Earthy Eyes with a Pop of Teal!

Hey guys! Today I'm posting a video tutorial of this earthy, brown with a pop of color look I did using my Nuance palettes. Hope you enjoy! (Skip to 1:18 for tutorial.)

Products Used:
Laura Mercier Secret Concealer - 3
MAC MSF Natural - Medium Plus
Nuance Eye Quad - Smokey
Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara- Black
Stila Blockbuster Palette - peachy blush
Nuance Lip Quad - Warm

Tools Used:
Stila Brush #30
Sonia Kashuk Travel Brush
MAC 217 Brush
ecoTools Powder Brush

All for now! How do you incorporate color into your look?
Love, Val

Back To School Makeup!

     It's that time of year again! Time to decide on your own back-to-school look. Will you reinvent your style? Try all the new trends? Stick with the classics? While you work on your perfect first-day outfit, I've already figured out a makeup look that will flatter anyone on their first day!
    It's a simple look designed to bring out your natural beauty. It features very little on the skin, with naturally pink cheeks, big and lifted eyes, and glossy coral lips. As a bonus, all the makeup is from the drugstore. Let's get started! (You may also check out my video tutorial here.)

1) For your base makeup, take time to evaluate what makeup you actually need. As an example, my skin has a few blemished areas and dark undereye circles, but other than that is relatively clear. Thus, I used concealer in those areas and left the rest bare. I even used a little extra on the lids as an eyeshadow primer. Revlon ColorStay Blemish Concealer - Light/Medium

2) Begin by giving your eyes some shine and dewiness with a shimmery cream shadow. elf Shadow/Liner Stick - Basic/Brown

3) Next, define the eyes with a brown liner. Apply accross the upper lashline, gradually getting thicker toward the end, and finish with a "kitten" wing. This will lift the eyes, making them appear large and bright. Apply some halfway through the lower lashline as well. elf Shadow/Liner Stick - Basic/Brown

4) Optionally set the shadows and boost color by applying powder shadows (in colors that match) directly on top of the creams. Revlon ColorStay Quad - Coffee Bean

4) Finish off the eyes with curled lashes and mascara. Revlon Grow Lusicous Mascara - Black

5) Keep the cheeks simple and natural by applying a blush that mimics your own natural flush. To do this, check the color of your cheeks after exercising. elf Studio Blush - Tickled Pink

6) Finish off with a glossy lip. There's a shade of coral for everyone! Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss - Coral Reef

Done!

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and have a great day!
Love, Val

4 Minute Makeup!

I don't know if many of you know this but I actually have a YouTube channel! I've only done a few videos, but nonetheless - it's been fun. I thought I'd share one with you today. It's a tutorial for makeup in four minutes! (And as you can tell, I'm still pretty awkward in these. Ha. That's why blogs are great!)

How To:

1) Apply a mineral foundation all over the skin for a little bit of coverage. Using a smaller brush, pinpoint more of the mineral foundation to the areas ou need it - specifically, under the eyes and on blemishes. (GloMinerals loose base, ecoTools powder brush, Stila brush #30)

2) Liven up the cheeks with a blush! I used a cream stick blush for quickness, applied to the back of the apples and blended out with fingers. (NYC blushable cream stick - Big Apple Blush)

3) Get your face an all-over dewy glow with liquid highlighter! I applied to the tops of the cheekbones and all over the eyelids, as an eyeshadow. (elf Shimmering Facial Whip - Lilac Petal)

4) Curl the lashes and apply mascara, as always! (Sephora Lash Curler, Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara)

5) Finish off with tinted lip balm on the lips! (Wet N Wild lip balm in 104)

Hope this helped! Any requests, video or blog?

Love, Val

Mila Kunis Makeup: SAG Awards

Today I have for you a makeup tutorial inspired by the gorgeous Mila Kunis. I'm sure all of you have followed her fashion, hair, and makeup choices from the awards season; she always looks stunning! Here's my take on her smokey yet simple Screen Actor's Guild Awards makeup look.

FACE
For that flawless matte skin, apply a thin layer of medium coverage liquid foundation, full coverage concealer under the eyes and on blemishes, and a light dusting of powder to set. (Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup in "soft beige," Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in "3," MAC MSF Natural in "Medium Plus")

CHEEKS
Mila is wearing a subtle cheek color: a bit of bronzer on the backs of the cheekbones and temples, and a bit of peachy blush on the apples of the cheeks. Remember, the eyes should take the focus here! (e.l.f. Blush & Bronzing Powder)

EYES
1) If necessary, prep the eyes with eyeshadow primer and lightly fill in eyebrows. (MAC Painterly Paint Pot, matte brown from Revlon Coffee Bean quad)

2) Apply a shimmery, medium/dark taupe color to the eyelid. Blend slightly into the crease. (Taupe from e.l.f. "Day 2 Night" quad)

3) Pat a darker, matte brown into the outer corner. Blend upwards for that smoky effect.Take this time to apply more of the lid color to the lower lashline. (Matte brown from Revlon Coffee Bean quad)

4) Take a true black eyeliner pencil and line the upper lashline and waterline, all the way around. (Stila Kajal Liner in Onyx)

5) Finally, curl your lashes and apply lots of black mascara to the upper and lower lashes. No false lashes necessary; let the liner do the talking! (CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume mascara in black)

LIPS
Keep it simple with a kiss of pink color, and a tiny dash of gloss! (e.l.f. Lip Stain in Birthday Suit)

DONE!

