Inspiration: Valentine's Day Part 1

This is one of two Valentine's Day looks I've done for you guys! :) This first one is more of a going out with your friends kind of look, I would say - but hey, y'all do what you like!

Let the inspiration begin!

 Top: Without flash
Bottom: With flash

I think the eye shadow looks good, but I'm not a fan of the lip color I did.  Lol!  I should have just gone all out with a hot pink or something.  But at the time, I was thinking that I didn't want the lips and eyes to compete... ANYWAY!

Main Products Used:

• NYX Jumbo Pencil in Cottage Cheese (all over lid and waterline)
• MAC e/s in Carbon (crease and outer V)
• Sephora e/s in Aspen Summit (inner corner)
• NYX e/s in White (water line)
• Beauty From The Earth minerals:
  - Raspberry
  - Purple Iris
• Urban Decay e/s in Creep (crease)
• MUFE e/l in 0L (lash line and upper waterline)
• Ardell Lashes in 120 Demi

On the cheeks I have Rimmel Natural Bronzer in 021 Sunlight and Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights duo in Super/Model.

On the lips I have Rimmel l/l in Natural with Revlon l/s in Silver City Pink, topped off with Sephora l/g in Precious Pink.

What I probably would have done for the lips, looking back, would have been L'Oreal Infallible l/g in 100 Azalea.

Swatches: Beauty From The Earth

Left to Right:
Lemon, Tangerine
Raspberry, Crush
Karma, Grape
Purple Iris, 24Kt Gold
Blueberry, Peacock
Green Apple, Envy
Whisper

I figured I'd review and swatch these for y'all because I've been using them so much lately.

These are Beauty From The Earth (BFTE) multi-purpose minerals.  Well, actually I just checked the website and they're called multi-use minerals now.  But I bought these long ago!  And they were multi-purpose back then!  Haha!  The business has grown quite a lot it seems since I purchased!

Since the site has changed so much, please correct me if any of my information is outdated!

• It seems like some of the colors I have may have been renamed or are no longer carried by the brand.

These minerals come in 5 gram sifter jars with 1 gram of product in them, which is actually more than you would think.  I've owned these for probably 2 years now and I haven't run out yet... not even close!

The jars retail for $6.50 for the full size jar and $2 for the sample size.

Top: Taken without flash.

Bottom: Taken with flash.

The quality of these minerals is fantastic.  They are super pigmented, they don't get muddy when they're blended and they have good staying power.

My favorites (of the colors I have) are Blueberry, Raspberry, 24kt Gold (which I don't think is available anymore?) and Lemon.

My overall rating:  5/5

Let me know which colors you have or if you plan to purchase from this company!

Inspiration: Green Bay Packers (3 looks)

My boyfriend has been a Packers fan for years, so I'm just a Packers fan by association.  :)  So that's who I'm cheering for this weekend!  Go Pack Go!

Here are some Packer-themed makeup looks that you could rock at a super bowl party and show your team spirit!

This first look didn't turn out like I was hoping.  I rushed to try and get a picture in the natural light, but it just didn't turn out too great.  So, I did 2 OTHER looks to make up for it!

Main Products Used:

• MAC pigment in Copperized (all over)
• NYX jumbo pencil in Cottage Cheese (all over lid under shadow)
• Estee Lauder e/s duo in Sage (green - middle of lid, yellow - highlight and inner corner)
• Beauty From The Earth minerals in 24kt Gold (all over lid and shadows)
• Smashbox e/s in Wish (a dark green shade)
• MAC kohl in Smoulder
• L'Oreal HIP cream liner in Black
• Ardell lashes - Demi Wispies

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 Here's look #2:

Main Products Used: 

• Beauty From The Earth minerals:
  - Green Apple
  - Lemon
  - Tangerine
• MAC e/s in Brule
• L'Oreal HIP cream liner in Black
• Urban Decay e/l in Zero
• Bobbi Brown e/s in Mahogany (brows)

On my cheeks I have MAC blush in Gingerly (I love pairing this blush with green eye makeup!).
On my lips I have MAC l/s in Hug Me.

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Look #3:

This one is still Packer themed while being a little bit more... not in your face.  lol

Main Products Used:

• NYX e/s in White (all over)
• Bobbi Brown e/s in Mahogany (crease)
• MAC kohl in Smoulder (tightline)
• Beauty From The Earth minerals:
  - Green Apple
  - Lemon
• MAC e/s Dark Devotion (brows)

On my cheeks I have MAC blush in Gingerly.
On my lips I have MAC l/s in Hug Me.

Fashon FaceOff Challenge - Givenchy Knee Boots

Here's my entry for the latest Fashion FaceOff Challenge on MakeUpTalk.  We had to use the boots for whatever outfit we made!  Y'all can feel free to enter the contest too!  The more, the merrier!  The outfits are easily created using Polyvore.  

Today (Feb 5) is the last day to enter if you're interested! :)  I'd love to see what you come up with!

