Fall Makeup Look feat. NARS Extreme Effects Eyeshadow Palette

Yesterday, on my IGTV I shared a video showing you how I used the new Nars Extreme Effects Eyeshadow Palette to create a beautiful warm fall look. If you missed you, you can watch the video below. Below that I’m sharing links to all of the products that I mentioned and used in this video. Thanks for all of the great feedback on this video! I’ll keep making more like this.

Disclosure: Some of the above links are Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. This does not affect the price of the product on your end. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty

Products Mentioned:

Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

The Ordinary Coverage Foundation in Shade 2.0N

Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Concealer in shade 20

No. 7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Powder in shade Light/Medium

MAC Paint Pot in shade Soft Ochre

NARS Extreme Effects Eyeshadow Palette

Tarte Amazonian Clay Matte Waterproof Bronzer in shade Park Avenue Princess

Juvia’s Place The Saharan Vol. II Blush Palette used shade Bee

Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter in shade Champagne

Glossier Boy Brow in shade Black

Essence Volume Booster Lash Primer

Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara in shade Blackest Black

MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in shade Stay Curious

Enjoy,

Andrea

What Did I Buy at the Sephora & Ulta Spring Sales?

Am I the only one who hoards an Ulta or Sephora gift card waiting for the 20% off or VIB sale email to come through so I can finally spend it? Haha hopefully some of you beauty addicts understand the happiness of having both! I luckily had an Ulta GC this weekend when it was time for the sale and headed to both stores with two of my also beauty obsessed friends which resulted in this haul. I asked on Instagram if you wanted to see this post and got a 100% response of YESSS so here we are! I will be filming a first impression on a lot of these and posting that this week so look for that if you're curious about my thoughts on these!

First up was Ulta. I often take the opportunity to stock up on some things for my kit when I have discounts, so you'll see some of the purchases below are for that. If it's for my kit I'll denote that in case you want to know!

In the back row (from L to R) you'll see I bought the Morphe 9B Palette, the Morphe 35O Palette (kit) , two shades of Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (kit), Morphe M530 Contour Brush (kit), TooFaced Hangover RX Primer (kit), The Maybelline by Face Studio Master Strobe Liquid in Light, NARS Power Matte Pigment in Walk This Way, the Morphe M459 Flat Contour Brush, a multipack of Ardell Demi Wispies (kit), and a multipack of Ardell 110's (kit). 

Close up of the 35O Palette!

Close up of the 9B Palette!

At Sephora I got the Fenty Beauty Lil Match Stix Duo, Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Amber, Milk Holographic Stick in Mars, and the Sephora Collection Colorful Blush in Too Hot! No. 7. 

Did you guys shop the sales? If you did, what did you get? If you want specific reviews on some of these products let me know! I'll be sure to Instagram story the exact products I'll be using in the First Impressions video, so be sure to follow me over there @andreafontanabeauty. 

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea

Dre Does 2015 Beauty Favorites

After careful consideration my favorite products of the year are finally here! These are makeup, skin care and hair products that have been used on a regular basis throughout the year and even repurchased multiple times so you know that I have put them to the test and love them. I chose 15 products total and have separated them into categories...So let's get started!

Let's start with hair products. If you know anything about me, it's that I am not one to fuss a lot over my hair. I've never colored it and keep styling to a minimum so for me to stand behind a hair product means that it has to be easy! These three products have been my rocks for the year and I can't imagine life without them anymore.

1. Kenra Professional Platinum Dry Texture Spray ($22): This might be my favorite hair product of all time. It smells amazing and gives my hair the perfect amount of texture without weighing my hair down. It gives me volume and revitalizes flat and boring hair. I love to use it both on curly or straight days. Click here to read a post more about it in my June favorites!

2. Redken Hot Sets ($17): This product changed my life when it comes to curling my hair. My hair has never wanted to hold a curl for more than an hour so when someone recommended this to me I was floored at how well it makes my curls stay. It's essentially a hair spray that you apply before heat styling that not only holds the style, but protects your hair from any heat damage! Go out and get some NOW if your hair is hard to curl and I promise you will love it!

3. Enjoy Volumizing Dry Shampoo ($24): I have tried more dry shampoos than I can even count and this one is by far my favorite because there is no lingering scent and my hair doesn't feel instantly dirty. It also is one of the easiest dry shampoos to blend into your hair if you are a brunette so I love that I don't have to spend much time with it. It gives me volume and I always get compliments on my hair when I use it (aka trick people into thinking I have beautifully styled and clean hair!) If you're interested in purchasing it please shoot me an email and I'd be happy to talk to you more about it because we retail it at the Spa & Wellness center I work at!

Now for the skincare! I have been experimenting with so many new products in the last year, but I've found that I have a few that I have really been loving.

4. Tarte Maracuja Oil (Reg. $48 but only $28 right now!): I feel like most of you probably know by now how much I love this stuff. It should come as no surprise that I am obsessed with Maracuja (passion fruit) oil. With a burst of Vitamin C it helps hydrate and brighten my complexion every morning and night. When my foundation feels too drying or I want a lighter coverage, I simply add a drop in. I have gone through probably 5 big bottles over the last couple of years and I can't see myself stopping anytime soon. The limited edition holiday bottle that I'm currently using is on sale on Tarte's website so if you've been wanting to try it, now's your chance!

5. Lelexo Mandelic Acid Scrub ($33): This has quickly become my holy grail cleanser. I use it on so many of my clients at the spa because it is amazing for so many skin types. Mandelic Acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from almonds that gently exfoliates the skin and helps with acne, hyperpigmentation, aging and so much more! It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal, so it helps keep your skin extremely clean. Not only that, it is anti-inflammatory so it helps the skin to calm and heal quicker! I have gone through multiple bottles myself and would be happy to talk to you more about it if you're interested in trying it out!

6. The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil ($19)/ Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter ($16)/ Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover ($17): You're looking at my makeup removing routine. I always use either the Cleansing Oil or Cleansing Butter and the Eye Makeup Remover. All are gentle and remove my makeup so well without causing any irritation to my skin and leave it feeling smooth and hydrated! I always use my cleanser after, but as a first step to my skincare routine, I LOVE THEM!

It's time for the main course friends! My 2015 favorite makeup products. If you're new to my blog, I hope you try some of my obsessions.

7. NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation ($48): Guys this foundation changed my life. I know that sounds extreme but as my skin has been transitioning into being less oily all the time, I have needed a foundation that gives me a full coverage yet light feeling luminous look and I'm obsessed with it. I used to be a die hard Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation fan but it's too drying for me these days and this one has saved the day! I can't say enough great things about it and here is my post from last year. If you've followed me at all throughout 2015 you are probably not surprised that this one came out on top! I highly recommend getting a sample from Sephora if you are normal to oily!

8. Anastasia Beverly Hills Original Contour Kit ($40): I have to admit that at first I wasn't too impressed with this one. It was getting so much hype that I didn't think it could possibly be as amazing as everyone was saying so I probably didn't give it a fair chance. Fast forward to a busy bridal season and doing my makeup hundreds of times in 2015 and it's now easy to say that this is my favorite contour kit. The shades work so well and blend so nicely that I will be refilling it as soon as I finish up these pans. I found myself bringing other contour products to jobs but always ending up using this one.

9. Benefit Dallas Bronzer/Blush ($29): Back when I worked for Benefit this was one of the products that I talked about with clients on a regular basis. Anytime some said "I need a good every day blush that will go with everything" Dallas was the first thing that came to mind. Yes it's technically a bronzer, but let's face it, who likes following all the rules?! It gives the cheeks a beautifully natural glow without looking fake. It works on so many skin tones and blends easy as well! You must pick up a box for yourself now! (I might already have two back ups...)

10. Too Faced Original Chocolate Bar Palette ($49) & Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Palette ($36): These two palettes have been my go to palettes of the year. I've used them far more than any Naked palette and they were even picked up more than my beloved Anastasia palettes. I love warm shades and I feel like they both give me a great range of shades to do any intensity of neutral looks! If you don't have either you need to get them both ASAP!

11. Benefit They're Real Mascara ($24): SURPRISE! This made the cut another year...haha! I don't think another mascara will ever compete for me. It's a cult favorite for a reason and stays on like no other mascara for me. The wand, the formula, the intensity...it does it all!

12. Glo Minerals Brow Collection ($45.50): I'm obsessed with this brow kit. If you've ever been a client of mine regarding brows you know how much I love brow waxes instead of pencils. I think they are more customizable and you get more for your money. When I started using Glo Minerals at my job I fell in love with this kit because it is such a good value! You get two brow powder shades, a brow wax, cream highlighter, spooly brush, angled brow brush, tweezers, and stencils all in a zip up kit for only $45.50! Such a deal and the product is really great quality! If you have questions about it let me know! You can buy it through me at Remedi!

13. NYC Liquid Eyeliner ($2.99): Yes you read that right... it's onlyl $2.99 and it's amazing! If you haven't heard of how amazing this inexpensive liner is you either aren't that interested in makeup or are living under a rock. So here I am recommending it to you as well because it is Dre Does approved! You can get it at your grocery store or Target and it's extremely black, easy to use, and lasts all day!

14. Glo Minerals Suede Matte Crayon ($16): I love lip products, it's no secret. At any one time my purse can have upwards of 15 lipsticks in it so let's say I've tried quite a few. These crayons are my ideal lip product for a few reasons. First, they are matte which is my favorite lip finish because they last all day and make my lips look the best. Second, they are really pigmented. It doesn't take much product but they are easy to apply. Third, they are very smooth and don't dry out the lips. Sometimes I have to take a break between matte lipsticks because they dry my lips out too much but these never do! Lastly, they come with a built in sharpener so you can take them on the go and never have to worry about it not being ready to use!

15. Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castille Bar Soap ($4.69): If you missed THIS post, you might be wondering why bar soap is in my 2015 favorites. Read the post and you'll find out that it has become my favorite way to clean my makeup brushes. Not only is it extremely good at getting every last bit of makeup out of them quickly, but it also softens and conditions my brushes for future use! Go read the post on it and you'll learn more!


There they are friends! All 15(ish) products that I LOVED throughout the year. Let me know what your favorite products were and if you have questions about anything, as usual, let me know and I will be happy to answer them!

I hope your 2016 is off to a fabulous start! Remember to stay kind and grateful to everyone!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Makeup to Enhance your Tan

On Wednesday I shared my facial self tanning routine that involved two wonderful products from Tarte Cosmetics (click here if you missed it), and I promised I would share the products I've been using to enhance my tan to look very glowy and natural.

 When I have a fake tan on my face, I find that I need to do a few key things with my makeup to make sure it doesn't come off as fake. I try to keep things as simple as possible because adding a lot of  bronzing and tanning will eventually be impossible to pull off as natural looking.

Above are the key products that I have been using in a simple bronzed makeup routine. It's focused mostly on my skin since the tan is what I'm enhancing, with nothing much on the eyes.

