I: Going to a Spring or Summer Wedding and Don't Know What to Wear...

What to Wear to a Midday Wedding with a Change for an Evening Reception: Spring & Summer Edition

Midday Wedding

Casual chic with a soft touch

dress: Ruby Rox; bag: Liz Claiborne; ring: vintage; shoes: Aldo

gloss: Dior Addict Gloss #227

Changes for an Evening Reception

Pinned my hair up, added some more accessories, changed the shoes and did a delicate smoke to the eyes and added a pop of red to the lips.

shoes: 1 to 3 got them in Spain; bag: vintage Whiting and Davis International; earrings and ring: vintage; belt: BCBG

 

lipstick: L'oreal Infallible in Refined Ruby #337 

Wedding season is in full swing and I am sure there are times when you have no idea what you should wear!

Here is a little guide with some great options for any weddings you are attending this Spring or Summer that take place earlier in the day or have a more casual dress code.

If the wedding is early in the day, you may want to go for something a bit more on the casual chic side and if the reception is later in the evening opt for a change of shoes, clutch or addition of accessories.

dress: Modcloth; earrings: Nadri at Nordstrom; clutch: Topshop at Nordstrom; shoes: Modcloth

clutch: Mayna at Nordstrom; shoes: BCBG

dress: Modcloth; bracelet: Nadri at Nordstrom (wear 2-3 of them); clutch: Topshop at Nordstrom; shoes: Modcloth

earrings: Nadri at Nordstrom; clutch: Mayna at Nordstrom; shoes: Steve Madden at Nordstrom

dress: Modcloth; ring: BCBG; clutch: Topshop at Nordstrom; shoes: Modcloth

clutch: Mayna at Nordstrom; shoes: BCBG

Enjoy & Be Beautiful! 

Product Review: Lancome's Visionnaire

Lancome's Visionnaire

For all of you out there that want to minimize the appearance of your pores and even out the texture of your skin, there is a product that can help you! That amazing product is Visionnaire.

I first started using it when it was launched while I was working with Lancome a couple of years ago. After a month of using it I noticed the texture of my skin smooth out and my skin didn't resemble an orange peel on the skin near my nose. I also got my friend and sister hooked on this product and they love it! 

I am not currently using it but plan on starting it again in the future.

A bit about the product:

-- helps to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and uneven texture

-- need to continue use if you want your pores to stay minimized since you cannot change your pore size permanently

--the main ingredient LR 2412 (contains 4% of it) is able to propel through the layers of skin and triggers a series of chain reactions that enhance skin's natural self-renewal

--usually after using it for 4 weeks morning and night you will see a big difference (make sure you take a photo before you start and then compare to a photo--same lighting and spot, no makeup-- after the 4 week mark) 

After seeing all these positives, how can you not try this product! 

If you have tried it I would love to hear about your experience! 

Minty Fresh

Mint in definitely a fresh trend this Spring. I was at a Cabi party that my sister and her friend were hosting and saw these lovely pants! It was love at first sight! 

This is an awesome vintage Dooney & Bourke bag that I purchased from Katie Laine on Threadflip. I absolutely love this bag! It was such a good buy! Click here for a similar bag. 

top: BCBG MaxAzria; pants: Cabi; shoes: Sole Society; bag: Dooney & Bourke from Threadflip

You don't realize how many outfit pairings you can make with these amazing pants until you are out shopping and you see top after top and think " this would look amazing with my mint jeans!" 

So this is the first of possibly a few posts featuring these lovely pants! 

Go out and find your perfect mint clothing companion to sport this spring! 

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

photos by my lovely mother! 

Dark Waves

Dark Waves Makeup Tutorial

For this tutorial this week I used the Black Navy Kohl Eye Pencil from Laura Mercier to create a simple yet polished makeup look that can got from day to night!

Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin'! (click the link over to the right)

 Products Used:

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Golden Light 1; Diorskin Powder Shimmer in 002

Dior Addict Gloss in 973 Night Fantasy; Revlon Just Bitten in Twilight

Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil in Black Navy

Inglot Shadows used from left to right: Eyeshadow Matte 355 (all over), Eyeshadow AMC Shine 30 (blending), Rainbow Eyeshadow 120 R (middle grey on lid up to crease)

Diorshow Maximizer; Diorshow Extase; Diorshow Brow Styler; NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

Photos taken by my lovely mother! 

Polka Dots and Stripes

top: Modcloth; belt: Forever 21; skirt: Express; shoes: Carlos Santana

This is a past outfit photoshoot I did and forgot about posting! I decided to use neutral colors and play with two patterns, I absolutely love the result! 

The belt I have on was such a luck find for me. I was shopping in Forever 21, which I am sure you know can be a bit of a tasking event at times, and I saw this belt. It was the last one and it just was love at first sight. 

Pretty much every outfit I pair with this belt works perfectly. I like to think of it as my magic belt. 

Mix it up a bit! 

Enjoy & Be Beautiful! 

AOFM Kit Must Haves

Kit Must Haves for the Professional Makeup Artist

Here is a list of products I believe (collected from me trying products and listening to other artists during my time at AOFM) every artist should have in their kit or at least try and see if they like them. 

Applicators and Tools

Mascara Wands 

Cotton Pads

Q-Tips

Tiny Q-Tips

Wedge Sponges

Blending Sponge

Pampers Baby Wipes

Palette and Spatula

Brush Holder

Ziploc bags (keep kit tidy, put dirty brushes in)

Individual Lashes and Strip Lashes

Duo Lash Glue

Great assortment of Brushes-- at least enough to do 3 peoples faces without having to wash a brush-- check out my previous post on the best brushes to get

Shu Uemura or Shiseido Lash Curler 

Hand Sanitizer

Alcohol

Brush Cleaner

Nail File

Nail Polish Remover

Skincare

Bioderma Cleansing Water

Embryolisse Cream

Bi-Facil Eyemakeup Remover

Lucas Papaw Ointment

Elizabeth Arden 8-hour Cream

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream

Complexion

Bobbi Brown BBU Palette

NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (must for weddings)

Laura Mercier Radiance Primer (must for weddings)

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer 

Laura Mercier Translucent Finishing Powder

HD Foundations from Makeup Forever

Teint Idole 24h foundations from Lancome (great for weddings)

OCC Tinted Mousturizers or Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

MAC Face and Body-- Personally I don't use them very often, but I am glad that I do and most makeup artists I have met say that it is a must for a professional makeup artist's kit

Blushers & Bronzers & Highlighters

NARS Orgasm Blush

NARS Laguna Bronzer

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle

Eyes

Makeup Forever Aqua Black Cream Liner

Laura Mercier Cake Liner and Tightline Activator

Anastasia Brow Gel

Diorshow Iconic Waterproof Mascara (for weddings)

Diorshow Waterproof Mascara (for weddings)

Diorshow Blackout Mascara

NARS Larger than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Via Veneto

Dior Browstyler in Universal Brown

Color

Makeup Forever Flash Palette

Essie Polishes: pale pink, white, black, red and nude

Seche Vite Top coat-- super fast drying for a time crunch

Inglot Eyeshadow palettes from the Freedom System

Bobbi Brown Artist Palette for Lips

Clear Glosses from Youngblood

I hope this is helpful for all you fellow artists and aspiring artists!

What products do you find you can't live without!

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

Volbeat Concert!

For my birthday the other week Jon took me to see Volbeat in Concer at Rams Head Live! It was so amazing and I love the band even more now! 

Here are some photos from the amazing night! 

so hardcore! 

Enjoy & Rock On!