holiday make-up and $500 nordstrom giveaway

dress | vest | similar shoes | bag | earrings

This time of year is crazy busy in the best way possible; our calendar is packed full every single day, which means lots of running from place to place without a lot of time to change between events/parties. My go-to outfit is usually a comfy black dress like this one with boots or sneakers, and I always keep a pair of pumps and a faux fur vest in the car to throw on for dressier events. If it were actually cold in Houston, I'd bust out my black opaque tights, too. Faux fur adds an element of glam and is perfect for the holidays, especially paired with sequins or a bold statement necklace. This blush coat is also one of my favorites that I own and wear constantly!

I posted one of these pictures on Instagram and got a lot of DM's about my makeup (apparently it was halfway decent this day- a rarity!) so I decided to answer the most-asked questions on here, too. The contour kit I use is this one (in vanilla/caramel) and you guys, I'm obsessed. For the price especially it's fantastic. For the look above, I apply it just under my cheekbones, down each side of my nose, at the top of my forehead, and along my jawline on each side. The brow powder I use is this kit from Ardell and I've used it for several years now- I really think it's the best. I just mix the darker colors (because I have dark brows, obvi) and blend it until it looks most natural. The wax pencil is also amazing- it holds your brows in place and sets the powder. My very favorite foundation in the whole world is the Silk Creme Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation by Laura Mercier (that's a mouth full!) and I wear the Bamboo Beige. It really does give your face an airbrushed look without being too heavy or cakey.

I am SO, so far from a make-up expert- quite the opposite, really. But I am trying to learn more and I think playing with make-up is so much fun. Trips to Sephora have quickly become one of my favorite things to do while Bear is in MDO; he always asks why I have a rainbow on my hand when I pick him up. Lipstick decisions are big-time #firstworldproblems.


In the spirit of the season, I've teamed up with some of my very favorite bloggers to give one lucky reader $500 to Nordstrom! You could do some serious make-up shopping with that kind of cash :). To enter, simply use the rafflecopter below. Good luck!
xo, Britt