EOTD: Lilac Breasted Roller

My sister lived in South Africa for a few months several years ago, and sent me this beautiful postcard.

On it she told me I had to create a makeup look based off the colors of this gorgeous bird. Its taken me years to do it, but here is my take!

I couldn't decide whether to go soft or dramatic with this, so, I did both. Boom. I used the exact same products for both looks, just different application techniques. In order to make the eyeshadows more dramatic, I foiled them- which is a technique where you use the shadow wet.  Foiling your eyeshadow really does make a huge difference with the opacity and brightness. Foiling loose shadow works best, as moisture can damage pressed shadows. You can use a liquid specifically designed for foiling, a face setting spray, or even just eye drops. Place a little of the liquid on your brush, and pick up the shadow. Apply and BE AMAZED!

On to the looks!


The soft version:

The dramatic version (with shadows foiled):

Products used (in both looks):

Face-
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in "Fair"

Eyebrows-
Avon Glimmerstick Brow Definer in "Blonde"
NYX Wonder Pencil in "Light"

Eyes-
NYX Jumbo Pencil in "Milk"
NYX Chrome Loose Eyeshadow in "Fuschia"
Wet'n'Wild "Desert Festival", "I Heart Matte", "Vanity", "Blue Had Me at Hello" and "I Dream of Greenie" palettes
SugarPill 'Sweet Heart" palette
L.A. Colors "Grassy Knoll" palette
NYX single shadows in "Irises", "Wild Fire", "Kiwi", "Chick" and "Exotic Green"
Hard Candy Eyeliner in "Bamboo"
Avon SuperShock gel liner in "Black"
Jordana Best Lash Extreme

EOTD: Purple Iris

This past Wednesday I felt like using some dramatic colors in a not so dramatic way, so a soft cut crease was in order! This color combo always reminds me of purple Irises, which makes me feel like Spring is just around the corner! To bad there is over 3 inches of snow on the ground, with more coming down!

Source

Products used:

Face-
Avon Ideal Flawless BB Cream in "Light" 
Revlon Photoready Concealer in "Light"

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in "Light"

Essence 'All About Matte" powder

Revlon Matte Blush in "Perfectly Peach"

ELF Contouring Bronzer

 

Brows-

Avon Glimmerstick Brow definer in "Blonde"

NYX Wonder pencil in "Light" 

Eyes-

Two  Faced Shadow Insurance

NYX Jumbo Pencil in "Milk"

Sugarpill "Poison Plumb" Eyeshadow

Sugarpill "Tako" Eyeshadow

Wet'n'wild Eyeshadow Trio in "Silent Treatment"

Wet'n'Wild Eyeshadow in "Kitten"

Avon True Color Quad in "Purple Haze"

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara in Black

Lips-

NYX Lip pencil in "Nude Beige"

NYX Butter Lipgloss in "Eclair"

Emery at 6 months

My little baby turned 6 months on the 7th. Its hard to believe that its been that long. In some ways it feels like it just happened yesterday. In other ways, it seems like its been years. My life has changed so much. Less than a week before Emery was born, I was working for Corporate America, slaving my days away in front of a computer. Now I’m hardly ever on the computer and I have to force myself to crack it open more than a few times a week. I used to live for the time I had off and relished my lunch breaks and weekends since I could do whatever I wanted to (which primarily was napping). Now my ‘breaks’ are when baby girl is asleep and are filled with chores and caring for my home. My work day used to consist of emails and meetings, paper work and data entry. Now, my day consists of 24/7 baby duty (a lot of DOOTY if you get my drift), and all the things that come with keeping a well maintained home. Instead of surfing Pinterest for decoration ideas or makeup inspiration, I’m looking for recipes on how to make baby food. Life has made a 180 degree turn. It really has been a dream come true to be with my little one!


My little baby has grown so much. I cant wait to see who she'll become! Most days she's a happy little sprite who flashes you her cheesy grin whenever you give her a smile. She's rolling all around, which gets her into a lot of trouble, because she often gets stuck under furniture! She's eating veggies and loving them, and would probably try to scarf down Mommy and Daddy's food if we let her!

Just a few hours old

Emery just a few minutes old

What a difference! Emery at 6 months

Emery at 1 month

So serious sometimes.

