blushing basics

How To Apply Liquid Foundation

2013-06-18T05:30:00.000-06:00

liquid foundation is my jam, but learning how to apply liquid foundation took a bit of practice. there's something slightly intimidating about that one ounce jar which offers the promise of airbrushed skin or a face mask, depending on how it is applied. here are some tips to get your liquid foundation perfect every time.

How to Apply Liquid Foundation:

PRIME - i'll admit, i don't do this step every time, but think of primer like velcro for your foundation; it holds it in place. priming is a must when you want your makeup to stay put, last longer and apply smoother. a perfect solution for summer when foundation notoriously wears off quickly. using a pea sized amount, apply from the center of your face, outwards.
APPLY - first and foremost, let's make sure your foundation is a match. for tips on how to select makeup colors, check out this post here. second, opt for a nicer foundation if your budget allows. i swear by my Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. it is hands down my favorite foundation.

to apply, pump once onto the back of your hand. with a foundation brush, apply starting just below the inner corner of your eye and blend outwards. this helps prevent the foundation 'line' at the edge of your face and typically you want the most coverage around nose, cheeks & chin. for extra coverage, use another pump of product. follow the guide above for instruction on where to place product, and which direction to spread it.

FINISH - using an invisible finishing powder, apply product to the entire face. invisible finishing powders make your makeup look flawless. finishing with a pressed powder or colored powder will give extra coverage, but it can easily get that 'cakey' makeup look. an invisible finishing powder will set your makeup and help it look natural. a finishing powder also allows for better application of brush and bronzer.

once you get this foundation routine down you'll find that it gets easier and easier with time. you'll learn which areas of your face need extra coverage (in my case: cheeks & chin) and which areas need very little coverage (in my case: forehead). regardless, you will quickly graduate from 'beginner' to 'pro'.

xo,

kristie

Makeup Brush 101

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

to me, makeup is art and to be an artist you need the right tools. each makeup brush serves a specific function so i put together this post to demystify the many brushes you may have seen/tried/wondered what the heck is that for??

MAC 224: a fluffy blending brush. the fluffier your brush, the better it is at diffusing color. this brush helps to blend your eyeshadow colors together and eliminate any harsh lines. the sparse bristles don't pick up much color, but work well to blend.

MAC 227: a dense, short bristled, fluffy brush. this brush is great for a multitude of uses. it works well to apply a base coat of shadow to the entire eye. it is also a great brush for contouring the nose. the dense bristles pick up a large amount of product and the fluffiness of the brush helps apply the product without hard lines.

MAC 219: this pencil brush has short, compact, firm bristles that pick up product and deposit color directly like a pencil would. because it is a brush, lines are not as firm as an actual pencil, making color look better blended. great for applying color directly to the crease as well as lining the eye or blending pencil liners.

MAC 213: a soft fluffy eyeshadow brush. not too dense and not too sparse, picks up the perfect amount of eyeshadow color for application. best for applying all eyeshadow and works well to blend eyeshadow colors together.

MAC 242: this synthetic fibered brush is perfect for applying any cream products such as concealer, cream eyeshadow even lipstick. i like how dense and firm the bristles are making product easy to place. i find this brush works well for picking up powder eyeshadow and depositing color directly without diffusing, giving you the best color payoff.

MAC 226: your angled brush is great for applying cream eyeliners, powder shadow liners or for filling in the eyebrows or lining the lips. the angle gives you precision and allows you to create sharp points and edges. the brush is stiff making it easier to get straight lines. i have at least 3-4 and use them daily.

MAC 168: fluffy angled contour brush. great for blushes, bronzers or contouring the cheeks. (as you can see mine is typically my blush go-to) the fluff of the brush allows for a diffused application and the contoured angle gives you a bit more precision with your application.

Sephora foundation: this brush has synthetic fibers making it the perfect choice for applying cream/liquid foundations. synthetic fibers make it easy to clean (which you should be doing often) and the large size makes it easy to distribute and blend product quickly and easily. applying liquid foundations with a brush gives a more flawless finish.

