Don't Make Me Blush

  I bought a couple new makeup products the other day, just out of the blue. I walked down the makeup aisle at a Walmart not actually needing anything and I decided to buy a few things in the same color palette and create a look with it. And I have to say it turned out nicely! I like it! The colors I wanted to go for was more of a blush color.

  Here you go! This was a super easy, fast, and fun look. I'm just going to keep it short and sweet and fill you in on the new products and the "blush" ones that I used. I also think I might do this color scheme for my New Years get together. :))

Rimmel London Scandleyes Eyeshadow (bluffing)

NYX HD Blush (hamptons)

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner (nude)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (blushed)

Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish (powder room)

REVIEW // Maybelline Master Strobing Stick

  I have found the BEST highlighter/illuminator bang for your buck. It's the Maybelline Master Strobing Stick! I bought mine at Target for $7.99. It's obviously all the buzz because it took me multiple trips to Target and Ulta to find it. They were always out!

  There are two shades. One is a light highlighter/Illuminator and the other one is more of a glow, it's a little darker. The darker one is similar to the NYX Illuminator that I have and posted about before.

I saw this advertised in a magazine and I thought I'd give it a try. I have always wanted to look like a disco ball. hehe.

                               

  These pictures are not edited and I only have on foundation and the Maybelline Master Strobing Stick.

  You definitely don't need a lot of it. This is after just one swipe and blending in. It totally stands out and gives me the glow and highlight that I want. Now, I'm a face toucher through out the day, so it's a little worn off by the end of the day but it does last a good while. 

Totally recommended!! 

Makeup for Glasses Wearers

  This post is something that I deal with quite often, and that is wearing makeup with glasses. Sometimes I feel like my eye makeup just won't show up or stand out when I wear my glasses, and I figure I can't be the only one that thinks that am I?! Now I have been wearing glasses for 13 years now and I work in a vision center and deal with glasses EVERY DAY! I was also inspired by the makeup professional duo, Pixiwoo on Youtube, but I thought this would be fun to do cause I wanted to experiment with my makeup and new products that I have purchased recently.

Here is what I came up with! 😆

  

 

FACE

•Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation(825buff beige)

•Covergirl Smoothers Pressed Powder(710translucent light)

•NYX Cheek Contour Duo Palette(CHCD01)

•NYX High Definition Blush(HDB11 amber)

EYES

•Maybelline The Rock Nudes(bottom left trio on lid, dark brown in the crease, and then dark purple underneath my eyes to give them a "tired look")

•Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner(blackest black)

•Maybelline The Falsies BIG Eyes Mascara(black)

•Maybelline BrowDrama Crayon Pommade

LIPS

•NYX Liquid Suede(soft-spoken)

Holiday Look #3 - Christmas Morning

  Happy Holidays, everyone! For my final makeup look I wanted to go with something that looks a little more natural. It's like waking up on Christmas morning!! Obviously I'm wearing make up and not going au naturale, but that's the point of this look, AND this could be incorporated in everyday makeup as well. So enjoy! 🙂

Face

Maybelline FITme foundation - matte+poreless (120classic ivory)

Covergirl Advance Radiance Pressed Poweder (105ivory)

PÜR Contour/Highlight Duo

NYX HD Blush (HDB11 amber)

NYX Dewy Finishing Spray

Eyes

NYX Love in Paris Eyeshadow (merci beaucoup-#3)

Covergirl Brow and Eyemakers Pencil (midnight brown)

NYX Matte Black Liner (BEL02) **just used to tighten the waterline

Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara (blackest black)

Lips

Rimmel Stay Glossy Lipgloss (130blushing belgraves)

Also sporting my new pjs I got for Christmas. 😉

Holiday Look #2 - Party

  The second look to my holiday makeup inspired looks is a little more festive. I thought this one would be fun to do for a party, whether it be for Christmas or New Years, it's really classic and pretty and it involves gold and red! What more could I you ask for!?? ;)

  I have also used a couple new products that I have not mentioned in any other post before so I thought now is the time!

