2015 has been quite the year! It’s hard to believe 2016 is right around the corner but I’m looking forward to a romantic evening with my husband. Even though we don’t have any fancy plans, I still love getting all dolled up. I’m sharing my New Year’s Eve beauty look featuring EcoTools limited-edition holiday brush sets PLUS a chance to win your own set of EcoTools brushes. The Four-Piece Beautiful Complexion Set, Festive & Flawless Face Set and Mini Essentials Holiday Set are must-haves to keep you looking beautiful in 2016!
Messy Pony Tutorial
You know what I love about messy ponytails? They don’t (or shouldn’t) require much time or effort. But of course, the day I break down my step-by-step tutorial, it takes me longer to figure out the perfect formula for a messy ponytail. The best tip I can offer is this: stop thinking and just do it. Embrace the bumps, the loose strands and natural texture. Anyways, I’m excited to share with you my messy pony look that only requires a brush, a couple hair ties and hair spray.
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Holiday Makeup Tutorial: Winged Liner & Red Lips
I can’t believe the holiday season is right around the corner! This month has gone by so fast so I’m trying to soak in every moment because this is also my favorite time of the year. I’ve been testing a bevy of holiday makeup releases, including three new Ecotools brush kits that are perfect for getting all dolled up for the season. The Festive & Flawless Set features five face brushes (two of which can double for eyeshadow), and the Mini Essentials Holiday Set (ideal for those who are traveling). Personally, I’m a huge fan of the Four-Piece Beautiful Complexion Set, which couples all the essentials for a festive beauty look. Psss—you can get $3 off in-store at Ulta on the Four Piece Beautiful Complexion Set.
Here’s a step-by-step holiday makeup tutorial to achieving a flawless festive beauty look—complete with a sexy red lip!
Step 1. First, take your Skin Perfecting Brush and apply your favorite foundation.
Step 2. Next, take the Precision Foundation Brush from the Festive and Flawless Face Set and use it to apply your concealer under your eyes, around your mouth, and a bit into the center of your forehead to highlight and conceal.
Step 3. Using the Buffing Concealer brush in this set, begin blending the concealer in small circular motions for flawless coverage.
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The Essential Eye Brush Kit
With my wedding just a little less than three weeks away (eeek!! I can’t believe it!!), most of my down time has been spent working on wedding related things. I’ve come to rely on a simple makeup routine—one that requires just a few products that last all day or I can take with me on the go. Enter: EcoTools Essential Eye Set, which includes a large eye brush, angled crease brush, petite eye shading brush, highlighting brush and smudge brush. Combine this brush set with one of my favorite eye palettes in my arsenal—my Urban Decay Naked 3 (I love the romantic shimmery and matte rose shades) and my makeup arsenal is complete. Check out this eye look I created for my Parisian themed bridal brunch…
Love my eye look? Here’s a quick breakdown of how you can achieve this eye look using this essential eye brush kit, priced perfectly under $8:
I used the large eye brush to blend a base shadow (Limit) over the entire eyelid. I then applied Nooner, a slightly darker shade along the crease using the angled crease brush (it adds just the right amount of definition to the outer crease of my eye) while the petite eye shading brush is perfect for an accent color. I use the highlighting brush to accentuate the brow bone (using Strange, a pure crème white) and the inner corners of my eye. As a quick and final touch-up, I smudge the Darkside shadow as eyeliner along the lash line for a smokey finish. I finish with a couple coats of mascara and voila!
EcoTools Essential Eye Set, $7.99
Photography by Stacy Bauer
Thank you EcoTools for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own.
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Complexion Perfectors: Makeup Brushes Under $8
Lately I’ve been opting for less eye makeup and focusing on perfecting my complexion. Maintaining a healthy and glowing complexion starts with an arsenal of complexion perfectors. Lucky for me (and you!), you can scoop up two effective makeup brushes for just under $8 a piece.
My skincare routine starts with my favorite summer moisturizer and illuminating eye cream. In the hot summer months I always opt for my go-to Tinted Moisturizer with SPF to protect my skin and give me a sheer summer glow. I’ve been using my EcoTools Custom Coverage Buffing Brush to help smooth out makeup lines. This is one of my favorite makeup brushes because it buffs liquid or mousse foundation in to the skin flawlessly. It applies just the right amount of product and prevents any caking. Every gal needs a powder brush in her makeup arsenal too. Keeping my makeup intact during those hot and humid days is hard to do but I’ve been heavily relying on finishing powder. My EcoTools Large Powder Brush works great for loose and pressed powder for an even all-over dusting before I step outside. I know I’ve mentioned this in previous posts before, but these really are the softest brushes I’ve ever felt—high-end brands included.
Shop my makeup look from this post:
Thanks EcoTools for sponsoring this post!