Get Artsy Competition

Last month I entered a Make Up For Ever face chart contest and ended up in the top 10 with my look featured on the Make Up For Ever Canada Facebook page! (Which you can see here).

It was a fun look to create and I had the pleasure of recreating it on my beautiful friend Chicara. Hope you guys like it!

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

Adorned Rockstar Eyes!

Here's a cool look I created inspired by Jessie J! I decided to through my own twist on it by adding edgy rhinestones!

1 Apply foundation all over and concealer in areas of concern. Set with a translucent powder.
2 Buff a matte bronzer on the apples of the cheeks and back through to the temples and hairline. This look focuses on the eyes and lips so keep the cheeks quite neutral.
3 Pat eyeshadow primer all over the lid and then sweep a neutral eyeshadow similar to your skin tone all over the lid as a base to help your dark shadows blend easily.
4 Press a black shadow onto the outer corner of the eye and blend it across the lid three quarters of the way in. Connect the black shadow on the outer corner of the eye and bring it tight along the lower lash line. Pressing the shadow onto the lid means stronger colour pay off and less fall out.
5 Blend a warm brown shadow into the crease to warm up the very cool tones you have been using thus far.
6 Use your nude matte shadow to blend around all of the edges of your shadow to create a smooth gradation of colour and perfectly blended edges.
7 Rim your upper and lower waterline (inside the eye) with a black pencil making sure to wrap around through your inner corners. Lightly coat your upper lashes with mascara.
8 Use a black liquid liner to draw small dots (getting larger toward the outside of the eye) along the lower lashline.
9 Use eyelash adhesive to glue small black rhinestones along the upper lashline. Dot black liquid liner close to the inner corner of the eye.
10 Apply false lashes by waiting for the glue to dry for 30 seconds before placing the lash in the centre and then tucking in your edges.
11 Apply a rich red lip colour to the lips to finish it all off!

(click photo's to enlarge)

Products Used:
Lancome Absolue Foundation
Laura Mercier Secret Concealer
Fresh Face Lust Powder
Nars Multiple Bronzer 'Cap Vert'
Dior Universal Brow Styler
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Two Faced Eyeshadow 'Heaven' (Nude)
L.A. Colours Eyeshadow 'Black'
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Buck' (Warm Brown)
Sephora Collection Liquid Liner 'Black'
Lancome Hypnose Mascara
Mac Falsies #43
Makeup Forever Strass Rhinestones '12 Black'
Duo Lash Adhesive
Bare Essentuals Pretty Amazing Lip Colour 'Strength'


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

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

Click here to 'Like' my Facebook Page!

I'm back! And I'm loving...

Oh my goodness how time flies! I can't believe it's been a month since my last blog post. August and September have proven to be very busy months for me and I apologize for not blogging as frequently as I used to. With Halloween right around the corner I plan on having some really fun posts coming out *fingers crossed*.

In the mean time, here are a few great products I've been loving these past few weeks!

Being as busy as I have been, my go to look has been quick, easy, polished and sleek. I've been all about a clean lid with a crisp black winged eyeliner these days and the new(ish) Makeup Forever Waterproof Aqua Liner has been working wonders for me! The short, stiff felt tip makes application a breeze and the inky black formula stays put all day. No smudging, smearing, or touchups needed!

And what better way to set off a a sexy cat liner than a bold lip! I've been all smiles in my Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage. Talk about a true candy coloured hot pink without that traditional blue base. Plus, this stuff is like glue... which means reapplying is a rarity and that oh so attractive lipstick on the teeth thing? Not an issue.

If I'm not wearing Carthage, I'm sporting the complete opposite... a glossy nude lip and my new fav is the Buxom Lip Polish in Samantha! This must have lip gloss was only available in the limited edition Buxom Samantha Smokey Eye Set earlier this year but because of it's popularity, when the kit split, the gloss stayed and I couldn't be happier! We're talking ultra glossy high shine, long lasting, and minty fresh.

And lastly, continuing on the theme of stay-in-place makeup... I have to mention how much I love the new Nars Larger Than Life Pencil Eyeliners. These things are no joke and may very well be my new all time favourite pencil liners. Not only are these waterproof babies truly staying put, the pigment is super rich, the colours are to die for (um, hello perfect nude for inner rim brightening!?), and the sleek packaging has a built in sharpener. So grab them quick because I know that amazing jet black is selling out everywhere!

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

Click here to 'Like' my Facebook Page!

Modern Pinup!

