Easily one of my favorite tricks. Not only because it’s easy but it’s also versatile, you can use it with any color combo you like and it looks softer and more subtle than almost any other technique. Perfect for everyday wear.

Here are some of my favorite picks for blended eyelined color combos:

For a smoky look: This black eyeliner and Maybelline’s Caffeine Rush shadow Pallet.
For Lorac Pro Palette owners: Teddy liner  + Taupe & Espresso (for less drama, drop the Espresso and stick with the Taupe)
For Stila In the Light Palette owners: (what I used in the video) Damsel Liner + Bliss & Sandstone
For a really soft look: NYX liner in Brown & your bronzer to blend

I hope this helps, I don’t know why but I have so much anxiety about doing videos, I am NEVER happy with them and I have to redo ‘em like 1000 times before I post. I’ll get it together eventually…

(I know some of you prefer to see the images side by side so I did a special one just for you! Click HERE)

I also had to mention that I always tell my makeovers to smile and act completely natural in the before (cause I don’t want to rely on tricks like frowning or making an odd face to accentuate the difference) but I think it must be something about being in front of the camera bare faced because 90% of the time their expressions on the before ends up completely different than the ones on the after.

What I did:

I’ll start out saying that I used Armani Luminous silk on her skin.
You guys…
I really wanted to hate this stuff. I wanted to tell you, “Meh – It’s nice and everything but it is not worth it.”
I wanted to laugh at all of those fools shelling out upwards of $65 dollar bills at Barney’s for it.
But I can’t.
I don’t know what they did or how they did it but when they say silk they mean it.
Even if you have to save up till your next birthday and then only use it sparingly on special occasions, I highly recommend it.
(Although, I have withheld judgement on it’s use for mature skin, since I haven’t tried it yet for that.)
So, I used that on her face. (sparingly as mentioned above) In circular motions with my Airbrush #55 Sephora Brush.
After priming her skin with Elf Studio Primer I’ve been trying to find ELF products that I like lately and so far this is definitely one of them.
Then filled her brows with Brun. (intense video for that coming soon)
Lined her eyes the blended way (Made a vid for this today, I’ll post it tomorrow) with Stila In The Light Palette & the Damzel Liner that it comes with.(Using bliss and sandstone around her eyes and Kitten on her brow bone)
I contoured with Bahama Mama. Since Aubrey has a square face shape I focused the contour color one the edges of her face. I imagine a diamond shape in the center of her face and shade outside the diamond area. Then hit the sides of her nose gently and under her lips.
And blushed her cheeks with Maybelline Bouncy Blush in Fresh Pink.
Next I highlighted her (with my highlighter similar to maybelline Highlighting Concealer) under her eyes, down the bridge of her nose and on her chin.
I finished it off with Revlon Lip butter in Creamsicle on her lips

Also! Allure isn’t announcing the winner until TOMORROW!!
I don’t know if I can wait any longer, but…I guess I am being forced to:)
So keep your fingers crossed!

Have a weekend filled with the reading/watching/doing of things that aren’t necessarily productive but do bring you joy:)

I set up an email devoted completely to Monday Makeovers.
If you are near, in, or planning to be in the Las Vegas area you can enter to getcher self a fun makeover at no charge!
I will also let you know periodically if I am going to be travelling to other cities and if you live in those, you can enter as well!
I am really excited because I think this will give me a chance to meet some of you guys and work on an array of different skin tones, ethnicities and face shapes to help answer questions and represent looks that everyone can relate to.

If you wanna enter here’s what you do:

Send an email to makeovermonday@gmail.com
Subject line: Name and a random interesting fact about you (to make it fun:)
Email Body:
1. Where you live and when you will be in the Las Vegas area
2. A photograph of you (with your current skin tone – makeup on or off – either is fine)
3. Your phone number
4. Anything else you’d like to add

I’ll contact one or two ladies a month to arrange it.

I also have another option for my regular makeup services:
Cost: $100
Which includes a full makeup consult and eyebrow shaping.

Send an email to caralynbrook@gmail.com
Subject Line: MAKEUP CONSULT
Email Body:
1. Availability dates.
2. Your phone number
3. Anything else you’d like to add

I will respond and let you know if I am available.

I’m really excited to hear from you guys!

Oh, and don’t forget to vote! Don’t know what the deal was with the voting but I think it’s fixed now!

If you have damaged hair: maybe you can join me in this adventure and share your results as well (so we can have a wide array of hair types and opinions)
If you already have the perfect thing; I am hoping you share that too!
If we work together we are gonna have the softest sexiest hair of our lives:)
I know it.

You know I don’t like to report on things until I know for sure that I love them. Which takes many uses, comparisons and sometimes before and afters. Yet I want you guys to be able to try what I am trying as well, so I’ll tell you now what I’m doing so far and what my first impression is. I’ll keep up updated and do a round up when I come to some solid conclusions

(ahhh the healthier days!)

Wen: Not exactly a first impression, I couldn’t use it when I had my extensions in though because conditioner breaks down the glue. So I am elated to be back in the saddle. (more about that HERE) Although, my friend Marissa told me over the weekend (when I asked her about her STUNNING hair) she washes hers with suave coconut conditioner!

