Dre Does a Maleficent Inspired Makeup Look

This past weekend on Saturday afternoon, I decided to go see Maleficent. I have heard so many amazing things not only about the movie but the makeup too. I was blown away by the movie and every time they showed Maleficent I was analyzing her makeup. The first thing I did when I got home was go straight to my makeup and figure out how I was going to recreate something. Since I was going to a family BBQ that night I knew I was going to do something wearable so it's a bit toned from the movie but I kept the makeup strong in the areas that were emphasized in the movie. In every look she has cool toned eye looks with really smoked out black liner. It's nothing crazy but still brings some drama. So if you'd like to know what I did to achieve the look below keep on reading.

 

(in Natural Lighting)

1. First off as always, I applied my Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer and then used the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe as a base. It's a nice cool-toned gray-taupe color.

2. Next I applied MAC's Espresso Eyeshadow in the crease with my Sigma E39 brush because it's a nice cool toned brown. I concentrated the color more on the outside of my crease since the eye looks in Maleficent were pretty basic on the lids and more dramatic towards the outer portion of the eye. 

3. Next I used my Real Techniques Base Shadow brush (don't be fooled by the name, I find it works amazing in the outer V because of it's pointed tip) to apply the same espresso color in the outer V of my eyelid. Make sure that with each application of color you are blending the shadows out so there are no harsh lines.
4. Now for the lid. I used MAC's Satin Taupe to apply to the lid very softly. It is a great cool taupe color which is obviously what we were going for. I applied this mostly to the inner 2/3 of my lid and blending it slowly into the darkened outer V area.

5. Next I applied a black gel liner to my eyes. I used Maybelline's Eyestudio Gel Liner in Blackest Black. After I let it dry almost all the way, I used a combination of that same Espresso shade and also Carbon from MAC, which is a matte black, to smoke out the gel liner. I used a pencil brush with a fine tip to do this. 

6. After smoking out the top eyeliner, I went back in with my Real Techniques Base Shadow brush but this time applied carbon in the outer V to blend that smoked out liner nicely into the outer V. 

7. Next I applied a black pencil eyeliner to tight line the upper and lower water lines completely from inner to outer corner because the look is so smoked out and dramatic in the lash lines. I really like the black Water-Resistant Eye Liner from Jane Cosmetics.

8. After this I used the same combo of Espresso and Carbon to smoke out the bottom lash line.

9. Next came two coats of my favorite mascara to give me dramatic but not insane lashes since they weren't the focus of the look. I use tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara always!

10. Now for the rest of the face I kept things pretty cool toned. I did contour my cheeks but not as intensely as Maleficent because I was wearing this to a family BBQ after! I also used a cool toned natural blush (tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush in Honored) since her makeup was pretty pale and she never had much of a flush to her cheeks. Lastly, the lips. I was at home visiting so I didn't have my full makeup collection which is why I went with a more blue-toned berry lip. If I had all my products I would have definitely chosen something deeper and more dramatic to go with the look, but you can play up or play down the lips as much as you'd like!

There it is! I hope you enjoyed this makeup look. If you like posts like this where I show you a makeup look and tell you how I do it, please let me know! Also if you have any looks you'd like me to recreate comment below as well. I love doing these types of posts!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Summer Face Routine

I hope you enjoyed my Tips for Summer Makeup from earlier in the week! Here is my requested foundation and face routine for this time of year. Let me know if you have any other summer related requests and I will keep them coming!

Here is a before and after of no makeup to makeup but I've included a picture below that is just my makeup after my face routine (no brows, eyes or lips).

1. Always start with a clean face. A skincare routine is the key starting point to any makeup application. You'll see I have plenty of imperfections in that before photo but we all do so embrace yours!

2. Next I go in with a primer. On Monday I posted about the Cover-FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment. Click here for that post. Make sure you don't apply too much primer or else your makeup will not go on smoothly. This will depend on the type and texture of the primer you are using. If I'm using a silicone textured primer I use a small pea sized amount for my whole face. Let this absorb before you move on.

