Blacksburg Belle

  • Home
  • New? Start Here!
  • FAQ
  • Shop
    • Courses
    • Get My Book
    • Sunday Society
  • Speaking
  • About
  • Connect
  • Blog

My Video Makeup Essentials

- March 14, 2018 | by April -

“Why do you have to wear makeup at all? Why can’t you be just you? I think there’s something wrong with women who have to pile on the makeup for videos and photos they put online.”

This was a rude response (also known as glam shaming…thank you, The Bachelor, for teaching me that) I got a couple years ago when I published a blog post about my video essentials that included makeup as one of the essentials.

I stand by that essential.

Video washes you out.

I also happen to believe that you’re a lot more confident on video (or during a photoshoot) when you feel your best.

Most video production companies agree. It’s why they employ a makeup and hair stylist (such as CreativeLive).

When you’re creating content for your business, you should make a damn effort. That means rolling out of bed and brushing your hair isn’t acceptable.

And, if you think I’m being sexist, this isn’t just for women. Lots of guys wear makeup for video, too. The shadows under their eyes are a lot more pronounced on camera and that zit…hello! It’s as if it’s flashing at us when the camera rolls.

Most people are more nervous in front of a camera.

If a video-anxious person is wearing an outfit that flatters her figure, is having a great hair day and feels like her makeup makes her look like the best version of herself, she’s going to have a lot less jitters when filming.

It’s also less likely that she’ll be screaming at her computer screen, “Why didn’t you swipe on some bronzer and mascara?” every other minute during the editing process.

And, she’s more likely to actually upload it on YouTube and tell human beings, not just her cat Jiffy, that it’s available for their viewing pleasure. (BYOP…Bring Your Own Popcorn!)

If you agree with me at this point and want to know my video makeup essentials, keep reading! I even created a watercolor download including all my favs.

If you still want to hold up one of your fingers in my direction (and I don’t mean your pinky or pointer), you should probably come back next week when I talk about something different.

Below I share my video makeup essentials. These are the products I use 95% of the time I film videos.

I’m not saying you need these many things.

I’m a girly girl. My belly does a little excited flip when I check out the new items on Sephora’s website. I watch beauty YouTube videos in the evening and could spend an entire day perusing the aisles of Ulta. (For one of my mom’s birthdays, I took her to Ulta for a shopping spree. We had the most amazing time!)

But that’s me. It might not be you.

You can do a ton with a high-quality bronzer, concealer and mascara. Or, you could get a bit fancier by adding a foundation, brow product and lip gloss into your routine. Or, you could take it up a notch and add the other items from my list and more.

The thing about makeup is that it should be fun. Experiment with it. Do what feels comfortable to you.

If you don’t usually wear makeup, you might want to stick with making sure that you’re not washed out on video with some bronzer on your cheeks, around your hairline and under your jawline. If you have dark circles under your eyes, add a bit of concealer to brighten them up. Everything else, including a swipe of mascara to make your eyes pop, is up to you.

You can decide to keep your makeup look very natural or a glam it up Kim K style with a smokey eye and full false lashes. Enjoy it!

(Download this FREE PDF Here)

With that said, here are MY video makeup essentials and why I adore each product:

1. Becca First Light Priming Filter Face Primer

A face primer can do different things: make your makeup stay on longer, even out your skin tone, hydrate your skin, make your skin less red, etc. I’ve tried many primers and this is the only one I’ve purchased multiple times, because it’s the only one that makes a huge difference to the way my foundation wears all day.

This face primer has a purple tint, but it doesn’t look purple on your face. When you put it on, it looks luminous. It makes your face come alive. For me, it hydrates my face without adding any access oils because I don’t need them and it evens my skintone. It also increases the longevity of my foundation. I wear this primer everyday but I would never skip this primer on a video or photo day.

And, if you think this is only for women in their thirties, think again. I’ve gotten my mom hooked on it. She’s already gone through an entire bottle.

2. Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation (or Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation)

My go-to foundation is the Diorskin spray, because it’s light while covering most of what needs to be covered. It’s pretty longwearing and works for my combination skin. I do get a bit oily on my chin and forehead after about four hours but I use powder to get rid of it. If you don’t have many blemishes and want something you can see your skin through, this is a great foundation. DON’T spray it directly on your skin even though it says that you can. Spray it on a brush and then apply it to your skin. Even with this application, I get my foundation on within seconds.

