Cocktail Hour: Eyelash Extensions

Grab yourself a drink and settle in to watch Cocktail Hour! This episode features my dear friend Ivy. Ivy is going to share her experience with getting lash extensions and taking care of them. Thanks for sharing.

Here is a great recipe for Gin and Tonics:

• 4 to 5 tonic water Ice Cubes
• 3 ounces gin
• 4 ounces tonic water
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Selena Gomez VMA Inspired Look

Hey Y'all!

My internet has been so slow today! It's driving me nuts!

This look is inspired by Selena Gomez at the 2011 VMAs. I love this look because virtually anyone can wear the colors and it's easy! I love easy. It's also versatile.You can wear it day and night not have to worry about being too over done!

Products Used:
Urban Decay Naked Palette: Virgin, Naked, Buck, Darkhorse and Creep. In that order actually!
ELF eyeliner: I couldn't find my Urban Decay 24/7 in Black to use... I wouldn't recommend the eyeliner I used!
Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Mascara: I love this mascara. One of my favorites. It leaves my lashes long and thick but not clumpy. It's great for a look like this.

ELF Mineral Lip Liner in Peachy
Emani Minerals Organic Lip Gloss in Blush

Thank you so much for watching!

Foundation Routine

My foundation routine has changed since my Flawless Face Video. I still love mineral foundation, but it just isn't as dewy or cheap as drugstore liquid foundation. I will go back to my mineral routine in the fall, but liquid just feels so much better in the summer.

I start off by applying my moisturizer. I do not cleanse my skin in the morning, because it's pointless. I rinse with warm water and spritz toner on my skin. Then I apply my Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream. This product does not contain sunscreen, so I can use it day and night, but does mean I need to apply a product that contains sunscreen before I leave the house, even if I'm not planning on wearing makeup that day!

Covergirl Aqua Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer - I've used this product for years! It's a great, light, oil-free moisturizer with a hint of color. It also has an SPF 15. I wish it had a little bit more... I apply this to my face and decollete.

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - I used either my fingers or a brush to apply this to blemishes, my cheeks and my eyes. I really like this concealer because it isn't cakey and goes on very smooth. I prefer using my fingers with it because it blends so easily. I do hate the packaging. I always find myself having to use a towel or tissue to open it when I have lotion on!

Liquid Foundation - Maybelliene Fit Me in 120, Covergirl Natureluxe in Bamboo, or Emani Minerals Liquid Foundation is Creme Beige. I like all of these foundations in their own right. They each offer something slightly different, but all have great coverage and make my skin look great. I love using a foundation brush to apply them and blending out with the warmth of my clean fingers!

Emani Mineral Powder - This helps to set my makeup and even adds a tiny amount of sunscreen! I am really enjoying the pressed powder because it doesn't make quite the mess that loose foundations make.

ELF Blush and Contouring Powder - This is probably one of my all time favorite products. I can thank the YouTube community for this purchase. It's a fantastic price and the blush looks great on almost anyone. I also love that contouring powder is right there and there isn't need to haul an extra product around. The Sonia Kashuk Angled Blush Brush is also another Target fave! I love it!

Britney Spears Inspired Tutorial

Hey Guys and Gals,

This was really fun look to put together! It's easy to apply and actually very wearable... for a night out, probably not to work or school! I used my Urban Decay Naked Palette because it's something a lot of people have. I love watching tutorials that use a common palette so I don't have to purchase a lot of new product to try out a look!

Primer:
Urban Decay Eden Primer Potion

The shadows used from Naked Palette:
Sidecar: All over the lid
Virgin: Inner corner and brow bone
Gunmetal: Middle of the eye
Creep: Crease, outer "V" and lower lash line


Eyeliners:
Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Charcoal
Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Zero

Lips and cheeks:
Emani Lip Gloss in Blush
Bare Minerals Blush in Secret

Rhinestones can be purchased at any beauty supply as nail gems or any craft store.

Thank you for watching!

MakeupMonthly.com

I wanted a mail order makeup subscription that was somewhat similar to Birchbox, but that had full size products. I found a couple different sites, but MakeupMonthly.com seemed to fit best into my budget and it had some brand name products that I wanted to try. Some of the other sites that I looked at:

YellowBoxBeauty.com - Every month they focus on a particular brand and you get full size retail products. Prices start at $35 plus $8 shipping. The reason I didn't choose this particular box was because the price and I want to try products from multiple brands, not just one. Maybe I will try this one at some point, but it was a little more than I wanted to spend at this point.

TestTube.NewBeauty.com - This company sends you samples 4 times a year. They send samples plus a magazine which is a nice touch. The cost is $30 plus $9 shipping (I swear when I originally looked it was closer to $50 total, maybe they are having special?). You get to write reviews about the products that you try. This one really appealed to me, but the fact that they only come out 4 times a year was kind of a turn off. This might be great for someone one a strict budget!

Glymm.com  - I just found out about this website. Seems like they have some really nice products, but it's really similar to BirchBox.

MakeupMonthly Pros and Cons:

Pros-

• Flat $30 
• Brands I wanted to try: MAC, Urban Decay, Cargo, Nars, Etc. 
• Choice of nails, cosmetics or skin care
• No extra charge for shipping

Cons-

• Store isn't open just yet
• I'm not sure if the products I'm getting are old or not
• Tips and Tricks don't always apply to what I'm doing
• Questionnaire isn't all that great.

Overall Opinion:
I'm excited to see what I get next month and I'm hoping that I will get more products that are relevant to me. At this point I want to try a different makeup subscription and I'm really considering Test Tube. I've read the New Beauty magazine and I really like it.

Makeupmonthly.com