3. Next I spray my face with a setting spray to create a barrier between oil and foundation and give my foundation something more to grab onto. I love the Urban Decay Deslick Makeup Setting Spray, but in the past I also loved MAC Fix+. It's also VERY crucial that you let this layer completely dry and set so you have a smooth and dry work surface for your foundation.

4. Next I mix two foundations. I love the Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Combo/Oily Skin because it has great staying power and a nice satin finish. However, it is a little thicker than I like for the summer so I've been mixing it with MAC Face & Body Foundation, which is a lighter foundation. It has light to medium coverage so this is why I like mixing it with a heavier foundation. It's water resistant and long wearing so it's the perfect match for the Colorstay Makeup. I apply a very thin layer of this foundation combo all over my skin using my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. One reason I like mixing foundations in the summer is that one is lighter and the other is darker. This allows me to customize my foundation shade every time I apply my makeup, depending on how tan I am.

5. Next I use my MAC Pro Longwear Concealer under my eyes. I prefer to apply this with my ring finger and strong tapping motions until it is blended. I use a more yellow toned concealer (NC30) to counteract the purple tones of my dark circles. I'm obsessed with this product and I have multiple in my kit because it works wonders and doesn't crease throughout the day. I then go over it with Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in the shade Brightener because it is slightly pink toned and does a great job of brightening the under eye area. Then I set all of this with a very finely milled HD translucent powder. I love using the HD Studio Photogenic Finishing Powder in 01 by NYX Cosmetics. (This is the one I was talking about in my last post though, to avoid if you are going photographed a lot...i.e. your wedding).

6. Next since I have applied a thin layer of foundation I generally need to spot conceal my hyperpigmentation and blemishes on my chin with a small concealer brush. In the winter I would typically wear a heavier foundation all over that would cover most of these but I prefer not to wear that heavy of makeup due to humidity and heat in the summer, so I prefer to spot conceal. I swear by the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette. It's the bomb dot com at covering blemishes and staying put.

7. After spot concealing I will generally set my entire face with that same NYX HD Finishing Powder using a big fluffy powder brush.

8. Now for contouring. I use a small fluffy blending brush to apply Benefit's Hoola Bronzer to the hollows of my cheeks and then use a larger brush, the Contour Brush by Real Techniques, to blend out the color really well. I also use the contour brush to blend Hoola around the temples of my face and my hairline.

9. Next I apply a long-wearing powder blush to the apples of my cheeks and blend toward my hairline. My favorite blushes of all time for this are tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-hour blushes because they are all beautiful and seriously last forever! I own a lot of them...haha

10. Next I like to apply a subtle highlight to my cheeks to give me a subtle glow. My favorite of the moment is MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Perfect Topping.

11. Finally, I spray my face one last time with the setting spray to set everything and keep it in place for the whole day! I like to fan my face with a makeup palette to speed up this process and make sure nothing drips or moves!

There it is! I know it may seem like a lot for some of you, but as a makeup artist I'm used to using a lot of products! I hope you enjoyed and can apply some of these techniques to your summer makeup routine. Keep the requests coming!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does May Favorites

Favorites posts are some of the most fun to write because I love sharing all of the things I love with you! Coincidentally May is my favorite month because of my birthday and the weather finally deciding to warm up, so I like this post even more! Here we go :)

(Top row L to R)

1. Sam Smith: If you don't know Sam Smith by now you're probably living under a rock. He's been featured in a bunch of new songs lately like Latch and La La La, so chances are even if you don't think you know of him, you've heard him. His voice is unreal and you need to listen if you haven't. He's the perfect blend of R&B and pop and I can't get enough. His song Stay With Me is my ultimate fave but others are slowly creeping up to that honor too.

2. The Body Shop Body Butter in Coconut: I bought the small version of this body butter when I was in Chicago for Memorial Day. I'm kicking myself now for not buying the massive jumbo sized tub because the smell and feeling are so luxiourous and wonderful. The scent is perfect for summer and the dry skin that the sun leaves us!

3. Victoria's Secret Forever Sexy Twist Bandeau Top: I finally broke down and bought this bikini top in black after much consideration. The fact of the matter is that if you have a larger bust you need to invest in a good bikini top with underwire that fits and feels secure. I'm just trying to get a tan, not give everyone a free show! I highly recommend this bikini if you have bigger boobs and have a hard time finding bikinis!

