blushing basics

mark. Gets You Weekend Ready

2013-05-24T05:30:00.000-06:00

Mesh Together Necklace, Coach Sunglasses (similar here)

when you think of mark. cosmetics you think of lipsticks, blushes and powders. while mark does offer all those goodies they also offer clothing and accessories. surprised? me too.

i love the mark. products and i am forever an Avon girl (the big sister company to mark.) it is one of those makeup lines that has stood the test of time and consistently releases great products. they may not be the most popular girl in school (MAC) or the most edgy (Urban Decay) but they are the Senior Class president with a stunning resume for college. not a bad place to be.

when i learned of the offerings from the fashion side of things i was definitely interested. i like how the collections have a cohesiveness to them and are simple to mix and match. at times you can get a little too matchy-matchy (turquoise watch, torquoise purse, turquoise dress) but putting together an outfit that is chic, current and perfect for the season has never been easier.

Exotic Flair Stretch Bracelet, Phone It In Bag

Exotic Ease Maxi Dress, Sunny Disposition Hat

Neutrogena SPF Clear Face/Sensitive Skin, Color Me In Eye Crayon, Color Me In Lip Crayon

no trip to the pool would be complete without sunscreen and makeup (for touch-ups of course!). i don't care what your age you should always be rockin' sunscreen. get your tan from the bottle and protect your skin using the latest formulations from Neutrogena. no more excuses of 'it clogs my pores' or 'it's too greasy'. Neutrogena has solved all of those problems by introducing sunscreens that go on light as a moisturizer and won't clog your pores or leave your skin greasy. go ahead and lay out, soak up the sun, just be sure to protect your skin before you do it.

mark. Color Me In lip and eye crayons are the perfect portable solutions for makeup touch-ups on the go. with these you don't have any excuses not to look good.

xo,
kristie

photos courtesy of Tarin Crookston

Merle Norman Bright Spring Lip Colors

2013-05-23T05:30:00.000-06:00

Coral Chic, Cameo Shrimp, Life's a Peach, Raspberry on Ice, Modern Princess

spring is in full bloom here in Denver. the trees are finally blossoming, the makeup is brightening and the white denim is beginning to show its face.

during fall and winter i tend to stick to glosses. i avoid going to too dark on my lips and nudes are my bff's. during spring and summer i flip the switch. bright pinks, sunny corals and barbie doll hues are the go-to's in my makeup drawer. there are few things i love more than a bright lip during summer.

i'm not exaggerating.

the colors you choose to wear evoke emotions, whether it is playful neons, powerful oranges or electric hot pinks. your color choice lends to what you are feeling.

Merle Norman sent me a gorgeous selection of pinks and corals to get my spring started off right. the glosses are long lasting and don't feather, a great bonus during warm weather. the lipsticks are a creamy formulation that glide on smooth and last. combine the two together and you will have the perfect color for spring.

my favorite of the group was definitely the Cameo Shrimp - the brightest color of them all. what does that say about my mood or my emotion? ~~slightly overbearing, a bit obnoxious and overly friendly~~. i'll let you be the judge.

Cameo Shrimp

xo,
kristie

How To Cut Crease Tutorial

2013-05-22T05:30:00.000-06:00

in honor of the Real Housewives i have decided to repost one of my most 'liked' videos, How To Cut A Crease. this is a makeup technique that runs rampant among the Housewives (particularly Ms. Joanna Krupa) and can been seen on 'wives across the nation. to learn how to get a 'Cut Crease', take five minutes out of your day and check out that video above.

xo
kristie

How-To Glitter Accent Nail Tutorial

2013-05-21T05:30:00.000-06:00

by now every has seen a pin on Pinterest showing a glitter accent nail. the thing that makes that accent nail so appealing is that it is pure glitter, not just a glitter polish but pure, actual, glitter. the nail polish equivalent to gold plated jewelry vs. solid gold jewelry. we always opt for solid gold.

this gold glitter accent nail looks amazing with the new Essie spring polish Madison Ave-Hue. the Essie spring polish line has me drooling with gorgeous pinks, purples and the perfect shades to mix and match. i've been obsessively the collection since it arrived and i love how well it coordinates with my spring wardrobe.

well played, Essie.

getting this glitter gold accent nails is easier than ever. all you need is a pot of craft glitter which tends to be finer grained than your standard run-of-the-mill glitter, and your polish of choice. paint your nails, dip your nail into the glitter pot and let dry. finish with a topcoat to 'set' glitter and enjoy!

xo,
kristie

How To Highlight And Contour

2013-05-20T05:30:00.000-06:00

learning how to highlight and contour is one of the most essential steps in getting professional looking making. it is the difference between Kim Kardashian and Rob Kardashian - let's face it, with a little contouring he could be a beautiful Kardashian. i mean that in the most loving way.

with all of the highlighting and contouring infographics on the inter web, i decided it was time to put a little Blushing Basics spin on how to highlight and contour.

Laura Mercier matte radiance baked powder

let's begin with contouring. contouring and highlighting is a game of shadow and light, you are recreating your own perfect lighting. contouring is creating shadow and depth in areas you want to fade. using a matte brown is a key ingredient in contouring. too much shimmer in your bronzer and your face will look muddled. making sure your contour is matte will keep the color flat and give you the best 'shade' possible.

for this contouring tutorial i used a new favorite product, the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder. the bronze shades give the skin the perfect soft matte finish with a hint of warmth. the baked powder is packed with pigment and a little goes a long way. a heavily pigmented bronzer is your bff when contouring as it allows direct deposit of color and easy blend ability.

with a fluffy face brush, apply a matte brown into the hollows of your cheeks. this is the area directly under your cheekbones. applying it too high on the cheekbones will make them look flat. applying it under your cheekbones will make your cheekbones appear higher and more prominent.
with that same fluffy brush, apply color to the temple and along the hairline. if you have a short forehead, skip this step. otherwise, the color along the temple and hairline will help draw attention towards the center of your face (the eyes!) and help fade the forehead.
again, that fluffy brush will be your best friend in eliminating any resemblance of a double chin. applying bronzer along your jawline and down your neck will make those areas look more recessed and thinner.
last, using a small shadow brush to apply contour color down the sides of your nose. this will make the nose appear straighter and thinner.
optional: apply contour color just below your bottom lip for more of a pout and in the crease of your eyelids to give depth to your eyes.

highlighting is the task of adding light to make areas more prominent and create height. areas on your face that you want to add height to are your cheek bones, your brow bones and the bridge of your nose. for highlighting i used Laura Mercier's Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight. it has the perfect soft matte radiance to really make the skin glow without being too shimmery or glittery.

using a fluffy brush, apply highlighter directly to your cheekbones to create height and a healthy glow of your skin.
with an eyeshadow brush, apply highlighter to your brow bone to add height to your eyebrows, and make your eyes look brighter, wider and more open.
with that same eyeshadow brush, apply a swipe of highlighter down the center of your nose. this will help to add height to the bridge of your nose making it appear straighter and thinner.
optional: apply highlighter to the inside corner of your eyes to brighten and the cupids bow above your lips to make them appear fuller.

now you are armed with all the information you need to join the ranks of a Kardashian, the women who have made this technique so widely popular and well known.

xo,

kristie

Work Outfit Inspiration

2013-05-17T05:30:00.000-06:00

photos courtesy of Tarin Crookston

believe it or not, this stay-at-home mom has occasion for business wear. whether i am meeting with Denver Post editors or pitching brands i want to look professional without losing my sense of style. the great thing about business wear is that you can keep it simple (hello, black) and add your personality through your choice of accessories. in this case, i went with a black blazer and coordinating pants, finishing with a colorful silk shirt.

accessorizing is where i had my fun. included was of course, the cool and colorful ESQ ONE^™. ESQ Movado will be keeping me accessorized all summer long with silicone straps that are comfortable to wear, sleek enough to be chic and utility enough to go with me into the pool. with it were my favorite gold bangles, delicate chain and Chimera bangle. the mint accent and gold detailing in the pocketbook helped complete the entire outfit and coordinated clothing and accessories.

once again i'm feeling like a MILK: a mom i'd like to know.

xo,

kristie

How To Clean & Sanitize your Makeup & Makeup Brushes

2013-05-16T05:30:00.000-06:00

spring is here and what better time to learn how to clean and sanitize your makeup and makeup brushes? i am what you would call a bit OCD but my husband's a doctor who doesn't like when i self diagnose, so let's just say i have OCD tendencies. keeping my makeup and my makeup brushes clean is one of them.

raise your hand if you want bacteria, increased acne/breakout, risk of infection, herpes or any other virus your makeup can carry.

me neither.

keeping your making clean and sanitized is not only important, it is essential. for approximately $2 you can do just that. to clean your makeup you'll need: alcohol, a small spray bottle (picked up in the Target travel section for 99 cents), a small cup/jar and some cotton.

before you begin to sanitize your brushes you'll need to clean off the residue that makeup leaves behind. rather than investing in a pricey brush cleaner, baby shampoo works just as well and if you're a mom you probably have this laying around the house.

apply a dab of soap to the palm of your hand, briefly run your brush under the tap and then swirl your brush in the palm of your hand. this will gentle clean the bristles through the entire brush. rinse under luke-warm water and lay on a towel to dry.

sanitizing your brushes has never been so easy. simply pour some alcohol into a small jar, dip your brush tip in and swirl for a few seconds. wipe off any remaining alcohol and lay flat to dry. the alcohol evaporates quickly and your small brushes should take a short time to dry, however your large brushes will take a while.

make sure to let makeup brushes dry completely before using or else you will get a nasty buildup.

sanitizing your makeup is just as simple. pour undiluted rubbing alcohol into a small spray bottle. i found mine in the Target travel section for 99 cents. keep it filled constantly and sanitizing your powder/creams will be a cinch. to sanitize, spritz alcohol directly onto makeup. make sure you've sprayed enough to coat completely.

alcohol dries and evaporates quickly and will not damage your powders or creams. a few quick spritzes is all it takes to keep your makeup germ free.

last you are going to want to make sure your containers are also germ free. you can do this by soaking your cotton swab in alcohol and wiping down your containers.

as a makeup artist, keeping your products clean and sanitized is essential. let's be honest, no one wants a virus.

my intent was to only clean my eyeshadows, but my OCD tendencies got the best of me and i ended up cleaning my entire (personal) collection. *i always keep my work 'kit' cleaned before and after use

seems like keeping things cleaned isn't my only problem... #makeupoverload

xo,

kristie

H&M Grand Opening + Giveaway

2013-05-15T09:31:00.001-06:00

H&M has announced the grand opening of a new store located at The Streets at SouthGlenn, Thursday May 30th. this announcement is exciting on so many levels.

i am a huge lover of H&M. i first discovered it while living overseas in England 9 years ago. here i was, this expat living in a land that was completely foreign and the one thing that could get me out driving on the wrong side of the road was H&M. i would travel 30 minutes to Cambridge just to spend some QT at the H&M store. it was my saving grace while pregnant and kept my little man stylish once he arrived. thankfully i have seen H&M stores popping up across the country since we have returned and it remains one of my favorite places to shop.

what's the new news on H&M opening? H&M has recently launched their Conscious Exclusive collection and garment recycling program. the Conscious Exclusive is a partywear collection perfect for celebrating the arrival of spring. Vanessa Paradis is the face launching the collection and is the perfect choice for highlighting the dramatic gowns and rock & roll red carpet style. the collection is made from sustainable materials in H&M's ongoing effort for a sustainable fashion future.

the garment recycling program is perhaps an even more exciting announcement. with select stores providing a recycling container, the initiative allows customers to bring unwanted garments from any label to select H&M stores. in return for each bag of garments the customer will receive a 15% off voucher. return clothes for more clothes!

so why am i drooling over H&M right now? to celebrate the grand opening of the SouthGlenn store H&M has offered THREE lucky Blushing Basics readers a $50 gift card as well as a $100 gift card grand prize! the grand prize winner will have the chance to have early access to the store with me during the Grand Opening. sweet, right?!

be sure to follow the instructions below and keep those fingers crossed for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo,
kristie

Black/White Outfit Inspiration

2013-05-15T05:30:00.000-06:00

what screams spring/summer more than white denim, rattan shoes and sheer blouses? nothing. absolutely nothing. one of my favorite looks for casual, work or evening is mixing black and white. you can never go wrong with this timeless color combination and accessories help provide that necessary color without affecting the overall color scheme. my black and white look includes my sheer animal print blouse (sleeves rolled, always!), white denim and black skinny belt. comfortable black sandals are a must since running after a 3 kids can be tiring.

i kept the color scheme in the accessories by using all silver from silver Tiffany & Co. bracelets and a black beaded necklaces. my cute and colorful ESQ ONE^™ watch by ESQ Movado adds just the right amount of color to an otherwise serious color scheme. ESQ ONE watches come in an array of fabulous and fashionable color combinations, i only wish i had more! also pictured is my beloved MAC Spring/Summer 2013 lookbook, a constant source of makeup inspiration.

what's black, white and read all over?

xo,

kristie

Missing Summer? Sparkle Nail Tutorial

2013-05-14T05:30:00.000-06:00

you may be wondering - what's up with all the fashion posts this week so let me give you a heads up. my official title is Glambassador, but it is a fancy word for a blogger who collaborates with Glamour magazine. last month we worked together on a creating a series of posts - three different outfits featuring the new ESQ Movado watch. those posts will continue to be posted this week. in the meantime and in-between, let's enjoy some beauty!

here in Denver, summer is just a tease. with the occasional day over 70 degrees, i begin to get my hopes up and put my winter wardrobe away only to have it drop back to 30. if you'd like to dream of summer or are already in the midst of it, here is a tutorial to keep you sparkly.

