Beauty, Blogging & Brunch
For this next blog post, I decided it would be fun to collaborate with my friend, fellow twin mama and blogger, Randi Mager. Randi cooked up a delicious & healthy brunch while we sat and chatted about one of our favorite things: BEAUTY PRODUCTS!!! So many things in our lives are all about "double," so today, we are coming at you with our top 2 make up must haves.
PRIMER
Randi
LL First Base Priming Spray to prep the skin – its dermatologist approved, oil free and contains aloe to calm down any irritated or red skin. Its silicone free formula helps shrink the pores and smooth the skin for flawless makeup application.
Another great way to prep your skin for smooth and seamless application is to exfoliate regularly! Remember, your skin is your canvas, so treat it well to put your best face forward! I use Limelight by Alcone Skin Polish with soft Jojoba Beads and Lemon Peel Extracts to gently slough off those dead skin cells!
Kate
Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer - while I don't use primer much anymore (because my It Cosmetics CC Cream has a primer built in), this was the first primer that I ever used and fell in love with it instantly. It helps smooth out my skin giving me a perfect canvas for when I apply my foundation.
MAC Prep & Prime Fix + - this is a lightweight spray that performs double duty. You can use it to prep your skin prior to your makeup application and you can also use it to set your makeup. Everyone loves a multi-tasking product, right?
FOUNDATION
Randi
Limelight by Alcone Botanical Foundation – the Research Council of Makeup Artists (RCMA) most coveted formula was developed by world renowned makeup artist, J-R Kehoe and has been the favorite in the professional community for years! You don’t have to use much because its so highly pigmented and covers beautifully using a minimal amount without every feeling heavy. With 50% pigment coverage it outperforms any foundation on the market, with an average of 18-23% This means longer wear and less touch ups for you which is why its dubbed The Best Foundation in the World.
Honestly don’t have a second pick here! I used a MAC liquid foundation that came in a dropper before I found LL and it was not only a mess, but I couldn’t stand the fact that I was using something that was tested on Animals!
Kate
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream – my all time FAVORITE!!! It’s a full coverage, waterproof & sweatproof CC Cream and truly it looks just like your skin – BUT BETTER!!!
Glo Minerals Protective Liquid Foundation Satin – full coverage, yet still looks very natural. Stays in place all day and this Satin version is still great even if your skin is oily like mine!
CONCEALER
Randi
Limelight by Alcone Waterproof Concealer – Waterproof, sweat proof, smooth application and perfect shades for correcting every and any imperfection. Remember the Kevyn Aucoin Making Faces Book? He used this concealer as foundation on his models! That’s how blendable and creamy this formula is!
YSL Touche Elcat Pen – This click pen dispenser is easy to use and apply – it does double duty as it highlights and conceals. I like to dab it on the inner corner of my eyes and in my laugh lines for a bright appearance – Like you slept 10 hours, when you’ve slept 5. WARNING: use sparingly because the hefty price tag will have you in tears when the last click is dry!
Kate
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye – a little goes a long way with this powerful product. Waterproof, sweatproof and is great for covering dark circles, acne scars and I also love this to highlight my face.
MAC Studio Finish SPF35 Concealer – this comes in a variety of shades and is great at covering up the bad and highlighting the good ;)
POWDER
Randi
Limelight Pressed Powder. Its colorless and textureless, and will set your makeup for an all day fresh face without looking or feeling like you’re wearing powder. I use this powder when I am concealing my tattoo for acting gigs, by layering it with the LL Concealer. You can layer and layer and it never looks caked on! This powder is unlike any other I’ve ever touched!
Kate
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores – Whether it’s in the loose form or pressed, this powder is my FAV! It’s talc free & is so powerful in combating shine and oiliness, especially in the summer months
MAC Blot Powder Pressed – this is another favorite of mine for touch-ups on the go. It has minimal color, is light and has a very sheer finish.
BROWS
Randi
Brows – Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse in Taupe – one of my summer must haves! Taupe is a gorgeous shade that suits so many brunettes without being to dark. I can’t stand a too dark brow! Tarte is also a natural company that is cruelty free, which I love!
Limelight by Alcone eye shadows in “Brownie Points” “Ashin for Trouble” and “La Vida Mocha”
Kate
Anastasia Brow Wiz – My go to brow product! It’s got a fine tip, which is great for giving your brows shape and definition and easily fills them in as well!!!
Anastasia Dip Brow – I love this product because you only need the tiniest bit and it will go a long way. Lasts all day and comes in a large variety of colors.
BRONZER
Randi
Limelight by Alcone Bronzer – I have never been a huge lover of bronzer because I didn’t want to look sparkly or orangy tan. And that’s exactly why Limelight by Alcone’s bronzer is the bomb.com. It is the most gorgeous shade of tan with a super subtle shimmer, SUPER subtle! It’s perfect on every skin tone and can be used to create a gorgeous glow, for a soft contour and is buildable if you wanted to make your friends think you spent the weekend at the beach.
Like I said, I was not a huge fan of bronzer, so before I found LL I used MAC Prep and Prime BB Cream Compact in Dark with a fluffy brush to warm up my skin during the winter months. Its completely Matte and easy to work with, but I have moved on from products that’s manufacturers rub them into the eyes of animals for testing!
Kate
Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer in Chocolate – my favorite bronzer!!! It’s highly pigmented, so a little will go a long way. Great for contouring and making those cheek bones pop!
It Cosmetics Sunshine In a Compact Vitality Anti-Aging Matte Bronzer – another favorite of mine! It’s waterproof & sweatproof and will last through those hot summer days or super sweaty workouts!
