Never Fail Mascaras!!

Well hello there,

I wanted to justify sitting in front of the computer in a Panda snuggie. Tommy gave to me as an early gift and it is super duper comfy. However I find that unless you are doing something stimulating on the computer it is just as mindless as the television so here I am writing about makeup again!
Lately I find myself obsessing over mascaras. I can put on fake lashes but accentuating real ones I feel like amplify natural beauty...but ya know, with makeup...
Usually I go on some person a story and I may toward the end but the only way I am going to get through this blog is to stay on track. There is a healthy mix of mascaras in my top 5 including high end but also affordable fantastic mascaras.

DIORSHOW mascara
Retails for about $29

5. So kicking off this mascara countdown is the DIORSHOW mascara. This is probably the most high end mascara on this list. It is an above average mascara. It can give you a subtle coating but does have the potential to be built up nicely without clumping too badly. It may have been higher up on the list but the fragrance of this mascara is not great. It reminds me of Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds perfume. If you love that scent then put that in the "pro" column of this mascara. For me it's a bit much especially for something I am putting in such a sensitive area. Two things I love about this mascara though is how deadly black it is and the luxe packaging!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Volume Flash
Retails for about $6.99

4. Moving in the right direction we have Rimmel Scandaleyes Volume flash mascara...whew a mouthful no? I like this mascara for two reasons. The first reason is that it has a super soft and fluffy spoolie that absorbs a lot of product. One pet peeve I have is having to dunk the wand in the tube repeatedly. The second reason is that it does exactly what it says it does which is that it makes your lashes more voluminous. Now that being said there are a couple of drawbacks to this one. Layering this mascara can get tricky because the drier the underneath layer gets the harder it becomes to build. If you aren't careful it can become dry and clumpy (not cute).  Also, it doesn't do too much for lengthening your lashes but then again it doesn't state that it does so I can't fault it for that.

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara
Retails at Sephora for $23

3. So the third place medal goes to Too faced for their Better than Sex mascara. When I first tried this mascara I thought I had found liquid falsies. It combines what I love about the last two on this list. It has a super big and soft spoolie and is very black. This mascara does it all, it volumizes, lengthens and can cover your lashes pretty good with one dunk in the tube. Not to mention that it can be built up to your desired drama level. The shape of the spoolie on this mascara is also beneficial for getting those shorter thinner lashes that are closer to the nose. So why isn't this mascara #1? Well not to be too nit picky but there are a few small drawbacks at least for me. For one, is the wear time. After about 4 hours this mascara will start to flake and leave that unflattering ring around your lower lash line. It's not a terrible thing if you're wearing this mascara for a night out, I just wouldn't rely on it lasting through a whole work day.

L'oreal Voluminous Mascara
Carbon black. Retail $6

2. The runner up is a well known veteran in the makeup game. It is the L'oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black. I probably don't need to say much about this one because it's reputation precedes it but it does what all the others do above (maybe not as voluminous as the Too Faced.) but at an affordable price (bargain alert). This mascara is a clincher for making you look like you were just born with goddess like lashes because it looks so natural on but it DOES pump your lashes up! My only tip for this one is to make sure you take your time because if you move too fast this mascara will smudge which can be look ruining if you have full face of makeup on.



If you're not first, you're last.- Ricky Bobby

Lights Camera Lashes by Tarte
Retails for $21

1.I decided to use a large and bold font to make it seem more special....
The winner in my book goes to Lights Camera Lashes by Tarte!! It is safe to say at this point that I am fully obsessed with this mascara. I have a travel size that I carry with me and a full size for home.  Oh real quick, Tarte also makes a Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara and it is not the same thing so don't be fooled! Back to this one. This mascara is the closest thing to "falsie" looking mascara that I have tried. It lengthens my lashes so much that I have recently cut back on the amount I wear eyeliner just to draw more attention to them. My lashes also feel nourished after wearing this mascara because it has conditioning properties. I think that also helps it from flaking because I have never experienced smudging for flaking with this formula. Now just because I found my holy grail in this mascara doesn't mean that you will too. Mascara is a personal thing because we all have different needs when it come to what we want out of it. That is one of the best and most versatile things about makeup is how suited it is to the individual. I hope you found this quick top 5 review, late night thing....


So It is the end and I still don't feel like going on a personal tangent this must mean I am very tired. I have two adorable kittens in my bed right now and it breaks my heart to kick them out of the bedroom but I know that as soon as I fall asleep they will wake up and start knocking things over and jumping all over me so...
I hope everyone has a fabulous rest of the week! I feel like this December is a long one for sure! I want to blog and talk about the new year and reflect on 2016 but that recap is not going to be tonight.
In ten minutes marijuana will be legal in my state so I leave you with the words of Dave Matthews,
"When the world ends, we'll be burning one."
xoxo -

My Seasonal Staples!! The favorites that have been "sleighing" my face!

