Sharing a Steal

Of course we prefer NARS over Maybelline and YSL over Covergirl but whether you're cutting back on budget or in a pinch without a Sephora around (heaven forbid), I'm here to help you find a decent substitute for your usual pricey preferred products. I'm often a fan of using multi-colored bronzers as eyeshadow so when I broke my favorite NARS bronzer, I snagged this $3 replica from Target. To my surprise, I've put it to good use. I use the vanilla colored section as a highlighter in the inner corner of my eyes and on my brow bone. I alternate the other three colors on my eyelids. I also use the top right color down the bridge of my nose for a little additional contour effect (attracting focus to the slim part of your nose, makes your nose overall appear slimmer). 

Brighten Up With Blue

Spice up your regular makeup routine with a bold color as your bottom liner. To help the the shadow (used as liner) stay in place, wet a Q-tip before dabbing into shadow. Rub along bottom lashes and make line as thick as you prefer. For this look, I used a Sephora Baked Color Palette. 

Precisely Plum

Add a little somethin' somethin' to your cosmetic wardrobe with a plum liner. Worn your makeup the same way everyday for every event, day or night? This is the perfect way to get out of a makeup slump. Smudge a deep purple liner along your upper and lover lashes, concentrating on the outer edge. Add a slightly dramatic cat eye effect for an extra trendy look. For a bolder look, try dabbing a Q-tip in a similar shade of shadow and use as a liner. 

Work it at Work

Just because you are going to work, doesn't mean you can't wear work-appropriate, pretty makeup. To get my everyday look, I start by filling in my eyebrows with Ulta's brow pencil in warm brown. Next, I apply eyelid primer to entire eyelid. Once my lids are primed, I use e.l.f. Golden Bronzer (comes with four shades and doubles as eye shadow), placing the lightest champagne hue in the inner corners of my eyes and on my brow bone. I then apply a medium brown shadow to the majority of my eyelid, adding a dark chocolate brown to the crease and outer area (I use L'Oreal's Wear Infinite Studio Secrets in Rose Fields). Using a Q-tip, smudge that same dark chocolate brown along your bottom lashes instead of liner. Finish up with liquid liner (my favorite is Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen in Black) and a few coats of mascara (I mix Bad Gal and Maybelline's Colossal Volum' Express). This look is subtle enough to pair with a bold lipstick or keep it low-key with gloss. 

Faux but Flawless

I love any excuse to wear fake eyelashes. This NYE was another perfect, acceptable time for these faux feather-like lashes to take my makeup to the next level. My favorite brand, Ardell, makes these and are available at stores like CVS and Target for under $4. Ladies find their own process for fake lashes but I do my eye makeup in this order: 1) eyelid primer 2) apply fake lashes 3) eye shadow 4) eyeliner 5) mascara 6) eye shadow along bottom eyelashes

Mega Mocha

I'm loving these bronzed smokey eyes. The minimal blush and nude lips makes this model's eyes pop and look so sultry. This mocha alternative to the traditional smokey eye is still dramatic enough for nighttime but better for some skin tones. 

The Cat's (Eye) Meow

Who doesn't love a good cat eye? This one is a bit more dramatic than usual but with the right outfit and event, it can be a major outfit "maker." To make it last all night, use eyeliner and top with dark shadow. Keep your blush and lip color minimal. 

Work (Eye) Wear

If you can't have fun doing your hair and makeup for work, then your work week is just that much more rough than the rest of the working world. I like to keep it interesting. Yesterday I opted for a light eye (never forgetting my liquid liner) and a darker gloss. Today I went for a smokey eye and nude lipstick. Yes, I wore smokey eyes to work...sue me. For both looks, I used my Sephora Eye Palette! Va-voom!

Pretty, Pretty Palette

This eye shadow palette, made my Sephora, is one of my favorites...and why wouldn't it be? All these color in this sleek little case? Yes, please. These shimmery baked shadows are easily applied dry or wet. With these 10 sultry shades, you can't go wrong. I especially adore the royal blue and purple shades - perfect for using as a liner below your bottom lashes for a pop of color!