RiRi Hearts MAC Smoked Cocoa Tutorial

Hey Babez!! Sorry I have been MIA for a few weeks..a lot goes on in the life of this full time mom! Okay so I finally got my hands on part of the RiRi Hearts MAC Collection...shout out to my client! Lol. So in this tutorial I will tell you how I did my eyes and lips using mostly the collection pieces except for one of my everyday eye shadows. Hope you enjoy!!!

For Smoked Out Eyes:

• Apply concealer to entire lid blending up to brows with fingertips (MAC NW 40 Studio Finish Concealer)
• Apply lighter brown eye shadow above brow bone in a sweeping motion with a blending brush. (MAC Saddle and MAC #217 brush)
• Apply the matte gray color (top left) from Smoked Cocoa palette on brow bone slightly blending upward into lighter brown color using same brush in sweeping motions.
• On center of lid, apply the frosty white color (top right) from Smoked Cocoa palette in patting motions without blending using the same brush.
• Using a smaller brush, apply the glittery dark color (bottom left) from Smoked Cocoa palette in sweeping motions on the inner and outer corner of the lid blending into the shimmery white color. Make sure to blend out any harsh lines. (MAC #219 brush)
• Using same small brush, apply the matte black color (bottom left) to the crease area going from outer corner to inner corner.
• Apply liner and mascara or lashes.

For Ombre'd Plummy Nude Lips:

• Apply lip primer or moisturizer. (MAC Prep+Prime Lip)
• Using a lip brush, apply RiRi Hearts MAC Talk That Talk lipstick to outer part of lip blending inwards.
• From the tube, apply RiRi Hearts MAC Nude lipstick in the center blending outward toward the darker lipstick.
• Use dark plum lip liner to line and define lips. (MAC Currant)

 

Loving my highlight in this picture!!! I used RiRi Hearts MAC Diamonds Cream Color Base..my new fave!!

Voila!! A smokey eye and nude lip with a pop of color. This look can be pulled off as an every day look or just choose one lipstick rather than both to make it more of an evening look focusing on the eyes. I just love a good smokey eye and the pop of color in the center of the lid is like icing on the cake..or marshmallows in my cocoa lol.

This look is my recreation of an artist I follow on YouTube..so if you are more of a visional babe I will post the link here to her post! Subscribe to her too because she is a great artist!

Happy Tuesday babez!! I'm looking forward to sharing more of what goes on in this makeup driven world of mine!! Stay tuned!

xoxo,
Rayci

Pink Friday: Pink Chocolate and the Minaj

Hey Barbz (in my Nicki voice)!! That's right today's look will be a recreation of one of Nicki Minaj's pink looks. We know she loves to rock a pink lip, but I've noticed in a lot of pictures on her Instagram, www.instagram.com/nickiminaj that she wears a smokey pinkish chocolate look on her eyes a lot too. Also, Nicki Minaj has been a big supporter of breast cancer awareness through her charity and even on the entertainment scene. Check out www.mypinkfriday.com/charity for more info on how she has been an impact in the worldwide awareness of breast cancer. So here goes my take on this star's signature look!!

For the eyes:

• Apply neutral base to eyes with fingertips. (MAC Layin' Low paint pot)
• Sweep medium brown eye shadow on brow bone with a fluffy brush. (MAC Saddle and #224 brush)
• Sweep warmer reddish brown on crease blending up towards medium brown eye shadow with same fluffy brush. (MAC Swiss Chocolate)
• Buff in small circular motions from outer corner to inner corner a deep orangey brown color in crease area focusing on eye socket area with a pencil brush. (MAC Brownscript and #219 brush)
• Pat shimmery pink loose pigment onto eyelid stopping at outer corner with a flat shader brush. Spray moisturizing spray onto brush (loaded with pigment) to make it moist for better color pay off and less fall out. (Naked Cosmetics Twilight TW-03 pigment, MAC #239 brush, and MAC Fix + spray).
• Shade outer corner of eyelid with a deep red violet color in a sideways v shape ( (<) for left eye and (>) for right eye) to smoke out and add some depth with the same shader brush. (MAC Sketch)
• Blend out any harsh lines with a dry (no product) fluffy blending brush. Sweeping back and forth motions and buffing circular motions will help to blend out harshness. (MAC #224 brush)
• Apply favorite black eyeliner with a slight wing and mascara. (MAC Blacktrack Fluidline and Lancôme Hypnose Drama mascara).

