Best Beauty Discoveries of 2018

I wanted to share a recap of my favorite products that I discovered in 2018 so that’s what I’m bringing you today. I’m overall pretty happy with what I tried last year. Nothing stood out as being terrible and wasted money so that’s always a plus. Be sure to let me know after reading, what you discovered and loved last year! (I am only including items that were new to me in 2018 that I hadn’t previously tried)

Makeup:

Lash Paradise Mascara: I was skeptical to try this mascara out because it’s supposed to be a dupe for the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and I do not like that one. However, this is now tied with my longtime favorite Loreal Voluminous mascara. It does a great job thickening and voluminizing without getting clumpy. I also really like the wand.

Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid Illuminating Highlighter: I’ve said this a few times over the course of the year, but I would call this liquid highlighter a pretty close dupe for the Becca Shimmering Skin Protector in Opal. Most days I mix it right in with my foundation and it gives me a great all over glow. If you’re worried about being covered in chunky glitter when you do this, do not fear! This one definitely is subtle but beautiful.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick in ‘Amber’: This is my absolute favorite way to contour. The shade is perfectly cool-toned and blends effortlessly. If I had to pick my favorite makeup find from all of 2018 this would be it!

Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizer in ‘Anthelion’: I fell in love with these luminizers on a videoshoot I did at the beginning of last year and have loved them all year long. I love how easy and blendable this one is for everyday makeup, but still great for a full glam.

Juvia’s Place Eyeshadow Palettes: I didn’t discover these palettes until November but boy am I glad that I did! After buying one (The Warrior Palette) I immediately bought three more and am continuously impressed with the quality and pigmentation of these shadows. Highly recommend you checking them out if you are looking for a new palette.

Glossier Generation G Lipsticks: I picked up the shades ‘Cake’ and ‘Zip’ after Glossier relaunched with new packaging and I am obsessed. Both are staple shades every woman should have. They apply as a lip stain would and are perfect for beginners who are new to lipstick. I will forever keep these two shades in my purse. If you haven’t ordered from Glossier before a.) good luck not getting addicted and b.) click the link below for 10% off your first order!

***For 10% OFF your first Glossier purchase click here

Glossier Boy Brow: Enter one of the best products I’ve ever tried in my life. I used to think that Benefit was the only company who could make a great brow gel but boy was I wrong. I use the shade black and I cannot express to you how badly you need Boy Brow in your life. It gives me just the write amount of tint on my brows and still looks like hair. If you learn anything from reading this post, let it be that you need to try this product. Your BROWS need you to.

Milk Makeup Holographic Stick in ‘Mars’: I bought this product last spring because I was drawn to the color. It’s a rosy gold highlighting stick and I use it now when I want one product to make my cheeks look glowier and a little rosier. It’s a great no-makeup, makeup product and just makes your skin look healthier!

Glossier Lash Slick Mascara: The other best mascara I tried this year was this one. It’s the first mascara I’ve ever tried that cannot make your lashes look clumpy and lasts the ENTIRE day without budging at all. It’s not what I’d wear with a dramatic eyeshadow look because it’s not really that voluminous. It makes you look like you have naturally dark, long, and beautiful lashes! I’d say it’s great if you’re looking for a simple and natural every day mascara that will last all day!

Skincare:

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment: This would probably be my favorite skincare discovery of 2018. I wear it almost every day when I’m not wearing makeup. It gives me color correction (reduces my redness), moisturizes me a little more (I still wear moisturizer under it), and is my physical SPF. I cannot recommend this product enough if you need a product to do all or some of those things. I know it looks expensive but it lasts forever and you can try out a smaller size first if you want!

Weleda Skin Food: I freaking love Skin Food. It’s not a new one, but it was the first time I bought it after hearing about how great it was for years. The smell alone is amazing. If you need a good natural moisturizer to really lock in moisture, even if you have sensitive skin, this one is for you! I personally think everyone should own a tube of it regardless of your skin type.

Acure Brightening Cleansing Gel: On my quest to only buy toxin-free skincare this year, I discovered this Acure cleanser and I’m obsessed. The fresh lemon scent is great and I love how clean my skin feels without being stripped of every oil. I also love how inexpensive it is for being so clean and good for your skin.

