Where to Find the Best 120 Eyeshadow Palettes

When I began my journey as a makeup artist I wanted to get a large quantity of quality items but I was starting with a low budget. I began searching for Youtube videos on budget or discounted makeup. I found that several gurus were mentioning their 120 eyeshadow palettes and I would see ads on Youtube for a brand that sold them. For these reasons, I opted to buy a palette of eyeshadow colors. I wanted more bang for my buck so I felt the 120 palettes were the best for me. 

Buy Matte or Shimmer?
I  then had to decide between matte and shimmer or if I wanted a combo palette. I personally prefer more natural colors, but I wanted to experiment with shimmer and thought my clients may ask for more dramatic looks from time to time as well. Knowing this I decided to purchase a combo palette with both matte and shimmer.


What you should ask before buying a brand
I watched several videos to determine what brand to buy from and what to look for. I looked for three things:

1. Pigment in eyeshadows. Were the colors during the gurus product review vibrant, true shades?

2. Broken pieces. How often did they get complaints about receiving cracked or broken pieces in the palette? How a company packages can prevent you from receiving broken pieces in your palette. Many companies may offer insurance or the ability to return items that are broken with replacement pieces or just brand new palette.

3. Cost. Many palettes now run under $25, but there are some companies that sell theirs for a higher price. Don't miss out on the good makeup deals by mistaking higher cost with higher quality.



Different 120 Palette Brands

Here are a list of brands that I trust based on several good reviews
- Bundle Monster ($25.99, I can personally vouch for its high quality and high pigmentation)
- BH Cosmetics (start off at $20, I've heard good reviews and this is a popular brand)
- Sedona Lace (a little more expensive, but a trusted brand)

Here are photos of my Bundle Monster 120 palette that I purchased off of Amazon. It is VERY pigmented. When I received it none of my pieces were broken and it cost me around $25 plus taxes, shipping and handling.

Coming Soon: E-Book

Many of you have asked me about where to start with makeup.  I always answer skincare, but for those of you that want a more in depth answer on my thoughts and techniques on having a flawless face with and without makeup through skincare and beauty products I will be releasing my 1st beauty e-book, Blushing Ambers' Beauty Basics for Beginners before the end of this month. It will include health tips, product lists, blogs to read and even makeup tutorials on my signature looks. I can't wait to share all of this info with you. Stay tuned!

The Science of Makeup: Wearing Your Best Skin

Every Friday we have been discussing skin, how to be healthy on the inside and out and how to have the best canvas for makeup. As we transition into more detailed topics that focus on the technical and theoretical aspects of makeup and skincare I wanted to write a wrap-up. Here's a few notes on how to wear your best skin.

3 Ways to Get to the Best Layers of Your Skin:
Exfoliate - remove layers of your skin using a scrub. I use the Target brand Up & Up Apricot Scrub. It's inexpensive, leaves my skin feeling smooth, and evens my skin complexion.

Chemical Peels - These are usually several treatments done at a spa or doctors office that unclog pores, smooth skin, fade dark marks and even skin tones.

Dermabrasion/Microdermabrasion - Another treatment done over time that removes layers of skin  by sanding the skin with salt crystals or aluminum oxide. This is a skin resurfacing process that treats acne, wrinkles and scars. This is best performed by a doctor.

5 Things You Can Do to Have Better Skin:

1. Control the amount of oil your skin produces. If you have oily skin cut down on the amount of oil your skin produces by wearing face primers such as milk of magnesia under your makeup or using products like H2O+  Face Oasis Shine Neutralizing Gel and Formula 10.0.6 No Time to Shine Oil-Absorbing Mud Mask (Ulta).

2. Remember that skin needs some oil. Our skin releases sebum, which is oil, to protect our skin and hair and prevent dehydration. Because of this your skin needs oil, especially in the summer.