The first thing I do is apply my foundation. I love MAC Face & Body because it is a light coverage that is waterproof and natural looking. I want my tan to shine through so I think it's important to find a foundation that compliments my skin tone rather than covering it up. I use a brush to buff this into my skin really well.

Next, I use my Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Concealer to cover any blemishes or areas that need a little more coverage. I love how light this concealer feels on the skin and how natural it looks. I really agree that it is weightless and complete coverage.

After concealing, I work on bronzing. I found this Sephora Collection MicroSmooth Baked Bronzer Duo in 01 Honey Heat in my collection that I remembered that I used to love and decided to put it to work. I love how one half is really shimmery and the other is more of a matte finish. I think it's important to use different tones and shades of bronzers when trying to use makeup to enhance your tan because they create dimension. The more dimension, the more natural your look will be. I use a large powder brush to mix the two shades in a 'E3' pattern. This simply means that if you trace from your left temple, down to the hollows of your cheeks, to your jawline, it creates the shape of an E. If you do the same on the right side it creates a number 3. Google this method if you need a little more explanation. It's really easy! I find this method is the quickest and easiest way to add a beautiful bronzed glow to the skin in the areas where you would naturally tan. I then take a smaller fluffy brush and use the darker, less shimmery side to contour my cheeks a little bit.

Next, I apply Benefit's Dallas blush because it is a very natural warm brown tone. It looks less like blush and more like a natural flush on the skin and it complements a tan really nicely. After blush, I move on to highlighter. I've been loving the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Rose Gold because it is such a rosy highlight shade. It looks beautiful applied to the high points of the face.

Lastly, I apply my brows and mascara. For these I use my favorites both by Benefit; Gimme Brow (a tinted brow gel that voluminizes and keeps my brows in place) and They're Real (my holy grail mascara). As with all of my makeup looks, I always spray a setting spray to hold the looks in place for the rest of the day. For this one I used Urban Decay's All Nighter.

There you have it! My quick, easy, and natural makeup look to emphasize a beautiful fake (or real) tan! As usual, if you have any questions please let me know!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Dre

Dre Does a Facial Self Tanning Routine

I am just like every other girl who wants to be bronzed and glowing in the summer time. However, as a licensed esthetician I know the consequences that can come from sun exposure and they are simply not worth the risk. For this reason, I am RELIGIOUS with my SPF 45 or higher on my face and neck region. While I do wear it on the rest of my body when I'm in the sun, I am the strictest with my face because that is where the aging and fine lines are going to show the soonest and the most. Due to the SPF 45 that is constantly applied, my face is always paler than the rest of my body.  I have developed a facial self tanning routine that I love to combat this issue and it couldn't be easier. 

The two tanning products that I have been using are both from Tarte cosmetics. I swear they do not pay me to talk about all of their products. If you've noticed how much I mention them, it's because they are truly one of my favorite brands. I am talking about the Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanning Facial Towelettes and the Maracuja Bronzing Serum. I use the facial towelettes once a week and when not using a facial towelette I use the bronzing serum.

As you can probably imagine, I start my facial self tanning routine with cleansing. I remove all of my makeup and then cleanse my skin. I recommend exfoliating your skin next so that the self tanner develops evenly and doesn't cling to any dry patches. I prefer to use a chemical exfoliant rather than a mechanical exfoliant. Next, I tone my skin. After toning if it's a night that I am not self tanning, I will apply all of my serums or treatments for that particular night and my eye cream. Next, I use the Maracuja Bronzing Serum by applying a few drops evenly all over my face and neck. I will admit this doesn't smell good at all, but most self tanning products don't and the smell fades pretty quickly. This is a gradual bronzing serum that I like to use to extend the wear of my tans. It's not something that you will notice overnight, but I do really like the glow it gives my skin. Lastly, I apply my moisturizer, which right now is still the Maracuja Oil, also by Tarte. 

If it is a self tanning night (by this I mean that I'm using a facial towelette), I do the same routine, except I skip the treatments and serums because I find that everything looks better when I self tan right after I cleanse. The Brazilliance Facial Self Tanning Towelettes are seriously as easy as opening up a little packet, unfolding it, and wiping your face and neck evenly. You don't have to be perfect with this at all. I am not a pro self tanner and I have never had anything but great results! Then I just let it absorb and I'm done (No moisturizer or oils on this night)! I go to bed and wake up with a tanner face and neck that matches the rest of my body! I haven't noticed any residue on my pillowcases at night which is one thing I was concerned about. 

The Maracuja Bronzing Serum is still available on Sephora and Tarte's websites but I'm not sure if it is a permanent product. It is $47 and is 1.7 fl oz. I would say that if you use a few drops on your face and neck every night, it should last you at least 6 months. 

The Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanning Facial Towelettes are $21 for 10 towelettes which I think is a pretty good deal, since that would last you 2.5 months if you use one a week. 

Make sure you come back Friday because I will be sharing how I've been enhancing the fake tan with makeup! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Empties #2

I didn't realize it had been months since I have posted one of these until I looked back. I am definitely due! If you have never seen one of my Empties posts before, it is where I share products that I have used up and give you the verdict on whether or not I would purchase them again. So let's get started!

I decided to split up the products into two categories to make it easier. First I'll talk about skincare and then makeup products.

