Makeup 101

At 23, I'm finally beginning to move beyond the basics of makeup.

Walking amide the aisles at Sephora the other day, seeking my favorite mascara {they're real! lengthening mascara by Benefit Cosmetics}, and I simply felt overwhelmed, having never explored much further than mascara, liquid and pencil eyeliner, foundation for spot coverage, cover-up stick for same, and lipstick.

Today I made a big girl purchase of BB Cream, an egg-shaped blending sponge, eyebrow mascara, eyebrow pencil, and some darker highlighting pencil thing {I'll have to check the stick}. Oh, and replenished my liquid eyeliner - wet n wild's black Megaliner as it's super cheap and I go through it so quickly.

Initial thoughts:

• what is so wonderful about this stuff that sounds like Star Wars-themed boo-boo ointment? {BB cream}
• what is all of this stuff?
• I just want to know how to contour
• {multiple educated google searches}
• why do women draw on extra eyebrow hairs? why am I?

Got home, attempted...wasn't terrible.

Future pictures may reveal the slow process of learning how to use them...in lieu of that: kitty pictures. Naturally.

xxxx

Happy Gas Masks

Gas masks became a staple of a soldier's uniform during the early 20th century with the highly prevalent use of chemical warfare tactics. As such, by the time WW2 broke out, millions of these masks would be issued to British families in the event such merciless weapons would be dropped on citizens by plane. In short, the gas mask was intended to ensure the wearer clear, purified air amid a chemically-aerated environment, a protection against the outside.

We, as humans, don a comparable mask at times, a proverbial one or one of more tangible means, such as makeup or a hat, a transparent talisman, as a way to shut out the "bad" or convince ourselves everything is okay when, internally, we know that is not the case.

We think we know someone at their surface but until the walls come down and the edges of their invisible force field peel back, we may never truly know someone deep down to the core.

While there are many days it's not about covering up feelings, but rather an embarrassing blemish that sticks out like a sore thumb, I don't always feel comfortable without makeup... On those days, when I'm just not feeling up to the day's expectations, I'll take extra care on how I prepare my face so as not to give away any indicator that I'm not up to my 100%.

Sometimes a bold cat-eye can improve even the darkest of moods, though...like they say, "fake it until you make it." When you see yourself smiling, even if it's for the sake of others, or even due to others' positive vibes, that alone can boost your confidence that maybe the day isn't so terrible or maybe everyone around you isn't such an idiot... {daily thoughts at work when I'm feeling overwhelmed}.

When all else fails, be thankful for the moments you can come home, let your hair down, and laugh at all of the ridiculous idiocies you've encountered during the day, week, fortnight, etc. In a world filled with baby sloth videos online and fluffy Chewbacca robes, it's hard to stay locked away inside the shell for too long.

Hoist the white flag, break out of the carbonite, and learn to just let go once in a while, even if it's just to your stuffed animals at first. By all means, keep your little gas mask for special occasions in which it may prove useful, but learning to trust a select few can lend itself to getting to know some pretty incredible people and even open your eyes to your own true self.

I'm about to go break down some internal walls of self-conflict....brb.

xxxx

Heed Caution, Take Care

With hectic schedules and desire to care for everyone around us, we often put ourselves to the wayside, neglecting basic little routines or maintenance-keeping. Today was spent doing little things to pamper myself and actually put some effort into my appearance, and getting dolled up for the heck of it.

Today would have been Grammie's 89th birthday and it needed celebrated with good eats, sissy hugs, and dreaming of the wonderful, kind, and vivacious woman that she was {okay, I spent half the morning ugly-crying, but that's beside the point}.

Eyebrows freshly plucked; pores duly unclogged, extracted, primped; old nail polish removed; YouTube videos on makeup technique watched and absorbed; newly gained skills put to the test.

Bright, sunny day as Grammie's spirit lives on, making today especially vivid for her birthday.

I opted for curls on curls and my new Shop Priceless crop top paired with my never-fail ultra-high AE jeggings. Incredible: it's December and nearly warm enough to go without a jacket....nearly.

Found these lovely boots at the thrift store down the street and I've been relying on them heavily to complete my {hopefully} BA outfits.

The end results: little loop curled into the wild curls, falsies {the last time I attempted these was senior year of high school, and Lovely had to apply for me}, eyeshadow {something I've avoided until today}, Star Wars lippy...

Quite pleased with the results.

While I did not really have anywhere I needed to go, I put this look to the test with my errands and a visit to see my Nana later that night.

Sister date warranted the Dragonite tee, so a swift change was in order! A stay-in night with pizza, beer bread, questionable&slightly burnt brownie bites, and Cranberry blush wine. Can't complain.

Grammie would always offer us good noms and Pap Pap would let us taste his wine, so in a way, we're kicking off her birthday shin-dig in a way she would have definitely approved ^_^

i carry your heart
i carry it in my heart

Happy birthday, Grammie. I miss you. I love you. I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places.

