–Please note that the links included in this post may be affiliate links–

Foundation Alternatives

There are a few products I’ve been using that allow the skin to show through, yet help blur minor blemishes and imperfections. The first one that comes to mind is the BECCA Zero No Pigment Foundation. This makeup/skincare hybrid blurs pores while providing hydration. Most importantly, I have not found it to get oily as the day goes on AND since it’s clear you won’t have the dreaded mask makeup stains!

Another option if you like a more dewy, radiant look, is to use a primer like the VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh . This lightweight formula adds an amazing luminescence to the face that is natural and not at all sparkly or greasy. If you prefer the opposite, and want a mattifying product, VDL makes the Velvet Blur Primer, which I often use on days that are going to be warm and humid.

Concealer

After prepping my whole face with one of the above products, I like to spot conceal any glaring “issues.” To brighten up the undereye area, my longtime favorite is the Tatcha The Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment. It is another makeup/skincare hybrid that truly does not crease or emphasize fine lines.

For areas of redness I often reach for my Kosas Revealer Super Creamy Brightening Concealer. It is incredibly effective at evening out the complexion by the mouth and around the nose. Alternatively, I’ve also had a lot of success with Kaja’s Don’t Settle Concealer.

Set it and Forget it

If you’ve applied concealer after that base product you are going to want to set it before throwing on your mask. I would recommend using a translucent powder, so that any product that does come off on the mask does not stain it. My holy grail translucent powder is the By Terry Hyaluronic Hyrda Powder . I like to press it in on the areas I’ve concealed using my IT Cosmetics Airbrush Blurring Concealer Brush.

You may also want to give your whole face a once over with a setting spray. My favorite mists are the Pop Beauty Makeup Magnet Setting Mist and the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray.

As always, I want to reiterate that there is no “right” way to do your makeup. These were just some tips that I’ve found helpful while navigating the world of mask-wearing. Did I miss anything important? Let me know in the comments so I can address it in Part 3 of Makeup and Masks!

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For Part 1 of this “series,” I’m going to start with the obvious area of focus when you have a mask on: your eyes. I am of the firm belief that if you are covering the rest of your face, you can do whatever you want with your shadows and liners. Now is definitely the time to play with color, texture and shape. After all, we don’t have to worry about coordinating our eye makeup with anything else if nothing else is showing!

–Please note that the links included in this post may be affiliate links–

Play With Color

A surefire way to draw attention to your most important (and only visible…) features is to apply a wash of color. For a quick but impactful look, try the Kosas 10 Second Liquid Eyeshadow. My favorite unique shades are Waterfall and 333. For soft, blendable colors you may want to turn to Aether Beauty. Their Amethyst Palette is a great choice if you feel comfortable with shades of purple. I talk about another Aether palette in this post. If you like a more pigmented eyeshadow, Viseart is your brand. Warm tone lovers will gravitate toward their Warm Edit. Feeling bold? Go multichrome. Natasha Denona recently debuted the Chromium Multichrome Liquid Eyeshadow.

Play With Texture

Shimmer and glitter are no longer just for special occasions. There are so many options for bringing a little sparkle into your daily look. For an all over ethereal glimmer, I can’t recommend Roen Beauty highly enough. They have both Cool and Warm options. Or, try 11:11 for a little bit of both! If you really want to show off with a larger glitter, Pixi Beauty Liquid Fairy Lights are the way to go. I recommend dabbing a little on to the lid and then patting around with your finger.

Play With Shape and Definition

Don’t forget to frame your peepers with a quality mascara. My recent favorites are Ilia’s Limitless Lash Mascara and Roen’s Cake Mascara. Both of these options offer fluffy, defined lashes and a “clean” formula.

Finally, you may want to add a little drama to your liner game. Achieve a classic wing using the Ilia Clean Line Liquid Liner. Not a fan of liquid liner? My favorite trick is to apply a fine tipped liner pencil, like the Marc Jacobs Fineliner Ultra-skinny Gel Eye Crayon, and pull out a small wing using an angled brush!

