MissChievous.tv

Tutorial: Cat Eyes / Katzenaugen

2012-05-24T20:33:00.003+02:00

Like this post? Pin it on Pinterest here!

I love wearing my eyeshadow like this. It looks so sultry, mysterious, and certainly feline! The cat eye elongates your eyes, and creates a beautiful almond shape, even if your eyes are naturally round. Here's my step by step tutorial how to recreate this look!

Face
Revlon Colorstay foundation mixed with L'Oreal Magic Lumi primer, MAC Fleur Powder blush

Eyes
Laura Geller Smoke Signals Kit from QVC.de (includes a baked eyeshadow duo, black eyeliner and mascara), Ben Nye Cork e/s, Catrice black gel eyeliner, Maybelline white kohl pencil, Ben Nye concealer wheel, Amazing Shine lashes Nr. 47 (from beauty supply store)

Lips
Catrice lipliner in Lost in the Rose Wood, Revlon Colorburst lipgloss in Nr. 24 Gold Dust

Nailpolish
Leighton Denny - Babydoll (available from QVC.de)

Watch the video on Youtube here

Fashion: Spring Dressy Casual Outfit

2012-05-21T16:45:00.000+02:00

A few nights ago I got together with a few girlfriends, and this is what I wore. I wanted to go for a very chic casual look, without looking too done up - function and comfort coupled with style. I had a really great time, spending time with the girls is so important!

I show everything in detail in my Outfit of the Day video!

Here's a breakdown of this look.

Top: H&M
Jeans: American Eagle
Purse: River Island
Sunglasses: Asos.com
Watch: Asos.com
Shoes: Graceland
Nailpolish: Orly "Pixy Stix"
Earrings: Tallulah Tu
Ring: Asos.com

Makeup: Mostly Urban Decay Naked Palette on my eyes, L'Oreal Caresse Lipstick in Innocent Pink

What are your favorite spring trends? I'm loving the loose blouse trend!

Tutorial: Jessica Alba @ Met Gala

2012-05-13T16:36:00.004+02:00

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I loved these pictures of Jessica Alba at this year's Met Gala. There were so many celebs rocking a dark burgundy lip on the Red Carpet, and Jessica pulled this look off so well.

I decided to recreate the look! Here's what I came up with...

Here's the tutorial how to recreate this look step by step!

Products used:

Face & Cheeks
Lancome Teint Idole foundation mixed with L'Oreal Magic Lumi primer, Make Up Store Cover All Mix concealer, Barry M Natural Dazzle bronzer, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow

Eyes
Maybelline Color Tattoo in On and On Bronze, Urban Decay Naked Palette (Version 1), L'Oreal Infallible shadow in Hourglass Beige, Lancome Artliner in Black, L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara, Sleek MakeUp Eau La La Liner in Bullion, eyelashes Nr. 47 (bought at a beauty supply store)

Lips
MAC Cremestick Liner in Red Enriched, Sleek MakeUP Cranberry lipstick, MAC Viva Glam I

Nailpolish
Anny - Midtown Skyline

Watch the video directly on Youtube here

Review: Sleek Ultra Matte Dark palette

2012-05-09T18:46:00.002+02:00

Sleek MakeUP has released two new eyehadow palettes, this time they contain 12 matte finish shadows. They are mineral based, but very pigmented. There are two new i-Divine palettes out, the V1 Brights, and the V2 Darks, the latter of which I have to show you today. These palettes launch today, May 9th, and are available at Superdrug in the UK, or online through their website.

Cost: 9 Euros

As you can maybe tell from the swatches, the darker colors show up very vibrantly, but the lighter ones are kind of chalky. I've noticed this before with the Sleek eyeshadow palettes. Luckily the other colors are nice and vibrant and more than make up for this. These are definitely a bargain for the price and quality. My favorite color is the teal color in the top row, far left.

In other news, I was washing my laundry today when I spotted the postman out my window. I saw he had a stack of parcels in hand, so I pretty much jumped the poor man to get my eager hands on my camera order.

EEEEEEEEEP!!! I am so excited! I can't wait to try this all out and film my next makeup tutorial with it. I might have some issues with it at the beginning, but I always jump in at the deep end when it comes to technical gadgetry. I've used an SLR before with my Canon 20D so am not a beginner anymore, but it might be tricky when filming. The pictures of the Sleek palette were shot with this camera and 2 different Canon lenses.

What do you think of the palette? Will you be picking one up?

Review: Anny Summer Collection

2012-05-08T15:59:00.001+02:00

Spring is in full swing - summer is just around the corner, and that always puts me in the mood for some fun and bright nail polish colors! Anny has released a brand new collection: Famous Run in Central Park - Spring Time in NY. Just rolls off your tongue, doesn't it? This is actually their summer collection, a bit confusing with Spring time in the collection name. Anyway, names aside, this is a really beautiful collection, with a modern spin on some seasonal classics.