For Lips:

• Prime lips. (MAC Prep + Prime Lip)
• Line lips feathering the color inwards just a little. (MAC Plum lip liner)
• Apply lipstick. (Sephora Rouge Shine No. 4 So Cute!)
• Apply lipgloss. (Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer 131 Mica)

 

Products used can be found on www.maccosmetics.com, www.sephora.com, www.chanel.com, and www.nakedindustry.com

 



That's all for this "I Heart Boobies" Breast Cancer Awareness look! It's quick and simple and it can be worn day or night! I hope you all love it! Have a great weekend! Next week I will do more in regards to Breast Cancer Awareness and also a makeup look for Domestic Violence Awareness! To start off your weekend on a nice note..let's see what Nicki Minaj says she cannot live without!

"I can't see myself without pink lipstick. I can go without it for a couple days, but if there was no more pink lipstick in the world, I'd be useless. Seriously." -Nicki Minaj

Gotta love the HBIC (Head Barb In Charge) :)
xoxo,
Rayci

THiNK PiNK Edition: Two ways to Rock out a Brown Smokey and Pink Lippie!

Good Afternoon Babez! As we all know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month! One of my favorite makeup looks to wear going into the Autumn/Winter season is a smoky brown eye and a pink pout. So in light of wearing pink for awareness of this disease, I will share two of my favorite pink and brown makeup looks. For more information on breast cancer and the awareness around this type of cancer please visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org. For this non-pictorial tutorial, I will be listing the steps for the eyes and lips for both looks!

First Look: Smoky Sultry Eyes

• Apply concealer on entire eye with fingertips. (NW40 MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer)
• Sweep a reddish-brown eye shadow to brow bone with a fluffy brush. (MAC Brownscript and #217 brush)
• Sweep a brown eye shadow in crease area blending downwards with same fluffy brush. (MAC Brown Down and #217 brush)
• Sweep a brownish brown or black eye shadow into eye socket crease with a smaller precise brush to keep the color concentrated in the specific area. (MAC Carbon and #219 brush)
• Apply a cream based shimmery brown eye shadow to lid and blend into crease area with fingertip. (MAC Éclair Paint Pot)
• Apply favorite black gel liner and a pair of lashes. (MAC Black Black Chromaline and #210 brush)

For Pinky Nude Lips:

• Line lips with a skin tone lip liner. (MAC Cork lip liner)
• Apply pinky nude lipstick. (MAC Viva Glam II lipstick)
• Apply golden shimmer lip gloss. (Rimmel Show Off lip lacquer in Stargazer)

For Natural Smoky Eye:

• Apply concealer on entire eye with fingertips blending up to brow bone. (MAC NW40 Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer)
• Sweep contour shade in crease blending up lightly to brow bone with a fluffy brush. (MAC Blunt blush and #224 brush)
• Apply cream based shimmery brown eye shadow to lid and blend into crease area with fingertip. Apply a second layer for more intensity. (MAC Éclair Paint Pot)
• Pat shimmery pinky-gold color in tear-duct blending into cream based eye shadow on lid. (MAC Melon Pigment)
• Apply favorite black gel liner and lashes. (MAC Black Black Chromaline and #210 brush)

For Bolder Pink Lip:

• Fill in lips with red lip liner. (MAC Cherry lip liner)
• Apply pale pink lipstick on top of red liner. (MAC Snob lipstick)
• Line lips with plum lip liner. (MAC Vino lip liner)
• Apply brighter pink lip gloss. (Rimmel Show Off Nova lip lacquer)

Voila!! Now you have two looks to rock day or night..and it will help bring awareness to breast cancer throughout the rest of October!

Some of the products used in today's two looks. Top left: Brownscript is bottom right, Brown Down is middle, and Carbon is top right eye shadow. Top right: Éclair paint pot. Bottom Left: Rimmel Show Off lip lacquer in Stargazer and Nova. Bottom right: Swatches of the Show Off lip lacquers. Items can be found at www.maccosmetics.com and www.walgreens.com

 

Rayci's Random Rant or Rave: I really like Rimmel's new Show Off lip lacquers. They are creamy and have a nice color pay off. I personally wouldn't wear them alone because they aren't longwearing but they work great applied on top of lipstick! The only thing I love less is the smell and taste. I have a bad habit of licking my lips lol. Over all I would rate it a 3 out of 5. 

Tomorrow's focus with be on Breast Cancer Awareness. I will share some facts supported by the Breast Cancer Awareness Organization and recreate a look from a celebrity that has made it one of her missions to spread awareness of breast cancer through everything PINK no matter the time or day!! Who could it be? Come back tomorrow to check her out!

xoxo,
Rayci

"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and...I believe in miracles." -Audrey Hepburn

I need some Oil Control..and I need it now!

Hey Babez! I hope you all are having a great week! Today's What's Up Wednesday topic is in regards to some MAC products that will help you combat oily skin! Although I don't personally have oily skin, I have clients that do and these are the products I have used on them. These are my recommendations based off my familiarity and research of the products I use. Feel free to comment on any other oil controlling products you love from any cosmetic line and I will check those out to broaden my oil controlling products horizon! Okay..let's get started!

A few signs you have oily skin:

• Oily skin has a shiny slick surface.
• Oily skin produces more blackheads and is most likely acne prone.
• Oily skin has larger visible pores on the face, especially on nose, forehead, and cheek area.

Skin type test to see if you have oily skin:

• Cleanse face with a gentle cleanser and rinse off with warm water. Do not put on any moisturizer or wear makeup and go on about your day. After about a hour look in mirror to see if your skin feels and looks shiny or oily. If so, then you are said to have oily skin.

Okay, now we have determined that you have oily skin. How do you take care of it?

Pictures are from www.maccosmetics.com

Exfoliating & Cleansing:

• MAC Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator- gentle exfoliator that unclogs pores and removes dead skin cells.
• MAC Green Gel Cleanser- cleanser that leaves skin feeling squeaky clean while controlling future oil production.

Moisturizing:

• MAC Oil Control Lotion- oil free moisturizer that instantly mattes the skin and controls oil production throughout the day.
• MAC Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm SPF 35- All in one- oil free moisturizer, sunscreen protector, face primer, and sheer foundation. It also reduces oil on the surface and controls shine throughout the day.
• Rayci's Reminder: If you opt for the beauty balm you do not need an extra moisturizer, sunscreen lotion, or face primer.

Primers & Solutions:

• MAC  Prep + Prime Natural Radiance- face primer that provides a matte base for the skin and controls oil throughout the day.
• MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50- face primer that provides a physical sunscreen block and contains oil absorbing ingredients.
• MAC Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone- face priming solution that reduces the visibility of large pores by 2/3 when used over time and controls oil on skin.
• Rayci's Recommendation: Use the skin refined zone as an added solution for the T-zone area and cheeks. It can be used alone or with other oil controlling primers.

Oily Skin Weekly Routine: Exfoliate twice a week, cleanse day and night, apply moisturizer after cleansing, and prime skin whether wearing makeup or not.

Oily Skin Daily Routine: Cleanse face day and night rinsing with warm (not hot) water, apply oil free moisturizer, and prime skin to get maximum oil control throughout the day.

Rayci's Disclaimer: These are my personal recommendations. I have used these products on clients and have not received any negative feedback. I am not endorsed or represented by any cosmetic line unless otherwise noted. If there are any specific oil control products you would like me to review...please comment for consideration.

All products discussed can be found on www.maccosmetics.com.

Okay babez that's all I have for skincare today! I hope this helps! Check back tomorrow for a smokey chocolatey eye and a pink pout for Trendy Thursday!

xoxo,
Rayci

Red Velvet Painted Brows...say what?!

Happy Friday Babez!! Today's topic focuses on "Painted Brows". As you see for Rihanna's latest video "Pour It Up" she is rocking a pinkish-purple set of brows (www.instagram.com/badgalriri). It looks absolutely AMAZING on her in my opinion! So I decided to paint my own brows to match my new Red Velvety hair color (I used Pravana's 6RR after lightening my hair with Redken's Up to Seven lightener). I change my hair color up often so I change up the color of my brows with makeup instead of putting any chemicals on my actual brow hairs. I know some people do it chemically but I prefer cosmetics over chemicals! In this tutorial, I'm going to show my brow routine and how to add color to your brows and still look natural and polished. Here we go!

Step One: Groom brow hairs with a spoolie, which looks like a mascara wand (not pictured in tutorial).

Step Two: Apply skin tone or one shade lighter concealer (AJ Crimson's Coverage+Conceal+Contour Palette #4) with a flat concealer brush (CAO Cosmetics Concealer brush or MAC #242 brush) and conceal any stray hairs by following along the brow bone while making the desired brow arch.

