Product reviews: 2 products that make your eyes pop

Today, my eyes look more awake and stand out thanks to two products that I'll be reviewing for you: Paula Dorf Eye Glimmer in Nymph & Anastasia's brow gel.

I'll start with the Paula Dorf shadow. It's a radiant light blue, but it's got a gold tint to it, which I've never seen in any other shadows. The combination of the cool blue and warm gold seem unusual, but it's absolutely stunning. It reminds me of a bright golden sunrise over the turquoise waters of South Florida (yes I'm lucky to live here!). When it comes to bright colors or pastels, it's pretty easy to cross the line from trendy to trashy.
So, to make sure your pop of color looks classy, please don't bring the color all the way up to the brows. Trust me here. It looks best just on the lid. What I did (see photo, below), is just brush some along the lash line and blend up, so it's not even over all of my lid.
From my crease to my brow bone, I used Anastasia's Cooling Eye Brightener. I recommend using a brightener, highlighter or light neutral color in that area.
I was very satisfied with the pigment in this shadow. I'd say it's not quite as pigmented as Urban Decay eye shadows, but still very nice and rich, and silky smooth. It applies very easily and works well with my Urban Decay eye primer.
I have blue eyes, but I think this would look stunning on brown eyes (blue and brown complement each other perfectly). The size of the product is great and I've had it for at least 6 months, and I see it lasting a very long time, especially because I'm not wearing this daily.
I'll probably start wearing it more often because it's a great time to break out those summer hues! Just be cautious about pairing this shadow with a lip color, because a bright shadow with bright lips can look over the top. Try to emphasize one feature -- the eye area or lips, not both at the same time. Bright lips with neutral eyes or bright eyes with neutral lips = you're in the clear. I paired it with a pink lip gloss that wasn't much different from the natural shade of my lips.

Now onto the Anastasia brow gel. If you love sculpting your brows, definitely check out the line-up of brow products Anastasia offers: everything from brow gels to pencils to stencils and more. This particular brow gel is clear so it won't add any color to your brows. It can be used over powder, pencil, or simply by itself. It works well for unruly brows or tame brows that need a little sculpting (like mine!).
The wand is just like a mascara wand, so it's perfect for combing your brows into an arch while smoothing them into place. The gel works marvellously and holds your brows in place all day. If you use too much, they will feel crunchy so less is more here. I combed my eyebrow hairs upward to try to dramatize my arch and I was surprised how much of a difference this gel made. My brows aren't particularly noticable since they're blonde and not very thick, but just taking the extra few minutes to comb my arch into shape really opens my eyes up, especially since my eyes are hooded. It adds youthfulness and brings out the eyes, so I definitely recommend adding this product to your beauty routine.

Summer Olympics = Metallic Eyes!

The London Summer Olympics kick off July 27, 2012, and that's not far off! I've already seen commercials on TV! My husband is all pumped up to watch, and I am too -- but for different sports and different reasons. For example, his favorite sport in the world is soccer, but I'd rather just tune in for the gymnastics. Oh, and it's a great excuse to play around with metallic makeup! I recommend experimenting with gold, silver or bronze looks. I've numbered the photos above to show you two different looks -- day and night.

In photos 1 & 2, I simply used a champagne shadow as my base color on the lids, and used a shimmering gold in the crease and along the lower lash line. The important thing to note is that I wet a flathead brush to line the lower lashes with eye shadow. If you don't wet the powder, you may end up with powder flying into your eyes, and that's never pretty.

In photos 3 & 4, I took the look up a notch. I lined my upper lashes with a dark brown liquid liner to make my eyes more defined and my lashes more full. I used an Urban Decay liquid liner because it lasts so long, and it's super easy to use. Then, I found a really cool, deep brown eye shadow that has a very slight tint of gold in it: Urban Decay's Dark Horse. I used my crease brush and blended Dark Horse into the crease, going about three-quarters in. Those two simple steps (the darker color in the crease and the liquid liner on top) is all it took to take this look from day to night.

My summer wishlist from Target!

With summer approaching, it's time to stock up on summer must-have beauties goodies! I'm always in Target so it's pretty convenient to pick up some nice products for cheap, especially if you're trying to stick to a budget. Let's be honest, when you walk into a Sephora, that budget is out the window. And those sales people, they're just too good. So, here are some of the products I've had my eyes on for summer!

Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush in Flamingo, Yes to Blueberries brightening wipes, Essie nail polish in Turquoise and Caicos, Pixi Succulent Lip Twin in Poppy, John Frieda Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray.

Get Dianna Agron's sultry Met Gala look

Though Glee's Dianna Agron was just one of many in attendance at the star-studded Met Gala in New York, her look was one of the most memorable. With her face-framing layers, regal emerald green dress, and sultry plum eye makeup, it's clear she wanted to bring out her gorgeous green eyes and of course, she succeeded!

To draw inspiration from Dianna for a regular ol' day at the office, mimic her glowy summertime cheeks, and complement them with a baby pink gloss. My work place is very casual, so a smokey eye is a little out of place. So, I put on my tarte maracuja divine shine lip gloss in amused and created glowy cheeks like Dianna's by simply following two steps:

1. Smile, and swipe on a warm-pink blush that complements your skin tone onto the apples of the cheeks and blend out.

2. Brush on some bronzer with a touch of shimmer (I heart tarte's bronzer in Park Ave Princess) just under the apples of your cheeks, with a little overlap on the blush. This adds definition to your face and that shimmer. (Extra tip: use the bronze just under your jaw for more definition!)

For a hot date or night out with the girls, try out her smokey eye and finish the look with these products:

1. LORAC Starry Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Starstruck -- create smokey eye and trace over eyeliner (after priming the area with a trusted eye primer!)

2. LORAC eyeliner in plum -- line the eyes and smudge with the smudger on the end, and add plum shadow over for a soft, sultry effect

3. Smashbox Full Exposure mascara, for full black lashes

4. NARS Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm and Laguna, contour with bronzer and add a peachy glow with the blush

5. Benefit Brow Zings, for defined brows create the shape with the wax and fill in the color with the powder.

6. Dior Addict Lipstick in Taffetas, a sheer petal pink, topped with Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Negligee Pink

*If you're not sure how to do a smokey eye, check out all these tutorials here.

Smokey eye with tangerine -- Learn this look!

So this look was pretty easy to do and it works great for summer nights out on the town. To start, I brushed Benefit's ChaCha Tint stain on my lips and used a foundation brush to apply it to the apples of my cheeks.

I lighted dusted Bare Mineral's loose powder foundation over my entire face to blend, soften and mute the cheek stain a bit.

Next, I focused on the eyes with Urban Decay's Naked palette. As a base, I patted on the color Sin, a shimmery champagne, on my lids. Then, I brushed Virgin, even lighter than Sin, from crease to brow and into the inner corners of my eyes. With a crease brush, I swiped a glittery cool brown called Sidecar into my crease. Then I dipped my crease brush into Smog, a warm chocolate brown, and blended it only into my outer crease.

I used Ulta's bronze automatic eye liner on the top lid and used a wet flat brush to brush a light black Creep along the lower lash line.

 I know it probably seems odd to use a bronze on top and light black on the bottom. One of the reasons for this is (as you can see in the third photo), I have hidden lids so I liked using a lighter liner on top. Also, the soft effects of using a shadow makes it easier to mix-match colors on top and bottom because it's very blended and smokey anyways. This took me about ten minutes or less, so it's great if you've gotta get ready to go out with friends in a jiffy. Hope you enjoyed!

10 fabulous drugstore finds under $20

I'm sure the name of the blog is a dead giveaway -- I love prestige makeup, the high-quality stuff. However, that doesn't mean I snub the cheap stuff. After all, I love a bargain! It takes a lot of trial and error to find the best products at the drugstore. Here are some of my discoveries (top photo, from left):

1. L'Oreal True Match Naturale blush (color shown Sugar Plum 490). This loose-powder blush has rich pigments, so use sparingly. I hate having to swipe on layer upon layer of blush to see the color, so this is perfect. It comes with a brush right on it, which is nice, but I prefer to use a smaller blush brush with this or a fan brush. It stays amazingly well throughout the day. $12.49 at Target.

2. L'Oreal Infallible lip gloss (color shown Undeniable Mauve 515). This full-color gloss looks like a lipstick with shine. It stays almost like a stain, which I love, but when it begins to wear off, it will feel dry and a little sticky. But, up until that point, it's a wonder product. Like the L'Oreal blush, the color is impeccable. $8.49 at Target.

3. Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer (color shown Rhubarab). If you love Burt's Bees lip balm, you'll love the lip shimmer. I actually wore this at my wedding! It looks like a softer lipstick, with gorgeous color and a soft, hydrating feel. It doesn't have long wear, so keep it in your purse, but overall it's probably one of my favorite lip products for day-to-day or dress-up. I love the colors Watermelon and Rhubarb. $4.99 at Target.

4. Pixi Eye Bright Liner. Once you use this, it's hard to live without. I use this nude-colored liner to line my water line and instantly look more awake. It opens the eye, brightens, and brings out your eye color. It seems like such a small thing, but it truly makes a huge difference. $17.00 at Target.

5. Eco Tools brushes (brush shown Bronzer Brush $9.99). The Eco Tools brushes are soft and pretty and there's really not much else to say. I don't like the idea of dropping $30+ on a brush, so if I can get the job done with a $10 one instead, then I am totally on board. Brush kits range from $7.99 to $15.99 at Target.

6. Cover Girl Cheekers (shown in True Plum 185). I've used Cheekers ever since I can remember, when my mom would give me makeup she didn't use to play with as a kid. Now, they're my go-to if I want to try a new shade (I was using a coral shade but decided to try a plum look) or if I'm strapped for cash. They're super affordable and they last extremely well, especially for the price. Note: the e.l.f. professional bronzing brush fits perfectly with these. $4.49 at Walgreens.

7. Cover Girl mascaras in general --Lash Perfection, Nature Luxe, Lash Blast. These three mascaras I have tried by Cover Girl have surprised me. Lash Blast 24 hours can be difficult to take off (try olive oil), but it looks like a million bucks. The other two have a more natural look but don't flake off and are insanely cheap. About $5-8 at WalMart.

8. Physician's Formula. I've loved everything I've tried by these guys lately! Their Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Powders smell lovely like roses and add a nice glow to your face. The Multi-Colored Pressed Powder in Translucent  is perfect to swipe over my Garnier BB Cream to mattify my face and blend. Their concealer doesn't clog my pores, so if you've got blemishes to hide, here's one that can actually do the trick without irritating them further. I really want to try out their mood-boosting blushes next.

9. e.l.f. Professional Brushes (white brushes above, showing eye shadow brush, bronzing brush, brow comb & brush, and total face brush). I bought these about a year ago, when they were on sale for about $1 each at Target, just on whim since they were so darn cheap! Now, they go for around $3 at Target, and I have to say, these are a great buy.

10. Studio Tools Crease Makeup Brush. Oh my goodness, I needed a crease brush and came across this at Target for $2. It perfectly blends color into the crease and helps create a smooth, effortless smokey eye. It works wonderfully and is dirt cheap. It's a steal.

Drugstores are interesting places. When it comes to cosmetics and skin care, they have a range of crappy to snappy, but it's worth digging through to find the hidden gems. Maybe the next drugstore post will be on cleansing wipes since there are sooo many (Yes To, Burt's Bees, Neutrogena, Pond's, Simple, etc.). Thanks for reading! Comment and let me know what you're fave drugstore picks are!

Bare Escentuals Prime Time Brightening Foundation Primer review

Bare Escentuals, known for their Bare Minerals foundation, makes everything from fabulous lip glosses to skin care. Whether you're looking to make you're Bare Minerals foundation last longer or try a new primer with the foundation you're already using, you may have considered Prime Time. There are three primers to choose from, one for oily skin, a regular one for any skin type, and lastly, the brightening primer.

The effect of the brightening primer is shown above on my right hand. The texture feels different than many primers I have tried; it's more runny and a little oily feeling, unlike the silicone feel of most primers. However, this isn't a bad thing! It absorbs into the skin very easily and does in fact improve the appearance and wear time of the foundation. Best of all, yes it really does brighten and diminishes pinkness. You look more awake and radiant, without clogging pores or irritating skin. I'm very break-out prone so I tend to be pretty cautious with primers. If you're like me, you should be in the clear with this brand. Side note: Pur Minerals primers are also great for all sensitive or break-out prone skin types. If you can get past the unusual texture, you'll love the luminosity and radiance this primer offers.