Face of the day: graduation festivities

I have been meaning to write this post for a long time. Several weeks ago, when my college career was wrapping up, I attended a couple different festivities to close out the end of the year. I wore this really pretty and feminine cream-colored lace dress that I loved! To complement the softness of the dress, I came up with a gorgeous pink-themed makeup look.

I have to say that it is one of my favorite looks I’ve ever come up with! So, I thought I would share with you all the products that I used!

{Base}

After moisturizing my face, I applied a generous layer of L’Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer. On top of that, I applied the Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation in Soft Beige. The combination of these two products were pretty interesting. The illuminating quality of the primer peeked through the matte foundation and gave my face a really subtile, natural glow that I was very pleased with! On top of all that, I applied my always trusty Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Medium/Deep just to give me a tad bit of warmth!

{Cheeks}

The cheeks have to be my favorite part about this entire look. First, I applied Maybelline Master Hi-Light Hi-Lighting Blush in Pink Rose. This product isn’t your ordinary blush. It contains three different pinky-peach shades and one white highlight to give your cheeks this luminous, natural glow. I love it so much! To be a drugstore blush, the color payoff is fabulous and it stays on all day. On top of the blush, I applied a light layer of the Revlon Highlighting Palette in Rose Glow. This highlighter really gave my cheeks an extra boost of glowiness and color. I also applied this down the bridge of my nose, too. This product is great for blending together blush and eliminating any harsh lines!

{Eyes}

For my eye makeup, I wanted to continue the soft and feminine pink theme. After priming my lids with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden, I applied the IsaDora Eyeshadow Quartet in Savannah Sunset. I purchased this palette in Germany last summer and ever since then, it’s been one of my faves! I’m so bummed out it isn’t available in the States; IsaDora has a lot of great products. Anyway, I used the two beige shades on my entire lid, and then applied the pink shade in my crease and the highlighting shade on my brow bone. These eyeshadows have such a shimmery but natural finish that is SO flattering.

For eyeliner, I drew a cat-eye with my ColourPop Creme Gel Colour in Swerve. As I have previously mentioned on my blog, this liner is great! It is a simple black that isn’t too matte or shiny, and it glides on effortlessly.

To top it all off, I applied about three coats of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. I have been using this mascara since April, and it is a stand-out in my collection. The wand is a unique, fat hourglass shape with lots of bristles. Loads of creamy, black pigment are delivered to my lashes! This mascara holds curl nicely and of course delivers ample volume. I have heard complains of flakiness with this mascara, but this isn’t a big problem for me; I have noticed that it flakes a little when I first put it on, but it has never flaked on me throughout the day. I love how shiny and weighted the tube is. If you are craving mega volume, BTS is worth checking out!

{Lips}

For some reason, I reversed the order of these two in the photo. I’m so sorry! Since I was going to take a lot of pictures the night that I wore this look, I wanted to make sure my lips were budge-resistant. First, I applied Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Color in Angelic. This liquid lipstick is just a really basic but pretty baby-pink shade with a natural finish. Best of all, it doesn’t come off till you take it off. Instead of applying a layer of clear lip balm on top to seal the deal, I used my ColourPop Lippie Stix in Lumiere. I am a fan of the Lippie Stix formula; despite the fact that it is a matte lipstick, it is not the least bit drying because it is so smooth and dense. I also love the slim packaging! I would describe Lumiere as a dusty, mauve-y pink shade. This color is universally flattering; I even have my mom hooked on it now!

Photo credit: Erin Turner

Hope you all enjoyed reading this post! Because this makeup look is very soft and feminine, I truly think the colors I used would flatter anyone. Pink makeup (especially on the eyes) can be a little intimidating to wear at times, but as long as you keep it soft, you will be just fine! After all, the point of wearing makeup is to experiment and have fun!

Have a fabulous day!

Face of the day: senior pictures

A couple weeks ago, I had a friend of mine take some portraits of me that I could use for my graduation announcement. I wanted the pictures to be elegant and simple, yet still show off my personality. I chose to wear a white chiffon top with a glittery, gold sequined collar!

I was very happy with how the pictures turned out! I wanted to keep my makeup pretty natural with a pop of shimmer. Today, I thought I would share with you the products I used to achieve this fresh and fun makeup look. Let’s get started, shall we?

{Base}

After washing my face, I put on a thin layer of Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potion. The formula is like a creamy balm with a matte finish. It does a great job of smoothing over your skin!
Next, I put a layer of Maybelline Better Skin Concealer + Corrector in Light under my eyes and any other areas that need extra attention. (I know, I reversed the foundation and concealer in the picture.) I really love this concealer because it almost has a serum-like texture that blends easily into my face, and it adds some brightness too!
After concealer, I applied Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation in Creamy Beige. This foundation has light to medium and buildable coverage. Although it has a matte finish, it doesn’t make me look too dry or flat. It’s also good at controlling oil.
I blended the foundation in with my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Lastly, I applied a thin dusting of Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Medium/Deep. As I have mentioned many times before, this is my all-time, forever-favorite bronzer!

