In my effort to spread the holiday cheer, I present you with the December Giveaway Gift..of  MAKEUP! Here it is…

A gorgeous blush/bronze duo centers this spectacular presentation of 8 stunning eye shadows and the beautiful blend of mattes and shimmers in these colors is perfect for creating eye catching looks for holidays or any day;)

Who wouldn’t want this versatile and glamorous palette on their makeup table??

Keep for yourself or give to someone special, but don’t miss your chance to GET IT FREE in the December Makeup Giveaway on my FACEBOOK PAGE.

Here are the rules:

1. Be over 18 or have parent/guardian permission. This IS important since you will have to give me your address to send it to if you win. Your parent/guardian is welcome to speak with me if this is a concern. They can contact me via email at kristinemarieartistry@ymail.com with any questions/concerns.

2. Be a FAN of the KRISTINEMARIE Makeup Artistry Page on Facebook.

(^click above for link to page^)

3. Look for the GIVEAWAY post named DECEMBER GIVEAWAY. Then, simply post your HOLIDAY MAKEUP WISH LIST.

4. Stay updated for the random drawing and winner announcement on December 17th at 10pm EST. Winner name will be posted and must claim prize within 24 hours of forfeit.

*Winner must email me direct at kristinemarieartistry@ymail.com and post to claim the prize;)

Its easy and it’s free;) Everything should be so easy!

Happiest of Holidays and Good Luck to All!

Budget Junkies:

I highly recommend small storage systems like  STERILITE. They are affordable, stackable and you can separate your items for easy access and organization. These can be found online as well as many stores such as Target, Wal-mart, and Dollar General/Family Dollar stores.

* TIP – shelf liner can also be cut to size and placed in the drawers to keep items from sliding around so much;)

WIRE or MESH PENCIL HOLDERS are the perfect solution for the practical makeup lover who likes to display her brushes, eyeliner pencils, mascaras,  lipliners or even nail files for quick assessment and easy access. These handy items can be found in most dollar stores or office supply stores.

* TIP – The matching letter holders can be used to hold the large eyeshadow/blush/concealer palettes similar to what you may find at Coastal Scents.

BIG SPENDING DIVAS:

For you ladies who really want to create a pampered look on your makeup table, consider bathroom accessories to help you achieve the look. Yes!  BATHROOM ACCESSORIES Tumblers are great for holding q-tips and makeup brushes, eye/lip pencils and so much more. Toothbrush holders are great for brushes and liner pencils as well;) Mix or match for the perfect fit on your table.

Don’t forget the tissue holder, lotion dispenser ( nice for lotion, makeup remover, or antibacterial gel) and even the soapdish is a nice place to mix foundations, place false lashes you don’t want to lose or put your rings & earrings on after a long day. After all that, the wastebasket is a perfect addition to keep close by for used makeup wipes and disposable items.

You can find great deals on individual items at stores like TJ MAXX, AJ WRIGHT, MARSHALLS or sets at BED and BATH stores. So many styles and colors to choose from!

* TIP – if you use several lotion dispensers for different items, but sure to put a small sticker/label on the bottom so you don’t get antibacterial gel mixed up with eye makeup remover…OUCH!

FOR EVERYONE:

Black ( or any color HAND TOWELS) are great for keeping on your table. First, they keep the table clean and second they are excellent for using to spot clean brushes between uses. Black or dark toned towels show less gunk but just keep in mind, makeup WILL stain these towels so buy some JUST FOR THE MAKEUP TABLE;) No using the guest towels!  You can find these anywhere depending on style and budget, and sometimes several in a pack. A couple should do just fine as one can be on the table when one is being washed.

* TIP – Be sure to wash towels every couple of days to keep dust, dirt, and bacteria from building up and causing your skin grief.

FLATWARE TRAYS are easy kept in the open or placed in drawers and offer a quick view and easy access to most any type of item from single shadows to liner pencils. So much variety  ( basket, mesh, plastic, etc) and found nearly anywhere.

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* TIP – this style (below) is excellent for holding skin care items like moisturizer bottles, toners, makeup remover, makeup sanitizing spray etc & make sure to wash these out every so often to keep dirt from building up in corners.

