YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer Vs. NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer (Giveaway)

Time for another This or That--a series where I compare two similar products, usually from two different price points. Today I have NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer (Target) and YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer (sample size via Influenster).

Have you tried either of these?

YSL on your left, NYX on your right

Info:
Gold flecks in products are nothing new--I reviewed similar products here a few years ago from an Asian makeup brand. This gold gimmick is supposed to deliver the effect of radiance in skin. It makes for pretty packaging and a fun beauty trend.

YSL on your left and NYX on your right in each picture. 

YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer

• $52, 1 oz
• Sephora, online, and fine dept. stores
• They Say:
• An illuminating primer that blurs imperfections and boosts the radiance of foundation. 
• I Say:
• Thanks to silicone and various oils, this transforms skin into a smooth, silky canvas for makeup. Silicone makes me break out if used often. I didn't like the gold shimmer on my skin as it just sat there--every time I wore it, I got Twilight glitter jokes, asked if I knew there was gold on my face, etc.

NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer

• $17
• Ulta, Target, online (linked above)
• They Say:
• Inspired by honey’s golden glow we developed a primer that neutralizes the appearance of discoloration and redness. 
• I Say:
• The gold flecks are few and disappear. This has a goopy gel-like consistency that I feel oily skin would prefer.

This or That: While both products worked, and are more different than they appear, I wouldn't repurchase either. I think they are too pricey for their markets and have other primers I prefer.

But before you go, I've got a fun giveaway today! I'm linking up with MakingMrsM and we're giving away a Lorac Pro-to-Go palette and a Real Techniques Eye Brush Kit. Lorac makes some of my fave shadows--I love the buttery formula. And Real Techniques makes quality brushes. Good luck!


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How To Match Your Lipstick to Your Outfit

I have a guest post today! You are going to love Amanda--she has amazing style and I love her tips. I'm on her blog today, so stop by!

Hey guys, Amanda Miller here, founder and writer of The Miller Affect. I have been following Elle for quite some time and am so excited to be guest blogging on her site today! She has the greatest beauty tips and I would be lost without her advice. I don't write about beauty (I will leave that to the experts), but I do know a little about fashion and how having the right lip shade can really make or break your outfit!

Light Pink: I love light shades of pink. I always felt like I couldn't pull it off when I had dark hair, but now that I have lightened my hair a little, I have really enjoyed playing around with the different shades. When to wear it: Great for any kind of shower. Usually bridal showers and baby showers are so feminine and delicate, so light pink shades fit right in to the theme. In the outfit below, I am heading to a brunch with some girlfriends. I loved how my lips matched my top and received so many compliments!
   

Lip Shade: Lingerie Pink (how scandalous!), by YSL

Outfit Details HERE

Red:

In a recent survey I was really surprised to hear how many women are too timid to wear red lipstick. If you are one of these who voted with hesitancy on red lipstick, I dare you to give it a try. Red lipstick just makes me feel like I can do anything. I have so much confidence when I wear it and I know it is confidence people can see. It makes me feel sexy! When to wear it: I wouldn't recommend red lipstick at work. We have come a long ways, but women are still treated differently in the workplace. We have to try extra hard to be taken seriously. I also wouldn't wear red to a wedding. You shouldn't be there to steal the show. Save your red lipstick for events you want to wow at. Put it on when you are about to head out with friends and think you may run into your ex. He won't know what hit him! I also recommend red lipstick for black tie events or a networking event.
 

Lipstick Shade: Old Hollywood, by Bobbi Brown

Outfit Details HERE

Coral:

Coral lipstick got much bigger this year, so I expect it to be huge in 2016. It is so fun and bright!

Where to wear it: I love popping it on every day while traveling. It doesn't even matter the destination, but I especially love wearing it on my beach trips!

Lipstick Shade: Coral Queen, by Rimmel London

Outfit Details HERE

Nude:

Nude lipstick is so pretty and classy. We may not be able to perfect the JLo look, but we can get pretty close! Where to wear it: Anywhere and everywhere!
   

