Prom/Formal Hair and Makeup

 

The prom season is upon us! My favorite little prom test subject has graduated but this year she happened to have a formal banquet the same night as prom so we got her very glammed up.

This look could work for a variety of different events, she even made the hairstyle last until the next day for 2 bridal showers she had to attend. It's classy and fun and most importantly, very easy to do.

I started with her hair. I took a 1 inch curling wand and curled her entire head. After I removed each curl from the wand I kept it wrapped and bobby pinned it to her head for it to cool. Once her whole head was in pins we started on the makeup.

We didn't want anything to dramatic or "sexy", her event was at a religious school and "modesty" was requested. This girl has lashes for days and we thought we'd do a lighter smoky eye and focus on those lashes. I used:

• Estee Lauder matte primer
• CoverGirl 3in1 Foundation
• Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (great dupe for the NARS creamy concealer)
• Rimmel Stay Matte powder on T zone
• NYC Sunny Bronzer
• Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Exposed
• BECCA highlighter in Moonstone 
• NYX Eyebrow pencil in Taupe
• MAC paint pot in Bare Study
• Urban Decay Naked and Naked 2 palettes on eyes
• Urban Decay Perversion mascara on top lashes
• CoverGirl Clump Crusher mascara on bottom lashes
• L'Oreal Pencil Perfect eyeliner in Carbon Black (not great for a precise line, but great for smoking out)
• NYX lip liner in Nude
• Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Precious
• Urban Decay setting spray

Then we moved onto the hair. I took all the pins out and was left with a stunning head of perfect curls. I finger brushed most of the curls loose and used Beyond the Zone texturizing powder at her roots for volume. Girl loves big hair and I was happy to oblige her :)

I then used a teasing brush for extra volume at the crown. I pulled all of her hair to one side, leaving a small section out which I fishtail braided. I worked that over to the side and began pinning sections of curls. I basically just pinned each curl to her head about half way down the length so that she had some volume but it still looked loose and "sexy messy". I finished it with John Frieda Luxurious Volume hairspray. It's very fine but SUPER STRONG HOLD without getting crispy. Kept her hair in place for 2 days but still looked soft. She has a ton of hair so this ended up being a gorgeous style on her.

Cavegirl Costume Hair and Makeup

Happy Monday!

We threw a Halloween party at our house again this year. We decided to go as a Caveman and Cavewoman. We've been dressing up for Halloween with our friends for years and it's getting harder and harder to come up with costumes that no one has done yet. Surprisingly no one ever went as a caveman before.

We kind of lucked out, my uncle had gone as a caveman before so my husband borrowed his awesome costume and I found this one premade and fitting like a glove at Goodwill for $5.99. SCORE!!!!!!!!!!

I ended up still buying one yard of fuzzy leopard from JoAnne's to make my belt and some bracelets for me. I think I got it on sale for $9. I also picked up a bag of bones from the Halloween store with holes predrilled in them and got some faux leather straps from JoAnne's. I made our own necklaces, anklets and my hair bone with those.

The hardest part of this costume for me was the hair. I kept googling for cavegirl hair tutorials and there's literally NONE. So I thought I'd share what I did in case it would be helpful to anyone. Ducklip kiss included :)

Basically I washed my hair but skipped conditioner. I didn't brush it out and let it air dry as much as possible. Then I applied some Pureology styling lotion and blow dried it, still without brushing.

I then took small sections and used my flat iron to get random bends in my hair. No pattern, just kind of bent it forward then bent it backwards until it had a good wave. I then took my 1/2 inch curling wand and curled random pieces but only in the midshaft of the hair. Nothing at the top and left the ends straight. That gave me lots of volume but wasn't "pretty", if that makes sense. Then I took Beyond the Zone volumizing powder and sprinkled it into my roots all around my head, got a good "dry" feeling from that and then put a little more powder in my hands and put it on the ends of my hair in different spots for more fuzzy texture.

I pulled the top section of my hair up into a high pony and wrapped a small section of my own hair around the band to hide it. I then took my backcombing brush and basically back combed the ever living life out of my hair, stuck a bone in the top (I wrapped a bobby pin to the bottom of the bone using the faux leather) and was left with some serious Cavegirl hair!

