Last month I had an unfortunate incident that left  two lines etched in my upper lip line. It’s not the end of the world, and it’s easy enough to cover them, but part of me says … that’s my lip! I’m a perfectionist! I can’t!

It’s a lesson in the Japanese practice of “wabi-sabi”, [...]]]> By Sheila Arkee

Last month I had an unfortunate incident that left  two lines etched in my upper lip line. It’s not the end of the world, and it’s easy enough to cover them, but part of me says … that’s my lip! I’m a perfectionist! I can’t!

It’s a lesson in the Japanese practice of “wabi-sabi”,  in which beauty is viewed from the following standpoint: “nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.”

This is a Wet n Wild Long Wearing lipstick. I find the formula a bit dry for my lips, but if you’re in the market for a matte that won’t crumble on your lips, you’re in luck. 

When it comes down to products priced at $1, you can’t help but carry a nagging feeling that the dollar you’re about to spend could possibly come to better use and enjoyment on a couple of Cadbury Cream Eggs. That’s exactly how I felt about e.l.f.’s Liquid Liner, but that day [...]]]> By Sheila Arkee

When it comes down to products priced at $1, you can’t help but carry a nagging feeling that the dollar you’re about to spend could possibly come to better use and enjoyment on a couple of Cadbury Cream Eggs. That’s exactly how I felt about e.l.f.’s Liquid Liner, but that day I decided to save my calories for a chocolate cupcake later on. Priorities!

e.l.f.’s Liquid Liner has a very similar design to MAC’s Boot Black Liquid Liner, which is one of my tried-and-true all time favorites. I adore the felt tip applicator, which makes liquid lining just that much easier, as far as I’m concerned. The liner comes in a variety of shades, but I chose standard black, which is a bold, pigmented black.

As far as edurance, I was pleasantly surprised that it lasts through my typical crazy days without a hint of flakiness.

e.l.f.’s Liquid Liner gets my official seal of approval!

You can find e.l.f. products at Target and at eyeslipsface.com.

If you need some tips on applying liquid liner, out my tutorial on this very subject.

And now for the total breakdown on the look for today’s Breaking Down Beauty. I can never say no to a fabulous fuschia eye!

Base: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Lid: Wet n Wild Sellout single shadow

Outer Lid: From Wet n Wild Lust palette

Outer Corner: From Wet [...]]]> By Sheila Arkee

And now for the total breakdown on the look for today’s Breaking Down Beauty. I can never say no to a fabulous fuschia eye!

Base: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Lid: Wet n Wild Sellout single shadow

Outer Lid: From Wet n Wild Lust palette

Outer Corner: From Wet n Wild Lust palette

Browbone: From Wet n Wild Lust palette

Liner: Sue Devitt Defining Eye Liner in Laki

Brows: NYX Eyebrow Cake in Taupe/Ash

Mascara: Revlon Photoready 3D Volume

Something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time is to break down the steps to my typical, tried-and-true, works like a charm shadow application technique. For today’s look I’ve decided on a smoky look with color.

Me before makeup.

Kinda scary, huh? Mascara, as you will see, makes all [...]]]> By Sheila Arkee

Something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time is to break down the steps to my typical, tried-and-true, works like a charm shadow application technique. For today’s look I’ve decided on a smoky look with color.

Me before makeup.

Kinda scary, huh? Mascara, as you will see, makes all the difference. In other news, I think I might just have to marry the Revlon Photoready 3D Volume mascara – it is fab-u-LOUS!

I picked up this new Wet n Wild single shadow (with bonus liner) the other day, and I have to say I am a little disappointed in the pigmentation in comparison to the Wet n Wild palettes.

It’s not as great, and I ended up pressing the shadow on my lid with my finger to get the desired amout of color. Although I didn’t use the liner in this look, it’s not half bad! So much smoother than other Wet n Wild liners I’ve used in the past.

I used a small, flat brush to pack the color on the lid. I pat the color on, taking my time and adding layers.

The color was disappointing, so I used a purple from the Wet n Wild Lust palette to add a little more flavor, using the edge of the brush to add color to the crease of my eye.

Next, I used the worlds best brush ever to add the blue/green shadow from the Wet n Wild palette.

And then a fluffy brush to blend it all out.

I used a small, shader brush to add a highlight color to my browbone and inner eye.

Then some liner.

To even out the liner on the top lid, I used a clean liner brush.

Then mascara and brows.

And, voila!!!!

I was feeling the need for simple, clean eye. A shot of lime green finished with a spot of green liner did the trick!

Base: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Lid: MAC Bitter

Outer Corner: MAC Shale

Browbone: MAC Vanilla

Liner: Milani Color Brilliance Green

Brows: NYX Eyeshadow Cake [...]]]> By Sheila Arkee

I was feeling the need for simple, clean eye. A shot of lime green finished with a spot of green liner did the trick!

Base: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Lid: MAC Bitter

Outer Corner: MAC Shale

Browbone: MAC Vanilla

Liner: Milani Color Brilliance Green

Brows: NYX Eyeshadow Cake in Taupe/Ash

Mascara: Revlon Photoready 3D Volume

By Megan Murray

You often hear people lamenting the lack of elegance our casual society.  We live in a world where it is all too acceptable to roll into a public place looking like we just got into a fight with an alley cat. Even I, the person who went to Walmart with [...]]]>

By Megan Murray

You often hear people lamenting the lack of elegance our casual society.  We live in a world where it is all too acceptable to roll into a public place looking like we just got into a fight with an alley cat. Even I, the person who went to Walmart with a sports jersey, jeans and sparkly oversized hoop earrings, die inside a little when someone walks into my public sphere wearing pajamas with tortured pandas and fuzzy slippers ( yeah lady at the dollar store, I am talking to you.) Although I share the disdain for the public pajama bottom with the fashion set, I am in no imminent danger of ever being called elegant.  In fact, for women like me elegance is an albatross around my neck, a huge wearing a twin set and pearls tsking at my inability to figure out khakis. 

I am not her (blushandpearls.blogspot.com)

To be fair, I grew up in an area where elegance was trumped by utility. The idea of purchasing something that didn’t “do something” was, and still is, foreign to me. You will know people like me based on their Christmas decorations: We have the porch where stuff is moving and singing, heck if we could get a wreath to tap dance we would.  I do know people in this environment, who despite nurture, just have that elegant gene. These women can work a JCrew catalog and must have an internal weather service because they always have a stunningly matched umbrella on hand while I am running like a drowned rat through an unexpected rain storm.  Elegant women also seem to know exactly what to do with brooches. I am lucky if my socks match most days, brooches are like +10 level fashion lady.

This is me

Elegance demands a crazy level of appropriateness. You need to know exactly what to wear, what to do, what to say, how to sit, and even what to focus on at all times. I am delightfully inappropriate. I will tell you how much my shoes cost, I wear too much glitter, and I will say things that everyone else in the rooms is thinking. Sure, I KNOW all the rules of Chic. I KNOW that you are supposed to take one accessory off before you leave the house, as per Coco Chanel ; however,  my thought process gets in the way of any rational fashion decision. This is my internal monologue when faced with the conundrum, “ Do I wear these feathered earrings with this glittered shirt?” 

 “Yeah, maybe the feathers are too much. I wonder where these feathers are from? Do they get feathers from Parrots? Ya know, I haven’t seen the movie Aladdin in a while. I love David Bowie. Yeah, the Tesla coil was pretty cool..such a shame. (sung) IIIII know, do do do da do III know (/sung). I loved hair metal-the feathers stay” 

If you are the type of person who is what out society deems “ naturally elegant” or feels that elegance is something inside you that needs to be unlocked, by all means keep at it.  Elegance is admirable and the world needs women who can rock a little black dress and pearls.

If, however, the idea of prescribed elegance gives you panic attacks…there are benefits. While I will never be compared to Audrey Hepburn,  I will always be the first phone call when someone’s kid does something embarrassing in school or someone peed their pants in public.  I can decorate myself like a disco ball, and when some snot with a column in a fashion magazine proclaims that (fill in blank) is not for someone in my age/size/socioeconomic demographic I can  proclaim, “Oh, she doesn’t mean me.”

Of all the 88 colors in the Coastal Scents palette, there is only one that makes my heart skip a couple of beats. It’s an unassuming aquamarine in the top, right in the middle. Such a gorgeous color, can I have it in triplicate?

Base: Too [...]]]> By Sheila Arkee

Of all the 88 colors in the Coastal Scents palette, there is only one that makes my heart skip a couple of beats. It’s an unassuming aquamarine in the top, right in the middle. Such a gorgeous color, can I have it in triplicate?

Base: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Lid, Lower Lid: Coastal Scents 88 Palette

Outer Corner, Browbone: Wet n Wild Blue Had Me At Hello Palette

Liner (upper lid): e.l.f. Liquid Liner (still in testing phase, so far so good)

Liner (lower rim): Milani Color Brilliance Green

Brows: Sante America Brow Pencil

Mascara: Revlon Photoready 3D Volume

Not to indicate positive feelings for Google + (standing on the sidelines ’til it goes the way of Google Buzz and Wave), but I’ve decided to incorporate the term Weekend Beauty Reads Plus. Sometimes a gal has random thoughts she needs to share.

Some beautiful lyrics, sent to me by a [...]]]> By Sheila Arkee

Not to indicate positive feelings for Google + (standing on the sidelines ’til it goes the way of Google Buzz and Wave), but I’ve decided to incorporate the term Weekend Beauty Reads Plus. Sometimes a gal has random thoughts she needs to share.

Some beautiful lyrics, sent to me by a dear friend.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of less resistance. Living might mean taking chances, but they’re worth taking. Loving might be a mistake but it’s worth making. Don’t let some hell bent heart leave you bitter. When you come close to selling out, reconsider.
And when you get the choice, to sit out or dance? I hope you dance.

~Lee Ann Womack

And, something I’m SUPER EXCITED about. It’s happening! It’s really  happening! A sneak peek of some goodness to come later on this week. Wheeeeee!!!!!!

And now for the Weekend Beauty Reads from the Beauty Blog Network.

You need a blue lip gloss in your makeup arsenal! Sheila from Painted Ladies shows you why with NYX’s new Mood Lip glosses!

Phyrra shows off the latest drugstore winner, L’Oreal Infallible shadows.

The Pink Sith Goes out of her comfort zone and dons Neon Pink and Frosty Pink Lipstick from Barry M. Does it make her look like an Irish Traveller?

Hello Dollface tries a cream mascara by MUD. Have you tried this one yet?

As much grief as we all tend to give MAC these days, I have to give the company some props for a couple of things. First, the Back2MAC program (a free eyeshadow, lipstick or gloss when you turn in 6 containers), and secondly, the fact that their lipsticks do not have [...]]]> By Sheila Arkee

As much grief as we all tend to give MAC these days, I have to give the company some props for a couple of things. First, the Back2MAC program (a free eyeshadow, lipstick or gloss when you turn in 6 containers), and secondly, the fact that their lipsticks do not have parabens and yet withstand the test of time.

Seriously, the tube of Angel lipstick I used in this photo is well over 5 years old and doing very well. I have had some of the darker lipstick shades turn waxy and such, but for the most part the colors hold exceedingly well.

Talk about a sweet surprise! Painted Ladies is listed as one of the top 100 blogs by skincare-news.com.

What an honor! I am very thankful to see us on the list next to some of my very favorites.