Fun Makeup | How I used "regular" Makeup Products to create this #Halloween Skull #Makeup Look

I'm so excited to share how I created this Halloween Skull Makeup look! Firstly, I'm happy to tell you that I didn't have to purchase special "Halloween makeup" that we typically find in the month of October. Secondly, I did this without having to spend $ on buying new makeup just to create this Halloween look, I used what I already had at home :)

The best rule of life is the K.I.S.S. rule (Keep it Stupidly Simple)! This can pretty much apply to any aspect of life. I wanted to apply this rule to creating my latest Halloween look. I wanted to show that I did not have to spend $ on buying "Halloween" makeup products, rather using what I already had to get the look I wanted. So, there you go...the K.I.S.S. rule!

Thee Best Halloween memories I have are the ones where I created either a DIY Costume or a Makeup look. One year I was an aging woman, which I used eyeliner to create the aging effect, 80's girl following that, and one year it was the "Robert Palmer" makeup look (Sidebar: If you don't know what this is, you MUST look this up right now!) This look was created using the borrowed (aka secretly took my mom's) Charlie Red Lipstick and black eyeliner! It totally worked!

I did the Skull last year and with practice and doing it on repeat, each year this look will get better and better! Here is the breakdown of the products I used and the order in which I did as well!

Skull Makeup Look Products (Everything was on hand):

1. NYX Cosmetics Wonder Pencil  in 02 (Milky Nude Pencil)
2. Giorgio Armani Face Fabric (DC) in 0.5 (This is the lightest shade & I wear 5, just to give context)
3. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 5 (I wear shade 8)
4. NYX Highlight and Contour Pro Palette
5. MAC Pro Longwear Eye Liner in Definedly Black
6. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick (Eyeshadow Stick) in Tuxedo
7. Quo Vinyl Liquid Liner in Black
8. Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette
9. Giorgio Armani High Precision ReTouch (Concealer) in 2

The reason I didn't want to use white makeup for the skull is that anytime I have ever seen a Skull in books or at the museum, they were decayed looking, with almost a beige like tone. Rather than use the Halloween White shade, for me what worked was using a really light shade of foundation! It works out well. :)

BONE SKULL CREATION:

DETAILS:

SHADOW & DIMENSION CREATION:

A really important tip I wanted to share, is to really take your time on the Bone "skin"creation. Be sure to layer the foundation evenly and take your time blending it on the skin. This will give you a great base for the rest of the Skull Details.

Last but not least, have fun when creating wild makeup looks like this one I did for Halloween. Be mindful that it doesn't have to cost a lot of $, just a bit of time, inspiration and creativity!

Enjoy!

Fun Makeup | #12DaysofChristmas Makeup Looks | Day 12: #NewYearsDay

Today I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! All the best for 2016. I am sharing a throwback look that is perfect for a day after joyful holiday parties and dinners out. It's simple makeup look that uses pinks, coppers and brown paired with a neutral lipstick. The final look/theme of my 12 Days of Christmas Makeup Look is called: New Year's Day!

Check out the details below! Be sure to check out these looks on Instagram by clicking @MakeupbySand!

Products Used:

Face

• Giorgio Armani Crema Nuda #1
• Giorgio Armani Luminessence CC Cream #6
• Giorgio Armani Blush 506
• Giorgio Armani Bronzer #400
• Mac Cosmetics Skin Finish in Candlelight

Eyes

• Coastal Scents 28 Neutral Palette (Warm Brown)
• Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks in Cocoa and Copper
• Mac Cosmetics Coppering & Expensive Pink Eyeshadows
• Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner
• Maybelline Eye Drama Eye Pencil
• Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara

Lips

• Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani Lipstick #500

A simple makeup look using soft colours is the perfect New Year's Day look. I hope you have enjoyed the 12 Looks of Makeup(Christmas) looks during the holidays! Stay tuned as I will be doing more makeup themed series that I will be sharing on the blog as well as on my other Social Media links. Click here to connect with me on Twitter or on Instagram!

Happy 2016!!

Fun Makeup | #12DaysofChristmas Makeup Looks | Day 11: #HolidayNights

A dark, vampy evening look for the holidays or for New Year's Eve! Jewel-toned Smokey Eyes, a dark sexy and defined contour! The newest theme of my 12 Days of Christmas Makeup Looks! This look is called: Holiday Nights!

Check out the details below! Be sure to check out these looks on Instagram by clicking @MakeupbySand!

