5 Months Pregnant: Maintain your Fabulousness!

Happy 5 months to my baby angel! We are halfway there.  I'm so so excited!  Pregnancy is definitely more fun in the second trimester.  I feel better and I definitely have more energy.  Luckily I'm still fitting into my regular clothes but kinda tight at the belly.  So I'm opting for more lose clothing gradually and eventually I'll be working my way into some maternity clothing.

 I'm wearing a basic grey t-shirt I got it at some random little shop, with mossimo cheetah print pants and xhiliration metallic ballet flats from Target.  My necklace is from Forever 21.  A beautiful statement necklace really takes a basic t-shirt to a whole new level.

 

Aqua Lip Liner in 15c

Rouge Artist Intense 10 (pink on far right)

I'm waring Urban Decay's Electric liner all on the lid blended well with a brush, and from my Coastal Scents 252 palette I applied a mint eye shadow on top to really make the color more minty blue.  I added a matte grey shadow also from the Coastal Scents 252 palette on the crease.  On the lips I have on Aqua Lip by Makeup Forever in 15c and Makeup Forever Lipstick in 10.

What do you guys think?  As a mommy to be I feel EXTRA beautiful these days and the need to look EXTRA beautiful because I am carrying a precious life in me, a little miracle from God.  So shine, shine, shine, while your pregnant!

xoxo,
Marilu

Fresh Face Makeup & Review For Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation

Today was all about getting errands done.  I had to go get my eyebrows threaded and thankfully I finally found a place here in Charleston that does it.  I did some grocery shopping as well and other quick things.  Usually when running around doing errands I'm all about convenience with my makeup.  I want something that is going to be fast, but yet something that is going to look beautiful and fresh.  I'm going to give you the run down on what I used for my makeup.  

Here are the essentials.  Revlon's Photoready Airbrush foundation, Scott Barnes honey palette, Victoria Secret Beauty Rush Bronzer, Makeup Forever Aqua Eyeliner in 3L, and not pictured is Zoom Lash mascara by MAC.  

This is how the Revlon foundation is presented at your local drug store, Walmart, Target, etc.  They come in various shades.  The price is $10.49 (price may vary in different stores) and the color I use is Natural Beige.  I recommend reading any information that is related to the foundation on this unit just so you can get a better understanding.

I really was in need of a foundation and as you know I'm a diva on a budget, so I decided to try this one out for now until I'm ready to buy my higher end foundation. (I will tell you which high end foundation I use in another post! So stay tuned!)

The packaging comes in a pump.  When you pump the foundation it will form a round, mouse texture bubble like the picture shown below on the left side and on the right side is when it flattens out when you use a foundation brush to grasp some of the product.

Be careful when you pump the foundation when you are ready to use it.  Each pump really gives a generous amount.  The first time I tried it I had put too much on the back of my hand.  I did not want to waste it, so I just added more coverage on the areas I felt needed to be concealed more.  

This foundation gives great coverage.  It goes on smoothly.  I feel for the price, you're getting a good quality foundation.  If you have oily skin this may not be your favorite only because it has a little bit of a dewy finish.  If you really want to try it I suggest setting it with an oil absorbing powder and caring your powder with you for touch ups throughout the day.  I have combination skin, so I felt this was okay on me.  Going into the colder seasons this would definitely be a great foundation on my skin.  And of course if you have drier skin, you definitely will like the feel and finish of this makeup.

This foundation is perfect for picture taking.  Revlon states that it's photochromatic pigments minimize the appearance of flaws for a smooth, poreless look.  How fabulous is that!?

I used Loreal Magic Lumi concealer in Light which is so easy and fast to apply because it has a brush wand.  I love this.  It looks beautiful on.    

Scott Barnes Honey Chic Palette

For my blush I used Scott Barnes Honey pallet.  I mainly used the coral color on the left hand side.  The lightest color I added as a highlight to my cheek bones and that is the far right color.

Victoria Secret Beauty Rush Bronzer

My sister got me one of these Victoria Secret bronzers for my birthday and I just tried it today.  Let me tell you,  these are AWESOME!  It has great pigmentation and yet it looks so natural.  I loved how my skin looked in it.  I would have never known if she wouldn't have given me this as a gift, so BIG thank you to my sis! :)

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes in 3L

Eyes are important especially when you are on the go.  You want something that pops, but you don't have all the time in the world  to work on your eyeshadow, so what I did is I used the Makeup Forever Aqua Eyeliner in 3L.  I lined all my upper lid with it and then used a firm brush to blend it all over.  I also went over my underline with this color.  Then I applied some of MAC's Zoom lash mascara.

Of course can't stress it enough fill in those brows. I used Anastasia Duo Powder.  For my lips I just used a discontinued MAC coral lipstick with  MAC's stripdown lip liner.  Another product I used was Chanel's Khol Natural Beige liner for the water line.

