St. Patricks Day Makeup

Full Step By Step Tutorial

My Somewhat Diary of a Lash Bash!

Some of you who've been following The Messy Vanity on Facebook already know that Benefit Cosmetics and Ipsy have chosen me to host what they're calling, a "Lash Bash"! Which is basically a makeup party to promote a few of Benefits best products. This news is a BIG deal to me for the following reasons:

1. I never win anything and the fact that I was picked for this opportunity is "Totes Cray". For those who don't know what that means, it's TOTALLY CRAZY AND I COMPLETELY FREAKED WHEN I FOUND OUT BECAUSE I'M A MAKEUP OBSESSED NUTBAG! (OK I'm calm now.)

2. It gives me the chance to try Benefits' most popular mascara "They're Real". If it wasn't for this party and Ipsy, I honestly might never be able to afford to try these products on a regular basics (kids gotta eat). That's not saying I wouldn't splurge for myself every now and then but we all know I don't buy ANYTHING unless it's on sale for close to nothing. 

3. I get to share this amazing opportunity with 9 of my closest friends. I've chosen some of the most supportive and good hearted ladies I know and not only do they get to try out some super cool makeup products, but it gives me a chance to show them my appreciation and gratitude for their support and for pushing me to start The Messy Vanity although I really didn't know if I was "good enough" to do it. These ladies have been my rocks through so much in my life and I am so fortunate to know this incredible group of women. 

4. This "Lash Bash" will hopefully spread the word on the great products Benefit and Ipsy have and also hopefully get a couple of new followers for The Messy Vanity. ;)

5. Ummm hello... It's a makeup party!!!!

Anyway, shortly after receiving this awesome news, I started to freak! What do I do for games? What will we eat? PRIZES! You can't have games without prizes!! Oh crud, Decorations! Ahhhhhh!!! So much to do, so little time! 

About a week later, I received my hostess package. A box full of everything I need to be the "hostess with the mostess"! Opening the box was like opening the doors to heaven (aaaaaah).

(Pic cred:http://gospellightminutex.com found on Google images)

Ten of everything plus a full sized "They'reReal"  mascara as a hostess gift! Ok, now I'm excited! 

We're now 2 days away and I think I'm on the right track. I've got my games planned, goody bags ready (Provided by Benefit Cosmetics), I've gone to the exclusive Lash Bash hostess website to get decorative printouts and party ideas and most importantly, I've sent out my invites.

To cut down on cost, I've asked each of my guests to bring an appetizer. Who doesn't love a good potluck?

What's next? Prizes! I have got to go get my game prizes! 

Today is the big day and since I did absolutely nothing I had planned on doing yesterday, I need to get on my grind. I'm making my Easy Party Meatballs so I have to get those and I've still gotta get prizes and a few decorations. It is going to be a loooooong day. 

House is clean, prizes and decorations are bought. Finishing touches include stuffing gift bags, putting pink and black balloons outside and of course filling my house with some if my favorite scents from Scentsy. 

sugar cookie and baked apple pie

Party time! Everything is ready to go! 

Guests begin to arrive and I can finally breathe and I start to think to myself... " Why am I freaking out? I love being a hostess. I'm surrounded by people who love and support me. I have been chosen  to represent Benefit, a fabulous cosmetics company, and Ipsy, both of which I am a huge fan! 

Let the games begin! We started the night out with a game called What's in your Purse. This game was a great ice breaker. It's really kind of amazing the things women keep in their purse. It's no wonder why our purses are so heavy. We went on to have Blind Makeup Races in which 2 players had to race to apply a full face of makeup and create a smoky eye without using a mirror! Needless to say, WE WERE HYSTERICAL! A game of Beauty Charades was next. I must admit the clues were quite challenging. 

Clue Example:
"Breaking your heel while walking up a flight of stairs." & "Holding the dogs back while the pizza guy is at the door and you have lipstick on your nose."

