Makeup Basics: White Eyeliner.

A good white eyeliner is such a necessity, it can not only brighten your eyes but it can help brighten shadows and change the color of your eyebrows if wanted without harsh dyes. I have found 2 excellent white liners that will permanently be in my makeup collection.
First one is Nyx Jumbo Pencil in Milk.

This bad boy is only $4.50. It's quite a steal if you ask me. This product is SO white and creamy. It works wonders as a base, or just simply a liner.

And Rimmel Kohl Kajal White liner. I think I bought this for around $4. It's affordable and works quite well. I honestly think this could be a knock off of Nyx milk pencil. They are roughly the same color and consistency yet Nyx is creamier.

White liner is a great tool to use when wanting a fresh, bright eyed look. It makes you seem inviting and more awake. When applied to the inner corner, lower lash line, and brow bone, it can stimulate a bright eye look. All you have to do is smudge it once you have applied a small amount to each place I've mentioned, then press one a white shimmery powder. to the inner corner and brown. This also looks fabulous when paired with a neutral/pin up look.

White liner is also a great base for bright, highly pigmented shadows. I use it whenever I'm in the mood for a intensely bright look like this. I used a eye shadow base, then applied Nyx Milk all over my lid. Then blended it out and up to the crease. Then just apply your shadows. It makes neon colors just POP

Ever wanted pink eyebrows without permanent dyes? So do I, in fact I change the color of my eyebrows all the time. It does fool people quite a bit and I do enjoy it. lol. When changing the color of your eyebrows just run a white liner through them, filling them in. Once they are mostly all white pat your shadow on top and WAH-LAH. :]

DIY With Rosemary

Rosemary is an essential is some kitchens, and a must have in some gardens, but did you know Rosemary can benefit you hair and skin? This little herb has a wonderful scent and is a beneficial tool for those who have oily skin, acne prone skin, anti fugal, disinfecting properties, and a mighty astringent. This llittle shrub is rich in active compounds and antioxidants like calcuim, vitamin B6, iron, cineole, verbenon, which all effectively tone and tight any saggy or loose skin, This plant is truely a beauty garden must.
Here are 2 DIY recipes specially for you.

Hair Strengthening Rosemary Oil.
Here's what you'll need:

1/2c Olive Oil.

1/2c Dried Rosemary
Combine the ingredients in a pan over medium to low heat and bring it to a boil. Once it has reached a boil, turn the stove off and let it sit and marinate for 20 minutes. This is letting the rosemary's natural oils and essentials to infuse the oil. When the mixture is cooled down, strain out the rosemary and massage it into your scalp and hair. Let this sit for 20 minutes and wash! This should make hair much stronger and you will notice less fall out or split ends.


Soothing Facial Mask
Here's what you'll need:

All Natural Aloe Vera

2 drops of essential Rosemary Oil

1 drop of Tea Tree Oil

1 drop of Lavender Oil

1/4c Honey

All of this can be found a your local organic whole food store or herbal store. This face mask is as easy as mixing them all together in a small bowl and applying a thin layer to your face. You may want to steam your face before applying, you may not. This face mask will soothe any irritation or redness plus it will leave your face smelling absolutely wonderful!

History Of Glam: Dramatic 1940"s

With big makeup names like Max Factor, Elizabeth Arden, Dorothy Gray and Helena Rubinstein, The look of the evening was GLAMOUR. Women came alive at night, after spending long, hard hours in factories or shipyards. At night these women were allowed to dress and look more feminine than in the day. It was still very simple but it gave them sex appeal. 

Foundation was applied in a slightly darker color than your actual skin tone then a powder that matches your skin tone was applied on top, to make skin appear flawless. Rouge was either red with a pink undertone, or pink with a fuchsia undertone. This was applied in a triangle from cheekbones to right below the temple giving off a triangle effect. 

Eye makeup was quite different from day to night. Daytime required little makeup to get these women through the day. They wore light skin color shades just to quickly brighten the eyes. Evening time was all about a smoky eye. Using light grays, tans, lighter blacks they're smoky eye was flawless giving them a mysterious, yet inviting look. Lashes were caked with mascara. Remember lashes are key. 

Lipstick worn for the evening was much darker, and sexier. Women wanted to appeal to more men without looking like they're trying. One way they did this was with their lips. They wore a perfect crimson, brick red, or mahogany lip. Any dark red was used. 

For my look, I followed this to a T.  But I was very inspired by pictures of Vivien Leigh. Grey smoky eye, a couple coats of mascara, fake lashes, crimson lips, and rosy blush. I actually liked this look. I found it rather beautiful. 

My Top 10 Hair Care Products

   I never really used to do my hair, I would either leave it down or toss it up in a messy half bun and go. I didn't really care too much about hair styling or taking much care of it either. My hair routine used to be as simple as washing it, letting it air dry, then straightening or curling.
   After having my daughter I noticed a drastic change in my hair. It went from healthy, thick and little to no split ends to very damaged, drab, pretty coarse and just over all a pain in the ass. My hair is frizzy after washing, it feels remotely coarse and I have noticed more fall out in my hair brush or even running my fingers through my hair after showering. It was really starting to depress me. I vowed to myself I will learn to take care of my hair better, find things to renew my hair back to health, and learn more ways to do my hair! Thus being said I have cut out my straightner and curler almost COMPLETELY out of my life. I let my hair air dry and only style my hair with heat for special events.

I have made a list of things I have found since I vowed that to myself that help manage and restore my mane.

1. Wen Cleansing Conditioner

Wen is an incredible conditioner. It is a 5-in-1 formula that can replace shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler, and leave-in conditioner. It thoroughly cleanses hair without having to lather it up into a foamy mess. Another great thing is there is not harsh ingredients that are usually found in common shampoos. It is designed for ultra-sensitive hair and scalps. It leaves my hair super soft and shiny, It reduces fly-aways and most of all it moisturizes my coarse hair.

2. Aussie Sun Touched Shine Hairspray.

I don't really use much hair spray unless I'm going somewhere special or doing hair for my many mini photo shoots. I turn to this when I have little stray hairs sticking out that need smoothing down. Aussie hairspray really does the job without leaving it feeling like a chunk of glossed straw and it doesn't fall flat after a couple hours like most hairspray, it stays strong and long! It doesn't have that "sun-kissed" shine that it says but it is wonderful for updos, teasing, or just laying down a stray hair.

3. Bed Head After Party Smoothing Mousse.

After Party brings a healthy, silky shine to my hair. It tames frizz and helps manage my hair so I'm able to work with it. I use this mainly on the days my hair just finished drying and decided to turn into a frizz ball. My hair literally looks like someone ran a balloon on my head and left it all puffed and static-y. Just a small amount smoothes out frizzy messes without making it look greasy. And it smells GREAT! The bottle is quite oddly shapened and I frequently get asked "What the hell is that" when people notice it in my vanity. lol

4. Redken 12 Align Hair Straightner Serum.

When I do want to straighten my hair I grab this stuff! It is applied to damp hair and can be either blow dried for a natural straight look, or used with a hair straightner for a dramatic, dead straight look. It adds control and discipline to curly hair. It is a heat- protective serum, so I don't have to worry if I'm taking 2 steps back and damaging my hair again. I LOVE this product and what it does to my hair.

5. Pantene Pro-V Restoratives For Breakage Defense.

I have the shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner. Within the time I have used this I have noticed quite a change in my hair, it's not coarse and I am not seeing as much fall out as I usually did. When your hair goes through such a drastic change it does depress you. But Pantene Pro-V Restoratives is slowly helping repair my hair. It has made my hair so much stronger and hydrated.

6. Sauve Kids Detangler.

Now I know what your thinking, "Sauve Kids?? Really?" well yes really. I think Sauve is an underestimated product. It is affordable and does what it says. My daughter's hair is curly as heck. The perfect, ringlet almost Sherley Temple type curlers which makes combing her hair out a screaming hassle. When I got this I honestly didn't expect much because I'm used to a high end mane detangler. But spraying this on her hair when it's freshly washed or even dry, letting it sit for 5-7 minutes leaves the comb just running right through her hair. It removes big rat nest type tangles kids get that seem almost impossible to get out and you wondering how the hell they managed to get a tangle that big! She is sensitive headed too, so this turns a screaming situation into a manageable one. I do reccommend this to any mother.