Products Used:

Face

• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk #6.25
• NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette
• Mac Cosmetics Skinfinish in Candlelight
• Mac Cosmetics Blush in Passionately Tempted

Eyes

• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Tuxedo
• Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in #4
• Coastal Scents 88 Ultra Shimmer Eye Palette (Turquoise Shimmer)
• Coastal Scents 28 Neutral Palette (Brown/Shimmer Tones)
• Maybelline Master Drama Eye Studio Eye Pencil in Black
• NYX Collection Noir Liquid Black Liner
• Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Lips

• Giorgio Armani Lip Pencil in #12
• Mac Cosmetics Lipstick in Smoked Purple 
• Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer Lipgloss in #604

This is a super dramatic look but looks amazing for the night! The Eye Tint in the Dark Emerald pops because I layered it on top of the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick. This way any jewel-tone shade really pops when you layer the lid with black first! You can totally pair this look with a neutral lip but the Dark Plum works perfectly as a complementary tone with this shade on the eyes!

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!!

Fun Makeup | #12DaysofChristmas Makeup Looks | Day 10: #NYE Sparkle

Here is the PERFECT New Year's Eve Makeup Look! Smokey Eyes, a Pretty pink lip and glowing skin! This look works on any skintone and looks fabulous with ANY outfit! The newest theme of my 12 Days of Christmas Makeup Looks! This look is called: NYE Sparkle!

Check out the details below! Be sure to check out these looks on Instagram by clicking @MakeupbySand!

Products Used:

Face

• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk #6.25
• NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette
• Mac Cosmetics Skinfinish in Candlelight
• Vasanti Cosmetics Blush in Everest

Eyes

• Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in #12
• Coastal Scents 88 Matte & Ultra Shimmer Eye Palettes (Turquoise/Blue/Black Tones)
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Moonlight
• Maybelline Master Drama Eye Studio Eye Pencil in Black
• NYX Matte Liquid Liner

Lips

• Mac Cosmetics Lip Pencil in Spice
• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Tokyo
• Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer Lipgloss in #107

And yes, I SKIPPED mascara! Sometimes you don't have to wear every single thing in your kit or makeup bag, but I wanted to see how the look would be without it and I would be happy leaving the house this way. Now for your gorgeous bold divas, feel free to add LASHES, double stack them if you want! By doing so, you will take this makeup look to another level!

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!!

Fun Makeup | #12DaysofChristmas Makeup Looks | Day 7: Candlelight Glam

After a few days of being away sick with the Flu, I am back to share with you all the lovely looks I planned and put together for the holiday season. These looks will still be festive and fun to do, right till the end of December, regardless of the fact that Christmas has passed. Presenting the newest look for the 12 Days of Christmas Makeup Looks!

Here is my favourite look so far because it is a gorgeous look to do for a night out with your special loved one! Hence the look is called Candlelight Glam! Check out the details below! Be sure to check out these looks on Instagram by clicking @MakeupbySand!

Products Used:

Face

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation #6.25
• Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Warm Natural
• NYX Cosmetics - Highlight and Contour Pro Palette
• Giorgio Armani Blush in #507 Flesh

Eyes

• Fluid Sheer #13
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Cocoa
• Coastal Scents 28 Neutral Palette - Warm and Dark Brown Shadows
• Urban Decay Naked Palette 1, Shades: Half Baked and Creep
• NYX Face and Body Glitter in Gold Sparkle (Applied mixing it with Fluid Sheer)
• Maybelline Master Drama Eye Studio Eye Pencil
• NYX Matte Liquid Liner in Black
• Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara in Black

Lips

• Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in Bobbi
• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in London
• Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer Lipgloss in #202

I love how nicely the pigment sparkles on the eyes! Using a mixing median (a liquid based product that allows you to use and place the sparkles without spillage) is the key to this look! If you wanted to wear a bolder lip shade, you can to amp up the look!

Happy Holidays!

Beauty Look | Fall Makeup Look featuring Laura Mercier Custom Contour Palette

I love Fall. Period. There is nothing nicer than the cooler weather to bring out the deeper tones and hues for Nature, Fashion and of course Makeup!

The Makeup look that I am sharing today is my go-to Fall look. This look can be worn on any skin tone. It's not super bold, which is why it's perfect to wear everyday. One product that I wanted to feature, that I recently got, is the Laura Mercier Custom Contour Palette. It gives a perfect yet soft contour. I have more details on the palette as well as the products used for this look below:

Eyes
Coastal Scents - 28 Neutral Palette (Warm Brown, Light Brown, Light Beige and Dark Prune)
Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks in Cocoa and Copper
Giorgio Armani Eye & Brow Maestro in Wedgewood/Dark Brown
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara
Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner
Maybelline Eye Drama Pencil Liner

Lips
Giorgio Armani Lip Pencil #12 (Dark Burgundy)
Rouge D'Armani Lipstick in #500
Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer Lipgloss in #107

Face
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #6.25
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Warm Natural
Coastal Scents 10 Blush Palette - Warm Plum Tone
Laura Mercier Custom Contour Palette

