How to: Winged Liner Video Tutorial

As requested, here is a tutorial showing how I do my winged liner. False lashes make all the difference and take your look from something very simple to something more dramatic, which makes your eyes stand out far more than they would on their own.

The trick is to slowly build up the intensity with little strokes rather than trying to do it all at once. It takes a lot of going back and adding more to get the most even liner you can achieve. I sometimes like to go back and “clean up” the wing with concealer and a small brush to really help perfect that line. REMEMBER: WINGED LINER MUST HAVE A FLICK AT THE END! You do not want it to be rounded at the ends of your wing, you want it to go to a point. If you need to, go back with a cotton swab and makeup remover to help sharpen your line even further.

Hope this helps!

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How I Style My Hair – Video Tutorial

After so many months of receiving requests on how I do my wavy curls look, I finally got around to filming a tutorial for those who wanted to see how it is done. It is super simple and I do this look daily.

pravana vivids

This is the back view of my hair. This is my natural length and hair, I am wearing no extensions (my hair naturally grows very quick and I have always had extremely thick hair). This is a quick style that personally takes me under 10 minutes. If you wanted more defined waves, I suggest pinning them right after you curled them and letting them cool off. I normally sleep with my hair pinned and the curls come out much fuller.

Here is a photo showing what it looks like when I sleep with my waves pinned

red hair

Anyway! On to the video. Here is the tutorial. I tried to speed up the process as much as I could to make it a little less boring (if that was possible) :p

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New Favorite – Ben Nye Lipstick

Here is a new favorite product I recently found while makeup shopping a few days ago! Ben Nye lipsticks. I was always so amazed at what great quality Ben Nye has, yet how cheap their prices still were. On my trip I picked up the Banana powder (which I don’t think I recommend for fair shades… I tried it once so far and it wasn’t very complementing! However, I still need to experiment…) and I picked up the Nudie lipstick. I swatched other shades as well, such as their deep red tones and berry colors. I was very, very impressed. The pigment was very vivid and most I swatched were matte shades, which I love!

The great thing is these lipsticks average at almost $10. I will definitely be picking up a wider variety of shades next time I am makeup shopping (as if I need any more lipsticks….). I have been into nude shades of lipsticks more often since they are less of a hassle to touch up and I am in love with the color I chose.

I paired this up with the Vanilla Sky NYX pencil. This is another very affordable lip combo! Hope you enjoy and be sure to swatch the lipsticks the next time you’re checking out Ben Nye… I believe you will be impressed as well!

ben nye lipstick

 

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Ben Nye in any way and the products purchased were paid for with my own money. This is my honest opinion.

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Fall Inspired FOTD

Heroine lipstick

Today’s look of the day was definitely inspired by fall. The trends are dark intense lip shades such as plum and burgundy. I paired up this intense purple toned lippy with a neutral toned smokey eye. Nothing overdone and this was something I personally wore during the day time. Then again, dark lips are definitely my comfort zone!

Products used:

Face -
Temptu Airbrush makeup
MAC Blunt blush
POP Highlighting blush
MAC NC20 Studio Fix concealer
Smashbox concealer in Fair

Eyebrows -
MAC Fever blush
MAC NC20 Studio Fix concealer

Eyes -
MAC Star Violet
Stila In the Know palette
Urban Decay primer potion
MAC Blacktrack fluidline
Ardell Wispies

Lips -
MAC Heroine (Limited Edition – see below for dupes)
MAC Nightmoth lipliner

fall 2012 makeup trends

If you’re looking for possible dupes to MAC Heroine lipstick, you can try some of the following brands/colors:
* Remember, you can alter these lipstick’s color by either using a lighter purple, magenta, dark purple lip liner!

Revlon – Violet frenzy
CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick – Divine
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick – Berry Haute
Wet n Wild Mega Last Lip Color – Mauve Outta Here

Possible dupe for MAC Nightmoth lip liner:
NYX – Mahogany

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Introducing Skin Authority! My updated skin care

Hello all!

I chose to share with you all a skin care line that is new to me. They are known as Skin Authority. I was given the opportunity to try Skin Authority’s products (and really TRY them, I have been using them for weeks now!) to see how they would benefit my skin.


