Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream SPF 30

When I was first introduced to BB creams, I thought they were seriously the best invention EVER!  That is... until I met my first CC Cream!  Smashbox is an iconic brand known for their innovative and high quality products!  Naturally, when they introduced the CC cream, I just knew I needed to get my hands on it stat!  I mean, if this product is as good as their cult favorite primers, I knew I was in for a real treat! 

As you can see from my before picture, my skin tends to be a bit blotchy and has quite a bit of redness.  Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream evens my skin tone immediately after application.  It can be worn alone, which I do most days, or under foundation for additional coverage.  This CC Cream is formulated to go beyond priming, perfecting, hydrating and controlling oil in a single step to reduce the appearance of dark spots and effectively improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.  It also offers SPF protection against UVA/UVB rays and leaves your complexion glowing!  This miracle cream comes in four shades to suit all skin tones!  Honestly, I've officially converted from a BB girl to a CC queen!  Period!

So lets chat!  Have you tried Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream?  What did you think?!

Thank you SO MUCH for reading!  XOXO Carla - FMM

 

*Sample sent for consideration.  All opinions are mine based on my experience with this product. This is not a sponsored post.

How to Depot Your Shadows and Blushes

So I've mentioned before that my sister is a former MAC artist and is runway certified.  This basically means that i love to pick her brain about makeup and all the secrets of the trade!  One thing she's been doing for years is 'depotting'.  I'll admit i never wanted to try it.  The thought of taking something out of its beautiful packaging and potentially ruining it simply did not sound appealing to me... that is, until now!  You see, in the past year, I've upgraded my makeup case twice!  Well, three times if you count the one train case i ordered not realizing the dimensions were wrong!  So my latest train case purchase is a massive trolley case that i thought would be the answer to my prayers.  Sadly, the bulkiness of my blushes and individual shadows made it difficult to properly store them.  I knew something had to be done... so i took matters into my own hands!  I purchased a few ZPalettes because i knew these were the only palettes I'd trust with my beloved shadows and blushes.  This was the best decision i could have ever made!  I find myself using shadows that had been long lost in the midst of my makeup train case!  So essentially, i feel as though I've gained a whole new set of shadows!  Here's the bonus... if you depot MAC shadows/blushes/bronzers you can take the empty pots and take advantage of MAC's recycling program 'back to MAC' which you've heard me talk about many times on my blog!  So i hope this post inspires you to do the same!  I'll admit, i refuse to depot my Nars shadows... they're just too pretty in their original packaging!

OK Here's what you'll need:

Decide which shadows/blushes/bronzers you want to depot...

Place the shadow pan on a piece of parchment paper.

Once the glue has melted off, you will be able to carefully use your sharp object to remove the metal shadow pan from the plastic portion.  Be careful!  The metal portion of the pan will be hot!

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Peel the adhesive off and place it on the back of the metal shadow pan.

Using your sharpie, write the name and make of the shadow.  In this case, I've depotted MAC's Retrospek.

Place the shadow in your palette of choice and you're done! 

Now remember to snap the top and bottom pieces of the empty shadow pan back together so that you can 'back to MAC' it!

So i found this process to be relatively easy!  I'll admit that i crumbled one of my old shadows which i attribute to the fact that it was already half gone to begin with.  Also, one of my MAC bronzers slightly cracked.  It's totally usable still thankfully so I'm not too upset over it.  What i most love about this process is the fact it makes your shadows, blushes and bronzers more readily available to use while saving you a ton of space!

So lets chat!  Have you depotted any makeup before?  Have you tried ZPalettes before?  What are your thoughts?

Thank you SO MUCH for reading!  XOXO Carla - FMM

Get The Look! Amy Adams Wears Jouer on the Red Carpet!

Makeup artist Stephen Sollitto used Jouer to create Amy Adams stunning red carpet look for the Critics Choice Awards last night!  Doesn't she look uhhh-mazing??? You've heard me chat about my adoration for Jouer before but now i'm even more in obsessed!  Here's how Stephen created her flawless look in his own words:

“I wanted to make Amy look simple yet polished for her first of many red carpets this season. First I used Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in light on her skin and one shade lighter (Fair) for under her eyes. This foundation has an easy applicable texture to it. It also makes the skin look beautifully creamy.

For Amy's eyes I kept it simple with Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Espresso. I applied the shadow all over the lid and dragged out on the outer corners. Espresso is a metallic-ky taupe shade that is dark enough, yet neutral enough to make Amy’s eyes stand out without screaming for attention. Under her lashes I used Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Bordeaux; a faded grape and a beautiful color on the skin. By sweeping a color underneath the eye it widens the eye and they become the focus. I finished with a little black liner at the lash line to make the eyes pop.

ESPRESSO

BORDEAUX

For Amy’s cheeks I used Jouer Mineral Powder Blush in Rose, a wearable neutral shade. It was perfect. This blush has been on my favorite list for a while now.

ROSE

To finish the look, I used Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Divine on Amy's lips. Divine is a gorgeous, wearable everyday rose-colored neutral. It perfectly tied the look together.” – Stephen Sollitto

DIVINE

Props to Stephen Sollitto for making the already gorgeous Amy Adams shine in Jouer!   

*Images by fabsugar.com & www.kozaczek.pl 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion is my absolute GO TO product for keeping my shadow in tact all day long!  When i recently discovered the 'professional size', i immediately snatched it up!  You see, way back when, i kind of felt as though eyeshadow primer was just another step i didn't need.  This was until i tried this primer which happened to come with one of my UD palettes.  Well, i fell instantly in love because my eyeshadow stayed in tact the entire day!  It was obvious that this primer really did its job!  Now, i never skip this step because i know in the long run, it's worth the extra 5 seconds it takes to apply! 

So lets chat... have you tried this primer?  What is your go to primer?  Thank you so much for reading!  XOXO Carla... FMM