Kamani's Combobulations

Glamour Special Edition: 1,000 Dos & Don'ts to Dress By Forever

2010-10-07T14:25:00.000-07:00

I picked up this special edition of Glamour magazine a few weeks ago and I wanted to share some of the ideas that I really liked and wanted to try to follow. Each tip/idea is copied straight from the magazine. I referenced the page and section I found each one in just in case you want to know.

*The Dos & Don'ts for weekends (p.28):

1-DO treat Saturday and Sunday as a time for style experimenting

I think this a great idea. You don't have to worry about walking into work wearing something that looks off or inappropriate.

2-DON'T miss this opportunity to play with your hair, too.

Great idea for the same reasons as above.

5-DON'T go out in ratty sweats, faded shirts or holey socks-"house clothes" should be restricted to the house.

You never know who you will run into. Plus, who wants to be embarrassed or feel like everyone is looking at the hole in your pants.

*The Dos & Don'ts for work (p.20):

6- DO dress for the job you want, not the one you have.

This is so important in any job. Looking your best does matter. Dressing professionally not only tells people you are motivated and can handle the job but will motivate you to do your

7-DON'T forget: A neutral cardigan is your BFF (best fashion friend).

A cardigan can be used in lots of different ways (belt it, button it up, add a brooch). It's a great way to dress up or down an outfit.

8-DO hunt down a fabulous bag; it will instantly punch up any outfit.

I think this is true for any outfit but if you have to wear conservative clothing or a uniform you can certainly add some style to your outfit with a nice bag.

*Big Night Rules from Valentino (p.39):

#5-When in doubt, wear red.

I really want to add red to my wardrobe. It's such a great color and I have nothing red!

*Andrea's 4 Favorite Beauty Dos (p.97):

-DO blush up your eyes.

Honestly, I never really thought about putting blush on as eyeshadow. It's an interesting idea that I want to try.

Well, that's it. There are a ton of other great ideas and tips in there but these ones just stood out a little more for me. If you read the issue let me know what you think of the ideas.

Autumn Goodies: Eyes Part II

2010-09-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

Here are some more great eyeshadows for the fall season!

Clockwise: L'Oreal Hip eyeshadow duo in Electrified, Mary Kay eyeshadow duo in Double Espresso, NYX Pearl Mania Pigments in Rust, Charcoal pearl, and ???. Sorry, the name feel off and I have no idea what this is called.

Let me know what you guys think of these colors. Have you tried any of them? I'll try and post some pics of me wearing these various products throughout fall.

Now for the swatches!

(Top to bottom):

L'Oreal Hip eyeshadow duo in Electrified

NYX Pearl Mania Pigment in?

NYX Pearl Mania Pigment in Charcoal Pearl

NYX Pearl Mania Pigment in Rust

Kay eyeshadow duo in Double Espresso

Autumn Goodies: Eyes Part I

2010-09-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some more items that I own that I will be using a lot this fall and winter season. These are all great colors. They give off a very warm and cozy vibe.

I'll be splitting the "eyes" up into 2 different posts. Let me know if you've tried any of these products and if they'll be in your fall rotation.

*Ulta eyeshadow in Eggplant (top left)

*MAC eyeshadow in Star Violet (top right)

*NYX Jumbo eye pencils in Pots & Pans (top) and Iced Mocha (botttom)

*Revlon eyeshadow in Platinum Glimmer (bottom left)

*Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadow in Tranquil Rose (bottom right)

Here are the swatches of each from top to bottom:

*Ulta eyeshadow in Eggplant

*Revlon eyeshadow in Platinum Glimmer

*MAC eyeshadow in Star Violet

*Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadow in Tranquil Rose

*NYX Jumbo eye pencil in Pots & Pans

*NYX Jumbo eye pencil in Iced Mocha

Autumn Goodies: Lips and Cheeks

2010-09-18T12:14:00.001-07:00

These products range in berry tones and are perfect for fall!

Lips:

The top one is Revlon Illuminance All-Over palette in Passion Fusion. I'm specifically focusing on the two colors on the right side of the palette. I'm really trying to branch out with my lip color this fall and these two colors give a sheer but dark berry flush to your lips.

Blush:

On the left is Revlon Flirtatious Cream Blush. This is the blush that I will probably use under the NYC blush I showed in my haul. It's a great berry color on it's own or as a base.

On the right is another Revlon product that is quite a bit old. It was limited edition a few years back. It's Be Dazzling Shimmer Blush in Hint of Ruby. This is a pigmented blush that gives an awesome deep berry glow to your cheeks.

I will definitely be wearing these lovely products for fall!

Here are some swatches:

Top to Bottom: Berry Flirtatious, Hint of Ruby, last shade in Passion Fusion palette, second to last shade in palette.

Autumn goodies

2010-09-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

Since Autumn is here, in my mind, cause I can't take the heat anymore. I decided to go through my makeup items that I already have and see what goodies I can utilize. I'm going to break this up into 3 segements; nails, cheeks and lips, and eye products.

First up, nail polishes:

*Sally Hansen Salon Expert Bitten Plum

*Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Jumpin' Jade

*Revlon Autumn Berry

* Essie Angora Cardi

Fall Type Haul

2010-09-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

I recently went shopping for a few items that I wanted to add to my Fall seasonal makeup stash. There are a few more items I want to get, mostly nail polishes but here is what I got.

*Maybelline XXL Pro 24 HR Bold mascara in Very Black

*NYC Cheek Glow Blush in Cherry Blossom

*Maybelline ColorSensation Lipstain in Wink of Pink

*NYC Eye Dust Loose Powder in Sparkling Rose

*NYX Eyeshadow in Volcano

I haven't tried all the products yet so I can't do a review on all of it but I have tried the blush. The blush is not very pigmented but it's a really pretty color. I plan to layer it over a cream blush in a similar color. When I do I'll try and post a pic of it.

Here are swatches of the all the items except the mascara.

From left to right: NYC Eye Dust in Sparkling Rose, NYX eyeshadow in Volcano, NYC Cheek Glow in Cherry Blossom, Maybelline lipstain in Wink of Pink

You Suck! A Love Story

2010-09-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

I just finished this book by Christopher Moore and much like his other novels it was pretty darn funny. Yes, this is another "vampire story" but it's completely different from Twilight and the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

If you've never read anything by Christopher Moore then just let me tell you that all of his novels are comedys and completely crazy. At first I didn't really like the book that much. I think it was because all of the other novels I've read by him are interesting from page one. You Suck took a little time to get to the funny and interesting stuff. My favorite part is the journal entries of vampire minion Abby Normal. Her voice is very unique and laugh-out-loud funny.

Although this novel wasn't my favorite by Moore it was still worth the read. Other's hilarious books I suggest by this author: Fool, A Dirty Job, Practical Demonkeeping, and Lamb.

I think next I want to read something inspirational. Any suggestions?

Image courtesy Amazon.com

Sally Hansen Mystic Lilac

2010-09-10T16:25:00.000-07:00

So I saw this nail polish over at Nouvea Cheap blog and I loved this color for fall. It's a grey-purple with green shimmer in it. It looked gorgeous on her and gorgeous in the bottle but unfortunately it looks like crap on me. It has almost a brown tint to it which is why I think it looks bad on me. Also, it isn't as opaque as I thought it would be. I'm so disappointed.

I'm on the look out for these other polishes though and I think they will look great.

*China Glaze Midnight Mission- a dark blue color

*Maybelline Pretty in Purple

I'm also looking for a great grey color. Any ideas on that one?

Milani Mai Tai Blush

2010-09-09T13:28:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! I've been looking for this blush for a year and I finally found it at one of my local CVS stores. Most of the time when I look for Milani blushes, at various stores they never even the blushes let alone the one I want.

I first found out about this blush while watching EmilyNoel83 on Youtube. Every time she wears this blush it looks great. It looks great by itself and layered over different cream blushes. I know I could have ordered it on line but I wanted to see what it looked like in person first. And can you believe that I almost passed by it!?! I saw it and then thought "nah I'm not gonna get it"! But lucky I came to my senses and bought it.

Fall Purses

2010-09-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

Yea, it's Fall! O.K. not really cause it's still 105 degrees here. But I can hope. Anyway, I'm looking for a new purse for fall and I found a couple on the Forever 21 website that I'm considering. Tell me what you think.

