Quick Tip: Blending

The number one thing I see women skimp on is blending. Oh, blending. The key to almost every beautiful makeup application. You blend your foundation, your eyeshadows, your concealer, your blush and bronzer, you can blend your eye liner and the list goes on. I see so many woman just slap on foundation with a few giant strokes and then wonder why it looks like a layer of foundation is there. You have to blend it, caress it into the skin. 

Work that buffing motion girl, werk it. Buff, stipple, circle, press, sweep and bam! Most people know how to blend, they just don't do enough of it. So my quick tip for you today is given in short sayings:

1. When you think your done blending..blend some more. 

2. Just keep blending, blending, blending. 

3. It doesn't matter who's wrong or right, just blend it. (read that to the beat of MJ Beat It)

4. There are three things you can never have too much of: Liquor, Lipstick and Blending. 

5. Eat, Breathe, Blend

Have I made my point yet? Take a little longer with blending out your makeup and you will be able to tell a huge difference in your look. 

There are a multitude of different tools you can use for blending, from the Beauty Blender, to a foundation brush with dense bristles, to a fluffy crease brush for eyeshadow. There are so many options but whatever tool you choose to use just make sure you take your time to really work the product in. Trust me, it will make all the difference. 

Xoxo,

Haley 

Things I'm Still Hunting For

Does the perfect "thing" exist? Does "perfect" exist? I think each and every person has their own idea of what "perfect" is. Because there is no one perfect thing.  So here is my list of things that I'm still on the hunt for. Oh, and a random picture of a rose from my garden. The perfect rose, maybe?

1. The perfect under eye concealer. Please, one that doesn't crease, covers well and has lasting power ? pleaseeee

2. A travel buddy. There HAS to be someone in the world that wants to eat their way around the globe too. C'mon now, anyone!

3. The perfect foundation; one that is light in texture, matches my skin tone, covers my discoloration and lasts longer than five hours before breaking up on my face. 

4. A Tan-in-a-Can that actually looks like a tan. I've yet to find a self tanner that does't look fake. Oh, you were just at the beach for a week? Your orange wrists deceive you..

5. A delicious tasting pizza that doesn't make you fat, for the love of God this is 2014. If we don't have this, what do we have? 

6.  A spray that gives you instant beach goddess hair. This is just necessary. Really. 

7. An eye cream that actually gives you the results it promises. My dark circles are still here, why yes my fine lines are still here and by golly my eyes are still puffy. So what exactly did this eye cream do? 

So y'all that was my list of things I'm still on the look out for. Let me know if you have any of these elusive products or what you're hunting for too! 

xoxo,

Haley 

S.S 8

Come one, come all! Welcome to another rousing rendition of Sunday Stunners. This week has been interesting, it has mainly consisted of working out with sporadic frenzies of horrendous eating. I mean who does over an hour of HIIT exercises and then later that night eats pizza, fries and chocolate? Apparently I do. 

Besides the whole ups and downs in the "healthy department" it's been quite a week for beauty products in my life. Here's what stunned me the most:

Philosophy's Loveswept Eau de Toilette Spray: 

This is my new spring scent, now I'm not normally a Philosophy girl but for some reason this perfume struck my fancy. It's light and springy yet has warm undertones that make it a bit of a mix between sweet and sensual. Although I must say it doesn't last too terribly long on the skin, after a few hours I feel the need to reapply. So keep that in mind if you are considering this scent. 

Sonia Kashuk Blush Brush: 

This little baby was one of my first ever makeup brushes. I'm a bit nostalgic about her, y'all. She came in a "beginners makeup brush set" many, many moons ago and I've loved her ever since. This brush is actually the only one I have left of that set, although I do believe they sell it separately now too.  The bristles are soft and fluffy and apply blush like a dream. I like to call this one an oldie but a goodie! 

Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette: 

I've used this palette allll week and I've re-fallen in love with it. More specifically the texture and pigmentation of the shadows. They are simply dreamy, I find this to be true for most Urban Decay shadows. They're a crowd pleaser, thats for sure! I have actually been using the Naked 2 Palette on a TON of prom clients, it is the most universal palette for any glamour look. But really it is the blending ability of the shadows is that has really sold me on Urban Decay. 

I hope you wonderful folks have an even more wonderful week. 

Xoxo,

Haley 

My First Makeup Geek Order

I took the plunge, I made my first Makeup Geek order and it was magnificent. If you're in the beauty industry there is a good possibility that you've heard of the newer brand, Makeup Geek. It is made by a beauty blogger and has the quality of high end brands with the price tag of your drugstore favorites. 

I scoured the site for hours (almost 30 minutes) trying to figure out what I should place in my cart first. So many options! I ended up deciding on 5 eyeshadow pans, 1 pigment and 1 Z Palette. 

Cremee Brule, Sea Mist, Peacock, Cocoa Bear, and Cosmopolitan were the pan eyeshadows that inevitably ended up in my cart. Each pan was $5.99...you read that right. A whopping 6 buckaroos, tell me that's not a bargain. 

I also purchased one of the oh-so-famous pigments in the color Utopia, for a total of $6.99. This is a gorgeous black/gold pigment that is almost an exact dupe for Stila's Vintage black-gold Magnificent Metals Foil Finish shadow that cost $30. 

