TUTORIAL: Formal Makeup

Hey lovely people,
I was given the opportunity to do my beautiful friend, Kristine's, makeup for a wedding reception! I am so unbelievably grateful that she trusted me with this important event and I couldn't be happier :)
So this is the trial of the completed look...

Products and tips I used:
-Mary Kay Medium Coverage Foundation. Kristine already has a beautiful complexion so i only added liquid foundation to her t zone, and nose then blended out (TIP: Only apply liquid foundation to problem areas to avoid a thick, cakey feeling).
-Revlon Photo Ready Concealer to any areas that need to be evened out such as under the eyes, under the nostrils and a tad on the chin.
-Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation (TIP: For mineral powders, it is best to apply in circular motion).
-Coral, Pink Blush from my Sephora Pallet.
-Pur Bronzer. Contour the cheek bones, forehead, and chin for a slimmer effect.
-Revlon Cream Shadow. Shimmery brown base for the shadows all over the upper lid. (TIP: Cream shadows make powders more vibrant and the pigments will attach to the sticky, cream texture making it last longer)
-Shimmery Grey-Brown shadow from the Sephora Pallet on the mid lid and blended.
-Matte Brown shadow from the Sephora Pallet on the outer v and blended with the grey-brown (TIP: Mixing matte and shimmer will create dimension and drama to the eyes).
-Shimmery White shadow from the Sephora Pallet. Highlight the inner corners and under the brows (TIP: For highlighting, it is best to use a white shadow with hints of shimmer so they reflect and attract light).
-NYX Black Eyeliner and lined the top and bottom lash lines
-Matte Black eye shadow from the Sephora Pallet. With angled liner brush, i set the eyeliner (TIP: This makes it last longer without smudging!)
-Brown shadow and filled in the brows
-Half lashes on the outer corners of the eyes (TIP: Take a normal false lash and cut it in half to get 2 half lashes! Half lashes create a more natural look).
-Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara to blend natural lashes with the false lashes for a more realistic look.
-Finished the look with a coral lip gloss from the Sephora pallet.

 Until next time, xox,
Kristi

TUTORIAL: Wedding Makeup

Hi beautiful people,
On August 20th I went to my cousins wedding. Not only was I happy for him and his wife BUT i was also excited to do my makeup...
The goal for formal makeup is to make sure it is long lasting, photographs well and its also a chance to try something new, something that you won't normally do on a daily basis.

