Just because October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, is coming to and end doesn’t mean that breast cancer awareness is. I think awareness months are fantastic, but people often forget the cause after the month is over. That shouldn’t happen. There are still going to be women (and men) diagnosed starting November 1, and we need to do our best to keep that in mind. Check yourselves, make sure your girlfriends check themselves. And if you do notice that something is wrong, see your doctor.

It’s been a while since we talked about blush, and most of mine are pink so it seems fitting for the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Watch below for how to apply liquid and powder blush!

On my face: Painted Earth Pore Perfecting Primer, MAC Matchmaster foundation, Painted Earth Liquid Blush in Flutter, Painted Earth mascara

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and check out my other videos right here! And for more beauty related tips, check out my website and follow me on Twitter!

While many of you love wearing makeup and search your couch cushions and the bottom of all your purses for loose money so you can buy new products, there are a lot of you out there who actually hate wearing makeup. Trust me when I say that I get it; I used to be one of those girls!

Makeup can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you don’t know what products to use or how to use them. Plus, sometimes you just don’t want to stand in front of a mirror and put on your face, dammit. But the honest truth: you don’t have to! Having a polished face doesn’t have to mean 35 products and 30 minutes putting them on.

Contrary to popular belief, I don’t step out of my house looking like I’m headed to a photo shoot every day. I often wear just four products or some variation of them (plus Aquaphor!). These products are a simple way to enhance your features and are perfect for people who want to give makeup a chance or who are just starting out. And while I do recommend investing in higher end versions of these products for quality reasons, you certainly don’t have to! There are plenty of budget-friendly alternatives to all products; just make sure you are aware of what you’re getting.

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and check out my other videos right here! And for more beauty related tips, check out my websiteand follow me on Twitter!

As many of us rush to get ready in the morning, we usually don’t give our mascara or blush a second thought. Well, beyond avoiding clumpage and blending it in so we don’t look like we’re getting ready for a dance recital. However, makeup has been around for at least 6,000 years (!!) and has played a role in nearly every society.

Our friends from the Medical Insurance Blog are here to show us where makeup started and how it got to where it is today!

[Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.]

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: MAC Briar Rose Beauty Powder

Why this should be in your bag:
Ever since my foray into beauty products began, I’ve been obsessed with blush. Not only does it look so pretty in the pan, but it can do amazing things for your look and complexion. If you’re feeling tired or sluggish from all those midterms (welcome to my freaking life), blush is the perfect makeup pick-me-up!

MAC is the creme de la creme of makeup brands. Known for high-quality products in a variety of extremely fun colors and collections, MAC is where it’s at. This little number is part of their latest release, Venomous Villains. The collection was a collaboration with Disney and as a huge Disney fan, I initially picked up the Beauty Powders for the beautiful compacts. However, the product inside was a pleasant surprise!

(It’s Maleficent!)

How to use it:
Beauty Powders are a funny product; some are sheer and shimmery while others, like Briar Rose, function more as a blush. I like to buff a blush brush in the powder and then – using the handy dandy, built-in mirror – apply it to my cheeks, while smiling. I also make sure to blend it up to my hairline, but subtly. The purple-pink color in the pan becomes a gorgeous true pink when applied and gives a natural glow. There is also a white pearl finish to it, which gives some depth.

(Left: Briar Rose in the pan – gorgeous!. Right: heavy swatch.)

CC Rating: A+
Briar Rose gives me the perfect fall-time flush. It’s easy to apply and blends like a dream! Not chalky or powdery, there is really nothing bad I can say about this one! And talk about the bonus of a beautiful, reusable compact and mirror!

I’m in love with MAC Beauty Powders and will be picking more up when they are released! Unfortunately, like many awesome MAC products, Briar Rose is limited edition and sold out on lots of websites. But trust me, scouring ebay (and using Ebates to get some cash back on that purchase!) is definitely worth it for this one!

[Looking to overhaul your makeup bag? Check out Alex's other beauty reviews here.]

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Glow & Rose Petal

Why this should be in your bag: Since my eyes have been opened to the wonders of a great blusher, I’ve become something of a hoarder. I’ve got blushes in every shade, for every occasion. Coral, pink, red, tan – you name it, I’ve got it. I find blush really finishes off your look and can make you look so alive and fresh! If subtly done, you have a great, natural flush to your face and no one will even be able to tell it’s from a product. Cream blushes are best for this natural glow, as they blend seamlessly into your skin and just brighten up your cheeks instead of caking on powder. The dewy finish they leave seems real, and I think this is key in pulling off that “Oh I just woke up and left the house”look. NYX Rouge Cream Blushes deliver everything I’m looking for in a cream blush: pigmentation, creamy texture and variety.

