Beauty Tues | Why Are We Making Makeup So Complicated?!

complicated

Okay–so, confession time. How many of us really contour our faces? I’m not talking about a little bit of highlighter or under-eye concealer, I am talking full-fledged face contouring with all the different colors and brushes and blending tools and tutorials? 

cropped-img_0487.jpg

I see my friends on social media sharing “extreme makeup transformation” videos all the time, and I watch them because they are oddly satisfying; however, after the videos are over, I cannot help but ask myself, “Wow…why are we making makeup so complicated?!” 

Think about it–who really has time everyday to use 3 different colors of contour, 2 different highlighters, concealer and primer galore, 78 different brushes, and to top it off with finishing powder–hoping you don’t accidentally rub your face and ruin an hour (or two hours) of your morning in a split second. *deep breath* Call me old-fashioned, but I like my basic primer, basic foundation, basic blush and basic powder. I can barely get my eyeliner even much less blend my face with different colors–and I know I cannot be the only person in this predicament. 

Now, don’t get me wrong–I totally respect the makeup artists and beauty bloggers who make these epic makeup videos…but I honestly just don’t understand why we as a society are so obsessed with altering the way we look. From plastic surgery to extreme contouring, we try to change our appearance, so we can be more like Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie and other famous people. Why can’t we just be ourselves in a world that preaches “Be-YOU-tiful”? Are we contradicting our “Motivational Quotes” Pinterest boards? 

IMG_1169

As I was looking for videos to include in this post, something that struck me funny is how we are also obsessed with “f” words–no I am not talking about the dirty word (although it’s popular in most pop songs *wink*)–I am talking about “flawless” and “fake.”  We want that “flawless finish” and “fake big lips”…whatever happened to “I am beautiful the way I am” and “normal” lips? Blame Barbie all you want; however, I don’t think Barbie’s makeup, wardrobe and proportions are the reason for this crazy increase in women wanting to and trying to change their faces. 

So, without further ado, here are some of the extreme makeup tutorial videos I found oddly satisfying, but also more complicated than they need to be. I want to give a big kudos to these marvelous ladies for creating beautiful makeup looks, but I also want to express how gorgeous they are without all the crazy contouring and highlighting! Makeup doesn’t have to be complicated and complex–it is meant to enhance and draw attention to our natural beauty–not completely alter our faces. :)

Now, what do the basic, non-contouring-makeup-wearers do because there seems to be no in between. By the looks of the mass media, women either wear zero makeup for a variety of reasons (political, religious, etc.), or women go to the opposite extreme by faking big lips, contouring, highlighting, wearing false eyelashes and doing complex eye makeup? Well, the VIP has a plan *wink* Coming soon, I will be doing a few makeup (and hair) videos for basic makeup–that means no complicated makeup palettes or using clear crafting tape under the eyelids! Woo hoo–I cannot wait *wink* 

Remember, you are made beautifully unique–embrace it…enhance it…don’t alter it or change it!

IMG_1409

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Advertisement

Beauty Tues.: Prime, Pucker & Paint (A step-by-step tutorial for Lip Tar lip color)

IMG_6293

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to Beauty Tues.

Today in VIP Beauty News , I have a fabulously amazing new lip color to share with y’all–it is from the creative geniuses of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, a 100% Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free makeup company.

One thing I love is bright lips–I hardly leave the house without adorning my lips with a bold lip color. So, when I stumbled upon the OCC Lip Tar product line at Sephora–it was love at first sight. With so many gluten-free, long-wearing lip liners and colors avaliable, I had a hard time deciding on which one to try first. After lots of debate, I finally decided to go with the light and bright shade of pink “Anime,” which had a matching lip liner. *kiss* Perfecto!

If you have never tried or owned Lip Tar, I must warn you to not toss out the tiny lip brush that comes in the resealable pouch because you WILL NEED it to apply the liquid lip color AND don’t toss out the handy resealable pouch because it is perfect for keeping the Lip Tar and its brush safe and sound. Also, if you try to apply it with your fingers, there is a possibility that you might end up looking like a circus clown rather than having a perfectly painted pout…and I should know *wink*

IMG_6302

Tip: Priming your lips with the OCC clear primer is a big key to painting the perfect pout with Lip Tar–do not forget to give your lips about a minute to absorb the primer before applying your desired Lip Tar color. The OCC clear Lip Tar not only helps color last longer, but it also makes applying lip color a breeze.

IMG_6312

4164_e4e6

Achieving the perfect pout takes a bit more effort than movies make it out to be–It is never as simple as whipping out your lipstick, flicking off the top, and putting it on sans mirror…I learned that at a very young age *wink* (See blog post here).

Tip: Invest in lip liners that complement your favorite bold lip colors–this is another easy trick that will bring you one step closer to having irresistibly kissable lips.

