Makeup break down: start with your base then go ahead and fill your brows with a powder to achieve this full look a half shade lighter than your eyebrow color. on the lid do a light champain shimmery color. on the crease use a bronze colored  eyeshadow for the crease and below the lower lashes and blend well. on the brow bone try a soft subtle highlight. this is such a classic Gwen eye. Do a winged liner try a liquid liner to get a big impact and for this look it looks like she used a spiky lash  but you can play around with different lash styles. Rim the eye with a beige color liner to open up the eye, and apply a few coats of mascara.

On the Cheeks put a little red blush just on the apples of the cheeks but very subtle, you just want a hint of color so dont go crazy with the blush. Apply a highlight on top of the cheek bone to get the dewy look so your make up doesnt look to matte.

Then last but not least the red lips. Find a red lip liner that you like and line and fill your lips finish off the look with a red lipstick. and there you have it. the Gwen look.

So for those who asked, and for those who may stumble upon this post. Here are the products that I used to create a Glowing Natural Beauty look.

Skin Prep:
Cleanse: Yes To Cucumber Soothing Hypoallergenic Face Towelettes
Moisturize: EmbryoLisse 24 Hr Miracle Cream
Lip treatment: Rosebud Salve

Skin Work: 
Foundation: Face Atelier #2 and #6
Powder: Ben Nye Media Pro HD Powder
Blush: Becca Lip and Cheek Creme in Rosebud
Bronzer/Contour: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Deep
Highlight: Shimmer Gold Highlight ( un-named brand i’ve had for years, but very similar to NARS Albatros)

Eyes:
MAC Vanilla Pigment
Taupe Matte Shadow ( un-named brand )
Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara

Brows:
Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil-002


Lips:
MAC Cremesheen Glass- Right Image

I apologize for the un-named products, I’ve de-potted 90% of my kit and have lost some of the labels over time. This gets very sad when it’s time to replace.

Have you used any of the products above? Which do you love hate or must now try?! I’d love to know!

xx

Saj

P.S I didn’t forget to list concealer…none was used

cosmetics

Wondering how to master it? No worries, Nerdy Girl Makeup’s Wycee has come to the rescue!

This is the most detailed on-point how-to cat eyeliner tutorial I have come across, and I honestly could NOT have done it better. So, I am showing some fellow blogger love and directing you to check out Ms. Wycee’s fab 5 step guide on the perfect cat eyeliner here: http://www.nerdygirlmakeup.com/2011/08/17/how-to-create-winged-cat-eyeliner/

I would love to see your photos after you have tried it!

XO-Beth Aurora

Photo from Nerdy Girl Makeup

Welcome back beautiful! Monday I showed you the three simple steps to get that daytime natural makeup look. “How can I transition this look to night?” is a question I am often asked. Don’t worry! Here are three more simple steps to get a luminous and rich look for any summer evening.

To achieve this look you will need 7 important products:

1. Primer (Smashbox’s Photofinish primer is a makeup artist favorite)
2. Foundation (We swear by Makeup Forever’s HD Foundation)
3. Cream Blush (NYX’s Cream Blush is a bargain!)
4. An Eye shadow Quartet (Sephora’s Colorful Palette gives you 5 colors!)
5. Eyeliner (Sonia Kashuk’s Eye Definer goes on smoothly!)
6. A Lip Stain or Lip Tint (Try Revlon’s ColorStay Just Bitten Lip Stain)
7. A lengthening mascara (We love Benefit’s BadGal Lash!)

Follow these 3 easy steps, and you will have a sexy evening look just like your favorite celebrity:

Step 1: SKIN -Add radiance with a silky primer, then layer sheer foundation on to even out your skin tone. Blend in a creamy blush, one shade darker than your skin tone, on the apples of your cheeks.

• Fair skin: Try Illamasqua’s Cream Blusher in “Rude”
• Medium/Olive Skin: You’ll love NYX’s Cream Blush in “Natural” or “Boho Chic”
• Dark Skin: Look for NYC’s Blushable Crème Stick in “Urban Spice”

Step 2: EYES -Pick a shadow palette that has a range of slightly shimmery shades. You don’t want them to be too glittery, remember we are going natural! Take the darkest shade and brush it at your lashline, then go gradually lighter as you go to the crease, and then the browbone. Use a brown or bronze pencil and trace a thin line along your lower and upper lashlines. Last, but not least, apply a coat of mascara to your lashes!