Does this beige one look a little uh "maturish"?
Not sure if this brown one is too plain. What do you think?
I think I like this one the best.

Project 3-Pan is Over

2010-08-31T18:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I succeeded. I used up 3 products this month, although 1 of the products was not the one I wanted to use up. I used up my Maybelline mousse concealer, the Rimmel Glam'Eyes, and my Rimmel Fix and Perfect Face Primer. And... I didn't buy any makeup this month. Anyway, I wanted to use up my Coastal Scents foundation but it just didn't happen. I had too much of it. Oh well, I still used up 3 products so I'm happy.

I'm going to try and use up 3 more products in September as well. I'm going to use up the Coastal Scents foundation, my L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Primer, and something else. Haha. I'm not sure yet but I'll let you know. I will however be buying some new products because well, I just want to.

Curly Hair Series-Redken Fresh Curls Curl Boost

2010-08-23T20:11:00.000-07:00

All righty, this is the final product in my curly hair series. This Redken product is an anti-frizz scrunching spray gel. I have tried 4 or 5 other products from Redken and I thought they all were very high quality and did a pretty much what they said they would do. That's why I was so disappointed in this product. I had really high hopes for this but I feel like this was the worst product in the series. I don't really like products that I have to spray into my hair because I feel like I don't get it evenly distributed enough. I really tried to be methodically when applying this, spraying in sections so that I got it everywhere. Also, like always, I applied a generous amount.

Here's how it stacked up:

1. This did not control my frizz at all. Once my hair dried it was a mess and I had to re-wet it and put more product in.

2. No. It did not keep my curls curly. They fell and frizzed.

3. It didn't make my hair crunchy or flaky, but my hair did feel really dry.

I kinda feel like "spray" products just aren't for me, but even if this formula was in a cream or something I don't think it's strong enough for me.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I feel like the Aveeno is a keeper! I think it did the best job out of the bunch. I might try mixing the Aveeno with the Catwalk. That would probably be an awesome combination.

Curly Hair Series-LaCoupe Perfect Curls Frizz Free Curl Shaping Mousse

2010-08-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

Here is the 3rd product in my "Curly Hair Series". This product claims that it "Transforms hair into soft, perfectly defined curls". I used this product the same way I used the others. I applied a generous amount and focused on the hair line and the ends. No I did not get "perfectly defined curls" but it did a good job none the less.

Here's how it stacked up:

1. This product did a pretty good job at controlling the frizz in my hair. There were still some spots of frizziness but I think if I used even more of it it would have done an even better job.

2. This definitely kept the curls bouncy and didn't weigh them down at all.

3. While I didn't notice an flaking, the product did make my hair a bit hard. I kinda expect that from a mousse though.

Sephora Smoothing Primer

2010-08-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

I received a sample of this on my last trip to Sephora. It is a clear gel primer. I've never tried the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, but I think this product is pretty similar to it. This primer is supposed to smooth makeup application, improve imperfections, and mattify the face. I put this primer on one half of my face and my L'Oreal Studio Secrets face primer on the other to see how well it stacked up. On a side note, the L'Oreal primer is my favorite at the moment. Anyway, my makeup went on smoothly and evenly. There was a bit of fading by the end of the day but nothing too bad. I would say this is a pretty good primer. I still like the L'Oreal better though because I like the feel of the primer on my face, it's less expensive, and it makes my makeup last a bit longer. It's worth a try though. It might work better for someone with oily or oily/combo skin.

MAC Dare to Dare

2010-08-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

So the only thing I ended up picking up from the In the Groove collection was the Dare to Dare lipglass. It's a really pretty pink with blue glitter in it. The blue glitter gives the lipglass a purplish appearance. It's really pretty for day if you use it lightly and great for night when you layer it on.

2-Week Manicure Update

2010-08-11T21:24:00.000-07:00

Well, my manicure chipped. It lasted 2 days. I did all the normal stuff I usually do and I didn't even do any dishes! On the plus side, it didn't chip as badly as it usually does so maybe if I used the specific topcoats that were mentioned in the article it would have lasted longer. Oh well. I've got another product I'm planning on testing out so I'll let you know how that goes. If anyone has any advice or tips please, please let me know.

2-Week Manicure

2010-08-10T12:07:00.001-07:00

I mentioned in a previous post that I can’t get my manicures to last more than a day or two and I can’t figure out why. Well, I was reading the August issue of InStyle magazine and I came across an article that claimed to be able to tell me the secret of a 2-week manicure. Yes people, 2 WEEKS! Not only that but after reading the step 2, I discovered she tells you to do the opposite of what I’ve always been told to do. Well of course I had to try it out for myself. The manicurist who came up with this “secret” is Josephine Allen. InStyle breaks the secret down into 4 easy steps. Here they are (paraphrased):

1. “Do 1 ½ base coats” The 1^st coat just on the upper half of the nail, let dry for 1 minute. The 2^nd coat on the whole nail.

2. “Pile on the Polish” Apply 2 thick coats of polish. (I don’t know about you, but everything I’ve read or heard has always said to do 2 thin layers)

3. “Seal the Deal” Use 2 top coats. (The article suggests Nailtiques 2, followed by Seche Clear. This is the only spot in the article wear it suggests a specific brand be used. I didn’t have either of these so I substituted a “strengthening clear coat and a regular top coat)

4. Cool It! Dip your hands in and out of a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes. “This helps to set the lacquer.

That’s it. I did this yesterday (08/09/10) and so far so good. I’ll let you know at the first sign of a chip. I hope this works though cause having a manicure that lasts more than 2 days would be awesome!

Curly Hair Series-Bed Head TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Curl Amplifier

2010-08-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

O.k., the 2nd product in my curly hair series is the Bed Head TIGI Curls Rock Curl Amplifier. Like Aveeno, this is the only Bed Head product I've ever tried. It comes out of a pump and has a thick, creamy consistency. It's also kinda sticky. If you rub your hands together then pull them apart the product will connect them together. (If that makes any kind of sense LOL). Also, it smells a bit perfumey, but not too strong. I like the way it smells. Again, I used a generous amount of product each time because I have a lot of hair.

Here's how it stacked up:

1. It kept most of my frizz at bay but not all of it. There were some parts of my hair that got frizzy after it dried.

2. This did not weigh my hair down at all. It kept everything nice and bouncy.

3. This did leave some parts of my hair a little stiff. It wasn't too bad though. It was mainly the front of my hair. It did not flake at all, which I kinda thought it would.

Conclusion: I really like this product and would purchase it again. If you've tried this product let me know what you think about it.

Project 3-Pan

2010-08-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, 3-Pan!?! I must be joking right? Nope. I really don't think I can use up/hit pan on 10 products before I buy more makeup so I've decided I'm going to attempt to use up 3 products this month. I think that's doable. I was inspired because I ran out of my MUFE Smokey Lash Mascara. I'm focusing on my Rimmel Glam'Eyes mascara, my Maybelline Mousse Concealer, and my Coastal Scents foundation.

Wish me luck, LOL!

Curly Hair Series

2010-08-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

So since it's summertime and I'm really tired of straightening my extremely curly hair all the time I've decided to try out a few products that are geared to curly hair. I have 4 different products and I'll be using each product for a week then doing a review on how well the product worked for me.

My hair:

Is extreme! It's extremely curly, thick, dry and frizzy! I use a ton of conditioner and deep condition often.

What I'm looking for in a product:

Here are the things I'm going to base my reviews on:

1. A product that is going to eliminate, or at least really control the frizz. This is probably the thing that will be hardest to do.

2. A product that will keep my curls curly. Some products leave the curl limp and I don't want that.

3. A product that doesn't make my hair hard, crunchy and flakey.

I don't think that's too much to hope for, do you?

O.K. on to the first product, Aveeno Nourish + Style Soft-Hold Gel-Creme.

This is the first time I've tried an Aveeno hair product and I really liked it.

It's a milky looking gel that feels slick but thicker than a gel. It has a bit of a perfumy smell, that isn't too strong or over powering. I used a very generous amount and focused mostly on my ends and my bang/hairline area. Those are the areas that tend to be more frizzy.

1. This kept the frizz in my hair at bay pretty well. I feel like it could have been a bit better though. I'm sure if I play around with mixing this with other products it will work even better and controlling my frizz.

