Runway to Real Life

Let's talk about runway fashion.

It's a little strange.

Unless you're sitting at the J. Crew runway show things can get a little avante garde. Which is what runway is about a lot of times. But it's difficult for the consumer (That's us!) to translate that avante garde fashion into the every day life.

It goes further than that though. Not only are the clothes over the top, but so is the hair and makeup. I don't know about you, but I look to the runway to see the trends for the upcoming season. So it's all about taking the outrageous, and turning into the fabulous.


Check it out.


From this....

To this...

Forget the weird bird bangs. Just pile that hair up, braid it, pin it. done.

From this...

To this...

Not much different. Still a side braid. Still messy. Just not as big. Because lets face it...anywhere outside of Texas would look at you like you were a crazy if you had hair that big.

From this...

To this...

Lilly Collins has some of the best eyebrows out there. They aren't overdone, but they are still thick and full. 

From this...

To this...

Retro inspired. It's done perfectly.

Spring 2013 Makeup Trends

With yesterday the official start of Spring I feel like jumping up and down for joy. Already bluebonnets are out and I can't help by drive down I-45 saying, "ooooo ahhhh."


When new Spring styles come out I always feel like Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.

It just always feels the same to me. But I'm kind of excited about these trends, because well...they're sort of like the Fall trends and I was obsessed with those.

Red lips.

I'm mean...let's be honest. You know I'm obsessed with red lips. It's an instant confidence booster. 

Eyeliner and lush lashes.

I can't tell you how excited I am about this. I've been all about eyeliner for years now. It's my signature look. I'm happy that society is finally catching up.

Big brows. 

I blame the beautiful Lily Collins. Just look at those lovelies. 

Other trends.

Blues and greens. Glowing skin. Things like that.

What are your favorite Spring trends?

How To Tuesday: Dewy Makeup

I like to start this post off by saying...

Ginnifer Goodwin is flawless. There has never been a time I looked at that girl and thought, wow, she could use a little work. I mean...she is freaking Snow White. 

You see how dewy she looks? Like she is glowing. Well...that look can be achieved very simply using some highlighter. 

Step 1: moisturize

It's arguably the most important step. If you're skin isn't moisturized, then the dewiness has no reason to look dewy. Does that even make sense?

Step 2: foundation

you can apply your foundation as normal. 

Step 3: cheek contouring

click here for tutorial. 

Step 4: highlighter

You want to apply your highlighter in these areas. It's okay if you don't have an actually "highlighter", you can use any light colored eyeshadow. That one that you always use to swipe across your brows? It's perfect for this. 

Do you have a moisture spray that sets your foundation? Make sure you use it!

Now...go be flawless like Ginnifer. I know you are. 

How To Tuesday Wednesday: Make Your Eyes Look Wider

Due to some technical difficulties yesterday, I was unable to post this tutorial. But here it is now. In all it's glory.

People are always talking about trying to make their eyes appear wider, because let's face it...No one likes sad, closed eyes. So here's a quick tutorial on how to do so. It's very easy. It only involves two eyeshadow colors (nude and brown), eyeliner (black), and mascara (black).


Step 1: base color

Apply a nude shadow all over eyelid.

Step 2: crease

In the crease, apply your brown shadow, bringing it around to a point on the outer edge of your lid, sweeping lightly over outer lash line.

Step 3: liner

Black liner along top lash line. Apply it thicker toward the outside, thinning out as it reacher inner corner.

Step 5: mascara

ta-da! That's it. 

Told you it was easy. 

How To Tuesday: The Perfect Lip

Valentine's Day is this week, and nothing says sexy like lip stick. It draws the eyes to your lips...and when the eyes are drawn to your lips...well..




Step 1: Line the lip

Lining your lip will help to keep the color longer, but more importantly it will help keep your lipstick from bleeding. No one likes a bleeding lip.

Step 2: Lipstick

Use a lipstick brush. It will help with precision.

Step 3: Blot

Always blot.

Step 4: Lipstick again.

Second layer

That's it. Easy right?

I'd go with red for v-day. 

Did You Know You Could: Dye Your Eyelashes

I know right? Dye your eyelashes? Why do you really need that. Well, let me tell you why!

Because, hi...it's like wearing mascara all of the time. At the beach. In your bed. At the gym. So obviously you can't really go wrong.