• Fair Skin: Try CoverGirl’s Eye Enhancers in “Café Au Lait”
• Medium/Olive Skin: Pick up Rimmel London’s Glam Eyes Quad in “Sun Safari”
• Dark Skin: L’Oreal Paris’s Studio Secrets Pro Ready to Wear quad in “Landscape” is perfect for you!
• Eyeliner for ALL skin tones: Sephora’s Nano eyeliner is only $5! Buy two or three in “Coffee” or “Chocolate”

Step 3: LIPS- Use a sheer berry-colored stain or tint to give lips a rosy color. Remember, stay away from glosses, shimmers, and glitter as they take us away from a natural look.

• Fair Skin: Pick up, Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lipstain in “Cranberry Crush”
• Medium/Olive Skin: You’ll like NYC’s Smooch Proof 16HR Lipstain in “Berry Long Time”
• Dark Skin: Try Ulta’s Extreme Wear Lip Stain in “Lucky in Love”

Be adventurous ladies, and try this look on a hot spring/summer night!

XO-Beth

Wearing red can be easy, just remember to look for a true red lip color. Think primary color, Crayola crayon red. Whether your skin is alabaster, ebony, or anywhere in between this type of red is universally flattering. Stay away from brick red or berry red lipsticks, because these do not fit everyone.

Try Shu Uemura’s, Rogue Unlimited Crème Matte lipstick, in 165m. It is a universal red, with a warm undertone. If you’re looking for something with more shine, try the Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine in rd165.

Beauty on a budget? I like Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love that Red. You’ll get the same effect, and keep a few pennies in your pocketbook!

Rock any of these three lipsticks and you will definitely have those awesome Gwen Stefani lips that we all love!

XO-Beth Aurora

To achieve this look for the daytime, you will need six key products:

1. A skin tone eye shadow (Try Smashbox’s “Nude” eye shadow)
2. Tinted Moisturizer (We like, Laura Mercier’s tinted Moisturizer)
3. A Nude Lipstick (Dolce & Gabanna’s Cinnamon Classic Cream lipstick is amazing)
4. A Brow Pen (You’ll love Anastasia Beverly Hill’s Brow Pen in Universal)
5. Mascara (Try Bobbi Brown’s Perfectly Defined Mascara)
6. Blush (Revlon’s Matter Powder Blush in Barely Buff is just right!)

Take these 6 products and in 3 simple steps you will have the perfect, pulled together look we all crave!

Step 1: SKIN- Apply tinted moisturizer all over your face for a subtle glow. Then bring out your cheekbones with a bit of matte blush one shade darker than your skin tone.

• Fair Skin, like Drew?: We like, Makeup Forever’s Powder Blush in Apricot 69
• Medium/Olive Skin, like America?: You’ll love Maybelline’s Fit Me Blush in “Deep Nude”
• Dark Skin, like Gabrielle?: Try MAC’s Powder Blush in “Blunt” or “Coppertone”

Step 2: EYES- Use a brow pen to create full arches, then comb it through. Next, apply shadow to your lids up to your creases; match it to your skin tone. Make your eyes pop by finishing with defining mascara.

• Fair skin: Try Essence’s eye shadow in Blockbuster (available at Ulta)
• Medium/Olive skin: Try Sephora’s Colorful Mono eye shadow in Café Latte
• Dark Skin: Try Illamasqua’s Powder Eye Shadow in Jules (available at Sephora)

Step 3: LIPS- Aim for velvety lipstick or lip balm, instead of gloss, to keep the look natural. Pick a shade that is in the same color family as your natural lip color.

• Fair Skin: Revlon’s Colorburst Lipstick in “Soft Nude” will do just the trick.
• Medium/Olive Skin: Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Velvet lipstick in “Nude Velvet” is the hue for you!
• Dark Skin: Neutrogena’s Revitalizing Lip Balm in “Soft Carmel” (BONUS! This has SPF 20)

Try this look out during the rest of the week, and join me later in the week when I show you how to take this look from day, to the long summer nights!

Stay Gorgeous!

XO-Beth Aurora

Daring enough to rock this look? Here is this week’s “Beauty Breakdown” & “Look of the Week” all in one post!

For Zooey’s trending lip, try Makeup Forever’s Rouge Artist Intense in “Satin Bright Orange” or MAC’s “Morange”

Or For a more subtle effect, try Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar (a cult favorite) in ChaCha which is a pale sherbet orange.

Remember to pair this with a soft peach blush and a champagne colored shadow. Your lips should be the focus!

