Beauty Broadcast

I Love Palladio Tinted Lip Balm!!

2009-11-14T22:17:00.004-06:00

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to tell you about Palladio Herbal Tinted Lip Balm! :D It's a brand available at Sally Beauty Supply- and I've recently been checking out some of their products (there are some GREAT ones)- but this tinted lip balm is a real treasure. Tinted lip balm is something I often feel let down by. Sometimes it's not moisturizing enough to be called a "balm", and other times it's barely tinted enough to be referred to as "tinted". So after trying out this Palladio TLB (my hip new term for tinted lip balm LOL) I had to immediately include it in my latest "Shopping List Ideas" video, then purchase more- and blog about it! :D

(left to right: Bronzy Pink, Golden Pink, and Rosey)

The first shade I tried (and featured in my Shopping list ideas video) is Bronzy Pink. The name pretty much sums up this shade perfectly, and I enjoy the amount of color it gives off. These give color that reminds me of a lipstick, but they are SO moisturizing- if you weren't looking in a mirror, you'd just feel like you were putting on a lip balm. They are surprisingly long wearing, and they seem to fade leaving a light stain all over your lips (especially Rosey). I'd describe the scent as light- to barely there. I like how there are a variety of finishes. As you can see, Bronzy Pink and Golden Pink both have some shimmer, while Rosey is a creamy, non-shimmery shade. There are 5 other colors ranging from Orange to Brownie that I've yet to try. You can see the swatches below- they correspond to the TLB's shown above.

These are really fantastic for only $3.99 apiece (or $3.79 with your Sally's Beauty Club card!). You can check them out on Sally's website, or head to your local Sally Beauty Supply store. Again, I was so impressed with the first one I tried, I had to go out and get a couple more. They'll be a fixture in my purse and makeup bag- and I hope you get the chance to try them out yourself! Have a great day!

♥

Emily

QOTW: Battling Dry Skin!

2009-11-11T16:17:00.006-06:00

Hey everyone! Depending on where you live, you may have noticed the weather starting to turn a bit colder! I don't know about you, but that tends to have a pretty big impact on my skin. (especially during the winter when the air gets really dry!) So for this "Question of the Week", I asked- How do you keep your skin moisturized during the cooler seasons? Here's what you said... (you could select multiple answers)

Apply a lip balm: 171 (58%)
Apply extra body lotion: 149 (50%)
Use a rich facial moisturizer: 149 (50%)
Use a foot lotion: 47 (15%)

Votes so far: 294 Poll closed

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Not surprisingly, many people do feel the need to layer on the moisture this time of year! I definitely answered all of the above! It's almost essential to go through these steps after a shower to really lock in moisture and keep skin looking supple and radiant. Remember that exfoliating (on face and body) is very important as well to get rid of those dead skin cells. It doesn't necessarily need to be done daily- but maybe a couple times a week (and before sunless tanning to make sure it goes on as evenly as possible). Below are some of my favorite products for each category mentioned in this "Question of the Week"...

Cococare Cocoa Butter Lip Balm (SPF 15)... This was mentioned in one of Tyler's first videos as his favorite "beauty" product. He swears by only having to apply this before bed and his lips retain the moisture throughout the night and the next day as well! After a little of this is left on my lips from a goodnight kiss- I'm convinced it's truly a fantastic lip balm- even for those who're plagued with dry, chapped lips! It's available for only about $1 at Walgreens, and probably other drugstores too.
Bath & Body Works Body Cream... A rich body cream as opposed to the typical lotions with thinner formulations really makes a difference! I especially love the Bath & Body Works body creams in Japanese Cherry Blossom (shown here) and Vanilla Nior. Without feeling greasy, the moisture stays with your skin, and really makes you feel hydrated! Cost is around $10 at Bath & Body Works stores (but be on the lookout for holiday sales!)
Merlot Moonlight Radiance Night Cream... in the picture above- you're looking at the $2.99 travel size I found at my local Walgreens store. They also sell a larger full-size, which is a bit more expensive. I'd heard good things about this moisturizer with natural grape seed (and it smells like fruit loops!) I wanted to recommend a moisturizer that I thought would provide that extra jolt of hydration, without being "too much" for oily/combo skin types. If you've never tried a night cream, this might be a good option to really moisturize skin amid dry air conditions.
Silk Bee Elan Vital Foot Moisturizer... Remember when I reviewed the all natural line of moisturizers called Silk Bee? They are wonderful- but lately I've been really loving the extra moisturizing Elan Vital Foot moisturizer. The texture is absolutely luxurious and leaves your feet feeling super soft! It's fragrance free, at costs $11 at http://www.silkbee.com/

Please keep in mind that these items worked great for me, but that's not a 100% guarantee that you'll love them too! I just wanted to pass along some items that I'm really impressed with that I hope you'll discover as well! :D Have a great day everyone!

♥

Emily

Share your Tips about Q-Tips and Win!

2009-11-07T10:25:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone! Just wanted to make sure all my bloggin' buddies knew about the giveaway I just started on my YouTube channel. Here are the details!

Head to my Q-Tips Giveaway! video on YouTube
Make sure you're a subscriber!
Add a comment under the video about your favorite use for Q-Tips!
The last day to submit a comment is November 13th
One winner will be selected at random and announced on November 14th
The prizes include 4 adorable Q-Tips Vanity Packs plus a cute jewelry box (I show it all in the video)
Do not submit more than one comment! I'll be able to figure that out.
If the prize will be mailed to your parents address- make sure it's ok with them that you give it out.
The prize will be mailed directly from the people at q-tips (I'll pass along your address to them)
This is open to international viewers.

Please take part- this is a great little prize package, thanks to the great people at Q-Tips! If you don't win and would like to purchase the new Vanity Packs for yourself, check out amazon.com, walgreens.com, your local Walgreens store (and probably other drugstores as well). They're only a few bucks a pop!

Thanks for stopping by!

♥

Emily

QOTW: Favorite Fall Footwear

2009-11-03T17:08:00.005-06:00

It's question of the week time once again! Here's what you said to this question: What's your favorite fall footwear?

Tall boots (upper calf): 87 (31%)
Short/Medium boots: 82 (29%)
Sneakers: 40 (14%)
Flats: 39 (14%)
Heels: 15 (5%)
Clogs/Loafers: 14 (5%)

Tall boots win! It's my fall favorite too! I'm a fan of classic black boots that zip up the side, and I have a brown pair I love as well. If you're curious about the boots shown above, I got the brown pair last year at this time from Wet Seal... they have a soft suede-like feel and come about 3/4 of the way up my calf. They were around $20, and I believe they have similar boots in stock this season. I got the black boots at a store called "The Shoe Department" at my local mall. The brand is Torta Caliente, and they cost between $30 and $40.

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I like most of my boots to have heel, just because I feel like it gives my legs a sort of elongated look. I'm a fan of tucking skinny jeans in the boots, and leggings look cute like that too. How do you like to wear your tall boots? What are some great brands or styles? Feel free to share in the comments section! :D

Have a great day!

♥

Emily

You Know You're Obsessed With Makeup When...

2009-11-01T16:47:00.004-06:00

a shot of one of my lipgloss drawers

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Just for fun- I posed this question on my Beauty Broadcast Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/beautybroadcast ... The thought came to me when I was searching for a pen in my purse and kept pulling out either an eyeliner or lip liner... at that moment, I thought- wow, you know you're obsessed with makeup when something like this happens. I thought it'd be fun to hear your take, and I was thoroughly entertained while reading your comments! Many made me laugh out loud, or think- I thought I was the only one who did that! LOL :) At the time I'm writing this, there were 75 comments- so I picked some of my faves to post here...

