No make-up tag

Todays post is from tag video I came across created by the lovely sisters of Eleventhgorgeous on Youtube (stepping my blogging game up with links!). Its called the No Makeup Tag, and in case you don't know what a tag is...its where you are tagged by different people to answer questions (very original explanation I know). 

1. Whats your full face routine and minimal makeup routine?

Minimal: Its either nothing (most of the time) or foundation, mascara, light brows, blush, lip gloss, and bronzer.

Full face: foundation, concealer, brow powder, eye primer, eye shadow, bronzer/contour, blush, high light, and either a lip stick or lip gloss. 

2. Do you wear makeup around the house?

HECK NO. The only time I wear makeup around the house is when I have just gotten home from work. I do not like to wear makeup longer than I feel is necessary and if we live together I trust we have some sort of close relationship so get used to the naked face. And bonus answer, I dont even wear makeup running errands! If its my day off work, its a naked face day for me...unless I am playing around in my makeup or want to get dressed up for a girls day with my grandma.

3. Any crazy beauty rituals?

Does using coconut oil to take my eye makeup off count? Oh! I always need some sort or tissue with me when I am getting ready so I can wipe off extra product. I do not like having stuff on my hands.

4. Whats one product you can't live without and one product you can live without?

MASCARA. It makes such a huge difference...refer to my first post. And I can totes live without liquid eyeliner. Im more of a gel or good ol' fashion powder liner gal.

5. Take a no makeup #selfie and post to Instgram. 

BAM. I didn't post to Insta, because to be honest Im not quite on that level yet, but I have no problem rocking the no makeup face :) Even with some scaring from some crazy face aliens I don't care showing my skin because we are all friends right?

Respectfully

-Elizabeth 

The sponge!

Almost 4 years ago I started watching my first beauty video on Youtube. I don't know how or why it happened, but I do know when. It was christmas break of 2010. My sophomore year of college. I was at home anxiously awaiting a big cross country trip that I took with my college marching band. It was late at night when I stumbled upon a channel called Pixiwoo. Now I must admit I have watched a lot of Youtube since then but I will always look forward to their new videos. 

Pixiwoo is a channel created by sisters Samantha Chapman and Nic Haste. They are based out of Norwich, England and their channel contains videos from avante guard to everyday makeup looks. Both are mothers, make-up artists, bloggers, vloggers, and teach 5 day intensive make-up courses. Needless to say both are very busy and very successful ladies. Now to top all of that off they also have a synthetic brush line called Real Techniques. 

 

I want to tell you about one product in particular, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. 

Being a firm believer that brushes make a huuuuuuge difference (emphasis on the u) in applying makeup this is my number one must have in any makeup kit. This is the sisters take on the highly popular, highly expensive (for a sponge) Beauty Blender. The Beauty Blender is $20 while the Real Techniques sponge is $6 and can be found at the glorious Ulta. 

How is use the sponge is, run it under water and squeeze the excess out (most importante!).  It will expand to twice its original size which is normal. Then, using whatever foundation, "bounce" or "bump" the foundation into your skin instead of buffing it in with a brush. I have noticed that with the sponge my foundation lasts longer, has a beautiful finish, and makes application a breeze. Make sure you clean your sponge (or any of your brushes) on the reg to ensure optimal performance...mine is grungy and due for its weekly wash. 

The Real Techniques line as a whole is fantastic. A budget friendly brush line that is wonderful quality. The price ranges from $20 for a kit with 4-5 brushes to the $6 complexion sponge. I would suggest trying out some of the line if you are looking for some new additions to your brushes but aren't quite comfortable shelling out $300+ for Wayne Goss brushes (love you Wayne). But if you are unsatisfied with the way your foundation is looking or just want to try something new I totally 100% recommend checking the sponge out first.

Now for some exciting updates! I would first like to say thank you to everyone who read the first post and for the great responses I had! Like I said before I am very excited to be starting this journey into the blogging world. In the next couple of months this cite will be going through some design changes so stay tuned (SO EXCITE!). 

Let me know what you want to know next about any tips and tricks. I have so many ideas!

Respectively 

-Elizabeth 

Hello.

Hello Blog world. My name is Elizabeth and I am here to give my opinions on the vast ever growing world of cosmetics. Before we get started I would like to dedicate my first post to my wonderful Aunt Chris for her support and motivation of me starting my blog. Thank you.

I write this first post as the sun is setting on a long afternoon of trying to get this ship up and sailing. I am excited and nervous to start this crazy journey after so many years of watching and collecting Youtubers in my ever growing subscription box. Having learned so much about beauty I would like to share/give my take on the tips and tricks I have learned with whoever is interested. Its fun and very pleasing for me to give advice to the random people in stores, family and friends who ask my opinion. Not really being very great in my writing courses growing up it will be very interesting to see how writing a blog turns out. It will be full of silly jokes, sarcastic comments, interesting stories, and not so great grammar. So now that I have given what I feel like is a sufficient enough introduction, onto the first post! 

The one item of makeup that makes me feel the best is mascara. I look forward to putting it on every morning because it completes whatever makeup look I happen to be wearing that day. It ties everything together. It makes you look more awake and even if it is the only makeup thing you have time for it will make a big difference on your face.

"Can I ask you a question?...Are your eyelashes real?...What mascara do you use?" Those question are what I get asked the most, even by random strangers. I have never had any troubles finding mascaras that work for me but maybe thats because I am naturally blessed in the lash department haha. I take great time and effort while putting on my mascara, coating each individual lash while making those weird disgusting faces...you know what Im talking about people. When women notice my lashes I get a boost of confidence knowing my efforts are noticed. But lets get something straight. I do NOT wear makeup for other people. I wear it specifically for myself because I enjoy it. But lets save that topic for another day. 

The current mascara I am using is Benefits They're Real! I got a sample in a recent beauty purchase and for the longest time I was against the hype I've read on blogs and watched on Youtube...because those who know me know I can be stubborn. It has a cool spiky ball tip to get in those pesky inner corners, and to fluff out those outer corners. So far Im liking it. It does everything I want in a mascara: no flakes, no eye watering, its very black and it comes off semi-easily. When the time comes and the runs out I will seriously be considering purchasing the full sized version, but the one thing that might stop me is price...$23...wtf?! 

From the time I have been wearing mascara I have used drugstore ones because they are easily accessible, have always performed great and they are cheap (ahem They're Real!) *Fun story, the first mascara I ever had was L'oreal Voluminous Original Mascara. The youth group I was apart of, when I was in 6th grade, went to clean out the local K-Mart that closed down for a service project one Saturday. While everyone was wandering about taking the signs down for their bedroom walls, as you do when you are a "cool" hormone ridden teenager, I looked down and noticed one single tube of mascara (still in its packaging, might I add) left behind like a lonely puppy meant for me. My mother wouldn't allow me to have makeup because I was too young, which I agree now that Im older and wiser ha!, so I snatched it up because it was free and it was my own secret treasure hidden in my bathroom away from my mom. I vaguely remember having it for waaaaaaay longer than the now suggested 3 months but I didn't know any better at the time. That was my first ever beauty product and I guess you can say that I have never been with out mascara since.  

So while I do recommend They're Real! I do have some great drugstore options. Maybelline The Rocket in the blue tube is my personal fav right now and Im also trying out Maybelline The Falsies. Both are very black and I can get up in my lashes with them, which is a big stipulation for me. But I will say The Falsies has flaked on me but I have oily skin which might have something to do with it so you should still give it a try!

Well enough rambling for today. Im not sure what the uploading schedule for this will be like so we will take this one post at a time. Please give me suggestions on what you would like to read/learn in future posts!

My grammar and web design might not be great but lets take this journey of growth together. Thank you for taking the time to read this...it turned out longer than expected, and if you have any tips for the web design feel free to share...I will need all the help I can get.

Respectively,

-EPRIODE