Shimmer And Shine

{The finished look on Instagram}

We all love to shine, but a  little goes a long way when it comes to shimmer. Just that touch of it in the corners of the eyes can make a huge difference. Even with the amount of makeup you see here, the overall look is still very subtle. What I love best is that you don't have to have perfect lines for this look to come together. It's warm and sultry without being overdone. Summer without all the fireworks. Shine on.

After I draw in my brows and apply the foundation to even out my skin tone, I add a small amount of very pale pink powder blush to the apple of my cheeks. Maybelline "Medium Mauve"

Here I use a muted purple liner on the upper lash line and lower waterline.

This one is Almay in Raisin. 

After I cover each lid in a soft off white shadow, I add the shimmer stick by NYX in "yogurt" to the entire lid and inner corner of each eye.

To enhance that color I used a black cherry mascara on the upper lashes only. This one is by Flower Beauty.

Finish with a mat peachy-pink lip by NYX in "hippie chic".

What you need to achieve this look.

Now You See Me

{My Instagram post @misstiffany_ann}

Dramatic eyes can be sort of scary if you've never tried that look. Buying those eye color palettes are great if you already have an idea of what you're trying to accomplish. I like the simplicity that keeping an eye look to only 3 or 4 colors gives you. Besides that, I pride myself on being able to do any of the looks I love in less than 10 minutes. Makeup should be low maintenance. I love the way brown eyes can play off most any color. The neutral canvass makes colors pop and stand on their own. Keep your eye on me.

I cover my t-zone, eye area, and nose in foundation. No concealer.

Eye lids are covered in a light champagne matte shadow as a primer.

I've drawn in my brows already here and use a navy blue eye liner on the water line and along the upper lashes. Do not smudge.

I covered the upper lid in Almay's "midnight sky" into the inner corner of each eye.

Added a nude lip. Mac's "Hue"

This is actually before the lip color, but you can see the intensity of the blue best in this shot.

Add a shimmery pink cream blush by NYX called "boho chic"

Black mascara on the upper lashes and slightly on the lower.

Here is all you need

Get In Line

Blue eye shadow dominated makeup trends in the 80's, but I never seemed into it then. Possibly because I was at a Catholic school, but primarily because my parents weren't having that. We never had the money to keep up with whatever the other kids were doing, Even with makeup trends. Maybe that's why I have so much fun experimenting with it now that I can choose for myself. To this day I wear very little to hide any imperfections (my growing collection of freckles) and choose rather to enhance the things I think stand out the most on me. I have high cheek bones and big eyes. I like to play a bit with color there, and experiment with what it can do to keep my look current and even ahead of the game. There's nothing worse then getting left behind...so get in line.

I use foundation over my t-zone and around my eyes.

 I apply this "Cheek Chubby" from Flower Beauty.

I use a small amount of champagne color eye shadow from Cover Girl on each lid to the eye brow.

I use the Revlon liner in "Matt Marine" only on the lower water line.

I apply a generous amount of Flower Beauty color play creme shadow in "Lilac You a Lott" on the lid only and the lower lash line.

I color in my brows with Flower Beauty's Defining Brow Pencil in "Dark Brown"

Add a peachy lip color like this one from Top Shop 

Add your favorite black mascara and this is the finished look. 

Rules of Application

With the summer months just around the corner as well as spring break for many, I think it's important to highlight the many important facts about how to protect your skin from sun damage and premature aging.

1. sunscreen has an expiration date. Check it.

2. You must reapply after you swim, even if it says it's waterproof. It begins to lose effectiveness after 40 minutes in the water.

3. More expensive does NOT mean better quality.

4. Use anytime you will be in the sun for more than 20 minutes or overcast days.

5. SPF does not increase protection proportionately with a higher number. Most doctors say the best sunscreen is 30 SPF which protects against 97% of harmful rays.

