The most delicious low carb, gluten-free, potato-like casserole that you will ever try! Ready for the secret ingredient?....

It's cauliflower!!! Yes, that boring looking vegetable in the produce isle that you usually pass by. Before I ever begun my low carb journey about 10 years ago, I only knew of cauliflower as a side veggie dish, most often steamed and kinda mushy. Well, that all changed when I discovered how versatile this vegetable really is. Switching over to a low carb way of eating, (I despise the word "diet"), I had to find new and CREATIVE ways of making my past favorites, which included creamy mashed potatoes. (I'm a Ukrainian, so you know that potatoes are a staple). Now, before you may think of how much you will not like this recipe, just give it a try. You might just change your mind. 


INGREDIENTS
 
A head of cauliflower (coarsely chopped)
4oz of cream cheese (full fat)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
3-4 TBSP of butter
Splash of cream
Bacon bits
Garlic salt & pepper (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

Bring (salted) water to a boil. Add chopped cauliflower, cover, and boil until tender (takes about 8-10 minutes or so).  Drain well. Transfer to a mixing bowl.

Mash cauliflower (I usually use a mixer) with cream cheese, cream, and butter until smooth; should be somewhat of a mashed potatoes consistency. Stir in Parmesan cheese, bacon bits, a dash of garlic salt, and black pepper. Spoon mixture into a casserole dish; top with Cheddar cheese. 

You can bake it but I prefer to broil it under the broiler for about 8-10 minutes for the top to get golden and crispy. Garnish with green onions. 

and then, this happened!! Every time....

I hope you give this recipe a try. If you all would like to see more of these types of blogs (low carb and gluten free), let me know. There is so much more I'd love to share with you all!!! Until next time....

  

 


 

Must-have eye brushes! (makeup)

YOUR MUST-HAVE BASIC EYE MAKEUP BRUSHES....

As basic as eye makeup brushes are, I'd say they're the most important part of any eye makeup look. From a basic every day look, to your most dramatic smokey eye. These brushes are a must! I guarantee you, if you have just these three, you can pretty much create almost any look. I've had my Mac brushes for many years now, and they're still pretty much as good as the day I bought them. No shedding and they keep their shape after washing. A little pricey, but worth it! Definitely a great investment in your brush collection.

So here we go...

MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush

• Used for packing-on eyeshadow on the eyelid (picks up color very well)
• By holding it horizontally, can also be used for applying color on lower lash line 
• Soft and dense (prevents fallout)
• Tapered, rounded edge  
• Price $25

 MAC 217 Blending Brush

•  Used for depositing eyeshadow in the outer corner/outer V
• Can be used for applying/blending cream-based eyeshadows  
• Does NOT shed with washing
•  Price $24

 MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush

• Used for blending/diffusing crease color
• Fluffy, dome shaped
• Prevent a heavy and overdone eye
• Price $32

So there you have it. I hope I've made this easy and clear to understand, because makeup and makeup brushes shouldn't be complicated..right? If you have any questions, comments or requests for future blog posts, feel free to comment below! Until next time.....

Yelena, +Makeup You Beautiful

~My Spring/Summer Fresh and Flawless Foundation Routine~

(This is NOT my every day foundation routine. On most days, I'm in my sweats and wearing a tinted moisturizer).

**For any of you with questions about my skin care routine, that is a whole other post that I will do in the near future!

This may seem like a lot of products, but, when I want my skin to have that natural looking fuller coverage, these are the products I use.

(FOUNDATION PRIMER)

My skin goes in waves, sometimes it's oily and sometimes it's super dry and flaky. Right now, it's been very dry, so I have to mix two primers to get it just right. I've been loving the combination of Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer (super moisturizing) and Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (oil-free and spf 15) which helps my foundation stay on for hours. I use my fingers to put a few dabs of each on the center of my face and then I make sure it's all evenly applied.

 Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

(NOW THE FOUNDATIONS)

For a natural looking finish, I use Mac Face and Body foundation (shade C2) + Mac Studio Sculpt foundation (shade NW20). I like to mix both because one is more moisturizing and the other is more matte and fuller coverage. I love my Sigma F80 brush to buff on the foundations for a perfect finish.

 Mac Face and Body foundation

Mac Studio Sculpt foundation

 (SPOT CONCEALER) **I use this ONLY if I have some acne spots or for those days when I have more redness around my nose and chin area. 

I really love MAC Studio Finish Concealer and I'm in the shade NW20. I use a concealer brush to help me be precise and I use a very tiny amount, because it is a thicker formula. 

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

(UNDER EYE CONCEALER)

My under eye area is extremely dry all year round, so to help moisturize and cover my dark circles, I use the MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer (shade NW20). The formula is super light and creamy and I like how it covers but doesn't make my under eye area dry and crepey.  

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer

(SETTING MY CONCEALER)

To set my under eye concealer, I use the Laura Mercier Secret Brightning Powder. I don't like to set undereye concealer with a typical powder because it can make for a cakey effect. I use a fluffy blending type brush and sweep a very light amount under the eyes. 

 Laura Mercier Secret Brightning Powder

(SETTING POWDER)

I use my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (in medium) as my finishing powder. I make sure to dust it on VERY lightly because I still like to see my skin. This powder leaves a very natural finish, and I use it with my big fluffy brush from real techniques. 

 MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

I really hope this was helpful for you all. Until next time!

~SMOKEY PURPLES~ how-to....

 Are you guys ready for a step-by-step how-to for this gorgeous, spring appropriate purple smokey eye look?  Feel free to use what ever bright colors you have..All I want is for you beauties to feel inspired & to play with colors you might be a little intimidated by. So, her it goes. For this exact look,  you will need...

A flat shader brush (MAC 228 or 239)
A blending brush (MAC 217)
MAC e/s Stars n rockets, Beautiful iris, Indian ink, Shroom, Vanilla
MAC Black eyeliner (or any other waterproof eyeliner)
Urban Decay eyeliner in Ransom (or any dark purple eyeliner)
Scotch Tape
(Optional: Ardell individual lashes)

Here's a tip ~ For a more precise application, use a piece of  scotch tape and draw a thick line at an angle to create a shape you desire. It will be very messy, but that's okay. The eyeshadows will help with blending this all out.

Then, using a shader brush, put down "Beautiful iris" (lavender) e/s on your lower lid. With the same brush, place "Indian ink" (darkest purple) e/s at the outer corner. Use a blending brush to softly diffuse the color "Stars n rockets" e/s (pinky-purple) into the crease. And with that same blending brush, blend in "Vanilla" (cream) e/s on your brow bone. Now back with the flat-shader brush, use "Shroom" (frosty cream) e/s on your inner eyelid. Line your water-lines with the black & purple eyeliners and use the eyeshadow "Indian Ink" to set your eyeliners. And..Voilà. Your look is now complete!! 

 My favorite FACE PRIMERS! & why you should use them....

So you ask, "Do I really need a primer before I apply my makeup?" I say, if you want your makeup to go-on smoother, fill in your pores and for your foundation to last for hours (prevent oxidization of your foundation ~ oxidized foundation is when your face turns orange), then you should definitely be using a primer before you apply your foundation.

How to use a primer ~

• Use it after you apply your moisturizer.
• Less is more!! - a pea size amount will do. 
• Then, apply your foundation as you would normally do.  

Too Faced Primed & Poreless (combo skin type)

 I'd say this one is my "every day, go-to" face primer. It's color-less, not greasy at all and very easy to blend into my skin. Smaller pores, skin feels silky & smooth, and the tone is evened out like you wouldn't believe. After I apply it, my skin looks almost "air-brushed" if that makes sense. The only thing is, I wouldn't recommend this one if you have extremely dry skin, but if you have combination skin type, you  should definitely give this primer a try.
($30.00 at Sephora, but sometimes you can find a trial size for a lot less)

MAC matte primer (oily skin)

If you have seriously oily skin, you need to try this primer from MAC. I still suggest that you apply it after your moisturizer (wait about 5 minutes after your moisturizer). I love how it makes the skin appear smoother and noticeably less shiny. Don't get me wrong, this primer won't stop your face from producing oil and you might need a touch-up later throughout the day, but, if you want a product to help you battle shine, this will do it!  
($21.00 on maccosmetics.com). 

Laura Mercier oil-free primer (normal to oily skin)

Awesome primer for summer weather & if your skin is more on the normal to oily side. I first learned and tried this primer while I was working for a makeup salon last summer. We used it on all of our brides who were concerned with oily skin. It's great because you obviously use it prior to foundation, but it's also great as a "touch-up" throughout the day over your foundation. P.S and by the way, this primer has oil controlling ingredients which ensures long wear and flawless application. A MUST-TRY!

($19.50-$33.00 at Sephora, depending on the size)

Tarte Clean Slate poreless 12-hr perfecting primer (all skin types, sensitive skin)

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!! Not only does this primer helps to keep your makeup in place for up to 12 hours, but also decreases the appearance and number of pores, diffuses fine lines and imperfections, and  natural extracts to provide anti-aging benefits to your skin. If you have sensitive skin, you might be surprised that this is formulated without:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan
Basically, no unnecessary junk ;-) FYI - use it under your eyes after a moisturizer to help your concealer not to crease. Double duty... What's not to love?!
($30 at Sephora, but a trial size is a lot less)

MAC Fix Plus How-To

• What is MAC Fix Plus?

In a nutshell, once sprayed onto the skin after your makeup has been applied (hold bottle about 12 inches away from face), the mist takes away that powdery look on the skin for a glowing and a dewy finish.


Another way I love to use MAC Fix Plus

• Transforming eyeshadows that don't provide much payoff to be more vibrant -  this method DOES NOT work with matte eyeshadows.

 Steps to achieve more color payoff to your eyeshadows:

1. Dip your brush into an eyeshadow of your choice. 
2. Then, holding the MAC Fix Plus bottle a few inches away, gently spray it on the eyeshadow packed brush.  

Here's a few examples:  (Left without Fix +, Right with Fix +)

Pistol (Naked 2 palette)                                        

Half Baked (Naked 1 & 2 palette)

                                

Chopper (Naked 2 palette)

                                          

Overall, this is an awesome multi-use product. If you have tried it, let me know what your thoughts are. If you have any questions, feel free to ask away!

So, about ME....

Hello! My name is Yelena (I mostly go by Lena). Lets start from the beginning. I'm a wifey of my first love, a mommy of two princesses, and an absolute makeup (& skin care products) junkie. I honestly don't remember exactly when my love for makeup started, but what I can remember is this - any time that I used to go to a special event or out with friends, someone would always say, "I just love your makeup..You're skin is glowing, or, I love your eyeliner, or your eyes look beautiful..what'd you use?!" So I would start telling them in exact details on what products I used and what brushes and they'd always tell me, "Oh, it's too much to remember...you should do my makeup!" Can you imagine, I even went to the extent of sending them picture messages of my favorite primer or my recommendation of an eyeshadow when they had questions. I remember keeping post-it notes all over my bathroom vanity of my favorite eyeshadow combinations that I would create. But the problem with that, is this - just by looking at my notes, I could not remember exactly how that eyeshadow combination looked and I would get stuck in a makeup rut. So, long story short, here I am. I created this blog to do more in depth reviews of my favorite makeup products, makeup tutorials, skin care products and anything beauty related. No more sticky-notes for me.. But, I will still continue to play with my beloved makeup products and I will share all of it with you.

My favorite quotes:
"Beauty is different for everyone, and being unique is what makes us special."
"No amount of shimmer powder can ever fix a sad face."
"Find the feature that you love about yourself and enhance IT!"

https://www.facebook.com/MakeUpYouBeautiful
Instagram @makeupyoubeautiful
(Philippians 4:13)