SKINLACE

I am mostly......

2010-09-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Listening... Cradle of Filth & Alice Cooper
Reading... Already Dead by Denis Johnson
Watching... Investigation Discovery channel, I'm obsessed with this channel
Buying... Nail polish & sweaters
Wanting... Sugarpill & Kat Von D palettes
Trying... Eat right
Loving... The cooler weather & Fyrinnae
Planning... On bathing & surfing the boob tube with R
Making... Another skull shirt
Cooking... Chili
Inspired By... Everyone in direct contact with me

EOTD: Heartburn

2010-09-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

The best shot I could get of the color placement.

And honestly, I couldn't tell you what I used. Some NYX JEP, Fyrinnae, Aromaleigh, pinch of L.A. Colors.

Red Cherry's #600.

It's something different from my norm. I'm introducing new techniques and colors in my makeup.

Spice it up!

Madame Madeline: LAAASHES

2010-09-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

I'd heard and browsed Madame Madeline, but never ordered. I love lashes. I often flirt with the natural looking ones; but I ventured into more dramatic ones. I love Red Cherry lashes, but they are so hard to find. Enter the Madame. No joke, I ordered Thursday and received my order Saturday!

The only qualm I have, and it isn't even towards the site, it's the Elise lashes. The spine of those things are so thick and they feel like paper! They don't bend or mold to your lashline with ease. The #055 are some thin lashes but the spine of it is so freakin' thick that if you wanted a natural look, you'd have to do a thick liner. I'll have to work with Elise's a bit to get the hang of them.

The Red Cherry's are gorgeous. If they stop carrying them, I'm fucked.

Seriously, if you are looking to bulk up on some lashes, you can't beat the selection Madame Madeline has. Go, go, go!!

No Poo Update

2010-08-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

I tried four times to get this to work for me. After researching a bit, the build up I was getting was actually soap scum because I have hard water. Not cool! It wasn't probable to spend money on buying filtered water to just pour down the drain. Since then, I've switched to Organix Pomegranate Green Tea shampoo. I like it, I don't even have to follow with conditioner after because it's moisturizing. It does cause dye to come out of my hair, but not as bad. It's roughly the same color stripping effect as TIGI's Superstar. I do find my hair does get greasy quicker than with TIGI's, but dry shampoo fixes it and I get 4-5 days in between shampooing.

I'll probably stick with this shampoo, especially for the winter since it's so moisturizing. It's probably not wise for the summer months, so I'm not complaining.

Silk Naturals - Eyelash Gel

2010-08-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

This is a gel you apply to the eyelid, morning and night. I apply with an eyeliner brush at night only and have had remarkable results with it.

I got this at the start of my cycle of lash loss. You know, when the lashes seem to fall out too frequently to go through a new cycle of growth. You with me? After applying this for a couple of days, the lash loss seized. Very fortunate for me because I have a nasty habit of pulling on my lashes. This has continued to seize lash loss to an extent. I'll lose some here and there, but not to the extremity that I did before. It used to be I'd lose 1-3 a day. Currently, it's something of 1-3 every few days. I did have a small bat with it where I was loosing lashes, probably the real lash loss cycle since this postponed the process. So my lashes were like "what's going on here...I'm suppose to fall out here!"

As for the growth and volume, it's really weird after two months, I've noticed increased volume in my left lashes while an increase in length on my right. Honestly, I've have bipolar eyelids, I swear. I don't notice new regrowth coming in that looks like my right eye will fill out. If I could have a middle ground where I have my left eyes thickness and my right eyes length, I would have nothing to complain about. I'd love my lashes. I'm sure I'll the the full effect in a few months. I hope to see an increase in volume.

I've noticed some skin darkening near my lash line (where I apply it) and I also experience sensitivity after I apply it, but usually signifies that's if I've applied too much.

I have recently started applying this to my eyebrows. I have sparse hairs on the inner part and want it fuller to help with not having to fill them (who am I kidding, I'll still fill them) when I have lazy makeup days. After a week of applying it to my eyebrows, tiny hairs are sprouting in places where it didn't look like any would come from. So, amaz-balls!

I will be repurchasing simply because I'm afraid of what my lashes will look like without this.

6ml. for $5.95
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract (and) Olea europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract (and) Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) Leaf Extract (and) Camellia sinesis (White Tea) Leaf Extract (and) Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, MSM, Cranberry Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Oats, Castor Oil, Gluconoactone, and Sodium Benzoate, Carbomer, Saccharomyces/silicon Ferment & Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment & Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment & Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment & Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Niacinamide (and) Sodium Starch Octenyl Succinate (and) Calcium Pantothenate (and) Maltodextrin (and) Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (and) Tocopheryl Acetate (and) Pyridoxine HCl (and) Silica, Caffeine

12 Q's Tag:

2010-08-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

1. What's your favorite makeup look?
Less is more. It's just too hot for anything else. But, if weather weren't an issue, I'd have to say I love brightly colored cut creases.

2. Do you have a beauty vice?
Not that I know of. I may do something differently & I don't even notice.

3. What part of your body do you love?
I'm very proud of my skin tone, I work hard to keep it protected. I just wish the face part would not act up.

4. Who is your beauty icon?
Can't say that I have an icon. I admire Marilyn Monroe.

5. What beauty product makes you feel instantly good?
Concealer. If I'm running out on the quick, it helps to make me feel awake. Next after that, filling in my brows.

6. How do you look after your skin?
I have quite a regimen, but it still acts up. My skin had been so good for over a month, then I introduce microdermabrasion, and blah! It's probably surfacing shit that was under the epidermis or it could be sunblock reaction. Currently I'm using Silk Naturals skincare products.

7. What is your signature scent?
FeMaledictions She. I get so many compliments when I wear it.

8. What is your haircare secret?
Don't shampoo often, sulfate/silicone free shampoo, less styling products, little heat, sun protection serum.

9. How do you pamper yourself?
Give myself manicure/pedicures. Dark chocolate is a close second.

10. What is your beauty pet peeve?
Product build up eye boogers. Overdrawn lip liner.

11. What would be your desert island must haves?
Sunblock and an umbrella.

12. Do you have a beauty philosophy?
Blend and build up.

No 'Poo: Take Two

2010-07-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

This time I used 1/2T baking soda mixed with 16oz. of water. No apple cider vinegar rinse. For some reason, my hair felt really gross while wet. It knotted up and just became a gnarl mess. In my previous entry about this experiment, I'd mentioned how my hair took on a different texture after the rinse. This took it to a whole different level of different. I'm thinking perhaps I shampooed it too much since I used the whole 16oz. mixture. Compared to what I did before, this was about two times more; but with less baking soda. Maybe since I didn't have product build up as I did the first time, I didn't need as much baking soda?

How would I describe what my hair felt like? Like I took a handful of pomade and focused it at my scalp, just ick! Upon drying, it still felt like I had that sticky, greasy wax in my hair. It is texturized (piecey) as all hell, but looked as though I haven't shampooed my hair in a few days instead of a mere hours ago.

My hair color didn't bleed as much this time, I'm happy to report. I also have insane volume.

So I obviously need to work on what my mixture needs to be.

Note to self: Next time 1tsp to coffee mug. If that doesn't work, go back to 1T.

No 'Poo Regimen

2010-07-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

I tried the no poo regimen on my hair Saturday. If you aren't familiar with it: it's where you use baking soda and apple cider vinegar instead of commercial shampoo and conditioner.

I dig the fact that I'm dealing with two natural ingredients. One cleanses, one conditions without any little fillers and silicone. Plus, it's cheap as dirt. I typically use TIGI shampoo and conditioner, that ain't cheap! The fact that I can get a box of baking soda and apple cider vinegar for under $10...awesome! Full sized TIGI bottles last me a looong time, but this would last me nearly as long; plus in the long run it helps decrease in shampooing as often.

Me, I shampoo my hair every 5-7 days. I don't brush it often since it's chin length. I use dry shampoo to extend on shampooing it. I maybe use a spray wax or a little light hairspray on it. Since I've cut most of it off, I'm pretty easy on managing it...I just keep it messy.

The Process

Alright. So, I took a coffee mug with 1T of baking soda, filled it to the brim with warm water. Then I took another mug 1T apple cider vinegar, filled it to the brim as well.

Wet my hair down the cold water (I have red hair, hello!), carefully poured the baking soda mixture to concentrate it at the root. (In hindsight, a pointed squeeze bottle would be a great solution) Scrubbed it into my scalp to loosen the product build-up (dry shampoo), let it sit for a minute, scrubbed once again then rinsed. I was disappointed to see my color going down the drain, but it does that with sulfate-free shampoos. Plus it was a given, it is baking soda. I only had to 'shampoo' once, whereas if I shampoo with shampoo, I'd have to lather up twice to get my hair all the way clean.

I noticed my hair took on a different texture once it was rinsed. Not so much dry, but just roughed up.

I squeezed out excess water then dumped the apple cider vinegar on my ends, let it sit for a minute then rinsed. The smell made me gag, but it faded and wasn't noticeable.

Once Dry

The volume was crazy and my curl came out. Since cutting my hair, it'd been really hard to get my curl to cooperate. It took product overload to try and get it to scrunch up, but after a few hours it would fall out. After the no poo, I simply applied a spot of TIGI's Some Like It Hot serum and let it air dry. I'm still amazed at the volume, even days after, I have crazy volume. Which I admit, I have a lot of hair, but usually it greases up and falls flat within a couple days.

As for the color, I didn't notice a big change in color fade. Nothing that made me think I need to never do this again.

I'm going to give it a couple more tries to see what it does to my color and just my hair period. I'll update accordingly.

FOTD

2010-07-12T12:18:00.000-07:00

I made a commitment to myself to do some bold looks this week. Today I went coral/orange. Too bad my lighting washes out the intensity of Spread Your Wings. I really love the glitter on the lower lash line, nice added sparkle.

EYES:

MAC Painterly + Fyrinnae's Pixie Epoxy - base

Aromaleigh Spread Your Wings - lid

Fyrinnae Montalivet - crease

TIGI's vanilla - brow

Random tobacco brown - outer corner

NYX JEP Black Bean - liner
Covergirl LashBlast Volume

Aromaleigh Ignite glitter - outer lower lash

CHEEKS:
Meow Hang Up

LIPS:
Revlon Coral Reef lipgloss

NOTD

2010-07-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Sally Hansen's Blue Me Away + Sinful Colors Nail Junkie

Silk Naturals - Super Serum

2010-07-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

(If you were wondering what 5mL of product looks like, this is it.)

This is the stuff I'd mentioned in my Apricot Cleansing review great for acne. I had to ween myself into this stuff because it's really potent stuff, especially for my sensitive skin. I got the preview size, it may look like it wouldn't last very long but I've been using it for 10 days straight and I'm just below the label so it's very economical. It will probably last another 10 days. I did notice it stung very, very mildly when I first started using this. After a couple days of continuous use, it quit.

I've noticed is that my face is so smooth and soft when I wake up since I use this at night. My makeup is applying smoothly with both synthetic brushes and flock sponges. It used to be my dry skin would show no matter what, worse with synthetic brushes. While it still does around my typical dry areas (nose and cheeks), it's easily mended with a fix spray. It wasn't that simple before. So that's a big plus. The dryness issue could be with the help of the Apricot cleanser as well, I'm not stripping my skin anymore. This serum seems to be hydrating it even more which is what I need.

Now for the acne part. I had a pimple that was brewing under my skin and honestly, three days later it has shrunk in size and it healing under the skin. With said pimple, it was going to be a big mess. You know those ones that are under the skin and just seem to blow up where no amount of concealer will hide the bloat of it and if you look at it wrong, it hurts? Yeah, that's what I had. The vitamin C seemed to help shrink the bloat of it. It was still puffed up, but it was concealable. This works very well on smaller blemishes, it just bangs them out really quick.

Be sure you use sun screen everyday if you are using this because the sensitivity to sun damage is increased.

I have the Facelift Serum to try out, so I'm not sure if I will get the full size bottle of this. We'll see after I've tried and weighed both serums. Stay tuned!

1 OZ. for $17.95

5ML. for $1.50

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Sulfone, Hydrolyzed Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seedcake, Thermus Thermophilus Ferment (and) Glycerin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tamarind Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Gluconoactone and Sodium Benzoate, Green Tea, Panthenol

Silk Naturals - Green Tea & Aloe Serum

2010-07-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

For reference: I have dry, sensitive, acne prone skin. I've been using this for over a month, so I feel I can give a proper review.

This is a nice, light hydrating serum. I've been using it as a facial lotion for the summer months because the thought of layering typical moisturizer is just a no-go with the heat. I let it sink in for about 30 minutes before applying makeup. I've applied foundation 5-10 minutes after, I found the serum peeled because it hadn't fully sunken in.

It comes in a pump bottle, but beware, it comes out fast. Two pumps is all I need for a light cover. Three is good for extra needed moisture. Once applied it kind of has a cooling effect. I'd imagine if you got some sun on your face, it would feel good and with the aloe, it will help soothe. Having used it for a month, I'm still over the label. Meaning, I have been using this twice everyday and that's a buttload to have left. For the money, it will last a long time.

It's a clear thin liquid, such as a serum would look like. Great for layering, which I will try in the cooler months when hydration is crucial to me. It doesn't contain any ingredients that upsets my skin, which is great, because typical moisturizers (drugstore 'n such) are heavy and break my skin out easily.

If you are looking for something easy for the summer months, I'd recommend this. If you want to layer different moisturizers, this would work as well.

2 OZ. for $9.95
5ML. for $1.00

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Vera Juice, distilled water, Green Tea Extract, Tamarindus Indica (Tamarind) Seed Extract, White Tea Extract, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Gluconolactone (and) Sodium Benzoate

Silk Naturals - Apricot Cleansing Oil

2010-07-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

For reference: I have sensitive, dry, acne prone skin. I've been using the Apricot Cleansing Oil for a month now, so I feel I can give a full proper review.

It's unlike a typical cleanser; it's, duh, an oil. I'll dispense about a quarter sized amount into my fingers & apply to dry skin. Sometimes I'll use a makeup remover wipe if I deem necessary. I do uplifting strokes on my face & use the remaining oil on my eyelids. Then I kind of let it sit on my skin for a little, scrub it around one last time to loosen clogged pores, then rinse while using circular motions.

There is only three ingredients which is wicked. I like knowing I'm not packing my skin full of fillers and chemicals. Just basics. No turn off smell. It does cleanse my face & remove all makeup. It leaves my face soft. I do still need to moisturize after. I also need to exfoliate to help slough the skin at least once a week. I've used this consistently for the month and not even near a fourth of the way through the bottle, so it will last a long while.

After a month, I've noticed my skin is glowing. It may not be as moisturized as it needs, this still does a fabulous job on cleansing without feeling stripped. My makeup applies more easily. I've noticed the pores on my nose aren't as clogged, but not completely gone. The pores on my cheeks seem smaller as well. No complaints there. I kind of had an issue with a break out, but it could have been my skin detoxing or a monthly issue. I've got another Silk Naturals item I'll be reviewing great for acne issues.

