Tutorial Tuesday: BurgundyxPurplexGold

I'm really loving this makeup look via xxTheIslandBeautyxx. I think I'm going to have to try this in the near future. I will let you all know how it turns out!



For more of her tutorials check out her YouTube channel here.

*peace love & couture*

Tutorial Tuesday: Copper Erosion via Makeup by Candie

I have posted yet another tutorial from Makeup by Candie. No surprise here. I love her techniques and her blending is beyond belief. I'm really into neutral eyes right now and this really just stuck out to me. While she has been doing a lot of wild and crazy colors that are just as beautiful, this look here by far is one of my favorites that she has done. Here is Copper Erosion....

*peace love & couture*

Tutorial Tuesday: Sparkly Brown Eye

Love this tutorial and look by DulceCandy87. Such a lovely look but so simple to recreate.




Hope you enjoy! If you don't have the money to spend on the NARS eyeshadow, I would suggest MAC's "mulch" as a dupe for the color that she used. Its just as beautiful and highly pigmented. You can view more of her tutorials here and make sure you follow her blog as well.

*peace love & couture*

Bridal Makeup Tips via Suresh Beauty

Suresh

I know so many women that are getting married within the next year and make up for that big day is very important. I came across some things to keep in mind while looking at Suresh Beauty's website and thought I would share with many bride to bes.

"Your make up has to withstand long hours of wear and tear, sweat, tears and possibly rain. Application is vital to a truly beautiful look." I highly suggest makeup trials. Make sure the makeup lasts for hours. Take pictures inside as well as outside to see how your face shows in pictures.




Here are some tips Suresh has to offer:

Face
-clean flawless skin is key
-focus on concealing dark spots and smoothing out uneven areas

Eyes
-shades of cream, gold, cocoa and bronze bring out the best in all eye colors
-delicate false lashes help create the look of refreshed eyes and rejuvenated skin

Cheeks
-add extra blush to make up for all the hugs and kisses
-shades of mauve and rose are universally flattering

Lips
-forego rich color for a light breezy gloss or sheer lipstick
-staying true to natural lip color is always best.


I hope these tips are helpful as you keep make up in mind for your big day. For more make up tips and tricks follow @SureshBeauty on twitter!

*peace love & couture*

Tutorial Tuesday: DIY Brush Cleaner

A few years ago I came across a DIY recipe to make your own brush cleaner. I got tired of buying the brush cleaner from the MAC counter because it was just too expensive for how often I was cleaning my brushes. A fellow blogger The Bubbling has posted the same DIY recipe on her blog and I thought I would share it with you.

All you need are a few simple ingredients that you already have around your house.

• shampoo
• dish detergent
• rubbing alcohol
• water

I have used this recipe before and I have to say its very convenient and it works! Click here for the complete post. The only additional product I use is a leave in conditioner (for your hair) to keep the bristles of your brushes soft. I deep clean my brushes once a week and spot clean them after every use. If you don't, you will see why you should. Your face will break out...I guarantee you.

Couture Tip: If you don't have time to really saturate your brushes for a deep clean and want to spot clean them, I recommend using a makeup remover wipe and simply wipe your brush across it. It will get most pigments off and will dry quicker.

*peace love & couture*

Makeup Monday: Spring Eyes with Fully BEATable

Today's Makeup Monday comes by way of Fully BEATable. Click here for the complete post from her blog. One of my favorite spring/summer colors is aqua and I'm a sucker for a peachy nude lip. Such a wonderful smokey yet vibrant eye to wear this spring. Make sure to check her blog for complete product listing.

Couture Tip: Makeup Counter Etiquette

I've heard and read some disturbing things from some women about experiences at their local makeup counter. Often times I hear of terrible experiences at the hand of the MUA on the other side of the counter, however I am starting to hear some things on the side of the consumer that just don't sit well with me.

I feel that women should behave better when they go to a makeup counter and solicit help from an artist. Granted often times they aren't licensed, however, they most likely still know more than you and are more knowledgeable of the products.

