May 2010 Favorites

I can't believe it's the end of May already! And that it will be June tomorrow! Wow... Well I want to do monthly favorites and maybe sometimes not so favorites, so we'll see how it goes. I'm going to try to say within a 5 to 10 limit, and I really just want to focus on things that particularly stood out to me for that month. Here are my May favorites.....

1. Sun-less tanner. I'm using Jergens Natural Glow Firming in Fair to Medium. Summer is just around the corner and I like having a bit of a tan or glow during the summer. I use this lotion at night--just put it on and wait at least 5 min before putting on pjs and getting into bed so you don't end up staining your clothes or sheets.

2. Teeth Whitening Strips. I know, this is so random, but I got Crest 3D white strips because I'm graduating next month and I want a nice white smile for all those pictures I know are going to be taken. I didn't think these would do much but they actually work. My teeth aren't blinding white, but they are much whiter than before.

3. Bronzer (MAC Bronzing Powder in Golden). I have really been liking this product. I do plan on doing a blog on bronzer, but I want more time to experiment with this and maybe some other bronzer's first. However I have been using this a lot since I bought it and I love it. I'm not crazy about the shimmer, but that's only because I don't like any shimmer at all on my face. However this bronzer is not supper shimmery, it is nice, I'm just careful when I apply it.

4. MAC eyeshadow in Grain. This color is truly amazing. I use it almost every time I do my makeup. it's great for an all over the lid color, or for blending edges. I also will even use as a brow highlight, which I think you probably wouldn't go for usually because it doesn't look like a highlight color, but it works. Anyway--LOVE it!

5. Nude lips. I know they've been "in" for a while now, but I've just recently jumped on the band wagon. My favorite nude lipsticks are MAC Creme d' Nude which is more of a true nude and Hue which is a bit more pink. Both work great on their own or under a number of lip glosses.

6. MAC 224 brush. Can't believe I have never owned a brush like this. It's great for blending. I've had it for about a month and it has made a huge difference to how my eye makeup looks.

Obviously the list could go on, but I'll stop myself there.
What are you loving (or not loving) this month?
Thanks!

Sunday May 30 Eye Look

This eye look was okay. I would wear it again, but you need to keep the rest of your face neutral because it is a bright look. On the plus, it only uses a couple products.

1. MAC Coral Crepe Paint Pot just on lid (tiny bit into crease)
2. MAC Beauty Powder in Summer Rose over Coral Crepe and brought under brow bone
3. Revlon black eyeliner pen with a bit of Carbon over it to soften
4. Mascara of course--and that's it!

This wojuld be a good look when you're in a hurry. Especially because Coral Crepe already gives your lids color, you don't really need any other color if you don't want to.

Thanks!

Favorite Drugstore Finds Part 2

Hair care! Everythitg I use on my hair comes from the drugstore. That being said, there are brands at the drugstore that are more expensive and I've tried, but still---they are all drugstore products. These are just my top 7:

1. Conair brushes and combs--best quality of any brush or comb I've tried. And they last forever!

2. Bobby pins--I don't think it matters what brand, but bobby pins are a must.

3. Nexxus Dualiste Color Protection + Volume Shampoo--this is really cool stuff. I have fine, oily hair, but I color it. Usually volume shampoos aren't good to use on colored hair becasue they strip the hair (making it lightweight which therefore give you more volume) but shampoos for colored hair are usually so moisturizing they weigh down my hair. So basically, this shampoo is amazing, perfect, and definitly HG worthy! I don't use the conditioner with it becasue I don't use conditioner (but that's for another blog).

4. John Frieda Root Awakening Detangling Spray--I really like this stuff. My hair doesn't necessarily get tangled (it's short) but because I don't use a condtioner, I use this so my hair doesn't get dried out, but also doesn't get weighed down.

5. Got 2b Guardian Angel Heat Protect 'N Blow Out--this is a "blow dry lotion + gloss finish" spray. I've been using it for a couple months now and my hair feels healthier. I do blow dry my hair nearly every day, so using a protecting spray is very important. This is my first heat protecting spray I've ever used and I was a bit weary because of the word "lotion"--I thought it would make my hair greasy, but it doesn't. I use about 3-4 sprays all over and it keeps my hair safe and gives a bit of a shine--not really a gloss finish.

