Redbook Magazine's Best Makeup Ideas Ever

Hey guys!

A couple weeks ago, the latest issue of Redbook magazine was sent to me and I actually had time to flip through. An article that caught my eye was called "The Best Makeup Ideas Ever". I thought that I would share these with you guys, along with my own personal commentary.

They included pictures of celebrities over the past century displaying each makeup idea and then comments and suggested products.

I generally do agree with what they came up with, but I also wanted to contribute my opinion. I thought you, my followers, might find this as an interesting kind of post. I will warn you - this may be a long post.

1. Full Brows

If you do follow my blog, you have seen that I do have full and dark brows. I thank my ethnic background for my eyebrows. Although they are full without filling them in, I do not like to go out without brow powder.

The first brow powder I used and fell in love with was the NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder (I use the color Brown/Dark Brown). It includes two powders (which are like eye shadows, but more tightly packed) and a clear wax to set the brows. I don't usually use the wax just because I hit pan on the wax way before the powders. I have had the same powders for two years now and yes, I have hit pan, but I won't run out for a long time. For only $6, who can say no to that?

My mom, on the other hand, has much lighter hair and brows. She is fair with freckles and a much more rosy-toned complexion than me. I turned her on to using a brow powder and a defined brow really just does wonders to the face.

So I definitely agree with Redbook on this one. I have embraced a full brow. I do think tamed brows are an important part of the face. If you haven't tried filling in your brows, I do recommend the NYX powder, or any product along those lines because I don't think it could ever disappoint.

2. Mega Lashes

Thinking back on this, where I do agree with Redbook as this is one of the best makeup ideas, it can go a little overboard. I think most of you would say that mascara is a definite must. Among beauty bloggers, I think the consensus is that if there's one makeup product we couldn't go without, it would be mascara.

I love having the appearance of thick, black lashes. My favorite mascaras at this point are Covergirl Lashblast and L'Oréal Carbon Black Voluminous mascara. I have used Diorshow in the past, and it is a love of mine, but I just can't justify spending that much money on a mascara.

Having expressed my love of mascara-given mega lashes, I have a love/hate relationship with false lashes. I have used them before. Although I like the appearance that some lashes have given me, they irritate my contact lenses and make my eyes feel heavy. On other people, I love them and hate them. If I see a woman in public who is wearing ridiculous lashes doing day-to-day activities (and I mean like working, riding the subway with her daughter, NOT attending a special event), yes I do hate them.

A look without mascara would be missing something, in my opinion. But I don't think false lashes are as necessary - just a personal preference.

3. Winged Liner

LOVE LOVE LOVE winged liner! I would feel weird if I did a look with eyeliner that didn't have even the tiniest little bit of wing. It's cute, classy, polished, and just pretty to look at.

I am not an advocate for extreme Amy Winehouse winged liner. I think most people would have a hard time pulling that off.

I do love my ELF liquid liner. It's not perfect. But it's $1 and does what I need it to do. I also love the WetnWild Megalast liquid liner.

What else can I say? I think this world would be missing out on a  lot without winged liner in existence.

4. Rosy Cheeks

As I typed the words "rosy cheeks", a picture of some Renaissance painting displaying an attractive woman with rosy cheeks came to my mind. What does this tell us? Rosy cheeks are timeless. They have always been seen as attractive. I don't think it will ever go out of style.

What I love to give me just a little rosy glow are the Clinique Beyond Blusher in Peaches, NYX blush in Pinched, and Sleek blush in Rose Gold.

I think a rosy cheek just gives balance to the face and brings out the youthful appearance of the skin.

I can't think of any kind of sexy makeup look without the little glow on the cheeks of a rosy, if not coral  color added to the cheek area.

5. Pink Lips

I can just remember my first little tube of lipstick. It was a bright, frosty magenta. I loved it because it was almost exactly the same color that my 4 year old preschool teacher wore. Yes, I had an eye for makeup even back then. Since then, I have had my share of pink lipsticks in all different shades.

