FOTD My all day wear look!

Good morning Dolls!

I just wanted to share with you my cute but simple makeup I am wearing today.  Believe it or not, this is only two eye shadows and black eyeliner!!!!

After doing my foundation and brows I 1. primed my eyes with my lovely ELF eye primer ($1 I have mentioned this before in a previous posting) 2. Lined my eyes on the lash line, waterline and smudged out.  3. applied a neutral brown shimmery tone to my lid.  3. Blended out the the lid shade with a neutral skin toned shade in the crease up to the brow bone.  4) Popped on some ELF liquid eye liner to create a sultry look and increase the depth of the black to give it a semi-smokey look.  5) Applied 2 coats of mascara and I was done!

Who says you need 5 different colors of eye shadow to create a pretty every day makeup look? Technically if you have a blending brush you can blend out the lid shade to erase that ugly line of demarcation and then you only are using one simple shade of eyeshadow!!! This look literally took 3 minutes to do after my foundation and brow makeup was applied, and seeing as though I am up before 6am to get ready for work, anything more complicated or detailed was NOT going to happen LOL!

The shade I am using on my lid is from an awesome Wet n' Wild palette which has 8 shades including a pretty good dupe of MAC's Club eyeshadow (one of my faves). I got it from Dollar General, but it can be found where ever Wet n' Wild is sold, its the Color Icon palette in "Comfort Zone" you can get it here! http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wet-n-wild-color-icon-collection-color-icon-eyeshadow-collection/ID=prod6057326-product  Palettes are a great way to build your eye shadow repertoire without spending all of your hard earned money! 

Here are a few pics! I paired this look with MAC's "Saint Germaine" Lipglass

Back at it Day 1 of Proactiv

New Makeup Case!!!

Just thought I would key you into my newest gift/investment!!! My lovely ZUCA sport bag in style Mystic Black! I went from a NYX Pro case to this smaller but way more efficient and stylish case. My NYX case has turned into a disaster, first the sections of the case not aligning together correctly (the metal bent that lined each tier), then the handle breaking making it almost impossible to tote around...then to it completely falling apart in transit in my car! WHAT A MESS!!! It was absolutely time to re-invest...such a waste of money buying the NYX case sadly.  But the light at the end of my tunnel is my super durable, easily maneuverable ZUCA Sport case. Its smaller in size than my NYX case which made me skeptical of buying to begin, but I know so many pro artists that use this, there was no harm in trying. 

Thus began the transition from my old to new....boy what a task!!! Between purging all old product I haven't used and finding tons of empty MAC containers for my back to MAC it took me some time! I also "re-discovered" some great product I forgot I had.  Most of my jobs lately consisted of me taking a duffle bag of my kit essentials, I hadn't touched my full kit since my last wedding believe it or not!

In the end, I was able to pack it up and fit pretty much everything, with very little room to spare however.  I think I will invest in the ZUCA back pack to carry all of my liquids, disposables and air brush kit, because anything more in my sport case will not fit. 

For all aspiring MUAs or current MUAs (makeup artists) this is definitely a kit essential worthy of consideration as you invest in your business. I just wish I would have done this over a year ago...saving me over $200.  Here are a few photos! 

Stylish and sleek! Rhinestones on the front panel, very professional in appearance.

Old NYX case on the left, new fully packed ZUCA on the right, what a huge difference!! Such a space saver and so much easier to tote around, the wheels even light up!

Door panel has a few pockets (hard to see, but they are there!)

Bag is about 18" tall and about 14" wide, Super durable frame, you can even sit on it!

Insert bags came in handy for my lip products! I was able to organize really well with these.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Hello dolls! 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! Back from a much needed holiday break and ready to bring you some of my recent projects! 

To start off, I have been a busy bee back at my sewing machine.  I started to see so many ladies rocking that double slit (90's Aaliyah style) Maxi Skirt again and when I saw prices from places such as Urban Outfitters...I knew I could make this same style for a fraction of the cost.  In designing and sewing the first skirt I did a straight size and used my sister as a model.  She is about a size 6 in juniors (but has a lil junk in the trunk), so the skirt ended up being what I would call a size small. In constructing this piece it was pretty much trial and error. 

I have been sewing since I was 12 years old, but never thought seriously about making my own clothes until recent years. I began searching Google for tips and tricks on making these trendier styles, things like which fabrics to use, how to perform various techniques and so on. Because of my interest in style and clothing, construction of a piece has always been important to me in my purchases so I would hope that my creations can muster my own "tests".  

After a few hours of thinking, cutting, sewing, seam ripping, re-sewing, I yielded a decent first stab at this style.  I had no pattern, no sketches, just my eye, some scissors, and my sister of course to stand there and be my dress form.  The next skirt I am making will be plus size...but I have already seen some flaws in the current direction I am going and will be adjusting my design accordingly. Here is a picture of my lovely sister in this skirt, I used a Rayon Spandex blend fabric, pretty much your run of the mill jersey fabric, it is stretchy and very comfortable. She loves it and can't wait to wear it.  My other sister "styled" this skirt with a crop top and sandals...however, I have seen this worn in current weather with Ugg boots, booties, stockings etc. A maxi skirt is a great staple in any woman's wardrobe an can be worn many different ways in all seasons

My Day Look-- Office Holiday Party

Good day to all of you and happy FRIDAY!

