New Year's Dress-Up pt. 2!

Okay so now let's play with some New Year's makeup!!

Here is a pic of what all I used in this trial:





















Revlon PhotoReady Compact Makeup
Mac Strobe liquid
Mac To the Beach Bronzer
Mac eyeshadow in Nylon
CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Liner in black
Flirt! Look of Love Eye Pencil in Gold Tease
Maybelline Stylish Smokes in Amethyst
VS Beauty Midnight Glamour Hyper Gloss Eye Shimmer


I began with applying Mac's Nylon to the brow bone, (the white in the quad was too stark), and then took the eyeshadow quad and applied the purple to lid, dark purple to crease, and black to outer crease, blending and blending. Then I lined the upper lashline and lower inner lash with black liner, and gold liner on the bottom for subtle yet shimmery definition.
(click to enlarge)


























I then added some hyper gloss eye shimmer for some sparkle! =D
Swatch on hand: It's a little gray-ish, but oh-so-sparkly!!














































Pictures really don't do the eye gloss justice. It is simply amazing. It really opens up the eye and is just crazy gorgeous!!

Hair and Makeup together:

























How do you think you'll do your hair/makeup this holiday season??

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven

New Year's Dress-Up

Hi there!

Lately I've had hair on the mind. More specifically, hair-do's for New Year's. Why, you ask? Because I have mid-length hair and I'm wearing a dress that I believe asks for an up-do. Which isn't the most fun thing with short-ish hair.

I played last night-- wanted to share in case anyone else is having my same woes!

I started out by using a 1" curling iron to make curls all over to create texture:
(*I curled my bangs backward because I wanted to try putting them up.)






















Then tease with a brush that has plastic bristles and boar bristles, like this one from Sally Beauty Supply (about $6):










Tease away! Make it bigger than you'd like, since you'll be brushing it down to smooth:





















I took the top half of the hair, smoothed it, and then twisted it and pushed it up for more volume before pinning along the twist. I then took chunks from the back and twisted and pinned, trying to make it pseudo-French Twisty.










































These were taken in the mirror, but I think you can see:











































I really love the back! Not quite what I was wanting from the front though~ I might play again and leave my bangs down so I'll have something framing my face. Hmmmm decisions!

How do you normally wear your hair for formal occasions? Depend on the crowd, or the dress?

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven

I found it!

Ever since seeing Rachel McAdams at the premier of her movie "Morning Glory," I have been keeping my eye open for her lip color.

Do you blame me? Look how gorgeous!























(Not to mention, I wouldn't mind my hair looking EXACTLY like that. Sadly, not on the makeover toy, haha.)

Such a natural but fun pink. Love!

At Ulta today, I checked out some new colors from Maybelline's Color Sensational line, and behold~ Pink Satin!



































And on:



































How great!!!!

This makes me so happy. =)

What lip products are you loving right now?

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven

OPI Burlesque!

Hey there!

I know these have been out for a while, but my Ulta still has them, and they are gorgeous! I wanted to post some pics:

Tease-y Does It, a nice purple/brown-ish base with red and gold shimmer:
(My new fave color!)





















Show it and Glow it, Purple glitter:





















Sparkle-Licious layered over Revlon's Perplex:



















Have you been wearing any glittery/festive nail colors??

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven

Makeover fun~

Needless to say, this week is going to be a bit busy--- actually, up until New Year's, probably! I do not see any product reviews in that time, (sorry), but I'll have some beauty thoughts and also we can chat and talk about the fun sets that came out for the holidays and also things for Spring, whoo!

Lately, I've had hair on the mind. Not too long ago I dyed my hair a little darker, the same night my friend had me highlight her hair. I'm starting to get some roots-ish, (probably something only I notice), and have been thinking about what to do with it.

For the past hour or so I've been playing with InStyle.com's Hollywood Makeover Tool. It is so much fun!

Here are some random pics:

Emma Stone's enviable red (though not at the moment):





















Cat Deeley's volume:





















Mischa Barton's hair in Brown with highlights:





















Carey Mulligan's Pixie:



















Carrie Underwood's mid-length do:





















Nicki Minaj's PINK hair:





















You can also so "Complete Looks" with hair and make-up:
Kate Winslet's glam look:






















Hahaha--- silly, I know... but SO MUCH FUN! =D

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven