a summer beauty look. what summer means to me.

happy friday, loves!

this week i participated in a blog series, what summer means to me, with a group of pretty cool girls.  of course when i think of summer, i think of all the usual things that it brings like vacations, sunblock, sand, watermelon, and sunshine, but the first thing that pops into my head is beauty!

i wanted to feature a pretty, summer look that's easy to pull off and looks good on just about any skin color.  during the summer, i like to keep my face pretty free of foundation because it can be heavy so all i typically use is tinted moisturizer with some bronzer. 

a glowy look is something i like to go for, so matte is a look i don't try to achieve in the summertime.  luckily i have pretty normal to dry skin, so i can pull this off without having to use a powder. as for the eyes, any color will do, but for this look here i did a brown/bronze look.  i used brown satin shadow topped with a champagne color, brown pot liner, white in the waterline, and black mascara.  lips are a medium pink color, which is not something i normally wear.  i would have typically worn a nude color with this, but i felt it needed a bit of added color and i liked this color pretty well.

all in all, this look can be worn in a ton of different ways by changing just a few things: a nude lip instead of pink, less eyeshadow and more of a naked eye with bold lips, or even a natural look with only mascara and gloss.

what did you think of this look? 

 

 

Products you would need to complete this look:
- first and foremost, always start out with spf - mine is in my serum and moisturizer
- tinted moisturizer
- light colored bronzer (for the whole face)
- regular bronzer (for contour or apples)
- shimmer powder for highlight
- bronze shadow
- champagne shadow
- espresso gel liner
- black mascara
- white liner (for waterline)
- pink lipstick
- pink lipliner
- gloss if you want

a new favorite mascara, finally!

Rimmel ScandalEyes Retro Glam

since 2009 i have been on the hunt for a mascara to fall in love with, as my favorite had been discontinued.  i have talked about this before and have run across a few that i have liked quite a bit, one that i did fall for, and lots that i have thrown away mid use.

i have used rimmel mascara before and liked it so when i tried this particular one, i had high expectations.  it was actually better than i thought.  for one, i always use black.  in fact, i have to because my lashes are so light that i look like a corpse with naked lashes or any color besides black. this black was like jet black and bold.  killer.  loved it.  also, i loved the formula.  it went on super easy, was not clumpy and i only had to use about two coats.  it never flaked throughout the day and washed off without any makeup remover.

the brush is pretty unique as well because of the hour-glass shape and the way it grabbed all the lashes.  the only thing i didn't like about the shape when i applied to my bottom lashes, but that is just me.  typically i have to use a small brush because i end up touching my skin and i also had to apply lots of coats to achieve the look i was going for.

all in all i would give this 5 out of 5 stars.  

 

 

kinda blurry, sorry. can't really see the brush.

** this was a sponsored post by Influenster, however all thoughts and comments are my own. 

diy like a fool.

for the last year i have been making jewelry, but over the last month or so i have really kicked it up a notch and made a lot more.  i also have started to get into watercolor painting.  i have no idea what i'm doing really, but it is so much fun. here are a few pics of some of the things i have been doing.

the jewelry is fun to make.  the hardest part is trying to come up with designs and patterns to create, but sh helps a lot and he is actually very good at making pieces.  he has made several and honestly, i think they are probably better than any i have done.  some of these are his and some are mine. 

i have to say that i do like the painting more though. i set up a little spot on the counter, turn on my edm, and go to town. i tune out everything else in the world and just paint away.  it really is good for my mind and it is therapy for me.  i just wish i had more time to do it instead of like once a week. there are a couple other pieces i have done that i really love.  i think i may frame them and find a spot on the wall.

i bought myself a watercolor book and know i'm getting a beginner thing for christmas, so i hope to actually learn how to do things instead of just trial and error, but regardless, it's fun and i love it (:

one love. jamaica.

jamaica.

that's the little island of warmth, sunshine, rasta, and love that i visited a couple of weeks ago and why i've been so absent from the blog world.  i just did not have time to schedule posts before i left and was too busy when i got home.  here is a little snippet of the trip along with some pics.  i know i'll be looking back at these throughout the next several months when we're all stoved up inside this winter. 

at the beginning of september SH, myself, my two sisters, and the boyfriend took a getaway to mobay.  we have been a few times before and since we're all in love with the island, we decided it was a perfect end of summer destination. originally it was for our 5th anniversary, but then it turned into a trip for the sisters and men.

it was simply fabulous.  our resort was excellent.  liquor dispenser in the room along with a fridge that's restocked every other day, all the food one can scarf down, and all the drinks a person can consume make for a pretty sweet getaway, not to mention it was very budget friendly.

the cuture is fascinating, reggae is addicting, and the blue waters are inviting.

each day we basically got up, ate breakfast at the buffet, while drinking delicious blue mountain coffee, and spent the day at the beach soaking up the sun with drinks in our hands.  honestly most of the time it was water because it was so hot, but we had an occasional ocean dream or daquiri (or five) each beach day.

when it rained most afternoons, we headed to our rooms to nap, hang out together, or head to lobby to people watch.  each nite was pretty relaxed and revolved around more food and nitely entertainment.

seven nites just isn't long enough for me.  the resort has lots and lots of europeans and did you know they get at least, at least, 8 weeks of vacation a year.  most of them are at resorts for two to three weeks.  there was definitely a bit of envy and jealousy coming from our group.

it was definitely a much needed vacation that was a trip one has to take to understand.  jamaica is like no other place i have been and i have been ready to head back as soon as i shut the door to our room for the last time.

until next time, ja. . . 

