NOT FAIR #4: Instagram's New Filters UPDATE

This is a Special Edition of NOT FAIR!

 If you love doing your makeup, you probably love showing off your hard work on Instagram with selfies too. Today, instead of telling you how to get the same look as a fair skinned celebrity I'll be reviewing Instagram's new filters. So often brown skin is forgotten when new products are launched, lets see if Instagram remembered all us black unicorns!

See my original review of Instagram's Filters HERE

#NOFILTER

 Here is the original photo. I chose a photo that was well lit and similar to the majority of my posts - a picture I took with my DSLR Camera then uploaded to Instagram.

#Selfie Grade: A+ 

I always vote no filter!

LARK

#Selfie Grade: C

It's so yellow, why is it so yellow?!

REYES

#Selfie Grade: D

This is the opposite of what I want in a filter for selfies. I'm completely washed out and you can't see my makeup anymore.

JUNO

#Selfie Grade: B

This is the only one that looks even remotely similar to my actual skin tone. I don't expect I'll be using it though. These filters are all so yellow.

What do you think of Instagram's new filters. 

What's your favorite selfie filter?

Let me know in the comments below!

Love, Light & Glitter Always!

Valessia

A 1920's Look For No Reason At All

It's been too long lovely Unicorns! 

I'm so excited to report the reason I've been gone is because I was away getting married. That's right, beauties, I'm officially a Mrs. 

I promise promise never to leave you again!

Now let's get to business. I had the pleasure of attending a 1920's themed birthday party and decided to go in full flapper realness! I based my look on the prolific Josephine Baker. A groundbreaking black beauty and historic UNICORN.

Here she is in all her glory...

And here is my take on her look.

STEP 1:

As always, begin with a clean moisturized and primed face. I used Lancome La Base Pro primer and my favorite tinted moisturizer, Maybelline Dream Fresh BB in Deep.

STEP 2:

I used  Dermablend Quick Fix Concealer in Tan and Bronze to focus the light at the center of my face. I applied Tan in a triangle under my eyes, in a straight line down the center of my nose, and on my cupids bow. Next I applied Bronze on the top of my cheek bones and on the sides of my nose. As you can see on the right side of my face, I blended everything out using my Sephora Collection Multitasker Brush #45.

STEP 3:

Instead of using an eye shadow primer, using a stiff concealer brush, I spread Lancome Liner Design Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in 601 Black Fishnets over my lids, focusing on the inner corner and extending it by my tear duct.

STEP 4:

For this look I used Blackout and Asphalt from my Urban Decay Smoked Palette. Unfortunately this palette is discontinued. Blackout is sold as a single and while Asphalt isn't available, Oil Slick is an excellent replacement. Buy them both here.

Using the fluffy side of my BareMinerals Double Ended Precision Brush, I applied Blackout from lash line to crease and applied Asphalt from crease to above my eyebrow. I then used the liner shadow end to blend the to shades together.

STEP 5:

With Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in Noir I lined all the way around my eyes. I then went over it with the blend tool on the other side of the pencil.

STEP 6:

Using Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Ebony, I drew in the skinniest roundest brow I've ever worn. For a guide, just follow the line you made with your eye shadow.

STEP 7:

Add long luxurious lashes! I used my  favorite lashes for night, Christina #WSP. These are exactly the same as Red Cherry #WSP and are available in bulk here.

STEP 8:

Now for the best part. LIPS!

I knew I'd have to completely change the shape of my lips for this look so I applied Dermablend Quick Fix Concealer in Bronze to remove all pink shades in my natural lips and blend them in with the rest of my face.
 Next, with a dark lip liner, I used Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetic Colour Pencil in Tarred,  I outlined a doll like mouth with an exaggerated cupid's bow. I then filled in the corners of my mouth with the same liner.

STEP 9:

I filled the center of my lips with my favorite lipstick, Kat VonD Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita. Then using a lipstick brush, I blended the black and rose shades together with Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Intense in 50 - Satin Black.

THE FINAL LOOK!

Do you have a favorite decade of beauty?

Let me know in the comments section below!

Love, Light & Glitter Always,
Valessia

Four Ways To Be Your Own Valentine

Happy Valentines Day, my lovely little Unicorns! 