If I have more than one or two blemishes or I need my makeup to last and look pretty much like new for more than 8 hours, I use the Lancome long wear foundation. This foundation is amazing in that it lasts ALL DAY no matter what. I can take a nap…a flight…whatever…and it lasts. I’ve worn this foundation from 5am to 11pm and it still looked pretty darn good at 11pm with a couple touch ups throughout the day. I put this foundation on with a damp beauty blender. I’ve tried a brush, but a damp beauty blender gives you full coverage while still looking as natural as I’ve ever seen a full coverage foundation look before.

3. Makeup Brushes

I use a variety of makeup brushes that I’ve collected. Most of my favorites are It for Ulta like this one or Morphe like this one.

I use makeup brushes mainly for applying my eyeshadow, my powders and some of my foundations.

4. Beauty Blender

You’ve probably seen that hot pink egg-shaped thing in Sephora or on Instagram on beauty bloggers’ accounts. It’s a beauty blender or in my world, a magical tool that defies all things normal.

I use it to apply the second foundation I talked about above and all concealers. It makes foundations and concealers go on your face looking like skin. I don’t know how it works, but I always have a backup for when my beauty blender hits that ‘I’ve seen better days and need to go’ phase.

If you’re new to beauty blenders, always get it completely wet and then squeeze as much water out of it as possible so that it’s damp before using. I use a paper towel to get a bit more water out of mine before I use it. Also, always buy the hot pink beauty blender. The same company puts out other colors but from my experience, they always perform a bit differently.

If you want a beauty blender dupe because you don’t want to pay $20 for a makeup sponge, try the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. They feel a bit different when you get them wet and use them side-by-side BUT they give a very similar result. The Real Techniques sponge thins the foundation or concealer a little bit more than the beauty blender but it gives you the same effect for only six dollars.

5. NARS Pro-Prime™ Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Just like the face primers above, I’ve tried at least five other eyeshadow primers and this one beats them all. An eyeshadow primer should make your eyeshadow last all day and help your eyeshadow go on and lay smooth. This one works. No matter when I put my eyeshadow on, it still looks great when I go to take it off at the end of the day.

This eyeshadow primer helps when I know I’m not going to film right after doing my makeup or I’m going to film for hours and want my eyeshadow to look the same throughout filming.

6. Viseart Eyeshadow Palette 07 Cool Mattes

I’ve looked for the perfect eyeshadow palette for my coloring and eyes. Because of my coloring (I’m a winter for those of you who know what that means), cool colors work best for me but most companies focus on warm colors because that’s what sells.

The cool mattes palette from Viseart has the best neutrals for me. I’ve already hit pan on the top row! This company is well-known by makeup artists, because the eyeshadows are extremely high-quality. These palettes are pricey but they’re worth it. I use this palette in 97% of my eyeshadow looks and when it comes to it, I will buy it again.

7. Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Pink

I use this under my eyes below my concealer. It’s a light pink color and helps to conceal my dark circles.

Those of you who take a lot of medication for your chronic illness know that it’s tough on your liver and it shows up by giving you really dark circles under your eyes (even when you sleep well).

Before I found this color corrector, my dark circles were still evident underneath my concealer even though I use a full coverage concealer. Now, even when my dark circles are at their worst, they just peek through.

If you have this issue but you’re darker in skin tone than me, get the peach color instead of the pink. I tried the peach color first, but it was way too dark for my vampire skin.

8. Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer

Speaking of concealer, I use the Tarte Shape Tape concealer under my eyes. I’ve never met a better concealer at covering up my dark circles without sinking into my fine lines or being really dry.

Most of the full coverage concealers I tried before this one were crumbly and dry or they sank right into my fine lines. Basically, they all made me look a lot older. This one doesn’t as long as I apply it with a damp beauty blender.

9. NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer

You might be thinking…”wait a second…another concealer?”

Yes! The Tarte Shape Tape concealer is awesome for an under eye concealer but not so much when it comes to covering up a blemish. That’s where this NARS concealer comes into play.

Like many other things on this list, I’ve tried a bunch of blemish concealers and this one hides your blemish without shouting, “hey, here’s a big glob of concealer!” I can’t ever tell where I’ve put it when I’m editing a video, because it blends with everything else.

