#WomanCrushWednesday: Jenn Muñoz

This week's Interviewee is
Jenn Muñoz!
This lovely makeup addict has some flawless makeup techniques, techniques that are easy for everyone to learn! She loves trying new looks and she pulls them off perfectly! Check out her everyday makeup routine and her other Beauty tips :)

For more Beauty tips & Makeup inspiration, Follow Jenn's Beauty Instagram

@jennpulido

1. What is your favorite foundation?

My favorite foundation is Cover Olay Facelift Effect Foundation, nothing beats a lightweight medium to full coverage foundation that has products to benefit the skin! 

2. Favorite line of lipsticks?

This one is tough, I would have to say the VS Pro line, they have a wide range of colors, very pigmented and don't crease! 

3. Favorite mascara?

 Right now I'm in love with the Pür Big Look Mascaras, the waterproof and regular. One of the ingredients is Argan Oil, does good to the lashes! 

4. What is your favorite look to do? Ex. Glamorous, sultry, smokey, bronzed, natural?

That's what I love about makeup, you can switch it up, but my favorite lately has to be natural! 

5. What is your everyday makeup routine?

For everyday makeup, I like to keep it simple and light. To prime my face I use NYX Angel Veil, for a light coverage I apply Covergirl Olay Facelift Effect Foundation with my damp Real Techniques Sponge. My go to concealer is L'oreal Age Rewind, it's lightweight and benefits the under eye. Next it's time to contour and for that I use my trusty Anastasia Contour Kit. This kit is so amazing I use it for so many things, contour of course and then I use the same powder to put on my lids to give it a natural look. I use her Banana powder to set my concealer and the Sand for highlight on my cheekbones, brown bone and tear duct!  For blush I use Milani's Luminoso, I swear I use it everyday! I fill in my eyebrows with Anastasia Beverly Hills Pomade in Dark Brown, set it with her powder and clear brow gel, Pür mascara  for top and bottom lashes, and to finish the look off I use Vs Pro Lipstick in True, it's a pretty nude-pink. Then I set all that hard work with Urban Decay Setting Spray and VIOLA! 

6. What is one product you can't live without?

I would have to say concealer! Nothing beats a product that can make you look more awake in just seconds!

7. Must have skin care products?

The entire Proactive line, Argan Oil, Biore Strips and Mask of Magnaminty from Lush! 

8. Any personal tips or advice for a fellow makeup junkie or someone who knows nada about makeup? 

Ever heard the saying, "less is more"?   It really is, it's easy to get carried away and use so much product. That leads to a "cakey" face, not a good look!  Start with little product and build from there. You can use 20 products but it doesn't have to look that way if used correctly! 

9. First lip color that pops in your head, GO! : 

Purple! 

10. Liquid, gel, or pencil eyeliner?

Gel, it's easy to work with and blends so well! You can control the amount of product you use. 

This woman isn't afraid to try a different look! She's such an inspiration! She also knows when to treat herself and when to budget! 

Thanks again Jenn!

Are you a makeup junkie? If you'd like to be featured in a #WCW article please contact me!

My FAVORITE Drug Store Lipstick

Just because you don't shop at Sephora or Ulta for your makeup doesn't mean that you can't have High quality products. Whenever Im running out of something or if Im feeling spontaneous, I always make a stop at a rite aid or CVS to tend to my makeup needs. 

My favorite product to get from there is Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color. 

In all honesty these are my go-to lipsticks. Yes, I like to treat myself to MAC and other high end brands, however, these lipsticks ALWAYS satisfy me…& even better, they are half the price of high end lipsticks. 

They are long lasting and very pigmented. They go on like butter and never dry out my lips. They have a variety of colors from "Vivids" to "Buffs".

If you want High quality Lipstick that is easy on your wallet, I definitely recommend this product. I always get compliments on my lip color when I am wearing these lipsticks. Its a win-win situation :)

Check them out!