It's a super simple process too. The dye is applied with your eyes closed. You sit for ten minutes, and then you're done. But if you have watery eyes like I do, be careful. The dye can drip down your face. Just tell your esthetician beforehand!

And it's usually a quick, cheap add on service that your salon can throw in while your already there.

Conclusion: dying your eyelashes is cool.

How To Tuesday: Jane Iredale Party Makeup

It's my favorite time of year. Pumpkins. Turkey. Mashed potatoes. Presents. And parties. Every other weekend there is a party going on. Whether it's a halloween party, a birthday party, a wedding, or just a good ol' holiday party. It's party season.

And party makeup is on a whole different level. It's not daytime makeup and it's not nighttime/going out makeup. It's a nice in-between.

Jane Iredale does a fantastic job of showing you how to do a lovely party makeup look. I mean, I didn't even have to recreate it or anything.

Check it out below.






What do you think? I love the bronze colors that are used! What is your favorite color to do for a party?

How To Tuesday: Pin Up Makeup

One of the best things about Halloween, besides Pumpkin Spice Lattes, is getting dressed up and going to Halloween parties...and the candy, can't forget about the candy.

But I love getting to be someone else for a night. We get asked a lot how to do vintage style makeup. It's a big look that people want to do, but don't really know how. Good thing is, it's super easy.

And now you'll know how.

#MyBoyfriendDoesMyMakeup

If you search the tag "my boyfriend does my makeup" on YouTube...forget about your productivity for the rest of the day, but you can guarantee some laughs.

 We decided to do one of our own. Enter the willing participants: Amanda and Jared. Check it out below.

Bold Lips

One of my favorite Fall trends is the bold lip. I've always been a fan of bold lips, normally though I tend to stick to the red shade (I love the vintage look). But recently, I've been seeing a lot of different shades, just as bold.

Pinks. Purples. and Reds, oh my!

To get the perfect lip, follow these steps:

1. exfoliate. no one lips crispy lips. use a lip scrub, or simply your tooth brush and get rid of all that extra skin.
2. line them, if you wish.
3. apply lipstick. but be careful! because of the bold color, it could leave marks on your skin if you get outside the lines. 
4. blot.
5. apply again.

Now go forth and bold lips. 

Soft, Kissable Lips

No one looks at dry, cracked lips and thinks, "those I want to kiss." Kissable lips are soft and moisturized and puckered. And come on, that's what we all want...just in case we ever happen to run into Chris Hemsworth on the street, we'll be prepared.

These lips say, "I know you can't take your eyes off me. Just go ahead and do it already."

Tips for your perfect pout:

1. exfoliate. every morning after brushing my teeth I brush my lips off as well. but you can try a scrub if you don't want to do that. 
2. moisturize. but be careful what you reach for. some lip balm (even the medicated kind) will just dry out your lips to keep you coming back. look for things like petroleum jelly, petrolatum, white wax, paraffin wax, and mineral oil and make sure you stay away from them.
3. color. a pair of colored lips always draws the eye. so pick your perfect shade, or have someone help you pick it, but whatever you do, make sure you have a go-to color!

What are your soft lip secrets?


photo

How To Tuesday: Jane Iredale's Summer Looks

Yesterday, I was able to meet with our Jane Iredale rep. We talked about general things, like the difference between their pressed and loose powder, but we also discussed their summer products. I hadn't tried the yet (except for the blue eye gloss). But she talked to us about the different ways she used the new Rose Dawn blush/bronzer.

She had been using it not only on her cheeks but also as an eyeshadow. Pretty cool. And then I found this tutorial video from Jane Iredale themselves on how to use their summer colors.

Check it out, and then tell me, did you think to be that creative?

3 Ways to Feel More Confident Instantly

You know what I love? Confidence. I find that it can be so lacking in so many people who should be welding the whip themselves. But I get it. Sometimes it's hard, and there's a fine line between confidence and vanity. But here are a couple of tips to help get you there when you're feeling a little blue.

1. Red lipstick

What's sexier than a pair of red lips? Not much. When I throw on some red lipstick I always feel more confident. I don't know if it's because everyone's eyes are drawn to my lips or the fact that I could plant a kiss on someone's cheek and everyone would know that I had been there. Whatever it is. I say use it to your advantage. 

But be careful! If you start wearing it everyday, the power of the red lipstick will diminish. 

     

     2.  Sexy Lingerie 

Wearing sexy lingerie under your clothes is a major way to feel more confident. There's something about having a secret like that and make me hold my shoulders a little bit higher.

