Blend ya face, yo

You know who are super talented makeup artists, who've tried like, a LOT of products?

On-air TV people!

Luckily, these are my coworkers. I raid them for tips on the daily.

A lot of people assume the station pays for hair stylists and makeup artists for the talent but ... nope. I mean, maybe at like, the TODAY Show. But local TV? Please. We are just like the rest of the news organizations out there right now: And by that I mean, BROOOOKE.

Well, not as broke as newspapers. But.

Anchor and reporters know their stuff. They pick their own wardrobe pieces, know how much face to put on for TV cameras and HD lighting, etc.  More power to you guys, I would look awful. And I would hate spending that much time getting ready, bluhhhh.

But anyway.

We get a fair number of emails into our general tipline/KCRA email address every day that are like, "where did Eileen get her yellow dress?" Or "what color + brand of lipstick is Lisa wearing today on the noon show?"

So one day, I decided to make a little featch for the .com, titled something like, "Beauty secrets from the women of KCRA 3." I had everyone send me their pics, products and pieces of advice. It was going to bring down the Internet (like, more than Kim Kardashian's butt). But then the piece got stuck waiting for approval from our higher-ups and it STILL hasn't published on the app or our website. This happens sometimes. Sigh.

But well, I've taken advantage of a bunch of the tips for my own personal use!

So now I'm going to show you a magical blending brush.

Looks simple, right? It is. No exagg, it was like, $2 on Amazon. And I saw a purple one near the other makeup brushes at Sephora a couple weeks ago. Has everyone heard of this thing except me?!

It does everything! It made me dinner last night and cuddled me to sleep.

Not really. Butttttttt I mostly use it (on the fatty side) to blend my concealor/powder into my neck line. I hate that mask-look, which I was totally guilty of rocking all throughout middle school. Meh, who are we kidding? I probably rocked it in college a few times, too. I haven't always been so great at doing my face.

So, I sweep the blender from my chin and my cheeks alllllllll the way down my neck, and then out toward my ears and hair. Or sometimes I'll take the top (the pointier-looking side, although it's obvi not sharp), and soften/blend my eyeshadow if it's coming on a little strong. The darkest color on the Naked Palette3 is pretttttty dark.

And it's that simple. Buy it, use it, love it. You're welcome. (Oh, you already knew? I'm last to the party? That too).

But an anchor-lady told me about it. Meaning it's the best!

And I also learned lately -- that if you need to clean it, you just give it a pump of this stuff! I love it when things come full circle.

Are you sick of award-show fashion posts yet?

Because I am ... almost ...

But it's hard because 'tis the seaz, you know?

So let's mix it up today!

Let's talk about a topic near and dear to my heart: Eye-makeup remover! I know I've already enlightened you once on my pick for the best wipes -- you can read that HERE -- but but BUT.

My life has been changed forever, and for the better.

Presenting: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil. Holllllllly shit.

To rewind, this blog started as a place where I could talk about all my favorite things. My favorite experiences, looks, products and mostly PRODUCTS. But I haven't been doing a ton of those posts lately though, mainly because I haven't been as much of a consumer as normal (trying to save $$$). But that all changed about three weeks ago -- I've been on a bit of a spending tear ever since.

So, let's throw back to my old ways and talk about a product I will absolutely use until I'm in the grave. This freaking cleansing oil.

It's easy -- you pump a bit of it onto your hands and then apply it to your closed eyes DRY, and you really get in there and rub it in, like, into all the creases and where you've put your eye makeup. Not gonna lie, it kinda feels like you're smearing olive oil on your face. It's a little greasy and weird. But then after a few seconds, you turn on the water and rinse it all off. I swear, it softens your face and just makes everything wipe away in an instant.

... And it's like the makeup never happened. For real, it gets EVERYTHING off your face. Like, every last smudge, every last drop.

That's the problem with wipes, you know? Wipes don't really loosen the product itself. They just kind of help you smear it all off. But there's tugging and it's kind of hard and I hate it.

On the other hand, this stuff ... mother of God. There is no tugging. And it even removes every last trace of waterproof eye makeup. What else could you possibly ask for?

I have borderline greasy skin, and I don't feel like it clogs my pores or travels down to my problem areas (namely, my chin) or makes me break out. It just works.

So, you can order it on Amazon (I linked above. Not an affiliate link because I don't know how to do that). I'm told there are similar products at Sephora, but why chance it? You can get a pretty big bottle for like, $20 too. So that's cheap-ish. And I accidentally signed up for Prime recently, so shipping's on me.

