Favorite YouTube - Makeup artist

For the last four or five years YouTube has blown up with makeup artists starting their own YouTube channels. It started with funny videos, people sharing random things and then people sharing talent or "how to" videos. A simple idea has created a phenomenon of followers. I'm one of them.

I haven't dabbled in the video making just yet but I know I'd like to at one point. It not only seems fun, but it creates an outlet for people to share their knowledge and experience. I've seen top celebrity makeup artists and amateur turn professional (like I hope to become) makeup artists all thrive off of those who love watching them do what they love most, play with makeup!

Roughly three years ago I spotted this shared video of a women who was already a professional make up artist turned you tuber. The title read something positive and fun so I indulged and hit the link and watched. I was so inspired by her words, her out pour of positive vibes, love yourself/love others mentality. I watched the video from beginning to end and it left me completely touched. She made me feel I wasn't alone to be mushy, gushy, uber excited about everything makeup and to go after what I loved and to spread that love and share it. Her bright teal hair just had me at "Hi it's Kandee!" From that video on I watched every video she had created. I even went back to the first videos she created years earlier. Everything she would post was so cool. Her knowledge of makeup techniques and her little tricks, her beauty overhauls and my introduction to a contour pallet and a beauty blender. It was awesome, she was awesome! She was the real deal too, her list of experience was endless and as her channel grew, so did her career. I love watching her success because it shows that if you keep going, you will get there. She is a mom and beauty guru, my kind of lady!

With all the YouTube makeup artists out there I'd like to share my top 5 with those who might need a person to watch and learn. Although, I hope to be that person for someone, like Kandee is for me!

1. Kandee Johnson
2. Pixiewoo
3. Carly Bybel
4. Kat von D
5. Laura Lee

"Spread your word, and your word will spread!" ♡

Carly Ann

https://www.instagram.com/kandeejohnson/

Finding me times three!

I think the hardest part about having a passion in life is having a passion and being a mom. I know it's not impossible and I see so many successful moms, but I do think it's a tough balancing act and to find your footing. I have three, yep added one more sweet baby boy joy to my clan, and each time I've had my boys I invest in myself a little and start to learn new tricks and techniques with how to do what's on trend for the moment makeup look and really get going on my fb page and blog and portfolio. But then somehow I put myself and my passions to the side because momma duties call.

Now, I know these goals are still there, but it takes me just a little bit of time each time to find myself (Carly person before kids and Carly person with kids who still loves all things beauty) after I give birth. Don't get me wrong,  I ENJOY every moment of the time I spend with my babies. Being momma is the best things in the world and I wouldn't change that for anything. But it's the balance that takes a hot min to find. ♡ We all eventually get there.

When I talk about goals I'm referring to my love for makeup and hair and eating healthy, working out, blogging, starting an LLC., all that fun girly stuff. I'm four months, almost five now,  post preggo from my third pregnancy and I've had that itch to get back at it so much sooner than the previous two times. With lots of days feeling guilty for wanting to focus more on myself and do the things I love all while working full time, I am teaching myself balance, compromise. My boys are my WORLD, and although I'm more motivated than ever to keep pushing towards my goals, I have only these few years until they become to old to want to snuggle or hang out with me. I struggle with not being able to spend enough time on myself  and I have days where I wish I could do it all, but I'm human.
The future holds so much for me and all the new things I want to do. I appreciate all the love and support of my family in helping me achieve my dreams. I'm ready to put both my loves of being mommy (wife too) and makeup artist and give it all new meaning for myself.

"You will only go as far as you let yourself!"

Carly Ann ♡

I'm BACK!

It's been almost 1.5 years since I posted on my blog. Well I'm back, and I'm ready to share my thoughts and passions on the thing I love most, beauty! I'll be posting on EVERYTHING! Hair, makeup, fashion, my adventures in making women feel there best with makeovers. I'm so excited to start this up again. Here we go folks, 2016 will be closing out the summer, fall and winter with all new posts for you to read! Enjoy!

Eyebrows, Lips and Lashes (My favorite Fall look 2014)

Back before the full, filled in lashes were trendy, it was all about the thin eyebrow. (If you were around in the 90's you would remember this phase) But today we have made a huge statement by putting eyebrows back on the to do list when it comes to our makeup routines. Lily Collins has it all down pat for me! The lip color, the long full lashes and her beautiful full eyebrows. This look is what is trending in Fall 2014. Her fresh face and little effort has me wanting to wear a deep red everyday. But the reality is that lipstick is tucked away ready to come out for special occasions, and maybe 20 mins when I decide I want to be fancy in my own home cooking two kiddies dinner! LOL

There is so much truth to the statement less is more. In this look it is all about the eyebrows, lashes and lips. These are the focal points and what we see popping out at us. Not a massive ton of eyeshadow. eyeliner or blush. Her look takes her features and makes them the star of the show! That beautiful lip color is all the drama she needs and voila perfection.