 

 

 

 

divas don't do nose jobs, but . . .

they get their nose pierced, perhaps.

anyone that knows me is aware that i have a very strong love/hate relationship with my nose.  for as long as i can remember my nose has been the least favorite feature of my face, however i have been convinced that it's what makes my beauty. i know that if i got it changed i definitely would not look the same, in fact, i may look less pretty.  you know how that works. like jennifer gray.  i don't think she is pretty at all before her nose job, but i think she's even less pretty afterwards because her nose is what gave her her look.  same with me. 

anyhow, i am happy with my decision to get this piercing.  i love tattoos & piercings, have already had negative comments, but it's my body and i have the right.  as long as it doesn't get infected, i'll be golden (:

disclaimer: i really don't consider myself a diva although my family calls me one and i even have a shot named diva after me. vodka, sprite, and cranberry juice - delish. oh, and i saw this title somewhere once and it has always stuck with me since i have always dreamed of a nose job.

i've never seen such beautiful clouds.

i don't think these pictures need too much explanation.  how beautiful and colorful are these clouds?  when i looked at the sky as the sun was setting, i knew i had to grab my camera because they looked like pink, gray, and charcoal puffs of cotton and fire.

so pretty!  i wish the sky was like this more often!

☆ GIVEAWAY ☆ two boho headbands from MURABELLE.

i bought this for a bday nite out on the town. sparkle city!

when ashley from murabelle said a giveaway on the blog would be perfect for her headbands, i got the biggest smile on my face.  i am in love, or should i say obsessed, with her products.  there are so many different styles - boho, feminine, simple, & colorful; scarves, nautical, lace, tribal, and wraps. 

she also has a line called fit happy for those that love a band while at the gym, hanging out, or just to wear. these are becoming increasingly popular and i'm pretty sure one of these is next on my list.

also, these dent-free hair ties have become everyone's favorite lately and i have loved wearing them. since my hair is shorter, i don't wear them as often anymore, but they still come in handy and look great on my wrist!

this is my beautiful cousin, LAUREN.  she made the perfect model for these bands.  doesn't she have the prettiest hair and most gorgeous eyes?!

aren't the headbands just lovely?!  her prices are out of this world too.  i am so happy with everything i have ever purchased from her and she is awesome to work with. 

there will be two winners - one will be receiving the lace band and the second will receive the purple & turquoise chevron. 

good luck!!

{if you like murabelle or purchase from her store, tell her i sent you her way, please (:} 
she is always posting sales and deals on her facebook page so be sure to like it.  for instance, check out the super cute and unique 4th of july bands - i am so bummed i missed out on this one.  definitely one of a kind!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*giveaway open to all US residents.  

my new do!

today i went and saw my cousin who goes to the paul mitchell school in st. louis.  i was really needing a change with my hair and i'm so glad i went.  i freaking love the outcome.  my hair hasn't been this short in about 10 years.  i think it will be great for summer and i can still pull it back. 

i'm sure i'll grow it back eventually, but i am loving the change.

what do you guys think of it?!

what i am best at.

certainly this isn't the thing i do best, but it's one that i am very passionate about and love.  ever since i was little i have been obsessed with beauty. i've worn makeup since jr high, dyed my hair since then, and shaved my legs for the first time at age 7. 

i have done makeup for weddings, currently cut hair for a couple people, and have even cut long hair into a short bob while on vacation on the balcony, at nite, with kitchen shears - it wasn't perfection, but it was cute. never a dull moment really.

i am a beauty product junkie.  i am a platinum member at ulta, i have numerous coastal scents eyeshadow palettes, almost every body shop product there is, baskets full of hair goodies, and drawers full of half-used face and body products. it's sick, but there's too much good stuff out there that i cannot keep my hands off of.

unfortunately having this passion comes with a bit of vanity.  i can't leave the house with at least mascara on, maybe even bronzer.  my lashes are so light i can't hardly stand to look at myself au natural. 

i also care very much about my skin, protecting it from the environment and aging.  i slather on body lotion every day after i shower, wash my face twice a day, wear at least spf 15 on face and skin, and use anti-aging products. skin has to last your whole life so why not try and keep it healthy as well.  treat skin as you would anything else you care about.

the main thing though is that i like to have fun with everything.  i love to see the final result whether it's a funky bright eyeshadow, a cute braid, natural, neutral face, or a curly mess.  anyone can do it; it just takes some practice.

one thing i admit though, after all this time, i still cannot put mascara on my bottom lashes on my left eye without it touching skin.  i hate that, so q-tips are always close by.  maybe one day i will master it (;

i hope this post doesn't sound like i'm a prissy, snooty thing.  i'm actually quite the opposite, but i just have a true love for beauty and that's who i am.