"Tis' the season to be jolly and joyous!!"

Whiskers on Kittens! 

(comment below if you know what movie that's from)
Hello Turtledoves!
I have been in a hermit shell! I apologize for the long absence. The gigs of life have definitely been weighing me down. I actually had to make myself a fancy cocktail just to sit down and persuade my fingers to start typing.
To be honest, life has been hurdling lemons at me lately and I am starting to feel as if karma is letting me down. I am snapping out of that mood though, and doing a positive spin like I always do.
One thing that always makes me happy is talking about beauty products! This may seem silly to some but having an outlet where I feel like I am in control relaxes me when everything else gets chaotic. Now, let's skip ahead. I have been incorporating new products into my face routine and I couldn't be happier!
Let me share the awesomeness with you.

Skin Lab Firm and Lift
Retails on Amazon for $22.99

Face serums because...F U forehead lines!

I am in my late twenties and my have always been able to skate by using facial cleansers and facial moisturizers. I was rudely awakened this year when out of the blue my forehead lines became more prominent (well to me) as well as a couple of sunspots on my cheeks. This does not sit well with me so I decided to be proactive. I started using a serum from skin lab called Lift and Firm. I use it after I use my toner (yet another added step with age). I have notices that the lines seem to be smaller and my face as a whole is feeling firmer and brighter.

So this blog entry is kinda of going to be all over the place but I am just working in the order of things I love most. So let me tell you that when I first tried Too Face's Better than sex mascara I thought I found my holy grail mascara. Then I got a tarte gift set containing the Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara and I have to say it is my hands down favorite. I have very short stumpy lashes and this mascara just elongates my lashes to the point that I haven't been wearing any top liner just to show them off. I love using a shimmery eyeshadow on my lid and then putting 2-3 coats of this mascara on. It looks brightening and pretty. Perfect for the holiday season.

Tarte's Lights Camera Lashes
Retails for $21.00

Up next we have a makeup brush that is my new must have by side brush. It is the deluxe crease brush from Real techniques. Now this brush does so many things! First it applies your base crease color so quickly and evenly. Secondly, when blowing out a smokey eye this brush brings it home! The thing I use it for the most and haven't found a better replacement for yet is as a nose contouring brush. Now I do not have the time to contour my nose during the weekly grind but on the weekend you can bet that snoz is snatched.

                                                           Deluxe crease brush retails for around $5.99

The next item is actually a nail product that I tried out on a whim. I ran to my local dollar general get some zip lock bags. Now, I cannot resist strolling through the makeup aisle of any store that I am in. I stumbled upon these press on sticker like manicure. It was insanely cheap and really glittery so I figured why not. The directions said to line up the sticker to the shape of your nail and press on. You have to file off the excess with a file which was the only tricky part because it was difficult to get a smooth edge. I recommend putting top coat on. Anywho, it has been over a week and they remain chip free! they are still as cute as the day I put them. I am a die hard gel nail polish girl but when it's time to give my nails a break I will definitely be using these. I got mine for $3.00 but they can range up to $7.00. Still cheaper than the salon...

NyX Dark Circle Concealer retails for around $5.00

The next product is Nyx's Color color correcting concealer. I did try a version of this by Tarte that I really liked but I wanted to see if I could save some dollars by trying out this one. I use this before I do my eyeshadow and apply it in what I like to call the "dark crescent moon" on my face. This includes the under eye and up around my orbit, nasally. This cancels out any dark blue or purple that likes to stand prominent in the eye area. After I do my eye makeup I do go over it with concealer and it leaves a perfectly even complexion. 

GIVE ME GLITTER!!
So the last product I am going to talk about I cannot get enough of and if it was acceptable to wear this product all day everyday I absolutely would. I am talking about the Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liquid Liner,
So I love wearing glitter anytime but especially around the holidays. I feel like I am a piece of decor. This eyeliner packs a ton of glitter compared to other glitter liners I have tried. It layers nicely as well. I love adding loose glitter pigment on top or adding the liner on top of a foiled shadow for an added pop! This product does cost $20 dollars but the packaging is proof that you get more product than the standard small cone liners. Also it is top notch performance so even though I agree it is a bit pricey for glitter, I am willing to splurge for product that will work for me everytime.

Well that pretty wraps up the season staples for me over the past month or so. I hope to get another blog out prior to Christmas but in case I don't, I hope yours is MERRY! It means the world to me that I am able to blog about something simple that makes me happy and even if one person reads it and relates thats enough. *warm feelings*

Please remember that as hectic as the holidays can make us all don't forget to be aware of your surroundings. Be neighborly and kind to one another. Anger in another is their burden not yours. Wish them peace.
I know that I cannot wait to twinkle like a Christmas star in the upcoming weeks. Holiday glam looks are some of my fave. May the spirit of Christmas be with you all year long! xoxo

If you want to be my lip gloss! My top Lipgloss recommendations.... and snapping out of my funk.

