Sokolum

Another Vulcan Look... I Mean Vampire!

2013-05-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

I've been itching to do another vampire look for a couple of months. I wanted to do another fashion-ish vampire with more blood. I am wearing my Samhain Custom Contact Lenses Black Sclera lenses and my Scarecrow Professional Fit Vampire Fangs.

You may also notice that most of my eyebrows are gone! I kept about a cm of eyebrows, bleached it and shaved the rest off. It's a bit bold, but I feel that it gives me more versatility. I used to just shave the tails off and I have gradually been shaving more and more off...it's just as addicting as tweezing.

Products used:

FACE
MAC Studio Finish SPF 15 - NC37
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish Powder
MAC e/s - Omega (contour)

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Annabelle Smudgepaint - Tar
Sugarpill e/s - Dollipop
MAC e/s - Sketch
Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof
MAC Studio Fix Powder - C40 (brow)
Annabelle Smoothliner - Black (upper and lower waterline)
Physician's Forumula 2-in-1 Lash Booster Eyeliner - Ultra Black
Annabelle Expandable Mascara

LIPS
Annabelle Smudgepaint - Plummed

Wolfe Art FX Hyrdocolors - Black & Red (Essentials palette)
Reel Blood

New Cheek Piercings (A.K.A. Dimple Piercings)

2013-04-29T20:44:00.002-07:00

So I finally had my cheeks pierced after months of toying with the idea! I've been researching and sitting on it because they're notoriously hard to heal. However, I have heard of quite a few people who haven't had any issues.

I had them pierced by Azl at MTL Tattoo in Montreal 4 days ago so they're still VERY new. The actual piercing felt more like pressure than an actual sharp piercing feeling and was just as quick as regular piercing. Azl said that the issues mentioned above are mostly due to piercing through a salivary gland in the area, a vein or debris (like MAKEUP) finding it's way into the piercing. So needless to say, I have to make sure my foundation, powder and bronzer do not get too close to the piercings while it's healing.

So far so good though. No bruising and very little swelling (you can see it a little in the last photo). My cheeks are sore, kind of like I've been smiling all day. I have to be careful removing my makeup as well, gently wipe around the piercing and try not to touch it with the makeup wipe.

I've basically been following the method I do for all my oral piercings, wash the outside with Paula's Choice Hair and Body Shampoo (I get eczema and this is the best body wash ever!!) once a day, after makeup removal, and brush/floss and rinse with an alcohol-free mouth wash twice a day. I also rinse my mouth out with water after I eat. I've successfully healed all my oral piercings using this method.

I would just like to mention that Azl is a pretty fantastic piercer. I chose him because of his extensive experience in body modification and ear repair. He's very professional and makes you feel at ease. I prefer going to down to earth artists who are passionate about their profession and who appreciate their clients.

This is about all I can think of for this post, however, I will post about it in a few weeks again.

P.S. If you're curious about my downsized ear lobes check here for the story behind it. ;)

Azl and I right after being pierced.

Look A Likes

Products I used:

FACE
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - Stromboli
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish Powder
Paula Select Bronzer (contour)
MAC e/s - Vex (highlight)
MAC Blush - Gingerly

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
MAC Paintpot - Soft Ochre
MAC e/s - Brule
Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof (crease)
Annabelle Smoothliner - Black (upper and lower waterline)
Physician's Forumula 2-in-1 Lash Booster Eyeliner - Ultra Black
Annabelle Expandable Mascara
Miss Adoro Lashes - 423
MAC e/s - Omega (brows)

LIPS
MAC Lipstick - Honey Love
MAC Lipglass - Lush

Misty Maven Inspired Rainbow Eye

2013-04-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

I posted a look a few weeks ago inspired by Misty Maven/JistyPlaven/Petrilude on Instagram and I had several requests to create a tutorial on the look. I wasn't too sure if I was going to because of how extensive the makeup was and also because I was just recreating a look that Misty Maven designed. But I thought, what the heck recently and decided to just record it anyway.

The look is much more colourful than I am used to and it also uses glitter...makes me feel like I am dressed up as "Skittles" as my friend Mohammed Hindash called it. :D

My lenses are Vassen Cloud Nine lenses in Violet from PinkyParadise.