7. Paul Mitchell Tea Trea Oil Shampoo.

This bad boy was picked up for my sister who has a dandruff problem. But being me and having a slightly odd liking for reading the back labels of shampoo bottles led me to using this. It is great! When massaging this into your hair and scalp it has a cool menthol feeling to it even a slight tingling effect. It smells and feels refreshing. My hair feel stronger, frizz free and even helped out her dandruff problem. It is rather pricy, a normal sized bottle is currently 31.95 but it is worth it.

8 Sauve Professionals Rosemary And Mint Shampoo + Conditioner

This invigoration shampoo and conditioner is enriched with 100% all natural rosemary and mint. It gently cleans and increases better manageabilitly. It does leave my hair shiny and soft with a light hint of rosemary. It's cheap and works well.

9. Beyond The Zone Smooth Criminal Thermal Protect Spray.

This light weight balm is great for someone who uses heat in their daily hair routine. It helps seal the hair cuticle and does speed up blow drying time. It enhances shine and smoothness. I used this all the time when I constantly straightened/curled my hair. I use it when I do hair for other people because I know how much I value my hair so I wouldn't want to damaged someone else's hair. It majorly prevents damaged due to heat.

10. Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum.

This unique formula helps repair damaged hair and cuticles. It mends split ends and frizziness. It is an indulgent blend of orangic coconut oil, and keratin proteins that promotes longer hair by reducing dramatic damage. It adds strength and elasticity to weak or brittle hair. This serum completely changed my hair! I dont see any split ends and brushing my hair has gotten alot more enjoyable. I dont have NEARLY the amount of fall out as I did before using this. It smells wonderful. This is great for men and women.

History Of Glam: Natural 1940's

          The decade began early with the world at war and ended broken. Thus The United Nations were established and a welfare state came to be.

       Computers were being invented and familiar items such as the microwave oven, and Tupperware had made it's debut for the first time. The movie style of this decade was Film Noir. Classic films like Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, It's A Wonderful Life, Citzen Kane and Casablanca were box office hits. The careers of Lauren Bacall and Humprey Bogart were just rising.

The world was at war in the 40's, which meant that resources were restricted everywhere. Women were venturing back into the work force while men were going to war. Clothing was greatly reflected this desperate time.Women's skirts became much shorter and duller in the 40's. Fabric and other resources were in such short supply, so a shorter hem was seen more patriotic than lewd during this time.Nylons were rarely available during the war which left women dying their bare legs with tea then drawing seams. Clothes were very much plain, Shoulders were squared off, and skirts were dead straight.  Mixing and matching fabrics was a new thing for women due to the fabric shortage. It made for a one hell of a colorful and lively wardrobe. Heels were becoming thicker and more sturdy with the help of heavy walking to and fro work from women trying to conserve energy.  These thick heeled shoes and basic A-line skirts are still worn today. They were considered one of the marvels of this time. Women's fashion became durable due to the work force. Undergarments were much more useful and industrial. Clothing need to be able to take a long, hard beating. Sleeves were short due to fabric rationing, shoulders were square due to military influence. Short and sportswear were being worn by women for the first time.

The 1940's era had refined women and slowly sat the stage for feminists who would later reflict the history of women. For the first time in our country's history, even the average women was expected to live out to different roles; the sweet homemaker, the wife of a solider, and a hard working factory employee. It didn't take long for women to understand their roles in society during this time. While men were at war, someone had to work in the factories and ship yards. It didn't take very long for the government to realize women were the back bone of companies during this time. They were the only ones producing equipment and the supplies needed to run their war. Some women thought they were doing their patriotic duty and were very delighted to enter the work force, while some women found it unfeminine to work outside the home and refused to work. The government soon sent these women to work by using flattery, cajolery, and outright threats.

