My Makeup Besties ♡

make/up best/ies phrase 1. Favorite cosmetics 2. Trusty beautifiers 3. Lifesavers

Definition taken straight from the Val Dictionary! I can always rely on my personal makeup besties to help me out when I'm looking "ehh", to get me ready in a flash, and to brighten my mood in the morning. Here they are!

 

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer - makes my skin look fresh, healthy, and not made up
Laura Mercier Secret Concealer - camouflages dark under-eyes without looking cakey 
MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow - can be popped on the lid and blended for an easy smokey look
DiorShow Iconic Mascara - gives a big, separated lash effect in a flash
NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick - enhances my natural lip color and moisturizes
elf Tickled Pink Blush - adds a fresh, natural pink to the complexion

What are your makeup besties??
Love, Val

PS - Sorry I was gone for so long! School + cross country = a very busy start to September. But I'm back for good! ;)

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

EOTD: Neutrals, Shimmer, Winged Liner

I absolutely love playing around with makeup to find new neutral combinations, and this was one I particularly liked so I thought I'd share!

primer
MAC Painterly Paint Pot

shadow
lid + inner corner: Physicians Formula Sunset Strip - 2nd shade down, a frosted pink/beige
crease/lower lash line: Urban Decay Smog - bronzey brown with satin finish
outer v: MAC Satin Taupe - grey/plum/brown with satin finish
blending out the crease: Clinique "No Show Taupes" Duo - darker, a matte medium neutral brown

liner
upper lash line and wing: Stila "stay all day" Waterproof Liquid Liner
tightline, between upper lashes: elf Cream Eyeliner - black

mascara

Revlon Grow Luscious - black

All for now! Would you like more EOTD posts?
Love, Val

June Faves ✼

This has been a month of dewy skin, glossy lips, thick lashes and a touch o' bronzer. Read on for my faves!

FACE
Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer is a lovely, illuminating base. It's very sheer, but I love how lightweight it feels. Perfect for summer.
On top, I apply Revlon ColorStay Blemish Concealer. It contains salicylic acid (great for treating acne), making it perfect to cover blemishes. On lazy days this is fine for an undereye concealer as well. (I apply it with my MAC 217 brush - great for a seamless, no-makeup look.)


CHEEK
Urban Decay Afterglow Cheek Tint in Crush is a beautiful, bright cheek color. I love the brightening, youthful effect this gives to the cheek.
Benefit Hoola Bronzer is my trusty matte bronzer! Read back on my old (embarrassing) Sephora Haul for more.


EYES
I like to define my eyes with Estee Lauder Artist's Eye Pencil in Softsmudge Brown. It's a great warm brown color that I pencil in across my upper lash line, then wing at the end to mimic flirty outer lashes.
Sephora Nano Eyeliner in Pearl Beige goes in the inner corner and the waterline for sparkly, bright eyes.
Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara adds great volume and nice length to the lashes, all while conditioning them! I noticed a difference after the first use - my lashes felt stronger and thicker.


LIPS
Nars Lipstick in Barbarella is THE coral color I have been looking for! It's gorgeous, sheer and it matches my walls. Love.


I hope you enjoyed these faves!! Would you like a review on any of these products?

Love, Val

P.S. I'm going away for Fourth of July weekend, but I have a post pre-scheduled and I'll be back soon!

May Faves!

For me, May has been a month of glowy, fresh skin with subtle eyes and coral lips. On to the faves!

FACE
Stila Tinted Moisturizer is an illuminating, glowy start to any makeup look. I love its barely-there coverage; just enough to even out the complexion.
I like to follow up with a tiny dot of Stila Perfecting Concealer, which covers blemishes and redness beautifully.
Atop the cheeks I apply Revlon Colorstay Brighten Finishing Powder for a sheer highlight - right above whatever blush or bronzer I wear that day.
EYES
I adore this $1 e.l.f. "Day 2 Night" Quad; the pigmentation is excellent and the colors are fab. I use the cream shade on my lid with the taupe brown blended through the crease.
LIPS
I like to finish off the look with Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef for a glossy coral finishing touch!

