June 2015 Favorites

The summer is flying by at full steam, and it is time to post some products I have been enjoying for the month of June!

First off is an eyeliner I have been using almost daily this month.  This is the Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise liquid eyeliner.  (The first of two Maybelline product favs this month).  As a former devotee to eye pencils, this is my very first liquid eyeliner product, and I've become converted.  The felt tip applicator makes it particularly user friendly, at least when you compare it to liquid liners that are applied by a brush.  The liquid liner look is more dramatic and generally longer-lasting than the pencil.  The tapered tip which comes to a point allows for a either a thin or thick liner.  I have yet to master a perfect wing with this product (with any eyeliner really), but this is the one to try it with.

I have a couple of hair products I want to mention this month.  I have been using this Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint shampoo for a few months now, not everyday, because the tea tree oil that is so healthy on the scalp can be killer on my already dry hair.  But it does wonders for improving a dry, itchy scalp.  As an added bonus, the scent is wonderful, relaxing and very aroma-therapeutic. 

On evenings when I use the tea tree shampoo find my hair needs an extra boost of moisture.  This newish brand, Living Proof, which I believed was developed with the help of Jennifer Aniston, has a really good leave-in conditioner called the "Night Cap Perfector."  I am a sucker for good smells, and the smell of this product reminds me of herbed tea.  Since I am on an herbed tea kick right now, I am loving it.  This conditioner makes my hair feel smooth and silky without wearing it down.  I am currently using a free sample I received at Sephora, but I would love to pick up the full size someday.  Living Proof products are sold at Ulta and Sephora.

I am such a huge fan of the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte lipsticks.   I have seven of them (having just recently purchased two of the new collection that was just released). The color below is in the shade, Lust for Blush.   I included it in this month's favorite because I wore it to a close friend's wedding this month, and not only was the shade beautiful, but it held up beautifully throughout the day.  This is a flattering, muted mid-tone pinky-mauve shade.  Because it is matte the color is saturated and velvety-feeling.  The formula is really comfortable and comfortable to wear.  I highly recommend these lipsticks!

Maybelline Creamy Matte "Lust for Blush" swatched on my wrist

Who doesn't love a beautiful summer nail polish?  This season I have been drawn to white-based, pastel colors.  I love the soft, feminine look it gives in shades that are fun, but not overly dramatic for summer.  This shade is Essie's "Bikini So Teeny,"  a gorgeous corn-flowery blue, which I know is extremely popular.  It is one of my go-to shades this time of year for hands and toes (though I love it the most on my toes).  I also love white-based baby pink shades and have recently purchased a pastel lavender.

And finally . . .

 

I have been on an herbal tea kick as of late, mostly because I am trying to eat/drink healthier, and find a way to replace soda addiction that has plagued me most of my life.  I have been loving trying out various new teas.  Tea is generally pretty inexpensive so you can sample a few different varieties at a time. The experiences with drinking tea daily has definitely caused me to see improvement in my overall health, and has helped me feel calmer.  Also, it has helped me to consume more water, which always a good thing for me.

It has been interesting to read up on various types of tea and discover their health benefits.  Until recently I hadn't even heard of rooibos tea or "red" tea.  I was out to breakfast earlier in the month with my friend and her fiance, and that is when I discovered this particular flavor, Organic African Nectar by Mightly Leaf.  (The box can be purchased from their website or from Whole Foods, Kneaders Bakery sells it and several other varieties Mighty Leaf offers in individual tea bags).   It has these bright, fruity tropical notes, which I really enjoy.  This tea was an instant favorite.  Some of the brands I've been sampling from include Tazo, Celestial Seasonings, Republic of Tea, Teavana, and Numi.  I would love to do a post on my favorite teas once I've sampled a larger variety. 

Catch ya later!