French Girl Organics Rose Facial Polish: I normally am very anti-physical exfoliators, but when I worked on that video shoot early last year I discovered this product and I’m obsessed. It’s a little messy, so I like to keep it in my shower and use it about 2-3 times per week. It uses brown rice starch to exfoliate and I especially love that it has clay in it, so after gently massaging it into my skin, I can let it sit for the remainder of my shower and it helps clean some of the impurities as well.

Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Mask: I just freaking love this mask and believe everyone needs it. It’s extremely clean and is amazing for those who suffer from acne. I love how blue tansy is calming for the inflammation associated with breakouts. I especially love that it tells you to use it a few days in a row after a breakout to really help clear it up and then it tells you to taper it off for upkeep.

There you have it! Those are the products I loved trying in 2018. What did you try and how did you feel about it? Comment below and let me know, especially if you made some great discoveries! I’m excited to see what I discover this year.

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. 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.

The Makeup Lover's Gift Guide

Similarly to the previous Skincare Nerd’s Gift Guide, I wanted to share some makeup products that any makeup lover would be happy to receive. I can tell you that I would be happy to get anything on this list, so whether you have a sister, girlfriend, daughter, or maybe even you need ideas for what you want to ask for, READ ON!

1. Juvia’s Place Eyeshadow Palettes:

   I’m putting these palettes first on the list for a few reasons. First, the price is unreal. Most of their palettes are around $20 and the quality of the shadows I’ve tried is crazy! They made the list because they are newer to the scene, and I don’t think most makeup lovers will have collected them yet. The pigmentation is amazing and I think any makeup lover would be so excited to unwrap one this year and add it to their collection. My favorite is the Warrior Palette that I got at Ulta for $20.

2. Brush Cleaning Matte and Brush Cleanser:

   Cleaning your brushes is the least fun part of doing your makeup, but it simply has to be done for healthy skin. Getting a makeup lover a tool to make the process quicker and easier would be amazing! I love this one from Real Techniques because it has a strap that my fingers slide through so it fits right onto the palm of my hand and stays put. It’s really inexpensive and works well! To make it a complete gift, add on a brush cleaner and you’re good to go. My favorite deep cleaning brush cleaner is this bar soap from Dr. Bronner’s. It cleanses my brushes and conditions them to feel so soft!

3. Makeup Lesson:

   If you know someone who is new to makeup or recently has been getting into it, I highly recommend booking them a makeup lesson with a professional makeup artist. It’s a great way for them to learn new techniques and can be extremely individualized depending on the person! If you are local to the Central Michigan area and would like to gift a makeup lesson with me to someone you love, feel free to email me and we can talk details! I also sell gift cards at the bottom of every page of my website (so scroll down)! 1 hour makeup lessons are $65 with me and I would love to spend time teaching you or someone you love.

4. Makeup Mirror or Vanity:

   A new mirror to look into while doing their makeup is a great makeup lover gift idea! I personally have one really similar to this one from Conair that was given to me as a gift YEARS ago. I love it because I can take it around my house and do my makeup in any location near a plug, because you guessed it…it also has a light! It’s double sided, one side being more magnified than the other and has lights on both sides.

5. Beauty Blender:

   It’s no secret that beauty blenders are awesome, but they can be a little pricey. Getting one as a stocking stuffer or an add-on to a gift would make any makeup junkie happy. It’s kind of like getting them the really expensive nice socks that they don’t like buying themselves; but we all need socks right?

6. Generation G Lipstick:

   I’m obsessed with these. My newest favorite everyday lip product is one of these Glossier Generation G Lipsticks in the shade ‘Cake’. If you have a light to medium skin tone, you can wear it with no makeup and look instantly more put together, or it will compliment whatever makeup look you have on. They give you the perfect lip stain look that I talk about loving all the time! I guarantee that whoever you buy it for, it will live in their purse as a go to product. If you have never shopped with Glossier before, you can click this link to get 10% off your first order!

7. Makeup Brushes:

   Can a makeup lover ever really have too many brushes? The answer is no, but I think you already knew that. I personally love the Real Techniques brushes and I’ve given them as gifts many times. I especially love their sets for gift giving because you can give more while keeping it budget friendly. The Sculpting set, Enhanced Eyes set, and the Flawless Face set would all be great options. I also really love this Setting brush and have three just in my makeup kit because it can be used in so many ways!

