Moving Day

Hi All,

I've moved my website and blog to one convenient location!

www.blushingartistry.com/blog 

Please make the updates to your subscriptions!

xoxo. LP

Men's Gifting Guide

As promised... 

According to my dear husband, Valentine's Day is the "accessory" holiday. Therefore, I have assembled, with his help, a Gifting Guide for the men in your life. 

Dan is incredibly difficult to shop for so, I feel for all of you ladies with a challenge! Poor guy is so picky I think I'll eventually stop trying. (feel bad for him.)

I've also become really big on DIY projects as of late, and came across this amazing list of crafty goodness from Brittany over at The House that Lars Built. This is the cutest blog! 

I do hope this list provides some insight for you all in plenty of time to avoid procrastination (yeah, right.). Happy Shopping or crafting.. whichever path you choose. 

Salvatore Ferragamo 'Acqua Essenziale' Eau de Toilette:  I really like this new fragrance. It's fresh and clean, manly, but not too musky or overpowering. Thumbs up, Salvatore. 

Harry's - "The Winston" Shave Set A cute little alternative shaving company you can set up an auto replenish for your man, but this set comes with 3 blades and a tube of shaving cream. 

This sweet flask. From J Crew. How fun. I just love clever things. 

Whiskey Stones. Really NEAT, cooling stones to add to cocktails that don't melt or waterdown your man's adult beverage. Genius. 

This dark and mysterious black and gold Michael Kors watch. Shh!! Don't tell Dan, it doesn't have a date (a pet peeve of his...) whatever it's a hot watch.

Dan doesn't like these cuff links, but I think they are super cute and creative. Hopefully you do too, if not sorry not sorry.  

Good luck ladies! 

xoxo. LP

Valentine's Day Favorites

Well, January has come and gone. Dude. Valentine's Day is right around the corner! How did the year get so old already? 

In honor of Cupid and his rapidly approaching arrows, I've put together a list of my favorite little loves for this Valentine's Day  fit for any soireé you may find yourself swept off to. Pinks and Reds for life y'all! but mostly pinks.. 

Essie Nail Polish in Pink Glove Service - This is such a cute baby doll bubblegum pink color for nails. So girly and fun! 

Stila Lip & Cheek Stain in Yumberry Crush- so super sheer that you can't mess this up! Gorgeous! 

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

 ​​ in Roman Holiday,  what a perfect pink!  These lip crayons are fantastic as well. Please bring back Jungle Red! 

Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in Popsicle - This might be the only gloss one every needs. No lie. 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette: Duh. This beauty has any and every shade of flattering pink (I say flattering because no one wants to look like they have an eye infection, let's be honest.) and rose gold shadows a girl could need. Who needs a valentine? 

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface - If you haven't yet tried Tarte cosmetics I urge you to! They are a high performance natural brand of cosmetics the pigments and wearability of this line is phenomenal! 

Chanel Chance eau Tendre fragrance - The perfect blend of sweet, crisp and floral <3 smells like love is in the air. 

So apparently the only red that made the cut was MAC's Ruby Woo lip color ...she is the perfect matte red for any occasion really, but v-day for sure.  Can't go wrong here either! 

If I missed any Valentine's must-haves please let me know in the comments! 

xoxo. LP

The Small Business Struggle

I saw this on Pinterest today. [you should probably follow my board] 

There is something about reading a little piece of the internet that hits home..it kind of makes your day. 

I posted to facebook and instagram about my desire to grow my small makeup artistry venture into a more sustainable business.  I suffer the plight of a creative brain stuck in a cube office.. not sustainable. 
I am so grateful to have the support of friends and family while trying to branch out and set down roots for my cosmetics styling business. It's scary taking a journey out in the world alone. I am also the most impatient person in the world and want all this to happen overnight. I know it will be worth the wait and struggle to follow my passion and do something that I truly love everyday. 
With this blog, my business site, and hopefully a YouTube channel soon I hope to spread the word and take the wedding world by storm! 

Sharing is caring, I appreciate your referrals more than you know. 

On a swell note: 2014 is off to a good start and my calendar is starting to fill! 
Stay tuned for more pretty posts soon to come. 

xoxo. LP

The Brown Smokey Eye

Beauties,

I am working on acquiring some equipment to start filming tutorials, but until that time my sad photos will have to suffice.

Today is a simple brown smokey eye, a look coveted by many. Don't be scared.

First we will start with basic terminology. Please see image for the regions of the eye that will be discussed during this tutorial:

The lid (see #1) refers to the area of your eye from corner tear duct to opposite corner tear duct. The crease (see #2) refers to the area right above this that often disappears when you open your eyes. The brow bone (see #4) is the area of skin covering the bone directly under the eyebrows. You should familiarize yourself with these areas since they will be referenced in the future.

1. Apply an eyeshadow primer all over the eye. This means apply the product from lash line to brow bone.  I have exceptionally oily eyelids so I always use Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer, the clear one, all over before I use one that has a skin tone shade over top.  I've been using Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat a lot lately, but this changes a lot.

If you don't apply a shadow primer do not proceed to the next step. It's over. Dramatic, but seriously. 