*waterproof makeup is a lie as mine starts to leak down my face*

The Force Awakens: A Lippy Review

As someone who used to avoid lipstick years ago, I now see how it has enhanced my otherwise washed-out, vampire-tanned face and added that extra pizzazz needed to complete an outfit.

I do realize, in the wake of terrorist attacks {Pray for Paris}, makeup and hair and clothing all seem rather insignificant and vain, but in spite of such atrocities in the world, we should still retain some of those froo-froo habits and interests, for when we cower down in fear and relinquish all pleasures and enjoyment, that is whey "they" have won.

I try my damnedest to refrain from international affairs and political views, not out of ignorance {the world fascinates me, and out into the world I aspire to go...}, but feel this is not the place for such matters with so broad an audience. We live in times when the next generation {and even my own} is coddled relentlessly and mediocrity is the new standard as expectations are lowered and lowered...

But I digress per usual...

With the release of the new film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, CoverGirl got extra creative with its new line, inspired by the Light and Dark Sides of the Force.

Naturally, I was intrigued....one of my favorite movie empires coupled with my new-found appreciation for lippy and its powers over the past few years.

While I was home, I picked up two shades, surprised my hometown Wal-Mart even carried the collection.

Silver #10 & Dark Purple #50, shown above, respectively.

The silver was a bit thin, but left a pretty sheen. I may utilize it to mix things up a bit or for a special occasion.

The purple, however, da-yum. It goes on so well and slowly fades to a purple-y rouge after a little wear and tear. As long as lasting, this color lasted all day, from morning until night. Evening was when I noticed the more rosy-hue, but even when I removed my makeup at night for bed, quite a bit came off.

These two are my go-to's: Wet 'n' Wild's Black Orchid 508A and Revlon's Wine with Everything 525.

They're both a deeper hue than the typical rouge, albeit the 525 is bit more red than the former. While both provide excellent coverage for several hours, the CoverGirl dark purple has them both beat.

While some lippy will become cake-like even with proper moisturizing prep before and during application, all of the aforementioned stay on evenly. I have noticed I need to reapply both chapstick and lippy with the 508A and 525, though...the chapstick adds moisture but does not take the pigment with it when applied on the dark purple as moisturizer is needed later in the day.

Hmm...me thinks the CoverGirl will be making a luscious debut tomorrow at the rock concert....

Frigid Friday Favorites

Have I already overused this concept of Friday Favorites? I feel as though I've used this particular title before....there are not many 'F' words [that are polite enough for use on this type of blog] to convey yet another rendition of the favorites of the week, particularly Friday.

Friendly
Frivolous
Freaky
Funny

Now I'm just being silly...

• This week's Friday favorites brought to you by the letter 'A," as in adorably aching-heart-worthy Ted.

• And Pretty Little Liars
• Hot Chocolate at MJ's....2x

• Chipotle

• Attempt at the whole button-down under a sweater/sweatshirt theme

• Awkwardly standing in my coat

This is how I spend my Wednesday nights.

• And my lovely Boba Fett shirt

• Pink mascara. FINALLY.

Hard Candy

And now 'tis time to [attempt] to compose a German essay...rough draft shouldn't be too difficult. I got this. Maybe. Full of confidence.

Have a lovely start to your weekend!

Love the Skin You're In

Isn't this the Dove slogan?

This article is incredibly honest and addresses the matter of the new "war" that seems to be arising between curvy women and thin women...if it could be even warranted a war.

Insecurities exist. One can never get away from them. Even the most confident have their quarrels with themselves.

Imperfection makes you perfect.

Hmm perhaps Thursday should be wisdom/advice day. I seem to be full of wisdom on Thursdays...then Friday comes around, and all I want to do is sleep.

Ruby lips and a bold cateye are a great way to cheer up a dull, blustery day

It's bitterly cold and all I want to do is buddle up in sweaters and blankets and be a cozy polar bear and hibernate until spring.

I want to cuddle with this little guy.....



Total heartbreaker.

Keep warm! Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!! Hard to believe I've been at school for almost two weeks already...

Dragons, horses, and spirits

....this combo sounds like a major reference to The Hobbit. But that's more or less the hashings of my day.

I started reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last night [after Polyvore] and it was a slow read at first...i read it to and from Gettysburg today and it's getting interesting. Yes, i've joined the bandwagon. I'm not sure if it's all it's hyped up to be yet, but we shall see.

Mixing high-end with low-end fashion today...i took Louis [Louis Vuitton purse] with me horseback riding. It slings over the shoulder and can hold Theo [my kindle].

Joe Fresh opened up a new store along Fifth Ave in NYC and we all received a free tube of orange lipstick by checking into it using foursquare! woot woot!

I'm kissable like an orange creamsicle.

P.S. i think i may have captured ghosts on my camera from today's horseback ride through Gettysburg