welcome to all things beauty

Check out my review of the budget friendly, Kiko 2-1 Foundation Concealer.

This is by far my new holy grail foundation!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Full coverage without looking super makeup-y.

Ok Ladies... just because we might not have time ⏱ or money 💰 in the budget to go to the salon, doesn’t mean we have to ignore our hair. 
I usually frequent the salon for a color refresh every 4-6 months but now with my little sidekick Ashton, it’s extremely hard to find the time. So I decided to try an at home hair color that would save me time and money! 
I settled on a dye you mix with a developer from an actual beauty store (Sally’s Beauty) instead of a drugstore boxed dye. Make sure to mix equal parts dye and developer for best results. ****Using an at home color is best for people who just want a color refresh or to cover grey hair. 

Helpful Tips:
•Apply color to unwashed hair
•Apply some type of petroleum jelly to the perimeter of face, neck and ears to prevent staining
•Divide hair into 4 sections to ensure all hair is covered with dye
•Apply color to the edges first then work your way through each section (don’t forget to wear gloves)
•Once all sections are covered, gently massage color into roots
•Always wipe away any color that gets on your skin as the dye stains quickly
•Cover hair with plastic shower cap to help color develop faster
•Always choose a color dye within 2 shades of your natural hair color

Do you have a holiday party coming up and want to try out some of that eyeshadow sitting in your drawer..but you don’t even know where to start???

Let me help guide you with a very simple eyeshadow tutorial. I used an eyeshadow palette from Makeup Revolution (Iconic 3), however this tutorial can be used with any range of color palettes. 

The Basics:
•Start with eyeshadow primer or just even your concealer. 
•Set your primer base with a cream color eyeshadow on a fluffy eyeshadow brush. 
•Take your fluffy crease brush and whichever light/midtone color to just above your eyelid crease. Swipe back and forth like a windshield wiper. 
•Take a darker color on a denser eyeshadow brush to the outer V of your eye. Been in a V motion. 
•Take your fluffy crease brush and make sure all is blended and if need be take your original fluffy brush and blend out the top portion with your cream colored shadow. You do not want any harsh lines. 
•Take your flat eyeshadow brush or the applicator in your palette to apply your lightest color to the eyelid. Do not go past the middle of the eyelid or past the crease. 
•Finish the look with lining the bottom lash line with your midtone/dark eyeshadow. Stay very close to the lash line and don’t go past where your lashes start. 

You really only need 4 colors to accomplish this look. *Also remember to keep a matte color in the crease and a more sparkly shade for the eyelid. 

Hope this helps give you the confidence to play around with your makeup! 

Here are a couple simple holiday hairstyles that would be perfect for a festive party or even a casual family dinner.

It’s that time of year where your social calendar is booked with fun holiday parties. Usually more parties means more times to dress up and wear heavier makeup. I talk about taking your makeup off on a regular basis but especially if you have used heavier foundation, long lasting lipstick, eyeliner, and waterproof mascara. 

It is so very important to properly remove your makeup each night so that your skin can regenerate and breathe. Sleeping in your makeup, even one night, can lead to clogged pores and breakouts, as well as premature aging like fine lines. Well what if you say that you only wear mascara??? Ignoring your eyemakeup removal could dry up your eyelashes, causing them to fall out and also lead to infection. 

So... what is the best way to remove makeup??

Here is how I take off my makeup each night and my tips&tricks:

•Start with pinning your hair away from your face, giving you plenty of access to clean around your hairline. 
•Use simple Cotten rounds and micelleur water to remove lipstick first, then eyes, and finally face makeup. 
•Be careful with removing eyemakeup! Gently press the cotton round against eyelashes for 30 seconds and glide down. Avoid rubbing back and forth or any other harsh movements. If you have used a strong waterproof mascara, try using coconut oil or any oil cleanser. 
•After makeup removal, use a cleanser to wash away any leftover dirt and oil. Massaging the cleanser into the face is great for circulation and creating a healthy glow. 
•once face washing is complete, I love to use a gentle toner that has NO alcohol. This step is not mandatory but helps add moisture back into the skin. I  spray a simple rose water onto my face and gently pat into the skin. 
•Next up is any creams or moisturizer, like the CeraVe moisturizer and eye cream.
•Final step is any serums or oils like my absolute favorite face serum from Myroo Skincare.