Face

Maybelline FitMe Foundation Matte+Poreless (120classic ivory)

Covergirl+Olay Concealor (710light)

ELF Undereye Concealer and Highlighter

Covergirl Advanced Radiance Pressed Powder (105ivory)

ELF Contouring Bronzer(used Real Techniques sculpting brush to apply)

Eyes

Covergirl Brow and Eye Makers Eyebrow Pencil (midnight brown)

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (630cashmere)(smeared over eyelid)

NYX Love in Paris Eye Shadow Palette (merci beaucoup- 2,3,5)*

NYX Matte Black Liner (bel02)**

Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes (blackest black)

Lips

Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner (057ravish)***

MAC Lipstick (retro matte, all fired up, A35)****

*I pressed the gold color on top of the creamy cashmere color to make the gold pop. I then added the other brown colors in the crease to define it.

**Smudged the eyeliner to make everything blend better and not look so harsh.

***I got this lip liner a LONG time ago. You may not be able to purchase it anymore. But any red lip liner will do.

****I know the whole point of my blog is to not use any overpriced makeup products. But I was given this lipstick for my birthday by one of my best friends and I REALLY wanted to showcase it. Also, any red matte lipstick will do.

Just a Beauty Rant

  So I had mentioned that one of my current products is the Maybelline FiTme foundation. There is a Matte+Poreless one and a Dewy+Smooth one. Now I know for a fact I do NOT have oily skin, in fact, mine leans more towards the dry side of the spectrum. But when I use any type of "dewy" product, mainly foundation it just feels like I'm putting on moisturizer or foundation that NEVER dries. It annoys me so much!

  To try and balance out my makeup this morning, I sprayed the NYX Matte Makeup Setting Spray over the top. I have yet to notice a difference. When I touch my face I feel like I'm just wiping everything off. I even feel like it creases much easier than any matte foundation. 

  I think it's safe to say I'll be sticking to the Matte+Poreless FiTMe. Obviously it fits my face better.

Sexy Date Look

  I posted this picture on my Instagram(ashley_vanessa) about a week or so ago and received really good feedback on it! So I thought since I needed to post something new, I'd let you know what I used to create this look. I think it would look really good if you're going out on a date, to dinner with your guy, or your girlfriends, etc.

  Here's the picture:

Here's what I used:

  Face
-Covergirl and Olay SimplyAgeless foundation (240)
-ELF Undereye Concealor and Highlighter
-Covergirl Smoothers Concealor (mainly for blemishes)
-Covergirl Professionals Loose Finishing Powder (transparent medium)
-PUR Contour and Highlight Powder Duo

  Eyes
-Covergirl Brow and Eye Makers Brow Pencil (midnight brown)
-Covergirl Flamed Out Shadow Pencil (355)
-NYX Matte Black Liner (BEL02) (use this on waterlines-top and bottom)
-Revlon Colorstay Skiny Liquid Eyeliner (black out)
-Maybelline Great Lash-Lots of Lashes Mascara (blackest black)

  Lips
-Rimmel Stay Glossy (430 all night long)

Don't forget to follow me on BLOGLOVIN' or INSTAGRAM!!

The Dark Duchess

  Okay so the only reason I called it the Dark Duchess is because I have been obsessed with watching Victorian Age movies and movies based off of Jane Austen books. My favorite one was The Duchess with Kira Knightly based off the true story of the Duchess of Devonshire. I LOVE IT. If you take interest in this genre of movies/books then you should definitely check this one out if you haven't already. 

  Anywaysss, I posted this picture of me on Instagram and Facebook the other day and have had pretty good feedback on it. So I thought I would post it on here and tell you the products that I used. It was a lot of fun, and as a lot of you know, I like to play with makeup when I'm bored, especially on my days off from work. And HEY could make for another Valentine's day look, if you like that dark type of thing.