8. Ulta/Sephora/Target GC:

   Similar to yesterday’s Skincare Nerd’s Gift Guide, I guarantee that if you are giving a gift card to a makeup lover, they have a list of products they are dying to try but don’t want to spend the money on yet. Your money will be very gratefully received so they can try something new! You can always give gift cards with the intention of purchasing a particular type of product (like a new palette or foundation) but allowing them the ability to go in and see products and decide for themselves. I find that this takes away a little of the impersonal-ness that some people fear when gifting someone a gift card. If you tell them the intentions, the thought will not go unnoticed.

I hope this gift guide brought you some ideas for this holiday season. Be sure to come back tomorrow to see my Cookbook Gift Guide and to see how I purchase my cookbooks used and on a budget!

As always, have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. 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.

Easy Wedding Guest Makeup Look

I haven't done a step by step picture tutorial in a while for you guys and since it's wedding season, I thought I'd bring you one that is so easy! You only need 3 eyeshadows and a black eyeliner pencil and you're good to go. The technique can be done with WHATEVER colored eyeshadow you want. I used a brown one with copper sparkles but you can do a bright color like teal or maybe navy; both of which I think would be stunning. The possibilities are endless, so practice the technique and get to experimenting! I like how it gives a darker, soft and smokey look which is perfect if you have weddings to attend late summer/early fall! I used three shadows from the Anastasia Beverly Hills Artist Palette but you can use whatever you want! You'll just need a matte shade close to your skin tone, your main color, and a shimmering/metallic shade to jazz it up a bit! The brushes I used were simple and few too; one fluffy blending brush and one pencil brush! That's it! Now let's get started...

Before I began, I prepped my eyelid with some leftover concealer. Then I used the skin tone shade (Buttery) and put it all over my lid using the fluffy blending brush. I also added a thin line of black eyeliner.

Next, I applied my main shade (Baby I'm a Star) with the pencil brush all over the eyeliner and blended it out slightly. Then I took my blending brush and blended the line out a little bit. The blending causes the pigment and shimmer to be lost so add a little more shadow.

Keep adding more shadow and blending it out, until you have your desired intensity and smokiness. Lastly, I added the same main color on the outer 2/3 of my lower lash line and blended it out, and popped a little of my metallic shade (Beigely) to the inner corner. 

Here are the shades that I used from the Anastasia Beverly Hills Artist Palette just for reference (the camera doesn't quite pickup the copper glitter in Baby I'm a Star but that's what makes this color fun). Remember thought! You can use whatever colors you want! I'm just trying to teach you the technique so you can create a perfect simple, but smokey eye makeup look that you can wear to any special nighttime event (or wear it in the daytime! I'm not here to judge)!

And now for the final look! I just finished the look off with one of my favorite mascaras (Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise) and the eye look was complete! All other makeup details are listed below in the photo's caption!

Makeup Details: Foundation - Makeup Forever HD; Concealer - MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear; Contour/Bronze - Fenty Beauty Match stix in Amber; Blush - Sephora Collection Colorful Face Powder in 007 Too Hot; Highlight - Milk Makeup Holographic Stick in Mars; Lips - Nothing!, Brows - Nothing!

What do you guys think? Would you wear this look to the next wedding you need to attend? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think! And if you ever recreate it, send me a photo or tag me with #andreafontanabeauty on Instagram so I can see it!

Have a great weekend,

Andrea

Recent Empties #2

I've found that you guys really like these empties posts because it's nice to see products I didn't like as well. It's been awhile since I did my last one, so I wanted to share with you the products I've used up in the last few months. I think this post will be equally as helpful because I have some products I won't be repurchasing because of the ingredients they contain and that I am finding cleaner alternatives. I've divided them up into categories so it's a little more helpful, and I've included products that I use up in my kit since that might be interesting for you as well! Let's get started:

Makeup Empties:

Most of these products were from my kit which will be helpful for you if you're looking for products I trust and love. First up we have two bottles of the Ulta Beauty Brush & Sponge Cleanser. I go through this stuff like water because it's such a great brush cleanser. It's really effective and you don't need much product. It also dries really quickly, so when I'm doing clients back to back, it's easy to sanitize and clean my brushes fast and move onto my next client. If you don't deep clean your brushes as often as you should, I highly recommend getting a spot cleaner like this to wash them frequently (every other day) in between deep cleansing. I will continue to keep repurchasing this spot cleanser until I find one that I like more or is comparable but more cost effective. 

