Tutorial: Smokey Eye With Anastasia Beverly Hills Catwalk Palette

I cannot get enough of this palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills.  All the colors are up my alley, it literally is my go-to palette at the moment.  I've created everyday looks to dark smokey makeups such as this tutorial that I am sharing with all of you today.

I was looking through all of my tutorials and it seems like I haven't done a dark smokey one in awhile plus I haven't done a YouTube tutorial FOREVER! I do apologize for the lack of videos, but remember you can always follow me on Instagram.  I guess the reason why I hate making videos is because I always get stuck on what to show you guys! BLAH! Plus I hate editing, it's more of a love/hate relationship.

Anyways, lets get back to to the look.

This is how the palette looks, the colors are pretty right?

Here is a close-up of my face with all the products that I used to create the look.

If you don't have a frosted white eye shadow in your makeup collection you need one! White instantly opens up the eyes.  Take a look at my Spring/Summer Trend look here where I use white eye shadow on my lid.

If you would like a list of the products I used here ya go!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Catwalk Palette
MAC White Frost Eye Shadow (inner highlighter)
MAC Studio Sculpt Lash
Em Cosmetics Waterliner
House of Lashes Pixie Luxe
NYX Butter Lipstick Snow Cap
NYX Butter Gloss Fortune Cookie
MAC Cosmetics Style Blush
MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish Soft n Gentle

Did you see the cute VILLABEAUTIFFUL customized compact by Case Envy? I am so in love and I handle it with care when I use it.  Ev, really took care of me and wanted to make sure I was happy with my compact.  She went above and beyond to make sure it was exactly what I wanted.  So pleased to have done business with her.  She's amazing. To order yours please contact caseenvy@yahoo.com

 

I love anything Rose Gold so when I was sent these beautiful beautiful brushes from LuxieLush, I was in heaven!!! These are the brushes that I used to create this look in my video.  You get 12 brushes for eyes and lips with the brush cylinder case - a full set to complete a full makeup look.  The brushes are super soft and made very well. I always feel guilty using these brushes because they are just too pretty to use!

MOTD: smokey eye Anastasia Beverly Hills Catwalk Palette

I created this look with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Catwalk Palette which is a gorgeous palette! I really like now there are a variety of different colors and just not filled with all neutrals. 

Here are the details of the eye look 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Catwalk Palette - RTW, Beauty Marked and LBD

MAC white frost eye shadow as a highlight 

Violet Voss glitter in Golden Fairy and Goldie 

House of lashes  Noir Fairy lashes with Heartbreaker  stacked 

Can you believe this picture was taken with an iPhone 5? I try to use my husbands's iPhone when he is home because I love the results. I still have the 4 and the clarity of the photo is not as nice as the 5. 

Do you like the Catwalk palette? If so what are you favorite shadow combinations?     

Spring 2014 Makeup Trends & $150 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway

Can you believe Spring is already here? Time to put away the heavy sweaters, wool coats, and snow boots (I hope for those of you on the E.Coast) and bring out the airy, pastel hue dresses, and blouses.  Now that you have your fashion pieces all squared away what about your accessories? A great way to accessories your spring fashion wardrobe is to change up your makeup! This season's makeup trends are all very wearable and will complement all skin tones.  I attended Nordstrom's Spring Trend Show over the weekend so I was inspired  break down some of my favorite looks that I compiled into 1 look. And yes, there is a giveaway at the end of the post!!

 GLOWING SKIN

Glowing skin was revealed on the spring 2014 runway at 3.1 Phillip Lim and
Christian Siriano S/S 2014 Collection . The look is the sheer coverage foundation - no makeup look but with a touch of luminosity. Your skin just glows just like in front of candlelight. It is fresh and organic looking.

To recreate a glowy look at home is so easy! 1 product is all you really need - MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl.  The product is a multipurpose cream that can be used on it's own, with foundation, as an eye shadow base or simple as an highlighter as I did here.  Pearl can be applied  with your finger (the warmth of your finger helps blend out the product) to the higher plains of the face.  Just a few light touches is all you need. 