Lipstick Shade: Beige Gold Shimmer, by Bobbi Brown

Outfit Details HERE

Burgundy:

Burgundy/Ruby is huge in the Winter & Fall. The darker the better Where to where it: I like to wear it when I have dark tones on. A ruby color is fine for work, but a deep purple (almost black) probably isn't. Just be the judge or ask a fellow co-worker or friend. I like to wear when I am trying to make a statement with an outfit.
 

Lipstick Color: Revlon, Meet Me Backstage

Outfit Details HERE

Hot Pink:

Last but not least we have hot pink. This has been my go-to this summer after finding a NARS lipgloss I couldn't live without. Where to wear it: Literally anywhere you plan on having some fun. Hot pink is flirty, feminine, and fun. I wear it year-round!
 

Lipstick Shade: Priscilla, by NARS

Outfit Details HERE

Thanks so much to my friend Elle for letting me take over her blog today! You can find my blog at www.themilleraffect.com and you can shop all my outfits directly from Instagram at @themilleraffect. I would love if you left a comment below telling me what YOUR favorite lip shade is!

Thanks so much to Amanda for guest posting today! I'm over at her blog sharing my everyday makeup routine, so stop by and say hi!

• Don't forget my giveaway to Win a Trip to New York for Fashion Week. Sept 11-13th. Win a $400 flight voucher, a stay in the Hudson Hotel for two nights, and a $400 shopping spree!
• $100 Visa Giftcard giveaway from Arm & Hammer
• Neutrogena sunscreen giveaway--ends 8-13
• $100 JCPenney Gift Card giveaway--ends 8-13

This or That: Benefit Roller Lash Vs. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascaras

Whew! I feel like I was gone for ages, and I missed being here. Today, I'm keeping things light, short, and sweet, with a This or That featuring my favorite makeup item: mascara. My This or That series compares two similar beauty products. So exactly what am I comparing? Two new mascaras by Benefit and Maybelline.

Benefit Roller Lash

• $24
• Sephora, ULTA, online
• "An innovative mascara with a 12-hour setting formula that hooks, lifts, and curls lashes. "

Maybelline Lash Sensational

• $8.99 (+/-)
• Drugstores, online
• "First patented fanning brush with 10 layers of bristles to reveal a full flourish of lashes. Liquid Ink formula coats from all sides for a sensational full fan effect."

Maybelline Lash Sensational on your left, Benefit Roller Lash on your right

This or That:

• I really, really love both mascaras and would repurchase both. Maybelline delivers a fuller look (think volume) with a much wetter mascara formula. I love the different sizes of bristles. It did flake a little--Maybelline mascaras tend to do that on me, but lasted a full day of wear.
• Benefit Roller Lash has the cutest packaging and does what it says--it lifts and curls lashes. You can see it gave me longer lashes than the Maybelline mascara. It is still a "wet" formula but not as clumpy. It gave me more length than volume and did not smudge or flake after a day's wear.  
• This comes down to personal preference and budget. You can't go wrong with either.

Extra Elle:

• I've two amazing giveaways in the previous--seriously, go check them out.
• As for my family news I shared in previous post's video, we are taking it day by day. I am sharing this news in a guest post that I am so proud of. It's one of my most personal posts and I would appreciate it if you checked it out HERE. Thanks.

J.Jill at Avalon (Plus Giveaway!)

Last week I had the privilege to check out the J.Jill store and view their November collection at the new Avalon shopping center just outside of Atlanta. And y'all let me you--this place is gorgeous. But let me back up a bit--have you heard of J.Jill? They're a clothing store for all women that's not exclusive to Atlanta: J.Jill is for all women. They have clothing, accessories, and footwear, and view fashion with a relaxed approach to style.