*throws glitter*

i love all that glitters. i mean it. i am one of those people who believes that if you add glitter to anything, it looks better. makeup, artwork, toothpaste, frosting, car paint, jewelry...you see what i mean? i remember when i first received my engagement ring, i was driving down the road when i realized the sunshine on my ring was causing a disco ball effect on the ceiling of my car (this is making my ring sound much larger than it really is, it's modest, i promise). makes me smile just thinking about it.

during the summer months i particularly love to glitter up my toe nails and watch them shine. with the winter months here i haven't been using as much of the glitter. i thought it would be fun to do a quick and easy tutorial for a subtle glitter polish that is fun to use, even mid November.

for this look i used:

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Glitter Polish
Revlon Speed Dry Polish in Nude
Seche Vite Top Coat

first, apply a single layer of your nude polish for an even canvas to glitter up:

second, add two coats of your glitter. believe me, one is just not enough:

finish your polish with the Seche Vite top coat. (btdubs, adding so many layers makes the polish fairly thick so it will not chip as easily, but it will peel faster.)

enjoy your sparkly fingertips and think sunshine.

xo,

kristie

Casual Wear + Summer Accessories

2013-05-13T05:30:00.000-06:00

photos courtesy of Tarin Crookston

today's outfit is one of my go-to spring casual looks. the light chambray shirt is comfortable and chic and the colored denim is cropped at the ankles for a warmer vibe. completing the look are my leopard print clogs. the clog shoe is typically a style worn during winter, however the open toe brings you into spring quite perfectly.

i accessorized with the newest addition to my watch family, the ESQ ONE^™. it's cool, it's colorful and it has the swiss quartz precision of the ESQ Movado brand. there are twelve color combinations and the purple works like a charm in my wardrobe. i added some extra gold bangles and a geometric shaped bracelet to keep it casual without losing that fashionable edge.

no blogging sesh would be complete without my pink Mac and Cherry Coke.

xo,
kristie

Arm & Hammer Tooth Tunes Review

2013-05-10T05:30:00.000-06:00

the following post is compensated

a few weeks ago i wrote about my experience with the Sonicare AirFloss. i think it is safe to say that oral care is important to me. in addition to taking care of my own teeth, i have three little be-boppers to watch over as well. getting them to brush in the morning is never a problem, it is the bedtime routine where everyone is tired, crying (okay, maybe it's just me) that really gets us. it seems that we speed through that routine as quickly as possible and as a result, my kids don't always brush enough.

exactly what you wanted to know about my life, right?

thankfully One Direction is not only the coolest band known to (every) man (14 years-old and under) they are also the solution to our brushing dilemma. with the new Arm & Hammer Tooth Tunes toothbrush, the special technology allows my little Co-man to enjoy some tunes while brushing. conveniently lasting 2 minutes, the brush plays the One Direction hit, 'One Thing'.

look how happy he is.

to celebrate the release of this new toothbrush, Arm & Hammer is hosting the Brush with Tooth Tunes™, Rock with One Direction Sweepstakes where one lucky winner will win 4 tickets to a One Direction concert. in addition, 100 winners will be selected to win a One Direction prize pack.

entering the sweepstakes is easy.

create an option video of your kids brushing with One Direction ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™for your chance to be featured on ToothTunes.com. (videos are not required for entry)
visit ToothTunes.com and complete the registration form.

you can enter up to once per week now through June 30th and the winner will be selected in July. for official rules visit ToothTunes.com.

even if you don't have kids and are a 30 year old woman who loves One Direction, you can enter. i won't judge. let's be real, Harry Stiles does have amazing hair.

good luck!

xo,

kristie

Disclaimer: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ partnered in support of this campaign. ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ compensated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

How To Create The Perfect Cat Eye

2013-05-09T05:30:00.000-06:00

volume II of my cheap tricks series - how to create the perfect cat-eye. the cheap tricks series is designed to show you how to create things quickly and easily and the cat-eye is one of those makeup techniques that is consistently evasive. i created the video below to show you my absolute favorite trick for creating the perfect cat-eye. no more bumbling with whether it is even or getting the right angle. this trick will get a perfect cat-eye every time. trust me, it is worth the two minutes!

xo,

kristie

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

2013-05-08T05:30:00.000-06:00

Madame Butterfly & The Mum by Lush Cosmetics

Mother's Day is rapidly approaching and whether you are a mother, have a mother or are a mother in the making, here are some gift ideas for Mother's Day.

