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.

Food | Green Chicken & Veg Soup Recipe via Clean & Delicious

I was recently sick and was on the hunt for recipes/foods that would help boost my immune system. In the colder months of Fall and Winter, I typically love to make soups because it's an easy way to make a large quantity of food ahead of time, it packs in ingredients that are lingering in the fridge and tastes great!

During my Googling and YouTubing, I came across this great Channel by Dani Spies who has this amazing food channel and website called Clean & Delicious. Once I saw her delicious sounding soup, it was exactly what I was looking for! (Just look at the title!):

Immunity Boosting Green Chicken + Veggie Soup - Clean&Delicious®. (Click to go to her YouTube)

I loved her video and how simple it was to make. The "Broth Booster" was my favourite part of the soup, which you will see below, and really added a nice warmth and heat to the soup.

@Clean_and_Delicious | www.http://cleananddelicious.com

I loved the fact that it was literally exactly what I was looking for! It has lots of veggies and of course good chicken broth, which helps you feel better when sick. Here is the recipe below:

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Small Onion - Chopped
• 2 Carrots - Chopped
• 2 Stalks of Celery - Chopped
• 3 Cloves of Chopped Garlic
• 1 Tsp. Ground Cumin
• 2 Tsp. Dried Oregano
• 12 Ounces of Shredded Rotisserie Chicken (2 Chicken Breasts) *Boil in Lemon Water to help shred
• 2 Small Zucchini - Chopped
• 1/2 Cup Frozen Corn
• 6 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth or Homemade Stock
• 1 Bunch Cilantro - Stemmed
• 1 Serrano Pepper (I wanted a lot of heat and used Green Chiles)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat Olive oil in a large pot and add in onions, pepper, carrots and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 8-10 mins. or until the veggies begin to look tender.

2. While veggies are cooking, blend cilantro, Serrano pepper, 1 clove of Garlic and 2 cups of broth in the blender. Once blended, set aside. (What I lovingly refer to as the "Broth Booster"!)

3. Once veggies are tender, season with cumin, oregano and a little more salt and pepper, stir well and cook for another 2 minutes.

4. Add shredded chicken, zucchini, corn, remaining chicken broth and the cilantro broth you blended in the blender. Bring to a boil, reduce down and simmer for 10 more minutes or until your veggies are tender.

Pour yourself a bowl and savour every spoonful of this soup! This soup was so easy and it truly helped me get better. Here are my pics of the version I made:

If you are a soup lover or need to boost your immune system, definitely check out this delicious soup! Happy Cooking!

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!

Product Love | Maybelline Master Drama Eye Studio | Cream Pencil

My Eye liner series continues with the Maybelline Master Drama By EyeStudio - Cream Pencil in shade Midnight Master. I have never used just one eye liner product for my eyes. Different products offer different benefits for defining the eyes.

For the waterline, which is the inside of the lower lash line, you need an eye liner that will stay pigmented in colour and is long lasting, which can be a hard combination to find. This eye liner does it all!

Pros

• 16 Hour Wear
• Bold Pigment
• Oil-Free Creamy Application
• Ideal for Waterline
• Easily Smudges & Stays Put

Cons

• Creamy texture may be hard to work with, but once it glides it's good to go

I love that this liner LASTED all day. I happened to test it out on a regular day but I also enjoyed this liner recently at a family wedding I attended. From Start to finish, the eye liner did not budge, stayed bold and never faded! From mingling, through emotional speeches (yes I actually got teary eyed during the wedding) to dancing the night away, this eye liner did not move!

Here is a pic from that night, with me wearing that liner!

For years I have experimented with different eye liners in the various forms they come in. I highly encourage you to try different products and you will find what works for you. Be sure to check this liner out!

#Makeup Trends | Best Liquid #Highlighters for #Strobing or Highlighting!!

Whether you want to call it 'highlighting' or 'Strobing', the trend to add a beautiful luminous glow to your skin is definitely not going away! Giorgio Armani has been iconic in reviving and creating this beautiful glow, which have been featured on the models of many of his fashion shows over the years. As with most fashion trends, the makeup styles and looks eventually trickle down to the masses. Now even faster than before with Social Media.

If you are looking to create the JLO Glow, adding highlight or want to be an expert on strobing, be sure to add these beautiful products, the amazing Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheers!

ABOUT FLUID SHEER

Fluid sheer is a beautiful skin illuminating product that offers radiance and glow. The formula is light weight, and easy to work with. It's available in over 10 flattering shades and can be used in multiple ways, a true multi-tasker!

• Instantly adds glow and illuminates skin
• Sheer, lightweight texture and coverage
• Use it as an eye shadow base, blush or bronzer
• Wear alone for glowing skin or tan enhancement
• Mix into your favourite foundation to add glow and enhance tonality
• Popular shades: #2, #10 and #11

SHADE DESCRIPTIONS

#2 Fluid Sheer: A light golden beige sheen. Excellent for spot highlighting/strobing effects on the cheeks and T Zone.

#10 Fluid Sheer: A medium golden bronze glow. Excellent for darker skin tones or adding a golden glow by mixing into your foundation.

#11 Fluid Sheer: A warm peachy shimmer. Excellent paired with blush and applied onto the cheeks.

These products are worth experimenting with since they leave a beautiful finish on the skin and offer multiple ways of using them! I also like that they leave a true sheen and not a sparkle, so it looks and glows like healthy skin. Be sure to check these shades out on your next Makeup Shopping trip!

Product Love | Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Liner

This week I shared 3 Liner looks using 3 specific liner products. As promised, I would be sharing my reviews on my fave liners at the moment. Maybelline has a series of products in their Stiletto collection from Mascaras to liners. Today I am reviewing Maybelline  Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Liner.

Pros:

• Great Colour - Black Ink
• Flexible Felt Tip 
• Dries Waterproof and lasts all day
• Smudge proof

Cons:

• Winged Edge may be tricky if you are used to a brush, but is achievable and looks amazing!

Overall:

This is a great Liquid liner, because it gives you a super black pigment, dries quickly and the line stays put. Maybelline has always made great liner products and this one gets my approval!

Here is a look I did using this product! It lasted the ENTIRE party! I will be sharing this fun look and more Bollywood inspired makeup looks in a few days so stay tuned!

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!