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Archive | February, 2012

Erin’s Style Chronicles: The REAL Beginning of My New Wardrobe (Plus Big Butts–A Gift and a Curse?)

By on February 28, 2012 in Erin's Style, Fashion

Erin's Style Books

I Have No Clothes.

It’s true. I’ve stepped out of my “working in the relaxed lab” to corporate America. I went into my closet and looked at my inventory.  Even so, I own 2 pairs of jeans that have no holes, bleach marks, or rips on the bottom. At the end of the day, I hate feeling like I have nothing to wear when I really do have nothing to wear. I’m also trying to figure out the line between “my pants are too tight” and “this is my butt, I’m going to embrace it”.

I love to look good, but I really hate shopping. I don’t get excited to try clothes on, but I read fashion blogs every day! As you can see, I posted pictures of most of my fashion books. Maybe I like clothes more than I thought.

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Makeup For Beginners: Loose vs. Pressed Powder

By on February 27, 2012 in Archive, Makeup Guides for Beginners

Loose vs. Pressed Powder

Powder is one of those makeup must haves that I absolutely recommend in your makeup collection. The main purpose of powder is that it helps to set your foundation and concealer. You don’t necessarily need to wear so much that it gives you a dry mask all over your face, but just a dusting will usually do.

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I Love This Look: Penelope Cruz Wears Lancôme at the Academy Awards

By on February 26, 2012 in Archive

Penelope Cruz Oscars Lancome

This makeup is the epitome of red carpet chic! So lovely, and not overdone! She’s wearing the makeup, the look isn’t wearing her! This look can easily be worn at anytime, and works well on anyone! Read on for what Penelope Cruz wore, created by Matthew VanLeeuwen for Lancome.

Face
La Base Pro Primer ($42)
Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation ($44)
Star Bronzer (to cheeks and temples) ($35)
Blush Subtil in Rose Romantique (to apples of cheeks) ($30)

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Erin’s MAC Blush Collection, Part One

By on February 23, 2012 in Archive

Erin's MAC Blush Collection | Scandalous BeautyI really love blush. It’s the product that adds that extra finishing element to your face. Plus, it tends to last for hours on end, and always has an effect. If you recall, I was a makeup artist for a few years. MAC was very convenient for me to get because a)I freelanced for them, so I was always nearby b) I had a discount, and c) they came in a very handy palette form. I gave away quite a few blushes because I just didn’t need them anymore.

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Budget Beauty That Rocks: Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes

By on February 20, 2012 in Budget Beauty, Reviews

Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes

You know how to tell when something is really, really good?  When you get the product for free, run out of said product, then re-purchase. That’s exactly the case here. I’ve tried a bunch of makeup remover wipes. I used MAC Wipes (30 sheets/$15) for years, mainly because they were the only ones that I knew about. But they worked, and that’s what mattered. Then I found Alcone Wipes (24 individually wrapped sheets/ $11) , which are hands down the best makeup remover wipes on the planet. I cannot say enough good things about the Alcone wipes, but they are a bit too expensive for my taste.  In between all of these products, I’ve used baby wipes, which kind of get the job done.

But then, a box of Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes (30 sheets/$5.99) arrived at my door with a few other things. I used them that during several photo ops, and after many long days sporting a full face of makeup. They don’t drip with makeup remover, didn’t sting or burn, and they smell divine. I’ve had a love affair with cucumber scented products forever. They even make a set conveniently for travel (10 wipes/$2.99).

The Yes to empire is more detailed then I realized. Each scent of products works with a different issue.

  • Yes to cucumbers is for soothing/sensitive skin
  • Yes to carrots is for normal to dry skin and hair
  • Yes to tomatoes is for combination/acne prone skin
  • Yes to blueberries is for age damaged/mature skin

Great stuff! I purchased my products at Target, and these products are available at over 30,000 locations worldwide!

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I Love This Look: Rich Red Lips via NYX Cosmetics

By on February 16, 2012 in Archive

Well, what can I say? NYX Cosmetics is really getting their game up! I mean, I knew that the world of Jumbo Eye Pencils and department store knock-off lip pencils wasn’t all they were good for. When I opened my email to find the email, I immediately got excited by the bold red lip. It’s definitely not easy to find one under 10 bucks! Here’s how makeup artist Tina Turnbow created the look:

To create the look, Tina wanted to keep the skin raw and clean so the eyes and lips were the focal point of the face.She prepped the skin with moisturizer to create luminosity and then applied the NYX Cosmetic’s Stay Matte but not Flat Powder Foundation ($9.50) to combat t-zone shine. She then focused on the eyes which were inspired by Helmut Newton and Debbie Harry in the early 70’s using various shades of brown for a bold, yet feminine look. She began by creating a deep V on the outer-corner of the eye using the NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil in Chocolate ($4.50). Using her finger, Tina then blended the NYX Cosmetics Cream Shadow in Chocolate and Suede ($5.00) to frame the middle of the eye and create dimension and shine. To brighten and give the eye luminosity, Tina applied the NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil in French Fries ($4.50) to the inside crease and lower rim. Tina then rimmed the eyes using the NYX Cosmetics Collection Noir Kohl Kajal Black Liner ($6.00) and applied two coats of the NYX Cosmetics’ Boudoir Mascara Collection in La Amoureux ($6.00) to the lashes. For the lips, Tina wanted to create a unique take on the bold lip combining the NYX Cosmetics Retractable Lip Liner in Plum ($4.50) with the NYX Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Alabama ($6.00) to give a matte, two-toned effect. The edges were then blurred to really complete the modern 70’s look of the face. Tina then finished by contouring the cheeks with darker shades of the NYX Cosmetics Stay Matte but not Flat Powder Foundation ($9.50). The completed look was glam, yet fabulously feminine.

Kudos on a job well done, NYX!!!

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Rihanna, I Love and Hate Your (New) Style, All At the Same Time

By on February 13, 2012 in Archive, Fashion

rihanna-grammy-awards-2012-03

Rihanna hit SO many high notes with this outfit last night. I mean look at her! The dress was inspired by one of my favorite movie characters, Elvira Hancock from Baltimore. I will never get enough of Scarface. While she was an avid drug user, her firm stance and no-mess personality won me over. I wanted her to end up with Tony Montana just as much as he did.

Anyway.

She barely had on any fabric. Her cleavage was out, her back was out, her legs were out. The dress barely had any components to it–and she worked it. The thin chains by Jacquie Aiche wrapped around her body were perfection. It was that hint of jewelry that accents the look. Everything about them is very Rihanna. The makeup was simple, bronzy, and minimal. I loved it. She oozed sexy. And I didn’t notice any of that at first, because I couldn’t get over her hair.

Rihanna. Come on girl.

I know that she likes to mix it up every few months. She gradually adds length or drastically cuts it, or changes color. She doesn’t like to be predictable. I get it, and I respect it. But damnit, this hair is the absolute worst on her, in my opinion. I’m not going to say I’m the biggest Rihanna fan, I don’t own any of her music, I don’t need to watch her perform. But I always know she’s going to bring it on the red carpet. But that 80′s chic roots-ablaze-tousled-teased-split-end-looking mess? I just can’t get into it.

Image courtesy of JustJared.com.

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