Kate Middleton's Wedding Hair

I know this is a year late, but I still reminiscence about the night I woke up at 4AM just to watch the young royal couple get married.  The lack of sleep was worth every minute. Two months after the Royal Wedding, off to London I went. The craze from the wedding was still buzzing over there. Everything was so proper and well maintained. The gardens, shops, and people looked so pristine and perfect. Someday I'd like to live in London, the only thing holding me back is the distance. Leaving all of my friends and family to live 7 timezones ahead is frightening. It's also an expensive place to live lol.

To catch that bit of London and the beauty of the Royal Wedding, I have a tutorial on how to achieve the hair Princess Catherine had on her wedding day.

By the way, none of these are my photos or my ideas. These ideas and photos are from This website. I am not trying to take credit for this tutorial.  I will add my own bits of information in italics.

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group

Step 1.

After shampooing, rinse really well, because unless the hair is very clean, you won’t get the same bounce and shine as Kate. Smooth through a little lightweight oil (I used Illuminoil, £29, johansford.com) to give a bit of gloss. Divide the hair into sections and blow dry from the bottom up. To create volume, use a large barreled bristle brush under each section and pull the hair up. For the ends, use a medium barreled brush as you dry. 

*I find that blow drying upside-down without the hassle of the rounded brush works just as well.*

 

Step 2.

To give definition and movement to the hair, use a pair of tongs to create curls at the end.  Take large sections (around six altogether) and wrap the final two inches of hair around the tongs and hold for a few seconds. Vary the direction that you wrap the hair so that the curls go in different directions.  Tonging the hair now, rather than after you’ve pinned it, makes it easier to pin, because the hair is already forming the shape you need.

*Tonging is just using a curling iron. This look can also be created using a conical wand. You can even create these curls with a hair straightener (it may turn out slightly different though).*

 

Step 3. 

Kate’s do has quite a bit of volume in the centre. To get this look, you need to gently backcomb the hair. Work from the front, taking sections half-an-inch thick and no wider than your comb, and use three strokes of a comb on the inch closest to the scalp, brushing towards the root. This gives volume at the base while leaving the ends smooth and glossy, and means pins will stay in place. Work from the front to behind the crown, using hairspray to keep in place. Then smooth the hair back off the face and spray.

 

Step 4.

Take a section of the hair from one side of the head and pull it back, pinning it in place with a Kirby grip. Then twist that lock of hair and pin it again with another grip.
Repeat on the other side. Spray to hold.
It’s not a bun, it’s  just that Kate’s hair is so long and thick  that it stands proud of the head and looks  like one.
- Jo Hansford, 48 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2QB;  johansford.com;  020 7495 7774

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2136393/Kate-Middleton-hair-A-year-Royal-Wedding-Kates-favourite-hairdressers-war.html#ixzz1tf6dXBBt

Covergirl Simply Ageless Corrector

I bought Covergirl Simply Ageless Corrector today because I was running out of my regular concealer (Benefit Erase Paste). I thought it would be a good idea to get a corrector rather than concealer and see what the difference is.

I was also interested in buying it because Ellen Degeneres advertises the product. Ellen is a funny gal, I like her show and therefore I felt the need to buy a product she endorses.  I know, that's exactly what CoverGirl wanted to happen. That's why they chose Ellen to advertise. I get it, I got sucked into their marketing plan.

But anyways, I bought it and tried it out. The consistency is very thick and pasty. It is a funky shade of yellow on my face and yes, it does correct dark circles quite nicely. I'm happy with it. It's a great base for underneath concealer or simply under foundation.

Trying to Upload

For the past two days, I've been trying to upload my new video. I really have. YouTube seems to be glitched and will not begin the uploading process when I try to. I have attempted at least 30 times now. Apparently, I'm not the only person having this problem.

Just thought I'd let you know. I do have a new video all finished.... It will be up once YouTube figures it's self out!

I'm lagging behind, I know

Hey, life's getting pretty busy at the moment. I've got a research proposal for cognitive psychology and some other assignments all needing to be finished asap. I'm hoping to film a new video sometime this week, and again on the weekend. I'm looking for some input though, what videos do you want to see? Hair? Makeup? What looks do you need help with? Comment below and let me know, because I would like to help people with thing they want to know how to do! No point on making a video about something everyone already knows, right?

Haul

I've picked up a few new makeup items lately that I thought I would share with my readers.

