The winner of the Furless Makeup Brush Giveaway is...

The giveaway is now closed and the winner is Elizabeth aka @jskDC!! Congratulations!  Make sure you check your email so I can get your contact info!

If you entered but didn't win this time keep trying!  MakeupNotDown will be doing more giveaways.

Love,


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My Blog Has Just Been iFabbo Endorsed!

Blog News!!!!!  I'm excited to announce that Makeup Not Down has just become iFabbo endorsed. Whoo hoo! *throws confetti* Notice the little seal of approval in the sidebar on the right hand side.

Unfamiliar with iFabbo?  Well it's an international organization for Beauty, Fashion, and Lifestyle Bloggers.  They have networking events all over the world and you get to try out new products and meet companies you may not have known of.  iFabbo is a great platform to bring bloggers together. 

As a member you have to agree to their blogger commitments and expectations.  These guidelines are pretty simple and fair.  But that way you know all iFabbo members are adhering to the same rules and codes of conduct.  I'm just honored to be accepted as a member.

I look forward to attending my first iFabbo event and can't wait to see what iFabbo has in store for the future.

Friendly Reminder: Furless Brush Giveaway Ends Today!

Hello dollfaces!  Have you had a chance to enter my giveaway for Furless Makeup Brushes?  Just a friendly reminder that it ends today at 12:00PM EST!  To enter follow me on twitter, like my fan page on Facebook, or share this giveaway on your blog.  Make sure you drop a comment for each entry you complete.  Check out the full details of the giveaway here.

With any luck, it might be you! 

Smokey Look with MAC Pigment

The smokey eye is always so popular.  I have a feeling I'll be posting a lot of tutorials/looks on how to create it.  This time I decided to use a pigment instead of just shadows alone.  MAC's naked pigment is so pretty.  Not only do I use it on my eyes, but I mix it with my foundation and body lotion.  It just gives you the J.Lo glow!  Anyways, find out what I used to create the look below.

Eyes:

Espresso eye shadow - Fill in your eyebrows with an angle brush.  Just follow your natural brow shape.  Remember to brush the shadow upwards. 

Groundwork Paint Pot – Apply on the inner, middle, and outer part of lid.  This is a neutral base that is going to make the eye shadow stick to the lid and also allow the color to show brightly.  Make sure to blend out the paint with a blending brush so that it's not too thick on the lid.

 

Naked Pigment - Over top of Groundwork paint pot in the inner half of lid only pat and pack the color on.  Not too much of the pigment a little goes a long way!                                                                                                                                 

Contrast eye shadow - On the outer crease work the color in with a 217 blending brush in an outer V formation.

 

Typographic eye shadow - Just a little on the crease, just beneath the brow bone.  Blend along with Contrast eye shadow so there isn't a harsh edge.

 

Matchmaster foundation 7.0 - Just a small amount on the brow bone. 

Blacktrack Fluidline Eye liner gel - Line your upper lash line from the inner part of your eye to the outer. 

Engraved Powerpoint eye pencil – Line the waterline and lower lash line.  Then take a 219 pencil brush and smudge Contrast eye shadow on the lower lash line. 

Lashes:

Duo Lash Adhesive- needed for false lash application.  Please invest in this 8$ lash glue.  One tube will last about a year!

False lashes (#7) - My favorite lashes right now by MAC.  But you can use whatever you like.  Red Cherry or Smoke and Mirror lashes are great too!

Lips:

Beet Lip Pencil - I wasn't too crazy about the lip pencil I used LOL. 

Cremesheen Glass Boy Bait - Apply to the center of each lip and rub lips together for a nice even coat.  Use a brush to fill in the lips if needed.  My new favorite gloss that goes great with any pencil!

Face:

Matchmaster foundatin 7.0 - Apply with a 187 brush and start from the center of your face and blend out. 

Mineralize Skinfinish Powder (over top of the foundation) - Use the same 187 brush and apply all over your face. 

