Make Up and Hair Score (In My Opinion)

 Remember yesterday when I lamented my major makeup fail, I also promised that I would use products that I already have to DIY my own makeup.
This is the blank slate (except for lipstick), I don't mind showing it since I never wear makeup anyway so everyone is used to seeing me like this. I forgot to take a picture before I started everything. I then wiped the lipstick off to start over.













I tried to remember all the techniques that the woman used on Saturday. For instance she did my eyes first, eyeshadow, liner both above and below the lid, then the mascara. Then the foundation and powder, then the lips. I used my own colors that I had at home. I've bought makeup in the past promising myself that I would start using and usually ended up not doing so. Anyway, this is what I came up with:
I'm not very good at taking my own picture, especially when i'm looking into the mirror at the same time.













This one is a little better since I used the flash this time. As you can see here, i'm also wearing the Brooke sisters. I couldn't get them changed since I didn't have the receipt and they would only give me half the credit without it. Oh well I love my girls and I'd never dream of  changing them. I don't know what you've heard.

I may use a different color for my lips, something a little bronzer. Maybe.

The other side. I even did my own eyebrows. I hate going to the beauty salon. I know, I know, i'm not the typical woman.

I figured if I was going to do my face, I might as well do my hair too, so this is what I came up with. I actually liked it a lot. See my shower curtain. You know there has to be some aqua involved.

My hair form the back. I just put it in a high ponytail and took up a little at a time, curled it under with my fingers and clipped it in place with a bobby pin.  Forgive the look, I was in my bathroom in my pajamas.

I decided to go a step further and invited my veil to the party. Tags and all. It's not a very good picture but you get the idea.
All in all, i'm very happy with my makeup and hair. Not to shabby for an amateur. I'm going to experiment with the lipstick shades but otherwise i'm sold.  I don't feel like my face is heavy and goopy and I actually like the way I look which is what is most important. I'll feel confident walking down the aisle. If I feel uncomfortable, it'll definitely show and who wants that on their wedding day?



JEM.

Make Up Major Fail

I had an appointment to have my make-up done with a Clinique consultant at Macy's on Saturday. It was set for 2:30pm and I got there at about 1:30. I wanted to have someone to instruct me on how to do my makeup and then i'd buy some to do my own on my wedding day.

Anyway I got there and asked for the lady that I was scheduled to see. Since I was early I didn't mind when she very pleasantly told me that she was with someone else and I would have to wait.   I really didn't feel like walking around the store so I just sat there waiting. She must have felt bad for me or something because she said that she'd get someone else to do me. An expert, she said. She said that this woman did makeup for weddings and that she'd know exactly what to do for me. Yay me!

Well that didn't turn out so great. The "expert" was although nice, clueless as to what to do with me. Maybe the fact that the she's latina and i'm black, we were just destined for failure, I don't know. She started out by asking me what I had in mind. Now dear readers I know nothing about makeup so I really didn't know how to answer that. She asked if I had any pictures and I said no. She said she couldn't really work unless she knew what I wanted. At this point, I was getting frustrated, you see the lady I had the appointment with was also black and I figured she'd have a better understanding of what would look good on me. After a whole lot of talk and no action, I finally said that the whole point of me coming for a consultation was so that I could have an "expert try colors and products out on me so we can decide what I needed to buy. If I knew what I wanted, I would simply buy it.

This lady really, really laid it on thick, literally. Maybe it was punishment for me not giving her more direction or maybe her expertise didn't extend to dark skin.  She put on this liquid goop on my face that literally looked like mud, the eye makeup made me look like I was recovering from something, I kid you not. I actually liked the eye liner and mascara that she did. It was the only thing I would like from the whole experience,  and it was an experience. I looked like a drag queen when all was said and done. I had this shiny burgundy-like lipstick and a muddy face with eyes that looked like Miss 2 piece and a biscuit herself -Mystique from Rupaul's drag race. What's worse another colleague kept saying "pretty" every time  she went past, further patronizing me.

Mystique from Rupaul's Drag Race

Needless to say, I won't be using any of her colors or tips. I only bought a powder and got a whole lot of crap as a bonus (best part of the day) and tomorrow I plan on trying out my own makeup from stuff that I already have at home and see how that turns out. Stay tuned...

JEM.

Make Up Tips for the DIY Bride

Thinking about doing your own makeup for your wedding? Then these valuable tips are for you according to "Our Wedding Day".
Whether you will have a traditional, formal wedding or a beautiful casual affair – you want to look your best. Some brides-to-be make an appointment to have their makeup done for them, while others prefer to do it themselves. A few advantages you have include knowing what looks great on you and having applied your own makeup more than once in your life.

If you choose to apply it yourself, here are some great DIY makeup tips for your wedding.

Makeup Preparation –
The night before your wedding, exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells. This allows the makeup to go on smoother, look more natural and last longer. Be sure to apply a moisturizer after the exfoliation! Spread moisturizer once again on your face about 20 minutes before you start putting your makeup on.

Foundation and Powder –
One of the best DIY makeup tips for your wedding is to blend. As you put on your foundation, use a makeup sponge or your fingers to blend the makeup. This will keep you from having foundation lines around your chin and jaw. Applying powder is important because it sets the foundation and helps the makeup last longer. Be sure the colors match your skin correctly so the makeup will look natural and beautiful.


Note: If you have dark circles, a few dots of concealer before the foundation will help give you the look of ‘instant rest!’

Blush, Shadow and Shimmer –
Blush should be applied sparingly to the apples of your cheeks. Smile while applying it and you will see exactly where it should go. Blend with your fingers so it appears natural and pretty. Your eye shadow, eye liner and mascara should be dependant upon what time of the day your wedding is. Ceremonies held at dusk or after dark, call for you to apply more to help your features stand out. However, if your wedding will be at midday, skip the eye liner and only apply a little mascara and shadow. Too much can make you look overdone!

A warning when applying shimmer – too much can make you appear sweaty or wet! Only apply a bit of shimmer under your eyebrows and on your cheek bones.



The great thing about doing your own makeup is that you can simply wash it off and start over if you don’t like it – without paying extra! Experiment with your makeup well ahead of time so you can perfect your technique and achieve the beautiful look you want.

I went to Macy's a few weeks ago and wanted to buy some foundation from the Clinique counter and the lady decided to try a few to get a perfect match. She then suggested that she just go ahead and make up my whole face. Of course I agreed and it turned out fab-u-lous. I'm so bummed that I didn't take a pic. Even my 2 year old said "mama nice" when I got home. Mr. Muscle said "wow, you should really wear make up more often, you look great". This coming from the man who said he didn't like to see women with too much make up. I don't wear any unless i'm going to a function or something. I've just never gotten into make up but I have to admit, when applied correctly, it really is great.

Is anybody doing their own makeup or maybe getting it done at a store like Macys or Bloomingdales?
TTFN (ta ta for now).