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You know you're obsessed with makeup when...

"You empty out your underwear drawer to make room for more makeup. :)" -Dania
"When bonding with your two year old is watching Makeup Tutorials together and she calls it 'painting'" -Laura
"You're in hospital and you send your mother to MAC to get the new collection." -Alison
"When you have a weekly/monthly budget (as if it's a necessity like groceries). I'm guilty of that." -Elena
"When you buy more mascara, even when your old mascasa is still fresh!" -Misty
"When you hide packages that come in the mail from your husband and hope he never notices the exponential growth in you collection (guilty again)!" -Cynthia
"When your down and sad makeup is the only thing that makes you happy..(.i mean it)" -Sirsha
"...you HAVE to do "the rounds" at the drugstore even if you were there just yesterday." -Jacqueline
"When you spend hours watching make up tutorials on youtube and u are notoriously known for getting in trouble for putting on make up in class : / lol." -Katelyn
"When you also join beauty broadcast on facebook....." -Louise

Have you joined Beauty Broadcast on Facebook? You should! You can share tips & pictures, ask questions, and get updates on the latest BB videos and blogs. Get a Facebook account started (if you don't have one already), head to the Beauty Broadcast page, and click "Become a Fan"! Have a great day everyone!
&hearts

Emily

Playing with Purple- and Pup!

2009-10-28T17:22:00.003-05:00

Hello! The face you're looking at isn't me, it's my beautiful sister Kelly a.k.a. Pup! Though we're about 15 years apart, we have a great relationship- and when we get together (like we did this past weekend) we always have a great time! I love Pup so much and I just wish we could be together more often! She's been there for me during pretty much every major moment of my life, but what's also really cool-- Pup and I can have the most fun & memorable times just goofing off! One of those times came over the weekend when Pup told me to "go nuts" and do some fun & different eye makeup! I took those words to heart, giving Pup a bold purple eye look with some of the most pigmented shades I have access to. Though it's a variation from Pup's natural beauty, I think it's bold and fun-- and she carried it off beautifully!

As you can see from the little image I created above-- I used my Creative Me palette from Coastal Scents. This is similar to the Fierce Pink & Purple look I recently did on myself, only that was heavier on pink and this is more purple. I actually shot this look with Pup as a video tutorial- but due to the way I was positioned in relation to the camera- my voice didn't pick up that well the entire way through. So enjoy the bullet points! :D

Prime the lid with a shadow primer (I used Too Faced Shadow Insurance)
Pack a bold matte purple shadow onto the lid, blending into the crease as well
Deepen the crease & outer V with a rich black shadow
Brighten the look- with a light touch, use a matte fuscia shade to blend over the outer border of your shadow look (leaving space between the shadow and the eyebrow)
Highlight under the brow and the tear duct area with any shimmery white shade
Line the upper lashline with a black liquid liner, and define the bottom lash line using a black shadow and an angled liner brush.
Complete the look with mascara... or false lashes for extra drama! Pup is wearing Andrea Mod Lash #53

We had fun doing a little post-makeover photo shoot. Pup makes a gorgeous model! Here's Pup with her precious cat Bunny! (Bun has no tail).

Fun Facts about Pup!

Pup is an incredible artist, and also teaches high school art
The seasonal Reese's Peanut Butter products (PB eggs, pumpkins, etc.)... Pup loves them
Pup is a fan of the band U2 and has created a number of U2 cartoon images
Pup is a nickname that I've used for her ever since I was a small child!
She's a wonderful cook. She's always preparing a wide range of gourmet meals!
Pup has a loving husband named Jeff!
My sister is incredibly smart, loves to read, and will always win at Trivial Pursuit!
Today someone at work said, "she does art, AND she cooks too?" I responded, "She's pretty much a Renaissance woman."

Want more Pup? She talks about her artwork, cooking, and more at her blog: http://www.alizarine.typepad.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

♥

Emily

QOTW: Weekend Makeup Routine

2009-10-26T16:32:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone! How does your makeup routine change on the weekend? That was the "Question of the Week" I posed... and here are your responses!

No makeup: 43 (9%)
Less than usual: 96 (20%)
Same as weekdays: 111 (23%)
More than usual: 106 (22%)
More, only for special occasions: 118 (24%)

Votes so far: 474 Poll closed

Wow! The responses were a lot closer than I expected on this one. The majority said "More, only for special occasions"... and I was part of that group as well. It was closely followed by "Same as Weekdays", "More than usual", and "Less than Usual".... so I guess it's safe to say, most of us are wearing makeup to some degree on the weekends! Being one who makes videos on YouTube, I definitely take advantage of weekends to do tutorial videos. But for anyone who is just learning about makeup, I'd advise you to use spare time on the weekends to experiment! If you have a spare afternoon and you don't have to go anywhere, test out a new look you'd be scared to wear to work or school! Wash it off and then try something else! You'll be surprised at what you'll discover... and you'll never know what the final result will be with some of those bright, fun shades- unless you try it! :D

♥

Speaking of weekends- here are some photos I posted on Twitter from my weekend! Tyler and I, along with my mom and dad met up at my sister and her husband Jeff's house. It was wonderful and I was sad to leave!

Tyler & I on the road! :D

My sister Kelly a.k.a. Pup after I did fun, dramatic eye makeup on her! Look for more pics of that in an upcoming blog! :D

♥

Have a great day everyone!

Emily :)

Coastal Scents Creative Me Palette #1

2009-10-20T16:26:00.006-05:00

photo courtesy www.coastalscents.com

Hey everyone! If you've seen my Fierce Pink & Purple eye tutorial, you know these aren't your everyday shadows. The shades in the Coastal Scents Creative Me Palette #1 are some of the brightest, most pigmented shades I've ever used. This magnetic palette (filled with shadows) costs $21.95. It also holds Coastal Scents Hot Pots- and if you want, you can pick up these "Creative Me" shades individually. I enjoy how the palette comes with a big mirror and keeps all of my brightest shadows available in one place. Here's a look at the swatches- they correspond with the rows in the palette... (I used the CS Eye Poxy 2 Primer under these)

In terms of creating looks with these colors, so far I've only done a tutorial using the shades in the pink/purple color family (minus the red). I definitely want to do more tutorials using these shades- but I want to do what YOU want to see. So in the comments section please let me know what color combinations you'd like to see a tutorial on. While they're split into obvious color families in the pictures and in the palette- I'd like to switch things up... maybe using the pink & the aqua for example. Anyway- just wanted to give you a closer look at the colors! Thanks for visiting my blog today, and please don't forget to answer the latest "Question of the Week" in the sidebar!

♥

Emily

QOTW: Yes To Makeup Artists?

2009-10-19T16:04:00.006-05:00

photo: Jin Pak via www.dailymakeover.com

Look at the model in this picture. Is she in deep concentration, the kind that always comes about as you apply liquid liner? Is she looking at a collection of lip glosses, concerned over what might look best with her outfit? Is she wondering if her summertime foundation will still look right as her skin loses its tan as we head into fall? The answer to those questions is likely NO. That's what her makeup artist is there to take care of. Some people would love to hand that responsibility over to an expert, others would not. And some might like to do it just now and then. I find this to be an interesting concept, especially among makeup lovers, so in this Question of the Week I asked: If your job provided a makeup artist- would you want your makeup done for you?

