HEAT-PROOF BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT REALLY WORK!!

Ahh, summer.

Weddings, barbecues, beach days, boating…..all things that we want to look our best for. But let’s be real – that can be hard to do when you’re sweating from places you didn’t know could sweat. And your makeup is facing a meltdown of epic proportions.

Personally I don’t wear makeup at all in the summer. I’ll fill my brows in and throw on some tinted lip balm – that’s about all I can tolerate. I can literally FEEL it on my face. But maybe you’re getting hitched. Maybe you have an event to attend. Maybe you’re just one of those people that no matter what, wants to be glam everywhere you go – and that’s awesome!

So I’ve pulled together a list of my tried and true products that I can PROMISE you will help you beat the heat! Check it out!!

---

PRIMERS

Photo Credit – Google Images

Primers are a necessary item when trying to lock in a look and defend it against the summer temps. Realistically, there is very little you can do about facial sweating, but if you’re the type of person who gets oilier than normal when the mercury rises, a good mattifying primer will be your new best friend. This is especially important if you’re an artist and you have a summer wedding – all bridal meltdowns should be strictly emotional, not makeup related! Two of my favorites are the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($54, Sephora) and the Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer ($36, ULTA). Both are oil free and not only mattify, but smooth the skin and fill in fine lines and pores as well, while still giving your foundation something to grip to. And as an added bonus, coming from someone who has super sensitive skin – these don’t irritate or break me out at all!

---

FOUNDATION

Photo Credit – Google Images

Probably the hardest thing about summer makeup is finding a foundation that ticks all the boxes – good coverage, long wearing, budge-proof, doesn’t break apart, doesn’t feel or look cakey.

And yes, while the product itself is important, so is application. And knowing what’s IN your products helps too; for example, if you use a silicone primer and a water based foundation, it’s guaranteed that you’ll start to see the foundation break apart and slide around on the skin. Oil and water don’t mix – right? So keep an eye on the ingredients.

Also, regardless of what you pick, the key is to work in thin layers. The idea is to even out your skin tone and reduce redness. You can always go back and spot conceal as needed. The best way method of application I’ve found is a light layer with a brush, and then going over it with a damp beauty sponge – this technique picks up any excess product but also helps to press it into the skin, and mimic the skins texture leaving you with a barely detectable base!

Some of the summer foundations that are must haves for me, especially when I’m freelancing, are Lorac POREfection Foundation ($38, ULTA), L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation ($10.97, Walmart), Marc Jacobs Re(Marc)able Foundation ($56, Sephora), and Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Foundation (discontinued). The Revlon one in particular, if you can still find it anywhere, is AMAZING – it literally looks BETTER the longer you wear it!

---

CONCEALER & POWDER

Photo Credit – Google Images

I’ve probably tried hundreds of concealers over the years – I’m not even exaggerating. And I’ve probably only been truly satisfied with a handful of them. Concealer is one of my desert island items – I need it to stay put, not oxidize, not crack, not settle, not cling to dryness. Most of the time, I’ll spot conceal where I need to and call it a day; like I said, I HATE feeling a full face of makeup in the summer. One of the concealers I’ve had the best luck with is the Ulta Full Coverage Liquid Concealer ($9, ULTA) – it’s got a pretty decent shade range with warm, cool, and neutral undertones, and good-for-skin ingredients like aloe, chamomile, and tea tree that help to heal as it conceals. Plus the wear time is pretty impressive – I’ve gotten a solid 9 hours without having to touch up. And while we’re on the topic, their color correctors are pretty great, too!

Some other great ones for long wear are the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($27, ULTA) and of course, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer ($25, maccosmetics.com). Though I’ll say this; there’s something in the Tarte one that breaks me out, and it DOES oxidize a little bit (plan to go 1 shade lighter if you’re trying to match your skin tone) but it’s SUPER matte and long wearing – it really takes a lot to get this concealer to budge!!

Photo Credit – Google Images

In terms of powders though, there are only 3 that have every really impressed me, and for different reasons. The Coty Airspun Loose Setting Powder ($5.97, Walmart) is great for baking on a budget – you get a lot of it for a little bit of dough (get it? Dough? Baking? OK, I’m done…), and since it’s SO inexpensive, it’s not one of those powders that you have a mini-stroke every time you look down and see all the product that just fell off your face. I hate baking with an expensive powder because I know that like, 95% of it is just going to get dusted away. But if you’re just looking to set your makeup in place, stay matte, and blur your pores to porcelain doll status, then iT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Loose Powder ($29, Sephora), or it’s drugstore cousin NYX HD Setting Powder ($5.79, Target), are the sh*t! With a brush or a damp sponge, they both apply like a dream, and I promise you you’ll never feel your skin so soft as with one of these little babies. Beware of the NYX one though, to make sure you very thoroughly dust off any excess – that one can flash back pretty viciously in photos!

---

BLUSHES, BRONZERS, & HIGHLIGHTS

Ok, so this is where things can get a little dicey – because these are usually some of the first things to break down and fade away on a hot day. I don’t know about you, but my face will literally EAT these products; they’re freshly applied and looking fabulous, and then 15 minutes later I look like someone finally unzipped the forgotten body bag – no bueno, yo. While your prep, base, and application are all still SUPER important, so are your products!

The Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-HR Blushes ($29, ULTA) are great for beating that mid-day fade. I know, I know, I said that Tarte products tend to break me out. Listen, sometimes you gotta take one for the team. Another great option are the Morphe Blush Palettes ($22, morphebrushes.com) – these things are CRAZY pigmented! And they last! I remember when I first bought my 9B palette, and I was in love. But then, they dropped the 9N palette….a little more natural in terms of shades and finishes, and probably my favorite of the two. Hell, at that price, buy them both!

Bronzers and I tend to have a love/hate relationship. I like a neutral bronzer. Something not too matte but DEFINITELY not shimmery. And it was always a struggle to find the right one. But some years ago, L’Oreal dropped their Glam Bronze ($9.99, buymebeauty.com) line, which are 3 shades (light, medium, and dark) that have a beautiful, healthy sheen – no detectable glitter anywhere. Since then they’ve renamed it a few times, but the formula remains the same from what I can tell! No fade out here!

So I have sort of an unconventional highlighter here that will absolutely beat the heat. Hear me out – Ulta Tinted Eye Primer ($12, ULTA) in Champagne. YUP! So I got this as a freebie with something – might have been a gift with purchase, I don’t really remember. But I tossed it aside, until one day I was cleaning out my kit, and swatching things, and you guys….this is just beautiful. Such a pretty universal shade. Shimmery but not glittery. And then I tried to wipe it off, and it would. not. budge. It ultimately took some coconut oil and a little light scrubbing to remove it. So now, when I want a pretty glow and I need it to stay put, I apply a little with a small beauty sponge, and it’s just so gorgeous. If you wanted to amp it up some more, just apply your favorite powder highlight over it while it’s still tacky – it IS a primer, after all!!

---

SHADOW, LINER, & MASCARA 

Typically in warmer weather, I tend to forego any eye makeup, but if you’re someone that feels your look isn’t complete without it, or maybe you’re attending an event, then you’re gonna wanna pay attention here!

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo ($3 and up, Walmart) shadows and Revlon ColorStay Creme Eyeshadow’s ($4.99 and up, Walmart) are some of the best around. They go on beautifully, come in plenty of colors to suit any look you’re creating, and they don’t fade, crease, or smudge. I would advice to work quickly though, as they do dry down and set REALLY fast! But once they do, they’re not going anywhere!!

So whether you need a touch of liner to maximize your eyes, or you like a little wing action (or a lot!), I’ve got some reliable lines that have yet to disappoint. One is another Maybelline product (what? They’re sooo good!) – the Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner ($7.49, Target) (my fave is the shade ‘Blackest Black’). But if you prefer a liquid, the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner ($20, Sephora) and the NYX Epic Ink Liner ($9, ULTA) are both totally summer resistant! And between you and me, the only difference I can spot between the KVD and NYX is the price!

Mascara is one of those finicky things that while one works for one person, it may not work for another. I’ve tried so many different mascaras over the years. Only one has really left me impressed in both application and longevity – the Maybelline Volum’ Express Pumped Up! Colossal Volume Mascara ($6.79, Target). I actually never tried the waterproof version of this because the regular one wore so well for me with no smudging, smearing, transferring, or flaking that I never felt the need to stray. But the big, fat, full brush and Maybelline’s notoriously not-too-wet, not-too-dry formula are like the absolute best combination. You get full, fluffy lashes with great separation, but you can always comb through with a clean spoolie if you feel like you need just a little more. Guys. Put this down right now and GO BUY IT.

And if you want details on how to heat-proof your brows, check out my updated brow routine here, which is full of tips, products, and everything you need to keep them in place all day!!

---

Feel free to comment below with some of YOUR favorite heat-proof products! I’m always looking for feedback from you guys!

Come follow me around social media!

Facebook : Affordable Gorgeous

Snapchat & Instagram : dlynnsaunders

XOXO,

VIVA LAS VEGAS | DAY TO NIGHT MAKEUP TUTORIAL

Hey guys!

So as you may or may not know, from time to time I get some wonderful opportunities to work with awesome companies and create looks for them inspired by various things, which I in turn, share with you all. Well today, I’m participating in a challenge presented to me from Vegas.com, in which I was asked to create a day to night makeup tutorial! Pretty cool, right?

Now personally, I’ve never been to Las Vegas; I’ve never even left the East Coast. But when I think Vegas, I think glitz and glam and drama (not necessarily in a bad way!) and shows and clubs and music and……I could go on and on. But in browsing their amazing hotel package deals page, I found myself immediately drawn to and inspired by one place in particular; The Venetian. There’s just something about warm tones and gold accents that makes this very “Vegas” to me. And it’s good to know that if I ever get the chance to visit, they’ve taken the time to put together a page of some of their best deals and packages for shows, attractions, and more!

So if you want to see my day to night transition, just keep on reading!

---

DAYTIME MAKEUP LOOK 

If nothing else, when I initially think of Vegas, I think hot! I mean, it’s super ridiculously hot there, and although it’s (to my knowledge) dry, desert heat, it’s still hot! So when it’s hot, the last thing I want is a full face of makeup!

All I’ve done for daytime (which is, let’s be real, no different than my usual daytime looks) is fill in my brows with my Salon Perfect Brow Defining Kit, using and angled brush and spoolie, and a mixture of the taupe shade and dark brown shade (taupe for the inner part, dark brown for the tail), and set it in place with my HG Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel. Then, I spot conceal with my MAC Pro Longwear Concealer and a Morphe M173 brush. Since I’m currently very light (for summer), I’m going to set my concealer in place with my Coty Airspun Translucent Loose Powder and an e.l.f. Powder Brush, and then warm up the entire perimeter of the face with the Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer and a Morphe M527. Next I pop on a little Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso, using a Morphe E4, and some Maybelline Lip Studio Color Jolt in Stripped Down.

