Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Ombre Lips...mmmhmm!

Why stop with ombre hair when you could do ombre lips too?!  We all did ombre lips at work one Friday and I loved it!  At first I wasn't sure if it would look weird, but you can do it as subtle or as bold as you like.  Here's some photos to maybe inspire some of you to try this!






Tuesday, October 16, 2012

My kind of palette

I just got a new palette from work...and it's life-changing.  That sounds dramatic but I really do love it! It's the LORAC PRO Palette ($42).  This one rocks because there's 16 hues and I would wear every single one.  That's hard to find!  They're great neutrals that I would wear everyday...and the top row is matte and the bottom row is shimmery.  Because they're so pigmented, you can use them wet or dry.  I could go on and on about this but I should stop now before I get carried away.  Oh wait, and it includes an eye primer too! 




Wednesday, October 10, 2012

hey stranger!

Yes I know, I'm a terrible blogger.  But I will post pictures of a few things that I've been up to lately.  But I'm proud to say that I will have more time to blog now that Sam and I ran the Portland Marathon!!  Hopefully I'll have some of photos of us soon but if you go to portlandmarathon.org and click on race photos, you can type in my last name and see photos of me running (and getting really REALLY tired). 

Also, we went to Buffalo, NY for a wedding!  I LOVED my dress by the way--I got it off of ModCloth's website.  So here's some photos!  I will soon resume some more beauty-related posts!






Monday, September 3, 2012

I love Somme.

I wanted to share a skincare line that is AMAZING.  Working at Blush has given me the opportunity to try lots of products (I love my job :).  Normally I would NEVER buy really expensive skincare, but the Somme Institute is pretty incredible.  After using it regularly for a couple of weeks, my skin just felt better, if that makes any sense.  Hopefully it looked better too.  What I love about Somme is that they don't come out with new products all the time...they have 8 different products.  And that's it!! 

Here's a little background info:  Somme started in 1994 and did about 10 years of clinical trials.  During that time, their researchers patented "Molecular Dispersion Technology."  I have no idea what that means BUT it helps the skin to fully absorb the 5 vitamins they use in their products (A, B3, B5, C, E).  It can be used on all skin types, and treat problems such as roseacea and severe acne.  There's some amazing before and after photos of the effects of Somme products.  Check out the website http://www.sommeinstitute.com/index.cfm

Read about their products too!  I may go into more detail about their products in the future, but I just wanted to introduce to anyone who hasn't heard of it! 



Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Color me violet

Oh my, it's been two weeks since I've blogged...shame on me!  I'm hoping once Sam and I run this crazy marathon in Oct. I'll have more time for blogging. 

Anyway, I've been flirting with the idea to dye my hair a deep violet color.  I'm being indecisive because I don't know if I want to do highlights or all-over color.  PLUS, I haven't dyed my hair in a ridiculously long time and I know I would have to bleach it in order to see it.  Too many decisions! I'm also not sure if it would look good against my skin tone, but I just saw Katy Perry on the cover of Elle and I LOVE the color!!!  So I decided to look up more photos to try and get ideas.  Oh the possibilities...

she rocks it




this is my favorite hue of violet I've found so far

If I were only this bold...

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

What have I been working on in school???

I wanted to share a few photos of some haircuts that I've done...3 of them are on my mannequin head Didi and one of them is Niki, one of my lovely co-workers at Blush.  Eventually I'll get more photos of haircuts on actual humans once I get into the habit of doing it.  Hope you enjoy!  And if anyone would like a haircut, let me know and I would be happy to be your hairstylist! 

Long Layers

Short Round Layers, aka "pixie"

Front side

Thanks Niki for being my model!!  She has a convex graduation cut...and isn't her hair color AWESOME?!


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

A-Line Time

Hello!  I finally took some photos of my haircut after class tonight...I'm debating whether or not to cut my bangs that I've been growing out for some time now.  I'm a sucker for straight-across bangs, even though I have an obnoxious cowlick on my front hairline.  Thoughts anyone??

We did this same A-line cut on our models last week...I wish I remembered to take a photo of my model's haircut.  It turned out so good and she really liked it!!  I think I must have been too nervous to think about taking pictures.  I'm proud of our class because everyone rocked it out! 

Anyway, time for sleep and another long week of school, work and running.  *SIGH*



Thursday, July 19, 2012

starting the day

Just wanted to post a few fashion photos that I fell in love with on pinterest.  I will soon be posting pics of my new haircut.  It's an A-line cut with layers! 




Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Mojito Madness and Bubble Tea!

It actually feels like summer time in Portland...FINALLY!  And then everyone is going to complain that it's too hot and it needs to rain.  I had off of school all last week (thanks Aveda for the summer break!).  It was just what I needed to regain focus.  I was starting to feel quite stressed out with EVERYTHING.  Sam and I took a little vacay up to Seattle for the 4th...and it was AWESOME!  I'll be posting pics on Facebook soon :)


Now to the actual point of this blog post:  Essie just launched a new nail line called "Bikini so Teeny."  It's adorable!  I bought a lovely bright green color called "Mojito Madness."  Check out the other fun colors here:  http://www.essie.com/latest-collection/.  I also used a top coat by Essie as well.  It says on the box that it drys within seconds...and it may be true.  I have a tendancy to try and do random things around my apartment seconds after I paint my nails and needless to say, my nails get messed up.  But I will say that Essie's top coat worked really well!  Maybe it wasn't seconds after I painted my nails that they were dry, but they haven't chipped yet and it's been 24 hours.  And usually by the 24-hour mark, my nails are severely chipped and I get mad. 

