Halloween - Vampire Look

 Happy Halloween!  Halloween is a favorite holiday for many makeup artists.  It's a time where we can let our creative juices flow and create fun looks that we normally don't get the chance to do.  Sometimes, our Halloween plans are last minute invites and we find ourselves scrambling to throw together a costume. I've created an easy look for you, using products I already had around the makeup studio. The only thing I purchased for this look was a set of fangs from a local costume shop. I hope you find this look as fun and easy to create as I did. All of the makeup products used in this look are cruelty-free (not tested on animals).

If you are interested in creating this Vampire look, here is how I did it:

To begin, I applied a spray moisturizer by Urban Decay, and my eye cream from 100% Pure cosmetics as usual.  To make sure my skin looked smooth, I then applied a face primer by Hourglass (pictured below) using a synthetic foundation brush.

I then applied a foundation in a shade lighter than I normally wear to give my skin a paler more dead-like look.  The one I used is Urban Decay Naked Skin in shade 1.0 (vegan).  I applied it using a foundation brush.  If you don't own a lighter foundation, you can lighten your normal shade with a bit of sunscreen or moisturizer. I skipped concealer, because Vampires are dead, and probably have dark circles.

 To prep the lids for color, I smoothed on my favorite eye primer, Glamour Doll Eyes Control Freak (vegan), using a concealer brush.  I applied it from lash line to brow, and took a tiny bit underneath the eye as well.

As a base for my powder shadow, I applied Urban Decay 24/7 liner in the color Zero (black) all over my lid, then blended it out with a stiff dome shaped brush. These dry and set quickly, so it's important to blend as you go. Do one eye first, then move on to the next.  I put extra liner along the top and bottom lash lines as well as tightlined and put some along my waterline (the inner rim of the eye).

Next, I packed on Urban Decay Matte Eyeshadow in the color Perversion (vintage shade - black) using a patting motion with my flat shadow brush.  Some other good cruelty-free choices are Urban Decay Blackout or Sugarpill Cosmetics in Bulletproof. You can use any black shadow you have as long as it's matte (no shimmer or shine).

Using the same flat shadow brush, I used the edge of the brush to sweep some black shadow along the lower lash line over the pencil we added earlier.

Next, I took a red eyeshadow from the Sugarpill Burning Heart palette (Love +) and swept it into the crease, and on the inner corner of the eye underneath using a fluffy brush.

I applied Urban Decay Vanilla eyeshadow to the brow bone (just beneath my eyebrow), and on the inner corner of my eye. You can use any shimmery white eyeshadow you happen to have. I defined my brows using Nuance by Salma Hayek brow pencil in Medium Blonde.

To keep the face pale and dead looking, I skipped blush and bronzer. Instead, I took just a tiny bit of the red eyeshadow (Love + by Sugarpill), and swept it along my cheekbones using a Bdellium Tools Green Bambu fan brush.

For the lips, I used a mix of Urban Decay Gash (deep red/burgundy) lipstick, OCC Lip Tar in Tarred (black) and Burt's Bees Cherry Lip Shimmer (bright cherry red), applied with a lip brush.

I then applied Urban Decay Eyelash Primer Potion to make my lashes super long, followed by 3 coats of Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara. You can use any black volumizing mascara you love.

I added individual fangs to my canine teeth, and the vampire look is complete. Wear all black, and you are good to go!  

Here is the final look:

I hope you enjoyed this super easy and quick Halloween tutorial. 

I hope you all have a very safe and happy Halloween!

Ecco Bella Review

I've been using Ecco Bella (which means Behold Beautiful) FlowerColor mascara in Brown for a while now. However, recently, I've had the opportunity to test a couple of other products from the line. I've created two different makeup looks using these products, and swatched them for you as well.  This organic, cruelty-free brand has a full line of cosmetics and natural skincare available for purchase on their website.


