Gerard Cosmetics Featured Us?!

Featured: 1995 & Buttercup Lipsticks, Butter Cream & Rose Hill Lip Glosses

So of course I had to take reign of this post. Since Exquisite Glow is about me "Exquisite Glow", it's only right that I should be able to come on here and celebrate! Humbly of course... the fact that the coolest company on the block featured a picture from our instagram account! Yes that's right my friends Gerard Cosmetics formally Whitening Lightning took a liking to the picture above and shared it with over 215K of their friends. We feel so honored to have been noticed buy such a big well known cosmetics company. We truly appreciate it and hope to continue to impress you with our work.

We had to screen shot it, this baby is going in the Year Book! 

A million thanks! xo,

Exquisite Glow

Five Can't Live Without beauty Products

I joined a Tag on Instagram and thought I would carry over todays post on the Blog. The tag was created by @alexpaiige on Instagram and she named it Ten Days of Makeup Tag. So today I am on Day Three: Five Can't Live Without Products. 

One- Mac Cosmetics ProLongWear concealer. It does a fabulous job concealing any imperfections on my face including Undereye circles. It's perfect to use to highlight the under eye area and use as eyeshadow base. Best of all it DOES NOT CREASE!  

Two- Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade. I never thought eyebrows would be this important, they truly make or break a makeup look. That's why they call the brows the frames of your face. This product stays on my brows for a LONG time with out fading, it's perfect!

Three- Sephora Sol De Rio Bronzing Powder. Contouring my face as become a must in my daily makeup routine. I already have great cheekbones but I love to play them up. This Bronzer in particular is limited edition so I know I'm going to be So Sad when it's gone. Does anyone own this one and know of a dupe? I'm really going to need it it's the perfect matte bronzer for me. 

Four- Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear. This came in a set around the same time when I purchased the Bronzer. It was like a theme thing, anyway this Eyeliner is Bomb.com it is waterproof and stays on my waterline for so long and is so easy to smudge to get a smokey effect. I will defiantly continue to purchase this liner so Long as it's not TOO expensive for an individual pencil...

Five- Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder. I have re purchased this baby I believe more than twice. This powder keeps me Matte for a long time. I usually use matte Foundations but when it is time blot I blot and then set my foundation with this powder. It keeps the shine away for hours on end so I Love it! 

What are your 5 Can't Live Without Products? Leave me a comment telling me and if you have recommendations do tell me. 

Stay Gorgeous, 

Alejandra

Fifty Shades of Grey Inspired | DIY Bookmark

OOOOOooo look at what Alejandra has been reading! Caught red handed with this hot little piece of literature. From what I hear, it's a mind graphically intense book...you know what I'm saying?  Let me let you in on a little secret, she loves books that are later turned into movies. She is such a big sucker for that! When she heard there was a movie in the works for this book she immediately went out and bought her self her own copy. The movie is scheduled to be released next month so she's currently going HAM on her reading. This couldn't have happened at a worse time, we've been so busy working on new projects and she's over there taking breaks with Mr Grey. Oh but don't worry I'll keep her on check I promise! Now, I didn't just come here to bust her out about her most recent choice of literature. I wanted to also share a little DIY project she worked on yesterday. I thought it was the cutest thing.

Alejandra had been using sticky notes to save her place in the book so she decided to make her own bookmark. She had been holding on to this cute looking card a family member gave her. The print on the card is like an old fashion wall paper, gorgeous! You can follow the steps to re purposing your own card by following the images below. 

Simply cut the card in half and use some Elmer's Glue to stick the two pieces together.

Using a hole puncher to punch a hole on the top center of the bookmark to give way for a pretty ribbon. The only ribbon she found was one left over from Christmas. 

It was so simple and only took a few minuets to get it done. Now she has cute bookmark made from supplies currently on hand. The best thing about this little project of hers is that she saved something that most other people tend to just toss out. There are so many ways you can safe keepsake greeting cards. You can pin them on a cork board, create poster collage, frame one you love and set on your desk or simply Bookmark it! Hopefully this inspires you to and wakes your creative self. This is not a normal subject on Exquisite Glow but thought it was a neat DIY. Plus I haven't spilled the beans on something juicy in a while so thought it would be a great opportunity to mention Mr. Grey.