10. Cinema Secrets Ultralucent Setting Powder

Where ever I put concealer (under my eyes, blemishes, to highlight, etc.), I set it down with this powder. And, if I use the Dior Spray foundation I set my entire face with this powder or else it feels a bit sticky and everything won’t stay in place all day.

When I put a small amount of powder on top, it sets everything and creates a smooth canvas for bronzer, contour powder, blush, etc. You don’t want to put something like contour powder on top a semi-wet or sticky cheek unless you want the contour powder to look blotchy.

11. Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Contour Powder in Light

This is one of those extra steps that can make a huge difference on video. Contour powder helps you to define the features of your face. I use it to sculpt my cheekbones, because I have a round face. Contouring makes your face look thinner on video. YAY!

12. Too Faced Sweethearts Bronzer

After I contour my cheeks, I use a big bronzer brush and this bronzer to blend it out a bit.

I struggled for years to find a bronzer that didn’t make me look like an Oompa Loompa, because I’m cool-toned. I searched and searched and ended up giving away a lot of bronzers to friends and family. Finally, I found this adorable, heart-shared bronzer. I immediately bought three of them in case they got discontinued.

If you’re cooler toned like I am and always feel like bronzers are a bit too orange for you, try this one. You’ll love it. Because I’m pale, I mainly use the lighter side.

13. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Collection in Ethereal Glow

If you use a light hand and add just a bit of color to your cheeks, this is another step that will make a big difference on video.

The Hourglass blushes are less pigmented than most so I find them easier to use. You have less chance of looking like a clown.

Tip: Just use a little bit and blend, blend, blend.

14. Anastasia Beverly Hills Sugar Glow Kit

After I’ve contoured, bronzed and put on blush, I highlight. If you don’t know a lot about makeup, this is when you put highlighter on the high points of your cheeks…and if you want to really go for it, the point of your nose and your cupid’s bow.

My favorite highlighter right now is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Sugar Glow Kit. Because of my coloring, I’m only able to use two of the four colors as highlighters. But I use the other two colors as eyeshadows.

These highlighters are not for you if you’re going for the ‘you can barely see this because it’s so natural’ look. These are ‘bah-bam, in your face’ highlighters which I prefer for video.

15. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo

If you’ve never filled in your eyebrows, try it. It’ll rock your world. It gives your face so much more definition and makes your eyes stand out.

I never film a video without filling in my eyebrows and 95% of the time, I use this brow powder to fill them in.

16. Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes™ Waterproof Mascara

If I could recommend just a few makeup products for you to use when filming videos, mascara would be one of them. We’ve all seen before and afters of women with and without mascara. It’ll enhance your beautiful eyes.

I love this mascara because it adds a lot of volume and helps to keep my eyelashes curled which are both important when I don’t wear fake lashes when I’m filming. The other reason I prefer this mascara is because I have watery eyes and this mascara never ever runs. I just bought my fifth tube of this mascara this week.

17. False Lashes

I don’t wear false lashes normally, but I often do when filming videos. I notice a big difference when I wear them. My eyes are bolder and they look bigger and I feel prettier in the video.

The thing is you look different on video than you do in person. When I look at myself in the mirror with  false lashes on, I often prefer my natural lashes. But, when I’m filming and editing a video, I think it looks much better when I’m wearing falsies.

My favorites are not over-the-top, but the natural Ardell lashes that are #110.

18. Lorac Alter Ego Lipstick in Beach Babe

I fell in love with light nude color the first time I swiped it on my lips. This isn’t the only lipstick that I wear in videos. Sometimes, I’ll wear a red or berry or another nude. But since I’ve gotten this lipstick, I’ve worn it in 90% of my videos because it goes with every makeup look and every outfit. It’s the perfect nude for my coloring.

19. Lip Gloss

Not counting dark lips, like red or berry lips, I prefer shiny lips in video. Whenever I’m wearing a nude lipstick like the one I listed above, I put on a lip gloss. I’m not including a specific product because the one I love most has been discontinued. Any light or translucent lip gloss you have would work. I use something very similar to my nude lipstick or a colorless lip gloss.

(Download this FREE PDF Here)

There you have it…my video makeup essentials.

These are the products I almost always use when I prepare to film.

This is personal preference. Do what makes you feel beautiful. These products make me feel my best which help me to be confident in front of the camera.

