NYX

Let's talk about this brand for a minute...it's cheap, it's fun, it's at Target...I feel like those are all good things. I grab two NYX liquid liners the other day and I am obsessed with both.

Electric blue and edgy

I used the silver glitter over a basic black liquid liner.

NYX liquid liners $5, Essie nail polish in Fiji

XOXO
fefe

Happy October

So I welcomed October with new hair, just call me Lily from the Munsters, ok? Ok.

I actually really love this month. I watch bunches of Alfred Hitchcock, eat all the pumpkin-y yumminess that is everywhere, dress my feet in boots, go bowling in cozy sweaters, and I buy that makeup you just can't find any other time of the year. Here are some of my favorites!

These shimmer eyelashes from Urban Outfitter's Halloween Makeup are so
fabulous. They have a few colors and I think the silver pair
would be perfect for a New Year's party or a 60's party!

Anastasia came out with some very cool colors for  hair and brows so if you were
thinking of going pink or purple or any other fun color, check this stuff out, also at Urban Outfitters!

Cosmic Black Sparkle nail polish from Forever 21

xoxo,
fefe

lipstick in your pocket

I intended to pick up two MAC lipsticks yesterday at the makeup counter, but I always manage to walk away with something extra and this trip was no exception! MAC just release a new line with some amazing palettes and I fell in love with their tiny red lip palette. Between these three shades you can rock some pretty awesome red lips...and the best part is it can fit in your pocket! I mean, what could be more perfect?

MAC Antonio Red Lips palette $27.00 and Revlon nail polish in Posh

xoxo,
fefe

That mascara in the orange tube

I am so picky about mascara. I am that girl that will order it on Amazon by the cases if I love it or return it the same day if I hate it. Lately, I am liking Cover Girl mascara. You can build it up and make it dramatic or just use one coat for a soft look. It is under ten dollars and I prefer it to the name brand stuff, so if you want to save up for the perfect winter boots I promise this is a great way to do it...cheap works with this one! Also, check out the messy bun...I want to wear my hair like this every day! Happy Sunday guys!

xoxo,
fefe

my current fall favorites

I am usually hanging on to the last bits of summer, but this year I am so ready for cozy sweaters and fringe boots, afternoon with my best friend at the table by the fireplace sipping Panera hot chocolate, and a new season of Downton Abbey. I am also ready for fall makeup! Here are my new additions!

I have been using the Melba blush from MAC on my eyes, as it is the perfect light orange shade!
It doesn't work on me as a blush color, but with some brown smudged eyeliner it is the perfect orange for my eyes.

NARS Amazon and Marnie are two amazing lip liners.

I pair the Amazon liner with NARS Volga...such an amazing combination!!!

The change of seasons is the perfect time to change out your makeup bags.
Park In The Sky bag from J.Crew is my first choice!

xoxo,

fefe

Psst! Your brushes want to be cleaned

I started using Philosophy's Purity face wash about a month ago and I am really liking it for a basic face wash, but I love using it to clean my brushes. There must be some sort of conditioning component to this stuff because when the brushes dry they are just as soft as when you bought them. So if your makeup brushes need a little cleaning give this stuff a try!

Purity made simply 

xoxo,
fefe

Re-vamp Your Makeup Bag Fall Event

As much as I love everything about summer and try to make it last as long as possible, fall is here and that means it is time to say goodbye for now to some of my summer makeup favorites, like my bright orange lipstick and replace them with fall makeup, like a wine colored lipstick! It sounds simple enough but it can actually be a rather daunting task, especially if the nearest MAC or Sephora is 45 minutes away! It is for this reason that I have decided to host a Revamp Your Makeup Bag Fall Event in Sherman, TX, on September 14th. Here is how it will work!

1. Bring your makeup bag no matter how big or small, organized or disorganized and I will sit down with you and help you determine what you already have that will work for fall and what needs to be put away for springtime next year!

2. I will have samples of some of fall's hottest makeup products that you can actually try on from lipstick to nail polish. 

3. If you fall in love with some fall products you can purchase them that night for the same price you would pay at the makeup store and you leave with a makeup bag ready for fall 2013!

The cost of the event, not including makeup purchases, is $25. Location will be announced shortly! Register for the event by messaging me on fb and your name goes into a drawing for a fall nail polish.

xoxo,

fefe

Hollywood Glam

photo by Jacki Lee

I had the opportunity to do Cora's makeup a few weeks ago. First of all, she is as sweet as she is stunning and so photogenic....seriously, she should be a model! We discussed doing a red lip and I was originally thinking a more bold contemporary look, but as I was doing her makeup I decided to tone everything else down and let the red lip have it's moment. I am so glad I did because it is turned out to be very 1940's! I think she looks like Ava Gardner.

photo by Jacki Lee

The makeup

Foundation- Nars Sheer Glow

Bronzer- Nars Laguna to contour the face

Highlighter- Benefit High Beam

Brows- Benefit Brows-a-go-go (light brown shade)

Eyes- MAC Painterly Pain Pot as a primer, Urban Decay shadow Foxy over the lid and a tiny bit of tease through the crease for definition, Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara

Lips- Cover Girl eyeliner in Taupe to line the lips and then Nars Heat Wave lipstick applied to the lips

photo by Jacki Lee

xoxo,

fefe

My Everyday Makeup

My everyday makeup is pretty simple. These are my favorite everyday makeup products.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer- I feel like my foundation lasts longer with this, especially in Texas weather so I never skip this.

Revlon Photo Ready Airbrush Foundation in 040 Natural Beige- I hate using my expensive stuff for everyday and this stuff works great, but also photographs well if that ends up happening in my day.

Nars Laguna Bronzer and Orgasm Blush- I love this combination. It is so summery and subtle, if I want something a little more pink I will use Pale Pink Blush by Bobbi Brown

MAC Face Kit By Rebecca Moses Eyeshadows- I use Orb over my whole lid and then run a mixture of Smoked Sepia and Show Stopper through the crease and bend it out a little. I line my top lid with Cover Girl Basic Black eye liner and then using a MAC 219 brush I place Show Stopper shadow over the eyeliner to soften it.

Benefit Brows-a-go-go- I love this brow kit and use it for both every day and special days.

Mac Myth Lipstick- I line my lips with Cover Girl eye liner in Taupe and then use my Myth lipstick...sometimes I add a nude lip gloss.

xoxo,
fefe

Boho Waves- a hair post

A few weeks ago I received Bamboo Style Boho Waves Spray in the mail and have been so busy I haven't had a chance to experiment with it until now. My "little blonde sis" Olivia has been over almost every afternoon to swim and found this spray and now uses it every time she gets out of the pool and calls it "the HOBO stuff."

Olivia's favorite way to use the Bamboo Style Boho Waves Spray-go swimming for several hours, towel dry your hair and brush it to detangle, spray throughout the hair generously, crunch and tousle, twirl a few pieces around your finger and hold for a few seconds for a more defined curl, and then go to Braum's

I decided to do a messy updo using the Bamboo Style Boho Waves Spray along with a few other products.

I blow dried my hair first. I did that until it was barely damp and then let it air dry the rest of the way. I have naturally curly, thick hair that can sometimes be coarse so I applied the Bed Head After Party to smooth my hair, a small amount is all that is needed if your hair has a similar texture. I then curled certain pieces of my hair with a wand, leaving the ends uncurled and then pulling at the hair once it is released from the wand to straighten it a bit. I didn't want it to look curled just wavy and textured. I did that to any piece that wasn't already wavy. I left the front pieces straight. I then sprayed the Bamboo Style Boho Waves Spray and then sprayed the Sebastian Volupt Spray throughout my hair. I then slept on it which gave it a messier lived in look which I like, sprayed Suave Dry Shampoo throughout my roots at the crown for more volume and lift. I then pulled it back into a pony tail and looped it and pulled out several strands to make it messy. I also left the straight pieces out in the front.

xoxo,
fefe

summer = mint

 

I always go neutral in the winter with my makeup, but as soon as summer hits my adventurous spirit returns and I am all about fun makeup. Last summer, I bought I cheap Wal-Mart eyeliner in a pale light blue color and added it to the corner of my eyes and in my lower water line. And I went searching for it today and realized I have no idea where it went. So I started looking for a new fun eyeliner and saw this mint green one by Nars. It instantly reminded me of mint chocolate chip ice cream and Goldie Hawn and so I bought it. If you like any of the above I feel like you should probably buy it and then join me at Braum's!

 

 

The best ice cream in the world





How great is that dress?



Nars Barrow Street

xoxo,
fefe

*goldie pic and ice cream pic from google

Meet Crystal

I remember sitting on Grandma Rivera's bed while she folded the laundry and begging her to tell me again how she and Grandpa Rivera met and not leave out any of the details. And for probably the 100th time she would tell me her love story. Grandpa was on leave and in uniform at a bus stop in California and her brother was also on leave, in uniform, and waiting for the same bus and they struck up a conversation probably about the weather and how excited they were to be going home. As soon as her brother found out Grandpa was Puerto Rican, that was it! Even if Grandpa had tried to get out of it, he couldn't have, he was coming home with Grandma's brother for homemade rice and beans, Puerto Rican style! And so that night Grandpa joined the family for a real Puerto Rican feast and sat across from Grandma, the love of his life. "And so," Grandma would say, "You don't have to go out looking for your guy, he might come to your very door." And I would laugh and tell her that would only happen in the 40's!