6. Tresemme Tres Two Extra Hold Hair Spray--HG! Will keep buying it forever! LOL. This is the best hair spray I've ever used. It doesn't make my hair crunchy and I can still comb through my hair, but it provides a strong hold.

7. American Crew Fiber--This is a more expensive product ($16 I believe) and it is a paste, so I don't use it very often, but I do like it. I wasn't sure if I was going to include it in this list, but it is a product I like and while it doesn't get used every day, I do like to rub a bit on my hands and work thorugh my hair when I want a bit of a messier finish than usual. This is also nice when i need to take care of fly-aways.

There you have it. Except for the paste and bobby pins, I use these products every day. Again, except for the paste, they are all reasonably priced and while the paste is more expensive, it lasts a long time. I bought mine in January and I've hardly used any at all. I think it also matters on how much hair you have. I use less product because I have short hair, so a more expensive product will last me longer than someone with long hair. I hope this was helpful!

Thanks!

Fast and Easy Tip 1: Clear Mascara

Clear mascara as primer and eyebrow gel.

If I put on a light layer of clear mascara (I use Maybelline Great Lash) on my eyelashes first, it makes it so much easier to but on my normal mascara! I don't know why this works but it does. I don't think it makes my mascara last longer or makes it any easier or harder to remove at night, but the application of mascara is smoother and faster than if I don't use it. Also, clear mascara doubles as eyebrow gel--so it's a multitasker! Yay!

I hope this is helpful. I'm going to try to post little tips about once a week. Meanwhile, my project eye is going great! (I didn't wear any eye makeup today so that's why there isn't a post for it, but I am am happy at how many looks I've done already. It really makes me realize how many possibilities there are when you use the makeup you already have. If anyone else wants to try this let me know how it works out for you!

Thanks!

Thursday May 27

It's been what? 2 weeks now that I've been doing my project? Yay! And, as promised I did do a look with actual color in it today. I managed to get an okay pic of it, it's just my camera doesn't work well. I need to get better about putting pictures on here though, I'm sure it's boring with just text. Well here's today's look:

1. MAC Painterly paint pot
2. MAC eyeshadow in Amber lights on inner 2/3 lid, crease and bottom lash line
3. MAC eyeshadow in Sketch on outter 1/3 lid, crease and bottom lash line
4. Revlon eyeshadow in Peach Sorbet on brow bone and used to blend edges
5. Revlon black eyeliner pen top lash line with Carbon over it to soften

I like the way the goldish color and dark purple work together. Because I felt this look was stronger than usual for me, I kept the rest of my face simple--just a bit of bronzer and lipgloss.

Thanks! So happy tomorrow is Friday!

Look For Grad Pics

Love the way my makeup came out today--especially my eyes. I was wearing more makeup than I usually do, but that's because of the pictures. I can't wait to see how they came out!

For eyes:
1. MAC Painterly pp
2. MAC eyeshadow Naked Lunch all over lid and crease
3. MAC eyeshadow Grain on brow bone
4. MAC eyeshadow Mulch in outter crease
5. Revlon black eyeliner pen on top lash line with a bit of MAC Carbon over it to soften
6. Maybelline Great Lash mascara

The rest of my face: primer, foundation, and concealer. Then MAC blush in Tenderling on my cheeks, and MAC lipglass in Boy Bait on lips.

Favorite Dugstore Finds Part 1

As much as I love makeup from MAC and Sephora, there is plenty of good quality makeup at the drugstore. I will say I buy from MAC and Sephora because I find their products work on and look great on me, but I have staples from the drugstore I can't live without. Part 1 is just going to focus on makeup--I'll do one on hair and skin care at a later time.

1. Mayelline Great Lash--I have been buying this mascara since highschool. I use the clear mascara as a brow gel and mascara primer, and right now I'm using the Big Lash which I think works a lot better than the normal brush.
2. NYC waterproof eyeliner pencils. These really are wonderful! They last all day without smudging. My only wish is that they came in more colors and were soft enough to use on my waterlines.
3. Nivea chapstick--where would I be without this? Very moisturizing, love it!
4. Covergirl Lipslicks. My favorite color is in Cutie. I like these becasue it's a combo of lipstick, lipgloss, and chapstick. This is great to throw in my purse or even jeans pocket and the color is sheer enough I can apply it without a mirror, but it's not so sheer you can't see any color--love it, love it, love it! If you couldn't tell...haha
5. Covergirl Amazemints Wetslicks in No Care Bare. These lipglosses will last for up to 2 hours easy (if I'm not eating or drinking anything) and give you the apperance of fresh breath because of the mint.
6. Lastly, Sonia Kashuk brushes. These aren't as good as MAC, but they hold their own and are more affordable.

