How I Achieve a Golden Glow

Hey Lovelies! I am bringing you guys my very special golden glow summer routine. YAY! These last few months I have been obsessed with looking like I just came out of a golden pool (LOL) and with trial and error, I have found my perfect products to achieve a golden glow. The only product that isn't shown is the Laura Mercier Bronze Radiance primer, but I will add a picture at the bottom. The arrows in the picture rspresent the order of how I use each product starting with skin care. I take skin care very serious and I love using mask as often as I can ( of course not everyday). Once or twice a week  I will switch my mask up but to acheieve a radiant natural glow I love this REN Radiance Renewal mask! amazing stuff, I tell you go to your local sephora and grab a sample before purchasing so you can be amazed.

After the mask , I apply MAC Cosmetics Strobe cream which is a luminizing moiustirzer that has a pearl finish once applied. I then mix my MAC Lustre drops in golden with my foundation ( Nars Sheer Matte in Cadiz) and apply with my beauty blender. After applying my  NARS Creamy Radiance concealor in Biscuit, I then set with my MSF Natural in Medium-dark and lightly cntour with MACS Blunt, MACS Worldlywealth (Moody Blooms Collection Blush) or my Too Faced Sun bunny. I highlight with MAC MSF in Gold Deposit( obsessed with) and set with either my Cauldalie Beauty Elixir or MACS Fix +( both give dewy, healthy glow finishes)

How I Achieve a Golden glow by raven-erica-alston featuring MAC Cosmetics

Ren mask / Caudalie skin care, $19 / MAC Cosmetics beauty product, $17 / MAC Cosmetics face powder / MAC Cosmetics spray makeup, $39

   

Laura Mercier radiance bronze primer

MAC Worldly wealth

Too Faced Sun bunny bronzer

My five favorite peels& exfoliates

My five favorite peels& exfoliates by raven-erica-alston featuring paraben free skin care

GlamGlow paraben free skin care / Peter Thomas Roth face mask / Kate Somerville face care / Peter Thomas Roth beauty product, $65 / MAC Cosmetics beauty product, $38


Decided to share with you all a few of my favorite peels and exfoliates. I love exfoliating and all five of these peels/masks/exfoliates aid with brightening dull skin. They also aid with break-outs and removing dead skin which is so important. The Glam Glow is my recent favorite( it just came out) I applied it on one of my friends and the difference one use made on he skin was unbelievable. Will  post before and after pictures soon

Flawless foundation routine

Flawless foundation routine by raven-erica-alston featuring beautyblender

Laura mercier makeup / Nars cosmetic, $52 / MAC Cosmetics face powder / Beautyblender makeup / Nars cosmetic, $31 / M·A·C Fix + 150 m

L

Hey hey!

 So I know it's been awhile but I'm bringing you guys my new favorite foundation review . Lately I have been wearing the Nars Sheer Glow foundation in Cadiz which I love!!!!!! Idk what took me so long to try it out but I'm glad I finally did. It is so light weight but provides a great coverage, the shade matches me perfectly and gives me a nice natural finish. I apply it with a beauty blender or a airbrush pro brush from Sephora( I like the beauty blender better). I spray the BB with MACs. Fix+ spray which provides my foundation with a dewy healthy look. Of course I still use the nars radiance concealer in biscuit( old time fav.) and I still use the MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in medium dark. If you have normal skin , I definitely recommend you try this foundation( if you're looking for a medium coverage foundation). 

I used MACs stereo rose as a highlight and MACs sensual sparks lipstick/cork lip liner and Marc Jacobs sweet escape gloss.

MAC Stereo Rose review

I finally got it!!!!!! Stereo rose that is. I've been wanting this product for awhile( since it came out with a collection in 2013) and I finally stopped being cheap and dished out the $31( I am a broke college student) and I'm so glad I did. This mineralized skin finish is the perfect peach highlight and blush( for certain complexions). 

I did a ton of research on SR to see if it would look nice on me( a woman of color) and after not seeing too many reviews I figured why not be one of the first ( I'm sure there are done out there lol)

Enjoy the pictures! And follow me on Instagram : cosmomars

In sunlight 

Sharon and Kelly Osborne for MAC-June 2014

Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to June!

Update: expect three lippies and two eyeshadow quads as well as a pendulum liner and pretty blushes

Viva Glam Riri Lipstick/gloss review

So I finally gave in and purchased the new Rihanna+ viva glam lipstick and gloss duo(proceeds do go to the MAC aids fund) and I must admit I like the two a lot. I know I always talk about how I'm over red lip sticks but this particular one has a nice frost/metallic-esq finish to it( it is a frost lipstick) and the lipgloss is a gorgeous, pigmented red lipgloss with sparkles that really looks good on its on but adds that spice when worn with the lipstick. 

This lippie would suit just about all complexions and can be purchased in all MAC stores, online and MAC counters.

Lipstick is $16

Lipgloss is $15

My favorite bronzers

My favorite bronzers by raven-erica-alston featuring MAC Cosmetics

Too faced cosmetic / MAC Cosmetics cheek bronzer

/ Nars cosmetic, $42 

My favorite bronzers of 2013. 

1.Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer

2.Rihanna for MAC Love,Rihanna bronzer

3.Nars Casino

4. MAC Blunt Blush

Mascaras You Must Try

Mascaras You Must Try by raven-erica-alston featuring make up for ever

MAKE UP FOR EVER / Too Faced Cosmetics evening eye makeup / Benefit eye makeup / MAC Cosmetics waterproof mascara

Summer Beauty Tips!

Goooooood Morning Loves!

  It is the 6th day of summer and it has been really hot. Normally, during the summer I stay away from make-up unless I'm going out but since I work at Sephora, I have to wear it everyday.

Don't get me wrong, I love make-up but me+ make-up + summer= oil field day on my face! Then you have to worry about it running, or accidentally wiping it off when you wipe sweat from your face smh, it's just a whole episode BUT I have done lovely tips for you guys so keep reading!

First, water! Water! Water! To keep your body and skin hydrated.

Next, after properly cleansing your face, moisturizer whether you have oily skin or not. Moisturizing is for us oily skin girls too, as long as you use an OIL FREE moisturizer( make sure it has SPF)

After moisturizing, PRIME! Prepping and priming your skin if you do decide to wear make up is uuber important because the primer will give you a long lasting outcome( matte primers are better in the summer)

Opt out of foundation unless your going somewhere special. This spring/ summer I've been wearing BB creams because they're light coverage, but does the job( I SET it with Powder and use concealer)

CC creams are similar to BB creams( provides more coverage).

After, you set your face LIGHTLY with a powder or bronzer( LIGHTLY)

Lastly you set your face with a make-up setting spray to seal your summer ready look.

 If you want a little eye make-up to set your look I recommend a waterproof brown eyeliner and waterproof mascara( brown because if it runs, no raccoon eyes).

And can't forget lips, in the summer I don't like wearing lipstick nor do I like carrying it around in my purse so it could melt. Lipgloss is also a no go because it can cook on your lips if its hot enough. I say go for a lip stain( sephora has a great one) or a tinted spf lip balm if you want some color.

And as a maybe product( I love it)

Face blotting linens will be your BFF. These linens will not wipe your make up off if you dab and not wipe.  The absorb the oil in your skin while keeping make up fresh.

Hope this helped you some. Any questions comment or follow me on Instagram Cosmomars and twitter cosmomars_

RiRi hearts MAC Summer Collection

According to my sources, RIRI <3's MAC second release which will consist of 3 lipsticks, luster drops and a bronzer/blush duo is set to release June 6th (ONLINE ONLY) and yes RIRi Woo will be released again. 

I have attached pictures and descriptions for you lovely people! Kisses and stay tuned for more tea on her Fall and Holiday collections.

5 Spring Beauty Essentials

5 Spring Beauty Essentials by raven-erica-alston featuring urban decay eyeshadow

1, BB (beauty balm) cream are a spring must have, they provide a light coverage so that your skin can still breathe, add a powder and your face is set. 2, color eyeliner will make your eyes pop w/o the work of eyeshadow. 3, a volumnizing mascara that will make those lashes pop 4. A pretty pastel lipstick and 5. A neutral eyeshadow palette