Finally, VOTIVE HOLDERS  are wonderful for keeping tweezers, nail clippers, eyelash glue, eye primer tubes, lip balm tube, mini-scissors or any other little small items you may have that often seem to have no place and get lost on a makeup table. Finally, an easy way to keep them visible! Votive holders can be as simple/cheap or lavish and stylish as you like. You can find them anywhere from super stylish ones at PIER ONE IMPORTS to more practical ones at Target stores. Prices vary. You can even create a personalized one with appliques ( found at craft stores)  and clear votive holders.

Hope you found these tips useful and please feel free to share some of your best organizing ideas!

Check back for updates, product reviews, ideas, giveaway information and so much more and don’t forget:

Become a fan of  KristineMarie Makeup Artistry on Facebook for chances to win FREE makeup goodies;)

As always, the brushes came packaged adorably in a drawstring organza bag (colors vary in my experience but this time it was black)  and delicately wrapped in pink tissue paper with a seal to keep everything nice and neat….)

I always enjoy attention to small details that really make getting a package feel more like getting a present;) I was given a small sample of loose shadow which was a nice and generous touch.  Shipping was also super fast and who doesn’t love that?

Ok, so here are my thoughts on the few I received:

BIONIC FLAT TOP BUFFER BRUSH     $13.95     (see link for photo and more information)

The softness of this brush is pretty surprising, but yet it still has a density that makes it perfect for everything from buffing foundations in or applying bronzer or mineral foundations. This is a must-have for any makeup junkie on a budget who desires an excellent quality multi-tasking brush. I am adding a few of these onto my next order as they will now be a staple in my professional kit;) VERY happy with this purchase and even happier with the price! After all, it works as well as my SMASHBOX #19 and I paid over $50 USD for that brush. You do the math! As a side note, I do recommend the   BRUSH GUARDS to keep this brush in the best shape possible. They are a must for those who desire to get the most of their brush investment;)

BIONIC FLAT TOP BUFFER

DESTINY BLENDER BRUSH     $2.49     ( see link for photo and more info)

Another shocker, this little gem is under $3 USD but performs as well ( if not better) than my MAC 222 and MAC 224 brush. I liken the shape to that of the MAC 226 that sometimes appears in limited edition collections as it is very tapered and yet, dense and soft enough to give a beautiful and easy blend. Shorter than the MAC brushes but not so short that they are difficult to control. I think this is a perfect blender to keep on hand ( I will be ordering a few more…) and excellent for a travel brush set. Fast becoming one of my favorites!

DESTINY BLENDER

DIVINE LARGE/MEDIUM EYE SHADOW BRUSH     $2.49     (see link for photo and more info)

I love these brushes. The large is great for applying a base color all over the eye or even the highlight. The medium is perfect for lid color or highlight. Dense enough to pack on color if desired , yet soft enough to deliver a sheer wash when using a gentle hand. Again..smaller than the high end counterparts, but affordable, workable and definite basics for any makeup junkie to have in their stash. The price is nice too! Check out both sizes…at $2.49 each, you can’t afford NOT to;)

DIVINE LARGE DIVINE MEDIUM

BLACK POINTED CREASE BRUSH     $2.95     (see link for photo and more info)

Not my favorite pointed brush ever, but no major complaints. While the tip isn’t the most slender and perfect of pointed crease brushes, this can be worked with in my opinion. I find the tip to be soft enough to not irritate the delicate areas around eyes, but the base of the hair is dense enough to be able to smudge kohl liners into the lashline with ease.

CREASE BRUSH

So there you have it. A few good quality, basic makeup brushes without breaking the piggy bank. I plan to keep these handy on my personal makeup table and order a few for my professional kit as well. Great for traveling as well due to the convenient size and affordable price.  In fact, here is an adorable little bag that would be perfect to hold them all…

GOLD PENCIL AND BRUSH CASE

COASTALSCENTS.COM has so many hidden treasures from cosmetics to moisturizers. I have always been pleased with my purchases and the service at COASTALSCENTS.COM and highly recommend them to beginners and professionals.

As an addition, the already low prices are going even lower on certain items for the Holiday season so check them out!