Products used:

FACE
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - Stromboli
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish Powder
Paula Select Bronzer
MAC e/s - Omega (nose contour)
MAC Blush - Coygirl

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
MAC Chromaline - Pure White
MAC e/s - Groundcover
MAC Chromaline - Black Black
Sugarpill e/s - Buttercupcake (crease)
Sugarpill e/s - Flamepoint (crease)
Sugarpill e/s - Love + (crease)
Sugarpill e/s - Poison Plum (outer top)
Sugarpill e/s - Velocity (outer top)
Sugarpill e/s - Tako (lid)
Sugarpill e/s - Acidberry (inner corner)
MAC e/s - Sassy Grass (bottom lid)
Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof (deepen the outer upper and lower lid)
Lit Clearly Liquid Glitter Base
LA Splash Glitter - Golden Reflection
Annabelle Smoothliner - Black (upper and lower waterline)
MAC Studio Fix Powder - C40
Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Eyeliner - Ultra Black
Annabelle Extendable Mascara
Monda Studio #47 & 102 doubled up (top)
Duo Eyelashes (cut in half on the lower lashline)

LIPS

Rimmel Exaggerate Automatic Lip Liner - Innocent

MAC Matte Lipstick - Honey Love

MAC Lipglass - Nymphette

Blown Out Gothic Purple Smoky Eye

2013-04-15T09:03:00.002-07:00

I wore a look on Instagram a week or so ago and it was requested that I create a tutorial on the look, which I was more than happy to record because I loved the look. It is using my favourite Sugarpill eyeshadow, Poison Plum, and my third favourite MAC eyeshadow, Sketch (next to Carbon and Vex).

I'm wearing my favourite lenses again, Vassen Cloud Nine Red from PinkyParadise.com. They feel so natural on me now. Ha!

Products used:

FACE
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - Stromboli
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish Powder
Paula Select Bronzer (contour)
MAC e/s - Vex (highlight)
MAC Blush - Gingerly

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
MAC Chromaline - Rich Purple
Sugarpill e/s - Poison Plum
Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof (crease)
MAC Studio Fix Powder - C40 (brow)
Annabelle Smoothliner - Black (upper and lower waterline)
Physician's Forumula 2-in-1 Lash Booster Eyeliner - Ultra Black
Annabelle Expandable Mascara
Miss Adoro Lashes - 423
Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof (brows)
Annabelle Eyebrow Pencil - Black (brows)

LIPS
MAC Lip Pencil - Nightmoth
MAC Pro Longwear Lipglass - Dark as Night

LookBook - Bohemian Punk Rock Look

2013-04-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

I recently started posting to my Lookbook.nu account! I will try to post regularly and I will also start making videos on my looks as well. :)

Rebelle Clip-In Hair Extensions Ponytail

2013-04-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

I recently received the Original 7 pc Clip-In Hair Extension Set from Rebelle. They are 20" long 100% human hair and include 2-3", 2-4", 1-6", 1-8" and 1-10" extensions.

I received the extensions in Goldilocks, which is a light blonde. I ordered blond because I had to colour the hair purple to help blend it in to my own hair. The also sent me their 4-2" Clip-in Accents (which I have yet to colour) and their Clip-In Fringe in espresso, which I can't use because of my haircut. The extensions set comes with it's own bag and re-useable box to help maintain and store the hair.

Overall, I am really enjoying wearing the extension kit! It's pretty amazing to be able to have long hair for a day...and I'm someone who bores of long hair quickly, so it's great to be able to to remove it at the end of the day.

In the video below, I demonstrate on how to wear clip-in extensions in a ponytail.

I'm also wearing my Vassen Cloud Nine Voilet lenses from Pinkyparadise.com.

In Love With OCC's Sci-Fi Lullabies Batty

2013-04-04T20:34:00.001-07:00

I was recently sent the OCC Sci-Fi Lullabies Lip Tar collection to try out and as soon as I opened the package I KNEW I'd fall in love with Batty, but I had no idea how in love with it I would be. It's AMAZING! Batty is a black Lip Tar with a silver sparkle to it. I paired it with thick black winged liner and arched purple brow.

I also had my fringe reshaped so that it is rounded and angles upwards on the sides. Ann-Marie and I were more pleased with this shape.

Now for the elephant in the closet. I am confirming that my eyelets have changed in size. Ha! For the past 6 weeks I have been trying to reach 3/4" by taping my jewelry. However, when I removed the jewelry from my bum ear, my skin stuck to the tape and it removed some of the skin. I messed up and I didn't try put jewelry in my ear until the next day, which was too late and too tight so I just let it be.

