Easy Valentine's Day Makeup, Hair, Nails

Let's face it: some of us have this fantasy of smokey eyes, sexy curls and a glamorous outfit for a fancy Valentine's Day dinner. But in reality, that's not always the case--it's a quiet dinner at home (my personal choice) after the kids are asleep. Today, I'm sharing an easy Valentine's Day look that's great for beginners, teens, and those who occasionally wear makeup. Plus, most everything can be found at the drugstore. Enjoy.

FACE

• I wanted this to look as natural as possible, so I wore a BB Cream and concealer.
• For my cheeks, I wanted a light flush of pink, so I ran my Duo Fiber Brush over the Maybelline Master Glaze in Pinched in Pink and brushed over the apples of my cheeks.
• My lips have Maybelline Color Elixir (review coming soon, but shared in a haul here) in Rose Refined.

EYES

• For my eyes, I used the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked In Pink on my lids. If you can't find this, try Vaseline Jelly mixed with a light pink shadow (I recommend the lid shade in the Wet N Wild palette Walking on Eggshells) 
• I lined my upper lash line with this liner from Wet N Wild. Just use short strokes and allow a few seconds for it to dry. It's easy, I promise.
• Then I added a coat of this Essence mascara.
• For a special treat, I'm wearing these ESQIDO mink lashes* that I was sent. If you've found false lashes difficult, give these a try. They are SO easy to apply. Most recently sported on Victoria's Secret models and celebs, ESQIDO mink lashes come in a variety of styles--I chose Little Black Lash and Unforgettable. They're soft, natural-looking, and you can get up to 25 uses out of them (as opposed to 4 or so from synthetic lashes). And these are collected, sanitized and hand-crafted from the natural shedding process. These sterilized lashes are hypoallergenic, and I can assure you I experienced no sensitivity at all. I don't think I can go back to synthetic after using these.

HAIR

• After applying a heat protectant and allowing it to dry, I wrapped 2 inch sections around the barrel of a 1.25 inch curling iron. I held it for about 5 seconds before moving on to the next section. Spray with hairspray if needed. This is the usual method I use for my hair and I've posted many tutorials on this, if interested.

NAILS

• I was sent these Hot Designs Nail Art Pens* a while back, and all of the pictures for my original review have disappeared on my dead hard drive (rip), but that's fine because I'm sharing an even easier design that you'll be able to do. I used these for my Minnie Mouse nails (shared here on my Instagram), that so many of you loved.
• They have ways to use them: as a brush or with the tip. The tip makes it so easy for nail art. If brushes or dotting tools are too difficult, give these a try. They're $14.99 each and fun. Look for them at retail stores. Check out their Facebook for their Nailies contest for more nail art design inspiration.
• To create these nails, I painted a base coat of a darker pink with the brush end, and then painted dots with the tip of a lighter pink. To make the heart, I made 3 dots in a reverse triangle with the tip, and then connected them with polish.

*This post was not sponsored in any way. Everything was purchased by me, except I was sent two items to try. I chose to review and share them with you. All photos were edited with the Auto Brighten button and put into collages. No photoshop was used.

PS: To thank you for stopping by, I have 2 giveaways I'd love for you to enter:

• $1000 giftcard giveaway from Suave (ends 2-28)
• $1000 Target giftcard giveaway (ends 2-28)

WANT MORE?

I've got another look for Valentine's Day that is being featured on PopSugar Beauty. Stop by to check it out!

Love Potion: DIY Chocolate Sugar Scrub

Did you celebrate Fat Tuesday yesterday? Are you giving up anything for Lent, like chocolate? If you did, no worries! I've got the perfect Love Potion for Valentine's Day that satisfies a chocolate fix but with zero calories: Chocolate Sugar Scrub! Your skin will be so soft! It's super easy and quick to make. In fact, this is one of my Beauty On the Go creations using ingredients from Starbucks. Here's how to make it:

I N G R E D I E N T S
3 tbsp sugar
3 drops almond oil
1 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp honey
3 drops chocolate extract (optional)

M E T H O D
Pour the ingredients into your container and mix together. The consistency should be similar to brown sugar.
This is enough for one use. I wouldn't suggest storing it for longer than a couple of days, provided it was in a sealed container. Massage onto skin and rinse away.

