Teresa Barbie Look Almost Done

Everything except the falsies which are really going to make the look. If you want to see how it's done, it's coming soon. It's actually a rather simple look.

However, unless you are tan like Teresa, I don't recommend fluorescent pink lipstick. Had this been me in real life, I would have used a nude matte lip probably.

In other news, these recent photos show me I should definitely check in on my weight. I'm looking pretty hefty. :(

So, after watching a Ricebunny live chat, I have stumbled upon some disturbing news. While live chatting, RB said that tocopheryl acetate (commonly known to us beauty gals as the highly touted Vitamin E), WAS CANCER CAUSING. (EEK!) So, knowing that a YT guru is not infallible, I decided to consult a higher and more authoritative source: Cosmetics Safety Database. Here, at this website, they published all known carcinogens within makeup, results of the makeup from the FDA, and any independent studies' conclusive results.

Guess what? Vitamin E in your lipgloss IS BAD FOR YOU. Read it here: Vitamin E sucks.

This is not to say you should avoid it altogether; I recognize that the industry uses this in almost every lipstick and chap stick out there. My concern is that it's on your lips. If you just applied, and then you eat, you're ingesting Vitamin E. That's the part that creeps me out. Plus, I also realize that you probably would have to reapply your chap stick every 3 seconds to achieve a "moderate dose" like the website describes, but better safe than sorry right? (especially if you have a cancer prone family history like mine).

But what really ticks me off is that the FDA lets these chemicals pass. If we didn't have chemicals like this that "could" be harmful, we wouldn't have to test on animals, now would we? (Don't even get me started opening that can o' worms).

Oh well, burt's bees. You were an awesome lip care lip gloss. Good by Soft Lips chap stick. I guess I will be trying my best to stick with everyday mineral's jojoba oil based lipsticks/lip care. Their stuff is better anyways. :D

Beauty related post - whaaaaaat?!?!

OMG! This lighting bolt hit my apartment complex. Pretty sure it hit the transformer, but everything is back up and running, but it was sooo loud! And it wasn't even raining too.

I'm thinking about entering a youtube contest. The game is you have to use purple somewhere in your look. I have tons of purple in my makeup bag, so I thought, why not? I'm still figuring out what I want to do, but when it's done, you guys will definitely see a photo of it!

Anyway, that's all. I need to get back to cleaning. And grading. (Bleh!)

HMMM...

I may change the theme of this blog. At first, I was going to do all things beauty related, but I find it hard to keep up. I just don't find myself sitting down to write about that mascara about, film a review, and take pictures. I guess I'm just lazy. XD

However, I do love love love jewelry. I have a whole awesome collection, and I love to make it too. I may just keep this blog for everyday life. Who knows? I'll give it a month more and really try to make an effort. If it seems like I can keep it up, then I'll keep on, keeping on. :)

Be Kind!

Ok, so I just got back from Mal Mart, and I stopped by the beauty section to grab some white eyeliner. But what did I see? A poor guy picking his nails, leaning on the shopping buggy while his girlfriend/fiancee/wife is agonizing over whether or not to go with blackest black or black brown eyeliner. And it wasn't just tonight, but I've seen this several times the last few times that I've been to Mal Mart.

LADIES! Be kind! Don't do this to your man! Tell him he can go wander off in power tools or video games for a few minutes, and he can meet you in the dairy section later. Trust me, he'll appreciate it, probably give you a kiss on the cheek, and you can agonize in peace without hearing huffing and sighing in the background. Everyone goes home happy if you're considerate of his position. Moreover, the next time he's with the guys, he'll probably brag about your kindness to him and the other boys will be jealous. XD

That's all for now. (I promise to get off my lazy butt soon and post up those reviews I've been saying I would post forever...)

<3sba

Whoa...

Good news all around!

A. I'm back. Makes you happy right? I have some cool new products to talk about.

B. I have a job!

C. I actually have a set schedule now and free time, so that means I will have more of a presence on this blog.

D. With much of my free time, I've started making jewelry again.

What about this background? Like it? I may go back to plain black 'cause I'm such a plain jane. XD

Good morning!

