BeautyForYou

Broadway Nails Fast French Deceptions Glue-On Nail Kit

2011-11-08T08:32:00.000-08:00

Nails in a box?
I finally gave press on nails a try after years of acrylics, natural, shellac, sticker polish, gel, you name it.

There was always something about each of the methods that I did not like. For example, acyrlics always turned dirty or yellow, shellac stayed nice for a while, but still turned a bit dirty looking over time. Also, if the nail stylist messed even one little thing up there was no fixing it without removing the polish. Taking them off was much more difficult than advertised.

I was in Target and saw these nails:
I figured, I may as well give them a try. I put them on 4 days ago (took me maybe 10 minutes max), and I am so happy with my decision. This will save me so much money going forward, and I will be satisfied with the look for much longer. It bugs me that I didn't figure this out all the years while I was a cheerleader ambassador for Washington Redskins. We had to wear french manicure to all the games, and I spent way too much time in the nail salon. Now I don't have to (except for pedicures of course).

Here is what the nails look like when on:

You can get them at any drugstore. They cost around $5. You may even be able to use the same box for two different sets (depending on your size). The lasting power seems amazing as long as put on correctly. So far I have had mine on for 4 days, and they are still just as clean and shiny as they were the first day.

I haven't tried other brands, but I can imagine they are all great. What makes this set very interesting is that the bottom of the nails have moons...which makes them look even more natural.

I have not tried taking them off yet, but i have a feeling the process won't be as difficult as shellac or gel. I will keep you posted!!

If you want your nails to look beautiful but want to save your money (for other amazing products/services), then please go get these!

Hair to wow for - HANA BLACKLABEL Shineshield

2011-11-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

Hi!!
As promised, I have an exciting review for you about Hana Blacklabel Shineshield!!
I am obbsessed with beautiful shiny hair. Since mine is long, it can easily get tangly and that is not exactly a good look!! So I invest into products such as Moroccan Oil, various leave in conditioners, detanglers, you name it! But I have recently tried something AMAZING - Hana Blacklabel Shineshield - my new HG!

http://www.misikko.com/hana-shineshield-heat-therapy-blacklabel.html
Here is what the website claims:
HANA Shineshield BLACK LABEL provides the ultimate shine for your hair in an all new alcohol-free oil treatment after just one use. Named *Product of the Year*, HANA Shineshield BLACK LABEL seals and locks in 98% of the moisture in your hair to deliver a deep hydrating condition. You will see the immediate difference in the look of your hair and also feel the sleek and silky touch. This product unlike its competitors can be used on all hair types to create any style.

HANA Shine Shield BLACK LABEL Features: Lightweight leave-in Oil Treatment Designed to protect and restore hair styling and environmental stress Oil Treatment absorbs quickly without a greasy feel for thorough deep conditioning Oil Treatment naturally dissolves residue, removing build-up from other styling products to leave hair clean & supple Oil Treatment naturally excels at thickening keratin layers, bringing out your hair's natural color overtones, highlights and brilliance

I have only been using Shine Shield for a week, but my hair has been unbelievable ever since!! So smooth, shiny, and manageable. I love!! The smell is super addicting and beautiful. Would I choose this over Moroccan Oil? I would :). I got this product from http://www.misikko.com/

They threw in some fun extra items along with Hana Shine Shiled. Everything was packaged beautifully. Take a look:

Bobby Brown Brush Set!!

Nail Buffers and Hand Sanitizer

Super soft hair

Have you ever tried Hana Blacklabel? I haven't heard of it until visiting the misikko website. I'll post a few more links that you may be interested in!

If you want to know what is considered the Best Flat Iron, check out this link http://www.misikko.com/best-flat-iron.html

If you are in the market for Hair Dryers, check this out: http://www.misikko.com/hair-dryers.html

To learn more about Hana, follow this link! http://www.hanasalon.com/

Now its your turn to let me know what your current favorite hair products are!!!

I am back!

2011-11-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hey!
I have taken quite a break from writing blogs, but don't worry, I was definitely still reading yours.

I have been very busy lately with my makeup artist opportunities. I have my own business now: Makeup By Yelena www.facebook.com/makemeupyelena . Wait till you see the photos of the weddings, models, fitness models, and nfl cheerleaders that I have been blessed to work with. Photos and stories coming up soon!

I have been also continuing the research for the best products! I have many many to share with you. The first review will be of my new favorite hair product: Hana Blacklabel Shineshield.
This is better than Moroccan oil - can you believe?? http://www.misikko.com/hana-shineshield-heat-therapy-blacklabel.html Check it out and look for my review soon!

If you have any requests on posts, please leave a comment. Or just comment and say hi!

Hard Candy and E.L.F Haul

2009-11-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends!

I have been very busy lately with life, job, Redskins (we are not doing too well this year, huh?), and various make up artist opportunities, which is why I've been so absent.

I have many many photos to share with you including my own photoshoot. Also, last night I had a chance to work with my best friend, who is a model and one of the top photographers Tony Veloz. I can't wait to share photos with you (as soon as I receive them). I did her make up, and she looked absolutely stunning! Please expect the shoot post in a day or so, where I will list all the techniques and products used.

I have been trying to make videos for you, but I still need an editing program. Please let me know where I can download a good one (preferably for free...hehe). But I am ready to speak to you on camera, if you are ready for me!!

I have not been buying much make up lately, but here is my recent haul that I love:

Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in 132 heat wave http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=12441146

Hard Candy Lipstick in Firewall and Flirt http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=12441018 http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=12441019

E.L.F. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen http://www.eyeslipsface.com/products.asp?dept_id=1235

E.L.F. Liquid Shadow in Sultry Satin http://www.eyeslipsface.com/products.asp?dept_id=1424

This is a photo from last weekend where I incorporated all of these products :-)

Till next time!

My Birthday Hello

2009-07-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

Last week in Bahamas

Hey Everyone!!

I miss all of you very much! I have been so busy lately with work, life events, and a little vacation :-) that I have neglected one of my favorite things - blogging! Today seemed an appropriate time to reconnect because it is MY BIRTHDAY!

I am thrilled to see what my 24th year in life will bring - especially in the beauty inspiration department. While being 23 I have attempted to keep the glamour look while kicking it down a notch. I have learned that less is more (at least for a day look). Sometimes a tinted moisturizer is better than foundation, transluscent powder plus bronzer is at times prettier than powder foundation, chap stick/lip gloss is sexier than lipstick. These are just some of the lessons learned.

Since I have been gone for so long, do you have any special requests? I promise to respond to every one of your requests within just a few days.

XO,

Yelena

Recent FAVORITES

2009-05-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy bee recently with so many great and busy things going on. Besides work and family events, I have been involved in a fabulous COUTURE FOR A CURE Fashion show in Washington DC, which raised money for Nadine Namoff's Woman of the Year Campaign (money goes to leukemia and lymphoma treatment and research). I have also been going to sporting events and spending very much valuable time with friends :-)

With that said, I missed you all very much and would love to update you on my recent favorite/Go-to products!!

Foundation/Base
Almay Nearly Naked Touch-pad Liquid Foundation - this is incredible...and funny enough, I used to use it in High School. I put just a little bit of this on before concealer application and final look is flawless!

Concealer
Almay Smart Shade Concealer (in Light/Medium) with a breakthrough shade-sensing technology, which "starts out white and adjusts to right." So perfect under eyes and everywhere else. I've fallen for this one.

Mary Kay Concealer (in a black tube) color Beige 2 - This one is thicker in texture than Almay and still looks amazing under the eyes and everywhere else!

Eye Liner Pencil
Cover Girl Perfect Blend
MAC Smolder
Eyeliner Pen (Dupe of MAC's Penultimate)
Jordana's Eyeliner Pen (only $1.99 and amazing)

Eyeshadow/Eyebrows
MAC Charcoal Brown - This color is perfect (for me). Instead of using a lot of different taupe's and browns on my eyelids at one time, I now only use a light nude color all over and this Charcoal Brown in crease, and it looks better than anything I've tried before (as far as neutral browns). This is also a great color to fill in the brows (for the light brown/medium brown hair).