I have been up since about 4am and decided to throw on some makeup to look nice for my office holiday luncheon.  I am loving my eye look it is very simple but pretty and appropriate for work and office functions as well as glam for the holidays. This look can be modified depending on how jazzed up you want it to be! The great thing about this is it only takes a couple shadows to make this look pop! In my opinion..the photo of this doesn't do it justice...I will be posting a YouTube video this weekend on a holiday glam look to get you lovelies ready for your upcoming festivities!   

Here is what I am wearing:

Eyeshadow Primer-- ELF, I absolutely love this primer it only costs $1 and works amazing, keeps your shadow on all day!!! I am really picky about eye primers because my eyes are so oily that it usually cuts through any base...the ELF primer has definitely wowed me and for the price its worth a try.  Shop ELF Here!

Base Shadow-- MAC Pigment in Sunnydaze a light metallic gold/champagne color, I used a MAC 252 brush to apply to my lid but any synthetic brush or flat paddle eyeshadow brush works.  Using a regular eyeshadow brush sometimes doesn't work as well with loose eyeshadow pigment because it just dusts it all over! The paddle style or synthetic brush holds onto the pigment and evenly places it where you put it. Shop MAC here!

Crease-- MAC Eyeshadow in Wedge, a great neutral...I alternate between Wedge and Saddle for my crease when I just want to blend out a base shade and erase the line of demarcation between my lid and crease, definitely something you will want in your makeup bag.  I also use the new NYX nude matte shadow in shad "Dance the Tides" or "Tawny" for a less costly alternative (only $5 with great color payoff) Shop Nyx Here!

Brow Bone-- MAC Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch, its a pretty satin/frost beige pink...great for highlighting the brow or tear ducts...an easy go to for a neutral eyelid look as well.

Eyeliner-- MAC Technikhol in Graphblack and ELF liquid eyeliner, I applied the MAC pencil before I applied my shadow on the waterline and on the outer corners of my eyelid and smudged.  Then, I went back in with my ELF liquid eyeliner and applied right on the lash line for a thin slightly cat eyed line.

Finish! If you want to step up the look a little and add more glitz, use a little shimmer on top! I added a bit of MAC Reflects Antique Gold but any loose glitter pigment works to add some shine and dimension to the look.  This is why the photo does not do this eye justice!!! I just used my finger to pat on the glitter, in my experience the finger helps the glitter stick a little better.

My Brows-- Maybelline Define A Brow in Medium Brown, MAC Clear Brow Gel and NW 30 Studio Finish concealer to lightly sculpt.

I topped my look off with a nude lip (trying to be office appropriate) I am wearing MAC Creme De Nude Cremesheen Lipstick with a .mark Lip Crayon in shade "Natural" with MAC Lipglass in Oyster Girl.  Shop .mark by Avon here!

I will be posting a YouTube video this weekend on a holiday glam look to give you the step by step! 

Have a Great Friday/ Weekend Everyone!!!!!

Thoughts for the day

I came across this photo of Marilyn with the quote "Your clothes should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to show you're a lady," made me think. I've seen a lot of curvier ladies that wear the closer fitting styles and unforgiving fabrics but look like link sausage! Ladies! If you are going to dare to bear those curves lets remember to wear the proper undergarments.  Sometimes all it takes is a smoothing camisole or a high waisted control brief to hide the "back meat" or the little pooch in the front.  I am a big girl and my body is proportionate but far from perfect, let me tell you Spanx are a god send! I feel so much more confident in my clothing when I know I have no panty or bra lines or that love handle is controlled! If we are going to continue to flaunt our curves, lets make sure the proper undergarments if needed are in full effect! Might I suggest a few for you, that I have personally tried, they make shape wear in different price ranges so I am sure there is something for everyone.  

Spanx-- I personally love the Higher Power brief and the In Line Super Power Panties both are super comfortable and breathe well. They don't roll down or create a line of demarcation, both can be worn as underwear (suggested for no panty lines) and create a smooth silhouette from bottom to just below your bra line.  They range in price from $28-$38 and go all the way up to a size "G" (if you can't find them in Nordstrom or Macy's try Lane Bryant or Torrid for the extended sizes). Follow the links to shop Shop Spanx here! Lane Bryant Torrid

Assets-- Made by Spanx and are the less costly line. Equivalents of many of the Spanx faves can be found in Target for as little as $12 (for the panties I believe) however, if you are over a size 20 these may not work for you. Assets can also be found on the Spanx website with more variety and sizes. Shop Target here!

Sweet Nothings-- This brand can be found in most Wal-Mart stores. I have mainly worn the high waisted leggings (which are awesome if you want to wear a closer fitting tunic but want to be comfortable) and the camisoles. They make the open bust kind where your own bra is exposed and the full coverage tops that conceal more and provide a bit more lift on top.  Sweet Nothings are pretty inexpensive with most pieces ranging from $8-$12 but with great support.  The only bad thing is the size range and if you are over a size 20 or 22 some of the items may not fit properly depending on how you are proportioned. Shop Walmart Here!

This is just my experience with shapewear.  Please feel free to comment with your finds and what has/has not worked for you!!! I hope this helps, lets stick together and look great in our clothing at any size!

Fashion Find of the Day!

I absolutely love this swimsuit by MonifC, I love what she is doing for the 2013 swimwear and can't wait to purchase my suit! Stay tuned for a blog post about this once I have mine! I have a lot of her dresses and the fit and design are so versatile and made for many different shapes.  Monif C sizes range from 12 up to 24 :) 

Click Here to Shop MonifC