This is my 1st anniversary for my favorites posts! Read last May's here.
Have an excellent day!
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!

What's in my travel makeup bag?

Hey guys! Sorry it has been so long since I've posted, but I've been on a couple trips. Here's a quick peek into what makeup I brought with me. :)

MAC MSF Natural, Elf Blushing/Bronzing Duo, GloMinerals Blackberry Eyesahdow, Born Lippy Body Shop Lip Balm, Laura Mercier Secret Concealer, Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer, Stila Kajal Onyx Eyeliner, Clinique Gentle Waterproof Mascara, Revlon Colorstay Blemish Concealer

Japonesque Travel Brush Set

Trina Makeup Bag

All for now! What are your travel beauty must haves?
Love, Val

March Favorites + Blog-iversary!

Hey girls! As is is already April, it's time for my March faves post. The month of March was another simple one for me. However, I do have some new products to mix in with some old faves. So here we go!

FACE:
Stila Perfecting Concealer - This is, yet again, a fave of mine. I PROMISE to review it soon!
NARS "Orgasm" blush -  A year later, I still enjoy this blush! It actually looks really pretty and natural, not too shimmery. I love the peachy/hot pink color.
Elf Blushing/Bronzing duo - This is my first elf product, and for $3, I am super impressed! The bronzer is perfect right now, as I am not yet tan enough to pull off my Hoola bronzer. Review?

EYES:
Clinique "No-Show Taupes" eyeshadow duo - I am completely in love with this duo. The colors, when used correctly, feign the look of a gorgeous natural eye shape. Love.
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner in "Black" - I don't usually like eyeliner for every day but have gotten into it this month. I use a thin line on the upper lash line for a very subtle look.
Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara in "Black" - Another old fave of mine! It fans out lashes nicely without clumping.

LIPS:
Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in "Raspberry" - Feels like a lip balm, with a hint of color and shine.

That's all for my March faves! Oh, and Happy (belated) one-year Blog-iversary to me!! I seriously cannot believe it's been a whole year. Thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate all of you who have made blogging so fun for me.

Love, Val

FOTD: Speed Dial & Woodwinked

Just playing around with my new MAC stuff and thought I'd do a quick Face of the Day!

Face:
Stila Perfecting Concealer (Shade C)
Mac MSF Natural (Medium Plus)
Nars Orgasm Blush

Eyes:
Mac Painterly Paint Pot
Mac Woodwinked eyeshadow (all over eyelid, into crease, and on lower lash line)
Wet N Wild Color Icon eyeliner in Black (upper lash line and inner rims)
L'Oreal Telescopic Clean Definition Mascara in Black

Lips:
Mac Speed Dial Lipstick

Hope you enjoyed! Happy St. Patty's day! I hope you're all wearing green *virtual pinches*!
Love, Val

DIY: Colored Eyeliner

Today, I'm going to show you how to use a black liquid liner and colored eyeshadow to make.. colored eyeliner! We all love playing around with purple, blue, and green eyeliner, right? Well, now you don't have to go out and buy colors you'll rarely use! Just follow these steps...

You'll Need
- a black liquid eyeliner
- eyeshadows in fun colors
- an angled eyeshadow brush

1) Apply black liquid liner as you normally do. Be sure your eyes are bare (no primer). The black will help the eyeshadow "stick"and also provide an undertone. (Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner in Black)

2) Apply an eyeshadow over the liner, using an angled shadow brush. Don't worry about "going outside the lines"- the excess eyeshadow will easily brush off, because we didn't use a primer.

3) Play around with color!!

Urban Decay "Flash" makes for a beautiful purple liner!

Estee Lauder "Safari Green" makes a subtle hint of green.

I hope this helps some of you! Have you tried this trick before??
Love, Val

February Faves!

It is once again time for my monthly favorites post!

