My New Years Eve Look!

Now, I'm no stranger to glitter and bold looks but this New Years Eve I decided to go for a more understated glamour with my makeup so that I would compliment (not overwhelm!) my very detailed beaded dress! It's fun to really go for it with your makeup but sometimes it's the subtle simplicity that flatters the most!

1 After smoothing on a foundation primer, buff on your foundation, add concealer in area's of concern, and set with a translucent powder!

2 Buff a shimmering bronzer through the backs of the cheeks, temples, and hairline. Touch it to the nose and chin as well. 

3 Pop a light peachy pink natural looking blush to the apples of your cheeks and lightly blend back through the cheekbones.

4 Pat an eyeshadow primer all over the lid and then pack a warm brown eyeshadow all over from the lash line to the crease. Connect this shadow on the outer corners of the eyes and bring it lightly along the outer half of the lower lashes.

5 Blend your brown shadow through your crease very well for super soft and smokey edges. Highlight the brow bone and inner corners of your eyes with a light pink champaign shadow.

6 Press a reflective glitter onto the inner half of the lid and bring it all the way up to the brow on that inner corner/half.

7 Gently line the top lash line with a black liquid or cream liner and add lots of mascara to your lashes!

8 Apply a neutral and natural looking lip colour with a glossy finish!

Products Used:

Cover FX Nourishing Foundation Primer

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Nars Bronzer 'Laguna'

Tarina Tarantino Blush Palette 'Feather'

Sephora Collection Eyebrow Pencil 'Midnight Brown'

Two Faced Shadow Insurance

Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Hustle'

Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Darkhorse'

Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Sin'

Lorac 3D Liquid Luster Drops

Physicians Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner 'Ultra Black'

Burberry Mascara

Tarina Tarantino Lipstick 'Cameo'

B.E. Buxom Lipgloss 'Samantha'

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

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IMATS Makeup

I had an awesome time at IMATS this past weekend and thought I'd share with you guys the makeup that I wore! I wore all black with silver accessories and decided to really go for it with bright pinks and bold shapes for my makeup! Hope you guys enjoy it!

1 Apply shadow primer all over the lid and then apply a cream colour in the shape you want on the lid as a base. We're going to be using strong colours and glitter that could have a lot of fall out so doing the eyes first will make clean up a lot easier.

2 Press a hot pink shadow in a winged shape on top of your cream base. 

4 Apply glitter in a complimentary shade on top of the shadow to make it super sparkly!

5 Use a cream, liquid or cake liner to trace a long the upper lash line and around the winged shape you created. Take your time and work in small strokes to perfect your lines.

6 Apply a light coat of mascara before applying full feathery lashes to the upper lash line.

7 Clean up any fallen shadow or glitter under the eyes and on the cheeks with makeup remover before applying your foundation all over and concealer in area's of concern. Set with a translucent powder.

8Buff a bronzer through the backs of the cheeks, temples and hairline to warm up the complexion and contour the face.

9 Pop a bright pink blush high on the apples of the cheeks.

10 Finish by applying a bubble gum pink lip gloss to the lips to keep with the monochromatic theme of pink pink pink!

Products Used:

Cover FX Cream Foundation

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer

Fresh Face Luster Powder

Dior Brow Styler

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Urban Decay Afterglow Cheek Colour 'Quickie'

Two Faced Shadow Insurance

Makeup Forever Flash Colour 'Pink and White'

120 Palette 'Hot Pink'

Two Faced Glitter Glue

Michaels Pink Glitter

Laura Mercier Cake Eyeliner 'Black'

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

MAC Lashes 43

Nars Lipgloss 'Angelika'

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

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October Favourites!

I don't think I had a favourites post for September, but I was busy and didn't really feel like I had anything special to share with you guys... But here we are now (a few days late) with my favourite products for the month of October!