flowers - Mother's Day accounts for 1/4 of floral purchases made for holidays. rather than send your mother 'the usual' consider a spin on the flower bouquet. LUSH Cosmetics has wonderful Bubble Bar's (pictured above) that would be a welcome reprieve from the traditional flower. perhaps this might actually encourage your mother to take a minute to enjoy a warm bath. as a mother to three i can honestly say i can't remember the last time that happened. plus, sunflower seeds are embedded into the tags - simply plant and water.

no LUSH reference would be complete without recommending one of these. pictured below is the Secret Garden, a wonderfully scented, deliciously delightful bath accoutrement.

fragrance - skip the flowers and go for fragrance. i'll admit, i would much prefer fragrance over flowers because 1. i am pragmatic and 2. i am steadily becoming a fragrance addict. i love to wear perfume and my collection continues to increase although additions are always welcome!

these perfumes by Laura Mercier are from the latest spring collection. the Fresh Fig Eau Gourmande is hauntingly lovely with hints of citrus and flowers. i spray it on myself, on my pillows, in my car and ~~on my kids~~ on my clothes. love. included in the Eau Gourmande collection is the Almond Coconut scent. one whiff and you are dreaming of virgin daiquiris, toothpick umbrellas and toes in the sand. yes, it is that transformative.

want to give a gift that keeps on giving? give these.

Eau Gourmande collection from Laura Mercier

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”
― Audrey Hepburn

handbags - i believe in handbags.

i love the above quote by Audrey Hepburn and i couldn't agree more. happy girls are the prettiest girls. kissing? yes, please. strength is worth its weight in gold and laughing is the best calorie burner. but handbags, they're the modern day diamond, a girl's best friend. you cannot go wrong gifting a handbag to any woman, especially if it is a Rebecca Minkoff 'M.A.B.' Leather Tote.

Rebecca Minkoff 'M.A.B.' Leather Tote

whatever gift you decide on, i hope your Mother's Day is full of love. you are beautiful, you are smart and you mean the world to someone.

xo,
kristie

How To Choose A Lip Color

2013-05-07T05:30:00.000-06:00

one of the most common pieces of advice i get asked is 'how to choose a lip color?' it is not that lip colors are difficult to choose, it is that most often we are uncomfortable with so much color on our face. unless you wear full face makeup on the reg, bright lip colors, or any lip colors can feel maj.

the lip pencils picture above are the Urban Decay Super-Saturated Lip Color. they are bright, they are bold, and they look great. i will admit, the first time i put on that bright pink it felt pretty shocking. after a while i grew to love the boldness of the color and from the picture below, you can see it doesn't really look that bold.

looking at yourself, it may seem whoa! but from the perspective of a bystander, it is a fun, bright, pop of color.

the best advice i can give you on lip color is stick to your natural color palette. if you gravitate towards warm toned clothing (browns, creams) you will like warm toned lip color (oranges, nudes). if you gravitate towards cool toned clothing (greys, whites) you will like cool toned lip color (pinks, mauves). whichever tone you gravitate towards, don't be afraid to go to the extreme.

xo,
kristie

Eucerin $100 Giveaway + Prize Pack

2013-05-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

*as a member of Eucerin's Skin First team, products included in this post & giveaway were sent for review by Eucerin, all opinions are my own.

to celebrate National Skin Cancer Awareness month Eucerin wants to help protect your skin and continue to put the health of your Skin First. with more than two million people diagnosed annually, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers but it is also the most preventable.

check out the infographic below showing you what you can do to help keep your skin safe and healthy.

in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness month, Eucerin is offering one Blushing Basics reader the chance to win Eucerin Daily Protection SPF 15 Moisturizing Body Lotion, Eucerin Daily Protection SPF 30 Moisturizing Face Lotion, UV bracelets that turn blue when exposed to the UV rays and a $100 gift card!

Eucerin Daily Protection SPF 15 Moisturizing Body Lotion – Helps protect skin from daily sun exposure with a lotion specifically formulated to moisturize and protect. This light, fast-absorbing formula with SPF 15 sunscreen provides 24-hour moisture and helps defend against sunburn.

Eucerin Daily Protection SPF 30 Moisturizing Face Lotion – This lightweight, gentle broad spectrum SPF 30 formula with UVA/UVB sunscreens including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide helps defend against long-term sun damage and also provides effective moisturization.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo,

kristie

*don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple Giveaway and Conair Giveaway!

Enter to Win $500!

2013-05-06T05:30:00.000-06:00

The Beauty Blog Coalition is a group of Beauty Bloggers who work to bring you the latest on all things beauty. This spring we have collaborated to put together a giveaway of $500. Follow the Rafflecopter instructions below to enter. Giveaway is open to international participants.