Suave Coconut Conditioner: She says instead of shampooing use the conditioner and scrub really good rinse then follow if a vinegar rinse. Haven’t tried this yet but I’m pretty excited to.

Vinegar Rinse: I was really skeptical about this when I saw it on pinterest but with her recommendation, I gave it a shot. After washing you rinse your hair with it. Which closes the cuticle and makes it look shiny and soft. My biggest concern was that I would smell like a salad afterward but I am sniffing my hair as we speak and there isn’t a trace of vinegar. (when it was went I could still smell it a little  The coolest part was that (as per her recommendation) I used about 10 drops of blue food coloring and 3 or 4 drops of red to tone it. Totally worked. Which was nice because as I said in my toning post the other day, the shimmering lights purple shampoo is very drying and obviously has sulfates. Initially I am very impressed and hopeful about this one.

Kerastase Mask & Elixir: This is amazing and very expensive. I love it so far but I used it mostly when I have my extensions in so I want to try it without so I can tell the difference better.

Coconut oil: Using it to keep the hair hydrated. I rub it into the ends during the day.

Taking my biotin and making sure to eat my veggies: Biotin is the hair health megavitamin. Hair health and body health are linked. Plus I just need more veggies anyway.

No Blow Drying: This is the single biggest difference I can see in my hair. I am not sure if its just my hair texture but my hair gets damaged so fast and easily by blow drying. I am avoiding it like the plague right now.

I’m also scrimping on:
curling irons:cutting it down to once a week
hairspray: by twirling or pin setting my curls I can get the body and hold I need with out a lot of alcoholic products.
Brushing my hair when it’s wet: Hair is a lot weaker when soaked. I’m leaving it alone in it’s vulnerable state.

I can’t wait to hear what you guys have to say!
I’m also pretty excited to see how I did on the Allure contest last week and check out the challenges for this week, It’s the last week of the contest so it all comes down to this! Fingers crossed that I am still standing! If I am be sure to VOTE and to check out what I found at the drugstore for my $50 challenge.
(sometimes I get to the end of a post and have the distinct feeling that I have WELL overused exclamation points, I’m having that feeling right now so if you noticed that too, my apologies. It would be a very different world if all of us girls were actually exclaiming when we talked as much as we do when we write!!!!!!! haha)

Ignored Eyebrows:
Why? Do I harp on eyebrows too much? If so I’m sorry, it’s just,  I think they make such a dramatic difference! They are the most natural looking way to bring definition and intensity to your eyes. And when filled and tweezed right they bring balance to your face and they make your expressions look more authentic.
What to do instead? Fill those babies! I used an angled brush {here} and this shadow on Celeste’s. I have this old video {here} that gives you the basics. I’ve been asked to make a new video so I want to know from you guys, what exactly should I address in the new video? What are your biggest concerns with brows?

White eyeshadow:
Why? Now this one is probably just a personal preference of mine. I think white eyeshadow has a tendency to look chalky and unflattering. It can absolutely look beautiful but for the most part I think creamier warmer highlight colors look prettier and softer.
What to do instead? Some of my favorite under brow highlighters are: Lt Bronze {in lorac palette} & the one I used for this makeover was Bubbly {in Stila in the light palette}

Lack of Moisturizer:
Why? Most of the time I think women are timid to use much moisturizer because it makes them feel oily or they worry it will break them out but it is so important for getting your skin to look glowing and vibrant.
What to do instead? Moisturize! I promise it will make a difference. I try to slather some of this {here} on twice a day.

Foundation – More Coverage than you need:
Why? You gotta show off some skin! I find most women imagine their skin to be much less perfect than it actually is. They see perfect complexions in magazines and think that more foundation is the way to get there. In all reality no one has perfect skin (not even the babes in Glamour) but when you use too much foundation it can age you and make your skin look dull. Notice how dry Celeste’s face looks in the before image.
What to do instead? I just say to put on foundation thoughtfully, really decide what you actually want to cover up. So often it’s easy to go into autopilot and cover up everything. Instead use the sheerest coverage possible and then spot treat trouble areas with concealer. On Celeste I used Nars Sheer Glow Foundation {here} mixed with moisturizer so it went on very sheer ( I had to show off her cute freckles) then I used my my highlighting concealer {similar here}under her eyes and around her nose to cover up the redness.

Foundation #2 – Skipping the Blush & Contour:
Why? Now I am not saying you need to contour and blush every day but if you are going to do a full face of foundation it becomes more important. Your face has many different colors on it (ask anyone who’s ever painted a face) when you cover it up with one solid color it can look unnatural and flat. That is where the beauty of blush, highlighting and contouring comes in.
What to do instead? Using your products in the right places is all it takes. Most of the time I skip the foundation altogether and HAC instead. If I am feeling like I want to get really done up I will use a sheer foundation under my HAC. Either way it’s an art that is worth learning and getting good at! Even if you just do a quick version it’s all about letting your features shine and showing off your beautiful face structure. Learn ALL about that {here}

Disappearing lips:
Why? Nude lips are so fun and look amazing with a smoky eye. The problem is that sometimes when you throw on nude lip gloss instead of looking hot your lips look hidden.
What to do instead? I love to contour my lips. I use this {here} lip liner and lightly draw around the outer edge and then use the smudger on the stick to blend it out. You can also use your contour shade around the bottom of your lips to make them look defined. {then I tapped the same Tarte blush {here}I used on her cheeks into the center of her lip to give it a natural looking flush)

Hair Over Spray:
Why? Hairspray is made up of a fair amount of alcohol, so it’s really drying. When you layer it on the hair too much it looks dry and dull and lifeless.
What to do? Less is more. Always use the least amount of any product on your hair as possible to get the look you are going for. I understand that some hairstyles require more spray than others. It’s just one of those things that can become a bad habit.

I love this look! I couldn’t stop staring at her the rest of the day. She is just so feminine and beautiful. I don’t think she could possibly look that angelic and sweet if she wasn’t the person she is on the inside. I love her.
I also thought this would make a really pretty bridal makeup tutorial, do you guys agree? or do you think it’s too simplistic?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

1. Mac Eyeshadow in Brun:
I have been using this on pretty much everyone I see as my new favorite brow filler. It’s the perfect tone! I also love the ashy brown as a smoky liner. It makes eyes look so dreamy.
2 & 3. Mac Viva Glam in Nicki and Nicki 2:
Such fun colors! I fell in love with both of these at my nearest store and they were out, so I went running around town trying to find them. The purplish one is so cool but I will admit that it looks really weird on me unless I have a full face of makeup to go with it.
4. OP Bikini at Walmart
I instagrammed about this the other day. Walmart has these on sale for 5 bucks a piece! Such a smokin’ deal! They have like 10 colors too. It’s always nice to have cute solids around to wear alone or mix and match with your printed suits.
5. Kiss Trio Lashes ( I got mine at CVS but you can get em at Walmart or Walgreens too)
These rock my world. I’ve never had enough patience for the single clusters, but I love the way they look. Now I get to have my cake and eat it too. I applaud Kiss for their hard work that makes my laziness possible.

Cause I wanted to be blonde.
And I figured I could nurse it back to health eventually (working on that, I’ll keep you posted)

But in the meantime… I’m just gonna fake it.

Not everyday (cause there’s heat involved) but if I do it once a week it will last me 3 or 4 days.
Which will allow me to maintain a healthy sense denial.

1. 1 1/2″ Hot Tools Curling Iron (BTW I know I didn’t add this to the list but I had to tell you, since I’ve been using the Malibu hard water elixir I have been amazed with how well my hair holds curl! Bouncy, light fresh and not at all weighed down with grime, post about that HERE)
2. Awesome hair oil
3. Fab heat protected
4. Fine tooth comb

First work oil into your hair starting at the ends and working up to about mid shaft. I use it in dime size amounts until my hair no longer feels dry at the ends. A little at a time keeps you from getting too much in one area. Next I section my hair in two and pull op the top half.
Now time to begin the stylin’

1. Take 1 1/2″ sections and spray with heat protectant then comb through section
2. Take the iron and clam the hair near the root ( I run it through the root a couple times to warm it up) then clamp down and slide through while curling away from your face until you get to the end of the strand.
3. Lightly twirl the strand and let it cool

Repeat the process on the rest of the hair. I rotate the curl going away from my face and toward my face each time, making sure the pieces that frame my face are all away)

Once your hair is COMPLETELY COOL shake it out and break up the curls.

This technique makes your hair look lustrous and healthy by smoothing the cuticle, adding wave/body and quenching it’s thirst.

I have a video where I do a similar technique in case the pictorial isn’t giving you enough info. Click HERE to see that:)

I hope this helps some of you even if you hair isn’t damaged, it’s one of my favorite styles and it looks pretty on hair of any length!
For long hair though, I would recommend a smaller iron (like 1″ or 1 1/4″) since your hair has more weight and might pull on your curl.

Don’t forget to vote!

What I used:
I used a copper shadow on her lid and then highlighter her brow with a shimmery cream {Garnet & Lt. Bronze from the LORAC Pro Palette}
Did a thick solid liner on her upper lid {SEPHORA Liquid Liner in Black}
Then filled her brows in a high arch {MAC Eyeshadow in Brun}
A thick layer of mascara {L’Oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black}
And a sexy pair of natural looking lashes Red Cherry False Eyelashes
A very light coat of foundation {NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in STROMBOLI}
I highlighted her with my mix but a similar option would be { Clinique Even Better Concealer in Buttermilk
Then contoured with {The Balm Bahama Mama Bronzer}
Contoured & lined her lips with {CoverGirl Perfect Blend Pencil in Mink}
and glossed her up with Colour Riche Legloss in Baby Blossom

HAIR! For her hair we lightened it and added some layers then did twirl curls (my favorite)

Be sure to check out the contest today and see how I fared last week and get some more fun details from this makeover (and the other fun makeovers)
Oh and of course vote! {CLICK HERE}
It’s Sunday night as I write this so I have no idea what happened yet… SO NERVOUS/ANXIOUS!