Makeup Spotlight: Face

The past few months I’ve found myself addicted to Youtube makeup tutorials—there are so many! For quite some time, makeup wasn’t something I cared much about. I had MAC foundation, drugstore mascara, chapstick, and I was set. With so many products out there, I was tempted to discover the world of beauty and got myself hooked! Since I work traditional hours during the week, I try and keep it simple with my go-to-routine since in the mornings, I’m always in rush. Of course, when I’m going to dinners or the square with friends, I really try and beat the face for the Gods and Goddess.

Here are my go-to face products!

• Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation – 11.0
  • Apply with a foundation brush or beauty blender for a flawless finish! This is a great foundation for oily or combo skin since it has a matte finish. ALSO IT IS WATERPROOF so have your man take you swimming and he can’t say shit.
• Maybelline Master Prime Blur + Illuminate / NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator 
  • Take a dime size of both and mix together and apply after your moisturizer and before your foundation. This will give you a soft glow underneath your makeup. A little goes a long way.
• Tarte Shape Tape Concealer – Deep
  • I just bought this yesterday! I was convinced to buy it from Manny MUA since he raves about it all the time! I can’t wait to try it.
• Shea Moisture Mineral Blush – Sand
  • I’m all about supporting black owned companies! This blush is soft but also deep in pigmentation. I live for this and it was inexpensive as well!

CHOKERS

Chokers are my everything right now. I don’t wear them for everyday wear, but I love to wear them when I’m heading out with friends. Funny enough, North West & Kim K West got me into them! LOL! This is going to sound crazy, but I haven’t bought any chokers yet because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to spend the money on them. So up until now, I’ve been using headbands. They have worked wonderfully and people can’t tell the difference.

I found this website that makes some really cute chokers. Check them out and hop on the choker trend!

http://stargazejewelry.com/

 

CROCHET BRAIDS

I recently learned about crochet braids and I think they will be my next go to hairstyle! They are so easy to do and with practice, you can probably do them on yourself. It’s the perfect hairstyle if you’re looking for something with lots of volume and curls. Ask your hairdresser if she can do this style for you, for summer!

Maintenance Tips:

• Before going to bed, separate your hair into 3 sections and twist each section and add a small rubber band or hair tie at the end to secure the twist. After twisting your hair, put on your satin bonnet.
• After some time, your curls may be hard to manage. Grab a spray bottle, fill it with water, and spray evenly throughout your hair. After this, detangle and add some product.
• Don’t use a comb in your crochet braids whatsoever!
• This hairstyle won’t last as long as others. Keep it in for about 4-5 weeks.
  

  ---

Peep some inspiration below — 

The images above are from Pinterest.com

DAINTY JEWELRY

I love jewelry when it’s minimalistic. I used to love chunky necklaces and dangling earrings but I’ve learned that simple is sexy. I ordered a gold initial necklace from Mia and Mac on Etsy for $20 dollars and wear it almost everyday. I feel like it gives the perfect touch to most outfits.

Peep some inspiration below!

All images were pulled from Pinterest.com

BOX BRAIDS

I am living for my box braids right now! They are so easy to manage and can be put into so many styles. They are the perfect summer hairstyle!

 

The images above were taken from Pinterest.com

NUDE LIPS

I love a berry matte lip. It’s a color that looks great on all skin tones. However, I’ve been on the hunt for a brown, nude color for a while and have finally found something that I love! I literally tried on 30 shades at MAC before I found the one. LOL

Lipstick: Touch 

Lip Liner: Bittersweet

 

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS

For many years, I wasn’t into makeup. I saw no point in it. I didn’t feel the need to cake my face with foundations, powders, and eye makeup.

Oh how times have changed…

By no means do I wear makeup everyday and that is for many reasons. First, it is unhealthy. Makeup is fun and games until it begins to clog up your pores which can promote acne. Second, I just don’t have the time. I don’t feel it necessary to wake up earlier to complete a task that isn’t necessary. Praise to the ladies out there who do their hair and makeup before class! You are the true MVP’s.

However, when I have to attend professional meetings or a formal event, I love taking the time to complete the perfect glam look. Recently, I’ve looked to certain Instagram accounts and Youtube accounts. It’s through Instagram that I found out about my new obsession, Anastasia Beverly Hills . She is mostly known for her eyebrow products and contour kits. You all have probably heard of the term “contouring” due to Mrs. Kim K West. Kim was one of the individuals who really brought this makeup technique on the scene. ABS prices are affordable and are high quality. You can find ABS products at department stores or order from her website directly. I started off by using ABS liquid lipstick and haven’t turned back since. My favorites are “Heathers” & “Vamp.” They are both great shades on women with more olive to darker skin tones.

This past Christmas, I asked for the ABS cream contour kit in Deep. When I received the gift (Thank you Santa!), I was excited but hesitant. The makeup artists on YouTube make applying cream contour seem so easy, but after watching some videos, I think I got the hang of it. Many people don’t realize it but YouTube is a great outlet to all things hair and makeup! For free, you are able to type the look your trying to achieve and have someone teach you step by step how to complete your glam look.

Here are are two of my favorite makeup Instagram accounts:

1. Huda Beauty
2. Bretman Rock

Here are some contour makeup channels on Youtube you may enjoy!

1. ABS Cream Contour Kit – Deep
2. ABS Powder Contour Kit – Medium 
3. ABS Cream Contour Kit – Fair 

 

OIL PULLING

My little sister told me about this new phenomenon called “oil pulling” a few months back and I’ve been hooked and the best part is, you only need 1 ingredient!

Oil pulling is the process of taking a spoonful of coconut oil , putting it in your mouth and swishing it around for a number of minutes. It’s that simple! It sounds pretty odd, I know, however the benefits of oil pulling are amazing beyond words:

1. Whitens teeth
2. Strengthens teeth, gum and jaw
3. Prevents cavities and gingivitis
4. Helps with bad breath
5. Relives headaches, migraines and hangovers
6. Improves quality of sleep
7. Detoxifies the body
8. Helps with acne and other skin issues

My mom has got me hooked on essential oils, so I add a drop of oil on the coconut oil before putting it my mouth. There is no specific time for how long you have to swish, but I usually do it for 30 minutes. It may feel odd putting coconut oil in your mouth but you’ll get used to it in no time! When oil pulling, instead of sitting there staring at your timer, hop in the shower, clean your room, cook some food. This will help your time oil pulling go by really fast!

All hail coconut oil.

MILITARY INSPIRED JACKETS

I’ve recently fell in love with olive green. It’s such a pretty color especially in jackets! I splurged over the summer on some winter jackets and it’s such a bummer because Texas weather is so warm in February. During the splurge, I bought some military inspired jackets that I rock on chilly days! My go-to is a black turtleneck, skinny jeans, black booties and an olive green jacket to top it off!

Here are some pictures for your inspiration!

Military jacket | Denim | Boots | Handbag

 

All of these images were pulled from Pinterest.com

Stay Beautiful Campaign

Stay Beautiful Video

Two friends of mine did a “Stay Beautiful” campaign that I was featured in and I decided to share it with you! The idea behind this campaign was to promote the improvement of women’s self esteem and share the idea that beauty is not confined by one definition.

Ladies, I hope this video shows you that you are beautiful no matter the skin you’re in. Embrace your beauty for everyone embodies something beautiful. Society has placed this terrible misconception that beauty has standards. That you must look this certain way, talk this certain way, dress this certain way to be considered beautiful. This has turned some women into having self-esteem issues and/or eating disorders. Shy away from the negativity and love yourself for at the end of the day, that is all you have!

Video created by Josie Rasberry & Lidia Barillas of Texas State University.