Aqua Baby Nails

Aqua Baby Nails

This is a very quick and easy nail design that adds just a touch of color.

For this nail design I used:
China Glaze Aqua Blue (Teal) for the tips
LA Colors Art Deco Black Nail Art Polish for the line

Square rhinestones

My Must Have Brushes

My Must-Have Brushes

I decided to do a post on what I consider my must-have, can't live without brushes. These are the brushes that I use every single day to accomplish my look - from eyes to face. I use a range of brushes from different brands.

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EYES:

From top....

1. Sonia Kashuk Crease Shadow Brush - I use this brush to apply cream bases, mainly paintpots, all over the lid. This is great for blending cream products onto the skin. It can also be used for applying the crease color but I use a different brush for that purpose.

$5.99 at Target

2. MAC 239 Eye Shading Brush - I use this brush to pack color onto my lid and for applying my highlight. It's a solid stiff brush that applies color very well onto the lid.

$24.50 at MAC

3. MAC 217 Blending Brush - I use this brush for blending and for applying crease color. This brush helps to diffuse color for a nice gradient on the brow bone. For those with smaller eyes the MAC 222 Tapered Blending Brush may work better.

$22.50 at MAC

4. MAC 205 Mascara Fan Brush - This is a great brush for cleaning up fallout on the lashes. I use this to apply mascara on the back of my lashes (by the lashline) where eyeshadows usually make a mess. It also works well to separate my lashes and remove and clumps that may have formed.

$17.50 at MAC

5. Stila #28 Smudge Pot Brush - I use this brush to apply cream eyeliner to my lower waterline (using the thin side) and for applying or blending eyeshadow/eyeliner on my lower lashline (larger side). This is a great multi use brush.

$32 at Sephora

6. MAC 266 Small Angle Brush - This is my perfect brush for applying cream or gel eyeliner to my upper lashline for a winged effect. This can apply a super thin line or build up to a thick line as needed. 

$19.50 at MAC

7. MAC 252 Large Shader Brush - This brush is perfect for applying a full wash of color to the entire lid or for applying cream products. I also sometimes use this brush to blend along the brow bone or apply my highlight. This is by far my favorite MAC eye brush.

$29 at MAC

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FACE:

From top....

1. Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Blusher Brush - Of course I don't use this for it's original intention...I use this brush to apply and buff my liquid foundation into my skin. I did a full review on this brush in a previous post. 

$14.99 at Target

 

2. Sigma SS197 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - I use this brush to apply and blend my blush and even to contour. This applies blush evenly and blends like a dream. It may be too dense for more pigmented blushes but for my MAC Blush Ombres it's prefect.

$16 at Sigma Makeup

3. MAC 182 Buffer Brush - I use this brush to apply my setting powder or powder foundation. It's great for buffing powder onto the skin without leaving a powdery look. It also helps to blend blush and contour.

$45 at MAC

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ADDITIONAL BRUSHES

From top....

1. MAC 219 Pencil Brush - This brush can be used for smudging eyeliner, applying color to the inner corner, defining the crease, applying color to the lower lashline, etc....anywhere you may need precise application. I do not use this brush daily but it's a great addition to my arsenal.

$23 at MAC

2. MAC 242 Shader Brush - This is the smaller version of the MAC 252 Brush and can be used for the same purposes. This also can be used for precise application to the upper or lower lashline and crease because it's much smaller than the MAC 252.

$23 at MAC 

3. MAC 252 Large Shader Brush - Discussed above.

4. MAC 130 Short Duo Fibre Brush - This is a new limited edition brush that came out with the MAC Mineralize Foundation. It is great for applying liquid foundation and concealer. It is smaller than the Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Blush Brush so application time is longer but it works just the same. The Sonia Kashuk one is, however, better for buffing. 

$38 at MAC

5. Sephora Professionnel Contour Blush/Bronzer Brush #43 - This brush is great for applying blush/bronzer powder to the cheeks. It blends great and feels really soft on the skin.

$36 at Sephora

 

Cream Pop Nails

Cream Pop Nails

Here goes another one of my nail looks...

For this nail design I used:
OPI Alpine Snow Matte (White)
China Glaze For Aubrey (Tiffany Blue)
Color Club Lazer Pink (Neon Pink)

OPI In My Back Pocket (Orange)

'Subtle Velvet' Look

'Subtle Velvet' Look

You asked for it! LOL! Time to change it up a bit. This look is very subdued...a simple neutral with a pop of color as requested. This would be a simple look for work, school, a date...or just for a newbie to makeup.

I used a subtle pop of green on my outer lid and in my crease for this look. But any color can be used in place of green...try it out with blues, purples, pinks, etc. Or even use a darker brown for a really neutral look.

Eyes:

PRIME:
I started off with Too Faced Shadow Insurance all over my lid up to the brow bone. Then I applied MAC MAC Layin Low Paintpot as a base all over my lid up to my brow bone.
 
COLOR:
On the entire lid I applied Smashbox Halo Almond Eyeshadow (light neutral color).
On the crease and browbone I applied Smashbox Halo Bisque Eyeshadow (medium neutral color).
Next I used MAC Velvet Moss Eyeshadow (matte moss green) on the outer lid and outer crease area.
For highlight I used MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow (shimmery champagne). 

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline and waterline with black gel eyeliner and applied Bourjois Noir Emeraude Eyeliner on the lower lashline.

