Your Most Beautiful Life

Hey there, I'm back on Blogspot! :D

2011-03-02T14:29:00.000-08:00

I've figured out now how I want to distinguish between the posts on this blog and the ones on my Tumblelog.

I've been using Tumblr for the whole month of February, familiarizing myself with its features and enjoying how easy it is to use. Thus, my less personal entries go there, like updates on my makeup artistry projects and videos.

Here, on Blogspot, I will be posting longer, or at least more personal, entries. Any of the experiences I feel are inspiring or possibly helpful for others will go here as well.

Now that that's settled, I will be on here again a bit more frequently. Even if you aren't on Tumblr, you can still see what I've been up to over there at http://leawhitefeather.tumblr.com

Wishing you an awesome day,

~Lea

With my little boy, who just turned two

I didn't think this would happen...

2011-02-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

...but I'm on Tumblr now.

I'm not abandoning this blog, but I decided to sign up for a Tumblr account because there were a couple of blogs I liked over there, and I wanted to follow them. Initially, I didn't want something more to maintain and log into, but I am really enjoying the features so far.

I'll think of ways to distinguish what I post over here from what I post over there, as I want to go play with what Tumblr has to offer.

Leaving you with just this little note for now, and I wish you a great weekend, whether you're a Super Bowl fan or not.

Later!
~Lea

Hahaha, fooled you! He's actually the one blogging. ;)

Makeup: Paint for the Face

2011-02-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

With or without makeup, you're awesome!

All throughout my life, I've heard a lot of the issues that people have with makeup.

For instance, some think it's pretentious, as they assume that we are insecure and hide who we really are when we wear it.

While I'm not here to change anybody's mind about anything, I just wanted to put my personal perspective out there for anyone who enjoys using makeup, yet feels like s/he might be doing the "wrong" thing by devoting time and energy to something that's been called "superficial." Maybe you can relate to something here.

Personally, I don't see makeup as a MUST.

You don't need it to love nor accept yourself.

You don't HAVE TO wear it before you step outside.

Simplistically, I don't think that true beauty has anything to do with externals. What we choose to do with our appearance can say a lot about the kind of person on the inside, but I don't think that someone who is well-groomed--attractive though she may be to look at--is automatically the kindest or most compassionate person.

I also wouldn't go to the other end of the spectrum and say that this person is vain and selfish just because she looks good. That's more of a judgement than a fact.

Being well-groomed is what it is; the person took the time to look nice, but to assume he is either a "good" or "bad" individual because of this says more about the one doing the judging than the one being judged.

While it is true that makeup can be used to disguise what doesn't feel particularly flattering to you, like undereye circles and uneven skin pigmentation, I personally look at it more as a plaything than a lie.

I enjoy playing with makeup because I like being artistic, and if my face can serve as a canvas for this passion of mine, I'll take it. By all means, I'll gladly paint others' faces too, hahaha!

All those colors to experiment with...

All the looks to create and recreate...

Such thoughts make my blood rush through my veins, instead of merely flowing through them.

Besides, I don't believe that our personality is who we truly are anyway (as compared to the soul, which has greater depth). It's more of a tool to navigate through the world, and who's to say you shouldn't be bolder than you usually are, or more soft-spoken today as compared to yesterday, if it pleases you?

Makeup--along with other things, such as your hairstyle and your outfit--can assist you with getting into character for expressing your mood or using the world as your stage if you want to play out any fantasies. It is a tool that helps you look sophisticated one day, wild the next, and avant-garde next week, if that's your thing.

And if it isn't, that doesn't make those who do love it terrible people just because you don't share the same interests. How do we know that the person we've formed a negative opinion about based on our own issues isn't actually a really awesome person? Whether they are or they aren't is, more often than not, not even our business in the first place.

I'll be back on this blog soon. If you found this relevant and want more, you can click HERE for an older post along the same lines, and HERE for a vlog on the subject on my YouTube channel.

