Crayons: Color Outside The Lines.

An eye trend that is sweeping across the industry right now is the waterproof eye shadow pencil. These chunky pencils are part eyeliner, part eyeshadow and all the rage! You have the simplicity of a pencil and the flexibility of smudging it into an eyeshadow with the reliability of a waterproof. Here is how to utilize this gift from the beauty gods!

• Line and fill. Line your eye as usual with the chunky pencil. Then, fill in your entire lower lid.
• Smudge and Blend. With an eye liner brush (in a pinch you can always use a Q-Tip as well), smudge the liner, blending it out to soften.

It is honestly that easy! You will look smokey, sultry and in a look that will last all day in two simple steps!

Lala xoxo

 

Faux Flirting: How To Apply False Lashes.

Have you ever flirted with the idea of wearing false lashes but had no idea how the hell to put them on? Look no further ladies for this intimidating application is as easy as one, two, three! 
 Fitting and Trimming. If your false lash strip is wider than the shape of your eye (and it always is) you will trim your lash strip to fit the shape of your eye. Trim your lash from the inside of the strip. A good rule is that your lash strip should begin 1/8th from the inner tear duct.
Glue it. Place a thin line of adhesive to your lash strip and wait 30 seconds to let the glue slowly settle so that it is not too runny or too thick.
Adhere it. Using tweezers, grab the middle of the lash from the tip of the lashes. This is better than your fingertips for you can truly get a better handle on your application without the width of your fingertips getting in the way. Place your lashes on, concentrating on the middle of the lashline to create an anchor then securing to the outside, then securing the inside.
Finishing touches. Now, using your fingertips, press your lashes and the lashes together after they have dried for about 10 seconds. Add mascara to finish the bond and cohesiveness of your natural lash and your false lash. Voila! Bat those lashes ladies and try not to stop traffic too much if you can help it..
Lala xoxo

Quick Eyes: Simply Purple.

Eyeshadow always looks so complicated. It is one of those things that looks like rocket science but truly is more bark than it's bite! Here is my favorite "looks like I spent and hour on it" 5 minutes eye looks..

Prime it! Apply eyeshadow base all of your lid. Bonus points if you find an eyeshadow primer with a little bit of built in eyeshadow that is cream shimmer colored. Primer kills two beauty birds with one stone..it creates an even looking canvas for your eyeshadow to lay and also keeps your shadow from creasing throughout the day.
Color it! With a Medium Eye Shadow brush, sweep your plum color all over your lower lid and then blending it along your crease where your bone is.
Highlight it! Take a light Eye Shadow color and sweep it under your eyebrow arch.
Add some liner, mascara and get on your merry way! It's simple and yet when you are finished looks as if you spent the better part of a decade creating it!

Lala xoxo

Perk Up! : At Home Coffee Exfoliating Scrub.

Looking for the perfect perk me up in the morning? Look no further than making your own Coffee Exfoliating Scrub! Coffee is fantastic for circulation and tightening pores..so let's get moving ladies!

• In a container, mix 6 tablespoons of coffee grounds with 1/4 cup of Olive Oil. Mix until it looks like a course mud.
• Take a dollop of the scrub and massage into your skin for one minute, then rinse.
• Store in the fridge for any time that you need a morning pick up and a touch of glow added to your skin!

Lala xoxo

Lash Stash: The Perfect Mascara.

Finding the perfect mascara for you is like finding your soul mate. What one person loves is not what you might love. Raves and reviews truly mean nothing without a little bit of digging. Each of us have a different lash layout and structure. Some sparse, some thick..some long and some shorter.Mascara is made with different sized and textured polymers that are designed to add length or definition. The size of the molecule used in each formula gives a different desired effect. Here is my easy key of what kind of lash you have and what marketing buzzwords you want to look for in your mascara..I mean, this key is certainly easier than learning all the cross and co-polymers out there!

If you have...

• Short Lashes: You want to look for a mascara marked as Lengthening. The polymers will be large enough to give you length and in turn give you thickness and volume without clumping. The brushes in the lengthening formula as well tend to be thinner so you can get into the base of the lash. Avoid any mascaras marked as Volumizing or Thickening. Those polymers are too large for your lash style and will clump.
• Average Lashes: You want to look for a mascara that is a multi-tasker marked as Lengthening and Thickening. Your lashes can handle a molecule that serves many purposes. Avoid mascaras that are marked to only serve on purpose such as just Length or Just Volumizing.
• Long Lashes: You want to look for a mascara that has the main purpose of Thickening or Volumizing. Your lashes have the frame to hold a larger molecule however the lengthening molecule can make your lashes over separate or look stringy. Avoid any mascaras that are for Lengthening only. If you wear a mascara that is marketed as a multi-tasker,ensure that volumizing is it's main claim to fame and that lengthening is just a side effect. A larger brush for application usually works better on a long lash, distributing product in a more voluptuous fashion rather than over detailing it like a small brush would.

Other side tips..wear black mascara unless it truly is your preference to wear a color. Black frames the eye best, even when you are going for a natural effect. Brown can make the eye look smaller.

If curling your lashes,curl first then apply mascara. Do not curl after your mascara is already applied.

Curling mascara has a polymer that adds more hold so everyone can use it if they desire.

Waterproof formulas are amazing if you smudge. Note that they do have a higher alcohol content in them so conditioning your lashes at night is highly suggested. Your tube will also dry out faster so once you notice it begins to dry, replace the tube with a fresh one to keep your lashes healthy.

Now that you have the key to your perfect fit..bat those lashes ladies!

Lala xoxo

Scentsational: Homemade Fragrance.

The Holiday Season is all about Fragrance. Rich, warm, sexy fragrances. Fragrance symbolizes luxury and romance and is one of the number one ways women pamper themselves and men express adoration through the purchase of a fragrance. Each woman has particular notes that just speak to them..citrus, spices, woods..each woman's preference tells us a hidden part of who she is, her lifestyle and personality. I wanted to share with you all an easy recipe to create your own personalized fragrances at home based upon your favorite scent. This is also a great gifting idea or fun to get together some of your favorite gal  pals and make a girl's night to create fragrances together.

Scentsational Fragrance:

• Pour approximately 1/2 cup of sweet almond oil into a glass jar, such as one used for canning. You can use a different type of pale, non-fragrant oil such as grape seed or sunflower oil. It is possible to also use an oil with its own scent if you wish that scent to be part of your finished perfume fragrance.
• Choose flower, fruit or spice parts for the perfume fragrance that you wish to create. Flower parts should include the petals of the flower chopped up and bruised. Cut the fresh herbs up in the same way. Citrus fruits such as orange and lemon can be used for perfume fragrance as well. Use only the peel cut up into small pieces. If spices are used, such as cinnamon or vanilla beans, chop them into chunks. Never use spice powder.
• Pack two to three cups of chopped up plant parts into the sweet almond oil in the glass jar. Make sure the oil is enough to cover all the plant parts. Screw the lid on the jar securely and shake it for a couple of minutes. This will help the fragrance oils from the flowers or fruit begin to infuse into the oil.
• Set the glass jar in a warm, dark place such as a kitchen cupboard or closet. For the first week, shake the jar one time every day. You can shake more frequently if you wish. After the first week, let the jar sit in a warm, dark place for an additional two to three weeks. This gives ample time for the fragrance to transfer to the oil in the jar.
• Place the strainer over the top of the glass jar or bottle where you wish to house your perfume fragrance. Lay the piece of cheesecloth in the strainer so it covers the whole thing. You could also use other type of fine-mesh cotton material.
• Pour the contents of the glass jar into the cheesecloth covering the strainer. Make sure you get out all the plant or spice parts and all the oil. It should be quite fragrant by now. Allow it to strain into the glass bottle completely. After a while, gather the edges of the fabric and squeeze it gently to get all the perfume fragrance into the bottle. You can now use your perfume fragrance in any bath or beauty product you desire.

Here's to smelling fabulous ladies!

Lala xoxo

Naughty Is The New Nice: Holiday Look.

It's Holiday time and that means Holiday Soiree's and perfect excuses to get your inner glam on. This Holiday red is the major trend flooding the runways and red carpets. This year it is all about simple application and and playing up what is arguably the most sexy feature we all posses..the lip.

Holiday Red Lip.

Simple,right? Any girl can unleash her inner siren and rock this look but by simply adding a few extra simple steps you can really make your features pop this Holiday.

• Liner,baby..using a dark color is all about the lip liner. Making the lip look perfectly defined is the key to the entire lip. A pro trick is to apply your red lipstick first. Apply the lipstick with your mouth only slightly parted and relaxed so that you keep the integrity of the pout. Opening your lips when you apply lip products stretches the shape of the lip making it look smaller. Finally, feather your lip liner around the edge of your lip. Again, hold your lip only parted slightly. Lining the lip last rather than first with a dark color will make the pencil slide easier and your shaping perfect.
• Complexion..to really pop your lip ensure you have prepped your skin and evened out your complexion whether that be though foundation, concealer or powder. By nature, we all have an uneven skin tone and when you even out your complexion you really set the stage for the red lip to pop your look and not that blemish you are rocking!
• Balance..you always want to choose one feature to really be the focal point. In this season's look the lip is center stage so you want to keep the eye more neutral. Adding just a pinch of cream or gold  eyeshadow swept along your entire lid with minimal to no eyeliner will give you the perfect balance and symmetry.

Voila! Rock this simple and yet completely breathtaking holiday trend ladies!

Lala xoxo