My Beauty Essentials

Here is a quick run down of makeup and skin care products I love and use on a regular basis, in other words, my "essentials."  I've also compiled a list of items I like but consider more of a luxury, not necessarily for everyday use.  And then there are three I'm mentioning that I don't bother with at all.  Makeup is extremely personal, and there is not one prescribed way to use it.  I know that something I consider essential may be completely unnecessary for someone else, and vice versa.  Some of the cosmetics I use are important for my health and upkeep, however, a lot of it I use because it is a hobby and passion of mine.  (I'm certainly not one who gets dolled up for fancy events on a regular basis).  So without further ado,  here is what the list of what I  (first world "need") to have at all times:

MAKE-UP
Mascara
Eyeliner
Eyeshadow
Foundation Primer
Foundation
Lip Balm
Lipstick and/or Gloss
Blush
Nail Polish
Makeup Brushes

SKIN CARE
Gentle Cleanser (one I can use to remove eye makeup if needed)
Daytime Moisturizer (preferably with SPF of 30 or higher)
Nighttime Moisturizer
Eye Cream

High maintenance?  Admittedly a little. 

Here is a list of what I don't have to have on a daily basis, but like to have on hand:

MAKE-UP
Concealer
Bronzer
Contour Powder
Highlighting product
Eyeshadow Primer
Makeup Setting Spray Beauty Blender

SKIN CARE
Eye Makeup Remover
Serum (with vitamins and/or antioxidants)
Exfoliant
Retinoid Cream(anti-wrinkle benefits)


Here are some products that many consider to be essential that I personally never bother with and explanations as to why:

Eye Lash Curler-  This is one of those things that if I ever regularly used one, I would probably decide I couldn't live without it.  But I'm perfectly happy not having one, so why try to change that?  I do remember trying one out as a teenager, and seeing very little difference at all.  And to tell you the truth, they kind of scare me.  I'm afraid something would startle me while I was using one and accidentally rip out all of my lashes.  Pas bien. 

Brow Gel/ Pencil- I was blessed with good brows (though I have a thousand other flaws to make up for it).  So I don't need to fill them it, at least at this stage of my life.  If I start to lose my brows as I grow older, you better believe I will be all about filling them in to get my full brows back.  I use brow combs, spoolies and wax every once and awhile to keep them in place, but not all the time.  I tweeze and get them waxed every few weeks to keep them well-groomed. 

Self-Tanner- I understand the appeal of self-tanners, I really do.  They have some amazing products out there that help people safely fake a tan so as not to endanger their skin, and I am a huge supporter of that. 
As for myself, I am about as fair as they come.  I don't tan naturally- I burn, I freckle, but I don't really tan, so I figure, why try to pretend my skin can do something it really can't?  I gave up on real tanning many, many, years ago, and now I am so completely paranoid about skin cancer, I spend the summers indoors as much as possible, or repeatedly slathering on spf and lingering in the shade when I have to be outside.  Self-tanners aren't worth my time and money.  I make do with the occasional application of face bronzer, for a sun-kissed glow, and good old fashioned sheer pantyhose when I am wearing a skirt.  It works for me.


So, after all of that I will say that I reserve the right to change my mind on any of the above that I mentioned.  I may decide one of my "must haves" is non-essential, or more likely, that one of my "not important" items may some day become a must-have.  For example, I used to think that the idea of foundation primer was a joke, but once I started using one I became converted for life.
I'll delve further into my favorite brands of some of these products that I love in future posts.   :)

Color Spotlight: Copper

I have a true, deep, and abiding love for the color copper.   Rich, metallic, and reminiscent of the colors of autumn (my favorite time of year),  copper has such a warmth and radiating beauty.   I love it in so many forms: jewelry, eye shadow, nail polish, home decor, and it has the added sentimental value of being the color of my wedding band and the color of my daughter's hair.  Here are some of my fav's:

Clockwise from left: Maybelline Eye Studio eyeshadow quad in Copper Chic, E.L.F. Smudgepot in Brownie Points, Sephora Mirror eyeshadow in Lucky Penny , Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Copper Glow and Amber Blaze

I am drawn to metallic copper eyeshadow.  Even though I have a cooler skin tone,  I'm drawn to the beauty and warmth of this color.  (When I say "copper," I'm also lumping it into similar hues like rose gold and amber). 

  

E.L.F. Baked Eyeshadow in Toasted

Left to Right: Ulta Gel Eyeliner in Copper and Rimmel Kate Moss Eye Shadow Stick in Rose Gold

After doing a bit of experimenting with different eyeliner colors throughout the years, I have come to the conclusion that I am definitely a black-eyeliner-only kind of girl . . . with one exception.  I am a sucker for copper eyeliner, my favorite being the Ulta brand gel liner, with gives the perfect saturation without straying too far into a brown.  I don't wear copper liner often, but when I do it gives a soft, flattering look. 

