The TRUTH About MAC

I made this video with two thoughts in mind:

1. Give people an "insider's guide to successfully shopping at MAC"
2. Give people an understanding of the unhelpful/annoying stuff they do as shoppers which makes them less successful at shopping at MAC

Some of you are not going to like this video because it makes you uncomfortable when you realize that you do some of the things that I mention. 

*The lipstick thing. . . . SO MANY of us do that! Notice I said us.*

It's okay. If it means that you go into the store more informed and prepared to get the help you need, that is what truly matters to me. Enjoy and happy shopping!

All About Those Brows

Eyebrows are really personal. There are so many different shapes and trends around eyebrows and it can be daunting trying to figure out what works best for you. My first "eyebrow treatment" was when I was about 16 by my friend Jessica. There we were in my living room, me laying on the couch, and her armed with a pair of tweezers ready to attack.

I remember being equally surprised by three things:

• How much it hurt.
• How much it didn't hurt.
• How long it took.

Yes, it hurt, but not in the way I expected. It was like a gentle yet consistent pinching feeling.But it didn't hurt that bad. It also took about an hour! I would have to dig through the archives of photos at my parents' house to find pictures of me before I began shaping my eyebrows. But they are thick! I have picked up a few tips and tricks on how to get your optimal awesome eyebrows and I'm ready to share them with you!

Tools:

Tweezing & Shaping requires four tools:

• tweezers 
• eyebrow brush/ spooley
• cuticle scissors
• white eyeliner

Filling in your eyebrows can be achieved by using one, or a combination of, the following products:

• Eyeshadow/ Eyebrow Powder
• Eyebrow Pencil
• Eyebrow Pomade or Cream
• Angle Brush

Defining your eyebrows can be achieved by using:

• Concealer
• Angle, Straight, or Slightly Curved Brush
• Eyebrow Gel or Clear Mascara

Now that you have your products ready, let's tackle some eyebrows!

Tweezing & Shaping : Part 1

Filling In : Part 2

Defining : Part 3

Bamboozled At the Makeup Counter

It happens to the best of us. We're minding our own business, walking through the department store or aisles of Sephora or Ulta when. . .BAM! There's a beauty consultant standing next to us offering "help".

I used to work for cosmetics companies, so I know how it goes. These women and men are just doing their jobs. They truly want to help us find products we will love. Many of them, however, are also trying to make their sales quotas.

It is so easy to get sucked in and then feel guilty for all the time they spent on you. You try the products, get excited by their quality, and suddenly feel like you have to have it all! The next thing you know, you're walking out with a bag of items you did not go into Ulta searching for and still holding onto your $3.50 off of $10 coupon.

. . .oh wait. . .that was just me.

Here are some tips that may help you the next time you find yourself in this predicament. *Avoid sitting down in a chair AT ALL COSTS! If you're sitting, you're already in too deep. Trust me!

1. Go in there with a plan. Make a list of items you are looking for and stick to your list. One of the most difficult things can be avoiding all of the pretty things. STAY FOCUSED! If someone approaches you, a simple, "No, thank you," with a smile, can really work. Some may be persistent, and if so try, "Can you help me find. . . " and point to an item on your list. That distracts them from what their plan was in roping you into their products and gets you to find your items faster! Those who continue to try to sell you on whatever it is "get what they get and don't get upset" in my book! *Hey, you tried to be nice!
2. Remember your budget. Depending on what it is you are in pursuit of, you probably only have but so much you wanted to spend. If someone offers help, let them know your budget so that they can then guide you towards products that will work. This is especially helpful in Ulta. They have both high end/department store products and drugstore products so they can more easily navigate you toward an alternative to the They're Real! Push-Up Liner from Benefit. Do you ever notice how on Say Yes to the Dress the bridal consultants always ask what the budget is? *Now, they don't always bring dresses within the budget, which I don't agree with, but they stay close to it. 
3. It is okay to say, "No." I think many of us are guilty of being agreeable. It is difficult to say, "No," without it sounding rude. But. . .sometimes the answer is. . . ."No." No, you don't need help. No, you aren't interested in trying a new foundation. No, you can't ask me a question.
4. Return policies exist for a reason. I can tell you with certainty that Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, MAC & Walgreens will accept returns on your products, even if you have used them. (How else are you to know whether you like them or not if you don't try them at home?) Even after keeping a watchful eye on your list and your budget, you can get carried away and purchase what you don't need or even really want. We all make mistakes! The real mistake, however, would be keeping a product you won't use. The real mistake would be not being able to pay your bills because of a $45 eye cream. The real mistake would be getting home, realizing you didn't get anything on your list that you still need, and having to go back out to the store! *And if you feel really uncomfortable, return it at a different location so you don't have to face the sales associate.

I hope these tips will help you the next time you're in a predicament. Good luck and happy shopping!

