Quick note about the request post from earlier this week: I started a Pinterest Board so I can pin all of your FABULOUS ideas there and then you guys can basically decide which ones go first by how many times it gets pinned and we can all go there to see the overflowing inspiration. Win, Win.
If you want me to add a pin to it just shoot me an email with the link and it shall be done.
Also, You will totally want to follow that board.
Nick is playing in Colorado this week so I tagged along and sent Christian to a family reunion with Nick’s parents. Which gave me a good excuse to get all fancy today since I didn’t have a toddler mangling me with sticky hands. Instead I got mangled by the wind and a little rain. SO basically the universe is telling me that sweats are my bliss and I probably should just get used to it.
Still though, I did feel pretty sexy there for a minute.
I mean, if you consider being over dressed at a golf course with over blown hair being whipped into your lipstick sexy.
This dress is at Forever 21 but not on the website for some reason!
So if you have one near buy check the store if not I found this one that is super similar and maybe even cuter, but also a bit more pricey.
Same with the necklace, but this one is dang cute and would work with this outfit too.
Shoes were from Target.
Belt was stolen from another dress I got from Forever21.
PS I am wearing MAC lipstick in Lady bug.
Which is pretty bright but I also like my red lipstick to have some depth so I first line them with a dark brown liner.
In this case I used UD Hustle because it was the first one I grabbed. Pretty sure most dark browns would work.
then I blend the liner with a Qtip till you can’t see a defined line.
Next I gently dab the lipstick into my lips focusing on the center primarily.
This way I still get the red pay off without feeling like I need to constantly reapply or check my teeth for lipstick stains!
77 Comments
Martha C
July 25, 2013 at 4:54 amWow! You look fantastic! I would never dream you were dressed in Forever 21 and Target. Just goes to show you don’t have to blow the budget to look great. It’s really nice to get out of sweats sometimes.
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:35 amIt really is! 🙂 Thanks Martha!
Juliana
July 25, 2013 at 4:54 amYou look amazing! 🙂
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:35 amAw thank you so much!
Krystal
July 25, 2013 at 4:57 amLove this look and especially love your lipcolor here! Will you share what products you used for your lips?
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:36 amThanks Krystal! Yes, I just added them to the post:)
Krystal
July 26, 2013 at 6:57 amThanks! 🙂
Lisa
July 25, 2013 at 5:08 amCara you’re a queen! That portrait must be the most stunning thing ever.
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:37 amOh my, thank you so much! How nice to wake up to the best compliments:)
Allison
July 25, 2013 at 5:16 amStun. Ning.
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:37 amYou are too good to me:)
lizteabee
July 25, 2013 at 5:23 amYou look stunning. I love the lip color and I’m jealous of the dress. I loooove maxi dresses but I have to keep my eye for affordable petites.
Can we say that voting on Pinterest combines “likes” and “repines” since I already have my favorite ones pinned?
Victoria
July 25, 2013 at 5:27 amYou’re so beautiful! An inspiration to all the Mommies out there!
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:38 amYou are so sweet, Thank you!
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:38 amhaha agreed! Thanks Liz:)
Jennifer
July 25, 2013 at 5:26 amHey Cara I think ur blog is great and I read the one about u starting out and I thought of myself. I just had my 3rd son and when I was home last summer I took a basic class on make up application I always loved make up and just wanted to get more of a technique. Anyway I am trying to build up my makeup I saw a Palette from NYX and wondered what u thought about their stuff I knw you use their glosses but wondered what you thought about their shadows? I have other palettes from Laura mercier and Chanel and Bobbi brown but just wanted a basic palette to work with. Thanks for being you and an inspiration and I hope you can answer my question. Jen from NY
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:42 amHi Jennifer!
That is so cool, I am always excited about sometime following their love for makeup! I really like NYX, they are a good quality product for the price. NYX is not going to have the color pay off or the blendabitly you would get from a more expensive palette like the Lorac Pro but they do have a good variety of colors and would be a good one to start out with. I need to do a post entirely devoted to MUA kits and what I love to use. Also for lip colors NYX rocks. Gloss and lipstick.
Lisa G.
July 25, 2013 at 5:45 amCara, kind of off subject but I was wondering if you have heard of or have tried the new “Bronze Booster” from Physicians Formula? (http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-us/productdetail/face/bronzers/07852.html) It reminded me of you when I saw it becuase it is supposed to help boost your bronze glow on your face, arms, chest, even hair! I am very intrigued. If you try it, let me know what you think! They sent me an email about this new product and now I am on the hunt. You look gorgeous with your dark hair, by the way!
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:43 amWOW that looks cool! No idea why I haven’t heard of it! I will check it out today:) Thanks so much for the tip.
Kasia
July 25, 2013 at 6:01 amYou have such a beautiful eyes!
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:43 amThanks you Kasia:)
lindsay
July 25, 2013 at 6:02 amCara,
It would be AWESOME if you could create a board on Pinterest of all your favorite make-up/beauty products.
Thanks!
Miss Viola Swamp (@imaqt209421)
July 25, 2013 at 6:14 amYes! Also you are a hot mama 🙂
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:45 amThank you! You are quite the hottie yourself:)
Kelly
July 25, 2013 at 8:10 amYes! That way I won’t have to search your blog every time I find myself at Sephora
Cara
July 25, 2013 at 9:44 amGreat idea! I have actually been working on a page for the website that has all of my favorites listed in a splurge or save column, do you like that idea?
Sena
July 25, 2013 at 11:37 amYES! I am always writing down things on little pieces of paper I forget to bring to Ulta/Sephora anyway and end up standing in the middle of the store browsing maskcara.com on my phone and annoying all the sales associates who ask me if I want help and I’m all “no thanks, just reading my favorite makeup blogger… sorry to be in the way… just trying to find this lipstick she recommended. but thanks…” lol
Miss Viola Swamp (@imaqt209421)
July 25, 2013 at 4:05 pmLove that idea! And thanks hehe
Allison
July 25, 2013 at 6:09 amYou look great! What lip product are you wearing?
Rachel O
July 25, 2013 at 6:15 amAre you in Castle Rock? Come do my makeup PLEEEEEAAAAASE!!!!
Maddy Cane
July 25, 2013 at 6:28 amLove the makeup and the dress is so beautiful! x
Maddy from UNSTITCHEDD
♥
Harminee
July 25, 2013 at 6:35 amYo sis. I’m so happy you’re a brunette again. Miss you, Love you!
ebru
July 25, 2013 at 6:41 amhi there.. your eyes are reallly nice and your personality too..and we love your bllog.. regards from faraway istanbul, Türkiye…
Christa
July 25, 2013 at 7:11 amWhere are you in CO? DO you want to come do hair and makeup for my mom (who is visiting from CA) and me? Pretty please!
Sarah
July 25, 2013 at 7:28 amColorado springs is my home town!
Abigail
July 25, 2013 at 7:44 amSo I know how to do curly hair but I want to know how to get this hair. Super relaxed but still a curl without looking day old. I LOVE EVERYTHING about this look! Can’t wait for new tutorials!!!
Joanie
July 25, 2013 at 12:07 pmDitto — how did you style your hair? It looks AWESOME. The color is fantastic, too… glad you came back to the dark side 🙂
Jessaying
July 25, 2013 at 7:47 amYou look fabulous. Get it girl 🙂
Jamie
July 25, 2013 at 7:52 amI am going to Target on lunch break to find those shoes!!!
A Modern Commonplace BookGInny
July 25, 2013 at 8:05 amWhat is your nail polish? LOVE it! (And you!)
Chantel
July 25, 2013 at 8:23 amI was wondering the same thing! lol
Chantel
July 25, 2013 at 8:22 amNow following the board! *Fingers crossed you’ll pin some women of color soon. Xo
Laurence
July 25, 2013 at 8:25 amGreat look, Cara! Thanks for the links xo
R
July 25, 2013 at 8:30 amI seriously need to know what you are wearing on your lips!
Kristina
July 25, 2013 at 8:45 amYou look amazing! Would love a tutorial for how to do the makeup you’re wearing.
Laura
July 25, 2013 at 8:58 amThere is a way u can make the Pinterest board public so anyone can pin onto it. Just a though cuz it might be a lot easier then having to manually pin everyone’s link
Katie
July 25, 2013 at 9:00 amYou look fabulous!!! Are you going to be in Colorado long??
Brenda
July 25, 2013 at 9:22 amSo beautiful Cara i love everything!
Shannon
July 25, 2013 at 9:58 amAbsolutely stunning, Cara!
Sandra
July 25, 2013 at 10:00 amYou look AMAZING with your brown hair! Your outfit rocks too! 😉
the makerista
July 25, 2013 at 10:10 amyour dark hair looks beautiful! i love the subtle ombre. very lovely!
hayleyanngrade
July 25, 2013 at 11:12 amYou look terrific! Definitely trying that lipstick trick!!
http://www.loveblissandcoffee.com
xoxo Hayley
Gretchen Joy
July 25, 2013 at 11:17 amYou are just gorgeous. Seriously. I’m sure even in sweats. I am completely hooked on your blog! I have told all my 5 sisters about it, and every friend I know that has ever attempted to do anything makeup or fashion related. Keep up your awesome, positive work making all girls feel glam! xOxO
corey
July 25, 2013 at 11:36 amHi Cara, you look gorgeous! I love Forever 21. So i emailed you about makeover Monday – i forwarded it to the right address.: Did you receive it? Will you be back in Vegas next week??