Makeup

1. Revlon Berry Haute Lipstick: I love it so much! See my review here.
2. Stila Perfecting Concealer (in 'C'): It's a great full-coverage liquid concealer. I use tiny dots on my under eyes and any blemishes for a beautiful flawless look!
3. gloMinerals loose base (in 'Natural Light'): This I use over the concealer. It sets my makeup, mattifies, and adds some coverage. I love how natural it looks.
4. Benefit Coralista Blush: It's such a beautiful, flattering color! This is definitely my Holy Grail/go-to blush.
5. Urban Decay 24/7 liner (in 'Bourbon'): This rich brown with shimmer starts out super creamy and blendable, but within 30 seconds sets and stays all day! I love the fabulous pigmentation as well. (This is a mini that I got with my Summer of Love set.)

Tools

1. Sigma F80 Brush: (not pictured) So multi-purpose! I use it to blend out my concealer, to apply foundation when I need it, for powder.... The list goes on! See my review here.

All for now! What are you loving??
Love, Val

P.S. Results from my most recent poll!
"I like to play up..."
75% said "my eyes"
37% said "my clear skin"
25% said "my lips"
12% said "my cheeks"

*CLOSED* New Year's GIVEAWAY!!

Hey girls and thanks for 50+ followers! To thank you all for supporting me, I've compiled a little giveaway for you all. Enjoy! :)

Rules
1) You must be a follower of my blog to enter - because I want this to be a gift to a follower. :) It's easy and free!
2) You must be a) 18 or over, or b) have a parent's permission (so I can ship it to you).
3) Just fill out the form below to enter. 
4) You get one entry for following via Google Friend Connect, but there are three bonus entries available.
5) This contest is open internationally and I will pay shipping!
6) Contest closes February 25th at 11:59 PM PST. I will choose the winner using this website by numbering off the entries and then generating a random number.


Enter



Prizes - one lucky winner will recieve:
-Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in "Tattle Tale"
A very pretty, shimmery light gold color. great for all-over lid, and lasts all day!
-Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara in "black/brown"
I've read the reviews for this one and it sounds like a great mascara!
-Stila Custom Color Blush in "Self-Adjusting"
Really awesome - it'll change color to suit your skin tone.
-Pink Body Mist in "pretty & pure"
I tested out all the scents and this one was my fave!
-Beauty Rush lip gloss in "melonrageous"
Very comparable to Clinique Moisturebalm in Raspberry, which is a favorite of mine.
-Korres Quince Lip Butter
Highly acclaimed lip butter to keep your lips moist during winter!


Good luck! If you have any questions, feel free to email me (valzcloset@gmail.com) or leave a comment below.


Love, Val

Beauty Stocking Suffers

Looking for some quick last-minute gifts? Here's some quick gift ideas in the beauty category. I tried to pick out things every woman would love!

Stila Custom Color Blush, $20; sephora.com
Mac Eyeshadows, $15; nordstrom.com
Diorshow Mascara, $24; nordstrom.com
Nars Dolce Vita Lipstick, $24; barneys.com
Bobbi Brown Lipstick Trio, $40; neimanmarcus.com

Stila Custom Color Blush is an awesome idea; looks hot pink in the pan, but it changes to a customized color once you put it on. The color is supposed to perfectly complement the coloring of the wearer. Cool, huh?

Mac Eyeshadows are relatively inexpensive and of great quality. Every girl needs some. :)

Diorshow Mascara has been very highly rated. While I have never tried it, I'm sure everyone would love  a great new mascara!

Nars Dolce Vita Lipstick is a gorgeous color and has amazing, lightweight formulation. It looks great on everyone.

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Trio has three beautiful colors to play around with!

Enjoy your holidays! What are you buying for your loved ones this season?

Love, Val

What I've Been Loving

Hey girls! This was going to be a November Faves, but now we're a week into December. So here's my "What I've Been Loving" post :)

Face
My new foundation routine (pictured) consists of Stila Perfecting Concealer in 'C' on blemishes and undereyes, then a quick dusting of gloMinerals Loose Base in 'Natural Light.' Effortless, and very natural looking. I like how it feels like I don't have makeup on!

