My Everyday Face Routine.

My Everyday Face Routine

This post isn't really supposed to be hugely informative, but I thought it would be a fun post to quickly go through my typical day makeup. My routine is never really "solid" as I change up products from day to day, otherwise I'd never get through any of my products.

On a daily basis I keep my eyes very simple. The colors always change, but what stays the same is that I always apply MAC Brule all over my lids as a base and smudge color across my top and bottom lashline, followed with lots of mascara.

Products Used (in order used)
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC20
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Medium
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Tawny (applied with Real Techniques Stippling Brush)
MAC Eyebrows Retractable Pencil in Spiked
Spoolie Tool
Guerlain Meteorites Powder (applied with a Sigma F30 Large Powder Brush)
Becca Flamenco Bronzing Powder (applied with Coastal Scents Destiny Kabuki on a Stick Brush)
MAC Honey Rose Magically Cool Liquid Powder (applied with Kirkland Stippling Brush)
Nars Dolce Vita Blush (applied with Kirkland Stippling Brush)
MAC Brule, Club and Nehru Eyeshadows
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base
Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara
MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick
NYX Nude Peach Mega Shine Lipgloss

I'll be doing individual posts on application technique (how to apply concealer, blush, bronzer, etc) because I'd like to explain in detail, rather than briefly in a quick tutorial.


The first step is always starting out with a completely clean and moisturized face. I rarely ever use a primer, as I feel that my skin doesn't necessarily need one.

I then start by applying my concealer to the area under my eyes, underneath my brow (to conceal any redness or brow stubble) and around my nose. I usually use the "triangle method" which refers to applying the concealer in an upside down triangle shape, rather than a half-circle. It gives the illusion of wide awake eyes and added definition to the cheeks.

Moving onto foundation. I always give the bottle a good shake to make sure the product is mixed, and I apply a dime-sized dot of foundation on each of my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Then, with a stippling brush and a light-hand, blend each area of my face in small circular motions. I sometimes spend up to a minute blending to ensure that there are no harsh edges.

For my brows, I'm using my favorite eyebrow pencil called 'MAC Eye Brows'. I lightly follow the shape of my natural brow, coloring the sparse areas with small, quick strokes. To blend the product together and to soften any harsh lines, I go over my brows with a spoolie (clean mascara wand).

I always wait a couple of minutes for my foundation to properly dry before applying a setting powder. Most of the time I apply my setting powder with my favorite Sigma F30 Powder Brush. I love Guerlain Meteorites because it never looks cakey or powdery and it gives my skin a natural radiance. All I do is dab my brush in the pot and swirl the brush all over my face in small, circular motions. I use a little more pressure than I do when I apply my foundation, to ensure it's really buffed in my skin.

Next up is bronzer, blush and highlighter. I always apply bronzer first, starting in the hollows of my cheeks (the hollow space under the cheekbones), blending it up to my temples and into my hair line. I continue around the outline of my face. I love this bronzing powder from Becca because it's sheer, but buildable, blends easily and never looks harsh. 

Usually I only apply my highlighter along the top of my cheekbones, but with this particular product, since it acts as a highlighter and blush, I like adding it to the apples of my cheeks (normally where I'd apply blush). The pinkish glow instantly makes my skin look plump and radiant. I always apply this using a stippling brush.

Next up is blush. Because Nars Dolce Vita is a very pigmented blush, I always use a stippling brush so I don't make the mistake of applying too much color. I lightly brush this on the apples of my cheeks. If I applied too much, I'll usually blend out the edges with my foundation brush.

Now, I apply MAC Brule all over my lids using a tapered blending brush. It's a light, sheer beige that doesn't provide much color, but it helps even out the tone of my lids and it absorbs any natural oils from my eyelids/foundation, creating a blank, even canvas for my colored eyeshadow.

With a small pencil/crease brush, I smudge MAC Club along my top and bottom lashline. I usually only apply the color half-way across my lashline for a more natural look.

To deepen the color a little bit, I've added MAC Nehru with an angled brush to the same area where I applied Club.

I then curl my lashes very tight, apply Shiseido Mascara Base (I can't live without it!) and a few coats of Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara.

The last step is applying MAC Viva Glam Nicki Minaj Lipstick to my lips (very lightly) and apply NYX Nude Peach Lipgloss over top.

