After a bit of a hiatus, I’m back and happy to get out of my makeup rut with two super collabs from Dose of Colors DesixKaty collection (Youtubes: Desi Perkins and Lustrelux) and JaclynHillxMorphe Eyeshadow Palette (Youtube: Jaclyn Hill).
I did grab a ton from the DesixKaty collab and most of the collection worked beautifully, I especially love the liquid lipstick in Hot Fire, Fuego Highlighter and The Girls palette. But the lipsticks in No Shade and More Creamer Please, are a bit tough to pull off on my pale princess skin. They can definitely be mixed though if you want a bit of a more yellow undertone. Just wanted to give a little mini breakdown, see below for all the look deets!
Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Palette $38 and Dose of Colors DesixKaty The Girls Palette $28 (follow both brands and the girls as these come back in stock soon!) Noted as JH (for Jaclyn Hill Palette) and DxK (for DesixKaty products)
I’m back everyone! Sorry it’s been so long since I have posted, but work and life have gotten in the way as of late. I wanted my next post to be meaningful, and not just a summer makeup post (no worries, those will be coming!).
So with that, my best friend is in the process of going vegetarian and is transferring all of her makeup to cruelty free brands, which is something I would love to do as well soon. So I wanted to make a post about both high end and affordable brands who are CF (cruelty free) and V (vegan), and some of my favorite products. I also created a full face makeup look. So, take your step to saving the fur children and read below.
PS, note that many parent brands for example L’Oreal, who tests on animals, own cruelty free brands such as NYX, so that could be an ethics issue for some. (I’ve put a * next to these brands) Doing research is key, and apps such as Cruelty Cutter, can help when shopping. Also, not all of my posts from here on out will feature only CF and V brands/products, but I am looking to make the shift over the next few months.
Cruelty Free Makeup Brands
*Look for the cruelty free label on most brand’s websites or in their about me/FAQ section.
**Additionally, I’ve only listed brands I personally have used below. I will be testing more brands soon.
Shoes: Dolce Vita (also few years ago) will update similar options soon!
Hi everyone! So spring is finally here even though the weather doesn’t quite feel like it in New Jersey, but I am already thinking about my spring wardrobe. I’ve put a list below of some of my favorite trends this year: florals with a twist in muted styles like the bodysuit I’m wearing above or vintage red rose designs, black and white pieces that are anything but boring, and feminine ruffles I’d wear with leather accents or a distressed denim to edge them up. Read below for all the looks and to see more looks on how I styled the body suit above, I’ve put more pictures below :).
The most glamorous night of the year came and went without any controversy (*insert Steve Harvey joke here*) but surprisingly there weren’t too many fashion and beauty missteps.I was a bit sad to see the lack of color this Oscars season, but my eyes lit up at Olivia Culpo’s lovely lilac eye look. I love the whimsical vibes this gives which makes it perfect for spring. You could definitely wear this everyday for a pop of color with a BB cream or light foundation, or you could wear as-is for a more formal event. I used mostly affordable products for this look, and gave alternatives if I used something higher end. Olivia’s team used L’Oreal for the eye look so you can really achieve this on a tighter budget. Read below if you want to get this dreamy pastel makeup look!
Cream contour: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick Contour in Call Me Maple (applied in contours of the cheeks, high points of the forehead, nose and under the lips) blended out with a stippling brush, and patted in with a damp Beauty Blender. Then took my Shape Tape concealer under the cheek contour and blended it out for a harsher line.
Lid and crease: L’Oreal Colour Riche Pocket Palette in Violet Amour, used the bottom left shade (light purple) all over the lid, first using a blending brush in the crease and then packing all over with a shader brush.
Outer crease: L’Oreal Violet Amour top right shade (medium toned Violet) a bit of this in the outer crease applied with a blending brush.
Lower lashline: Bottom left shade from Violet Amour palette applied generously with a fluffy pencil brush, then applied a bit of the lighter shade from the Shady Violet eye paints in the center.
Inner corner: I used a discontinued Wet n Wild pigment (sorry didn’t even realize!) but you can use your face highlighter in the inner corner for the same effect.
Mascara: Maybelline Big Shot Mascara in Very Black (I believe Olivia is only wearing mascara, but I like a bit more drama so I added falsies, but you could definitely stop at mascara).
Lip liner: NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Mauve (your liner should be a shade or two darker than your lipstick for this look so you see a subtle shift for light to dark)
Hello lovelies; we are only a few days out from Valentine’s Day, or Valentine’s Day weekend, and I wanted to get a romantic makeup look up that also has a sexy edge. You can definitely interchange the lipstick for something nude if a flirty romantic vibe is more your thing, or you could change the brown eyeshadow I used to smoke this out with a black for a more sultry look. Whether you’re spending the day swapping candy hearts with your significant other or hitting the movie theatres to see a certain lust-filled movie (okay, it’s Fifty Shades Darker) with your girlfriends (or you’re doing both, because you should never forget about your girls!) this is the perfect Valentine’s Day Makeup. Read below for all the details.
