Halloween Look #3-Mermaid

My final Halloween look is the Mermaid.

It can be broken down into 2 sections. If you want to do just the eyes for the mermaid look, Fantastic!

But after that I take it a little further adding scales on my forehead and cheek area.

 

Materials:
Shimmer eyeshadows in purple,  royal blue, sea green and gold
Darker foundation 1 shades  ( for contour,  if have a contour kit, it's equally as good!) A matte brown shadow may also be used.
Blue/teal liquid eyeliner (gel liner may also be used)
Eyeshadow primer or tinted cream shadow
Hair net 
Green or teal/blue mascara

Materials I used:
100 elf palette  $10
Nyx eye base  $6
Elf liquid liner pen  $1
Hair net (borrowed) $3
Rimmel teal mascara $4

Step 1
I applied my foundation. I actually used a color 1 shade lighter than my  normal color. I did this because I new I'd be. Applying a dark blue and a lot of contour in places it wouldn't normally be.

Step 2
I wanted to create a thinner looking,  fish like face, so I contoured my nose thinner. I also contoured my cheeks, starting At the usual point by the earlobe but bringing it down to the jaw bone, and chin.  Don't forget underneath the chin as well.

Step 3
I wanted to get the eyes right! I wanted this look to be pretty and give you options. Essentially you could just do the eyes and end your mermaid look there w/o using the extra steps.
First I primed the eye and eyebrows with the white base. I even did the bottom lash line.
Next apply your sea green shadow all

Over the eye and on the bottom lash line.
Our royal blue goes in the crease. 
Blend that in the entire socket area.
The purple goes in the inner and outer corners of the eye.
Add the blue liner.
I forgot to add the mascara until all the way at the end. If you're stopping here add the green or teal/blue mascara and you're done! But for those that want to push the mermaid look further move on to the next steps.

For my brows, I tapped in the blue eyeshadow with a brush. 

Step 4
I tied a hairnet around my face. Try not to laugh at my pic :)
We'll be adding different layers for an iridescent look.
First I dabbed for blue on my forehead and cheeks.
Next I put some purple
Then sea green
And last gold
I layered them in some areas to give the translucent, opal like effect of scales.
I sprayed the areas with a fixative to stop it from moving around, then removed the hairnet.





Step 5
As a final accent and to make the scales more noticeable (or to clean up mistakes) you can take a concealer and lightly go over the lines made by the hairnet.

Step 6 (remember to moisturize the lips first!)
LIPS
First color lips with eye primer.
Put sea green in the center of the lip.
then blue on either side of the green.
lastly add purples to the corners of the lips.

VIOLA!!! take a look at the mermaid you!

Halloween look #2-Lion/Lioness

     I chose to do this look on someone else because it made the process a lot quicker. Plus, this little girl loves having her makeup done!

 

Materials:
-bronzer with shimmer (or gold eyeshadow with shimmer)
-matte shadows in burnt orange, pink, black and brown   
-shimmer shadows in copper and gold.
-cream shadows in peach and bronze
-white face paint
-white eyeshadow base or gel liner. 
Optional
Lashes
Mascara
Black gel liner  
 

 Materials I used:

-elf eyeshadow palette $10
-elf cream eyeshadow in butter pecan $1
-nyx white eyeshadow base $6
-white face paint ( came in a kit with other items) $5
-wet n' wild gel liner in black $3 
-body shop bronzer $30 ( I know, pricey ass bronzer, especially for this blog! but I got it in a kit from the body shop with a smokey palette and "lip tar"/gloss for $10 on clearance)
 

 

Step 1
I used primer all over her face. It was just to help the makeup stay on since no foundation was used. Then I applied the bronzer all over to give the face a little shine and as a base for all our other makeup.
 

Step 2
Make a white oval shape around the mouth, stopping under the nose. If it's uneven, it's ok we'll fix it later. Also take this time to cover the lips and tip of the nose. I know my niece and I knew she couldn't handle having her lips covered until the end.  Also block out the area underneath the eyes. 

 
Step 3

With the darkest brown, I used a brush to apply the shadow around her hairline and on her jaw bone. I spread the dark brown all over her jaw to contour it and make her face look more angled.

Step 4

Apply the burnt orange color around the top of her face as well, but only from cheek to cheek. Then under her eyes and around the mouth, barely covering the edge of the white we applied earlier. 
 

Step 5

For the nose I used a little cream blush set with powder, but this other method I'll have you use works the same, but cuts down on materials.
Since (ideally) the nose is already covered with eyeshadow base, apply the pink shadow. It might take a couple layers of powder to get it as pink as you like.

