"I like to multi-task with my makeup, so coming up with different looks using just three products is not going to be an issue � except one of the three things is a bright red lip stain. I never wear red anything, much less red lips. The challenge for me is definitely going to be getting comfortable with one of the looks being focused on lips -- very bright red lips."
How she used them:
"Today I applied the Mineral Glow lightly all over my face. Then I used the lip stain on the apples of my cheeks, and very lightly dabbed my lips for a �just bitten� look. Not enough to look like I was wearing any lip product. I used the eyeliner and blended it upward on my lids. I smudged a bit on my lower lid and lined the inside rims."
What she thought:
"This look was safe for me. I focused on the eyes, kept the lips fairly nude and tried to avoid the red as much as possible. Surprisingly, the stain blended really well on my cheeks. I was worried with the bright color, so one dot would be more than enough. It was easy to layer on the red and get just the right hint of flush on my cheeks."
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Lola: Look 2
How she used them:
"Today I used the red lip stain on my lips. I used the Mineral Glow on my cheeks, forehead and chin, and went a little heavier with it on my cheeks. I dotted the eyeliner on my upper and lower lids and smudged it for a soft eye."
What she thought:
"To my surprise, I ended up really liking this look. It�s a different look for me and it took some time at home in front of a mirror to get used to it, but I would definitely try it again. I spent the rest of the day peeking at my lips and the stain really held up. It made my lips feel a little dry, so I tried putting on lip balm on top, but it didn�t blend well with the lip stain and looked lumpy. Eventually, I wiped off the red and was happy enough with the hint of dark pink it left behind. For a night out though, I'll bring the red lip stain back out."
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Lola: Look 3
How she used them:
"I applied a lot of the Mineral Glow all over my face. I used the eyeliner for a deep smoky eye look and blended some of the Mineral Glow on my lids as well. I dotted some of the red stain closer to the inner corners of my eyes and blended that into the brown smokiness. I used the eye liner to fill in my eyebrows, lined my bottom lids and used it to lightly line my lips. I dotted on the red lip stain and pressed my lips together to blend with the liner. I also used the lip stain on the apples of my cheeks."
What she thought:
"This was definitely a dramatic look, but it worked. I don�t usually do dark eyes and dark lips at the same time, so this was a more made up look than I�m used to. I ended up really loving the combination of the heavy bronzer with the pinkish cheeks, there was just enough contouring and softness."
Final thoughts:
"The challenge was not as scary as I expected it to be. Once I got comfortable with wearing color on my lips -- which is a huge thing for me -- it made switching up the looks a lot easier. I was surprised that I could pull off things I never bothered trying because I just assumed they wouldn�t work on me. All it took was a little forcing, but the more comfortable I get with lip colors the easier it will be for me to switch up my makeup every once in a while and not get stuck in the same old routine. "
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Anna: Look 1
"When I was asked to do this challenge -- to only use three products to create three different looks -- I thought, 'I GOT this.' I'm already a huge fan of multi-tasking makeup products, so I figure this will be easy. I want to step up the game a little bit and use products I wouldn't normally think of as multi-taskers (aka, not a cream blush that can be used on the lips, eyes and cheeks or products you usually see together) in order to really give myself a challenge. "
How she used them:
"A glossy lip pencil in more than one place than my lips? You bet! I created a smoky eye with the pencil on my lids, applied it to the apples of my cheeks for a little contour and slathered it on my lips. Then I used the brow pencil to lightly fill in my eyebrows and to line my inner lashlines.
What she thought:
I loved the look! The gloss on my eyes was interesting as it gave them that dewy look that I love! It is a little weird, however, to have your eyelids feel sticky, so that might take some getting used to and I can't imagine it is a look that would last all day and into the night. The glossy pencil also was great on my lips � moisturizing even."
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Anna: Look 2
How she used them:
"I applied the lip gloss pencil to my lids (in order to make the sparkles stay put and to intensify the pigment of the color) and then used my finger to gently press the sparkles all over my lids. I then applied the lip gloss pencil to my lips and did the same thing (pressed the glitter on with my finger), but used a little less product. I lightly filled in my brows with the eyebrow pencil."
What she thought:
""I was the most nervous with this look since going to work with glitter all over my face sounded a bit intense. I loved the bright pink sparkles, but they seem like a better fit for a clubby night out. Anyway, I went for it. What's strange is that I feel like the glitter actually showed up better on my lids. Also, I was worried that the glitter would make my lips feel grainy with the gloss, but they actually felt totally smooth! Surprise, surprise. Like I said, I wouldn't wear this look to work again, but I think it's totally hot for a night out."
It's 6pm. And you just got a last minute invitation to dinner with friends. There's no question -- you're in. Except for one problem -- you don't have time to run home and touch up your makeup , and you only have lipstick, one eyeliner and powder in your purse. What's a girl to do? Easy -- get creative and make those makeup products multi-task.
Sure, if you're like most of us, you normally use around five or more makeup products each day (including foundation, powder and mascara), but is it really necessary? We decided to find out. We selected four brave women to participate in one challenge: pick three makeup products and see how many different makeup looks can be created using only those products. They happily accepted the challenge and faired pretty well. Well, that's really for you to decide.
To help you get a head start, here are some tips these women employed to turn their makeup into multi-taskers:
Tip 1: Brown eyeliner can be used as eyeshadow if you smudge it well and blend it upward on your eyelid.
Tip 2: Lipstick is a great blush. Dot it on the apples of your cheeks and blend. It will give your cheeks a soft, dewy flush.
Tip 3: Bronzer can be used everywhere -- brush it on your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin -- then dab some on your eyelids. You can even blend it on your lips by mixing it with lip gloss.
Tip 4: Like lipstick, blush can double as a lip tint. Dab it on your lips and mix it with some lip gloss for a soft, sheer color.
So whether you need to quickly touch up your makeup or just want to try a new makeup look, now you know the possibilities are endless -- even if you only have three makeup products.
