What's in My April Ipsy Glam Bag!

Happy Monday, Beauties!

I hope everyone had an incredible weekend celebrating the holiday's with their loved ones. This has been one incredibly long week, so I was happy to just relax, and spend time with family coloring Easter eggs, and eating a lot of food! 😉

Today, I'm very excited to kick off a fun new series of Ipsy unboxing's on my blog!

For those who don't know, Ipsy is an incredible beauty program, founded by beauty influencer Michelle Phan, where you subscribe to receive shipments of 5 beauty products monthly!

When you sign up, you take a quick quiz about your beauty style & products you love, and you pay just $10 a month to receive 5 different products (a mix of full size a & deluxe samples), varying from haircare, skincare, cosmetics, beauty tools, nail care, and more!

What's most fun, is that every glam bag you receive has a different theme. So, not only are you getting 5 amazing products sent to your door every month, you get a super cute makeup bag along with it!

For the month of April, Ipsy partnered with beauty influencers Gabriel Zamora and Bailey Sarian to create the SideShow Glam Bag.

How cute is this theme? The bags are really great quality!

You have the ability to get a peak at what you're receiving in your bag each month, but I like to keep it a surprise! It's so much fun to come home from work and see the pink package sitting in my mailbox, and then getting to open up the package to see what this months bag looks like, and checking out all of the new/cool products I get to play with! This is especially good after I've had a really rough day at work...

Let's jump right in and have a peak inside to see what I recieved in this months Glam Bag.

I'm really excited about all of the products I received this month! It was a good bunch. A great mix of makeup, skincare, and nails!

First off, we received this gorgeous Glamour Dolls x Lisa Frank Blush Brush!

This brush was an Ipsy Pre-Launch! Remember the brand Lisa Frank from when you were in like, middle school? Just me? I'm old. This was the IT brand back in the day. Hello, throwback. Now, it's teaming up with Glamour Dolls to create a super cute collab!

This brush is really high quality. Vegan-frienddly, synthetic bristles. The bristles are so soft. I can't wait to play with it and see how it blends on the skin! And... it's like, pink... with unicorns on it... what more could you need?!

 Next up, we received a Colour Pop Creme Gel Liner in the shade "Mr. Bing"!

I was a littleeeee disappointed in this goodie, because when I received it, the side of the packaging is a really beautiful turquoise color. This led me to believe that this is the color of the liner, as most companies put the shade of the product on the sides of their packaging. However, when I opened up the box, it was a brown liner. Still gorgeous, but I got excited that I could play with this beautiful "blue" liner.

This is my first Colour Pop product, so I did some research, and it looks like all of their gel liners have the same color on the side of the packaging.

Regardless, it's a beautiful liner. When I swatched it (you can see below), it applied incredibly smooth. I look forward to using it !

Next up, we have the Naked Cosmetics eyeshadow in the shade Heavy Medal #4

This is a loose pigment shadow, with a beautiful metallic finish.

I've only swatched this shadow, but it seems like it may have some fallout. However, I love how pigmented it is! I'll see what happens when I work with it on the lid, and give you all an update!

Top - Naked Cosmetics Heavy Metal
Bottom - Colour Pop Creame Gel Liner

I also received a really cool deluxe sample of a vitamin C serum from MintPear.

I've never heard of this brand, but received their C Your Youth Vitamin C Serum, and based on what I'm reading, I'm really excited to try this! This serum is used to battle signs of aging such as dullness, wrinkles, sunspots, and fine lines.

25% of this serum is straight up Vitamin C. That's amazing! Some other magical ingredients include thyme extract, camomile extract, Vitamin E, & Aloe.

If this product is as amazing as it sounds, I will definitely be purchasing a full size!

Last, but certainly not least... the goodie I'm probably must excited about!

This is a gorgeous nail polish duo from Meg Cosmetics! The set is called "Lovey Dovey"

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE switching up my nail color. I've been doing my own nails for years, and I have accumulated many polishes over the years. 

These colors are gorgeous! There's a beautiful cool-toned bluish gray shade, along with an equally as beautiful cool-toned dusty nude shade!

How cute is this?! I'm obsessed! Pop off the top black lid, and you have two separate shades.

These shades are really on trend with what's all over the runways right now. I cannot wait to use them!!!!!