Until my next devious appearance on the blog,

Exquisite Glow

How to have Great Skin this Winter | Winter Skin Care Update

This winter has taken a toll on my skin, and I was worried there for a minute. My normal skincare routine was just not cutting it out for me anymore. I blame the weather and well maybe the overload of sweets I've been indulging in during the holidays. However that's no excuse, I expect my skin to cooperate and if my normal skin care routine will handle its business then I just might have to trade up for a better skin care candidate, at least for now during the winter. (see my normal skin care routine here)
It seemed silly for me to just dart out to the store looking for new products so I decided to look through my medicine cabinet in hopes of finding something that might work. The problem I was facing was dry skin with unattractive peeling... oh and lets not forget the little lines around the eye/cheek area, oh hell no! So as you can see something had to be done pronto!
Thankfully I came across two products given to my by a friend that worked at Sephora. I used these probably no more than twice, then they just got lost between all the products in my medicine cabinet. I decided to give these another shot since the claims hit close to what I was looking for.

Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel claims to have anti-wrinkle technology along to helping with rejuvenating, clarifying, and brightening the skin. I needed something that would deep clean my pores and not leave me feeling like I have tons of layers on the skin. Now because this cleansing gel contains both glycolic acid and salicylic acid it takes care of two things I was looking for. The glycolic acid helps to gently exfoliate my skin by breaking down the top layer and removing the dead skin cells that sit on top. This exposes new skin and promotes healthy cell renewal while diminishing acne scars and fine lines. The salicylic acid plainly helps with acne by opening up pores and combating bacteria. I truthfully feel like this product has helped with the texture on my skin. This product is for all skin types but I do have to say that if you have sensitive skin use caution with this product. I use this Product in as part of my nightly skin care routine.

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM contains retinol along with vitamins C and E. This Retinol Fusion PM encourages skin renewal resulting in collagen production minimizing wrinkles and evening skin texture for a more youthful look.  I feel that using both of these Peter Thomas Roth products together as part of my night time routine have completely helped with my earlier stated skin problem. Note this product in particular is for night time use because it can cause your skin to be extra sensitive to daylight. Plus using these products as part of the night time regimen allows for your skin to breath and renew it self because your not wearing tons of makeup.

After all this cleansing and exfoliation my skin needed a something that would moisturize it. I found two products for the job. I decided to start using up again to older products I had traded up for my Aveeno moisturizer.

OLAY Night of Olay firming cream is a heavy moisturizer that claims to firm the skin. It intensely moisturizes and works hard over night to reduce fine lines. For this time of year I feel that a heavy cream is perfect since the air is so dry and having the house heater on doesn't help with the skin situation. When applying this cream I like to message my skin especially the contours of my checks and jawline, I feel like it helps define my face. A nice thing about the this cream is that the skin absorbed the cream beautifully without leaving it Greasy. I use this at night after Cleansing and applying the PTR Retinol Fusion PM

I shower in the morning and cleanse my face using Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser from my normal skin care routine. I decided to switch up my daily moisturizer as well and opted for this oldie but a goodie moisturizer from OLAY.

Olay Complete all day moisturizer with SPF15 is a light, oil free, non pore clogging and helpful to sensitive skin. I personally do not have "sensitive skin" however it's fragrance free, light, and moisturizes for a long time. Perfect for under my makeup. I have to say that switching up my regular skin care routine products with these have DEFIANTLY helped my dry flaky skin. I had to share these finds with you, just in case your experiencing the same skin problems as me this winter season.

I hope you found this useful and learned something, until our next post I hope your doing great!

Alejandra

Crazy Pigmented Blusher | e.l.f Cosmetics HD Blush

Have you tried out these crazy e.l.f HD blushes? Well OMG are they pigmented! I had to go wash my hands and do a second swatch run because I under estimated the amount of product needed. Let me tell you, you only need a tiny bit of this product and maybe even a tiny bit might be too much! 

I went ahead and did a half pump of product as shown below!

Once swatched the payoff is crazy! You definitely have to be careful with this and not apply directly to the cheeks unless you want to be Bobo the clowns new love interest... 

The colors shown above are from top to bottom, Headliner and Encore. The best practice for this product is to pump onto a mixing plate and then using a stippling brush LIGHTLY tap in to the product. Stipple product on to the cheeks and blend. Due to its creamy texture it sits well on the cheeks and lasts long periods of time. As a warning I do have to say that as with any cream product it can stick to dry flakey patches, so make sure your skin is polished and well hydrated. Best practice to better healthy looking skin is Drink Lots Of Water! I can't tell you how much better my skin has gotten by increasing my intake. 

Do you have any of these e.l.f HD blushes?  

Hope your having a great day! 

Alejandra

2014 Beauty Favorites | Exquisite Glow

Happy New Year! 2015 is here and we've survived the Holidays, so now its time to kick it into high gear and make this new year the best year yet! Now there has been a few changes in my personal life which now allows for more Exquisite Glow. Sooo I have been busy working on starting a new little project that makes me both nervous but excited at the same time, and I can't wait to share it with you all. So stay tuned. I read the quote on Carli Bybel Top Makeup Picks of 2014 video and it filled me with hopes and inspiration. "The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals." That is exactly what I am going to do so stay a while and join the ride.

