These are a few of my favorite things

Wrapping up our last day in Milan Italy, and I had to grab a few trinkets for the road. Here is a quick snapshot of the goods.





I went on a pastel whirlwind through vintage shops, Marc Jacobs, and of course my favorite store ever, Lush Cosmetics. Known for their "Bath Bombs," Lush makes cruelty free products look oh so good.. (Not that they normally aren't). With floral scented bubble baths, and bombs that turn your bath pastel pink (like the one I purchased), taking a bath has never been so pretty.






This is my little treat to myself for surviving a 6 week long escapade with more action than a Rambo movie. An engagement, my first fashion week (and London at that!), beauty blogging meetings with cosmetic companies, agency scouting, and sightseeing.. I think I deserve a bath if nothing else.. Right!?

In addition to my bath bomb, I was given an awesome miniature soap from Lush that smells like heaven! Perfect travel size as well!

After Lush I stopped by Marc Jacobs. There are always so many cute things in that store.. Always fun shopping.

I fell in love with this little pocket sized coloring pencil set. Even came with a handy pencil sharpener and eraser; perfect for my plane ride home doodles, or even my daily moments of inspiration.

I recommend everyone carry a set of coloring pencils with you in your bag.. At the very least a sharpie and a notebook. You never know when inspiration can hit you..



Lastly, I stumbled into the coolest (and most overpriced) vintage store in a hidden alleyway on the streets of Milan. After a brief haggling session, I was able to cop this brilliant 70's necklace. It has that infamous Mucha inspired girl embedded in a perfectly plastic coral toned setting. So kitschy. So good.







-Makeup by Brittany Martin-

Location:Via Varese,Milan,Italy

It's simple really..

-Makeup by Brittany Martin-

Location:Via Varese,Milan,Italy

What I realized today

Roaming around Milan Italy this morning.. Peeking into stores that sell things I could only dream to afford, I began to think.. "I wonder how these designers got their start?"

That's when I realized they were probably doing exactly what I am doing now.. Roaming around with a portfolio in hand.. Excited to show it to anyone and everyone who will look. They probably stayed up day and night, getting inspired and most importantly asking action. They probably waited years if not decades for their dreams to manifest.

That's when I realized..


The thing is.. I'm okay with that! I actually love it! Getting excited about every small accomplishment is way more appealing to me than just closing my eyes, opening them and already being where I want to be.

It's not about the end point, it's about the journey.

Here are a few images of my journey this morning in Italy. Enjoy!
















-Makeup by Brittany Martin-

Simple Elegance (A classic makeup)

This look was created using magenta lipliner from mac sometimes, with a real lipstick from nyx! Simple and easy! Lots of blush and a statement piece of jewelry and you have an easy and totally wearable office look!


This look is similar, but we used extreme white eyeshadow from sugarpill cosmetics on the lid to make the eyes pop, and used a cherry red in the lips to make the look a bit more classic! Russian Red lipstick from Mac was used along with a black eyeliner pencil on the side corners of the mouth. Fill in brows with a Chesnut shade (depending on your skin tone) and contour the cheeks lightly!

Viola!


-Makeup by Brittany Martin-

Location:Place de la Gare,Luxembourg,Luxembourg

A brief chat about changing habits

Had a brilliant and inspiring talk with one of my great friends today. We chatted about relationships, business, and personal growth. We came to the conclusion that..


So what are you going to do to start bringing your dreams into fruition?

-Makeup by Brittany Martin-

Captivating the look. Kim Kardashian Mermaid Makeup Tutorial

It's so fun to get inspired by looks that celebrities are rocking on the red carpet, but sometimes it can be a headache trying to figure out what to use to achieve the looks..

I'm going to start making it say for you. Giving you a bride synopsis of the products you can use at home to get runway ready in minutes!

Let's start with one of my favorites. The Kim Kardashian Mermaid Makeup that Makeup by Mario rocked out on her.

Begin by applying a base, I would recommend something ulta sticky, so the color really stays put and pops.

Then apply a fierce brow. Use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Kit to make it as easy as possible. (You will thank me later)

Then we grab the color!

Take the shade Livid from Illamasqua and apply it all over the lid with a flat brush.


