Make-up: Yay or Nay?

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I recently bought a few new Estée Lauder make-up products. It's been since Christmas since I invested in some new make-up, and it felt so nice to treat myself (and I received the lipstick for free!). That being said, I also wondered if buying make-up is a treat for other women? I've known various women who don't enjoy purchasing and playing with make-up the same way I do, or who don't wear make-up at all. I can see why, to be honest--like fashion, it involves participating in consumerism and femininity--two things which, I imagine, a lot of women don't identify with. On top of that, a lot of it is also loaded with chemicals and toxins (one reason why a lot of the make-up I buy is all-natural). Do you use make-up, and if so why or why not? Do you think using make-up can be trivial and pointless or do you enjoy applying it, buying it, and collecting it--or both? Sometimes I feel torn, so I'd love to hear what others think. Happy Friday! xo Caroline

Easy Summer Make-up.

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This post was inspired by a post that Anne did over at The Style Visitor (a fabulous blog, by the way!) that featured what make-up she uses daily. Well, I've been using the same 'summer' make-up routine pretty much all Spring and Summer so far. It's pretty basic, but great for hot days, running errands, having a friend over for dinner, or grabbing a coffee with Jimmy because it's just so quick, easy, and light. It also adds just the right amount of colour to 'bring out' my features. I start with my favourite Body Shop foundation, then dab on my favourite Physician's Formula concealer. I then use a powder brush to apply my favourite face powder (I've been using this stuff by Marcelle for years, and I mean years!). Then I brush my cheekbones and my hairline with Benefit's Dandelion Face Highlighter before adding bronzer in the same areas and a little bit of blush on the apples of my cheeks. Before applying my favourite natural mascara (the stuff really is amazing), I curl my lashes for extra volume. Finally, I apply the best tinted lip balm EVER for a flirty, polished look. And ta-da! Easy summer make-up in nine steps. Try it out! xo Caroline

The Sock Bun: My Version.

 You will need an old sock (cut the toe off), two elastics, and two bobby pins.

Roll the sock up like so. See more details here.

This works best with wet or damp hair. Pull hair back into a high ponytail, leaving a small section of hair out.

 Bring ponytail through sock and spread hair out around it like so.

 Gently bring hair around sock, forming a bun. Hold in place with hands for now.

 Use an elastic to secure bun in place.

Bring remaining hair around and over-top bun from underneath. Secure in place with bobby-pins under bun. Ta-da!

My parents arrive today and I'm excited! It's a great excuse to take a break from school work, which is much needed. After stressing over my conference paper all week, I need to relax and enjoy life again. I hope you all have a lovely weekend! xo Caroline

Derek Lam Inspiration: Heavy Metal Eyes.

Although I still feel funny taking pictures of myself...for some reason...I love experimenting with makeup. I love art, blending colours, and seeing what I can come up with, so it makes sense. This make-up tutorial is inspired by the heavy metal eye make-up that has been on the runways this Fall, especially in the Derek Lam fashion shows. 

The inspiration.

This is the make-up I used. Golds, charcoals, blacks, pinks.

Foundation and cover-up applied here only.

Gold all over the lids here.

Charcoal in the creases and around the lids.

A champagne colour applied to below the brow and in the corners of the eyes.

Again.

The final result! A small amount of black eyeliner applied to bottoms of the lids, topped with a gold liquid liner, pictured above.

5 days until Christmas and I'm loving life! (Trying to forget, for now, about the stresses in the back of my head.) I have to do pick up one last gift today, do some baking and cooking closer to the weekend, and wrap some more gifts but then that's it. How are you Christmas preparations going?i If you have any, that is. 

* Photos taken from here and here.

Anna Sui Inspiration: Pink Eyes.

 Anna Sui's Fall 2011 fashion show was big on pink pink pink make up, and I love it! So I decided to try it out for myself. I already had a pink/burgundy Clinique eye shadow combination, as well as a very pink MAC lip glass. The steps I took to create this look are to follow!

As you can see, I used a deep burgundy eye shadow as well as two different shades of pink eye shadow to create this look. I applied the burgundy to the outer corners of my eye lids with my finger. I used a lighter pink colour to fill in the rest of the lid, blending it in with the burgundy shadow. I used a very, very light pink shadow below the eyebrows and in the corners of the lid. I applied two coats of black mascara, applied pink blush to the apples of my cheeks, and finalized with the pink lip gloss. Super easy and quick!

Does this work on you?

xo Caroline

*Anna Sui photos courtesy of style.com