There's Smoke In The Cabin!!

Because of those sexy eyes! Create a sultry smokey eye for all of your holiday parties...

• First you want to apply your face lotion, eye cream, concealer, foundation, etc...Then take a makeup sponge, dip it into a translucent loose powder and press it underneath your eyes to create a barrier which will protect your skin from any falling eye shadow colors...aka avoiding the proverbial football player face.
• If you have an eyeshadow primer apply it. Something like what >>Urban Decay<< makes is great. It eliminates "creasing" in eyeshadow colors (from skins natural oil) throughout the day/night.
• Apply a base shadow to your entire eye, something skin toned is always a good start.
• Highlight your brow and tear ducts with a vanilla shadow...I like a shimmer.

• Apply eyeliner as close to the lashline as possible. The line should start thin on the inner corners and gradually get thicker towards the outer corners. Don't use liquid, it doesn't blend. Smudge the liner with a brush in the same manner as you apply...as you get to the outer corners the line should be thick and blended upward. Apply a thin line underneath eyes exactly the same way...gradually get a bit thicker toward the outer corners and blend any lines out with a brush.
• Build and blend is important for this look. Start with a lighter crease/lid color and keep building with darker shadows to get the color you want. 
• In general terms the inner corners of your eyes should remain light. Though this is not a rule, it's usually easier to create for first timers. In other words, all of the color should be on the outer corners of your eyes, this creates and up and outward look or "almond shaped" eyes. Try drawing a "triangle" on the outer corner of your eye and then fill it in. The point facing out towards your temple. See photo above right.
• Sweep the shadow under your eyes, connect corners continuing the "triangle" and blend so there are no harsh lines.
• To finish I usually go back with the vanilla shimmer and highlight the brow and tear ducts again. AND don't forget to take a soft powder brush and sweep away the translucent powder from under your eyes.
• Add and extra coat of mascara.
• Once you've gotten the basics down, start playing around with color. Smokey doesn't have to be black, brown and grey. Try colors that compliment your eye color, skin tone or that hot dress you're wearing tonight!

Hot Tip: Kim Kardashian does a tutorial video with one of her makeup artists Mario...here's the link to >>Part 1 << I believe there are 4 all together. If you find tutorials irritating, I don't blame you so do I, but this one is with an actual professional. It's not exactly how I do a smokey eye but there are some great tips on application, and they tell you the actual brands, colors and tools used.

Holiday Shop Guide For The GUYS!!

I was going to update this list from 2 years age and give you new 2012 ideas but I think it's pretty genius just the way it is...

This is a blog about beauty and travel. Therefore my suggestions will stay on track with that theme. I'm not gonna be able to tell you what size Citizens jeans to get your girl, or which pair if earrings are her style, but I can give you a few fun ideas that will definitely have her loving you. Cause yea the new iPhone is pretty cool and the new gadgets that go with it are impressive (I guess) but remember you are buying for her not you :)

1. Every girl wants a day at the spa...a gift certificate is great for a "day spa" but why not step it up a notch and make it a weekend complete with a cozy room for two at a "spa resort"? Try one that has winter activities like snowshoeing. A bottle of wine and a fireplace after a long day of massage and walking in the snowy woods and she's wrapped around your pinky ;) 
2. Women love getting their hair done. Find out what salon she goes to and buy her a few haircuts and/or color appointments. She's going to spend the money on it regardless but it's a nice break for her wallet and trust me it'll be appreciated.
3. A cruise to nowhere or a Caribbean weekend...she's feeling pale and yuk by mid-February, what better way lift her spirits than the hot sun and blue water?  February is typically a slow month for travel and therefore it's cheaper! She'll have something to look forward to the next time she's shoveling the snow off of her car at 6:00am...unless of course you are the type that does that for her...hmm
4. Sephora...Go in there and pick out anything, honestly, anything >>>>>SEPHORA <<<<<click that!

OK guys already got the perfect gift but not sure what to put in her stocking?

• Sephora...again she'll like anything. Mini lip glosses, hand creams, gift sets, etc...
• Chocolates! Check out cool confections like Dylan's Candy Bar. Or get creative and make your own chocolate bars for her at Chocri.
• Feet warmers! Yup the kind you use in your ski boots. She'll appreciate them cause she's always cold. Especially on her morning commute into work. After you've removed the snow from her car and she's on her way with warm feet you will be the day's hero and hero's should be rewarded (yes girls, rewarded, it's only fair)
• Body scrubs. Something sugary sweet like The Body Shop's Sweet Lemon or Dylan's Candy Bar Coconut Bon Bon. She'll love it and so will you.
• 87% of women heat style their hair. So she's going to need hair protection...try Matrix Sleek Look Iron Smoother.
• Get her something from the Christmas collection at >>>> LUSH<<<<click

Hot Tip: Text that's blue is a link to click for you....