Left to Right: Sunday in Park, Outdoor Style, Ready to Go, Jogging Date, Midtown Skyline, Midnight Run

Sunday Run: A perfect lemon yellow, shimmer finish
Outdoor Style: Mid-toned warm "Barbie" pink, cream finish
Ready to Go: Tomato red-orange with a slight fuchsia shimmer, shimmer finish
Jogging Date: Crimson red with warm bronze shimmer, shimmer finish
Midtown Skyline: Mid-tone dusty blue, cream finish
Midnight Run: Mix of olive, silver and gold, frost finish

Sunday Run went on perfectly smooth and opaque in two coats, an utter rarity for yellow polishes, which often go on unevenly and streak. All but Ready to Go and Midnight Run are 2 coaters, the latter who needed a third coat to reach full opacity.

I absolutely love Anny nailpolishes. The brush is flat and wide, although not as wide as the OPI applicatiors, and the polish lasts a decent amount of time before chipping. They are available for purchase at Douglas in Germany, and now also at Marionnaud in Switzerland. Sorry, no online store yet!

Currently Anny is also running a contest where you could win the entire Anny nail polish collection. You can find an entry code at the Anny display stand at your local Douglas store, then head to their website at www.mein-anny-aufsteller.de/gewinnspiel and enter your code for your chance to win.

You can find out more about Anny nail polishes on their website here.

Which one is your favorite color? What would you wear it with? Share in the comments!

Recipe: Leafy Greens with Tofu

2012-05-07T23:10:00.004+02:00

Like it? Pin it on Pinterest here!

I eat meat, but sometimes it's nice to eat a completely vegatarian (evan began-friendly) meal; most of us consume way too many animal products anyway, such as eggs, dairy, poultry, fish, or meat. If you're watching what you eat, the best thing you can do is increase your intake of plants! This is a great weight loss recipe as it's low in fat, carbs and cholesterol, but it's also great for those just trying to eat healthier.

In this recipe I use mangold, but you can also use bok choi, chard, or anything you like that's green! For a meat option, substitute the tofu in this recipe with chicken, pork or beef stir fry meat. If you've never tried tofu, give it a shot! It has the texture of a spongy cheese, and tastes sort of meat-like when prepared this way.

Here's the step-by-step on how to do it!

I'm really not big on exact measurements, but here is roughly what you will need:

Leafy greens (Swiss chard, spinach, bok choy) about 500-700g

Ginger

A box of mushrooms

Plain tofu (about 500g)

2 cloves of garlic

Several handfuls of cherry tomatoes

Juice of half a lemon/lime

Soy Sauce

Let me know if you try it out and what you think of it! You can serve it with brown or wild rice mix, if you're watching your carbs, there's plenty of protein in this to skip it.

Review: Sleek Blushes + Highlighter

2012-05-05T17:39:00.004+02:00

As some of you might have noticed, I completely redesigned and overhauled my blog to give it a new look and feel. If you're reading this through a feed reader, go check out my website and let me know what you think! I wanted a more streamlined and clean look, and I think this reduces a lot of excessive scrolling and clutter. Do you like it? Please leave me a comment!

I've got some new goodies from Sleek MakeUP to show you today - joy!

First up is this gorgeous Blush By 3 in "Lace", which features 3 blushes. Cost: 13 Euros

L to R: Crochet, Guipure, Chantilly

Crochet: A warm clementine-orange shade, matte finish

Guipure: Warm coral-pink shade, shimmer finish

Chantilly: A guava reddish-pink shade, matte finish

These blushes are GORGEOUS! I love them. I've you've never tried any blushes by Sleek, I definitely recommend you check them out. They are very pigmented so would work well on darker skintones, if you have fair skin, using a light hand or a stippling / skunk brush really helps. Unless clown-face is your thing...just sayin'! I love these colours, especially for summer. This product comes in four additional color combinations.

Next up is the Glo Face & Body Highlighter in "Peach Shimmer". Cost: 10 Euros

This shimmering powder can be used for various things: a blush all over the cheeks, a highlighter, or even eyeshadows if you use a small brush. When blended together on your cheeks, this gives a golden apricot shimmer. The difference to the blushes is that the pigmentation is more buildable, so the color application is more subtle on the first stroke. This product also comes in two other color combinations.

I'm overall very pleased with the quality of these products, as they are in the affordable drugstore price range. Sleek MakeUP can be purchased at Superdrug in the UK, or online directly from their website, where they ship worldwide: http://www.sleekmakeup.com/

In other news, after months of deliberation, I ordered a new camera! The Canon 600D / Rebel T3i

I used to be really into photography as a hobby, as some of you might know from my Flickr page here, where you can see a lot of my old pictures. Back then I used my Canon 20D, which - at the time - was one of Canon's top of the line DSLRs. It's very outdated by now. Once I started Youtube, I had less and less time for photography, and I switched over to eventually using a camcorder, as I really needed an articulated screen (flip screen.)

