An open letter...

Dear Eyes Lips Face (hereafter known as e.l.f.),

I'm sorry, but I am horribly confused. I consider myself kind of a mascara expert. A virtuoso as it were. I've pretty much tried them all. Yep, I mean even the $30+ ones. I've applied every type, color, shade, and variety of mascara out there to these lashes.

So, imagine my befuddlement when I threw absolute caution to the wind and spent a whopping dollar (that's one U.S. dollar) on your Regular and Waterproof Mascara Duo only to be knocked on my rear end at its awesomeness!!!! Surely a mascara that costs $1 doesn't offer smooth, even coverage with absolutely no clumps. You must be joking that I can add coat on top of coat and the color is uniform and smooth. And it's absolutely ridiculous to tell me that I can do a coat of the regular mascara topped with a layer of the waterproof for all day staying power.

I don't know what you're trying to pull e.l.f., but I plan on stocking up on this mascara because I'm sure at some point, you'll realize how amazing it is and will price it around $100 a tube.

Thank you,

A truly devoted fan of your mascara work

Serious deals!

I have stumbled upon some great deals for you guys. Let me share the wealth!

1. Get 20% off your entire order at www.benefitcosmetics.com with the code SUMMER20 today and tomorrow only.

2. Order $20 worth of stuff at www.eyeslipsface.com, and you can get 10 (yes, TEN) mineral eyeshadows free! Just add $20 worth of product, the 10 eyeshadows you want and then use code EGMES at checkout.

In the most recent "O" magazine, Oprah's minions have gotten some great deals arranged for her readers. Now, I know not all of you are readers. But I am! Here are the highlights:

1. 25% off your entire order of Tarte Cosmetics at www.tarte.com with code OPRAH

2. For the curly haired darlings, go to www.ouidad.com and order the Love Your Curls Starter Kit. Use the code OPRAH, and you'll get $10 off.

3. A fantastic-ly, super flattering kit from Smashbox can be yours for a great price as well. Go to www. smashbox.com, order the Blushing Pink Beauty Kit, use the code OPRAH and get it for $25.

Palette O' the Day

Continuing on with our palette recommendations for your summer travel. I can't believe this wasn't the first one I mentioned! Apparently, I was drink that day.

Anywho, Eyes Lips Face has a "Mini Makeup Collection" which I love because it allows you to try loads of their colors without committing to purchasing the full sized product. This mighty mini is packed to the gills with (wait for it)

9 powder eye shadows
1 cream eye shadow
1 blush
1 bronzer
10 lip glosses
1 brow powder
1 eyeliner
1 dual ended eye shadow applicator and brush
1 face brush
1 lip brush

How much? $15. For all that. WHAT?? It's a makeup smorgasboard and I'm ready to fill my plate. Here's your link!
http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/kits/palettes/mini_makeup_collection

Part 2 of a previous post

I realized after I provided you with all those lovely undereye concealers, I forgot to tell you the best way to apply them!

Well, as I see it, there are 2 great ways. You can either use your ring or pinky finger to dab and gently smooth the product under and around the eye area. DO NOT use your first or middle finger. They tend to pull at the skin. You don't need that.

My favorite way to apply my concealer is with a slightly fluffy brush. This creates almost an airbrushed look. I learned this trick on the reality show "Blush" and it's never failed me. My personal favorite brush to use is the one you see above. It's an E.L.F. brush and it's $1. It's meant to be used as a bronzer and/or blush brush. I think the size and shape are perfect for the undereye area. It spreads the product just right and I can honestly tell that I don't use nearly as much.

Give it a shot! See what you think!

Get thee to...

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ because their entire line of "SugarKiss" products is 75% off with the code "EGSK75". Just pick out a minimum of $15 worth of products, stick them in the cart, and voila! Insta-savings with your code.

Sometimes, size does matter

The size of the makeup brush you are using has a LOT to do with what shade you are applying. If you are using a particularly vibrant or deep colored blush, you need to use a smaller blush brush. That way you don't end up with giant clown cheeks. Same for your eyelids. If you're using a nice, neutral shade, you can use a pretty big brush to cover most of the eyelid. But, if it's dark or INTENSE, you need a smaller, finer brush.

After reading this, if you are thinking about your current brush collection and it totals less than 5, then skip on over to http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ and stock up. There's no excuse when the prices are that affordable.

Tools and whatnot

Please, please, PLEASE tell me that you all own at least a baby kabuki brush. If you said what's that, it was like a pain in my heart. A regular sized kabuki brush is pretty large. It is meant to literally sweep powder or highlighter all over your entire face. A baby kabuki, however, is just the right size for blush, bronzer, highlighter, whatever! It's rounded top and small size deposit the perfect amount of color. You can swirl it lightly in circular motions for just a little color deposit. Or you can really zero in on one area (say just below the apples of your cheeks) to create a great dramatic effect. Here's the good news. You can get one anywhere. I mean that. I was just at Wal-Mart and they had one there for $4.00. E.L.F. (http://www.eyeslipsface.com/) has 2 options- one in their studio line and one in their minerals line. Each are $5.00 a piece.

And repeat after me "I will not be afraid of color. I will not be afraid of color." Why am I having you say this? Because Sephora has their spring Colorbox out! (http://www.sephora.com/) It's loaded with just-the-right-sized eye shadows, blushes, lip colors and applicators that are perfect for spring! This way, you can try new colors without committing to purchasing the full sized items. And what will you be paying for this 56 piece treasure trove? $24. Yep. That's it. Now, I don't know about you, but where I come from- that's a STEAL!