BRIGHT WHITE

Brighten up your eye makeup with soft washes of iridescent whites on the lid paired with pastel eye shadows just like models from Alice + Olivia and Isabel Marant at NYFW.  To keep white from looking stark pair with what you are familiar and comfortable with - neutrals.  If you are still uncertain about white use it as a highlighter towards the inner tearduct  and under the brow bone.  The models above wear the white nicely!

I love using eye shadow to brighten up the eye, even just placed on the lid it really does make a difference.  My favorite white eye shadow is MAC White Frost.  The color is a bright white with icy shimmer ( no sparkles in this one, just a frost finish). If you are having difficulty with the white shadow to stay as vivid like mine in the picture make sure you use an eye shadow base before.  Everyone always wants to know how to make their eyes appear brighter, wider, more awake.  Lining your waterline with a white eyliner such as MAC Fascinating Eye Kohl will do exactly that.  It does get some use to but once you get the hang of it you will notice a big difference.  A little tip - try to keep the liner right in the waterline. Then take your everyday eyeliner right where your lashes begin to grow to make your lashes look fuller.


CAT EYE LINER

 It seems like everywhere you go you will see someone with a winged out, cat eye liner. It really adds some shape and dimension to your eye looks just like these looks from Tracy Reese and Rodarte from their 2014 Spring collections.  Always a classic look that is timeless but with lots of detail. 

 If you are scared using a liquid liner no worries! MAC Smolder Eye Kohl is a cult favorite.  It is an extreme black eye pencil that is perfect for blending out to create a smokey look or to wing out with an eyeliner brush.  This isn't waterproof so try to keep it out of the waterline or else you will have little raccoon eyes.

ORANGE POP LIPS

While researching for this post this was probably the most popular look found all over the runways especally at John Galliano and Dennis Basso for  Spring 2014 NYFW.  The orange is so striking and makes a bold statement against a perfect flawless face.  Women don't tend to gravitate to an orange lipstick but it complements different skin tones very well.  If you can't do a bright neon organge, look for a pinkish/orange or a reddish/orange that is more on your comfort level.

 Ever since my honeymoon to the Philippines I have been into brighter lips.  But for some reason I didn't even have true bright orange lipstick in my collection! I had to get MAC Morange Lipstick when I was at the Nordstrom Trend Show  to add to my lipstick collection  If you are not comfortable with a brighter lip, just blot some of the remaining pigment on a tissue.  You can even just apply the color to the center of the lips and press your lips together to move the color around.  I love this color on me and it really complemented the eyes very well!



I hope you guys enjoyed my rundown on some of my favorite spring 2014 makeup trends and how you can achieve it with MAC Makeup!  Now it's time to go shopping to revamp your makeup/beauty Spring Essentials! I love shopping for beauty products at Nordstrom because it's one stop shop for all your department store cosmetics, like MAC.  You can find Nordstrom coupon codes  and any sale information on coupons.com. Also if  you get the chance to go to a Spring Trend Show do it!!

It's Giveaway Time! 

 

Excited to bring you this awesome giveaway sponsored by Coupons.com!!!  Want to win a $150 Nordstrom Gift Card curtsey of Coupons.com for some new Spring essentials to your wardrobe or some beauty Spring must haves? Giveaway runs from March 25-April 8

 

 

Moiology | Suburban Faux Pas | A Little Dash of Darling | Crowley Party | The Sweetest Thing

Livy Loves | Mint Arrow | Cleverly Yours | Auteur Ariel | Villa Beautifful

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Olia Box - Jewelry Monthly Subscription Box

I am an active subscriber to monthly subscription beauty boxes (Starlooks, Ipsy and Birchbox Woman) also my husband is too (Birchbox Man).  It's such a great way to experience different brands and beauty products that you wouldn't normally purchase for yourself or from brands you haven't heard about.  But what about a monthly subscription box for trendy jewelry to match your wardrobe? Look no further, I bring you OLIA BOX!

I was given the opportunity to review a box sent to me from Olga, the owner of Olia Box.  This was my first time that I even heard about a monthly jewelry box subscription.  What a great idea! Also free shipping and a money back guarantee.  Yes, you read that right!

