American Express "Everyday Moments" Makeovers

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the day at Milk Studios in NYC applying makeup for the winners of the American Express Mother's Day 'Everyday Moments' contest. I met women from all over the USA and I loved hearing their personal stories and the fun experiences they've had while on this trip. 

Their day of pampering included makeup applications from Sephora Senior Artists,  hairstyling by Drybar, and a styled fashion shoot with designer dresses provided by Rent the Runway. All of this beauty fun was leading up to get the ladies ready to attend a Maroon 5 concert later in the evening. Besides getting the winners glammed up, American Express brought them to a filming of the Today Show, took them to see a broadway musical and sent them home with lots of goodies. Actress Kristen Bell even attended and mingled with the winners! 

Myself, Jaleesa Parris and Samantha Vega applying makeup for the contest winners

The hair room with styling by Drybar

L to R: Actress Kristen Bell, Stylist Rachel Zalis, Model & Real Housewife of NYC Kristen Taekman and Co-Founder of Rent the Runway Jennifer Fleiss

I had a ton of fun attending the event and meeting all of the women, it was great to be a part of their special trip and see their transformation.

My Skincare Secret... shhhh don't tell!

“Once upon a time, there was a book of spells found on the banks of the Seine, in Paris. Doctor Hertzog, who was renowned for his mesotherapy treatments, found a recipe in it for the youth elixir used by Queen Isabella of Hungary in the 17th century. It is said that she charmed the king of Poland, thirty-five years her junior, with her radiant complexion. The dermatologist entrusted his discovery to Mathilde Thomas, who was just launching Caudalie. In 1996, Beauty Elixir was born. And what is the recipe for this versatile natural cocktail? Benzoin to soothe the skin, myrrh to renew, rosemary essential oil to purify, lemon balm to calm and peppermint to stimulate, along with orange blossom to soften, rose for radiance and, of course, moisturizing grape pulp 
extract, Caudalie’s signature ingredient.” ~ Caudalie


Now that you know some of the history behind my skincare secret, let me tell you a little bit about how I use it and why I love it so much!

Caudalie's Beauty Elixir is a multi purpose spray, part toner and part serum mist of essential oils and plant active ingredients. It is my morning energizer, my midday pick-me-up and my nighttime de-stressor. I will spray it on my complexion in the morning & throughout the day and my favorite part is that you are actually supposed to inhale the mist as you spray it because it's revitalizing for the skin and for the body. It really does refresh me inside and out and it is something that I will always repurchase. It soothes and brightens the skin when worn alone as a treatment and it also makes foundation and powder sit more naturally when sprayed over makeup. It is formulated to smooth the skin, tighten pores and provide an instant burst of radiance, as it stimulates microcirculation.

Formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

I really do suggest it to everyone (except if you are sensitive to plant oils) and the great thing is that it comes in two sizes, a 1 ounce bottle for $18 and a 3.4 ounce for $49, so it's affordable to try and see if you like it.

If you have tried the Beauty Elixir, or if you have your own skincare secret, let me know in the comments below!

Two Summertime Looks using all Drugstore Makeup

Since my last video post was so well received, here is another one for you guys showing how to get these two summer looks using all drugstore makeup! Let me know if you like it and what kind of videos you'd like to see next!

PRODUCTS (in order mentioned):

Revlon Color Stay in 'Sand Beige 180'
Revlon Single Eyeshadow in 'Bone'
Revlon Single Eyeshadow in 'Greige'
Revlon Single Eyeshadow in 'Chocolate'
Revlon 'Exotic Palette' (black and yellow shades)
Revlon Single Eyeshadow in 'Sand'
Revlon Lash Potion Mascara
Revlon Highlighting Palette in 'Bronze Glow'
Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 'Sultry 225'
Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 'Elusive 205'
Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 'Audacious 245'
Relvon Colorburst Laquerized Balm in 'Tease 130'
Revlon Blush in 'Classy Coral'

I'm on Allure.com!

Super excited to share with you guys that Allure Magazine just featured me in a blog post on their 'Daily Beauty Reporter'! Go check it out on their site to see a short video of 7 days of makeup looks!

My Top 5 Favorite Foundations (and my first video!)

I just posted my first Youtube video on my Nicole Marie Makeup channel, and it's all about my favorite foundations! All of them look naturally beautiful on the skin and they photograph wonderfully! 

Here is a list of the foundations I mention in the video:

1. YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat

2. Make Up For Ever Face & Body

3. Nars Sheer Glow

4. Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish

5. Illamasqua Skinbase

Watch it on Youtube here for better quality!

Let me know what you guys think! Would you want more videos?

Soft Purple Eyes

This look is a delicate, soft smoky eye that can be created with any color combination. I chose to use purples because it reminds me of spring and it felt light and fresh. This look is perfect for any special occasion or for a daring bride. These shades of purple flatter everyone and feel very romantic and feminine, perfect for any summer night.

Eyes
1. Prime the eyes to ensure long lasting, crease proof, intense color payoff; I used my Urban Decay Primer Potion.
2. Blend a medium matte brown into the crease to add shadow and to give the purples something to blend into.
3. Blend a medium purple shadow throughout the length of the crease and soften all the edges, this is the base of the whole eyeshadow look.
4. Softly blend a small amount of a dark purple shadow into the outer edge of the eye and drag it slightly into the crease.
5. Highlight the center of the eye and the inner corner with a light, shimmery lavender color in a pressing motion.
6. Press a tiny bit of glitter onto the center of the lid to add some sparkle, I used my Sephora Glitter Liner & Mascara in 'Sweetheart Pink'.
7. Add mascara to the top lashes and the outer corner of the bottom lashes.
8. Highlight the inner corner of the bottom lashline with the same light shimmery lavender and then blend the medium purple into the outer edge of the bottom lashline.
9. Finish the look by filling in the brows, I used my Anastasia Brow Wiz in 'Medium Ash'.

Face
Foundation: Nars Sheer Glow
Concealer: Mac Pro-Longwear
Powder: Hourglass Ambient Light in 'Ethereal'
Blush: Nars 'Deep Throat'
Bronzer: Nars 'Laguna'
Highlight: Laura Mercier in 'Highlight 01'

Lips
Liner: Palladio Herbal Lip Liner in 'Nearly Nude'
Lipstick: Mac 'Modesty' + Mac 'Creamcup'
Gloss: Laura Mercier Lip Glace in 'Sparkling'

Femme Fatale - a.k.a. - The Perfect Smoky Eye

I love wearing sultry, smoky, sexy eyes because it makes me feel like a mysterious siren from the past. I love creating characters with my makeup because what you wear can really influence your mood and personality. This look is perfect for those who want to achieve the mystery and danger of a Femme Fatale. I used my Anastasia Lavish palette almost exclusively to create this look, but since it was limited edition, I would suggest the Kat Von D Monarch Palette for a similar color selection.

Eyes

1. Prime the eyes to prevent creasing and ensure intense, long wearing color payoff, I used my Urban Decay Primer Potion. 

2. Blend a matte peach shade along the whole length of the crease and up towards the brow bone, I used 'Orange Soda' from the Anastasia Lavish Palette.

3. Define the crease by blending in a darker rust color, I used 'Sienna' from the Anastasia Lavish Palette.

4. Darken the outer 'v' of the eye with a warm dark brown, I used 'Rum Cake' from the Anastasia Lavish Palette.

5. Pat a shimmery, mossy neutral over the inner third of the lid, I used my Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in 'Black Karat'. It's an absolutely gorgeous color that can go with so many looks, I think everyone should check it out for themselves.

6. Softly blend in the smallest amount of black on the outer edge of the lash line and slightly blend it upwards towards the crease, I used 'Black Diamond' from the Anastasia Lavish Palette.

7. Place a pop of gold glitter in the inner corners of the eyes to add drama and sparkle, I used my Sephora Glitter Liner & Mascara in 'VIP Gold'.

8. Define the top lash line with a strong winged liner, I used my Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in 'Trooper' and then add mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

9. On the bottom lash line, smudge a mix of 'Orange Soda' and 'Sienna' across the whole length and darken the outer third with the black shadow. Add a couple of individual lashes along the outer corner for intense drama.

10. Full lashes really make this look stand out, first I used a strip of Ardell Demi Wispies and then I interspersed super long individual lashes over the strip for extra length and volume.

11. Finish the look by filling in the brows, I used my Anastasia Brow Wiz in 'Medium Ash'.

Face

Foundation: Nars Sheer Glow

Concealer: Mac Pro-Longwear

Powder: Hourglass Ambient Light in 'Ethereal'

Bronzer: Nars in 'Laguna'

Blush: Tarte in 'Peaceful'

Highlight: Laura Mercier in 'Highlight 01'

Lips

Liner: Palladio in 'Nearly Nude'

Lipstick: Buxom in 'Nudist'

Gloss: Bare Escentuals in 'Show Off'

Here are links to my review and some other looks I've done with the Lavish Palette: Look 1.  Look 2.  Look 3.  Review.