The Laura Mercier Custom Contour palette is a great kit for anyone who wants a simple way to contour. You can use the shades to softly sculpt your cheeks and jawline. This palette can be filled with your own custom shades but is initially offered with the following tones:

1. Highlight #1 - Highlighter - Gives a glowing finish to the skin and to highlight
2. Contour Deep #2 - Deepest Contour - Sculpt into the hollows of the cheeks
3. Contour #1 - Medium Contour - Blend and use for a softer sculpted effect

For the look I did, I used the two contour shades together and paired with the blush. Be sure to check out this kit! The key to Fall makeup is using warm earthy shades on the eyes, glowing skin with a subtle contour and paired with plum/medium pink based lipstick. Try your own version of this look and you'll see why this is perfect for Fall.

Coming Soon | Preview of Posts coming up on #BlogbySand

There are a lot of fun posts and things that I am working on and literally cooking up for the blog! So coming soon, here are few of the blog posts I am wrapping up:


Green Chicken & Veg Soup Recipe! (Click to see Post!)

I was recently sick and wanted to eat things to help me boost back my immune system.

This recipe is a gem! It's great when you are sick, or want to boost your immune system afterwards. This is also a great fall/winter soup recipe.

This soup incorporates a lot of great hearty vegetables, along with chicken and an amazing "broth booster" that you make from scratch!

It's delicious, warm, spicy and perfect for the cooler days ahead!

Laura Mercier Contour Kit!(Click to see Post!)

We have seen all the contour kits on the market with all the images on how to use them.

This baby here is a perfect Contour kit for anyone who wants an easy to use kit that gives a softer and subtle version of the famous contour.

I will showcase the product with a perfectly paired fall makeup look!

Creamy Butter Chicken Recipe!

Yummmmy! I can't wait to share this particular recipe.

It's creamy, the chicken is perfectly blended with the sauce and it's a very simple recipe that will impress anyone.

This is awesome paired with Rice or buttery fluffy naan aka naan bread.

I will be sharing both the Butter Chicken recipe plus the Indian Rice recipe as well. This dish will be sure to impress and soothe you on the colder days ahead!

All of the above posts and more makeup looks are coming soon! So please check back soon and happy reading!

Beauty Look | #FOTD/#MOTD Mac Heroine Lips!

This look was so fun because it featured MAC's Heroine Lipstick which I am obsessed with. I wanted to balance the lips with a look that wasn't too strong for the eyes, since the lip colour was the key feature!

PRODUCTS USED:

Eyes

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks
BH Cosmetics 28 Neutral Palette
Vasanti Cosmetics Cleopatra Liquid Liner
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara
MAC Cosmetics Eye Pencil in Smoulder

Brows

Giorgio Armani Eye & Brow Maestro in Wedgewood
YSL Touch Eclat #3 for Precision Highlighting

Face
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation #7
MAC Cosmetics Blush in Dainty
Giorgio Armani Bronzer #400

Lips
MAC Cosmetics Heroine Lipstick
Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani Sheers Lipstick

The vibrant lip is what makes this look. You can go smokey, edgy or soft whenever you have a bold lip. The rules to any look is that you must be confident! This Lipstick is a gorgeous shade that would look amazing on all skin tones!

Product Love | Laura Mercier Mini Caviar Stick Eye Colour Collection

As a beauty junkie, I feel it is important for me to share when I am in love with a product. Because I will share my thoughts from two perspectives, as a beauty lover and as a Makeup Artist. For me, the product needs to WOW me and also be good quality. I recently picked up these goodies and I have no regrets, because they have successfully done both! The Laura Mercier Mini Caviar sticks are like...Hoh my gawd! 

These little gems are perfect! This collection offers you gorgeous balance of colours which are perfect for everyday and for the holidays!  If you want a quick, effortless and long wearing smokey eye or any eye shadow look, you can easily achieve it! 

I love that you can literally scribble these on with no effort and can use your fingers to smudge out to achieve the perfect look.  Meaning: You can do the 1 minute smokey eye! If you want to, you can layer eye shadow on top but I find you can totally wear these alone.

• Rosegold: Soft Pink Gold Tone. Reflective Sheen.
• Amethyst: Pinky Brown Tone. Soft Sheen.
• Moonlight: Silvery Brown Tone. Reflective Sheen.
• Copper: True Vivid Copper. Reflective Sheen.
• Khaki: Dark Deep Green Brown. Semi Matte.
• Cocoa: Dark Chocolate Brown. Semi Matte.

Check back on the blog soon because I will be posting looks using these babies! Be sure to check out the Laura Mercier counter at Holt Renfrew Sherway Gardens. The lovely Paige and Courtney will be happy to show you the regular shades of the Caviar Sticks and what's new for the holidays!