Inspiration for Looks

Though I do love creating my own personal looks, sometimes it's fun to try to re-create looks from other makeup artists.  I like doing this for a number of reasons.  First, I get to see how my skills measure up to other artists and second, I just get to challenge myself!  I almost always add my own flare to a look I recreate (whether it's because I want to, or because I made a mistake and just roll with it :p) because it adds a bit of my own personality.  As you know, I've been sick lately and yesterday I found out that it's pneumonia :(  It's not really that bad, it's just persistent and annoying for sleeping because it gets difficult to breathe when I lay down.  In spite of all that though, I still want to practice my artistry and create looks for you guys!  It actually helps me to focus on something other than my sickness and...well, who doesn't likw feeling pretty at any hour?!

I know I said that next up would be a foundation pictorial, but by the time I got home last night, there was no natural light left (as you'll see by the lighting in the pictures I took of last night's makeup).  I want to make sure I have the best lighting for a foundation tutorial so you can all see exactly what I'm doing and exactly how it looks in the end!  I might be able to do it tomorrow evening and post on Saturday, but if not it will get done Sunday and posted Monday :)  Last night's look was inspired by a fabulous makeup artist who calls herself sugarpants on Instagram.  She is totally beautiful and extremely talented.  I modified her look just a bit, but you can see the original here.

In sugarpants' look, I'm pretty sure she used a soft lavender eyeshadow on the lid with her black liner over top (she also used faux lashes, which I did not).  I am still perfecting my cat-eye liner, but hers is absolutely flawless.  One day I'll get there beauties, and when I do, I'll show you how!

Instead of the soft lavender that sugarpants used, I pulled out my Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner felt-tipped pen in Sky Blue and lined my lid with this first.  I made the line much thicker than I normally would because I then went over the lower portion with my Bobbi Brown Black Gel Liner.

Unlike my inspiration's look, I brought the black liner down onto my lower lashline and over about halfway.  I tightlined my upper lashes and lined my full lower lid with Marc Jacobs Gel Highliner in Blackquer (which I LOVE btw, and though it's called "gel" it is a pencil liner with an AMAZING texture) and then came my Diorshow Maximizer and Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara.  I also dabbed a wee bit of iridescent powder with a blue colour on the corners of my eyes, but you can't see it very well :(  Lighting is everything guys!

For the lips, I didn't have quite the right vampy purple-ish red, so I mixed my Mac Rebel Lipstick and a deep red colour I had laying around from Avon (I'm not sure what the colour is).  It's not quite what I was hoping to get, but I like it anyways!  The colour I REALLY wanted would have been Urban Decay's Revolution Lipstick in Shame, but this works too!  And it's my first lip concoction :)

I like this look a lot because the blue adds a brightening aspect to the eyes while still being sexy with the black eyeliner and deep lipstick.  This will probably be something I rock in early fall!  Join me? ;)

















This look was fairly easy to accomplish and can be modified easily as well.  So if you want to use pencil liner or liquid, you definitely could!  I could also see this looking nice with VVS Lipsynch or another pale lavender lipstick or a pale pink!  If you have any questions about this look or anything you want to see me do, PLEASE let me know in the comments section and I will do my best to make aaallll your wishes come true!  Stay beautiful <3

Mak-Up, not War,

Rain xoxo

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Socialite

I told you last night that I'd have a look done with Coloured Rain 's Socialite lipstick!  I couldn't be happier with this GORGEOUS nude!  It is a true nude and very pale, so if you're not used to a pale pout, this might also take some getting used to. I personally love the look of a dark, smoky eye and a nude lip, so this really compliments my go-to makeup style, especially for going out.

I decided to go with a deep purple smoky eye to pair with Socialite, but any smoked out look would work (I also thought about doing a green smoky eye, but it didn't match my outfit :p ...maybe next time!).  Socialite also works perfectly as a base for creating your own lip concoction and I will definitely be doing that soon!  I might actually mix Socialte and VVS Lipsynch to get an even paler Lavender, which I think would be gorgeous!  Here is how it turned out!

My collage look as per usual ;)  One of these days I will start using fake lashes in my looks.  The only thing I worry about is that fake lashes really do amp up ANY look, but I know that if I start to use them regularly, I will not be able to stop!  I am blessed with quite curly lashes, so I try to make due :)

The overall look I am really happy with!  I think this is a great going-out or date-night look and I only used 3 eyeshadow colours!  So it didn't take me long at all :)

Before using any shadow, I applied my Urban Decay Primer Potion.  I then applied a deep purple in the crease and blended up toward the brow bone.  I enhanced the crease by applying a matte black directly into the crease and outer corner.  Then I applied a brighter purple to the lid.  On the lower lashline I used Tarina Tarantino purple pencil liner, and to finish off I applied my Diorshow Maximizer and Diroshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara.

I just loooove how a good nude can make your pout look, well...pouty!  I still recommend priming, perfecting, and lining, even with a nude lip colour.  I used my Bite Lip Primer, Benefit's Fake-Up Concealer no. 2, and a clear lip liner before applying Socialite.  When my full face was finished, I used Urban Decay's De-Slick Spray to set my makeup.







I'm actually torn because I might like Socialite better than the Sephora nude I had recommended before in my previous post on My Favourite Products!  I will have a verdict by the end of the day once I see how it wears, but if the other colours I own from Coloured Raine are any indication, I'm going to be very happy!  I will fill you all in!  Please don't forget to comment with any questions or looks you'd like to see!  Next up: a pictorial on how to apply your foundation with a brush vs. a sponge!  Stay tuned, lovelies!

Make-up, not War,

Rain xoxo

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Crazy Colour

In my previous post called, "Retro Glamour," I talked about finding the right red lipstick for your colouring and preferences.  I also talked about how it takes some practice to get used to wearing bright colours on your lips; that was no lie.  I've had tons of practice over the past year (since I really started to get into makeup as artistry) and I can tell you that I am now totally obsessed with the craziest colours for lipsticks.  I even go out of my way to try on the newest colours and I wear them in public on a regular basis; I LOVE IT!  

I know it can really be hard to get used to, but once you do it really opens you up to a world of colour and makes your more willing to try other things too!  You really can pull off all those things you think you can't...you've just gotta give it a try!  I started by just wearing the colours around the house to get used to seeing myself with a crazy lip, then I wore them in front of family and close friends to see how it felt, and then just full bore out in public and I haven't turned back since!

My new favourite lipstick is by a lovely woman that calls her line Coloured Raine.  It is very fitting because everything in it just creams amazing colour!  Some of the colours are a little out there for me to wear in public, but I would LOVE to do some inspired looks with them!  Right now, I have 4 of her colours: Lipnotize, VVS Lipsynch, Socialite, and Candy Girl (temp. out of stock).  I really honestly want them all!  They are so pigmented and true-to-colour and all of them are matte - my fave!  If you want to try a new lipstick line OR if you want to try out a new colour, this is where you want to look.  

I just received my order of VVS Lipsynch and Socialite in the mail yesterday, so I decided to do a look...I just couldn't resist.  Since I don't own a colour like VVS, I chose that one first, but don't worry!  Socialite will get an equally awesome look soon :)  Take a boo at how it turned out...call this one Lucky Lavender!

Even though this is very obviously not a natural lip colour, I am still just so mesmerized by it.  In my opinion, it's still classy while also being sexy and a little out-there.  I just did a simple gold and brown soft smoky eye to pair it with.

For the eyes I used Urban Decay's Naked Palette, Sephora Brown and Gold Liquid Liners, Urban Decay Smog Pencil Liner, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown, Diorshow Maximizer, and Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara. (I love the way brown and gold and purple go together, so I just went with something simple)

I used Bite Lip primer to prep and prime my lips, I then perfected the lip line with Benefit's Fake-Up Concealer no. 2, lined the lips with a clear lip liner, and went to town with VVS Lipsynch!  I topped it off with a little Buxom Gloss called Princess (a really pretty, iridescent, pink-ish purple) and I love that it gave a little shine to my pout!  Though I am still a matte girl through-and-through!

