EVERYDAY MAKEUP ROUTINE - UPDATE

Hi everyone! I did an everyday makeup routine post last year and wanted to give you a little update. As you probably notice yourself, your everyday routine changes as you discover new products and techniques. For example last year I didn't fill in my eyebrows, and today I can't imagine not to! I have also ditched black eye pencil during the day and switched to a different mascara.

These are the products I use on an everyday base. 

And this is how my routine looks like in 8 steps:

1. Moisturize - Diadermine Hydra Balance Day Moisturizer

2. Apply foundation with foundation brush - Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid 21 Nude

3. Fill in eyebrows - Catrice Eyebrow Pencil

4. Next I do my eye makeup: a white or very light beige eye shadow in the inner corners of my eyes, bronze shadow in the crease, dark brown eye shadow under eyes, L'oréal False Lash Wings Mascara on top and bottom lashes

5. Concealer: under eyes, around nose, on blemishes - Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer 02 Nude

6. Bronzer on cheekbones - Biguine Terre Doree Bronzing Powder

7. Pink or red blush on cheeks 

8. And finally I apply lipbalm (with sometimes lipgloss or a natural lipstick over it) - Labelo Classic

You can compare my current everyday makeup routine with last year's here http://beautiesmoothie.blogspot.be/2013/02/everyday-make-up.html. Even looking at the picture from last year, you can tell I made some changes in makeup choices. 

I love natural eye makeup and shiny lips at the moment! 

So what do you think? Improvement or should I go back to my old routine? 

x x x

KATY PERRY DARK HORSE VIDEO MAKEUP LOOKS

Katy Perry has transformed herself in many characters for music videos, just think of the Geeky girl in Last Friday Night, the Soldier in Part of Me and the Candy girl in California Girls. Yesterday the singer revealed her latest makeover in the video for her new single "Dark Horse". Katy looks like a badass Celopatra with colorful accessories, clothing and makeup. 

Miss Perry chose three similar Egyptian looks that captured the magical feeling of the song. 

A black, red and blonde wig completed the three transformations. 

The makeup looks all contain a key element, that is the intricate liner. It is based on the Egyptian Eye also known as The Eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian symbol for protection, royal power and good health. 

Wonder how Katy was transformed into this look? Jake Bailey, Katy's trusted makeup artist reveals how he created the piece of makeup art, saying: 

"I used Covergirl Bombshell Intensity Liner in Pitch Black Passion #800 to draw the intricate design around her eyes. It was an adaption of several references that I found online, but I liked this one the best. It was important that I used a long lasting liner as it was a long day under hot lights and I needed it to stay in place. Once the liner was complete I added some sparkle with the Bombshell Shine Shadows. I used the Shine Shadow in Gold Goddess on the center and inner area of her lids and Ooh La Lilac on the outer corners. Before the Shine Shadow dried completely I tapped a bright purple glitter on top of the Ooh La Lilac and a peach glitter on top of the Gold Goddess areas. I finished the look with a strip of false lashes and two coats of Bombshell Volume Mascara. The first coat is a rich volumizing formula that works Katy's own lashes into the false pair and adds extreme volume. The second end was used to add depth with a wet looking laquer finish"

The second redhead look

The dramatic eyeliner is kept the same, but the color palette has changed. The puple eye shadow has been replaced by a blue one and the lips are covered in a peachy natural shade.

The third blonde look

Again heavy black liner and blue eyeshadow, but combined with a glossy nude lip.

Of course this kind of makeup is a bit too much to wear in your every day life, but you can definitely alter it to wearable looks. Just tone down the glitter and leave out the bottom black liner and you're left with great party makeup looks. 

Or if you're celebrating Carnival this month you might as well copy the festive looks as a whole!

x x x

HOW I FILL IN MY EYEBROWS

You might not know it but your eyebrows are the frames of your face, they can add a lot of power to your eyes and can make or break an entire makeup look. However, many women are still scared to fill in their brows. When you say filled in eyebrow many think of the harsh drew on black lines a la Cruella De Vil, well it certainly doesn't have to look like that! You can shape and fill in your brows in a very subtle way so they will look natural and neat. I'm personally a big fan of this look. Since a year I've been doing my brows in a specific way and I've noticed a huge difference in pictures and have also been getting a lot of compliments!