I have seen lots of fall looks that are trending right now and this one hands down is my favorite. If you aren't feeling the lip color this is easily a look you could replace a neutral lip color for, a mauve even. But if you are looking to take it to the next level without really caking on the makeup, this is the look to try!! If only my eyebrows were as full as hers I would be in good shape. ;)

Happy Thursday All! xoxoxo

Carly

*None of these images are my own. Any images on this blog were taken from Google and do not belong to me.

How much is too much?

So, the new Urban Decay Naked Vault just came out and I am salivating just looking at it! But it is 280 big ones!! (I know your jaw just dropped) This being said it comes with three palettes which consist of like 12 colors each and then two compacts for cheeks and then lip pencils and eye pencils, you get this jist. I am in love with this and if I were rich would buy it immediately. However, sadly I am not and so I won't.

As I was eying it today thinking about the other major makeup palettes that I want to buy, like Vice, it got me thinking, how much is too much when it comes to what you love? Some women buy expensive shoes, some buy clothes, some buy really expensive purses. But if it's your thing, your love, your passion, your one thing that is like a bright shiny diamond just being waved in your face, do you just indulge? I wish I could, but with my two lovies (my boys 2.5yrs and 7.5months) it isn't going to happen today or tomorrow, plus the Nakes Vault is sold out.

If you have a passion for something, ANYTHING, how much money is too much when it comes to completing your "set" or your "collection"? What would you pay for that must have item? Each industry is always coming out with that one must have item or the new improved item that is better than the last. Whatever it is own it, work towards it, create a goal to get it, I know I am working hard to become more involved with my passions, and I don't think I can put a price on that. <3

http://www.urbandecay.com/naked-vault-by-urban-decay/461.html#start=1&cgid=14_300

http://www.urbandecay.com/vice-3-eyeshadow-palette-by-urban-decay/246.html#q=vice&start=1
(These are the links to Urban Decay)

Carly

When I wake up...

When I wake up my hair is usually the style of the mad scientist. My eyes are so puffy that I'd probably scare small children! My pj's consist of whatever comfortable I could find and warm socks (I don't typically wear socks to bed but in the winter I make an exception). I have drool still matted to my face from being so exhausted that my mouth hangs wide open during the night and my breathe is just horrific. Aren't mornings grand?
Who here watches movie's? More specifically a good romance movie? The one where the women wakes up so refreshed that her makeup looks perfect, her hair and breath are probably perfect too. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all wake up that way? I do. Ha I used to be able to wake up with my last nights makeup still looking pretty great (by the way that is a huge no no for your face and skin) but being a mom of two boys I go very all natural nowadays unless me and the hubby have a hot date.
Being 30 and flirty doesn't come easy, my life isn't the beautiful romance movie and I don't wake up looking like sleeping beauty. But I do always put on my night and wrinkle creams and my face is always washed at night and moisturized. So secretly even though I look like the night of the walking dead in the morning my skin is secretly being pampered. Be sure yours is too!

Happy a fantastic day and great Thursday,  xoxo

Carly ♡

The 90's in 2014

Are the 90's back? I think for some, the younger trendy crew, yes it most definitely is. If only I could have saved my cream color chunky shoes I wore with everything back when I was in the 7th grade I would be so in. I had a brown and black pair I am pretty sure I got in the 8th grade and wore with my uniform. Every major fashion brand has taken the hint from our younger generation of trend setters and has put out there version of 90's grunge!
Let's talk hair and makeup, this is where I shine, who can remember someone or maybe you, who had shaved the back of their hair? (If you can't see it, which how could you lol, ME I do.) I remember being at cheer leading practice thinking the 8th graders who had shaved the back of their heads were so cool. As much as I wanted to follow suit and shave the back of my head, I appreciated the fun style on them. My parents would have not appreciated the trend as much as I would have, and to prove a point I may have ended up looking like Sineade O'Connor. (Another 90's trend setter in her own right) No Thanks! Seeing as we attended catholic school this was the perfect inconspicuous look that no one, not even the teachers, could see unless you wore your hair up! Now the newer generation has taken it a step further and added some color which I happen to think is so fun. Add on top of that the dark makeup with the vampire blackish red tint lip and the washed out face tone and you are a spitting image of Drew Barrymore circa the early 90's. Am I right?!

Although this trend may be more fun for those 25 and younger, I have yet to brave the look myself. Not that I wouldn't maybe tweak it and make it my own, but it is a bit dramatic for me and might look to death becomes her for my liking. Drew had this look down with little effort, take notes newer generation.

Here is a link to a fantastic tutorial I found for the grungy look that has taken the walk back into the 21st century. I follow lots of fantastic make up artists on you tube and Michelle Phan has the best so far. Other than the thin eyebrow, which should NEVER come back, I love how she keeps the look as authentic as possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uavunfbTiFQ

Until I am brave enough to start my own you tube channel, enjoy hers! I do.

Happy hump day!

Carly