Everyday Smokey Eye :) - Instagram Inspired Tutorial

I was inspired by Instagram and all of the beautiful collage photos by various makeup artists showcasing their gorgeous eye makeup.  I found these photos not only inspirational, but very easy to understand their "how-to" photos.  

I thought it would be fun to showcase one of my favourite looks to wear in the same fashion as well as including the step by step instructions.   Enjoy this post!

Instructions:

Step 1 - To frame the eyes, fill in the brows, I used Vasanti Dynamic Brow Duo in Cape Town.

Step 2 - Apply SIN on 1/3 of the inner lid and up into the crease. You want to press and pack onto the lid.
Step 3 - Apply SIDECAR on the rest of the lid. Sweeping the colour and blending it into SIN.
Step 4 - Then apply NAKED & BUCK mixed together and sweep into the crease, blending very well.
Step 5 - Apply VIRGIN, the perfect shade to highlight under the brows onto the brow bone.
Step 6 - Using CREEP, start at the corner of the eye, lightly pat and sweep this shade into the crease.
Step 7 - Using Makeup Forever Eye Pencil in Black, apply to the inner waterline.
Step 8 - I used Kajal Extreme eye pencil underneath the end of the lower lash line and smudged to soften.
Step 9 - Create a cat eye by drawing a thin line on top of the lash line and winging out.
Step 10 - Apply 2 coats of Mascara, helps to open and define the eyes.
Step 11 - For added sparkle and pop, add SIN the inner corner of the eyes.

Products Used:

• Vasanti Dynamic Brow Duo - Cape Town
• Urban Decay - Naked Palette (All Eyeshadow shades were used from this Palette)
• Make Up Forever - Aqua Eyes Waterproof Pencil 
• Vasanti Kajal Extreme in Intense Black
• Vasanti Conditioning Long Lash Mascara
• Mark - Get In Line Hook Up Liquid Liner

Finish the rest of your face as you like! This is a perfect dramatic yet wearable smokey eye that is great for the weekend or a glam night out!

Hope this post helps you re-create this sexy look.  Here is the finished look:

Always Smile :)  - Sand

Sunday Smiles :) - It's all about COLOUR!!

I am so excited that Summer is here and we finally get to see colourful things in nature, in fashion and of course makeup.  I painted a colour wheel many years ago for a school art project.  What was really neat about this wheel is that you could easily understand which colours looked great together and which ones were complementary to one another as well.

Today I wanted to post fun photos that were inspired from the Colour wheel.  Check them out below:

Shade - RED | OPI Nail Colour - "Colour So Hot it Berns" :)

Shade:  Turquoise | Indian Outfit + Scarf

Shade:  Yellow | Indian Outfit + Summer Dress

Shade:  Teal Blue |  Makeup Bag + Floral Print Dress

Find your colour inspiration from this wheel, whether it be your nails, fashion or makeup :)

Always Smile :)  - Sand

Just in time for Summer - My Ombre How-To :)

I love that Summer is just around the corner and with it comes beautiful sunny days, visits to the beach and family BBQ's. The Summer months encourage everyone to be outside, so I always look to change my makeup as well as my hair before the Summer starts.  

Ombre is a trend that I remember noticing in Nails, Fashion, Makeup and Hair for the last few years.  Thanks to Instagram and Pinterest, we get to see some amazing photos of these trends. What is amazing about this trend is that it is very wearable and you can tailor it to your flavour and comfort.

Ombre Hair, I first noticed on an episode a few years ago on Y&R, on the character Victoria Newman, and found it very interesting.  I wasn't sure if I was in love with it at first, but I did find it unique on Victoria.  Over the last few years, the Ombre hair trend took off and now it has become a staple hair colouring option for women in salons and now at home!

I wanted to see if this could be easily done at home and tried a few options.  I am budget conscious shopper and wanted to share an easy and affordable option to achieve this hair trend. But I had to test it out first.  Here is the first attempt to At-Home Ombre.

Attempt 1:

I opted to use a very light blonde shade in regular box colour option, so I choose L'Oreal Superior Preference in #48 Copper Blonde:

This shade was a lot lighter than my own hair so I thought that this would work well, here is a pic of my before hair:

However, it didn't work as well as I would have liked.  It gave a great warm tone to my hair but did not lighten it enough to allow for the more intense Ombre effect that I was going for.  