Wishing you a BEAUTIFUL day,

~Lea

Nude Lips

2011-01-31T22:50:00.000-08:00

As I recounted in my previous blog post, a lip color other than red or its many variations doesn't make sense to some.

And who can blame them, what with red being a popular go-to lipstick shade for centuries now?

But for those of us who enjoy experimenting with different looks and effects, paler hues on our lips are definitely an option. After all--and I am only speaking for myself here--I don't always want a super attention-catching color on my lips, nor do I wish to pair bold eyes with equally bold lips all the time.

I've filmed a tutorial with quick tips on wearing a nude lip for anyone who has yet to try it, or who has already tried it but didn't quite like it. Maybe if you gave it another shot and did a couple of things differently this time, you'll find the results more to your liking.

For now, I'm signing off to go to bed. Here's to a great night... or whatever time of day it is where you are.

Stay tuned!

~Lea

UPDATE: Click HERE to see the tutorial

On Red Lips

2011-01-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

When I was thirteen going on fourteen, I was in a beauty pageant for teenagers. I used pink lipstick whenever I made myself up for pageant events, because I felt it was fresh and youthful, basically age-appropriate.

However, the pageant organizer, who hailed from the days of perfectly coiffed and made up old school film stars, always told me to put some lipstick on.

What he meant, of course, was to put RED lipstick on.

After all, despite its status in the distant past as something that painted ladies put on to appear more enticing to customers, red lipstick had become a classy classic--an accessory that could make a woman look pulled together and dressed up, even if she wore no other makeup.

While I've grown to appreciate this item of makeup, I also still love wearing pink and nude lip shades. As a makeup artist especially, why choose only one color?

Blowing you lipstick kisses,

~Lea

P.S.: You may also like this blog entry, also on lipstick: http://yourmostbeautifullife.blogspot.com/2010/09/standout-lips.html

...and here's a recent pin-up tutorial where pink-red lipstick is used as an alternative to true red:

Click HERE for the tutorial

What Matters Most

2011-01-15T09:52:00.000-08:00

With my precious baby boy

When you get a wake-up call that threatens to turn your life upside down in quite frightening ways, you realize all the more what really matters.

You find yourself making choices that you wouldn't have made before, because your well-being depends on a new way of life now.

I can't assume that everyone who finds themselves in such a situation would feel or act the same way, but that's exactly what I've been experiencing lately.

Without going into to much detail so I don't bog you down, I've had to change my entire diet along with a bunch of eating habits. This wasn't a New Year's resolution--in fact, I hadn't made any. Yet, it was a necessary move if I wanted to stay alive.

I am grateful that the changes aren't just going to help me survive, they are actually going to help make my life much better, as I've chucked quite a few foods I used to have on a regular basis, if not everyday.

You might think, Oh, but you can go slow. Cold turkey's not necessary, but see, I just can't touch those foods anymore. The moment I have them, even in small amounts, my body reacts in ways I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Besides, it's not like I gave up healthy foods; what I've crossed off my list are items that aren't good for anyone to make a habit of eating or consuming anyway despite any pros there may be for ingesting them.

So goodbye, caffeine... Goodbye, refined sugars.

Since my list of foods from the past has dwindled considerably, now the only other option left to me if I want to get and stay better is to eat healthy foods in order to have a balanced diet.

We take something good for granted, and only start to realize how much of a blessing it was once we no longer have it, or something changes that we no longer have the same access to what we once had... even if only temporarily.

And now, all the more do I want to reserve my energy and attention for the things and beings that uplift me. Arguments and negativity in various forms only drain my time and precious energy. You really feel how sucked you are of your strength when you've gotten so sensitive due to these changes, that you want to devote what you do have to things that make you smile, in turn raising your energy.

The good news is, the changes I've made have been helping a great deal. While I still am in the process of stabilizing and getting used to this new way of eating, I am feeling much better than I did in the past few weeks, when my body started to signal to me its need for nutrients rather than empty calories.

I don't want to sound preachy, but I just have to say that in my experience, it's true: what you eat does matter. What you put into your body does make a difference. It took more than three decades for me to get that, but I think the lesson's finally sinking in. :)

So... how has your 2011 been so far? Here's to a really blessed (and more conscious already it seems!) year for those who want it!

Love,

~Lea

Dark Prom: A Short Story

2011-01-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

Katherine Rose does not protest as her sister steps towards her, a tube of lip gloss in hand. She normally would have waved away college-age Julia and her attempts at a makeover, but not tonight.

Julia dabs just a hint of the shimmery pink liquid on the center of Katherine's bottom lip, as Katherine silently admires the velvet burgundy dress she couldn't wait for prom to wear. She finally has it on, along with the choker to match, the antique cameo dangling from the soft ribbon once her mother's, and her grandmother's before that. Now it is hers. Only an event like tonight's would have made her mother even consider passing this particular piece of jewelry on to her.

Katherine sighs at the image of serenity in front of her. If only it could have always been like this... no frown creasing her forehead, and even a hint of a smile around her lips. Her straight, dark hair wasn't just brushed free of the tangles that completed her usual look--tonight, someone had actually helped curl it. The lady had followed Katherine's mother's instructions to recreate the same style Katherine wore on her Sweet Sixteen just months ago. Now Katherine laughs at the memory of Barbara Rose showing the lady the entire photo album of the event.

It is a moment worth remembering, but it is also the kind that Katherine will never have again.

Even though she doesn't turn to look at me, I can feel that she is aware of my presence as I move closer to her.

We have had numerous conversations--she and I--of feeling misunderstood and different from everybody else day in and day out.

And I assured her that everything would be better if she just got out more, and found some like-minded friends, but I guess she never listened.

I made it a point to see her, especially after she turned sixteen and felt especially alone, not caring if my presence at odd hours in her bedroom prompted her to talk to herself again, as her family called it so many times since she was little.

Maybe I shouldn't have done that.

After all, the teasing only escalated at that point, particularly when I started visiting her at school as well.

Tonight, she finally turns to look at me without so much sadness in her eyes. I can only assume that the slight bit I see there is because she is thinking she will miss her family, and the opportunity she once had to travel around the world, accompanied perhaps by the as-yet-faceless love of her life, and maybe eventually a baby or two.

I had told her that any challenges she faced would pass given enough time, so she should just be patient.

Instead, she made the decision I did forty years ago, when I felt the same way about my existence as she did hers, and despised how much of a curse seeing ghosts can be on any social life I could possibly have.

"Shall we, Grandma?" Katherine asks as we get ready to go. She takes one last look at herself--her other self forever lying still, never to move again--as her ethereal form drifts closer to me.

There are more people in the small room now, and I know there won't be enough seats later to accommodate them all.

The slashes on the wrists of Katherine's earthly body are hidden by the way her hands are folded over her belly, but they all know.

Everyone walking through the chapel door to say goodbye to Katherine, wearing the dress she was saving for prom, knows she took her life.

Click HERE for Dark Prom: A Makeup Tutorial

5 of My Favorite Tutorials From 2010

2011-01-04T09:27:00.000-08:00

While I could easily go over five, I'll keep the list short for brevity's sake.

In just over five months from now, I will be on YouTube for two years. Even if what I'm basically doing there is uploading videos of what I personally enjoy in case there are those who might be inspired, or get some ideas from what I post (in other words, being a famous YouTuber with a huge following is not my motivation for this), I'm still grateful.

Here's a toast to the past year, and to any more to come where I decide to continue doing this...!

In no particular order, below are five looks I loved creating tutorials for in 2010.

...and, since the TRON tutorials are inspired by the same movie, I am making both my videos with that theme my number 5 here.

Thanks for joining me for this mini commemoration of the year that was. I hope your 2011 is spiffy so far. ;)

~Lea

Early Prom Surprise ♥

2010-12-31T13:47:00.000-08:00

Click HERE to see the video for PROM Taylor Swift American Music Awards 2010 Makeup

I know that I said in my previous blog entry that I may not be able to post my backlogged tutorials before 2010 ends.

However, one of them practically edited itself--it was ready to upload shortly after I got up this morning.

For anyone attending prom in 2011, or whenever it is you come across this, here is a timeless makeup look you might be able to use. It also isn't limited to prom, so feel free to wear it to other elegant special occasions if you please.

Right now, it's the early afternoon of December 31st where I live, so I'm off to rest before the night's festivities, which will surely stretch past midnight.

In the meantime, I hope this is helpful for any advance planners out there. Have a blast, and stay safe as you welcome 2011.

Happy New Year!

~Lea

Tutorial Backlog

2010-12-30T15:17:00.000-08:00

I have a few tutorials waiting to be edited for my YouTube channel. For example...

There's one inspired by Katy Perry's makeup at the 2010 Victoria's Secret fashion show.

There's also one done in Taylor Swift's style during the 2010 American Music Awards.

...and I also have one based on Cher's look in the 1960s.

But I don't think I'll be uploading them before 2010 ends. I may post them a bit later in 2011--just because I have a pretty long list with items begging to be created ASAP--but that's a smattering right there of what to look forward to, if you enjoy videos of this sort.

In any case, there's going to be new content on my YouTube channel, and I also have something NEW in store for this blog if I can just get it going already, hahaha!

See you soon!

~Lea

I am realizing that...

2010-12-30T14:15:00.000-08:00

...every day on the planet really is a blessing.

Every moment we are alive, the opportunity to love, and perhaps make a difference for the better, exists.

You may have known this for a while now--as I have in my head--but these days, I am feeling it quite strongly.

If you stopped living and breathing, there would be a ripple effect--your life isn't the only one that would be affected; the existence of every one you are close to, or interact with, changes as well.

In that vein, here's to seizing the year ahead and living more fully. Just because we are here today doesn't mean we'll still be tomorrow.

Best wishes for a wonderful 2011,

~Lea

Click HERE for a New Year's Eve party makeup tutorial

One Look, Many Ways to Wear It...!

2010-12-23T19:27:00.000-08:00

In the photo above , both my sister (right) and I are wearing makeup in actor Megan Fox's style.

Different faces, same inspiration.

Just a little idea for those of you who want to begin experimenting with a variety of looks. If you like the makeup you see in magazines, on the runway, on the red carpet, or in movies, why not at least try it on?

No need to resemble the actor, celebrity, or model who inspires you. Just tailor the look to suit your own features.

Below are the videos for the looks you see in the photo, plus another one also based on makeup Megan Fox has worn, although it has a pretty different vibe from her usual glamorous style. The first two are older videos--especially the one with my sister--so keep in mind that they're not quite like the tutorials recently posted on my YouTube channel, if you follow it.

Wishing you a good night from my nook on the planet,

~Lea

I ♥ TRON: Legacy

2010-12-21T15:51:00.000-08:00

It was a chilly, drizzly day when my sweetheart and I stepped over puddles and mud in the cinema parking lot, heading towards the theater entrance to get our tickets to see TRON: Legacy.

We weren't in the best of moods, as we hadn't eaten and felt we were cutting it close to the show time we picked.

But this was our birthday gift to my brother, and we'd been planning on seeing the movie for quite some time already, so no one backed out.

And I'm glad we didn't.

Even though the film was visually dark when I'd been needing a good dose of light after all the rainy gloom and doom we'd been experiencing, I enjoyed Sam, Kevin, and Quorra's company.

To avoid leaving spoilers here for anyone just about to see it, I'm not going to sum up the movie or share any realizations that may or may not have dawned on me thanks to the story. Instead, I'll post the video tutorials I've been inspired to create based on the movie for the makeup and beauty lovers who follow this blog.

Thanks to Rosalina Da Silva, who created the makeup looks worn in the film, I have something to actually base these tutorials on. Rosalina, your work is beautiful!

See you later,

~Lea

On happy holidays and cameras that don't work so well...!

2010-12-16T16:29:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

I hope your holiday season is going nicely so far. Whether you're spending it with yourself, or with family and friends too, here's to a time of joy and gratitude for all the blessings in life.

As for me, I'm doing well; I just wanted to say, if you've been following the videos on my YouTube channel, you may have noticed that the audio jumps from being too loud to too soft to somewhere in between. I do apologize if it inconveniences you, or if it's made watching some of the videos pretty uncomfortable. The camera I've been using records audio unevenly, even if the sound actually remains level on my end all throughout, and I didn't want to stop posting tutorials altogether because of that. So...

If you've stuck with the videos all this time, thank you.

The camera will be replaced when possible. In the meantime, I am being mindful to at least not speak so loudly, in order to minimize startling sudden loud bursts of sound in my recordings. (Yes, that is why my voice sometimes has a somewhat whispery quality to it in the tutorials, which for me is better than sounding like I'm yelling.)

I just had to say something about this little situtation at this point--a year and a half after I've been using that camera--because I wanted to acknowledge that I am aware of that.

For now, I am signing off, sending well wishes your way for meaningful holidays.

Much love,

~Lea

Click HERE to see an easy holiday party tutorial

New Angelina Jolie-style makeup tutorial almost uploaded!

2010-11-30T12:43:00.001-08:00

As I type this, I am almost finished editing a video tutorial on Angelina Jolie's makeup in the film, "The Tourist."

I normally love creating tutorials on looks worn by Old Hollywood starlets, but a few of my latest videos--this one included--focus on more modern subjects. I'm simply expanding the content of my YouTube channel for those who love playing with cosmetics, but no worries if you enjoy vintage-inspired style; I haven't lost my love for the golden oldies.

As for Angelina, there's a much older tutorial also inspired by her that I posted a while back. The video is pretty different from my later ones since I was much newer to YouTube when I made it, but you might like the finished product if you admire Angelina's very wearable style of makeup application. No wild or trendy colors here.

Click HERE to see a video for "Everyday Wearable Angelina Jolie-Style Makeup"

I'll get back to editing the video now. Enjoy the rest of your day and I'll see you again in a bit!

~Lea

Movie-Inspired Makeup

2010-11-27T13:26:00.000-08:00

Click HERE to see the tutorial for my interpretation of Olivia Wilde's TRON: Legacy makeup

Aside from the two Burlesque-inspired tutorials recently uploaded on my YouTube channel, I found inspiration again a few days ago in another look from the movies.

This time, it's actress Olivia Wilde as Quorra in Disney's TRON: Legacy who caught my eye. I like simplifying makeup looks so that even beginners to using the face as a canvas can apply the makeup in easy steps. The recreation I came up with for this look is certainly easy to follow--you don't need too many products or colors--yet the results can be stunning, depending on how dramatic you want your eye makeup to be.

It's easily one of my favorite looks to date.

Stay tuned for more if you enjoy the videos. I'll see you again soon!

~Lea

Burlesque for the Holidays

2010-11-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

While the looks in the photo above can be worn year-round--for clubbing or nights out with friends, for instance--they are appropriate for holiday parties as well.

The glitter on the eyes is suitable for the season, as glitz and tinsel are everywhere, so go ahead and experiment with sparkle this time of year if you want to wear it but have never done so before. This way, you'll look less conspicuous if you prefer not to stand out too much. :)

The look in the picture on the left is based on singer Christina Aguilera's makeup when she performs the song, But I Am a Good Girl, from the movie Burlesque. And on the right we have a look similar to that worn also by Aguilera during the performance of the song, Express, from the same film.

(Click on the song titles to view the makeup tutorials.)

I personally like the look on the right more, just because it's fiercer than the one on the left and has that yummy-looking candy apple red shade on the lips, hahaha! But those whose personal style is more on the sweet, rather than bold or dramatic, side may feel more comfortable wearing the look with the twinkly pink eyelids.

So there you go--a couple of possibilities to try out the next time you want to shine. I'm off to catch an early dinner with my family on this Turkey day, so I'll go for now.

Enjoy the holidays!

~Lea

After Halloween...

2010-11-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

Click HERE to see "Tips for Easy Holiday Makeup"

...come the holidays.

And this season, for my YouTube channel, I am planning a few tutorials with glitzy party spirit all over them.

While I will likely be uploading videos that aren't specifically made with holiday dinners in mind, I just wanted to let you know some of what you can expect in the next month. If you look forward to seeing my latest uploads so you can try some of the makeup tips and tricks yourself, take note: You are going to see quite a bit of glitter in a few of my next tutorials.

For now, let me leave you with a couple of older holiday-themed how-to videos. They have a different feel from my newer ones, but you may very well pick up a few ideas for how you want to play with makeup before you get busy once the season is in full swing.

Click on the caption below the photos to see the the tutorials.

Wishing you well on this gorgeous day,
~Lea

Ice Princess-Inspired Holiday/Winter Makeup

Blue and Green Eye Makeup for the Holidays and Beyond

EASY Holiday (or Year-Round Glitzy Nighttime) Look

Some of my most favorite tutorials...

2010-10-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

...to create are those with an Old Hollywood theme.

I already have a bunch, which you can see by clicking HERE, and I intend to continue posting videos of that sort once Halloween is through.

Come to think of it, I've squeezed a few of them in despite there being a greater demand for All Hallows' Eve tutorials at this time of year. There are at least a couple more that I am about to upload with a combined Old Hollywood-Halloween motif.

One that you can look forward to is a look I am calling "Marilyn Monroe's Ghost," which is essentially Marilyn Monroe makeup in (mostly) grayscale. Pair it with an elegant outfit in either black, gray, silver, white, or off-white to complete the look of a faded Marilyn.

As I write this, I have yet to post the video, so stay tuned for it on my YouTube channel if the concept sounds appealing to you.

'Til next time,

~Lea

Snow White and Wicked Queen Costumes for Halloween

2010-10-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to see the tutorial with my mom as the Queen from Snow White

No, I didn't film a tutorial for a Snow White look. :)

What I'm suggesting is, how about dressing up as the Queen, while your daughter or niece dresses up as Snow White?

Since a little girl wearing a Snow White outfit doesn't need makeup to be recognizable as the character she's portraying, all you need now is to look like the Queen. Once you've got the costume--and perhaps a shiny red apple as a prop--you can complete your look with the makeup. The steps are posted on my YouTube channel, along with a growing list of videos especially for Halloween or a costume party.

This is just a little "hello" before I go about my day. I'll see you again soon!

Take care,

~Lea

Disney-Inspired Halloween Looks

2010-10-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

As I type this, I am about to film a tutorial focused on the makeup of a villain from a Disney feature film. I'll be using a model for this particular video, so I'm off to get my stuff ready.

I just wanted to post a quick blog as an update in case anyone out there is still exploring possibilities on what to be come October 31st.

Also, speaking of Disney, I just posted a very easy to create Alice in Wonderland look on my YouTube channel. Here it is:

Easy Halloween or Costume Party Look: Alice in Wonderland

I'll be back before you know it!
~Lea

Finally: New Vlog!

2010-09-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a while since I last posted an inspirational vlog where I ponder upon subjects I feel passionately about, and share what moves me with anyone out there who also just might find the topic personally affecting.

In a few hours from now, after quite a few requests from some viewers of my YouTube channel, I am finally uploading a new vlog with a spiritual theme.

I thought I'd start my return to the world of vlogging with a beauty-related post so that those who come to my channel for the makeup tutorials won't feel neglected; maybe some of you out there who haven't previously been into self-exploration and metaphysics might even find that you're also very much interested in this other passion of mine.

Take note: I am using this occasion as well to more visibly incorporate my metaphysical work into my makeup artistry. In my life, there's no way when I paint a face--my own or anyone else's--that there's nothing more to it than what meets the eye. Applying makeup to me isn't about denying what I look like, even when a look is on the elaborate side; for me, it's a way to have fun with expression... to play or even role-play, since all the world's a stage.

Besides, makeup is just an extension of my love for beauty.

...and I don't mean this in what might be labeled "superficial," where what you see on the surface is everything. I've spoken of this in at least one older blog post (click on "older blog post" to see it): There is beauty and inspiration even in situations that may be taken for granted as they are so commonplace to the beholder, or appear unattractive as they are perceived as dark and dreary.

Yes, you read that right--when I speak of beauty, I am not just referring to what looks lovely. The nature, vibe, or feel of a person, situation, event, or anything else has a lot to do in my book with how beautiful it truly is regardless of how it appears on the surface.

So, if you have been waiting for me to post a vlog again, it will be up on my channel by tomorrow. On the other hand, if you're new to this aspect of what I do, thanks for joining me here today all the same. See you later!

♥,

~Lea

Me, excited after a year of posting video tutorials but not vlogs!

I am about to...

2010-09-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to see the video for this look

...do an edgy--but easy--makeup look on my sister, Anna Dee.

I already made a video a while back showing me applying similar Rihanna-style makeup on Anna, but the instructions were posted on the screen rather than spoken.

This time, Rihanna remains the inspiration for the tutorial on the chic, stylish look I am uploading soon on my YouTube channel. It's a different one though from what you see in the photo above, so stay tuned if you enjoy wearing looks along these lines.

I'll be back soon,

~Lea

Are you a Barbie girl?

2010-09-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

One night at the place I used to work, one of the employees told the manager about a customer who had just called her a "bitch." The manager, a tomboyish--almost androgynous--woman, responded, "I'd rather be called a bitch than a Barbie doll."

While I understand that she meant that according to her personal definition of what a Barbie doll is, I couldn't help but take notice of her words because I, on the other hand, associate Barbie with good things.

For one, I have pleasant memories of playing with Barbie when I was little and didn't have many friends. I've always been on the introspective and introverted, rather than outgoing, side, so along with my thoughts and dreams, the doll kept me company.

As I had several different Barbie dolls, I also got the message early in life that I could be whatever I wanted and dress up in a variety of ways if I so wished. I'm glad the many looks I've posted on my YouTube channel serve as a testimony of this lesson I learned in childhood.

So, as a tribute to the girl who's played an important role in my life, I've made a tutorial based on 1959 Barbie, the first ever. Despite the 1980s being one of my least favorite decades in terms of style and makeup, I've also uploaded a Barbie look based on how her face was made up in those times, which is when I was growing up.

1959 Barbie Makeup for Halloween or a Costume Party

"Brunette Barbie" Halloween or Costume Party Makeup

As with the videos I've already posted that appear to be a recurring theme on my channel, you haven't seen the last of Barbie. ;)

Pink Barbie kisses,

~Lea

Standout Lips

2010-09-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

If you like looking pretty and polished, but don't necessarily have--or want to spend--the time to apply full-face makeup whenever you go out, you may want to experiment with bold lip colors.

Depending on the look you are going for, and the level of maintenance you are willing to give your lips throughout the day, you can wear a sheer but vivid shade (easier to reapply), or an opaque one with full color (can be more challenging).

You don't necessarily need a mirror to apply lip products with a see-through consistency, which is convenient if you can't sneak off at any given moment for a touch-up. A lipstick with an opaque finish on the other hand requires more precision of application if you want to get the best results. After all, with this kind of finish, it's easier to spot mistakes and for the lipstick to get on your teeth.

Regardless of what you choose, below are links to videos with tips on wearing standout lip colors.

Make a Statement with Red Lips

Quick Tip: Lighten Up with Bright Lips

Quickie Tutorial: Define Your Lips (Not Limited to Red Lipstick)

At first glance, the lips in the photos above may all appear the same to you, especially if you're new to makeup application. However, at closer glance and after watching the videos, you will notice that the second lip look is the least intense in terms of color, the first one is second, and the third the most dramatic.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'm off to either rest after that really hearty lunch I just had, or to edit or film another video.

See you next time,

~Lea