What is the difference between makeup setting sprays and finishing sprays?????

*This style is great for shoulder length to long hair. 

This week I show you a simple and quick updo hairstyle. Great for a date night or even if you just want to change up your every day pony tail. 

1. Separate hair into 3 sections. Place back section into a pony tail. 

2. Loosen pony tail and flip pony tail inside out. This creates thickness at the base.

3. Braid pony tail and use elastic to tie off the end. I used a black one but I recommend a tiny clear one so that it’s not visible later in the style. The braid can be tight or loose depending on your preference. 

4. Wrap the braid around to create a messy bun. This part doesn’t have to be perfect. Use bobby pins to keep bun in place. 

5. Move back to the 2 front sections of hair. Take the first section of hair and twist while slowly adding in other sections until all is twisted. Then wrap hair on top of bun and around, finish by pinning. Do the same to the other side of hair.

6. Add any extra pins where needed so that your hair feels secure. I also take a small comb and comb through my crown area to make sure the 3 sections integrated well and there is no noticeable part. Finish with a little bit of alcohol free hairspray. 

This week I am reviewing an amazing mascara, Voluminous Lash Paradise by L'Oréal Paris. I purchased this mascara in the color Blackest Black and couldn’t be happier with the results and cost. 

Love...
*hourglass shaped wand
*formula is not too wet, so no transfer
*creates volume and length with no clumping
*stays put all day with no black flakes
*easy to remove at night

Dislike...
*wand is too big for bottom lashes

I highly recommend picking up this mascara! 

How To: Dry Shampoo Darker Hair

Important Points:
* For darker hair, choose a dry shampoo for.....darker hair.
* Spray 8-10 inches away from scalp.
* Section hair and then spray along the part.
* Allow dry shampoo to absorb oil before brushing. (Some people like to apply dry shampoo at night and then let absorb overnight)
* Once you have finished letting the dry shampoo settle, use a brush to disperse the product and comb out any lighter color.
* If you have used a white colored dry shampoo and feel like there is too much of a white cast: brush out the DS and then you can use a similar colored brow or eyeshadow to gentle dust on your part and hairline. You can also do this process to fake a thicker mane and less evident part. 

The biggest game changer in my hair oil production was not washing it every day. Once I let my hair oil balance itself out, I was able to use dramatically less dry shampoo and the effects of dry shampoo were more natural. 

Why I kicked Sulphates out of my shampoo!              My Journey started in the BEGINNING of April 2017, when I kept asking myself why my hair color was fading sooo fast. My research lead me to the harsh detergent MASQUERADING as Sulphates. Sulphates can fall under the names of Sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, sodium coco sulphate and ammonium lauryl sulphate. Sulphates strip your hair of natural oils which can then lead to dry, brittle, damaged hair. You want to keep your natural oils to protect your scalp and hair FOLLICLES.

For me personally,  the biggest push to stop sulphates, is protecting my color treated hair. I pay a good amount of money to color my hair so I would like to keep the color as long as POSSIBLE. 

Sulphate Free Shampoo Recs:
Shea Moisture (I love the thickening line)
Kerastase Bain Chroma Riche
OGX Coconut Miracle Oil
Acure Organics Lemongrass and Argen Stem Cell
Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil Shampoo         Redkin color extend Magnetics

This week, I test out and review the Wunderbrow long lasting brow gel. 

I purchased the wunderbrow at a local beauty shop for 30 Euros. The Wunderbrow website claims to "define, fill and thicken for a more natural brow look that is completely waterproof, smudge-proof, transfer-proof and lasts up to 3 days."

My Personal thoughts are that this product is easy to use (with a brow brush) and creates a long lasting brow. I do not agree that it creates a natural looking brow as it tends to veer towards heavy and thick, but I still recommend the product. The brow gel did last through my nightly face wash, but I made sure to avoid rubbing my eyebrows. The next day, my eyebrows looked much more natural and only needed a quick touch up. If you have sparse or patchy eyebrows, I highly suggest you buy this product. Wunderbrow is even great for if you have eyebrow hairs that like to go in multiple directions. The big test for me is how long this product will last in the tube in comparison to the price. Only time will tell......