Lidi
July 25, 2013 at 11:42 amHoly moly, that second picture is amazing! Are you sure that isn’t one of your Allure pictures? Because it’s totally magazine cover worthy!
azrakun
July 25, 2013 at 11:43 amabsolutely gorgeous! i love the blue necklace…
http://www.azrakunworld.com
Ricky
July 25, 2013 at 12:17 pmCongrats on being named one of the top 50 beauty blogs!
http://beautyhigh.com/beauty-blogs/
Miss Viola Swamp (@imaqt209421)
July 25, 2013 at 4:18 pmYay!
Addie
July 25, 2013 at 1:35 pmPlease come to Iowa and do my wedding makeup!
If not, some bridal tutorials would be awesome 🙂
Thank you for all that you do!!!
Susan
July 25, 2013 at 3:34 pmYou are awesome sauce and totally hilarious! The overdressed and hair stuck to lipstick comment killed me!! I always say “better over dressed than underdressed !”
Brenda
July 25, 2013 at 8:17 pmI love your makeup! Tutorial??
Honey
July 25, 2013 at 9:12 pmGorgeous! In the 3rd photo, you look like one of ’em vampires in Twilight!
siobhan
July 25, 2013 at 10:49 pmhow funny, I literally just realized I own that necklace too. I totally love it and get so many compliments on it. Such a good buy!
cheers!
Siobhain
http://www.thehapagirl.com
Mel J
July 26, 2013 at 6:48 amThis is gorgeous! I’m so excited you went back to the dark brown hair color. Its so close to my color, and its stunning on you! Yes, what nail polish? And what about the rest of your makeup? Flawless!
Penny Hutchings
July 26, 2013 at 7:02 amSO cute was just their didn’t see that,
Penny Hutchings
July 26, 2013 at 7:04 amCARA hey I can’t wait to get together with you :)))) SO EXCITED:))))
Michelle
July 26, 2013 at 1:55 pmCara, you look beautiful!! Would you please tell us how you fixed your hair in this picture?
Thanks for the wonderful post!
Ashley
July 27, 2013 at 9:04 amYou love fab as always! love your makeup tips and your never short of looking stunning always!! always fun to get pretty 😉
<3 ash
profoundlyash.blogspot.com
Pamela Koshio
July 28, 2013 at 10:59 pmI love your site! I have a 7 and a 4 year old and I’m feeling the need to start getting back to “pretty” and you’re the only source of “how to” that I’ve found. THANK YOU! Hubby & I love music too, but we couldn’t find “NICK” anywhere in CO. We’d buy the ticket if we could find him and we’d be happy to cook up some buffalo steaks for you if you ever return to CO. ~ Pamela
Divya
July 29, 2013 at 11:48 amhi cara i need help with the hair color.. please tell me hour to color my hair the way you have in the pictures?
Erin
July 29, 2013 at 5:40 pmThe dark hair is wonderful, you are a brunette goddess! Oh and 3 cheers for a tutorial 😉
tovah11
July 30, 2013 at 2:22 pmWow! Impressive! You can make inexpensive clothes look like a million bucks, while I try to wear expensive clothes and they end up looking cheap on me. lol. Oh well!
Julie
July 31, 2013 at 11:40 amIs this your “I don’t care hair?” It’s gorgeous!
Lynn
August 1, 2013 at 8:01 pmI just found your website and I love your tutorial videos. Especially the 4 minute face. However, I am commenting on this post because I noticed the birthmark on your arm that looks almost exactly like the one I have on my left forearm. I got so excited and wanted to contact you! lol People sometimes make a comment about it but for me, my birthmark is something I always look at but rarely notice(if that makes sense) because it has always been a part of me. I wondered if you felt the same? Either way you’re gorgeous and I look forward to more posts!
Paola Fry
August 9, 2013 at 9:24 amKara,
I was on pinterest while my 2 year old eat breakfast and I came across a makeup tutorial of yours. All I have to say is WOWWWWWw! I have been looking at YouTube videos and trying so hard to learn how to wear makeup and failed in every attempt. Your tutorials are so easy to follow and I love how you take the time to explain each product.
You go girl, you are making this mommy in desperate need of a makeover very happy!!!
Also, I wish you could come visit me in Phoenix, AZ and give me a complete make over! That will be your new challenge!! ahah
I just started blogging and I think my makeup looks horrible in all of my fashion posts. I have a big roman nose that cant hide!!!
Come visit me sometime and lets follow each other. I would love for you to send me an email or a quick message with some feedback. You should totally pick me for one of your tutorial. I think since my face is so unique and spanish looking you could probably have a really good chance of making a lot of woman happy!
Many Besitos from your #1 Colombian fan living in Arizona
http:lovealwayspaola.blogspot.com
Jen
August 23, 2013 at 6:50 pmLove your blog…you have such a gift for beauty and style. I am desperate for this necklace…I love it and must have it. I have looked in a few stores, keep checking online and on eBay and have had no luck. Has anyone seen one..
Beth
October 21, 2013 at 6:10 pmI want all of your clothes! Your website is addicting, and I have learned so much from your videos and blogs. You’re gorgeous!
XOXO