Step 6

Using the dark brown again make a line on the nose, right where the pink ends. Also start contouring the nose. Make a line with your shadow on each side of the nose right into the eyebrow
Once you have these lines drawn, go back in with more shadow and blend.  Add a little black to create a stronger contrast if necessary. 
Next, paint 2 small triangles right on the nostrils with black gel liner.
Highlight the bridge of the nose with the shimmery bronzer.

 

Step 7
Using our black shadow again, line the lower lash line, being sure to draw it beyond the outer corner.
I could have used a pencil liner, but my model  wouldn't have liked that.
Also add more eye base underneath if needed. Set with the white eyeshadow.

Step 8  FUR!!!

We did several layers of fur.
Using quick strokes, draw lines around the face using the dark brown shadow,  then  gold, the copper. I could not find strong enough variations in my palette
So I used the cream shadow to add in bronze darks and peach highlights.

Step 9   Lips
If you haven't already,  prime the lips with eyeshadow base. Using shadow draw a small black triangle in the middle of the bottom lip. This is what I did, but I recommend you use a cream product first like a black or very dark lipstick, the set it with a black  eyeshadow. It will last longer and pop against the white background. 

Step 10
Optional
Add mascara and/or lashes.
(My model is wearing neither )    

 Ta-Da!
 The look is complete!!








 

Beauty News!!!

HI AGAIN!
   Here we are, Halloween week and I have some great looks to show you along with some 'how to' directions. BUT today, let's talk sales and give you some more info our the next makeup challenge, starting on Friday.

CVS
BOGO 50% - Revlon, Covergirl, Roc, Ardell, Andrea, and Katy Perry
Maybelline 30%
Covergirl Mascara 2/$15
Olay products 2/$8

Walgreens
BOGO 50% - St. Ives, Almay, Vaseline, Simple, Revlon, Wet n' Wild, Maybelline Smokey line & lipgloss
L'Oreal Skincare 20%
Cetaphil $8.99- and they have a new line of Oil Reducing products

Rite Aid
BOGO 50% - Covergirl, Olay, Revlon Colorstay, Almay face products, Neutrogena, Maybelline lip products, Rimmel
Maybelline Mascara & Smokey line $5.99

Ulta
Urban Decay, Book of Shadows Palette for $32, This set includes 16 eyeshadows, full sized 24hour liquid liner, travel sized primer and curling mascara. ($64 value)
along with the other sales from earlier in the month.

Sephora
As usual, check their sale page.

    Now for our next challenge, I (or we) will be picking 1 palette at random and use that for the entire month. I have yet to name this challenge, until I pick the palette. I will announce which palette I have chosen on Thursday.
     The process of choosing a palette was super scientific. I wrote the names of all my palettes on post-its, folded them up and put them in a container. I'll pick one at random and use that for 30 days, whether it's 4 colors or 100! Honestly, I'm hoping for a smaller palette, less than 100, but more that 4, so I can get a variety of looks, push my creativity and see how much I can stretch a small amount of colors.
    So I hope to see you've been back here, checking out my Halloween looks and checking in on 'challenge day eve'.

BEAUTY NEWS!!!

It's another beautiful week! Even if you may not think so, you can make it true, starting today, by putting your best face foward.
To help you with this, here are the sales for this week.

Rite Aid   
BOGO 50% Revlon lip, eye & nail, Almay eye, Covergirl lip, eye& nail, Physicians formula eye & face       
NYC 40% off
Maybelline 30% off

 

CVS  
BOGO 50% St. Ives, cvs beauty, Revlon, Trim tools, Noxema, Roc and Clean & Clear,  
Physicians formula,  NYC and Wet & Wild 40% off
Walgreens  
BOGO 50% Maybelline, Revlon, Almay, Ponds, Covergirl lip & nail, Cetaphil,
Garnier 14.99        
ULTA             

Same sales at last week and for the rest of the month

NEW Japonesque Color collection! Buy any piece from this collection, get free shipping on your entire order and a free gift!

Sephora

Sephora complexion brush $9

Sephora concealer $7

Sephora Desert Sunset collection $10!!-12 shadows & 2 blushes

Sephora Artist Color Box $20-25 shadows & 5 liners

Bare  Minerals Insider Pretty Amazing set  $24

Benefit The Rich is Back set $24

 

So this week and next week, I'll be posting the rest of my Halloween looks. I'll also be prepping for the next makeup challenge. I wrote down all the palettes I own. I will be choosing one at random and using that palette and ONLY that palette from November 1st to 30th. I counted every single one , including my MAKE palette with only 4 colors. I also included the palettes I created with the Ruby Kisses shadows. In total it adds up to 24 palettes! I am surprised, intrigued and feel a TINY, almost invisible amount of shame for owning this much stuff...BUT it's my job!