Oh, and I just had to throw in a pic of me with bubble tea because I have an addiction to it.  



Sunday, July 1, 2012

look at those brows!

Did you ever think a little piece of thread could remove facial hair?  Threading is an ancient form of hair removal that's gaining more and more popularity.  I just got my eyebrows threaded at work for the first time...and I have to say I like it a LOT more than waxing.  Not that hair removal is much fun, but threading didn't irritate my skin nearly as much as waxing.  The top layers of the skin aren't peeled off when threaded...it's much gentler on the skin.  If you haven't tried it, give it a chance!  To me, it felt like little prickles along my brows. 

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

inspiration in photos

Hello!  I know I need to post more but beauty school, work and marathon training have been taking up A LOT of my time.  I have so many ideas for posts, but just not enough TIME!  I am pleased to say that with everything going on right now, I am very happy :)  School is so much fun, working at Blush rocks and I feel good running...yay!  Since I don't have much time for extensive blog posts, they're just going to be short and sweet.  I pulled a few beauty photos that I love from pinterest.  Looking at photos truly inspires me and I hope one day I can do amazing hair and makeup that's worth photographing!  Oh, and if anyone wants to be a model for me at Aveda, contact me!!  I promise I'll do a good job and hopefully soon I'll have some photos of haircuts that I've done. 

Have a good week!








Tuesday, June 12, 2012

kiss pimples goodbye!

I really don't have bad skin, but when I get one pimple, I convince myself that I have acne.  If I have one, I feel like my whole face is covered with them.  I've tried some pretty ridiculous things in the past in order to rid my face of pimples but I think I found a product that's actually going to work.  I have a painful one on my chin now (I seem to always get one there every once in a while), and I have something to say to it:

Dear pimple on my chin,

Since you decided to pop up on my chin yesterday, I bought a product that's making you go away instantly.  It's Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion ($17).  All I have to do is dab one drop of the solution on you and leave it overnight.  So tonight it's going to do its magic to reduce the redness and dry you up for good.  Sweet dreams little pimple and don't come back please.

Sincerely,
my face :)





*Ingredients such as calamine and salicylic acid help dry out pimples quickly

*When using, do NOT shake the bottle...dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment on the bottom and dab onto the pimple

*Don't rub the solution in, just let it dry overnight

*This can also be used for breakouts on the back or chest...and even on mosquito bites to ease the itch!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Nail art!!

Hello!  I have to say this will be a short post...I am exhausted from class and trying to section hair.  It looks so easy, but it's NOT AT ALL!  I need lots of practice!  On the bright side, I bought these lacquer nail apps from OPI ($10).  There are so many cute designs so I know I will be buying more in the future...

I only took one picture, not feeling too creative tonight so don't judge! 



The directions say to apply the nail app and then file downward.  I think it's easier to clip each one close to the edge of the nail and then file down--especially if you have really short nails like I do.  They're supposed to last up to three weeks so we'll see if that's true!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

first day of school!

Yay I finally started school today!  One word:  AMAZING!  I'll give a brief background:  I started school a few months ago at a different place and didn't have a great experience.  After two weeks I decided that school wasn't right for me and switched to the Aveda Institute of Portland.  I had to wait four months until the next start date at Aveda.  After today I knew it was worth the wait!!  I met some great people today and learned how to do scalp, shoulder and neck massages. 

Anyway, James Ryder, a celebrity/film makeup artist, is coming to Aveda in June.  His work is awesome and I wanted to post some pictures.  I'm definitely want to sign up for his workshop!!


The makeup in this photo was done by a student at Aveda Institute of Portland...how amazing is that?!






Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Expanding my (makeup) horizons

Since I started working at Blush Beauty Bar, my makeup drawer has happily expanded into TWO makeup drawers!  I just wanted to highlight a few of my favorites that I've recently acquired:



In no particular order...

NARS blush in Deep Throat:  LOVE THIS COLOR!  It's a little peachy with flecks of gold in it.  I think the color would be flattering on most skin tones too!

eyeko curvy brush mascara:  I'm pretty sure everyone at Blush owns this mascara.  The brush has tiered bristle clusters which makes it really easy to comb and define your lashes.  The result?  Doll-like lashes--no lash curler needed! 

Long wear Forever Noir Eyeliner, Noir Cosmetics:  This is a great everyday black eyeliner.  It's smudge-proof and waterproof.  Plus it doesn't fade away, it will be there FOREVER!  (sorry for the obvious pun)

Stila One Step Illuminate:  Possibly my favorite item EVER.  It's a triple-swirled serum that primes, brightens and illuminates skin.  It could even be used on your entire face because it's not too shimmery and it evens out the complexion.  I love using it on my cheek bones along with my NARS blush...the two look beautiful together!! 

Blush brush set:  Forgive me but I have no idea who makes this brush set...oops!  I bought this brush set at Blush and I don't see a tag or anything.  It's a great value at $35 and it comes with a pink case to hold them.  I will try to remember and ask!  I bought them solely on the fact that they're pink.  You know you'd do the same!  But they have proved to be good basic brushes :)

Thursday, May 17, 2012

wheels in motion

I promise I will have this blog up and running in no more than 2 weeks!  I'm still stirring up different ideas and trying to get the "look" of it just the way I want it.  But don't be surprised if I change little things here and there.  I'm starting school May 29 so I'm sure that will inspire some ideas too!  And if anyone has any cool ideas for blog posts, let me know! 

Have a wonderful day!