This next product is also from my kit and I have a love/hate relationship with it. MAC Cosmetics Fix + is a cult favorite and I keep it in my kit for only one reason; to wet my brush for metallic shadows/more color payoff. I do not like it as setting spray for the whole face because I hate the way the container sprays. I'm picky when it comes to spraying a face of makeup that I've just put so much work and love into. I also find that the bottle tends to leak when I'm transporting it from job to job, so after 2 or 3 bottles completely emptying in my kit, I've committed to only buying this little 1 oz bottle of MAC Fix + from now on, so I don't waste money if it leaks again. I will continue to buy it because it is my favorite for really getting a shimmery/metallic shadow to lay beautifully on the eye and stay well. 

Benefit Porefessional Face Primer is my favorite silicone based primer to keep in my kit for almost all of my clients. I love how it smooths out the texture of a client's skin and will always have it in my kit. I've tried other brands' versions and nothing compares to this one for me. Plus most of my clients always say "this smells so good!" and it's nice for clients to have enjoyable situations like this throughout the makeup process. Remember if you are a makeup artist, the experience of doing someone's makeup is just as important as the end result. 

This last makeup empty is a personal one, as I am always trying out mascaras from the drugstore. I have had so many people talk about Covergirl Clump Crusher and decided to try this one out. It's the Covergirl Clump Crushers Extensions Mascara in 'Very Black'. Apparently it's supposed to be like the original clump crusher formula but with buildable fiber extensions in it? I don't think it was anything special and if I remmeber correctly, I bought it by accident when wanting to try the original instead. Mental note: Read fine print better Andrea. 

Skincare Empties:

These two kind of go together because they were my two favorite makeup removers before I went clean with my skincare. I loved this solid Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter because it isn't liquid which makes it easier to travel with. It also seemed to last forever. The Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water is also great for removing eye and face makeup with a cotton round. If you aren't concerned with clean skincare than I'd recommend them for you, but unfortunately you won't seem in my routine anymore. (In case you are wondering what I have switched to, keep an eye out for my current skincare routine post coming later this week!)

This toner is a repeat and thankfully is clean enough to stay with me through the clean skincare process! It has a few ingredients that register as a 3 but most are 1's which makes this an overall 3 or under product (my goal). There has to be at least a 50% chance that if you are reading this I've either gotten you addicted to this toner or you've heard me talk about it. The Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Healthy Toner with Glycolic & Lactic Acid is the perfect toner for people who need glycolic and lactic acid in their routine on a daily basis (i.e. many of you especially those who struggle with texture issues, uneven skin tone, breakouts, clogged pores. etc...). It's worth the splurge because it lasts over 6 months and I love that it comes in a glass bottle. I think it's made an appearance in at least 3 empties posts over the years, so you can bet I will continue to purchase it. 

I used up a pack of the CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patches and this things are my SAVIORS. I will always keep them on hand because I pop one on clean and unmoisturized skin over my blemish at night and in the morning it is significantly reduced. It works best if the blemish has come to a head already, but I am always excited to see the oil and impurities on the sticker when I remove it in the morning. It makes me feel like a science experiment and I'm weird like that. If you struggle with acne ever PLEASE do yourself a favor and click on the link and snatch some of these up. 

I got this sample of the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and I couldn't even finish it because of the smell. I thought I could tolerate most smells if I knew the product was helping my skin but I just couldn't get over this one. I included it in this because I've heard great things about this serum but I wanted to recommend that you go into Sephora and ask for a sample to see if you can tolerate before you purchase it. 

Next up we have some sheet masks that I used up and this first one was a gift, and thankfully they still sell them on Amazon! The Secret Nature Firming Blueberry Sheet Masks are awesome. I'm happy I received a whole pack of 5 of these because after using the first one, I couldn't believe how plumped and hydrated my skin looked. My fine lines were so minimized and some even gone. It was unreal. While they contain ingredients like fragrance, that I try to stay away from, I will definitely be using up the pack. Again this is a product that I definitely recommend if you aren't as concerned with clean skincare. The other mask I used is from I Dew Care and I bought it in the Let's Get Sheetfaced kit of 14 sheet masks. Unfortunately it is no longer available, but I did like that there were many options in this kit. I definitely recommend getting a kit of different varieties of sheet masks to keep on hand so you always have something for whatever your skin is currently dealing with. 

