#3 Lush Caca Rouge Mama & My Halloween Face

I have a problem. It is a hair dye problem. I have not seen my natural hair color in more than 10 years. My father freakin' peroxide bleached my hair for my 13th birthday, my natural hair isn't a very pretty color, and I HATE roots - so I've dyed my hair probably 100 times. That's a lot. Now, I'm 23 years old with damaged gross hair that falls out in clumps. I LOVE being a red head and can't ever imagine going back to my natural hair color but I knew I needed to stop chemically dying my hair. Enter Lush Caca Rouge Mama. This natural henna dye is not only not bad for your hair - it's actually good for it. It's got cocoa butter in it and no harsh chemicals. Based on reviews - the color varies GREATLY depending on current hair color, the length of time you leave it in, and some people even add things to it!

The thing with Henna is that it's permanent! I won't be able to bleach it out if I don't like it. I can't dye over it. Eep! I was a little bit nervous to start but after a couple weeks researching I decided to take the plunge. I have had my hair so many shades of red and loved them all. And it will definitely be good for my hair to have a preventative measure against chemical dyes. ;)

I should have taken pictures of the whole process but I forgot until halfway through! I started by mixing 3 squares from the henna block with hot water and mixing it til it's even and dissolved. The consistency was like batter. My initial reaction was shock at how green the henna was when mixed up and how strong it smelled. It's definitely not unpleasant just quite fragrant. I applied it to my whole head with my hands which was kind of like having a 1 man mud fight - fun but it did cause me to miss a couple spots. I will have to be more careful next time!

I wrapped it up in a shower cap and gave it a quick blast with the hair dryer to keep it nice and hot. Then I set the timer - I decided to leave it on 5 hours!! I kept it hot by blasting it every 30 minutes with the dryer. According to reviews, this gets you a brighter red.

FAST FORWARD 5 HOURS TO SHOWER TIME. This is what it looked like. Mud in my hair! It was pretty difficult to get out and I had to shampoo three times to get the gritty pieces out completely. 

...But was it worth the hassle? 

YES!!!!!

My hair is the perfect, vibrant orangey red I was going for. Ignore the bad hair in these pics. It's before styling. Although it wasn't a miracle cure for my obviously damaged hair, today it is definitely looking shinier than it has in awhile. I even got a compliment!

PS: I dressed up as a pirate last night for Halloween just because I could. Here was my pirate-y makeup. You can't really tell the hair color here though.

PPS: I also cut off 3.5 inches of my hair! Trying to get it healthier and all. And Kristie reshaved my lines for the first time in almost a year. :D

#2 - A Halloween Mermaid Makeup

Halloween is basically the most fun time of the year for makeup. You can try out a ton of crazy and ridiculous ideas and no one looks at you funny. There is also multiple different events and parties one can attend each time with different looks. Unless you are me. My Halloween plans involve a wild night of eating chocolate and watching non-horror Halloween movies with my boyfriend starting after 10:00 pm when he will be home for work. We live in an adult only apartment building that has a keyless entry so I won't have adorable trick or treaters. I don't really know many people in Vancouver and I don't party so I won't be going out.

But if I was.. I would be a mermaid. I love The Little Mermaid and I actually cried when I realized I wouldn't be able to afford the Ariel palette from Sephora. I also have red hair - not that you can ever pick that up in my bathrooms lighting because it's a browny orange red that looks quite natural not a vibrant red. I decided to do a pretty mermaid makeup today because I am home alone. And EVERYONE else has Halloween tutorials up.

Your blank canvas of a face seems like a good place to start. Also, wet hair and a cozy house coat will make this makeup even better. I sometimes feel like this is an unnecessary step - but I think it's important to be comfortable in your natural skin!

In this picture I've done my skin completely. I mixed Benefit's High Beam with Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Foundation in Fair Beige. I concealed all my redness and dark circles with Benefit's Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer in Shade 01. I went back and highlighted with the High Beam and contoured with a matte brown eyeshadow. I wanted to have REALLY flawless skin in this makeup.

Using a concealer brush, apply a shimmery white cream shadow lash line to brow. I used Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hr Cream Gel Shadow in Too Cool.

Then use a dark, matte brown eyeshadow (Lorac Pro's Espresso if you are me!) and blend that into and well above the crease. It's still shimmery because I used it over a shimmery cream shadow but I recommend using a matte to prevent glitter fallout and to prevent you from looking TOO shiny.

Take an angled liner brush in a teal/turquoise cream shadow or liner of your choice and line your upper and lower lash line that meet in a wing. I used Maybelline Color Tattoo in Edgy Emerald (which is NOT emerald) for this part.

Using a pencil brush, smudge in a shadow of a similar color to create dimension. I used a turqoise shade from Coastal Scents Go Palette Sydney.

This is what I'm looking like so far. Not so hot!

Adding eyebrows, mascara, and blush definitely helps! I used NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Brunette, Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black, and Chanel Joues Contraste in Espiegle. I packed the blush on - it's a nice shimmery one which I think suits the underwater mermaid look.

I added a dramatic 3D lip. NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink along the outside, blended into a soft peachy lipstick that has the brand AND color worn off (oops!), with just a touch of gold in the middle.

AND THEN. I ADDED SOME FALSIES. You may know this but I don't usually do falsies. I'm allergic to most glues and I am also lazy. 

What do you think?! I was pretty happy with this look over all! I wish I had a fun costume and rad party to wear it too! 

15 Blog Posts Challenge!

Hello friends! I have been a negectful blogger! Because of this I've decided to challenge myself to post at least FIFTEEN times between now (October 29th) and December 1st. I can't guarantee they will all be GOOD posts but posts they will be!

Just a quick little update on me: I've got a new job! I am now a Sales Associate for Lush! It may take some getting used to going from Managing to being a Sales Associate but my new manager is super lovely and her keyholders are awesome and helpful. Being a bath lover and in the category "basically everything irritates my skin"... I am loving Lush. I already knew I loved their bath products but now exploring their skin care products is proving to be just as lovely. Be prepared for some reviews!

I also just got back from a trip to Portland, Oregon with my wonderful boyfriend Matt. We went to the zoo where I actually cried about endangered animals. (Especially Siberian Tigers!) We went to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry which is a fun, interactive museum where we also saw a laser show to Rush music which btw I had NEVER heard of. AND we got to go inside an old Submarine. So. So. Cool!!! I went to Sephora and bought two small items. But the best thing we did was EAT. AND EAT. AND EAAAT! I love food.

Well, that's all for now folks! Stay tuned for reviews, tutorials, and rants!

Procrastinating Beauty Blogger Tag!

This tag comes from http://myglitteryobsessions.blogspot.ca/. You should check out her blog if you like beauty blogs! I am actively procrastinating right now. I should be helping the boyfriend with his Ballet BC gel cuts so he's all prepared for their upcoming shows. I'm not. I'm creeping beauty blogs online trying to discover new ones. (Like this one I just found! Well, apparently I started following it ages ago but do not remember this!)

1. Name a beauty regime that you rarely do?
...Buying new clothes. Does that count? My boyfriend did my laundry yesterday and commented on my lack of wardrobe. Now THAT is embarassing! 

2. Is washing your make-up brushes something that you do regularly?
Yes. I hate using dirty brushes because things start to look muddy and over blended. I have a LOT of brushes and will use all of them a couple times on myself though so I only have to do it every couple weeks.

3. How long will you last with chipped nail polish?
I don't paint my nails. Period. I wish I could but I can't!

4. How long will you put off buying/replacing a beauty product, even if you need it?
It really depends on my financial situation. Somethings I just can't live without though. My skin NEEDS moisturizer. I don't really let myself run out if I can avoid it.

5. What is your worst beauty habit?
Not washing my face at night. I don't know why I never do. It's not a matter of forgetting. I'm just lazy and have bad habits.

6. Name something non-beauty related that you put off doing all the time?
Folding my laundry! I let it sit clean in the basket for days. And sometimes don't fold it at all.

7. When going out somewhere, do you leave getting ready to the last minute?
No. I basically either give myself the time or decide I'm just gonna go natural... this usually only happens if I'm being forced out of bed before 8 am.

8. Can you commit to spending bans?
Yes! I haven't bought anything new since my birthday in July. Oh wait. That's a lie. I bought powder in September. I'm not a big spender! I'm pretty broke most of the time and have more than enough. I am really hoping to stop by Ulta (an American beauty store) when Matt and I go to Portland this month though! I've never been and US shopping is cheap - PLUS NO TAX.

9. How organized is your make-up and nail polish collections?
Everything has a place in my train kit, brush roll, and cabinet. Does it always go there? No.

Fall Makeup!

I love fall. Fall means winter is coming. Fall means cozy sweaters, candles, cool weather, baking, and extra blankets. Fall is crisp, clean air and warm, inviting colors. Fall isn't too cold and it's not too hot. It's all the best holidays - Halloween and Thanksgiving (twice if you happen to celebrate both Canadian AND American dates) as well as the promise that when you get to that dreary cold winter you'll get Christmas and family.

I even have a candle in the bathroom where I do makeup to keep it smelling like autumn.

Fall is also my favorite for makeup. Nude eyes, deep red lips. Coppery browns and flushed cheeks. Dark vampy lips to compliment the rainy sky. Have I ever mentioned I live in Vancouver? It rains here. No crunchy autumn leaves to walk through but lots of puddles. I love puddles.

I'm rambling. This is a tutorial. My favorite thing about fall makeup is lips. I love dramatic lips. And it's so easy to brush on some mascara and throw on a lip. This is a bit more than that but still takes less than 10 minutes. In advance I'd like to apologize for the weird coloring in these pictures which can be seen right off the bat. That shirt is black. Brand new and black. Not purple.