The design concept of this new J.Jill store is simple: to uncomplicate the lives of women by delighting their sense of personal style, inspiring confidence, and thoughtfully guiding their shopping experience.

I absolutely love that. 

I'm crazy busy and leave shopping for clothes at the bottom of my to-do list, because it's something I don't enjoy doing, believe it or not. I know a lot of you feel that way too. But my experience at shopping at J.Jill has changed that.  It was so easy, with a welcoming, engaging staff. I wasn't stressed, I didn't feel pressured...and it felt so personalized.

I love how to store is easily laid out--the mannequins have the styles on and the table with those items is right in front of you--no searching around. Again, the staff is super helpful, and the dressing room features those basic items that you need to style on with the pieces you choose (think basics, like button up white shirt, black skirt, tights, etc).

I also love how each store works with a different charity. To celebrate the opening, J.Jill will be making donations to their Alpharetta-based Compassion Fund Partner: Atlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency. When I visited the store, I got to learn more about this and think it's a wonderful, helpful idea, just like the J.Jill philosophy. Programs like these focus on skills, education, and transitional means to help disadvantaged and homeless women to become self-sufficient.

But let's go back to the clothes--J.Jill features styles that are comfortable and that are made for real life. like this cozy and stylish sweater and tights. It's not often that I can find clothes that work for my day job as a nanny--where I run after two little girls (ages 5 and 8 months) for around 12 hours a day. And J.Jill has clothes that can carry me through blogging events I might have at night, or for meeting up with friends. There is truly something for all women, including petites, tall, and women's sizes (available online).

Check out J.Jill on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

What items would you like to try from J.Jill? Cozy sweaters? Stylish tights? Let me know in the comments section below for a chance to win a $100 J.Jill gift card!

Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. 
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 11/21/2014 – 11/30/2014.

Guest Post by The Grits Blog: 10 Beauty Myths

Today I'm pleased to introduce Ash from The Grits Blog. I love how her blog has a little bit of everything--just what you need to make me a daily reader! You're going to love her and her post today. Don't forget to stop by her blog!

Oh hey! I am Ash! I write The Grits Blog. It's about all things crack, diets gone wrong, and hair teasin' tutorials. I am sharing ten of the most common beauty myths. I hope I see you over at my neck o' the woods - just click right here and I will see ya there!

4 DIY Beachy Waves Sprays ($100 Visa Giftcard Giveaway)

pic

Summer is almost over--um, was this the fastest summer ever? What else went by fast? The Simple Summer Series I was a part of--this is the final post. Speaking of that series, the lovely ladies and I are giving away $100 Visa Giftcard, so enter below. But before summer ends, allow me to share 4 of my DIY recipes for Beachy Waves Spray--my favorite hairstyle that can be worn any time of year. These are so easy to make!

 Vanilla Sea Salt Spray (click title for full recipe)

spray bottle

kosher salt

aloe juice

carrier oil

vanilla oil

hot water

funnel

pic

Conditioning Salt Spray

• Hot water
• 1/4c Kosher salt
• Spray bottle
• Conditioner or hair oil 

Sea Salt Spray With Coconut Oil (click title for more--this one has been copied on other blogs/Pinterest/Youtube)

• Inside clean spray bottle:
• Add 1 squirt of thick conditioner (I use Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle)
• Pinch melted coconut oil
• 1/4 c of Kosher salt 
• Add 1 squirt of hair gel 
• Fill rest of bottle with hot water.

Beachy Waves Spray--Coconut Water (click title for more)

• spray bottle
• coconut water
• conditioner
• sea salt

Bonus DIYs:

• 5 Summer Hair Masks
• DIY Leave In Conditioner & DIY Detangling Spray
• DIY Beachy Bath Soak
• 7 Summer Scrubs
• DIY Soothing Sun Spray

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Natalia @ Ma Nouvelle Mode // Elle at Elle Sees // Cyndi at Walking in Grace // Alison at Get Your Pretty On // Jen at Yummy, Healthy, Easy

DIY Makeup Setting Spray

If you're looking for a refreshing makeup setting spray (not for oily skin),

 give this recipe (originally via my Mama!) a try:

Need:

• Witch hazel
• Filtered water
• Spray bottle

Do:

• Mix 1/2c Witch Hazel with 1/2c water in a spray bottle.
• Shake and spray before or after applying makeup--not for oily skin because it doesn't prevent. Similar to UD Chill setting spray.