11/20/16
Instaglam!

Hello beautiful people of the world!

I hope everyone has been well. I feel like I haven't sat down to write a blog entry in forever. These past few weeks I have just feel so many emotions that it was hard for me to focus on one thing. Makeup is my passion however, there are times in our country/world where worrying about humanity trumps all.
My mindset has definitely changed and I am more aware of my surrounds more than ever. I am also very hopeful for the future as well. I am ready to buckle down and get some things accomplished. I also hope that there are some pleasant surprises too.

Time for makeup!

Is your lip gloss Poppin' or Floppin'?

Like with all subcategories of make-up the best way to be satisfied with your purchase is to know what you want out of your product before you go in.
Below I break up the lip gloss game into four sections. I give two names of some lipglosses that I feel exemplify those needs. I hope this helps those who get overwhelmed with choices when they venture out for something simple. Especially when there are sickos like me who are obsessed with makeup and geniuses when it comes to justifying the amounts they have.                        

Victoria Secret Beauty Rush gloss $10
(currently on sale for $5!).
Buxom lip Polish $20

Pout much? So this first section is for if you are looking for that VA-va-voom lip look. I am talking about the big juicy plump lips. The two examples I have in my collection is the Buxom Lip polish and the Victoria Secret Beauty Rush gloss. The Buxom lip polish is actually a lip plumping gloss and gives your lips a cooling (slightly burning) feeling with lasting gloss appearance. It's not as intense as other plumping glosses I have tried but the finish is better.
The second gloss from Vickie's is not a plumping gloss but I have been using it for years. This is the gloss I throw on when I am having a no makeup day but still want to look dewy and clean. This gloss is on the thicker side but, not so much your lips stick together. It does, at least for me, makes my lips appear plumper as well as super shiny. They also have great smelling flavors!

Mary Kay Signature Nourishine Gloss
Retails for $13.99 on website.
Nyx Butter Gloss
Retails for $4.99

Smooth and creamy.
The next type of lip gloss is the creamy glosses. These glosses tend to have more pigment than a lip plumping gloss but with more of a balmy feel. This kind of gloss is good if you like your lips to feel hydrated and with a subtle to moderate sheen. The first one I have that I consider to be a good one through the years. Mary Kay's nourishine lip gloss. This is moderately pigmented but gives a lot of light reflecting sheen as well. This brand has been around forever and I am sure your mom or aunt can get you connected with it if you are interested.
The second gloss is my favorite day to day gloss. It is so buttery as aforementioned in the name of this product. NYX is one of my favorite makeup brands. They are always impressing me with their spin on classics. This gloss is an awesome nude to throw on during your work day without having to look at yourself applying it. I always carry mine in one pocket of my scrubs. I know when I slap it on it will freshen up my appearance but not call too much attention to my lips, (professionalism problems).

LA Girl Lip Glaze
6 for $12 on amazon!
Maybelline Lip Elixir
Retails for $4.49

When you want some freaking color.
There are few in my opinion, really opaque pigmented glosses out there. Some are deceiving and look pigmented in the tube only to sheer out to nothing on your lips. I don't expect them to last for hours but I would like some lasting coverage with the convenience of applying a gloss. I have successfully found two that I can stand by through thick and thin.
First, is the LA girl lip glazes. I wrote a full review  in a previous blog, if you are interested later feel free to scroll down. They are extremely affordable. I found them to wear at least over an hour. Not bad when considering water breaks, and blowing my nose. Application does need a tad bit more concentration because they are so pigmented that you would be able to notice it you really went outside the lines.
The second lip gloss is so BOMB! Also an affordable option from the drug store. This is the Maybelline New York lip elixir. The applicator on this gloss is so great. It is a velvet triangle doe foot applicator that really soaks up the product. It glides on with a shiny pigmented finish. I get complements literally every time I wear this gloss and it leaves a flattering stain after the glossiness has worn off.                                                                                                      

Milani's crystal gloss in
Frozen Fantasy $4.50
Notoriously Morbid
Touch of magic
Changeling coat $10 on website.