 

For my makeup, I did use my Tanwise self tanner for about a week before the party to get a little glow. I used my Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 hour foundation in shade 200. I like this because there's no SPF so you get very little, if any flash back in photo's from it. I used my L'Oreal concealer pencil in the darkest shade to contour my forehead, down my nose and to carve out some serious cheekbones! I then used the Wet N Wild bronzer in Rosy Gold for an all over warm glow. ELF baked highlighter in Moonlit Pearls down my nose, on the top of my cheeks and cupids bow. Maybelline Bouncy blush in Hot Tamale. 

For my eyes I started with brows...of course. I wanted them a little more dramatic than my normal brows so I used my Maybelline eyebrow pencil in Medium Brown (perfect for a warmer eyebrow when you have red hair!). I then used my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Creamy Beige as a base. I then used Smog from my Naked palette all over my eyelid. I used Half Baked right in the middle of my eyelid and Sin in my inner corner. I then used L'Oreal Infallible in Eternal Sunshine to blend those out into my crease and used L'Oreal Infallible in Iced Latte on my browbone. Rimmel ScandalEyes in black as an eyeliner and I just did a smudgy flick, nothing too perfect. Same colors on my lower lashline. Then I used Maybelline The Falsies mascara in black on my top lashes and Jordana Best Volume Extreme mascara on my bottom lashes. I then used KISS Ever EZ lashes in number 11. These are human hair lashes so they look really real, you don't get the tell tale glossy texture of fake lashes.

On my lips I used Jordana lipliner in Bordeaux all over my lips as a base. I applied Wet n Wild Mega Last lipstick in Cherry Bomb, one of my favorite fall lipsticks and it lasted ALL NIGHT.

Now for my favorite part...the leopard spots! I just couldn't resist...It just had to be done you guys. So for these I used an old ELF eyeliner in pure white to mark out the spots. I then applied Half Baked from the Naked Palette over the white spots using a Q-Tip to get a really bright pop of true gold. Then I used my NYX liquid eyeliner in black to do little "c" patterns around the gold, making sure to leave 2 openings on each one and try not to make them too uniform in shape or size. I then put a few little black spots in between to even out the shape and ended up with this:

 

So there you have it! Cavewoman hair and makeup! It ended up being one of our favorite costumes we've ever done. Super comfy and fun.

Yabadabadoooooooooo!

Fight Like A Girl

Not sure if I have shared this before but my mom is a breast cancer survivor. She actually got breast cancer two different times and ended up having complete mastectomy's and reconstructive surgery. So this month is near and dear to my heart. My mom is a fireball. A Gypsy, Gold Dust Woman. A wild woman, fearless, individual, completely her own self and strong as a lion. I know people say that all the time, but if you know her you know that to be true. She's the honest to god definition of fierce.

Her motto during her cancer was to fight like a girl. When she finally did beat it and was in recovery, she got two pink boxing gloves tattooed on her inner wrist with the quote "TKO 2006". The year she kicked cancer's ass. Pink boxing gloves have been her muse to keep her fighting, to keep her strong and to remind her of how far she's come and how strong she truly is. One of my favorite shirts of hers says "Hell Yes They're Fake! The Real One's Tried to Kill Me!". It's just so my mom.

I actually got a Breast Cancer ribbon tattoo while she was going through chemo and to this day, faded as it is, it always reminds me how serious breast cancer is and how lucky we were with my mom's recovery and how lucky we are to still have her with us.

Her amazing plastic surgeon recently asked her to be the face of a breast cancer awareness campaign this month and her photo shoot for it was today. I was so honored when she asked me to do her makeup. I didn't even think, of course I said yes as fast as I could.

She wasn't picky, just wanted to look pretty. I decided to go for super flattering colors and warmer neutrals. As you can see in the pics, I didn't need to add any pink to the makeup, she had enough pink going on already (such a bad ass).