Do you have a video makeup essential? Leave it in the comments below!

Would you like me to do a similar post about skin care products–like masks, moisturizers, skin primers, eye lotions, and things like that I use before filming or taking photos? If so, let me know in the comments.

37 Comments · Filed Under: Marketing

Comments

  1. MARIA ZILAKOU says

    March 15, 2018 at 3:29 am

    Great post as always, April!!! Yes, please, do tell us more about skin products that you use before filming!!! Hugs from Greece!

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 12:28 pm

      Thanks Maria! I’m planning a skincare post…YAY!

      Reply
  2. Anke says

    March 15, 2018 at 5:40 am

    Lovely post! Please do tell us about the skin stuff as well!

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 12:28 pm

      Thank you! YAY…I’ll definitely put together a skincare-related post.

      Reply
  3. Charmaine says

    March 15, 2018 at 6:22 am

    April, I’m not a make up girl at all. Even in the 60s and 70s when everyone else was wearing white lipstick and heavy eyeliner, I couldn’t bring myself to go there.However, it’s 6:15 AM and when I read the intro to this post in my email, I laughed out loud and had to read the rest! Now that I’ve started teaching on Skillshare, I guess I’ll have to brush up (pun intended!)on those make up skills! The last time I wore that much makeup was for my daughter’s wedding when I had it applied at the salon and I have to admit that I still love the way I looked in those photos! Thanks for the tips and recommendations…and my morning giggles!

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 12:29 pm

      YAY…I’m glad you laughed and didn’t take it too seriously. I love sharing makeup tips…glad you found it helpful.

      Reply
  4. Allison Dey says

    March 15, 2018 at 7:44 am

    I have to absolutely agree with April on this. I am not a make-up girl. Like, as in, I don’t own any and haven’t for many years. None. But I did study film and theater at college and I know what stage lights and film and video do to colors, especially skin tone. We’ve come a long way with cameras, but they will never get colors just right. They turn a three dimensional image into a two dimensional image and the loss of 3D does something to the range of perceivable color. Now put that image through the camera, your laptop or device’s processor (turning that information into code, sending it to another device that has to interpret that code through it’s own system’s capacity, and back out a screen that has limitations and specs that may be very different from how you looked in the first place. I’m one of those “make-up and glam is a symptom of the subjugation of women” people from the 70s, but guess what? If you want to do theater or film? You need make-up. It’s just part of the performance process.

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 1:10 pm

      Thanks for adding to the discussion, Allison! Video definitely makes you look 2D.

      Reply
  5. Cathy goodwin says

    March 15, 2018 at 9:12 am

    This is why I refuse to go on camera, even though it costs me. A few years ago I developed an eye condition and my eye doctor recommended not wearing makeup on my lids or lashes. I’ve also observed beautifully made up women fidgeting with their hair, which is totally distracting. And you need nice, white even teeth and a warm smile that shows those teeth. It helps if you cram your feet into stilettos, which have become a symbol of successful women.

    Guys wear a bit of concealer but rarely eye makeup. They appear on camera in wrinkled T-shirts with writing and a face that looks like they forgot to shave. They wear sneakers.

    This isn’t glam-shaming. It’s saying, “what’s wrong with this picture?”

    Reply
    • April says

      March 15, 2018 at 10:32 am

      I disagree with all of this.

      First, I don’t think you should let the inability to wear makeup on your lids or lashes keep you from using videos in your business. You can still use other products. If I were you, I’d curl my lashes since I can’t put mascara on them.

      Second, fidgeting with your hair is all about anxiety…not makeup. These women would fidget no matter what and the only way to get over this is through practice.

      Third, I think dental hygiene is important and does give off an air of professionalism but your teeth don’t need to be perfect.

      Fourth, most of the time, you can’t see someone’s shoes in a video. 90% of the time I’m wearing slippers when I’m filming a video because you can only see me from about the waist up. When you can see my shoes, I’m not always wearing heels. There are lots of cute flats out there.

      Fifth, I don’t many guys that can get away with wearing a wrinkled t-shirt for a professional video. I wouldn’t take advice from that guy. My husband wears suits or collared shirts for his videos. Some guys wear nice t-shirts but they aren’t usually wrinkled. Women can wear nice, comfortable clothes, too.