So one of my favorite topics during this time of the year is the Yearly Favorites. So I thought that I would join the fun and share with you all what I loved in 2014. I sure hope I get this right... There will be three categories Face, Eye, and Lips. So lets get into it. 

Primers, Foundations, Powder, & Concealer

   

First category we will be covering is Face. As you can see above this is a little bit of a mix between high end and drugstore. For Primers I have two that I like to use on the face, I use the Pixi Flawless & Poreless when I'm going to use my Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation. I like it because it does great covering up my pores and creates a smooth surface for applying makeup. I also use the Double Wear Foundation when I want my Makeup to Last a long time and I can count on that one. This however is my Summer Foundation because of that same fact that it holds up in hot weather. Second primer and foundation Combination is the L'oreal Magic perfecting Base and Revlon's Color Stay Foundation. As you can see I'm pretty much to the last drop. The Magic Perfecting Base has a bit more of a creamy play doe kind of feel with a velvety twist and does a great job helping the foundation looking fresh longer. The Revlon Color Stay is an amazing foundation for it being drugstore. Also it does great on its own without a primer but I opt to use one for my pores. 

I have two concealers that I love to use. One of them is a tad new to me but where the heck have I been? Hello MAC Pro Longwear Concealer this concealer is so opaque and covers up everything. I like to use this on my blemish spots and in the under eye area. This concealer is so good that it is unnecessary to set. Just use your finger to pat it dry and done I experience no creasing. The other concealer I love is Maybelline's Age Rewind concealer, I mainly use this concealer to highlight. What I like most about it is that it does wonders, no, Magic on my pores. It completely makes them vanish, I believe its something about how the light reflects off the product and its amazing. Last thing on this picture is the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent. I have gone through a few of these and it really does make you stay matte, best of all its SO affordable. This product is so serious I had my sister running through Target while I was at the check out line just to bring me one of these babies! We don't play.  

Blushes, Bronzer, & Highlights

This one is exciting because I have developed quite a healthy friendship with blushes. First of all Lets talk about that huge Sephora Sol de Rio Bronzer, I am kicking my self in the A** for not buying a backup. Yes you guessed it it was LIMITED EDITION. Sorry you can't get it anymore... Unless you pay tons of cash for it. Anyway it is the most perfect shade to contour because it is matte and not to warm plus it smells great. I'm going to be so sad when its gone so I need to find a Dupe ASAP, so if anyone has this bronzer and knows of a dupe please let me know. 

Next lets talk highlights, I have two that I'm going to mention and that's the Balms Cosmetics Mary Lou-Manizer and MAC's Mineralize Skin Finish in Cheeky Bronze. The Mary Lou-Manizer is a gorgeous white gold champagne color. It looks amazing on the cheeks and catches the light so delicately making you have an Exquisite Glow. Yes I had to throw that in =) You can also use this to highlight the cupids bow inner corner of the eyes and also a tad on the tip of the nose to make it look cute. 

MAC's Cheeky Bronze is the perfect warm Rose Gold and looks amazing on the high parts of the cheek bones. Its perfect when your wearing a warmer look on the eyes and want to add that WOW factor. I bought this one on one of my spontaneous visits to MAC and I let the makeup artist work his magic on me. I have to say that I love that way it looked plus he mentioned it was new so you know how that goes. If it says new YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT! This is one of the few products that people in my day to day life noticed and complemented me on. That's a great feeling. 

Now lets talk about Blushes because there is a few. 

e.l.f's Blush in Mellow Mauve has an blue/purple iridescence to it while still looking matte if that makes sense. It is a nice mauve pink color that looks great on the apples of the cheeks. I have to say that e.l.f has some great blushes that are worth looking into. I have a few of the regular blushers but this is the one I used the most and just loved in the fall months. This would look great on all fair to medium skin tones.  

e.l.f's Baked Blush in Rich Rose is the perfect brownish rose color with a bit of subtle shimmer, NOT glitter. This shade is great during the winter months. This color would look great on light to medium skin tones.

NYX Blush in Mauve is a pretty matte muted pink mauve color. Wow that was a long description. I like to use this shade starting at the apples of the cheeks and back towards the temples. It looks great when Im also contoured, and helps with elongating my face. I love this blush for evenings in the spring. This shade would look great on all skin tones.

