Hey Everyone! Giveaway time! I saw the Smoke and Mirrors Collection from Zoya the other day and it dawned on me that I should giveaway a few pieces from it! Check out the collection below.
I absolutely love my short hair, but the process of wearing curls and getting it right became something I had to work at. This technique is easy and allows you to achieve great curls and volume! My hair is getting longer, but I'm excited to continue to play with it as it grows out. But I'm going to miss my short hair!
This is one of my favorite looks! It's easy and the bold lip really adds a pop of color. It's perfect for the upcoming season because it's quick and adds some color to the upcoming drab weather!
Grab yourself a drink and settle in to watch Cocktail Hour! This episode features my dear friend Ivy. Ivy is going to share her experience with getting lash extensions and taking care of them. Thanks for sharing.
My internet has been so slow today! It's driving me nuts!
This look is inspired by Selena Gomez at the 2011 VMAs. I love this look because virtually anyone can wear the colors and it's easy! I love easy. It's also versatile.You can wear it day and night not have to worry about being too over done!
Products Used:
Urban Decay Naked Palette: Virgin, Naked, Buck, Darkhorse and Creep. In that order actually!
ELF eyeliner: I couldn't find my Urban Decay 24/7 in Black to use... I wouldn't recommend the eyeliner I used!
Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Mascara: I love this mascara. One of my favorites. It leaves my lashes long and thick but not clumpy. It's great for a look like this.
ELF Mineral Lip Liner in Peachy
Emani Minerals Organic Lip Gloss in Blush
My foundation routine has changed since my Flawless Face Video. I still love mineral foundation, but it just isn't as dewy or cheap as drugstore liquid foundation. I will go back to my mineral routine in the fall, but liquid just feels so much better in the summer.
I start off by applying my moisturizer. I do not cleanse my skin in the morning, because it's pointless. I rinse with warm water and spritz toner on my skin. Then I apply my Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream. This product does not contain sunscreen, so I can use it day and night, but does mean I need to apply a product that contains sunscreen before I leave the house, even if I'm not planning on wearing makeup that day!
Covergirl Aqua Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer - I've used this product for years! It's a great, light, oil-free moisturizer with a hint of color. It also has an SPF 15. I wish it had a little bit more... I apply this to my face and decollete.
Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - I used either my fingers or a brush to apply this to blemishes, my cheeks and my eyes. I really like this concealer because it isn't cakey and goes on very smooth. I prefer using my fingers with it because it blends so easily. I do hate the packaging. I always find myself having to use a towel or tissue to open it when I have lotion on!
Liquid Foundation - Maybelliene Fit Me in 120, Covergirl Natureluxe in Bamboo, or Emani Minerals Liquid Foundation is Creme Beige. I like all of these foundations in their own right. They each offer something slightly different, but all have great coverage and make my skin look great. I love using a foundation brush to apply them and blending out with the warmth of my clean fingers!
Emani Mineral Powder - This helps to set my makeup and even adds a tiny amount of sunscreen! I am really enjoying the pressed powder because it doesn't make quite the mess that loose foundations make.
ELF Blush and Contouring Powder - This is probably one of my all time favorite products. I can thank the YouTube community for this purchase. It's a fantastic price and the blush looks great on almost anyone. I also love that contouring powder is right there and there isn't need to haul an extra product around. The Sonia Kashuk Angled Blush Brush is also another Target fave! I love it!
This was really fun look to put together! It's easy to apply and actually very wearable... for a night out, probably not to work or school! I used my Urban Decay Naked Palette because it's something a lot of people have. I love watching tutorials that use a common palette so I don't have to purchase a lot of new product to try out a look!
Primer:
Urban Decay Eden Primer Potion
The shadows used from Naked Palette:
Sidecar: All over the lid
Virgin: Inner corner and brow bone
Gunmetal: Middle of the eye
Creep: Crease, outer "V" and lower lash line
Eyeliners:
Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Charcoal
Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Zero
Lips and cheeks:
Emani Lip Gloss in Blush
Bare Minerals Blush in Secret
Rhinestones can be purchased at any beauty supply as nail gems or any craft store.
