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!