May Makeup Favorites

NARS Sheerglow Foundation.
Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush. ( I love this brush so much, it got a spotlight!!)
MAC Beauty Powder Blush in All's Good. (my first BPB and I LOVE it!)
MAC Greasepaint Stick in Slick Black. (These are LE so get one while you can. It is very versatile.)
NARS Glitter Pencils in Mudd Club (described on website as Beige w/ gold glitter but more brown to me) and Danceteria (Peach w/ gold glitter, but more nude beige to me). Both are gorgeous and so many colors to choose from.
MAC Trip #5 Neutral Eyes w/ 213SE brush. Love all 5 colors in this kit for my skin tone.
Maybelline Volume Seduction XL #605 Seductively Nude lip plumper and gloss.
Victoria Secret Lipgloss in Lover and Beautiful.
Goody Ouchless Hair Clips ( I love these for my updo's so much better than any jaw clip.)
Gladiator Wedges By Report from Ross.

Budget Haul

Some cute things I got for great prices.

• 14kt and sterling silver disc neklace by Adina Reyter for Love Earth from Walmart - $35.00 http://www.walmart.com/ or http://www.loveearthinfo.com/
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils in Milk (white), Gold (looks more copper to me), and French Fries(bronzy brown) from Ulta.
• Stila Kajal Eyeliner in Emarld and Onyx (these aren't really what I would call "budget", but a little goes a long way) from Ulta.
• Benefit Eyebright (also not budget, but I had to have it) from Ulta.
• Covergirl Liquiline Blast (I got the purple and the blue) - they are very comparable to the Stila Kajal Eyeliner. The color is very intense, and they glide on very easily. From CVS.
• Milani LIQUIF'EYE Metallic Eye Liner Pencl - silver. From CVS. (also about the same consitancy as above.)
• MAC Lipstick in Creme de' Nude - FREE (They do a recycle program called Back 2 MAC, when you bring in 6 empty containters, you get a FREE lipstick. I LOVE this program as I like to recycle and new free lipsticks!!)
• Victoria Secret Lipgloss SPF 15 in Ravish (LE). Also free with a $10.00 off coupon with no other purchase necessary.
• Brown Gladiator Wedges $14.99 from Ross (I wear these a lot, they are soooo comfy.)
• Black and Grey Dress $9.99 from Ross.
• 2 sleeveless vests (I am really not sure what to call these, they don't close in front, they kinda just hang nicely over camis and tees) $9.99 each from Ross.
• M. Patrick White Patent Leather Wedges from Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse. These were less than $30.00 because of another program. When you purchase shoes here, keep your receipt, and the next time you buy shoes, they give you 10% off from your previous purchase. In other words, spend $50.00 on shoes, next time get $5 off...

Spot Light Product # 1 - Benefit Powderflage

1) What is it?

Light-diffusing powder concealer for under eyes & face (description from http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/)

2) What does it claim to do?

Virtually weightless powder concealer camouflages fine lines and dark circles. It's fast, easy, lite and breezy! (from http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/)

3) Why do I love it?

It really does what it says! It works wonderful alone, or to set liquid or cream concealer to make it last longer. I use it both ways, and I use it everyday!! Most importantly for me is that it doesn't settle into fine lines. Instead it diffuses them.

4) How much is it?

$28.00 everywhere I have seen it.

5) Where can I purchase?

http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/, http://www.sephora.com/. Also, Sephora stores, but unfortunately I don't have one near me :( You can also purchase at some fine department stores. I know Belk carries it.

MAC Superglass Haul / Review

Colors from left to right:

Sweet Tart (Baby Pale Pink)

Superflash (Midton Yellow Pink)

Gift Wrap (Light Pinky Peach)

Sugar Overload (White Beige)

Disco Blend (Light Tan)

Tunnel of Love (Deep Blue Brown)

My Skin Care Routine

Products Mentioned in this video:
*Johnson & Johnson Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash
In my video, I mentioned washing my face twice everytime I wash it (usually morning and night). I found out from my aesthetician that when you wash your face once, it kind of smears makeup, dirt, and oil around. The second wash gets deep down clean. A few days later, I read the same thing in a magazine. Try it out by using a cotton ball and some witch hazel. Wash once, then tone. Now, wash a second time and see how much cleaner the cotton ball is. Since this cleanser and the witch hazel are very gentle, it does not dry out my skin, and my skin is already on the dry side.
*T.N. Dickenson's Witch Hazel (This is typically located in the section at the store w/ alcohol, peroxide, etc., because it can also be used for insect bites, burns, etc.)
*Swiffer Cotton Balls (Yes. I am particular.)
*Olay ProX Eye Restoration Complex
*Olay ProX Age Repair Lotion
*Olay ProX Wrinkle Smoothing Cream
(3 products above are full size and come in the Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Starter Protocol - approx. $60.00 or sold separately for around $20.00 each)
*Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller
*Neosporin Lip Health SPF 20
*Essence of Beauty Foundation and Concealer Brush (purchased at CVS)
*Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes
*Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejunator
*Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Line (I will be doing a comparison on this VS. the Olay ProX)
*Nivea Body - Natural Tone SPF 4
*Aveeno Active Naturals Theraputic Shave Gel (This really works for my sensitive bikini area.)
*Gillette Venus Embrace (Also great, it has 5 blades!!)