Then we go in for the fun!

Take my favorite shade, Preen and apply it through the crease and smoke it all around the eye area. This will create that contour that we all love so much!




Next up.. Eyeliner!

I recently purchased an eyeliner called Amethyst from Motives by Loren Ridinger.. Now one of my staples! Use this in the waterline to creat a sultry effect!



Lastly we want to emphasize those lashes. You will never get me to pay Mac $20 for a pair of eyelashes again... Instead we will be using the amazing House of Lashes eyelashes in Femme Fatal. My girl Jenn knows how to make them I tell ya!


Okay, what are we waiting for?? Go get your reality show and rapper boyfriend already! ;)

-Makeup by Brittany Martin-

My 10 favorite Entrepreneurial Quotes

Now I recognize that not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur.. It isn't something that is for everyone. You cannot be the type of person who enjoys the security of a set amount of money coming in every month, or be heavily influenced by things such as you know.. Health insurance plans ;)

This are things that come with long term dedication and are the prizes awarded to entrepreneurs who have stayed true to path and achieved sustainability in their ventures.

For the rest of us.. Well we just have to keep hoping, praying and pushing until our dreams come into fruition.

I get inspired often by those around me who are positive,genuine,and believe in my strengths. I call them my "team."

Your team will need to surround and support you and engulf you in positive affirmations.

Who is on your team?


Enjoy these quotes, they are some of my favorites to spark and inspire me to continue on the straight and narrow.




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Genius is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration - Thomas Edison, inventor and scientist

Some people dream of great accomplishments, while others stay awake and do them - Anonymous

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary” – Steve Jobs

Try not to be a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. – Albert Einstein

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. – Walt Disney

Do what you love. -Myself

“Well I think if you’re a perfectionist, that’s just what you do. You know, there are slackers, there are people who are satisfied and then there are people who can only be satisfied by delivering everything that they have - with their knowledge, their financial situation, their level of exposure - to deliver the best product possible.”
-Kanye West, from Places and Spaces I’ve Been

"Do work."- A high school friend and and entrepreneur, Jaymison Jones


Feel free to reblog to inspire your friends and colleagues :)

Lifestyle lift.. Not the surgery.. Just the blog

We are women. We rule the world.

Lets start finding ourselves again.

What are your passions? What are your dreams?

To be a designer, playwright, business woman? Maybe it's to be the best mommy in the world?

Whatever it is, it isn't too late.

This blog is being redesigned to not only showcase my artistry, but to uplift and empower because well.. That is what more women need to do. Call me a hippy but I think they had one thing right back then.

It's time for women to encourage one another, find our strengths, and help others find theirs. We don't need another version of someone else.. We need to be who we are. Get inspired by others without losing our own identity.

I hope you all enjoy this journey we are about to embark upon.. It's going to get good..


-Makeup by Brittany Martin-

Makeup contest

It's that time.. Contest time



Enter this awesome contest to win some pretty amazing goodies! This is an Instagram contest only :)

I rarely do giveaways but you all have hung though with me while I've been in Europe and haven't been able to post as many eyeshadow looks as I usually do. So because I'm a lover, I am hosting a pretty awesome contest for you all!
Entry is simple.. To enter into the random drawing just screen capture this image and repost on Instagram. Be sure to TAG ME so I can see it, and HASHTAG #MAKEUPBYBRITTANYMGIVEAWAY

This will enter you in the random drawing where 5 winners will receive makeup goodie bags filled with some of my all time favorite products!

To enter the second part of the contest you must complete ALL steps above AND repost your favorite image of my work on instagram and tell me why you enjoy it :) be sure to hastag this image #MAKEUPBYBRITTANYM Easy right?!

The winner of this part will be chosen based upon why they were inspired by the image. One winner will receive a Makeup $25 makeup gift card to a top cosmetic line of their choice as well as a chance to choose a YouTube tutorial of their choice!

Must be 18 or have parental consent to participate
Contest open to the US as well as INTERNATIONALLY
Contest ends FRIDAY MARCH 15th at the end of the day!!!
Cannot be PRIVATE


Good Luck!!


-Makeup by Brittany Martin-