Ulta Pumpkin Latte Body Scrub: I aboslutely love Ulta's body scrubs. This one was a special edition holiday scent they came out with. It was my favorite of the collection so I bought 3 of them I think which is why I'm still using them up in June. Let's just say I'm dying to get into some other scents I have but I'm trying to be good and use these up. If you need a good gritty exfoliating scrub, you need to try these! I use them to exfoliate before shaving since I can't use shaving cream and they work great! Definitely check them out the next time Ulta has one of their frequent Buy # get # free sales!

Verdict: I will purchase the body scrubs again, just not in this scent because I'm pretty sure I've almost OD'ed on it...

Urban Decay Setting Sprays in All Nighter and De-Slick: De-slick was the first setting spray I ever fell in love with and to this day it is my favorite that I have tried. I love how well it controls my shine and makes everything stay put. I use it on every bridal client, especially in the summer so no makeup melts off the face. A few months ago there was an All Nighter two-pack for a ridiculously good deal at Ulta, so I decided to pick that up instead of De-Slick and while I still like it, it's not my favorite. It does help my makeup last, but for oily skin and the summer heat, I still prefer De-Slick. 

Verdict: I am still finishing up the other half of my two-pack of All Nighter, but I am going to try the Makeup Forever Mist & Fix next. Updates to follow.

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil: Do I really need to talk anymore about this on here? Haha if you have been following me for a while you know that this is my holy grail moisurizer. If not, I can't say enough great things about it! I use it morning and night instead of a moisturizer (or after a moisturizer in the off chance that I am dry) and it helps my skin tremendously. I wake up every morning with soft and supple skin and the vitamin C really helps even out my skin tone and fade old scars. I feel like it has also brought a radiance back to my skin that I love.

Verdict: I will repurchase it until they stop making it. And then I will hide in my room and cry until Tarte decides to bring it back into production. So yeah... You should try it...

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Facial Moisturizer: I really love Ole Henriksen's products and this is no exception. If you're looking for a light moisturizer that will exfoliate and help fade hyperpigmentation and acne scars, try this one. A little goes a long way, it absorbs quickly and feels so nice and light on the skin.

Verdict: Definitely worth trying if you like light, exfoliating moisturizers. I will probablly purchase a full size for the summer for days that I need extra moisture to pair with my Maracuja Oil.

Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion: I was recommended this product when I was suffering from cystic acne on my chin because it is designed to target deep cystic blemishes and this is already my second bottle to go through. I really noticed a difference and hardly ever the deep cystic blemishes anymore! I highly recommend it if you get them! 

Verdict: Already have purchased and am using my third bottle!

Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment: This is the sample size that I got free with purchase from Ulta, but I currently am using the full size and I love it. I use it as my eye cream morning and night and feel like it is really helping diminish the darkness around my eyes. I mentioned it in my May Favorites if you want to know more!

Verdict: Unless I discover a new eye treatment that I want to try, I will probably repurchase this one when I am out.

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant: This is the deluxe sample size that I got from an Ipsy Glambag probably over a year ago, but I made that thing last as long as I possibly could until I got the full size. I love the scent because it smells like lemons. It does a wonderful job of exfoliating the skin but I would be careful if you have super sensitive skin, because sometimes it can hurt slightly. I also like that you don't need a lot of product for one use because it is an expensive one.

Verdict: I probably won't repurchase the large size because it is so expensive and I don't mechanically exfoliate my face as much as I do chemically.

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC30: I absolutely love this concealer and it is my favorite full coverage undereye concealer. It literally does not budge until you use a makeup remover or cleanser to get it off. It's no stranger to my Freelance Kit and something I always go back to.

Verdict: I already have a few backups because I can't go without it. It will always be something I repurchase.

Benefit's They're Real Mascara: I feel like I should be embarrassed that I have 4 in my empties but it's seriously the only mascara I wear because nothing compares to it. I makes my lashes longer while still making them look thick and voluminous. The brush is so easy to use to comb through your lashes so you have no clumps. The part that makes my favorite mascara though is the wear. I have crazy long bottom lashes and 99% of mascaras leave dots on my undereye area because they just can't stay put. Not with They're Real though. I don't have to worry about smudging or dots! It is so worth the $23 price tag. 

Verdict: I have obviously repurchased this many, many times and don't plan on stopping!

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment: I talked about my love for these Lip Treatments in a recent post (click here to see it) and I used up one of the original Rose Treatments. This one is great if you don't want a lot of pigment. I love that these have SPF so I use them a lot in the summer. 

Verdict: While I love the rose color, I like to try a new shade every time I purchase them!

Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Dark: This product is another holy grail for me. I love how easy it is to use. If you are scared to fill in your brows or need a gel that will hold them in place, do yourself a favor and head to a Benefit counter to at least try it. I have gotten so many people addicted to it, due to it's ease of application and natural look! It only comes in two shades (I wear the darker of the two). It has little microfibers in the tinted gel that cling to your brow hairs, giving a fuller but still natural, appearance. 

Verdict: This is another product I will always have on hand because I never leave the house without at least this and mascara!

Well those are my empties for now! I feel like this post turned into an accidental favorites post because I really love so many of these products, but I think it's still helpful to see the products I love. I hope you enjoyed and have a wonderful week!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Tarte Showstopper Palette Review

Today's post is a little bit more than the usual review of a palette. I'm going to give you not only swatches and pictures of the product, but show you the first look that I created with it as well! 

The Showstopper Palette is a part of tarte Cosmetics' summer collection and is a palette for the cheeks and eyes. At first glance it didn't stand out as something I have to have, but when Ulta sent me a 5x rewards points email in May, I decided to give the summer collection a closer look. After looking at this palette for a few moments, I remembered how much I loved the Coral one that tarte came out with a few summers ago. Every so often, they make these round palettes with a bronzer, blush, highlighter and 6 shadows. I used to take that Coral palette eeeeeeverywhere. I loved the idea that I could take one small palette on the go with me that had a huge portion of the products needed to create a look. However, I knew that if I was going to justify spending the money on it, it needed to be different from my other round palette from them. 

I was super happy to find that the blush inside was a matte peach shade, which sealed the deal for me. I love coral-y, peach tones for my cheeks in the summer and with the addition of 6 neutral brown/taupe shadows, I knew this palette would get great use by me. 

At $38 it is a really great deal. Every product is made with the Amazonian Clay formula that they are known for. It is extremely long lasting, pigmented, and blendable. The whole palette is also parabens and phthalate free like the rest of the tarte Cosmetics line. You get their best selling matte and waterproof bronzer Park Avenue Princess, a highlighter in Champagne, blush in Fame, and 6 eyeshadows in Showstopper Copper (bronze copper), Go for the Gold (gold), You're a Natural (nude), Steal the Scene (steel taupe), Rose to the Top (rose gold), and Dim the Lights (black brown). 

To create this look for my eyes, I used You're a Natural all over the lid. Then built up the inner and outer corners with a mixture of Showstopper Bronze and Dim the Lights. I used my finger to apply a little of Go for the Gold to the center of my lid and blended everything well. Lasty I popped some of the Champagne highlighter in my inner corners to brighten the area a little. I love how soft and bronzey this look is. For my face, I used my normal foundation routine and then contoured with the Park Avenue Princess Bronzer. I lastly applied both the Champagne highlighter and the Fame blush which gave me a beautiul summer glow! I hope you enjoyed this post. 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does May Favorites

Happy June friends! It is already time for a monthly favorites post! While I haven't been wearing that much makeup this past month, I still have been loving some great beauty products.

Color Pop Super Shock Eyeshadows: Like everyone and their grandma recently, I've been obsessed with Colour Pop. I have only their shadows right now but I have been loving the texture, wear, and look of these unique shadows. I did a haul a little while ago so click here to read about and see swatches of what I got! 

Becca Beach Tint in Guava: This is a product that I would have probably never tried had it not come in a small deluxe sized sample kit of Becca Cosmetics products from an Ulta 21 Days of Beauty deal. Even after swatching it the first time I was unimpressed. It wasn't until I was in a hurry one day and slapped it on my lips that I realized how amazing it is. On my lips it gives a very natural and 'your lips but better' color that dries to a complete matte finish. It seriously feels like nothing on the lips and doesn't dry them out. You can wear these tints on the cheeks too but I honestly haven't tried it yet because I want to save it for my lips...that's how obsessed I am. 

Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment: I tried this for the first time after getting a sample and loved the texture of it. I look for eye creams that are moisturizing but super light because I am so oily especially in the warmer months, and this one does the job. I had a feeling I would like it because the actual Maracuja oil is a holy grail product that I use twice a day, but I didn't think I would love it this much. I really feel like all the Vitamin C has helped brighten my eye area, which comes as no surprise because the oil does such a good job of brightening my complexion all over and fading my hyperpigmentation. Good job Tarte. You did it again!

Dermablend Setting Powder in Original: I love this setting powder so much. While I know I recently raved about the Laura Mercier one, I think that this one wears much longer than that one. I still prefer the finish of Laura Mercier's however. I personally have really long bottom lashes and if my setting powder isn't great, my mascara will dot under my eyes throughout the day. I find that no matter how oily I get, this powder keeps my mascara from transferring which I love! 

Too Faced Natural Matte Palette: If you had told me the day I bought this that I would be putting this in a favorites post I would have laughed at you. I hated this palette so much when I got it and was about to return it but something told me to try it some more. I felt like I had purchased a palette with colors I already owned that I would probably never pick up because they were too powdery, but after some use I realized how wonderful it really is. It's the perfect warm neutral matte palette because the range is amazing, the colors are so blendable, and it's compact size makes it so easy to travel with. If you want something a little more warm than the Naked Basics Palettes by Urban Decay, definitely get this one.

Red Carpet Manicure Starter Kit: I don't have anything bad to say about this kit besides maybe the color range (I wish there were more because I'm so obsessed haha). I purchased it a few days before my trip to Puerto Rico because I got bumped from my Gel Manicure appointment at work and knew I needed to have nice nails that would last. I had heard nothing but great things about this kit and I'm so happy with it. I have done probably at least 10 manicures with it and love how long they last on me. Follow my Instagram account (@dre_does) to stay updated on what manicures I do. It comes with everything you need to get started plus one polish. The one pictured above is of the Special Edition Blue Cinderella Lamp and blue polish because that is the one I got, but I believe the kit normally comes with a red polish and black light. Let me know if you want an in-depth review on the system and I would be happy to do so in a more detailed post!

What have you been loving this past month? Let me know in a comment below!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does My Current Go-To Makeup Look

For most of December and January so far, I have worn the exact same makeup look, give or take a few products. I have been obsessed with making my skin look flawless and then accentuating my lashes, brows and lips. So basically this look has been about taking natural makeup one step further towards glam. Today I'm sharing what products I use to achieve this natural glam look!

