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

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

NOT FAIR #2: Instagram's New Filters

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!

#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!

ADEN

#Selfie Grade: A 

I'm a sucker for soft light and a gentle glow. This would be perfect for outdoor shots on a sunny day!

CREMA

#Selfie Grade: C 

Two Words: Jaundiced Zombie

Where did all my life go?

LUDWIG

#Selfie Grade: A

This is how I look in the mirror and I like that.

PERPETUA

#Selfie Grade: D

The darkness above the eyes makes me look like a caveman. #notcute Also, didn't know I had forehead wrinkles, so thanks Instagram!

SLUMBER

#Selfie Grade: B+

This isn't the best filter for the photo I chose but I think it might have some artsy potential.



What do you think of Instagram's new filters. Let me know in the comments below!

Love, Light and Glitter Always!
Valessia

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

Jolly Ol' Style Picks

Merry Christmas (to those who celebrate). How many of you are still in your PJs tinkering with your holiday loot? Or maybe flipping through magazines, blog feeds whatever while sipping that last bit of egg nog? Well, today is the big day. What's next New Year? Now is the time to reflect on giving, gratitude and also what worked for us this year, and what didn't work so much. Take it easy today... luckily there is a fantastic roundup this week to feed your inner muse!

Links à la Mode: December 25th

• Blue Velvet Vintage: 7 Vintage Style Tips to Help You Stand Out in Your Little Black Dress
• Burgundy Whispers: Gift Giving
• Cartier & Company: Poshmark: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Over the Rainblue
• Funky Jungle: 5 Questions To Ask Yourself Whilst Shopping
• Head 2Heels: Festive Attire: 5 Easy Holiday Outfits
• Kailayu: 25 Killer Christmas Gifts for Your Girlfriend
• Les Assorties: Introducing the Travel Wrap Company
• Madame Ostrich: What's It Like To Be a Lingerie Model?
• Moda Vracha's Spot: SkinFood Aloe Vera Foaming Cleanser Review
• Mode Plus: Monochrome Kimono by Monki
• Ms. Fabulous: Holiday Gifts That Give Back
• Pretty Passions Fine Fashions: How Did 50 Years of Feminism Come To This?
• Save Spend Splurge: How Many Toxic Chemicals Do You Slather On?
• Storybook Apothecary: Gorgeous Budget Gifts You Should Get Yourself
• That Paki Blog: Style Icon: Quaid E Azam M Ali Jinah
• Un Femme d'Certain Age: Holiday Party Style
• We Are Ready Made: Easy Come, Easy Go
• We The Unicorns: Instagram's New Filters for Selfies
• Yukova's Fashion Blog: 50 Goals in 500 Days

SPONSOR: Shopbop MR Bags, Gedebe, Kors Bags, Melissa, Bella Dahl, Frends, Meli Melo, Wouters Hendrix, Koolaburra, Joie Shoes & MCM Belts

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NOT FAIR #1: Lady Gaga's Mod Makeup Tutorial

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

The only thing better than watching Lady Gaga sing with the legendary Tony Bennett for H&M is dying over how amazing her makeup is! Also, points for not using a Christmas song in the Holiday Campaign. Check out the full commercial and my version of Lady Gaga's mod look below.

To begin I pulled out my favorite foundation, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H in 530 Suede C. To get Gaga's subtle glow, I mixed my foundation with Murad Absolute Bronzing Boost, a low glitter liquid bronzer. Using the pads of my fingers, I applied a quarter sized dollop on my cheeks then blended it out with my Sephora Collection Classic Mini Multitask #45.5.

Awkward selfie smile...

Next I blotted my L'Oreal Paris True Match Crayon Concealer in Medium/Deep Warm W6-7-8 in an triangle under my eyes, extending it all the way to my hairline - Pictured below on the left. On the right - my concealer after smoothing everything out with my Beauty Blender.

I follow this by highlighting my forehead and cheek bones with Benefit Watt's Up! Using a fluffy blush brush, I then set everything by stippling Sephora Collection Smoothing Translucent Setting Powder all over my face.

To start the eyes, I used Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer from my lash line to just about my brows.  drew in a full, extra round eyebrow with Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pommade in Ebony and their eyebrow brush #12.

As a base, I used NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean on the mobile lid, winging it out into a chunky cat eye. I then used NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil in Pots & Pans in the crease and halfway to the brow.

I built on my base by stippling Lancome Color Design in Style Section over the silver and Lancome Color Design Infinite 24H  in 602 Forever Noir  over the black. I followed by using my usual contour - Black Opal True Color Stick Foundation in Suede Mocha - as blush just along by cheek bone.

To finish everything off I added top and bottom lashes (Ardell #109 and Ricky's Care #49 respectively) and Lancome L'Absolue Nu lipstick in 311 Pale Petal.

Love, Light and Glitter Always!

Valessia

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

Holiday Happy

Ok, usually there's a lot of complaining about the holidays. Stress. Shopping. Crazy Family. But for some reason, and by all means this is awesome, people are really happy about the holidays this year. Well, at least in this roundup. Getting festive, not worrying too much and having a fun time, that's what these final days of 2014 should all be about!

Links a la Mode: December 11th

• Adorned in Armor: Introducing Beauty
• Affordorable: Stealing from His Closet
• Attire Club: 10 Materials to Wear in the Winter
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: Nails, Inc. Tinsel Town Collection Review
• Hunting in Heels: Sunday Style: Barbara Streisand
• Invictus: Closet Essentials
• It Takes 2 Fashion: 5 Tips for Dealing with PRs
• Fashion Trends and More: 3 Ways to Style an "Ugly Holiday Sweater"
• Lake and Moon: How to Find the Color Scheme for Your Wardrobe
• Les Assorties: Introducing Sandy Liang
• Moda Vracha's Spot: Exclusive MAC x Nasty Gal Collection
• Ms. Fabulous: Dapper Q's Masculine Fashion Show, (Un)HEELED
• Purushu Arie: Illustrations of the British Fashion Awards 2014
• Prodo: The 14 Elements of a SEO Friendly Blog
• Style Bizarre: The No-Knit DIY Slouchy Beanie Tutorial
• Style on The Side: How to Get Rid of Dark Circles
• The Chic Teen: How To Create a Minimalist Packing List
• The Rivaux: Let's Get Organic with Our Skincare
• We Are Ready Made: We Are Fashion Freaks
• We The Unicorns: Lady Gaga's Mod Makeup Tutorial

SPONSOR: East Dane Tretorns, Narciso, 10 Corso, Del Toro, Zhuu , Maiyet, Land by Land, Araks, Tretorns, Antonello & Manebi

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1. Read the clarified rules and submit your links on this page: Links à la Mode. 2. If your link was selected and you need this week’s code, visit this page: Links à la Mode Code.