Lips
Barry M 101 Lip Paint - Perfect pale/nude pink :-)

That's all for now, but please expect more Favorite Products Posts coming up shortly!

Kim Kardashian Queen of Kims Contest

2009-05-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

Being the huge Kim Kardashian Fan that I am, I went ahead and braved up to enter her Queen of Kim's contest. Have you heard about it? Ladies and Drag Queens will be battling out for number one spot to be Kim's look-a-like. The winner will receive a phone call from Miss Kim herself as well as a bag of her favorite products.

I was going to go all out and re-create her look to the Nth degree, but because of the lack of time, I took one of my photos and did some work on it. The photo is 3 years old, and although my hair was darker then, I had to use a bit more of photoshop to tone the color down even more :-).

The end result is not completely like her (and why would it be...she is a unique girl), but at least I entered, right?

Has anyone else entered the contest? I'd love to see your photos!!

Also, what DO you think of the darker hair color? Maybe its time I go back to the natural dark, no?

My Apology!

2009-05-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

My fellow bloggers,

I am truly sorry for not updating you much lately. I actually have so many pictures to show you and products to review, but I have been so busy for the past 2 weeks. So I apologize to you. The good news: I will post a few fun things very soon for you! Hold tight :-).

Sincerely,

Yelena

2009 Healthy Beauty Awards - SELF Magazine

2009-04-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hey!

My very good friend Jess, who happens to also be my beauty hero (CHECK OUT HER GIJess blog to find out why) has brought the following to my attention last night: 2009 Healthy Beauty Awards by Self Magazine.

This is the 10th annual list of 86 best beauty buys that were selected by 1,370 SELF readers. Some of the picks are considered steals ($10 or less) while others are splurges ($20 or more).

I won't list the products here as I really encourage you to check out the website!
However, I will list the products out of the 2009 Healthy Beauty Awards that I own and give you my personal recommendations.

I am looking forward to trying a few other products that have been voted as the best beauty products of 2009, some of which include:

Best Hairspray - L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray
Best All-Around Conditioner - Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Instant Melting Conditioner
Best Concealer - Almay Smart Shade Concealer

What about you? Do you own anything from the list? Anything you want to try?

Kim Kardashian = BLONDE!

2009-04-27T07:45:00.001-07:00

DID YOU SEE? DID YOU SEE?

Kim's Twitter photo

Miss Kim is now a blondie! I love her as a brunette because it is so exotic, but because my current hair color is very similar to her new one (and I feel a bit biased as a result), I am beginning to like this look as well! Her new hair color reminds me a little bit of Jennifer Lopez, and I know Kim is a huge fan of hers.

P.S. It is actually a wig!!!! She fooled all of us :-)

Favorite Drugstore Lip Glosses - Look Hot Saving Money

2009-04-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

Who said that you have to spend a lot of money on beautiful lip glosses? Drugstores have a number of great choices that are comparable to MAC, NARS, and other upscale brands. And please trust when I say, I am very picky. Qualities that I particularly avoid in lip glosses are: sticky, watery, oily, too sheer, and too sparkly. Also being the fan of nude/light pink lip color that I am, I am very particular about color payoff. My lips are naturally red, so I need a very pigmented nude color in order to achieve my signature look :-).

Please let's give a round of applause for the three Drugstore lip gloss winners: L'Oreal Bubble Gum, Neutrogena Groove, and Neutrogena Whisper.

(From Left to Right in Both Photos) L'Oreal - Bubble Gum, Neutrogena - Groove, Neutrogena - Whisper

What do you think of the colors? I am in awe :-).

Bubble Gum by L'Oreal is a very light peachy pink and a perfect dupe of MAC Underage! I just put them side by side and they are identical. What an easy method to save $7. It is also a huge plus that the gloss has a yummy hint of a fresh and fruity scent.

Groove by Neutrogena is a typical baby Barbie Pink color, which is VERY similar to Kim Kardashian's favorite NARS lip gloss in Turkish Delight. I like this product even better due to its price, consistency, and smell. I have read positive and somewhat negative reviews for this lip gloss, but I love it completely. Turkish Delight would disappear on my lips, whereas this product stays :-). And once again, you can save about $14!

Whisper by Neutrogena probably resembles another famous and more expensive lip gloss, but I have not thought this far. I just really like the nude lip look that this gloss provides. Simple as that!

Do you have any drugstore favorites?

FOTD's and Product Reivew

2009-04-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

I had a small event last night, and thought it would be a great opportunity for me to do a Face of the Day (FOTD) post for you today. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Getting Ready

My make up is done, but the hair still needs some work in this picture.

Face:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Original formula) in Sand
Make Up Forever Lift Concealer in #3 under eyes
Make Up Forever HD Powder to set everything
Too Faced Chocolate bronzer
MAC Peachy blush
MAC Soft and Gentle Hi-lighter on upper cheek bones and nose

Eyes:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Coastal Scents Neutral Pallet colors (Beiges, Dark Browns, even the very dark burgundy, which almost looks black)
MAC Penultimate Eyeliner (a little on top and bottom)
MAC Smolder pencil along waterline
Maybelline Define A Lash Mascara
#116 Ardelle Lashes - love them!!!

Lips:
MAC Lip Erase (as base)
Sally Beauty Supply thick lip pencil in Shimmering Raisin
Rimmel Lipstick in Frosted

Complete Look My hair is all finished! I used the Enzo Milano Wand, which I absolutely love! I personally have never owned a better curling tool prior to this one.

Hair

What do you think? It actually did not take me long at all (thanks to Enzo Milano). In order to add volume and length I used 4 wefts of human hair extensions in 20 inch and 18 inch (and although I love the look, I don't do this on a daily basis).

BumpitI've grown to love bumpits. Personally, I am not a fan of teasing hair, nor am I a fan of hairspray. By using bumpits I avoid both of those methods. After I finished styling my hair, I lifted up the hair on my crown area and placed the bumpit right along the roots. I shifted the bumpit around in place for a few seconds to ensure security. Once I felt confident that the bumpit would stay in place, I dropped my hair loose over the bumpit. That's it! Oh, and in case you wonder, I wore this handy little tool for over 3 hours without any problems or discomfort.

If you don't already own Bumpits but are interested, click below to either buy them or simply read a little more: http://www.sallybeauty.com/bumpits/BUMPIT01,default,pd.html

Note: Of course, as almost every product out there, this is not for everyone. Not everyone will like it as much as others, but you just might!!

Perfume of the Month

2009-04-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

Tommy Hilfiger - Dreaming

This smell is so beautiful, girly, and flirty - a total package for Spring.

Notes are: white peach, tuberose, freesia, white hibiscus, white woods, and orris.

The overall smell is very fresh and radiant, and when I spritz it on, I almost get a kick of extra energy. Weird, right? Although I own more perfumes than you'd ever wish to know, I am quite picky with smells. This one won me over recently, although it has been released over a year ago! I realize that perfume is very personal, and what may smell amazing to one person may not seem as appealing to another. However, I think this particular perfume would cater to most women, especially to those between ages 18 and 34.

And now its your turn! What is your favorite perfume right now?

Aussie Leave-In Conditioner, Hair Insurance

2009-04-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

Having soft, manageable, and silky hair is so beautiful, but the price of getting there for some is NOT! Well, you DON'T always have to purchase beyond expensive hair care to have perfect hair and this newly-discovered-by-Yelena product is your proof!

I am talking about Aussie Leave-In Conditioner, Hair Insurance!!

The Description: A true work-a-holic, this leave-in conditioner, accented with Australian Silk Protein, puts in overtime to keep hair strong. Married to its job. burning the midnight oil. Any way you put it (which should be in your hair). Hair Insurance Leave-in conditioner spray is always working hard to ward off hair-related accidents. Add some Roo to your do!

