My Week in Make-Up

I have been having so much fun playing with different make-up looks over the last couple of weeks! I know none of the looks appear drastically different since I try to keep everything pretty toned down for work overall but there are subtle changes.

On the far left I was going for a more brown undertone. The top I was wearing had burgundy stripes so I really felt like the brown tone went well with it. What really topped off this look was my Cover Girl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in shade 270 (Cocoa Twist).

The second look I wanted to go for super neon bright colors to match my bright green top from Forever 21. Obviously you can't see my eye make-up but on my lips I am wearing Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Fig.

In the third look I wanted to go with a really silver eye and nude lip. I used my Naked Palette and the main shade I wanted to pop was Gunmetal which is the most silver/blue shade in the palette.

In the look on the far right I wanted my make-up to be pink overall to go with my cream colored top. I used very pink shades on my eyes from the Lorac Unzipped Palette. My lip gloss is bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie in Heartbreaker.

Weekend Glam & The BEST Mascara Out There [In My Opinion]

Yesterday I had fun playing with a couple of my new products that came in from Ulta and Sephora over the last week. There are two products in particular that I must RAVE about. I received my first Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Amethyst and I absolutely adore this product. The pigmentation is amazing and it is the perfect eye color. It was a little more purple than I expected but I actually am really loving that aspect. I plan to own every single color! The other product I just can't believe I have lived my life without for this long, is the Too Faced "Better Than Sex" Mascara. We all search high and low for the best mascara product and I am convinced I have found the one for me! I have tried Benefit "They're Real" which everyone seems to rave about, Diorshow, Tarte Amazonion Clay, and a ton of drugstore favorites like L'Oreal Full Definition Voluminous Mascara or Covergirl Lash Blast. I love the applicator of Better Than Sex and love the volume that it gives my lashes. I already have pretty long lashes so this gives them volume without making them look spidery. It is too die for! Not to mention, when I checked out, the cashier at Ulta said that this is the mascara that she recommends to everyone because she thinks it is the best. Must be true!

Other products I am using in this look above:
Primer: Lorac "I'm So Sensitive"
Foundation: Make-Up Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 125
Bronzer: Too Faced Sun Bunny
Blush: Nars in Super Orgasm
Under-Eye Concealer: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraster-Brightener
Eyeliner: Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancing Liquid Liner
Eye Shadow: Aside from the Laura Mercier, I used my Lorac Unzipped Palette
Lip Balm: Dior Addict Lip Glow
Lip Gloss: bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie in Heartbreaker-True Romantic Trend Collection (Limited Time)

What I'm Loving [My Latest Sephora Order]

Bobbi Brown Blush in Bright Pale Pink; Josie Maran Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon; Smith's Rosebud Salve Lip Balm

Benefit Rockateur Blush; Sephora Fomula X in Meteoric and Extraordinary

So lately I have become a little bit addicted to make-up...perhaps A LOT addicted. I am constantly researching new products, reading reviews and beauty blogs. These all came highly recommended by several video bloggers so I had to try them out.

First I had been looking for a brighter, pinker blush. As you know, I currently use Benefit Sugarlicious blush which is a more bronze color. I wanted something that was a little more pink and stood out a little more from my bronzer. I am so pleased with this purchase. When I first applied it I thought "WHOA! This is pink!" After blending it a little more I love the rosy results.

My skin is ultra sensitive and I have heard great things about Josie Maran products. I have used her lipgloss and love it but have not tried any of her skin products. I love that they are all made with Argan oil. It literally feels like better when I apply it under my eyes. I also use it as a highlighting tool on my nose. I definitely recommend this concealer because the light, creamy consistency is very nice.

Smith's Rosebud Salve was recommended as one of the best lip balms on Total Beauty and I also have a friend that uses and loves it. My lips are extra huge so I am constantly trying new products to keep them from drying out during the winter. As with my skin, my lips have a tendency to get extremely chapped and dry. I haven't been using this lip balm long enough to tell you if I'm pleased with the results, but so far I am loving the scent of this product and the way it feels on my lips after I apply it. Time will tell if I will purchase it again!

 I also got Benefit's Rockateur blush--I've used it before and am excited to use it again! The texture looks a little funky if you have never used it before but the color is a beautiful mix of pink and bronze.

Sephora Formula X nail polish has really gel-like appearance which is what I like since I've stopped getting gel manicures (a. to save money, b. because it's bad for your nails). I'm excited to try these colors together! It's always good to have an assortment of neutral and super FUN polish.

To view my post and other "What I'm Loving" posts by fellow bloggers, make sure to visit Simply Lulu Style's Link Up. Click here to check it out.

Contouring: The Basics

Photos Courtesy Of: Guerlain (Sephora.com); Josie Maran (Sephora.com); Bobbi Brown (Sephora.com); Urban Decay (Sephora.com); Smashbox (Sephora.com); Bare Minerals (Beauty.com); Elf (Fishpond.com)

I am no make-up artist but I have quickly learned that contouring is the MOST important technique in applying your make-up daily. For years, I was just applying my make-up without paying attention to contouring and highlighting features based on my particular face shape.

After watching endless Youtube videos on how to contour a more "round" face shape, I tailored my make-up routine and was able to do so using most products I already loved. I was also introduced to several new products that I cannot live without!

How I Contour My Face Shape:

Step 1: I apply my Smashbox High Def foundation full coverage. I apply it using an Elf Foundation Brush.
Step 2: I apply my Guerlain Bronzer. This may be the most important step because my round cheeks are my biggest problem area when it comes to contouring. I apply the bronzer in an upward motion starting from the corner of my lip up to my ear. I do this on both sides in a sweeping motion. I also apply a little bit of bronzer on my jawline and around my hairline where the light naturally hits.
Step 3: I apply the Bobbi Brown brush in a circular motion on the apples of my cheeks.
Step 4: I apply the Josie Maran Creamy Concealer Crayon underneath my eyes and blend it in. I also apply one long line down the bridge of nose to gift it a more narrow appearance. I have a very round nose as well.
Step 5: One step I have also found to be very important is paying attention to the shape and color of my eyebrows. I have very dark eyebrows to begin with, so initially I never felt the need to color them in or enhance them in any way. However, once I watched a tutorial online about the Elf Eyebrow Kit I knew I had to try it out. Using this kit really opens up my eyes and gives my face more definition. To learn more about how to use this kit I recommend looking on Youtube. It is a lot to type here.
Step 6: After applying my mascara and eyeliner, I use the "Virgin" shade from the Urban Decay Naked Palette to highlight under my brow. I essentially follow the line of my brow in a sweeping motion with this shadow. It really makes my brows and eyes pop!
Step 7: Of course, apply your bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie lipgloss to top off your look.

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie

Let's just say that I have a lip gloss addiction! I have tried many different brands over the last couple of years and have finally narrowed it down to my favorite. Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss by bareMinerals is my go-to lip gloss for any occasion. Not only do I love how it looks on my lips, I absolutely love the feeling. Some lip gloss brands are sticky and make your lips feel dried out after an hour or so of wearing. Marvelous Moxie feels soft and smooth on my lips and all shades come with a great scent! My lips have not felt dry at all since I've started wearing Moxie regularly. In the pictures above, I am wearing the shade Rebel. It is my favorite shade since it is very neutral and not too pink. I also love Party Starter and Game Changer if I am wearing it out for an evening.

When it comes to cost, the price is definitely right! It is only $18.00 for a tube at both Ulta and Sephora. I recommend this product to every gal as addicted to lip gloss as I am. I have tried more expensive products and have been most pleased with Moxie!