Tips from the Tile: Concealer

The clients I work with are typically women that use makeup in their day to day life to enhance their features naturally; I get the occasional beauty junkie that knows every product backwards and forwards, but thats pretty rare. This is the usual, "How do I hide these monsters?" points at under eye area with the look of dread. It is always surprising how many women ask questions about basic makeup application, hence why I'm here to do this post! 

I want to start a series, Tips from the Tile, about the most asked questions I get at work or from friends. Today I bring you concealers, one of my loves. I mean who doesn't want perfect skin?! We all have those late nights whether they're filled with shenanigans, tossing and turning or maybe a screaming baby; bags and dark circle are inevitable. Concealer will help hide tired eyes, can brighten up the entire face and take years off aging eyes. So here are my top tips: 

1. Don't buy a foundation to do a concealers job, they're different products for a reason. Especially for the under eye area. 
2. Concealer CAN be applied over foundation, you'd be surprised how many women look at me like I have ten heads when I let them in on this. 
3. Apply concealer in a "V" shape under the eye. Trust me this looks waaaay better than the half-moon shape. 
4. It is okay to use a lighter concealer under the eye, it will give you a brighter look. This is why you should make sure you apply in a "V" and blend so that it looks natural. *I love the Beauty Blender for this*
5. If you're concealing deep set under eye bags then use a product that is lighter than your skin and place directly in the deepest crease or hollow and blend. This will lighten the area and bring it forward, therefore reducing the appearance bagginess.  
6. To set under eye concealer use a finely milled powder, this will reduce creasing. (Bare Minerals Well Rested powder is nice for this)
7. If you use an extremely thick concealer under the eyes it will more than likely settle into fine lines and crease. So use sparingly. 
8. Concealing on the face: if you're trying to conceal acne or scarring you can apply a concealer that matches your skin before and after foundation using the stippling technique to provide maximum coverage.  

Smashbox BB Cream Eyes is my current favorite to use on myself and clients alike, its not heavy  and is extremely hydrating! Another great option is the Maybelline Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer, its extremely brightening so it's wonderful for those tired eyes. 

Happy Concealing! 

Spring Trends #1: Orange Lips

Is it spring yet?! This has been the longest/coldest winter known to mankind...well maybe not, but it certainly feels like it and I am more than ready for spring to be upon us. Bring on the sun, the flowers and for goodness sake bring on the pastels! While the weather may not be cooperating I for one will be rocking spring trends from here on out, maybe it'll kick mother nature into high gear and get us warm weather faster. The first trend I want to address is the infamous orange lipstick, while this may not be everyones cup of tea I am quite excited to try the bold lip color. Though I won't be forking over major dough for an orange lipstick I am more than happy to try out some drugstore alternatives!

The three lipsticks I choose are more beginner bolds, not quite 'in your face' orange but more subdued. The first lippie is Maybelline's Electric Orange and I must say this color is divine; it is a very wearable true orange and goes on sheer and glossy but can be built up to a more vibrant punch of color. Numero dos es Kate Moss for Rimmel London in the number 109; this matte lipstick looks more coral with a hint of orange and looks absolutely lovely with a tan. Last but certainly not least we have Maybelline's Vibrant Mandarin; I would say this is the unique color out of the three, it's not orange, pink or coral but a mix of all three and goes on bold and glossy. I can already tell that orange lips are soon to be favorites, I can't wait to rock these bold colors with a white winged liner and a flush of color on the cheeks. 

Bring on spring! 

xoxo

Haley 

Why the Matte Multiple Matters

The hype is real y'all. The new Nars Matte Multiples are all they're cracked up to be! The line boasts seven beautiful matte, but not chalky, cream blushes. They can be applied wet or dry for a multitude of looks. *hint the name* Applying the stick wet will give you a sheered out appearance while applying dry will look darker and creamier. 

While all of the colors in the line are absolutely stunning I could only choose one (for the time being) and decided to go with the ever practical taupe color, Altai, to be used as a cream contour. Who in their right mind doesn't love a good cream contour?! Let me tell ya this hits the nail on the head! The color payoff is a very natural taupe shade that creates the most perfect illusion of sky high cheek bones I personally have ever tried. Another great use for Altai is in the crease of the eye for those "no makeup, makeup" kind of days. It can be applied with a brush or with your fingers, I prefer using the Sigma F88 brush to give a precise contour. Seriously, us round faced girls need all the help we can get. 

So now that I've officially jumped on the bandwagon with vigor and become apart of the Nars Matte Multiple fandom I need to get my hands on some of the other shades. For research purposes, of course.

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xoxo, Haley   

To New Beginnings

Hello, my name is Haley and this is my first ever blog and my first ever blog post. 

I envisioned this being something like the scene from Finding Nemo, when the sharks are having the fishaholics meeting. You know the one, "Hello, my name is Bruce...Hellloooo Bruce."  

I've contemplated the idea of a blog for years now but never had the nerve to start one, be it lack of confidence in myself, my writing, my ideas etc.  But now I have found myself in a sort of Limbo with a ton and a half of extra time on my hands. Let me be honest, taking a semester off from college has given me more time than I know what to do with. What do you mean I don't have to rush to class? I don't have a paper due?  Are you sure?  

While I've been enjoying this hiatus from school I have also been working at a makeup store, where I've discovered I have a love for beauty and making people feel beautiful. For years and years I've read beauty blogs and watched beauty gurus on YouTube but when I started actually doing makeup on other people, something sparked. It is truly a grand feeling to help people feel better about themselves; whether its recommending acne treatments, showing clients how to simply enhance their natural beauty or helping someone cover scars that previously made them feel ugly. It is a very rewarding feeling and lucky for me it usually ends in a celebratory hug and sometimes a fist pump! 

So with this blog I want to record my journey through the world of beauty; reviewing products, trying new looks and techniques and sharing tips and tricks I find along the way. So buckle up; this is going to be one beautiful ride!