1. Estee Lauder Turbolash: All effects Motion Mascara
2. Smashbox Eyebeam: Double Ended Brightener
3. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion: Eyeshadow base
4. Covergirl Smoky Shadow Blast
5. Covergirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm in 265 Sandstone
6.  Kirkland Borghese Mineral Eyeshadow Palette
7. Joe Fresh Sheer Lip Crayon in Apple

1. Estee Lauder Turbolash
 The first thing I would like to mention is the Estee Lauder Turbolash mascara, AKA the vibrating mascara. I bought two of them because they were on sale for cheap. I just tried the mascara out for the first time and all I can say is this mascara is gimmicky and disappointing. I knew all along it was gimmicky, I was okay with that.

I was not expecting such sub-par results from a high end mascara. My Rimmel or L'Oreal mascaras performed much better than this.  Why do I feel this is sub par? You need to put on about 4 coats of this stuff to get any lengthening or blackening of the lashes. The brush is also spiky and sharp.

The good thing about this mascara is that, because you need so.many.coats there is hardly any clumping, and the look is very natural. Although, in my opinion, if you want natural looking eyelashes, skip the mascara all together (or use clear). I would not buy it again

2. Smashbox Eye beam Double Ended Brightener

This is a nice shadow pencil. There are two colors on either end of the pencil, one being a satin off-white shadow designated for highlighting the brow bone. Of course, you can use this anywhere on your eye. It takes a few swipes to build the color up to be worthwhile, but after you do this, the color is very pretty.

The other end of the Eye Beam is a sheer pinkish goldish cream color. It is very, very similar to Benefit's R.S.V.P creaseless cream shadow when swatched. It is a big lighter, but very similar. I am happy with the color, and seems more pigmented than the lighter shade on the other end of the pencil. I would buy this again

3. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

This is a very popular potion and I believe the reason it is so popular is because it is so blendable and easy to use. I have tried other eyeshadow primers which were chalky, or difficult to blend into the eye.  The packaging is another strong point in my opinion, it is nice to look at and even though that does not change the product inside, I feel better about using it.
The application is similar to a lip gloss really, except you dab it onto you eyelids and then gently blend it in with your finger.

 I am happy with this and would certainly buy it again.

4. Covergirl Smoky Shadow Blast

This was nice at first, I really like the shades and I love the easy application. There is no need to use a brush. This is basically a cream shadow in stick form. Unlike the Smashbox Eye Beam, this is not a pencil either so there is no need to sharpen it. Just twist up the product. This comes with 2 complimentary shades. One light and one dark. The light is meant for the eyelid and the dark is meant for the crease.

After an hour of wearing this, I get massive crease lines in my lid from blinking, sweating, and just being alive. Very pretty shades, good concept, and they look great when you're putting it on, but no staying power. I haven't tried this in combination with the Urban Decay primer potion, so my opinions may change once I do.

Would I buy it again? Probably not, simply because it is a massive crease fest after wearing it. 

5. Covergirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm in 265 Sandstone

This is a lipstick that contains SPF 15. I like that because there are not many lipsticks which do have an SPF. The application is typical, nothing special and the color is nice. If your lips are dry this tends to look makeupy and sits on and dry bits. That's not unusual, really, but disappointing because it is winter still and I tend to have dryer lips this time of year.

The staying power is pretty good, lasts hours if you're not eating or drinking. I don't know why they call it a "gloss balm" seems like a lipstick to me. No glossy finish whatsoever.

Would I buy it again? Yes.

6.  Kirkland Borghese Mineral Eyeshadow Palette

This is a nice palette with neutral shades. There are some with a gray hint or purple, but generally they are earthy tones. The staying power is great. The pigmentation is above average, you need to build up the color, and he price is excellent for what it is ($18). This also came with a double ended eyeliner pencil, 2 brushes and a pencil sharpener. The eyeliner pencil works well, I like it. The brushes are also good, considering they came with the palette. Usually the brushes that come with makeup are junk, so I am pleased with these for what they are.

Honestly, I have never been disappointed from Kirkland Borghese products. I have used their Aging Serum, Night cream, brush set. and now this palette. All products are excellent.

I would buy this again because I like the price and I like that they are higher quality than any drugstore brand without the high end price.

7. Joe Fresh Sheer Lip Crayon in Apple

I have never used a Joe Fresh makeup item before, so this was a first for me. The lip crayons look like a jumbo eye pencil but for the lips. I chose the shade apple, which unfortunately doesn't look good on my skin tone, but the product it's self is quite good. It has more staying power than the Covergirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm mentioned above. You can drink and the product will still (sort of) be there. 

I think this crayon was about $2, which is like dollar store priced. Just for that, I would buy these again (only in a different shade). They are wearable and last.

