Mad about Concrete

Evening Dolls!
   Brrrrr writing this cuddled under a blanket and with fuzzy PJs on!  We had a Thundersnow this morning and it was beautiful, but this girl isn't made for cold.  This cold weather is keeping me in and catching up on some of my favorite things makeup, baking, and reading!
   I've been eye one company for literally months now and they came out with this gorgeous limited edition color that was only available until December 31st. I resisted and was so very proud of myself!  Until December 30th when I caved like the first little pigs house.  *sigh*  I REGRET NOTHING!
   So this company I speak of is Concrete Minerals.  I've been drooling over their pro matte line since it released so I indulged!  I ordered Angel Dust (Limited Edition), Rocked, and a blogger package (Hi-Fi, Gossip, Toxic, and Bruise).  I also received free samples of Hustle and Daydream.  I almost bought daydream instead of rocked so I was super excited to see that sample.
   Two other times I have used matte shadows one was awful and one was just a swatch, so I was very nervous to try these. First impression...THEY ARE AMAZING.  I sat down just intending to swatch these bold beauties but I fell in love them so much I HAD to do a look.  I realize it isn't perfect but these shadows are simply amazing.

The left side is bare skin and right side over Nyx Milk.  Top to bottom Toxic, Hi-Fi, Bruise, and Gossip.

With Flash

All of the colors apply extremely well even for non pros like myself.  Gossip is a little light on bare skin but I think that adds to its charm.  Best part NONE of them stain.  I felt the makeup on for a few hours after photos, I'd like to say to test it but honestly its because I loved the look so much.

For this I used Toxic underneath and in the inner corner, Hi-Fi on inner lid/crease, and Bruise on outer lid/crease.  I used MAC Cosmetics eyeshadow in Preferred Blonde (Limited Edition) as brow highlight.  And I used Dark Heart Designs blush in Summertime Sadness (one of my all time favorite blushes). Since I get asked a lot for my nude lip combo I use Revlon lipstick in 070 soft nude with Revlon lipgloss in 150 peach petal on top.
Like Mattes? Buy these you'll thank me later.

Now on to the mineral shadows.  I love them just as much and really love the shades I got for spring.  They are soft and delicate like spring flowers.

Flash

No Flash

Like the other swatches left side is bate skin while right is over Nyx Milk.  Top to bottom Daydream, Angel Dust, Rocked, and Hustle.  Just as amazing as the pro mattes, but with out of this world shimmer.  Angel dust is sheer but build-able and makes me rethink my hatred of purple.

Yes I'm aware I needed to blend better but I was in a hurry and loving these colors.  I used Daydream on inner lid/crease, Angel Dust on outer lid/crease and underneath, and Rocked for brow highlight.  I again used Dark Heart Designs blush in Summertime Sadness.  For lips I used Dark Heart Designs Love Bites lipstick.

In short I need to own all the concrete minerals line because it is truly fab!

Goody Goody

Evenin Loves!
   The next super fabulous product I want to share with you is the Goody QuickStyle brush.  It claims to take 30% of the water out of your hair dramatically deceasing drying time.

   I have super girly hair and tons of it.  It takes FOREVER to dry.  Blow drying? Forget about it!  When I saw the brush in the stores I really wanted it but was saving money for the holidays so when I heard it was in the Holiday VoxBox I did an audible SQUEEEE.  Dorky?  Maybe, but you should know that about me by now.
  So the first night I had the box I cracked this bad boy open and held my breath as I tried it.  I've had a few ladies ask me how this worked.  Let me tell you 100% honestly...THIS WORKS AWESOMELY!!!  I love the brush.  My only downside is that it is the round brush and not the paddle.  I can't say this will work for everyone but its fabulous for me.  I actually want to try it with a hair dryer.  I just have to buy one.  Yeah  I know you are all gasping in horror, but I truly do not own a hair dryer but this brush is making me consider getting one.
    Get this brush.  Let me know if it works for your hair type.  I'm curious to see if it works for my thin haired ladies as well!  I received this item for free for Testing and Reviewing Purposes.  Want to get in these voxboxes?  Influenster Website

Dresses for...your NAILS?!?

I'm so loving my holiday Vox Box from Influenster.  With my crazy nail polish collection you know I was super excited to try the nail dress!

I got "babydoll"

There are many stickers in the box and even enough to do a mani/pedi combo.

I think they are beautiful and easy to apply but I use my hands a lot and could only keep them on for about 2 hours

I do have to remind you that I did receive these for free to review.  I'd buy more on my own though and my bestie sent me a set for Christmas!

New Year, New You

Hello Lovely Dolls!
  Happy New Year...or Almost New Year.  Whoo is some ways I can't believe 2012 is already over and in others it seems like 2013 should be half over.
I keep hearing all about people making resolutions and New Year, New You and I really just needed to get my piece out about that.  New Year New Me...frankly I'm pretty dang awesome and don't believe the need to be a "new" me.  I'm not perfect and am all for making a BETTER you, but stop acting like you aren't fabulous.  Should you truly hate the person you are that you need to be a "new" you than why wait til the new year?  I'd get on the business STAT!
Resolutions are also a wonderful in my eyes but stop thinking of them as something that has to be done on January 1st or forget it til next year.  Make your promises or goals to yourself but don't get down if you falter or fall.  Rome wasn't built in a day and habits can't be changed in one either.

Last gripe- Stop making resolutions to please other people.  Live for YOU, do what makes YOU happy.  The only person you have to live with forever is YOU.  Why not make it a happy lifetime?

Now on to 2012 and saying goodbye...
2012 had been a pretty rough year for a lot of people, myself included. I lost some "friends" and my precious doggy.  I was passed over for well deserved promotions and some unexpected expenses.  This year is taken a toll on my grandfather and I fear we will lose him in 2013, but I cherish this Christmas.
I ended up getting a better promotion for all my hard work and patience.  I've made some amazing friends including adding a new bestie to my life.  I got a new pup that has stolen my heart, and my socks.  I got to spend lots of time with my God given sister, Reigh. I was able to spend some great times with my other best friends, and even a bit with family.  I found a great passion for makeup and continued my art of baking.
I have no regrets from this year only lessons.  I got to know some amazing small business owners and even became great friends with a few.

With good there is always bad when you really start laying it out the good generally out weighs the bad.  So I'm going to make my resolutions to do my part for a better year.

Resolutions/promises/whatever you want to call them:
1. Work on my family tree.  I think this is most important to me because I really want to know more about my family living and past.

2. Post more looks.  I have tons of stuff that just sits there.  I feel power and unbeatable when I put on those amazing colors and I want more of that.

3. Use or throw away more stuff.  I have stuff that has sat in drawers or closets or boxes for far to long.  I need to declutter and keep it that way.

4. Go see more movies.  I LOVE seeing movies and I miss so many now a days so even if I go alone I'm going to see more movies in theaters.

5. Spend more time with friends and family.  I have some amazing people in my life and I want as much quality time with them as I can get, cuz I'm selfish like that.

6. Take more pictures.  I like talking pictures LOL

7. For every negative thought I must think a positive one.  This will help me frown less and enjoy more.

8. Blog more...about EVERYTHING.  I think I did better this year but I can top that next year.

9. Take more me time to relax and enjoy my own mind/crafts/books/whatever makes me happy.

10. Work on a healthier lifestyle.  Notice I didn't say lose weight.  Life shouldn't be about a number on a scale it should be about the number of years you live.

In 6 months we will see how well I've done with them!

Holiday VoxBox 2012

Hello Dolls!
  I know its been a few weeks but man the holidays get crazier and crazier every year.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  I hope you all got the things you asked Santa for and even more importantly I hope you got quality time with your families.

    Christmas eve I was so excited to open my mailbox and see a package from Influenster.  Another VoxBox yay!

I've already started testing these wonderful products and will have a blog post for each product so check back often!

*All of these items were given to me complimentary for my honest review*

Christmas Gift Guide

Hiya Dolls!
I've discovered some amazing indie/handmade shops this year and thought I'd compile the best of the best in a guide for the holidays.  I can personally vouch for each and every one of the companies.  Take a look around shop some and enjoy!

Shop Here

Dark Heart Designs is an ever growing line that shows care and detail in all of their products.  Recently released a blush line and a face primer.  Like them on facebook to get monthly deals.

Shop Here

Rockeresque Beauty Company is an all vegan company that is expanding slowly but their loose eye shadows are amazing the service is great AND they opened a beauty school.  Sign up for email membership to get coupon codes and a birthday gift.

Shop Here

Candii Blossom Cosmetics is a one woman show with some truly unique pigments.  She also just came out with blushes and frequently has sales.  She has launched a polish line that I haven't purchased from yet but you need her lava flow eye shadow its the perfect orange.

Shop Here

Carina Dolci Cosmetics is a publicaly christian company that donates 10% of their profits to charity (now thats beautiful).  TAT is a little longer than most but they always include lots of samples to make up for it.  Their eye shadows are wrapped like candy and absolutely adorable.  Perfect stocking stuffers!

Shop Here

Lucky Cupcake Hairclips makes just that hairclips!  Well she also makes wraps and jewelry too!!  I've posted about them before and still love them.  Shes always coming out with new and exciting things.  Her orders come with candy.  Who the heck doesn't love candy?!?

Shop Here

Riveting Rosies is a mix of bath and body as well as fuzzy pens and burlesque gear.  I adore her stuff and no bath is complete without her bath salts!!  Don't see what you want?  Send her a conversation she is amazingly talented and my fave bath and body company ever!!

Shop Here

Vintage OOAK Designs makes the most amazing earrings and jewlery.  The packaging is out of this world and she is truly an absolute delight!

Shop Here

Rebel Downtown Handbags make the most amazing handbags, wallets, and clutches.  Super sweet woman to work with and with a $30 order she'll throw in a matching pocket mirror.  She makes customs as well.

Icy Wonderland

Howdy Dolls
   Its not feeling like Christmas at all in Texas right now.  Weather in the 80's so when my makeup sister and inspiration Courtney posted this Winter Wonderland I got inspired.

Doesn't she make you jealous?

So I got in my special Dark Heart Designs bag (I have so many of her products I had to get another bag) and started creating.  I love/hate the look I created but I had tons of fun creating it so I hope you all enjoy it just a little :).

Products/Colors used include Dark Heart shadows in Frost, Silver Lining, Kiss & Make Tea, Sirens Song, Madness, and Rave.  Dark Heart mascara in Retro. Dark Heart lipstick in Love Bites. Dark Heart Magic Eyelixir. Hard Candy eye shadow primer. Nyx jumbo eye pencil in Milk. theBalm matte shadow in Matt Batalli.

Can't wait til my next look.  Enjoy!