In The Process | DIY Makeup Room Organization

If you happen to have a strong Type-A personality like myself, I'm sure you can appreciate the beauty that is organization. Having lots of makeup means having lots of options to store those items. It's so easy to put items in a drawer or an area of your bathroom, closet, etc. and forget it exists, only to come across it on a later date and get a little upset that you haven't been using it. Insert: "I LOVE this _____! I forgot I had this!"

In an attempt to create my own "in-home" makeup studio/beauty room/makeup lover's dream area, I have been on the hunt for the best, most affordable options. I have found some great options, even if you are on a budget. Stay tuned for more updates to my "beauty room." Can't wait for the final reveal!

Ikee Design Acrylic Jewelry & Cosmetic Storage Display Boxes Two Pieces Set, $14.39

This little organizer is perfect for what I consider my "every day" essentials. It's not huge, but it's big enough to contain those items that you reach for most often. It has two larger drawers and two smaller drawers, that are fairly shallow. They do fit most compacts I tried, but are too small for a larger container like the Laura Mercier powder, for example. This is actually two separate pieces, so the lipstick part is not attached. I don't mind this, personally, There are 12 spaces for lip products, and then an additional 3-4 compartments that can house eyeliners, mascara, etc. There is one larger area that can fit bulkier items. This is super affordable, and a great way to have all of your products within reach and easy to find. 

Acrylic Palette Organizer (Standard Sized Palettes) & Beauty Care Holder Containes 8+ Space Storage | byAlegory (Clear), $29.99

This is something I have never came across before, and I am SO glad I did! If you are someone who has a lot of palettes, this little "palette bookshelf" as I like to call it works perfectly. It fits UD Naked Palettes, Too Faced, Anastasia, Lorac, and Laura Mercier to name a few. They just slide right in to the compartments and it allows you to see them clearly and grab whatever you need. This item can also be flipped and sit on any side, so there are lots of possibilities. A little more pricey, but I love how compact this is. 

Large Capacity Premium Quality Plastic Makeup Palette Organizer, $24.99

I originally bought this to store all of my palettes before finding the item above. This is another good option. It has wider wells so larger palettes like the MAC Pro above fit nicely. You can also stack a few slimmer items together. I wish the front pocket was actually split into two, but for now I am stoing some compacts in it. The side squares are nice for larger bottles like setting sprays, etc. It mau be hard to tell but this item is a lot bulkier than the previous item for palettes, so if you were going to choose one, I would definitely go with the prior. Keep in mind, however, this item has storage for additional items as well. 

Transparent Cosmetic Makeup Organizer for Nail Polish, Lipstick, Brushes, Bottles, and more. Clear Case Display Rack Holder by Super Z Outlet®, $7.99

This is your classic acrylic lipstick organizer. It could be used for other items at well, but I find that the wells are a little too big for most brushes to fit nicely. I don't see how nail polish could fit in this thing, either. This is pretty cheap and works the best for lipsticks. If you have a lot of larger glosses/taller products, I would maybe check out another option as the sides aren't very high and as you can see in the back especially, they don't sit perfectly straight as there is excess space. Still, this is a super affordable holder for someone who has a lot of lip products. I will probably pick a few more of these up. This holds 24 items. 

Target Dollar Bins (varies), $1

This is my BEST cheap organizer tip, and it involves going to Target (I apologize in advance for the excessive money you will end up spending.) These little tins can ALWAYS be found in the dollar bin area of target. I've seen tons of different colors, styles, etc. They work perfectly for storing brushes! If you want your brushes to be in the tins a little more "sturdier," I would add some marbles or glass beads to the bottom. These are so cheap I buy several. These white "lacey" ones are older now, but I have seen several similar version since. Keep your eye out on these!

In the mean time, I will continue to build my beauty room and hunt down the best affordable options. Have any good tips? I'd love to hear about them! Leave me a comment below! 

Drugstore Deals | Wet n Wild Lipstick in Think Pink, 24 Carrot Gold

Wet n' Wild is one of the least expensive brands at the drugstore. They make a wide variety of items, and the quality of those items seems to vary quite a bit as well. There is one product, though, that exceeds the low price point ten-fold. That product, is this creamy, semi-matte lipstick. I have tried several shades and am always so impressed with their quality. 

The best part about these lipsticks is how insanely cheap they are. I love trying out new colors and more interesting shades that I may not reach for as often, since they are so inexpensive. I am really digging orange/tangerine shades for Spring/Summer, and always love a soft romantic pink.

The formula for these is super thick, and very creamy. It's so thick, that it's almost a bit chalky. They are a soft-matte, with just a small amount of sheen. The orange shade, 969 24 Carrot Gold, is a a gorgeous tangerine shade with just enough red in it to make it super wearable. This is one of those shades that will make your smile pop and your teeth look extra white.

The pink shade, 901B Think Pink, in the tube looks like a soft muted pink with coral undertones. The actual color is much brighter and quite a bit more pink than nude. It also reminded me of something I have seen before.....

Think Pink appears to be a really good dupe for MAC Angel lipstick. It also looks like it would be very similar to a mix of MAC Zen and MAC Cremecup. It is bright like Angel, has coral tones in it similar to Zen, and that girly pink-ness that is in Cremecup. I only had Cremecup around for the photos, and as you can see, it's not a perfect dupe. It does have many similarities, but it much more opaque, brighter, thicker, and it has less of a sheen. 

As you can see, Think Pink is above and Cremecup is below. Cremecup is more sheer and also a bit more mauve/nude, and not quite as bright. On the lips, the differences are less noticeable but still apparent. The photo on the right shows Think Pink on the left half of my lips, and Cremecup on the right. 

I wouldn't say this formula is the most amazing I'v ever used, but considering MAC lipsticks are $17 and Wet n' Wild are $1.98, I think it's fair to say these are a really great, affordable option. You also get more product in the Wet n' Wild than a MAC lipstick. 

Wet n' Wild Lipstick / 3.3g / $1.98-2.99

Drugstore Deals | Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil

I've recently been on the hunt for the perfect cost-effective, super long wearing, waterproof eyeliner. Eyeliner is one of those makeup items that I hate buying "high end." I find that most of the time, the highest end brands still tend to fade, run, and leave the waterline even though they are much more expensive than a typical drugstore brand. I have a few that I have been using on my clients that I enjoy, but I wanted to take things to the next level and truly find a great, more affordable product.

After reading tons of reviews, I was determined to try out these Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil Eyeliners. They were rated very highly by several beauty bloggers, makeup artists, and regular consumers. I decided it was time to see if they lived up to the hype. 

Needless to say, I was hooked. I started out by trying a gorgeous purple shade (Polished Amethyst) and a nude shade (Soft Nude). I chose a purple "fun" shade, since it's not something I wear everyday and if it wasn't the best formula, I wouldn't be too disappointed. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I chose a nude shade, as I find that nude shades are the true test of a good eyeliner. Nude shades, since they are not a dark shade, often fade the fastest and show up the least pigmented. Luckily, both of these were winners. 

The formula is a gel consistency, and it truly glides on perfectly. Very soft, creamy, and absolutely no tugging on the waterline. This formula will be very comfortable for those with extra sensitive eyes that tend to water when applying. Because the formula is SO soft, be somewhat careful, as it can get smudged and messy if you use a heavy hand. 

The pigmentation is outstanding. True to color, opaque coverage. The brighter shades truly stay bright and those that contain a sheen or shimmer, also holds up on the eye. 

These are a type of "plastic" pencil, therefore they will require sharpening with a good sharpener. I didn't have any problems, but be careful when sharpening to use a soft pressure, as it can be easy to over-sharpen and lose some of the product.

The most impressive part of these eyeliners is the wear-time. I've been wearing them in the lower waterline, and have had coverage for over 12 hours! I don't have particularly oily lids or watery eyes, but I did go out and about in a snow storm and my eyeliner stayed strong. There was some slight fading after 8-10 hours, but even the bright purple shade stayed around much longer than expected. 

Best of all, these pencils are extremely easy on the wallet. I found them for under $7 per pencil. I enjoyed them SO much, I went back and purchased a few more shades. I will probably end up buying all shades, as they are truly beautiful eyeliners.

Polished Amethyst, Striking Copper, Glazed Toffee, Smooth Charcoal, and Soft Nude

The first photo shows normal swatches of the shades. The photo doesn't really do justice for the purple shade, as it is much brighter and had a small amount of "sheen" to it. The gold copper shade and nude shades also both have a soft sheen to them. 

The second photo shows the shades after letting them sit for a few minutes, and then using hot water to "scrub" them of. I literally scrubbed as hard as a could, and as you can see, there was very minimal smudging. 

Lastly, this is AFTER washing my hand with soap, AND showering! Obviously there isn't much left, but it was crazy to see there was still some pigment left on my skin after using soap multiple times. (Have no fear though, eye makeup remover or coconut oil will take these off instantly.)

A few quick tips:

If you want a softer, smudged-out line, use your finger or brush immediately after applying

These will set within 3-5 minutes, and thereafter should be "budge-proof"

Always set with a matching shadow to really lock-in the pigmentation

Definitely check these out if you need a new go-to eyeliner, or just want to experiment with some fun shades and don't want to spend a ton of cash. The low price point and exceptional quality make them a worth-while purchase. They also have a gorgeous emerald green and teal blue shade, both on my shopping list!

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil / .04 oz / $6.98-7.99

Oscar's 2016 | Olivia Munn Inspired: Get The Look

The Academy Awards had some fantastic looks; dramatic bold lips, soft romantic eyes, and glowing soft skin. One of my absolute favorites for the night was Olivia Munn's glowing, soft tangerine look. The whole look is so effortless. Her look really focuses on:

- Soft, luminous glowing skin, light foundation

- Orange/tangerine tones on the cheek and lips

-Simple, diffused eye makeup with soft browns and bold lashes

-Groomed, "imperfect" brows that aren't overly done

I love the "lightness" of the whole look, from the foundation to the soft eye makeup. This is such an easy look to re-create, I knew I had to play around!