I hope you all enjoyed this makeup look!
Love, Val

P.S. SO sorry for being MIA recently! I got caught up in finals, potential summer work, volleyball, etc. I will have a lot more time come summer, aka in one week!

How To: Blow Dry Your Hair

Ever wanted to achieve straight, shiny, swingy supermodel hair without the straightener? This post will show you how to do just that! Today I will be using just my Revlon blow dryer and some styling products, and will turn my frizzy, wavy, poofy hair into something beautiful! Stay tuned. :)

1) After taking a shower, allow your hair to air dry until damp (not soaking). Comb through your hair with a wide tooth comb.

 

Tip: Try a styling product here! I'm applying "It's a 10" heat protectant/leave in conditioner. This will prevent some heat damage, and add softness to the hair.

2) Begin drying. Nozzle pointed down (to smooth down the hair cuticle, eliminating frizz), just use your fingers to quickly dry your hair until it is about 80% dry.

3) Now, we begin style/drying! Section off your hair. I have thick hair, so I do 5 sections.

4) Using a flat brush, brush very slowly through your first section. Follow the brush with the blow dryer, nozzle pointing down. Go through each section until completely dry.

Tip: Curl your ends out or under by tilting your brush at the end.

Tip: When satisfied with a section, use the cold air setting on your dryer to seal in the style and add shine. (This is like using cold water at the end of your shower - same concept!)

5) You're done! Part your hair as you like it, and style as desired. Lightly mist with hairspray to set.

I hope this helps you blow dry your hair! What "hair tips" do you use? Let me know in the comments!
Love, Val


Before:

After:

Rosy & Frosty: A Tutorial

Hey guys! First, thanks so much for following my blog and entering my giveaway!!

Second, I have a tutorial for you all! It's a super-quick way to embrace the season. I like to think of it as a caught-up-in-a-snowstorm look. Enjoy!

1) Foundation. I like to skip powder for a nice dewy finish in winter. (Revlon Colorstay in Nude mixed with moisturizer)

2) Rosy stain. Time for a winter flush! Add the liquid stain to your cheeks, temple, lips, and even the outer corner of the eyelid for an allover rosy look. (Benefit's Benetint)

3) Now, to incorporate the frost! Dust shimmery white shadow all over the lid. I also used mine on the bridge of the nose, tops of cheek bones, and cupid's bow for some facial highlighting. (Sephora Mono eyeshadow in Aspen Summit)

4) Add mascara. For fun and a twinkly surprise, I added more of the white shadow to the tips of my lashes afterwards. (L'Oreal Telescopic clean definition in black)

5) Finish off your lips with balm to protect from the harsh winter dryness! (eos lip balm in sweet mint)

Done! You should look rosy and frosty, and you can be out the door in five minutes with this one.

All for now-
Love, Val

How To: Silver Smokey Eye

Hi guys! Today I have for you my take on the classic silver smokey eye in 6 easy steps. It works great for New Year's, or any other occasion.

1) Prime your lids with a primer, concealer, or base to even out skin tone and keep the shadows lasting. Highlight under the browbone and in the inner corner with a light, shimmery shadow. (Mac Painterly paint pot, light shade from Sephora Smoky eyes kit)

 2) Apply a shimmery silver all over the lid. Take it above the crease, and sweep some under the lower lash line.

3) Take a matte brown into the crease. This will provide some smokiness as well as a gradient into the next step. (matte brown from Revlon Colorstay quad in coffee bean)

4) Apply a matte black into the outer V and on the outer half of the lower lash line. This will give that smokey effect. Blend! (black from Sephora Smoky eyes kit)

5) Give your eyes smokey definition with a black pencil liner. Line the upper and lower lash lines, and your waterline. Use a smudge brush or q-tip to blend and "smoke out." (Sephora eyeliner in black)

6) Curl your lashes and apply your best mascara. Use two or more coats, and be sure to get your lower lashes. Apply false lashes if desired. You don't want your lashes to be overwhelmed by the shadow, so be generous with the mascara! (Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara in black)

Done! Pair it with nude lips, a contoured cheek, and confidence!
All for today! What do you use to create smokey eyes?

Love, Val

PS - This was scheduled for Tuesday, but for some reason it didn't go up. Sorry guys!

Glowy Holiday Party Makeup

Hey everyone! Today I have for you a glowy, soft and smokey holiday look. Perfect for a party or other formal occasion. Let's get started!

1) Foundation. Be sure to either use longlasting products or set with a powder so your makeup stays all night. (Stila Perfecting Concealer in 'C', gloMinerals Loose Base in Natural Light)

 

2) Start off the eyes with your best base, to create a tacky surface for the shadows. (MAC Painterly Paint Pot)

3) Apply a light, golden color all over the lid and into the crease. (Lancome Suntouched)

4) Apply a matte brown into the outer corner. Work into the crease and sweep some onto the lower lash line. Blend! (Lancome Lézard)

5) Using a pencil liner, line your upper lash line and inner rims for a smokey affect. (Wet N Wild pencil liner in Black)

6) Curl your lashes...

 7) And apply your best mascara! Use false lashes here if you desire; I don't own any. (Lancome Hypnose Drama)

8) For the cheeks, start off with a rosy blush, then apply shimmery highlighter to the tops of the apples. (Nars Dolce Vita, Physician's Formula Shimmer Strip in Sunset Strip)

9) Complete the look with a neutral lip! Follow this sequence for your  lipstick: apply, blot, apply, blot, apply. This will create a long-lasting "stain" on your lips. (L'Oreal Lipstick in Gilded Pink)

10) Done!

Enjoy your holiday parties, everyone! What do you think of the look?

Love, Val