Trend: Bright Lids

This spring/summer trend is here in full force! Much like last year, bright splashes of colour over the lids, cheeks, and lips are extremely popular. Think about a modernized 80's look and don't be afraid to express yourself! In fact, through out the rule book and pair your bright eyes with bright pouts too! Take some inspiration from shows like Dior, Derek Lam, Betsey Johnson, and Peter Som.

And remember, you can pair this bright colour trend with other trends from this season... like keeping the skin looking clean, fresh, and natural. It's all about having the appearance of perfect looking skin, without it being obvious that you're wearing makeup!

Here's a few simple splashes of colour I've had fun playing with this week! When I wear a bright eye'd look I like to really layer on the mascara! Having loads of black mascara really contrasts and stands out against a brightly coloured lid. I also placed a creamy white base all over the lid before adding the bright shadow. The white base gives a brighter more true colour and the creamy texture helps the shadow to stay put all day.

Products Used:

Laura Mercier Full Blown Mascara

NYX Jumbo Pencil 'Milk'

Green - Tarina Tarantino 'Tokyo Hardcore' (on sale now!)

Blue - Makeup Forever 'Turquoise Matte 72'

Purple - Makeup Forever 'Lavender 9'

Orange - Makeup Forever 'Orange Coral Matte 5'

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

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Glitter Nail Tips

Here's a fairly simple nail design that looks clean and fun!

1 Apply your base coat (to better adhere your polish and prevent yellowing).

2 Apply sparkle polish carefully only to the tips of the nails. Don't worry about the sparkles being sparse. I have about three layers of sparkle on the tips of my nails in total. Each layer builds upon the other adding more sparkle each time.

3 Add two more layers of sparkle on the tips of your nails. If you get a large glitter particle too low on the nail simply push it up or remove it with either the brush or your finger. 

4 Apply a top coat to protect, smooth, and add a glossy shine.

Another great advantage of this design is that glitter polish really strongly adheres to the nail so you're guaranteed a long lasting manicure. Plus, if your polish chips it's not very noticeable and it's easy to touch up!

In this look I used Sephora OPI 'Flurry Up Top Coat'. I like the silver on a lighter skin but have fun with it! This glitter nail polish also comes in gold ('Only Gold For Me Top Coat') and now in a really new unique copper shade ('Traffic Stopper Copper Top Coat')!

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

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Duo Chrome Soft Smokey Eye

A lot of companies make this beautiful brown duo chrome eyeshadow that shines a blue teal colour. Duo chrome eyeshadows are shadows that look one colour, and when shifted in the light reflect another. 

I've used a MAC pigment called 'Blue Brown' in this look but you also have the option of using MAC's eyeshadow in 'Club', Two Faced eyeshadow in 'Label Whore', or Urban Decay eyeshadow in 'Lounge'. If you want to use a pigment, Makeup Forever also does one.

1 Apply foundation all over and concealer in area's of concern. Set with a translucent powder.

2 Blend an iridescent bronzer through the back of the cheeks and into the hollow of the cheek to contour. Bring the bronzer into the temples and lightly around the hairline as well.

3 Apply a light shimmery pink blush on the apples of your cheeks.

4 Apply an eyeshadow primer all over the lid.

5 Densely press your shadow onto the lid from the lashline to just above the crease. It is important to really pack on the colour to get the blue to shine through strongly. Also run the shadow all the way along the lower lashes.

6 With a blending brush, blend the shadow for a softer outer edge.

7 Apply black shadow lightly in the crease at the outer corner. (If you have darker skin you can skip this step. As this particular colour is blended out it turns a very red brown which can look bruised on a lighter skin. Simply adding the black in the crease at the outer corner counteracts the red and makes the look much more wearable).

8 Apply a matte highlight on your brow bone. (This also helps blend the top edge of your shadow).

9 Run a black pencil liner along the waterline (inside) of the eye for added intensity, and add mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

10 Finish with a touch of a fresh pink gloss.

I love this eyeshadow because it's such a unique colour and looks great on every skin tone! Have you tried a duo chrome colour like this? How do you wear it?