To start off, Skin Authority is eco-friendly! They work towards using renewable energy sources, recycled materials, and environmental friendly techniques into the products that they produce. In addition to that, they were one of the first full-line brands to eliminate parabens, dyes, fragrances, and most importantly, animal testing. What personally draws me to their products alone is the fact that there are no dyes or fragrances. As most of you may know from my past writings, I have very sensitive skin and always opt for fragrance free products, so this makes me and my skin very happy. This company’s products are used by professionals and also made available to the public. If you would like to read up more about Skin Authority, you can click here.

Skin Authority
I was invited to a complimentary facial that introduced me to their products. To my surprise at the end of the facial my skin was not irritated one bit. My complexion remained clear (which can be rare for me because I often turn red) and also appeared to be very hydrated. My experience with these products has been nothing but positive. I made sure to get my hands on some products to test at home to see how my reaction would continue to be. I was a little nervous that the products would cause me to break out in the beginning, but thankfully I had no break outs and my skin has reacted extremely well to this skin care line. I now only use Skin Authority products in my regimen and would definitely make a purchase from this company.

Not only are product quality important to me, but so is customer care and education. I was lucky enough to have a great Esthetician named Keely, who is involved with the company’s products,  help me and answer my every question about the product. She even offered to help add these products into my current skin regimen with whatever products I was using. That being said, if you’re interested in only one particular item, you can add that into what you are already using now and assistance is available in case needed.

The products I am currently using daily are:


Coffee Almond Scrub   Price: $36.00

As described on their site, this product is used to “help redistribute fat cells and decrease the formation of cellulite while tightening and shrinking blood vessels to help reduce the appearance of varicose veins. Vigorously exfoliate, stimulate, and tone skin with this intensely vitalizing scrub incorporating a deeply invigorating blend of coffee, black olive, crushed almond, sugar, neroli, orange peel, lemon rind, and fresh lemon juice. Hydrate and nourish skin with oleic fatty acids to recharge and soften skin for a smoother appearance and silky touch.”

This is actually one of my favorite products. I love the smell of coffee and this is a great product to use prior to shaving or even post waxing. It really leaves my skin feeling very smooth and, again, I must say that I absolutely love the smell of this product! This is something I would absolutely keep in stock for myself.


Moisturizing Cream Cleanser   Price: $42.00

As stated on their site, this product is ideal for all skin types.
Natural extract formula gently soothes and softens skin as it cleanses, helping skin retain essential moisture.

  • Calms and soothes as it cleanses
  • Cream formula leaves skin feeling silky and smooth
  • Hydrates skin with natural botanical extracts
  • Contains no parabens, AHAs, dyes, added fragrances, or animal testing.

Key Ingredients: German Chamomile, Ivy Extract, Apricot Oil, Ginseng Extract, Black Walnut, Aloe, Vitamin E, Provitamin B5

I love this cleanser for removing my makeup daily. When combined with the Clarisonic, your end result is a deep clean face. There is no makeup residue and you prep your skin to penetrate the remaining products in your regimen.


Ultra Rich Moisturizer Price: $55.00

This moisturizer is great for dry skin types and dehydrated skin. Especially in this weather, the sun tends to dry out our skin and if you are not drinking plenty of water as well you may begin to notice a tight feeling on your face.  The site also claims it “calms redness, soothes irritation, and restores skin’s moisture balance, while it evens out skin tone for a brilliant complexion.” In addition to using this with the moisturizing cleaner, it is helping my skin bring back it’s moisture. The only thing I wish this included was sunscreen to save me an extra step!


Reviving Eye Brightener  Price: $79.50

The site notes that this product, is an “advanced antioxidant-rich formulation infused with co-enzyme 10 and green tea attacks the underlying cause of fine lines and darkening around the delicate skin surrounding the eyes. Helps visibly brighten and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, fatigue, or allergies, leaving you looking younger and more refreshed.” I use this product daily at night after my cleansing routine. Eye creams are important!


Sunless Tanner Price: $36.00

My other favorite product is the sunless tanner. As an Esthetician myself, tanning is the biggest NO for me! With this, I can get an extremely natural looking glow that does not appear orange or too dark for my already pale skin. I have tried this product on my legs and it has been three days now. My legs still appear to have color, even after daily showers. I did make the mistake of not washing it off of my arm because this product actually gets darker as time passes!