I am really happy with the way this looked turned out and I would definitely wear it out.  I honestly think most people could pull this look off too!  Great for a night on the town :)

Please feel free to comment on this look and let me know if there is anything you would like to see!  I love experimenting, so challenge me ;) If you have any questions, leave it in the comments section and I will always answer!  Stay beautiful, lovelies!

Make-Up, not War,

Rain xoxo

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Retro Glamour

In this look, I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown, Bobbi Brown Gel Liner, Dior Iconic Overcurl Mascara, and Makeup Forever Mat 8 Lipstick.  I like the clean look, but if you bring the liner down onto the lower lash line and add some mascara on the lower lashes, you get a sexier, more intense look. - check out the pic below!

Same lipstick, liner and mascara, but used a darker brow powder and brought down the liner onto the lower lashes.  Also used a filter because the lighting was bad!  See my previous post on lighting !

One of the easiest ways to do a fast, but glamorous look is to go with the classics: cat-eye liner and a red lip.  This look is simple, fast, and almost anyone can pull it off.  It screams old Hollywood and it is personally one of my favourite go-to looks.  A lot of people think they can't pull of red lipstick, but pretty much everyone can, you just have to find the right red.  There are maroon reds, blue-reds, orange-reds, and pink-reds...finding the right one for your skin tone is essential.  I personally like the blue-reds because they make your teeth look whiter and they are usually a deeper, truer red.  Maroons are also beautiful and a deep wine colour looks great on EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE.

I find that the biggest obstacle for wearing red lipstick for most people is that they are just not used to seeing their face with a bright lip like that.  Wearing an intense colour on your lips actually shifts the focus of your face and so many people are just unsettled by the sight...keep wearing it!  It gets better the more you wear it because you get used to it.  Another tip is to try a matte red instead of a high gloss to start out.  Matte's stay put and they are also just less shocking than something shiny or glossy; it'll be easier to get used to.  I NEVER used to wear anything but nudes and nude-pinks, but then I tried a red and just kept doing it...now I love bright and unique colours and rock them whenever I can!

A lot of people seem to have trouble with the winged liner as well, and with good reason!  It can definitely be hard to get the hang of.  Most people go for a liquid liner, which can look beautiful, but is often hard to control because the formula is liquid and can be runny.  For beginners, I honestly recommend investing in a gel liner and a good brush.  You get a much more precise application and the formula stays where you put it, plus you can experiment with different shapes!  I also like that most gel liners dry matte instead of high-gloss like liquid liners.  Just my personal preference though!  My favourite gel liner is Bobbi Brown and the brush from that line is also a must...the shape allows for much more freedom in your application.  If you're set on a liquid liner though, I really like the Sephora Collection Longwear Liquid Liner or the Stila Stay All Day Liner, which comes in a pen style applicator (the Dior Artpen is also really great).  Just play around!  You'll find the product, shape, and colours that work best for you....promise!

Make-Up, not War,

Rain xoxo

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The Best Makeup Dupes & Getting What You Pay For

Ladies, we all know that being a woman can get pretty dang expensive.  We have a lot of extra costs that guys don’t even think about…and makeup is one of those extra little necessities.  When I say “necessity”, I recognize that not all women wear makeup, but most of us do, at least on occasion anyways.

My point is, for those of us who do wear makeup, the costs definitely add up.  I know there are a lot of women out there looking for cheap alternatives to the luxe products that many makeup artists and consumers rave about.  There are definitely some products that you can skimp on, but I’m sorry to say that Beauty is definitely one of those areas where you get what you pay for (in most cases).  I’m not saying that the more expensive products are always better, but when it comes to makeup and skincare, the ingredients are what matter and better ingredients are more expensive.  That’s a fact.  Take simple face powder for example:  cheap drugstore versions often contain talc, which is used as filler and can cause numerous problems including clogged pores, dry skin, and dullness.

