My first wedding: Cochran and Hodges

Freelance has been in my heart for a while now. I love makeup artistry and everything about its power to transform not only the way you look, but also the way you feel. So when a friend asked me to assist in her makeup on her big day, I was flattered. Our inspiration was very Lana del Rey, vintage and classic.

We went with a purple smokey eye with taupes and browns and a YLBB (your lips but better) nude lip. The eye look: Mac Satin Taupe all over the lid, Mac Soft Brown in the crease, and Naked 3 Darkside in the outer corner. Darkside is easily my favorite eye shadow of all time. It is a smokey dark grey and blends like a dream. Adding this color to the outer corner and blending lightly into the crease is the easiest one-step smokey eye. After adding a slight flick with Bobbi Brown gel liner in black, I added Esquido lashes. I have been wanting to try this lash brand for a while now, as they are basically hand threaded mink hair *read: fancy. They made a very natural statement and were the perfect finishing touch. She looked beautiful and I cannot wait to do more weddings. Cheers to the Hodges!

Photography by: Campbell Photography (website: http://www.deepsouthweddings.com/) 

Why you should try brown mascara

I know, I know. Brown mascara sounds about as appealing as cleaning the shower, or running a marathon. Everyone always looks for the blackest of the black formulas (ink, jet black, etc). I am here to tell you there is a time and place for brown mascara. Consider the following situations:

1) Very natural makeup, with no eyeliner and little to no eyeshadow: black mascara looks to harsh here and does not fit with the natural vibe of this look.

2) A brown smokey eye: this is where I love brown mascara the most. There is something about it that complements brown and gold eyeshadows so beautifully.

3) If you have blue or green eyes: brown mascara brings out the pigment in ladies with these eye colors.

Have I convinced you to try it yet?  My favorite formula of all time is Loreal Voluminous in Black/Brown, which is basically a very deep brown color.

 

What typically snubbed beauty products do you love?
xxChris

Tarte Blush in Tipsy is the Blush of Summer

I've always loved the brand Tarte. They are naturally based and always have killer releases every season. The Amazonian Clay 12 Hour blushes are some of the best blushes on the market because they last forever and are super pigmented, while still managing to be blendable. The color Tipsy (above right) is perfect for summer as it is a hot orange-coral color. Orange is not a color that you would think would be easily wearable, but it is! Just a touch of this color and some blending results in the most natural, perky cheek color. I am totally obsessed. I know this seems like a summer-only color, but I know this will take me far into fall to brighten up a tired or dull complexion. I would suggest pairing this color with neutral eyes and lips, as it's a statement by itself.

 



Do you switch up your blush for the summer months?

xxChris

Late Summer Inspiration

1. Ladylike fashion is back folks. I love the return to glamour. Feminine maxi and midi styles are everywhere with floral and chiffon being prime materials to compose summer dresses. I personally don't normally dress this feminine, but it is nice occasionally to feel extra girly. Whether it is a floral dress, rose midi skirt, or textured lace overlay (below), glamour is everywhere.

2. Is it just me or is Autumn hair everywhere? I am dying to try this color out. Only problem is that I have finally gotten my natural color back. I may decide on ombre, hidden autumn pieces for fall. That way I can retain my natural color while punching the look up a little. I did the same look this past spring with hidden golden tones underneath the top layer of my hair and ended up loving it.

3. Pure Barre still has me totally obsessing. You can dress edgy and cool, get your butt totally kicked in class, then get pretty immediate results from only 3 to 4 classes a week. Yes it is tough, yes it is expensive, yes you will be sore, but all of that pain is so worth it. I cannot stop raving about this class as my shape and flexibility are totally different. If you want to feel powerful and in charge of your body, while toning up, try your first class free. Trust me, you won't regret it.

4. Nashville, TN is easily my favorite place. I stopped in Black13 for a much planned tattoo session with Amanda. She is one of the best (there are only 2) female artists in Nashville and it takes months to get an appointment with her. Her talent is amazing and I am grateful I can work with her to create pieces of art to have my entire life. I always leave so inspired. My latest piece means so much to me and I will cherish it forever.

What has been inspiring you lately?
xxChris

Makeup switch up: reverse smokey eye

Sometimes makeup gets too routine, boring. That is why it is important to switch it up. When creating a smokey eye this morning, I swapped the placement of the colors. I added the darkest color on the inner corner of the eye and did a gradient effect from there. The easiest way to achieve this look is by adding a light shimmery (or matte) color all over the lid, add the darker color to the inner corner (blend!!), then tap a middle color on the center of the lid with your finger. I did this with a shimmery gold (Loreal Infallible Pressed Pigment in Eternal Sunshine). The resulting effect is striking and different in a good way. I find this look pairs well with a cat eye to balance the inner corner.