STEP by STEP:
-face
1) Garnier anti dark circle eye roller to conceal my eye circles and reduce puffiness.
2) Revlon Photo Ready Foundation and used it to further cover my dark circles and any blemishes or red areas (concentrate on your Tzone, around the nose and the chin).
TIP #1: In my opinion, the photo ready foundation works better as an undereye cover-up than the actual concealer. The concealer seems to melt off during the day.
3) MAC Mineral Powder Foundation to set my liquid foundation. Apply evenly to face and neck.
TIP #2: Blending at the neck prevents harsh lines and makes your makeup look much more natural.
4) Sephora Pallet Blush on the apples of my cheeks and blended it upwards toward my temples. I used the dark coral with hints of golden shimmer blush.
TIP #3: Spreading your blush and bronzer to your temples not only helps contour your face but also warms up the look.
5) Pur Bronzer right under my cheekbones, then i blended it up along my forehead close to my hairline, towards my temples then down to the side of my jaw and my chin.
TIP #4: If you want to contour your face with bronzer but you dont know where to properly apply it think of it as a "3" shape along your face. This will be the best cheat for a smaller looking face!
-on to the eyes
1) Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my top and bottom lids so my shadow stays on all day.
2) Revlon Cream Shadow lightly on my top lids. This will be a great additional base for your powdered shadows. I used a nude colour so when i apply the shadows on top, the colour will appear more vibrant.
TIP #5: When using cream shadows, make sure you dont over apply because this will cause creasing throughout the day. Just a thin layer will do just the trick!
3) Lorac Shimmery Eye Shadow in Serenity was applied on my top lids starting from my inner corner and blended to my mid lid.
4) Wales Shadow Pallet. I used a dark brown shadow and applied it on my outer V. I also applied it heavily on my crease and blended it above.
TIP #6: If you want to accentuate your double eye lid, look straight into the mirror and place your brush right at the crease (Your brush should sink in). Use a wind shield wiper motion all along your crease.
5) Wales Shadow Pallet. To warm up the look i used a colour i never use, red! I applied it just above my crease where the dark brown was added and blended the two colours together.
6) Physicians Formula 2in1 Liner.
7) Curled lashes slightly. I cut my fake lashes in half and applied it on the outer lashes. This creates a natural, flirty effect. Its also much, much more easier to apply if you are just starting!
8) Applied mascara to blend together my lashes and the fake lashes.
9) Black liner to tight line my top and bottom water line. This also decreases the obviousness of fake lashes.
10) NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk on my inner corners and under my brow bone to brighten up the look.
-brows
1) Annabelle dark brown eyeshadow and applied it on my brows. (I am currently trying to grow out my brows, so if they look messy bare with me! haha)
2) Took a brow comb to neaten up my brows
TIP #7: Brush upwards then outwards at the arch. This will properly tame them and slightly open up the eye area.
3) Anastasia Clear Brow Gel so that it stays put throughout the day.
-lastly, the lips
1) MAC Lipglass in Underage evenly on my lips.
2) Revlon Lipstick in Just Enough Buff evenly on top of the lipglass.
3) Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in Addiction.
TIP #8: For fuller looking lips, line just outside of your natural lip line. Also highlight the cupids bow with a matte white liner. If you want a more in depth tutorial let me know in the comments!
TIP #9: You may be wondering... uh Kristi, Why are you applying the lip products backwards? Don't most people use liner, lipstick THEN lipgloss? In my opinion, this works the best but only for nude, pale lip combinations. MACs underage was more pigmented than the Revlon lipstick so by adding it first increased the longevity of the lip colour. I am also a big fan of defined yet natural lip liner, by adding it last increased the intensity.
Wow, that was long! I hope you found it helpful. Show me your wedding looks :)
Until next time, xox,
Kristi

TUTORIAL: Golden hints of Blue

 Hello again,
Waking up knowing you have work could be such a drag. But to make your day a bit more exciting you could experiment with your makeup! This is my look that i created before going to work today. If you want to know how to recreate my eye makeup keep reading!
1. I first primed my lids with a matte beige Revlon cream shadow. TIP #1: This is a substitute for eye shadow primer. The sticky consistency acts as a perfect base for powdered shadows to make them last longer and make the colour appear more vibrant.
2) Using a shadow brush, i took a gold shimmer shadow from my Sephora palette and applied it from the inner corner to the mid lids.
3) I took a dark navy blue shadow from the same palette, and using a crease brush applied it on the 'outer v' of my eyes and blended it with the gold.
4) To make the blue more visible, i applied an aqua shadow on the middle of the lids.
5) I used a blue eyeliner and tight lined both bottom and top lashes.
TIP #2: By tight lining the top lashes, it makes your lashes appear fuller and thicker!
6) I took a Physicians Formula duo black liquid liner and lined the top keeping it as close to the lash line as possible. I increased the width of the liner as i moved closer to the outer lids. This creates the illusion of almond shaped eyes.
7) I curled my lashes, and applied Voluminous mascara to my top lashes and a bit on the bottom lashes.
TIP #3: For thin lashes, you should wiggle the mascara wand at the base of the lashes, then blink! Surprising i know, but this applies an even, thick coat on the lashes without clumps!
8) I took a matte white shadow and highlighted under my brows and on the inner corners of my eyes.
9) I took a clean brush and blended any harsh edges for a softer look.
Until next time, xox,
Krisstiii

TUTORIAL: Waterfall Braid

 Good morning!
This was how i styled my hair on a summer lunch date with my boyfriend. To be honest, i am terrible at braids especially if its on the back of my head! So, my wonderful mom helped me with this look :)
Step by step instructions:
1) Start with 3 equal strands of hair at your desired width.
2) Braid like normal; by weaving hair over and under eachother.
3) Before you start the second weave, drop the lower strand and pick up a new strand of hair.
4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you get across your whole head.
5) Secure with a bobby pin.
And your done! Its that easy!
This may be confusing to understand in words so check out the many great tutorials on youtube so you can visually see the braiding process :)

Until next time, xox,
Krisstiii