HAIR: Easy Holiday Updo Tutorial + Amika Giveaway [5 Winners!]

I am so excited to share this hairstyle with you! It is very difficult for me to film hair tutorials, but now that my hair is 5 inches shorter, it is more fun to style and experiment. This updo is straightforward yet easy to make your own, so I hope you will give it a try! I like to tread the line between sleek and tousled, but this big wavy bun is perfect for any Holiday occasion regardless of your preference. And starting today (November 27) through Cyber Monday, take 25% OFF all tools + free US Shipping on www.loveamika.com and score free travel sized styling products with your order! Promo Code: HolidayHair 

I recommend:
--Amika Deep Purple 25-18mm Barrel Curler
--Amika Heat Defense Serum
--Amika Touchable Hairspray
--Amika Power Cloud Repair + Smooth Hair Dryer

Tools Used in Tutorial:
--Amika Black 4P Interchangeable Barrel Curler feat. 18-25mm wand (Sephora Exclusive)
--Conair Bobby Pins - Black

Makeup Worn:

Givenchy Teint Couture Foundation in 5 Elegant Honey 

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Cream 

Koh Gen Do Triple Lighting Powder in OC-1 

IT Cosmetics Vitality Face Disc (Bronzer, Blush, Highlighter) 

By Terry Touche Veloutee in Cream 

EM Michelle Phan Concealer Mixing Palette in Light 

EM Michelle Phan Arched Eyebrow Pencil in Black

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Barley
Eyeko Liquid Metal Eyeliner in Black Onyx

Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Mascara

Shu Uemura False Lashes in Soft Cross

Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope Lipstick in Star System

Jouer Lip Gloss in Bare Rose

Sweater:

Wildfox Baggy Beach Jumper

Nails:

Guerlain 260 Jardins de Bagatelle

Enter the Giveaway HERE! 5 WINNERS, each set of prizes retails for $304 USD

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

In case you missed it, don't forget to check out my tips on fitness trends to help burn the calorie away!
Click here to watch.
___________________________________________________________________________

Photo Diary: My Haute Holiday in Maui, Hawaii

I recently traveled to Maui, Hawaii for a fun-filled vacation! I was only able to stay for a few days, but I miss island life already. I featured a few photos of my stay on Instagram, but I wanted to share some more of my adventures here on the blog. It was my first time in Hawaii, which was unbelievably peaceful, beautiful and lush. Check out more photos after the jump!

Shu Uemura & Takashi Murakami Holiday 2013 Heart-Full Pink Parallel Palette Review + Makeup Tutorial

Shu Uemura's Holiday 2013 collaboration with famed artist Takashi Murakami is too adorable for words. The magical graphics make for truly collectible makeup products, and the theme of Black Princess vs. Pink Princess explores duality in the most feminine way possible.

The collection is quite large, but the Heart-Full Pink Parallel Palette for Eyes and Lips is definitely the star of the show from what I have tried. I've been playing with it for two weeks now, and it still pleasantly surprises me because it is so much lovelier and more wearable than I expected. The perfectly curated colors and phenomenal textures — as well as limited edition status — convinced me to splurge on the Enchanted Black Parallel Eyes and Cheeks Palette. I ordered it this weekend, so it should arrive sometime next week (and yes, I will share the swatches). For now, let's marvel at the beauty of the darling pink palette!

Finally, the tutorial below features the Heart-Full Palette as well as other products from this covetable Holiday collection in action. It is a sweet and youthful, easy-to-wear makeup look that brightens up the whole complexion. I hope you enjoy it!

MAKEUP WORN:

Shu Uemura Lightbulb Foundation in 554 [gifted by the lovely Leanne from Singapore xo] I plan to purchase colors 564 and 574 when they launch in the USA!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Compact Powder in 4

Shu Uemura Hard Formula Brow Pencil in Stone Gray

Shu Uemura Heart-Full Pink Parallel Palette

Shu Uemura Princess Love in Wink False Eyelashes

Tom Ford Defining Eyeliner Pen in Deeper

Shu Uemura Tokyo Lash Black Mascara

Shu Uemura Lip & Cheek Fun-tasy in Dream Pink

Shu Uemura Gloss Unlimited in PK 60 S

DETAILS:
Hair: Amika 32mm Curls // Nails: Guerlain 260 Jardins de Bagatelle // Top: J. Crew [old]

BOTTOM LINE: I highly recommend the Heart-Full palette, but do check out the rest of the collection on www.shuuemura-usa.com! Happy shopping, everyone!

___________________________________________________________________________

em michelle phan Waterliner Eye Pencils Review, Photos, Swatches, Comparisons

I am an eyeliner addict. I have a fairly extensive collection of eyeliners — pencils, liquids, felt tips, brush tips, glitters, etc. I may use liquid liners most often, but I am partial to pencil eyeliner. I recently discovered EM Michelle Phan's Waterliner pencils, which have a unique, rich pigment that is relatively budge-proof. The dark shades were made to define while the light shades were intended to brighten. Today I will share swatches of all my favorite pencil eyeliners and provide comparisons to dozens of others, so check them out after the jump!