Remember, there is no wrong way to do your makeup. You don’t even have to wear makeup. But if putting on some fun eye shadow or liner makes you feel happier while wearing a mask, I say do it! Wishing you good health!

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Kyut Box*

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BOX WAS ORIGINALLY CALLED THE “BUNNY BEAUTY BOX.”

Hello, beautiful classmates! It feels like a wave of change is coming to the world of the beauty-obsessed. Consumers are more and more expressing their desire for brands to be cruelty-free and vegan. While I am personally not a cruelty-free crusader, I would like to begin making more ethically-conscious decisions when it comes to what I put on my face. After all, it seems unnecessary that an animal would have to suffer so that my lips could look red, y’know? That’s why I thought it might be fun to try a subscription to Kyut Box.

Kyut Box is a monthly subscription service that focuses on cruelty-free and vegan beauty products. The boxes contain four to six full sized items. Similar to other subscription services, the items and shades you get are a surprise (but foundation and concealer are never in the box, so you don’t have to worry about color matches!)

I signed up for Kyut Box in August, so the first box I got was shipped out at the end of the month and arrived at the beginning of September. The August box contained five items – all from brands I was unfamiliar with prior to receiving the package. I haven’t yet tested all of the products, so I won’t do a review, but if you look in the photo below you can see the descriptions of every item.

There are three different payment options for the Kyut Box – monthly, three months prepaid and six months prepaid. The prepaid options include a bit of a discount. If you use the code “FIRSTLOVE,” you can get 30% off your first box, too! It’s worth noting that a portion of each sale goes to the Rescue + Freedom Project, a non-profit organization that has been freeing survivors from laboratory experiments, senior and special needs animals from shelters, and animal victims of horrific abuse from around the world.

It is approximately two years since I initially posted this review of the “Bunny Beauty Box.” In that time I received an amazing array of cruelty free beauty products. Please note that I did cancel my subscription after about 18 months, but that had more to do with personal finances than my satisfaction with the subscription service. Upon revisiting the Kyut Box page, I notice that all of the boxes are “sold out.” Hopefully they will be available to purchase again soon!

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Evening Regimen

Good morning, class!

I’ve recently had a few requests on Instagram to review my skincare routine. This curiosity likely stems from the fact that my skin is playing nice in 2018. For a few months I have been playing around with my skincare in a quest to find what really works for me. Today I would like to show you the products that I’ve been using in the evening to keep my skin hydrated and radiant.

I based my routine on the famed “10 Step Korean Skin Care Routine.” The ten steps are:

1. oil based cleanser
2. water based cleanser
3. exfoliator
4. toner
5. essence
6. treatments
7. sheet masks
8. eye cream
9. moisturizer
10. sun protection

For my purposes, I have excluded and/or combined a few of these steps for my daily evening routine. Therefore, my regimen looks more like this:

1. oil based cleanser
2. water based cleanser
3. exfoliator/toner
4. essence
5. treatments
6. eye cream
7. moisturizer

As we get into the specifics, please remember that what works for me may not work for you. It is very important to research ingredients before putting them all over your face, especially if you are prone to allergies or sensitivities. I would love to answer your questions about any of these products, so feel free to ask-away in the comments!

Oil-Based Cleanser

Banila Co. Clean It Zero – This balm (or “sherbert” as it is advertised) comes in a plastic tub with a screw cap. Once applied, it melts into the skin and easily removes makeup. I have used a variety of cleansing balms over the years and I feel this is one of the best, especially since the price point isn’t exorbitant.

Water-Based Cleanser

Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Cleanser – This is an important step because it removes all the makeup and oil residue completely from the skin. I like the Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Cleanser because it is gentle yet effective. I have experienced fewer blemishes since beginning to use this product. Please note that I did receive this cleanser in a giveaway but that has not influenced my opinion.