Step Three: Blend concealer downwards, with concealer brush or fingers, working towards eyelid until completely blended.

Step Four: Use a natural hair colored brow pencil or liner in the color desired (MAC Burgundy Lip Liner)  to draw and fill in the brow shape wanted. Use quick, short strokes in the direction of the eyebrows hair growth pattern. (You can use any eyebrow, eye, or lip liner...yes lip liner is okay to use!)

Rayci's Recommendation: For a bolder, brighter colored brow or to change the color of the brow entirely (like Rihanna's pinkish-purple brows), conceal the entire brow with a lighter concealer by using a spoolie or angled brow brush. Once concealed, fill in brows with desired color.

Step Five: Groom and set brows with clear or colored brow gel (MAC Show off! Brow Gel).

Step Six: Use concealer and concealer brush to clean up brows wherever necessary. Mine is applied around entire brow and applied at the beginning of brow to diminish the "boxed concealer brow" look. Lastly, BLEND BLEND BLEND! Lol..now you are all set!

Rayci's Reminder: For more naturally highlighted brows use one shade lighter than skin tone. Two shades lighter or more will give the "halo brow" look...no bueno!!

Now don't you look fab with your velvety painted brows!

My AJ Crimson palette has been worn and torn so I posted a pic of what a new one looks like (photo is from www.ajcrimson.com) Want what I have? Check out AJ Crimson's website and other products were purchased from www.maccosmetics.com. Also pictured in the brow tutorial is the Cao Cosmetics brush I used from the Pro Advanced Brush Set (www.caocosmeticsusa.com)

Well that's it for this week! Check back next Wednesday for a new topic on skin! Thank you for reading and for your support! Now let's see what RiRi is going to say for inspiration...

"I don't do things for the response or for the controversy. I just live my life." -Rihanna

Love it!! Have a great weekend babez!!
xoxo,
Rayci

From Pinned Up to Glamourous! (Winged eye and Red lip tutorial)

 

Hey Babez!! Hope you all are having a great Thursday!! Hold up..what you say? The Rihanna Hearts MAC Collection launches today at the MAC Counters?! Yes I know, I know..I already have a few of the items as you will see in this post. Did anyone else get any items from RiRi’s collection? If so leave me a comment with what you got! Right now I want to talk about this classic makeup look for Trendy Thursday and it is inspired by this classic beauty, Marilyn Monroe! I am a Marilyn lover…if you didn’t know now you know! This siren’s signature makeup look has been worn as a gal’s everyday look all the way to a glamorous evening look.  There is so much versatility and class in these two simple steps: a fierce winged eye and a bold strawberry kissed red lip. Although I will show my CustomEYEZ’d recreation of this look, I will only give tips on eyeliner and lipstick application today. My foundation, highlight, contour, brow defining and lash application will be available in future posts. K..here we go!

For the winged eyeliner:

·         Place concealer (MAC Studio Finish Concealer SPF 35 NW 40, not shown) on eyelid up to crease area blending out with fingers.

·         Buff and sweep deep brown eyeshadow (MAC Ground Brown-not at MAC Counters, but available online) into crease area creating a contour or shadow effect with blending brush (MAC #224 brush).

·         Blend the deep brown eyeshadow out with skin tone pressed powder or eyeshadow (Dark Mineralized SkinFinish Natural) with same blending brush and apply on top of crease color and on eyelid.

·         Line eyes with a gel black liner (MAC Black Black Chromaline Gel Liner- Pro product ) with a precise eyeliner brush (MAC #210 brush) close to the lashline from the inner corner to outer corner of eye. To complete the wing, draw a line angled upwards from outer corner of eye.

Rayci’s Recommendation: For beginners, follow the lower lashline upward as a guide for your wing and use a moistened, with water or makeup remover, q-tip to clean up angle of wing if necessary.

·         Line the lower lashline with a water resistant pencil liner (MAC Engraved) and line waterline with a white liner (No name brand).

·         Apply one coat of mascara if you are applying lashes or two coats if not (MAC False Lashes Waterproof).

·         Apply lashes (ModLash #33, Walgreens) for added drama. Apply with eyelash glue (Duo Lash Glue in dark, Walgreens). Items used not pictured in tutorial.

For Lips:

 

·         Prime lips with lip primer (MAC Prep &Prime Lip).