The Secret to a Glowing Complexion

As a makeup junkie, it's important that we take care of our skin. 

Yes we might invest a lot of money into makeup products, but investing money in skincare products are equally important! All that makeup may put a toll on your skin. Thats why its important to keep your skin clean and moisturized everyday. Also, it would be extremely beneficial to let your skin breath every once in awhile.

In addition to your skincare routine, there's one product out there that is a must have for makeup addicts…

One day I wandered into CVS on a search for a good face mask to add to my skin care routine (I usually get all my skincare products from there anyway). Thankfully I came across Freeman's "Feeling Beautiful Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask".

This mask works WONDERS!

At first sight of the label, I was a little skeptical. I mean, charcoal? On my face? It sounded kinda toxic to me at first (lol). But the description is what really had me sold...

"Dual-action purifying mask & smoothing exfoliant. Pollution - debris - it's a wonder skin can breathe! This unique mask and scrub works double time to detox skin. First, naturally purifying activated charcoal helps absorb oil and impurities without over-drying. Then, black sugar helps exfoliate away dulling skin cells for softness and clarity. Perfect for all skin types (CVS website)." 

It was exactly what I was looking for. Even better, it was only $3.99! 

So I went home and tried it out that night. Its more like a scrub rather than a mask. The texture seems kind of rough for your skin at first, but after a few scrubs it feels so good. You can tell all the impurities are being buffed out of your skin. After that, I left it on for about seven minutes. It does feel a little tingly while you wait (or maybe I'm just paranoid, I have sensitive skin). FInally, I washed it off, patted my face dry, and Good Lawd my face felt BEAUTIFUL! 

I have never felt my skin so smooth and soft. It literally felt clean! 

It also LITERALLY glowed as if I never put any makeup on my skin in my whole life. Whats even better is that this glow carried on to the next morning! There was none of that "morning oil-sleepy shine" on my face (My skin type is oily). Its like giving your face a clean slate. Its like washing and waxing your car every week. I use this product at least once or twice a week. I wouldn't recommend doing it more than three times a week, only because it is a pretty rough scrub. This product is amazing. It is not just a recommendation, it is a must have! Ive never been one to put face masks into my skincare routine, but I realize that masks are important if you wear makeup at least three times a week. This mask really does buff away old makeup, oil, and dead skin that is left over on your face. It scrubs away what normal face wash doesn't. I definitely insist that you try this product. You won't be disappointed! 

Have you tried this product? What do you think of it?

#WomanCrushWednesday: Kristi Perkins

I am pleased to introduce you to my very first Interviewee, 

Kristi Perkins!

Kristi is one of my beautiful, fellow makeup addicts. She knows her shit. She also knows when to budget and when to treat herself. Her answer to number eight will make you have a different perspective on makeup. Check her out...

(Instagram @krispyperkins)

• 1. What is your favorite foundation?

  I have super oily skin and after experimenting with multiple pricey mid-end foundations that STILL left me with oily skin and a sad wallet, I finally discovered Revlon ColorStay Foundation. They have a formula that's specifically for oily skin types. It gives me full coverage, keeps me matte all day, blends nicely, and smells nice. The best part is that it's only $10 at a drugstore near you.

  
  

  2. Favorite line of lipsticks? 

  My favorite lipstick line to treat myself (ie: bribe my boyfriend) to is Yves Saint Laurent. My lips are chapped nearly 100% of the time but these babies are moisturizing almost to the point of being a lip balm while maintaining beautiful pigment. The packaging is gorgeous and gold, and the lipsticks themselves smell like candy. Revlon Lip Butters also deliver nearly the same result for a fraction of the price, which is nice because unforunately I'm a waitress and not a millionaire so all my lipsticks can't be YSL. Yet.

  
  

  3. Favorite mascara? 

  Too Faced's Better Than Sex mascara. You'll have to decide if it lives up to the name. I feel like I've tried hundreds of mascaras, but this one hands down always delivers the best results. After just a few coats it leaves your lashes long and a thick without "clumsiness" or creating the "spider effect." It's like false lashes without the false lashes. When I'm wearing this one, people always ask, "Are those real?"...and they're definitely not talking about my boobs.

