YouTube | @MakeupbySand - The Rebirth of my Beauty Channel :)

I am so excited to share that I am FINALLY bringing my love of Beauty, Books and Food to YouTube! Truthfully, I started the channel a few years ago, but felt nervous and resisted posting videos. Now I am finally ready, hence the re-birth and the renewal of my channel!

Without further ado, please see my first (third) teaser video below:

My first Live recorded video will be up in February 2016!!! I have been working hard putting together fun topics, content and video ideas, totally behind-the-scenes so that 2016 would have the YouTube channel that I always envisioned for myself and what I want it to be for viewers.

I really hope you will join me in this fun journey on the next chapter for me! Keep smiling and I will see you all on YouTube soon! :) Please be sure to subscribe!

2016 is off to a great start!

Celebration | Happy Birthday/5 Year Anniversary to #BlogbySand!

I am beyond thrilled to celebrate the Blog's birthday/anniversary! Happy 5 Years!!!

I intentionally started the blog in January so that it always tied to the start of the new year! My first post was dated January 2nd, 2011. I started this blog 5 years ago, yet the idea to start the blog was with me for many years prior to the actual start date. In that time frame, I was trying to gain the courage to start and share my words/images/opinions and ideas. With anything new, you fear the unknown and you want to ensure you are giving it your all! Once I was confident and ready, I started the blog, and I haven't looked back.

In the last 5 Years, I have shared countless Makeup Hauls, Product Reviews, Makeup Looks as well as my love of Books and Cooking. I started this blog as a way to connect with people who shared the same interests as me and a way to share my own personal thoughts. There have been a few personal posts which I also debated sharing but found a lot of support and love when I did.

So without further ado, in the name of walking down memory lane, I wanted to share some of my fave images/posts from the last 5 years, so here goes:

1. Favourite Makeup Look: Holiday Nights

2. Favourite Product: Maybelline Master Drama Eye Studio Cream Pencil

3. Favourite Photo: Posted on Instagram

4. Favourite Book: Gone Girl (So Far)

5. Favourite Recipe: Green Soup with Chicken and Veggies 

Announcement Time!
I am happy to announce and share that in 2016, I will be reviving the start of my YouTube channel!! I started it awhile back but am glad to say that am looking to launch my first (third) video this month! You will get the same vibe that I have set for the blog, but in video format. I appreciate all the love and support I have received over the years and want to continue to share content that is relevant to you and that I enjoy sharing! I also appreciate any content suggestions for the channel as well and am excited for this next chapter!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy 2016!!

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 9: RedVelvet

Warm Red and Chocolate tones with bronzey red lips is a great look for the holidays! Here is the next look for the season! The newest theme of my 12 Days of Christmas Makeup Looks! This look is called: Red Velvet! Definitely another easy look to wear and the perfect Makeup look for the Holidays!

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

Products Used:

Face

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

Eyes

• Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks in Cocoa and Moonlight
• Coastal Scents 88 Original Palette (Red and Coppery Red Tones)
• Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
• Maybelline Master Drama Eye Pencil
• NYX Collection Noir Liquid Black Liner
• Vasanti Cosmetics Moon Dust Shimmer Powder Pigment

Lips

• Giorgio Armani Lip Pencil #11
• Mac Cosmetics in Amorous
• Rouge D'Armani Lipstick in #410
• NYX Face and Body Glitter in Bronze

Adding the glitter on the lips definitely adds an extra pop for this look. This look is sweet and fun to do and can be worn for any holiday party!

Happy Holidays!

Fun Makeup | #12DaysofChristmas Makeup Looks | Day 8: Gingerbread

With the holidays comes many parties and nights out with the family. Here is the next look for the season! The newest theme of my 12 Days of Christmas Makeup Looks! This look is called: Gingerbread! Such a sweet look using coppers, golds and paired with a gorgeous matte Cranberry Lip shade! A perfect Makeup look for the Holidays!

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
• Fluid Sheer #4
• NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette
• Mac Cosmetics Blush in Passionately Tempted
• Colour Corrector - Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani #401

Eyes

• Fluid Sheer #4
• Coastal Scents 28 Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
• Mac Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Coppering, Expensive Pink & Sketch
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in
• Giorgio Armani Eye Pencil in #12
• Giorgio Armani Black Ecstasy Mascara in Brown
• NYX Collection Noir Liquid Black Liner

Lips

• Beautique Lip Liner in Wine
• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen

I love how nicely the coppery/gold tones work with the dark bold lips. If you wanted to keep the look within the same tone, you can add a chocolate toned lipstick that would work beautifully! Be bold and sparkly this season!

Happy Holidays!