Celebrity Inspired: Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has a million different looks, as I'm sure you're all aware!  This particular one is inspired by her Grammy 2010 look.  It was fun to do and turned out a lot better than I thought it would!  :)

Main Products Used:

• MAC pigments
  - Copperized
  - Dark Soul
• Urban Decay e/s
  - Creep
  - Sin
• MAC kohl liner in Smoulder
• L'Oreal HIP cream liner in Black
• Ardell Lashes in Gisele 

On the cheeks I used my trusty Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights duo in Super/Model.

On the lips I used MUFE l/s in #36 Fuchsia and MAC l/s in Colour Crafted.  Also!  NYX l/g in Whipped and CoverGirl l/g in Shimmershell.

All About MakeUpTalk

Hey Ladies!

I wanted to go into more detail about a website I frequently mention on my blog, MakeUpTalk. 

I first started my interest in makeup a few years ago through watching YouTube videos.  I googled a video on how to do a smokey eye and realized there were a million other people out there making makeup related videos!  It was super exciting because I've always liked makeup, but never really did anything about it.

One of the gurus I found right away, Emily from BeautyBroadcast, mentioned that she went on a makeup related forum - MakeUpTalk.  I went to the site and saw that there were so many people on there giving advice and trying to help other people learn.

There's so many different aspects of the website that are worth checking out. 
My personal favorites include:

• FOTD - A thread dedicated to pictures of everyone's makeup from the day. 
  -  I know it can sometimes be scary to put your face out there and see what other people are going to say, but NEVER have I seen any of the ladies on the site criticize anyone for their makeup.  Of course, you can ask for constructive criticism, to which the ladies always reply very tactfully and respectfully.  It's like everyone wants you to do your best and they really encourage that.
  
  
• NOTD - A thread dedicated to pictures of different kinds nail polish looks. 
  -  This basically has the same idea as the FOTD thread, but this is just with nails!  It's amazing to see the creativity these ladies have on this site!  Many of them do different kinds of nail art and it can be very inspiring to see what other people are doing.
  
  
• Dare To Be Challenges - A thread dedicated to makeup contests that all a particular theme.
  -  If you've been reading my blog regularly, you've probably seen my entries posted on here.  The whole idea behind this thread is that there's a theme, currently Dior Runway Couture, there are inspirational pictures posted so you know what you're supposed to do, all the girls post their entry pictures with the first posted one to be selected for voting.  Another thread is opened with all the entry pictures and a poll for everyone to vote.  The winner gets to choose the next theme.  There is no skill level required.  You are very free to put your own spin on the looks and everything too!  For me personally, whether I win or not, it gives me a way to challenge myself and do a makeup look that I might otherwise not try.

Photos from a DTB Challenge

• Fashion Face Off Challenges - A thread dedicated to outfits created around a particular item.
  -  Again, if you regularly read my blog, you've probably seen my outfits posted here!  I'm not hugely into fashion, but these are super fun to participate in!  Basically, there's one item you HAVE to use in your outfit - it could be a dress, a shoe, a pair of earrings, whatever!  Anyway, you build an outfit that would be well put together with that item.  The outfits are very easily put together using Polyvore.  After the entries are submitted, a poll goes up and everyone votes.  The winner chooses the item for the next challenge.

Women have a bad reputation of being catty and mean to each other, but that's totally not the case here! 

I highly recommend that you all check this website out!  It's a really nice community to be a part of and there's lots that you can learn and share with other people!

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Currently, MakeUpTalk is having a contest that will be running until February 12, 2011.

The prize is an Ultimate Eyes gift box from one of my favorite brands, Beauty From The Earth.  

Please click the link to see all the ways to enter, and good luck!

FOTD: ELF Quad in "Ivy"

This look was done using the ELF Brightening Eye Color Quad in Ivy.

The quad retails for $1 from Target or EyesLipsFace.com and probably wherever else ELF is sold.



I recently did another post talking about the same line of quads in a different color, Drama.  Though they're the same line of quads, the quality between the two differs VERY much.



I wasn't impressed at all with this quad.  Was it a waste of a dollar?  You know, maybe.  The quality is just not great.  The colors are not very pigmented and quickly turn "muddy" when you're trying to blend them.  The only thing that really saves this look is the eye liner - not even an ELF product.


Main colors I used:

• Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original
• ELF Brightening Eye Color Quad in Ivy
• Smashbox e/l in Wish (sparklie dark green)

ELF Quad in Ivy.


Have you all tried this palette?  Did you guys have the same problems?

Inspiration: Peacock

 This is just a fun look I did the other day.  It's peacock inspired and I liked the way it turned out!  This was also done during the day, so there are natural light photos (including the one above).  Natural light almost always looks better than flash!

 The two pictures above are taken with flash.  Oh, btw, I forgot to liner over my lashes...


 The two pictures below are taken in natural light (you can see my window in my eye!).