Exfoliator/Toner

Pixi Glow Tonic – I am so grateful that Pixi sent this to me because A- it has my name on it and B- it is already one of my favorite products ever. Since the Glow Tonic contains glycolic acid (which exfoliates) I consider it to be my daily exfoliator and toner. I have seen a vast improvement in my complexion since beginning to use this product.

Essence

May Coop Raw Sauce – I am one of the many who did not know what essence is until maybe a month ago. My understanding is that an essence primes the skin to be able to better absorb products that follow. Raw Sauce is interesting because it has a base of maple tree sap which apparently the skin absorbs very readily. Who knew? I’m working through this adorable mini size that I purchased from Peach & Lily.

Treatments

M-61 Hydraboost Serum 2.0 – I absolutely love this serum because it locks in moisture without feeling greasy at all. While the price may seem a bit extreme, a little goes a long way! I especially love how quickly this absorbs into the skin.

Eye Cream

TBD – OK so I do apply eye cream every night, but I haven’t yet found my eye cream. I have been working through a variety of samples and will update you when I have more information.

Moisturizer

M-61 Hydraboost Cream – Can you tell I’ve been to Blue Mercury a few times recently? This is the sister product to my favorite serum. The packaging says that it’s for “dry/mature skin types” but I would argue that this cream would do anyone good. It is not especially heavy or oily and certainly hasn’t caused me any breakouts.

I hope you found this quick rundown of my evening skincare routine helpful. As you know, I am constantly testing products so I will be sure to update you if I replace any of these steps. I will also be posting a morning regimen update as well as a special products (sheet masks, physical exfoliators, etc.) rundown soon. Thank you for reading!

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#Lipstories

When Sephora came out with their Lip Stories (or #Lipstories) Lipstick I actually wasn’t very interested. I’ve never been drawn to the Sephora Collection Cosmetics and frankly, there are 40 other brands sold in Sephora that tend to catch my eye. However, #Lipstories changed my mind. Here’s why:

#1 – the packaging

It’s fantastic. While some have complained that the cases are cardboard, this fact doesn’t bother me (and I’ll talk more about why later.) The designs on these tubes are different for every shade. They are eye-catching, beautiful, and somewhat relevant to the shades they represent.

#2 – the price point

The #Lipstories lipsticks sell for $8 USD a piece. This is amazing because….

#3 – the formula

It’s great! I am partial to the matte formula, of course. That being said, I don’t hate the cream finish and the metallics I’ve seen on other people look amazing.

#4 – the colors

Between the three finishes there are forty unique colors. Of course, there are a number of reds and pinks, but you will also find purples, blues, oranges and a green!

I have two shades in my collection, currently. Matinee is my “normal” color; it is a pinky red with a cream finish. My “fun” color is Off-Limits, which is a matte dusty purple. As I mentioned, I prefer the matte formula because it is has a bit more lasting power and isn’t drying at all. The cream finish is a bit slippery for my taste, but I know many people love a moisturizing lip color!

Off-Limits

Matinee

#Lipstories are obviously available only at Sephora. Be sure to check them out on your next shopping trip!

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That’s right, friends. The second part of the annual Sephora VIB Sale is on its way!

From November 10th to 15th, VIB Rouge members can take 20% off their orders with the code 20forRouge. VIB members can also take 20% off with the code 20forVIB. And Insiders are not forgotten. Use the code INSIDER15. Before we get into some recommendations, here are a couple of reminders:

• you can use your code/discount as many times as you’d like within the sale period
• the sale applies to online AND in-store purchases
• if in store, be sure to remind them to give you the discount when checking out
• while 20% is a decent discount, remember that as the holidays approach some brands might have even greater discounts on their own websites
• but also, treat yo’self

I didn’t have a whole lot of time to come up with a detailed post for you, but below are some of the items I’ve used and loved. Please note that these are affiliate links.

