Somehow May turned into July and Labor Day is fast approaching. (Not that I mind, autumn is actually my favorite season!) Take advantage of the last few weeks of summer and have a little fun with those summer brights in your eye makeup collection! Yes, it is possible to wear blue, plum, yellow, and coral on your eyes at the same time without looking like you just came from the catwalk. Click HERE for a step by step tutorial that will make your eyes reminiscent of a tropical paradise!

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Wedding season begins with the arrival of spring and continues through the hot summer months, typically tapering off by late July. However, as wedding season comes to a close, I find myself with no less than four save the dates and wedding invitations hung on my fridge for nuptials between August and December. For anyone who is looking forward to getting hitched during the upcoming cooler, more pleasant months of this year, among the bazillion other details that may or may not be turning you into a bridezilla (don’t worry, the condition is only temporary), you’ve probably at some point started think about what wedding makeup you plan to don for your big day. Some brides do their own makeup, like the always lovely Kate Middleton, and some prefer to leave it to the professionals. Whichever you choose, you’ll inevitably have to ask yourself, what type of bride are you? Are you the Natural Bride, looking soft, lovely, and natural with little effort? Perhaps you’re the Romantic Bride, your skin positively glowing for the most romantic day of your life? Or are you the Dramatic Bride, you cry big, you laugh big, and you celebrate big? Any of these three looks are beautiful, and easy to recreate.

The Natural Bride has elegant eyes, pink or nude lips, and defined cheeks for a look that is never overdone.

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Motives Pressed Eye Shadow in Whipped Cream, Antique Gold, and Chocolight, Motives Mineral Gel Eyeliner in Chocoholic, Motives Pressed Blush in Naughty, and Motives Rich Formula Lipstick in Pink Sand.

The Romantic Bride wears accentuated eyes and red lips.

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Motives Pressed Eye Shadow in Antique Pink, Cappucino, and Vino, Motives Pressed Blush in Babydoll, Motives Rich Formula Lipstick in Fire Red.

The Dramatic Bride makes a statement with bold eyes, contoured cheeks, and ruby lips.

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Motives Pressed Eye Shadow in Pink Lace and Plum Frost, Motives Mineral Gel Eyeliner in Amethyst, Motives Blush/Bronzer Duo, Motives Rich Formula Lipstick in Ruby.

Regardless of which type of bride you are, using Motives for your bridal makeup on your wedding day will ensure fantastic photos, as this line is 100% camera friendly. (I can refer you to several professional photographers that will agree.) No melting, no ghost faces, and no mess on that gorgeous white gown, allowing you to put your mind at ease and enjoy YOUR day!!

It happens to all of us. Each morning was a new adventure when it came time to put on your eye makeup, depending on what you were going to wear or who you were going to see. Inevitably, either laziness or habit takes over and before you realize it, you’ve been wearing the same look everyday, for the past six months, or year, or six years. Don’t get me wrong, having a go-to look when you’re at a loss or in a rush is essential in every woman’s routine, but if you’ve been wearing those same two eye shadows for two weeks straight, day or night, it’s time wake those peepers up!

Start by adding a touch of glam and try out a bold color to make your eyes pop. Motives Cotton Candy Creme Eye Shadow swept with a layer of Purple Haze Pressed Eye Shadow gives an irresistible iridescent finish. If you think you’d like to try a little shimmer or sparkle (which I highly recommend), sweep Motives Cosmopolitan Paint Pot Mineral Eye Shadow over Luxe Creme Eye Shadow in Gold Dust for a subtle sexiness. (These colors work on just about anyone.) Highlighting with a lighter hue, such as Motives Pressed Eye Shadow in Pearl or Vanilla, by applying on the center of your eye on the lash line or on your brow bone will brighten your eyes even on your most exhausting day. Finish any of these looks with a coat or two of lash thickening Motives Lustrafy Mascara and you’re ready to go out and break some hearts. What look do you like to break up your eye makeup routine with?

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I recently attended the Image Expo in Houston to get the word out on Motives and support my esthetician friend in her skin care and makeup education exhibit. I will tell you that this was my first hair/makeup/beauty show. Ever. And here’s another confession. I am an all out total sci-fi/fantasy geek. I’ve been watching Star Wars since I was 5, been to midnight showings of Lord of the Rings, and I’m super psyched for the final HP movie to come out next week. I’m not hard core enough to dress up for Comic Con (yep, been to those too), but I won’t deny I haven’t worn cinnamon buns on my ears for Halloween as recently as a couple of years ago. The point of this confession is to tell you that I have seen some wild and crazy hair and outfits at these things over the years, and I didn’t think I would find an equal presence in any other setting…until yesterday. I’ll be honest, the ratio of “everyday” to “outside-the-box” was definitely higher at the Expo, but I definitely saw a lot of edgy hair styles and cuts, neon streaks in all colors (or patches, or the full head), lips so metallic, you could see your reflection in them (think the shiny side of aluminum foil), six inch leopard print platform heels, LED hair extensions, and eye makeup that looked like you walked over from the circus (which was literally in town, at the arena across the street that day). One trend that was impossible to miss, and that I kinda love, is the hair feather extensions. I began noticing them when I got my hair done at the salon a few weeks ago, then found them at every other booth at the show. Everything from natural to colors of every shade, long, thin, short, wide, single feathers, groups of feathers, clip in, or fusion. You name it, it was there. I ended up leaving the show with a clip in extension with three green feathers hanging in series. Love it! The trend is showing up in Hollywood as well, Heidi Klum, Hillary Duff, and Jennifer Love Hewitt are a few among many celebs rocking this new feather fad. What do you think about hair feather extensions? Would you wear them??