FREE MAKEUP

I am hosting a bit of a giveaway for my subscribers. You will be getting a Kirkland Borghese mineral eye makeup palette which also comes with 2 double-ended brushes (which are actually worth using, nice bristles) as well as a double-ended brown/gray eyeliner pencil. There is also a sharpener for the eyeliner.

The Kirkland Borghese makeup is actually good makeup. I know the Kirkland kind of gives the impression that this makeup would be equal to say, CoverGirl or Maybelline, but in my opinion, Borghese keeps their reputation of being a high end makeup line, even with the Kirkland label.

If you watch the videos you can learn the rules, and click on the YouTube link in the bottom corner of the video to be directed to the page where you can comment below the video. You must be a subscriber or else I will not count your entry and you will be disqualified. 

I hope this is a big hit in the YouTube community. Who doesn't want free stuff?

Benefit Erase Paste Review

Here is my latest video. I decided to do a review on Benefit's Erase Paste because I love it so much, and wanted to share the knowledge and encourage others' to try it.

This is the only concealer that has been able to cover my dark circles. I have deep, sunken in eyes due to fat loss in the face and genetics.

Unfortunately for me, this product cannot fix that (getting a scary, fat transferring surgery could though..), but it can help to disguise it.

I have heard mixed review from other people about this product, the biggest complaint being it's thick creamy texture. It does take some getting used to. The first time I used this, I put on way too much product. You only need a small amount.

This product DOES sit inside your creases though, make sure you set it with a powder, or don't mind the look that would create lol.

All in all, I have yet to try a product by Benefit Cosmetics that I dislike. This is probably why most of my higher end makeup is by Benefit. I am somewhat afraid to spend the big bucks on any other brand. Well not really, but I do love Benefit, and I love this concealer.

What is your favourite concealer? Please reply and let me know what it is, and what the texture/consistency the product has!

IT'S BEEN A WHILE

I haven't been blogging much lately, but I have been uploading videos. I've been enjoying my Reading Week (Suicide prevention week lol). It's a week long break from school, stress (not really though), and assignments (not really this either). On the first day back, I have an essay due, on the second day back I have 2 midterms, and on the 3rd day back I have another midterm.

I normally hardly have the time to prepare a meal, or shower. I haven't been studying like I had planned because there is so much interesting, fun things to do when you have a week off from school. Like, sitting and watching TV. Who knew that could be so exciting?!

Hump Day

Today is Wednesday. We've made it half way through the week!

Effortless bouncy hair

To complete the Valentines Day theme last week, I created a hair style that looks very sleek and effortless with a lot of bounce and volume. I used a large curling iron and curled the hair underneath as if you were setting old fashioned rollers. The crown area was curled backwards, as if I were using rollers.

Of course, it doesn't have to be Valentines Day to do this hairstyle. It is quite casual and could easily be worn for school or work without looking too done up or like you were trying too hard.

Latest Video

In my most recent videos, I have been focusing on ways to create some different date night looks. My intention was to help people dress up for valentines day, or any upcoming date night.

Here is a purple makeup look that I created. I think it is romantic because it has a lot of rich purple hues, and yet it does not look over done or too dark. Sometimes dark makeup, if not done properly can make people's eye area look dirty. For a date night, I tried to avoid a makeup look that could easily be messed up. You want to look beautiful, not Gothic.

Thursday

Today is a Thursday, that means only 1 more day left of the week! I'm going to try and make a Valentines Day themed video today.  I have a lot of homework that I haven't gotten around to doing yet. It's going to be busy this upcoming weekend!

For those of you who do not have a boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife to share this day with, keep your head up. I mean hey, at least you don't have to spend money on gifts. I hope you enjoy the day, make the best of it, take part in some of your hobbies and spoil yourself a little.

First Post!

Hey!  I am starting this blog to accompany my YouTube channel, which goes by the same username as this www.youtube.com/thelululaurel 

I hope to create a blog that will help people, young ladies especially learn many of my favourite beauty tips and tricks. I have a few up my sleeve that are less commonly known, but work wonders. I hope to make videos feauturing these tricks, as well as showing others makeup and hair techniques. Basically I have a beauty channel, but I hope to do something a little bit different, a little less generic. Forgive me if I make a video tutorial on something that has already been extensively covered, it is hard to keep track of what has and what hasn't already been made. I will try to take a different spin on common things, such as doing a hair tutorial using a different method (when possible).

I also may end up showing other aspects of my life on this blog, I really enjoy cooking, baking and decorating.

Stay tuned, it should be interesting.