Instagram #ootd Roundup July 25th - July 31st

It was stupid hot last week and I'm ready for 95 degree weather to be done. But despite the heat we celebrated my sister's marriage at The Ale House Columbia and My pastor Mike's wedding at Lovely Lane Methodist in Baltimore. We also saw Cirque Du Soleil Kurios on Sunday. Here's what I wore:


Monday: My Sister's Wedding Party

New York and Company Skirt (Mine is sold out but here is a similar one for $30)

Nordstrom Lush Tank $34

DSW White Wedges $45

eBay Flower Bib Necklace $4

eBay Sunnies $2

Alice Evans Designs Clutch and Cuff

Tuesday: School

New York and Company Racerback Tank $6

New York and Company Linen Shorts $16

Haviains Flip Flops $28

Longchamp Le Pilage Medium Tote $115

Victoria Emerson Wrap Bracelet $34

eBay Initial Pendant Necklace $12

New York and Company Sunnies $8


Thursday: School

 

New York and Company Tie Dye Tee $15

New York and Company Denim Cuff Shorts $20

Adidas (mine are old but you can buy colored superstars from Foot Locker for $55)

Longchamp Le Pilage Large Tote $145

SheIn Y Necklace $3

Stella Dot Wishing Bracelet $19

New York and Company Sunnies 48

Saturday: Wedding

New York and Company Kimono Maxi Dress $40

Net-A-Porter Espadrilles $110

H&M Straw Clutch $18

Forever 21 Flower Crown $6

New York and Company Beaded Bracelet $8

Alice Evans Designs Cuff

Nordstrom Gold Bib Necklace (sold out but here's a similar one for $32)

 

Sunday: Cirque Du Soleil

 

Forever 21 Stripped Dress (mine's old but here's a similar one for $13)

Adidas Superstars $60 #NSale

Longchamp Le Pilage Mini Tote $95

ETSY Quartz Bar Necklace $36

eBay Screwhead Bracelets $12 eeach

Tarte's Swamp Queen Pallet Looks

For my birthday I got the Tarte GRAV3YARDGIRL Swamp Queen Eye & Cheek Pallet. Check her out on Youtube she's kind of awsome. Anyone who can catch gators and do killer make up is ok in my book. Anyway I'm in love with this pallet which you have to get in store at Sephora or Ulta and they are extremely limited but really awesome. It has 9 eye shadows that range from bronzy oranges to mauve purples, a strong bronzer, a lovely blush (although the shape makes application tricky), and a high lighter. I tired out her day and night look and here's how it turned out.

Day Look

The day look uses both the bronzes and a little mauve. I liked the look but because her skin is so pale it has a little different look on my tanner skin. I really felt it needed a black liner to make my brown eyes pop. the brush it comes with is ok but I ended up switching to my smahsbox eye shadow brushes. Overall I think it was a perfect daytime look and I love that this pallet has all the cheek and eye colors I need.

To complete this look I wore to my sister's wedding party on Saturday I also used the following products:

To prime: Physicians Formula 2-in-1 Argan Oil and Coconut Water Primer (smells kind of musty but I like it and it feels refreshing) then I applied NYX Pore Filler over top.

Eyes: I started with Too Faced Shadow Insurance then I followed the Swamp Queen Day look directions but I added Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum to my top lashes. For my eyelashes I started with Lancome Cils Booster XL Enhancing Mascara Base to prime and followed it up with Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Statement Mascara. I used NYX Tame and Frame Tinted Brow Pomade on my eyebrows. (note the photo is not the same mascara)

Face:  First I did my dark circle trick (directions here) but I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Concealer instead of the e.l.f.. I used Tarte Hybrid Gel Foundation (I love this foundation it is so natural looking and you don't need a lot of product, make sure you blend well). After applying bronzer around my forehead, on my temples, on the sides of my nose, under my cheekbones and along my jaw bone, highlighter above my cheekbones, and blush on the apples of my cheek from the pallet I finished with Make Up Forever Microfinish Powder. The bronzer is strong use sparingly, the blush is tricky to get on a fat round brush but the color is awesome.

Lips: I started by applying e.l.f. Matte Lip Color in TEA ROSE and followed it with e.l.f. Mineral Lipstick in NICELY NUDE.

Night Look 

The night look was very pretty but even more so then the day look it did not have the same impact on my dark skin and eyes as it does on Grav3YardGirl. But it worked well for my birthday dinner look. I'd probably add black eyeliner next time.

