Only a few more days to go until Halloween! Still don’t have an idea? Here’s one that you’re sure to have the stuff for!  

 For the outfit grab jeans or overalls, a white tee, a flannel, and a straw sun hat!  

 For the makeup, start with your face as done as you like it. For Gracie, we opted for foundation and powder and some big fluffy doll-like lashes! Then go in with hot pink blush and make a distinct circle shape with it on each cheek! We used Tarte blush in Rad. 

Make a tear drop shape with the blush on your nose too and top off the look with a bright pink lip! Try NYX Butter Gloss in Peaches and Cream or Cupcake! 

Now take a black eyeliner pencil—we opted for Urban Decay Perversion—and draw smile lines with stitches and outline the pink on your nose the same way too!  

Double braids add to the country farm vibe!  

There you have it! And chances are you already have all these things lying around! 

Special thank you to Indulge Beauty Studio for taking pics of the gorgeous Gracie in this tutorial!  

Give this a try and be sure to tag @polishandpout on IG when you do so we can see your version of this costume!! Happy {almost} Halloween!!!

We’ve all had those moments, when we feel ready for better. Often the beginning of the year is that moment for many of us. But what about when, let’s say, it’s March and the enthusiasm of early January feels like forever ago? When we don’t feel like pushing through? Excited to share with you this glimpse into a strong amazing woman who pushed through to achieve a big time personal goal! Meet our friend and wedding planner extraordinaire, Kristina Foerster!

 

What made you start this journey?

It was a normal day, I had been working out regularly but not getting the results I wanted. I had just gotten married and life had settled. Everyone was telling me I was fine–and I wasn’t fat– but I thought I could be better. Even though I was working out, I wasn’t being as consistent. My gym had a challenge and I decided to do it!

What made this time different from the other times you wanted to make a change?

I’d say 3 main things were different this time. I was…

Committed

Seeking advice and

Looking at the scale differently.

It wasn’t just about the pounds anymore. This changed my perspective about what I should eat. Also this was something I was doing for ME. My hubby and family were happy with me as I was and loved me, which is great, but they don’t live in my skin, I DO. Confidence in your own skin is what gets you through the day. I needed to make a change for ME.

OK TODAY IS THE DAY…

My gym had a challenge. Weight loss wasn’t the goal, but being committed to the routine even though the process isn’t fast. So many days I felt like I was regressing. People want that one or two week fix. Really what makes the change is the momentum you build up to it. I didn’t want to yo yo, I wanted to keep it off.

The first three months had the most moments of doubt and usually in the evening after my shower being so aware of my body. I wanted my body to change as fast as I imagine it would in my mind. You think, I’m working out 5 or 6 days a week why am I not there yet? It’s hard to judge your own progress when you see ur body everyday. I had to tell myself to stop judging so harshly and push those thoughts out of my mind and focus on staying committed to the routine rather than examining my body.

It’s hard when you compare yourself to others. If I looked at the person next to me on the treadmill and compared myself that would discourage me. So wherever you are today, that’s your starting point. There’s no point looking to the left or the right. All you can do is look in the mirror and say this is what I’ve got and I’m gonna work with it. You have to love who you are first when you start. You can still love yourself for who you are but push towards better.

While Kristina was dedicated to weight lifting and high intensity interval training, she says that food made the most difference.

Here’s a peek into a typical day for her…

Wake up drink: ice water with apple cider vinegar–it wakes up my organs!

I make breakfast and eat it within 30 mins of waking up–1 egg, 2 whites, and turkey links Shake snack later that I made the night before

Coffee– I love it! The biggest change is I drink it black, no sugar or cream, it’s not dessert anymore!

Lunch salmon over a cup of greens

4 oz plain yogurt 15 almonds for another snack

Workout, either weights or interval training 3 days of each

Dinner with hubby is usually some chicken with a cup of veggies.

“The answer is consistency and commitment. True lifestyle change. Nothing long lasting comes easy.” If you want to chat more with Kristina about her journey or about your upcoming wedding day–we mentioned she’s an amazing wedding planner, yes?!–visit her site here.

And what better way to celebrate smashing your goals than to have a photoshoot (with a little hair and makeup of course!)! Love these pics by Dee and Kris Photography! Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Kristina! 

Ok folks…we have the perfect last minute easy-peasy costume for you!  

 

 

Wednesday requires 2 essential things: a white collar and double braids. Everything else is a little flexible!  

