Ins and Outs No. 1

So I have not done a blog post in forever, mainly due to the lack of photoshop on my computer. My previous computer got zapped in a thunderstorm so I no longer have photoshop at my disposal, and since I have been spoiled I have no idea how to edit my pictures without it. But, c'est la vie. I have a new computer now and I sincerely hope nothing happens to this one or I am up sh*t creek, as they say.

I got this ins/outs idea from lollipop26. I've read a few of hers and I enjoy them so I thought I would give it a shot. Here goes!

INS

Bronzer- Cliche for summer, I know, but in particular I like matte bronzers. I use them to contour slightly and then I use a shimmery blush to add contrast to my face. It turns out very pretty I think. My favorite bronzer (found it on my 3rd try too) is NARS Irresisteblement. I don't honestly understand why everyone thinks Laguna is such a great color for pale skin... it's ridiculously dark. Irresisteblement also adds warmth to the face which I think it good for summer too.

Skipping a day between shampooings- I used to never EVER go a single day without washing my hair. And I mean EVER. I would spend the night at the house of someone I barely knew and would ask to be allowed to take a shower so I could wash my hair. I was religious about it. Now though, I know that it can be good for your hair to skip a day every once in awhile. Letting the oils that occur naturally on your scalp absorb for an extra day helps your hair stay super soft and it makes my scalp feel nice and moisturized, which is nice since (if you have been watching my videos) I've had some issues with dryness recently. I also discovered dry shampoo. I haven't quite mastered it yet, but I'll keep practicing. ;)

Naked Nails- This time last year I painted my nails at least once a week if not more. I accumulated quite a few pretty polishes and I do still love them. I just got out of the habit during the school year because of how busy I was and one other thing... my nails start to flake and peel if I paint them too much. They also yellow a bit, but I think that just comes with the territory. If anyone knows of a good base coat to prevent this please let me know... the OPI one causes the flaking.

Salad- In the summer I go from warm foods to cool foods. I also used to hate salad, but now I love it. I'm something of a foodie as well so it's fun for me to make up new salads and see how they taste, usually a combination of a meat and a few other veggies and possibly a cheese. I find myself going back to southwestern style most often, with black beans, salsa, corn, cheese, and chicken. I highly recommend it. Salsa is a good way to go if you want to cut back calories and fat by skipping salad dressing, but you still want some extra flavor.

Sleeping late- It's summer. I like sleep.

OUTS

Waking up early- See above.

Soups/stews- Too hot for summer. I'll save them for winter.

Yellow teeth- I know my teeth aren't horrible by any means, but recently I've noticed they're looking a lot more yellow than I'd like. Can anyone recommend a good drugstore whitening system? It would be much appreciated! I know GoSmile is supposed to be good but it's also expensive.

Super frosty makeup- And when I say frosty, I mean anything that's super duper cool toned shimmery. Shimmer is still good for summer, I'm just not a fan of the silvery sheen for warm weather.

Lack of experimentation- During the year I've fallen so behind in finding time to play with makeup... I know it's just for fun but it makes me sad when I don't have time to do things I enjoy. In the past week alone since school has been over I've worn more makeup than I probably have in the past 3 months! In a good way though. I merely got around to doing a full face of makeup.

4 THINGS THAT ARE ALWAYS IN

1. Ballet! There is no season that ballet is inappropriate.

2. Exercise. It really makes a world of difference for me to get daily exercise, whether it's ballet or a gym form. I feel so much more energized and it helps me sleep better at night.

3. Drinking lots of water. Amen.

4. Eating healthy. This not only helps your weight, but it helps your skin and your mood too!

Prom Series: Green & Gold

FACE

-Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-Amazing Concealer- Fair
-NARS Blush- Orgasm

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC e/s- Brun
-CS 88 Palette- Original and Shimmer
-UD e/s- Half Baked
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-MAC e/s- Carbon
-UD 24/7 Liner- Honey
-UD Liquid Liner- Perversion
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC l/s- Vegas Volt
-MAC Slimshine l/s- Funshine
-MAC Dazzleglass- Smile

TAG- 40 Questions

This would definitely be too long for a video so I figured I would do a blog post instead! I found this tag here at Jessica/PicturesqueMakeup's blog. If you haven't seen her blog or her videos on youtube you should definitely check her out!

