Hot Smokey Summer Eye

Turn up the heat with this smoldery eye! I haven't been feeling all that great this past week but inspiration struck and now I give you the silent movie era of makeup tutorials =). The music makes me want to do a 1920's flapper look...and I think I just might!!! My fav part is that it took my husband this long to show me how to speed up videos and change transitions. I feel like I am BURSTING with new ideas now!!! This video normally would have been 8 min long but since I sped it up to match the theme it's HALF that! Also, I hold up a brown shadow toward the beginning and don't tell you the name is Embark from MAC.

Well, I am off to bed for more sleep. I need it since my son's birthday party is coming up and I want to kick this sickness to the CuRb! Get this, he asked for a Halloween Birthday Bash in June =). I am beYOND excited since that is one of my FAVORITE holidays. Can I share the invites with you?

 We made a mold of his finger, roughed it up, tied a reminder ribbon around it and laid it on a soft bed of reindeer moss. I was DYING when I saw how cute and little his fingers were =). Thank you Martha!!!

Makeup 101 Guest Tutorial: Adding A Pop of Colour To Your Everyday Makeup

It's Makeup 101 time! We haven't done in a while so I thought it would be fun to have loyal Makeup Junkie reader, aspiring makeup artist, and friend Olivia, do a fun tutorial. She's young, gorgeous and full of creative ideas. Enjoy!

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. That means it’s time to ditch the winter wardrobe and bring colour back into the mix. This season is all about bright and bold colours. Make-up should be about accentuating your natural beauty but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your look a little more fun and flirty!

Check out these two looks to spice up your daily routine:

Look 1: This first look is meant to play up a neutral eye. You still maintain a natural look but with the blink of an eye a little daring colour is exposed.

Steps: Begin by sweeping a taupe shadow over the lid. Use the same colour to define your bottom lash line. Then use an orange shadow (such as MAC eyeshadow in Red Brick) to define your crease. To finish off the eyes, line the top and bottom lid with a brown eyeliner (try MAC fluidline in Rich Ground) and apply mascara.

To add colour to your cheeks, mix your orange eyeshadow and a bit of bronzer and blend into the apples of your cheeks and sweeping towards your hairline. I also used a little concealer on my lips to neutralize any pink tone and added tons of gloss.

Look 2: This next look brings spring flare to the classic black eyeliner look.

Steps: Start by adding a skin tone shadow to neutralize the eye such as MAC pigment in Naked. Then line your eyes with red shadow (try Make Up For Ever’s red star powder). Make sure the line is a little thicker than you would normally apply eyeliner so that the red will peak through the black eyeliner. Once you have created a clean red line you can follow that with a thinner line of black eyeliner. It should look something like this:

You can finish the look off by adding white eyeliner to the inner corner of each eye (to brighten your eyes) and adding mascara to the top lashes. You can either leave your lips natural or add a bright red gloss (such as Kat Von D’s Underage Red) for a more dramatic effect.

About Olivia

I’ve been a Makeup Junkie my whole life. It all started when I was a young girl playing with my mom’s empty blush and eyeshadow containers. That soon developed into a Lip Smackers and Bonne Bell obsession. As I grew older I began exploring the many cosmetic brands Shoppers has to offer but when Sephora finally came to Canada I knew I had found home. For years I have hummed and hawed at the possibility of becoming a makeup artist. However, when it came time to choose a career I went with my passion in school, mathematics. Now that I have finished my degree, I finally feel free to pursue my real dreams. Recently an opportunity came up to move to London, England and I just couldn’t resist! While I’m there, I hope to attend the Academy of Freelance Makeup and find out once and for all if I’m cut out for a life in fashion and beauty!

Thank you Olivia for the lovely tutorial and we wish you the best of luck! What do you guys think? Would you wear this look or something similar to it?

Votre Vu Sale!!!

Marti is having a Votre Vu sale that you can't afford to pass up!!! All the celebrities are ALL about this skin care line and with this sale you can stock up and see why! Take it away Marti!

 Memorial Day Super Sale!

This weekend only I'm offering my super 30%-50% discount on our Votre Vu Skin Care products from Paris! This special sale is only offered once a year. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to stock up & pamper yourself with our luxurious French treats! 

Summer is almost here and it's the perfect time to try out our popular bronzers and fabulous anti-aging specialty products that are sure to help give you a gorgeous summer glow! 

Here's how it works:

Email, text or call me and I will enter your discounted order for you. This is not a corporate sale, so you will need to contact me directly so I can apply the discount for you. 

Your first 2 items will be at a 30% discount & the 3rd item you order (which is your highest priced item**) will be at a 50% discount!

30%+30%+50% = sweet deal!

All orders will be shipped directly to you (or gift recipient) within 4-5 business days.

Sale starts Saturday, May 28th @ 8am through Monday, May 30th @ 8pm (PST)

All orders $75 & up will receive a FREE special sample pack of

treats plus you have the opportunity to take advantage of our fantastic May Customer Special. Please open the attached file for more details about this award-winning product! 

Contact me today to start your healthy Vu summer glow now! 

Marti Quashnock

Founding Brand Ambassador

(503) 679-5284

www.votrevu.com/marti

** This does not include "sets" which are already discounted.

What Do You Love?