So  the last subsection of lip gloss I wanted to touch upon is the lip toppers. Lip toppers are generally clear or iridescent and is used to kick up whatever lip color you are wearing underneath really pop. I think it is important that lip toppers do not have a thick or sticky consistency because it can either cover the color you are wearing or look cakey and sludge all over your lips....not cute. The two examples that I wanted to showcase out of my collection are affordable and different. The first is Milani's crystal lip gloss. I did get this on amazon and I am not certain if it is available at your local drug store. This looks so beautiful over a matte red or burgundy color. I cannot wait to wear it as a topper for my holiday looks. Milani is a cruelty free, company that have quality products (I did write a blog about my Milani faves scroll down for that recap).  The second lip topper I chose is completely different than most products out there. It is by a vegan indie company called Notoriously Morbid. I will definitely dedicate a future blog to just how amazing they are. Their products are very affordable and only available on their website. This particular topper is called Touch of Magic and it is a lip transformer. You apply the thin layer over your lipstick or liquid lip and it transforms it to an opal finish it sound weird but the result is really pretty and draws attention from admirers!


Well I know that was lengthy but I felt extra rambly due to my blogger absence. As always thank you for reading! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. No matter who you are, take a moment to give thanks for the small and big blessing in our life. Be kind to one another and spread the light. xoxo Clo

Milani Cosmetics: Hits and Misses!

Good Evening Mavens!

I hope everyone is having a quick and productive work week.
I have to say that I am happy that I forced myself to sit down and write this blog. I have been recovering this week from a string of unfortunate events. Not to be a downer because I am still in good spirits. I will give you guys a brief synopsis of it toward the end of the blog.

MILANI Cosmetics

So Today for my beauty review I want to talk about the brand Milani. Milani is a cruelty free brand which I am always down to try, as well as an affordable brand that is available at most drugstores (oh hey). I first heard about Milani from a co-worker who said it was recommended by beauty blogger. Needless to say I have been grabbing pieces here and there to try out ever since then. I will say on a whole I really enjoy these products and I definitely have more "Hits" to share with you than "misses" so let's get it started.

The Hit List:

#1 Milani Conceal and Perfect liquid Foundation.

I wanted to start with the best! This foundation is by far my FAVORITE drug store foundation. The coverage is there and it also has staying power. This is one definitely worth the hype. My only regret is not scooping up all the bottles in my shade that Walgreen's had that day. If they came out with a few more shade options I feel like a good deal of people would use this product. I am wearing the shade Light Beige.
The texture is creamy and the bottle comes with a convenient pump. At an average price point of $9.99 you cannot ask for more!





#2 Milani Cream Lipsticks

When I was was a little girl I loved lipsticks. I had little holders for them and I actually liked the smell. In my teens an twenties I fell out of love in with stick lipsticks...until I met these lovers. All of Milani's lipsticks have exactly what you want out of a lipstick. Good coverage, hydrating feel, and lasting power. I am not going to say that these last on your lips forever but they do hold their own with a coffee mug. They are affordable averaging around $6.50 each. They have a vast shade selection for these and the best part is they smell amazing...well I think so.
The two shades I have are Rose Femme and Cinnamon Spice. 


#3 Milani Baked Blush

There is only one blush I have been using this past month and it is the Milani Baked blush in the shade Rose D'oro. No matter what makeup look or skin tone I have found this blush to be universally flattering. I have used it on many of my friends and no matter the skin texture this blush blended like a dream and gave the perfect subtle  flush. I think no matter what stage you are in your makeup game you will like this blush. Retails for approx. $7.49



#4 Milani Metallic Matte lip creme

If you like these to things : metallic and liquid lipstick, then you will like these. They wear a really long time and the metallic finish is subtle enough to be wearable for daytime but still noticeably metallic. I just wish these were available all the time...wah.
Retails for approx. $8-10.00


Hit me Milani one more time!
everything can be related back to a song....

The Misses:

#1 Milani Brow pomade

I had high hopes for this one. I figured if one drugstore brand would nail this it would be Milani. The problem I had with this product was that it was far to mousey, I know that isn't a word. It didn't apply neatly and didn't look to natural in my opinion. I know this sounds weird, but it felt like the texture of lipstick.... no good. 

#2 Milani Powder foundation.

I purchased this after I had already had the Conceal and perfect concealer. I thought it it was anywhere as good it would be a great foundation setter or quick no-makeup looks. I tried this product out for months now and I just don't get it. It is incredibly sheer and brushes off almost as fast as it brushes on..umm no Mr Miyagi (karate kid reference).








So those were my hits and misses from Milani cosmetics. I have a lot of respect and admiration for this brand and hope they continue to do well. If you are looking for a great cruelty free, affordable and accessible brand then head down to your drug store and check them out! 