3. Use a moisturizer that works well with your skin type. Meaning, if you have oily skin, use an oil-free moisturizer.

4. Wear Sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 using a golf ball size amount and reapplying every 2 hours.


5. Drink more water and be selective in your food choices. Much of what happens on outside of your body is directly related to what you put into your body.

For more info on my skincare regimen products and what they do click here.

FOTD: 4th of July Look

FACE: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Mocha, concealer under the eyes and on the bridge of the nose up through the forehead

EYES: NYX Jumbo Pencil in milk with navy eyeshadow over it, metallic cranberry eyeshadow, white highlight under brow, light pink in the tear duct, black eyeliner, Iman black mascara

LIPS: Revlon Lipgloss in Pink Pursuit

Achieving that Natural Glow

Celebrity makeup artist,  Mally Roncal has done major beauties from Beyonce' to JLo and the diva that is Mariah Carey.  One of the best summer tips she has given is about how to appear to be naturally glowing from within.  As you may already know, many makeup artists may do different tricks to achieve a certain look, but this tip is one that will work every time.

If you want to achieve that natural glow from within, apply bronzer on the apples of your cheeks and tip of the nose. The key is to apply your blush afterwards in a buffing motion, sweeping it from the apples to your temples.

Mally will be featured on QVC Monday 6/13/11 at 1 pm EST. Follow Mally on twitter @MallyBeauty or visit her website mallybeauty.com

LAST CHANCE: Beauty Giveaway!

Today is the very last day to enter the Blushing Ambers Website Launch Beauty Giveaway

In celebration of the "official" launching of BlushingAmbers.com there will be a giveaway of some of Ambi's favorite beauty products (could include hair products as well).  The prizes will be displayed in a Youtube video.  The rules are listed below:

1. Subscribe to Blushing Ambers on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/blushingambers) and leave a comment of your favorite beauty product
2. Like Blushing Ambers on Facebook and leave a comment stating your favorite beauty product on the wall
3. Follow @BlushingAmbers on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/blushingambers) and tweet us your favorite beauty product with the hashtag #lovetheskin_u_r_n
4. Email the name of a product(s) you would like for Ambi to review by sending it to blushingambers@gmail.com
5. Check BlushingAmbers.com on December 16th to find out who the winner(s) is and of course view the follow up tutorial(s)/review(s) of the product(s) you chose.  The deadline for entries is December 15th.

*Must be a resident in the USA.  If under 18 you must have permission from a parent to participate since personal private info (your address) will be submitted to Blushing Ambers.  Also, all 5 steps are necessary to win. There can be more than one winner, but only one submission per participant is allowed.  Winner(s) will be chosen at random.

BlushingAmbers.com Official Launch Giveaway

OFFICIAL LAUNCH GIVEAWAY!

In celebration of the "official" launching of BlushingAmbers.com there will be a giveaway of some of Ambi's favorite beauty products (could include hair products as well).  The prizes will be displayed in a Youtube video.  The rules are listed below:

1. Subscribe to Blushing Ambers on Youtube and leave a comment of your favorite beauty product

2. Like Blushing Ambers on Facebook and leave a comment stating your favorite beauty product on the wall

3. Follow @BlushingAmbers on Twitter and tweet us your favorite beauty product with the hashtag #lovetheskin_u_r_n

4. Email the name of a product(s) you would like for Ambi to review by sending it to blushingambers@gmail.com

5. Check BlushingAmbers.com on December 16th to find out who the winner(s) is and of course view the follow up tutorial(s)/review(s) of the product(s) you chose.  The deadline for entries is December 15th.

*Must be a resident in the USA.  If under 18 you must have permission from a parent to participate since personal private info (your address) will be submitted to Blushing Ambers.  Also, all 5 steps are necessary to win. There can be more than one winner, but only one submission per participant is allowed.  Winner(s) will be chosen at random.

Subscribe & Win My Favorite Beauty Products!

I'll be giving away some of my favorite beauty products.