And there you have it! This month had some amazing trinkets! I can't wait to play with them!!

Share what you got in your Ipsy bag!

Until Then, Stay Beautiful,

Christina Bracco

Xoxoxoxo

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6 Makeup Products Every Girl Needs in Her Collection

Hello, Beauties!!!

I hope you all had a spectacular week! 

I'd like to start off with a big thank you to everyone for such an overwhelmingly positive response to my return to blogging! Your love for my last POST was so inspiring! I truly appreciate it.

Today, I wanted to write a fun piece about 6 makeup products I think every gal should always have on deck! 

Whether you're a fellow makeup lover who needs to beat your face on the daily to feel alive, or someone who likes to stick to a basic 5 minute face in the morning, these products are a necessity! 

Let's jump right in! Woo!

Concealer 

You may wake up on a Monday morning, and lack all motivation to put on any makeup, but you want to hide those (designer) bags under your eyes & make yourself look a little more fresh and awake. Dab on some concealer, blend in with your clean ring fingers, and be on your way! 

Concealer is also helpful when you don't want to commit to foundation, but you really want to spot treat some annoying blemishes or dark spots! 

Just... never run out of concealer. 

Blush

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Everyone needs at least one good blush in their repituare. If you're a makeup collector, I don't need to tell you the importance of a good blush! You probably have 10 different rose-shade blushes that someone tells you look all the same, but you see 10 different shades with so many different undertones and finishes. I digress...

For the gals who don't care to wear too much makeup, blush is another go-to feature that can brighten your skin up in an instant, even if you don't care to put on any other makeup at all!

Pop a swirl of your go-to blush on the apples of your cheeks, and you'll look brighter, more awake, and have the illusion of a natural glow from within! 

Red Lipstick

Do not be afraid of the classic red lip!

I feel like red lipstick is a territory that a lot of women are afraid to explore. I was one for a long while! I would never dare wear a red color on my lip. I thought I was too pale, I thought the look was too dramatic for every day, and it remained uncharted territory.

As I got more and more into makeup, I started to play around with deeper shades for the lips, and finally started to play around with a red lip. Now, it's one of my favorite looks to wear! 

What's most important to wearing a red lip is finding the right shade for your skin tone. There are many, MANY different brands, shades, formulas, etc., for a red lip. The key is finding the right undertones. Determine whether you need a cool-toned or warm-toned red lip. For instance, I need to wear a warm-toned red lip, so if your skin tone is similar to mine, head in that direction! 

Despite what some may say, you can indeed get away with wearing a red lip in the daytime. The key to a killer daytime look featuring a red lip, is to keep your eye makeup very minimal.

If you do a really neutral, soft, warm tone eye look, you can totes pair it with a red lip for day time! We do not need to save the red lip for an evening, ladies! 

Even if you insist on keeping your love affair with red lipstick strictly after 6pm, you can pair it with a cat eye for a vampy look, or pair it with a smokey eye! 

Possibilities are endless with a red lip!!!!

(Let me know if you'd like to see a tutorial on a daytime look incorporating a red lip! Ask, and you shall receive.) 

Warm Tone Eye Shadow Palette

Bouncing off of number 3, a warm tone eye shadow palette is the most practical of palettes to own! 

You can do a soft, feminine eye look, a sultry smokey eye, a neutral look... the possibilities are endless!

Warm tone palettes go amazing with all skin tones, all eye colors... everyone werks, yes, werks, a warm tone shadow scheme! 

Tip: If you're in a rush, or just don't feel like doing a full eye look, swipe a neutral warm tone shade in your crease with windshield wiper motions to give your eyes a little life.

Eyelash Curler

Such a simple tool, yet it can really pull a look together!

Eyelash curlers are so unappreciated for the job they do. Everyone complains about eyelash curlers. Where is the respect???

An eyelash curler can take your look from a 10 to a 20. I feel naked if I do not curl my lashes before I apply my mascara. 

Even if you never wear any makeup, an eyelash curler can transform your face! 

Curlers give you an eye lift within seconds. Your eyes look wider, more rounded, and alert -with or without mascara.

If I'm heading out to run a quick errand, I'll quickly curl my lashes and throw on some lipgloss, and instantly I look more fresh! 

