Things that make you go hmm?

Doing someone else's makeup is so very interesting because you get to try new things... here's the before and after just hanging out and trying some new stuff.  Sometimes with depression doing some pampering can help your overall feelings.

This next term I'm only doing part time school in order to get a bit of a break.  I've been going full term for almost 2 years (with summers) and I still have work to do on my associates.  Some is due to extra classes for awards/new language and Math has always been a challenge. 

This next term I am hoping to do more makeup, more Weight Watchers, more swimming and walking and talking with my doc, and less stressing out!!  Part of that will be playing in my makeup! I ended up ordering the Electric Palette from Sephora (woot) so it should be here the day after my kids birthday (/squee).

Funny that, I got a call from Ulta yesterday.  They apologized and I guess the store gets their stuff out after the web, which doesn't make sense.  I get UD having an unveiling but having it stagger like that from UD to Online to Physical shop seems... like too much.

Looking forward to my Mary Kay shipment coming in soon as well.  They just came out with a BB cream and one a hell of a lot more affordable then my beloved Smashbox, so I cannot wait to see how it works out!!

One size fits all

I love makeup for so many reasons.  Trying to list them all would be exhausting because I find something new to appreciate daily.  Yesterday it was the fact that I got to be creative and try something new.  I rarely do a bold thick eyeliner, and decided to because I had run my budget and could afford the Electric Palette from Urban Decay.  I figured I might be able to pair the bold liner with a gorgeous new color and could hardly contain myself.  Once more, I had enough time to stop by Ulta and pick it up... only I was ignored by several staff as I looked up and down the isle to figure out where they moved the Urban Decay.

Finally I had enough trying to hunt it down and centered myself in front of someone so I couldn't be ignored.  She shuffled me over quickly, and then stopped in from of the display eyeing me up and down. Being a fat chick I know the look.  I looked fine, I don't do slovenly or even run down when I step out the door, except maybe the midnight grocery run.  I had a lovely pair of slacks paid with a cami and overshirt.  My makeup was flawless.  The hair even looked cute.

She then told me it wasn't available when I asked where the palette was, and I was baffled to hear her say it wasn't available.  I know while beauty bloggers get mailed palettes first to review them and have us salivate, that I had an email and had been drooling over Urban Decay's website when I got the email that it was available.  I had even that morning checked Ulta.com to make sure it was for sale online to see if their price was different from Sephora's.  Hell it was even available at Sephora as well.  I dunno if physical stores get a different release time or what.  The rep even told me she knew when it would be at the store but seemed to gleefully let me know she couldn't let me in on it.  Which counter intuitive from a selling standpoint.

I won't pretend I wasn't bummed it wasn't available, even though it is online.  What bothered me more what that snobbery and strange love hate thing that goes on with these shops.  I have heard in the past others talk about Sephora like this, and to be honest because of my weight and knowing people only see the fat rather then a person, I tend to order online but I don't think that's going to fix it.  Regardless of my size, I will never fit the norm of perfect, and I shouldn't have to force a customer service rep to acknowledge me or even treat my with some civility.

Luckily for me, a little time with a palette like today can help shake off those things.  Too Faced "Totally Fetch" from the pretty little rebel palette can make everything awesome!  That pink is so highly pigmented a little seriously goes a long way.  I love it!  And sometimes I need that reminder to embrace Miss Piggy, a character who loves herself regardless of anyone else rather then pulling an Eeyore.

BB Wha?

                Recently had someone ask about the difference between BB & CC cream and it got me into research mode.

                Tinted moisturizers used to be the rage, light coverage as well as helping hydrate skin.  However they cannot compare to a decent BB/CC/DD cream that does that and a whole lot more…  I knew that BB creams were super popular in Asia and found themselves here.  Initially for those who used the imports for the US versions to be lacking.

BB (Beauty Balm)	CC(Color Corrector)	DD (Daily Defense)
Light Foundation/Blemish Correction	Light Coverage/ Blemish Correction	Buildable Coverage
SPF/Still Should Sunscreen Beforehand	SPF/Vitamins	SPF
Oil Control/Blurs Lines	Less Redness/Sallow Look/Spot Corrector (Much Lighter Than Bb Cream)	Less Redness/Sallow Look/ Spot Corrector
Primer	Lighter Feel Then BB Cream	Lighter Feel Then BB Cream
Hydrates Skin	Minimizes Pores	Anti-Aging Benefits/Diminish Lines
Less Wrinkle Depth	Hides Marks From Old Breakouts & Fixes Them Over Time	Brightens/Firms
Fixes Skin Texture	Oil Control/Blurs Lines	Redefines
Firms	Primer	Primes
	Hydrates Skin/Firms	Hydrates
	Less Wrinkle Depth	Matte Skin
	Fixes Skin Texture	Lightweight

                Really some like to use this when they want a natural look, others like to use it as a preface before using foundation. 