Always: 162 (33%)
Often: 172 (35%)
Only Occasionally: 118 (24%)
Almost Never: 28 (5%)

Votes so far: 480 Poll closed

As you can see- some interesting results! While I realize many of the people who view this blog have a pretty big interest in makeup, the majority still said they would "always" or "often" have a makeup artist do their makeup for them if they had the opportunity. Still, the group that said "only occasionally" wasn't far behind at 24%. I was in that group. This is a question that I think about often, because one of the questions I'm so often asked because of my job is, "Do you have a makeup artist doing your makeup before the newscast?" My answer is no, and unless you're living in a very large city, chances are your anchors are doing their makeup themselves too. While I believe a makeup artist could do a wonderful job on my makeup, my daily makeup routine is something I enjoy. It's a time for me to experiment with new products, try something new, and frankly, just have some quiet time before an undoubtedly hectic day gets underway. In an ideal world, having a makeup artist do my makeup "occasionally" would allow me to learn a thing or two from them, and then practice it on myelf the rest of the time.

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So that's just my 2 cents... but this poll leaves me wanting to know more about YOU. Why did you answer the way you did? Why do you- or don't you- want a makeup artist doing your makeup if you had the chance? Also- are YOU a makeup artist? How do you feel about having someone else do your makeup? Please elaborate in the comments section! Hope you enjoyed this "food for thought" question and have a great day!

♥

Emily

New Products I'm Trying!

2009-10-18T16:25:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone! How's the weekend been going? Mine's been good so far! I just wanted to take a minute to let you guys know about the new products I'm testing out and will probably soon review, or include in tutorials.

Maybelline Super Stay 24 hr. Makeup... Meet the latest long-wearing drugstore foundation! I've received dozens of requests to review this product. Some of my current favorite drugstore foundations (Revlon Colorsty & Rimmel Lasting Finish) claim to last 16 hours... this is the first time I've seen a foundation claim to last for 24 hours! Do you really want to wear a foundation that long? Is that even healthy for your skin? Probably not, but it's comforting to know that it could if you get in some sort of marathon-day situation. This foundation claims to have a "micro-flex forumula" that can withstand heat, sweat and humidity. It claims to be "zero-tranfer", oil-free, and suitable for all skin types. I will definitely let you know how this works for me! (by the way, the shade I purchased is Classic Beige).
L'oreal Wear Infinite Eyeshadow in Milla's Blues... this isn't a new product- but I was scouring the drugstore a couple days ago to find a drugstore version of my Smashbox Glamour Eyes palette for brown eyes. I used that on Kalee when she made a guest appearance in one of my videos- and many of you asked what a drugstore version of that might be... I advised Kalee to pick up Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips shadow in Smokey Blue eyes- but this 4-pan palette seems very close to the Smashbox quad as well. I'll report back on this!
Coastal Scents Gel Liners... these have been around for awhile but this is my first time trying them. Coastal Scents recently put out some new shades so I thought it'd be fun to give them a try. I put a few of the shades I'm trying in the picture: Stellar (sparkly charcoal), Beach Glass (teal), Flirtatious (pink), and Wicked (silver). I like that some of these colors aren't your typical liner shades, so I'll experiment with them and see how they work as an eyeshadow base. (there's a 15% off sale on these right now at http://www.coastalscents.com/ )
Coastal Scents Loose Mineral Shadows... I'll see if these loose shadows live up to the fantastic pigmentation of the Coastal Scents palettes! As a whole, loose shadows have been kind of hit & miss for me, so we'll see if these pack a punch. Colors shown above: Flirt (pink) and Smoochie (plum).
L'oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara in Blackest Black... does this look familiar to anyone? It's definitely trying to be a drugstore dupe of Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes mascara. I was intrigued by this little spherical mascara brush when that product came out, so when I saw it for 20 bucks less at the drugstore, I just had to give it a try. The smaller brush is supposed to allow you to get to your lashes easily at any angle. How well will it work? I'll test it out and let you know!

If you've tried any of these products- please let me know what you think of them!

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♥ Emily's Journal ♥

It's journal time once again! Is it just me or did this weekend totally fly by? I've been feeling a little under the weather lately- so that stinks. Tyler has come down with a cold and I'm catching it for sure. I'm definitely getting some good out of my hand sanitizer! ha! On the up-side... I got my November Elle yesterday! It was the strangest feeling to be standing there in Wal-Mart looking at myself in a magazine... but so cool! I bought a couple of copies, and my mom bought four LOL! Exciting stuff!

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I went to the Inspiring Women Gala at SIU yesterday (you may have noticed a picture I tweeted about it). It's an event where a handful of women in southern Illinois are honored for their service and accomplishments- and then the money raised goes toward scholarships for young women who'll attend SIU next year. It's quite a fancy event! Lots of pretty outfits, good food, fancy desserts... I went with several ladies I work with at the TV station, and one of our station's managers was honored as one of the "Women of Achievement" so that was cool!

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I went shopping today! I stopped by big lots and picked up a couple of cute things for my niece- has anyone seen the little $2 Martha Stewart kids craft things? They're little sets including everything you need to make puppets and barnyard animals out of felt, etc. So cute! I also went to Cato (never really go there, but given these sales- I'll definitely be going back!) They have some great shoes so I picked up some cute peep-toe heels with neat buckles and some moccasins (Thank you Kalee for exposing me to the world of adorable, faux fur-lined moccasins!) yay for shopping! :)

Have a great day everyone and thanks for stopping by my blog!
♥

Emily

If you had to pick 1 lip gloss...

2009-10-13T16:27:00.004-05:00

That's the question I posed on my Beauty Broadcast Facebook Page today! I posted it this morning- and as of 4:10 in the afternoon I had 83 responses! Many different kinds were mentioned, but here are the top 5 brands...

MAC
Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush
Revlon
C.O. Bigelow
(3-way tie) Lancome, Smashbox, Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips

Since I asked the question, it's only fair that I come up with an answer too, right? After spending far too much time trying to pick just ONE lipgloss... I am confident in my choice. Pictured above is Jordana Pretty Shine Lip Gloss in Lovely. It's a brand available at Walgreens, and items in that brand are usually 2 for $3. Why did I pick this shade?

It's almost always with me in my purse
It has a gorgeous shine and shimmer
Consistency is slightly thick, but not sticky... lasts a decently long time
Overall, it looks pretty neutral but at times appears to have the slightest berry undertone
It's the shade I'll put on if I haven't yet picked out an outfit because I know it will look good with everything
It's cheap
Clearly- it's loved. The label has been completely rubbed off.

I have so many- too many- lipglosses in my collection. I have some light nudes that I LOVE. I have some reds and deep plums that are wonderful as well. But if I had to pick just one and throw everything else out... this Jordana lipgloss is the one that I'd have to pick. Now that I've forced myself to think about this somewhat depressing situation... I'll revert back to my world of enough lipgloss to doll-up a small army. Have a fantastic day!

