Twenty Five Days of Beauty- Makeup Tutorial + Adding a Pop of Color

DAY TWO OF THE TWENTY FIVE DAYS OF BEAUTY

Makeup Tutorial Using a Pop of Color

                                                        

When showing the Kat Von D- Mi Vida Loca Remix palette to my cousin, she made the following comment, “Who would actually use that blue shade.” Our conversation inspired this makeup look to show how adding a pop of color does not have to be scary. Of course, you can use this technique to add any color you want, however, for this look, I chose the the “blue” my cousin specifically referenced.

EYE MAKEUP

Since we are adding a pop of color under the lower lash line, you want to keep this area of the eye very neutral and basic.

1. Apply MAC Soft Brown into the crease using window-wiper motions from corner to corner, rounding out the shadow at the outer corner. I used a Sigma E40 Blending brush.

2. Apply Kat Von D shadows in Strutter and Noble more precisely into the crease to give a soft cut-crease effect. Use window-wiper motions to apply the shadow and circle motions to blend out the edges. Make sure to keep this shadow underneath the transition shadow. Once again, round out the shadow at the outer corner. I used a MAC 217 blending crease brush.

3. Apply an eyeshadow base to the lid from corner to corner. I used the Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in Barely Branded. I used a small, flat concealer brush.

4. Apply Light Bronze eyeshadow from the LORAC PRO palette to the lid by packing on the shadow from corner to corner. Pack on the shadow by patting your brush up and down on the lid. I used a MAC 242 brush.

5. Re-apply Kat Von D shadows in Strutter and Noble lightly into the crease to intensify the crease after applying the lid color. Round out the shadow in the outer corner. I used a MAC 217 blending crease brush again.

6. Add false lashes. Since we are not applying eyeliner, apply the lashes as close as possible to the last line. *TIP- pinch the band of the lashes gently to eye. I used Red Cherry #5.

LOWER LASH LINE

This is where we are going to add the pop of color; whatever color of your choosing.

1. Apply an eyeliner that matches the color of the shadow you are using. I used Sephora Waterproof eyeliner in Summer Cruise.

2. Apply Synth from the Kat Von D palette lightly on the shadow to prevent the liner from moving. Take your time doing this as you do not want to poke yourself in the eye. I used a MAC 212 flat liner brush.

3. Using a pencil brush, apply Synth directly under the lash line. Do not be afraid to extend this shadow lower than you normally would as this is the star of the look. Since these shadows are extremely pigmented, build up this color slowly. Make sure to tap off your brush before each application to prevent fall out. 

4. Blend Hyperballad on top and underneath the previous shadow. I used a Sigma E40 brush to blend the two shadows together.

5. Apply mascara to the lower lashes.

Hope you enjoyed this look! Comment and Subscribe! X&O

THE AFTERMATH

Twenty Five Days of Beauty- Save or Splurge? smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water

DAY ONE OF THE TWENTY FIVE DAYS OF BEAUTY

Did I Just Spend $32.00 For Bottled Water?

So, let’s start off by saying that I have never been an advocate for facial mists and sprays. I always thought they were a waste of money, never lived up to their claims and just made my already oily skin so oily that you could fry an egg on it.

Then this “primer water” came out. I immediately dismissed it. There was no way I was going to spend $30.00 for bottled water. 

Long story short, I bought into the hype and purchased it. Here are it’s claims:

1. Silicone-free. Alcohol-free. Oil-free.
2. Creates the sheerest canvas for makeup application
3. Wakes up skin, leaving it vibrant and radiant for hours
4. Restores moisture and hydrates skin for hours—shine free
5. Refreshes throughout the day
6. Perfect for all skin types

So is it really worth the hype or are you just buying  expensive water to spray on your face?

My opinion- THIS PRODUCT IS AMAZING!! All of their claims are incredibly accurate. I have textured, dull, oily skin with large pores (I know, I know, not cute). Before I begin my makeup, I spritz 4 to 5 spays on my face and it instantly absorbs into my skin. 

After spraying this mist, my makeup glides on so easily and evenly. My skin looks luminous throughout the day, even after 8 hours of wear. Not only does it not make my T-Zone oily but it actually controls my oil and I find myself not needing to blot during the day. Most importantly, since I use full coverage face products, this product blends all of my makeup to a nature, beautiful finish. My skin looks healthy and radiant all day. 

I especially notice how amazing this product is on the days I skip this step. By mid-day my skin looks tired, dry and lifeless compared to when I do use the primer water. Best of all, since you only need a few sprays, this product will last you a while, giving you bang for your buck (or 32 of them).

