Drawing Inspiration: The First Red Robin of Spring

Although winter seems as though it may never end, I have hope that somewhere from beneath the snow spring will emerge because over the last couple of weeks I've spotted several robins. I thought that their cheerful orangey-red feathers served as great inspiration as we wait for the colors of spring to arrive. Here's my take on the first sign of spring!

As always, prep the eye area with an eye primer. Next apply a white base to the lid area only. I used my NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk. This will make the colors we use pop! I find you get a more even application if you apply this with your ring finger.

With a slanted flat brush or a clean finger apply a yellow-white shadow below your brow and in the inner corners of the eyes. This color is barely noticeable but draws light into the eyes.

Now, using a fluffy round brush and a skin toned shadow with an orange tint to it, brush on a layer of color from the lash line up to just below the brow. This step is to give that orange base that enhances the other orange hues and more importantly to create a layer of powder that makes blending other colors easier. If you don't have this shade just skip it!

Next, with a flat shader brush and a creamsicle orange shadow, pat on an even layer of color that covers the lid. The left over can be swiped along the lower lash line. This shadow should either be matte or satin finish, frosts will look too flashy.

To add dimension to the lid you can pat on a burnt orange on the outer and inner corners of the lid (without completely covering the inner eye highlight). If you don't have another darker orange color you can simply add another layer of the creamsicle orange or even a little touch of a light brown or soft red. A bit of bronzer can do the trick!

After that, with a fluffy blending brush, lightly layer on small amounts of a neutral/warm medium brown in the crease. When you get to the outer corner of the eye, instead of connecting the color to the outside corner of the lash line, sweep the brown up and out, leaving a space about the width of a pencil between the color and the outer corner of the lashes. Blend the brown and oranges into one another until the line is blurred slightly.

With a slanted liner brush and a dark warm toned brown, line the upper lash line and the outer 1/3 of the lower lash line. At the corner make a soft wing. Soften the top of the line gently with a Q-tip. Add black pencil to the waterline for an extra kick then put on a few coats of black mascara.

Finish with natural looking flush on the cheeks. I combined several powdered blushes to get the color I have and applied it with a jumbo cotton ball. Keep the lips warm but natural. I mixed up a soft rose lip color and topped it with a gloss that had a hint of shimmer to it. This look is soft but with a fresh pop of color that works for day as well as night. If you're trying to get into using colors more this is a good look to try!

Spring Cleaning and Shopping Your Makeup Collection

Spring is just around the corner and that means...dun dun duuuunnnnnn...spring cleaning.
But spring cleaning isn't just about cleaning house it's also the perfect time to clean up and clean out your beauty products.

First, make sure to regularly clean all your brushes and other beauty tools. This is sooo important to maintaining healthy skin. Plus, clean brushes means better makeup application. If you haven't already, read my post on the importance of sanitizing your kit.

Next, you need to discard any products that are expired. How do you know if something's expired?
The rule of thumb: Toss powder products, such as eyeshadows, powder blush, face powders and brow powders, that you opened more than 2 years ago. Toss cream products, like cream or liquid foundations, cream shadows and lipsticks, after they've been open 1 year. To make this process easier for next year, write the date that you open a product on the bottom of the container in permanent marker!

And last, here's a fun way to rediscover your makeup collection! Survey your entire kit. Separate your makeup into two piles. In the first pile place all the items you regularly use: your go-to eyeshadows, the blush you use every single day and that lip gloss you use all the time. In the other pile put all the makeup you don't routinely use: the lipstick you got as a stocking stuffer, the eye liner that's migrated to the bottom of your bag and the eyeshadow you bought but never seem to wear. Put the items in the first pile in a bag, drawer or other container out of sight. Use only the items from the "neglected products" pile for a set time...say...a week or a month. By shopping the makeup you already have you rediscover your makeup and refresh your beauty routine without spending a penny!

The Best Fix for Dry Hands is...

...olive oil! The same thing you use to whip up a delicious dinner can be used to whip your skin back into shape before summer gets here. It's a natural cleanser and moisturizer minus all the harsh and unnecessary chemicals that brand name lotions contain...and it's cheap. You can also use other oils such as grapeseed and coconut (although they're more expensive) and even fish oil. I'd suggest staying away from things like peanut and vegetable oil because you'll end up smelling like a french fry.

For dry hands apply a few drops (about 5) to your hands and rub, rub, rub. I like to do this at night right before bed. Don't forget to massage it into your cuticles. You can even keep some in a pretty little pump on your nightstand!

If you have dry skin on your face from enjoying the slopes rub 1 - 3 drops onto your cheeks and lips. If you have sensitive, acne prone skin you should exercise caution before trying this by testing on a small patch of skin on your jawline.

To get your tootsies ready for sandals, rub a several drops onto each foot. Massage it in until absorbed and then put on some socks to ensure your feet get all that moisture...and so that you don't wipe out in the kitchen!

You can also use olive oil to moisturize dry elbows and rough knees. And adding a touch of olive oil to the center of your legs - on the shin bone - adds definition and makes your legs look slimmer. A great trick when wearing skirts or shorts!

For a homemade body scrub mix 1/2 cup olive oil with either salt, sugar or brown sugar. Add enough salt, sugar, brown sugar to achieve the consistency you like, then if you want, add a few drops of essential oil (lavender, vanilla, chamomile, ginger root, anything yummy smelling) and you've got a fantastic body scrub without spending $20. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge and it'll last you just as long.

If you have the time for a relaxing soak in the tub, drizzle a small amount in the bath.

Suffering from dried out, frizzy hair? Use olive oil as a conditioner. Wrap your hair in a plastic bag and then a warm towel. Let it soak in for 10 - 20 minutes.

 Try out these different uses for olive oil and you'll emerge from your winter hibernation looking radiant!