2. This product did a great job at keeping my curls bouncy and tight.

3. This didn't make my feel at all crunchy or hard and didn't flake a bit.

All-in-all I really like this product! I'm not going to say I'll repurchase this just yet because I want to try the other stuff first but it's definitely a good product.

If you have any questions just leave a message.

Revlon Coral Reef Lipgloss

2010-07-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share this lipgloss with all of you. You have probably already seen it, but it's so pretty I wanted to show you anyway.

I have a few of the Revlon lipglosses and I love all of them. All of the ones I have have a bit of shimmer to them but not the Coral Reef. This one has a very creamy and glossy texture.

Here is pic of me wearing it.

Cute and Colorful Accessories!

2010-07-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hey there! I just wanted to share some fun, bright accessories I found recently that I really like. I don't have any "statement" necklaces, ( I know, I know, I'm behind on that trend) so I was really excited to get it. Plus I love that they both have a lot of color (well, mostly the bracelet). I think they can work for summer and fall as well. I got the necklace from Khols and is by Candie's. The bracelet from H&M. Let me know what you guys think.

25 Questions Tag

2010-07-28T04:58:00.000-07:00

25 Questions Tag

I wasn't tagged but I thought I'd do it anyway.

1. Do you have any pets?

Nope.

2. Name 3 things that are physically close to you.

Computer, couch, glass of milk

3. What's the weather like right now?

Freakin’ hot

4. Do you drive? If so have you crashed?

Yes and yes but not my fault

5. What time did you wake up this morning?

3am, I have insomnia at the moment

6. When was the last time you showered?

Last night

7. What was the last movie you saw?

Inception. Awesome, awesome movie

8. What does your last text message say?

I don’t remember. I think it was about a stupid co-worker I used to work with. LOL.

9. What's your ringtone?

Soul Sister by Train

10. Have you ever been to a different country?

Yes, Mexico

11. Do you like sushi?

No! It’s so disgusting.

12. Where do you buy your groceries?

At Fry’s

13. Have you ever taken medication to help you fall asleep faster?

No, I don’t like to take medication.

14. How many siblings do you have?

15. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?

Laptop

16. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?

Ugh

17. Do you wear contacts or glasses?

Yes, both

18. Do you color your hair?

Yes

19. Tell me something you are planning to do today.

Post to my blog

20. When was the last time you cried?

I can’t remember

21. What is your perfect pizza topping?

Cheese

22. Which do you prefer-hamburgers or cheeseburgers?

If they’re homemade, cheeseburgers. If it’s from a restaurant then hamburgers.

23. Have you ever had an all-nighter?

I think so.

24. What is your eye color?

Blue

25. Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke?

Of course

Forever 21

2010-07-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

Here are some cute items I'm thinking about getting from Forever21. Tell me what you guys think!

Lorac Little Black Palette

2010-07-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

I spotted this palette when I was at Sephora and I knew I had to have it. These are shimmery, baked eyeshadows and the colors range from light gold to a dark brown. It also comes with a mini Behind the Scenes Eye Shadow Primer. My favorite colors are the dark brown and the lighter bronze color. The colors are very pigmented give a light shimmery, almost metallic look that blend well together. I have only tried the eye primer a few times so I don't want to comment on it just yet, but I've been using the shadows all over the place and I love them.

Re-Discovered Product That I Never Even Used

2010-07-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning out my makeup case and I discovered an eyeshadow that I bought a while ago and never even used. It's the NYX Ultra Pearl Mania loose eyeshadow in Charcoal Pearl. It's absolutely gorgeous and I can't believe I haven't used this yet!

I was trying to figure out what eye look I wanted to do because I was wearing a purple top and I was going to work so I couldn't do anything too crazy or bright and I'm tired of just a neutral look. Well, problem solved because this shadow just popped out of nowhere. I decided to use it as a liner so I wet a MAC 224 angled brush with Fix+ and dipped it in the shadow. It looks amazing! It comes off totally different than what it looks like in the bottle. It definitely looks charcoal but it has blue metallic sheen to it as well. The sheen looks great against blue eyes. I felt like I received a prize when I found it!

I think this shadow will look great layered over a black or grey eye pencil, even a dark brown eye pencil. Yeah, I'm gonna try the dark brown pencil next time I wear it.

I also like that it's not as intense as a black liner so it's great for summer but it will also be great for fall and winter too because you can make it darker and more intense. I plan on using this color A LOT.

Beyond the Zone Straight Shot

2010-07-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

I tried this product last night while blow drying my curly hair straight. I really wanted to see if it worked so I parted my hair down the middle and only used the product on one side of my hair. On the other side of my hair I used what I normally use.

Here's what the product claims on the back of the bottle:

-Straightens wavy & very curly hair

-Tames the frizzies

-Adds moisture

-Long-lasting straightening power

-Humidity resistant

O.K. this product didn't do any of that for my hair. Here's what did happen to my hair:

-This product made my hair as straight as it would if I had just blow-dried my hair with nothing in it.

-My hair was definitely frizzy afterward.

-My hair felt dry afterwards so I don't believe it added any moisture.

-Did it prime my hair for thermo styling? I don't really think so because my hair didn't feel soft afterward.

-I straightened my hair about 5:30, didn't go outside, didn't do anything really and the next morning when I woke up the side I used this product on was even more frizzy and completely crazy. Usually the next day my hair is still smooth and straight.

-This is the only thing I can't comment on because right now it's like 110 degrees out with zero humidity. So, no comment on this but it doesn't even matter because it failed everything else.

My final say is I will definitely not re-purchase this and I won't even be using it again. I'm just gonna throw this bottle out because it's pointless to use it. I wish it would have worked better but oh well. If anyone knows of a great straightening product let me know.

MAC In the Groove Collection

2010-07-08T09:02:00.001-07:00

Band of Roses
So MAC's In the Groove Collection comes out today. It looks pretty nice. I really like some of the blushes that they are coming out with. That's basically all I'm interested in at the moment but I'll look at everything when I get to the counter. Here are the 3 blushes that caught my eye. Are any of you thinking about getting something from this collection?

(Images from maccosmetics.com)

New Vibe

Happy Together

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse

2010-07-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start this review by saying what I don't like about this product. Its packaging! So, I'm not the greatest when it comes to picking out a shade of foundation from the drugstore but when I can't even see the product in the packaging it's impossible! Luckily for me, I follow NouveauCheap's blog (http://nouveaucheap.blogspot.com) and she was able to test the products out. In her post she mentioned that she was a NC20 and the 3rd shade from the left matched her perfectly. Well, I'm around that same shade so I got the 3rd one from the left. (Mind you, I don't know if it's the same shade because there could have been more or less shades to pick from than what she had.) Anyway, I found it at Walgreens for $9.79 I believe but Ulta had it for $7.99 and they also had a $2.00 off coupon available, which I used when I bought it. So $5.99 for this little guy is not bad.

I've been using it for a few days and I really like it. It's fairly buildable. You can use it as a light foundation or medium. I wouldn't try to build it any further than that though. I can see it getting cakey. It gives a great even coverage when used with a sponge and it lasts almost all day.

This will not be my go-to foundation but I will use it for touch ups. I think this product will be great for allergy and cold season when you need to touch up around your nose. It's small and compact so it fits nicely in your purse as well.

Mix and Match Foundations

2010-06-30T12:05:00.001-07:00

Lately I have been experimenting with the different foundations that I have. I have Revlon ColorStay, Revlon PhotoReady, and I have a liquid bronzer, L'Oreal's True Match bronzer.

The ColorStay is too dark for my skin tone and the PhotoReady is a bit too light so I've been mixing them together to get a better color.

ColorStay + PhotoReady: I really like this combination. The shade when mixed together is pretty good but what I mostly like about this combo is the coverage it gives. The ColorStay perks up my complexion and gives more coverage than the PhotoReady but without being too heavy. I mix the two together between my fingers and apply with my hands. Than I take the MAC 109 and swirl it over my face to get a softer more blended look.

PhotoReady + L'Oreal True Match bronzer: This is a great combination because the bronzer adds color to your face without looking like you have a too-dark foundation on. It gives a little glow and color, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I mix the two between my fingers and apply with my hands then buff with 109. If you want to add more color on top, say from a powder bronzer, you can do so without worrying that the color will look weird or unnatural. The consistency is nice and light as well.

