Fusion Beauty Blog by Product Expert Heather Boswell

Red Delicious

I just got my After Hours BlingFusion, our limited edition color for the holidays and it is spectacular. I have always said that you really must have a good red in your makeup wardrobe, especially for the holiday season and this red is so wearable. No matter what your skin tone, you are going to love it. Even us girls who tend to stick to neutrals for every day look absolutely ravishing in this sheer apple red. It is simply delicious! Not sure what to wear to the party? Combine your LBD with After Hours and you'll be on the holiday best dressed list for the most kissable lips and most exquisite accessory. And with our showstopping blinged wand you'll be the center of attention. This truly is an under-the-mistletoe must have.

Just Skip It

I've been skipping my eyeliner lately during the day and I am really surprised at the number of comments I am getting from friends...and they are all positive! I would not have dreamed of going anywhere without eyeliner even 5 years ago but I must admit I like the fresh, clean look for day. My eyes just look more open and awake. I do have to make sure I don't forget to use Eye Lift before bed so that when I wake up in the morning the puffiness and wrinkles are reduced. And, with two coats of LashFusion on top and one on the bottom I am ready to fly out the door. No liner, no shadow. It's tough to take that first step. I've been wearing both for as long as I can remember but after about a week of doing this I am really happy with the look and when people say I look younger and more rested...well, that's all I need. Give it a try and you may be surprised at how many people think you look better with less. Bonus: It takes less time to apply AND when you do use liner and shadow for a special event it looks so dramatically different - you make a real statement with your makeup.

Looking forward to Fall

Going on vacation is wonderful but I always love coming home. I think I feel the same way about Fall. Although I LOVE just about everything about Summer by mid August I seem to be ready for Fall. It can be such a beautiful time of year. And although the fun beachy, barely there makeup and clothes of Summer are relaxed and easy, there is just something about the Fall fashion mags that gets me excited. Always so fresh and new, offering vibrant edgy color options and the newest looks in makeup and clothes. Year after year, it has become a tradition for me to pick up the super thick Fall Mag editions and pour over them making mental notes of what I love and what will work best for me. So much to look at but if you have a pretty good sense of what your style is there is always something for everyone. Change can be good. I welcome it and use this time to try a new lip color, experiment with a new makeup look and change up my products a bit. It can be as simple as switching out our Summer gloss for a bolder color or texture, like a rich, creamy liquid lipstick. After months of sheer, glistening summer makeup I am so ready for a more matte look. I absolutely LOVE the versatility of brightening minerals for subtly perfected, flawless skin that has a velvety finish but is also hydrated. I still complete my look with a bronzer (I use it all year) but take care to apply more like a blusher on the apples of the cheeks,  so I have that healthy, refreshed look like I just came in from a brisk walk..oh that sounds nice. And I'll be wearing the amazing  jacket and sexy boots I saw in a magazine today. Oh..and a shiny new bag in rich purple! And I will definitely need a big cozy scarf...and gloves.....and new sunglasses...See you in September!

I want to look good and I want it FAST!

When I am applying makeup for one of my clients it is not uncommon for me to take up to a hour to complete this procedure and I enjoy every minute. I love to watch as the look emerges and my client gazes approvingly at her new reflection in the mirror. I always say I've done my job when a client can't stop looking at herself! Great problem to have right?! Now, when it comes to doing my OWN face I am all about an "efficient" application so I spend the least amount of time possible in front of the mirror. I just want to get on with other things. I guess it's partially because I am busier now and because I have two kids so I just can't spend the time I used to getting ready. It's kind of funny that I used to take MUCH longer pre-kids but I think now I get a prettier result in less time. Maybe less is more. Or maybe it's just that I have perfected the process with the right multitasking products. I'm not sure but I do know that if you have told me ten years ago that I had 10 minutes to do my makeup for an event, I'd laugh in your face. Now, its totally doable.

After my shower and brushing my teeth I apply LipFusion XL then spot treat my lines and wrinkles with LiftFusion and EyeLift and let it work while I blow dry my hair. I mix my brightening minerals and fluid foundation together (2 to 3 pumps of each) activate on fingertips and apply to my entire face and neck. Then eyebrows go on (2 seconds), a light dusting of brightening minerals on entire face to even out the skin tone and a quick sweep of Radiance on lids and cheekbones. Brows, eyeliner and a brownish crease color on the eyes takes about 2 or 3 minutes and then I finish my eyes with mascara. Two coats of LashFusion on top, one coat bottom. I would say that takes about a minute (maybe two). I then brush my bronzer onto apples of cheeks, across nose and under the jaw line (I find I look slimmer when I contour under the jaw), then I finish with a plumping  pencil and gloss or my liquid lipstick. There you have it. Under ten minutes and that is what I consider to be a "full makeup" so whether you see me in the supermarket or on television that is what I am wearing on my face. Pretty simple and VERY efficient!

Tattoo You

I took my kids to the dollar store the other day for some fun Summer toys and we picked up temporary tattoos. They wanted some crazy dragon creatures but I also picked up a package with "girlie" tattoos of flowers, butterflies, suns etc. The kids had a  blast putting them all over but I selected a couple of realistic looking ones for my ankle, a flower garland arm band and a sun for around my belly button. I've had them on for a few days now. They actually last really well and nobody is questioning whether they are real or not . At the beach, they look so awesome with none of the tattoo regret!  My kids think it is totally cool that their hobo chic mom is sporting tattoos and I have to say that I think my husband is finding it a bit sexy too!

You Can Leave Your Hat On

If you don't have a great summer hat yet I highly recommend you pick one up. One with a nice wide brim and in a pretty straw that goes with everything. This is such an essential summer beauty accessory. I picked one up last year and will have to replace it soon because I am wearing it every day. Here are the top reasons why you need a great summer hat:

1. Of course for sun protection for your face/ears/neck but also to protect your hair from bleaching out.
2. Speaking of your hair - NOTHING fixes bad beach hair like a super cool straw cowboy hat. Nobody needs to know how bad the hair underneath looks!
3. Bendy straw hats can be flattened for packing, scrunched for a casual look and straightened out for a more dramatic look. Make sure you get one that can be "molded".
4. Designer sunglasses and a big hat - How Hollywood ! Look like a celeb in 2 seconds flat. Add a summer scarf oversized bag and iced coffee and people will be trying to guess who you are!
5. It's all about the attitude - I'm not sure why it is but the second you put a hat on you just feel different. More confident and cool. It pulls every look together even if all you're wearing is a bikini.

MAKEUP MAKEOVER IV

Today will turn our attention to mascara. The rule : Sorry girls,  after three months, it's time to go. Pumping the wand into the tube adds air to the product, drying it out and promoting bacterial growth. I used to have a drawer full because I could never find one that covered all the bases. And have you ever tried one of those double ended mascaras with the white stuff on one end that you have to wait to dry before applying the color? Ugh!  Now, I have ONE mascara...I think you know which one it is. It's weather resistant, water resistant, conditioning, strengthening, thickening, lengthening and the color is totally rich. I wear it everywhere. I went fishing with my kids last weekend. Had my mascara on. (of course!) Swimming...yup. To the gym, you bet. I would say the only time I don't wear mascara is when I go to sleep. Oh and by the way...I am a huge fan of the makeup remover wipe. Takes my LashFusion off in two seconds.

Ahhh...that does feel better. Everything is nice and new in pretty, clean packages and I can actually SEE what I have. Because it's all about beauty right? My quality products look beautiful in the drawer and in my organized makeup bag that I am not ashamed to pull out of my handbag. And..I use every carefully selected item. (because if you can't find them you won't use them and if you don't use them they don't work!)

MAKEUP MAKEOVER III

Powdered products can last for over a year so I have a little flexibility here. I am choosing two blushes and 6 eyeshadows on top of the stuff I use every day. Now the criteria here is that they have to be something I have used in the last 6 months. Done.  One pink mosaic and one peachy coral. Now here is the tough part. Eyeliner pencils and cream shadows are only good for 6 months! Hardly enough time to use them. I am keeping black, brown and grey liners and everything else, all those fun colors that I thought I would wear but never have...gone! I only have one cream shadow in a bisque color so yay, I get to keep it.

Almost done....Finally the lips. Have you ever noticed that we tend to buy the same color over and over again in different packaging and different consistencies? Most women do. We are naturally attracted to colors that look good on us (in clothing too) so if you find you have lots of one shade then it is likely a good one for you. This step is easy for me. I haven't used lipstick in 3 years. Not one. And this statement from a makeup artist who collected every lipstick color on earth...just in case. I got rid of any unused tubes to my sister, my mom and some girlfriends but since they only last one to two years before they should be disposed of I threw the rest away. I have my favorite LipFusion Color Shines, a few pencils and two Liquid Lipsticks. These are great because they are like having your plumper, lipstick, lip pencil and gloss all in one. Hooray for the ultimate multi-tasker!

MAKEUP MAKEOVER II

Happy 4th of July!!

Okay we're on day two of our makeup make-over and today I have to sort out the stuff that I DON'T use every day. Should be easy right? Easy to determine what I don't use but how to decide what to throw away? Starting with Foundation. I do have a couple colors kicking around because I used to switch up my foundation every season before I started using my current foundation with customized color that activates to my perfect shade. (So easy) I seem to have wow, 3 bottles here. Cha-ching! That's a huge amount of money I am now saving but throwing them away? Here's the rule: Upon opening, liquid foundation has a shelf life of one year. Keep sponges, brushes or your fingertips clean when applying to prevent contamination. Bye bye. All three bottles are over a year old. At least I won't be making that mistake anymore.

Moving on to powder. I have a translucent powder here. Not using it anymore because I switched up to  SkinFusion mineral powder so I am getting mineral benefits at the same time. You know me...always the mulit-tasker. If I am using a powder then it had better do more than just give color. So, although powders can be stored for up to 2 years, I NEVER use this so it is gone. Same goes for my old bronzer. I can't remember the last time I used it. Again, I have switched to a bronzer with vitamin and anti-oxidant benefits as well as great color so this old one just won't cut it. Into the bin it goes.

Next time we will get into color...lips and eyes. Do we really need 5000 colors?

MAKEUP MAKEOVER

Well, it’s July. Finished your Spring Cleaning? Yeah, me neither! Although I have read a few articles on how to de-clutter, simplify, feng shui or whatever term you choose to use to perfect your home or closet. Haven't DONE it yet but I think I may start with my makeup drawer...well drawers actually as it seems to be spilling over into any available storage space I have in my bathroom.

Today we will start by PRIORITIZING. You know, sorting out the stuff you use every day and can't live without. This should be easy because it is likely right on top. Okay, I've got my maintenance products: LiftFusion, SkinFusion Brightener and LipFusion XL. Then for my daily makeup routine: foundation, powder, brow powder, eye shadow, liner, lash treatment, blusher and bronzer, lip pencil and plumper and an assortment of lip colors. Done.

Everything else is going into the "to be sorted" pile and I will deal with it "tomorrow". Hmmm...coffee smells good. Think I'll take a break.