Birchbox

Birchbox is a website were you pay ten bucks a month to receive 4 to 5 deluxe samples of makeup, skincare, haircare and some miscellaneous products. They carry mostly high-end labels like Nars, Laura Mercier and Phyto that are beautifully packaged and delivered to your home. I know what you're thinking, "why pay money for samples"? Well being able to try the latest products, that are hand delivered to you home is worth it for me. Plus they're high-end deluxe sample. Sephora has a customer loyalty program where each dollar you spend equals a point and points are redeemed for samples. Its takes 100 points to receive one deluxe sample. That's a hundred dollars people. Don't get me wrong I love Sephora and free stuff is free stuff but Birchbox is just a different avenue and in a world of many avenues, streets, roads and boulevards what's one more? So check it out....Birchbox.com.

An Ode to Princess!!!

Photographer, photoshop wizard, computer extraordinaire, my secretary *winks*, dog lover, baker, honorary gay, spokes woman for Stinkyness, a wife, a daughter, a sister blah blah blah and not to mention one of my best friends!!! Love you Princess!!! She let me play on her face a few weeks back, here are the pictures. I airbrushed her and used Beauty From The Earth Cosmetics on the eyes.

Wedding Trial with Jennifer

I had a wedding consultations a couple days ago here are the pictures...tell me what you think. I did a very natural neutral look because that's what she wanted. Looking at the pictures now I would change a few things. I would definitely add lashes (I forgot to bring them that day), lighten up on the blush and darken the outer crease a bit more. But its not the wedding day, only the trial and I can always go back and perfect the look on her.

Practice Makes Better

Today I just was at home chilling with the family and a bit bored so I decided to try out some different looks on my sis and niece. Looking back at the pictures I see all the imperfections and the little details I need to work on, but practice makes better (not perfect) and that's what I'm working towards. A Better Me! So tell me what you think...

Have I Lost My Passion?

Makeup has almost been a huge part of my life but this past year I haven't been into it. I haven't been doing any makeup or shopping for makeup or networking. I still love makeup and the artistry behind it but I feel like I've lost my passion for it. I'm going crazy, this can't be! The last couple of weeks I've been researching different makeup gurus on YouTube, checking out new makeup lines and learning new techniques so I can get back in the grooves of things. So I'm back!! I have a couple weddings coming up, I ordered some new makeup, I'm starting to do airbrushing and I'm looking forward to showing y'all what I got! I'm going to try to do a weekly blog and in the next few weeks I will be doing tutorials on YouTube on everthing from makeup, to hair, nails and all things girly.

Sunscreen

The dreaded winter is technically over WHOOHOO!! That means we will be spending more time outdoors in the sun so it's very important to wear sunscreen. Sun rays do not discriminate. Young, old, Black and White, it can damage us all. Here are some simple tips when it comes to sun protection.

• Use a broad spectrum sun protection to block both UVA and UVB rays
• Apply sunscreen on about 20 minutes before sun exposure
• Reapply every two hours especially when out in the sun
• Avoid peak hours in the sun 10am-4pm
• Wear protective gear ie. hats, sunglasses, t-shirts
• Shade and clouds do not protect you from UVA and UVB rays
• Reapply after getting into water
• Some medications and sun don't mix increasing the skin sensitivity so make sure you check with your doctor

Burnt, leather, freckly skin is not hot people. I don't care how great a tan looks, its not going to look good when your in the hospital getting treatment for skin cancer. Also if you are as vain and narcissistic as me then you'll avoid the sun because it causes wrinkles. I have a birthday coming up and wrinkles are the enemy. Also if using SPF only in your foundations remember to apply the foundation all over the face but I recommend using a seperate SPF. Well enjoy the Spring and Summer will be here before you know it.

Do's & Don'ts of Liners

Yes its 2009 and I still see women drawing lines around their lips, drawing lines for their eye brows and using eyeliner all wrong. Ok lets start with eyeliner...No its not okay to wear white eyeliner on the upper lid so if you got that memo throw it away. Eyeliner is supposed to create a larger eye, give the appearance of longer fuller lashes or accentuate your eye color. If its not doing one or all of the above for you then 86 liner. And stick to the basic when to comes to colors: black, brown, gray, dark blue, dark plum, dark green. I think black can sometimes be harsh so charcoal gray is a good alternative especially for fair skinned blondes. Right now gel liners are the new rave. I personally use Bobbi Brown but Makeup Forever and Smashbox have quality ones as well. I'm not a fan of pencils, they tend to tug at the eye causing wrinkles AAHHH yes wrinkles ladies and they run so by the end of the day your eyeliner is half way down your face. Also if you tend to have dark circles and/or bags stay away from lining the lower lash line, all it does is make your dark circles look darker.
Ok enough about eye liner next topic....lip liner! I hate it! It's one of my pet peeves but lining your lips and then leaving the center clear or a lighter shade just looks horrible and is extremely out-dated. Lip liner should define the shape of your lips, keep lipsticks from bleeding and help your lipstick and gloss last longer. Keep the shade of the lip liner and lipstick as close as possible and no ladies its not okay to create a false lip line with your liner. If you have smaller lips I suggest wearing more lip gloss. Lip gloss is shinny causing light to reflect giving you the effect of larger more voluptuous lips.
Brow liners I did discuss in a previous blog but I'll retouch on the subject for those of you who haven't read it yet (shame on you). Only use a pencil on the second half of your brows and make sure to use a brush to blend so it wont look like a drawn on harsh line. But only use a pencil if your brows are sparse and need to be grown in. If your brows are full a powder is fine and set the hairs with a wax or brow gel.