Have you ever bought an eyeshadow from a drugstore because the colour was just gorgeous only to realize that it looks nothing like what’s in the pan when you put it on?  Cheap eyeshadows often use filler as well and so the pigment looks faded on the skin.  You end up really packing it on to get any sort of colour pay-off, but even then it’s still not true to the package.  There are products out there that can make drugstore eyeshadows look better (Urban Decay Primer Potion is one of them), but I have not had a lot of success with them.  Don’t get me wrong, there are some brands that you can buy at drugstores that have fabulous products, but you’re still getting what you pay for in most cases.

For those of you looking to save some dolla' bills, I have some good news for you: there is hope!  I do have some great products that work really well without costing you an arm and a leg (plus, some of these are my favourite products).  In no particular order:

Hourglass Ambient Mood Lighting Powder is some of the best Highlighting powder you can find on the market, but it comes with a hefty price tag.  Weighing in at a whopping $52 for this bad boy, many of us (ME) just pretend it's not as gorgeous as it is so we don't feel as depressed when we don't buy it.

One of the best dupes out there is the e.l.f. baked highlighter.  You don't get quite as much product and it only comes in 3 colours as opposed to the 6 that Hourglass has, but it still looks beautiful on the skin and...guess what?  It's only $3!  Most Canadian Drugstores don't carry a lot of e.l.f. products, but you can get it online and the shipping is often free! GET IT HERE

For those of us who prefer the cream highlighter for that really blown-out, high-cheekboned look, the Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlight is just perfectly luminous.  It's a pretty big bottle though, and with a price tag of $32, it can be hard to invest in, especially if you're not sure that you will love it.

Another e.l.f product for you lovelies!  This highlighter is shimmery and dewy, like the High Beam, though it's a little bit more pink and a little thicker, it is beautiful nonetheless.  And with a price tag of only $1, how could you NOT buy this?! 

GET IT HERE

I have to say that this is my favourite blush that I have ever used.  The NARS Orgasm is the #1 selling blush in the WORLD because the colouring looks great on almost ALL skin tones (this picture does not do it justice...it is nowhere near that orange).  However, the $32 price tag makes some of us a little hesitant to give it a try.

THIS little beauty is almost EXACTLY the same in colour and it even has the gold shimmer to it like the NARS Orgasm, but it only costs $7.99!  The 02 Rose D'Oro blush is micro smooth and goes on way better than you would expect for such an inexpensive product. GET IT HERE

Smashbox is the self proclaimed primer authority and it's hard to debate that with such a heavy lifter like the Photo Finish Primer.  This is one of the best all around primers on the market, and it definitely helps that it makes you look less shiny in photos, but ringing in at $44 makes this a pretty luxury item.

Here we have an absolutely amazing dupe!  The Sephora Collection Ultra-Perfecting Smoothing Primer not only looks similar to the Smashbox primer, but it does just as good of a job!  Coming in at less than half the cost ($20), this is a great option for new primer users or anyone looking to save a little cash while still having a quality product. GET IT HERE

**NOTE: Both the Smashbox and Sephora primers contain Silicone, which gives them their smoothing factor.  If you have sensitive skin, please test this product on a small area before using all over your face as many people have a sensitivity to Silicone.

These two are the ULTIMATE combo if you want crazy volume and length.  The Diorshow Mascara is a cult favourite for a reason; it gives INSANE volume!  And when paired with the Diorshow Maximizer, you might as well be wearing fake lashes.  However, the Diorshow Mascara and Maximizer come in at $31 and $35 respectively...that's $67 just for your little lashes!

Here we have Maybelline's little wonder the XXL 24HR BOLD Mascara.  This 2-in-1 comes with a primer and a mascara in the same tube!  At about $10, it's a great way to test out the whole lash primer dealio.