Eyes
I've been wearing plum/mauve tones on my eyes recently (I've been told that it brings out my coloring). First, I lightly sweep gloMinerals eyeshadow in Blackberry up to the crease, then follow up with a coat of Benefit Bad Gal Plum mini mascara.

Lip/Cheek
I am in love with Benefit's BeneTint; it's a beautiful liquid cheek color in a rosy shade, great for a "caught in a snowstorm" flush. I've been wearing it on the cheeks, and then applying just a bit to the lips for a slight stain.
In other lip news, I've slowly worked lip glosses back into my makeup routine! Pictured are Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing gloss in Raspberry, Revlon Super Lustrous in Pink Pop, and Nars Turkish Delight - but I love a lot of glosses.  :)

Hair
I've been doing a super-lazy style a lot recently: quick low bun with my hair parted on the side, but to add some flair I braid two tiny sections beforehand. I think it makes it look a little more deliberate, no?

Random

Nutella Hot Chocolate is delicious! (I learned from the lovely missglamorazzi's video recipe.) Basically, you heat up 1 cup of milk on the stove and whisk in 2 T Nutella spread. Now, you may think this would lead to an overly sweet, cheap tasting hot chocolate, but it doesn't! The result is delicious; somehow it ends up with a very sophisticated nutty taste. Mmm. I have literally been having one a day.

 All for now! What have you been loving?

Love, Val

October Favorites

Hello all!
Just a few things I've been loving this month - I've been doing simple looks every day (no eyeshadow, same thing every day...) But I'm going to start switching it up again soon :)

Makeup:

• Maybelline Concealer Stick (medium beige) & Maybelline Dream Matte Powder (medium sand) - I've been using these two as a "foundation" everyday, for a light-coverage matte look. Yes, I'm back into matte! I think I go through phases...
• Benefit Coralista blush & Nars Dolce Vita blush - These two go together because I've been pretty much switching off between them every day! Coralista is a fresh, pretty light pink with hints of orange and Dolce Vita is a beautiful dusty rose.
• Stila Major Major Lash Mascara - I love it because it provides curled, volumized, fanned-out lashes without any clumps so it looks completely natural. Great for quick, no-time-to curl lashes!
• Nars Dolce Vita lipstick - I wear this with the corresponding blush :) It's the same color, but sheer and glossy. So gorgeous.
• Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing gloss in Raspberry - And this one, I wear with Coralista blush! Just enough raspberry color with a nice moisturizing effect.

Hair:
  I've been wearing my hair up (bun, ponytail, braid...) and unstyled for the majority of the month *guilty smile*. Good for the hair, but to be honest it's just out of laziness. November, I feel, will be a straight-hair month...

  That's all I've been loving this month! What are your October favorites?
  Love, Val

Megan Fox Inspired Makeup

  Hey girls! I figured it's been too long since my last makeup tutorial, so here's one for you all. It's inspired by a look Megan Fox wore to the Armani Show at Milan Fashion week: hot pink glossy lips with dramatic, black winged eyeliner. It's perfect for nights out, or (if you're daring!) a spiced-up everyday look.

Megan, as always, looks amazing in the makeup!

1.) As usual, start off with foundation. Then, add a light layer of powder to set for a semi-matte finish. Conceal, and define your brows, if you need to (I didn't). Try to keep the foundation looking light, as we don't want to distract from the eyes and lips! (Revlon PhotoReady foundation in Nude, Maybelline Dream Matte powder in Medium Sand)

2) Now, for the winged liner! Use your liner of choice (powder, gel, pencil...); I like liquid for a dramatic line. Create a line across the upper lash line, getting gradually thicker towards the end. Then, finish it off with a thick wing angling towards the brow, and a little liner on the lower lash line. Don't forget to heap on the mascara! (Stila Stay All Day waterproof liquid liner, Stila Major Major lash mascara)

3) Add a light dusting of bronzer, taking it from the temple across the cheekbone. (Benefit Hoola bronzer)

4) Wrap things up with a fuchsia lip! Carefully outline the shape of your lips, fill in, then blend with a finger for even coverage. Coat with clear gloss. (Revlon Just Bitten lip stain in Passion, CoverGirl clear gloss)

5) Done!