2. Apply a medium brown shimmer shadow to the lid. I used Snakebite from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette using a Sigma E55 shader brush.

3. Apply a matte warm brown eye shadow through the crease. I used smashbox eyeshadow in nude which is discontinued, you can try MAC Soft Brown or Makeup Geek Beaches & Cream using a fluffy black haired blending brush. I used a Sigma E40 Blending Brush which is a better, cheaper version of the MAC 224. 

4. Apply a slightly darker warm brown eye shadow in the outer corner through the crease. I used MAC Brown Down using a MAC 217

5. Using a small bullet brush (I used Laura Mercier's Eye Crease Brush) apply either a matte black or super dark brown eye shadow in the outer most corner of your eye lid. Pack the color on carefully so it's nice and dark. I used blackout from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. Then using the same brush you used in step 4 blend out the color so there are no harsh lines. 

6. Apply a matte white or cream color eye shadow along the brow bone. I used Bobbi Brown Ivory 

7. Apply eyeliner on the top lashline. I used Maybelline Eye Studio gel liner in blackest black using a Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush. 

8. Under the eye, lined using an angle brush the color used in the outer corner, I used  out with the same warm brown color I used in the crease to give a soft but still defined look of lining. 

9. Finish the look with mascara, obviously. I used Chanel Le Volume in black. 

I realize this is slightly involved, but have faith! With the right tools you can totally master this look no problem. Buy the brushes!! You won't be sorry. Then I'll come over and show you how to use them and we can drink wine together. Yay! 

xoxo. LP

The 2014 Grammy's Makeup Hits

There was glitz and glam all over the red carpet last night for the 2014 Grammy's. Shout out to little Lourde for winning best song of the year. <3

These are my top makeup hits from yesterday's Grammy event.  

4. Sarah Hyland (a.k.a. Haley Dunphy from ABC's Modern Family) She is stunning! Swoon over that red lip and those rosy cheeks (for this pop of color on the apple of your cheeks try Chanel's new cream blushes in Affinite.) She looks classy without being overly made up. I love her bright undereys and the soft smudgey eyeliner on her lower lashes plus her strong, but not over-done brows.  

3. Let's discuss Katy Perry's fresh look with that amazing pink lip. Love! I would love to see a little more blush on those cheeks, but I think she looks absolutely gorgeous. For a pink lip like this try Laura Mercier creme lip color in pink label. 

2. Next up, almighty Beyonce. Look at her rocking that dark lip! I looove the smokey shimmery lid (try Makeup Geek eye shadow in Moondust). I would like her eyebrows to be filled in, but hat's my brow obsession speaking. I like how it adds kind of a natural flare to it. 

1. Zendaya Coleman: I love everything about this look. Her brows!!!  The smoldering smokey eye. Highlight + Contour, and that nude lip. On point!! I do not love her hair styling, but the makeup..mmhmm. 

For her sculpted cheek bones try Anastasia Beverly Hills' contour kit. For that hot lip try E.L.F studio matte lip color in Praline. 

What were your favorites? 

xoxo. LP

Top 10 Web Favorites for the Week

In order to spice things up, I thought I would share with you what I have found fantastic this week on the internet. 

10. A Beautiful Mess - 10 Statement Wall Ideas: 

I have been on a major design kick lately. This desire, however is significantly stifled by a severe budget shortage. Womp. Nevertheless, a girl and dream..and pin her way to a home reno. Can I get an Amen? 












9. These delicious chocolate peanut butter custard cups.

I made these  for a dinner party the husby and I went to last night. They were bomb. I strongly suggest you make them for yourself..and 5 other people. Or just eat them all yourself. I deem that totally acceptable. 











8. Lauren Conrad's amazing wedding planning. 

Can we first discuss these gold polka dot envelope liners? Swoon. Since I don't think I will ever get over my wedding obsession I still continue to pin wedding stuff. You can see my problem here and here. I think LC is the cutest and have no doubt that her wedding will be the same. I want to be there. 











7. This amazing Michael Kors timepiece. 

I now have a hopeless addiction to watches, thanks to my husband who also has this same disease. I am drawn to this hot pink beauty and I must add her to my collection. See #10 above budget shortage. boo.











6. Anastasia Beverly Hills' new dipbrow pomade. 

This stuff is waterproof!!!! Enough said. I must try it and when I do I'm sure it will be love. 















5. The Spring collection from Stella & Dot. 

My favorite piece is the Amelie Sparkle Bracelet in Peach. There are so many gorgeous pieces to this new collection. I also love the double clutch in citrine, here. 














4. My sweet friend Anjuli just relaunched her blog project. 

The design of this site is stunning and Anjuli truly has a gift for writing. She is inspiring and writes with a true openness. I invite you to share in her words. 



3. This beautiful kitchen appliance from William's Sonoma.  

There are no words. 
















2. Bekah's new blog. 

I'm not sure she has posted anything yet, but do yourself a favor and subscribe now in anticipation of greatness. You won't be sorry. She's the bee's knees. 






1. The amazing Kristy Lynn Adams. 

If you are in need of a wedding photographer in the North Carolina area you simply must book her. Now. Clock's ticking. 












I hope you've enjoyed this week's web picks. 

xoxo. LP