Soft Spring Cut Crease

It's finally Spring!! *cue the hallelujahs* -and if you live in Dallas like myself, the sun is also finally shining!

It's pretty clear by now that I am addicted to makeup, some products more than others. Lipstick happens to be one of those products. I picked this baby by NYX up during the dreary months of winter and have been anxiously waiting for the perfect time to create a look inspired by it! 

 While I typically don't follow the rules when it comes to makeup, there is something so whimsical and feminine about spring time and the use of pastels and lilacs. I wanted to incorporate variations of these colors, while ultimately creating something different than my typical makeup looks. Cut creases are great because they can be tailored to your liking and/or personality; think soft enough to add subtle definition to the eye, or cut to the gods like a true glamazon!

Because this look plays up the cool, blue tones found in the lipstick I wanted to bring balance with the use of warmer toned products. A soft brown in the crease and an opaque blush help to harmonize and compliment without overpowering, for these products also have like undertones. 

And of course, it wouldn't be a true djkitty glam without a fierce highlight! I chose to go with one of my all-time favs by Love & Beauty. This highlight is the perfect mix of champagne and pink, giving off a beautifully intense pastel glow.

*products used:

eyes;

LORAC: Behind the Scenes- Eyeshadow Primer

STILA: Pure (brow bone)

MAC: Soft Brown (transition/crease shade-diffuse lower lash line)

MORPHE BRUSHES: 28F Palette- Dark Pink shade (crease)

URBAN DECAY: Fishnet (crease-define lower lash line)

NYX: Jumbo Pencil- Milk (to prime lid)

MORPHE BRUSHES: 28F Palette- Iridescent Shade (packed onto lid- inner corner)

Light Pink Shade (packed onto lid/lower lash line)

MAYBELLINE: Great Lash Mascara

ARDELL: Individuals- Long

NYX: Eyebrow Cake Powder- Taupe & Dark Brown

face;

SMASHBOX: Hydrating Primer

REVLON: Colorstay Foundation

BENEFIT: Erase Paste- 02 (conceal dark circles)

MAC: Prolongwear Concealer

BEN NYE: Cameo (set concealer/highlight)

ANASTASIA BH: Fawn (contour)

MAC: Taupe (contour)

STILA: Custom Color Blush- Pink

LOVE & BEAUTY: Shimmering Illuminating Powder- Champagne (highlight/inner corners)

lips;

NYX: Macaron Lippie- Lavender

MAC: Viva Glam Nicki 2 (center of lip)

D A Y 2 N I G H T; Everyday Eye look

I know in previous posts I have talked about how easy it is to take different looks from day to night, and shown examples of more dramatic, nighttime focused makeup. However, for this post I wanted to feature one of my favorite everyday makeup looks!

This is definitely my go-to eye look when I'm pinched for time- which is more often than I like to admit. Containing only three colors; a transition, crease, and lid, this look is super simple and super quick to create on those days we just can't quite get it together. 

Like I've said before, you want your daytime look to act as a transition, eliminating time you have to spend glamming for the night. Applying a pop of shimmer to the lid not only adds an extra touch of glam to this effortless eye, but the appearance of taking time to create when in reality it took about 3 minutes! I ultimately wanted to keep the colors alike for this daytime glam, providing a beautiful warmth and glow to the skin, while emphasizing the dewiness of the eyes.

* A good tip when you're running late is to remember you already own ten of the best makeup applicators- your fingers! Fingers are a great way to apply makeup for many reasons, the main being it takes less time to find your finger than it does to find the perfect blending brush amongst your collection. Another reason is your body's natural heat actually warms up product ensuring a more even, easy application. -- I used my fingers in both the day and night look to apply the shimmer color(s) on my lid. *


To transition eyes from day to night I gradually added darker colors to bring more definition to the eye area.

Using colors with the same mauve undertones to compliment the previous placed shadows, I started with a darker matte shade to add subtle crease definition and act as a transition.

Next, with my fingers, I applied a rich brown shimmer shade to the outer third of the lid, blending it into the previous lid color. 

Then, with a soft, slightly darker matte brown I blended the rich shimmer shade into the crease, adding even more definition to the eye area.