Both great combos but I'm loving the PhotoReady + bronzer the best.

Bedroom Eyes

2010-06-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

Here's the other look from The Stripper's Guide to Looking Great Naked. This one is on page 37 entitled: Bedroom Eyes. Again, here is the list of products you will need and the instructions straight from the book.

Bedroom Eyes:

*Fat black eye pencil ( I used Benefit's Bad gal eyeliner)

*Frosty white powder shadow (MAC's Crystal Avalanche

*Small angled brush (MAC 316, not angled)

*Dark-Purple eyeshadow (Dark quad from ELF palette Silver Lining)

*Black eyeshadow (MAC's Carbon)

*Lengthening mascara (Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara)

*False eyelashes (Didn't use)

*Black mascara (Didn't use another mascara)

*White iridescent eyeshadow (Sephora eyeshadow in Aspen Summit)

1. Line inner rims with black eye pencil; smear into lash line.

2. Brush frosty white powder shadow over entire eyelid and blend. (I used the MAC brush, I forgot the number)

3. Using a small angled brush, edge bottom lashes with dark-purple shadow.

4. Repeat this step, using black eyeshadow.

5. Use lengthening mascara on lashes. For an extra-dramatic look, try false eyelashes.

6. After lashes have been lengthened, slowly sweep black mascara up lashes. for bestt results, you should feel your brush on the very edge of your lash line.

7. Finish look with white iridescent eyeshadow at the corner of each eye. You can also dust a little along the top of the cheek-to find this area, just give a sly smile. (I didn't do this part)

Here is the final look: It looked a lot more dramatic in person. This looks like a day time wearable look in the pictures but in real life I definitely would keep this a night time "going out" look.

Beautiful Summer-ready Feet

2010-06-05T07:43:00.000-07:00

Summer is here! Well, maybe not where you live but it has already reached 100 degrees where I live. Since it's getting hot, I thought I would share my routine on how i get and keep my feet sandal ready for the summer. Actually, I wear open toe and backless shoes year round but I change up the routine depending on the season.

For reference, I have really dry callous feet that need attention regularly and often or else they get crazy. I have to exfoliate and moisturize often to keep my heels from cracking. That said, here is my routine and the products I use.

Here are the items I use (from left to right):

-Tea Tree Oil Foot Repair Balm

-Flexitol Heel Balm

-Heel Tastic Intensive Heel Therapy

-Sally Hansen Triple Strong Advanced Gel Nail Fortifier

-PedEgg

-Beauty Secrets nail file (from Sally's)

Here is my basic routine on say a Sunday night when I want to do a pedicure:

Step 1: Take off nail polish and use nail file to shape and trim my toe nails. (This nail file is really rough so it will take off length really easily)

Step 2: Use PedEgg to remove all callouses and any rough spots I may have.

Step 3: Take a shower or you can soak your feet. Every time I shower I use a little puff to wash and exfoliate my whole foot.

Step 4: Pat off excess water and apply the Flexitol Heel Balm to my entire foot except the nails.

Step 5: Put in toe separators and apply the Sally Hanson Triple Strong, then apply 2 coats of desired nail polish. (I don't use a top coat. I find the polish on my toes lasts much longer when I don't. Weird I know.)

In the morning:

- Shower and wash feet with the puff

-Then i either put the Tea Tree Oil Foot Repair Balm on or the Heel Tastic.

*All of the lotions can attract dirt and whatever is on your floor stick to your feet, so I usually sit somewhere and watch tv or read or something while it's drying. You can also put on socks if you can't sit and wait for it to dry.

That's it! I hope this was helpful.

The Stripper's Guide To Looking Great Naked + Makeup Review

2010-06-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

I was recently cleaning out my bookshelf and I found this book. I bought it a couple of years ago and thought it was really cute. Authored by Jennifer Axen & Leigh Phillips, The Stripper's Guide To Looking Great Naked is all about ways to help you look and feel better when naked. The authors interviewed lots of strippers to find out there secrets for looking good and hiding flaws. There are some makeup tips and tricks in this book and I thought I'd try a few of them out. The first one I'm doing is on page 38 titled Charmaine's Champagne Cheeks. Here are the items you need and the instructions paraphrased from the book. (When I re-created the look I changed a few things which I will note below.) Enjoy.

(Picture of book courtesy of Amazon.com)

Charmaine's Champagne Cheeks:

*Pink liquid blush (I used Maybelline Dream matte mousse blush in Pink Frosting)

*Brush blush (Can't remember what the brand name of the brush is. I also used a stippling brush)

*Powder bronzer (I can't remember exactly what bronzer this is because the label fell off, but I do know i)t's by Physicians Formula

*Iridescent shimmer powder (Maybelline Loose Shimmer Powder)

*Moisturizer (Target moisturizing lotion, dupe of Cetaphil lotion)

1. On the apple of your cheek make 3 small dots of pink liquid blush in a little triangle, blend around cheek and up toward brow bone. (This is where I used the stippling brush.)

2. Suck in cheeks and use blush brush to dust bronzer along bottom edge of cheekbone.

3. Using iridescent shimmer powder, make a half-moon shape from the top of your cheek to the bottom of your eyebrow and blend toward hairline.

4. Blot gently with moisturizer

Then your done. Here's a pic of me with the look. I think its cute, but better left for a night time look.

Combos

2010-05-11T07:23:00.001-07:00

Hello, I have been on a combo kick lately. I've tried combining a few mascaras and lipsticks/lip glosses and here are some of the combos I've been liking lately.

The first one is Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Pink Chic (right) layered under Maybelline Colorsensational lipstick in Pink Plaza (left). It gives almost a lavender tone to your lips. Very pretty.

The next combo is Maybelline's Lash Stiletto (top), applied first, then Rimmel's Glam'Eyes. This combo gives great length and volume. It can get a bit clumpy though so be careful.

Here's me wearing the first two combos:

The last combo is Revlon's Blush lipstick with MAC's Prrr lipgloss on top. This is very nice combo.

Angelology

2010-05-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

Angelology by Danielle Trussoni is about a nun, a group of Angelologists, and the Nephilim. Ha-ha, short and sweet. I don't really like to do synopses of books, especially this one. When thinking about how I would describe this book, I had a really hard time narrowing down exactly want I wanted to say. There's just too much amazing stuff going on and I just couldn't narrow any of it down. So on to my review.

I love this book! It is ridiculoulsy good. The story is so unique and is told in an extremely vivid fashion. The descriptions are eloquent and precise in all of the right areas. I was blown away by Trussoni's depictions of St. Rose, the Angelologists, and the Nephilim. Trussoni made sure that every page and chapter was exciting an moved the story along at an appropriate pace. You can not be bored reading this book. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read. (Well, I don't recommend this if you only read fluffy crap. I mean that in the nicest possible way because I read fluffy crap too and enjoy it.)

I read somewhere that the movie rights have already been sold to a major studio and Will Smith is going to produce it. I hope Audrey Tatou is in it. After all, she is French and she would make a fabulous Evangeline or Gabriella. I can't decide which one I like her better for though. Of course most books are better than the movie so read it now, because this is not a short book.

I also read somewhere that Mrs. Trussoni is currently writing the sequel to Angelology. I can't wait for it! I will definitely be reading it.

Rimmel Glam'Eyes Mascara

2010-04-08T16:37:00.000-07:00

I love trying new mascara's and my most recent trial is Rimmel's Glam'Eyes mascara. I recently found a coupon for $3 off any Rimmel mascara so I decided to pick one up. This is only the second mascara I've tried from Rimmel. The other one I tried was the Sexy Curves mascara. Initially, I said I didn't care for it too much and that there were some weird fibers or something on the mascara. Well, I stopped using it for about a month but then I tried it again and it was an O.K. mascara. I think its good if you want a natural look.

Anyway, the Glam'Eyes mascara gave the same kind of look, at first. It separates and gives a bit of length, but not much volume. Well, after abut a week of using it, it started to get a bit clumpy. I put it on and it did less separating but gave more volume to my lashes. It's not so clumpy that you have to use a comb or anything like that though. It's just enough to give your lashes some oomph. The only thing I don't like about Glam'Eyes is the brush. The brush is really flexible and I think I bent it because it has a bend in it that I'm pretty sure wasn't there when I opened it.

If you want dramatic lashes then I don't suggest this mascara, but if you want lashes that look natural with a bit of something extra then try this out.