E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Copper

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured in Rose Gold

Hello gorgeous. This is "poured" rose gold in a compact.  How could I resist?  I am too fair to use this product as a highlight.  I may be able to use to pull it off as a blush, I want to try.  But what I have used it for is a pretty contour.  I may be breaking the rules, but I don't care.  I love this stuff.  I ordered it from Sephora's site by mistake thinking I was getting the powder, (which is also amazing),  but I fell so in love with the flawless finish of this cream, I kept it.  The powder is still on my wishlist.  ;)

Mary Kay Crème Lipstick in Copper Glow

I know metallic, glittery lipsticks are out of style now, but I still love this lip color, (which is now discontinued by Mary Kay).  I have a beautiful Japanese aunt who looks absolutely stunning in this color.  I can't pull it off quite as well as she does, but I like it anyway.  It looks prettier in the tube than on my lips, so I keep it in my collection.

Left to Right: Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer in Amber, Maybelline The Elixer gloss in Glistening Amber, Too Faced Melted Metal liquid lipstick in Debutante

These glosses are more sparkly amber shades, that is a little more true orange-y and less rich and rosy, but still in the same color family. 

 

Clockwise beginning from bottom left:  OPI Nail Lacquer in A Woman's Prague-ative, Revlon Brillant Strength nail enamel in Captivate, Revlon Metallic nail enamel in Copper Penny, Sephora by OPI in Traffic-Stopper Copper, and Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Color in Dream Sequins

I love to rock copper nails, glitter or metallic.  'Nuff said. 

Rose Gold Fox ear studs by Fossil

Over the years I have amassed a collection of rose gold jewelry (rose gold is a gold-copper alloy) the most special of which is my original rose gold piece, my wedding band given to me (of course) by my husband.  Over the years he has given me a few rose gold necklaces, which are of course, very special to me, too special to photograph.  The beautiful, fun fox earrings (above) I chose for myself when my brother gave me a certificate to Fossil when my daughter was a newborn. 

Yes, this is a beauty blog, but this tray and planter set in "butterscotch copper" (don't you just love that?!)  was a gift from my mother-in-law. 

Caron Simply Soft yarn in Pumpkin

This is one of my favorite yarns.  The color is called "pumpkin," but it is a beautiful orange-red, that celebrates the fire-y side of the coppery spectrum.  My sweet mother knitted me some socks and a scarf from this yarn. 

And last but not least:

Close up of my daughter's hair color (unfiltered!)

My toddler's red hair is rose gold, the same hue as my ring.  I pray that it stays this color forever.

<3 <3 <3

A Note on Color

Deer in a Monastery Garden, Franz Marc, 1912

I love color.  I am drawn to  are bright, bold, saturated arrays of color.  I think most of us are.  For instance I've observed that my preschool-aged child is much more likely to think a candy, ice cream flavor, etc looks delicious if it is colorful.  I suppose I have never grown out of that trait that lures me to color in all forms: food, art, scenery.   I hope I never do.    

The above paintings is by one of my favorite artists, Franz Marc, a modernist who loved to depict animals in his bold geometric paintings.  In college I minored in art history   I even went on an art history study aboard in Europe and toured museums and cathedrals all over France, Belgium, and London.  Sometimes I fantasize what kind of career I may have had if I had chosen to pursue art history and curatorial studies in graduate school.  Would I be working at a job I loved at an art museum (unemployed with a lot of debt, praying for job opportunities)?  I remember hearing somewhere, that in trying to figure out what career you should have, you should think about what careers you envy.  In recent years, on the rare occasions when I've been to local art museums, I always find myself "envying" the docents, typically so serene and classy.  What an amazing, sophsticated job that would be, and to be surrounded by all of those beautiful things . . . Then again, sometimes I envy the employees who work at Sephora for the same reason (then again they have to deal with the aggravation of working in retail).  For now my main responsibility is my family, but I still try my hardest to surround myself with beauty and expose my kids to it as well.

Because color is such an integral part of makeup, I want to start a spotlight series featuring some of my favorite colors in makeup, nail color, and jewelry, and show how and with what products I use it.  I'm still experimenting, but that is part of the process.  Aren't we all just a work in progress anyway?

May 2015 Favorites

Here is the kick-start to my "Monthly Favorites" series!  I am a total beauty, skin, and bath product junkie, so this is a good way for to highlight the products I regularly use, love, actually use up, and would repurchase.  This, of course, is a beauty feature, but since I am a woman of many interests, I also want to feature a "non-beauty" item every month as well.  This could include music, a book, movie, food, fashion item, or piece of art.   We'll see what I come up with!  Now let's get right into my fav's for May:

The love of my heart this month is the Yummy Mummy body conditioner from Lush.  This is a limited edition product Lush brought out for Mother's Day.  Early in the month, I was at our downtown shopping center with one of my best friends, and wasn't planning on making any purchases at Lush (since I really haven't been as into Lush in recent years), but then a sales person offered to give me a demonstration . . . .  Yep, it was all over after that, especially when I was told it was limited edition and there were only three jars of it left in the store.  However, this is one impulse buy I don't regret making.  When I visited another Lush store just north of me a few days later, I was told by the employees there that there was an insane demand for this product and they had been sold out for a couple of weeks.  I have been enjoying it almost daily, (you may not be able to tell from the picture, I've put a pretty big dent in it, but still a ton left.  A little goes a long way).

If you aren't familiar with Lush's body conditioners, they are basically designed to do for the body what hair conditioners do for hair.  You are supposed to smooth it all over your skin after you soap, then rinse it off while still in the shower.  Lush claims that the product is so moisturizing that you don't need to use lotion after you get out of the shower.

The best part about this body conditioner is the smell.  Oh my word, it smells so amazing!  The scent is strawberry, but not the typical synthetic strawberry you are used to smelling in other strawberry scented items like candles, lip balms, etc, (I actually love that kind of strawberry scent too) but this is a "true" strawberry scent that comes from pure strawberry juice, which is a main ingredient.  It also contains the naturally derived vitamin C from the strawberry, and as most of us know, vitamin C is fantastic for the skin.  I make it a point to buy skin products that contain vitamin C.
As far as its moisturizing ability, it works pretty well, but I am hesitant to use it on my legs after I shave.  I asked the salesman in Lush about this and he advised me to avoid it.  So I mainly use it on my hands and arms.  I really don't need an additional moisturizer on the areas where I use it, and althought it isn't what I would call deeply  moisturizing, the the soft, nourished feeling does last for awhile.  So, way to go Lush!

Now, unfortunately this product is long gone out of the stores and online (I really hope they bring it back next Mother's Day because I will be wanting some more!)  but Lush has other body conditioners that they sell year round that are also very popular.

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This next favorite of mine is another body product: The Blissful Body Body Butter with Kokum and Shea.  This body butter is exciting to me for a number of reasons.  I first heard about it from a Jaclyn Hill video on YouTube.  I was intrigued because I love trying out handmade products, and this particular independent seller not only makes her own body creams, but she donates a portion of her profits to ministries that help support women and children in need.  I also noticed when I visited the product site I was delighted to see that the seller lives in my hometown, Gunnison, Colorado!!  So I was more than thrilled to support her shop. 

Not only is it a great purchase to support a very important cause, the body butter itself is really, really good!  It is very thick and moisturizing without being greasy.  It has a delicious, yet mellow fragrance and is very gentle on the skin.  I have one in buttercream and one in creamy peppermint and I adore them both.

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 I am somewhat of a newbie to the E.L.F (eyes, lips, face)  brand, but with what exposure I've had to them thus far, I am hooked.  Formerly, I was a makeup snob (ok, I still am) but I am more willing now to admit and recognize that there are really decent, well-made products that are put out by "cheaper" brands.  Most E.L.F products are within the $1-$6 range, but somehow manage to make high-quality makeup that compete well with far more expensive brands.  One product I have found to be quite beautiful is the Long-Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow in the shade, Toast.  It is basically a straight-up, glittery gold color, but because the consistency is a creamy, whipped-like texture, there is no messy fall-out.  It is simple to apply with your finger and the result when swept across the lower lid is gorgeous (as demonstrated on my eye below).