Now Real quick let me catch you up because it's kind of funny.
Last Friday I broke my 3 year record of never having  sick day at work. I was running a 101 temp and popping Motrin every 4 hours. Tommy and I had already had tickets to go to a concert that night and I really wanted to go...so I did. I piled on the makeup which did disguise my sickness quite well. Anyway after some whiskey an torrential down pours we were leaving the concert and I slipped and fell, hard. I mean really, really, hard. There was silence from the crowd when I went down and when Tommy picked me up I instantly started crying. I am not a public crier especially about pain I can usually hold it together. I limped to the car o.k. enough to know that I didn't break anything. Saturday morning I woke up to bad sprain.The rest of the weekend didn't spread out any smoother. On Saturday, I burned my hand on soup Tommy made for me...ouch. Sunday, I was at a concert (an amazing one) in Providence and some super classy person in the balcony decided to spit their gum over the railing. The gum plummeted straight into my hair...eww. Luckily my hair escaped unscathed due to my wilderness scout bestie, Bridget and some ice cubes.
Alright so enough with reminiscing about crap let's move on. I want to end on a positive note. The two concerts I saw last weekend were awesome. Two completely different genres, metal vs. folk but each one was enjoyable. I am so lucky that I can spend time with my best friends bonding over my first love, Music. I hope I have a lot more of these experiences in the future because I am grateful for them.
I hope everyone has a great and spooky weekend! Remember to not burn the candles at both ends though. Pace yourself ;)

Here's a relaxing clip of the Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats show that I saw on Sunday.
This one was taken the night before the show we saw but you should hear the whole song! xoxo Thanks for reading guys love you!
Bewitching looks on instagram!

LA GIRL Lip Glaze paints swatches and review!!! :D

Wearing shade "Pin-up"

Hello all, happy humpday!
Let me start off by saying that I am sick...wah wah. I was sent home early today to "rest" meaning, take care of that crap because tomorrow is busy lol.
Most of the afternoon I have been snuggling Kittens and my boyfriend in a blanket cocoon but when I saw my packages from Amazon came, it gave me an adrenaline boost and made me want to put all the lip glosses on my face!
So about two weeks ago when I received my Buxom lip polish in the mail (also amazing). I was so impressed by it that it made me want to start expanding my gloss collection. I have been on a liquid lipstick kick for about 8 months but in my earlier makeup years I was all about lip glosses. I went through my collection and although I had a decent variety of glosses I just felt like they were all mostly sheer lip toppers. The Buxom lip polish has a great lasting consistency but the color was very translucent. I decided to hop on YouTube and see what the beauty bloggers were raving about. So one of my favorite YouTubers, Kathleenlights did a couple of videos on the L.A. Girl Lip glazes. I like her reviews because she is genuine with her opinions of products and always does swatches.
L.A. Girl is a cruelty free and affordable makeup line with some high quality products. I think it is important for people to know that there is affordable options and this particular brand is underrated in my opinion. It takes a bit more digging to find the quality products in the drug store world but if you're frugal then you can find some amazing stuff.
On to the swatches!!! o.k. so just a foreword , I am under the weather as I said and I have not one bit of makeup on my face except for the lip glazes. Even my cover photo I had to throw a filter on so I did scare you darling readers!
I got these 6 on Amazon for roughly $12.00 dollars (such a steal!). There was another set that was more nude tones but I went for the colorful deep ones because of my caramel skin ;)
From Bottom to top the shades are:

1. Babydoll
2. Coy
3. Pin-up
4. Blushing 
5. Bombshell
6. Hot Mess

Get ready for some Cold and flu season close ups! mwah

So this is the first shade baby doll and it is a super opaque and light pink color. I used a disposable doe foot applicator for some of these because even application can be tricky because of the squeeze tube packaging. I actually like this color more than I thought I would. Come through baby doll....

So this one is called Coy and it is anything but lol. This is a very loud purple color. I usually stay away from bright purple lipsticks but... my hair is purple now so I think i can create some fun goth looks with this... maybe pair it with a midnight liner mmmm

This shade is called Pin-Up and it is my favorite! It is a deep glossy bright red which I think will look stunning for all the upcoming holidays! Oh and with a full face on Obviously...

So this shade I is called Blushing. I thought it was going to be the token "nude" shade out of this set but it actually packs a lot of color! Still a very pretty mauve/pink color. I don't know if it is too loud for work but maybe we'll find out tomorrow.

This shade is called Bombshell and will be beautiful on all of you blonde fair ladies out there. I feel like it photographs well and out of all the shades I feel like this one was the most even application. A good thing to remember is that shades can change the formulation of your products.

This last shade is called Hot Mess and it is most certainly that! When it comes out of the tube it is Jack o' lantern orange!! I was kinda excited for this shade after seeing it on Kathleen lights and I guess it photographs well but ... it looks very silly on me in person. Also when spreading this one out it would become patchy. I may be passing this one onto a friend or maybe trying it over a liquid lipstick.





