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Makeup Monday: Rosanna Answers Reader Questions

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Rosanna Leave a comment

Every now and then we’ll get a question from a BeeyoutifulSkin makeup user about how to better use our products. While we love to answer these questions directly via email, we thought that several of you might have the same questions, so every now and then we’ll compile your questions and do a Q&A post… and a video, because I think visual examples are super helpful, wouldn’t you agree?

So without further ado, let’s jump right in and answer some questions!

Q: I’m looking for a safe, preservative-free, lead-free lipstick. You carry Lip Shimmers, which I love for everyday use, but they are lighter than what I’d like for special occasions.
- A: We are currently working on formulating richly-pigmented lipsticks! But in the meantime, did you know that you can use any of our blushes or pink eyeshadows as lipsticks? Just apply some BALM, then using a small, flat brush (like our Small All-Over Brush) dab a bit of your desired color (try Matte Pink for a soft, neutral pink) onto your lips, and mix it with the balm to create a lipstick-like color right on your lips. You can vary the intensity of the color easily by adding more or less powder as desired. You can even combine colors to get your own custom shade!
Q: How do I get better coverage with the foundation as a concealer for covering blemishes and dark spots?
- A: The most effective approach to covering a specific spot on otherwise clear skin is to 1) layer the product, and 2) use several techniques. First, on freshly cleansed & moisturized skin, apply an extra dab of moisturizer on the area where you need heavier coverage. Then, using a small brush (our Small All-Over Brush is perfect!), grab up some dry foundation and stamp it directly on the spot. Now apply your foundation as you normally would, using either our Dry Buff, Airbrushed, or Liquid Foundation techniques. If you find that you still need additional coverage (or as a touch-up throughout the day), dab a bit more dry foundation directly on the spot. I find that layering like this gives not only heaver coverage, but also increases the staying power of the foundation.

Q: How can I get my makeup to last longer in heat/humidity?
- A: Heat and humidity are the enemy of beauty queens the world over! It’s currently in the 100º+ temps where I live, so I feel your pain! When it’s super hot like this, I tend toward as little makeup as possible (check out our No-Makeup Makeup Look tutorial!) both for comfort and so I don’t end up with eyeliner on my cheeks, for example. That said, to help your makeup “beat the heat”, it really helps to apply it on freshly cleansed skin, and if you don’t have dry skin, it might also help to forgo your moisturizer altogether. I primarily use the Dry Buff Method to apply my foundation in the summer, as the dry minerals naturally absorb the oils in the skin, creating a bond that will help it last longer than it would if applied with moisture.

Q: If I cannot find a good match for my makeup; can I just mix two colors?
- I think mixing two makeup colors is a great idea to get your perfect, custom match! I do this frequently at the changing of the seasons; in the spring and early summer I add a bit of my “summer color” to my “winter color” as my skin deepens with sun exposure, and I do the reverse in the Fall as my skin lightens back to my lighter winter color. If, after trying our foundation samples, you find that you fall in between colors, you may choose to purchase one of each and mix up a batch of your own custom color that will last you a while so you don’t have to mix it up every time you want to wear it. Another idea is to use just a bit of your bronzer to deepen your foundation, or, if you have *very* fair skin, you could add a bit of our Matte White Base to lighten your foundation and get a more exact match for your skin tone.
Q: How often should I clean my makeup brushes? With what?
- A: I always wipe my brushes off on a clean cloth between colors, or when I’m done applying makeup for the day. To deep clean, I wash my brushes every week or so using a mild, clear shampoo. Fill a cup with warm water and a pea-sized amount of shampoo, put your brushes in head-down and swirl around. Let soak for 30 minutes or so. Then take each one out and swirl around in your hand individually with warm water and a dab more shampoo. Rinse with *bristles pointing down* until the water runs clear. Squeeze gently and lay on a towel to dry overnight. Ta-da… clean brushes!

What’s your question about using BeeyoutifulSkin makeup? Add it to the comments here, send to rosanna@beeyoutiful.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram… we’ll always answer your question personally, and maybe even feature it in an upcoming post too!

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Makeup Monday: The “No-Makeup” Makeup Look

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Rosanna 2 comments

The No-Makeup Makeup Look from BeeyoutifulSkin.com

I confess: I am a makeup junkie. I love going all out and doing a fab smoky eye, or a bright lip, or a glam metallic look… but there are some (many!) days when I was up half the night, am on my third cup of coffee, and time’s ticking.

There’s nothing “important,” per se, on the schedule, I really just need to look not tired, knowhatimean? Or maybe I’m going to the gym and don’t need much, just a little perk. Then there are the times when I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard, like say… volunteering for Neighborhood Clean-Up Day or taking the kids to the park.

Enter the “no makeup” makeup look.

It’s pretty minimalistic; just covering the dark circles, lending a glow to your skin, and barely enhancing your flirty bits (eyes + lips).