You may be thinking ‘what about the eyes?’. Lately I’ve noticed that when it’s super hot out, mascara just bothers my eyes, whether it’s waterproof or not. It’s just not comfortable in extreme heat. Besides, if you happen to be sitting poolside at a swanky hotel and decide to cool off in the water, you won’t have to worry about flakes and raccoon eyes when the cabana boy eyes you toweling off!

---

NIGHTIME MAKEUP LOOK

Ok, so here’s where we punch up the drama a little bit! I’m not one for loud, crowded clubs, but I do enjoy a nice meal, a frozen margarita, and a great show, so of course I want to look my best!

Anytime I’m doing a super dramatic look, I like to start with the eyes; why? Because as you’re working with smokier, darker shadows, or even glitter, you’re bound to have fallout, and it’s easier to wipe it off clean skin than fix my foundation and concealer! I also like to fill in my brows before starting with shadows, because I feel like the structure of the brow helps to guide where my shadow will go, if that makes sense.

I’m going to first prime my brows with some LORAC Behind the Scenes Eyeshadow Primer, which is a great trick if you find your brows tend to fade on you throughout the day or night. Then I’m going to fill them in pretty dramatically with my NYX Micro Brow Pencil in  Brunette. If you want more detailed steps as to how I fill in my brows, you can click here for my blog post, or here for my YouTube video. After my brows are filled in, I’m going to prime my eyes with MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in the shade NW20, and blend that out with a damp beauty blender. I prefer the beauty blender over say, my fingers because I’ve noticed I get a much more even base on my lids, and then while I have the concealer out, I’m going to grab any flat definer brush (I used the Karity E26) to clean up and carve out my brows, making them nice and neat and defined. Then I’ll set the entire area with Coty Airspun Powder and a Real Techniques Setting Brush, to ensure that the shadows I’m using next will blend smoothly.

Now I’m going to grab my Morphe M441 (any long hair blending brush will do) and pick up some Makeup Geek ‘Beaches and Cream’ to use as my transition shade. It’s just slightly darker than my skin tone, and using a shade like this will help any darker shades go on so much more smooth. I’m going to work this all over the crease area, back and forth, blending in circles, making sure there are no harsh lines.
Then I’ll take a Morphe M433 (which is just a smaller, shorter hair blending brush) and picking up some Makeup Geek ‘Cupcake’, start working that into the crease just a little lower than the transition shade. Same motions, back and forth, just keep it a little lower. You want to be careful when you’re working with pink shades, because you can end up looking sick or like you have pink eye if you get too crazy; the next step will help us avoid that!
Next, on a tapered blending brush (I used the Morphe M330), I’m going to pick up some Makeup Geek ‘Frappe’, which is a nice warm, medium toned brown shade that will create a beautiful shadow or contour to the eye. I’m going to focus that more on the outer third of the eye, and once I don’t have as much product on my brush, I’m going to begin to swoop it into the crease, but no further than about the middle of the eyebrow. Then I’ll go back with my M433 and use whatever is left of ‘Cupcake’ on that to blend out any harsh edges (don’t add additional shadow to the brush for this step, just blend!).

Now for the fun part – I’m going to first apply some NYX Glitter Primer to my lid, but only the inner half, and here’s why; I don’t want it all the way to the outer corner because after we apply this next shadow, and then sort of ombre them together, using a matte shadow on a blending brush over a tacky glitter primer will just make your shadow patchy and impossible to blend.
So rather than use my finger, I’m going to use a tiny little flat, synthetic haired eyeshadow brush from ULTA (it came in a ‘gift with purchase’) and apply my primer from the very inner corner, following along my natural crease, and sort of start to feather it across the lid as there is less and less on my brush; so you want the most product on the inner corner, then less and less as you move across the lid.
Then, using a Morphe M167 brush (or any flat packing brush), I’m going to apply L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush pretty generously on that inner corner, and lighter towards the center, kind of feathering it out. Once you have every tacky, primered area covered, you can go back with that ‘Frappe’ color we used on the outer corner, and gently blend it together with the ‘Amber Rush’.

I felt like this look called for a pretty dramatic winged liner, so using my absolute favorite Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner in Blackest Black, and a Karity E22 brush, I’m going to create the most perfect, razor sharp wing I think I’ve EVER done on myself in one try! If you want to see a winged liner tutorial, I’ll link that blog post here.

Moving on to the skin, finally! I’m going to start by using two different primers, for two different reasons; I get oily in my t-zone, so for that I love the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. Everywhere else on my face has gotten very dry lately (I blame my turning 30 two days ago!), so to add some luminosity, I’ll use the L’Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer everywhere else. Once my primer has a chance to sink in, I’m going in with the L’Oreal True Match makeup in N3, and after dotting it all over my face (lightly; you can always add more!), I’m going to begin blending it out with a flat top kabuki, like a Sigma F80, first in stippling motions, then buffing, and then I’ll pounce over everything with a very damp beauty blender to make sure I’m picking up any excess foundation that might make me look cakey.

Now to conceal and highlight, I’m using my absolute HG concealer, the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer in Light Warm, and blending it out with a, you guessed it, damp beauty blender (this thing does it all for me!).
Once my concealer is all blended,  I’m going to use that same damp sponge to pick up my It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Loose powder and bake under the eyes, my chin, my upper lip, and from the center of my forehead, down the bridge of my nose. To set the rest of my foundation, I’ll apply the same powder using an e.l.f. Powder Brush.