Blot Powder Pressed - Dust it over the oily spots with a large powder brush and you are good to go.  I reapply this as much as needed throughout the day.

What do you think?  Send me pics if you decide to try the look!  As always, if you have a request send it my way to cj@makeupnotdown.com.  I'll do my best to post my interpretation of it on the blog.

The Perfect Match!

Finding the perfect foundation for your skin can be discouraging.  I can't count how many times I've picked a foundation, and had to return it because it's not what I thought it was.  Thank gosh for liberal return policies!  No more having to worry about getting a refund because MAC's new Matchmaker Foundation eliminates all the confusion.  The shade collection makes it easy to find the perfect match for your complexion.  I decided to purchase the foundation and test it out myself.  This is my video review (sorry for the poor lighting LOL) along with more details below.

"With our all races credo, we’re redefined what a perfect match should be with new Matchmaster Foundation SPF 15 technology, using translucent pigments to create a formula that enables a fully personalized finish influenced by the subtleties of your own skin tone. Adding to Matchmaster’s true-to-life appeal is its moisturizing demi-matte finish, medium buildable coverage, and line-reducing soft focus powders. Add the fact that this formula reduces excess shine-creating oil, and who could resist?"

Matchmaster Shade Matching Reference

• 1.0 | NC15
• 1.5 | NW15
• 2.0 | NC20, NC25, NW20
• 3.0 | NC30
• 4.0 | NC 35, NC37, NW30
• 5.0 | NC40, NC41, NC42
• 6.0 | NW33, NW35, NC44
• 7.0 | NW40, NW43, NC45
• 7.5 | NC50, NC55
• 8.0 | NW44, NW45
• 8.5 | NW46, NW47
• 9.0 | NW48
• 9.5 | NW50, NW55
• 10.0 | NW58, NW60

Available now for $32.50.

I'm A Finalist *screams*

Two days ago I checked my email and screamed! I began to jump on my couch, then I hit my dougie!!!!

 

I was chosen as 1 of the 12 finalists in BeautyStat's First New York Fashion Week Inspired Makeup Competition. I am so happy and excited to be chosen, especially after seeing the incredible looks that the other ladies put together. 

Now that BeautyStat has chosen the finalists, it is up to my lovely readers to pick a winner.  All you have to do is simply leave a comment on the site letting them know who you voted for.  The prizes are sponsored by Make Up For Ever and the winner will receive a grand prize pack worth $250.

 

So if you like my Extreme Cat Eye vote for me!  There are some pretty unique looks so vote for whoever you like. Its an honor just to have been selected as a finalist.

 

Fellow Bloggers Giveaway

A few fellow beauty bloggers are having some fab giveways so I thought I would share!

• Check out Karen's 50$ eGift Card Giveaway from Sephora over at Makeup and Beauty Blog!
• Luna has an awesome review and giveaway on Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.  Check out Burning Moon Products blogspot to enter.
• At PinkCupcakez.com Julisa has another awesome Neutrogena giveaway!
• JC's 23rd birthday is September 25th so she decided to celebrate by taking SOMEONE else shopping!  One winner will get to pick 200$ worth of Sephora products.  Head over to Makeup Diary for details.
• Charleston Gal is giving away the NARS Hopelessly Devoted Gift Set.  Such pretty colors. You can enter on Best Things in Beauty.

Oh and don't forget to enter my contest for Furless Makeup brushes as well!

Giveaway #3, Furless Makeup Brushes :)

It's time for another Makeup Not Down Giveaway! YEAH!  I really love Furless Makeup brand brushes.  If you aren't familiar, Furless is an Australian brand that sells cruelty free makeup and brushes.  All of their products are fur and leather free.  Not only are they very affordable but the quality is great.  I'll be giving away one of their brush sets that contains 7 of their finest synthetic makeup brushes.  Below are some pictures of the prize.

Mini Bamboo Eco Set

Please make sure to follow the giveaway rules...

1 Entry:

• Follow @MakeupNotDown on Twitter
• Become a fan of Makeup Not Down on my Facebook fan page
• Follow Makeup Not Down via Google Friend Connect! (found in the left sidebar on my blog)
• Subscribe via email (found in the left sidebar on my blog)

4 Entries:

• Retweet (RT) the following message on twitter - Follow @MakeupNotDown and RT to win the Furless Makeup Brushes http://t.co/FuuiqTm
• Share this giveaway on Facebook using this link http://t.co/FuuiqTm

6 Entries:

• Share this giveaway on your blog.  You must link back to this post and include a direct link to your post announcing the giveaway in your comment.

Don't forget to leave a separate comment for each entry you complete!

Details:

The winner will be contacted via email, and must claim their prize within 5 days.  The giveaway closes September 29th at 12:00PM EST and the winner will be announced by September 30th 10:00AM EST.  All entries will be entered into an excel spreadsheet and selected via randomizer.org.

Rules:

• All entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Prizes will be awarded either by Makeup Not Down or by its affiliated merchants in a timely manner.
• Winners will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 5 days with their valid shipping address, or the prize is forfeit and a new winner will be selected.
• By accepting a prize, the winner agrees that Makeup Not Down may post his/her name on the blog.

Have you tried Furless brushes?  If you haven't enter my giveaway for a chance to win!

Makeup Competition Sponsored by MakeUpForEver

One of my favorite sites Beauty Stat is having a NYFW inspired makeup contest.  To enter just upload a photo and list the products you used.  They are looking for the best techniques and most avant garde makeup looks.  If you're a makeup blogger, artist, or just really creative with brushes you should enter.  I entered one of their contests a while ago and was a finalist but didn't get the grand prize. *tear drops*  Its okay I have big hopes this time LOL.  Check out the prizes you could win: 

Grand prize pack worth $250, to include the following items:

- Smoky Couleur Mascara #4 in green ($22)
- Khol Pencil #4K in green, #9K in brown ($17 each)
- Aqua Liner #1 ($23)
- Aqua Cream #11 ($22)
- HD Microfinish Powder ($30)
- Kabuki Brush ($39)
- Rouge Artist Intense #46 ($19)
- Lab Shine #S2 ($18)
- Lip Line Perfector ($18)
- HD Microfinish Blush #7 ($25)

Runner prize pack worth $78 to include the following items:

- Two Smoky Mascaras
- Two Kohl Pencils

Head on over to Beautystat.com for more details.  Good Luck!

Lady Gaga Goes "Bare" for Bazaar

Bare as in sans makeup!  The fresh face pop star covers the October issue of Harper's Bazaar au naturel.  Personally I think she looks great and it's nice to see her face.  It's very different from her striking over the top makeup looks.  The styling done by Nicola Formichetti and makeup (only foundation, mascara, and highlighter) done by Val Garland are impeccable.  Check out the pics below. 

Gaga tells the October issue of the magazine: “Whether I’m wearing lots of makeup or no makeup, I’m always the same person inside.”  The magazine hits stands on September 27.

What do you think?  Do you prefer Lady Gaga with a little or a lot of makeup?

30 Blog Posts in 30 Days

I've read a lot about the 30 blog posts in 30 days challenge.  I've gotten so busy with my full time job, part time job, working out, and just life that I couldn't imagine being able to write something every day.  Let alone, putting together and posting new makeup looks.

But I realized it was the perfect way for me to grow Makeup Not Down.  So my plan is to blog everyday in September.  Maybe not everyday, but sometimes two posts in one day.  What's my focus?  Regular blogging, favorite makeup, and trends. 

Not only am I aiming to write 30 posts in 30 days, I am setting myself another challenge – at least 30 comments in 30 days, and hopefully more.  So watch this site over the next month as I take on the challenge.

With that being said written....ugh does this count as one post??? LOL