Such a bad blogger

I've decided I'm in no way cut out for blogging daily, weekly, and now even monthly. It is sad really I just can't keep up with it even though I love sharing with you all about makeup and skincare. Perhaps I'll add a lifestyle section to this blog. I think I need that, I feel like I can only write so much interesting things about make up, skincare, and jobs.
      Anyway here's the latest on things. First of all since I last "blogged" I've done a Boudoir shoot and a wedding both for the same person. The bride to be, Kate was so lovely to work with, she was one of those clients that I just bonded with. I'm being corny yes very corny. Pictures to come with that in my  next post because I'm blogging from my iPad and the pictures are saved on my computer and I'm being lazy.
      Next, is a quick update on my coconut oil and lemon juice toner. I'm still using it twice a day and I'm still very much in love. It keeps my skin happy which in turn keeps me very happy.  I haven't suffered  a breakout since I've used it continuously and now I feel like I will always use it because it's easy to make and seems to be one of those things that works for me.
Another thing, which isn't makeup related but more health and fitness related is that I have reached my weight goal of 110lbs. I actually reached it awhile ago but I haven't blogged in so long that I haven't had the chance to share my happy accomplishment! It's just in time for my 26th birthday.
      Which brings me to my last thing, getting a little older and a lot wiser. I'm turning 26th on the 10th and I know most consider that very "young" but I've now been married almost 3 years and my baby is not a baby anymore.  I feel like I went from very care free to a lady with lots and lots of
responsibility. I've learned lessons this year about running a business and about how to decide what is a true passion and what is just an interest. I've accomplished goals this year that I don't think I ever could have before. I learned what it is to take care of my body for the long term and not just for a couple of weeks. It's been a good year for me all and all which is why I am excited about my upcoming birthday. I wonder what the next year will bring.

Anyway aside from all those things I thought about doing some makeup tutorial videos to post here on my blog. I'd love feedback on that. I wouldn't mind doing tutorials and things as long as my voice doesn't come off as "annoying" and I'd have to find a good spot to possibly film these videos.

I'd like to thank everyone who supports my very small business and everyone who reads my blog even if I am a "bad" blogger. <3 <3

Halfway Update

Hey Everyone,
Today, I am about half way through my one month experiment for my homemade dark spot corrector.  I am very much loving this stuff with my dark spots over 50% faded compared to the first day! I know I don't have pictures because I forgot but trust me this recipe works. I suppose if you catch the scar when it is red and new it is easier to fade but I love the over all appearance of my skin. The coconut oil I added has natural cleansing properties and has helped rid my skin of any blemishes. The overall appearance is very clear and I have been able to enjoy wearing little makeup.  If you want to see the recipe check out the post called "Dark Spots".   I'll make sure to post another update at the 1 month mark :)

Making It Work

Hey Everyone,
I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I know mine was pretty busy. I had to run from a birthday party to photo shoot. Oh and then there was a storm that kind of knocked our outdoor boudoir shoot off its hinges.  We had planned to shoot outdoors on a palette bed making it extra romantic and sultry but then the storm came and we had to move it indoors. Fortunately we found a beautiful home location for our gorgeous lady to have her shoot. In the past we have done these shoots in doors and I don't think I have ever worked on one where the sun was actually shining. The overcast and rain does provide for some beautiful light though.

The hair and makeup was done in our signature soft and sexy way that I like to do for most of our boudoir shoots with Caught You on Camera showcasing a soft and sensual side to boudoir.     The makeup was soft and simple for the first few looks and then changed it up adding a little black to the outer corners and black liner and false lashes for a "bedroom eyes" type look. We really loved playing around with a different eye makeup look to complete a more seductive photo.  We kept the hair simple with waves and keeping it somewhat messy but not unpolished.  I think my client was actually very surprised at all the touchups we were going back and doing.  When you see the pictures they look effortless but when you are there you realize that everything is much deeper.  There are a lot of touch ups, fixing hair and makeup, making sure you look your very best from all angles. I also feel like I am there as a little bit of a cheerleader, encouraging my clients to not be shy and making sure they feel comfortable and confident.  You really see a person transform and get over their nerves in the progression of the shoot.