Out the Door Top Coat

2010-04-01T17:01:00.001-07:00

I've been getting into polishing my nails for the last couple of months because I've been bombarded with pictures of beautiful nail colors. Unfortunately, my nail polish never lasts more than 3 days. That's it, 3 days max with chipping. So, I hear all the time that a tip coat is the secret to lasting nail polish. I've been using a Sally Hansen one, which I can't remember the name of. I think you can use it as a base and top coat. Anyway, it didn't make my color last any longer than going to a salon so I wanted to try a new one. My choices were between the famous Seche Vite top coat and one call Out the Door. Well, a friend at work swore to me that the Out the Door top coat is amazing. Well, it isn't. I painted my nails a few times with it and it chipped in a day or two every time. I painted my nails with an OPI color Sunday at around 7pm and by Monday (the next day) at 3pm the color had chipped on all of my nails. Yes, all! I think the polish not lasting might have something to do with it being a fast drying top coat but I don't care. It needs to last longer than 2 days because that's just ridiculous. So, I recently picked up the Sally Hanson Mega Shine top coat and I'm hoping that works better. It was buy one get one 1/2 off so I got one of the new nail polishes too. If that doesn't work then I'll definitely try the Seche Vite next.

Over Night Repair Serum

2010-03-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

So I decided that I needed more than a week to give a good review on this product and to really see some results. I'll do a review after I've been putting the product on for a month.

Plum Lucky

2010-03-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I went to a book fair and picked up a really funny book by Janet Evanovich call Plum Lucky. It's part of the Stephanie Plum book series. It's not actually in the series though, it's called "a between-the-numbers novel". That's the book cover's words not mine. I read one of the books in her series, 13 or 14, and I liked it but not enough to start reading the series. I saw the book at the fair and decided to give it a try since it was only $1.

In case you don't know anything about the series I'll give a quick little outline. Stephanie Plum, the main character is a bounty hunter that gets herself into some crazy situations. She has a "little" side-kick named Lula who is wild enough to be the star of her own series. Throw in some interesting love interests, (I'll be honest, I'm not really sure who is love interest and who's not cause they all seem interested), a crazy family, and you've got yourself a great little series.

Evanovich has a real knack for making crazy character and kooky situations seem plausible. Well, maybe not plausible, but at the very least her writing makes you to keep reading to find out what will happen next.

The book is a short read but none-the-less, the plot is fast paced and exciting and the characters will keep you laughing throughout the entire thing.

Ulta Blush-Karma

2010-03-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

The other day I was browsing in Ulta and I came across the most gorgeous peach blush I have ever seen. It's called Karma and it's a true peach color. No hint of pink or brown, just peach. I have only tried a few products from Ulta's line of cosmetics and I've never tried out one of their blushes so I decided to get it.

The pigment is very rich so you only need a little product to get a lot of color. I used a MAC 187 stippling brush and it gave such a pretty flush of color that I wanted to put all over my face! The color is so natural, blends beautifully, and really perks up my complexion. I have pretty fair skin but I think this blush would work on pretty much any skin tone.

John Frieda Over Night Repair Serum

2010-03-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

I bought this product a long time ago and just rediscovered it the other day. When I initially bought it I only used it once or twice. Definitely not enough time to see if it really works.

I have extremely dry hair and so I'm hoping this product will help to moisture and make my split ends look, well not so split.

The product claims to "Visibly repairs breakage and split ends while deeply nourishing to replenish essential moisture, making hair softer and healthier."

You are supposed to put it on dry hair, before bed, leaving it on overnight, and concentrating the product on the ends. It says to use 2-3 times a week for best results. I'll be putting this on my hair Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I'll probably do an update on this next weekend to see how it works.

BlushingPixi = Yorkiluvs

2010-03-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

This is for everyone who wanted to know what happened to Yorkieluvs. I was informed by Nhi that she has a new channel entitled BlushingPixi. She's already made 2 great videos so go and subscribe again. Thanks again Nhi.

Forever 21 accessories

2010-02-07T20:05:00.000-08:00

So here are a few things that I'm thinking about getting from Forever 21. I had more on my list but they stopped carrying it. (That was fast.) Oh well.

The black earrings are $11.60. That's pricey for Forever 21. I don't think I've ever paid more than about $5.60 for any accessories there. They are pretty cute though. Let me know what you think.

EDIT: Apparently I put 2 of the black earrings in my cart and they are in fact NOT $11.60. They are $5 and change. Yea!

Book of Eli

2010-01-18T06:54:00.000-08:00

I saw the Book of Eli last night. It was really good. It was kinda predictable at some points but overall it was a really interesting movie. There were some funny parts and some serious parts. This is definitely not a movie for young kids though. It has a lot of violence. The acting was good. Of course, there were some parts that I thought needed to be different. For example, one of the side characters does something, I my opinion meaningful, and then dies pretty unceremoniously. It would have been really interesting if they had done something with it but whatever. Good movie. Go see it, it'll get you thinking.

P.S. On a side note, it's raining today and I'm so excited! It's supposed to rain all week!

L'oreal Double Extend Mascara with Lash Boosting Serum

2010-01-14T16:43:00.000-08:00

I've only tried this mascara a few times so I'm just going to review it based on how the mascara performs as far as looks go, not on the effectiveness of the lash boosting serum. I read some reviews on the mascara's serum performance and none of them gave high marks. Besides that, I feel like the castor oil (did a post about this) is really a better choice if you want your lashes to grow. Maybe if I notice a difference with my lashes I will post again.

On to the review: This mascara has two sides, the mascara side and the white side which contains the primer and serum. I was really hoping that because this has a primer with it, it would add lots of volume and length to my lashes. I don't think this mascara does either. It actually gives a pretty natural look. It does give some extra length but not too much. There are definitely other mascaras that give more length. Overall, I like this mascara and I'll keep using it. I think I'll do some more experimenting with it to see if I can get some more volume out of it.

Coastal Scents Undercover High Definition Foundation

2010-01-13T14:08:00.000-08:00

I have been using this foundation for a couple of weeks now and so I decided to do a little review. This is a medium coverage foundation (compared with Revlon Color Stay). I tried a few different ways to get the best coverage and finish.

First I used my fingers. That works great. The foundation blended well and didn't look too heavy or too light. I used the MAC 190 to go lightly over the corners of my nose and the edges of my face just to make sure every thing is nice and blended.

Next I tried the MAC 190 brush. I felt the foundation got a little cakey.

I also tried the MAC 187 brush. Usually I only use this brush if I want light coverage. I thought it gave a great finish and blended nicely.

Next I tried 2 different powders to set the foundation. I tried the MUFE HD powder and some L'oreal loose powder that I forget the name of. The MUFE worked WAY better. It allowed the foundation to keep the finish and helped it stay put longer.

I think this is a great foundation. I really love the pump that comes with it, it's easy to blend, and it is long lasting. The only things I don't care for are that it can get cakey if you don't moisturize well or if you use too much. Also, you have to pick a color off the website. I have trouble picking a color in person let alone on a website.

I think this foundation is definitely worth a try.

Team Sam?

2010-01-08T20:06:00.001-08:00

So, the other day someone asked me if I was team Bill or team Edward. If anyone watches True Blood or have read the Sookie Stackhouse books then you know that is a really stupid question. Edward is a complete chump. That is, compared to Bill and any other vampire in the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood world. Don't get me wrong, I loved the Twilight saga just like everyone else. Yeah loved, note the past tense. I'm over it. Over. It.

Anyway, Bill could rip Edward apart before Edward could even think to blink his lovely lashes. If you've seen/read what either one of them can do then you know there's just no contest. What a silly, silly question.

For the record, I'm actually team Eric. I mean, he was a viking. That alone makes him awesome. Anyway, I think Sookie will end up with Sam in the end which I think is perfect. (Does that make me team Sam instead of team Eric?)

yorkieluvs say it ain't so

2010-01-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

I am stunned and sadden. One of my favorites youtubers and bloggers has closed her accounts it seems. I went on youtube last night to look at one of her videos and it said the account was gone. I went straight to her blog and it said the account was gone.

What is going on? You just posted 2 videos a couple of days ago. Well, I hope everything is o.k. with you and that you come back...soon.

Favorite Products of 2009

2009-12-31T20:42:00.000-08:00

Here are my favorite products for 2009!

(In no particular order)

1.Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash mascara: I did a review on this. It's just like LashBlast but without the flaking. It gives volume, length, and separates.

2.Bourgois double sided eyeliner pencil (cream end): I can't remember the exact name but I like it because it looks more natural than white.

3.Rimmel primer: This helps my makeup stay on longer (like it's suppose to ;) )

4.MAC paint pot in Painterly: It's the color of my skin, I use it to mask any discoloration on my eyelids.

5.Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail conditioning hand lotion: My hands are really dry from all the washing and sanitizing I do all day. I finally found something that's not greasy and that doesn't leave my hands dry again 5 minutes after I apply it.

6.Carmex: I will never get tired of this stuff. It keeps my lips nice and soft.

7.Maybelline lip gloss in Blissful Beige: Great color, goes with everything, very natural.

8.Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion: This stuff will get rid of wrinkles (temporarily). It makes your skin so soft.

9.African Royal Hot Six Oil:I use this on wet and dry hair. It really moisturizes my dry, frizzy hair and it doesn't smell gross.

Castor Oil and the Amazing Lash

2009-11-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

A while ago I had a few eyelashes that were broken off. I'm not sure how they broke but they did and they were not growing back. Of course I was in a panic. What if all my lashes started breaking off? What if I have to wear false eyelashes for the rest of my life? So I searched various beauty sites and found out about a couple of different products. Most of them were expensive so I decided to check out Ardell Brow and lash growth accelerator. (I later found it at Ulta) Unfortunately, I couldn't find it, so I decided to try castor oil. I read that castor oil does various things, among them eyelash growth. I got a small bottle at my local grocery store.

This stuff is amazing! Not only did the broken eyelashes grow back but ALL of my lashes grew. Now, I used the castor oil pretty inconsistently and it still worked. I used it for the first week every night but after that I only used it sporadically.

Here's how I use it: After I take off my makeup at night I take a Q-tip and dip it into the oil. Wipe off the excess (so it doesn't drip in your eye) and rub the Q-tip along both sides of the lashes and at the root of the lashes on the top side. That's it. It's that easy and the oil is inexpensive as well. Definitely worth a try.

L'oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara

2009-10-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

The new mascara (new to the U.S. anyway) is a new take on the mascara wand. The design is a round ball with spikes all over it. It's similar to the Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes mascara. The first time I wore this mascara I was a little annoyed because on one eye I had some really long spiky lashes and on the other eye I had regular looking lashes. I was not happy but I figured I need to get use to this new wand before I go making any rash decisions. The second time I tried the mascara, I was much more happy with the results. Although this mascara doesn't give my lashes great length, (actually it probably does have the potential to since I ended up with a few long spiky lashes the first time) or great volume, I like this mascara because it does get to those hard to reach lashes and it gives a nice no-clump coating to the bottom lashes. Overall, the look is pretty natural. I haven't decided if I would re-purchase this but it's definitely worth a try.

Haul

2009-09-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

I picked up a few things, some that I have been wanting for a while and others that just look promising.

I got 2 lip glosses from Maybelline (Bogo). The first one is Blissful Beige. It's shimmery nude color. The second one I can't remember the name of. It's Raspberry something. It's a great color. They are both really shiny and last a decent time.

I also got the new Carmex Moisture Plus. I only use Carmex chapstick so I was really excited when I found something new from them. It smells really good, the packaging is definitely better than the the one in the yellow tube. Unfortunately it doesn't moisturize the same as the little yellow tube. It's good just not as good, so I'll stick with the original.

Then I got Angora Cardi and Matte About You from Essie. As you all probably know, matte nails are HUGE for fall. Matte About You is a top that you can use on any nail polish to make it matte.

I also got the new 3 minute undo from Garnier Fructis. It's a deep condition with avocado, olive, and shea oils in it.

Lastly, I got 2 Chi products I've been dying to try out; the keratine mist and the smoothing shine spray (not exact name). So many people have said that these are great products. I will definitely do a review on them.

VMA's, Kanye, Taylor Swift, & Beyonce

2009-09-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

OMG! I didn't watch the VMA's but I saw what Kanye did and I am so pissed. He has the biggest ego in the world. So you make good music, so you've got an opinion. Yeah and? Other's people's opinion count too. Kanye, you have no right what-so-ever to take away someone else's moment like that, no one does. If you want to tweet, blog, vlog about it later go right ahead. Kanye has no class, no compassion, no decency, and no common sense. He has a perfect example of grace and decency right in front of him, hello Beyonce, and still he continues to act like a jerk. Taylor handled herself wonderfully and Beyonce was so so gracious. Kayne get a clue! You're a terrible role model and from what I can tell a terrible person as well.

YouTube

2009-09-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

O.K. So I've have been debating whether or not I want to make a video for YouTube and I finally did! It's a short little haul video. Check it out and let me know what you guys think.

http://www.youtube.com/kjv80

Haul

2009-09-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

So I did a little shopping. I bought some stuff that I had been thinking about buying for a while and some new stuff I saw at the store and liked. Here's what I got:

Revlon ColorStay makeup. Everyone says this stuff is great. I've worn it twice now and I agree! It lasts all day long.

L'oreal Hip Color Chrome Eyeliner in Violet Volt. This eyeliner is so pigmented and so creamy. It glides on. I've only tried it once so I'm not really sure of the staying power as of yet but the color is beautiful.

Maybelline Colorsensational lipstick in Plaza Pink. I don't usually wear lipstick but when I saw the ad for this new lipstick line I wanted to try it. So far so good. I have only worn it once so I can't give an honest answer on it's staying power. The color is neutral and the texture is creamy and doesn't dry out my lips.

Maybelline eye shadow quad in Seashore Frosts. I have been eyeing this little palette for quite some time. I finally decided to get it when I saw a tutorial using two of the colors and I loved it.

Covergirl eye shadow trio in Shimmering Sands. A lot of people say this is a great trio to have. I looked at it and thought "Eh. Nothing special." I saw some tutorials using it and finally decided to get it since it was pretty cheap. Normally I don't buy Covergirl eye shadows because I find they aren't very pigmented. This trio is o.k. I've used it a couple times and it's o.k. for a light neutral look.

L.A. Splash eye shadows in Nude Diamond and Premium. I have never seen this brand before so I was excited to try something new. I also liked the shimmery look of these eye shadows. Unfortunately, it's not shimmery, it's super sparkly. They are still really pretty, I just can't wear them for a daytime look. They are perfect for the club though.

A Complete Guide to Manicure and Pedicure

2009-08-24T16:17:00.001-07:00

I found this book at my local library and wanted to share it with you. This book has everything. It starts off by discussing the structure and anatomy of the hand and skin. It talks about the parts of the nail, giving definitions and detailed images. It also goes over problems with hands such as warts, excema, and carpal tunnel syndrom. It offers remedies and hand exercises to keep hands strong and lovely. The book even talks about nutrition and how it effects your skin, nails, and hands. It also talks about hand reflexology and then gets into how to give yourself a proper manicure. The book details all the tools needed and what each one does.

The book offers instructions on how to do different nail designs and techniques on how to get beautiful nails.

The book goes over the same things but for the feet. This is a really informative book that gave lots of great advice.

On Writing

2009-08-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading On Writing by Stephen King. The first part of the book talks about King's childhood, adolescence, and how he grew into the writer he is today.

The next part of the book is geared toward helping the reader become a better writer. It goes through grammar, structure, editing, and finding a publisher and/or agent. It also gives advice on what you need to do to be a good writer, or at least a decent writer. Although King doesn't go into detail regarding correct grammar, he suggests getting the Elements of Style by Strunk & White for a more comprehensive look on grammar and structure which is helpful for those in need.

In the last part of the book King offers a look at a select story (1408) still in the first draft and then shows how he revises it into the 2nd draft.

Overall, King's mini memoir was entertaining and his advice on writing is valuable. I certainly got a lot out of it.

Sedona

2009-08-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

I went to Sedona on Sunday with my family and had a wonderful time. It was 98 degrees or something like that and it felt amazing. (Compared to 113). We ate at the most amazing Mexican restaurant and then strolled through Tlaquepaque, the arts and crafts village. We ended the trip was some yummy strawberry ice cream.

Bright Blue using Coastal Scents

2009-07-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a look I did on Sunday. I used a lime green color on the inner half of my eyes and a bright blue on the outer half and in the crease. The lime green kind didn't turn out. You can't really see that color and I'm not sure why but it still looked pretty good. IMO.

Sally's Haul

2009-07-21T16:05:00.001-07:00

So I went to Sally's and got a few things. I got the Aphogee Reconstructor, which I always use. I got the Generic Chi Serum. I can't wait to try this. I got a sample of Ion Deep Conditioner. Last but not least, I got Orly RidgeFiller. I already tried the ridge filler and it works great. My nail polish went on super smooth and the surface of my nails are super smooth.

Everyone is snogging but Hermione

2009-07-20T16:23:00.000-07:00

Ummm, has anyone seen the new Harry Potter movie? Wasn't there supposed to be a snog between Ron and Hermione? I didn't see them snog. I saw Ron snogging Lavender, I saw Ginny snog Harry. I saw Ginny snog some other guy whose name escapes me at the moment, but I did not see Ron snogging Hermione. I just need to read the book. I'm stuck on the 4th one though. I have seen the Goblet of Fire so many times that it is making me not want to read the book. I'm reading the books because I know the movies are missing some of the sub-plots and that's what I really want to read about. I think it's hard for me to read it because I feel like I already know what's going to happen. I haven't seen any of the other movies nearly as many times as I've seen the Goblet of Fire so I think that's why I'm tired of it and not the others. I'll get around to finishing it eventually. I'm reading something else right now anyway.

Coastal Scents Concealer, 88 Shimmer & 88 Warm palettes

2009-07-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

What can I say, I love them! Practically everyone on the planet already has at least on of the Coastal Scents palettes and I realize that they have been discussed a million times. I don't care though because I love my palettes. I'll keep my review short: lots of pigmentation, awesome colors, enough said.

Beauty of Essence Brushes

2009-07-13T06:42:00.000-07:00

I was in need of a brush that I could put on liquid foundation. I have the MAC 187 but I feel that it gives a really sheer coverage and I wanted something to give me more. I was watching MichellePhan on Youtube and she was using this 2-sided foundation and concealer brush. I had to have it! It took a while to find it, and I could only find it in this pack of other brushes but I did, and i love it. The brush gives a very even coverage and gets into all the small places. I highly recommend it. I already owned the concealer brush and it's an o.k. brush. I really don't care much for concealer brushes because I think they're a little to hard. I usually pat with my finger or use the foundation side of the brush to blend concealer.

The pack also included a 2-sided blending & eye shadow brush and a 2-sided blush & powder brush. As for the other brushes, I have only tried the blush & powder brush. I used the the angle side and found it worked great for contouring. These are great quality brushes at an inexpensive price.

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Concealer

2009-07-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

I am always on the look out for the perfect concealer. I normally wear MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer which I really like because it gives good coverage and is moist. I'm still on the look out for a better concealer though because I feel like I need extreme coverage and although the Studio Sculpt does give great coverage I feel like I need more.

I was excited to try the Dream Matte Mousse Concealer by Maybelline because I had tried the foundation in the past and thought it was a bit too thick so I thought the concealer would be thick too. I think there were 5 different shades and I got Ivory Light 235. The shade is bit too light but once I put foundation over it you can't really tell. Unfortunately, the mousse is very dry and doesn't blend easily. I won't purchase it again but I will try and mix it with some moisturizer or something to see if it is more useable.

Here I am

2009-07-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I did a blog entry. I have just been doing all my usual things so I'm not sure why I haven't blogged lately. Anyways, I've been reading some other blogs and they have inspired me to get back on the horse.

I'm very excited because I finally ordered some palettes from Coastal Scents! Yea, to free shipping! I should receive them sometime next week. I'm a little worried though because it is extremely hot here and I hope the heat doesn't melt or destroy the makeup or palettes. I'm sure I would freak out if that happened. I'll be doing lots of looks with the palettes. I won't promise that I will post all the looks I do, but I will definitely post some.

I will also be doing some reviews. I have recently bought a few items that I want to share; some brushes from Beauty of Essence, the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse concealer, and the Maybelline Mineral Bronze Bronzer. I will do a review on all of that.

NYX look

2009-05-28T15:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a look I wore today using the two eye shadows I got from NYX.

Ummm, just excuse the hair.

NYX Haul

2009-05-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

My order from NYX came in the mail today! Here's what I got:

Ultra Pearl loose eyeshadows in: White, Grass, and Charcoal

Felt Tip Liner in Dark Brown,

and the item I was most excited about...Jumbo Pencil in Iced Mocha!

I am so happy I got the Iced Mocha cause I can never find it at Ulta.

I think I'll do a review on the liner and maybe post pictures of looks I do with the other stuff.

Angels & Demons

2009-05-18T06:37:00.000-07:00

This movie was good and bad. The first 2/3's of the movie was kinda boring. It was like The Da Vinci Code in that Dr. Langdon was running from place to place with a pretty sidekick looking at symbols and trying to crack a code. The last 1/3 of the is where it got really interesting. I think that the last part of the movie makes up for the first 2/3's of it. It's crazy what happens! I would never have guessed. Crazy!

Ewan McGregor is amazing! All of the actors were wonderful and the scenery was beautiful. It's definitely one of those movies that keeps you thinking even after it's over. I can't say that it's better or worse than the Da Vinci Code. I think they are on the same level. Definitely stick it out to the end cause it's well worth it.

Revlon Double Twist Mascara

2009-05-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

This mascara is terrible. Double Twist mascara claims to volumize lashes. If clumpy, smushed together lashes are your idea of volumized lashes then the claim is correct. The first time I saw the brush I had a feeling my lashes were not gonna look good. The brush looks like a smaller wand inside of a larger one. The first time I used the Double Twist it did volumize my lashes and didn't leave them too clumpy. It didn't separate them or add any length. (I know it doesn't claim any of that but usually you get some length with mascaras.) The second time I used this mascara I pulled out the brush and the product was clumped all over the brush! I'm not gonna lie, I was scared to use it. If it's clumpy on the brush you can almost guarantee that it will be clumpy on your lashes. I decided I would wipe the brush off with a paper towel. That has worked on other mascaras that I have used. Yeah, that didn't work at all. My lashes looked like crap. I ended up combing most of the mascara off and I didn't even attempt to apply it to my bottom lashes. This is that worst mascara I have ever tried.

Revlon Outlet

2009-05-13T16:21:00.001-07:00

So yesterday I went to the Revlon outlet with one of my friends. I love this place. It's kinda in the "trucking district" which about an hour away from my house. Anyway, they have tons of discontinued and available Revlon and Alamy products, (and I think another brand but I can't remember which), all at a big fat discount. I use the Revlon Lip Glide Sheer and I am running out. Unfortunately, the color has been discontinued (and I think the Lip Glide Sheers as a whole have been too). Well, I thought, no big deal I'll just go to the outlet. Lucky me. Nope, they didn't have my color! It's really discontinued! Boooooooo! Oh well, I guess I'm on a quest for a new sheer nude lip color.

Forever 21 dresses

2009-05-10T01:11:00.001-07:00

I love Forever 21. The clothes are cute, hip, and very affordable. Here are some really cute dresses that I want to get. Haha, I guess I'm in to floral prints right now.

NYX Cosmetics 50% off

2009-05-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yea! I put in my order for NYX last night. I hope it doesn't take too long to get here. I'll post pics as soon as I get it.

Dior Bellucci Look

2009-05-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

This look was supposed to look like the Monica Bellucci Dior add but it didn't quit turn out that way. Oh well, better luck next time.

Hual

2009-05-01T09:31:00.001-07:00

I bought some stuff from Sally's Beauty Supply and some lip glosses from Ulta. At Sally's I gotall Aphogee products: Keratin 2-minute reconstructor, the 2-step protein treatment, and the balancing moisturizer that goes with it. I've used the reconstructor before and I really like it. I'm really excited to use the protein cause I've been wanting to try that for a while. I'm gonna use it this weekend so I'll do a review on it.

I also got 2 really nice lip glosses from Ulta during a buy one get one sale on Revlon lip products. I got the Revlon Super Lustrous Lip gloss in Pink Pursuit. It's an amazing light nudy, pink shade with a touch of sparkle. The second one I got was Raspberry something or other. I can't find the name of it. Anyway, that shade is lovely. It's very pigmented so I just use a hint of the gloss and it makes my lips look like I just ate a juicy raspberry.