T I P S
--I suggest heating the honey for a few seconds, as it makes the scrub feel even better and makes it easier to pour/clean up.
--The sugar is a wonderful exfoliant, while sweet almond oil and honey add moisture back to skin. Honey is antibacterial and helps to remove impurities from skin.
--I like to use this before shaving, as I feel like I get a closer shave when my legs are exfoliated.
--This would be the perfect Love Potion for Valentine's Day! Have your honey massage some on you in the shower or bath.
--Feel free to use this scrub on your face, as the sugar is a gentle exfoliant.
--Once rinsed away, you can add lotion or continue with your regular bathing products.
--This will not stain your skin and only leaves the slightest scent once rinsed away. Feel free to add or substitute chocolate extract or essential oil.
--If allergic to any of the ingredients used, please do not try this. Instead, try one of the many Beauty DIY products I've made.

What beauty products would you like me to make?

LOVE WEEK: Chocolate Body Butter

Hurray for the weekend! What are your plans? I'm currently in the mountainsfor the weekend! I've really enjoyed LOVE WEEK, and hope you've had the chance to check out my posts. I've shared DIY, makeup, and hair ideas. Today I'm making Chocolate Body Butter! If only it was edible, right? If you're looking for a sweet treat that smells delicious, feels amazing, and is zero calories, give this a try. Enjoy!

T O O L S

1 c cocoa butter (shea butter or coconut oil work too)
2 tsp. cocoa powder
1-2 drops of Vitamin E
microwavable bowl
spoons
hand mixer
container


M E T H O D

Measure your cocoa butter and melt it in the microwave. This takes about two minutes to melt, depending on what base you use. Be sure to watch that it doesn't burn or boil over.

Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and place it in the freezer to harden.

Once the oil has hardened, take a hand mixer and mix it to a body butter consistency. It will look like icing.

Add the Vitamin E and the cocoa powder to the butter and mix thoroughly with a spoon or the mixer. I used a plastic spoon to make clean up a little bit easier. I used milk chocolate powder, which gives it the lighter color, but dark cocoa powder allows it to look more like chocolate. You can also use a chocolate essential oil in addition or instead of the cocoa powder.

That's it! The cocoa butter is moisturizing, which is so needed in the winter months. The Vitamin E serves as an antioxidant for the body butter and helps it last longer. The body butter will keep for a couple of months.

Bonus: If you already have unscented or vanilla body butter, all you will need to do is add the cocoa powder and mix thoroughly. I've tried cocoa powder with mint or almond body butters, but it didn't smell great!

Note: If you are allergic or sensitive to chocolate, do not add it. If you are allergic to nuts, read the packaging to see if your cocoa powder was processed in the same facility as nuts before using. Due to the richness of the body butter, avoid using on the face.

Have a great weekend! Be safe, behave, and be well. Love, Elle

PS: Not a chocolate fan? Check out my VANILLA SUGAR COOKIE BODY BUTTER!

LOVE WEEK: How To: Messy, Sexy Curls

Hey you! As you're reading this, I'm in the mountains for the weekend--don't worry I have another post tomorrow too. I'm looking forward to hiking around, good food, and lots of relaxation. I've been saving my magazines just for the occasion! I'm dreading writing down what I eat over the weekend though--it's my resolution for the week! But let's get back into LOVE WEEK! Check out my Messy, Sexy Curls:

You'll need a 1 inch curling wand and volumizing powder. 

Spray hair with heat protectant and plug in your curling wand.

Using half inch to one inch sections. place the curling wand onto hair and wrap around the curling wand as pictured on right. This causes the curl to go away from the face. I usually start wrapping about at the crown area of my head. The pieces closest to my face are usually wrapped closer to the root.

Leave for about 10 seconds and then gently pull the curl to make it looser. 

Repeat on the next section of hair, but this time begin with the hair over the curling wand, as pictured on left. 

This will allow the curl to go towards the face. 

Repeat all over the hair, with curls alternating towards and away from the face.

 I'm using this technique so the curls won't stick together and form one big curl at the end of the day. 

It also looks more natural.

Tap some volumizing powder into your palm. 

Normally this product goes onto roots to give them volume. 

Feel free to do that if you wish. 

Rub hands together and disperse through your curls. 

Add a little more powder to your hands and then scrunch your hair. 

This really breaks up the curls, giving you that messy, sexy  bedhead look.

That's it! This looks takes around 10-15 minutes total.

How did you style your hair today?