The two products I've been testing are Ecco Bella's Shimmer Dust in Moon (Neutral) and FlowerColor Eyeshadow in the color Khaki (Warm).

Both come packaged in these adorable little boxes reminiscent of a matchbox. Inside, you'll find the product along with a sponge tip applicator. 

I found both items to be true to color, pigmented and blend easily. The Khaki colored eyeshadow is a great color for fall. I especially like the way it looks on those with warmer skin tones.  The Shimmer Dust is very versatile because it can be worn, over blush and eyeshadow, or as a highlight under the brow bone, down the nose, above the cupids bow, or on the inner corners of the eyes.

Below, I've swatched both products for you. I just touched my finger to the product, and look at how pigmented these are!

 Pictured: 

FlowerColor Shimmer Dust in Moon
FlowerColor Eyeshadow in Khaki 


The FlowerColor Eyeshadow in Khaki lasted me all day. I always layer my eyeshadow over a primer, but I didn't notice any creasing or fading after hours of wear.  This eyeshadow is both vegan and gluten free. 

The FlowerColor Shimmer Dust in Moon reminds me of Nars Albatross.  It's a white highlighter with the finest gold shimmer, making it appear champagne on the skin.  I really loved the natural finish this product gave me. The shimmer is so fine that it simply illuminates the areas where applied without looking too glittery.  This product can be used on the eyes or the face, and like the eyeshadow, it is also vegan and gluten free.  

Here is a look at how I used the products together:

Look 1:

For the above look, I used the Khaki eyeshadow on my lid as well as under the lower lash line. I pulled the color up at the corner to give a winged out effect.  I applied the Shimmer Dust under my brow bone, inner corners of my eyes, down my nose, to the cheek bones & cupid's bow.  I topped the look off with some eyeliner, lipstick and gloss. 

Here is a second look I created using these products (below).  For this look, I also used the Ecco Bella Mascara in Brown.

Look 2:

 For the second look, I wanted to go a bit more dramatic.

 I also wanted to demonstrate how you could use these 2 products with other items you probably already have at home.  For this look, I applied the Khaki eyeshadow to the lid, this time over a white eye primer.  I also took the color under the lash line as in the previous look. However, in this look, I did not wing out the eyeshadow, I kept it to the lid only.  I then added a little bit of a basic matte dark brown & black eyeshadow to the outer corner of the eye and blended it into the crease.  I took the Ecco Bella Shimmer Dust, and this time, I applied it over the Khaki eyeshadow. This lightened the center of the lid, creating a slight shimmer when my lids catch the light.  I again used the Shimmer Dust as an under brow highlight, on the inner corner of my eyes, down my nose, and over my blush. I skipped eyeliner this time, and just followed with 3 coats of my Ecco Bella Mascara in Brown after curling my lashes.  

Here is a closer look at the Ecco Bella FlowerColor Mascara in Brown (below).  This mascara is also vegan, and a great choice for blondes like myself who have such a hard time finding a good quality brown mascara.  

One of the most exciting features about this mascara is that it comes with a built in mirror!  I personally have never had this mascara smudge on me, and it lasts all day.  However, the good news is that unlike some waterproof formulas that are impossible to get off, this one easily wipes clean at the end of the day when you are ready to take it off. 

One of the things that originally attracted me to this brand is the fact that it was started in protest of animal testing.  It is important to support brands with a cruelty free stance.  If you are interested in other products Ecco Bella has to offer I suggest you chat with one of their informed beauty consultants (it's free):

http://www.eccobella.com/schedule-beauty-consultation 

I had a phone consultation and was really impressed with how helpful the representative was in answer all of my questions, and suggesting products appropriate for my coloring.  

I hope you enjoyed this look at Ecco Bella cosmetics. 

Have a great weekend!




*Note: Some of the products featured in this review were sent for consideration by the company. I do not receive compensation for reviews.  My opinions are 100% honest, and I only post reviews in hopes of helping my readers make good purchasing decisions.

