Taylor Made Minerals

Hey Guys-

I am thoroughly enjoying building my makeup collection with a variety of colors and shades-I recently purchased some mineral pigments from Taylor Made Minerals. ( there is a link under "check these out" to the right in the side bar) They are reasonably priced for "sample" size jars 5 grams- $5.00 a jar. They come full and highly pigmented. I posted pics of what I purchased, swatches and a look I did with 2 of the colors. :) My camera isn't the best, I apologize for the 'look'.

These are swatches one wet and one dry - (L-R)
Grail, After Glow, Polar, Belfry

Grail- Shimmer/Foil (bronze/gold)

polar- Shimmer/Foil (Ice Blue)

Belfry- matte DK Blue ( this is discontinued- they say it stains the skin. I have found its not easy to work with- it does get all over and color my hands blue- but with a little water and soap it comes right off!)

After Glow- matte (Pink)

(I apologize for the out of control brows- they need some Brow Love)

What I used:

Face-

Jane Iredale Mineral Pressed Powder in Neutral

MK cheek color is Dusty Rose

Eyes-

MAC Paint pot in BARE STUDY as base

TMM in POLAR and BELFRY

Loreal HIP duo in SHOWEY lighter side

CG Volume exact mascara in VERY BLACK

Brows- some liner that I hate- especially in this pic.

Lips-

Buxom Babes in APRIL

(This post is not lining up on the page correctly- sorry it's doing it's own thing right now!)

GEEKING OUT!!!

Have you ever been into a hobby and end up one day knee deep in everything and anything you can possibly find about that subject? I had that happen to me this past week. Yes- I found my self engrossed in video tutorials on YouTube about... Makeup.

Now, as I watched these fascinating short clips, I realized there is an abundance of creativity that can inspire anyone who watches! I can't even begin to count the obsessed hours I have spent trying to get my "Fix" for makeup video tutorials. There are many things that are used for inspiration for the tutorials. Comic book Hero's, Contemporary Art, Holiday's, Celebrity's, Old Hollywood, Time periods, How to's, 101's, Skin care regimen, Horoscopes- anything you see that inspires you- make you own re creation using makeup!

Lately, I have had the desire to build my makeup kit so I can take it on location with me, as well as having just the right shade for that perfect look. There are many colors out there in the world, and since I am going to take from what I see as inspiration, I need the palette to pull from. Right now I have basics, browns, pinks, creams, for your everyday looks and a few colors. I am learning that the intensity is oh so important if you want drama, pop and focus on your eyes. Not all my colors are great quality- (but til I can get what I need I can make do. (: ) I have added a few links to my websites for you to check out, they are bright color related and ones that have given an inspirational look to try and help expand your makeup creativity.

Here are a few links to check out- they are some of the videos that are really inspiring and very creative.

This is a "Pretty Fairy" look done by Makeup Geek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtaaIKlDl6w&NR=1

This one is inspired by "SuperMan" by Xsparkage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuE4YnDv6kg

Makeup by Ren Ren is one I have been following for a while- and she does great work so check out her blog in the link to the right and browse her tutorials. :)

Thanks guys- I hope that you enjoy some these video's as much as me. If you find some that are inspiring to you I'd love to see them- and I would love to see what you come up with that inspires you! Happy Inspiration!

Al

President Barack Obama

What a day it has been! A day for the books to remember, and for a hopeful future. :) President Obama's speech was eloquent ( 'bout time ) and filled with passion, hope, positive challenges and plans for the days ahead. Good luck to him in all that he has just taken on. I do not follow politics unlike many of you- I rarely get involved in political topics with anyone. As an American citizen I should understand more- but this post is merely the impressions and thoughts of what was said today.

Listening and watching him speak after he was sworn in, gave me the chills. The good kind. There were great things he said- and to name just a few- that lay as an impression on my mind.

".....the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."*

What a powerful statement- "remaking America"- we will and it starts with each one of us. With the rise of consumer prices and the fall of job loss we do need re evaluate ourselves-what we spend, what we save, what we do in the next few years to come.

"Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — ......they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage."*

The desire to change is strong and when it's strength is joined with will and courage it's bound to make strides and allow for positive change to happen.

I'm hopeful, excited, understanding, grateful, appreciative, and empowered for a better tomorrow. Change for a "Yes we Can" government and attitude for our fellow man.

His entire speech was uplifting and poweful- if you want to read the entire text here is link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text

Skin Care is just as improtant as Health Care

We hear all the time how we need to take care of our bodies- inside and out. Keeping it fit, watching what we eat, what we drink, and even the air we breath. (smog- yuck!) So with this being the new year and several of you have resolutions to keep up with here is something to ad to your list. Having a skin care regimen can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. But in my few years of offering treatments- most prefer a simple skin care routine. (especially the men!)

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your skin care regimen. FIRST is your SKIN TYPE. Just because a cleanser is great for your best girlfriend doesn't mean its great for your- and visa versa. Best friends don't have same skin types- even siblings are very different. Think of it as a 'Personality'- they very from person to person.

SECOND-INGREDIENTS. They are important! There are many labels that "claim" to have to most moisturizing- most aromatic- but be careful, many add alcohol to their products that dry your skin out even faster! Fragrance is the leading ingredient for irritation and skin reactions. Products with a fake fruity smell or offer "aromatherapy" in your OTC and trendy fragrance shops are most likely going to have artificial fragrance added into the product. They phrase you are what you eat- your skin does absorb the products you put on it- so make sure that it's the most beneficial. (I'm not saying spend hundreds of dollars on a new skin care and rid your selves of the stuff you have- just be careful- you may end up spending more in other ways.)

