Bold Lashes 101

No matter what time of day, what occasion, or what look I'm doing- I'm all about big, bold lashes.

 Personally? I'm not too big on using false lashes. It's not that I don't like the look of them, it's just that they're a pain in the you-know-what to put on. I'm not very skilled when it comes to applying falsies, so I find it much easier to layer my mascaras instead.

I know that some people think it's weird to put on mascara after mascara, I know I did at first. I just thought, "Why not just use false lashes if you're going to go through all the trouble of layering? It'll take the same amount of time and applying falsies can't be THAT hard!"...Oh, I was wrong. But, maybe I'm just false-lash-challenged? Who knows! But, I've figured out a technique that works for me and gives me the appearance of having big, bold lashes- Just like false lashes would do.

Okay, here we go!

So, STEP 1- I like to use a trick I learned from a youtube guru, and that would be to apply a coat of liquid liner to your TOP lashes before applying any mascara. I love it! I use Sephora's Long-Lasting Eyeliner in "01 Black". The only problem I had in the beginning was that 1. you need to do it QUICKLY and have your first mascara ready to apply as soon as you finish coating your lashes with the liner, and 2. I found that if you apply the liner to the inner, shortest lashes it looks weird once you put on the mascara. It almost has a chunky, crusty look. Which personally, I don't care for.

Now, STEP 2- I usually use around 4-5 mascaras. 4 for the top lashes and then one light mascara for the bottoms. For your mascaras, I recommend choosing a collection with a wetter consistency so they don't dry very quickly. (A quick pace is important when layering, because you don't want to apply mascara on top of dry mascara. It will look very crusty and unflattering to your eyes.) As a suggestion, I use Smashbox's Bionic Mascara in the shade "Jet Black". It works the best for me and doesn't dry quickly.

After you finish with your first mascara, continue apply the rest. Again, I cannot say how important speed is!

If you were wondering which mascaras I found to be the best for this layering technique, I use (in this order):

1. (As mentioned previously) Smashbox Bionic Mascara in "Jet Black"



2. Rimmel Day 2 Night "001 Black" (Using the Volume first, followed by the Length)

3. L'oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes "Black"

4. Buxom Lash "Black"

5. (Bottom Lashes) Neutrogena Healthy Volume "Black 02"

Thanks for taking the time to read this post, I hope I helped someone out there!

Good luck trying this out for yourself! :)





Trends for Prom 2012

Although I'm a few years away from having my Senior Prom, I still think it's fun to keep up on the latest and most fashionable prom trends. This year there are some that I like, and some that...well, I just don't. Also, with this being my 9th grade Freshman year, I get to go to my school's Semi-Formal in April. I actually ended up choosing a dress that just so happened to have some of the qualities and characteristics that are in trend this year.

With proms and semi-formals approaching within the following months, I decided to take the time to put together a list of Prom 2012 trends this year.

1. Full & Flowy

This year, dresses that are big and free-flowing are in. I love the look of dresses like these because they have a way about them that remind me so much of a what princess from a Disney movie would wear to a ball. This style dress is quite possibly one of my favorites this year (I'll get to my top favorites soon enough!).



2. Bold Prints

Now, this is the type of dress that I do not like what-so-ever. But, obviously taste varies from person to person. I'm just one of those people who goes towards classic dresses, I'm not much for a hot pink and neon green zebra print dress. Personally, I feel as though this is a little too gaudy for a formal event. But as I said before, your taste is your own.

3. Metallics & More

Now, this is definitley something I like. I love the look of gold and silver dresses, especially for formal events. I was actually after a gold sequin dress, but I couldn't find the one for me. (But, ANYWAY!) I feel like these color and style dresses look beautiful on a range of skin tones. I would suggest the gold shade for olive/warmer skin tones and the silver shade for light/more fair skin tones.

                                                                                                    

4. Bejeweled

Who doesn't love a little glitz & glam? I know I do! This year, along with the sequins and glitter, bejeweled dresses are in. I love the look of diamond embroidered dresses, the jewels seem to catch the light in the most beautiful ways. There seem to be a lot of dresses coming out this year that are either dripping in jewels on the neckline, or are just glimmering from top to bottom.

                                                                                       

                                                                                              

                                         

Nail Trends-Spring 2012

As a teenage girl and a lover of all things girly, I can't say that I'm not excited for the new nail trends this season. The trends seem to be going on the simple route, something I'm not quite used to when it comes to my nails. I usually gravitate towards bright, obnoxious, neon colors (such as China Glaze's "Flip Flop Fantasy"). But, I guess everything is worth a try! I'm not saying that it's all nudes and beiges from here on out, there will be some brights! But, be prepared to see lots of creams and pinks. A lot more neutrals than neons will be hitting the market this season.

Here's a list of fun and girly nail trends that I put together to share with you, check 'em out!


1. Simple Shades

Pale pinks, grays, whites, beiges, and nudes will be a must have for this season. I do enjoy the simple, sophisticated look of it and I will certainly be trying this one out.

Neutrals:

    Essie-It's Delicate

Essie-Potato Field

2. Ladylike Colors

Colors that are very mature and sophisticated are in this season. Be on the look out for reds, cranberries, elegant pinks, and mauves hitting the shelves and on the runway. Red is a very classic, and "grown up" color that will never go out of style.

Radiant Reds:

Essie-Soiree Mauve

Essie-Plumberry 

3. Fancy Patterns and Pearly Tips

This season, don't be suprised if you see bedazzled nails and beautiful, elegants patterns with reflective finishes. This is something I am personally excited for. I absolutely love the look of patterned, wallpaper nails and glitter. I also LOVE the look of duochrome nails, it's such an edgy look. But, I feel like it can be girly and wearable at the same time. This one is something I hope will stay around for quite some time, even after this season is over.

Patterned and Printed:

Sally Hansen-Salon Effects

Ciate-Caviar Nails

4. Greens

Mints and Spring greens are a biggie this Spring. The pop of this color is a refreshment this year, although it is not a color that I typically like.

Green Glitz:

Essie-Navigate Her

Essie-Mint Candy Apple

Have fun playing around with your nails this season!

REVIEW: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup

A few months ago, I had ran out of the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (which I loved). I decided that it may be a good idea to go for a face product that won't break the bank. So, when I went to my local drugstore I picked up the Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation (I bought it in the color 10 Classic Ivory, which is a little too light on me). There are a number of things that I do like about it, and a few things that I do not.

1. SPF 20

I usually go for foundations with some form of sun protection in them, and this one does. I consider this is good thing, but also it's a bad thing for me. The SPF is for sure better for your skin, but it does not show up well on camera. The SPF washes out my face in a way and makes me look kind of sick on camera, so I end up needing to apply bronzer to my entire face to warm up my skin tone. But again, that could also be a factor that is occurring because I purchased the foundation in the wrong color.

2. Glowy Skin

When I had first tried this foundation I was instantly satisfied with the level of brightness it gave to my face. The foundation succeeds in the sense that it provides the correct form of brightness to the skin. When I say this, I mean that it doesn't make my skin look oily or greasy. It makes it look healthy, just like it's name implies. It also does not have the "disco ball" effect to it, so my face is not covered in glitter after applying it. Now, I would not reccomend this foundation to those with oily skin, due to the fact that it may draw more attention to the oil on your face.

3. Cakey?

I usually like to set my foundation with a translucent powder or my MSF Natural after I'm done applying it and concealing. But, I can't with this foundation, due to the fact that I end up looking quite cakey. Even when I apply my powder with a light hand, I end up looking kind of cakey. I have tried to melt the powder in with a setting spray to reduce the cakey effect, but this is to no avail.

4. Small Color Range

The whole Healthy Skin line does not have much of a color range to choose from, like most other foundations. This makes it hard to choose what color is truely best for you, I know I had that problem. I ended up actually having to settle for the lightest shade because the 2nd lightest seemed too dark. They do not have much of a selection for women of color either, which seems odd.

All in all, I do enjoy this foundation. But, I do not know if I will be repurchasing it. I like to switch up my foundations everytime I run out. Please feel free to let me know your favorite foundations, so I can check them out!



New Urban Decay Eyeshadows!

I'm not going to lie, I am EXTREMELY EXCITED for the new formulation of the Urban Decay eyeshadows and the release of new single shades. Urban Decay eyeshadows were already super duper pigmented to start, and now they have topped that? Also, I'm giddy over shadows from popular palettes being turned into singles! I absolutely love the color "Tease" from my Naked2 palette. It's such a great transition color, or just a plain crease color, and now when I hit pan I can just run out and get a new one instead of having to save up and repurchase the palette (But I probably will, anyway...)! Tease is not the only color that is new to being a single. Other shades include: Suspect, Verve, Virgin, Foxy, Snakebite, YDK, Woodstock, and many, many others that are absolutely to die for.

See for yourself- http://www.urbandecay.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-UrbanDecay-Site/default/Landing-Start?cid=urban-decay-new-single-eyeshadows

I will most certainly be purchasing a few of these within the near future!


   Tease

 Suspect

 Verve

Makeup Trends-Spring 2012

SPRING HAS SPRUNG !

Yes, I said it...Spring is here! Warmer weather and rain showers have come upon us, but they're not the only things. There are also a boat load of fun and awesome Spring 2012 makeup trends that have hit center stage. I am so excited for this season because the trends are absolutely amazing! I can't wait to share them with you, so here we go!



1. Pastel Colors!

Pastels are a must for this Spring. Be on the lookout for pops of colors on the eyes. Colors such as greens, yellows, pink, purples, and blues are a hot trend this year. I don't know how well I'll be able to pull off this one, personally..but I do enjoy the look on other people!

2. Peachy Cheeks!

Peach, flushed cheeks are most certainly a must this Spring. This look seems to work on everyone, especially those with lighter skin tones. The peach tones give paler faces a luminous and glowy look that is perfect for the upcoming warmer months. There are so many peachy blushes on the market already, and since the Peach trend is in I expect to see more coming out. Keep your eyes peeled!

3. Bronzed Goddess

Pull out your bronzer and your powder brushes, ladies. Bronzer is back! This season, the sun-kissed, bronzed goddess look is in. When applied with a light hand, you can get the perfect glow. I suggest going with something matte. If you're not totally keen on the whole "no shimmer" idea, then go with something that has a little bit of glow to it. When picking out the ideal bronzer for you, make sure that you pick something that is not too orange based. You're better off sticking to a brown based bronzer, like Benefit's Hoola Bronzer (A personal favorite of mine). Remember, the idea isn't to look like an orange disco ball, it's to look like you just stepped off the beach...in the middle of March.

4. "No Makeup" Makeup

It sounds crazy, but it's true. The "No Makeup" makeup look is in. When I say "No Makeup" makeup, it sounds kind of controdicting. But, it really isn't. To sum it all up, the trend is simplicity. So toss out that winged liner and those fake lashes, and go for a simple look with brown shadows and a little bit of mascara.

Good luck trying out these trends and thank you for taking the time to read this post!