Alright. That's that....If you have any questions let me know.

Thanks.

Tuesday May 25 Look

So I'm suppose to be working on a paper right now, but as a professional procrastinator, I'm going to do a blog instead :)

For today I was playing around with my bronzer again, so for my eye look I....

1. MAC Painterlyl paint pot
2. MAC bronzing powder in Golden on lid up to brow bone
3. MAC eyeshadow in Grain on brow bone
4. Smashbox trio Headshot (the dark color) in crease
5. Revlon liquid eyeliner pen on top lash line

Yes, I know, another neutral look, but this was very easy to do and really warmed up my face.

Foundation (and concealer) Routine

My foundation routine has never stayed the same for more than a few months because I've never found one I like. However, I believe I have found my perfect foundation(s). I've been doing this everyday for the past month and no complaints so far.

First I put on a primer (after I've washed my face, moisturized, etc). Right now I'm using Make Up For Ever HD primer #5. This is an okay primer. I think it does a good job. I personally like Benefit That Gal better, but MUFE has more in it and lasts longer for only a few bucks more, so that's what I'm using right now.

Then I conceal. I put on my concealer before my foundation because my foundation is powder. If you're using liquid or cream foundation, or a tinted moisturizer, I would put concealer on after because you'll probably find you don't need much concealer once your foundation is on. Anyway, for concealer I use two products.

The first is Benefit High Brow under my eyes. I use this rather than Eye Bright becasue that one has glitter in it and I don't want that under my eyes. I rub the pencil on my ring finger (that warms it up) then apply it under my eyes. After, I use a MAC 224 brush to lightly dust my MSF over it.

Then I use Cover Girl fresh complexion conealer in Classic Ivory to cover any redness.

Finally, foundation. I've been switching between MAC Studio Fix Powder in N3 and MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light. I like both of these. The Studio Fix provides more coverage, but when I'm in a hurry or want something lighter, I grab my MSF. I use either a Kabuki brush or a large fluffy brush to apply each.

And that's it! I hope this was helpful.

Thanks!

Monday May 24

Alrighty, the look I did today was easy and simple--I know most of the looks I've been doing are like that, but I go to school and work M-R so I don't want anything too crazy, and then I tend to get lazy on the weekends. I'll do a more colorful look this weekend. Anyway I like today's look because it only used one eyeshadow trio--Smashbox in Shutterspeed--which has a matte neutral color, a shimmery pale color, and a shimmery black that isn't as true of a black as MAC carbon. Okay....

1. primed with MAC pp in Bare Study
2. put the matte color on the inner 2/3 of my lid and crease
3. the dark color on the outter 1/3 and outter crease
4. used the shimmery pale color to blend edges and as a highlight color
5. NYC waterproof black liner pencil on top lash line
6. more of the dark color to blend liner

Very wearable look. Even though it has black in it, it's not a true black so it's less intense. I love these trios by Smashbox. I have three of them, but I definitly want to get more. It's nice when the entire eye look is in one pot and ready to go--especially in the morning when I'm in a hurry. Plus, the shadows are good quality. Alright, enough rambling. I'll talk to you all soon.

Thanks!

Weekend Looks

Didn't do much makeup this weekend--I just kept it very natural and simple. On Saturday I only wore bronzer on my eyelids, and today I put on Painterly, then a dark brown shadow on my eyelids (Mulch). That was about it. I've just been playing around with the bronzer I just bought--trying it out and trying to figure out the best way to wear it. I'll do a post on bronzer once I get more comfortable with it. So far I'm loving it. I wasn't sure becasue it does have some shimmer in it (BTW, I'm talking about the MAC Bronzing Powder in Golden I just got) but not much and I think the bit of shimmer it does have is actually hiding some of my skin imperfections....I'll wait till my bronzer post though to go into details. Just wanted to put my eye looks up for the weekend. Like I said, didn't really do much, but they were different haha. Hope you're all having a good weekend!

