Contour, highlight, illuminate rewind

I felt like my last post on contouring and highlighting was confusing and a lot of info so let's rewind!

Lets just look at the first 2 photos (same face, different lighting). After applying foundation all over, I used maybelline age rewind concealer in fair to highlight the parts that look white and then I used a cheap bronzer in dark tan from H amd M to contour and i actually love the color. (Notice the contouring in the hollows of the cheek by making a fish face and drawing a line in that crease). You can also contour around the temples since i dont think that's showing on the photo. I also put blush on my cheeks between the highlight and contour!

Next i used a big fluffy blush to blend everything in and made all harsh lines disappear.

Then i went back and added a little extra blush and bronzer because i think there was too much foundation left on my blending brush so it blended and erased some color.

The last 2 photos have the finished look of highlighting and contouring.
What do ya think?

Contour, highlight, illuminate

Contouring, highlighting, illuminating, concealing...I'm so confused!  But I'm starting to understand!

This blog helped me so feel free to check it out if you want a little lesson. Besides that, I will just show you some things and PRODUCTS I've been trying.

1. Foundation. You already know I like using Loreal lumi foundation with bare minerals on top but did you know I started applying my liquid foundation with the big bare minerals brush?  I love it!  Mostly because I don't get my hands dirty but it really gives a nice finish and easy application.  The key to all of today's lessons is blend blend blend!

2. Concealer/highlighting.  I just bought Maybelline instant age rewind concealer and so far so good.  Concealer should be lighter than your skin tone and it can be used to highlight/bring out parts of your face that you can read it about how to in the blog I linked earlier.  One trick I can share is how to erase dark circles under your eyes or in my case, how to erase my veins that pop through! Don't just apply concealer under your eyes.  Apply it in a down facing triangle covering under your eyes but going down your cheek as shown in my picture below.  This helps it blend into your face and not look like you were in a taming booth with goggles on if you know what I mean.  

3. Illumniator.  Illuminators are used to bring light to your face and give you the nice dewey look on your cheekbones and nose for example.  Refer to the blog I keep linking for more exacts on where to illuminate. Why do I have two concealers in my photo above?  Because one is a concealer lighter than my skin and the other is an illuminator by the same brand.  The illuminator is pretty light so I am still practicing how to wear it sparingly.  My husband thought I looked like a ghost so I'm still figuring out how to use it.  I think my second attempt went much better.  However there is another illuminator I really want to try that this girl uses in her youtube video.  It is Revlon photo ready skin lights in peach light...can't wait to get it.  

4. Contouring.  The photo above is where my husband thought I was too light from the illuminator however check out the contouring under my cheekbones!  I like the definition but let me tell you what's wrong.  A. I may need to blend it better so the line is not so harsh. B. I find the color too orange. I have read that you shouldn't use just any bronzer for contouring because it can be too orange.  Get something more taupe or grayish or even try a concealer darker than your skin tone.  In this photo I am using NYC Sun n bronze in Coney Island (maybe I should have bought a darker color?) While I'm still deciding how I feel about the color if using as a bronzer...I know what I'm going to try for contouring next.  It's from the girl's youtube video I linked.  I am going to try cover girl fix stick concealer in dark because it's a dark brown and doesn't look too orangey.

Here is how you should apply a contouring shade.  Make the fish face and sweep it in the hollows of your cheeks.  There are other areas you can contour as well like around your temples, going down the sides of your nose and your jawline.

5. Bronzer.  After being told I looked too white, I put the NYC bronzer all over my face.  This is what you should not do.  Check me out as an Oompa Loompa. 

6. Today I practiced again and am feeling pretty confident.  When applying a bronzer you should think of making the number 3 on each side of your face. Here is a pretty good photo I found online to show how.  You want there to still be light spots in your face and only have bronzer where the sun would naturally hit you.  This is where highlighting and illuminating help out as well.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXl53__eARcwJp0ztYP_9N4tUzInC49i7oewubSwFTsZHgB0mVoY9_LIyAX1-l-AjjisX31bf5xrQGT7jgHpyN2MrRmtKa2FefnH_pkXmsWnpKIURwMbYW7blUevJuPpj8SEJ5OS7XQKV/s640/3.jpg

Doesn't it look more natural now?  Can you see how I have darker and lighter areas for where the sun would hit my face?  I also used my NYC sun n bronzer as eye shadows which I love! Last tip: If you want extra color, you can apply a little blush to the apples of your cheeks as well for that pretty flushed look.

A few extra product reviews just for fun: 

1. Have you signed up for Ipsy yet?  I received my first glam bag for $10. My favorite thing was the NYX butter gloss.

Some products are from the bag but I am also using my cover girl checkers bronzer and a gold eyeshadow not included but that I had at home.

I love my new revlon brow fantasy pencil and gel.  You've probably noticed I love the thick brow trend.

 

And finally here is one last photo of me contouring and highlighting but I'm using all random products not designed for it.  I  have my cover girl checkers bronzer in the hollows of my cheeks and a white shimmery eyeshadow to highlight my brow bones, nose and inner corners of my eyes.  It actually worked pretty well for improvising...

BFFs

In October 2011,  my family moved to Savage MN.  One Sunday at church we saw a new young couple sitting in front of us during Sunday school.  We kind of pounced on them asking their names and where they were from because we were so excited to find some new friends around our age in the area! Well this Sunday, they were only here for a visit but getting ready to move to MN to start a new job.  Once they finally moved in, things got serious! Martin and Katy became our best friends and we hung out almost every weekend.  There was a pretty good group of us of about 4 or 5 couples that did fun things together often.  Then something must have been in the water because many of us got pregnant around the same time too!  Katy and I hit it off so well and became best friends.  We have kept in touch through both of our many moves and kept track of each other’s babies through photos, Facebook and blog updates.  This past week, their family came to visit!  Martin, Katy and their amazing 15 month old twins!

We had a pretty jam packed week of fun actvities.

On Wedneday, we met my old co-worker and her adorable boy, Owen, at the Children’s museum.  I must say Minnesota’s Children’s Museum is pretty amazing and great for a wide age range. 

Mom selfie

Water time!

On Thursday, Katy, our babies and I met at the Mall of America.  Katy and I browsed Sephora for our new adventures in make-up and then we drank delicious bubble teas from the Tea Garden,  Mmmm Avocado-almond is my fav! 

On Friday, I set up a playdate with a few people Katy knew from living in MN, along with my co-worker who came to the Children’s museum and a ton of other friends.  We went to the Splash pad/park in Robbinsdale and we sure took it over!  There were at least 8 moms in our group and the majority had multiple kids.  It was one of our best play groups yet!

Leave it to Joaquin to steal other's food...

Friday through Sunday, Katy’s family stayed at our place.  We went out for sushi, played with make up, made strawberry cheesecake french toast for breakfast and of course had SO much fun watching the twins play with Joaquin and our puppy.  You really can’t not have fun with all of them running around the house and yard all weekend!

Our flawless faces after I gave my first real make-up lesson!

The Strawberry cream cheese french toast Katy and I made.

Everyone seated for Sunday Breakfast

Saturday I attended Leslie’s bridal shower for which I’m the Maid of Honor.  I don’t have any pictures yet but I do have a picture of the sign I made to decorate with.

Leslie’s sister in law threw the shower and her mom cooked delicious, as usual, Lebanese food.  The gorgeous home was decorated beautifully with lots of coral and white roses. We played a how well do Leslie and her Fiancé know each other game.  For every question the two didn’t match answers, Leslie had to eat a piece of gum, but her mouth didn’t even get full enough for it to be funny so I guess they know each other pretty well!  Overall it was a success and a beautiful day for the bride!

Finally on Sunday, before our friends went home, we went to the Burnsville chapel for church where we all met.  It was so fun to see everyone!  This ward was a big part of our life and we still miss it today.  Everyone was very welcoming to us there and they were just as welcoming when we returned to visit,  It really was a fun reunion…especially showing off how much our babies have grown!

