Playing Around with Color

Saturday I met up with my friend Monica, a working mother of two, to play around a bit with a look I saw on Pinterest.

Pinterest Inspiration

I wanted to give her something similar that was fun but not so bold that if she went to run errands later it wouldn't be too overpowering.

This is what we came up with

my version

Here's how it worked:

1) Prepped eyes with a primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion)

2)  Eyelid: Used a cream base (M.A.C Flighty)

3) Layer on the color

- M.A.C plum

- Urban Decay Metropolitan

- M.A.C Trax

4) Crease- Too Faced Socialite / M.A.C- Trax, blend to mix with eyelid 

5) Pumped up the eyelid colors with Red Ginger's mulit shadow palette by mixing a deep blue and bright purple shimmer together

6) Inner corner: M.A.C Tilt topped off with more of the turquoise blue from Red Ginger (used the same colors on the bottom of the eye)

7) Line upper lid with M.AC Pencil in Kohl / go over that with M.A.C Carbon shadow

8) Lined lower lash line with M.A.C eye pencil in Coffee

9) smudged M.A.C Trax,Urban Decay's Metropolitan & M.A.C Plum eye shadow under eye

10) Topped off with two coats of Maybelline's Falsies mascara

Eye brows were filled in with M.A.C Stud eye brow crayon

Highlighted face with Smashbox Halo Highlighting Wand in Gold

Cheeks: 

M.A.C Gingerly topped with NARS Orgasm

Lips:

 M.A.C Spice Lip Liner

Too Faced Celebrity Meltdown Lipstick

M.A.C Oh Baby Lipglass

Traveling Menagerie

The first weekend in June I had two weddings back to back.
Saturday morning and Sunday evening.

In OHIO.

So I had to fly with all of my makeup necessities.
Did I mention I also brought my almost 4 month old baby boy?

It's hard for me to travel within the state with all of my makeup let alone pare down what I really needed for two days of bridal beauty and take it on a plane.

I have an (semi) irrational fear that my luggage will got lost and they will lose my makeup so I generally pack it in my carry-on bag.

But this time was different.

This time I had to bring everything!

What was an artist to do?

Get a new traveling makeup bag that is TSA and airplane friendly of course!

I was gifted this lovely ZUCA bag as an early birthday present and it was such a godsend.

so many pockets!

the pouches have room to label each one!

How have I lived without it?

It has more than enough room for all of my necessities (with five clear pouches, zippered pockets inside and out) AND two brush rolls, comes with a cover, has wheels and a place to sit!

I am in heaven.

Unfortunately I had to pack the bag that carried all my liquid foundations but I created an itemized list of the contents should anything happen to my checked luggage so I would know exactly what I was missing.

all this had to go in my luggage!!

I decided since I know both of brides pretty well (they're my god-sisters) I could skip a few of the miscellaneous eyeshadows and only bring the palettes I needed along with the rest of my essentials.

So thats what I did.

I created face charts prior to arrival so it would make my work easier and faster as there was no trial run since they live on the other side of the country but I didn't want to just 'wing it' either.
I needed to be prepared for any and everything.
And I was.

my main arsenal

The main things I packed were:

Smashbox Photofinish Primer

Smashbox Halo Highlighting Wand

NARS Blush in Orgasm

NARS lipgloss in Orgasm

M.A.C lipglass in Sinnamon, Oh Baby & Wonderstruck

M.A.C eyebrow pencil in Stud

Ardell & NYX false eyelashes
DUO eyelash glue

M.A.C lipliner in Spice
M.A.C 24/7 Comfort Creme
M.A.C translucent setting powder
Concealer palette
CARGO Tinted Moisturizer
Benefit Mascara - Yes They're Real
Dior Show Mascara Blackout
Urban Decay NAKED palette
(not pictured -  Red Ginger eyeshadow palette & m.a.c eyeliner in coffee)

With those items I can pretty much do anything to anyone as needed.
When I look at it all together it seems like so little but I know all those products combined with the right brushes can do wonders for a person.

So thats a little bit of my travel style.
Tell me, what products are a must for you when you travel?

Post Natal Necessities

Let's talk changing skin shall we?

I recently had a baby and there has been a drastic change in not only my skin but my skincare & makeup routine.

The extra hormones acquired while pregnant wreak havoc on a womans mood let alone her skin.

The most important thing though is to be sure to take good care of your skin. 

Exfoliate at least twice a week and make sure to moisturize!

My skin has been so dry since being pregnant and then having the baby that I have had to re-vamp my routine!

I use my Clairsonic Mia daily followed by a heavy moisturizer in the evening and a lighter version with SPF during the day.

After having a baby the last thing you may want to do is put on a face full of makeup. However, I would suggest just doing enough to make you feel like yourself each day. It can be a huge boost to your self esteem when the rest of your body is out of sorts.

I've personally noticed more of a pep in my step when I took the time to "put on a little rouge" as my Grandmother used to say.
You may be tired and sleep deprived but that does not mean you have to look like it!

My top three post natal necessities:

I highly recommend a great highlighter such as Smashbox's Halo Highlighting Wand to brighten up the cheek bones. The soft (not sparkly) glow will hit you in all the right places and the two colors (gold / pearl) will flatter any skintone.

image via: Sephora

And let's not forget the other must have - Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

image via: Sephora

It will make your dark circles a thing of the past and the brightening effect will have you ready to pose for pictures with your new little bundle of joy in no time!

Also on my post baby radar - Nars Blush in Orgasm

image via: Sephora

I mean the name says it all but this color flatters every single skintone and complexion.

The light pop of color will help you look and feel like your old self again!

I don't always have time each day to do a full face of makeup but when I use these three products combined with a tinted moisturizer & mascara I find that I am in a better mood and feel much more myself even if I'm just sitting around the house in leggings and a tee!

What makeup products boosts your mood?

Dazzling Treats from Smashbox!!!

Hey there Beauties!!

I was perusing the web and the magazines this weekend and came across some TO.DIE.FOR. beauty loot.

check it out!

 As one of the biggest indie-rock sensation to hit the music scene in years Florence + The Machine teamed up with Samshbox to pick her favorites and pack them in a swanky little bag JUST FOR YOU!!!! 

Don’t miss your chance to grab this star-worthy kit with everything you’ll need to create Florence’s go-to look—think jet-black eyes, neutral cheeks and crimson lips for only $45.00!!!

 

 ****ADDED BONUS!***

 You can get a free download of Florence’s hit “Cosmic Love” when you purchase the kit!  

 

 

Also new from Smashbox is their Burlesque Beauty Collection

Straight from the set of the soon to be released smash movie sensation Burlesque- Starring Christina Aguilera, Cher, Stanley Tucci , Kristen Bell and many more...

 Smashbox put together a kit with all the must have items to create the smoky, sultry looks found within the movie!!!

Set Includes:

• Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in Jet Black 

• Shadow & Liner Quad in Risque

• Loose Shimmer in Burlesque 

• Double Ended Lip Gloss in Peep/Show

 

Stay tuned for more info on the Holiday 2010 Collections!!!!!

RUN dont walk!!!!

Exclusively at Sephora!

Smashbox Masters Class Vol. 4 ($175 value)

contains all the necessary products to achieve and maintain a flawless complexion ,from illuminating serum to moisture-rich lip gloss , as well as an instructional DVD!

This kit has all of your beauty basics covered!

At only $59.00 this kit is a steal and I will be rushing out to purchase one ASAP!!!

Check it out and let me know what you all think!!