Latest Edition-NOTD

Hello lovelies,


Part 1
I had been dying to try newspaper nails.  Ok nothing but drama!  I polished my nails with Avon Urban Gray N902...it took too long to dry!  So after 2 hours with 3 coast for opacity.  No news print :(   WHAT????????  I only had sale papers....ack!! Lesson Learned revert back to hunter gatherer stage of life and get all supplies out before you get started! So I simply added some Seche Vite quick drying top coat and went to bed.

Part 2
Determined.....I picked up a newspaper this weekend to try this nail design again.  I also wanted to pick up a faster drying polish, Sally Hansen Wet Cement.  If you don't know gray is my favorite color so naturally my Wet Cement was super sticky..ick...and wouldn't you know it sold out at the store!  I MUST MAKE THIS WORK!!!!  I DID!

*Disclaimer-try and used a shade closer to Avon Urban Gray the lighter the better*


Prework-cut newspaper in strips based on length of nails.  My nails are long so I used about a 1 inch pieces



Lets Do It:
Apply BaseCoat-CND Sticky Base Coat
Apply Gray Nail polish preferably light and fast drying.  Be sure nails are dry!

Dip Nail in Alcohol for a few seconds
Wrap newspaper around nail for 10 seconds press firmly. The ink will transfer to your nail. Remove.
Apply Top Coat
Clean around nails and look at your fabulousness!

Nailed It!
See ya Dolls!

Basics Series-Skin Prep

Hi Beauties,

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I hope by now you have taken sometime to get to know yourself, your skin type, and what areas you would like to improve.  What did you learn about yourself?  Isn't it interesting to take a photo of yourself and really see what you look like and what you may want to enhance.  Well I wanted to continue on the basics series because with out the basics your make up can appear cakey, blotchy or even have dry patches.
What do you put on before your make up.....anything  Yes beauties you MUST MOISTURIZE!!!!!  Always!!!

Start with a clean face, I use Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleaner.  I follow up with  Ponds Dry Skin Cream and let that soak in.

Dry/ Combo Skin Beauties-Apply a moisturizer with SPF....yes my chocolate sisters we need protection from the sun too!

Oily Skin Beauties-Apply an oil free moisturizer with SPF.

Now go ahead and begin applying your makeup.....with what you ask...Tools.  Yup...... the next post we will cover tools needed for a flawless face. We're almost ready to start our basic looks!

Good Night beauties!

Basics Series-Know Thyself

Hello New Beauty,
I wanted to start a series of basics......from the face up.  Your face is like your body type you need to know what you are working with, what makes your face look its best.
 Here a seven basic face shapes:

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What is your face shape?  I look like a cross between a diamond and an inverted triangle.

I never paid attention to this until my mother mentioned a while back that I had a triangle shaped chin!  J Leno...oh Lawd! Self recognition is key. Here is a picture that confirms what she said......I never noticed. Don't be a afraid to take a picture of yourself you have to know your features to identify areas you may want to improve. (notice my neck and face....2 different colors..ahem)

What  I would like to improve:

What is your Skin Type:

Oily

Combination

Dry

Normal

Sensitive 

Know your skin type. Skin type plays a major factor in your makeup prep, coverage options and finishes.  I am combination skin-dry in all areas except of the T-zone, nose forehead and chin.

What is your Eye Shape?

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I have almond eyes that are wide set they are more than a fingers width apart.

I encourage you to get to know yourself?  Look at a photo of yourself what do you see  What would you like to improve.  Let me know what you discover about you.

See Ya Beauties!

Emonie

Tidbits

1.  My Lorac Pro Palette and Covergirl Queen Bronzer arrived ..worthy is the mail carrier!

2.  Beauty.com extended Friends and Family..offering 20% off at the time of this post.

3.  Night vision totally jacked since surgery but expected

4.  Celebrating my 3 week surge-versary. 

5.  Signed up for Beautylish got a $10 off coupon code-insert she devil grin. 

Mally Beauty-Citychick in the Buff EyeShadow Palette

Hello My Beauties,
I have been sneaky! I had purchased a few pallets right before my PRK surgery.  Talking about eye candy...woah!  I bought the lovely Mally CityChick in the Buff Eyeshadow Palette and of course it came in the day before the eye surgery...torture!!!  My eyes have been...acting up...Evil Allergies!  My tear duct has been in protest....Ouch.  Today no eye itching what so ever....so guess what ?  Hello Palette!

