a look: pool side inspired.

Okay so while you might think for the title, "Girrrlll I know you're not wearin all that to the pool. Well my friend, you are right. I was just inspired by the summery colors and breezy atmosphere that the pool implies. This look features a pale sea blue wash on the lid, a nude cheek and a peach lip. I love how bright and airy this looks, perfect for spring and summer. Plus, it is soooo easy. Enjoy!

the eyes:

-Start as always by priming the lid with an eye primer or base of choice. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer)

-Begin with blending a pale blue cream shadow all over the lid and through the crease. The one I used was actually duo chromed so in person it has a beautiful gold sheen in the light. (Maybelline Color Tattoo #Seashore Frosts)

-Pop a shimmery liner or shadow into the inner corner of the eye for a highlight. (L'oreal Silkissime Liner #Highlighter)

-Line the waterline with a nude waterproof kohl pencil to keep the eyes looking bright and open. (NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner #Rue Bonaparte)

-Pack a matte shadow a few shades lighter than your skin tone under the brown for a subtle highlight. (Tarte Mattenificient Palette #Sand Out From the Crowd)

-With a pencil brush, blend a peachy matte shade under the lower lashes for a slight shadow. (Tarte Mattenificient Palette #Peach for the Stars)

-Instead of harsh dark liner, take a flat definer brush and pack on a dark matte chocolate shade along the upper lash line. (Tarte Mattenificient Palette #Dream in Chocolate 

-Throw on a couple coats of mascara to the lashes to prep for falsies. (L'oreal Shocking Extensions Carbon Black Telescopic Mascara)

-Apply a natural lite false lash. (Kiss Lashes #03)

the lips:

Go Peachy!

-Throw on a satin finish lipstick or crayon in a beautiful peach shade to the lips for a summery pout. (Flower Beauty Lip Suede Velvet Lip Chubby #Life's A Peach)

other products used:

-CoverFX Mattifying Primer

-L'oreal Truematch Foundation #W4

-L'oreal Truematch Concealer Crayon #N678

-Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer #Porcelaine

-MAC Prep + Prime Pen #Radiant Rose

-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder #Translucent Crystal

-Sephora Los Cabos Bronzer

-Kardashian Beauty Radiant Ombre Blush #Sunlit Ombre

-NYX Automatic Eyebrow Pencil #Deep Brown

-Milani Brow Shaping Clear Gel

-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish #Lightscapade

 

I hope you all enjoyed this fresh and easy look today. Please tag me in any pics of your creations. Also please follow all of my social media platforms listed below:) Thanks for the support as always!

instagram: @gnomebusiness

twitter: @mc_gnomeski
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamalizarin

FIN

beauty rant: my breakup with winged liner.

I will proceed this by saying, take everything below with a grain of salt.

There are no rights and wrongs when it comes to makeup and your personal style. 

All photos are of me and my work to show that yes, I am guilty of this too.

Now let the rant begin.

While I enjoy a good cat eye as much as the next diva..

My relationship with winged liner ends here.

Well, maybe ends is not accurate (because I do love it). But, I am trying to make a point people.

Do you (like so many of us) find your self saying,

"Ahhh who cares it will look better once I put my liner on anyways."

Come on, those of us who have perfected the winged liner trick have allllll said this to ourselves.

Enough is enough. 

I was so angry when I noticed I was saying this, and decided to challenge my self by putting my wings down.

You should take pride in your work.

It should be tidy and well blended enough to stand on its own.

Please understand, liner is not a bad thing (while winged liner is going out of style at the moment btw).

Liner can be a great thing, whether its liquid, gel, kajal, or what have you.

But!!! Let it be a tool for you to add drama and dimension. 

NOT A CRUTCH.

If you feel naked walking out of the house with out those wings...

Girl... it's time. Put them down.

While I will definitely enjoy sporting the occasional killer wing,

I have taken this step out of my daily routine in order to challenge myself.

And I have to say, it feels good.

I dare you to try it.

Even just for a day or a week.

End rant.

Let me know what you think on any of my social media platforms (&follow!) below.

Please tag me in any photos of your looks with out winged liner.

