MAC Autumn/Winter Trends 2011

here is a glimpse of the new looks brought by MAC for Autumn and Winter 2011. the styles are: Modernist, Ambre Gris, Tough Love and Disco Tech.

first up, Modernist:

this is a contemporary look at an old classic. light lipsticks, winged eyeliner, and lashes lashes lashes. the Modernist brings back the Mod we all love, in a current way. dewy glowing skin is key for this look.

next, Ambre Gris:

Ambre Gris is the romantic look of the season. soft lines, no harsh color and diffused pigments. Ambre Gris is the look for lovers.

Tough Love is the name of this look:

with all the attitude of Kate Moss and just the right amount of smoky, Tough Love works for the leather enthusiast. smoke out your eyes, eyebrows, lips, whatever, Tough Love does not discriminate.

last but not least is Disco Tech:

Disco Tech embodies all things color. embrace the color of your mood and apply pops of golds pinks and blues in unexpected places.

these looks are designed to inspire. surely we wouldn't walk around town with a gold eyebrow, but perhaps gold eyeliner? take a look through these pics and see if there is something you love. like the idea of being a romantic? then try this Urban Chic makeup tutorial. if Modernist speaks to you, check out my liquid eyeliner tutorial, it is a must for the Modernist. Tough Love loves a rebel. if that's you then try my Rebel Look tutorial. and if Disco Tech is your thing, you'll have to learn that one on your own :)

xo,

kristie

Pirate Makeup Tutorial

here's a quick pic of me and the fam spending our Monday night together delivering halloween invitations. we are having a Pirate party and decided to throw on a few scarves to authenticate ourselves while we passed out the invites.

Tman and i will be dressing up as pirates for the party and if you would like to see a quick and easy Pirate Makeup Tutorial, head over to kiki creates to see my latest video tutorial. (it has been MONTHS since i have done one of these so please, excuse the mistakes :)

xo,
kristie

Makeup (your) Questions (my) Answers

I stumbled onto your blog a few months ago and I love it! I have never really learned how to apply any makeup styles other than the super simple techniques the gal at the Clinique counter taught me when my mom took me to buy makeup for the first time at 14. Your tutorials are great and I love your tips on what makeup brands are worth paying more for and what grocery brands are good.

I have issues with eye liner on my bottom lid. Even if I am just lining my water line, it always smudges and smears under my eyes. I don't care for the smudged look (especially when eye liner settles into the fine lines under my eyes). Do you have any tips (or eyeliner brands that are more smudge proof) to get a crisp, clean line for my lower lid that will stay all day without smudging?

Black Eyed

*****

Dear BE

thanks so much for the e-mail! i love hearing from readers and getting opinions, questions, etc. puts a smile on my face every time.

the problem with eyeliner/mascara smearing on people's lower lid is very common. this problem can be caused by the type of lotion you use on your face, possibly the type of foundation or concealer you use, or just the fact that this area tends to produce higher amounts of oil.

first, i would recommend trying to find the culprit, is it your eyeliner or is it it your lotion/foundation/concealer? give yourself one or two days to test the area. try not to apply any lotion/foundation/concealer to your lower eyelid area and see if your eyeliner still smudges. if it does, proceed to step two :)

step two, go for a waterproof eyeliner. MAC has a waterproof eyeliner that is fantastic and lasts quite a long time. I would give this a shot. If you are looking for a less expensive product, try Revlon or Almays waterproof eyeliner (try going over the area with a powder (i.e. black eyeshadow) immediately after applying, this typically helps makeup to stay put). if you try these and you still smudge...proceed to step three.

go for a different type of lower eyelid color. instead of lining, perhaps take a dark powder and use that to line your lower lid. this can be done with a "Pencil Brush". sounds a little weird, but actually works really well.

i hope this helps.

xo,
kristie

*****

Dear Kristie

As I'm getting older (33 with 2 kids) I THINK I'm noticing more facial hair (very blonde peach fuzz) I'm a natural Strawberry Blonde with freckles.

I've thought of asking my husband if he's noticed it too, but then I'm afraid he'll really notice and stare at my possible facial hair. Does facial hair come in on women as they age and what should women do? Ignore, wax, shave?

Also I'm very prone to adult acne, do you have any tips on this embarrassing problem?

Hair Matters

*****

 
Dear HM,
 
thanks so much for your letter and believe me when I say I feel your pain. over the last few years I have definitely seen a development of facial hair that was not there 10 years ago :)

i do believe that with changing hormones/age things such as facial hair tend to become more pronounced. pregnancy can often be the catalyst. as far as your options go, it really is all up to personal preference. i do not like waxing my lip because it feels too bare, however my sisters swear by it. i don't recommend shaving because that will leave you with more obvious stubble because instead of the hair growing new, it is cut off mid shaft and looks a bit thicker when growing back. your hair won't become thicker, it may just appear to be a bit thicker. my favorite route is either plucking and or bleaching. But I have less peach fuzz and more sporadic dark hairs.

maybe you could give waxing a try. if you don't like it, move on to another option such as dipilatory creams. i hope this was helpful, if you ever have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

xo,
kristie

please keep your questions coming. i love hearing from you guys and if you have ANY questions, just let me know.

Fall Nail Polish Colors

here is a repost of fall nail polish trends that i wrote about for kiki creates:

last fall i reported to readers the IT color was Greige. if there was one nail polish color you were to choose, greige was the one (if you're interested you can check it out here). this year, i seem to be seeing Blurple everywhere!

you might be asking yourself what exactly is Blurple? according to the Urban Dictionary Blurple = the combination of black and purple


Friend 1- "Whats your favorite color?"

Friend 2- "Blurple."

Friend 1- "WTH is Blurple?"

Friend 2- "Black+Purple = Blurple."

without further ado, here are some Blurple options for you!

OPI came out with a great color this season called Roadhouse Blues. this color goes on smooth, last several days and definitely worth the investment (approx. $8-9 a bottle)

next up is China Glaze. a fierce competitor to OPI at a slightly lower price point ($7-10 a bottle). China Glaze's Up All Night is a great option if you are looking to get your Blurple on.

for those of you who are fans of Anna Wintour you know about Fashion's Night Out, started by Anna Wintour a few years ago to jump start the slumping fashion industry. this year, Chanel debuted their "special" FNO collection with Blue Rebel being my fave. This price point is much more of an investment, so if you REALLY love it, then go for it ($25-30 a bottle).

but no nail polish review would be complete without my plug for Seche Vite. i love it and is a must have in my bag. if you're interested, you can read more here.

because we love to keep the readers in style, we are offering one lucky reader the chance to win China Glaze's Up All Night and a sample size of Seche Vite. head over to kiki creates to enter.

and if you want to win some Bare Minerals eyeshadow, head over here and leave a comment with a Halloween costume idea. Good luck!

xo,

kristie

Halloween DIY Suggestions

this time of year i get a ton of hits from people looking for some halloween tips and tricks. here is an overview of past posts that might give you some ideas as to costume ideas, make up ideas, etc.

halloween makeup ideas

DIY costume ideas

Old Lady halloween makeup instructions

check out the comments section HERE for even more ideas

i am also posting a false eyelash review tomorrow on kiki creates (a must for any halloween costume) and you can see a tutorial on how to apply false eyelashes here.

happy haunting!

xo
kristie

Makeup (Your) Questions (My) Answers

Hey my beauty friend!! I need some advice.. I feel like I'm 50 because of the lines, wrinkles, and bags that have recently appeared under my eyes. What is a good anti-aging cream for under eyes that will help make the wrinkles etc go away? Any easy makeup tips to help hide them?
Sincerely,
Crows Feet
 

*****

 
Dear CF
 
In my early twenties I worked for a Plastic Surgeon as an Aesthetician. We sold a skin care line that claims to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and irregular pigmentation, for approximately $300 a package. The most effective ingredient in the whole line? Retin-A. A prescription written for all people who purchased the products.

Retin-A is simply a cream form of Vitamin A that helps to rejuvenate your skin. It comes in different prescription strengths but even the lowest strength will be more effective than the most expensive over the counter product. Most primary care physicians are happy to write a prescription and your co-pay is probably cheaper than any cream you can buy.

As far as hiding them goes...your best bet is a good concealer. Even if you don't use foundation, a few dabs of concealer under your eyes goes a long way. I have had the best luck with MAC Pro longwear. It is $16 a bottle but lasts FOREVER.
I hope that helps.

xo
Kristie

*****

Hi Kristie,

I have a question and didn't know how to post it so I decided to email you.


I saw your tutorial on how to apply mascara and I think it was really helpful. My main concern when I use mascara is when I have to remove it. Usually a couple of lashes come off with it. Since I have so few I don't know what to do to avoid this. Any suggestions??

Losing Lashes

*****


Dear LL

thanks so much for the e-mail. i love hearing from readers and being able to answer questions. i guess i would have a few questions for you first. do you use a waterproof mascara or a regular mascara? when removing your mascara, do you use a makeup remover, face wash, or towelette?
the reason i ask is because waterproof mascaras are often more difficult to remove, thus losing more eyelashes. also, the makeup remover you use makes a difference. using a product that will dissolve the product better, means less eyelashes lost.
i wouldn't worry too much, unless you are losing a large quantity of eyelashes. most people lose several a day and the lashes are in a continual state of regrowth. i hope this was helpful.

xo
kristie


thanks everyone for your questions and keep them coming! i really do love hearing from you. and i just want to say i am baffled. NO ONE has entered the halloween costume contest! it is so simple. just comment with a costume idea, THAT'S ALL, and some new makeup could be yours :)

Make Your Own Halloween Costume Contest

i know it is only mid-September but Halloween is right around the corner if you are a Halloween enthusiast like myself. [insert evil laugh here]

i was brainstorming for some Halloween costume ideas, particularly makeup ideas, and i thought i would bring it to my audience for some help.

i have decided to host a contest for Halloween makeup/costume ideas. here's how it goes. for each Halloween costume idea, you will receive ONE entry (maximum of three ideas per person). if you have a picture to include of the costume, an additional entry.

you might be asking, what's in it for me? well i'll tell you, it's good. real good. the winner will receive an official kudos from me...

still not worth it? how about one two eyeshadows from Bare Minerals including falls hottest teal eyeshadow trend.



dare shadow/liner



exquisite shadow



contest will end September 30th so be sure to get your entry in! btw, you must be a follower to enter.

good luck!

xo

kristie

Missoni for Target

today is the day! i haven't been this excited about a Target Designer Collection in a long time. Missoni has designed clothing, accessories, and housewares for Target shoppers. i can finally get my paws on some designer goods that have previously been unobtainable to me. i know i sound ridiculous, but really, i'm going bananas.

here's a sneak peak at some of the women's clothing:

that zigzag pattern is timeless. from your head to your toes you can be draped in Missoni, or perhaps you would rather your children enjoy a little:

Missoni for Target goes on sale today and is for a limited time only. run don't walk if you are interested in buying some because these beauties are going to go fast.

if you have a few extra seconds, head over here to kiki creates to check out my latest post on fall's hottest nail polish colors and enter to WIN some polish of your own.

xo
kristie

Makeup (Your) Questions (My) Answers

Hi Kristie,


I love your website and videos, my friends and I watch them and I think you are fantastic.

Okay, here's my problem that I hope you can help me with. My eyes, I believe, are more like a boys as my eyes are deep set directly beneath my brow bone. When looking straight into my face and with my eyes open, you can barely see my eyelids. I hate them, even though people say I'm attactive. I'd like to get your opinion on what technique I should use when applying eye shadow to make them stand out. Most of my friends are Asian here and they don't have this problem, I'm very envious of their look as well as the attention they always get from the boys in my school.

I'm 15 years old and living with my dad. I hope you can help me.

Sincerely,

Young & Restless

*****

Dear Y & R,
 
Thank you so much for writing. Your letter was so sweet and I appreciate the compliments! I can give you some basic tips for makeup to accent your specific eye shape. Try to stick to light, shimmery colors, as these will make the lid stand out more instead of seeming shadowed. If you want to get a smokier look, use your darker colors ONLY in the outer corners of your eyes.
 
The best advice I can give you is to appreciate your beauty. I know it is hard at the age of 15 to feel beautiful, and it seems like everyone else has prettier features, are more attractive to boys, etc. Believe me, you are just as pretty! Feeling confident about the way you look is expressed through your attitude and that is beautiful.
 
This may be easier said than done but possibly try focusing on the features you like most, perhaps your lips or your cheekbones, and you will find beauty in the way you look.
 
Good luck!

Kristie

*****

 

Dear Kristie,

 

My step-daughter is getting married in May and I need help with my own make-up look. I will be doing my own hair and make up. Here are my concerns:

 

1. I usually only wear a light dusting of mineral powder and I know this will not look good in pics.

2. The wedding is in Charleston, SC at the end of May so it is going to be HOT. I don't want my face to melt!

3. I am still fairly young so I want to look nice but not hoochie mama or old maid.

Can you please give me some suggestions? Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Wedding Belle

*****

Dear W.B.,

Thank you so much for writing. Congratulations on the wedding and best wishes to your step-daughter. To answer your questions about makeup for the wedding here is my advice:
Make sure to wear a makeup primer. I really like MAC's Prep + Prime. While it is on the spendier side, it will definitely help your makeup to not melt off in the humidity! Having lived in a humid place for the last four years, I can tell you this step is essential. Second, you are correct, mineral powder does not reflect well in pictures. Try looking for a foundation that is specifically designed for photography. Revlon has a product that is inexpensive and works well, or you could go for my absolute favorite, Make Up Forever HD foundation. At $40 a bottle it is expensive, but it's coverage is amazing and little goes a LONG way. If you are worried about looking over made up, only a pea sized amount of product provides great coverage without looking heavy or cakey. Last, to avoid looking too hoochie or old maid, make sure to blend! Sounds simple but really, make up that is well blended avoids looking hoochie or old.

Good luck with your makeup and I hope the wedding is fun! If you have any other questions, or want more specific recommendations, please let me know.

Kristie



if you have any questions you would like me to answer for you, please write! krispie2009 at hotmail dot com. if you have any questions about me, feel free to ask.


Back To School Makeup

this is one of my most popular videos on YouTube (thank you guys!) and i thought it would be appropriate to repost it since it is Back To School season. this makeup style is a great natural look but still very flattering for all skin/hair tones.

on a side note, i have been receiving several letters from my readers and i am playing with the idea of doing a question and answer portion to the blog. if you have any questions you would like to see answered, feel free to comment or even e-mail me and i would LOVE to answer. (krispie2009 at hotmail dot com)
xo
kristie

Shabby Apple Dress Contest: Please Vote

i know my passion is for makeup but clothing and makeup seem to go hand in hand. when i lived in Columbus i occassionally worked with an Image Consultant in helping people to redesign their wardrobes. this woman was brilliant, always looked like a million bucks (without spending it), and extremely kind, spiritual, and hilarious. i was so sad when we parted ways but we still keep in touch and i just received an e-mail from her mentioning that her dress design has been chosen in the Shabby Apple Dress Contest!

you can see this beautiful woman here:

her maxi dress is adorable and i love maxi's because they look great on almost anyone, are extremely comfortable, and best of all, MODEST! if you have a few seconds i would ask that you please go vote for this fabulous dress called Daydreamer. wouldn't we all like to have our own version of this?

if you have even a few more seconds, head over to her awesome blog and you can see this professional image consultant's styling of the dress. believe me, you don't want to miss it. styling is everything.

xo
kristie

Smashbox Long Wear Lip Gloss {Grail or Fail}

a while back i had several people ask me for a long wear lip gloss recommendation. i purchased this Smashbox Long Wear Lip Gloss with the hopes that it might be The One.

sadly, it is not. i love the color, it does last longer than your average lip gloss, but not much. for $22 i was hoping for a WHOLE LOT more bang for my buck. i think it is just as good as your MAC or Bobbi Brown counterparts which cost about $8 less. frankly, i would rather spend my moulah on something else. in terms of Grail or Fail, i would rate this a fail. it is a great lipgloss, but longwear it is not.

if anyone has any good longwear lipglosses they have tried, please let us know!

xo
kristie