Back then, there were no Canon DSLRs on the market with such a feature, and it's absolutely essential if you want to film yourself putting on makeup. Also, my Canon 20D doesn't shoot video. Now a few cameras have been released by Canon with a flip screen, the 600D being one of them. Obviously when filming with a DSLR camera, you have to do a lot more manual work with focusing than with a camcorder which literally does it all for you, but the picture quality shot through a good lens is just unbeatable. Don't get me wrong, I love my camcorder, but I really don't like the pictures it takes of my makeup.

I also bought the compatible Canon RC 6 remote control, which is handy for taking self-portraits from a distance, and for starting and stopping, plus focusing video.

I'm holding off on lenses right now (I only purchased the camera body) as I own a few Canon lenses already, but I might buy a new one as needed. I can't wait for it to arrive now, and to see how the picture quality improves in my current set-up!

Here's a link to the gear on Amazon:

Canon EOS 600D camera with Kit lens http://amzn.to/JKzgMk
Canon EOS 600D (body only) http://amzn.to/Ka0HPj
Canon RC 6 Wireless Remote http://amzn.to/IOGePy

'll let you know when it arrives, and I might even do a separate video or post about camera tips, etc. Have a wonderful Saturday!

Tutorial: Katy Perry Smokey Eyes

2012-05-03T21:52:00.001+02:00

I really loved this picture of Katy Perry's makeup at a red carpet event, so I thought I would give it my best shot. Here's what I came up with, complete with blue tresses - ah, the wonders of Photoshop! I've actually had hair this color blue when I was a rebellious teenager, I kid you not.

I think this look is actually really wearable for a night out. It's dramatic without being too much. I love the blend of the black with the dark, warm brown tones. I think this would suit so many skintones and eye colors. Give it a whirl! Check out my video tutorial for the step-by-step instructions.

Face
Lancome Teint Idole foundation, L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer, MAC Fleur Power blush, Sleek MakeUp Face & Body Highlighter in Peach Shimmer

Eyes
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Mulch, Ben Nye Dark Brown, Ben Nye Toast, MAC Feline kohl pencil, Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara, Elite Lashes Nr. 18,

Lips
Rimmel Airy Fairy Lipstick

Nails
Leighton Denny - Just Perfect

Watch the video directly on Youtube - click here

If you'd like to see some more celebrity looks, please leave suggestions in the comments! I need some ideas :)

Netzwoche & St.Galler Tagblatt

2012-05-03T00:07:00.002+02:00

As you might have seen from my previous post, I was recently invited to hold a Keynote speech at a business networking event in Switzerland.

At the event I was interviewed by 2 journalists, and I wanted to share them with you.

First up a more in-depth interview with the St. Galler Tagblatt newspaper, which you can click to see full size if you want to read it. It is in German, but I will try to translate a few excepts for you this week (too tired right now, it's midnight here and I've worked all day!)

Next I was also published in Netzwoche, which is a magazine focused on IT news, Internet, new Tech releases, etc.

This extensive article reporting on the event and on my Keynote speech can be read online on their website here: Click!

Again, I will try to translate some excerpts into English for you this week. Thank you to Raya Badraun and Miriam Kalunder for the articles!

See more Press clippings about me here - click

My Keynote at 5 Connect

2012-05-02T23:51:00.002+02:00

I was recently invited to hold the Keynote speech at the 5 Connect Event hosted by the Wirtschaftsfrauen Ostschweiz in St. Gallen. It is a business networking association for and by successful women from all sectors - marketing, public relations, business, journalism, law, etc. The theme of the event was "Social Media", and I was invited to share the story of my Youtube successes and blunders to an audience of about 40 members. The event took place in the historic building of the Vadian Bank, and my speech with question and answer period was about 50 minutes long.

I created an extensive Keynote slideshow on my MacBook, during which I detailed what I do on Youtube, Facebook, Blogger and Twitter, the story of my Youtube channel, how it developed and grew over time, and tips for businesses interested in broadening their online reach, what to do and what to avoid, etc.

Be prepared to see some of the most unflattering mid-speech and blinding-full-on-flash photos! Dear god. You have been forewarned.

With Iris Müller - a long-time Subscriber of my channel, business woman, and event organizer

Setting up my Keynote presentation

Hi I'm Julia, and I'm going to talk to you about social media...I iz an Exphert!! :p

Q&A time - more like Deer caught in headlights!!! O.o

Pimp my Presentation - with Apple Keynote!

Looks like I made a new friend! Hello :)

Audience members networking and getting their groove on

OMG I can haz present??? Wheeeee!!! Thanks you, Iris!

