January Favorites

Hello, lovelies! We survived our first month of 2016! The speed of time never ceases to amaze me. I have discovered some really great things: some are Christmas gifts and some are personal finds. It's a bit of a random bunch, but they are all worth sharing. Enjoy!

Pantene Beautiful Lengths Shampoo + Conditioner
It strengthens my hair and makes it feel so much healthier, and I've noticed my natural frizz has died down. It also smells like green apples, which is nice. I also didn't mind buying this before I finished my other shampoo and conditioner because Beautiful Lengths is also a program that helps women battling cancer. You can help by donating eight inches of hair or eight dollars, and since I don't have eight inches to donate, I bought the set to contribute. It can be your good deed for the day!

Zoella Beauty Scrubbing Me Softly Soothing Body Scrub
Where has this been all my life?! My skin is the death of me in the winter: dry, dull, lifeless, but this has helped me revive my poor neglected skin. I have put this on after a bath and rinse it off, or I just put it on during a shower (only once a week, though). First of all, it smells so good, and second, my skin is soft and basically glows after applying it. It is especially nice to apply to on days you know will be shaving your legs or applying fake tan. 

Zoella Beauty Foam Sweet Foam Shower Gel
Obviously, I cannot just have one Zoella Beauty product in my favorites. I got several products for Christmas, so I have to share my love for them. This smells the same as the body scrub, but I can get away with using it more often... Well, I guess it is expected that someone my age showers more than once a week... So it's probably good I'm using this. Continuing on... I love this fresh smelling gel, which is also really soothing and calming to wake up to for a morning shower or even one before bed.

Estēe Lauder Double Light Wear Foundation
This has been a great everyday foundation for this month. I have been trying to wear makeup, but I hate wearing a full face for 8:00 am classes. This foundation, which I wear in the shade Intensity 1.0, is very sheer, but it's great for when I just need some evening out in regards to the discoloration on my face. It actually feels more like a skincare product than a foundation because it is so light. If I am in need of a bit more coverage, I mix this with my Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Gobi, but this really has been a savior when I have twenty minutes to get ready. If you want to see this look, click here.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
I cannot tell you how impressed I was when I put a layer of this mascara on my lashes! I mean, I'm obviously going to try (hence this post), but I was especially speechless with this product. First of all, I love how buildable it is. I am very picky with this characteristic in mascara because I change my moods with how dramatic I want my lashes, so the fewer products that can achieve the most looks makes me happy. I can put one layer on and get separated, slightly lengthened lashes. If I add one or two more layers, my lashes extend further than I thought possible. It also has a nice fanning effect which is nice to keep lashes from clumping.

Benefit BADgal Mascara
I've actually been liking two mascaras this month. When I wasn't in as much need to lengthen my lashes, I would go for this volumizing mascara instead. This brush is... 'Big' is an understatement... It's HENCH. It is a big boy. But hey, whatever gets the job done. I have had days where I wear it and people think I am wearing falsies, which I never do, but I was flattered that they thought I put that much work into my makeup. Laziness strikes again!

Nike Barefoot Ride 5.0 Running Shoes
I actually have kept my promise to myself to go to the gym at least twice a week. I really could go three times, but I am REALLY good at making excuses. Oh well, you gotta start somewhere, right? Beyoncé wasn't built in a day! Anyway... These shoes are super comfy and perfect for the gym. I also will say that I am a fan of having black shoes instead of my old yellow ones because they match more of my outfit choices. 

Flax Chia Seed Mix
While I continue to (attempt to) be a health nut, I have been making more green smoothies. I've especially been liking strawberry, mango, pineapple ones. They really make me want to move to somewhere without snow. And trust me, it is hard to drink smoothies when it is -10 degrees outside. I have, however, added a new special ingredient that makes them a little more worth the goosebumps. This flax and chia seed mix has a greater amount of fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other amazing benefits, which makes me feel great after a workout or just a long day of being a college student. 

Pillowtalk - Zayn
Okay, I know this is sort of cheating considering this song has only been out for three days, but I've already listened to it over 100 times on iTunes... so it's safe to say that it is a favorite. I was very upset, along with everyone else, when I heard that One Direction lost their best member (everyone is entitled to their own opinion), but FINALLY, Zayn has released his first single, and I was screaming. I immediately downloaded it and hit the repeat button. And I'm definitely not listening to it as I write this post... Nope... If you haven't heard it, go!

I mean, this post is basically over anyway.

Those are the things I have especially been loving during January. What are some things you've been loving this month? Let me know in the comments! Have a great February!

xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page 

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Luminous Skin & Metallic Eyes

Hello, lovelies! We're drawing close to the last week of January 2016. This month alone has gone so quickly... What will the rest of the year be like? Since I am still adjusting to the "New Year, new you" phase, I decided I would create for myself a dewy and luminous makeup look to show off a fresh face along with this fresh start. This look features lots of highlighting, a sparkly neutral eye, and shiny nude lips.

If you want to see more of this look, keep on reading! Enjoy!

Face

As always, prime your clean and moisturized face with the Benefit The POREfessional primer. To get the ultimate luminous, but still medium coverage, I used Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in cheekbones and mixed it with Estēe Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation in Intensity 1.0. To dial down my under eye circles and discoloration, I used the Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift. For any other blemishes I have, I used my trusty CoverGirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous Concealer in Light.

Eyes

For eyebrows, I did the same old Too Faced Brow Envy Palette Brunette Powder and then followed that with Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Deep.

For eye makeup, I did something really different for what I normally do for my eye makeup. I started with putting Naked and Buck from the Urban Decay Nake Palette as transition colors in my crease, using windshield wiper and circular motions to blend. 

Here's the exciting part: In my Advent calendar from 2015, I got a couple of Tanya Burr Cosmetics Eye Shimmer Pots. I decided to give one of them a try. I used The Eye Shimmer Pot in Creme Brulee, which is a shimmery coppery-gold. It looks so beautiful in the pot and on the eyes. I think it would suit any eye color. Just a little tip, since these eyeshadows are not pressed powder, I would use water or some sort of setting spray to help the powder stick to your eyelid. 

To finish of the eyes, I curled my lashes and used the Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara for my top lashes and the Benefit They're Real Mascara for my bottom lashes. Feel free to use liquid eyeliner and lashes to dramatize this look, but I tried to keep this more relaxed, and if you know me, I cannot do eyeliner to save my life.

Cheeks

Now that the eye's are done, it's time to bring some color back into my face. Just imagine someone who looks extremely ill and ghostly... That would be my face before these next few steps. To start off, I use my handy-dandy Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil in Light/Medium to define my cheek bones and jawline, and I add some to my forehead and around my temples to add some color. 

For blush, I used Bare Minerals Sun-Kissed Blush, which was a little pinker than I expected for the look, but it still added a healthy glow into the mix, which I liked. 

To highlight, I used a few products, this time, around: On the tops of my cheekbones, I used Physician's Therapy Powder Highlight in Translucent Pearl. On top of that, I applied Benefit Watt's Up and then applied this on my cupid's bow and under my eyebrows. Then I took Benefit Highbeam and painted that on the bridge of my nose. You can interchange the products as you please, but I just liked using those products in those specific place. Everyone has their own preferences. Use what works best for you!

Lips

I am probably the last person that would go for a nude lip, but this isn't stark tan or nude. I used Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Smarty Pants. This gloss has a slight opacity, but it is still natural and glossy, so some of my natural lip color pops through. The tilted doe foot applicator makes applying this gloss mess-free and creates a very lustrous look without taking too much time.

Almost finished...

This is the first time I've ever used a product like this, but I've been hooked ever since my first use. I finally got a setting spray--a monumental step in my makeup career. To finish my dewy and luminous makeup look, I used the Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray which is long lasting. It is oil free and paraben free, which makes me feel good about putting it on my face. I have seriously seen a huge difference in the longevity of my makeup once I started using this. If you feel that your makeup slides off your face after awhile, I would recommend getting this product or something like it.

Well, this look was a little different for me! What did you think? Are there any other looks you would like to see? Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda
FabulousFX Facebook
Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Bad Beauty Regimen Resolutions 2016

Hello, lovelies! Happy 2016! I hope you are all enjoying what the new year has brought you thus far. As we all know, the new year is a time for reflection. It is a time to reevaluate the regrettable life choices we've made in the past. Bad beauty choices are not an exception. Here are ten skin care and makeup trends that don't need to be repeated in 2016. Enjoy!

