My new favorite foundation: Urban Decay Naked liquid foundation

So with all the talk of BB creams and CC creams and ZZ creams (OK, I made that last one up), is the classic foundation a thing of the past? Well beauty fanatics, not to worry, foundations will always be a staple in every makeup bag, and lately they've been impressing me more than ever.

First, I was on the mineral foundation wagon, for a solid couple of years! Then I fell in love with BB creams, and I fell hard -- sampling any and every BB I could get my paws on. First it was the Asian ones like Skin79 and then the American ones like Smashbox, Garnier, etc., etc. And then I tried the whole no-makeup routine using just a little concealer and mattifying powder.

Anyways, a lovely Sephora employee encouraged me to try out Urban Decay's latest foundation wonder: the Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup and can I just say ... I adore it! I would say the coverage is medium, but you can build your coverage if you like medium to full, or even apply it to be more sheer. For the most sheer coverage, you can add a drop to your moisturizer (just a little tip for your dry winter skin!).

A little background: my skin is a little on the shiny/oily side and prone to acne and breakouts (a variety of types, from clear-ish skin to nightmare-ish skin). So, acne-prone and combination or oily skin types rejoice -- This foundation will mattify without drying, even out your skin tone, and flaunt a natural finish. I love the natural finish because I don't look shiny or dull, just pleasantly glowing.

There are no sparkles, no shimmer -- just a smooth natural finish. The usual oily t-zone shines through like clock work with most liquid (and powder too, actually) foundations for me, usually by lunch time, but not with this bad boy.

More pro's: It lasts soooo long. This is a keeper; it lasts all day. Sun up to sun down. That's rare. No primer needed here.

Application: I use my finger tips and it spreads so easily. It may seem like a runny consistency in comparison to other foundations, but it's certainly not watery or lacking in pigment (the pigment rocks). I find that when I use my foundation brush, I use more product, so finger tips work best for me. Exfoliate and moisturize first for the best result.

And lastly, the color ... there are plenty of shades to choose from. Whether your skin tone is cool or warm or somewhere in between, you're likely to find something that blends seamlessly with your natural shade.

With a steep price tag of $38, you may be skeptical about dishing out that much doe, but personally, I find it's worth it for a long-lasting, satisfying product. And this beauty blogger is quite satisfied with Urban Decay's Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup.

Rock a bold hair hue this fall

Colored hair no longer marks a punk. It's claimed its spot in couture, on red carpets, and on Pinterest as one of the hottest ways to showcase your personality and stand out. Dying your hair an  unnatural color can be edgy or girly, wild or mature; it really just depends on your hair style and the shade(s) you choose that create the vibe. I mean just look to Katy Perry for a prime example of the way a new hair color/cut/style completely changes up your look, and in a dramatic way. The dark purples and subtle pinks look sophisticated and chic. Those bright sherbert styles kind of remind me of Rainbow Brite, or My Little Pony, or Lisa Frank. Either way, I totally love it.

Here's your hair coloring inspiration if you're thinking about dying your locks. Be sure to check your work's dress code policy to see if there are any restrictions on hair color!

Makeup brush guide

Ever feel overwhelmed by the variety of brushes? I found this handy little guide on Pinterest and thought I'd share it with you fellow beauty-lovers!

My own edits: Angled eyeliner brush shouldn't be in the essential category, in my opinion. I use either pencil eyeliner or liquid so I've never needed it. You might use the angled eyeliner brush if you use gel eyeliner, eyeshadow as eyeliner, etc. Swap that out for the crease brush. How is crease brush not in the essential category?! It's virtually impossible to have a well-blended smokey eye without a crease brush. But anyways, this chart may come in handy for you, so enjoy!

Be sure to care for you brushes -- use Bare Minerals Quick Change or Ulta Professional brush cleaning spray between uses. Simply spray onto a paper towel or directly on the brush, and then wipe it off on a paper towel. You'll see just how much product was on there. Once a week, shampoo brushes with Bare Minerals brush cleaning shampoo or even baby shampoo.