If you are on the fence about this product or if you just want to test it out for yourself, I strongly encourage you to pick it up.

Like this post? 

Don't forget to leave your comments below and subscribe!

Until next time, beauties,

X&O

Thanksgiving/Fall 2015 Makeup Look

Whether you are visiting family or friends for the fall holidays or you just want to take a good selfie while warming up the turkey, below is my favorite go-to makeup look using warm browns, reds and oranges.

Kat Von D- Mi Vida Loca Remix
$42.00

For this look, I mostly focused on using the Kat Von D- Mi Vida Loca Remix palette. Although the colors may look intimidating, if you blend out these colors using a light hand, you can use this palette for hundreds of looks. This palette is AMAZING and must have for everyone. Its hard to not only find matte colors but matte colors that bend so easily without skipping. The center of the palette includes your basic neutral colors so any look can be made using this palette alone. 

Now, for the make up look...

1. Sweep “Swoon” lightly into the crease as your transition shade; 

2. Blend “Analogue” in the inner half of the eye. Use a stiffer and more dense brush to create a blended cut-crease look; 

3. Blend “Rewind” in the outer half of the eye using the same brush; 

4. Use a concealer brush to pat on a neutral base on the lid to provide a sticky surface (I used MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC15). This will also clean up and create a line dividing the crease from the lid; 

5. Pat “Moulder” onto the lid; 

6. Apply “Vox” on the outer V, building the color to desired darkness while blending this color lightly into the crease and lid; 

7. Apply “Black Metal” to deepen and darken the outer V;

8. Apply winged liner, mascara and false lashes;

9. Apply “Black Metal” on the bottom lash line/blend “Analogue”  and “Rewind” with a pencil brush/ Blend all colors with “Swoon”; and

10. Apply “Vinyl” in the inner corner of the eyes.

Hope you enjoyed this look! Have a great Thanksgiving, beauties!

X&O

Best in Beauty- Under Eye Setting Powders

After applying concealer under the eyes, it is essential to set it with a powder. Setting the tackiness of the concealer will not only prolong the wear but will also prevent visible creasing. If you look straight into a mirror, you will notice creases under the eye. If you do not set your concealer with a powder, chances are the concealer will fill into these creases and let’s be honest, it is not cute. 

Since there are no oil glands/pores under the eyes, the creases are caused by a lack of moister. Therefore, before applying concealer, make sure you moisturize your face, especially the under area *TIP- pat the moisturizer under the eye area to make sure the moisturizer is in fact entering the creases. Let this dry before applying any makeup.

You want a setting powder to be finely milled. If the powder is too chunky or heavy, it will dry out the under eye area and appear cakey. The powder will also chunk up in the creases and appear worse as the day goes on. Below are some of my favorite setting powders. Also, it is also important to keep in mind that it is not only the powder you use but rather HOW YOU APPLY it.

HOW TO APPLY CONCEALER & SETTING POWDER

THE CREASE PROOF WAY

1. Apply concealer in an upside-down triangle under one eye. If you are interested in my favorite full-coverage, natural looking concealers, check out my blog post on Best in Beauty- Under Eye Concealers!

2. Take a damp beauty blender or dome shaped brushed and pat the concealer under the eye. Do not rub, this will only spread the concealer through the creases unevenly. While you are doing this, look up. Do not look in a mirror but only for a second to make sure the concealer is blending. Continue looking up while your concealer dries to a tacky finish (about 30 seconds or so)

3. Have your setting powder and your brush ready.

4. While you are still looking up, pat your setting powder under the eye. Build an evenly covered layer of powder in the under eye area, thereby “setting” the concealer.

5. For a more glam look, this is when you can "bake" your under eye area by packing on a thick layer of powder to be removed at  later time.

6. Repeat this process on the other eye.

7. Set your face with a Makeup Setting Spay.

FAVORITE SETTING POWDERS

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS CONTOUR PALETTE

Single pan- $14.00/Palette- $40.00

KAT VON D SHADE & LIGHT PALETTE
$46.00

LAURA MERCIER SECRET
BRIGHTENING POWDER
0.14 oz- $25.00

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD MICRO FINISH
SETTING POWDER
0.14 oz- $19.00
0.3 oz- $34.00

LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT
LOOSE SETTING POWDER
0.33 oz- $22.50
1 oz- $37.00

BEN NYE BANANA LUXURY POWDER
0.93 oz- $13.20
3 oz- $29.99

MAC SCULPTING POWEDERS IN 

EMPHASIZE & SOFT FOCUS

$17.00

Of course, if you are interested in a Hi-Light/Contour "Baking" post or if you would like me to post a video on this topic, please comment below.