Note: If you think these are exceptional strategies in your beauty regimens, continue doing them. This is not a documented law saying that you cannot. These are my own personal opinions.

Skin Care
Hydration. Do not underestimate the power water has for the skin and your general health. I have heard so many people say their New Year's Resolution is to drink more water, but what is "more?" Some people completely forget to drink water throughout the day. They start with coffee or orange juice in the morning and go straight to sodas and alcoholic beverages in the afternoon and evening. Water can help tighten the look of pores, brighten dark circles, and make you look more awake.

Stop the hot showers. Yes, I know, jumping into a hot shower on a cold, winter day may seem like the greatest idea, but it's not. Skin is more fragile than you think. When standing in a hot, steamy shower for a long period of time, it can cause your skin to lose its oil barriers, which causes dry and itchy skin in the long run. Using lukewarm water for a majority of the shower will suffice, but cold water is best to help tighten your skin without drying it, and your hair follicles will also benefit from the decreased temperature.

Don't skip the lotion. Especially if you are one of those people who can't live without a hot shower, keep this in mind. In order to remedy your dry, cracked skin, reaching for a bottle of heavy-duty lotion post-shower is a must. It's easily overlooked, but your skin will thank you once it is relieved its itchy and flaky self.

Over-exfoliating does exist. No one wants dead skin cells, that's a fact. We all are a fan of a good scrub or peel to rid our faces and bodies of dead skin cells to reveal the glowing, soft skin underneath, but there is a line that can be crossed when getting involved with a scrub. Over-exfoliating can cause cracked, chapped skin. Take caution when doing so and keep it to once a week.

Not all sunscreens are made equal. Whether you live in Russia or Australia, sunscreen is important. If you are ever exposed to the sun, carrying an SPF around is detrimental to your skin's health, and no, tanning oil does not count. Even if you "never burn," you should still be wearing, at least, SPF 30 when being directly exposed to sunlight to ensure your skin is protected. More is always better, and reapplying is also necessary to stay protected.

Makeup
Contouring is not required. Daytime makeup is very different than what should be worn to a party or the bar. Clown contouring, for example... I don't even know where to start. For the love of all things natural, please stop with the excessive facial mapping with random mismatched colors and pretending a Beautyblender can save your life. It needs to stop. Subtle enhancements cease to exist anymore. 2016 should be the year that you are happy to look at your bare face in the mirror without hating how you look. Let's declare body-positivity by wearing powder contour (if that's even necessary) to create more natural and subtle enhancements... notice how I didn't say changes. 

It's called foundation for a reason. Don't get me wrong, a good foundation makes the rest of the look come together. You want flawless skin to match your flawless eyebrows, cheeks, and lips, but you don't want the foundation to be the center of attention. Drowning your face in a full coverage foundation to go to work or classes is so unnecessary. This technique may look good in photos and videos, but not for real face-to-face appearances in a business meeting or a classroom. Use a natural foundation, and less of it.

Let's keep baking in the kitchen. 'Baking' your makeup has been around for a long time, but for some reason, is finally making its debut. Dancers, performers, even drag queens use the technique of layering heavy amounts of powder on their face to sit or "bake" on the skin. It gives a very strong, very prominent effect that looks great under large, bright stage lights. For a day-to-day basis... not so much. The problem with baking is that unless you have baby-soft, flawless skin, it will emphasize the fine lines or dry skin you are applying the powder to. Your skin will look worse than how it started.

Give it a rest, ombré lips. Makeup was created to enhance what you have, not to make illusions and confuse people. This look was invented to make lips look bigger and fuller, but it really just looks like you started with one color, put it down for a minute, and came back to it with a different color. Softer looks should come back into trend because you will always have the face you have, so the look is just timeless. But these days it's all about the definition and the creation of illusions. 

Matte brown lips can leave the building. I don't want to name any names, but we all know what I mean. The look is just super unflattering, no matter what skin color, hair color, or eye color you have. It's an incredibly aging look and does nothing to compliment other features. It's a very bland look. What happened to that "red lip classic thing that you like?" (Sorry had to throw some Taylor Swift in there!)

I hope that will help you make a few resolutions for 2016. I am most certianly going to do these things to prevent my skin from aging and becoming dry. Drink more water, take care of your skin, be happy with who you are! Love it all! What are some other New Year's Resolutions you have? Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore