St. Patrick's Day Giveaway

I can't believe we're already almost a week into March!!  And I can't believe St. Patrick's Day is coming so soon!  It's definitely one of my favorite holidays.  I actually AM Irish and I LOVE beer... so yeah, there you go!  I also love coordinating my look for holidays!  I'm all about the green when this day rolls around, including my makeup!  

So I'm spreading the love with a Green with SASS Giveaway!

Prizes: Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara in "I heart Green" // Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in "Lime" // Mary Kay Botanicals Effects Skincare samples

This giveaway is happening on my instagram (you must enter on instagram and follow directions there) BUT you can receive an ADDITIONAL ENTRY by commenting on this post below about why you'd love to win! (If you comment below but DO NOT post on instagram, you will NOT be eligible)

All entries must be received by Monday March 9, 2015 @ midnight CST.  A winner will be announced on my instagram on Tuesday morning!  Winner must contact me by Tuesday March 10 with shipping info so I can make sure to get it to you in time for St. Patrick's Day!  Open to legal U.S. residents ONLY, 18 years+.  Not endorsed by Instagram or Mary Kay Inc.  GOOD LUCK!

*If you'd like to request Mary Kay samples from me, please visit my Mary Kay website and register as a new customer!  You can request samples anytime or contact me with questions!*

Bold eyeliner look

Today's beauty products are linked below!! I'm having a super exciting day of fighting off allergies, running errands and taking care of a sick hubby... be jealous!! ;-)  What are y'all up to?

 Foundation Primer // Foundation // Bronzer // Blush // 

Eye Primer //  Cream Eye Shadow // Pink Eye Shadow // 

Purple Eye Shadow //  Black Eyeliner // Mascara // Brow Pencil // 

Brow Gel // Mineral Powder // Lipstick 

Interested in a new makeup look?  Check out my Virtual Makeover Tool!!

*warning: it's REALLY fun and may suck you in! ;-) ENJOY!!

Makeup Monday: super easy bronze eye look

Today I'd love to share a super simple eye makeup look with you!  This has been one of my favorite looks lately.  If you saw my instagram yesterday, you'll know that I've been branching out with my browns.  I'm used to doing eye makeup looks with purples (I have green eyes) and blacks (everyone loves a good smoky eye, right?).  What I'm not so used to is using shades of brown.

This might sound kind of strange.  Honestly, most women I know need a nudge AWAY from the browns.  As a Beauty Consultant, I see a lot of neutrals and browns because women simply are afraid of color.  Well, I'm the opposite; I LOVE color on my eyes and I feel weird using neutral shades.  But this is slowly changing.

I'm loving metallics this season and most of all golds and bronze tones.  This is taking that love and simplifying it into a very easy eye makeup look for day that easily transitions for night.  So here's a step-by-step tutorial on my fave eye look lately!

I've started with prepping my face and applying foundation.  

The products I use: Primer // Foundation // Concealer // Highlighting Pen

I am using three eye colors total; one is a cream eye shadow that I use as a base, the other two are metallic mineral eye colors that I blend on top.  The only other product I'm using is mascara (not counting brushes; if you don't have quality brushes, I highly recommend this set!  It will give you the basic brushes you need for all of your makeup!  They are also guaranteed 100%- ask me more about this).

This is a very quick eye look that can be done in a matter of minutes.  I'm starting with this Cream Eye Shadow in Iced Cocoa

This cream shadow is fabulous because it can be used on it's own, or as a base for an eye look, like I'm doing today.  You can use a brush with this cream, or simply use your finger.  Any time you are applying product to your eyes or around your eyes (shadows, eye creams, etc) USE YOUR RING FINGER!  This is the weakest finger on your hand and therefore the best!  You always want to be as gentle as possible with the skin around your eyes and eye lids.  Tugging and pulling and rubbing this delicate skin is what causes most sagging and puffiness!  You must be gentle.

I use my left ring finger to do my left eye and my right ring finger to do my right eye.  The only reason I do this is to allow my color to go on more symmetrically.  Sometimes it's awkward to reach across to the opposite side of your face and try to angle your finger just right.  I also do my left eye first because it is NOT my dominate hand.  If you are like me and struggle with making the color symmetrical and matching both eyes, this is a simple trick.  It is much easier for me to control my right hand and match the right to the left; so I always do my non-dominant side first.

Start on the outside corner of your eyelid and blend inward.  You may feel like you're just smudging color on your eye and that it looks strange but remember, this is the first step.  Eye makeup is all about layering and not every layer will look "pretty".  This is just a base and will be completely covered and blended, so ONLY put the dark cream where you want dark color.  I always concentrate my dark color to the outside 1/3 of my eye lid and blend towards the middle.

Tip Tuesday: Long-lasting Lipstick + my favorite PINK!

 

 MUAH!! Happy Tuesday loves! How is your week going so far?  Today I just wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to my favorite PINK LIPSTICK shade recently... Pink Chérie!

{photo from MaryKay.com}

This is the perfect pink in my book... not too light and not too bright!  Take a closer look at this shade and
even try it on virtually HERE!  Want to learn more about Mary Kay's True Dimensions formula?  Check
out this video!

This lipstick really is the silkiest, smoothest lipstick you will ever put on!  It's so moisturizing and luxurious!  And did you see all those shades?  This past season saw a lot of new additions and ladies are loving them!  What color is your favorite?

No matter what shade of lipstick you prefer, I'm sure you'd love to know how to make it last longer!  One of the most common questions I receive as a Beauty Consultant is how to make lipstick last.  So here you go... here are my tips and tricks!

Ladies, if you're searching for a magical lipstick that will stay on all day no matter what you eat, drink or do, I'm very sorry to disappoint you... this does not exist!  Seriously y'all.  It doesn't.  You will always have to reapply lipstick after meals, etc.  It's life.  BUT, I promise I can help minimize the number of times you have to do it!

Here are some of my favorite products from Mary Kay that I use on myself, I recommend to my customers and I use on all of my professional makeup jobs.  There are other brands that make these types of products... if you love another brand, go for it.  My tips are general application tips that can be applied by anyone with any brand products.  If you are interested in the specific Mary Kay products I mention, there is purchasing information at the bottom of this post, as well as a coupon code to use on your first purchase!

{Please note: As I always say, I personally only use Mary Kay and those are the products I talk about because I believe in the concept of being able to TRY your products and switch them out if they are not correct for you.  I don't know another company that guarantees every single product 100%.  So when I recommend these products, it is not for my gain but for yours... really, honestly.  I believe you should be able to return a product instead of getting stuck with a drawer full of beauty products you'll never use.  I believe you should be able to try lipstick shades to your heart's desire until you find just the right one.  I am able to provide this service to my customers through Mary Kay and their satisfaction guarantee} 

1. Exfoliate your lips.  The skin on your lips is the only skin on your entire body that does not naturally exfoliate.  This is why we all have so many issues with dry lips, peeling and cracking.  Using a lip mask to scruff off the dead skin cells will help you apply lipstick easier, and it will help the color last long and look better.  I recommend Mary Kay's Satin Lips Set.

2. Neutralize your lip color with your foundation or concealer.  This may sound strange but this will help your lipstick look more true-to-color as you see it in the tube, as well as add another layer to help the lipstick, well... stick! My favorite Mary Kay foundations are the TimeWise Liquids but you could also use your skin shade of Concealer.

3. Prime your lips with a Lip Primer.  Just like painting a wall, color will go on better and last longer when you prime first.  I love Mary Kay's anti-aging Lip Primer!

4. Line your lips with a Lip Liner.  No, don't draw an outline on your lips with a dark color and then leave it!  This horrible trend has scared ladies away from lip liner for way too long!  The key to lip liner is using it all over.  Outline your lips, then completely fill in your entire lips with the color.  Again, this layer will give the lipstick something else to stick to.  Light layers of multiple products is the key!  Don't want to use a colored lip liner?  No problem!  Mary Kay makes a clear lip liner so you can get the benefits of a liner without additional color!  Booya!

5. Apply your lipstick!

As I mentioned above, you kind find these types of products in most stores but if you don't want to get stuck with something you don't love, how about trying some Mary Kay?  If you don't already have a consultant, I'd love to be yours!  No matter where you are in the U.S. I can help!  I ship products and stay in touch with customers in multiple states and I'd love to help you too.

Please take a moment to register on my website so I can keep in contact with you!  If you're interested in purchasing the products I've mentioned today (at no risk to you because of our guarantee) please click the links above an order through my Mary Kay website!  (You can also contact me if you have additional questions)

**SPECIAL DEAL** Use coupon code "NEW15" to receive 15% OFF your first order with me! (enter this in the "customer comments" portion during checkout)

Smooches y'all!  Hope my tips have helped!

be bold!

Yesterday was a super casual day.  It was Chris' day off and after a morning and early afternoon of just hanging out, we decided to venture out to a favorite shop and browse around.  I didn't want to get "all made up" but I wanted a simple, quick pop of color with my eye makeup.  I've been loving to the BOLD COLOR of Mary Kay at Play's Bold Fluid Eyeliner. 

 Of course I'm partial to the purple, with my green eyes and all, but I really love every color.  It's super fun to mix and match them also!  My favorite is blending the colors to create an ombre effect!  Check out these helpful You Tube tutorials from Mary Kay!  Ombre, cat eye & basic looks are highlighted! 

Ready to try it for yourself? If you already have a Mary Kay beauty consultant, please contact her to try!  If you don't, guess what?  Now you do!  I'd love to work with you and be your FREE beauty consultant!  There are SO many perks to having a personal makeup consultant and I'd love to tell you about it! 

Shop these eyeliners and more on my WEBSITE.  Plus, you can contact me for free samples, beauty advice, makeup services and free product!  Just register on my website as a new customer! 

Friday Favorites

These two products have been selling like crazy in the past two weeks! I can barely keep them stocked in my store! Everyone that is trying them is LOVING them!

Get on-trend with Mary Kay CC Cream and the hottest lip color for Spring 2014, Coral!

Have you tried them yet? Contact me for your complimentary makeover! Happy Friday and Happy Spring y'all!

So Spring + SALE!!

Feeling so spring today with these pretty little details! Links below! 

 Eyeshadow // Perfume

Shop with me on my website now through Friday March 14 at midnight and get 10% off with coupon code SPRING (put in customer comments during checkout).  Sale applies to these products as well as everything on my website!

Mardi gras color

{left to right: Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colors in Emerald, Gold Coast & Iris}

Get in the Mardi Gras spirit with fun, bold eye colors!  These mineral eye colors from Mary Kay have rich pigment and lasting power!  Add in Eye Primer to make the color POP even more and last longer!

Check out these eye colors and much more in my Mary Kay online store!  Remember, all products including color are guaranteed 100% so you never have to worry about trying something new!

One month and counting...

Today marks one month until our wedding! Ah!! I can't believe how quickly it's approaching.  I'm not going to lie, the planning process has been stressful and time-consuming.  It's easy for me and Chris, and I'm sure any couple, to fight in those circumstances.  But Valentine's Day yesterday was a perfect excuse to put all planning aside and just enjoy each other's company.  With the upcoming wedding and everything going on, we decided to stay on a budget and have a date night, but not splurge on gifts.  I did buy him a card and he bought me two bouquets of gorgeous flowers.

I surprised Chris with homemade peanut butter cookies, Prosecco on ice and a cute table setting.

Maybe it looked kinda cheesy, maybe not... I guess that depends on your outlook :-)  I loved it though.  {heart champagne flutes, red & pink heart shapes table scatter, napkins and paper plates all from Dollar Tree}  I experimented with the cookies and decided to try to make them heart-shaped.  The first batch wasn't quite right; They didn't look horrible but they also didn't look enough like hearts.

