Product Reviews

The charcoal idea didn't work out...for me.  It does work for a soft look, but I like my eyes to be more dramatic.  Oh well, experimenting is fun.  So here's some recent makeup purchases: Aveda mineral tinted moisture, Urban Decay Surreal Skin Creamy Concealer, Urban Decay Stardust, and blinc mascara. 
In a previous post I mentioned a mineral powder I was using as foundation and that I needed to get a moisturizer for the winter.  Well, I dropped that foundation and it went flying all over the room in many many pieces.  So instead I bought a moisturizer and foundation in one- Aveda's mineral tinted moisture Inner Light (I use Aspen).  It also has an spf of 15, which you need even if it's not summer!  It goes on really light, so it doesn't have a lot of coverage, but it does work to moisturize and even skin tone.  I needed new concealer so I went to the Urban Decay display because typically that's the first place I go when I need anything makeup related.  I love Urban Decay because they make my life easy by labeling which of their products is vegan.  I got the Surreal Skin Creamy Concealer (in Dream).  I mostly use concealer for under eye darkness and this one offers a lot of coverage and the yellow undertones offset the purple under my eyes (if you use concealer to cover red blemishes you'll want to look for something with a green undertone).  Since my charcoal experience didn't work out I needed a new black shadow (that I use as an eyeliner).  My local Urban Decay was out of the one I've used in the past (Deluxe in Zero) so I decided to try something new and got Stardust in Void, which is black with a lot of shimmer.  I like it a lot and it's fun to have a little sparkle for the holidays.  I also needed a new mascara and I am always trying a new mascara every time because I have yet to find one I absolutely love.  I had heard about blinc on a vegan blog so I thought I'd try it.  Their slogan is "Stop painting your lashes...tube them!"  It creates tubes around your lashes to lengthen and thicken them.  It's water resistant and smudge resistant.  But with hot water and makeup remover it comes off easy, the tubes actually slide off making it look like your eyelashes have all fallen out!  I like it because I don't end up with mascara all down my face when I go to hot yoga. 
Well I think my highlights are done processing so I better go wash them out!

I just ordered some activated charcoal capsules.  I had to order them online because for some reason all the ones in the stores around here had gelatin capsules (eww).  I intend to use it as a black shadow/eyeliner and also as a mascara by adding a little aloe vera gel to it.  I'll let you know how it works out. 

liar liar pants on fire

Ok, I lied, I can't do a tutorial every day.  I'm crazy busy right now and I'm out of old pictures and I just don't have time.  But I am going to try to write in here a lot more.  I need a lot of new makeup soon so look for some reviews coming.

I'm not really sure what this look is.  I was taking pictures of my newly pink hair, yes that is my real hair, and decided to put on some weird makeup.  Want pink hair?  I suggest going to a professional to bleach it out because you can really damage your hair.  Get it as light as your hair will go, then dye it with Manic Panic's Cotton Candy.  Pink hair makes you a sweeter, gentler person.  How can you be mad with cotton candy hair?

First of all let me say, this hair is horrible, I know that, it was from a time when I did my own hair because I was broke, and over processed it and cut it badly, this was way before cosmetology school.  Anyway, the eye look I stole from a MAC ad.  I started with lining my eyes with a dark blue shadow, i use a q-tip and basically stick it in my eye because I like my liner on the inner rim, but I would suggest caution if you attempt this technique.  I then covered the entire above eye area with a medium blue, then highlighted under the eyebrow, in the inner eye and under the eye with a lighter, shimmery blue.  Then the lines were done with black liquid liner then highlighted with white.  Finish with mascara.