THIRD-SAMPLES anyone? When looking into new products or just starting out see if there are any samples available or ask what the return policy is for opened products. Over the years I have worked with makeup and skin care most places will agree to a refund or an exchange with in 30 days of use (if they don't offer samples) no matter how much product you have used. They understand that products react differently on different skin types. Try a patch test to see how your skin reacts- or go have a facial with some new products you have been dying to try.

FOURTH- SKIN ANALYSIS. If you have had a facial, you might know what I am talking about. When going to the spa or salon you meet with your regular therapist or a new one and each time; they ask questions about your skin. How does it feel? Are you undergoing any stress? Any changes since you have been in last or in the past few months? What are your concerns? How is your diet? What type of work environment do you work in? for men What is their shaving system? and women Are you on your menstrual cycle? ect. Your skin does change- it's affected by everything. Weather, hormones, stress levels, environment, genetics, emotions- inner and outer-all apply. Its good to have it analyzed 2 to 4 times a year. Depending on your climate and season changes and any other big changes happening in your life. It doesn't hurt to have your skin analyzed and enjoy some relaxation at the same time. :)

TIL NEXT TIME-
-Al

Few Months Late...

I was going to post this back in October- or at least November, but time got away from me. This was my Halloween outfit for work- I don't dress up too much. I would love to, but just haven't ever made enough effort to. I usually do something different with my makeup, that's about it. This past Halloween I added spider webs with black liquid liner to go with my headband. I tried to use soft pencil, it just smudged right off. With my naturally oily skin, it would have been impossible to keep it looking good with out using a liquid liner. Next year if you think about doing a spider web try liquid liner, I used Merle Norman's Black liner with a felt tip. :)

NARS eye shadow

Early in December I did this look, and thought it was fun. I used my NARS black eyeshadow. I have been really nervous to use it, for fear of looking too WACKED out! I thought I turned out great, I have been doing more looks with it now and not so afraid so use it. :) In this pic it looks kinda green- wierd.

Browns

Sorry the pic is sorta yellow- camera phones aren't always the best quality. it's usually what I have last minute so I take it.

I did this look back in early December- I believe on my anniversary weekend. :) I love having plenty of time to get ready- I normally don't do much for work. Occasionally I will get up with extra time- but mostly its just very simple and basic. Little mascara and little bit of MAC paint pot in Bare Study- its my FAVE!! :)

Here is what I used-

I can't remember what foundation I have on- I believe it's by Mineral Mine in fair or something. I like the coverage when I first put it on but after my face would start to get oily the foundation would look splotchy between my brows. I hate that! So, you can't really see what I did to my lips or cheeks so I left those out.

- MAC pot in BARE STUDY for my all over base (thin layer all over)
-MERLE NORMAN in CASHEW for lid from lash to below brow bone
-MERLE NORMAN in COLA in crease (blend well)
-JANE IREDALE liquid liner in COPPER along lash line
-ULTA kohl liner in BLACK/BROWN in the water line above and 3/4 lower
-COVER GIRL mascara in BLACK (two coats) on lashes
-SMASH BOX brow color in DK BROWN for brows.

Get creative this year! I know I need to- I have been eyeing some pallettes by YABY Cosmetics.. it's a pretty penny though. So Im savin!! If you see any thing you like and wanna share let me know- Im always open to new ideas. :) Always improving or recreating my work.

Love AL

New Year Wishes!

Happy Be-lated New Years! The Holidays were super busy for me this year- I didn't even get to enjoy them! I was working so much that it came to Christmas Eve and we didn't have the tree up at all! Horrible to admit I know. Most people wouldn't even think about admitting to that kind of unthinkable description of a Christmas! I did how ever have all my Christmas shopping before the holiday was in full swing- thank goodness for that! I don't know what sad pathetic morning that would have been like if I hadn't- I hate to even think about it!

I read an article today about the New Year resolutions and how every year we all make them and every year most of us don't keep them. (for those who do- this post is not for you) She decided she was going to have a New Year Wish List- and I thought that was a fantastic idea! Throw all my resolutions to the wind and start the year off right with wishes, so I am going to do just that.

I wish that the busier I got I had a second me to clean my house and then relax for the evening or have the second me work my job everyday. I wish that Wendy's wasn't so "easy" and that my stomach didn't growl every time I thought about the spicy chicken sand which with hot fries and an ice cold Dr Pepper. I wish that marriage wasn't so hard and that the damn Cinderella story was really how it happened. (well- the happily ever after part- not the wicked step family thing) I wish that I could think of awesome topics and creative ways to write a blog like many of my fellow bloggers do- you guys are great I love reading all about the things you love! I wish that Christmas didn't come so fast or leave even faster and that the stores wouldn't ruin Christmas music by Dec 23rd. I wish that not only the holiday pounds but the past few years pounds would melt away as I type my entries for my blog. {I might post more if that actually happened :^)!}

I hope that as you read some of my wish list you will get ideas too- and don't stress about the new year, it always gets us anyway- if not this year it will the next.

I know I said NO to New Years Resolutions- but I do have one. To take one day at a time and be Grateful for it. I think that if I can at least to that I feel that somehow every other thing I would have wanted to resolute about might come a bit easier. :) I love you all! Look forward to hearing more from me this year! I love hearing from you-

Love Al