Just a little tidbit of knowledge for you makeup geeks out there - in my Theory of Knowledge course last year, we watched a documentary of the science behind beauty and the Golden Ratio. Lipstick was originally used to darken the lips to a rosy tone, similar to the tone it looks like during orgasm. But it was also used to give the appearance of the color of a certain monkey's anus. Now, don't quote me on this. I'm simply recounting what this BBC documentary said.

Pink lips are classic. I actually don't like nudes that much. The nude lip colors I do have and wear typically have a pink tint to them. I actually want to go in search of a similar color to what Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I adore the "my lips but better" kind of look. Having said that, I long to have a collection of beautiful YSL pink lipsticks some day when I have my hefty paycheck :)

For a pinky nude, I gravitate towards Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Ginger Rose or NYX Round Lipstick in Thalia. Other pinks include Clinique lipstick in Think Bronze and Raspberry Glacé and NYX Round Lipsticks in Paris and Louisiana.

6. Purple eyeshadow

Purple eyeshadow looks good on everyone. Whether it's bright, toned down, light, or dark, I think there is a purple eyeshadow for everyone. If someone is afraid of wearing color on their eyes, yet wants to branch out, purple is the color to try first.

Every time I wear my NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Purple, I get compliments. I do have a review of it here. It is the most gorgeous color. Also, if you want to see what purple eyeshadow does to brown eyes, mine pop like crazy in this look.

I also enjoy NYX eyeshadow in Purple - whether it's just the single eyeshadow or the shimmer pigment, they're basically the same color and universally flattering.

If you haven't tried purple eyeshadow before, do it. Redbook was spot on with including this as one of the best makeup ideas ever.

7. Red lips

If Redbook had left this off the list, I probably would have cried. One of my personal philosophies is that every woman should own at least one tube of red lipstick. I own probably ten different shades...

Red lips are classy, beautiful, simple, yet sophisticated. Anytime I want to look put together or just want to add a little oomph to a look and/or outfit, I will add some red lipstick.

There's a reason why lipstick sales, both drugstore and high end, go up during a recession. Women want to feel good. The feeling of putting on red lipstick and seeing how good it makes me look is one of life's best simple pleasures.

My go-to red lipsticks are Dior Rouge in Rouge Favori and NYX Round Lipstick in Electra OR Snow White.

This look says it all...

8. Smoky eyes

This is another one of those makeup looks where if Redbook had left this off the list, I would have cried. With very little experience, one can create a simple smoky look that can transform the face and overall appearance. A smoky is my go-to look. All you need is two colors and sufficient blending and you can create this.

Smoky eyes can be adapted for the day and school/work. Smoky eyes can be worn at night. Smoky eyes just make sense.

My favorite classic gray/black smoky is with the ELF quad in Drama. My favorite smoky that literally makes me look like a Kardashian is with the ELF quad in Day2Night. I would highly recommend these - review and swatches here.



If you've read to this point, congratulations. You must enjoy my writing skills.

I would love to hear your opinion. Feel free to debate me. Let me know what you think are the best makeup ideas ever.

Also, if you enjoy posts like these, let me know below in the comment section please! Or you can always tweet me @jessiefrancaise

Project 10 Pan! (LONG & picture heavy!)

Hey guys!

Today I am going to be talking about products that I have that I never use and want to use up before I add more and more to my makeup madness. I'm sure you all have seen posts about Project 10 Pan.

Basically, I am about to start college. I am starting a new chapter in my life. I think it's necessary to part with several makeup products I've been hoarding. However I don't believe in wasting makeup and I would rather just use these to the best of my ability before saying goodbye.

I could not pick any ten given products, and since there's so many things I want to use up and get rid of, I have many more than 10.

Another aspect of this "project" is that one does not buy any new makeup until these ten (or in my case MORE) products have been used or hit pan on. I have one major exception. My birthday is in less than three weeks and I always buy myself something for my birthday. This will be a minimal Sleek haul. More details on that later. Another exception is stocking up on things, such as foundation, mascara, etc. I know that many of these products will take forever to use up, so I will clarify the other various exceptions I am making for myself when talking about each individual product.

Maybelline quad in Amethyst Smokes - I got this as a "hand me down" from my bubbe. She's not much of a Maybelline woman so it looks like she barely used it. It will take a while to use up.

