REVIEW: Beautycounter Blush Duo in Bloom/Tulip

Happy #safebeautysaturday, dear readers! We’ve been having absolutely gorgeous weather in North Carolina, and I hope it’s here to stay!

If you’re looking to bloom, much like the camelia bush outside my window, I’ve got a blushing feature for you today, Beautycounter’s Color Blush Duo in Bloom/Tulip.

This ultra feminine duo is rich in pigment, finely milled, and blends on the cheeks superbly. The two pinks complement one another splendidly to give you the most flirty flush–think deeper cool pink mixed with a lighter shimmery pink. As I’ve mentioned with Beautycounter’s blush duos before, I love that you get a lot of product for your purchase that will last you such a long time. Of course, per all products on Jo Knows Beauty, this blush is non-toxic and safe for you.

I recommend this blush for all skin tones albeit I think it looks best on light to medium complexions. The color is pretty for darker skin tones, but the shimmer tends to look somewhat ashen.

You can pick up this beauty for $40 and many more blushes at Beautycounter’s website.

Have you used this product? Did you like it? I’d love to hear  your thoughts!

Until Next Time, Beautiful,
Jo
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

You can learn more about Jo on her website, and follow all her work on Instagram.

 

REVIEW: Jane Iredale Quad Bronzer in Moonglow

If you’ve seen me in person, you know I am more on the pale side. Fortunately, I have an olive skin tone, so I’m not quite Casper status, but I don’t leave the house without applying bronzer and blush. I recently picked up Jane Iredale’s Quad Bronzers to add to my kit, and I don’t know how I did makeup without them at all. I can’t wait to finish out my current bronzer and make the switch.

There are three quad bronzers in various shades, but today, I am reviewing Moonglow. The bronzer has four triangle sections with a different color — a cool medium brown, a soft pearl gold, a cool pale pink, and a calmer burnt orange. Each shade is shimmery, but the pigments are finely milled, so it blends effortlessly onto the skin. When all colors are combined, it looks like a very natural sun-kissed bronze that works well on light to medium complexions. I also love that you can use the various shades separately to make a multi-purpose product if you wanted to. The colors would work well as eyeshadow or even highlight with the soft yellow gold or pale pink.

Of course, this #safebeautysaturday post wouldn’t be complete without letting you know that this bronzer is non-toxic, gluten free, and also vegan. You’re welcome, dear reader.

In future posts, I look forward to reviewing Jane’s other quad bronzers, but for now, with summer approaching, I think this little gem would be a great addition to your makeup bag. You can fetch it on Jane Iredale’s website for $48.00.

Have you tried this or other Jane Iredale’s products? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Warmest,
Jo
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

Like what you’ve read? You can read more about Joanne on her website, or see all her work on Instagram. Be sure to subscribe via email to Jo Knows Beauty on the right hand side!

REVIEW: Red Apple Lipstick Prime Time Eyeshadow Primer

As a makeup artist, I often get asked by clients, “Do you think primers are worth it?” Yes, I do, as long as they perform, and do what is intended. Between a face primer and an eye primer, however, I vote for an eye primer every time.

In this #safebeautysaturday post, I’m going to introduce to you Red Apple Lipstick’s safe, non-toxic eye primer.

 

Per the box, RAL’s Prime Time Eye Primer is gluten, paraben, cruelty, and allergen free. The primer itself is a nice creamy consistency that spreads on easily onto the eyelid.You can layer more or less as you like to ensure a perfectly clean slate for applying your eye shadow. My favorite thing about this primer is that the peachy color really lends to giving the eyelids a neutral color to build eye shadow looks on.

 

This little pot is available on Red Apple Lipstick’s website for $27. Don’t let the pricetag throw you though, you’ll probably be using this same pot of primer for the rest of your life as the portion is very generous!

Have you tried this product? If not, what’s your favorite eye shadow primer? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below.

Warmest,
Jo
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

Liked what you read here? Be sure to subscribe to Jo Knows Beauty. You can also learn more about Joanne on her website, or on Instagram.

REVIEW: Beautycounter Lip Sheers in Coral/Rose

Spring is on it’s way, you guys! I thought it would only be appropriate that for for my first #safebeautysaturday post in months I would feature a product that signals the beauty of the most blossoming time of year.

Beautycounter‘s Lip Sheers in Coral and Rose put the color into your Springtime beauty routine.

Coral, an orangey-pink, is one of the Beautycounter Lip Sheers that follows suite of a traditional lipstick in being more matte; however, unlike most lipsticks it still keeps your lips well hydrated. Swap out your winter shades for this flirty, feminine, and fun color available on Beautycounter’s website for $30.

Rose, a soft magenta, can not only be used on every skin tone, but it is one of my go-to shades for clients! This girly pink-red tone will instantly warm up your sun-deprived, winter skin, and make you feel like a million bucks. It’s just a click away on Beautycounter’s website for $30.

Did I mention the lip sheers are safe for you? Not a stitch of toxicity and all formulated with safe ingredients such as jojoba esters, real vanilla extract, and castor seed oil. Your lips with thank you.

What do you think of these shades? Would you try them out? I’d love to hear your thoughts below! 🙂

Warmest,
Jo
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

Love what you read here? Be sure to subscribe to Jo Knows Beauty. You can also find more about Jo at her website, or all of her daily happenings on Instagram.

What’s New at Jo Knows Beauty

I’m so embarrassed to say that my last post was FIVE months ago, which sounds about right considering my fiance was out of the country for that period of time, and then so much LIFE happened. One thing after another, and I couldn’t get back on the rhetorical horse.

I apologize for my lengthy absence of written word, but I am so happy to be back, and am really over the moon about all of the content I have planned for my readers in the coming months.

I have made some decisions regarding the blog for quality and consistency for you, dear readers, so check those out below:

1. Blog posts will be published on Saturdays only for the time being!
2.  Saturday posts will still be deemed #safebeautysaturday.
3.  Each weekend you have to look forward to one of the following categories: a new, safe product review that I have tested out to be healthy, but also high-performing, makeup hacks, #lotd-makeup looks featuring non-toxic products, bits of advice, tips for a more natural lifestyle, and many others!

Thanks for reading and welcoming me back with open arms.

Warmest,
Joanne Maye
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

Like what you’re reading? Be sure to subscribe to Jo Knows Beauty and visit Joanne’s website for makeup services, or what she’s up to over on Instagram.

 

REVIEW: 100 Percent Pure Luminous Creme in Northern Light/Starlight

Hi beautiful people! I realized I have severely slacked on my #safebeautysaturday posts, but I promise I will make it up to you today with a really lovely product!

Using natural cosmetics and safe alternatives can make it very difficult in the search for specific products, such as, luminizers and highlighters. Prior to being introduced to 100 Percent Pure, I didn’t really find any companies that had a highlighter that I felt matched either a wide array of skin tones, or that met a reasonable price point for consumers.

I read review after review before settling upon 100 Percent Pure’s Luminous Cremes in both Northern Light and Starlight.

It’s quite hard to see on the website, but Northern Light ($21) has a pink base, which reminds me of Benefit’s High Beam highlighter, but without all the nasty ingredients. It comes with an easy wand applicator to be applied directly on the skin. If you’re a pro makeup artist, however, I would first apply to a palette or to your sanitized hand for sanitary reasons. This shade is recommended this for fairer skin tones.

Starlight ($21), however, looks like it has a beige base via the image from the website, but in fact, comes out as a nice golden glow on the skin. I would recommend this products for medium to dark skin tones or anyone who has a nice base tan. If you can’t see your highlight from space, you’re not doing it right, right?! 😉

You’ll love these Luminizers because…

The product works well overall. It does dry quicker than most cream highlighters, which gives you less time to blend the product, but I find adding a small amount of a lightweight moisturizer assists in that issue. Secondly, I would apply this product last over top of your makeup instead of underneath, or within your foundation, because of the blending issue, but also, it seems to not have as much longevity as most other highlighters do. This isn’t a huge problem for me working as a pro artist when I am changing from look to look, but may be for someone who wants it to last all day or all night.

I can say though, I would rather have a safe product to use on my clients that needs a little bit of maneuvering and tweaking than using something that is harmful to the skin. Each product on the market has it’s pros and cons, of course.

I do hope you enjoyed this review! Have you used this product before? If so, what did you think?

Warmest,
Jo
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

Like this post? Check out more about the author at her website, on Instagram, or by subscribing to Jo Knows Beauty!

REVIEW: Beautycounter Color Sweep Blush Duo in Flamingo/Apricot

I love blush, probably, more than any other product. When people ask  me what is the one product you would want with you if you were stranded on a island, I normally say mascara, but a healthy, blushing glow is quite pretty (even if you are stranded alone on an island!). You will normally see me with quite a generous amount applied even if I don’t have any color on my eyes or lips, that’s just my must have.

My blush crush right now is by Beautycounter (which means safe and healthy, too!). It’s their Color Sweep Blush Duo in Flamingo/Apricot.

Per the website, it’s a very vibrant bright coral paired with a softer, more subdued coral. Most people would say this is a summertime color, and I agree, but I’m a rebel and will probably wear it paired with Bronzer through every month of the year.

The formula itself is very silky and blends easily. You absolutely do not need a lot to get the color payoff you want, so be careful or you’ll look like Bridget Jones from the Edge of Reason! You all know what scene I am talking about. Any skin tone can wear this blush. I have a light olive complexion and have used it on clients all the way to deep skin tones.

For the $36 pricetag, this product will last you the rest of your life, so definitely make the investment if you are a blush lover like me. The packaging minus the mirror is also compostable, so you’re doing your part in keeping the world beautiful, too.

You can view this product and all of their other Color Sweep blushes on Beautycounter’s website here.

Warmest,
Jo
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

Be sure to subscribe to Jo Knows Beauty if you liked this post. You can view more of Joanne’s work at her website or on Instagram.

REVIEW: Jane Iredale Purepressed Mineral Foundation

If you are in the market for a new mineral foundation, or an oil absorbing pressed powder, you’ve come to the right place. You’ve seen Jane Iredale in one of my previous posts, and I cannot stress, dear reader, how much I am in love with this company.

Jane Iredale is a well-known leader in the non-toxic cosmetics industry.

From day one, they only used the safest ingredients that work with your skin instead of against it. As their branding suggests, they are an extension of a healthy skin care regimen per their motto “The Skincare Makeup.”

In this review, I’ve got for you, a number of tidbits about their Purepressed Mineral Foundations.

Naturally, the pressed powders look like all others, but boy, are they not equal. The Purepressed Mineral Foundations are incredibly luxurious and well worth the $58 pricetag (Of course, Jane Iredale offers pro-discounts to reputable artists! You can apply via their website.)

Some of the most notable qualities about this product are it’s super blendability, it’s smooth, almost creamy texture, true to color nature, pigment quality, coverage, matte finish, and oil absorption. I feel like these powders took my makeup to another level when applied as a finishing touch. They make the skin look smooth, supple, and healthy. Of course, if you’re just not that into makeup, you could use this as your powder and foundation, because the coverage is buildable and durable throughout the day.

The exciting news is that Jane Iredale now offers all of their Purepressed Powders (a total of 24!) in one beautiful palette  for professional artists. If you buy the refills, you can also buy your own Z Palette and customize them yourself as they are easy to depot.

Now you’re probably thinking, well, they don’t have a color for me. Oh, contraire, my friend — their twenty four shades come in cool, neutral, and warm tones for every skintone. Believe me, I use them daily!

Be sure to check out their Purepressed Mineral Foundations as well as all of their other amazing products. Their lip liners are to die for (to be featured on another post!).

Warmest,
Jo
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

Join Joanne’s #beautyineveryface society by subscribing below on the right hand side. You can also view more of Joanne’s work at her website or on Instagram.

Favorite Uses for Unrefined Coconut Oil

Some of you reading may think back to “Of Life and Lipgloss” and remember a similar post I wrote regarding coconut oil.

Since then, I have found many new uses for coconut oil, and I feel that it is an economical, multi-use miracle product that anyone will want to use.

You can find it online at Amazon, Target, pharmacies, and most grocery stores.

So, let’s not delay, and get right to all the amazing ways you can use this product!