HIGHLIGHTER
Randi
Limelight by Alcone Blush in #6- ahhhh the most amazing soft candle lit glow effect on those cheekbones. Perfection. I also love it on my eyelids as a beautiful base color.
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Shimmer Brick in Rose. For a little something different – I love this soft rosy hue. Swirl all 5 colors onto a fluffy brush and apply to your cheekbones! Bonus points for being able to use the colors individually as eye shadow.
Kate
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette – The palette comes with 3 shades and gives just the right amount of shimmer to your skin & makes it look flawless.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal – it’s the perfect highlighter for a very natural glow.
BLUSH Randi
Limelight blushes along with the rest of the line, is highly pigmented and will last you literally your entire lifetime. #1 is a matte rose color that is perfect for every season. When I’m using a lot of shimmer on the eye, I prefer a matte color like this.
For a subtle shimmer in the most amazing pinky peach I use Limelight’s blush #4 – it looks perfect for day or evening on every skin tone!
Kate
Benefit Rockateur Box o’ Powder Blush – the most gorgeous rose gold blush with just a hint of shimmer. Because of its' neutral color, it will look great on any skin tone. It’s highly pigmented so a little will go a long way!
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge For Lips & Cheeks in Rose – this is the only cream blush that I’ve ever really loved. It’s super creamy and blends like a dream! It looks natural & lasts all day.
EYESHADOW Randi
Limelight recently released a whole palette of neutral colors catchingly called “The Feeling is Neutral” and not only does it contain every neutral color you could ever want or need in it, but the formula was just improved to create the most creamy – color dense shades you’ve ever applied to your lids! Did I mention they are now also Paraben Free?! It doesn’t get better than this when it comes to eye shadow. You can try to find it out there, but it only exists at Limelight by Alcone.
When Limelight releases the next color palette, it will be like Christmas morning and it will go in my #2 spot!
Kate
Urban Decay Naked Palette – Need I say more??? This is my all time favorite eyeshadow collection. It’s got matte and shimmer shades and look great on EVERYONE. They eyeshadows are insanely pigmented so this palette will last forever.
Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Cement (matte), Mahogany (matte) & Cement (sparkle) – These 3 eyeshadows together are perfect for a natural look that will compliment any eye color. Long lasting and easily blendable.
EYELINER Randi
For a soft look that lasts ALL day and wont smudge – I (again) use my Limelight by Alcone eyeshadows… yes they truly do do it all and will transform into brows and liner and the shadows can be used wet and dry. But I digress…. I spray my angled liner brush with the LL 10 years younger finishing spray, dip into the corner of “Dial it Black” or “Brownie Points” and apply effortlessly.
When I want a fun pop of color for my eyes, I love to achieve that look with a bright liner and neutral eye. NYX Cosmetics has ridiculously affordable eye liners in such fun colors! Loving a bright emerald green and vibrant cobalt blue right now!
Kate
It Cosmetics No Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner – The name says it all. It’s a gel eyeliner that glides on so smoothly and won’t tug on that delicate skin around your eyes. Plus it’s waterproof so it stays put all day!
MAC Cosmetics Fluidline – whether it’s a thin line or a dramatic winged eyeliner look, Fluidline applies easily, dries quickly and a little goes a long way.
MASCARA Randi There’s not much more to say about mascara besides when you LOVE one you LOVE it! I have 2 personal fav’s that I will never stray from.
Limelight by Alcone Perfect Mascara. Fibers Included! Easy and fast to apply.
Bobbi Brown Smoky Eye Mascara – sultry effect. Date night approved!
Kate
Bobbi Brown Smoky Eye Mascara – I recently fell in love with this mascara. It goes on easily, doesn’t clump and makes your lashes look long and thick. And yes, this item made both of our top 2 picks!!!
It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara – I love this mascara because it’s super black and really makes your lashes stand out. You only need 1-2 coats and you’re good to go!
LIP STICK Randi
Limelight by Alcone Enduring Lip Color in Cherry Pie. This formula applies like a gloss with a wand applicator, but dries into a texture of a lipstick and lasts all day or all night! Cherry Pie is the most delicious red, and can be layered and mixed with several other Limelight lip products to create the perfect pout with a pop!
Limelight by Alcone Lip Stick in Sheer Plum. A gorgeous berry shade that is totally wearable and works on everyone. Fantastic every day signature color!
Kate
MAC Lipstick in Midimauve – this is my go to any time I wear lipstick. It’s a perfect neutral pink that gives my lips just a tad bit more color.
MAC Lipstick in Fresh Brew – this is my favorite for fall because it’s a very wearable brown.
LIP GLOSS Randi I’m going to narrow this down to my favorite bright and neutral lip gloss at the moment because like any other makeup junkie – its nearly impossible to choose a favorite lipgloss.
Limelight by Alcone Signature Jeweled Lip Gloss in LOVE for a beautiful berry sheen that is just the right amount of density. I hate when I see a gorgeous color in the tube, and it fails to represent once on the lip. Love is everything. In every way.
Limelight by Alcone Signature Lip Gloss in Peace for a neutral that doesn’t get lost on your face. This color lives up to its name. That’s the feeling I get when I see this heavenly hue on my lips.
Kate
Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Pink Beige – my favorite gloss because it gives my lips the perfect wash of sheer, natural color.
Beautycounter Lip Gloss in Opal – this lippy is almost sheer and super moisturizing. Just a hint of color to make your smile shine.
And there you have it - a double dose of our favorite makeup products!!! If you head over to the Beauty Favorites section of my site, I've got some of the product links already up for you!!! If you're interested in checking out any of the LimeLight by Alcone products that Randi mentioned, you can do so HERE. We hope you had as much fun reading this as we had writing it! And don't forget to check out Randi's blog HERE.
xoxo,
Kate & Randi