The face: The skin is key in this look. Before I start makeup I have been applying Puff Off, the newest product from Benefit Cosmetics that instantly depuffs and smoothes the undereye area. It also brightens and absorbs super quickly. I then begin the makeup with my Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional primer because it smooths out and helps hide the larger pores in my T-zone. I love how smooth it makes my skin feel, which helps my foundation go on better. Speaking of foundation, I next apply the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hr foundation with a brush and really buff it into my skin. After that is my MAC Pro Longwear Concealer which I apply in my under eye area to conceal my dark circles. I conceal any blemishes if I need to with the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Palette. To set my undereye concealer I use the Banana powder from the Anastasia Contour Kit in Light, and then I mix the Banana and Vanilla powders to set any blemishes I've concealed. Next I contour my face using a combination of all three bronzers in the bottom row of the Contour Kit. A little bit of matte Tarte blush on the cheeks in a natural peachy pink color and lastly, all I need for the skin is to highlight the cheek bones. First I use my absolute favorite highlighter Watt's Up by Benefit followed by Sand from the Contour Kit. Now the face is done! I know this seems like a lot of products but it really makes my skin look flawless which is one of the main features of this look. I forgot to show my setting spray in the photo above but I never go a day without my Urban Decay Deslick Makeup Setting Spray for oily skin. I spray this once I'm completely don't with my makeup before my mascara. This is because we tend to squint or squeeze our eyes tightly when we spray our faces and this prevents any mascara from getting anywhere we don't want it. 

The brows: You probably know by now how important brows are to me (if not go read my Top 5 brow tips from last week). Even on no makeup days I do my brows with Benefit's Gimme Brow but for this look I love using my Gimme Brow first and then giving them a touch more definition with my angled brush and Benefit's Browzings wax and powder duo. My brows still look natural, they are just a little more intense than normal. 

The eyes: Most days I just apply my primer Benefit's Stay Don't Stray from lash line to brow bone and blend a nude tone (either Fresh or Legend) from either the Amrezy or Tamanna palettes from Anastasia Beverly Hills. Sometimes I blend a little bit of a warmer tone like Bengal or Caramel into the crease and into the bottoms lash line. Then it's simply curl my lashes and apply my absolutely favorite mascara, Benefit's They're Real. Yes you read that right, I haven't been wearing any eyeliner recently! For some reason I've been really loving the look of just my lashes being dark. 

The lips: The last feature of this look is the lips. I've been lining them with either Wiity Pink from Napoleon Perdis or Spice from MAC. Then I'll either go with Cosmo or Kinda Sexy both from MAC. If I want a browner look I go with Spice as a liner, and for a pinker look I use the Witty Pink liner first. In the photo above I'm wearing Witty Pink and Cosmo. 

You probably noticed that a lot of these products are by Benefit, Tarte or Anastasia. I am not sponsored by any of these brands they are just products that I really love and always give me consistent and beautiful results. What products have you been wearing a lot recently? Is there a particular look you've been loving? Let me know in comment below!

Have a beautiful day, 

Dre

Dre Does : My Acne Story - Part Three

Part Three is here to give you some amazing products for covering acne while it's healing! In case you missed parts one and two click the links to catch up before reading on. In part one I gave you a little background and introduction to my acne and in the second part I shared what changes I made in both my lifestyle and skincare routine in order to heal it! Today however, I'm going to share some more products, except this time for concealing. These items worked amazing for me and I definitely recommend trying them out. 

First up we have my favorite foundation of all time, the TARTE AMAZONIAN CLAY 12 HR FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION. This is all I wear most days because it is so light but also build-able. I love that Tarte Cosmetics is paraben and mineral oil free, among many other ingredients as well. I feel like this allows my skin to breathe and doesn't feel heavy at all. It's the closest I've ever gotten to serious full coverage foundation while still looking natural. I get complimented on my smooth and perfect looking skin almost every day at work and I 100% attribute it to this foundation. People don't know my skin is extremely discolored and uneven underneath. I've written many posts on it before but it is truly a holy grail item in my makeup bag. The Amazonian Clay is amazing at balancing my oily skin and keeping me shine-free. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with dryness or flakey skin however. It is truly best for oily skin because the clay will dry you out even more and cling to patches if there and then it really will look unnatural. 

If you can't shell out the $38 for the Tarte foundation, I recommend checking out COVERGIRL'S OUTLAST STAY FABULOUS 3-in-1 FOUNDATION. This was my favorite before I discovered the Tarte one and it's an amazing foundation and very similar. It also gives a matte finish which I think is key in covering acne. Any bit of shine will call attention to the texture of your skin, so if it is bumpy make sure to use a matte finish foundation. This doesn't mean you have to have a completely matte face. Add dimension in the right places with a highlighter later, but start with a nice matte base to conceal the acne better. This foundation is also long wearing and gives great coverage. I'm not normally into gimmicky products that say they are multiple products in one (in this case primer, foundation and concealer) but I really think it does these things so good job Covergirl!

My favorite concealer is the BENEFIT BOI-ING INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH CONCEALER for concealing blemishes but the SONIA KASHUK HIDDEN AGENDA PALETTE is a close second. Both give great coverage and are a thicker, creamy consistency which I prefer for spot concealing. I like that the Sonia Kashuk comes which a few different shades so you can perfectly match your skin tone and also a setting powder. My favorite way to apply these is to use my ring finger (clean so we don't spread any bacteria!) to really melt the product into my skin and make it look more natural. 

The second key step in concealing your blemishes is prolonging the wear so that they stay covered all day! For this you need a good setting powder. I personally love the RIMMEL STAY MATTE POWDER for not only mattifying my t-zone but also for setting my concealer. I just use a very small fluffy brush to dust this over my concealer and it helps it last all day! 