Products Used:

Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer 'Shade 01'

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage 'SC-01'

Makeup Forever HD Powder

Nars Bronzer 'Laguna'

Nars Multiple (a stick product for eyes, cheeks, and lips) 'Orgasm'

Anastasia Brow Powder 'Brunette'

Urban Decay Primer Potion

MAC Pigment 'Blue Brown'

Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Oilslick' (black)

MAC Eyeshadow 'Brule' (matte highlight)

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Pencil '0L' (black)

Laura Mercier Lengthening Mascara (on the bottom lashes)

Laura Mercier Full Blown Mascara (on the top lashes)

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Gloss 'Pink Pearl 867'

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

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St Patties Day Eyes

It's St. Patricks Day! So I thought I'd have a little fun with a bright green eyeshadow look! Here's what I came up with! (For my girls who want to rock the green in a less dramatic way, try lining your upper lashes with a bright green eyeliner instead! And don't forget to flick it out at the ends for added definition!)

1 Apply primer and foundation all over, and concealer in areas of concern. Set your makeup with a translucent finishing powder. Use a primer if you're going out and want your makeup to last all night.
2 Lightly sweep a matte bronzer along the back of the cheeks, temples, and hairline. It is important to use a matte bronzer because the eyes are very strong and shimmery. We want a balanced makeup.
3 Apply a pink blush to the apples of the cheeks. A brighter pink cheek plays off a bright green eye makeup beautifully.
4 Apply an eyeshadow primer all over the lid. With a green eyeliner pencil, draw all over the lid from lashline to crease and blend it out. This eyeliner base will make the green eyeshadow more vibrant and help it to stay in place.
5 You also want to rim the inside of the eye with the green pencil. One of my favourite tricks for really making a bright eyeshadow stand out is to line the inner rim with the same colour instead of your traditional black pencil. You'll notice that bright pop of colour even more when you add this small extra step! Try it out!
6 Densely press your vibrant green shadow all over the lid from the lashline to just above the crease, and along the lower lashline.
7 Apply your teal eyeshadow along the lower lashes, the inner corner, and into the crease of the eye.
8 Place your highlight along the brow bone and stamp it in the inner corner of the eye as well.
9 Line the upper lashes with a thin black gel or liquid liner and apply mascara.
10 Apply glue to your false lashes and wait 30 seconds before applying them so that the glue gets tacky. I use tweezers to put my false lashes on and I find it a lot easier! Lashes are important to balance this look. I only used end lashes, not a full strip.
11 Lightly dab concealer on your lips and then apply a sheer juicy pink gloss. The lips should be fairly neutral but still show a bit of pink.

This is a festive makeup so have fun with it and add your own personal touches like jewels, glitter, or shamrock stickers!

P.S. I just found my FAVOURITE lime green ever on sale at Sephora for 50% off! Tarina Tarantino Eyeshadow 'Tokyo Hardcore'... check it out!

Products Used:
Clarins Daily Energizer Cream
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation 'Mont Blanc'
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage 'SC-1'
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Anastasia Brow Powder 'Brunette'
Benefit 'Hoola' Bronzer
MAC Beauty Powder 'Oh So Fair' (dupe: Tarte 'Dollface' blush)
Urban Decay Shadow Primer 'Eden'
Urban Decay Eye Pencil 'Flipside' (Bright teal green)
Clinique Gel Liner
Naked Cosmetics Pigment 'Ivory 05' (White shadow reflects green)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Kush' (Vibrant shimmery green)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Haight' (Shimmery teal green)
Laura Mercier Lip Glace 'Baby Doll'

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com
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Dramatic Smokey Eye

Here's a sexy look for a night on the town! A perfect combo with that little black dress. (Feel free to tone down the makeup and adjust it to suit your own style).

1 After applying foundation all over, and concealer in area's you need it (under the eyes, around the nose, on any blemishes), lightly dust on your setting powder to mattify and ensure a long lasting makeup.

2 Lightly sweep your bronzer across the back of the cheeks, temples, and hairline. Focus on the hollows of your cheeks to further sculpt your cheekbones.

3 Apply your blush lightly to the apples of the cheeks. When doing such a dramatic eye, it's important to keep the rest of the makeup neutral, so choose a natural blush tone.

4 After applying your eyeshadow primer, sweep your pink champaign colour from lashline to crease, and in the inner corner of the eye.

5 Apply your black eyeshadow directly into the crease of the eye. Start blending the outside edge all around the black shadow up and out, pulling the shadow gently into a more cat like shape. Blending is always easer with a clean brush, so if you can, have several  blending brushes on hand (especially for dramatic looks).

6 Next, blend your highlight colour directly under the brow. Not only will this highlight your brow bone, it will help blend the edge of the black shadow even more.

7 With an eyeliner brush, trace a thin line of gel liner all the way along your upper lashline, going slightly thicker towards the outer corner.

8 Apply a pencil eyeliner all along the inside of the eye and lightly drag it under the lower lashes. Remember to line the top and bottom of the waterline! Lining the inside of your upper lashes is called tightlining... this is especially important when doing such a dark look because you don't want any light areas showing. I always use a waterproof eyeliner pencil to ensure it stays on as long as possible. If you don't have sensitive eyes, try gently pressing a black eyeshadow ontop of the liner on your waterline. It will really lock in the colour.

9 Smudge the liner on the lower lashline and blend black eyeshadow over top of it.

10 Apply mascara lightly on the top lashes, and liberally on the bottom lashes.

11 Apply glue to your false lashes and wait 30 seconds before applying the lash to let the glue get tacky. I use tweezers to apply my false lashes and I find it makes the application a lot easier! Falsies are key with this look because your real lashes tend to get lost behind all the dark shadow.

12 And FINALLY, keep it simple with a light, neutral pink gloss and voila! A sexy smokey cat eye your guaranteed to get loads of compliments on!

Dark eyeshadows tend to have a alot of fall out and can be really hard to clean up after your look is done. To avoid this problem, you may want to do your eyes first and leave your foundation for last!

The key to being successful with this look is to take your time. It's an intense look that really needs soft blended edges, and sometimes blending can be frustrating and tedious. It's also a makeup that may not look very nice in the beginning stages... stick with it and really take your time!

Products used:

Clarins Daily Energizer Cream

Makeup Forever HD foundation '117'

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer 'SC-1'

Laura Mercier Translucent setting powder

Anastasia brow powder 'Brunette'

Nars 'Laguna' bronzer
Two Faced blush 'Mocha Mi Amore'

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay 'Virgin' eyeshadow (highlight)

Urban Decay 'Sin' eyeshadow (pink champaign)

Urban Decay 'Creep' eyeshadow (shimmery black)

Clinique gel eyeliner

Laura Mercier Lengthening mascara

Buxom Smokey Eye Stick 'smokin' pistol' (black)

Makeup Forever lashes '157 Lori'

Duo lash glue clear

Laura Mercier lip glace 'Baby Doll'

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know if you have any questions! What do you think of this look?

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com
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Trend: Orange Lips

One of this seasons hot trends is a bright orange lip, and I'm so excited to rock it!

I'm wearing Cargo's 'Evangeline' Lipstick in the photo.

Here are a few tips on how to achieve that perfect orange pout!
1 Choose a lip liner closest to your lipstick colour and line the cupids bow (top), bottom, and outer corners of your lips.
2 Then connect your lines and lightly fill in the rest of your lip with the liner. It's important to use a lip liner when wearing such a bold colour. Not only will it give you a crisper straight edge, but it will prevent your lip colour from bleeding as well.
3 Next, fill in your lips with your favourite orange hue and voila!

When you're done, there are a few extra steps you can take to really make your lips stand out!
If you lightly trace around the outside edge of your lips with a concealer, it will highlight the lip line and make your colour pop out even more!
But here's a great makeup artist tick! Want to give your lips even more dimension and drama? Try adding a darker shade in the outer corners and a lighter one just in the centre of your lips to make your lips appear more plump. (Sometimes I even use a black eyeliner to deepen the outer corners... and it really completes the look!).

These basic rules work perfectly for any lip colour you want to sport! But remember, when rocking the orange lip you want to keep the rest of your makeup more natural and softer to balance it out.

When choosing an orange lipstick to flatter you're skin tone, think soft peach and corals if your lighter, and deep tangerines and true oranges if you're darker. But if you have the confidence to pull off the brightest, boldest orange... I say go for it!

Some of my favourite orange lip colours:
Cargo 'Evangeline' - Light bright orange (sheer)
Josie Maran 'Solo Love' - Light peach (sheer)

Givenchy Satin Lipstick '14 Fruity Orange' - Juicy orange (sheer)

Guerlain Kiss Kiss '54' - Peach orange (shimmery, sheer)
Stila 'Outrageous' - Bright true orange (matte velvet, opaque)
Makeup Forever '40' - Bright true orange (opaque)
Sephora Collection 'It Girl R06' - Deep orange (opaque)
Mac 'Morange' - Red orange (opaque)

Nars 'Heat Wave' - Red orange (opaque)

xo candice

OPI Black Shatter Nail Lacquer + Steps To Your Perfect Manicure!

I'm loving this fun new polish but theres a few things you need to know before you start getting creative!
Shatter polish doesn't work unless you have a completely dry base colour underneath. It works best with bright contrasting colours and metallics! Add your favourite top coat (I like China Glaze Patent Leather Top Coat or Seche Vite) for a smoother texture and added shine.

Can't find Black Shatter anywhere? Quick! Run to a Sally Beauty Supply and swipe one (or more) of China Glazes six new crackle glaze polishes. You can get endless colour combinations with these fun colours, in black, purple, pink, mint, white and grey!

With this new trend of printed nails and spring just around the corner I started thinking, why not make this the start of your brand new at home manicure and get your nails in tip top shape for the upcoming seasons? (Which promise to have our nails screaming out loud with bright splashes of pinks and oranges!)

If you really want a spa like experience...
1 Let your hands soak in warm soapy water for a few minutes to hydrate, and cleanse.
2 Next you want to push back those cuticles. I recommend skipping the cuticle nippers and grabbing a cuticle remover solution. You can get inexpensive ones that work great at Shoppers Drug Mart from brands like Sally Henson and Revlon.
3 The next step is one I find a lot of people neglect (and I used to be one of them!). The base coat. Since using a base coat I've found that my dark winter polishes haven't stained my nails, and I can go days longer without chipping. Invest in a base coat! It's there for a reason.
4 Apply the first coat of your nail polish in as few strokes as possible (this will prevent streaking) and let each coat dry two minutes in between to let the colour set. This will help the nail polish adhere better to the nail resulting in a longer lasting manicure with a more opaque even coverage.
5 Finally, apply your top coat for added protection and high gloss shine!

Now, if you're a girl on the go like me, you can pick up a quick dry product. I use L'Oreal Quick Dry but have recently fallen in love with the new refreshing and great smelling Sephora OPI drying spray. Another cheap alternative? Soak your manicure in ice water. It will dry in less than a minute.

I also recommend grabbing a cuticle cream. This will prevent the skin around the nails from drying, cracking, and peeling. If you really want to splurge, there is none better than the Dior Creme Abricot Nail Replenishing Cream. You see results the first time you use it and within a week or two you'll find you need to use it less and less! (Plus the packaging is to die for!).

Here I have Black Shatter shown with a few colours I can't wait to sport it with this spring/summer!

Grey - Sephora OPI 'Under My Trench Coat'
Mint - Essie 'Mint Candy Apple'
Yellow - Sephora OPI 'IM Beauty' (on sale now!)
Orange/Peach - Sally Hansen Insta-Dri 'Mango Motion'
Pink - China Glaze 'Pool Party'

Have you tried any of the shatter or crackle nail polishes? What colour combo's have you come up with?

xo candice

February Favourites

February has had me longing for spring but still cozying up to my favourite winter products. In this post you'll find great products that I've loved this month to hydrate the skin, warm the spirits, and compliment all those winter colours.

This month I have fallen in love with Laura Mercier's Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer. It gives a gorgeous glow to my tired winter skin and I love that I can mix it in with my foundation or just pat it on top of my cheekbones for a healthy luminosity. Another perk? SPF 20!

I also switched up my usual exfoliator this month for the Fresh Soy Face Exfoliator. I love this! My skin feels and looks so soft and radiant, and how couldn't it? A microdermabrasion dupe with rose hips, cucumber and pomegranate seeds, these beads are so tiny and gentle you'll want to use this everyday! But remember, only exfoliate 2-3 times a week. Over exfoliating can do the opposite of what you want, and end up doing harm to the skin.

We all know dark nail polishes are always in during the winter months and I've been no stranger to them. This season I've been loving Nars' Purple Rain. I find myself taking it off and just putting it right back on. This deep purple has a golden pink shimmer shot through it and compliments any outfit. Want other great dark colours? Hurry up and get over to MAC for the limited addition wonder woman nail polish in Spirit of Truth. It is the creamiest navy blue and has no shimmer. Gorgeous! And try to get your hands on OPI's Here Today Aragon Tomorrow, a very dark forest green that I know has been flying off the shelves.

My next February favourite is one I've used for years but neglected a lot in the last year or so. This month I've found myself reaching for my Biosilk silk therapy hair serum. This serum makes my hair feel and smell great and I love that it's for the hair and body! I use it in wet and dry hair and am never disappointed. I know this serum can be a little pricey, but keep your eyes open... I found a 350ml bottle for $25 at Winners.

Lastly, I have to say I'm a girl who is very particular about her perfumes and this February I've worn my Chloé eau de toilette almost everyday. It's a gorgeous warm floral and I feel really great when I wear it! Plus I'm a sucker for the gorgeous packaging.

What have you been loving so far this year? I'm always looking for new great products! And don't forget to keep checking back for more product reviews, tips, tricks, and fun makeup looks!


xo candice