Valentine's Day Archives - Miss Whoever You Are

miss whoever you areThursday, February 12, 2015

valentine’s day makeup: simple & easy

Are you tired of my Valentine’s Day posts yet? No? Good! This one’s for the girl who doesn’t one to wear a full face and prefers the natural look (and by natural I mean your behind still has to wear a bold lip, mmkay?)

Cover FX Mattifying Primer // bareMinerals COMPLEXION RESCUE™ Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream // Milani Rose Powder Blush // Real Techniques Bold Metals Brush // bareMinerals Smoothing Face Brush // mark on the edge liner // MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara // Milani Matte Lipstick

So you’re not a cake face. That’s okay! If you prefer a more natural look or are looking for something to provide coerage without clogging your pores check out nareMinerals’ new COMPLEXION RESCUE™ Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. This sheer-to-medium gel gives you slight coverage while hydrating dry skin (perfect for the dry winter air). If you have oily skin, like I do, you can apply Cover FX Mattifying Primer With Anti-Acne Treatment beforehand to control the excess oil. To finish off the face, lightly apply Milani Rose Powder Blush in Tea Rose using Real Techniques‘ new Bold Metals 300 Tapered Blush Brush. Tea Rose is a dusty rose that applies beautifully and provides great coverage.

On the eyes, apply Colour Pop Cosmetics’ TO-A-T eyeshadow- – a matte mid-tone warm brown- across lids for a hint of color and line using mark on the edge liner (winging out a bit). This has been my staple liquid eyeliner because it’s dark and lasts forever without smudging off. Finish off by applying MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara, one of my all time favorite mascaras because it gives volume and length.

Finish off with Milani’s new matte lipstick in Matte Orchid (fuchsia). This color does require some attention. You’ll have to touch up after eating and the scent may annoy some (smells like watermelon candies).

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Disclosure: I was gifted the bareMinerals and Cove FX items but opinions are my own.

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miss whoever you areWednesday, February 11, 2015

valentine’s day makeup: red lips

Shocker. Beauty blogger creates a Valentine’s Day makeup guide featuring red lips 😉 In all seriousness, the red lip has become my staple (even ousting pink as my beloved color) and what better day to rock a bold, red lip than V-day? This makeup is all about a clean face that allows the lips to carry the look.

Maybelline Master Prime // Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer // Cover FX Blemish Treatment Concealer // Buxom Bronzer // Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette // Esqido Lashes // Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara // NARS Yachiyo Brush #27 // Hourglass #4 Crease Brush // Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick // Charlotte Tilbury Filmstars On The Go

For the primer, I’ve been testing (and loving) Maybelline’s new Master Prime primer in Blur + Smooth. My makeup doesn’t slide off and it doesn’t have a thick/ silicone-y feeling when applied. This does leave a white cast on my face but it doesn’t interfere with my foundation. For the base, I recommend Kevyn Aucoin’s Sensual Skin Enhancer (I wear the shade SX14). A LITTLE bit goes a long way for this so don’t slap it on all over. It’s a bit thicker so I typically spritz my foundation brush with MAC Fix+ to blend it in a sheer it just a bit. This will stay put all day so no need to worry about your foundation slipping’ and slidin’. Next cover any possible blemishes with the Cover FX Blemish Treatment Concealer (I was sent N Deep but N X-Deep is better for me). It’s a full-coverage formula that not only covers blemishes but also claims to reduce redness and inflammation, minimize pore size, and help fight future breakouts.
Next dab the second color in Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstars On The Go in The Spy Who Loved Me with your finger along the apples of your cheeks. To finish off the face, swipe Buxom’s Bronzer in Maldives across your cheeks using the NARS Yachiyo Brush #27. The bronzer has shimmer in it so don’t go off contouring but it gives you a beautifully summer-like glow.
On the eyes, gently swipe the bronze (third) color across your lid and the champagne (first) color in the inner corner for a beautiful golden look. These Hourglass Modernist Palettes are so gorgeous, I want them all. The pigment is great and the shadows are like buttah. I[m skipping the liner since liner always makes my eyes look a bit smaller BUT apply Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Mascara in Blackest Black before applying the Esqido Lashes in Little Black Lash for a wide eyed effect.

To finish the look, apply Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick in Fire Engine. This color currently rivals my MAC RiRi Woo as best red lip in my book. It’s long lasting, intense, and a rich red. Since it is a matte you absolutely need to exfoliate before applying. The downside is the drying formula. I typically apply a lip balm before I start my makeup so my lips are well hydrated and so the color doesn’t skip.

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Disclosure: a few products were sent for editorial consideration. Doesn’t effect my review or opinions about them as I only feature products I love.

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miss whoever you areTuesday, February 10, 2015

valentine’s day makeup: smokey eyes

As I was playing around with my makeup stash (so many new products!), I put together a look so beautiful I had to photograph the products used. I’m no tutorial queen so you won’t see my selfie (yet) but the products mentioned are tried and true.

Cover FX Mattifying Primer With Anti-Acne Treatment // Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup // Lancôme Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup // Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed // NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer // Guardian Terracotta Kabuki Brush // Melt Cosmetics eye shadows in Dark Matter // Esqido Lashes in Unforgettable // Buxom True Nude Lip Foundation // Color Your Smile Lip Gloss in Plum Crazy // Sigma F25 Tapered Face Brush

First PRIME! I can’t stress how important this is. The right primer will make sure your makeup lasts all night- from drinks to dinner to dancing to…I love Cover FX makeup and this Mattifying Primer has anti-acne treatment in it so you don’t have to worry about that breakout OR getting greasy. Next you’ll need a full coverage foundation that can withstand the test of time without turning you into a total cake face. My go-to is Estée Lauder Double Wear (in Rich Cocoa) because it provides even coverage, hides everything and makes me look FLAWLESS. Get it.

To conceal under my eyes, I pretty much only use NARS’ Radiant Creamy Concealer (I use Cafe to conceal and Amdande to highlight). I like to set my makeup and I’ve been using Lancôme Dual Finish powder since 2009 (#tbt). It’s sheer to buildable but I lightly dust this over my face using the Guerlain Terracotta Kabuki Brush to keep everything in place. Since the eyes will be a bit intense, I say skip the blush BUT add a bit of highlight on your cheekbones. Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfectors are G.O.A.T. I have the color Champagne Gold in the picture but there’s definitely one for your skin tone - brown girls, Topaz is your friend). Apply with the Sigma F25 brush and you’re golden (literally).

Now the eyes. I discovered Melt Cosmetics through the beauty girls on Instagram. The matte shades found in the Dark Matter set offer you INTENSE color payoff and versatility. I love that it’s not the standard grey and black. The warm shades create the most stunning chocolate smokey eye you will ever see. Although they’re matte, the shadows aren’t chalky or dry and they’re easy to blend. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. Moving onto lashes- I had to pick Esqido Lashes. I mentioned them on my YouTube channel before and I’ll mention them here again. LOVE! Unforgettable features a gradient of increasing length and thickness across the lash band so it’s subtle and not overpowering but gives you a slight winged effect. No need for liner in my book.

Since the focus is on the eyes, opt for a neutral lip. My recent brown girl friendly nude lip color is Buxom’s Lip Foundation in Revealed, a deep rich brown. Top it off with Color Your Smile’s Plum Crazy lip gloss in the center for a hint of color.

BAM! You’re ready for the night out. You’re welcome.

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miss whoever you areMonday, February 9, 2015

valentine’s day makeup: getting ready

I find the getting ready process way more fun than I’m supposed. It’s a sensorial experience for me and I love taking my sweet time from start to finish (sorry to all of my friends reading this - now you know why I’m always late). Regardless of what your makeup look is, below I’ve outlined key products to kick off the mood starting from the shower.
LUSH is one of those brands that I adore and their Prince Charming Shower Gel doesn’t disappoint. It’s ~~currently sold out on the website~~ (update: it’s back on the site!) so stalk their stores to get your hands on this! With a blend of fresh pomegranate juice, Fair Trade vanilla pod infusion and almond oil this will leave your skin soft and smelling ahh-mazing. The shower gel doesn’t leave a reside and you don’t feel tight or dry. Perfection to its core. After you moisturize, apply a bit of Moroccanoil Shimmering Body Oil on your legs, arms, and décolleté. Not only does this have the intoxicating signature Moroccanoil scent, it imparts a hint of shimmer (NOT glitter) so when the light hits you it’s a subtle shimmer. I love it to bits. Before you blow-dry your hair, apply a pump of Moroccanoil Treatment to your strands (mid-lengths to ends)-you will thank me.

PERFUMESFor those who love a warmer fragrance, diptyque’s Eau Duelle Eau de Parfum is a gift from above. Key notes include vanilla (are you seeing a trend with me?) spices, and black frankincense. It’s a seductive fragrance without being too excessive or loud.

212 Sexy by Carolina Herrera is a lighter fragrance than Eau Duelle with notes of tangerine, bergamot, rose pepper, and gardenia but the musk tempers it and stops it from being a little girl’s perfume. This is a perfume that you can wear all day and still feel sexy.

Carven Le Parfum is fresh and simple. It’s not the overly sexy perfume and it’s great for the girl who wants to smell pretty. With jasmine and ylang ylang, this perfume is clean ad fresh without smelling like soap. Being that it’s from couture house Carven, it’s sophisticated but not “old.”

Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede I’ve contemplated buying this fragrance for a year before biting the bullet a few weeks ago and I am kicking myself for waiting so long! I don’t normally gravitate towards fruity florals but this is a beautiful blend . Another perfect for daytime but great to wear at night scent. It’s a soft floral with musky undertones. The top note is red apple but not annoying; middle notes are peony, jasmine, carnation and rose; base note is suede. The suede isn’t leathery for those who favor notes of leather in their fragrance. Overall, I think this is a lovely scent and I’ve gotten more compliments from guys when wearing this recently than anything else. So…win?

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Disclosure: some products were provied for editorial consideration. That said, I only feature products I love. Also I work for Moroccanoil but they don’t pay me to blog about them, unfortunately.

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miss whoever you areWednesday, February 4, 2015

#loveloccitane

I’m not one for Valentine’s Day but that doesn’t mean I can’t indulge in the National Holiday of All Things Pink(tm).

I received a lovely little care package from L’Occitane a few days ago that’ll allow me to a) wear fancy underwear for nobody except my damn self and b) smell like a fresh, summer’s day in the dead of winter. That basically translates into a win-win if you ask me. Their new Cherry Blossom collection is fresh and fruity without being cloying. Made with a cherry extract from the Luberon region of Provence (#fancy) this is the type of fragrance you want to wear all day, every day.
For those of you who do celebrate Valentine’s Day, visit a L’Occitane boutique on February 12th! They’ve partnered with Kusmi Tea to offer tea time and mini facials. While you’re there you can pick up an exclusive L’Occitane lingerie bag filled with mini-goodies like their Almond Shower Oil, Almond Supple Skin Oil, Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette, and a tin of Kusmi Tea’s delicious Four Red Fruits loose tea (complimentary with any $55 purchase). Bring your lover for extra goodies or to coerce them into buying you things.