XO-Beth Aurora

Model: Karolina Waz

Icarus & Co. Lookbook 2012

Satan’s Pearl Horses Production Studio

Hair by Mylene

Skin Prep:

•  Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre on face
•  Elizabeth Arden 8-hour Cream on lips

Eyes:

• Base: Laura Mercier, Creme Shadow in “Platinum”
• Lid: Jane Iredale, 24 karat gold
• Crease: Benefit, “Hoola” bronzer
• Mascara: CoverGirl, Aqualash in “Black Brown”

Brows:

• Anastasia, Brow Powder in “Ash Blonde”
• Blinc, Brow Mousse in “Dark Blonde”

Foundation:

• Nars, Illuminator in “Copacabana”
• Spot concealed with Yaby Liquid Foundation Corrector in “Apricot” and Laura Mercier, Secret Camouflage #3

Contour + Highlight:

• Contour- Benefit, “Hoola”
• Highlight- Make Up For Ever, Contour Kit #4

Blush:

• Custom blend from La Femme blush palette

Lips:

• Victoria’s Secret Shimmer Gloss + Elizabeth Arden 8-hour Cream, Nars “Copacabana”

Powder:

• Yaby Powder Foundation

Skin Treatment:

• Embryolisse LCC + Nars “Copacabana”

Model: Karolina Waz

Icarus & Co. Lookbook 2012

Satan’s Pearl Horses Production Studio

Hair by Mylene

Skin Prep:

•  Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre on face
•  Elizabeth Arden 8-hour Cream on lips

Eyes:

• Base: Laura Mercier, Creme Shadow in “Platinum”
• Lid: Jane Iredale, 24 karat gold
• Crease: Benefit, “Hoola” bronzer
• Mascara: CoverGirl, Aqualash in “Black Brown”

Brows:

• Anastasia, Brow Powder in “Ash Blonde”
• Blinc, Brow Mousse in “Dark Blonde”

Foundation:

• Nars, Illuminator in “Copacabana”
• Spot concealed with Yaby Liquid Foundation Corrector in “Apricot” and Laura Mercier, Secret Camouflage #3

Contour + Highlight:

• Contour- Benefit, “Hoola”
• Highlight- Make Up For Ever, Contour Kit #4

Blush:

• Custom blend from La Femme blush palette

Lips:

• Victoria’s Secret Shimmer Gloss + Elizabeth Arden 8-hour Cream, Nars “Copacabana”

Powder:

• Yaby Powder Foundation

Skin Treatment:

• Embryolisse LCC + Nars “Copacabana”

Today on the blog, we have the makeup I put on my friend Katie for the Ke$ha concert we went to this past weekend. You saw my look yesterday – kind of a dark, vampy and mysterious trailer trashy style. With Katie, I went completely in the opposite direction. She’s a pretty free spirit and I wanted to reflect that in her makeup – so these colors are fairly hippie-ish, with a heavy-handed dose of glitter. What do you think?

Ke$ha Concert Makeup on Katie

I used colors from Urban Decay‘s very first Book of Shadows, a discontinued LE product that came out in 2008. It had a pop-up book style cover and came with two brushes and a mini UDPP. The shadows were in a little pull-out drawer. Check it out!

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 1, photo courtesy of pinksith.com

I started with a base of UDPP all the way up the lid to the brow, followed by a Visine-heavy (to prevent glitter fallout) coat of Midnight Cowboy. Midnight Cowboy is a color that you can find in almost every palette Urban Decay churns out – a nude shimmery shadow jam-packed with silver glitter. I added Grifter, a shimmery pink-based lavender with silver glitter, to the outer two thirds of the lid, and Mayhem, an iridescent royal purple, to the crease. I darkened that up even more by applying Last Call, a shimmery burgundy, to the outer V.

Around here, I stepped back and asked myself if there was enough glitter or color on Katie’s face. Of course there wasn’t! This is Ke$ha we’re talking about. I added Shattered, a frosty sky blue duochrome with a green cast, to the inner V, and Absinthe, a shimmery light green duochrome with a gold cast, to the inner third of the bottom lid. (You can’t get the palette anymore, but you can buy the individual shades here or here.) I finished up Katie’s eyes with black eyeliner and lots of mascara. I cleaned up the glitter fallout that Visine didn’t catch with some Scotch tape – it’s not as aggressive as it sounds, and works really well!

On her cheeks, we used a blush of hers, a rosy mocha shade. I suggested a lipgloss of mine, MAC Prrr, to pull the whole thing together. (I think the frosty peach gloss makes the look even sweeter.) Katie dug the look, as you can see by this picture.

Katie and her Ke$ha concert look!

And, for good measure, a picture of me creeping behind Katie.

Creeper AKA me (back left), Katie with glittery eyeshadow (front right)

What do you think of this glitter unicorn princess look? Is it totally Ke$ha or totally kindergarten?

