Halloween

It's my FAVORITE month, O-C-T-O-B-E-R! I'm so excited for the start of what I consider the holiday season. I love fall, I love Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Holidays in general.

When I was growing up Halloween meant I got wear makeup, I didn't usually get to wear. I went looking for pictures of me in my Halloween costumes from growing up and my makeup through my high school, college, and even more recent years - but wasn't able to find any in the limited free time I have. My photos aren't the most organized... anyone want to organize them for me ;) ?

I have already done a few Halloween looks this year and here are few of them! If you have any inspiration suggestions on some looks you'd like to see for Halloween this year - drop them in the comments.

Here are also some (just some - because there are so many) of my favorite Halloween makeup looks I've seen on social media this year. There are so many talented individuals out there. I wish I had a tenth of the talent they have, but I'm practicing and getting there (maybe one day ;)).

This one is a transformation video on TikTok and definitely worth the watch. Just click on the picture to be taken to the video!

But just look at the detail of this! I can't even begin to imagine how long this took!!

The neon in this one is phenomenal. I need to learn how to do this! I love the neon look.

I think anyone who can draw small pictures on their eyelids is amazing. I struggle with this as it takes a lot of patience and talent.

Same with this one... I love when people do the wide mouth teeth exposed look like this one and the neon one above. It takes some serious talent for it look good.

Who doesn't love a mad hatter look?

And makeup doesn't always have to be complex and crazy to be halloween. I love the highlight and contouring of this look.

This is a reel from IG, click on the picture to be taken to the video. They go through all the emotion characters from the movie Inside Out. Super cute!

There are so many spectacular looks out there, I can spend hours watching transformation videos and looking at pictures on social media. I wanted to include more, it was so hard to pick just a few.

Happy O-C-T-O-B-E-R!!!

Creasy Eye Shadow?

Ever put on eye shadow just to have it crease? Whether you spend 5 minutes on your makeup a day or hours - you don't want your eye shadow to crease.

Often I hear people say, "Oh, I just bought this new brand of eye shadow and I wanted to love it, but it creased after only a few hours".

So how do you keep that beautiful eye shadow that you just spent your time putting on from creasing?

My answer is 3 things (and a bonus):

1. Concealer

2. Setting powder/translucent powder

3. Eye shadow primer

4. BONUS: What I like to call my base shadow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KrBfabTaPU

For those that would prefer to watch a tutorial - here is a video. You'll have to forgive my nervousness...I am working on being in front of the camera. ;)

I do not put foundation on my eyes. The reason for this is the foundation I use has a moisturizer in it, and this will just set me up for creasy eye shadow by the end of the day. So foundation on the eyelids is a no go. I use and love my Tarte Shape Tape concealer on my eyes as my base. For me, I just put a thin layer on my actual eyelids. I also use a damp blending sponge to apply my concealer.

I then take my setting powder and stamp a decent amount onto my eyes. I leave it there for a few mins. I then take a soft makeup brush and dust off the extra. I personally use it Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Loose Setting Powder. I have also used setting powders from other brands like Urban Decay, Tarte, Too Faced, etc and have liked them as well.

Eye shadow primer - In watching YouTube videos and tutorials over the years, I actually have never seen anyone apply eye shadow primer. Maybe this is something people don't do anymore? I find it helps my shadow stay in place. So I've continued to use it over the years. I don't always apply it, but more often than not, I do. I wouldn't use it, if I was doing a cut crease look... but most days when i'm just blending my shadow out or going for a more natural look, I apply it.

Finally, we get to my BONUS base shadow. I should start by stating that I personally haven't known anyone else to do this, it's something I tried years ago, loved it and stuck with it after that... For my bonus base shadow I use NYX Shimmer Down Pigments in either Platinum or Nude (and only in Platinum or Nude). I do this for a couple reasons:

1. I love to have a shimmer in my shadow even if the actual eye shadow doesn't shimmer.

2. Using the Platinum or Nude makes the eye shadow look truer to the actual color in the palette. When I apply eye shadow without using my base shadow, I feel I have to use a lot more of the eye shadow to get the color to look true to the color in the palette. I also feel I use more color when I'm going for a bold or bright color look to make it stand out and really pop. When I use my base shadow, I use less.

I don't always use a base shadow, for example; when I am going with a more natural look and don't want any shimmer in it. However; most days - I do use it.

There are many different brands of concealer, setting powder, and eye shadow primer out there, find what works for your skin and you'll be golden! Also, the most important thing to remember is the setting powder, without that - all hope of having creaseless eye shadow will be lost (a bit dramatic I know. ;)).

The Foundation...

If you wear foundation it provides a base for your makeup. It can cover imperfections, even your skin tone out and give your skin a flawless finish.

When I first entered the world of foundation, I didn't realize how many brand options you had. I was overwhelmed by everything. Not only did I need to pick a brand, but I needed to pick the correct shade for my skin. I have sensitive skin, so I also had to take that into consideration. Then there was the powder vs liquid, light coverage vs buildable coverage, sunscreen vs no sunscreen... and the list goes on and on.

Fun fact about me: I actually didn't wear foundation until I was in my 20's. I had only ever worn eyeshadow, blush, mascara, Lipstick/gloss, and let's not forget GLITTER. Foundation isn't a must, but if you do wear foundation there are some things to consider.

• Not every foundation is created equal. I have tried many foundations over the years from the cheaper drug store brands to the high-end expensive brands. I've found that not all foundations work for every skin type. Some can make your skin feel oily and others can make your skin look/feel dry. So, it's important before starting to know your skin type.

• Know your skin type. Is your skin oily, dry, or combination? Depending on what skin type you have, depends on the type of foundation you will want to look for. For oily skin you may want to consider powder or a matte finish. If you have combination skin a powder or liquid foundation typically work well. Where if you have dry skin, you will want to look for a foundation that also hydrates.

• Apply it wrong and it can look caked onto your skin. There are many things to consider when you apply the foundation. If you are using a liquid foundation are you going to use a brush or blender? If you are using powder are you going to use the puff that usually comes with it or a brush? Some things I have learned over the years about applying foundation is:

• Use a blending sponge. I get it damp before applying my liquid foundation and concealer. The reason I use a blending sponge is because brushes can exfoliate your skin while you apply the foundation causing a cakey look. Using a brush isn't wrong, it's just not my preference. I found that when I do use a brush my foundation doesn't look as flawless.

• I currently don't use a powder foundation as I have combo/sometimes dry skin, but when I have; I have always applied it with a blender and stamped it on - right or wrong - this is what I have done... then I would blend it out with a very soft brush.

• It's important to prime your skin for your foundation, this doesn't mean using a primer necessarily. It just means if you use moisturizers or serums, making sure they are absorbed into your skin. If they aren't - your foundation can end up looking streaky and at times it won't stay on your skin, giving you an uneven foundation.

• Why I chose to wear a foundation with sunscreen. For a few years I worked with an esthetician that was very knowledgeable and I've talked to many dermatologists and the one thing they all say and drill into you is... wear sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen seems so simple, but for my sensitive skin it's not. Since wearing foundation I've always picked a foundation with sunscreen in it. I already know my skin won't react with the brand I use, and it saves me from forgetting to apply it before I put my foundation on.

• Decide what kind of coverage you'd like. Since I didn't wear foundation until I was in my 20's, I've always gone with a more natural coverage and on the lighter side. I tend to pick foundations with a buildable coverage as well. The reason I do this, is if I get a breakout of some sort or a flaw in my skin... I want to be able to cover it comfortably without looking like I have 5 layers of foundation on. You have to decide what you need. Most stores that I've gone to will let you sample them and often times let you take a little bit home to try or they have a pretty good return policy (meaning if you only used 30% or less they let you return it).

If you’ve never worn foundation before and are looking to start you can always consider a tinted sunscreen or a tinted moisturizer to start out. Whatever your reason is for wearing foundation, whether it’s to even out your skin tone, or to just complete the look and give you a flawless finish… know you are beautiful just as you are!