Keep reading if you're curious about my eyebrow routine! 

 The tools

An eyebrow pencil from Catrice in the same or a slighly lighter color than your eyebrows.

A non-shimmery eyeshadow or any powder in a similar color as your eyebrows. I use the color S07 of the Une palette Yeux Universelle.

A sharp angled brush.

The steps

1. Draw on a bottom line with the eyebrow pencil. Make sure it's straight and it follows the natural line of your brow.

2. Repeat the first step but now on the top part of your eyebrow. 

3. Elongate your brow. Create a sharp edge at the end of your brow using the pencil. If you don't know where your brow should end take a pencil and put it in a diagonal line across your nostril and the outer corner of your eye, where the pencil ends your eyebrow needs to end. 

4. Draw a vertical line on the beginning of your brow to give it more definition. 

5. Take your angled brush with some eyeshadow and start filling in gaps in your brows. Don't use too much product, it's better to build up than to overdo it.

6. Brush out the hairs. You can also use an eyebrow gel to keep all the hairs in place all day or night.

Before

As you can see my eyebrows have clear gaps. 

After

The gaps are filled in and my eyebrows have a defined shape.

Sometimes I will fill them in even more, for example when I wear a dark smokey eye or when I go out and pictures with flashes might be taken. But on a daily basis I keep it soft and go for this natural groomed look! 

x x x

MAYBELLINE FIT ME FOUNDATION - REVIEW

Finding the right foundation is the same as finding the perfect pair of jeans. It's a case of trial and error. You need to try different shades and brands, and the last one you try on will probably be the one. 

I have tried out many foundations in the last couple of years, but I'm still looking for my perfect match.

 The last one I bought is the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation and I have a review for you right here!

How Maybelline describes the Fit Me! foundations: "It's makeup that fits you. No oils, no waxes, no nonsense. Natural, light to medium coverage that leaves skin the way it was meant to be. Fresh, breathing, flawless. Exclusive transluscent base and lightweight pigments allow skin's natural highs and lows to show through. New shades formulated specifically for women of color contain revolutionary 5-D pigment technology to balance your skin's authentic tones and highlights."

There are 18 different shades, they also contain SPF 18.

The foundation is pretty liquid and easy to blend. 

I'm wearing Classic Ivory 120.

 I used a flat foundation brush to blend and I needed one pump to cover my whole face. 

What I like about the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation:

It's soft and natural. The product doesn't feel like a mask while wearing it. It leaves your skin very dewy and natural looking. 

The smell. Weird mentioning this for a foundation, but I really like how it smells, and since it does go over you whole face this is definitely a plus! 

Easy for built up. If you have problem skin with some acne/ blemishes or feel like the foundation is too transparent, you can easily add a second layer on your problem areas. 

What I don't like about the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation: 

It doesn't stick the entire day. I wore this foundation for a day of shopping and noticed after 6 hours the product was starting to disappear. It goes off on clothes easy, so I won't be wearing this foundation for a shopping day again. I also wouldn't recommend wearing the foundation when going clubbing or out in hot weather, since sweat your coverage will disappear quickly.   

Would I buy the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation again? 

If I see this product in the store again, I probably wouldn't pick it up again. It becomes too slippery 'n slide after some hours. I do love the natural finish and the transparency, but it's not enough for a repurchase. 

You can find this foundation in stores for € 13,99. 

If you have any recommendations for foundations please leave me a comment! :) 

x x x

RIMMEL LASH ACCELERATOR MASCARA - REVIEW

I bought the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara a month ago, so the time has come to write a review about it! I haven't used mascaras of Rimmel before, so I was pretty curious about the quality of this one. So what does this product promise? Rimmel says: "Our first mascara and lash treatment in one that works both instantly, and overtime with Grow Lash Compex. Instantly up to 80% visibly longer looking lashes. Up to 117% visibly longer looking lashes after 30 days of use." 

Basically it says the more and longer you use the mascara, the more your lashes will grow. Very promising, right? What girl doesn't like long natural lashes? 

The packaging is very simple. A pretty straight and thin mascara in bright lime and black. The colors of the mascara actually caught my eye in the drugstore and made me reach for this product. I think it looks simple but fun.