I was totally stressed about it so I went to see Azl (his blog) at MTL Tattoo I for help. One of his specialities is earlobe reconstruction. He was recommended to me by a stylist at my hair salon. Azl was so professional and made me feel at ease that I didn't totally mess my ear up. He was able to comfortably stretch it to a 0 and said that I should be back to my normal size by the summer because re-stretching goes considerably faster than a new stretch. He was right that it was going to be fast, that was yesterday and today my plug already fell through!

Products used:

FACE
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - Stromboli
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish Powder
Paula Select Bronzer (contour)
MAC e/s - Vex (highlight)
MAC Blush - Gingerly

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
MAC e/s - Brule (eyelid)
MAC e/s - Omega (crease)
MAC e/s - Carbon (crease)
MAC Studio Fix Powder - C40 (brow)
Annabelle Smoothliner - Black (upper and lower waterline)
MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner - On The Hunt
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fibre Lashes - Black Lacquer
Nigel's Beauty Monda Studio Lashes - 43
Sugarpill e/s - Poison Plum (brows)
Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner - Violet (brows)
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Pop of Purple LE (brows)

LIPS
NYX Retractable Lip Liner - Black
OCC Lip Tar - Batty (LE)

New Vulcan Hair...Logically!

2013-03-29T06:54:00.001-07:00

I HAVE A NEW HAIR STYLE!! I am never usually in love with a hairstyle at first, but I totally am this time! It's basically a Vulcan mullet with shaved sides. LOL!

My hair was cut and coloured by the amazing Ann-Marie Gucci at Le Salon Sugar in Blaineville, Quebec. She is always fun to chat with and very talented! We were both super excited about this cut. I was lucky to find her through my friend and talented YouTuber Izzy/HayzStrawberry.

I've been waiting for months to get a new hair cut because I wanted to grow out my sideburn on my side shave for this look. I wasn't totally set on the haircut, but I knew I wanted a mullet for sure. So after consulting my hair stylist, another hair stylist and many friends it came down to a blunt fringe instead of a more textured top. ^_^

I ran out of Special Effects Virgin Rose (magenta) so I settled all Deep Purple with a little Fish Bowl in the fringe.

Now I just need to sculpt myself a pair of Vulcan ears.... #geek

Products used:

FACE
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - Stromboli
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish Powder
Paula Select Bronzer
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - Porcelain Pink
MAC Blush - Gingerly

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Annabelle SmudgePaint - Tar
Annabelle Smoothliner - Black (upper and lower waterline)
MAC e/s - Groundcover (crease)
SauceBox Crème de la Crème palette - Black
MAC e/s - Brule (brow)
Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Eyeliner - Ultra Black
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fibre Lashes - Black Lacquer
EyeLuvMe Lashes - Hope
Sugarpill e/s - Poison Plum (Vulcan brows)
Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner - Violet (brows)
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Pop of Purple LE (brows)

LIPS
MAC Lipstick - Velvet Teddy

MAC Lipglass - Lust

Vassen Cloud Nine Violet Lenses from Pinky Paradise

2013-03-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

I recently received two pairs of lenses from PinkyParadise. The first set is Vassen Cloud Nine lenses in violet. I had previously tried the grey version of these lenses and I was impressed at how dramatic they were, so I decided to give a few more colours a go.

As with most circle lenses, you can feel them at first, but after 20-30 minutes you forget you're wearing them.

The look is based off of a look that @JistyPlaven posted on Instagram a few days ago (A.K.A. Petrilude/Misty Maven). I almost never like so much colour, but his look was stunning...so I had to try and recreate it. I used all Sugarpill eyeshadows except for two shadows.

Products used:

FACE
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - Stromboli
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish Powder
Paula Select Bronzer
MAC Blush - Coygirl

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil - Milk
Inglot Gel Eyeliner - 77 (mixed with Duraline)(crease and lower line)
Sugarpill e/s - Buttercupcake (crease)
Sugarpill e/s - Flamepoint (crease)
Sugarpill e/s - Love + (crease)
Sugarpill e/s - Poison Plum (outer top)
Sugarpill e/s - Velocity (outer top)
Sugarpill e/s - Tako (lid)
Sugarpill e/s - Acidberry (inner corner)
MAC e/s - Sassy Grass (bottom lid)
Sugarpill e/s - Afterparty (outer lower lid)
Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof (deepen the outer upper and lower lid)
LA Splash Glitter - Golden Reflection
Annabelle Smoothliner - Black (upper and lower waterline)
MAC e/s - Brule (brow)
Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Eyeliner - Ultra Black
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fibre Lashes - Black Lacquer
Monda Studio #47 & 102 doubled up (top)
Duo Eyelashes (cut in half on the lower lashline)

