The Less is More Conundrum

I've sort of been having a internal battle with myself lately.  I mean in a way I don't want to let go of my winter makeup routine, but I've been finding out that it is way too heavy for me, and honestly letting go of a few steps never hurt anyone.  So basically what I've been doing lately is moisturizer, sometimes primer (either Smashbox Photo Finish or Benefit's That Gal), then loose powder (I'm using a Cover Girl Pro Powder, me and my mom actually both like it, I got one for her too, good stuff) by buffing it in with a kabuki brush, NYC matte bronzer for the cheekbones, then NARS blush in Amour along the upper part of the cheekbone to the apples of the cheek, and lastly for the face Smashbox Eyeshadow single in Pronto makes a beautiful powder highlight on the highest part of your cheeks.  So the step i just left out was the foundation and concealer,  I mean I do use concealer sometimes (NARS duo in custard/ginger) but is a bit of a hassle, especially in the morning.  I know it seems like a lot of steps but it goes by quickly.  I was previously using Clinique's Superfit Foundation ($21) which I love, but I still think looks too heavy.  I'm on a quest now to find out how I feel about tinted moisturizer, the foundation alternative, or just bare skin.  We'll see :)  But the few prodcuts I wanna try out are Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ($42-a holy grail item in the beauty world, this is a WELL loved product) and either the Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer ($30) or the Clinique Almost Makeup SPF 15 ($21).  Seeing as there is a Clinique counter at my local Macys and that is the store closest to me, thats probably going to be my first test.  I'll keep you all updated on that as well.  On a complete side note, my Macbook is getting freaking dusty, the keys are all dusty, I think I'm going to have to get a cover for that too.  I find myself dusting it off every two seconds which is why it takes me forever to write anything, lol thats just my OCD.  I dont know why I had to rant about my recent foundation changes and stuff but it was just one of those things where you have to write it down somewhere and look back on it like oh yes this is the time i decided to change this up, I'm weird like that. haha also update on the eyeliner adventure, I was wearing the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Zero (it came with that hall of fame set, retail price is $17) and that stuff did not budge on my waterline, I swear to you, it was like magic!  I'm putting it up as a real contender for the eyeliner crown, I know it runs a bit pricey so I'll definitely try to find a cheaper alternative to it,  I've heard good things about some Revlon Colorstay Eyeliners and even the Loreal ones, I'll see if I can test those out as well.  OH and another random side note: blazers and trench coats are freaking cute guys!  I was at H&M the other day, and they had this coral almost red trench coat for $49 minus $15 because they're running a coat/jacket promotion, and I am kicking myself for not getting it, it was beautiful.  A real spring time staple!  Another trend I adore at the moment are blazers,  I have one I love but it's just not good for everyday wear, Charlotte Russe and Rainbow all have really adorable on trend blazers for pretty great prices,  If your not one to shell out $200 for a blazer from Bloomingdales or Saks then check those out. H&M and Express have a few cute pieces as well.  H&M also had this Hello Kitty Sweater which was AMAZING, I had a dream about it, no joke guys, haha so thats what I'm going to be purchasing next time I step into the mall.  Just had to do a teeny baby rant about that.

urban decay-zero

charlotte russe roll up sleeve blazer ($32)

express luxury stretch strong shoulder jacket ($98)

images property of their respective owners! 

fun reads,

bella

ps: anna kendrick's makeup at the oscars was stunning!

Blizzard Blue Crayola Crayon Inspired Look-for the kid in all of us

As you all already knew from my last post, it was snowing out so i wanted to do an ice princess sort of look, but that didn't really work out.  So instead i was looking through a box of 72 color Crayola crayons and blizzard blue caught my eye.  Its a really pretty light blue and it got me thinking I should do a look based off of it, plus the blizzard going on outside, it all just fit.

Products Used: CS 88 matte palette, FLIRT! cosmetics eyeshadow brush, a tissue, Smashbox PhotoFoundation Primer in Light, Clinique eyeshadow (I can't remember the name but its a champagne colored eyeshadow with some shimmer, so if you have anything like that it'll work just fine.), Smashbox DNA Lash Mascara in Jet Black, Kohl based eyeliner, FLIRT! Cosmetics Eyeliner Brush, CS Sparkle Blue Mica Pigment, CS Shadow brush, CS crease brush, any cream highlight with shimmer i used High Beam by Benefit Cosmetics.

*I really think this look would've looked better if I had used a primer like Urban Decay Primer Potion, which I'm thinking I'm going to have to get if I want lighter colors to really show up.  Just my thoughts on the matter. But it is a really pretty dusty, shadow look.

1.  Apply a base, and the lightest color in the CS 88 palette all over the lid, followed by the lightest shade of blue in the palette all over the lid.  Also beware of fall out, there will be a ton of it, but don't worry you can just clean that up later on.  Also apply a shade of blue a tone darker than the one all over the lid to the outer "V" and blend, take a darker color than that one and blend it into the crease using window wiper motions.

