The Perfect Nude Lip

I will admit it, this post is a fashion repeat! However, I will be focusing on a different aspect of the look: those luscious lips! For the eye tutorial check out "Prom/ Girl's Night Out".

October was Italian Heritage Month at my university and we closed with a formal dinner. I was embarrassingly overdressed however, I still had a great time. There was great food, good music, and beautiful people!

My room mate Katie and I.

The first step to the perfect nude lip is exfoliation. I like to get a handful of sugar, mix it with a little bit of water, and then rub it vigorously on my lips for a few seconds. Another tip is to brush your lips with your wet toothbrush. Both options work great!

Next, take a little bit of concealer and spread it all over your lips. This helps neutralize the color in your lips in order for them to look more nude.

Recently I was turned on to lip liner. It really is as amazing as they say it is! Unfortunately mine is MIA so I can't tell you what brand or color I used. First line the lips in the pencil (I would recommend staying inside your natural lip line because drawing outside of it will look very costume-like) and then, fill in the entire lip-just like a coloring book.

Then, using a lip brush I went over the lip liner with Not So Innocent Pink by jane. When choosing a nude color, get something with a hint of pink. I've found that anything too brown makes my teeth look yellow.

Optional step: swipe a thin layer of pink or clear gloss for extra plumpness! I used Lip Inflation in Sheer Pink by Sally Hansen.

Love an poofy lips!

Anna

Day of Natural Beauty

Last month I happened upon a Facebook event called Day of True Beauty. The mission of this day was " a worldwide celebration of true, natural, and inner beauty..." At the time I clicked "attend", I didn't realize what an impact this would have on me. No concealer, eyeliner, mascara, lip tint, NOTHING. While reading this, I'm sure most of you are thinking "big deal, I go without makeup all the time" or " she doesn't need makeup anyways." I assure you, this was one of the most difficult things for me to do. When I do something, I do it right; so this meant no foundation, concealer, eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, blush, lip stick, gloss, or nail polish.

When I woke up this morning I was excited because I really hoped to get a lot out of this day. However, as the day wore on I became less and less enthused. I realized that the view I have of myself is completely warped and for so long I have been hiding behind a mask of chemicals. Getting ready went a lot quicker since I only had to dressed! As I started walking around campus I became a increasingly paranoid because I noticed that I was getting a lot of glances. I couldn't help but think, "Oh my gosh he thinks I'm ugly because I'm not wearing any makeup" or "Ahh! She is staring at the discoloration in my skin." I was trying to reason with myself but the bad thoughts were in control.

After the day was about half-way finished I happened to pass by a mirror and I literally startled myself because I didn't recognize the face looking back. I was saddened when I realized that I no longer saw myself as I was, but for whom I pretended to be. The persona of "perfection" had become me and the real me had become the persona. I tried to think back and figure out when, why, and how this happened but I couldn't.

Upon further reflection a series of thoughts came to mind. As previously stated, I wondered why I didn't feel comfortable without makeup and when and how this came about. Most importantly, I conquered one of my greatest fears. In addition, I thought about what changes I would make for the future. While I will not be giving up makeup entirely, I think I will definitely be wearing less as well as have my own days of natural beauty more frequently. I will also be smiling more. It instantly makes you more beautiful because it is a physical manifestation of your inner beauty. With that, I encourage those of you who can't go without makeup to try au naturale for a day; and to those who already let their natural beauty shine, maybe try to go one day enhancing that beauty with a little makeup!

Have a lovely day you natural beauties!

Anna

Little Red Riding Hood

This look was requested by my very dear friend. I think there are a lot of routes you can go regarding Little Red. I thought I'd break away from the typical "sexy" costumes that seem to be all too popular this time of year. I inspired by an old storybook watercolor of this fairytale. Something vibrant, yet subtle with soft, blended lines.

The first and very crucial step is prepping the face. Since this is a costume look you're going to be applying much more makeup than you normally would.

I began by exfoliating my face. You can use something from the store such as St. Ives, or a home made concoction of sugar, salt, or cornmeal. Make sure that you get your lips too!

Next, I applied a facial moisturizer. I like to use Oil-free moisture for sensitive skin by Neutrogena.

Really freaky looking, I know. I promise it gets better.

In order for your foundation to look even and last all night, apply a thin layer of primer all over the face. I used Smashbox's Photo finish bronzing foundation primer. I have very porcelain skin so I like that it gives me a hint of color. If you have redness, dark spots, or sallow skin the primer also comes in green, apricot, and purple to neutralize any discoloration.

Then comes the foundation. I used L'Oreal's Infallible make-up in Classic Ivory and applied it using a makeup sponge. Fingers and brushes also work! I cannot stress the "F's" enough... Foundation First before concealer! After the foundation, apply concealer under the eye and on the lid, on the chin and lips, in the creases of the nose, and anywhere else you might have redness or uneven color.

Finally, powder your face with a light or translucent powder to set everything into place.

Now for the fun part! As I said earlier I was inspired by watercolor paintings so for the eyes we will be making a color wash. First, dip your brush in a little bit of water and then into your first color. I used a shade of medium blue and applied it all over the lid. Then, I smudged it up to the crease using my finger. Then, using the same brush, I applied a white wash to my brow bone and took a lighter blue and applied it from the inner corner to the center of the eye. Blend blend blend! Finally, using a fluffy brush I contoured the eye by making a c-shape with a navy color. For an application refresher course click here.

Next, I took my trusty grey Ulta eyeliner in Charcoal and applied it to both the top and bottom. Then smudge smudge smudge! With this look there shouldn't be any distinctive lines.

I didn't have any false eyelashes on me, however, I would highly recommend using some since it is Halloween after all! Who wouldn't want a little more glamour? If you don't know how to apply falsies watch this amazing video by makeup guru, Kandee Johnson.

For the cheeks, I just took a little blush and applied it only to the apples of the cheeks. I think this gives it more of a doll feel.

Then for the best part, the lips! I used E.L.F's Mineral Lipstick in Cheerful Cherry. I think an even brighter red would have been better, but this was all I had.

Now for the unveiling of the finished product!................................................................

I hope you all like this look. Let me know what you think! If you decide to recreate this look you can post the pictures on my facebook page. I'd love to see it.

If anyone else has a look that they'd like me to do let me know soon so I have enough time to complete it for you before Sunday.

Love, Anna

Costume Ideas

Hey guys!

As I'm sure you're aware, Halloween is next weekend and I am really desperate for costume ideas! I honestly have NO idea what to be. Please comment below or on my facebook page with your ideas.

Love, Anna

Halloween

Hello ladies!

One of my favourite holidays is rapidly approaching...Halloween! I hate being scared but I love dressing up!

Some of my previous costumes: A die (one dice), Poison Ivy (from Batman), Snow White, a pumpkin, Esmeralda, and Belle. I'll have to ask my mom to send me some pictures so I can show you all!

Anyways, I just wanted to know if any of you had any requests for makeup tutorials.

Also, see if you can guess what I am going to be!

Feel free to comment below, or on my facebook page.

My Favorite Things: e.l.f Makeup

About three years ago I made a discovery. While I was in the pharmacy I saw a rack of makeup with items costing only one dollar. That is right, ONE DOLLAR.

dolla dolla bill ya'll

I thought to myself, "this has to be too good to be true, or some kind of sick joke". But oh no, I was completely wrong. This was the start of a beautiful romance between e.l.f and me. One of the things I really like is that they have three product lines so you can shop according to your budget.

First there is the e.l.f. Mineral Makeup with prices starting at $5 for both makeup and brushes. The pigments are beautiful and very long lasting. I especially like the lipsticks.

Next, there is the Studio Makeup with prices starting at only $3! Last week I bought the most amazing color palette. For $15 I purchased 100 eyeshadow colors, which comes down to $0.15 per eyeshadow!

Finally, there is the Essential Makeup like for all you girls on a tight budget with products starting at $1!

The best part about e.l.f. is that there are always send me coupons. Free shipping, buy one get one free, 50% off my purchase, free eyeshadow with the purchase of a brush... yay for deals!

I bought ALL of this for only about $25! 100 eyeshadows, mineral mascara, mineral lipstick in Nicely Nude, and lip and eyeliner brushes. Seriously, such a deal. I really cannot stress how much I love this company.

Have a lovely day and shop smartly!

Anna

New Hair!

Any of you who know me, know that I love to change my hair. I've had pink streaks, half brown half fire engine red, light brown, dark brown, ginger. You name it, I've had it (except for blonde)! Another part of my personality is that I am often spontaneous! Last week I had an itch to change my look so I grabbed the scissors and went to work! You really can learn anything from Youtube, as well as from your friends (Thanks Maggie!). This look is the sum of my craziness, spontaneity, and inspiration from one of my fashion idols, Zooey Deschanel.

Ok, so you all know what I looked like before. If not, just look back at my other posts!

Here is the after...

Please tell me what you think!

Have a lovely day,

Anna