I wanted a mail order makeup subscription that was somewhat similar to Birchbox, but that had full size products. I found a couple different sites, but MakeupMonthly.com seemed to fit best into my budget and it had some brand name products that I wanted to try. Some of the other sites that I looked at:
YellowBoxBeauty.com - Every month they focus on a particular brand and you get full size retail products. Prices start at $35 plus $8 shipping. The reason I didn't choose this particular box was because the price and I want to try products from multiple brands, not just one. Maybe I will try this one at some point, but it was a little more than I wanted to spend at this point.
TestTube.NewBeauty.com - This company sends you samples 4 times a year. They send samples plus a magazine which is a nice touch. The cost is $30 plus $9 shipping (I swear when I originally looked it was closer to $50 total, maybe they are having special?). You get to write reviews about the products that you try. This one really appealed to me, but the fact that they only come out 4 times a year was kind of a turn off. This might be great for someone one a strict budget!
Glymm.com - I just found out about this website. Seems like they have some really nice products, but it's really similar to BirchBox.
MakeupMonthly Pros and Cons:
Pros-
Flat $30
Brands I wanted to try: MAC, Urban Decay, Cargo, Nars, Etc.
Choice of nails, cosmetics or skin care
No extra charge for shipping
Cons-
Store isn't open just yet
I'm not sure if the products I'm getting are old or not
Tips and Tricks don't always apply to what I'm doing
Questionnaire isn't all that great.
Overall Opinion:
I'm excited to see what I get next month and I'm hoping that I will get more products that are relevant to me. At this point I want to try a different makeup subscription and I'm really considering Test Tube. I've read the New Beauty magazine and I really like it.
I love glitter and love wearing if for a night out, but damn, does it make a mess. Keep in mind that it will stick to everything and you will probably be finding glitter in all kinds of unexpected places for days after you wear it... That being said, this tutorial will help you apply it easily and keep in place until you take it off! Taking it off can be quite tricky, try something thick like Pond's Cold Cream. You will still end up with glitter in your eyebrows, hair and all over your boyfriend!
I'm really excited to do this giveaway! I purchased a two sets of feather hair extensions. They are fun and easy to apply!
Please enter this contest for your chance to win:
4 individual solid purple feathers
5 individual stripped turquoise feathers
10 beads
The Body Shop Bronze Honey Lip Nectar in Honey Beige
This contest is open internationally and you must be 18 older. If you are not 18 or older, you must have your parents permission to enter and give out your address.
You must be a subscriber on youtube to enter this contest!
Please comment on the video for your first entry. Please tell me your favorite beauty product for summer!
You also get one entry for the following:
Following me on twitter (because some user names on twitter will be different for youtube user names, please leave a your twitter user name in a comment below, so I know its you!)
Follow my blog (again you will need to leave a comment below with your blogger or email/user name, so I know its you!)
The giveaway will close on THURSDAY, JULY 7th and the winner will be announced JULY 11th.
Each entry will be given a number and random.org will chose the winner! The winner will be selected at random and will be notified via Youtube message after the announcement video has been posted. You have 24 hours to respond with your shipping address before another winner will be selected.
Thank you to everyone for the support and following! I can't wait to hear your suggestions!
I am absolutely loving UV cured gel systems. I think they are quite possibly the greatest thing since sliced bread! I have been using two different systems that both work with my UV lamp, OPI Axxium Soak Off Gel Lacquer and IBD Gelac.
Nail polish has never lasted very long on my nails. My nails have been sensitive and peeling lately which does not make for a good platform from nail polish. It would often chip in the first 24 hours, if I didn't mess them up while they were wet! I was really skeptical when I first heard of CND Shellac, but did some research and they seemed great. When I finally made the decision to purchase a system for myself I decided to go with the OPI Axxium for a few reasons.
OPI Axxium has a lot of colors to choose from and they are replicas of our favorite OPI nail lacquers. I chose Axxium over Shellac because Shellac has so few colors to choose from. I am not a large fan of nude, pink and red colors. They are lacking fun purple, blues, and brights that Axxium has. There are downsides to Axxium as well. The colors are slightly more translucent than their lacquers and don't always match the lacquer exactly. The My Private Jet is slightly lighter, but still beautiful. I have to apply 3 coats of color to get an opaque finish. The Axxium system has one major difference from Shellac and that is that it comes in a pot and must be applied with a separate brush. Shellac comes in a bottle like a traditional lacquer.
I wanted to try a system that was in a traditional nail lacquer bottle, so I chose the IBD Gelac system. Their packaging has led some people to believe that this is a generic of Shellac, but it's not. Most of the Gel Lacquer systems came out around the same time and Shellac quickly became the front runner, mostly due to advertising, in my opinion. The Gelac System had quite a few colors that caught my eye, especially the Tanzinite and Freesia. I had heard all kinds rumors about all the systems, but I had to find out for myself.
I love both of the systems that I have, and hope that CND comes out with some more appealing colors so that I can try the system! :)
What are soak off gel lacquers? Soak Off Lacquers are a fusion between a traditional gel nail coating and a colored lacquer. "Gel nails" are much like acyrilics. They can be used with tips and must be filed off. And colored lacquer is well, traditional nail polish!
What is the difference between brands, like CND Shellac and Axxium Soak Off? There really isn't a whole lot of difference, mostly just the application. Axxium Soak Offs have more of traditional gel application. The product is also in a pot, instead of a nail polish jar like Shellac and other brands. It does make the system a little harder to use at home, but if you are good at applying nail polish in general you should be just fine!
Do they really last 2 weeks? Longer in some cases! Of course it is all going to depend on the individual, how well the nail was prepped and the product was applied, the health of the nail and how rough you are on your nails on a daily basis. I've heard of some people's not lasting long, or one nail peeling off within a week, but I've also heard that they last longer than 3 weeks.
Can I do them at home? Of course, but this is not something a novice should do. There are two reasons for that, the up front cost and the outcome. Gel polishes are not cheap, running between $15 and $25 a pop. You will need the top coat and base coat and of course a few colors. You will also need a 36 Watt UV Lamp. There is NO way around that one. The cheapest I've seen them is around $60. You will also need all of the prep supplies, including a cuticle stick, cuticle remover, cuticle nippers, 99% Isopropyl alcohol and nail dehydrator, to name a few. It can be very time consuming, and cannot be rushed. The outcome of the gel lacquer has so much to do with the prep of nail and application. If the nail is not prepped properly or the polish is not applied correctly, it will not last. I know this from experience. :)
Will they ruin my nails? While gel lacquers don't require you file down the nail as you would with acrylics or traditional gels, they are less damaging in that aspect. The removal requires that gel nails to be soaked in acetone for 10 minutes. Acetone can be extremely drying and I've heard lots of complaints about that. Some people just can help themselves from picking their nails... I'm guilty of it. The first time I wore Axxium Soak Offs I peeled them all off in less than 10 minutes. Once you catch a free edge they peel off in one big sheet. Peeling them off also peeled off the top layer of my nail. They did not look good or feel good. I would stick with soaking them off. I also feel like my nails are dried out after I remove the lacquer. I'm not sure if this is due to the actual lacquer or the removal process. In short, I don't think they do as much damage as other nail enhancements, but they aren't as harmless as nail polish.
Will the UV lamp be harmful to my health? I'm not entirely sure, but it's worth being concerned about. I'm not sure if the lamp is powerful enough to effect the skin, because I've never notice a burn or tan, but I can feel the warmth it omits. It's always best to do your research and see if it's worth the risk to you. I ALWAYS advise using a sunscreen before you place your hand in the lamp for curing.
I absolutely love my gel lacquer nails, I would advice you to give them a try.
Have you tried them either at the salon or at home? What do you think?
Dear Kim,
Your hair is awesome. I'm getting my hair done soon and it's a new hairdresser so I have no idea what I'm going to do. What do you ask for at the salon?
