I actually think you have extremely gorgeous eyes *.* (also hi yes i used to talk to you on my old blog but then i switched and stuff)

Ugggh, I’m just so self conscious about my face!! When I was sixteen I got contacts for the first time the guy fitting me was like “wow, your eyes are really small” so I try to make them look…not really small.

And along the same lines, I’m even more self conscious about my chin, because when I was eleven I was getting braces and the orthodontist was showing me photoshopped pictures of what I would look like when I got them off and then showed me one last picture and was like “and that’s what you’ll look like when you’re sixteen and old enough to get that chin of yours fixed!” I just sat there in stunned silence because I never thought there was anything wrong with it in the first place, and now I live to hide my Simpsons chin.

That’s part of my goal for this new direction for my blog, though. I’ve spent my whole life hating my eyes and chin and face and weight and personality and pretty much everything about myself. I have the self esteem of a box turtle, and I don’t like living like that. So learning to put on makeup- and how to go without it- and how to do my hair and how to dress in a way that I like are all a small part of that. And learning to enjoy my old hobbies again, and learning how to live a healthier life, and learning how to make and keep friends (because HOW, oh my god, it’s so hard, and I’m so awkward. On a slightly related tangential note, I thought a casual friend that I’d really like to be a good friend with was going to ask me to hang out, but then she finished the conversation by saying that she and another casual friend that I’d like to be good friends with we’re going to hang out and heavily implied that I wasn’t invited and I was just like INITIATE HURT FEELINGS MODE LEVEL ALPHA and seriously, are adults supposed to have these kinds of problems?? I thought I was supposed to grow out of them.)

Anyways.

Tl;dr: I hate everything about myself and this blog is my way of encouraging myself. And also to reblog ridiculous cat pictures.

And on ANOTHER unrelated tangential note, what was your old blog, friend?? LET’S BE FRIENDS. I’M ONLY MILDLY AWKWARD.

Look of the Day: Rainy Days

Oh, it’s so gloomy today. Blech. That means it’s the perfect day for neon lips and a neon heart sweater, right?

Of course, a rainy and humid day means poofy, frizzy hair. Double blech. Anyone have hair suggestions? At the moment, I just let it air dry and spritzed with leave in conditioner, and used an anti-frizz cream. Somehow I don’t think it’s working.

Makeup Tutorial: Spring Makeup Neon Pop by missglamorazzi

Is this the first missglamorazzi tutorial I’ve done? I think it is! I love her videos so much, though. She was the first beauty blogger I discovered and I literally spent my spring break watching all of her videos and taking copious notes. It’s a little sad how many notes I took.

Anyways, the focal point for this is the neon lips, but personally I’m not sure how I feel about the neon on my face. It could just be that I’m not used to seeing bright lipstick on myself, though. And it’s not nearly as vibrant in the pictures as it is on my face!

Maybe I just need to get used to neon stuff.

Outfit:
Top: Forever 21
Shorts: Faded Glory
Flipflops: Disney World!

———

Face:
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB cream
Nyx concealer stick in Porcelain
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Cream
Hard Candy baked blush in Living Doll

———

Eyes:
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
Covergirl trio in Shimmering Sands (middle shade)
Covergirl liquiliner in brown
Covergirl Clump Crusher mascara

———

Lips:
Mox lip butter in Pomegranate and Fig (Birchbox sample)
Maybelline Vivids in Shocking Coral

———

Perfume: Harajuku Lovers in Love

Nail Polish: Sephora by OPI in Miss Bossy Pants (from the Glee collection)

Is there a tutorial you want me to try or a product you want me to review? Ask me here!

Look of the Day: 1920s

Look of the Day: 1920s


I have always been so scared of sidebuns! I was afraid they would make my head look fat and lopsided. Which is…admittedly…a strange fear. But still! I LOVE how this hair and makeup turned out. Like, totally.

Hairrrr:


#1: I spritzed leave-in conditioner (the Healthy Sexy Hair stuff, purchased for super cheapo at Ross) on second day hair, combed it out, and teased the top a bit.

