December 2013 – The Hustlin’ Homemaker

NEW YEARS EVE Sparkly Gold Smokey Eye and Outfit

Hi everyone!!! Happy New Years Eve! Today I am going to show you how to achieve a sparkly gold smokey eye look that you can wear for New Years Eve, and I will also show you my outfit!

Now, I am a Mom to a 2 1/2 year old, and I’m pregnant… so I will be staying home on New Years Eve. Lol. But, if I was going to a super cool fancy party, this is what I would wear!

Ok, let’s get started on the eyes!

1. First things first, I needed to prime my eyes. I took this Too Faced Shadow Insurance in Candlelight and applied it to my eyelids with my finger.

2. After that, I took this Stila Eye Trio in Mulholland Drive and used the middle gold color all over the lid. I then took the last dark brown color in the trio and applied that to my crease, working it in and making it deeper towards the outer corners of my eyes.

3. After that I took a clean blending brush and blended out any harsh lines. I then took the first light gold shade and applied that into the inner corners of my eyes and underneath my browbone for some highlight.

4. I then went back into the dark brown color and drug some of that underneath my lash line starting from the outer corner until about halfway in.

5. Next, I wanted to use this Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush, so I got a flat shader brush and spritzed it with a little bit of MAC’s Fix Plus and patted that all over my eyelid. Using a wet brush like this will give this pigment a more foiled effect and it will look a lot more sparkly.

6. Now, for the fun part. I took this Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Baked, and ran that under my lash line, starting at the inner corner and taking it about halfway. This will give a glitzy sparkle and make your eyes pop.

7. I used this Sephora Cream Liner in Must Have and lined my upper lashline, and then I curled my eyelashes and used my trusty Maybelline Volum’ Express The Rocket Mascara.

8. For a little bit of added drama, I popped on some false eyelashes, I used Red Cherry Lashes in #43.

Here is the finished look:

Other Makeup Used:

Benefit The Porefessional Primer
Loreal True Match Lumi Foundation in W-1-2
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Fair
Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in Fair/Light
MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation in NW20
Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Dark Brown/Brunette
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
MAC Blush in Fleur Power
Be a Bombshell Color Stick in Girl Crush
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Make Me Pink

Here’s my outfit:

…had to do a selfie…JJ wasn’t home to take my picture! Lol

Black and Floral Dress – Express
Black Slingback Bow Heels – Nordstrom
Gold Sparkly Hoop Earrings – Landau
Gold Two Finger Ring – F21
Sparkly Bangle Bracelet – Charming Charlie’s

I picked this black and floral printed dress because it has sparkly gold threading throughout the pattern, so I thought it would be festive! I paired it with some really high black slingbacks with bow detailing. All of the jewelry is gold and sparkly.

Do you like this eye look? Let me know if you try it out!

Thanks for reading my blog, and have a Happy New Year!!!

Mani Monday – 99 Luftballons

Hello! I am back with a new mani to show you today! So, this nail polish was gifted to me by my friend Caty, who noticed me “staring at it in Sephora for 5 minutes the other day”, which I was! I love anything sparkly, and this is so pretty.
This color is Deborah Lippmann’s 99 Luftballons. I have actually had my eye on this nail polish for a long time. If you have not seen these Deborah Lippmann glitter polishes in person, go check them out! This glitter is the prettiest I have ever seen. The pictures don’t even do it justice! It is so much more sparkly and pretty in person.

This is a red sheer gel-like polish with multicolored glitter.

This polish was named after a famous 80’s pop song, 99 Luftballons, by the group Nena which was originally in German, but was released in the U.S. as 99 Red Balloons. No, I didn’t look up this information…I just knew it. Lol. Check out the song if you have a chance, it’s pretty catchy. If you have seen the Wedding Singer, it’s in that movie, so you may recognize it! Let me know if you know this song!

Thanks for reading, have a great day!

BEST Products of 2013 – SKINCARE

Hi everyone! Hope you are having a great week! Today I am continuing my series of The Best Products of 2013 with my top SKINCARE products.

BEST FACIAL MOISTURIZER:
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer (2.5 oz., $14, drugstores)
This moisturizer is “clinically proven to even tone and texture”, and reduce hyper pigmentation. It contains SPF 30, and is oil free and hypoallergenic. I apply this in the morning before I put on my makeup, and it has a pleasant floral scent. It does not make your skin greasy, and sinks into your skin quickly. You only need one pump of this for your entire face, and it leaves your skin looking moisturized, and well, radiant.
BEST EYE CREAM:
Yes to Grapefruit Correct and Repair Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream (0.5 oz, $15, drugstores)
This eye cream really packs a punch. A little tiny amount goes a long way, and it smells so good, just like grapefruit. This eye cream is paraben free, and uses powerful fruit acids to wake up the skin and brighten the under eyes. It is very moisturizing, and your under eye concealer will go on very smoothly with this. I don’t necessarily see any reduction in my dark circles, but I do not believe there is a product that works to reduce those. They are hereditary. Anyway, this is a great eye cream if you are looking for a great drugstore option!
BEST HAND CREAM:
L’Occitane En Provence Dry Skin Hand Cream with 20% Shea Butter (1 oz., $12, Sephora)
This hand cream is the best hand cream I have ever used. It claims to “protect, nourish, and soften hands”, which it does very well. You only need a tiny dab of this thick cream and it instantly softens your hands. Because of the Shea Butter, it takes awhile to absorb into your hands, but it leaves your hands so soft, even after washing. My hands get really dry in the winter, especially the back of my hands, and they will crack and hurt, so this helps a lot. I am also a compulsive hand-washer, so I am sure that doesn’t help either! This cream is pretty pricey, but I promise, it is worth it.