I'm done filling out applications, and I'm about to watch some tv for a bit. After that, you can look forward to possibly 2(!) reviews in one day. 

I'm going to show you one of my favorite products - Origins Modern Friction- in action with before and after shots.  After that, I plan on trying out The Face Shop Spa Mask in Pearl. 

So expect a couple of posts later on. And if you haven't seen it yet, please watch my tutorial on how to make super-cute earrings! 

Super Easy Bling Bling Earrings

<3sba

eep!

I put a video on youtube. :S

And now I think to myself, "how come I never noticed that I have really jacked up teeth before?"

hahahaha. 

enjoy. 

Easy Bling Bling Heart Earrings

<3

Break time...

Ugggghhhh. I hate filling out job applications. They want to know every Bubba you've ever known! (ok so maybe not everyone you've ever known, but they sure as hell ask a LOT of seemingly-unrelated questions).

I have to finish tweaking my CV for tomorrow and send that off in the mail and I'm still waiting to hear back from the people I interviewed twice with! 

All this waiting business ain't none too fun. 

In the meantime, I've decided to start making jewelry again.  I've always had a passion for jewelry.  I've been making jewelry since I was 12 years old! I really don't know how I learned to do it; I just kind of picked it up and went from there. I really enjoy it. It relaxes me. I think I might make a tutorial on it.  

I'm kind of scared to make makeup videos for youtube because I've seen how cruel with comments people can get and that scares me. But, surely there's nothing wrong with jewelry, right? (i.e. it can't draw as many cruel commentaries?) I mean, I fully expect when people find out where I'm from there will be a flood of "backwards, backwater, dumbass, racist, redneck" type comments, but that's a stereotype, and that's dumb. Most Southerners are not like that at all. But I know people are still going to say it. . . C'est domage, mais c'est la vie. 

I'll edit this post later with whatever I decide to make. ^.^

Alert - 1.98$ Shipping from E.L.F.

Only good for the days! (read 7/16/2009).

Use code EGSHIPT at checkout.

I would suggest either their studio brushes (the black ones), fake eyelashes, or the mineral make up line.

happy shopping

<3

Update on LC Brushes

So, remember how excited I was to find Lowe Cornell brushes at teh Wal-Marts? Well, I'm just glad they were only 5$! 

They are complete crap! The bristles weren't soft and didn't bend well. Also, they shed bristles really, really bad. I'm glad I only tested them on my nails and not on my face! 

My nails turned out decently thanks to a nice tutorial by Kawaii Nails. I will edit this post with pictures and a link to her blog tomorrow morning after I go to check in on my thesis at the library. 

EDIT: Kawaii Nails

check her site for her really good tutorial on nail gradation.

Here's my lame attempt. I don't have steady hands at all!

sleep tight!

<3sba

Free Shipping on MAC!

Hey ya'll!

MAC's website is giving away freeshipping for the weekend only!

Enter code WEEKEND at checkout!

Enjoy!

<3sba

Found it!

Here's a tip that some may not know:

E.L.F. products are available at most cheap-ey like stores.

Here's a list of where and what E.L.F. products  I've found in person:

K-Mart - eye shadows, lip gloss, lip stick, brow tamer

Holliday's - eyeshadows, lip gloss, lip stick, mascara

Fred's - Brushes, eyeshadows, lip gloss, lip stick, mascara

The trend seems to be to carry the essentials of makeup. However, if you luck up, you might find that the store carries E.L.F. brushes (unfortunately, they aren't the black studio label), and they are still just a dollar!

I've ordered from E.L.F. before and it is true that the have bad shipping and it takes for-ev-er.

So, if you're wanting to try their stuff out first, or you like having cheap brushes, give your local dollar store a try. You'd be surprised at what you can find!

<3sba

hey yall

been on a slight vacation of sorts. my fiancé and I have been visiting his parents for the past couple of days. I've got some neat things to shAre in the coming days. Please stay tuned!

<3
sba

ok. so my wireless Internet is not working. urgh. annoying.

however, small note to self: fake aloe vera is green for a reason.
Cause REAL aloe vera is puke green.