Cost: anywhere from $3-5 depending on where you buy

In addition to being such an effective product (my hair is so soft right now :-), it smells SO GOOD!! Aussie Leave-In Conditioner, Hair Insurance smells like the beach. I can't put my finger, or more precisely, nose on it, but I smell some coconut and pineapple and perhaps many more beachy fuity smells that exist.

Have you tried?

My 4 Week Challenge UPDATE

2009-04-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

Besides the fact that I'm working very hard on getting into tip top shape and have lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks, I have a very helpful TIP for anyone who doesn't already know/follow this.

TIP: Eat 6 - 8 small healthy meals a day instead of 3 big ones! I think we all know this (I know I have for years), but we don't always follow this helpful rule. It works though!

It is 12:45 pm right now, and I have eaten:

-lite cream cheese on whole wheat grain bread (9 am)
-Yogurt (10:30 am)
-Beef Jerky (11:40 am)
-Slim Fast (12:30 pm)
Note: beef jerky is actually an awesome snack! Not many calories at all and hardly any carbs!

See, all this could be consumed in one meal, but I broke it up into 4. I will continue to do so for the rest of the day. Eating less quantity but more times will cause your metabolism to speed up, did you know that? And I'm also thinking, this method would cause you to not feel too hungry at any point of the day, which in turn will naturally cause you to consume less (not that you need to but in case that's your goal)

I'm sorry to my readers who have been doing this all along...you are probably thinking, "duh!! this is nothing new, Yelena!"

However, I am so sure that there are many people out there who don't follow the eating 6-8 times a day method, so hopefully at least 1 or 2 of you will see this!

And now I would love to hear from you:

Do you have any tips?
Do you eat 6-8 times a day? If so, do you notice a difference?

Bronzer Battle: Too Faced vs. Smashbox

2009-04-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

My curiosity never fails to amaze me...and perhaps that is something that a lot of us beauty lovers have in common!

The picture was taken in a bad lighting so the orangy colors you see are not true to reality. Both bronzer are natural brown.

I have just recently discovered my favorite bronzer by Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder, but what do you think I did yesterday? I bought yet ANOTHER bronzer, which happens to be Kim Kardashian's favorite - Bronze Lights in Suntan Matte by Smashbox.

I compared the two this morning and....want to take a guess?

To my surprise I favored Too Faced Bronzer! I am a huge fan of Kim Kardashian and think she is amazingly beautiful, so I am completely shocked that I still preferred my bronzer pick over hers!

Bottom line: The colors are similar...almost identical. However, Too Faced is much more pigmented and goes on smoother than Smashbox...just a little! With Too Faced, even though the bronzer is matte, your skin will absolutely glow after application simply because of how smooth the product is. You can layer this bronzer and thus achieve flexibility in color. And a huge perk on top of all of its great qualities, Too Faced bronzer smells and even tastes (but you didn't hear that part from me) AMAZING!

Smashbox is a nice matte bronzer too but is not as pigmented as Too Faced. Some of you may prefer that, but I like to work with a bit of pigmintation. Also, although it looked good as far as color went, my skin did not look like anything special after application. It was just a normal bronze contoured face...very every day, very regular, not bad, in fact good, but not better than Too Faced. :-)

Deliciously Phenomenal Bronzer!

2009-04-02T22:11:00.001-07:00

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder

Having a glowy bronze skin all year around is the sexiest look in my opinion. You look healthy, refreshed, brighter and even relaxed. I have found some amazing bronzers over the past few years, and I have just recently discovered one more that I truly recommend to all of you - Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder.

According to Sephora.com,

What it does: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder makes getting glam-and-tan downright delicious. Too Face combines the natural, therapeutic effects of real cocoa powder with their signature bronzing pigments, creating a unique matte bronzer that neutralizes red and evens out and enhances all skintones. The complexion is left with a flawless finish, a gorgeous radiance, and a subtly sweet scent.

What else you need to know:Bask in beautiful bronze with this crave-worthy (calorie-free!) compact that's sure to excite your senses. This ultra-sheer formula is easy to customize, so you will always look naturally irresistible—never orangey. Get glowing, golden goddess!

My own notes: This is a perfect brown, matte, super smooth, AND DELICIOUS bronzer (although pricey $28)!! But honestly, this is perfect for any skin color. It is so important to own a matte bronzer, I can't stress this enough. Do you own one?

I'm in love....

Please comment back and let me know if you have tried this :-)

Enzo Milano Fabulosity

2009-04-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

FABULOSITY!!!!

That's the only word that kept going through my mind after I opened my UPS box inside of which was no other than the fabulous 1-inch Enzo Milano Clipless Curling Iron that I mentioned to you in my eBay Haul Post!!!!

Can you tell I am excited?

I won't tell you too much about it as it is a pretty simple product (and you can see the photo below), but let me just say that this product rocks! Why? The Enzo Milano iron is light, easy to use, super fast, achieves the prettiest beachy/celebrity waves! Gorgeous yet Effortless!

As I've mentioned in the previous post, instead of dropping over $100, I only paid $32.99 on eBay!

eBay seller: manonspring http://myworld.ebay.com/manonspring/

I recommend :-)

p.s. I am happy with the regular shape of the iron! I used to want the conical shaped one, but no...this one is perfect!!!!

eBay Haul

2009-03-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

Just minutes after creating the previous post I discovered a very inexpensive Enzo Milano clipless curling iron. It is not a conical shape, just a regular cylindrical shape...but I figured I may as well start somewhere, right?

eBay seller: manonspring http://myworld.ebay.com/manonspring/
Price: $32.99 (free shipping) I know it seems too good to be true but this seller has very positive feedback.

Additional Information:
-Aluminum Teflon coated Barrels to provide a protective barrier between the hair and heated iron providing more damage control.
-Reduced friction and
-Newest ceramic technology provides consistent temp curl after curl
-Ceramic heat will ensure the penetration of silk molecules to the hair
-Hair is heated softly and evenly from inside out
-Fraction of time curling
-Ceramic will produce negative ions to seal the cuticles and repel humidity
-Provides Raw infrared rays for superior protection to hair
-Ceramic far infrared rays reduce frizz and make the hair soft, shinny and healthier.

Once I receive this product and test it out, I will let you know if I recommend for you to buy it as well :-)
**
***
****
*****
Another very recent (but expensive) purchase of mine is Glamour Extensions.
These are so cool! These one-piece 100% Human Remy extensions have been featured in many magazines and worn by numerous celebrities!

So you know how there are a lot of one-piece synthetic hair extensions on the market currently. They are easy to put on (although some brands have weak clips) and give you added length and volume in minutes.

Glamour extensions use the best and purest Remy hair on the market. The extensions that I purchased were a one-piece 21 inch (layered) hair in Color 4/27, which is chocolate brown with blonde highlights. Because the hair is human, I'll be able to style them in various ways.

eBay Seller: glamourextensions http://myworld.ebay.com/glamourextensions/

Price: $169.99 (plus shipping) Yikes!! I'm not buying anything else for a long time now!

Please let me know if you own any of these products. Also please let me know if you would spend this money on hair or if you think its just plain silly. I love your opinions!!

Please Advise - Conical Curling Iron??

2009-03-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Mine was a bit tiring as I was at the cheerleading/ambassador try outs (only on Saturday but somehow I am still trying to recover) and I have photos that I'll show you in one of my next posts. (By the way, I totally used one of the bumpits in my hair at try outs, and it stayed and looked great!!!)

I need your advice. There is a fairly new tool on the market, which seems to be very popular in parts of Europe and Australia. I am talking about the Conical Ceramic Curling Iron. It is clipless and is shaped like a cone, which gives you the flexibility of achieving any size curls. This product makes the curling/waving process much faster. You simply wrap your hair all the way around and hold for just a few seconds, then release. Lollipop26 is known for using this product by Babyliss Pro (and her hair is so cute!)

I've looked everywhere: Ulta website, Sally Beauty Supply website, etc. I could not find anything like this anywhere. I have found similar products by Enzo Milano, but the prices are super high.