4. MAC Cosmetics Fix +: This setting spray is my favorite because you can also use it before your makeup. If you want to make your eyeshadow pop, spray your brush with it beforehand and then go into your eyeshadow. This will intensify the shadow so much and help it stay put! I love setting my makeup with it though because I feel like it just melts everything together to give me a blended and seamless look! 

(Bottom row L to R)

5. Havaianas in as many colors as possible: I challenge you to find a Brazilian that doesn't own at least a few pairs of Havaianas. They are the only flip flops I wear and I have at least 10 pairs... They are the most comfortable to me and I'll stop wearing them when I stop being Brazilian...so NEVER! I think I own one other pair of flip flops that aren't Havaianas but even at that they are still a Brazilian brand haha

6. Proenza Schouler for MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Mangrove: When I was at the MAC counter a few weeks ago, I spotted this packaging and I said a little prayer silently that there was a shade that would justify me spending that much money on a lipstick. Luckily I found Mangrove! A beautiful vibrant coral that screams summer and tan skin. I've worn it a few times and every time I get compliments. The packaging is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and I will cherish this lipstick for a long time! (That sounds super dramatic but if you're reading this you probably have had a similar love affair with a lip product before...right...? Haha)

7. Kettle bell: I recently picked up a kettle bell from my local Target because it was on sale and I was dying to own one. I'd been using one at the gym I'd been going to but since I moved I have been working out at home. I'm obsessed with it! It's so much fun and I'm seeing huge results, especially in my arms. They're the most toned and muscular that they've ever been and I owe it to this little friend! If you YouTube kettle bell workouts there are plenty of ideas on how to get started. I also love how it doesn't take up much space to store or to use.

8. MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer: Behold my favorite undereye concealer of all time. It covers so well and doesn't crease at all. I make sure to set it with a finely milled translucent powder after applied but I do this will all concealer to prolong the wear. The difference when applying to undereye darkness and circles is insane and I don't think I'll ever go without it. I had heard so many good things about it so I finally picked it up and I couldn't be happier that I did! I will probably be doing a review on it soon if you'd like to see that!

There they are...my favorites of May! Let me know in a comment below what you were loving! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Multi Use Summer Essentials

While I love a good full on glam look like the next girl, you will 95% of the time find me with little makeup on in the summer time. As an oily skin type that only gets oilier in the hotter months, I hate having a full face on during the day. So today I bring you the SIX key products to keep in your purse so you can have an easy summer look, not only quickly, but with multiuse products. Each one can be used in multiple ways, which is always a bonus.

Dre's Summer Essentials:

1. Concealer stick: Perfect for multiple reasons, it will help with covering blemishes and under eye circles, evening out skin tone, highlighting your brow bone, and using as a base for eyeshadow! (Covergirl Trueblend shown above)

2. Powder: You can't get around this one this time of the year. Powder will even out your skin tone and help control oil, so it's a must to keep it on hand in the summer. (Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation shown)

3. Cool toned Bronzer: My favorite is Hoola by Benefit Cosmetics because it isn't too warm toned, which makes it great for contouring your face but also to use as a crease color so you don't have to carry around any eyeshadow. 

4. Champagne highlighter: a face highlighter is great to not only enchnace a summer glow on your cheekbones, but you can also use it as an all over lid color instead of eyeshadow. MAC Cosmetics Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb Shown)

5. Cream Blush Stain: Many companies make multiuse cheek and lip products so find a shade you love for both your lips and cheeks. I love a good natural coral that will give your skin a natural summer flush on both your cheeks and lips. (Stila Convertible Color shown)

6. Waterproof Mascara: a waterproof mascara is always good to keep on hand incase you want to intensify your look but if you keep a small eyeliner brush with you too, you can use the mascara as a gel eyeliner in a pinch! (tarte Lights! Camera! Splashes! Waterproof mascara shown)

My favorite thing to do in the summer is keep these 6 products, a travel pack of makeup remover wipes and blush, Bronzer, and eyeliner brushes in my purse as well. This way if I'm out and about with makeup already on or none at all, I can find a bathroom, quickly clean my face and apply these 6 products for a complete and easy summer look! 

