Holy Grail: Foundations

Holy Grail; the best of the best. The elite. The favorited. The can't live without. I'll be doing these as a series through out the next couple weeks. Products that I simply L.O.V.E! 

First up: Foundations. I have 2 in this category.

Number One: Kat VonD Lock It Foundation. This foundation is life changing. You only need a little bit, like a snap pea pod size. If you get too much of it you will end up oily half way through the day. It's buildable so start with a little and go from there. If you need more after application, keep it light. The consistency is super creamy, easily moveable. If you're a full coverage girl this one is for you too! I have "naturally rosy" cheeks and this foundation covers them right up! The best part is this foundation won't break your bank, it's only $35.00! Excellent price point for name brand! 

 

 

 

Number Two: Lorac POREfecton Foundation. This is my current GO - TO. At first test, you may think you won't love it. It is a little more watery than it is thick & creamy. but I assure you, it's worth the sample to give it a try. Again, this is a full coverage foundation; as you'll find out, 90% of the time I go with full coverage! This foundation also slides in just under $40.00 - check in the win box! Check out your local Ulta or Kohls for purchase!

Pro Tip: Don't forget to join the rewards program at both ulta and/or Sephora. Get points for spending and earn free stuff. Can't beat that!

 

 

You're Going to Love It.

Who doesn't love a give away?? I mean, you do a few little things and have the potential to win FREE make-up goodies? Yes, please! So what's the giveaway?? A Lorac palette & TWO of my FAV NYX Lippies! I just made your hump day better, didn't I? So 2 lucky girls will win, one the lorac palatte & one the 2 lippies. All you have to do is FOLLOW me on Instagram, LIKE my FB page & tag 2 friends on the IG and/or FB post. [if you're already following & have liked my page, just tag 2 friends! Sharing is caring & gets you an extra entry!] I will draw the winner Friday morning & ship out the goodies that afternoon! The holidays are around the corner... my gift from me to you! :)

A little bit about this palette. Lorac is one of my favorite brands right now. The colors, the pigment, the quality. This one has colors that are perfect for this season. Some mattes, some with a little shine, lights & darks; just beautiful. Whoever wins this one is a lucky lady

Okay NYX Lippies are my fav, they just are. They're affordable, they don't dry out your lips & you can find them at my favorite store: Target! The darker color is toasted marshmallow; it's just SO pretty! The perfect shade for any skin tone; it's just right as goldie lox would say ;)  The other is éclair. You know those outfits where you want some shine and just HINT of color?? Here you go. Enjoy!

So, do the things that get you in the running to win the stuff.... You know you want to! ;)

Shoot & Miss

So as much as I like to share the love on great finds, I feel like no one talks about the products that don't work... insert dramatic gasp.... I mean I want to know what works but I also want to know what to stay away from, I can't be the only one?! Here are my top 5 items that just didn't work the way I really, really wanted them to. Target, Shoot and Miss.....

1. NYX Suede Lippie: As you read in the prior blog post, I LOVE NYX Lippies. However, the Suedes were so disappointing. At first I thought it might have been the color so I tried another, nope. It's just the formula. The color doesn't stay for more than about an hour before you have to re-apply but it's kind of a matte consistency so with each application it gets thicker & continues to dry out your lips. Plus the color bleeds, making your lip look messy. I don't want to look like I just played 7 minutes in heaven- I'm good on that- haha.    Photo Shoot approved: Yes.     All day/night wear: no way.

 

 

 

 

2. E.L.F Mascara: Everything I have tried from the Elf brand had been great so I was kind of excited to try out the mascara. Bad. Just bad.... Super dry, very clumpy. Guess in this instance; you get what you pay for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Liner: When I wear liner I want to keep up with me. I want it bold in color, I want it to stay put & I want it to apply easily. This is none of those things. It's SO smudgy. Especially for those who have oily eye lids or those who don't use primers, this is NOT for you. The other part of a liquid liner I do not want to have to worry about is it drying itself out. This seemed to dry out pretty quick, which makes applying difficult. Boo for bad liners. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Revlon Photo Ready Airbrush Foundation: So this one wasn't any kind of huge fail, unlike the mascara. However, most foundations at Target are sealed. When I went to try a few new products, this was one of them and I bought with out opening (my mistake). The color was NOTHING like what it looked to be. It was about 2.3 shades darker than what I thought I was purchasing. Big fat bummer. I ended up keeping it for styling purposes, because I generally liked the consistency and coverage looked to be decent. It'll work good for younger girls. So you've been warned: test before heading home with it! 

 

 

5. Aveeno Nourish & shine Shampoo: It's not make up, but a good shampoo is a beauty must have and this is not it. Talk about wasting time, literally had to re wash my hair after using this. Thin haired girls who want/need some volume, this would be your jam. However, I have naturally curly hair and don't need much help with volume. This shampoo made my locks a giant frizz, puff ball. It was the last product I used on my hair (pro tip: try conditioning first then shampooing, see how it changes your hair)! So I had done that which will give your hair body in its self, so I tried again a couple days later with a "normal" shower routine. HA! It was comical really. Just not good for my hair type: Curly, mid thickness and mid length. Short haired girls with thin hair; you may give it a go! 

So there you have it. Think before you buy! ;) 

 

You're Supporting A Dream

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had pie for breakfast yesterday and have no regrets, not a single one! ha! Did you get some shopping done in the hussle and bussle of Black Friday?? I did a little and when I say a little, we went hard for 13 hours! It was a great time and managed to avoid any crazies. Just good ole' shopping fun! 

Today is Shop Small Saturday. When you shop small you are supporting a dream! Thank you to each of you who have supported my dream along the way, it's SO appreciated! In honor of shop small Saturday, I have a special going! Book your style for anytime in 2017, between today and Monday and receive $20 off! This also includes Gift cards (dudes, this is for you, easy gift for your lady)! Weddings are included in this as well! yay for good deals!!

 

 

PS: If you're looking for a couple of awesome local shop small places; here's a few of my friends business's you most certainly should check out!!

 

 

 

 

Target : The Happiest Place on Earth

I'm pretty sure the title says it all, am I right?? There's nothing I love more than strolling the aisles (of any place) for a good deal. Target always has something I "can't live without". Between clothes for me, clothes & shoes for my mini, home décor/holiday décor, the $1 bin & one of my fav areas, the make-up goodies; I can't stay out of that place! Just in case you don't already get "targeted", you know when you go in after a milk and toilet paper & come out with everything but; here's my top 10 favorite Target make-up buys!

1. Elf Hydrating Primer: Have you given the elf brand a try?? It's totally worth it! I'm really digging this primer, It gives you an even canvas, fill pores perfectly(a must for my primers, no one likes big pores) but doesn't leave you with that oily feeling some primers do. I start my morning routine at 6:00am and it's still going strong with no touch ups by dinner time! Plus, for $6.99 you can stretch out the life of your Sephora Primer ;)

 

 

2. Maybelline FIT ME! Matte Poreless Foundation: Want full coverage? Want something light? Want something that comes in a wide variety of color options? Want something that doesn't break the bank?? $4.99 ladies - $4.99! I use this foundation myself, I use it on brides, I use it on Seniors.... it's good stuff!

3. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer: This is my go - to concealer. I haven't bought "name brand" in forever! I love it. The lightest shade works so well for those that have super fair skin. The neutralizer shade is great for those with dark cirlces and it even comes in darker colors for those with warmer skin tones! Plus it's kind of fun, the way its on that roller ball, its the little things - ha!

4. NYX Brow Marker: So when it comes to brows normally I wouldn't stray from my Anastasia Brow powder. However, when I went on vacation over the summer and somehow I forgot/miss placed my Anastasia (sad day, believe me my husband was done hearing about it! lol!) I perused Target and found this little number! If you need something quick and easy to get those brows on fleek - give this a go!

5. Sonia Kashuk Eyeshadow: I use this palette when I travel. I'm always too worried about dropping/shattering my high end palettes. These Sonia Kashuk colors are highly pigmented & exclusive to target. These colors are great for all seasons, especially the upcoming holidays and come with everything you need for a contoured eye-look!

6. Maybelline Line Stiletto: These felt tip liners are my favorite! Easy application, it just glides right on. Color is bold, which is important with black liners; no green tones or fading welcome! Last but not least, it's stays on all day long. "May the wings of your liner always be even."

