Butterfly Princess

Hey Gorgeous!

For those of you who follow Youtube beauty gurus such as Michelle Phan, you may have already watched one of her videos on her newest looks. I was inspired to create something just as magical, so here it is! I used mostly pastel shades with a shimmery base on the eyes to brighten up the whole area, and a baby pink lipstick to balance it out. The only downside to this look is that I actually don't own anything like her butterfly headpiece she wore in her video. So...this is where I improvised. I drew the crown on my forehead using Makeup Forever's Flash Palette, and also did some shading with eye shadow pigments. I then used a highlighter I received as a sample from Benefit to give me that pearlescent glow. 

As magical as this look seems, reality is that there will always be trials and hardships in life. However if we keep holding onto His promises, and if we keep Believing, these trials and hardships will turn into experiences that will help you grow and mature in life. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

With Love, 
Carmen

Girls Generation- Catch Me If You Can (makeup)

Hello lovelies!

As some of you may know, one of Asia's most popular girl groups had recently released a new music video/song called "Catch Me If You Can." The ladies are seen with a smoked out eye makeup look with a natural lip color. The brows are kept full with a minimal arch. This look can be worn as an everyday look if you use a lighter shadow color and with a less winged out liner.

When I first saw this look, I automatically thought of the word "strong" to best portray the image. Speaking of the word "strong," I naturally relate it to the words "vulnerable" and "courageous." By being vulnerable, we are not afraid to show the world our weaknesses, and be being vulnerable, we allow ourselves to be healed. By being vulnerable, we are strengthened.

What are some of your favorite "strong" or "bold" makeup looks?

Talk to you next post! With Love,

Carmen
Instagram: carmen_cl91

Jill Stuart Layer Blush Compact in 03 Relax Smile

The colors are swatched in clock wise order on the palette with the last color being the color when you mix them all together. 

Hey Beautifuls!

As promised on my instagram @ carmen_cl91, here are the swatches to the Jill Stuart layer Blush Compact I received in "03 Relax Smile." This blush gives a glowy finish, and is not matte. It can be used as a highlighter, blush, and even eye shadow! There's also a light floral and sweet scent to this blush as well which is subtle, but not too strong. The packaging is also super gorgeous with a strong sturdy finish (made with swarovski elements) and is very shiny. It totally reminds me of a princess! It also comes with a handy retractable little blush brush that is attached to the palette, which is perfect for travelling. Will I get more products from this collection? YES!!!!! The only downside to this is the price and how you can't get this product in Canada. It retails for about $75-85 cdn which is quite pricey compared to other high end products.

That's it for this post! Thanks for dropping by :)

With love,
Carmen

His Love saves

Hey everyone!

So here's a look that's been trending all over Asia these past couple of years. This trend is all about dewy, clear skin and full eyebrows, minimal eyeshadow and contouring, and a natural blush color. The eyeliner is kept clean and winged out. The lips are also kept a natural pink, or a so called "gradient" lip is also seen to be very popular. This look is seen sported by many popular Asian celebrities such as HK model Angelababy and Janice Man,  Miss HK Grace Chan, and various Korean celebrities.

Because the weather in Edmonton is so dry, having the so called "dewy skin" look can be hard to achieve due to the dryness. This is where highlighters come in handy though. Sweep a pearl based highlighter or shadow around the high points of your cheekbones, nose bridge, chin, forehead, and anywhere that light would naturally hit and there you have it! Fake dewy skin. Bahaha jk (but not really).

That's it for this post! One more day until the weekend! Hang in there beautifuls!

PS: Here's a simple secret to being beautiful: Be kind, and love all those around you as yourself =]

XO,
Carmen

There is Freedom

Hey beautifuls!

For this makeup look, I decided to turn into a boy. Haha, jk. I actually kind of just improvised on this look, and drew strokes and smudged out wherever I felt needed. After all that smudging and stuff...voila! Here it is. Once I completed the makeup, I took a closer look at the overall makeup and noticed that the eye makeup looked like a bird with it's wings spread. I think birds, wings, and feathers symbolize freedom, and I honestly do believe that there is and there can be such thing as freedom on this Earth.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." -Galations 5:1

So for this look, I used mostly black and some red eyeshadows, and created the "wings" with a black gel liner. I then used Makeup forever's Flash palette in silver to achieve a more 3D effect on the eyes. To achieve chiseled cheek bones, use a matte brown eyeshadow or contour stick and blend it out on the hollows of your bones. Layer your blush slightly over the blended areas for a more natural, and blended out look. Because the eye makeup is so dramatic, I muted out the lips with concealer, and a moisturizer and gloss over top.

That's it for now for this post! Oh ya, I recently received some Jill Stuart products (one of them being limited edition)! Im super excited to show you guys the swatches and how gorgeous their packagings are! =]

Love,

Carmen

Western Canada Fashion Week Spring 2015

So here's a few pictures taken from fashion week a few weeks ago. I had a lot of fun working with different models, makeup artists, and designers! The above pictures are my favourite, and credits are on the photos. Last photo is by Lindsay Thomson. All models are wearing couture dresses by Lisa Marie Couture.

A few things are going on right now for me. Lots of new projects, ideas, and hopefully more opportunities! Although I'm not sure where this whole makeup thing would take me in the future, its the passion I have to serve others, helping them to appreciate themselves and feel beautiful is what keeps me going.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” -Jeremiah 29:11-14

Hope everyone's doing well! Until next post,

Love,

Carmen                     

Fairytales





When I was younger, and even until now- I loved fairy tales. Now that I am older, even though I know fairy tales aren't real, I'd still prefer them over Hollywood movies because of the innocence, magic, and miracles that happen. I think floral crowns are always a symbol of innocence and purity. I don't actually own one, so this is where you improvise. I used Makeup Forever's Flash palette to create the daisy crown as seen on my forehead. Because of this palette's creamy texture and high pigmentation, a little bit goes a long way. I actually only used a few dabs to achieve an awesome color payoff. I used individual lashes on my lower lashes to balance out the floral crown, and a peach colored lipstick to get that innocent and youthful look.

That's it for now! Until next post=]

PS: Who is your favourite fairy tale character? I think mine would have to be Cinderella...especially after recently watching it in theatres! Remember, ladies..."Have courage and be kind" :)...and most important of all...Love all of those around you.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." -1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love,

Carmen 

Lost, but found.

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. Been doing makeup for a few shows for fashion week! Here's a look I've done using lighter color, but cool toned shadows with a strong liner. To balance out the look, I chose to go with a thick brow look with a softer colored red lip.

And Happy Easter, everyone! Let us all be reminded of what Christ did for us on the cross, and that there is more to life than all the physical, temporary things we have on this Earth.

With love,
Carmen