Main Products Used:

• L'Oreal HIP cream liner in Black
• MAC Kohl liner in Smoulder
• Beauty From The Earth Multipurpose Minerals:
  - Peacock
  - Blueberry
  - Envy
  - Green Apple
  - Whisper
• MAC Pigments
  - Copperized
  - Naval Blue
• MAC e/s in Dark Devotion (brows)
• Ardell Lashes in Tyra

Hope y'all enjoyed!  :)

Inspiration: Dior Runway Couture

This is my entry look for the contest on MakeUpTalk.  The theme is to do a Dior Runway show look.  If you google image "Dior runway makeup" you'll see exactly what I'm talking about!  Or you can just click the link here and see the post on the make up site! All of you are welcome to enter as well with your own Dior Runway inspired look!

Anyway, even though it's pretty crazy, I still think it's cute in it's own way!  I'm happy with the way mine turned out!  I've never glued lashes somewhere other than my lash line... so it was neat to try (they still moved with my eye... it was weird! lol).


Insert Random Pics Here:

What do you guys think of this look?

NOTD: OPI - Indi-a Mood For Love

OPI - Indi-a Mood For Love

Love this color!  It's a hot pink that isn't TOO distracting. It's the perfect Valentine's Day polish!

The zebra print is done using Konad White polish and Konad plate M62.



 *** Only 6 more days to enter my contest!  The winner will be chosen February 6th! ***

Tag: 50 Favorite Things: 41 - 50

This is my last segment of my favorite things!  It's not easy to come up with them!  :P  Like always, if you're doing this on your blog as well, I'd love to see so make sure you comment and let me know!

41) The Beach

I took this picture probably 6 years ago in Florida.  :)

Photo Courtesy of: baronbob.com

42) Toe Socks

I probably have about 10 pairs of toe socks at the moment!  They are so cute! :)

43) Changing My Hair

I think this was taken about 4 years ago?  During my adult life, I've had... short hair, long hair, straight across bangs, side bangs, no bangs, dark purple hair, chunky highlights, red hair, dozens of shades of brunette, dark brown hair underneath light blonde hair...etc.  I feel like I'm pretty adventurous with it.  ...Just not lately.  lol  I've invested my time into make up! 

Photo Courtesy of: faqs.org

44) Vanilla

I love everything vanilla.  In my coffee, candles, in perfume, in cookies, etc.  I don't think vanilla is plain! :D

  Photo Courtesy of: latestbeauty.com

45) Cat Eye Liner

No, Angelina Jolie is not one of my favorite things.  But cat eye liner is!  Particularly the way it's done here!  Oh, if only I wasn't so heavy handed!

 Photo Courtesy of: deadline.com

46) The News

I want to be a news anchor, so I spend a great deal of time watching the news!

47) Makeuptalk.com

This is a picture of the website I took on my phone (to send to my boyfriend! haha).  I was showing him that I was on the featured content (colored picture and faded out eye to the right of it)!  I'm proud!  :)

Photo Courtesy of: pixdaus.com
48) Babies

What's not to like!?  

Photo Courtesy of: thenextweb.com

49) YouTube

I love watching make up videos on YouTube!  One day I suppose I'll post about my favorite gurus! :)

Photo Courtesy of: ifood.tv 

50) Appetizers

I love all sorts of appetizers.  There's been many times when I go out to eat that I order only appetizers and no actual meal!  lol 

Hope you guys enjoyed reading a little more about me!  :) 

Celebrity Inspired: Nicki Minaj

I was flipping through channels on TV the other day, and stumbled across a music video featuring Nicki Minaj.  She had really pretty colorful make up, so I thought I'd give it a try and show you all!

Hope you enjoy!

 Top: With Flash.

Bottom: Without Flash (without flash is way more forgiving! lol)

Due to the fact that my lips were SUPER chapped and not in fine form, there's no up close of the lip color.  

Main colors I used:

• Beauty From The Earth multi-purpose minerals
  - Lemon
  - Envy
  - Raspberry
  - Grape
  - Green Apple
• MAC e/s in Dark Devotion (brows)
• L'Oreal HIP cream e/l in Black
• MAC Kohl e/l in Smoulder
• MAC pigment in Dark Soul (over liner and under eye)

On the cheeks, I used MAC blush in Gingerly.

On the lips, I used Sephora l/l in Candid Candy, MAC l/s in Saint Germain and Colour Crafted.  As well as NYX round l/s in Harmonica.



** If you haven't already, please enter my giveaway!   The winner will be chosen February 6th! **

*** Also, please take a minute to vote for your favorite outfit in the MakeUpTalk Fashion Faceoff!  I think the voting ends today, January 27th!  It would only take a minute!  Thanks! ***

NARS Fashion Icon Set - New at Sephora!

This was an email I got from Sephora because of my VIB Insider status.  I thought I'd share the knowledge. 

NARS really seems to be capitalizing on the success of their "Orgasm" colored products.  I've never tried any of them, and really, I don't plan to anytime soon. 

What do you think of this set?