Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Refresh Tired, Daytime Makeup for Evening!! Video!!


Today I'm showing you how to take makeup you've been wearing for hours and
has gotten a little worse for wear and freshening it up in just
a few minutes with only several products.
As you'll see, my makeup had been on for 8+ hours and had been
slept in plus I had been blowing my nose and all that so there
were whole areas missing from my nose and mouth area.
I'd been busy and I have oily skin so I was greasy.
I freshened up the look to get what you see in these pictures.
I hope this video tutorial is helpful for you!
Have a great day, Gorgeous!!!


Check out the Video Tutorial Here!!
Watch in HD
If you could, please subscribe :-)





Monday, April 27, 2015

Sunny & Water

WooHoo!! Today is the last day I have to put up one of my casted up right hand looks. I'm so excited. Doing my makeup really hurt and you've got to know how much I've missed doing it. I hope you enjoy. The cast come off and the stitches come out today!!

Face:
NYX Angel Veil Primer
Mario Budesco Facial Spray
Mary Kay Matte Wear Foundation in Ivory 7
Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Very Fair/Light
Revlon Translucent Finisher (Pressed Powder)

Eyes
Base: Avon Foundation Primer in Light Beige                  
Crease: Sienna*
Lid:  #1 Warm Taupe* #2 Glisten*
Blending Shade: Vanilla*
Highlight Under Brow & Inner Corner: Chocolate Truffle**
Bottom Lid: Sienna*
Maya Mia Palette by ABH*
Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette**

Eyeliners
Upper lid: Deep Brown* applied with an eyeliner brush sprayed with a makeup setting spray
My bottom lids are tattooed Black.
Mascara: Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black

Cheeks
Bronzer: LA Colors Blush in Naturale
Blush: Milani Blush in Luminoso
Highlight: None

Lips
Liner: Mary Kay Lipliner in Dusty Pink
Lipstick: Maybelline Lipstick in Peach Poppy
Lipgloss: Mary Kay NouriShine Lipgloss in Sun Blossom




Friday, April 24, 2015

Skin Care: Part 2

Welcome back to part two of my skin care post. We are discussing the five parts of skin: cleanse,
exfoliate, tone, moisturize, & protect. On Wednesday we discussed the first two parts, cleanse and exfoliate. Today we will be talking about the last three. Let’s get going!

Tone
A toner can be beneficial in several different ways. Once again, toners should be chosen based on your specific skin type and needs. Toners can help remove any residue left over from cleansing, they can help balance your skin’s ph balance, and they can also improve the appearance of pores. Toners are very helpful in the treatments of acne as well. My favorite thing that a toner can do is to help plump up the edges of pores to make them appear smoother. You cannot ever change the size or shape of your pores but you can make them appear smoother. Another added benefit of plumping the outer edges of your pores is it will help keep dirt and oil out of them. This part of the skin care team should not be skipped but I think it is one that gets skipped most often.

Moisturize
If you do nothing else in a skin care regiment you must cleanse and moisturize. Moisturization is so important and it’s critical to your skin’s health. There are moisturizers specifically for every skin type. Even if you have oily skin it’s important to have a moisturizer to help balance your skin’s natural oil levels. If you are acne prone, you must restore balanced moisture to prevent over-drying due to the drying capabilities of acne medications. You may even have to change formulas of moisturizer during various seasons of the year. Many people use an oil control formula during the summer months but must use a formula for dry skin during cold, winter months. There are even moisture boosters to extremely dry skin that are applied on top of your regular moisturizer to combat extremely dry skin and particular dry patches. Moisture is what helps skin boost its elasticity and keeps it looking healthy and youthful longer. Do not ever forget to moisturizer!
This is my powerhouse duo. If I use nothing else I use my MK 3-in-1 Cleanser (it cleanses, exfoliates, and tones-all in 1 bottle!) and my MK Age-Fighting Moisturizer

Protect
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times-foundation is skin care. That’s right; foundation can help your skin! The key is to get (not only the correct color, but) the correct formula of foundation that is right for your particular skin type. If you have oily skin, don’t head straight for the dewy, super-luminous formulas. You have luminous skin already. If you are dry, be careful with the matte. Acne prone? Use a foundation specifically for (you guessed it) acne prone skin. Did you know that wearing foundation can help you control oil or balance moisture, depending on your needs, better than going without it? It’s true. Give it a try. Don’t wear makeup on a particularly harsh weather day. Then, next time, wear it. You’ll see a huge difference! Plus foundation helps protect your skin from the elements and free radicals all around you. It acts as a sort of barrier between you and the bad stuff. Foundation-it’s not just for beauty!