Sephora contour: the short supple fibers of this brush help ensure sheer application with precise results. great for highlighting the cheek bones, brow bones and under eye, as well as to contour the hollows of your cheek, temples and nose.

these are all my top used products and would be my recommendations for completing your makeup set beyond a fluffy brush and a sponge tipped applicator. i know most are MAC but they have great deals on brushes during the holidays and Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (which is quickly approaching).

if there are any brushes i didn't cover or that you might have questions about, just let me know and i will happily answer.

xo,
kristie

Fashion Friday + Giveaway

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

necklace: c/o Apricot Lane

this week's Fashion Friday features this gorgeous necklace courtesy of Apricot Lane. one of my favorite (will-wear-it-till-it's-blue-in-the-face-never-going-to-let-it-die) signature* styles is to pair a chunky gem'd out necklace with a t-shirt. the easiest way to dress up or dress down while maintaining glamour at all times. a bling'n necklace is the perfect accessory for any tee. you can wear it with jeans or pair it with a skirt. either way it is just the right amount of Real Housewives meets real housewife.

*can't believe i'm old enough to have signature styles

in addition to some glam jewelry i am wearing my other signature style of the moment: neon. check out my post from last Fashion Friday highlighting my neon obsession. the skirt is the midi skirt i featured in my spring Trending post and with me are my trusty Ray Bans. rare is the outfit that isn't accessorized with a jean jacket and a Tiffany & Co. bracelet or two.

last, but not least, i am working my beach waves. check out my post from yesterday featuring an easy tutorial for DIY Beach Waves.

neon t: Old Navy skirt: Topshop/ Nordstrom shoes: Charles by Charles David (similar here)

interested in winning your own statement necklace? follow the rafflecopter instructions below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo,
kristie

Beach Waves Tutorial

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

Misikko.com who sells a variety of Professional Hair Straighteners offered to send one of their HANA Elite flat irons for review several weeks ago. 'Take your time.' they said 'Get to know the flat iron before you write about it.'

so i did.

here's the thing, when you get to know the HANA Elite you're going to like it. with variable temperature settings that work for even the most difficult hair, the HANA flat iron is ideal for all hair types. it heats up quickly while the ceramic technology helps to protect the hair when styling leaving it glossy and smooth. along with your purchase you receive a free heat proof mat and a travel pouch for storing/traveling with your flat iron.

i decided to put together a beach waves tutorial using the HANA flat iron. you may remember the video Beach Waves Tutorial i posted last year, but after receiving feedback that the info graphics were helpful, i decided to revisit the Beach Wave idea.

beach waves are surprisingly simple to achieve and are the ideal summer hairstyle offering a casual, (seemingly) effortless glam. all you'll need is a good flat iron (like the HANA Elite, natch) and some hairspray & wax. the rest comes with the twist of the wrist.

xo,
kristie

Red Apple Lipstick Review

2013-06-12T05:30:00.000-06:00

a few weeks ago Red Apple Lipstick offered to send some lip products for review. i had previously seen them on one of my favorite beauty blogger's site: My Beauty Bunny and was curious to give them a try.

Red Apple Lipstick offers lip products that are gluten free and paraben free, as well as being cruelty free. seemingly a great option for those who are in that niche, but how about those of us who aren't? still a great option.

the nude lip pencil was what i expected. a decent color, easy application and long lasting. the gloss didn't let me down either. it applied with decent color payoff, wasn't too sticky and complimented the lipstick color. the lipstick was initially a bit disappointing. it had a gritty feel to it which i assume is the finely ground glitter that provides the shimmer for the color. not liking the texture i thought it was going to go in the 'giveaway pile'.

i was wrong.

now having owned it for several weeks it is one of my go-to lipsticks. while the texture isn't my favorite, the color is. i fell hard for that shimmery pink, like a fat kid loves cake (in the words of 50 Cent) i will keep going back to it. the lipstick lasts, it is moisturizing and did i mention the color?

i'm going to be real. i think 'Crush On Me' is an incredibly flattering color option for many skin tones and probably one of my favorite color options for summer.