      I think both women and men should make an effort.

      Reply
    • Amanda Sue says

      March 15, 2018 at 1:14 pm

      I go on camera ALL THE TIME, and believe me my teeth aren’t perfect. Neither is my face. My teeth are crooked, and I *have* attempted braces in the past, but it didn’t work very well.

      My face is asymmetrical, because one eye is more hooded than the other, and my smile is more of a smirk, so it’s lopsided… when I smile, it looks wonky to me, but I do it anyway! And really I notice it more than others.

      I LOVE a good stiletto, but girl that’s not my go-to. My go-to are Converse, Vans, or a badass boot. I love to feel like a rockstar, more than a beauty queen.

      My husband isn’t going to wear suits if he does videos, because he’s a blacksmith, and a mechanic, and rugged suits him. He’d be silly to try and wear a suit for videos. Just like April’s husband can’t do videos in a wife beater.

      Although, if her husband is doing a quickie update from the gym, it’s definitely not going to be in a suit. Context is key. Brand is key.

      Reply
  6. Katie says

    March 15, 2018 at 10:18 am

    I 100% understand the eye circles (which can also be from slight allergies). I’m not a make up person, but I do recognize that minimal things are needed for video – lipstick and eyes. Back when I did wear make up I found it was a revolving circle: the make up caused the blemishes and other things that required makeup in the first place! Cutting that out and focusing on healthy eating did most of the work. Now I just do a bit of powder undereye concealer and people constantly think I am younger than I am. If you do go this route, can you cross reference your suggestions with the EWG Skin Deep database? It looks at all the ingredients and tells you a score based on how bad they are for you … because cosmetics are not regulated AT ALL and there are literally things that will kill you is most brands. It’s the reason I stopped wearing make up in the first place, what you put on your skin gets absorbed – it’s just safer and healthier not to.

    Reply
    • Kelly Harcus says

      March 16, 2018 at 8:56 am

      I love the Skin Deep database, and I’ve recently started using Cruelty Free Kitty too, to check that side of things. I’m trying to find a middle ground, because I got in kind of a funk about it, and stopped wearing anything on my face, but also lost confidence.

      Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      Hey Katie! Thanks for your comment. I believe skincare, what you eat, and hydration are more important than makeup, but that’s not what this post is about. This post isn’t about wearing makeup on a daily basis either. It’s about wearing makeup specifically when filming videos.

      My makeup doesn’t cause blemishes. I actually don’t break out unless I have to take one specific medication or I get my period.

      I don’t feel like it’s my role to address the ingredients in the makeup products, especially because I’m not an expert in that area. If consumers are concerned about that, I believe it’s their responsibility to do the research.

      Reply
  7. Katie says

    March 15, 2018 at 10:28 am

    I shouldn’t have read this because I love makeup so much and now I need that eyeshadow palette!! Also, this watercolor is beyond amazing. I might print it out and frame it.

    My go-to makeup for video (or when I need a confidence boost) is a bright lipstick in red or fuchsia. It makes me feel more exciting, which is a must so I don’t sound robotic on video. A good smokey eye helps too. 🙂

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 1:21 pm

      I love this eyeshadow palette! It’s the best. 🙂

      Thanks for the kind words about my watercolors.

      Reply
  8. Patty McGuire says

    March 15, 2018 at 11:06 am

    I do wear a little extra makeup and fix my hair for certain videos, for sure. I do get irritation from eye makeup that did not used to bother me, so I set myself up to film at least 3 or 4 videos in one session if I know I need on camera stuff. That way I can alter my top and just keep filming. Then edit and publish over the course of the month.

    I do not fix up for every video, because sometimes I just need to get the darn thing filmed….like with some of my recipe or cleaning up videos. I’m not trying to be a cooking show, so I don’t think fixing up to cook my dinner makes sense. Or cleaning or organizing. I’m not going to put on makeup to house clean or work on my yard.

    So I think how much you can get away with depends on the audience and niche. The expectations for older women to make up heavily are a lot less. An older audience most likely doesn’t want to see that if they are coming over to see what you made for dinner or how you cleaned up your kitchen. It would seem contradictory and faked. And people like real on youtube. Now if I was a beauty channel for older women, that’s a different story.