♥

Emily

QOTW: Makeup For a Night Out

2009-10-12T16:47:00.006-05:00

Hey bloggers! In this past Question of the week I asked: What do you do makeup-wise for a night out? Here are your responses:

Take day's makeup off & start over: 191 (50%)
Touch-up your daytime look: 159 (42%)
Leave daytime look the same: 14 (3%)
Don't wear night out makeup: 13 (3%)

Votes so far: 377 Poll closed

I was surpised that the majority of people who answered this question actually start from scratch for a nighttime makeup look. It really wasn't something I started doing until recently(when I started making makeup videos and wanted an extra chance to do a tutorial). But the truth is- we don't ALWAYS have time to start fresh, sometimes we can only touch-up. Even a minor touch-up can make a big difference, you just need to know what features enhance, and how to make them shine! I'll get to some tips in a moment, but first- some pictures to give you an idea of what I mean by "day" makeup and "night" makeup... (and keep in mind- I'm not a big "rules" person when it comes to makeup... so if your daytime look is slightly more dramatic, or your nighttime look is more natural- that's fine! Go with whatever makes you feel good! These are just some ideas).

DAYTIME LOOKS

FACE: flawless skin with a natural finish... really letting your skin shine through with a lighter-coverage base- (tinted moisturizers, light mineral powder foundation). Bronzers and blushes can be used, but keep the concentration of color more muted.
EYES: Keep shadows and contouring light... think pastel and neutral shades. If using liner- make it a fine line, and false lashes are not a must for day.
LIPS: Think neutral/earthy shades. Light glosses and tinted balms in tones of pink and bronze are great, as are rosey hues that make lips look more naturally pigmented.

♥

NIGHT LOOKS

FACE: Full coverage makeup, paired with a deeper concentration of bronzers & blush. Additional contouring on cheekbones, as well as highlighting to work with lighting that might be slightly more dim.
EYES: More dramatic- smokey effects with liner, brighter colors, false lashes... Think glamorous, sexy, and defined.
LIPS: Nighttime lips can go one of two ways... a deeper shade to add to an "old Hollywood glam" look... or a barely there nude to create major contrast with a deep smokey eye. Whatever you choose... you have the option of two totally different looks!

♥

HOW TO MAKE THE TRANSFORMATION: IN A HURRY

Now that you have a visual understanding of the general differences between day and night makeup- you can start thinking about how to take your next look from day to night in case you don't have much time. I have a YouTube video about makeup touch-up tips... but this blog is focused specifically on taking a look from a natural to dramatic...

Clean it up! Use q-tips and eye-makeup remover to clean-up any under-eye smudges that have developed throughout the day. Make sure to blot with the clean end of a q-tip so there's no makeup remover residue.
Create Contrast! Add a little bronzer all over the face- then concentrate it in areas you want to contour... cheekbones, forehead, jawline, etc. Then use a highlighter to bring light to other areas- tops of cheekbones, down the noze, browbone, etc.
Glamour-eyes! All you need is a deep black, brown, or charcoal grey shadow. With a contour brush, deepen your crease, blending outward in the outer corner for a more dramatic look. You may want to use that same shadow with a liner brush to re-intensify your liner. Curl lashes- or add a false set!
Lips: the look changer. Your choice of lip color can transform your look. When you have time- test out both a nude lip color and a red or berry lip color and take a photo of each. Think about the overall look you've achieved in each situation- and decide what you want to try for your next night out! Remember- red screams glamorous, while nude will only add to your mysterious smokey eye!

Hope this blog was helpful to you! Perhaps it will make the transition from day to night makeup a bit more smooth- especially when you're short on time! Have a great day! :D

♥

Emily

Weekend with Kalee!

2009-10-11T17:27:00.006-05:00

Hey everyone! Hope you've had a wonderful weekend! Mine was great because my friend Kalee came to visit! She came down for SIU Homecoming and we did a little bit of everything... eating, shopping, napping, tailgating, makeup... you name it! Kalee used to work with me at the station I'm at now- but now she lives about 3 hours away, doing weekend weather at a different station. It's sort of our dream to be together at the same station once again someday! Until then- we'll just have to make more visits! :D

Fun Facts about Kalee:

She is shorter than 5 feet tall! (I'm right at 5 ft.)
She loves to sing (especially country), and she's great at it! It could probably be a career for her if she decided against the whole weather thing ;)
She has a super cute little puppy!!
She has a blog! Click here to check it out! Follow her!
She's on Twitter! Click here to follow her (these pics came from our twitter pages)

♥

Kalee and I also took some time to make a makeup video! It's "What's in Kalee's Makeup Bag?" We had a blast! Plus Tyler made a special appearance at the end :D Have a great week everyone, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

♥

Emily

Hard Candy Makeup at Wal-Mart!

2009-10-08T21:04:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone! As you may have noticed in my recent haul video- Wal-Mart is now selling Hard Candy makeup! It's a brand that had always been more of a high-end type of makeup- but I think it's bringing that sort of feel to Wal-Mart with really cute packaging and high-quality products. The prices on their items are similar to the cost of Revlon or L'oreal products. Most are in the range of $5 to $8. In the picture above, you can see the products mentioned in my video- plus a couple of new items I just picked up yesterday! :D I wanted to just give you a quick rundown of what I think of each of the items I've tried so far...

"In the Shadows" Eye shadow trio in Flower Girl... this neutral palette opens up like a book, and has sort of a cardboard feel to the packaging-very lightweight. I would have liked to see a little more color payoff with these shadows- but for an everyday neutral look, it's definitely something I can use. I love the taupe shade in this palette. Also- BONUS product! You get a mini (and I mean MINI) Kohl eyeliner! It's strapped right on to the palette :)
"Painted Lady" lipstick in Crush... probably the cutest lipstick I own. Not only do the caps of all these lipsticks have their own unique design (this one has clovers and horseshoes on it)-- but they have the most adorable little ribbon tail! (may make it easier to find when you're digging in your purse!) The lipstick doesn't have the best staying power- but it feels great on the lips and has a gorgeous golden-coral tone. A nice everyday shade- and would look great with bronzed skin.
"Nobody's Perfect" Concealer Palette in Fair... yeah- more cuteness here. You are supplied with six different shades to even out your skintone. 3 are typical skin-tone shades, and then you get a green, yellow, and light pink. I am actually pretty impressed with the coverage of these concealers considering how light they feel on the skin! Many people dont want to cake a lot of product on their undereye area- and with this you can cover your circles and it doesn't look obvious. This was 8 bucks by the way... it comes with a little tiny brush- which might be good for spot concealing zits- but not big enough for the undereye area.
"Balm Girls" Tinted lip balm in Elise... These little pear shaped lip balms are packaged in little boxes- each one with a different girl on it. So cute! I was hoping more color would come through when I used this product, but it was basically clear with just the slightest hint of light pink. For people who have really naturally pigmented lips- this shade wouldn't show up at all. I'm interested to see what some of the brighter colors would do.
"Ginormous Lash" mascara in Carbon Black... I had high hopes for this! The tube itself is big and just makes you feel like it's going to work wonders... despite the rubber cone-shaped brush that made it very easy to coat every lash- I didn't feel like they were very volumized, let alone "Ginormous"... keep in mind this is just my initial reaction- I've only used this mascara once.
"Plumping Serum" volumizing lip gloss in All American Girl... This is a neutral/mauve toned sheer gloss. I like the feel on my lips... not too sticky, yet it doesn't run all over the place. I can't say I noticed any major plumping- not big tingle or anything like that- but I like the sheer, natural color- especially over my Wet & Wild lipliner #666 Brandywine. Will continue to wear it... even though it didn't really "plump" my lips.

Hopefully you've gotten a sense of some of the items available in the Hard Candy brand- now available at Wal-Mart. Have you tried anything yet, and if so, what did you think? I'll keep you posted with future product reviews from this brand! Thanks for stopping by the blog! :D

♥

Emily

QOTW: Lash Curling!