BEST TONER:
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 for Dry Combination (13.5 oz., $23, Sephora)
This is a really great toner. I buy the version 2, for dry combination skin, but they have one for oily and dry skin also. I apply this to my freshly washed face with a cotton ball and just swipe it all around. It removes any leftover dirt and oil, exfoliates, and leaves my face feeling clean and refreshed! It doesn’t leave my face feeling tight or dry, either.
BEST FACIAL
CLEANSER:
Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser (6 oz., $25, Sephora)
I use this cleanser with my Clarisonic, and it is a nice, gentle cleanser that foams up while you use it. It leaves my skin refreshed and moisturized, and it has a pleasant floral smell. A little bit goes a long way, so a bottle of this will last you forever.
BEST FACIAL SCRUB:
St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub (6 oz., $3, drugstores)
This is my old stand-by. I have been using this scrub since high school, and I really love it for exfoliating. I use it about once a week, and it uses natural exfoliants to get rid of dead skin cells and makes your face feel SO CLEAN. It also prevents blackheads and minimizes pores.

So, those are my 2013 SKINCARE Favorites! Have you tried any of these? What do you think of them?

Next up, NAIL Favorites, so stay tuned!

Have a great day, and thanks for reading!

BEST Products of 2013 – HAIRCARE

Hi everyone! 2014 is almost here, and I am going to be starting a new series of blogs for the BEST Products of 2013! First up is Hair Care! I’m also going to be doing blogs on the best products for skin, nails, face makeup, eye makeup, and lips of 2013, so stay tuned for those posts!

BEST HAIRSPRAY:
Loreal Elnett Satin Hairspray (11 oz, $13, drugstores)
The can says it “Disappears at the stroke of a brush”, which is true, you can brush through this after spraying it in, and it does not leave your hair crunchy or sticky. I like to buy the Extra Strong Hold version of this, and my curls last all day, even into the next day when I use it. They do make an unscented version, but I don’t mind the scent. I also like the retro look and feel of this hairspray.

BEST DRY SHAMPOO:
Garnier Fructis Volume Extend Instant Bodifier Dry Shampoo (3.4 oz., $5, drugstores)
The can says, “Instantly refreshes and removes oil for lasting volume and body”, and this is totally true! This dry shampoo is the best I’ve tried, and I’ve tried them all! It has a nice, fruity scent that isn’t too strong. When I wake up in the morning, I brush out my hair, and then I spray this all throughout my roots, holding the can about 6-8 inches away from my head. I then put my hair up in a shower cap to let it “soak in” while I am taking a shower. When I get out, I take off the cap and let my hair down, and my hair is super volumized and looks great!
BEST STYLING PRODUCT:
Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Serum (5.1 oz, $18, ULTA)
This serum claims to “smooth and condition, leaves hair shiny and soft.” I use this when I want to wear my hair straight. I apply about a nickel sized amount to wet hair and blowdry straight using a round brush. This controls frizz, and keeps my hair soft and smooth. You can also apply this to curly hair when it is dry to smooth away flyways or frizz. This serum smells like watermelon and doesn’t leave hair feeling greasy.

BEST LEAVE IN CONDITIONER:
It’s A 10 Miracle Leave In Product (4oz., $15, ULTA)
This product does 10 things for your hair! It is a leave in conditioner, a heat protectant, and a detangler all in one. Not to mention, it smells so good and leaves your hair so soft and silky. I spray this into wet hair right when I get out of the shower, and it feels so soft and smooth on your hair. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about using your hot tools because you are protected!

BEST HAIR MASK:
Loreal Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm (8.5 oz., $7, ULTA)
This mask “Repairs up to 1 year of damage in one use” and “deeply repairs and reconstructs dry, chemically treated hair.” This mask smells delicious and fruity, and is very thick in consistency. I like to use this once a week, and I usually apply it to my hair after shampooing, and leave it in for around 10 minutes. When you rinse it out, your hair is so soft, and it stays soft and smelling good all day.

So, those are my 5 favorite hair care products for 2013! Are you guys excited for these posts? I think it is fun to read these types of posts about the favorites products for the year.

Next up will be my top SKINCARE Products of 2013 so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, have a great day!

Merry Christmas 2013!

Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a happy holiday!

Santa Claus brought Allie and I new Vanity tables for Christmas!

I thought I would share this sweet picture with you all. Allie and I always do our “makeup” together in the morning, and she feels like such a big girl with a vanity of her very own.