·         Line and fill in lips entirely with red lipliner (RiRi Woo Prolongwear Lip liner, limited edition RiRi Hearts MAC Collection).

·         Line lips with darker wine color (MAC Vino Lip liner).

·         Apply red lipstick (RiRi Woo Lipstick, limited edition RiRi Hearts MAC) and blend with darker liner.

Well don’t you look all nice and “Pinned Up” now!! This look can be CustomEYEZ'd for any complexion!! The beautiful redhead on my right is my friend and fellow makeup artist, Tori, rocking the exact same lip in the tutorial with MAC Blanc Type and Kidd (discontinued) eyeshadows on her lid and crease!

 

Tomorrow’s Focus Look Fridays topic is centered around one of  Rihanna’s pics from her “Pour It Up" video shoot posted on Instagram this past week (www.instagram.com/badgalriri). Rihanna rocked this classic “pin up look” in her own edgy and glamorous way…come back tomorrow to see how I CustomEYEZ a “colored brow” to go with my newest hair color for the fall! See ya later Babez!!

 

You can find the items I used at www.maccosmetics.com and www.walgreens.com.

And I will leave you with this...Marilyn said it best!

 

"I said pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together."-Marilyn Monroe

 

xoxo,

Rayci

 

All I'm in is just SKIN..

Hey Babez! Today's What's Up Wednesday topic is revolved around my daily skin care routine. I am asked on a daily basis what I use to take care of my skin. I am super big on skincare and I believe that if you take care of your skin, your makeup application will look at its best! But hey that's just my philosophy :)

Skin care is defined as "taking care of the skin" by cleansing, massaging, and moisturizing. As a graduate of Paul Mitchell Cosmetology school, I was taught that facials and having a daily skin care routine helps maintain the natural balance of the skin no matter the skin type. Today, I will focus on what I do for my skin and then throughout the rest of this month I will touch on other skin types and products best suited for my babez! So here goes it! My CustomEYEZ'd skin care routine!

Skin Type: Dehydrated (I am terrible at keeping up my water intake..it's a shame!)

Step 1: Start off with MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin while moisturizing. Squeeze a dime size amount in palm, moisten with water, massage face, and rinse with warm water. It can be used twice a week, day or night, it is good for all skin types, and can be used on the face or body.

Step 2: Cleanse skin with MAC Green Gel Cleanser to leave skin squeaky clean and help to soothe sensitive or irritated skin with its cucumber and algae extracts. Squeeze a dime size amount onto palm or cloth, moisten with water, and rinse with water. It can be used once or twice a day. This cleanser is CustomEYEZ'd for oily/and or combination skin, because of surface oil controlling agents, but can be used on all skin types.

Step 3: Spray face with MAC Fix + Spray to leave skin feeling instantly refreshed and calm while preparing it for hydration/and or moisturization. Spray mist directly onto face or spray a clean powder brush like a MAC #129 brush and press on to face. It can be used anytime the skin needs a "refresher".

Rayci's Reminder: Let Fix + air dry on skin before applying moisturizer.

Step 4: Apply MAC Careblends Essential Oil- Grapefruit & Chamomile to condition, moisturize, and soothe skin. Squeeze one drop of oil onto palm and massage onto face. It can be used daily after cleansing the skin and is good for all skin types.

Rayci's Recommendation: Mix Careblends Essential Oil with your favorite moisturizer for added moisturization

Step 4a: Apply MAC Strobe Liquid in Golden Elixir (limited edition, Temperature Rising Collection) to provide a subtle dewy look or healthy bronzy glow while moisturizing skin. Mix one pump of Golden Elixir with Careblends Essential Oil or apply alone using fingertips or a duo fibre brush like EcoTools blush brush or MAC #159 duo fibre blush brush.

Rayci's Recommendation: Apply two to three layers of Golden Elixir on higher planes of face to achieve added sun-kissed radiance to the skin throughout every season!

Step 5: Apply MAC Lip Conditioner to lips to condition chapped lips and provides a great base when paired with other lip products.

Voila! With five simple steps you can CustomEYEZ your skin to fit your needs! You just need an exfoliator, cleanser, moisturizing spray, moisturizer, and lip conditioner! If you want these particular items visit www.maccosmetics.com!

Now for tomorrow's topic, Trendy Thursday, you will see a matte (no shine) version of my skin as I rave about this classic makeup trend over a half of a century young :) Comment if you know what decade I am referring to? Stay tuned babez!!

xoxo,
Rayci