Everyday Makeup Application Tutorial - I HEART ALL THINGS MAKEUP

Hello everyone!  As promised, I am doing a makeup application tutorial today.  This look can be used for everyday use or even for going out for some happy hour drinks (something that sounds wonderful at almost 9 months pregnant :)...  Ahh, who am I kidding, I would be sleeping after one...  lol

I have been in love with makeup since I was 13/14 and have experimented with many many different looks and many many different products!  I guess I take this skill for granted because I know many of you out there struggle with this or need the confidence boost to try new things!  I wanted to be a Mac makeup artist forever, but that wasn't in my (or God's) plans...  But I can still play - I have done many a prom applications and actually did my best buddies makeup for her wedding (can't put a price on that!). 

Trust me, makeup is FUN!!  I don't feel you need to be all dolled up sitting at home reading a book (however, I usually am) but I do feel that makeup can really pull a look together and make you look and feel HOT!  I don't care your age (unless you are too young to be wearing makeup!) because everyone can wear makeup at any stage of their life.  I hope to show you that you can wear makeup and not look like a hook... nevermind, you get my point.  :)  I do want to point out though that I truly believe in natural beauty as well - I am just doing this because I LOVE MAKEUP (did I mention that already?)? 

OH - BLAH, BLAH, BLAH Ashley...  get to the POINT!

Let's get started :)

First, I want to point out that I have struggled with my skin for about 2 years now (started during my second pregnany).  I believe it might be stress related, but I am working on that.  So, if you have sensitive skin, this may be a perfect tutorial for you! 

Here are the items that I use (see list of items and descriptions below pictures):

Items shown:

CereVe Moisturizer

Cetaphil Face Bar

Vaseline

Visine

Clinique Acne Solutions Foundation - Fresh Ivory

Mac Bronzer - Called "Bronze" (MUST HAVE)

Mineral Powder Blush - Maybelline "Soft Mauve"

Profusion - Color Pallete (for eyes)

Buxom Lips (lip plumper) by Bare Essentials (MUST HAVE!)

Lancome Mascara

Mac Prunella Eye Kohl (eyeliner)

Posh Foundation Brush

Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow Duo (Pink Slate and Strawberry Fudge)

Ohhhh I really didn't want to include these, but it is kinda the point of the blog...  Ugh - scary and don't mind my 9 month preggo face (which is not Photoshopped in any way).  Anywho...  this is my face after all the steps below have been completed.

First steps: 

• WASH YOUR FACE (morning and night - very important).  Very bad to sleep in makeup and you want to quick wash in the morning too.
• Apply Moisturizer (CereVe is the ONLY moisturizer that does not cause me to breakout - I LOVE IT!)  Moisturizing is very important because not only does it keep the face youthful, but also prevents your face from becoming dry and "cakey"
• Apply Foundation (I do this with my hands starting from the center and moving out when rushed and with a foundation brush when I have time)  The Foundation brush cost me maybe $4 and it is amazing for blending and an even look.  VERY IMPORTANT - make sure you blend well - ladies, this means PLEASE blend below your chin onto your neck and behind those ears - A FOUNDATION LINE IS NOT PRETTY!  And make sure you have the right color - I always buy a color a little bit darker than my face, but not too dark!
• I then put a lighter color concealer under my eyes and on my eyelids to make your eyes "pop" and look youthful...  We all have bags, but no one needs to know that :)  TIP:  This may sound strange, but if you are puffy under the eyes and are in a hurry (and don't have millions of dollars to spend on de-puffing serum) then go get two metal spoons (CLEAN spoons haha) and using the flat side place under your eyelid - not only does this feel wonderful, but also brings down the puffiness a little. 
• Lastly, and this step is optional, I use Visine Allergy drops because spring is kicking my you know what...  Visine can also be used after a long night of er... happy hours (yes, I said hour"S" ;).  Yes, your job is stressful, but no one needs to know how you handle the "pressure" ;)

Okay, you should only have your eyes products left and your choice of lip color.

The second picture is my eyes after completing the steps below.

• First step - if you are using a duo shade, one should be lighter than the other.  I use this for my ENTIRE lid.  This really smooths out the look of veins and creates a beautiful arch under the eyebrow (which is a whole other blog in itself).  If you are not using a duo shade then find a lighter complimentary shade to your choice of darker shade (cream/brown, light pink/purple, shimmery white/cream/dark blue or black)
• Second, run your finger in the middle of your eyebrow and actual eye.  You should feel a ridge (bone) that makes a pretty arch from one side to the other.  Get to know that arch well - this is where I place all of my darker shadow.  I either use my finger (I know, I know) or a brush and apply the makeup along that crease.  I also bring it down on the side a little to create a little bit of a cat eye (see picture above again for a visual example)

The pictures above are me after completing the steps below...

• Apply eyeliner.  I know this can be scary, but if you practice, you will love it (try different kinds, find the easiest to apply).  Compare it to the pictures shown earlier in the blog and you will know what I mean.  It makes a huge difference (I mean, you've already gotten this far, might as well keep going!). 
• Make sure the eyeliner lines the whole eye and is as close to the eye as possible.  A big gap in between your eye and eyeliner is also... not pretty.  I love Mac eyeliner - kinda smokey, but easy to apply.  Does not need to be perfect - the mascara will mask some of the eyeliner (trust me). 

We are almost done!  In all reality this takes makes 10-15 minutes once you get it down...

Okay, this is me after completing the last steps (shown below)

• Apply mascara - if you get nothing else from this blog other than wear mascara... I am happy.  Mascara is very important in completing your look. If you forget mascara you will look tired and your eyes will look too dark.  If you have zero time - mascara and lip gloss are awesome alone!  Crazy, I know, but it really does matter.  Make sure you use a good mascara too - they have some really cool ones out, but the best to me are Lancome, Loreal, Lash Stilleto...  Any of those will do the job.  :)  Make sure you get the outside lashes really really good - those are the most important.  If you have tiny little eyelashes, trust me, this will still make a big impact on your look.
• Lastly, LIP GLOSS.  My cousin introduced my mother and I to Bare Escentuals Buxom Lip Plumper (all the colors are awesome!) and we love it!  Lip color is important, but I recommend a gloss only.  Sorry, but I feel the actual lipstick's are a little old fashioned.  And if you are going to apply lip gloss anyway, might as well be a plumper (that works).  This is one of those items I would spend a little more on (along with mascara).  Trust me, you will be addicted - I mean, who doesn't want supermodel lips??

Okay, well ladies (and maybe some men??) - either slick back your hair or let it down (and place a flower from tootyfruitymonkeyluv on the side (sorry had to throw that in!)) - either way you are beautiful (regardless of makeup or not :).  I hope you feel more confident in applying makeup and I hope that you feel more confident inside and out!  Hope this helped and please let me know if you have any questions :) 

Okay, we have to do a before and after pic, right???

Thanks everyone!  If you get a chance please stop by http://www.bigklittlea.com/ (Big K little a BLOG) - she is featuring my shop and you could win a $20 gift certificate and free shipping to my Etsy store :)

I will listing a whole bunch of new stuff this week on my Etsy store (http://tootyfruitymonkeyluv.etsy.com/)