Bronze Beauty: how to get that bronze glow without the sunspots

I apologize that my makeup Monday post is a little late--an out of town trip turned makeup Monday into do-over Tuesday. Nevertheless, since the summer is growing so much closer to ending (tear), I would like to share some of the summer's best bronzers that you can wear on your face year round.

High End:

Nars Bronzing Powder courtesy of Sephora 

Nars Bronzing Powder goes on smoothly and is the perfect kiss of sunshine. Apply it to the temples, sides of the cheeks and at the hairline with a buff brush to get just a hint of it tan. It comes in 3 great colors so you can match your skin.

Downside: It's $36 for the compact. It hurts the wallet but it does last a long time if used as directed (you never want an all-over-bronzed face or else you will be in danger of the Snooky look). 

Mid Range:

Tarte Mineral Bronzer courtesy of Sephora

Tarte Mineral Bronzer is skin-loving and good for you. It brushes on lightly and gives a healthy, natural glow. The minerals are good for your skin too! This is my go-to powder because my skin loves it and it blends perfectly.

Downside: not too many colors. They have had 2 or 3 different options available in the past but Sephora has only Park Avenue Princess right now which is perfect for me but might now be right for everyone.

Inexpensive:

Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder 

The Body Shop has some of the most luscious stuff and this is no exception. A matte bronze, this gives a hint of color for those who don't like glitter with their bronze. It comes in 4 colors so color matching to your skin is easier, at $19 regular price it is not so inexpensive, but it is on sale for the end of the season and at $9.50 it's a steal! 

Downsides: Not necessarily for sensitive skin. I've had mixed results with Body Shop makeup and some of it irritates my sensitive skin. Chances are this powder will be just fine for most. 

Bright, Rested Eyes

I am very happy to talk about this week's find of the week: Ole Henriksen Perfect Truth CC Eye Creme  with Broad Spectrum SPF 15. I usually try to stick to budget items for the find of the week, but this CC Creme was soooo fantastic I had to share.

Courtesy of Sephora 

Very lightweight and yet full of coverage, a little goes and very long way--making it worth the splurge. It is also moisturizing so if you don't have dry skin, this would be the only eye product you'll use all day. It even got rid of my tired, baby's-been-up-all-night bags. It covers, corrects, reflects light perfectly to give your eyes a rested glow.

Downside: the price. It is $36 an ounce at Sephora but you could save by not needing and eye cream + a concealer every day. Also, since it stretches so far it'll be a good 6 months before you need more, which is a great bang for your buck!

Biggest Foundation Mistakes and how to Fix Them

I've had my fair share of foundation flubs and have gone through dozens upon dozens of foundations over the years. Here are a few tips to help you find your perfect foundation and how to make it look flawless.

Find the right color

This is somewhat of a trial-and-error process and it may take a few tries to get it right. I myself found that most of the drugstore brands tend to be too orange on me so I had to go to the makeup counter for a more perfect match.

How to find a match: going for the right tone is the most important thing. I have a more yellow pallor so I choose foundations that are yellow or olive toned. If you have a more rosy complexion, go for cool toned foundations. Test a little on the underside of your wrist, where your tan line starts to appear. If the foundation blends into your skin, it's the right tone.

Find the right shade

Too light and you look like a ghost, too dark and you get a makeup line at the side of your face. Your skin is most likely dark in some patches and lighter in others--otherwise why would you need foundation? Find a shade that is between the darkest and the lightest--a happy medium--that way it should blend the dark areas with the light. Don't change shades between summer and winter, either. Use a light-weight bronzer for summer to warm up your complexion to match your new tan.

Make sure your concealer matches

Your under-eye concealer can be a little lighter than your regular skin to get rid of circles, but your spot concealer should be spot-on in color. Make sure it blends into your skin. It is just as much a trial-and-error as foundation and you should test the color on your arm first.

Choose a foundation that works with your skin

Whether powder or liquid, your foundation should choose one that has moisturizing properties if your skin is dry and matte-ifying properties if your skin is oily. I have oily skin so I choose powder foundation in an oil-free variety. If your skin is prone to dryness, go with a moisturizing liquid foundation.

Blend, blend, blend

Whether you go liquid or powder, you have to blend the lines at your jaw, the side of your face and anywhere the foundation stops. Make sure you make it so that the foundation completely blends into the skin so that there is no dreaded makeup line.

If you follow these tips, you should be on your way to a beautiful complexion in no time!

Find of the Week

Want shiny, nourished hair but don't want to pay an arm and a leg to get it? You don't need those spendy salon brands. I recommend Organix Macadamia Dry Styling Oil. Just a dime-sized amount worked through your damp hair and it is soft and shiny all day--and only for $7.99 at your local drugstore.