Lastly, I took my original crease color (used for the daytime look) on a big fluffy brush to ensure everything was blended seamlessly.

For the lower lash line, I combined the soft brown and mauve matte shades to define eyes, finishing by blending that out to desired effect using the same upper crease color.

I finished off this nighttime glam by adding a pop of color to the cheeks, some flirty falsies, and swapped the glossy nude lip for a softer matte.

*products used:

D A Y T I M E  G L A M;

eyes;

URBAN DECAY: Primer Potion

URBAN DECAY: Limit- Naked 3 Palette (transition shade)

MAC: Soft Brown (crease color/lower lash line)

NYX: Liquid Illuminator (base for shimmer color on lid)

URBAN DECAY: Trick- Naked 3 Palette (lid color)

ANASTASIA BH: Sand (inner corners)

NYX: Wonder Pencil- Light

BENEFIT: BadGal Lash Mascara

NYX: Eyebrow Cake Powder- Dark Brown & Taupe

face;

SMASHBOX: Hydrating Primer

REVLON: Colorstay Foundation

BENEFIT: Erase Paste- 02 (conceal dark circles)

MAC: Prolongwear Concealer (conceal/highlight)

MORPHE BRUSHES: 06CF Palette (to contour)

MAKEUP FOREVER: HD Powder (to set undereye area)

BEN NYE: Cameo (to brighten highlighted areas)

ANASTASIA BH: Fawn (to set contour)

ANASTASIA BH: Havana (warm up skin)

ANASTASIA BH: Sand (highlight)

lips;

NYX: Nude Beige (line/slightly fill in lips)

MILANI: Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss- Bare Secret

N I G H T T I M E  G L A M;

eyes;

STILA: Pure (brow bone)

URBAN DECAY: Nooner- Naked 3 Palette (define crease/transition shade/blend lower lash line)

MAKEUP FOREVER:  Eyeshadow #12 (outer lid/define lower lash line)

LORAC: Smokin' (deepen crease/blend lid colors)

ARDELL: Individuals- Medium

LOVE & BEAUTY: Shimmering Illuminating Powder- Champagne (inner corners)
+ products used for daytime glam

face;
BENEFIT: Hervana (blush)
LOVE & BEAUTY: Shimmering Illuminating Powder- Champagne (highlight)

lips;

NYX: Nude Beige (line/fill in lips)

NYX: Soft Matte Lip Cream- Cairo

February Top 5 Beauty Favorites

Was it just me, or did February come and go within a blink of an eye?! Anyways- here are my top 5 beauty favorites for the month!

Benefit, BadGal Lash Mascara:

I recently came across this little guy in a gift set, and wondered why I ever stopped using him. The big fluffy brush coats every lash without clumps, and the semi-dry, build-able formula ensures your lashes will never come across spidery. Wear alone for a dramatic, voluminous lash, or pair with your favorite lengthening mascara.

NYX, Lipliners- Nude Truffle & Nude Beige:

These lipliners are definitely on the top of my drugstore favorite list. Not only are the NYX liners super inexpensive, but dupes for many higher end brands. Long lasting, buttery in texture, and never fade or bleed into fine lines. 

Laura Mercier, Matte Bronze:

Unfortunately my bronzer is broken into tiny pieces, but despite it's appearance my love has not altered. It's velvety smooth texture applies easily, never looking cakey, patchy, or dull. Use to warm up skin, giving a natural glow, or for a subtle contour. Comes in four different shades (two mattes, two shimmer), to compliment every skin tone.

China Glaze, Shocking Pink:

Blame it on the winter weather, but throughout the month this was the color my nails were rockin'!  China Glaze polishes are formulated with nail hardeners, ensuring a long lasting shine without chips or cracks. Wear this color now, and in the summer to show off that gorgeous tan- it's the perfect opaque neon pink!

Kiss Nails, 100 Tips- Curve Overlap:

Having worn acrylic nails for over three years, I started to go thru withdrawals. -dramatic I know. However, these easy press-ons have changed my life, and my mood when I'm feening to feel fancy. The long length lets you trim and file to any desired shape, while the glue holds for a good 7+ days. Just press, polish, and go! (without the damage of acrylics)

*nails- China Glaze: Lotus Begin

Until next month....