1. You know the drill. Clean, moisturized prep face. This is especially important in the colder weather when your skin is prone to dehydration, wind burn, and chapping. 

2. I used my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to apply Kat Von D Lock It foundation in an unknown color to my face including my eyelids. I wanted my skin to be really, really even before I powdered using Clinique Stay Matte powder in Stay Buff. I got a sample of this foundation at Sephora. This was it's first use. I'll try and review it soon but long story short I DO NOT like it. The color is obviously quite yellow for my skin and quite cakey looking.

3. Next I took my MAC 217 (a fluffy blending brush) to brush Lorac Pro's Cream shade all over my lid up to the brow bone. This is mainly to set the foundation and create an even skin tone.

4. Using the same brush I applied a highlight and contour from the Lorac Pro as well. I used White just along my brow bone and Taupe into and above my crease. This should look very natural as it is a nude eye.

5. Using NYX's brow kit I lightly filled in my brows. My brows are sparse at the outside edges and if I don't fill them they disappear from afar! I also applied a couple coats of Benefit's They're Real! Mascara.

6. Using a deep, warm red pencil line your lips carefully. This step definitely makes a difference with dramatic lips as it prevents bleeding and improves wear time.

7. Using the same pencil fill your lips in! This is also where the weird lighting comes in. I swear this is deep red not pink! 

8. Apply your lipstick and VOILA. My lipstick of choice for this look was Clinique's Buttershine lipstick in Cranberry Cream. I adore the color but wish it wasn't quite so.. buttery. I also did some light contouring using a matte white and a matte taupe to give my chubby little cheekies some definition.

I moved into natural light for the next pictures so you can see the lip color better! However, I also used my front facing camera on my phone. Not so clever Jayne.

PS: Amelia has found a new place to sleep. She likes to be scarf kitten and keep me warm. 

Michelle's Wedding Photos!

I'VE GOT THE PICTURES! The one's from Michelle's wedding. She was a beautiful bride. The ceremony was perfect (with the exception of the blazing scorching sun - but that didn't last long since it was not a long, drawn out ceremony). The food at the reception was tasty. I actually did not try the cake so I can make no comment on the flavour there but it looked appetizing. ;) Anyway.

If you forgot or never read or just didn't know I had the honour of doing makeup at Matt's sisters wedding. It was so much fun! I won't lie - I was really nervous. You don't want to mess up on your BOYFRIENDS SISTER at her WEDDING. But I was really happy with how it turned out! Her bridesmaids kept me laughing and over all it was just a great experience.


Oh, I should just get to the pictures!

Mike and Michelle - July 20, 2013

It was such a lovely occasion. Here is the happy couple!

The Beautiful Bridal Party! 

If you knew how hot it was that day, you'd know how crazy impressive it is that they looked this good! Midsummer under the Okanagan sun!

The Whole Wedding Party.

Michelle in the grass!

Does his face make you smile?!

Check out those cheek bones. Yep. I'm jealous.

I thought this was a good shot of her makeup!

Just Married!

And that's all! If you have any questions about products or techniques - just ask. :)

Oh no!

Where has the time gone? Has it really been a WHOLE MONTH today since I last blogged? I guess if the last post is dated August 16 and today is September 16, it must be true.

This post isn't really about cosmetics. I should do some swatches. I should write up a review or a tutorial. Heck, I probably HAVE pictures for a tutorial right now. But, I'm just too tired.

I wanted to let whoever is reading this know what I've been up to though and why I haven't been blogging.

In one word : Work!

I am there all the time. It's been really stressful for me lately but I feel like I'm learning lots. I won't give up! Matt is always there to support me as well as my best friend Shauna.

In two more words : Anxiety. Bipolar.

These are things I've never posted about on my blog because they are so far off topic but I think they are important parts that make up who I am and what I'm about. I've struggled with both these things for as long as I can remember, although it wasn't diagnosed until later. It's not something ashamed of. If it's something you've never had to deal with, it might seem crazy. Anxiety keeping me from blogging? "What if no one reads it? What if the people who do read it don't care?! What if they think I'm being stupid?! I AM BEING STUPID." *erases blog entry* When you couple that with the crippling depression of a "down" absolutely everything seems hard. So, when I disappear, that's usually where I've gone. Although, like I said. I don't think anyone really reads this!

Anyway, this past week I've been feeling a bit better. I had an interview for a 2nd job so I can pay off my loans faster. It was at Sephora and I had to do a live makeup demo! It was so nervous making having someone watching me do makeup with such a critical eye. I had a really easy going model though! She actually made me feel really comfortable and not anxious just by having a smile and believing in me even though she had no reason to care if I succeeded since we're not good friends and my getting a job doesn't affect her. She was still so supportive! :) LOOK! I did write something about cosmetics.

I promise there will be a tutorial soon! Although, you might need to expect more of these random life posts.

<3Catlady Cosmetician