#2: I gathered the hair into a loose ponytail on the side, teased it, and kinda…piled it up into a loose loopy bun. And then stuck bobby pins in it till it looked okay. And then put in a little flower snap clip that a friend made for me.

#3: Spritz all the hairs with hairspray, straighten the bangs, and voila!

Makeup Tutorial: Simple Spring Look by melmphs

Melissa cracks me up so much, you guys! She’s a Tennessee girl like me and she’s hilarious. No filter whatsoever, and I love it. She’s so sweet and extroverted and friendly and her videos are super fun.

I didn’t do false lashes or a quite-as-bright lipstick, and I didn’t do the smokey-bottom-lash stuff, but I REALLY love how this look turned out on me. And I especially love how it works with the hair.

———

Dress: Forever21
Shoes: Payless
Hair flower: made by a friend

———

Face
Covergirl 3 in 1 Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation in 805 Ivory
Rimmel Match Perfection concealer
Nyx cream blush in Natural

———

Eyes
Wet ‘n’ Wild trio in Sweet as Candy
Physician’s Formula Malibu Strip
Elf 100 shadow palette
Maybelline gel liner in brown
Covergirl liquiliner in black
Maybelline The Rocket mascara in blackest black (waterproof)

———

Lips
Revlon lip butter in Sweet Tart

———

Perfume: Bath and Body Works Paris in Bloom

Nail Polish: Sephora by OPI Miss Bossy Pants (from the Glee collection)

Want to see me attempt a particular look or tutorial? Want to see a review on a product? Want me to make a video? Ask me here!

Look of the Day: Hair Despair

My hair. Oh sweet mother of mercy, what is wrong with my hair? It’s neither straight nor curly. It’s neither blonde nor brown nor ginger. Its length is unremarkable- neither short nor long. And the frizz. OH SWEET MOTHER. THE FRIZZ. I’m trying to avoid heat styling since it’s summertime, but even with a healthy spritz of leave in conditioner my hair has an aura of frizz. Someone please come save my hair.

In the meantime, I shall take solace in the fact that it looks like I have a dimple in this picture.

Oh, and I attempted a Pinterest tutorial of a fancy four-strand braid, and that ended in approximately 3.7 seconds.

Makeup Tutorial: Flirty Pop by allthatglitters21

I wrote a whole description of the video and it vanished when I posted.

Anyways.

I’ve really been loving Elle’s videos lately. They’re so sweet and personable, and her looks are always so polished. This particular look is not quite so polished on me, but that’s mostly because I  still attack my face with makeup the way a first grader attacks a new coloring book page. Eventually I’ll learn how to put on makeup without looking like a fingerpainting project gone horribly awry. That’s what practice and tutorial are for, right?

My favorite part of this is the teal eyeliner on the lower lashline. I’m absolutely terrified of putting anything other than a neutral color on, around, or near my eyes, for fearing of looking more clownish than I already am, but I got the teal eyeliner in a mini set from Ulta and have been really wanting to try it. So thank you, Elle, for getting me out of my comfort zone with some fancy eyeliner!

Outfit:
Top: Target
Shorts: Target
Sandals: Payless

Face:
Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse in 110 Porcelain Ivory
Nyx stick concealer in Porcelain
Nyx cream blush in Natural
NYC bronzer in Sunny
Hard Candy bronzer in Tiki

Eyes:
Maybelline Color tattoo in Inked in Pink
L’oreal Infallible shadow in Amber Rush
Hard Candy duo in Peace (lighter shade)
Smashbox Limitless Liner in Onyx
Smashbox Limitless Liner in Metallic Teal
Maybelline the Rocket mascara in Blackest Black (waterproof)

 

Lips:
Maybelline Color Whisper in Petal Rebel
Maybelline Color Whisper in One Size Fits Pearl

Perfume: Bath and Body Works Beautiful Day
Nail Polish: OPI In the Spotlight Pink (from the Femme du Cirque collection)

Have a makeup tutorial you want to see me attempt or a product you want me to review? Ask me here!