Lower lashline: Antique Bronze blended all over with a fluffy definer brush (I use the smaller side of the brush in the palette) and Cypress Umber on the outer corner and slightly near the inner corner.
Hello everyone! I’ve been waiting to break out the insanely beautiful MAC Spellbinder Shadow in Mysterious Influence for a twist on a smokey eye, so I did today for this makeup look. I will say while these shadows are beautiful, they are very finicky to work with. I would recommend applying your foundation after your eyeshadow, and tapping any excess powder off your brush because the fallout from this was crazy! Needless to say even with some not-so-great attributes, I really loved the way this color looked on the eyes. Read below for how I achieved this look, and I’ll have some Valentine’s Day posts coming up soon 🙂
Lid: Applied more of Valley Girl in the center of the lid
Outer lid: Used some of Kat Von D’s Jet shadow from the Metal Matte palette to darken the very outer part of the lid. Can use any black shadow.
Lower lashline: Morphe 35O row 5, shade 2 (golden bronze), then blended Mysterious Influence with that, then used a black shadow with a definer brush close to lower lashes to deepen.
2017 is upon us, and with it I’m sure some holy grail makeup products will launch, but let’s not forget about the 2016 standouts! My favorites for 2016 have a mix of high end and drugstore, and also this year I discovered the importance of moisturizing so I even have some skin care in my line-up.The products below are the ones that will be in my makeup bag for a long, long time. So if you’re still on the hunt for your must-have makeup staples read below for the best in foundations, lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes, brushes and more!
Happy soon to be holidays everyone! With a few weeks left to shop, and those Secret Santa and holiday parties right around the corner I wanted to provide a gift guide with options for every price range. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift to swap with your friends at a White Elephant/Secret Santa party (because let’s be real it’s hard to find something everyone likes!) or you have no idea what to tell your aunt to get you this season, below are beauty and miscellaneous (fashion, jewelry, etc.) items that will always land you on the nice list! These are broken into category in case you’re looking for something specific; this post is a long one!
I included the three brush sets above because I love and use brushes from all these brands. Remember, don’t get trapped in “what’s pretty” or super affordable because you may be skimping on quality. These little makeup magic makers are both beautiful and in a price range you can afford! I’ve been lusting over the Morphe ones in particular. Also, anyone can use makeup brushes, so I think this is a perfect Secret Santa gift too.
I also think an eyeshadow palette is an awesome and universal gift to give this season. Gone are the days where low-price meant low quality. I personally use and love the Carli Bybel Palette and Morphe palette all of the time, and ColourPop’s range is perfect for the makeup beginner. I actually discovered MAC’s glitters in a holiday palette and they are my favorite glitters to this day. Unfortunately, you can only snag them in a holiday palette, at a pro store or online :(. The pricier palettes on this list have been star shadow palettes this year(the Too Faced Palette completely sold out once already!) so you won’t go wrong putting those under the tree!
One way to brighten anyone’s holiday morning is with a stunning highlighter or blush palette. Whether you’re looking to give more of a makeup everyday staple like the Tarte of Benefit cheek palettes (the Benefit one is almost sold out, not surprising as it features many of their bestsellers, but a few are still on Sephora). The Colourpop trio is perfect for any highlighter beginner or seasoned makeup lover as the colors are easy to apply and work across many skintones. I’m very fair and use darker shades like Butterfly Beach all of the time. The Laura Geller highlighters were at the top of everyone’s highlighter wish list this year, so this little trio gives the makeup lover some try-on options to find her highlighter holy grail. Also, you cannot go wrong with my favorite make-you-glisten-like-an-ice-queen highlighter, Champagne Pop. I have my eye on the Make Up Forever as a new hit for 2017, maybe I’ll finally cave in and get it with some Christmas cash.
You can’t be caught kissing under the mistletoe without a bit of fool-proof lipsticks! Liquid lipsticks are totally the way to go during the holidays, and some of my favorite formulas including Kat Von D, NYX and Colourpop have some awesome sets. I’ve never personally tried Kylie’s Lip Kits, but what girl wouldn’t want one as a stocking stuffer!? (and some of her classics are in-stock now, so it’s a good time to grab some!) The Tarte and Bite sets are perfection for anyone with their comfortable and wearable formulas and color selections (both great sets for Mom!).
I also included the stunning Jouer Lip Topper in Frost Bite (Skinny Dip and Tan Lines are awesome sparkly options too) as a major want of mine this season. It’s the optime of holiday sparkle. Oh, and the holiest of them all? The Urban Decay set which includes 30 lipsticks, and I promise this formula is amazing too. What else could a girl want?
