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

Target mini haul + swatches!

Hey guys! I hope you all had a great weekend and a great Father's Day!

Yesterday I went to Target to pick up a few things I had been needing or wanted to try out. I was disappointed, however, that they had run out of a couple things I wanted, but I did luck out.

So I grabbed some mascara, bronzer, some of my favorite eyeshadow, and liquid eyeliner that I'm running out of.

After hearing Marlena rave about this mascara, I picked it up probably 6 months ago and used a whole tube and it took me a few weeks to fall in love with it but I do really enjoy this mascara. Kim Kardashian's makeup artist (Mario whatever his last name is) likes this one as well! I've been back to using my Lashblast for a while, but I'm running out of this. I had a Loreal coupon and actually found one with another $1 off so I think I ended up getting this for $4? 

This is the ELF Contouring & Blush set. I've been wanting to try this out for probably a year now. I was hesitant because I read that some people with fairer skin (like me) thought the bronzer was a little too dark. It is rather dark, but we'll see how it works out on my skin. I haven't tried it out on my face yet. 

Also, I did read a lot of reviews on this and heard about how pretty the blush is. Well, I thought to myself back then that it couldn't be THAT pretty, but I will tell you guys that IT IS! Granted, I haven't put it on my face yet, but swatching it, I can tell you it is absolutely gorgeous.

I'll probably do a review on this soon once I get to use it enough.

As you can see, this is the NYC bronzer in the color Sunny. It is a matte bronzer, which I guess is hard to find in the drugstore. I've heard Emily Eddington of Beauty Broadcast rave about this bronzer as it is a drugstore matte bronzer so I wanted to give this a try.  I paid $2.89 for this, so it was a great bargain. 

It comes with a face sponge, which frankly I find bizarre as one usually puts bronzer on with a fluffy face brush rather than a face sponge? I will be throwing that out... 

Also I've found that it's hard to open and close sometimes. Packaging fail? 

I might be doing a review on this one as well...

And this is the Rimmel Bronzer in Sun Dance. As well as the NYC bronzer, I have read that this is one of the best drugstore bronzers out there. I'll give it a test run. It does appear as though you get a hefty amount of product (0.49 oz or 14 g as opposed to 0.33 oz/9.4 g of the NYC bronzer). 

And I paid $4.29 for this bronzer, so it actually ended up being the most expensive thing I bought.

I may being reviewing this one in the future. Who knows?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes to stock up on her makeup favorites... I kinda hoard some things sometimes? Well, I like to stock up on my ELF favorites especially. Since I have a backup of my quads in Drama and Butternut, I wanted to get a backup of Day2Night. This quad makes me look like Kim Kardashian. Seriously. This quad is the best. (Review with swatches here). 

Also, I've been using liquid liner SO much lately. I guess because I get lazy and don't want to clean my eyeliner brush after using my cream liner so much? Well, anyway, my ELF liquid liner has been my favorite lately. I think I'm running out so why not buy some more? Haha.

I did want to get some NYC liquid liner to try (I haven't used it in probably 6 years), but they had run out :( 

What I also wanted to try was the ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder... OUT in my shade :(

And for some swatches...

L-R: ELF Contouring Blush, ELF Contouring Bronzer, NYC Bronzer in Sunny, Rimmel Bronzer in Sun Dance

So you can tell from the picture that the ELF bronzer is super dark and pigmented. I'm not sure how that will fare on my skin. If not, I still have that pretty blush. You can barely see the NYC bronzer... hmm... and I don't know if you can tell in the picture, but the Rimmel bronzer is a little orangey and shimmery.

Again, I haven't actually used these products. I will be using these a bunch and maybe writing some reviews. After all, it is the time of the year to be using bronzers...

Have you guys used any of these products? Tell me about your experiences with them in the comment box below. 

I do think I am going to start a monthly favorites post, so be expecting one for June in a couple weeks ;)

Thank you guys for reading! Have a wonderful Monday!

Recent Sephora Haul!

So I've been very very busy working hard and getting near perfect grades at school. I just finished up the first quarter of my senior year and have three out of four of my college applications submitted. For all of this, I decided I should treat myself. This is the first time I've actually bought myself from Sephora and it was a very exciting moment.I spent a little more than I should have, but I deserved it.

I had been eyeing some things from Lorac and Stila. I decided to get the Lorac Close Up: Real Life To Red Carpet Natural To Dramatic Face Tutorial, Lorac Ooh La La Lace Palette, and the Stila Travel Palette in Haute in the Hamptons. They just came in a few days ago. I've barely had the chance to use them, so once I have, I'll be writing some reviews. For right now, I just have some pictures and swatches.

In this palette you get a light off-white shade with a teeny-bit of shimmer called Sand, a shimmery gold shade called Linen, a dark gray-brown with shimmer called Route 27, and a shimmery true-blue shade called Blue Skies. There's also two blush shades. The bottom one is supposed to be a bronzer, I believe, but it's too pink to be a bronzer. The top one is just a hot pink called Hydrangea and the bottom is more of a coral, but still like a hot brightish pink with gold shimmer, called Montauk Highway. I'll do a review on this later.

The Lorac Ooh La Lace Palette :) This was the one I was most excited to get. It's got the sexiest packaging ever! I can't wait to review  this one.

Here are the shadows inside :) There's also a big mirror. Aren't these colors just so gorgeous!?!

This is the shadow trio inside the set that I got by Lorac. The color is called LORACStar.

These are just so pretty! It's the first time I'm trying out anything by Lorac and after swatching them and wearing them once, I can say they're simply amazing.

This is the blush that came in the set. It's in the color Soul. It looks kind of dull, but it's got just the right amount of sparkle and oomph to create the most beautiful glow.

Here it is again. I'm sorry for the poor picture quality :(

This is the mascara that came in the set. Lorac is really on target with their packaging. It's just so pretty!

This is the liquid liner the kit came with. I read the most amazing reviews before it came and I was so excited to try it. I'll leave the rest for my review ;)

The gloss from the kit. It's in the color Trendsetter. It's an absolutely gorgeous color.

The applicator is a brush rather than a sponge, which I LOVE.

Now time for the swatches...

The black line is the Lorac Front of the Line PRO liner. To the right of that are the colors from the Lorac shadow trio in LORACStar. And then right under the brown shadow is the Lorac blush in Soul.

This one is without flash.

Same swatches with flash

Here's the swatches from the Stila palette Haute in the Hamptons. The first two are the blushes. And then on the right side are  the four shadows.

This is with flash.

Same swatches without flash

And the lovely, sexy shadows from the Lorac Ooh La Lace palette. These are simply amazing. So smooth and pigmented. And of course these were meant to make a sexy bedroom eye look :)

This is without flash.

And with flash.

I also got samples, as is customary with any Sephora order. I got two perfume samples, some Clinique skincare samples. I got a free Buxom mascara sample with a code. And for reaching +100 Sephora points, I got a Laura Mercier mascara sample.

So here they are:

The brush looks amazing! I can't wait to try it out.

And the Laura Mercier. This is the Long Lash mascara.

I didn't read the best reviews on this, but I'll post my opinions when I try it out.

As I would expect with a lengthening mascara, the brush is very small and skinny.

So that's it from my Sephora haul. I'll be posting reviews soon.

My next post will be a look I do with the Ooh La Lace palette.

Feel free to post comments, any suggestions for looks to post, and follow me on Twitter @jessiefrancaise