2009-10-06T15:57:00.006-05:00

ELF Eyelash Curler

(photo courtesy eyeslipsface.com)

Hey everyone! This question of the week was very straight forward- Do you curl your eyelashes? Here are the results...

YES: 187 (54%)
Every now and then: 86 (25%)
NO: 68 (19%)

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Votes so far: 341
Poll closed

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I think curling lashes is so important! I do it everyday. Here are some random thoughts on lash curling from me...

The ELF eyelash curler (shown above) is my all time favorite eyelash curler! And it's only $1!! You can find it on the ELF website, or at your Dollar General store... or wherever else ELF is sold where you live!
I have 3 eyelash curlers... one sits on my makeup desk, another in my purse, and another in the makeup bag I take to work.
I curl my lashes everyday before applying mascara- I hold it for about 10 to 15 seconds
For the ultimate curve... hold the lash curler in place for a few seconds, then reposition the curler slightly closer to the ends of the lashes so you don't end up with one solid crimp- repeat one or two times. It's not absolutely necessary if you have super short lashes.
A lot of people say you shouldn't curl your lashes after applying mascara. I must admit- though my primary curl comes from what I do prior to mascara application- every now and then throughout the day- for a little lift- I'll give my lashes a quick curl. Just be gentle and you shouldn't have a problem with pulling out lashes.
Don't curl your lashes in a moving vehicle! It's just not worth it if you hit a bump!
Don't curl your lashes around a curious cat! My cat likes to watch my mom put her makeup on, and one day he batted at her hand while she was curling her lashes... she lost a few!
I've yet to find a "lash curling" mascara that replaces the effect of an actual eyelash curler! Some will enhance the effect, but I've tried nothing that can duplicate it.
Some suggest heating your lash curler with a blow dryer... or even using a heated lash curler. I've actually never tried either of these methods, but I'm not against the concept. Just be careful!

If you've never curled your lashes, I challenge you to try it out! It helps the eyes look more wide awake, framed, and feminine! Many people have lashes that are so straight they practically point downward- Use a lash curler to give your face an instant "awakened" look!

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♥ Emily's Journal ♥

What's up everyone! How are things going? Life has been busy for me lately- hence the lack of blogs. It seems something has been going on every weekend, and I haven't had a ton of quality time with my computer. Oh well! I tend to have these phases where work/social life/family stuff keeps me busy and then it dies down a bit.

You may have noticed this on my Twitter or Facebook... but Tyler passed the bar exam! What a load off! It took so long to get the results in, but now he can breathe a much deserved sigh of relief! This should make his job search a lot easier, thank goodness!

Let's see what else... I'm getting sort of obsessed with Jawbreakers. I love the sweet-but-not-overly-sweet flavor. In other random news- I've been a loyal viewer of yet another season of "Dancing with the Stars!" I've watched for so many seasons, I'm practically more familiar and more of a fan of the pro dancers than the actual celebrities! I remember several of them from my other favorite dancing show- "So You Think You Can Dance". Do you have any favorites on DWTS yet? I'm enjoying Chelsie & Louie Vito, Dimitry & Mya, Lacey & Mark... and the list goes on! I miss Julianne Hough this season though- she was one of my favorites! Also-- I think the makeup on DWTS is FANTASTIC. Wouldn't it be fun to be part of that process? They all get to look fun & dramatic, sometimes colorful, sometimes following a theme... and it just always turns out great! Perhaps I'll devote a whole blog post to this topic if there are enough other DWTS fans out there!

Hope you have a great day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

♥

Emily

QOTW: How Much Beauty Sleep Do You Get?

2009-09-29T16:57:00.004-05:00

(pic Tyler took of me after I'd fallen asleep... I was reading Robin Meade's book 'till I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore!)

Hey everyone! In this past question of the week, I asked how much sleep you get most nights- or "beauty" sleep :) Here's what you had to say...

7-8 hours: 196 (48%)
5-6 hours: 152 (37%)
More than 8 hours: 40 (9%)
3-4 hours: 14 (3%)
Less than 3 hours: 1 (0%)

Votes so far: 403 Poll closed

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I'm glad to see that the majority of you get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night. I fall into that category as well, and sometimes I still feel like I need more! As you may know, I have a difficult sleep schedule because I work on a morning newscast- I have to be at work at 3:30 a.m., I wake up around 1:30 a.m., and I go to bed around 6:00! It's strange, but it's forced me to really make sure I'm getting enough sleep, since I want to be refreshed and energized on the news! And as I've found through doing a little research for this blog- the concept of "Beauty Sleep" really is legit! It's a time when your body can heal and repair itself. Experts on ivillage.com recommend 8 hours, and it'll help you steer clear of those dark circles, puffiness, and overall grogginess that doesn't help anyone look or feel good! Below are some of the best tips for getting quality sleep that I've found (besides getting all 8 hours!), courtesy of this article on wikiHow- check it out for a more complete explanation of these points and more.

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Sleep in complete darkness- or as close to it as possible- even a little light in the room can disrupt your circadian rhythm. I use an eye mask to block out excess light.
Journal- if you feel like you can't turn off the thoughts in your mind, sometimes writing them down can make you feel more at ease before bed
Avoid Caffiene- this sounds common sense- but for some people, even an afternoon can of pop can hinder your ability to sleep later on.
Avoid Alcohol- though it might make you feel drowsy- alcohol can keep you from falling into the deeper stages of sleep where the body does most of its healing
Lose Weight- Being overweight can increase the risk of sleep apnea- preventing a good, restful sleep!
Remove the clock from view- This will keep you from obsessing over what time it is when you can't sleep- which may stress you out more.
Keep your bed for sleeping- don't watch TV or do work there- it will be harder to relax.
Exercise Regularly- Doing so for at least 30 minutes a day can help you fall asleep, just donn't do it too close to your bedtime.
Put Your Work Away- at least 1 or 2 hours before bed. This will help you unwind and be less tense when you finally do go to bed.

Now if only we could follow these tips all the time! I know first hand that it's tough to really make sure you're getting all the sleep you need, let alone the best quality sleep, but hopefully if we can implement some of these ideas, we'll feel a little mor energized when we wake up!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

Emily :)

Your Questions Answered: Spray Tan Comparison Video

2009-09-28T14:04:00.004-05:00

Hello bloggers! Thanks for stopping by. Yesterday I posted this video comparing the Salon Bronze tanning system with Sun Love tanning. Both are safe methods of getting a tan. Salon Bronze is available at Sally Beauty Supply for $12.99, and Sun Love is available at sunlove.biz for $49.95. After I posted this video, I got a handful of questions pertaining to things that I either forgot to address or needed to expand on. So I wanted to post this blog to answer some of those questions.

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However, before I do that, I would like to address some rather harsh criticism I've been getting for featuring Sun Love in this video. Normally, I don't like to even acknowledge negative comments that are just plain judgemental and mean (they don't come about often, but they do happen)... but in this instance, hopefully without adding fuel to the fire, I will respond. It hurts that loyal subscribers would just assume that I was paid by SunLove to do this video. I DO NOT get paid by companies to make videos! I would never promise a positive review! I have taken the time out of my days to make nearly 300 honest videos and the fact that some of you would just assume that I'm "money hungry"- as I was called- is harsh and inaccurate. Also- according to one YouTuber- SunLove made disrespectful comments on Twitter to someone. I'm not saying whoever received these comments is dishonest, but I will say that I did not see these comments first hand, therefore I am NOT taking that into consideration with my review. I judged the PRODUCT. Perhaps some of you would like me to take other factors into consideration, but all I can truly judge is my experience with the company, and my experience with the product. I can't believe everything I hear on the internet, so therefore I review WHAT I KNOW. If you would like to take other factors into consideration when deciding whether or not to purchase a product I review, be my guest! You are more than welcome to do your own homework on an item and decide for yourself whether it's right for you! I am here to provide you with my best assessment of my experience. That is what I will continue to do, and I will continue to keep it honest. To viewers who consistently watch my videos and provide constructive feedback: THANK YOU. I'll get back to the main purpose of this blog now, and address your questions below.

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Do the tanning products have a strange scent?

*Salon Bronze had a slightly more chemical-ish scent, Sun Love's scent was actually a somewhat fresh, ever-so-slightly sweet scent. Neither one is objectionable in my opinion.

How long did your tan last with each product?

*My tan lasted about a week to ten days with each product. Staying moisturized and not doing a lot of exfoliating will help the tan last. However you should exfoliate BEFORE using the tanner to get rid of dead skin cells. Keep in mind that the tan on your face will probably not last as long. At least for me, I think my twice a day face-washing causes it to wear off sooner.

Did these products break you out?

*Neither one of these products broke me out. I was even able to use them both immediately after shaving my legs (a time when I don't even want to use scented lotions because I feel like it burns) but these did not irritate the skin on my legs or my face.

Can you get replacement cans of compressed air for Sun Love?

*You can purchase replacements of the tanning liquid as well as the compressed air on http://www.sunlove.com/biz

How long does the compressed air last?

*I have not yet run out of my can of compressed air. I've done probably 7 different applications and I still have compressed air. I haven't heard how many applications it typically lasts for- but if anyone knows, feel free to share.

Why do people need to be tan?

*They don't! It's a personal preference for some, but if you enjoy your skin just how it is, more power to ya!

Would this work for pale skin?

*I would recommend the Sun Love for pale skin because one "coat" of it will really give you a natural tan that's not too dark. Doing one coat once a week gives me natural color that's not over the top. The Salon Bronze is more likely to go on uneven- which would be even more visible on pale skin. Sun Love gives a really even application, so that's what I recommend.

Do either of the tanners look orange?

*I felt that both tanners gave natural color overall. They're actually really similar in terms of the shade, but I think Sun Love is a little more natural. Even after you've washed off the bronzer, you're left with a really nice color that doesn't seem orange. The tan gets deeper with future applications, which I think is really neat, considering it's not a gradual tanner.

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Thanks for stopping by my blog, and have a wonderful day!

Emily :)

Book Review: Morning Sunshine! by Robin Meade

2009-09-26T11:19:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone! I know you're used to seeing makeup reviews posted on my blog- but I just finished a book that I absolutely love- It's Morning Sunshine! How to Radiate Confidence and Feel it Too by Robin Meade. In case you're not familiar with Robin, she anchors Morning Express on CNN Headline News (HLN). She's always been someone I look up to in the broadcasting field, so I was naturally really interested in this book! But the message she passes along is definitely universal- how to boost your confidence- improving your feelings about yourself and in turn, making life more enjoyable for others as well. If you tune in to watch Robin on Morning Express, it may seem like she's happy, has an awesome job... what could be wrong in her life? But over the course of her career, she has battled some major problems with confidene and rather than just sharing those obstacles with you- she actually tells you HOW she overcame her issues (panic attacks before newscasts at one point!) The strategies she used are things that I believe would help anyone, in any circumstance in their life. It's definitely an appropriate book whether you're a student in school, knee-deep in your career, or retired. Great for men too! :D To top it off- Robin writes in a really conversational, easy to read way- just like how she anchors the news!

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I thought I'd give you a run-down of the chapters in the book to give you a better indication of what it's all about! The book is completely guided by Robin's own experiences, which I think makes it such an interesting read. She's not just saying- it's a good idea to think like this... rather- this is what I've learned through my own struggles.

1. Three...Two...One: Meltdown! .....Where Did My Confidence Go?
2. My Name Is Robin and I'm a Shape-Shifter .....Losing the Real You
3. Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News .....Your Diagnosis: Bad Self-Esteem
4. I Don't Need No Stinking Help .....The Chiropractor with the Spine
5. Begin the Breakthrough .....Learn to Stay in the Present
6. What's on Your Pedestal? ......The Difference Between Being Liked and Being Respected
7. Stop Judging Yourself! .....Is This the Secret to Confidence?
8. The Bitch Is Back! .....Let's Go on a Bitch Recognition Campaign
9. Be Yourself .....Who Else Ya Gonna Be?
10. Frenemies .....Feeling Confident While Fielding Criticism
11. Frick and Frack ....Balancing Your Life
12. Breaking News! ......What Do You Want Your Life's Headline to Say?
13. Your Passion Is Your Confidence .....(Your Compassion is, Too!)
14. Be Grateful for Your Gifts! .....Are You Taking Your Gifts for Granted?
15. Your Void Becomes Your Value .....When a Struggle Becomes a Strength
16. The Confidence to Be a Good Spouse .....Introducing... Crystal!

Here's my video review on YouTube! :) You can find this book on Amazon.com, and most bookstores.

QOTW: Fall Sports!

2009-09-21T15:48:00.005-05:00

Happy Monday everyone! In this past week's Question of the Week I asked: What is your favorite fall sport to watch? Turns out... many of you like to avoid sports!

I don't watch sports- 183 (43%)
Pro Football- 71 (16%)
Other- 64 (15%)
College Football- 57 (13%)
Baseball (playoff)- 38 (9%)
Nascar- 7 (1%)

Votes so far: 420 Poll closed

Can you tell that when I was trying to come up with a new Question of the Week, I asked Tyler for his suggestions on what would make a good question? LOL. My answer to this is definitely college football. There are a few reasons why I enjoy it more than pro- probably the tradition, the cheerleading (some of my fondest memories were from my college cheerleading days!), the great rivalries... I don't have any one team that I like watching above all else- I'll pretty much watch everything- especially if it's a close game. Naturally my favorite team is the Monmouth College Fighting Scots (my alma mater), but I also enjoy watching some of the exciting Big Ten and SEC matchups. Below is one of my best college football memories- the homecoming pep rally senior year when Tyler proposed to me in front of more than 1,000 people. It was magical! Below that one- a couple of basketball cheer pics- if you look closely at the pyramid pic- you'll see Tyler spotting the pyramid! He was among a group of football players recruited to stunt with us during basketball season :D

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♥ Emily's Journal ♥

Journal time! How is everyone! I had an interesting day today- probably one of my favorite live reports EVER during our morning newscast. As you probably know- tonight is the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars- and to sort of commemorate the event- our ABC affiliated station put me to the test- learning the cha cha within about 2 hours! I paired up with a dance instructor from a local college... and I have NO formal ballroom dance training- but I had a blast and actually learned quite a bit! All throughout the newscast my co-anchor checked in with me live to see what kind of progress I was making. In the end I performed a small part of the routine. You can check it out by clicking here. Let's see what else is going on... OH. I am LOVING Robin Meade's (CNN Headline News Anchor) new book "Morning Sunshine!" I think I started reading it Thursday and I'm almost finished. It's the type of book you can't put down. Obviously I'd enjoy this book because I'm invovled in TV news and Robin Meade is a huge inspiration to me- but her message- "how to radiate confidence and feel it too"- is so great for absolutely anyone. Thank you so much to my sister for sending this to me! It's actually funny how it worked out- she had tweeted me that she was sending me a surprise in the mail. I had no idea what it was. Not long after- I had tweeted that I was headed to Barnes & Noble to pick up Robin's book! Went there- and couldn't find it! Meanwhile my sister (Pup) tweeted back- no don't get it! That was the surprise! LOL! I guess it all worked out in the end!

Have a great rest of the day! :D

♥

Emily

Daily Makeup Survey by Beauty Broadcast!

2009-09-16T16:20:00.004-05:00

Hey everyone! This is just a fun makeup-related survey created here on Beauty Broadcast- feel free to copy & paste and answer these questions on your own blog! Let me know through the comments section if you use it- so I can see your answers! Might be a fun feature to periodically post on your blog :D

Pic of me reading the news this morning! Feel free to post your "Face of the Day" alongside the survey!

DAILY MAKEUP SURVEY

1. What time did you do your makeup today?
1:45 a.m. (I anchor a morning newscast)
2. What's the least expensive beauty item you used?
My $1 ELF eyelash curler
3. What was the biggest problem you needed to correct?
undereye circles
4. Did you apply false eyelashes?
Yes- My Sonia Kashuk half-strip of lashes
5. Did you do anything while applying makeup?
Listened to ABC's World News Now and drank a protein shake
6. Biggest makeup mishap today?
Made my liquid liner too thick by accident
7. Did you have a makeup inspiration in mind?
Not really, but usually it's Robin Meade on news days
8. What's the most time-consuming part of your makeup routine?
tweezing my eyebrows
9. What's part of your routine is the most fun?
applying lip color. I do it right at the end and switch shades daily, so it's a nice little surprise
10. What part of your makeup makes the biggest difference in the way you look? eyeliner/false lashes. and bronzer. :)
11. Neutral or colorful eyeshdaow?
Neutral, with the exception of a plummy/brick red shade
12. Liquid or mineral foundation?
Liquid- Revlon Colorstay
13. Do you do your hair or makeup first?
makeup first, then hair
14. Did you pack a makeup bag to take with you for the day?
I always take certain products with me in a makeup bag to touch-up before the newscast
15. When did you finish your makeup?
2:15 a.m.

Random E-mail Questions: Answered!

2009-09-15T15:22:00.009-05:00

Hi Everyone! Hope your day is going great! Looking through my email, I wanted to do something that could really make the most of the answers I gave to certain questions- hopefully helping more people who might be wondering the same thing! So I just randomly chose some questions that had been emailed to beautybroadcast@hotmail.com to answer here on my blog! Please keep in mind- another great place to ask questions is my Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/beautybroadcast. I love answering questions there because everyone can see the answer and contribute their own advice as well! Hope you enjoy this brief Q & A session!

Q: We have a formal wedding to attend in early Nov. and I'm thinking of doing a little bit of a pin up girl theme. However, I'm having trouble deciding what colors to use on my eyes. I know I want to have a red flower over one ear and wear red lipstick but the shadow colors are throwing me a little. -Jenn

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A: I've gotten several requests for a pin-up girl tutorial, and I promise I will do it! Haven't had the chance just yet, but it will happen... so if my explanation here doesn't make total sense you should be able to find it in video form soon! But I think you're on the right track with red lips. Go fairly matte with your makeup- including the eyes. I envision a matte cream-colored shade on the lids, and a neutral, not overly dramatic shade to enhance your natural crease- not a bold outer V. I'm thinking a matte taupe or brown- keep it light. Then line the top lash line with black liquid liner, winging it out at the corners. If you do any lower liner, keep it subtle. I'd go with a half strip of false lashes for a glamorous twist.

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Q: Are the eye shadows in the Coastal Scents 88 warm eye shadow palette matte and satin or are some of them shimmery? -Lynn

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A: The 88 Warm palette is a mix of matte and shimmer. Of the shimmery shades- some have just a small amount of shimmer and others have a more intense sparkle to them- but not to the point where its not "wearable". In my opinion, there is a nice variety of finishes. For others who were wondering- the palette is available at http://www.coastalscents.com/

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Q: I'm just not sure whether I should use a top coat, and if so which one. You mentioned that you use Sally Hansen Mega Shine. Does that work to prevent chips? -Natalie

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A: I would definitely recommend using a top coat, and yes I still like using Sally Hansen Mega Shine. It dries really fast and holds up against chipping just as well as any other topcoat I've tried. If your goal is a long wearing nail finish for, say, a week- I would apply another coat of your top coat half way through the week. It just makes the nail color look really fresh, and this particular top coat dries so quickly- you won't have to sit around forever waiting on it to dry!

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For more on the "All Star" blushes shown above- click here.

Another awesome cream blush: MAC's Posey.

Q: I have a skinny face and I want my cheeks to look plumper. Is there any way to make my cheeks look plumper by countoring? -Sally

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A: This is the opposite of what I'm usually asked, but I'm sure there is more than one person out there that can benefit from this answer! The key is to emphasize the apples of your cheeks. I'd recommend taking a pinky-peach cream blush- and rub it into the fleshy part of your cheeks (not right in next to your nose- a little more toward the outer part of the face.) For a dewy look, leave it like this... or if you're looking for a longer-wearing, matte finish- top the cream blush off with a similar shade of powder blush. Dust a bit of highlighter on your cheekbones- and don't put a lot of bronzer in the hollow part of your cheeks- but a little bit of a contour shade will create contrast with your flushed cheeks. Just make sure you use soft colors, blend well, and keep the color more on the outer part of the cheek. This draws peoples' eyes outward practically making your face look a bit more full from side to side.

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Thanks for the great questions everyone! Have a wonderful day!

♥

Emily

Avon Fall Nail Colors!

2009-09-14T16:05:00.003-05:00

(left to right: Textured Teal, Nocturnal)

Hey bloggers! Remember when I posted that "Sophisticated Fall Eye Tutorial" featuring products from Avon? Well those weren't the only products I've been testing. I feel like it's a brand that for some reason or another has been off my radar for awhile so I have some catching up to do, especially because I get so many requests from viewers to try certain products. I figured- what better way to re-familiarize myself with the brand than testing out some of the new fall colors!

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I was given rave reviews from some of you about the Avon nail polishes. I tested out two of the new shades-- Textured Teal on my toes and Nocturnal on my fingers. I can't do a full review on this, because staying power is important to me and I can't yet say what the staying power is like since I just put it on yesterday. I thought both shades looked really pretty in the bottles... I think this about a LOT of polishes and then turn out to not like them so much once I apply them. They both went on really smooth in one coat. In fact I only have one coat of Nocturnal on my fingers. I could have gotten by with just one coat of Textured Teal on my toes- but I went for two just to see how much of a difference it would create. Though they went on rather smooth and opaque- they took a LONG time to dry... seemed to stay tacky for quite a bit longer than other polishes I've tried. So that was a little off-putting but all things considered, only needing to apply one coat sort of made up for it. I topped my nails and toes off with Sally Hansen Mega Shine clear top coat- one of the shiniest and fastest drying top coats I've ever met. (please excuse my less-than-perfect application in the photos below :)

I like Nocturnal in the bottle but I really am not loving it on my fingers. It's pretty and smooth- but it practically seems to have a hint of taupey-brown to it, and I think I would have preferred a light grey. Still an interesting shade, but overall- I think I'd like this shade better on my toes.

Now for a shade I LOVE on my toes (hopefully you can get over the fact that I showed my toe on here- LOL)... Textured Teal is a gorgeous deep royal/teal blue. It comes off as a very very deep hybrid of the two and I love it on my toes. As times I'll look down and it will appear black- but then it catches the light and you see the delightful blue tones. You're looking at 2 coats of this one- but I could've gotten by with one- it really didn't seem streaky. I think the second coat just gave it more of a sold finish.

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These polishes cost $4.50 each- which isn't a bad price for the lovely finish I ended up with. These are supposed to last up to 10 days... will it pass the test? I will let you know!

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♥ Emily's Journal ♥

Journal time! Thanks for stopping by everyone. Mondays really hit you like a kick in the face- especially after a long weekend. It was a good morning- but the simple story my photographer and I were working on seemed to drag on and it turned into a rather long day. Oh well, you'll have that! :) Oh no! I forgot to take a picture of my new haircut/color. I will do that tomorrow for sure! I'm loving my so-close-to-black-it's-basically-black shade. So does anyone else watch the show on Food network "Down Home with the Neely's?" I usually catch it before the evening news comes on and these two just crack me up. They are so lovey-dovey but they make me laugh. Tyler rolls his eyes while watching, but I kind of enjoy the ridiculous-ness of it. Right now it looks like they're making some ribs. Talk to you later!!

♥

Emily

Blog Update!

2009-09-13T12:43:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone! WOW. I am disappointed with myself. I haven't blogged for a week and I don't like it! Life has been sort of busy/stressful lately- I also completely forgot to blog about the last question of the week- so I'm starting fresh this week with a new quesiton and will blog about those results in a week. I'm going to try to post blogs everyday if possible. Blogging itself really doesn't take up too much of my time- but I've been struggling to even get videos done lately... and it seems like coming up with topics to blog about is what takes the longest. So if you have certain things you'd like me to discuss on my blog- please just let me know- I can use the ideas! In the meantime- just a few bullet points about what's happening in my life... (beware- this is random)

My parents came down to visit over the weekend- yay! We had a great time. We went to the local college hangout which they love, got some great BBQ, went to Paducah just for the heck of it, watched football, and just had an all around good time. I had posted some pics on my twitter: http://twitter.com/emilynoel83 and if you were interested, Tyler's twitter is http://twitter.com/tdihle .He loves getting new followers- urge him to tweet more often! haha ;)
Tyler is indeed starting up a blog. I got him started on it as far as the overall layout, and he has said he'll post a blog today... http://tylerstimeout.blogspot.com
I LOVE MY BLACKBERRY TOUR! It is awesome! Almost feel educated enough to do a video on it.
If you've emailed me or youtube messaged me a question- it may be awhile before I get back to you but I make it my goal to eventually respond. I get such a flood of messages it is very hard to keep up but please know that I'm trying. It seems like the easiest way fo rme to get back to you is on my Facebook fan page because it's all so well-organized and my answers are visible to others so more than one person is probably getting helped at the same time! http://www.facebook.com/beautybroadcast
I love Papa John's pizza. Sausage & mushroom is amazing!
I did some makeup on my mom the other day- it was fun!
My mom just cut my hair today and I'm coloring it later. It's a bit shorter and more layers... and I'm coloring it just a bit darker than it usually is. Will post pics when it's all complete!
I judged a local pageant on Thursday! It was fun. Oh how I wanted to play with their makeup! lol.
I'm trying out Sun Love tanning because I had heard so many good things about it. It's gotten off to a bit of a rocky start but I think I've figured it out. It's sort of like an airbrush tanning system. I'll post a full video review soon.
I love the morning show and I miss it when I have a couple of days off from it. I don't miss waking up at 1:30 a.m., or the days that turn out to be drastically longer than expected, but I miss co-anchoring the show.
We seem to have corrected that problem with the air conditioner/water under the carpet that I blogged about last week. Our landlord said there was a drainage issue and now that it's fixed, we've dried out the carpet with fans. Glad it didn't require a more major fix than that!

Well folks, that's about all I have for now! I always feel it's necessary to give an update if I haven't blogged in awhile. Look for more consistent blogging in the future!
Have a great day!

♥

Emily

N.Y.C. Liquid Eyeliner Rocks!

2009-09-06T09:26:00.004-05:00

photo courtesy New York Color website- click pic to go there

Hey everyone! I know I mentioned this product as part of my Best/Worst of NYC video, but I thought it deserved even more explanation. I've been using this liquid liner ever since I ran out of my traditional Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner (which I swear by- I think it's awesome). But for less than 2 bucks, I decided to give this a try just to see if it could compare. I saw in a magazine that it was listed as one of Megan Fox's favorite beauty products, so I thought it just might work. And for me, it's awesome! So many liners I've tried have either not dried fast enough, have been too thin, irritated my eyelid, had a metallic finish, etc. This one actually gave me practically the same finish as Revlon Colorstay, but I think I like the longer applicator and brush tip even better. Seems to just go on faster and more smooth for some reason. Plus I paid about 5 bucks less for it!

♥

I've been glad to hear from many of you recently-- in messages, emails, and on Facebook-- that some of you have gone from a self-proclaimed "makeup snob" to the realization that many drugstore makeup items can be awesome. It's not that you've given up on the high end brands that you're used to, but you've made room in your makeup world for less expensive stuff. This is one of those products I think you'll be really impressed with. Even though perhaps you don't hear about NYC on a lot of Editor's Favorites lists... or not a lot of your favorite YouTubers are talking about it- I think it's really worth a shot. I believe one day this product WILL be one of those legendary bargain products that has people baffled by it's quality/price. And if you don't like it as well as I do... you didn't even spend $2 on it! :)

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♥ Emily's Journal ♥

Hey everyone! It's journal time again. I hope you're doing great! Can you believe it's already September?? I try to live by the philosophy of really soaking up every day and not being too eager for time to fly, since you don't really know how much time you have. (I know, it's getting deep in here). But I admit, I've been eager for time to pass so Tyler can find out whether he passed his bar exam. He'll probably find out sometime in October. (In case you're not familiar- it's the huge test he had to take to become a licensed attorney). As you would imagine, applying for positions that require a licensed attorney is much easier when you can say you have that certification. So we're playing the waiting game.... thanks for those who've been offering kind thoughts and prayers! Tyler and I appreciate your support! What else is going on... oh we have some sort of problem going on with our air conditioner in our apartment. It's running fine, but there's some sort of leak happening- i think it's condensation- and it's gotten under our carpet in a couple places in just the last day or so, which is not a good thing. Been tending to that a lot and will have our landlord check it out and decide what to do tomorrow. Hmmm.... let's end this on a good note!! I LOVE the fan photos you guys have been post ing on the Beauty Broadcast facebook page! You're all so beautiful and I think it's fun to see what everyone looks like! Any pics you post automatically go into the "fan photos" album. Love seeing pets, family, etc!! :D You guys are the BEST! And here's the link in case you haven't visited: http://www.facebook.com/beautybroadcast

Have a great day!

♥

Emily :)

Video Library

2009-09-03T14:34:00.010-05:00

Hi! Welcome to the Beauty Broadcast Video Library. It's an easy way to browse videos, make sure you've seen everything in a particular category, or check out older videos you haven't seen! You can browse through Tutorials, Reviews, or Random categories. Then if you'd rather browse by series, you can do that below. Some videos may be listed multiple times if it falls into more than one category. The video library will be continually updated with new videos as they are posted on the Beauty Broadcast YouTube channel.

The most recent videos are at the top of each sub-section.

TUTORIALS

EYES: Dramatic