I want!!! Shu Uemura Blinged Up Eyelash Curler

It's simple- I want this eyelash curler. It's not even available on the Shu website- I think it is only available in Malaysia at this time???

Pretty eyes

Here are some pretty eye makeup for your viewing pleasure. This was for daytime wear so I went very natural.

I've been practicing my eye makeup on hooded eyes and had my friends Linda, Ly and Monica over for testing. Part of the challenge is doing the eye makeup so there is no transfer of eye shadow, eyeliner or mascara to the lid and/or below the eye. I applied my Urban Decay primer potion all over the lid then topped it off with MAC's paint pot in Soft Ochre. I then layered on eye shadows. All the ladies are wearing some combination of Wet n Wild's Color Icon Eye Shadow Palette in Vanity. Such an impressive and affordable little palette. It cost me only $2.49 since it was half off at Walgreens. The colors are complimentary to each other and quite pigmented. I then accented those neutral shades by adding red eye shadow from Napolean Perdis or purple eye shadow from MAC in the crease. I used a super fine eyeliner brush to apply Stila smudge pot as eyeliner- top and bottom. I also lined waterline with white eye pencil to open and brighten up the eyes. I used my Shiseido eyelash curler on Monica (top left) and Linda (top right) and it worked great. On Ly (bottom), I curled her lashes by using spoon method. The spoon method involves taking a metal spoon and using it to curl lashes like you curl gift ribbon. A little tricky but seemed to work for Ly's lashes which are short and close to the lid. I didn't want to try eyelash curler since I was afraid I would pinch her eyes.

Using disposable mascara wands I got from Walmart, I completed the eye look by applying Christian Dior "Diorshow" mascara to each lovely lady. They were all great sports. Come over anytime ladies!

Scariest Zombie nightmare EVER!

I have to say, I look pretty darn gross for a zombie. I had to warn my friends as they arrived for my Halloween party so they would not be scared out of their skins. I actually had no costume makeup so I ended up creating colors by taking an unused foundation and mixing in powder shavings from unused eyeshadows. Thankfully, I had a true red eyeshadow to make the bloody color. I applied the makeup by using a loofah-like bath sponge. This mixing thing worked great since I didn't have to worry about sticky, waxy costume makeup on my face all night.

The thrift store I went to had no wedding dresses so I ended up buying this awesome blue dress and being a Prom Zombie. I made the sash by going to Joanne's Craft and Fabric Store and picking up a spool of wide white ribbon. At first, I wrote the letters on the sash with red marker but it didn't look scary enough so I traced the letters with red lipstick then lightly rubbed lipstick into the ribbon to create a smeared blood look. It turned out great!

The next night, I went more sexy and pretty. My false eyelashes were from Makeup Forever (109 Janet- dense black). They were fun but actually felt heavy- whatta workout for my lids! I worked on all my friend's eye makeup. But best part- they all are wearing MAC's Viva Glam V lipstick! And it looked so different on each of them- thanks Christie for the lippie!

It was fab Halloween. Can't wait for next year. What was your costume? Send me pics to post!

Spooky Halloween

I am such a fraidy cat that Halloween is my least favorite holiday! But this year, I am going to try to be scary. I've been looking for wedding dresses so I can be a zombie bride. I found the perfect wedding dress at the Salvation Army but it's a bit small and tight on top. Robin suggested I just wear tube top underneath and leave the back open. My dress is going to be torn up and bloody anyhow. We'll see- I'm gonna stop by tomorrow night and see if it's still there. I think the makeup will be challenging and fun. Everything I've been reading up on zombie makeup sounds pretty gory- rotting flesh, peeling skin, and dried blood. Gross huh? Well, I'll be sure to post a pic. If I am not a zombie bride, I think I'm gonna go with a zombie prom queen. Just thinking about it all sounds so creepy. Trick or treat!

Winter Skincare Regime

It's been quite windy today and my skin feels so grimy from all the dirt. All throughout summer, I was able to stick to a basic moisterizer with SPF. But with winter, I've been searching for a nourishing but creamy moisterizer for my ultra dry skin. Yesterday, I picked up a jar of M.A.C.'s Studio Moisture Cream. Just tried it today and so far, I love it. It's very moisterizing without feeling heavy. It also gives my skin a nice, radiant glow. Give me a few more days and I will let you know how my makeup sits on it.

Here are some tips for taking care of your skin in the winter. Cold and windy weather can dry out your skin so you need to use a good moisterizer that provides a protective barrier. I apply my moisterizer right after I shower or wash my face so as to seal in the moisture. You also want to take care of your lips so they don't get chapped and bleed. My everyday routine is to wet a cloth towel and scrub my lips in the morning and night. I then apply lip balm. My favorite lip balm is C.O. Bigelow's Lemon Lip Balm. For more intense lip care, make a small mix of sugar and petroleum jelly and rub in on your lips for a minute then wipe off. The sugar crystals will help peel away any chapped skin.

Stay warm this winter!

Winter Vacay!

Okay, yes, I am thinking about where to go for Winter vacation. We have to travel according to Hong's school calendar and I am thinking somewhere tropical. We've been doing aerobics and yoga through the Madison School and Community Recreations Program and I am looking good- gotta maximize my bikini-acceptable body asap! So where to go? Send me ideas. Maybe Hawaii to visit Angela? Miss ya girl! Or Miama- I've never been there and could use some good food and dancing. I would love to go to Rio de Janeiro and lounge on the world famous beaches of Ipanema. Anyone have a friend in Rio we can crash with?

Winter = Cute Boots

Since I moved to Madison from CA five years ago, my favoritest part of Madison is the winter- truly and honestly! I love the snow. I love the cold flakes of snow on my face. I love getting that cool winter bitten red on my cheeks. But the best part is getting to wear cute boots!

Here are some boots I am eyeing- way over my budget but a girl can dream. On Saturday afternoons, when not prepping for a trial, I babysit a lovely boy named Jack. I even calculated how much babysitting I would need to do to afford the boots. As you can see, I babysit Jack out of love, not for money since by the time I could afford the boots, winter would likely be over.

Left: Giuseppe Zanotti Denim Boxer Boots ($1,295.00 or 36 Saturdays of babysitting)
Right: Tory Burch Dabney Wedge Tall Boots ($495.00 or 14 Saturdays of babysitting)

Sephora Purchase List

Here's my purchase list from Sephora's Family and Friend Sale. I am utterly sad that Sephora no longer carries Shu Uemera eyelash curlers- the best curler ever. I've gone through three in my lifetime. But now I will have to try the Shiseido eyelash curler. I hope it won't disappoint me. Anyone already have it and have comparative reviews to share?

Have fun shopping. Please share your wish/purchase list with me- I would love to see what everyone else is getting or wants to get!

Face:
Laura Mercier/Secret Camouflage/SC-2
MAKE UP FOR EVER/HD Microperfecting Primer/7 Pink

Tools:
Shiseido/Eyelash Curler/Eyelash Curler

Blush:
NARS/Blush/Dolce Vita
Bobbi Brown/Blush/Pale Pink
Illamasqua/Powder Blusher/Disobey
Illamasqua/Powder Blusher/Sin

Eyes:
Bobbi Brown/Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner/Graphite Shimmer Ink

I'm Alive!

After shopping for my Sephora wishlist items, I am once again inspired to blog. Sephora's family and friend sale is on now- 20% off any purchase.* (see fine print below) The online code is FF2010 and you can use it multiple times. As soon as I recieve my goods, I will be posting! Lots of blush- Illamasqua (Sin and Disobey), Bobbie Brown (Pale Pink), NARS (Dolce Vita), MUFE HD Microperfecting Primer in Pink, etc. I am most excited about my purple blush from Illamasqua- SIN. Doesn't that name just sound so fun and mysterious? Can't wait to try it out! Whose gonna be my model?

Anyways, used Sephora sale to stock up on Christmas gifts. I also picked up some new makeup brands at Sally's Beauty Supply Store this evening. They carry this product by Palladio- Natural Rice Powder for the face. The product is supposed to be great at setting makeup and absorbing oil. Pretty inexpensive- costs me $4.99. I will test and let you all know how it works. I am comparing it to my MAC prep and prime finishing powder which is over $20 a pop.


Yesterday, after my cardio and yoga class, I went to my local Target and bought some Maybelline makeup on clearance. It was a combination packet of the Dream Smooth Mousse Foundation in buff and Dream Mousse blush in rose petal. I've already tried the blushes but never the foundation so I bought the duo- only $4.98! I have to say, I've used the foundation the past two days and I just love it. Here is a photo of me after a long day with the foundation. Seriously, it is long-lasting. It sits on top of my Smashbox primer and MAC fix-spray and set with my MAC powder. The blush comes with a little sponge in an attached compartment. The little sponge is actually quite good.

Okay, lots to come. Please continue to check me out and let me know if you want reviews of any products or have any questions.

*Fine print: Sephora.com Friends & Family 20% off offer valid through 11/03/10 at 11:59pm PST/PDT with any mechandise order on Sephora.com. Enter promotion code FF2010 in the promotion code box during Sephora.com checkout to receive your discount. Not valid in retail stores, previous purchases, on Canadian online purchases, nor with the purchase of eGift certificates or gift cards. Cannot be used in conjunction with other promotion codes. A print out of this email is not a substitution for the Friends and Family cards in store. Sephora reserves the right to end or change this promotion offer at any time.