Not done yet! Giving an interview to a journalist from the press

OK that was strenuous, I'd better hit the buffet! And no, I didn't hit the dessert buffet 3 times. Nope. Not me! I would never do such a thing...

The presentation was a thorough success, and I am so honored that I had the opportunity to share my experience and tips with fellow successful women. Thank you to the Wirtschaftsfrauen Ostschweiz, and especially Iris Müller for all your support. I had some wonderful conversations, met interesting people, and got great feedback on my Keynote.

Find out more about the Business Women Switzerland network by visiting their homepage here

Berner Zeitung - Swiss newspaper

2012-05-02T23:27:00.004+02:00

Back in February I was featured in the Berner Zeitung, the main newspaper for the canton Berne, in which I live. Here is a screenshot of the article, which can also be read online HERE: click!

Well, I don't think I can translate the whole text for you, but maybe some excerpts:

Julia originally studied Political Science in university, and also spent some time as an exchange student at the University of Berne. After graduating, she worked full time for a while, but as her Youtube videos became more successful, she began to focus more of her energy around it. (I currently work part time around my video time)

Some people might think that Julia is a shallow person, due to the nature of her videos. But this estimation is incorrect: "I only became interested in makeup when I was already in university." ... It is hard to have a clear focus in such a fast-changing environment. "Passing 100 Million views will be a big milestone for me, maybe I should have a party," says the young woman.

Thank you Claudia Salzmann for the interview!

Click here to read all previous press clippings.

German TV: Deutsche Welle interview

2012-05-02T23:14:00.002+02:00

Back in March I was interviewed for the German TV station Deutsche Welle. Their programming is seen worldwide in many countries, catering mainly to German expats abroad, and is often available on Cable TV. My father even watches it sometimes in Canada!

The interview team flew in from Berlin and came to my humble abode to film and interview me for their piece on Youtube and the success of some Youtube Partners.

Some screenshots from the segment:

I love how they call me an "Internet Millionaire" - hah, I wish! I have no idea where they got that idea from because as a Youtube Partner, I'm never allowed to talk about my Adsense earnings. Take these news reports with a grain of salt, often they are sensationalized somewhat to make them more "wow" worthy for viewers.

The segment aired on TV in March, and is available to view online on their website HERE: Click! It is in German, but it's fun to watch all the same even if you don't speak German.

They did get a few things wrong: I produce on average 2.2 videos per week (not 1) and I do still have another source of income. Oh well...

Thank you to Axel Primavesi for the interview!

Click here to see all my Press clippings

Pretty for Prom

2012-04-19T21:59:00.001+02:00

I wanted to create a pretty and very feminine look perfect for senior prom. I absolutely loved my own senior prom - which I babbled about in this video - it always brings back really fond memories. In this look I decided to go for a "pretty in pink" look, but the color can be adjusted with basically any other color, for example a light green, baby blue, lilac, or even gold and silver. Here's my video with step by step instructions how to achieve it! As always, use any products you like, this is just a general idea.

Face
Nars Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc, Make Up Store concealer, Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick in Peony, Barry M Pink Orchid brush

Eyes
MAC Paintpot in Rubenesque, MAC eyeshadows in Swish, Handwritten, Malt, and Solar White, MAC Feline kohl pencil, Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara

Lips
L'Oréal Color Riche lipstick in Tender Rose (Nr. 303), Milani 3D Glitz Gloss in Starshine

Nailpolish
Catrice - Sing: Oh, Champs Élysées (Nr. 080)

Nude Sparkle Princess Nails

2012-04-11T20:40:00.002+02:00

This nail design is perfect when you want your nails to look understated, but not completely unnoticeable. The glitter is neutral colors is a great way to add some sparkle to a nude nail, and you can really play around with this in various colors. I've also tried it with a nude peach color, or a pale pink, and it also looked very pretty. I think these nails would be perfect for prom, a wedding, or any other glam event.

Here's how I did it step by step:

Products

Essence Modern Romance
CND Effects Raspberry Sparkle
Essence nail polish correcting pen
Seche Vite topcoat
LitCosmetics Champagne Wishes glitter
random cosmetic glitter from ebay

Thanks for watching!

Spring Favorites! Plus a Giveaway

2012-04-08T19:29:00.001+02:00

I thought it's high time to do another Favorites aka Products I love video, what with spring being in full swing right now!

Products mentioned:

L'Oréal Color Riche Balm in Rose Elixir 218
Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss in Torture
Revlon Lipgloss in Coral Reef
Urban Decay Glide On Cheek Tints in Quickie and Score
Kryolan blush in K926
Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche
L'Oréal Magic Lumi primer
Make Up Store Cover All Mix concealer
Catrice Genius in a Bottle nailpolish (Chanel Peridot dupe)

I'm giving away one bottle of the Catrice Genius in a Bottle nailpolish through Facebook!

FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY! How to participate:

LIKE me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mizzchievouz

Get active! Share my videos that I post on your Wall, Like my status updates, leave me comments or feedback. NO SPAMMING! (Spammers will be blocked. Please just use your judgement.) I want to promote positive, active participation on my Facebook page. A winner will be chosen randomly and notified directly by me through Facebook. Contest ends April 22, 2012. Open worldwide, all ages, to everyone who "Likes" my Facebook page.

Good luck!

Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo Review

2012-04-05T18:36:00.003+02:00

I know these new Maybelline cream eyeshadows / bases have been talked about a lot, but I just wanted to add my piece! I discovered these over Christmas when I went shopping in the States, determined to hunt them down as everyone was raving about them. Back then I picked up 2 colors: Tough as Taupe, and Pomagranate Punk. Today I finally spotted them in a Swiss drugstore, so I picked up two more: On and On Bronze and Timeless Black.

Please note that the European market names differ from North America, and I think the black one is unique to Europe at the moment since I didn't see it in the States or Canada when I was there. The black one is not the same as the Asphalt one available in North America, which is a shimmery dark grey. On and On Bronze may be the same color as the bronze colored one in North America, I'm not sure.

Top row L to R: Pomegranate Punk, Timeless Black

Bottom row L to R: On and On Bronze, Tough as Taupe

Tough as Taupe (bought in USA)

Pomegranate Punk (bought in USA)

On and On Bronze (bought in Europe)

Timeless Black (bought in Europe)

L to R: Tough as Taupe, On and On Bronze, Pomegranate Punk, Timeless Black

Here's how I would describe the colors and finish of each of these.

Tough as Taupe: True medium colored taupe, dries to a matte finish

On and On Bronze: Medium golden bronze, dries to a strong metallic finish

Pomegranate Punk: Warm auburn shade with a slightly golden shimmer, slightly metallic finish

Timeless Black: True black with blue micro pigments, dries to a matte black finish

These products can be applied with an eyeshadow brush (I prefer the MAC 217) or with your fingers. They work as stand-alone cream eyeshadows, or can be used as a base for layering powder shadows on top. They are very comparable to the MAC Paintpots. While I've heard some not-so-great things about the brightly colored ones (especially the purple one), the darker and neutral colors I have here are very pigmented, apply smoothly, don't crease and last a really long time on my eye. The color is buildable, and can be applied lightly with a brush for a wash of color, or more intensely for an opaque pay-off.

The black one is really interesting to me, as it is comparable to the limited edition MAC Greasepaint Stick in Slick Black, although the MAC product is a stick form (which can also be applied with a brush) and is slightly stronger in pigmentation and longevity. Here a quick comparison swatch.

Left: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Timeless Black

Right: MAC Greasepaint Stick in Slick Black

Overall I think these are a great drugstore product and definitely recommend them, at least the colors I own! I've heard some hit-and-miss things about the colorful ones.

Do you own any of the Maybelline Color Tattoos? Do you like them? Share in the comments!

My Drugstore Foundation Routine

2012-04-05T12:03:00.002+02:00

I won't lie: I love my Nars Sheer Glow foundation, but sometimes I pinch pennies by using drugstore products to give my wallet a break. Here are the products I use and how I achieve a fresh, glowing face look.

One note: I have never been truly happy with drugstore concealers. In my opinion, this is the one product from my face routine that I would say is definitely worth the extra money. I've never found any drugstore concealer that lasts for a long time, or has enough pigmentation to neutralize dark circles or blemishes. I've wasted so much money over time trying out drugstore concealers, probably more than I would have had I just bought a good high end one. I do use drugstore concealers for the sake of this video, but to be honest, the results are not as good as my concealers from Ben Nye, Makeup Forever, Makeup Store, and Lancome.

What are your favorite face products from the drugstore? Share your tips in the comments!

Products used:
Eucerin Hydro Protect SPF 15 (or Eucerin Sun Fluid SPF 30)
L'Oreal Magic Lumi primer
Revlon Colorstay foundation in Buff
Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation in Natural Ivory
L'Oreal Magic Lumi concealer (Medium)
Maybelline Fit Me concealer Nr. 15
Catrice Skin Finish in Natural Beige
Alverde Camouflage powder
Barry M Natural Dazzle bronzer
MAC MSF in Stereo Rose (LE)
Make Up Store highlighter in Venus

Nailpolish:
Eyeko - Coral Polish

OPI Germany Collection (Fall 2012)

2012-03-27T14:10:00.002+02:00

OPI is releasing a fall collection based around Germany! I know many of my German readers will be very excited about this. (Although I have to say I wasn't in love with the OPI Swiss collection.) These colors look interesting for fall, there's a couple in there that have definitely caught my eye.