Why I am on You Tube (and doing this blog)

April Favorites

Products mentioned in my video:

MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation - NW20
MAC 130 Short Duofiber Brush
Mineralize Skin Finish Natural - Medium
MAC Select Moisture Cover - NW20
Benefit Powderflauge (I forgot to mention this, but it doesn't settle in to lines)
NARS Bronzer - Laguna
NARS Blush - Orgasm
Sonia Kashuk Brightening Powder (also doesn't settle into lines)
Covergirl Lashblast Mascara Volumizing
Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara and Brow Gel
MAC Brow Shader - Malt/Auburn (I've had this for years. I am pretty sure it's n/a.)
MAC Fluidline - Graphic Brown
MAC Paint Pot - Painterly (matches my skintone)
Josie Maran Fingerpaints Quad - Sweet
Victoria Secret E/S Quad - Satisfied
Clinique Different Lipstick - Think Bronze
MAC Dazzleglass Creme - Luscious Spark (A bright coral and is in the goodbyes)
MAC Fix +

MAC 130 Short Duofiber Brush and MAC Minerlize SPF 15 Foundation Review

Tips for Thick, Course, Frizzy Hair Part II - Products

Here is a list of products I use to keep my curly hair tamed, shiny, and frizz free (most of the time :)

Matrix curl.life defining system:
1 - Shampoo
2 - Conditioner
3 - Contouring Cream (thick/course hair)
3 - Spiraling Spray Gel
(I use one or the other number 3's, not both at the same time.)
Suave Rosemary Mint Shampoo (I alternate with the Matrix to save money)
Garnier Fructis 3 Minute Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Daily Nourishment Leave In Conditioning Spray
Garnier Curl Sculpting Cream Gel
Biosilk - Silk Therapy
TRESemme' Tres Two Extra Hold Hairspray
My hair dryer is a Infinity Conair 1875 Watt

How to Make Dry, Frizzy Hair Soft and Shiny - Part I

I get a lot of compliments on my hair.....now anyway. As a kid, I got made fun of for having red hair. I hated my hair for years. It is naturally red, curly, dry, frizzy, and course. Besides the curls and the color, which I now love, the frizz and dryness are a thing of the past. I am not saying I don't have a bad hair day once in awhile. If it rains, forget it... At least rain gives me an excuse to wear a hat. I love hats :) Anyway, here are some tips I picked up along the way that keep those bad hair days to a minimum. Some of it might sound weird, but it really worked for my hair health, and I hope it works for you too. My hair is naturally curly. If you have a perm, this should work too. I DO NOT recommend these tips if you have thin and / or oily hair. This would make it worse. For that type of hair, I recommend a daily clarifying shampoo every day and a light conditioner every two to three days, concentrating on the ends. To help with softness and shine, you could use a leave in conditioner daily. I forgot to mention in my video that no matter what type of hair you have, if you blowdry, always start at the roots and dry the ends last. This will give you more volume at the scalp. This is my first video, so I hope it's okay. This is Part I of II. The next blog will be about the products I use and like.

The Current Custom Contest Entry

First, I want to thank Lorraine Stanick at The Current Custom. Although I am using it as an entry, it was an afterthought after I created this blog.
She is having a makeup giveaway contest with 3 ways to enter. I left a zillion comments, and then decided to try the video response. I did it, and was really nervous, but once it was actually posted, I thought to myself, I can do this! I decided to start my own YouTube channel and of course it led to the blog afterward. I am going to try my hand at tutorials, reviews, etc. I am a little nervous, but I have always really wanted to do something like this. I guess she inspires me. So thank you, Lorraine, for the contest and for the inspiration. You are a beautiful person, and I love your personality! Now, down to business…

My everyday makeup routine:



NARS Sheerglow Foundation in Punjab applied with a MAC 130 Small Duofiber Brush (This is one of my new favorite brushes! I will do a review on it.)
MAC MSFN in Medium applied with a MAC 187 Duofiber Brush



NARS Bronzer in Laguna applied with a Sigma SS150 Powder Brush
NARS Blush in Orgasm applied with a Sigma SS168 Blush Brush


MAC Eye shadow in Woodwinked (best color ever) on lid, and under lower lash line (eye shadow is applied with various brushes depending on depth I want)
MAC Eye shadow in Mylar (inner corners and brow highlight)
MAC Fluidline Eyeliner in Dipdown Brown applied with a MAC 266 Angled Brush (this brush is great for eyebrows too, I highly recommend it)
Covergirl Lashblast Mascara in Black


Clinique Different Lipstick in Think Bronze (I don’t really use brushes for lipstick unless I am going really dark... It’s too much work when I am lazy or in a hurry which is usually one or the other or both every day, haha!)
MAC Dazzleglass in Sugarrimmed


The final result:


This look works with anything and is super easy to do.
I do switch it up on occasion and sometimes I use more products if I have time, but this is truly my go to makeup routine if I don’t know what else to do that day.