~ ORGANIZE your MAKEUP TABLE ~

There are as many ways to personalize your vanity as there are makeup items. Here are some ideas for all price ranges on how to make your makeup table organized, functional or just plain “pretty.”

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.

. 

* 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;)

~ Affordable Makeup, WET n WILD ~

One of the most common concerns about makeup is the cost of quality cosmetics. In this economical struggle, I can completely understand but please know there are MANY affordable options out there that RIVAL the quality of the higher end brands.

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

~ Blue Eye Shadow ~

For many, it is a scary thought. The idea of blue conjures up thoughts of MIMI from the Drew Carey Show or even BARBIE …but blue can be done well. It’s all about balance really. And yes, ANYONE can wear blue eye shadow, but it is especially flattering to those brown eyed girls;)

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

~ Modern Pinup Makeup ~

This look was done by request. It is my idea of a Classic Vintage Makeup with a Modern Twist, though not so “Modern” that is couldn’t be wearable.  An updated “Pin-Up” girl makeup if you will.

*Please note –  I did not apply a liquid foundation for this look, though it would be standard to create a matte canvas for the full effect to really be appreciated. This very raw application and amateur photos (Taken by my adorable 6 year old son!) are just to show some ideas for anyone interested in trying a new look, or updating a classic look for a current event. I am thinking maybe even a Rockabilly/Alternative Wedding. Please enjoy the photos. I apologize that my SLEEK Pallete does not offer color names. Any similar colors you have should do just fine.

EYES:

MAC Paint in BARE CANVAS (blended with clean fingertip)

SLEEK e/s in a cream/white on lid, inner corner and browbone (w/ a MAC 239 shader brush)

MAC Cork in the crease ( w/ a MAC 222 brush)

SLEEK e/s in Bronze on the outer V ( w/ a MAC 217 brush) 

MAC fluidline in BLACKTRACK to create the top and bottom lines and ‘wings’

Brow Powder in Medium Brown to fill in Brows

Andrea Modlash #53, black applied with DUO lash adhesive

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara in Black  ( 2 coats)

 

Here are some close up shots of the eyes…

With the eyes open, the double wing liner is barely noticeable so the look seems more traditional…

From this angle or any side angle, the double wing (top and bottom corners) now  becomes the focal point of the look…

And here you can see the traditional red lip was traded for a more modern, yet muted orange color for a very wearable look…

 

To Complete the Look:

Apply a full coverage foundation and lightly set with a translucent powder.

A light dusting of Pale Peach Blush so as not to overtake the Dramatic eyes.

A hint of highlight throughout the face (nose, cheekbones, cupids bow, forehead…)

A touch of gold powder in the center of the lower lip to bring out the lip

and the look is now complete. *Modern Glam*  in under 20 minutes. This is a fun and easy look for a night out, or IN;) You can toned down the look with a thinner layer of eyeliner and a lighter application of eyeshadow or play it up to your heart’s content. Experiment and flirt with  the look that is right and fun for you!!  Try Pink blush and Pink Lip, or a colored liquid liner for another twist. Oh, and don’t forget a flower in your hair to really set it off. You can find some right here in the ACCESSORIES post in the sidebar on the right of the page——–>

 

KristineMarie