I CANNOT LIVE without a beautyblender.
A couple of years ago I started to recognize that my skin was sort of, well, dry when I applied powder or foundation. Kind of BLEH, MEH.
I swiftly fixed this by adding a couple drops of moisturizer to any concealers or foundations that touched my face.
Then my absolute fixation with dewy skin came in to play.
First & foremost, if we meet in person ( which I really hope we do someday ), you’ll immediately see that I prefer a glowy, dewy face to a matte, powdered look. Just my preference.
As of recently, I learned a super rad trick from a professional makeup artist: ADD A DROP OF OIL TO YOUR FOUNDATION ( totally will do a video tutorial on this too ). Seriously the best trick of life. So lately I’ve skipped the whole moisturizer in the foundation & added oil instead.
If you’ve never put oil on your skin because you’re scared of well, oily skin, YOU NEED TO GIVE it a try.
Really though, I slather my skin in oil ( in a Britney Spears-I’m a slave for you, shiny way ).
I’m like a full on witch doctor with my oils. At home, I prefer coconut oil but I’m also a huge fan of Vitamin E oil, almond oil, & jojoba oil. These are all 100% natural raw oils that I find on Amazon. Unbelievably simple.
Anyway so yes, a drop of oil to my foundation before application- ALWAYS. This creates that dewy glow & keeps the skin hydrated with a post-sex glow.
( Coconut oil does not work as good for this makeup trick. Use Vitamin E or almond oil for best results ).
Ok so, when I’m traveling I will LITERALLY call down to room service & ask for a side of real olive oil. This sounds absolutely fucking crazy, but I assure you it’s not.
Room service brings up a bowl of oil & I use it the whole trip.
Makeup remover, lotion, foundation mixer, you name it, I use it. This happens every time we travel anywhere, swear.
Ok, ok but we’re getting off track here— let’s talk about the reason for this post: blending oils & foundations for a flawless finish.
BLENDING.
I’ve tried brushes, my finger, compact blenders but nothing is as GOOD as a beautyblender.
To be completely transparent, I’ve tried to cut corners & use fake beauty blenders from Forever21 ( they’re cheap & don’t work well— they’re super hard too. Weird. ). And nothing is as good as the real deal beautyblender.
Yesterday I realized that I’ve used this little pink sucker the entire trip— at least 3 times a day. Obviously a blog post lightbulb went off.
( PAUSE: by the way, totally NOT a sponsored post ).
I use it to apply sunscreen— because no one wants white flakes hanging off their face like Kris Kringle.
I use it to apply my foundation x oil mixture.
I use it to blend powder.
I use it to blend contour ( << note: for contouring I also like to use makeup brushes, more here ).
The difference between a beautyblender & everything else in the world?
Well there are a few things. The BB…
♡ creates a dewy, Jessica Alba look.
♡ does some crazy voo-doo shit where it sort of ( chemically?? ) blends the makeup together making your face look like skin instead of alligator scales.
♡ doesn’t give you that orange line where your face looks different than your neck.
♡ is the best travel companion because it’s small AND HIGHLY efficient.
♡ can take ABUSE. This is creepy & weird: the more I use mine without washing it, the better my BB works because it absorbs the oils of the skin.
& before you think I’m nasty, remember J.Lo’s makeup artist famously said that “mixing oils of the skin together creates a way better finish.” I feel like the beautyblender does just that: mix the oils of the skin together for the ideal finish.
I was online trying to figure out why the hell I like it so much ( it’s kind of indescribable ) & I found the perfect word for it: the blotting sponge is BOUNCY. It bounces off your skin in the perfect way.
This beauty blogger said:
I dot foundation all over my face, like usual, then use the slightly dampened sponge to kind of “bounce” over the areas and blend the foundation into my skin.The sponge very easily melts the product into your skin without having those annoying drag marks you sometimes get with a brush. You can use the smaller pointy end for harder to reach areas such as around your nose and between the eyes.
Obviously many of you guys have heard of a beautyblender, but if you don’t use it daily, you’re missing out. Basically I’d rather not apply makeup without it.
SO! Your turn: share your ride or die beauty product below.
In other news, we’re off to Milan right now ( actually mid-air to be precise ). Very excited because PIZZAAAAAAA. Follow along on Snapchat ( UN: laurynevarts ). Any Italian recommendations? Your recommendations for Paris were on point.
Happy Tuesday. L
+ favorite beautyblender | the natural brush cleaner I like
thanks for such a great review. I don’t have a beauty blender but I will be ordering one definitely. I hope you have a great time in Milan.
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
Hi Heather! Yay! So glad you like it :)) Thanks for reading <3
Hi there!
How often do you wash your beauty blender? I know that bacteria loves to get built up in things like that…so was wondering what your secret was to keep bacteria away and your skin beautiful? What do you use to wash it?
Thanks for sharing, I have been following your snapchat all week 🙂
xoxoxo
Sarah
http://www.lipstickandlimes.com
Hi Sara, it’s really up to you. I would say at minimum clean it every week. I personally like to just clean mine really quick after each use. It’s easiest to clean when the foundation on it still fresh. Thanks for reading! xx
Hmmm never thought to apply sunscreen with a sponge! I should try this. Though my new stuff is so light and silky (Bare Republic by Coola – try it!!) that I kind of like putting it on with my hands 😛 Granted I do need this for blending concealer better pre-powder!!
Have fun in Milan!! My next destination for sure.
Hi Jill, yes it’s the best. Thanks for reading <3
I don’t have one of these but I have been telling myself for awhile that I need to buy one. I will this week! 🙂
Hi Michelle! Let mek now what you think :))
Hey Lauryn,
Here are some tips for eating and chilling in milan
-Ristorante Bulgari. Via Privata Fratelli Gabba 7/b. Tel. 02 8058051
Re known for brunch and burrata
-The Small. Via Paganini, 3 angolo Piazza Argentina. Tel. 02 20240943
Typical fashion week crowd
-Al Fresco. Via Savona, 50. Tel. 02 49533630
Very good food and cosy decor
-terrazza aperol (near duomo for drinks)
Incredible view
-10 CORSO COMO. Corso Como 10, Milano. 02 2900 2674. Store: aperto tutti I giorni dale 10.30 alle 19.30 (mercoledì e giovedì fino alle 21). Caffè: tutti I giorni dalle 10.30 all’una di notte.
Coffee store and restaurant and lounge
O.ma.ca.sè
-sushi
-da luini
For a “panzerotto” behind the rinascente. It’s a small bakery that is absolutely divine and world famous for panzerotti
These tips are amazing! Thank you so much!! <3
I love my beauty blender! It’s prob my favorite thing in my makeup it!
xx. The Coastal Confidence
Hi Aubrey, I know it’s the best! Thanks for reading :))
I HIGHLY recommend a good, all natural Hyaluronic Acid Serum. It sounds scary, but trust me, your face will thank you. It has both vitamin C & E in it, along with other anti-aging and moisturizing ingredients. Some days I mix it with my foundation & other days I apply it before – depends on how i’m feeling 🙂
Hyaluronic acid by itself doesn’t actually contain any vitamin C or E. It’s just hyaluronic acid.
Hi Jillian! Thanks for the tip and thank you for reading <3
Love mine too! BUT…how do you store it when traveling? I feel like it gets all gross & dirty. Share!
Hi Liz, I clean it after every use and let it air out before repacking. I keep it in a little separate pouch too. I am SO OCD about this! lol! Thanks for reading <3
Definitely need to try this after reading your review! I was wondering if you could post a “what I eat in a day” post. A series about this would be fun too! I’m in college so I’m always looking for great ways to eat healthy throughout the day. I’ve been an avid follower and your blow has seriously taught me SO much! Thanks for everything Lauryn, you’re doing amazing!
Hi Lizzie, thank you for the tip! Also, if you’re interested in following a meal plan I have a 7 day meal plan in the Bombshell Body Guide: http://bit.ly/TSCBlogBBG
Thanks for reading! xx
Hi Lauryn!
Loving your snapchats recently! :). Since you’re going to be in Italy and that you’re a big fan of glowy, dewy skin. I highly, highly recommend checking out Madina Milano cosmetics and getting their Chic & Shine Cream Highlighter!! It gives you an ethereal glow and is much loved by supermodels and makeup artists alike. Pat McGrath lives by it for runway shows. Since it’s only available in Italy why not check it out 😉
Also recommend getting Olive Oil! Haha, nothing quite like authentic, Italian olive oil.
Hi Simu,
Thank you so much for the tip! You’re so sweet. I’ll definitely try to check it out, sounds great. Thanks for reading :))
Your snaps about Paniky Susan are hilarious! I hope he doesn’t mind them. Also, is there a back story to Paniky Susan? Like, did you make him late for an important flight before? Why so paniky?! 🙂
Enjoy your travels and thanks for keeping up with posts while you are away. Your blog is one of my daily reads and I love it!
Hi Courtney! LOL! I think old Susan is mostly just born that way, although I am late quite often. I’ve never been late for a flight or anything like that, but for dinners, social gatherings, etc. I am always late! Isn’t he hilarious?? Thanks for reading! xx
Literally just bought one and tried mine out tonight!! It was great; it blended my contouring and highlights so much better than what a brush could do! 10/10 in my book!
Right?? It’s the best. Thanks for reading Sabrina. xx
Hi Lauryn, def thinking about investing in one of these now! I love that your posts are about things you use & love and aren’t sponsored all the time. Wondering of you’d consider a blog post/video about contouring? What tools/products/techniques you use? Also, what are your thoughts on a clarisonic-worth it?
Thanks!
Hi Eliza, you can see all of my beauty tutorials here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlXcO2w0feJQMFiASfZwNfuqwFzV2AQAg
Also, I love the clarisonic, but you have to be careful not to over do it. I only use mine like every other week for a minute or two. It’s great for a deep clean and getting rid of dead skin. You don’t want to use it all the time though.
Thanks for reading! xx
I am obsessed with my beauty blender as well! I use it to blend my cream contour and it works like a charm! This post was perfect timing because I was just thinking the other day how to clean my blender and if you suggest not, then I am definitely going to try that. Thanks for the tips!
xo Annie
http://www.laircake.com
So glad you liked the post! Thanks for reading Annie!
Another great oil to use is Argan Oil! Josie Maran has an awesome line available at Sephora with a “light” version as well which is awesome for those of us whose skin is more susceptible to getting clogged! I use her sunscreen, which has Argan oil in it as well, and it surprisingly makes my skin wayyy less greasy feeling than regular drug store sunscreen- even though there is oil in it! The dewy look it gives is natural looking and feeling. I can tell the oil is healthily absorbed by my skin. Highly recommend it! As for Milan, the Zara there is awesome! By the Duomo!
Thank you babe! Definitely going to check out Argan Oil.
Thanks for reading :))
Beauty blender are the best thing! It really does make a huge difference.
I use Vitamin E oil under and around my eyes for wrinkles prevention. It’s supposed to be miraculous when it comes to wrinkles and scars.
XoXo,
Tamara
Hi Tamy, yes! Vitamin E is the best! So obsessed. Thanks for reading :)) xx
Obsessed with my Beauty Blender! Great tip about the olive oil. In Greece now on vacation and going to try it out tomorrow with my foundation and BB 🙂 enjoy Milan!
Hi Romi, jealous you’re in Greece. I’m sure the olive oil there is INSANE. Let me know what you think :))
Hi there!
Absolutely love, love, love your blog, It’s become part of my daily routine to check it out and see what new, amazing idea I can steal from you! I, too, am obsessed with BBs – I mostly mix moisturizers with my foundations, and I regularly slather almond oil all over my body post-shower (thanks to a reco by you!). However, I also regularly get an airbrush tan. I’ve been told by the technicians that using any kind of oil (regardless if mineral or plant based) on your body, post-tan, will break down your tan quicker! Have you run into this problem? I would love to start using essential oils mixed in with my makeup, but worry it will just wash my beautiful airbrush down the sink….thoughts/tips?
