A Better Eye Brightening Trick

Lining your lower lashline, waterline, or inner corner of your eye with white eyeliner is a pretty well known eye brightening trick.  But you know what's even better and looks way more natural?  Beige eyeliner.  It eliminates the look of a stark white line, which can look weird if you don't blend it well.  In addition to brightening effects, beige eyeliner also makes your eyes look much bigger.  Unfortunately, it can be even more difficult to find than white.  Tarte makes a beige pencil specifically marketed as an inner rim eye brightener.  It's waterproof and stays on for ages, but it's kind of pricey at $18.  A more affordable option at only $5 is Sephora's Nano eyeliner in Pearl Beige.  If you're at a loss for eyeliner, a pale shimmery neutral eyeshadow will also work well.  For best results, apply it with an eyeliner brush like this one from ELF that's only $1 at Target!           

Seriously Works: Infotone Face Mist

I won a chance to test out a brand new face mist called Infotone from a Beauty Bets giveaway!  For one week, I spritzed my face four or five times each day with the miraculous water.  In the interest of maintaining objectivity, the only other skincare product I used on my face that week was my eye cream.  Surprisingly, it was enough!  Read on to learn what else I discovered while using Infotone...

Sunday: I finally bothered to check the mail, and hurrah!  My package arrived!  I took off all my makeup as quickly as possible to spritz my face with this magic water.  First impression?  It felt really refreshing.  My skin already feels more hydrated, and dare I say smoother?  But I'm afraid I misted a little too much...I got my hair and clothes as well as my face.  Whoops.

Monday: You better believe I took this baby to work.  I sprayed to my heart's content and extolled the water's supposed powers while my co-workers shook their heads in amusement and disbelief.  Whatever, this is the easiest beauty treatment ever.  I feel self-congratulatory, like I'm doing something amazing for my skin.  Whether it really is amazing or its effects are all in my head remains to be seen, but so far no complaints.

Tuesday: Misted my face after a short walk in the sunshine.  It occurs to me that this product may save my life this summer.  It gets HOT where I live.  Summer is a misery and I'm already dreading it.  But now that I have this lovely little bottle to carry in my purse and refresh my complexion, maybe the heat will be a little more bearable.

Wednesday: Thank goodness the little clay mineral ball makes Infotone refillable with natural spring water, because I'm halfway through the week and halfway through the bottle.  It's good for about a year, so I feel compelled to spritz away. 

Thursday:  YOU GUYS.  MY SKIN IS CLEARER.  I had the beginnings of a painful bump on my chin two days ago and now it is gone.  I had a weird little minor breakout making its way across my left cheek and that's gone, too.  Consider me a convert, I'm ready to proselytize the benefits of this magic water to anyone who will listen.  It's not just my imagination anymore; my complexion really does feel smoother and the redness in my skin is minimized.  For real!

Friday/Saturday: And here come the compliments!  This weekend I got to see a ton of my friends and sorority sisters I haven't seen in a few months.  I heard variations of, "Your skin has never looked better!  What are you using?" from many of them.  They were amazed when I pulled this little spray bottle out of my purse. 

Final Verdict:  I am so glad I had the opportunity to test out the Infotone face mist.  It did wonders for my skin!  It kept my face hydrated, cleared up breakouts, and made my complexion look radiant.  The $35 price tag may sound a bit steep, but not when you consider that it can be refilled for a year.  Especially with results like this, it's completely worth it.  This product is truly wonderful!     

Interview: Melina Bee

Photo courtesy Malin Laney Photography

The very first in Applied Glamour's interview series is from the lovely blogger Melina Bee!  A few times each week, she allows readers to peek into her life by way of gorgeous photoshoots showcasing her favorite outfits and makeup looks.  The way she combines clothing and accessories is truly unique, and the way she ties in themes like poetry, trains, and the circus keeps every post fresh and entertaining.  Her "Eight Lipsticks + One LBD = Eight Holiday Looks" series got me completely hooked.  It's evident Melina has incredible individuality and sense of self, not to mention a fantastic stash of beauty products!  She was kind enough to indulge me in an interview!  Read on to discover her favorite products, and make sure you check out her fabulous blog!


At what age did you first start wearing makeup?
I first started wearing it around 15 although I'd been interested in it for years.  I stopped wearing it for a couple of years when I first went to college and got back into it at 21.

How did you learn to apply it?
Reading beauty magazines and books mostly, and practice over the years.

What products were your favorite back then?
Wow, there was the most electric blue mascara by Caboodles at Target for like $4.  It was so vibrant and saturated, people thought I dyed my lashes.  Seems like they stopped making it. (fyi: great alternative is Maybelline Great Lash in royal blue).  I also loved the hair dye, black nail polish, and hot pink eyeshadow by Manic Panic.  There was a shade of acid green eyeshadow by Urban Decay, too.

What are your current favorites?
I love Nars eyeshadow duos, I have a couple and most all of them thrill me.  Mascara by L'Oreal and Maybelline's Lash Stiletto are great.  My favorite lipstick is Dior Haute Couluer in "red muse".

What is your usual makeup routine?
Don't have a standard look really, so it can vary except I almost always wear mascara.  Most days I use some concealer and translucent powder.  Often I use black eyeliner and/or bright eyeshadows.  A lot of days I wear lipstick, too.

What product could you never live without, and what will you never try again?
Dr. Bonner's Magic Soap (in lavender).  That's technically a cosmetic, right?  I would never use the fragrance "Angel" by Thierry Mugler again.  Not to hate on the product, but I wore that and super sweet fragrances in my tween years and now they make me gag.  (I know I am not the only person to have gone through this.)


Got a special tip or trick you'd like to share?
Use fine granulated sugar as scrub by mixing it into your normal face wash once a week.


How do you take care of your skin?
See the answers to previous two questions.  Also, French clay mask once in a while.  Lavender and tea tree oil profusely.  I've worn moisturizer with SPF since 14.

 Who are your beauty inspirations?
Sofia Loren, Gwen Stefani, Ziggy Stardust, my favorite painters