The look is complete!

*I'm still working on the lighting situation for FOTD's, I haven't done any since I've had my new camera because the camera really washes me out. I'm actually pretty tan right now, and in these photos, I look much lighter.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Guest Post: A Sulty Smokey Night Look!

Guest Post Written by Marla

Today the incredibly talented Marla of Makeup By Marla shares her Face of the Day (FOTD) from this past weekend. She also goes through the list of products she used to create the look!

On Saturday night I went out with a few friends to �The Marketplace�. The Marketplace is a tiny plaza that has restaurants, boutiques, and a movie theatre. I didn't want to look too made up but I wanted to wear a dark smokey eye to make my eyes pop.

Going out at night is really the ultimate test for your makeup. The staying power and durability needs to be good because you don�t want to have to be reapplying all night! I used a variety of drugstore and high end products that I both rely on and trust to stay put all night.

I will add small anecdotes about products that I recommend wearing when going out at night.

READ MORE!

FACE

Benefit The POREfessional Primer
Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Buff: This foundation is truly amazing, it does not look cakey, feel heavy, or wear off throughout the night. And it also photographs really well which is a plus!
MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC20 (blemishes)
Almay Smart Shade Concealer in Light/Medium (under eyes)
MAC Studio Fix Powder in NC25 (light dusting on t-zone): This has been one of my favorites for years! I have yet to experience oxidation with it and it really keeps my face matte and under control. Take this along with some blotting paper when going out and you will have a flawless face all night!
E.L.F. Blush in Candid Coral (cheekbones)
Rimmel Bronzer in Sun Bronze (contour)

EYES

Benefit Stay Don�t Stray Primer (all over lid & brow bone)
Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Tough as Taupe (just on lid): I have had this product for a little over a week but I am impressed with its durability and pigmentation. It helps my shadows appear more pigmented and allows them to adhere better to the skin. Comparable to MAC Paint Pots.
MAC Paint Pot in Let�s Skate (brow bone)
E.L.F. Essential Duo Eyeshadow in Black Licorice (used the black, outer third of eye & blended in slightly)
MAC Eyeshadow in Smudged Violet (inner third & blended with the black, also used as transition color leading to brow bone)
MAC Eyeshadow in Seedy Pearl (brow bone & inner corner highlight)Hard Candy�s Liner in Soy Bean (top & bottom waterline)
Bare Minerals Liner in Noon (under bottom waterline, smudged out): This eyeliner is truly amazing! It glides on easily and can be blended out with ease, but after setting it does not budge! In other words, you wont look like a raccoon late at night!
Clinique High Definition Mascara: Clinique mascaras astound me! They do not flake or budge in the entire day, and they make my lashes look amazing! A definite must!

BROWS

MAC Espresso Eyeshadow
Hairspray used to set brows in place: I haven�t found a better brow set... Enough Said! :)

LIPS

E.L.F. Lip Stain in Heartbreaker: Using a lip stain when going out at night is a way better alternative to a lipstick, it stays on your lips longer and even when rubbed off your lips will have a hint of color. The ELF ones are my favorites because of their pigmentation!
E.L.F. Lip Gloss in Fairy

Hope you enjoyed this look and I hope you got ideas of some new products you can try out when going out at night!

Have a great makeup filled day!

Marla

Guest Post Written by Marla

My name is Marla Ramirez and I'm a 16 year old girl that loves sharing her obsession with makeup. I have a blog called Makeup By Marla, where I share looks, reviews, and new products with my readers. I've done some freelance artistry at a local salon and have also done my friends makeup during winter formal and prom season. Having a mom that is a cosmetologist has really fueled my interest in anything beauty related, whether it be hair, makeup, or skincare! 

Where you can find me: 

Revlon ColorSilk Hair Color in Dark Brown + A Few New Hair Products for Shiny Hair.

I know, probably doesn't look like much of a change, but my hair lately has been looking dull and lifeless. I figured it was time for a dye and picked up one that I've been using off and on for years - Revlon ColorSilk Hair Color in #30 Dark Brown.

The instructions are to leave it in your hair for 25 minutes, and I always make sure to leave it in for the exact time, and not a minute over, or I'll end up with almost black hair.