After charades we played Two False and a Real which was really hard for me because my life us such an open book. I had a hard time stumping everyone. Finally, it was time for everyone to try the "They're Real" mascara that they all received in their gift bags. 

After a bit more noshing and a few group pics, the Lash Bash was over. Everyone had a great time and I am so grateful that I've gotten this opportunity. 

To see the full album of Lash Bash pics and videos, check out The Messy Vanity Facebook page! 

Thanks for stopping by The Messy Vanity,

Kat

My recipe for Easy Party Meatballs
Making amazing meatballs in just a few easy steps. 
•Any frozen meatballs
•bottle of barbecue sauce
•grape jelly
Crockpot

Combine bottle if barbecue sauce with 1 cup grape jelly. Pour over meatballs in crock pot. Stir to coat. Turn crockpot on low for 6 hours and ENJOY!

Quick Look: Cabana Glama

I finally bought The Cabana Glama Kit by Benefit. I've been wanting this kit for a while 1) for the amazing "cigar box" looking packaging which instantly makes you think of being on an island in the summer with its post card print on front and bright summery yellow background and 2) because a peachy neutral palette is a must in any makeup collection.

Although this palette is more for a summer look, I just couldn't wait to try it out.
(Bear with me again folks, I'm still blogging from my phone)



Immediately after opening the box, I am whisked away to a far off tropical place. The postcard like pictures and notes on the back add a realistic and fun touch to this kit. Well done on the packaging Benefit, well done.

So now the fun begins. I started by using the oil free Pixi Flawless and Poreless Primer that I received in my February Ipsy Bag.

After putting the primer all over my face, I went on to the Perfect Match foundation in medium. Immediately I noticed the texture to be silky and smooth. I used this all over my face to even out my skin.

I have to admit the coverage wasn't the best for the winter months but seems it will be perfect in the summer months when you don't want something too heavy on your face.

Once that was done, it was on to the " Hoola" bronzer which also had a nice and smooth texture.
Because its still winter, I want to add color to my skin but don't want it to look unnatural so I didn't use this all over, just in a contouring fashion under my cheekbones and around the edge of my forehead and temples . It added just the right amount of glow.

Following the directions, I used the Posietint gloss on both my lips and cheeks. Right away I was unhappy with the formula. It was thin and watery and almost immediately soaked into my lips needing to be reapplied. I ended up using another coral color that I had in my stash.

When I moved the color to my cheeks I had the same feelings. The watery formula seemed to wipe off any foundation and bronzer that I had in that area and left little to no color on the apples of my cheeks. I ended up using the "Peach Fizz" eye shadow (seen below) on my cheeks instead.

After using the highlight color from my Milani Brow Fix Kit on my inner tear duct area and 1/4 way across my lid, I used the "peach Fizz" color on the remaining eyelid area.This is a beautiful color in itself and also very buildable. I used two coats for an extra peachy look. I then used "Bronze Buzz" in my crease bringing it up just under my highlighted brow bone.Finally, I used the "Cocoa Pizzazz" color on the outer edge of the eye to deepen the color.

Because the kit didn't come with an eyeliner, I used my own. The liner I chose to match this look was an Avon Glimmerstick in "Brown Glow". This color is a beautiful bronze which I used on the lashline of the top lid and in the lower waterline of the eye.


A few coats of my favorite mascara and the look was complete! (Because I am blogging from my phone and the lighting is not great, I have no decent picture of what the finished look looked like.)

Pros: 

• Great Packaging
• perfect color palette for enhancing an already sun-kissed face
• Eye colors are very build-able
• Foundation gives just the right amount of coverage

Cons:

• Would rather have a small brush instead of a sponge tip applicator
• Formula for Posietint is watery and weak. Definitely not a fan
• Could have used a small mascara or liner in the kit

Overall:

This is a great palette for adding the perfect glow to kick your summer look up a notch.

Thanks for stopping by,

Kat