Try:

• This keeps for a month or so, as long as you use filtered water.
• Keep it in the fridge for a refreshing treat!

Urban Decay Naked Palette 3 Giveaway!

NYC Talon and I are joining forces to give away the Urban Decay NAKED PALETTE 3! This beautiful rose gold palette continues to be sold out everywhere! I seriously want this for myself (hint hint). Look at this beauty:

What else needs to be said? And YOU can enter to win one--for yourself, as a gift, as a present for your favorite beauty blogger (hint hint)! Simply enter using the Rafflecopter giveaway below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Open to US, 18 and older. To keep the giveaway fair, all entries will be verified. Giveaway starts on 12/16/13 and ends 1/16/14. Thank you and good luck!  the winner is chelsea o.

13 Secrets Your Hair Stylist Won't Tell You

Reprinted with permission from Reader's Digest.

iStock/Thinkstock

The clients I dread the most are those who say things like “Do whatever you want” or “I’m pretty easy to work with."

Nine times out of ten, it’s not true.

iStock/Thinkstock

We know you hate the word bleach, so we use words like lightener and decolorizer.

But no matter how we prettify the language, if we’re lifting a dark color out of your hair, we’re using bleach. 

Yes, I keep notes about you on your client card, and they can get pretty personal

I may note that you don’t tip well or that you talked loudly about how drunk you were last night. I may also write down that you’re going through a divorce or that you’re into tennis so I can remember to ask you about those things next time. 

After you’ve been late a few times, I ask our receptionist to say your appointment is at 2.

But really it's 2:30.

If there’s one rule to live by, it’s this: Don’t make your first appointment with me on a Saturday.

That’s our busiest day, and I won’t be able to give you the time and attention you want and deserve. 

Find out whether your salon offers a discount if you get a cut and a color together, and ask for one if it doesn’t.

Doing both together eliminates some steps and should save you about 20 percent.

It’s fine to use Groupon or another social media site to save money on your hairstyling, but be wary of salons that offer deals all the time.

That’s not a good sign.

Thin hair doesn’t have to be worn short.

I had a client who wore her super-thin hair short for years because she thought she had to. I finally talked her into growing it out into a stacked bob, and everyone now says she looks incredible.

Always dry your hair completely before using a hot tool like a curling iron or a flat iron.

If your hair still contains moisture, the iron will damage it.

Sometimes when I don’t have a client’s color—either because we’re out of it or because I forgot to write it down the previous time—I don’t say anything and just mix something new.

If you think I’m applying what you had before, you’re much less likely to complain.

I know you’ve heard you shouldn’t wash your hair before getting an updo, because a little grit can help maintain the style, but please don’t show up with hair that’s greasy, tangled, or smelly.

Wash it the night before, and don’t put any styling products in it. That way, we can start fresh and create our own texture.

Every year after school starts, at least one mom brings in her daughter with hair down to her waist and tells us to give her a pixie cut.

We know what’s going on: a lice infestation. But when we point out the nits and tell the mom we can’t do the cut, she always acts surprised and says, “I didn’t know.” We’re thinking, Yeah, right. To save the embarrassment for all involved, get the situation under control before your appointment.

We don’t “wash” your hair—we “shampoo” it.

When we’re trying to make you feel pampered, we can’t use the same word you use for doing dishes.

Sources: Hairstylists Dawn Trudden in Wellington, Florida; 
Ericka Sandstrom in Aurora, Illinois; Megan Moore in Salt 
Lake City, Utah, who blogs at thebeautysnoop.com; and 
Jenny Strebe in Scottsdale, Arizona, who blogs at theconfessionsofahairstylist.com.