Makeup Monday: MUA Darrell Martin

Today's Makeup Monday love comes to us by way of MUA Darrell Martin. I think this is the perfect porno pink lip that many women of color try to pull off but can't. Loving the contouring of the face and the bubblegum pinkness of it all.

*peace love & couture*

Tutorial Tuesday: Fun Colors with Sugarpill Cosmetics

Tutorial Tuesday

@NiNiLuvsMakeup

Fun Colors Using Sugarpill Cosmetics

Today's tutorial comes by way of @niniluvsmakeup. I love the way she blends colros and makes eyes pop with nude lips. And I love that she used the Viva Glam Gaga 2. I'm so ready for spring and I really love this color combo. And I'm really digging her Hello Kitty mirror! Very cute.

*peace love & couture*

MakeUp Monday: DChinchilla

photo credit: Daniel Chinchilla

I absolutely j'adore this look that was posted by makeup artist Daniel Chinchilla (@DChinchilla) on twitter last night. He did both the hair and makeup. Absolutely stunning and better than most of the hair and make up that I saw on the redcarpet at the Academy Awards last night. The curls are perfect and dreamy and the eyes are captivating. Lovely work! You can see more of Daniel's work here.

*peace love & couture* 

Tutorial Tuesday: S&M Eyes with Makeup by Candie

TUTORIAL TUESDAY

Look: "S&M Eyes"

Artist: MakeupbyCandie

Today's tutorial comes from MakeupbyCandie. I absolutely adore the way she blends her shadows. Flawless. This look is one that she posted last week from Rihanna's S&M video. I think this is very appropriate for spring that is quickly approaching.

Hope you enjoy!

For more tutorials from Candace make sure you check out her youtube channel and follow her on Twitter @MakeupbyCandie.

Source: Makeup by Candie

*peace love & couture*

Makeup Monday: MUA Renny Vasquez

Just some Makeup Monday love. Today's photos come from MUA Renny Vasquez. Love these photos. I can never get enough of a smokey grey eye and a pinky/peachy nude lip. Hope you enjoy as well.

photo credit: Renny Vasquez Beauty

*peace love & couture*

Makeup Monday: MUA Kelley Woods

Just a little Makeup Monday inspiration from one of my make up mentors Kelley Woods. Here she has teamed up with her photographer husband to produce something amazing and beautiful. I hope you enjoy the images as much as I do.

Source: Clark Bailey Photography

*peace love & couture*

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Her! Cosmetics

Valentine's Day is only 10 days away. I know some people wait until the last minute to purchase things or even come up with an idea of what to purchase for that matter. Just wanted to give you a little help. And when I say gifts for her, I don't only mean gifts from a man to a woman. These could be gifts that you gift your female best friend, your mother or a female lover (I am not one to judge).

I'm all for purchasing gifts that are personal and have taken some thought. Its just a couture touch to gift giving that lets the recipient know that you took the time out to think about them and not just buy anything. Get something that will last and if its something that is fleeting make sure its a moment that they will remember for a lifetime.

In this post I'm going to focus on the beauty crazed person in your life. Here are some things you can purchase

B. Scott Double Kisses Lipgloss
Keyshia Dior's Secret Kisses Lipstick
MAC's Tough Love collection
Crackle Nail Polish

*peace love & couture*

How Young Is Too Young for For Makeup?

QUESTION OF THE DAY

How young is too young to wear makeup?






Sam Fine

 At what age is it appropriate to start wearing foundation and other makeup products? According to beauty expert Sam Fine 14 is the perfect age for young girls to start experimenting with makeup. While he is not a proponent for young teens to have a dark smokey eye or wear heavy foundations and bold lipsticks, there are a few things that he says young girls should do.