Rock a fuchsia lip like Ashley Greene on the red carpet

WOW. Look at Ashley Greene in Donna Karan couture at "The Apparition" premiere. That dress, the lip color ... hello gorgeous! With the final installment of "Twilight Breaking Dawn Part II" just a few months away, I'd be a little worried if I were  Kristen Stewart or any other female gracing the red carpet for the premiere. How do you stand next to that?!

Ashley is a force to be reckoned with, and she's knocking the ball out of the park with her glammed-out beauty and style. So naturally, we want to copy her!

So, to take a little inspiration from this look into every day, whether it's the office or a sexy date, pair a fuchsia dress with a matching fuchsia lipstick. This dress from Express rings in at $69.90.

Pair the dress with this Makeup Forever lipstick in Pearly Fuchsia. 

You can rock the fuchsia lipstick with a formal dress, a sassy short dress, or of course, just a simple and casual outfit. Ashley Greene knows it, and now you do to. If you're trying the fuchsia look this season, tweet your photos to me @PrettyinPrestig.

Jojoba oil: the multi-tasking beauty staple you need

I'm never opposed to a Sephora product binge, like ever.

But you know, sometimes the most effective ingredients are right in front of your nose ... like in your kitchen or medicine cabinet (shout outs to tea tree oil, baking powder, calamine lotion, and honey for amazing spot treatments). 

There are so many natural remedies for your skin, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to begin. Most importantly, use a product that will address your particular skin concern (duh). Some products, though, can do wonders for any and all skin types. Enter the star of the show ... jojoba oil. This is one of my all-time favorite natural products that I always have in stock, and I use it for everything! With anti-inflammatory properties, it's amazing for my acne-prone skin.

So, where does jojoba oil come from? Well, Native Americans of the Southwest harvested this incredible multi-tasking oil from the jojoba shrub. According to Acne.org, it's actually not technically an oil, but rather a wax ester, and it's quite similar to your own skin's natural oil (one of the reasons that jojoba is non-comedogenic). 

Jojoba has so many uses, it's a beauty staple you absolutely must have within reach. I highly recommend it! Here are 5 uses for jojoba oil:

1. Facial moisturizer. Add a few drops to your moisturizer to give your skin a moisture boost. It's also said that since jojoba oil mimics your skin's oil, you can actually trick your skin into thinking it's already oily, and as a result it won't produce as much oil! I'm not sure if that's true. Oil does fight oil though! I like to use it straight; it moisturizes wonderfully by itself (I have oily skin -- doesn't make my skin oily. Just use moderately).

2. Makeup remover, face & eyes. Even the most stubborn mascara will melt away. Rub the oil into the skin, then rinse and buff away with warm water and a wash cloth. Use as a cleanser/makeup remover alone, or follow up with your usual cleanser if you like more of a squeaky clean feel. PS - extra virgin olive oil also works well for removing makeup!

3. Conditioner, leave-in conditioner. Apply oil to damp hair, but avoid roots. Concentrate the oil mostly on the ends. Rinse out, or leave in. If you're using it as a leave-in, only use a small amount of oil, just enough to coat your strands very lightly. If you suffer from a dry scalp, massage some jojoba oil into the scalp for relief.

4. Softening treatment for feet. Apply oil generously to feet, wrap in gauze, put on cozy fluffy socks. After an hour, remove socks and gauze and be amazed at how soft your feet are.

5. Massage oil. It's perfect for sensitive skin, or even those sensitive to the strong fragrances of other massage oils. 

You can order jojoba oil online or get some in store from your local Whole Foods. Presently, I'm using Desert Essence.

Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume -- Sky-high lashes, low-budget price

I am so excited to review Revlon's PhotoReady 3D Volume mascara today. I recently purchased this bad boy for just $6.74 from Target (plus I had a coupon so it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 bucks for me!).

To be honest, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I've never used a Revlon mascara before and I hadn't really heard much about them. I've used tons of prestige and drugstore brands, but usually I'm pretty loyal to CoverGirl Lash Blast (24-hour, or the regular orange tube with a coat of Blinc tubing mascara on top), as well as Benefit's They're Real.

Both LashBlast and They're Real have amazing brushes -- kind of a like a fusion between a regular big, fluffy-bristled wand and a defining comb, so you really get the volume and definition with each stroke.