© 2013 The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.

Guest Post: Looking “Pageant Perfect”….When You Aren’t on the Runway!

Today I'm sharing a guest post from Kelly Richardson (see bio at bottom), who works with Miss America contestants. A new queen will be crowned this Sunday, beginning 9pm on ABC.

Spending an entire week in Atlantic City for Miss America can be a harrowing 

experience for a beauty novice.  In the pageant world everyone strives for perfection, 

it can leave one feeling a little overwhelmed for those who are not savvy with makeup 

and hair tools.  After six years working in the “pageant world” here are my best tips for 

getting “pageant perfect” in just minutes:

• When all else fails, mascara and lipstick go a long way.  If you only have a few 

minutes to apply your makeup, those two items will perk you up in a pinch.

• Smile, looking like you are happy and having a good time (even if your feet hurt 

and you are tired) goes a long way.

• At the end of the day when you finally kick off those heels, take a few minutes 

and pamper your feet.  Give yourself a quick massage with a thick cream.  

• Get a good, natural looking spray tan. A spray tan will make you look slimmer 

and healthier instantly.

• No time to do your hair? Pull it up off your face in a loose bun or a braid.

Kelly Richardson is the founder of B.Bronz Sunless and Sonoma Tanning.  A Celebrity 

and International Spray Tanner, she works with the Miss America contestants, the 

Golden State Warrior Cheerleaders, and the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush.

Get the Look By Redken: NYFW Victoria Beckham and Alexander Wang

I am unable to post today,

 so I hope you enjoy this guest post from Redken,

featuring the runway hairstyles from two NYFW shows. Enjoy.

Victoria Beckham Spring - Summer 2014

Hair by Guido, Redken Creative Consultant    Redken Creative Consultant Guido muted the hair this season, in order to create a more homogenous runway look. The simplicity of the hair, which was pulled back into a low ponytail and finished with a basic black headband, emphasized cohesion over individuality. By minimizing the unique personalities of each model, Guido enabled Victoria Beckham to communicate her design aesthetic in a clear and concise manner. "Overall it's a very minimal aesthetic, a very clean and modern look for Victoria Beckham. She wanted the hair to emphasize uniformity on the runway, which is why I pulled the hair away from the face and secured it with a basic black headband. In a way, this look is modernly classic." Redken Products Used:  -satinwear 02 prepping blow-dry lotion -fashion work 12 versatile working spray               Create the Look: Apply satinwear 02 prepping blow-dry lotion to damp hair from root to ends Using a paddle brush, blow dry hair away from the face Gather hair about one inch from the neck into a low pony and secure with an elastic Finish with fashion work 12 versatile working spray to flatten any flyaways Place headband over head and pull ponytail through

----------------------------------------------------------

Alexander Wang

Spring - Summer 2014

Redken Creative Consultant Guido fused glamour with grunge at the Alexander Wang show this season to create a nonchalant, yet sexy runway look. By adding thickening lotions and texturizers to the hair, Guido created volume without altering the model's natural texture with teasing or heat styling. "Overall it's a very sexy look this season. I wanted the hair to reflect the cool, low-key Alexander Wang type girl. I suppose there are equal parts grunge and glamour, in that the hair is voluminous, yet natural." -Guido, Redken Creative Consultant Redken Products Used:  -powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo -quick tease 15 backcombing finishing spray    Create the Look: Towel dry hair Create a messy center part with finger Apply thickening lotion 06 body builder from root to ends, concentrating product on the roots Start drying hair with a diffuser to keep the natural waves Once the hair is 75% dry, allow the hair to dry naturally Add powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo to mid length and ends to give more texture. Apply quick tease 15 backcombing finishing spray to mid length and ends to hold in the texture

Photos by Charles Sykes for Redken.