Here are some products that I use and recommend:
*This post is NOT sponsored.

What I use regularly:
Toner:
Mary Kay 3-in-1 Cleanser (contains a Cleanser, Gentle Exfoliant, & Toner-all in one bottle!)
Mary Kay Blemish Control Toner

Moisturizer:
Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer for Combination to Oily Skin
Mary Kay Botanicals Hydrate for Oily Skin
Aveeno Protect+Hydrate with SPF50

Foundations:
Mary Kay TimeWise Matte Wear Foundation
Mary Kay TimeWise Luminous Wear Foundation
Mary Kay CC Cream
Maybelline FitMe Matte & Poreless Foundation
Garnier BB Cream

Recommendations:
Take a look at the skin care companies I recommended in the previous post for skin recommendations

Foundation:
Neutrogena (has a great one for acne control)
Mary Kay (5 different formulas in 60 shades)
Nars
Kat Von D
Maybelline FitMe
Cover Girl Ready Set Gorgeous
L’Oreal True Match (Regular and Lummi)
Revlon Color Stay (though it has an odor to me)
Estee Lauder
Bobbi Brown

Note: For high end foundations, you can be shade matched as well as have a consultation with a trained consultant.


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Skin Care: Part 1


Well, the cast strikes again. You would have laughed or possibly cried watching me do my makeup today. So I decided I would do a post on the most important part of makeup and that is skin care. You cannot have makeup that looks nice if the skin underneath is not cared for properly. I like the analogy of a cake. If you bake a cake and leave out the sugar or eggs, then put the frosting on before it’s ready then not only will the cake taste awful but it will look less than appetizing as well-no matter how high quality and tasty the frosting you use is. So let’s learn how to bake a cake right!

There are five components to skin care: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Tone, Moisturize, & Protect.

Cleanse
This step is just what you’d think-cleansing the skin. This includes not only cleaning the makeup off at night (which you should always do) but also in the morning when you wake up and before you put your makeup on. Think about your tables and fans and everything else in your house. Have you ever dusted your tables and then the next day there is dust on them again? That is what is attaching itself to your face every night and day as well. My friend likes to ask her clients how many times they have to clean their eyeglasses in a day. I know mine get dirty pretty quickly. That’s also what is falling on your face throughout the day. You just don’t ever want to skip cleansing your face in the morning. I hope it also goes without saying that you want to get your makeup off at the end of day as well. Leaving makeup on at night will not only increase your potential for breakouts but also ages your skin. Nobody wants either of those things!

To properly cleanse your face you want to use a cleanser that is for the face and specially formulated for your specific skin type. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or acne prone skin there is a cleanser out there for you. For best results dampen your face then put the cleanser in your hands and suds it up by rubbing, then apply it to your face. To rinse, take a warm, damp wash cloth and gently remove the cleanser. This is to insure that all the makeup and other icky stuffs are off your face. You can also utilize the help of a battery powered facial cleansing brush. There are lots of those on the market from high end to affordable. If you do use a cleansing brush be sure to change the head every three months.

Exfoliate
This step is crucial to healthy skin as well, but you don’t necessarily have to do it every day but it is recommended no less than twice a week. Exfoliating is important to your pores’ cleanliness and turn over. Every couple of days your pores slough off (not to be confused with your skins renewal process which is 2-3 weeks) and if you don’t exfoliate and cleanse those pores when the skin within the pore sloughs off it can get stuck and clog your pores. Guess what happens then? Yep, blemishes. Exfoliating also helps get rid of dull, lifeless looking skin. You want to put the best skin on your face forward!

There are many exfoliating products on the market. Exfoliating doesn't necessarily mean harsh scrubs either. Using a gentle scrub made for sensitive skin is just as effective as those “seriously, we mean business” scrubs. If you suffer from rosasea or psoriasis, you may want to check with your dermatologist to see what he/she recommends for you. In cases of severely sensitive skin, a doctor my recommend a chemical exfoliant. Also if you use a cleansing brush that in itself helps to exfoliate your skin.


Come back Friday when I will address the last 3 steps of skin care. Below I have listed some products and product lines I recommend for cleansing and exfoliating!

*Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post.
Cleansers
What I use:  Mary Kay 3-in-1 Cleanser for Combination to Oily Skin in the morning
Generic Brand of the Clean & Clear Morning Burst Cleanser at night in the shower
Cleansing Brush I use: Mary Kay Skinvigorate Cleansing Brush

Exfoliant:
What I use: Daily: Mary Kay 3-in-1 Cleanser contains gentle exfoliating beads
Evening: Garnier Clean+  Blackhead Eliminating Scrub (I love this!)

Skin Care Lines I Recommend:
Mary Kay
Garnier (one of my favorites)
Yes, to …. (blueberries, carrots, there are several)
L’Oreal
Simple
Aveeno
Mario Bedescu
Clinique
Fresh

There are many great high end as well as drug store brands. If you have any questions as to what is right for you go somewhere that has a consultant on hand.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Pretty & Sparkly plus Review of Maybelline FitMe Matte & Poresless Foundation

Face:
NYX Angel Veil Primer
Maybelline FitMe Matte & Poreless Foundation
Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer
Mary Kay Translucent Loose Powder

I've been using the Maybelline FitMe Matte & Poreless to see if how it stands up against more expensive foundations and I've been pleasantly surprised by its performance. It truly gives a matte and poreless complexion just as the name suggests. I found that after a few hours of wear it looks even better too. The Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is what I've been using to apply it and it I've been pressing into the skin (stippling) and then buffing it in to blend. This is a really great foundation and I highly recommend it for those with oily skin and also for those in humid climates. The foundation really holds up. If you are more dry I would say to skip this because you could get some dry patches and suggest trying the Original Maybelline FitMe which is labelled for more dry skin. All in all this is a great foundation at an unbeatable price. I got it on sale for less than $4.50 USD. You absolutely can't beat that with a stick! Highly recommend for normal to oily skin. 


Eyes
Base: Mary Kay Creme Eyeshadow in Beach Blonde
For Shadow I used the Wet n' Wild Walking on Eggshells Trio         Lid: See Picture 
Crease: See Picture
Highlight Under Brow & Inner Corner: See Picture
Bottom Lid: Crease Color
I used the Palette on in the way suggested
in the packaging.

Eyeliners
Right now I only have 1 working hand and it is my non dominate hand so me and eyeliner are not really good friends at the moment. For "eyeliner" I used a makeup spray on a eyeliner brush with Triple Fudge eyeshadow from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette
My bottom lids are tattooed Black.
Mascara: Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black

Cheeks
Bronzer: Mary Kay Bronzing Powder in Light Medium
Blush: Loreal True Match in Innocent Flush
Highlight: None

Lips
Liner: Mary Kay Eyeliner in Dusty Pink
Lipstick: Maybelline Lipstick in Peach Poppy (I love this!)
Lipgloss: Mary Kay NouriShine Lipgloss in Sun Blossoms



Friday, April 17, 2015

Makeup While Injured (or as I like to call it-The One Handed Makeup Challenge!)

On Easter Sunday of this year I woke up with a giant, swollen right wrist and hand. Later that week I learned I had a cyst on my bone that needed to be removed (did I mention it was very painful?). This past Monday I had the surgery and the doctor put me in a cast. I was not aware or prepared for this. All I know is that I had explained to the doctor at the time of my visit that I was a makeup artist and had LOTS of weddings and brides to work with in May and I needed my right hand. He said if we took care of it right away that I'd be ok within a couple of weeks. I'm now within that "couple" of weeks period and I'm going nuts! I feel very sorry for anyone who's had to wear a cast for 6 weeks. I've been in this thing 4 days and I'm going insane. It comes off on the 27th.

Today was the first day since my surgery that I put on a full face of makeup. Oh, how funny, not to mention painful, it was! If you are not used to using your left hand (or right if you're a lefty) and you're suddenly forced to use it for everything everyday, simple tasks because ridiculously difficult and seemingly impossible. This is especially true for doing your hair! Then there is makeup. That was one train wreck I don't wish upon anyone. When I was timidly putting on my blush with my left hand I thought, "This must be what people who never wear makeup feel like when they first try!" With my right hand, I have so much control and am so practiced at my craft it can sometimes seem like I'm doing it on autopilot without thinking. Not so much when I changed that one little thing-using my left hand. My eyebrows were laughable and we won't even talk about my eyeliner. But I did come up with something wearable.