I wanted products that would give her a lot of coverage and color payoff and would last through hot lights and a long photo shoot. I used the following:

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation
Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer
CoverGirl Simply Powder Foundation
Mabelline Define-A Brow Dark Blonde
MAC Bare Study Paint Pot
L'Oreal Infallible Amber Rush
L'Oreal Infallible Iced Latte
L'Oreal Infallible Bronzed Taupe
Urban Decay Naked Basics palette (Faint and Crave)
Rimmel Scandaleyes Black Eyeliner
Rimmel Scandaleyes Nude Eyeliner
NYX Dusty Rose Blush
Milani Luminoso Blush
Maybelline The Falsies Black Mascara
Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes from Younique
Wet n Wild Mega Last Lipsticks in In the Flesh and Bare It All
L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick in Forever Frappe

Love You Long Time LADY.

Daily Makeup-Mostly Drugstore!

It's been a while since I did a little "Daily Makeup" post. I think the last time it was during the spring and A LOT has changed since then.

Obviously these all change if I'm doing anything special, this is just my daily "head to work" face. I can get it done in about 5 minutes and don't have to touch up other than lips at all during the day. These together really work well for me and I am super impressed with the Covergirl foundation. Full review on that coming soon. This is a very quick and easy look for me but one that looks polished and pretty.

CoverGirl 3-in-1 Foundation (Creamy Natural)
Rimmel Stay Matte powder (Creamy Natural)
Maybelline Age Rewind Under Eye Concealer (Fair)
Maybelline Bad to the Bronze Cream Shadow
Urban Decay Naked Basics for browbone and eyebrows (Venus and Naked 2)
Maybelline The Falsies mascara
Rimmel ScandalEyes Liner in Nude on the waterline
NYX Dusty Rose Blush
Milani Luminoso for Highlighter
Vaseline Rosy Lips (Coveted on Pinterest, finally found it and bought a ton. Adorable and amazing little pot of pink goodness!)

Drugstore Rose Gold FOTD

I have always loved Rose Gold jewelry (see rose gold watch and bracelets that have been on my wrist for the past 3 years), but have just recently started trying out Rose Gold looks for my makeup. Sparked mainly from my love of the L'Oreal Rose Gold cream blush.

I feel like this shade is flattering on blue eyes in particular, but would be pretty on anyone. The eyeshadow has enough bronze in it to really compliment the blue. Also, this blush is just amazing. So gorgeous and unique. Perfect for sunkissed, summery skin!

NYC Sunny Bronzer, UD Naked Basics, L'Oreal Rose Gold cream blush, Maybelline Color Tattoo Barely Branded, L'Oreal Infallible Amber Rush eyeshadow, Maybelline The Falsies mascara, Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer/Highlighter.

 

This is an all drugstore look, apart from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette, but I only used it for my eyebrows. So, feel free to replace that one thing with your favorite drugstore eyebrow product!


How gorgeous is L'Oreal Infallible Amber Rush eyeshadow??

 

I am also wearing Revlon Lip Butter in "Juicy Papaya" on my lips, but it was in my purse for the photo. Such a gorgeous orangey melon shade that perfectly pulls the rest of the look together! 

I feel like this will kind of be an all summer go-to look. It's very easy, wearable, bronzey and summery. I really love it.

 

 

April Favorites

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin. I caved and gave ColorStay a second chance...I do not have dry skin, I have oily skin in the T zone for sure. TiffanyD was talking about this and saying how she doesn't have dry skin either but likes this formula so much more than the other version. I had a coupon for $3 off any Revlon ColorStay product and thought I'd give it a try. LOVE. Everything I liked about the original ColorStay, but this doesn't break me out and isn't nearly as heavy. It also has more of a natural/satin finish which the dew lover in me just adores. Great purchase!

Maybelline The Vivids Vivid Rose. I have a full review of this product on the blog. I can't get enough of this color. I've been loving putting a pink gloss on and then applying a swipe of this over it to brighten it up but still have a sheer glossy finish. It's an easy way to get color without the work.

Tresemme Platinum Strength Deep Conditioning Treatment. After going this blonde, my hair is parched to say the least. This product claims it can reverse up to 2 years worth of damage when used with the shampoo. We all know you can't reverse damage but you can conceal it and make it look better while preventing further damage. I have noticed some serious results with this and really liking it.

One n Only Shiny Silver Shampoo. Again, a must for a blonde girl! Super drying though, so definitely use sparingly and with a good conditioner. Works so well to get the brassiness out though.