The brush is thin and long. I like these kinds of brushes, they make it easy to get to the roots of your lashes or the bottom lashes. 

On the left me without makeup, on the right me with the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara. 

What I like about the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara: 

The brush, thin and long brush that makes it easy to reach all top and bottom lashes.

The price, only €12,99. Not much for a mascara.

What I don't like about the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara: 

My lashes haven't grown any longer after using the mascara for a month. So their main selling proposition isn't fulfilled.

Doesn't separate my lashes, it makes them look clumpy and sticky like spider legs.

Doesn't add much volume to my thin lashes. 

Would I buy the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara again? 

No I wouldn't, I have tried out better mascaras than this one. It just doesn't do it for me. I'd rather pay 5 euros more for a mascara that elongates and separates my lashes. 

Hope you found this review useful! 

x x x

KATE MIDDLETON'S TATTOO

Apparently Prince Harry isn't the only one in Buckingham Palace with a Rock'n Roll edge to him. Over the weekend news got out Princess Kate Middleton has been hiding a secret.. she has a tattoo! It isn't as drastic as Rihanna's chest eagle or a bum full of flowers like Cheryl Cole, the princess has opted for something smaller and more subtle. Some people might not even consider it a tattoo. However permanent ink and a needle have been used, so technically it is a tattoo. 

The Duchess of Cambridge has a cosmetic tattoo on the eyes, also known as permanent makeup. Thanks to two thin black lines Kate looks awake and  put together at all times. In the pictures below you can see the results pretty well. 

You can see the permanent eyeliner right below the waterline, it goes perfectly through the bottom lashes. 

So what exactly is this permanent makeup Kate has on? And how permanent is it? 

"Permanent makeup is a cosmetic technique which employs tattoos (permanent pigmentation of the dermis) as a means of producing designs that resemble makeup, such as eyelining and other permanent enhancing colors to the skin of the face, lips and eyelids." "Most commonly called permanent cosmetics, other names include dermapigmentation, micropigmentation and cosmetic tattooing, the latter being most appropriate since permanent makeup is, in fact, tattooing." 

What are the results when you opt for permanent makeup? 

There are immediate results and long term results. At first the permanent makeup may look darker. This is due to color remaining in the outermost epidermal layers of skin at the start. In the next days the colors will soften because of the healing process as the upper layers of epidermis slough and are replaced by new epidermal cells. How long your makeup will last depends from person to person and will be influenced by different factors. For example sun exposure will fade the colors faster. 

What if you don't like the results?

It is possible to remove the permanent makeup, like you can remove any other tattoo. BUT its is difficult and expensive. Common techniques used to do this are laser resurfacing, dermabrasion (physical or chemical exfoliation) and surgical removal. Do take in mind that the removal is often more painful than the tattooing itself! 

Permanent makeup - eyeliner and eyebrows

Although I like the look on Kate and understand why she has opted for permanent eyeliner, as she gets photographed everyday and everywhere, I would never consider permanent makeup myself, certainly not on my face. Even in the best beauty salon, the procedure could still go wrong or you could end up not liking the results. Just imagine getting your eyebrows filled in and the color turning out too dark or the wrong shade.. Then you will be stuck with them for the next 10 years. Also trends and personal preferences change. Black eyeliner has been a pretty steady makeup trend over the last couple of years, but will it still be in by 2020? What if white or blue is the "in" color by then? Or what if you go from blonde to black hair, would your permanent eyebrows still match? 

And besides, sometimes a natural and bare face is the prettiest look you can wear. Just ask your boyfriend! ;) 

But what do you think? Would you ever consider permanent eyeliner? Or any other permanent makeup procedure? Let me know in the comments, I want to hear about your personal thoughts and experiences! 

x x x 

TWO LIP TRENDS TO TRY OUT DURING FALL/WINTER 2013

PLUM AND VERY DARK LIPS

It's time to take a trip to the dark side, and not just for Halloween! 

Plum and dark lips are the make up trend of the moment. Every stylish beauty in Hollywood is rocking the vampy dark lip. You can't go wrong by wearing plum and dark lip the upcoming months.  The only thing that will happen is you turning heads for looking all romantic and trendy!
If you find this look too much for everyday wear, try it out for night time drinks or dinner with that special someone. 

