Hardcore Makeup Junkie

HOW TO: Shredded T-Shirt

2012-04-11T22:38:00.002-07:00

Hey Makeup Junkies!

As promised in my YouTube video, here is a tutorial showing you how I shred my shirts. I have learned this technique from playing around with old shirts over the years. In high school, I used to research how to cut-up shirts, and a lot of the techniques I learned then I have carried over to today.

This is a fun and creative way to spice up old t-shirts you have laying around. There are endless combinations of techniques when it comes to shredding shirts, so let your imagination run wild!

DIY Shredded Shirt

What you'll need:

A pair of sharp scissors
Something to mark the fabric (fabric pen, chalk or pins)
Ruler
Flat surface to work on

Women's T-Shirt, size Medium

The Bottom

Cut off the bottom hem.

The Collar

Cut around the collar. The size of this cut out will depend how big of a neckline you want. If you want a more off the shoulder, loose look then cut a wider collar. If you want a more covered or on-the-shoulder look then cut a smaller collar.

The Back

Find the center of the shirt and cut a straight, vertical line.

Make marks along the center cut to map out your next cut.

You can cut these sections to your desired thickness. As a general rule, the bigger the section, the larger the bare area when you wear the shirt. For smaller bare sections, cut lots of thin strips.

Normally, I would use chalk to mark guides on a black shirt, but I couldn't find it. So, I used pins instead. If you are using a lighter colored shirt, you can use a fabric pen to make the guide marks. (Fabric pens have ink that is supposed to either disappear over time or when washed and can be found at a fabric/sewing store).

Mark a "margin" area along the outer edges of the shirt. This helps to keep all the cuts uniform. Again, you can make these cuts free hand for a more deconstructed look. The further out you place the margin, the more skin that will show in the final version. (I did a 1/2 inch margin here).

After you make your marks, then cut along the guides.

Once you've cut all the strips, gently stretch the strips out so they become skinny and curled up.

Now it is time to tie them. For this part, it's best to put the garment on so that your ties fit your body perfectly. (This is why it is important to wash the shirt beforehand. It would be a major bummer to do all this and have it shrink in the wash).

How many pieces you tie together is up to you. The more pieces you tie together, the larger the bare area will be. Here, I am tying off three sections together. You could also vary the number of pieces per section for a less uniform look. (As you can see, the possibilities are endless when shredding shirts!!!)

Once you tie all the sections together, then cut off the excess that is hanging.

So, now the back should look something like this.

The Front

Fold your shirt in half so that the fold runs vertically down the front of the shirt.

Lay a straight guide, like a ruler, along the top half of the shirt. Lay it at an angle so that it is tapered. It should be smaller towards your bellybutton, and larger towards you neck. (Remember: these sections will double in size once you cut).

Cut straight sections up towards the guide. Here I just free-form cut, but you could measure it out if you prefer.

Gently stretch out the strips, being careful not to rip them. The next part seems tricky, but is super simple once you get it.

Hold 3 strips in your hand. Strip 2 goes under Strip 1 and wraps around it once. Now Strip 1 should be in Strip 2's original position. Now Strip 3 goes under Strip 1 and back to its original position. Strip 4 goes under Strip 3 and back to its original position.... and so on. (It is sort of like braiding).

Once you get to the bottom, you should have a loop at the bottom. Cut it in half, then tie each strip to itself. This prevent the pattern from unraveling.

You can repeat the above process again, which I did, for a more sturdy neckline. It becomes a little delicate once you cut it up. Plus, I just like the way the double braid looks. :)

The Sleeves

Since fringe is "in" right now. I decided to add fringe to the sleeves. Cut the seam off the sleeve edge.

Cut strips in desired thickness. Then, stretch out each strip, like we did with the strip on the back.

And that is it!

It is a very simple project since you can, technically, do it with just a pair of scissors and a t-shirt. For a more uniform look, it is good to measure. However, if you want a more organic and edgy look, you can also make all the cuts free form (without measuring).

*TIP: Wash the t-shirt before shredding, just in case any shrinkage occurs. ;)

Here are some other examples of shirts I have shredded...

All shredded shirts shown here were originally women's crew neck t-shirts (size, M) purchased from Forever 21. Each shirt only cost $3.50-$5.00!

The gray top was the easiest to make, but it also took the longest. Cut off the hem so you have a raw edge. Then use a seam ripper or your nails to pull the horizontal seams down. As you pull the seams down, the shirt begins to unravel upwards.

The width you begin shredding at the raw edge will determine the width of that section all the way to the neckline. The end result is a semi-sheer, gauzy look to the affected sections. Super fun! One day I want to do the entire back of a t-shirt. I like to call this technique "gauzing."

Necklaces from PLNDR.com

Pictured above are my new lightning bolt necklaces, which I recently posted a picture of on Instagram. Feel free to check my Instagram account. I always love new followers. (;

@THEHMJ

Shorts: Forever 21, Bralette: Free People, Necklace: PLNDR.com and Tank Top: Forever 21 (shredded by ME!)

I hope you all enjoyed this post!!!

Katy Perry False Lash Review

2012-03-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Guys and Dolls,

On a recent Ulta trip, I came across these fun Katy Perry lashes. Teaming up with lash experts, Eylure, Perry created four different styles. Today, I want to share my opinion about the faux fringe.

There are four styles to choose from, and they vary in thickness.

The "Oh My!" lashes are the most dramatic of the Katy Perry collection. They are double stacked to achieve maximum eye batting power.

The "Oh, Honey!" lashes are medium weight, and the pair I would wear for daily purposes. They are wispy and tapered slightly at the outer corner. Since these are a single layer of lashes, they are a bit delicate to handle.

The "Cool Kitty" lashes are a medium/heavy weight. This pair would be perfect for a pin-up girl look. The outer corner has a very curved wing, so it gives the false appearance of winged liner. Very retro.

The "Sweetie Pie" lashes are the most natural of the collection. They are very light and the individual lashes are not as long compared to the other pairs. This pair will work well with light eye makeup. Anything heavy will overpower the dainty lashes. (These would work well as bottom lashes too).

OH MY!:

OH, HONEY!:

COOL KITTY:

SWEETIE PIE:

What's included in each pack of lashes:

One pair of false lashes
Small bottle of lash adhesive
Lash care and application instruction booklet
A sticker

Click here to shop the Katy Perry lash collection

Aren't the stickers cute?

Trout Pout (pictured above)

I also picked up a few other things at Ulta to create this look. After hearing about Butter London's recent "Lippy" launch, I just had to try it. I am a huge fan of their lacquers, and if you haven't tried them then you should. They are a little pricey ($14), but well, well worth it.

Colors I have:

Trout Pout, Rosie Lee, Royal Navy, Chancer, Knees Up and West End Wonderland

Colors I want:

Slapper, Snog, Tart With a Heart, Wallis, Branwen's Feather and All Hail the Queen

*The names are SO creative!!! I love it!

Rosie Lee (pictured left), and Trout Pout

Butter London is a 3 Free Company. This means its products contain NO formaldehyde, NO Toluene and NO DBP. Very Nice!

The "Lippy" is a beautiful color and has great pigmentation. Butter London describes the product as lipstick in a gloss form, and I would say that is a fair description.

Beware: The product is thick and a bit drying, so make sure your lips are well hydrated before application. I loved everything about this lip gloss except the smell. It has a perfume-y smell, which I hate. I prefer unscented lipstick. One fun thing about the Lippies is that there are matching nail polishes for all of the colors!!! Nice! :)

Click here to shop Butter London

Another product I wanted to mention is Benefit's Bella Bamba Blush. I haven't used Benefit products in a long time, but this bright pink blush caught my eye immediately. This is the perfect blush for spring/summer. It has a subtle shimmer to it, and is the perfect shade of pink that will work with most skin tones. The thing I LOVE about it is the smell... It smells like peaches! I want to put this stuff on all day long just to get a whiff of the soft fragrance.

Click here to shop Benefit

The Jewelry:

After searching Etsy.com for some candy jewelry, I finally came across Bad Attitude Jewelry Co. I am loving this store!!! Danette Mullen makes some truly awesome pieces. I ended up purchasing a resin Ring Pop Ring and a resin Cookie Necklace (it has real sprinkles in it!!!). Danette is such a sweetheart and added the cute ice cream ring to my order for free. Shipping was very prompt.

The rings are adjustable, and the necklace can be ordered with the chain length of your choice. I got a long chain so that I could make it shorter as needed.

There were so many cute necklaces and rings that it was really hard to choose just a couple or this look. I will definitely be ordering more from her in the future.

Click here to shop Bad Attitude Jewelry Co.

