What's the difference in these two photos? (Notice I didn't give you two TOTALLY different looks claiming that one just has one thing different- this is all the same except two things.)
Same lighting. Same hair (frizzies and all!) Same clothes. Same background. The second one just looks... a little bit better. What is it??
Makeup is almost exactly the same. Eyes done. Full coverage foundation. Brows done. Concealer on. So what is it that makes the small difference that really makes a HUGE difference?
Here's another example- just not as good of lighting (lighting is so important for a good picture!) Same face all the way around except for two things. What is it??
BRONZER and NUDE LIP COLOR
Bronzer-without it, your face just falls a little flat. I certainly am not going to contour my face daily, but bronzer can put on in 5 seconds and really does so much to warm up my coloring. I see so many people who go through the trouble of putting on foundation daily, but it just makes the face look so one dimensional. The quickest fix for that is a good bronzer, which can be used year-round!
This Too Faced Cocoa Contour is my daily go-to bronzer and I use the bottom left color. You want to make sure you're looking for a matte bronzer and not one with any shimmer in it. Benefit makes a great product too called Hoola Bronzer that is a great color to warm up the skin!
The best part about this palate is that you get a good highlighter and another contour color with it!
Not only is the color important, but the BRUSH is important. I used to try to use any old brush to apply my bronzer and I always wondered why it didn't look right. I really started feeling happy about my face when I switched brushes. One of the women at Sephora recommended this #59 brush and it was a game changer! Everything just looks so much more natural when using a bigger, fluffier brush. Give it a try! You'll love it!
Lip color-
I am NOT a huge fan of bright lipstick just because I don't like having to keep it looking nice all day. I want something that can last through my hours of talking as a teacher and still look decent at the end of the day. I'm a much bigger advocate for the nude lip because it is just easier to wear. That being said, a nude lip makes the face SO MUCH more put together than no lip color at all. When I'm going for a daily look, I don't want some bright red lipstick- I want it to be a little more muted than that.
I am team Lipsense. It's the only product that I've found that stays on and looks good all day. I do NOT like a lot of the brighter colors because they show when they are coming off, but the nudes are amazing. I go to work all day, coach in the afternoon, and my lips will still be on by the time I need to go to a meeting or an Open House at night.
Daily, I wear either Precious Topaz (which is pictured in the headlining picture) or Beige Champagne. The other colors here are ones that I use often enough to mention. Daily, I wear either the Sand Gloss or the Glossy Gloss. I've been using these products for over a year now and they haven't let me down yet. If you're interested in trying lipsense, let me know and I can get you into contact with the right peeps!
When I DON'T want to wear my Lipsense, I wear Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Stepping Out. This color is amazing and it stays on really well too.
What is YOUR favorite bronzer and lip color?? Share your makeup favs with me! I'm always looking to try new things!
Other questions or comments?? Let me know!
As always, subscribe to my blog, follow me on instagram @imlivingforthesummer and on facebook!