NYX Blush in Angel is gorgeous on the cheeks with a basic look. Its young and pretty pink. It looks great during the day and can help play down a dramatic look or play up a simple one. You need this blush in your collection for the Spring and Summer months. This one looks great on fair skin tones. Best of all it is a drugstore product.

Milani Baked Powder Blush in Luminoso is a the most flattering healthy looking coral in the drugstore. I have to say that this one of the most impressive drugstore products I have ever purchased.  It gives the most beautiful sheen on the cheeks that makes me look so radiant! This blush looks amazing on fair skin tones but also looks good on medium skin tones.

Maybelline Master Hi-light Hi-Lighting Blush in Nude is the most interesting Highlight/Blush. It serves as a great peachy/pink champagne highlight but its not so much in your face where you can't use it as a subtle blush. It makes the cheeks look so supple and plump. This highlight looks great on every skin tone but as a blush it compliments light skin. Rock it my fair ladies  

Makeup Geek in Secret Admirer is the best cool toned matte purple pink color ever. This blush is so soft and smooth, and I feel like it gives you a chilled look. It suits every skin tone which is the best part. I have to say that these Makeup Geek blushes are a must have. Marlena hit it out of the park, and best of all her products are made in the USA! 

Makeup Geek First in Love is a pale pink with slight shimmer, nothing glittery though which is just right for me. I have to say that this shade made me a tad nervous when I first used it because I have to say its a bit powdery but once on the cheeks it gives you such cute looking pale cheeks. It gives a cool look and because it is such a light color this blusher looks best on light to medium skin tones. It would look to ashy on dark skin tones. 

Makeup Geek in Bliss is a matte peachy shade that is perfect when I am a bit tanned. It gives me the perfect evening look when I'm not trying to look to glow'y. I find myself mixing in this color with First Love to create a nice complimenting shade. This blush is perfect during the summer days and looks great on fair to medium skin tones.

I know this is a lot of blushes but when you love makeup you seem to just accumulate a lot! 

Eyeshadow/ Eyeshadow Palettes

These are the palettes that I reached for the most in 2014, I have a few but from all the ones that I have collected I have to say these are the ones I find myself using the most ALL the time. Of course in order to make shadows last you need a GREAT primer and for me that is the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I have semi oily eyelids so a shadow primer is a must for me and this one is perfect. I also included a single shadow and two pigments which I found myself using quite a lot. 

This Stila in the light eye shadow palette is a palette I could not put down when I bought it and one I go back to when ever I want a simple pretty eye for the day. Obviously a favorite is bliss since I hit pan. Two other favorites here are kitten, bubbly, and sunset. You will find that I favor neutral colors. 

This Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy palette is a treasure to me. First of all I am a huge fan of Amrezy and when I saw her little Instagram commercial on her Instagram account announcing her palette I was like YESSS! So as support to her I bought the palette and was so happy I did because the shadows are amaze-balls! I've created so many looks with this palette. Click here to see some of them =) Some of my favorites from this palette are Glisten, Topaz, Caramel, Morocco, Deep Plum, & Emerald. Oh gee you know what I love them ALL! 

OH MY GOSH! Why did I wait so long on this baby? The Lorac Pro Palette is out of this world amazing. This palette is the perfect mix of mattes and shimmers, best of all the shadows are creamy and blend so well together. When I go on vacation this is the palette I take with me. It has a nice variety of warm shades so I don't go crazy trying to figure out what I want. Some of my favorites are Cream, Taupe, Mauve, Champagne, Gold, Lt. Bronze, and Pewter.

If there is a shadow from the drugstore that you ALL need in your life is L'oreal's 24 hr infallible eye shadow in Amber Rush. This particular color is crazy. I have two others from this line and they don't live up to this one here. This shade is like a liquid rose gold. As you can see on my finger the effect is real, but I have to say this picture is not doing it justice. This is so amazing on the lid give it a go. Just to let you know that colors I mentioned that don't compare are Strawberry Blonde and With a Twist. 

Pigments are not something I use on the day to day bases, but I felt that I had to include these because for special occasions these are a product I found my self reaching for. I only own few pigments and these are my top for 2014. Note that these are my top because these are the ones that I have experience with and have played with the most. 

MAC Pigment in Melon is the most gorgeous Golden Peach and I love this during the day with a defined crease. 

MAC Pigment in Reflects Antique Gold is a fine glittery bronze that looks amazing dry or wet. I love to top dark shadows with this to give it a sparkly twist for a night time look. 

Brows, Eyeliner, & Mascara

I sure hope you are all still with me by this point =) If so stick around because I'm saving the best for last. For now lets talk about the remaining eye products. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade is in this picture. This pomade stays on your brows for real. It lasts but I do have to say that by the end of the day it can smear off. I believe that because I have gone through it but then again I am oily. I mostly use the color blonde but sometimes mix it up with chocolate. See my Eyebrow Tutorial here.