And here is my Katy Perry "Look of the Day":

Jessica Simpson Swimwear

Products I used:

FACE

Laura Mercier- Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (nude)
Make Up For Ever- Full Cover Concealer (4)
Jane Iredale- Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder (warm sienna)

EYES

Primer- Urban Decay (eden)
Browbone- Coastal Scents (matte light pink)
Lid- MAC Pigment (shimmertime)
Lid- Skinmarket Loose Glitter (fairytale)
Crease- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Liner (woodstock)
Crease- Coastal Scents (matte fushcia)
Crease- Coastal Scents (matte medium pink)
Inner Corner of Eye- MAC Eye Shadow (pink freeze)
Lower Lid- NYX Pearl Eye Shadow (baby blue pearl)
Lower Lid- Coastal Scents (shimmery silver)
Eye Liner (top)- MAC Fluidline (blacktrack)
Eye Liner (lower water line)- Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Liner (23L)
Eye Liner (lower lash line)- Lancome Le Crayon Kohl (black ebony)
Mascara- Cover Girl LashBlast Volume (very black)
Lashes- Katy Perry (Oh My!)
Bottom Lashes- ES lashes from Korea (A021)

BROWS

Make Up For Ever- Eyebrow Corrector (0)
Anastasia- Express Brow Kit (blonde powder)
Anastasia- Brow Pen (universal shade)

LIPS

Butter London- Lippy (trout pout)

CHEEKS

Benefit (bella bamba)

I hope you all enjoyed this post!

New Spring Look- Anastasia of Beverly Hills Wish You Were Here Kit

2012-03-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Makeup Junkies!

Since SPRING is officially here, I thought I would share a new Anastasia of Beverly Hills video with you.

Watch one of the Anastasia makeup artists create a natural and effortless look using the Wish You Were Here Kit. (You may remember I shared a look from this same kit previously). I hope you all enjoy it and find some new inspiration for using your kits! :)

I love the tip about applying the eye shadow as liner with a thin, wet brush. This is truly an all-in-one kit!

WISH YOU WERE HERE from Anastasia Beverly Hills on Vimeo.

Stay gorgeous everyone!!!

"All Dressed Up, Nowhere to Go" LOTN

2012-03-22T15:10:00.001-07:00

Hey Makeup Junkies!

So, last weekend one of my favorite pin-up models, Masuimi Max, was in San Francisco. I was SO SO SO excited! I bought VIP tickets, hoping to meet her and take a picture with her. But to make a long story short, I did NOT end up making it to the event. I was, and still am, crushed that I missed out on that chance to meet her. :(

However, I DID get all dressed up, so I thought I'd at least share my LOTN (Look of the Night) " with you. ENJOY! :)

Nails: Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Animal Instinct (pink zebra pattern), Essie in Black Licorice

Knit Romper: Betsey Johnson

Ring: Aldo Accessories

I LOVE my "We Who See" shoes. They are hands down my go-to pair of platforms. They are super comfy and cushioned inside, and they're black so they go with EVERYTHING!!! :))) This particular pair I got at Urban Outfitters last year.

The zipper on the inside adds nice detail to this simple, leather shoe.

Urban Decay recently came out with a couple new pencils. As you know, I am a huge fan of the 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils. I use "Zero" pretty much every day! So, when I heard they were coming out with a fuchsia pencil, I had to get one.

WOODSTOCK is the perfect, pearly color and has the same creamy, long-wear consistency as expected. For this look, I used it as a base for the pink color on my lower lids. It also helped give a solid, clean line on the top edge.

Special shout out to Sugarpill Cosmetics. I got the Burning Love Palette last year, and after using it for a while, it has become my go-to pick for matte colors. It is really hard to find matte shadows that give good color payoff without being too chalky, so I can appreciate the nice consistency of this palette. (I have been meaning to try some of the other colors. Hmmm...maybe there's another Sugarpill Review in my future ;))

Necklace: Hot Topic

Sephora Artist Lipstick Palette

I have had this palette for a while and it still soft and creamy. The case must be really good about keeping air out. (Very nice!) You can tell by the picture that this has been loved; it is a bit messy. This palette is great for travel because it doesn't take up space, but you still have an array of basic colors at your fingertips.

Products I used:

FACE

Laura Mercier- Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (nude)
Make Up For Ever- Full Cover Concealer (4)
Jane Iredale- Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder (warm sienna)
Make Up For Ever HD Powder (translucent)
Temptu- Retouch Highlighter

EYES

Primer- Urban Decay (eden)
Browbone- MAC Pigment (vanilla)
Lid- NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (knight #626)
Lid- Urban Decay "The Black Palette" (Black Dog)
Crease- Sugarpill "Burning Heart Palette" (poison plum)
Inner Corner of Eye- MAC Eye Shadow (pink freeze)
Lower Lid- Make Up For Ever Blush Powder (No. 26) and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (woodstock)
Eye Liner (top)- MAC Fluidline (blacktrack)
Eye Liner (lower water line)- Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Liner (23L)
Eye Liner (lower lash line)- Lancome Le Crayon Kohl (black ebony)
Mascara- Lancome Cils Booster XL, Cover Girl LashBlast Volume (very black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash
Lashes- Ardell Double Up (#203, black)

BROWS

Make Up For Ever- Eyebrow Corrector (0)
Anastasia- Express Brow Kit (blonde powder)
Anastasia- Brow Pen (universal shade)

LIPS

Lip Liner- MAC Lip Liner (beet)
Sephora- Artist Liipstick Palette (crush 23)

CHEEKS

NARS (mata hari)

Check back soon for a very fun FALSE EYELASH review...

I hope you all enjoyed this post!

Stay gorgeous!!!

Luichiny Shoe Review and Event

2012-03-01T20:05:00.000-08:00

Hello Makeup Junkies!

I hope you all are having a wonderful week. Life has gotten pretty crazy for me now that school has started. This is a very exciting year, though, because I will (finally) be graduating in the fall. Woohoo!!! :D

Now that I've thoroughly veered off course, let's get back to the review. As I mentioned in my previous post, I went to Las Vegas recently. While I was there, one of the largest fashion trade shows, MAGIC, happened to be taking place.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to go to the trade show, but I DID get to work with a wonderful company and attend one of its events!

Here is how Luichiny describes itself:

Visit Luichiny here.

A quick picture in the room (we stayed at the Palazzo) before heading out to the Luichiny event at Aria Hotel, Las Vegas.

The Luichiny guests had their own private section of the lounge. V.I.P., baby!!! :)

Each of the tables had a clear case on top. Inside, the new Luichiny line was on display for everyone to enjoy. It was so fun to admire the shoes while relaxing and enjoying a drink.

I am absolutely loving the new line! The colors are bold and there were a lot of chunky heels, which is very "in" this season. (I wish I had gotten a picture of the pink and teal shoes above. They were super cute!!!).

Also at the event were The Cope Twins, Amber and Angela! I got a chance to meet with them briefly. They are both SO SWEET... and not to mention GORGEOUS! In case you are not familiar with them, they are a couple of hot, Nascar drivers who l-o-v-e Luichiny, too.;)

Learn more about the Cope Twins here.

This was the featured drink of the night: the Luichiny Martini. It has such a nice ring to it, right?!! The Deuce should add that one to the menu. It was a light, fruity cocktail with what tasted like hints of champagne, cranberry and lime. (I'm no food-ie, so I could be completely off on those ingredients lol). Bottom line: It was yummy.

Rebekka Lien (left), Heather Petrey and I rocking our Luichinis.

I made some new friends. :) These eye-catching ladies are also bloggers! They had the most original outfits at the party.

Sorry to Heather for her head getting cut off in the picture. My boyfriend, a.k.a. my photographer for the night, said it was hard to see.

Of course, I had to get my very own signed picture of Amber and Angela. I plan to get it framed and hang it up somewhere; it'll be a fun reminder of the event.

THE REVIEW:

Where to begin, is the question. There are so many good things to say about the brand!

First, I want to comment on how nice everyone on the Luichiny team is. It is clear from the event that they have a genuine appreciation for their fans and retailers.

Second, the Luichiny PR team is amazing! Ashley, in particular, has been very helpful and accommodating. Of all the companies I have had a chance to work with, this has been the most pleasant.

Lastly, I love the global appeal of Luichiny. Their website had this to say:

"Our designers travel to Europe, South America and Asia to uncover the latest fashion trends. We are always testing new European styles in our upscale boutiques in New York to find the hottest, freshest footwear fashion for you. "

How awesome is that!?!!

