For the LOVE of Feathers!

AHH...I'm dying. Several months ago I started mentioning how I wanted to start doing feather extensions...but I couldn't get my hands on feathers...now they are all the rage and they are even harder to find than before!

Lucky me I'm in Ulta and Sephora stores often and they sell clip in feather extensions. I'm not a fan of the clip-ins and decided to use extension beads to "bond" them to my hair. These little fellows are treated like hair! They can be washed and styled. I tried to make a video doing this but I just couldn't handle all of that haha...here's how it turned out though

Please excuse my messy hair...today was my day off...

I wish I had more feathers to do extensions for my friends...but you can grab your own at Sephora and Ulta!

Look of the Day 6.29.11

Hey MakeupLanders...your Fairy GLAMmother here!

Just wanted to share some glittery funness from today.

You really can't see the glitter due to the flash :(. Anyways...I used Too Faced Naked Eye Kit to make a pretty silver smokey eye. I also used NYX Silver Glitter Powder over that to give it some bling bling! For a pop of fun color I used Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Clash in the water line and set it with a corresponding blue color shadow (NYX 5 Shadow Palette). SO FUN! And I got so many compliments. Leave me a message below if you'd be interested in seeing a tutorial video!

 ALSO...on another note, yesterday I tried Stila's Crush Lip Stain in Raspberry, came home and tried to rub it off...this is what I was left with

It would not come off! Even with makeup remover...and the next day my lips were still pink after a shower and more makeup remover...so if you're looking for a good stain this one works! I haven't tried the other colors though!

How to wear GLiTTER

Glitter is not just for 12 year olds! There's a way to wear it and give your eyes a pop without it making you look like the lady who wishes she was still in high school!

This works with any of your favorite looks. I like to do golds/browns with a little glitter to give it a POP. I also have done it with white, purple, blue...etc.

To begin with this look I primed my entire eye from lid to brow (I even prime my brows so my brow powder stays on longer). I used Too Faced Shadow Insurance...by far the best eye primer around, and it's parobin free!

For the shadow I used Too Faced Natural Eye Kit. They have beautiful  highly pigmented colors! (They also come with 3 idea cards to show you exactly how to do it yourself)

I first brushed Heaven (a neutral/light color) from lid to brow. I then pat on honey pot, a beautiful gold color on the lid and underneath the eye. That's followed with cocoa puff, a dark brown, in the corner and blended inward. I also do a touch of heaven again in the inner corner for an extra pop! Line your top lashes with your favorite brown liner...stay close to lash line.

Next I take Too Faced Glitter Glue, a tacky primer that holds on to loose pigments and glitter.

I then take an angled brush, like the one provided in the Natural Eye Kit, and

PAT the Glitter Glue over the Honey Pot shadow on the lower lid...make sure you pat and don't drag so the shadow stays in place.

Then take your favorite glitter...I like Too Faced Glamour Dust in Nude Beam or NYX Glitter Powder in GOLD

Place a little in the lid or on a disposable plate or palette

Using the same angled brush as before (clean it first) pat the glitter on top of the glue on the bottom lid

You should have a result like this that stays on all day without glitter everywhere!

Add your favorite mascara and you are glam and ready to go!



Cute Finds

Hey MakeupLanders!

I wanted to share with you guys a few cute things I've come across this week that I'm in LOVE with!

I just received my new phone cover today and I'm DYING. It's a pink cassette tape...it really is amazing and I can hardly stand it!

I found this online when I was searching for cassette tapes to purchase. I WISH I could have them all!

The second and 3rd thing I found at Sally's today when I went to pick up hair color. The first one is nail decals with rhinestones! AHHH.. the other is an emery board with rhinestones! I feel like I could be on Jerseylicious

 

What cute finds have you come across lately? Please share!!

XxOO

Markie

Finding the Perfect Foundation for YOU

Hey Guys!

I just had a request on finding the right foundation...so I decided to do a blog on it!

Everyone's skin is different and every girl wants their makeup to look a certain way...so not everyone will like the same foundation. Have no fear...I'm here to help!