LOVE WEEK: Sweet Valentine's Day Makeup

This week is flying by for me! I hope it is for you as well. LOVE WEEK is halfway over, too. So far I've shared some Sweet Ideas, Easy Heart Nails, and today I've got a Sweet Valentine's Day Makeup look you might want to try. The makeup used is all drugstore and the brushes I purchased from Sigma. Enjoy!

• Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink
• Wet N Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment
• Wet N Wild blush in Pearlescent Pink
• Revlon Lip Balm Stain in Honey
• Maybelline Rocket Volum Express mascara
• Sigma brushes: 
• large fluff
• large shader
• pencil
• tapered blending

Place Inked in Pink all over the lid.

Take the eyelid shade (from the Wet N Wild palette Silent Treatment) 

and pat onto the outer half of the lid. I used a large shader brush--E60.

Using an E35 tapered blending brush, dip the tip of the brush into the crease color.

Start at the outer corner of the eye and sweep the color back and forth through the crease.

The color should be darkest at the outer corner and become lighter in the crease.

Take an E30 pencil brush, dip into the same shade, and run along the lower lash line.

Using a clean E30 pencil brush or the side of the shader brush (pictured),

sweep the pink shade onto the brow bone and the inner corner to highlight.

Add eyeliner if you wish--I didn't to keep the look softer.

Finish with mascara, blush, and lip balm stain.

Have a wonderful Wednesday :)

LOVE WEEK: Easy Heart Nails Ft. Camille's Nail Colour

Hearts make me happy and I don't need the excuse of Valentine's Day to wear them! Today I'm sharing my Easy Heart Nails, featuring Camille's Nail Colour from Camille's Closet. Camille's Closet is an Atlanta-based online shop, featuring feminine-chic accessories as well as polish. I love to feature local businesses, but luckily for you, you can shop online! Have a visit. I love the accessories! And then come back. ;)

The inspiration for these nails came from the heart on the Camille's Closet logo and packaging. I love these nails because you can use whatever colors you'd like, like I did, making it great for year-round. And for those of you who always ask for nails that only require a couple of steps, you must try out these!

T O O L S

Scissors

Stencil-makers, like Painter's Tape, Band Aids, or Post It Notes

2 polishes--I'm using Camille's Nail Colour in Lavender Blush and Luxe.

Clear coat

optional: heart-shaped paper punch and pen

M E T H O D

Paint a base coat and allow to dry. Paint your base color and allow to dry. I chose Lavender Blush, a purple taupe, that has the tiniest bit of sparkle when the light hits your nails just right.

Take your stencil-maker and fold in half. I used a Post It note, but Painter's Tape or even the sticky ends of a Band Aid will work. I don't suggest tape because it tends to be too sticky and can ruin the manicure.

Draw half of a heart on the sticky note and cut it out--make sure it's near the top so when you open the stencil, it will be able to stick to your nail. Make sure not to make it too big, as you want it to fit on your nails. You can also use a heart-shaped paper punch (check the Scrapbooking or Paper aisle of the craft store) to punch out a heart.

Place the stencil on top of the dry nail and fill in the stencil with your second color. I used Luxe, a gorgeous Tiffany-blue. Camille's Nail Colours are four-free and non-toxic,

Carefully remove the stencil and allow to dry. Seal with a top clear coat. Repeat on remaining nails if you wish!

LOVE WEEK: Sweet Ideas for Valentine's Day

For my third annual Love Week, I'll be sharing plenty of sweet ideas for loved ones and for you! Kids love Valentines too, and many of these ideas can be modified to them! Today I have some cheap and easy ideas for your loved ones. Combine any of these ideas if you'd like. Enjoy!

1. Valentine's Advent Calendar--This can be done from Feb. 1 or the week of Valentine's Day or even the day of, as a scavenger hunt. There are so many ways to do this, but the easiest way is with envelopes. Inside add a sweet message, treats, love coupons, a date night idea, something you love about them, or a favorite memory--so many possibilities.  

2. Love Notes--The easiest things sometimes have the biggest impact! Leave Post It notes on the mirror, pillow, dashboard, lunch, etc.

3. Coffee/Hot Chocolate--Something to brighten the day and have a cozy night--and sharing a cup is even better! Add a special heart decoration, like in my Decorated Drinks for Valentine's Day. If you visit that post, you'll see the Milk Hearts--kid love these!