 

Happy reading and have a GREAT WEEK!

Weekly Review-Cleansers

     Like so many other things, the perfect cleanser (for yourself ) is hard to find! I tested 16 cleansers...so far. Below I reviewed 8. These were all great products, some just not for me and my skin type. I shared my recommendations and hopefully one of these will work for you...if not I have another review of cleansers waiting in the wings.  A few of the cleansers listed, I have already incorporated into my skincare routine.
     These products can be found at local drugstores, Ulta, Sephora, Walmart and Target.

Neutrogena Oil Free Cleanser ($8)- This is an old favorite. I've been using this for years. Its a great everyday cleanser, but it's not good for acne breakouts.  I find it a little bit much for twice a day cleansing. It's heavy, creamy and doesn't foam. However, you can feel it cleaning out your pores ,with this tingling sensation that goes from icy to warm. It contains salicylic acid.
Recommended for daily use for people with oily or combination skin.

Biore Ice Blemish Clearing Cleanser ($7)-  I use this cleanser for about 2/3 days before "shark week" and 2/3 days after, depending on how bad my breakout was. This cleanser is cooling, foamy, and leaves skin feeling fresh and clean. When used frequently, it can become harsh to the skin, leaving redness in some areas, even with my sparing use. Does irritate my eyes slightly, but this is balanced by the cooling effect.
Recommended for use when needed, for oily or acne proned skin.

Biore Pore Clearing Scrub ($7)  foamy, slightly exfoliating, creamy. Similar to the ice cleanser without the cooling effect and I used it for the same reason. 
Recommended for use when needed, for oily or acne proned skin.                                    

Biore Cleanser for Combination ($7)  Just like the name suggests this cleanser is for combination skin.  It's lighter than the other 2 Biore products on the list. Since it's for combination skin,  ideally it's designed not to leave dry/normal parts dry and still work on diminishing oil in the oily areas.  Recommended this for all skin types (except sensitive) especially if you find other acne clearing products too harsh.






Cetaphil  ($12) This cleanser can be used with or without water, which amazes me. I didn't try the dry application, but it makes me wonder where this cleanser was when I was working at a camp! Its very gentle, it doesn't foam. 
 Recommended it for sensitive, dry or normal skin. It just doesn't cut  it for oily skin.

Family Dollar Cleanser ($3.50) This is a definite dupe for Cetaphil! Same formula, results,  everything! But at 1/3 the cost.

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash ($24)- I wanted to love this ever since I smelled it. The smell is addictive and delicious, like glazed donuts or candy! It contains microbeads for light exfoliation.  It's foamy, light and cleans well. Can be used daily. I even use it as a morning cleaser. After using a harsh one at night I just want something light in the morning and this does the trick.
Recommended for all skin types.

Yes to Grapefruit ($12)- I love this stuff. Why? Well it has citrus which helps with dark spots, exfoliating crystals and salicylic acid to help with oil and acne. This is my new everyday cleanser. I use it once a day in the evening. Leaves my skin feeling clean, soft and smells like fresh grapefruits!   
Recommended use for normal to oily skin types
(even if you don't have dark spots)           
                                            


I'll continue the rest of this review in November, just to make room for all the Halloween looks I have to post this month.
As usual if you have questions/comment please leave them below.
THANKS FOR READING!!
 
                                                 

Best $10 I ever spent AND $1gem

     I had to join these two segments this week because it was absolutely necessary!
     I am not familiar with Ruby Kisses. I've seen them around and I did try their liquid liner once. It was was good, but as I recall I found a cheaper on that was better. It happens!!
Anyway, after seeing this in the  store many times I decided to buy them. I went to my gem of a beauty supply store on my way to the train...I tend to factor in an additional 10 minutes to my trip just so I can browse.
     So I see these Ruby Kisses colors and I'm amazed! They're bright! VERY bright and I couldn't help myself. They reminded me of when I brought by first bright palette,  the sky opened up and I heard the cosmetic angels sing. With the colors, I saw a customizable 4 color palette, so naturally I just had to by 4 to fill it!  I chose 4 colors that I would wear together and give me a variety of looks.  There are matte and shimmer finishes for almost every color. I chose all shimmer b/c I have a matte bright palette already. I did choose 1 matte in white. (Because now I'm on the hunt for a true white shadow and I want to see if it delivers.)
The palette was $3
Each shadow was $1!!!!
      If you want to fill the palette it would only cost you $7  (without tax of course)
     There are 34 colors to choose from, so have a ball and make your palette to fit you, your lifestyle  and your taste!
      As for the eyeshadow.  It's soft. They are very blendable! You can actually mix a whole new color right on your eye.
     They are rather pigmented and used with a primer the colors become even brighter. There is also no fallout. Might I add that the shadows last all day!

                                                                   ADDED BONUS!!!

I walked into Bloomingdales today and was complimented on my makeup by the Estee Lauder consultant and the MAC consultant...wouldn't they be shocked to know my eyeshadow was $1!!

In the top left-  outside of the palette, top right-inside of the palette, filled with my original 4 choices
bottom-the inside of the palette and my additional colors

                                              

Beauty news

Hello again!!!
I hope everyone enjoyed their 3 day weekend!
I missed the review last week :( and it's unfortunate.  I have all my notes on my old computer, which is now DEAD. So I have to remember and write new reviews for every product I've already tried...plus it's been so long, that I now have more products to add to the mix! I PROMISE the cleanser review will be up this Wednesday...or at least 1/2 of it. There's a lot of info to digest.

Sales this week:
Ulta
Same sales as last week will be going on for the entire month.
Today I got and email offering a special!
A 5 piece bare minerals bag AND a 12 piece ulta beauty bag with purchase of $40 or more...I'm sure it's $40 but it could be 50 (don't quote me on that LOL)

Rite aid
Covergirl, Revlon, Biore, L'oreal, Maybelline bogo 50%
Loreal youthcode& revitalift 19.99
Almay foundation, powder &blush 8.99
Physicians Formula face 40% off
Simple, Oxy and Phisoderm cleansers $4.99

Walgreens
Covergirl, L'oreal, Revlon, Yes, Roc bogo 50%
L'oreal skincare 13.99-19.99

 

CVS
Maybelline, CVS brand beauty, Clearasil, Acnefree, Covergirl, Milani BOGO 50%
Neutrogena moisturizer and devices buy 2 get 1 free 

 

     So I've been thinking about our next challenge and I would like to make it all about cutting down the morning routine. I don't know about you, but I can never wake up on time in the winter time. I usually end up cutting back on my morning routine and there's only so much to cut, since I MUST smell good and brush my teeth! Bb cream will be a quicker application for me and maybe you too.

     In addition to this bb cream trial which I plan to last 2 weeks, I'd like to only use 1 eyeshadow palette, this would run for the entire month!! I have quite a few palettes and every day I'm using a new one or some of my single shadows. Again, this will cut down my prep and force me to get more creative with my looks.

    Coming up this week, I will also have another halloween look,  (this time I used a model), a review and the return of the best $10 I ever spent.

Halloween Look #1 Baby Doll

 

    All month I'll be posting Halloween looks.  Since this is Beauty on a Budget,  the looks will be inexpensive, pretty and easy! Did I mention inexpensive?
I will us items I already own and maybe some Halloween makeup too, even though that stuff isn't really that good for your skin.

 

 

 

 

 

For this look the required items are:
-your normal concealer, foundation, powder etc.
-hot pink blush (a hot pink matte eyeshadow will also suffice)
-powder foundation 1 or 2 shades darker that natural complexion. ( you can substitute this for a matte eyeshadow, or matte bronzer)
-nude eyeshadow with shimmer
-hot pink lipstick & lip liner
-concealer 1 or 2 shades lighter than your natural complexion
-mascara 
-mascara primer
-black gel eyeliner( you can use a liquid liner if you prefer)
-white eyeliner pencil

Optional
-white eyeshadow primer
-white eyeshadow
-false lashes and lash glue (for the pros)

What products I used:
-elf acne pressed powder in spice & cocoa (1 shade darker) -total $2
-revlon dna  pressed powder in light( 2 shades lighter)-on clearance $3
-elf conceal in medium 1 shade lighter -$1                                          

 -l'oreal true match w8 (sample size)-$3 for a trio
-elf studio blush-$3
-NYX eyeshadow primer in white-$6  
-elf 100 palette-$10
-elf mascara primer-$3
-loreal telescopic mascara- $11
-wet n wild black gel liner-$3
-wet n wild dollhouse pink matte lipstick-$2
-nicka k pink lip liner-$2

 

Step 1
Put on your makeup as normal. Covering blemishes and etc. If you need to go heavier than usual its ok, BUT DO NOT set your liquid of cream foundation with powder yet.
Step 2           
Directly in the center of the bridge of your nose dab the lighter concealer  from the center point on your nose straight across to your ear. Do this to both sides.
Step 3 
Blend the concealer by lightly tapping with your fingers.  It should look like a weird highlight on the face, we don't want it fully blended in, just even no not leave streaks.