Ashlee Simpson

Chanel Iman

Miranda Kerr

Angela Simmons

Kim Kardashian

OMBRE LIPS

Ombre hair, ombre shirts, ombre nails,... OMBRE EVERYWHERE. And now there is the ombre lip. The ombre trend has been booming the last couple of years and isn't ready to fade out just yet. And personally I find it to be a good thing, I have to admit the dark-to-light effect can look very hip and cool! 

Ombre lips have been around since the beginning of 2013 and are still on trend for Fall and Winter. It's a very simple way to change up your everyday make up look, but can add tons of spice and sassiness to your look! Choose pink and purple tones for a soft and girly feel, go for red and dark tones for a more intense and sexy night out look. 

Here are some examples that can inspire you to create your own ombre lips!  

PINK OMBRE LIPS

RED OMBRE LIPS

Hope you enjoyed this post and make sure to try out these lip trends before the year is up! 

x x x

L'OREAL FALSE LASH WINGS/ FALSE LASH FLUTTER MASCARA REVIEW

A new false lashes effect, lashes that flutter like the wings of a butterfly. The special formula with cocoon fibers brings a spectacular lightweight volume. That's what the L'oréal False Lash Wings/ Flutter Mascara description says. Sounds great right? I tested this product and am ready to give you my honest opinion! 

A unique, asymmetrical brush that lifts the lashes in the corners of your eyes.

L'oréal promises to make your lashes twice as visible with this mascara. 

And now the pictures! Without any mascara (left column) and with the L'oréal False Lash Wings Mascara (right column). 

What I like about the L'oréal False Lash Wings Mascara

The packaging, it has a nice shape and color

Gives volume and a winged out look thanks to the brush

The brush has different sides, you can use it in different ways. The shorter side is perfect for your bottom lashes while the longer, winged side is great for your top lashes. 

What I don't like about the L'oréal False Lash Wings Mascara

It doesn't separate the lashes, I have to use another mascara brush to get the individual lashes effect. 

As you use the mascara longer, and it gets older, there will be more clumps on your brush. However, I find this happening with a lot of mascaras. 

Would I buy the L'oréal False Lash Wings Mascara again? 

Yes I would, I think it works very good for my short lashes as I get more volume and depth to my lashes. I do use another mascara (for example Telescopic from L'oréal) after to separate my lashes more. 

Cost

€ 16,99, £ 10,99

I have read some negative reviews of this mascara, saying that it causes redness and irritation to the eyes. This however isn't the case with me, I would recommend this mascara to my friends and readers! 

Hope you found this review helpful!  

x x x

GIRLS NIGHT OUT MAKEUP LOOK

The weekend is almost there - WhooHoo!-, so I thought I'd post a look to inspire those of you who are planning a Girls Night Out! When I go out for drinks or clubs I really like to experiment with my makeup. I like to play with different colors to create new looks. The "rule" is to either accentuate your eyes OR your lips, but I don't really like this rule. My makeup rule is: rules were meant to be broken, and makeup is a way a way to express yourself and your mood, it has to be fun! And if you're feeling like combining extreme winged liner with extreme fuchsia lips, rock it!

But anyway, for this look I kept everything pretty basic. I've been in a pretty good mood lately, so natural looks are very popular at the moment! :)

First I applied my usual foundation, concealer and bronzer.

Secondly I did my eye makeup (I always work in this order). First a primer, to keep the eyeshadow in place the whole night, then some white eyeliner in the inside corners of my eyes (to brighten up the look), then a golden brown shade in my crease and then this green sparkly shade from Catrice in the outer corners of my eyes and under my bottom lash line.

Then I blended it all with a blending brush and a natural brown eyeshadow. After this I applied a thin line of liquid liner slightly winged out on my top eyelid. Mascara on top and bottom lashes and black liner on my bottom waterline.

For my lips I used this lip liner from Catrice, it's a natural dark pink color. I lined my whole lips with it.

Then I went over with this nude/ dark pink lipstick from Bourjois and a shiny neutral lipgloss.

 I finished off with some mineral powder on my face and some pink blush on the cheeks!

Do you like wearing natural looks when you go out? Or do you prefer full on makeup with dark smokey eyes and false lashes?

x x x