Here is some details about Olia Box from the company.

• OLIA BOX is a monthly subscription base box of personally selected accessories for each client.  Based on the individuals personal taste, seasoned Stylists work in synch with subscribers, to ensure the perfect bauble is paired to its customer. Olia Box is a fresh way to keep your looks updated with unique accessories, and affordable to any level of fashionista! Once you sign up with an account you will go through a questionnaire about your style.

• OLIA BOX houses some of the top and most seasoned Stylists with over a decade of combined experience in the industry of fashion and accessories. The OLIA BOX Stylists are up to the minute on the latest trends bringing the top fashion styles to you, in a box delivered to your doorstep, monthly.

• OLIA BOX jewelry is for the contemporary woman who is savvy, distinguished and finds expression through elegant touches and details. The vision of incorporating pieces from around the globe, and housing them under one umbrella brings the world to your door each month. The pieces are easy to layer, love and live in. Every design is the perfect marriage of sweet and sexy, keeping fashionistas and traditionalists alike delighted from season to season.  

 Now for pricing.. there are 2 different boxes based on your needs and price.

•  For $25 a month you receive 2-3 pieces of hand selected pieces varying from bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings each month!

• For $35 a month you receive 3-4 pieces of hand selected pieces varying from bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings each month! 

Want to see what I got? So excited to share with you my pieces that I received which I LOVE!

 This is how your jewlery will be sent to you.  A basic white decent sized box.  I always get excited when I receive boxes like these :) 

Right when you open the box you will see a nicely wrapped package with the Olia Box logo sealing the tissue paper.  Cute packaging is always a great first impression, but there's more ....

 When you unwrap the tissue paper you get little welcome and thank you card detailing your box. It's always nice when you have the company saying "thank you" for purchasing their product, makes me feel acknowledged.

The backside of the postcard with the picture of the two illustrated girls features a guide on how to care for your new jewelry.  I thought this was a great decision and very helpful for subscribers.  You want your new pieces of jewlery to be with you for a long time, right?

How cute is this linen bag! Perfect way to store your jewlery (esp. for travel) or reuse it to store ... makeup perhaps? ;)

 

I received little items - necklace, ring and earrings with all of them complimenting each other.  I've always wanted a necklace like this and my favorite item are the earrings!

 I only wear stud earrings so these were just perfect. One of the backs to the earrings was a little loose but no worries I can replace it with another one. The center is gold texture pattern with gray outlining it.  Pretty combination of colors.  I totally see myself dressing this up and down.  Very versatile.

The necklace is very simple but trendy all at the same time. It is a gold bar with a little diamond towards the end. 

 This is what the ring looks like.  Dainty and oh so very trendy! 

I hope you guys enjoyed my review of the Olia Box! Check out their website and subscribe now!

www.oliabox.com 

 

P.S.  I didn't realize my DSLR was on this special filter mode until I was already finished taking all the photos.  Sorry if my face looks super bright and pale .. next time I'll make sure I check the settings :D

50k followers on Instagram!

I just had to blog about this milestone! I've waited forever to reach this mark and it finally hit! Yay! Thank you everyone for supporting me, it really means so much!

Some randome things about my Instagram some are obvious (which I always get asked about) and some are not 

- Yes, I do live in Seattle (I get asked so many times and it's even on my profile) 

- I am a professional makeup artist if you can't tell 

- I post at least 1 picture a day except weekends

- I try to post a variety of pictures such as my personal life, daily life and my dog Luca. But really it's all about beauty I can't stay away. 

- yes I have a YouTube (again another question I get asked all the time lol)

- I always try to comment back when someone asks a question 

- I am always on IG  

- I go crazy when someone asks me a question when the answer is right there in the description. People, read read read PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

- I have met so many wonderful people on IG including my beauty pen pal Katie! 

- my relationships with brands couldn't have been done without IG. So very blessed with all the exposure these companies give me. So thankful for their support! 

- I usually take my IG pictures with my IPAD mini, Panasonic Lumix or my iPhone 4 

- some of my favorite editing apps are Phototoaster, PixFX, Pixlrexpress and MoreBeaute2

- I hope someday I can be one of Seattle's top instagrammers (doubt this will happen because all I post about is anything and everything beauty related hahahahaahah ) 

If you are not already following me on IG, please do! I would love to share with you my world through Instagram! 

Villabeautifful in Asia - honeymoon edition!

Hello loves! I know I haven't been posting for a very long time, I always neglect my blog! Hopefully, I can jump on blogging/reviewing and sharing pictures with all of you on a daily basis again (this will include new YouTube tutorials as well) . Thank you all for being so patient! 

After 6 months of being married my husband and I finally went on our honeymoon to Hong Kong and the Philippines (Manila, Cebu and Boracay). It was such an awesome vacation and happy I was able to share my homeland with my new husband.  I've been to the Philippines 3 times already but for the MR.  It was his first. I was scared to see how he would react especially in the Philippines but to my amazement he LOVES it! He wants us to find a condo as our vacation home. Yay! We had a great time and didn't want to go back home. 

Here are some highlights from our trip 

Our first stop for 3 days was Hong Kong. 

Skyline of Hong Kong - the day was overcast with some scattered showers. Major jet lag here!

Being a beauty junkie my favorite part of Hong Kong was Sasa!!! Oh my goodness. Literally every city block had a Sasa. If you don't know what Sasa is it's best described as an Asian Sephora - different Asian beauty brands (Japanese,  Korean, Chinese) skincare, haircare, makeup, nails, etc. it was so much fun going into each one everywhere we went. The MR. was so amazed how many there were in a short radiance from each other. The picture shows some of the products that I picked up. I wanted more but knew that I had to limit myself since we still have to make it to the Philippines. 

For a week and half we spent the majority of our time in the Philippines

The view from our hotel room at the Sofitel Manila Plaza. Such a beautiful hotel outside of Makati. Can you see the Ferris Wheel? That's Mall of Asia- one of the biggest malls in Asia less than 5 min from our hotel via taxi. The big building in front is the Manila Film Centre. 

The MR. and I like history and culture we spent some time at Corrigdor and Intramueros. 

Time for some fun times on the beach! 

Cebu Movenpick beautiful grounds and hotel! It was nice to lay out on the beach and enjoy the weather. 

The last stop was of course Boracay! 

Boracay Regency Lagoon was our home for 3 days. If you stay here make sure you get the 1st level rooms so you have direct access to the pool from your balcony. It is also a short walk away to the beach. 

Look at the beautiful water and sand! The water was so warm! Spent 2 days just lounging on the beach drinking fresh mango shakes.  

Back to Manila! 

Our last night in the Philippines the Sofitel upgraded us to the top floor with a few overlooking Manila Bay and a beautiful view of the pool. 

That's our trip in a nut shell! So sad it had to end but we enjoyed every second of it. We are already planning our next trip to Europe. Can't wait! 

MOTD: Holiday Inspired Makeup with NYX Cosmetics

I'm a little late figuring out the settings on my camera (1 year later) but I am so happy that I did! Pictures are clear and the colors are vibrant. I have been getting a lot of people asking me why I have a glowing ring in my eyeballs.  That is the reflection from my new lighting! Gotta have good lighting for makeup pictures/videos especially when you do everything at night around 11pm.

Anyways here's today's festive look!

 1. Prime lid with NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil in Sparkle Green.  This is how I achieved the vibrant green on the lid.  The green is gorgeous even used on it's own.
2. NYX Cosmetics Love In Rio En Fuego Eye Shadow Palette  The middle color (purple burgandy shade) used above the crease.
3. NYX Cosmetics Love In Paris C'est La Vie  Eye Shadow Palette for highlight, crease and lid.
4. NYX Cosmetics Roll On Shimmer Nude with Liquid Crystal Liner Crystal Champagne (the new color is now Crystal Silk) for bottom liner.
5. Line eye with NYX Gel Liner in Jet Black. I even used this product very lightly for my brows but I mixed it with the dark brown gel liner too.
5. Lashes are House of Lashes Pixie Luxe with Bohemian Princess stacked on top of each other
Can't forget about the @hairandmakeupaddiction brushes to create this look