN.  I read in a beauty blog about it, did some research and thought why not?.. I've tried everything else.  I've been using it for about 4 weeks and ladies, I'm IN LOVE!!  I'll start with the first step.  Right after i wash my face i use the truth serum.  It is a potent vitamin C complex to brighten, smooth, and help the appearance of aging.. plus it smells like a freshly peeled orange.. YUMMY!!

After I've let that soak into my skin for about 5-10 min I apply the sheer transformation.  this little wonder in a jar is an oil free perfecting creme that repairs the skin with vitamin C complex, licorice root and pea extract.  It  feels light and silky as it penetrates the skin, leaving behind a protective and restorative surface mantle.  Hyperpigmentation is gradually reduced, without chemicals.!  LOVE LOVE

After i feel my skin and it seems to have all the product absorbed I start my makeup routine.  Since these products do not have an SPF i make sure my foundation and powder do.  It is SO IMPORTANT to wear SPF whenever you are outside.  So whether it be in your skin care or your makeup just make sure it's in there somewhere.  

At night when I'm ready to take the day off of my face i cleanse then apply the invigorating night gel. 

 This genius product alpha hydroxy acids in concentrated amounts resulting in rapid cell turnover, exposing the appearance of younger and firmer looking skin and pores. Skin feels hydrated and smooth!  Once i feel it's totally absorbed i follow up with the sheer transformation creme.  

And last but not least I use the ultimate lift eye gel.

This soothing and firming eye gel is AMAZE-ing. It Contains calendula and cucumber, it provides an instant revitalizing effect to fatigued, puffy and irritated eyes. Watch fine lines disappear as the intensely hydrating humectants plump up, firm and smooth the eye area.  you can even put it in the refrigerator and use it in the morning and IMMEDIATELY helps with puffiness.  A little bit goes a long way so just a tiny dab does the trick!!  

So here's my little day and night regimen.  It's changed the appearance of my skin and preventing further damage.  I can't say enough about these products.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask away!!!!!!