Today's Make-Up... Blue Bottom Liner

OK I've avoided using blue on my eyes since 2005 but today I thought, "you know, why not? I like the bold blue bottom lash look." I toned it down a little bit, you know, easy does it. Had trouble taking photos today. I need a new camera *sigh.* Also after starting the Dior apricot fingernail regime (I push my cuticles down and use the gel every morning) my fingers have been looking much better so I decided to paint them! If you knew me... I hardly ever bother with my nails because I'm always biting them. No more, I say, NO MORE!

You can hardly see the top eyeshadow in the light but it's there I promise. I took photos with flash to show it better later on.

Sparkly nails to match sparkly lips.

Can we just talk about how much I love my eyelashes here? More about mascara in a post coming up but I don't think I'll ever be able to switch from my Faux Cils YSL Mascara. It's just... it's really incredible. Oh and I did my bottom lashes today. I think they are freaky long but whatever.

You can't tell from this photo... but I just want my stupid bangs to grow out.

Nails (both OPI for Sephora)
Base (I Gotta Blush on You)
Top Coat (Only Gold for Me)

Face
MAC BB Cream in Extra Light
MAC in Omega (Eyebrows)
Le Métier de Beauté Melange Eyeshadow Palette (Eyes, top and bottom)
Stila 24 Karat Lip Gloss in Gold Charm (Lips)
Rimmel Blush* in Santa Rose (Cheeks)
Dior Nude Shimmer (Highlighter)
YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara (Top Mascara)
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara in Black (Bottom Mascara)

Valentine's Day Make-Up Idea #2 (Dinner Out)

OK, so the idea behind this look is that you are going to a nice restaurant (or maybe even just a restaurant!) and you want to look really pretty. Because you'll be eating food, drinking, and probably kissing, you'll want something that doesn't smudge. That's why I chose a long-lasting and non sticky lipstick. You can play around with the colors to suit your skin tone, but the general idea remains the same.

 I used a bunch of products on this one and had a lot of fun with it. I tried using colors I don't normally use and different techniques and I really enjoyed it!
I need to get a new foundation but until I can afford it, I've been using BB cream from MAC in Extra Fair. Before applying anything, I used a sampler I had gotten from Christmas called Juno Transformative Lipid Serum. It directs to use morning and night for a nice glow. While its not the best "glow enhancing" formula I've seen out there, I did like how it made my skin feel. Very very velvety. Though it kind of smells like herbs, which is odd.
Base
Juno Transformative Lipid Serum
MAC BB Creme in Extra Fair
Laura Mercier Undercover Pot (under eye bags)
Eyebrows
Omega + Embark by MAC
Eyes
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer (gave it a second chance!)
MAC Fig. 1 (all over base)
Urban Decay Toasted (Over Fig 1 and up blended further out)
Laura Mercier Cafe au Lait (in the crease, blended well)
Urban Decay Sin & MAC Vanilla (near tearduct)
MAC embark (used with flat brush on top and bottom waterline)
MAC Satin Taupe (lightly put under eye to subtly increase drama)
Urban Decay Sidecar (over eyeshadows, inner part of eye)
YSL Faux Cils Shocking Mascara (can't stop using it! two layers)
Cheeks/ Face
Laura Mercier Apricot Blossom (blush, in Color Wardrobe from 2010. Similar to Spiced Cider)
NARS South Beach bronzer
NARS Pandora (white part, as an illuminator and brow bone)
Laura Mercier translucent setting powder 
Lips
Laura Mercier lip liner in Baby Lips
Clinique Chubby Stick in Curvy Candy

If you want the lipstick to last longer, you can always put any kind of setting powder lightly over it and it will endure a lot more. Links to the products soon!

Valentine's Day Make-Up Idea #1 (Outing)

So, I know a lot of people out there have romantic dates or whatever set up for Valentine's day. I don't, but it's always fun to imagine, and there are several different scenario options out there. You want your make-up to be romantic or pretty or sexy or whatever you are going for for the day.
I chose this look for the first day in case you decide to go out to a concert, play, opera, movie, etc. The lipstick isn't forgiving for eating food (it will smudge on your glass, get on your teeth as you're eating, etc.) and not really SEXY (it's more old glamor kind of).

This especially plays up blue eyes if you have them.

It's also really quick and easy.
Products I used:
Face
- MAC Beauty Balm in Extra Fair
- Nars blush in Orgasm
- Chanel loose powder in Reverie

Lips
- MAC Cremestick Pearl Liner in Honey B.
- Laura Mercier Lipstick in Baked Earth

Eyes
- In the corners I used Laura Mercier loose powder in Gold Pearl
- MAC Embark on a stubby smudge brush for top and bottom liner
- MAC Omega all over lid (no primer or anything)
- YSL Faux Cils Mascara

Eyebrow
- MAC omega on an angled brush

It's pretty basic but I think the colors are so rich you don't really want to do too much to overwhelm them! Tomorrow I'll do a dinner out (or in!) look.

Review: Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet "Faux Cils" Shocking Mascara

OK so basically I feel like I am on an eternal hunt for the perfect mascara. My eyelashes have always been light so I need a product to make them stand out. I also feel like, while I have length, I'm always looking for thickening. And it feels like no one ever really delivers all that I want.
I think this is the first time I've bought a second tube of the same mascara so I suppose that's a good sign!

This mascara is for sure on the pricier side. It's $30.00 (eep) and you can buy it online or in store at lots of places, including sephora. It comes in Black, Black Bronze, Burgundy, and Obscure.

I own Black Burgundy though it really is just like a soft black. I don't see any burgundy tones in it at all. I love how it collects on my eyes-- it always seems like it's great coverage for just one application. I only put two layers on at most. One downside is that I do see a bit of the fallout under my eye on occasion. I have to be careful not to rub my eye or annoy it in any way, otherwise you'll get a few dust speckles as you can see in this photo:

Overall, though, I LOVE how thick it makes my eyelashes, and I love the color selection. So far, still my favorite mascara. What kind do you love? Send me recommendations!