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This is a great neutral palette but some of the shades are very "soft" and can be a little sheer.  So my sista's who are of a deeper skintone may not get use out of all the shades in this palette.  These powdery shadows have a very creamy feel and  blend well together.  Their are 3 matte shades, 6 shimmer and 1 glitter shade. This palette comes with its own eyeshadow base, a double ended brush and a nice size mirror. This would be great for travel too.  I have a business trip in a few weeks I might have to take this along! Most of the time I do not use the brushes that come with palettes but I gave this one a try.  I used the brush on my crease and for blending verdict on the brush soft, and quality.

Disclaimer I am just learning how to wear and apply makeup so I hope you enjoy the journey with me!  Here's my first look:

Take a look at the swatches:

Too funny!  I forgot this palette came with a its own eyeshadow primer  and I whipped out my Urban Decay Primer Potion instead.  Here's a closer look at the shadows.

I think this palette is awesome!!!!!! I plan on doing many more looks!

Let me introduce you to my fine lines! Ack!

Tool for this look:

Mally Citychick In the Buff -QVC Exclusive

A  million brushes!

Loreal Voluminous-Black

Maybelline Color Tattoo-Fierce and Tangy

Bobbie Brown Concealor Kit-Golden

UDPP

WNW-eyebrow Kit

Nyx Concealor in a Jar

 Really....all those brushes..hmmm

Oh snap!  I forgot a pic of my eyeliner.  I am still afraid to use eyeliner so close to the surgery so I used Makeup Geeks Corrupt as eyeliner...Once you go black you never go black...its the blackest black ever!!!!! LOL.  

See ya Beauties!

Anyone have this palette, you likey? Let me know!

P.S. Mally Beauty is having 25% off her entire site!!!! expires May 14, 2013!

NOTW-Mellow Yellow

Hola dolls,
Here's this weeks Nails of the Week!
Since spring is obviously scared to appear here in the Midwest I had to take matters into my own hands, literally..hehee.

Start with Clean Nails.

 Apply your Base coat of choice: For this look I used Creative Nail Design Stickey Base Coat.

BAM!

#360 Mellow Yellow....wasn't that a drink?????

Whoa!  yellow it is!  Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear.  ($) I have found this brand cheapest at Target.

I was totally in the mood for yellow and black.  If you need color inspiration think about your wardrobe.  I tend to color coordinate with colors I would wear.

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So after I polished my nails I whipped out my Konad Stamper.  I practiced a little last night and went for it!

Supplies: 

Nail Dotting Tools-($) order here for $1.89 including shipping

Konad Starter Stamping Set-($) 15.19 and free shipping

Konad Black Nail Polish

My credit card or you can use an old gift card

Polish and top coat of your choice

Not bad for my first try!

My Feelings

POLISH

Brand:  Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear #360

Formula: Very Creamy, uber Thick.  Was almost as if it needed a thinner and this 

                was my first use.

Application: Streaky

Opaque-3 coats

Verdict:  I love this brand I am hoping it was this shade a color formula.  I would not purchase this color again

KONAD SYSTEM

Plates:  Simple image plates in the beginner set

"Special Polish"-performed as claimed

Lessons learned....file my stamper surface....and put polish on half of image...finally swipe that card like your ear was burned with the straightening comb...yup that fast :).  

Vertict:

Me likey!!!!! Will purchase more stamping plates and come up with non-Konad "Special Polish" alternatives :).

Have a great week Dolls.

Feel Free to post your nails of the week!

Hautelook-The Balm Haul!

Hello Beauties,

I first heard of the from one of my favorite you tubers Emily Noel of Beauty Broadcast.  So when I saw that Hautelook was featuring The Balm I was all over it!  If you are not familiar with Hautelook its a deeply discounted limited time deal site operated by Nordstrom.  Now on to introductions.....