More reviews coming soon on products from Estee Lauder, MAC, Too Faced, Sephora, Urban Decay, Coastal Scents, Face Atelier and MORE!  Stay updated and be sure to visit:

KRISTINE MARIE MAKEUP ARTISTRY FACEBOOK PAGE

and become a fan for more information and giveaway opportunities!

Here is the gift…

TOO FACED GLAMOUR TO GO II POCKET PALETTE

Featuring:

8 eyeshadow colors

4 Lip colors

1   neutral blush shade

All in one convenient palette you can fit anywhere!

This is a perfect gift , mini bridal kit, everyday makeup necessity or travel companion for the busy holiday traveler;)

Want a chance to win it?

HERE IS HOW

1. Be a fan of the   KRISTINEMARIE MAKEUP ARTISTRY PAGE on FACEBOOK.

2. Post your best beauty tip in the comment section of the giveaway post of the FACEBOOK PAGE (linked above in purple!)

3. Sit back, relax & wait for the random drawing that will take place  November 20th at 10pm EST

*Tips left on this page and on the Youtube channel do not count as an entry. Please leave the beauty tips on the Facebook page to be entered in the giveaway*

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE SO CHECK IN FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT. WINNER WILL ALSO AUTOMATICALLY BE ENTERED IN THE DECEMBER GOODIES GIVEAWAY.

WINNER HAS 24 HOURS TO CLAIM THE GIFT. IF NOT CLAIMED IN 24 HOURS, IT WILL BE FORFEITED.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE IN BY 10pm EST on November 19th.

ONE ENTRY PER PERSON.

ANYONE CAN ENTER. ANYONE CAN WIN.

(Those under 18 must have parental permission an a shipping address will be required for the winner. I am a Mom and this is important! If you are under 18 with skeptical parents, they can contact me with questions/concerns.)

GOOD LUCK !!!

~ Check out the Giveaway Video on YOUTUBE by clicking HERE ~

The connections made and the validation this movement has given are indescribable. I am fortunate to have been part of it.

This year, on December 4th, HELP PORTRAIT will be active all over the world doing the same basic thing – taking photos of those in need. Groups everywhere will be seeking photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, volunteers, and donations to make these events as special as they can possibly be.

If you are in the local area and wish to become  part of this movement, please contact me for more information. If you are in another area , please google to find a HELP PORTRAIT event near you to assist with. I promise it will be an experience you will be thankful for and remember for a lifetime;)

EVERY little bit helps be it donations of refreshments, printing, consumables, support, organization etc. If you would like to donate to this local group  feel free to contact me or find a group near you.

I look forward to another great experience this year and hope you can be a part of it too!

KristineMarie

See the link for some history and information:

HELP PORTRAIT INFO HERE

Facebook for more info on this month’s giveaway!

This month’s giveaway features items from:

SEPHORA and STILA.

Follow the simple directions to enter into the drawing to win!

Refer  friends to the Fan page for additional entries!

* Please note, you must be a FAN of the KristineMarie Makeup

Artistry Fan page to enter.

Open to all ages and locations.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

KristineMarie

One brand many of us remember from our pre-teen drugstore shopping trips is WET N WILD.  Let me say, they have come a long, long way. I have found a few of their products that are not only affordable and great quality, but that have been endorsed by popular celebrity makeup artists such as Kevin James Bennet. Here are my top WET n WILD picks:

COLOR ICON EYESHADOW PALLET - 6 highly pigmented shades in 4 color combinations for about $5 USD

COLOR ICON LIP PENCIL – 6 shades &  a perfect “glide on” texture. Makes defining lips EASY for about $1 USD

** # 712, WILLOW is a PERFECT neutral shade. An absolute MUST have !

NATURAL BLEND LIP SHIMMER – 9 shades of  moisturizing color  lip balm that delivers for about $2 USD

** #101 (TART) and #103 (NUTMEG) and #106 (SPICE) are my favorites.

ULTIMATE SHEER TINTED MOISTURIZER – Feels light and offers a natural coverage for about $4 USD

** Only offered in 4 shades so may not be for everyone. You are in luck if you find a match!

I will be doing a few “Work Friendly” makeup looks soon. Updates on those can be found on the FACEBOOK page and just to note, I will be using a few of the items listed here.  They are readily available at most drugstores and be sure to check for sale items to get the most for your makeup dollars! I will also be posting a makeup GIVEAWAY soon, so subscribe to this blog and FACEBOOK to get updates and maybe win some FREE goodies!