What I love about Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume is that it has that same type of brush that can be found on CoverGirl's Lash Blast and Benefit's They're Real, which is pretty difficult to find! But a brush alone isn't enough for me; I need a formula that will last all day without flaking into my eyes (urrggg, that's the worst), that doesn't smell raunchy (husband always complains when I wear smelly Maybelline), and that looks like I put on a pair of false lashes because my eyelashes look that fabulous.

Those are my criteria for approving of a mascara and for repurchasing. I can say with confidence, Revlon's PhotoReady 3D volume is all those things and more. It boasts great volumizing power, but   this would also be a perfect fit for someone who really desires definition and length for their eyelashes. It looks beautiful by itself (see photos below), and with a full-face of makeup for a special event. It's hard to believe I haven't heard of this mascara, but I sure hope it gains a loyal following because I can't imagine life without it now that I've tried it. Thank you Revlon!

 An eye without mascara, and an eye with the Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume:

Left eye with Revlon mascara, right side without any mascara:

Both sides coated with Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume mascara:

Where have you been all my life Body Shop?

Have you ever had one of those beauty moments where you're like, OMG, where has this product been all my life?! 

I have recently had this revelation the moment when the Body Shop entered my life this week. Of course, I have passed by the Body Shop numerous times in many different malls, and I've always been intrigued by those delicious body butters, although with body lotions, I'm usually just expecting them in stockings or as gifts and such, so I don't really go out of my way to purchase them. Is that strange?

But anyways, on this particular day, I was on a mission for a mask. After slinking away from Lush disappointed that they were out of all of their masks (I know, crazy), curiosity got the best of me and I waltzed into the Body Shop. 

"Do you guys carry masks?" After taking a quick survey of the store, I realized that was as silly as asking a Sephora consultant if they carry makeup. But hey, I was a Body Shop virgin, so to speak.

After the nice lady gave me some very helpful suggestions, I purchased the Mineral Warming Mask (good for all skin types) so I could share it with my husband. The associate gave it a very high rating for giving a nice "deep clean." She was right! Not only that, but applying it feels like you're getting a professional spa treatment. I was shocked just how hot the mask gets when you rub it on your skin ... not too hot, but quite warm indeed! I have oily and acne-prone skin and my husband has flawless skin but can be more on the dry side. Works great for both.

The associate also gave me a little sample pot of the tea tree mask, and oh my word, this mask tingles and cools like no other and leaves skin feeling smooth after. Great on oily and/or break-out prone skin! Next time I'm at the mall, I will undoubtedly purchase this mask, too.

All in all, I can't say enough good things about these two masks. I couldn't believe I haven't been shopping at the Body Shop my entire life, but I'm so very glad I have started, because there are some very appealing products that are calling my name ... Hello peppermint foot treatments!

A lesson on contouring

"Oh it's so elusive, so technical, so way above my skill level."

If you've ever had similar thoughts about contouring, your mind is about to be changed. If you've never bothered to try this makeup artist staple because you thought it was too time-consuming or complicated, you're truly missing out! For me, I don't do full-faced makeup on a daily basis. I wear a few must-have basics like mascara, concealer, and lip gloss to my casual desk job. But, if the hubby is taking me out for a night on the town, yeah I'm gonna step it up a notch (or two, or three ...). Enter my BFF: Contouring.

Contouring has the power to sculpt and shape your face, without going under the knife or needle. It brings out your features, defines, slims, warms, and gives life to your previously dull complexion. Say hello radiance.

I pulled this photo (above) from Pinterest, courtesy of Birchbox.

1. Use an angled brush, and apply bronzer where the brown lines on the diagram above indicate: Along your jaw line, in a diagonal line beneath the apples of your cheeks, and on the outside of your nose. Blend, blend, blend.

2. Apply blush in an upward motion on the apples of your cheeks, above the bronzer (they can overlap -- be sure to blend so the contouring is not too obvious).

3. Finally, apply a highlighter above the blush toward the tops of your cheeks, beneath your brow bones (a great trick for looking younger -- hello instant brow lift), above and below your lips to bring out the fullness of them, and just a swipe down the center of your nose!