GET IT HERE

Many of us are weary of cream eyeshadows, and for good reason!  They tend to crack, fade, smudge, crease, and move in a very short time period.  The Makeup Forever Aqua Cream Shadows though, are just amazing!  Totally waterproof and crease-proof, especially when paired with a great primer.  Though these pots are deep, the $28 price tag is a bit much for most of us.

This is a fairly new product from Maybelline called Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Shadow, but they have done a GREAT job with this drugstore product.  Coming in at around $7, this little guy does well for long wear, but, as with most shadows, I recommend a primer if you want it to last all day.  Though it doesn't have quite the colour selection that Makeup Forever does, I'm sure it will eventually as I can see this product being very popular! GET IT HERE

We all hear amazing reviews of MAC brushes and they are the industry leader in this area.  This MAC 130 Short Duo Fiber Brush is amazing for a smooth, flawless foundation application.  BUT, as I'm sure is no surprise to you, the cost is over $50.

I can tell you all that this little super hero is my FAVOURITE foundation brush!  The Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki feels soft on the skin and deposits product well without too much absorption.  If you like to stipple your foundation for that smooth, matte, porcelain effect, this is perfect!  If you like to buff it on for that dewy effect, this is perfect!  Coming in at only $18, this is affordable for all you deal-savvy makeup hunters.  GET IT HERE

Another specialty brush from MAC is the 109 small contour, which is great for blending and contouring powder products on the face.  The domed tip allows for precision application, but the price of $42 does not allow all of us to own it.

As you can already tell, Sigma is probably one of my favourite brush lines.  To be honest, I prefer the shape of this brush to the MAC 109 because the tip is more pointed, which makes it even more precise.  I contour ERR DAY and this miraculous weapon called the F35 Tapered Highlighter (though I use it for bronzer and contour) gives me gravity defying cheekbones.  And, again, it's only $18! 

GET IT HERE

For those of you who prefer the finish you get with a sponge application, the Beauty Blender is the ULTIMATE sponge.  The shape is great for getting those hard to reach places and the one-of-a-kind texture and material make this a long-lasting and durable sponge that doesn't absorb all your product.  Buuuuut, as you all know, you pay for the brand name and this is no exception at $26 big ones.

Though I prefer the texture and material of the Beauty Blender, the shape of the Sephora Perfectionist Makeup Sponge is superior in my opinion because it makes it easier to apply to those spots around your nose and eyes.  At only $14 this is a great option for those of you who want to try sponge-applied foundation for the first time or who are tired of disposable sponges, but not ready for the price tag of the Beauty Blender.  GET IT HERE

These are some of my favourite dupes for basic, everyday products, but there are soooo many more!  If there is any particular product that you guys want to know of a dupe for, please let me know!  That being said, if there is a luxe product that you are just DYING to try...try it!  Most of the time, you won't be disappointed.  And you can always ask me, or any industry professional, if you're unsure (I can tell you that the girls at Sephora are super friendly and willing to answer any of your questions...wink, wink), plus there are tons of reviews online for a lot of popular products.  Stay beautiful, lovelies!

Make-Up, not War,

Rain xoxo

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Showing Off: Lighting, Application, & Photography

Being fairly new at this whole makeup artistry thing, I am learning a LOT as I go along about things related to makeup that really do help you look your best.  One of the first things I learned obviously was that skin-care is priority #1 if you want your makeup to look flawless; the best makeup is applied on healthy, smooth skin.  Of course no one has perfect skin, but we all do our best.  Another thing that I've noticed, that I started learning the hard way, is that lighting during application is SO important, especially if you want to take pictures of the look when it is finished.

