DIY: BLACK SWAN

HIIIIII

for my last Halloween DIY I thought why not do the Black Swan.

Natalie Portman is legit in that movie. Like that and that other movie with Ashton Kutcher came out around the same time and I remember looooooving her in that then seeing Black Swan and thinking, what in the world. Of all worlds. Is going on. Am i the only one? If you haven't watched it go check it out. The makeup in this movie is soooo DOPE and I thought why not put my own twist on it? I think this is such a cute costume to rock with a black ballerina tank and a black tutu. You'd look like a babe. Bet ya!

First thing we did is take the lightest foundation in Loreal True Match and apply it all over the face and down the neck. Then take a white translucent powder and don't tap off the excess and just pat it all over the skin. This is what really gives that white creepy base.

Then, start contouring with a gray shadow. Really accentuate this, the more you contour the creepier you'll look and thats all cooool for Halloween. Skip the blush and for a highlight I actually took Macs Pigment in White. I wet my brush with Fix+ and put it under the eyes, down the bridge of the nose, the cupids bow, the chin, etc etc. 

Now for the eyes--

We took any black shadow and put it all over the lid as a base. Then with eyelash glue pat it on the skin where you want the feathers, wait like ten seconds so it gets tacky, then apply them where you seem fitting. Then we took hairspray and just sprayed where we wanted the feathers to stay. They were going everyyyywhere, their nuts. Finished it off with some black liner, and smudged it all out with a shadow.

To finish off the look, I took a matte red lipstick (Russian Red from Mac) and applied that, then took Night Moth, a dark lipliner and put in the inside to make it look extra creepy.

AND BAM you're done. Go put your tutu on and call it a day hehe!

If you recreate any of these looks for Halloween I would love to see them!

This is unfortunately my last tutorial. Halloween came to fast. But, be safe and don't do anything I wouldn't do ;) AND HAVE FUN!

Talk to you soon xx

Dark Lip and Simple Eye

Hiiiiii everyyyone!
As you may found out in my Fall Fashion blogpost..  I am obsessed with Fall. Not only Fall clothes, but Fall makeup IS BOMB. Everything about a dark cranberry lip I am all up, all over and around. Since I am mildly obsessed-- who am I kidding, I am totally obsessed-- I thought WHY NOT DO A TUTORIAL?!? My favorite quick out the door look lately has literally been a winged winer, bold lip and thats about it. Takes .5 seconds and you literally look like Miss Fashionista. Try it. I bet you will get a million and twenty compliments! ;) Now lets get into this...

HOW TO DO ZISSS:
- For the base (foundation, contour, blush, highlight) check out my previous post!
- I know I get repetitive but ALWAYS PRIME YO LIDS. Unless its literally going to be a waste of time and you're eyeshadow/liner will come off halfway through the day.
- Then you don't want to do anything crazy to the lids since you have that dramatic lip going on, I just swept a light brown shadow into the crease for some definition and such!
- After that, I took a white eyeshadow and put that in the tear duct and right underneath the brow to highlight and make ya look awake.
- Then I did a winged liner. Find out how I do that here! (btw-- would you like a picture or video tutorial on this? let me know in the comments!)
- Now onto the lips! I took Macs lip pencil in Night Moth and lined the lips and brought it half way down the lip so it blends with the lipstick seamlessly and then, apparently finally put some Mascara on..... Hahahhaahahha
- Lastly, I took Macs lipstick Cyber and filled in the rest! Rubbed the lips together and dadadatada! A perfect Autumn Look!

So there it is! The most simple and easy Fall Makeup! 

How cute would this be with a grey cozy cardigan and some boyfriend jeans?!! UGHHH TO DIE FOR. 

Let me know what other Fall Makeup Looks you want to see nextttt!

Keep your lids open for some Halloweeeeeeeeeen Tutorials 0:)

HOW TO CONTOUR LIKE A BOSS PT 2

Hiiii guuuuuys. I'm back again with a new post. But, this time not so new. I posted wayyyyyyy back when my essential makeup step which is Contouring and Highlighting. Check that out here. Since that post has blew the heck up I thought, why not do an updated one? Thats oooold news. Still check that post out though, because the technique is still the same, just the products are different. I think these products make allllllll the difference. So lets get started :)

Heres an exerpt from the 1st post---

"This is my girl Kim K... As you all know I'm obsessed but we can save that to talk about for a different day.... She has the perfect cheekbones, the tiniest nose, the best jawline....... Are you not so jealous?!? Well, I have got great news for you.. You can have it too! Noooooo I'm not talking plastic surgery.. With makeup! Its called contouring and highlighting! For all of us that weren't born with those perfect features this is for you... Contouring is when you take darker colors to create a shadow to take away the look of an imperfection you might want to cover up and you highlight the places of your face you really want to stand out! I can swear on Lolas life everyone in the magazines, red carpet anything are not so perfect-- they use this technique!"

I still think thats an amaziiiiiin explanation of contouring soooo why fix it if its not broke. Ya hurd?

What do I use?

Any matte brozer (no shimmer) two shades darker than your regular skin tone, A concelear to shades lighter than your skin tone, A setting powder, blush, highlight.

Enough talkin about it, lets be about it:

- Prime, prime, prime yo skin.

- Start out by taking your favorite foundation with a Beauty Blender all over dee faceee.

- Then, take any concealer, my favorite is Mac Prolong Wear, and do triangles under each eye, down the bridge of your nose, alittle on your forehead, your cupids bow, and your chin. Blend that in with the tip of the beauty blender.

- At this point, set everything with a powder. After all liquids are finished you always want to set it by pressing the powder into your skin. This keeps you looking matte and for the foundation/concealer to last. So, under the eyes I use Anastasia Beverly Hills powder from her contour kit in Bannana, this is a yellow based powder, so it will really brighten up your under eyes and help it from not creasing. Then, I take a translucent powder and set that all over the rest of the face.

 - Take my holy grail, NARS ITA BRUSH, dajkdjakd, with Fawn, from the contour kit, and make a fish face-- I swear I am not crazy-- go right where it sucks in to start contouring under your cheekbone. Blend that all out, then take it up your forehead, down each side of your nose, and the jawline. Dont forget to blend, blend, blend.

- Use your favorite blush.

- Highlight with any highlighter, my favorite is Stilas Kitten Duo, on the tops of your cheekbones all the way above your brow in a c-shape. Alittle on the tip of your nose, then your cupids bow, and chin. This helps really highlight the areas that the light would normally hit.

- Finish your makeup and BAM. Kim K status.

Highlighting & Contouring tips and tricks:

Say, maybe, you dont like youre forehead, its way to big, take the contour shade, and shade the top and sides of your forehead pretty low, then, highlight as little as possible. Say, youre forehead is to small, dont contour as much and really bring that highlight up.

Now girl if you got a broad nose, you need to contour that big time, you can make your nose legit look like you got plastic surgery not kidding. Maybe I should do a post all about that--- let me know in the comments if youre interested-- But, if you have a broader nose, take the contour shade and make two lines very slim and narrow then highlight a very thin line down the nose and blenddddd.. This will mimic a tiny nose.

If you have a double chin, like I think I do sometimes, contour your jawline and bring it down this will make a shadow that will kick that double chin right in the behind.

I hope this helped everyone! Ill be back in a few days with a Fall Makeup Tutorial! Keep on the lookoutttt 0 o

Everyday Summer Makeup!

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii everyone!

Just as much as I hate doing my hair in this heat-- I hate caking on makeup.

It just gets way to sweaty and hot with tons of makeup on during the day. Most days I honestly usually just say F makeup. Because aint nobody want to have on a full face of makeup on at the pool, or just in general with this heat. I know you all are probably thinking, "You're from New York, it could be worse." But listen, it's hot for me. Especially because it's been hot AND rainy lately. Muggy is the best weather for  a perfect contour and extravagant smokey eye. The things I would rather do.... Some days though I do want to look somewhat done up and put together, so I put together an everyday makeup look! I hope you love it! 

...

First, you always want to moisturize and use SPF. This is a must!

Then, I used Mac Face and Body.. This is perfect for Summer! It is sooooo thin, but can be built up to medium or full coverage for night. Buff this all over the skin. I wouldn't use a beauty blender with this foundation because its water based! My favorite thing about this foundation is you don't feel it. Ever.

For Bronzer, I stuck with a mousse, rather than a powder. I used Soleil Tan De Chanel. This really just gives you that bronze look without feeling like you have tons on your face.

After your done with all your liquids, set everything. This is a huge step for Summer unless your makeup is going to run down your face and you are going to look like the greasiest of all the balls.

For blush, I used Macs Melba and for highlight Soft & Gentle. I like Melba because it is so natural and the highlighter looks so natural! Put this right above your cheekbone and sweep above right where your arch of your brow is. AND BAM! You will look like a bronze, dewy goodess. Because who doesn't want that?!

To open your eyes a bit, take a nude eyeliner in your waterline and a white shimmery color right in your tear ducts. This will make you look wide awake even if you were out all night! Then, apply mascara to your top and bottom lashes.

To finish the look off, I used Mac Lipglass in Razzle Dazzler, first because who doesn't love a peach lip for Summer and second because cmon Razzle Dazzler. I think I would use it for the name even if it was brown. Its just so catchy!

And thats your finished makeup look! Perfect for Everyday and sooooooo beautiful!
Let me know what your favorite makeup for Summer is in the comments..
Sorry if these products were a little pricy-- BUT look out for a more budget friendly Summer Nightlook coming so soon!

WEIRD Makeup Artist Secrets!

So since were friends now, I thought I would give you some of my TOP SECRET makeup tips. Don't tell anyone SHHH! ;) Some of them are really odd. But honestly, don't bash it til you try it! 

Preperation H- This is amazzzzzzzing for puffy eyes! Don't use all the time or get close to the eyeball-- But, if you are overly tired, or been crying for a bit and have to go somewhere so important, put the tiniest amount and put it on your bags! Also, if you have an ice cube hold it with your tounge on the top of your mouth for 20 seconds and the bags dark eyes should be debagged! So weird, but try it.

Tape- If you read my blog, you have probably heard me talk about this before, you can use tape as a guide for your eyeshadow! To get a crisp, clean line, take this on the back of your hand to get all the stickiness off and then apply it from your lashes up to the end of your brow. Peel it off and BAM! A perfect line!

Monistat Chaffing Gel- This baby is an awesome primer! It makes your pores go byeeeeee! I'm not kidding. It has the same ingredients as most high end primers for $8.. You can't beat that.

Deodorant- Go for more of a non scented, sensitive formula. I use this on my special occasion clients that when they are outside for a wedding or a prom all day and I put this right above the primer and it literally helps so much with sweat and oils, and the makeup stays set. Take this on your fingers and dab on your t-zone! Like I said, I would only use this on special occasions! But, who would think to put this on your face? Oh, just crazy makeup artists;)

Aloe Vera- Have a foundation that you love for nighttime? or winter? But, for everyday its way to thick? If you want to lighten up your foundation mix it with Aloe and it will give you a really sheer look.

Vaseline- Get lipstick on your teeth a lot? Put vaseline on your teeth and you'll never have that problem again! Or, it can take your makeup off. Massage it into your skin and take it off with a damp cloth. If you are a child like me apparently and get nail polish all over your hands when you paint your nails, put some vaseline on the skin next to your nails and when you are finished just wipe off with a Q-Tip! If you have stubby eyelashes put this on again w a Q-Tip at night and it will help them grow! Probably an obvious-- But, you can use this as a gloss over your favorite lip stick as well!

LASTLY--
Coconut Oil- This is an amazing hair mask! If you put tons of this on your hair, then put on a shower cap and sleep over night it makes your hair crazy moisturized and shiny the next day! But, just make sure you shampoo thoroughly the next day, unless you will look like a grease ball! This is an awesome moisturizer for your face and body too! Even if you have oily skin! If you have oily skin and put oil on it it tricks the oil and helps nix the grease in the butt! I have psoriasis and this helps a lot if I slather this on it and it literally is gone! This also is great for eyelashes to grow! I have also been reading up on Oil Pulling. By swishing Coconut Oil in your mouth for 20 minutes then spitting it out, it apparently helps with your oral health and makes your teeth so white! I don't know about you but I don't think I can not put food in my mouth for 20 minutes hahahahha. No but really that seems like a chore swishing and swishing and swishing. I feel like my mouth would hurt.. Maybe I will try it and let you know! But, I can't make any promises :X

Product Doppelgängers: Splurge vs. Steal!

If you knew me you would know I'm kinda a bit obsessed with The Vampire Diaries.... Ok.... I'm really obsessed. All I do is work, watch The Vampire Diaries, eat, blog and sleep... That is all. So since I am waiting oh so patiently for the rest of the episodes to go on Hulu I thought I would make a doppelgänger post! (Everytime I pronounce it in my head I say it like Rebekah in a british accent i.e doppel-gangah.. Please say I'm not the only one!?) If you don't watch the show I'm sorry for ranting but a doppelgänger is a "paranormal double of a living person." In this case a product! Each one is a splurge than the other is a dupe for the product at a lower cost for my girls on a budget! 

1. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer-- $28.00 vs. NYX Concealer Wand-- $5.00

The NYX Concealer Wand is a staple in my makeup collection. Its one of my all time favorite concealers to highlight with! I would say it has the same consistency as the Nars and they both have light reflecting particles and are very light weight! They both have medium to heavy coverage. I would honestly take my $5 and run to get the NYX Concealer because why waste the $28 when its almost the same product. 

2. Benefit They're Real Mascara-- $23.00 vs. Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara-- $6.35

I really do love Benefits mascara I must say... The Lash Blast I love overall but it can dry out after a bit I'm not going to lie but other than that it is a complete copy of the They're Real Mascara.. If you love long, long, long lashes on top and bottom with volume as well this is your mascara! 

3. Stila Kitten Eyeshadow-- $18.00 vs. Loreal Infallible 'Iced Latte' Eyeshadow-- $7.99

I can't believe I'm going to say this but I actually like Loreals better! They are both a shimmer nude pink color and a great base to any shadow look you're trying to achieve! It is great for everyday but you can spice it up with a dark crease for night and its soooooo beautiful. With Kitten I feel like you get a lot of fall out and I never have that issue with the Iced Latte. Another plus is right now on Ulta.com you can get any Loreal products for Buy one, Get one for %50 and it says special gift with purchase woooooohoooo! Can't beat that!

4. Benefit Brow Zing-- $30.00 vs. Elf Brow Kit-- $3.00

Yet again I really love the Elf Brow Kit more but they are sooooo similar. I'm just being fussy. I am so weird about smells and the Brow Zing smells like plato and it just yerks me I don't know why hahahah. But, all in all they are both great products but the same. I don't feel like color wise I get any different look which I should paying $27 more! Also, with my brows I like to use a harder brush and the Brow Zings brush is very flimsy. So ELF ELF ELF! I always go back to that kit no matter what.

I hope this helped my ladies on a budget with Christmas right around the corner! Let me know in the comments if you would like to see some more doppelgangaaa products:)