E.L.F. Disney Villain Collection! - Tutorial

As some of you may already know, E.L.F. (which stands for eyes, lips, face) has released a collection of palettes in the theme of Disney Villains!  For more information on the palettes, click here: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/collections/sets-and-palettes/sets-and-kits/disney_villainous_villains_makeup_book_limited_edition

The E.L.F. Disney Villain collection includes three palettes: Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmations, Evil Queen from Snow White and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. I picked up the first two at my local Walgreens and so far I am in love. Furthermore, while I have always known that E.L.F. is a cruelty free company, I recently learned that they are also vegan!

Here is a quote taken from their website (http://www.eyeslipsface.com/faqs.asp) in regards to their stance on animal cruelty:

"We do NOT test on animals or endorse such practices. Our products do not contain animal derived ingredients. Beeswax has been replaced by synthetic beeswax and lanolin has been replaced by Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladinpale-2. We currently support HSUS and are partners with PETA in the Caring Consumer Project. Please see our philosophy page for further explanation on our company."

The Cruella palette is called Evil Everyday Eyes and features great neutrals for everyday. I found this palette took me easily from day to night. Each palette contains both a daytime and evening look. The red pencil that comes in the evening look part of this palette is AMAZING! I wore it out and it lasted all day without drying out my lips. It is the most amazing true red, and the lip pencil itself was surprisingly creamy.  

This tutorial will feature the daytime look from The Evil Queen palette called Devious Dramatic Eyes.  Here is a closer look at the inside of the palette which includes a real mirror, instructional booklet, false lashes, lash glue, 8 eyeshadows, an eye primer and two lip/cheek pencils!

The mirror portion on the left, folds back to reveal instructions for a day and nighttime look.  The laminate picture of the queen flips to reveal a picture of her wearing each look, so that you can see the picture along with the instructions. The back of the package lists its contents, as well as the ingredients for each product.

 Note the "no animal testing" logo in the lower left of the packaging above the bar code.

After applying my usual foundation, highlight, and concealer, I began by priming my lids with the included eye primer. I really like this primer, and found that it does make my makeup last all day. If your skin is any darker than me (which is most people), you may want to add a layer of white such as the NYX Jumbo pencil in Milk or another white base to help the colors pop. You can spread out the primer with your fingers, but I chose to use a concealer brush so that I could get a very fine layer.

Next, I applied the first eyeshdadow color in the palette called One Bite just under the brow bone with an E.L.F. brush (brush not included).  This is a very shimmery light gold color. You only need a tiny bit to get the desired look. Don't worry if it appears too shimmery at first, we will blend it out later.

Then, taking a small brush, I highlighted the inner corner of my eyes using the second shade in the palette called Vanity, which is a warm peach shade.

Next, I took the third color from the palette called Narcissist and packed the color onto the lid using a flat shadow brush. This color is a very light lavender.  You may need to pack on quite a bit to get the desired intensity because the color is soft, which is exactly what makes it perfect for daytime.

 Next, I took the last color in the top row, called Potion, and applied it to the outer third of my eyelid and blended it up into the crease. As an optional step, you can bring a little bit under your lower lash line if you desire. I found this color to be quite pigmented, and blend smoothly. This is a shimmery burgundy shade.

Next, take a clean blending brush, and blend all of your colors together. I began at the brow bone, and blended the shade called One Bite down a little bit to take down some of the shimmer. Then I blended started at the outer corner, to make sure the transition appears seamless into my lid shade.

BLEND BLEND BLEND BLEND BLEND BLEND BLEND! 

Remember, this is meant to be a daytime look, so we want to tone down the shimmer and make it look natural. I then groomed my brows and applied 2 coats of my favorite mascara after curling my lashes. 

Next, I took the included lip & cheek color, and drew little dashes on my cheek, then blended out using my finger. 

