Ipsy: January 2014

     Subscription beauty boxes seem to be all the rage right now. Everyone is seemingly anxious to get their hands on the latest and greatest in beauty and health and I am no exception to that. I was a Birchbox subscriber for upwards of 18 months and loved getting my box every month. Sadly, last month I cancelled my subscription with them (things were just getting a little redundant with them for me, not to say there weren't some gems over the months!). I caught on to Ipsy shortly before I cancelled Birchbox. Their reviews seemed really good, the products I've seen looked amazing and instead of coming in a little box ( and I did love those boxes, what crafts!!) they arrive in cute little "glam bag" (yes, a reusable little makeup-esque bag) instead cute mailing packaging.

 

 

 

 



Furthermore, Ipsy costs just the same as BB ($10/month). As soon as I got my first glam bag (which I was highly satisfied with) I logged on to the website and saw reviews from other subscribers. It was the general opinion that this bag wasn't  up to par with past bags. Being that I pretty much loved this bag I have tremendous hope for awesome things to come from future bags. So basically I'm saying, so far so good!!
Here's what I received this month:

 

 



*Mojito Lip Balm by Malin + Goetz
This lip balm is scientifically balanced to restore and replenish your lips. It's basically a lip gel that helps with daily maintenance, prevention and treatment of dry or irritated lips. It contains all natural ingredients and sensitive skin technology. In fact, all of their products (which you can view on their site, www.malinandgoetz.com) are based on the sensitive skin technology, the owners knowing themselves what it is like to suffer from a variety of skin issues. Everything is color free and paraben free, which is always a plus when it comes to skin especially. Using a small amount of the mojito lip balm gives an instant relief with a little bit of shine, where as using a more generous amount creates a glossy look, perfect for layering over lipstick! My husband and I both tried this and it truly does leave your lips feeling amaze!! A full size balm costs about $12.00, which is totally worth it when you look at the science behind the product and the story behind Malin + Goetz.


*Liquid Foundation by Yabby
I haven't tried any of the Yabby cosmetics so I was excited that this was included in my bag (and in my shade!!). It's said to give an "unbelievably natural" finish with a super smoothe texture. It is an oil free formula and the ingredient cyclomethicone is great for oily and/or sensitive skin. They claim that the foundation mimics skin's natural sheen to create flawless skin. Now, I have been experiencing with lots of different foundations, tinted moisturizers and BB creams as of lately (my skin is being a little unpredictable with this crazy east coast weather), and having tried this formula by Yabby I would have to say that it is on the top of my list. I liked the look of my skin after application and since a little goes a long way you can build your coverage, blend well and it's ultimately cost effective. A full size will run you about $14, which is quite comparable, if not more affordable, with other popular foundation choices. Check out www.yabycosmetics.com for more details and products.



*the POREfessional by Benefit
Being no stranger to Benefit and it's amazing line of products, this was certainly a pleasant surprise. I'm sure most of you have heard of the POREfessional by now, or at least seen it while skimming through a magazine. If you aren't familiar let me fill you in: this is a pro balm used to minimize the appearance of pores. It quickly minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines to create smooth skin (sort of in the way a primer would even the skin's surface). It can be applied under or over your makeup (I definitely prefer under). It's translucent in color, oil free, and complements ALL skin types. It also contains a Vitamin E derivative that protects skin from free radicals. Full size will be about $30, but I consider it to be worth the value, especially if you're dealing with visible pores. Check out Benefit at your local prestige cosmetics store, or online at www.benefitcosmetics.com



*Makeup Cleansing Towelettes by Absolute!
Like the subscription says, these are makeup cleansing towelettes. They carry the usual promise of clean, fresh feeling skin and so on and so forth. I did not get too excited about these to be honest. The scent of the ones I received were pomegranate; but to me it smelled just like flavored vodka when opening the package!! It removed all of my makeup just fine but I did not feel like my face was refreshed, it actually felt a little sticky to the touch. I'm a fan of wipes by LA Fresh, Say Yes To..., and even Maybelline Express.