Custom lip palette | Stila Convertible Cream in Peony | Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal

1. Create a super luminous base 

Smashbox Primer Water , Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Pearl)

2. Use a light hand with foundation and blend well with a sponge 

NARS Sheer Glow (Fiji)

3. Use ALL cream products to keep things light and dewy, lightly highlight and contour

Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Palette (Light), MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (NC20)

4. Only set under eyes and lids to avoid creasing

Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder

5. Add a cream blush 

Stila Convertible Color (Peony)

6. Use a bronze, warm brown shade to lightly shade crease and lower waterline.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette (Milk Chocolate)

7. Run a small amount of black eyeliner along the upper lashline, smoke it out so it is soft and there are no harsh lines.
Maybelline Lasting Drama Eyeliner (Black)

8. Use a curl defining mascara for voluminous but natural lashes

Dior Overcurl Mascara (Black)

9. Run a small amount of eyebrow pencil to fill in sparse areas and groom brows

Anastasia Brow Wiz (Taupe), Benefit Gimme Brow (Light/Medium)

Maybelline Coral Crush, Stila Peony, MAC Peaches 

8. Add some coral blush to accentuate those tangerine shades

MAC Peaches

9. Add more powder highlight to really glow

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Opal)

9. Add a tangerine/soft coral lip to complete the look

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick (Coral Crush), MAC (Pure Zen)

Kit Favorites | Inglot Gel Liner #77 & MAC 210 Brush

There's no doubt about it; the perfect winged eye liner is a difficult task. In a series I hope to continue, I will be sharing some of my holy grail kit items. Today, we will be talking about gel eyeliner. Gel eyeliner isn't for everyone; I can agree that at first it is challenging and a little intimidating to work with. I assure you though, there are some wonderful benefits of working with a gel product.

Gel eyeliner allows you to get a super dark, super black line. It also is extremely long wearing and budge-proof. Don't be afraid to paint this on the upper water line for tight-lining, or even use in the lower water line for a waterproof, long lasting finish. 

For those of you who have tried several black eyeliners in the lower water line and notice them fading or completely disappearing in a few hours, try using this gel eyeliner and setting it with a black shadow. It will last all night.

This product, the Inglot #77 black gel eyeliner, is a wonderful consistency that is thick and creamy enough to allow for a super smooth line, but maintains it's opacity and dries to a matte finish. This product is extremely long wearing. If you have hooded eyes, or experience transfer of eyeliner to your upper eyelid, make sure you allow the product to dry completely. You can also lightly smudge the line out for more of a diffused look. It doesn't dry instantly; wait about 2-3 minutes and it will be set. For super long wear, set it with a dark black eye shadow.

The downside of gel liner is that it can dry out quickly if the cap is left off for extended periods or over time. You can simply add some contact solution or, more preferably, a mixing medium such as the RCMA Thinner.  

It can also be easy to get heavy-handed. My tip is to always load up the brush, and then brush the inside cap or back of your hand to remove a bit of the product. I also always start at the center of the lid to deposit the most product. Then, with a thinner line, finish of the inner and outer corners.

Keep in mind, the liner is only as good as a quality brush. There are several types of eyeliner brushes out there, but I prefer the very stiff, small liner brushes. I recently tried out the MAC 210 Precise Eyeliner Brush and it is my new favorite. As shown above, you can create the tiniest line that is perfect for a wing.

Alternatively, I also enjoy using the Make Up For Ever 250 Extra Fine Eyeliner brush. It is very similar but just slightly larger and not quite as fine of a tip. It is also a couple of bucks cheaper.

Lashes: Ardell Demi Wispies

Lipstick: MAC Pure Zen

Inglot (AMC) Gel Eyeliner #77, 5.5g / 0.19 oz /  $14

MAC 210 Precise Eye Liner Brush / $20 

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector || Review

Becca is known for their beautiful highlighters in multiple formats. This formulation, the original Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, is a creamy, whipped liquid that gives a beautiful subtle, fresh glow. The micro-fine particles allow you to achieve a beautiful luminous glow without any chunky, brash glitter. 

Besides the subtleness of this highlighter, one of the major benefits of this product is the multitude of uses. It can be used as a dewy primer to give an all over glow to the face, to spot highlight for the high points of the face, decolletage, legs, etc. or my favorite, mixed in to foundations or lotions to give any products instant sheen. 

While this is a pricier product, the amount and versatility of this product make it a worth-while splurge. The perfector liquid comes in a variety of shades for all skin tones: Pearl (white with silver) Moonstone (pale gold), Opal (golden opal pearl), Topaz (golden bronze pearl), and Rose Gold (golden rosy pink). 

The shade shown above is in Pearl. 

As shown above, pearl is mixed in with a favorite foundation to provide a healthy, fresh looking glow. It's natural but still softens the skin. I highly recommend this product for a fresh, dewy finish.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl | 1.7 Fl oz / 50 mL | $41