Let them eat cake

So one year for Halloween I was Marie Antoinette post-beheading.  The neck was done with liquid latex, cotton, liquid foundation, purple eyeshadow, and fake blood.  Put a layer of liquid latex around your neck, stick cotton to it where you want the skin to be lifted, cover with liquid latex, let dry, cover with a liquid foundation that matches you skin tone, color in the gash part with purple eyeshadow, add as much fake blood as you want.  I wish I had a better picture of the hair, mine was really short at the time, so I built the height in the back by wrapping a styrofoam ball in fake hair and pinning it to my hair, i pulled a layer of my hair over it and wrapped my hair around it so it looked like it was my hair, not just hair pinned to my head, and i pinned up all the rest my hair then spray it all with white hairspray, then i incorporated in one large and a few small blue roses, the curls up front are just my natural curl

Baby Doll

In this picture the makeup is a little sloppy, I did it really fast before a party so I apologize.  But it's a cool/creepy look.  Just use an eyeshadow that closely resembles your eye color for the iris, black liquid liner makes the pupil and eyeliner, white liquid liner for the whites and add a little glint in the pupil.  I painted on top lashes with liner, but using false lashes could make it look even better.  End it with rosy cheeks and pink lips and a cute outfit and your adorable doll, but it totally creeps people out when you close your eyes to reveal more eyes!

Bowie!

Jareth from The Labyrinth!  This is makeup I did for a stage production that my friend Nato (pictured) and a few other cool people put together.  Thicker cream-based makeup, like the kind you find in Halloween kits or at specialty stores work best for the white so that it covers the eyebrows a little at least.  As for the black I used a black eyeliner pencil for the most control.  Add glitter.  This is a wig, but you could get a spikey Bowie mullet if you're daring!  And don't forget that famous Bowie pant bulge!

Bruises, slices, and stitches

Make your face pale with a powder foundation too light for you.  Bruises can easily be created with eyeshadows.  Think about the natural colors of bruises, purples, greens, reds, browns, and layer them until satisfied.  Cuts and scrapes can be achieved with red and brown lip liners, to make them seem raised like scabs you can dab on spirit gum or liquid latex before going over with makeup.  My lip stitches were done by spirit gumming on some thick thread and then adding red and brown lip liner into the "puncture" wounds.

Fall Colors

Well kids, it's fall.  I love it.  Back in Florida there was no such thing as seasons so fall meant nothing to me weather-wise, but now I live in North Carolina.  NC has all four seasons!  Fall is absolutely beautiful here, all the trees change colors, and when the leaves fall it's always funny to see things that all summer had been obscured by lush greenery.  Those beautiful fall colors look good on pretty much anyone, so try out some deep burgundy's, coppers, and browns next time you're trying out colors (hair, eyes, lips, clothing). 
Fall can also mean the start of cooler weather, which can lead to dry skin.  I love Aveda's Hand Relief for an every day skin moisturizer.  In the past I would switch to a tinted moisturizer as a foundation for cold weather, but lately I've been liking a mineral powder foundation.  So this year I'll be prepping with a light moisturizer then putting on my mineral foundation.  I haven't decided on a moisturizer yet, so if anyone has any suggestions let me know.
My absolute favorite thing about fall is Halloween!!!  Outrageous hair, makeup, and clothing!?!  That's the holiday for me!  When I was younger and would go out in Orlando every weekend we could get away with theatrical looks.  Overstyled, unnatural colored hair, extreme makeup, and outfits that were basically costumes were all the norm.  In Tallahassee and Chapel Hill jeans and a t-shirt are the norm, so for the past few years Halloween has been one of my few outlets.  This year is the first time I've had a boyfriend on Halloween to do a couples costume with, and I know it's super lame, but I was really excited about it.  I came up with dozens of suggestions and we finally decided on Miss Scarlet and Colonel Mustard from Clue. 
So starting today and going until Halloween I'm going to post a tutorial for a look.  Please forgive me if I fall behind a couple days, I promise to catch up.  If anyone has a suggestion for a tutorial, let me know and I will certainly do it!

I'm probably going to take my Miss Scarlet in a '20s direction.  Certainly not as dramatic as this look, though.  This severe look is my rendition (on myself) of a silent film actress.  I was trying to make the picture appear as much like a black-and-white photo without actually making it black-and-white.  I sort of have a cheating start because my skin is naturally oh so pasty white, but I also put on theatrical pancake makeup a shade or two too light for me.  Then it's just black everything.  Put a high arch on those lips and make them small as if always ready for a kiss.  Black out eyes, but try to keep it within the eye socket to avoid looking like a raccoon.  Mascara heavily.  Paint thin, extremely arched, eyebrows.  For hair, short bobs and pin curls were the rage, but if you don't want to cut off your long hair some curled updos were also popular.  Also check out Boardwalk Empire on HBO for some amazing style inspiration.

