Kindof've a bummer product :(

I recently (well over the summer) purchased a couple of Maybelline's Dream Mousse Blushes. The colors I got were PEACH SATIN and COFFEE CAKE. The texture of these blushes is light and airy. It really is like sticking your finger in whip cream. My only thing about these blushes is that they are VERY LIGHT...as in color. I kinda like my blush to be more pigmented (I prefer to use NYX Cream Blushes). That's why I called this post 'kindof've a bummer' because they do go on nicely and are very blendable but just not much pigmentation. Great for a more natural, everyday, summer, glowy look!! They are around $6, depending on where you purchase them! That's my take on it.

DIY Salon Blowdry

Today I achieved something with my hair I have been wanting for quite some time...SALON STRAIGHT HAIR with a HUMUNGUS round brush. This is how I did it. After showering I put my hair up in a towel for about 30 minutes then let it down to air dry for another 30 minutes. Then I applied Redken's Smooth Down Heat Glider Serum (another great item for this would be TIGI S-Factor Dream Drops), mainly on the bottom half of my hair then I also applied Redken's Align 12 Ultra Straightening Balm. I usually HAVE to use a detangler but these 2 items together...no detangler needed! First, I brushed through my hair with a paddle brush, split it in the middle at the back, parted where I normally part then used my EXTRA LARGE round brush from TIGI S-Factor and took random sections, put the round brush at the root, blow dryed at the root then pulled the brush out and started rolling the brush under while blowdrying. The blowdryer I used was my BioIonic iWhisper Light Pro. After my hair was dry I went back with a tiny smidgen of the Smooth Down Heat Glide serum and put it mainly through the ends then used what was left for flyaways. Anyways, to really appreciate my excitement you have to understand that I have been trying to figure this salon technique for a loooong time (still not perfected but close enough for me). Even after carefully watching my stylist and asking her 'how to' questions I always ended up with the round brush knotted up in my hair like a bird's nest!! Wonderful :( The one tip I have is that your hair needs to be almost dry...putting product in your hair when it's soaking wet just dilutes your products which makes them useless aaaaaaaaaaaand that is why the brush gets tangled (hair is too wet). If you are gonna pay the price for the products might as well get your money's worth, am I right? Here are the products I used:This was my result: Happy Blowdrying!!!!

Flower Inspired Make Up Contest

Well a few weeks ago I entered another makeup contest. This is what I came up with.....I didn't win but it was just as fun all the same!!

PRESERVE YOUR NAIL POLISH, MASCARA AND PERFUME!

PRESERVE YOUR NAIL POLISH, MASCARA AND PERFUME!

With some of the outrageous prices of cosmetics these days it's nice to know these handy dandy tips! So don't be surprised if you open my fridge and see my favorite nail lacquer in the egg tray!!

NAIL POLISH

You're told to toss it after: 8 months

Extend the lifespan to: 2 years

Since heat and sunlight destroy nail polish by separating the ingredients and causing discoloration, keeping the bottles in the fridge will more than double their lifespan.

MASCARA

You're told to toss it after: 3 months

But it can really last for: 5 months

There are two reasons you have to toss this makeup: it dries out or it gets contaminated. You can ward off both of these problems by not pumping the wand up and down, which forces bacteria and also air into the tube. Instead, swirl the brush as you pull it out. And if it starts to seem cakey, experts recommend dipping the tube in boiling water for about 15 seconds. It will make the makeup gooey again and may even kill some of the bacteria.

PERFUME

You're told to toss it after: about 2 years

But they can really last for: 5 years

No need to ditch fragrances so soon as long as you keep them out of the sun. The direct light makes perfume lose its scent or even start to smell funky, but keeping the bottles in the original box or in the medicine cabinet can get you three extra years out of the spray.

Tropical Makeup Contest & Arab Inspired Contest

Well about a week ago I entered my first ever makeup contest thru Sigma's Facebook page. It was TROPICAL makeup look. I used my sister-in-law as my model and went to work. I was very pleased with the results (using mainly NYX eyeshadows and eye primer). Although I didn't win it's totally fine. I love having different challenges and it gives me an opportunity to practice, practice, practice! It was so much fun just spending time chatting with my sister-in-law while I was decorating her already beautimous face!!
Then just the other day I saw another makeup contest on the MakeupGeeks website...it is an Arab Inspired one! My sister-in-law wasn't around so I used my own face for a canvas!! I didn't want to go over bored but still make it somewhat dramatic. The contest results should be posted soon (March 7th I believe). I have seen some of the other entries...there are a lot of talented people out there!! Very interesting and unique. Wish me luck. (click on the photos for a better look. they are very pixilated looking on this post.)

NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Loose Pigment Eyeshadow

Wooowhooo!! Loose pigments...so vibrant and eye-catching. I started off with one loose pigment MAC eyeshadow and absolutely loved it! After checking around I found out the cheapest I could buy 1 MAC pigment for was $14! I can't afford that and since I am not a makeup artist (just a makeup enthusiasts) I can't see spending that much on one product. So I quickly started reading and watching reviews. One day I came across the NYX (like nicks) Cosmetic website. Once I watched a few reviews I decided then to go online shopping to find the best deal. After some power searching I found a seller on Amazon that was selling the complete set of the NYX Ultra Pearl Mania (40 total - 30 Pearl and 10 Glitters). I purchased the entire set along with shipping for around $45.00...what a STEAL!! Online each individual bullet sized (see photos) pigment was going for $2-$3 each which would have been $80-$120 and that's without tax or shipping. Once I got them I noticed what some of the reviews had said. The bullet sized container is hard to get your brush or applicator into. A q-tip would fit perfectly but who wants to apply make-up with a q-tip all the time. I used my finger but in order to have more control on the amount and precisely where the pigment is applied I depotted the pigments into small containers that I found in the craft section of Walmart. The containers say the are for beads and things like that but they work perfectly for the pigments and let me tell you...you will be BLOWN away at how much product is in each bullet sized pigment!! These babies will last you a LOOOOONG time. All and all I am very pleased with the product so much so that I am considering going to ALL NYX products (foundation, powder, single shadows, eyeliners, lipsticks, blush and mascara). Since I am a photographer I hope to be able to offer applying make-up for some of my clients!! I also have purchased NYX's eye shadow base and make-up remover which I will post about later! If you are looking for a great pigment that is comparable to MAC or an inexpensive way to be able have a lot of options and explore your creative side then NYX Cosmetics are the way to go!!!

MY NEW FAVORITE PAIR OF EARRINGS!!!

Well, I have been on the hunt for a cool pair of feather earrings. I found a set of 3 at Rue21 (light pink, off white and gray). I like them but they are just a single feather. I wanted more of a statement piece! I recently found out that a friend and fellow Elbertonian had started her very own handmade jewelry Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Margaret-Rose-Designs/156408654406241) so I contacted her about creating some unique big and bold feather earrings for me. I will now let the picture speak for itself. I am in awe of these amazing earrings and I plan on ordering plenty more from her! She also threw in a cute flower hair pin!! Check her out! What girl doesn't want a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry??!!