I would love to see what you come up with!

instagram: @gnomebusiness

twitter: @mc_gnomeski
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamalizarin

FIN

far out: galaxy eyes.

Galaxy eyes. Tonight's look was inspired by the the beautiful colors of the starry night sky. If you are looking for something that will be sultry and pack a punch, this is for you. For those of you scared off by a dramatic eye and bold lip combo, this look would also look beautiful with a nude lip for a night out. I hope that you enjoy and try something new!

the eyes:

-Start as always, by priming the eyelids with your eye primer of choice. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer)

-Lay down a black cream shadow base over the lid with a flat shader brush or your finger. (Maybelline Color Tattoo #Stroke of Midnight)

-Apply a turquoise cream base along the outer 2/3's of the lower lash line and drag it outwards into a cat eye shape. (Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick #Tempting Turquoise)

-With an oval blending brush, apply a pink shadow through the inner tear duct and inner 1/3 of the lid and above the inner 1/3 of the crease. (KIKO Wet & Dry Use Shadow #219 mixed with Urban Decay #Coax)

-Now using a flat shader brush, press on a shimmer black shadow over the outer 2/3 of the lid. You may wet your brush with water, a mixing medium, or setting spray for a more vibrant effect. (Prestige Longterm Relationship Eyeshadow #Black Magic)

-With a flat definer brush again, pack on a shimmery blue-toned purple to the inner 1/3 of the lid and inner 1/3 of the lower lash line. (Urban Decay #Betrayal)

- On a fluffy blending brush, blend a matte black through the crease. Really concentrate this into the crease and lightly buff outwards for a blown out effect. (Sephora Pantone Palette Matte Black)

-With the same brush pick some of the pink shade back up and lightly blend out the outer edges of the matte black. (Urban Decay #Coax)

-Now highlight the brow bone with a shimmery pale pink shadow. (Urban Decay #Dope)

-On a pencil brush, apply a vibrant turquoise shadow to the turquoise shadow base along the lower lashline. (Sephora Pantone Palette Turquoise)

-With the same pencil brush, pick up a tiny amount of the matte black shadow and blend that on the middle of the lower lashline right below the iris of your eye. (Sephora Pantone Palette Matte Black)

-Now take a clean more precise blending brush, and spend a good  minute blending out the lower lashline and "tail" of the shadow to insure a beautiful gradient effect. 

-Apply a black waterproof kohl pencil to the waterline and the upper lashline. I chose to skip a winged liner and opt to line my natural eye shape, but either will work. (NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner #Via Veneto)

-Prep your lashes for falsies with a solid coat of black mascara. (Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara)

-Apply a dramatic pair of lashes with a splash of color. (Katy Perry Color Pop Lashes #Blue)

the lips:

-Line the lips with a lilac or purple lip liner to keep the products from bleeding. (Jordana Easy Liner For Lips #Silver Lilac)

-Apply a highly pigmented purple lipstick. (Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick #Violet Intrique)

-Top it all off with a purple gloss for some shine! (Milani Brilliant Shine Gloss #Berry Tempting)

other products used:

-Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

-Too Faced Amazing Face Foundation #Vanilla Creme

-Lancome Effacernes Concealer #Porcelaine

-L'oreal Truematch Concealer Crayon #N678

-MAC Prep + Prime Pen #Radiant Rose

-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder Pressed #Translucent Crystal

-NYX Auto Brow Pencil #Deep Brown

-Milani Brow Shaping Gel

-Sephora Los Cabos Bronzer

-Revlon Powder Blush #Oh Baby Pink

-Benefit Watts Up

As always thank you so much for your time! I hope you all learned something new and if not at least are inspired to try something new. Please leave any requests on any of my social media platforms listed below, and make sure to follow me for the latest updates if you're not already! 

instagram: @gnomebusiness

twitter: @mc_gnomeski
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamalizarin

FIN

good vibes: music festival makeup.

It is officially music festival season! Bring on the sun, the good vibes, and great music. Today's look is a more indie inspired festival look. Feel free to switch out the corals for colors that coordinate with your outfit. This look is very easy to achieve and perfectly unkempt, for an easy going aesthetic. I hope you enjoy!

the eyes:

-Start by priming the lids with an eye base or eye primer of choice. Also take this along the lower lashline, as we will be applying shadow there too. ( Lorac Behind The Scenes Primer )

-Apply a matte peachy shadow to the lid with a flat shader brush. (Kat Von D Lady Bird Palette)

-Next, sweep a matte taupe shadow through the crease and blow the outter corner out to create a cat like effect. This will give the look depth. (Kat Von D Lady Bird Palette)

-Line the upper lashline with a deep brown kohl liner, and create a wing shape. This does not have to be perfect, because you then should smudge this out with a smudge or pencil brush. (Kat Von D Autograph Pencil #Immortal Love)

-With a matte brown shadow blend this over the wing portion of the liner to soften the edges and create a nice transition between the taupe shadow and the liner. (Urban Decay #Rewind)

-Line the waterline with a nude or white waterproof eyeliner pencil.Also, carry this around the inner tear duct. (NYX Wonder Pencil #Light)

-Apply the same brown eyeliner to the outer third of the lower lashline and connect this to the winged liner. (Kat Von D Autograph Pencil #Immortal Love)

-With a flat definer brush, line the lower lash line with a orange, red-brown matte shadow. Carry the shadow all the way out to the end of the cat shape of the brown liner. On the inner corner disconnect from the true lashline and place the shadow under the nude pencil liner previously applied. (Kat Von D Lady Bird Palette)

-Prep the lashes for falsies with several coats of black mascara. (Lancome Hypnose Drama)

-Apply a fun spiky pair of falsies to complete the eye look. (Ardell Lashes #Scanties)

the lips:

-Compliment the red brown eyeshadow with a beautiful and long lasting coral lip. (Rimmel Show Off Lip Laquer #Luna)

the cheeks:

-Today is not the day to skip on the bronzer ladies! Apply a warm bronzer to the perimeters of the face. (Sephora Los Cabos Bronzer)

-For blush opt of a peachy apricot shade with some sheen. (Kardashian Beauty Sunlit Ombre Cheek Color)

-Top it all off with a cream highlighter for glowing skin. (Benefit Watts Up)

 other products used:

-Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
-Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation #Fair/Light
-Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer #Porcelaine
-L'oreal Truematch Concealer Crayon #N678
-MAC Prep + Prime Pen #Radiant Rose
-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder Pressed #Translucent Crystal
-NYX Auto Brow Pencil #Dark Brown
-Milani Brow Shaping Gel
-Urban Decay DeSlick Setting Spray

That complete's today's look guys. I hope you all enjoy your spring and summer festivals and tweet or instagram me pics of your looks! Please do check out my social media platforms listed below to keep track of upcoming looks and inspiration. As always thanks for your time and support!

instagram: @gnomebusiness

twitter: @mc_gnomeski
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamalizarin

FIN

celebrity crush: haifa wehbe.

Today's look is inspired by the stunning Lebanese sensation, Haifa Wehbe. Known for her signature smokey eyes, Haifa's look always brings some drama. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the link to the photo I used of her as inspiration, but she wore a beautiful matte purple smokey eye and matte peach lips. I loved how soft the looks was on her as apposed to some of her more traditional bold Arabic cat eyes. I kept the eyes very top heavy, as is on trend for this spring, with no shadow or mascara along the lower lash line. This look will be stunning on any eye color and skin tone. As always, feel free to swap out any of the products used for things currently in your collection.

the eyes:

- Begin with priming the lids with an eye primer or shadow base. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer)

- Next, lay down a deep purple cream shadow over the lid to serve as a stick base for the shadow. (Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick #Paranoid Purple)

- With fluffy blending brush, sweep a peachy matte shadow through the crease blowing the shape out toward the brow bone. This will serve as our transition shade. (Tarte Mattenificient Palette #Peach for the Stars)

-Then using a flat shadow brush, pack on a deep matte purple all over the lid. After that take a oval blending brush and blend this same color through the crease. Blow this color out towards the tail of the brow to create a cat like shape. (Tarte Mattenificient Palette #Two Plums Up)

-Apply a matte flesh tone shadow a few shades lighter than your skin tone to the brow bone for a natural looking highlight. (Tarte Mattenificient Palette #Sand Out from the Crowd)

- Line the upper lashes only with a black kohl liner, and smudge this slightly with a pencil brush. (Jordana 12hr Made To Last Liquid Eyeliner #Blackpoint)

- Apply a nice coat of mascara to the upper lashes only. (Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara)

- Finish the look of with a long and flirty pair of lashes. (Kiss Tapered End Lashes #Pretty)

the lips:

- Line the lips with a nude lip liner for added definition and to stop any lip product from feathering. (Milani Color Statement Lip Liner #Nude)
- Apply a matte peach shade lip stick, or in my case a lip cream. (NYX Matte Lip Cream #Buenos Aires)

other products used:

-Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
-Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation #Ivory
-Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer #Porcelaine
-MAC Prep + Prime Pen #Radiant Rose
-L'oreal Truematch Concealer Crayon #N678
-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder Pressed #Translucent Crystal
-Sephora Bora Bora Bronzer
-Sephors Los Cabos Bronzer
-Revlon Powder Blush #Naughty Nude
-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish #Lightscapade
-NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray
-NYX Auto Brow Pencil #Dark Brown
-Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

Haifa is such a great source of makeup inspiration to me that I am sure there will be more celebrity crush installments featuring some of her other looks in the future. So keep on the look out! Also, don't forget to tag me in any photos of your recreations. I would love to see them! Please leave any tutorial requests or related comments on any of my social media platforms listed below (which you should all be following!). Thanks as always for your time and support and I'll see you guys again soon with another look!

instagram: @gnomebusiness

twitter: @mc_gnomeski
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamalizarin

FIN

a celebration: prom makeup vol. 2

Alright, so tonight is another installment in my prom looks series. This one goes out to all of you wearing a purple, orange, or neutral dress and want a makeup look to coordinate. Of course you can wear this with anything but I definitely recommend this look for those color dresses. I hope you all enjoy and of course feel free to switch out products for those you already own!

the eyes:

- Begin with priming the eye space with an eye primer of choice. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer)
- First, start by applying a dark purple cream base to the entire lid (stopping at the crease). (Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick #Paranoid Purple)
-Then apply a deep shimmery purple shadow to the lid with a flat shader brush. For added intensity, wet your brush with a mixing medium, water, or mixing medium in order to foil the shadow. (KIKO Long Lasting Wet & Dry Use Shadow #204)
-With a smaller shader brush, apply a shimmery black shadow to the outer v of the eye. (Prestige Longterm Relationship Shadow #Black Magic)
-For a healthy pop of color, blend a peachy satin or matte shadow through the crease. (KIKO Long Lasting Wet & Dry Use Shadow #218)
-Highlight the brow bone with a matte shadow a few shades lighter than your skin tone. (NYX Nude Matte Shadow #I Have A Headache)
-Create a winged liner along the upper lash line with a black gel or liquid liner. (Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner #Blackest Black)
-Line the waterline with a warm brown liner. (Jane Water Resistant Liner #Brown)
-Blend a dark brown along the lower lashes with a pencil brush. (L'oreal HIP Shadow Duo #Shady)
-Highlight the inner corner with a beautiful lilac duo chrome pigment. (Makeup Forever Star Powder #942)
-Apply a healthy coat of mascara to the lashes. (Diorshow Mascara)
-Top the look off with a natural set of falsies. (KISS Lashes #03)

 the lips:

-First, line the lips with a nude liner slightly outside of the natural lip line to make the lips appear fuller and help your lipstick not to bleed. (Milani Lip Liner #Nude)
-Then apply a rosy nude lipstick. This shade is not too nude to wear you will get washed out in photos. (NYX Round Lipstick #Thalia)
-Top the lips with a high shine coral gloss to add a peachy effect to the lips. (Maybelline Colorsensational Lipgloss #Coral Heat)

other products used:
-Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
-NYX Invincible Foundation #Ivory
-Lancome Effacernes Concealer #Porcelaine
-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder Pressed #Translucent Crystal
-MAC Prep + Prime Pen #Radiant Rose
-L'oreal Truematch Concealer Crayon #N678
-NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil #Dark Brown
-Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel
-Sephora Los Cabos Bronzer
-Milani Baked Blush #Coralina
-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish #Lightscapade

