Broke but workin’ it!

All right darlings time for a review.

Up today two companies:

Electric Cosmetics

&

Fyrinnae

First up Electric Cosmetics. This is a relatively new company headed by a 19 year old entrepreneur with a love of make up. I purchased a sample size of the lovely hot pink shade “bashful” (see pics here. Straight away I was very impressed with the color. Bright true blue based pink with a just right amount of shimmer.

I swatched the color on the back of my hand and sans primer it shwoed up beautifully. Fantastic color payoff on par with more expensive brands. I am wearing it today on my lower lids with a bit of MAC French Violet in the crease and as a liner. All together a great combination.

Next up Fyrinnae. Another small company that produces quality hand made cosmetics I have to admit that since first purchasing a few of their products this past January I have been hooked.

First up their Silken Eyeshadow base. I have been using this product regularly for about the past five months and it has become an absolute staple. Whether your skin is normal, oily or dry this product provides an excellent sheer to opaque (depending on how much and how you apply it) base for all your shadow needs.

My extremely oily skin generally speaking eats eyeshadow alive. Without primer I get at most a couple of hours of wear. With this base I get all day wear with minimal fading and creasing. this is absolutely a recommended product. The packaging can be a little tricky if you’re at all clumsy and it does take a few tries before you find just the right amount to use.

A tip: if your skin is oilier or you want your colors to really pop I suggest powdering your lids, then adding the base with your fingertip until it’s semi-opague then powdering again. Let it set and you are off to the races.

Next up from Fyrinnae as well their shadow called Bubble Tea admittedly at first glance I didn’t love this color. However once on it is a fantastic shade. Described on the site as “Medium lilac-mauve topped with a green highlight shimmer and a scattering of silver sparkles.” that is very apt. This color looks amazing on my medium milk chocolate skin. Very good color for a highlight or as a monochromatic all around the eye.

All in all two thumbs up for both companies. Not only are they quality small business but, both have highly economical pricing and the all important sample sizes. I love sample sizes because I can try a greater array of colors without investing more money than needed. And if a color doesn’t work out for me I’m only out 5-10$ instead of more.

Go forth and enjoy!!

Coming up soon deals of the month, my adventure in stretching my relaxer, straightening with a flat iron and other assorted madness.

Until next time, stay fabulous.

I’ve had a lot of friends who don’t always wear make up or are new to make up what they need. Everyone is different but there is a solid list of things I believe will get you through your day to day wit some room for making it fancy when you wanna. Let’s go.

First you need things to take good care of your skin. Don’t believe the hype that you have to use all these random products. No. Find what works for you.

Personally my skin is happy with a cleanser and some light moisture. I used to use toner and all that jazz but I found my skin broke out more often.

So you’ve got that covered now you want your pretty clean canvas to look fancy.

I believe you really only need a few products. If you’re face is prone to being shiny get yourself a pack of rice papers or a good translucent loose powder. If you’re not worried about coverage Cornsilk makes an excellent no color powder that sets very nicely. I’ve used their products for years and still stand by them as tops of drugstore products.

First, powder your face. I like to use a deluxe body puff like this one. If you prefer or it’s easier for you feel free to use a big fluffy brush. Like this one.

Now that you’re powdered what do you need?

This depends on how much time you want to take. For a very basic look use mascara in a shade darker than your natural lashes if they are blonde or black. Use the same (very carefully) to set your eyebrows in place and then BAM you’re done.

For something a little more adventurous find yourself one or two neutral eyeshadows. This can be a daunting process for a beginner but have no fear. What I did until I learned what worked for me and what didn’t was when I saw a color I saw in a magazine etc, especially if the model had similar coloring to me I’d take it with me to the drugstore and find something similar.

To be safe here are some guildlines.

If you are light complected or pale and don’t tan well consider a nice (shimmery perhaps) taupe or lighter brown.

Medium complected? A little tan or you tan easily try a more golden brown.

Darker complected? Brown skinned, try out an earthy bronze.

If you’re just starting out with make up feel free to use the little applicator. Brushes can come later. Follow the shape of your eye. Don’t try to reshape you don’t need to.

If your eyes are more round I think adding color all over the lid and a little bit above the crease, with mascara on looks fantastic.

Want to open up your eyes? Use darker colors sparingly.