Here's what I used: Mix of MK Matte & Luminous Wear Foundations, Maybelline FitMe Concealer, MK Facial Highlighting Pen, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. For my eyes I started with a natural colored base then used to Avon cream shadow in Frosting for some all over shimmer and life. (Remember, I'm pale and swollen right now!) Then I used the Lorac Unzipped Palette to add some life to the crease and more shimmer and pop to the lid and brow bone.
The eyeliner was a serious challenge! I used Jordana Eyeliner pencil in Espresso Last VERY SLOPPILY on the upper lid only (I had an eye exam later that day so I thought I'd keep those waterlines clear.) and then attempted to smudge them out as is my usual. It didn't go well. Enough said.
I used my LA Colors Naturale Blush as Bronzer and my MK Shy Blush as Blush. My lips were all pouty with the NYX Lipliner in EVER, my new Maybelline Lipstick in Untainted Spice (I've been looking for it stores for a month!), and my MK NouriShine Plus lipgloss in Au Naturale.

Well, I did the best that I could. Here's the Result!


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Message from Callie & Me


Callie & I beg you to forgive us (I mean, look at that face!!), we have NEVER missed a Beauty Blog before but I have nothing to show you today! I'm so sorry! I had surgery on my Right Hand (which is my dominate hand) on Monday and before that I was in severe pain on my right hand so I haven't been able to work on makeup or blogs or anything. The doctor said I should be able to regain use in a few days but I will have a cast on for the next 2 weeks. I WILL have SOMETHING for you on Friday. I love you guys and I appreciate you always coming back 3 times EVERY week to check me out. Feel free to check out the blog archives today and check out some of the looks you may have missed. I'm taking a pain pill and heading back to bed. See you Friday!!!

This was my attempt at working Tuesday.
I'm not left handed but I learned how to "write" with it
quickly. (More like chicken scratch!)

Monday, April 13, 2015

Easy Everyday with a Pop of Color

Face
Mary Kay (MK) Foundation Primer
MK CC Cream in Light-Medium
Maybelline FitMe Concealer in 20 Sand
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent
NYX Dewey Finishing Spray

Eyes
Base: Avon Eyeshadow Base in Light Beige                  
Lid: Lime Green Eyeshadow (You can use Lime from Mary Kay. I used a Limited Edition Lime
Green Shadow from a Mary Kay Palette.)
Crease: Driftwood from Mary Kay
Outer V: None
Highlight Under Brow & Inner Corner: Honey Spice
Bottom Lid: Driftwood and a little of the Aqua Stone Eyeliner (see below)

Eyeliners
Upper Lid & Waterline: Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeliner in Espresso Last
Lower Waterline and Lid: Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeliner in Aqua Stone
My bottom lids are tattooed Black.
Mascara: CK One Mascara in Black from Calvin Klein

Cheeks
Bronzer: LA Colors Blush in Naturale
Blush: Shy Blush
Highlight: None

Lips
Liner: None
Lipstick: Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick in Wild About Pink

Lipgloss: Mary Kay NouriShine Lipgloss in Sun Blossoms

Friday, April 10, 2015

Quick & Polished

Face
Mary Kay (MK) Foundation Primer
MK CC Cream in Light-Medium
Maybelline FitMe Concealer in 20 Sand
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent
NYX Dewey Finishing Spray

Eyes
Base: Avon Color Cream Eyeshadow in Frosting
(Shimmery Soft Pink)                  
Lid: Strawberry Bon Bon
Crease: Salted Caramel
Outer V: None
Highlight Under Brow & Inner Corner: Chocolate Truffle
Bottom Lid: Salted Caramel
All shadows from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

Eyeliners
Upper Lid & Waterline: Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeliner Pencil in Espresso Last
Lower Waterline: None
My bottom lids are tattooed Black.
Mascara: CK One Mascara in Black by Calvin Klein

Cheeks
Bronzer: LA Girl Blush in Naturale
Blush: I blended my bronzer up on the cheek a bit and that's all!
Highlight: Nope
 
Lips
Liner: None
Lipstick: NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Pecan