Other Empties:

This category is for hair and body. So I have an issue with wasting products. I cannot just through products out because I no longer want to use them. I have to figure out a way to use them and this first product was no exception. I haven't bought a Victoria Secret or Bath & Body Works body product in ages, I think this one was a gift, because the quality of ingredients is just simply bad. I had this Amber Romance Victoria's Secret Body Wash and instead used about a tablespoon with my bathes to give a little bit of bubbles. This did make it last forever, but at least it's gone and I don't have to feel bad about wasting products. I'm not even going to link it because I do not recommend buying your body products from either of these places. 

These next two hair products, the Wella Professionals Enrich Shampoo & Conditioner for Fine/Normal Hair were my favorites before I switched to a cleaner option. I went through a few bottles of them and really did love them. They are great quality if you don't necessarily want clean hair care products and made my hair feel more voluminous and healthy (For reference, I have very flat and fine hair but a lot of it). 

The last product I want to share is something I've never talked about on AFB but it has to do with periods so if that bothers you here's your warning. While going clean and toxin free, I swapped out my tampons for organic cotton ones. This was actually one of the first changes I made, probably about 8 or 9 months ago! Through a recommendation of a friend (thanks Mercedes!) I went with This is L and I really do love their organic tampons. I signed up for the subscription on their website which I've linked above and received 20 tampons once a month (10 regular & 10 super) for $7.95 (including shipping). I like that with every purchase they donate to products women in need in high impact areas. So not only are you making a healthier conscious choice for yourself, but you're doing something good for other women at the same time. I will always support companies who have this business model! While I would buy L tampons again, I paused my subscription because I couldn't use them fast enough. Apparently I don't need 20 every month and they were getting backed up in my bathroom. I have also noticed the Cora tampons and decided that once I used up my This is L ones, I would give those a shot. Cora also donates products to women in need and they are organic cotton. I feel like Cora's website is more specific in how your purchase helps those in countries all over the world (including the US) which I really like. I will let you guys know how I like the Cora Tampons when I get to try them. Both companies have subscription options which is really nice so you never have to do a midnight tampon run again (Hello, we've all been there!) I like that Cora is sold on Grove Collaborative which is the online membership service that I use to purchase my natural cleaning products. 

This was definitely a longer post than normal but I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the products I've used up recently. It allows me to give you an honest opinion of the product after using it entirely. I hope you enjoyed and shout out to you if you made it to the end of this post! Comment below if you've tried anything I mentioned today!

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea 

Disclosure:

Unless noted, all products were purchased with my own money and all opinions are my own. 

Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. 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.

June Favorites (Beauty)

Well it's officially the beginning of a new month which means it's favorites time! I'm changing things up this month and decided to do my favorites as a video instead of a blog post! Leave me a comment below if you prefer watching instead of reading my favorites! Thank you for watching! Also make sure to comment below what your favorite products were this month! 

Here are the products and links I mentioned in order of appearance:

NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer https://amzn.to/2zd0UE3

NYX Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray https://amzn.to/2NwZFD4

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow https://amzn.to/2tVa6rW

Jordan Samuel Skin etOILe with Retinol Treatment Oil https://jordansamuelskin.com/products...

Coola Suncare Organic Sunless Tanning Anti-Aging Face Serum https://amzn.to/2lUofAY

Pacifica Rose Flower Hydromist with Kombucha https://amzn.to/2KzCZ7k

Acure Argan Oil & Pumpkin Shampoo and Conditioner https://amzn.to/2tUKdbM

Burt's Bees Milk and Honey Body Lotion https://amzn.to/2MTD56v

 FTC: All products were purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own.

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. 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. This does not affect the price that you pay.

Have a wonderful start to July,

Andrea

Changing things up this month and decided to do my favorites as a video instead of a blog post! Leave me a comment below if you prefer watching instead of reading my favorites! Thank you for watching! Also make sure to comment below what your favorite products were this month!

March Must Haves

It's the time of the month where I share everything I've been obsessing over. I get so excited to write these posts for you because you guys seem to love them! As usual, if there is an Amazon link I trust I will share it and it will be an Amazon Affiliate link (feel free to scroll to the bottom to read my disclosure on that). If it's not an Amazon link then it is not an affiliate link. Now let's get to the good stuff! This month will be short, but sweet. 

