Category: Tutorials

  • HOW TO – BUBBLEGUM POP MAKEUP TUTORIAL

    HOW TO – BUBBLEGUM POP MAKEUP TUTORIAL

    1.-3. Apply concealer. 2.-5. Apply liquid foundation. 6. Apply pressed powder. 7.-8. Apply tinted mineral foundation. 9.-10. Apply bronzer and shade cheekbones. 11. Apply pink blush. 12. Apply highlighter. 13.-15. Apply nude shadow over entire eye and dark brown in crease. 16. Line inner rim with black eyeliner. 17.-18. Apply black liquid winged liner. 19. Define brows. 20.-21. Apply mascara. 22.23. Apply false lashes. 24.-25. Apply hot pink lipstick. 26.-27. Apply hot pink gloss.

    … and, of course, I wouldn’t leave the house without doing my hair… httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmyqZP0gaI4

    1. Maybelline Cover Stick Waterproof Concealer, Light Beige $5
    2. Maybelline Superstay 24Hr Makeup, Sand Beige $10
    3. Maybelline PureStay Powder Foundation, Ivory $8
    4. Maybelline Mineral Power Powder Foundation, Nude, Light 4 $9
    5. Too Faced California in a Compact, Beach Bunny $28
    6. MAC Quite Cute Mineralize Blush, Miss Behave $23
    7. Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlelight Powder, Sheer Gold $27
    8. Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush $28
    9. MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush $34
    10. MAC Eyeshadow, Naked Lunch & Mulch $15
    11. MAC 213 Fluff Brush $22.50
    12. MAC 228 Mini Shader Brush $19.50
    13. Wet n Wild MegaLast Retractable Eye Pencil, Black $2
    14. L’Oreal Lineur Intense Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner, Carbon Black $9
    15. Maybelline Expert Eyes Twin Brow & Eye Pencils, Light Brown $3
    16. Shiseido Eyelash Curler $19
    17. L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Waterproof Mascara, Carbon Black $8
    18. Duo Eyelash Adhesive, Black $8
    19. Sephora Collection False Eyelashes $8
    20. NYC Blossom Lipstick $2
    21. MAC Lipgelee, Preppy $18

  • FABULOUS SANTA BARBARA SPOT – SHINE

    FABULOUS SANTA BARBARA SPOT – SHINE


    After hearing that a bonafide blow dry bar {no cuts. no color. just blow outs.} had opened up in Montecito on Coast Village Road, I knew that I had to check it out.  Little did I know that I would be {pun intended} blown away by the whole experience.  The Coast Village Road location is exclusive enough to give this blow dry bar the necessary caché… but Shine goes above and beyond what is expected and envelopes its clients in the Shine Experience {Shine calls it “affordable indulgence”}.  A long white mirrored center bar runs down the meridian of the salon.  The chic {and yet simultaneously cozy and comfortable} decor is stunning.  I was swept up in a flurry of champagne, cupcakes, and a scalp massage.  After a thorough shampoo and conditioning treatment, my hair was swept here and there with great precision.  Before I knew it, I emerged with cascading curls and hair that smelled soooooo good {and was softest that it has been in years}.  Book your appointment today… or just walk-in {hey, it’s Santa Barbara… and Shine recognizes the flexible schedules of most Santa Barbarians}.  At only $35 for a blow dry {yes… pick your jaw up off the floor… the whole experience is only $35} you can’t afford to miss this “affordable indulgence.” Check it out at www.shineblowdrybar.com.

    Decor & Dessert: each client is offered something to drink {coffee, water, champagne, a mimosa…} and an adorable gourmet {to-die-for} miniature cupcake upon arrival.  There are 3 wash stations and 8 blow dry stations available.  The decor is clean and classic with a sprinkling of shabby chic elements and a bit of European charm incorporated, as well.  The orchids and ornate mirrors captivated my eyes, while the cupcakes and bubbly had the full attention of my palette.  My initial impression of Shine could not have been more positive.


    The Shine Experience: I have always had a love/hate relationship with blow outs… mostly because that while having someone wash your hair and massage your scalp feels incredible, it can be hard to focus on that lovely sensation if the washing station at which you are sitting is uncomfortable and if the basin causes your neck to strain.  I was pleasantly surprised to lower my head into an ergonomically designed basin with more than enough neck support {I was so comfortable I almost drifted into a mid-afternoon cat nap}.  The shampoo and conditioning treatments smelled incredible and left my hair soft and shiny without weighing it down.  My stylist asked me questions about what kind of style I was going for and {totally uncharacteristic of me… I guess I was feeling daring} I left it up to her.  She made the perfect choice and I left with bouncy {and shiny!} loose spirals.


    Overall: I recommend the Shine Experience without hesitation.  I left feeling like I had hair that was straight out of a hair commercial {which is a bit of a miracle as I have become known for my messy, bedhead style locks}.  With appointments and walk-ins accepted, there is no excuse for you {and your potentially fabulous head of hair} to not waltz into Shine’s doors today.

  • MUST HAVES – MAKEUP

    MUST HAVES – MAKEUP

    I think that makeup is the bee’s knees.  It has the power to enhance or transform.  To empower and seduce.  To project innocence or confidence.  {view my 5-Minute Face and Advanced Makeup tutorials here and learn how to achieve the perfect pout here}. I’ve had inquiries as to exactly what makeup products I use, what I can’t live without, and what I give my stamp-of-approval to.  I decided that I would answer these questions in the most honest way possible… by dumping out my makeup bag {the one that holds my essentials… not the makeup train cases that I have filled with fun colors and rarely used products} and then listing exactly what was in that bag.  With this combination of products, I have been able to achieve every necessary look {and they all fit into one Betsey Johnson makeup bag}.  As you’ll notice, some of the products are a bit pricey and some are only a couple of dollars {love it!}.  All of the products are f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s.