After a few minutes, I dust away the excess powder from baking, and grabbing a large angled contour brush from Walgreens (it’s old but it’s amazeballs!) I’m going to apply my Benefit Hoola Bronzer to my forehead, the cheeks, and my jawline and neck, just to bring some color back to my face.
To contour, I’m going to use one of my faves, the NYX HD Blush in Taupe, on a NARS Ita brush, and take that to the hollows of my cheeks, my temples, jawline, and down the sides of my nose.
Still feeling pretty pale, I grabbed my trusty Morphe E4 and my favorite “drugstore” blush, the ULTA Cheek Color in Sunkissed. This even has a little bit of a sheen to it, making it a beautiful color for any occasion, but you know me, I wanna glow to the heavens!
Using Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Highlight in Wisp, which is a beautiful golden shade, I’m going to apply that with my fingers (the best way for this formula, I think!) to the top of my cheekbones, down the center of my nose as well as on the very tip, and my cupids bow.

With my powder and concealer and basically the rest of my face done, it’s time to move onto the lower lash line. Grabbing another (clean) flat definer brush like the Morphe M432, I’m going to pick up some black eyeshadow (I used a Morphe single eyeshadow in the shade Coal), and I’m going to really work that as tight as possible against my lower lash line, and bring it tight into the outer corner to meet that wing. I also want to bring it towards the inner corner (which I rarely do) to get that super squinty, smokey look. Then taking a Morphe M431 (any pencil brush works fine) I’m going to pick up a little more Makeup Geek ‘Frappe’ and use that to smoke out that black shadow. Just run it over the black line that you created on your lower lash line, back and forth; don’t be afraid to really smoke it out – that’s what makes this eye look so dramatic and fun! Then I lined my upper and lower waterline with Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Black, and rather than use falsies (because not everyone is comfortable with them) I really loaded on the Maybelline The Falsies Mascara to both my top and bottom lashes, after priming my lashes with Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer.

And finally, since my eyes are so bold, I really wanted to keep a neutral lip, so I lined and filled in my lips with NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Peekaboo Neutral, and then topped it off with Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Creme Brûlée. After a quick blast of your favorite setting spray, you’re ready to take on Vegas!!

---

I hope you guys enjoyed this makeup look! If you recreate it, be sure to tag me on Twitter or Instagram!

What are some of your favorite products for getting glam?! Leave me a comment and let me know!

Come follow me around social media!
Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram : @dlynnesposito
Facebook : Affordable Gorgeous
Snapchat : dlynnesposito
YouTube : DonnaLynn Esposito

And feel free to reblog this post and share my social media with your friends!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

 

IS IT A DUPE? | MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER vs. MAYBELLINE MASTER CONCEAL

I feel like it’s be a hot minute since I’ve done a dupe post! But boy, oh boy, do I have a great one for you today!

So today, I feel like we’ve got the “mac”-daddy (a little pun intended) of all dupes. We’re duping the cult classic, makeup artist favorite; MAC Pro Longwear Concealer!

With everyone and their mother raving about this concealer, I had to try it for myself – so off to Macy’s I went, looking for the MAC counter.
I was color matched in store (though I think he gave me the wrong undertones) to NW15 and NW20 (back in the winter) and sent home with samples. I’m still working through them, jussayin’.

While I was testing it out over the course of a few days, I noticed that it was super similar to something I already had in my collection – the Maybelline Face Studio Master Conceal!

Could it be? Could the cult fave have a drugstore cousin? Keep reading to find out!

---

MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER ($21 / maccosmetics.com)

While my samples are in a little plastic pot with a screw-off lid (hello, unsanitary!) the full size, which contains 0.30 fl oz of product comes in a glass tube with a pump – while a pump is typically the more desirable in terms of packaging for hygienic reasons, I’ve heard that it can tend to spew out too much product, making it wasteful. And who the hell wants to waste high end makeup?! Not me!

This concealer comes in 16 shades – NC is used to describe skin with warmer undertones, and NW is used to describe skin with cooler undertones, and the number is your ‘level’, if you will. For reference, I’m an NC15 in the winter, and right now (mid-July) I’m about an NC25/30. The associate matched me under fluorescent lights in a Macy’s, and got my undertone wrong (I’m fair with yellow undertones), but it’s alright – fluorescent lights are hardly forgiving.

In terms of formula, this concealer claims to be medium to full coverage, matte, water and transfer resistant coverage for up to 15 hours. Whoa. It’s also made with a built in technology for priming your eyes (one of my fave ways to use it!), but it can be just a little on the heavy, drying side, which is ok for someone with combination or oily skin, but someone with normal to dry skin may find it too drying, as it sets matte rather quickly, and can tend to cling to dryness if you don’t exfoliate and moisturize prior to use.

---

MAYBELLINE FACE STUDIO MASTER CONCEAL ($8.99 / drugstores)

The packaging of these concealers couldn’t be more different – while the MAC one comes in a glass vial with a pump, this one comes in a plastic squeeze tube with a twist off cap, which in all honesty, I prefer. There is far less wasted product, because you can control the amount that comes out. And since you’re essentially using less, the 0.4 fl oz will last you quite some time!

This one only comes in five shades, however they are neutral in tone, and I’ve never had any trouble finding my match – I use ‘Fair’ in the winter, ‘Light’ in the spring and fall, and ‘Light/Medium’ in the summer. They adapt to skin tones incredibly well, which is quite impressive for drugstore concealer, and more specifically Maybelline, which tends to run cooler/pinker in undertone.

