Tips and Tricks For the Holiday Season...

Yea, that time has finally come, the excuse to pack on the glitter!!

 

Christmas is upon us and what best way to celebrate than to change up your makeup for the Christmas season. Don't worry ladies, I`m not telling you to look like a Christmas tree (ha ha).

There are so many different ways to spice up your makeup for the Christmas season, depending on your wants and needs. Whether you are more of a adventurist with your makeup or you prefer the classic elegant touch I have tips for all of you.

These are some of my favorite Christmas products:

1. GLITTER LINER

This is by far my absolute favorite product. I pull this out every Christmas. I purchased my Glitter Eyeliner in MAC cosmetics a few years back and unfortunately it was a limited edition, meaning I cant find another. I checked on MAC cosmetics but they haven't brought it back out again BUT I have gone on search and have found very similar products, such as the


Heavy Metal - Glitter Eyeliner by URBAN DECAY - $18

This product is extremely versatile. My favorite way to use it is to use it purely as a eyeliner. I firstly apply my black eyeliner on the eyelid, in a thick wing (check out my previous post). Then apply over the black liner my glitter eyeliner. The reason I use the black liner first is because it makes the look a lot more dramatic, if i was to apply the glitter liner without the black eyeliner the look would become very subtle and wouldn't stand out.

You can also use the Glitter eyeliner over the entire lid over eyeshadow. Be careful with this method as glitter eyeliner has a tendency to crack, therefore make sure you apply a thin layer and also do not apply the liner into the crease as again may crack. My favorite tones for this are the transparent high shimmer glitters in both gold and silver.




2. GLITTER PIGMENTS

Love, love, love the glitter pigments, again these are very versatile. Because pigments are dry, they can be mixed with practically anything!!!
The key to using the pigments on the eyes is to use a wet base to allow the glitter pigments to set (you don't want them falling on your cheeks all night, making you look like a disco ball).

My all time favorite is MAC Cosmetics Glitter Pigment - $21.

Firstly I personally apply a thin layer of  MAC`s paint over the eyelid. I then grab my MAC glitter Pigment.

I use this products very sparingly because the pigments are very intense, therefore you do not need alot of product. Plus I find the more you use the messier it can get.
I apply this product with a flat brush, so it can hold onto the pigment and so it can build the product.


I would advise you not to apply this product into the crease, just over the lid.
You can apply eyeshadow to the crease for a really smokey effect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. RED LIPS

 

You cant get more festive than the beautiful red lip look. This look can spice up any makeup. It can be used extremely subtle too or very dramatic. I'm a true believer that anyone can wear Red lipstick.

My favorite product is the;

MAC Cosmetics - Russian Red (matte) - $15

Always remember the lip liner, it will stop the lips bleeding and have great lasting power. For my Guide to Red lips check out my previous post.




All the ideas I have given can be used for very dramatic makeup or very subtle.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Bridal Makeup Tips

Even though wedding makeup is usually very simple and neutral, it’s one of the hardest makeup looks to create, since it has to be PERFECT. After all, it is your big day!
Makeup should last all day, through all the crying, hugging, kissing, eating and dancing. You’ll probably want to get your mascara waterproof, lips to be kiss proof, and your skin makeup to be bombproof.

Remember that some foundations and/or powders look different in pictures, since they reflect light differently. If possible, get your makeup checked and photographed with a flash before the big day. Also, blend your foundation down the neck some to make sure your face does not look different from the rest of your body.
If you’re getting any facial treatments, make sure to get them several days before the wedding day. Sometimes skin can look irritated for the next couple of days after treatments, and you don’t need that kind of surprise!

 

Get your brows plucked and shaped (possibly even dyed) before the wedding day. If you pluck them on your wedding day, your brows may look red, swollen and irritated.
If you’re going to wear contact lenses on your wedding day, put the lenses on before applying your makeup.

 

Try not to stress too much (easier said than done, I know!). Stress may cause impurities on your skin. If you have some impurities, do not pick at them as it makes them worse! Also, put a clean pillowcase on every night and drink plenty of water (avoid sugars, excess milk, and carbonated beverages). Your body and skin reflects what you eat, so get plenty of veggies and fruits.

The Black Bold Smokey Eye!

OK so this is by far the hardest look to master...

The Black Smokey Eye.

This look is a Dramatic Bold Black Eye and Nude lips!

Believe me it is next to impossible to get a perfect blended black eye!

Today I will show you how to make it work in the simplest way!

Products needed;

1. Concealer - Mac Select Cover-up
2. Black eyeliner - Mac Fluidline Blacktrax
3. Black Eyeshadow - Mac Carbon Eyeshadow Matte
4. Blender Eyeshadow - Mac Samoa Silk Matte
5. Highlighter - Mac Vanilla Pigment
6. Mascara - Plushlash
7. False Lashes - Mac #36 Lashes

Step by Step:




• So I started with my foundation, concealer, Bronze and filled in my Eyebrows (check out my Guide to the perfect Eyebrow). I`m starting my dramatic eye on a blank canvas.                                           

• Next I blend in my blender color, in this case I used Mac`s Samoa Silk. Its a beautiful warm peachy tone and blends out solid tones very well. I used my soft blender brush Mac Cosmetics #217. I just add the color into the socket and blend in circular motion upwards. Keep building the color, a light application WILL NOT blend the black.

