Everyday Fall/Autumn Makeup

Hello my lovelies!

I had a day off today, so I decided to be productive. I spent the day, not filming just one, but 3 videos for my youtube channel! And after filming them I decided I needed to edit and upload one as soon as possible. And since its nearing Christmas time I had to make sure I got a fall video in. Thus bringing us to this post. This is the makeup that I've been loving for an everyday fall look. Please take a look and then share it with the world. No fears. Love you all. Thanks for reading ;)

Oh and if you watch my video, please leave a comment saying my blog brought you there!…and then subscribe ;-)

Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder

The Sculpting powder of all sculpting powders.

Were do I start with this baby? Kevyn Aucoin is a makeup artist legend who was taken from us too soon. He certainly left behind a legacy. This one product alone is enough to keep his name in the running.

This ultra smooth, luxurious powder is suitable for most skin tones. It comes in the shade "medium" but I find that even on my skin (the fairest of fair) it works. There is something so subtle about its pigments.   Its true, this powder looks a little grey toned, and thats because it is. Thats also what makes it the perfect shading color. Since it has grey tones (and also indigo tones, so i've been told) it gives the illusion of an actual shadow. Sometimes with bronzers or shaping powders they are too warm, sometimes causing the skin to look muddy or overpowered by cheek color. With this sculpting powder I find its not hard to get the perfect contour with  just a few strokes.

The only problem I have with this product is the price and availability. I live in LA so its a little easier for me to come by and also as a MUA makes the price better. But if you don't have these traits then the price is a hefty $44. Getting ahold of it is also a little tricky. You can order it offline from many sites, or if you have a Space NK near you, but its unlikely you'll find it in a department store other than Barneys or Bergdorfs. If you do live in the LA area, Nigels Beauty Emporium in NoHo retails KA.

All together though I absolutely love this sculpting powder, I do think its worth the price. It is very easy to use with a contour brush (forget that shitty little brush they include in the compact). Kevyn has a brush made for this powder but i've yet to venture into paying the pretty penny for it. If you do, leave a comment letting me know what you think about it!

If you want to see this powder in action, watch my Jesy Nelson inspired Makeup Tutorial linked below and dont forget to follow here, and subscribe on youtube!

Where the Hell have I been?!

No excuses. I've been gone far too long.. and the only excuse i've got is that I was finishing up a super busy time at school, while trying to work in the field, and maintain a social life. Nevertheless i've been gone far too long. I have also been slacking on my Youtube videos..Though not as much as my blog. So this will be the time that I start to get back into it. I think along with each youtube video I post, there will be a coordinating blogpost, you know showing the bits and bobs i used to achieve the look in the video. What do you think? Do you love me again? I'm also going to be trying to purchase some more products to review, I mean its a win win. You get a review, telling you if a product is shit or not and i get a new product! So i'll stop rambling about nothing now and link a video to one of my more recent videos! I love you all. Again so sorry for my being m.i.a. 

Please subscribe to my channel! Its free and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :)

VIDEO: EYE TUTORIAL TO MAKE BLUE EYES POP!

Hey Hey Hey!

This was just a quick video I filmed explaining what colors make those ocean eyes pop. I also showed you how to apply a combination of colors that i've been loving wearing that are super easy and quick to do in the morning! Please take a gander and PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to my youtube channel and drop a comment in saying my blog brought you there! Please leave any comments and questions you have about anything! xx

Products used:

Eyeshadows: Nylon, Coppering, Texture by MAC

Eyeliner: Urban Decay Perversion

Mascara: Urban Decay Big Fatty

Brush used: Sephora Platinum Oval Blending Brush

VIDEO: CONTOURING FOR FAIR SKIN

Hey everyone! Its been awhile since I posted but I thought I would update right now with a video I posted to my Youtube about a week and a half ago. As a pale sista, I understand that other pale sistas may feel a little intimidated by contouring powders or bronzers. I filmed this quick video to show you the one product, with one brush that I use to get the perfect contoured cheek for fair skin. Please take a look, and while youre at it please subscribe to my Youtube  channel! Feel free to leave and questions or comments! xx Kristen

Products Used: Contour: Nars Blush in Zen
                                  Blush: Nars Super Orgasm
                                  Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Review: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

I know, another Nars product. I can't help it. So today on the list is the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation. This product says its great for normal to dry skin types. I call bulls**t cause I have oily skin and this foundation works great for me as well! I have to say its on my top 5 favorite foundations. This little baby comes in 16 shades so the chances of you finding a shade for you is very possible. If I can find one for my pasty pale skin you can! Now onto the foundation itself. This foundation has a satin finish which is why I love it so much. When I say satin finish i mean that it isn't matte, and it isn't dewy. It is the perfect balance in between. I would say it has a medium coverage that can be built up to a full coverage. Now from researching this product I would say my description wars with the description on sephora.com. Sephora says that it is a satin finish with a sheer coverage. Sorry Sephora but a tinted moisturizer is sheer, not this foundation. Maybe think about reevaluating? This foundation for me lasts long on the skin, my oil may break through in areas around my nose or chin but i'm ok with that, it just looks "dewy" and not greasy! Being as pale as I am, I am in the lightest shade "Siberia".

My only problems with this foundation are as follows: It is neither sheer nor glowy, It doesn't have a pump dispenser, and its $44. Now I'm the type of person that if I think you should indulge more in one makeup item it should be your foundation. After all, if your skin doesn't look its best, the rest of your makeup will be ignored. They will only be able to look at the flaws in your skin. So I will invest in the good looking skin. I urge you to go to your local sephora, or Nars counter and ask them to match you for a shade and get a sample to see if you love it like I do. I have a video posted above from a recent foundation routine I posted to my Youtube channel so you can see this baby in action!! xx

Review:BEAUTY BLENDER

Yes. The much raved about Beauty Blender. I recently bought this beauty.I have to say....I'm kind of in love with it. It is the first ergonomically designed disposable sponge, which means you don't have to throw it away after using it! Now you're probably wondering what the point of it is, "Isn't it just a sponge?, Why can't I just buy a sponge from the drugstore?" etc. Well you can, but its not going to give you the same flawless finish. According to the peoples down at Beauty Blender Headquarters you can use this sponge with all types of makeup. They even allow you to use it with your eyeshadow. Would I use it with my eyeshadow? No. I probably wouldn't... but only because I love the feel of a brush in my hand while applying shadows. The beauty blender is hypoallergenic!!! Which rocks for those of you with allergies or sensitive skin. You know what else, this is a LATEX FREE sponge. Which may not matter to most of you, unless you have an allergy to latex.The thing I love most about this sponge is that it has a double end. The larger end I use to blend my foundation down my face and neck and the smaller end I use to get into the harder areas like the nose or under the eyes to blend out concealer. The concealer always looks gorgeous and not dry and cakey. The only downfall of this sponge is the price. It retails at $19.95! Ugh ridiculous but it was worth it. Heres my suggestion, find a friend that wants one and buy the two pack for $29. Split the cost saves you each at least $4 (doesn't sound like a lot but hey, thats a starbucks you can buy!) Directions for use: You may use dry. I however suggest using this wet. Run under your faucet and give the blender a few loving squeezes so it can absorb the water. Once the water is absorbed, wring out the water that has built up inside the sponge. Start sponging the larger end onto your face to blend out your foundation. Down below is a video on my youtube channel showing the Beauty Blender in action. My best friend Tyler demonstrates it using the super sheer M.A.C. Face and Body and then I show it using  the medium to full coverage foundation Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow. Enjoy! Leave requests and comments for me and leave me your blog name too!! xx Kristen

P.S. The Beauty Blender has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on Sephora.com and over 900 people have reviewed it. If that doesn't prove its bitchiness then I don't know what will!

Review: NARS CREAMY RADIANCE CONCEALER

Yes, I'm going there because everyone needs to know that this is the BEST concealer I have ever used. I am not a huge believer on concealers. All too often the color ends up changing on my skin, the formula is too dry, or it ends up looking crazy cakey. Not the NARS Creamy Radiance concealer. This medium coverage concealer has a moisturizing formula that is ideal for under the eyes. But don't let that fool you, you can also use it on the rest of your face. It has light reflecting pigments that visually blurs imperfections in all lighting set ups (light reflecting pigments also give a beautiful satin finish). This no crease concealer is perfect for all skin types in all age ranges. Do not fret for color matching as this concealer comes in 10 different shades (thank God because sometimes finding a color is a pain in the arse.) NARS Creamy Radiance Concealer retails at a hefty $28 but to me is well worth the price. You can go check them out at a Sephora,also some, not all :Macy's,Nordstrom,&Bloomingdales. If you live in the UK i've been told you can also get them at:John Lewis,Fenwicks,and some Debenhams. To sum it all up, I would say if you've been on the hunt for a great concealer, look no further than NARS. I hope this review has been helpful. Please leave any comments of other things you would like reviewed, or subjects you would like to talk about! Don't forget to check out my youtube beauty channel www.youtube.com/theofficialkjs if you would like to see a lot of great products in action!!! xoxo Kristen

Concealer shade: Chantilly (great for very fair skin tones like myself).To the left of the swatch is a blended swatch of the NARS Creamy Radiance Concealer! xx

First Post?

Hello All Life forms Reading this :)

I'm new to the blogging community but I thought I'd give it a shot, If no one reads this, well at least I have an outlet to express things to myself right? 
My name is Kristen, I know its a very unoriginal name (sorry if your name is kristen but its true). If I had it my way I would change my name to Ireland. Now thats somewhat original. 
I am a student at Cinema Makeup School out here in Los Angeles. I moved here two months ago to pursue a career in Makeup Artistry, acting, singing...yada yada yada. The point of this was to say that I absolutely love my school to death, and if you're considering a career in makeup for television or film and want formal training, this is the place to be!
I turn 22 in less than a week, i'm dreading it... I don't know why. But my sister is coming in to town to see me and thats all that matters! 
The main thing you need to know is that I have a YOUTUBE BEAUTY CHANNEL. Thats right, i'm legit. Hahaha just kidding. I do make beauty tutorials, reviews.. basically share the wisdom i've encompassed over the years i've been working with makeup, whether that be from watching other youtube videos, working at sephora for two years, and now being in makeup school. I hope you'll take the time to check out my channel and subscribe so you can see more :) I'll link my most recent video below.

So I basically would like to use this blog for reviews and random ramblings? I decided to do this after talking with @beautylifemichelle about her blog. Check her out!!! AND STAY TUNED FOR UNICORNS AND FAIRY DUST.

*Kristen xx