Do not underestimate the power of curled lashes. 

Black Eyeliner

Last, but certainly not least, is a classic black eyeliner. 

Black liner can take your look in so many different directions, depending on how you use it.

If you have a neutral look going on, but want to give your eyes a little pop, throw some black charcoal liner in your waterline. 

Line your lids with a thin layer of black eyeliner to vamp up a look, or use a liquid liner, (my preference), to do a cat eye! 

Eyeliner is a really versatile makeup staple. I always like to keep it handy, even in my desk drawer at work, in case I have an outing afterwards and I'd like to quickly take my look from day to night! 

And there you have it! My 6 must-have makeup products! 

Let me know what some of your favorites are for each of the 6 different products. Drugstore or high end, I'm always looking to try new things!

I will be back next week with a fun unboxing of my April Ipsy Glam Bag!

Until Then, Stay Beautiful,

Christina Bracco

Xoxoxoxo

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I'M BACK!!! Favorite Foundation: NEW - Mally Beauty Flawless Finish...

Hello, my loves!!!!

Long time no talk, huh?

After a year+ long hiatus, I am coming back to you all with new posts about my favorite, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle products, tips, and tricks!

 I'll be starting off with one post a week, and as things ramp up, I will be back with two posts a week!

I wanted to kick off this return by bringing you all one of my instant ride or die foundations, that is absolutely perfect for Spring and Summer (and really all seasons, but I digress).

In true Beauty by Bracco fashion, this foundation is by none other than Mally Beauty!

The new Flawless Finish Transforming Effect Foundation.

In this post I will provide info on the consistency of the foundation, shades, price, application... everything you need to know! Let's jump right in! 💄

This foundation originally made its debut a few months back in a Today's Special Value set on QVC. I happily purchased the kit (what a surprise, what a surprise), and when I tried this foundation on, I instantly fell in LOVE.

I was anxiously awaiting this foundation to be sold on its own... because I need it in my life at all times, and as of a few weeks ago, it's finally here!

Mally Beauty was spot on to include "Flawless Finish" within the name, because that is exactly what it gives you! This is a full coverage foundation, but it's so light on the skin, it feels like you're wearing nothing at all.

The foundation has a really unique consistency. It kind of reminds me of cheesecake when you swirl the brush on the mesh screen to pick up the product. It's a bit frothy, and has a bounce to it, however, when you begin applying the product, it melts into the skin like a liquid foundation. I recommend applying the foundation, regardless of which type of brush you use, in a circular motion on the face - This gives the most blend-able application, and most flawless finish. The Flawless Finish foundation is build-able, so I would say less is more. A little goes a long way with this product!

This foundation, like most liquid/cream foundations, applies best with a tight-dense brush. I, of course, recommend using the matching brush for application. I talk more about how you can get that towards the end of this post!

Not only does it feel like you're wearing nothing at all, but it looks like you're wearing nothing at all. It's so thin, and so light-weight, it just makes your skin have the illusion of a natural glow.

Wearing the Mally Beauty Flawless Finish Transforming Effect Foundation. Check out that glow!! (Also brought to you by Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit 😉 ) 

Due to the lightweight technology, this foundation is perfect for Spring and Summer. I know for myself, the more time I spend in the sun, the lighter I want the products to feel on my skin! I like my skin to breathe!

Once I apply this foundation, and set it, it doesn't move at ALL. I am an oily-skinned sister, so it's difficult for me to find liquid-esque foundations that apply smoothly, and don't break up on the skin, or let the oil seep through after a few hours of wear.

This foundation applies in about 30 seconds, and it doesn't come off until you decide to take it off.

Shades:

Fair: Nicole Kidman's of the world/if you burn easily in the sun
Light: If you have a little more warmth to your skin (my shade)
Medium: In between light & tan
Tan: The Mally's of the world
Rich: The deepest of the deep

I highly recommend you all try this foundation! Whether you're getting ready to go to work in the morning, going to the zoo in the summer where you're going to sweat like a sinner in church, or you're a busy mom with only a few minutes to yourself - this foundation is made↠ for everyone. It's so easy, so lightweight, so flawless on the skin. Please try ittttttttttttt??????

It's currently being sold on QVC for a featured price of $36 (original $40). I suggest purchasing via QVC, as always, because you get the incredible matching brush for free with your purchase. The brush is killer, beauties!
You can find the product on QVC by clicking HERE: http://www.qvc.com/Mally-Flawless-Finish-Transforming-Foundation-w-Brush.product.A285168.html 

Let me know if you'll be giving this foundation a try! I'd love to hear your opinions of the foundation as well!

I'm so incredibly happy to be back to blogging, and I hope you all enjoy reading as much as I enjoy putting these posts together!

See you next week!

Until then, Stay beautiful,
Christina Bracco
xoxoxoxo

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Order to Apply Makeup- Feat. Product Suggestions!

Happy Friday, beauties!!

I hope you're all having a spectacular week! Happy October :)

Today's post is all about the right way to apply makeup! 

Did you know that there is an order in which you're supposed to apply your makeup products? Mhmm, that's right! 

There is a specific order to ensure that you are getting proper use, coverage, and pigmentation out of your products! I'm sharing with you all, that order, and some product recommendations along the way. Let's jump in, shall we?!

First, of course, apply whatever moisturizer you use. Depending on the consistency of your specific moisturizer, give it some time to soak into your skin before starting your makeup application. I use Argan Oil as a moisturizer, so I wait about 5 minutes after I apply it, to sit down and start applying my makeup! 

Now, if we're in a rush, or we're not doing a full face, we may jump around in the order in which we apply, but especially if you're doing a full face, try to stick to this order!

_________________________________________________________________________________

Some people like to apply the beginnings of their face makeup (i.e. foundation/concealer) before working on their eyes. However, this is not the best move, and I do not recommend doing that.

When we apply eyeshadow, there is always fallout. If you're patting a shadow on your lid, some of the shadow is falling onto your under eyes/cheeks. Even just moving the shadow brush towards your eye, fallout is happening, ladies! So, if you have your foundation, and even your concealer, applied, you're getting little pink, gold, black, whatever color shadow your applying, dustings on your face! Then, you're going to have to touch up the mess.That's why, it's best to first work on your eyes, and then move on to your face.

• Start off priming your eyes. I've shared that I like to prime my eyes with a concealer and powder, but if you'd prefer a shadow primer on the market, go for it! However you chose to prime, just make sure that you prime! It seriously gives your shadow long wear, crease free.

          Eye Primer suggestions: Too Faced Shadow Insurance/ Urban Decay Primer Potion.

• Next, apply your shadows as you normally would. I always apply my shadows by applying a base color. Usually a light shadow just to give a little extra evening out and brightening of the eye area. Then, I go in with my lid shadow, patting it gently all over the lid. Next, in windshield wiper motions, I apply my transition shade in the crease, and then finally, I apply my darker shadow to my outer corner. Easy enough! 

          I won't give any shadow suggestions, because that's just impossible. There are way too        

         many shadows out there, haha. But if you'd like a universal palette recommendation, the    

         Too Faced Chocolate Bar is a go-to!

• Once you're done applying your shadow, then it's on to curl your lashes! 

          Eyelash Curler suggestion: Sephora Collection Eyelash Curler.

• Next, it's time to apply your mascara. Note: After curling my lashes, I only apply one coat of mascara to my top lashes. Do not apply your second coat to your top (if you're one who applies a second coat) and do not apply to your bottom lashes yet. We will get to that in a while, and I will explain why we're not finishing that step yet.

         Mascara suggestions: Please see my post on my Top 5 Favorite Mascaras for suggestions!   

         Here is a link: http://beautybybracco.blogspot.com/2015/09/top-5-must-have-mascaras.html

Now it's time to move on to the face!

• Prime your face! I'm a firm believer in priming your face before applying foundation/concealer/bronzer/etc. - It truly helps to keep your makeup in place, lasting long, and bulletproof. The only time I do not prime my face is if I'm wearing a tinted gel or tined moisturizer. Otherwise, prime, prime, PRIME!

          Face Primer suggestions: Mally Beauty Perfect Prep Poreless Primer/ Tarte BB Tinted  

         Treatment 12-Hour Primer/ Benefit Porefessional.

• Foundation time! If you are using a liquid foundation, apply one pump to the back of your hand, then take your CLEAN ring finger, and dot the foundation all over your face. Then take your brush and buff it into your skin, or take your damp BeautyBlender and pat it out gently! If you're using a powder foundation, simply swirl your brush into the product, tap out the excess, and then swirl the brush onto your skin, buffing out the product evenly! 

          Foundation suggestions: Make Up Forever HD Foundation/ bareMinerals Original   

          Foundation/ Mally Beauty Poreless Perfection Foundation. 

• Concealer! Now is the time to apply concealer under your eyes, and to any blemishes that you'd like to give a little extra coverage! I apply my under eye concealer in a triangle shape, and then I take a damp BeautyBlender and pay it out very gently. The same technique goes for blending out concealer on a blemishes, pat it out with a BeautyBlender. Tapping out provides better coverage and keeps the concealer in place. Wiping just removes the product. Don't forget to set your concealer with a powder if you do that step! I do not. With the concealers I named below, there is no need for me to set them. They don't move :)

          Concealer suggestions: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage 

          Concealer/ It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye.

• Now it's time for bronzer! Now is the time to warm up your face by swirling bronzer on the sides of your forehead and your cheeks. If you're contouring, chisel out those cheekbones and your temples! 

         Bronzer suggestions: Mally Beauty Believable Bronzer/ Benefit Hoola Bronzer.

• Time to highlight! After you've put a shadow effect on the parts of you're face you're trying to pull backwards with your bronzer, it's time to brighten and apply light to the parts of your face you'd like to pull forward. Apply highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, your cupids bow, down the bridge of your nose, the center of your chin, and the center of your forehead. If you'd like a more detailed explanation on how to highlight, HERE is a complete post dedicated to just that! 

         Highlighter suggestion: Josie Maran Argan Elightenment Illuminizing Wand.

• Blush! It's time to give those cheeks a glowing color! Tap your brush into your blush, tap out the excess, and then smile and swirl your blush onto the apples of your cheeks, working backwards.

         Blush suggestions: Benefit Rockateur Blush/ Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush.

Remember when we paused on our eyes? We're back to finish them up!

• Now it's time to apply your second coat of mascara to your top lashes. This helps to lift your lashes an blacken them up after all that powder from our foundation, blush, bronzer was applied and dusting around! Also, apply one coat of mascara to your bottom lashes. We didn't do this step earlier, because if we had, we would have just went on to apply our foundation and our concealer. When blending and tapping those products out, we would have hit our lashes and gotten product on them giving your lashes a lighter effect. Now, they're safe, long, and black! 

• Eyebrows! Highlight your brow bone with your favorite eyeshadow or highlighter! Similar to the mascara scenario, we wait to do our eyebrows so that we do not get product all over our fresh brows. Foundation, concealer, brow highlight, bronzer, all get stuck in our brows while we're applying, either by fallout or by swiping over them with a brush. This moves our brow hairs around, and lightens them. By applying our brow product now, we are getting the most out of our application. Brush out your brows with a spooly, apply your favorite brow product, and then git them with a brow gel to keep them bulletproof all day! 

         Brow Product suggestions: It Cosmetics Universal Brow Power (here is a post all about 

         this holy grail product of mine: BROWS / Brow Gel: Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow 

         Gel. 

• Finally, apply your fav lip color, whether it's a lipstick or a gloss, and hit your face with some setting spray! 

         Setting Spray suggestion: NYX Dewey Finish Setting Spray. 

There you have it, ladies! Now, your makeup is bulletproof, pigmented, and ready to take on the day with perfection! 

Go off and enjoy your makeup!

I'll be back next week with some fun, Fall, vampy, makeup tutorials, and other goodies! 

Until then, stay beautiful,

Christina Bracco

xoxoxoxo

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Skincare Favorite: Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion!

Welcome back, beauties!

Spending an awful lot of time in the sun/heat during the summer months, or all year round, we know the effects the sun can have on our skin.

Dark spots, freckles, breakouts, burns, dryness, excess oil; it can get our skin real cray cray!

That's why, I wanted to focus today's post about a skincare product that has really been helping my skin to stay calm, cool, and clear during the summer.

I'll admit, up until recently, I was not using a toner in my skincare routine. I have heard countless times how important a toner is for balancing your skin, but I never wanted to use one because I felt they'd be too harsh for my sensitive skin, cause breakouts, and/or dry me out.

Finally, after reading reviews, watching beauty vloggers, and doing research, I decided to purchase the Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion. AMAZING.

First off, let's talk about the fact that it's a toner, but the name refers to it as a "cleanser." 9 times out of 10, if a skincare product has the name "lotion" in it, but it is in pure liquid form, it's a toner. Don't get confused!

So what is this toner made to do? 
This toner disinfects and rids the skin of any pore-clogging bacteria, excess oil, and residue that may be lurking-perfect to prevent breakouts and protect any open wounds for a weak moment of picking (DON'T DO IT, BEAUTIES!).

It's just 4% alcohol, and soothing cucumber extract astringent.

This product is AMAZING! I've mentioned countless times, I have extremely sensitive skin. This product states that it is intended for normal to dry skin, however, it is INCREDIBLY sensitive and soothing and leaves my skin feeling incredibly refreshed with no negative side effects. 

I use this once a day, at night, after I cleanse my skin with my Philosophy Purity One Step Facial Cleanser and Clarisonic. Pat your face dry after cleansing your skin, and then take a little cotton ball and gently swipe it all over your face and down your neck. I personally feel using a toner twice a day is way too much for your skin, you don't want to strip the skin of its natural oils. Just like cleansing, toning once a day is enough to get the job done.

And can we talk about the price?

I really love Mario Badescu products because they're SO high quality, and work amazingly well, but compared to other skincare products out there, they're way more wallet friendly.

Just $26.00 for a 16 oz bottle. Try to find that deal for a toner in Sephora! 

Pick this up! You won't regret it. I promise. Would I lie to you, my loves? It's really transformed my skin.

I'm thinking of doing a whole skincare routine post. How do we feel about this? Take to Twitter or Instagram and let me know. And let me know some of your fav skincare products. I'm trying to find a good brightening serum because I think the FAB one I'm using has been discontinued. Wah! Let me know! (Links to both my Twitter and Instagram below!)

Until next time, stay beautiful.
Christina Bracco
xoxoxoxo

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June Favorites: Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadows!

*If you're on mobile, click images for higher resolution :)*

Hi, beauties!!

I'm back with a new feature on my blog! "Favorites" will now be once a month, featuring a product that has been my absolute favorite for that month! What better way to kick off this new feature than with the amazing Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadows!

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of the entire Josie Maran Cosmetics line.  I wish I could own every single product she makes. The very first piece I wrote for this blog was dedicated to her 100% pure Argan Oil. (You can read that post HERE ), and I have featured various products from her line 

on my blog countless times. Josie Maran Cosmetics is one half of my top two favorite cosmetics/skincare lines, and that's why I felt I should kick off my new feature with her! 

I first saw these unique eyeshadows being featured on one of the Josie Maran Cosmetics shows on QVC. I loved the simplicity of these shadows, and the benefits that came along with them!

Eyeshadows can contain some wonky ingredients. Cosmetics/skincare in general can contain some wonky ingredients. We have to be careful what we put on our skin, especially such a sensitive/vulnerable area like our eyes. This is why I love Josie Maran Cosmetics so much. The slogan is "Luxury with a Conscience." We can look beautiful while still using all natural/organic ingredients. All of the ingredients in these eyeshadows, and all of her products for that matter, are all-natural and organic. 

The two main ingredients, obviously being Argan Oil and Coconut Water, are extremely beneficial to the skin. You can read an in-depth post about ALL of the benefits of Argan Oil in the post I shared a link to in the first paragraph, but essentially, the Argan Oil will moisturize and nourish your lids while the 50% of coconut water will hydrate your lids- leaving your eyes looking awake, juicy, and bright!

The eyeshadows are so refreshing! Due to their being liquid, they leave a slight cooling affect when you first swipe the doe-foot applicator over your lid, and you feel instant hydration! There are two layers to these liquid eyeshadows that you can see through the bottle itself. The first layer delivers refreshing coconut water, while the second delivers the Argan-infused pigments that diminish fine lines. You can see the two layers here:

I LOVE how pigmented these shadows are! They're so fun to play with because they're so versatile. The doe-foot applicator, and blend-ability of the shadows provide so many options! You can use one shadow on its own, mix two on your lid, mix three on your lid, swipe one above your lash line as a liner, and so on! Play with these shadows and mix it up! Just swipe the shadow on your lid wherever you wish, and blend it out with your fingertip. You have about 30 seconds of playtime before the shadow begins to dry, but that's plenty of time!

