Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Valentine's Day Makeup Tutorial: Accentuate your eyes and lips

Valentines Day Makeup Tutorial

Hello! This is my first makeup tutorial! Yay! :D This is a beautiful look for a romantic evening with that special someone for Valentine's Day. I am a single lady, but I do have plans to have dinner with a friend. I couldn't decide if it would be more appropriate to draw focus to the eyes or to the mouth. Why not both? Your gent wont be able to take his eyes of your flirty cat eye and sexy red lip. If you want to get all dolled up I think this would be a perfect look for you! I would love to hear how your Valentine's Day goes. Please comment below!


Makeup I used...




Face
Moisturize with Origins VitaZing using foundation brush
Use the same foundation to apply DiorSkin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup
Cover any blemishes and dark circles using Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer 

Eyes
Using MAC 211 brush apply Clinique's Brush on Cream Liner in Deep Brown to the top lash line. Try to get as close to the roots as possible
Pat on Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion to eye lids
With an angle brush fill in brows using Laura Mercier Brow Definer 
Apply MAC Vanilla Eyeshadow all over lid and up to brow bone using MAC 217 Brush
Swipe Urban Decay's Sidecar eyeshadow and Half Baked eyeshadow on to same brush and apply all over lids, up into crease (I like to mix the two eyeshadows because I find using Sidecar makes your lids a little more neutral gold instead of in your face gold. If that makes sense)
Going back to the MAC 211 brush, flick out a cat eye using the same cream liner (Tip: This will take awhile if you're not use to doing it. I find it is easier when you always look ahead. This will help you achieve the same line on both eyes)
Using an angled brush dab a matte brown eyeshadow to the outer corner of bottom lashes. I used Urban Decay's eyeshadow in Naked (This will give a shadow effect and make your lashes appear to be much longer and fuller)
Curl lashes. Brush on mascara to top lashes and only to the outer corners of your bottom lashes.  I used Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion
Line bottom water line with a skin tone pencil. I like to use Make Up For Ever's Concealer Pencil. I find using a white eye liner can be too stark.

The combination of Urban Decay's Sidecar and Half Baked Eyeshadow





 Cheeks
Brush on a rose colored blush. I used Glo Minerals Blush in Sheer Petal. BeneFits Dandelion blush would also be a lovely color to use
Using the same foundation brush as earlier blend MAC's Cream Color Base in Pearl to highlight cheekbones

Lips
Line your lips using a red lip liner. I used NYX Auto Lip Pencil in Hot Red (Tip: to make your lipstick last all night pencil your entire mouth with the lip liner, not just the outline of your pout)
For lipstick I used MAC Russian Red, a very sexy red for Valentine's Day!

MAC Russian Red



I hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day!

xoxoxo
Katie

Saturday, February 4, 2012

January Favorites

January Favorites



1. Wedding Bells are ringing!!! My best friend, Lauren (AntiquedGold) is getting married!! This is the best news I have heard in a very long time. They are one of my favorite couples and I am so excited for them. This is my first closest friend that is getting married. We are growing up so fast! Well I guess we are adults now haha. I can't wait for the big day! :)

2. OraBrush is a life saver! Do you ever ask yourself,  "Do I have bad breath??" Well you wont have to worry about that anymore. OraBrush will gently scrape all of the build up off your tongue. Eww sorry I know it's really gross to think about. Bad breath is usually caused from the nasty gunk on your tongue. You will feel another level of clean once you try the OraBrush.

3. Ikat patterns are a fun casual print to incorporate into your decor. I really want a few Ikat pillows to toss on my sofa to liven up the room. I love all the bright colors Ikats usually come in.

4. I've been wearing my new black desert boots almost everyday. They are super comfortable winter shoes. I usually pair them with skinny jeans and a sweater. 

5. I have never liked a candle brand as much as I like Tyler Candles. They are truly amazing candles. They have the best scents and they last a really long time. My favorite scent is Kathina. It is more of a masculine scent, but I think it smells really clean and fresh. These candles will make your whole house smell fantastic.

6. I have found the perfect shade of lipstick for me and that is Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy. Absolutely love this color! I hope they never discontinue it because it is the perfect shade of pink. I recently lost this lipstick while having way too much fun one night :P I was so heart broken, but my friends parents surprised me with a new tube for Christmas. Now I am complete again :)

7. I am currently redecorating my room. I enjoy going to my local antique and thrift shops to look for little knick knacks to add some character. I recently bought a new chest of drawers from Ikea. To make it look extra special  I'm going to replace the knobs with some old glass dresser knobs. I have also displayed a few of my grandmothers teacups to give the room a feminine feel. 

8. I'm noticing women wearing ribbons in their hair.You might be thinking this could come off a bit adolescent. One could look a little childish if you go overboard with it and stick a giant bow in your hair. My suggestion is to keep it simple. Stick with one solid color. Don't buy ribbon that is too glittery or bold with a design. Adding a red ribbon to your mane would be really cute and flirty for Valentines day <3

9. I'm addicted to Breaking Bad. I haven't been so hooked on a show in a really long time. I don't have cable so I've been watching the show online. I can't wait for season five to come out. Have you ever seen Breaking Bad? If you haven't, CAUTION! Watch the @#%* out!! The story of high school chemistry teacher Walter White turned ill fated cancer surviving meth cook will keep you up at night! I'm not making this up, it happened to me. The series becomes particularly gripping when Walter becomes entwined in the merciless Mexican drug cartel. Download seasons 1-4 now so you can be prepared for the fifth and final season.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Top 50 Beauty Products for 2011

Top 50 Beauty Products for 2011

I wanted to share my Top 50 Beauty Products for 2011. Some of these products I have been using for years and some I have only discovered this past year. I stand behind these products because they work best for me, they may or may not work for you. Since I am so passionate about makeup, skincare, nails, etc. I am willing to test a lot of products. Testing a new product can be frustrating, but it can also be very enlightening. I hope you enjoy this post. Please comment below!
                                                                           
                                                                               Katie 


Makeup

1. Best Primer: Cover FX Clearprep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment
2. Best Lip Balm: Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil
3. Best Tinted Moisturizer: Origins VitaZing
4. Best Brush Range: MAC Cosmetics
5. Best Concealer: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
6. Best Under Eye Concealer: Clinique Airbrush Concealer
7. Best Powder/Compact Foundation/Mineral Base: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
8. Best Brow Filler: Laura Mercier Brow Definer
9. Best Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion
10. Best Powder Eyeshadow: *Tie Between MAC Cosmetics and Urban Decay
11. Best Gel Eyeliner: Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner
12. Best Mascara: CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion
13. Best Illuminator: MAC Cosmetics Cream Base in Pearl
14. Best Blush: NARS Cosmetics Blush in Orgasm
15. Best Everyday Lipstick: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy
16. Best Red Lipstick: MAC Cosmetics in Russian Red
17. Best Lipgloss: MAC Cosmetics Lipglass

Skincare


18. Best Eye Makeup Remover: Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover
19. Best Wash Off Cleanser: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser with Muslin Cloth
20. Best Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin: Grandpa's Refreshing Witch-Hazel Soap
21. Best Facial Exfoliator: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
22. Best Mask: Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Fresh Face Mask in The Sacred Truth
23. Best Toner: Tea Tree Oil and Water ( I put a few drops of Tea Tree Oil in a glass spray bottle with water and shake. Extra Tip! For hot summer day I keep my spray bottle in the refrigerator and spritz all over my face and neck when I need a refreshing pick me up.)
24. Best Moisturizer: Origins VitaZing
25. Best Spot Treatment: *Tie Between Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel and Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick
26. Best Serum: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
27. Best Eye Cream: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

Hands, Feet, & Nails

28. Best Hand Soap: Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap in Eucalyptus Mint
29. Best Base Coat: European Secrets Rock Hard Hardener & Basecoat
30. Best Nail Polish: *Tie Between OPI and Essie
      Best Red Polish: OPI Big Apple Red
      Best Natural Polish: OPI Tickle Me Francey
      Best Bright Polish: Essie Mint Candy Apple
      Best Dark Polish: Essie Roc The Croc
      Best Pink Polish: OPI Kiss On The Chic
31. Best Top Coat: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat
32. Best Hand Cream: Mistral Shea Butter Hand Cream in Almond Milk
33. Best Foot Scrub: Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Sugar Babe Sugar Scrub
34. Best Foot Cream: Eucerine Original Moisturizing Cream
Body

35. Best Bubble Bath: Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Bubble Bar in A French Kiss
36. Best Bar Soap: Mistral Signature French Soap in Coco Lime
37. Best Shower Gel: Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash
38. Best Body Exfoliator: Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Sugar Scrub
39. Best Body Moisturizer: Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream
40. Best Deodorant: Degree Women Clinical Protection in Classic Romance
41. Best Perfume: Coach Signature Eau de Toilette Spray
42. Best Tanning Lotion: Australian Gold Spray Gel
Hair


43. Best Shampoo/Conditioner: Redken Nature's Rescue Refreshing Detox Shampoo & Cooling Deep Conditioner
44. Best Hair Mask: Redken Real Control Intense Renewal Super Moisturizing Mask
45. Best Heat Protector/Instant Shine: Moroccan Oil Treatment
46. Best Smoothing/ De-Frizzer: TIGI Bedhead After Party Smoothing Cream
47. Best Curl Cream: Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer

48. Best Hot Tool: 1" Curling Iron (Any Brand)
49. Best Hairspray: Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray
50. Best Dry Shampoo: Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo