Fall 2010 ‘COLORful Series’ Eyeshadow Tutorial #2 [smoky plum]

I know it's been a bit, but here's tutorial #2!! (click here to see #1)
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Purple is by far one of my favorite colors to wear in the Fall; all shades of it!
This look is a basic smoky look using a deep plum color rather than black or brown. TRY IT! Next time you need a deep color opt for a deep plum or blue rather than black or brown and you’ll get a beautiful and rich depth. It’s also a fun way to use color without being it too bold or otherwise unwearable.


Easy, wearable makeup is what I love!



Step 1: Apply a light base on your eyelids. - You can use any eyeshadow primer that you normally use or a light colored cream eyeshadow in any form (pot or pencil).

Step 2: ALL OVER LID – The all-over lid color used is nude - matte color. USE AN EYESHADOW BRUSH TO COVER YOUR LID WITH THIS COLOR.

Step 3: INNER CREASE – The next color is a medium purple. USE AN EYESHADOW BLENDING BRUSH TO SWEEP THIS COLOR IN YOUR CREASE. BLEND WELL AND BLEND INNER AND OUTER CORNERS OF EYE LID.
Step 3: OUTER CREASE/ OUTER ‘V’ – The next color is a dark plum. USE AN EYESHADOW BLENDING BRUSH TO SWEEP THIS COLOR IN YOUR CREASE. BLEND WELL AND BLEND INNER AND OUTER CORNERS OF EYE LID.

Step 4: HIGHLIGHT – Use a light white or cream colored shadow as your highlight color. USE YOUR BLENDING BRUSH TO APPLY YOUR HIGHLIGHT COLOR ACROSS  YOUR BROW BONE AND BLEND WELL.

Step 5: LINER – I used black eyeliner on the outer half of my lower waterline & upper lash line.


USE A SMALL SMUDGE BRUSH OR SHADOW BRUSH TO APPLY THE DEEP PLUM COLOR BELOW YOUR LOWER LASH LINE. (helps create depth of the eyes and hide any darkness under your eyes!)


Step 6: MASCARA – It’s your look’s finishing touch! Apply some mascara to both upper and lower lashes and you’re all done!

Fall 2010 ‘COLORful Series’ Eyeshadow Tutorial

Hello makeup addicts!
I’m finally doing my first eye makeup tutorial! I have been wanting to do this for quite a while and finally just jumped in!

Please let me know if I don’t describe things in an easily understandable manner.
This is the first of my Fall 2010 ‘COLORful Series’…since this Fall’s eye makeup trend is bold beautiful color!


Incorporating color to your daily eye makeup look doesn’t have to be overwhelming and I thought this look would be a great place to start. The looks in this series are all 'wearable' eye makeup looks! Some may be more appropriate for evening but none will be too overwhelming.


This tutorial (as well as the rest in this series) will be what’s known as “Use What You Have” tutorials. I will not be naming each product used, I will rather describe to you the color and texture and it’s up to you to use what you already have in your makeup collection that is similar.


I haven’t picked a name for this look, so if you have an idea please leave it in the comments! You can also ask me for any specific product name in the comments.




Step 1: Apply a light base on your eyelids. - You can use any eyeshadow primer that you normally use or a light colored cream eyeshadow in any form (pot or pencil).


Step 2: ALL OVER LID – The all-over lid color used is an orangey bronze color. The color I used is a velvety sheen, not a glitter but feel free to use whatever textures/finishes of eyeshadow that you prefer. USE AN EYESHADOW BRUSH TO COVER YOUR LID WITH THIS COLOR.


Step 3: FULL CREASE – The next color is a deep plummy (purple-ish) brown. If you have a deep purple color, that would be ideal. USE AN EYESHADOW BLENDING BRUSH TO SWEEP THIS COLOR IN YOUR CREASE. BLEND WELL AND BLEND INNER AND OUTER CORNERS OF EYE LID.


Step 4: HIGHLIGHT – Use a light white or cream colored shadow as your highlight color. USE YOUR BLENDING BRUSH TO APPLY YOUR HIGHLIGHT COLOR ACROSS  YOUR BROW BONE AND BLEND WELL.


Step 5: LINER – I used sliver eyeliner on my lower waterline & very carefully lined just below my lower lashes with the same orangey/bronze that I used on my lids. USE A SMALL SMUDGE BRUSH OR SHADOW BRUSH TO APPLY THE 1ST ORANGE COLOR BELOW YOUR LOWER LASH LINE.


Step 6: MASCARA – It’s your look’s finishing touch! Apply some mascara to both upper and lower lashes and you’re all done!

Hope you enjoyed! If you try out any of my tutorials I'd love to see a picture! 
Tweet it to me @GotMyBenz

MY favorite beauty tips from YOU

A few weeks back, I held a giveaway for a great at home beauty book called Babushka's Beauty Secrets. The mandatory entry was to leave your favorite quick beauty tip. I loved everyone's tips and wanted to share my top 5 favorites.


Thanks so much ladies! 

Here are my favorite beauty tips from YOU:


"Beauty tip...beauty tip, I got one. I almost always shave my legs with conditioner instead of shaving cream, this way when I get out of the shower after a shave my legs are already moisturized."  [Meg @ Through the Roses ]


"My beauty tip- wash your face in the morning and at night NO MATTER WHAT!!" [ Shonda @ The Knowlton Nest ]


"Tip: Put on makeup (such as foundation) from the bottom up. Don't pull skin down as it causes wrinkles sooner." [ Robyn @ Coolest Mommy ]


"my favorite tip - Vaseline on lips every night for nice soft lips" [ Carma @ Carma Sez ]


"I never leave home without at least mascara on, it just makes such a difference! Only takes a minute to apply & really brightens your face. I love the blackest black :)" [ Ginny @ Hey Gin ]



















Thanks again! Everyones tips were great! I love learning new things, share your favorite tips in the comments!

Babushka's Beauty Secrets Review & Giveaway

I was so thrilled when I received this book to review. Just last week I wrote a post naming some great natural Beauty Tips from Mom where I listed great little natural things my mom has taught me over the years. This book falls perfectly along the same lines, it's a natural beauty goldmine! 

The pages are filled with great at home recipes to keep you looking fabulous. What I like best is the fact that there are options for everyone in this book; face masks for oily skin, for dry skin, hair masques for dry hair, limp hair, dandruff and so much more! 

The book has a great list of 'things you'll need', most of which you can find in your kitchen and quick recipes that are easy to follow. All the pages are filled with great little tips, tricks and anecdotes.

I cannot wait to try everything in this book, but so far I have tried the Incredible Egg Conditioner and loved it! Using these recipes make pampering yourself easy, affordable and fun! I know you ladies will have a blast with this book. Invite your mom friends and make it an all natural spa night! (There are great ideas for that in this book too!)

Here's some more info from the publishers:

DON'T SPEND A FORTUNE TO LOOK FLAWLESS Esthetician to the stars Raisa Ruder learned her time-tested beauty techniques from her Ukrainian grandmother (or babushka, as they say in the old country). Now everyone can discover the all-natural, better-than-botox secrets the Hollywood stars use to shine on the red carpet! Ruder reveals her sought-after beauty recipes that can fight wrinkles, plump lips, and eliminate crow's feet and acne, using inexpensive, everyday grocery items like eggs, honey, vegetable oil and strawberries (and a splash of vodka for freshness!). At last, by popular demand, Raisa Ruder opens up her babushka's secret pantry and shares her most amazing and effective beauty advice. 

Want to WIN it?

I'll be picking 2 winners!

here's how to:

1. Comment below! Tell me your favorite easy beauty tip! (Mandatory) [1 entry]

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES:

- Follow my blog publicly on Google friend connect [1 entry]

- Follow me on Twitter CLICK HERE (you don't have to tweet anything) [1 entry]

- Subscribe to my YouTube channel CLICK HERE [2 entries]

- Grab my Button and leave a link so that I can view it. [3 entries]

This Giveaway will end at midnight on July 4, 2010.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry & don't forget to leave your email or profile info so I can notify you if you win. Good luck!

The winners will be selected via random.org and announced here as well as on Twitter & contacted via email. The winners will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be selected.

*I was sent this book to review for my blog and keep so as to read, try the recipes and share my views with you. This in no way affected my opinions. For more information on PR policies click here.

5 Must-have Fashionable Pieces to Pack for Every Weekend Trip

Weekend trips are a great way to take a little break from the daily hustle and bustle. Getting away is great, and while you're enjoying yourself you want to look good too! Since Summer is right around the corner, my top 5 pieces are definitely beach-vacation worthy! <3 

1. A Maxi-dress! I love long dresses, they are so comfortable and great for a casual, beach look. They look good on practically every body type & can be dressed up or down.

2. Swim suit! (of course) Hopefully where you're vacationing is sunny and warm, but even if it isn't bring a swim suit! Hopefully your hotel will have a hot tub at least and that's always a great way to relax!

3. LBD the "little black dress": Assuming you'll get some time alone with 'the hubby' bring that LBD along! The little black dress has long been considered a wardrobe staple. If you don't have one...it's shopping time! (and now you have an excuse!)

4. No-fuss hair care products like dry shampoo and clips or hair bands to pull your hair back. Also, I'd recommend a texturizing spray like Bumble and Bumble SURF spray which gives your hair that sexy, salty, wind-styled and 'just-left-the-beach' look! 

5. Don't forget to pack a light sweater or jacket in case it get's chilly in the evening!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Gap Outlet blogging program to be eligible to win a $20 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Workplace Makeup (Top 5)

Don't Over Do It!
At the risk of looking like 'Mimi', it's important to keep workplace makeup light! Wearing too much makeup during the day is generally a 'faux-pas', but especially in the workplace you want to maintain a clean & fresh look that is easily maintained throughout your day!

#1- Your Canvas

Make sure you follow a daily cleansing and moisturizing routine! It is important to keep your skin cleansed, ex foliated and above all moisturized!

#2- Prime

Always prep your face for concealer and foundation (if you use them) with a primer. Depending on your skin type, below are a few of my personal favorites.

#3- Facing The Basics

If you're like me, you use concealer & foundation to even out your skin.

For those of you blessed with perfect skin...(grrrrr) skip along to eyes ;)

*Concealer- make sure you pick a color that is slightly darker than your foundation! This is important because if you pick a shade that is too light, you may not get the coverage you need and it may not blend well. Also, if your shades match exactly your dark circles will still look dark! By getting a slightly darker shade, you can blend your foundation in more evenly. You can also buy undereye concealer in a yellow shade (as opposed to a flesh tone), or with yellow undertones, because yellow covers the purplish hue of some under eye circles.

*Foundation- Keep it light! Don't 'cake' it on during the day...here's how to get the coverage you want without going overboard!

The #1 rule to good skin care and makeup is knowing your skin type!

People with oily skin should use powdered foundations. Whether loose or pressed, the powder absorbs the oils from your skin whereas liquid foundation sits on the skin & tends to clog the pores of people with oily skin. When applying powder foundation, use a large kabuki-type brush and apply in large, upward, circular motions lightly all over your face. The great thing about powder foundation is that you can build up coverage evenly by applying light 'layers'. Be sure you blend well!

For normal, dry & combination skin, if liquid foundation gives you the coverage you want by all means continue to use it! I recommend that you apply liquid foundation with a foundation brush rather than a sponge. In general, (if you wash them regularly) brushes are more hygienic than sponges & using a foundation brush allows you to 'paint your perfect face'! The coverage is flawless, and once you've applied it with the brush you can go over it with a sponge to blend and then a large kabuki-type brush! Make sure you change your sponges regularly!

#4- Get Cheeky!

Remembering to keep it simple, finding a daytime blush can be tough. Be sure you find a color that is light and complementary to your skin undertone.

Bright red cheeks won't cut it at the workplace!

As always, using a large brush with powder blush is excellent because it allows you more 'freedom' to blend! Apply it with large, upward, round strokes from the apples of your cheeks to the outer corner of your eye. And then....blend!

#5-The Eyes Have It!

Keeping the eyes bright and beautiful is easy! I recommend you always use some sort of eyelid primer to get the longest and best looking wear from your eyeshadow! Stay with light neutral colors and maybe be daring with a smoky eye! You can do the smoky eye in a brown or purple so that it's less dramatic.

What are your favorite workplace beauty tips??