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Hello, class! I am excited to tell you about one of my favorite excursions this summer, which was to visit the Bite Beauty Lip Lab in Manhattan. I have been wanting to try out this experience for years, and was thrilled when my friends (hi Adam and Rachel!) said they would go into the city with me. Bite Beauty is one of my favorite brands as we’ve seen here and here and here.

There are currently three Bite Beauty Lip Lab locations- San Francisco, Toronto and New York City. The NYC location is obviously the only convenient location for me. It is in SoHo at 174 Prince Street.

Rather than just list my experience, I want to provide you with a little guidebook, per say, in case you ever make it to one of the Bite Beauty Lip Lab locations:

Make an Appointment

Make an appointment.
Make an appointment.
Make an appointment.
Make an appointment.

Got it? I am stressing this because we saw a number of people get turned away. While there may be days when walk-ins are accepted or when someone on the wait-list gets called because there is a last-minute cancellation, it will not likely be the day you try to get in.

I booked an appointment for two people about three weeks in advance without an issue. I had a choice of times and the employee on the phone was incredibly polite. Visit the Bite Beauty Lip Lab website if you’d like to look up the phone number for your nearest location.

Give Yourself Time to Travel

I don’t know about the other cities, but New York is a mess. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your chosen Lip Lab because if you miss your time slot, chances are you’re not going get a chance later.

Just a little story to go along with this message:
The three of us arrived about an hour early, which was awesome, especially because it turns out they were filming a TV show right on Prince Street and we were only allowed to access the store between takes!

Know Your Options

There are two options for your Bite Beauty Lip Lab experience. The first is to make a “custom lipstick.” This means that you will chose from nearly 200 shades and combine your shade with the finish and scent of your choice. This option is $55 for one lipstick or two for $80.

The second experience is the “bespoke lipstick.” This means that your lip lab artist will work with you to create a unique shade by mixing pigments based on your preferences. As with the custom option, you get to also chose your finish and scent. The Bespoke Lipstick experience is $150 for two lipsticks as well as an exclusive lip kit.

lip lab info

The website lists different finish options for each experience:
Custom: glossy sheer, matte creme, amuse bouche (Bite’s standard finish at this point).
Bespoke: luminous, matte, sheer cuvée

The scent options are: cherry, mint, vanilla, citrus, mango, violet, coconut, wildberry and lime (the website says “fresh citrus” but when we went there was a lime option).

pigments

Have an Idea of What You Want

I like to think that Rachel and I were pretty easy customers. We both knew that we wanted the bespoke option (we were feeling very extra) and both of us are decidedly matte lipstick lovers. And we had some idea of the colors we wanted. Rachel requested a flattering nude for everyday use and her red. Our lip lab artist (forgive me, as I cannot remember her name!) mixed up colors like a true pro and found Rachel’s new lipstick shades within three attempts each.

and more pigments..

My first request was a flattering pink. This was another easy feat for our artist. My second request, a grungy purple, was a little more difficult, therefore, we went through a number of grayish purples until we found the one.

some of my options

pick a shade to wear out of the store

Because your handmade lipsticks will need time to set, you should not expect to apply your lipstick directly from the bullet before you leave. While I kept on my purple lip, Rachel went back to her first shade, the nude.

our lipsticks being molded

Take Photos

On top of the whole process being very, very cool, this serves a greater purpose. You will receive a card with your custom formula so that you can re-make your lipstick if/when you run out and it is a good idea to take a photo of your formula so you never lose it!

my lipsticks and lip kit, along with custom formula cards

Enjoy!

I hope this guide helps you enjoy your first Bite Beauty Lip Lab experience. Additionally, If you have some tips, please share with the class by commenting!

the final results!

Don’t have a Bite Beauty Lip Lab nearby? Shop Bite online (affiliate links):

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I thought now might be a good time to revisit some products we looked at a while ago, that are still worth taking a peek at in-store.