Don't be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to makeup! There are no rules and you can use products however they work best for you! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does February Favorites

| Click to Enlarge |

Happy March friends! We're officially one month closer to spring and warmer weather! While that is one of my favorites I'm here with the things I loved most in the month of February. 

1. tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara: In February, tarte sent out a coupon code for valentines day so I took the opportunity to pick up their Christmas gift set I had wanted since it was already marked down. It came with two of these mascaras and I'm obsessed. It lengthens and volumizes so well and I feel like it holds curl really well too. The only con is that it's a little more difficult to get off at night than some of my other favorite mascaras but it's nothing compared to Benefit's They're Real, so that's good. I gave my sister a tarte eye set for Christmas and this came in it and she's obsessed too! While it is $19, I think it's a great mascara to keep on hand even if you use it only for special occasions. 

2. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstic in 01: I love the finish of these lipsticks. Great pigmentation and they really do stay on for a long time. I love the finish because it's a happy mix of matte and gloss but I'd say they lean more to matte side. Whenever I wear this shade I get compliments and people think it's a really high end lipstick. So if you're daring enough to try something bold, go out to your local drugstore and pick this one up. I haven't tried the matte line by Kate yet, but after such success with the Lasting Finish line, I know it won't be long. 

3. Aveda Botanical Kinetics Liquid Exfoliant: I'm working on a few posts dedicated to my skin care routine so I'll go more in depth about this product there, but I recently added this chemical exfoliant to my night time routine and I think it's helping tremendously with getting rid of the acne and scarring on my chin. If you're new to exfoliation, check out my post on why it's so important here.

4. Bubble baths: We can't rid our lives of stress, but we can work on how we manage it so it doesn't affect our mind, body, skin, and everything inbetween. Bubble baths are one of my favorite stress management techniques. I made a promise to myself that is was going to take more of them in 2014 and so far I'm doing pretty well. If you're having trouble sleeping at night, try a bath beforehand to calm and relax you. 

5. MAC Cosmetics Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb: How does one stay away from beautifully packaged Rose Gold products? Don't look at me for the answer because I took one glance at the MAC counter and I was sold. Right now since I'm a little paler, I love using a little of this with a matte blush to give me more of a glow. I think in the summer time though this would make an amazing highlight for bronzed skin. I'll keep you updated on that if we ever see the sun again here in Michigan...

6. Thank You Power by Deborah Norville: My dad gave me this book for Christmas and I absolutely loved it. It's a quick and easy read about focusing more on our gratitude in all aspects of life because situations will not only turn out better for us, but we will be much happier. It's filled with many short stories and examples of how thank you power has helped others in all kinds of problems, big and small. I really recommend reading it. We can't control the things that happen to us, but we can control our attitude while we handle them. Gratitude plays a huge part in making us stronger through the tough times. 

7. Sharpie Pens: I'm not really sure how I survived life before these guys, but they are the only pens I will use. I love how they come in many colors so that my planner can be super organized. Just stay away from the clickable ones because I find those dry out faster. I like the simple skinny ones with the caps.

8. tarte Lipsurgence Lip Cremes: This set of 4 came with that Christmas set I mentioned earlier and I'm obsessed with them. The Lipsurgence line has multiple finishes but this is by far my favorite one so far. Great pigmentation with just enough gloss to keep your lips moisturized. I especially love the shade because it's a dark brown nude that I honestly might never have tried if it hadn't come in this set. It's a great color if you want something besides red to stand out boldly. I'm excited to try more shades like this.

9. Stila's Stay All Day waterproof liquid eye liner in Intense Black: I had been hearing tons of great things about this eyeliner so I decided to pick it up last time I was in Ulta. It has the best staying power I've ever seen in a liquid eyeliner which is exactly what I need when I'm doing more dramatic cat eye looks. I also love how fine the felt tip is so you can get a really precise and thin wing. I'm curious to see how long it lasts before drying up though, so I'll keep you updated on that! 

What were your favorites this month? Leave me a comment below if you're loving something you think I should try. I'm always excited to hear what others are loving at the moment!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre