Flower Power!

Here's a cute face paint inspired by flowers that I wore earlier this week. It's a cute and pretty design that I hope you guys enjoy!

1 Apply foundation all over and concealer in areas of concern. Set with a translucent powder.
2 Buff a pink blush in the shape of an 'S' across your face to act as your background colour.
3 Using a white face paint put down the shapes of your petals. Shade the insides of your flower petals with a pink paint and finish the centres with a red dot.
4 Use your red paint to draw the wings of your butterflies and shade the wings with a pink paint. Finish your butterflies by drawing a body and antenna with a black liquid liner.
5 Add detail to the design by adding red and white dots in various sizes and small rhinestones in the centres of the flowers.
6 Use your pink paint to line the upper lash line and add a light coat of black mascara to define the eyes.
7 Finish your look by applying a bright bubblegum pink lip gloss!

(click photo to enlarge)

Products Used:
Kryolan Aquacolour Palette (white and red)
Makeup Forever HD Foundation '120'
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage 'SC-01'
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Dior Universal Brow Styler
Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara
Nars Blush 'Amore'
Sephora Collection Liquid Liner
Nars Lipgloss 'Angelika'
Rhinestones

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com
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Eye Of The Tiger!

Here's a look I did last year for Halloween Week at work on our animal themed day! I had a lot of fun doing this look and it was the first time I really stepped into a more in depth face painting!

1 Using an orange face paint and sponge, bounce the colour onto the apples of your cheeks, back through the hollow of the cheek, the temple, and sides of the forehead above the brow.

2 Stipple a yellow face paint onto highlighted areas like the tops of your cheekbones, brow bone, centre of the forehead, and between the eyes on the bridge of the nose.

3 Use a black cream, liquid, cake liner, or face paint to draw your tiger stripes on the forehead and cheekbones by saturating your brush with paint, laying it down, and wiggling slightly before ending in a point. Do as many or as little stripes as you want. I like to do an odd number of stripes.

4 Use your black paint to draw the tigers nose by starting low under the tip of your nose, filling in underneath and hooping slightly around the tips and sides of the nostrils. Also draw two lines on either side of the mouth, outline the lower lip, and draw two curvy triangles on the sides of the mouth for teeth.

5 Apply shadow primer all over the lid and a deep coloured shadow from your lash line to the crease. Use a detailing brush to pull out the shadow on the inner and outer corners to create a more cat like shape, and run your shadow along the lower lash line for a smokey effect.

6 Rim the upper and lower waterline with a black pencil eyeliner and apply a light coat of mascara to the upper and lower lashes before applying a wispy set of lashes.

7 Fill in the lower lip with a red lipstick or stain for staying power.

8 Use a white face paint to fill in the teeth and add highlights to your black lines.

9 Add smalls details like lines on the inner corners of the eyes, small dots throughout your design, and rhinestones and glitter in certain areas to really make the look come to life!

(click photo's to enlarge)

Products Used:

Kryolan Aquacolour palette (orange, yellow, black and white)

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Nars Eyeshadow 'Night Porter'

Urban Decay Eyeliner Pencil 'Zero'

Black Mascara

Sugar Half Lashes

Josie Maran Lip Stain 'Flamenco'

Makeup Forever Glitter 'Multicolour White #3'

Orange Rhinestones

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

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Bloody Nail Tips!

This Halloween inspired nail design is a lot of fun and really simple to do!

(click photo's to enlarge)

1 Apply two sheer coats of your favourite natural/nude polish and let it dry.
2 Make a small pool of your dark red nail polish on a metal tray or any other disposable palette.
3 Use your dotting tool to pick up the nail colour and make random dots where the ends of your drips will be. Then go back and drag from the dot up to the tip of the nail. You will have to reload your dotting tool several times.
4 Fill in the tip of the nail and connect the tops of the drips with your dotting tool.
5 Once your nail colour is mostly dry, apply a top coat to protect your design and make it shine!

I wanted the colour of my 'blood' to be a dark red with a bit of shimmer so I mixed two nail polish colours together to get the perfect shade! Not only does this give me a unique colour, it also makes the look really dimensional.

Don't be afraid to experiment!

Products Used:
Essie Nail Polish 'Ballet Slippers'
Urban Decay Nail Polish 'Apocalypse'
OPI Nail Lacquer 'The Show Must Go On!'
China Glaze Patent Leather Top Coat
Dotting Tool

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com
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Dia De Los Muertos

Check out my latest creation inspired by the sugar skulls of Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Traditional sugar skulls used on this holiday are much more detailed and intricate with great meaningful stories of loved ones behind them and I really recommend checking them out!

1 Block out your eyebrows using a glue stick or prosaid.
2 Fill in the entire face with a white cream makeup. Leave areas around the eyes and on the tip of the nose free of colour and then set the cream makeup with a matte white eyeshadow for a more even coverage and to lock it into place.
3 Buff a light pink blush on the apples of the cheek, back through the cheekbone and up along the hairline to just above the temples.
4 With a dark purple cream paint fill in the areas around the eyes and nose. This is where you will perfect your shape and edges.
5 Press a lighter purple shimmery shadow on top of the creamy purple base. Shade the inside edges with a black shadow. You can also use the white shadow in the very centre of the purple areas for added highlight and dimension.
6 Use a yellow cream to add the scallops around the eyes and the flower on the chin. Set these with a yellow shadow and shade with orange.
7 With a black cream or liquid liner outline everything you have done so far including your upper lash line. Now is when you will also create the shape of your spider web, tear, heart, mouth and any other details you choose to include in your design.
8 Lightly shade your spider web and fill your heart and teardrop shapes in with colour.
9 Use your black liner to add small dots throughout your design. This is an easy and effective way to add tons of detail.
10 Adhere your rhinestones with a small amount of lash glue.
11 Apply false lashes by rimming the spine with glue, waiting 30 seconds, then placing the lash down in the centre before tucking in your edges. Use mascara to lightly blend your natural lashes in with the falsies.

(click photo's to enlarge)

Products Used:
NYX Jumbo Pencil 'Milk'
Makeup Forever Flash Palette
Laura Mercier Cake Eyeliner 'Black'
Rhinestones
Makeup Forever Lashes
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Ecstasy' (Purple)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Sphynx' (Light Pink - blush)
BH Cosmetics Shadows

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com
Click here to 'Like' my Facebook Page!

60's Pop Art Girl

Here's a fun new character makeup I created the other day inspired by 60's pop art and comics. Hope you guys like it and that you're continuing to get inspired for Halloween!

1 Apply foundation all over and concealer in areas of concern. Set with a translucent powder.
2 Apply a purple cream product all over the lid and in a rough winged shape on the outer corner of the eye. Press a purple eyeshadow on top of the cream. Don't worry about having perfect lines or shapes right now... we will tidy the shape up later.
3 Apply a blue cream under the eyes and roughly shape out your tears. Press a blue shadow on top. Using a cream colour underneath your shadows ensures a really strong colour pay off that's going to last.
4 Using a sharpened red lip liner or the end of a brush and red face paint draw small dots all over the face, neck and ears. This step is by far the most tedious but also the most important. The look will be most effective if the dots are kept very small... large dots will start to look like chicken pocks more than shading. Use a foundation powder with a bit of colour to set the dots in place and to tone down the red a little bit.
5 Paint on red lips. Use a face paint or lip stain that dries for this step so that the black outline doesn't bleed into the lips.
6 Use a black cream, liquid, or cake liner to draw on your eyebrows and outline your lips, tears, and eyeshadow. This is where you can really sharpen your lines and perfect your shapes. Your lines don't need to be perfect... remember this is a cartoon type of look so simply make sure that your lines have a nice thickness and that they flow smoothly.
7 Use your liner to draw lines that will shape your face down the side of the nose, the jawlines, and ears. Use your own judgement for placing lines in other areas to accentuate the features of the face. I chose to add lines to the chin, upper lip, tip of the nose, inner corners of the eyes, and the neck.
8 Apply mascara to your upper and lower lashes and apply a black pencil liner on the water line (inside of the eye).
9 Rim the spine of your lashes with glue, wait 60 seconds, then place in the middle before tucking in your inner and outer corners. Choose dramatic lashes that will really show up.
10 With a white cream face paint apply highlights to the lip and tears to really make your design pop!

(click photo's to enlarge)

Products Used:
Laura Mercier Loose Mineral Foundation
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer
Makeup Forever Flash Colour Palette
BH Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette
Josie Maran Lip Stain 'Flamenco'
Urban Decay Eyeliner Pencil 'Zero'
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara
Makeup Forever Lashes
Laura Mercier Cake Liner 'Black'

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com
Click here to 'Like' my Facebook Page!

Sorry I'm not home right now...

... I'm walking into spider webs!

I'm getting excited for Halloween so here's the first look of a few that I hope to have some fun with this month! It seems there has been some controversy over me doing this look so I wanted to make it clear that I got inspiration from something I saw goldiestarling from youtube do. I thought it was a great idea. I let you know how I did it on myself below. I love asymmetrical looks but feel free to repeat one side of the look on both sides of the face! Or... hire a professional to do it for ya' ;)!

1 After patting an eyeshadow primer all over the lid, apply a black eyeshadow from lash line to crease and along the lower lash line paying special attention to wrapping the shadow around the inner and outer corners as well.

2 Blend a dark silver shadow through the crease for a smooth and blended gradation of colour.

3 Apply a black pencil liner to the upper and lower waterline (inside of the eye) wrapping around the inner corner. Lightly apply mascara to upper and lower lashes.

4 Apply foundation all over and concealer in areas of concern. Concentrate on using the concealer to clean up under the smokey eyes.

5 Using a white eyeliner pencil lightly map out the shape of your spider web starting just above the head of the brow and wrapping around the temple onto the cheekbone to finish just below the centre of the eye. The web should be longer on the cheek and shorter on the top above the brow. (Note that the top of the web has two rows, while the bottom has three). Don't be afraid to let the design fade into your hairline.

6 Slowly trace your lines with a black liquid, cream liner or face paint. Take your time... your lines should be as clean as possible. Choose a medium the will dry to the touch... there's nothing worse than accidentally smudging your lines! I used a cake eyeliner (activated with water or sealing gel) because it allows me to mix the exact consistency that I want. 

7 Shade the bottom edges of the curves of your web with a black eyeshadow. Use a small brush and take your time shading downward making sure to fade out the black half way though the space. 

8 On the opposite eye, use your white pencil to lightly map out the lines of your mini web starting from just above the crease of the eye moving up toward the brow. Stop the lines where you want, but pay attention to making the lines near the inner and outer corners shorter and the ones in the centre longer to create a nice fanned shape. Remember that this is a smaller space and two curved rows is all that is necessary.

9 Repeat step six in this area. Remember to work slowly!

10 Shading in this area is not as important or detailed as the large web. Simply dab a small amount of black shadow throughout the spaces.

11 Apply false lashes by rimming the spine of the lash with a small amount of glue, waiting for the glue to get tacky for about 60 seconds, and then using tweezers (or your fingers) to apply the lashes in the centre of the eye close to the lash line before tucking in your inner and outer corners. Choose spiky and dramatic lashes to compliment the look.

12 Dust a fine golden glitter to the tops of the lids and all over the spider web design on the cheek and eye for a great eye catching look!

13 Apply rhinestones at random by placing a small dot of lash glue on the skin before sticking them on. These are another fun way to add sparkle and dimension to the look. Plus they give the illusion of little spiders!

14 Finish with a bold or nude lip... ladies choice!

(click photo to enlarge)

This look can be very time consuming and requires a steady hand. If anything, it's great practice for your liner work!

See you soon with some more fun Halloween looks!

Products Used:

Lancome Tient Idole Ultra Foundation

Cover FX Camouflage Concealer

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Anastasia Brow Powder 'Ash Blonde'

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Creep' (Black)

Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Gunmetal' (Dark Silver)

Urban Decay Eyeliner Pencil 'Zero' (Black)

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara

Illamasqua Eyelashes

Laura Mercier Cake Eyeliner

Duo Lash Glue

Rhinestones (from Michael's)

Korres Liquid Lipstick 'Berry'

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

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Makeup Tips For Transitioning Into A Tan And Other Vacation Essentials!

So I just got back from an amazing vacation in Cuba and thought what a perfect time to talk about one of the questions I'm most frequently asked, "I'm going on vacation and I'm going to get darker, what foundation colour should I buy?". Well ladies I'm sorry to tell you but there is no way to know what colour you're going to be when you get back... but I do have a few great makeup tips to help you out while you're colour is changing and what products you should bring with you on vacation!

This is a bit of a long one, but if you can stick with it I have some great advice in here!


Firstly, self adjusting pigments are going to be you're best friend. Pigments that change with your skin are perfect when your skin tone is changing rapidly.
Here are four essential self adjusting complexion products you need to bring with you on vacation:
1 Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer
I love this product because it triples as my sunscreen, moisturizer, and light coverage foundation. Other brands like Josie Maran and Almay make great self adjusting foundations as well.
2 Cover FX Camouflage Concealer
This full coverage, self adjusting concealer was perfect to cover up dark circles and blemishes. Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage Concealer would be another great product to bring because it comes with two different tones so mixing a good colour is easy.
3 St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Moisturizer
A daily gradual self tanner and moisturizer in one, perfect for hydrating your skin and making that gorgeous tan last even longer after you've come back from vacay. Other brands like Jergens and Olay make similar products.
4 Nars Laguna Bronzer
Bronzers are essential to have while you're colour is changing because even if you're foundation is light, you can deepen it by adding a bit (or a lot) of bronzer. Liquid bronzers (or your old summer foundations) make great mixing mediums to deepen up you're current foundation as well.

Other essential vacation products you should have:
1 D.J.V Beautenizer (Fiberwig) Volume Lash Mascara
As a makeup artist and consumer I have to tell you I hate waterproof mascaras. At the end of the day they're going to smudge anyway and the formulas make for clumpy piecey nasty lashes. Tubing/warm water removal mascaras wont budge in the water and if they do they'll slide off easily instead of giving you raccoon eyes. They're also much easier and gentler to remove at night! Clinique, Stila, and Blinc all make mascaras like this.
2 Anastasia Clear Brow Gel
I'm all about the brows but those babies aren't staying on in the water so grow them in, get a great shape, and keep them put with a strong hold brow gel like this one or ones from Illamsqua or Revlon!
3 Caudalie Lip Conditioner
Did you know that your lips can get sun burnt as well? Keep your pout hydrated and protected with a rich lip balm with either antioxidants, sunscreen, or both! My favourites come from Laura Mercier, Fresh, and Blistex.
4 Korres Milk Proteins Cleansing & Makeup Removing Wipes
Whether you've had a long day or a late night wipes are a life saver for removing dirt and makeup before bed. I especially love these ones because they're gentle, hydrating, and have soothing aloe. I also like wipes from Ole Henrikson and Neutrogena.

Great add ons for a night out:
1 Nars Larger Than Life Eyeliner & Makeup Forever Liquid Liner
Skip the shadow and opt for a waterproof eyeliner. Pencil liners can look sharp or be smudged to look smokey like a shadow. I brought a brown pencil, and black liquid for variety.
2 Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
For setting your makeup and mattifying at night a translucent powder that goes with any skin tone is perfect. These products tend to come in large packaging so transferring them into travel containers is a great idea!
3 Laura Mercier Lip Glace
Slap on a neutral pink gloss and you're good to go. It's the perfect and simplest finishing touch.

I hope this helped you out and that you have fun and relaxing vacations!

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com
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