The formula of this concealer is incredibly similar to MAC, claiming to be a full coverage, high-resistence concealer with an undetectable finish. I absolutely believe that this is everything it claims to be. The only difference would be that this one takes a bit longer to set, unless you powder it right away, which can make it appear a bit dewy after you’ve blended it out. Personally, I set every concealer with a powder, whether it’s recommended or not, just out of habit – #oilygirlproblems. The upside to this one is that I have no trouble with it clinging to any dry areas on my face, with my problem spot being the creases on either side of my nose.

So, is it a dupe?

---

I absolutely recommend trying the Maybelline concealer if you’re in the market for something full coverage and similar to the cult classic from MAC, but just can’t see yourself “makin’ it rain” for a high end concealer. They’re both great products, and MAC is definitely worth the buy, but if you’re being budget-conscious, then the Maybelline is a perfectly acceptable dupe!

Have you guys tried any of these concealers? Which one is your fave? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Come follow me around social media!
Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram : @dlynnesposito
Facebook : Affordable Gorgeous
Snapchat : dlynnesposito

And feel free to reblog this post and share my social media with your friends!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

JUNE 2016 FAVORITES

 

Hey guys! It’s monthly favorites time again!

I’ve pulled a few items that I can’t seem to live without this month, and I thought I’d share them with you!
Let’s get started!

---

MAC COSMETICS EYESHADOW PRO PALETTE REFILL PAN – NYLON ($6/maccosmetics.com)

I’ve been using this nearly every day (that I apply makeup, anyway) to highlight my brow bone and my inner corners (tear ducts), and I just love it. It’s a very frosty, very pale gold shade that just beams off the skin. I love, love, love this for the spring and summer, when I have more of a tan!

SALON PERFECT PERFECTLY GLAMOROUS FALSE LASHES – #614 ($2.98/Walmart)

These are hands down some of my favorite lashes of all time! I love how long and wispy they are, adding just the right amount of volume and drama to both everyday looks, as well as something a little more glam. They have a super easy, thin and flexible band, which I prefer over a thick band, because I don’t always like to wear eyeliner – with these, you can get them super close to the lash line and barely notice them. And they’re so lightweight, it literally feels like nothing on your eyes!

ALMAY COLOR + CARE LIQUID LIP BALM – ROSY LIPPED ($5.99/ULTA)
NYX SLIM LIP PENCIL – PEEK-A-BOO NATURAL ($3.49/ULTA)

This has been my fave pinky/nude lip combo lately. The liner is basically MLBB (my lips but better), but I like to overdraw them just a bit, and then top it off with this semi-glossy liquid lip balm, which again, is basically my lip color with just a little bit of sheen to it. Super pretty, and super easy! Plus, since lip pencils alone can be a little bit drying, the balm gives enough moisture to make it a comfortable, long lasting combo without breaking down the lip pencil, giving you the dreaded ‘butt-hole lips’.

HOURGLASS VEIL MINERAL PRIMER ($52/Sephora)

I just did a whole review on this primer, so I won’t repeat myself – but seriously, if you’re anywhere from normal to oily-skinned, and want something that keeps your makeup in place, keeps you matte, fills in pores, fine lines, little wrinkles, helps to neutralize redness, and more, go check this stuff out! (Clicking the link will bring you to my review, so click away!)

L’OREAL BROW STYLIST PLUMPER BROW GEL MASCARA – MEDIUM TO DARK ($9.99/ULTA)

A few weeks ago, I noticed that my cleanser (which contains Benzoyl Peroxide) had begun bleaching my eyebrows; fabulous. So rather than reaching for my usual pencil or powder, I remembered I had this product stashed in my brow drawer. On minimal or no-makeup days, I just swipe it over my brows and go; it’s a very neutral dark shade that contains little fibers that stick to my brow hairs, thickening them, and covering up the weird yellow shade they’ve become. For a more sculpted brow, I’ve been outlining them with pencil, filling in the bare spots, and then applying this over the top. Perfect brows, every time.

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS CONTOUR REFILL – SAND ($14/anastasiabeverlyhills.com) 

Let’s face it, all the hype surrounding the original contour kit centered around the ‘Banana’ shade – it’s famous, and for good reason. But an often underrated shade in the kit, is that slightly shimmery one at the top right; Sand.
Clearly, it’s not secret that when I highlight, I like to beam rays of shine off satellites, but on days where I just want something a little more subtle (yes, I can do subtle, believe it or not!), I reach for this. It’s got just enough sheen to it to make you look healthy and dewy, without settling into the pores and fine lines on my face. If I really want to amp it up, but still not be ‘over the top’, I mist my face with setting spray, and immediately apply this while my skin is still a little damp. Perfect glow, every time.

---

What are some of your favorites this month? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Come follow me around social media!
Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram : @dlynnesposito
Facebook : Affordable Gorgeous
Snapchat : dlynnesposito

And feel free to reblog this post and share my social media with your friends! Your support means so much!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

MY SUMMER FOUNDATION CHART

Summer is officially here, and while I don’t wear a ton of full coverage during this time of year, it’s nice to be armed with the right shades in the event of a special occasion. In the winter months, I’m the palest of the pale (the lightest shade in any foundation are almost too dark for me!) but in the summer when I’ve spent some time in the sun, it helps to have a few darker formulas on hand – so once again, with the help of findation.com, I’ve listed the formulas and shades that work best for me in the summertime. Check them out to find your perfect matches!