  
  

  4. What is your favorite look to do? Ex. Glamorous, sultry, smokey, bronzed, natural?

  My favorite look to do is a smokey eye with a red lip. Or a natural eye with a red lip. Or just winged liner and a red lip. I love to incorporate red lipstick into as many looks as I can. For me it's a quick, easy confidence booster. MAC Russian Red and Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red are two of my favorite reds.

  5. What is your everyday makeup routine?

  I do a full face everyday. I always have, probably always will. For me, it's like morning coffee. Doing my makeup is what gets me kickstarted and ready to take on the day. Everyday I apply my foundation first with my beauty blender. Sometimes I'll apply a primer beforehand if I need longevity for the day. After that, I apply a translucent powder with a fluffy brush to help me stay matte. Then I do liner, primarily liquid, and I always take it out to some kind of wing, big or small. Then I apply mascara, followed by filling my brows. Then I apply a little bronzer to the hollows of my cheeks, followed by blush, and finally a lip color of my choosing. I've been loving this Revlon lipstick in Rosewine for my everyday look. It's a more natural, toned down red. This sounds like a lot, but I can usually get it done in about 20 minutes or so.

  
  

  6. What is one product you can't live without?

  I couldn't live without my Anastasia Brow Wiz. It's no ordinary brow pencil. It's retractable and very, very thin so that you can draw each individual hair in for a very natural looking brow. For me, my face isn't complete if my brows aren't done. I have pretty sparse, light colored brows and with the help of my Brow Wiz I can have the power brow that I've always dreamed of every single day.

  
  

  7. Must have skin care products?

  Purity Made Simple by Philosophy. I wash my face with it every day. Not only is it a cleanser, but it's also a makeup remover (it even gets pesky waterproof mascara) and a toner. I'm prone to acne breakouts but I haven't had many since I've been using this cleanser. It comes in a special gel formula for people with oily skin like myself. All you need is a pea-size amount. It smells great too, but not too strong. I actually just purchased a new bottle, but the first lasted me for 10 months. At $21 a bottle, it's an awesome investment. I also really love the Sephora Acne-Fighting Mattifying Moisturizer for everyday.

  8. Any personal tips or advice for a fellow makeup junkie or someone who knows nada about makeup?

  My advice for a makeup beginner would be: practice. Practice, practice, practice. Watch youtube tutorials for anything you have questions about. One exists for nearly everything, and they're extremely worthwhile. Don't give up if you don't get it right the first time. My advice for all other makeup junkies out there is to do whatever the hell you want, girl. There's a prevalent social stigma surrounding the use of makeup. People say girls who wear makeup are fake. People say girls who wear makeup are superficial. People say girls who wear makeup are bitchy or dense. People say girls wear too much makeup. Guys say they prefer natural looking girls. I say who gives a single shit? Always wear your makeup for YOU, nobody else. Wear it because you love to do it and you love how it looks. Wear it because you like to feel good about yourself. Wear it because it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or says. What matters is that YOU love it. Lawd, I cannot stress this enough.

  
  

  9. First lip color that pops in your head, GO! :

  Wet n' Wild Cherry Bomb. It's a super deep red, almost purple, that's the perfect fall/winter color for dramatic looks. Also it makes me feel like a vampire, so what's not to love?

  
  

  10. Liquid, gel, or pencil eyeliner?

  Always liquid. I prefer to use a felt tip for easiest application. I love Almay liquid liner in Black Pearl for everyday. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner is good too. On oh-my-god-I-have-to-be-at-work-in-10-minutes days I'll sometimes user a pencil liner a smudge it for a quick smokey look.

  
  

  GOD I Loved her Interview, I Love makeup addicts!

  I hope her beauty advice helped, it sure did help me :) Thanks again Kristi!