How to use it: Start by applying your face-basics, whether that includes moisturizer, primer, foundation, etc. I also make sure I apply my concealer before blush, because sometimes the application area tends to overlap. You can use your fingers or a brush to apply the cream blush. I’m usually lazy and go with my fingers, but a brush guarantees even coverage. The NYX Rouge Cream Blushes are CRAZY pigmented (it’s a good thing!) so be careful when applying. You really need very little, which means that one of these blushes will last you for a while. After blending it out, I usually dust some bronzer or powder all over my face (to set it)  and then head out!

TIP: I’ve recently started using these babies as a lip color and they work well for that too! A tad dry, but a good substitute if you’re looking for a particular color last minute.

(Left: Glow. Right: Rose Petal. Both so pigmented!)

(And here they are blended out!)

CC Rating: A
The NYX Rouge Cream Blushes are great! Not only is the pigmentation and texture comparable to MAC Blushcreme, but they are a fraction of the price ($6 compared to $18.50!). You get loads of product in each pan and the color range is fairly wide. My only complaint is the lasting power; these will last all-day when I’m working in my office, but the second I step outside, they only last until about noon. Now, 4 hours in hot, hot heat is pretty good, but I would love to get 8 hours out of these.

All-in-all, the NYX Rouge Cream Blushes have made their way to the top of my daily blush list and I find myself constantly reaching for them. Rose Petal is great for everyday and Glow works for when I’m going out or just feel a bit sassy! A great, natural blusher for $6? Count me in!

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money?

Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me for review purposes. Because I can never have too much makeup!)

What it is: Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Why this should be in your bag: Because everyone looks better with bronzer, unless you’re rocking the Dita-Von-Teese “I’m so pale it hurts my eyes” thing. Not that I’m knocking the pale faces – I’m a fair-skinned lady myself. I just think I look dead without bronzer. As for why this specific bronzer, Benefit Hoola is SUPER-pigmented (check out the swatch comparison to Rimmel Natural Bronzer). This means that a little is going to go a long, long way. Plus, it’s matte, which is shockingly rare amongst bronzers, but means that you can wear it daytime or nighttime and not look too done up or like a twelve-year old glitter addict.

(Hoola - left, Rimmel - right)

How to use it: I like to use bronzer last so apply everything else (blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner, concealer, etc) as usual first. For best application, I chose not to use the small brush that was included with Hoola. Yes, it’s soft and may be good for contouring, but for overall application it’s not great . A big, fluffy bronzer brush (like this one from Sephora) is best. Lightly swirl your brush in Hoola, tap off the excess and swipe on your cheeks, forehead, and nose, which are areas where the sun naturally hits. Gorgeous!

Spend the cash or simply pass? Still in debates. Main reason: price. The pros of Benefit Hoola are the pigmentation and matte-ness (yes, I know it’s not a word) – it’s going to last a long time and is really versatile and wearable. I’ve read beauty blogs where girls use the same container for a year without hitting the pan. (Editor’s Note: I’ve had mine for over a year and it’s still going strong!) I use bronzer daily, so I can totally justify spending $28 dollars. That’s only 8 cents a day if you can get a full year out of it! Of course, I don’t know how long this one is going to last and I cannot bring myself to spend $28 for a new bronzer every 2 months. For now, spend, but I will keep you posted!

Being a girl has its perks, especially when it comes to scoring free drinks at the bar. But being a girl also takes a lot of work and costs a whole lot o’ cashola. Just think about all the things we need to pay for that guys don’t: waxing, haircare, makeup, Spanx, the list goes on.

Yeah, keeping ourselves groomed and primped is not easy on the wallet, but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg (or a month’s rent).  Here are some of my favorite beauty products that all come in under 20 buckaroos. These things are just as fabulous as the expensive stuff and, hey, anything that’ll make me feel purty without making me cringe at the price is good by me. (Side Note:  You can get a lot of this stuff on Drugstore.com, an awesome website that carries nearly every beauty item you can imagine and has great deals on ‘em too.)

I am one of those girls who looks dead without a little gloss smeared across my lips and MAC’s lipglass is one of my personal faves. It’s ultra glossy, which is ultra sexy, and it lasts a really long time. There are tons of color options but  “Looks Like Sin” and “Lust” are by far my favorites.

Okay, so maybe you’re thinking, “This is supposed to be an article about beauty products, what is chafing gel doing on the list?”  Well, here’s a tip: this chafing gel does the exact same job as those super expensive-o make-up primers (like Smashbox’s oh-so-popular Photo Finish, which costs at least $36), and it costs under $8!  And – bonus! – for us curvy girls, it does its job and works wonderfully against that frustrating and painful chafing you can get in the summertime.

After years of buying uber-expensive mascaras and still having a hard time finding one I totally love, I discovered Lash Blast by Covergirl.  For under $10, it gives you gorgeous thick lashes without clumping. It even won an Allure Editor’s Choice Award, so you know it’s gonna rock your socks.

Unless I’m going out on the town, I usually only put on powder to smooth out my skin, rather than clogging my pores with foundation on a daily basis, and I love Loreal’s True Match.  They have a wide array of colors and it gives great coverage without feeling thick.

Blush is another one of my daily essentials; it gives me just enough color so I look so fresh and so clean and, you know, alive. I love Sephora’s line; it goes on nicely and naturally, there are a number of colors perfect for different skin tones, and it’s totally budget-friendly.

I’ll be honest, I was skeptical when I first heard of this product a few years back. I mean, the ’80s-looking bottle is enough to scare anyone off. But I decided to give it a go (my legs looked nearly transparent) and I loooooved it.  It’s not like self-tanner so if you end up streaked, it easily washes off. Really, though, it’s quite easy to do without looking streaky or blotchy, and it truly does smooth out my legs significantly.  Perfect for short shorts, skirts and dresses in the summertime.

There’s really not much that makes me happier after a long week than going to get a mani-pedi with the latest OPI shade. They definitely have the highest quality polish (the stuff lasts over a week) and an insanely large collection of colors ranging from the most basic nudes to gorgeous reds to everything fun & funky in between.  This season they introduced the Hong Kong collection, which I’m totes feelin’, especially this beautiful blue that looks splendid on my freshly pedicured toes.

I will never understand how companies can charge up to $30 for a shine spray. I mean, how hard is it to make?! That’s why I’m head over heels for this Matrix Shine Mist. It gives my hair a lovely shine, helps with frizz and fly-aways, and is made especially for all of us color-treated ladies out there. Oh, and it’s under $10.

It may not always be easy being a girl, but these products certainly help. And with all the money you save, you won’t even need boys to buy you drinks at the bar.

It makes me sad when I see pretty girls looking like they just finished a dance recital.  I mean, makeup is supposed to enhance your beauty and look natural, not scare people away. And this couldn’t be more true than with blush. It’s not supposed to be caked on those cheeks – it’s meant to accentuate them and make them subtly stand out.

So let me show you all how to do it right so you don’t end up looking like Kelly Kapowski at prom. And if you already know what you’re doing, well, a little refresher can’t hurt, right? (And by refresher I mean “something to do instead of study for 5 minutes”).

If you’re like me (and most other girls there), you have a TON of makeup. And you don’t use most of it. So here I am – to the rescue! – with a money-saving way to reuse your old lipsticks, eyeshadow and blush! By making a brand-new lip balm!

Ingredients:
- A bowl
- Old lipstick, eyeshadow or blush (in colors you would put on your lips – no black eyeshadow here!)
- Vaseline or other petroleum jelly
- Mini Tupperware container (microwave safe)
- A new container for your balm!

Get Crafty!

1. Boil water in a kettle and pour into bowl
2. Meanwhile, put Vaseline in microwavable container (the amount is up to you – put as much Vaseline as lip balm as you want to make!).
3. Place container of Vaseline in bowl of VERY hot water and stir Vaseline until it is a more liquid-y consistency.
4. Add your color! This means old lipstick, eyeshadow or blush. Just dump or sprinkle it in! Experiment with different colors and amounts until you like it.
5. Take container out of hot water and put mixture into the lip balm container
6. Pop container into your freezer and let sit for a couple hours or until solid.

Voila! Brand new, homemade lip balm. Your lips will truly be one-of-a-kind.

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

We play with a lot of beauty products. In any given week, we’re fairly inundated with lipglosses, moisturizers, body washes and the like. But there are a few products that — no matter how many new ones come our way — we simply can’t live without. Here are the ones in our current arsenal.

Tarte Lock & Roll Creaseless Cream & Powder Shadow Duo

It’s rare that an eyeshadow looks so amazing, everyone in seeing distance feels the need to compliment us on it. But such is the case with this shadow duo, complete with a cream side and a shimmery powder side. Every time we wear it — even backstage at New York Fashion Week! — we receive tons of compliments. Who knew!

$17 at tartecosmetics.com

Peter Thomas Roth Lips to Die For Pink Bombshell Lip Balm

A lip balm that plumps, softens and adds shimmer? We’re totally in love. Our lips stay smooth and supple for hours, and this balm just gives them such a pretty finish.

$20 at peterthomasroth.com

H20+ Night Oasis Overnight Eye Complex

We have a self-professed obsession with eye creams. No matter how many we try, and no matter how many we love, we just have to keep trying more. And this one, with its innovative gel formula that always feels cool on the skin, is totally our new fave.

$30 at h20plus.com

NARS Highlight Blush Powder in Albatross

Looking for a way to add just a touch of sparkle to your look without it seeming too over the top? This is totally the way to go. It’s flattering on every skin tone, and it just gives you a really gorgeous glow.

$25 at narscosmetics.com