Hairstyles in the 40's were smoother and quite longer.  Thus giving the war years a more romantic, softer look. Bob haircuts disappeared, women wanted longer beautiful hair even if they had to pin it up for work.  Curlers and irons were created to give women wavier hair that could be pulled away from their faces. The hair trends were glamorous if not high maintence. For day time styles women would wear their hair down with long wavy curlers imidatiting Lauren Bacall. For evening looks, they wore their hair in a chignon with lots of curls to accompany it.  Fingerwaves and pincurls were still among these trends. Many women would go to sleep with curlers on or even did the dishes with their hair in a bandana to cover their pincurls while drying ever so tightly against their head. Hair dye wasn't unheard of at this time. Peroxide became  a way to have more fun.

Makeup was affected by the war during this time. This took women's thoughts off of romance and more towards simplicity. Lips were a true, patriotic red. Skin was creamy, powdered and smoothly pinkish. Mascara was still on women's face, though it was something mainly worn after work.  Romance and Simplicity fought eachother in the home. Women simply wanted to look beautiful either swing dancing or during working shifts. Makeup for women during the war years was a way of maintaining a woman's feeling of femininity in a world that was incredibly challenging for women expecially to take on a man's role. The defined style for makeup in this decade was simply glamorous. Full luscious lips and a more prominent eyebrow shape was making its way into fashion and slowly kicking out the pencil thin look. Eye makeup was kept to a minimum with very little eye shadow being applied. The main focus was eyelashes. Mascara was the main if not only accessory to the eyes.

Foundation was a slightly darker tone to your own natural skin color. Face powder used then had a bit of a light rose/peach tint. Rouge was still applied in circles but was blended out to the temples. It was applied in a triangle effect. Face powder was to create a beautiful rosy glow instead of the Cleopatra look from the 30's.

Eyes of the 40's started with a full yet well plucked eyebrow with a pronounced arch. Soft cream based shadows were applied to the lids and a brownish tan color just a tad bit darker then their skin color was applied to the crease but never went higher. then they applied many coats of mascara. Long, thick eyelashes were key. Though mascara was something mainly worn at night, if worn during the day women chose a natural brown color mascara.

Lips were probably the most striking feature during the 40's. They were incredibly and stylishly done but with a subtleness to them. The upper lip was made to look roundish, giving women a sexy look without trying too look obvious. Popular colors of lipstick were, crimson, dark red, vermillion. pale red, and a cherry red.

I decided to stick to the working day look. The simplicity of throwing on a little bit of foundation, lipstick and mascara before heading to work. Many of these women figured it was simplier to wear less makeup, not wanting a extravagant look just to get dirty while working. Many women worked long hours in dirty situations either in a  ammunition factory or in a shipyard. You couldn't really stand to look fab with a face full of dirt. So simple I went. I used a lighter skin toned eye shadow, and a volumizing mascara paired with a bright red lip. That's it. Simple is key here.

MAC Photo Shoot Inspiration.

I have seen this picture advertising MAC Cosmetics on facebook pretty often lately. Every time I see this I think to myself "Man I really should try this look out, but it seems mighty complicated." Well it is a little intimidating to look at, and I think that's why I have yet to try it. But today has been pretty friggin boring so I decided I would give it a try. Here is the inspiration:

It's very pretty. And quite basic right? I mean it's just a dramatic cut crease that extends toward right below the brow. The yellow lid extends out towards the nose with a dramatic cat eye. The brow highlight is a neon green color followed with a barbie pink lipstick and blush.

Here's my look:

I didn't use an "OMG here she comes out of the 80's" pink blush. Instead i just placed a pink eye shadow below the green.  I like this look, but I feel like a glamorous clown.

Lioness.

Yesterday I did a little photoshoot with my sister. We do these little photo shoots often out of boredom. She always asks me to take her photo's for her profile pictures. I ask her if she wants normal pictures and she always replys "Who wants normal pictures?" lol. Here is what we came up with.

PRODUCTS USED:

Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner

Voluminous Felt Liner

MAC eyeshadow in Cork

Mac eyeshadow in Honesty

Wet n Wild Lashes

Maybelline quad in Coffee Bean