But then I met Crystal and as I was doing her wedding hair, I asked her how she met her fiance and she said, "He worked for my dad and ended up making a delivery to our house on Thanksgiving and we asked him to stay for dinner and then dessert and then we talked by the fire till very early in the morning and then made my dad's delivery for him the next day." How sweet is that? Even without bus rides home and military uniforms he still came to her very door!



Crystal's wedding hair- I created an updo in the back that
transitions into a curled side ponytail.



Crystal and Jimmy on their wedding day

xoxo,
fefe

photos courtesy of Crystal's mom

Wash With Joe

I found a sample of Wash With Joe in my April Glossybox and was so excited to give it a try because it said coffeemint body wash....COFFEE body wash...with mint! I was raised at Starbucks and these days I am lucky if I make it through the day with just one cup! So why not have it in my shower too? I loved this body wash! I have the worst allergies right now so my sense of smell is not great, so all I can say is I could smell the coffee and mint...I don't know how strong the scent would be if I could actually smell, so just take that part with a grain of salt! I used it tonight and it has been about 45 minutes and I am kind of wishing I had used it in the morning, because I feel so clear and awake and ready to face the world! I have never heard of Wash With Joe and so I did a little research. First of all...it is for all people, so if your guy is tired of the flowery stuff taking over the shower, coffee and mint might be your answer. Now on to the good stuff, coffee with caffeine is a natural deodorizer so you are going to stay fresh longer, it smoothes skin, it can even reduce cellulite and even repair UV damaged skin. So grab a bottle of Joe and head to the shower...your skin will thank you!

Wash With Joe $28.00

xoxo,
fefe

latest hair inspiration

With my first hair appointment since before Santa came fast approaching, I have been looking at hair pics more than usual and envisioning what my summer hair will be like. Saturday come fast!



Long layers just work best for my hair, but since it has been so long since my hair has been trimmed,
 my once perfect layers are not at the right length anymore!



VOLUME

I love the imperfect tousled texture going on here...it is kind of mermaid-y,
which makes me think of summer, which makes me think I am going to be rocking this look.

more slightly messy texture that I am kind of obsessed with

xoxo,
fefe

* pictures from pinterest for inspiration only

she wants to be famous

Previously, I did a post on my baby sis's makeup for her head shots. Well last night she had our middle sis Daniella (who happens to be a journalism major) shoot and edit her first video audition, while I did her makeup and helped her change outfits! I just wanted to share this happy little moment with all of you.



The Audition Makeup: We were able to film in a studio with amazing lighting so it
made my job so much easier and allowed for less makeup. I hand applied Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation to her face just for light and even coverage. I then used MAC Harmony blush as a light bronzer to the high points of her face, just to provide definition. I used MAC Painterly Paint Pot on the eyes to even out the skin tone, without looking
like she has eye shadow on. Maybelliene Colossal Mascara in Black to the lashes, top and bottom. For the lips I applied MAC Painterly Paint Pot lightly to the lips to cancel out some of the natural redness and then applied
 MAC lipglass in Wee Coquette

Getting ready to film

Having a little fun in the studio before filming...because how often do you get
to sit in a real anchor chair?

I can't believe she is 13 and so very talent and doing auditions and important, exciting things like that! Doesn't she look like a mini Twiggy???

xoxo,
fefe

Latest LOVES

Benefit High Beam is the perfect highlighter, giving a natural glow without too much sparkle or shine.
I have several different highlighters, but this one has quickly become the one I rely on.



I have been using this dry shampoo for over a year and I try different ones that are more expensive and
I always come back to this one. I have decide to give up on all other dry shampoos and be loyal to Suave.
It takes care of the "I need to wash my hair" look and gives the most amazing volume and it is under 4 dollars.

This just came in my March Glossybox... and I already adore it. Cheek +Lips is my new favorite natural lip look for Spring. If you want your lips to have natural color while looking like you have nothing on check this stuff out. It looks so very dark but once it is rubbed in to the skin it is this beautiful subtle rosy color.




Ok, I have to say a BIG thank you to Cara from Maskcara for her blog post on nude lips and getting me hooked on this. Cara if you are ever in Dallas, Texas I owe you a coffee! Cover Girl perfect blend eyeliner in Mink has transformed my nude lip look. Seriously, try this as a lip liner, it will change your lips and your life!




I know this has nothing to do with beauty or hair or makeup, but I love them so here it is. Mrs. May's Dark Chocolate Freeze
Dried Strawberries are my new favorite snack. These are so amazing...just don't eat them while you watch a scary show or you may possibly eat the whole bag in twenty minutes!!!

xoxo,
fefe



When Hope Is Not Enough

I hope your Easter weekend was special and filled with wonderful memories. Even though my sisters and I are all older, my mom still filled the house with Easter treats. I spent the weekend at home with the family, and I met the sweetest bride and did her hair and makeup for her bridal photo shoot and I can't wait to share them with you after her wedding. I actually got out of my sweat pants and dressed up for a few hours (that almost never happens on the weekends anymore), and spent a great deal of time at Starbucks talking for hours with dear friends. I also tried out some new products, one being Philosophy's When Hope Is Not Enough moisturizer.

Earlier in the week, I went into Macy's for a couple of makeup items and was introduced to Philosophy's skin care line. They have stuff for every skin type imaginable, but because I have dry skin I was particularly interested in what would help my skin type. A friend who also has dry skin was looking to try some products that would help her skin, so I picked up their When Hope Is Not Enough moisturizer for each of us. When Hope is Not Enough is basically a more intensified version of their Hope in a Jar Moisturizer, specifically formulated to help dry to very dry skin.

Both of us are completely in love with this moisturizer and will probably use it for the rest of our lives if we can afford it! My friend texted me the next morning and was amazed at the difference she was seeing and feeling already in her skin. I put some of the Hope in a Jar moisturizer on one hand and When Hope Is Not Enough on the other hand, and you can definitely feel the difference between the two products. I have to be honest, this skin care line is expensive and this moisturizer runs $50 a jar. But a little goes a long way with this stuff and I feel like it would last a while and I am seeing the results that I just haven't experienced with other moisturizers, so for me it is worth it. This moisturizer hydrates, smooths, and refreshes, without being greasy and the texture is great! I do wish it was not so flowery in scent, because spring allergies are bothersome right now for me and the scent just adds to that. But I am sure when allergy season is over the scent won't be as noticeable.

If you don't have dry skin, but want to try out some of the philosophy products more suited to your skin type, you can find them at Macy's or Sephora. Both places will let you try the products in store and will even send you home with a little sample if you want to experience it a little longer before committing.

xoxo and extra hugs to Jacki for trying this out with me,
fefe

Makeup Inspiration-Taylor Swift

I stumbled upon this photo shoot and I seriously love Taylor's departure from the signature red lip. I think she looks her age, I think she looks more musical and a little like a free spirit and I think she has amazing cheekbones...and she has this 70's look happening...what's not to love about this?

Love the liner going on here

This look really brings out her eyes and cheekbones

And now I want to rock a floppy hat and get serious about my eyeliner

xoxo,
fefe

*pictures from google for inspiration only

In my makeup bag

Benefit Brows a go-go is the newest addition to my makeup bag. I have had it all of two days and I don't know how my brows managed before! I absolutely love this little kit. First off it has some brow wax that just helps you shape your brows and hold any unruly hairs in place. I prefer this on my brows as opposed to a gel, because it is not as stiff and looks more natural. Then there are two shades to fill in the brows, a lighter one and a darker one. I like the two shade option because this is something I can use personally but also it is something I can use as a makeup artist. And options are just a good thing! The next two things in the kit I was really skeptical about. There is a highlighter which looks light pink and then a eye brightener which looks even more pink and I was a little concerned that both would be that color on, but they aren't. The highlighter does it's job and I love it more and more each time I use it. The eye brightener has the consistency of a wax and I just rub a little on my finger and dab it in the corner of my eye and it really does make me look more awake. Finally, they included some little tweezers, an eyeliner, a little dual sided brush, and DIRECTIONS!!! There is a little step by step guide complete with pictures to help you use this kit. I really, really like that because sometimes it is hard to know how to use all the components of a kit, and so there are a few things that never get used, because we simply don't know what to do with them. I love this little box of brow greatness, it has made my life better!

xoxo,
fefe

Makeup Inspiration~Then and Now

Bronzed skin, nude lip, long lashes, and the coolest statement necklace

Very similar look but the lip is more of a pink nude (you could achieve this lip color by cover the lip with MAC Naked lip liner and then applying MAC Angel lipstick over the liner), and the skin is not so bronzed, with the liner on the upper lash line winged out a bit

xoxo,
fefechristine

pictures for inspiration only