How to Conceal a Zit

Yikes! That's a big one!

Hello, my lovelies! Because of Hurricane Sandy, my parade was rained inside all day, but I got a lot of work done, thankfully. Of that work includes this photo tutorial on how to conceal an unsightly blemish. Every teenager gets zits, pimples, blemishes, whatever you want to call them. How to conceal them is a lifelong skill you'll want to know forever.  ;)

Because I have an HD Camera, you can only see the difference slightly, but in person, there's a dramatic difference. Try it out, and you'll see!

You'll Need: Concealer, Foundation, Foundation Brush, Concealer Brush (optional)

I used: Too Faced Flexible Coverage Concealer (but only because it was the only one at my disposal at the time), Sephora Mattifying Foundation, BareMinerals makeup brushes.

Stay beautiful! 

Fall/Halloween Nails

Fall Leaves in Halloween Colors! 2-for-1 bonus!

Hello, my lovelies! How's Hurricane Sandy treating you? School's out for the day (precautionary purposes), and I'm spending the day prepping for a BIG SURPRISE for all you wonderful readers, something I know you've been waiting for a long time. Feel free to let the mystery drive you crazy. =)

Whether you're out of school or not, I decided to start up the week with some Halloween themed nail art. I personally hate Halloween and all the scares that come with it, but it's a great time for costumes, candy, and nail art! So, I combined the beauty of fall leaves with the colors of Halloween to make a 2-for-1 special!

All you have to do is paint your nails like you regularly would with orange polish, then with a detailing brush (or a toothpick), use black nail polish to create the veins of the leaves. Simple, right? Let me know what you think, and send me your nail art to aislesofbeauty@gmail.com.

Stay beautiful!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream Sample

Hello, my lovelies! Last week, at about 4pm, an idea struck me. I'm well into my Sephora Mattifying Foundation, but because winter aka the season of dry skin is coming up, I've been thinking about switching to a more moisturizing foundation. Then I thought: BB Cream. If you haven't heard of this widespread phenomenon, then you must live under a rock on planet Jupiter, because BB Cream is HUGE. Originating from Asia, BB Cream stands for Beauty Balm, and combines skincare with makeup to create the ultimate 1 step beautifying solution.

Every major makeup brand has its own BB Cream, but I tried Maybelline Dream Fresh, because their marketing team consists of geniuses. In the latest issue of Seventeen Magazine, inside a Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream ad was a packet with a free sample of it's light/medium shade and a coupon for $1 off until the end of the year! As a subscriber, I get every issue a month early, but when I first saw the sample I didn't think I'd like it, so I didn't even bother.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream is an 8-in-1 Skin Perfector. It claims to:

• Blur imperfections
• Brighten your complexion
• Even skin tone
• Smooth
• Hydrate
• Enhance
• Protect with SPF 30
• and it has 0% oils and heavy ingredients!

So, I tried it. Nothing to lose, right? I washed my face with a gentle cleanser (that's the before shot) and didn't apply any moisturizer or anything. My face was completely naked (besides some lip balm). Then I applied the BB Cream.

*** Disregard the fact that my face is several shades lighter in the after picture; the light/medium tint was too light for my skin color, and SPF in foundation washes faces out in photographs. If I bought the product I'd get the next shade or two up.

Four words for you: I love BB Cream. I could rave about it for hours, but just look at everything I listed. It did everything it said it would, and you couldn't even tell anything was on my face! Well, besides that it made me look lighter than normal.  =)

There was enough in the sample for 2-3 days, a little goes a long way, so I tried using both with and without my Sephora Mattifying Foundation over it. Because the BB has such sheer coverage, my mattifying foundation helped me get medium to full coverage overall. But I'm sure you could layer it and get enough coverage. A great duo, though!

Overall, I'd score this beauty balm 9.5 out of 10 stars, only because it's so good, it's not fair. My ladies with dark skin can't jump on the Dream Fresh bandwagon, because the color choices are so limiting. Only 5 fresh tones!

This BB cream sells for either $7.44 or $8.99 in the US depending where you buy (I recommend Walmart or Target for the cheaper buy), which I'd say is reasonable for all the benefits it gives you!

That's all for now folks!

Stay beautiful!

Foundation Sticks?!

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick

Hello, my lovelies! I was browsing the pages of my beauty idol Michelle Phan's beauty blog, and came across a recent post about makeup for teens. Being a teenager, and writing a blog for teenagers, I immediately was drawn to the post, and discovered a phenomenon I had never heard of before: Foundation Sticks.