Courtesy of Drugstore.com

Downsides: don't use too much. If you go overboard this could make your hair look greasy, so go easy.

Fall Color Preview

On this beautiful, and hot, summer day it is hard to imagine that fall is just around the corner, but these fall color palettes make the idea of crisp weather more than bearable. Some are a little spendy, but I've thrown in their budget equivalents for those of us with lighter wallets.

Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No.7 Plush in Tease

Marc Jacobs' new palettes and lip gloss for Sephora are beautiful and rich. This lovely palette in "Tease" features bright purples and deep smoky hues--perfect for fall.

Down side: $59. Yes, it is a definite splurge. With richly pigmented color this is worth it--if you have the money.

Revlon Photoready Primer, Shadow + Sparkle 

Alternative: Revlon Photoready Eyeshadow palettes. They come with bonus eye primer for those of us that need the color to stay all day and a sparkle overshadow or "topcoat". They come in several shades, including this purple palette "Watercolors". Only $ 8 at most drug stores.

Marc Jacobs lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl

Marco Jacobs lip gloss--sorry, lip "vinyl"--promises shimmery color and a healthy champagne-grape infusion. Comes in 5 fantastic colors including this one in "Studded Kiss".

Down side: Price again. The lip vinyl comes for $28 at Sephora stores and online. Ouch. 

Burt's Bees Lip Gloss, courtesy of the Dermstore

Alternative: Burt's Bees lip gloss. Know for their natural products, this gloss is no exception. Nourishing with omega fatty acids, this is great for your parched fall lips. The colors are also amazing, like this one in "Starry Night". It also won't break the wallet at about $8.99 at most drug stores. 

So get those fall colors going and enjoy the changing of the seasons!

Best Fake Tanners Out There

Yes, I know: fake tanners can be orange-y and gooey and gross. But, many of us would love that warm, summer glow either without the sun damage. Here are a couple of the best self-tanners on the market and a few tips to keep from making a big, tan mess.

 Jergens Natural Glow

From Jergens.com

This light lotion is nearly fool-proof. It darkens gradually but results can be seen after 1 use and it won't get your hands all messy. It goes on clear like a lotion so it is nearly impossible to get streaks. It also comes in a firming variety so you can tighten as you tan.

Down side: it takes a couple applications to sink into skin so no instant gratification. But, if you prep your legs a couple days before that great skirt for that big date night, then you are good to go.

 St. Tropez

Courtesy of Sephora

Definitely instant gratification. This self-tanner comes in gradual and one-step so you can choose your level of tan. Easy application, washes off hands easily and little to no streaks, it leaves a realistic sunlit glow.

Down sides: spend. I's $32 for 4 oz, as compared with Jergens $5 average per bottle. But, if you have the cash it is worth it!

To Prime or not to Prime? That is the question...

Is primer really necessary? That is a question I've seen a few times by those who've never used primer (or never used a good primer). The truth is, if you wear very little makeup or can do a few touchups throughout the day, you probably don't need primer. If you just wear a good tinted moisturizer or bb cream and have no large visible pores, pimples, dark spots or red spots you want to cover, you are probably fine without. But, for the rest of us, primer is a very useful tool.

I use primer because I have very little time for touch-ups--generally one a day. I also use primer to correct any issues I have. In the summer, to fight the oily shine I see halfway through the day, I'll use a mattifying primer or a light, oil-free primer. In the winter, I love a primer full of vitamins and nourishing elements for drier winter skin.

Neutrogena Shine Control Primer from Neutrogena.com

Prime Time from Bare Escentuals

This summer I'm loving Neutrogena's Shine Control primer--lightweight, matte, and it's only $12.99 at the local drug store. It stops my makeup from settling into my pores for that large-pore look and it also stops the fine makeup creases from forming around my mouth. 

Last winter was Prime Time from Bare Escentuals. Packed with vitamins, it keeps my skin from getting chapped even in 10 below zero weather. It is the best year-round primer i've found as well since it is lightweight and gives your skin a smoothness few other primers do. 

So, how to choose a primer? Go with one that promises to correct problems your skin has such as large pores, oiliness or dryness, and always make sure that you see a visible difference in your skin's smoothness after application. If it doesn't seem to make you makeup last longer, switch to another. Finding a good primer is just like finding a good foundation; it takes time. So stick with it and if you change makeup from liquid foundation to powder, if you primer no longer works well with one or the other, change primers. I've found not all primers are formulated to work with powder foundation and some work better with powder, so experiment!