See? It's easy as one, two, three. Try it out and let me know what you think! Could you see yourself doing this regularly? Did you notice a difference? How about in photos?

Take a few cues from Kristen's red lip on the red carpet

Whether she's playing warrior princess Snow White or strutting on the red carpet, Kristen Stewart knows how to work red lips.

Here's what K-Stew's makeup artist used to create her look, above. Notes: He used the Nars eye shadow in Blondie first, and put that shimmery Chanel eye shadow in Fantasme on top to give that gorgeous luminosity on the eye. Keep the blush light -- the lips really steal the show. In addition to a nice thick coat of volumizing mascara, you can add some single false lashes toward the outer corners to up the glam factor. Whether you love Kristen or not, this classic look is a timeless showstopper. Try it out!

 Makeup artist: Beau Nelson

Products used to create Kristen's look: 

A few recommendations for waterproof, beach-proof makeup

Hi Beauties! 

If you're gearing up for a beach trip, don't forget to stock up on the good stuff. By good stuff I mean waterproof makeup! And sunscreen, of course. Nothing ruins those cute bikini shots like runny mascara, blotchy makeup or that "huh?" caught-off-guard face. To make sure you're prepared this beach season, I've listed some reliable waterproof products for you check out. Let me know what you think, and happy summer!

Tarte Matte Waterproof Bronzer, Lancome Aquatique Waterproof Eyeshadow Base, Benefit Benetint lip and cheek stain, Laura Geller Barely There Tinted Moisturizer (great for sensitive skin, aging skin), Laura Geller Waterproof I-Care Brightening Eye Pencil Duo (great for contact lens wearers, sensitive eyes), Urban Decay Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara.

Simplify your beauty routine this summer!

Hopefully, you're spending your days on sandy beaches, at backyard BBQs, or on leisurely bike rides with your one true love. Maybe you've got your toes in the sand, an adorable polka dot umbrella in one hand and a rum punch in the other. Cooler is full of watermelon and Coke in retro glass bottles, sitting on ice ... You're just perusing the latest Cosmopolitan and of course checking in with your fave beauty blog Pretty in Prestige. 

OK, so most of us working adults can only dream of such summer days, but hey, it's still summer, we've got our weekends, and tis the season for funshine (fun in the sunshine. Wear your SPF!). 

And while us beauty addicts love a sultry smokey eye, a vixen red lip, or perfectly stenciled brows, there is one cardinal rule of summer beauty: Hot summer months call for lightweight, natural makeup. Keep it light and keep it simple. That's not to say you won't go into full glamour mode for your BFF's wedding, but for your day-to-day, you need not spend more than 15 minutes on your beauty routine. 

Here are a few tips to trim down your routine to just 15 minutes or less.

All you need is an all-in-one BB cream or tinted moisturizer, cream shadow, mascara, bronzer and a tinted lip balm to create a simple, reliable go-to summer look. 

Here's what I recommend: 

1. Skip the sunscreen, primer, foundation & setting powder multi-step routine. Instead, grab a BB cream or tinted moisturizer. Most have SPF, hydration for your skin, and don't require primer. Check out the Skin79 BB Creams (I believe there's a linked photo in the right column, or just Google them), and for a tinted moisturizer, check out NARS in your local Sephora or online.

2. Instead of priming eyelids, followed by powder, contouring, blending in the crease, highlighting the brows, etc. etc. etc. ... keep eye makeup simple with a long-lasting cream eyeshadow instead, like Tarte's Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow. Tip: apply with a flat synthetic brush, not your fingers. Fingers will deposit oil onto the lids and will cause the eyeshadow to fade quicker. Or hey, skip this step and go to step 3. After bronzing your face, dust a little on your eyes too! Voila -- eye shadow in a hurry. Follow up with your fave mascara, of course.

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3. Warm up your entire complexion with a natural-looking bronzer. You can forgo the blush and dust the bronzer on your cheeks instead. I love Tarte's Park Ave Princess, MAC's Hey Sailor bronzer in Refined Golden, or Physician's Formula (for a budget-friendly alternative). 