Maybelline quad in Velvet Crush - another "hand me down" from my bubbe, same thing as I said above applies to this one

L'Oréal Soft Effects single eyeshadow in Sable - I used to use this a lot. It's just a light matte taupe shade that's good for blending and what not. I got this as a "hand me down" from my other grandma. 

ELF Studio single eyeshadow in Pebble - I like this shade a lot, just never used it much. I want to grow an appreciation for this one. This will take a long time to hit pan.

Covergirl Eye Enhancers in Pink Chiffon - I've already hit pan, but I want to use it up completely. I got this years ago and it's a gorgeous highlight color. 

Revlon EyeGlide Shimmer Shadow in Pearl - I literally got this for my birthday in 5th grade I think. Yes, I still have it. It's the perfect brow bone shade. It should be gone soon.

Mary Kay eyeshadow duo in Onyx - I got this for Christmas what seems like a gazillion years ago. I made some pretty sophisticated looks with it back in middle school (yeah sophisticated back then). 

Hard Candy Eye Candy in Caramel - I really do like this shade and the gorgeous gold sparkle. I just don't use it much. 

Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Duo in Sweet Dusk - This was my HG eyeshadow my freshman year of high school. It looks perfect with my eyes, skin tone, and hair color. I used it back in this post. 

ELF Mineral eyeshadows in Natural, Caffeinated, and Sassy - I LOVE my ELF mineral eyeshadows. There are just some that get used more than others. These don't get as much love. I'd like to change that. (Click here to see a look I made with Caffeinated) These are an exception as I realize it would take me an immensely long time to finish these up. 

Clinique Pair of Shades eyeshadow duo in No Show Taupes - These shades make a decent natural soft smokey. This might be featured in a future LOTD post for glasses. I like these colors okay.

Clinique Soft-Pressed eyeshadow in Twilight Mauve - I wore this shadow frequently in 5th grade. I wanted to wear makeup on a daily basis, but I was young, so I picked this light shade and my glasses frames hid it for the most part. Gorgeous shade.

Clinique eyeshadow trio in Strawberry Fudge/Buttermilk - I absolutely love these. I used this all the time in middle school. I have a backup of Strawberry Fudge.

Clinique eyeshadow trio in Pink Tweed/Confetti - another one I used all the time in middle school. Very pretty. 

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes in Dark Chocolate - Just a simple brown liner. 

Ulta Bronzer - Yeah, it doesn't even have a name. It was a freebie in a gift bag after I spent a certain amount on Ulta brand products, which shows you how old this is. It warms up the complexion and has gold glitter. 

Palladio Rice Powder in Natural - I bought this to stash in my book bag for touch ups during the school day. I bought a primer and didn't need it anymore. Now I am a big girl and don't use a book bag. This will take a long time to finish.

Clinique Beyond Blusher Oil-Free Everywhere Color in Peaches - It's a peachy kind of blush. It creates a very soft hint of color on the cheeks. 

Shiseido The Makeup Accentuating Color Stick in Champagne Flush - Nice subtle highlight that I'd like to use more.

Lancôme Magique Blush in Raspberry Soufflé - I can't for the life of me seem to use this properly. It's a mousse blush. Gorgeous color. I can't seem to throw it away.

NYX Blush in Desert Rose - I have only used this a couple times. This is obviously an exception. It goes on dark, but I'd like to make it work.

ELF Natural Radiance Blusher in Bronzed - Obviously this is a bronzer. It used to be my favorite bronzer actually. Well, I'm on to better bronzers. Let's use this one up.

Ulta eyeshadow in Pink - This was from a Christmastime offer where you can get 5 select products for $5 for stocking stuffers. This isn't very pigmented, so it works as a soft highlight.

Clinique City Cover Compact Concealer SPF 15 - Umm, this concealer is ancient. I think it works well. It needs to get thrown out, but I'd rather use the last little bit. Maybe I'll get some more someday. 

So we'll see how this Project 26 Pan with exceptions goes. I will surely post updates. Have you guys ever tried the Project 10 Pan? Let me know your experiences in the comments section below! Also, if you want reviews or looks with any of the products pictured above, please let me know!

I hope you all are having a lovely weekend!