Here is a list of the member's participating in the current giveaway - be sure to check them out for some enjoyable reading:

Blushing Basics
PolishGalore
Clumps of Mascara
Justina's Gems
Beyond Beauty Lounge
Beauty 101
Cosmetics Aficionado
Just For Trendy Girls
Peek & Ponder
Pretty In Pink
Aquaheart's Obsessions
InTruBeauty
Beauty Info Zone
Moxie Reviews
Prime Beauty
Midnight Manicures
Geniabeme
Blushing Noir
Beauty by Miss L
Peace Love Lipgloss
TheFabZilla
polarbelle
My Highest Self
MinaSlater.com - Fabulous Awesomeness
george&bear
Lipgloss Break
Painted Ladies

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo,
kristie

Shabby Apple Fashion Friday + Giveaway CLOSED

2013-05-03T05:30:00.000-06:00

vintage dress: c/o Shabby Apple

this week's Fashion Friday has a vintage vibe to it. Shabby Apple is an online dress boutique that specializes in vintage and retro dresses. the cute polka dot dress above is called the Rootbeer Float and this adorable retro-ish design caught my eye. i don't know if it was the mermaid hem, the white accent belt or those ever-so-sweet polka dots, but it is my jam.

the Audrey in me can't get enough of the cat eye sunglasses from Kate Spade and the purse and accessories all lend a vintage vibe to the entire look.

Shabby Apple not only provided me with this wonderful dress, but they are offering to give away a $75 gift card to purchase anything your little heart desires. to enter, follow the instructions below.

sunglasses: Kate Spade purse: c/o Olivia + Joy (on sale!) shoes: J. Crew (similar)

ring: Nordstrom clearance watch: Citizen nails: butter London (tutorial here)

lips: Laura Mercier

make sure you LIKE Shabby Apple on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me which dress you love.

*winner must have a US shipping address, giveaway ends next Friday!

xo,
kristie

and the winner is....

DIY Nail Polish Color

2013-05-02T05:30:00.000-06:00

okay folks, i'm back with another franken-polish: DIY Nail Polish Color. when it comes to makeup pet peeves, i have a few. one, i hate to waste makeup but how long can a person hold on to an eyeshadow? i'm sure most of you can agree that eyeshadow last for.ev.ah. two, ever go on a search for a very specific shade of something or other, only to leave completely frustrated because you can't find it? even in the sea of a million shades, the perfect one is missing?

if any of you have experienced the above monstrosities, then i'm sure you'll agree that DIY'ing your own nail polish color is the perfect solution for both.

it is actually quite simple and i learned a few things along the way. first, any polish will do, but eyeshadow with dimension (glitter, shimmer, frost) will give you nail color with dimension. second, when chopping up your eyeshadow into bits, relax and don't go OCD. even if the eyeshadow isn't completely chopped, 30 minutes inside the bottle will help break up any remaining particles and your color will be smooth. last, pick a shade that's not easy to find, this is your chance to experiment!

to see more franken-polish ideas, click HERE

xo,

kristie

Infiniti Pro by Conair™ Auto-Rotating Curling Iron + Giveaway

2013-05-01T05:30:00.000-06:00

this month i was given the chance to review the new Infiniti Pro by Conair, which is an auto-rotating curling iron. i was on board to give this curling iron a shot for the auto-rotating feature alone, obvi.

the curling iron itself is wonderful. it heats up to with 30 second heat activation 400°F, with 30 second heat activation - a lifesaver for any woman on the go. for those of you using curling irons that don't heat to 400 degrees, you may want to reconsider. unless you are part of the 10% of the population (totally making up this statistic) whose hair curls and holds, you need 400°F. also, the tourmaline ceramic easy-glide surface gives your hair a glossy shine with less damage.

you know the phrase 'don't look a gift horse in the mouth'? yeah, i'm about to go there.

the auto-rotating feature is what threw me. known as Curl Innovation™ it gives you the option to auto curl left or right. in theory this is a great idea, however, having used a regular curling iron for my entire life *cough, 31 years, cough* i found the mechanism quite cumbersome.

you know in the movie Spy Kids where the villain has an army of thumbs? literally, large bodied beings in the shape of thumbs. that's kind of how i felt when using the auto-rotate. i couldn't quite get it right, my hair would fall loose or get caught. the auto-rotate never once damaged my hair, but something about the feature was awkward.

as a curling iron, it was amazing. as an automatic curling iron, meh.