One the second batch, I formed the dough into a more drastic V-shape.

They turned out much better! ...actually, I think they turned out adorable!  It took a couple extra minutes but it was worth it.

After popping some bubbly and toasting to love, we headed out to dinner.  We're blessed to live in downtown Fort Worth and so we decided to walk.  It was a tad chilly, but thankfully the weather the last few days has been quite nice!  When we were trying to decide earlier that day where to eat, Chris and I had a telepathic moment where we both thought of Thai food at the same time.  He texted me while at work and suggested it and I thought Wow we're exactly on the same page.

If you haven't tried TIE in downtown, it's phenomenal.  This was only my second time eating Thai food; both experiences were at Tie.  I fell in love on our first visit.  It's delicious and it's affordable... and the restaurant is currently BYOB.  Not to mention the friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere.  You wouldn't think it could get any better, but it does... the music playlist.  I'm not sure if it's an XM radio station or what but it's straight up 90s jams and it takes me back to my childhood!  We brought along a few Shiners and enjoyed a fabulous meal for less than $30 before tip.

We thought about going bowling, but after calling the Lucky Strike and discovering they had a two and a half hour lane wait, we opted for something else.  Since we were already roaming downtown on foot, we headed a few blocks over to one of our favorite bars, Paddy Reds.  We ordered a few Shiners (since we had to store our leftover byob beers with the bartender) and played a couple of games of darts.

I think one of the things Chris loves about me is the fact that I love to dress cute and sassy, but I'm still one of those girls that is perfectly happy drinking a few beers and relaxing at the pub.  I was feeling a little Blair Waldorf compared to the other bar patrons {ha!} but that didn't stop me from loving this outfit!!

{pink lips: Mary Kay @Play Lip Crayon in Perfect Pink + Mary Kay NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss in Icicle // Earrings: Kate Spade // Necklace: Chloe + Isabel}

{Booties: Isaac Mizrahi (old) similar // Wristlet: Coach}

{Heart blouse: LC Lauren Conrad // Skirt: Proenza Schouler}

The night was perfectly us.  I loved it and I love him.  Hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day too.  One month and counting... I can't wait!

Mary Kay Spring Product Preview

With all of this winter weather lately, it was nice to warm up with some color last night at our Mary Kay Spring 2014 Product Launch!  We've added some new regular-line products as well as some limited edition items in fun spring colors!  You're getting a firsthand look, before these products hit the web!  

{See below for pre-order info!}

New Regular-Line Products

CC Cream

Bronzer

Gel Eyeliner- Black

New additions to MK@Play

Baked Eye Trios- Sunset Beach (left) / Electric Spring (right)

(top to bottom) MK@Play Eye Crayons- Teal Me More / Over the Taupe
MK@Play Lip Crayons- Purple Punch / Coral Me Crazy
MK@Play Jelly Lip Gloss- Poppy Love / Violet Vixon


Limited Edition "Hello, Sunshine" Collection

Nail Lacquer- Lemon Parfait / Carefree Coral

just testing them out :-) this is one quick, messy coat

Springy Eye Duo- Stonewashed / Summer Sunset

Creamy Lip Color- Carefree Coral (top) / Retro Rose (bottom)

Lip Gel- Cherry Twist

I have to say, I'm officially obsessed with the CC Cream already!  It feels so lightweight and creamy and gives you eight benefits in one step!  And it's so affordable!  I'm also extremely excited about this season's color.  Don't be afraid of how bold these items look!  When used sparingly, these colors are so flattering on anyone, any age!  Check out all of the Spring products below, including the Limited Edition Pedicure Collection in Lemon Parfait! Smells heavenly!

As mentioned above, you are getting a special VIP preview of the spring line as a thank you for being a fan of my blog!! Even though these items are not yet shown on my website, you can still place an order!  Please use the "contact me" section (right side of this page, just below "labels") and let me know the best way to contact you and the products you're interested in!