1. Cooking. Obvious, I know, but sauteed with green beans, or added to rice for stirfry, it adds depth and complexity to a number of dishes.
2. Oil Pulling. This one always gets a confused look, but essentially, oil pulling is the process of swishing oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes daily for health of your mouth. When the mouth is healthy, the body is healthier, too. A lot of health problems can stem from overgrowth of bacteria in our mouths (ew!).
3. Sunburn Relief. I found this one out by accident when my fiance and I were at the beach, and I didn’t have aloe, but I had coconut oil. The oil reduces inflammation and lessens the pain associated with sunburn. (But don’t be like Michael, wear your SPF!)
4. Body Moisturizer. It’s a bit greasier than traditional moisturizers, but is so good for the skin! Other downside, your dog might try to lick all of it off of your legs, and you’ll need to reapply.
5. Lip Balm. Transfer to a smaller sample container, and voila, a healthy, nourishing lip balm that’s okay to eat!
6. Hair Mask. Much like coconut oil being great for your body, it also does wonders on your hair. Leave on as long or as little as you like, but be sure to wash a couple times!
7. Natural Highlighter. I recently used coconut oil instead of traditional highlighter to “strobe” my model’s face. It had a very dewy, healthy look, and can be reapplied as often as needed.
8. Makeup Remover. Almost forgot about this one. Instead of using makeup remover on my clients as most seem to irritate the skin, I keep a small jar of the oil in my kit, and it takes off even the most stubborn of products. Safe for the eyes, too!
9. Body scrub. Combined with brewed coffee grounds, brown sugar, or table sugar, it creates a moisturizing, all natural scrub that will leave your skin feeling so beautiful! (I do this one a couple times a week!)
10. Personal Lubricant. Totally serious here. Why use toxic lubes when you can switch to something healthier that both you and your partner can enjoy?
11. In Coffee. I’ve tried recently using a tablespoon in coffee to give it a unique flavor boost and to soften any bitterness. It’s mighty delicious.
12. Under Eye Cream. Much like it works to reduce inflammation on the skin with sunburns, it also can help with puffy eyes. Toss out your fancy eye cream, and use a small amount of coconut oil. You’ll definitely see a difference.
13. Facial Moisturizer. I’ve debated listing this one, because I’ve had a number of people talk about how coconut oil is comedogenic tending to cause blackheads and clogging of the skin, but I disagree. Upon switching to safer cosmetics, I use a face oil daily, and I find that my skin has cleared up and softened significantly. My other argument for this product occurs when you switch your skincare to something as pure as coconut oil, your skin has to purge. Generally, if people see breakouts within a few days of using a product they will quit using it and go back to their old products without allowing time for their skin to fully purify before eventually clearing up. Obviously, if the issues continue, you should quit using it. I say, try it on your own terms, and decide for yourself.

All in all these are my best kept uses for coconut oil. Have any other fun ones you’d like to share, or things you agree with? Comment below!

Warmest,
Jo
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

Don’t miss a post, subscribe to Jo Knows Beauty below. You can find more information about Joanne on her website or on Instagram.

REVIEW: Beautycounter Pinch Cheek Cream Blusher in Caramel

I had the opportunity to do a bridal makeup lesson with another budding makeup artist locally recently, and in our session we started talking about cream products, the benefits, and the downsides to using them in our professional kit.

Through this chat, I opted to use a new product on her from Beautycounter called Pinch Cheek Cream Blusher in the shade Caramel.

This $34 dual-purpose product makes me wish for more shades. (There are only three at the moment, Caramel, Hibiscus, and Umber–the latter to be reviewed at a later date!) The consistency, blend-ability, and vibrancy of color in this product is Oscar worthy. Caramel, is an apricot with a touch of bronze, cooling it down to be naturally flushed without too much notice  It truly reminds me of sweet summertime. For simplicity, one can apply on the cheeks and lips for effortless beauty. Of course, through it all, this product is safe and works with your skin instead of against it.

Don’t take my word for it though, head on over to Beautycounter‘s website and get one (or all of them!) for yourself!

 

Warmest,
Jo
Makeup Artist
#beautyineveryface

If you like what you read today, be sure to subscribe to Jo Knows Beauty. You can read more about Joanne or view more of her work at her website or on Instagram!