Wear Time: So I have been currently wearing the red shade for about 4 hours now. I have eaten dinner, drank hot coffee and blown my nose a bunch. I will say that the glossy finish is gone and some of the pigment but, it has left a flattering stain on my lips that is still quite red. NOT BAD for a lip gloss...just saying.

Final Impressions: So even though there are some inconsistencies with is product when you consider the price point, it's great! It is a super pigmented gloss that gives you the look of having a lipstick on with a brilliant shine. I do think that you need a lip brush or liner for this product to apply even. Also, the packaging could be better but I can't complain with how inexpensive they are. The squeeze tube can be hard to control and can ooze out easily. The last thing is that the color on the packages are not do not match the color that is in the tube which is why I had to swatch them for you. That all being said I love this product! I cannot wait to use it in some makeup looks when I am feeling a bit better.

*This maybe one of the only blogs that you see me without any other makeup on and with my nerd goggles. Only because I love makeup not because I feel insecure without it. Never wear makeup because you feel pressured to. Being beautiful on the inside is ultimately the most glammed up you can be. Thanks for reading. Love you guys. Check in with you next time!xoxo
Don't forget to stay updated on fun looks by following My Instagram!

Custom foundation mixing and Rock n' Shock weekend.

By the way I dyed my hair Purple! I love it.
I am totally feeling the season now!
I used one of the custom foundation shades for this look.

Hello Bewitching Mavens!

I am going to try to switch it up with this entry and save all my personal ramblings until the end of this. It all started last week when I was looking for a certain foundation because it was the closest to my current shade of tan, and I pulled 13 foundations out of my kit. I felt my cheeks turning slightly red, I mean who really needs thirteen different liquid foundations? As soon as I asked myself the question I started rationalizing it like a true makeup junkie would by thinking about all the different shades of light tan I turn throughout the year and how it  was necessary to match them all. Then something dawned on me. Instead of digging through to find my best shade, I should be utilizing ALL of my foundations by custom mixing them to get my perfect shade every time.

I ran to the living room and grabbed one of the clear glass coasters from the coffee table (Score!). I mixed an estee lauder double wear foundation that was too dark for me with the L'oreal Lumi foundation that was currently too light for me and well...
Abra Freakin' Cadabra!
My skin was covered flawlessly! I do not say that lightly. I am a person that will stand in the mirror for a long time after applying foundation and keep bouncing my beauty blender and checking for any area where the transition isn't seamless.
If you are truly a makeup lover and find yourself with more than one foundation please consider trying this. I do recommend using clear glass or mirrored steel for mixing because you really do not want any other background colors interfering.
Another fun thing about doing this is that it takes the best components from your favorite foundations and mixes them together for extra slaying. For instance, the Estee Lauder double wear foundation will stay on weightlessly all day but there are times where I feel like it is too matifying for my combination skin. So, when I mixed it with the L'oreal Lumi foundation and it added the perfect amount of dewy luminosity while still holding through all the day's events.
I cannot wait to try this out more I feel like cosmo mixologist serving up looks that will leave you feeling yourself more than absinthe! haha sorry I get more ridiculous in the later the night gets.

Rock and Horror weekend.

It's Sunday, which means that my stay-cation is now coming to a close. This makes me very sad. I am not looking forward to returning to conformity but such is life I suppose. It was nice to take my time getting ready every morning and visiting all of my friends. Breaks from work are necessary for mental health.
This past Saturday I attended the Rock and Shock festival in Worcester, MA. I am not going to say google this one because it isn't as picturesque as my recent adventures. This festival included a Horror convention and then a 7 hr metal concert with rotating bands. The Horror convention was fun with plenty of creepy things to see. Not for everyone but I liked it!
There was also some famous faces there from some infamous Horror Movies like Malcolm McDowell from A Clockwork Orange and Matthew Lillard from SCREAM. Tommy scored a deal on some sweet T-Shirts and I was even able to convince him to get his face painted. Look at how cute he is!

Although it turned out a bit more kid like than he wanted.. hehe

Thanks sooo  much for reading as always! Try and keep that focus up during the weekday grind. I know how it can wear on your psyche. You're all amazing! xoxo check out My Instagram! for more fun looks.

Sweating is sexy...melting is not. Hiking adventures and L'oreal infallible eyeshadow review.

The foliage reminded me of fruity pebbles.

Happy Thursday makeup addicts!

