Beauty Sleep

  

Sometimes a good nap is better than makeup.

My favorite way to spend a nice afternoon is curled up in bed listening to some soft music and dozing. Lifelong insomnia sufferer, but my day job as a barista requires I’m up at the crack of dawn more often than not – a few hours of afternoon Z’s are sometimes what I need to keep the momentum. It must work, in the picture the only makeup I’ve got is filled in eyebrows!

Is your “beauty sleep” an important part of your regimen, or can you still kill it after 3 hours of sleep day after day? Do you need your full eight hours, or do you get a few hours and nap later? 

Beauty Tag – 20 More Questions!

It feels like I’m cheating for stealing this from Rachel. But I can’t resist!

Do you remember your first makeup item?

  

Yeah, that’s not creepy at all.

I actually remember my first perfume-related item. As a child of the 80s, at some point I ended up with a bottle of Love’s Baby Soft perfume when I was maybe six, a gift (read: hand me down) from a much more glamorous than me older cousin. I don’t remember this horrifyingly creepy ad copy though.

Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?

I’m completely sold on BeneFit’s “They’re Real!” mascara. It’s perfect in every way.

What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation?

Like Rachel, I prefer a medium coverage satin-matte. My skin is pretty good on its own, but I like to even it out and kill some shine.

Favorite high-end brand?

If MAC is considered high end, then MAC. If it’s midrange, I’ll have to go with NARS or Smashbox for actual makeup, or Tom Ford for fragrance.

What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven’t? 

Kat Von D has some products I am dying to try! I’d also love to get my hands on some indie brands like Melt.

Favorite drugstore brand?

NYX or Wet n Wild. Drugstore makeup is bangin these days!

Do you wear fake eyelashes? 

Nope. I’m all thumbs when it comes to applying them, and I wear glasses so there’s no point most of the time!

Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?

Eyebrows. I won’t leave the house unless I’ve done my eyebrows.

What is your most cherished beauty product?

I don’t think I have anything that I’d say I cherish, but I can’t live without MAC’s “Vex” eyeshadow. 

How often do you shop for makeup?

I browse for it all the time and shop for it very rarely.

Do you have a “beauty budget” or you spend freely?

I don’t even have a “beauty budget.” I’m on an everything budget.

What type of product do you buy the most of?

Eyeshadow and eyeliner.

Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates? 

I avoid parabens in my skincare because products that have them often make me feel itchy, but other than that not really.

Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup?

When I’m browsing around the drugstore. Or online!

Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?

I definitely try new stuff all the time. I still haven’t found my perfect skincare regimen.

Favorite bath and body brand? 

Uh… I don’t really have a favorite. 

Do you like multifunctional products like lip and cheek stains?

I always end up using them for like one thing and never get any multi-function out of them. So no, I guess. 

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

Shockingly, no. Especially considering that unless I am wearing contact lenses I’m doing it mostly blind! My eyesight is terrible!

Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?

Been there done that – I used to do theatrical makeup and I’ve worked as an independent MUA in the past.

What do you love about makeup?

What don’t I love about makeup?! 😜

The 10 Commandments of Contouring – Glossible says what I’ve been thinking all along 

It’s hilarious because it’s ALL TRUE!  I was a professional makeup artist for nearly 15 years.  Ladies, I worked for MAC.  They love dramatic looks!  I’m also a bit of a goth.  If **I** think a makeup look is too much, it’s too much!  Read on about the 10 commandments of getting a naturally beautiful contour and highlight, and get a few laughs along the way! It’s all in good fun, folks.  Thanks for making us laugh, Glossible! 

http://www.glossible.com/perspective/10-commandments-highlighting-contouring

Today I’m Wearing – A Little Urban Decay, A Whole Lotta MAC

So, today was a whole lotta lazy!  It’s a Sunday and I basically hung around, house sat/fed my sister’s cat, and I didn’t even put on any makeup until 5:00 pm, and that was only because I wanted to play with the gifts I just got and some samples.  Most Sundays are spent barefaced and laying on the couch watching Game of Thrones!

Well, I was having a great time experimenting with the MAC shadows my good friend sent me when I remembered that a couple years ago, she had sent me the Crush Metal Pigments Stacked 1 set!  I decided I would layer the icy violet one on the lower lid over the Mega Metal shadow in Mating Call (LOL, that name).  Even used wet, the glittery pigment still managed to get everywhere including on my face and in my eyes, causing me to have a major tear-fest and red-eyed reaction of Not Good.  Well, here is an example of how glittery it is:

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Top middle frosty glittery concoction is the pigment from Stacked 1

So beautiful, so not fun if you get it in your eye.  Reminds me of Kitchmas in lavender.  Be careful with glittery products, you guys.  I don’t even have sensitive eyes.  I can wear almost anything.