Lastly I have to talk about my URBAN DECAY DESLICK SETTING SPRAY because I seriously don't know what I would do without it. This product is key in making my makeup and concealing last all day, especially when I'm covering blemishes! I prefer the oil control formula because I am oily but they have two other options as well for dry and normal skin. You cannot feel this spray on your face and it seriously is the secret to how I get my makeup to last a good 12 hours. 

Let me know if you have any favorite makeup products for dealing with acne. I really hope you enjoyed this series and if you like this type of post be sure to let me know! Remember not to get frustrated and to be patient when dealing with skin! Start the good habits and you can clear your acne as well! 

Have a beautiful weekend,

Dre

Dre Does : My Acne Story - Part Two

Here we are at the second part of My Acne Story and probably the one you are looking forward to most! If you missed the introduction to my acne that I shared yesterday, click here to read that first to find out a little bit more about my acne.

If you're looking for me to tell you about a quick fix cream that will cure everything I sadly am here to tell you I don't have that. What I can share with you though are some of the lifestyle changes I made that I think dramatically helped my skin and also some products that I've changed in my skin care routine that have led to my clearer and much more radiant skin. Nothing was a quick overnight change and I'm not saying all of these will work the same for you, but I believe they are worth trying if you're struggling with some similar acne issues. We are all unique and this means we will have to sometimes try a lot of different things to find what works for us individually. Patience is key though and so is the ability to form good habits. 

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

I noticed that my acne was always occurring in my chin and jawline area which is a sign of digestive issues or hormonal acne so I knew I needed to not only try new products but make some changes in my lifestyle too to help my skin. In regards to the hormonal acne, there isn't much you can change. Women in their 20's and 30's undergo many hormone fluctuations due to the fact that it's the time in our lives when we have children. This can cause breakouts which much like those lovely ones we get during our periods, we can't do much about except keep our skin happy and clean. I lost a significant amount of weight during this time period which I think is what set off my initial acne because significant weight change can cause your hormone levels to fluctuate. But let's get back to the things I did change that helped!

1. The first thing I started doing more of was drinking more water. I've always been good at drinking water but I knew I wanted to make a conscience effort to drink even more (to compensate for all those cups of coffee I consume...) because I know it's good for the skin. This may seem silly for some of you but as a competitive person, downloading an app that kept track of my water consumption everyday made it a game which reminded me to do it. I like the app  'iDrated' but there's many that work well in the App Store.

2. I have been a milk addict since I was a baby so this next change was really hard but I'm proud to say that I switched from cow's milk to almond milk. While its tough to say that acne is caused by certain foods, we can say that eating foods that are less inflammatory (i.e. Dairy, spicy foods, sugar) can help our skin from freaking out. I still eat some dairy here and there but my main consumption was definitely through milk so I'm glad I was able to give it up. I really enjoy the almond milk fortified with fiber and protein as a replacement! 

3. Stress management was huge. If you've ever experienced breakouts due to an increase in stress you'll understand this one. When we're stressed our skin has no problem showing us, so managing it is huge when it comes to healing acne. Whether it's doing more yoga and meditation or cutting out toxic relationships in our lives, it's important to evaluate your life and figure out a way to cut down on stress levels. Not only will your skin improve but your sanity will thank you haha. I was extremely stressed during my period of terrible breakouts and while I am just as busy now as I was then, I've found ways to let go of things that don't matter and decrease my stress levels. If you need more suggestions or ideas for this leave a comment below and I would be happy to share with you what I've done. 

SKIN CARE ROUTINE CHANGES

Now for the fun part. Products! Before I can share what I've been loving I need to slap a big ole warning label on this section. No matter what you try you absolutely must get in the habit of a good skin care routine. I have not gone to bed without taking my makeup off in a very very long time and even if I don't wear any makeup that day, I STILL use my same routine at night. Going to bed without cleansing your skin is like writing a personal invitation to acne to show up ASAP wherever it would like. No thank you. So you must become consistent with a routine if you want to clear up your skin. Let's not forget about the morning either! I have a simplified routine for the morning that's not quite as in depth, but still deep cleanses my skin and preps it for the day!

Another huge part of this is to give products a fair shot. It takes the average person's skin 4 to 6 weeks to turnover so we can't expect miracles overnight. Give products a few weeks to see if they are helping. If you notice sensitivities of course discontinue using them right away, but don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away. Like I mentioned before, patience and forming good habits are key! (Think of this as a skin diet)

So above we have six products that are holy grail for me that I have continued using even after my skin is healed for the majority. Starting on the very left and going clockwise we have the Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion, Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser, Ecotools Pure Complexion Deep Cleansing Charcoal Facial Sponge, Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant, Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil, and lastly the Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask. Now let's go over them one by one.

I start with the Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion because I believe it is the item that has done the most for me. I had heard rave reviews about this product for cystic acne so I jumped at the chance to try it. It's rare to see skincare targeted for cystic acne because I was always told there's nothing you can do for it since it is deep in the dermis. The deep penetrating and fast absorbing formula is full of B vitamins and amino acids which target the deep cystic acne, but there are also many anti-inflammatory herbal extracts that help soothe the irritated areas. It's a really thin liquid which is pretty strange to get used to but I simply apply this product to my whole chin and jaw area where I either have acne or am likely to get it and it keeps breakouts at a minimum. I wouldn't go a night without this product and could not recommend it more. The only thing I would be careful of is applying it to any open blemishes becaue it can sting a little. If there's anything you try from this post for hormonal cystic acne near your chin or jaw, make it this one!