4. Bring your lips to life with a tinted lip balm. Just a touch of color, lots of hydration. Just what we need this time of year. Burt's Bees offers some pretty ones available at your local drugstore -- love these and love everything Burt's. Maybelline's Baby Lips are an absolute hit and selling off the shelves; haven't tried those suckers yet but I hear wonderful things! Also, Fresh's sugar lip balm is a best seller for a reason, and the tinted one looks great on anyone, and even has SPF. My husband thinks sugar lips tastes good too! Check it out at Sephora.

If you followed these quick and easy steps, you can look like this girl! Woo!

New BB creams hit U.S. drugstores this summer, plus Sephora offers 2 new beauty balms from Dr. Jart

If you're as BB-obsessed as I am, you'll be thrilled to hear about the newest beauty balms to hit the U.S. market. I've heard from many fellow beauty junkies that American brands are missing the mark with BB creams. As someone who first purchased a Korean BB and then purchased a few different American brands, I can say that I understand why some beauty-lovers are disgruntled, if you're expecting a replica of the Asian products. But I try to erase any preconceived notions of how it should be and give the product a fair try, simply asking myself: Do I like this product? Does it suit my skin? So, that being said ... here's some exciting news in the cosmetic world!

Scoot over Garnier! Drugstore shelves will have to make room for two more BB creams this summer, and they're sure to be a hit. Why? Because American women who haven't jumped on the beauty balm wagon are curious about this new type of makeup, but they may not be ready to drop 40 bucks on a prestige brand. So, they'll peruse the isles of Target in search for a more economical way to experiment with this beauty craze, preferably for under $10. Maybelline will debut it's version of the BB cream this month, and L'Oreal will debut one in July.

I personally enjoy the Garnier BB cream and use it daily with just a little setting powder on top! It's a more affordable alternative to the Too Faced Beauty Balm; it has the same silky feel and slight glow to it. Here's what the new drugstore BBs will look like:

In addition to these new drugstore BB creams, Sephora has added to its ever-growing roster of BB creams. Sephora's Dr. Jart line, a well-loved Korean skin care and cosmetic brand, welcomes two new BB creams in addition to the Premium Beauty Balm and Water Based Beauty Balm. The two newbies are: the Black Label Detox BB and the Renewalist BB ($36 each). For blemish- and acne-prone skin, try the Black Label, and for aging skin, try the Renewalist. Here's a peak at some photos and descriptions:

What it is:

A purifying face cream that provides age defense, and hides uneven skintone and blemishes.
What it is formulated to do : Perfect and protect skin instantly with this all-in-one multifunctional Beauty Balm. This triple-action formula naturally covers blemishes and uneven skintone, and contains botanical actives to purify and calm blemish-prone or irritated skin. Arbutin works to erase unwanted dark spots, while caviar extract and antioxidants protect skin from inner and outer pollutants for an enhanced radiance. Lightweight with sunscreen protection for simple, one-step neutralizing coverage, this soothing cream delivers optimal results for both women and men.

What it is:

A multi-action facial cream with powerful brightening and antiaging properties.
What it is formulated to do: Perfect and protect skin instantly with this all-in-one multifunctional Beauty Balm. Renewalist BB's natural-looking coverage evens skintone and minimizes the appearance of imperfections. Patented platol white-c complex brightens dull skin for a lustrous, youthful glow, while nutrient-rich exotic oils soothe dryness. The niacinamide strengthens skin's moisture barrier, helping to boost collagen levels. Lightweight with sunscreen protection for an ideal base makeup application, this antiaging balm is sure to leave your skin refreshed.

DIY: Create a lemon scrub to brighten, detox skin for summer!

Slough off dead skin, brighten tone, detox pores, soften texture and sooth muscles ... all in this DIY scrub with products you may already have!

What you'll need:

1 fresh lemon

1 tablespoon of olive oil

5 tablespoons of epsom salt

Mix the epsom salt and olive oil first. Once the salt is coated with the olive oil, cut the lemon into wedges and squeeze the juice into the mix. Use generously on entire body and even your face. Skin will feel soft, fresh and clean as can be.