Lips next. If you’re not a big lipstick fan and don’t know which gloss to buy I have a super simple solution that works for everyone. Buy yourself a Bonne Bell (you remember those) LIp Smacker in Dr. Pepper. Why? Because it’s moisturizing, adds a nice shine and bonus that flavor has just the barest reddish tint that if you use a lot of it all day gets a tad deeper.

If you’re ready to experiment with a shiny sheer wash of color I also love the Bonne Bell VitaGloss line.
These are almost always at a price that screams for experimentation and if you get a color you don’t like you’re only out a few dollars.

As you can probably tell I am a huge advocate for doing things on the cheap. Being fabulous does not have to cost you fabulous type money.

Other drugstore brands that have some fantastic colors and don’t cost your left pinky finger include:
Prestige Cosmetics. I have yet to find a drugstore you can’t find Prestige in. I absolutely recommend their lip glosses, nail colors and their liquid liners. Great stuff, great price.

And of course Wet N Wild.. How many of us as teenagers spent tons of money on these great cheap colors? Wet N Wild has updated and for the price is bar none the best deal going. Their nailpolishes are great, they have some amazing colors to play with. You can try out an entire new look from eyes to lashes to lips to nails for under ten dollars in product. That my friends is the deal of the year. I have also tried some of their retractable lip pencils and they are great. Last well under gloss and are very pretty.

In closing darlings, let’s go over the basics.

Keep on hand mascara, one or two eye shadows and some lip stuff and you are good to go.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money.

And beauty is an adventure don’t be afraid to make a mistake. Reemember it’s not permanent and you can always take it off.

Until next time.

Ciao!

If you look at the bottom of the page you’ll see a little banner at the bottom of the page you’ll find a link to Dream View Farm I have myself some Goat Milk and Oatmeal Soap and ladies and gents this is good stuff.

I use it on my face which as I’ve mentioned before is very oily and sensitive. This soap leaves my skin feeling smooth and clean without peeling, tightness etc. Very good price as well I will be ordering more.

All in all this product gets a big A+ from me. It also worked to sooth some hives I had on my body that everything else irritated.

Dream View is made of WIN!

Okay I know I had said I’d update more often.

I’m working on it.

In beauty news.

My hair is growing very well. You can have a look at my Fotki for various hair looks. Wigs, experiments etc. See that here

Hrm what else?

Not much else I will post some reviews and other links later.

But I AM back and ready with content. Stay tuned.

I ladies and gents am a huge mascara lover. I want big, bold super dark and maybe look fake kind of lashes. And I believe I have found my saviour. Benefit BadGal Mascara has it all. For years I have been searching various mascaras for that perfect blend of ease of application, thick dark formula and vaVOOM eyelashes.

I have two tests for mascara to determine how much I like them. Two very simple looks that will tell me all I need to know.

The first is a classic cat eye done with liquid liner close to the lashes on top with a flick of wings at the outer corner of my eye. That is finished off with a matte face and if I am working a nice gloss or if I am going out a fabulous red or darker berry shade of lipstick. Classic and simple.

My want in a mascara with this look is to not have my eyelashes disappear into my eyeliner. I want big spikey WOW lashes. Bad Gal delivers.

The second test is actually a simpler look, I will use a sheer shimmer color on my entire eyelid and go bananas with the mascara. I like a good sheer sparkly white or cream and/or lately I’ve been getting into pinkish shades. I want lashes that make my eyes pop despite the sheer lay of color. Bad Gal gets another A+.

I’ve tried and tested many brands here’s a sampling.

Lancome’s Flextencils. C. I was unimpressed with the brush, it seemed on the small side. Also the mascara itself at first seemed very thin and after about a month of use got quite dry. Also this product alone did not provide me with the promised 30 degree curl or any noticible length. However I will say if you are looking for a mascara to get a more feathery type look this one is a good pick. That is just not my taste in particular.

Maybelline Intense XXL. Absolutely one of my favorites. A two step design that delivers the promise. The white layer provides a primer and extends your lashes and the colored second layer is fantastic. The black is very very black even over the white primer and gives you big dark bold lashes. Well worth the effort of applying essentially two products. Also a fantastic value. Most drug stores carry this for less than 10$. This one is a winner folks.

Another Maybelline classic, Great Lash. Your Mom probably used this one, it has been a staple in many make up cases and drawers for a long time. Another one of my favorites. Why? Not because it’s insanely fabulous but it is reliable. The black is very dark, with enough of it you get giant lashes and what more do you need? This one is one to keep around just in case you lose your primary tube of mascara.

This next one absolutely broke my heart.

Chanel Extracils Super Curl Lengthening Mascara . I was absolutely not impressed. I know, you’re thinking “but Shannon COME on woman it’s Chanel, Chanel. Is. Fabulous. End of story.” And it wasn’t. I gave it a try but, given that it was Chanel I had very high expectations. It was a nice mascara. I wasn’t wowed and it broke my heart. I didn’t find it to be worth the money honestly. If you want fabulous I highly suggest getting the Maybelling mentioned above and hell while you’re at it buy yourself a lipstick for that price.

So that’s all for today.

Tomorrow, beauty staples for everyone. Not just beauty freaks like me. Also coming up this week I’ll discuss my own battle with dark pigmentation on my face and what I’m doing about it and how that’s working out.

Until then stay fabulous my people.

My skin has gone absolutely insane. Aside from a bout of the flu I have no idea what’s happened.

I’ve been using Neutrogena’s visibly even foaming cleanser. And it’s just not cutting it. My skin has been extra oily and angry for a few weeks now.

So what to do?

First thing is I will be paying closer attention to my daily water intake. After having the flu for a week and a half or so I doubt I was getting entirely enough water. And I think that the cold medication just doesn’t agree with me. Also, I think I will change up how I use my cleanser. Instead of twice a day I will use the Neutrogena at night and the St. Ives in the morning.

Lately I’ve also noticed that my dark marks have not been fading all that well. I am thinking of adding Neutrogena’s Visibly Even night concentrate.

Read some of my product reviews on MakeUp Alley. So far I’ve only reviewed Proactiv and Goldie lipgloss but look for more of those as I go through my cosmetics. Soon I’ll be reviewing Benefit’s BadGal mascara. (Purchased on Ebay for an absolute STEAL of a price.) Also a couple of Got2be drugstore skincare products.

Great deals Ahoy!

Sally’s Online web only coupons.

3 free samples with every Sephora.com order.

Enter to win a Walgreens Shopping Spree!
The Amazon Outlet.

Coming up next week buying fabulous make up on a not so fabulous budget. What works and what doesn’t. And how to try out trendy looks for less. Stay tuned folks!

I tried the Ors Olive Oil Regular no lye relaxer for the first time and I really like it. I am very wary about relaxing my hair anymore because the last two times part of my hair wound up underprocessed. However this one got my hair just about the right texture.

I think next time I might actually relax bone straight. Given that it’s been about three years since I’ve done that it’ll be a nice change.

I did miss a little spot in my nape though. I think the gloves that come with it are thicker than I’m used to using and next time I’ll use my own non latex gloves.

I also purchased myself some flexirods I got the red ones and I hope they aren’t too small. I also got another container of Elasta QP Mango Butter because I don’t find it locally and my hair just LOVES it. I still need some more Profectiv Mega Growth. I didn’t realize how low I was last night until I went to treat my hair after my relaxer. And now looking at the page I think I should’ve bought it last night that’s actually cheaper than I find it anywhere locally.

Until I get my creams I have some Pantene daily moisturizer. Not my favorite thing because it’s really heavy but, it’ll do for now.

I think I’m gearing up to try henna too. I’ve been doing a TON of research and have bookmarked the threads here at LCHF and been reading elsewhere about it. I’d be really excited to have good results from henna. I’ve been interested in trying henna for years but was always scared I’d screw up and my hair would fall out. Hopefully next month I will make henna the experiment. I keep picturing a hella cute indigo black flexirod set swingin off of my head.

Skin news.

My skin has been freaking out. All week since I’ve had the flu I haven’t had the energy to really keep up with my skin care regiment. And my skin is suffering. I’ve got a minor chin area break out and my skins been really more oily than usual. Not surprising given that I had a fever.

I’ve been using the Queen Helene’s Grapeseed peel off masque twice a week for about a month and I really like it. It leaves my skin really soft and it’s a little more refined. I actually like it better than the Neutrogena pore perfecting mask. Not only is it cheaper for more but, it actually feels better on the skin and I like the results quite a bit more.