The "Bow Tie" Shoe

What I LOVE about the "Bow Tie" shoe:

Extremely comfortable. Usually, I have to add cushioned insoles to all my heels. I forgot to bring some with me on my trip to Vegas. I went straight to the event after landing, so I had no time to stop at a store. After walking around all night, my feet felt fine. I am truly amazed at how comfortable the shoes are... even with a 5-inch heel!
Colorful. I got many comments walking around Vegas in my Luichiny shoes. The colors were very bright and I love the color blocking. (This allowed me to go with a simple black dress and fun accessories).
Platform. The shoe has a 1-inch platform. Personally, I love a good platform. It allows you to wear a higher heel without your feet suffering the consequences.
Texture. The upper part of the shoe is made with Imi-leather. The entire shoe has this great snake-skin texture to it. This adds dimension and flair to the shoe, as opposed to having it smooth.
Anti-slip pad. At the bottom of the platform there is a red heart. This heart seemed to keep my feet from slipping when I was walking on smooth services, like marble inside the casinos or a wet dance floor. Typically, I have to buy a separate non-slip pad to adhere to the bottom of my shoes. It's nice that Luichiny shoes come with that feature.

Dress: Forever 21

Pyramid stud rings from Karmaloop

Jewelry: Forever 21

The styles I am lusting after...

Luichiny shoes are available on the Luichiny site (click here) and they are also available at Zappos.com (click here).

FOTN: (face of the night)

Picture taken in the taxi, sorry about the blurriness.

Products I used:

FACE

Laura Mercier- Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (nude)
Make Up For Ever- Full Cover Concealer (4)
Jane Iredale- Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder (warm sienna)
Make Up For Ever HD Powder (translucent)

EYES

Primer- Urban Decay (eden)
Browbone- MAC Pigment (vanilla)
Lid- Kat Von D Saint Palette (enjoy the silence)
Lower Lid- NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (cucumber #628)
Lower Lid- MAC Pigment (green space)
Eye Liner (top)- MAC Fluidline (blacktrack)
Eye Liner (lower water line)- NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (milk #604)
Eye Liner (lower lash line)- Lancome Le Crayon Kohl (black ebony)
Mascara- Lancome Cils Booster XL, Cover Girl LashBlast Volume (very black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash
Lashes- Eylure Party Perfect (Pitch Dark)

BROWS

Make Up For Ever- Eyebrow Corrector (0)
Anastasia- Express Brow Kit (blonde powder)

LIPS

Lip Liner- MAC Lip Liner (pink candy)
Lip Stick- Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense(33)

CHEEKS

NARS (angelic)

I hope you all enjoyed this post! Stay gorgeous!!!

MAGIC Event Week in Las Vegas and Luichiny Shoe Launch

2012-02-14T14:51:00.000-08:00

Hey Makeup Junkies!

Las Vegas here I come!!! I just finished packing, finally. Let me just say, I am not a light packer. I always bring too much because I hate being stranded somewhere without things I need. Sometimes you just never know what you'll need, so I bring it all!

Cell phone pic. (I already packed my camera, oops).

Don't you just love my Hello Kitty Tokidoki suitcase!?!?

One suitcase is for clothes, one is for shoes and the other is for makeup and accessories. This may seem excessive, but hey, it's Vegas! ;)

Are you a light traveler or a heavy traveler (like me ;))???

Happening this week in Las Vegas is the MAGIC convention. This is one of the largest clothing and fashion conventions around. (I had no idea this was gong on. I just happened to be going to LV).

*Random side note- After reading the schedule for today, I saw that Betsey Johnson is doing a meet-n-greet today! Too bad my flight doesn't get there in time for me to go. If you've been following my blog, you know I am a HUGE Betsey fan!!! I will meet her one day....

Anyway,

Here is what BizRateTradeShows.com says about the event:

Click to enlarge

Since I had no idea the event was happening, I hope they still have tickets for tomorrow. If they do, I might just have to check it out. Of course, I will share all the details, if I attend.

Visit the MAGIC site here for more details.

As part of the MAGIC event week, Luichiny, a fabulous shoe brand, is launching a new line. I will be attending the launch event at Aria Hotel tonight and I am super excited! I can't wait to see the new line.

Luichiny's PR team sent me a pair of shoes, so I will be reviewing those in the near future along with my LOTN (look of the night). You are going to love them! I will also be sharing the details of my experience at the event with you, so check back soon...

Anastasia of Beverly Hills: Wish You Were Here Kit Review

2012-02-14T01:18:00.000-08:00

Hello my lovely Makeup Junkies!!!

This is a very special post and I am so excited to share it with you. I made my FIRST YouTube video!!!! A lot of people have been asking me to make video tutorials, so I thought I would give it a try. After many, many hours of shooting and editing, I am finally happy with the final video. Since I am new to video tutorials, there are still things that I need to work on (lighting, sound, etc...), but I hope you enjoy it.

Feel free to "subscribe" to my YouTube channel. It's just another way for us to stay connected. :)

THE WISH YOU WERE HERE KIT

What's included in the kit:

Pacific Coast Illumin8 Palette

Hydrafull Lipgloss in Guava

Clear Brow Gel

These eye shadows are awesome! They are well pigmented and super silky. As I mentioned in my video, this makes for a very smooth application and allows for easy blending. Also, I love having neutrals and colors all in one palette.

If you haven't tried Anastasia's Clear Brow Gel, then you're missing out. This stuff is the perfect consistency and formulation. It holds your brows in place, but doesn't leave a stiff or sticky feeling.

OVERALL, I give this kit 5 Stars!!! Everything that's included is very high quality, from the cosmetics themselves to the packaging. Of course, I would expect nothing less from a company like Anastasia.

The Wish You Were Here Kit is available at Sephora. It retails for $44.00, which is more than reasonable considering all that is included, and it is limited edition.

MORE PRODUCT DETAILS HERE

My LOTD:

Products I used:

FACE

Laura Mercier- Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (sand)
Make Up For Ever- Full Cover Concealer (4)
Jane Iredale- Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder (warm sienna)

EYES

Primer- Urban Decay (eden)
Browbone- Anastasia WYWH Kit (innocence)
Lid- Anastasia WYWH Kit (sandy brown)
Lower Lid- Anastasia WYWH Kit (framboise)
Eye Liner (top)- MAC Fluidline (blacktrack)
Eye Liner (lower water line)- Make Up For Ever: Aqua Eyes (23L)
Mascara- Cover Girl LashBlast Volume (very black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash
Lashes- Eylure Party Perfect (Pitch Dark)

BROWS

Make Up For Ever- Eyebrow Corrector (0)
Anastasia Brow Express Kit (blonde powder)

LIPS

Lip Liner- MAC Lip Pencil (subculture)
Lip Gloss- Anastasia Hydrafull Gloss (guava)

CHEEKS

MAC Mineralize Blush (dainty)

D.I.Y. RHINESTONE NAILS

Bejeweled nails are all the rage right now. Instead of spending money at the nail salon, I decided to do it myself. It just so happened I had all the things I needed for this manicure lying around my house.

Here's What I used:

Rhinestones of your choice
Base Coat- Sephora
Top Coat- Seche Vite
Silver- Orly (dazzle)
Pink- Essie (chastity)
Orange wood stick

Step 1 - Remove any old polish. Then, file and shape your nails. (This is the first time I am doing rounded/pointed tips. I have always done square tips, but I needed a change). Push cuticles back too, if needed.

Step 2 - Apply white polish on all nails except the ring-finger nail. Apply a coat of silver nail polish to the ring-finger nail. (The white polish acts as a base for the pastel pink polish. The silver polish will make it less obvious if you lose a rhinestone here or there).

Step 3 - Paint white nails with the pastel color of your choice. (Mint green is in this Spring). ;)

Step 4 - Next, apply a good top coat. The better the top coat, the better the rhinestones will adhere. Try to only apply the top coat section-by-section. If you cover the whole nail, the polish will probably dry by the time you try to stick the rhinestones on.

Step 5 - Stick those shiny gems on! Use the fine point of an orange wood stick. Dip the tip of the stick in some of the topcoat.

Then use the newly sticky tip to pick up a rhinestone and apply it to the wet top coat already on your nails. This is done one-by-one, so it can get tedious depending on the size of the rhinestone. (I used larger stones because that's what I had at home. See what they have at your local craft store. You can go wild with all the different color options. You can even use Swarovski crystals... those can be a bit pricey though).

The finished look:

I hope you all enjoyed this post. Check back soon for my review of Katy Perry's new lash collection. Also,...

Stay tuned for more tutorial videos! :)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contest

2012-01-24T20:02:00.000-08:00

Hello Makeup Junkies!

One of my favorite makeup companies is having a contest, and I wanted to let you all know about it.

Here are the details:

"Anastasia Beverly Hills presents Wish You Were Here! This beach inspired kit available exclusively at Sephora features the limited edition Pacific Coast Illumin8 Shadow Palette, HydraFull Gloss in Guava, and Clear Brow Gel to give you that cool LA look, no matter where you are.

To celebrate this cool new kit, one lucky winner will receive a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles, a two-night stay at a Los Angeles hotel, a brow appointment with Anastasia, a hair and makeup makeover featuring the Wish You Were Here! kit at the Anastasia Beverly Hills Salon, and a photo shoot with the ABH team!"

