FOTD | Brunch

This past Sunday, a friend of mine invited a couple girls over for a brunch at her house. It was a really fun morning full of delicious food and great company. We dined on a pepper and artichoke frittata, apple cinnamon muffins and breakfast cookies. And of course, mimosas. What brunch would be complete without mimosas? 

I wanted a really fresh, simple look for this brunch and I thought I'd share with you what I used to achieve just that. 

• Face: I moisturized with Neutrogena Oil-Free moisturizer (not pictured) and followed up with Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer on areas of my face where my pores are larger than other areas. I then used Revlon's Nearly Naked foundation in shade 110 Ivory and applied it all over the face using my Sigma F80 flat-top kabuki brush. For blush, I used a Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Plum Wine, which adds a really natural flush to the cheeks. To set my foundation, and even over-top of my blush, I used the NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder in Transluscent. This isn't my favorite powder, but it's been in my collection for too long so I'm trying to use it up. 

• Eyes: I primed my eyelids first using Urban Decay's eye primer in Eden (not pictured - I have an icky sample packet I'm using). I then used the matte taupe color in the picture above called Like a Virgin (from the Too Faced Naked Eye Palette) to define my crease. On the rest of my eyelid, I used an Ulta eyeshadow in Seashell. This is the pinky gold color you see catching the light in the images above. For eyeliner, I use my tried and true favorite liquid eyeliner, Wet n Wild's Mega Liner in Black. For mascara, I applied one coat of Ulta Plush Drama mascara in Jet Black, followed by a coat of Pixi's Large Lash Mascara in Best Brown. 

• Eyebrows: To fill in my eyebrows, I used the NYX eyeshadow single in True Taupe. I love using this shadow for my brows because of the natural, full look it gives. To set them, I used Maybelline Great Lash clear gel. 

• Lips: With all the cold, dreary weather we've been having, I was craving a bright bold pink lip. I used a lipstick by Besame Cosmetics in the shade Exotic Pink (remember that lipstick?). Is that packaging amazing or what?!

What is your go-to brunch look?

FOTD | Justin Timberlake Concert

My friend Paul  + I!

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of seeing Justin Timberlake in concert. I've been a huge JT fan through his whole career, and when I heard he was going to be in my neck of the woods for the first time in 7 years, I could not miss out. 

One of my best friends (Paul) and I go to many concerts together, and have seen nearly all of our favorite bands, and both of us agree, this Justin Timberlake concert was *the* best concert we have ever seen. What really made the night special was during the second half of the show; The front part of the stage broke off and rolled right in front of our seats! It was stunning! JT sang 4-5 songs right in great view! Amazing!

I thought I'd show you what makeup I was wearing, as I always like to sport something bold in some way when I see a show. For JT, I went bold lips all the way! 

To achieve this look, I used (my favorite!) Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation in Ivory. To conceal any darkness under my eyes and brighten the under-eye area, I used the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless eye concealer in shade 205. On the cheeks, I used one of the new NYX baked blushes. This one is in the color Chiffon, a bronzey mauve color. (more on these blushes coming later!) 

On my eyes, I primed with my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Nude Pink that I forgot to put in the picture - oops! (see my review on this product here) and then used the starred matte brown color from my Crown Brush Neutral Smokey Eye palette and used that in the crease and outer V of my eye. I then used the starred pink-white color in the middle and inner corner of my eye to brighten things up. I lined my eyes with my favorite Wet n Wild Mega Liner, and lined the waterline with the Rimmel ScandalEyes liner in Nude to make my eyes appear bigger and more awake. For mascara, I used this little mini Benefit They're Real!

I used the Wet n Wild Kohl Brow/Eyeliner pencil in Taupe to fill in my eyebrows, followed by a coat of Maybelline Great Lash in clear to set them.

For the bold pop of color, I lined my lips and filled them in with the NYX retractable lip liner in Fruit Punch before going in with one hell of a red lipstick: L'Oreal's Colour Riche La Lacque lipstick in Lacque-onic. (read more about these lipsticks here) I loved the bold pop against my very fair skin. I always love an excuse to go mega-bold with my lips and this was just the right night for it!

Just for fun, here's a clip from the show!