xo,
kristie

How To Select The Perfect Makeup Colors

2013-06-11T05:30:00.000-06:00

selecting the perfect makeup colors is not an easy task. first, it takes a basic understanding of colors and how they compliment or contradict one another. second, it takes practice. knowing what hues and tones work best for you is always a little tricky. third, throw all the rules out the window. if there is a particular color you love but may not be suited for you, who cares? as long as it makes you feel beautiful, you are doing it right.

first, let's talk color. remember about 5 years ago when it seemed everyone was on this card making kick? Stampin' Up was all the rage and they made card making so easy by selecting color palettes for you to choose from. goodbye mismatch hello pretty.

we could jump back even further to 10 years ago when everyone was making scrapbooks but that was even harder because color palettes weren't preselected and you were just blindly selecting paper stock at Michael's hoping it would match your stickers.

scrapbooking has evolved with the digital age thanks to digital cameras and digital design sights helping you select what color palettes coordinate best and providing you with template layouts making graphic/scrapbook design easier than ever.

but how about makeup, is there a template for that? not really.

typically palettes are sold in coordinating colors but the question before you select that palette is 'Does this work for me?'

some basic rules of color:

monochromatic always works. monochromatic is when you use one color in different hues for a harmonious, unifying effect. a good example would be the room deco below:

photo credit pinterest

how does that apply in makeup? in fashion, monochromatic is always super glam. the same goes for makeup. sticking with a monochromatic look ie: bronzed, golden, pastels, etc. just works.

neutral colors fall in the realm of black, white, grey and brown. neutrals work for everyone. when in doubt stick with neutrals because you can't go wrong. particularly for the eyes. everyone looks good with browns, greys, blacks and whites for eyeshadow.

analogous colors are colors on the color wheel that fall next to each other. they naturally create a sense of harmony and work well when blended together.

complementary colors are two colors opposite each other on the color wheel. the colors work well when paired together and draw attention to one another. this also works well in makeup but often in a toned down version.

the color wheel is also a good way to determine which colors work best for your eye color. if you are blue eyed, browns work well in drawing out the blue hue of your eyes and vice versa for brown eyes. greens always shine with purple toned shadows and hazels work well with purples or blues.

my favorite rule of thumb when it comes to color selection is take a minute and look through your wardrobe. you are often drawn to colors that work well with your skin tone/eye color whether your realize it or not. whatever colors are dominant in your wardrobe are often good colors to choose for makeup.

xo,
kristie

Beauty Uses For Rubbing Alcohol

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

rubbing alcohol has many beauty purposes. who knew that rubbing alcohol was so useful, particularly when it comes to beauty? there are several benefits to purchasing that $1.75 bottle of rubbing alcohol, here are just a few:

easily fixes broken (powder) makeup. whether it is an eyeshadow, a bronzer or a blush, any powder that has shattered can easily be put back together. simply break up the remaining powder, add a few drops of alcohol and reshape. the moisture will evaporate leaving a perfectly reshaped powder. this is also a great idea for when you hit pan on your palette - rather than digging the powder out of the edges of the palette, reshape using alcohol.
hydrates paint pots. you know you dread the moment when your gel liner begins to dry and it becomes more & more difficult to apply. simple add a drop or two of alcohol to your paint pot/gel liner/cream blush and it will help rehydrate, making your makeup like new!
sanitizes makeup. i already shared an in depth post on how to clean and sanitize your makeup and brushes. follow the link for more info.
DIY hand sanitizer. making your own hand sanitizer is so simple: mix 2/3 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/3 cup aloe vera gel and mix in a few drops of essential oil for scent. voila! (old soap dispensers can be repurposed or reuse your old hand sanitizer pump)
removes wax. no, i'm not talking about candle wax, i'm talking about that sticky-won't-rub-off-adheres-to-everything wax used for hair removal. while i am a big proponent of waxing i'm not a fan of wax residue left on countertops. clean it easily with a little alcohol.
clean your cellphone. women can all agree that the residue left behind on our cellphone screens - whether it is makeup, lotion, or facial oil - is not a pretty sight. plus, it is a breading ground for bacteria (hello, acne). apply a small amount of alcohol to a cotton swab and lightly swipe to disinfect.
remove makeup stickers. ever buy a product and find yourself annoyed at the sticky residue left behind from the price tag? me too. alcohol removes the mess quickly and easily so your OCD can relax.
removes nail polish from countertops. enough said.

xo,

kristie

Fashion Friday: Neon Love

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

jewelry: bracelet c/o Stella & Dot, Croton watch (similar here), Tiffany & Co. bracelet

my love for all things neon is quickly becoming an obsession. maybe it is the 80's child in me, begging for the days of scrunchies, rolled socks/denim and neon, lots and lots of neon.

whatever it is, it seems i can't go a day without sporting some neon in my wardrobe. this week's fashion friday features one of my current faces - the neon tee. dress it up or dress it down, either way you wear it it works. i love pairing a t-shirt with a statement necklace and lots of chunky jewelry. it helps lend to the casual/elegant vibe of the tee.

makeup & earrings: c/o mark. cosmetics

jacket: Earl Jean, necklace: c/o Stella & Dot, sunglasses: marc by marc jacobs (similar here)

skirt: c/o Vintage Fringe

shoes: Charles by Charles David (similar here)

xo,

kristie

photos courtesy of Tarin Crookston (www.momisfab.blogspot.com)

Eucerin Summer Kickoff Party + Giveaway

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

Sissy-boo's artwork

this week marked the last day of school and Tman and i decided to have some fun with the kiddos. having just received a Summer Kickoff Party Package from Eucerin, we unpacked our goodies and headed outdoors.

some of our favorite family summer activities are sidewalk chalk and bubble blowing/popping/chasing all while enjoying a deliciously cold treat, in this case it was Drumsticks. the tricky part about playing outside during the summer is protecting my children from UVA and UVB rays. i can proudly say that my children have yet to experience a sunburn, but never say never.

i try to make sure we avoid any chance of sun damage before we even leave the door. sunscreen is applied daily and re-applied if we are heading outdoors. i do my best to avoid peak sun hours and schedule family activities while the sun is less intense. thankfully, everyday at 4pm the clouds roll into Denver and provide a shaded evening for family fun.

my children were born with fair skin and i want to do everything in my power to protect them. make sure to not forget places like the tops of your ears, eyelids, hands and feet. Eucerin makes a great Daily Protective Lotion that is lightweight and moisturizes. while sunscreen is a must, sunglasses and hats are often accoutrements to their attire - even eyes and scalps need protecting!

Ollie blowing bubbles

C-diddy enjoying a snack.

love C-diddy's face as he dives for the bubbles!

to celebrate the kickoff of summer, Eucerin is offering to giveaway one prize package for a lucky Blushing Basics reader. enter below for your chance to win: a glass activity jar, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and a $125 Visa Gift Card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo,
kristie

*Eucerin products and prize pack were provided as part of the Eucerin Skin First Network. All opinions, experiences, pictures, food, children & fun were entirely my own.

Trending Products: June

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

Trending June by blushingbasics featuring a bomber jacket

feeling a bit sheepish that i missed sharing my trending products in May but will you forgive me since i am sharing them early in June?

this month has been a blur of activity (have i mentioned we're moving?) but there are a few items that have brought sunshine to my otherwise whirlwind of a life right now.

Maison Scotch Jacket - originally spotted at the Nordstrom trend show, purchased through Shopbop and worn on the daily it has yet to wear out its welcome.
Tooth Necklace - recently i subscribed to RocksBox, an amazing monthly subscription service for jewelry. RocksBox understands a woman's need for accessorizing as well as her perogative to change her mind. frequently. this jewelry subscription service is the perfect solution as you can change out your jewelry selection if you get tired of it, or you can keep it if you love it. for only $15 per month, it's kind of amazing.
Kiehl's BB Cream - i love all things Kiehl's and this BB Cream is no exception. not only does it work wonderfully as a BB Cream by providing sheer, natural coverage, it also corrects skin irregularities. not your mothers moisturizer. it is a thousand times better.
MAC Temperature Rising - the Lipglass in Soft Serenade and Powerchrome Eye Pencil in Copper Strip are my jam. seriously, these two are the perfect bronze hued combo for summer smoky eyes and sizzlin' hot lips.

xo,

kristie

What I've Been Doing...