Young girls (around age 14) should start:

• grooming brows
• proper skin care
• start the using a light application of a pressed powder
• lip gloss
• a little mascara

"If a girl is using deodorant, tampons and wearing a bra, they can begin to groom their brows, wear lip gloss and a thin coat of mascara and powder" -Sam Fine

I do remember growing up that a large number of my friends started wearing makeup between the ages of 13 and 15. Apparently it was a really big deal to them. I personally didn't start wearing tons of makeup until college. I was a tomboy growing up and makeup just wasn't my thing, however I was always concerned with having clear skin and wanted clean brows. So I guess according to Sam Fine I was right on track. Despite the fact that I was a late bloomer in the world of makeup, my mother tells me a story of a time when I was 2 years old. She said I accompanied her to a party and I took it upon myself to go through a woman's purse and I found some red lipstick. At the age of 2, she said I put the lipstick on perfectly without a smudge and without a mirror. My mother said she knew from that point on I was going to be addicted to makeup at some point in my life. It took 20 years...but it happened.


When did you start wearing makeup? How much did you wear?

*peace love & couture*

Make Up Monday: Concealer

Hey there Couture Cuties! Today's #MakeupMonday post is dedicated to concealer. It's a wonderful product if you use it correctly. I think there are so many women that don't know how to use it to enhance their face and how they think they are supposed to use it. To help you out I have a few tips and tricks along with some do's and don'ts.

1. Concealer by definition is meant to conceal dark spots or areas on the face. You don't need to put it on your entire face. That's just way too much. If you feel you need to conceal  your whole face, then you need to find a new foundation.
2. Your concealer should be 1 to 2 shades lighter than your complexion depending on where you intend to place it.
3. Always apply concealer with a brush and not simply your finger. Brushes provide a better application and blending than fingers.

Consistency
The consistency of your concealer depends on the coverage you need and where you will be wearing it. If you're putting concealer under the eye you should use a liquid. When using concealer to highlight the brow bone and provide shape definition use a concealer that is heavier. A heavier concealer will cover stray hairs (if you have any) better than a liquid.

Brushes
When applying concealer under the brow bone or to blemishes you a stiff concealer brush to allow for more control and precision. When applying concealer under the eye as a highlighter or to conceal dark circles, use a fluffy brush to allow for better blending. It will give a more buffed and polished look.

Until next time....

*peace love & couture*

Tutorial Tuesday: DIY Bridal Look

A friend of mine just got engaged over the holidays so we're all excited to plan her nuptials! I've got make up (as always) and weddings on the brain. I know not every bride may have it in her budget to afford an artist on that special day or just may not trust anyone else to touch her face.

For those who want to do their own make up I think this tutorial is a wonderful look for a wedding day. Youtuber lilpumpkinpie05 came up with this "DIY Bridal Tutorial"

*Peace Love & Couture*

Couture News! B. Scott Beauty

B. Scott Beauty!

B.Scott

I nearly passed out and lost my ever loving mind when I learned that none other than the uber splendiferously divine and ALWAYS beat down B.Scott will be coming out with his very own beauty line in 2011. How amazing is this? The line will include a "double kisses" lipgloss that I can't wait to apply the same way he does.

I can't wait to get my hands on these products. As I get more information I'll be sure to share it with all of my couture cuties.

So in honor of B.Scott and "Tap Yo Neighbor Tuesday" I'm going to ask you "Do you know who B.Scott is?!?" If you don't know who B. Scott is then here is a little taste for you honey.... DOUBLE KISSES! *muah muah*

My First Blush

My First Blush!

My first blush was many moons ago at the MAC counter (of course). I had no clue what I was doing and asked for advice. I was swayed into buying "Breath of Plum" a light plum sheer tone color. I still use it to this day. Its such a beautiful color.

What was your first blush? Do you still use it to this day? Let me know!

**CC Couture**

Tutorial Tuesday: NYE Glittery Eye

Here is a make up look that is all too appropriate for partying and bringing in the new year. MissChriss82 does a wonderfully blended and pop of glitter eye for you in this tutorial.