Set your makeup using the lighter powder on the highlight and you regular powder.

 

Step 4   SMILE!

This will help you place the contour line.
Using your darker foundation

 ( or eyeshadow),  with a brush, locate the bottom  area of the light concealer you just applied. It should be on the bottom of the cheekbone by your earlobe. Dab the powder in a line from your earlobe to your nose- don't cover the nose with the powder. Do the same to the other side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5
The hard part is now over!
Apply the nude shimmer shadow and black gel liner to your lids. 
Step 6
Apply the white liner on your waterline and on your lower lash line. This will work just fine, however, I used the NYX white shadow primer on my lower lash line and set it with white shadow.
Step 7
Apply mascara primer and let dry a minute. Then apply a coat of mascara let this dry another minute and curl your lashes. Immediately apply another coat of mascara. If you lash stick together a bit, it's fine! My did and it gave me  even more doll-like eye.

 

**If you are applying fake lashes then you would do it now. Still curl, prime and add a coat of mascara before adding lashes.

Step 8
Using your liner draw 3 or 4 long eye lashes at the outer corner of  each eye.
Step 9
Using blush or pink shadow apply 2 pink circles of blush right on the apples of your cheeks.
Then using a q tip and your darker powder (or shadow), dot on freckles.  (I chose to only apply 4, but you can do more or less) The q tip is just easy to use and gets the perfect round shape.

Step 10
Use your concealer to cover your entire lips. I set mine concealer with powder just so it would stay longer
Step 11
Then draw on cute puckered lips on top with your lip pencil. The pencil might be faint, but it's just to get a line of where to put the lipstick. I drew kind of a rounded heart shape on my lips. 
Step 12
Fill in your lips using the pink lipstick. If you make a mistake just fix it with the concealer.
                                          

 

Now your done! Although I do recommend a big bow  pink  to really complete the look!

If you have any questions or comments just reply below and I will answer them ASAP!

              

Beauty News!!!

    Hello once again beautiful people!!! I am happy that you're here, and reading, and exploring and hopefully trying things out or asking questions. PLEASE ask questions. There is never a stupid question.
So we'll cover a lot in this article today.
1.Debrief from "No Buy Month"
2.Review sales for the week
3.Halloween!!!

     "No Buy Month" was a success. I realized how much stuff I had, tried new products different ways and was able to streamline my collection of items I use daily. I also saved money and learned how to do more with less. The downside was I missed some great sales, like ULTA's 21 days of deals :(
     But, no worries! Christmas will be here soon and stores love having sales around that time, plus there will be lots of special editions! I will try a "No Buy Month" again, until I get it right.
     Next time I'd like to impose harder restrictions on myself. Like not opening or using any items from my beauty boxes for the month. Plus I have to remember to stock up on basic items before the month starts. I have about 2 inches of eyebrow pencil left, 1/2 pack of makeup wipes and a corner of waterproof eye makeup remover.
     I will be doing it again and I'll be sure to give you guys about 2 months to prepare for the next makeup fast. In the mean time, I'll be preparing for yet another challenge that I'll reveal next week! It will be exciting and of course challenging, but always fun! I am actually looking forward to it myself.

     I'll skip sales and move right into Halloween. I know some people hate it, but I LOVE it. I love dressing up. I normally have 2 costumes ready and something/ some place to go. This month I'll be posting Halloween looks with '"how to" instructions. Of course these looks will be inexpensive and easy to execute! I just did the first one tonight and it was fun. I'll have it posted on Wednesday. For the preview of the finished look you can check out my instagram-aprilmaykup.

Now SALES!!!
I love sales and how I missed them!
Ulta
NYX for 40% off
There is also a new kit available from Ulta. Since they're out of the 61 piece set that I reviewed earlier this year, they now have a 71 piece set for $25 AND its BOGO 50% off

CVS
Revlon, Covergirl and Olay are BOGO 50%

Walgreens
Simple skincare is BOGO FREE!!!! -so get on that immediately
L'Oreal, Revlon, Neutrogena, Garnier skincare, and Covergirl are BOGO 50%
On Thursday from 6pm-9pm select Walgreens will have "Beauty Nite Out" and all Wet n' Wild products from the Fergie collection will be 25% off and nail polish will be BOGO FREE!!!

     Sephora of course has no sales, but please check the sale section for products you may have missed or would like to try. Also I like the sample sizes. That way you can spend a fraction of an amount to try before you buy...kinda :/ at least before you invest A LOT of money in something.

I'll also get you Rite Aid sales ASAP!

     I'll be back later in the week with my photo "how to" and a review of products I've tried. This week it'll be cleansers!!