Here's a more modern take on the classic pinup look! Think sharp brows, sharp liner, and a sharp lip line!

 I originally had black liner on the waterline but decided to take if off for the final look. For my girls who can't live without lining their waterline... this look is great that way too!

1 Smooth on primer and apply your foundation. Pat concealer under the eyes and on areas of concern.
2 Buff on bronzer high in the back of the cheeks, temples, hairline, and chin. Buff a bright pink blush onto the apples of the cheeks.
3 Strongly define the natural shape of your brows with a pencil. Then using a powder further define the shape, paying special attention to creating a bold arch and sharp edges.
4 To further define the edges of the brows trace along the bottom line with a light concealer and blend downward.
5 Dust a light champagne coloured shadow all over the lid from lashline to brow bone and lightly define the crease with a matte brown shadow (or use your bronzer).
6 Press a fine glitter all over the lid from the lashline to the brow bone.
7 Slowly and carefully draw in your eyeliner with a gel or liquid liner and create your flick. Make sure to tightline the upper lashes (inside the eye under the lashes) so that there are no gaps showing. For tips on how to perfect your eyeliner check out my Get Perfect Eyeliner... Everytime post!
8 Apply a light coat of mascara to the upper and lower lashes before applying your lashes tight to the upper lashline. Remember to wait 30 seconds for the glue to get tacky before placing the lashes. Try looking down into a mirror and using tweezers to apply your lashes. (I'll have a post with some tips for applying falsies in the future)!
9 Powder under the eyes and in the t-zone with a translucent powder.
10 Draw a fairly thick line around the lips with a red lip liner. Apply hot pink lipstick and a purpley pink glittery gloss on top! Having the lipliner slightly darker than the lip gives the lips lots of dimension!

(click photo's to enlarge)

I wish the glitter would have photographed better... it really sets this look apart! The glitter and pink toned lips make this classic look much more modern. Do you think you can have some fun with this makeup look? It works great with cute retro hair styles!

Product Used:
Benefit Pore-fessional Primer
Makeup Forever HD Foundation '120'
Stila Perfecting Concealer 'C'
Korres Wild Rose Powder 'WR3'
Laura Mercier 'Warm Bronze'
Urban Decay Afterglow Cream Blush 'Quickie'
Anastasia Brow Pencil 'Strawburn'
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Buck' (Matte Brown)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Virgin' (Light Satin Champagne)
Two Faced Eyeshadow 'Like A Virgin' (Matte Dark Brown)
Makeup Forever Diamond Powder 'Champagne 11'
Clinique Gel Liner 'True Black'
Laura Mercier Lengthening Mascara
Sugar Lashes 'Flirt Angel'
Annabelle Lipliner 'Flame'
Makeup Forever Lipstick '36'
Two Faced Girls Dig Pearls Lipgloss 'Tropical Pink' (discontinued... you can find similar colour in the Lorac 3D Glosses and the MAC Dazzleglasses!)

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com

Click here to like my Facebook Page!

Colourful Pastel Eyes

For this look I was inspired by Easter and cotton candy colours! It's a fun pastel coloured eyeshadow look that I hope you enjoy!

1 Apply foundation all over and concealer in areas of concern. Set your foundation with a loose translucent setting powder for a shine free, long lasting makeup. Laura Mercier's is one of my favourites!

2 Buff a creamy bronzer through the back of the cheeks, temples and around the hairline, and tap a bright pink creamy blush onto the apples of the cheeks.

3 Pat eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone and sweep your light blue colour on the first two thirds of the lid.

4 Press your bright blue shadow on the outter third of the lid and blend softly into the light blue for a nice gradient.

5 With a fluffy brush, softly blend a bright purple into the very outmost corner of the eye and into the outter crease as well. 

6 Apply a pink shadow in the inner half of the crease. The pink will blend in with the blues and create a light lavender purple. Make sure all of your edges are soft.

7 Sweep your highlight colour along the brow bone. I chose a champaign colour with a slightly pink undertone to compliment the rest of the look!

8 Apply a creamy white pencil to the inner corner of the eyes and pat it in so it looks soft and subtle. Pat a light golden yellow shadow on top, and then sweep a light shimmering green along the bottom lashes.

9 With a liquid or gel liner apply a very fine black liner along the upper lashes for added definition.

10 Run a deep green pencil liner along the water line (inside of the eye) and make sure to wrap it around the inside of the inner corner of the eye. (Purple, or blue eyeliner would work great with this look too)!

