A few basic tips on using mineral shadows

I realize there are millionz of opinions, tutorials, guides, videos, etc out there for mineral shadows, but this will be my short advice. I can totally understand the frustration that trying to use any kind of loose shadow can bring.. 'Everytime I use them it gets all over my face, I just can't do it." Everything takes practice. I will list a few basic tips below that you should always keep in mind when using mineral shadows:

Should I post a video to follow this post? Let me know if this was helpful in any way.. =)

-You must ALWAYS use some kind of base or primer. Urban Decay Potion Primer and others like it, is regular shadow base, and isn't made for mineral shadows. Something like Fyrinnae's Pixie Epoxy used over UDPP or the primer of your choice, is sticky and can actually hold on to the loose powder. Detrivore Cosmetics offers a great primer as well.
- The key to not getting the powder all over your face.. is a combination of two things - It begins with your brush. You touch it lightly to the powder, then repeatedly pat the brush on the inside of the lid of the shadow. You are 'lightly pounding' the color into the brush. It does not hurt the brush if you do it lightly, and the color is packed into the brush so as not to drop off of it when used! Also feel free to tap the excess color off.. I don't do this, though.
-Second, you will PAT, or PRESS the color onto your eye area with the brush. You will not immediately start rubbing the brush on your eye to transfer the color, that's a great way to get fallout. So.. press the color on and no rubbing.. a lot of little 'pats' over and over will be your blending method. Also, once the color has been pressed on, you probably won't experience any fallout while trying to blend. It takes patience and skill! With most things, you must build your way up by experience. The more you practice, the better you will get. Remember that a lot of things are hard at first.
PRACTICE - =)

Navy and neon lime

Before I get into what I used and the pictures of this look, I want to know if anyone reads or appreciates the reviews I have done. I want to know because if not, I won't do them anymore. I enjoy using the products, but I don't feel the need to review things unless people are actually interested in the stuff. I 've tried not to review the same ole stuff everyone else does and opt for smaller, or very new and unknowns. Also, no companies have ever contacted me about reviewing so I'm not like.. obligated or anything. On to the stuff that matters! Kind of!
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Last week, I woke up with this look in my mind.. so I did it that day. Navy blue and lime green!

I used:
-UDPP and PE- I did not put the PE too far above my lid, because the navy color I used is a butthole to try and blend. it's sort of a matte shade so it would have ruined everything.
-Detrivore Cosmetics - Ectoplasma all over top lid and inner v
-Lola Cosmetics - navy blue pressed shadow from a compact collection I got years ago! It's the only navy I own! This must change
-MAC - Yogurt used to blend and soften
-MAC - Chill under brow and around inner v
LIPS- MAC - Pretty Please lustre. This is the only MAC lipstick I own. I don't wear it often because it likes to travel into the wrinkles on my lips, and if they aren't in pristine condition, it shows and looks 'nasty'.

later

aghhh

bleaching...roots. scalp...burns =/

but in the end it will all be =)

Ancient Oils discount code =)

Hey everyone! Lilly of Ancient Oils is offering a 15% discount code for me and my readers, what a sweetie! I don't know ow long it will last, but here it is: PrettyBottles - enjoy!

Ancient Oils - An Etsy shop product review !

Hey laydeez! (or dudes, speak up cuz I really don't believe guys read this) About a month ago, I contacted Lilly from Ancient Oils on Etsy about reviewing her products. I found her shop through searching for mud masks. I loved the themes of spirituality, goddesses, and natural earthy oils that she uses in her products and packaging. I also love the affordability and that her ingredient list on each product isn't a million lines long of stuff I've never heard of! Soon after our initial mails, she sent me a nice little package of goodies that I ripped open immediately. It contained samples of 3 things, which I will list below individually, then review. Enjoy ! and don't forget to visit Ancient Oils shop!
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- Aphrodite Facial Mud Mask - "Mud from the Dead Sea has a high salt and mineral content, all of which are essential to the body. The mud infuses the skin with minerals leaving it clean, refreshed and hydrated. Dead Sea mud not only hydrates the skin but also exfoliates leaving you looking and feeling healthier."

Ingredients: Dead Sea Mud, Rose Water, and Rhassoul Clay

- Bast Egyptian Cat Goddess Oil Blend Nail Formula - "Bast nail formula is designed to help nourish and restore healthy looking nails. This quick absorbing oil blend has a pleasant citrusy scent. This unique Goddess Oil blend helps to replenish dry, cracked, and brittle nails while smoothing cuticles."

- Divine Kiss Bath Salt for Universal Oneness - "Divine Kiss" is a combination of essential oils to release mental, emotional and spiritual blockages. The blend is design to help establish a sense of oneness with the universe and its creator. Therefore, enabling us to be open to receiving and sharing Divine love.

This unique blend of Sea Salts, Rose petals and mood enhancing Essential Oils creates a relaxing experience that will soften your skin, restore energy levels, balance the lower chakras, while releasing toxins from the body."

How to use:
Use before meditation to enhance the connection and instill inner peace. Divine Kiss is also great for relaxing and freeing the mind after a long day at work"

               -------------------The Review-------------------

Mud Mask - I received enough Aphrodite for 3 uses. I used it once each week. I slathered it on, waited til it dried, and washed it off using a washcloth and warm water. Immediately, my skin looked fresh and just better in general! I feel like this stuff ACTUALLY WORKS in helping unclog pores and maintaining nice skin texture. I have very, very sensitive skin so I am typically wary about what I put on it. This stuff is amazing. My only issue, currently, is that the exact sample I got doesn't seem to be in the shop. There is a dry Rhassoul clay mixture for sale as 'Aphrodite', but it doesn't contain Dead Sea mud or rose water.. I let Lilly know so hopefully The sample I got will be available! I really hope you guys will try this mask. DID I MENTION THAT IT IS ONLY $6 ???? I MEAN DAMN.

Bast Nail Oil - I received a sample size of the nail oil and used it before bed for 1 week. It contains wheat germ oil, frankincense, myrhh, and lemon. The last 3 aren't typically used for moisturizing, but they sure do smell good. Since Colorado is extremely dry right now, it's a good time to test nail oils =) sadly, as wonderful as this smells, it didn't pass the test. I think if it contained 1 more moisturizing oil such as sweet almond, it'd be more effective. I will certainly continue using my sample until it's gone because it smells SO INTOXICATING. - $12.50


Divine Kiss Bath Salt - MMMmmmm... This salt smells DIVINE. It contains a small amount of patchouli.. like, the best amount of patchouli ever, in anything. I am not a BIG big fan of it, but I love it when used sparingly. Divine Kiss smells sweetly earthy.. containing one of my favorite scent oils of all time: GERANIUM. It came in a little reusable bag that i hung on the running water faucet. when the bath was done filling, everything has dissolved into the bath, leaving a nice light scent. It doesn't stick to your skin at all, but will leave the lightest-ever after smell of patchouli in your tub for approximately 1 day =) I would definitely use this again.  - $8.50


Thanks for reading.. I hope this review has enticed you to try the Mud Mask.. IT RULES!! Visit Ancient Oils!

MY BIRTHDAY.. IT IS ON SUNDAY.. I'LL BE 24!!!!!!!

Dudes, I am way into my birthday. It's like the only time it's acceptable to be like, 'HEY, ME.' I love my birthday, unlike some people who are afraid of getting old and don't like their birthday. I LOVE the attention, and gifts, and having all my favorite people get together at the same time!!! I wish I could get all my blogger/message board/Texas friends together but I'm not rich enough for that yet. I will post links to stuff I've been wanting, need, or just enjoy looking at. I made a ModCloth wishlist, so if you are feeling like looking at cute clothing that I like, here it is:
-elizabeth's ModCloth Wishlist
- Wesc Lime headphones
- Dark wood table and chairs
- Fyrinnae wishlist
- A new Comforter for our bed.. a headboard, a nightstand for Michael.. god the list goes on.

I don't think I'll ever stop wanting stuff to make our house IDEAL.

Currently listening to: I just called to say I love you - Stevie Wonder. On: Grooveshark

Here's a look from a few days before X-mas.. it was REALLY EASY. The only day I intended to be festive was X-mas day, with all the glitter. I unintentionally ended up using green like, every day for a week haha. So this look, and a few up coming posts will all included some form of green shadow. I'm really excited to share the navy/lime green look I did =) You guys, I think tonight is the night I color my hair purple.

I used:
-UDPP and PE as uze
- AL Hyperion in inner v and above lid/crease
- AL Theia on outer lid and middle lower lashline
- AL Hades in crease and outer lid, lower lashline
- I've been switching between Urban Decay blush in Fetish, and Meow Cosmetics Livid Lilac - this time I used Fetish
-LIPS - I forgot! But it was nice!

more to come! <3

Before too much time goes by,

I want to share my glittery look from X-mas. I wanted to do an extremely obvious X-mas color combination, so here's some red and green for ya. It actually turned out really great, even though I felt like I looked crazy. Michael's mom actually really liked it haha! Something that sucks is... the day after I did this, I was missing a small portion of eyelashes from my right lower lashline. WAH!!! I wonder if the glitter particles cut them off??

I used:
UDPP and PE as uze
-Fyrinnae - Sacred all over the eye area, but not under brow
-Coastal Scents Emerald green glitter patted on top of PE and brushed out to make it look blended
-Morgana glitter in 'Poppy' on lower lashline, pressed on over PE with small angle brush
-Fyrinnae - Equality on inner v and around the outer eye area.
-MAC - Chill under brow
LIPS - a Princess Borghese lipstick called Twilight, I got it a looon time ago. I disregard expiration if the product still works, smells fine, and the texture hasn't changed.

later!