FACE

-Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless Foundation (240 natural beige)**

-Covergirl Smoothers Concealer (710 light)

-NYX HD Concealer (CW01)

-Covergirl Professional Loose Powder (105 translucent fair) **

-E.L.F Contouring Blush and Bronzer**

EYES

-Covergirl Brow and Eye Makers Pencil (midnight brown)

-Maybelline Define-a-Brow (dark brown)

-Revlon Shadowlink (sand/pearl)

-Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen (02 black)**

-Maybelline Colossal Volume Express "Cat Eyes" (glam black)

LIPS

-NYX Lip Liner Pencil (prune)**

-Palladio Lipstick (wine shine)**

*lips were overdrawn in this photo**

**New products that might not have been mentioned before.

All products can be purchased at Target. The Palladio lipstick is from ULTA though. I don't believe you can buy that anywhere else besides a makeup store.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Let me see the makeup you decide to do for your date night!

Flirty Valentine's Day Look

  Yay! I'm finally posting something BEFORE the actual day/holiday so it is useful. I have decided to put together a Valentine's Day date look. I thought it would be fun, flirty and a little pouty. I decided to copy Kylie Jenner with the Botox overdrawn lips too. Take a look!
  I wanted it to be soft and cute on the eyes with a light shimmery pink and then bring out the lips with a sultry reddish/pink. I also overdrew the lips to make the look a little more sexy. I have noticed that if you want to over draw your lips, the best type of lip product to use is matte. Anything glossy will make your upper lip pop out and make it obvious you're wearing lipstick past your lips. 

                                                   
FACE

-L'Oreal Magic Llumi Light Infusing Primer

-Ready, Set, Gorgeous Covergirl Foundation(210)

-Covergirl Smoothers Concealer(710 light)

-NYX HD concealer (CW01)

-Covergirl Smoothers Pressed Powder(715 translucent medium)

-PUR Minerals Bare It All Contour/Highlight Powder Duo

EYES

-Maybelline Define-A-Brow(dark brown)

-Covergirl Brow and Eye Makers(midnight brown)

-Revlon Colorstay Shadowlinks Eyeshadow(candy)

-NYX Infinite Shadowstick(07 flushed)

-Revlon Colorstay SKINNY Eyeliner(black out)

-Maybelline Colossal Volume Express "Cat Eyes" (glam black)

LIPS

-Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner(057 ravish)

-Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm(225 sultry)

**ALL products can be found at most Targets and possibly even Walmart. ;)

Not Your Typical Smokey Eye

  Hey guys, so I thought it was about time to do another makeup look! This time taking the smokey eye to a more work appropriate version. Having the heavy black and grey eyeshadow and packed on eyeliner is not exactly something you can wear in some work environments, but I have found another super simple version of this eye make up that is fast, easy and something I can wear to work all the time! What's also fun about this look is that you can change subtly change the base color and still rock a smokey eye!

  First, I used a fluffy eye shadow brush and applied Almay's Intense Smokey I-color(for greens) Medium color on the lid.
  Second, I mixed the Base color in the same Almay palate with the Medium color in Almay's Intense I-color(for blues) on the crease of my eye to add depth.
  Third, I used a little more of the first color on my lid to darken the color up just a bit.
  Fourth, I used a highlighter color. Either a highlighter used in contouring, or a lighter shade of eye shadow(usually a pearl, or cream) along my brow bone. This gives the illusion of an eye lift!
  Fifth, instead of using a liquid eyeliner I used NYX's Matte Black Liner halfway along my lower lash line(from the outside in), along my upper lash line, and to tighten my water line along my upper lid. After applying, I went back and smudged it up a bit. This is what makes me feel like I've accomplished a smokey eye without doing too much.
  Finally, I used my Revlon eyelash curler and applied Maybelline's Colossal Volume Express(Cat Eyes) Mascara on my upper and lower lashes. (If your eyes are prone to watering or smudging through out the day, I suggest a waterproof mascara along the lower lashes. This helps from making it look like you gained a black eye during the day, or night!)

           

Thanks guys! Sorry for the chapped lips. It's just that time of year. Yikes!

Halloween Makeup

  I know this may be a few days old and I meant to get it up last week, but computer issues, once again. I'm sorry, I know, enough of the excuses. I'll get on with it. Below is the products I used on the makeup look that I wore for work on Halloween.(In order of application) A couple extra items I got were some $3 eye lashes that had black jewels on them and a bird necklace(not pictured). Super cute and appropriate.

                                  

PRODUCTS

Smashbox Hydrating Primer

Maybelline FIT Foundation-220 Natural Beige

Covergirl +Olay Concealer-320 Fair/Light

NYX HD Concealer-CW 01

Covergirl Smoothers Powder-715 Translucent Medium

PUR Contouring Bronzer and Highlighter

Almay Intense I-Color Eyeshadow--Smokey-i for Greens

Covergirl Eyebrow Pencil

Revlon Colorstay SKINNY Liquid Eyeliner-Black*

NYX Matte Black Liner

Maybelline Cat Eyes Mascara-Black

Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara-Black**

NYX Lip Liner Pencil-834 Prune

Palladio Lipstick-Wine Shine

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable-010 Darling

*Also used for the 3 dots bye the eyebrow

**Used along the bottom eyelashes. Waterproof helps with no smudging

  The reason I didn't list them step-by-step is because I didn't do anything really special. The only thing I feel like I could demonstrate how to do is eyeliner, which will be coming soon, and lipstick, which I do have a step-by-step post about from back in February. You should check it out!

  If you like these types of posts, let me know by commenting or sending me an email. Also, don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin'. Click on the picture of the head on the top right of this page to get to my Bloglovin' page!

  Thank you! And I hope you all had a lovely and spooky Halloween.

May Favorites

  For the last couple months, especially May, I have tried out a few different things and wanted to share with you the ones I have enjoyed the most! These items are great for spring and summer time. They either smell fresh, clean, and fruity; or takes care of your skin, given how the weather normally is this time of year, as well. 

Makeup

Almay Intense i-Color Smokey-i Kit
  I had the Shimmer-i Kit for blue eyes too, but I really like the color in this palette. I chose the one for green eyes this time. (I clearly don't know my eye color) Now, I don't really think the palettes really bring out your eye color, which they may for some people, but I just like the colors. This one is a nice dark purple, grey, and light pink. Pretty for spring!

Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm
  This stuff really is perfection. It gives great color, shine and leaves your lips feeling hydrated...like lip balm! I currently only have one color, Coral Twist. Great color for spring and summer and definitely plan on investing in more.

The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara
  This is by Maybelline. To be honest, I definitely bought this because of the name. And I love it. Enough said.

Body

Essie Nail Polish - Watermelon
  I love Essie polish and I got this one for my birthday this year. I love the color, once again, great for this time of year.

EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream
  This stuff is amazing. It's like the EOS lip balm, just on your legs and it smells amazing. I have the Lavender Jasmine one. GET IT.

Australian Gold Continuous Spray with Bronzer
  This is my go-to for sun screen. The smell is. Just makes me think of summer every time. And a plus is that it has instant bronzer! You automatically get a glow as soon as you spray it on. It also comes in higher SPFs, as well as, the lower ones used for "deep tanning".

Hair

Herbal Essences Naked Shampoo and Conditioner
  Besides smelling like a juicy, fruity candy, this shampoo and conditioner is a great "slightly natural" moisturizer for your dry, salt water drenched hair.

L'Oreal BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse
  I've been searching for a good mousse that didn't leave my hair feeling dry after I used it or look like it needs to be washed after a day. This one is a new favorite. It even gives my dull flat hair a lot more volume!

  
  All of these items I bought at my local Target. I'm sure you can get all or most of them at Walmart or Drugstores too! If you've tried any of these or have any more questions about them, just let me know!