  
  

  Are you a makeup addict? Contact me to be featured on a future #wcw article!

Stay Matte.

matte¹

mat/

adjective

1. 1.

   (of a color, paint, or surface) dull and flat, without a shine.

   "matte black"

noun

1. 1.

   a matte color, paint, or finish.

   "the varnishes are available in gloss, satin, and matte"
2. 2.

   a sheet of cardboard placed on the back of a picture, either as a mount or to form a border around the picture.

verb

1. 1.

   give a matte appearance to (something).

   
   

   
   

   
   

   There's tons of trends in the beauty industry right now -ombre lips, purple lips, bold brows, pointed nails, contouring etc. However my favorite trend right now is a matte lip. To me, a matte lip can instantly turn any look into a classy look! Its definitely more subtle than a lip with shimmer or gloss. A matte lip can be worn in any color and is appropriate for any occasion! I'd have to say my favorite shades in matte are reds and purples. These colors are already bold as it is, but lose the gloss and shimmer and you have an everyday sultry look.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   My current matte lip obsessions are from Lorac Pro, Mac, and NYX.
   
   My newest additions to my matte lipsticks are "Lorac PRO Matte lip colors". 
   I purchased these in the colors Violet and Merlot.
   This product is great because its not really a lipstick, but more of a mechanical lip pencil. It goes on your lips smooth like butter but has a matte finish. Its like a lip liner and lipstick in one. The colors are extremely pigmented, which is a requirement when it comes to matte lipsticks. I guess you could say its a mix between a lip stain and a lipstick. This product is shaped like a cute little stick thats convenient for storage and travel. Its definitely a must have especially for a girl on the go. They are $16.00 at Ulta. 
   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   Next I Discovered the luxury of MAC Cosmetics, Matte Lipsticks. There's so many colors to choose from in the collection. I decided to go with "Sin". This color along with its matte finish is the epitome of fall. They go on like velvet. Its extremely pigmented and the color lasts all day. I get so many compliments when I wear this lipstick. Its such a sexy color. I can't wait to purchase more! 

   $16.00

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Finally my Go-To Matte Lipsticks, that are easy on my wallet, are NYX Matte Lipsticks. 

   They have a variety of colors to choose from in this collection. As always I Love all the darker shades such as "Siren, Alabama, and Aria". But I want to try all the bright pink/purple shades in this collection. They go on so smooth and they don't dry out your lips throughout the day. If you're not too sure about matte lipsticks, I'd definitely start with this brand. None of the NYX lipsticks have let me down and I'm absolutely positive you'll have the same results. And most importantly they are less than half the price of the other two brands. They are $5.99 at Ulta and Target and can also be found at CVS.

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   I hope this helps your Lipstick Collection :)

   What's your favorite matte lipstick?

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   
   

Take Care of your Makeup Brushes!

These are my "Go To" brushes! From face to eyes, these brushes apply my makeup perfectly. Whats even better is, they are extremely affordable!! Elf and EcoTools can be found at Target. My every day brushes consists of a face powder brush, a bronzer/blush brush, a stipple foundation brush (a must have btw), a beauty blender (Not a brush but its still an everyday tool), and my eye shadow brushes. These brushes are essential to my everyday looks. However because I use them everyday, its very important that i keep them clean on a monthly basis. & if you are a MUA, be sure to do it after every client -but that's obvie. 

However, I must make a confession to my fellow makeup lovers... This is the first time that I have ever washed my brushes! Sounds gross, I know. But hopefully I'm not the only one out there that just buys new brushes once she feels like they are over-used…? I am guilty of this sin but thankfully my friend Taniya enlightened me on why we need to clean our brushes and how. At her cosmetology school she gave me a step by step tutorial on how to clean makeup brushes. Its important that we clean our brushes to wash off any makeup build up that could potentially store bacteria. 

Here's my first, literally first, tutorial on how to wash your brushes (credit goes to Taniya Hayes @ro.92 on instagram lmao). 