So now I turn to you beautiful ladies. Do you have any advice on where us ladies in the United States can purchase such a product? Is online the only option really? I would hate to spend over $100 for a styling tool (although I have done so when I bought T3 Hair dryer - amazing!).

Please let me know your thoughts!!

How I Try to Stay In Shape - 4 Week Challenge

2009-03-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

Hey!

I've been asked to discuss what I eat on a daily basis, what I do when I work out, and how I don't become bored at the gym. I will take yesterday as an example since it is fairly standard.

FOOD
I do not have a very strict diet. Neither do I eat the same food every day (not that I think that anyone should or does). Here is what I ate yesterday:

Morning (9 am)-
Slimfast shake in Cappuccino
Apple sauce
A little bit of oatmeal (hot cereal)

Between Breakfast and Lunch (10:30 am)-
A few smoked almonds

Lunch (12:15 pm)-
Small piece of salmon
Green salad (with fat free Italian dressing, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes)
2 onion rings (hehe)

Between Lunch and Dinner (3:00 pm)
Slimfast shake in Cappuccino

Dinner (6 pm) -
Spring egg roll (veggie)
Veggie Lo Mien with a lot of broccoli (very spicy...spice speeds up metabolism)

Note: I am not really mentioning drinks here because its mainly just water (sometimes with lemons)

WORKOUT
I went to the gym late last night (8:45 pm - 10:05 pm)

1) Cardio on the Elliptical Machine with varying resistances for 25 minutes Note: I don't think that doing cardio for a very long time will do any good. The best workout is a mix of cardio and weights.

2) Lower Abs by lifting myself off the ground with my weight supported by my arms. I lifted my legs up and down (50 times).

3) Inner and Outer Thigh toning on a special machine (for each exercise I did 3 sets of ten using 50lb, 60lb, and 70lb)

4) Back, shoulders, and biceps using weights (50 times. Started with 20lb and finished with 30lb)

5) More abs! I grabbed a 2lb ball, positioned myself on an incline with my feet secured on an incline above the rest of my body and I would sit up and lay back down while holding the ball. I switched from doing normal straight sit ups to sideways sit ups.

6) And More abs!! This time I used an ab machine. Its tough to explain it

And that is it! Do I get bored at the gym? Its a tough question. You know, the toughest part is actually preparing to go there especially since it is late and after a long day at work. Sometimes I just want to sit on my couch and watch TV or read a book. But once I am at the gym, I am more than happy. It is very motivating to know that I am doing something healthy and when I see others at the gym working hard it just inspires me to do better. Cardio can get a little uninteresting, but I just stare at the TV in front of me (even though there is no sound). Then I begin thinking about life in general, and that's when I feel entertained enough.

I would love to hear about your experiences, techniques, eating habits, etc. :-)

My 4 Week Challenge (created by BUBBLEGARM)

2009-03-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hi!

BUBBLEGARM was so smart to create a 4 Week Challenge, inspiring others to take the next 4 weeks to do whatever we need to do to look the way we've always wanted to.

Consequently enough I just took the picture you see above yesterday, which happens to be reavealing enough to show you what I'm working with here. I have been working out pretty hard lately, and my food has been nutrioutous for the most part, and mainly this is because I am trying out (in a few days) to be on the Washington Redskins Cheereader Ambassador squad for 2009. This squad is a group of women who are seen at every Football game and at events throughout the Washington DC Metro area mingling with the fans while the Cheerleaders entertain them with their hot dance moves on the field. I have been a part of such an amazing and fun squad for the past 3 seasons, but we all have to re-try out every year. In order to make it on the team, one of the qualifications is to be very fit (as you can probably imagine). Thus, I've been working very hard.

However, I will take the next 4 weeks to work on my abs even more. They are not completely where I would like them to be. I will continue to eat healthy food and exercise very regularly. I will keep you posted on the progress and outcome.

Also I must mention that for try outs the girls must wear a cute outfit that shows our tummies and everything else basically. Each year I grab a needle, some fabric, glitter, and get to work. I have not made the outfit that you see above completely from scratch, but definitely for the most part. Yes, I've poked myself with a needle quite a few times in the past week, but thats ok. The photo above shows my end product. But please ignore the crazy hair and the lack of make up. It was a very late night.

Bumpits & Smooth Away Review

2009-03-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

As promised, I have a review for you about Bumpits and Smooth Away, the description of which you can find in one of my previous posts.
The photo above actually features two products (one of which was not on purpose): Bumpits and Jessica Simpson Synthetic Clip-In Hair Extensions.

Bumpits ($19.99 at Sally Beauty Supply) - I don't know to be honest. Yes, it does the job of lifting and volumizing the hair. That is true. One problem is the actual plastic bumpits are tough to hide. I really had to take my time combing hair over the bumpit and even then I'm sure you'd be able to see it if I moved my hair or head a certain way. I did not use hair spray as suggested in the instructions, but I don't like hair spray. I have not actually gone out with bumpits, so I do not know how long they would last before I'd see something strange hanging off my hair - oh yea, bumpit, there you are! You may ask, "but are they sturdy?" My answer is yes, for the most part. Once again, I have not performed the time test.

Should you buy it? Yes, if you want. This product is not terrible. Some people work it better than others. A great example is Emilynoel83. Please see her blog about Bumpits Review http://beautybroadcast.blogspot.com/2009/01/bumpits-review.html

Jessica Simpson Hair Extensions just happened to be on at the time. I've had these for 2 years. I love them. I have human hair extensions, synthetic, already made, the ones that I made myself, you name it. If you ever have any questions about hair extensions feel free to contact me.

Smooth Away ($9.99 at Sally Beauty Supply) This is good! I have not bothered to use this on my legs yet, but I tried on my arms and they are soooo smooth! I know for some this does not work, and I am not sure the exact reason. I think you have to use this product very gently and follow the instructions.

Does this product completely eliminate the use of a razor? Definitely not! But its a fun little extra fun tool if you are into that.

Blogspot Broken?

2009-03-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Oh no! I need your advice!

I was on my blog earlier today and it was perfect. Later on, I signed on again and suddenly I couldn't see any of the blog updates for the blogs that I follow. Is this happening to anyone else? When I go to my profile, I still can see the list of the lovely blogs that I follow. How strange! Please advise!

Thank you!!

Sally Beauty Supply Store Haul

2009-03-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hey!

Yesterday I went to Sally Beauty Supply store and bought (drum roll):

Bumpits

Smooth Away Hair Removal

I have played with bumpits a little last night, and they do work. I have to play a little more to perfect the technique and then will take pictures and give you my review.

I have not tried Smooth Away yet. I have read very mixed reviews on this product. How it works: you attach the microfine sandpaper sheet to the large (for arms, underarms, legs, ect) or small (for face and hard to reach places) pink buffer handle and very gently rub on the area where you wish to remove hair from in circular motions - 3 times clowise and then 3 times counterclockwise. Pretty interesting! I will try tonight and tell you more about this. Has anyone purchased/used this before?

MAC Penultimate Eye Liner

2009-03-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

Discovering amazing products that you already own must be one of the coolest feelings. This time I am talking about MAC Penultimate Eye Liner (in black). I have owned this for a few months, but did not fully appreciate the product until now. This looks just like a marker and is so easy to use. Let's see what http://www.maccosmetics.com/ has to say about this eye liner:

"A liquid pen-style liner that provides the ultimate precise, bold line in a rich, deep carbon black shade. Goes on fluidly, in one steady stroke, to style any fashion of eye line."

This eye liner is AMAZING if you want to achieve a super thin/precise line. Don't get me wrong, if you brush this product back and forth a few times, you can definitely have a smoky look also.

I have recently been adding a very thin line right above my top lashline. Did you know that such a method can make your eyelashes look even longer? Its true!

If you do not already own this fun MAC tool, I recommend trying.

Since this is a marker, I am not sure how long it lasts, but I have owned it for a few months and its still good!

More product reviews coming up soon!

MAC Update

2009-02-17T09:56:00.000-08:00

So this is interesting.