NYX Collection Noir Liquid Black Liner has become one of my top liquid eyeliners. This liner has a brush applicator, crazy black and drys semi shiny. Did I mention this is a drugstore product.

Maybelline Line Stiletto is another great drugstore find. I have used this liner for so long and started using this one way before the NYX liner. Now I just switch up between the two. This one has a felt tip point and makes creating a wing SO easy! Its full proof and is what has helped my eyeliner game.

L'oreal Silkissime Eyeliner in black is the eyeliner I opt for when I want a more matte liner finish.  This is the perfect liner to smudge out because its so creamy, and it stays put once it drys on your skin.

L'oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner is my favorite liner for my waterline. Until now it is the only eyeliner that does not irritate my eyes and I have to say this eyeliner last so long for me!

L'oreal Waterproof Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara is a super black mascara and the formula is  a tad watery when first opened which I didn't like, but the more I used it the formula got better.  Now this has become one of my all time favorite mascaras. The brush is old school but actually works well with delivering great volume.

L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess Mascara is another one that made the list in 2014. This mascara provides length to my lashes and volume, all while separating. The brush is more of a modern brush which I love. 

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara in Black, this mascara is crazy! It has such a little brush, coats every lash and the formula is amazing. No fall out whats so ever. Last time I went to Ulta I panicked because it wasn't out on the shelves but thank heavens the girl that worked there found one for me. This is a staple in my collection.

Lipstick, Lip Gloss, & Treatments

Now for the best product ever! I told you I was saving the best for last. This is one of my favorite Makeup Products ever. It is the first product Ive ever owned too. Yes this is a crazy amount of Lip Products. I have become a lip product Junkie! Help! No just kidding don't help me. I love it! Now because these are so many lip products I'm just going to list them by company and name. I also want to mention that in the year 2014 I found that these formulas were best for me. 

Lipsticks

Swatches listed below from Left to Right.

Lime Crime Coquette, Babette, & Airborne Unicorn
L'oreal Jennifer's Nude & Fairest Nude
MAC Creme D'Nude & Creme Cup
Rimmel Kate #14
Milani Naturally Chic & Nude Creme
Maybelline Espresso Exposed, Brazen berry, & Blissful Berry 

Lipgloss 

Swatches listed below from Left to Right

NYX Butter Gloss Red Velvet, Raspberry Tart, & Creme Brulee. 

L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paint Blushing

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer Nova

Sephora Pantone Universe Brick Dust & Radient Orchid 

Gerard Cosmetics Lip Gloss Nude & Fiji

Like my little heart swatches? They were hard to do. 

Lip Treatment

These are the two lip treatments I like to use. To repair my and keep my lips moisturized over night I like My Favorite Night Balm. It has an amazing vanilla scent. The balm is perfectly thick and stays on all night. For a quick moisture fix I like to use the Rose Salve while I do my face makeup. This is defiantly not a long term balm which is why I use it for short term periods. It also helps in between lip swatches. 

Lip Liners

I have to say that NYX lip liners pencils stole my heart this last year. They are long lasting and they have a great variety of shades. My favorites are from left to right Purple Rain, Hot Red, Nude Pink, & Natural. I feel like these four lip pencils covers my needs for lining for most of my lipsticks. 

Lashes

2014 was the year of lashes for me. I got to try out a few and these are the ones I just loved and used the most with all my looks.
Eylure Katy Perry Punk Princess
J.Cat Eyelashes Style EL600
Koko Lashes Goddess
I have to say I am still practicing with eyelashes. I don't feel like a pro yet but I am way more comfortable.

Tools

Ok So if you are still reading this then you are defiantly a trooper and I appreciate you. Please leave a comment to let me know you made it through this. It would mean a lot xo

So the last on the 2014 Favorites is the tools.

I have to say that the Sigma brushes are amazing I love all their brushes but I'm only listing the one I use most. I do however recommend the Sigma Mr Bunny set for starters. So from top to bottom.

Sigma Pencil-E30

Sigma Large Shader-E60

Sigma Tapered Blending-E40

Real Techniques Setting Brush

Real Techniques Blush Brush

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Sigma Large Angled Contour-F40

Well this is it these are my 2014 Favorites. Do we share a love for any of these let me know. Tell me what you have been loving and if you have a product recommendations for me jot it down in the comments. I'm specifically looking for more lashes and foundations for combo to oily skin. 

Again thank you and we hope to hear from you.

xo Alejandra.