Let's start with the best healthy cookie recipe you will ever make. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that I can eat them all in 2 days, but let's be glass half full people and say it's a good thing. Laura in the Kitchen is my go to when I need a good recipe because she has so many and they never disappoint. I have shown these a few times on my Instastories and was waiting to share them with you in a favorites post. So go make them NOW. I would be shocked if someone could tell they were healthier without knowing before hand. 

Dr. Jart Cicapair CC Treatment: This has become an everyday must have for me. I have seen Michele1218 RAVE about this product for about a year and finally bit the bullet and decided to try it. I am obsessed. It is a physical SPF, gives me moisture and has pigment to color correct your skin. It doesn't look like makeup at all but makes your skin look so much smoother, healthier, and even toned. It's my last step everyday when I'm not wearing makeup and need SPF. Don't let the green color scare you, it quickly color corrects the redness in your skin, while being completely undetectable. 

Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask: If you read my post about Curate + Co (I'll link it here in case you didn't) I was gifted this amazing mask by the wonderful owner Christina. This one has also found its way into a permanent position in my skincare routine because it's amazing. It's completely clean and effective for keeping my skin smooth and blemish free. I love how the Blue Tansy has Azulene which reduces inflammation, so if I have breakouts it calms them while getting rid of them at the same time.  If you can, please use the link in the title to purchase it and support Curate + Co, an amazing small business that I love! If you are only a die-hard Amazon shopper, here is the link for that as well.

Pacifica Rose Flower Hydro Mist : Yes, this one made it two months in a row. I debated not mentioning it but the reality is that I am still obsessed and I used it almost every day in March. It feels so good on the skin and I cannot get enough of it. I love how refreshed I feel every time I spray my face with it and it smells so good. If you're looking for a good refresher try this one out!

Lancome Matte Shaker in Beige Vintage (270): I have been loving this lip product, mainly because it is so light (literally feels like water on your lips) and gives the right flush of color. The staying power isn't great, but that doesn't really bother me. I'm excited to try more shades. 

As you guys know, I recently cleaned out my skincare products and the best part is that all of the skincare listed above is clean and passes my chemical-free test! My every day makeup clean out is still on the horizon so remember that when I recommend any makeup from now on. 

What were your favorites this month? Did you discover anything good? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. 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. 

The Launch of The Beauty Bar at Curate + Co.

Imagine a cozy little space that from the moment you walk in and see what's inside you can't help but smile. Every step and turn you make, you notice another thing you want and you find yourself saying "awww look" 1,000 times in a row. That's Curate + Co. in Kalamazoo, MI. 

I was lucky enough to have Christina, the owner, reach out to me and ask me to be a part of a very special project to launch The Beauty Bar, a collection of expertly curated face and body products that would make any woman's conscience scream, YOU NEED THIS! Christina and her husband Marco, wanted to create a launch video and needed a makeup artist to create the three looks showcasing the products, which is where I came in. 

Not only did we all come together to create an amazing video (Click here to head to my Instagram to watch all 3 looks!), but everyone involved was so talented and fun to work with. I loved this project. 

Now I want to share some of the products I used in the shoot and some that I took home with me and have been testing out. 

French Girl Organics Facial Scrub in Rose du Jardin: I am not normally a physical exfoliation girl but I had to get this one when I saw all the ways that you could use it! You can use it as a regular scrub by mixing it with water or toner, mixing it into your cleanser, or even using it as a mask, as it has pink and white clay in it! There are also plant antioxidants that brighten and soothe your skin. 

Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizers: I used the three shades of these luminizers in the video shoot and I fell in love. You can use them in so many different ways; brow bone, inner corner of your eyes, cupids bow, cheek bones, collar bones, etc. I have been way more into liquid highlighters recently and these definitely make the cut. 

Rituel de Fille Inner Glow Creme Pigment: I am normally not a huge cream blush fan, but these really changed my opinion. They were so easy to blend and had great color payoff. Even if you've never tried a cream blush before I highly recommend picking one of these shades up because they give such a healthy looking flush to the skin; plus they are great to keep in your purse for on the go moments when you need both lipstick and blush!

Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Mask: To say that I'm obsessed with this mask would be an understatement. I can honestly say I will always keep this as a part of my regular skincare routine. This mask contains fruit enzymes and willow bark (natural source of salicylic acid) to gently exfoliate your skin but also clarify it. I highly recommend it for those who deal with acne, oiliness or texture. I love how Herbivore recommends you do it every night for 3-4 nights in a row to get started and then use it 1-2 times per week for upkeep. I noticed huge improvements with my skin within the first use and it just got better with each use. I never felt too dry or sensitive afterwards. I love the smell of it (it's surprisingly very candy like) and you don't need much product to get a successful treatment. I like to rub a dime sized amount between my fingers and then apply to my face for a thin layer. It will tingle for a little bit, but that is totally normal!

Sassy Lips Make The Moment Lipsticks: If you watched my last video (CLICK HERE TO WATCH) I mentioned that my favorite lip look is currently the 'popsicle lips' where you look like your lips are stained from just eating a popsicle. If you love this look too, I highly recommend these awesome pH changing lipsticks because they look different on everyone depending on the pH of your lips. They give the perfect amount of stain and can be layered to create a brighter and more intense look. We used one in the 'Fresh' look created in the video and I loved it. I cannot wait to get my hands on my own. I think they will be perfect for fresh summer makeup looks!

There are many other great products and pieces at Curate + Co to check out. If you like home decor, kids clothing/ toys, greeting cards, and more, or even just want a little inspiration, I highly recommend adding 'Visit Curate + Co. ASAP', to your To-Do List next time you visit Kalamazoo. One of the things I like most is that they host a lot of workshops to learn how to create new things or pick up a new hobby! If you can't make it to the store you can always visit their website at www.Curate-Chicago.com

Thank you again to Curate + Co for asking me to be a part of this awesome project!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Everyday Glowing Skin Makeup Tutorial Video

Welcome back to Andrea Fontana Beauty!

I have finally filmed a YouTube video on the glowing skin look I've been wearing nonstop since I got back from my Florida vacation. I love how healthy it makes my skin look, but also how quick it is!

Please be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to my channel so you can always stay updated!

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/andreafontanabeauty

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/andreafontanabeauty

Welcome back to my channel! Today I'm sharing the glowing skin look I've been wearing all the time since my recent vacation. Please be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to my channel so you can always stay updated!

Here are the products and links I mentioned in order of appearance:
-It Cosmetics CC Cream in Light
-Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Opal
-Urban Decay Naked Concealer in Light Warm
-RCMA Makeup No Color Powder
-Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Creme Bronzer: Video on this--> CLICK HERE
-Benefit Cosmetics Dallas Powder
-Glossier Haloscope in Moonstone
-Glossier Boy Brow in Black
****For 10% off your first Glossier order! CLICK HERE
-Loreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black
-Lash Boost Growth Serum & Post --> CLICK HERE

If you'd like to support Andrea Fontana Beauty in an easy way, click this link before buying what you were already going to buy on Amazon. The price stays the same for you and I get a commission of your purchase! If you choose to use it, thank you always for your support!
***http://amzn.to/2HA8Aj5

Let me know if you have any more makeup look requests! I have really fallen in love with creating these videos so I hope you enjoy them!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Andrea
 

February Favorites

Hello I'm back! 

In case you missed all of the sunsets, head over to my Instagram to see all of the fun I had on my Florida vacay!

I'm back with some favorites from February that I can't wait to share. Originally I was going to include some book favorites because I have been reading a lot, but I polled you guys on Instagram and you decided you wanted a Quarterly Book Post instead, so look for that at the end of March. I feel like I mention this in every post, but if you want to have a say on the content I create, follow me on Instagram and vote in those polls!!

If links below are Amazon links, they are affiliate links. If you choose to use them, I earn a commission off of your purchase. This in no way affects the price that you pay, but supports me as a blogger and I so appreciate you if you choose to use them! If the link in this post isn't for Amazon, then it is not an affiliated link. I just like to be upfront with you! Anyways, now onto the faves!

I have been driving a lot recently and love to listen to podcasts during this time. One of my all time favorite bloggers Sydney from The Daybook, recently started a podcast with her business partner and I knew I had to listen. No shocker, I am absolutely obsessed. It's called What The Eff Podcast and it's about going after your dreams and figuring it out as you go along. I cannot recommend it enough. Sometimes they have guests, sometimes they interview each other, but every episode is amazing. Check it out here!

I can't remember how I found out this Newsletter but I love it. It's called the Girl's Night In Newsletter and you get an email every Friday morning (as if Friday wasn't exciting enough) and it's full of recommendations; recipes to make, things to do, books to read, articles to read, etc. As I get older and spend less time out on a Friday night, I really like the ideas it gives. Click this link here to sign up for it!

Next, let's talk some products. First up we have the Pacifica Rose Flower Hydro Mist. I bought this in a rush at Target when I was picking up last minute things for my vacation and I became obsessed. It has that amazing rose scent, but I used it constantly whenever I wanted to refresh and cool off my face, especially at the beach. I loved it. It also has Kombucha and essential oils in it which I find pretty cool (Side note, I'm learning how to make Kombucha Tuesday night and could not be more excited!!) It's 100% vegan and cruelty free and also formulated without SLS, petroleum, parabens, and sulfates!

I always use a lip treatment with an SPF when I am on vacation or in the sun, so I went back to this amazing one for my Florida trip that I've loved for a long time. The Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Tulip has a berry pink tint to it, which I love to give my lips moisture, color, and protection in the easiest way! I can't recommend this line of lip products enough for warm days!

Let me be a broken record and say I LOVE SHEET MASKS! haha that probably comes at no surprised, especially if you read my last post on Travel Tips. I have been using them so much recently and again I think they are great to have on hand. Here's a great set to get you started if you want to try some out. 

I want to mention my SPF that I have been using for awhile and was my go to in Florida. The Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50 doesn't smell like traditional SPF, doesn't feel like traditional SPF and I love it. It protects so well and I can't recommend it enough. I am all about formula and finish when it comes to the SPF for my face and I love how this one doesn't feel greasy at all but still nourishing. 

Lastly, I want to share a drugstore foundation you've probably heard me talk about but I've been loving for awhile now. The L'Oreal Pro Glow Foundation is medium coverage and build-able and gives a really nice glowy finish. I'm normally a NARS foundation girl all the time, but I am happy to have found a great drugstore foundation to have as an affordable option.

So that's it for February! What were your favorites this month? If you've fallen in love with something be sure to leave it in a comment below!

I hope you have a great start to the new month! I'm starting my March off with a Launch Party tonight for a Beauty Bar I did makeup for! Then I'm headed for a weekend away visiting my best friend.

Enjoy your weekend loves,

Andrea

Romantic & Soft Valentine's Day Makeup Tutorial

I'm back with the second makeup tutorial for Valentine's Day! Over on my Instagram (link is to the right-->) I created a poll in my stories asking if you wanted to see a romantic & soft makeup look or a bold & daring one. I already created the bold & daring, so here is the second one, romantic & soft!

This time around, I created a look that is much more subtle, but still just as beautiful as the last. I used only one palette, The Jaclyn Hill Palette from Morphe, to create the whole look! It was my first time using any Morphe eyeshadows and I really fell in love with this palette. I can't wait to create some more looks with it.  Products used are listed in the description of the video on YouTube, so be sure to click on the video and visit it there if you want details!

Remember, just like the last look, you can swap out any shadows for the ones shown and make the look your own. 

Here's a better look at the shadows that I used!

As I mentioned in the video, if you have any requests for specific looks or palettes to use to create looks, leave a comment below to let me know!

Have a beautiful start to your week,

Andrea

First Impression Video: Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Creme Bronzer

Happy Thursday!

I'm back with another video today, this time sharing my first impression of a new cream product and some tips on applying cream products! I like first impression videos because they show you my initial reaction to using a new product for the first time. If you like this type of video, please be sure to like the video, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and let me know what you want to see next!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! I'm off to celebrate the world's GREATEST man's birthday (my boyfriend <3),

Andrea

Everyday Makeup Routine

Welcome back! 

I have a highly requested YouTube video now up on my channel and below in this blog post. I added a poll to my Instagram stories asking if you wanted to see an everyday makeup routine look and so many of you said YES! (In case you haven't noticed, all of the action is happening on Instagram so go follow it!! Link is to the right -->) So here we are! 

I listed all of the products below in order of appearance so that I didn't have to spend so much time going over them in the video. I hope you enjoy this and subscribe to the channel so you can always be updated when I post new videos. 

I hope you are having a wonderful week so far!

Andrea Fontana