Ok, on with the tag!

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SKINCARE

-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice

-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
Combo/Oily. It used to just be oily but since I'm getting older my skin is finally drying out a little.

-What is your current facial wash?
Philosophy Purity Made Simple

-Do you exfoliate?
Yes; I use the Clarisonic every other day at night, Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream once a week, and my Clinique Clarifying Lotion #4 twice a day.

-What brand do you use?
Mostly Clinique.

-What moisturizer do you use?
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. I used the Lotion formula a little during the winter when my skin was drying out.

-Do you have freckles?
Nope

-Do you use eye cream?
I used a whole pot of Clinique All About Eyes, but now I'm using Strivectin-SD and I really like it.

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
I do, but it's not as bad as it used to be.

-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
Nope. I make a point to stay away from that stuff. I know it's worked for some but I've heard too many horror stories.

MAKE-UP
-What foundation do you use?
Bare Minerals Matte Foundation (Fair)

-How about concealer?
I used to not use concealer because I couldn't find a formula I liked, but I recently tried Amazing Concealer (Ultra Light) and I really love it.

-Do you know your undertone color?
I've found that I'm quite neutral. I think it would be a bit more on the pink side, but neutral foundation colors tend to match me best.

-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
HATE THEM WITH A PASSION. They look wonderful in makeup looks but for me they're a pain to put on and I hate feeling them when I blink... and they itch sometimes.

-Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Erm... not so much... I know you're supposed to but it seems like such a waste of product to me. I take good care of my mascara and don't share with anyone else so I just keep it until it starts to dry out which for the kind I use is about 6 months.

-What brand of mascara do you use?
Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash in Black. The first and only mascara I've ever loved. :)

-Sephora or MAC?
Sephora

-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
Nope. I'm a regular person.

-What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Mostly MAC brushes just because I like some of their brushes better than Sigma's and a few of Sigma's brushes. My blush brush is from Sonia Kashuk and I've loved it forever.

-Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Always! UDPP Original and sometimes also a MAC Paint Pot.

-For the face?
Never tried one.

-What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
Urban Decay Sellout. The best neutral shade for my face. It makes me look nice and awake.

-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Usually pencil just because it's faster. My favorite is UD 24/7 in Bourbon.

-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Never

-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
I love them! They can be messy but I love having high pigmentation without having to work a ton with the eyeshadow to get it.

-Do you use mineral makeup?
Yep. My foundation is Bare Minerals!

-What is your favorite lipstick?
I'm not a huge lipstick person on a day to day basis, but I do love Lancome's L'Absolute Rouge in Voile de Rose, MAC's lipstick in Hue, and NARS's lipstick in Manhunt and Barbarella.

-How about lipgloss?
MAC's Underage and NARS Turkish Delight.

-What is your favorite blush to use?
Bare Minerals Allover Face Color in Clear Radiance or NARS Orgasm. (typical, I know but such a lovely color)

-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Nope, never have.

-Do you like drugstore makeup?
Not really... I prefer quality over quantity. I know you can find some good stuff in drugstores but I'd still choose something I know is going to be high quality.

-Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
I've always wanted to go to one... they look amazing.

-Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
I would like to just to learn something new but I never have.

-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
I'm always very very careful and if I accidentally pinch or poke someone I apologize immediately! On myself I've gotten pretty good at it and I know how to put on makeup so I don't hurt myself.

-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
foundation lines! Aaaaah!!!! When the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse first came out a bunch of girls at school thought it was the best thing ever but the shade never matched their skintone! It made me crazy!

-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I like neutral shades on the eyes and I often find it fun to play with bold lips even though I'll rarely wear them out.

