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!

Product Love | MAC Cosmetics - Deep & Vampy Lips

Vampy lipsticks used to be a look that I stayed away from. I typically seen Models rocking it on the runway. In the last few years, these darker hues are everywhere! Everyone is loving and happily wearing these dark, yet bold vampy lips!

In my mind, MAC Cosmetics has done a great job on creating a plethora of shades for your inner vamp! There are a million shades to choose from, but I picked my Top 3 below:

1. Smoked Purple Lipstick - Deep Eggplant Purple | Finish: Matte
2. Media Lipstick - Intense Reddish Purple | Finish: Satin
3. Amorous Lipstick - Lovestruck Cranberry | Finish: Satin

In later posts, I will be sharing these lipsticks with a full makeup look, but for now, take a look at these beautifully rich shades!

The Satin shades are super smooth to wear. The Matte finish is a true matte, therefore if you want a more moisturized feeling, apply a bit of Vaseline before you put the Matte finish on. Again, I love to find shades that will work on my skin tone (deep warm brown) and my medium toned lips, and these look awesome!

Be sure to check this sexy trio of shades when you visit your MAC store soon! 

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!!

Beauty Look | Soft Pink Glam #Makeuplook

Lately I have been favouring more summer like colours for lips, especially pink tones! I put together this look with soft greys, beige and browns and paired it with a soft diffused pink lip. Take a look at the makeup details below!

FACE

• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #6.25
• Bronzer: Giorgio Armani #100
• Blush: Giorgio Armani #507
• Glow/Highlight: MAC Skinfinish in Candlelight + Fluid Sheer #7

EYES

• Coastal Scents 28 Neutral Eyeshadow Palette (See Pic for colours used)
• Eyeliner - Waterline: Maybelline Eye Drama Eye Pencil
• Liquid Liner: Maybelline Line Stiletto
• Mascara: Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara

LIPS

• Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in Bobbi
• Mac Cosmetics Lipstick Pink Nouveau
• Mac Cosmetics Lipstick Angel

This look will be amazing on all skin tones! You can adjust the intensity of the lipstick by picking something warmer or cooler for what works for you. In this look, that is why I mixed the two together.

It's a perfect look for anyone looking for a soft glam look which in my opinion works really well for the season!

Product Love | My #Lipstick Love

Is it a shock I love lipsticks? Not at all. My current lipstick love is here with my three newly acquired, gorgeous hued lipsticks! I had my eyes on them for awhile and finally got these babies to join their friends!

1. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Le Nu #70
2. MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Pink Nouveau
3. MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Cosmo

Of the three, my fave at the moment is the Yves St.Laurent Le Nu #70! (Trust me I love all of my lippies equally but there are a few that just had me at first application!)

It's a gorgeous nude with a beautiful pigment and finish. It's a warmer nude, which works perfectly with my skin tone and it looks great paired with a dark brown/grey lip pencil or a traditional nude for a more diffused look.

LIPSTICK DETAILS

MAC Cosmo
Shade: is a brown-based pink. It has a warmer undertones and enhances my natural lip pigment.
Finish: Amplified Creme that is full coverage.

YSL Le Nu 
Shade: is a warm, rosy beige Nude. It has a warmer undertone with peachy sheen.
Finish: Creamy texture that is light coverage.

MAC Pink Nouveau
Shade: is a blue based/cooler pink. It has vivid impact.
Finish: Satin texture that is full coverage.

SWATCHES

These are not typical of "Fall" or "Winter" shades, but makeup is about having fun and trying out different things that work for you. The perfect lipstick can really impact on how your day goes! Check out these colours and add them to your kit.

What's in my #Makeup Kit? | My Top 5 Must-Haves

Over the years of being in the industry, I have built my Kit to include a number of amazing products from amazing brands. Out of all the products that are in my kit, there are a few key items that I will ALWAYS use and keep restocking them in my kit!

Check out the list below:

1. Ardell Lashes + Duo Lash Glue
2. MAC SkinFinish in By Candlelight or Soft & Gentle
3. Urban Decay Naked Palette
4. Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheers in #2, #10 & #11
5. 88 Original Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Palette

Ardell Lashes: There are tons of beautiful lash companies out there that are making stunning lashes. Ardell in my opinion, give tons of options for Natural, Full and Dramatic Lashes. I can pick and choose from a variety of Lashe styles that can work for any client. I also love that their price point is about $5 and you can get them from Walmart!! The Duo Glue is a must and works the best in my opinion. My fave lashes are in the Natural category in #105 and #117.

Ardell Lashes in #105 & #117

MAC Skinfinish in Candlelight or Soft and Gentle: I love the rosy and peachy gold glow that these particular products give. They look good on EVERY skin tone which makes it perfect for any client that you may have. It goes on smooth and you can place it for a specific highlight or "strobing" look. It also looks gorgeous paired on top of a Liquid Highlight for added glow for Photos.

MAC Skinfinish in By Candlelight

Urban Decay Naked Palette: This was the one that made everyone an addict! Hands down one of the easiest eyeshadow palettes to use for Bridal! It gives you tons of options for Smokey Eyes, Neutral Smokey and Classic Bridal. The shades are beautiful on all skin tones! A mix of semi-matte, sheen and pure shades.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheers: My secret weapon! This product is the most versatile product in my kit. Fluid sheers are a liquid highlighting product. It gives you the ability to add glow as an after effect, tones and colour corrects foundation, allows for a glowy look when mixed into your foundation and is EXCELLENT as an eye primer to make shadows last. It works beautifully with the MAC Skinfinish noted above.

Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheers in #2, #10 and #11

88 Original Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Palette: I love this palette, one of the larger palettes I have! The colours give you a million options especially for dramatic and more creative makeup looks. The colours are very pigmented and last!

88 Original Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Palette

Check out the product links above and see if you want to include at least one into your own personal or professional makeup kit. Be sure to comment below if you have any products that you currently use that you love!

Beauty Look | Sexy Hot Pink/Purple Lips!

Lipsticks are such a hot makeup product right now!! We are so lucky that Makeup companies have created versatile lip products that allow us to have access to so many unique colours, tones and finishes. Whether you want bold lips or a soft finish or just want something daring, you can have it all!

Back in the 90's, I had to constantly mix colours or layer colours together to create the vividness or shade I wanted. Old habits die hard, but you can still create unique tones and finishes when you layer a lighter lip gloss with a different shade of lips. Add a liner and you can really transform the lips all together.

So here are the three products I used to create this STUNNING lip look:

1. Beautique Defining Lip Pencil in WINE
2. Cover Girl Lip Perfection Lipstick in DIVINE #330
3. MAC Lipglass in PERKY

The steps to achieve this look were pretty simple. I lined and filled the lips with the liner, layered on the lipstick on top and finished with the gloss on the bottom lip, focusing the application on the centre of the bottom of the lips. Such a hot shade for Spring/Summer 2015!