You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile and Some Makeup

Today's guest post is courtesy of the lovely Stephanie of Living the Life on a Budget!

The icing on the cake to the perfect outfit is flawless make up. Head to Sephora or your local Department store to stock up on all your beauty needs and you probably are going to need to open up a new line of credit just to afford that face. Next time you are picking up toilet paper and a tooth brush head down the beauty isle for more than just nail polish remover. First we start with the base; you need a perfect foundation and concealer. I am a fan of products from Revlon and L'Oreal. I like the Revlon Colorstay Blemish. It stays put and has hidden meds so it gets rid of the blemishes as the day wears on. It blends in, and covers as if it were never there. If you want Nicole Kidman skin try out L'Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation. At first you may think it is too thin, but trust me this goes on like silk evening out your tone. Added bonus is the spf. 

So after my foundation sets, I work from my eyes down. I start with a liner, specifically Almay Intense i-Color Liner, which I specifically bought to bring out my big brown eyes. Whether you have brown, blue, or green eyes there is a color to complement your specs. There is no need for a sharpener and it compares to some of the department store brands I have purchased. I kick myself for not finding this liner earlier. 

Then comes the shadow. I go a little heavy but I love the drama. With a few less brush strokes L'Oreal HIP Duos can fit into your life. They come in a rainbow of colors; you can find your basics and Fall 2010 runway favorites. There are mattes, and metallic, so shine on if you fancy that. 

The best to finish the look off is the L'Oreal Bare Naturale Luminous Lengthening Mascara which gives the appearance you are wearing falsies. The bottle must have magic inside it because I do not know how it does not clump and add that much length. 

Onto your rosy cheeks. Recently I have converted to cream blush. I was a traditionalist using a brush and a pressed powder. Then I tried the Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Sheerest Cream Blush which you use with your fingers instead of that brush taking up space in your make up drawer. Its as if you came in from a brisk fall day and your cheeks were pinched by nature. Its like you are not even wearing anything. Isnt it the worst when you look as if you were playing in your Grandma's stash when playing dress up as a 5 year old. 

Then the finishing touches is your peckers. If you are going heave on the eye make up sheer is the way to go. I have always been a lipgloss gal over liptick but that is probably that I am not trying to relive the 80s beauty moments. Lip gloss is great solo or over your favorite lipstick that needs a bit of punch. The Sally Hansen Diamond 12 Hr. Lip Treatment must have stolen its formula from the department stores as well. The applicator is a brush, not the grody sponge, and the consistency is that of the fancy brands. You feel it on your lips and it lasts for a while. 

Each items comes in under $10 and your grand total is that of one or two items at the hoity toity places. You sacrifice frilly packaging but are you showing the world what container your eye shadow comes in or how well you can apply it? Smile, keep your head up, a flawless mugshot will make your day that much better. 

Stephanie Yewdell 

www.livingthelifeonabudget.com