The Balm, wad fouded by Marissa Shipman in 2004.  The companys shadows and blushes are Talc Free, Paraban Free :) and cruelty free....that is good news.  
This company is Hilarious and so full of fun.  The names of the products are full of puns and just pure comedy.  

Here are the 3 products I ordered:
(All pics and product info courtesy of Hautelook and The Balm)

You've met Matt(e), now it's time to Meet Matt(e) Nude... nude eyeshadows that is. Because size matt(e)rs, there are nine larger Matt(e)s showing their true colors in nude hues. As a matt(e)r of fact, this palette is versatile enough to wear day and night, as liners and all-over colors... the whole nine yards. With so many Matt(e)s to choose from, you're sure to find your perfect shade, no matt(e)r what.

- Size: 0.9 oz. total
- Color: Size Matt(e)rs (assorted matt(e) colors)
- For directions and ingredients, see "More Info"
- Made in USA


Palette includes:
- Matt Johnson (charcoal grey)
- Matt Garcia (rich chocolate brown)
- Matt Malloy (soft white)
- Matt Rosen (medium cinnamon brown)
- Matt Wood (rich espresso)
- Matt Singh (sandy rose)
- Matt Abdul (taupe)
- Matt Lombardi (golden neutral)
- Matt Hung (neutral plum)

theBalm unabashedly reveals our newest palette- Nude 'tude. This amazing collection consists of 12 beautiful shadows that make wearing nudes fun. These satiny smooth colors can be applied naturally "i.e. let me slip into something more comfortable" or beautifully layered. The wide range of naked neutrals gives you light highlighters as well as brazen bold shades that work to add definition and emphasis. This palette allows you to dramatically dress up your eyes (if nothing else).
- Size: 0.38 oz. total net weight
- Talc-free
- Paraben-free
- For directions and ingredient, see "More Info"
- Made in USA

Palette includes:
- Sassy (white frost)
- Stubborn (pale shimmering nude pink)
- Selfish (metallic true taupe)
- Sophisticated (shimmering bronze taupe)
- Sexy (rich matte mahogany)
- Serious (true matte black)
- Snobby (light gold)
- Stand-Offish (metallic champagne)
- Sultry (matte neutral brown)
- Seductive (soft shimmering bronze)
- Silly (rich brown with gold shimmer)
- Sleek (deep matte brown)
- Double ended shadow/ liner brush

And Naturally I had to try the Balm's Nail Polish!  This is a great summer shade called Coral Reef-ing.

All item were purchased at $50% from Hautelook.....Beauty haulin on a budget!  If you want to try some the sales ends Tuesday 8am Pacific.  

Do you own any of the Balm Products?  Any Faves?  Hits?  Misses?

PS. Pixi and Pot will be on Hautelook tomorrow...insert she devil face here.

See ya dolls!

DIY Manicure

Introductions!
Hi Everyone thank for joining me on my beauty journey. Funny I would start this journey after having PRK surgery.  So at the moment I will not be showing eyelooks for about another week...hopefully.  Stay tuned for reviews, swatches and other goodness.....now on to the post!

Ok.

  I am tired of getting a manicure only to leave bleeding, nicked and sore!  Yall know what I’m talking about where they just swipe here hand over it and wipe he blood off quickly as if nothing happened.  Well guess what…something happened…a wound!  So when you go home and wash your hands they are stinging!  ENOUGH!!!!!  I decided to scour You-tube..you know the portable college of life without the tuition fee?  Here are the minimum supplies needed to give yourself an awesome manicure...lol as of May 2013...cause things change....often.

1. Nails Polish Remover

2. Pure Acetone (Be sure to have moisturizer/Vaseline on hand to replace  
    moisture)Also sally sells Acetone polish for natural nails

3.  Cotton Balls-the kind you can unroll

4.  Nail files

5.  Nail Clippers

6. Four sided Buffer

7.  Paper Towel

8.  CND Stickey Base Coat

9.  Seche Vite-Fast Drying Top Coat

10.  Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

*****Stay tuned for NOTW-Nails of the Week later on today.  My schedule doesn't allow a mid week manicure so my review and follow will consist of a 7 day wear.

Welcome

Hello Beauties,
I am new to all things beauty and wanted to create a blog for beginners and those of us who simply like to look pretty.