Happy Halloween!!!

Nope, sorry guys, this is not a SCARY tutorial or makeup look. I probably should have done that, but I have been brainstorming the look I am doing today ever since I bought this adorable plaid shirt from Old Navy. (PS, I'm totally going to film another Haul video soon: Old Navy and Just Fab.com of what awesome stuff I found! Whose excited?? I AM!!!) 

Anyhow, today's look is a natural looking eye that only is two shades of eye-shadows. Very easy to create and takes little time. So if you don't have a lot of time to do your face, maybe you're a beautiful mom who has little rug-rats to keep you busy, maybe you are a working professional who has been slaving at work and you just value your sleep more than your makeup, or a student who partied too hard Thursday night and now you have to get to Friday morning class ASAP...

What ever category you fall in, or if you just want simple but pretty eye makeup looks, I think this look will look amazing on anyone. And you can substitute the crease color for any similar dark color and it'll still look amazing! 

Here's what I used:

Sephora Outrageous Volumme Mascara, Be A Bombshell eyeliner pen in Onyx, and  L'Oreal Paris Infallible Eyeliner Pencil 24 Hour wear in Black. 

 I think if you are feeling more GLAM, you should add false lashes to the look. It'll really amp up those beautiful eyes you have while still remaining natural. 


This is the look. Please disregard those nice big bags under my eyes. I realize I'm no model, I'm just little ole me.

If your feeling frisky, wing that liner out! That would look beautiful.

I mentioned winging the liner out. I think that would look amazing with this makeup. However, you will not see me winging my own liner out. E.V.E.R. Why? It just DOES NOT work on my face. I've tried numerous times. But I just look ridiculous. I've even had pros do it and they have to agree. I don't have the face to rock a winged liner. But I can do a demo with a model if that's something y'all would be interested in? Who wants a Cat-Eye/Winged Liner Blog? Video? 

What are you doing this Halloween? Did you dress up? Are you taking the little ones trick or treating? Does anyone have a truly creative costume? 

This is what I did for a party on  Saturday:

Betty Rubble

With my Barney

What do you think? Did I pull it off? 

Have a wonderful Halloween today :)  Please be safe but have a memorable and amazing time! You all are amazing and I am sending you tons of positive vibes and well wishes on your day today!

XOXO,

Amelia St. John

Don't forget you can watch/subscribe to me on YouTube at: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/afrazier726

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ameliastjohnmakeup

You can follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ameliastjohn

You can Follow me on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/ameliastjohn

You can follow me on Pinterest at: www.pinterest.com/ameliastjohn

PS have you seen my last blog post? 

CLICK HERE to see it --->  

http://amyinellay.blogspot.com/2012/10/revlon-colorstay-whipped-foundation.html

Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation

Today's blog is going to be another review! Yay! 

I have lately been reviewing a lot of affordable drugstore makeup. I absolutely love high end makeup such as M.A.C, Makeup Forever, NARS, Benefit, Dior, Lancome, and more but I like to see what else is out there comparable for those who maybe can't afford a $48 bottle of foundation. And what I have been finding has been great! 

I'll be real: I watch a lot of YouTube Beauty Guru videos. Some of it is for work (they review some of our makeup products), some of it is just curiosity  I want to know what other people use and what they think of it. I think it is amazing that people can be so different in their makeup application and knowledge, but still can come off as glamorous as if they walked off the pages of a magazine or off a red carpet. And so many of these Guru's use drugstore makeups to create these looks. I love it! I love that these looks can be recreated by any one in any town, with access to a CVS/Wal-Greens/Rite Aid/Wal-Mart etc. 

So that's what I'm doing for you as well. 

Today's review is of the Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup. It says it stays for up to 24 hours. It comes in a glass jar, and unlike many other brands which use a pump, this is out of a jar. You can use your fingers, a sponge, a spatula, any way to get it out of the jar. A little bit goes a long way with this stuff! 

The below picture is just of the foundation on my skin. It goes on smoothly. It has a lot of coverage, but the cool thing is, is that you can keep layering it on if you like a heavier coverage. I just use one layer and then I use concealer with any spots I need covered. 

I don't know why I am making this face. But look how even my skin looks with the Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation

I really like this picture. You may start seeing more like this!

 This foundation retailed at my local Wal-Greens for $13.99 I think. I think that is a good price for a great product. I used my Beauty Blender sponge to apply the foundation all over my face. I used a stippling motion, which is basically a series of patting the foundation in small circles all over my face to blend in. 

And my finished product. Isn't the volume and curl in my hair ridiculous? It's the NuMe Pearl Curling Wand that created all of this. I'm in LOVE!

So I think as soon as I get financially capable, I am going to buy the Canon Rebel Ti3 camera to start my REAL YouTube channel. I know I have a few little videos made by my computer and cell phone, but I want to start doing REAL tutorials for you guys, where you can watch me and copy my actions. Reading my blog is super awesome I know, but wouldn't you like to be able to SEE what I am doing? Maybe some of you are visual learners. The camera is close to $600, but has great reviews as a starter camera. I am particularly interested in the video aspect of it. Of course, I will have to buy a tripod and lighting as well. 

Any photographers out there? Anyone with any sort of camera knowledge? I would love your input. It's a big investment. 

Also, please spread the word about my blog to any friends/family/co-workers. The more the merrier! My goal is to bring my knowledge of makeup/beauty to you guys. I love being able to help and I LOVE seeing the light from within light up the outside of all of my readers! 

XOXO,

Amelia St. John 

Don't forget you can watch/subscribe to me on YouTube at: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/afrazier726

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ameliastjohnmakeup

You can follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ameliastjohn

You can Follow me on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/ameliastjohn

You can follow me on Pinterest at: www.pinterest.com/ameliastjohn

PS have you seen yesterday's blog post? 

Click here to check it out --> 

http://amyinellay.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-look-of-fall.html

The Look of Fall

It's finally starting to feel like fall isn't it? The weather has cooled down a tad, it has rained a bit here and there, and we can finally feel like we won't get too hot wearing a zip up hoodie or sweatshirt. 

With this change in weather, I feel like embracing the fall time colors of eye-shadows that are out there. My personal favorites are those that are a deep greens with yellows/golds flecked in the shadows. The gold and yellow colors remind me of the leaves turning colors on a brisk fall afternoon. Maybe those leaves start to fall from the trees around you in a whirl of golden and green tones....

I like to take those images and try to create a beautiful tone for the eyes. I really feel like anyone can pull off a look like this. There are many beautiful tones and shadows to choose from out there. But for my readers/followers, I like to give affordable options.

The look I created today was made by this Wet N Wild Pallette in Comfort Zone. I believe it was only 3.99 for it. You can pick this up at CVS/Wal-Greens/Rite-Aid/Wal-Mart/Target, etc.  I used the right side of the pallets with all the green toned eye-shadows. What do you think? Does this remind you of fall?

I love that it recommends what to use each color for. But feel free to play with it! That's the beauty of makeup! No RULES

Excuse my wild eyebrows that need a good waxing

Swatched from the pallette. **With flash**

Without Flash

 I also wanted to do a review on this new eyeliner I got from my MyGlam/Ipsy monthly subscription. It's called Be A Bombshell eyeliner in Onyx and I'm in LOVE with it. It's designed like a pen. You just draw the line right onto your eye where you want a line. If you have trouble with gel liners, or liquid liners, I feel like this brand would be amazing for you. It's ALMOST fool-proof. (Some of you will prove me wrong if I guarantee it's fool proof!) I cannot rave enough about it. It doesn't smear, it dries almost instantly. I'm wearing it in the pictures above. If you are a member of Ipsy, you can get it for 25% off at http://www.ipsy.com/look/l-h8gfs4i4pyij8i/Bombshell_Eyeliner with the code: ipsy25. Otherwise, it's still really affordable at $14 at their website: http://beabombshellcosmetics.com/store/products/onyx-eyeliner/. 