6. Cream or lotion is better protection than an oil, aerosol, or gel.

7. Choose a 'broad -spectrum" sunscreen that protects against both UVB & UVA rays.

8. If you have fair skin or burn easily use a higher SPF.

9. Use the amount the size of a shot glass (for adults).

10. Stay out of the sun between 10 am and 4pm when the harshest rays are most prevalent.

Staying Grounded

{Brown Sugar Honey Coffee Scrub}

There are a bevy of beauty regimes that a girl (or a guy) can take part in in order to feel refreshed and renewed. I fantasize about spending a day at the spa like the ones I see online, and what it would feel like to be whisked away for a weekend of nothing other than relaxing and soothing treatments. Unfortunately, it has been my experience, that they are so costly and somewhat time intensive that neither of those are something that I could immerse myself in on a regular basis. Lately I have fallen completely in love with the whole idea of pampering yourself at home. You can enjoy everything and not have get dressed and drive anywhere, You can slip into your robe, grab a glass of wine and just chill. My kind of evening.

3 tbsp ground coffee

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp honey

Mix the dry ingredients first and then add the liquids.

Makes your skin feel refreshed and soft. With the antioxidant and ant-inflammatory properties coffee contains, it is a great way to wake up your skin, and a great way to use those left over coffee grounds. Remember to use hot water so they don't clog your tub, and I would recommend rinsing in the shower for best results.

Grounds can be stored in an air tight container for up to 2 months in the refrigerator.

Staying Power

Lipstick was my thing for a while and then I was into gloss and then balm. Lately I have been drawn back to painting my lips pretty colors just to amp up my mood. Especially in the colder months when everything seems to be so dull and lifeless. My skin without the kiss of the summer sun, seems to be the perfect canvass for these new brights, and Covergirl has the best longevity in the business. I can swipe it on at 7 am and it is still there when I leave at the end of the day. Leave it to a classic brand to give you the perfect kind of lip service.

{Going from bottom left and around}

1. Spellbound

2. Hot Passion

3. Bombshell

4. Enchantress blush

5. A balm #215 (center)

In need of a touch up. "Spellbound"

A Kiss Is Still A Kiss

{1. Mac 2. Rimmel 3. Revlon 4. Rimmel, 5. Revlon} 

I asked a bunch of my handsome guy friends their take on lipstick on a woman. I asked if it mattered whether it was dark or neutral, and I was astonished to find out that they did not like it at all. Not a single one of them gave me a yes. Pretty astonishing when you think of what a HUGE business it is for women, with new shades on the market every season, in every possible color. I love the way certain shades can add to or enhance a woman's beauty. I find it alluring. I always notice it and have been known to ask complete strangers what they are wearing. So it is no shock that I have a few tubes of my own, with red being my latest area of exploration. The holiday season is right around the corner, so why not make a statement that is a retro way to ring in the new year or meet under the mistletoe. If you find a shade you that flatters your skin tone, just go for it. After all, what's love got to do with it. 

1. Rimmel Kate #10 2. Mac in Russian Red 3. Rimmel Kate matte in Kiss of Life 4. Revlon in Cherries in the Snow

1.Mac in Russian Red is a brick red 

 2.Rimmel matte Kate in Kiss of Life is a strong orange-red 

 3. Revlon in Cherries In The Snow is a pink based red

 4. Rimmel Kate #10 is a long wearing, moisture rich, stop light red

 5.  Revlon in Fire and Ice is perfect for every skin tone

 All found at CVS or Target. Mac can be found online at Nordstrom.

{Revlon's color for all "Fire and Ice"}

My work here is done.

Frank Sinatra

Casablanca

                                      

Soft and Sweet

If putting food all over your face makes you feel like your involved in some sort of awkward middle school prank, then this idea is not for you. If you are someone like me who doesn't feel like you can take the time or money out of your budget to go to a fancy salon and get a facial then this IS for you. There is nothing more soothing than a cool moisturizing face mask. I have talked about those a couple times on this blog, but they cost and you have to wait if you order them online. This is a simple and cost effective way to get the same result and it is all natural. So much better for your skin.

Take 1 cup plain yogurt and 1 cup honey (mine looks like this because I was keeping it in the refrigerator) and mix well.

\

Slather all over your face and leave on for 20 minutes.

 I don't wear foundation anywhere except my nose and chin and a little around my eyes to even out the redness in those areas. I did use the beauty filter on my phone to mute out the INSANE amount of freckles my Irish mother gave me. Other than that, and a little makeup and lipstick, this is me on a regular day and this process, along with the lemon/sugar scrub, made my face feel as soft as cashmere without the cost. 