4 OZ. for $8.99
5 ML. for $.75

Ingredients: Apricot Kernel Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Cromollient SCE

Shelf-life: 6 months

POLL

2010-07-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

1. Blush of the day?
M.A.C.'s Trace Gold

2. Favorite moment from the weekend?
Shopping & family gathering

3. Favorite fruit?
Bananas, strawberries, apples

4. What’s the weather like today where you’re at?
Heat emergency, sunny, gross

5. Latest book you’re reading?
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

lovemakeup.ecrater

2010-06-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

I recently made an order through lovemakeup.ecrater.com getting various Red Cherry lashes & NYX JEP's. I ordered on a Thursday, received notice it'd shipped Friday, parcel was in my hands Monday. That's some fast shipping! Serious impressive skill.

Upon opening my package, I realized one of the JEP's was missing. Emailed the owner to notify I had a missing item which she is quick to reply to emails within the day. Owner was quick to fix the issue & I received the missing item Wednesday. Again, quick!

With my order, she added two pairs of lashes. If you spend over $20, you will receive a gift of her choosing. You can make a suggestion, but it's not granted you'll get what you ask.

I've been wanting to try Red Cherry lashes for a while now. I'm so glad I could get my hands on what I did. The lashes are stupendous. Lightweight, natural looking, and easily fitted to the eye.

I do recommend & will be shopping there in the future.

A Pale Girl's Summer Essentials

2010-06-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

Water

I drink only water. Sometimes I'll venture into some tea or a smoothie, but anytime you see me I'm always with a bottle of water. Especially with the heat of summer, I'm carrying an even bigger bottle because I can't get enough of it. Beat the summer bloat with water and add some lemon.

Sunblock

Again, can't get enough of it. I use Neutrogena's body mist SPF 100 simply because I like to keep my skin as pale as possible. I dislike the shine my skin gets when applied, but set it with a fine powder it helps diminish it. Applies nicely on the face, nothing too heavy & can go over makeup well.

Lip Balm

Preferably with an SPF. Since Aromaleigh discontinued their lip balms, I'm forced to venture out to find a replacement. Currently I still have some of their lip balm left, but I also picked up eos's sphere balm (possible review later). Lips need just as much moisture and sun protection as your skin does.

Face Serum/Light Moisturizer

I've discovered Silk Naturals skincare items & have since fallen in love with their Green Tea and Aloe Hydrating Serum. Two pumps, swirl in on my face, then push it in. That's all I need to stay moisturized in the summer. You don't want some heavy moisturizer sliding all over your face in the heat. Light layers of product to keep the skin from cakey is key.

Hair Serum

Specifically TIGI Some Like it Hot. I have red hair & we all know how much is it to maintain it. Well, all hair needs protection from the sun (the sun actually oxidizes your hair, acting like 20 volume therefore opening the cuticle to allow color fading), but especially color treated hair. Avoid excessive sunlight to prevent damaging to your hair. If you're going to the beach or going to be outside for long periods of time, apply a deep conditioner to dry hair to prevent dryness & further damage to the hair.

Parasol

Like I said, I'm an avid user of anything to keep my skin pale and protected. I get called out a lot for carrying a parasol but at least my elastin and collagen is in check. It may look silly, but at least I won't look like leather in my later years.

Lipgloss

Preferably bright colors. I can hardly stand the feel of lipstick during normal temperatures, so lipgloss is great to add color with. I really enjoy NYX round lipglosses. I also recently got Revlon's lipglosses which I'm enjoying as well.

Pumice Stone

Wearing flip flops wreaks havoc on your feet. Your feet get dirty, dry, just beaten but yet I still continue to live in them as long as I possibly can. Light buffing every other day helps the appearance of my heels.

Sunglasses

Bigger the better.

2010-06-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

This is quite interesting. Mine are sharp-angled. Stating I'm "opinionated, high-spirited, dislikes schedules, selective of friends, outgoing, likes attention, argumentative." I mean, really? You can label someone by the use of their lipstick? What's next? I'll admit, it's kind of spot on.