This makeup was quick, easy, effortless, but yet it's put together and that's how you want to look even when you run errands because then you feel good about yourself.  Take pride into taking care of yourself! :)

My Review for Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Tenacious Teal

I'm wearing a Bebe midi dress with Bebe rhinestone hoop earrings. My two bracelets are from Forever 21. On my eyes I'm wearing Maybelline's  Color Tattoo in Tenacious Teal.  They come in different shades, but basically they are cream eye shadows.  It promises to stay on 24 hrs. It stayed pretty darn good on me.  I recommend putting it on with a brush.  What I like about using cream shadows is that when you are ready to put on your regular shadow over, the whole color becomes more vibrant.  The eye shadows stay put and create a smooth canvas for your lid.  

I wanted a little more of a pop so I added an Inglot eyeshadow on top.  I'm not sure what the color is called but it's very similar to MAC's Electric Eel color.  I used MAC's Carbon on the corners and crease. Other products I used were Nars Orgasm blush, Rimmel's moisture renew lipstick in Pink Chic and Smashbox bronzer.

If you get the chance you should try out color tattoo's by Maybelline.  I think they are fabulous and come in beautiful colors.  Over all I was pretty pleased with this product.  I like to incorporate drug store makeup on my makeovers.  There is some great stuff out there.  I know it's hard to find what is really good out there but that's why you have me.  I will review these items so you can get a better idea of them. Just keep checking back. :)

xoxo,

Ari

Getting Creative Wearing All Black For Work.

As a makeup artist I strictly have to wear ALL black.  Accessories can only be gold, silver, bronze, and black.  The reason for that is for our makeup to stand out and be the center focus.

I have to get creative when I combine outfits for work because if not I literally get in this funk.  It's important for me to look my best because that is when I feel my best and vice versa.

As you guys know I'm all about affordable fashion.  I am not a millionaire so I can not splurge on luxury items, if not I would and I would still shop affordable.  And if I do splurge on something it's because I've worked hard and saved.  After all fashion is an investment and so is makeup. ;)

If you have a job that requires you to wear all black, I'm going to give you some tips so read on.  If you just want to try out the black on black trend go for it.  I've been seeing it around a lot lately.

Let's talk accessories.  The bracelet I'm wearing is from 2b.  If you can't find it at the store go online at www.2bstores.com.  You will learn I'm a HUGE online shopper!  I'm wearing diamond studs I got for Valentine's Day from my hubby.  My necklace is from Forever 21.  It has leopard print designs on the some of the stones.  My belt is from Forever 21, and a  Michael Kors watch. 

The great thing about black is you can mix endless accessories with it.  You can even accessorize with color.  Unfortunately I can't for work attire, but if you can add that splash, do it!  Personally I love a lime yellow combined with black.  

Accessory Tip:  It's all about a statement piece! Add it into your outfit.

Clothing:  My top is from TJ Maxx.  The back has a little bit of lace and My skirt is from 2b.  

A lot of people thought I was wearing a maxi dress.  It created that illusion because of the belt.  This was bohemian chic inspired.  

Clothing Tip:  When combining black on black play around with textures such as leather, chiffon, mesh, sequin etc.  That keeps an outfit interesting instead of just drowning in all black.  Jazz it up with outerwear like a cute vest or blazer.

Makeup:  Main key items used on my makeup was MAC's skinfinish from the Heavenly Creatures collection.  This is amazing.  It gives great color.  

For my eyes I mainly used the Naked Palette by Urban Decay.  This is one of my fav's.  Because I was  going for a Bohemian chic look I kept my makeup soft and natural.

Makeup tip:  Depending what look is inspiring you make sure your makeup fits in well with your look. Experiment with color and don't be afraid to try something different; colored liner, bold lip, soft eye etc.  And make sure to fill in those brows.

Shoes:  The shoes I wore are from Aldo.  I like these because of the gold hardware in them.  These definitely went with my look and I was comfy at work all day.  

Shoe tip:  You can get so ridiculously creative with shoes as far as color and style.  Always make it flow with your outfit.  I'm a firm believer that shoes can make or break an outfit.

Hope this helps you guys.  Especially for my divas who have to wear all black to work!

xoxo,

Ari

H&M Head to Toe

Happy Friday to all of you! Here is this fabulous outfit I want to share with you.  I'm wearing an H&M top and H&M crop black pants with black court heels.  The cute little bow bracelet is from Forever 21.

I love how the top has a leather collar on it.  It gives it a little edge. I'm also wearing small diamond studs from H&M.  Jewelry is kept to a minimum because I wanted to go for a classy look and did not want to feel overdone.  This outfit is perfect for work, a girls night dinner and drinks, or even Sunday church.

My hair is up in a messy bun with  a thick black head band from Goody.  I wanted to show off that edgey collar for sure! I  did my makeup with the emphasis on my eyes and a nude lip, with Rosy cheeks to make it soft and romantic.  What do you think?

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!
xoxo
Ari