Almost every year I do a Valentine's Day inspired makeup look. It's not that you should wear a certain look on Valentine's Day or even that you should only where it then, but I just like to take advantage of this occasion to post another romantic makeup look. Usually, I think of red lips or something pink toned. This year I had in mind this diffused, almost worn out, red lip look, so I paired it with a very warm toned brownish eye with just a bit of sparkle. It's a very natural and subtle looking makeup that won't make you feel like you're wearing a ton of makeup, but will just make you feel more romantic. 

I wanted the eyes to have a very warm feel to them, neutral, but also a bit sparkly. I used eyeshadow primer, bone colored matte base color and then started building up the crease with a caramel brown matte shade. Then I used slightly darker warm matte brown and concentrated it on the inner and outer corner, leaving center of the lid empty. On the lid I applied a light golden shimmery shade and then went over it with even lighter golden shade that has a bit of pink sheen to it. I applied lighter shade more in the center. 

I didn't want to use liquid eyeliner, but I wanted just a bit of definition and also something to help me hide false eyelashes. So I used dark chocolate matte brown on an angled brush as a soft eyeliner with a slight wing. Because this eye look is so simple, I added light layer of shimmery shades that have silver and gold glitter to them all over the lid. Just for some subtle sparkle. I applied the same shades around the lower lash line to again create that lighter glow in the center and getting darker towards the edges. 

In the inner corners of my eyes I used a shimmery gold shade. I also applied defining mascara and very natural looking fluttery false eyelashes. These are longer at the outer corners to give that slightly winged out look, but are in general very natural look, not too thick nor too long. Later I also added white eye pencil in the inner rim on the lower lash line to make eyes look even more opened up and fresh. 

I had this look in mind paired with a diffused red lip. To create this I started by applying a medium matte red shade in the inner part of the lips. Almost like, if you would do an ombre. Then I applied a slightly lighter more peach toned shade on the outer edges of the lips. Because it was still very light, I decided to apply a darker chocolate red in the very inner parts of the lips, almost like you've been eating berries. To make this look even softer and more worn looking, I used rounded eye brush to make the edges of the lips blend out and soften. I think this looks very romantic and effortless in a way.

On the face I applied matte looking foundation with a bit of concealer and powder. I warmed up my complexion by using light bronzer with a slight sheen as well as a more warm yellow toned powder to make it look even warmer. I also used a liquid champagne highlighter on my high points of the face and went over it with a golden champagne powder highlighter. It was still pretty subtle looking, since I wanted the whole look to be softer and nothing standing out too much. For the blush I went with a brownish peachy red shade that compliments red lip and makes me look like I'm naturally blushing. 

I think the look feels effortless and not too done up. I used all my favorite warm colors and I think it looks kind of romantic, but still makes you look alive, especially, if you're as pale as I am right now. False eyelashes are so light and natural looking, that won't be bothering you either. 

I also took a photo of the makeup products that I used. More details are below. I always write them in the order that I use them on the skin.

Makeup sponge is still my favorite makeup tool for applying foundation. In my opinion it blends the foundation best, makes it look natural and it almost pushes it into the skin better than any brush. That is why I prefer sponges over any brush, but sometimes the brush is quicker and easier to grab. I've found my new favorite affordable makeup sponge and surprise, surprise, it's by H&M.

Let's talk about how cute is this packaging. Really cheap, but really cute. I bought it just because of the cute design and later realized how good it is. It comes in a plastic transparent box and it has unicorn drawn on it. There's also another version with what to me seems to be a bunny. Unicorn sponge is mint colored and the bunny is pink colored. 

The price of it is 2.99€. 

I've only tried mint one, because I didn't wanted to dirty pink as well, since I usually just use once at a time and then throw it away after I've been using it for a while or if it tears up. My review is based on my use of the mint one, but I'm sure pink is the same. I've touched them both and they both seem like they're made from the same material.

It has that double curve design that I really like. I usually use bottom wider side to pat foundation into the larger areas. The tip is a bit pointed and it's perfect to press foundation in those little corners like around the nose and under the eyes. I also use this side to blend in concealer, although I squish it between my fingers to make it even slimmer. I usually hold it in the middle part, as it seems like that's the point of this shape. 

Since I got it, I've washed it about 8 times and it washes out well. Revlon Colorstay foundation is the one that is the most stubborn to wash out and it leaves a bit of stain on those parts of the sponge where you apply it densely. That's the only negative thing, but then again, Revlon is so stubborn that I can't get it completely out of any sponge and sometimes even brush. 

I was quite rough with it, especially when cleaning, and it hasn't tear up or developed any unwanted holes, so in my opinion the material is durable. 

H&M Makeup Sponge has more than impressed me. I didn't expect anything from it, but it turns out that it's the softest sponge that I've tried so far. I love how it blends in my foundation, it washes out well, doesn't have holes after first wash, feels like a cloud and looks adorable to gift to someone. The only negative thing is that it does soak up a bit of the foundation, but I actually don't mind it, because I love the finish that it gives me. For the price, you really can't go wrong by just trying it out. I hope these are permanent and that they won't discontinue them. 

I've decided to make two Valentine's Day makeup looks this time. By no means, is this look only appropriate for Valentine's Day dates. It's just sort of themed this way, because pinks and purples usually remind me of something romantic. This first look is a bit more subtle and softer version that I would rock to any occasion. There's more emphasis on the eyes, which to me are one of the features that you want to play up when having a flirty date. 

Hey Beauties!

Tatjana and I decided to do another collaboration, since we have too many ideas and apparently too much time on our hands. Today it's about fairies, because in all fairness, it is the easiest to do. You can pretty much do what ever you like and still call it a fairy. Our fairies are spring fairies and I'm the good one (*angel emoji*) while she is the evil one. Needles to say that my look is softer and her's is a bit harsher. If you'd like to see what I created just scroll down.

Hey Beauties!

A while ago I was browsing through Ebay, because I was searching for some eye brushes that I already bought. I came upon these rose gold and gold metallic looking brushes. Of course my initial thought was Real Techniques Bold Metals dupes. If you compare them, the shapes do look very similar. Of course, I decided to buy three of them.