7. E.l.f Translucent Setting Powder: I just started using this product a couple months ago. I was just lolly gagging, looking for new finds and decided to give it a try & I'm really happy with it!! It's comes in the Translucent white color & corrective yellow (similar to banana powder). Sets my concealer for the day and it's only $6.99! It is a little messy, but easy clean up, just brushes away! 

8. CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara: Ah, mascara the one item that can make you come alive with a few swipes of a wand! I'm not using much mascara these days (thanks to my fab lash extentions) but I use this little magic tube on my clients weekly! It's great for volume, no clumpage - clumpage is that a word?? Is now...... The standard colors are available & it comes in waterproof- a wedding must!

9. Sonia Kashuk Chic Bronzer/Highlight duo : I love this stuff! I love that you get your bronzer and your highlight all in one nice little package. This highlighter is warm, non flaky not super metallic so if you prefer that glittery type of highlight, this wouldn't be for you. The bronzer has just enough "glow" in it. I use this duo A LOT in the summer time, when you've got that summer color! Ah, summer color. I miss you. 

10: NYX Intense Butter Gloss: Lippies are a MUST for me! I may or may not own every color in this line. Any of the NYX lip colors are holy grail musts (except the suede's, stay tuned for a blog about "shoot and misses"). These colors are highlighly pigmented, have lots of shine, don't dry your lips out and have a 3-4 hour lip life. So you do have to re-apply through out the day, it's not a stain but to me that's the least of my worries when it comes to possible lippie troubles. "Marshmallow" is my current fav (pictured), perfect for fall/holidays. The love is real y'all.

Enjoy your next trip to Target, like it's possible not to. Let me know if you pick anything up! I love seeing pretty faces! ;) 

 

You're like, Really Pretty.

Dayne, the absolutely darling friend and senior!

Dayne is a really good friend of mine's little girl. Well, she's not really little anymore - it's her senior year! Senior year means senior pictures & lucky for Dayne, her momma loves working behind the camera! So she's gotten multiple little shoots but I got to do her hair and make-up & give fashion advice for this round! 

We started out with make-up; she didn't want anything too dark but wanted something different from the normal eyeliner/mascara every day look. Lorac brand came in clutch for this style as I used Lorac POREfection foundation,  Lorac Pro Palette 3 (current FAV palette, excellent pigment & has mattes and shimmers in it!) to do her eyes, Lorac pro mascara & a Lorac pro Matte Lip in Dusty Plum. Of course other products were used in between ;)  After her face was on, we started curling & curling & curling some more - girls has some hair! I used my go-to wand for her long locks for the perfect big, wavy, messy curls! The key to getting these waves to lay just right is doing it in layers, holding the bottom up just a bit and spraying then, helps hold volume! Dayne had mentioned before we started "so I may have facebook/IG stocked you and it looks like you have some hats......." ha - I may have a few hats (what can I say, I love them!). So we ventured through my closet and found her a hat or 2 to throw on! 

Dayne, you're just gorgeous! I am SO excited for the adventures you're about to embark on. You are kind and sweet and smart, you will be successful in anything you put your mind too! Looking forward to our next "play date" :) 

Killingsworth Wedding

Kim, you made for a beautiful bride! 

I met Kim through a referral (there's no higher compliment), my friend of 10+ years was a bridesmaid and insisted to Kim she use me. So we met up about 30 days prior to the wedding for her trial and hit it off! Kim had known her husband to be since like, 6th grade! Life is crazy and brought them back together after all these years! I love stories like that, don't you?? Kim wanted a simple, elegant, up-do with volume! She doesn't usually wear eye make-up I talked her into a shimmery gold lid, very natural lashes, a subtle pink cheek and a natural pink lip. She looked b-e-autiful! 

