Red Lipstick & Champagne Dreams: 2015

FACE THE HOLIDAY WITH NEUTROGENA | HOLIDAY PARTY TUTORIAL

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #FacetheHoliday #CollectiveBias



This time of the year can be very hectic for a lot of people, including myself. Between working full time, being a mommy and a blogger I can't always spend a ton of time on my makeup. When I get ready for my day I keep in mind the products that I'm using so that I can translate my look into other things.


While browsing the beauty aisles at Walmart I chose a couple of NEUTROGENA products that I think would work great with holiday looks and that could work during the day but would transition well into the night.

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SOFT & SIMPLE HOLIDAY MAKEUP FOR WOMEN OF COLOR


Notice anything different? I let my fro out to breath! Yay to feeling the wind in my scalp (kind of). This girl today said to me "why did you take out the blonde hair?" And in my head I said "cause who gon check me boo?" (that's basically my answer to everything these days) But the real reason is that I just missed my hair. I have very thick natural hair and it can be a lot of work to prep it for the next day, so if I just keep it braided and moisturized  under something then I don't have to worry about it.
This seems to be paying off because my hair has gained a lot of length, though I know I need a trim really bad. I want to get it straightened (professionally) so I can see what is really going on with it.

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4 EASY EYELINER TIPS TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE THE PERFECT WINGED EYELINER


I've been wanting to do this post for a little while now. I think there are a lot of people out there that would love to learn how to do a perfect winged eyeliner. And even though it looks hard and a little scary, it's actually pretty easy. Today I would like to share a couple of steps that have helped me become an expert at creating a winged eye liner not only on myself but on my clients as well. 

Now I also think it's very important to consider the fact that we all have different eye shapes. What we see on one person may not look the same on us. With that being said I believe that the eyeliner tips that I have outlined for you on this post today will help you create a winged eyeliner that works just for YOU!

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FESTIVE HOLIDAY MAKEUP LOOK + BH COSMETICS LIQUID LIPSTICK SWATCH | REVIEW




Can you believe that December is already here?! The snow has finally graced us with its lovely presence in MN (if you didn’t catch it I was being extremely sarcastic). But none the less, I do enjoy this time of year. I’m also super excited to be showing you some holiday makeup ideas. And since it’s the holiday season you know we gotta throw some glitter up and all around this blog!!!
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SOFT HOLIDAY MAKEUP LOOK





Hello my good people. Today's post is about the best time of the year....the holidays!!!!! I mean I think most people will agree that this is best time of the year. We get together with family and friends, we eat lots of delicious dishes and treats and sometimes we exchange gifts. It's a special time to show how much we love and appreciate those around us.

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THE BEST FOUNDATION FOR BLACK GIRLS


I haven't worn drug store foundation in a very long time, it has been years actually. And here is why: YOU CAN'T TRY IT ON!! I don't have the time or the patience to keep buying random foundation colors and having to return them. I have tried a few foundations over the years but I always go back to my MAC foundations. However I've been getting tired of them, but I also didn't want to spend a bunch of money on it either, so I decided to take a trip to Walgreens to find a new foundation. 
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Soft Makeup for the Fall/Winter



I feel like this season the main trend that is being shown for makeup is the super smokey eye or the really dark and bold lip. And I get it...we wait all year round to able to wear lipsticks as dark as some of our souls (haha just kidding) but I wanted to do something different this time, and soften up my look for the cold weather.

My inspiration came from all of the amazingly beautiful colors that we see during the fall months. Living in MN I'm blessed enough to see all of the seasons change and fall is one of my absolute favorites. I love to see all of the different colors around.


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Outre Annie Restyled


Hello friends, today I wanted to stop by and share with you how I restyle my Annie half wig from Outre. Don't you just hate it when your favorite hair or unit comes to an end?! Well I do. And if you find a bomb unit that is synthetic you know that it won't last long. 

Annie has to be one of my all time favorite purchases for my hair and I just couldn't bring myself to get rid of it. Watch the video bellow to see how I saved this unit





This post/video is not sponsored.  All opinions are my own.  All products mentions were purchased by me unless noted with an asterisk (*).
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Purple Glitter | Dramatic Fall Makeup






Are you tired of all of the fall makeup looks yet? No? Me either. This is the time where my favorite trends come alive and new ones are created. For sure I LOVE wearing darker lips and even though I'm not one to care about when it's appropriate to wear dark lipsticks it does fit better with this weather, The cold air just goes well with dark dramatic makeup (and a black leather jacket to complete the badass effect)

Today I was feeling inspired and I decided to do a more glam fall makeup look. I used purples because in my opinion purples are perfect for brown eyes and women of color. And you just can't go wrong with a purple ombre lip (right?!) 

To change it up a little bit I used some glitter. WARNING: It is not recommended that you use glitter near your eyes. It can irritate them if it falls in there or cause damage. So if you do decide to use glitter PLEASE be very careful!!!!

When I use glitter, I use duo lash glue to adhere it to my skin. This prevents the glitter from getting all over the place or falling in my eyes. I used a small angled brush that I didn't mind losing if it got ruined. I applied a small amount of glue to it and applied the glue to my lid, and before the glue dried I dipped the same brush into some glitter and applied the purple glitter over the glue. You have to be quick with it because the glue dries fast but you have to also be careful and precise. 

Since the eyes were a little more dramatic and I also wanted to add a bold lip I decided to add a light eye liner to my waterline. By using a light pencil you open up your eyes and it helps to soften the look as well. You could also use a white eye liner but in my opinion white eye liners makes the look bolder and it can be a little more harsh. But it all depends on the look you are going for. 

To create the ombre lip, I started with the darker color which was Cyber from MAC, and only applied it as an outline to my lips leaving the center empty. In the center I applied 3 Witches from Pretty Zombie Cosmetics (you can see it in all its glory with a review HERE)






There you have it folks. A dramatic purple makeup look with a sprinkle of glitter to brighten up your day! 



♥ PRODUCTS USED ♥

♥ eyes ♥

MAC Soft Ochre Paintpot
Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Palette
MAC Contrast e/s
MAC Shock-a-holic e/s
MAC Technakohl liner Risque
Liquid eye liner
Vegas Nay Lahes

♥ face ♥

MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Foundation
MAC Studio Finish Concealer
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contouring Palette (powder)
MAC Sunbasque Blush

♥ lips ♥ 

MAC Cyber lipstick
Pretty Zombie Cosmetics 3 Witches liquid lipstick

This post/video is not sponsored.  All opinions are my own.  All products mentions were purchased by me unless noted with an asterisk (*).

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TODAY'S LOOK? HOW WILL YOU TAKE YOUR MAKEUP TO THE NEXT LEVEL THIS FALL?


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THE PERFECT LOOK FOR FALL WITH MAYBELLINE

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FalsiesPushUpDrama #CollectiveBias




On my day to day life I like to keep my makeup as simple as possible. I want to look like I took a while getting ready but I don't want to put in all that time (let's be honest who really does?). And to me personally playing up our eye lashes is just as important as any other feature!

I'm a false lash fanatic. I love them!!! And when I do my makeup I always feel the need to wear some. Mostly because my natural lashes are really not all that on their own. And applying lashes can sometimes be really frustrating, even for someone like me who does it often.

With all of that being said I'm always on the lookout for a good mascara that will give my natural lashes the fullness and length of false lashes. And I was able to pick up Maybelline's new  The Falsie Push Up Drama at Wallmart and it did just that for me!




THE FALSIES PUSH UP DRAMA MASCARA ON ITS OWN




THE FALSIES PUSH UP DRAMA MASCARA ALONG WITH FALSE LASHES



The Falsie Push Up Drama mascara gives my lashes just a much volume and length as the false lashes did but without the hassle. And to be completely honest my eyes are a little sensitive so every now and then the lash glue can really irritate and burn my skin, so having a mascara that can give me the same results is a must for me.

For today's look I'm using Maybelline's Blushed Nudes Palette. It has some great nudes that allows you to create looks that are soft or a little more on the smokey side. I love that it's a smaller palette but it has every color that you'd need. I'm also so in love with the packaging!!!

On my brows I'm doing something a little different. I'm using the Brow Precise Shaping Pencil. What I really like about this pencil is that it has given me the same precision as when I use a gel and it stays on really well.


 Here is what I used for this look:

The Falsies Push Up Drama in Very Black
The Blushed Nudes eyeshadow palette
Brow Precise Shaping Pencil 

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3 MAC FALL LIPSTICK FAVORITES FOR WOMEN OF COLOR


Fall is here and what better way to bring in one of my favorite seasons than wearing beautiful lipsticks. One thing that I hear often from women of color is that they are afraid of color. As black women we are afraid to step outside of our comfort zones when it comes to makeup. In my humble opinion women of color can wear literally anything and look good! Off course some colors might have to be tweaked a little but they still work nonetheless. 

                         

Today I thought I would show you some of my favorite colors for this fall season. They work great for women of color but these are also great shades for everyone really! All three shades are from MAC. I know there are a ton of options when you step into a MAC store or counter, so I thought I would share three lipstick shades that are in trend for fall '15.
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COCOTIQUE September Box: Celebrating 2 Year Anniversary



Today I'm bringing you a review of COCOTIQUE's September Box. They are celebrating their two year anniversary and I'm pretty excited to be able to celebrate with them. I was sent this month's box for review and I am loving what I found inside!!!!

When I received my box I felt like someone had sent me gift. The packaging was adorable! They thought of all of the little details that made me feel special as a subscriber.

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GIRLS NIGHT OUT SMOKEY EYES


Part of being a girl (well at least for most girls) is getting dolled up to go out and have some fun. For me personally I absolutely love planning a night out with my friends! But the first step to ensure that I have an amazing night out begins at home. Looking and feeling my best is key! I don't like to be subtle when I'm going out. As a makeup artist I'm required to wear makeup to work, and even though I am encouraged to wear my makeup as I please (most of the time) there are still some restrictions. For example I can't wear other brands or products that we no longer have in stock or that have been discontinued or were limited edition. With that being said I get to actually have some fun with my makeup when I go out because I can wear anything my little heart desires!

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MAC Vamplify: The Best Lip Gloss


A couple of weeks ago MAC came out with their latest invention. The Vamplify lip glosses. They were all amazing. And I got my hands on two of them. The very first time I tried these on I knew I had to get it! What I really like about these glosses is that they are extremely pigmented, meaning that they provide great color payoff without you having to pack on a ton of lip gloss.

For me personally I tend to stay away from lip glosses that are dark. The reason is that they tend to feather and look a mess on my lips. So for that reason I stick to more subtle colors or brighter/fun colors. I was a little bit skeptical about getting this dark purple but the staying power on these Vamplify glosses are so good, I really don't think I will have any problems with it. 

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5 MUST HAVE FALL BOOTIES FOR UNDER $50








Fall is fast approaching. Sad I know! But with it comes cooler weather and beautiful changes of colors AND pumpkin flavored everything for those of you that enjoy that kind of thing. Besides all of these wonderful things a change of season also gives a great excuse to go shopping for new items to add to our closets!

Here I have compiled some super cute booties that I thought would be perfect for this fall season! And what's even better is that they are all UNDER $50!!!! I don't know about you but I'm all about deals. This season I want to utilize what I already have but I'll be adding a few key pieces to my wardrobe. I think these are perfect to add to any outfit and change it up a little bit.

1. XOXO Cade Lace Up Booties • XOXO 
2. POP Pop Aldridge Faux-Fur Cuff Womens Booties 
3. Soda Side Zipper Lug Sole Booties • Soda Sunglasses
4. Very Volatile Fringe Booties • Very Volatile 
5. Sugar Leta Women's Fringe Peep-Toe Booties 


                             I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS
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TEETH WHITENING MADE SIMPLE WITH SMILE BRILLIANT



I'm pretty excited about today's post! I'm a person that loves to make sure that my teeth are always looking their best. And since I also love wearing lipstick it's important that my teeth are white so I don't have to worry about the lipstick colors are choose affecting the way my teeth looks.

What's awesome about Simile Brilliant is that they provide everything you need to achieve the same results that you would get from your dentist but for a fraction of the price. And before them the only way for you to whiten your teeth with a custom teeth tray was to go to a dentist. 




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BLACK LIPSTICK: PAGAN ANGEL BY FERGIE


fergie pagan angel black lipstick

Well here I am. Doing something I seriously told myself that I would not do! And that is wear black lipstick. But this week I've ran into some beautiful photos on Pinterest and I just couldn't help myself. I had to give it a try. 

A couple of weeks ago while I was at Walgreens I saw that Wet n' Wild had a black lipstick in the Fergie line and for less than $3 it was worth a try. The color is called Pagan Angel. Honestly I thought the black lipstick phase was going to be short lived but as I see this is still going strong. I was definitely a little skeptical to wear it but honestly I'm all about telling people to step out of their comfort zone when it comes to makeup so I had to do the same for myself. 

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SULTRY BLUE SMOKEY EYES

smokey blue eyes for black brown women woman

I absolutely adore a good smokey eye. It's classic and in my opinion a timeless look. Everyone can wear it when catered to their eye shape and needs. And for today's eyes I went with something a little more dramatic, which would be perfect for a special occasion or a girl's night out. Actually it would be perfect for one of those days that you just feel like looking fabulous. I mean, why not?!

I know that a smokey eye can be super scary, but once you get the hang of it, you will love it too! Honestly the key to the perfect smokey eye is to BLEND! I know you've heard this before but blending is key for any eye look. I personally love the #224 and #217 brushes from MAC. These will allow you to achieve any look while depositing color and blending.

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THE GODDESS BRAID ON NATURAL HAIR

goddess braid natural hair

 Much like everyone else I have been obsessed with the goddess braids. But what I really love about it is how it wraps around the head (which could also have the name of "halo braids"). This can be fairly simple to achieve if you have the braiding skills of a goddess....and I don't. So it took me a minute to get a hang of it.

I brought some hair to the front and left some in the back. I then began to braid it from the back towards the front. This is one of those things that it doesn't matter how many videos you watch, or blog posts you read, you'll just have to get to it and try it for yourself.

In the end it turns out to be an effortless hairstyle that anyone can rock at any time during the day or night. Well it's supposed to be effortless but if you're like me, it might take a little more to achieve it.

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RED LIPS FOR FALL: BROWN GIRL EDITION

red lipstick for black women woman fall

Sadly summer is slowly coming to an end. I'll miss it dearly, only because living in MN during the winter months can be pure torture! But even though my favorite season is coming to an end, I must admit that I do enjoy fall. I love watching the leafs change color and I also love the feeling that fall brings.

And with a new season comes new makeup and fashion trends. Today I'm definitely rocking a lip combo for fall. 
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Natural Hair Chronicles: Annie Quick Weave by Outre

annie half wig outre natural hair

About 4 years ago I decided to go natural. I made the decision only after finding out that I was pregnant. In my mind I didn't want to expose my baby to all of the chemicals, At the time the natural hair "movement" was just starting. So I had little, but enough info on youtube to make my transition as smooth as possible!
I have been natural ever since. I've had my fair share of frustration with my hair, but overall my hair is the healthiest it has ever been. Not gonna lie, sometimes I miss the convenience and easy of permed hair but I know I would be really mad at myself if I went that route again. At least I'm not ready to go back to that right now. 

With that being said being natural can make it a little bit more difficult to find protective styling that works with my hair texture without me having to straighten my hair, 

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OOTD: SUMMER WEDDING


plus size fashion tulle sheer skirt summer wedding

My really good friend just got married recently. And to celebrate the love between the love birds I chose to go with a simple outfit. Plus it was a really hot day in Minneapolis. When I got this skirt I was inspired by all the awesome tulle skirts that I have been seen on some of my favorite fashion blogs. However I'm not quite ready to do the tulle skirt thing yet, so I thought this would be a good alternative. I love how the skirt has the sheer layer. I thought it was super classy. I also feel so grown in it lol Mostly because I love form fitting dresses and skirts. But I'm trying to do something different. 


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NATURAL HAIR CHRONICLES: PROTECTIVE STYLING with OUTRE BATIK PERUVIAN HAIR


outre batik Peruvian lace front wig



outre L shape lace front wig Peruvian

I don't make it a secret that I have a love and hate relationship with my hair. Mostly because taking care of natural, unprocessed hair can be a lot of work. Over the years since being fully natural, I have taken on protective styles to keep myself from manipulating my hair too much or even just going back to that creamy crack...lol

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Bronzed Goddess using colors to bring out Brown eyes


black women makeup blue eye liner pencil


blue eye shadow pencil black women

Ok let me start off by saying that these pictures turned out so good that I was pretty surprised with myself AND my camera. Because my lens is made for portraits it can take a while for me to focus and get a good shot doing it by myself. But I digress. You're not here for my lame photography skills...you want to know about the makeup right?!

Well I was inspired by summer (again) and I wanted to channel my inner bronzed Goddess. But with a pop of color! Because color is FUN! Don't be afraid to use some color ladies (and gents).

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SPICE UP YOUR MAKEUP WITH GOLD LIQUID LINER WITH MAC'S LE DISKO COLLECTION


mac le disko gold liquid eye liner


Ok I'm obsessed with today's look. I don't mean to toot my own horn but ummm my makeup was ON fleek! lol I wanted to go back to using more fun colors. Like I've mentioned before, when I started wearing makeup I used to do a lot of looks that involved a lot of colorful shades. Over the years my makeup style has changed (and for the better). However I think that there are a lot of ways that I can still incorporate fun colors into my look without compromising looking sophisticated and "clean".



So I went into my little eye shadow stash and decided to go with Chrome Yellow from MAC. I've had this eye shadow for a while but haven't had the chance to wear it. So today was the day. I love how pigmented it is. By paring Chrome Yellow with some different shades of brown and a little bit of black I was able to tone it down a little bit. Next time I wear it I'll probably use NYX Milk pencil as my base so that I can get a brighter pay off from this shadow.

If you hadn't heard MAC came out with Le Disko this past week, which featured some amazing sparkly eye shadows, glosses and liquid liners. The gold liquid eye liner I'm wearing is from the collection. It's basically a re-promote. They had these liquid liners permanently but have jut recently discontinued it. I had never worn them before and I'm really liking it.



Uumm this last picture reminds me of Drake's last album art. So I'll just leave his here,,,because I love him lol

If you would like to try out this gorgeous liquid liner then follow the link --> http://amzn.to/1LRxlFQ

WHAT ARE YOU DOING LATELY TO INCORPORATE MORE FUN INTO YOUR MAKEUP?


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ABOUT
Hello I'm Giselle. I love makeup and everything related to beauty.
I currently live in Minnesota and I am here to share a few of my favorite things with you!

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