Product Review, mascara

I don't know about you, but I feel like I am in a constant search for the perfect mascara.  When I was younger I found a Revlon one I really liked, that was soon discontinued.  Since becoming a vegan it has severely limited my mascara choices since most makeup companies, even if a lot of their other products are vegan, don't make a vegan mascara.  Maybe this will make my search easier because I have a smaller search area?  Maybe.  Anyway so far I have tried two kinds, Gabriel Color and Tarte Lash Hugger.  Gabriel Color, http://www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=3&ParentCat=7 , I bought at Whole Foods.  I liked the consistency a lot, it went on smooth and lengthened a little.  The problem is when I teared up, which I tend to do because I like onions, if the mascara got in my eye it stung, A LOT, and that would just make me cry more!  Recently I purchased Tarte's Lash Hugger from Sephora,
http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-lash-hugger .  The tube is made from recycled aluminum and the packaging was also made from recycled material and there was a bunch of other natural good stuff about it that you can read on the website.  It's ok, but I'm still continuing my search.  It makes my lashes look significantly longer (and I already have pretty long lashes), a co-worker even commented on them the first day I wore it.  But I guess in order to build upon itself to make your lashes longer it has to clump up a little, so it doesn't have the smooth sleek look that I like my lashes to have.  I'll keep using it, because it was expensive and it's not horrible, but look for a review of a whole new mascara in a couple months.

Summer Lovin'

It is the season for going to the beach, music festivals, and vacation!  All those wonderful things that probably mean you will be without all the wonders and conveniences of being at home.  So here's some tips for these summer days.
Before you go anywhere:
Play with your hair.  Most likely you won't be able to blow dry/flat iron etc. or, even if you can, summer humidity probably means it won't last long.  So while you're still home learn to work with your natural texture.  I have curly hair and I love it!  I rarely flat iron or even blow dry.  So play with your hair and figure out what is the simplest thing that works.  Stick to cream-like products and stay away from drying products that contain a lot of alcohol.  And remember to bring some bobby pins and hair ties because if your hair just isn't cooperating you can always just put it up.
Get waxed.  You probably aren't going to want to have to shave every day, and you certainly don't want to be hairy when it comes time to hook up with that summer fling, so go get it waxed!  This is something you need to prepare for in advance, because you'll want hair to grow out to about 1/4 inch before waxing.  At home waxing kits are available, and are much cheaper than going to a salon, but I only suggest this method if you're experienced.  Waxing yourself can be hard, getting the right angles and momentum usually just doesn't work out.  There are great spas out there with a variety of waxing services, so find one you feel comfortable with (bonus if they offer complimentary sauna use).
Sunscreen!!!!!  Even if you aren't like me and burn super easy and never tan, you still need sunscreen.  You don't want skin cancer or leathery skin when you get older, do you?  Make sure your applying sunscreen!  It's best to use one specifically for the face and another for the body.  A lot of companies make spray sunscreens which make them super easy to apply.  Also, your hair needs protection too.  The sun can damage your hair, especially if you do any chemical treatments to it.  I use Aveda's sun care Protective Hair Veil to keep my red hair vibrant.
Keep makeup simple.  Especially if you're at the beach, you don't want mascara running down your face.  I personally don't feel like myself without eyeliner and mascara, but I can usually do without the rest in the summer.  Waterproof is probably also a good idea (although I typically hate waterproof makeup, but sometimes it's necessary).  When you feel the need for a little more coverage only to find that the foundation you bought in the winter is suddenly a little pale, don't fret, unless your considerably darker you can probably get away with a little bronzing powder instead of a whole new foundation.
Hydrate!  You'll look better and feel better if you keep the water handy.
Mostly, don't stress and have fun.  Everyone else is sweaty and dirty too, so just go with it.

Product Review, good and bad

I love Paul Mitchell, so when I saw that they had a new organic line I wanted to try it.  I've only tried one product, so I'm not judging the whole line on this, but I wasn't a fan.  What I tried was the mousse.  It made my hair feel dry and crunchy.  Actually I find that most mousses do this to my hair (which is fine but full, color treated, short, and curly) and really I wouldn't recommend mousse for curly hair, but like I said I wanted to try it.  So what would I recommend for curly hair?  Aveda's Be Curly Curl Enhancer.  I LOVE this stuff.  I recently ran out, and being broke I have been trying many a combination of products I have around my apartment, but nothing works.  Here's what I love about Curl Enhancer: it creates smooth frizz free curls and it feels like there is nothing in your hair.  I am currently dying my hair an intense red, and to try to keep my color vibrant I wash it as little as possible, so it is important that I use product that doesn't feel heavy and built up in my hair.  Curl Enhancer is the perfect product for my needs, and I really need to go buy some more.

Well it has been over a week since I started my new job.  Everyone is nice and it seems like a good place.  But I am so bored!  There is pretty much nothing for me to do, especially now that the girl who cleans and stuff is back from vacation.  Hopefully that'll change pretty soon though.  The stylists are supposed to start booking more appointments, accounting for an assistant who could wash and blow dry for them.  And it would be really awesome if they let me start taking walk ins.  I need to prove myself a little more, which I could do by bringing in models, but no one has responded to my calls for them!  I need a highlight, a men's clipper cut, and an updo, which would be done for like next to nothing, but they'd have to be able to come in on a Monday afternoon.
I've been caught up with this new job, but I really am going to try to make this blog what I said it would be.  So look for upcoming reviews and tutorials and the like.

I got a job!  At a salon!  I'm starting out as an assistant, but will probably soon be a stylist.  I'm so happy.  The idea of waitressing again scared me, but probably would have had to have happened if I didn't get this job.  But I get to work in the industry that I love!  Yay!

I hope I hope

Today I had my first technical interview at a salon.  A technical interview is where they have already had a typical interview with you and want you to bring in a model so they can see your work.  My friend Katy was kind enough to be my model.  I touched up her color and gave her a graduated a-line asymmetrical bob.   It was super cute.  I really like this salon.  Everyone seems really nice, the salon is cute, and they have an amazing spa.  Plus it's pretty close to my apartment and in a good location.  I'm coming up on four months of unemployment so I really hope I hear positive things back. 

You better work!

So this weekend the weather was really nice, finally!  If you haven't started yet, you're probably thinking about how to get your body beach ready, or in this apartment we work toward getting Bonnaroo ready.  I've never been a skinny girl, but I would really like to flatten my gut this year, maybe lose like 20 lbs.  Diet of course is important.  I would recommend a vegan diet to everyone.  I love it.  But I know it's not for everyone.  So since I'm not a nutritionist I'll just say make sure you get enough protein and veggies, and stay away from processed foods as much as you can.  When it comes to working out, if your lucky enough to have a gym membership use it, don't waste your money by not going.  I can't afford the gym, so I workout at home.  Working out at home can be hard because the couch is right there and it's calling to you.  The key is to do new fun things all the time so you don't get worn out on it.  For cardio I like to put on a Pandora station and dance for at least 30 minutes.  Now that it's getting warmer I'll probably start jogging on this great trail we have near our apartment.  There is also Duke Forest nearby to hike.  Being out in nature makes me feel so much better about everything in life.  So not only am I working out my body, but I'm working on my soul.  Yoga is a lot of fun, so relaxing, and a great way to clear your head.  There are a lot of free yoga podcasts.  Also, if you have a tv station like FitTV that's almost 24 hrs of free workout videos.  But probably the most fun way to work out is hooping!  Thanks to the great weather I finally got to go outside and hoop today!  Hooping is like dancing and doing tricks with a big heavy hula hoop.  It's great for your core and good cardio if you dance around while you do it.  And it's soooo much fun!  There are instructional videos for tricks on youtube.com or just make up your own!  I make my own hoops for myself and to sell.  If you want a custom made hoop just send me an email.  So, beautiful people, get out there, have fun, and be healthy!