I hope you all are enjoying your fall weather. Have you gotten your pretty scarves and pea-coats out  of the closet yet? Down here in So Cal, it's brisk enough for a light jacket, but I heard it's supposed to go back up into the 80's by the end of the week. As much as I love it down here, I wish we had more of the 4 Seasons. We basically just get a really long summer and mild winter and spring. Fall sort of gets passed over. 

You are all beautiful inside and out, and I hope you are letting your radiance shine through you today and every day! 

XOXO,

Amelia St. John

Don't forget you can watch/subscribe to me on YouTube at: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/afrazier726

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ameliastjohnmakeup

You can follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ameliastjohn

You can Follow me on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/ameliastjohn

You can follow me on Pinterest at: www.pinterest.com/ameliastjohn

Ombre Hair!

I was just talking with my friend Melanie feeling not pretty and doing something about it. I mentioned that her Instagram photos are always so beautiful and she never has a hair out of place. Even on days that she says she isn't pretty, she really is! 

How many of you have days like that? How many of you all feel gross and ugly and not pretty, no matter what you do? I had a week like that last week. I had a breakout/bad reaction on my face from some product and my hair was in dire need of a cut and color and I haven't been exercising as much and it all added up to a feeling of yuckiness. Just looking in the mirror made me sad, and that's not good. I love making others look and feel beautiful but sometimes it's hard to feel that way about myself. 

So I decided to pull myself out of this rut. Sometimes you gotta say to yourself " SELF...stop feeling sorry and start feeling amazing. Go do something just for you." 

So I did. 

I made an appointment at my hair salon with my favorite colorist and stylist and I got exactly what I was looking for. What do you think of my new hair? It's exactly the Ombre I wanted. Ombre is the latest trend where it is dark on top and gradually fades to light on the bottom. I started this process back in July but haven't been able to get back to the salon until last Saturday. And I'm so pleased. Well worth the drive to West Hollywood! 

Ombre! Curls made with the NuMe Reverse Curling Wand

What do you think? Do you like it? What do you like to do when you are not feeling your best? What pulls you out of the rut?

You are all beautiful to me. I understand we have ups and downs, but I know you are all beautiful beings and that beauty comes from within. 

Keep your head up and your shoulders back...be proud to be you! There is no else just like you out there!

XOXO,

Amelia St. John

Let's talk about Sponges, Brushes and Fingers.

Let’s talk about makeup tools.

You can spend all the money you want on fancy makeup. Lots of money on YSL, Chanel, Dior etc. But if you got your brushes from Wal-Mart or the dollar store, you are going to notice that your expensive makeup still looks icky on your face.

You must have a good “foundation” for that makeup. And by foundation, I mean application process. There are different methods and some people like certain ones, while others are adamant about their method of choice.

Brushes: Spending $20 plus dollars on one brush might seem absurd. I know that when you are standing there and all you have is one tiny little brush in your hand, you think “why would I get this when I can go to Wal-Mart and get a whole set for $20” But let me tell you this….THE HIGHER QUALITY THE BRUSH THE BETTER APPLICATION YOU WILL HAVE. I have had numerous people comment that my brushes are so soft and when they look in the mirror after I finish with their face, they are amazed at what the brushes did for their eyes/face/lips.  You can reuse them, you MUST clean them. I know so many of you out there do not clean your brushes. Imagine this: you dip your brush in your eye shadow/foundation, apply it to your face and then walk away. The next day you do the same. But you re-dip it in the makeup, depositing whatever bacteria happened to be growing on that brush overnight. Over and over you do that, until you realize you are starting to break out. You apply acne cream, but continue using those dirty brushes. Many of you don't realize that it's essential to clean your brushes at a minimum 1x per week.  Many think just professional makeup artists need to clean their brushes so they don’t transmit between clients. But you should pretend you are just like me and clean your brushes every time. There are many brush cleaners out there, or you could just use warm water and a bit of dish soap. Just PLEASE, starting now; can you please clean those brushes? You spent good money on them; take care of that investment which will in turn take care of that beautiful skin on your face!