Here is a photo to show you the difference in my skin based on this product. They are cell phone quality, I apologize! It also looks silly because it was an accident :)

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Poison Ivy Costume Makeup Tutorial

poison ivy makeup

Originally, my inspiration for this look was no where close to Poison Ivy but I posted this look on my facebook page and got some comments saying it resembled her look. I couldn’t agree more and with Halloween coming closer, I decided to name this look after Poison Ivy. So for anyone needing a Poison Ivy makeup tutorial, here is my take on her look. :)

sugarpill makeup

The products I used for the eyes are:
NYX Milk, MAC Indianwood paint pot, MAC Fig 1, MAC Vanilla pigment, MAC Trax, Inglot gel liner in #85, Sugarpill Burning Hearts palette, Coastal Scents palette for the lime green, black, and some purple tones, MAC gel liner in Blacktrack, MAC zoom lash, Ardell wispies lashes, MAC PRO pencil in Yellow

poison ivy makeup tutorial

Step 1: Use tape to help give you a straight and clean line. Apply a white primer primer to help your colors pop more.

Step 2: Set your primer with a white or off white shadow. I am using colors from the Coastal Scents palette.

Step 3: From the Coastal Scents palette, I applied a lime colored shadow above my crease and on my bottom lashline. This is going to help the purple I add into my crease blend into a lighter shade so that this color can pop when the look is complete.

Step 4 & 5: I applied Indianwood as a primer on my lid only and added Trax shadow by MAC which is a purple shadow with gold specks.

Step 6: Using Fig 1 and black from Coastal Scents, I blended the two into my crease to help give more of a dramatic effect.

Step 7:  Reapply a matte white highlight color and any lime shadow that was lost.

Step 8 & 9: Apply the MAC Vanilla pigment on the inner tear duct area to help highlight. Be sure to use some on your bottom lash line as well as adding Fig 1 to the outer part of the lash line as well. Remove your tape and clean up as needed.

Step 10: (These products may have not been tested for the eye area. Use at your own risk) Using a liner brush, apply Inglot’s lime green gel liner on the entire water line. Go back with MAC’s Yellow liner and apply to the inner water line to help intensify the color. Add more shadow as needed.

Step 11: Apply your gel liner, mascara, and false lashes. Complete your look by finishing your normal foundation routine and defining your eyebrows.

MAC makeupred head makeup

Products for lips:
MAC Nightmoth lipliner, MAC Heroine lipstick, Inglot Gel liner #85, mini fan brush, Coastal Scents palette, MAC Spring Bean lipglass

ombre lipstick

Step 1: Start off by lining your lips with Nightmoth liner. Blend into your lip with a mini lip brush. Clean the edges with concealer if needed.

Step 2: Fill your lips in with Heroine lipstick and further blend with the lip brush.

Step 3 & 4: Taking a mini fan brush, apply the Inglot gel liner onto your lips. Next, using the Coastal Scents palette, set the gel with a similar eyeshadow color.

Step 5: Finish the look off by using Spring Bean lipglass, which is a lime green toned lip gloss. Apply heavy for a very glossy finish.

The completed look has my normal face routine that is mentioned in past tutorials/FOTD looks. The blush I am using is Victoria’s Secret bronzer and my eyebrows have a tutorial that can be found here.
poison ivy costume makeup

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Yellow Eyeballs! Featuring Sugarpill Cosmetics

For some reason, I always opt for yellow shadows when I decide to go with a colorful eye. Chrome yellow has always been one of my top favorite eye shadows by MAC and one of the first shadows I ever hit pan on. I am definitely a big fan of this color and tend to always add it towards in the inner corner. I added MAC Vanilla pigment on top of the yellow shadow in order to make it more of a highlight color. I complimented the yellow tone with an orange shadow and a brown shadow in the crease. On my lid, I am simply using the Vanilla pigment, which has a gold tone to it. It is super quick and simple to do, and quite natural and sheen in my opinion. The lashes help add drama to the look!