Baublebar Engraved Coordinates Bar Pendant$38 (you can pick the coordinates of your best friend or significant other’s favorite city/place you love to visit or want to visit)
Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Insant Camera $59 (we live in an instant social media world, so polaroid cameras are a fun and welcome comeback, especially in these fun pastel colors!)
Baublebar Aries Crystal Choker Bib $72 (perfect for the Glamazon in your life, this necklace is a great staple for New Year’s or Valentine’s Day)
Zara Leather Effect Jacker $69.90 (I live in my Zara leather jacket, and they hold up great, look real and go with everything! Order a size up though so they fit over your wooly winter sweaters)
MVMT Hermosa or Sunset Watch $125 (you can’t go wrong with a staple watch, I like the Sunset a bit better but it’s sold out, but both styles are beautiful and classic so they’ll be in style forever)
Michael Kors Brooklyn Bag$208.95 (I know MK bags have been all the rage, but I hadn’t liked any in a bit, but this bag is stunning and timeless with it’s boho look and black and gold accents, you can’t go wrong)
“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.” With everything happening in the world, I think it’s important to try and find whatever happiness you can. My outlet is creating, and channeling that helps take my mind off everything else. So with that, I hope whether it’s reading makeup tips or something else, this blog can be a place of escape for a little bit. With that, read below to get this vampy holiday makeup look, (I also have a nude lip option!) and know that we must be kind to one another.
Funnily enough this was a sample from Sephora, and I fell in love and just bought the full size! I had purchased the new Hourglass foundation and the fairest shade is too light even for me, so keep that in mind if you want to try!
Eyes: Kat Von D MetalMatte Palette (this palette is stunning, and limited edition, so if you love Kat Von D’s shadows I would defintely grab this! They are super pigmented and perfect for everyday or dramatic looks)
Crease: Suede, Silk and Velvet (applied Suede and Silk with a fluffy blending brush and Velvet with a pencil brush for a more defined crease)
Happy Halloween to all my Halloween loving lovelies! I’ve always been obsessed with Halloween; I feel like I can really let my creativity flag fly. This year I found these amazing silver deer antlers (covered in glittery goodness) at Spirit Halloween, and the idea of being a Harry Potter Patronus morphed. I’m also thoroughly in love with all things Harry Potter. I know it’s a little late to create this look now, but there’s always next year! Or any surprise future costume parties. Below is what I used to achieve this look, now Expecto Patronum!
Antlers: Silver Glitter Deer Antlers (on sale!) I did take the elastic out of this and hot glue these to a clear headband.
Skirt: Combined Boohoo Sofie Double Layer Tulle Skirt in Grey, and my Nan sewed on the tulle from under a prom dress I found at Goodwill for the train! I embellished the band with the gems from AC Moore and a hot glue gun.
Used NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk for the spots, along with NYX White Liquid Liner for some smaller spots.
Contoured my nose with Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette, any contour shade will do just wanted to make it wider looking.
On the bridge of my nose I used Colourpop’s Highlighter in Honeymoon. (Wish it didn’t look so muddy in this picture, but I promise it looked glowing and beautiful!)
Forehead and chin: Mehron Metallic Powder in Silver, mixed with Mehron Mixing Liquid. Make sure to have enough powder in the liquid for more opaqueness. Used a Q-tip to apply on my nose, and a wedge sponge to apply on the forehead and chin. Also, dotted some spots of this on my face.
Underneath: Sculpted this area with NYX Milk Jumbo Pencil, drawing a line from the outer corner of my eye in a diagonal almost to my nose. Then I filled that whole area, and my waterline with Milk as well.
Gems: Got both sets at AC Moore. They have sticky adhesive on the back, but I used a little lash glue to hold them on a bit better.
Lashes: Any pair will do, I like Ardell’s lashes as an affordable option. These were a silver and black Halloween style from Target (don’t know the brand off hand)
Brows: Fill in with your regular brow product, and I added some of the NYX Crystal glitter with the glitter glue on the outer arch.
Body:
All Mehron Metallic Powder. I used on any exposed skin, so my legs, arms, neck and torso as well as up my neck and some of my back. I needed 2 bottles, and would definitely recommend ordering 3-4 bottles if it’s the smaller powder. I just had enough.
First, I mix the powder and mixing liquid. You want the powder to grab your sponge and not be overly liquid-y.
Dip a wedge sponge and apply in stroking motions, this works better than patting, that makes it look super spotty. But if you have streaks then pat lightly over the area. This stuff does move a bit before it dries.
This will not get on anyone once it dries down, you really have to scrub it off (I went through a whole bar of soap!), but it’s great for going out as it won’t transfer on people or your car.
Hope you guys enjoyed this blog post, and have a safe and very wicked Halloween!