Spring Blush Recommendations

Urban Decay Moondust Palette

It Cosmetics Build-A-Brow

Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation

Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette

Urban Decay Vice Lipsticks

image from http://www.androidguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Shut-up-and-take-my-money.jpg

Let me know what you get in your shopping excursions!

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Hello, class! As we head towards 2017 I wanted to take a brief moment to review this past year, including some successes and my favorite posts of the last twelve months.

First of all, 2016 was the year that thisteacherwearsmakeup.com was established. (Well, it may have been the very end of 2015, but it still counts.) After my original blogspot domain was stolen, my brother kindly gifted me this new one, and it has been fabulous ever since.

I’ve also gained about 1500 Instagram followers. My Instagram account has had relatively slow growth compared to other bloggers of similar style, but for someone with a full-time job and other interests, I consider this to be a decent achievement.

Favorite Posts

Finally, I’ve created a lot of content that I am proud to share. Some of my favorite posts are:

The Concealer Showdown

Bite Beauty Multistick Swatches

MAC Bangin’ Brilliant Lipstick

ABH Moonchild vs. Gleam

Depotting the Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix

Lunatick Contour Palette

Those are just a few of my favorites. Please share some of your achievements from this past year!

The post 2016 In Review appeared first on This teacher wears makeup..

Hello, everyone! I thought it might be nice to share some beauty gift recommendations for the special people in your lives. When possible, I’ve suggested items that I myself have tried. Please feel free to add to the list in the comments!

Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links. If you are uncomfortable with that, by all means just google the product! Additionally, I took these photos directly off the sellers’ sites.

for the beauty newbie…

Ulta

Benefit never disappoints with their sets! The Girl O’Clock Rock 12 Benefit Bestsellers ($45) is available at Ulta. Help that makeup amateur in your life by gifting these twelve easy-to-use minis!

Sephora

The Smashbox Try It Kit  ($22) contains five minis of Smashbox bestsellers. This is a great way to help your novice-friend get acquainted with some awesome products.

for the natural beauty…

Glossier

Order a Glossier Phase 2 Set ($50) for your friend who prefers a subtle makeup look. Simply choose a Generation G lip shade, a Stretch Concealer shade, and a Boy Brow color for a cute little set that a natural beauty lover will appreciate.

for the classic beauty…

Sephora

The Dior Holiday Couture Palette ($89) boasts face powders, eyeshadows and lip glosses that your classic beauty lover will truly thank you for.

Beautylish

Charlotte Tilbury’s Dreamy Look In A Clutch  (available on Beautylish for $128) has everything your classic beauty needs for a super chic look. The Luxury Palette in Legendary Muse and Hot Lips lipstick in Secret Salma are the perfect color combination.

for your edgy bestie…

Sephora

With 8 mini liquid lipsticks ranging from nude to blue, the Kat Von D Everlasting Mini Liquid Lipstick Set ($49) is sure to please those who like their look to be a bit edgy. It’s a great formula, too!

Sephora

The Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette ($55) is one of the most colorful eye shadow palettes on the market and is perfect for your friend who’s not afraid to stand out!

for the glitter princess…

Lime Crime

Lime Crime just came out with their Diamond Crushers lip toppers ($80). These can be worn alone or over a liquid lipstick without disturbing it. You can buy the whole set or just colors that your glitter princess might like.

ColourPop

I’d be remiss if I didn’t have anything from Colourpop on this list! Their Never Not Chillin set ($30) has 6 special edition shadows, 3 of which boast an amazing sparkle.

for the skincare queen…

Sephora

Anyone who loves a good mask will die over the Caudalie Mask Trio ($39). This set has three masks that cover a variety of skin concerns. The glycolic peel treatment is one of my favorites!

Sephora

The Boscia Japanese Favorites set ($35) offers an amazing array of products from a fantastic skincare company. Your skincare loving friend will be positively glowing!

Don’t forget to leave your recommendations below!

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