BB Creams, Satin Finish, Matte, Who Cares?: Deciphering Between Foundation Finishes

     It's summer time, and everyone is telling you the best way to go is a lighter coverage foundation, such a BB Cream, to avoid having you face melted off by the end of the day. Because that doesn't look good on anyone. Heck, what's a BB Cream? Whose to say it's any different from a liquid foundation? Matte foundation? What are you talking about? I am here to put those questions to rest.

     To start, a BB Creams, is the second lightest coverage you can go for next to a tinted moisturizer, which honestly doesn't do much difference. BB Creams will even out you skin tone while letting your natural color shine through, without it looking like you've caked on five pounds of makeup. If you're not looking to cover up a huge breakout of acne, this is the one for you. They also usually come equipped with their own defense against UV/UB rays (SPF). It is also the best when Earth has turned up it's thermostat, and outside feels like the inside of an oven.

     After BB Creams it's on to liquid foundations. Liquid foundations come in many different finishes and offer several levels of coverage from medium to full coverage. The finish of a liquid foundation refers to the amount of, hmmm how should I say this, glow the foundation has.

     Satin finish offers the best "glow" of all foundations. It gives your skin the appearance of a healthy, natural glow and shine.
     This is the best one go for if you are looking for a medium coverage, and have dry to combination skin texture. You do NOT want this if you have oily skin as it will only add to the excess shine that will accumulate on your face throughout the day.

      Matte finish, is just the opposite, the lack of a glow. Matte finishes, even out your skin's texture, gives you a nice level of coverage, but has to shine. All you will see with this foundation is a nice even canvas.
     This is the best one for you if you are one with combination to oily skin texture. This way you have some control over the shine that natural oils your face produces, and there is not too much shine on your face when you are prepping for your close-up.
   
     Still it is always, always, always a good idea to carry a little package of blotting papers in your purse to clear up that T-zone throughout the day to clean up, and to help prevent future breakouts.

     With all these different kinds of foundations on the market it is easy to get lost and confused amongst all of them when shopping for the best match. Don't be afraid! Practice, practice, practice always makes better, and you will soon find you are the master of your canvas.

     By the way, almost, almost, almost nearly finished with my makeup course! Oh so close to printing off my certificate!!

Loves,
   Jessica Ashley


   

Splash! Blues and Greens, and Mermaids!

     I finally did it! I completed my Mermaid Eyes tutorial, and it is now readily available for you to view on my channel on YouTube.

     This is what happens when you go to the beach, you get inspired by all the beautiful things you see! Including the colors, which I of course have to find a way to transfer onto my face in almost, if not completely, the same way. So, what do I do? I take a color that brings make the memories of the wonderful days at the beach, and I play with it. Just see where it goes from there.
     Well, I started with green, which is in the same boat as blue, and that just left me feeling like a mermaid!


So enjoy! Be brave, be free, and have FUN!

Loves,
    Jessica Ashley

Beach Beauty Done Right

     Before I forget to bring it to y'all's attention, I'm going to California next week!! Whoo-hoo!!! That's right, me plus beach plus sunshine equals happy me. :)

     As I will be at the beach enjoying the waves, this requires a few adjustments to my regular daily beauty routine. Wearing the same amount of foundation, eyeshadow, and my favorite mascara at the beach is really a recipe for disaster. If I were to do so, by the end of the day this would result in my foundation melted off my face, my eyeshadow horribly creased and wrinkled, and my mascara crying black rivers down my cheeks. Making it look as if I'd just had the worst day of my life. Not a good way to end the day, is it?

     So, that being said, how do I fix this dilemma. Firstly, I'll be needing to decrease the number of products I slap on my face, and/or lighten things up a bit (or a LOT). How do you do that? Well, what does a classy lady need when she is at the beach?:

1. Sun protection (SPF)
2. Moisturizing lip balm
3. Waterproof EVERYTHING

Ok, and maybe a few other essentials like her bathing suit, a cute beach towel, lovely sunhat, sunglasses, etc. You know...

     Alright, so sun protection. When it comes to makeup, what you'll be looking for is anything that says "SPF" on it. You're also trying to keep things light, so switch from a medium to full coverage foundation, to a tinted moisturizer or BB cream with SPF. Your goal with be at least SPF 30, but it's possible the best you'll find is SPF 15. As long as you see SPF, you are good to go.

     Next up is a moisturizing lip balm which also comes with SPF. Trust me, you want SPF in this, sunburnt lips are the WORST! Make sure you do it right though, don't make your lips worse, even if it's unintentional. If you need any tips, check out Chapped and Cheated No More. You can especially have fun with this one, look for a fun color pink or peach tinted lip balm. Sport those lips, make them look pretty while at the same time giving them some TLC. :)

     With your last item, waterproof is a MUST. Find a black or brown mascara, and swipe on a couple coats. This way, you'll add life to your lashes, but you won't look like a raccoon after a nice cool dip in the water.

   

     Don't worry about curling your lashes, or concealer. A day at the beach is about relaxing, and giving yourself a break. You don't need to be trying too hard to impress anybody, let the real you come out! :)

   
If you're worried about that pop of color to your cheeks, the sun will do that for you. You'll be having so much fun, that flush with be there in no time. :)

See you all soon!

Loves,

   Jessica Ashley

Mermaid Eyes Surprise!

     As I was getting myself ready for the day, I thought to myself, "Why not do something fun today?". So I pulled out one of my 120 eyeshadow palettes from BH Cosmetics and started with a shimmery green half across my lid.
     Then I thought, "I can't have just ONE color!", so I chiseled on an aqua-blue on the outer corner of my eye. I added a liner to match the aqua-blue, and then before you know it a few swipes here, and a few pops of pink there I had, TA-DA!!
   
     The perfect combination for what I'm going to dub Mermaid Eyes. Hey, they're ocean-themed colors, and plus what a great way to celebrate my upcoming relaxation vacation in California! I'm so psyched for the beach!

     I really loved all these colors together, especially the bubblegum pink lipstick, and I would TOTALLY wear it to the beach, but alas, it is not waterproof. :(

     It's really easy, I'll totally show you how. Hey, that's my next tutorial. :) So you see, sometimes it really does pay off when you start your day, and you really have no idea what you're going to make of your face!

   

     It doesn't always have to be stressful, just go at it an play! See what happens!

     I can personally attest that not all combinations are great ones. Sometimes I'd come back home, and wonder why I went out looking like that (sometimes it still happens).
     But you're never going to know what works and what doesn't go together unless you try it. So, be daring and have a little fun. No one is perfect, so don't expect your face to look that way either!! Mine certain doesn't.

    Go out and find that unique thing about you that makes your style special, and be proud of it. Flaunt that personality of yours 'til it shines like a brand-new penny!

     Comment below, and tell me what you'd like to see. I'm always happy to give a helping hand. That's what I'm here for!

     Until next time, have fun discovering what you can do. You never know what you might find!

Happy Adventures!

Loves,

    Jessica Ashley

Put it in the Bucket!: What's on Your List?

     Ok, so summer's here and I know you've got things you want to do before the first leaf falls. You want to going on that hike you've never attempted before, have a non-alcoholic all-nighter party, have a tv-show binge marathon, etc. But have you thought about things you could do to kick up the fun you have with makeup? Does anybody else get bored with the EXACT same makeup routine every, single morning? It's summer-time! Live it up a little! Now is the time to try something you've never done before! Be brave! Take chances! Make mistakes, and get messy!! (Do you like my Ms. Frizzle reference?)

50 Things to Put on Your Summer Bucket List 2014:
1. Have a No Makeup day. Just go the whole day without wearing any makeup, and give your face a break (it needs a vacation too, you know).

2. Wear a crazy color (electric blue, lime green, gold, orange, etc.) as an eyeliner.

3. Do a monotone look. Wear the same color on your eyes, lips, and cheeks.

4. Create a Statement makeup look. Makeup look that matches a theme, either of fashion era, or color scheme. Make it as crazy as you like! Think runway makeup.

5. Try-out different brands, and find your favorite tinted moisturizer.

6. Wear a dramatic cat-eye liner.

7. Wear some false eyelashes.

8. Create an dramatic smokey-eye

9. Try-out a new lipstick shade/color

10. Wear a classic red lip.

11. Do a makeup style from another era (1920s, 30s, 40s, etc.)

12. Try different foundation finishes (dewy, matte, satin, etc.)

13. Fill your eyebrows in with a different color (green, blue, purple, pink, etc.).

14. Try a colored mascara (blue, red, green, etc.).

15. Try double-winged eyeliner

16. Create and wear a glamorous, bridal look

17. Make your own lip color with a colored eyeshadow, and petroleum jelly (I'll show you how).

18. Wear an Egyptian style eyeliner

19. Line your waterline with a colorful eyeliner pencil.

20. Learn how to contour and scuplt your face!

21. Learn how to change the shape of your eyebrows, just by filling them in with a brow pencil or powder.

22. Perfect the art of lining your lips with lip liner.

23. Create a better lip pout by using a two different colors on your lips.

24. Use shimmer powder on your face (eyes, lips, etc.).

25. Try using different texture eyeshadows (cream, loose, pressed powder).

26. Line your waterline with a white or light-colored pencil to open your eyes up.

27. Replicate the makeup look of your favorite movie character.

28. Use makeup to turn yourself into your favorite animal, just for fun.

29. Imitate your favorite celebrity

30. Create an easy, breezy, summer makeup look that let's your face breath!

31. Find a favorite cream blush, wear a monotone makeup look.

32. Curl your lashes.

33. Experiment with thick and thin line for eyeliner.

34. Wear bronzer!

35. Go to your favorite makeup counter/store and get a consultation specifically for you!

36. Reorganize and clean up your makeup collection

37. Wear a color of eyeshadow you've never tried before. It just might work.

38. Buy a new makeup brush (or two, or three, or maybe more...).

39. Create a makeup look with a new color combination. Use your imagination and make it work!

40. Create a new makeup look using your favorite color.

41. Wear a new nail polish color.

42. Splurge on a wish-list makeup product.

43. Try a new gel liner.

44. Get in the habit of a deep cleanse or mask for your face at least once a week.

45. Tired of losing track of how many lipsticks you have? Melt 'em down, and make your own lipstick palette! (I will also show you how)

46. Master the art of applying liquid liner like a pro!

47. Ditch the habit of chapstick! Petroleum jelly/vaseline is your new friend.

48. Learn the undertones of your own skin and find the foundation shade that's just right for you.

49. Stop touching your face so much! Don't you know, that's a key cause of acne?

50. Take a picture of all your beauty adventures, and make a scrapbook! :)

Happy exploring!

Loves,

     Jessica Ashley