When you get your hair done do you get your hair washed as well? Does your stylist always shampoo and blow dry your hair?
Sarah
Hi Sarah!
Thanks for your question! The first step to getting a great hair cut, is finding the hairstyle that you want. Look in magazines and online for pictures. Print out multiple angles of the hairstyle that you choose so that the stylist that you pick knows exactly what you are looking for. Also, look online for tips about what hair styles would look best on your face shape and hair type. If you are planning on changing your hair color, your stylist will be able to help you pick out a color, but bring in pictures so she has a good idea of what you want.
The next step would be to find a stylist. The first thing you should do is look online using websites like yelp, insider pages, or citysearch. These websites have reviews and yelp does a great job filtering reviews that may not be real. It's a great way to narrow down your search. Also ask friends and family if they like their stylist, and why. Does she listen well? Do you come out feeling like you worked together to achieve a great haircut?
When you've narrowed down your perspective stylists, call the salon and book a consultation. This will ensure that you have the stylist's attention for at least 15 minutes and can get a feel for her. Take your pictures into your consultation and ask her if this is a look she can give you and if your expectations are realistic. Also ask about pricing and what the appointment will include, such as washing, conditioning and styling. Some salons charge extra for styling after a cut. You will want to have your hair styled in a way you could replicate on daily basis and ask about products and if they are able to suggest things within your price range.
Typically stylists will wash, condition and style your hair at the appointment, but be sure to ask.
As I said in my video, my short hair was a bit of an accident. An accident that ended up alright, but still an accident all the same. I wanted to share my new hair care routine with you because I've never really used a whole lot of product before. I was really excited to try new things after my haircut!
I try to alternate between two different shampoos, but I find myself gravitating for the my Herbal Essences Hydralicious Featherweight Shampoo. The other shampoo that I use is Lanza's Healing Volume Thickening Shampoo. What can I say? I like my sulfates!
The conditioner that I use is the Lanza Healing Moisture Kukui Nut Conditioner. It smells delicious and leaves my hair detangled and refreshed. I only use conditioner on my ends so that helps minimize "weigh down".
Protecting your hair from heat is one of the most important steps you can take. I'm using the Label.M Heat Protection Spray. It's very light and perfect for me know. I used to use the Thermafuse HeatSmart Serum when I had long hair. It helps to smooth and make my damaged ends extra shiny.
Next I apply my "body giving juice". Evo's Shape Vixen gives great body, hold and slight texture. The fragrance can be a bit overwhelming, but it's makes a huge difference in the volume of my hair.I use and Itech Round Brush (3 3/4") and blow dry away.
When my hair is about 85-90% dry I spritz in my Fudge Salt Spray. This gives my hair the just back from the beach texture without the fishy smell. :) It smells like coconuts and helps give my hair body.
Next I tease my roots with Spornette's Little Wonder Teasing Brush. I spray the Alterna Bamboo Uplifting Root Blast all over my roots to help the teasing stay in place.
I finish it all off with either the Evo Builder's Paradise, which is their working spray, or their Helmut Finishing Spray. I prefer Builder's Paradise because of the scent, but Helmut has more hold!
I hope this gives you some ideas for new hair products. I'm loving all of mine and can't wait to share all the new goodies the purchase when these run out!
At the beginning of May, I saw a picture of Jen Aniston's new hair in People magazine. I fell in love with her hair and convinced myself that I should cut my long hair and get an inverted bob for summer. I booked an appointment to see my hair stylist and friend, Gina*, for a cut and color. The appointment was about a week away and I spent the whole week going back and forth , back and forth, back and forth on whether or not I should cut it. I actually lost a lot of sleep. My best friend didn't help matters much either, she had chopped her hair off at one point and regretted it. She made every point to remind me that I would hate short hair as well. Thanks Bets!
The day of my appointment I decided just to play it safe. There were two reasons I decided to just get a trim. 1. I loved my long hair. I've almost always had long hair and every time I've cut it, I've always grown it out again. That awkward in-between stage sucks! 2. The first time Gina did my hair, she did an AMAZING job on the color, but the cut was a little uneven, but not the worst cut I'd ever gotten. I didn't really want to put a new cut into her hands.