Attempt 2:

So I went back to the Drug Store and picked up a box of L'Oreal Feria Wild Ombre for Dark Blonde to Light Brown Hair in #070:

There are a few variations available from Wild Ombre, but from all the research I did online and on YouTube, this one provided the lift and lightness I was looking for. This worked perfectly and here are the steps and items you will need to do this at home:

• 1 Garbage Bag T-shirt
• Butterfly Hair Clip
• Hair Brush
• Towels
• Old T-shirt and Bottoms (Trust me you will thank me later)
• Timer

You want to make sure wherever you are going to colour, that you have taken the precautions to cover and remove items that could get damaged by the bleach in this product.  What makes this hair kit unique is that it comes with a unique comb that allows for proper distribution of the bleach mixture.  

With patience, I powered through, and did it in two sections, a put the top section of my hair up, moved the loose hair forward and started doing 1 inch sections at a time.  First applying it with the mixture, and then massaging it in with my fingers.  Smoothly and quickly I did the first sections of hair on both sides, and then loosened the top section and repeated the same steps of application.  Then I waited and saw the transformation happening in front of me, so after 15 minutes I removed the mixture and was very happy with the outcome.

Things to be aware of:

• Be mindful of the time so that it doesn't over process
• Keep your gloves on until you have removed the product from your hair
• Read the instructions carefully on discarding the items used to dye your hair
• Avoid being too even, otherwise you will get a harsh line vs. a blended effect

Now because dark hair can result in reddish/coppery tones, you can always tone your hair the same day using any ash blonde shade, which will result in caramel/mocha toned ombre hair. Good luck and have fun doing this at-home!

Always Smile :)  - Sand

Perfect Lips for the Summer :)

In addition to the 3 new Lipstick shades, Vasanti Cosmetics also launched 3 NEW Lipshines.  These glosses are Vitamin E infused and leave a beautiful sheen of colour and are not sticky.  These colours in this formula are essential to your Beach Makeup Bag!

Lipshine Shades:  Gold Nile - Asov Rose - Darling River

Golden Nile is a sparkling gold shade that you can wear everyday, reminds me of a sparkling sunset!

Asov Rose is such a sexy shade with no shimmer but adds an extra pop to any bold lipsticks! Great for the bold and daring personality.

Darling River is a soft shade with no shimmer, offers high shine and is very pretty and a romantic shade. Perfect for a night on the board walk or a late night stroll on the beach.

Which shade would you wear for the Summer?

Always Smile :)  - Sand

Hot NEW Lip Products for the Summer! :)

I am a huge fan of lipsticks! If you know me you will know that I have always loved wearing lipsticks.  I started out opting for nude shades, then graduated to finding and wearing the newest trend for lips.  Starting out with Nude/Earthy toned lips, then moving onto to the lined lip, then venturing into pinks, I have finally arrived to my current trend favourite:  BOLD and Bright lips!!

I was so happy to find out that Vasanti Cosmetics was coming out with new shades to add to their Lipstick and Lipshines.  I finally got my hands on them and I am very happy!  

Take a look at the pics and swatches below:

Meet Pretty Poland, Hot Brit & Cool Aussie :)

And their friends Asov Rose, Darling River and Golden Nile :)

Here are my lip swatches below:

A warm pink shade, great for everyday wear.

A Sexy Hot shade - great for a night out ;)

A cool baby doll pink, great to pair with a dramatic eye!

These shades are a great addition to your lipstick collection and look even better in person! My next post will feature the Lipshines. 

Be sure to check out these new shades before the Summer officially kicks off!

Always Smile :)  - Sand

Get to Know Me: The Beauty Blogger Tag!

I have seen tons of blogger tags on Twitter or in the Blogsphere. I liked this one because it was cute and a great way to share a bit about yourself with fellow bloggers, beauty bloggers and beauty lovers! 

I came across this on Twitter courtesy of Stephanie @stephanieswoger and was directed to her blog (http://stephanieloveshermakeup.blogspot.com)where she completed her tag, and where she found on Emily`s site:  www.beautybroadcast.net an amazing beauty guru and blogger.

So here is my attempt of trying to honestly answer my version of The Beauty Blogger Tag:

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
Naturally straight. I have braided, twisted, folded, curled, rolled, heat damaged and did everything in my power to make it curly and finally accepted it and figured out a way to be able to wear it straight and with loose curls (Thank you flat iron) :)

2. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?
I used to go to the salon a lot when foil highlights were the trend, but for the past few years I have been box colouring and it has worked out quite well.