{Eyes}

I really wanted my eye makeup to complement my glittery gold collar without being too showy or overboard! For a shimmery yet subtile look, I turned to my holy-grail Lorac Mega PRO 2 Palette. I’m just so crazy about these shadows!! It’s amazing how they are all so high-quality and creamy and wonderful. Before I applied, I of course primed my lids with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden.
 Anyway, for this look, I simply used the Gold Leaf shade there on the last row. As the name suggests, it is just a simple gold shade! After that, I lined my eyes with Sephora Collection Diamond Eyeliner in Cushion Cut. It is a simple black crayon liner with some silver shimmer! Lastly, I applied a couple coats of Benefit They’re Real! Mascara. The amazing formula is jet-black, shiny and delivers ample volume and length to lashes without them looking spidery. I would say it’s my favorite mascara!

{Cheeks}

I wanted to pair my gold, shimmery eyes with a glowy pink cheek! To achieve this look, I used Maybelline Master Hi-Light Blush in Pink Rose. As you can see, this blush is made up of four different colors, so it gives my cheeks some dimension! It also stays on very well for a drugstore blush.
Next, I applied a VERY small amount of highlighter (because you can never go wrong with that)! I used Revlon Highlighting Palette in Rose Glow on the tops of my cheek bones and down the bridge of my nose. Not only does it give my complexion a healthy rosy glow, but it also softens any harsh blush lines!

{Lips}

I decided to finish this look off with just a simple baby-pink lip! I went with Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Color in Angelic. I purchased this in Germany this past summer, and I really wish these liquid lipsticks were available in the States. They last a SUPER long time! The formula is nice and creamy, and also glides on smoothly. I love it! I use my Eos Lip Balm in Vanilla to help seal the color in and provide moisture. Plus, this balm tastes very good!

I hope you all enjoyed reading this post! I really feel like this makeup look could be worn every day; it has subtle shimmer and pops of color without being too tacky!

Have a fabulous day!

Face of the day: inspired by Audrey

When I do my makeup, I usually like to “play up” one of my features, whether it be my eyes, cheeks or lips, and then keep the rest of my face looking natural. Yesterday, instead of focusing on one feature being dramatic, I decided to try a more balanced and polished look.

I was so pleased with the outcome of this experiment that I have decided to share with y’all how I achieved it. I love it because it’s very classic, almost having a retro vibe!

Image source: flickr

The look I created reminds me of Audrey Hepburn–her features were always perfectly defined and not the least bit overdone. Talk about a classic beauty! Anyway, here are the products I used to create this look…

Step One: Face

As always, I prime my face first after using just a tad bit of moisturizer. For this look I used Urban Decay Brightening & Tightening Primer Potion. The cream-gel texture is cooling and soothing.

Next, I put on Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser in Neutralizer. This ultra-lightweight but creamy concealer helps cover my blemishes and add a bit of natural highlight to my face. I love love love it!

Then, I apply my foundation of the moment, Clinique Even Better Makeup in Neutral. Again, this formula is lightweight and easy to blend. I like that it has a natural finish, not too glowy or matte. The perfect happy medium!

To finish up my base, I apply a small amount of Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Medium/Deep. The best thing about this bronzer is that it is buildable and nearly impossible to over apply. I was afraid to bronze for the longest time because I feared I would resemble Snooki circa 2009. But this product has completely turned me around! It makes me have the prettiest sun-kissed glow, never too orange or overdone. Plus, it smells and tastes (yes I have accidentally tasted it) like chocolate!

Step Two: Cheeks 

To achieve a classic, flushed cheek, all you need is two products! First, I use Milani Baked Blush in Berry Amore. As you can see, I have nearly used ALL of it because I just love it SOOO much. The shade is a pretty berry-rose color with subtle gold shimmer, not glittery at all!

For an extra boost of glow, I use my trusty Laura Geller Baked Gelato Lace Illuminator in Ballerina. The shade is a pretty gold that gives your cheeks the most elegant sheen. A little goes a long way!

Step Three: Eyes

Perhaps the most iconic feature of Audrey Hepburn (at least in my opinion is her perfectly defined eyes. They were never too dramatic or overdone, just simple with a little bit of a cat-eye.
To copy her look, I first primed my lids with Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden, which keeps my eye makeup from creasing and/or fading.

Next, I used the shades Snakebite and Suspect from my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. These two shadows are just pretty basic taupes. I covered my whole lid with the lighter shade and put the darker one in my crease.

