Have you ever put on your makeup, driven to a meeting or event and later looked in a restroom mirror only to discover that the blush you’d applied earlier had completely disappeared?

Well, you’re certainly not alone. Most of us have had the same experience since blush is notorious for pulling a disappearing act! But there are definitely some easy fixes that can help us avoid this issue. So let me share with you today a variety of different techniques that can help blush last longer which I’ll be demonstrating in the accompanying video.

Try These Steps Before Applying Foundation

The first tip to prevent blush from disappearing involves our skin prep. Cleansed, exfoliated and moisturized skin not only helps our skin and makeup look its best, but it also helps our makeup last longer.

Just about every makeup brand makes an exfoliating product, but one I especially love is Tatcha The Rice Polish which is gentle on the skin but extremely effective. It helps to remove dead skin cells which not only helps our face look brighter, but also enables other products like moisturizers, foundation and blush to adhere better to our skin and last longer.

A second option is to consider using face primer. The very reason face primer was invented was to help our makeup last longer. It’s applied after skincare and before makeup to help prevent makeup from slipping, fading or creasing.

Some primers are also designed to help in other ways such as smoothing out the look of large pores, color correcting, hydrating, mattifying or illuminating our skin. Two of my favorites are Tatcha’s The Liquid Silk Canvas Primer and Benefit’s Porefessional Hydrating Primer (which also comes in a pore minimizing formula and a skin brightening formula.)

The Type of Foundation We Use – and Our Application Techniques – Do Make a Difference

Something else that helps is using a liquid foundation underneath blush since the liquid foundation provides a dewier surface for the blush to blend into.

The next option involves application technique. Using a sponge to apply blush can sheer out the blush, so using our fingers or a brush is the best way to ensure longer lasting blush.

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

The fifth technique that helps blush last longer is to layer blush formulas. Applying a liquid or cream blush first, followed by powder can definitely help blush stay in place longer since the powder helps to “lock in” the cream.

I particularly love Selena Gomez’ Stay Vulnerable Cream Blush, Merit’s Flush Balm Cream Blush and RMS’ Lip to Cheek blush. And a great drugstore option is Flower Beauty’s Blush Bomb.  A beautiful light powder blush that works beautifully over cream is Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Blush which is lightweight and seamless and creates depth and dimension through soft focus technology.

But there’s also another application technique that makeup artist Patrick Ta has recently popularized with his Double Take Crème and Powder Blush: applying powder blush first and topping it with a cream blush. He suggests patting on the powder blush first with a fluffy brush and then using a damp makeup sponge to pat on the cream blush over the powder blush.

In the video I’m going to layer cream or liquid blush first on one side of my face followed by powder. Then on the other side of my face I’m going to apply Patrick Ta’s powder blush first followed by his cream blush to see if it’s possible to see much difference between these two application techniques.

Using more than one color when layering blush can also add a little more depth to the look and also helps the blush stay in place longer as well by adding a second layer. I’ll be doing this in the video as well.

How Much Blush Should We Apply?

And I also want to focus on one other aspect of our blush application: how much blush we apply. Since we’ve all seen examples of blush gone very wrong (perhaps even on our own face!), I think most of us harbor a fear of applying too much blush.

But we just may want to apply slightly more blush than we’re normally comfortable wearing. Here’s why. Think back to TV shows, movies or novels you’ve read that were set in the 18^th or 19^th centuries. What did women do to add some color to their faces? They pinched their cheeks, right?

Since the blood vessels right under the surface of the skin cause natural color to appear when stimulated, this technique worked quite well. Today, when we use our fingers or a brush to apply blush to our faces, this same principle applies.

After applying blush, we’re seeing a mixture of the blush color AND our natural flush since our fingers or the brush we’ve used stimulate the surface of our skin. So it’s always a good idea to wait a few minutes for the flush to dissipate so you can really get an accurate picture of how your blush looks.

If you wait a few minutes for the blush and your skin to settle, you might be surprised to see that you didn’t apply as much blush as you thought you did. You might think your blush faded quickly when in reality the stimulation of the skin gave your blush a boost which has now disappeared.

This Last Technique Is One of the Most Important

And this last technique – and layering our blush – are the two most important things we can do to help our blush last longer (and help the rest of our makeup last longer as well!). It’s using setting spray as the final step in our makeup routine. I particularly love the cult classic All Nighter Setting Spray from the brand Urban Decay.

It can be sprayed on to the cheek area or all over the face, but I much prefer spraying it onto a slightly damp makeup sponge and gently pressing it into the skin. And I must also say that I’ve heard some people swear that using hair spray as their setting spray works just as well!

Have you had issues with your blush fading or disappearing? Do you have a favorite technique to prevent this from happening? What are some of your favorite blush products?

I’ve always struggled with dry skin on my legs, but during the pandemic, I knew that needed to change. I can’t remember exactly how many oat and aloe body lotions I’ve tried and never committed to. My legs have always lacked moisture and craved a remedy I could never find. That is, up until I discovered CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream.