Orly Passionfruit Nail Polish. Always my spring/summertime favorite nail color. So bright, so punchy and lasts a long time. I like this best for my toes. It just makes you look super tan.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. Why does this smell so good?? For $4 I sure do love this stuff. I apply to my Tzone with a fluffy brush and it seriously lasts all day. LOVING this.

Prom Hair and Makeup

This year my super gorgeous cousin Allison went to her first prom. I was so excited when she asked me to do her hair and makeup for it. I don't actually remember if she asked or if I insisted...either way :) We've done hair/makeup for homecoming, but prom is a major deal and so much more exciting.

Her dress was this gorgeous, poppy pinkish red hue that just looked stunning on her. Because it had one shoulder of rosettes, we decided to do her hair all to one side. She chose a voluminous side swept style and I think she chose the perfect hair to compliment her dress.

This was the inspiration picture she chose. I think we got pretty close, with a few little changes because her hair isn't as long as the picture.

I started on her dry hair. I split the hair in sections by layer and sprayed each section with heat protectant. I then curled the hair with my flat iron  and curled it in different directions so it wouldn't clump together. I think curling in different directions was the most vital step to this look. It really gave her hair more volume and kept it big. Which is what she wanted.

Once I got about 1/2 way up her head, I started slightly backcombing each section before curling to give it a little more "oomph" since she wanted volume.

When we reached the crown section, I used Backcomb in a Bottle by Big Sexy Hair. I sprayed at the roots and then slightly backcombed that as well for extra volume. I flat iron curled all of those sections and allowed it all to cool in clips.

Once it was cooled, I started pinning the bottom section. She didn't want a "ponytail" look, more side swept. So I just very loosely (don't pull) started pinning pieces to the side while working with the curl. As I worked my way up I tried to pin on top of the already pinned pieces to create more of a cascading look instead of an updo.

I finished by taking my backcomb tail, inserting it on the crown section and lightly pulling up to get the top to loosen. This created the final bit of volume at her crown. I then placed 3 rhinestoned pins in the twist section of the hair and sprayed the ever loving hell out her hair.

 

 

Now on to makeup.

 

 

 

Because her dress was such an extraordinary shade, we didn't want to try to match or go bright with the lips. So, a traditional smokey eye seemed like a good choice for some drama. This girl has crazy long eyelashes so we didn't have to use fake eyelashes. 

 

I think the combination of a smokey eye with a lighter lip kept her look youthful and fresh but still dramatic and special enough for prom. I used the following products for her makeup look:

 

Face:

Revlon ColorStay Foundation

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Rimmel Match Perfection Highlighting Concealer

NYC Sunny Bronzer

Revlon Coral Reef Cream Blush

Wet n Wild Reserve Your Cabana Highlighter



Eyes:
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded and Bad to the Bronze
Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sin, Virgin, Halfbaked, Smog, Toasted, Hustle and Creep)
CoverGirl 24 Hour LashBlast Mascara on top lashes only
Sephora Flashy Eyeliner in Ultra Brown on ower lashes and waterline
L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense liquid eyeliner

Lips:
Bonne Bell Lip Lites Strawberry Parfait

Overall, I was so pleased with how it all came out and was so lucky to be able to be a part of Ali's special day. She's a gorgeous girl who I love so very much and I can't wait to do it again next year!!

Favorite Lip Products

Next to foundation, I am almost as obsessed with lip products. I am also very picky about lip products. I do not like them too sticky, too scented, too "slippery", or gritty. I also prefer that the color payoff on my lips somewhat resembles the color in the tube. There are few things more annoying than finding a gorgeous color, putting it on and having it only make your lips look shiny, NO COLOR. What's the point?? So here are a few of my favorite, tried and true lippies:

Rimmel Lipstick in Airy Fairy: I am not a big fan of nude lipsticks. They make me look like death warmed over. However, this is a warmed up, pinky nude that never looks too pale or fake. It's flattering on and lasts so long. This one is always in my purse.

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine: There is not really any color associated with this product, but that's ok. It's a sheer neutral pink in the tube. Which, I love the tube. You used to only be able to get these in the pots and I always felt like that was gross and messy. The tube is nice. It feels luscious on. Paraben and sulfate free, it just melts into your lips. Great on it's own or under your favorite lip color. Deeply moisturizing without being greasy. A classic!