I super exfoilated my body last night. I am still really in love with my bath brush. I also really like the new body wash I’ve been using. The Oatmeal and Shea butter wash. The unseasonably cold weather has made my skin so dry and flaky this has been a godsend. And it’s reasonably priced.

The smell is a little more perfumey than I would like. Not unpleasant though. Vanilla-ish. It goes well with my nighttime body butter.

I think that’s about all for now. Tonight I am going to moisturize my hair, and try to braid it. Try. If I get too frustrated I will bun and wrap it.

Starting point length pictures coming up soon.

I’ve abadoned you. But not entirely. I actually have decided to take this in a more personal direction.

Instead of doing nonstop reviews etc (non stop HAHA) I’ll be using this also to document my progress in growing my hair and my self care.

It is my goal this year to maintain healthy hair and skin and be consistant with my self care. So here we go. I’ll be making a couple of post that are backdated and go from there.

I will still post deals and reviews as well.

I stretch relaxers for usually about 8 weeks. I’m right around 7 post right now give or take a few days. My new growth is wild and due to a big snafu with my last wash last night my hair was really tangled and dry.

What had happened was that after I did my regular pre shampoo deep condition then shampooed I lost my wide toothed comb. And if you have a lot of hair you do not untangle with anything less unless you want to lose a lot of hair.

So I had only marginally untangled hair and put it up best I could until I got a new comb yesterday. But by last night my hair was a dry tangled angry mess.

Here’s what I did:

I use Freeman Papaya and Seaweed deep conditioner. Add a squeeze or two of Doogro oil (or if I have it jojoba oil), shake the tube.

Part your hair into a manageable section. I did my hair in six sections. Then I worked the mix of conditioner/oil and added a little Profectiv break free into the roots and new growth. I untangled with my fingers first, then with two combs until I got it tangle free. I then used a bigger dollop of the conditioner, with an extra squirt of oil, worked it through that section, made a mini bun with terry cloth elastics.

I did that all over my head, made sure I sealed the ends. Tied it up for the night I got up this morning it looked like I’d either relaxed or did a really good job with a straightner of some sort.

Bonus my hair is soft, shiny and silky.

However, if your hair is thin this would probably be too much for it. My hair is extremely thick and thirsty usually and this did a wonder. I was about in tears when I started combing my hair out last night because the new growth was so tangled and I was really afraid I was going to break out big chunks.

Now, for folks with hair that’s fine, normally oily I suggest doing this but, wash it out in the morning. Also you can substitute the Doo Gro I use with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, packs of hot oil from the drug store, jojoba oil as mentioned above, sweet almond oil, castor oil. Look in your pantry and you probably have something suitable. Remember, the main point of doing this is to ask your hair to forgive you after treating it roughly.

This is also a good daily treatment for hair that’s been bleached or otherwise fried. Do this for a week or so and your hair will start feeling much much better.

Here we have Sally’s monthly coupon. And more Sally’s coupons right here.  For those of you who are rolling with a bit more money MAC is offering free shipping on orders over 55$.  Need to buy someone a fabulous present?  But your wallet is hurtin?  Shop Sephora for fantastic gifts under 25$. 

 Buy me Beauty is a great website with good prices.  Get your favorite high end and drugstore brands at good prices.

Need something other than make up?

If you’re anything like me you don’t have the time to run around searching out the golden deal.  You know what you like, you know what you need and want to accomplish your mission with a minimum of hassle.  My personal favorite way to get my basics (shampoo, various hair stuff, vitamins etc) is to buy via Walgreens online.

The fantastic thing about Walgreens online is that they have a massive selection of products.  And they offer free standard shipping on orders over 50$.  So you waste less time running from store to store and it gets delivered.  Also another big plus is the ability to pay via Paypal if you like.  Two big thumbs up.

Financially, I feel it breaks down quite well.  I like to make a big (over 50$) purchase just about bi monthly.  That way I keep my stocks of vitamins, pain relievers and other sundries topped up. 

Another good tip is to join the mailing list of a particular store or manufacterer you like.  Many reward email list participants with exclusive sales, early notice of sales, online specials and the like.  If you already get a ton of spam create yourself a special email address just for your mailing lists. 

I like big capacity providers (I *heart* gmail) but there are free services with ever expanding inbox sizes.

If you’d like a gmail account let me know where to send an invite along.  I’ve got a ton of them and i like to share.

That’s all for now folks.  Go save some money and look good doing it!