---

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation / 103 Natural Buff

L’oreal True Blend Super Blendable Liquid Makeup / W3 Nude Beige

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation / 125 Nude Beige (concealer in ‘Light’)

MAC Pro Longwear / NC25

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation / 3.0 (concealer in ‘Light Neutral’)

Makeup Forever HD Foundation / 120 Soft Sand

Revlon Colorstay Makeup / Sand Beige

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation / 53 Beige Clair

MAC Face and Body / C2

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream / Light

---

What are some of your go-to foundations for summertime? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Come follow me around social media!
Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram : @dlynnesposito
Facebook : Affordable Gorgeous
Snapchat : dlynnesposito

LOTS OF LOVE!!

MOTD 6.23.16| DATE NIGHT MAKEUP

FACE 

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (as a primer and setting spray)
Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer
L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte 24HR Foundation (103 Natural Buff)
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer (Light Neutral)
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Micro Powder
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Makeup Geek Blush (Spellbound)
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector (Champagne Pop)

EYES & BROWS

Makeup Geek Eyeshadows:
Peach Smoothie (transition/upper crease)
Cupcake (lower crease)
Shimma Shimma (lid)
MAC Eyeshadows:
Swiss Chocolate (lower crease, blend out lower lash line)
Embark (outer V, lower lash line)
Nylon (inner corner and brow highlight)
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara
ULTA Brow Tint (Medium)

LIPS

NYX Slim Lip Pencil (Mauve)
Essence Long Lasting Lipstick (Barely There)

EASIEST NEUTRAL SMOKY EYE & WINGED LINER TUTORIAL

Hey guys!

This is a totally impromptu, unplanned tutorial, but this morning I woke up really wanting to do a full face of makeup, and I knew I wanted a smoky eye and winged liner. By the time I was done, I really loved the way it came out, so I figured I would share with you how I achieved the look! It was super easy to do, and there’s no false lashes involved (unless you want to, of course! Do you, boo!).

If you want to see how I got this look, keep on reading!

---

Starting with MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20, I’m using this to prime my lids for shadow. It evens out any discoloration on the lids, and creates a tacky surface for your shadows to stick to, and it won’t crease. I applied this all the way from lash line to brow bone before going in with my first shadow.

Next, I used a Morphe M330 to pick up a little bit of ‘Cupcake‘ by Makeup Geek, which is a gorgeous dusty rose shade, and worked that into the crease. Just keep buffing it until there are no harsh lines, and feel free to build it to your desired intensity.

Now, with the same brush I picked up ‘Creme Brûlée‘, also by Makeup Geek, because I wanted to bring back some warmth, and working with pinks alone can be tricky; if you’re not careful, you can end up looking like you have pink eye. I applied this shade right over ‘Cupcake’ using the same buffing motion.

Grabbing a smaller pencil brush like a Morphe M169, I picked up a little bit of MAC ‘Swiss Chocolate‘ and worked that into the outer V of the eye, and dragged it a little bit through the crease for some dimension. If you find that it’s not blending enough, you can buff it out with your fluffier brush like I did.

Taking my Morphe M160 1/8 Angled Liner Brush, and my Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner in ‘Blackest Black’, I created a semi-thin line across the upper lash line, and then a rather dramatic wing (at least for me). If you’re someone who struggles with their winged liner, check out my tutorial by clicking here! Once my wings were even, I applied a couple coats of Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara in ‘Blackest Black’ to my top lashes, and filled in my brows (click here for my brow routine).

Once I have my face makeup in place (you know, foundation, concealer, powder, etc.), I’m going to pick up some more of the ‘Swiss Chocolate’ by MAC on a Morphe M432 (any flat definer brush will work just fine), and press that into my lower lash line from outer corner to inner corner, and then buff it out with ‘Creme Brûlée’ by Makeup Geek on my pencil brush. Then I applied mascara to my bottom lashes, and popped some BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in ‘Opal’ under my brows and on the inner corner of my eyes with a Morphe E36.

---

And that’s it! If you want to see everything I used on the rest of my face, click here to jump to my MOTD post linked to this one!

Come follow me around social media!
Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram : @dlynnesposito
Facebook : Affordable Gorgeous
Snapchat : dlynnesposito

And feel free to reblog this post and share my social media with your friends! Your support means so much!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

EASY & NATURAL EVERYDAY MAKEUP LOOK

My ‘everyday makeup routine’ changes frequently, but this look and these products seem to be the ones I gravitate towards the most. It’s like my fall-back, my safe place; you know what I mean. We all have that go-to look that we can do in five minutes before dashing out the door.
This is my “get ready quick” routine! If you want to know how I do it, keep on reading!

---

Lately I’ve been skipping over the foundation, and reaching for my Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer in Light Warm, and applying it in all the places that I would typically highlight; under the eyes, the forehead, the nose (center and sides), cupids bow, chin, and any blemishes, and then blending it out with a damp Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. This concealer does set rather quickly, so I recommend a damp sponge or the beautyblender, and working quickly.

Next, with my Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit in Fair, I use the lightest contour shade, Mink, and apply that first with my fingers right below the cheekbones, and along the temples up to my forehead, before blending it out with a Real Techniques Sculpting Brush. Once all of my cream products are in place, I use Lyric (the banana shade) from the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette to set any concealer on a Morphe M438 brush, and Makeup Geek Contour Powder in Break Up to set the contour areas with an e.l.f. Studio Angled Blush Brush, using whatever is leftover on the brush and lightly running it down the sides of my nose.  With a Real Techniques Blush Brush, I applied a little bit of ULTA Cheek Color in the shade Girlie (no longer available), a very soft, cool toned pink.

For the eyes, I picked up that same Makeup Geek Contour Powder in Break Up on a Morphe MB23 brush (a great dupe of the Sigma E40, by the way), and dusted that into the crease, just to bring back a little dimension, popped a little MAC Nylon into the inner corners with a Morphe E36, and apply a couple coats of Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara in Blackest Black. Then I filled in my brows with NYX Micro Brow in Ash Brown, and set them with Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel.

Finally, I lined and filled in my lips with NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Peek-a-boo Natural, and slightly over-lined them. I chose to leave them alone after that, though you could always apply a neutral or nude lip over the top if you want to.

---

So here’s the completed look! Something that’s quick, easy, and totally appropriate for work, school, whatever you’d like!
What are your go-to everyday makeup items! Leave me a comment and let me know!

Come follow me around social media!
Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram : @dlynnesposito
Facebook : Affordable Gorgeous
Snapchat : dlynnesposito

And feel free to reblog this post and share my social media with your friends! Your support means so much!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

CORAL & PURPLE EYE MAKEUP TUTORIAL

 It’s finally getting warmer! Well, kind of. I mean, it is New England, so there’s always a chance of snow.

But with the warmer weather on the horizon, I’m finally feeling inspired to do spring makeup looks! And I told you guys awhile back that I was looking to step out of my comfort zone and incorporate some color, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do today!

If you want to see how I created this look, then just keep reading!

---

 

Because I’m working with such bright colors and such heavily pigmented shadows, I’m starting with the eyes. First I primed them with some MAC Pro Longwear Concealer ($21) in NW15, and then using a Morphe M209 ($2.99), I’m going to set the entire lid with Makeup Geek Beaches & Cream ($6), which is basically the same color as my skin. Not only with it set the concealer/primer, but it will ensure that the brighter shadows I put on top blend much easier.

Taking a Morphe M504 ($6.99), which is a large, pointed blending brush, I’m going to apply some Makeup Geek Mango Tango ($6), which is a bright, matte, coral shade, and buff it into the crease. Back and forth, in windshield wiper motions, focusing most of the pigment on the outer corner, and then working it inward as the product starts to leave the brush.

 

 

Next, with a Morphe M330 ($5.99), which is a smaller tapered blending brush, I’m going to apply some Makeup Geek Wisteria ($6) primarily into the outer corner of the crease at first, and then again, bringing it inward as there’s less product on the brush. Keep it low in the crease, so you keep that gradient, transitional effect between the colors. If you find that your lines are too harsh, just buff over the colors with a clean blending brush until they disappear.

 

Now, I’m going to deepen up the outer ‘V’ using a Morphe Single Eyeshadow in Aphrodite ($2.29). First, I applied it with a Morphe M169 ($2.29) (any pencil brush will do just fine), and then blended the lines and buffed it inward a bit with the M330 that I applied Wisteria with.

 

 

Next, using the Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadow in Daydreamer ($10), I’m going to pat it on the lid with my finger. I find that these apply best that way, and that I get more color payoff than with any brush in my collection. I apply that from the inner corner outward, about two thirds of my lid.

 

 

Using another Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadow, In The Spotlight ($10), I again applied it by patting it on with my finger, but this time keeping it to the inner third of my lid. The brighter shade on the inner corner works to brighten the eyes and make them look larger, much like highlighting the inner corners; its the inner corner highlight on steroids, if you will.

 

 

Now it’s time to slay that winged liner! Using my go-to eyeliner brush, the Morphe M160 1/8 ($2.99), and my Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner in Blackest Black ($9.99), I’m going to create a nice, sharp wing, and keep the line a little on the thin side. I don’t want dramatic liner with this look (although you can if you want to!) because I really want to let the shadows steal the show! If you need a little help with your winged liner, click here for my winged liner tutorial!

 

I decided to skip falsies today *gasp* and instead, applied some Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer ($22) to my lashes before applying two coats of Maybelline The Falsies Mascara in Blackest Black ($6.99). Then, using a Morphe E36 brush, I applied some Makeup Geek Shimma Shimma ($6) and MAC Nylon ($6) to the inner corner and brow bone for a nice, soft highlight.

 

For the bottom lash line, I applied some Makeup Geek Wisteria to the outer half, and Mango Tango to the inner half, both with a Morphe M432 Flat Definer brush ($3.99), and then just blended them together with a M169.

 

 

---

And thats it! I know it seems like a lot of work, and you may even be looking at these colors thinking “there’s no way I can pull that off” but trust me, you can!! After all, it’s just makeup, and if you don’t like it, it wipes right off!!

I was never someone who wore anything besides neutrals; browns, beiges, etc. And they were all matte. But I’m really enjoying playing around with color!

Do you guys tend to gravitate towards more neutral looks, or more colorful looks? What are your favorite color combos? Leave me a comment and let me know! I love to hear from you!

Come follow me around on social media!
Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram : @dlynnesposito
Facebook : Affordable Gorgeous
Snapchat : dlynnesposito

And feel free to reblog this post and share my social media with your friends! Your support means so much!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

ST. PATTY’S DAY MAKEUP TUTORIAL #2

Hey guys!