LIPS

NARS Sheer Glow - Stromboli

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter - Créme Brulée

MAC Lipstick - Quick Sizzle

Silver Grunge Disciple Makeup Tutorial

2013-03-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

I decided to create a tutorial based on a look I posted to Instagram last month. It was based on a look I saw from another MUA user NoJustHenry. I changed it up, used my favourite MAC Fluidline, Catch My Eye to make a glossy-like look and a dark blue lip, Illamasqua Disciple (which was chosen by my fellow Instagrammers).

Products used:

FACE
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - Stromboli
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish Powder
Paula Select Bronzer
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - Porcelain Pink

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Annabelle SmudgePaint - Tar
Annabelle Smoothliner - Black
MAC Studio Fix Powder - C40
MAC e/s - Espresso
SauceBox Créme de la Créme Palette - Black
Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Eyeliner - Ultra Black
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fibre Lashes - Black Lacquer
Stilazzi Eyelashes - #940

LIPS
NYX Retractable Lipliner - Black
Illamasqua Lipstick - Disciple

Bronze Flecked Gothic Makeup

2013-02-14T15:20:00.000-08:00

I decided to create a more dramatic tutorial than the last one. I always like incorporate part of other makeups that I have done into new looks, such as this look.

Products used:

FACE
MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC40
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish Powder
Paula's Select Bronzer

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Annabelle SmudgePaint - Muddy
Annabelle SmudgePaint - Tar
MAC e/s - Groundcover
SauceBox Cosmetics Creme de la Creme palette - Black & Bronze
MAC Studio Fix Powder - C40 (to blend into brow)
Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner - Ultra Black
Boujois Kohl - Black
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fibre Lashes Black Lacquer
Some random L'Oreal mascara :D

LIPS
MAC Full Coverage Foundation - C40
MAC Lip Pencil - Nightmoth
MAC Pro Longwear Lipglass - Dark as Night

Extreme Cat Eye Tutorial

2013-02-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

I decided to record a tutorial on my Dramatic Cat Eye FOTD. This time I added some colour to the
look and purple eyebrows (of course) instead of my almost blond vulcan brows.

Products used:

FACE
MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation - NC42
Paula's Select Bronzer (contour)
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish
MAC e/s - Vex

EYES
UDPP
Annabelle SmudgePaint - Tar
SauceBox Cosmetics Creme de la Creme palette - Black
Annabelle Smootheliner - Black
Wolfe Art FX Hydrocolor - Black
Physician's Formula 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner - Ultra Black
Nigel's Beauty Lashes - G600
Sugarpill e/s - Poison Plum (eyebrows)
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Pop of Purple (eyebrows)

LIPS
Wet n Wild Mega Last Lip Color - 902C Bare it All
MAC Lipglass - Viva Glam V

I'm on a Roll FOTD!

2013-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

This is a basic FOTD, but I decided to have a little fun with my hair and my portrait and switch it up a little. I made a single victory roll, you can find my tutorial for it here, and played a little with my lighting.

I have a simple black smoky eye that was extended out slightly, lower lashes and a dark lip. I also photographed a side of my face that you never usually get to see...my right side or "the dark side of my face." Ha!

Products used:

FACE

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC40

Paula's Select Bronzer (contour) Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish MAC e/s - Vex

MAC Blush - Gingerly

EYES UDPP
Annabelle SmudgePaint - Tar
MAC Studio Fix Powder - C40 (brow highlight)
SauceBox Cosmetics Creme de la Creme palette - Black

Physician's Formula 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner - Ultra Black

Annabelle Smoothliner - Black (waterline)

Annabelle Le BIG Show Mascara

Nigel's Beauty Lashes - G605

Nigel's Beauty Lashes - MSL 105

Sugarpill e/s - Poison Plum (eyebrows)

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Pop of Purple (eyebrows)

LIPS

MAC Lip Pencil - Nightmoth

MAC Pro Longwear Lipglass - Dark as Night

IMATS Haul...Plus a Giveaway!

2013-02-02T07:48:00.003-08:00

Pop your popcorn and sit down for a while because here is my IMATS haul from Vancouver, Toronto and Los Angeles...finally! I felt my haul from each individual IMATS was a little lacklustre so I saved them up for one GIANT video.

