Jump Start Your Spring Beauty Routine Smashbox, Sun Bum, Conair, RPZL and more!

Check out these warm weather inspired products from Smashbox, Sun Bum, Conair, STREEKERS, RPZL and Westmore Beauty - perfect for jump starting your Spring beauty routine!

Fab Five Friday: Blush! (Fall Into Beauty)

Nothing wakes up a dull complexion like a touch of fresh color on the cheeks! Here are my favorite blushes to add that wind blown appearance to your cheeks {without having to brave the elements}! 

My Latest & Greatest Faves from Smashbox Cosmetics!

As if I needed more reason to love Smashbox, I just received some new goodies {sent for the purpose of review} to make me fall head over heels for the brand all over again! Check out my "old" standbys and my new favorites for some ideas on what you should be picking up for your collection. 

Summer Time Beauty: CC All About It!

Sometimes the summertime heat can make your normal makeup routine feel heavy and unbearable! But there's no need to sacrifice a flawless complexion for staying cool. Keep reading to see how CC Creams can help you look fresh and not hot and bothered.

Smashbox Heat Wave Eye Shadow Palette

Smashbox Cosmetics Limited Edition Heat Wave Eye Shadow Palette

Smashbox Cosmetics is hands down, one of my favorite makeup lines, and they don't get nearly the credit they deserve {IMHO}. From primers in a variety of formulas to suit whatever your skin type or needs, some of the best performing eyeliners in whatever form you desire, and a serious line of color cosmetics that features a formula and shade for every one-I think that every makeup lover should have an extensive collection from the brand. 

Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream- Why I May Never Wear Foundation Again!

I think I voiced this before in a MABB Weekly Beauty Question post, but I'm pretty much terrified of foundation, so I tend not to wear it. It's a combination of not knowing how to pick the right color, not being sure how to apply it so that it looks flawless or natural, and lack of practice (or need for) using it. But I'm getting to an age where I could benefit from some sort of coverage, plus it looks odd to step out of the house with my eyes done and my lips on, but nothing on my face! So I accepted the opportunity to try out Smashbox Cosmetics new Camera Ready CC Cream... 

Smashbox's "Love Me" Spring 2013 Collection AKA: A Wish List

Smashbox’s Limited Edition “Love Me” Collection by mamafashionista featuring lip makeup

Smashbox Cosmetics and Curtis Kulig bring street art to the studio with the limited-edition “Love Me” collection. Renowned artist Curtis Kulig’s signature “Love Me” mark– now ubiquitous from the streets of L.A. and galleries of New York to dive bars in Tokyo – has set a new standard in modern image making. The prolific artist now has entered into an epic creative collaboration with Smashbox Cosmetics to produce the limited-edition “Love Me” Collection for Spring 2013, featuring eye shadows, lipsticks, blushes, liners and lip glosses. Steeped in Kulig’s signature aesthetic—from the vivid palette to his unmistakable “Love Me” script—Smashbox’s Limited Edition “Love Me” Collection signifies a momentous collaboration between some of the world’s leading color trendsetters.

How to Look Like a Party Girl, Without the Party! AKA: A FOTD (Just not from today)...

I did this look a while ago, so I can't quite remember how I achieved it (my bad), but I can tell you what I used to get it...

A Visit to the Image Factory with a Firecracker to Take a Master Class! AKA: My Fall Smashbox Favorites

I'm not going to ramble on about this, because this post is picture heavy. These are a few of my favorite pieces for the fall from one of my favorite cosmetic companies, Smashbox Cosmetics. There are a few pieces from the Fall 2012 Image Factory Collection (which I previewed here), my favorite red lip gloss (because I'm wearing red now; it's a relatively new development), and one of the gems of my makeup collection, The Master Class Palette...

Image Factory AirBlush in Berry Bliss

Image Factory AirBlush in Berry Bliss: A superblendable, mousse-like blush for airbrushed-looking cheeks. This blush provides an instantly healthy look to cheeks. The lasting formula contains ultra-fine pigments for blendability and silicone elastomers to minimize the appearance of imperfections for a perfectly radiant glow. (This is such a pretty, creamy, richly pigmented shade! It blends in like butter and leaves a lovely natural flush.)

Another Day, Another Face! AKA: FOTD

I've been really hesitant about plastering my face on this blog, but seeing as this is a beauty blog and all, and I do fairly often discuss makeup, it's probably not fair to not at least show you what it looks like on me *sometimes*. So here goes (don't judge me)...