along with the curling iron were Conair's AdjustaCurl™ Self-Grip Rollers which were a personal favorite. you can roll the velcro curlers to your desired curler size and they unroll flat for storage. this feature is a dream for anyone with organizational OCD. or, if you just don't appreciate your rollers tumbling everywhere, a nice feature.

the Conair^® Carbon Smooth^™ Extra-Large Thermal Round Brush helps to evenly heat and dry hair while blow drying all while reducing static and increasing shine. if you haven't heard me say it before i will say it again. investing in a good brush is worth every penny. i promise.

follow the Rafflecopter instructions below for your chance to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo,
kristie

How to Choose an Eyebrow Shape

2013-04-30T05:30:00.000-06:00

let's discuss how to choose an eyebrow shape. here's a video tutorial i put together almost three years ago!

since that vlog i have had several people ask me what is the right shape of eyebrow for their face. since we are all made differently, there is no one single shape of eyebrow for everyone. the best way to determine the most flattering shape for yourself would be to follow these guidelines:

step 1: determine the shape of your face. grab a mirror and measure.

oval: your face is longer than it is wide, with a curved jawline and soft cheekbones.

heart: the widths of your forehead and cheeks are about the same with a pointed chin.

circle: your face is about as wide as it is long with a softly curved chin and full cheeks.

square: the wides of your forehead, cheeks, and jawline (which is usually well defined) are all equal.

step 2: choose an eyebrow shape that will best flatter your bone structure

oval: looks best with an extra long brow. drag the tail of your brow out just a bit to add width to your face. this creates more dimension.

heart: looks best with short and thick brows. if the brow is too wide it makes your chin appear more narrow and the thickness will help offset your forehead space. i think i could add a spare bedroom with all of my extra 'forehead space'.

circle: looks best with strong, arching brows. the higher the arch, the more dimension your face will have.

square: looks best with a gently rounded arc. because your bone structure tends to be a bit sharp, choose a shape that will soften it.

using these tips work with the natural shape of your brow and groom it to your desired look. good luck.

xo
kristie

Polka Dot Mani With butter LONDON

2013-04-29T05:30:00.000-06:00

polka dot mani's are so hot right now.

and that, my friends, was my best Zoolander impersonation.

Derek Zoolander knew what was hot and i like to think he and i have that in common, along with our ridiculously good-looking faces and our propensity towards the black lung. for serious though, polka dot manis are hot right now, ridiculously easy and require nothing more than a variety of writing tools.

crayons work great for the larger dots, pens give you a perfect medium size and a sharpened pencil is ideal for pinpoint dots.

to get this spring inspired mani i used these colors from butter LONDON: Poole, Bobby Dazzler & Bit Faker.

at the Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too it is more than just a center for ants, it is a place where they teach you there's more to life than just being really, really, ridiculously good-looking. if that place really existed, i imagine this polka dot mani tutorial would be one of the lessons.

Poole, Bobby Dazzler & Bit Faker

cool story Hansel.

xo,
kristie

*editors note: conversation happening in my head, right now:

in case you were wondering this isn't my normal vernacular.
or like, it IS, it's like ex-squeeze me but have you ever heard of a Zoolander quote?
i'm sure you've heard of a Zoolander quote, you're over 20.
uh, earth to Kristie, i was making a joke.
uh, earth to Kristie, duh, okay i knew that!
uh, earth to Kristie, i'm not so sure you did cuz you were all 'well i'm sure you've heard of a Zoolander quote" like you didn't know it was a joke!

Fashion Friday: Winter to Summer Outfit

2013-04-26T05:30:00.000-06:00

photos courtesy of Tman

fashion fridays are back! i've been wanting to begin incorporating more outfit posts and there are a few things holding me back. for one, how many pictures do you really want to see of me? seriously. anybody who looks at this blog will either think 'megalomaniac' or 'beauty blogger'. i'm hoping you veer towards 'beauty blogger'. two, getting Tman home while it is still light outside ain't easy. any friends willing to step in as photographer will be paid (in product, of course!).

here is the outfit i recently wore to interview MAC Pro Caitlin. i needed something reasonable enough for winter that still says spring. it is April and that snow is not a photoshop special effect, it's real. the black denim and closed toe pumps are winter wear but the lace peplum top is pure spring. i think the combination works.

let me know what you think of my first 'outfit of the day' post, also known to fashion bloggers as OOTD. apparently bloggers only speak in acronyms or slang. it's so presh. i think it is only a matter of time before Rosetta Stone offers a course.