 I own a ton of eyeshadows, and have used many high end and drugstore brands over the years and I have never had anything quite like this in my collection.  I am really enjoying it.  The possible downside: in the short time I've had it, I've noticed it getting a little dry and cakey around the edges of the pot, which leads me to believe the product may dry up pretty fast.  That being said, it retails for $3, so no biggie.  

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My name is Mary and I am a lip product addict.  Crazy addicted.  There is no other way to describe my obsession.  So expect to see A LOT of lippies in my posts.  The bright side of this, however, is that because I own and have tried so many lip products, any that I feature as my favorites will be fantastic.  I promise.  This Tarte LipSurgence Lip Crème in the shade Wonder is one such product.  This particular line, the "Lip Crème line, is available in only four colors and is, I believe, exclusive to Ulta.  The formula is unbelievably light and comfortable, it has a very luxurious feel on the lips.  And the color is absolutely gorgeous; a muted, rosy color that gives enough pigment to look glamorous, but subtle enough for day wear.  It is the perfect color for spring.   Here's a swatch for you:

Lip crayon/chubby stick products are not for everyone, but I personally really enjoy them.

One warning about the packaging on this one: I don't know if it is the soft formula, or if I had a broken one,  or what, but the first time I took it out of the box after just purchasing it, the lipstick completely fell out!  I thought about exchanging it, but the lipstick itself wasn't damaged and I was able to gently press in back in the packaging, and it hasn't happened since. 

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 I have just used up my second bottle of this product, and it is quickly becoming my "holy grail" morning moisturizer.  A few months ago I was looking for a good daily moisturizer with a decent spf that wouldn't break the bank, and this product fit all those requirements.  As soon as I started using this moisturizer it almost immediately improved my skin, and I am not kidding!  I had a couple of spots, one rough, brown spot in particular on my cheek, that I had noticed one day just completely disappeared after a couple of weeks of use.  I have been on board with it ever since.
I really like the brand Aveeno.  I am also a fan of their  Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream, which works very well on my children when they have mild eczema.  Aveeno products are on the little pricier side for the drugstore, but I believe the perform extremely well when stacked against their higher end counterparts.  It can be difficult to find am spf 30 or higher in a moisturizer at the drugstore too.  I'm not the biggest fan of the strong fragrance, but the more I use it, the less it bothers me.   I will continue to use this because it works great.   I buy this at my local Target, but most grocery stores or drugstores in the U.S. should carry Aveeno.  

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Any nail aficionado is likely familiar with the Seche Vite top coat.  I've have this baby for about a year.  I received it as a gift at a "Favorite Things" party from my husband's cousin, and I have been using it and loving it for that long.  Mostly I am impressed with the shiny, slightly thick, almost gel-like layer it leaves over polish, making it look like a more professional manicure.  But I also love that is gives my nail polish slightly longer staying power than other top coats I have tried.  Although I have yet to find a product that will completely prevent my nails from chipping after a day or two, this, I have noticed, at least keeps the chips from being too devastating.  It's the best top coat I have ever used on my nails.
(Note:  The color I am wearing in the above pic is OPI's The Lifeguard Makes Me Blush.  I threw it away after using it this last time because I realized I had had it for 8 years, and the smell had become overwhelmingly strong.  I noticed that Essie has a fabulous shade this season that is almost identical call Mod Square).

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 The last two makeup products I will feature are both mascaras.  Mascara is product that I am willing to try out in all different types of brands and price points.  This past little while I have been impressed with a couple of drugstore mascaras in particular.  The first is the Lash Blast Volume Mascara from Covergirl.  This mascara gets a lot of publicity and support from the beauty vlogging and blogging community, and for good reason.  It it easy, almost fun to apply (fun to apply mascara . . . am I weird) because the applicator brush is so precise.  It looks good after applying one coat, but it is easily buildable for more dramatic lashes without looking clumpy.  I have really enjoyed this one.  Here is a picture that will give you an idea of how the brush looks:

As you can (hopefully) see, the bristles are more that plastic, rubbery, spiky texture, as opposed to the more traditional nylon bristles.  I don't really have a preference one way or another, because I think both types can perform well.  For instance, my next favorite mascara this month has more of a bristly  brush: 

 This is the Lash Potion mascara by Revlon, and to be honest, I picked this up for two reasons:  1. I love the brand Revlon and I think they make great products and 2.  The packaging was pretty (don't you agree?).  But I was also influenced by an add in a magazine about it, which caught my attention when it said creates both length and volume.  When it comes to mascara, I don't want to have to choose between length and volume if I can help it, so the promise of both captures my attention.  For the most part I find it to be true.  I really like this mascara, and I'm surprised that unlike the Lash Blast Volume (which also does a good job with both length and volume) it doesn't get a lot of attention.  I think it is a great mascara, definitely comparable to L'oreal's Voluminous mascara, which has been my favorite mascara for years.  Anyway, I have many more mascaras in my arsenal to try out, both high end and drugstore, so be on the lookout for more mascara reviews!

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http://www.gentrimusic.com/

Now for my "non-makeup-related" favorite of the month:  The music group Gentri.  I discovered Gentri earlier this month when a sweet neighbor who pays me visits me once in awhile gave me their cd as a Mother's Day gift.  She knew the family of one of the members (the same one my husband actually went to high school with).  

These three men are amazingly talented.  Their music is a little difficult to categorize.  It is kind of Josh Groban-esque, but with amazing harmonies.  All three guys have a strong musical theater background (in fact, I read on their website that they met doing a production of Les Miserables), which is evident in their singing as well.  

Most of their songs are spiritual/classically based.  I love every song on the album.  There are only seven tracks (I wish there were more!) and my favorite is the song, "Don't Let Go."  When you hear a song with a title, "Don't Let Go," which isn't you're typical, "keep the faith/persevere," song, but more of plea to God to be the one to hold on during times of trouble. It is so inspiring and uplifting, I love it, and harmonies are so beautiful, as they are in all of their songs.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that they come out with a Christmas album this year (they have an amazing rendition of "Silent Night.")  Go check them out on their website or on iTunes.  You'll be glad you did!

So there you have it.  This ends my "favorites" for May.  Thank you for sticking it out with me and let's all have a wonderful June!

 

(Disclaimer:  All reviews are 100% my own, honest opinion.  I am completely unaffiliated with any companies/sellers of the products mentioned.)  

A Note on Inspiration

Welcome to my blog!  If you are like me and tend to skim through large blocks of text while exploring blogs, skim away.   For those of you a little bit more interested in an intro, then please read on!

As a young(ish) mother of two young children, lately I have found myself in need of a creative outlet; a virtual space to call my own where I can pursue and indulge in the things that I love. I am also several years removed from my college, and I need a place to keep up my writing skills.  Although I have dabbled in writing, drawing, painting, music, and other artistic endeavors throughout my life, a consistent love of mine has always been makeup, fragrance, skin/body products, and a hobby of mine has been to use, read about, and purchase them.  I want to channel that love into this blog, which I hope will become productive way to justify all of the time and expense that goes into my beauty addiction. ;)

When reflecting on where my love and attraction to makeup began, I often visit a memory of when I was four or five years old.  When I was a youngster, my grandmother would frequently take my brother and I on trips to the mall.  Usually these trips consisted of lunch at McDonald's and a trip to the toy store after a day of swimming a her local gym.  During on of these visits,  I don't remember if it was my mom's birthday or Mother's Day, by my grandmother took us to a drug store inside of  the mall to chose a gift for my mom.  Well, I remember, quite vividly, being attracted almost immediately to the makeup aisle, particularly to one eyeshadow quad in particular.  (Looking back, I'm almost positive the brand was Covergirl because it had that distinctive rectangular quad design).  And the colors were all bright and pastel-y- totally on trend for the 1980's.   It was magnificent!  My grandmother must have approved of my choice, because she purchased it and let me gift it to my mom, who kept that eye shadow quad for years.   I remember the frosty lavender was one of the first colors to be nearly used up before she finally decided to toss it.  That quad is iconic in my mind, amd represents how I am always drawn to color and sparkle, a quality I have never really grown out of. 

This site is my space to celebrate beauty.  On occasion, I hope to highlight other forms of art, be it visual art, music, film, literature, etc, because I am interested in it all!  I believe that when we create, we are the closest we can be to our Divine Creator, who has gifted us with not our our abilities, but our interests, even if those interests are something as seemingly inconsequential as makeup.  Makeup represents beauty and there is power in beauty.  Makeup is an artform, and that is how I chose to celebrate it.