Easy Snow Day Makeup

  We've had a good amount of snow fall lately, and I LOVE it! I love the cold, snow, hot coffee, and especially the look that the cold gives people's faces. It makes the skin glisten and gives the nose and cheeks such a natural rosey look. 
  So the past couple days I've been off work and gone out on some snow and ice adventures with my boyfriend and his friends.  I didn't want to get too "dolled up" but I wanted to look presentable and cute of course.  I quickly used some basic essentials and did something a little different with my eye makeup. 

  For my face, I used my trusting Covergirl 3-1 Foundation in color 840.  Then my NYX concealer stick in fair. Followed by, my Covergirl smoothers pressed powder in 715, translucent medium.

  With my eyes, all I did was curl them and apply my Rimmel Glam'eyes mascara, and then used the Covergirl Flamed Out shadow pencil in color 350, Melted Caramel. This is more of a bronze color I use under my eyes to add a shimmer.  It's like doing a reverse eye shadow, leaving my eye lids naked. 

  My lips are just covered in Maybelline Color Whispers, in color 20, Mocha Muse.  I love this lipstick because it's a great nude color for me.  I have naturally dark pink lips, so in the picture it looks like a pink, but it's honestly not. 

  That's all there is to it! I apologize for my crazy hair, but I wanted to get this post up before the snow melted!

  If you like this type of post, let me know!  Have a great weekend!

BLOGLOVIN'

Baby Lips Dr. Rescue- Review

  Now I'm sure everyone is aware of Maybelline's Baby Lips, the tinted lip balm.  It became popular back in 2012 and now has a new "medicated" version called Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Medicated Lip Balm.  I just wanted today's post to be a review of this product.  I was going to go over something a different topic, but this specific one just seems to keep popping up for me and I figured I'd go ahead and let you know what I think about it and other great chap sticks.

  To be blunt, the Dr. Rescue version of this lip balm is not all that great.  I do believe it was just a big hype, come fall and winter, and marketed for people to just buy something that is more "medicated" than their original balms.  I like the original tinted Baby Lips because they actually work.  I originally bought this new Dr. Rescue balm a few months back because my lips this winter are unbelievably dry.  I thought I would try it because I do enjoy the regular Baby Lips.  When I first wore it, it had a highly menthol-like smell.  I put it on and at first the color just seemed weird.  When I rubbed my lips together the tint, or pigment, just stuck to the dry part of my lips and the rest of the color didn't even stay, it was very liquid-like and loose on the rest of my lips.  The color that I bought was the "Peach" color.  I wanted something more nude to wear, but when I put it on, it was highly pigmented and like I said before, just stuck, altogether, very awkwardly.  On a brighter note, the original Baby Lips products works great, the texture of the lip balm and even the pigment of the colors work and look unbelievable.

  Other products that I recommend for very chapped lips this year is Burt's Bees chap stick, Chapstick, the original chap stick, Blistex, and Soft Lips.  These have all been around for a good while but still, in my opinion, work the best.  A good tip is to put chap stick on before you go to bed and you'll wake up with extremely soft, voluptuous lips in the morning.  Another thing that you can do, and a cheap way to exfoliate your lips, is to just use your toothbrush in the morning after brushing your teeth and gently, in circular motions, massage your lips with it for a few seconds.  This helps get rid of any dead skin on your lips and makes them feel extremely smooth.  You can also do this at night before bed, prior to putting on your favorite chap stick, or even Vaseline. This is a great alternative if you don't have the money to get those fancy lip scrubs.

  Don't forget to put your email in the box on the upper left hand side to subscribe to me and receive emails for when I update, and leave me a comment or message me on Facebook on any other topics you want to hear about in the future.  Also, let me know if this review is helpful and if you would like to hear more of these.  I like to hear feedback on what is interesting and what is helpful, so I know what to do in the future.  Again, I have a good amount of topics ready and I'm excited to share them with you!!