Start with just a little cheek color at first, then blend out until you get the desired look. Add more as needed.

Finally, with the same mini pencil (included) I lined and filled in my lips.

I then closed my eyes and sprayed my entire face with my Dew Me by Urban Decay which is a moisturizing makeup setting spray. And the look is complete!  What do you think? Do you have any of these E.L.F. Disney Villain palettes? If so I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.

Wishing you all a very villainous beautiful day! 

Behind The Scenes Beauty

I'm a firm believer than makeup can work miracles. It can make a woman feel good about herself. A little lipstick can brighten even the most dreary of days.  However, in order for that makeup to look good, it needs a clean, smooth surface to adhere to. One of the ways you can achieve this is through a proper skin care routine. With the plethora of beauty products on the market it is nearly impossible to know what works and what doesn't. In this post, I'll show you just a few tried and true behind the scenes beauty products that help me look and feel my best.  All of the products listed here are cruelty-free, meaning that none of them were tested on animals. If the product doesn't say it directly on the label, I got this information from the company's website, or through contacting the company directly. Looking and feeling your best is important, but no animal has to suffer for it, I am living proof of that.

In no particular order, let's get started:

Pictured above is my Ahava Time To Clear Purifying Mud Mask. This light green facial mask takes only two minutes to work it's magic, and the results are instant. It's made from dead sea minerals, and is safe for even the most sensitive of skin. I apply a thin layer to clean dry skin once a week and let it dry for about two minutes. After rinsing thoroughly, I'm left with clear glowing skin.  The above picture is a deluxe sample size that I received in my monthly sample box from Beautybar.com The full size retails for $31.00 for 4.3 oz.  A little goes a long way, and the product itself helps me achieve the radiant complexion I strive for.

Next up, is Mogador Argan Oil (pictured below). This particular brand of oil is certified organic by Ecocert and is made of 100% virgin cold pressed argan oil bottled in the U.S.A.  While many brands of argan oil exist on the market, this brand is not only Eco-friendly, but also budget friendly compared to it's more expensive counterparts. Argan oil has many uses.  You can use it in your hair to add extra shine, at night to rejuvenate skin, or under makeup to create a dewy look on your cheekbones. The cobalt blue glass bottle comes with a medicine dropper like applicator, so you can dispense the perfect amount. You only need a tiny bit, to get the results you want. While I realize the concept of putting oil on your face seems counter-intuitive to everything we've been taught, this oil is meant for the face, skin and hair and some women have even claimed it helps with acne problems. I purchased this bottle of 2.1oz on amazon.com for only $18.95 and trust me, it works just as well, if not better than some of the more expensive versions on the market I've tried.

The next product, I discovered after a very bad sunburn. I do wear sunscreen everyday, but sadly, I forgot to reapply quickly enough leaving me with a bad sunburn on my face one day. My obsession with skin care made me worried about how I would continue with my nightly skin care regimen without hurting my already damaged skin. Luckily, The Body Shop* makes a whole skin care line fortified with calming aloe. While my sunburn is now long gone, I continue to use The Body Shop's Aloe Calming Toner because it's comforting to my sensitive skin (pictured below). The bottle pictured below is a travel size that came with an aloe based cleanser, day and night cream as well. If you have sensitive skin, this is a great toner for you, because it's one of the few toners on the market that will truly purify your skin without irritating it. Sephora.com and Beauty.com recently started carrying The Body Shop products, but you can also purchase it, as I did, on www.thebodyshop-usa.com.  The full size retails for $12.00 for 6.75oz. and as previously mentioned, is also available in the Aloe Bundle for $30.00.

*Please note that while The Body Shop is cruelty-free, they are owned by L'Oreal which is not.

While my skincare routine is quite thorough, sometimes I find that I need extra hydration during the day or if I am traveling. I don't always want to apply more moisturizer on top of my makeup, so sometimes I'll spray a quick spritz of  Melvita Eau Florale De Rose Rose Floral Water (below) on my face for instant hydration. This product is also one I discovered in one of my monthly subscription sample boxes, and I'm sure glad I did!  This can also be used to thin out liquid foundation. After I apply foundation, I'll spray a couple of light sprays all over my face and blend with a foundation brush to help blend out my foundation. This brand of rose floral water is also organic and certified by Ecocert. For more information visit usa.melvita.com where you can find the 6.76 fl oz. size for $22.00.

 Sticking with the Rose theme, I've also included my Nuance By Salma Hayek Rose Petal Hydrating Balm (below). You may have seen me mention this product in a previous post (proof of how much I love it). This is my holy grail lip product. It's part of my nightly routine to help keep my lips supple and moist. I also rub it on my cuticles and even dry elbows sometimes. It comes in an adorable little jar with a screw top lid and is available exclusively at CVS pharmacy and cvs.com. This balm smells amazing and is made with good-for-you ingredients like evening primrose oil, jojoba oil and sunflower seed oil to name a few. It retails for $7.29, but is currently on sale for only $5.83 for 0.265oz. It leaves lips with a lovely sheen, perfect for no makeup days. If you have long nails, and don't like the idea of sticking your finger in a jar, simply apply with a q-tip or mini spatula.

Another product that you have probably seen me mention in a previous post is 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream (pictured below).  This is my secret weapon against dark circles and puffiness. I apply this both at night before bed, and each morning after my moisturizer. I don't always get a good night's rest, but this eye cream sure helps me look like I do!  There are a million different eye creams on the market, and trust me I have tried them all. I have wasted so much money on products that don't work.  This product is amazing. First of all it smells delicious. It kind of smells like coffee cake to me!  This miracle-worker of a product has anti-inflammatory properties and is jam packed with anti-aging vitamins and antioxidants to help your eye area look youthful and radiant. This product is made in the U.S.A. and is 100% natural, organic, vegan and gluten free!  You get 1oz for $19.00, and this tube will last you a long time. The pump makes it easy to dispense a thin strip of product, or a larger amount depending on how hard you press it. This is a steal when compared against some of the other eye cream products on the market, and the biggest difference is that this one actually works. When I turned 25, I started seeing lines under my eyes which sent me into a full on panic. I seriously considered getting corrective plastic surgery. Luckily I wised up and at the suggestion of my dermatologist, bought a good eye cream instead. I actually bought  a ton of bad eye creams first, but finally I found this one and I'm never trying another. This one really works, it has good, pure ingredients and it's vegan. What more could I really ask for? Visit 100percentpure.com for more details.

Another staple in my night time routine is the Urban Decay Lush Lash System (below). Say that 3 times fast! After only 1 week of nightly use, people started asking me almost daily if I was wearing false eyelashes when I had on nothing more than regular mascara.  My eye doctor even asked me if I had been using Lastisse. Why go through the hassle of a prescription with possible side effects, when this cruelty-free product delivers amazing results in a short amount of time? When I bought this, I honestly did not expect it to work. I saw visable results quickly, and you will too. I even read a review online by a woman who had lost her eyelashes due to chemotherapy and she claimed this product helped bring them back. This product is not only cruelty-free, but it is also vegan (no animal products use in it) as indicated by the paw print symbol on urbandecay.com.  This miracle product retails for $42.00 and I will continue to buy it for as long as they make it. Urban Decay claims, "25% longer, thicker lashes in just 2 weeks", but I saw results more quickly, though I would imagine individual results may vary.

 This double ended tube has one side (pictured above) that applies like a liquid liner. You simply paint the clear liquid along your lash line before bed, then move on to the other end which is a mascara-like wand used to comb the white product through your lashes.

I love how narrow the mascara-like wand is because it really makes it easy to coat my bottom lashes as well.

With all the waterproof makeup I wear and use on others, I need a good way to take it off without damaging the delicate eye area or tugging and pulling at anyone's skin. I'm not a fan of makeup removers that require too much scrubbing and hard work to remove the product from your face. That's why I use Urban Decay Melt Down Makeup Remover (below).  This product is meant to be used without water. You simply apply it to your face anywhere that you want to remove makeup from, including the eye area, and it literally just melts the makeup right off of your face! It's truly an amazing product. You just need a gentle swipe of a tissue to remove the product and all of your makeup comes right off with it. This is an essential product if you are a fan of long wear formulas or waterproof makeup. In fact, this product is so popular, that it was sold out for weeks at Sephora before I could get my hands on a tube. The product comes out in a white creamy consistency, and feels moisturizing on the skin. It contains nourishing elements such as beta carotene, sea fan extract and gatuline in-tense. Cranberry and raspberry seed oils help moisturize as it removes. The best part is, this non-greasy formula is packaged in a 2.5 oz tube so it's airline approved for those who travel frequently.You can purchase this at Sephora.com for $24.00. I think this is the best all around makeup remover I've seen, and it's safe to use on sensitive skin.

For weeks when my skin feels particularly parched, or those cold winter months in Connecticut, I reach for my Nuance By Salma Hayek Intense Hydration Overnight Rejuvenator (below). This once a week treatment contains high end ingredients like Royal Jelly and blue agave. I apply this once a week when I need it to clean dry skin, massaging it in and allowing it to penetrate for a good 10 minutes or so before following with my night cream. This product was a savior during my sunburn fiasco. It retails for $19.99, but is currently on sale for $15.99 at cvs.com.  This is a high end product at a drugstore price.  You literally feel your skin hydrating after application. It's a creamy gel like consistency similar to a high end moisturizer. The pump dispenses the perfect amount of product.

 The next product was recommended to me by a family member. She raved about this product like I've never heard her rave about anything before. I'm sure you've seen the infomercials on TV, but I'm happy to report that Wen by Chaz Dean is now available at Sephora.com (pictured below).  I love the almond scent of this cleansing conditioner, but if you don't, the company makes it in many different scents and you are sure to find one that will please your senses. This product is like no other on the market. It's not a shampoo or a conditioner, but a cleansing conditioner.  I'm not a woman who has ever had good hair. I started coloring my hair at a pretty young age, so after years of damage, it takes a lot to get these locks in healthy shape. This product completely changed my hair. I apply 10 pumps to my wet hair in the shower and work it through, massaging it into my scalp and combing through the rest of my hair. I leave it in to soak into my hair while I complete the rest of my shower before rinsing it out.  I then take half a pump and use it as a leave in conditioner. I didn't see any bunny pictured on the back of this bottle, so I contacted the company directly and was assured that Wen is NOT tested on animals. This thick rich cleansing conditioner retails for $32.00 for 16 oz. and is the only product that has been able to tame my frizz.  When used properly, it's lightweight and won't weigh your hair down regardless of your hair type.  Even my hairdresser commented on how soft my hair was after a couple months of use. This product is free of sulfates, synthetic dyes and petrochemicals.

Last, but not least, is a product I use every single day of my life called Dew Me by Urban Decay (below). This is a moisturizing makeup setting spray, and is the final step in my makeup routine. Think of it as hairspray for the face. It's oil free, paraben free and is essential in helping me create the dewy glow that I desire. This fine mist feels like nothing after sprayed on the face, yet it helps your makeup last all day while leaving behind a dewy glow. I would recommend this product for someone who has dry or combination skin.  Urban Decay makes another product called De-Slick for those with oily skin and one called All Nighter for normal skin types.  This product retails for $29.00 at Sephora.com for 4 oz. It's hypoallergenic and trust me, it's worth every penny.

If you want to know why I am against animal testing, just look at the picture below! This is one of my rescue dogs and he is my true beauty secret. My dogs make me smile like no one else and happiness is truly beautiful!