IMG_6318IMG_6315

Tip: When painting on your Lip Tar lip color, ONLY apply one  small dot at a time to the brush–because one dot goes a long way. If you get too much, it is merely impossible to use it all without making a total mess.

tumblr_m45vwg9C2Z1qbrdf3o1_r4_500

Oh, wow! Look at you now–don’t you look marvelous thanks to this VIP step-by-step tutorial *wink*

IMG_6150

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Beauty Tues: EASY Prom Makeup Tutorial with Saks Fifth Avenue Birmingham Beauty Specialist Kimberly Crawford

IMG_1167

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

This week on VIP Beauty Tues, I have a fabulous makeup tutorial to share with y’all! So, come on fabulouses, and join me in the beauty seat at Saks Fifth Avenue Birmingham as makeup specialist Kimberly Crawford gives me the ultimate prom makeover with Trish McEvoy cosmetics.

 I love the Trish McEvoy line because it is great for sensitive skin, and the line has a wide variety of colors and products to fit anyone’s fancy! My mom is a huge fan of the Trish McEvoy Planner because it is a Trapper Keeper for all her makeup needs. She recently invested in the Power of Makeup Planner Collection Azure and is totally in love with the colors and the ease–but let’s face it…it is really because it comes in a pouch. My mom loves putting things in zipper pouches. Anyway…the Trish McEvoy mascara is a miracle worker for ALL types of eyelashes, and when it comes time to wash it off at the end of the day…it’s amazingly simple. Well, Abby, how does it wash off? Y’all will have to watch the video below to find out…*wink*

What did you think of this makeup tutorial? Would you like to see more makeup videos on VIP Beauty Tues? Let us know what you think! Please feel free to email the VIP team here anytime with your comments. :)

Also, there is a VIP Beauty Flash Giveaway going on NOW! HURRY because the giveaway ends March 12 @ 9:00PM CST.

ClickRafflecopter giveaway to enter.

IMG_1166

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Beauty Tues: What’s Coming In March

IMG_1132

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

This week on Beauty Tues, I am going to take y’all on a little adventure via sneak peek photos through the VIP beauty picks coming up in March. Sh…don’t tell anyone I told y’all this yet…BUT there are going to be some absolutely fabulous makeup tutorials with two fabulous makeup specialists at Saks Fifth Avenue of Birmingham–Tamarous Reynolds and Kimberly Crawford. Whoo Hoo!

Also in March, I am going to have flash Beauty Tues giveaways. Y’all will not know when they are coming…so y’all will have to watch out for the announcements on the VIP Facebook page here. If you have not liked my page, now is the time! No one wants to miss out on free beauty goodies, right?! *wink*

 Now, before I spill the awesome beans on the other stuff that will be happening on Beauty Tues in March, enjoy these sneak peek photos and see if you can figure out what our makeup topics will be *wink*

Browse other Beauty Tues blogs here while we wait for March to arrive:)

The VIP with Tamarous at Saks Fifth Avenue.
The VIP with Tamarous at Saks Fifth Avenue.
The VIP with Kimberly at Saks Fifth Avenue.
The VIP with Kimberly at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Snapshot of Kimberly explaining the VIP's makeup look during the "secret" tutorial *wink* It shall be revealed later :)
Snapshot of Kimberly explaining the VIP’s makeup look during the …Oops, I almost revealed too much! Stay tuned on Tuesdays in March to find out more :)
The VIP is all smiles after Tamarous finished her "secret" tutorial.
The VIP is all smiles after Tamarous finished her….Hmmm, what did Tamarous do? When will you find out? That’s right…Tuesdays in March *wink*

IMG_1164

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Beauty Tues: How to Achieve a Dramatic Eye with Guerlain

IMG_0284

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome to this week’s VIP Beauty Tues News!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we all know what that means–happy couples will celebrate and we single ladies will be left with our two favorite men–Ben and Jerry *wink* Hm…what do you say we make this year different? Single ladies–grab your single gal pals and prepare for a fabulous Girls’ Night Out!

Hello, flirt alert! Try the Guerlain Ecrin 2 Couleurs 01 Two Rock palette  for a fantastic dramatic eye look that will make the guys stop and stare as you and your besties dance to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” all night long *wink* All the single ladies (All the single ladies)! All the single ladies (All the single ladies)!

IMG_0269 IMG_0264

Where can you get the sassy and sexy Guerlain Two Rock palette? Visit the Guerlain counter at Saks Fifth Avenue Birmingham or click here to shop online.

Come back next week to see how the VIP complete’s this fabulous look with some kickin’ eyeliner!

IMG_0275
PS: I have had several fan emails asking where I got the heart ring I have been wearing lately–Pandora! It is so cute and fabulous that I must wear it all of the time *wink*
If you are near The Summit in Birmingham, run by the Pandora store or click here to shop online!

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn