Paula Begoun's 10 Makeup Commandments!

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I love Paula Begoun.   Not only because her skincare line has totally changed my life and the way I look at face products, but because she is a woman after my own heart.  Working in healthcare, I go on facts, not fiction or about what someone thinks, but on facts.  Paula bases her skincare line on real medical journal articles and published research.  I also read these articles on a normal basis when it comes to looking into skincare (and mental health due to my academic degrees).  I have never been bought by companies trying to sell me crap with no proof or based on their own published research which is bias at best.  I believe as consumers, the days of being bought by fluffy advertisement are gone.  We live in a world of information where one can literally find it all at their fingertips.  There is no reason now-a-days why companies who claim to be "experts" in the field are putting out products with harmful ingredient in their skincare line though these facts are clearly noted in published research.  As to why these people choose to ignore these truths beats me.  But I for one refuse to be lead like a lamb to the slaughter knowing I had a way out and decided to ignore the door to my exist.  A bit dramatic I will admit, but in reality you have one skin, one face, one chance.  So why ruin it with crappy products when you know you can buy the best at affordable prices?

When it comes to skincare, I listen to Paula's research and proven advise like a devoted follower.  I won't even buy a foundation without checking it first on her website to see if the ingredients are safe for the skin.  I follow her skincare advise down to the letter.  However when it comes to makeup (not makeup ingredients) I make my own judgement call there because makeup to women is like ties to me...its personal.  Paula loves her matte shadows and really only recommends them.  However I like shimmer and stain shadows as well and play around with them in an adult like manner.  At one point, Paula was completely against anything that wasn't matte.  But again that a matter of preference, right. As long as the ingredients are safe and I like the color and texture, then I shall go for it!  Nonetheless in general when it comes to makeup she is normally correct when talking about the texture, blendablity, durability and so on.  However she is always on spot when talking about the ingredients.

I recently came upon an article that Paula wrote that I wanted to share that had some amazing tips about makeup. I will also post underneath my thoughts on each of her 10 Makeup Commandments!

Side note: Paula Begoun created her own skincare line called Paula's Choice!  If you are serious about skincare and would like to try out anything from Paula's Choice Skincare line, click on this link here for $10 dollars off ANYTHING you buy over $15 dollars!  This works for those who have never ordered anything off her website!  Its a great way to try out her skincare and save money at the same time! They also have a complete return and refund policy that is amazing!

1. Expensive Doesn’t Mean Better! There are good and bad products in all price categories, and there are brilliant inexpensive products you should absolutely consider before going for the expensive stuff. 

Dayana's Thoughts: I normally don't buy drugstore makeup due to the inability to be able to play with the colors and swatches.  However I will agree, the few drugstore makeup I have is so amazing that it rivals some high end brands.  For example, I only buy drugstore mascara because the formula is more or less the same in the high end.  Don't get me wrong I will try a high end mascara at time if it catches my eye (no pun intended), but on the norm, drugstore mascara it is!

2. Shop With A Clean Slate! If you plan to test foundation or concealer, visit the store or salon with a clean, bare face that’s prepped for makeup application, or be willing to take off the makeup you have on.

Dayana's Thoughts: I have yet to ever step into Sephora with makeup on.  This point I always drive home.  No point in trying out new makeup if you have a face full of it on.  A clean slate goes a long way in allowing the colors to probably mix with your skintone, and not the remnant of the makeup you just removed in a haste at the makeup counter in order to apply something else over it.

3. The Right Light is Key! Always check foundation, concealer and powder colors in natural light. Department store lighting is deceiving; what looks perfect under artificial light can look glaringly wrong in broad daylight.

Dayana's Thoughts: How many times have you not tried a foundation at Sephora and thought "man that looks awesome" only to take it home and see that it doesn't match? Always ask for a handheld mirror and walk out of the store to see your color in natural lighting.  There is where you can tell if that foundation or concealer works for you or not.  However, remember to bring the mirror back whether or not you end up buying something!

4. Tone Down the Shine! Be careful with shiny blush and eyeshadow. Generally, for daytime makeup, a blush with a matte finish or just a hint of sheen works best. Shinier makeup is best reserved for evening use or special occasions.

Dayana's Thoughts: Shimmer now-a-days can be worn during the day as it has become acceptable and the color ranges and shine are more realistic.  I know back when Studio 54 was around, everyone who wore makeup looked like a disco ball.  Thank God those days are gone and makeup is more realistic to the average woman including shimmer and stain eyeshadow.  I will agree though, careful on the blushes and bronzers.  To much shine in those make you look oily and very unnatural.    

5. It’s All in the Tools! Whenever possible, test powder-based products (e.g., blush, eyeshadow) with the appropriate brushes. Avoid sponge-tip applicators for eyeshadows and those cheap, super-tiny brushes often packaged with powder blushes.

Dayana's Thoughts: Get.real.makeup.brushes!!  I can't stress that enough.  Those crappy brushes that come with your eyeshadows and blushes don't do anything more then ruin your makeup.  I throw them ALL out.  They are useless and leave your makeup looking harsh and unnatural.  Invest in good quality makeup brushes that won't break the bank but are professional brushes. I buy mine from Blank Canvas Cosmetics because they are professional quality, affordable and durable.  However with that being said, the brushes that Urban Decay Naked palettes come with are actually real functionable brushes.  I recommend keeping those as they do work. Maybe not to produce every eye look, but for sure for applying and blending shadows.  

6. Protect Those Peepers & Lips! Never test mascara or liquid eyeliner in the store. Even if the brand offers disposable applicators, you don’t know how many people have double-dipped, how old the testers are, or how contaminated they may be. We know it’s a pain, but for the health of your eyes, it’s best to purchase these products and test them at home. The same is true when it comes to lip glosses. Most glosses have sponge-tip or brush applicators that can harbor germs from other people. It’s best to swipe the gloss on the top of your hand so you can get a sense of how the color “reads” on your skin and can assess its texture and finish.

Dayana's Thoughts: Being a clean freak when it comes to my face and cosmetics; Paula nailed it here.  Never ever apply lipgloss to your lips or mascara to your eyes from a test tube at a store.  Make sure if you want to try out a formula from a makeup brand, that the store has a return option.  Buy the real unopened product and try it out at home.  If you hate it, return it, get your money back.  I know it might be a hassle doing a double trip, but better that then a few trips to the eye doctor or ER for an eye or fungus infection.  That will cost you more in time and money from the medication you will need to cure up that nastiness. 

7. Smack On Lips, Not Germs! Before you test a lipstick on your lips, have a salesperson sanitize it for you with an alcohol-based spray. Lipsticks at the counter can become contaminated with germs and microbes that you don’t want near your mouth. No alcohol spray? Then wipe off several layers of lipstick with a clean tissue or have the sales associate “shave” off the top portion of the lipstick with a disposable spatula.

Dayana's Thoughts: Personally, no matter what the sales associate does I will not try out ANY lip products that are testers.  I don't care if she shaves it, or wipes it.  When was the last time she actually cleaned that spatula? Even if it is disposable, when was the last time she cleaned her hands before she reached for it?  Keep it safe and swatch it on your hands.  Again, ask about their return policy if you are not sure if the color will look good on you.  If they don't have one, then walk away and go find the color somewhere else.  Trust me, dupes exist on all makeup brands and their colors.   

8. Take Cues from the Pros! See a cosmetics salesperson whose makeup you admire? Ask them for application tips, especially if their skin tone is similar to yours. Chances are good you’ll pick up some great tips and begin to feel more confident about selecting the best colors for your needs.

Dayana's Thoughts: Sephora is great for this.  If you ask them how to do a smokey eye look, they will do one eye for you and have you do the other while teaching you along away.  You can also buy a $50 Sephora gift card (for yourself or others) and that will get you get a free makeover or lesson as well. 

9. When In Doubt, Take It Back and Try Again! If you buy a product that doesn’t work for you, don’t be afraid to take it back. Almost all drugstores and mass-market stores (think Rite Aid and Wal-Mart) will provide a complete refund on cosmetics purchases if you have the receipt—even if the item has been used. 

Dayana's Thoughts: Always check the store policy about returns and refunds in case you don't like the product after testing it or playing with it at home and want to return it.  Nothing sucks more then being stuck with stuff you can't return.  However always remember, its makeup.  If you screw it up, just wipe it off and do it again or return it if the color doesn't suit you.  I always play with new eye looks at the end of the day right before I wash my face at night.  That's how I learned to prefect a smokey (and non-smokey) blue eyeshadow look.  Which brings us to our last point.....  

10. Bye, Bye Blues! Lastly, as stated in Paula’s first book, Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal, AVOID blue eyeshadow. Unless it’s a deep navy, which can almost pass for black, most shades of blue are difficult to work with. Plus, they do not play up blue eyes; actually, the opposite is true. The same goes for any eyeshadow shade that’s too colorful, including orange, green, fuchsia, teal and especially red, which can make your eye area look inflamed rather than attractive. Not ready to give up such shades? Think of the fashion magazine covers you’ve admired, and then ask yourself: How many of those models or celebrities were sporting bright, colorful eye designs?

Dayana's Thoughts: I totally disagree here.  Long gone is the day of crazy looking blue eyeshadow that reminded you of Rainbow Bright.  Back then people had no clue about blending, transitional colors or how to incorporate other colors to make it look realistic.  You can now wear blue eyeshadow for just about any eye color.  I recently sported a blue with very light purple hues eyeshadow to a retirement party and everyone stated on how lovely the shadow looked without being over the top.  Even the guys made comments on how well it was done.  I actually watched Jaclyn Hill on Youtube pull this look off and I copied her completely.  So while some colors might not at all still work for main stream day or night wear (think red eyeshadow) but others are being incorporated in a more sophisticated matter. 

So there you have it, my thoughts on Paula Begoun 10 Makeup Commandments!  Tell me which ones you agree with or not!  Remember makeup has (almost) no rules!!

Keep Smiling!

Dayana

FTC: While this post does contain a referral link, all opinions are my own and I was not paid to write this piece.