-Which celebrity always has great make up?
Kim Kardashian, Kiera Knightly, Rihanna. Lady Gaga is always fun to see what craziness she'll come up with next.

-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Powder foundation. Or maybe blush... I do love blush...

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
I could but I don't usually unless I'm sick and I don't care what I look like.

-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
I like the way I look without makeup. I find it refreshing to just be looking at skin instead of skin + powder, etc. I do like that foundation evens out my skin and covers any acne scars, but I really love days when I don't have to put on makeup.

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
Hmm... this is an impossible question. My two favorites would be NARS and Urban Decay, although MAC is very good because it has a wide range of shades in everything.

-What do you think of Makeup?
I love it! I think it's a way to help women feel more confident about how they look, and if you feel more confident you'll act more confident and in today's world I think everyone needs a bit more of that. I also love the artistic aspect of it because it's a form of art that not everyone thinks of as traditional 'art.'

Prom Series: Blue and Silver

FACE

-Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer- NW15
-NARS blush- Desire

EYES

-UDPP
-Stila Smudge Pot- Cobalt Clutch
-UD e/s- Kiddie Pool
-Covergirl Quad- Tropical Fusion (?), dark blue
-CS 88 Original Palette- darkest blue
-UD e/s- Oil Slick
-Ben Nye Cream Color- White
-MAC e/s- Gesso
-UD Liquid Liner- Perversion
-UD 24/7 Pencil- Zero
-LA Splash glitter liner- Huntington Silver
-MAC p/g- Pink Opal

LIPS

-Lancome Juicy Tubes- Miracle
-CS 88 Original Palette- light blue pink

Job Interview Makeup: For the Expert

FACE

-Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-Bare Escentuals Allover Face Color- Clear Radiance
-NARS bronzer- Irresisteblement

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paintpot- Painterly
-UD Deluxe Eyeshadow- Ruthless
-NARS e/s duo- Portobello (darker shade)
-MAC e/s- Brun
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-Stila Smudge Pot- Brown
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

The Blue Brown Experiment

FACE

-id Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-MAC blush- Eversun
-NARS bronzer- Irresisteblement
-Clinique Allover Luster Color Rub

EYES

-UDPP
-Ben Nye Cream Color- White
-Stila Smudge Pot- Cobalt Clutch (LE)
-Stila Smudge Pot- Brown
-MAC pigment- Blue Brown
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC lipstick- Brave New Bronze (LE)
-MAC Dazzleglass- Smile

Sweet and Sexy Pink

FACE

-id Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-Clinique Concealer
-NARS blush- Desire

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-MAC Pigment- Kitschmas
-MAC Pigment- Fuschia
-UD e/s- Last Call
-MAC e/s- Beautymarked
-MAC e/s- Gesso
-MAC Pigment- Pink Opal
-MAC Pigment- Deep Blue Green
-UD 24/7 Liner- Zero
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-L'Oreal HIP Jellybalm- Plush
-MAC Pigment- Pink Opal

Rock Candy

Rock Candy by Essie

This is, as Temptalia described it, "a typical Essie sheer." I love sheer nail polishes. I think they make my nails look very clean and sophisticated without being in your face. This is a sheer milky pink, and you'd even need another coat if you wanted most people to notice you were wearing a color at all. This is definitely appropriate for work (especially since I'm not allowed to wear nail polish to work... at least a color they'll notice. Muahahaha!) and a good color for anyone who doesn't want to look like they've painted their nails.

Unlike some of Essie's sheer polishes, this one was not streaky even on the first coat alone. Me gusta mucho. This is my new love for natural looking nails.

This was part of Essie's 2009 Christmas collection.

Photo taken inside, no natural light.

This is:

-1 coat OPI Nail Envy
-2 coats Rock Candy by Essie
-1 coat Seche Vite topcoat

Mint Candy Apple

Mint Candy Apple by Essie

This is such an amazing color! There have been a few shades released recently that are similiar, the most popular probably being MAC's Peppermint Patty. I'm not a huge fan of MAC nail polishes so I didn't get that, but I do love Essie! The first coat went on a bit streaky, but everything evened out by the second. I did a thin first coat and a slightly thicker second coat. This lasted several days with no chipping (aside from my two nails that always chip because I'm convinced they just hate nail polish of all types) and only a small amount of tipwear. This was taken after about 3 days of wear.

The color is a creamy pastel light green with a strong blue undertone. One of my friends was convinced that this was blue, not green but to me it looks more green. A very unique color and I love love love it.

This was part of Essie's 2009 Christmas collection.

Photo was taken indoors, no natural light.

This is:

-1 coat OPI Nail Envy
-2 coats Mint Candy Apple by Essie
-1 coat Seche Vite topcoat

Dark Opal

FACE

-id Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-NARS blush- Desire
-MAC pigment- Pink Opal

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-MAC pigment- Pink Opal
-Raving Beauty Cosmetics e/s- Spring Violet
-UD Deluxe e/s- Frigid
-MAC pigment- Deep Blue Green
-MAC e/s- Gesso
-Stila Eye Kajal- Onyx
-MAC Reflects Transparent Teal Glitter
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-L'Oreal Hip Jellybalm- Plush
-MAC pigment- Pink Opal

November Favorites

Products Mentioned:

-Philosophy Purity Cleanser
-Clinique Clarifying Lotion 4
-Lush Ocean Salt Exfoliator
-Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm
-Philosophy Unconditional Love Eau de Toilette (sample)
-UD 24/7 eyeliner pencil- Ransom
-MAC Fluidline- Macroviolet
-NARS e/s duo- Eurydice
-Sonia Kashuk Blusher Brush

Sephora Haul!

Products Mentioned:

-NARS lipstick- Manhunt
-NARS Bronzer- Irresisteblement
-NARS e/s duo- Eurydice
-UD 24/7 eyeliner pencil- Yeyo
-id Bare Minerals Allover Face Color- Clear Radiance
-Sephora clutch with samples

Holiday Look

FACE
-Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-NARS Bronzer- Irresisteblement

EYES

-MAC Paint Pot- Rubenesque
-L'Oreal Wear Infinite e/s quad- Earthscape
-Stila Kajal Eye Liner- Onyx
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-NARS lipstick- Manhunt

LUSH Haul

Products Mentioned:

-Sexy Peel Soap
-Honey I Washed the Kids Soap
-Honey Trap Lip Balm
-Snowshowers Shower Jelly

Soft Pink and Purple

FACE

-id Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-MAC blush- On A Mission (LE)

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-UD e/s- Sellout
-MAC e/s- Lotusland
-MAC e/s- Satellite Dreams
-MAC pigment- Circa Plum
-NARS e/s duo- Habanera
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-UD 24/7 Liner- Zero
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC Lipglass- Underage

October Favorites

Products Mentioned:

-Bare Minerals Matte Foundation- Fair
-Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm
-Lush Honey I Washed The Kids Soap
-NARS e/s duo- Habanera (dark purple)
-MAC Bronzing Powder- Solar Riche (LE)
-Buxom Lash Mascara

Grecian Goddess Halloween Tutorial

FACE

-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-MAC Bronzing Powder- Solar Riche (LE)
-MAC blush- Springsheen

EYES

-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-UD e/s- Half Baked
-UD e/s- Twice Baked
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-UD 24/7 Liner- Deviant
-MAC e/s- Clarity
-MAC pigment- Mutiny (LE)
-CS 88 Shimmer Palette
-MAC e/s- Crystal Avalanche (optional highlight above the blue)
-L'Oreal Lineur Intense Liquid Liner- Carbon Black
-UD 24/7 Liner- Honey
-UD e/s- Flipside
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC lipstick- Brave New Bronze (LE)
-CS 88 Shimmer Palette
-MAC Dazzleglass- Smile

Natural Neutral Eye

FACE

-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-Clinique Acne Solutions Concealer
-i.d. Bare Minerals Allover Face Color- Clear Radiance

EYES

-UDPP
-MAC Paint Pot- Painterly
-UD e/s- Sellout
-NARS e/s- Cairo
-UD e/s- YDK
-UD 24/7 Liner- Bourbon
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-Stila SPF 20 Shine Lip Color- Sarah

Depression Awareness Month & Green Smokey Eye

Many people know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but very few know that it's also Depression Awareness Month. I was inspired by Scrangie to do this post and video. Thanks Scrangie. :) If it weren't for you I wouldn't have known about this.

To visit the website for To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) and read about their story and vision click here. If you know someone/have ever known someone suffering from depression or any related issues please check out their site! It's really inspiring and offers great ideas for helping those going through a bad time in life.

Here are some statistics Scrangie posted on depression from Uplift Program that I mention in my video:

• Depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million American adults or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. This includes major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder.
  
• Everyone, will at some time in their life be affected by depression -- their own or someone else's, according to Australian Government statistics. (Depression statistics in Australia are comparable to those of the US and UK.)
• Pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market for antidepressants. At least four percent of preschoolers -- over a million -- are clinically depressed.
  
• The rate of increase of depression among children is an astounding 23% p.a.
• 15% of the population of most developed countries suffers severe depression.
• 30% of women are depressed. Men's figures were previously thought to be half that of women, but new estimates are higher.
• 54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness.
• 41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help.
• 80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment.
• 92% of depressed African-American males do not seek treatment.
• 15% of depressed people will commit suicide.
• Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease.
  
• Depression results in more absenteeism than almost any other physical disorder and costs employers more than US$51 billion per year in absenteeism and lost productivity, not including high medical and pharmaceutical bills.
  
• Antidepressants work for 35 to 45% of the depressed population, while more recent figures suggest as low as 30%.
• Standard antipressants, SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil (Aropax) and Zoloft, have recently been revealed to have serious risks, and are linked to suicide, violence, psychosis, abnormal bleeding and brain tumors.
  
• Government (FDA) warnings highlight concerns over the efficacy and use of antidepressants in children. Antidepressants with the exception of Prozac have been banned in Britain for children. The BMJ recently reported they found no scientific evidence whatsoever that SSRIs work for preschoolers (or for anyone under eighteen).
• Antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) work only as well (or less) than placebos.
  
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has an 80% relapse rate in the long term.
• Physiological problems, plus learned beliefs and behaviors, make functional decisions difficult, and the results reinforce the depression in a vicious cycle.
  
• Depression can “somatize,” or become expressed in the body.
• 80% of people who see physicians are depressed.
• Studies are increasingly linking more illnesses to depression, including: osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancer, eye disease and back pain.

Some of the symptoms of depression in adults are:

• Persistent sad or "empty" mood.
• Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, pessimistic and/or guilty.
• Substance abuse.
• Fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.
• Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns.
• Irritability, increased crying, anxiety or panic attacks.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
• Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts.
• Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.

(From SAVE.org)

To visit Scrangie's blog post click here.

And finally, here are the products and pictures from my video:

FACE

-MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Light
-MAC blush- Springsheen

EYES

-UDPP
-Stila Kajal Eye Liner- Onyx
-CS 88 Shimmer Palette
-MAC e/s- Blanc Type
-UD Liquid Liner- Perversion
-UD 24/7 Eye Liner- Zero
-Buxom Lash Mascara- Black

LIPS

-MAC Slimshine Lipstick- Funshine

NAILS

-OPI n/p- Yoga-to Get This Blue!

Fade Acne Scars!

I love this stuff to death! I've used (almost) 2 bottles of it and it really helps with my acne scarring. I've tried a couple of other products, one from Clinique's acne line, with no real results. While this doesn't make my skin picture perfect, it does significantly help with unevenness and dark spots from acne and (I would imagine) sun damage. This product is also suitable for all skin tones from light to dark.

NOTE: Be sure to use sunscreen with this! The active ingredients in this serum make your skin more susceptible to sun damage.

Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, $39.50 @ clinique.com