Hi Megan, yes oils will break down your fake tan faster. But honestly, who cares?? The oils are so good for your skin. Thats just my opinion. Thanks for reading! xx
The BeautyBlend is one of my makeup bag essentials!
Isn’t it the best?? I’m obsessed. Thanks for reading MacKenzie. xx
P A N I C K Y S U S A N literally K I L L S me! Love the one with the mask whilst listening to American Psycho! ?
Thanks for this review – defo the next beauty purchase on my list!
xo
I have been told by like 10 different people now that I need to get the beauty blender! And all of my friends have also told me that the knockoffs don’t work LOL! (ohhhh welllll) Looks like I am going to have to go out and get one now!
Also for Milan, you need to try Luini’s. It is basically a folded pizza that is literally the best thing I have ever eaten. Like, the BEST. http://www.luini.it/ Have a great time!! <3
http://www.skinnybelle.com/
I LOVE my beauty blender too its been a life saver and a life changer! Thanks for sharing your tips on oils. I am LOVING rose hip oil in my foundation, I believe I learned this from you 🙂 Thanks! xo C
Love the beautyblender for years now but actually never used it with my powdery mineral powder. Will do it asap. Have you ever used it with the bourjois foundation http://bit.ly/1Lyahwu? If not you have to! Best glow ever! I mean who likes the Matte “please focus on wrinkles” look anyway hahaha
I love beauty blender! It’s amazing what they do for your skin!
You may have convinced me to take the BB plunge! I’m loyal to my real techniques makeup brushes but I’ve neeeeeever heard a bad review on BB! Love this post 🙂
have you ever used the YSLTouche Éclat Foundation? It’s like velvet- you wouldn’t need to add any extra oil to it as it’s already quite oily! But it’s the best foundation I’ve ever tried.
Ok now I need this beautyblender! asap 😀
http://thehappyvegangirl.com/
I’m absolutely ADDICTED to my beautyblender.
Totally gonna try to apply my sunscreen with it! Never thought of that.
Thanks for another amaaaaazing post!
xx Tiff (@tiffanywoodxo)
Ok next time I am walking through Sephora, I will grab one instead of walking by them!!! Yay, now I am excited!
You will LOVE it!
I absolutely LOVE my beauty blender! I dampen mine with water or use a drop of rose hip oil to get my makeup more dewy. It’s also the freakin’ best for concealer…
One thing I can’t figure out is the best way to clean it. Any tips? xx
have you ever tried the Bourjois Helathy Mix Foundation with the beautyblender? If not you definitely should, dewiest skin ever!
Bought this yesterday after reading this! Love it!! You always have the best advice. Hope you’re enjoying your trip… your snapchats make my day, PS is everything
Hi Nicola, omg I love you’re comment. Isn’t panicky Sue just classic?? Thanks for reading! xx
I love your dewy look and can’t wait for you to do a tutorial on how you apply your foundation!
This is such a great tip! I think that the tip of adding oil, too, it great! I never thought of that. I use my blender everyday because of how amazing it works.
You’re blog is so great! It has everything you’d ever need! What great place to get all different types of tips and other information! Love the food and beauty sections!
This post convinced me to get a beauty blender. But I’ve been looking for your video promised above of showing how you blend your oil + foundation and apply using the beauty blender. Is it already out there and I missed it? If so, can you send me a link? If you haven’t created it yet, I’m putting in a formal request!
Thank you!
Did you ever end up doing a tutorial on this?! Just got a BB and would love to see how you do it – if you did one, whoops!
Thanks – love your blog so much!
So true about not washing it! I started washing mine and it’s just not the same! Will try oil again for makeup remover it was making my eyes super itchy so i stopped for a bit! i started adding rose hip oil to my foundation and it makes my skin so nice, I believe I learned that from you! Have a fun trip!
Hi Lauryn,
My skin tends to get oily as the day goes on. Would you still recommend putting oil in your foundation if that’s the case?
Thanks for all your great advice!