Tutorial: Wintery Blues

Another tutorial! 

First of all, I apologize for the less-than-great quality of both my video and my photos. I film off of my MacBook because that's the only way I can see if I'm in camera or not. My point-and-shoot, though it has amazing quality in comparison to my computer, is just too hard to ensure that I stay in the screen. I've tried a couple of different set-ups, but unfortunately, this is the only way I have to film tutorials. 

When I'm filming, I'm using a mirror that stands slanted, like I picture frame. This makes me have to face down so I can see myself in the mirror. Therefore, I again apologize for any time when I may lean too far down and you can't see everything I'm doing. I'm working on fixing this and will be investing in a better mirror soon. 

Finally, I apologize for the photos. I use my point-and-shoot, which I love and it takes amazing pictures, but I'm one of those people who has a billion bad angles on camera (not so much in person necessarily). So this doesn't help me take good pictures (I broke my nose years ago and it never got fixed; crooked nose does not like to make appearances on the internet). Though that's just me being whiny! :) Mainly, it's difficult for me to get a good photo of my full-face makeup because I, again, can't see what's in the screen, and the lighting in my room (the sun) isn't very reliable. I'm also working on this. 

So! These were the only half-decent pictures I was able to get this time. Hopefully the colour isn't too washed out and you can see what it looked like for the most part! Also, I added transition effects in the editing cuts, as well as the name of my blog in the bottom right corner; should they stay or should they go? 

Products Used:

Eyes:

Two Faced Shadow Insurance

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 'Milk'

Inglot Eyeliner Gel Matte #88

Inglot Freedom System Shadow in 'Matte 367'

MAC Eyeshadow in 'Illegal Cargo'

MAC Eyeshadow in 'Warm & Smoky'

MAC Eyeshadow in 'Idol Eyes'

MAC Eyeshadow in 'Snowball'

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner Pencil in 'Perversion'

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner Pencil in 'Binge'

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in 'Waterproof' 

Cheeks: 

Benefit Face Powder in 'Hervana'

MAC Eyeshadow in 'Phloof!'

Lips:

MAC Frost Lipstick in 'Soft Sable'

MAC Dazzleglass in 'Pleasure Principle'

Tutorial: Neutral Purple

Products Used: 

Eyes:

Two Faced Shadow Insurance

BH Cosmetics 120 Palette: 

Inglot Freedom System Shadow in 'D.S.496'

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in 'Perversion'

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in 'Ransom'

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in 'Stray Dog' 

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 'Milk' 

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in 'Clean Definition'

Cheeks:

Benefit Face Powder in 'Hervana'

Lips:

Stila Lip Glaze in 'Grapefruit 07'

Ulta Haul

My Ulta experience was no fun. It was my first time ever going to Ulta and I chose the absolute worst time to go. It was right after Christmas and literally...all of the shelves were practically empty. There were tons of shelves that literally had nothing on it, others that had, oh, one of two things, and then maybe three or four that were actually filled. Seriously. They were wiped out. 


I did manage to find what I had gone there to get, but overall it left me kind of disappointed because I'd heard such amazing things about it and didn't get to experience it. I definitely need to go again now that it's been restocked so I can get the full effect of Ulta awesomeness. 


So, here's the couple of things I did manage to get! 

I've been using this blush with almost every neutral/natural look since I got it. I thought that 'Dandelion' by Benefit was the perfect, natural blush shade for me, but boy was I wrong! This is definitely the perfect blush for my skintone. It has mostly a satin finish, so I sometimes like to add a little bit of a shimmery highlight to it. 

I finally got NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 'Milk'! Hurray! These are the creamiest, most blendable pencils I've ever owned. I was impressed by Urban Decay 24/7 pencils and how creamy I thought they were (especially 'Perversion') but they do not even come close to comparing to these! I wouldn't wear these are actual eyeliner, but as a base they work fantastically. I've also been using 'Milk' in the inner corners of my eyes, something that I've never caught on to before using the NYX pencil. Nothing would last long enough in the inner corners, but now that I've been using this, the colour has been lasting all day. So happy I bought these! 

Since my hair has gotten longer, I've been blowdrying it every morning. If I don't, it just sits flat on my head at the top, and poofs out at the bottom, giving me triangle-head. Not pretty. So I've been on the lookout for a heat protection spray. Voila! This ones awesome. It has a nice smell (kind of fruity, kind of sweet) and I like the way the little spray nozzle was made. It's easier to use that way. I've found that less is more when using this product. Hopefully in the long run this will make a big difference to the "quality" of my hair. 

Okay, so I snuck this one in; it wasn't bought at Ulta. I've been using Nivea makeup remover wipes for as long as I can remember and I honestly thought I would never change. However, as I'm now starting to realise, the state of Utah doesn't seem to sell Nivea facial products. Which sucks majorly because those are the only ones I like. So I had to stray from my comfort zone and buy something else. 
This is, by far, the most effective, awesome, incredible, I-will-never-buy-anything-else makeup remover wipe that I have ever come across! It doesn't matter what kind of makeup I'm wearing, whether it be waterproof or just a hell of a lot of eyeshadow, these wipes take it off with literally no effort. With Nivea, I had to kind of scrub, but with these, it just wipes off so nicely! I'm so glad I got these. 


And that's it! I love all of these products and am so happy I was able to get them. I recommend the Neutrogena wipes and the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils! 

Brown & Bronze + First Real Tutorial!

FIRST REAL VIDEO TUTORIAL IN 6 MONTHS!
If you can even call my half-assed attempt at a tutorial from 6 months ago a proper video at all haha! I don't think it even counts.

So I decided to go ahead and film a tutorial for once because, let's face it, a lot of people prefer to see videos than have to read a lot. So I'm going to be trying this out once in awhile. I can't promise that it will become a regular thing (especially since I'm never alone in the house and I would rather nobody be there to hear me talking to myself lol) but I will definitely be doing a video here and there. As long as these are well received and not completely dumped on!


So! Here's the look!

I'm very sorry the quality of the photos isn't very good, but my lighting (or lack of) wasn't cooperating. So my computer webcam is going to have to do for now.


Product List: 


Primer: 
Two Faced Shadow Insurance


Shadows:
MAC Paint Pot in 'Constructivist'
Urban Decay's shadow in 'Chase'
Inglot Matte #
Inglot D.S. #


Eyeliners:
Stila Smudgestick in 'Stingray'
Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner in 'Corrupt'


Mascara: 
L'Oreal Telescopic Waterproof


Blush: 
Benefit's Face Powder in 'Dallas'


Lips (applied before video):
ChapStick (Apple flavoured!)

October Favourites

Yes! I'm ahead this time with my favourites post! Or at least, not nearly as behind as I was with my September post! I won't go into as much detail with the products as I did last time (I said I would do a video, but I'm far too self conscious for that haha) so it should be much shorter.


BH Cosmetics 120 Palette 2nd Edition: 
I've had this for quite some time, but have only really used it this past month. Though I've used it before for one shadow in the palette, I haven't seriously based my looks off of the colours that are in it. This month however, I have, and I'm definitely pleased! This is a great palette and the quality it good, especially considering how cheap it is!


Prevage Anti-Aging Eye Serum by Elizabeth Arden: 
I've never used an eye cream/serum before, but I figure now's as good a time as any to start using anti-aging products, if only to get into the habit of using them. I can't say I would buy this product (this was a sample) because I know I can get just as good creams for cheaper, but it has been fun to use. My eyes are really soft as a result :)


Inglot Shadows (White & Brown): 
I still haven't found out how to get these shadows safely out of the palette! Help! I've been using the white shimmery shadow as a highlight colour for every look I've done since I bought it! It's perfect for the job and helps fade out colour really well also. The brown I've been using in my more neutral looks as a crease colour and I feel like I would be lost without it :) I can't wait to get more Inglot shadows when my mom and I go before I move!


Clinique Clarifying Lotion for Combination Oily Skin: 
I don't usually like toners that have high alcohol content in them because they dry me out and make my nose peel. Both this and previous toners I've used from Clinique are really good for my skin as long as I avoid the nose. If I do use it on my nose, I do it at night and use a very intense moisturiser afterwards to make sure my skin won't peel.


MAC Brow Crayon in 'Lingering': 
I don't tend to fill in my brows, but I've been trying to match the shapes of mine for quite some time. My left brow has a little gap between the hairs where nothing will grow. I'm using this pencil to fill that gap in to see if leaving the area for longer will eventually give hair time to grow. I just don't feel like walking around with a bald patch on my eyebrow! :)


China Glaze Nail Polish in 'Haunting': 
I am in love with this colour! I can't explain why, since all it is is black with light silver sparkles, but somehow I really like the way it looks on my nails. I'm waiting on some more of the China Glaze Haunting collection to arrive at my house and in the meantime, this is all I've  been wearing :)


Those were my favourites this month! Hope you enjoyed :)

Happy Halloween!

Now, Halloween is one of my favourite holidays. However, this time I have no parties to go to and nobody except my mom to celebrate (I'm moving in a month and don't know anybody here!). So this year, rather than dress up completely for no reason, I decided just to do an orangey eyeshadow. I did end up putting on a black maxi dress and will add some black lipstick later for the benefit of the trick or treaters though :) I'll vaguely resemble a witch haha!


Here is the look!

It's simple because obviously I'm just staying at home, but I didn't want to do nothing!


Face: 
Garnier B.B. Cream
Benefit powder in 'Dallas'


Shadows:
Two Faced Shadow Insurance
Urband Decay's shadow in 'Flow'
BH Cosmetics 120 Palette 2nd Edition (most of the oranges from the 2nd row)
Inglot eyeshadow in a shimmery white


Eyeliner & Mascara: 
MAC Fluidline in 'Blacktrack'
Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliner in 'Midnight Cowboy' and 'Corrupt'
Stila Smudgestick in 'Stingray'
L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in 'Waterproof'


Most of the orange shadows I used were just to make sure the colours blended out nicely, no necessarily for their actual colour. It's simple, but I hope you enjoy it :)