But mostly she's a little ham!

Its been a crazy and fast 6 months, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I'm so thankful I get to be home with my little love bug!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Valentines day look: Naked 3

Ok. Everyone and their Mom in the beauty world is talking about and using Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette right now. I know, I know. But, its seriously a gorgeous palette and perfect for Valentines day. So, I thought I'd throw my two cents in and create another Valentines day look for you!

 1. Start out priming the eyelid with your favorite primer.

 2. Add a shimmery cream eyeshadow to just the lid, avoiding the crease. 

 3. Pack on Naked "Buzz" over the cream shadow.

 4. Use "Nooner" in the crease and blend.

 5. Pack on the eyeshadow "Blackheart" in the outer "V" and softly blend into the outer 3rd of the crease. 

 6. Blend "Darkside" and "Liar" shadows on the center of the lid, going back to "Buzz" if needed to create a soft transition into the inner 3rd of the eyelid. 

 7. Create a winged liner with gel liner and set with black eyeshadow. 

 8. Use "Darkside" and "Liar" on the lower lash line and blend. Add a cream colored eyeliner to the lower lash line. 

9. To finish off the eyes, add the shadow "Strange" to the brow bone, and "Dust" to the tear duct. Add lots of mascara and you're done!

 

10. Add some light pink gloss for a kissable pout!

I hope you have an awesome Valentines day! If you dont have someone special to celebrate with, treat yo' self, girl!

 

Products used:

Face-
Avon Ideal Flawless BB Cream in "Light"

Revlon Photoready Concealer in "Light"

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in "Light"

Essence 'All About Matte" powder

Revlon Matte Blush in "Perfectly Peach"

Physicians Formula Translucent Pearl Highlighter

 

Brows-

Avon Glimmerstick Brow definer in "Blonde"

NYX Wonder pencil in "Light" 

 

Eyes-

Maybelline 24hr Tattoo cream eyeshadow in "Nude Pink"

Jordana 12hr Made to Last eyeshadow pencil in "Pink Evermore"

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette

Avon Supershock gel liner in Black

Wet'n'Wild matte black eyeshadow

NYX Wonder pencil in "Light"
Jordana "Best Lash Extreme" mascara in Black

 

Lips-

 NYX Lip pencil in "Nude Beige"

NYX Butter Lipgloss in "Eclair"

 

Valentines day look: Silver Smokey eye

Valentines day is just around the corner, and its a perfect time to whip out a dramatic, sultry look!

1. Start with applying eye primer. This will keep the eyeshadows from creasing and the colors vibrant.

2. Apply a light gray shadow all over the lid and blend it thoroughly.  

3. Add a dark gray shadow into the crease and blend. I know, it looks like a hot mess, but just keep going, it gets better!

4. Add a black shadow into the crease, but keep it concentrated just in the outer "V". Use a matte skin toned shadow to blend the edges of the crease.

  5. Pack on a bright silver shadow on the inner corner of the eye, and blend it softly on the lid- avoiding the crease area. Then add black winged liner!

 6. Use the dark gray shadow under the lower lashes, and the bright silver on the inner 1/3 of the lower lash line. 

 

 7. Apply a black liner into the lower waterline.

8. Apply several coats of mascara on the top and bottom lashes!

9. Finish off the face with a light contour on the hollows of the cheeks, a soft blush, and a natural glossy mouth!

The final look!

 

 

Products used:

Face- Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-1 Foundation in "Ivory"

Revlon Photoready Concealer in "Light"

Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer in "Fair"

Essence 'All About Matte" poweder

Revlon Matte Blush in "Perfectly Peach"

NYX Blush in "Taupe"

Brows-

Avon Glimmerstick Brow definer in "Blonde"

NYX Wonder pencil in "Light" 

Eyes-

Maybelline 24hr Tattoo cream shadow in "Nude Pink"

NYX Smokey Eyes palette

Wet'n'Wild Color Icon 8 Pan palette in "Blue had me at Hello"

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette- Strange

Avon Supershock gel liner in Black
Jordana "Best Lash Extreme" mascara in Black

Lips-

NYX lip pencil in "Nude Beige"

NYX Butter lipgloss in "Eclair"