Raising a baby in America

Have you ever been to Babies R Us?!  Well I hadn't until today!  Walking inside of that store was a huge realization that I raised my baby in another country.  Granted there were a few similar stores in the Dominican Republic but not as big and more expensive.  I'm so excited to go and buy toys for my child now here in Minnesota.  This is one of the downfalls of America and their desire to spend spend spend but what can I say? Commercialism has sucked me in too.  The reason I am so excited about this store and the ability to buy toys is how little Joaquin has grown up with in his short 18 months of life.  We knew our stay in the Dominican Republic was temporary and shipping between countries is not affordable so we didn't buy much besides some house furnishings and the bare essentials for Joaquin.  It showed me how little a baby really does need!  Hopefully I can remember that when I have another one because walking into Babies R Us makes you think a baby needs everything which is what most new parents get...everything!  In reality Joaquin was fine with diapers, wipes, milk, clothes, a bed and a few toys...can you believe it?!  We really brought very little with us when we moved and lived off of that just fine.  Well, what am I going to do now...guess I'll be talking to my husband about a budget for our son, ha!

I just wanted to share a quick update of how well we have settled back home.  We are blessed to have my mom's home with two empty rooms that we have now habituated.  My mom and I still have rocky moments in our communication (before you judge, imagine yourself moving back home.) but it has gotten better and that is hopeful and another great blessing.  Joaquin has also gotten to spend a fair amount of time with his new baby cousin, Richard.  Jesus loves his job and is less stressed.  Not having my own car is still rough but I take Jesus to work about once a week, since it's not too close, and I usually go on some kind of playdate with Joaquin to make sure I am socializing the kid!  I am grateful for the friends that we have gotten back in touch with since leaving and all the things we have gotten to go out and do!

Life is different wherever we go it seems!  Before we left the country we had a close knit group of friends that we spent every weekend with even with lots of pregnancies and new babies!  Then in the Dominican Republic, we didn't have as tight a group of friends but there was one other family that became our best friends who we spent a lot of time with.  Then lots of our time was spent serving in the church and working with the youth there.  We even had pretty regular Friday date nights with Jesus' aunt graciously babysitting.   Now since being back I think we have spent much more time together as a family than with a group of friends.  We have spent lots of time with my brother, his wife and new baby as well as with my mom and even some date nights on our own now that mom can help babysit.  Life feels different and I feel less social in a way...but not personality wise.  My personality feels just as social but we are still trying to find that groove and balance between work, family and friends.  I think I feel more like a mom here while I stay at home, take my son to playdates and discover new stores like Babies R Us.  It's a good feeling...feeling like a mom.  We are still finding our niche in the ward at church, especially while Joaquin is still crying for us during nursery, but I'm sure once we get callings and meet more people, that will help.  I don't know if my ranting is making sense but the point is we are comfortable and doing really well here in Minnesota.  We still have lofty goals and look forward to the day of buying a big new house with a yard (as opposed to the town home, without much of a yard, we own) but for now we are comfortable and I am grateful that it has happened quicker than I imagined!  Can I get an Amen?!

Here are some photos of my new life in Minnesota so far...it's only getting' better.

A reunion with some Singles ward friends!

Celebrating my 31st at Pittsburgh Blue...the scallops are to die for!

At the carnival with my mom

Enjoying Minnesota lakes

Minnesota beach

Playdate at the splash pad

Babysitting Baby Richard

Being a mom!

Playing with color

Today I want to share some of my Pinterest inspired ways to play with color. 

Look 1: Here I tried one of the most colorful eyeshadow palettes I could find.  I simply followed the suggested application idea on the back of the package and am pretty happy with how it turned out. 

It really did look more pigmented in person...

This look below found on Pinterest is what I am aspiring to but I need to do more shopping for this first. So above was a beginner's attempt before taking the plunge in the photo below: 

Look 2: I don't know what was going on here but I'll post it anyway.  I used the emerald green loreal infallible cream shadow on my upper lid (and bottom as a liner) and then I applied the gold from the other palette I used above, right above the green on my upper lid.

Then I wasn't sure how I felt about that so I colored my whole upper lid with the emerald green...I feel like it gives a smoky look when my eyes are open but it's really nothing exciting and not something I would likely do again...here's to trial and error right?!