*Giveaways are only open to BLOG and FACEBOOK Subscribers.

Kristine Marie

Here is a routine to achieve a quick, affordable daytime look using only 5 products and it can be done in about 5 minutes. Add more if you have the time, but here are some key basics:

TINTED MOISTURIZER:  Seconds to apply and just enough coverage for daytime activities. Use your clean hands for maximum blending and time efficiency. Cover Girl, BOOTS NO 7 and Neutrogena all have a range of tinted moisturizers easily found in drugstores. Find your shade and get going!

TINTED LIP BALM:  Just enough color to give you some life but not enough to keep anyone from taking you seriously. All lips need moisture and it’s easy to keep handy in your bag for touch ups when you need it. NIVEA, NEUTROGENA and BURTS BEES all come to mind. Find them any/everywhere!

KOHL EYE LINER PENCIL:  Choose brown or navy – Neutral enough to be *neutral” but not overpowering like black. (Save black for nights on the town.) Even the green would work great for daytime eye definition. Simply line upper lash line and smudge with a damp Q-tip to give eyes some shape ( and a subtle , daytime smokey look) and your face some overall balance. RIMMEL Soft Kohl liners are available almost anywhere, affordable and easily smudge-able.

MASCARA:  A simple, inexpensive mascara like Maybelline FULL n SOFT will give you just enough definition without the flakey, crispy lashes of some mascaras. One coat will do the trick. It does exactly as promised – makes lashes full and yet, still soft. Guess where you can get it…

BRONZER:  A little bronzer goes a long way so don’t abuse it. You want a sun-kissed look, not a sun-abused one. Use a fluffy powder brush ( tap of excess) and place in areas the sun would naturally hit – your cheeks, chin and forehead. If you are concerned that it may seem ” too much”, try just applying it sparingly to the outer edges of your face and blend well.  NYX makes an affordable bronzer you can find in most drugstores.

It’s so affordable, you may even have some money left over for a cute new bag to keep it all in! If not, stay tuned for a giveaway coming soon where you can win an adorable, colorful bag for your makeup and accessories. Subscribe to this blog for updates or find me on FACEBOOK and become a fan for the latest on the giveaway!

Above and beyond anything, skin care is the most important part of any makeup routine so be sure to wash well at night and stay consistent with removing all traces of makeup before going to bed. Plenty of sleep, water and nutritious food don’t hurt, but we all know how hard that is on a busy college schedule so do the best you can.

I finally decided to make a change. I am not getting any younger and am not into waiting for the perfect times to do things anymore. If you wait for the perfect time, you may end up waiting forever. So, I took the plunge today. I went in for my eye exam and contact lens fitting and walked away with 3 new sets of colored contact lenses…

My experience was really good. I arrived a couple of minutes early for my optometry appointment and filled out a quick little form and off to the exam room I went.  I had to stare into 2 machines (one of which sneezed onto my eye – I swear that’s what it felt like.) Then the doctor asked me to read the letters on the chart and next he took a peek at my eyes up close with some pretty bright lights.

After about 8 minutes of painless, albeit eye watering observations, they determined I had healthy eyes, perfect vision and all that was left was to learn everything I needed to know to manage my new adventure. Yay! Finally some fun stuff!

I washed my hands super clean and sat down with a wonderful employee to learn some contact lens basics -  The different types of contacts, how to handle them, clean them, store them, insert /remove them and what products I would need to use to keep the lenses ( and my eyeballs) at their best. It took me a few tries to master getting them in and out of my eye but I had it down before I left;) I am super sensitive about anything near my face/eyes so this was a BIG step for me.