Review: Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

This is a long and fancy term for “basically liquid sandpaper.”

It’s extremely effective! It really does buff my skin nicely, and it smells pleasant. But beware. I have to use it in the shower with warm water. I tried to wash my face at the skin with cool water and this scrub, and I thought my skin was going to peel off.

But it really is a great scrub! Just…I don’t think I’ll spend $34 for it. I’ll probably invest in the Clarisonic Mia instead.

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Review: Mox Botanicals Lip Butter in Pomegranate and Fig

This came in my December 2012 Birchbox, and it’s probably one of the most useful things I’ve gotten! The scent is nice without being overpowering, and the texture is perfect for layering under my lipsticks and lip glosses.

But I probably won’t buy a new one when I run out. $16 for a tiny container? Mmm…no thanks.

Join Birchbox!

Look of the Day: I’m Gonna Wreck It!


I am seriously in love with this shirt. I searched all over Disney World when I was there in March for a Wreck It Ralph shirt, with no success. So where do I find it? Walmart. For five dollars. I BOUGHT IT THEN AND THERE.

I typically wouldn’t wear jeans and a graphic tee to work, but I’m just in outservice now and cleaning my classroom, so I don’t gotta be fancy or nothin’.

Hair and Makeup: Katie’s Everyday Routine from A Beautiful Mess


Have you ever seen Katie on A Beautiful Mess or on her blog, Skunkboy Creatures? She is perfect. Absolutely flawless. Her life is perfect and beautiful and her husband is gorgeous and her daughters are beautiful and she dresses wonderfully and her house is filled with perfectly curated vintage finds and her hair. HER HAIR. Her hair is the most glorious shade of red imaginable.

Excuse me while I go eat jellybeans in the corner.

Anyways. I don’t look nearly as ethereally lovely (the Walmart Wreck It Ralph tee kind of negates any attempt at looking perfectly hipster twee), but I think it’s a sweet, simple look. I’ll probably try it again…if I can convince my hair to stop being so fluffy. That’s the only way I can describe my hair. It’s fluffy.

Also, I bet five bucks my hair ends up in a ponytail before the end of the day.

Hair:
#1: Wash it, spritz on detangler (I use Dove), and let it air dry. I don’t think I even own a hair dryer…

#2: Spritz with Tresseme heat protectant, attempt to curl, and despair over hair’s stubborn fluffiness.

#3: Comb through gently, add Moroccan oil, shrug at your reflection, and stick a hair tie in your pocket.

Outfit:
Tee: Walmart
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Skechers

Face:
Covergirl and Olay corrector
Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch in Ivory
Physician’s Formula powder in Peach Nude
theBalm blush in Hot Mama (Birchbox sample)

Eyes:
L’oreal Infallible shadow in Bronzed Taupe (brows)
L’oreal Infallible shadow in Iced Latte
Maybelline Master Duo liquid liner in Blackest Black
Maybelline Mega Plush mascara

Lips:
Fresh Sugar balm in Rose (Sephora sample)

Perfume
: Bath and Body Works Hawaii Coconut

Nail Polish: OPI I Juggle…Men (from the Femme du Cirque collection)

Look of the Day: My Dress has Fish On It!

That is literally the first thing my students said to me today. And lo, she spake the truth. There is indeed a fish on my dress. Two, actually.

I needed a perky dress to get me through the day. Yesterday was my last day teaching my beloved theatre arts kids, and today is my last day for tutoring and my kindergarten afterschool class. It’s gonna be sad, yo.

Anyways. I’ll get weepy about it later.

Hair Tutorial: Quick and Simple Updo

(I did this on second-day hair.)

#1: Tease the crown of the head- I smoothed it out with a little bit of hairspray on a comb.

#2: Divide into three sections and braid each section loosely. I tied each one off with a snap clip instead of an elastic. You’ll see why.