In a time when there's so much pressure to love and and be loved by another I say, Boo! Well, maybe not boo but why? 

In the words of one of my favorite Unicorns, RuPaul, 

A-MEN!

P.S. All of these things can and should be done even when it's not Valentine's Day!

 PAMPER YOURSELF

Whether it's a mani pedi at home or deep tissue massage at your local salon, being pampered is a fantastic way to feel the love. In the spirit of the season, try this DIY Chocolate Face Mask from
Mr. Jovita George

 BUY YOURSELF A GIFT

You don't need a special someone to buy you a valentine, you're special all by yourself! Here are 6 gifts on my personal list and they're all under $50!

Gift Yourself by we-the-unicorns featuring lips makeup

1. Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy from URBAN DECAY, $22
2. Gold-Tone Necklace from The Outnet, $38
3. I Luv My Unicorn Patent Bag from Dolls Kill, $30
4. iPhone Case from Moschino, $34
5. Step Bright Up Clutch from Nasty Gal, $38.50
6. In a Twinkling and Make Me Blush Bangles from Kate Spade, $48 ea.

BAKE YOURSELF A TREAT

The way to a unicorns heart is through her stomach so indulge yourself with some delicious sweets. How cute are these Surprise Heart Cupcakes?!

WRITE YOURSELF A LOVE NOTE

Take some time this Valentine's day to be excited about how lovely YOU are. Check out the Top 10 Love Letters of All Time for inspiration. A poll revealed that a letter from Johnny Cash to his wife, June Carter Cash was the most romantic and I have to agree.

What are you doing this Valentine's Day?
How do you treat yourself to a little love?

Let me know in the comments below!

Love, Light & Glitter Always,
Valessia

THIS POST WAS FEATURED ON THE WEEKLY ROUND UP AT INDEPENDENT FASHION BLOGGERS!

You Will Be Mine

Whether you love Valentine's Day or HATE it... my experience is that having someone to call a "Valentine" doesn't really make that much a difference on the love of the holiday itself. Anyway, whether you love or hate Valentine's day, you can't avoid it, even if you tried. So if you can't beat them, look fabulous and join them. This week has an excellent roundup of style guides and beauty tips! You'll look so good, I'll do anything to have you.

Links à la Mode: February 12th

• Affordorable: 8 Things Super Bloggers Do That We Wish We Could
• Attire Club: Men's Style Guide for Valentine's Day 2015
• ChromoBeauty: How to Start Wearing Makeup
• Everyday Starlet: Sweet & Romantic Valentine's Day Makeup Tutorial
• Fashilluminous: 5 Tips for Shopping Online
• Fashion Culturalist: Is It Time to Quit Fast Fashion?
• Flipflops & Furs: Hairstyles for Spring
• Hazel Eye Personality: Valentines Day Outfits for Every Kind of Date
• Head2Heels: Three Fun Valentine's Day Looks
• Ms. Fabulous: New York Fashion Week 2015 Designer Inspiration
• My Fashion S/ash Life: New Model Advice Tips, Fashion Karma, Finn Juniper Denaro
• Rolala Loves: Start the Day Right With Lemon Water
• State of Cate: Solitude: Your Enemy, Your Friend, Your Necessity
• Storybook Apothecary: How to Earn Extra Money Blogging Online – The Best Affiliate, Ad and Publisher Networks
• Style Bizzare: 10 Cruelty-Free Fashion Bloggers
• That Paki Blog: The Best-Dressed Men at the Grammys
• The Best Organic Skincare: Vapour Organic Atmosphere Luminous Foundation Review
• TLV Birdie: Briogeo Natural Hair Care
• We Are Ready Made: Smells Like Teen Spirit
• We the Unicorns: How to Be Your Own Valentine

SPONSOR: Shopbop New Ronny Kobo, Ringly, Barber, DDugoff, Kenzo Men's, Jet Set Diaries, Asilio, Koku, Jansport packs, LAtelje & Heidi Klum Lingerie

FIVE STEPS TO LONG LASTING LIPCOLOR

Hello Lovely Unicorns!

Follow these five easy steps to get lip color that won't fade through the day or night!

The Final Look

Some things to take note of before we begin.

 For long lasting lipsticks I usually stick with highly pigmented colors that are either neutral or super bright. If the neutral shades fade it's not as noticeable and the brights tend to stain your lips.

Also avoid oily or greasy foods, I wore the look above to a Ramen dinner party. My meal was to die for but all of that chili oil meant my lip color was gone with the first spoonful.

And finally, use a product that clearly states its long-wear in the title. There's no reason to waist your time with anything else.

1. EXFOLIATE

It's important to have a smooth surface for the color to stick to. I usually use this lip balm from e.l.f but any exfoliator that is gentle enough for your face will work in a pinch.

2. MOISTURIZE

Long-wear lipsticks can be really drying so it's important to apply them over super moisturized lips. In the winter months I swear by my Carmex but there a dozens of other great products on the market. Also remember oil is not your lipstick's friend so you won't be able to moisturize after you've applied your color.

3. LINE

Pick a lip liner that is either close to the shade of your natural lip color or one that is slightly darker than your lipstick. In feathered strokes, outline both lips, then fill it in. 

4. APPLY

Apply the thinnest layer of color possible. If you're using liquid color, wipe most of the product off of the applicator. If you are using a solid lipstick, apply with a lip brush.

5. BLOT

Let you lip color set for about a minute, then blot with tissue or toilet paper. Try to use something that won't leave little bits of tissue on your lips.

Products Used: e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator, Carmex Everyday Healing Lip Balm, Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner in 020 Rich, Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita

Do you have any tricks for long lasting lip color?
What's your favorite Long-Wear lipstick?

Love, Light & Glitter Always,
Valessia

BIRTHDAY BLISS

I had the loveliest 26th Birthday imaginable! Thank you to all my friends, party guests and most of all my beautiful partners, John & Jess.

BROWS

Anastasia Beverly Hills

DIPBROW Pommade in Ebony

Dermablend

Quick-Fix Concealer in Medium as Highlight

EYES

Lancome

Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Madison Avenue from lash line to brow

URBAN DECAY Smoked Palette

Evidence from top lash line to crease and on bottom lash line

Lancome

Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting Eye Liner in Noir Intense in top and bottom waterlines

Kat Von D 

Ink Liner in Trooper on top lash line in subtle cat eye

URBAN DECAY

Perversion Mascara on top and bottom lashes

Ardell

120 Demi Lashes in Black

Fright Night

Pixie Dust Lashes on outter corners

(See my false eye lash D.I.Y. HERE)

LIPS

Kat Von D

Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bauhau5

Whats your go to birthday makeup look?
What did you do for your last birthday?

Love, Light & Glitter Always,

Valessia

HALLOWEEN LASHES REVISITED: A 2-Minute D.I.Y. Project That's Sure To Make You Sparkle

Hello, Beautiful Unicorns!

Try this super quick D.I.Y. project to reuse your false lashes from Halloween.

For Halloween 2014 I was a sparkly silver unicorn. 

(See my full costume HERE)

A photo posted by Valessia (@we.the.unicorns) on Nov 2, 2014 at 3:04pm PST

No outfit (especially a Halloween costume) is complete without fabulous makeup and no fabulous makeup is complete without a set of magnificent falsies. As you can see in the picture above, I'm wearing these Fright Night Pixie Dust False Eyelashes. Since I loved them so much, I wanted to wear them again on my birthday but they felt a little too dramatic. See how I toned them down with this step by step guide.

For this D.I.Y Project you'll need:

A small pair of scissors or nail clippers
Q-Tips
Hydrogen Peroxide
A pair of dramatic false eyelashes (I'm using the bottom set)
Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Directions:

Step 1: Drench a Q-Tip in Hydrogen Peroxide

Step 2: Thoroughly clean your nail clippers or scissors. Set aside to dry
Step 3: Drench a second Q-Tip in your eye makeup remover

Step 4: Clean all excess glue and mascara from your Halloween lashes

Step 5: Your nail clippers or scissors should be dry now, use them to cut the lashes in half

Before & After

That's it, so easy and look how fabulous my new shorter lashes looked on my birthday! Simply glue the inner corners of the lashes (where the lashes are shorter) on the outter corner of your eyes. This will ensure a smooth blend from your lashes to your new dramatic falsies.

Do you go all out with your birthday makeup?
Would you re-wear your dramatic false eyelashes?

Love, Light & Glitter Always,
Valessia

100 Years Of Beauty Part I & II

Last month, The Cut released 100 Years of Beauty, a 1 minute short film showing beauty over the years and featuring a fair skinned model. On Friday, they released Part II featuring a brown girl. See the comparison and expert transformations in this amazing side by side video.

So what do you think, Unicorns? I find this video to be really inspiring and I can't wait to try some of these looks.

Which one is your favorite?

Did you notice anything interesting in the side by sides?

Whats a beauty trend in your culture?

Love, Light & Glitter Always,

Valessia

NOT FAIR #3: Katharine McPhee at People's Choice 2015

Hey there, Unicorns! Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Today I'll be doing another episode of NOT FAIR. 

Unicorns come in all shades so why don't Celebrity Makeup Tutorials? NOT FAIR tutorials show the makeup if fair skinned celebrities on brown skin.

Today is all about Katharine McPhee at the 2015 People's Choice Awards. 

I'll get to the makeup but her look definitely deserves an honorable mention! She looked positively amazing in Balmain!

Ok back to business, scroll down to see my version of Katharine's look and how I achieved it. 

Here's my version of McPhee's look.

For some reason my camera didn't pick up the light bouncing off my makeup. Imagine this exact look but with shimmer shimmer everywhere!

BASE

Step 1. 

McPhee seems to glow from within so I skipped my usual foundation and applied my favorite tinted moisturizer,  Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Deep. 

Step 2.

 I used a mixture of Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer in Suede and Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer in Medium under my eyes. 

(I also applied the Dermablend under my brows as highlight)

Step 3. 

To add a little shimmer, apply a brown liquid bronzer. I used Murad Absolute Bronzing Boost on the highest points on my face - Cheekbones, Chin, Forehead and Nose. To really emphasize the highlight, add a lighter shade of shimmer at the center of all the places you put the bronzer. I used Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up! 

EYES

Step 1. 

I applied Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original from lash line and up above my brows.

Step 2. 

McPhee's brows are high with a wide arch. I filled mine in with Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pommade in Ebony.

Step 3.  

All of the shadows in this look are from the Urban Decay Smoked Palette. Mushroom from lash line to crease, then I blended up and out. I went over that from mid-lid to inner corner with Freestyle and Kinky on the inner corner only.

Step 4. 

I lined from the inner corner to the mid-lid with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Stag (this is the liner that comes with the Naked On the Run Palette - See my review HERE). I also used it on the outter portion of my waterline.

Step 5.

 I lined from the mid-lid to the outter corner and winged it out in a gentle cat eye with 

Kat Von D Ink Liner in Trooper. 

Step 6.

 I used my new favorite, Urban Decay Perversion Mascara on my top and bottom lashes.

Step 7.

 I finished everything with my go to falsies, Ardell 120 Demi Lashes.

LIPS

I applied Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Vampira.

Love, Light & Glitter Always!

Valessia

NEW YEARS EVE 2015

I brought in the New Year in the best way possible, with good friends, new friends, my partners and whiskey punch! I hope all of you had an amazing time too!

A couple of weeks ago I posted A Marsala New Years Makeup Tutorial (see it HERE) but that look didn't really match my New Years Outfit. (See it HERE). Scroll down to see what I did instead.

I promise I was happier than I look in this picture haha

BROWS

Anastasia Beverly Hills

DIPBROW Pommade in Ebony

Dermablend

Quick-Fix Concealer in Medium as highlight

EYES

URBAN DECAY NAKED On The Run Palette 

(See my review HERE)

Dare from lash line to brow 

URBAN DECAY Smoked Palette 

Blackout from lash line to crease

Asphalt in the center of the lid

STILA

Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Snow in a subtle cat eye

Lancome 

Le Stylo Waterproof - Long Lasting Eyeliner in Noir Intense on the waterline

Ardell

120 Demi Lashes in Black

Kat Von D

Ink Liner in Trooper to cover the band of the false lashes

LIPS

Kat Von D

Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Vampira

How did you spend your New Years?

Love, Light & Glitter Always,
Valessia