Tag Archives: beauty blog

What jewelry are you rocking for summer?

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I have a deep, abiding love for white metals, always have.  I have a great big bunch of sterling silver jewelry…ridiculous amounts of it, since you can sometimes find such great deals on it.  One of the things I love about the current revival in 90s fashion is that suddenly, my jewelry is back in style.  No, I never stopped wearing this stuff!  

  
All those pieces were found in expensively on eBay…except one.  I bought the thumb ring at a hippie boutique in 1994.  Bringing back the 90s?  Or kept it alive all this time?

So, I showed this photo to Kristin and she said “You know we all wore that stuff!  Oh, and the black cabochon rings with the filigree around it.”  To which I said, “Ahem, left hand,” and sent her this photo:

  
Pardon the swollen hands, but it’s hot as HECK here.  

What jewelry are you rocking this summer? 

What’s on your nails? Do you lilac it?

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Today, I have a nice mixture of spooky and sweet going on – my claw midi ring and this lovely cool pastel purple nail polish, OPI’s “Do You Liliac It?”  

  

I used Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover (blue gel of the gods), Nailtiques #2 as a base coat, two coats of the OPI color, and Poshe quick drying top coat.  Honestly, this color had plenty of shine without the top coat!  

What’s on your nails? 

Seche Restore nail polish thinner – I love you!

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Ok, so see this bottle of Milani glitter nail polish?  It’s dead.  Well…maybe it’s just pinin’ for the fjords.

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No, this bottle of nail polish is not just merely dead, it has ceased to be.

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It has gone to meet its maker!  Bereft of life, it rests in peace!  Its glittery processes are now history!  It has kicked the bucket, shuffled off its mortal coil, run down the curtain, and joined the bleedin’ choir invisible!  THIS IS AN EX NAIL POLISH.  But wait, what’s this…

Enter, stage left:

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Seche Restore is a nail polish thinner that’s made especially to work with the quick dry top coat, Seche Vite.  The awesome thing about this stuff, however, is that it works brilliantly to thin out regular nail polishes that are past their prime.  Seche Restore comes with a glass pipette that is separate from the bottle, since the cap needs to stay extra tight so the chemicals don’t evaporate.  That’s the only slightly odd thing about this product for me, but I don’t mind it, because:

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*choir of angels sings*  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Just add a few drops, or a dropper, or however much your bottle needs to get to the consistency it needs to be to apply nicely again.  Close it up tight and roll the bottle between your hands and then check the consistency until you get it just right.  Voila!  Amazing!

Just a note…Seche Restore does contain tolulene, so if remaining 3-free or 4-free or 5-free with your nail products is a big deal to you, then you’ll want to steer clear of this polish thinner.  Then again, Seche Vite does contain tolulene also.  I had tried to go all 3-free until I realized my nails do just terribly without my Nailtiques strengthener, so I am back off that train until I find a replacement (Citra did not work for me, so I’m open to suggestions).

I did this mani with this glitter polish, though I took it off a day later.  I didn’t do the neatest job, but see that cup of coffee there?  I think I’d had about 4 of them.  😉

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It’s Sunday – time to organize and clean!

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So, if I can get to it, I usually wash my brushes on Sunday (unless I haven’t used them much).  This weekend I’ve been cleaning a lot and today I rearranged my new makeup desk setup (I recently moved EVERYTHING across the room because I decided standing up is for the birds). I’m sure I will keep moving it around because I cannot seem to get good lighting even with 2 lamps and a lighted mirror.  Well…I got the cheap one…not the $200 one…ah, that’s a post for another day.

Last night as I kept dropping things while getting ready to go see Fury Road (holy shit, Kristin, you were right, OMGGGGGGG), I got sick of my desk space being taken up by my brush roll, dropping things, etc, so I went back to my cases and vase filler I put together with supplies from Michael’s.  In no time, I will be sick of dust and random cat hairs…there is no winning when it comes to brush storage.  (And yes, I’m running a brand new air purifier in here!) 

  
That’s an obscene number of brushes.  Some aren’t even shown here.  I take really great care of them, though, and most of my MAC brushes are about 13-14 years old – no lie!!  If you invest in quality brushes and care for them properly, it’s a worthwhile investment.  That’s not to say there aren’t some cheap gems out there – see that $1 ELF concealer brush?  I spot conceal with it nearly every day.  There are some Sonia Kashuk and Eco Tools brushes in there, too, along with the MAC and Sigma.  You might even spot one or two detail brushes from the art store! 

What brushes are your favorite?  Any special tips for how you store them? 

And now, your moment of fail

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I recently ordered some stuff from NYX from their Memorial Day sale.  Some sweet warehouse person saw that I ordered a black eyeshadow and threw in a freebie pencil brush – how nice!  As I was snipping off the plastic wrapper, the brush slid down in the package…


Well, it’s the thought that counts.  Sigh.

Have you ever had an un-boxing disaster?  This is not my worst one, by far.  I once stabbed a pair of scissors right through the fabric of a corset.  Luckily, it was a cheap one (giggle)!  Yes, yes, I know…each time I swear I will pay better attention!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade 

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MAC has released a few versions of this beautiful pressed mineral powder highlighter over the years.  I have the current version in the permanent line with the new magnetized compact (MAC, please do this with all your compacts – never another broken nail!).  There is a limited edition version where the powder top is texturized, but I’m not sure how it compares to this one.


MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade

The product itself is beautiful.  You can see ribbons of gold, blue, and peach swirled throughout the yellowish base.


Swirled together, they come out to a very light champagne color, a light shade leaning slightly warm.  This highlighter is actually light enough to highlight fair skin, which is hard to come by!  I’m a MAC NW10 and this is perfection on me.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Lightscapade swatched heavily

This product can be worn heavily for a metallic sheen, or applied lightly for a barely there glow that’s suitable for daytime.  It’s shimmer without glitter; this will not emphasize imperfections in the skin like something that’s frosty might.


I wish my iPhone could show how it looks on me…I will get my fancy camera out and get a photo in the sun!  I’m wearing it here, but my house was so dark, it’s hard to tell. 😉


Lightscapade on high points of the face, worn with Urban Decay Bittersweet Blush and MAC Up The Amp lipstick

This compact comes with a whopping 10 grams of product.  It’s going to take ages to go through it, which is one reason I allowed myself to shell out $32.00 for a highlighter.  Next, I’m going to try it as an eyeshadow highlight.

MAC makes this great product in other gorgeous shades for darker skin tones and even colors that function like bronzers.  Do you use the Mineralize Skinfinishes?  How do you like them?  For me, I’ve found a new daily staple.  I only wish I had splurged sooner!

Beauty Tag – 20 More Questions!

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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 

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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

What’s on my nails? Sinful Colors Endless Blue 

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Hold on to your hats, color lovers, this electric cobalt blue nail polish is BRIGHT and it’s only $1.99 and found in just about every US drug store.  I’m in love!


Sinful Colors Professional nail polish Endless Blue, $1.99

This cream formula is just the right consistency and goes on opaque in just 2 coats with no streaking.  It’s shown here with Poshe fast drying top coat over it, because I’m a clutz and I have to use a fast dry top coat or I ruin every single paint job I do within minutes. 😉

  
At $1.99 and with such a great color and formula, I’m calling Endless Blue a WIN.