Here's what comes in the kit: *(Side note- I will be doing a full review of this kit in my next post. Stay tuned...)

Clear Brow Gel

Illumin8 Palette in Pacific Coast, HydraFull Gloss in Guava

Here's how to win:

Take a postcard-worthy photo of yourself in front of your favorite local landmark!
Make a new post of the picture on Facebook and tag Anastasia of Beverly Hills (www.facebook.com/AnastasiaBeauty) in the photo to enter. You need to first LIKE the page on Facebook in order to tag us.
Or email your name, home address, and photograph to “wishyouwerehere@anastasia.net”. One entry per contestant only by 11:59 PM PST on February 3, 2012
You must be a United States citizen to enter.

The Anastasia Beverly Hills team will select a winner and fly you out for a Los Angeles beauty weekend with Anastasia!

See anastasia.net/wishyouwerehere for complete contest rules and details.

Check back soon for a full review of the Wish You Were Here Kit! PLUS, I will be including my first video tutorial (aaaahhhhh... I'm so excited) where I will show you how I created the look pictured above.

Stay gorgeous everyone!!!

REVIEW- Alter Ego Cosmetics

2011-11-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

Today I have a wonderful review to share with you. Alter Ego Cosmetics recently got in touch with me and asked if I would review some of their products. After checking out their site, I was more than thrilled to try out some of their products.

(If you're wondering why I'm wearing a leopard hat with ears, I'll explain further into the review).

Here are some of the mineral wet/dry eye shadows...

Framboise:

Cosmic Pink:

Sandy Brown:

Innocence:

SWATCHES!!!!

These colors are seriously amazing! Innocence is a great color that can be versatile depending on how you use it. When applied wet, it looks like foil. Framboise would make an awesome eye liner when applied wet. Sandy Brown is more shimmery in person. (My picture doesn't do it justice). Cosmic Pink is, well.... FABULOUS!!! I know I didn't use it in the review, but I am feeling inspired and thinking of doing a follow-up post. Stay tuned for a more "hardcore" look using the pigments with a wet medium.

Aren't the lip stickers SO cute! You almost hate to tear it off lol. But of course I did because nothing can keep a makeup junkie from her product!!! Mwahahaha....

Use the eye shadow dry for a more natural look, or use them wet for more intense color. I opted to use it dry in order to achieve a lighter, more ethereal look.

Each jar of pigment retails, $9.

Check Out Alter Ego Wet/Dry Artisitic Pigments Here

Omg! The HD Mineral Powder is great! It is the newest addition to my travel touch-up kit. I use it throughout the day. The super silky formula reminds me a lot of Make Up For Ever's HD translucent powder. This is a great alternative to the more pricey MUFE brand. You can get a mini-jar for only $5!!! What a deal! The full-size jar will only set you back $10.

Check out Alter Ego Cosmetics Face Products Here

OVERALL VERDICT

I will definitely be getting more of these artistic pigments!

Pros:

These mineral products are 100% natural!!! No dyes, no chemicals, no preservatives. This makes me :))))))
You get a lot of product for your pennies
Versatile wet/dry formula
Some colors can double as eye liner
The foundation has 15 SPF *(It is always a plus to have sun protection in foundation. Beware: You should still apply a separate layer of sun protection. Many women make the mistake of relying solely on SPF in foundation. Dermatologists recommend using a separate sunblock or tinted moisturizer in combination with your SPF foundation).
FREE SHIPPING

Cons:

Eye shadows are a little bit messy. (I might take the sifter out to see if it reduces the container fallout)
Sandy Brown shadow was a little bit chalky
The site could be more user friendly

Colors I want to try:

Endangered
Enchanted Yellow
Lemon Lime
Pot of Gold
Radiant
Striking

These lashes very interesting. In order to create texture, they are layered. It makes for a thicker lash band, but overall I really liked them. They reminded me a lot of Shu Uemura lashes, except they are like half the price!!! (I thought it was funny that they were called "naturalites." They are pretty dramatic, in my opinion).

Products I used:

FACE

Laura Mercier- Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (sand)
Make Up For Ever- Full Cover Concealer (4)
Jane Iredale- Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder (warm sienna)
Alter Ego- Mineral Foundation (shell), (used as a highlighter)
Alter Ego- Mineral Bronzer (afterglow)
Alter Ego- HD Powder (translucent)

EYES

Browbone- Alter Ego wet/dry mineral shadow (innocence)
Lid- Alter Ego wet/dry mineral shadow (sandy brown)
Lower Lid- Alter Ego wet/dry mineral shadow (framboise)
Eye Liner (top)- Urban Decay 24-7 eye pencil (zero)
Eye Liner (bottom)- Urban Decay 24-7 eye pencil (lust)
Eye Liner (lower water line)- NYX eye liner (white)
Mascara- Cover Girl LashBlast Volume (very black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash
Lashes- Eylure (#205)

BROWS

Make Up For Ever- Eyebrow Corrector (0)
Coastal Scents- 88 eyeshadow palette (matte, beige brown)

LIPS

NARS- Multiple (portofino)
Urban Decay- Heavy Metal Glitter Eye Gel (arena)

CHEEKS

NARS- Multiple (portofino)
Alter Ego- Mineral Blush (bittersweet)

Recently, it has gotten really cold where I live. I guess I'm spoiled by the moderte California weather because when the temperature drops below 70 degrees fahrenheit, I bundle up!

In my search for new winter accessories such as hats, scarves and gloves, I came across Spirithoods. I know I have seen these around for a while, so I guess I'm late on this trend.

Image provided by BlackLabelBoutique.com

When I went to the Spirithood website (which you can find here) I was shocked at the price. $129.00!!! I thought maybe it was real fur (which I don't support), but no it's synthetic. I must admit, they are super cute, AND they have wide variety of animals. One day I might break down and invest in the real thing.

In the meantime, I came across some great look-alikes!!! My oh-so-favorite place for necessities, TARGET.

Visit Target online now.

The Target version of "Spirithood," retails for $24.99. Or is it $29.99? Sorry, I can't remember the exact price. I was so excited to wear it that I threw the tag away and I have no idea where I put the receipt. Unfortunately, I don't see it online, so it must only be available in stores.

I also ordered this hat. I love the puff balls at the ends! These will both be perfect for my upcoming Lake Tahoe trip.

Image provided by Target.com

Hehe... Here are some pictures of me playing around with my new hat :)

As you may know, I am in a sort of leopard phase right now, so I am LOVING this hat/scarf/mitten thing-y lol.

One thing I really like about the REAL Spirithood is that the hands have paw prints, and they are more rounded. The Target hand warmer is very square. I think I see a DIY project in my future.

Hope you enjoyed this post. Until next time, stay hardcore!

xx

6 Steps to Beautiful Brows

2011-11-06T12:10:00.000-08:00

Hi makeup junkies! I'm back with a fun review to share with you all. Anastasia of Beverly Hills is the first brand that comes to mind when I think of eyebrows. So, you can imagine my joy when they contacted me to try one of their products. I want to share with you my thoughts on the Beauty Express for Brows and Eyes Kit.

* (I used the blonde kit, but it also available in Brunette)

Here's what the kit includes:

Brow Wax Cream
Brow Powder Duo
Eyeshadow Duo (matte & shimmer)
Stencils (5)
Angled Brush (I love this brush! It's pink and the bristles are firm, yet gentle.)

Here are some additional items that I recommend to use with the kit:

Spoolie (It's the funny looking brush with a mascara wand at the end. I never knew what it was used for, but it works wonders to tame brows and blend eyebrow powder).
Tweezers (My favorite are Tweezerman slanted tweezers. They even have Betsey Johnson ones with cute patterns).
Mustache Scissors (You can find a pair at your local drugstore or beauty store).

As you can see in the picture above, the kit comes in a sleek, faux-leather case that has a mirror and directions inside.

Anastasia of Beverly Hills 6 Steps to Beautiful Brows:

Drumroll please.....

What a difference, RIGHT??!?! I have some seriously difficult brows, so I was ecstatic about the results I achieved. With all of us leading such busy lives, it is essential to have products that simplify our lives, and also deliver results. This kit is affordable, easy to use, and will leave you with some seriously sexy brows!

The kit retails for $39.50, which is a great deal considering all that it includes.

The Beauty Express For Brows and Eyes is now available in all Sephora stores in the United States. Click here to check it out.