A good rule of thumb is to apply your makeup in the type of lighting it is going to be seen or photographed in.  In my experience so far, the best makeup application comes from the most natural lighting possible.  This type of lighting gives you the best idea of what your makeup is going to look like outside of the house, plus I find that makeup applied in natural light looks 10x better when you step inside.  Natural light shows you your imperfections and true colours, so then when you go into work or a mall or someone's house, it looks fabulous!  I know that not all of us have easy access to natural lighting in our prep areas, but there are actually some great light bulbs and fixtures you can purchase now that mimic the colour and brightness of natural sunlight quite well.  If you really want to get serious, applying your makeup in fluorescent light will show you ALL your imperfections and will highlight any areas that need touch-ups or adjusting after your makeup is complete.  The lighting at Sephora is fluorescent so that we can see all of this when we are helping clients, but many people find it very frustrating.  I am one of those people :p so I prefer to use natural light as that is what most of us are seen in on a regular basis.

Lighting is really important when you're taking photos of your makeup as well.  Your makeup will look the best if you take pictures of it outside or at least somewhere with tons of natural light.  Direct sunlight can make your complexion look warmer, but it can also wash out colours that you have used AND it can be hard to keep your eyes open when it is so bright (since you always want the light in front of you).  It helps to play around quite a bit and figure out which side and what angles work best for you...as Tyra Banks says: FIND YOUR LIGHT!  Indirect natural lighting is best.  I find that overcast days provide the best lighting for photography.  Because I work all day until 5, by the time I get homer and get organized and do a new look, it is dark out :( so I very rarely get to use natural light in my pictures and so sometimes the colours don't show up as well as I would like.  I have recently moved, so I haven't had a chance to purchase natural lighting bulbs, but it is on my to-do list!  This morning I did a fun, but simple look and photographed it in natural and unnatural light to show you lovelies the difference!

This first set was taken just inside my entrance-way.  There is a large window, so there is some natural lighting, but my light bulbs emit a fairly white light.  You can see that my complexion is a little washed out and the colours seem cooler.  The lower lash line colour even looks deep blue when it is actually dark purple!

I took these outside in direct sunlight (I know I said that is a no-no, but I was in a rush and I actually like the colour it made my iris!).  You can see how it warms my complexion and really shows off the sheen of the eyeshadows I used, and you can see the glitter on the lower lash line better too.  Plus it makes the highlighting I did more visible as well.  You can see how I was squinting a bit though haha

The 2 sets of pictures almost look like completely different looks and it's all because of lighting!  Yes I did use the same camera for both, but I was only using the camera on my phone.  The quality of the pictures is usually better when you use the back camera and not the front one, but it can be hard to get the right angles when you can't see what you are taking a picture of.  One day soon I want to get a fancy camera that will allow me to take great quality pictures while I can see the screen.  ANYWAYS, this post was mostly to show you guys that I'm learning as I go too, and to give you some tips and trick on application and photography!  Much love!

Make-Up, not War,

Rain xoxo

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Experimenting: Cut Crease

As an aspiring makeup artist, I do my best to push myself out of my comfort zone when it comes to looks.  I try to attempt new techniques so I can expand my skills.  It seems that every time I try something I've never done before, another new technique pops up...which is so exciting to me!  I don't think any makeup artist claims to be a master of every technique or every look, but I think what makes for a true artist is the willingness to learn and try new things...and that's not just with makeup!  Even though sometimes our art might not turn out the way we had hoped, it gives us an opportunity to grow and develop and PRACTICE!  Which is so important.  If you get too comfortable doing something, I think that is when you start to lose interest or when you stop trying to better yourself.

Last night was my first attempt at a "cut crease" look.  I am not unhappy with the results perse, but the crease didn't end up as "cut" as I would like.  I think part of the problem was that I didn't have the right tools, but of course I had never done it before, so I am bound to make mistakes!  I did like the end result as long as you don't look too closely :p  All in all, I would do this look again and I plan to perfect it until I get the results I want!  Maybe I won't do this particular colour scheme again, but I really love the cut crease look and I want to add it to my skill arsenal as a makeup artist!

I'm sure by now you've all figured out that I love collages of looks.  I think it just gives a better overall feel of the look when you can see it all at once, including all the closeups.