Avoiding the "Swatch Trap"

What is a Swatch Trap you ask? First, it is something I just came up with. Second, it is that moment you realize that the new lip color you purchased is actually not as "perfect" as you thought when you swatched it on your hand in the store.

WHICH ONE DO I CHOOSE???

One of life's most difficult beauty issues is trying to be confident in colors you choose while in store. There are so many options out there and so many elements to consider.

• lipstick, lip liner, or lip gloss?
• what kind of finish do you want?
• how many products are you willing to use at a time?
• what color goes best with my skintone?
• will this product last?
• will it dry out my lips?

The list goes on and the process becomes overwhelming. Just today I was at Sephora (yay!) and I swatched more colors than I can remember. The trick however, is this:

The next time you are at the makeup store or counter and you swatch a lipstick, step outside of the store. Even if you are at a mall, when you step outside of the makeup store with all those bright fluorescent lights, you will get a truer look at what color you are choosing. Something that looks like a pinky-mauve can suddenly look plum in daylight.

Also, take your time. It's perfectly okay to swatch several colors and continue shopping around, whether it be in-store or elsewhere, before making your final choice. When I feel really uncertain, I take pictures of the swatch on my hand, the product itself, and the price, so that I can look at it again later. If I still feel that same excitement I felt the first time I saw the color, that is when I know that I've found the right one. . . such as this GORGEOUS lip crayon I bought today by Nars called Luxembourg. SO GORGEOUS!

Happy shopping!

On the 12th Day of Beauty Buzz. . .oh 11th too!

On the 11th Day of Beauty Buzz. . .

I think I've mentioned this next gift idea in a video, check out my YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/thebeautybuzzwithkee) if you haven't yet! (My first videos are posted on my quinniemac channel, it's linked on my beauty channel too!)

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. . . it doesn't matter what the season or temperature your lips will love you for this!

Cherry Me and Grape Vine

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm
http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Lip-Makeup/Lip-Balm/Baby-Lips.aspx

It's so amazing! The little babies have an SPF 20 and hydrate your lips while adding beautiful color at the same time.

I'm known for carrying a handful (easily 5-7, no exaggeration) lip products in my purse at any given moment. What can I say? I like having choices and lip balm is a MUST HAVE if I'm going to apply any other lip product to my lips.

Am I the only one who doesn't feel like a human being if my lips are dry???

*Bonus: You can build the color by applying several swipes of these balms and you will WANT to reapply for the amazing smooth feeling they provide and the sweet fruity scent!






If you want a simple colorless lip balm, choose Quenched.

I keep one on my "beauty shelf" (yes I have a shelf for all my beauty products you need. . . . lip balm, lotion, qtips, that sort of thing) so I can easily swipe it on in the morning after brushing my teeth and right before going to bed at night. *I also keep one in the car!

On the 12th Day of Beauty Buzz. . .

I know this is a blog centered mostly on beauty products but lets be real. . . what isn't beautiful about CHOCOLATE?!

Especially these:

Chocolate Hazelnut Candies

Only 3???

Ferrero Rocher

Just imagine, a toasted hazelnut dropped into melted chocolate, enclosed by a light crispy wafer and that dipped into chocolate to form a ball and finally sprinkled with tiny bits of hazelnuts on the outside. All in a shiny gold wrapper.

THAT is the beauty of the Ferrero Rocher. I LOVE THESE! Hands down my absolute favorite candy or chocolate choice in the world. Nothing else can replace these. The combination of hazelnuts and chocolate is something that draws me in as many forms as possible, but no one does is quite like this! They are sold in small packs of 3 (perfect stocking stuffer!) as well as larger quantities. I got a pack of 15, which are in my little candy tin pictured above, left. These are candies I DO NOT share!

Well ok. . . maybe I share with just a few select people, but only 1 per customer!

Find them anywhere, WalMart, Target, BJs (for larger quantities) and many grocery store check-out aisles.

I hope you enjoyed my 12 days of gifts! Happy Shopping!

Day 10 (late) of Beauty Buzzing Gifts and a YouTube review!

I have used L'Oreal Paris mascaras for years and LOVE THEM! I can't remember the last time I tried one and felt anything but adoration. A perfect stocking stuffer is mascara! Even the most low-maintenance girl can appreciate the power of a few swipes of great mascara!

Here's a two-for-one special!

I have tried the Original Telescopic mascara but the Carbon Black Telescopic is the richest and darkest version of that formula.

L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Carbon Black

Get ready, though. . .it gets BETTER!
"DRUM ROLL, please. . . . . . . . . "

"Ta daaaaaaaa!"


L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Shocking Extensions

 This is AMAZING! (I found it at Kmart) No need for me to elaborate. . . just watch and see!



Before



After



Check out the results for yourself! The eye on the right has Maybelline Mega Plush Volum Express Mascara, which is what I compared it to (my current favorite) with the NEW L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara on the left. 

Visit: http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/Volum-Express-the-Mega-Plush-Mascara.aspx

That's The Buzz! Enjoy!