I wanted to show you all the shadows in different lighting so you can see how beautifully pigmented and bright they are! I paired the shadows with the new Josie Maran Argan Illuminizing Wand because I like to pop that under my brow as a highlighter when using these shadows. You can read more about my feelings on the Illuminizing wand HERE ! 

From left to right: Rio De Rose Gold/ Polynesian Purple/ Bora Bora Bronze/ Illuminizing Wand

As you can see, no matter what the lighting situation is, all of these shadows POP! 

There are a handful of gorgeous colors! I currently own three, and hope to get more as time goes on. They're $18.00 a piece, which is a great deal. You only need one quick swipe each use, so these shadows last you a long while! You can only find great deals such as duos and kits that will get you these shadows along with other Josie Maran products on QVC.com, so shop around there and try out these shadows with a great deal!

I hope I've convinced you to purchase some of the Josie Maran Coconut Water Eyeshadows! They're perfect for the Summer months when we want a pop of color on our eyes, but we don't necessarily want to go through with creating an entire eye look, or if you decided to sleep in late one morning and you need to get out the door in a flash. Pair these shadows with the Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara (another fav of mine) and run out the door! 

I'll be back with a post on Friday! I have an order from Sephora.com that is expected to arrive that day with new goodies! :)

Until then, stay beautiful! 

Christina Bracco

For PR inquiries, questions, comments, suggestions, please email: Christina.f.b@aol.com or please fill out a Contact Form in the sidebar. Thank you. 

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Beat The Heat! How To Keep Your Makeup From Melting in The Summer!

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Happy Friday, beauties!!!

It's been a while since my last post. I'm so sorry I've been slacking, but I will make up for it this upcoming week with a few different reviews of skincare and makeup products. Be on the lookout next week via my Instagram, Twitter, or the blog itself for my new posts! :)

Now that summer is almost here (9 days away, YAY) the weather has been getting hotter and hotter, and more recently, more and more humid. Humid weather is just a pain in the bum for so many reasons. It makes my hair frizz, and it makes my makeup melt. Even the most high end products are victims of hot/humid weather... unless you take the proper precautions! That's why today's post is all about some of my tips for keeping your makeup from melting, creasing, smudging, and running, in these hot, sweaty summer months!

My number one tip for surviving the summer months: Keep it natural. Try to rock your natural beauty as much as possible in the summertime. Let your natural beauty shine through. You can do this while still looking beautiful, and making sure your precious skin is protected! If you're going to be outside in the sun, you want to make sure to apply SPF to your face. I hate applying regular sunscreen to my face. It's greasy, oily, white, gross... yuck! I don't mind it on the rest of my body, but I want something a little more gentle for my face, while still receiving all the safety benefits and coverage.

• My go-to product: Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47. This is essentially a hydrating, fast-absorbing, non-greasy, Argan Oil-infused, all natural moisturizer and sunscreen in one! You can skip your usual moisturizer (my daily moisturizer is Argan Oil anyway, so I'm not so far off) and apply this amazing product instead. It absorbs right into the skin, giving you a hydrated/dewy glow, and it has SPF 47. Does it get any better? It doesn't smell, it's all natural, it's not greasy, it goes on in a breeze, it has the all-natural skincare benefits of Argan Oil and Green Tea, and it protects you. What more do I have to say? It's perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and it doesn't leave any irritation like a regular sunscreen would.  Texture-smoothing, skin-nourishing, radiance-boosting GOODNESS IN A BOTTLE.

 Less is more. The more layers of makeup you apply, the more at risk you are for your makeup to start melting throughout the day. If you really must apply some sort of coverage to your face, whether it be to even out your skin tone, or camouflage blemishes, I would suggest using a tinted moisturizer or a BB Cream. If you're going to be out in the sun, coverage with an SPF is a must.

• My go-to product: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream with SPF 30. I LOVE this product!!! You can skip your moisturizer for the day (less chance of melting), as well as getting sheer coverage. It evens out your skin tone, without feeling like you have any product on your skin. This product simply makes you look naturally beautiful. The Complexion Rescue is perfect for all skin types! 