*Balm Me Up Organic Sweet Cocoa & Tangy Body Balm by Balanced Guru
This body butter by Balanced Guru is meant to balance dry skin. It moisturizes without leaving a greasy feel and it smells absolutely lovely. It's great even for the elbows, knees and feet too. All ingredients are USDA certified organic and also contains essentials such as Cocoa Butter, Babassu Oil, Shea Butter, Sweet Orange Essential Oil, Lime Essential Oil, and Mandarin Essential Oil. This particular balm costs $30, but a lot of their other products are more modestly price. One thing I specifically love though is that this line is Cruelty Free and that makes me super happy. If you want to learn more about Balanced Guru and their line of products go to: www.balancedguru.com



I can't wait to see what Ipsy has in store for February! It's my birth month so hopefully the beauty gods will smile upon me ;)
It feels good to sit in bed, on the NEW laptop, typing and planning blogs and etc. I post a lot of beauty related topics, which was my original purpose in creating this blog, but I have lately been debating posting more personal stories about the adventures and obstacles both myself and the PR have been dealing with. I am just very cautious about my little personal bubble I suppose, although it does always feel good to vent, so to speak. I guess what I am ultimately getting at is that I don't want anyone thinking I'm shallow or materialistic, because if you knew me you would know I am far from any of those things. Just remember, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle", and isn't that the God's honest truth.

XO,
J.

Birchbox: Finishing School

     It really is no secret that I have been anything but friends with technology lately. I still can't figure out how to upload pictures from my new phone to my blog posts, my new camera takes rad pictures but I have no clue where the cord is to connect to the computer, and my old point and shoot camera keeps acting up and despite having the warranty, Best Buy is not being too helpful in getting it replaced. However, I can load to Facebook, so if you visit my business page (Pretty & Clever by Jacqueline Clark) there are pics from the AUGUST Birchbox there, along with a lipstick swatch. I'll get it all together soon and hopefully for the September BB (which I got in the mail yesterday) I will be back on track. So, regardless, here is the breakdown for the August Box.

Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation

This is sitting right on my makeup table ready to try. Several shade samples were included too. It's a lightweight foundation that is supposed to have a sulky texture to brighten, perfect and soothe the skin with ejitsu rose. So, obviously there are some natural ingredients in this, but rose is one of those that, for me, is really hit or miss when added to products. This Becca foundation is also supposed to be buildable, which is good if there are days you need a more full coverage application. Full size retails for $42, so as far as foundations go this is on the higher end price point wise.

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick

I really don't have anything bad to say about ModelCo. I like their lipgloss, even though it is sticky compared to others I use, and their mascara is actually pretty good for getting that ultimate combination of length and volume. ModelCo now has these Party Proof lipsticks ($24 for a set of 3), that have a semi-matte finish that hydrates your lips and provides a lasting pigment. As for hydrating, my lips have been really dry lately so I still put on a lip balm first regardless. But I do feel that the pigment does last a fair amount if time, longer if you are finishing with a gloss top coat.

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect

This is a sulfate-free leave- in conditioner that protects color and blocks UV Rays. I believe everyone can benefit from a leave-in conditioner and this one retails full size for $32. My favorite is 7 Seconds by Unite, which is a slightly less expensive salon product. Comparable would also be the leave-in by Healthy Sexy Hair, which has a moderate price point.

Whish Exfoliating Body Wash

My extent of use for this one so far is to pop the top and smell it...which, it smells amaze; most likely due to the fact that it is a coconut-rich scrub that brightens and exfoliates with sugar cane and bamboo powder...pretty much everything I look for in a quality exfoliator, so I will be using this bad boy in the next few days. Full size retails for about $20

And finally...

Whish Hair Inhibiting Deoderant Swipes

Now this is certainly something I've never seen before!! These are wipes that not only fight odor like a Deoderant, but also slow hair growth. I really don't know how I feel about these, haha. You "sweep" a wipe across your arm pit in the morning, or whenever you need a refresher throughout the day. Personally, I would just much rather have my Degree take care of that department, but if something works, it works!! We shall indeed see.