  Hope you liked the tutorial! I absolutely love the look... considering wearing it to my next school dance! Have a great weekend and thank you so much for all the support. :)

  Love, Val

July Favorites + Stila Winner!

  Hey all, I am back from my vacation and glad to be blogging again! It's time for my July Favorites (ahh!! summer goes by too fast!) but first, the moment you've all been waiting for... the randomly generated winner of my Stila Giveaway:

Alyssa!

  Alyssa, please email me here with your address and I'll have your package shipped ASAP! Everyone else: Don't fret, more giveaways are in the future. :)

  Now, time for my July faves!

 Makeup

• Sephora retractable foundation brush - awesome for applying foundation and also awesome for travel!
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation - everything that Revlon PhotoReady lacked; it's glowy, lightweight, and shimmer-free, I love it!
• Blushes - I've been loving blush in general, pictured is Benefit's Coralista but I also love Nars Orgasm and Penny Lane (cream).
• Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm - because I've been chapped lately!
• Stila Waterproof Mascara - waterproof is a must for these summer months!
• Sephora Tinted Moisturizer - for when I want something a little more lightweight; I'm almost out!
• Nars Dolce Vita Lipstick - the most beautiful lip color, a sheer rose tint, most definitely my fall lip color!
• Mac Naked Lunch Eyeshadow - a beautiful skin toned shimmery shadow, great as all over lid color, highlight, or highlight of cheekbones

Hair

• Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Spray - Just spray onto damp hair and poof! Waves! I wasn't sure it really worked but both my mom and dad commented - unprompted - on how my hair looked wavier than normal. My dad even asked if I'd curled it!

Other

• Teenage Beauty by Bobbi Brown - An excellent book for all teenagers, whether you love or are just starting with makeup. Gives great advice on makeup, skin care, health, perfumes, and more from the famed makeup artist Bobbi Brown! I love her outlook on makeup; she believes in natural beauty and embracing your features.
• My (not pictured) new skin care routine (AcneFree 3-Step Skincare System, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture, prescription acne antibiotic) has been working wonders on my skin!

  All for now! What have you been loving this month?

  Love, Val

Stila Giveaway!!! **CLOSED**

  Hey everyone! Today I'm super excited because... I'm having a giveaway!

  Over a month ago I bought some Stila makeup at Costco. I've been using everything and I love it all! Well, I just went back to Costco and saw the same set. I was struck by a brilliant idea - I bought it again to give away to one of my lovely readers!

In this picture - me (finally! wearing lululemon tank and hollister cardigan), the prize, my new coral-pink walls! You like?

Rules
1) You must be a follower of my blog to enter - because I want this to be a gift to a follower. :) It's easy and free!
2) You must be a) 18 or over, or b) have a parent's permission (so I can ship it to you).
3) Just leave a comment on this post and you're automatically entered!
4) Only one entry per person. I won't give you bonus points for linking to this contest from your blog, though that would be nice!
5) This contest is open internationally and I will pay shipping!
6) Contest closes August 1st at 12:00 AM PST. I will choose the winner using this website by numbering off the comments and then generating a random number.  So if I had 6 comments, I would generate a number between 1 and 6, and the corresponding comment would win!

Prize
Now the fun part... your prize! One lucky winner will receive, in an unopened package, all authentic Stila makeup:
 -an eyeshadow trio, including three eyeshadows: lamé (bright yellow), chloe (chocolate brown), and kitten (gold/pink, Stila's most famous product!), all with finely milled shimmer
-a double-ended eyeshadow brush #30, one side for lid/highlight and the other for crease/outer v
-lash visor waterproof mascara in black
-smudge pot (combination cream eyeshadow/gel eyeliner) in black (note: not full sized)
-.10 oz. sample of 'one step' foundation in medium (doesn't look like much, but has lasted me 5 applications and still has plenty left!)

Click 'read more' to see pictures and swatches of my copies, plus an eye look using the products! Good luck!

Love, Val