Love cobalt blue mascara for summer!

Coloured mascara is quite trendy this summer, and if you are bored with your black mascara, why not pep up your look by adding  a bit of colour to your lashes. I love blue mascaras and eyeliners -  they really add contrst and intensify your eyes no matter what color.  

For this summer look I used the following products:

 

Smashbox Camara Ready BB Cream in light/medium ( no powder used as I was going to the beach!)

Laura Mercier Gel Eyeliner in Canard ( applied with the MAC 266 angled brush )

Inglot Colour Play Mascara in Blue (two coats)

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Powder Pink ( applied with my fingers to both cheeks and lips)

Have you tried ever tried a blue mascara? What is your favorite look for this summer?

xxx Marina

For all the updates follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Mature skin? Get back your youthful glow!

Mature skin lacks collagen and elastin that gives the plumpness that younger skin has. I don't really like using the word "mature" because  it tends to make ladies over a certain age feel old and not as beautiful as they should feel, but it’s only a word after all!  The main thing about skin - at any age - is to keep the makeup look simple and fresh.  For ladies over fifty, in particular, less is really more. With my tips and tricks you can bring some of your youthful glow back and be the belle of the ball, no matter what age you are.

One of my happy clients - can you believe  this gorgeous lady is 58! A stunner!

Wear Pink Lipstick This Summer

Hot pink lips never seem to go out in fashion in summer time. One thing I love about bright pink lips is that they're ultra-feminine and so bold at the same time. I love pairing hot pink lip with neutral or rose eye shadow and glowing skin. This look is on my favs for a hot summer party.

THE LOOK 

Festival Makeup - Step-by-step

The festival season is in full swings and it is only understandable that you want to rock all day and night long and still look fabulous. But don’t despair, here is a tutorial for you how to apply festival make up that will last all day long and look fantastic. As you’re not going to have the time to touch up, your best bet would be to use waterproof and long-lasting products that do a double duty. Sunscreen is mandatory and I would recommend at least SPF 30, face paint on the other hand is optional and adds bit of fun to the look.

Valentines Day Make-up Inspiration

Oh dear, its that time of the year again,Valentines Day. Some love it, some hate it, personally  I am not crazy about it as it seems to be way to commercial these days and I think it puts unnecessary pressure on many relationships and on to of that it makes single feel inadequate.

Non-the-less, if you are planning to head out for the Valentines Day, here is a makeup inspiration that you could try on  the most romantic day of the year. 

New Year's Makeup Look

I was so busy getting my outfit for the New Year' Eve, that I didn't get a chance to plan my makeup look. I know, what was I thinking.
For the New Year's Eve makeup look,  I opted for a modern metallic smoky eye. I wanted to keep the eyes bright and yet smoky. I finished the look with glowy pink cheeks and nude lip. So it's all glitz and glam this New Year's Eve.
And here is the finished look, hope you like it ladies!

Christmas Day Makeup Tutorial - Step-by-Step

Can't believe it's Christmas already. I have been really busy this year. Being a makeup artist, beauty blogger and also working full-time in the office it didn't leave me much spare time for my friends and family this year. This is all about to change next year. Hopefully.

Anyways, enough of sentimentality, if you are still looking for Christmas Day makeup ideas, here is one for you.

Bridal Makeup: Best lipstick for the Bride

How to choose a lipstick for your wedding

As a general rule your lipstick should coordinate with your dress, wedding theme and of course with the rest of the make-up.

I always recommend soft pink-beiges, light or coral pinks, and also the classic red to the brides. I think these shades are timeless and also photograph best. The consistency of the lipstick should be creamy and smooth. Avoid matte lipstick as they can be bit drying.  If you want to your lipstick to last long, then you must use and lip pencil. Choose a lip pencil shade lighter or the same as the actual lipstick color.
I would not recommend using lip-gloss on your wedding day; firstly because it just doesn't look good in photographs and secondly it makes the lipstick less lasting.  And if you must apply lip-gloss then concentrate the lip-gloss on the center of your bottom lip for a plumping effect. 