2. Apply the shimmery highlight to your brow bone for added drama, then take your eyeliner brush and your cream or gel liner and apply it to the top lash line, using short strokes, after you've made those just use the brush and connect them so you get a smooth line, a matte black liner will work great for this.  Apply it to the bottom lash line/water line as well, connect any lines you have.  Don't make a large wing at the end, just a smaller one, hugging close to the lash line will look great.

3.  Very carefully take the glitter pigment, and get it onto your eyeliner brush.  Apply it right onto the black liner you just put on, making sure to be super careful and precise.  Next take the champagne colored shadow and apply with a small pencil brush under the black liner on your bottom lashes.  This will just brighten up your face a little.  Apply a highlight to the tear duct and your almost done! Next take the Smashbox Mascara, or any other mascara you like that provides dark color pay off and drama and apply it to your lashes (top and bottom) for a va va voom look.

Thats all there is to it! Your crayon inspired look is finished! Enjoy it :)

fun reads,

bella

ps: Brigitte Bardot-flawless classic.

all images property of their respective owners,

these are just my opinions, im not being sponsored or endorsing anything.

Green+Gold Going Out Look

So if you need a look for a special occasion or something i think this would be perfect.  I got the inspiration for this look from one that julieg713 did on her YouTube Channel and I thought it was gorgeous! This is just my take on it, I hope you guys like it:
Products Used: CS 88 matte eyeshadow palette, CS 24 Karat Gold Mica pigment, CS synthetic shadow brush, Nars custard/ginger concealer duo, Smashbox photofinish primer light, Maybeline Lash Stiletto in Brown/Black, Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner in Black, Rimmel eye liner pencil in brown, CS italian badger round crease brush, FLIRT! cosmetics eyeshadow brush, Clinique Pair of Shades eyeshadow in Golden Lynx.

1. Start off with a clean palette, prime your eyes as you wish.  I just used my concealer mixed with a little bit of the Smashbox Primer which works pretty well for me.  Then apply the Clinique shadow in Golden Lynx or any color that is very similar to your skin tone all over the lid up to the brow bone.

2. Using the CS palette take the golden shimmery color and apply it to the inner corner of your eye up to about mid way on the lid, don't go to far up like you did with the first shade. Just pack on that really bright gold color onto that portion of your eye, next take a mid tone green and apply it to the outer corner blending in as you go in.  I know its gonna look like an explosion of color but the finished look is really pretty.

3.  Using a bright orange, take a tiny amount of color and take it from the top of the green to the brow bone, and blend it right in.  Take a lighter shade of green than the first and blend that in right in between the dark green and the gold, taking it up a little higher towards the brow bone. Blend as you go along.

4.  Apply a small amount of the gold mica on the middle of the lid to transition between the gold and the green, just be careful because it gets everywhere! After you let that set, take a shade lighter than your skin tone and apply it as a highlight right under your eyebrows, it'll give them a great little pop.  Apply your liquid liner, flicking it out a little higher than usual for added height and drama and also apply your mascara, wiggling the brush at the base for a darker product deposit, do the bottom lashes as well.  

5. Take the same green you were using on the top and apply it with a pencil brush to your bottom lashes about mid way starting from the outer v, then using the same gold you used on the top take it from your inner v to meet that green on your bottom lash line.  I used brown liner on my waterline to keep the look from becoming to dark, but i think black would look great as well. And just dust off the excess gold flecks or any product that got below your eyes and voila your done! A perfect look for any special occasion. 

fun reads,

bella

p.s.: i think kim k looks gorgeous here.

Valentines Day Look: CS 88 Palette

I was so excited to get it that I just had to do a look with it, so this is my version of a valentines day look using the coastal scents 88 matte palette and ultra shimmer mica pigment.

-Start with a clean palette, a lot of people like to use Urban Decay Primer Potion or Too Faced Shadow Insurance, but i just used used my concealer.

-Apply the a light pink all over the lid with a shadow brush, really pack it on the brush so you get a good color payoff.

-Add a matte dark brown to the outer corner of your eyes, making a "V" shape, then add a shimmery brown to the crease with a crease brush.

-apply liquid or gel liner anyway you like, i used Revlon's Color Stay Liquid Liner in the darkest color, and then lightly tap some of the ultra shimmer mica onto the lid for a little bit of extra sparkle.  Add a cream or gel liner to the bottom waterline of you eye, along with the shimmery brown used in the crease over the slightly smudged liner. 

and

-add a bit more pink if you think your losing color and then apply mascara liberally, i used my all time favorite Clinique's Lash Doubling Mascara in Black.

final look :)

hope you guys enjoyed it.

fun reads, 

bella

p.s: heres a little eye candy from GQ ;)

Photo by Andrew Thomas