A fresh new look for the fresh new year...

Now that all of the holiday parties, and stress of the holidays are over...the effects of the season can definitely show in your skin.  Strip away the stress and start off the new year with a fresh new and simple look!

Here are a few of my favorite products to get you started off 2011 glowing, fresh and feeling amazing!

Laura Mercier Tinted Illuminating Moisturizer $42

While this product is pricey, this has become a staple in my makeup wardrobe.  It leaves your skin fresh, moisturized and glowing with the perfect amount of dewy finish.  Love!

  

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush $11.95



Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush, literally lives up to it's name!  With natural plant extracts that promote feelings of happiness, and a violet scent that instantly puts a smile on my face... and who can pass up the adorable hearts, this will become a classic in my makeup kit!  This also comes in a few different shades to work with any skin tone.  Cheers!



Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Glimmer in Queen Phyllis $13



 If there is one shadow, that everyone care wear, with anything..anywhere, anytime....it is for sure Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Glimmer in Queen Phyllis!  The perfect combination of icy gold, and illuminating champange...this is a must have!  A little on the inner corners of your eyes, in the center of your eyelid...even on cheekbones...you will instantly look more awake and super fresh! 

Philosophy Kiss Me Lip Balm spf 20 $12

Philosphy Kiss Me Lip Balm has been in my makeup bag for years!  Highly Emollient, super hydrating and with just a touch of a natural tint...This is the perfect lip balm-meets gloss that I have found to date!  And with a name like "Kiss Me"....this will leave you with the perfect pout day or night....kiss or no kiss! xoxo




So there you go!  The perfect fresh and simple look that anyone can wear....Of course putting your own fresh spin on it to me is where its at! 

Happy New Year Loves! 

xo

New Years Eve Party Makeup...xo

As the new year approaches us, so do many New Years Eve Parties!  Of course, being the lover of party makeup as I am...I take that night to express my love for all things glitter, gloss, and glamour! 

Regardless of where you are heading New Years Eve, make jumping into 2011 Sparkle with a few of my favorite party makeup tricks and tips!

1.  Try taking a fine glitter and applying it with a tiny angle brush underneath your bottom lash line!  The overall effect is gorgeous as the light captures just enough of the glitter to create luminescent effect!  Try working opposite color spectrum's too....If I have warm brown shadow in my crease, I will use a cooler shade of glitter, such as light iridescent blue, lavender or silver.



My personal Favorite, LA SPLASH Glitter...you can purchase at ULTA and under $7!



Glitter Placement.  And don't worry about fallout, do eye's first, clean up and then foundation last!



Finished look!

2.   Always, ALWAYS do you eye's before foundation and concealer!  This way you can really focus on blending and perfecting the look without trying to be neat.  After your eyes are done, clean up underneath, and then apply foundation and concealer!

3.   The finished look above is pretty simple, but don't be afraid to apply glitter to the eyelids and well as cheekbones!  My rule of thumb has always been if you have glitter on the upper area of the face (eyes, cheekbones) keep the lips simple.  Just a simple gloss or balm will do. 

The most important tip of all, is to have fun when it comes to party makeup!  Use your imagination!  Don't be afraid to express your creativity when it comes to who you are...makeup or no makeup!  



HAPPY NEW YEAR LOVES!

xoxo 





It doesn't get any sexier than this...

First, Tom Ford created probably one of the sexiest fragrances - Tom Ford Black Orchid....and now this! 

Tom Ford's Black Orchid Lip & Nail Set $140, which also includes the classic fragrance in a solid form beautifully encased in a gold compact...The Lipstick and Nail polish are the absolute perfect blend of bold Berry and Plum, and so sexy...so intriguing!




TOM FORD BLACK ORCHID LIP & NAIL SET $140 neimanmarcus.com

While this is pricey, I just cannot get over how amazing this set is!  That is the beauty of mixing the high and low...To complete the super sexy look, here are a few of my favorite add-on's on the low-end........

 1.  L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in Blackest Black $7.99 - The perfect jet-black mascara that is buildable, does not clump and lengthens and curls your lashes.

2.  Maybelline Define-A-Brow eyebrow pencil in Brunette $6.49 - A true brunette shade with a tiny point to get the most precise arch.

3.  Maybelline Eye Studio Eye Plush Shadow Quad in Give Me Gold $7.49 - These 4 shadows are gorgeous, rich, wearable shades of gold that will work on any skin tone.  I even like to take the lighter shades and highlight my cheekbones.

The perfect holiday look for a night out..and so simple to achieve!

xo





What your winter skin is craving...

As the weather seems to get colder, and more dry..so does your skin!  I am not kidding, to date, this is by far the BEST skincare line that I have found to give your skin exactly what it needs!

Yes To Carrots!  Silly name, simple packaging, and some of the BEST products I have found!  The best part about the line, it is available at Walgreens and Target - you don't have to break the bank!

I recomemmend trying the Yes To Carrots Delishisly Rich Body Butter..day and night.  It is super rich, yet not greasy with a nice clean scent.  I am not even kidding, and I have told some....the first night I tried the Body Butter, I must have brushes my hand against my arm...my skin was literally so soft and silky, that it woke me up!  I am laughing even as I am typing this, but so very true!  It's just that good!

Try the entire line, but here are a few of my favorites....Yes To Carrots Delishishly Rich Body Butter $12.99, Shampoo and Conditioner $8.99 each, Rich Moisture Day Cream $14.99, and the Carrot Lip Balm $2.99(does not taste like carrots).  And I can say in all honesty, BETTER than Burt's Bee's, by far!

It takes a lot for me to stay loyal to a skincare line, as my skin is the standard combination skin.  This will be in my beauty arsenal always!

Try and Enjoy :)

xo



A bit of inspiration...xo

Here are a couple doll's that I feel are a huge inspiration in my "beauty" life.........These woman were, and are not afraid to take risks, going against the grain of the cosmetic norm...setting themselves apart. 

Being an individual is the most beautiful thing that we are ALL capable of being!

Natasha Khan of the band Bat for Lashes

Edie Sedqwick, Socialite, Model, Artist, Muse

Natasha Khan/Bat for Lashes/Music video for "Daniel)



Who are your dolls?

xoxo

This weeks obsession...xo

While getting ready for a party this week, I ran to Sephora in a rush of course, to find a new product to add to my makeup wardrobe for the evening (my friends all know how much I hate shopping for clothes, I see beauty products as accessories)...

While searching the store for the perfect blush, I stumbled upon these two AMAZING products!


SMASHBOX Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion in Diffuse $24




MAKE UP FOREVER HD Microfinish blush in Walk of Shame $25



When Mixed together, these two products created the most beautiful, natural..yet slightly exaggerated glow to the skin.  The best way is to start with more of the luminizing lotion, and just a touch of the cream blush (it is highly pigmented). 

Depending on your skin color, the SMASHBOX Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion comes in 3 different shades - as well as the MAKE UP FOREVER HD Microfinish Blush, which has tons of shades to pick from!

Check it out!

xo

My very first post!

Hello Loves! 

I am SO excited to have started my very first blog!  My goal is to share my knowledge of all things beauty with everyone out there...

Please feel free to send questions anytime to me directly at kcmakeupartist@yahoo.com.......

xo