The Moisturizing Cream makes me want to lather up after every shower, and that’s something its shelf buddies could never do for me in the past. And when previous lotions failed me, I either stuck with them out of defeat or temporarily stopped moisturizing my legs (10 out of 10 would not recommend doing this).

RELATED: TikTok’s Favorite Skincare Line Has An Anti-Aging Cream That’s Better Than La Mer 

Regardless of the season or whether your skin appears visibly dry, your legs—and the rest of your body—need a reliable, effective, gentle moisturizer on an everyday basis. That’s a huge lesson I learned after ignoring my dry skin and then finding my Holy Grail solution. And, apparently, a whole lot of other people see it as the same. Nearly 56,000 shoppers on Amazon have given the moisturizer a perfect rating, and it has an average 4.8 stars. The last time I saw something with those marks was, well, never.

“Throw all your lotions away and buy this. I wish I had a bathtub full of it. I’ve never seen a cream work so fast or as good,” wrote a reviewer who had been struggling with dry skin for years. “After just using it for a week my legs are so soft and smooth, it’s amazing. I’ll never be without it!” 

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Courtesy of Amazon.

You’re probably wondering how the heck it does the trick so well. The key ingredients in every CeraVe product are ceramides, which function as the glue that holds your skin cells together. They work to give you a healthy skin barrier that locks in moisture. And in this specific formula, three essential ceramides mix with hyaluronic acid, the almighty ingredient that retains water. The formula is topped off with MVE Delivery Technology, which is a fancy way of saying that the product releases its superstar ingredients for around-the-clock hydration.

Did I mention that it’s multifunctional, too? You can spread the cream pretty much anywhere on your body, from your arms and legs to your face and hands. Real talk, though—I’ve never been more excited to cake my body in moisturizer after I hop out of the shower—and that says a lot. 

After rubbing this goop all over my arms and legs, they immediately feel silky smooth. Even if I skip a day or haven’t shaved in ages, my skin’s still soft and nourished. And if you’re worried about the texture, don’t. It’s thick, but it doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy. Plus, the product is non-comedogenic and certified by the National Eczema Association, so those with super sensitive skin can also join in on the fun.

“It’s seriously a holy grail product,” wrote one Amazon shopper who gave it a perfect rating. “I barely use any and it covers my entire face. About a teaspoon size drop covers my body!”

After falling head over heels for this cream, I may or may not have emptied my pockets on more CeraVe products. The Eye Repair Cream and the SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin both work wonders on my eyes and bacne, respectively. What can I say—I’m a certified CeraVe lover, and you know exactly where to find me, stocking up on yet another gigantic tub of the Moisturizing Cream.

Melissa Gorga’s Mauve Satin Shirt Dress on Instagram

Real Housewives of New Jersey Instagram Fashion 2021

Satin and the city! Melissa Gorga recently posted some pics of her posing at The Brownstone a NYC brownstone while trying to have a classic Carrie Bradshaw stoop moment. And although her cute mauve satin shirt dress is unfortunately sold out, we’ve linked some Style Stealers below that you can still totally get Just Like That.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to See Her Amanda Uprichard Dress

Click Here to See Her Aquazzura Boots

Photos: @MelissaGorga

Originally posted at: Melissa Gorga’s Mauve Satin Shirt Dress

We all know that men think differently, and this includes all areas of life. Including money. Here’s a real life example:

Jack and Sarah went in to see their banker. Jack stated that he wanted the mortgage paid off in five years and asked what lump sum payments he would need to make each year to achieve that.

Since it would add up to a large amount, his advisor asked him what he would be willing to give up. Jack readily replied that he and Sarah would not do any traveling for the next five years. Sarah had remained quiet till that moment. Then she blurted out, “Wait a minute, you never discussed this with me.”

She continued with, “There is no way I would ever be willing to give up our travels so that we can pay off the mortgage. It’s the one time we leave all our work behind and truly connect.”

This meeting is one example of how women approach money differently from men. Men tend to focus on numbers, women often approach money through the lens of their relationships.

Women’s financial needs are also different from men’s. They live longer, take more time away from work to raise their children, and in many parts of the world, they still earn less than men do for the same job done.

So, what do women need to know about money?

How Core Values Influence Financial Goals

You should manage your money in alignment with your top five core values. Conflicting messages from the media can make it confusing when it comes to making financial decisions. Pay off the mortgage or save for retirement?

Our character Sarah clearly put more value to connecting with her husband than she did financial freedom. There is no right or wrong answer, but aligning your values with how you manage your money is top priority.

Where Your Money’s Going

According to a study by Merill Lynch and Age Wave, 61% of women surveyed would rather discuss their death than talk about money.

Are you someone who throws your financial statements in a drawer and never looks at them? Mastering your money starts with knowing where it’s going.

Does most of your income goes toward meeting basic needs like food and shelter, without anything left for anything else? Or do you have a significant amount of disposable income that goes to leisure activities like eating out, travel, and adventure?

Do you spend a lot of money on eating out at the expense of something you value more? Would you prefer to have a more significant portion of your income diverted towards travel or paying down your credit card debt? Are you living for today at the expense of the goals you have for a later date?

