Part of Looking Good...is Feeling Good!

Am I right, ladies (okay, and/or gentleman)??!

Seriously... tell me you don't put on something to listen to while you're getting ready to go out, be it Pandora, iTunes, a CD...something about your favorite song just makes getting ready--grammar freaks shut your eyes--funner. And it doesn't even have to be your favorite song. It could be just the right song at the right time. When you're getting ready with your friends, it could be Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)." Or, if you're getting ready for a date and want to look a little, ahem, va-va-voooom, you'll put on...well, anything by Justin Timberlake (20/20 Experience, anyone?).

I could tell you all the makeup tips known to me. You could Google all the makeup tips known to all mankind. But if the exterior doesn't match the interior, it'll never work. This beauty tip requires no skill set or money whatsoever. You don't have to be an expert at blending, or run out and buy something new. You don't even have to have good taste in music. As long as you like it, who cares?!

so... try it. even in the mornings when you're just getting ready for school, work, etc. You'll be surprised at how much it puts a pep in your step. There's a reason why the music industry will never die: unless humans stop having emotions completely, music will always evoke some kind of physiological response. And it'll affect your look, too -- feeling quirky? Maybe put on some throwback 90's bubblegum pop and try bright (but sheer, no clown lips here) colors on both the lips and cheeks--but give your eyes a break. Or, if you're listening to some punk-pop music à la Avril Lavigne, you might rock a smokier, moodier eye look. Whatever it is, let yourself be completely inspired by whatever plays next on the radio/iPod/phone/whatever. Just be happy, and be beautiful!

also... let me know what songs you listen to in the morning! maybe it's something I'll add to the playlist... hehe.

xoxo | faustina~

Day to night makeup....for those times you're in a rush.

I don't know about you, but I consider myself a very busy woman. Working 9-10 hours a day, handling school, church events, hanging out with friends...there are days where I have places to go, right after another, from morning until night--it's like boom, boom, boom! I put together this tutorial to show how you can do a natural, but still pretty makeup look that's wearable for any place where unfortunately, a dramatic smoky eye, false lashes, and a red lip are not considered appropriate...i.e. work, school, church, running errands, etc.  All you need are a few basics, nothing crazy, but yet definitely nothing boring. Also, I'd like to say that this is my very first picture tutorial! Let's get started...

 

First, always start with a clean, fresh canvas. Makeup is easier to apply and looks better when you've properly prepared your skin for it. Here I am sans makeup, freshly washed and nothing but moisturizer on.

 

Next, apply a sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer. Usually I use a tinted moisturizer, but I had the mindset of going out straight after work so I wanted a teeny bit more converage. I used the Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Luminous Foundation in the shade Cream (and this foundation is amazing!! With my oily skin I stay away from anything that is luminous, radiant, illuminating...you get the idea. Maybe a review on this is coming soon, who knows?). I blended it onto my skin with a dense powder brush for an airbrushed effect.

 

Now, to cover what the foundation can't--use a concealer underneath your eyes that's one shade lighter to cover any dark spots and just add an overall brightness. Spot conceal on any trouble areas one that matches your skin as close as possible. For underneath my eye area I used this one by e.l.f. cosmetics, and Revlon Photoready Concealer everywhere else.

(funny face! lol)

 

You don't want all your hard work to rub or melt off, so set your face with powder. You can use one that matches your skin...but in this case I used a translucent mattifying powder by Rimmel. I also don't have very defined cheekbones, so I cheat a little with some contouring and blush. e.l.f cosmetics makes an AWESOME cream blush/bronzer duo--the e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzer Cream in St. Lucia (it only comes in one shade for now). Both are matte and blend in well, which makes it even easier to go for a natural look. Dark shades recede (think about how wearing black clothing makes you look slimmer), so I applied the brown cream underneath my cheekbones, jawline, sides of the nose and forehead; on the apples of my cheeks I used the peachy-pink cream. Blend, blend, blend. You never want anything on your face to look like you drew a straight line of color and then just forgot about it. The blush should blend into the contouring color should blend into the rest of your face.

 

Yay, the face is done! Now we can do the eyes. Any eye look needs to be well-framed by well-defined eyebrows. Choose your weapon. Brow powder applied with a slanted brush gives a softer look. If your brows are really thin or patchy, a brow pencil has a thicker, waxier base and will be a stronger look, which you might need. Either way, pick a color one to two shades lighter than your natural brow color...if you're a brunette. For blondes, pick a shade or two darker; for redheads, an auburn shade is best.