So yeah, that's me. I'm not so good at the self portraiture, but I'm hoping if I do it more, I'll get better. My hair is in two strand twists that I just pulled up and back (it actually looks really cool, but I can't figure out how to get a good picture of it). My bracelet is from BaubleBar (I'm obsessed with them lately) and the watch is from Send The Trend (love them too!). But on to the important stuff-the makeup!

What's New From Smashbox! (A Wish List)

I've already shared my love for Smashbox Cosmetics with you lovelies, so I won't digress; but I am SUPER excited by all the new goodies I'm seeing from them! I'm steadily adding to my wishlist and so that I won't be alone in coveting all of the makeup goodness, I thought I'd share some of the new (and not so new) releases with you!

I'll start with my most wanted item, The Master Class Palette:

Smashbox The Master Class Palette (Sephora Exclusive) $59.00

Via Sephora:

What it is: A superloaded palette inspired by the bags full of product Smashbox pro artists bring on set.

What it does: From cases full of eye shadows to bags brimming with glosses, the amount of products the Smashbox artists bring on set can be overwhelming. Get all your photo-ready essentials in one place with The Master Class Palette by Smashbox, a palette jam-packed with 28 Photo Op Eyeshadows, four brow tech powders, eight cream eyeliners, two blushes, three soft lights, and four lip glosses. Featuring Smashbox's core eye shadow formula for the ultimate in blendability and pigmentation, plus many of our other studio-tested products, this palette contains everything you need to dust, blend, and swipe your way to a multitude of looks.

This set contains:- 28 Eyeshadows (starting at top left corner) in Vanilla, Frost, Butter, Parfait, Ambiant, Frambois, Peacock, Cabernet, Serpent, Aubergine, Azure, Ash, Opal, Linen, Flirt, Nectar, Granite, Golden Orchid, Dusk, Cinnamon Toast, Blacko 

Beauty on the Go

Beauty Must Haves For Travel by mamafashionist1 featuring a thick eyeliner

This weekend I had the opportunity to test drive and experiment with my ever growing makeup stash in order to fine tune not only a simple go to look (similar to my Basic Face), but also looks that would last all day (in the Georgia heat), be easy to touch up if necessary, and help me look put together but not overly made up. The arsenal above proved to be exactly what I needed and they will definitely be in my travel beauty bag from now on! 

The only items not pictured that I utilized this weekend are my all time favorite highlight (and HG product) MAC's Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb, Benefit's  The POREfessional primer  and one of my favorite palettes, Smashbox's Click You're It Holiday 2011 Palette (which I also feature here). Here's a breakdown of everything else I used (as pictured above):

After washing my face, Maijan's Argan Oil was my moisturizer of choice. It was perfect for prepping my skin for makeup, but more importantly it left my skin smooth and glowing. Because my skin was in decent shape, I did not need a full face of liquid foundation. I simply smoothed on the Benefit primer, used Smashbox High Definition Concealer in Medium/Dark under my eyes (to brighten and highlight) and on a few blemishes, and apply a light layer of Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Powder Foundation with SPF 20 in Medium/Dark to even out my complexion and eliminate unwanted shine (and the gorgeous rose gold compact the foundation comes in is some of the prettiest packaging I have ever come across). I contoured with NYC New York Color SUN'n'Bronze Bronzing Powder in Montauk Bronze, added MAC Powder Blush in Fleet Fast from the Hey! Sailor Collection to my cheeks, and Superb Skinfinish for the perfect glow and dimension.

Everyday for the eyes, I started with MAC Bamboom Paint as a base. On Friday, I simply used the Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black to make an intense cat eye and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Perversion to tightline. On my waterline, in the inner corner of the eye, and on my brow bone, I applied NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk. I finished my eyes by curling my lashes and applying a few coats of Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long Wear Mascara in Black to the top and lower lashes (and the applicator in this mascara is perfect for grabbing every single lash, especially in the inner corners and lower lashes, and making the most of them). On Saturday, I went more delicate with the liner on my upper lash, added a bit of #6 from the Smashbox palette, and kept everything else the same. On Sunday, I did my traditional cat eye, used Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24/7 Eyeshadow in Edgy Emerald in the inner third of the lid and along the inner half of the lower lashline, applied #14 from the Smashbox palette in the crease and outer v, and #10 in the center of the lid, and #4 to highlight under my brow bone.

For lips, I kept it simple. Each day I started with my favorite (another HG) eos lipbalm in sweet mint, and used MAC Lipglass in Rebel (on Friday and Saturday when my eye look was simple) and a beautiful sheer, nude cream lipstick from Giorgio Armani on Sunday. 

The best thing about each of the looks was that, with the exception of reapplying balm, lipstick, and/or gloss, the only kind of touch up I needed throughout the long hot days was a bit of Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender to keep shine at bay. Another must that stayed in my purse all weekend long, was Sally Hansen's Gem Crush nail polish. I had Bling-Tastic on my toes and Showgirl Chic on my fingers. I love how adding these sparkle-licious colors to just one finger on each hand and one toe on each foot is enough to add a little extra something to your look! Plus if you chip the polish on any of your other nails, just covering the chip up with a bit of the Gem Crush polish adds a bit of unexpected flair that is really unique.

So that's that. After this weekend, I literally cleaned out my makeup bag and refilled it with these goodies (well, at least the ones that will fit into it). For the most part, I felt polished and put together this weekend, despite the crowds, heat, and my kiddies, and that was due in large part to the products. What's in your makeup bag? What products do you have to have with you where ever you go? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

PS-Some of the products mentioned above were provided to me by PR. I was not paid for this post and all opinions stated are 100% honest and my own. This post does contain affiliate links-if you click on a text link AND make a purchase, I will receive a small commission :)

Basic Face

Basic Face by quinn-ryan-smith featuring urban decay eyeliner

For the longest time, I felt totally comfortable leaving the house without a bit of makeup on (unless you count lip balm or gloss as makeup). Then I realized what a difference it made to my overall look when I simply applied some black eyeliner, and a sort of signature look was born (to this day I do not walk out the door without black liquid or gel liner on my upper lash line with at least a slight wing to exaggerate the shape of my, what I consider to be small, eyes). Then I discovered the importance of filling in my brows (they do frame your face), and so on and so forth. So while I could still venture outside in total comfort with no makeup (except for the aforementioned liner and balm), I know that I walk a little taller, smile a little brighter, and exude a bit more confidence when I take a few simple steps to better present myself to the outside world. Thus my basic face was born. 

I use this routine when I'm going to out and about, perhaps just running errands with the lil bits or for a trip to the mall with my family. It's simple and quick, but honestly makes a world of difference for my appearance. The end result is something that's equal parts chic and natural; I look perfectly put together, yet effortless. 

Swim-Proof, Sweat-Proof, Heat-Proof Eyes with Smashbox, MAKEUP FOR EVER, and Rimmel

Waterproof Eyes by mamafashionista featuring a creme eyeshadow

I may have mentioned this before, and you may have already noticed, but it's HOT outside. Even before the onslaught of heat, I was super self conscious of the dreaded raccoon eye, because of my oily complexion, so I developed methods to ensure my makeup stayed in place (especially after numerous occasions where I asked the hubby if my makeup was okay, and his response was "yes," only to discover that my eyeliner had actually made a messy migration south of my waterline). But  when it's hot outside, I don't necessarily want to pile on products, I'm looking to keep my routine as simple and light as possible. I've found a few products that help me to achieve a simple, yet chic, budge proof look in the least amount of steps possible.

Stay Photo Ready Even in the Heat With Smashbox Cosmetics

Smashbox Cosmetics was built from the dynasty of Hollywood legend Max Factor to meet the needs of women constantly in the spotlight and in front of the camera. No wonder they've developed an ingenious product to help ladies (who don't have access to an all star glam squad) look chic and camera ready, no matter the humidity or heat index!


Meet the Be Discovered Cream Cheek Trios...

Smashbox Faves

Ever since getting the Smashbox Click You're It Holiday Eye Palette from Sephora before Christmas, I've been obsessed with the brand! The eye shadows are so finely milled-they actually feel creamy and they are so pigmented (so a little goes a long way). In addition to the shadows, the palette included a mini Photo Finish Lid Primer and 5 of their spectacular cream eyeliners. They are perfect for tightlining and in the water line because they DO NOT BUDGE! I love it!

Since I was so pleased with everything in the palette, I had to see if I would be similarly impressed with other products from the brand, and boy was I ever! Here is just a sampling of some of my faves: