My May Favorites!

Hey everyone! It is time to talk about my May favorites! I have a variety of items this month that I'd like to share with you guys.  Let's get started with my beauty faves!

First off I was really excited to try out the L'oreal Miss Manga mascara.  Everyone knows that I love my Maybelline Falsies, but my only problem with that one is that it is so thick and clumpy!! The Miss Manga mascara is AMAZING when it comes to clump control.  And the wand feels comfortable in my hand (it has a certain weight to it, it doesn't feel flimsy... hard to explain!).  And of course, the results are great and it thickens my lashes as well as lengthens.

Next is the INM Out the Door clear top coat.  Recently I had noticed that my well-loved Sally Hansen clear shine top coat was beginning to get all goopy and sticky, and to make it even worse, it was taking hours and hours for my nails to dry.  I wanted to try something completely different so I walked into my CVS looking for something new.  I had never heard anything about this brand or this product so I decided to pick it up (and as far as I remember it was a reasonable price).  Can I just say how much I LOVE this top coat!! Not only does it leave my mani super shiny, it dries so fast!! Usually, I apply a base coat and two coats of polish, so it takes a while to dry.  With the Out the Door top coat, my nails are dry within 20-30 minutes.  I know it's not like a 60 second kind of thing, but as far as fast-drying top coats go, I find that these usually dry without much shine.  Unlike those, this one stays shiny and protects my manicure for a good week :)

Last is the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Gel Liner.  I was looking for a good brown liner and stumbled across this one.  I usually gravitate towards the gel or cream liners that are in a little pot.  I just find that these are easier to apply and makes a better "cat-eye look." I love this product so much that I have found myself wearing it alone on my lids without any other eyeshadow! It's so easy to use (very forgiving) and it even comes with a little brush.  To be honest, I don't use the brush, I mainly reach for my Real Techniques angled eye liner brush.

Last on my favorites list is kind of random.  For my birthday back in February, my mother-in-law sent me a book called "Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey."  It was written by Lady Fiona Carnarvon, who, along with her husband, the Earl of Carnarvon, own and operate Highclere Castle, the real location where Downton Abbey is filmed.  Basically, she tells the story of her predecessor, Lady Catherine and her husband, the then Lord Carnarvon.  I fell in love with the story and was happy to discover that she wrote another book called "Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey," the story that takes place a generation before Catherine and is about Almina, her husband's mother.  These books are SO interesting, especially if you're into history and maybe even a fan of Downton Abbey (which I definitely am!!!!). So check these out if you think you'll like them, because they're great! Lady Fiona Carnarvon also manages a blog, where she talks about her daily life at Highclere which is so interesting (ladycarnarvon.com). I'd love to visit one day :)

Let me know if you've tried any of these products! Thanks so much for reading this long and wordy post!!

Miriam

Graduation Makeup Tutorial Now Live!

Hey everyone! A new video just went live on my channel! Check out how I was considering doing my makeup on Graduation Day! Leave me a comment and subscribe if you enjoyed! <3

Miriam

April Favorites!

Ok I know I'm a bit late on this!! I'm back from a semi hiatus since IT'S THE END OF THE SEMESTER AND I'M GRADUATING! I promise I will also be getting back to making YouTube videos too people! Ok so let's get started on what I was loving this past month!

1: EOS products! I've been loving my EOS Egg for years, but I had been dying to try their other products. Recently I went into Target and saw the hand lotion by the registers and decided to try.  I am in LOVE! I use it every night on my hands right before bed.  It's important to moisturize before bed because our skin regenerates as we sleep so extra moisture is essential.  And it doesn't hurt that the smell is amazing too (I think it's a berry scent). The last time I visited Target I was checking out the dollar section and came across the EOS shave cream and decided to try it (it was only like $1 LOL).  This is a great shave cream because it leaves your skin so soft, softer than any other shave gel.  I'm not sure if these come in a regular size (does anyone know??), but I'd love to have more of it! The only annoying thing is that it takes forever to come out of the tube.

2: Eyeshadow sticks.  I got really excited recently when they started stocking NYX products at my CVS, so I decided to pick up some of their eyeshadow sticks.  These are great!! I used Strawberry Milk (a shimmery pink color) on my sister's lids as a base color when I did her engagement photo makeup look.  These sticks are a great way to add color to your lids as a base or worn alone! Also pictured is NYX Yogurt (toupe-bronze color) and Rimmel Scandal Eyes in Bulletproof Beige.

3: Lastly is the Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion skin exfoliator.  I got this in last month's Ipsy bag and it is probably my favorite product from the whole bag.  It smells like lemons and leaves your skin SO soft and radiant after using.  Basically, after washing your face in the shower, rub the exfoliator onto your skin for about two minutes and then rinse.  I wanted to purchase a full size bottle of this product, but it was way too expensive, so I guess that's the only downside!

Have any of you guys tried these products? I'd love to hear your experiences with them! Or what are some products that you have been loving this month?

Thanks for reading,

Miriam <3

New Makeup Tutorial

Hey everyone! So I was going to make a new post about my Everyday Makeup look, but then decided to make it into another YouTube tutorial.  I just think it's easier to show you instead of typing it! So anyways! Watch my super easy everyday makeup look now on my channel.  Leave me a nice little comment and don't forget to subscribe!

Watch it here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMPT2c4W4-Y&list=UUE9lmK5FkyzJbG1LBsKNDsw

As always, thanks for watching and reading!

<3 Miriam

New YouTube Video!

Hey everyone! I've got a new video now live on my channel! See how I created this beautiful Spring time makeup look.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zlW55LgkiA&index=2&list=UUE9lmK5FkyzJbG1LBsKNDsw

Don't forget to subscribe and leave me a comment :D

Miriam <3

New Video Live on my Channel!

Hi readers! I just uploaded a new video inspired by my post a while back.  Learn about my all time favorite lipsticks! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think and don't forget to subscribe :D

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dZw2-yfAVE

New Video Live on my Channel!

Hi guys! I just uploaded a new video to my channel! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Don't forget to subscribe!!

youtube.com/miriamcpratt
<3 Miriam

My Top 5 Favorite Lipsticks!

Hello there readers!! Today will be a simple yet very important topic: LIPSTICKS.  I have developed a recent obsession with these things (you'd think that I had like 12 sets of lips in order to wear them all lol).  It was a very difficult process, but I have come up with my top 5 lipsticks, and here they are in no particular order (except for #1 because that's legit my favorite one):

5:Kate by Rimmel in #101: Pinky nude shade that works great for everyday wear and even with a more dramatic smokey eye.

4: Deborah Milano Atomic Red matte lipstick: beautiful bright red matte color that is perfect for special nights out, especially in the fall and winter time.

3: Wet n Wild in #511B: I could have sworn this color was called like Fuschia something or the other, but apparently not.  It's a few years old, but it's a bright fuschia color that I love using in the summer and spring, but I will definitely still wear it all year round :)

2: Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Deepest Cherry: this is a beautiful dark cherry/wine color that I love for the fall.  I basically wore it everyday a few years ago around Oct/Nov/Dec and I think it looks beautiful against lighter skin tones.

1: EM Cosmetics lipstick in Violaceous: If any of you guys read my blog, you will know this is my favorite lip color!! It is so creamy and so moisturizing, it feels so luxurious when you apply it.  The color is perfect, it's like a lilac/purple shade.  I received it in my Ipsy bag a few months ago and let me tell you, I wasn't too sure about it at first.  I had never tried any plums or purples on my lips before, but I am now a lilac lover!!

I hope I have inspired you to try these colors or something similar! It's always great to try things outside of your comfort zone -- you will never find products you love if you don't (ok and maybe products you hate)!!.

Side note.... I am starting YouTube videos soon.  Let me know what you think and what kind of video you'd like to see!

Thanks for reading!!
<3 Miriam

PS: If you're interested.. my makeup bag is from VS PINK. I got it at the Semi Annual Sale last month :)

Soft & Romantic Valentine's Day Makeup

Hi readers!! So of course Valentine's day is around the corner! I know I will be going all out with my makeup when I go out with the hubs that night :)! Today I was playing around with makeup, trying to come up with a good look that I can share with you guys.  I'm obsessed with purples and lilacs at the moment so I decided to go with that.  Keep reading if you want to achieve this beautiful and soft look for Valentine's day (or any other day!).

1: First moisturize and prime.  I used Maybelline's Baby Skin (of course) and applied all over with a foundation brush.

2: Next comes foundation.  I used my Rimmel Stay Matte foundation and applied with my Real Techniques stippling brush.