 

 

I’d like to think that black lipstick was a staple in her routine as she got older. We didn’t have the exact dress or even sweater…so what we did was put the white collar shirt under a black thermal long sleeve shirt!  

 

Classic three strand braided pigtails of course. Loads of lashes and strong brows for a more glam look. Paired her top with a skirt and there you go!  

 

 

 

Be sure to wear your serious face like Alyssa did. Special thanks to Indulge Beauty Studio for these awesome pics!  

Last year we did a Día de Muertos photoshoot in conjunction with the headpieces from Idolatry and loved it so much we decided to do it again this year! 

 

 

How gorgeous are our 3 Mexican models?! 

 

 

 We leveled up this year by having P&P Artist Gina Scheiber bring her amazing fx skills! We were in awe the whole time at the detail and vision she brought to the shoot.    

 

 

The Day of the Dead is such a special Mesoamerican celebration with roots in both indigenous traditions and Catholicism.  

 

The imagery of skeletons and skulls walks hand in hand with this holiday.

The painting of a calavera on the face or on sugar is a lovely way to acknowledge mortality, remember your ancestors, and celebrate life.

 

 

Our friend Valerie Tejeda at Heart Your Heritage made this awesome video about it—take a peek and learn some more about the holiday! 

 

Special thanks to Indulge Beauty Studio for these amazing photos!  

 

 

2017 was the year of the unicorn for sure…they’ve been everywhere from T-shirt’s, to coffee mugs, and even our Frappuccino’s! So it should come as no surprise that it also happens to be an excellent do it yourself costume idea!  

 

Chances are you have most of these things lying around your house or can snag the things you’re missing for a few bucks!  

 

 

Ok so first things first you need to make a horn! A piece of paper will do the trick…a glittery or metallic piece of scrapbooking paper is even better! Simply roll it into an ice cream cone shape and secure it with hot glue! 

 

 

Punch two holes through each side of the end of the cone and put ribbon through it so you u can tie it around your head like a headband! The best hairstyle for this look will be pigtails or better yet twist your pigtails into double buns! 

 

For makeup, the brighter the better! Use a bright pink blush and apply it everywhere you’d normally contour, bronze, or blush your face. This will add dimension and color in a fun way!

Added bonus points to use glitter or metallic eyeshadow on your eyes and down your hair part. I used my favorite metallic powder and mixing liquid from Mehron!  And for the paint flecks on the forehead, dilute your shadow with setting spray and flick it onto your forehead.  

 

Toss on your twirliest fluffiest dress or tulle skirt! And there you have it…your unicorn dreams have come true!  

Thank you to Indulge Beauty Studio for capturing these photos of the lovely Katelyn! 

Forget buying a costume! For me, the best part about dressing up for Halloween is making your costume yourself! Here’s a super easy DIY and chances are you have most or all of these things already! Here we go…

 

Ok so first things first, you’re going to have to make the wind-up key! It’s fairly simple. You’ll need: an empty paper towel roll, a piece of construction paper or cardboard, ribbon, aluminum foil, and some kind of glue {hot glue is best since it dries instantly!}. 

 

Here’s a little peek at the makeup and supplies you’ll need. 

 

1. Cut a figure 8 out of the paper. Then cut out smaller circles in each end, so it looks like a giant number 8!

2. Cover the 8 and the paper towel roll in foil.  

3. Hot glue them together to make the key shape. 

4. Punch a hole on each side of the base of the paper towel role and thread the ribbon through.  

5. Be sure to cut the ribbon long enough to wrap around your waist and tie a bow!  

6. Side note: depending on the materials you use, the key may be heavy and sag after a while. If it does, you can tie ribbon or fishing wire to the key and attach it to your straps or shoulders to distribute the weight. 

 

 

Here’s what the key should look like! Be sure to put on your favorite short length dress! Bonus points if you have knee highs! 

 

 

Cute hair is a must!  

Ok so now for the look…put your hair in pigtails!  

 

 

Now for the makeup…

Use black eyeliner and draw “marionette” lines around your mouth connecting the corner of your lips to your chin.  

 

 

Bold bright lips is key! Think pink! 

 

 

 

Circular bright blush finishes off the doll vibe! As far as the rest of your makeup goes, just do it the way you’re comfortable doing! Add lashes for extra flutter if you’re feeling bold! 

 

 

Special thanks to the lovely Taylor and to Indulge Beauty Studio for the awesomely rad photos of this look!  

 

Try it out and tag us {@polishandpout} on IG so we can see your version of this fun look!