I have never experienced such dry, flaky, and peeling skin like I have this past month after I got back (more burnt than I realized) from vacation. No matter what moisturizers and exfoliators I used I could not get rid of this horrifying texture! Introducing Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Exotic Body Scrub. Packed full of amazingness like vitamin C, paraguayan sugar, grapefruit, orange, honey, shea butter and more, it exfoliates gently and effectively and hydrates like nobody's business! I love the texture because it uses small granules of sugar and the oils have been mixed in a way that makes the consistency of this scrub more like a paste unlike traditional sugar scrubs where the sugar and the oil are so separated that you end up loosing half the grains on the shower floor. It smells sweet and citrusy, leaves your skin feeling super luxurious, and at a whopping $78 is completely worth it because not only is it a complete pleasure to use, the tub is huge which will last you forever, and it was the only thing that rescued my skin from the dry flaky mess that it was!

As many of you know, I'm a little bit brow crazy and this month I've been crazy obsessed with the Dior Universal Brow Pencil because not only is it the perfect shade of taupe brown, it's stiff, easy to use, has a built in brow comb, and allows me to get a super light and natural look or a dramatic angular and edgy look depending on how I'm feel that day!

I used to use the Murad T-Zone Pore Refining Gel years ago and have found myself using it once again as a staple in my skin care routine. This product has all kinds of great ingredients in it to help with skin texture, discolouration, breakouts, pores, fine lines, radiance, a balance of oily and dry zones, and antioxidant protection! If you're sensitive you may want to ween yourself onto this product because it uses possibly irritating ingredients such as retinol, glycolic and salycilic acids... But it also has great soothing properties like pomegranate, aloe, grape seed, and evening primrose!

And last but not least I have also rediscovered my love for Nars' Laguna Bronzer! I love the way this true golden brown bronzer makes my skin look healthy and glowy in the most natural way! Mine is currently sitting as a crumbly broken mess but I'm still going to use it until I repurchase it (which is saying a lot)!

xo candice

www.candicegroen.com

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Rich Brown Smokey Eye

Who says brown is boring? This neutral smokey eye is a more subtle, wearable take on a tradition black shadow and liner look that pairs well with everything (no matter what you're wearing)! This look has few steps, is easy to do, and is really flattering... enjoy!

1 Apply foundation all over, concealer in areas of concern, and set with a translucent powder.
2 Buff a shimmering bronzer through the backs of the cheeks, temples, hairline, nose and chin for a quick and subtle hint of a summer glow.
3 Lightly apply a shimmering golden pink blush to the apples of the cheeks.
4 After patting on an eyeshadow primer, draw all over the lid from lash line to just below the crease with a bronze taupe eyeliner pencil and smooth with your finger. Apply this liner onto your inner rim as well being sure to wrap around the inner corner.
5 Press a matte taupe brown shadow onto the lid directly on top of the eyeliner. Not only will this give your shadow staying power, it will also add dimension and a rich pigment to your shadow. Bring this shadow close along the lower lash line as well.
6 Blend a warm red brown shadow into the crease and along the outer half of the lower lash line. Rich red browns look great on green and blue eyes!
7 For a bit of shine, highlight the bottom of the inner corner of the eye and underneath the brow bone.
8 Apply mascara to the upper and lower lashes.
9 Top it off with a shimmering pinky gloss and your done!

(click photo's to enlarge)

Products Used:
Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation
Clarins Instant Light Perfecting Touch Concealer
Makeup Forever HD Powder
Anastasia Brow Powder 'Ash Blonde'
Nars Bronzer 'Laguna'
Nars Multiple 'Orgasm'
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Pencil '19L'
Nars Eyeshadow 'Fez' (warm shimmery brown)
Two Faced Eyeshadow 'Satin Sheets' (gold highlight)
Two Faced Eyeshadow 'Like A Virgin' (taupe matte brown)
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara
Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss '19'

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com
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Sunkissed in Pink!

Here's a super summery look inspired by Cameron Diaz! This look is super simple... think tight lined eyes, sun kissed glowing skin, and bright pink lips perfect for summer!

I'm willing to bet a nice deep navy liner in place of black would work great for this look! Also, I love Nars lipsticks and highly recommend checking out Lipstick in 'Schiap' and limited edition Pure Matte Lipstick in 'Carthage' if you have a light to medium skin tone, and Lipstick in 'Funny Face' if you have a medium to deep skin tone!

1 After smoothing on your primer (to ensure a long lasting makeup), apply your foundation all over and concealer under the eyes and on any other areas of concern. Set with a translucent powder. I've been using The Beauty Blender sponge to apply my foundation all week and I'm really loving it!
2 Sweep your bronzer through the back of the cheeks, temples and hairline... and lightly dust over the nose and chin for a sun kissed look. Apply a shimmering pink blush to the apples of the cheeks for a rosy glow.
3 Lightly sweep a neutral champaign shadow close to your skin colour all over the lid and along the lower lashline. This is what gives that naturally glossy look to the lids.
4 Smudge a medium deep brown toned shadow into the lashes on the outer corners of the eye.
5 With a black pencil, tight line the upper and lower lashes (inside of the eye) and make sure to wrap the liner in and around the inner corner of the eyes. If you skip the inner corners with your pencil the eyes will look incomplete.
6 Apply mascara liberally to upper lashes, and a little to the outer lower lashes.
7 Smooth on a bright pink lipstick and blot away the excess!

What kind of looks will you be sporting this summer? Don't forget, bright colours look fantastic against bronzed glowing skin!

Products Used:
Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream
Hourglass Veil Primer
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation
Two Face Absolutely Flawless Concealer
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Anastasia Brow Powder 'Ash Blonde'
Nars Bronzer 'Laguna'
Nars Multiple 'Orgasm'
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Sellout'
Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Twice Baked'
Korres Soft Eyeliner Pencil 'Black'
Hourglass Film Noir Mascara
Nars Lipstick 'Schiap'

xo candice
www.candicegroen.com
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Nars Summer 2011 Inspired Turquoise Shadow!

As promised... a look inspired by the Nars Summer 2011 Collection!

The light teal shadow in the visual comes high up straight onto the brow bone. In my version I only use the light teal just above the crease to make it more wearable. I also added a fun sparkle to the lid!

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

2 This look is all about contoured and bronzed cheeks so buff your bronzer high in the hollow of your cheek, straight back and up into the temple and around the hairline. Slowly build your contour so that it is quite defined. I used a matte cream bronzer first, and then a shimmery powder bronzer to create depth.

3 Pat an illuminator on top of the cheekbones. This will aid in achieving that glowing dewy look to the skin.

4 After applying your eyeshadow primer all over the lid, apply your darkest teal shadow close and tight to the lashline on the upper and lower lashes.

5 Press a mid toned teal all over the lid from just above the lashline to crease, and all along the lower lashes, wrapping around the inner corner as well.

6 Blend your lightest teal shadow into the crease of the eye to blend out your darker colours.

7 With a deep teal or forest green pencil liner, rim the inside of the eyes top and bottom before applying mascara to the lashes.

8 Press a blue or green toned light glitter ontop of the shadow on the lid and along the lower lashes for added sparkle and shine. I used a very fine glitter that looks more modern and lightly accents the look.

9 Apply a light nude lipgloss. My lips always show up very pink in pictures... in person they are quite pale and frosted.

 The sparkle didn't photograph well with the flash. Here are some not so great shots, but you can see the glitter a bit more!

This is actually a very simple look with few steps. These teal colours are so pretty for summer on any skin tone... and another great way to where this colour is in a bold eyeliner! (Laura Mercier makes a pencil liner called 'Black Turquoise' that is especially stunning on dark skins)! And don't forget that when making a statement with your eyes, you want to keep the rest of your makeup quite neutral.

I hope you enjoy this look as much as I do... until next time!

Products Used:

Lancome Absolute Replenishing Radiant Makeup '210W'

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage 'SC01'

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Anastasia Brow Powder 'Brunette'

Nars Multiple 'Cap Vert'

Nars Bronzer 'Laguna'

Nars Illuminator 'Orgasm'

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Green Goddess' (light teal)

Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Haight' (mid tone teal)

Urban Decay Eyeshadow 'Loaded' (dark teal)

Makeup Forever Diamond Powder 'White Turquoise 7'

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Pencil Liner '20L'

Diorshow Extase Mascara

Nars Lipgloss 'Harlow'

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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