For this look, I applied my foundation, concealer, brows, highlight, blush, and bronzer as usual, except I used a paler lavender-pink blush to compliment my colour choices.

Since I had never attempted a cut crease before, I decided to see if I could do it without any sort of instruction.  First I applied eyeshadow primer, then the NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk as a base, and then I cut my crease with Tarina Tarantino Purple Pencil Eyeliner (discontinued), but any longwear purple eyeliner would do.

Next I started to fill in a dark purple shadow from the drawn crease upward.  I used "Purple Rain" from the Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow line.  I then blended the purple out with a medium grey to add depth and highlighted under my brow and in my tear duct with a shimmery nude.  

Next came the tricky part.  I realized I didn't have any proper glitter adhesive, so I used a glitter liner to fill in my lid and sweep out from my outer corner.  While it was still wet, I applied NYX loose gold glitter so it would stay.  I seem to have misplaced the brush I usually use to apply glitter, so I used the tip of my pinky finger (I think this is why my crease did not end up as "cut" as I would have liked.  After the glitter dried, I used the Dior Art Pen in Black to draw the upper lid liner.  I tightlined my upper lashes with black pencil and rimmed my lower lid with the NYX Milk Pencil. (See how the crease isn't "cut"?  One day soon it will be!)

Following the line I had made with NYX Milk, I used the same purple eyeshadow used on my lid to colour my lower lashline; I took it out passed the end of the black liquid liner.  I then lined my lower waterline with the NYX Milk Pencil to make my eyes look a smidge bigger.  Next came mascara!  I use the Diorshow Maximizer as a base and the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl on top.  I used the Diorshow Maximizer on my bottom lashes as well and then the Anastasia Beverly Hills Hypercolor Brow and Last Tint "In the Pink" over top to really make the colour pop! (my camera is crappy so you can hardly see it, but in real life it looks really bright!)

I used Sephora Rouge Shine No. 18 on the lips (after lining and priming of course!) and dabbed a little electric pink shadow from the Sleek Acid Palette over top to give it a bit more colour, since the Rouge Shine line is fairly sheer.  I could have also gone with MAC Rebel lipstick, a deep purple, but I decided the brighter the better!

Like I said before, practice makes perfect.  This being my first time with this kind of look, it is obviously not perfect!  I am quite happy with how it turned out considering my lack of experience with it, but stay tuned to see me perfect it!  I know this is not a "pictorial", but I will be doing those soon!  If there is anything you guys want to see particularly, please leave it in the comments section!  Alternately, if there are any specific looks you want me to do, please let me know!  Have a great day, my lovelies!

Make-Up, not War,

Rain xoxo

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My Favourite Products

Having developed my makeup routine over years and years (since I was probably 15), I have come to absolutely LOVE and swear by certain products.  Of course my application and daily routine are not perfect and will continue to change through the rest of my life, but what I have learned and tried so far has lead me to the products I use today.  Every face is different, however, so please take these recommendations with a grain of salt and be prepared to have some trial and error in finding your perfect products.  I am going to include some of my favourite and "go-to" skincare products as well because beautiful skin starts with skin care, not makeup.  Instead of trying to cover up all the problems, most of us should be focusing on treating them, though there are great makeup products for covering up ;)

Just so everyone knows, I have fairly normal to oily skin, but am prone to hormonal break outs.  My skin care routine is pretty basic, but I do whatever I can to make sure it is always clean and moisturized (ie. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER sleep in your makeup and moisturize EVERY day) because even the oiliest skin needs moisture.  Giving oily skin the moisture it needs will actually help counteract the overproduction of oil from the skin.  I exfoliate 2-3 times a week and every week or two I treat my skin to a deep cleansing mask.  Hey, it feels good to pamper yourself and, if you're using the right products, the benefits can be great!  For those of you with oily skin, try to only purchase products that are "oil free", unless you're using a face oil obviously, because we don't want to add any more oil to our already shiny skin.  Those of you with dry skin can use oil-based products, but look for more natural oils like grape seed oil, or dimethicone for those with extra dry skin if you're not sensitive to silicone.

