Tessa's Just-About-Any-Occasion Look

Today, we're featuring a beauty tutorial from my (Rory's) sister, Tessa! Last week, she went to an event, and was not sure how formal it was. These events can be so difficult because when it's summer, we want to be comfortable, but still be appropriate for the occasion. I think it worked out very well, and I wanted her to describe her look in her own words. So without further ado, heeere's Tessa! 

Skin:

First, I applied my liquid foundation all over my face. I used my fingers instead of a brush because I wanted my skin to look flawless, and when I use my fingers I am able to rub the makeup into my skin more easily. I also applied foundation on my eyes to act as a primer.

Eyes:

Photo by: Rory M.

Next, I moved onto eyes. The eye shadow palette I chose had soft pastel colors, which looks good on pale skin. I first applied the orange color all over my eye. I then applied the green color onto my lid. Using the same brush, I applied the purple on the inner corners of my eyes, and I put a little bit under my eyes in the inner corner. I took the darkest shade (brown), and put it into the crease to add some definition. I then took my plum-colored eyeliner and made a very thin line as close to the roots of my lashes as I could. I then took the brown color and, using an eyeliner smudging brush, I smudged the brown color into the eyeliner, very soft, yet still defined. Lastly, I applied my mascara. I did not curl them simply because my lashes don't stay curled. But I didn't want my eyes to be the center of attention; this look is all about the overall look, meaning that it's not about having one feature pop. The entire look should be the main focus.

Cheeks:

Photo by: Rory M.

Next, I applied a light layer of powder. I didn't want my face to look photoshopped, but I wanted it to look flawless in a natural way. Then, I applied my blush. I went with a rosie red-pink because it looked cheerful and youthful. I applied it on the apples of my cheeks, going up along the cheekbone. I then applied some bronzer a little below the cheek bones to add some contouring.

Lips:

I finished with chapstick. I felt that my natural lips went well with the rest of the look, so I didn't really touch them. 

Dress:

My dress from American Eagle was perfect for the occasion. It was a great day dress, but could easily be worn for a special occasion, or a night event. I felt that the style was mature, yet was not over-the-top. All-in-all, I believe this look is carefree and bright.

Photo by: Rory M.

Summer Nights

I am a summer beauty nerd. It's the only time of the year where fearlessness is truly embraced. Case in point, summer cliff diving=crazy, but is socially acceptable, winter cliff diving=you have a death wish.

Now is the time to test out new looks! We've got cook outs, drive-ins, family reunions, road trips, romantic beach dates, summer flings, (insert the favorite summer activity of your choice), let's get fearless!

Turns out for gingers (or at least the only ginger in my life, Tay) summer beauty is daunting. Golden bronze glows are really seas of freckles, porcelain skin turns the color of lobsters and ginger hair turns carrot top orange. So, she really didn't share my summer-time beauty excitement but after some coercing, I convinced her to let me handle her make-up for her aunt's evening baby shower on Cape Cod.

Photo by: Alysha Marie

 TA-DA! Summer Nights was born! Inspired by summer nights on the beach, we focused on a bronze eye with glowing skin and rosy lips. Subtle enough to wear near your grandma but  interesting enough to attract the interest of your fashionable cousins. Did I mention that it's SUPER easy.......

Ingredients:

1. Flirt! Eyeshadow in Peach Champagne and Bronze Splash-Khols

2. Almay Ideal Lip Gloss in Berry Shimmer- CVS

3. E.L.F. Golden Bronzer-Target

4. Angled Eye Shadow Brush- Amazon.com

5. Small Round Eye Shadow Brush-Amazon.com

6. Big Round Blush Brush- Amazon.com

7. (not pictured) bowl of luke-warm water

8. (not pictures) Q-tips

Photo by: Alysha Marie

How To:
1. Dip Angled Eye Shadow Brush into cup of water; Get damp but not dripping water. Dip brush into Bronze Splash (the third color in from your left) and then draw a line from the inner corner of your eye to the end of your lash line. Now, thinly line the bottom of your lashes using the same method with the shadow and water. Repeat for your other eye.
2. Take a Q-tip and smug the bronze line you just created on your lid. I found rubbing it in a small circle motion upwards (about 1/8 of an inch), gives you the perfect smokey eye.
3. Using your Small Round Eye-Shadow Brush apply Peach Champagne (1st shadow on your left) to your  brow bone and extend up towards the arch of your eyebrow.
4. Take your Big Round Blush Brush and apply Golden Bronzer to the apples of your checks, along your hairline and along your jaw bone. This is an awesome highlighter that works for all skin types and didn't hide her freckles but gave her a nice glow.
5. Apply lip gloss and your ready to go!

Test it out and be fearless.
In fearlessness, we might find unexposed beauty within us.
OX Alysha Marie