The next two products I use together to cleanse my skin after I've already removed my makeup. The ECOTOOLS PURE COMPLEXION DEEP CLEANSING CHARCOAL FACIAL SPONGE is a miracle worker when combined with the OLE HENRIKSEN ALOE VERA DEEP CLEANSER. Both products give me a good deep clean feeling and get rid of any excess oil buildup in my skin. The cleanser has soothing aloe vera, chamomile, and vitamins to sooth my skin yet effectively treat and help restore balance. Both combination and oily acne prone skin types can use this. The facial sponge is a good way to gently exfoliate my skin a little while pulling impurities with the added charcoal to give me a very deep and soothing cleanse. If you've read previous posts of mine, you would know that I'm not big on mechanical exfoliation for my skin because it's sensitive and I have a lot of hyperpigmentation, but I find that this is a gentle way to get some of the benefits without causing more harm. 

The AVEDA BOTANICAL KINETICS EXFOLIANT  is another holy grail for me because there aren't a lot of products like it on the market. It's a simple and gentle chemical exfoliant that you apply in the evening instead of a toner with a cotton pad to your face. The exfoliant breaks down dead skin cells overnight to reveal smoother skin. For me, this is huge because I prefer chemical exfoliating. I like that this is something I can apply gently every night and it's boosting my cell turnover and keeping my pores free of dead skin cells that can trap debris and bacteria in my pores to contribute to more blemishes. I think this is another huge factor in what has helped clear up my skin. Consistently getting rid of the dead skin cells is keeping my pores clean and reducing the likelihood that oil and impurities will get trapped and create that perfect environment for the acne bacteria to want to live. I use this exfoliant only at night. 

Next up is my favorite moisturizer. I joke at work that I would shower in this stuff if it wasn't so expensive and that would be none other than my best friend PURE MARACUJA OIL FROM TARTE COSMETICS. If you've never heard me mention this then you must have been accidentally reading someone else's blog haha. I use this both day and night as a moisturizer for my face. Now I know what you're thinking. ADD OIL TO OILY SKIN?! You must be crazy! But in order for our skin to function properly we need some oil. If we strip our skin of too much, we will end up doing the opposite of what we want and forcing our skin to produce even more oil because it will freak out that there's nothing there. We need some oil to protect our skin. I find that using this oil as a moisturizer gives me enough moisture without being greasy that my skin doesn't produce extra oil. Plus I haven't even mentioned the amazing benefits it has because it is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants because guess what...Maracuja oil is pure passion fruit oil so this lovely friend is Brazilian like myself (As if I needed more reasons to love it haha). Vitamin C is amazing for evening out your skin tone and fading hyperpigmentation so I love the effect it is having on my acne scars! They are slowly going away! My skin is also becoming more radiant overall. It also helps with fine lines and wrinkles, so this is an amazing product for women who are starting to think about anti-aging products but still dealing with adult acne! I know the price can be scary at $46 but the bottle is huge and if you use only a few drops a day I promise it will last you at least a year which is pretty cheap overall.

Lastly, we have my favorite charcoal clearing mask, the ORIGINS CLEAR IMPROVEMENTS ACTIVE CHARCOAL MASK. I love this stuff. I use it once a week for a few reasons. The active charcoal works like a magnet drawing deep impurities out of your pores. The white clay absorbs environmental toxins in your skin, and the lecithin dissolves the impurities. Overall you get an extremely deep clean and refreshed happy skin. Plus it's always fun to put a mask on that's a crazy color like gray. 

So there we have it. The changes I made in both my lifestyle and my skin routine that have brought me clearer and happier skin. If you have tips that have helped please be sure to share! Just remember to have patience and I promise you can get rid of your acne too! 

Come back tomorrow for my post on what I used to camouflage my acne while it was still there! 

Acne or no acne, have a beautiful day!

Dre

Dre Does a Tarte Chic to Cheek Collection Review

Happy Saturday morning friends! If you've been reading my blog for awhile you know that I am a huge tarte cosmetics fan! I love that their products are formulated with Parabens, mineral oil, and a lot of the other chemicals you find in makeup. I have multiple holy grail items from this company, one of them being their Amazonian Clay 12 Hr Blushes. Every year I get so excited for them to debut their holiday collections. It used to be mainly for the Lip Surgence lip crayons but now I'm a sucker for the wonderful blush sets they do for the holidays. Last year they did a set of three mini blushes plus a brush which I was obsessed with so I was dying to see what they would bring to the table this holiday season with their Sweet Dreams Holiday Collection. 

This year they brought out the Chic to Cheek blush set of 4 mini blushes. I'm happy they ditched the brush and did a fourth blush instead because I have enough brushes but clearly not enough shades of these blushes...haha 

L to R: Classic, Prim, Amour, and Daydream.

The set is only $35 at Ulta and includes amour (rosy pink), classic (candy pink), prim (soft apricot pink), and daydream (plum nude). While I agree with the descriptions of amour and daydream, I feel like classic is much more of an apricot shade than prim. Regardless, I feel like all four shades are different enough that this set is worth it. They are all matte except for amour which has a slight bit of shimmer in it, but nothing too crazy or intense. The pigmentation and wearing power of these blushes is just like the original full size blushes and if you like blush variety I highly suggest these. If you've never tried out the Amazonian Blushes at all, this is a great chance to do so! Hurry though, because they're going fast at the store I work at! 

Have a beautiful weekend,

Dre