I also have a promo code for SauceBox Cosmetics until February 28, 2013 for 15% off: SOKOLUM15

Plus enter my giveaway for, please read the Terms & Conditions below:

1 SauceBox Cosmetics Temptation Palette & Mascara; or
1 Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish powder

NOTE: Please tweet the phrase given by Rafflecopter with the hash tag #sokolum
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holiday Makeup With an Edge!

2012-12-29T08:01:00.000-08:00

Now that my MacBook Pro is working again, I was able to upload my previously recorded video!

This is a similar look to one that I wore to IMATS tDot. Copper liner with copper glitter. I also showed how I fill in my vulcan brows. :D

Products used:

FACE

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC40

Paula's Select Bronzer (contour) Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish MAC e/s - Vex

MAC Blush - Gingerly
EYES UDPP Annabelle SmudgePaint - Tar MAC Studio Fix Powder - C40 (brow) Sugarpill e/s - Poison Plum (crease & eyebrows) Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof

Physician's Formula 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner - Ultra Black

Annabelle Smoothliner - Black (waterline)

Gosh Extreme Art Eye Liner - 02

Annabelle Glitterama Eyeliner - Starlight

Annabelle Le BIG Show Mascara Nigel's Beauty Lashes - G605

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Pop of Purple (eyebrows)

LIPS

MAC Lip Pencil - Subculture

MAC Lipstick - Viva Glam Gaga II

MAC Lipglass - Nymphette

Dark Little Pixie

2012-12-12T14:16:00.000-08:00

I felt like wearing a wig and my black sclera lenses today, so I made a dramatic FOTD to boot! I just created a very blown out black smoky eye, added a very dramatic pair of lashes from Sugarpill, gunmetal silver eyebrows, and used Annabelle gel liners on my lips for an iridescent purple effect.

The wig is just a cosplay wig from eBay and I cut a fringe into it.

I don't really have much to say about this look because it was just improvised as I went.

FACE

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC40

Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish

Paula's Select Bronzing Powder (Bronzer)

Mac e/s - Vex (Highlight)

EYES

UDPP

Annabelle Smudgepaint - Tar

Bourjois Kohl Contour Shadow & Light (black on the waterline)

Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof (lid)

Inglot e/s - Matte 387 (also used for contouring)

MAC e/s - Brule (highlight)

Physician's Formula 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner - Ultra Black

Annabelle Le BIG Show Mascara

Sugarpill Cat Eye False Eyelashes

Sleek Acid Palette - Gunmetal silver (eyebrows)

LIPS

Annabelle Smudgepaint - Plummed (main)

Annabelle Smudgepaint - Tar (along the inside?)

Angel of Death Look

2012-11-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when I received my black sclera lenses from Samhain Contact Lenses that I had create a makeup look the next day! I also recorded a sclera lens overview the same day...so proud!

I have been itching to create a creative/extreme look for a few weeks now so when I received the lenses I was totally inspired to create a speed tutorial. If a look isn't too technical, then I prefer speed tutorials because I can apply the makeup quickly and just wing it.

I received the custom sclera lenses this past weekend and I had to give them a go right away. I am a seasoned lens wearer so popping them in wasn't much of an issue for me, just a little more awkward than a regular lens. Removing them is actually easier to remove than a regular soft lens. I have inserted my sclera lens overview at the bottom of this post.

I used some Stilazzi, some Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, a little Sugarpill and even a little......GLITTER!

Products used:

FACE

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC40

Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish

MAC e/s - Groundcover (contour)

Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof (contour)

EYES

UDPP

Annabelle Smudgepaint - Tar

Bourjois Kohl Contour Shadow & Light (black on the waterline)

Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof (lid & veins)

MAC e/s - Brule

Wolfe Hydrocolor - Black (veins)

OCC Glitter - Slate

Hard Candy Glitter Adhesive

Physician's Formula 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner - Ultra Black

Annabelle Le BIG Show Mascara

Stilazzi Double Take Lashes - #917

LIPS

OCC Conceal - Y2

OCC Lip Tar - Tarred

Purple Fu©kYeahVulcan Eyebrows!

2012-11-23T08:26:00.002-08:00

I decided to use mostly Sugarpill Cosmetics to create a dark smoky eye and purple eyebrows today. I feel that dark smoky eyes suit me the most and reflect my personal style the best. I also added Sugarpill's purple Angel Baby false lashes.