These are some brushes that are great quality, and receive my recommendation.

Sedona Lace Brushes

Crown Brushes

Sigma Brushes

Sponges: They are inexpensive, can be used wet or dry, come in a variety of textures and shapes, and can get hard to reach areas like around the nose. They are great for blending foundation into the hairline. However, they harvest bacteria after their first use, they absorb up to 50% of your product, making you have to go out and spend more money to buy the product since half of it is ending up on your sponge. All of this I am speaking of is referring to the sponges you can buy at target, wal-mart, cvs, etc.

 But let’s talk about the Beauty Blender. It’s expensive, starting around $20 or more. It’s fairly small too, you expect more for $20. So already when you buy it, you are kind of resenting it. “Darn you for being so expensive but so small!”

But then you use it. The sponge is so gentle and the application is so beautiful. You just stipple the product onto the skin (stipple means just repeatedly pat over and over). You use the smaller end for blending concealer and then the bigger end for foundation application. It’s so flawless. I like to use it a bit damp, but you can also use it dry. As with any quality product, you need to wash it after every use. After you wash it out thoroughly, just set it in a well ventilated area for it to dry. It just needs overnight and you will be good to go. I highly recommend this product. And it took me FOREVER to get around to buying it, because of the price. But I can’t speak enough on how awesome it is. I used it on both of my ladies this weekend who I did makeup on. Flawless, absolutely breathtakingly flawless. Go to www.beautyblender.com to purchase online, or ULTA, any pro makeup store like Naime’s (Sherman Oaks) or Nigel’s (North Hollywood). I believe both of those makeup stores ship anywhere in the country if you go to their websites.

Fingers:  Many people love to use fingers to apply makeup. The natural heat from our fingers warm up the foundation and provide a nice and even coverage. However, there is a reason your mom told you not to touch your face as a teenager. Our fingers are oily and have bacteria on them. So buy putting them in your makeup and on your face, they become a transportation for bacteria to breed and cause acne. If you do prefer using your fingers as a way to apply your makeup, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before and after application.

What’s my favorite? I like a combination. I’ve been using my Beauty Blender for foundation and concealer blending. I use a brush for my eyeshadows, eyebrows, blushes, bronzer etc. If I use my fingers, it’s my ring fingers to pat out/blend my concealer is around my eyes. I’m like a mutt, a Heinz 57 mix of all the tools.

What do you use? Are you inspired to try something different?

Here are some links to the products I've mentioned: 

www.crownbrush.com

www.sigmabrush.com

www.sedonalace.com

www.maccosmetics.com

www.beautyblender.com

Don't forget you can watch/subscribe to me on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/afrazier726

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ameliastjohnmakeup

You can follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ameliastjohn

You can Follow me on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/ameliastjohn

You can follow me on Pinterest at: www.pinterest.com/ameliastjohn

XOXO,

Amelia St. John

Need a New Fall Lipstick Color? Try M.A.C Satin in Rebel Lipstick

Hey Y'all!

So recently I was watching Carli Bybel and Stephanie from YouTube. You can check out their channels here: Carli: http://www.youtube.com/user/CarliBel55?feature=watch and Stephanie http://www.youtube.com/user/SMLx0?feature=watch. 

They did a swap which is basically where two YouTuber's set a budget and send each other products/items for the other one to see and review the haul. So Stephanie got Carli this beautiful M.A.C lipstick that I absolutely loved when I was watching the video. (which you can see here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3tOaChKJ5o&feature=youtu.be)  It's called Rebel and it's from the Satin line. It's a beautiful dark rich purple that I think looks amazing for fall time. 

Here it is: M.A.C Rebel Lipstick

 And here's what it looks like swatched on my skin

And finally my face. Now after putting this on today, I think this would make a great color for nights. I'm not sure it's "for me" at my office. My office is pretty chill and low key. Dressing up sometimes is nice jeans with a casual blazer. It's easy to get into a rut when you work in such a relaxed atmosphere. I'm guilty of that. So here I am today trying to get out of the rut:

Why do I look so mad?? ?

I'm not sure I'm happy with this. I LOVE the color still and I love the natural look of my eyes. I just feel like for my own personal self, I think this lipstick is best for evenings. What do you think? What would you try with this color?

I'm loving this lipstick regardless. I will be incorporating it into other looks. 

Also, I finished packing my freelance makeup train case for my mother-of-the-groom and grandmother-of-the-groom makeup this weekend. I'll either film a video or take pictures of what all is in it for you to see! I love watching and reading those kind of videos/blogs. Do you? 

Happy Thursday!!

XOXO,

Amelia St. John

Don't forget you can watch/subscribe to me on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/afrazier726

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ameliastjohnmakeup

You can follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ameliastjohn

You can Follow me on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/ameliastjohn

You can follow me on Pinterest at: www.pinterest.com/ameliastjohn

I'm back with a new MOTD! Starring: Maybelline Eyestudio

Hey y'all! 

I'm back. It seems like forever since I wrote a blog. I'm sorry if you missed me and my MOTD or OOTD or makeup reviews. But I was moving into a new place and as you all probably know, moving is exhausting  Not to mention at the exact same time, I was super swamped at work. No rest for the weary! Most of the last week I was wearing no makeup! Let's not forget L.A. has had another heat wave and the high temps were 106 and higher! Any makeup would have melted anyway. So that's whats been up with me. 

But I have had things in my mind being planned. One of them was a review/trial of these Maybelline Eyestudio eye-shadow palettes. I'm ambivalent I think toward them. For one reason, I was hoping for to get a really nice burgundy shadow and they ended up with more of a netural and shimmery browns. But I LOVE the light shimmery taupe as seen on the far left. I will most definitely be using this a lot! It can be used under the brow bone to give a highlight or in the corners of the eyes to brighten up.  

Below are some "eh-all right" photos. Because I'm just feeling "eh" towards this look. 

What do you all think? 

I heard about these super affordable drugstore pallets from YouTube Hair and Makeup Guru ItsBl0ndie. See her here at:  www.youtube.com/itsbl0ndie (She's so cute and talented. She looks like a Jessica Simpson/Britney Spears/Ali Fedowtsky look alike)

I was hoping the colors would be a little more burgundy and less brown. But they give off a beautiful natural brown color nonetheless

Here's an upclose. Not really seeing the burgundy are you? But I'm loving the light shimmer color 

My hair pre-brushed out

Post brushed out curls and a whole face shot

Another picture of brows and eyes. 

Also used on my face: 

Makeup Forever HD Primer

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind in Medium

Rimmel Match PErfection 2 in 1 Concealor and Highlighter

Maybelline Dream Lumi Highlighter in Radiant

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda II concealer palette. 

Belletto Studio Airbrush Foundation in F6 Toasted Canary

Nars Orgasm Blush 

M.A.C Haute and Naughty Mascara

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Taupe/Ash

Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss (nude color)

Carmex Lip Balm (to give the shine and moisture. I'm also supremely addicted to it!)

Hope you all are surviving your Wednesday Hump Day! Only two more days till the weekend! I'm going up north to do a wedding this Friday/Saturday. I'll make sure to take pictures and bring you all with me!

XOXO,

Amelia St. John

Don't forget you can watch/subscribe to me on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/afrazier726

You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ameliastjohnmakeup

You can follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ameliastjohn

You can Follow me on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/ameliastjohn

You can follow me on Pinterest at: www.pinterest.com/ameliastjohn