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Me with bloodshot eyes and a face full of fun purple makeup; see below for breakdown.

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Featuring Urban Decay Revolution Lipgloss in Bittersweet

FULL BREAKDOWN:

FACE:  NYX Photo Loving Primer Lavender (I don’t see color correction here, so the clear version would probably be a fine alternative, but I love this primer!), Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation in Porcelain with damp Beauty Blender, MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC15 with Sigma E10 brush for pinpoint concealing (thanks for the tips to Lisa Eldridge), MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW15 under eyes blended with tip of damp Beauty Blender, MAC Casual Color in Evening Stroll (lovely violet!) sheered out with Sigma F82 round top kabuki brush, foundation lightly set with Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder in Translucent and MAC 150 Powder Brush.

EYES:  Too Faced Shadow Insurance, MAC Vanilla eyeshadow as highlight, MAC Mega Metals shadow in Mating Call (lid) and Noir Plum (crease/outer V/lower liner), MAC Chromaline in Deep Purple, L’oreal Infallible gel liner in Black, Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo Ebony with No 7 double ended brow brush set with ELF Clear Brow Gel.

LIPS:  NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Deep Purple with Urban Decay Revolution Lip Gloss in Bittersweet (thanks for the sample, Ipsy!)

Most of these products are all available to be purchased currently except the two Mega Metals eyeshadows and the Casual Color by MAC, since they love to do those limited edition runs.

Everything here was purchased by me or given to me by a friend.  All opinions are my own!  🙂

Makeup Of The Day 

Today I’m wearing Maybelline Color Sensational Rebel Bloom lipstick in Brazen Berry.  I tried it two ways, first with NYX Purple Rain liner just to outline, and then with Urban Decay Ozone 24/7 Lip Liner (clear) underneath like a primer.  I like it best with a primer under!  It seems to really even out my lip texture and the color seems smoother, but honestly, the difference is small.


Brazen Berry with NYX Purple Rain lip liner


Brazen Berry over UD Ozone 24/7 Clear Lip Liner

Can you tell a difference?

FULL MAKEUP BREAKDOWN!

Face:  Tarte Clean Slate Poreless primer, Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation in Porcelain applied with Sigma F82 kabuki, MAC Studio Finish Concealer NC15 to spot conceal, MAC Mineralized Concealer NW15 under eyes, Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless lightly swept over face to set, MAC Sculpt Powder Bone Beige for contour, La Femme Blush in Purple Passion (wish this was more purple on me), Temptu S/B Highlighter Pink Pearl (thanks, Ipsy!).

EYES:  Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow in Bone as a base, MAC Vanilla shadow as highlight shade, The Balm Nude Dude shadow in Flirty (thanks, Ipsy!) on lid and crease, Hustle shadow by Urban Decay (Naked 1) in outer V and lower lashline, L’Oreal Infallible gel liner to tightline, L’oreal Infallible Super Slim liquid liner for upper lash line, Cover Girl Clump Crusher mascara black, Anastasia Brow Powder duo (light shade) with mini double angled brush for brows set with ELF Clear Brow Gel.

LIPS:  Either NYX Slim Lip Liner in Purple Rain or Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Liner in Ozone with Maybelline Color Sensational Rebel Bloom Lipstick in Brazen Berry

–Rachel

Makeup of the Day

  
Eyes:  MAC eyeshadows in Nylon, Ricepaper and Aquadisiac, Wet ‘n’ Wild MegaLiner liquid eyeliner in Black, Urban Decay Perversion mascara

Lips: NYX Butter lipstick in Hunk

Face: Rimmel Stay Matte foundation in Porcelain, NYX HD Finishing Powder, ELF blush in Twinkle Pink

It’s dark, cold and windy here in Seattle today, so I’m making up for it with bright, summery shades and vintage 1960s inspired cat-eye liner!

Can I Get a Menu?

  

This is what I’ve been doing for hours. I can’t stand non-intuitive navigation, so I’ve been fiddling with these menus. Obviously we do not yet have posts on all these subjects and sub-categories but building this framework before we do will save me a lot of “go back and categorize” work later. Looking pretty good! 👍