We had rain that day and just making it work was an understatement.  The weather really wasn't working in our favor. It wasn't raining at the house we were at and it just seemed to be gloomy so we had to make some rain with garden hose and sprayer to really capture a great "playing in the rain" moment. The maid of honor actually sprayed her which I am sure was a really fun moment for the both of them. We had a really great time working on this shoot, I felt like we really overcame a lot of weather complications and produced the best work we could.

Unfortunately, these images won't be up for viewing until after her wedding as they are a gift to the groom.  As soon as I am granted permission of some images I will be sure to share them.

Mini Haul + Update

Hey Everyone,
I wanted to just share with you a mini haul of what I have bought in the last couple of weeks.

First are 3 Revlon ColorStay Nail Polishes in the colors Coastal Surf, Fall Mood, and Cafe Pink. 

I absolutely love these polishes, they stay pretty and unchipped a full 7 days with base coat and top coat. The are opaque in 1-2 coats, and they can easily be removed with nail polish remover (you would be surprised how many polishes are tough to remove even with nail polish remover). 

Next, I bought a Rimmel Black Automatic Eye Liner, this is basic and I like how smooth and creamy this one applies also it is water proof and once it has set for 60 seconds it doesn't budge. In the 60 seconds though you can smudge it out for a smokey look.  

Lastly, I bought the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, this one is a repurchase, but I really enjoy it because it just makes your legs flawless.  I have some scares and blemishes hear and there and they get completely covered with this stuff leaving skin looking healthy and glowing. It isn't a self tanner it washes off in the shower but it helps when you have an event to go to or are wearing a leg baring dress ( you can use it all over the body incase you were wondering).  

These are all the beauty items I have recently purchased and I am really loving them. <3

Also a few little updates: I recently posted about a DIY Dark Spot Corrector I have been using it day and night and although I haven't noticed any fading in the past couple of days my skin looks a lot brighter and the redness that I usually carry seems to be calming.  I hope that the spots eventually fade but it is nice to see brighter skin. 

Next, very little update I have finally ordered my Beauty Faces business cards (again).  The first time I ordered they were put on back order because they weren't making that print anymore and then I never got around to reordering more. However, finally I have ordered more and they are perfect! 

Last, I have a fun boudoir shoot coming up and I am so excited rumor has it is this shoot is outdoors!!!!! seriously that is amazing.  =)

Dark Spots

Hey Everyone,

First of all, have you seen my recent giveaway posts on facebook? If you haven't definitely check it out! Everyone likes free right? 

Moving right along to the point of this post. I have seen lots of Pinterest pins lately on DIY dark spot corrector and one of them I was very interested in trying.  I have dark skin and it scares so easily.  If I have a blemish that I merely touch it will scar up.  While watching the Olympics I decided I would whip up a batch. Most dark spot correctors that are sold at the makeup counters range from $49-$125 without any guaranteed results. I have heard amazing things about the Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector which retails for $49.50.  That is honestly the low end of these correcting products without going to the drugstore brands. However, I have heard some great things about Garnier Dark Spot Treatment it retails for $16.50. I think that it just depends how easily your skin will take to these products and how regularly you apply them. Sometimes my skin can really look clear as day but I have to sit in the sun for awhile with/or without sunscreen. In my busy days I don't really have a lot of time for sitting.  When I saw the DIY Dark Spot Corrector I jumped right to it, I would really love to get rid of these spots and wear less makeup. Don't get me wrong I love makeup but I want it to be optional not a requirement.  

Recipe:

Juice of 1/2 of a lemon

4 TBS plain organic (real) yogurt

1 egg white 

Directions: 

Stir together and apply to the face avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with cold water. Pat dry and apply moisturizer. 

If you have dark spots and want a cheaper alternative try this recipe and let me know how it works for you. Keep in mind you may not see results until after 4 weeks when cell turnover has occurred. 

Facebook Giveaway

Hey all, I have teamed up with Designs By Wives to do a Facebook Swap Giveaway! I am super excited about this since it is my very first give away and if this one is successful I will be doing a lot more of them.  The give away is to reach 200 followers so please be sure to share the original post with all your friends.  Also check out Designs by Wives on Facebook,  Brittany is simply amazing with jewelry, crafts, home decor, you name it and she can do it. She has also just created an Etsy shop under the Designs By Wives name so be sure to check that out as well! Also when you look at her page be sure to "like" and share her post about the give away with your friends and you could win free "date night makeup" with me. The "date night makeup" is only open to Madison/ Huntsville AL Residents so if you are in the area and wish to win please check her page out!!

Thanks all for the support :)

Are YOUR lashes Real?

Hey Everyone,
How is everything going this morning? Well as the title implied I get this question a lot like almost every other day someone asks me if my lashes are real? I usually just laugh and say yeah they are mine coated with a couple coats of good mascara. The truth is my lashes when I wake up don't look like anything spectacular but after using a lash curler and mascara they look long and full.
Let's dive into mascara for a minute, I for the most part only use drugstore mascara's because what I believe is that most mascara formula's are the same it is really the brush that matters and since the drugstore brands come out with so many different mascara's there is bound to be one that works well for me and still at an $8 and under price.  Any mascara priced over $8 is bordering on too expensive for drugstore because then you think well I could buy this drugstore brand or I could buy this high end brand for just a few more dollars.  I personally like the synthetic, plastic type brushes the big fat ones basically I like Cover Girl Lash Blast.  I used to use Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Mascara.  For me this was the best mascara ever made and then it was discontinued and no longer sold in stores in the US. When they went 70% off at ULTA I bought 6 of them but that was 3 years ago. My lashes are long but aren't as thick as I would so I could really build a full yet long lash with that mascara so it was my favorite. Lash Blast however is very similar.  If you have short lashes I would try Almay's Get Up and Grow Mascara.  It is a dryer formula and you can build longer fuller lashes.  Unfortunately,  there really isn't a good way to figure out which mascara is actually right for you without trial and error.  After hearing about how great Loreal Voluminous Mascara was I decided to give it a try and it turns out that mascara is too wet of a formula and doesn't work very well for me. I've tried a lot of mascara's but I have been going back to Lash Blast.

Next, You need a great eye lash curler, I like the Shu Umera lash curler or the Tarte one.  These tend to be wider and can fit all of  your lashes into the curler giving you a full lifted look. I always heat mine a little because I feel like I get more curl that way and I apply just a little mascara to the ends before curling because that gives some hold to the curl. I don't keep my lashes pressed in the eye lash curler for long just kind of pulsing it all the way up the lash this ensures your lash doesn't crinkle.  Then I apply a couple coats of mascara.

This is the way I do my own lashes and it works for me I prefer not to do false lashes unless it is a special occasion or I want a dramatic look.  False lashes can weaken your natural lash leaving them sparse and I would rather build up my own lashes.  However, if you still would rather go the falsies way there are some great options I like the demi lashes which is just a half lash that you apply to the ends. Also anything that is crisscrossed looks very natural.  I prefer the Revlon glue that has a wand for precision.  It get the perfect amount of glue on the lash band without an clumps of glue. I think Kiss came out with a similar lash glue.  Lastly if you want a longer lasting look perhaps look into lash extensions.  These can run about $150 a set but they last about  3-4 weeks when you will need to get them "filled" again which is usually about $70.

Lots of options for lashes but for everyday I go the natural route since I was blessed with pretty nice lashes.