Purple "Reign"

It is a lush,silent, green world out there this morning. Rain is falling softly and I can smell pine in the air.



It's a perfect day to wear misty,muted colors,and so here is my look for the day.

This was based on a friends bold purple inspiration, but I chose softer shades of pink,gray, and purples,using Urban Decay.

First, I lightly dusted my lids all the way up to brow bone with "Grifter" a sheer pinkish purple.

I then applied "Flash"  to the crease,and using a pointed brush, also applied along upper lash line. For my outer corner, I added a dark gray and slightly swept under my lower lash line at the edge of my eye.





I applied black mascara,lined my inner waterline with black liner, then swept on a plum eyeliner under my bottom lashes for an extra dash of purple color.

I love how this shade makes my eye color pop!


Until next time~

Hugs and Hearts
BellevueGrl



Photo Credits:
All photos are property of the blog owner, and may not be used without permission
BellevueGrl Productions, 2011

"Blues Lady"

I love trying out interesting combinations of eyeshadow. We all get tired of the neutral browns and beige's and pinks that are out there.




Every now and then, I like to be a little more daring with my look and love bringing out the blue -green color of my eyes.

I've read that blue eyeshadow is considered passe`and perhaps that matte blue with white highlighter is,but if you add a little modern edge to it with soft silvers, grays,or even a mixture of turquoise, it will give it a bit of eye catching appeal.

Here, I get "a little blue" to show you that blue is still a very sexy look!

For look #1 I used a combination of colors from Tarte. I started with a light silver for my base color, I then chose the icy blue for my lid color, adding a darker blue at outer corners and slightly up to crease. I lined the inner "v" of my eye with a silver eyeliner, then lined my upper lash line and waterline with black eyeliner.




To add a soft, modern edge, I then dusted on Allure loose eyeshadow by Motives over the eye with a loose fluffy brush.

For look #2 A pop of blue in Painkiller by Urban Decay was added simply to a soft pink eyeshadow. Eyes were rimmed in 24/7 eyeliner in oil slick. The color is applied to inner corner of eye, then brushed up slightly into crease. I also wrapped the color under my lower lashes to give more depth to the shade.

These looks are simple,are easy to achieve, and give an updated look to simple blue shadow.

Give yourself "the blues"

Until next time~
Hugs and Hearts
BellevueGrl


Photo Credits:
All photos are property of the blog owner, and may not be used without permission
BellevueGrl Productions, 2011

Summer "Greens"

I love to grow plants and fresh herbs during the summer. There is just something fresh and lush about keeping mint,basil,dill, etc in your kitchen to have on hand when you cook.

 It brings a touch of the outdoors to your home!

 

 

Here, fresh peppermint (for iced tea) and catnip (for my cats to enjoy) 

 

 

 

 My strawberries are growing  strong this summer as well, and I love putting fresh berries on my cereal in the morning! 

 

 

It's "fashionable" to have a green thumb. 

Hope you are enjoying the summer! 

Until next time~

Hugs and Hearts

BellevueGrl 

Photo Credits:

All photos are property of the blog owner, and may not be used without permission.

BellevueGrl Productions, 2011

Summer "Glow Getters"

It's July, and the heat is on! We may be seeing fall reviews, but it is still summertime.

We all want to get a healthy glow on without damaging our skin. No one likes to look over baked, that fake orange look is a thing of the past, and gals are now embracing a non sprayed on tan look.

I am part of the "Pale" bunch, and often find myself reaching for blush,plus bronzer to give a nice "spent the day in the sun" look. Pairing  blush over a bronzer gives a soft inner glow to the skin. Brush bronzer just slightly under hallow of cheekbone,along temples,and across forehead, just a dash on the nose.
An old hint from an Estee Lauder friend: "Think anywhere the sun would hit naturally" . Then top off with just a light dusting in a softer shade of blush on cheekbones.



Now, I really do use these products everyday.. One of my favorites is Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Star Bronzing Powder. I grabbed this from my local Macy's store when it first came out. The compact alone, is gorgeous. The size of the powder is generous, and the shades, either blended together or worn alone give a nice peachy look to the skin.

I show this with a small travel brush, but for best results,use a big fluffy brush.

I also love the bronzing powders that are included in the Sephora Color Play box that came out around Mother's Day this year. The kit is packed full of wonderful shades that you can interchange in a separate little compact, that you can customize,and pop into a purse or tote. Each shade has a magnet on the bottom, so you can lift them out, and pop your favorites into this little take along mirrored case.

Here, I show my "kit" for the day, along with blush and matching bronzing powder. I believe the bronzer is called "Terra." 

The shades are just perfect matched with each other,and pretty much last all day. I love the ability to customize my own look.

Another great find is LORAC Baked Bronzer in TANtalize Me. This goes on very soft and gives just a hint of bronze color. It is perfect for highlighting already sun kissed skin.

I believe you can still find this at Ulta,or at Sephora.com.

I have always loved the LORAC Summer collections because of the wonderful bronze and gold shades that they come out with each year.


What are some of your favorite bronzers that you reach for?  Do you have one that you wear everyday? Do you prefer powder or a cream?

Please feel free to share.   I would love to hear your comments.

Until next time~
Hugs and Hearts
BellevueGrl


Photo Credits:

All photos are property of the blog owner,and may not be used without permission.
BellevueGrl Productions, 2011

"Shatter Chatter"

I'm a bit late to get on-board with the latest color trend, but this is one that you simply must try.

As I had explained previously,finding the new OPI Shatter Collections can be as hard as finding.. well, a
Mermaid's Tear! But this is one quest that is definitely worth it.

OPI's Mermaid's Tears is not a color that requires two coats, but I do recommend it to deepen the color. It's that pretty, that it can stand by itself,goes on smooth,and really shines. No streaks at all.

The shade is an ice cream shop minty green,and dries quickly. 


I then added a thin coat of Sally Hansen's Crackle Coat in Fractured Foil,which I like to think of as a silver frosting.  It changed the finish entirely,adding an almost frosted glass effect that is just beautiful.


I always add a top coat to seal and protect my manicure,and with OPI's Rapid Dry Top Coat, it usually lasts for four days.  The finished look is like an icy green leaf with spun sugar over it. Mesmerizing!

  OPI Mermaid's Tears is part of the Pirates Of The Caribbean Collection and is priced at $8.50 .

I can truly see what all the fuss was about when this first launched. It looks like the scales of an unearthly creature.


Cast your spell, Ladies!   Or, cast your nets and see what you will catch!

Until next time~

Hugs and Hearts

BellevueGrl

Photo Credits:
 All photos are property of the blog owner and may not be used without permission
BellevueGrl Productions,2011 

 

 

Happy Birthday America!

Thank you to all of the men and women who serve and protect our country so that we may enjoy it's freedoms. Happy 4th of July!


Please remember that our freedom came with a price. A price of American lives.

 Today we enjoy so much because of those who were willing to lay their lives on the line.




As we are sipping lemonade,and grilling hot dogs, and enjoying time with our family,take a moment to reflect on what we are actually celebrating,and the meaning behind those fireworks. 

Be a firecracker!

Until next time~

Hugs and Hearts
BellevueGrl








Photo Credits:

http://www.punjabigraphics.com/pg/4th-of-july/

All other photos are property of the blog owner,and may not be used without permission.
BellevueGrl Productions, 2011