Sephora Family and Friends 20% off online code

Sephora Family and Friend is here- this is 20% off anything online. To get the code, go to: http://www.sephoralove.com/friendsandfamily/

You can sign up for as many codes as emails you have. I think it is five codes per computer though. I tried signing up for 5 codes using five different emails and was able to attain five codes. If you like getting free samples, you can use each code per each $50 order and get more samples. It's free shipping with $50 or more purchase.

I put in three orders yesterday. Definitely had to buy the professional size Urban Decay Primer Potion for eyes. I also got another Urban Decay Naked Palette. And I got the NARS cheek palette- six amazing cheek products- a highlighter, bronzer and four blushes. I can't wait to try the NARS palette.

Happy shopping.

MAC Blushes at Beautyticket.com

My favorite makeup item are blushes. I probably have about 50 blushes and always looking to try new ones. Blushes really complete a look- even if you have nothing else on, blush truly can wake up a face and make you look fresh and ready to face the world. I have found that MAC sheertone blushes work best for me because the color is not too pigmented and very buildable. I tend to have a heavy hand with makeup so this is perfect for me. The sheertone blushes are also not so shimmery so I can wear to work without looking too glitzy. RIGHT NOW- beautyticket.com has MAC blushes on sale for $16.99. That's not a huge discount- just 13% off the normal price of $19.50 but it's still cheaper than buying in store. And you get free shipping for purchases $75 or more by entering "FREESHIP75" or 10% off if you are a new customer by entering "NEW10" at checkout. I highly recommend Breath of Plum and Trace Gold. Enjoy!

Summer Wedding

I recently did makeup for a wedding in Madison. The bride went through a trial run with me in February so I would be familiar with what colors and techniques worked for her. I had loads of fun doing her makeup as well as her mom and one of her bridesmaids. For Sara, I did a very classic look. We kept the colors in the brown/golden toned family. I used lots of primer and layering to keep her makeup long-lasting. I love how she turned out. Here is a before and after photo of her. The wedding photo is courtesy of: Chrystal from Image Studio Photography (http://www.yourimageisourimage.com/)


Before Photo


After Photo

Urban Decay- Amaaaazing Sale

$1.00 for loose pigments, $3 for cream shadows and other super-duper cheap makeup. Check out the sale at: http://www.urbandecay.com/

Travel Makeup

Wow, this summer has been awesome. I just got back from a super fun vacation in Toronto. Here's a pic of the travel makeup I brought and me on my first night out on the town. I was super impressed that Toronto's Walgreen's equivalent (Shopper's Drug Mart) all carried department store makeup brands like Lancome, Benefit, and Clinique in Beauty Boutiques. Such a convenience but makeup in Canada is expensive. I was so tempted to buy brands not found in the USA like GOSH and QUO. Their QUO makeup brushes (think Ecotools) were on sale for 40% off but I was very good- I bought no new makeup in Toronto. I love wearing fake eyelashes and colorful eye shadows. But all that seemed a little overboard in Toronto. Makeup trends there seemed very natural and minimalistic. Based on my recent travel, I decided to discuss a bit here what I think are the essentials for traveling light but with enough to look your best while on vacay.


I definitely recommend moisterizer with SPF and primer so if in hot spots, your makeup does not melt off. Remember to transfer these two products to airplane acceptable-sized containers that you can get at Walmart or Sallys. For makeup, I recommend products that help to keep your makeup stay long lasting so you don't have to carry with you and touch-up when traveling about. For foundation/coverage, I recommend a foundation stick (not liquid) or creme foundation. I brought my Loreal creme foundation. I also recommend compact powder to help set foundation. Then, apply cream blush and set with powder blush then top off with dab of cream blush again. This will help really keep the color on your face. You can also dab the cream blush on lips. Then, all you need is a bit of eye primer and some natural shades of taupe/browns on the lids. My Urban Decay Naked Palette was totally fitting and served me well. Top off with waterproof mascara and fill in eyebrows. For evening glamour while on vacay, bring some fancy fake lashes and you're good. The most important thing is to bring makeup that is non-liquid and makeup that serves multiple purposes so you don't have to carry around so much. We went for five nights and I brought only one carry on and one personal bag. I am a super girly-girl and if I can do it, anyone can. What are your essentials for summer traveling?

Tarte Friends and Family

It's 30% friends and family sale at Tarte- maker of cheek stains! Code is FFAUG and valid until August 15, 2011.

Urban Decay- my holy grail eyeshadow primer

Urban Decay is having a 25% off family and friend's sale. I am addicted to their Primer Potion for eyeshdadows- it is an amazing product. It keeps eyeshadows on much longer and makes the colors more intense. I have super sensitive eyes so anything I can do to keep eyeshadow from falling into my eyes, I'll do it. The primer potion works wonders. The professional size tube is great because you can just squeeze out the product. I don't mind the original plastic bottle one with the wand but it is harder to get all the product out so you feel like you're wasting product.