3: Conceal and highlight under eyes with a good concealer.  I used the Rimmel Match Perfection underneath my eyes and the Physician's Formula Perfecting Concealer Duo for any blemishes.

4: Now the finish: apply a good face powder anywhere you applied concealer to seal it all in.  I used NYX's Radiant Finishing Powder (LOVE btw!).

5: Can't forget the brows people! Define your brows with anything you like to use... I used my e.l.f. eyebrow kit.

6: Prime your lids.  I used my e.l.f. eyelid primer all over lids and crease.

7: Ok now for the eyes. For this look, I used my Too Faced In Your Dreams palette.  First, I applied Pink Peacock all over my lid (or any light shimmery pink will work of course) with a flat shader brush.  Next, apply a dark purple to the crease (I used Dream On) with a fluffy crease brush.  Then, a dark grey to the outer V of your eyelid (I used Fishnet) using a small accent brush.  Keep blending! Blending is the most important step!

8: Now line the top of your lash line with a black cream liner and add a little flick at the outer corner (I used my e.l.f. cream liner).  Line your waterline with a brown pencil liner (like the NYX eyebrow and eyeliner pencil in Medium Brown) and then using an angled brush, apply a brown shimmery eyeshadow underneath your lash line (I used Rapture) to smoke it out.

9: Mascara time! I used my Makeup Forever Smoky Extravagant mascara, but of course any kind will work.  You can also apply false lashes here too (I might do that on Valentine's day).

10: Now for the cheeks.  Use a good bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks, under the jaw line, and up to the top of your forehead.  Next, apply a highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones (like NYX's Liquid Illuminator). Then, last but not least, a pink blush to the apples and blend out to your hairline (NYX's Baked Blush in Spanish Rose).

11: Now for the best part! Lipstick! I used my all-time favorite lipstick here... EM Cosmetic's lipstick in Violaceous.  It is the most beautiful lilac color and I am obsessed.

There ya go! Don't you look pretty? I'd love to know if anyone tried this look and how it worked out for you! Thanks for reading :)

<3 Miriam

Products used:

My Flawless Face Essentials!

Hello readers!!! So I thought I'd share an important part of my beauty routine -- how to get that perfect complexion! Here are my flawless face essentials:

1: First and foremost, it is always important to start with a good daily moisturizer.  There's nothing more annoying than applying makeup to a dry face.  It's just not pretty!! Every morning, I use my Genove Fluidbase moisturizer for Normal skin.  There is also a version available for dry and combo skin.  This is by far the BEST moisturizer I have ever used.... it is so delicate, which is something I look for because I have very sensitive skin.  Check out the whole Genove line here: http://www.genoveusa.com/~shop/main.html

2: Before applying foundation, it is imperative to use a good primer.  Lately, I've been using the Maybelline Baby Skin pore eraser.  Primers are great for minimizing pores, keeping your foundation in place all day, and allowing any makeup to adhere to skin more smoothly.

3: As many of you know, I am now obsessed with the Rimmel Stay Matte foundation.  Using a good foundation that will minimize any shine is important for a flawless look!

4: Next, I use my Rimmel Match Perfection concealer under the eyes.  If you read my blog, you know that this is great for accentuating the area under your eyes and getting rid of those pesky dark circles.  You also need a great concealer for any blemishes.  I get a lot of redness around my cheeks due to old pimples (mine take FOREVER to disappear) so I like to use my Physician's Formula dual tone concealer.  Any concealer that comes with that green color is great for getting rid of any redness and coloration when used UNDERNEATH the skin tone concealer.

5: Now it's time for powder.  Powder is so important to any makeup look -- it keeps everything in place!! I like to carry around a spare compact just in case I need to blot during the day!

That's all for now lovelies! Thanks for reading!! Leave a comment and let me know what you think :)

<3 Miriam

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer & Stay Matte Foundation Review

Hey guys I'm back!!! After a long and tedious revamping of my blog I finally like how it looks!! Anyways.... on to the review:

So I recently picked up two products that I have been dying to try: the Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation and the Rimmel Match Perfection concealer.  I figured that since I am obsessed with the Stay Matte powder I should give the foundation a try.  Let's just say it is PERFECT.  Right when you start applying, you can tell that it is going to give you full coverage and keep any shininess away.  My only problem is that I think I bought it in the wrong shade (stupid of me lol), it was a bit too light but not too much since it still worked.  I recently did a lookbook photoshoot (which will be up soon after editing... I'm really excited!) and I used this foundation because I knew I wanted good coverage.  So basically, I give it a 10/10.