Then comes the Maybelline Line Stiletto Felt-Tip Eyeliner. This formula is good to use because it has a shine to it, and also it is easy to remove if you make a mistake. I have to admit that it’s not quite as easy to use as an eyeliner pen, though! I wish they could make it in that form. Nonetheless, this eyeliner is pretty good quality to be coming from the drugstore!

Lastly, I coat my lashes with about three coats of mascara. First, I do about two coats of my all-time favorite, Benefit They’re Real! Mascara. As I have said time and time again, this mascara is not shy when it comes to glossy volume and length. When those two coats are nearly dry, I finish it off with a coat of Essence Lash Princess Mascara. This just helps separate any clumps that may have formed, and defines my lashes one last time!

Step Four: Lips

For my lip color, I used just one product: Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita. This liquid lipstick is probably one of my absolute faves in my makeup collection, honestly! The shade is a natural brown with a rosy undertone that looks so pretty on my medium skin tone. The formula is thin and watery, so you want to be sure you use a mirror when applying because of the pigmentation. It doesn’t quite stay on all day, but it will last through about half the day or so! Lolita has a pretty matte finish.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this blog post! I have to say that this Audrey Hepburn-inspired look has to be one of my favorite “faces” I’ve created. She was always so classic and elegant. What girl wouldn’t be inspired by her?!

Have a fabulous day!

Face of the day: Peachy glow

Hello friends!

Finals week is upon us here at school, which means I should probably be studying right now–but I’m not. Instead, I thought I would write another blog post! I haven’t done a ‘Face of the Day’ post in a while, so here we go!

I created this warm, peachy glow look the other day when I was wearing an orange and cream striped Free People dress that I just adore. My makeup complemented the dress perfectly. Here are the products I used!

We all know that the cold temps can rob you of that bronzed summer glow. So here’s what I use to achieve that look during the winter. Once I apply moisturizer (I’ve been using Josie Maran SPF and it’s great) I put on just a dime-sized amount of Laura Geller Ethereal Spackle. I absolutely love the refreshing feel of the gel-cream texture. It keeps your makeup from sliding while also giving you a healthy glow!

For foundation, I’ve been using Laura Geller Balance ‘N’ Brighten in Medium. I love it so much because it covers my blemishes and evens out my skin tone without being the least bit heavy. In fact, it gives you the coverage of a liquid foundation while in the form of a powder, if that makes sense. I like to apply it with a dense powder brush so it can be nice and even.

To finish up my base, I add a tiny bit of Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Medium/Deep.  What I love most about this bronzer is that it is BUILDABLE. I never have to worry about over-applying because it never goes on too heavy. To ensure even coverage I just swirl a large powder brush in the product and do a number-3 motion down each side of my face. Works like a charm!

Now that we are all done with the base, I swirl Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso onto the apples of my cheeks! I honestly believe this peachy-pink shade is universally flattering. It gives your complexion color without being over-the-top! I absolutely love Milani Baked Blushes; they are really high-quality and affordable.

To add just an extra glowy touch to the top of my cheekbones, I apply Laura Geller Baked Gelato Illuminator in Ballerina. This very pretty bronze shade is so flattering and gives your whole look dimension.

Before I apply any shadow, I put Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden on my lids. Not only does it keep shadow from creasing, but the yellowish tint to it helps make your eyes appear brighter! Who doesn’t love that?!

I purchased this elf Smudge Pot in Brownie Points the other day. At $3, I thought it was worth trying. To be honest, I expected it to be a shimmery-bronze color, but it is instead more of a dark taupe. Nonetheless, it is very pigmented and stays on all day when used with primer. It’s great for achieving a smoky eye.

Next, I line my eyes with Sephora Collection Diamond Eyeliner in Cushion Cut. This crayon eyeliner is one of my most favorite that I have ever, ever used! It may look like a traditional crayon eyeliner but it is actually infused with the slightest bit of sliver shimmer! SOOO PRETTY. It gives your eyes a little extra twinkle! 😉

To tame my brows, I apply just a little bit of L’Oreal Brow Stylist Plumper in Brown. This product is a great alternative to higher-priced brow gels and doesn’t feel sticky at all.

For mascara, I’ve been using Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara. I’m a fan of the shiny black formula. This product does a good job of adding length and subtile volume to lashes. The spoon-shaped brush also allows you to reach all lashes, from every angle.

 

To prep my lips for color, I love to use the eos Lip Balm Sphere. As I’ve mentioned many times, this balm is fabulous because you can pair it with any matte lip product and it won’t change the finish at all. Plus, the flavors always taste really good!

