New Lash tutorial

Traditional Smoky Eye

I love doing a smoky eye, but I know that it can be a little intimidating at first. Rule # 1 is to always practice a new look and to remember that make up is washable if you don't like the result. I'm going to break down the smoky eye into small steps. Also, the colors can always be substituted using the same technique. You can have a purple or blue smoky eye. There are no limits in make up.

Step #1= Always prime your eyelids. I use Urban Decay Primer Potion to prevent creasing. Next apply a dark base on your eyelid only (do not go above the crease). I used MAC paintpot in Blackground, but you could use anything. You could use a black eyeliner as a base.

Step #2= Apply a black eyeshadow over the base color you previously applied. This is to intensify the color and make it last longer. It's amazing how easy it is to find a matte black eyeshadow now. I used Lucifer from the Kat Von D Ludwig palette, but I know CoverGirl and Wet n Wild both have black eyeshadows. MAC has Carbon black eyeshadow. I decided to wing out the eyeshadow a little bit.

Step #3= Apply a brown color in the crease and above the crease. The trick to having a smoky eye, is that it's supposed to have a gradation in color. From black to brown to light. Make sure those two colors are blended. I used Leather from the Kat Von D Ludwig palette.

Step #4= Apply a highlight color under the brow. Blend the light color and the brown color so that there are not any harsh lines between the two. I used Tequila, again from the same Kat Von D palette.

Final Step= Line the waterline. I used Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero. Smudge some of the black eyeshadow on the lash line. Curl lashes and apply mascara. You are ready for a night out with your Smoky eye. Good Luck and have fun.

Favorite Perfume

Do you have a favorite perfume? I fell in love with this perfume about 3-4 years ago while walking through Saks Fifth Avenue. My husband was wonderful enough to buy it for me for Valentine's a few weeks later. I still have the same bottle because I love and cherish it so much. At the time, Saks Fifth Avenue was the only place that carried this perfume. So in addition to it being sweet and lovely, there was also some exclusivity to having it. During that time, I only smelled this perfume on one other person. About a year ago Nordstroms also began selling it. And just recently Sephora began to carry this perfume. It has officially hit mass markets. I've read so many blogs and watched so many videos by Youtube gurus talking about this perfume. I knew it was only a matter of time that my "secret" perfume would be shared with the world. It really is too good of a scent for it not to be shared and adored by others. I just recently purchased this perfume again (thanks to my Sephora 15% off coupon) and I can resume using it. I had become stingy with the first bottle because I could not live without on my dresser, however it can be a little too pricey to purchase often.

(picture courtesy of Sephora)

What is your holy grail perfume that you cannot live without?

Mini Haul

This is a mini haul that I've accumulated over the past few weeks. Some things were on sale at Walgreens.

I bought Revlon Photoready foundation along with Lilac lipstick. It's such a great lipstick and even better because it was buy one get one half off.

During the Urban Decay 30% off sale I bought the Deslick tube. I'm still in the process of trying it out, I'll keep you posted.

I have a couple MAC items. Most are from the MAC Art Supplies release. I had to buy a pearlglide eyeliner. I bought it in Blackline which appears very unoriginal until you smoke it out and it has a green/gold shade with shimmer. I also bought Dirty greasepaint stick. That sucker does not move once it's one. It's a great base color but can be worn alone too. I bought Sunset Lip Stain. I was hesitant about buying a lipstain since I've never had a good experience with them, however I really wanted something I could put on my lips when going to the beach and not have to worry about it. The last thing I bought from MAC was Prepped for Glamour (which is a dupe for Satin Taupe). Since I have been wanting Satin Taupe for a while, I figured I could just get Prepped for Glamour (LE).

Because I'm in the Spring mood I bought a purple and green eyeshadow from Bare Escentuals. The green is Soiree and the purple is Angel.

The eyeshadows are without a primer. Soiree and Angel.

In order:

Lilac l/s

Sunset lipstain

Dirty Greasepaint

Blackline eyeliner

Prepped for Glamour e/s

Things I'm loving right now.

This is just a few of the beauty items I've been loving

for a few weeks. I jumped on the Revlon PhotoReady foundation band wagon and I must say I have been pleasantly surprised. I enjoy it more than the Revlon Colorstay Foundation because it does not seem as thick. I like for a foundation to even out my skin tone and cut down on the redness without looking like I'm wearing a mask. We'll see if I continue to enjoy it as the Miami weather gets warmer and humid. So far I like the look it gives to my skin. I was thinking about getting the Make Up Forever Velvet-Mat Foundation but it looks like I won't need it for now. I have been using my MUFE HD Powder to set the foundation.

I've also been loving my Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland palette. There are a lot of neutral shades that are appropriate for work. My favorite shades right now are Drink Me, Eat Me and Chessur. I've tried to love Midnight Tea Party but the glitter fall out drives me crazy. Along with my Urban Decay Palette, I've also been using MAC Smoke and Diamonds eyeshadow. It is a nice lid color which can be smoked out if necessary. My current go to eye shadow base is MAC Painterly Paintpot, however once it starts to get really hot I will continue using UDPP.

Favorite eyeliners- Urban Decay Zero. I've been lining my upper waterline to bring attention to my lashes. I feel it's less harsh than lining my lashline daily, especially during this Spring warm weather. I have been lining my waterline with Stila's Eye Kajal in Pearl. It's a white color and it makes my eyes look bigger and brighter.

Has anyone tried the Jose Maran Argan Oil? I've been suffering from dry skin for the past few days due to a face product that I've been using (normally my skin is oily). I decided to try the Argan Oil on my face ( I was a little concerned because I assumed that my face would be like an oil slick). Luckily I was wrong, it quickly absorbed into my skin and it no longer felt tight and pulled. So far I likey.

My go to blushes have been Cabana Boy by The Balm. It's a very bright pink. With this blush I like to also wear MAC Soft and Gentle as a highlighter. It really puts a lot of focus on my cheek bones. I've been loving Nars Orgasm. The only problem with this shade is that it is very light for my skin tone and I have to pack it on.

MAC Plushlash has been my go to mascara.

I am totally impressed by L'oreal's Lash Serum. I have noticed much improvement in my lashes.

And because my lips are always chapped and flaky, Carmex had to be on the list.

My favorite deodorant is Donna Karan Cashmere Mist.

What are your favorites for the season?

Lady Gaga Inspiration

Have you guys seen Lady Gaga on the cover of Cosmo (April)? That's her picture from the cover. She looks great, her make up is flawless and subdued for her. I was inspired by her make up and decided to try it out today. I like that my face is all made up and I'm wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.

Products Used:

Face- Revlon Colorstay in Rich Tan

L'oreal Studio Secrets Primer in green

Smashbox HD Concealer in Medium

MUFE HD Powder

Eyes- MAC Snob Style in inner half of lid

Urban Decay YDK in outer half of lid

Kat Von D Leather in crease (blend the color up higher than usual)

Kat Von D Lucifer in outer v

MAC Blacktrack fluidline gel liner

MAC Plushlash

Stila pearl Kajal pencil in waterline

Urban Decay Zero in lower lash line (blend with Lucifer eye shadow)

Cheeks- MAC Full Fuchsia blush

Lips- Kat Von D Lipstick in Hellbent (matte red)

I used a lot of eye products, but I tried to work with what I already owned.

Have any of you been inspired by anyone's style lately?

Sephora & Urban Decay Sales

Sephora's 15% discount code VIBMADNESS
Between Urban Decay's 30% off and Sephora's 15% at the same time I need to reduce my list of wants and must haves. Do you feel the pressure to buy when there's a sale going on?
I know for sure that I must try Urban Decay's new DeSlick Setting Spray. I suffer from oily skin and during the summer it's even worse due to South Florida weather. But of the course the dilemma is, oh since I'm already buying this, I should make it worth it and buy some other stuff.
What about Sephora? I've been on a blush kick lately and I'm dying to try the new MUFE HD Blushes. From what I've seen on other blogs, the colors are richly pigmented and in so many shades. I've been wanting to try a cream blush, but due to high humidity and oily skin I've been scared of having a make up meltdown. I figure that this could be a nice alternative. So what is on your list?

LOTD

I was going for a very neutral look.

EYES

UPDD & MAC Painterly Paint Pot

MAC Style Snob

MAC BlackTrack Fluidline Gel Liner

MAC Plushlash

FACE

Revlon Color Stay in Rich Tan

Smashbox HD Concealer

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

Rimmel Bronzer on Cheek bones

The Balm Cabana Boy Blush on apples of the cheeks

MUFE HD Powder

LIPS

BE Buxom Lips in Sophia

LOTD

Please ignore the crazy hair, it was misbehaving. I went for a neutral and office appropriate make up look.

Eyes

UDPP & MAC Painterly Paint Pot

Smashbox For Brown Eyes Eye Palette (Light Brown on lid, Bronze in crease and Navy in outer v)

Smashbox Midnight Blue Jet Set Eyeliner on top lashline and waterline.

MAC Plushlash

Face

L'oreal Studio Secrets Primer

Revlon ColorStay in Rich Tan

MAC Desert Rose Blush

Lipstick

MAC Lovin' It

LOTD

I wanted to go with a bright lip so I decided to keep the eye somewhat simple.

Eye

Base= Cuddle Shadestick (MAC Warm & Cozy LE)

Eye Shadow= Revlon Vintage Lace

Eyeliner= Blackline (MAC Pearlguide LE)

Lower lash line= UD El Dorado

Waterline= UD Zero

MAC Plushlash Mascara

Eyebrows= Benefit Powder

Face= Revlon Colorstay

MUFE HD Powder

Springshine Blush (MAC Colour Forecast LE)

Lips= Girl About Town

Lipliner= Smashbox Medium Nude

40 Question Tag

`This tag has been going around for a few weeks on YouTube. I decided to add it to my blog since I love Tags.

Skincare:

* How many times do you wash your face daily? I wash it twice, once at night to remove my make up and once in the morning to remove the oilies from the night before.

*What skin type do you have? (dry, oily, combination) I have oily skin, which is made worse by the humidity of South Florida.

* What is your current facial wash? Purity Made Simple by Philosophy

*Do you exfoliate? Yes, I use the Clarisonic Skincare Brush

*What brand do you use? Clarisonic

*What moisturizer do you use? I use the ROC facial cream. It's such a good face cream that can be bought at a drug store.

*Do you have freckles? No, but I have many small moles on face and neck due to sun exposure.

*Do you use eye cream? Yes, I use the ROC firming cream.

*Do you or did you have acne prone skin? I don't have acne skin, but I do have some skin problems, such as mild rosacea.

*Did you ever have to use Pro-Activ? Yes, but it wasn't too effective since I don't really suffer from acne but instead clogged glands on my forehead. BTW, my dermatologist prescribed Retinol for it, but my Clarisonic has helped with that.

*Make Up

* What foundation do you use? My go to foundation is Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder. I also use Revlon Colorstay (I jumped on the bandwagon after so much hype) and the Smashbox Healthy FX Foundation and BareMinerals Foundation.

*How about concealer? Mally Beauty Cancellation Concealer in Tan.

*Do you know your undertone color? I believe it's a yellow undertone.

*What do you think of fake eyelashes? I love them. I wish I could wear them everyday, but of course I like the long and thick ones that can be too ridiculous for everyday.

*Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months? Yes, and unfortunately I've had to admonish my sister for keeping a mascara for a year.

*What brand of mascara do you use? I'm currently using MAC Plushlash. My fave is Diorshow, but I cannot warrant spending $25 every 3 months. I've tried L'oreal Voluminous but I think it's too wet and it's clumpy.

*Sephora or MAC? It has to be Sephora. I go there so often, some times the employees think I work there. It always makes me happy.

*Do you have a MAC Pro-card? No, I'm not in the industry, I'm just obsessed as if I was.

*What make up tools do you use in make up application? A variety, ranging from my fingers to various face and eye brushes.

*Do you use make-up base/primer for eyes? Yes, I use Urban Decay Primer Potion.

*For the face? I like Smashbox Primer, but I am currently trying the new L'oreal Studio Secrets Green toned primer. It's a little thick and requires a lot of blending.

*What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)? Smoke and Diamonds from MAC.

*Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? I use gel liner (Blacktrack from MAC) or cream eyeliner from Smashbox ( I have like 6 different colors and I've owned the Smashbox Cream Eyeliner Palette previously). If I want my waterline lined with no smudging what so ever I use Mally's Evercolor Lasting Liquid Eyeliner.

*How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? Never

*What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? In theory I like but they are so messy.

*Do you use mineral makeup? Yes, Bareminerals and Smashbox Halo Hydrating Powder.

*What is your favorite lipstick? It's Hellbent from Kat Von D. I love everything Kat Von D makes. I own three of her eyeshadow palettes, but that's a different question.

*How about lipgloss? I own many Smashbox lipglosses.

*What is your favorite blush to use? MAC Fushia.

* Do you buy make up on ebay? No. Just because I cannot verify authenticity of the products and I cannot wait for delivery.

*Do you like drugstore make up? Yes, and especially this year there have been so many new and improved products. I haven't tried Wet N Wild yet but I hear great things. Also, Maybelline's quads have been nice and pigmented.

*Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets) No. I know that there's one about 35 miles aways, however I don't feel like making a trip to that mall only for make up. I've been making a list of other reasons and will visit soon.

* Did you ever consider taking make-up classes? Yes, but instead I decided to watch YouTube videos.

*Are you clumsy in putting on make up? No. I've always had a knack for it, even during my early teenage years.

*Name a make up crime that you hate? It would be being too matchy with clothes and make up. I don't mind having a theme, but when you replicate your clothing to the "T" it can be too much.

*Do you like colorful shades of make up or neutral ones (eye shadow/lips)? I am more into colorful shades, however I recognize that in the work place I have to keep it neutral. In those instances I prefer a colorful lip and neutral eye make up.

*What celebrity always has great make up? I would have to say Kim Kardashian. She always looks flawless.

*If you could leave the house just wearing one time, what would it be? It would be lipstick. It always makes you look more put together.

*Could you ever leave the house without any make up? Yes, kind of. I don't consider Carmex to be make up, so yes. I could leave the house to run errands without make up.

*Do you think you look good, even without make up on? I find all of my imperfections without make up. But I think people in the grocery store or my dry cleaners wouldn't think I look scary. We are always much harder on ourselves than anyone else.

*In your opinion what is the best make up line? This is a hard one because I love so many brands. If it counts for anything, the brand that I have most products of would be Smashbox. I find their products to be nicely pigmented and easy to use. I have bought many of their sets and enjoy every product.

*What do you think of make up? I think make up allows me to be adventurous one moment and conservative the next. Make up doesn't judge me. It makes me feel put together and this is a time that I relish and enjoy in my day. When I feel good and excited I put on my make up, when I feel sad and disappointed I put on my make up. And I put make up on for me, not anyone else.

Skin Care Routine

In addition to my obsessions with make up, I am also obsessed with skin care. It's as if I am always looking for the next big thing and change it up. But of course, I always tend to go back to my staples. I'm currently using the Clarisonic cleanser that came with my Clarisonic. It's a pretty good cleanser, but my all time favorite is Purity by Philosophy.

I suffer from mild rosacea and I'm trying a new product out that I bought at Sephora. That was the first time I had seen that brand. I'm hoping that it will work because out of all my of face problems, that's my biggest one. I'll be posting updates on whether I see any type of improvement. It's First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness.

Has anyone tried the new L'oreal Lash Boost Serum? I've been using it for about three weeks and I must say that I've seen some improvement. I only use it at night time because it's goopy and clumps my lashes (which would be a problem when applying mascara).

And of course, my holy grail item. The Clarisonic SkinCare Brush. I know it's a little pricey, and it took me a over a year to take the plunge, but it's a purchase I have never regretted. It works wonders on face. I've even noticed that my pores appear smaller and less pronounced. I'm no longer obsessed with my pores.

The next thing on my list is now to conquer my oily skin, especially with summer and the South Florida humidity right around the corner.

EOTD

I had the day off so I decided to use my Alice in Wonderland palette and be a little adventurous.

Eyeshadow

White Rabbit on the inner half

Alice on the remaining half on the eyelid and crease

Mad Hatter on crease

Vintage Lace (a matte color from Revlon) for highlight

24/7 Urban Decay Zero

MAC Plushlash & Loreal Voluminous Mascara