Also, check out this demonstration video about the Brow Express Kit provided by Anastasia of Beverly Hills:

In addition to the review, I also decided to share a simple, yet "hardcore" OOTD (outfit of the day):

What I'm wearing:

Top - Silence and Noise
Bandeau - Free People
Leggings - Metropark (closed)
Jewelry - Stud Stackable Bracelets (Forever 21), Necklace (Metropark, closed), Leather Bracelet (Noir from Karmaloop.com)
Shoes - Bordello (LOVE this brand!)
Lipstick - MAC Show Orchid
Lip Liner - MAC Beet

Lately, I have been way into leopard prints. I noticed everything I'm liking is leopard print. Lucky for me, it's in for Fall. Since black is my power color, I like to add pops of bright color or pattern to my outfit. That is why I am loving "bralettes." They are a great layering piece and a subtle way to spice up an outfit. I like to have them peek out of oversized tops.

Also, stay tuned for my next post. I am going to do a full review of my favorite shoes by Bordello!

Thanks for visiting my blog :) Hope you enjoyed this post.

Stay gorgeous!

xx

Raquel Reed Inspired Look

2011-10-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

How are all my lovely makeup junkies? I have missed you all dearly.

The past six months have been a whirlwind for me. I started a new job, went back to school, and underwent elective surgery. So, now that everything has settled and I'm fully recovered from my procedure, I am happy to be back in action!

Since it's been a while since I last posted, there are a lot of things I need to catch up on. There are a few companies that sent me products to review. *To those companies: Sorry for the delay, but I will get to all your reviews very soon.

Now, on to the good stuff...

Lately, I have had the urge to dye my hair a fun, bright color. I am leaning toward "Raquel Reed teal" or "Rihanna red". Because of this urge, I decided to do a Raquel Reed inspired look. She has such fierce style, and is such a talented makeup artist and model. I hope you enjoy.

*RAQUEL REED*

Here's my Raquel Reed inspired look:

Products I used:

FACE

Laura Mercier- Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (sand)
Make Up For Ever- Full Cover Concealer (4)
Jane Iredale- Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder (warm sienna)
Nars- Bronzer (casino)
MAC- Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (medium)

EYES

Browbone- MAC eyeshadow (dazzlelight)
Lid- Urban Decay 24-7 eye pencil (lust), Urban Decay "Black Palette" (Jet), MAC Mineralize eyeshadow (my dark magic, limited edition)
Crease- Surgarpill "Burning Heart" palette (poison plum)
Eye Liner (top)- MAC Fluidline (blacktrack)
Eye Liner (bottom)- Urban Decay 24-7 eye pencil (zero)
Mascara- Cover Girl LashBlast Volume (very black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash
Lashes- Eylure (pitch dark)

BROWS

Make Up For Ever- Eyebrow Corrector (0)
MAC- eyeshadow (omega)

LIPS

Burt's Bees Wax chapstick
Make Up For Ever- Rouge Artist Intense (33)

CHEEKS

100% Pure- Sheer Cheek Tint (apple cheeks)
100%Pure- Fruit Pigmented Blush (cherry)

One of the newest additions to my makeup collection is 100% Pure. The blushes are pigmented with fruit and other various all-natural ingredients.

TOP 5 REASONS WHY I LOVE 100% PURE

They use all natural, organic and vegan ingredients to make their products.
The products smell amazingly delicious.
They not only sell makeup, but also hair care products and skin care products.
The powder blush has a large mirror inside the cover. Not to mention, the packaging is so pretty.
They are based out of San Jose, Caifornia. (That's where I'm from!!! ;))

The 100% Pure coffee bean eye cream has become a new must in my morning routine. It smells sweet, and the caffeine gives my eyes some extra pep.

I'm also a HUGE fan of the body scrubs. They leave my skin so soft and silky. Not to mention, you'll smell simply edible after. In my shower right now is the Coconut Body Scrub.

Click here to check out 100% Pure products!!!

I recently got these amazing AJ Morgan glasses from PLNDR. I feel like they complement this look nicely. And not only are they bright and cute, but they have UV protection!

If you enjoy great deals and shopping online, then you have to check out PLNDR.com. Most recently I ordered a Motel dress, on which I saved $50, and Noir jewelry, on which I saved $30. The AJ Morgan glasses featured above only cost $9.99. Such a steal!!!

Click here to shop PLNDR now!!!

Oh, how I love my Sally Hansen Polish Strips...

These cute skull polish strips are part of the Halloween collection. They also have some with a spiderweb pattern.

Here's how I created this nail look:

Step 1 - Trim and shape nails to desired look. Then apply polish strip to ring finger, as directed.

Step 2 - Paint remaining nails with polish of your choice. (I used China Glaze in liquid leather)

Step 3 - Finish with a good top coat, making sure to paint over the polish strip too.

So simple, right?!!?!

It's that easy to have a party-ready mani in a flash. If you're really pressed for time, opt for doing the polish strips on all nails. Simply press them on, file, and go!

Being silly :)

I hope you enjoyed this post! Until next time, stay fabulous...

Amelia Arsenic Inspired "Look of the Day"

2011-02-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

Isn't she lovely?

Image from DestroyX.com

I happen to have two days off of work and a light load at school, so I decided to do a new blog post for my lovely followers. Plus, it's been a while since I've done a more extreme "face of the day."

Some of you may already know Amelia Arsenic, and if you do then you know how completely amazing her makeup always looks. She even launched her own makeup line Miss X Cosmetics. (The lashes look to-die-for!) I wish I had her products while I was creating this look, but I was feeling inspired and decided to go with the moment. So, I made do with what I had in my arsenal already. I will definitely be placing an order soon though.

FOTD:

FACE

L'Occitane Ultra Comforting Cream

Make Up For Ever UV Prime SPF 50

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet Foundation

Make Up For Ever Full Coverage Concealer

Make Up Forever HD Microfinish Powder

Bare Escentuals Warmth (for slight contouring)

Mac Blush in Dame

EYEBROWS

Make Up Forever Eyebrow Corrector in #0

Coastal Scents 88 Palette - Dark matte brown color

EYES

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

MAC Eyeshadow in Crystal Avalanche (inner corner/tear duct/lower lash line/brow bone)

MAC Eyeshadow in Sweet and Punchy (limited edition)

Sephora Eyeshadow in Lime Green No. 42

Coastal Scents 88 Palette - Matte bright green

Mac Eyeshadow in Carbon (lid)

MAC Eyeshadow in Black Tied (lid)

MAC Pigment in Silver Fog (outer corner)

Kat Von D Liquid Liner in Trooper

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in Black

LASHES
Make Up For Ever Lashes (I lost the case, so I don't know the number...sorry)

Random strip lashes used on bottom (cut a full size pair and use small strip)

LIPS

Make Up For Ever Lip Liner in 8C (True Red)

Sephora Lipstick Palette - The Red 04

MAC Dazzleglass in Love Alert

I was in desperate need of a manicure, but I was short on time, so I decided to give Sally Hansen's Salon Effects a try. I love the pattern, and there's no dry time! I did apply a single layer of top coat to make the application last longer. Sally Hansen claims these should last ten days. I'm on day 7 and there is minor chipping, but it is looking better than my usual manicures after that amount of time. They're a bit pricey (about $9), but it is still cheaper than a salon manicure, and there is no waiting for your nails to dry, which is good if you're on-the-go! I really want the pink glitter, zebra, and lace polish strips. Maybe on my next trip to Walgreens they'll make it into my basket. There are tons of color/pattern options. I even thought about using the strips to do pattern french manicures. Have fun with it!!! :)

Hope you enjoyed this post. Until next time, stay beautiful!

CSN Store Review & Smoldering FOTD

2011-01-14T10:38:00.000-08:00

Hello Makeup Junkies!

As promised, I'm here with my new CSN Store review. This time around I decided to order something that is more fun than practical. All girls have a pair of "sexy" boots, and these are what I envision as the epitome of sexiness.

Lately I have been feeling very inspired by the pin-up and burlesque scene. So, this post is my homage to the likes of Bettie Page and Dita Von Teese, and to all women who want to embrace their feminine side.

CSN Stores helped make this post possible by providing the shoes that were the beginning of this entire idea. Check out shoesgotsole.com to find hundreds of different styles of shoes, along with the ones I feature in my post. They offer free shipping, speedy delivery and great customer service. (Those of you who read my first review already know this information, but I though it was worth mentioning again). I hope you all enjoy this review.

Here we go...

The boots came individually wrapped in plastic to prevent scratches during shipping (nice!). I went with the brand Pleaser because they have tons of different platform style shoes to choose from. Of course, I decided to go with the dangerously high pair that has a six inch heel and three inch platform!!! (Not easy to walk in, I'll admit, but perfect for this post).

The boots are genuine leather. They lace-up normally at the top of the foot, then the lace hooks along the ankle allow you to get a really tight fit. Ankle support is important if you are going to wear shoes this tall. Best thing about these bad boys is the zipper on the inside that allows you to take them off quickly without having to undo the laces.

In a nutshell, I'M LOVING THESE BOOTS!!!

I love the bow detail on the back of the skirt. It's like the icing on the cake, it just finishes the skirt off so nicely.

Here's what I'm wearing:

Top: Conspirators from Metropark

Skirt: Leg Avenue from PinkImpulse.com*

Necklaces: Metropark

Bracelet: Metropark

Shoes: Pleaser (from www.shoesgotsole.com)

Fishnet Tights: American Apparel

Nail Polish: Vampira (from Eyeko)

*This was my first time ordering with pinkimpulse.com, and they did not make a good first impression. I joined a mailing list on their site to receive 20% off my first order, and they sent me a code that didn't work. When I emailed the company about the issue I got no response. I eventually found a valid coupon code online and got my discount, but it did not speak well for their customer service. On top of this, it took forever to receive my order. It took around 10 days before my order even shipped. (Okay, I just had to vent. It's been a while since I had such a bad experience ordering online so I thought I'd share it with you all).

Here's my "SMOLDERING" FOTD:

FACE

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer

Make Up For Ever UV Prime SPF 50

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet Foundation

Make Up For Ever Full Coverage Concealer

Make Up Forever HD Microfinish Powder

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish NaturalBare Escentuals Warmth

Mac Blush in Dame

Nars Multiple in Portofino

EYEBROWS

Make Up Forever Eyebrow Corrector in #0

MAC Eyeshadow in Omega

EYES

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

Kat Von D Palette - Momento Mori Palette - Sugar Skull (browbone highlight)

MAC Eyeshadow in Crystal Avalanche (inner corner/tear duct)Sugarpill Cosmetics in Poison Plum (crease)

Mac Eyeshadow in Carbon (lid)

MAC Eyeshadow in My Dark Magic - Venomous Villains Collection (lid)

Make Up For Ever Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow in Aqua Black (lid)

Kat Von D Liquid Liner in Trooper

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in Black

LASHES
Make Up For Ever - Elaine 148

LIPS

MAC Lipliner in Beet

Sephora Lipstick Palette - Oh no 18 and Insolent brownie 18

Did anyone notice my new piercing? It is a dermal anchor and it is the newest craze in piercings. Apparently, it's referred to as the "Madison." I love it because people think it's a necklace and even when I'm not wearing jewelry it looks like I am. Surprisingly, it was relatively painless too. By far the easiest piercing I have ever gotten.

What do you think?

Until next time ladies, have fun and live life to the fullest!

Sigma Brush Giveaway WINNER!

2011-01-13T00:14:00.000-08:00

Drumroll please......

The winner of the fabulous Hollywood Glamour Flat Top Retractable Kabuki Brush is #70 Lillus! Congratulations to my lovely follower!!!

I hope you enjoy your new makeup brush gorgeous!

Thank you to everyone who entered. I hope to have another giveaway soon, so you will all have another chance to win a fabulous prize! Also, thank you to Sigma for hosting this great giveaway. If you haven't checked out there site already, you should. They have fun and functional products.

XOXO

Michelle

On a side note - I am working on a new post to share with my readers, so sit tight, it'll be here soon... I am REALLY excited about this one!

Sigma Brush Giveaway - CLOSED

2011-01-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

Hello my lovelies! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season filled with lots of love and laughter. (I know I did).

Many of you are familiar with the company Sigma. They have been nice enough to sponsor this giveaway. If you're not familiar with their products feel free to check out their website...they have lots of goodies! One lucky winner will be chosen to win Sigma's Hollywood Glamour Flat Top Retractable Kabuki Brush!!! (Isn't it just adorable :))

Here's a description of the brush according to the company website:

"Get some Hollywood Glamour! The Sigma Makeup retractable flat top kabuki is the easiest way to apply powder products such as blush, bronzer, foundation, and highlighter on-the-go. Practical and classy, the Hollywood Glamour collection is a must! Featuring the SigMax fiber for high definition application."

The contest winner will receive the purple brush, but it also comes in black, red, and pink. (Click here to see)

As always, I like to keep my contests simple. Here's how to enter:

1. You must be a FOLLOWER of my blog
2. You must comment on this post
3. Please leave your email contact info

The winner will be chosen using random.org. I will announce the winner here on January 10, 2011, as well as contact the person by email. If I don't hear back from the winner within 2 days, then a new winner will be selected. You may comment as many times as you like, but there is only one entry per person.

Good Luck!!!!

XOXO

Michelle

"Impassioned" FOTD & OOTD

2010-12-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Hello makeup junkies! I have some fun new stuff to share with you :)

I used MAC's recycle program to get a new lipstick. I asked for something bright and fun, and the girl recommended Impassioned. I'm so glad she did because I LOVE the color. In the past, I've stayed away from colors like this. (For some reason, I've always been hesitant to use orange colors). However, this is a nice variation to my classic red lip or my bright pink lip.

The MAC website describes Impassioned as an "amped-up fuchsia." Of course, I have to agree! This color is SO hot and it totally works to brighten your look.

As you all know, I work at Betsey Johnson, and I simply adore her wild and eclectic designs. Below is a dress I recently acquired for my sales performance. (Have to love the perks!). The dress is super comfy, and has the classic Betsey rose pattern. I love the multiple panels of color and the button detailing running down the entire center of the dress. Last, but not least, I love the asymmetrical hem! It is shorter in the front and longer in the back.

The Front

The Back

(I know my roots are desperate for attention, and of course, I did this post the day before my hair appointment! Haha...oh well).

Recently, I placed another order at Punk.com for some more boots. I am still on my flat boot kick, so these are perfect. In addition to flat boots, I am obsessed with studs!!!! These boots have a western/biker feel to them. They are very comfortable and surprisingly, go with everything! (Well not everything, but you get the point).

This is one of my simple necklaces that I wear all the time. Anyone who knows Bestey Johnson's brand knows this is a very quiet and simple piece compared to her usual cocktail jewelry. I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on it. Another unique feature is that this necklace is silver. Betsey usually does gold jewelry, so when she does silver, I have to jump on it!

Below are shots focusing on my eye-makeup and a listing of the products I used to create this look.

Here's what I used:

FACE

Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet Foundation

Make Up For Ever Full Coverage Concealer

Make Up Forever HD Microfinish Powder
Mac Bronzing Powder in Bronze

Mac Blush in Peaches

Nars Multiple in Portofino

EYEBROWS

Make Up Forever Eyebrow Corrector in #0

Coastal Scents 88 Palette - a light golden brown color to set the eyebrow corrector

EYES

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

Kat Von D "True Love" Palette - Lucifer (Outer corner)
Mac Eyeshadow - Velvet Moss (crease)

Mac Eyeshadow in Amber Lights (Lid)

Kat Von D Liquid Liner in Trooper

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black

LIPS

MAC Lipstick in Impassioned

Here's what I'm wearing:

Dress: Betsey Johnson

Necklace: Betsey Johnson

Shoes: Wanted (from Punk.com)

Scrunch-Bottom Leggings: Old Navy

*Just a reminder I added a new tab to the top of my page where I will be adding my weekly product of the week. There isn't much on there yet, but I will slowly be adding more.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this post! I have something really fun planned for my next FOTD, so check back soon :)

XOXO

Michelle

Kat Von D Book Signing: Sacramento, Ca

2010-11-15T15:00:00.000-08:00

Hey Makeup Junkies! I am SO excited about this post that I don't even know where to start. First, everyone knows how obsessed I am with all things Kat Von D, so you can imagine how ecstatic I was to be at her book signing.

One of my beautiful BFFs, Karry, joined me on this epic adventure. We got to the bookstore at 10 a.m. and waited in line for three hours. This was my first time attending a book signing, and it couldn't have gone any smoother. Karry and I made friends with the people in line around us, so we all took turns saving each other's spots. Between grabbing food and making conversation with fellow KVD fans, the wait flew by almost instantly.

Karry and I after we arrived

I decided to buy this magazine in case she was signing additional items. She ended up signing the old and new book, but not the magazine. I was kind of disappointed, but it was only fair since she was going to stay until everyone got an autograph. (She's so awesome!).

As if I weren't excited just waiting in line and anticipating her arrival, when she finally got there words can't describe how overwhelmed I was. My palms were sweating, my adrenaline was pumping, and I couldn't stand still. The line moved really fast once Kat finally arrived. She stood up the whole time and was hugging her fans and posing for pictures with each one.

Everything happened really fast once you got to the front of the line. There was someone at the front handing the books to Kat, then another person was taking the pictures for people, and two more people moving the fans out of the greet area once their turn was over.

When my turn finally came up I was SO nervous. As I walked towards her, Kat thanked me for waiting, which was really nice. Seriously, I'd have have waited double that time to meet her without even thinking twice, so it was cake. As she signed the two books, I told her how much this means to me and what a huge fan I am. We posed for a picture, and I remember thinking how surreal it was to be standing there. I was super stoked because she actually talked to me after the picture. First, she commented that I was totally representin' with my High Voltage shirt. Then, after we posed for the picture and I was turning to thank her, she said said to me, "You're so pretty." Of course, I was speechless. The stunningly gorgeous KVD actually said that to me??? Crazy!

Kat was so chill and down-to-earth! I still can't believe I got to meet her :) Good thing I got a picture, otherwise I might not believe it really happened. And I must say, she is just as hot in-person as she is on TV and in pictures.

One day I hope to have the pleasure of getting work done at her shop in Hollywood. (*Side note: I went to High Voltage last year and she was at the shop, but I didn't get to meet her because she was working. That's another reason I was so enthused about this whole thing).

One of the Best Days Ever!!!

It was such a nice surprise to meet Dan Smith and Rooftop too.

Me, Rooftop, Dan Smith, and Karry

My two signed copies are now on display on my bookshelf :) YAY!!!

Here's my KVD FOTD:

Of course I had to rock the classic red lip...

I got these lashes for my birthday in June, but hadn't worn them until now. I had never used brown lashes before, and I wasn't sure if they'd be dramatic enough, but they were great! You couldn't really tell they were brown once you put them on. I got a few other pairs of Shu Uemura lashes, so I'll try and share those with you soon.

Here's what I used:

FACE

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer

Mac Studio Fix Fluid

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer

Make Up Forever HD Microfinish Powder
Mac Bronzing Powder in Bronze

Mac Blush in Mocha

EYEBROWS

(I bleached my eyebrows to get them to match my hair color)

Make Up Forever Eyebrow Corrector in #0

Coastal Scents 88 Palette - a light golden brown color to set the eyebrow corrector

EYES

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

Kat Von D "True Love" Palette - Peanut (Brow Bone)
Kat Von D "True Love" Palette - Rebekah (crease)

Mac Eyeshadow in Ricepaper (Lid)

Kat Von D Liquid Liner in Trooper

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero (Upper water line and lower lash line)

LIPS

Trucco Lip Liner in Red 7073

Sephora Lipstick Palette - the red 04

LASHES

Shu Uemura - Farfallina

Hope you all have a great week :) Thanks for reading!

XOXO

Michelle

Kat Von D Train Case

2010-11-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

Hello makeup junkies!

As you all know, or maybe some of you don't, I am a huge fan of all things Kat Von D! I have been posting reviews of her different makeup items, such as eye shadows and palettes, over the past few months. For a long time, I've specifically had my eye on this train case...and I finally got it! (If you don't know who KVD is, you can read about the femme fatale here).

THE OUTSIDE:

THE INSIDE:

Originally, I was going to post pictures of the train case empty, but I just couldn't wait to load some of my stuff into it. This thing is going to be perfect for traveling!

I know it's a little pic heavy for just a train case, but the essence of this accessory's beauty is in the artwork. Kat's line drawings were used to create the outside decor.

Overall, this is a great makeup travel/storage piece for my collection. I like that I don't have to fold open anything; everything is on one level. The compartment walls don't move, but they are a good size. The inside is lined with a soft fabric that is really nice and bright, but I wonder how easy it will be to clean. I REALLY like that it locks! I don't know when I'll really ever lock it, but it's a cool feature :)

Do any of you have this train case?

I also thought I'd share my new boots with you since they are in the first picture. I just found this website punk.com, and have ordered a few things already. They have some one-of-a-kind items that I haven't seen anywhere else. Or if I have, it's cheaper here. Of course I looked up a coupon code online to get the best deal.

Ok, I am SO, SO, SO excited!!! This weekend I am driving two hours to Sacramento, CA to go to Kat Von D's book signing at Borders. I bought her new book today, so I am ready to rock. I will definitely post about it after, so you can all see.

Below are some random pics of the gorgeous Kat Von D... just because.

XOXO

Michelle

*photos from Google

Congratulations to the winner of my first giveaway!

2010-11-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

The results are in and the winner is...

The lovely Kaitlynn is the lucky winner of my first GIVEAWAY!

She won a $45 coupon code to use at any of the CSN Store websites. Have fun spending your winnings my fellow makeup junkie :)

Thank you to everyone else who took part in my first giveaway. I hope to have more giveaways in the future, so don't fret if you didn't win this one.

XOXO

Michelle

My First GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

2010-11-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hello my lovely makeup junkies :) How are you doing today? I am SO excited to be hosting a giveaway for my followers!

This is my first giveaway, and the wonderful people of CSN Stores (csn.com) will award one of you with a $45 gift code to use on any of their websites. They have 200+ stores offering everything from barstools to purses. I still love the boots I ordered from luxebycsn.com, and can't wait to place my next order. If you're interested, details are listed below.

Here is how to enter:

1. Follow my blog

2. Comment on this post

3. Include your email in the comment

Easy, right?

Feel free to comment as many times as you want, but there is only one entry per person. The winner will be announced on November 10, and will be notified by email. I will use random.org to choose the winner. If the winner does not respond within 2 days, then I will choose a new winner and they will be contacted by email.

Good luck everyone!

*CSN Stores currently ship only to the US and Canada

XOXO

Michelle

My new Carlos Santana Boots and First OOTD

2010-10-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I received my boots from LuxebyCSN.com, and just in time for the icy weather we're starting to have here in the Bay Area. The boots I ordered are Carlos by Carlos Santana. My order from the CSN Store arrived within 4-5 days of ordering and I got FREE SHIPPING!!!! I love ordering from websites that offer free shipping. I would definitely shop with CSN Stores again.

This is my first Outfit of the Day post, so I hope you all enjoy it.

Since I'm pretty petite, I usually don't wear flats, but sometimes I want to look cute while I'm giving my feet a break from stilettos. These boots are so comfy and versatile. I plan to wear them with thigh-high socks and stockings when it gets really cold. This is my first pair of over-the-knee boots, and I'm liking them so far. Next I want to get one with a heel.

"The Traverse Boot"

Here's the website description of Carlos Santana's shoe collection:

"Carlos by Carlos Santana are hip, hot fashionable shoes inspired by the passion and energy that surround Santana's music.

Carlos Footwear is designed for women who demand fashion and love shoes by bringing the latest trends in materials, colors, shapes and detailing with a hip Carlos point-of-view that appeals to 'fashionistas' - who want shoes that will 'make' an outfit - not simply 'match' it.

A portion of all Santana's proceeds from Carlos Shoes sales is donated to the Milagro (miracle) Foundation. Founded by Deborah and Carlos in 1998, Milagro is a charitable organization that makes grants to community based organizations around the world working with children in the areas of the arts, education and health."

See, you can feel good about ordering shoes because part of the proceeds go to charity. Although, I don't think any of us need an excuse to buy shoes.

The buckle detailing is to-die-for! Don't you agree?

"These boots were made for walking, and that's just what they'll do. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you." (haha...I had to do it. I love that song!)

The boot is 18" tall with a 1" heel

In keeping with my "no falsies" phase, here is my natural face of the day using my new MAC eyeshadow, Espresso.

You can tell I wear my black, rhinestone cross necklace a lot because it's missing one of the stones. I'll still rock it!

bracelets (left) studs and rhinestones, Metropark, (right) Tarina Tarantino, necklaces from Metropark

What I'm wearing...

Guns and Bullets Sweater: Betsey Johnson

Ruffle Eyelet Shorts: YesStyle.com

Boots: Carlos by Carlos Santana

I'm a huge fan of HALLOWEEN and it's right around the corner. What are you going to dress up as this year? I'm planning something fun, and I can't wait to share it with you. Until next time...

Take care!

XOXO

Jewelry Review and New FOTD

2010-09-30T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hello MAKEUP JUNKIES!

I recently received a package from the lovely Arie of For Bead 'N Gems. She makes hand-crafted jewelry. Each is an original piece with a unique characteristic that adds her personal touch. Check out some of her stuff below.

Arie sent me the necklace that I was admiring and she surprised me with a few extra goodies. What a sweetheart! :) Knowing my affinity for the color pink, she sent me jewelry to match my necklace.

Here are the pieces I received:

This is the necklace I mentioned earlier which I was lusting after. The lovely multi-color stones have a pink to tint to them, which I LOVE, of course! (The clasp is kind of hard to do with my new 3D nails, but I managed). This is the item I specifically requested.

And here are some close-up pictures of the beautiful bracelets.

Overall, I found these pieces to be girly and fun. I look forward to wearing them with some of my future outfits.

You can see more of Arie's creations here. (I really want the "Ice Cube" necklace).

*Side note - Although some of the bracelets have dangling pieces, they are NOT noisy. I just thought I'd mention that since some people don't like bracelets that jingle and make noise.

This is my simple FOTD. Since I've been so busy, I haven't been wearing my falsies as often as I used to, and thought I'd share a bare-lashed look. Don't worry I haven't given up lashes (that would be crazy!); I'm planning to share my SHU UEMURA lashes with you soon!!!

Here's what I used:

FACE

Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer

Mac Studio Fix Fluid

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Mac Bronzing Powder in Bronze

Mac Blush in Dame

Tokidoki Hilighting Powder in Kabuki

EYEBROWS

Mac Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering

Coastal Scents 88 Palette - I mix a light brown with an ashy gray (et voila, the perfect color to set the pencil)

EYES

Mac Paint Pot in Painterly

Kat Von D "Momento Mori" Palette - Peggy (Lid)

Shrinkle Loose Eyeshadow in Starling (Crease)

Coastal Scents 88 Palette - I mixed a matte dark navy blue with a matte aqua (Outer-V)

Mac "Burmese Beauty" Eye Shadow Quad - Skintone (Tear duct)
Mac Eyeshadow in Shroom (Brow bone highlight)

Kat Von D Liquid Liner in Trooper

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero (Lower lash line)

LIPS

Mac Lipstick in Pink Nouveau

Mac Dazzleglass in Love Alert

For all you nail fans out there, here is my very first set of 3D NAILS!!! Aren't they cute? I'm SO in love with them. How do you feel about this trend? Would you try it?

That's all for now my lovelies. Until next time...stay beautiful!

XOXO

Upcoming review and a possible GIVEAWAY

2010-09-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my lovely junkies! I have some exciting news to share with you. CSN Stores has chosen yours truly to do a review of their sites/products, and if I'm happy with their services I will be hosting a GIVEAWAY!!! CSN Stores offer over 200 websites where they carry different styles of shoes, handbags and even housewares and home furnishings like this new twin bed set for the guest room.

I'm planning on reviewing shoes from Shoes Got Sole (they have some really unique shoes) or Luxe by CSN, but who knows what else I may find as I peruse their websites. So, check back often and follow to stay updated.

**On another unrelated note, I am working on getting my Shrinkle dress posted, as I know many of you are eager to see it. I have a lot going on in my schedule right now, so I thank you for your patience.

Also....THANK YOU for all your support! I have reached 700 followers and I'm truly shocked and amazed at the following I have gained. I love all my junkies and appreciate all your sweet comments and emails. I can't thank you enough!

Hope you are all having a good week!

XOXO

100° FOTD and Sugarpill Cosmetics Review

2010-09-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

Hello my lovely makeup junkies! I'm happy to be back to posting again. It has been quite an exciting summer for me. I started an internship at Stanford University, and also landed my dream job working for Betsey Johnson. On top of that, classes have started at San Jose State University. Needless to say, it's been hard to find time to do anything other than eat and sleep. But now I've settled into a routine, and the first thing I wanted to do was BLOG! And so, on with the review...

I'm very excited to share this post with you. I've been hearing a lot about Sugarpill cosmetics, so I decided to try it out. The genius behind the makeup line, Amy Doan, also designs clothing branded Shrinkle.

Have you heard of her makeup or clothing line before?

I ordered a cute Shrinkle dress on Etsy.com, and Amy sent me a free sample of some pink pigment with my order. (I plan on doing my first OOTD post so you can see the dress...stay tuned).

Don't you just LOVE the packaging? It's so cute and fun, just like the makeup itself.

I decided to get an eyeshadow quad and a couple pigments. (The pink pigment is the sample I was talking about earlier).

Pictured here is the "Burning Heart" eyeshadow quad: 1) Buttercupcake, 2) Flamepoint, 3) Poison Plum, 4) Love+

Pictured here are the loose pigments

PROS:

Packaging is absolutely adorable
Shipment arrived in a very timely manner
Eye shadow pans are SUPER pigmented (which I love!)
You get a lot of product for your money
Pigments have a beautiful shimmer to them and I love the colors available

CONS:

The sample I received had no name (I liked the color so much I wanted to buy it, but there was no name)
Pigments are kind of messy as there is no plastic guard inside
Pigments are more sheer than I'm used to (good for a layering effect and for buildable coverage, I suppose)
The outside of the packaging doesn't have the color's name

Overall, I was very pleased with the items I purchased. I will definitely be getting more items in the future. The color palettes are awesome! I want them all!!!

*Just a side note - The eye shadow pans should not be used with a wet brush. I cleaned my brush prior to using Buttercupcake, and I guess the brush was a little wet so it turned to a funky, dull color when I applied it. Then when I dried the brush off completely I got the bright, vibrant results I was looking for. They don't claim to be wet/dry shadows, but I thought I'd share that with you.

FOTD:
All summer it's been cooler than usual. Then all of a sudden the day I'm going to work on a blog post, it's 100° outside!!! I had originally planned to include the Shrinkle dress in this post, but it was just too sweltering hot to get dressed up. SO without anymore stalling, the "I'm melting" FOTD...

Face: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, MAC Studio Fix Foundation, MAC Select Cover Concealer, MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Naturals, MAC Bronzing Powder in Bronze, Tokidoki Highlighting Powder

Cheeks: Nars Multiple in Portofino

Eyes: MAC Paint Pot in Painterly, Sugarpill eye shadows in Poison Plum (outer corner) and Buttercupcake (inner corner), Sugarpill loose pigments in Starling (crease and lower lash line), Royal Sugar (outer-v) and the pink pigment over Poison Plum (outer corner), Mac eye shadow in Dazzlelight (brow bone), L'Oreal Voluminous in Carbon, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner in Zero, Make Up Forever Waterproof cream eyeshadow in Aqua Black (as a liner)

Eyebrows: Coastal Scents 88 palette in Light-Beige Brown

Lashes: Kiss lashes in Paparazzi

Lips: Mac Lip Liner in Candy Pink , Mac Lipstick in Pink Nouveau

Hope you enjoyed this post!

Stay beautiful junkies :)

XOXO

Nailene Product Review

2010-07-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

I was recently approached by Nailene to review some of their nail products. I actually discovered them at the 2010 IMATS, and was impressed by both the company's great customer relations and their great products.

My package arrived, and inside was this cute bag...filled with all sorts of goodies....

Nailene French Manicure (left), Nailene French Tip Pen

I tried using the French Tip Pen with the Perfect Tips & Toes nail guides, but I didn't have the right tools with me to achieve optimum results. This was the first nail polish pen I've used, so I don't have much to compare to, but it was better than I imagined. It was easy to control and applied a thick coat of polish. Although the nail guides helped with getting a nice french manicure look, it still didn't leave a 100% clean line after removing them. I recommend using a nail brush dipped in polish remover to clean up the edges of the whites after removing the nail guides. I will say this, these guides worked better than any other guides I've tried in the past.

I also wanted to mention the Acrylic Strong top coat, which is quite good. It has such strong staying power that it took a while to remove it.

Nailene Professional Gel Glue (left), Nailene French Polish Guides

Nailene Nail Art Stickers

I love nail stickers, but it's hard to find decent ones at the drug store. They are often too cutesy for my taste. I liked the Nailene stickers because they work for all ages, not just adolescent girls.

I've never used "press-on" nails before, and I must say I love how quick and easy it is. I used to have acrylic nails, but I started to think there are better ways to be spending my money (like on makeup or clothes;)), so I started doing my own manicures. I'm lucky to have long nail beds, so I can just file and polish them for a nice result. However, it does take a long time to do my nails and toes, not to mention the time waiting for them to dry. I definitely plan on using these again, not only for convenience, but because they didn't lift or chip. (I used Nailene's Professional Glue, which I think accounted for them not lifting).

Before polish: OPI Strawberry Fields (limited edition)
After: Nailene Nails (short length, square shape)

As you can see, I was due for a manicure in a major way! My polish was chipped and grown-out, and my cuticles were looking a little bit shabby. After removing the polish, trimming my natural nails, and pushing my cuticles back, it was time to apply the artificial nails. First, I matched and sized the nails, then I applied a dab of glue to the nail and pressed it on. After holding it in place for a few seconds, it was set. It only took about 15 minutes to apply all ten nails, then I was ready to roll out to the club. (My boyfriend and I went to Club Detox, a daytime pool party at the Doubletree Hotel on Sundays, after I finished my nails).

Ring: Tiffany & Co.
Bracelet: Aldo Accessories

It's been a week since I applied the artificial nails, and they are still looking as good as the first day.

I hope you enjoyed this review! I had a lot of fun putting it together and my nails are looking fabulous! :)

After playing around with these Nailene products, I thought of SO many different looks I could create. The possibilities are endless....have fun!

XOXO

*All opinions expressed on this blog are my own, and are about products that I have purchased myself or been asked to review by companies. I have not been compensated in any way, and do not claim to be an expert. I simply want to share my honest opinions about beauty products that I have tried personally. People are unique, and may not achieve the same results when using a product.