I also got to hang with her bridesmaids the day of the wedding and play with their hair and faces! Nicki, my friend who referred Kim to me, has hair for days! Like thick, beautiful, holds color like no other, never damaged hair. I really just hate her for that ;) So I knew her hair would basically do whatever I wanted it to. I curled with smaller iron and swept it to the side with a  braid to add some detail. Nicki wanted her eyes darker but didn't want them to look small behind her glasses so I used demi-lashes & a combo of grays and purples on her lid. Angie, the maid of honor, wanted something to the side too but wanted hers pinned up. I love looks like these because they can be dressed up or dressed down. For her face, she wanted darker eyes so I used my staple liner to line the inside of her eyes, used fuller falsies and broke out my smoky palette for her lids. When going with a darker eye I tend to use a warmer cheek color. Sonja, another bridesmaid, who I've known for a while too - is a hair stylist so she had her hair covered but I got to do her make-up. For her look I used my clinique frosty blush & earth tone browns/golds on her lid. Completing the look with a darker pink lip! Each girl had a flower/bow included in their hair- do's too! Everyone look so pretty! I LOVE doing weddings but I am about done for 2016, just one more to go! However, I am booking 2017 weddings so if you are a Bride-to-be, let's chat about your date! 

If Looks Could Kill

Bare ladies are my favorite! That sounds more odd that it actually is - ha! What I mean is Bare shoots, are my favorite to style. Why? Because it takes a little courage to do Bare shoots. It takes self love and confidence and I love seeing that come out in women. 

Megan, with eyes that could kill! 

Megan decided to step outside her comfort zone and do a Bare shoot with Kelley & I! She becomes a wife in January and knew her fiance would love a gift like this and would be completely surprised by it too. We looked over her outfits and loved everything she brought, especially the floral crown (who doesn't love some good hair flair?!) I wanted to give her a natural face but make sure those blue eyes popped! I used my Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette (it really smells like chocolate, need I say more?!) to bring out the blues and greens in her eyes. I also used a creamy shadow for liner so it smudged a little easier. Half way through their shoot, Kelley texted me: Killed it on her eyes - love! Nothing makes me happier than hearing things like that! :)  As for her hair, I wanted her to be able to play in it, have some body & be full! I used just a regular ole curling iron to achieve this look! 

Megan - you killed it. You look beautiful, you felt beautiful, you will make a beautiful bride. I wish you all the happiness in the world & can't wait to style you again! 

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Oh, hey! Thanks for stopping in again, I promise at some point I'll stop thanking you but it might be a while as I am still SO THANKFUL for every single person who follows along with my adventures!

You've heard that saying, team work makes the dream work right? Well in my world, it's one of the most truthful statements! I LOVE teaming up with talented souls and meeting new people (one of the many perks of this industry). This collab was lead by the KC photog Leigh Miller; be sure to check her out, she's awesome! The idea behind this shoot was to show off the skills of multiple talents all in one package. Leigh texted me asking if I was in for hair and makeup for a styled shoot at the Historic Taylor Barn in Lawrence, it took me .4 seconds to say YES! Everything was covered from the cake, the planner, the flowers, the dress, the décor / details & best of all, the models!! One of my favorite girls & photog (Kelley) and her husband were the bride and groom. I might as well admit it now, I cried when I saw her in the dress. I couldn't help it she was just so beautiful! Everything was unbelievably gorgeous, like when we renew our vows (5 years is an acceptable amount of time right??- haha) I want to use all these fab women! As for the bridal style Leigh chose, totally fun! Darker eyes with a bold lash, a rich red lip. Used the $3 elf dupe : Scarlet Night, most similar to Kate Von D Vampira and a messy braid up-do that was to do die for! I loved every minute of it! Looking forward to many more opportunities like this one!!

Well, Hello There Gorgeous

HI there! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you SO much for checking out my neeeww blog! I am beyond excited to roll this baby out! You'll find a little bit of everything here but if you're not into make-up, hair, clothes, how to's, fashion tips & beauty everything - you're in the wrong place......... Did I lose you? No? Good!

So to kick off this new adventure, how about a giveaway?!?!!? Yes?? yes!

I have always wanted to get lash extensions but never took the plunge, until now! I met Alex at Sunlight Day Spa after spending the afternoon getting pampered with my step mom. My eyes immediately went to her lashes, and lash envy set in. We got to talking and turns out she's a lash artist herself! I just went to see her & I am in love! I went with a little more of a dramatic lash but there's a bunch of styles to chose from!

Soo besides my excitement of my new fab lashes, I am also thrilled to announce Alex and I have collaborated to give you the chance to win a set of free lashes!!! woohoo! All you have to do is "follow" her Instagram, my Instagram and tag 2 friends on the newest IG post! If you don't have Instagram, like mine and her's facebook pages and tag 2 friends on the IF post shared to FB!