To complete this look I used the following products:

To prime: The same as the day look.

Eyes: The same as the day look. (note the photo is not the same mascara)

Face: Instead of my tired and true Tarte Gel I tested out a new foundation Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin ($13). Some people say this compares to Estee Lauder's Double Wear ($40) for all day coverage. The verdict is still out on all day but it did last the 4 hours of dinner. Unlike most cheaper formulas it didn't require a quarter sized drop of product but more like a nickle so I liked that. I blended it with NYX Honey Dew Me Up on a soft blending sponge. I added color just like the day look and finished with Urban Decay DeSlick.

Lips: I lined my lips with NYX Slim Lip Pencil in ESPRESSO and then covered my whole lip in NYX Soft Matte Cream in COPENHAGEN.

Overall I think both of these looks turned out well and I look forward to trying more.

Instagram #ood Roundup July 21st- July 24th

I turned 34 this week! Boo hoo...I mean woo hoo! Frankly I wasn't even sure if I was 34 or 35 but I've consulted my mother and I was in fact born in 1982 which makes me 34 and I had a fabulous dinner with my besties. Moving on. Only two more weeks left of teaching and then I'm free to...go to the gym? Oh the beach... but don't expect bathing suit pics! Ok here's what I wore during my birthday week.

Thursday: Dinner with Friends

Nordstrom Lush Tunic $26 (on sale, so soft and comfy and light weight)

Old Navy Ripped Denim Shorts $13

Old Navy Gladiator Sandals $39

Nordstrom Reversible Tote $48

eBay Bracelets (love, nail, screwhead) $15

Nordstrom Quartz Bar Necklace (sold out online)


Friday: Picknic

Old Navy Peplum Top $13

Nordstrom Denim Skirt $58

Nordstrom Chunky Sandals $48

Longchamp Le Pilage Tote $145

Tory Burch Necklace $175

Tory Burch Cuff $175

New York and Company Sunnies $8


Saturday: Birthday Dinner

 

Zulily Dress (Here's a similar one on sale at Nordstrom for $39) 

New York and Company Statement Necklace (mine's from last season but here's a similar one for $25)

Old Navy Mules $34

ETSY Leopard Clutch $65

Charlotte Russe Stacked Bracelet $5

Alice Evans Designs Spider Cuff (each piece is unique but she does lots of custom work)

Sunday: Church

New York and Company Lace Up Swing Dress $20

DSW Wedge Sandals $45

ETSY Monogram Tote $30

Tory Burch Cuff $175

Coral Necklace (mine's from the Caribbean but here's a similar one from ASOS for $33)

New York and Company Sunnies $8

Best Make Up Dupes on the Market

Sometimes you don't want to splurge for the department store make up when there is a perfectly good dupe on the market. there are about 20 million posts on Pintrest on this subject and a lot of it is nonsense (just because a color matches does not make the products equal) so here are my favorites that I'll stand by any day.

Maybelline The Falsies $7 for Benefit They're Real Mascara $24
Both provide a nice lengthened and curled eyelash but aren't clumpy or overly fake looking. The Benefit is will last longer and is less likely to leave a rim after a long day but $17 less the Maybelline is a really good option.

NYX Pore Filler $14 for Benefit The Porefessional $31
I don't even use the benefit any more I actually think the NYX works better. the Benefit is a tad bit smoother but I think it doesn't fill as well and other then that there is no difference.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer $6 for Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer $39
I'm really not a huge fan of Smashbox's primer it's just hemorrhoid gel and I find foundation doesn't stick to it very well. However, the green primer to cover redness is something everyone should have in their makeup box and the Smashbox definitely fights off the red but the e.l.f. is way cheaper and feels almost exactly the same. This is a great buy.

NYX HD Foundation $18 for Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation $43
Warning, you need to be careful with HD formulas they are thick and liquidy and need loads of blending but if you do it right there is no beating their appearance under HD photography. These formulas are almost identical and you can't beat the price difference. Go for the NYX!

NYX Tame and Frame Brow Pomade $7 for Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade $18
I love NYX Cosmetics. They make hit after hit and this is no exception. It's a little wetter then the Anastasia but I think it is a little easier to use. I should note that I prefer the Anastasia pencil it's easier to be precise with.

e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip $1!!! for Benefit Cosmetics High Beam $26
Not all e.l.f. was created equally but this highlighter will work perfectly in place of High Beam. It's a little thicker but frankly the tube makes it easier to use.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream $6 for Tarte Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint $20
I love all NYX lip creams but this one is a perfect dupe for the Tarte and also the Kylie (which I don't know why anyone would ever buy) and the Kat Von D. It goes on evenly and lasts as long as more expensive formulas.

Sephora Collection Matte Perfection Powder Foundation $20 for MAC Studio Fix Plus Foundation $27
I'm not a big fan of MAC virtually nothing they make you can't get better and cheaper elsewhere and their sales people really don't know what they are doing. There was a time when it was the best makeup you could get and I used to use this powdered foundation but now Sephora clearly has the superior product value.

NYX Hot Singles Eye Shadow $4.50 for MAC Eye Shadow $16
I used to love these MAC Shadows till I discovered NYX makes a dupe for virtually every color and they are just as good and 1/4 the price. (Note this picture is way out of date but it's not hard to compare the colors)

There you go. You're welcome!

Instagram #ootd Roundup July 5th-July 17th

It's been a busy two weeks. Every summer I take my daughter to BronyCon, a My Little Pony Convention in Baltimore (see my other instagram @pinkhairmom more pics). I also taught a few classes that keept me on my feet for two straight weeks. I've also obsessively been playing PokemonGo Go Team Mystic! And getting a great workout doing it. It was also Scarlett's 5th birthday on Sunday. Anyway I'm back to being behind a computer so here's what I wore.

Thursday: Teaching

Nordstrom Denim Jacket $75

Ann Taylor Loft Tank $15

Gap Pink Linen Shorts $20

Fringe Sandals (here is a $20 pair from Payless and a $63 pair from Shopbop)

Longchamp Le Pilage Tote $145 (I'm living in this bag, it fits all my stuff and is durable enough to be thrown around my classroom)

Stella Dot Sahara Horn Necklace $49

eBay Pink Strap and Tassel Bracelet $4

Nordstrom Sunnies $12


Saturday: Brony Con 

New York and Company Flamingo Shirt Now only $10!

Nordstrom White Ripped Jeans $35 (during the sale)

Havaianas Teal Flip Flips with Dog Charm (from Zulily)

Stella Dot Horn Necklace

eBay Tassel Stretch Bracelets $10


Sunday: Brony Con

J Crew Tank (mine's old but here's a similar style from GUESS for $17)


New York and Company Rip and Repair Jeans $70

Havaianas Flip Flops $28

Stella Dot Monogram Pendant Necklace $69

Tobi Pyramid Bracelet $10


Friday: Dinner and a Movie 

Nordstrom Strappy Back Tee $35


New York and Company Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans $70

Havaianas Flip Flops $28

Nordstrom Quartz Bar Necklace (sold out online)

Stella Dot Cluster Bracelet $59

Nordstrom Reversible Tote $48


Saturday: PokemonGo hunting at the DC Zoo

New York and Company Tank (from last year but here's a similar one for only $6)

Old Navy Denim Ripped Shorts $25

Coach Sneakers $60

Overstock Agate Necklace $27

Nordstrom Sunnies $12


Sunday: Church and Scarlett's Birthday Celebration

J Crew Shirtdress (this was from last summer but here's one that flares for $128 or one with sleeves for $50)

Amazon Straw Fedora Hat $15

Steve Madden Leopard Print Slip Ons (these are from last summer but here's an Ugg Pair for $130)

Stella Dot Monogram Pendant Necklace $69

Stella Dot Rose Gold Bangle $34

eBay Rose Gold Bracelets

Coach Satchel (mine's old but here's a current one for $275)

Instagram #ootd Roundup June 27th- July 3rd

Another week of teaching engineering. This week was Alternative Energy Engineering and I was covered in melted chocolate from solar marshmallow cookers and wet from pressurized water rockets. Here's what I wore:

Monday: Wedding

New York and Company Halter Dress $42 (super comfy and flattering)

New York and Company Beaded Bracelet $7

Jessica Simpson Gold Wedge Sandals (mine are old but here's a similar pair from Steve Madden for $80)

Alice Evans Designs Clutch & Cuff (All of Alice's Designs are custom but she has amazing pieces so check them out)

Tuesday: School

Forever 21 Flannel Shirt $16

Ann Taylor Loft Tank $15

Forever 21 Bleach Denim Shorts $9

Stella Dot Cluster Bracelet $59

Bauble Bar Alpha and Ice Pendant Necklace $36

Longchamp Le Pilage Large Tote $145


Friday:

Forever 21 Loose Tank (mine's old but here are some alternatives: Black for $15 and Mesh Detail for $8)

Old Navy Cami $6

New York and Company Rip and Repair Boyfriend Jeans $70

DSW Gladiator Sandals (mine are old but here's a similar style for $40)

My Grandmother's Cross (here's some similar ones from eBay)

ETSY Doctor Who Bracelets $35 (hello sweetie, timey wimey, make it a good one)
Coach Swingpack $145

Sunday: BBQ

Stella Dot Tunic $129

New York and Company Cropped Jeans $45

Charlotte Rousse Stacked Bracelet $6

Stella Dot Horn Necklace (discontinued but you can get a similar or used one on ebay)

Net-A-Porter Espadrilles $110

Colorful Wedding Makeup

Most of my readers don't have time for an hour long makeup session which is why I usually focus on quick easy looks but since it's wedding season here's a long tutorial for a full beautiful and colorful summer wedding look.

Step 1: Moisturize as you normally would. Check out this post for my routine.

Step 2: Eyes
It's important to do your eye makeup first because your eye shadow and mascara will ruin your foundation.

• Start with eye shadow primer. I use Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance primer but Urban Decay Primer Potion is good as well. I really don't like the cheaper versions made by e.l.f. or drugstore cosmetics companies they just don't last as long.
• I did a simple but colorful gold and teal eye. Here's how:
• Start with a teal shade on the outer and inner corners of your eyes. 
  
  
  
• Add gold in the middle. 
  
• Add the teal along the crease. Then blend. 
  
• Add teal on the inner and outer corners under your eye and then the gold in the middle.
  
• For my strong wing I used Rimmel London ScandalEyes Gel Liner. Follow these steps to get the perfect wing:
• For big lashes start with a primer like Lancome Cils Booster Primer apply a layer and let it dry.
• For my brows I used NYX Tame and Frame Bow Gel with a straight brush from Smashbox. I started by outlining my brows then filling them in. 
• Follow up with highlighter shadow under the brow. 
  
• Finish up your mascara with a bold mascara like Tart Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara.

Step 3: Face

• First I prime my face. Since this is an outdoor wedding I want a dewy luminous look so I'm mixing NYX Pore Filler mixed with Loreal Lumi in ICE.
• Now you can fix those dark circles under your eyes. I use an orange concealer like NYX Color Corrector in ORANGE. Followed by a creamy concealer like e.l.f. Cover Everything. For a more detailed guide check out this post.
• Next I Apply my foundation. I used Maybelline Fit Me Dewy because it's an outdoor wedding and a matte look just won't stay nice. I start by pouring a nickel size drop on the back of my hand and I use an e.l.f. Ultimate Blending Brush to apply it to my face. 
  
• To blend my foundation in I use a blending sponge with a little bit of NYX Honey Dew Me Up on the sponge and I blend till it's seamless.
  
• Next I took Airspun Loose Translucent Powder and applied it under my eyes and in a line along the sallow of my cheek and along the sides of my chin. I use a harder blending sponge.
• Now it's time for bronzer to contour. My favorite bronzer is Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer which I apply under my check bones. along the sides of my nose, along my forehead and on my temples. I blend with a oval makeup brush (I'll be giving one away on Instagram check @pinkhairfloosie for details). (Sorry I got something on my camera lense and the rest of the pictures are fuzzy). 
  
• I used Benefit Benetint on my cheeks which gives me a perfect natural rosy cheek but requires lots of blending. For perfect blush smile and apply to the apples of your cheeks. 
  
• I used Benefit Watts Up to highlight my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, above my lip and at the tip of my forehead.
  
• I finished with a spray of Urban Decay De-Slick to help control oil and set my makeup to last all night.

Step 4: Lips

• I prime my lips by applying a little foundation to them when I am putting it on. It preps them just fine and removes a step which I'm all about.
• I used NYX Ombre Lip Duo in BONNIE & CLYDE Start by outlining your lips with the darker shade just outside your natural lip line.
  
• Next apply the lighter shade on the inside and blend outward. Perfect pout. 
  

The whole process took about 40 mins but I'm pretty pleased with the results. What do you think?