     3. Hair Color

my hairsiration: Karen Gillan

Keeping up with your color is one thing, but picking a hair color that you feel comfortable in is another. I have all different kinds of colors, but ever since I made my change to red I feel different. It's as if I was suppose to always be a redhead and now that I am it just all makes sense.

And of course because I am where I'm suppose to be, I automatically feel more confident. It's just a bonus side effect. 

What are your tricks to feeling more confident? Tell me in the comments below!

BB Creams: What are They?

There's been a lot of talk on the market about a new product simply called BB Cream. What does the BB stand for you ask? Well...

BB originally stood for blemish balm, but has since become to be known as beauty balm. The product has been around for a while, dating back to the 1950s where it was designed by a German dermatologist for post-laser treatments. But the skincare-meets-makeup product rose to fame in Asia, where it was named "the secret of Korean actresses." BB cream then, of course, made its way over to the Western world.

The product comes in a variety of formulas, but the basic gist is that it is an all-in-one stop. I hate layering cream after cream on my face in the morning, mainly because as soon as I step outside it's just going to melt off, or at least it feels that way. So now, I throw that BB on and I'm good. I'm not having to do four different steps. Sunscreen, moisturize, anti-aging, foundation. It's pretty fantastic.

There are a couple of different companies that offer BB cream, from Dr. Jart (the one that I use) to Dior. But I'm super excited to say that jane iredale is coming out with one this summer. As the leader in skincare makeup, I'm excited to see how awesome their product will be. Because let's face it? It's going to be awesome.

Do you use BB cream? Which one? Tell me in the comments below!


photo, info: wikipedia

How To Tuesday: Girl's Night Out

 I'm obsessed with Pinterest. There I said it. Admitting is the first step. But I just love all of those fantastic eye makeup looks that I see. I got a little green-eyed and wanted to do one myself.

I'd say it turned out pretty amazing (way to go Amanda!). And it's perfect for GNO.

So before I start the step-by-step...all the products used are jane iredale.

Step 1: apply primer

we applied the canvas primer to the entire lid.

Step 2: crease

we used wink and roses. apply to the crease, blending as your go.

Step 3: brow bone

first we used wink, then covered it with the 24k gold, glimmer gold. apply over brow bone, blending down

Step 4: lower lid

we put dreamy pink all over the lower lid

Step 5: outer corner

we picked up wine and roses again and applied to the outer corner. then we went back and darkened up the crease to match. blending as we went of course.

Step 6: eyeliner

using both the mystikol dark topaz and the basic brown liner, line your eye, top and bottom

Step 7: mascara and brows

black mascara and brow color to match your own!

ta da!

now go have fun!

How To Tuesday: Blue Eyeshadow

Last week, the salon got all of these fantastic new Jane Iredale eyeshadows in. I'm talking blues, greens, and even a red. Me, I'm a simple girl. Nude and black liner. Done. But I was dying to try the Spring colors.

Unfortunately every time I think about blue shadow I automatically think about Mimi from The Drew Carrey Show. So, one of our very talented stylists and makeup artists, Lynsey Robbins, showed me a couple of different ways to wear it. And what do you know...I happened to have a camera near by. 

We show you three different looks you can do with blue shadow. In fact, it is three different looks you can do with pretty much any color shadow. The video is kind of long, but may I say, totally worth it.

Blue Shadow Tips:

• I said it in the video, but you can't really over blend. You don't want any lines, just one smooth look. 
• Don't reach for that black liner. We used a nice purple, or you could try a darker blue.
• Keep your lips simple. Nude lips (and cheeks!)
• Try not to be too matchy matchy with your clothes and shadow. 
• Do not, whatever you do, bring the blue all the way up to your brow.

What we used:

• All Ms. Iredale products of course.
• Shadows: Magic (light blue), Blue Hour (dark blue), White
• Eye Gloss: Aqua Silk

Have you ever worn blue shadow? What is your favorite Spring eyeshadow color? Tell me in the comments below. 

How To Tuesday: Cover Up a Pimple

Isn't that the worst? When you know you've got somewhere important to be and you wake up and bam! pimple. There's no denying it. It happens to us all.

Now using a little concealor and covering it up might be a no brainer to some of us. But I thought the same thing about braiding and yet I still meet people who don't know how to do it. So here we are, with a tutorial...which I, myself, find very educational.

The trick ladies, or gentlemen, is to find a concealor that has an ance treatment in it. For example, Murad Acne Spot Treatment has a dash of salicylic acid in it to zap that pimple up, plus it adds some nice coverage. Pretty much a miracle in a tube.




What kind of tutorials would you like to see next month? Tell me in the comments below!

How To Tuesday: Date Night Makeup

With V-day just around the corner, and many of you lovely people celebrating, I thought for this week's tutorial, I would do that a makeup look that's perfect for the big day.

These scream, "Diamonds, they're a girl's best friend. So hand 'em over."

Everyone knows that red is the color of Valentine's, so why would you go out without some bold red lips? I can't think of any reason. But sometimes it's hard to wear red lips. What kind of eye shadow do I wear? Can I wear eyeliner? What about lip liner, do I need that too? Well, ladies...I think this tutorial gives you the perfect date night look.

Our lovely friends over at Jane Iredale made this tutorial. I couldn't see any reason to remake one myself, so just take a look at theirs.


 


Here are the steps written out:

1. Of course, you want to start with your normal foundation routine.
2. Then apply PurePressed Blush to your cheeks. The lady in the video is using Tawny, but I'm a Cotton Candy type of girl. 
3. Use the Citrine Mystikol to line your botton lash line, and if you're feeling frisky, your top one as well.
4. Apply Gold 24K Gold Dust to your eyelid using a pressing or patting motion. Jane Iredale suggests to try not to sweep or flick it across the lid or the gold dust will end up everywhere.
5. Apply the highlighter end of your Mystikol to the inner corner of your eye and your brow bone, then smooth it out with your finger.
6. Eyelash conditioner, then your jet black mascara. Girlfriend in the video doesn't put a whole lot on, but I say layer it up girl!
7. And for those red lips: Passion Lip Fixation, topped with Chili Pepper Chocoholicks, which by the way, smells like actuall chocolate. 

That's it. Easy as pie. Now go and enjoy your night!

You can check out Jane Iredale's original post on this look here. 

How To Tuesday: Applying Fake Eyelashes

Typically, I only break out the fake eyelashes when I want to wear a costume. And every time I do, I forget that I don't know how to apply them. It never fails. I buy them, and then I can't put them on. My costume is always incomplete.


How to apply fake eyelashes.

What you're going to need

Step 1: start with a clean pallet 

That means so mascara and no eyeshadow. You can put all that on later.

Step 2: Prepare the lashes

This is the step that I always skipped and why my lashes never stayed. You have to take the sticky glue off of the lashes that holds them onto the plastic display. If you don't do this, your lashes will most likely not stick.

Also, measure them against your own lashes. Not everyone has the same size eye and lashes aren't "one size fits all". You might need to trim a bit off the end.

Step 3: Glue

Apply the glue to the lashes, in any manner that you want to. Directly on them. Dabbing them in the glue. A cotton swab. It doesn't matter. Just make sure you don't overload the lashes with glue, because remember, it has to go onto your lid. So whatever glue you have it will also be on your lid.

Step 4: Apply

Use your fingers first, then a pair of tweezers to refine the position. They should be placed right at the very bottom of the lid.

Then you're done!

Of course you do your eyeshadow and mascara like normal. But be careful to not pull the lashes off with your mascara wand!

Liquids, and Creams, and Pencils, Oh My!

I'm talking about eyeliners of course. There are about a thousand different brands of eyeliners out there and in the brands there are about a thousand different types of eyeliners. Okay, I exaggerate. There are pretty much only three different types of eyeliners.

Pencil Liner

First up. Pencil liner. This is definitely the most common type of liner there is.

pros: easy to use; lots of different colors and brands

cons: sometimes it doesn't show up as dark as other types; unless sharpened, not a perfect line

Liquid Liner

Ah liquid liner. How I love you.

pros: clean, crisp lines; great for winged out or cat eyes

cons: can be messy; need a steady hand

Cream Liner

Cream eyeliner: the next best thing since sliced bread.

pros: lasts all day; easy to smudge; can be applied very dark

cons: very difficult to apply; not very portable messy; easy to smudge

Of course, there are other things you can use as eyeliner. Eyeshadow for example. But these are the three basic liners. Each one is great for different look. So don't worry if you have all three on hand. I won't call you a hoarder.

Which type is your favorite?