 Get your May favorites in to me before it's too late! The month is fast coming to an end and I want to hear what you have loved this month. Did you find a great new scent? A facial cleanser to die for? What about an eyeshadow color you can't live without? hare with the whole class won't you? =) Email them to me at dollcosmetics@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

So It's Not Monday

I saw this and thought...yes, this is true. I will pass this onto my ladies with all my love and support LOL. Yeah, I'm a nerd but you knew that ;). Here is what thedailyglow.com had to say about hiring a pro to handle your face on your special day:

Even if you're not a celebrity, there are certain occasions when you want to look your absolute best. Whether you're splurging for your wedding or a class reunion, you want a professional image for your new Web site, or you just want a sexy photo for an online dating profile, hiring a professional makeup artist can be totally worth it. I learned my lesson years ago when I did my own makeup for a television interview. I ended up looking so pale and sickly that my mother called and asked if I was ill! Now whenever I do a TV appearance or need to have photos taken, I have my makeup done professionally.


To find a makeup artist, ask for referrals from friends who have been pleased with their makeup. Hairstylists and wedding or event photographers are also likely to know who does good work.
When you contact the makeup artist, ask about his or her professional experience, what type of work she or he does, and what rate you can expect. Ask to see photos of the artist's work or speak to recent clients.
Depending on the type of event you're getting primped for, you may have other questions: Is the makeup artist available to work on other members of a wedding party? Will she or he stick around for touch-ups at a photo shoot or TV interview? If so, be sure to ask about additional costs.
Always do a trial run. You'd never wait until the day of a big event to put your dress on for the first time, would you? A trial run will help you and your makeup artist nail down the right look and prevent any ghastly surprises.

Summer Beauty Review: Looking Pale? 5 Bronzers To Give You That Faux Glow!

What is it about sun-kissed skin that everyone longs for? Hmm, I can think of a few reasons. You look healthier, don't have to wear as much makeup, and everyone thinks you just came back from the most fabulous getaway.

There are a variety of bronzers on the market to suit your fancy. Read up on what I think of this summer's latest bronzers-on-the-block!

1. Clinique Almost Bronzer SPF 15 ($34 CAD): They call this "almost bronzer" for a reason. If you have a bronzer phobia, but long for a touch of sun you will love this bronzer. The application is very, very sheer. It claims it's long-wearing, but because I received the Light/Medium sample I couldn't see it at all on my skin. It also says it's buildable which I'm sure is true if you have very fair skin. You can combine the two shades for an all over natural colour or use one to contour and the lighter to highlight. For me, this bronzer was a bust especially at $34, mainly because I couldn't truly test its potential and I didn't have a chance to try it on someone fairer than me. Anyone else try this?

2. Lancome Star Bronzer in #3 ($46 CAD): This long-wearing bronzer will be featured this summer in a new slim case with a clic closing. I love the embossed design - it reminds me of sun rays shining over the brand's classic rose emblem. It even has a rose scent to it. The bronzer is lovely on and the shimmer is very subtle so you get the most natural glow. The shade is very buildable and long-wearing. You won't have to worry about looking orange this summer - just pure golden baby! Keep in mind, it comes with a hefty price tag but if you love Lancome and love luxury bronzers this is one to get.

3. Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Beauty Balm in Bronzed ($34 CAD): These eco-friendly beauty balms of goodness are perfect for the "no makeup" makeup look. I love the glow it gives my skin. The sticks are very creamy and sinks into the skin leaving a gorgeous tint of colour behind. It doesn't leave a greasy residue. Don't expect these to last all day though. I found it lasted longer when I didn't prime or put any foundation on. On bare skin, it actually stayed better. These are perfect for when you want a bronzey tan on-the-go or when you're going to the beach. You can swipe the Bronzed shade on your lids, cheeks and lips and you're good to go. Keep in mind, if staying out in hot weather for a long time these can melt! Solution: throw it in with the drinks in your cooler!

4. Vasanti Brazilian Powder - Brightening Mineral Powder ($25 CAD):  First, the packaging is beautiful with its unique artisan inspired paperboard with hand made accents. Being the less pricier of the 5, this is an awesome bronzer for what you get. It contains a nutrient-rich formula with anti-aging properties to keep your skin looking radiant and youthful. It has a shimmery finish to it but instead of looking shiny it leaves a gorgeous sheen. You'll be glowing in all the right places! Tip: make sure your skin is properly powdered before applying. Because it is so velvety smooth, I found I had to buff my skin really well before it looked blended. 

5. Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Deep Chocolate (LE, $40 CAD): You want chocolate? This bronzer is a true rich chocolate. The finish is matte yet silky so you'll never look muddy or dirty. Deep Chocolate is one I recommend for medium-dark to deep skin. I'm no where as tanned as I would be in the height of summer, but if I use it sparingly it leaves a lovely bronzed finish to my skin. I also like using this to contour or as a shadow. It's also available in Rich Cocoa and might be better for someone who has fair to medium skin. Remember to use a bronzer buffing brush or a big powder brush to apply your bronzer so it leaves a believable natural tan! 

 Top - Bottom: Clinique, Lancome, Revolution Organics, Vasanti, and Bobbi Brown

Have you tried any of these bronzers? What are your favourite bronzers for a natural summer glow? 

Products were sent for editorial consideration and I truly love them.

Christina's Sugarpill giveaway!

Christina over at Confessions of a Glitterholic is having an exciting giveaway: an entire set of Sugarpill Chromalust samples! It ends 5/27/2011 so hurry over, read the rules, and ENTER HERE! (Also check out her swatches of all these lovely Sugarpill colors!)