OK!  So here are some of my absolute favourite skincare and makeup products!

This here is the Philosophy Purity Cleanser.  The reason I love this is because it is a pH balanced 3-in-1 product.  It has a makeup remover, cleanser, and toner all in one!  It gets off even the toughest makeup and comes in different sizes for those just wanting to try it and the die-hard Philosophy fans out there!  Plus it contains soothing ingredients like chamomile for any lovelies with sensitive skin.

GET IT HERE

This is one of my favourite drugstore products EVER!  The Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Removing Wipes are great for those with sensitive or irritated skin while still getting every single lick of makeup, dirt, and oil off your face.  At around $10 for 30 wipes, I keep these on hand for when I'm feeling lazy and don't want to wash my face, when I have some extra stubborn waterproof makeup, or when I'm on-the-go.  My favourite thing about these wipes is that they don't sting if you get them in your eye! GET IT HERE

This miracle in a bottle is called the Nude ProGenius Treatment Oil.  Working for a cosmetics and beauty comapny gives me the opportunity to try a lot of new products and this is now a forever favourite for me.  It is pricey, but I have noticed SUCH a change in my skin after using it.  Mostly in the texture and tone of my skin; much more even and bright!  I promise that you won't be disappointed if you fork over the $94 for this guy.  A little goes a long way and you can even add a few drops to your favourite moisturizer.  I use it by itself as a moisturizer and LOVE IT! GET IT HERE

Here we have the GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment mask.  This clay-based mask is packed FULL of amazing ingredients to help draw out the impurities in your skin, improve texture, and promote cell turnover.  I LOVED this mask after the first time I used it.  My skin felt much softer after the first use and I noticed fewer breakouts after using this for 2 weeks.  As a "clearing treatment" it is designed to pull out all the impurities in your skin, so you may see a few blemishes after using it, but that's what it is meant to do!  Your skin will be clearer for longer after using this!  Plus, it can be used as a spot treatment for those volcanoes you can feel brewing under your skin, but can't see.

GET IT HERE

This is a fairly new product for me, but I am obsessed with the Benefit Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer.  I have tried a ton of primers in my lifetime and none of them keep my foundation from budging on my oily skin like this heavy-lifter does.  It works best with liquid foundations and I wouldn't recommend it for those of you with very dry skin, but it is fabulous nonetheless!  Less is more with this guy as it is a tacky product so it can "hold on" to your foundation. GET IT HERE

For you lovelies who enjoy the look of a good nude lip, I give you the Sephora Collection LipLast Lipstick in Oh, My Beige!  This is the best nude lipstick I've ever used because it is a TRUE nude and it lasts for hours.  It looks best on those with olive skin tones or with a yellow undertone.  Priced at $15, I promise you'll love this one! GET IT HERE

I absolutely love this setting spray.  Because I have oily skin, the Urban Decay Deslick Makeup Setting Spray works perfectly underneath my makeup to control oil and then again over top to set everything.  This line also has sprays called, "Chill," "All-Nighter," and a new Vitamin Refresher Spray as well.  This stuff works great in conjunction with a good primer to keep your makeup from moving and adds some water resistance to all your makeup, including mascara, when used after makeup is complete. GET IT HERE

This AMAZING mascara is my new favourite.  I doubt I will ever go back to another mascara.  The Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara is Dior's newest release for their highly coveted mascara line (came out in March 2013), and I couldn't be happier!  The spoon-shaped brush and curling agent in the mascara couple to give outrageous curl and great volume and length as well.  When paired with the Diorshow Maximizer, your lashes will look plump, long, and curled!  I don't even use an eyelash curler anymore! GET IT HERE

Hope you enjoyed my favourite products!  These are just a few of my bare necessities makeup and skin care products, but there are so many more that I love!  If you have any specific requests for product recommendations, please let me know in the comments or send me a personal message :)

Make-Up, not War,

Rain xoxo

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