Urban Decay Naked Palette

Eye make-up has always been a bit scary.  I had little experience with make-up prior to graduating from law school so purchasing and applying eye make-up was definitely intimidating.  I felt like most of the time I bought the wrong colors, had the wrong brushes, and ended up looking like I was playing dress up.

When I found a blog post about this make up with a link to an online tutorial my first thought was finally eye shadow that does not scare me.  The colors are neutral enough that anyone can wear them without being boring.  Most importantly anyone can apply them without a lot of practice. 

The price is a bit high, especially for someone that doesn’t know what they are doing so I watched several more tutorials online before I committed.  The tutorials convinced me that my brushes could do the job eliminating that additional expense, and that this palette of eye shadow was diverse enough to become the only thing I use. 

I purchased the palette at Ulta for about $50, and it has become the only eye shadow I use, especially for work.  There are matte shades and shades with a bit of shimmer, but all are appropriate for daytime wear.

I have a couple of favorite tutorials that I think helped me experiment with the palette and different color combinations.  The biggest difference in the tutorials was my palette came with a brush instead of the double ended eye liner, so when the tutorials reference the eye liner, I use the ones I already had which are Neutrogena nourishing eyeliner in spice (brown) and cosmic black (black).  I like it Neutrogena’s brand because it does not irritate my eyes.

My favorite thing about using the Urban Decay Naked palette is that I can do a day look or a night look without any other eye shadow.  It’s also simple to take a day look to night without taking off my make-up and starting over.   


Here are links to some of my favorite tutorials...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9FAXgLkto4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDAMdFT4AFI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbLSuhOvliw&feature=related

Have you tried this palette? What is your go to favorite eye make-up?

Eye Primer

This is only my second post about make-up and beauty.  In my first post, Dark Circles No More, I made it pretty clear that I am a make-up novice.  I didn't even know you were supposed to use an eye primer until I was well into my 20's.  Then I had a hard time finding one that did not irritate my skin and still worked to keep my eye make-up fresh and crease free.  I have really dry sensitive skin with the occasional exzema rash outbreak.   So it is easily irritated and I have had lots and lots of trial and error with lotions, face wash, soap, and the list goes on....

So when I started using Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion I was pretty impressed with the results.

I can actually wear this primer from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. without irritation, plus my make-up still looks good!  I had a long day last week when I went from work to an evening event, but look how great my eye make-up held up....

Do you use and eye primer?  Which one??

Lotion and the Little Things

I got a text from one of my best friends that her husband had bought her the "egg" Chapstick. Which is this amazing organic lip balm by e.o.s. I have seen it at Ulta and in the checkout lane at Wal-Mart, which is where it became one of my best impulse purchases ever!  It comes in all these great flavors (berry, lemon, melon).

My favorite so far is the honey suckle melon lip balm!
e.o.s. also makes a great hand and body lotion that comes in a large container or this palm size plastic container.

My favorite is the cucumber scent.

Back to the text... I responded that she had a wonderful husband. This got me thinking about how it really is the little things that sustain a long term relationship. For me it's when I tornado through the kitchen on my way to work and find that Bond has emptied the dishwasher, or moved the laundry into the dryer.  Don't get me wrong the bigger stuff, like remembering your birthday and anniversary, are important too.  But for me the little stuff Bond does around the house, when he gets my favorite candy while renting a movie, or leaving me a card about how much he appreciates and loves me, are more significant.  It shows me that he thinks about me during his everyday activities and that he notices the things I like.

What little things are important to you?

Dark Circles No More

Let me start by confessing I am not a make-up person. I remember I had to get mascara for my high school dance team. We all wore the same make-up as part of our uniform but everyone had to bring their own mascara and I didn't own any. I never really wore make-up until college. Even then it was usually to go out, I would borrow my roommates make-up and have her apply it to prevent myself from looking like a clown. I am not against make-up, I just never got into it so I never learned how to use it.

As an intern during law school I realized I looked so young to the clients they could not take me seriously as a lawyer.  I know... I know... we all want to look younger, but we don’t want to look incompetent. So I started wearing make-up and it did help.  Unfortunately for me I never learned how to pick my colors, choose brushes, or apply the stuff.  My sister who is 6 years my junior has been teaching me ever since.

That brings me to the present, 28 years old, married, attorney, who can barely apply eye liner.  As I begin to explore the complex and completely overwhelming world of cosmetics I am always looking for advice. I find blogs to be a great resource.  My latest find was on http://domestiquette.blogspot.com.

The product is Benefit Erase Paste. 

After reading about it I Googled where it was available in my area…Sophora, one of the scariest places to a cosmetic new comer.  I ended up getting the paste and a brush.  I have no clue if it is the right one, but it was recommended and seemed to work.  

At first I was worried about the price.  Can it really be that great?  But the size is deceiving.   The jar is small, but you do not use very much.   This is what I use for both eyes...

                                    

Once I got home I was not disappointed.  This brightener does a great job!  I have been applying it under my eye, the inside corner of my eye, lightly on the lid, and a bit on the sides of my nose.

Before...

Paste applied to both eyes...

                                   

What do you think? Are you a cosmetic junkie or newcomer?  Any good finds lately?  

- Posted using my iPad 2