How often do you clean your makeup brushes???

I recommend cleaning your brushes at least once a week and spraying your brushes after every makeup application. Keeping your brushes clean helps prevent the transfer of dirt and bacteria. If you are suffering from any open sores or acne, pay extra attention to keeping your brushes clean. 

How do you clean your brushes????
I like to use the same cleaner that I use to clean my beauty sponge, which is a simple bar of soap. It's easy to rub the brush over the bar and get that soap to penetrate deep into the brush. 
Brush Cleaner options:
Simple bar of soap (Unscented)
Clarifying shampoo
Baby wash
Facial cleanser
*** Never leave your brushes drying upwards. The water can settle into the base and ruin the glue that holds the bristles together. 

In between brush cleanings, invest in an antibacterial brush spray. This will help reduce the transfer of bacteria. Simply spray your brush after using and place back in your container. I really enjoy the brush spray from Sephora (13Euros). 

Does it really work???
This week I'm testing out the dupe for the original Makeup Eraser. 

The original makeup eraser is a simple cloth that is designed to remove makeup with just warm water. The cloth material is specifically designed to break up makeup oils and gently wipe away makeup. 

In this video, I test out a less expensive version of the original Makeup Eraser. I paid 2 euros for this white glove like makeup remover cloth.

Check out my video and see if this dupe actually removes my makeup! 

Easy Hair twist

This week I am showing you an easy hair twist that can go from day to night. 

Simply twist small sections of hair and tuck under a circular headband. Keep twisting and tucking until all hair is tucked away. 

For a wavy look, wet the ends of hair before twisting/tucking. Leave hair in head band for a minimum of 6 hours. Remove head band, and use your fingers to gently comb hair. Use a curling iron/wand to touch up any areas that did not curl. Another great option is using a texture/salt spray for perfect beach day waves.

Simple Contour

This week I show you a simple way to add dimension to your face. 

Products Mentioned;
Essence Cosmetics Contour Palette 

Other Recommendations:
Benefit Hoola
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil
Elf Cosmetics Contour Palette

*Choose a brown color that is about 2 shades darker than your skin color and matte(no shimmer).

All about face primers!

A face primer is an essential skin product if  you like to apply makeup to your face. A primer creates an even base for the application of any product. Primers have the ability to target uneven skin texture, uneven skin tone, dehydrated skin, large pores, and fine lines. 

Products Mentioned

Silicone base: The Ordinary High Adherence, Maybeline Baby Skin

Primer Mists: Smashbox Primer water, Hard Candy Sheer Envy

Color Correcting: Pur Correcting Primer

Additional favorite: ELF Hydrating Primer

This week I review the L'Oreal Magic Mani nail polish pen and give you  my honest opinion. Is it worth your money?!?

I purchased the magic mani pen for 9 euros, in the color Fuchsia(203).  You can purchase this pen in 11 other colors.

Update
After just a half day wear, there was loads of chipping! I only recommend this product for short uses such as a last minute party. 

Today I'm talking about face highlighters and where to apply to the face. Using a face highlighting powder or cream can really add a something extra to your everyday makeup look. Who doesn't want a little glow in their life???? 
When choosing a face highlighter, it's all about looking moisturized and glowy, not a shiny disco ball. Make sure to grab a color that suits your skin tone and not accentuate any texture on the face. 

Today I am talking about the essential makeup brushes you need in your makeup bag. Using the right brush can make the world of difference. 

Here are my 7 must haves:
*Foundation Brush-Helps apply liquid foundation and give a more pixilated airbrushed look.
*Powder Brush-Helps apply and blend face powder.
*Angled Face Brush- Fits the cheek shape and great for applying blush,bronzer, and contour.
*Eyeshadow Blending Brush-Helps blend out harsh lines and help colors integrate flawlessly.
*Eyeshadow Flat brush-Great for applying shadow to the lid.
*Small Angled Brush-Great for packing shadow along lash line and to fill in eyebrows.
*Lip/Concealer Brush-Great for precise application of lipstick/lipgloss/concealer.