I received Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita a couple weeks ago and have been OBSESSED ever since! This brownish-rosy shade is just perfect for fall and winter. The consistency is fluid and stain-like so it lasts throughout the day. I will say that I always have to reapply every five hours or so, but I don’t mind! If you’re looking for a long-wearing lip product, I suggest giving these a go. 🙂

I hope you enjoyed this blog post! I know that it looks like it may take an eternity to apply all these products, but that’s really not the case. Once you get started, it doesn’t take much time at all.

Have a fabulous day!

Face of the day: berry glow

Since we are already about midway through September, I thought now would be the perfect time to share one of my favorite makeup looks for fall and winter! To me, there is nothing more flattering than a rosy cheek and matching lip!

Here are the products to achieve this look:

{Base}

The first step is to perfect your foundation! Since I have long school days, I like to layer to ensure that my makeup doesn’t slide. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream is something I’ve mentioned on my blog so many times, you are probably tired of hearing about it. But this stuff is truly amazing; it is like an Instagram filter for your face by blurring all your imperfections. Plus, its light-as-air texture feels like nothing is on! To set, I use Rimmel London Stay Matte Long-Lasting Pressed Powder in Transparent. This powder soaks up any oil I may have throughout the day. Next, I apply a light layer of Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Medium/Deep. This bronzer warms me up without looking too orange!

{Color}

 \

After applying bronzer, I put Milani Baked Blush in Berry Amore (one of my favorite blushes!) on the apples of my cheeks. The rosy berry color looks so pretty on medium skin tones! Too add an extra boost of golden glow, Laura Geller Baked Gelato Illuminator in Ballerina does just the trick. I usually put this on the tops of my cheekbones and even on my brow bone.
For eyes, I apply eyeshadow (usually a soft grey color–forgot to include in picture!) and then line my eyes with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Stag. Then, I polish them off with a couple coats of Benefit They’re Real Mascara.
To complete this look, I apply lip balm to smooth my lips and then layer on Lorac Alter Ego Lipstick in Dominatrix. This dramatic oxblood color has to be my favorite for fall…it reminds me of the color your lips are when you step in from the cold!

I hope you decide to try this makeup look for the upcoming cold months! I have to admit that I love it so much that sometimes I wear it in the summer. 🙂

Have a fabulous day!

Face of the day: natural glow

I’ll be the first to tell you that I love to wear makeup that makes my features POP! Whether it be a bold, berry lip or glittery eyeliner, I will proudly wear it.

However, I have tried lately to tone things down with my look. Instead of making a bold statement, why not let my natural features shine through?

Here’s the products I’ve been using lately to achieve this natural, glowy look!

After applying Laura Geller Spackle Under Make-Up Primer, I begin my base:

 It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream
Amazing, amazing, stuff. A little goes A LONG way! Read my full review here.
 Rimmel London Stay Matte Long-Lasting Pressed Powder in Transparent
I just do a very light dusting of this stuff to help set the It Cosmetics Cream. It keeps shine at bay.
 Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Medium/Deep
Great bronzer–and worth the splurge. Not too orange or shimmery; and has a very natural finish.

Now on to cheeks: 

MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul
I use this lovely rose-gold toned blush pretty much year round. It has this bronzy finish that warms your complexion up with a slight shimmer that isn’t too glittery or tacky.
Ulta Lip & Cheek Stick in Peachy
Although I mostly use this color stick as a blush, it also works great as a highlighter. Just a light application looks fab on cheekbones. 🙂

After applying Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden, it’s time to begin my eyes:

IsaDora Eyeshadow Quartet in Savannah Sunset
One of my favorites! For this look, I use the bottom right shade all over my lid, and then use the bottom left peach shade in my crease. If you want to add a highlight, the top right shade works great. Such soft, pearly colors!
L’Oreal Paris Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner in Brown
This is one of the best eye pencils out there! It glides onto your lid so smoothly, you barely have to apply any pressure. Best of all, it delivers a pigmented yet soft line that lasts and lasts!
L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Plumper in Medium to Dark
This tinted gel does a wonderful job at keeping my unruly brows in place while tinting them with a subtle wash of color.
Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Mascara
This jet-black, intensely volumizing mascara gives my short lashes much-needed oomph! To read more, check out my review of it here.

Last but not least, let’s complete this look with a natural lip:

NYX Cosmetics Lip Liner in Peekaboo Neutral
I would describe this shade as a mattified version of my natural lip color. Works well with any nude or pink lip product.
Nars Sheer Lipstick in Cruising
The perfect nude pink. Gives you a natural finish without making you look washed out!
NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss in Creme Brûlée
This nude pink gloss is the perfect complement to the Nars Lipstick. Gives you an extra boost of shine, while smelling and tasting like delicious cake batter. YUM!

I hope you enjoyed this post! I know this may look like it required a lot of different products, but I apply each with a light touch. My complexion does not feel heavy or caked with makeup. I look forward to sharing more looks with you in the future!

Have a fabulous day!