Next is the Rimmel Match Perfection concealer.  I love this product.  The shade is perfect and it gave my eyes a bit of a glow.  I really only used it under my eyes to brighten the area (because I love my Physician's Formula color correction concealer duo for hiding blemishes). It was super easy to apply - it has one of those brush tips that load the concealer and then you just apply to your face.  I also give this a 10/10.

Ok random thought. Are any of you guys Ipsy subscribers? For my January bag, I received the Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow pencil and I'm pretty sure it gave me a rash around my eyelids and crease.  Did anyone experience this??? It was kind of scary lol and I don't know, it may not have even been because of this product (maybe something else??). Ah well!

Thanks for reading <3
Miriam

MOTD

Tonight's makeup look brought to you by:

A Slice of my Makeup Bag

Heya :) So I thought I’d do a “what’s in my makeup bag?” kind of thing to start off my blog. Here goes:

1. Primer: e.l.f. Mineral Face Primer, which is AMAZING by the way and I’ve tried A LOT of primers. And for some reason I have two eyeshadow primers: my e.l.f. shadow primer and NYX eyeshadow base. Both are great, but the e.l.f. one is much better, plus I’ve noticed that many people rave about it.

2. Foundations: I have two for some reason. My trusted Rimmel BB Cream in “light” because it’s amazing and then my new Almay Wake up liquid makeup in “ivory” because I just got it and to be honest I’m not sure how I feel about it yet.

3. Concealer: Right now I toting around my Physician’s Formula Perfecting Concealer duo that I got for literally like $2 at CVS.  It has a green tone that you apply below the actual concealer that hides redness and blemishes.  Then on top of that you just add the normal skin tone concealer to cover any minor flaws.  When I apply this, I usually use a concealer brush and then blend it out with my beautyblender makeup sponge. IT IS SUCH A GOOD PRODUCT.

4. Powder: the amazing Rimmel Stay Matte powder - seriously one of the best that I have ever used.
5. Blush/bronzer/highlighter: My favorite product has to be my new Ultimate Glow Face trio by Victoria’s Secret that I just bought at the Semi Annual Sale.  It has a bronzer, blush, and highlighter shade (that I apply at the top of my cheekbones and down my nose) and it gives such a pretty glow and color to my face.  Also have NYC Cheek Glow in Central Park Pink and NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in Pink Cheek Glow (these are ok, they’re inexpensive so what do you expect?).  Not to mention my Covergirl blush (I think the color is “pink”?) that I have literally had for years and it still has not run out. It is a beautiful color and very pigmented - one of my faves for sure.  Almost forgot my new NYX Liquid Illuminator in the color “sunbeam.” Not sure how I feel about this yet, but I will definitely let you guys know.

6. Eyebrows: e.l.f. Eyebrow kit which I am obsessed with.  I don’t feel like my makeup look is complete without a good defined brow. Basically I take an angled brush into the waxy part, apply it to my brows creating the shape.  Then, I take the powder to set it and it stays all day I love it! I also have a new product: the NYX “pushup bra for your eyebrows” yeah that’s literally what it’s called.  Basically it’s a two sided pencil, one side to fill in your brows then the other is a highlighter that I like to apply underneath the arch to give a lifted effect and not to mention a nice highlight (I don’t like filling in my brows with a pencil so I only use the highlighter).

7. Eyeliner:  I have a few for some reason: my Sephora kohl expert and my Hard Candy Take Me Out Liner.  Both are good, but what I mainly use is my e.l.f. Cream Eyeliner which I definitely recommend if you have trouble applying any type of liquid eyeliner it’s a life saver.

8. Eyes: I always use my Revlon eyelash curler before applying mascara, it creates a more dramatic curling effect to any mascara.  Right now I’m using the Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions mascara which is amazing.  I used the Maybelline Cat Eyes mascara for a long time which is also AMAZING.  I decided to try out a new one because I have this thing where I always need to try a different mascara and I really don’t know why….

Ok so that’s my makeup bag :) And I realized that maybe I keep too many things in there lol.  Hope I maybe gave you guys some inspiration…. ask me any questions you might have!! <3