Jennifer Lopez inspired Makeup Look

Jennifer Lopez is famous for her curves, daring red carpet gowns, her "triple threat" skills, business savvy & most of all: That JLo Glow! She is my inspiration for my first ever makeup tutorial!

I highly recommend jammin out to some of Jenny From the Block's greatest hits while creating this look...I know I did ;-)

Begin by prepping your face. These are the products that I used but you can use anything you want! Make sure you have cleansed your face and applied a toner and moisturizer before applying your primer, bb or cc cream. Primer is sooo important! It helps to fill in the lines you may have, protects your skin from your makeup and increases the wear of your makeup. Your skin is the largest organ you have, so take care of it - from the inside out!  Next, I use a separate primer/bb cream for under my eyes because I am a sufferer of those dreaded dark circles! Lastly, pucker up and soften those lips! For this I used Burt's Beeswax lip balm and it is amazing! 

*i have oily skin so the face products I use will cater more towards that skin type.*

Brows: I used a matte brown shadow from my Sleek Makeup palette. I really had to fill in my brows for this one since hers are much fuller than mine. When you're done filling in your brows, make sure to clean up with a bit of concealer.

I did not use an eyeshadow primer for this look but you're more than welcome to. Primers help the color to not only POP, but they help to prevent creasing and increase the longevity of your eyeshadow. Concealer works as a good primer too and it will save you $$$. I used this light shimmery champagne color to apply all over the eye from lid to under the brow. I made sure to highlight the brow bone and inner corner of the eye. This is the Sleek Makeup palette again. Fun fact: it's on $10! Sleekmakeup.com out of the UK.

For my eyes I chose the Naked2 palette from Urban Decay. I combined grey, brown and black so use whatever you have available. This smokey color blend shouldn't go too much into the inner corner of the eye or past the crease. Extend the color out past the outer corner of your eye in a winged shape and bring it all the way under your bottom lash line into the inner corner. 

*if you'd like me to go more in depth on eye makeup, please leave a comment either below or on my Facebook: Stephi Shoog Richardson*

I used my black pencil to fill in the water line in both my top and bottom lashes then I used my gel paint pot to create the rest of the look. Wing out the outer tip as well as the inner corner. Think of elongating the eye and giving it that Egyptian feel.

Apply concealer and foundation. I actually didn't use any foundation for this look because I didn't have the right color for the bronzed look. I don't recommend skipping foundation for a glam look like this! (Shame on me!) This concealer is also used as a highlighter so it needs to be lighter than your skin tone. I applied it fully under the eye, down the side of the nose, across the bridge of the nose, under the nostrils, above the top lip, in between the brows and on the chin. Whew! 

Set with a loose, clear finishing powder. Oily skin people: more is more!!!! 

This is what we've got so far. Can you see where I put the highlight/concealer? 

I did a powder contour with my Sleek Makeup contour set. I used this under my cheek bones, on the tip of my nose and all around the outside of my face...basically in the hairline and underneath the neck. With contouring you are creating depth in your facial structure. If you keep that in mind, it makes contouring much easier. (Once I get my new cream product in, I'll do another tutorial on contouring and highlighting)

I used bronzer instead of blush. I also dusted this over all the areas where I used the contouring powder to give me a tan appearance. That's the beauty of makeup! You can have a beachy tan without even going outside!

Glow time! Apply on apples of the cheeks and brush upwards along the top of the cheek bone. Also, brush it down the center of the nose.

Apply mascara! I LOVE this one! 

I lined my lips a bit smaller to better match hers using a nude pencil. Finish up with a nude lipstick. I use this Loreal pencil all the time! The lipstick was Shanghai Spice from MAC. 

Apply coat #2!!!! 

*some people prefer to curl their lashes or put on falsies. Both are great, but I didn't do that for this one. Feel free to add that in!*

Add some glam hair and BAM! You have yourself a look fit for the red carpet! 

Creative Date Ideas for Lovebirds, on a Budget

As Dean and I approach our wedding day (13 months!!! Aaaahhhhh) I've been thinking a lot about ways to keep things fresh and how to keep "dating" your spouse. I've done some research and have come up with several date ideas for ALL couples, but especially those on a budget. Making memories and enjoying time with the one you love shouldn't have to burn a hole in the ole pocket book. The most special thing you can give someone is your heart, your devotion and your time. So, with that being said...let's get creative and let's get down with some QT (quality time)!  

1. 

Can of Dates can be purchased on etsy OR you can make it yourself. Fill a jar or a can full of lots of creative date ideas (like maybe the ones you read on this blog) then pull out a random selection! Ooh la la, what could it be? A romantic dinner or a bowling bonanza? It's a win win because no matter what, the two of you will be together! 

2. A Fun couple's photoshoot! Go to the dollar store and pick up some funny props like silly hats, mustaches, glitter masks and boas! Set the timer and start having a blast with your homemade photo booth. Of course if you're a couple with a wild side...grrrr...then maybe some role playing and a sexy budoir photo sesh is in order! 

3. Visit local flea markets and find cool treasures together! Try on vintage outfits, admire beautiful pieces of furniture or pick a unique item to buy together. Maybe you two could buy something that needs some TLC or refurbishing and make that a project to do together. The options are endless!

4. Have some friendly competition at a local coffee shop! Grab a game board, a deck of cards, some dominos (I personally love Mexican Train) or Yahtzee and go at it! Nothing like some friendly competition to get some flirtation going! Ready, set...Go!

5. Outdoor movie screening. What's better than snuggling up with your sweetheart on a blanket under the stars watching a fantastic flick?! 

6. Spend a day volunteering together! Do some good for your community with your special someone by helping at your local animal shelter, homeless shelter, boys&girls club, etc. Helping others is one of the most fulfilling things you can do on your own but doing good with the one you love is priceless. Now THAT'S a real "power couple!"

7. Have a picnic in the park! Pack up a basket of goodies and enjoy a beautiful day!

8. Do something active like:

Hiking

Bowling 

Pool

Darts 

Fishing

Roller skating

Biking

Swimming 

Playtime with your furry babies

9. For creative and artsy types:

Pottery class

Cooking class

Local concerts

Art gallery

10. Bathroom spa! Candles, bubbles, soothing scents, soft music...you get the drift ;-)

11. Themed movie night! Pick a movie and make a dinner together to match! For example, let's say you two want to watch "Casino." Make an italian feast together and enjoy the film. Capeesh?!

12. Take a dance class or a fitness class together. Get sweaty. Get close. Get sexy!

13. "Sweetest Memories" is what I like to call lucky #13. First, grab a jar and sit it where you'll both see it daily. At the end of every day, each of you write down a favorite moment. At the end of the month, put on some dapper duds, brush your sassy face on, make a delicious desert together and read all of the things you placed in the jar. Hence, the name "sweetest memories." 

14. A couples massage is great way to relax and recharge together. If that is out of your budget, then grab some oil, set the tone and play masseuse for each other!

15. Go get a pedicure together! It feels great and it doesn't cost a lot of money.

16. Hit up a casino! You can usually catch some free live music and people watching is always free! lol of course if pulling a slot machine or throwing some craps is up your alley and in your budget, may Lady Luck be on your side!

17. The "Malt Shop date," is a fun option for couples with a sweet tooth! Grab some ice cream, make some brownies and assemble your own sundaes! If milkshakes or smoothies are more your style, you can do that too!

18. Cooking together is always fun! Make a homemade pizza or get fancy with some more complicated dishes.

19. Get creative and write a short story, a poem or a song together. Painting, drawing and crafting are all hands on activities that are great to do as a pair as well.

20. Have a jam sesh! Dean and I love to sing song songs together in the car or acoustically at home. Music is the perfect way to bond!

21. Last but certainly not least is one that doesn't cost a dime and it's something that is a necessity for a healthy marriage. It's pretty simple...have sex, make love, just do it! Never underestimate the impact of human touch, especially when it's coming from your soulmate. 

Now, get to planning your next date with your babe and enjoy every moment because every minute you spend with your love is one to be treasured! 

::Here's some of our recent dates::

Having some delicious shaved ice! It's perfect for a hot day!

Relaxing poolside is always a good time!

Bowling at a casino! We also caught some live music, played one slot machine & grabbed a snack! 

Playing with our pups & taking them for walks and to the park!

We were working on a home project when found some wigs and got silly!

Dean loves photography so he has become my personal photog! We can work on projects together for fun or for work and it's always a great way to connect with the things we are passionate about. Our favorite things involve music either with a jam session or recording a song in our home studio.

Going OUT for dinner! I know it's not on the list, but it's still a classic date idea!

Who says dates have to be at night? We love to grab lunch at our favorite sandwich place, Capriotti's. You can dine in or have a picnic like I suggested earlier.

We went to Las Vegas' famous Freemont Street and played around! Man, there is some goooood people watching down there! Haha

Listening to our friends play at the Golden Nugget. Fun & FREE!

Catching more live, local music in Vegas! I think this evening probably cost us less than $10! No cover charge at the door and all we bought was a Red Bull and a couple of lollipops from the bathroom attendant! (It sounds weirder than it was. Lol)

Thrifting!!!!! 

When we were in Denver, a friend got us free tickets to the aquarium. After that we checked out an outdoor shopping area, grabbed some food and called it a night! It was a fun date day!

Put the "kids" to bed, popped open some sparkling cider, got out the key lime pie and watched the series finale to our favorite show, "Breaking Bad!"

We played a fun game at a bridal show! It was a great way to showcase creativity while working on our communication skills.

A date can be as simple as swinging in a hammock together...like there's no one else in the world but the two of you...

Don't forget about double dates! 

A day at the lake is one of our favorite things to do together!

Working on house projects...

Fishing! This was another double date activity.

Dean produced a show called "Jailhouse Rock" and I was part of it. We got to do what we love together and that's always a blessing! 

Backyard projects! We got a new umbrella because he always wanted a red one, but never bought one. We planted flowers and cleaned the place up! It was an ongoing activity for us.

Making meals together....

We spent the day in Eureka Springs, AR

looking at shops, having dinner and visiting a haunted hotel!

I hope this gives all you Love Birds some great date ideas! Oh, #13 is actually one we are doing right now! We started it at the end of February so we will be going through our memories very soon! It's been a fun way to really focus on special moments, no matter how small they may be. 

Enjoy your QT together!!!! XOXO