I am so impressed with the quality, color pay off and price tag of all the items. The hype is worth it, seriously. This was the first of many Makeup Geek purchases for me. Next on my "to buy" list will be her brushes, I've heard they rival MAC and beat out Sigma too. Only time will tell! 

Xoxo, 

Haley   

fotd-pastel pink

You know the one color in every palette that is still standing long after the other colors have fallen and hit pan? The one color that begs to be used but is forever receiving the side eye from users? You know the one.. the pink eyeshadow that is included in almost every palette, the one color no one ever uses. Yeahhh, that one. Poor guy. 

This is the color I've been playing with more recently, spreading the love, if you will. I wore this look the other day to work and received a ton of compliments, the light pink surprisingly has quite a brightening effect when placed in the inner corner. To add to the pastel-ness of the look, I used a mint green liner in the inner rim for an extra pop. 

Eyes: Lorac behind the scenes eye primer. Toofaced Chocolate Bar palette. Stila Smudge Stick: Mint Julep. Stila Stay All Day waterproof liquid liner. Tarte Lights, Camer, Lashes mascara. Benefit Gimmie Brow: light/medium. 

Face: Nars Sheer Glow foundation: syracuse. MUFE matte bronzer 40. MAC soft and gentle highlighter. Covergirl Instant Cheekbones blush.

Lips: NYX Butter Gloss: tiramisu 

Don't be afraid to try the pastel pink guys, it's spring. Give it a go! 

xoxo,

Haley 

S.S 7

Happy Sunday Y'all! 

The tides have turned my friends, inspiration in the makeup department has been re-struck. Do you also hear the angels singing? Good, glad I'm not the only one. The moment you break free of a rut and rediscover your love for something is quite the magical moment. That's what this past week has been for me, hallelujah. Onto the stunners: 

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner: Alpine 

I've mentioned the smudge sticks from Stila before but they are ah-ma-zing. Seriously, best inner rim liner I've tried. It stays on all day and is truly waterproof. I've put it to the test, all in the name of beauty. 

I use this white color all the time to make my eyes look bigger and make my eyeshadows pop. Not to mention the color range for these liners are insane, I'm dying to try the canary yellow one!

First Aid Beauty: Ultra Repair Cream

This is your all purpose cream, the Mr.Get-it-done of the cream world. I use this on my face as a morning moisturizer, as a soothing cream when my tattoos were healing and on any dry skin on the body. It's perfect for if you have sensitive skin like me, no paragons or fragrance just a gentle, lovely cream.   

Peter Thomas Roth: Oilless Oil 

I have recently been giving this "oil" a go and I've got to give a slow clap to Mr. Roth. We've got a winner on our hands, ladies and gents. This is an anti-aging oilless oil that is actually made from sugarcane and helps to improve elasticity and radiance while preventing water loss below the skin. It's moisturizing without making you feel like a grease ball. 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I am a certified nerd, I would rather live in Middle Earth than this one. Zero shame in my game. I loved all of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and I find The Hobbit to be amazing too. If you haven't yet tried these movies you really should, they are beautifully shot all the while transporting you to an entirely wonderful, magical world. 

Have a wonderful week and find something stunning! 

Xoxo,

Haley 

Venting: College

Whether we like it or not college is a huge part of society. It starts at a young age with teachers asking us what we want to be when we grow up, then in later years it turns to preparing us for college, testing for college, touring colleges, financing for college, starting college and then you may or may not finish it. College is heavily pushed upon students, at least it is in America. You are almost shunned if you don't attend any higher level place of education, people think you're a drop out and that you're not doing anything with your life. Mostly because for years leading up to college we are told that if we do not attend we will fail in life, we'll be poor and will end up making minimum wage our entire life. It's harsh. 

Going to any college or university is expensive, very expensive with the cost raising every year. It costs thousands and thousands of dollars to get an education that we apparently "need." We are told to pick a major that will eventually turn into a career. Basically, you are investing copious amounts of money into an education that is supposed to in turn get you a job that will make you even more money. It is an investment. The thing is, it's a risky investment; you are not guaranteed to get a job in the field you studied. For example, I work with a girl that majored in International Affairs. She went to school for five years and then couldn't find a job when she graduated; she now is in debt and works selling at a makeup counter. Her time and money invested in college has since then been a waste. 

So we are to invest thousands of dollars into a school that will in turn train us for a career, that we may or may not get once we have graduated. Nothing is guaranteed, no job, no future, nothing. All you can do is hope that all of your hard work has paid off. So, is it worth it?  

For some jobs I think yes, definitely. Certain jobs require extensive training and it's necessary to receive higher education. Although, I do think the price for schooling is absurd. I do not think people should be in debt 30 years after they've graduated. For many companies they require a degree, it doesn't necessarily have to be any particular degree but just to show that you completed something. 

I personally think experience is more important than a piece of paper saying that I know how to pass a class. You can get all A's and still not know a thing about the subject you "studied." But that opinion doesn't really matter if I can't get a job and pay the bills. Our society has made college necessary, so is it worth it to you?

Ohh, the gems I find on twitter. 

*picture is not my own. Link:http://www.funnyonlinepictures.com/funny-pictures/graduation-dog/ & https://twitter.com/ColIegeStudent/status/453930175575519232*
*Excuse my venting, sometimes ya just gotta get it out. Also excuse my grammar in the post, some of you are probably thinking "damn. she needs to go to college"*