Clean and Clear

MaryKay was my "go to" microdermabrasion treatment for at least a decade. I loved the result. There was an effortless glow to my skin and a feeling of removing all the things that were bad for it. The problem was not only the cost, but availability, and I usually broke out the day after. I have been using an apricot scrub which does the job but doesn't give me that glow of flawless skin I am looking for. So I found a solution to all three problems. By simply mixing together a tbsp of sugar and fresh lemon juice I got exactly the result I wanted without the cost, the wait, or the breakout. For all the men out there who love to take care of their skin, this gives you what you want without feeling like a girl for buying it. It'll be our little secret.

After I scrub I usually jump in the shower or use a hot wash cloth to wipe it all off. Follow with a moisturizer and eye cream as you normally would. Using a moisturizing facial mask right after is also a very skin calming and soothing finishing touch if you have the time.

Post shower glow <3

Couples Counseling

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. It is no longer cool to wear nail polish that matches both your fingers and toes. If right now you're reading that and feeling uncomfortable then you and I are the same. Samesies. That's right, it has been a straight struggle for me to embrace this nail trend. It is well documented on this blog my having fun with the accent nail or even simple nail art. However, intentionally choosing different polish colors for hands and feet seemed well, wrong. What struck me as great about the idea was the fact that our fingers chip way before our toes (unless you play soccer I've been informed)  so what a fun way to switch things up. Besides that, it is spontaneous and unexpected which is what we girls all want to be!! I am super easy going so over time I started to experiment with the idea. Currently I am having such a great time doing it that often I will think of two I want to pair up days before it's time for my weekly nail do-over. Since I have this awkward tendency to go against the grain whenever possible, I don't always put the darker shade on my toes. I mean..that would be expected.  Nobody wants that. 

Let's move from the center out and to the right. 

1. Essie's "Spin the Bottle" & COVERGIRL's "Smoky Toupe"

2. RIMMEL's "Barmy Blue" & Essie's "Who is the Boss"

3. Essie's "Go Overboard" & "Turquoise&Caicos"

4. O.P.I.'s "Moon Over Mumbai" & COVERGIRL's "Out of the Blue"

5. Revlon's "Sunlit Grass" & Essie's "No More Film"

6. O.P.I.'s "Cajun Shrimp" & Revlon's "Apricot Nectar"

7. O.P.I.'s "Lucky Lucky Lavender" & NYC's "Preppy Pink"

8. Essie's "Big Spender" & COVERGIRL's "Salt Water Taffy"

9. Essie's "Bikini So Teeny" & L'OREAL's "After Hours"

10. Essie's "Fiji" & "Devils Advocate" (which is gooey as we speak so I need a new one)

Pencil Me In

{These are my top three picks with the gold being my favorite}

Women most often use brown or black eyeliner. It's easy, it is the standard. I think during high school and college pigmented mascara and eye shadows were all the rage. I haven't done that since, but I have always stood fast to my routine when applying eye makeup. I tend to only accent the top lashes and lids with the ever so regular black combination. Lately I have been trying some new ideas in an effort to step up my game a bit. Saying that I want to go back to high school or my college makeup days would be like saying I want to turn back time. I do not. I want to move forward and keep my look fresh and new. Going through the same old tired makeup routine for me was beginning to wear me out. I needed a change. So I began experimenting with other colors and combinations and here is the result. Eye opening. 

{On my right eye is Maybelline Master Drama in "Vibrant Violet" and on my left is MaryKay in "Tahitian Gold"}

This combination was really fun because I wanted to be able to use the blue eye shadow stick I love so much but in a more subtle fashion for every day.

{On my right eye is a combination of  Flower Liquid Eyeliner in black (the applicator makes the perfect winged effect) with Rimmel Scandaleyes in "Blamed Blue". On the the left eye is a very rich "Midnight Blue" by Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus}

I don't think the gold is available from MaryKay anymore but this version I will be giving to all my girlfriends as gifts!! 

PS. Lips are MAC "Hue" and mascara is Maybelline "The Falsies". If anyone knows a trick to keeping       the water line from vanishing I'd love your secret!!