FOTD - January 10, 2014

Remember that Coastal Scents haul from Wednesday? I had fun playing around with some of the new shadows I purchased, and thought I'd give you a look-see!

For today's look, I went with a coppery-orange eye, a more natural cheek color and matte nearly-neutral lips. Here's what I used to create the look.

• Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in 110 Ivory
• Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof eyeliner in Nude (on the waterline)
• Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent 

• Essence I Heart Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara
• Wet n Wild Mega Liner in Black
• NYX Lipstick in Minimalism

• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion 
• Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar (cheeks)
• L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Iced Latte (inner corner of eye and lightly on inner third of eye)

From left to right:

• Coastal Scents eye shadow in Bronze Peach (blended in to crease)
• Coastal Scents eye shadow in Cajun Craze (all over lid and lower lash-line)
• Crown Brush unnamed brown (outer corner for dimension)
• e.l.f. unnamed nude (from this palette) (brow-bone highlight)

Check back for more FOTDs, and let me know what kind of look you'd like to see next!

FOTD - September 11, 2013

I was struck with a bit of inspiration today to try a different, fall-feeling combination of warm browns and thought I'd show you what I came up with. Take a look!

Here's what I used to achieve the look... 

I started off by moisturizing my face, as I always do. I've been trying to get through this Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer, so that's what I chose to use first. I then use my Sigma F80 brush to apply my favorite drugstore foundation, the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 foundation in Ivory (for my full review on this foundation, click here). I set this foundation using my favorite powder, the Rimmel Stay Matte powder in Transparent. To warm up my face I used NYC's Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny on the hollows of my cheeks, down around my chin, and on my temples. For a pop of color on my cheeks, I used my Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Blush in Blushing Nude. 

Under my eyes I used the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Fair. I've really been enjoying this concealer, as it doesn't cake up in the fine lines under my eyes like many concealers do. Then I primed my eyelids using my favorite primer, theBalm's Put a Lid on It. All over my lid I used the Ulta Color Coat Cream Shadow in Shimmering Topaz. This is the bronzey pop you see in the middle of my eye in the pictures above.  In the crease, I used my Crown Brush Neutral Colors Smokey Eye Palette that I got off Hautelook not too long ago. I used a combination of the three colors you see in the collage to create a warm matte copper brown to define the crease. I used my holy grail Wet n Wild Mega Liner liquid liner in Black to create a winged out, super black liner look. For my lashes I used Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous in Brownish Black.

No lip products (other than Aquaphor) as my lips are too dry to sport anything cute despite loads of moisturizing lip gloss. Only a few more months of medication that dries my lips out - thank GOODNESS because I miss my lippies!

I liked this look and I think it's perfect for fall! Have you tried any of these products? Let me know in the comments below!

FOTD - August 7, 2013

I'm back with another face of the day! A very sweet coworker of mine complimented me on my eyeshadow look, so I wanted to share with you what I used to achieve the look. I hope you enjoy it!

1. Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in 805 Ivory

2. Wet n Wild Mega Liner in 861 Black

3. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded (eyeshadow base & inner corner highlight)

4. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk (outer lid and bottom lash line)

5. Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara in 01 Noir Midnight 

6. Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Fair

7. Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Fetish

8. e.l.f. High Definition Powder in Transluscent

9. NYX Illuminating Bronzer in 01 Narcissistic

Face of the Day (FOTD)

I'm new to the FOTD-post world, and I have to say I'm a little nervous about it... but please be kind. I think it's fun to see others do these types of blogs, and I really enjoy seeing how people use certain products, especially if I have the same products in my own makeup collection. I hope you enjoy! (and please, excuse the camera angle that makes me look like I have a five-head!)

Click to enlarge image

Products used

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in 805 Ivory

Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Concealer in 205 Very Light (under eyes)

e.l.f. High Definition Powder in Translucent

Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Blush in Blushing Nude

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded (eyeshadow base & inner corner highlight)

e.l.f. Long Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow in Soiree (eyelid color) 

Wet n Wild Mega Liner in 861 Black

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara in 01 Noir Midnight 

p.s. I'm working with my camera to find the perfect balance.... I think my face looks a little yellow in this image, but I promise you it doesn't in real life!