    So I think it is all in the context of who’s watching and what the content is about. Not wearing makeup should not hinder someone from going on camera. So I would like to reply to Cathy, and say that if you believe you can help people and grow your brand with video, then you should do it. Don’t go on camera as a professional writer looking like a train wreck…because it wouldn’t make sense. Unless you worked it into a story somehow. But you also should not feel pressure to wear stuff that’s bad for you. Make sure you have a fresh hair cut and clothes in colors that flatter you. Take time to design a background that makes sense.

    April, for us older ladies, there are no eyelashes there to curl. They start disappearing, unfortunately. Even mascara doesn’t make that much difference after a certain point. I can guarantee you, I’m not wearing false eyelashes to knit in public over lunch for a vlog. My audience would think I had lost my mind! HA HA!!! But I will wear a nicer that average shirt, and I always have on clean Converse to show off. No heels here! .

    So I think the context and the subject matter and the audience must all be considered when determining what to wear and how to look on camera. Video is absolutely necessary and I regret I couldn’t have started sooner. It took me a while to get things I needed and to work up my courage. Now I’m going for it! Of course, it is super helpful that I film a ton of knitting and craft tutorials which are my hands only, so I don’t have to wear make up for that. I do make sure I have fresh nail polish, though. I didn’t in the beginning, but those videos get views so I’m not taking them down. And now I’ve found a cream I use that makes my hands and arms look nicer when being filmed. We learn as we go!

    There are plenty of successful channels on youtube with people filming very low tech stuff and who are not fixed up in any way. It’s all in the subject and the audience….and where you hope to go at some point with all of it. Don’t film in pajamas if you want the Wall Street Journal to take you seriously!

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 1:36 pm

      Hey Patty,

      I disagree.

      My mother and mother-in-law who are both in their sixties would absolutely disagree with you. They curl their eyelashes and they both wear mascara and it makes a huge difference. My mother-in-law has big, beautiful lashes.

      They also would much rather see someone making dinner or gardening or knitting who has put time and attention into her appearance, including her makeup, no matter her age.

      I don’t care how old you are…effort and presentation matter.

      I’ve watched plenty of cleaning and cooking videos on YouTube and I appreciate when the person has put effort into her appearance. She doesn’t need to go overboard or slather on red lipstick, but I don’t take off my makeup when I cook or put in a load of laundry or water my plants.

      I know my mother-in-law would say that age doesn’t give you a pass to not put effort into your appearance.

      You can modify things. While some older women would probably get a kick out of someone their age teaching knitting tutorials who is wearing false lashes (I know my mother-in-law and mother would), of course it’s not necessary. That’s why I wrote… “If you don’t usually wear makeup, you might want to stick with making sure that you’re not washed out on video with some bronzer on your cheeks, around your hairline and under your jawline. If you have dark circles under your eyes, add a bit of concealer to brighten them up. Everything else, including a swipe of mascara to make your eyes pop, is up to you…” in the intro.

      Reply
  9. Carla says

    March 15, 2018 at 2:45 pm

    This is so helpful!! I always wanted to asked you about the makeup you used, but I did not want to be creepy hahaha. So thanks for sharing!!! I love MAC primer and face and body foundation. For concelar and eye primer I use urban decay magic wand. I think that is what is called. You gave me some great ideas for other products like eye shadows. Ohh and for lipsticks I’m loving NYX soft Matt lip cream!

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 1:38 pm

      That wouldn’t be creepy! You can always ask me questions…I’ve been asked before. It’s one reason I wrote this blog post. I used to use the Urban Decay eyeshadow primer until I found the NARS primer. I think the NARS primer is better. It makes eyeshadow looks brighter, smoother and last longer…in my opinion. Thanks for sharing other products!!!

      Reply
  10. Sherri Calosso says

    March 15, 2018 at 3:24 pm

    I’m a YouTube junkie ! Just this week I was watching lipstick swatching videos to pick out some unconventional colors. It’s fun experimenting with make up. Fun post, thanks !

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 1:39 pm

      It is fun to experiment with makeup! Life is too short to take it so seriously.

      Reply
  11. Amanda says

    March 15, 2018 at 7:11 pm

    The highlight/shading on the makeup brushes you painted is stunning!

