This past Christmas, I was absolutely blown away (okay every Christmas, lol) by the thoughtfulness shown by others to my family and myself. Of course, we have much to be thankful for all year around. This season was still so special, with family, a comfortable home, and not just one baby, but two little ones. God has truly blessed us; provided for us in past and present. I am so grateful, words cannot even begin to cover it.
I enjoy watching other people online celebrate this season too, thus viewing vlogs, and hauls of theirs I find heaps of fun. Likewise, I thought I'd share a bit of what I had received this holiday.
Surprise!....
Here are the photos and swatches of the surprise gifts from my friend, Honey (aka HoneyKahoohanohano on youtube).
Highlight/Bronzer Nyc Color Mosaic Face Powder in Mocha Glow.
It's such a soft, natural looking shade! (Swatch of Nyc Mocha Glow)
I am sooo glad to have another sample of Benefit's Benetint! I am half way through one I have already. It leaves a lovely flush of color on the cheeks and lips.
Honey said this elf Lip Balm (in Grapefruit) is comparable to the em Cosmetics pillow lippies I have been curious about. I love this! It does feel plushy; and smells so fruity.
Benefit's Sugarbomb Ultra Plush lipgloss is such a pretty pink!!!
Swatches from Left to Right: Benetint (the pink/red stain), elf Lip Balm Tint in Grapefruit, and Benefit's Sugarbomb lipgloss.
Elf's loose mineral eyeshadow in Sweet.
Nb loose mineral eyeshadow in Glamorous (well named-this shadow is just stunning!)
Nb loose mineral shadow in Socialite
Swatches from Left to Right: Elf's Sweet Shadow, NB's Glamorous shadow, and NB's Socialite shadow
two cosmetic's duo eyeshadow in Heartache
I am itching to do a tutorial with these bold buttery shades. Mua's eyeshadow palette in Dusk til Dawn
Swatches for the top row in the Mua's Dusk til Dawn Palette
Swatches for the bottom row in the Mua's Dusk til Dawn Palette
Benefit's they're Real! Mascara
elf's primer eyeshadow in Misty Mauve
I love how this liner's navy blue color brighten's my eyes. POP beauty's in-liner No. 3 in Blue
Swatches from Left to Right: Elf's primer eyeshadow and Pop Beauty's in-liner
elf's Baked Eyeshadow in Enchanted
Swatches for the elf Baked Eyeshadow- on the left is a swatch in dry (very faint, in fact it looks like a pretty dusting) and on the right a swatch applied wet.
From family...
Katy Perry's Killer Queen - Notes include: wild berries, dark plum, bergamot accords, red flower (Celosia), Sambac jasmine, plumeria, cashmere, patchouli, liquid praline from mom.
A book bag my momma sewed for me <3.
Mary Engelbreit's Calender for 2014 from mom
This book is full of fun information, crafts, and recipes for entertaining during the autumn season. This was a gift from my mom.
Bath and Body Works - Midnight Pomegranate - Notes include Pomegranate, Citrus, Dewberry, Anise, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cassis, Blackberry, Iris, Jasmine, Raspberry, Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Tobacco, and Patchouli from hubby's grandmother
Calgon Angelic Kiss - Notes include bergamot, mandarin, cardamom, violet, Moroccan jasmine petals, white lavender, vanilla, cedarwood, and sandalwood from hubby's mom and stepdad
Markwins Single Eyeshadows (unnamed) from hubby's mom and stepdad.
I was so excited to hear that the Balm's Nude'tude (Naughty) palette made Hautelooks fifty-percent off sale. Hubby agreed that I could order it for myself for Christmas as a gift from him. I have been eyeing this almost all year.
I want to thank Honey for the gifts. I am looking forward to playing with it all soon. I would also like to extend my thanks to EVERYONE who thought of my family and I and wish everyone awesome year to come!
<3 Beth
On Sunday, I had planned to film my December fav's, but being snowed in by the almighty "Arctic Blast" that is sweeping the midwest to the east, I felt inspired to create another winter makeup look. This one was actually an experiment; not having practiced it before. I like how it turned out for the most part. It is pretty close to what I had in mind. However, I would like to make note that I regret having used the wet mineral shadow on the waterline. My eyes were very irritated later. But to a large extent, everything else worked out fine and looked nice (at least I think so). To see how I created this look play the video below.
What I used:
Tarte Lifted Primer
Physician's Formula Organic Black Mascara
Stila Lip Glaze in Smooch
OFRA Lipgloss plumer in Sultry
Monave products (ONLY) are from http://www.monave.com
Mineral Versatile Powder in Deep Plum #13
Semi Matte White Mineral Eyeshadow in 61m
Matte Shadow/Liner In 106 Dark Eggplant
Pink Face Illuminizer
Monave Blush in 217
FTC: I AM IN NO WAY BEING PAID OR AFFILIATED BY/WITH ANY OF THE SAID COMPANIES FOR THIS VIDEO AND BLOG POST. ALL THOUGHTS ARE MY OWN UNBIASED. MONAVE PRODUCTS WERE SENT TO ME FREE FOR PERSONAL USE, TESTING AND REVIEW PURPOSES. I ALWAYS GIVE MY HONEST OPINION 100%. WHILE I DO RECEIVE FREE PRODUCT FROM MONAVE I AM IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH THIS COMPANY.
<3 Beth
I am so excited to have a new tutorial up, as it feels like ages since my last one. I pulled out my second most used makeup palette to create a simple purple, charcoal smokey which would be perfect for winter. To be honest, I do like to wear this all year round and switch it up a bit with a different lip color.
What I used for this look:
Tarte Lifted Eye Primer
Tarte Eye Couture Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Naked Basics 24/7 Eyeliner in Crave and Venus
Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched
Wet n Wild Fergie Shimmer Palette in Rose Champagne Glow
Physician's Formula Organicwear Black Mascara
Too Faced Primed and Poreless Face Primer
Mary Kay Lipstick in Rosette
My face was already flushed so I skipped the blush. I would have used the Nyx Cream Blush in Boho Chic.
<3 Beth
FTC: ALL PRODUCTS WERE BOUGHT WITH MY MONEY (UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE) AND I AM IN NO WAY BEING PAID BY SAID COMPANIES FOR THIS VIDEO. MY THOUGHTS ARE MY OWN UNBIASED.
I WAS SENT THE MARY KAY LIPSTICK FREE COURTESY OF INFLUENSTER AND MARY KAY. AGAIN I STILL ALWAYS GIVE MY HONEST OPINION 100%.