Makeup brushes don't have to break the bank but it's wise to invest in a decent set. 
Here are some Companies I recommend: 
e.l.f. Cosmetic,Real Techniques, EcoTools,The Body Shop, Zoeva

Today I'm talking about eyebrows and how I fill mine in.

After years of over plucking, I'm left with very thin eyebrows. My solution to sparse brows is a mechanical micro eyebrow pencil from NYX cosmetics. 

Whichever solution works best for you, remember to choose a color as close to your natural eyebrow color and apply using feather like strokes. Use a spoolie to keep your brows as natural and feather like as possible. If you are lucky enough to have thicker eyebrows, try using a powder to fill in any sparse areas. A gel or wax topper is great for keeping your brows in place all day.

Product Recommendations: 
NYX Micro eyebrow pencil
Anastasia Beverly Hills BrowWiz
Anastasia Beverly Hills Pomade
L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer
Maybeline Brow Drama Define/Fill duo
Benefit Cosmetics (the entire brow collection is good!)

Today I'm talking about the classic blush.

Blush is great for adding a pop of color to your face and giving you an instant, youthful brightened look. 

Quick tips:
•Think about your whole makeup look and choose your blush color accordingly. 
•Apply blush in a way that compliments your face shape. 
Round face- Avoid focusing color on apples of cheeks. 
•Slowly build up color by using a light hand. If you applied too much color, use a clean, large fluffy face brush to buff out the intense color. 
•When using cream products, remember to always follow the rule of "Cream before Powder".
•Textured skin should avoid blush with shimmer. 

Recommendations:
Milani Baked Blush (love Luminoso)
H&M Blush
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush
Benefit Blush
Nars Blush (love Orgasm)
Wet&Wild Icon Blush

Today I am creating a simple eyeshadow look for hooded eyes. 

Hooded eyes is another way to describe eyes with little eye lid space and excess skin folding down from the brow bone. The best way I have found to make my eyes pop and look less droopy are to create a defined crease and highlight my eyelid. You can create this look with any color palette you own. Use a soft neutral color for the crease, a darker color for the outer V, and a light color for the eye lid/browbone. 

Products Used:
Elf and Elle Crease brush
Elf Flat eyeshadow brush
Essence Cosmetics All About Nudes eyeshadow palette
Essence Cosmetics Single Shadow (Apricotta)

Today I am talking about basic mascara application and any tips and tricks that might help you out. 

Tips:
1. Use an eyelash curler before applying any mascara, never after!
2. Try using an eyelash primer to lock in the curl and extend your mascara.
3. Apply mascara to the bottom lash line first, then proceed to top lashes.
4. Think about picking up an eyelash brush to get rid of any clumps.

Mascara Recommendations: 
Essence Cosmetics Lash Princess
Benefit Rollerlash
L'Oreal Voluminous
Maybeline Big Shot
Too Faced Better Then Sex Mascara

Why you should be using a face powder!

-Sets foundation and makes it last longer. 
-Creates a smoother surface to apply other powders like bronzer and blush.
-Great for setting concealer under the eye to prevent creasing.
-Great for people with oily skin. Creates a semi barrier for oil breaking through. Once oil has come through, touch up first with blotting papers. 

Setting Vs Finishing Powder
*Setting powder is your classic color matching or translucent powder used to set your makeup.
*Finishing powder contains unique ingredients to blur fine lines and pores. Can be used after setting powder. Also know as HD powders.

Powder Recommendations:
High End Price:
Make Up Forever HD Microfinish powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting powder
Cover FX Perfect Setting powder
Kat Von D Lock-It Setting powder
BareMinerals Mineral Veil

Low End Price:
RCMA No color powder
Rimmel London Stay Matte
Coty Airspun Translucent Loose Face powder
Kiko Invisible Touch face powder(Finishing)
NYX HD Finishing Powder (I like the color yellow)