Day 2 of Buzzing Beauty Gifts

The greatest thing I can do for my skin in the winter is exfoliate and moisturize! The cold winter wind wreaks havoc on my skin leaving it dry and crackly. A perfect gift to add to your beauty lover's stocking is The Body Shop's Vineyard Peach Cream Body Scrub.

Vineyard Peach Cream Body Scrub

$19.00

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The Body Shop also has other scents available: Shea, Cocoa Butter, Sweet Lemon, Olive, Moringa, Pink Grapefruit, Mango, and Coconut. I prefer the Vineyard Peach (peach is one of my favorite smells!) and The Body Shop has all of the scents available in testers so that you can open them up, smell them and even test them out on your hand. It is found at your nearest The Body Shop store (found in malls) or http://www.thebodyshop.com

This is a creamy exfoliating scrub that will whisk away dead skin cells leaving your skin smooth. It smells AMAZING like a fresh peach and the grains in the scrub are tough enough to get rid of grime and grit without harming your skin. Use this scrub in the shower with warm water. Apply a generous amount (I use about the size of a ping pong ball for my whole body) to wet skin and rub in circular motions. I apply this to my arms, stomach and legs including armpits and feet (by far the driest part of the body). Exfoliate before shaving for the closest shave possible.

Important tip: You must moisturize after using a scrub in the shower. Your skin is sensitive at this point and needs to be drenched in moisture. You can use a body lotion cream, or body butter to moisturize.

But more on that tomorrow. . .
That's the buzz!

Starting a new makeup bag

Have you ever had to put together a brand new makeup bag? I've noticed that I've acquired products over time and rarely need to buy replacements for everything at the same time. It's not like I run out of foundation, mascara, lipgloss, eyeliner and powder all at once!


Last year on my birthday I celebrated in Philly with a great group of friends. It was awesome! We were all settling into our hotel rooms, chatting, laughing and getting ready to set out our outfits for dinner and partying when I realized the one thing I forgot to pack: MY MAKEUP BAG! AHHHH!



Devastated!



I was dumbfounded by the entire thing. I also immediately remembered packing up my makeup bag and promptly leaving it on the floor of my bedroom instead of putting it in my suitcase.



My cute little makeup bag left at home



I had makeup brushes but no makeup to apply to my face.

For the first time (and hopefully the last!) I had to buy all new makeup. It was about 6:00 pm, our dinner reservation was in an hour and we all piled into my friend's rented SUV and drove up and down the streets looking for an open drugstore.

Here's the thing: the reality is that finding a foundation to match my skin from a drugstore is NOT a guaranteed thing. I know that Maybelline and Revlon make colors that I love and match my skin, however, not every drugstore carries all colors. A lot of places will carry a limited range of colors, even if the cosmetics company makes lighter and darker shades. Unfortunate, but true.

So I had to buy new


• foundation
• concealer (ugh, so difficult. Worse than searching for foundation)
• powder (*ditto)
• blush
• eyeshadow (including a dark brown shade to fill in my eyebrows)
• eyeshadow primer (I needed it to last, remember it was my birthday party night)
• eyeliner
• mascara

Thankfully I always have about 5 lip products between gloss, lipstick and lipliner that I didn't need to buy any lip stuff.

The grand total??? About $60! For things I already owned! And that was at the drugstore. If I had gone to a department store and bought the same amount of products it would easily amount to about $250!

I say all of this to say that starting a new makeup bag is no easy feat! However, it all depends on what your needs are. I like to have a makeup bag that can give me a full face of makeup. But that doesn't mean I use every product every single day. If you're a eyeliner, mascara and lipgloss girl, than your shopping will be less expensive and daunting than mine. But if you're interested in the whole picture makeup shopping can be expensive, daunting, and may require going to multiple stores. Here are my "Low risk, high reward" makeup shopping tips:

1. Do your research. There are lots of different products and if you're just getting started it can be overwhelming (Don't worry, there will be a special post and tutorial coming up for you soon!) My advice is to search on YouTube for what you're looking for, i.e. "Best drugstore foundation".
2. Be prepared. Put together a list of what you need. Having a checklist can keep you on track and can help prevent impulse purchasing. Also having coupons, knowing what items are on sale (check the inserts for Walmart and Target in the newspaper), and having any "frequent customer" cards from places like Ulta and Sephora will make you feel ready. 

3. Go at your own pace. If you can handle it financially and prefer to get it all done in one sitting feel free to shop for it all. Although my birthday experience put me out of money I didn't plan on spending, it was great having a whole new collection of shiny new makeup to open. *Also it became my car kit that stays IN THE CAR! Just in case that ever happens again.*
4. Have fun! Buying new makeup is not only a time to replace tried and true products, but it is also fun to explore new things. For every three things I buy that are my go-to products I try one new thing. You never know what you'll discover!

That's the buzz, check back for more next time!