    The Tools
    1. M.A.C. 168 Large Angled Contour Brush $32
    2. M.A.C. 239 Eye Shading Brush $25
    3.M.A.C. 217 Blending Brush $23
    4. La Cross Eyelash Curler $3
    5. Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush $28
    The Foundation
    6.  Maybelline Cover Stick Waterproof Concealer in Light Beige $5
    7.  Maybelline Superstay 24Hr Makeup in Sand Beige $11
    8. Maybelline Purestay Powder Foundation SPF 15 in Buff $8
    9. Maybelline Mineral Power Powder Foundation in Nude $8
    The Glow
    10. M.A.C. Paint Pot in Bare Study $16.50
    11.  Too Faced California in a Compact – Beach Bunny $28
    12. M.A.C. Powder Blush in Coygirl $20
    The Eyes
    13.  M.A.C. Mineralize Eye Shadow – Illusionary/Burning Ambitions $20
    14. L’Oreal Lineur Intense Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Carbon Black $9
    15.  Nars Night Breed Eye Shadow $23
    16.  L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara in Carbon Black $7
    17. Ardell Fashion Lashes Strip Lash, 120 Black $4
    18. Duo Eyelash Adhesive in Dark Tone $6
    19. Maybelline Expert Eyes Brow Pencil in Light Brown $3
    The Lips
    20. M.A.C. Lipstick in Hue $14
    21. NYC Liquid Lip Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Kiss $2
    22. M.A.C. Fashionflower Lipstick $14.50
    23. M.A.C. Fashionflower Lipgelee $14.50

  • HOW TO – THE 5 MINUTE FACE & ADVANCED MAKEUP TECHNIQUES

    HOW TO – THE 5 MINUTE FACE & ADVANCED MAKEUP TECHNIQUES

    If your life is anything like mine… fabulous opportunities arise at the most unexpected times.  Though you would love to always be prepared, sometimes you will be caught off-guard {aka in your pajamas with no makeup on}.  Don’t let this stop you from taking part in the fabulous outing… if you have five minutes {trust me, any worthy individual extending the invite will wait for you, gorgeous} you can be ready to go.  Throw your hair up and remember, you only need a clean base {concealer, foundation, pressed powder}, a bit of shimmer {get a good multi-purpose color pot}, tinted loose powder {to set the look and give you a glow}, a bit of bronzer, a pop of color, and curled lashes {with a good coat of volumizing mascara}.  Read on for a how-to on your steps to achieve the 5-Minute Face.

    1. Bare faced… and have to be out the door in 5 minutes? 2. Put that concealer under your eyes . 3. Concealer? Check. Now pat it gently into your skin. 4. Liquid foundation. 5. Dot it on and rub it in. 6. Our base is done. 7. Pressed powder… Press it on for flawless coverage. 8. A two in one product to highlight eyes… 9. And cheeks. 10. Rub in some tinted loose powder with a kabuki brush. 11. Bronzer everywhere the sun hits… cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. 12. Take the bronzer and use it with a contour brush to define cheekbones.  13. Hot. Pink. Blush. You need a pop of color. 14. Put that color on the apples of your cheeks. 15. Your eyelash curler (aka your best friend). 16. Volumizing mascara. 17. Bam. Less than 5 minutes. 18. Time to go out xo

    For the video version of the 5-Minute Face Tutorial, watch here
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlzdMfPGgNM

    If you’re ready to move on, lovebug… Let’s get on with some more advanced makeup techniques.  Let’s say you know you have somewhere fabulous to go {a hot date, a charity event, girls night…} and you have at least 20 minutes to get ready… advanced makeup techniques only add 15 minutes {max} onto your basic 5-Minute Face.  With the addition of eyeliner {pencil and liquid}, darker eyeshadow, fake lashes, an eyebrow pencil, and a nude lipstick, you’re ready to knock anyone’s socks off… and {though you are already perfect just the way you are} you’ll look like a total glamazon.


    1. You’ve already done your 5-Minute Face… now line the outer third of your lower lash line and inner rim with a black waterproof eyeliner pencil. 2. Voila! Instant drama. 3. Take a flat brush and rub it in light shimmery eyeshadow. 4. Pat the shadow on your lid and sweep it up to your browbone. 5. A wash of light shimmer. 6. Take an eyeshadow brush meant for your crease and sweep it in a chocolate brown shadow. 7. Sweep the shadow into your crease. 8. Back to the flat eyeshadow brush and the chocolate brown shadow.  9. Cover the outer half of your lid with the brown shadow. 10. Use a sponge tip applicator and sweep it in black shadow. 11. Put the black shadow on the outer third of your upper and lower lid. 12. Liquid liner… line your whole eye if you want a dramatic look. 13. Fill in those brows to look polished. 14. See? Polished. 15. One more coat of that volumizing mascara. 16. Fake eyelashes! Practice makes perfect. 17. The perfect nude lipstick. M.A.C.s “Hue.” 18. Smear that lipstick on. 19. The face… bring the drama. 20. The finished lids. 21. Advanced makeup… mastered.

    For the video version of the Advanced Makeup Tutorial, watch here
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=338G3WyKYRU