Products used:

FACE

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC40

Paula's Select Bronzer (contour)
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish
MAC e/s - Vex

MAC Blush - Gingerly

EYES
UDPP
Annabelle SmudgePaint - Tar
MAC e/s - Brule (brow highlight)
Sugarpill e/s - Poison Plum (crease & eyebrows)
Sugarpill e/s - Bulletproof

Physician's Formula 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner - Ultra Black

Bourjois Kohl Contour Shadow & Light (black on the waterline)
Annabelle Le BIG Show Mascara
Sugarpill False Lashes - Angel Baby
Hard Candy 1000 Lashes Mascara - Divine Purple (to set eyebrows)

LIPS

OCC Lip Tar - Hush

Simple Yet Dramatic Winged Liner

2012-11-21T16:04:00.000-08:00

I felt that I needed to post a new FOTD because it's been a little while. I was busy with buying a house and I went to IMATS Toronto this past weekend, so I have been quite busy! I hope to record my haul from Vancouver and Toronto's IMATS' tomorrow so keep and eye out! ^_^

I have also been debating on whether or not to start posting to Lookbook. I feel that Lookbook kind of lacks in the rocker-chic/goth area and I have quite a large wardrobe of mainly those particular styles...What do you guys think??

I'm not totally happy with this look, not sure what it is exactly. Meh.

FACE

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC40

Paula's Select Bronzer (contour)
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish
OCC Loose Color Concentrate - Twirl (highlight)

MAC Blush - Gingerly

EYES
UDPP
OCC Loose Color Concentrate - Twirl
MAC e/s - Brule (brow highlight)
MAC e/s - Groundcover
MAC e/s - Carbon

Physician's Formula 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner - Ultra Black

Annabelle Smudge Paint - Tar (lower lash line)
Bourjois Kohl Contour Shadow & Light (white on the waterline)
Annabelle Le BIG Show Mascara
Eyeluvme Lashes - Elly (upper)

Eyeluvme Lashes - Madison (cut in half on lower)

MAC e/s - Omega and Concrete (eyebrows)

LIPS

OCC Lip Tar - Hoochie

Lots of Lashes and Shxt!

2012-11-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

I recently received an order I put in with Sugarpill, which included @#$%! that I've wanted since I missed it at IMATS LA (the title of the post didn't allow me to use the characters so I had to add a shxt instead). I ordered @#$%!, Bulletproof, Tako, Flamepoint and Buttercupcake, and since receiving it, I have used Bulletproof EVERY day. It's not as black as some other black shadows I have, but it's VERY pigmented.

I also added upper and lower lashes that EyeLuvMe kindly sent me for my birthday. I love wearing lower lashes because they add so much drama, even simple/natural looking lower lashes...probably because I have four lower lashes. >_<

I am still enjoying my vulcan eyebrows, don't think I'm going back to arched JUST yet. I am wearing my GEO Ultra CK-105 in Black circle lenses from PinkyParadise.

FACE

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC40

Paula's Select Bronzer (contour)
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish
MAC e/s - Vex

MAC Blush - Gingerly

EYES
UDPP
MAC Paint Pot - Soft Ochre
MAC e/s - Brule (lid and brow highlight)
Sugarpull - Flamepoint
Sugarpill - @#$%!Sugarpill - Bulletproof
Annabelle Smudge Paint - Tar (lower lash line)
Bourjois Kohl Contour Shadow & Light (black on the waterline)
Annabelle Le BIG Show Mascara
Eyeluvme Lashes - Hope (upper)
Eyeluvme Lashes - Annie (lower)
NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder - Black/Grey

LIPS
MAC Lipstick - Viva Glam II
NYX Mega Shine Gloss - Gold Pink

How I Take Self-Portraits

2012-11-02T04:48:00.000-07:00

I often get questions about what camera I use and how I take my FOTD photos so I thought a blog post to cover my procedure would be choice! I'll cover what equipment, camera settings, environment and edits I try to use.

EQUIPMENT

The equipment that I use when taking self-portraits are:

tripod;
mirrorless DSLR;
shutter remote; and
mirror.

The two particular items that I suggest are essential to taking a successful self portrait are a camera and a shutter remote. A remote prevents the stretched-out-arm-I-am-taking-a-photo-of-myself look and it most importantly prevents a warped face, due to the lens being too close. If you can't afford a remote, or if one isn't available for your camera, try the self-timer.

You can always place your camera on window sill or stack of books; however, a tripod makes life so much easier. The one in the photo was only $20, so you don't necessarily have to invest a lot of money.

The camera I have been using for the past year is the mirrorless four-thirds Olympus PEN E-PM1. I used to use either my Canon Rebel XS (EOS 1000D), which is far too basic, or my Panasonic HDC-TM60 which is pretty poor quality photo-wise. The little PM1 has nice options, such as face/eye detection, interchangeable lenses, many customizable settings and high quality 1080i HD video (you can see here). The face/eye detection comes in pretty handy when taking self portraits because the camera will focus on your face and not something in the background, which is an issue I had with the Canon.

The lens I use is a prime lens (fixed, no zoom) that I purchased separate from the camera kit. It's is the M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f1.8 lens. It has an wonderfully large aperture/f-stop at 1.8 and it takes beautifully sharp photos. A large aperture, which is a low number, such as f1.8, can give you very nice bokeh (pronounced boh-kay). Bokeh is when the out of focus area is blurred. You can see bokeh in most of my self-portraits because I use a large aperture of f2.2. The zoom lens that came with the camera is also a very nice lens, but I want MORE bokeh! :D

I am actually going to upgrade to the Olympus PEN E-PL5 in a week or two because it has a more advanced sensor and, most importantly, a flip LCD touch screen. Because my current camera doesn't have a flip LCD, the mirror is needed behind the camera somewhere because it's easier and faster to see if I'm in frame while taking photos.

Lastly....DO NOT USE A FLASH FOR THE LOVE OF NEMO!!! This is because a typical camera flash will always wash out colours, leave an unflattering glare in the eyes and on the skin, and creates shadows. I only recommend professional flash setups for portraits. Always try to use a setting with natural light or bright ambient lighting.

CAMERA SETTINGS

Firstly, I always set my camera so that I take photos in the RAW format because I can't be bothered in setting my white balance and shutter speed every time. I set WB and exposure to automatic and I later adjust them manually in Photoshop or iPhoto. The RAW format saves every pixel, so a 12MP camera will save a 12MB RAW photo, whereas JPEG will be approximately half the size. RAW formats are more dull than JPEG, but they are easier to edit because they don't lose quality like a JPEG while adjusting in a photo editor.

I also always set my camera to aperture priority. I like to use an aperture setting of f2.2 because of my bokeh obsession. The lower the number, the more blur effect you will get in the background. Some newer point and shoots also come with aperture priority and shutter priority settings. If you don't have an aperture priority mode (A) then you can try using the portrait mode (face icon on some cameras).

I use the face and eye recognition/priority setting so that it will focus on my face and I also use a Portrait setting that my camera has to help produce a natural skin tone. Everything else is set to automatic.

ENVIRONMENT

This is pretty simple, but I almost always take my photos in front of a large window during the day (sun or cloud). Lately, I have created a darker background by ensuring the lights are turned off and the only light coming through the windows is where I'll be standing. This creates a nice ambiance and creates a focus on the face.

I usually take between 20-60 photos until I am satisfied that I have three or four photos that I can work with. I've learned that I prefer the left side of my face over the right. :D

EDITS

I use Adobe Photoshop to edit my RAW images. Photoshop has a nice RAW photo editor where you can adjust the photo like you would in your camera. I almost always adjust the exposure, black level, clarity, vibrance and saturation because RAW photos are a little lackluster. Reducing the clarity is the finishing adjustment for my flawless skin. It softens all my pores and skin texture and gives a soft glow.

After everything is adjusted, I open it in Photoshop to edit out my red eyes. I have VERY red eyes because I suffer from dry eye and I wear contact lenses. That is basically all the edits that I do to my photos.

I hope this has been helpful and gives some insight into the process of taking my self-portraits. If you have any questions, just ask in the comments and I'll try my best to answer them from the best of my knowledge.

Dramatic Cat Eye

2012-10-31T16:32:00.000-07:00

So it's Halloween and I didn't dress up! But I have a good excuse, I just arrived in my new home city of Montreal yesterday and everything is still packed. THERE! :P

Anyway, I took a break and went to the mall today and Halloween is the perfect excuse to wear dramatic makeup (as if I really need one)! I watched Leesha's (xsparkage) Raccoon Eyes tutorial a few weeks ago and I wanted to recreate it, but I was in the middle of moving so I didn't get around to it right away. I've also been on a real winged liner kick so this eye was perfect! It reminds me a little of my Tron Siren Inspired Tutorial from a while back.

I am now in love with the Annabelle Smudge Paint Tar as a black base! I wore this look for almost 8 hours and it was crease free (with Urban Decay Primer Potion).