4. Trail of Kisses--Leave a trail of Hershey Kisses from the door to you--"All my Kisses are For You!!" Or the tub so you can "shower" your loved one with kisses.

5. Fruit Notes--Not all of us have a sweet tooth. Leave a note on the fruit, such as You're the Apple of My Eye, We Make Quite a "Pear", I'm Bananas Over You, or Orange Your Glad to Be My Valentine?

6. Recreate Your First Date--Rent the movie you saw, replicate the dinner (or get take out from there if possible), or visit the spot where it happened. Don't forget to add a dance to "our" song.

7. Lucky 7--7 Things I Love About You or 7 Favorite Memories or 7 Things I Love About Us--read these with a glass of champagne and dessert.

8. Fondue For Two--I love fondue and have a fancy-pants fondue pot at my apt, but a small one just for chocolate/cheese can be purchased fairly cheaply.

9. Tub for Two--Make my Funfetti Fizzy Bath Bombs for an extra surprise.

10. Bake Some Love--Try my Easy DIY Colored Sugar Cupcakes

BONUS: Check out my Cheap Date Night Ideas!

DIY: Colored Sugar Cupcakes for Valentines!

Here's a sweet treat just in time for Valentine's Day! No time to bake? Take plain, store-bought cupcakes and make them extra special by adding a little something extra. Instead of spending money on colored sugar, why not make your own? Chances are you have the ingredients already. Enjoy!

You'll need:

• granulated sugar
• food coloring
• freezer bags (Ziploc)
• icing (purchased or made)
• cupcakes (purchased or made)
• scissors
• chopstick or mixing tool, optional

How To:

• Pour sugar into freezer bag (as much as you think you'll need to decorate cupcakes).
• Add drops of food coloring to bag of sugar and scrunch bag to mix color. Use a different bag for each color.
• Once mixed, open bag and allow sugar to dry overnight.
• Sprinkle your sprinkles on your cupcake to decorate, or roll the cupcake in the sprinkles.
• Want even more decoration?Take vanilla icing and scoop into a Ziploc bag. Add food coloring and mix with a chopstick. Or seal up bag and scrunch bag around to mix color with icing.
• Snip off the bottom corner of bag and use to decorate cupcake. I *tried* to get mine in a rose pattern for Valentine's Day. See pic below.

Tips:

• Colored sugar goes beyond Valentine's Day, and beyond cupcakes.Try sprinkles on cookies, cakes, or other treats.
• I was originally going to post this for my Superbowl party, as I made colored sugar sprinkles for the team colors (red and blue this year). This idea could easily transcend to holidays or almost any party.
• I've always used my colored sugar within a few days of making. However, it could keep for at least a week if properly sealed.
• Add a couple of drops of peppermint or other flavoring to change the taste of your vanilla icing. Peppermint, for example, would be a great idea for Christmas cupcakes.

PS: Check out my Valentine Drinks here.

$100 Shopbop giveaway ends this week! 

Have you entered to win?

DIY: Decorated Drinks for Valentine's Day

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I thought I'd share a few sweet treats this week. First up, I'm showing ways to make ordinary drinks extra special. And don't let a lack of Valentine stop you! Modify these for kids or make them for yourself! Check out my Decorated Drinks:

Make that cappuccino cute with a heart on top for FREE!

• Take a drink lid (free anywhere that sells sodas or these can be bought) and trace a heart.
• Cut out the heart--remember there's a hole in the middle of the lid to make cutting easier.
• Place stencil on top of drink (perfect fit!) and sprinkle cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.
• Gently remove stencil.

How about Heart-shaped Marshmallows in hot cocoa?

• To decorate hot chocolate, add a dollop of cream (I used Reddi-Whip) and a Peeps heart-shaped marshmallow. 

Milk Hearts

• What goes great with Valentine cookies (that I did not bake)? Heart-shaped milk cubes!
• Pour milk into a heart-shaped mold (I got mine for $1 at Target, but lollipop molds work too).
• Add a drop of food coloring and mix with a toothpick. 
• Once the milk hearts have frozen, drop them in a cool glass of milk.
• OTHER IDEAS: no milk? Use water instead with food coloring or strawberry syrup. Or pour strawberry milk into molds for flavor. Or try Kool-Aid cubes in the milk. I've tried all and they're delish!

 PS: Enter my GIVEAWAY for a $100 giftcard to SHOPBOP! Open internationally! 

Wanderlust Week: Lovely Links, The Travel Edition

I had plenty of links that didn't fit elsewhere, so I compiled them here for you. You'll want to bookmark these!

• Here's my Wanderlust Week Wrap Up from last year. Lots of goodies here! 

Airports/Airplanes

• Stranded at the airport? Check out this list of snack creations from the vending machine!
• Airplane Apps
• The Guide to Sleeping in Airports
• 25 Gadgets for Globetrotters

Roadtrips

• Staying Healthy on the Road
• Secrets to a Good Roadtrip
• McDonald's gives you ice for free! Perfect for coolers!

Potpourri 

• Cheap Travel Tips
• International Travel with Kids
• 20 Things I've Learned Traveling the World 3 Years
• This Battered Suitcase--Traveling Blog
• Traveling to a beach? How to Take Awesome Bikini Pics

I'm cramming in one last summer trip by visiting West Virginia this week.
Where did you go this summer? Where would you like to go?

Wanderlust Week: Travel Beauty Hacks

There is simply no need to pack so many beauty products, especially with carry on restrictions, when traveling. Save that space in your bag for more important items, like clothes souvenirs! I love when I can use an item for more than one thing; check out my favorite travel beauty hacks below:

Lemon Sugar Scrub
The tip pictured above is my favorite travel hack--it's an instant skin refresher. I use it on the plane or in my hotel room when my skin just feels gross after being exposed to dry airplane air or smoggy cities.

• Ask the flight attendant for some lemon slices (a half a lemon is better, but lemons are usually pre-sliced on planes) and a packet of sugar. Take these and head to the bathroom. 
• Mix the sugar and lemon juice together and use a scrub on your face. This works on your lips as well (place scrub on your toothbrush and brush your lips). 
• Rinse off and you'll feel instantly refreshed! This tip can be used in your hotel room (hit up the hotel's bar/restaurant) or on the go (I've used this hack in a restaurant bathroom while out sight-seeing).

Mini Zit Kit
Why oh why must zits pop up when traveling? Stress, different food, the air around you or hormones can exasperate skin. Use these hacks to help alleviate zits:

• If you have aspirin in your bag (not Tylenol) crush a couple (use the glass in your hotel room, for example) and add a few drops of water to make a paste. Dab on zits, leave overnight, and rinse away in the morning. Bonus hack: this can also be used as a scrub!
• If your zit has popped, squirt some Visine onto a cotton ball/tissue and dab onto the zit. The zit will shrink and the redness will be gone. Cover with a skin-matching (don't use concealer...we don't want to highlight your zit) cover up.

Eliminate Puffy Eyes

Had a late night out? Didn't sleep well? Whatever the reason, I've got some hacks to get rid of puffy eyes.

• Raid the mini bar--pour iced tea on cotton pads and leave on eyes 20 min. to relieve tired eyes.
• Only have 5 min? Rub an ice cube around eyes to get rid of bags.

Instant Diffuser

Leave your diffuser at home! 

• Put a thin sock (like a dress sock) over the nozzle of your hair dryer and dry hair as usual.

Shiny Hair
Use that bottle of tea from the mini bar again!

• After shampooing hair, pour tea on your hair to make it shiny. Rinse out.

Dry Shampoo

• This stuff can be a lifesaver when traveling! Baby powder works too, but only on lighter hair. I recommend Salon Grafix for darker hair.

Baby Wipes
These permanently stay in my carry on. See why below:

• Sometimes hand sanitizer just doesn't make me feel clean enough. I scrub my hands with a wipe and then sanitize!
• Use as a makeup remover (it's the same stuff as those wipes you're using)
• Use to get rid of deodorant stains (see additional ways here).
• Long flight/drive? Baby wipes are lifesavers when you need some freshening up.

Conditioner

• Use it instead of shaving cream to shave your legs.
• Add 2 tbsp conditioner to a spray bottle, fill with water, and shake for an instant detangler.

Chapstick

• Rub on heels to prevent blisters.
• Helps with a stubborn zipper
• Tames unruly eyebrows
• Instant moisturizer for elbows or knees
• Eye makeup remover in a pinch

Lotion

• Can also be used as shaving lotion.
• Use the tiniest bit as a defrizzer if you're in a jam.

What are your fave beauty hacks?

• What to pack in your makeup bag? Here are beauty products to keep in your carry on.
• Travel-friendly beauty and more beauty packing ideas from Allure