#3: Loop each braid into a small bun and pin in place with bobby pins. Spritz with hairspray.

Honestly, I didn’t think I’d really like this. Mostly because I feel like updos make my head look too small for my body. Does anyone else have this happen? No? Just me? Okay.

Anyways, I liked this! I think it’s cute!

Verdict: Thumbs Up

Makeup: Get Ready: Night Out by NikkiPhillippi

Why did I do a Nikki tutorial so early?! I’m so intimidated. She’s perfect. Ack. Why did I do this?

Well, nervous hiccuping aside, I did this one. I think it turned okay, although my attempt wasn’t nearly as bold and luminous. I also was too scare to make my blush or contouring or highlighting as bold. I’ll get the courage at some point, right?

Maybe. Not counting on it.

Outfit:
Dress: Island Carnival dress via Modcloth
Tee: Old Navy
Leggings: Forever 21
Shoes: Blowfish Hortons

Face:
Covergirl and Olay corrector
Physician’s Formula Conceal Rx
Physician’s Formula powder in Peach Nude
Nyx blush in Pinched
NYC bronzer in Sunny
Hard Candy bronzer in Tiki

Eyes:
L’oreal Infallible shadow in Bronzed Taupe (brows)
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
Hard Candy Top Ten Naturally Gorgeous palette
Hard Candy pencil liner in black
Urban Decay Supercurl mascara (sample from Ulta)

Lips:
Mox lip butter in Pomegranate and Fig (Birchbox sample)
Covergirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in Watermelon Twist

Perfume
: Bath and Body Works Beautiful Day

Nail Polish: OPI I Juggle…Men (from the Femme du Cirque collection)

Look of the Day: Flower Child

Today marks my first day of trying out Youtube and Pinterest hair and makeup tutorials!! HURRAY! I have a HUGE list of tutorials I want to try.

Hair Tutorial: Quick and Easy Way to Get Beach Waves
#1: Spritz damp hair with Garnier wave spray and braid loosely
#2: After the braids have mostly dried, twist them away from your face and go over them with a straightener. (I don’t have a straightener so I used a curling iron…this was probably a poor choice.)
#3: Let the braids cool completely, undo, and separate gently. Use a little bit of Moroccan oil on the ends.

I was pretty disappointed in this tutorial. It’s not the tutorial’s fault, though…I think I just have obstinate hair. Because I didn’t end up with beachy waves. I ended up with Merida hair.

And we can’t lie. Merida’s hair is awesome. Look at that glorious mane.

Verdict: thumbs down

Makeup Tutorial: Simple Romance by sparkliebarbiexo

Is it Valentine’s Day? No.

Do I care?


I LOVE Kacey’s tutorials. Especially for her eye looks. Oh my lord, I need to steal her talents. Is that possible? Wasn’t there a dude on Heroes who could do that? Yeah, if I had that power I would totally steal her eyeshadow abilities.

I’m a creeper.

Anyways. I’ve watched her tutorials for ages now, and this is the first time I’ve actually tried one. I think I need more practice, but it’s a beautiful look and overall I think I did all right with it!

Outfit:
Dress: Forever 21
Tee: Old Navy
Belt: Target
Shoes: Blowfish Garrens
Headband: Modcloth—Face:
Covergirl and Olay corrector
Maybelline Dream BB Cream
Rimmel Match Perfection concealer
Nyx blush in Pinched
NYC bronzer in Sunny
Nyx Glow All the Way highlighter

Eyes:
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink
Covergirl Shimmering Sands trio
Elf shadow from 100-palette
Covergirl Liquiliner in black
Smashbox liner in sable
Maybelline the Rocket mascara

Lips:
Maybelline Babylips in Quenched
Maybelline Color Whisper in Cherry on Top
Covergirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in Apricot Twist

Perfume
: Bath and Body Works Beautiful Day

Nail Polish: OPI Step Right Up! (from the Femme du Cirque collection)