When I think of Ke$ha, lots of different things come to mind. Glitter, for one. Lots of glitter. (At one point during the performance, she said, “I’M NOT WEARING ENOUGH GLITTER!” and someone came out from backstage to apply more.) Grimy, grungy, and trashy all apply, too, though not in a bad way. Katie said I looked like “classy trailer trash,” which I couldn’t have said better myself. When putting on my eyeshadow, I realized that it was starting to look a little Jersey Shore – and I was terrified that I kind of liked it. There’s nothing subtle about what I did with my makeup. Nothing. See for yourself.

Ke$ha Concert Makeup!

Here’s another picture where I’m looking down, so you can see the eye makeup better.

Ke$ha Concert Makeup, looking down (and sort of suspicious)

I know, seriously intense. I also know that I’ve said strong eye OR strong lip and never both, but this is show makeup – those rules don’t apply for performances, Halloween, or anything like that.

So what did I use? (At the time, I felt as if there was nothing I didn’t use.)

I started with a clean, moisturized face, curled my eyelashes, put on my L’Oreal True Match Foundation, and then applied Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I’ve said in the past that it’s not my favorite, but unlike my beloved Painterly, UDPP is great to use with creamy products. I then smeared MAC Shadestick in Sharkskin on the whole lid, past the crease but not to the browbone. (This product has since been discontinued, but you can try MAC Paint Pot in Blackground – it’s the same idea, and that way you can eliminate using a primer.) Warning: you will be terrified by how much makeup you have on once you complete this step, and this is just the beginning. Ride out the fear!

I then buffed out the edges of the shadestick using my Bobbi Brown Eye Smudge brush. (I don’t use brushes that often, but when it comes to precision, I’ll make an exception.) After this, I dug out a bottle of Visine (the kind that helps with redness) and used it to moisten my brush. For some reason, Visine helps shadows and pigments, especially glittery or shimmery ones, really stick on. I like using shadows wet because it intensifies the shade, but make sure whatever product you try this trick with is wet/dry – I’ve ruined more than a few eyeshadow pans with water.

The first shadow I used was Urban Decay Baked – I applied it to a third of my lid, starting from the inner corner of the eye. I also used it carefully on my lower lid. (If you don’t have the Naked Palette yet, this color is in it and is just one great excuse for the palette purchase!) I made sure that the color was the most intense at the inner corner and faded out into the rest of the lid. Using the same brush with more Visine, I added MAC Solar Bits Pigment in Black Ore, starting where I had left off with Baked, around a third of the way in. This product was limited edition – and kind of difficult to work with if you’re not adding Visine. I’ve never really seen anything else like it, but if I hadn’t used this, I probably would have used NARS Night Series Eyeshadow in Night Clubbing instead.

I lined my waterline (top and bottom) with black eyeliner – you already know that I use Urban Decay 24/7 in Zero, but it’s up to you. This is around the point in my look that I realized I don’t have a legitimate black liquid liner, and became angry with myself. I would have used normal black liquid liner if I had one on hand, but I used a limited edition product from a few holidays ago, Victoria’s Secret Heidi Klum Collection Glitter Liner in Licorice. It’s black with green and gold glitter – and not the best quality to be honest. Lots of people make glitter eyeliner if you want to try one; Urban Decay’s is seriously sparkly. I finished with way too much mascara and added extra glitter to the tips of my lashes.

Closeup on my eye! (Yes, I wear contacts.)

From here, I added bronzer – MAC‘s Solar Riche, but any bronzer you have will do – to contour my cheekbones, chin, and nose, and a light dusting of NARS Orgasm blush.

Deciding what lipstick to wear was a hard decision. I tried a VERY fair nude, but didn’t like how that looked and MAC St. Germain seemed a little bit overwhelming for the occasion. In the end, I had my friend Katie pick. “I feel like you need something red with that leopard top and dark eyeshadow,” she said, “to complete your trashy look.” I went with Tarte‘s Natural Lip Tint in Lust, though when I got to the concert I wished that I’d brought my MAC Peacocky blue lipgloss – Ke$ha was wearing her signature blue lips! I really didn’t want to leave the house ‘without my lips on,’ and I have a pretty strict “don’t leave the house with a limited edition MAC product” policy, so red lip stain it was. A syrupy red lipgloss would be great too. Or bronze! Which I didn’t think of last night.

The final look!

All in all, I’m pretty pleased with how this came out. What do you guys think? Stay tuned for the makeup I used on my friend Katie, whose look was inspired by the concept of a glitter unicorn. No, I’m not kidding.

What did you do this weekend? Was glitter involved? Or umbrellas?