I tried SO MANY colors. Some were just enhancers ( a hint of color) and some were more opaque (complete color change) but in the end, I ended up with 3 trial pairs to test drive. Brown ( a deep dark brown), Honey ( a brown with a strong gold hue) and Aqua ( which on my eyes looks more like a sea-green).

First impression of how they felt? Well, know that feeling early in the morning when you wake up and your eyes are sort of cruddy feeling and blurry? Well, that’s exactly what it was like. My eyes watered for a few moments (most likely from the multiple attempts to get the lens in…) but once everything settled, it felt fine. I could tell they were there, but it didn’t hurt and wasn’t uncomfortable – just a feeling of awareness.

One of the more vibrant green colors actually made the whole room look a different color, but I didn’t experience anything like that with any of the others.

Now, I still have to go back in a week or two for my final “prescription” so I can go forward and order new contacts when the time comes, but already I am bombarded with all the different options out there from solutions to eye drops and even cases…there is a whole WORLD of stuff out there. I am already eyeing ( pardon the pun!) a pink HELLO KITTY case. I know…so superficial! LOVE IT:)

I will update soon to tell you about the brand of my lenses, show photos of the colors I chose and tell you a little about my experience with them so far. Any tips for me including where to buy supplies ( cases, lenses, solutions, drops) at good rates, tips for traveling with contacts, best techniques for removing, warnings – anything is appreciated.

Until then, if you are already to take the plunge into colored contacts, I recommend Dr. Nathan P. Bond, O.D. at EYE CARE OPTOMETRY ASSOCIATES, P.C.  They have 2 locations in Virginia Beach (one in Pembroke Mall near Town Center) and one in Norfolk, VA. They can be reached at 757-497-3205, 757-430-2863 or 757-587-6828. In my experience and opinion they are quick, efficient, very friendly and knowledgeable. Can’t ask for better than that!

For more updates on this adventure, or other girly related madness please subscribe to the blog and visit me on FACEBOOK ( KristineMarie Makeup Artistry) and YOUTUBE ( Kristine Marie Makeup) and be sure to comment;)

Kristine Marie

When wearing something extremely colorful or high drama on the eyes, it is best to temper it with nude or toned down colors on the rest of the face. For example, If I do a deep brown smokey eye I would wear a pale pink blush and gloss. If I do a bold red lip, I wouldn’t put on purple eyeshadow. Make sense?

So, here is a BLUE look I did today. It is a bit more dramatic than most would wear for daytime, but I find my occupation affords me the ability to feel a bit more liberated in what I walk around with on my face;) For those who are a bit intimidated at the look, try it yourself with lighter versions of the blues I used, or blend them down with a cream colored shadow to take the edge off.

Here is the look:

Products Used :

FACE:

MAC Mineralize Skin finish Natural in MEDIUM  (applied w/ kabuki style brush)

MAC Blush in TENDERLING  (applied w/MAC 168 blush/contour brush)

LIPS:

MAC lip liner pencil in SUBCULTURE

SOFTLIPS Lip Protectant with SPF 20 in VANILLA

SALLY HANSEN Natural Butter Lip Shine in BLOOM

EYES:

MAC paint pot in BARE STUDY as a base ( applied with fingers)

MAC  eyeshadow in VANILLA all over the entire lid up to brow (applied with a MAC 239 brush)

Pale blue shadow from the COASTAL SCENTS 28 pallete on the inner 1/2 of eyelid ( using a MAC 239 brush)

Shimmery Dark blue shadow from CS PALLET on the outer 1/2 of eye (using MAC 239)

( Blend the shimmery blue up and into crease slightly)

Darkest blue from CS PALLET (navy colored) into the outer “v” of eye ( using a MAC 219 pencil brush)

(Blend carefully inward and upward  enhancing the outer “V” shape)

* I also applied the eyeshadow colors  to my lower lid starting at the inner corner with the lightest color and working outward to the darkest.

TOO FACED lash injection Mascara in BLACK ( curl lashes and apply two coats)

Questions or requests? Simply comment below and be sure to check out KRISTINE MARIE MAKEUP ARTISTRY  on  YOUTUBE and  FACEBOOK for updates, contests, FREE MAKEUP giveaways and product information.

* (Only Fans and Subscribers qualify for makeup giveaways)