I went into my appointment and she started right away on my color. We chit-chatted and caught each other up on life. About 20-30 minutes into my appointment her husband and daughter show up. She and her husband are in the middle of a separation, so he was dropping their adorable 2 year-old daughter off. I didn't mind, but quickly realized that having them their was a major distraction for her, as it would be for anyone.
While I was processing she came over and asked me if we could do my cut at her house. I wasn't crazy about the idea because I had already driven 30 minutes to her salon, but I agreed anyways. We had made a deal that she would not charge me for the haircut, but I would pay full price for my foil. She then came back to tell me that she could do my cut "real quick" here at the salon. I almost listened to my gut and said no, but I decided to trust her. Big mistake.
Gina flew through my haircut. She grabbed random pieces and just cut. There was no rhythm or reason to where she was cutting. I was shocked when she told me she was finished. She then asked me if she could skip blow drying my hair! What!? I couldn't see my color or my cut. I asked her if we could blow dry it and she said, "I'll do a partial blow dry so you can see the color." It then dawned on me that she didn't really care.
I went home with partially dried hair and discovered the horribly uneven cut she had given me. I knew I was going to have to chop off my hair in order to get an even cut. I even cried a little. I was sad because I knew I was going to have to part with my hair, but more-so because someone I considered a friend, couldn't put forth the effort to give me a nice even cut. I was disappointed. As someone who works in the beauty industry I've always taken pride in my work and felt terrible when I didn't do a good job, especially on a friend.
My friends and family kept telling me that I needed to call her a tell her about the cut. But what am I supposed to say to someone who doesn't care? It's not like she just missed a spot or I would trust her to fix it. So what was the point? If she cared she would call me or text me the next day to see what I thought. She did text me the next day to chit-chat, but she never asked about my hair.
Luckily I work with one amazing hair stylist. Jessica came to my rescue and was able to work out a great cut for me. I love my cut, she did such an amazing job. I thought I was going to have to ask her to stop cutting my hair she was so meticulous, but it was greatly appreciated.
Hey all! I attending It's Judy Time's Seattle meet and greet today in SeaTac. When I saw that Judy was having a meet and greet I signed up instantly. Judy is one of the few gurus I still follow (more on the that later) and I wanted to meet her and also mingle with other youtubers and followers. Judy and Benji are super sweet people and it was also great to meet makeup artist and her friend, Lannet.
Most importantly, I was re-inspired to start making videos again. My interest in makeup did hit a bit of lull for various reasons. I'm spending the weekend getting "my studio" put back together so that I can make videos as soon as possible!
Hey Everyone! Wow. I can't believe it's already the middle of March! Where has the time gone? This year got off to a bit of a bumpy start, but things are back on track now. It's been hard for me to make videos and I'm hoping to get back into it as soon as possible.
I haven't been making videos for a few reasons. 1. My boyfriend kind of kicked me out of the office we both were sharing. I think he got sick of having my shush him while I was making videos. He convinced me that moving into our bedroom would provide better lighting and less conflict. Well, it was actually a big pain in the ass. The lighting wasn't great and I also hated having my bed as a back drop. Not to mention his messy ass dresser! 2. My camera is a POS, well actually just the battery. I was hoping to have purchased a new camera by now, but I got off to a late start working. 3. I didn't start working full time until the end of February so money was really tight. Not a lot of room for extras. I got offered a job working as an Esthetician at Ulta, but that job didn't quite pan out. The manager tried to convince me that a UV sanitizer and an autoclave are the same thing (they are not even close to similar). It also only paid minimum wage, part time. Ulta also treats their employees like criminals.
But now, things are on steady ground! I'm working full time at a beauty distributor and wholesaler and also freelancing for Anastasia Beverly Hills on the side. I'm really enjoying both jobs but, I'm busy! I will be back to making videos once I get moved back into the second bedroom! I can't wait! :)
Hey everyone! I haven't updated my blog or videos in a while. I've been distracted. And the videos I. Have made I haven't been happy with. My videos making station has not exactly been ideal wither. My boyfriend and I thought I might get better lighting in our bedroom and moved it out of the office. I haven't been happy with it, so my sweetpea purchased me a backdrop. I should be getting it this week and I plan on doing a major haul video! :) I've been doing some shopping as well as getting product for training from my jobs! I can't wait to share everything with you all!
Hey Everyone! Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you're enjoying a day full of love.
I'm really excited about this video. Not only is a great review, but it's an entry into the opportunity of a lifetime. Ya, I think so. I've entered myself in Makeup Geek's contest for product reviewers. Could you imagine working for Marlena!? When I saw this I was so excited and knew I had to enter. I'm excited for the opportunity and excited to see a Guru step outside the box. Other Gurus are adding new faces to their channels, but they are some friend or associate. I think it genius that Makeup Geek has decided to let us normal folks take a stab at working for her. I would have applied to this position if it wasn't paid, because I just want to make videos and share my knowledge and experiences.
I was really excited about this primer as well. I got the Pore Perfecting version because I wanted an airbrush finish. I was so disappointed. I noticed a difference when I put my makeup on, my pores were filled in and my makeup just seemed a bit more flawless. But after 6 hours, I didn't see any difference. My makeup had worn off at the same rate. I guess primer just isn't something that's necessary for me, so I won't continue to use it!
I was lucky enough to come across this collection today! Smashbox makes some amazing products and I wanted to see if this collection compares to their other products. I have some mixed emotions about the collection.
The Eyeshadow Palette ($48) is amazing. Ten beautiful spring inspired shades that are soft and subtle. It remind us why we love spring so much! There are 5 matte shades and 5 shimmer shades. The quality of these eyeshadows do not disappoint. There are a lot of fun looks that will be achieved from these palettes!
The Creamy Cheek Duo ($26) is also an A. It's got a great texture and beautiful pigments. The only downside is the funky smell.
The Limitless Long Wearing Lip Gloss ($21) shades are beautiful, but can you say sticky mess!? I am going to pass on these lip glosses because I want the spring breezes to ruffle my hair and not worry about my hair getting stuck to my lips!
The Artifical Light Powder ($20) is a nice highlighter, it's a little pricey for the size. The applicator is a foam tip, so you can easily apply it where you like and blend. It adds a wonderful glow and can be used to highlight cheek bones, underneath the brow and even your cupid's bow.
I have mixed feelings about the Soft Focus Powder Eye Liner ($22). It's in a liquid bottle, but it's a powder. The foam tip applicator is a little longer than one that would be used for liquid. It's also more flexible. The powders are very soft and beautiful shades, but I found it challenging to make a thin line. They are very smudgable, but a little complicated to use. I like their thinking and would like to spend a little more time with this product before I fully make up my mind!
All and all this collection made me excited for spring and all the beautiful colors and makeup looks that come with it!
Yesterday I saw an ad for the new Covergirl NatureLuxe line. I went to Covergirl's website to see what they have. The line only has foundation and lip balm. I hope they will eventually add more products to the line.
The website is really easy to navigate and even suggests colors for you based on your skin tone, eye color, and hair color. I was a pink dot. I decided that I would test out the recommendations.
I headed over to Target to check it out. Going to Target on Saturday is always a disaster. Ugh. Anyways, I found the Natureluxe and they were out of the recommended color. Lame. I checked out the lip balms, but to my surprise Covergirl didn't put any protective packaging on lip products! I was unable to find a balm that didn't look like it had been used. Covergirl WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!?
So I ended up leaving Target without NatureLuxe, but I was able to find the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation. They have a whole line of foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer and blush. It's impressive. They have many shades to choose from. I'm testing out my foundation now. I got the shade 120. I have seen some reviews of the oxidizing on the skin and giving off an orange sheen.
Some might think that my philosophy for everyday makeup is backward, but I think it makes sense, especially for my wallet! My everyday products are cheap, with the exception of my foundation. If I'm going to go through a product, like my everyday eyeshadow, every month or two I don't want my eyeshadow to be $20 a pop. I'm content with drugstore and inexpensive finds.
This look was inspired by my cheapness frugality.
ELF makes some really great products. Some can be hit and miss, but I ordered 18 products for $36 dollars and like most of them. Their mineral line is pretty impressive for the price. Most of the ingredients are nonirritating and natural. I would say this line is much more impressive than some more expensive lines. They also make some really great brushes and most are about a buck! AH! I love it!
I don't use the Blush and Contouring powder for highlighting and contouring, just as a bronzer and blush! The Brownstone quad is beautiful. The colors are soft and make your eyes pop. I've used this quad for multiple occasions because I feel that it is appropriate for lots of different occasions! The Nicely Nude lipstick is a soft, but bright color that adds a pop of color to your lips without making you feel like you're wearing a ton of lipstick. I don't normally wear lipstick on a daily basis, just gloss, but sometimes this lipstick just calls my name!
Yes, I was German Beer Girl for Halloween. The costume was in the 50% off pile! That made up my mind for me! :)
So we all have those jam packed days where we're up early for work and as soon as work is over you've still got other things to do. Those are exhausting days, but we still want to look our best. With this tutorial it's easy to look like a million bucks no matter what the time of day!
I've been wearing this look alot. Sometime it's just not appropriate to put on evening makeup in the morning before work, or you just don't have the energy. This is a pretty conservative look for during the day (except for the glitter) and with a few brush strokes you can turn it into an amazing evening look!
I'm using the Urban Decay Shadows Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Twice Baked, and Black Dog from the Black Palette. Black Dog cannot be purchased separately, but UD does make a matte black called Perversion. I also used the 24/7 Glide On Eyepencil in Zero. This comes with the Black Palette or can be purchased separately. And don't forget the Primer Potion!
I also used a NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk to highlight my browbone and the inner corner of the eye. The mascaras I used are Maybelline's Lash Discovery and Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition.
Ah! I'm was so excited when I saw these at Rite Aid! I had been wanted to get my hands on Minx or Sephora Nail strips, but they are so expensive! Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips are about $10.
There are a few things that make me think that these nails are better than Minx or Sephora. They aren't on a huge strip. You can actually hold them up to your nail with the back still on them and see if they fit correctly. You can also use either side against your cuticle. You don't have that choice with other brands.
I'm going to test them out and let you know how long they last and if I would buy them again. They are a little expensive when you compare them to a bottle of nail polish that has lots of uses, but these are definitely worth a shot!
Pros:
Easy to apply - Everything you need comes in the kit with the exception of Acetone. There is no mess and no risk of ruining your nails if you move suddenly. It's also easy to see which strip will fit on your nail.
Price - A lot cheaper than Minx or Sephora.
Long Lasting - These have lasted way longer for me than regular nail polish. Regular nail polish lasts about 24 hours for me, if I don't ruin them when they are drying. I went 3 days without any chips, and I believe that that the only reason they did chip is because my nails have been pretty weak lately!
Cons:
Messy - The little things you peel off the strip can get everywhere.
Buying the kit every time - Once I've purchased the kit, I don't want to buy the orangewood stick and buffer again. I think that my tools are better quality.
Have you tried these!? Let me know!
Starting a new year can mean hope, excitement and well, new beginnings. But after the excitement wears off, you can easily find yourself in the same slump you were in at the end of last year.
We've all been there. What better way to make yourself feel better, than to listen to some music to make you feel like the awesome woman you are!
Some of the songs I'm going to share with you are a little cheesy, but what the hell!? If it makes you feel better, who cares. Now turn up the volume and sing along.
Katy Perry - Firework - So I think that this song is targeted toward younger kids and "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?" Uh, okay. But the chorus is very catchy and makes you want to get up and start something! Oh and the video... LOL. The lady is giving birth and fireworks are igniting on her belly! Come on!
Natasha Bedingfield - Strip Me - This song isn't really as cheesy as Perry's! It's a great song, the video is amazing! Her makeup artist did a great job showing the different sides of a person. The song is all about how people try to take everything that they can from you, but at the end of the you will have your voice and don't let anyone take that away from you!
Pink - Raise Your Glass - "Wrong in all the right way?" I'll drink to that! Remember just because you're weird, snort when you laugh, fart on the dance floor, you're still awesome! I love Pink, I think she's just so entertaining and believes smart, strong, independent women!
The ELF Mineral Line - ($3 - $20) The ELF Mineral line has a lot to offer, Everything from foundation to brushes. It's an affordable line of mineral makeup! Yay!
Tarte Smooth Operator - ($36) Tarte's tinted moisturizer has an SPF of 20 and is free of all the icky stuff we don't want on our skin! It also has antioxidants and hyaluronic acid.
Kiss My Face Organic Lip Balm -($3.50)This is a mostly organic lip balm with all kinds of goodies. Cranberry Orange is my favorite flavor. No more boring mint. It has an SPF of 15 and the main ingredient is Canola Oil. I love that Canola Oil is something that I eat and great for my lips!
Physician's Formula Summer Eclipse Bronzer and Shimmery Powder - ($12) This powder will add color to even the most pasty skin. The extra shimmer will help reflect light to make you look more awake! Yes, please!
MAC Mineralized Eyeshadow - ($19.50) While $20 might seem a little pricey for one eyeshadow, you're really getting two shades in one! This shadows and extra dimension and soft shimmer to any look!
In an effort to save money (We all know I'm looking for a job and I'm broke! :(), I've been rediscovering products in my current collection. Today I had to get ready really quickly, as I didn't time morning right.
I've been wearing Prime Time and Bare Minerals Foundation in Fair everyday. I find that I like this foundation better in the winter because it's not quite as drying as Jane Iredale. I do think that using a primer makes a difference as far as holding in moisture, but I don't think it makes it last longer. I do find that by the middle of day, I need to reapply. Maybe it's wishful thinking that a foundation will last me all day, but a girl can wish right!?
I've been using lots of different things on my eyes. I'm trying to find something that's an easy everyday look that's effortless. Some of my favorites so far are classics in my book.
Covergirl Shimmering Sands has been a staple in my life forever. It's probably the first eyeshadow I ever bought, and I've continued to buy it for years! I still use it and love it, but I've wanted to explore other options!
Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy Rides Again is quite a mouthful and packs a punch! It has a beautiful base color and glitter to add an interesting and fun dimension. Be careful of fallout with this shadow because the glitter can get really messy!
I'm really loving the ELF Brightening EyeColor Quad in Brownstone. The pigments are very subtle with these shadows and can take a couple of layers to get the desired color. The quad only costs $1 but the looks you can create with it are worth much more. I'm planning on doing a tutorial to show you how to achieve a beautiful, sophisticated look. It's inexpensive, but not cheap! This is also a great shadow for anyone of any age!
I wanted to make a tag and hopefully it will pick up some steam. It's a great way to share your faves from 2010 or even your monthly faves. I don't know how some people can use new products every month, because I get stuck in makeup ruts a lot. I find myself playing with makeup in the evenings, not in the mornings.... Okay, I'm kind of rambling.
So, what's new with me? Where have I been? I finished school and I'm not searching for the perfect job. I'm also interviewing with Big Brothers Big Sisters next week to see if I would be a good fit for one of their Littles. Wish me luck! I'm also looking at some options so I can finish my college degree. That's something I put on the backburner because I was burned out. 4 years of college is a lot, and I just couldn't make it. Maybe if I was studying something I really loved, I would have done okay, but I wasn't. I did get pretty good grades, but the semester I entered the College of Business was a really long, long, long semester. I made it through, but I didn't think I could stand another semester. Don't get me wrong, I didn't just give up because it was hard, but everyday was a struggle. It's hard to go to class and not care what they are saying. Anyways, I'm exploring all my options and hopefully I will find the perfect fit and be one my way to chasing my dreams and big bucks!
