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Let's Start a Monday Tradition ...

Makeup Mondays!!

Every Monday there will be a new makeup look up for you (or an official apology/excuse combo).

So let's begin with today!

On Saturday I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 10th Annual Heart to Heart Gala Fundraiser hosted by The Catholic Family Services of Durham. It is an evening where the community comes together to celebrate and raise money in support of our services which goes to assist over 600 abused women and their families. If you would like to know more and/or help click to visit their website HERE

It was an absolutely lovely event!


Here is the makeup look I wore that evening:

How I achieved this look:

Step 1.

Using a shadow SLIGHTLY darker than your skin colour, in my case I used one the warmer matte shadows in the Smashbox Full Exposure palette (which is one of my all time favourites for bridal!). I used a fluffy blending brush to sweep this into my crease. This created a bit of an outline as to where my crease should be when it comes time to use darker colours. It's a trick I use to make sure my client's makeup is applied correctly for their eyeshape. It also allows me to blend the darker colours in to my skin colour later.

Step 2.

With a denser eyeshadow brush I applied a darker warm brown tone into the outer corners and across my crease. Then, using the fluffy brush from Step 1., I blended it.

Step 3. 

Next, I took "Venus" from Urban Decay's Naked Basics palette and applied it to the inner corners and 3/4 of the way to the outer corners of my eyelids. I took the blending brush and blended again until it was a smooth transition.

Step 4. 

Using a small about of black shadow and a small eyeshadow brush, I darkened the outer corners and just slightly into my crease to define it more and add a little more drama. You guessed it, I blended once again after this.

Step 5.

Using a transformer, in this case Metamorphix by Lise Watier, with a consistency comparable to more of a gel liner rather than a liquid liner I applied my eyeliner using black eyeshadow.

Step 6.

I lined my waterline with black kohl liner and applied a little black eyeshadow over it to ensure it wouldn't go anywhere during the night.

TIP: Eyeliner pencils are waxy, so to ensure it doesn't disappear right away I apply shadow over it to lock it in place.

Step 7.

Taking the same darker warm brown, and then the colour slightly darker than my skin tone, I blended the shadow underneath my eyes to a soft finish.

Step 8.

I used a Mac Pro Long Wear lipliner in "In Anticipation" to make my eyes pop!

et voila!

Next week I will try to stay away from all the neutrals and bring you a fun look. Maybe I will even use false lashes!

Love & A Good Cause,

Smoulder!

Let's celebrate this winter Friday with a super easy makeup look!

How I achieved this look:

Step 1.
Choose a dark colour of your choice. I used a gray-brown colour, not like I could tell you what it's called because it's been in my kit forever and the label has worn off but it's from Estee Lauder.
Apply this colour with a brush or your finger —you can usually achieve a slightly more pigmented coverage with your finger, from your lash line to your crease.

Step 2.
Take a clean crease brush and blend away from your crease in a back and forth motion. Blend until you can blend no more!

Step 3.
Take an eyeshadow colour close to your skin tone and use this to seamlessly blend your shadow into your brow bone. I've used the colour "Foxy" from Urban Decay's Naked Basics palette.

Step 4.
Take your favourite highlighting shade, I used "Venus" also from Urban Decay's Naked Basics palette and highlight your browbone and the inner corners of your eyes just the brighten the look up and to add some depth.

Step 5.
Apply your favourite mascara and lashes if you wish. (I did not add lashes)

AND THAT'S IT!

Bonus:
Keep your lip colour lighter — you don't want your smokey eyes competing with a dark lip.



See, I told you it was super easy! It's also a great look to practice your blending.
Now, go get 'em tiger!

Love & Sass,

Let's Catch Up

In the spirit of "Throwback Thursday", I thought I would write about that time I was my sisters Maid of Honour.

Almost a year ago, I had the privilege of being my sister's MOH. For two years, I helped plan the wedding, planned the engagement party, bridal shower and bachelorette. I created & designed invitations, thank you cards, posters and anything else I could. I was very busy but I loved every moment of it.

Nothing had me more nervous or excited than delivering my MOH speech at the reception though. I decided very early that I wanted to do something unexpected. Although, if you really know me — it actually seems very expected, but I digress...
I wanted to "WOW" my sister. I have always been somewhat of a closet ham but on the flip side I get paralyzingly nervous when I have to speak in front of more than 5 people at a time.

So the struggle is real.

Ten months before the wedding I started writing. I wrote down all the nice things I wanted to say knowing it needed to be REALLY nice because after having seen a MOH somewhere in the States perform her speech to the beat of "Without Me" by Eminem, I had found my performance inspiration. I knew my sister LOVED that song, as did I, and I decided I would do my own version. Keep in mind I used her chorus and a few of her lyrics but I promise at least 80% of the verses are all me.

So for the final 6 months before the big day, I practiced and practiced my rap. On the way to work, for my colleagues (those who would let me), on the way home from work, in the car, in the shower - EVERYWHERE.

As a comfort, I created a video of the lyrics to play behind me. It was intended to help me as back up so the audience didn't miss any words in case I did.

I had the wedding party in kahoots with me, along with the day-of coordinators, photographers, audio/visual guys and the MCs. A LOT of prep and planning went into this delivery.

SO the big day finally came and aside from the time I was doing everyone's makeup (yes, I did that too), my mind was on my upcoming speech. Dinner came and I couldn't even eat. I told the staff to keep bringing it but don't take it away because I was just so nervous I would eat AFTER my speech. They laughed at me.

My name was called to come up and ten months of preparing, planning and practicing was about to be summarized into 7 minutes.


Before you watch, if you haven't seen it before, here is my disclaimer;

For 3 minutes prior to where the video starts I had been delivering all those nice things I had previously mentioned I wanted to say. It went flawlessly. However, rapping fast while you're nervous makes it REAL easy to get out of breath. At one point during my rap I started sounding more and more like a goat because of how shaky my voice was and how hard I was pushing to get my breath in/out. You can't notice it too hard in the video but it's the one splinter I have left over from my performance. Either than that — I am proud and satisfied. I also give "cred" to the MOH who was the original genius to use this song.

So, as I say in the video, without further ado...

http://youtu.be/2w1mVjErp3g

After I performed, I walked straight to the bar to catch my breath and forget about my goat-esk voice.

The bar has been set for her speech at my wedding.

Love & Guts,

I'm Back!

Hello World!

After a long hiatus I am finally back in action here!

So keep checking back to read about makeup and design tutorials, tips and trends!

Love & Warmth,

A Formal Apology

I've already lied to you as this will in no way be formal—it's not how I roll.

Let me catch you up on my happenings in the last few months...

I am currently on bed rest due to major knee surgery I participated in 3 weeks ago. By "participated" I mean I 'volunteered' to go under the knife. However, if I started the story here I would be lying to you once again about catching you up in the last few months. You're welcome.

This past summer I did a few fun things, I went to Florida, hung out with friends—you know, the twenty-something usual summer activities. In other words, all involving alcohol. But perhaps the biggest thing to happen in my life this past summer was something that happened to my sister.

Her boyfriend and her went on a week-long trip to Rome, Italy. His company apparently has GREAT selling incentives. The day they left my sister, Andrea, had one last exam to complete and then she would have to grab her stuff and run to the airport (they had an evening flight). She left for the day and maybe an hour later Matt, her boyfriend, showed up back at the house with flowers. I was called down from my room and from their body language I could feel the intense emotion building. Matt was clearly nervous while he explained that the bouquets were for my mother and I. This guy was good. It was one of those moments where nothing had to be said, we knew what was coming next. He asked for my mom and I's approval to propose to Andrea. Mom started balling, I hugged Matt then asked to see the ring—of course I would. Bold. He was prepared for it though.

It was a beautiful ring! I asked if he picked it by himself and he admitted he had help from his mom but I still commended him (them). I yelled up the stairs to my friend Kayla. She had stayed the night and was closer to my phone or my camera than I. She promptly came running down the stairs, I told her what had just happened in a voice that was louder than necessary but I was really excited and couldn't be bothered to control my volume. Snap! Picture acquired. 

He asked where he could find my dad and my mom instructed him to visit the nearest Canadian Tire. Matt found him at the hotdog stand waiting for his tire to be changed. So, Matt rolled with the punches, paid for my dad's Italian sausage which brought him more joy than a bouquet of flowers ever could and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage.

They left for Italy and we were all on the edges of our seats waiting to get THE phone call. I thought mine came while out with my friends. I looked down and saw I missed a ridiculously long phone number and shouted out "ANDREA JUST CALLED!". Of course my friends knew all about it the moment I saw them. She left a message. Great, I may have missed the call but she left me a sisterly message telling me she was now engaged. It was sisterly alright, but didn't go the way I had hoped. She was angry that she could not reach our folks or myself and she had been trying for a while. No "I'm engaged!". No " He put a ring on it!". Nothing. Just sisterly anger. Sonofa...

She eventually made it back home and we saw the actual footage of the proposal. Adorable.

There's a funny thing that happens to a twenty-something girl, at least this one, when my friends get engaged. I start rethinking my own life journey and choices. I am happy for my friends for one minute before some voice pops into my head, "And why aren't you engaged yet?". Excuse me voice in my head but I don't appreciate questioning if I am doomed to become a spinster just because someone in my life has found her other half. Maybe it's just me but I have a strong intuition I'm not alone on this. Can I get an "Amen"!?

As I spend more days on my rump I plan to blog lots more. More makeup posts, more design posts and more fitness posts. With that being said, I will end this blog for this evening and leave you with some catch-up pictures. Including the ring!

My Matthew and I in Florida

What I had to work with the days I spent at Land's End.

My sister and her Fiance Matt, (yes we are both with Matt's) in their engagement shoot.

The professional shot of the ring.

My professional shot of the ring 5 minutes after her asked my mother and I.