Start by cleansing and moisturizing your face (always!). Then dash on some foundation with our large kabuki brush; it covers a lot of ground at once, so you can do your whole face in about 30 seconds. Then I always dab on my foundation a little more under my eyes with the Flat Brush to get heavier coverage where it’s needed. Goodbye, dark circles!

Next, take black eyeliner (or brown, if you’re blonde) and, using an angled eyeliner brush, “tightline” your upper lids. This means you pull up on your upper eyelid a bit and put the color right on that bit of lid that rims your eyeball (called the waterline). It’s odd at first, and kinda tickles. But once you get used to it, it’s really no big deal.

I leave the lower waterline bare, but the color usually transfers a bit anyway, which I don’t mind. I prefer tightlining for this look rather than a traditional eyeliner application (on the lid above the lash line) because it doesn’t LOOK like you have eyeliner on, but it still adds fullness to your lash line. It’s like magic, really.

Then using Champagne Pearl eyeshadow and our Large All-Over Eyeshadow Brush, stamp a bit of shadow all over your lids, brow to lashes. It gives just the right amount of brightness and shimmer without looking either chalky-flat or overly sparkly. Pay attention to the inner corners of your eyes (near the bridge of your nose) because it tends to get dark when you’re burning the midnight oil. (Pro tip: stamp, don’t sweep your shadow on; it will go on more opaque and last longer.)

If you like, use the Angled Eyeliner brush and your liner of choice to do double-duty on your brows. (Most of us need to fill our brows. At least a little.)

Now sweep some blush right on the apples of your cheeks. Smile… the part that chubs up a bit? That’s the apple. I’m currently crushing on our Pinky Pink blush; I love the bright sheer wash of color for springtime.

Curl your lashes. I like to warm my curler a bit by running it under hot water right before I use it. Longer lasting curl that way! Then layer on your mascara. (Note: We currently do not carry a mascara because we are still working on the perfect formulation that both performs well AND meets our stringent purity guidelines.)

A dash of our lightly-colored L ip Shimmer finishes things off! Kiss Of Ruby is perfect for my coloring.

That’s it, you guys. This whole process takes me maybe 3 minutes? Seriously, less time than it took you to read this step-by-step guide. And then I feel awake and ready to tackle my day. After one more cup of coffee, that is…!

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Makeup Monday: 3 Mineral Foundation Application Techniques, Plus Concealer Tips

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Rosanna 4 comments

BeeyoutifulSkin.com mineral foundation application techniques

Now that you’ve discovered a foundation shade to match your skin tone, let’s talk about actually wearing your new makeup. Did you know that there are several ways to apply BeeyoutifulSkin’s mineral foundation? Most people who have used mineral makeup before are familiar with the classic dry buff method, but there are a couple of other techniques that will give you different results. Try them all out to find out which one works best for you!

Dry Buff Method

This is the classic approach to applying mineral foundation, and for good reason: it’s quick and simple, easy to master, and you can customize the amount of coverage you get by varying your brush pressure and amount of product used, giving a soft, glowing finish to your skin.

To begin, cleanse and moisturize your skin as usual. (This step is important to do before applying makeup; it eliminates excess oils and “daily dust”, and preps your skin to be the best canvas for makeup to adhere to.) Tap out a bit of foundation into the lid, and swirl your foundation brush around, being sure to get the makeup worked up into the bristles. Tap off any excess foundation back into the lid.

Then, using medium pressure and circular strokes, buff the foundation into your skin. I like to start at the forehead and work my way down, finishing by blending the jawline into the neck. The key here is the circular motion and consistent pressure. This will give you actual coverage, as opposed to just dusting it on like you would a traditional setting powder. Finish your foundation with a spritz of our Laveshmint Hydrating Toner, if you like.

“Air-brush” Method

This technique will give you an even, smooth finish with full coverage, requires a bit more buffing than the dry method, but the super soft, “perfect” look is well worth it. This is currently my favorite way to apply my foundation.

Again, start with a freshly cleansed and moisturized face, then mist our Laveshmint Hydrating Toner on your skin. Tap out a bit of foundation into your lid, then mist your foundation brush with the toner as well before swirling it in the makeup. What you’re going for here is not a sopping wet brush, but a fine mist that will mix with the foundation on the brush, coating the bristles lightly.

Working quickly, buff the moist foundation into your skin, being sure to buff until dry, paying close attention to blending well at the hairline and jawline. I like to add a final dash of Laveshmint Hydrating Toner once I’m done; it acts as a setting mist, and also moisturizes your skin right through the makeup. (Pro tip: carry it in your handbag in the summer to spritz on your face and neck! The cool of the peppermint oil will refresh you and keep your skin moist in dry, hot weather.)

Liquid Method

I recommend this application if you have dry skin (like me!) or simply prefer the familiarity of liquid foundation. You have complete control over how much coverage you achieve, from tinted moisturizer (lightest) to thick, rich cream (fullest) because you are mixing it yourself. If you struggle with dryness, sometimes mineral makeup can enhance that tight feeling, and leave you less-than-glowing… but by using the liquid method you moisturize and cover at the same time.

To start, cleanse and moisturize your face (yep, I’m going to say that every time; it’s that important). Then in your foundation lid, or on a saucer if you prefer, mix a dollop of your favorite moisturizer (I love our Laveshmint Moisturizer!) with just a sprinkle of foundation powder. Experiment with ratios to come up with the coverage that’s just right for you.

To apply, you can either use your fingers, a makeup sponge, or for the best coverage and professional finish, I like to use our flat brush. Be sure to blend well, especially around the hair and jaw lines; this technique is the least forgiving if you don’t blend, blend, blend! You might like to dust on a light, dry coat of foundation if you want a matte finish, or if you’re going for a more dewy look, go without. Again, you can spritz on some of our Laveshmint Toner for staying power and extra hydration.

Concealer

Lastly, let’s talk about concealer. You’ll notice we don’t offer a separate product to cover blemishes and dark circles… why is that, you ask? Well, unlike most mineral makeup, our foundation is made without fillers, thus it’s a very concentrated product, already at (or above!) the pigment levels of most mineral concealers. Truly, a little goes a long way when used as a foundation.

Our foundation powder will also perform well as a concealer with the right brush, using any of the above methods. You can use our Large Flat Brush to conceal dark under-eye circles, the Pointed Sculptor Brush works particularly well with the dry buff method and the airbrush method, or try the Large All-Over Brush with the liquid or dry buff methods. Be sure to blend the concealer-covered areas seamlessly with the rest of your foundation for even, flawless, glowing skin.

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Makeup Monday: Matchy-Matchy (How to Find Your Perfect Mineral Makeup Foundation Shade)

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Rosanna 2 comments

Hello, and happy Monday!

I thought I’d start at the very beginning (…a very good place to start, so says Maria Von Trapp), and here in makeup-land that means color-matching your foundation to your skin. If you think about it, it’s called “foundation”, indicating that it’s what all your other makeup is built upon. If you have a weak foundation, all the rest of your makeup will look “off”. If your foundation is perfectly matched and expertly applied, your skin is a flawless, glowing canvas, allowing the rest of your makeup to really shine.

(Also, I love matching things… I’m a hopelessly matchy-matchy person. You know those people who can pull off pattern mixing like it’s no big thing? Yeah, I’m not one of those. I was the little girl who squealed with delight when her turquoise highbrow matched the turquoise part of the flowers on her shirt, which matched her turquoise shoelaces. I’m not even kidding. So matching is kind of a big deal to me. Anyway, back to makeup.)

The first thing you need to do is determine your skin’s undertone, which will either be warm or cool. If you follow us on Facebook, you will have seen that I posted an easy little step-by-step guide to help you figure out your undertone. (If you don’t follow us on Facebook, what are you waiting for? DO IT NOW!)

Once you have decoded your skin’s secret undertone (maybe a tad dramatic, but it can act like a code: if you get it wrong, everything else will be wrong too), you are all set to begin the color-matching process. We have handy color-matching kits that include several samples of foundation in various shades and undertones.

Pop over there and check them out… they’re grouped by shade (light, medium, or dark) and each contains both cool and warm-toned foundations. The great thing about these kits is that they come with a travel-sized kabuki brush (so cute!) and a coupon code for TEN DOLLARS OFF your foundation purchase. So even though you’re paying for the sample kit, you’re getting $17 worth of freebies and discounts. Totally worth it!

Now that you have your undertone figured out and your sample kit in hand, let’s dive right into the matching process, shall we? I’ll show you exactly how to do it in a step-by-step video!

First, wash and moisturize your face, and wait about 10-15 minutes for your skin to dry and return to its most normal state (scrubbing can stimulate blood flow, temporarily skewing your coloring). Then, find an area with a lot of indirect natural light; this will give you the truest color.

Next, hold up each baggie to your jawline and set aside the ones that are obvious “no’s”. Once you’ve narrowed it down to about three “maybes”, it’s time to start matching!

Pour out a pea-sized amount onto a plate and swirl your brush around in it, being sure to coat the brush really well- don’t just leave the foundation sitting on top of the bristles. Buff it into a quarter-sized area on your jawline. Now wipe your brush off on a dry paper towel and repeat with your other “maybe” colors, putting each one next to the other so you can compare. What you’re looking for is the makeup that disappears into your skin without an obvious line where it the makeup ends. Once you’ve found The One (cue the Hallelujah Chorus), mark the baggie so you remember it (!!) , and get thee over to the store and order that bad boy straight away! (Don’t forget to use the coupon that came with your sample kit!)

And now for the fun part: we’re giving away one foundation matching kit to one lucky reader! To enter, visit us on Facebook and follow the Giveaway instructions!

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Next week’s Makeup Monday post will be about mineral foundation application techniques. You should have your foundation by then so you can follow along; I’ll show you three different types of applying your brand spankin’ new foundation to get the look that’s best for you.

See you next week!

~Rosanna