It's GIVEAWAY twime...AGAIN!!

I think I am almost as addicted to giving away things than I am addicted to makeup, which is crazy!! I have a big heart, and I just want everyone to win something. It gives me so much joy to give away things. This giveaway isn't extravagant (I'm not at that level YET) but it's still free stuff :) I hope to do one giveaway each month, but since this is my first month with my page, I have to do it big!!

The giveaway will include 3 sample shadows from Dark Heart Designs, a full size shadow from Dark Heart and a Nailtini Nail Polish. The prize value is roughly $22 :) I am super excited.

How to enter:

On my page you will see a little blue button called GIVEAWAY. Click it and follow the instructions. They are pretty straight forward. You earn points or entries for each activity that you do. 3 of them are mandatory and that is to like my page, like dark heart's page, and share my page in some way. You can share the page, a picture, a status, anything-as long as you share it. Other optional ways to earn entries are to follow my blog by email (instructions are on the entry form), follow me on twitter, or tweet about my giveaway. Lots of ways to win, and the more you do, the more chances you get.

I really appreciate all of you, and I am so thankful for you guys, so this is the least I can do!!!


GOOD LUCK!!

Beauty in a Photoshop World

Barbie's still pretty without makeup too!!!

The cosmetics industry makes over 200 billion dollars per year. If you're like me you probably have contributed quite a bit to that dollar amount. In today's society we are constantly being bamboozled that we need this cream, and this mascara, and that eye shadow, and this lip stick or we are not beautiful. Cosmetics companies know that its natural for people to feel insecure, and they make their money by cashing in on peoples natural instinct to conceal themselves and their flaws. It may sound like I hate the beauty industry, but it's quite the opposite. I love makeup, in all forms, but it's because I accept myself, and ignore the hype that I can apply makeup as art, or for fun, and not think of it as the be all end all to my flaws. I am not the type of woman that cant leave the house without makeup, and I don't depend on makeup to make me feel better about myself. Ask my husband, or a better example Drake. He prefers his women in sweat pants, hair tied, chillin, with no makeup on, and even said that's when we are the prettiest. See, Drake is on to something. It's fun to get all dolled up, and yes, makeup can instill confidence, but it shouldn't be the only thing that makes you feel good about yourself. I have struggled with this myself, and just recently starting accepting myself, and putting myself out there. Six months ago, I would've never made a makeup page, I was scared, because lets face it, I am putting up pictures of myself and sharing myself with other people. People judge you, and when you put yourself under a microscope, people tend to pick you apart. I got over it though, and now I do it all in the name of fun, and creativity. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It can be difficult to pick up a magazine, and look at all these beautiful people and not feel like something is lacking within yourself, but you have to find the confidence within yourself to realize that you are beautiful, and you don't need to compare yourself to others. I also feel like a lot of what beauty is about is creating demands based on how people feel about themselves. Products are marketed in a way that plays on your insecurities because they know that's what will make you open your wallet. The opportunity to change yourself, or make something you don't like go away--that's the reason why we spend so much of our money chasing the beauty trail. No matter what anyone tells you, you are beautiful, and deserve to be loved and accepted for the person you are. 

Remember that.

XO

Product Review: Rimmel by Kate Lipstick # 107

I happened to stumble upon these while browsing the Walmart cosmetics case, and I was immediately drawn to this color. It is absolutely stunning. I have been searching for a dark red wine color for some time. I feel that it flatters every skin tone, but for fair skin tones like mine, dark lipstick is amazing!! I have tiny lips, so when I wear bright lip sticks, it tends to blur with my skin tone and it looks washed out. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE THEM, but dark lip sticks seem to flatter my face better. Other than the color, this lipstick is extremely affordable, coming in under 5$. You can even find it at Ulta for $5 and some change, which is saying something. This lipstick is part of the matte collection, which makes it double awesome. Matte anything is in right now (foundation, lips, nails) so finding a good matte lipstick that is affordable is a really great thing :)

The pros:

• Product goes on incredibly smoothly
• Smells normal, and not like plastic or chemicals
• Gorgeous color
• Matte finish when it dries
• Highly Pigmented so you are getting your monies worth
• Affordable
• Comes in a multitude of colors, and finishes

The cons:

• As with any red, bleeding is a real possibility, this product stains your lips 
• If you are not eating or drinking, this has long wear potential-otherwise, not so much
• Throughout my day I reapplied 3-4 times
• Once you smear it, you might as well just say you've been making out all day because that stuff gets everywhere

THE VERDICT: I would recommend this lipstick for specific looks, or as a nice lipstick to keep in your bag. As I said the color is absolutely divine, and looks better the longer it is on, so if you don't mind reapplying it throughout the day, it will work for you!

TIPS: Prime lips, and apply product with a lip brush for even application and precision. Also, line and fill in your lips to create a stencil for your lip brush- it will make it less likely you will slip up. If you happen to slip and get some on your chin or anywhere not on your lips, use a concealer, and concealer brush and trace the outline of your lips. Blend concealer well, and voila, all gone! You can also use this method to reshape your lips!

We're All Mad Here Pictorial

I agree with Audrey. We are all different, and different should be celebrated.

I'm not sure if you guys have noticed, but I LOVE color, and anything outside the box. I think this look sums up my personality pretty well. I was bored today watching the rain outside and I decided to watch Alice in Wonderland (the Tim Burton version). The colors of that movie are so vivid and intense that I was immediately inspired. This is probably the most in depth look I've ever done, and I am pretty proud of the outcome. So if I can do it, so can you!

Dare to be Different

1. Apply green shadow(cup of crazy) to your inner corner and let it sweep underneath to your lower lash line
2. Blend the green onto your lid and half way up your lid
3. Apply tape to the outer corner of your eye, to create a nice sharp edge. Apply teal/aqua color (kiss & make tea) to the center of your lid
4. On the outer corner of your lids, apply the dark purple shadow (plum insane), then in a windshield wiper motion, draw a line from inner corner to outer corner to connect the purple shadow
5. Blend, Blend, Blend
6. Above the purple line you created, draw a light pink line (pinkie's up)
7. Remove tape, and apply highlighter from the top of the pink line to the brow hair line
8. Using a liner brush, line eyes with Green starting from inner corner to middle of bottom lash line, and then take the deep purple color and sweep it from the outer corner to meet the green
9. Apply mascara, (bare escentuals volumizing) and glitter eyeliner (elf cosmetics stardust)

Products Used:

All eye products are from Dark Heart Designs Deliciously Mad Collection which can be purchased @ http://darkheartdesigns.storenvy.com/collections/100309-deliciously-mad-collection

Green-Cup of Crazy

Teal/Aqua-Kiss & Make Tea

Dark Purple-Plum Insane

Pink-Pinkies Up

Highlighter-Eyeliner shadow stick duo "glow/pearl" by elf Cosmetics

Mascara-Bare Escentuals Volumizing

Urban Decay Eye Primer

Elf Cosmetics Liquid Liner in Stardust

*Lips from pic above are the same colors used on the eyes*

Remember if you try it, send me a pic on my Facebook Page!!!

Thanks guys :)

Naked Pictorial

Yesterday I posted a more toned down, neutral look on my Facebook page. I wanted to do a pictorial of it, and explain what I did :) This look is my everyday go-to look. It looks great on anyone, matches every outfit and can be worn for work, or social occasions, which is great. I'm going to be doing a post in the future on beauty essentials and the naked pallet is one of them! Check it out...

1. Prime eyes using your favorite eye primer. I used Urban Decay eye primer. Apply Virgin all over lids all the way up to the brow bone.
2. Apply Sin on your lid only, blending it upward.
3. Apply Half Baked to the inner corner of your lid, blending outward and upward.
4. Apply Darkhorse to your crease blending in a windshield wiper motion.
5. Apply creep to your crease and down towards your lash line in a "C" pattern.
6. Blend creep well in a windshield wiper motion.
7. Apply Half Baked to your lower lash line and blend upwards.
8. Your eye should look a lil like this :)
9. Onto lips: Line your lips with ELF lip liner in "bitter" .
10. Apply a bright pink over your liner. I used Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in Pink Pop (my fav neon pink)
11. Apply a glitter eyeliner (if you want too) I used elf liquid liner in "stardust"
12. Finished look :)

This is an extremely easy look to do and as said above, it looks great on everyone. I hope you guys try it, and if you do, send me a pic on my facebook page!! I wanna see :)

Goodluck!

Loreal Revitalift Miracle Blur: Is it a Miracle, or just another parlor trick?

I am constantly on the lookout for new products. Feeding my makeup addiction is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. I will try anything once, and if I cant afford something, I will find other ways (saving that for another post!). When I first heard about the new Miracle Blur, I was intrigued for sure. Anything with miracle in the title that involves skin care is going to get my attention!! According to the companies website, it is said to instantly erase the look of lines, wrinkles

AND pores, and is marketed as a skin smoother. The reviews on the Loreal website are just shy of 5 stars leaving me to believe this actually does what it says it does, but I just had to find out for myself. So before you rush off to your local drug store, read on, because I may save you 20 bucks!

I ordered the product on eBay (I'm addicted to eBay FYI!) for a steal at $12.99. The product retails for $24.99 on their website, and can be found at Walmart for $20.00. I opened it right away and was kind of shocked because on the back of the label, all I see is sunscreen. To be completely thorough, the purpose on the label states that it is a sunscreen? Um, what happened to the miracle? Like most BB creams, which are glorified sunscreens, I was immediately disappointed. I then noticed how tiny the tube is, which for the price, I was also disappointed, even when I paid half the retail price. I then decided it was time to play. On L'oreal's website they recommend applying this as you would a primer, so that is what I did. When you squeeze the tube, you may expect a liquid to come out, but I was shocked to see that it's a paste. A thick paste at that. I was still willing to try, after all it's supposed to be a miracle right?!? I applied it on my face after I used concealer, and I have to admit it does feel good gliding over your skin. After you apply it, your skin feels like velvet and is super soft, but it also feels heavy, mostly because of the fact you just spackled your face!! I then went on with my routine, applyed foundation, a setting powder, highlighter, blush, and bronzer (holy crap thats a lot of face action!) and began to take pictures. 

You can put drywall up with this stuff!!

I feel like I am about to ruin Christmas for a young child, when they find out there's no Santa Claus. Sorry everyone, but this is no miracle. In my opinion (after using it several times) the only thing that is a miracle is Loreal's marketing department, those people are wizards! 

For me personally, it did little but leave my skin feeling heavy. I recommend it for someone who uses a lot of foundation or prefers heavier coverage daily, but I am not one of those people. I hardly use foundation, and prefer BB creams so this product is not for me, and I would not recommend it to anyone. Sufficed to say, if you are curious and have an extra 20$ to spend, try it, but beware, THERE ARE NO BEAUTY MIRACLES. And now that I think of it, I am kind of offended by the entire product. Why do you want to blur my face Loreal, and why do you feel that I need a miracle? That doesn't do much for someones self esteem. 

Remember there is beauty in every person, and we are all beautiful in our own ways. Don't bow to what the magazines or cosmetic companies are telling you, because in the end, all they care is that you, the consumer, buy their product. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Great product for people who want or need full coverage
• Not so great for people who prefer a light feel
• Makes your skin feel like velvet
• Doesn't blur anything, still saw scars, forehead wrinkles and pores (oh my)
• Expensive for the product amount, and would be different if it was guaranteed
• Sends a message of nonacceptance which is not cool. When it didn't work, I was disappointed, which isn't good! We should love ourselves regardless of flaws

VERDICT:  WAIT FOR THE NEXT MIRACLE ; )

The Dark Knight T-shirt Inspiration Makeup Pictorial

I posted this on my Facebook page, but in an effort to send some traffic to the blog, I decided to go ahead and post it on here. It will also give me a better platform to described what I did in detail. I hope you guys try this, it's really fun!!

Let's get started :)

This is the inspiration for the look (a t-shirt!!), as well as some shots of the final outcome

Step by Step:

1. Using a black shadow create a line in the crease, gradually building the color into a dark well shaped line (takes practice!) 

2. Using an angled brush and the same black shadow, wing out the corners giving a sharp point at the end, blend black well using a fluffy brush.

3. Dab red shadow onto inner corner of eyelid to the middle of your eyelid, being careful not to mix into the black.

4. Dab blue shadow onto outer corner of lid being careful not to mix the colors together.

5.Using an angled brush or eyeliner brush use the blue shadow and outline the black wing, as well as your lower lash line.

6. Apply a couple of coats of mascara (curl lashes if necessary)

7. Line your lips with a dark pink/red lip liner, then fill in lips

8. Apply a dark plum or deep wine colored lip color, and you are DONE!

Products used for this look:

For the eyes all Dark Heart Designs (store can be found by clicking here) 

Colors used are: In The Dark, Madness, & Vampire Heart

POP Beauty Mascara

Elf Lip Liner in "Bitter" 

Rimmel by Kate Lipstick #107

I have always been intimidated by black eye shadow because it is so unforgiving, but the more I work with it, the more I realize that the real key to wearing it is blending, and shaping  Because I am not a very good drawer, I have a hard time getting things to line up, but I am working on it every day, and each time I use black I get a little less intimidated. Practice makes perfect!! I hope you guys try this, it was really fun to do.

Also, a good look for Spiderman (or woman)

Dime Pieces only ; )

Hey guys! This is my first blog post, and I am super excited about it :) I am going to be using this blog to post my pictorials, tutorials, as well as any product reviews or beauty information I feel like sharing. I feel like this is a much easier platform to navigate, than trying to post a bunch of different things on Facebook. I will still be posting on Facebook, but in an effort to not spam your news feed with pictures of my mug, I felt this was a better alternative hehe. I have written in blogs in the past, but they are always private so not sure how the subscribe or follow button works, but I believe if you want to stay in the loop, you can bookmark this blog, or subscribe to me so when I post something new, you will get an email. I think that's how it works, but don't quote me on it!! I am so thankful to each and every one of my followers, and your continued support is greatly appreciated.

I wanted to do a bit of an intro to who I am and why I do makeup, and what I hope to bring in the world of makeup and beauty.

My name is Samantha, I am 24 and currently a full time student, and small business owner. I sell womens fashion on eBay (store can by clicking here) . I am passionate about fashion, and beauty so it just makes sense for me. Another thing that defines my life is my relationship with my husband. I got married July 14th 2011 to an amazing man, but there is a catch (there always is!). He is from Australia, and we are long distance, so I am alone most of the time. We saw each other in February 2013, but before that it was a year, so its pretty sporadic  and extremely hard to deal with. The best way I know to make time go by faster, is to keep busy, and that's one of the reasons I have turned to makeup. The more things I do, the faster time flies, and the quicker it will be until I see my hubby again. I've always been in love with beauty, and makeup in general. I am terrible with hair, and nails, but have always been decent at makeup application. I am not a professional makeup artist, nor am I in the industry. If I was asked what my level of finesse is I would always say beginner. I am learning something new everyday, and I hope to grow with you all. I hope to create an environment that makes people feel special, loved, and accepted. No one is perfect, but we all deserve to feel beautiful. Makeup has given me self confidence, and allows me to express creativity. I hope to instill a message of acceptance, because we are all beautiful!!!