A Super Cheap Insta-Makeup Collection

By now, we all know that I am an official beauty junkie.  A freak, really.  My linen closet?  Has NO linen in it.  Just perfume, makeup, body lotion, shower gel....the list goes on.  I realize that this is not normal.  And because I realize it is not normal, I have happened across a solution for those of you who like the idea of owning gobs of makeup but are overwhelmed by the purchasing process.  Enter Sephora's Color Play Palette...it should be something more like Color Romp - because this will take a while.  This "palette" is packed with 32 eye shadows, 12 lip glosses, 3 blushes, a bronzer, and 3 applicators.  For $22.  Did you catch that?  TWENTY TWO measly little dollars!  Amazing.  And, you're welcome.

Get it here.  

Who's the beauty junkie now?............XOXO, Tiff.  

Since we've been on the topic of "faking it," why not fake a clean house?

Real Simple, I love you. Now that I have THAT out of the way, I have yet another helpful article from the trusty Real Simple folks. I found this article and I actually let out a little giggle at the title, "How to Fake a Clean House." Because, let's be honest, when you're planning on having people over, cleaning your house appropriately can take a looooooong time - time that could be spent on preparing those adorable hors d'oeurves and fanning the cocktail napkins (you know you want to).

This article is full of seriously helpful hints - even if you don't want to fake the cleanliness of your abode, there are some good tips anybody can use. Check it out here.

Happy "cleaning"................XOXO, Tiff.

Party Planning Checklist

As the weather warms up, we will surely be increasingly social, right? Which means parties, parties, parties. I found this helpful checklist at Real Simple - it provides a great, organized approach to party planning to ensure a low-stress affair!

Check it out here.

Who has fun at their own party? You do..........XOXO, Tiff.

*photo by Rob Howard on Real Simple's website

Bare Escentuals - You're the Best!

I know I've mentioned that I completely heart Bare Escentuals - but I have to say what REALLY puts me over the edge are their amazing seasonal sets. They pack so many goodies into these sets (and a lot of times, numerous brushes - which, let's be honest, are not fun to buy), and at great prices to boot. They have some really fun new spring stuff I thought I'd share with you!

The newest sets are the "Free to BE:" collection, and consist of Naturally Elegant, Naturally Classic, and Naturally Adventurous. They all come with super cute bags and include BE's newest addition, natural lipgloss - which is AWESOME, might I add. They smell like vanilla icing - and are absolutely gorgeous. I think they'll have 13 new shades and those will be unveiled later this spring.

Check these out here, and buy them at any BE Boutique, Sephora, or Nordstrom. At $39.50 for a clutch, 3 eyeshadows, blush, and lipgloss - how can you say no??

You're a natural.......XOXO, Tiff.

Flawless Face Extras

Now you've got your perfect-looking skin - you can stop there. But if you're anything like me, you don't. Here are some fun extras to really add some "ooomph" to your look.

Bare Escentuals makes all-over face powders that add a lot of glow to your skin. I'll begin with the least overwhelming plan - which is to snatch the complexion enhancers kit. I'm sure I will blog at some point about how utterly amazing B.E. kits are (you get great brushES - plural - not to mention a great amount of makeup for an unbelievable price), and this is no exception. This kit comes with four enhancers (well-rested for under eye brightening, pure radiance for a healthy glow, faux tan for a sun-kissed look, and feather light mineral veil for a translucent finishing powder) and 3 amazing brushes, in addition to a tutorial on how to use the products. The entire kit is $49 - which is an unbelievable deal, considering the brushes alone are at least $20 each.

In all, there are at least 20 different shades you can choose from to enhance your complexion. My favorite is flawless radiance (maybe I just like the word "flawless") - it is a beautiful shade that complements any skin tone and gives you that "lit from within" look that we're all searching for.

Check out all of the shades here...and promise not to be overwhelmed. In all honesty, you cannot go wrong with any of them. Use the same swirl, tap, buff method with these as you do with the foundation powder...you will not be sorry.

You glow girl (sorry, couldn't help it)........XOXO, Tiff.

Fake a Flawless Face - My Favorite Components: Step 4

OK, I have to admit that this my favorite step. This is the part of the equation that takes your flawless canvas to the next level - and leaves it looking airbrushed. I'm talking about loose powder foundation; Bare Escentuals i.d. bareMinerals, more specifically. Like the Smashbox foundation, this product is very light and buildable. This means you can achieve the coverage you desire, from sheer to full cover.

My favorite brush to use with this product is the Handy Buki Brush by Bare Escentuals. This brush is super easy to control, and helps blend areas that are usually difficult, like the area around your nose. Again, it allows you to choose the level of coverage you want.

If you are a fan of B.E., you know that their phrase regarding how to use their makeup is "Swirl, Tap, Buff." As simple as it sounds, it really delivers great results. To get the most bang out of this product, pour some powder into the lid (you don't need much), swirl your brush in the powder, and then tap the excess back into the lid. To buff appropriately, begin from the outside of your face and buff inwards (i.e., start at your jaw-line and move inward). To buff, you just make circular motions with the brush on your face - which actually feels pretty good. The result is even better - your skin literally looks airbrushed....so smooth and even. This is also where appropriately prepping your face (Remember? With the primer?) really comes in handy - your makeup brush will glide over your skin. Here is a little tutorial for you from the B.E. website:

Try practicing your Swirl, Tap, Buff^® technique

1. Swirl

   a small amount of bareMinerals in the lid with the Flawless Application Face Brush until all the bareMinerals are tucked into the bristles.

2. Tap

   away excess. There should be no visible bareMinerals on the outside of the brush.

3. Buff

   bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation onto the skin in a circular motion, starting on the outside of your face near the cheekbone and swirling as you go. Buff around your face and then approach your forehead, cheeks and nose. Buff until you are satisfied with the coverage. Less is more.

For more info about this product, click here.

Who's the gal with the flawless skin?? XOXO, Tiff.

Fake a Flawless Face - My Favorite Components: Step 3

I used to HATE liquid foundation - it always felt so heavy, looked cakey (because, let's face it, the point of wearing makeup is to look as though you're NOT wearing makeup), and clogged pores. After this discovery, I am a changed woman. I used a little sample of Smashbox's High Definition Healthy FX Foundation and quickly fell in love. This stuff is super light and highly blendable - and buildable, for that matter, so that you can achieve the perfect amount of coverage for your skin without that caked on look. My skin feels so soft and hydrated when I use it, and it's packed with goodies for your skin, like the skin-loving anti-oxidant Vitamin C and SPF 15. I never feel as though I am even wearing makeup, and my skin appears bright and healthy. I don't think you can ask for much more when it comes to foundation! For more info, go here.

PS - If you EVER want to sample any products - Sephora will gladly give you a generously sized sample. All you have to do is ask.

Here's to non-makeup makeup........XOXO, Tiff.