So while, I have another St. Patty’s Day makeup tutorial coming your way, I thought to myself “why not share the slightly different look that I wore to the parade yesterday?!”

Yesterday, my husband, my son, and myself went to the annual St. Patricks Day parade in New Haven (Connecticut) and had a great time! But the couple days leading up to the parade, I knew I wasn’t the type of person to wear the funny hats, and dress in head-to-toe green; but I knew I would try to create a killer green smokey eye!
Hey, some people dress their body, I dress my face – it is what it is!

In any event, I was actually really impressed with how the look turned out (despite being crazy rushed in the morning – I’m a mom before all else, and well, baby needs to be ready first!) and I wanted to share with you how I achieved my parade-ready look!
SIDE NOTE * It was quite warm out for March, with a touch of humidity, and my makeup did…not…budge!*

If you want to see how I created this look, then just keep reading!

---

 Working with more pigmented, shimmery shadows than usual, I knew I wanted to do my eyes first. So I started by priming my eyes using the Urban Decay Primer Potion (still working off my little Sephora VIB sample), and then went over my lids and slightly into my crease with my NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in ‘Milk’, and blended that out with my finger.

 

 First, I wanted a warm transition shade, so I mixed ‘Beaches and Cream‘ and ‘Peach Smoothie‘, both by Makeup Geek, and dusted that back and forth sloppily into my crease using a Morphe M441 brush.

 

 They shadows I’m using are samples of Urban Decay singles, I believe, that I received with an ULTA order sometime last year, and never really got around to playing with. So, I started with the shade ‘Mildew‘, which is a shimmery, mossy green shade with the slightest gold reflect. I tried using a Morphe M167 dampened with some MUFE Mist & Fix, but because they’re carded samples, I was having trouble picking up enough pigment, so I ended up packing it on with my finger, from the inner corner, to about halfway across my lid.

Next, I used my Morphe M433 brush to pick up some of the shade ‘YDK‘, which is a shimmery, golden/champagne-y/brown shade, and dusted that lightly over my crease where I laid down my transition shade, and running it just over the edge of the green shadow to soften the line. Then, using a Morphe M169 brush, I carefully started working in the shade ‘Blackout‘ into the outer V, and blending it out with a tapered Morphe M330 brush. You can build on that black color as much or as little as you want – I didn’t want it too dark, but I didn’t want it too light, either. Once I had almost no product left on my brush, I started to very, very lightly drag it over the green in the crease, keeping it very low – #hoodedeyeproblems.

Maybelline EyeStudio Gel Liner in Blackest Black

Taking a baby wipe (I ran out of makeup remover wipes), I removed any fallout from under my eyes (and fair warning, there’s gonna be A LOT!) and also sharpen up the edges of the shadow, and then apply some winged liner using my Maybelline EyeStudio Gel Liner in ‘Blackest Black’ (yes, I finally replaced it!) and a Morphe M160 1/8 brush. Click here for my winged liner tutorial!

 

 Next I applied my foundation. I mixed Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily/Combo skin in the shade ‘Nude’ with a pump of the L’Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer on the back of  my hand, and applied it with a Sigma F80 brush spritzed with MUFE Mist & Fix.

 

 For concealer, I’ve been trying out a sample of the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW15, which I applied with my ring finger in a V shape, and blended out with a damp Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Then, using ‘Lyric’ from the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette, I set the concealer under my eyes, and in the center of my face (forehead, nose, chin, etc) with a Morphe M438 brush.

 

 Back to the eyes – taking a Morphe M432 flat definer brush, I picked up a little bit of ‘Blackout’ and worked that really tightly up against my bottom lashes, matching it up to my winged liner and stopping about halfway. Then, using that M169 pencil brush again, I smoked it out using ‘Mildew’, all along the lower lash line. Finally, I just applied some Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara in ‘Black’ to my top and bottom lashes, and popped on some Kiss Blooming Lashes in the style ‘Tulip’.

I filled in my brows using the NYX Micro Brow Pencil in ‘Ash Brown’, and set them in place with my Anastasia of Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel.

 

 I used Physician’s Formula Argan Wear Bronzer and a Morphe M527 brush to warm up the skin, and then applied a light contour to my cheekbones, forehead, nose, and jawline using Makeup Geek Contour Powder in ‘Breakup’ and a NARS ITA brush. For blush, I wanted to keep it kind of low key, so as not to compete with the eyes and make myself look too overdone, so I chose Milani Baked Blush in ‘Luminoso’ on an angled blush brush (mine is from Walgreens) and used my Morphe M501 to apply BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in ‘Opal’ to my cheekbones, cupids bow, and the tip of my nose.

 

 Finally, for the lips, I chose Almay Smart Shade Butter Kiss Lipstick in ‘Nude Light/Medium’, and gave myself a bath in MUFE Mist & Fix. And voila! All done!

---

 And there you have it! My completed St. Patty’s Day parade look!
Sure, I could have just slapped on some green eyeshadow and walked out the door, but what kind of fun would that have been?! This look would be great if you’re headed out with your friends to a local pub (if you’re old enough!) or if you just feel like being a little extra festive that day!

Most importantly, have fun with it – make it your own! Makeup is supposed to be fun!! And if you recreate this look, tag me on Instagram (@dlynnesposito) so I can see it, too!

Come follow me around social media!
Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram : @dlynnesposito
Facebook : Affordable Gorgeous
Snapchat : dlynnesposito

And feel free to reblog this post and share my social media with your friends! Your support means so much!

LOTS OF LOVE!!