(See? Brows make a difference!)

 

I should mention that at any point if you feel like you're "done" with your makeup, by all means, stop! For some, foundation and brows and maybe a little mascara is all you need to feel a little more polished. Don't let the makeup wear you, be in control here. Now on to the actual eyes. After applying eye primer (I used this one by NYX), I used a shimmery taupe shadow--MAC's Electric Cool Eyeshadow in Superwatt. Unfortunately, I think it was a limited edition :( Sorry! But a good alternative is Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze. Then I blended in a matte brown color two shades darker than my skin to add subtle depth. I used one of the shades in my Coastal Scents 88 Palette, but really brown eyeshadow can be found in pretty much any brand.

 

Then, to define the eyes even more, I lined my eyes with a damp eyeliner brush dipped in Corduroy by MAC. You still get definition, but it's more subtle than straight up eyeliner--which is fine, I just felt like going with powder. Then, finish up the eyes by curling your lashes and adding mascara. I used Volum' Express Mega Plush by Maybelline. 

 

Last but not least, to finish the look I wanted a lipcolor that was the same as mine, just a little better, haha. Revlon Lip Butters are amazing! You don't even need chapstick. The color is sheer but not too sheer, and not too shiny--which, for my already full lips, can be a bad thing. I'm wearing the shade Pink Truffle.

And now....ta-daaaaaa, you're done! :)

 

Now, to amp this up a little bit, all you seriously need are dark shadow and black liner. I also changed up my blush and lipcolor, but that's optional--the real drama is in the eyes. Take a darker eyeshadow and apply it to the outer corners of your eyes and bring it inwards along the crease slightly. You can use black, but I used a dark brown with a hint of purple for an equally smoky effect that was less harsh than black. My eyeshadow of choice was Signed & Sealed by MAC. And then nothing adds drama more than black liner...everywhere. I lined my top and bottom waterlines, and then line the top lashline and winged it out a bit, like i always do. The finished result? This.

 

Just so I wouldn't look washed out, I added a little bit stronger blush color. I chose a plum one by, again, e.l.f. cosmetics (can you tell I love this brand?? lol). Then I also wanted a more nude color rather than a pink one, so to lighten up I used Wet 'N Wild Megalast Matte Lipstick in Just Peachy (903C) on top of what I was already wearing. This is the full "night time" version of this look.

 

Well there you go, hope you enjoyed! I gotta figure out a way to make these shorter haha...I know it's a picture-heavy post. Maybe I should just post the final look and then describe how it's done? Let me know.

 

xoxo, Faustina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Celebrity Inspiration #1

Okay can we all please just take a moment of silence here to just focus on all the crazy "Damn, she hit the genetic jackpot" moments here??! Ladies (and maybe some gentlemen), if you don't already know who shay mitchell is, I highly suggest that you a) tune into Pretty Little Liars, where she plays Emily, or b) just Google it and then sit back in awe. She's blessed with a permanent sun-kissed skintone; long, dark, shiny hair; delicate features, and a figure that's not va-va-voom curvy, but not stick-skinny either. Her look can basically be summed up in one word: approachable. Shay Mitchell's makeup is never overdone, and her hair always looks natural, in any style she wears! This picture was just one of many gorgeous ones but I just love the look here. Her statement necklace is the focus of the look, obviously, so she kept the dress simple. Her hair and makeup are simple as well, with the hair being pulled back to show off the necklace and makeup that makes her still look like herself, just more polished. Shay's signature look is girl-next-door natural with the slightest hint of sexy/edgy to keep it interesting and never too sweet.  You'll most likely find her rocking the "no-makeup" makeup with seriously the most gorgeous natural waves ever! And being part Asian (half Filipina and laf Irish/Scottish), my girl Shay represents the Asian community! Always a plus, not that I'm biased or anything...

Moving on. You might wanna reference a picture of Shay whenever you're looking to just look like you, but better and more polished. It's a good look for school, work, hanging out with friends, a first date...or pretty much any occasion. Telltale makeup that's caked on is never sexy...and usually crosses over more into Tranny Territory.

Just something to think about.... each week I'll have a new celebrity inspiration! Hopefully it'll help you as much as it does me. And if you also have any celebrities whose style/makeup/lifestyle/personality/character/WHATEVER you admire, don't hesitate to comment below! Or contact me.

It's getting late....let's call it a night. Good night! xoxo