NARS Lip Gloss in Orgasm: You know I love this color. It's golden, peachy and super saturated. The only thing about NARS is that I don't love the "flavor" of their lip glosses. They smell slightly more plasticky than I prefer, but the payoff is pretty impressive.

Clinique Lipstick in Fizy: I honestly don't even think they make this color anymore, but it's been a favorite for YEARS. I ratholed a whole bunch of them and am down to my last tube, so I'm making it last forever. This is of those colors that just makes your whole face pop and look alive. It's like a warmer, bronzey neutral that just works. The formula is great, long wearing and creamy.

BareMinerals Lip Gloss in Cupcake: I really like this color, but in general...I love this whole line of lip glosses. I have several. This one is so loved it's almost gone, but the others are just as awesome. They smell so good, feel awesome on and have a great payoff. Never sticky, also paraben and sulfate free. Like a lipgloss and a lip treatment all in one.

Not pictured (Because it's in my purse...ALWAYS):

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait: The greatest thing ever. This is one of the only ones of the lip butters with shimmer, it's the prettiest shade. These feel like chapstick but have color like lipsticks, they are amazing. Easy to apply, awesome color payoff, great selection. These lip butters are a must-have product.

What are some of your favorite lip products?

Favorite Foundations

I am a complete foundation junkie. I am always on the hunt for the one that gives me full coverage where I need it, doesn't get cakey, won't oxidize or turn orange and doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. I used to be completely obsessed with Clinique SuperFit until they stopped making it. They market the Even Better foundation as it's sister formula but better, but I don't like it as much. So here are the top 5 foundations I've used, trusted and will continue to purchase.

First off is Neutrogena Healthy Skin. I ADORE this foundation. It gives great coverage, it's glowy but not sparkly, it's easy to blend, the colors are great and it lasts all day. This is a Holy Grail foundation for me, and the fact that it's drugstore and less than $12 is just icing on the cake.

Next is Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation. I purchased this when I was on the hunt for a long wearing foundation for a work event I had and boy does this live up to it's name. I wore it for a 12 hour work function in 98 degree weather and this stuff lasted! It is less than $7 per bottle, has a smaller color range, but the Soft Beige works perfect for my skin, it doesn't break up, it has AWESOME coverage and gives you flawless skin. Good stuff!

Nars Sheer Matte. The most money I ever have and ever will pay for foundation ($42)...Was it worth it? Eh...It's nice enough, but like it's name says, sheer. When I'm having great skin days, this stuff can't be beat, it's glowy, natural, easy to blend, perfect color match and so pretty on. But that price would definitely keep me from buying it again. I feel like the Neutrogena gives the same effects for much less money. However, if you have the $$ to spend, the NARS is a gorgeous foundation.

Revlon PhotoReady. I keep this on hand for photo's. If we are going to bday parties, weddings, social events where I know I will be photographed, this is the foundation I reach for every time. It's good coverage, easy to blend and has a good range of colors, it does have some light reflecting shimmer to it which is what gives you that flawless glowy look so I don't like it for every day, but for photos, this foundation is amazing and was less than $12. The only downfall is that this stuff is HARD to clean out of your foundation brush. I ended up purchasing a seperate foundation brush JUST for this foundation.

Lastly, we have Origins Vitazing. I purchased this for $35. This is the wierdest most amazing thing ever. I'd describe it as a tinted moisturizer, but SO much more. It has an SPF of 15, comes out white and when you rub it onto your face these little beads burst with tiny little pigments that give you nice coverage and make your skin look like you just got back from vacation. Gives you a little glowy color, not orangey or fake, just a lovely glowy face. It's my weekend go-to. I feel like this is actually good for my skin, doesn't make me feel like I'm slathering on goop when I don't need it. I will repurchase this as long as they keep making it. The only thing I've found, is don't wear a powder over it. It's not sticky, but it's "moist" enough on your skin that putting anything else on top of it just looks dirty. If you are going for light, fresh, healthy look, this, an under eye concealer and some mascara are all you really need.

Song of the Day: Long Time Traveler-The Wailin' Jennys