Michelle Phan specifically recommended the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick, and so I checked Bobbi Brown's website to see what Foundation Sticks are all about. Foundation Sticks are "designed for portability and adjustable coverage," and are great for all skin types, except very oily (but some reviewers with oily skin said it worked just fine). You just smear some product onto your face and you can easily blend its creamy solution onto your face for a natural, even appearance. It gives sheer to full coverage depending on how much you want. According to reviewers, it's the best with combination skin. (Don't know your skin type? Find out here.)

Have you heard of Foundation Sticks? Because right now, I feel like I've been living under a rock. Do any readers use a foundation stick, or any other Bobbi Brown products? I'm seriously considering ditching my Sephora Mattifying Foundation and buying this for $42... Pricy? Well, it says a little goes a long way.

What do you think, dearest readers?

Stay beautiful!

In the Classroom: Nails (Part Three)

Credit to aafp.org

Hello, my lovelies! It has been a long, hard week, and I'm so glad it's finally Saturday so I can rest, relax, and do what I love most; blog! I had been debating in my head what topic to cover for the last part of the In the Classroom: Nails feature. Then I realized I'd been leaving out an important member of the nail family! In the last two parts, Part 1 and Part 2, I focused on the fingernails. But what about toenails? They're important to, and I bet you don't know as much as you should!

You'll be happy to know the anatomy of the toenail is exactly the same as the fingernail, it's just shaped like, well–a toe. And did you know, the toenail is twice as thick as a fingernail? And don't worry about the lunula by the way, not all nails have an easy to see lunula. I sure don't, neither on my fingernails nor my toenails!

Caring for your toenails is the same as well. The same concepts apply; clip the free edges of your toenails regularly, moisturize the nail and cuticles, do NOT cut your cuticles, push cuticles back after a shower while they're soft, etc. Did you know gorilla mothers cut their babies' toenails with their teeth? Luckily, we have nail clippers for that job. =)

I'm sure you're wondering now, if all the information is the same, why is it important? Toenails are often forgotten, especially in the fall/winter seasons. They're covered with socks and stylish shoes; no one's going to see them, so who cares, right? WRONG. Toenails are still an important part of the body that, you guessed it, protects the body from infection and disease. Don't forget about them! Plus, they're so easy to paint because you don't have to worry about the whole "left-handed, right-handed" thing.

Stay beautiful!

In the Classroom: Nails (Part Two)

Nail care is important. 

Hello my lovelies! Happy Monday! I thought I'd brighten up the beginning of your week with some fun facts. Did you know nails are made out of a protein called keratin, just like our hair? And if you're right handed, the nails on your right hand will grow faster? Works with lefty's too... Like me! And did you know humans have been doing manicures for over 4,000 years? Maybe not in nail salons, but the concept is pretty much the same. Ooh, and did you know rubber bands last longer when refrigerated? Haha, I bet you learned more in the last 30 seconds than you did in school today.

Caring for your nails is important. Your nails are the barrier between you and infection, not to mention they're this year's #1 accessory. Fun Fact: Did you know the condition of your nails is a tell-tale sign of your health status? So if your body is healthy, your nails are healthy... And vice versa.

General Nail Care Tips

1. Lack of vitamins and minerals in your system shows on the surface of your nails. No dieting and malnutrition! Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
2. Your nails are not tools; don't use them to break things, pick things up, open things, etc. That's what fingers and can openers are for!
3. Regularly cut the free edges of your nails. Not completely, but regularly cutting your nails actually helps them grow faster. 
4. Moisturize and use nail oils. Just like your skin and your hair, nails get dry, and regularly moisturizing them keeps them healthy and smooth. Nail oils can help stimulate growth and strengthen your nails.
5. Wear gloves more often. When washing the dishes, doing the laundry, gardening, and especially cleaning the house, your hands get exposed to many harsh chemicals. Protect your skin and your nails by wearing gloves for more than just going outside!
6. Be careful with certain nail products. Especially in nail polish remover, there may be strong chemicals that can actually damage your nails. If your nails seem stained, dry, or brittle, stop using that product and give your nails a rest. Then try a milder one.

Cuticle Care

Credit to health.howstuffworks.com

Your cuticles are protectors; they prevent infection and cover the tissue that builds new nail cells. Some cuticles are smooth and clean, while others are ragged and thick. Whichever category you fall in, do not cut your cuticles. It is unsafe and unnecessary.