How do you like to switch up your makeup routine? 

xxChris 

When naivety and hope seem the same

I have a tendency to attach meaning to everything. Even simple, minor things that occur in my life become deeper to me. I long for every situation to matter and to have a distinct purpose in my life. This is why I become passionate about everything I do. This is in itself a wonderful thing, but comes with risk. Risk in expectations. Risk in confusing inconsequential events with turning points in life. 

This whole thing sounds like I am not content with my life. I am. I am beyond grateful. I am healthy and so are those that I love.  I have a Savior who died for me and my future is in Heaven. On a deep level, I am happy. There is plenty of hope in this description of life. 

As a pharmacist, I see people at their absolute worst day in and day out. I keep a running prayer list by my bed of people who need God to show up so badly. All of them are unique, but they all have the same look in their eyes: a mix of desperation and hope. People who have had life turn them inside out. Everywhere are people dying, losing their homes and jobs, wondering what will continue to sustain them in this life. I believe in the power of prayer and the power of compassion towards others, who seem to need God so much more than me. 

I come from a long line of pessimism. I tend to call it educated realism, but this opposes hope. Why expect the best when you can prepare for the worst? In my quest to attach meaning to everything, I look for God's grand purpose all the time. When I felt a deep desire to move to Nashville last year, I rejoiced at the idea that my God had a working plan for me. The idea of moving became so enticing and powerful that the idea attached itself to my very soul. When this plan fell through, I was left feeling naive. Did I think something as simple as the city I lived in was that important to God? That when half the people on my prayer list are dying in hospitals, my living situation mattered? These expectations leave me empty and wondering if meaning is not found in small novelties like I previously thought. Is being naive and hopeful in fact the same thing? Do I need to be constantly reminded that grand visions for the future are my un-transcended mind not being grateful for simplicity? 

In prayer this morning, I was reminded that my God is hope. By His very nature, He embodies hope. He represents all the moving desires in our hearts, for He put them there. The definition of naivety is "a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgement". This is a negative word with a negative meaning in our society. No one wants to lack wisdom. But then I looked up synonyms. A few I thought were interesting were innocence, trustfulness, unworldliness. Does God not call me to trust? To be unlike the world? To strive for innocence and purity? 

Despite the confusion that can be caused from being naive, I will continue to be. I will see God's grand vision in even the smallest of joys. I will be unlike the world in my passion for situations and people. I know my God is working on big things for my life and He is working on yours too. You matter. Your life has a grand picture that will change the lives of those around you. Your life is significant and hope is available to everyone who is willing to grasp it. 

Naivety and hope may seem like one in the same, but I am no longer convinced that this is a bad thing. 

xxChris

Simple Summer Makeup

Summer makeup to me is easy, fresh, and statement making. I will usually do glowy skin, with either a bold lip or cheek. My favorite products for simple summer makeup are below. 

The complexion is the first step. I use the Nars Translucent Powder to set my face makeup. This adds a glow while still keeping things relatively matte. I then use my favorite summer highlighter, Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips. This product is absolutely holy grail because it can be used as a highlighter or a gorgeous sunset-inspired eyeshadow look. It is basically rose gold with tons of shimmer so I usually only reach for it in the summer. Also, it is like $6 (beat that!). Lastly, I usually add some type of bronzer (matte or shimmery). This one is by Laura Mercier.  

Now that glowy skin is achieved, I usually will either add a bold lip or cheek. My two favorite products for a statement cheek are Benefit's Benetint or Tarte Blush in Tipsy. Benetint is a true red cheek stain, while Tipsy is straight orange. Both are easily wearable, but bold. If I go this route, I will do a natural or nude lip. 

Bold lips are the scariest things to most girls and the topic I get the most questions about. I hear all the time girls saying that they don't know how to pull this off. There is no method! Just wear it and be confident about it. It will look amazing and so will you. You deserve the attention you get from bold lips because you are beautiful! Anyways, an easy way to back into bold lips is with a saturated gloss like the ones by NYX (Ulta). Also, I always profess my love for Revlon Lip Balms (this one is the orange in the matte line). Lastly, Tom Ford Wild Ginger is the most perfect coral-orange if you are looking for a splurge. And the packaging kills me every time. 

Side view of the highlighter and Tom Ford Wild Ginger lipstick

What is your go-to summer look? 

Hope you get to enjoy the sunshine today,

xxChris