Friday, May 29, 2015

Maskcara IIID Foundation Review


I am kind of obsessed with subtle contouring. Being that I am so fair, I’m not into the whole Kim Kardashian look. I have a pear-shaped face, which means that I have a strong jaw and defined cheekbones. I can definitely get by without the extra work of contouring, but I love the definition it adds to my face.

I have been a follower of Maskcara for several years, and when she announced her IIID Foundation, I knew I had to get my hands on it:
"Our premier one of a kind IIID Foundation enhances skin tone, camouflages blemishes and dark circles, sculpts features, and creates the 'perfect lighting' on your face all in one application."
I am slightly jealous. It has always been a crazy dream of mine to create my own beauty product, and she did it! That takes guts! I finally got my hands on the product about a month ago.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Boho Side Braid Festival Hair Tutorial


With music festival season in full swing, everyone is scrambling to come up with their best look to stay stylish and comfy throughout their events. This bohemian braid is quick, chic, and easy to maintain around those wild crowds.

Monday, May 25, 2015

The Best High-End Face Primers


If there is one thing I could go back and tell my 19-year-old self, it would be: “Stop spending so much money on pizza and beer (love, your waist), and invest in a high-end primer (love, your face)." Primer has become a must-have in my beauty collection. At one time, I could have three or four different primers in rotation at once. As much as I love a deal, I will splurge on primer time and time again. My top five contenders are:


Friday, May 22, 2015

Illamasqua Lipstick Review & Swatches


Those of you that know me are well aware of my obsession with Hautelook. I get the majority of my makeup on their website, for a fraction of the cost you'd pay elsewhere. When I saw that Hautelook would be featuring an Illamasqua sale event a few weeks ago, I immediately set my alarm and began doing research on all of the brand's products and shades. I've been hearing rave reviews about Illamasqua for years, and I was not about to pass up the chance to try out a few of their famous lipsticks on the cheap.

So fast-forward to today: my highly-hyped new goodies have finally arrived. Since I'm sure many of you are just as curious about Illamasqua's lipstick quality as I was, I decided to put together a quick review and swatch. Read on to learn my thoughts on Illamasqua's lipstick line!

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The Best Sunscreen for Your Skin Type


It’s that time of year again, when the sun shines in all its radiance and beauty. However, the sun is harmful to our own beauty. As much as we may covet those tan lines from our itty-bitty bikinis, that short-term glow can cause serious long-term damage.  But this is nothing new, right? Nothing we don’t already know. We have been told time and time again that those UV rays are damaging, especially with a thinning ozone layer. We’ve been told to watch our sun exposure, especially from 10 am to 3 pm. And we have definitely been told to wear sunscreen every single day.

You may be one of the many who drop by the lotions section at your grocery store and pick up a can or bottle of sunscreen without a second glance. “It’s just sunscreen, right? It’ll be good for my skin.” But the truth is, all sunscreens are not created equal. What if there are some sunscreens that are a better fit for your skin and protect you in the best way possible?

Your skin is what you live with every day, and it is more important than ever to keep it looking its best. However, not all skin is the same. We have fair skin, dark, sensitive skin, allergies, age spots, the list goes on and certainly has the potential to be somewhat overwhelming. Don’t worry girlfriend, here are some tips to help you choose, with some examples of what can benefit you the most in today’s sun-protecting market.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Game Changers at the Drugstore


Drugstore cosmetics often work just as well if not better than high-end products. I'm always looking for the next holy-grail item in the drugstore brands, and today I will be sharing my thoughts on some of the newest or most-hyped drugstore products out there. Read on to find out which items are serious game changers, and which ones need to be benched for good.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Make A Splash Makeup Tutorial


Summer is the time to be bold and bronzed. One color that I tend to shy away from in the makeup world is blue. I don’t really feel like channeling my inner Mimi on a daily basis, but being bold means taking risks. At $34, Urban Decay’s Ammo Eyeshadow Palette is the perfect palette for this look. It features some serious pops of color, with lots of everyday shades to balance things out as well. Whether you’re a natural girl or a trendsetter, this makeup look will definitely help you make a splash this summer!

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

How I Finally Cleared My Skin of Acne


I've had acne for as long as I can remember. It all started when I was a preteen. I had just started wearing makeup, and had no idea what a skincare routine was. So I piled on makeup, never considering the clogged pores and subsequent acne it would leave behind. My acne is also more than likely a genetic predisposition, as it has followed me into my mid-20’s. After all my acne treatment missteps over the years, I have finally found a solution that cleared up my skin. Read on to learn about my journey to clear skin, and the simple product that changed everything. 