First rinse the brush in warm water in a downward position. Try not to get the top part of the brushes wet because it could weaken the glue that holds the hairs together. 

Then add a pea-size amount of shampoo to the palm of your hand..

Then wash the brush on your palm in the motion as if you were applying it on your face..

This is what you are washing off of your brush….

Next, rinse until water runs clear, squeeze out excess water, and then gently towel dry.

Now repeat for all brushes. The key is to wash the brush in your palm like you were applying the makeup to your face, go in the direction of the hairs. In other words don't just scrub the sh*t out of it like a three year old with a crayon. 

Now for the beauty blender, you'll apply the shampoo to your palm first, then soak the sponge in water and then work the soap into the sponge by repeatedly squeezing it. Your main focus should be the areas where you beat the most. Keep working it through your hands until makeup stains wash off.

Now you'll have beautiful clean brushes that will last longer. This good habit can also prevent a bad break out. Take the time to keep your brushes clean!

Review: THE Amrezy Palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills

Four words.... I LOVE THIS PALETTE! If you are looking for a versatile palette that contains a variety of shimmer and matte shadows, this is the palette. It has everything you need for a glamorous look or just something simple and natural. Definitely perfect for everyday use. My favorite shadow is the color  "Morocco". It is a brown color with a reddish tone. It's different. It adds an exotic twist to any look. The well known makeup artist, Amrezy, used this type of color in a lot of my favorite looks of hers. However I could never find a shadow close to it (ok maybe I was just too lazy and broke to search for it). But thankfully her collaboration with ABH produced a beautiful palette that included that color I was looking for... plus more! All the shadows are so pigmented and they look perfect on any skin tone. I definitely recommend you add this to your palette collection. It is absolutely worth the money and is actually more affordable than any of the other popular palettes out there. It is $29.00 at Ulta. Oh! I almost forgot to add that it does come with its own dual ended eyeshadow brush that applies the shadows perfectly! If you don't own any palettes yet, this is a great one to start out with that you can use everyday! *thumbs up*

Here is a subtle bronze look I came up with using the Amrezy Palette

& If you don't know who Amrezy is, Go follow her on instagram -"@amrezy"! She has tons of beautiful looks. She is the first makeup page I started following back when I first got an Instagram. She is such an inspiration & I hope one day I'm at least half as good as her. I almost died when she first announced her palette! #myfavorite

Do you own this palette? What do you think of it?

A Quick Ulta Run!

 A few days ago I went to Ulta to kill some time. Twenty seven dollars later I left with only two small products (Thats no surprise to a fellow makeup junkie). Fortunately I was extremely happy with my purchase! I am in love with both of these products and i definitely recommend you add these to your makeup collection.

 The first product is the Dipbrow Pomade in "Dark Brown" by Anastasia Beverly Hills. This product runs at $18.00 at Ulta & Sephora. It may seem sorta pricey and you may question if its really worth it, but i am here to tell you yes, its totally worth it! I used to just use a dark brown eye shadow from a Sephora palette and an angled brow brush. I thought it worked well for my brows however, after using this Dipbrow it would be a sin to go back! I have heard nothing but good reviews about ABH brow products and I'm eager to try more…now only if my wallet would cooperate (Whining emoji)! I will post a future tutorial on how i use this product. I definitely recommend!

 The next product I selected is Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in "Bronzed" . I feel like this color was personally crafted by the Gods! It is literally bronze! I was looking for a specific nude/taupe lip color but everything I was looking for was out of stock. So luckily I stumbled across the Maybelline section (I swear by Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor anyways, so pigmented and hydrating!). This is truly a unique type of nude that has a noticeable shimmer to it. If you are going for a glowy, sun kissed look, this lipstick is a must have. I must also add that this brand of lipstick is super affordable! It runs at $7.49 at Ulta. I will be posting a "Bronzed" look using this lipstick in the near future!

If any of my ladies purchase these products, let me know what you think!