Here are some of my favorite Wedding lipsticks that I recommend you try:

YSL Rouge Pur Couture in #5 Beige Etrusque

This is a muted nude pink with peachy undertones, very similar to MAC lipstick in Blankety, only less pink. Cost in Dublin, Ireland: € 31.00

Purple Smoky Eyes

From left to right: MAC Lipglass in Pink Lemonade, MAC Blush in Dainty, Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter,Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Rockstar,  Inglot P 399, Inglot Matte 375 and Inglot  AMC Shine 14

Products used and Step-by-Step application

Face

Base

Step 1

MAC Body and Face Foundation in C2 - Apply all over your face 

Step 2

Gyvenchy MisterLight Concealer pen no 4 - Apply the concealer where needed or use it as a highligher straight down the middle of your nose,  under the eyes, the forehead, cupids bow and chin and blend into the base with your fingers or a brush.

Step 3

NARS Illuminating Powder –  set the base with the powder using a powder puff or powder brush.

Eyes

Step 4

Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Rockstar  – apply a thick line along the upper lashes and  the lower lash line and  also to the waterline and blend towards the lashline with a pencil brush.

Step 7

Blend the eyeliner out with pencil brush. 

Step 8

 Inglot P 399 - pale lilac eyeshadow - with  the pale lilac shade define the crease and the outer V-corner of the eye. 

Step 9

Then with a clean  fluffy blending brush  blend  they eyeshadow outwards  to the brows.

Step 10

Inglot Matte 375 - deep plum - apply  the deep plum shade with a firm eyeshadow brush  on the lid and the crease; that will give depth and dimension to the crease.

Step 11

 And  again blend out the eyeshadow with a clean  blending brush. 

Step 12

Apply the same eye shadow to the lower lash line with a pencil brush and blend at the same time.

Step 13

Inglot  AMC Shine 14 - lilac eyeshadow with glitter - Apply the  eyeshadow to the center of the lid and blend with your finger. 

Step 14

Apply two coats of black mascara (L'Oreal Lash Architect 4D Mascara – Black), brush the eyebrows upwards and fill them out if necessary. 

Face

Base

Step 12

MAC Body and Face Foundation - Apply all over your face 

Step 13

Lacura Concealer pen - Apply matte higlighter straight down the middle of your nose,  under the eyes, the forehead, cupids bow and chin and blend into the base with your fingers 

Step 14

NARS Illuminating Powder –  set the base with the powder using a powder puff or powder brush.

Lips and Cheeks

Step 15

MAC Mineralize skinfinish in medium deep – used as bronzer here – apply to the temples, on the cheekbones and just right under the jaw line in a figure of 3.

Step 16

Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter - creamy beige highlighter – Apply  the highlighter in C form around your eyes, starting at your eyebrow and finishing at your cheekbones with a small blending brush, or you can also use your fingers.

Step 16

MAC Blush in Dainty – shimmery pink coral blush – apply on the apples of  your cheeks.

Step 16

MAC Lipglass in Pink Lemonade – soft pink peachy coral – apply to your lips.

 Hope you liked the look?  Please let me know in the comments!

xxx Marina

Please follow me on Facebook

Naturally Bright Make-Up Look for the Autumn and Winter Season 2013

Natural Nude Make-up Look has been seen on many catwalk this season, and it also happens to be one of my favorite makeup looks. It’s so soft and looks effortless, almost like thrown on the face very quickly. I love to pair this look with trendy autumnal tones such as burgundy, peacock and pine.

Here is the step by step tutorial to achieve this look.

Here is also the video of the makeup look :

Step-by-Step Make-Up and Products used

Step 1

Lush Feeling younger skin tint mixed with a light moisturizer: Apply this mix all over your face as a base.

Step 2

MAC Face and Body  shade C2: Apply a sheer foundation where needed 

Step 3 and 4:

YSL Touche Eclat: Apply the highlighter straight down the middle of your nose, under the eyes, the forehead, cupids bow and chin and blend with your fingers or small duo fiber brush.

Step 5

MAC Paint in Bare Canvas : Apply a nude cream eye shadow as a base as all over lid colour.

Step 6 and 7

MAC  Eyepencil in Taupe: Outline the shape of your eye with dark brown eyepencil and bled the pencil  in to the roots of the eyelashes with your fingers

Step 8

MAC Paint in Bare Study : Apply a shimmery golden cream eye shadow to the center of the eyelid.

Step 9

MAC pro longwear eyeshadow in fashion mix: counter your eye socket with a taupe grey shade also apply the taupe grey eye shadow to the lower eyelids and blend towards the corner of the eye with a pencil brush.

Step 10

 Shue Uemura Eyelash Curler: Curl your eyelashes with the curler

Step 11

Apply black mascara to the top and bottom eyelashes and comb through with a clean eyelash brush to define and separate eyelashes.

Step 12

 Define the eyebrows with a brow gel. 

Step 13

MAC Color base in Shell:  Apply a champagne highlighter on the top of the cheekbones,  straight down the middle of your nose, cupids bow and chin with your fingers. 

Step 14

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in  Pale Pink: Apply a light warm pink cream blush on to the apple of your cheeks and blend with your fingers.

Step 15

Tom Ford Lipstick in Indian Rose: Apply a light rose lipstick with a lip brush. 

Hope you liked the look! Let me know in the comments what you think!

xxx Marina

Please follow me on Facebook

Blue Smokey Eye is back

Blue eyeshadow is back and its here to stay, well at least for the Spring/Summer 2013 season. The blue eyeshadow  didn't have the best reputation over the last years and actually it  hasn't been seen much around since the 80's. I am actually quite happy about its return, because this is such an amazing shade that suits every eye color, but it looks especially stunning on brown eyes. Here  is a easy step-by-step tutorial  how to rock the blue this summer. 

Add caption

MAC Paint in Untitled, Urban Decay 24/7 Eye pencil  in Electric,Urban Decay 24/7 Eye pencil  in Binge, Inglot Pearl 428, MAC blush in Melba, Bourjois Rouge Edition in 03 Peche Cosy

Products used and Step-by-Step application

Face

Step 1

MAC Body and Face Foundation C2 - Apply all over your face 

Step 2

Lacura Concealer pen - Apply the concealer where needed or like me straight down the middle of your nose, under the eyes, the forehead, cupids bow and chin

Step 3

Blend the concealer with a brush or your fingers

Step 4

NARS Illuminating Powder – set the base with the powder using a powder puff or powder brush.

Eyes

Step 5

 MAC Paint in Untitled - Apply a nude cream eyeshadow over the eye area as a base.

Step 6

Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Electric -bright blue shade – apply a thick line along the upper  and lower lashes and also onto your water liner.

Step 7

Blend the eyeliner out with  your finger or a pencil brush. 

Step 8

Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Binge (dark blue shade, you could also use dark blue eyeshadow instead) – apply a thick line along the upper  and lower lashes.

Step 9

Blend the eyeliner out with your fingers or a fluffy brush until there are no harsh lines visible

Step 10

Inglot Eyeshadow in Pearl 428 - shimmery navy shade - apply the eye shadow to the upper lid only to intensify the previously applied color.

Step 11

Apply two coats of black mascara (L'Oreal Lash Architect 4D Mascara – Black)

Step 12

Brush the brows upwards with a brow gel or fill out with eye shadow.

Lips and Cheeks

Step 13

MAC blush in Melba – matte peach – apply on the apples of  your cheeks with a blush brush in sweeping motion aiming towards the temples.

Bourjois Rouge Edition in 03 Peche Cosy – soft peach – apply with a lip brush.

Hope you liked the make-up!  Are you gonna try  the blue smokey eye this summer? 

xxx Marina

Please follow me on Facebook

Easy Make-Up Look that suits everyone

Here are some make-up products that are a must have for every women's make-up bag.Having a taupe and champagne eyeshadow, dark brown eyepencil and coral blush and lipstick in your make-up bag is essential as having a little black dress in your wardrobe. These shades work  perfectly on every skin tone and are suitable for every occasion.   
Champagne Eyeshadow
Champagne is great neutral shade that works great as a base eyeshadow but also can double up as a highlighter. It  particularly  looks great with all shades of brown. One of my favorite champagne eyeshadows is MAC Paint in  Bare Canvas and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Eye Shadow in Champagne.
Taupe Eyeshadow
Taupe is a mix of brown and grey, and is great for soft smokey eye that is suitable for the office and the night out in town. One of my favorite taupe eyeshadows is MAC Patina. 
Dark Brown Eyepencil
I mostly use dark brown eyepencils because black can be harsh on my eyes and make them look to dark.  My favorite dark brown pencil is MAC Coffee. 
Coral Blush and Lipstick
The vibrant shade of coral  helps to brighten the face and gives a radiant overall look. My favorite Corals are  MAC blush in Dainty and MAC lipglass in Pink Lemonade.
 

Here is the Make-Up look with all the products mentioned above: 

Products used and Step-by-Step Make-up application









Face


Step 1

MAC Body and Face Foundation C2 - Apply all over your face 

Step 2

Lacura Concealer pen - Apply the concealer where needed or like me straight down the middle of your nose, under the eyes, the forehead, cupids bow and chin

Step 3

Blend the concealer with a brush or your fingers

Step 4

NARS Illuminating Powder – set the base with the powder using a powder puff or powder brush.

Eyes

Step 5

 MAC Bare Canvas - shimmery pale champagne - Apply over the eye area as a base.

Step 6

MAC Eyeshadow in Patina - taupe with golden shimmer - apply to the eyelid with your fingers and blend until there are no harsh lines visible. 

Step 7

MAC eyepencil in Coffee – dark brown shade - apply a thick line on to the upper lash line.

Step 8

Blend the eyeliner out with a pencil  brush.

Step 9

Apply the same eye pencil to the lower lashes.

Step 10

And again, blend the eyeliner out with a pencil brush. 

Step 11

Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Midnight Cowboy - pale shimmery champagne – apply to the inner corner of the eye and on to the lower waterline.

Step 12

No 7 Intense Volume Mascara – Black - Apply two coats of black mascara.

Step 13

Brush the brows upwards and fill out with eye shadow or brow gel.

Lips and Cheeks

Step 14

MAC Blush in Dainty – shimmery pink coral blush – apply on the apples of  your cheeks with a blush brush in sweeping motion aiming towards the temples.

Step 15

MAC Lipglass in Pink Lemonade – soft pink peachy coral – apply to your lips.

And that’s an easy  make-up look, perfect for everyday and everyone! Hope you liked it!

xxx Marina

Please follow me on Facebook

How to wear bright pink lipstick

 Bright pink lips and nude eyes have been spotted on the Giles Spring 2013 Fashion and this is a my favorite look at the moment.  Bright lips are fun and young, and just perfect for spring.  For this looked I used my new Maybelline Lipstick in 902 Fuchsia Flash , a vivid fuchsia shade and to add interest to the look, I applied a pale gold eyeshadow to my lids, but still kept the eyes clean and nude. 

Maybelline Lipstick in 902 Fuchsia Flash

Easy Green Smokey Eye for the St Patrick's Day Party

St. Patrick's Day, a traditional Irish holiday which is celebrated each year on the 17^th of  March  is approaching and maybe you are joining this festive day by rocking your best bright green outfit paired with bright green make-up.

Here is simple green smokey eye make-up tutorial for you, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. 

Tom Ford Beauty Eye Color Quad in Burnished Amber

Valentine's day Make-up look inspired by Gucci SS13

OK ladies, it's Valentine's Day approaching... again....  and it's all about love, romance and expressing appreciation for each other...  well, I guess that was once the case... nowadays, Valentine's is more about going out for a fancy dinner and expensive presents for most of the couples.  I never celebrate Valentines really, because I am of the opinion,  you should show your love and affection for your partner on a daily basis in small gestures, and be it just taking out the rubbish out or doing the grocery shopping for the week.  

  Nonetheless, I still wanted to show you some makeup ideas, that you could easily recreate for the most romantic day of the year. For the look below,  I was inspired by the Gucci Summer/Spring 2013 Show in Milan, where massive eyelashes and coral blush were paired with glowing complexion and nude lips.

 This is my variation of the  make up look, so I hope you like it.