Yesterday after work, I went to MAC Store to potentially purchase the new Studio Sculpt Concealer and Foundation (if you live in Northern Virginia - the store is located in Tysons Corner 2 Mall). Let me tell you, the trip to the store was a complete disappointment. Before I discuss this disaster further, I must mention that I used to go to this store very often. I know almost every MUA there and am pretty close with a few. Well, unfortunately all of my good friends were busy with clients, so I was approached by a girl who I have seen but never really dealt with in the past. Long story short, she was a complete Biyach!!! I've never seen anything like this. I was SHOCKED...especially since I have myself been a MUA for years now. Here is a list of crap I had to deal with:

1) She would not let me even walk up to the foundation/concealer area. She insisted on me sitting down and removing a patch of make up that I didn't happen to even have on (regardless of the fact that I told her I have no time for that). Her demands were rude and pushy.

2) Finally, I sat down. As she was wiping off my chin with the MAC wipes, she literally was ordering me to buy these wipes regardless of the fact that I told her I already have 3 packs of these wipes at home.

3) I know I am a bit more pale now than I usually am. I am on the Cheer Ambassador Team for Washington Redskins, and during the off-season I let my skin relax from tanning sprays and what not. Granted, try outs (must try out every year) are in a month now, so my color will be darkening in no time. Well, this girl brings me a foundation color that is literally shades lighter than anything I've ever used - NC20. Yes, I am lighter right now, but generally I am NC 40 on a not so tan day...COME ON! If your make up does not match your skin, it looks more obvious and/or cakey, regardless if it is lighter or darker. The MUA was matching me to my neck, which is NOT the color of my face...lady, please match me to my face and I promise I will create a strategic plan for the neck later. Nope!

4) She tried to sell to me a concealer that was way too light also - NC20...and unfortunately I bough t it, but it does NOT match AT ALL. I will exchange.

5) After her attempt to push me into buying a foundation color that did not even match me, I asked if I could take a sample with me to try out the product and come back for a full size once I reach my normal tan skin color. I explained that I will be getting tanner very soon, and the suggested foundation color would not match me for a year after. She REFUSED!! She said, "customers love this foundation, so you do not need a sample."

6) As if I had no idea, the MUA explained to me in a very rude manner how I need to own a summer and winter foundation color. At that point I responded, "Have you not seen me in this store before? I own about every color and type of foundation you carry...believe me I know, and I DO NOT need a foundation color that I will not consistently use, especially when I'm not big on foundations as it is."

7) I walked out with a concealer that did not match my skin, no samples, and a very bad mood.

My friend and her sister have encountered this MUA in the past also. She was terrible to them too. My friend straight up told her what she thought, saying that she was a complete bit*h and very unprofessional, that her career would not go far at such a rate. Her sister said nothing but got up form the chair abruptly and left the store. So there you have it!

I will exchange the concealer today. I'm not sure if this is because the color is off, but my first reactions to this product are OK but not fabulous. It is creamy which is nice, but I can still see little cakey specks/patches of color under my eyes, which does not look natural. Once again, this is probably because of the wrong color. I will be updating you on my reactions once I find the correct shade.

Till next time :-)

Potential Buys

2009-02-16T11:59:00.000-08:00

Hey!

I have finally received internet at my new place so my regular blogging should be back on track shortly.

Because I pay monthly rent now, I am trying to be a little more careful with my spendings. Therefore, I haven't been beauty shopping for quite some time now - especially since I even had to eliminate a lot of my access products while moving. They are all wonderful cosmetics that may have been used only once or twice. I am thinking of selling some of them...do you think its a good idea?

However, there are a few products that I am thinking about a lot lately. Here they are:

1) New Revlon Matte Lipstick in Nude Attitude. Has anyone tried?

2) MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation. Is it possible to achieve a natural look with this product? I probably won't use it all over, but under eyes and around nose. What are your thoughts? I'll give you my review as soon as I try.

3) The new MAC lip conditioner in Pink Fish.

4) I am thinking of checking out the new Creme Sheen lipsticks - Lavender Whip, Creme Cup. I probably won't buy any though.

5) Per Sarabella's blog http://bellamakeup.blogspot.com/2009/02/comparison-between-bliss-labs-and-clean.html - Clean and Clear Oxygenerating Fizzing Cleanser!! Seems amazing!

That's it girls and boys!

Please comment if you have used any of the products listed above. Do you like them? Why or why not?

Also please let me know if you think it is worth selling some of the extra beauty products that I have. My tendency to try new products constantly has left me with a lot of unused ones. They are truly good, I just have too many - mainly make-up (eye shadows, lip products, foundation, bronzers, etc.)

Work/Office Make-Up: Your Thoughts!

2009-01-29T09:33:00.000-08:00

Hey!!

I usually love to give beauty tips, reviews, favorites, and etc. But this post is different. In this post I am asking all of you lovelies for advice and opinion. So please leave me a comment with your thoughts.

Work-appropriate (office) make-up: What is it?
What is too much, and what is too little?

FACE
Foundation: yes or no
Concealer: yes or no
Bronzer: yes or no
Blush: yes or no

EYES
Eyeshadow: yes or no
Darker Crease color: yes or no
Eyeliner on waterline: yes or no
Eyeliner along lash line: yes or no
Mascara: yes or no (what effect?)
Highlighter below brow: yes or no
Anything else?

LIPS
Lip liner: yes or no
Lipstick: yes or no (what color?)
Lip gloss: yes or no

I would love to hear your opinions. If you want to do a reply blog to this, please do so and leave me a comment so I know to read it.

Personally, I do my usual look to work...the one that you've seen in previous blog's photos because that's me. I love glamour, although not too much in an office setting. I believe no matter where you go, you should look cute. But what is too cute for work? Can't wait to hear from you all!!!

Some Rambling

2009-01-23T13:50:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say hello to everyone and to apologize for not posting in a while.

Don't worry, I am still a make-up and beauty addict, and have so much to tell you, but I have been very busy moving! I have lived with my amazing family for 23 years now, even during college, because it was only 6 miles away. I am now venturing out on my own. I love the place, but what amazes me especially is the bathroom. I will do a post on it once I am moved in. It is so big, has two full walls of mirrors, and many many cabinets. Can I say a girl's dream come true? If anyone else would appreciate something like that, it would be you lovely ladies.

Since I am moving and have most of my products packed, I have been sticking to the same hair and make-up routine for a few weeks:

HAIR
-John Frieda Volumizing Shampoo
-John Frieda Volumizing Conditioner
or
-Paul Mitchell Smoothing Shampoo
-Paul Mitchell Smoothing Conditioner
-Process: Wash hair at night, let airdry as I sleep. Spray conditioner in the morning, put in some mousse, and let nature run its course. End result = wavy beachy hair.

Make-Up
-BE is back in my life! I gave it one more chance and love it
-Maybelline Mineral power concealer under eyes and around nose
-TheBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer
-NYC blush
-Too Faced Shadow Insurance
-Coastal Scents Natural Pallet for E/S
-Maybelline Define A Lash Mascara + L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara + MAC Zoom Lash
-Revlon Colorstay automatic pencil in black
-Revlon Colorstay liquid liner in black
-Milani Lipliner in Most Natural
-BarryM lipstick in #101 Marshmallow
-MAC lipstick in Creme D' Nude

That's it! Not much experimentation there. Have any of you tried anything new and exciting recently?

Rimmel Fix and Perfect Foundation Primer

2009-01-05T20:34:00.000-08:00

Hi Lovelies!

Surprisingly, I have never been a big fan of primers. I used to use BE's Bare Vitamins primer in the past, because it was a great skin treatment, but nothing else until - NOW! Rimmel Fix and Perfect Primer has won me over.

As many of you know, one good way to know if the product is excellent is if you use it all up. This was the first product in a LONG time that I have completely finished (and bought more of).

What this product does: smoothes skin, minimizes pores, evens out complexion, prolongs the wear of your foundation.

Feels like: light-weight mattifying lotion, very smooth, not oily

Looks like: peachy skin color shade, blends well into skin no matter what color (I use it now that I'm NC30/NW25 and when I was NC43/NW35).

Other comments: I wear this primer alone sometimes, with only concealer and MUFE HD powder over top. If you don't need too much coverage but wish to even out your skin color, use this alone. When used with foundation, you are guaranteed a fresh look all day.

Who should use: If you have normal to oily skin, this is for you

Who should not use: I think with dry skin, this product would be a bit tougher, considering it is mattifying. However, use your favorite moisturizer first, and this may just be your HG primer also :-)

What about you? Have you tried any Rimmel Products? What did you like? What did you not like at all?

Face of the Day + Product Review

2008-12-26T22:22:00.000-08:00

Hey!

Time has come for face of the day segment and a brief product review. Actually, lets begin with product review. I know many of you own MAC Fix+ spray, which is known to prep skin before make up, set make up, intensify eyeshadow colors, etc. I use it daily and enjoy it, but not particularly for setting my make up. Its not that my skin becomes oily, but the feeling is somewhat awkward. It could be just me. :-)

So today I felt that my skin was a little dry, and as a result the powder that I used seemed a bit visible. I used the Evian Mineral Water to soften and blend my face. Conclusion = I loved the results. My skin felt refreshed, the powder was now completely blended and not visible, and I suddenly had a healthy glow, not to mention my skin felt soft.

Here is a description of this product that I found on Planet Beauty Website:

"Famous for their beauty savvy, French women know the secret to good skin - Evian Mineral Water. Evian supplies the vital moisture skin so desperately needs to look soft, supple, healthy, and young looking. Use it with complete confidence to rehydrate and deliver the perfect balance of minerals skin demands. For home or on the go, now you can experience the benefits of the fabulous French spa treatment that women have been enjoying for over 150 years."

Where: Sephora, Ulta
Price: $10 for 5oz
Try it if you are looking for something new as far as make up setting/skin refreshing.

FOTD time!

Face:

Neutrogena Oil Free Day Lotion (SPF 15)

Rimmel Fix and Perfect Primer

L'Oreal Visible Lift Concealer in Medium (under eyes and around nose)

MAC Tinted Moisturizer in NW 25 around the nose and chin

Everyday Minerals powder concealer in Abbot's Perk Me up (under eyes)

Make Up Forever HD Powder all over to set

TheBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer to contour

MAC MSF in Warmed on the cheeks, nose, and forehead
MAC blush in Pink Swoon

Spritz of Evian Mineral Water

Eyes:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer

L'Oreal Quad in 804 - Tan looking shadow in Pearl on eyelid

L'Oreal Quad in 804 - Matte Medium Brown Shadow on crease and a little above

MAC Carbon - blended in crease and used as a top eyeliner when mixed with Fix+

Covergirl Trio in 115 Golden Sunset - lightest color as highlighter

MAC Satin Taupe under lower lash line

Revlon ColorStay Automatic Pencil in Black along waterline

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eyeliner in Black along the bottom and part of top lash lines

L'Oreal Lash Out Mascara (first coat)

MAC Zoom Lash (second coat)

MAC Spiked brow pencil to clean them up

Lips:

Milani - Most Natural Lipliner

Neutrogena Moisture Lip Smoother in Sparkle #45

MAC l/s Creme De Nude

So that's my little FOTD story...actually kind of long. I'd love to see some of yours!!

Mascara

2008-12-26T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hey!

I hope everyone is having very Happy Holidays! I am looking forward to reading all of your reviews on new products that you have probably received during the past week :-).

And now to the topic of the day: Mascara

Mascara is my Holy Grail product, hands down! The amazing effects that this product creates go beyond everything else. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to the effects of mascara. Mine are as follows:

Lots of Volume (prefer no clumps, but they don't bother me too much)
Lengthen Lengthen Lengthen
Curl (but I rely on the Shu Uemura curler for that)

So the products that I love and use the most are:

1) MAC Zoom Lash

Pros: Intense drama, volumizes, lengthens, lifts
Cons: Won't give you a natural look if that's what you like, does not dry too quickly once applied

2) L'Oreal Voluminous

Pros: Lots of volume, dark and defined lashes
Cons: Even though this mascara comes with a curved brush, I have trouble achieving a curled lash look with this product. My lashes get weighed down. However, the intense volume is a payoff enough.

3) L'Oreal Telescopic

Pros: Defined lashes, volumizes, lengthens significantly
Cons: I end up layering this mascara over another one...I'm not sure how dramatic in volume this mascara is by itself.

4) Maybelline Lash Stylist

Pros: Defines EVERY lash, major volume, lengthens, a comb brush
Cons: Can clump just a little once the tube becomes older; otherwise, perfect!

5) Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume Mascara

Pros: No clumps, each lash is defined, lengthens, volumizes, lifts
Cons: N/A

6) L'Oreal Lash Out

Pros: Defines every lash, lengthens significantly
Cons: Not too much volume, so I use a volumizing mascara over top.

I tried to be as critical as possible with all of these, but I love them all. I could not choose the "best" one out of the 6, because that varries from day to day. Sometimes I use one mascara at a time; other times I pair two up (never more than two though). As I've mentioned before, I love dramatic eyelashes, and that's exactly the achieved effect with the help of the 6 mascaras I've reviewed.

I would love to hear about your favorite mascaras.

Cheers!

Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

2008-12-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

I haven't written in a few days because I have had a busy weekend - very sorry! I am a part of the cheerleader ambassador squad for one of the most AMAZING NFL teams EVER (yes, I am very biased), so I've been running around all weekend. But that does not mean that I didn't have time to pick up the recently-discussed (by the beautiful Aleksis) Sonia Kashuk's Blending Sponge ($9.99 in Target)!

Let me tell you - I have never used sponges, EVER! Why? They absorb way too much product, which is wasteful. Sponges tend to rub the product off rather than the opposite, if not used correctly (and I definitely did not use them correctly the one or two times that I attempted). But this one is AMAZING - effective at blending the product in perfectly, which results in a smooth airbrushed finish.

For the past three days, I've used this sponge to blend my concealer and tinted moisturizer (this can/should be used with foundation also). I use the patting motion with the pointy end under my eyes and around my nose until the products look completely blended. I use the flat bottom side of the sponge to blend in the rest (cheeks, forehead, etc). I am not left with uneven patches or flakes, which even brushes can't always 100% eliminate. Final result: clean, airbrushed look.

Once again, the Sonia Kashuk blending sponge can be found in Target for only $9.99. Please check out Aleksis's blog for more information about the similar, but more expensive sponge that you can purchase at Sephora: http://aleksislovesbeauty.blogspot.com/2008/12/beautyblender-is-now-at-sephora.html I have not tried that one, but I'm sure its a very good product. However, I am happy with Sonia Kashuk's sponge, which is cheaper, so if you are interested but don't want to spend too much $$, go for this one!

Let me know what you think please! :-)

Coming up soon

-Looks of the day: everyday, red lips

-Skin Care

Please let me know what else you'd be interested in reading...

Thank you!!

CoverGirl, You Impress Me!

2008-12-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

Hey!

I just very quickly wanted to say that the other day I ended up buying Cover Girl Eye Enhancers 4 Kit Shadows in Country Woods(W) 215 and I am impressed! Over time you will realize what a fan of darker smoky eyeshadow I am, but I wanted to add a few neutral colors to my already-too-large collection. These colors are beautiful (On the picture, they look a bit warmer than they truly are)!! And the best part is - 2 of them could be MAC's dupes!!!!

#2 = Honeylust e/s (but CG has a much smoother texture)
#3 = Vanilla e/s not pigment. (I'm pretty sure, but please correct me if I'm wrong...I actually do not own Vanilla e/s (only pigment), so I'm basing my initial reaction just off of what I've seen...I think this one is close)

Let me know if you own this kit and what you think!! I am pleased.

Look of the Day

2008-12-15T10:05:00.001-08:00

Hey!

I love reading the look of the day posts, so I decided to do one for you. The below picture is my normal look. Although my products change from time to time, my overall look rarely does. I'll do more of these in the future.

I do my eyes first, in order to avoid messy fallouts or mascara accidents.

1) Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer all over the lid and up to the brow - I use this product religiously.

2) Limited Edition Flirt! Eye Shadow Pallet from Kohls. (Sarah Bella, I owe one to you! You did a great review on this pallet a while ago, which enticed me to buy it. Its really good!)
-#1 all over eye lid (neutral light brown with a bit of shimmer)
-#2 on the outer corners of my eyes (reddish color)
-#3 on the crease, blending a little bit above the crease also (medium brown)
-#4 MAC Espresso (dark neutral brown) - on the crease all the way across...blend!
-#5 as a highlighter below the brows

3) I use the E.L.F. concealer brush as an eyeliner brush because it is tiny!! I spray the bristles with Fix+ and then dip the brush into #6 MAC Carbon. I line along the top lashline all the way across.

4) I clean up the top line with a Maybelline liquid eyeliner in black(not all over). I then line my bottom lash line with a liquid eyeliner all the way across. I try to keep the line thin.

5) I use MAC Kohl power pencil in Feline along my waterline for a smoky yet defined look.

6) I prepare my eye lashes with MAC Prep and Prime (not pictured), and then do about two coats of MAC Zoom Lash Mascara (not pictured).

7) I clean up my brows with MAC Brow Set Gel in Beguile (not pictured).

Now on to the face! This part is quick.

1) Prep my skin with Rimmel London Fix and Perfect Primer - I like this one a lot! I use a flat foundation brush.

2) Put on a little bit of MAC Select Tint (Tinted Moisturizer) in NW 25 (my color always changes). I mainly place it around my nose and chin, because that's where my skin becomes dry during the cold weather. Plus, it evens out my skin just enough. I use a flat foundation brush. (I use MAC #187 brush for all other liquid foundations).

3) I dab a bit of L'Oreal Visible Lift concealer in Medium #187 under my eyes with a concealer brush. This concealer is gorgeous and so smooth. The coverage is medium to full. The finished feel is not too oily, but not stiff. This under eye concealer is the closest I found to resembling actual skin texture.

4) I finish off the concealer with a light touch of Everyday Minerals' concealer powder in Abbott's Perk Me Up. I dust a tiny bit under my eyes and around my nose.

5) I dust a little bit of Make Up Forever HD Powder all over my face to give me a matte clean look all day long.

6) I contour my face with TheBalm - Bahama Mama Bronzer by using #134 MAC Brush.

7) I dust a little bit of MAC MSF in Warmed on my cheeks for the glowy look and add MAC Blush in Peaches on top using MAC #129 Brush.

8) I line my lips with Milani Lipliner in Natural, fill them in with MAC lipstick in Fleshpot, and finish the look off with MAC Lipglass in Underage.

There you have it! The process seems lengthy but its fairly quick. :-)

Tag, I am it!

2008-12-14T21:44:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by the beautiful and wonderful Aleksis and KerryMarie to do a 16 Random Facts Post. I decided to attempt to keep this beauty-topics-related, but please excuse me in advance if I go off on a tangent.

1) I did not become interested in make up until high school.

2) The make up routines began with blue eye shadow and purple glitter...yuck...

3) My hair is naturally dark brown, but I obviously have hi-lites.

4) In the beginning of High School years, since I could not really afford to get my hair done nor did it feel right for my age at the time, I began to use Sun-in, which was a terrible mistake. My hair turned orange...except I thought it was light brown. It took a couple of critics to finally make me snap out of it. I have been scared of orange ever since.

5) I used to work at Bath and Body Works

6) I worked in Sephora for three years. My first day on the job I had to give a woman a full consultation plus "make-over".

7) I used to wear Bare Minerals, and loved this brand for a long time. I still own but don't wear it anymore.

8) Although my hair is fairly long now, I absolutely adore clip-in-extensions. They are so much fun!! I have Revlon extensions, Jessica Simpson extensions, a few other brands, as well as the ones that I have made myself.

9) I try not to wear too much foundation, but MAC Tinted Moisturizer, MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Revlon Colorstay, or a bit of Everyday Minerals are hard to resist at times.

10) I usually don't play around with too many eyeshadow colors. I love my beiges, burgundies, and browns. Sometimes I diversify though :-)

11) I am the biggest fan of pale nude lips.

12) My favorite red lipstick, however, is Fresh Moroccan.

13) I am a huge fan of black eye liner.

14) I feel like I look like an alien with fake eyelashes :-(

15) My favorite hair straightener is Remington Shine Therapy - I've used it for over a year and what a difference in the health of my hair. Lollipop 26 has a great post about this straightener.

16) My hair is naturally curly.

And now I must tag 10 people. I will tag the lovely ladies that follow my blog. Aleksis and KerryMarie obviously have done this already, so you are in the clear :-). I tag:

Sarah Bella
Tricia
nikkiga1530
Holly
Kerry1487
Happy1234
Av
Emma
StyleVixenMUA
Pinklipssstick

Haul!

2008-12-14T13:40:00.000-08:00

Hey!

I wanted to share my MAC and Sally Beauty Supply Haul with you.

Blush
*Peaches - very subtle peach - pretty! Good for skin that has yellow undertones.

*Pink Swoon - warm baby pink. Kim Kardashian has been known for wearing this blush. This gorgeous blush can look pretty on any skin color.

Mascara/Brows
*Zoom Lash Mascara - I love it! Made my lashes thick and long, yet not too heavy. I am a huge fan of L'Oreal Mascaras, such as Telescopic and Voluminous, but this one is now added to the favorites list. I am all about huge lashes.

*Prep and Prime (Mascara) - I haven't used a mascara primer in a while, and thought I'd give it a try. I tried it today and absolutely do not feel sorry for buying it. I will use it every day! Do any of you wear prep and prime?

*Brow Set Gel (in Beguile) - Have never been a huge consumer of brow gels because my eyebrows are pretty thin as it is, but I bought this gel to try it out, to see if I'd get an even cleaner brow look. I'm wearing it today and I like it!

Brush
#134 - LOVE IT!! So here is a little story for you. A few weeks ago I went to MAC to buy this brush, but when I came home, I realized that the MUA gave (sold) me #136 instead, which is similar to #134 but much thinner. The following day I returned to MAC, and said that I wished to make an exchange for #134. Somehow I was talked out of it...I was told that #134 was too big and I wouldn't like it. That day, I went back home with the original #136 and learned how to love it. But my love for it did not grow at the fastest rate, and #134 was still on my mind. So yesterday I followed my heart and bought this brush, and I LOVE IT completely! This is a must have brush for bronzers! It sculpts your face perfectly!

And then this happened:

I was recommended by my very amazing friend, who knows all about haircare, to purchase this shampoo and conditioner. I bought this at Sally Beauty Supply for only $4 each, and this is 100% generic of Paul Mitchell brand. The ingredients are EXACTLY the same, the smell is the same, the effect is identical. I used it today and my hair is so soft and shiny!! You should try!

Pale Nude Lips

2008-12-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

One of my personal favorite beauty topics - nude lips! I think some of you can relate also! What is it about nude light lips that we like so much? Is it because deflecting attention from our lips brings more attention to our eyes? The smoky sexy look that we've created looks so much better when our lips are pale, doesn't it? Does it make our skin look brighter and more fresh -even more tan? Is it a fashion statement? I think all those reasons could be vaild. What do you think?

I won't go into too much detail, but below are my most favorite pale nude lipsticks (I'll get to glosses later). I might do a post about a few others in the future, but believe me when I say that I've tried and tested A LOT of such colors...so many brands, so many finishes, so many versions of colors (or lack of colors should I say). The lipsticks below won me over in the end and I've been faithful ever since :-).

The first three are in the pale nude pink family, all the rest are pale nudes that are more beige.

MAC - Hue (pale warm pink)

MAC - Out of Shock (very pale pink...pink pink pink)

Covergirl - Powderpink #400 (very wearable light pink...this is in the cooler color family)

MAC - Fleshpot (Gorgeous pale nude...slight hint of pale pink, but almost not)

MAC - Creme D' Nude (love it...super wearable because of its lustre, but still so pale and perfect)

MAC - Myth (a great substitute for Fleshpot..just a little more neutral)

MAC - Tanarama (frosty, super pale, kind of sheer, great over a lipstick or by itself...can't use too heavy of a hand though...otherwise your lips will be sparkly white...hehe. very good to have though!)

Victoria's Secret Heidi Klum Collection - Malibu (sheer, but gorgeous pale...kind of like Fleshpot minus the matte finish)

Some swatches for you, although its tough to see accurately. At least you can get the idea of the colors in comparison to NC40 skin color.

Top: Hue, Out of Shock, Powderpink
Bottom: Fleshpot, Creme D' Nude, Myth, Tanarama, Malibu

If you love pale lips, try one or two or all of the options above :-). That's it! Till next time :-)

Eye Drops = Blemish Relief?

2008-12-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

This is interesting! I have heard that eye drops, such as the ones pictured on the right as well as most others, relieve blemishes. They do not entirely eliminate them, but successfully get rid of the redness. Really? I guess that makes sense, considering eye drops get the red out.

So I tried this method last night. I soaked up a Q-tip with my CVS eye drops and held it to a blemish for about 10 seconds. Walaaaa! All the redness vanished! The blemish was almost unnoticeable. So this works. Treat your blemish(es) with Eye Redness Relief Drops prior to putting on make up, and you'll use a lot less concealer/foundation than you otherwise would. Beautiful!!

What are some of your fun and easy methods?

TheBalm - Bahama Mama Bronzer!!!!

2008-12-09T07:53:00.000-08:00

Have you ever tried any products by TheBalm brand? Oh my, everything I ever try from this brand I end up absolutely loving. What does this mean?

I just bought Bahama Mama Bronzer by TheBalm this weekend at Sephora, and I must say - this is very thumbs up! This bronzer truly gives you a healthy, tan, not overly made up look.

Bahama Mama Bronzer is somewhat similar to Benefit's Hoola, but better!! First let me talk about Hoola. I love the color, I love the fact that it is matte, because lets face it, its not every day that we want a sparkly face. Sometimes, but not always. Despite all its positive qualities, I found a big issue with Hoola. Although its color is a beautiful brown, this bronzer left me looking "muddy". No matter what brush I used, no matter how light of a hand I tried using, I could not get that one to work with me. Some of you pull it off very well, but I never had the same luck.

So many many great bronzers later (I'll post more information about those), I discovered Bahama Mama Bronzer, and I am in LOVE! I use MAC's 136 brush with the bronzer to give me a contoured look. This bronzer is gorgeous brown tan color, super smooth, silky, and perfect. Its very rare to hear me speak this highly of a bronzer, just because I am extremely picky. This one is a must try though! It is $18, which is not a bad price in comparison to many other bronzers. See the link below:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P211644&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=2911

Still Tan...

2008-12-08T19:22:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo of me a couple of days ago...when it was (and still is...who am I kidding) 30Degrees F. Thanks to my tanning product favorites, you probably can't tell that I haven't seen the sun in a very long time. Try them! Let me know your thoughts and opinions!

Favorite Tanning Products

2008-12-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

Hey!

Before I begin my long write ups about make up, let's discuss a topic that a lot of us think about every once in a while, especially when the sun no longer shines - HOW TO LOOK TAN and yet streakless and natural.
Seems like an easy task, but clearly we've all been down the bumpy end of the road. Working in somewhat of an entertainment-type field, I have to look tan and glowing all year around. Here are my favorite at-home products:

Left to right: Dove Energy Glow, L'Oreal Sublime Glow Moisturizing MicroFine Mist, Tanwise Airbrush Self Tanning Spray, Skin Drench
Daily Radiance Facial Glow

Dove Energy Glow

Where to buy: any drugstores, grocery stores, ULTA, Target, etc.

What it does: gradually builds a beautiful summer glow - lotion with subtle self-tanners

Cost: $10.49 or less

My thoughts: I absolutely love this lotion in every way. Mine is for medium to dark skin tones because this one is more intense than the lotion for fair to medium skin tones. Meanwhile, since this is considered a gradual self-tanner, I do not find myself with any yucky streaks or orange discoloration. This lotion truly gives me a beautiful tan and healthy glow. There are no hidden negatives with this product. I try to use it every day. The wonderful and unusual characteristic about this lotion is that it actually smells good! Most self-tanners do not...especially once they sink into your skin and begin to develop. Dove Energy Glow one is AMAZING, and I absolutely recommend it to everyone (although something tells me most of you already have it).

L'Oreal Sublime Glow Moisturizing MicroFine Mist

Where to buy: any drugstores, grocery stores, ULTA, Target, etc.
What it does: Enriched with Natural Skin Tone Enhancers to work with your body's unique chemistry to gradually deepen your skin's natural complexion giving you the perfect dose of healthy summer color.
Cost: $10.69 or less
My thoughts: Love it! Once again, this is an effective gradual self-tanner. You just can't go wrong! Smells OK, not terrible, but not like red roses either. Very easy to apply...finally you don't have to worry about rubbing the product in. All you do is mist this all over your body, or wherever you please, and you are done. The bottle is a 360 degree continuous spray, so you can spray yourself from every angle. You should definitely notice the color develop in only a few hours. The only reason why I don't use this mist every day is because it gets EVERYWHERE: my floor, walls, products. Where do you suggest this product is best used? Shower maybe? I'm still trying to figure this out...otherwise thumbs up!

Tanwise Airbrush Self Tanning Spray

Where to buy: Sally Beauty Supply

What it does: "Delivers a natural, golden tan without the sun. The color guide tints your skin for mistake proof application. A natural healthy glow will develop into a light natural tan in approximately 2 hours. With Color Guide, Aloe, and Vitamin E enriched moisture care."

Cost: $11.99 or less

My thoughts: If you desire an instant bronze color, this is the product for you! Once again, this is a spray, so I have the same small issue with it as with the L'Oreal product - how to best apply without making a total mess. Sometimes I am successful, don't get me wrong. But back to the product itself. Smells like caramel...yummy (unless of course you don't want to smell edible), great results, fairly long lasting. With this product, when I spray I do not rub it in with my hands but I do use paper towels to towel off the extra bronze. The spray has bronzers in it, so you see exactly where it goes. This product is very similar to the professional Mystic Tan spray at the salons. This is a great self-tanner to have along with the others I'm mentioning. Note: this is not a gradual tanner...this one is more intense. I would not use this product every day, otherwise you'll be very dark (unless you want to be, of course).

Skin Drench Daily Radiance Facial Glow

Where to buy: Sally Beauty Supply

What it does: "Unique combination of Beta Carotene, Collagen Amino Acids, and Vitamins A/C.E defend the skin against the signs of premature aging. Melanogen accelerates and protects for a natural sun kissed glow."

Cost: $6.99 or less

My thoughts: Great facial moisturizer and tanner! I use this interchangeably with my regular moisturizer(s), but I tend to go for this bottle much more often than others. You've seen the comment above about what this baby does and the key ingredients that it contains. Beautiful! I have oily/combination skin, and this lotion does not break me out, does not make me oily, but actually makes my skin look very healthy. I really recommend!! Please let me know if you have trouble finding it...I'll try to do some research.

That's that! If you've been looking for good and effective tanning products, then try some of these. As you see, they are not overly expensive, but I would say better than a lot of the high-end brands.

Please let me know what tanning products YOU prefer!

First Post

2008-12-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Hi! I am excited to finally blog beauty with all of you. I've been reading enough beauty blogs for quite some time, and am now ready to venture out with my own. I can't wait to hear your opinions also.

I have somewhat of an agenda set up, but please feel free to leave me comments about any beauty questions, concerns, trends, products, and/or anything else you'd like to read about.

Thank you!