These are all questions that can bring clarity to how you spend your money.

How to Get Where You Want to Be

Once you know what your 3-, 5-, and 10-year financial goals are, create a written plan detailing how you will go about achieving them. How much are you willing to set aside each month to reach these goals?

What are you willing to forgo? How much risk are you willing to take with investments that have significant potential for growth to achieve your long-term goals?

What Risk Means

Saving in a bank account earning one percent interest is not what you want to do to achieve your long-term goals. It may be perfect for financial goals that are within the next three years. But if you’re going to tap into higher growth, then the stock market is the place to be. At least for part of your savings.

Most financial institutions provide a risk-tolerance questionnaire to help you assess your risk tolerance profile.

How the Financial Industry Works

Work with a financial advisor who has a fiduciary duty to look out for your best interest. You cannot assume that everyone who calls themselves a financial advisor is a fiduciary. There are many people in the industry with different licensing and different capabilities.

If you want to retire within the next five years, then you want someone who can help you with a retirement plan. Some advisors are licensed in a variety of areas and offer a more extensive breadth of services. They may be able to give you advice and sell both insurance and investments.

Do your research.

What the Plan Is for When You Are Gone

You know you can’t take anything with you when life ends, so you definitely need an estate plan. It is part of a complete financial plan.

A good estate plan is one that honors your wishes for when you die. Who do you want to leave your assets to once you’re gone? How do in-laws feature in your estate plan? What about grandchildren?

Here are the most important components of a good plan:

• An up-to-date will that stipulates your wishes for when you die.
• A power of attorney that permits another person to act on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so because of an accident or illness.
• A living will that providing instructions for end of life medical treatment if you are unable to make decisions for yourself.

While a power of attorney is for financial decisions, a living will is for health care decisions.

That You Are Worth It

Putting your financial house in order is part of self-care. Women spend a large part of their lives looking out for the needs of their loved ones. Life throws us curveballs, however, so we need to prepare for the unexpected as the best way to care for ourselves and those we love.

Are you uncomfortable talking about money? Where do you think there may be a gap in your financial knowledge? Please share with our community and let’s have a conversation.

I’ve always struggled with dry skin on my legs, but during the pandemic, I knew that needed to change. I can’t remember exactly how many oat and aloe body lotions I’ve tried and never committed to. My legs have always lacked moisture and craved a remedy I could never find. That is, up until I discovered CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream.

The Moisturizing Cream makes me want to lather up after every shower, and that’s something its shelf buddies could never do for me in the past. And when previous lotions failed me, I either stuck with them out of defeat or temporarily stopped moisturizing my legs (10 out of 10 would not recommend doing this).

RELATED: TikTok’s Favorite Skincare Line Has An Anti-Aging Cream That’s Better Than La Mer 

Regardless of the season or whether your skin appears visibly dry, your legs—and the rest of your body—need a reliable, effective, gentle moisturizer on an everyday basis. That’s a huge lesson I learned after ignoring my dry skin and then finding my Holy Grail solution. And, apparently, a whole lot of other people see it as the same. Nearly 56,000 shoppers on Amazon have given the moisturizer a perfect rating, and it has an average 4.8 stars. The last time I saw something with those marks was, well, never.

“Throw all your lotions away and buy this. I wish I had a bathtub full of it. I’ve never seen a cream work so fast or as good,” wrote a reviewer who had been struggling with dry skin for years. “After just using it for a week my legs are so soft and smooth, it’s amazing. I’ll never be without it!” 

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Courtesy of Amazon.

You’re probably wondering how the heck it does the trick so well. The key ingredients in every CeraVe product are ceramides, which function as the glue that holds your skin cells together. They work to give you a healthy skin barrier that locks in moisture. And in this specific formula, three essential ceramides mix with hyaluronic acid, the almighty ingredient that retains water. The formula is topped off with MVE Delivery Technology, which is a fancy way of saying that the product releases its superstar ingredients for around-the-clock hydration.

Did I mention that it’s multifunctional, too? You can spread the cream pretty much anywhere on your body, from your arms and legs to your face and hands. Real talk, though—I’ve never been more excited to cake my body in moisturizer after I hop out of the shower—and that says a lot. 

After rubbing this goop all over my arms and legs, they immediately feel silky smooth. Even if I skip a day or haven’t shaved in ages, my skin’s still soft and nourished. And if you’re worried about the texture, don’t. It’s thick, but it doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy. Plus, the product is non-comedogenic and certified by the National Eczema Association, so those with super sensitive skin can also join in on the fun.

“It’s seriously a holy grail product,” wrote one Amazon shopper who gave it a perfect rating. “I barely use any and it covers my entire face. About a teaspoon size drop covers my body!”

After falling head over heels for this cream, I may or may not have emptied my pockets on more CeraVe products. The Eye Repair Cream and the SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin both work wonders on my eyes and bacne, respectively. What can I say—I’m a certified CeraVe lover, and you know exactly where to find me, stocking up on yet another gigantic tub of the Moisturizing Cream.