Hope everyone had a fabulous summer and is enjoying September so far!! Since I didn't post yesterday I just want to take a minute to remember all those we lost on September 11, 2001. Always in our hearts and never to be forgotten. Stay safe all. Peace and Love.

XO,

J <3.  

Flawless Foundation.

Busy. Busy. Busy. I've been staying that way lately, good thing right?? I thought so too, but being so busy with this cosmo school venture has cut into my ability to work on set with photographers, or consult with brides, all at the peak of my profesh portfolio building. I can't wait to be licensed and be a triple threat: hair, makeup, and awesomeness! I haven't even had time to blog, but since I have a 3-day weekend laying at my feet here's my chance. Today's topic: flawless looking foundation!

Everyone has facial flaws, everyone. There's really no denying it. But with today's market offering a virtually endless variety of facial products, the proper techniques can give you that flawless finish to your foundation, all while evening out your skin tone, covering blemishes and correcting dark circles that like to hang out under our eyes.

Before you begin your foundation routine, first make sure you have selected the right shade and formula for your skin type and tone. This means testing your foundation before purchasing. There are a couple of ways to do this: If you're at a department store/makeups store/makeup counter then select 2-3 shades you think may match. Swatch the colors along your jawline to see which shade best matches and blends into your face and neck. However, if you're at the drugstore (Walgreens, CVS, Target, etc), things are a little different since you obviously can't open up packaging and swatch away. So, first decide what category your skin tone falls into: pale, medium, dark. If the foundation is liquid it will most likely come in clear packaging, so you can hold it up next to your wrist for comparison. SN: some stores even have swatch charts that hang next to their foundation line so you can place your hand under the chart and compare. However, if you aren't able to see the foundation in it's container, there are a few other tricks you can try: Pale skin tones should avoid any foundation with a pink tone, rather they should look for colors containing the words "beige" or "buff". Medium skin tones should look for labels that contain the words "warm", "medium" or "golden". Darker skin tones should look for colors like "tan", "sable", or "chestnut".

My current foundation picks: Revlon Colorstay and Rimmel Stay Matte (I prefer liquid foundations, and as a rule, always make sure your face is nice and moisturized before you begin applying any of your makeup). A lot of people ask me why I don't use MAC foundation since I use MAC in my kit...well, it's nothing against MAC (love them), but Revlon Colorstay is highly comparable to MAC; I've done a blog post in the past on this and so have many other makeup gurus..so, that being said...

Before applying your foundation I reccomend applying a primer (My recc: Smashbox Photo Finish). Primer prepares your skin for foundation and gives you a nice smooth base on which to apply your makeup; not to mention it also adds that staying power to your makeup.

Applying:
When doing my own makeup (not a client's) I like to use my fingers to apply my foundation. The warmth of your fingers helps the foundation blend easily into your skin. Sponges are also good for blending thicker foundations (and for working on client's if you're a MUA). Tap the foundation into your skin instead of rubbing it around on your face so that you achieve an even finish (this tip comes from Jemma Kidd). Even if you apply your own foundation with your fingers it's good to switch and use a sponge every now and then to avoid breakouts caused by the oil transfer from your fingers. A third option is to use a foundation brush. Celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown reccomends this method for a more polished look because it gives a heavier velvety finish since your literally painting on your foundation.

Which comes first, the foundation or concealer?
Answer: Foundation. Your foundation is your base for everything (aside from primer). So after applying it you'll be able to then see if you actually need concealer or not.

Note: If you don't need the full-coverage effect of a foundation, opt for a tinted moisturizer. This is basically a moisturizer that contains some pigment and SPF, for a more sheer coverage. You can either buy a tinted mositurizer or make your own by mixing equal parts foundation and facial moisturizer together.

Now that you've applied your foundation and have your flawless face you're ready to move on to the rest of your makeup application.
Note: After finishing my foundation application, I like to take a large fluffy brush and dust a light layer of translucent powder or mineral skin finish to my face to set my foundation.
Here's to gorgeous faces and an awesome weekend!!
XOXO,
J.

P.S. I can't believe in 2 months I will have been married for 4 years. OMG. Just a little Bonus Jonas, FYI for ya.