*(Not really).

GRAMMYS fash!

Here's what I got! In no particular order (because I'm lazy):

Best:

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Gwen (Atelier Versace) -- I'm not usually a fan of jumpsuits. But Gwen did it for me! Super fresh and cool. Does this woman age?

US Magazine

Kat Graham (Yanina Couture) -- J'adore this sheer, floral, whimsical gown. Want!

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Jessie J (Ralph and Russo) -- Black was definitely the color of the evening. I found this look flattering and sexy.

Jordan Strauss / AP

Miranda Lambert -- (Gabriela Cadena) -- Miranda is so effing sleek lately (and skinny). A fitted dress with a perfect pop of color (that matched her lips?) Count me in!

 

Larry Busacca / Getty Images

T-Swift (Elie Saab) -- F YEAHHHH. Best dressed of the night! I love T. This ombre/mermaid gown was a winner. Daring choice on the shoes, but I loved those, too! Yasssssss.

Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

Gaga (Brandon Maxwell) -- Many would say this is boring for Gaga, but I ... liked it. Hats off to Gagz for not showing up in an egg or wearing raw meat. (The bar has been lowered, clearly).

 

Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

 Iggy Azalea (Armani) -- LOVED the dress, HATED the hair. For real though, if I had to rock a red carpet like, tomorrow (so, unable to starve myself down 4 sizes), I'd wear this dress.* And if she would have ditched the Sound of Music hair, I would have worshipped this look from head to toe. So so close!

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Nicki Minaj (Tom Ford) -- Super classic. This fit her incredibly and she looked gorge.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images For Naras

Jhene Aiko (Alberta Ferretti) -- I don't know who you are, but I loveeeeee your dress and want to put you in my pocket.

                                                                         Worst:

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

 Madonna (Givenchy) -- I don't care that you're Madonna, you look awful. I'll say it, Madge. You're my mom's age. Put your Ts away, you horrible matador. I'll for real have nightmares about this.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

 Charli XCX (Moschino) -- Since you didn't take this seriously, I can't either. Nexttttt.

Jordan Strauss/Invision, via Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

 Jenny Lewis (Aritzia) -- This look is full of NOPE.
 

US Magazine

Pauley Perrette (Designer unknown) -- Basic in a bad way. And I know I need to wash my hair, but you REALLY need to wash your hair. You're at the Grammys. And ... is that a scrunchie?

mtv.com

Rihanna (Giambattista Valli) -- Better her than Lena Dunham in this thing but ... no. I prefer my Ri Ri in red, like in 2013. Sigh. It's Pepto.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Kim Kardashian (Jean Paul Gaultier) -- A beaded nightmare. Makes her look thicker than norm (an accomplishment, really).

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

 Rita Ora (Prada) -- Just ... GTFO with this.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

 Joy Villa (Caltrans/MDOT) -- You couldn't pay me to do this.

*I'm not saying I'd look as good as Iggy, now or at my best. I just feel the dress is kind of reasonable for a normal-bodied human, no?

5 thoughts I had during this week's crazy-as-shit Bachelor episode

*Not my photo -- took from Bach Twitter

1.) Chris definitely threw it in Britt, who apparently hasn't showered since receiving the first impression rose. So that's sanitary and wholesome.

2.) Sanderson Poe will be the name of my firstborn or my first dog, whichever comes first. "It's my story. I love my story. Isn't my story amazing?" WHAT.

3.) We just sat through two hours of show and there's no elim? They better cut bitches Red Wedding style next week, for reals. To be continued? I CAN'T.

4.) Megan is ... a racist ri-tard.

5.) Chris just seems like a weird doucher. Despite being technically hot, he's just ... unattractive. And boring and uninterested. NEXTTTTTTTT.

*This episode sponsored by the New Mexico Tourism Bureau.
*And I believe there was a typo in the group invitation title, Let's Come Together. Just think on that one for a bit and let me know.

OMG, forgot to update you.

My hair!

Because I know everyone was SO WORRIED!

Remember when I asked on FB, "should I color my hair?"

And all the guys in my life decided to chime in (seriously, there was only like, a small handful of female responses), and then I got nervous and panic-canceled, but I didddddddd end up eventually rescheduling my appointment.

Which was like, 2-3 weeks ago? I'm a fast blogger, I know. I really keep everyone updated on the important stuff.

Before:

After:

I know, I suck at taking selfies (my mom tells me I take them like I have ginormous eyes) -- but there isn't much diff after all. Can you tell I ombre'd the bottom a bit? Balayage'd it up or whatever? I'm too lazy to Googz the spelling on that made-up word. So I added a D. Anyway, the top of my hurr is the same anyway; you really don't need to see the top of my head.

Anyway ... do you approve?! I kinda dig. Thanks Kari at Byuti! I'm a whole new me.

SAGs!

We're going to go 9 and 9 on my best and worst this time around. Why 9 and not 10? Because I said so.

Honestly, I drafted my list and ended up with 9 on each side. Why pick someone whose style I don't truly hate or add someone whose look I wasn't in love with, just to round to an even 10? This is my blog and I'll do what I want.

So, who ya got? Here are mine --

THE BAYYYYST!

-- Sarah Hyland [Vera Wang]

The beaded top, the edgy bun, the perfect makeup -- it's a 10.

-- Sofia Vergara [Donna Karan Atelier]

Bombshell, per yoooooooge. This is like, her everyday hair and makeup, she just happened to slip into a super glam dress -- that fits her incredible body like a glove. No words. Loved it!

-- Julianne Moore [Givenchy]

This got some criticism for being too ... heavy? Thick? Weighed down? But I thought the color up against her skintone, and the beachy waves, were to die for.

-- Julianna Margulies [Giambattista Valli]

Usually I can't stand her style! To me, she typically just looks old and unhappy. But this color and the flouncy skirt? So fun! Didn't expect this from her.

-- Camila Alves [Donna Karan]

 She's so effin sophisticated. I love the deep purple! Hit her curves wonderfully. Gorge. Matthew McConaughey on the other hand ...

-- Ariel Winter [Zac Posen]

 Didddddd I just pick all the Modern Family girls? Well, this is the best Ariel has looked on the carpet in a while. Yes, it's a bit boob-y, but I'd do the same thing if I were famous and 18, with Ts like that. Werk.

--Joanne Froggatt [Honor]

 I don't watch Downton Abbey, so I had to Google this B. But I'm obsessed with this Honor mermaid dress! The black is a little boring, but she just looks classic.

--Reese Witherspoon [Armani Prive]

 So fresh and so clean clean! Why don't more broads wear white? This is lovely. Nice crystal detailing and I'm into the one-shoulder look.

--Claire Danes [Marc Jacobs]

 I get it, people hated the belt and the halter. Not sure why I'm defensive about this pick. I thought she looked about a GAZILLION times better than usual, the army green is super pretty on her, I dug the casual hair and ... I don't know. I would have picked this gown for her. She has a really nice shape. The embellishments along the sides are kinda fun, too.

The worsttttttttttttttt:

--Dascha Polanco [Michael Costello]

Do you want to be conservative, or kinda slutty? Pick! This dress isn't sure what it wants to be, plus, it's way too tight (we have a back fat sitch). I'd like to order Mayim Bialik's dress for Dascha, plz. Fitted appropriately. Ugh, again -- another normal-sized girl picking the wrong gown. Plz see Danielle Brooks (from Orange is the New Black) in Christian Siriano! She's an honorable mention for sure.

--Anna Chlumsky [Escada]

Is this a vest? I can't.

--Lorelai Linklater [Honor]

 I'm embarrassed to report I thought this was Ellen Page for a second. But it's not! It's some girl I've never heard of, and she looks awful. A bit gothy for my taste. Hate the blue ombre.

--Jennifer Anison [John Galliano]

 K, she's stunning because she's Jennifer Aniston and that's what she does. But I found this look a bit desperate. Her boobs are SO SAGGY, her V-neck is too deep and the drop necklace is lame. Also, not crazy about the fit. I just think she can class it up a bit and do better.

--Taryn Manning [Elisabetta Franchi]

You know who's really pretty IRL? Pennsatucky! Fa real, I follow Taryn on Insty and I kinda love her. But but buttttttttttt. I was left feeling MEH about this look. I like sleeves on the red carpet, but not these. I just think it could have been tailored a bit better? Or maybe she needed a different color? This washed her out, and did nothing for her figure.

--Alysia Reiner [Christian Siriano]

Too much. Hate the ruffle.

--Edie Falco [Randi Rahm]

 Frumpy.

--Emma Stone [Dior Couture]

I get it, the menswear thing is very much happening right now. Emma did something similar at the Globes a few weeks ago, and I was feelin it. But this? Is a bit too severe. Is it a tuxedo? Is it a gown? Blahhhh.

--Lo Bosworth [Designer unknown]

Unflattering. Hated the lip, the nude color, the boobs, the strappy shoe, etc.