GERMANY L to R: My Very First Knockwurst, Don’t Pretzel My Buttons, Berlin There Done That, Dont Talk Bach to Me, Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!, Schnapps Out of It, Suzi & The 7 Dusseldorfs, Every Month is Oktoberfest, Unfor-greta-bly Blue, Deutche You Want Me Baby, Danke-Shiny Red & German-icure by OPI.

What do you think? Will you be buying any of these?

Shimmer Twins Lashes

2012-03-25T18:48:00.000+02:00

Today I've got some pictures of these unique lashes from Shimmer Twins! I have the Red Cluster Heart and the Silver Star lashes. Both of these run at £15 a pop and are available for order at Asos.com

They are quite neat if you wanted to add a special touch to a costume or for a fancy dress party. The lashes themselves are synthetic and the band is quite thick, meaning they are a bit trickier than natural hair lashes to put on. The stars and the hearts are glued on to the lashes. I imagine a craftier person than I might be able to make lashes like these themselves.

I'm still trying to think of an appropriate look to use these for in a video!

What do you think - how would you wear these lashes? Let me know in the comments!

Spring Trend: Orange!

2012-03-22T01:57:00.002+01:00

If there's one color that's really in trend this season, it's orange. In fact, orange has been popping up everywhere more and more, not just in fashion and beauty. A while back I created a fall look using orange lipstick, which you can check back on here, but now I wanted to create a fresh, youthful and lighter look for spring.

Here's my video tutorial with the step by step instructions to recreate the look:

Face
Nars Sheer Glow foundation, L'Oréal Magic Lumi, Make Up Store Cover All Mix, Urban Decay Glide On Cheek Tint in Quickie

Eyes
MAC Paint in Bare Canvas, Kryolan eyeshadow trio in Goddess, MAC Shroom eyeshadow, MAC Blacktrack Fluidline, Quo brown eye pencil, Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara, Kryolan lashes Nr. 9371-TV5

Lips
Catrice Princess Peach lipstick, Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss in Torture

Nails
Catrice 360 Raspberry Fields Forever

Bridal Makeup Trials: What to Remember

2012-03-20T17:21:00.000+01:00

Today I had a bridal makeup trial with one of my clients, Sandra. Above you can see the look we came up with together. I thought I'd go into detail how I go about working with clients, and what I feel needs to happen during the bridal makeup trial.

Previous to the appointment I talked to Sandra on her overall wishes for the look, if she had something specific in mind. Some brides will be very concrete about their wishes and have pictures from magazines to show you, others might be completely clueless and need your guidance to pick out something appropriate. In this case, it's helpful to have a peek at the wedding dress if one has already been purchased, and any jewelry and accessories that will be worn on that day. You should also get an overall feel for the bride's personality to see if she would prefer a more bolder, dramatic look, or something very understated.

In Sandra's case, she had a basic idea of what she wanted. She told me she wanted her look to be inspired by Arab makeup, but without the harsh typical eyeliner and sharp corners. She wanted the colors to be a bit more pronounced than normal, with a strong crease blend, but the overall look should still be soft and flattering. She wasn't too specific about which colors she preferred, just that she didn't want any bright bold ones. She also told me she's getting eyelash extensions for the wedding, and she would be removing her nose ring.

Sandra arrived at my house (I prefer to do trial runs at my place), and over a cup of coffee we went on the Internet together and looked at some Arab makeup pictures. I had already got an idea of what she wanted, but I needed to figure out a few details. Together we decided an overall softer look would be more flattering, and more suited to her features and her dress. Then I showed her my palettes to see what colors she liked most, but in this case she relied mostly on my judgement to pick what looks good together. I showed her a few combinations of flattering shades in both matte and pearl finish, and then came up with the look above.

During a trial run it's also a good idea to try out different things. For example, you can see she's wearing two different colored liners on her waterline, and I used different blushes on each cheek. We also did two lip variations until we decided on this one. It's a good time to see what works and what looks nicer for the big day.

I then proceeded to do the makeup on her in natural daylight close to a window, as that will be the condition which she will be photographed in. It's also the best place to make sure the foundation is perfectly matched and evenly blended into the neck and bust line. During the process I showed her a mirror a few times so she could see how things were progressing. Try to make it enjoyable and relaxing for your client; I played some nice music in the background, burned some home fragrance oil, and made sure everything was clean and tidy.

After all the makeup was done, I gave her a mirror to go outside and see how it looked. I asked her if there was anything she would want different on her wedding day, which liner she preferred, etc. Take note of any changes that you will need to make on the big day - Sandra said she wanted a deeper color lipliner and less highlighting around the cheekbones.

Remember that even though you are the makeup artist, your paying client makes the final decision. You can give suggestions and guidance on what looks best, but in the end if they want something that you personally don't think looks good, it's their call. If they want to wear hot pink lips with dark smokey eyes, then just follow their wishes and try to make it as flattering as possible.

Finally I made a Word document of all the products I used on her and placement, so that I will remember exactly on the wedding day. Make a list for your client of products they might need to purchase for touch-ups (unless you are on-hand throughout the wedding), for example blotting powder, lip products, etc. Discuss the final arrangements of the wedding day, how much time you need and when and where to arrive. Also be sure to have your financial aspects in order at this time, such as down payments, contracts, etc. You don't want to be talking money to a stressed out bride on her wedding day! This is also to protect yourself, to make sure you get paid. If you are doing makeup on other members of the bridal party, be sure to discuss that in advance and schedule enough time. Give your client your business card if she needs to contact you, and be sure you have their contact details.

That's it! Happy makeup-ing! I'll be sure to post some final pictures of Sandra's makeup on her big day!

Bold Black Eyes Makeup Tutorial

2012-03-15T20:20:00.002+01:00

Black eye makeup - it's one of my favorites, but it can be hard to pull off if you don't want to look gothic. I think the trick to making a harsh color such as black more wearable is to combine it with softer, feminine colors, like pinks or neutrals for example. If done right, black eye makeup can look very mysterious and appealing!

Watch my video tutorial for the step by step instructions how I achieved this look.

Face
Nars Sheer Glow foundation in Mont Blanc, Make Up Store concealer, Barry M Natural Dazzle bronzer, MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Play it Proper, La Femme blush in Flamingo Pink

Eyes
MAC Greasepaint Stick in black, MAC Neutral Pink (LE), MAC Shroom, Sugarpill Bulletproof, MAC Feline kohl pencil, Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara, MAC Lingering brow pencil, L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadow in Hourglass Beige

Lips
MAC Hue lipstick

Nailpolish
Catrice - Sing: Oh Champs Élysées

Watch the video directly on Youtube here

Make Up Store Swatches and Review

2012-03-12T17:52:00.005+01:00

I was recently invited to sample some products from a Swedish cosmetic brand called Make Up Store. The brand is not available in all countries yet, but in a few select cities in Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, USA, Denmark, Mexico, Indonesia, and several others. You can see where the brand is available on their website; however, some of the locations are not accurately listed, which is a bit disappointing. I briefly browsed through their store on my last trip in Berlin at the Alexa mall, but I was short on time so didn't have the opportunity to really check it out thoroughly.

Their cosmetic range is wide, including an entire makeup line in a plethora of bright and neutral colors, and they also offer skincare, nail polish, and hair products. Their makeup line is sold in free standing stores, and the prices are mid- to higher-end for European department store standards. For example, the suggested retail price for an eyeshadow is 13 Euros, a lipstick 17 euros.

I find their website a bit incomplete, as some prices are listed, others are not. There is currently no online shop for international delivery, so the only way to purchase their products is if you have a location nearby. I'm unsure if an online shop is in the works.

Here are some product pictures of what I have.

Clockwise from left: Microshadows in Diva, Ruby, Varieté, Sunrise, Satin

My first impression of the eyeshadows is good, they are well pigmented and the colors are very pretty. The ones above all have a shimmery finish. You get 3.5 grams of product per eyeshadow. What I dislike about them is the packaging, it's incredibly flimsy and the hinge is poorly constructed, so poorly that the lids easily pop off, as you can see in the first shadow on the lower left. They also look tricky to depot, and if you're more of a palette user like me, these shadows are quite bulky to store.

Left to right: Cybershadows in Ginger Leaf, Babydoll

I have no idea what the difference is between the Cybershadows and the Microshadows, and I wasn't provided with any PR pamphlets to teach me about the products, so my guess is as good as yours. The Cybershadows are smaller in size and offer 2 grams of products each, and have a frosty finish. The pigmentation seems nice again, but the packaging is again flimsy and poorly hinged.

Clockwise from Left: Eyedust in Paragon, Glitter in Luna, Eyedust in Hectic, Eyedust in Darkness

These are the Make Up Store's version of glitters and pigments, and I honestly can say I would not purchase these because the packaging is abysmal. I honestly think this is some of the worst packaging I have ever experienced with a cosmetic product. The lid opens, underneath which is a second lid that has a "stopper" to prevent the pigment from spilling. What seems as a great idea is actually so badly implemented, because you have to apply so much force to open the second stopper that by doing so, you spill the product all over your hands, your working space, and the pigment gets all over the lid. It is by far one of the messiest endeavors I have ever undertaken, that I can honestly say I will probably never use these because I don't appreciate having to clean up the entire area and wash my hands after each use. It's a shame really, because the colors look quite pretty. The only way to improve these is by completely changing the packaging, as is they are just unusable on a practical level.

