Masquerade Mask

I've always seen these beautifully created masks that are done with just makeup. I've always wanted to do that... just... ugh it's so gorgeous. While I think I'd be MUCH better at doing this on someone else, it's just me in the house tonight so I figured why not.

I had updated my Facebook Fan Page asking for requests for particular looks. After a few hours of no responses, I texted my partner, who told me to do a masquerade mask.

The universe works in mysterious ways!! So, here's what I came up with... I used mostly Inglot and ULTA powders. It's nowhere near what I hoped it would be, but that's ok. It's a start!

Holiday Inspired Makeup

I absolutely adore Makeup Geek. Like... I view it several times a day and whenever the forums go down, I tap at my computer like an impatient child. (They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.)

So anyway.

Marlena always puts up challenges. There is one other one I've entered, but this one really spoke to me. I probably have a snowflake's chance in h-e-double-hockey-sticks of winning, but I wanted to give it a chance anyway. This look was SO much fun to do!

I was able to open one of my Christmas Gifts early... it just so happened to be an Ulta travel kit filled with goodies!!! Unfortunately, I can't find a link to the product online... it's basically a train case with 72 different items in it.

I know, I know... normally these don't have much value, but OMG! The pigment! The softness! I am absolutely amazed at the products packed into this little case. Soooooo I used this case full of goodies to create this look!















Here is the inspiration picture a purple, gold, and red ornament.

Products used:

Eyes:
-benefit stay don't stray primer
-Ulta plum pencil as an eyeshadow base
-Ulta Aztec Gold shadow
-Ulta Plum Noir shadow
-some no-name red shadow
-Ulta Galaxy shadow
-Ulta Pearl shadow
-Makeup Forever kohl pencil
-Smashbox Full Exposure mascara

Face:
-Revlon Colorstay foundation in Sand Beige
-Bare Minerals mineral veil (just until I can get my normal setting powder)
-no-name bronzer & blush

Lips:
-Ulta Sangria & Red Carpet Red lipsticks layered over each other with a bit of Aztec Gold powder dusted in the middle

What do you think?

Eek!

I've been MIA and for that, I'm very sorry. I promise I'm back and with the Holidays coming to an end, I'll be able to post more often!

<3

Work Neutrals

Good morning beauties!!!

Since I work in a salon, I get to wear some crazy makeup. Sometimes, though, I just want to wear something a little more neutral.

Today was one of those days... It started out with my desire to FINALLY wear a winged liner look. (Yea, I made it to 30 without ever being able to successfully create one LOL.)

Normally a look like this would be paired with red lips, but since my lips take up a good portion of my face, and I feel like a clown with red lipstick on, I skipped it and went with a pinky gloss.

(All photos were taken in sunlight outdoors - hence why my brows are a little furrowed LOL)







Products used:
*Benefit Stay Don't Stray
*MAC Matte Creme
*Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combo/Oily Skin in 180, Sand Beige
*bareMinerals Mineral Veil (I normally used MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural, but I've run out. Don't worry, it's on my Christmas wishlist!)
*No-name blush/bronzer and eyebrow powder
*Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Neutralizer
*Inglot 467 DS all over lid, up to brow and in inner corner of eye (this is a beautiful shimmery peachy shade)
*Lorac 3-Debut in crease
*Makeup Forever Kohl Liner
*Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara
*NYC Liquid Lip Shine in Cherrywood with a Jordana gloss over the top

That looks like a LOT of product now that I look at the list LOL. This look took me 15 minutes total time to create (and that was with waiting for my primers to dry and settle in). The only reason it took that long was because of my attempt to get the wings just right. What do y'all think?

Not All Pinks are Created Equal

I decided that once I started working in a salon I would do something fun with my hair. I did a block color and have a triangle of pink on the top of my head with the rest of my hair being black. I love it. I do not, however, love the upkeep. It's just a nightmare!!!

I get my roots bleached every six weeks (I normally have well over an inch of growth by that point) and I have to re-dye the pink every two weeks.

I was using Manic Panic's Hot Hot Pink, which left it a nice vibrant HOT pink. I love it and may wind up going back to that color.

I decided I wanted to try Pravana's Wild Orchid shade today. I loved the results I saw from this at the various hair shows and I figured my hair would be just as vibrant.

Here's the before shot:

You can see where the ends go orange, but the roots are VERY bright.

...and the after shot. It's not an outside shot, and the only lighting I had where I could take a self portrait was the super warm bulbs in the salon bathroom... It's not as vibrant as I normally like my hair to be. I'm hoping this is just because of how late it was when I finally decided to put the color in.

I'll be making sure to take some shots in outdoor lighting as soon as possible... I'll also give you guys an update in two weeks to see just how much this has washed out as opposed to the Manic Panic.

Cats

I have three beautiful fur babies that you'll often read about. Jesse is my oldest, he's the black cat. Milo is the middle child and is a fluffy deaf tabby. Cooper is the 46 lb youngest brother and is a boxer mix. I love my little family.

That being said... They LOVE to hang out on this little bench/shelf thing that's in the shower. During today's shower, Milo decided to try his hand at acrobatics and almost wound up in the shower with me.

I saw my life flash before my eyes.

Here's the cute little stinker...

Brows are so important!

I can't stress this enough... Brows are so incredibly important! Being in the beauty industry, it's important for me to have well-groomed brows. Sometimes, though, I slip up. Here's a before (with no makeup! eek!) and an after so you can see how different I look!

Brains...

Those of you who know me know how much I despise doing anything even remotely like a manicure or pedicure. Nails just skeeve me out. Period.

So when I saw this zombie manicure floating around Pinterest, FaceBook, Livejournal, etc., I knew I HAD to try it. Nail phobia be damned!

Sorry, no tutorials as there are plenty out there. Just enjoy the fruits of my labor. :)

For reference, I'm a righty. It's REALLY hard to paint your right hand when that's your dominant hand LOL.

Right hand:



Left hand:



Let me know what you think!

First post!

I wish I had more to say in my first post. I have created blogs in the past with hopes of having these profound posts. Needless to say, I fall a little short. I'm hoping to change that with this blog. I've only been in the beauty industry as a pro for a few months, but what I've seen both scares me and disgusts me. Between diverted products, stylists with poor skills, stylists who just don't CARE, and various other things... I want to expose all that. I want to show people what to look for in the hair care professional. I also want to show people that the "pro" products you see in the supermarkets and drug stores are NOT what they claim to be.

So keep your eyes peeled, subscribe to my blog, and I promise you I'll deliver. I'll be posting about life, food, hair, makeup, EVERYTHING! Thanks for reading!