Face:

LIPS:
On the lips I have MAC Melt in Your Mouth Cremesheen Glass. 

FINISH:
I used MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC45 with MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NC45 under my eyes. I set with MAC Loose Blot Powder in Dark. For blush I used MAC Blush Ombre in Springshine.

'Tropical Island' Look

'Tropical Island' Look

For this look I was inspired by the bright blue ocean...and my top : )...and the all the wonderful colors of the tropics. I am a tropical girl afterall so what better way to represent that than through makeup...

Eyes:

PRIME:
I started off with Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my lid up to the brow bone. Then I applied MAC MAC Layin Low Paintpot (do I love this paintpot or what?) as a base all over my lid up to my brow bone.
 
COLOR:
On the inner lid I applied MAC Gesso Eyeshadow.
On the middle of the lid I applied MUFE #72 Eyeshadow (matte vibrant turquoise).
Next I used MUFE #92 Eyeshadow (matte brilliant purple) on the outer lid and outer crease area.
On the inner crease I used MAC Landscape Green Pigment.
On the brow bone and inner crease I went for MUFE #2 Eyeshadow (matte brilliant yellow)
For highlight I used MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow. 

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline and waterline with black gel eyeliner and applied Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Electric on the lower lashline.

Face:

LIPS:
On the lips I have MAC Up the Amp Lipstick and MAC Lavender Wind Lipglass. 

FINISH:
I used MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC45 with MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NC45 under my eyes. I set with MAC Loose Blot Powder in Dark. For blush I used MAC Blush Ombre in Azalea Blossom. 

'Pink Bronze' Look

'Pink Bronze' Look

I was inspired from my browsing on Specktra.net. I came upon a beautiful look done with MAC Spiced Chocolate palette from the Cult of Cherry Collection and I decided to try it out with my own spin...

Eyes:

PRIME:
I started off with Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my lid up to the brow bone. Then I applied MAC MAC Indianwood Paintpot as a base all over my lid and slightly into the crease.
 
COLOR:
On the lid I applied MAC Pink Bronze Pigment (wet with MAC Mixing Medium).
On the crease and outer lid I applied MUFE #92 Eyeshadow.
Next I used MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow on the brow bone.
On the inner corner of my lid I used Illamasqua Creep Eyeshadow  for a pop of color.
For highlight I used Smashbox Nude Eyeshadow. 

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline and waterline with black gel eyeliner and applied Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Deviant on the lower lashline.

Face:

LIPS:
On the lips I have MAC Lavender Wind Lipglass. 

FINISH:
I used MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC45 with MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NC45 under my eyes. I set with MAC Loose Blot Powder in Dark. For blush I used MAC Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach.

MAC Cosmetics Spring Color Forecast Collections HAUL

MAC Cosmetics Spring Color Forecast Collections HAUL

So with the HUGE MAC Spring Collections recently released...of course I had to get my fix...

Here's what I got...

I only bought what I thought was worth having for me. I fell in love with the Blush Ombres and got backups for Ripe Peach and Azalea Blossom. The lipglasses are divine and the two lipsticks I picked up are unique. I also got 2 pro eyeshadows as bonuses and a backup Clarity eyeshadow since it has been discontinued.

BREAKDOWN:

I got all 4 Blush Ombres - Azalea Blossom (w/ a backup), Ripe Peach (w/ a backup), Vintage Grape and Springshine.

I also got both pigment stacks - Stacked 1! and Stacked 2!

 I got 6 lipglasses - Gold Dust, Hush Hush Rose, Lavender Wind, Ember Glow, Electric Fuchsia, Kumquat.

I got 4 eyeshadows, a quad and 3 bonus eyeshadows I have been lemming - Hot Hot Hot, Lala, Perky, Nanogold, Color 4 Quad...bonus Clarity, Soot and Indian Ink eyeshadows.

I got 2 of the lipsticks and a few bonuses as well - Bronzilla, Victorian...bonus Up the Amp Lipstick, Creme Sherry and Cream O'Spice lipliners, Prep and Prime Lip.

SWATCHES:

Eyeshadows - Nanogold, Perky, Lala, Hot Hot Hot

 

Color 4 Quad - Manila Paper, Flip, Aztec Brick, Creole Beauty

Stacked 1 Pigment Stack - Light Lilac, Dark Purple, Pale Pink, Mid-tone Rose

Stacked 2 Pigment Stack - Pale Gilded Beige, Copper Gold, Yellow Gold, Green Gold

Lipglasses - Kumquat, Ember Glow, Electric Fuchsia, Gold Dust, Hush Hush Rose, Lavender Wind; Lipsticks - Victorian, Bronzilla

Half Colored Nails

Half Colored Nails

If you are anything like me then a full coat of color on your fingernails may not look so great...or maybe it's just me.... : )

I always envy those girls (or guys) that can pull off the full colored nails. For some weird reason a full coat of color on my fingernails just doesn't look right. But being beauty obsessed, I had to find a way.

I keep an acrylic coat on my nails because they are very weak on their own and are prone to ripping and tearing. I used to stick to the traditional french pink and white style but after seeing all these lovely nail colors that are out there, I had to venture out.

I now do what I like to call...Half Colored Nails. I keep the base of the nail either bare or a plain color...then I add a half design at the top of my nail. It's my way of wearing color without my fingernails looking odd.

Here's what I mean....