Lipgloss: (Optional) Mary Kay NouriShine Lipgloss in Au Naturale








Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Aqua & Navy


See Current Foundation Routine

Eyes
Base: Jordana 12 Hour Jumbo Pencil in Continuous Almond 
For the Turquoise and Navy Colors (Matte) I used the Maybelline Eyeshadow Duo in Shocking Seas                  
Lid: Turquoise 
Crease: Navy 
Highlight Under Brow: Ulta Silk
Inner Corner: Ulta Going Green
Bottom Lid: Navy

Eyeliners
Upper Lid & Waterline: Rimmel Black
Lower Waterline: Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeliner in Aqua Stone
My bottom lids are tattooed Black.
Mascara: Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black

Cheeks
Bronzer: LA Colors Blush in Naturale
Blush: Maybelline Deep Coral
Highlight: Mary Lou Manizer by the Balm

Lips
Liner: None
Lipstick: Maybelline Make Me Pink
Lipgloss: Mary Kay NouriShine Lipgloss in Pink Sateen

Monday, April 6, 2015

Aqua & Lime


 See Current Foundation Routine
Pixi by Petra Ultimate Beauty Kit 2nd Edition
This is what I used to do my makeup today.

Eyes
Base: Avon Eyeshadow Base                   
Lid: Lime Green Color
Crease: Caramel Brown Color
Outer V: None
Highlight Under Brow & Inner Corner: Pinkish White 
Shimmer Color
Bottom Lid: Fresh Peach from the Maya Mia Palette 
by Anastasia Beverly Hills

Eyeliners
Upper Lid & Bottom Waterline: Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeliner in Aqua Stone
Lower Waterline: Rimmel Scandaleyes in Black
My bottom lids are tattooed Black.
Mascara: Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black

Cheeks
Bronzer: LA Colors Blush in Naturale
Blush: Light Pink Color
Highlight: Pink Champagne Color

Lips
Liner: Rimmel East End Snob
Lipstick: LA Girl Glazed Lip Paint in Elude

Lipgloss: None

Friday, April 3, 2015

Sultry Spring


Face:
Mary Kay (MK) Foundation Primer
Lorac Behind the Scenes Eyeshadow Primer
MK Matte Wear Foundation in Beige2
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Eyes
Base: Avon Eyeshadow Base in Light Beige                  
Lid: Outer 2/3's-Lorac Espresso, Inner 3rd-Lorac Nude
Crease: Hazelnut by Mary Kay
Highlight Under Brow: Honey Spice by Mary Kay 
Inner Corner: Nude by Lorac
Bottom Lid: Espresso by Lorac
(Lorac colors available in the Lorac Pro-original and the Lorac Pocket Pro) 

Eyeliners
Upper Lid and Bottom Waterline: Jordana Easyliner in Blue Devine (It's more of a blue-ish teal color-really pretty)
Upper Waterline: Rimmel Scandaleyes in Black
My bottom lids are tattooed Black.
Mascara: Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black

Cheeks
Bronzer: LA Colors Blush in Naturale
Blush: Loreal True Match Blush in Innocent Flush
Highlight: Mary Lou Manizer by the Balm

Lips
Liner: None
Lipstick: NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Pecan 

Lipgloss: NYX Butter Gloss in Raspberry Tart


Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Hello, Spring!! Pop of Teal & Sweet Pink




Face
Mary Kay (MK) Foundation Primer
MK Matte Wear Foundation in Ivory 7
Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Very Fair/Light
Maybelline FitMe Concealer in 20 Sand
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

Brows:
MK Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette
Ulta Eyebrow Powder
MK Eyebrow Gel

Eyes
Base: Avon Eyeshadow Base in Light Beige
Too Faced White Chocolate (I've been laying this down a lot so my shadows 
will blend well             
Crease: Milk Chocolate* 
Lid: First, Strawberry Bon Bon* then, Bella Rose by Milani on top
Outer V: None
Highlight Under Brow: White Chocolate* & Chocolate Truffle*
Inner Corner: Bella Teal by Milani
Bottom Lid: Milk Chocolate*
*Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

Eyeliners
Upper lid & Waterline: Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeliner Pencil in Espresso Last
Lower Waterline: Rimmel Nude
My bottom lids are tattooed Black.
Mascara: MK Ultimate Mascara in Black

Cheeks
Bronzer: LA Colors Blush in Naturale
Blush: MK Shy Blush
Highlight: Mary Lou Manizer by the Balm

Lips
Liner: None
Lipstick: Maybelline Make Me Pink

Lipgloss: MK NouriShine Plus Lipgloss in Pink Sateen