I actually got the Nude Attitude lip stick everyone has been raving about and I hated it. It was a terrible color for me but the worst was the texture. It was clumpy and left little bits on my lips. Gross.

Books! Books! Books!

2009-04-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

I just got done reading two really good books. The first one was Joie De Vivre by Robert Arbor. It's about everyday life and food according to a french chef. It's got lots of recipes and gives you a little glimpse inside the everyday life of a French family. Very well written and entertaining. Check out amazon.com to read a few pages.

The second book was What the Bleep Do We Know. I don't really know how to describe this one. It talks about quantum physics and it's kinda new agey, and it talks about how we create our own reality but it's more scientific than the straight new age stuff. Some parts are confusing cause I mean damn quantum physics. Really? And some stuff is pretty abstract but it's still a really good book and I got a lot out of it.

Wedding time

2009-04-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

Yea! I'm so excited! My sister-in-law is getting married today. I can't wait for the wedding and the dinner afterward. I love going to weddings. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pics.

Dress

2009-04-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

So I'm going to be wearing this dress to a wedding. I don't know what accessories to wear with it. I have an idea for the shoes but I'm not sure yet. What about bracelets, earrings, necklaces, that kind of thing? Any ideas? If you can't tell the strip under the black is gold and the colors on the bottom are very bright. I will also be wearing a black cardigan because the wedding is at night. Let me know what you think.

Quote of the Week

2009-04-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

"Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way."

-Abraham Lincoln

Fast and the Furious 4

2009-04-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

So I went to see the Fast and the Furious this weekend. It was really good. The movie was very action packed and the original cast stepped right back into character. Now, I really like the first one and although I don't remember everything that happened the new one is a lot like the first one. I saw the second one too and I only remember that Paul Walker and Tyrese were in that one. I didn't see the third one, Tokyo Drift. I don't even consider that the third one cause none of the original cast was in it (at least I don't think they were). The newest one is set five years later and Dom and Letty are still doing their thing until...haha, not gonna tell. Anyway, if you like soupped up bad azz cars and lots of action you're gonna love this movie. If you love Vin Diesel or Paul Walker, you're gonna love this movie. If you love Michelle Rodriguez then I don't know if you're gonna love this movie. Hint, hint.

No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

2009-04-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

Has anyone seen this show yet? If not you should check it out. It stars Jill Scott as the detective. I knew she could sing but she can also act. The show is set in Botswana, Africa and it's about a woman named Precious Ramotswe (Jill Scott) who's father dies and leaves her a bunch of cows. Apparently in Botswana owning a bunch of cows makes you very rich. Precious sells the cows, moves to the city, and opens up a detective agency. She solves everything from kidnappings to lost dogs, to cheating men, to men eaten by crocodiles. And she does it all with the help of her feisty secretary and a friend who owns a auto repair shop. I love the plots and all the characters, especially their accents. The show makes you want to visit Botswana and become a detective at the same time. It's only on it's second episode so there's still time to get in on the ground floor. Aires Sundays on HBO.

Quote of the Week

2009-03-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

"If the creator had a purpose in equipping us with a neck, he surely meant us to stick it out."

-Arthur Koestter

Haul

2009-03-25T21:07:00.001-07:00

Here's a few things I picked up recently:

Andrea half lashes and glue-I heard these were really natural.

Almay Intense I-shadow for hazel eyes-I don't have hazel eyes but the colors were are so pretty I couldn't resit.

Rimmel blush in peach

Rimmel Sexy Curves mascara-is crap

Optimum Oil Therapy-can't wait to try this, it smells so good.

Essence of Beauty concealer brushes

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

2009-03-25T20:50:00.000-07:00

I got a coupon for a free Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara so I decided to give it a try. I really don't have anything good to say about it. It clumped. I have never had a new mascara clump. That's just ridiculous. The mascara didn't really do anything for my lashes. Also, it was really weird cause the second day I used it I had these weird fibers flying around my eyes. And when I went to pull them off they were stuck to my eyelashes. So, I don't know what that was all about but whatever. I'm just glad I got it for free because it was very disappointing.

(The before and after, I can barely tell a difference)

Knowing

2009-03-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

I saw the movie Knowing this weekend and OMG that movie was crazy good. I think this is Nicholas Cage's best movie by far. The ending was messed up and the whole thing was creepy but somehow it was sort of comforting. I guess for me if the world is gonna go out then that's a good way to go. There was a lot of symbolism and allusion in the movie which really made you think. The acting was great and one thing that made the movie stand out is that there was a woman who had a daughter and then the daughter had a daughter and they all looked alike, which I appreciate because the young version and the old version never look alike and the family members never look alike either. Of course Nicholas Cage's character and the girl who plays his sister don't look like they would be related but that's ok. That might be asking for too much. Definitely a must see.

Quote of the Week

2009-03-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it"

-W.M. Lewis

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper

2009-03-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

Here's me before mascara and here's me after Lash Plumper.

A couple of people said that this mascara was pretty good so I decided to try it out. Extreme Lash Plumper is pretty much the same as Covergirl Lash Blast. The design of the tube is the same as the Covergirl Lash Blast except the Max Factor mascara is black instead of orange. The wands are the exact same as well. I really liked Lash Blast because it made my lashes longer and separated them beautifully. Unfortunately Lash Blast has one fatal flaw, it flakes all over your face. (Haha Santonio) Anyway, Max Factors gives great length and separates just as well only it doesn't flake! This is definitely worth a try.

Street Fighter

2009-03-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

Do NOT see this movie!!! It was terrible. All I can say is Chris Klien you need to find yourself a new job because acting is not for you. That's it. It was horrible. You suck Chun-Li.

SJP and the dress

2009-02-23T19:03:00.000-08:00

I don't usually watch award shows but I'm glad I watched the Oscars Sunday night. I absolutely loved Sarah Jessica Parker's dress. It was stunning. I also like Natalie Portman's pink dress. Hugh Jackman was so funny. I liked his opening number.

Dead Like Me

2009-02-19T07:20:00.000-08:00

If you're a fan of the now cancelled tv show Dead Like Me, you probably already know that the "movie" came out on Tuesday. I say "movie" because the it's pretty short and it sucked. George, Roxie, and good ole Mason are the same and they're great. Unfortunately, the girl who plays Daisy is terrible. This was not the same Daisy Adair as the one in the tv show. And the story about the new boss is basically non existent. They tell you why he's here but that's it. Dolores and her cat Murray are back! I loved them. Reggie is grown up and it was just weird to see. (Although she did a great job) And of course Joy. Joy was great too. It comes down to this, if you loved the t.v show you have to see the move, even though there is no closure. If you've never heard of Dead Like Me. You should probably keep it that way.

Youtube- My favorites

2009-02-16T12:34:00.000-08:00

I am an avid follower of Youtube and i just wanted to share some of my favorite youtubers:

AbsoluteMakeupJunkie-Very wearable cute looks

Ateyaaa-if you follow her hair regimen you won't be sorry

DRBrooklyn730-She's got skillz

DulceCandy87-love her fashion and hair tuts

emilynoel83-love her reviews and her blog

FloridaSweety-she's so funny and her hair is gorgeous

julieg713-love her nail tuts

MakeupByTiffanyD-she's got skillz

MakeupGeekTV-tons of tuts and they're all great

mayparis-tons of nail art ideas

panacea81-tons of tuts and they're all amazing

stillGLAMORUS-love her "drink if the week" videos and she'll be doing "mommy tips"

xteeener-great reviews, lovely girl

I love watching all of these girls and I can't get enough. I'm pretty much addicted to Youtube. Check these girls out.

L'oreal EverPure Shampoo

2009-02-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

Yea! My first post. O.K. I have really dry, frizzy, color treated hair so I'm always on the look out for something to remedy and treat all my issues. I'v been hearing a lot of talk about sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners so i decided to try one out. I tried L'oreal's EverPure Shampoo.

It doesn't smell that great but it doesn't smell bad either. It lathers nicely. My hair felt clean, free of product buildup, and soft. I blew dry my hair, like I usually do. My hair turned out a little dryer than it normally does but I don't know if it was the shampoo or maybe I didn't use enough of my other products I use. I will definitely be using this product again.