hammer_time - 2014-07-29 2:11 PM  You can get the real Beauty Blender at Sephora.  I use the Real Techniques version from Ulta and it works pretty well. I decided to start with that one because it's cheaper and work my way up.  

I recently discovered makeup swap/sale sites on Facebook.  Sounds sketch, (and maybe gross) but you can sanitize most items so I've been doing that.  I've gotten 90% of my MAC shadows that way.  

cavyrunsbarrels - 2014-07-31 6:36 AM Mary Kay CC Cream. It changed my life. So much so that now I sell Mary Kay. All their stuff is amazing, but the CC Cream is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I have combo skin, so very oily forehead/nose, very dry cheeks/chin. Redness, freckles, large pores, and my forehead breaks out very very very easily. I'm a beauty fanatic, so I tried just about every foundation/BB cream out there. From drugstore to high end. The Sephora ladies know me well. I was introduced to Mary Kay's CC cream and oh my. It's non-comedogenic, hypo allergenic, and fragrance free, plus it's SPF 30 (I think). So it's actually GOOD for your skin. It never feels heavy or sticky, even in 90+ degree heat. And it is natural looking. It doesn't make you look cakey or dry, it just looks like you have the most fabulous skin, so whether you add more makeup or not, it never looks unfinished. Not to mention, it runs only $20 a tube (which lasts quite a while). It works so well on it's own if you don't want to spend a lot of time, or in my case, I usually go "full glitz" so I use Mary Kay's primer underneath for an even base, then their concealer over top the CC cream for under my eyes, Tarte's waterproof bronzer to define my cheekbones/jaw (I think the waterproof stays on a little better), then a little bit of Mary Kay's translucent powder over my forehead, nose, and under eye to keep the shine at bay and set my under eye concealer.



Now if you don't want your eye makeup to come off, I highly recommend Mary Kay's eyeshadow primer. I've used SEVERAL and this is the only one that I've found in America that helps. The best thing was a cream eyeshadow stick that I got in Scotland at a drug store, but you can't get it in the states. Also waterproof eyeliner and water RESISTANT mascara are good choices. I have many fantastic waterproof mascaras, but they can be a bit harsh on those lashes, so unless you're going to come into direct contact with water, Covergirl's clump crusher water resistant formula works so extremely well and won't make you look like a sad clown if you sweat, cry, or get rained on.

Can you tell I love make up?

ETA: It applies nicely with a beauty blender or fingers. I have one of the official beauty blenders, but whether or not I use it depends on whether or not I feel like cleaning it.

cavyrunsbarrels - 2014-07-31 6:36 AM

Mary Kay CC Cream. It changed my life. So much so that now I sell Mary Kay. All their stuff is amazing, but the CC Cream is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I have combo skin, so very oily forehead/nose, very dry cheeks/chin. Redness, freckles, large pores, and my forehead breaks out very very very easily. I'm a beauty fanatic, so I tried just about every foundation/BB cream out there. From drugstore to high end. The Sephora ladies know me well. I was introduced to Mary Kay's CC cream and oh my. It's non-comedogenic, hypo allergenic, and fragrance free, plus it's SPF 30 (I think). So it's actually GOOD for your skin. It never feels heavy or sticky, even in 90+ degree heat. And it is natural looking. It doesn't make you look cakey or dry, it just looks like you have the most fabulous skin, so whether you add more makeup or not, it never looks unfinished. Not to mention, it runs only $20 a tube (which lasts quite a while). It works so well on it's own if you don't want to spend a lot of time, or in my case, I usually go "full glitz" so I use Mary Kay's primer underneath for an even base, then their concealer over top the CC cream for under my eyes, Tarte's waterproof bronzer to define my cheekbones/jaw (I think the waterproof stays on a little better), then a little bit of Mary Kay's translucent powder over my forehead, nose, and under eye to keep the shine at bay and set my under eye concealer.

Now if you don't want your eye makeup to come off, I highly recommend Mary Kay's eyeshadow primer. I've used SEVERAL and this is the only one that I've found in America that helps. The best thing was a cream eyeshadow stick that I got in Scotland at a drug store, but you can't get it in the states. Also waterproof eyeliner and water RESISTANT mascara are good choices. I have many fantastic waterproof mascaras, but they can be a bit harsh on those lashes, so unless you're going to come into direct contact with water, Covergirl's clump crusher water resistant formula works so extremely well and won't make you look like a sad clown if you sweat, cry, or get rained on.
Can you tell I love make up?
ETA: It applies nicely with a beauty blender or fingers. I have one of the official beauty blenders, but whether or not I use it depends on whether or not I feel like cleaning it.