If you insist on wearing a foundation, it's so important that you PRIME. 

I cannot stress the importance of priming your skin before foundation, ESPECIALLY in the summer months. If you don't use a primer on your skin, I can almost guarantee you will be creasing, smudging, and melting within the first hour of being outside. I recommend staying away from liquid foundations if you're going to be outside. They're liquid foundations. They can melt off in an instance. Stick with a powder foundation. Regardless, primer is a necessity. But, make sure you're using the right primer. You want a primer that's bulletproof, mattifying, long-lasting, smoothing, translucent, and not greasy. 

• My go-to products: Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional or Mally Beauty Perfect Prep Poreless Primer. I've talked about my love for the Mally Beauty Perfect Prep Poreless Primer on my page before. It's a go-to, must-have primer for me. I use it daily. It's everything I said a primer should be above. The Benefit Porefessional is another favorite of mine. It keeps you matte and bulletproof throughout the day. Sometimes, if I want double-duty priming, I'll use both of these primers at once! Put that foundation on lockdown.

 

Wear a waterproof mascara! 

If you're out in the summer heat, you sweat. It's natural, ladies and gents. This can cause your mascara to smudge underneath your eyes. We don't want to get the I-Just-Got-Punched-In-The-Face look or raccoon eyes, so it's important to make your lashes bulletproof against sweat! 

My go-to product: Tarte Cosmetics Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. This mascara is amazing! It's totally bulletproof thanks to its waterproof properties, so it won't smudge around your eye area. Along with it being waterproof, it's also volumizing, lengthening, curling, and conditioning. It doesn't clump ( a pet peeve of mine) and I've never experienced any fall out. Definitely my top pick for the summer months, and all year round, really! 

Set your eyes! If you want to wear eyeshadows and/or eyeliners while in the summer heat, it's important to mattify your eyelids so they don't crease, sweat, and smudge throughout the day! Our eyelids are one of the most oily parts of the face, therefore, we have to set them properly so our beautiful eyeshadows don't start melting off. I'm not a total fan of eye primers, I use them every once in a blue moon. I feel as though most of them are a little too greasy and don't totally set the eyelids properly. That's why I have my own method of priming and setting my eyes. 

• My go-to Product: bareMinerals Mineral Veil. Normally, I take a concealer, and I use that to prep my eyes. As you all know from my On-The-Go Makeup bag post, I use the CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous Concealer on most days. I use this to even out my eyelids, brighten them, hide any redness/veins, and lay down a base for my shadow. After concealing my lids, I take a brush and I tap on a little Mineral Veil over them, and my eyelids are set for the rest of the day. I put on my shadows, do my thing, and my eyeshadow (no matter what the brand) does NOT MOVE. Totally matte, totally bulletproof. I do this every single day. 

Set Your Makeup! If you don't want to keep it natural,  you want more coverage than just a tinted moisturizer or a BB Cream, and you're looking to do a full face of makeup- blush, contour, and all... then just like priming, it's incredibly important to set your makeup. Setting your makeup will help your foundation to settle into your skin and lay properly, as well as keeping it all from moving and melting off. I usually go for a dewy finish, but for the sake of today's post, we'll talk about keeping it matte for all the girls who don't want any extra shine in the summer months. 

• My go-to product: Nyx Cosmetics Matte Finishing Spray. This long-lasting, durable setting spray will keep your makeup in place, and keep you from getting extra shine throughout the day. For those of you (like myself) who enjoy the dewy look more, than I'd go with the Nyx Dewy Finishing Spray. It does the same as the matte, except it doesn't make you look matte, lol!

There you have it, peeps! These are a few of my makeup tips for surviving the summer heat and still looking fierce and beautiful! Try to rock your natural beauty throughout the summer months, but if you still feel like being a glam diva, you can do it without worrying about looking like a greased chicken! 

I love you all, and I will be back next week with some more fun posts!

Stay beautiful,

Christina Bracco

xoxoxoxo

For PR inquiries, questions, comments, suggestions, please email: Christina.f.b@aol.com or please fill out the Contact Form in the sidebar. Thank you. 

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