Look 3: Coral lips!  I have a lot of coral lips on my Pinterest page and purchased the loreal extraordinaire color riche liquid lipstick in coral encore and I really love it!  Because the lips are a bit bright, I did a natural eye.  This has become a good everyday look for me.

Look 4: Thanks to my friend Anna who sent me this pin...I tried to replicate it! 

How did I do?  PS my friend Karen shared with me the tip for better photos: natural light and use the back camera if you're using your phone!  Genius.  Here I used the brighter purple from the Loreal palette above in the crease (you can tell I don't have too many products yet) but I also used different shades of my Revlon illuminance creme shadows in wild orchids that looks like this: 

Look 5: The peacock inspired eye again found on Pinterest...this was the most fun to try.  I even used some gold glittery liquid liner by NYX but it doesn't show up very well in the photo because I was running out and just used what was left in the bottom of the tube.  I also can't remember the exact name of this liner because I threw it away but this looks like it might be it.

FYI I've been having fun with eyeshadow a lot but am now on the hunt for some great all day lip colors.  I've always been a gloss fan and have been pretty happy with Loreal extraordinaire color riche liquid lipstick but it doesn't last all day.  I am ready to move away from glosses and into more lipsticks.  What do you use that is long lasting and beautiful?


One more FYI: Today my make up guru friend Karen shared with me this link!  

Here is a quote from her describing it as she's already signed up.  "You get a mix of sample sized and full sized skin care, hair care, makeup tools, or makeup. It's very worth it! This month I got a bag worth $30 something and only payed $10."  

I am now in the process of convincing my husband to let us add it to our budget.  If you are enjoying my make-up adventures as much as me, check it out!

Gold lid, winged liner and mom!

More brushes, more colors! That's what I need to really get good enough to blog about my make up endeavors but humor me and let me show you what I've accomplished so far.  Remember  this is coming from a thirty year old who's spent most of her life all nat-ur-al.

Look 1: My favorite of the week, gold and black, found on pinterest!  So I may have bought a gold lipstick in the Dominican Republic...who knows why...but I sure did use it as an eyeshadow this week!  And then I blended a dark grey eyeshadow into the corner edges.  I used a shimmering light pink on my lips with a little of the gold lipstick on top.  The I put a tissue on my mouth and dusted a translucent powder on my lips because I heard that makes it last longer.  Another trick is to apply a darker contouring shade into that crevice of your face below your cheekbones to make you look like you lost five pounds.  I can't remember if I did that in this photo or not or if I just put a bronzer on my cheeks as usual.

Look 2: Here I am working on my cat eye.  I tried both a scotch tape tutorial and a spoon tutorial online and haven't mastered either but I shall keep practicing! Here is where I think I did the contouring trick I mentioned above.

  Look 3: This was my attempt at the smoky eye but the photo is terrible.  I have got to learn how to take photos of myself.  It looks like I barely have on any color so it's definitely not smoky.  However I do remember one trick I attempted from Pinterest.  I drew the cat eye with my liquid eyeliner pen first and then I blended it in to create that darker color on the outside edge and crease.  Then I touched up the liner and added it to the bottom lid when I was finished with the eyeshadow.

Look 4: Again the photos are not doing the color any justice so hopefully this isn't pointless.  Here I was trying to play with the little colors that I own.  I first swept my golden emerald infallible on the whole lid and crease.  Then I used a shimmery light pink in the inside corners, on the inner half of my lid and below the brow.  Then I added an extra kick with a gold sparkly eyeliner in the inside corners, top and bottom, but the photo shows nothing! Then I added black eyeliner on the top lid only.  Hopefully you can get the point without seeing it...oh and in all the photos I'm still using my loreal true match lumi foundation with the cream shimmery blush and sometimes bronzer.

 Looks 5 and 6: my mother!  I never learned how to put make up on other people but mom is even more all nat-ur-al than me so she was a good place to start.  The first photo is just bare minerals foundation, some bronzer on cheeks and forehead, the loreal cream shimmery blush from my last post, a little eyebrow pencil and lipstick! The second photo we did the same but put a shimmery pink on her lids, added mascara and used the loreal liquid lipstick, from my last post, in a brighter pink.