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

this month my husband will be finishing up at his job and we will be moving our family to Washington State. before we move there are so many fun things i've done and will be doing that i have been dying to share.

first, i was invited to the Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show a couple weeks ago. not knowing exactly what to expect i grabbed two of my favorite girls and promised them wonderful eye candy if they joined me. we were not disappointed!

not only was Nordstrom the most gracious host ever, they hooked a sister up (and my friends!) allowing us VIP access to the event including prime seating, VIP gift bags and a personal escort at the event. we snuggled in at the end of the runway with our bags full o' loot - including spring/summer's hottest products - and watched a great show.

though it ran a bit long every moment was filled with energy and excitement. offering giveaways throughout the entire runway show created a buzz of energy similar to that of the Price Is Right. women were dancing in aisles, cheering, fist pumping and generally pleased to be a part of this experience.

if you get the opportunity to go, i would recommend it. ticket price for the event is applied toward any beauty purchase you make that day!

our seating at the center of the show. my girlfriends are the cutest!

a glimpse at our wonderful 'goodie bag'

does this jacket look familiar?!

this is also where i first spied the neon, 80's-esque, Maison Scotch baseball jacket that i have been wearing to death - seen here & here. and if you know me in real life you know it has been worn on the daily.

next up was the grand opening of H&M which i first wrote about here. i rounded up my grand prize winner and headed to SouthGlenn Mall where i found a line of people stretched around the store waiting to get in. thankfully, H&M had graciously offered myself and the grand prize winner early access to shopping and an opportunity to enjoy the store all to ourselves.

with a DJ on site and personal shoppers to assist, we made quick work of finding our favorite items. great deals were to be had for the grand opening and according to the store coordinator, H&M has grand opening groupies who follow them around the country because these things are jam packed with great deals, prizes and fun.

customers lined up outside

these glasses are sort of amazing

grand prize winna'!!

my favorite purchase was a neon hoodie (of course!) found in the sportswear section. it was the perfect jacket necessary for my trip to Red Rocks with Tman to see The Postal Service. having grown up in Washington state, Tman and i met in Seattle where i was living the dream - dating guys in bands, loitering in cramped bars to watch emo tunes and roommates. it seems there was a never-ending stream of roommates.

10 years ago my favorite musician (Ben Gibbard) collaborated on one of Sub-Pop's most successful albums 'The Postal Service'. Tman and i - along with ex-boyfriends, roommates and a handful of others - purchased tickets to see their show at The Crocodile which is essentially a bar located in downtown Seattle. 10 years later The Postal Service decided to reunite for a reunion tour that sold-out in arenas internationally, and Tman picked up some front row tickets as my Mother's Day gift.

probably one of my favorite gifts ever.

so what does one wear to a Red Rocks concert? lots and lots of neon. natch.

a windy shot

paired with another windy shot

our dinner - takeout sushi

Red Rocks Ampitheater

one of the amazing things about Red Rocks Ampitheater is that the entire surrounding area is ridiculously windy, but inside the ampitheatre there is no wind. you are nestled into the Rocky Mountains and it is warm, peaceful and surprisingly cozy while be surrounded by 9,500 people.

we return to Red Rocks in two weeks for one last concert (Guster) along with many, many farewell dinners, parties and us clinging to every last second of Colorado.

xo,

kristie

On The Go Beauty

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

these last few weeks have been a blur of airports, cities and a lot of fun. i typically pack a small pouch in my purse to include some lipgloss, facial blotting papers, etc., but when i am this busy moving from event to event, i need to call in the big guns.

here is what i haul in my beauty arsenal to keep myself looking good all day long. just enough product to be portable while still providing full coverage.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Compact - the absolute Holy Grail of tinted moisturizers is now available in a compact making the greatest sheer foundation of all time even greater. i have packed this from New York to Seattle and everywhere in between. this has seen a lot of use over the last few weeks and has been a saving grace. [i will save you the details of being poured on in the rain and touching up with this lovely]
MAC Casual Colour - i loved the Casual Colour limited edition by MAC mainly for their tinted cheek and lip color. this stuff is gives the color of a stain with the creaminess of a balm. i love it.
Benefit They're Real - i received this in the Birchbox i created at Fashion Week and have been loving the travel edition. do i love it enough to purchase a full size? probably.
Urban Decay SMOG - my Urban Decay has been seeing a lot of mileage these last few weeks. with color that can be use alone or layered it has become my one pot wonder.
E.L.F. brush and black eyeliner - enough said.
Tweezerman Tweezers - touching up your brows in the car is one of the best places to tweeze. the lighting makes every little hair visible making for perfect tweezing conditions.

xo,
kristie

Fashion Friday with Tailor & Stylist

2013-05-31T05:30:00.000-06:00

skirt + handbag: c/o tailor & stylist

this week's Fashion Friday is allow about bright, playful, summer-y fun. mint/aqua has the best summer vibe and this skirt and handbag by Tailor & Stylist shows the trend well. i love the skirt because it is a fitted pencil skit (profesh!) with a cute bow accent in the back (fun!). it's sort of like the saying for mullets - business in the front party in the back. that same idea could be applied to this skirt.

to keep it more on the casual fun side, i paired it with my new baseball fit jacket from Maison Scotch. this jacket is colorful, lightweight and a great summer addition. of course Tman's first reaction was: 'Are we headed to an 80's party?'. no, Tman, we are not. however, the 80's trend is here so we might as well embrace it!

mullets + 80's = perfection

the jeweled bow earrings have been an item i have coveted for years. ever since i saw my sixteen year-old niece rockin' a pair on summer vacation 5 years ago they have been on my wishlist. thankfully, i spotted these sweethearts on the www.TandS.com website and was able to add them to the ensemble.

overall i loved my experience shopping with Tailor & Stylist and have loved the pieces i was allowed to try. to check out the rest of their lineup, be sure to visit www.TandS.com.

shoes: Marc Jacobs (purchased ages ago) accessories: Tiffany & Co. beaded bracelets

clutch (can also be converted with chain strap): c/o Tailor & Stylist nails: c/o Essie Spring Collection

earrings: c/o Tailor & Stylist

jacket: c/o Maison Scotch

xo,
kristie

#luckymag #printsandpatterns

NIVEA Dare To Bare Challenge + Giveaway

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

outfit c/o shopbop & Tailor & Stylist

a few weeks ago i was the offered the opportunity to join the Nivea Dare To Bare challenge (aka #daretobare). i was asked to try the NIVEA Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion with Q10 for two weeks and evaluate the difference in my skin.

one of the main ingredients that makes the NIVEA body lotion different is Hydra-IQ. Hydra-IQ is NIVEA's exclusive technology that supports skin's own hydration network to unleash deep, non-stop moisture that lasts more than 24 hours. along with that is CoEnzyme Q10 which is one of the latest and greatest additions to the beauty market - an enzyme that is supposed to improve your skin.

after using it for two weeks there were a few things i noticed. one, the texture is great. moisturizing lotions can tend to leave a greasy residue which not only feels gross but can ruin your clothes. BOO. the NIVEA Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion goes on silky smooth and doesn't leave any residue. second, the firming aspects. about a year or two ago i started noticing a crépey-ness to my skin. chalking it up to age (hello, 30's) i figured there wasn't much i could do about it. crépey-ness on the face or neck could be fixed, but crépey-ness on the arms and legs? i thought it was a lost cause. until now. the Hydra-IQ and CoE Q10 seem to work well in smoothing out that crépey-ness and rehydrating my skin. crisis averted!

along with my lotion NIVEA also sent a $150 gift card to Shop Bop to purchase some new duds to show off my freshly hydrated skin. as seen in the picture above i not only Like my new lotion, i Like my new Maison Scotch retro baseball jacket.

interested in giving this a shot? there are several ways to try. first, you can take the Dare To Bare Challenge by retweeting my NIVEA post with #daretobare hashtag, or create your own tweet sharing why you want to try NIVEA (just be sure to use the #daretobare hashtag). each week two winners will be selected.

PLUS

one lucky Blushing Basics winner will receive their own bottle of NIVEA Skin Firming Body Lotion with Q10 and a $150 gift card to Shop Bop by following the Rafflecopter instructions below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

good luck!

xo,

kristie

Step by Step Makeup Tutorial {cat eye}

2013-05-29T05:30:00.000-06:00

alright, let's do this. liquid eyeliner and the cat eye 'flick' are two of the most requested step by step makeup tutorials. learning these two techniques will give you the foundation for makeup mastery.

here's how it's done:

draw a dot at the highest point where you would like your cat eye 'flick'. i do this with my eyes open so that i can see where the flick will actually be, rather than doing it with your eyes closed and your eyelid stretched.
draw a dot at the base of where you want your cat eye flick to be.
connect the dots.
draw the remaining eyeliner across your eye and adjust thickness to desired width.

enjoy your cat eye!

xo,

kristie

Department Store Faves & Drugstore Counterparts

2013-05-28T05:30:00.000-06:00

in the beauty world we have what we call 'Holy Grail' products. this is the name given to those products that are absolutely amazing and will never steer you wrong. listed above are some of the favorite (read: top-selling) products in their niche and their drugstore counterparts.

Giorgio Armani Eyeshadow vs. CoverGirl Eyeshadow

Giorgio Armani shadows are best known for their weightless, silky smooth application. for $30 a pot they better be amazing and perhaps buy you dinner. i love a good eyeshadow and the occasional splurge is well-worth the investment because shadows last forever, however i don't know if i can justify to the hubs (aka Tman) why our bank account was depleted because mommy needed some new colors.

you feel me right?

thankfully CoverGirl has your back by offering individual shadows at $3.99* a pot. their eyeshadows may not be weightless and i wouldn't exactly describe it as silky smooth, however the color payoff is great, the blend-ability good and the price can't be beat. my absolute favorite of the bunch is Champagne. if you haven't tried the CoverGirl shadows Champagne is your place to start.

Stila Eyeliner vs. Almay Eyeliner

one of my most used and oft replaced items is liquid eyeliner. i can't get enough of that product. Stila is widely known as an amazing option for liquid eyeliner. it is a good formula that doesn't run, smear, crease or fade and the applicator is a dream. i consider myself an applicator connoisseur and this is one area where size really matters.

the Almay liquid liner is my saving grace. introduced to me by my best friend in 9th grade, this eyeliner is inexpensive, easy to apply and has one of my favorite applicator tips. when you go through it as often as i do, $20 on a department store brand gets a bit steep, however $7.99* is fits just right.

YSL Lip Stain vs. L'Oreal Lip Stain

YSL Lip Stains hit the market with a vengeance and became an immediate cult fave. these products were flying off the shelves with everyone clamoring for their favorite shade. why? it has the texture of a gloss but the longwear of a stain. basically the dream lip gloss/stain. the downside of this dream product is its price. $34 for a lip stain isn't exactly in the budge.

thankfully L'Oreal saw that the demand for this product was high and decided to make a more affordable version for the masses. while not quite as dreamy as the original, the L'Oreal stain works well and is offered at a more manageable price point of $9.99*.

Lancome Mascara vs. L'Oreal Mascara

Lancome's Mascara is one of the best selling mascaras on the market. its formula boasts that it can sculpt, curl and load every lash. exactly what every woman is looking for.

L'Oreal Voluminous has been and always will be my favorite mascara. not only does it sculpt, curl and load every lash, it does it for less than half the price. honestly, i do not buy department store mascara because i have yet to find one that i love as much as i love the Voluminous. how about the price? $7.79* and it is worth every penny.

Benefit Individual Lashes vs. Ardell Individual Lashes

to put it plainly, there is no real difference. go for the less expensive option - Ardell Lashes $4.99*.

xo,

kristie

*all drugstore prices are courtesy of CVS - which happens to have an amazing beauty selection.

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