Products used:

FACE

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC40

Paula's Select Bronzer (contour)
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish
MAC e/s - Vex

MAC Blush - Gingerly

EYES
UDPP
Annabelle Smudge Paint - Tar
MAC e/s - Carbon
MAC e/s - Brule
Bourjois Kohl Contour Shadow & Light (black on the waterline)
Annabelle Le BIG Show Mascara
Eyeluvme Lashes - Elly

LIPS
MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil - Etcetera

Deep Purple With Virgin Rose - Hair Update

2012-10-19T19:20:00.002-07:00

Time for another hair update! After my last hair update, I was itching for more purple. I was initially reserved about how much Special Effects Deep Purple I was going to add to my hair because of the maintenance. I only had 3 or 4 panels coloured, but after a week or so I wanted everything coloured! :D

So I went in for my final visit with my Sarah O'Brien at East Vanity Parlour, *sob*, before I move to Montreal. I had her cover over the panel of Virgin Rose at my crown so that I could easily touch up the colour myself if I needed too. I kept my fringe it's natural colour so that my forehead doesn't get stained. I also had an inch or so taken off my crown.

I am in love with Special Effects Deep Purple! It's amazing! I didn't have to touch my hair up for the whole 1.5 months since my last appointment and I am sure that I could have gone twice as long if I wanted.

My hair is still a little frizzy from being bleached out a few days ago, but it eventually smooths after a week or two.

Notice my new elven brows?? ;)

My Name is Heather and I am Addicted to Vampires!

2012-10-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

I decided to do a Halloween FOTD today. I watched HayzStrawberry's Half and Half Tutorial (please go and subscribe to this talented MUA) this morning and I totally gave me an itch to do black and white look!

Also, I love how hot vampires are and after my vampire tutorial and being turned into a vampire with prosthetics yesterday, I really wanted to do ANOTHER version of my vampire.

I am wearing my black GEO Ultra CK105 lenses from PinkyParadise.com and for a shot I also had in my GEO Animation Lenses in white from LensVillage.com.

I couldn't apply makeup directly around my new vertical labret so I had to do a little photoshopping around it.

Products used:

FACE
Ben Nye Creme Stick Foundation - White
Ben Nye Neutral Set Powder - Translucent
MAC e/s - Carbon (contour)
MAC e/s - Crystal Avalanche (highlight)

EYES
UDPP
Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil - Licoriche
NYX Jumbo Pencil - Milk
MAC e/s - Carbon
MAC e/s - Gesso
Physician's Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner - Ultra Black
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Icing Paper Butterfly Faux Lashes
Miss Adoro Lashes - 427

LIPS
NYX Retractible Lip Liner - Black Lips
NYX Jumbo Pencil - Milk
MAC e/s - Carbon
MAC e/s - Gesso

Drag Queen Vampire

2012-10-05T09:58:00.003-07:00

Here is my first Halloween tutorial of the year...well, I have made a few videos this year that could be considered Halloween tutorials...

This look was created because I have always wanted to do a vampire look and I have had quite a few requests to do looks similar to my The Hunger Games "Capitol" looks. I broke out the airbrush and Stilazzi compressor for this video, which I always love using.

I am also wearing my favourite lenses of ALL TIME, from PinkParadise.com, the Super Pinky Bright Red lenses.

I realized after recording that my white balance and shutter speed were off for most of the video. FML. So I did my best to adjust it in FCP X.

Products used:

FACE
Ben Nye Spirit Gum (eyebrows)
Dodge Modeling Wax (eyebrows)
Ben Nye Matte Foundation - Fairest
Ben Nye Media Pro HD Compact Powder - Bella
Ben Nye Color Cake Makeup - Light Ivory & Pale Vampire (neck)
Golden Acrylic Airbrush Paint - Red
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Skin Black
Ben Nye Cake Liner - Black (eyebrows)

EYES
UDPP
Inglot Gel Liner - 77
MAC e/s - Carbon
Wolfe Face Art & FX Hydrocolor - Red
Sugarpill Cosmetics e/s - Love+
MAC e/s - Gesso (pronounced with a j sound :D )
Physician's Formula 2-in-1 Liner - Ultra Black
Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner - Black
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Wet n Wild Fantasy Makers lashes
EyeLuvMe Lashes - Madison

LIPS
MAC Lip Pencil - Cherry
NYX Lip Liner - Black
OCC Lip Tar - Tarred & Stalker