top: c/o Vintage Fringe jeans: Paige Denim sunglasses: c/o Sunglasses Shop

shoes: Joan & David necklace: c/o Stella & Dot purse: c/o d'Andrea Handbags

xo,
kristie

DIY Glitter Nail Polish

2013-04-25T05:30:00.000-06:00

it's been a while since i've done a DIY and i decided to begin a series called 'Frankenpolish' teaching you how to DIY your own nail polish, in this case, glitter polish.

ask me what my favorite color is.

just ask me.

it's glitter. not really a color, i know, but like a bird i am attracted to shiny objects. particularly all that glitters.

in the world of nail blogs (i follow my fair share) they have a technique they like to call 'franken' which is what you do when you mix colors or create a polish blend of your own. the first time i heard that term i thought it was perfect because it draws such a clear picture of a mad scientist blending and tweaking to create something just right. have an outfit you can't quite match? just franken it. looking for a glitter mix with just the right blend of colors? just franken it.

so the first my my 'Frankenpolish' series is DIY glitter polish which is ridiculously simple. collect the glitters you would like to use, create a paper funnel and add your glitter blend. mix polish and apply.

xo,
kristie

Sonicare AirFloss Review [A Journey Into My Oral Health]

2013-04-24T05:30:00.000-06:00

i believe in good oral health but flossing is one of those activities that is akin to nails on a chalkboard, Justin Bieber selfies and a sick child. in other words, i'm not a fan. when Philips offered to send me their Sonicare AirFloss to try out i figured, why not? anything has to be better than ~~Justin Bieber selfies~~ flossing.

i should have known i would like this product considering Sonicare toothbrushes have been taking up premium real estate on our bathroom countertop for the last 6 years. if i have to brush my teeth without my Sonicare my teeth are like the remains of a scratch lotto ticket, little fuzzies here and there. maybe i have become a little too dependent on that sonic technology?

the Sonicare AirFloss has a body size similar to the Sonicare toothbrush. instead of a small bristled head, you get a snap shaped tip that shoots a combination of air and water. the microburst technology removes 99% more plaque between teeth than brushing with a manual toothbrush (goodbye scratch-card fuzz). its small shape makes it comfortable to use and it is ridiculously faster and easier than manually flossing.

just think, no more measuring out your floss, wrapping it around your finger until it turns blue from lack of circulation and no more awkwardly trying to reach those back molars. it is as easy as pushing a button, no blue fingers required.

i have always been a little self conscious about my teeth. it is the one area that i have never been able to fix. as a child i fell out of my high chair and landed on my face which caused me to lose my top two teeth (which the dentist just simply pushed back in) and permanently 'bruise' my adult teeth. if you look closely you will see a yellow smudge on my bottom two front teeth. i've spent a lifetime explaining, 'no, that is not corn stuck on my teeth it is a bruise' and then explaining 'yes, teeth really can bruise, i am not making that up'.

while i don't mind having a crooked chin when i smile, that yellow has always been an annoying reminder. to overcompensate i want to make sure my teeth are well taken care of because i would hate for people to think the yellow is due to bad hygiene. this Sonicare AirFloss makes taking care of my teeth so easy.

the one downside of using this AirFloss is that it can get a little bit messy. typically when i floss i lean in close to the mirror to see what i am doing. the first time i used my AirFloss i picked it up, leaned into the mirror and pressed the floss button. my mirror was promptly met with a large splash of water from the microburst ricocheting off my teeth and onto the mirror. no, that is not a bokeh effect on my picture below, i was ineffectively trying to capture my mirror splash.

word to the wise, close your mouth and don't lean in. that's advice that would be well received for many things in life, AirFloss included.

xo,
kristie

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How-To Glitter Accent Nail Tutorial

How To Highlight And Contour

Work Outfit Inspiration

How To Clean & Sanitize your Makeup & Makeup Brushes

H&M Grand Opening + Giveaway

Black/White Outfit Inspiration

Missing Summer? Sparkle Nail Tutorial

Casual Wear + Summer Accessories

Arm & Hammer Tooth Tunes Review

How To Create The Perfect Cat Eye

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

How To Choose A Lip Color

Eucerin $100 Giveaway + Prize Pack

Enter to Win $500!

Shabby Apple Fashion Friday + Giveaway *CLOSED*

DIY Nail Polish Color

Infiniti Pro by Conair™ Auto-Rotating Curling Iron + Giveaway

How to Choose an Eyebrow Shape

step 1: determine the shape of your face. grab a mirror and measure.

step 2: choose an eyebrow shape that will best flatter your bone structure

Polka Dot Mani With butter LONDON

Fashion Friday: Winter to Summer Outfit

DIY Glitter Nail Polish

Sonicare AirFloss Review [A Journey Into My Oral Health]

Shabby Apple Fashion Friday + Giveaway CLOSED