For Better or Worse: Belif Skincare

At last month's Sephora VIB sale, I picked up a couple of items that I instantly fell in love with. Since I wanted to make sure the sentiment lasted, I've been using these products daily and feel confident enough to deliver an unbiased review. I think I've found the best, budget-friendly skincare line - belif.  I know I've focused on skincare quite a bit lately, but the unofficial summer kickoff is coming in a few weeks, and we want great skin so we can skip the makeup.

The two products I have (and already love) are the Creamy Cleansing Foam Moist and The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb.

The Better:

With the cleanser, I needed to replace my current product when I ran out since, even though it was my favorite cleanser up to that point, it contained all sorts of fragrance, dyes, and nasty chemicals.  The Creamy Cleansing Foam Moist is a deep-cleaning balm that you can feel working without making the skin feel tight after rinsing. A huge plus: you only need about two drops, so this bottle will last close to year even with daily use.

I also wanted a night cream to help seal in all the oils and treatments used in my nighttime routine, but I didn't want to double up on my uber-expensive La Mer (once a day is all I can afford at this stage in life!).  After some research, I purchased this gel-like cream, and it does a perfect job.

The Worse:

This is super nit-picky, but I wish the lid of the cleanser was a flip-top instead of a screw top...it gets a bit cumbersome in the shower.  With the moisturizer, it definitely sits on top of the skin.  That's why I specifically wanted this formula, but some folks might really dislike it.  When this jar runs out, I'd like to try another version just for fun.

The Verdict:

With something for every skin type and a very affordable price tag for the amount of product as well as the amazing ingredients, I highly recommend not only these products, but also the entire line.

For a last-minute Mother's Day gift, Sephora has some nice belif gift sets!

Photos c/o Sephora.com

How To Put On Makeup

In honor of my 100th post, I'd like to address the number one question I get as a makeup artist: "In what order should I put on my makeup?"

While this obviously differs for everyone based on what makeup you want to use, this is the basic flow I've adopted over the years that lets me get everything on my face quickly, and helps it stay there all day.

Step 1. Prep eyes and lips

Apply some lip balm and lid primer (or a thin layer of concealer). Optional: if you have dark under-eye circles like I do, I also like to apply a heavy duty concealer or color corrector just to the dark areas now.

Step 2. Skincare

It's always best to prep your skin with a moisturizer or primer to help the rest of your products go on smoothly.  If you're oily, there are plenty of primers that will keep your skin matte.

Step 3. Eyes

While your skincare soaks in, do all of your eye shadow, liner, and mascara.

Step 4. Foundation and cream products

Skip over to your foundation/tinted moisturizer/powder or mineral foundation.  If you don't use any of that, make sure you've applied sunscreen! This is also a good time to apply any other cream products like highlighter, blush, bronzer...if you have blemishes, cover them now, too,

Step 5. Setting Powder

Even though my skin is dry, I sweep on a very light layer of loose, translucent powder to set everything I've already done and prep my canvas any other powder products (blush, contour, bronzer, highligter...).  *TIP* Don't forget to dust a little powder over your brows, too, so any of the cream or liquid products applied earlier don't interfere with your brow products.

Step 6. Brows

Fill in and set your brows with your favorite products (currently loving this).

Step 7. Color

If you haven't applied cream versions yet, dust on powder blush/bronzer/highligher/contour now. *TIP* Add blush, then bronzer in the regular places including on top of blush to really make the blush pop and everything look blended.

Step 8. Concealer

As a final step, I like to apply a brightening concealer 1-2 shades lighter than my skin in the corners of my eyes, around my nose and mouth, on my lips (to make lipstick last longer), and anywhere else that needs some lift.

Step 9. Spritz #1 and lips

My top-secret tip (also mentioned in this video) for lasting makeup that looks like skin - spritz your face with a setting spray.  While it dries, put on all your lip products, then...

Step 10. Buff and spritz #2

Take a soft, fluffy brush and buff all of your makeup together (see the above video for a demo), then one more layer of setting spray.

Now that I have this pattern down, it takes me 10 minutes or less.  Give it a try, and let me know how it goes on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat, all @ElectraLane.  Have a great weekend!

The Meaning of True Beauty

So this post has very little to do with makeup. I realize this isn't going to change anyone's opinion, but I know I've benefitted from hearing this message over and over again, so hopefully you do, too. I've had so many conversations over the years, and it seems even more recently, concerning beauty.  The sad thing is, most of those conversations completely miss the point because the vast majority of beauty exists outside of the beauty industry.

These conversations include women in their 60s literally yelling and being angry at me for being younger than them, women calling those who've chosen to have plastic surgery (or even just fillers) "fakes," and others not feeling beautiful because they're not confident in their makeup skills.

Let's get something very clear.  Beauty has very little to do with what you look like.

Yes, makeup/having great skin/being in really good physical shape all help one feel beautiful (at least I feel that way), and I'll be the first to say I truly appreciate aesthetic beauty, aka what's on the outside.  But I can also say that I know DROP DEAD GORGEOUS men and women who are horrible people, and I don't want to be around them.

So there's a line.  And I think I've found it.  It's called civility.

Let's be civil to those who wear a full face of makeup as well as those who wear none.  Let's get to know the person whether or not she chooses to have a little nip/tuck or to Botox those lines instead of judging.  Or, if she looks scary, let's acknowledge that there are probably some deeper issues and maybe she just needs a friend.  And if someone has the discipline to eat healthy and work out to get the best body she possibly can, let's support her instead of saying she looks good the way she is - when in fact, we don't want her to look any better lest she look better than us.

That's not how true beauty works.  Our lights don't dim because someone's shines brighter.  We have to check ourselves by asking if the person is hurting anyone or doing something illegal and, if not, then maybe we're the problem.  Maybe we're insecure or jealous or whatever, and we must learn not to let our own personal biases make us act ugly.

Can we just be nice to each other?  Seriously.  I can't take so much negativity.  Do what makes you happy, and just be yourself.  If you don't know who that is, figure it out.  If you want a face lift, but worry about what your friends will think, you need you new friends.  And that's the key - look for those who lift you up instead of tear you down (unless you need to be put in your place because we all need a gut check every now and then!), and make sure that you, too, are being a lifter.

That's how you attain true beauty.

And blame the PR girl in me, but this commercial says it better than I ever could...

Featured Image c/o @laurenlovette on Instagram

Drugstore Beauty Loves

Last month, I shared my favorite high-end beauty picks, so this month, I have to share my drugstore must-haves.  When it comes to makeup and skincare, the price isn't as much of a factor as weather or not it works.  These three are definitely top-of-the-line quality, and they prove that inexpensive does not always equal cheap.

Maybelline MasterShape Brow Pencil

I've tried the Brow Wiz and the new Brow Definer, both by Anastasia Beverly Hills and both lauded as the best on the market.  While they are amazing, this brow pencil is exceptional.  Unlike other drugstore options, you don't have to press down to get the appropriate amount of pigment, and the formula is just waxy enough that a brow gel isn't necessary.  I'm more of a brow powder girl, so maybe I don't notice the nuanced differences among the three pencils mentioned, but, and especially after you factor in the price and the fact that it has a spoolie brush on the other end,  this pencil is all I ever need.

NYX Butter Gloss

I've gone on and on about how insanely good these glosses are, so here's the recap: the color range is perfect,  the formula is creamy and smells like cake, and it wears down to a gorgeous sheer finish even after a two-hour physical therapy session while I was drinking lots of water - all while moisturizing your lips.  They're available online, at Ulta, and at Target.

Thayers Natural Remedies Alcohol-Free Toner

Until about six years ago, I never used a toner.  Now, however, I don't feel like my skincare routine is complete without it.  A good toner will balance your skin and prep it for the next layers of product - but the problem was finding a good toner.  I tried several different varieties until being beyond pleased with this one from Whole Foods, but it's also at many retailiers and Amazon.  What's great is that there are several different varieties to choose from for whatever you skin needs.  You can also fill a little spray bottle to mist yourself throughout the day.

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Another pick is Maybelline mascaras.  I know the industry-favorite is L'Oreal Voluminous, but that tends to be dry and flaky on me.  Enjoy your week, and check YouTube on Friday for a glamorous Friday Flash!

For Better or Worse: Chanel Yeux Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner

This liner has been so highly suggested that when I was in the market for a new eggplant-hued one, I finally decided to give it a try.

The Better:

I love the color, the application is smooth, and, blame marketing, but I do feel fancy busting out the one and only Chanel product I own.

The Worse:

Basically everything else. First of all, this this was $33. Shocking. I figured that because it was so highly recommended AND it was labeled "long-lasting" I would get more for my money. Nope. I have to apply about three layers to achieve non-sheer results. And, worst of all, the pigment disappears throughout the day.

Although it doesn't slide around, I almost would rather it did because, instead of being nonexistent, at least it would look a little smokey. Frankly, I get better results from the Maybelline Lasting Drama liner.

Here, I applied one swipe of the Maybelline and went back and forth three times with the Chanel, let it dry, then rubbed over the lines:

The Verdict:

Skip it.