Did you notice the lip props in my Valentine decorating post? Last week, our salon participated in a fun event with a Candyland theme. I spent hours working on the props, and these lips were a fun part of the photo booth section. They work perfect for Valentine's Day too!
I did a slight smoky eye and a slight victory roll bang (more exaggerated tutorial here) or a suicide roll tutorial here), with a rather messy and lopsided, loose topknot. I do mine differently with no teasing and much faster than most tutorials, but this is a simple and short one. It took about 45 seconds to do my hair, but my husband gave me lots of compliments :)
Another fun style to try is this pretty and easy and pretty Sweetheart Braid tutorial by Hairdresser on
Fire. The braid is perfect for Valentine's Day! Add a jeweled hair comb or fresh flower for a little bit of romance. Let me know if you try any of these styles!
I tried a fun new eye color, and it's so easy anyone can do it. Most colorful eyes I see lately are usually way over the top for someone over the age of say, 17, or who isn't working in a salon. So I tried something a tad more subtle. This is the make-up I wore with my last 'thrifted librarian' outfit here.
If you have $, then I suggest Aquarius or Haight eyeshadow by Urban Decay. Awesome pigments (though not as good as MAC), and a nice, metallic shimmer. But I went with my cheap favorite Cover Girl shadows in aqua paradise, knock out pink and champagne. The 'fun' pigment colors only lasts a few hours before going dull, but still fun, right? (Except champagne, that pigment lasts all day.)
I used the lilac/pink on the middle of the eye line (both top and lower lid) and the crease, champagne under the brow and inner corner, and my favorite liquid liner, bourjois paris liquid liner clubbing in black, curled the lashes then applied Maybelline Great Lash mascara in blackest black. I decided to go ahead and have fun by adding a small little wing at the outer corners. Yes, I forgot to color in my eyebrows. My eyebrow tattoos have now totally faded, so I rely on coloring in my eyebrows for a finished look.
Yes, my eyes are foldy and wrinkly... get over it self, I'm a woman not a teenager. I prefer to think of them as being 'expressive'. And really, my 3 year old has the same folded overhang, so I guess it's just who I am as opposed to sagging. Yay!
Everything I'm wearing is thrifted, from the jewelry to the shoes. This was an errand day, getting the guitar fixed, going antiquing, checking things off of the ole to do list. I actually ended up uncuffing my jeans b/c after looking at these photos, I realized how terrible it looked withe these vintage Guess oxfords. This is why I need a full length mirror in my home. Another thing to add to my to do list. And a haircut/deep conditioning treatment. Look at those ends! Actually, please don't.
I realize I need to iron this shirt. But you know what? I really couldn't care less at this point., b/c it's the kind of fabric that gets wrinkly every time I move. I love the color, like a nude lilac or something. Goes perfectly with the vintage bakelite hoop earrings.
I didn't think that belting a bubble/tulip shape tunic this short would work, but I kind of like it.
This looks reminds me of a Sailor and Minnie Mouse love child. I wore this length of elastic lace as a little scarf one day, and decided to use it as a headband bow, resulting in the Minnie Mouse ears reference.
I love this bag. I bought it at Goodwill, left it there on accident, then drove back the next day to see if it had been purchased again. Fortunately, they believed me that I had bought it the day before and let me take it home. They kind of know me and my kids there, should I be embarrassed by that?
I felt like doing a fresh face this day. Make-up consists of a small hint of blush, light ivory eyeshadow under the brow and black eye shadow as a liner. I used it on a very small, dense angled brush to line my lashline and pulled it out about a half inch at an angle for a very subtle cat eye effect. I used a bit of black liner in the waterline of the eyes as well. Lipstick... I can never find a really good nude lip color that isn't too pink/orange/brown/matte/shimmery.... so, I used a touch of concealer (Maybelline Dream Mousse) and Carmex on top. Perfect nude lip stain.
In keeping with this weeks accidental pastel theme, I wanted to focus a touch on soft, ethereal beauty. As a stylist and make-up artist, I haven't excercised my creativity lately in this way, so my gift certificate to Ulta will be put to good use this week. (Thanks, Mom!)
Why does this pastel smudge work? Because the colors are shimmery, blended, in the same color family with soft lines under the brows, and the colors compliment the eye color. I've seen people attempt to acheive this that end up looking more like mermaid costume club makeup, such as here.
A low, easy, soft double twisted bun would work nicely with such bold eye colors, don't you think? Directions on how to get the look on Cookie Mag here.
Add your choice of bottoms, could be anything dressy from a colorful skirt, or laid back such as some lightly distressed cropped jeans with some green vintage espadrills and you are ready to go with your neutrally colorful look.
I feel like dressing up and getting pretty. Being a stay at home mom of two feels like being detached from the world in a sense. My boys think I'm a beauty queen and all, but they also love to play with my post pregnancy belly rolls too. So, there ya go. Raise your hand if ya know what I mean.
I get out to grocery shop... mail orders once or twice a week... take the dog to go poo downstairs... go to church... and random visits or meetings every couple of weeks and that's about it.
Date night is always fun, because I get to dress up a bit. Put on 2 coats of mascara... on the bottom lashes! (4 on top, couldn't have it any other way). But today, I feel like changing my rut.
I promised you lovelies a good make-up tutorial, and so today, the start of a weekend is the perfect time! But I do get a bit lazy at times, so I found a really good tutorial for that lustrous smokey eye here at Design Mom. Guess what though. I am going to do it Friday morning! I'm crazy! I'll be doing laundry and dishes and wearing sweatpants and a messy pony tail, and I'll be up in my elbows in diapers... but dang it my eyes will look haute. Smokin'. I will have nude lips, to compliment my smokey eyes perfectly. Nude I tell you. I vow to not chew on them at ALL tomorrow, no siree, no chapped things to tarnish my smokin' hot smokey eyes. Just a good, lightly foundation-ed and natural gloss covered pouty thing. (hopefully they don't look like runny black eyes by the time the hubs gets home).
So, here is the smokey eye tutorial by Allison of petit elefant
~ whose eye is above, NOT mine, I swear (click on images for larger view)
*for the white color on your brow bone, I recommend Cover Girl Champange... explanation below.
Smokey eye not working for you? How do you know, you haven't tried it yet! Well, if not, you can try the more subdued, more everyday look that I usually wear (minus the undereye liner). Full tutorial here at Makeup Geek . And even more, MUCH more tutorials over at Youtube. Just see a pic that draws you in and check it out.
*ps... this is my all time favorite eyeshadow of the world. Covergirl Champagne. It hides little stray brows you missed plucking, or red marks from obsessive overpluckers (like me). On lazy (most) days, I usually sweep a soft blend from lashline right up to the eyebrow, then I add a bit more to the lid and right beneath the arch of the eyebrow, even dabbing a bit around the corner of your eye and below the lashline closest to your nose. Then follow up with 2 coats of black mascara. It's soft, light wash of shimmer, natural but manicured. Try it out.