Left to Right: Lipsticks in Yarn (metallic), Pout, Dare (matte)

The lipsticks were the stand-outs to me! They are incredibly pigmented, long-lasting and the colors are some of the brightest I have ever seen. The lipsticks go on very smoothly without feathering and are opaque in one swipe. Yarn is a slightly sheer mango color, Pout is a blend of hot pink and cherry red, and Dare is an almost neon orange that definitely lives up to its name. There was some staining of the lips with Pout and Dare upon removal, because the colors are so intense and pigmented. The packaging is sleek and elegant, and I had no issues with it. Here are some quick swatches on my lips.

Pout

Yarn

Dare

Left to right: Pout, Dare, Yarn

Swatches of all the eyeshadows and the lipsticks, without a base.

I also have one of the cream highlighters, known as the High Tech Lighter in the shade Venus. This cream product is reminiscent of MAC's Cream Color Base in Hush. It is a peach shade with a pearlescent golden finish, very flattering as a cheekbone highlight, and a little goes a long way.

Lastly I have two nailpolishes to show you, neither of which I have worn yet so I can't give you a review yet. To be honest I am not crazy about either color, but here is a bottle picture to start. They are both from their Hologram range, but neither one looks particularly holographic to me. Aqua Fix is a pale white cream color, and Greta looks like a silver with multi-tonal sparkle.

(Update: I've been told the white is a base coat for holographic polishes, and that Greta is actually extremely holographic when applied. I will have to try it out and post a swatch later, as I'm pretty intrigued now!)

Left to Right: Aqua Fix, Greta

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

I have mixed feelings about this brand judged on the products I was sent. I think their range offers some really exciting and unique colors, and I remember feeling very impressed when I briefly visited the store in Berlin. The line reminds me of bold brands like MAC, Makeup Forever and Inglot, and if you enjoy bright colors, Make Up Store is definitely worth having a peek into.

The packaging on the shadows and pigments is sub-par, the technical issues especially on the pigments to me is unacceptable for the price point. Packaging should be user friendly on the first instance, and the pigments failed on this account completely. The eyeshadow hinges are flimsy and easily come apart.

Since this was a press send out, I wasn't able to pick my own colors, and some of the things I received just weren't my personal taste. I think that if I was in the store and was able to pick out my own products, my experience would be a lot different. The lipsticks and some of the eyeshadow colors are certainly very promising, and the quality of the actual products also seems very good. I am very interested to hear more from this brand, and I can only hope they seriously think about repackaging their products to make them more user friendly and sturdy. I'm really looking forward to incorporating these products in my videos.

For further information about Make Up Store and where to buy their products, please go their website: http://www.makeupstore.se/

What I'm Wearing: Red & Black Leather

2012-03-08T21:04:00.001+01:00

I don't know what it is, but I'm somehow always drawn to black and red together. I've been looking for the perfect black leather biking jacket, and am willing to splurge on it, but I still haven't seen one that I've fallen in love with, so until then I'll just opt for a faux leather option.

Right now Switzerland is in that in-between-winter-and-spring phase so it's still ok to wear these warmer and more winter season clothes. Although I have to say I'm absolutely loving the bright colors coming, and can't wait to do some spring shopping.

Check the video for a breakdown of my outfit, and details where to buy.

Jacket: H&M (Divided line)
Top: New Yorker
Pants: Vero Moda (Asos.com)
Boots: Steve Madden black suede leather (bought at DSW in New York last year)
Purse: Badgley Mischka black genuine leather
Ring: Asos.com
Watch: Kenneth Cole
Earrings: Asos.com
Nailpolish: OPI Malaga Wine
Makeup: L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadow in Amber Rush 892, Illamasqua Maneater lipstick, L'Oreal Infallible 8 Hour Gloss in Mirror Underneath Nr. 320, MAC Blushbaby blush

Retro inspired Date Look

2012-03-06T01:03:00.002+01:00

On Valentine's Day I posted my makeup look I wore that day on Instagram. If you have the Instagram app on your iPhone, you can follow my stream, my username is mizzchievouz. It's a free app and really fun for sharing pictures using your phone. It was one of my most popular pictures and many of you requested a tutorial on the look. It was a really simple makeup, slightly inspired by a retro 60s look but without going overboard.

Here's the original Instagram picture:

Here is the breakdown of the look. These are the exact same products I used on that day, remember that the Instagram filters make the colors look slightly different than they truly are.

Face
Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation, Maybelline Age Rewind concealer, Lancome Teint Miracle concealer, Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pink Raspberry

Eyes
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe, MAC Satin Taupe, MAC Malt, Ben Nye Toast, MAC Blacktrack Fluidline, Max Factor kohl pencil in Natural Glaze, L'Oreal Volume Million Lash mascara

Lips
Barry M Lipstick Nr. 100, Revlon Lipgloss in Peach Petal

Nailpolish
Barry M - 119 Baby Pink

Watch my video below for the step by step tutorial!

Thanks for watching and your feedback - it's always appreciated.

xo,
Julia