Hope everyone's work week is flying by. I was lucky enough to have a few days off this week. It has been relaxing which is all I can really ask for. It's so important to take time for you, to get back into a healthy directive. Tommy (the fisherman bf) has been off from work  too which is an added bonus because I feel like we haven't had much time to spend together last month.
My soul is constantly craving progression through balance. Unfortunately, this is my hardest obstacle. Here's a few examples, I have completely submerged myself in beauty products within the last couple of years but, the amount of cooking that I do has decreased.  I have been devoted to being a good "kitten care taker" to Comet and Nova but I my attendance at the gym has decreased. It's time to really push myself over the next few months so that 2017 has a great running start to success.
Anyway, I went on an above decent hike yesterday with my bestie and her adorable daughter, Hana and their pup Harley. Hana is a year and a half so we clearly needed to bring baby supplies. This was great for adding to our workout. One thing I love about time with my friends is everything is positive and due to that we are always having fun no matter what hurdles lay before us. In this case it was literal hurdles in the form of tree trunks and a baby carriage but we worked it out by working out. We got to the place that is titled "White banks" in our town and walked around the beach. Bridget, always teaching, was showing Hana different forms of life in nature and how they are all sacred and useful (side note: all of my friends have amazing energies). We took some pictures of the fall foliage and the changing landscape in our area due to the dry summer we just had. We thanked mother earth for her gifts and made the trek back. I think every year in October I will take a week off. It's really the best month of the year. During this hike,  I sweated some and was splashed some but to my pleasant surprise my makeup (because I am overdressed for life) stayed put! So well in fact I felt that I needed to share.

Bridget and Hana Rose

                                                          

Makeup Review Time!!!!!! (why you're most likely reading this after all)
L'oreal Infallible 24hr eyeshadows!

Retails at drugstores for around $6.99

Let me start by saying that this is not a new product but, I think it is so amazing that I felt it needed a written review.
Packaging: This product is packaged in small pots, made to maintain the moisture in the product. Although not included in the picture above the shadows have a twist off cap and a plastic guard underneath that compacts the shadow down.  The plastic guard is the only annoying part but it does serve a purpose.
Application: When applying this product it is best to use your fingertip. If you have super long nails then you could use a flat makeup brush although I found that this does not pick up the product that well. The texture is that of a loose powder that turns to cream when spread on your lid. Try to apply in more of a stamping/blotting motion rather than swiping. Swiping the product will not carry the pigment and cause fall out. The result is quick and noticeable. It gives an instant opaque shimmer to any area of the eye you want it!
Wear time: The best part about this product! I know that it markets as a "24hr shadow" but most brands are exaggerating when they say that. This product did perform amazing! Lasting a whopping 16 hrs of no smudge or crease! The pigment held up well and was only starting to fade a bit after laying down on the couch before showering last night. I definitely put the durability of this product to the test yesterday and it didn't disappoint one bit.
Final impression: If it wasn't already clear by the start of this review I LOVE this product and strongly recommend it to my fellow beauty mavens. It is long lasting, easy to apply and very affordable giving you the most bang for your buck!
As always thank you so much for reading and if you ever need any makeup tips or ideas then follow me on instagram as well! @metal_mermaid31 My instagram!  I am forever trying and modeling new looks on there for all to try! Love you guys keep that inner light aglow! xoxo

I used the shade Iced Latte for my inner corners and Lid. Shimmer for days!!

Don't settle for less...in life and in concealer.

Hello all!

Thursday night and I am feeling the weekend vibes. One more day left of work and I am pretty much on my stay-cation! I have to work a half day Tuesday but that's it. I am really looking forward to having time off to do more creative things and most importantly spend time with my Boyfriend who is out at sea most of the time.
Although life is really crazy busy right now and I feel like I am just barely keeping my head above water, I have so much to be grateful for. I dream of the day that I can make a living doing what I love but in the interim, I do like my job, my boss is amazing and I learn new and interesting things all the time.
The fact that I am even able to go and get new makeup and explore my passion for it is a complete luxury and that's why I feel like I have to share with you.
Blah! o.k. so on a more upbeat note my first concert of the month is on Saturday and I cannot wait to get fully graveyard glam for Parkway Drive at the House of Blues! Here's a sample, warning it's metal :)
https://youtu.be/Na4itwfNO6M 
The way I do my "metal glam" makeup is by far my favorite. It is really no holds barred and I am looking forward to blogging about it.

TALK ABOUT SOME DAMN CONCEALER WOMAN!

Today's beauty topic is based around concealer and how the formulation and undertone is a huge deciding factor when purchasing.
Below is a picture of the current concealers in my makeup kit. I have tried a lot more believe me! So to go over some basics that you probably already know:

• Get your correct undertone, no one wants an oompa loompa appearance. I will do a blog later on that goes more into depth about skin tones.
• Get a concealer that is 1-2 shades lighter than your foundation color. If you are medium/tan skin I recommend getting 2 shades lighter.

What are you using the concealer for? 

1. If you are using the concealer for under the eye/face highlighting then you definitely want it to be on the lighter spectrum.
2. If you are using the concealer for blemish or sun spot covering then you want the shade to be closer to your foundation color.