Sugarpill makeup

Sugarpill Burning hearts palette

Products used:
Eyes - Sugarpill Burning Hearts palette, MAC Pro pencil in yellow, MAC Chrome yellow, Loreal Voluminous mascara, MAC Vanilla pigment, MAC Blacktrack fluidline, MAC Blunt blush (not recommended for eyes), Ardell Wispies
Lips - MAC Nightmoth and Wet N Wild Stoplight red
Cheeks - MAC Pro Devil, MAC Blunt
Skin - Skin Authority moisturizer and eye cream, Makeup Forever HD foundation #117, MAC Skinfinish powder, Smashbox concealer in Fair

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My Favorite Red Lip Combo

dark red lipstick

My all time favorite lipstick color is red. Since I wear it almost on a daily basis, it is fun to switch things up every now and then. This is one of my favorite lipstick combos and helps create a Diva (by MAC) inspired color that pops. The trick to the look is shading the outer corners with a darker color and filling the center of the lip with a brighter tone. This also gives the appearance of a fuller lip!

makeup forever red lip stain

The products I am using here are simply MAC Nightmoth lipliner and Makeup Forever’s Aqua Rouge in number 8, both color and gloss. I start out by blending concealer all over my lips so I can have an even toned area to begin lining my lips. I then take Nightmoth and line my entire lips as I normally would. After doing so, I go back and shade in only the corners of my lips. Taking my finger, I blend the color out so it does not appear too harsh. With the lip stain brush, I apply it only to the center part of my lips and blend again with my finger. I finish off with the clear gloss in the center. It’s that easy!

Don’t forget you can use the same concept for a wide variety of different colors to get the same effect. :)

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SyFy’s Face Off featuring Makeup Forever Cosmetics

makeup forever face off

Face Off, known as “Syfy’s hit competition/elimination series featuring special-effects make up artists and the unlimited imagination that allows them to create amazing works of living art,” is airing August 21 at 9pm to begin season 3! I don’t know how many of you are familiar with this television show, but it is personally one of my favorites that I have watched since the very first episode. If I wasn’t doing beauty makeup, special FX would definitely be something I would get into. The looks are so creative, unique, and inspiring (especially since Halloween is coming up) and now one of my most favorite makeup brands will be included in it all!

Be sure to check it out! I know I’ll be watching :)

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How I Dye My Eyebrows Red

I used to sport my natural eyebrow color for a majority of the time that I have had red hair. I never had the guts to do it until I started filling them in red regularly and just decided to give in and dye them after all this time. I still love the look of my natural color with the red hair, but I wanted something new and with red eyebrows, it really makes your color that more intense (in my opinion anyway).

This is how I dye my eyebrows. With that being said, if you do not have almost black natural hair like me, you probably shouldn’t be using L’oreal Hicolor on them. This is what I am using because my hair is so dark that a semi-permanent won’t even tint them. Also, you want to be extra careful using these dyes around the eye area because they are not meant to be used for eyebrows. If for whatever reason you have never done this before or are hesitant, get a professional to do it for you.

My supplies are a 30 volume developer (again, depending on your hair, you might not need one as strong as this) HOWEVER: I do not recommend a 30 volume for everybody. I am only using this the first few times to get my almost black natural eyebrows very light. I would say use a 20 volume at most and do upkeep with a 10 volume developer as needed. I dye my eyebrows once every month, sometimes longer, L’oreal Hicolor in Red, a few cotton swabs, a bowl, and a color remover.

So, please excuse the dye bowl, I just finished dyeing my actual hair, haha. Anyway, this is the amount I use to mix. I don’t measure anything. I just put in a small amount and mix. You don’t want it to be runny but a creamy consistency. If it helps you to measure, by all means, do so, but this works perfectly fine for me.

On to the process…

dyeing red eyebrows

Step 1.) This is how the eyebrow looks when starting, prior to putting any dye on.
Step 2.) Apply the dye carefully, avoiding any spills, on the hair. I like to push the dye back against the hair as well to completely cover it all.
Step 3.) I wait anywhere from 5-15 minutes for my eyebrows to lighten. Some spots are more stubborn than others, so if I wipe off, I might reapply only to certain areas. I constantly check them to see how light they are.
Step 4.) With a napkin and the color remover, I simply wipe the product away and that is all! As far as the slight stain on my skin, I never worry about that because it goes away after a cleanse and makeup helps disguise it as well.

how to dye eyebrows

The picture on the left is to show you how dark my natural eyebrows were. The picture on the right is my eyebrows dyed and filled in red.

The colors I use to fill my eyebrows in are:
MAC Fever blush
MAC Folie eyeshadow

…. and that’s all! Hope I helped.

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