3. Do you wear the same style everyday, or do you change it?
It depends on the occasion. My everyday style is pretty casual, but when needed I love to wear bright colours, accessories, heels and of course have fun with my hair and makeup.

4. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?
I do my own nails but for a big event I will get my nails done. Really loving the gel based manicures :)  

5. How often do you change your nail polish?
Twice a week.

6. Do you polish your toes in the winter or just the summer?
I polish in all seasons. For the winter I will do more deep/dramatic hues and in the Summer I will choose very bright shades.

7. How long does it take for you to put on makeup?
 My everyday makeup can take 10 minutes. For special events, I will take longer to ensure the look and feel is perfect. About half an hour tops.

8. What do you do first-face or eyes?
I do my eyes first, then I will do my face & cheeks. Then I go back to finish up the eyes with eyeliner, mascara and then finish with lips.

9. Do you collect makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?
I am a self proclaimed makeup hoarder.  Now I will buy and get what I need, but the temptation is always there LOL.

10. How often do you wear false eyelashes?
Rarely, again for very special occasions.

11. Do you do a full face of makeup everyday?
I have my 5 minute full face and then my Full on face for a night out.

12. Do you wear makeup when you're home alone or with family?
Sometimes I will put on makeup if I am creating an eye shadow look for the blog, when I am at home with family.  It is very typical for my family to see me with two different makeup looks on my eyes and no one reacts since it is the norm with me.

13. Will you leave the house without makeup?
I have left the house with both, with and without. It took a very long time to feel comfortable in my own skin and not to reach for the eyeliner or lipstick before I left the house.

14. How many high-end products do you have?
I would say a fair amount of my products are mid range, with a few exceptions every once in awhile.

15. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you're getting dressed? 
Usually I will plan the morning of, but for special events I will plan in advance, from the clothes, accessories, the makeup look and hair.

16. How often do you change your handbag?
During the week is my standard bag, but for weekends I will change it depending on my mood.  A pain in the Arse, but again it is an extension of accessorizing.

17. What time do you wake up and go to sleep?

It depends on what I may be working on, but typically by 11pm and then up around 7am.

18. How often do you workout?
Not as often as I would like, but with the nicer weather it does help to be more active outside and more frequently.

19. Left handed or right handed?
Right handed.

20. How tall are you?
5'4

21. Do you speak any foreign languages?
Yes I speak Punjabi, can communicate in Hindi and learned high school french, which is very limited :)

22. How many pets do you have?
I have pets through my family. 4

23. How often are you on Blogger?
Not as often as I would like.

24. Do you read comments on blogs?
Yes, I actually will read comments on really intriguing or interesting blogs.

25. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?
Always, it is named my "Wish List"!

26. How did you come up with your Blogger name?

I wanted to keep it simple and just state what it was I loved and extended it to the logo as well, which I designed to represent me. :)

27. What kind of camera do you use for your photographs?
My Pink SONY Cybershot :) & My Android for Instagram Pics.

28. How often do you clean your house?
Daily cleaning and full fledged cleaning is once a week.

29. What's your favorite color?
I cannot pick one but my top three are Magenta, Turquoise and Black.

30. Do you swear?
Yes I often do. But around the right people and not around children.

31. What are you doing the rest of your day?

Finishing up this blog and going to Instagram pics of my meal prep for the week :) (Yes I am also an Instagram addict)

This was fun to participate in, hopefully you will all enjoy reading this too :)

Always Smile :)  - Sand

I am an Instagram Addict :)

It's Self Promotion tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime! :) If you are a quality TV programming realty TV junkie like me than you should be able to recognize what line I am taking my intro from.  (Hint: Rhymes with Sersey Jore) ;)

Ok jokes aside, I know I have said this about a hundred times..."I will start posting more frequently"... "I will start writing more blogs"... "I will take the time to upload my million of photos to my blog to share".. and of course time flies and 5000 months later here we are.

Today I wanted to share my love of Instagram.  I mean I really LOVE instagram!  I can admit it, I am an Instagram Junkie to my core! I love looking at photos, I love seeing things from another lens, I love how we can connect across the world with one another through photos.  It's quick and easy to fall into the hook of Instagram.  Not only do I love creeping looking at pics, but I also like to share my pics and my view of the things I love!

You can find me on Instagram by searching for, you guessed it:  @MakeupBySand.  Here is the link below http://instagram.com/makeupbysand

Here you will find my many loves from Makeup, Hair, Books, Art, Food and the love for my city!  Here are some of my fave pics and of course more to come:

Always Smile :)  - Sand