Coverage levels : Everyone's skin type is different, a known fact. Some people require more coverage and others need more hydration. We all want staying power. For the people who want more full coverage concealer look for a thicker formulation, these concealers can be a bit more difficult to blend but it will give you your desired outcome. I do not recommend this kind of concealer if your under eye tends to run dry. Instead, opt for a hydrating medium coverage concealer. There are several good ones in fact the last two in my photo are my top two, one drugstore one higher end.

Why do I have so many?
I have so many concealers because I am a sick individual...just kidding. I have so many because finding your perfect concealer is usually not a first at bat home run. I had to experiment with different shades and I didn't settle for the one that blended and looked alright. If I am trying to look good then I am going to look DAMN good. My makeup is going to be blended better than frozen drinks in my Ninja. This requires a bit of patience and disappointment. Example, today I returned the Kat Von D lock it concealer. I really wanted to love this. First I got the wrong shade which is no ones fault but my own but, when i applied it went on really thick and oxidized on my skin within minutes leaving a tangerine racoon glow..not cute.

Application: To apply your concealer use a damp beauty blender. I have no other suggestions for this it simply works the best.

My winner: My top concealer, ride or die is Urban Decay's Naked Skin concealer in the shade medium neutral. Retails for $28.

Ramble on: Well that's it for tonight I think I typed my fingers almost off  and tomorrow is a full work day. I did just want to say that my opinions on makeup are my own. I have had a lot of trial and error to arrive to these conclusions. I just want to share what I have learned I am not trying to tell anyone that they should do anything a certain way. Makeup is about self love and expression and should be done to make yourself happy.
Have a great weekend I will catch up with you on Sunday! 

Just wanted to post a pic because I miss him...sigh. ; P

Whimsical wedding weekend and Anastasia Glow kit review!

10/02/16


Hello bloggers and beauty lovers! It is officially the season of the witch and I couldn't be more excited. This past weekend two of my close friends made a lifelong commitment to each other in an absolutely beautiful ceremony that took place in Tiverton Rhode Island. Giving you another google search moment...... Historically cute right?!
I had the honor of being one of the "Lady Maids" in this wedding and was also able to gain beauty experience. I took on the task of doing all the fellow lady maid's makeup for the day of the wedding. This was amazing for me because it gave me an opportunity to experiment with color on more fair skin tones. Knowing the theme and colors before hand was most helpful too. I was so painstakingly nervous but you don't get better at what you love by playing it safe. I had to trust myself and what I have learned over my 20+ years of being a makeup addict. I knew that makeup would be intimidating for some and the proof had to be in the pudding. I found myself shielding the mirror until I was done lol. All of them told me they felt beautiful at some point during the evening and they most certainly were. The whole night was just surrounded by a feeling of unconditional love and definitely made this mermaid a little watery eyed. Lashes stayed on though...;)

VW bus photo booth.....Amazing and original!

O.k. so now that I have caught you up on my life per usual...let's get on to the beauty review!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit: That Glow

Retails for $40

Glowing from within even in low light.
This stuff is BOMB!

Let me say that I am a HUGE fan of highlighters. I think that they absolutely kick up makeup looks to a celestial level. That being said, I am also super particular on the finishes of the the highlighters I use. If it gives the skin any texture or gives a separated granular appearance then I am all set because no one is trying look reptile like on weekday. Although, those type of highlighters can usually be salvaged by using them as intense shimmer eyeshadows.
Anastasia Beverly Hills makeup is a cruelty free company that pumps out quality!! This glow kit is amazing and was the clutch hitter this weekend when I made up the lady maids! I think that it gave all of them a fairy like glow which went perfectly with the flow of the evening. It is extremely soft without giving too much kick back. It is very pigmented without being too creamy of a texture. You get a lot of product in this kit and is definitely worth the investment. There is a color to go with whatever look. Some of the other glow kits I don't think are as versatile as this one (just my opinion).
Most importantly: This product leaves a glowing appearance that shines from within. It looks like natural candlelight has kissed your face. It is so gradient and blends in with your makeup (or bare skin) flawlessly. I suggest using a fan or petite tapered brush for applying this. Using a light hand is important. To apply, dust over the high planes of your cheekbones in small wide circles. If you want to glow for the gods then sweep the highlighter down the slope of your nose and across the cupids bow of your lips.

This month: October is by far the best month of the year! Fall fashion is in full gear, everything is pumpkin flavored and more bold makeup looks are popping up on all forms of media. I have a lot of concerts and events coming up this month and I can't wait to experiment with some dramatic rocker looks. I will have reviews and perhaps walk through tutorials on my blog! Thanks for reading. I am not ready for Monday at all. I feel like I have been floating on a cloud all weekend and I am not ready to come back down yet! Oh well the beat goes on...xoxo
Instagram: @metal_mermaid31