DIY Prom Makeup

Prom was a really great time. One of my favorite things was the preparation leading up to the prom. It's the closest thing to planning a wedding that you will do in your life prior to graduating high school. I remember for months leading up to it my mom and I would go out every weekend looking for the dress, shoes, and jewelry. We would look at different hairstyles and I would pore over magazines and Kevyn Aucoin makeup books testing out different makeup looks for The Big Day.

What great fun!

The one thing I was absolutely certain of was that I would do my own makeup. I still think when/if I get married I will probably do my own makeup then, as well. There's just something about trusting your own artistry and knowing what the end result will be that really appeals to me.

If you're looking to do your own prom makeup, I have created a look that gives you not one, but TWO different options. Here's a peek at what colors I'll be working with:

Makeup in this video:

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
NYX HD Concealer in CW08 Nutmeg
MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork
MAC Eyeshadows in Moon's Reflection, Nile, Deep Truth, Beautiful Iris, Stars 'n Rockets, Naked Lunch
MAC Pigment in Grape
L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Sculptor in Brunette
L'Oreal Paris Infallible The Super Slim liquid liner in Black
Maybelline New York The Falsies mascara in Black Drama
Maybelline New York Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Foundation in 355 Coconut
MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW35
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Caramel and Amande
MAC Blot Powder
MAC Blushes in Pinch Me and Desert Rose
MAC Mineralize Sheer Sheen Powder/Loose in Lucent

Sephora Nano Lip Pencil in 15 Royal Rose
Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in 306 Crystal Rose
Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer in Rose Quartz
MAC Lipglass in Please Me

Tools:

MAC 239 Brush
MAC 217 Brush
MAC 224 Brush
MAC 129 Brush
MAC 231 Brush
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush
MAC 129 Brush
Sephora Lash Curler


Grab your makeup and let's get started!



Take a selfie and let me know how your makeup turns out! I can also give you tips along the way as you're practicing leading up to the big day via Twitter @buzzwithkee, Instagram @thebeautybuzzwithkee, or Facebook TheBeautyBuzzWithKee

When Online Shopping Goes Wrong. . .and Then Oh So Right

Online shopping can be so exciting! You get to be in the comfort of your own home, wearing your pajamas, and drinking your beverage of choice while you shop. Every item is displayed with the corresponding price, available colors, and customer reviews. You can add as many items to your cart as your heart desires. And then. . .you get to see all the pretty things in your "shopping cart" and make your final decisions before you click the "Order" button.

What's not to like?

I'll tell you what. When your order arrives and you are unhappy with the purchase. For many of us, this is the end of the story. Those unwanted products go into a box that sits in the corner of your closet or the bottom drawer of your nightstand and you don't look at that box again until it is time to add another item.

Here is the part that you're missing: the best part. To me, the only thing better than getting a product you love, is getting a product you don't love and exchanging it for something better!

As you can see pictured above, I had a Sephora fail. I ordered three of the Lip Creams and quickly swiped each one on my lips. I then quickly ran to grab my makeup wipes and scrub them off my lips. I have seen and watched quite a few raves on this product in blogs and on YouTube and unfortunately, I am just not a fan! However, this meant I got to go to Sephora (in person) so that I could exchange them for something else! It's like having free money to shop with. . .except it isn't free, it's mine!

I stopped into Sephora right at 10:00 am as they opened the door on Saturday and promptly went directly to the Nars display. Originally I had ordered a Radiant Creamy Concealer and found it to be a tad bit too dark. I kept that one and decided that I could now "afford" another one in a lighter shade!

Here is the trick: In my mind, once the money has been spent, it doesn't matter how many or how few products I get in exchange. If I have $35 coming my way in returns, that means I have up to $35 to spend on my next item(s) if I choose.

So, keep hold of your receipts and use your unhappy online shopping experiences to create new exciting "in person" shopping experiences!


What have you exchanged lately? Tweet me @buzzwithkee using #exchangedforbetter