QUESTIONS!!!!!

Have any of you done the tutorials? Which is your fav? Any of you purchased the paint brushes at a craft store? Do you like them??? Used the color wheel lately? Gotten Making Faces? Has it changed your life yet and rocked your world??? Gotten the primer potion? Are you seeing a difference? Has anyone made the homemade cleanser? Used the clear mascara to help with flyaways? Gone to Beauty From The Earth? I want some feedback from ya. Thanks, you all are the best!!!!! I want to see a TON of comments here!!!!!!!!!

Purple and Yellow Tutorial

Shadow Colors Used:
- Bright Yellow
- Light Lavender
- Deep Eggplant Purple
- Shimmery Light Pink (brow bone)

Get Your Perfect Color

PLEASE avoid this by going to your favorite local counter and have THEM choose what color of foundation and powder you need. They have had training and should be able to pick your perfect colors. DON'T let this happen to you!!!!!!!!

Color....a Girl's Best Friend

It may be just me but I think it is SUPER important to know your color wheel. Especially when you want to create a new look. See how the colors opposite each other on the wheel are complimentary and can add drama to your eyes? Find your eye color on the wheel and go to the other side to see what would be best for you. Green eyes=REDS!!!! Maroons, pinks red-violet etc. Blue eyes=ORANGE!!!! Maybe not pure orange but anything that has an orange undertone would be AMAZING!!! Peaches, golds and corals with orange undertones. Brown eyes=BLUES!!! Even purples with blue undertones are amazing. Analogous colors are ones that are right next to each other and can also be used to create a complimentary look i.e. green, yellow green and yellow. Look at an orchid and see that it's so beautiful and vivid because the purple and deeper purples are complimenting the yellows. Use one as a liner and the other two as a base and crease color or whatever you want. Now there are also split complimentary colors and triad colors but let's just keep it simple =)....plus I don't want to sound like a text book. Go and check them out!!!!!

This One's For You Peph!!!!!

Peph, May I first commend you in the decision to come over to the dark side =). Let's get to it!!! I have been hearing like CRAZY that orange is going to make those blue eyes pop. DON'T knock it till you try it!!!!! Just think, beautiful peaches and oranges. Keep using the stuff that you always have been just add more color. But even if you don't to your lips you won't be washed out because your hair will add richness to your face. I have also put more photos, youtube links and colors on the side of the blog to inspire you =). Have SO much fun with it!!!!!

Yellow Orange and Green Tutorial

Shadow Colors Used:
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Cream (brow bone)

Does anyone else think I look like the Joker in this picture???

Fall Green Tutorial Using Beauty From the Earth

Shadow Colors Used:
- Shamrock Green
- Deep Forest Green
- Shimmery Gold
- Creamy White

Okay so this is my fav look thus far. Check it out!!! Do you like them better when I am speaking live or when it is voiced over?

Mascara.....The Never Ending Search

Is it too much too much to ask???? I want to look like THIS!!!! Without the aid of falsies.....

Okay, I have already stated that I am THOROUGHLY disappointed with Mary Kay for ending a beautiful friendship with its BEST mascara!!!!! Now I have found myself in a search, a quest if you will to hunt through the jungle of cosmetic lines to find the perfect mascara. Dior Show is incredible but too much for me right now. So far this is my report:

This mascara is okay but I am a fan of doing one eye, going to the next and then retouching both. This mascara does NOT allow you to do this. That's just me. It is a bit flimsy and makes it harder (if you are not an experienced mascara dodger) to keep it from off the upper lid.
This is actually my favorite right now. The curved brush always makes for a nice shape (I LOVE curved brushes) and it gives just enough volume and good length.

Whose mom doesn't use this? I just feel that you have to put coat after coat after coat to get the desired effect......not for me. What do you guys use?

Eye Shapes

Hooded eyes, sometimes referred to as "bedroom eyes" (go Breanna!!!!!) appear as if the eye lid is partially closed. Hooded eyes often need more prominence, soooooo to give this illusion:

1. Use a light highlight shade on brow bone and inner corner along lash line. (like champaigne from Cover Girl, Vanilla or Nylon from MAC)
   
2. Apply a shadow shade slightly darker than the highlight shade over the entire lid and hooded area of the eye.
3. Use a darker contour shade on the outer corner, sweeping up to a light peak.
4. Finish with a liner to define your lash lines.

If anyone else knows some tricks please leave them in the comment section of this post (paging Codi, Codi to the comment section!!!)

Thanks

Harvest Brown Tutorial

Requested by Jennifer....and that is beautiful Apple Hill above for any of you that have been lucky enough to go in good ole Northern Cali =).

Peacock Tutorial

Colors Used:
- Electric Teal Color
- True Blue
- Shimmery Teal
- Purple with a hint of maroon to it
- Lavender

Any Requests?

Pink Look Tutorial

The Best Makeup Book EVER!!!!!

I cannot stress ENOUGH how much this book is worth!!!!! It is called Making Faces by Kevin Aucoin. This man is a genius and I learned almost everything from his books. I highly recommend you get this in paperback at any Barnes and Noble store!!!!! Long live the smoky eye!!!!!

Best Eyeshadow Base

Hailey asked about the base I generally use for my eyeshadow and this is it folks. Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP). You can get this at Sephora for around $17. It is worth EVERY penny. I am going to put a link to the side on how to get the most out of this bottle as you can't ever, with the wand alone, get it all out. I will call the link: Get More From Your UDPP. I use this base because it doesn't crease and it makes your colors stay on your lid like no other. I have used paint pots from MAC and I like them, but this is KING!!!!! Go get it!!!!!

Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

When I said that the brush handle would mold eventually, I meant rot. Boy I am making lots of oops today =).

Sponge vs Brush

Monica's question: When to use a sponge and when to use a brush?
It all depends on what type of coverage you are going for. A sponge will give you more of a full coverage whereas a brush will, most of the time, be less. If I really want to pack color on my lid I will use the applicator instead of a brush. If I want a more natural look, not only will I use a brush but I won't use a base either. For foundations it is the same but you can still get great coverage with the 187 brush if you put on more. I hope that helps!!!

Neutral With a Pop Tutorial

I did it a bit more neutral that the above picture but you can achieve the same look with the same products. Also, when I was speaking about using water for the liner I said you don't want too much color on your brush but I meant to say water....oops =).

Eyeshadow Palettes

Jennifer brings up a common problem, one that I for sure had before I found eyeshadow palettes from MAC. I had many colors and loved them but hated always needing to sift through all my "pots" to find the right one. By pots, I am referring to the original casings that MAC eyeshadows come in. MAC palettes can be found in all MAC stores (not the counters)......and EBAY!!!!! Don't you just love that place? That's where I got mine. They will run you about 12-15 dollars and are VERY worth it!!! They hold up to 15 shadows and you can start organizing them like the ones you see here by color. When you get your palette you no longer need to buy the shadows in their pots. Now you just order the refills or buy them (only) at a MAC store and they are only $10.50 so it's a better deal. Right now on coastalscents.com they are claiming to have a palette that has openings the same size as MAC for only $8, but after shipping you are basically paying the same price only like 50 cents less. So I would personally get MAC ones because you know you are getting quality. A great way to "depot" your colors that you have now so that you can put them in your new palette is found on the side bar. It will explain everything so that you do it in a way to not harm or crack your colors that you love. Hope that helps!!!!

Jeans

A hard task to be sure....the Perfect Jean. I used to get ALL of my jeans from Express. They were the best fit and not too badly priced for a pair that could last you quite a few years. Notice I said that I USED to. No longer. I have found that Express (for the most part) has deemed themselves worthy to charge boutique prices for less than desirable clothes......sadly including jeans. Don't get me wrong, I have still found things in there and I will continue to shop at Express Men for Kevin but I have been let down in the jean department.

After searching far and wide I am happy to say that I have found salvation in higher end stores. I know some of you are like,"Hello Jen. We have known about that for forever!!!" But I am just now finding that stores like White House Black Market and Harold's are GREAT for jeans!!!!! They are a bit pricey but if you go at sale times you can get away with a STEAL!!! Normally $120, I found some jeans at WHBM marked down over and over again till they cost me a total of $34!!!!! And a sign caught my eye at Harold's (how could it not?) 50% off all SALE items. Well of COURSE I hauled my J-Lo right in there and got these bad boys. Cute capris normally $78 and I got them for $19!!!! Sales have not ceased sisters, I had just not been looking for them and holy cow, I am so happy with my purchases. Harold's, BTW, is still having that sale and I bet you could go online and find some mores steals =). Any other stores you swear by?

Most Used and Needed Brushes

Nicole is building up her brush collection and asked which ones I use the most. Here they are =).
From left to right they are:
- MAC 129 for blush and bronzer
- Loew-Cornell (LC) 7450 Chisel Blender for liquid liner (Michael's Craft Store)
- MAC 239 OR the one above it is the same and cheaper at Michael's. It is LC 3/8" Maxine's Mop.
- MAC 272 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! For crease work
- MAC 217 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! For all blending and some crease work
- MAC 187 For foundation (1000x better than the 190!!!)
- Nicole Miller Powder brush and MAC has the 150
The Green handled brushes are the MAC travel sizes. They are the same #'s as the regular brushes just shorter and a different color. They are great starter brushes but I am building up my regular sized ones now. Also you can go to coastalscents.com and see their brush selection. I have heard great reviews on them and you can get up to 13 brushes for only $16.95 plus shipping. Check it out!!!

Control Those Flyaways

Summer Look Tutorial

Homemade Brush Cleanser

Monica asked how to make homemade brush cleanser. You can buy one from Mac for a little over $10....but you can make your own for soooo much less!!!!! Pictured here are the items that you will need. The brush cleanser bottle from MAC is ideal to use again for your homemade cleanser so DON'T throw it away!!! You will need:

- 1 cup bottled or distilled water
- 1/4 cup alcohol ( I use 99%) This will be your disinfecting, sanitizing & antibacterial agent
- 1/2 TBSP dish soap (if it can cut grease on your dishes, think of the grease on your brushes)
- 1/2 TBSP gentle shampoo (I used baby shampoo)
- 1 TBSP spray leave-in-conditioner (not cream) to condition bristles

Stir GENTLY!!!!! You do not want the soaps to start foaming or to sud up. After it is all mixed together pour it into your container and there is your inexpensive homemade brush cleanser.

Sea & Sky Tutorial

Thanks Peph for requesting this tutorial....enjoy!!!!! Turn off music player at the bottom to hear instructions.

Chrome Yellow & Electric Eel Look

What's Your Fav Scent?

This right now is my FAVORITE scent from Bath and Body Works. What's yours???

Stylish Headbands....HELP!!!!!

So I got this headband at Urban Outfitters for like $18. There MUST be another way!!!! Has anyone made headbands like these?

Sephora Inspired Makeup Brush Holder

Has your brush situation ever plagued you? Scrambling through the abyss that is your makeup bag looking for the right brush only to grab your mascara for the THIRD time?!?!? Well fret no more ladies...here it is...THE brush holder!!! Go to any craft store, find ANY container that fancies you and put in any flower vase filler that is nice and small. If you get them too big the brushes won't stand as well. It's super cheap and a GREAT way to organize your brushes. I think I am due to get another and separate the eye brushes from the face brushes....the possibilities are ENDLESS!!!!!

Makeup Brushes Can Be Cheap!!!!!

Well, let me clarify. They need to be made well but you don't have to spend your (or in my case) your husband's whole paycheck to get those quality bristles. These are paint brushes that I picked up at Michael's. They are Loew-Cornell brand and are made from the same fibers as MAC brushes. No, you cannot find a duplicate for every brush that MAC offers but here are some of the basics offered there. To see the details of exactly which ones you can get, visit the link on the side of the blog entitled Paint Brushes vs MAC Brushes. It will take you to EnKore. He is very gifted and teaches many things. I even made my own brush cleanser so that I didn't have to pay $10 at MAC. I love these brushes and use them soooo much. There is no fall out with the bristles and the handles are basically the same too!!!!

Beauty From The Earth Review

I CANNOT say enough good things about this makeup!!!! These are mineral pigments that have a WOW effect when you put them on. They do have shades for everyone, though the ones I picked out are bold and dare I say "sassy" =). I will be doing future tutorials on these bad boys so be watching for it. When I bought the set of ten they were $5 each and came to $50 and when you spend that much shipping is free!!! Check out the website at beautyfromtheearth.com. Or see a review by monroemisfitmakeup on youtube. The link is posted on the side of the blog.

Mac Sea & Sky Review

I am VERY impressed with this new duo color from MAC. It goes on so well and you don't need to use much. I would still use a base like the Urban Decay Primer Potion. I used the marbled side all over the lid and the solid in the crease. It's limited so go out and get it!!!! I want to get the green and pink =).