    As for makeup, I still am not sure what I’m doing with it (especially when it comes to my freckles), but I’m always looking to learn! Thanks for sharing the various products you use. I’d love to know your favorite YouTube channels for makeup tutorials. 🙂

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks Amanda! I would use the Dior spray foundation with a brush because you’d still see your skin/freckles through it. 🙂

      As for YouTube channels, I really like: Jessica Braun (my absolute fav), Kathleen Lights (my second fav), The Anna Edit (she doesn’t just post beauty) Inthefrow (she doesn’t just post beauty), BeautywithEmilyFox, RachhLoves, and Casey Holmes

      Reply
      • Amanda suE says

        March 16, 2018 at 1:50 pm

        Totally second April on KathleenLights. I’m also a big fan of Tati because she talks products that are good for 30s skin.

        And tinted moisturizer is a good way to go for freckles too. – sincerely, someone else with freckles

        Reply
      • Amanda says

        March 18, 2018 at 6:05 pm

        Thanks, April! I really appreciate the foundation and the YouTube recommendations. 🙂 I loved this post and really feel that how we present ourselves online is something that should be addressed. And I always LOVE your recommendations. <3

        Reply
  12. Sarah Blanchfield says

    March 16, 2018 at 1:41 am

    I love this post April! I’ve recently discovered my perfect bronzer (for MY vampire skin). It’s the Bare Minerals Invisible bronze in fair to light. It made a huge difference in how alive I look! I now ALWAYS use bronzer! I love the blue neutralized from Face Stockholm too. Omg! It’s a primer that totally erases the purple under my eyes. AMAZING and it lasts forever!!!
    Please post more beauty stuff. I love it!

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      It’s soooooooo hard to find a bronzer for vampire skin! That’s why I love the Too Faced bronzer I listed…because of the light side. Thanks for adding some products to the list!

      Reply
  13. Kelly Harcus says

    March 16, 2018 at 8:57 am

    I love this, April! Like you always do, you’ve boosted my spirits and inspired me. Unfortunately, I’m now make-up shopping instead of working. Ah well.

    Reply
    • April says

      March 16, 2018 at 1:49 pm

      Hahahahahaha…YAY for makeup shopping! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Andrea says

    March 17, 2018 at 10:37 pm

    I think well made makeup makes you look so much more professional. I don’t do videos yet (but soon going to do) but I do public speaking. Every Tuesday evening I go to the gym and then to a local Toastmaster club to practice in front of strangers. And apart of one time when I felt sick and hardly could make it to the meeting I always put on makeup after gym. You know what other members told me? “Andrea, you always look so professional.” So yes, people care about how well put together you look. You don’t have to look like a supermodel though. This is more about bringing out your best features so you concentrate on those instead of worrying about something you can’t change.

    Reply
    • April says

      March 21, 2018 at 9:09 pm

      Absolutely! You don’t have to look like a supermodel…it’s all about bringing out your best features and being the best version of you.

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  15. Marti says

    March 19, 2018 at 5:17 pm

    Great post!
    Yes to more on skin care.
    Thanks for helping us Glam-up for our videos.

    Reply
    • April says

      March 21, 2018 at 9:09 pm

      Thanks Marti!

      Reply
  16. Anne marie says

    March 20, 2018 at 5:35 pm

    A good friend once told me this about glam- shaming and it’s since become a mantra for me:

    “You can self represent however you want to self represent”

    So, cheers to feeling confident in how we show up online, no matter what that looks like!

    Great post April, thank you for all the product reviews, especially for cool tones. And that watercolor is gorgeous! Nicely done.

    Reply
    • April says

      March 21, 2018 at 9:09 pm

      It’s so hard to find good makeup products for cool tones…happy to share! 🙂

      Reply
  17. ena says

    May 3, 2018 at 2:54 am

    This is so great and helpful ! Please do tell us about the pores and skin stuff as properly. So thanks for sharing about make up essentials.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Amanda Sue Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Blogging for Business

Get in Touch

Get a FREE Copy Here

Follow April on Twitter Follow April on Facebook Follow April on Pinterest Follow April on Youtube Follow April on Instagram
Get Weekly Inspiration to Design a Business You Love
read our privacy policy

Get in Touch
Get in Touch

Blacksburg Belle. All Rights Reserved.© 2019 · Designed by Amanda Creek Creative On the Genesis Framework

Get Weekly Inspiration to Design a Business You Love
read our privacy policy
We use cookies on this website. Read our cookie policy here.