Revlon ColorSilk Hair Color is actually the least expensive hair dye you can find at the drugstore. It's only around $3 a box, and delivers just as well - if not better than the higher priced boxed dyes.

READ MORE!
The color is a very dark, rich brown. It can be somewhat drying, but I make sure to load on the conditioner to add some moisture back into my hair.

For added shine and silky smooth hair, I picked up two products that I'm loving already. Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil and Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Break Serum. I actually used both products together on my hair, and it didn't make my hair oily. They just made my hair super light, soft, silky and shiny! They also made my hair smell amazing. I would re-purchase the Moroccan Argan Oil for the scent alone.

I will report back with a review on both products as I continue using them. If you use either of these products, I'd love to hear your thoughts about them.

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Break Serum & Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil

For my face, something really simple. I'm absolutely loving the eye combo of Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze with MAC Satin Taupe over top. Really beautiful and extends the wear of both shadows. To soften the edge, I used MAC Era with a tapered blending blush. Then, I just added some black liner and mascara and that's it!

Face:
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation mixed with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation
Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer
Chanel Bronze Universel De Chanel Cream Bronzer
MAC Dollymix Blush
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Powder

Brows:
MAC Cork Eyeshadow
Anastasia of Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

Eyes:
Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze
MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow
MAC Era Eyeshadow
YSL Black Cream Eyeliner
Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
Kiss #02 False Lashes (KPL02)

Lips:
Chanel Bagatelle Glossimer

Hope you all have a wonderful night! I'm off to make dinner. ;)

My new hair color + a couple photos of Rocky :)

I ended up dying my hair last night with the hair dye I posted about yesterday. It was the Clairol Nice n' Easy Colorblend Foam in the shade #4 Dark Brown. Prior to dying my hair, my hair color was an ashy, medium brown with a bunch of golden brown-auburn tones towards the bottom. This dye changed my color to a very dark, rich brown. I really like it, and I'm hoping it's not going to fade considerably once I wash my hair. 

READ MORE..

As for the dye, I don't think I'd purchase it again. I thought the idea of using a foam was kinda cool, but I actually find it a little inconvenient to use - especially when using a brush to coat the roots. Also another inconvenience, by the looks of the container, it looks like a pump - but it's not. You have to squeeze the bottle for the foam to dispense. Not a big deal, but it's a little awkward. I waited the full 25 minutes, conditioned and rinsed. It left my hair feeling really dry. I could barely get a brush through my hair. On the plus side, it seemed to take well to my gray hairs, and the color looks great. I'll just have to make sure to load up on the deep conditioners. I'm almost done with my Aussie Deep Conditioner. I think I might pick up the "It's a 10" Miracle Leave in Conditioner. I saw it today at ULTA in a pink bottle for Breast Cancer Awareness. (For more info, click here) Anyone recommend it?

Face:

Reviva Labs Makeup Primer

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer in NW20

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC40 mixed with Revlon Age Defying with DNA Advantage in #10 Bare Buff to lighten

MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Honey Rose (highlight/blush, applied to cheeks and nose)

MAC Sculpt (to contour cheeks)

MAC Smooth Harmony Beauty Powder (bronzer, applied along cheeks and forehead)

Guerlain Meteorites in Mythic (setting powder)

Bare Escentuals Well Rested mixed with Ben Nye Neutral Set Powder (to set concealer)

Brows:

Maybelline Define-a-Brow in Medium Brown

Maybelline Great Lash CLEAR Mascara (to set brows)

Eyes:

MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot (applied all over lid as a base)

MAC Melon Pigment (applied all over the lid, on top of Rubenesque)

MAC Constructivist Paint Pot (smudged across upper and lower lashline and smoked out) - LOVE!

Shiseido Mascara Base

Maybelline The Falsie's Mascara

Lips:

MAC Subculture Lip Liner

Milani Rosehip Lipstick

MAC Clear Lipglass

I bought this cute little Halloween pajama for Rocky a few days ago at Target. He looks so adorable, but he is always so full of energy, I could not get a decent picture of him. The first picture was the best I could do for now. lol

He looks like Alfalfa.

And, here he is being his typical watch dog self. I was outside on the patio trying to get his attention, but he kept ignoring me. Typical guy.

Talk to you all soon!