Monday, May 11, 2015

The Best Naked Palette Dupes


I have a confession to make. My name is Sarah, and I am a neutral eyeshadow palette addict. While some may simply see brown or tan, I see an endless array of nudes, champagnes, bronzes, and creams. Whether it's a matte, frost, satin, pearl, velvet, or metallic finish, I want it all. So needless to say, over the years I have accumulated quite the collection of neutral shadows. One of my all-time holy-grails is Urban Decay's Naked Palette. However, at $54, the Naked Palette certainly isn't cheap. And since my neutral palette obsession began, I have discovered quite a few alternatives that are comparable in both color selection and quality. Read on to learn all my best budget-friendly dupes!

Friday, May 8, 2015

How To Get the Perfect Beachy Waves


When you think of hairstyles in the summer, you probably think simple and beachy. And I know when I think beachy, I think waves (the hair kind). However, yanking out the curling iron, waiting for it to heat up, then taking the time to curl every single piece of hair can be very time consuming. So today, I’m going to share with you my fast and easy method for beachy waves. This hairstyle takes me less than 10 minutes to do. It's my go-to look especially in the spring and summer. Loose curls give you that beach bombshell look, yet it's still appropriate to wear for a more formal affair like a business meeting or a nice dinner.

Here's what you'll need to achieve this look:

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Beauty BAR-gains: Mascara vs. Mascara


Once upon a time, there was a girl who thought using any mascara was fine. That there were no worries to be had with using just any mascara at all to make her lashes appear longer, fuller, and more lustrous. Then one day a fairy godmother surprised her with Diorshow Extase Mascara, and since then, she has lived happily ever after.

Now what this dear fairy godmother did not tell her, was that she did not need to spend $30 on her prized mascara every three months. She could indeed find another quality mascara to give her the same sha-zam look and feel at a cheaper price. What is this lovely cheaper-but-not-sacrificing-quality-mascara you ask? Why, it could only be...

Monday, May 4, 2015

DIY Bath Bombs



Over the past few years, it seems bath bombs have been popping up at every skincare and spa retailer out there. With their soothing scents and fun fizzy effect, it's no wonder bath bombs are such a huge hit. But why waste time or money at the store when you can make your own bath bombs at home? Gather up a few common household ingredients, along with your favorite essential oils, and settle in for the best soak of your life with this simple DIY.

Friday, May 1, 2015

How to Melt-Proof Your Summer Makeup Routine


Spring is here and summer is coming, which means if you’re an oily skin girl (or boy), then you need to bring on the oil control. This is especially important for those of you who live in humid areas, because…well, let’s be honest even living in a beautiful and tropical place is not all that glamorous when your makeup is running off your face. I myself have super oily skin. You’ll hear me refer to my face as an oil slick sometimes. Yep, it gets that bad. But hey they say oily skin ages better, right? 

Well, it’s taken me “ages” to find a perfect routine for my oily skin. It really is a combination of products that help control the oil as a team. So, here you will find a 5 step routine that is bound to keep you shine free.  Keep in mind everyone’s skin is different. My oily skin is different than yours, and your oily skin is probably different than the next. Use a trial and error method of different oil control products and I promise you’ll find a routine (maybe even 4 or 5 routines like myself) that will keep you looking matte and flawless all day long.

Letter From the Editor






I know I speak for everyone on The Beauty Bar team when I say— the weeks leading up to this launch have been filled with an increasing level of excitement and anticipation. We have set lofty goals for ourselves, and achieving these goals will be no small undertaking. You see, we do not want to be just another beauty blog. We want to be a community. A place for all women to share their unique insights on beauty, and to grow in their own experience and knowledge.

Our team of contributors— beauty bartenders as we like to affectionately call them, each bring their own distinct voice. Some are industry professionals, while others are simply spectators. Some hail from the west, while others call the east coast their home. Some are seasoned bloggers, while others are just getting started. However, the one thing that unites our contributors is their passion for all things beauty. 

Here at The Beauty Bar, you can expect to find tutorials, reviews, DIYs, curated collections, editorials, advice, and so much more. The most important piece of our content, however, is you. The Beauty Bar thrives on community engagement and conversation. In order to have truly candid, ground-breaking discussion, we need you to talk back. 

Just like your local bar serves as a place for the community to get together, The Beauty Bar aims to bring together an online community of enthusiastic individuals to make beauty fun and accessible. I hope you'll stay tuned as we strive towards this ideal.

Always,







Twitter: @SarahBreden | Instagram: @SarahBreden 

Photo Source: Sephora
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