Until next time, beauties!

X&O

Sephora VIB 2015 Makeup & Skincare Haul

Opening a Sephora box like its Christmas morning... 

As every beauty junkie knows, Sephora holds two VIB sales every year; one in the Spring and one in the Fall. This is the damage I did this fall.

- Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover

- Philosophy Purely New Beginnings Purity Skincare set

- BECCA Ever-Matte Powerless Priming Perfector

- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Soft Brown

- tarte Shine Bright Statement Lash Essentials

- Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation in 4W1 (Honey Bronze)

- Too Faced Born This Way foundation in 5C1 (Honey)

- tarte Rainforest After Dark Colored Clay 

- Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Palette

- Kat Von D- Mi Vida Loca Remix eyeshadow palette

- Marc Jacobs Beauty- The Sofia

- Boscia Pink Peppermint Blotting Linens (100 count)

POINT PERKS

-Make Up Forever HD setting powder- 100 pts.

- Philosophy Ultimate Miracle moisturizer- 100 pts.

- GLAMGLOW Flash Mud sample- 100 pts.

SAMPLES

- Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance 

- Illicit Eau de Parfum spray

- Versace Bright Crystal Eau de Parfum

Stay tuned for makeup reviews, first impressions, swatches and tutorials! Leave comments for any specific posts and/or videos you want to see!

Until later beauties!

X&O

MAC Amber x9- Everyday, Easy Makeup Looks & Review

My exact words when I opened the box was , “Wow! These shadows are tiny!” I immediately regretted buying it. But then I thought to myself how it is so rare to actually go through an entire shadow. Plus, I do not have these 9 shadows in my collection. The small size of these shadows in combination with how they are all based on amber tones (warm and cool) allows for a complete eye look that is travel friendly. 

CONS-Since I purchased this product online, I did not swatch the shadows prior to purchase. To be completely honest, 4 out of the 9 shadows swatched nicely. You really have to build up "Cozy Grey" and "Georgia Peach"

Also, because the shadows are so small in size and positioned so close together that upon dipping a brush into a shadow, fallout falls into the nearby shadows.

PROS- The packaging of this palette is so sleek and travel friendly. This palette fits into post of my clutches when going out at night. If you are one you touches up their makeup, you can literally take this palette anywhere. 

Another PRO of this product is that all the shadows can be used together to achieve many different looks. As you can see, I used this palette for everyday, time efficient looks as well as nighttime glam. The look depends on you. The shadows are also neutral based, therefore, there is no need to worry about useless bold, bright colors.

Below are four looks I created using this palette. 

Let me know your thoughts and if you are thinking about buying this product.

See you next time, beauties

X&O

This was my "go-to" look that I used almost daily for work. This look is time-efficient and can easily be transferred to a nighttime look needed.

1. Apply "Georgia Peach" as your transition color; 2. Apply a base and pack on "Kitties" onto the lid; 3. Apply "Cork"  by packing it onto the outer "V". 4. (optional) Apply a natural looking paid of falsies (these are Ardell Whispies). *No liner involved.

This look is very similar to the first look but I did put on fake lashes on purpose and darkened the crease. 1. Apply a combination of "Cozy Grey" and "Georgia Peach" as the transition color into the crease using a blending brush; 2. Apply a base and pack on "Ricepaper" on the lid, corner to corner; 3. Apply "Cork" to the crease using a crease brush. Blend this color into you transition color, using circular motions with a fluffy, clean blending brush; 4. Apply "Pepper Please" to the outer "V". Use a blending brush to blend this color up into the end half of the crease. Make sure to blend all the colors together, especially where they meet. Build up this color to your desired intensity. 5. Apply mascara, no liner.

This is my favorite look that I created with this palette and will definitely be re-creating this look over and over. 1. Apply "Georgia Peach" as your transition color to your crease. You want to really build up this color to stand out in the final look; 2. Apply "Cork" to the crease; 3. Apply "Aromatic" to the outer "V" and blend up towards the crease, about half way (you do not want to have any "Aromatic" in the inner half of the crease; 4. Apply a base and pack "Creative Copper" on the lid, corner to corner; 5. Pack on "Pepper Please" on the outer "V" only. Blend any harsh lines and build this color to your desired intensity; 6. Spray your lid brush with MAC's Fix Plus (or eyedrops) and apply more "Creative Copper" to your lid. Lower Lash Line- 7. Use a flat liner brush to apply "Aromatic" and "Pepper Please" under the lash line; 8. Blend out with "Cork" using a pencil brush; 9. Blend with "Georgia Peach" using a fluffy blending brush. You can add liner and fake lashes to transform this look into more nighttime appropriate.

Of course, I had to include one smoky look. 1. Blend "Georgia Peach" into the crease as your transition color; 2. Apply a dark colored base on the lid, corner to corner and pack on "Aromatic" and "Pepper Please"; 3. Use a clean blending brush and blend your crease where the light and dark colors meet; 4. Blend "Cork" into to crease using a blending brush to create a gradient effect. Lower Lash Line- 5; Apply "Aromatic" and "Pepper Please" with a flat liner brush on and under the lower lash line; 6. Blend "Cork" using a pencil brush; 7 Blend "Georgia Peach" using a fluffy blending brush. I would recommend using a pair of fake lashes with this look.

Makeup Tutorial-MAC Eyeshadow x9- Amber (MAC Holidays 2015)

$40.00/Can be Used Wet or Dry

9 Shadows/ 0.02 oz each

MAKEUP TUTORIAL- "AMBER GLAM"

STEP 1- Fill in your brows and prep eyelids with primer. I used MAC’s "Painterly" Paint Pot. *TIP- while primer is still tacky, apply an eyeshadow the same color as the lid by gently sweeping shadow from lid to eyebrow. This will assist in blending all other shadows on top on it evenly.

STEP 2- Place a piece of scotch tape from the corner of the lower lash line, diagonal. *TIP- Place the scotch tape on your hand first to remove some of the stickiness so it does not rip at your skin when removing it. Apply “Georgia Peach” as the transition color into the socket of the eyes using window-wiper motions, back and forth. I used a Sigma E40 tapered blending brush. *TIP- Lean your head back when applying shadows as it will be easier to see the socket of the eye where most of your shadows will be applied. Also, make sure to turn your head when apply the shadows to make sure all areas are covered evenly to the tail of the eyebrow.

STEP 3- Apply “Cork” into the crease. I using a MUA #315 crease brush. Pick up a light amount of product first, tapping off any fall out, and start sweeping the shadow gently into the crease starting at the outside of the eye, You want the darkest of the color on the outside of the eye as opposed to the inside and this will make the eyes appear smaller. Build color up to the intensity desired. Blend “Cork” with “Georgia Peach. I used a Sigma E45 Small Tappered Blending brush. Blend by first using window wiper motions back and forth and then small circular motions to blend the colors together.

STEP 4- Apply a base to the lid of your eye. The base will apply tacky, adhering your lid shadow to your eye, increasing longevity of the shadow as well as conceal any fall out. I used MAC Studio Fix Concealer in NW15. I applied the base with a small concealer brush from lid to crease, corner to corner. 

STEP 5- Apply a mix of “Kitties” and “Don’t Tell” onto the lid. I applied these shadows using the MAC #242 brush. 

*TIP- gently pull the end of your lid out to flatten the lid and pack on the shadow. Push the lid color into the creased, meeting with all your crease colors but careful to not overlap.

STEP 6- Apply “Aromatic of the outer “V” of the eye (very corner of lid up into the bottom crease. I used a Sephora Pro Blending #2 brush. Tap on the shadow into this area. Build up color to your desire. *TIP- between each light layer of this shadow, gently blend the edges in window wiper motion/circular motions for a flawless, blended look. Apply “Pepper Please” only where your crease meets the end of your lid. I used the Sigma #25 brush. Gently tap on this shadow, building color to your desired look.

STEP 7- Apply winged eyeliner using the line of the tape as a guide for a clean, sharp wing. I used the black gel liner from Anastasia Beverly Hills as well as the #12 brush. Use these tools to apply lines to your lower and upper lashes (tightline). 

STEP 8- Remove tape, curl lashes and apply a pair of lashes I used my favorite natural looking lashes, Ardell "Demi Whispies". Let dry and use any mascara to adhere your real lashes to your fake lashes.

STEP 9- To balance out the eye look and to make the look more dramatic, you are going to smoke out the bottom lash line using the same shadows. Apply “Pepper Please” as close to the last line as possible from corner to corner. I used  the MAC 212 brush. Blend the edges of this shadow with “Cork”, corner to corner using windshield wiper motions. I used the MAC 210 brush. Finally blend out the edges with “Georgia Peach”, corner to corner using windshield wiper motions. 

FINAL LOOK

STAY TUNED FOR EVERY DAY MAKEUP LOOKS USING THIS PALETTE ALONG WITH MY FINAL THOUGHTS.