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??!!

MY PERFUME MUST HAVES

These 4 perfumes are my all time favorites. #1 is Tommy Bahama (pink), it's a great summer scent. It's kind of floral-ish but don't let that fool you I know a lot of people don't like floral smelling perfumes (including myself) but this is not over powering. It's light enough to wear anytime, anywhere! I actually got this at Sams Club with a tiny travel size and a medium purse size...the one in the picture is the big momma jomma size! It's GINORMOUS (one of my favorite lines from 'Elf'). The set was about $45. #2 is 'W' by Banana Republic and as you can see I'm running low...gotta go pick up another bottle. This perfume is just clean smelling to me. Most of the time if you smell me...I'm wearing this perfume. I found it at TJ Maxx and got 2 bottles for around $30 so you can't go wrong with that. #3 ok I have been wearing this perfume since I was in high school. It's my secret weapon. It's RARE GOLD and I get it from Avon. If you are an AVON shopper and you watch the sales in their catalogs or online you can get 2 bottles of this for $20 so I literally stock up and and get 4 bottles. This perfume is very warm smelling. Some people might use this perfume more in the winter time but it's for year-round. No joke, EVERY TIME I wear this someone ask me what I have on. GET IT. GET IT NOW!! Oh and if you try the other 'RARE' perfumes from Avon you will be disappointed...nothing compares to RARE GOLD!! And last but not least #4 is Valentino...I don't know if you can tell from the picture but I have only a few drops left of this perfume...I have to tilt it to get enough to come out (come on ladies you know what I'm talking about...gotta get those last few drops outta there). This perfume is considered a musk, which I'm not a fan of musk scents but it's amazing. If you wanna get your man to lean in a little closer to breathe in a little more of you then put a few squirts on your neck and dab it behind you ears...he will be enticed. You can get this at KOHLS for around $45.

Of course, like all perfumes, these will react differently with your body chemistry so try them to find your favorite scent but these are mine! If y'all try any of these or have tried these or you own them now...let me know what you think.

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gel

I have had this stuff for a while...probably since the beginning of the summer, therefore I'm not sure how much it cost, I'm thinking around $6-$8. I like to get a little base tan then use a self-tanner just to kinda keep a bronzed look but I will probably use it during the winter months every now and then for a little BOOST of color. This stuff says that it is streak-free...LET ME GIVE YOU A LITTLE HINT: no self tanner is streak free but I finally figured out how to use this. The first couple of times my legs looked like I just poured some iodine and let it run down..yep it was pretty funny and my momma got a good kick out of it!! After a few applications I mastered it...first of all let me say I only put this on my legs...I put a good amount in the palm of my hand and put half of it on the bottom half of my leg and the other half on the top half of my leg and I keep rubbing and spreading it around evenly until it feels like it's starting to absorb. Then I usually take a little more and add it to the back of my legs because I'm not perfect and I can't seem to get it all in one fail swoop! REMEMBER don't use too much...you can always add more but you can't take away (take it from my iodine streaked legs). One application is enough for a little tint of color but 2 applications is my limit or you will start looking ORANGE. Be sure and wash your hands thoroughly & immediately because it WILL leave your hands looking like you just played in some red Georgia clay and be sure to get it out from under your nails!! I usually put this on after a shower and just stay wrapped up in towel (I have found after around 30 minutes that it has reached it's maximum color) while I apply make-up and do my hair before putting my clothes on. I haven't had any problems with this product staining my clothes. As far as smell...a little disappointing because it doesn't smell any different than other self-tanners. This product also contains Vitamin E which is always nice...I need all the help I can get but it doesn't only give a little color to my otherwise roadmap looking legs but it seems to make my legs look smoother...I especially like putting this on after shaving...smooth, soft and touchable!! Ya gotta admit what girl doesn't want a little color, always a confidence booster and a little color seems to hide all those imperfections (cough 'cellulite').