Where Have I Been?

So I have been MIA for the last few months, where have I been??

Well along from being busy with just life in general I have finally started a YouTube channel! Having a YouTube channel has been a dream of mine for a few years now, so one day I woke up and decided to make that dream a reality. I was so scared and nervous and obviously felt so awkward on camera!

Writing on a blog is one thing, but speaking to a camera is quit another and takes a lot of practice. 

My channel has been active for about 3 months at this point now and I absolutely love it!! I still wouldn't consider myself a professional, but I am enjoying the learning process and having fun with it. 

So if you are interested in seeing my face over on youtube you can find me here. 

My channel consist of videos about makeup, fashion, beauty, DIY and many things in-between. I hope you'll join me :)

XO, Ashley

Coral/Bronze Makeup Tutorial

This look is super easy and can work with any eye-shadow color you wish. I just loved the warmth the bronze/coral colors brought to my face, and since I'm starting to look a bit pale these days I can sure use it! 

To create this look I used E.L.F. cream eye-shadow in the color Bronzed and Wet n' Wild Sparkle 'Til Morning Palette.

I started off by applying the cream shadow as a base and brought it down to the lower lash line.

Pat the coral shadow on top of the base and blend it upward. For a more dramatic look run it along the lower lash line as well.

Run some black eye liner along the water line and upper lash line. Using a pointed brush blend out the liner to soften the look. Add a few coats of your favorite mascara.

To tie the look together I applied a bit of bronzer, highlighter and peachy blush. For my lips I used Revlon's just bitten kissable balm stain in Adore.

XO,Ashley

Glittery Green Makeup Tutorial

This smoky green eye-shadow look is so glamorous! It's perfect for nights out or upcoming holiday parties. This look is earthy yet sultry, it's great for all skin tones and eye colors. To create this look I used a combination of Maybelline's Sun-baked eye-shadow palette and E.L.F.s mineral eye-shadow in earthy.But of course you can use what-ever similar colors/products you have on hand.

Start off by packing on elf's earthy onto the lid. Since it is a loose eye-shadow I dip my brush into a bit of water first to help the shadow stick.

Next place a matte brown shadow in the crease working it up to before the brow bone. Tip: when working with glittery shadows it's best to start with the eye makeup before doing the rest of your face since there will be plenty of fall out.

Taking a glittery dark brown shadow blend it into the outer V working it up into the crease.

Next apply a highlight to the corner of the eye and brow bone.

To create a smoky look apply green eye shadow along the lower lash line.

Apply eyeliner and mascara. For a more dramatic look I decided to add some fake lashes.

XO,Ashley

Wet n' Wild Mega Last Lipstick Review

Recently I was in the market for some new vampy/bold lipsticks to add to my collection. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money, so I headed to the drugstore and picked up a few of these wet n' wild mega last lipsticks. On the website they claim this lipstick last up to 4 hours and wont bleed or fade. With a $1.97 price tag I was a little skeptical, but decided to try them out. 

This gorgeous cranberry red color is called Cherry Bomb. Its such a classic red color and its my favorite out of them all.

This lovely raspberry color is called Sugar plum fairy, its perfect for days that you want a nice bright look.

Vamp it up is definitely a bold color. Its a beautiful deep dark plum shade that's build-able allowing you to control the intensity of the look.

Review:

Pros:Great pigmentation,Affordable, pretty good lasting power.
Cons:Horrible packaging,its very drying if worn without any lip balm,starts to crust up after awhile.

 After reviewing these three colors from the mega-last collection I would happily purchase more in the future. For such an affordable price you're getting a great lip product. 

XO,Ashley

Blood Splattered Nails

This nail polish look is so disturbing and bloody its perfect for Halloween! Its a messy process but the completed look is worth it.

Start by applying a couple coats of white nail polish and allow it to dry completely.

Do this next step over a few paper towels because it does get messy.Then dab a bit of red nail polish onto the paper and dip one end of the straw into it. Make sure the straw is completely covered and blow through the other end. You may need to do this a couple times till you achieve the look you want.

Dip a cotton swab into nail polish remover and clean up any excess polish.

And you're done.

XO,Ashley

Smokey Purple Eye-Shadow Tutorial

For this look I will be using my Petal Pusher palette from Wet n Wild. This affordable palette consist of 8 highly pigmented and silky shadows allowing you to create day&night looks. I highly recommend it!

(use as reference)

Apply a white eye shadow base to your lid, this will really make the shadows pop.

Next apply the 1st eye shadow to the lid stopping about half way. Apply the 2nd lid color to the other half and lightly blend.

Apply the crease color stopping before the brow bone and blend.

Next apply the outer v shadow and blend it up into the crease creating that smokey look.

Apply inner corner and brow bone shadow. Then take a white eyeliner and run it along your water line+lower lash line.

Next use the 2nd lid color to smoke out the lower lash line.

Apply eyeliner and some mascara and you're done!

XO, Ashley

Natural Gold Makeup Tutorial

This is one of my favorite go to day time looks because its super simple and pretty. Gold toned eye shadows are flattering on many different skin tones and eye colors,especially green. 

 Most of the products I used are from them drugstore apart from my Naked palette. If you don't have that palette not to worry just use similar colors.

Start by applying a base. This is Elf's jumbo eye shadow stick in the color Little miss thing.

Next use the warmth of your finger to blend it out. 

On top of the base pat on Half Baked stopping at the crease.

Next blend the color naked from the crease to below the brow bone.

Apply the color Virgin onto the brow-bone and the corner of the eyes.

Using a black kohl pencil line the top lid.

With a small angled brush pat the color Dark horse on top of the liner to smoke it out. Bring it down to the lower lash line stopping 2/3 of the way in.

Curl lashes and apply a couple coats of mascara or false lashes for a more dramatic look.

Apply blush and lipstick of your choice. I used Elf blush in the color tickled pink and Revlon's just bitten kissable balm stain in Adore.

XO,Ashley

Current Favorite Makeup/Nail Products

Here is a list of my current beauty favorites!I love to try new products but these are the items that have become staples in my everyday routine. Finding makeup you like can be a real trial and error process, not to mention it can get pricey. I hope you find a little knowledge on some items I'm loving and try them out for yourself!

Revlon whipped foundation in medium beige is one of my "holy grail" products. This stuff is great because it has build-able coverage without feeling cakey. It is an awesome choice in drugstore foundation!

I have a pretty extensive collection of concealer, both drugstore and high end. This Rimmel Match perfection has been the one I reach for the most lately,it gives great coverage for blemishes.

NAKED BASICS by Urban Decay is such an amazing palette! This thing has been used everyday since I got it. It is a bit pricey, but completely worth it! The shadows are very pigmented and versatile, love it!

With there being so many choices in mascaras I am constantly changing it up. I've heard mixed reviews on Maybelline's one by one volume express in blackest black,so I was a bit skeptical. To my surprise I have really enjoyed it and it makes my eyelashes super long. The formula is build-able without feeling crusty or clumpy.

I am obsessed with winged eyeliner and e.l.f. liquid eyeliner is my favorite tool to achieve that look. The formula is pigmented and smooth, the wand is also easy to use if you're beginner. With its $1.00 price tag whats not to love? 

 NYX blush in peach is so pretty and feminine, its not chalky and the color pay off is awesome. It is easy to over do it with this blush, but with a fluffy brush its super blend able.

Lately I have been wearing nothing but this Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick in #103. Its such a lovely rose pink color. The formula is not sticky or drying and it has a nice floral scent.

 These two nail polishes have been my go to choice for months. ESSIE in Play Date is actually the polish I wore on my wedding day, its such a beautiful soft purple color. ESSIE in Mint Candy Apple is a bright and happy light green shade, I always receive compliments when I wear it.

I hope my list of favorites inspired you to maybe try some new products!

XO, Ashley