• This next step is a little daunting but its going to add the bold look......on your lid smudge in black eyeliner. You can use a Pencil or a gel liner, in this case i used Mac`s Blacktrax Fluidline.
• Follow the natural line of your lid and slightly lift it to the end of your eye, giving it a "cats eye". This will not look pretty but bear with me :)

• Next grab your black eyeshadow, I used Mac`s Carbon in Matte. Pat the eyeshadow over the Eyeliner on your lid. I used Mac`s brush #252.
• Next grab your Blender brush, I used my Mac brush #224. Dip the brush lightly in the black eyeshadow and in a circular motion blend the edge of the black lid, for a blended effect.
• You will need to go back and forth between the blender color (Samoa Silk) and the Black eyeshadow (Carbon) to try to get a perfect blend.
• The trick is to not go too far up with the black eyeshadow and to keep going over the edge of the black with the blender color Samoa Silk.

• When you have the perfect blend on top of the eye, move to the under eye. As you can see by the photo above I blend the Blender eyeshadow Samoa Silk quite low and build the eyeshadow up. It looks messy at this point but its very easy cleaned up after so keep on going.
• I then add a eyeliner under the eye, in this occasion i used Mac`s Fluidline eyeliner. I applied it very close the the lash line with the majority of the eyeliner to the outside of the eye, giving a "cat eye" effect.
• Again apply your black eyeshadow (Carbon) over the top. Be careful not to apply too much as you risk the eye looking droopy. If you find its not blending very well blend over the edge with the blender eyeshadow (Samoa Silk).

Clean up any loose product on the face, Usually there is particles of the black eyeshadow under the eye, remove it. Reapply your concealer and foundation to this area

• Now soften the look with your Highlighter, I used Mac`s Vanilla Pigment. I applied it directly under the eyebrow and into the tear duct.
• I also added my Mac False Eyelashes #36, Check out my blog Tricks to apply false Lashes - MAC style...
• I finished the look with applying a bright blusher and a nude lip.

Guide: The Black Bold Smokey Eye...


Any Questions please let me know :)


Abigail Konechny
www.alldolledupnow.com

I lost 10.6 pounds in 10 days

Woohoo! I just weighed in and Guess what??? I lost 10.6 pounds!

These last few days have been really hard but TOTALLY worth it!

I believe the most of the lost came from my water intake, the rest was a combination of diet and exercise!

It is a hard diet and I deffinately would not recommend this over a long period of time. But short term it's awesome!!!

If you liked this method and you want to lose more than 10 pounds I recommend going on the diet for 10 days and having a rest period of 10 days before you resume!


Truthfully I don't think "dieting" is a long term solution. Combination of a healthy diet and exercise will do wonders on your body!

If anyone has any questions feel free to email me on abigail@alldolledupnow.com

Thanks for the read guys!

Day 8 of my 10 pound 10 day challenge!

Wow only 2 days left! 

I'm excited what result Saturday morning will bring. 

I tried my jean shorts on today and they fit perfectly without any horrible "muffin tops" going on!   Yea!!

I think you`ve probably guessed at this point that my diet has been more or less the same.

I followed the very high protein diet again today and will try to carry on with it for the next 2 days.

Ive also heard some great reviews of a similar diet called the "The Dukan Diet". 

The theory behind the Dukan Diet plan is eating in phases, starting with a strict weight loss phase where you can eat foods from set list and then gradually easing your body back into real world foods.

If anyone has some personal experiences on this diet please comment below :)

I ate 5 meals, all were either eggs or meat. You can see the content on Day 6 of the Lose 10 pounds in 10 days..... 

As I explained on Day 3 I find it easy to lose weight if I keep to the same diet, I never have to think about a anything or try to count the cals during because its all very lean and healthy and I know it works.

If any ones follows this strict diet you will feel tired and drained during it, I have a few tricks to help me, I hope it helps you :)

1. Never Eat Fast 6pm, If you have too only eat small meals.
2. When it comes to the evening that`s when the sugar low comes into play, I recommend grabbing a cup of coffee, a slice of jelly or 2 Strawberries just to help you past it.
3. Try to go to bed earlier, you resist temptation plus its proven if you don't get enough sleep your body holds onto the weight.
4. Try to keep yourself busy in the evenings.
5. This is the most important, BE PREPARED for the sugar lows, the tiredness, the fatigue and be prepared with your meals.
6. Your body does not know the difference between food and water therefore drink a large glass of water if you have a urge.

So Based on my handy Fitday calculator I ate:

Breakfast
Amount                          Calories                 Fats               Carb                 Protein
2 Boiled Egg Whites            34                      .1g                   .5g                       7.2g

Meal #1
1 Cod Fillet
Amount                          Calories                 Fats               Carb                 Protein
Asian Style Basil Cod          280                      6g                   7g                        48g


Meal #2
Turkey Breast
Amount                         Calories                  Fats               Carb                 Protein
50g of Turkey breast             40                      .3g                   1.8g                    7.4g

Meal #3
1 Cod Fillet
Amount                        Calories                   Fats               Carb                 Protein
Asian Style Basil Cod        280                      6g                    7g                      48g


Meal #4
Turkey Breast
Amount                         Calories                  Fats                Carb                Protein
50g of Turkey breast           40                      .3g                  1.8g                   7.4g

Snack
Egg Whites
Amount                          Calories                 Fats                Carb                 Protein
2 Boiled Egg Whites            34                      .1g                    .5g                    7.2g

Meal #5
Ham
Amount                          Calories                 Fats                Carb                 Protein
100g Ham Sliced                272                    10.5g                   0                     26.7g



Calories Eaten: 700 Calories

I will admit I could not do any excercise today, Im totally tired. 

Nighty night all xxx

Abigail Konechny

www.alldolledupnow.com