Product Review: Pacifica Solid Perfume

I was never really a perfume girl, especially not flowery girly perfumes.  If I wore anything it was usually a men's cologne or I'd steal a spray of my friend's Dior Hypnotic Poison.  But over time I have come to dislike the smell of artificial perfumes, they just smell like chemicals.  Pacifica is natural, organic, and smells delicious.  www.pacificaperfume.com My favorites are Tuscan Blood Orange and Brazilian Mango Grapefruit, I'm a sucker for citrus.  And the best part about the solid perfumes is you can toss them into your purse without fear of spillage.  If you're used to synthetic fragrances these don't smell as strong and don't last as long.  Personally, I'd rather you not be able to smell my perfume from across the room, but that's me.  Also, synthetics can cause bad allergic reactions and the build up of them over time destroys your immune system.  Here's a quick article:   http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=222   and if you want to learn more about it a quick google search will provide So while your $70 department store perfume might make you feel like you smell good, soon you'll be feeling bad due to your weakened immunities. Pacifica is typically $9 a pot and will leave you smelling and feeling amazing.

Stay Positive

I have two job interviews set up and two in the works!  When you have been unemployed for awhile it is easy to lose hope, but when you have people who believe in you (especially my mom who is amazing) it keeps you going.  Interviews aren't a job, but it has renewed my sense of self and I am going to give it all I have. 

Product Review: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment

I'm a big fan of Paul Mitchell, not only do they have great, professional products, but they're also big on giving back to the world.  For example percentages from their sales of Tea Tree products are donated to American Forests to plant trees.  Check out paulmitchell.com to learn more about that program and the other things the company is committed to.  Anyway, product review...Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment.  I realize this is a little late since winter is pretty much over and that's when most people get dry scalp.  But dry scalp can also be caused by other factors, such as medication.  So if you need a dry scalp treatment I recommend this one.  Use it after shampooing.  The smell is invigorating and you can feel the tingle on your scalp as you massage it in.  It's really refreshing and works great!  Paul Mitchell makes an entire Tea Tree line, some of which include other fragrance blends like lavender.  So if you like to be refreshed and rejuvenated in the shower by your bath products, check it out.

Hello!

I wanted to start a blog as a forum to discuss my favorite thing: beauty.  Not just outer beauty, but inner too.  As a young girl I loved playing dress up, of course.  I would also dress up my little brother and pets.  I dreamed of being a princess, a mermaid, an adventurer.  I lived out those dreams by getting involved in theatre.  On stage I could become anything I wanted, I was in love.  Just acting like someone else wasn't enough though.  The hair, the makeup, the costume, they were all as important as the character.  And makeup and hair were so easy to change!  Every night I could try a new look and soon my fellow cast members were asking me to do their hair and makeup too.  Transforming others, and making them feel confident and wonderful filled me with joy.  When I moved to North Carolina I attended cosmetology school and it cemented my love for helping others invent their our beauty perception.  Encouraging people to be adventurous with their beauty is especially fun.  Try a bold new hair cut, color, an exciting makeup design!  I have had every hair color and many different cuts (including an almost foot tall mohawk and being completely shaved).  I have done crazy makeup designs to create characters for the stage or for the clubs.  It is so much fun to explore new looks and create a new persona.
It is important that we not dive blindly into this glamorous world.  Another thing I am especially passionate about is being conscious and caring.  This world and its inhabitants are to be respected and cared for.  I am a strict vegetarian (pretty much 99% vegan) and that applies to more than what I eat.  I only buy from companies that are ethical and wonderful.  I am always searching for new brands, so let me know if you have any to recommend!
I graduated from cosmetology school and got my license last year.  Unfortunately I am currently unemployed.  I am trying to find a salon that fits me, but at this point have not been successful.  Not having a job hasn't stopped me from doing what I love.  I do hair and makeup for friends all the time and I am always trying new things, on myself, on my roommate, or on mannequins.  This blog is just another way for me to reach out to the community and spread my love of the beauty industry. 

 

Ready for all the beauty the world has to offer!