Minty Lemon....

BH palettes are amazeballs.  I am studying all this week and barely have time to play but I saw a cute look on preen.me and had to do it.

Not the best pic but it's in a  hurry.
I used BFTE's Sunshine and BH Palette I think #4.  Urban Decay's Underground finished out the look.
I need better lighting however for picture taking, and even though its summer in Oregon its been super overcast.  I have a couple more looks to upload but not today.  First week of Summer term and I am already feeling overloaded....

Day of changes and a package!!

Had an awesome but super busy filled day... new desk/office area which has an awesome space for storing and doing my makeup as well as 4 palette's from BH.... the sheer amount of new colors is just staggering!!

Here's hopin' I get to squeeze in a good chunk of time to just play tomorrow!!!

80's makeup memories

The 80's were a blur to me as it was my childhood.  Some of the pop culture references I get, others not so much.  One of my fondest batch of memories was makeup and my mom. The first one I can recall vividly was my mom getting ready for work and her going through her makeup routine at the kitchen table.  I soooo wanted to join in, so I went and grabbed the bluest blue she had and just begged to have it on.  I think I was five, and to this day I can remember her telling me blue was hard to wear. To this day, blue remains a favorite of mine and I can still see that chunky single palette with that vivid teal that always looked prettier in the packaging then the result on my face.  I didn't care because I was wearing makeup!!!

The 80's makeup was all bright colors and super too much blush (trust me that ad lies) and thick thick black liner.  Looking at many of the images, it's no wonder color appeals to me more then neutrals... although they can keep the pastel pink and violet eye and lip combo.

  My mom couldn't keep me out of her makeup case from that time on. From slathering my face before school and high tailing it out of their with mom's perfume, makeup and accessories by 3rd grade I was a fashion plate. Or so I thought.  I probably looked more like a bad skinny Mimi from that Dr Carey show.  I remember my teacher commenting on it, and now I can see the sheer bafflement in her tone as to why I thought I needed it.  I couldn't articulate it then, and only now can say it feeds the soul.  To me, makeup is much less about covering up then showing something.  Something soft, or beautiful or interesting.   My face which is the same day in and out is the canvas.

Or at least that's what its evolved to.  Underneath is still that sheer love of color.

Sunset Eyes

Recently I saw a look on Preen.me that totally screamed summer, warm shades and beautiful colors.
I decided to try and replicate it.  Recently acquiring BFTE's Rainbow Palette had some super yummy shades, three of which came to mind immediately for this look.

After a solid foundation, I primed using Urban Decay's Primer Potion.  Then NYX's Cottage Cheese.  Followed with Beauty From the Earths: Shine Bright and Lemon up to my crease.  Then Lava Mama in the crease and a little above it with a little Raspberry.  Top it with Tangerine in the lower corners fading into the center.  Whisper on the brow right below the eyebrow.  Eyeliner- UD and Milani Black Gems and a coat of Mary Kay Black Mascara.

I think I need more pink for next time but I'm really rather pleased with how this came out.

BFTE.... How New our love is....

One of the new brands I recently was turned to is called BFTE.  I haven't been able to try ALL of their amazing products, as my budget it limited.  However I did pick up their 
Mix and Fix 

Neutral palette  

Rainbow palette.  

Let me just say the colors are amazing.  In fact they have allowed soooo many looks, and these are just sample sets.  

The Mix and Fix makes sure no fall out, the color will pop and stay put.  I love love love it. 

The neutral palette has some amazing colors.  I looked at Truffle as iffy, and instead it's this gorgeous mid dark brown.  Spring Fever is this a gorgeous super light brown with pink undertones which is by far a favorite of mine.  I wasn't super excited about Mississippi Mud which is the darkest and grittiest.  However, I'm planning on giving it another go because I saw the loveliest look on Preen.me with it.

The rainbow palette.  This palette is a favorite of mine, the colors are just... perfect.  In fact they helped create this look:

I haven't been able to use all of the colors yet, but that's been a time issue. Gem and Lemon and Lava Mama are the three at the top of the list that just amazed me but all of them rock. 

I also picked up several other colors that looked amazing to me outside of these palettes.  Overall, especially for a company I can't buy at Sephora or Ulta I was super super impressed with the pigments.  

A nice shock!

L'Oreal has been a surprise for me.  One of their newest products had me from the get go.  I like to when I infrequently go shopping wander all the isles.  The packaging called to me.  There's something to be said for this bright round packaging where the eye-shadow is the star.  And there's a love in my heart for the perfectly shaped little squares.

Inside is  awesome eye-shadow that anyone can use, very little fall out.  I initially grabbed Glistening Garnet

and then bought 6 others by the next weekend.  This shocked me for over the counter drug tore purchasing.  The pigmentation is gorgeous and a very nice feel being applied.  I wear with a primer ( I have a few faves but currently it's a toss up between BFTE's Primer and Urban Decays Primer Potion)and NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil

 in either milk or cottage cheese.  Which by way is amazing!  This pencil is like the holy grain of eye shadow helpers.   It makes the eye makeup just pop, and so inexpensive.  I also love it for in the corner to brighten.  

NYX is a brand I plan on delving into more.  

What product did you try that made you pleasantly surprised?

Pintrest... the things you do to me

Pinterest... you are by far one of my main addictions.  I love a site that urges you to be creative and share with others cool things that you love.  My boards are many.  Not just catering to makeup, but all the things I love.  To me, that's part of the charm.  There's no narrowing of interest and there are so many other things that feed my creativity.  Especially in terms of color combo's and shading.  

What started out as light bafflement turned into a serious addiction for awhile.  We've managed to tame the beast but I still use it even at my busiest as both a stress relief and a creative outlet for when school is on breaks.  

Pinterest also has helped me keep track and recommend current favorites as well as have a handy go to list of products I want to try.  

I'm so not a make up snob or a one brand person, and rarely do I think you find people who are.  It's all about what works for you and what makes you happy.  Currently I've really been stretching my comfort zone and will continue to do so because I love to try new things.  

Over the course of this month I'll be giving a shout out to my faves as well as some of the new product I've dragged into my makeup bag. Kinda got spoiled this spring, and I've been loving all the new product to try.

Most of my first makeup lines was Maybelline.  I gotta say I still love certain things you can get from them.  A year or so ago I was wandering the isles as I am known to do and I found this little gems.  I like that especially for the beginner there's no doubt about what color combo's to use to compliment it and one of the shades is a shimmery shade.  I love all things shiny and glittery so I jumped on the bandwagon.  I happen to own 4 out of the 5 palettes and would love to snag the blue... they just happen to be out every time I think about it. If you omit the sparkles you can even wear this as office wear and they go one super well.  

(FYI not affiliated or paid by anyone, just my own personal opinion)

  
http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Eye-Shadow/Eye-Studio-Color-Explosion.aspx#shadedetails

Lights...Camera...Passion!

I have a love for all things makeup. Dabbing on a new color or finding a new brand makes me giddier then ever.  I talk about it, read about it and generally revel in all these things.  Here's a to a place where I can journal my thoughts as I grow with this medium that makes me far happier then I ever thought it would.