11 Coat your upper lashes liberally with mascara and gently add some to the lower lashes.

12 Apply a pearlescent nude peach gloss to finish the look. I love the new Makeup Forever Lab Shine glosses. They have a nice brush applicator, fresh fruity scent and aren't sticky! They come in a TON of colours too!

I think this look works best with shimmery shadows that have a slight iridescence to ensure a perfectly blended finish! I used a lot of products in this look, and you can substitute all or any of the products for ones that you have at home, and adapt it any way you want!


Products Used:
Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream
Makeup Forever HD Foundation '120'
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage 'SC-01'
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Anastasia Brow Powder 'Brunette'
Nars Multiple 'Cap Vert' (Bronzer)
Urban Decay Afterglow Cream Blush 'Quickie'
Urban Decay Primer Potion
NYX Jumbo Pencil 'Milk'
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Kiddie Pool' (Light Blue)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Jinx' (Bright Blue)
BH Light Pink Eyeshadow
Makeup Forever Eyeshadow 'Purple 92' (Royal Purple)
MAC Barbie Collection Eyeshadow (Light Green)
BH Light Yellow Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Sin' (Pink Champaign)
Laura Mercier Full Blown Mascara
Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Liner '20L' (Forest Green)
Sephora Collection Long Last Liquid Liner
Makeup Forever Lab Shine Gloss 'M16'

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com
Click here to join my Facebook Group!

Glowing Purple Smokey Eye

I wore this look earlier this week to a fashion show I worked on and got loads of compliments on it so I thought I'd show you guys how I did it! And try using this technique with different colours! I think it would look great in blue and green too!

1 Apply foundation all over and concealer on any area's of concern. Leave the area under the eye clean of concealer... we'll come back to this area later in the look.

2 Sweep your matte bronzer through the back of the cheeks, (concentrating on the hollow of the cheek to further contour) on the temples, and around the hairline. Apply blush on the apples of the cheek. A light/bright pink compliments the purple eyeshadow.

3 Pat eyeshadow primer all over the lid. It's important to use a primer with this look to not only ensure a long lasting, creaseless makeup, but also because colours like this (especially ones as pigmented as Makeup Forever matte shadows!) tend to stain the lid and adding a primer will prevent staining from happening.

4 Apply your dark purple shadow all over the lid from lashline to crease and blend the edges. Apply the same colour all the way along your lower lashline and around the inner corner of the eye.

5 Lightly blend your lighter purple shadow all around the edges of the darker purple. This will not only help blend the harsh edge of the lid colour (matte colours can be trickier to blend so take your time) but it also gives that glowy ethereal look to the eyes.

6 Highlight your brow bone with a matte skin toned shadow.

7 Line the upper and lower waterline with a black pencil... and if you're comfortable press the dark purple on top of the pencil liner in the water line. This will really lock in the liner. Place a little bit of the liner on the outside edge of the upper lashline and blend so it's soft and smokey.

8 Coat the upper and lower lashes with black mascara.

9 Now go in with your under eye concealer and clean up any shadow that may have fallen under the eyes. I always leave concealer until the end when I'm doing dark smokey eyes to clean up fallen shadow, shape my shadow lines, and make the area under the eye nice and bright!

10 Apply translucent setting powder through the t-zone and under the eyes.

11 Finish with a light pinky gloss!

I love this look! It's a simple way to make a bold statement and I love how the shadow looks like it glows! As I said in the instructions, matte shadows can be a lot harder to blend out, so take your time and have plenty of blending brushes on hand. Using the lighter purple and the matte highlight really help these shadows have a softer blended edge.

I had to wear all black at the show, so I matched my shadow to my nails! I think I'll be doing this a lot in the future. I love how matching nails and shadow look! My nail polish is OPI 'Funky Dunkey' from the Shrek collection. (You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them).

Products Used:

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation 'Santa Fe'

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage 'SC-01'

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Anastasia Brow Powder 'Brunette'

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Makeup Forever Eyeshadow 'Lavender 9' (light matte purple)

Makeup Forever Eyeshadow 'Purple 92' (dark matte purple)

MAC Eyeshadow 'Brule' (matte highlight)

Urban Decay Eyeliner Pencil 'Zero' (black)

Laura Mercier Full Blown Mascara

Benefit Bronzer 'Hoola'

MAC Beauty Powder 'Oh So Fair'

Laura Mercier Lip Glace 'Baby Doll'

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com
Click here to join my Facebook Group!