1. If your cuticles are covering half of your nail, rather than cut them, push them back while they're soft, like after you take a shower. 
2. Don't pick at or press on your cuticles, be gentle with them!
3. Use cuticle cream or cuticle oil to moisturize your cuticles. Remember, cuticles are still skin, and dry out too, especially in colder climates. Dry cuticles are unsightly.

Alrighty, one last Fun Fact: Diamonds can be made from peanut butter. True story. 

Tune in tomorrow for Part Three!

Stay beautiful!

In the Classroom: Nails

These are some nice nails... I'm envious!

Hello, my lovelies! Before anything, I have to wish my older sister Alexis Angelettie a happy SEVENTEENTH BIRTHDAY!!!! Oh gosh, she's getting so old. Gross.

And in other unrelated news, with a fine point pink sharpie, I traced over all the lettering on the keyboard of my MacBook yesterday afternoon... God forbid I end up trying to sell my laptop to Pinky Dinky Doo one day... Does anyone remember that show? The story box? Mr. Guinea Pig?

Alright, never mind with my childhood television preferences. Back to beauty blogging... Uh–where was I? Oh yeah, what's really been on my mind is nails. I'm sure you remember from How to Create Marble Nails that I used to have a terrible habit of biting my nails... Luckily I'm happy to say that I'm wrapping up my 6th week without biting a single nail! Hallelujah! 

To celebrate almost 7 weeks without biting my nails, I'm writing another In the Classroom special, this time on, well, nails. And just like In the Classroom: Skincare, I'll be breaking this into parts. This first part is all about the anatomy of your nails.

Credit to curesforbeauty.com for this image.

The basic anatomy of a fingernail includes:

• The Cuticle - a thicker layer of skin between the nail and your skin to protect from infection. 
• The Lunula - a white semicircle or moon at the base of the nail.
• The Nail Bed - also known as the body of the nail, is the pinkish part, and the largest portion of your nail.
• The Free Edge - the white nail that contributes to the length of your nails; the part that can be filed and shaped.
• The Lateral Nail Fold - the separation between your nail and the rest of your finger.

I'm sorry, but I just can't believe you don't remember Pinky Dinky Doo. So I've provided you with a helpful reminder of the wonderful show that taught us Big Fancy Words and hatred of the color pink (alright, that last part didn't rub off on me). 




Okay, if you still don't remember this absolutely amazing girl with the pink hair who ironically enough hates the color pink, then you better go to Youtube right now and watch some old episodes.

Oh yeah, and come back tomorrow for Part Two of In the Classroom: Nails. Hehe.

Stay beautiful! 

Ask Autumn: Ways to Make Your Look Last

Hello, my lovelies! Ask Autumn is a feature on Aisles of Beauty I use to answer any beauty related questions you email me. I thought this was a good one.

Today's Question: I apply makeup before school, foundation, concealer, eyeliner, etc. But at the end of the day, my makeup has disappeared, and I almost look washed out. What can I do to fix this?

-- Joy

My Answer: Makeup fades throughout the day as you're moving around, touching your face, and doing your daily activities. Two great ways to make your makeup last is by using primer or setting powder or spray. 

Primer comes in all shapes and sizes, but the concept is simple. Before your regular makeup routine, massage a pea size amount of primer onto your face, and it kind of acts like glue to keep the makeup on your face. Depending on what product you use, it can extend your look's life by several hours!

Setting powder is a bit different. In fact, you can read all about it in my previous Ask Autumn... Ask Autumn: What is Setting Powder? The basic idea is at the end of your makeup routine, rather than the beginning, you apply some setting powder to hold your makeup in place, and keep it from sweating off. Setting spray works in the same way, but rather than powder, it's–well, spray.

By combining primer and setting powder/spray, your makeup will definitely last all day. 

Got beauty questions you want answered? Email me: aislesofbeauty@gmail.com, I might answer it on the blog!

Stay beautiful!

Fall Into Autumn!

A beautiful Autumn Painting... 

Hello, my lovelies! Although it's been quite a while, it feels natural to be sitting at my desk typing to you right now... If I only my contact lenses weren't being so weird...

I know what you're thinking. Where was I? To be honest, I don't know. Usually when I hit Writer's Block, inspiration smacks me in the face and I get writing again, but this time it came in gradual sips.

But the sips have emptied a whole mug of Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa (mmm), and filled my belly, and–wow that made no sense.

Put simply, I'm back, and I won't be disappearing again for a while. I want you all to email me right now with any fashion/beauty related questions you have, so I can answer them this week. 

Yes, you can start coming back regularly again. So sorry to deprive you! Oh, and tell your friends!

Stay Beautiful!