                For me I’ve tried a few and they all have their pros and cons.  I will say I like them because they do even out skin tone, and make it easier with or without adding foundation.  Typically out of the shower I SPF & moisturize the face then when I’m ready to apply makeup all I need is my primer and CC cream.  I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of difference between the BB/CC/DD debate or more about what brand does what.  Also it depends on skin.  Some find Garnier to be too oily.  I don’t, and in fact has a better foundation cover then some others.

                I will say there are several brands I still want to try because I’ve heard some amazing things about.  Especially Revlon, L’Oreal, and Mary Kay are looking good especially within a limited budget.  Smashbox is my personal fave right now, with Garnier right behind.  

Just a kiss

Its been damned hard to find the time to do more then Facebook some new looks and interests.  School certainly has taken up all of my time.

One of my favorite indie brands is shutting their doors.  Its normally a one person operation and apparently just too much.  BFTE is part of what triggered me into wanting to do more then just daily wear for makeup so I'm kinda bummed.

Nails have taken my interest as well.  However I find I am not as skilled in that medium as makeup.  It's hard to do good mani's.  Plus I am avoiding fake nails to try and strengthen mine.  KISS sent me some nail paint for being a top influenster, which was awesome.  I needed a quick pick me up in-between school assignments!

Beyond this I'm planning on picking up the Naked 3 palette (hopefully soon) as well as a few other odds and ends.  I wanna try some things from Essence and some new at Play stuff from Mary Kay.


Now to get back to my homework, that is never ending!




***While I got the product, I'm not paid nor requested to endorse them.  Just my opinions, which you would get regardless***

Mascara.... the hunt for the perfect look

So Mascara can either make or break a look.  I've noticed amazing makeup barely get the recognition it needs because that framework just isn't there.  Personally I have gone through a ton of drugstore brands to try and find the perfect match.

I think I finally stumbled onto it.  SO I love Mary Kay and have been using them almost exclusively the last year.  However, sometimes I wish I could get a little more volume without 3 coats.  What I have noticed was when I was sent Rimmel's Retro Glam that it had volume in spades.

So when I need a fast dash I grab one coat of Mary Kay and one Rimmel and between the two it looks like I have the best set of lashes in town.

This picture doesn't even do it justice... I have blonde-y light brown loashes that are super hard to see and

Crazy mama no mo'

This school semester has been beyond crazy.  I haven't had a spare moment to blog and only a little bit of time to Facebook.  I could bore you about the stress and tedium that its been lately, but instead I'm gonna talk about how I decided to cope today.  I did my nails all pretty, threw some coconut oil n my hair and a face mask on.

And I'm only gonna share the nail pic (I'd need more vodka for the rest::-P)!!

Then I got my old bunny slippers and put some new cushions in (Cozy Cushions!!)

Now I'mma gonna grab a nice hot cup of coffee, watch some makeup tutorials while everything soaks in and just relax... maybe snack up on some truffles.  

Sometimes you just gotta take a break from it all

School, Makeup and Cheese

Its been a crazy lately and to be honest I've been a little overwhelmed.  I decided to start selling Mary Kay, school has been non stop, the kids are pulling in different directions and the Hubster decided that school might be an awesome route for him too.

On top of that I'm the heaviest I've ever been which is frustrating.  Makeup however fits regardless of 20 pounds being up, and for that I am thankful;.  However school leaves very little time to practice since I am not going to beauty school.

So I have to think smart and cut some corners, especially since my teen is always ravenous.  We grab a LOT of cheese sticks and apples for on the go snacking around here.  The other is a whole wheat tortilla and stick warmed on a pan with a little bit of salsa.

Sargento paired up with Influenster so they picked me to try their cheese sticks, which to be honest I hadn't even realized they had cheese sticks.  I'm glad I got to check them out.  We picked up Sharp Cheddar and a mix of cheddar and mozzarella.  The amount of protein was both a surprise and a delight for me, and they tasted super yummy.  I don't think either pack lasted longer then 3 days and its already become a staple for the kids to take to school for a snack.

All this easy grab and go does something special for me.  It leaves me more time for makeup... which to be honest is where I'd rather be...

(Influenster sent me the VOX BOX however the thoughts are purely)