I intend to explain this later with pictures but I must sleep because of a job interview tomorrow.
<3sba

Wondergirls

Love, love, love this band and their single. They've released an english pmv as well, but I think something is lost in translation because the Korean single is better imo.

Anyway, this is wondergirls. Please enjoy! And isn't their make up pretty? Maybe I'll try something like that soon. :}

mobile blog test post. thisis going to be awesome if it works!

I love lipgloss...

I do! Since I was 12, I was scared to have dry lips because all my girl friends at school were talking about first kisses. (Mind you, I didn't have mine until much, much later in life!) But, I found that wearing lip gloss was addictive. Thus, I started collecting them and carrying them in my purse. I guarantee you, if I were to dump out my purse right now, I would have at least 10 bottles/tubes/wands of lipgloss in it. I know my glosses.

That's why I want to introduce a current favorite of mine by Nivea called "A Kiss of Shine." OMG. It's so great for an every day gloss. The product claims it leaves a clear, glossy shine with no sticky-ness, and moisturizes.  Check, check, and check.  The only downside is that it does have preservatives in it (read: parabens) which might be harmful to our bodies (the scientists are still out on that one).  But otherwise, it is an absolutely great product and an absolutely gorgeous color! I think it's about 3$ at CVS/Walgreens, but it's well worth it.  It also comes in red, pink, natural(the one I have), and clear. The only thing that could make this product better is to remove the preservatives and add SPF 12.  Overall, if you want an inexpensive, medicated lip gloss with just a touch of color, this is the product for you!

Nivea's Website - this is the color I have called Natural

Recessionista!

Oy, again, I realize that I have been so neglectful of this blog.  I'm constantly on the road for interviews only to get turned down.  I will do better to present beauty finds for all who read.

On a really happy note, tomorrow I will have been engaged to my fiancé for one year! J-if you're reading this, happy anniversary!

Okay, so instead of doing one mega jumbo posts, I'm going to split it up into several. Eventually, I'm going to organize with links on the side so it will be easy to find what you are looking for. 

I really haven't been able to afford much lately since I'm unemployed with no cash flow coming in, but before my recession hit, I found this little baby at Sally's for 4.99$! Well worth it! 

This is Orly's Beverly Hills Manicure kit.  I don't know if they are

 continuing it since it was on sale, but if you find it, definitely pick it up! The box claims it's even more sheer than the original french manicure (and Orly should know - they claim to have invented the French manicure).  

Better yet, the box includes a rubberized bonder basecoat, Beverly Hills Plum, Sheer White Tip color, and In A Snap topcoat and 60-seconds-or-less dryer.  So far, I'm loving it. The basecoat looks

 good by itself. I love the color of Beverly Hills Plum. It's so sheer and it's very buildable. You can make it as natural or as pink as you want. In-A-Snap is great - it really does what it claims! Your nails dry almost instantly after you apply it.  

Like I said, the best thing is that it is 4.99(USD). That means you get half sizes of the 6.99 colors (White & Plum) and 8.99 nail essentials (Bonder and Topcoat) for much, much less than if you were to buy all these separate.

If you can't find this at sally, you can buy the regular sized versions at CVS in the nail section.

 All are staples of the line, so no worries about discontinuation.  Here are some photos of my crappily done nails.  I tried to do them freehand...not such a good idea, but you get the gist of how the color comes out. :D

 <3 sba.

A beauty related post! Finally!

I know, I've been AWOL again. Been trying to find a job...It's hard though. The economy is such trash that my degree is useless. But that's where I've been. Interviewing and filling out applications and what not.

Now, here's a sleek little find (imo). Many girls out there who like to use brushes will find this useful.  Xteeener mentioned these brushes before in one of her many tutorials, as I'm sure other gurus on youtube have.

But, you can now find Lowe Cornell brushes at Wal-Mart! (Previously you could only find them Hobby Lobby or craft stores).  They are a mere 5$ for a pack that comes with many sizes. (At craft stores, they'll run you double the price!) If your Wal-Mart recently re-modeled to the fancy-smancy Wal-Mart, they should be in the craft section with the paints. 

These brushes are really soft and good for eyes, lips, nails, and other details that regular make-up brushes just don't quite get. I personally haven't tried them yet, but I do plan to soon, and I'll let you know how that goes. Enjoy and happy bargain!

Something else un-beauty related...

I know, I know.  I'll quit with the Dr. Who in a day or two.  Or maybe not.

But, my fiance and I went to watch our uni's baseball team play and they came out to the song "Requiem for a Dream" from the season 4 finale of Dr. Who.  I laughed so hard.  Here are these baseball players trying to look all hard and what not to a song from the oldest, most long running science fiction show ever! Oh the irony! 

Today was palm sunday in mass. Very interesting service! I just turned my palm into a palm cross.  Probably give it to the fiancé since he has a icon in his house, and you're supposed to tuck them behind pictures.  Maybe I'll put it in a shadow box....

Anyway, yup. My creative whimsies have pushed me elsewhere right now.  Make-up stuffs later. I have a few ideas, but I've gotten a bit carried away on writing a new novel.  (eek!) And on that note, what do you make of the name Bliss for a female character in a novel? (Her parents named her Bliss because she wasn't expected to live past five.  They named her that in hopes that she would have a happy, short life).  Too cheesy? Any thoughts would be appreciated.  

Totally Beauty Unrelated...

My dad was a nerd, and alas, I wound up being somewhat of a nerd myself.

I have recently discovered Dr. Who is availble for instant watching via nextflix and I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS SHOW! It's like the British X-Files. 

There. I have used my allotted nerd points for the day.  No more Dr. Who gabbing until tomorrow.

So...

Got my hair cut, and I must say, I am a little surprised.

I was ready to give Syd free reign, and after about six or seven years of having the same hair cut, I told him he could do whatever he wanted. When he saw how long my hair was, he said, "Omg, you're hair is so long. I'm kinda liking it. It's very rocker-chick. That natural curl?" And then he started dishing dirt on celebs...it was great!

And he gave me the same hair cut I've had for over six years...only better.

I'm still adjusting. I usually don't wear my hair curly...I like board straight hair, but for the past two days, I've been poofy and curly (but not frizzy thanks to Syd). It's growing on me, but currently the jury is still out. Before and afters to come soon. Also, possibly a little tutorial on spring looks and product reviews: UNDER EYE CREAMS THAT WORK! WOOT!

One of my (acrylic) nails just popped off. :( Speaking of which, my fiance and I are having hard times finding jobs. He says he's going to take up construction. I told him if he does that, I get to go to beauty school. He agreed. But I'm seriously thinking about saving up money for nail tech school. Only 2 months and about 2,000 bucks. Not bad...

Exciting News, Good News, Bad News

Good News: So, tomorrow I have a hair appointment which is good because I need one desperately. My hair is a train wreck right now. Split ends galore!

Exciting News: And I'm supposed to get my hair done by this hair master to Hollywood super-stars like Cindy Crawford, Tina Turner, etc. (CINDY CRAWFORD! i used to want to be her when I was like, 10!!!) AND it's only going to cost me a 30 minute trip + 50 for the cut!!!

Bad News: It's supposed to rain and thunderstorm very badly tomorrow afternoon, so I probably won't be able to travel and will have to reschedule.

If you want to ooh and ahh over gorgeous couture hair and make-up, go to these guys following links; they are am-a-zing!

http://www.billyandsyd.com/ <----their salon's site Syd, the Hollywood Hair Master
billybbeauty <----simply ah-maz-ing!!! He does Pink, Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, Meg Ryan, Michelle Pfiefer, TRYA BANKS, SARAH JESSICA PARKER....the list just goes on and on... (and he and my mom where friends in high school...who'd have thought that out in the sticks, there lurk such great talents?)

Anyway, I leave you with a picture of my poor, horribly mistreated hair. I <3 my chi too much.
Here is the hair after the chi. Much of an improvement.

Spring Cleaning Much?

It's spring break down here, and it is nothing but cold and wet! What's a girl to do?

Well, because of my master's exams, I have really neglected my house and my vanity area. So, when it's raining non-stop and cold outside, there's no better thing to do than to get organized and get it all cleaned up.

This post might be preaching to the choir, but a lot of women don't know that make up expires! It's not meant to last forever ladies! So, it's a good rule of thumb about twice a year to thumb through your makeup counter and get rid of older products. (Especially with all those harsh preservatives lying around).

First things first, learn how to read your labels. Many products feature a little picture of a container with 6m/12m/24m. This tells you how long the makeup's shelf life is.

Here are some general guidelines as to how long things last (synthesized from various internet sources and my own makeup box):
Foundation : anywhere from 1 year to 1.5 years
Concealer: about 1 year Powder: about 1 year Blush/Bronzer: 1 -1.5 years
Eyeshadow: 1-2 years
Kohl (crayon) eyeliners: about 2 years
Liquid eyeliners: 3-6 months
Mascara: 3-6 months Lipstick/lip liner: 24 months Lipliner: 18 -24 months
Nail polish: 12 months

It's also important to know that if you are a mineral/organic makeup gal, your shelf life is usually cut in half! So, again, it's important to read your boxes, labels, and packaging and clean house every so often.

Remember: these are just guidelines. You gotta look for the little container on the box. And above all else, if you can't remember when you bought it, throw it out! If you're not hitting pan on an item, it means you're probably not in love with it so much that you would miss it. :D

Pictures and a fun little video to come soon...or maybe not. I'm really just learning to work iMovie. Regardless, I hope ya'll have a nice day!

sba

I know!

Hi!

I know it's been a while, but I have my degree! I should be able to make more posts in the coming weeks, so please stay tuned! :D

Master Exam Madness

Ok. So. Saturday, I take my big exam, which decides whether or not I get my little piece of special paper that says, "Congrats Adele, you spent two extra years learning more useless junk in hopes that you might earn a couple thousand more bucks a year." I am prepared, and I am not prepared.

I know 1/3 of the 16 books well. Another 1.5/3 reasonably well. And the other .5? Not so much.
It's pass/fail, so if I fail this time, I have one last chance in August to pass or else they boot me out of the program.

After that, write 3 short stories and a fifteen page paper before March 12 if I pass.

And with all this stress, my skin is freaking out. I have broke out (where else of course) all along my jawline. Green tea, pomegranate juice, and water here I come.

And here's some more interesting news: free cosmetics! Dept. Store cosmetics! Sure thing! Just follow the link below:

Free cosmetics!

As my name implies, I'm from down South, specifically, a very po-dunk little town, where the best thing we have for miles around is a Wal-Mart that is at least 15 minutes away. If I wanted to score free make-up from one of these stores, I'd have to drive over 200 miles. :( So, to everyone out there in more metropolitan areas, take advantage of this!

I hope after this test passes to have a couple of more tutorial-like posts up. I also have some really cool information on getting e.l.f. products with out the wait to share. Anyway, if you're testing this week in school as well, I wish you lots of luck! =)

sba

Sugar Lip Scrub!

Winter months mean cold, chapped lips. :( Sometimes, it's not enough to simply slather on chapstick. Chapstick prevents dry lips. So, do to your lips what you would normally to do a face that has dry skin: Exfoliate!

How do you exfoliate your lips? Simple. And I bet you have most of the ingredients in house!






To make the Sugar Lip Scrub, gather these things:

Sugar (granulated. Can be white or brown, but the smaller the grain, the better the sugar can get into the fine lines of your lips).

Lip Balm (I prefer Burt's Bees, not only because it's all natural and one of the best balms around, but also because they don't test on animals).


A knife

A mixing plate












Here are my lips before exfoliating. I don't normally let them get this bad, but I did to show you guys just how well this works.

To begin, take a pinch of sugar and put it on the plate. Then, take your butter knife and cut off a piece of the lip balm. It should be about half and half of both things.














Then, simply apply the mixture to your lips and scrub your mouth like you would your face.




Scrub, scrub, scrub!










Once you are done, your lips should be soft, moisturized, and dead-skin free! Here is the before and after.






















Enjoy and Good Luck!

sba