Put some oomph in your face for Hanukkah/Christmas etc!

Hello and welcome back to my itty bitty blog.  Thank you for taking the time to stop in and read what I have to say as well as watch my tutorials.  I really do appreciate it!
Here's the link to my newest video where I go over everything in this blog post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV7y499yje8
I wanted to first off give you a quick review of a face primer I've been using for almost three weeks now and really liking.  It's the Loreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base.  I bought mine at Walmart, I can't remember the exact price but Walmart is listing it on their website for $10.94 with free shipping to your home.  Not bad!  I believe I paid almost $12 for it in store so I will be purchasing it online from now on.  Here is what it claims to do on the packaging:

Get the perfect skin texture, instantly and all day. Smoothes lines. Hides pores. Banishes imperfections. The silky, lightweight formula glides onto skin, leaving it velvety-smooth to the touch

The result- a unified matte finish that's flawless.

Suitable for all skin types. Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic.

I agree with all of that.  My only "issue" with the product is I feel I have to use quite a bit of it and therefore it's disappearing quickly.  BUT I will say that I have many problem areas I am trying to smooth, almost my whole face, so I use it on my entire face.  You may not need to.  I recommend using it in the t-zone to hide large/open pores, any areas where you may have fine lines such as around the eyes (underneath especially) and mouth and in any spots where you may have acne scarring and things like that.  It puts a smooth coat over them and helps your make up glide on easier, smoother and last longer and stops it from sinking into places you don't want your make up to sink into.  It also has a mattifying quality to it so it is helping control oil for me for up to 6 hours.  That IS magic for me!  I have a lot of problem with oil breakthrough with most foundations, even expensive ones that claim to reduce that problem.  So anything that actually DOES work is magic in my book.  


The remaining items are ideas of products you can use over this Holiday season to give your make up look a bit more "pizazz" for parties etc.  And I wanted to give you some ideas of things you can do quickly and inexpensively because I know not everyone has 2 hours to do their make up for a special occasion.  
The first one is the Hard Candy bronzer in Tropics that I introduced in my Smashbox/Hard Candy review video and blog.  It's a beautiful golden/bronzey bronzer that, in my opinion, is gorgeous as a highlight on the top of the cheek bone, brow bone and anywhere you want a nice gold highlight.  I wouldn't personally use it on my entire face as I feel I might resemble a pair of gold lame pants...not a good look in my opinion unless you are 20 years old and on the cover of a magazine.  Ahem...here's what it looks like. 

I did swatches on my finger and hand so you could hopefully see the serious gold-ness goin' on!
 I like this for several different uses.  It serves as a great gold eyeshadow if you're in need of one, highlighter for the top of the cheek bones and even on the lips over your lipstick.  LOVE IT.  


The next "glitter it up" item on the list is the NYX Candy Glitter Liner in Gold.  It's a very pretty gold glitter in a clear gel.  The glitter isn't too big or too small, it's a nice gold color and it stays put instead of falling all over your face etc.  Have a look:

                                                    The package has a cute black tassle on it.

This liner comes in 15 colors and all are gorgeous!  There is a link in the description box of the video if you'd like to check that out.  
The last thing I want to show you is the Loreal Feel Naturale Light Softening Blush in Charmed Peach. #288.  I really like the look and feel of this blusher and it comes in eight different colors on the Loreal website.  http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/default.aspx#/?page=top{userdata//d+d//|diagnostic|main:searchresult//keyword+Feel_Naturale_Blush//|media:_blank|nav|overlay:_blank}
I had a very hard time swatching it for you, sorry.  It's very soft and light on the hand/arm but shows up quite nicely on the cheeks.  Here's the swatch:

It's quite light looking here. 

As I said, it's difficult to swatch it on my skin tone but I think you can at least see that it's a soft peach color with a tiny bit of sparkle running through it.  Just enough to give that "she's glowing" look when other's look at you.  I really like this and think I might get a couple of other colors.  I'll let you know.  For some reason they aren't selling it on the Walmart or Ulta websites, I only found it on the Loreal site but I purchased mine at Ulta on clearance.  Hmm....










Well that about wraps up this edition of how to add a touch of sparkle to your Holiday looks at the speed of lightening and the cost of...well, not much.  ;0)  I hope you all have a wonderful Hanukkah/Christmas/Holiday Season!  Send me some pictures of your holiday looks, I'd love to see them!  God bless you all.
Sparkles,
Nicole