The first step to a flawless face is a primer!  The benefits of a primer is as follows:

· Creates a matte surface so makeup glides on and stays on.
· Smooths out large pores, uneven skin tone and blemishes.
· Prevents breakouts.
· Keeps make-up looking fresh by locking it in.
· Helps mineral make up last longer and look less cakey.
· Makeup stays on for 8+ hours, looking as good as when first applied.
· Smooths skin texture which reflects light and eliminates
shadows (so you look younger)
· Keeps your makeup fresh in 100+ degree heat (great for summer)
· Softens appearance of fine lines.

I cannot say enough good things about primers. I come home from a long day with my makeup looking exactly the way it did when I left that morning. Primers can also be worn alone to give you a natural but smooth look. Now primers come in two forms...a liquid/gel and a loose powder.

My favorite primer is Too Faced Primed & Poreless...the texture is so smooth and you can rub the product and it doesn't ball up like some other primers, such as Smashbox. It also comes in a beautiful bronze tint for a summer glow! This primer also has retinol and will help to smooth lines (added bonus)!

A good primer is NOT cheap...most run $30-40. As a makeup artist I've learned a few tricks. One of them may sound a little crazy but it works...so stick with me here. Monistat Chaffing Gel actually makes an amazing primer...and it's only about $7. Just so you know, it does not have any type of medication in it and is only used as a barrier treatment for the skin. Google it...

A gel primer is good for normal to dry skin. It really will create a smooth barrier between your skin and your makeup and will allow the makeup to sit on top of the primer and not your skin where it can mix with your oils and fade or become splotchy.

Now for you ladies with oily skin there's a primer for you too! And the benefits of this primer are large! It works like the gel primer but absorbs oils as well. Too Faced Primed & Poreless comes in a powder form as well. It feels so smooth and liquid like but it's a powder...you must experience it. It also works as a setting powder and makes your foundation look HD and flawless. So you can really sandwich it with your foundation. Primer....foundation...and primer again. You can use this primer with liquid or powder foundation. It's ah-may-zing.

Now let's get to the good stuff...

FOUNDATION.

Foundation is one of those things once you find a good one, you stick with it. It's also one of the most important things you will use on your face...so make sure you do your face a favor and spend a little money on a good product. Eye shadows, blushes, mascaras and such you can usually go for the drug store brands, but foundation is literally the foundation for your face. You want it to look amazing or everything else will not look good.

For Light - Medium Coverage
If you already have perfect skin and just want something light...try something like Bare Minerals. The downside to this line is that it's all loose powders and can be very messy. It DOES NOT look good on aged or dry skin, or skin with large pores. It will really show them!

Too Faced Amazing Face Powder is great...what I love about it: It is very buildable, meaning you can use more for fuller coverage. It always looks so flawless and never cakey. It also has SPF 15. It's jet milled so the product is very fine and smooth and looks like a dream. It looks great on any skin type as well, even ladies with wrinkles or large pores. It glides right over imperfections to create a beautiful, natural finish. I also double this as a concealer. It helps with undereye discoloration and redness. Take an eyeshadow brush and dab powder on specific areas you want covered.

I also LOVE Glo Minerals Pressed Powder and wore this for years. It's a great mineral foundation but gives good coverage!

Tinted moisturizers are also great for a light coverage. I really like Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisture with SPF 20. It comes in 3 different formulas.

For Medium to Full Coverage -

If you're looking for a flawless face but fuller converge try one of these...

Too Faced Liquid Foundation...why I love it: It has vitamins A, C & E and Gabba...Gabba relaxes the muscles and helps smooth skin. It's also oil-free and will not cause breakouts. The only down side is that the color options are mostly for Caucasian skin. They don't yet have great darker options. I also love this foundation because you can wear it sheer like a natural tinted moisturizer or build it up as a fuller coverage foundation.

For 4 years I wore Glo Minerals Liquid Satin Foundation. I actually still use this on brides and models. It's beautiful flawless coverage and it's good for your skin as well! It comes in super light colors too for us fair skinned girls :).

Another good FULL coverage (not for the weak of heart) foundation is Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. This is good for special occasions as it really gives a heavy coverage.

I always use a powder to set any liquid foundation for longer wear and matte finish. You can use a translucent powder or for fuller coverage you can use a corresponding pressed powder (try the ones above).

Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Powder

If you go into a store like Sephora or Ulta or a department store counter, you will find someone able to color match you to find the perfect shade for you.

Nail Fraud

Hey MakeupLanders!

Today I decided to finally try out the nail decals that everyone is always raving about! I purchased Nail Fraud at Ulta in a beautiful houndstooth print.

Now this was my first time every using anything like this. I am a bit of a nailpolish geek, I'm constantly changing the color and I'm always known for having unique colors and styles. So these houndstooth dry nail strips were perfect for my personality!

First off, I have super short nails. I can't stand having them longer than my actual finger. I cut them every chance I get. Not only because I like the way it looks and feels, but it's also useful when playing the guitar...when I actually get around to playing these days. Anyways...they come super long so I was able cut them in half and use them even longer!! Now these little suckers were a bit tricky. They have a plastic peeling cover on top and on the back, so it became a little difficult to actually peel them off. They also feel like they are going to peel off, but they haven't yet. I'm still uncertain how I feel about these...I guess time will tell once I see how long they last. The corners feel like they are going to come up. I did try to put a clear coat of polish on top to see if that helped but it ended up making a huge mess and making the strip come off! Let me know if you have used these before and have any tips for me!

XxOo

Markie


UPDATE: Today these nail strips seem like they have adhered to my nails a lot better! I did have one section peel off some where the edge rolled up, but so far they are nice! I will update on how long they last soon!

New BLiNG

Hey GUYS!

Today I was feeling inspired to make some new bling!

Check them out below!

I love jewelry...especially unique pieces. That's why sometimes I enjoy making things I can't find anywhere else. Today I made a giant bow ring and a cassette tape necklace! I hope you enjoy!

XXoo

Markie

UPDATE: 6.26.11...Just made this cute bow ring to go with my Too Faced colors for an event!

Fun with COLOR

Hey MakeupLanders!

Yesterday I saw a beautiful photo at Ulta and decided I wanted to try it out today! It's a fun burst of color on the eyes with a neutral lip! See below for photos!

For the eyes I used Too Faced Shadow Insurance...this primer is parobin free and really holds the shadow on all day! I then used NYX 5-shadow palette in I DREAM OF ST. LUCIA. They have beautiful pigment and are only $9!!! I used the bright yellow color in the inner eye and blended out with a burst of orange! Very easy and fun. I followed it up with Urban Decay's eye liner in Zero and a good coat of Too Faced LashGasm mascara!

Cheek color is Too Faced Full Bloom Blush in Who's Your Poppy. It's a great coral/peach color.

Lips is Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Pillow Talk

HOT Summer Trends!

Everyone loves seasonal changes...some love the change because it means a new wardrobe or the kick off of their favorite sport. But for me it's new makeup trends!

And this summer bold lips are in! I am stoked! I've been rocking red lips for a while now, so I switched it up for a bright pinks and oranges. To balance the look out I do a simple eye with just a winged out liner, a little color on the cheeks, and then your favorite bold lip color.

Now some girls are scared to try such a loud color when they're not use to wearing anything at all. Have no fear ladies...you can still change up your look. Try a sheer bold gloss. I will post some of my favorites below.

Just remember that makeup is fun...play with it and don't be scared...it comes off!

XXoo

Markie

For this look I used NYX lip pencil in Hot Pink and Too Faced Full Bloom Lip & Cheek color in Sweet Pea (pictured below)

For a bright pink SHEER lip gloss, try Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Chihuahua Bite

I also am LOVING Kat Von D's Lipstick in Stiletto. It's a beautiful BRIGHT orange...not for the timid

A beautiful sheer orange is Wonder by NARS

Pair these looks with a clean eye with black liner and mascara and you're ready to go!