Masquerade Girl

How Young is Too Young For Makeup?

A friend of mine told me her daughter is asking about makeup and wanting to wear it.  Her daughter, being 8 years old, is too young to doll herself up.  She asked me if there is any kind of compromise in regards to wearing makeup?

 I remember wanting to wear make up myself around that age, I didn't start until I was 10.  My mom was often hesitant about wanting to let me wear makeup as well and couldn't understand why I wanted to.  For kids in my generation we always watched our moms do their makeup and we often see something of a transformation both in appearance and behavior.  So tell me, what little girl wouldn't want to be like their moms, especially when they are at their most confident?  Of course, I can definitely see the point a mom would want to make, that you are beautiful without it and to embrace your natural beauty!

So what did I wear at 10 years old?  Clear mascara and lip gloss!

Covergirl Clear Mascara

This was a great way to make me feel I was getting dolled up with out looking way older then I needed to at 10.

It enhanced my natural eyelashes without all the goopy black stuff I live for today!

Covergirl isn't the only brand to carry clear mascara, this is just the brand I used.

 Any Lipgloss will do but I used a picture of Lip Smackers because they have such a wide variety to choose from, including sparkly ones!

Again, this product works to enhance their natural beauty but still allows her to apply her own make up!











The most important thing you can teach your daughters is proper face washing and personal care!  The healthier her skin is, the less make up she will want to wear! We hope ;)

Take care!

Keeping Your Face Clean

Here are some of my favourite tips when it comes to daily skin care!

There is a lot of information out there when it comes to how to clean the skin on your face.  And for the most part you will need to find what works best for you and your skin type.  Just like with exercise and good eating habits, consistency is key.  

As a kid, my grandma always made me wash my face before breakfast.  She said it's a good way to wake you up, but I think washing your face every morning did more then that. Especially since even at 80, my grandma has beautiful skin.  Of course she was consistent with her regimen and that is also helpful!

It is of the most important that you wash your face at least once a day! You don't always have to use soap or cleanser, you can use a wash cloth with warm water.  I wash my face in the morning when I get up.  This cleans away any stuff that piled up on my skin over night.  

If you wear makeup, it is so important to wash it all off before you go to bed. If you leave make up on your face there are many things that can and will happen.  You will develop dark circles under your eyes (as the eyeliner or mascara will rub and migrate into the corners of your eye).  You may develop irritation where ever the makeup is left on or in your eyes.  It will also make your skin dry and flaky since the make up is absorbing your skins natural oils.  

Your eyes and skin needs to breathe! Let them!

Some of my go to products that I swear by:

It will probably seem like I'm biased since I used Oil of Olay a lot but that is what my mom used and I have used it my entire life (or at least the last 20 years or more).  If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Oil of Olay (Wet Cleansing Cloths)

I use these every morning to wipe away and dirt or yuckies that my skin acquired over night.  It is also gives your skin that tingling feeling all over, very much like a toner would, which tells you that it's tightening your pores!

They are also great for make up removal if you don't have time to do a proper washing!

Oil of Olay (Complete All Day Moisturizer - SPF 15)

I use this lotion everyday, whether I wear make up or not.  My skin sucks it right up!

Oil of Olay (Night Cream)

I have suffered with dry skin most of my life, and not just on my face.  This is a great cream to put on just before bed!  It keeps your skin healthy and moisturized.

You don't have to use this though!

MAKE UP FOR EVER (Sens'eyes makeup remover cleanser)

This type of product is great for those stubborn products that refuse to vacate! 

It has cleanser in the title but it doesn't tingle like one, which is great because that tingling feeling doesn't translate well when in contact with your eyes.

Take Care! Brush your hair...or at least wash your face! lol 

Eye Def - High Def Glittering Cream Eye Shadow

Of all the cream eye shadows out there, this product is the cream of the crop. Pun intended!

It blends and goes on easily.  and most importantly, it dries quickly!

It comes in solids and glitters for everyday wear or a night on the town!  

I used this product, (in 'What Sandy Says Goes and Sprinkles' shades) on a wedding party back in September!  It's also my go to product for accenting my eyes verses eyeliner.

 Disco Shade

 Lagoon Shade

What Sandy Says Goes Shade

You can pick this product up anywhere Hard Candy is sold.  I know Walmart is a big supplier.

 *****

Everytime I've used this product I have been pleased with it.

5 out of 5 Stars

*****

 You can buy them for 6.00 a pop, which is excellent because they last for several months!

5 out of 5 Stars

*****

 If you have access to a Walmart, you have access to these bad boys!

5 out of 5 Stars

*****

The product is easy to use but if you have sensitive skin it may burn when it's applied.

4 out of 5 Stars

Take Care!

Rimmel Glam'Eyes Mascara

Ok, so I'm pretty pumped about this mascara!

Not only is it a drugstore brand and completely affordable but it's quality is like that of a designer brand!  I would compare it to Benefit's It's Real Mascara any day of the week!!!

Not only is it consistent but it's easily available and like I said, affordable.  You can see the short bristles of the wand in the picture below, which is great for gals with shorter eyelashes.  The mascara itself is not goopy and applies beautifully!

*****

Every time I have used this product it has NOT disappointed.  It goes on with the same consistency day or night, no matter what I'm wearing makeup wise.

*****

Super easy to use!  The short bristles of the wand keep you from transferring the mascara onto your eyelid.