That complete's this look for prom 2014! I have one more prom inspired tutorial coming up so keep your eyes peeled. Pay attention to all my social media platforms listed below (which you should be following ;} ) so you know when a new post is up! Also please leave any comments, questions, or requests on my social media pages as well. Please tag me in any photos of your prom recreations; I would love to see! Thanks for your time ladies and have a safe and magical prom night!

instagram: @gnomebusiness

twitter: @mc_gnomeski
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamalizarin

FIN

a celebration: prom makeup vol. 1

This one goes out to all you ladies preparing to dance the night away. That's right ladies and gentlemen, it's prom season and with it comes all the stress of planning your look head to toe. Well I can't help with the dress situation, but
I can show you several looks perfect for that night along with step to step instructions so you don't have to fork over serious cash to get your makeup done at a counter. Today's look is perfect for literally any dress color you could wear, and will look stunning on every skin tone.  This eye look is dramatic, yet just neutral enough that you could switch it out for any bold lip color to go with your dress or even a nude lip if that's your thing. This is the first of several prom inspired looks to come this week, so stay tuned. I tried to include mostly drugstore products for this look, but feel free to switch out anything to meet your needs and budget. Make sure to read the hot tip section in every category below! Enjoy!

[ hot tip ] [ Make sure to wear falsies on the big day (but not over dramatic ones) to make you eyes appear more open in photos. ]

the eyes:

- Start by priming the lid and lower lashline with a primer or eye base of choice. This will ensure your eyeshadows will last all night. (Lorac Behind The Scenes Primer)

- Next, apply a shimmery champagne cream shadow to the lid. (Maybelline Color Tattoo #Beigeing Beauty)

- Wet a flat shader brush with mixing medium, water, or setting spray and pack on a shimmery champagne-taupe colored shadow. By using this wet it will create a more intense, foiled look that will show up in photos. (KIKO Long Lasting Wet & Dry Use Eyeshadow #200)

-Apply a matte taupe shade through the crease to serve as a transition raid. (L'oreal HIP Shadow Duo #Shady)

-With a small detail brush apply a shimmery cream base to the inner corner of the eye and the inner third of the waterline. (Maybelline Color Tattoo #Barely Branded)

- With a small blending brush apply a matte dark brown shadow to the outer v and the immediate crease to add depth to the look. Also blend this color along the lower lash line. (Lorac Pro Palette #Espresso)

- Line the outer third of the water line and tightline the upper lashes with a waterproof kohl pencil. (NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner #Via Veneto)

-Blend out the bottom lashline even further with a warm matte brown shadow. (Lorac Pro Palette #Sable)

-Highlight the browbone with a matte shadow a few shades lighter than your skin tone. (Lorac Pro Palette #White)

-Apply Mascara to top and bottom lashes. (Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara)

-Today is not the day to skip on lashes, but go for a light flirty pair so that the eyeshadow is still visible. (Kiss Lashes #03)

[ hot tip ] [ on the lips opt for a color that compliments, but is not the exact shade of your dress to keep the look updated and on trend ]

the lips:

- For this look I opted for a long wearing gloss stain. These Milani ones will last through lots of laughter, eating , and dancing. When the gloss does wear off you will be left with a beautiful stain on the lips! (Milani Power Lip #Rasberry Tart)

other products used:

-Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
-NYX Invincible Fullest Coverage Foundation #Ivory
-Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer #Porcelaine
-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder Pressed #Translucent Crystal
-MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter #Radiant Rose
-L'oreal Truematch Concealer Crayon #N-6-7-8
-Lorac Take a Brow
-NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil #Dark Brown
-Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel
-Sephora Los Cabos Bronzer
-Benefit Watts Up
-Milani Baked Blush #Luminoso
-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish #Lightscapade
-NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray

I hope you all enjoyed this look! If this is not the one for your prom, just stay tuned I have several coming your way! Please leave any specific requests on my social media platforms listed below (which you should be following ;] ) or in the comment section below. I love you all and thanks for your time! Have a save and amazing time at prom. Make it one to remember!

instagram: @gnomebusiness

twitter: @mc_gnomeski
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamalizarin

FIN