***Please note: the quality of these pictures aren't very great. If you click on them to make them bigger, they will be very pixelated.***
I didn't realize just how much work a blog would actually be, but I am enjoying it none the less. If only I could do makeup for a living I'd be in good shape! I am still figuring out this new computer so a lot of these pictures are still not the best quality, but I am trying really hard for you guys.
I didn't realize just how much work a blog would actually be, but I am enjoying it none the less. If only I could do makeup for a living I'd be in good shape! I am still figuring out this new computer so a lot of these pictures are still not the best quality, but I am trying really hard for you guys.
As i've mentioned before, ELF cosmetics has become one of my favorite product lines ever. All of their products are super affordable and they are just as good as any of the others out there. There are products here and there that are sort of a miss, but for what they are priced at, it's not a huge hit on the pocket. Here is a step-by-step guide with pictures on how to create the look below...
Putting my face online for the general public to see without makeup is a terrifying decision. There are so many mean people out on the internet, but I had to come to terms with it. If I am going to have a makeup blog, successful or not, there is absolutely zero chance of doing it right without before and after shots. None. So, I welcome any negative comments that may come along the way. I am who I am, I am comfortable with who I am and if you don't like the real unmade up me, then perhaps this isn't the place for you to be.
Moving along..
First and foremost, hydration underneath your makeup is key and is best to try and let it sink in a good 20 minutes or so before going through your whole routine. If you can't, well that's understandable. We all have our rushing days however I have noticed that if you don't let us soak into your skin first, the foundation will kind of cake up. So if you can, let it sit and do it's job.
The difference a little foundation can make! I use maybe two pumps of this particular foundation: L'oreal Invisalift Foundation it is very concentrated and a little goes a long way. I usually use my fingers which I know is a huge no-no in the world of makeup, but I feel that brushes can sometimes leave foundation looking and feeling a little too thick. The best applicators to use for liquid foundation would be either a Beauty Blender or a Stippling Brush but if you use your fingers, make sure to wash your hands! It will get all over everything!
Almay Wakeup Powder Foundation is a discontinued product that I went searching for online. This was my favorite powder a few years ago and I am so glad I found it. The foundation I use is a little too light for my skin tone and I don't really like the look of liquid alone, so I always go over with a little bit darker loose powder. Not everyone should do this, but I have a lot of things I need to cover up so I apply this and blend, blend, blend so it doesn't look too heavy.
End result...
Voila! My skin matches and I magically got darker eyebrows! I skipped the step when I put my eyebrows on because I've been doing the same thing since I was about 15 years old. All the rage right now are these super groomed eyebrows that literally everyone is walking around with. Literally everyone (to me) is walking around with the exact same shape and style of eyebrow and while they look nice, it's just not for me. Maybelline Ultra Brow Powder it comes with a little tiny brush and goes on perfectly. This little guy lasts literally forever. I've been using the same powder for the last 2 years, I think? I know all makeup products have expiration dates but I swear i'm only halfway through it.
**I just got my hopes and dreams crushed. I've been using this eyebrow powder for the last 10-12 years and found out it is discontinued?! I hate it when they do that... **
Almay seems to be my go to right now in terms of facial makeup. Almay Wakeup Highlighter/Concealer is a really good concealer in my opinion. It covers really well, blends beautifully and the end result is very natural.
I know it looks crazy, but this is a good technique. I dab a little bit of the concealer under my eye (and over my foundation) and make a triangle down to the corners of my nose and over the inside of my cheeks. Not only are you covering up those under eye circles, but you are brightening that whole area in the process. I use Bare Minerals Concealer brush to apply and blend it all together.
Look at the difference between the two sides of my face:
Huge difference. The far edges of it aren't quite blended 100% in this picture, but it doesn't take much to buff it out. I feel like using the concealer in this way lifts that whole section of the face.
Next up? Bronzer! I never used bronzer until recently, thanks to Ipsy. I received POP Bronzer (sunkissed) in my July 2014 Glam Bag and I have to say I am in love with this product. Typically you don't want want to use a bronzer with any shimmer to it for contouring, but this is what I have and it works great. I use it sparingly and it just warms up the whole face. Although the process of contouring looks crazy!
It looks like war paint. I use a little bit (although I used to wrong brush here so it is a bit of a wide area) under my cheek bones, around the top edges of my forehead and around my temples. I used some of the sides of my nose here, but I ended up blending it out really well because I didn't like the way it looked.
After blending it all together. It doesn't change the look of everything where it is super noticeable, however it makes a difference in the definition of your face. I do believe it is hard to tell with the quality of these photos, however. I will say this: I am new to the world of contouring so I haven't gotten the technique fine tuned yet. I notice now after looking at the picture that the edges around my nose are a little dark and unblended. I fixed this later on. Also, when contouring around the nose area, you should pull the darker shade straight down over your nostrils so you don't widen the look of the tip of your nose. Which I clearly did not do correctly.
NYX Baked Blush in the color Lady Like. It has such a pretty finish and highlights your face really well. According to the product description it can be used wet or dry and it runs about $7.00
I have never used it wet so I don't know what that is like, but I will definitely try it out and be sure to post my results. I try not to bring the blush all the way down to the apples of my cheeks because I have really puffy cheeks at times. If you have puffy cheeks and bring it all the way down, when you aren't smiling that extra color will appear as though it is pulling your face down, and that's no good. The middle picture shows how far I bring the color down my face and the bottom picture shows me bringing it up to my temple. When I get closer to the temple area, I cannot stress enough how much blending is necessary. The last thing you want is bright pink temples. :)
My go to eye primer. It lasts forever and doesn't crease. Best part? It's $3.00
I use the 3rd color down on the far right column for my brow bone highlight.
Because I have smaller eyes and eyelids I always apply my crease color before my lid color so it doesn't cover any of the pigment on my lids.
This is the color I will be using for my lid. Loose powders are tricky to apply, at least to me. A good primer and maybe a good mixing medium (or water which works really well, believe it or not with some products) are important when applying these so you don't end up with a crazy mess.
and the above pink for the outer, right side of my lid.
Pat the crease color on with an eyeshadow brush, but don't put it on as far as you want it to go; use a blending brush to take it out as far as you would like and soften the color in the process.
Left side is unblended, right side blended. You can always add more; it's really hard to take away once it's been applied. If you want a more dramatic look, just soften the edges instead of blending the whole area.
I did not use any medium with the mineral shadow. It goes on super thick when your are first applying it, but it thins out a lot if you apply it dry. I only wanted a hint of color with a shimmery effect, so this is why I applied it without.
Loreal Gel Eyeliner Pot goes on like butter.
End result, after applying the darker pink on the outer edges of my eye. A very natural, light look.
I did not get any pictures of the darker pink as it was a very, very last minute decision.
Loreal Gel Eyeliner Pot goes on like butter.
And to finish it off with Maybelline BIG EYES falsies waterproof mascara. As I've mentioned before, I hate this mascara, but it's what I have at the moment and I can't just throw away makeup. It's like makeup abuse or something.. just wrong. :)
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