Naturally Pretty

Hello! It's already Wednesday! This week seems to be going crazy fast. I've been swamped with studying for quizzes, handing in papers, and preparing for my finals that are in 2 weeks. I keep wondering how that is possible??

Today I am bringing you my thoughts on the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette. I have had this palette for a couple of weeks now and it's all that I have been reaching for.

Take a look...

I can't say I am a fan of the nude foam packaging. My seems to already show some wear. 

Here is the description on the back of the palette.

Size comparison to the Urban Decay Naked3 palette

A first peak inside to the beautiful shadows...

Close up of the 8 shadows on the left half

Close up of the 7 shadows on the right half

Another shot of the gorgeous shadows inside the palette. 

If I had to sum this palette up in just a few words, I'd say, "They nailed it!" I have fallen in love with this pretty matte palette. I knew this palette would be up my alley, because I really had been wanting to incorporate more matte shades into my looks. For everyday, shimmer & frosted shades aren't always the look I'm going for. And in my palettes that do have a few matte shades, I most likely hit pan on them a long time ago. However, these aren't chalky, flakey matte shades. They are velvety and rich. They apply beautifully and have minimal to no fall out. Have I sold you yet? 

What else is great is that the shade range is unlike any other palette. I wouldn't consider it rose, taupe, gold, any of that. It's perfect because it hits all of those categories. I am convinced you can create just about any look with this palette. Major selling point in my book.

Last but not least, it includes a shade called "Transforming Pearl" (bottom right), that you can mix with or apply over top any shade in the palette to create a more pearlescent sheen. How cool, right? I have been wearing these shadows nearly every day since I purchased it. I see myself wearing this all spring and summer long.  I could go on and on, but I'll spare you!

This can be purchased at Ulta (20% off entire purchase for club members!) as well as QVC (on sale now!) If you have held out on any of the Naked palettes because it wasn't exactly what you were looking for, I recommend you check this palette out. 

As always, thanks for reading!

Let's Get Ready!

Hello again! Can you believe the weather we are having here in Iowa? Yesterday I was raving about how beautiful it was and how much I was enjoying the sunshine, while today I am stuck inside and classes are cancelled across the state. If you're reading Mother Nature, I am ready for spring! ;)

Over the course of the last month, I have been working hard at organizing my blog, adding more resources, and brainstorming idea on how I can make it a better platform for sharing makeup tips and tricks with all of you! So I decided to have a little photo shoot with one of my very good friends. She's great behind the camera and knows a thing or two about what looks good. I wanted some new photos for my different pages that really would capture who I am. And I think they turned out great. See some of them on my About Me, Connect, and Ask Carrie pages!

We also snapped some photos of me getting ready...

Contouring is key when being photographed. 

*If you have a round face, avoid putting blush directly onto the roundest part of your cheek.
Placing it higher on the cheekbones will prevent an even rounder image. 

I grab for the Lorac Pro palette every day. So versatile!

Can't forget to tease the hair! ;)

Ready to go!

As always, thanks for reading!

XO, Carrie

"You've Got Me Blushing": A Valentine's Look

I've put together a sweet and romantic look for this special Valentine's weekend. 

To get the look, here are the steps!

1. Apply your favorite foundation. 

Try a satin or luminous finish for a radiance effect.

2. Conceal, highlight, contour, and powder... Whatever you do to look fab!

3. Prime eyes! This is essential for keeping your shadow perfect all night.

4. I've created a guide above for you for eyeshadow steps. Follow the numbers above.

1. All over the lid

2. Crease/Transition shade

3. Center of lid for a pop

4. Outer corner for definition

5. Inner corner and on brow bone for highlight

You don't need to own Naked3 for this look! Use similar warm shades you already own!

5. Fill in and set brows.

A brow gel gives the brows back that natural look of hair.

6. Bronze up your face for some extra glow.

7. Apply a sweep of a gorgeous rosy/coral blush on the apples of your 

cheeks for a 'just pinched' look.

8. Apply a few individual false lashes to the outer corners of your lashes for some extra, yet subtle drama! (This is great for you gals who don't apply lashes often.)

Use a tweezers for the most precise application.

9. Use your favorite mascara to finish the eyes. 

10. Last but not least, use a nude-pink lipstick with a gloss over top 

to accentuate your pout!

Try Angel by MAC (shown above) & see why Kim K. made it famous!

And voila!!

There you have a romantic, sweetheart look for an evening out.

If you try this look out, be sure to tag me in your pic so I can see! :)

XO, Carrie

Step-by-Step Defined & Natural Makeup

Due to many requests (exciting!!!), today I am bringing you a closer look at how I accomplish a defined, yet natural makeup look. No, I am not naked... I wear a towel wrap after I shower, while I get ready :/ I took the pictures in natural light. 

See all the steps here:

1. Start with a clean and moisturized face. (Yes, my hair is in a silly turban.)

2. Apply your favorite foundation to create a clean canvas.

I chose a medium coverage and natural finish.

3. Apply a highlighting concealer to areas you want to bring forward.

Apply a cream contour to areas you want to recede. 

4. Blend everything out with a damp beauty sponge.

Set under eye area and t-zone with a fine powder.

5. Fill in brows for definition and add blush for a healthy glow.

6. Apply eyeshadow of choice and mascara.

Here's a close up of the finished look-- very clean, simple, and natural!

Ready to go!! :)

PRODUCTS USED:

Chanel Perfection Lumiere foundation (shade 20 beige)

Bare Minerals Stroke of Light illuminating concealer 

Maybelline FIT me foundation stick (as contour-330)

MAC Studio Finish concealer (on blemishes-NW25)

Hourglass Diffused Light (to set under eye area)

Hourglass Dim Light (to set rest of face)

Anastasia Brow Wiz- Caramel

Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara (to set brows)

Benefit Rockateur blush

NYC Smooth Skin bronzer- Sunny

Rimmel Scandaleyes eye kohl- 005 nude (under brow and on water line to brighten)

NARS eyeshadow duo- Alhambra (used both shades all over lid)

NARS gloss- Chihuahua 

Revlon Grow Luscious plumping mascara

Camo tee- Target

I hope this was helpful!

XO, Carrie