Thanks!

May 21 Friday

Simple Everyday Look:

1. MAC Painterly p.p
2. MAC eyeshadow Naked Lunch on lid
3. the brown color from Smashbox eyeshadow trio Head Shot in crease
4. more Naked Lunch to blend crease color out and onto brow bone
5. Black eyeliner on top (a thicker line than usual)

Today's look, a mini haul, and some sad news

Ok, first of all this is what I did today:

1. MAC Painterly pp on lid
2. MAC eyeshadow in Deep Truth on lid
3. MAC eyeshadow in Scene over Deep Truth and into crease
4. MAC eyeshadow in Grain to blend crease edges
5. Revlon Peach Sorbet on brow bone

The Verdict: This was a strong look, but it worked. I didn't wear any eyeliner because I thought it would look too harsh for a day time look. The only problem I find when wearing blue eyeshadow is that it can make the cirlces under your eyes look darker, so make sure to wear plenty of concealer.

Moving on: My mini, mini haul (only two things) and my sad news:

I went to the mall today to buy a dress for graduation and since I found the perfect dress in the first store we (my mom and I) went in, I figured I got to reward myself by stopping at the MAC counter at Macy's. There, I saw the Marine Life powder I'm dying to get so I tried it on....does not look good on me :( It is way to pink for me. I already have quite a bit of pink and sometimes even red in my cheeks so I avoid wearing pink blush or pink powder. Not going to get Marine Life, which is very sad becasue it looks so beautiful. I thought about getting it to wear on my eyes, but that's a lot of money and powder just to wear as eyeshadows, so not getting it :(. However I would recommend you try it. It's a gorgeous pink and coral color, it just doesn't love me.

On a slightly happier note though, I did pick up a couple of things. One is a bronzing powder in Golden--it's my first bronzer ever! And two is eyeshadow brush 239. The bronzer is a good color on me and I look forward to using it and experiementing with it, and I've already tried the brush which puts on a lot of color! Very nice! And it works good in the crease too.

Thanks!

MAC To the Beach Collection

Got this pic from Temptalia.com--it is from MAC's To the Beach collection and is a high light powder called Marine Life. Beautiful! This is one thing I want most from this collection. I actually got a sneak peek at it last week when I went to MAC and everything looks good, but this is what caught my attention. I'm hoping I get my hands on it when it comes out (May 27) and don't have to wait. I might try ordering online...hhmm...don't know yet. It looks like it's going to be $26 in the U.S. which is expensive for powder, but look at it! Haha. I'll have to get a better look in person, but I think I also want the lipstick in Beach Bound which is a "sheer frosted pale peach (glaze)." Okay, so excited, just hads to put this one here. What do you guys want from this collection?

May 19 (Wednesday)

Ok, I got a little crazy today. I probably shouldn't have tried to experiment before going to work, but I think this look turned out ok. I would probably prefer to wear it going out rather than going to work, but I like it. It's very purple and very shimmery, which I usually don't go for a lot of shimmer, but oh well. Okay, here's what I did:

1. Mac Bare Study p.p.
2. Mac mineralize duo Midnight Madness the dark purple--I used a wet brush to apply it to the lids
3. Mac mineralize quad Girlish Romp the light purple--Again, wet brush and applied it to my crease
4. Blended everything
5. Mac eyeshadow Naked Lunch on brow bone
6. Dark blue eyeliner on bottom lashline

I think because the two purples were so shimmery, I shouldn't have used Naked Lunch on my brow bone, but used a matte highlight instead. I also made sure I filled my brows in because this is such a strong eye look, you want your brows to look good. Still trying to figure out this picture thing--I've taken some pics but they don't show enough detail...I'll keep trying.

Thanks!

Tuesday May 18 Eye

1. Mac Coral Crepe p.p. on lid (not into crease)
2. Mac eyeshadow in Honesty over Coral Crepe
3. Mac eyeshadow in Mulch on outter 1/4 lid and into crease
4. Mac eyeshadow in Grain to blend edges
5. Revlon eyeshadow in Peach Sorbet for brow bone
6. Brown pencil liner on bottom lashline

I love the Coral Crepe paint pot! It's a beautiful color and really warms up my eyes. I liked putting Honesty over it becasue you could still see the coral color, but it wasn't too in-your-face bold. I would keep it bolder if I was going out, but for school and work I usually keep my makeup toned down.

Thanks!

May 17, Monday

I'm really liking the look I did today. I'm going to try to see if I can get pictures going up on here to so you can see the different makeup looks. I was in a hurry this morning so this look was easy and quick to pull off:

1. Mac Painterly paintpot
2. Smashbox trio eyeshadow in Headshot---> I put the light yellow on in inner half of my lid to my crease, the pink on the outter half of my lid to my crease, and then the brown to my outside crease and outside corner.
3. Mac eyeshadow Grain to blend up to brow bone
4. Brown penicl liner on top, with the brown from Headshot over it

Then I finished off with mascra as usual and the rest of my makeup. I'm liking this look. I'm wearing it at work and I think it's soft enough to be worn to work and to be a daytime look.


Disclaimer: This 30 day project I'm doing is not for tutorial purposes which is why I'm not telling you how I apply my makeup, just where. If anyone wants tutorials let me know!

Thanks!

Some Basic Skin Info

I realized this morning that it might help if you were aware of my skin type when I'm giving reviews, tutoriasl, or other beauty information. So here it goes: I have oily combo and acne prone skin. I'm fair with pink and yellow undertones--my face is pinker than the rest of my body and I have slightly red patches in my cheeks. I wear MAC foundation and the color I wear is N3. As for the rest of my coloring: I have dark blond hair and brown eyes.

On another note: I did not wear makeup today so there will not be a post for my eye project today.

Thanks!

May 13, 14, & 15 looks

Since I started this project before I started my blog here's the update:

May 13 (Thurs)
1. Mac Painterly paint pot all over lid and up to brow bone
2. Mac mineralize duo Burning Ambition--dark color on lid, light in crease (blend edges)
3. Revlon Matte Peach Sorbet on brow bone
4. Smashbox brown cream liner (from cream liner palette) on top, Mac eyeshadow in Mulch over that to blend
5. NYC waterproof liner light blue on bottom lash line

The verdict: I was in a hurry this morning and didn't do a very good job on my makeup so the look didn't last all day. Was messy by late afternoon.

May 14 (Fri)
1. Mac Barestudy paint pot
2. Mac eyeshadow in Naked Lunch on lid
3. Mac eyeshadow in Scene in crease and outter 1/3 of lid
4. more Naked Lunch to blend crease color
5. Revlon Peach Sorbet on brow bone
6. Scene undereye, and NYC waterproff dark blue liner on top of that

The verdict: I liked this look. At first I thought maybe it was a bit too dark for day time, but after wearing it all day, I think I rocked it. Just light on cheeks and lips.

May 15 (Sat)
1. Mac Barestudy paint pot
2. Mac eyeshadow Grain on lid
3. Mac Naked Lunch on brown bone
4. Black liner smudged with q-tip on top and on bottom waterline

The verdict: The only place I went to today was a quick trip to Starbucks. This was an easy and quick looks and brightened my eyes so I looked put together without having to put on much makeup. This would be a good look for running errands.

Alrighty, I'll try to post a blog everyday so I don't have to play catched up so often. Thanks!

Introducing Project 30 Eye Looks

Okay, so I love makeup...maybe a bit too much. I'm a huge MAC lover! It's not the only brand I use, but the majority of my makeup is MAC. As a way for me to save money I've decided I'm going to try a new project--1 month, 30 days, of different eye looks. I am not going to buy any makeup either until those 30 days are up. My hope is that by the end of this project, I'll realize how versitile my eyeshadow collection is and won't feel the necessity to constantly be buying new eyeshadows. That's why I started this blog. I thought it would be cool to keep track of my progress on a blog instead of only in a notebook for myself, that way it might show some other people how creative you can be with the makeup you already have. I think I may also focus this blog on other beauty and health topics. Hope you all enjoy! Let me know if there is anything I can change to make this better, or if you have any types of requests you'd like to see on my blog.

Hello!

Hey everyone! Just trying out this blog thing....let's see how it goes ;)