*****

Again, super easy to access! Rimmel brand cosmetics can be found at any drugstore that carries their product.  Walmart, Shoppers Drugmart, etc.

*****

I purchased this one at an IDA which sadly is notorious for higher prices on cosmetic prices and it still only cost me $7.  You can also purchase it at Walmart for approximately $5.  Considering how much the designer brand costs when it gives you the same quality, definitely worth the money!

Try it out! Let me know what you think!

No More Thrilling Tuts

I have decided to combine my tutorials and tips into one day, which will be Tiptastic Tuesday.  The two days are just too similar to keep running.

So with that being said I'm going to come up with a different idea for Thursdays, I just haven't decided what that is going to be yet, all suggestions are welcome!

Until that decision is made I'm going to post some of my most favorite make up designs by other makeup artists and of course pieces done by myself.

I did these looks just before Hallowe'en to post ideas for my Facebook Page.  Katie, my model, is rocking the cheetah girl look!

Dark Circles Under Your Eye

This question came to me from my dear mom who wants to know what she can do about the circles she gets under her eyes.  I know, I know, look at me selling out my mom online but really, it's not news.  We all get them! Me included!  Sometimes they are caused by lack of sleep, or lack of iron and even sometimes by leaving our make up on over night.

If you experience dark circles on an every day basis, it may be time to look into your diet to make sure you are getting enough iron or even your sleeping habits.

If it's a random occurrence, there is a quick solution to covering it up.  I'm going to re-introduce the practice of using the colour wheel to be able to neutralize the dark circles.

Just like the green is opposite of the red, the purple is opposite of the yellow.  The shade under your eyes is actually purple, so by that logic you will use yellow corrective concealer.

It's so so so important to make sure when you do cover them up that you only cover up the deepest part of the crease. Below you will see the areas the corrective concealer should go in.

 If you end up going over, you end up putting it on top of the skin that is a normal shade and get the dreaded raccoon eye look.  You know the one I'm talking about!  In example here is a picture of Eva Longoria, who is undoubtedly beautiful but had an unfortunate run in with too much under eye corrective concealer.  The flash of any camera will pick this up and amplify it.

It's also important to apply a thin layer only because you don't want the depth to disappear completely.  You want some contour to the space under your eyes.

You can pick up a yellow corrective concealer at any store that sells cosmetics.  WalMart, Shoppers Drugmart, etc.

Stay tuned!

Removing Mascara Streaks

We all make those awesome streaks on our eye lids when putting on our mascara.

To remove without removing your foundation, etc, follow these steps:

1. Dampen the end of a Q-Tip.
2. Gently rub the end of the damp Q-Tip into the the streak, turning a little at a time.

I apologize for the unclear picture, still experiencing technical difficulties with lighting, etc!

Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush™ Mousse Makeup

My first true Must Have Monday post!  What better to start with then this must have foundation!

Revlon has really out done themselves this time.  This is a smooth, creamy foundation that really gives you the coverage you want for those special moments, photographs or otherwise.

When I first started using it I was concerned at how thick it goes on when it's applied but true to it's airbrush nature it blends beautifully.

*****

Every time I have used this product it has been consistent.  No matter what my skin was like, or what my client's skin was like it was done an amazing job.

5 out of 5 Stars

 

*****

Again, another 5 stars.  It is on the high end price in the drug stores but truly a great value.  It ranges between $15 - $20 for a 1.4 oz/396 gram canister.  You only need to squeeze out the size of a nickel to use so it will last a long time, even with daily wear. 

5 out of 5 Stars

*****

If you are used to doing your makeup from foundation to mascara, you will be happy with the ease of use this product provides.  If you don't do your make up with full ensemble then the odds of you using it are slim to none.  I would recommend however, getting it for those special occassions when you want to get dolled up.

3 out of 5 Stars

*****

You can get this product almost anywhere Revlon is carried. Usually Walmart, Shopper's Drugmart, etc.

5 out of 5 Stars



The only con I really found with this product is the smell.  It has a funny smell for the first 5 seconds after it is dispensed.  But after that you no longer smell it. So really, it's not much of a con!

Rimmel London Day 2 Night Mascara

This is the length part of the mascara.....

You can see on the wand, there isn't a lot of mascara.

This application would be great for every day wear.  When you don't want your eyelashes to be so big and luscious, just painted enough to stand out a bit.

 

 

This is the volume portion of the mascara......

As you can see there is much more mascara gooped onto the wand.

This allows for a greater volume of mascara to cling to your eyelashes giving them a thicker look.

 

 *****

Unfortunately I've only used this product twice but each time it was pretty consistent.

4 out of 5 Stars

 

 

*****

It's quite easy to use.  As with any mascara application.  The volume part of the mascara was a little goopy and as you can see caused transfer but that is easily removed.

4 out of 5 Stars

 

 

*****

You can buy this mascara at any drugstore or department store that carries the Rimmel cosmetics line.  Walmart, Shoppers Drugmart, IDA.

5 out of 5 Stars



*****

Since you technically get two looks out of the same package you are technically getting 2 for the price of one.  However the same container is divided into two which means there may be a little less in each section then you would normally get in a regular container.  I also purchased this one from the IDA near my home which means it was pricier then I would normally pay, I paid 7.95 for this one but you can probably pick it up at Walmart for a couple dollars less.

4 out of 5 Stars