Love Letters

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I’ve wanted to be a makeup artist since I was pretty little.
The only time a ever questioned it was a little while after I graduated high school. (a time for questioning EVERYTHING)
I started wondering if makeup and beauty are just shallow and stupid and maybe I should do something that would actually make a difference in people’s lives. I entertained some other ideas that seemed more important.
After a while I decided to stick to makeup because:
A. It’s what I am best at
B. It’s what I love to do
C. It doesn’t matter what you do, if you do it with love, you can make a difference in someone’s life.
Here is a letter I received recently. This and many others have confirmed that I might have been right:)

Cara!
I found your blog via Pinterest, and  I couldn’t be more blessed to have stumbled upon it when I did!
The past year of my life has been filled with many unexpected trials and some minor health challenges. I was just having trouble getting motivated, and seeing both my inner and outer beauty. Seeing your video about doing “mommy” make up in a few minutes was exactly what I needed. Though I am not a mommy, I like to keep things simple and emphasize natural beauty which I think is something you do naturally in your videos and blog posts. I was hooked after the first view of the video, though it wouldn’t be my last.  I started reading any and every post on your blog, and exploring! I copied your list of drug store buys from the Mommy make up video and set out to get them. This was almost backwards for me, I almost strictly shop at Sephora, so heading to Target was refreshing. I guess I forgot you can still find good “drug store” products. I got everything you said and watched your video countless times! I started to get the hang of it and felt up to finally wearing this new look out in public, the very first day I did I had 2 compliments at work! I was floored! I have since received more compliments, and its not about the compliments, but the way it makes me feel, knowing I can do it! I have a rounder face so I have always struggled with applying my makeup in a flattering manner. It was like all I needed was that little boost, and my confidence started to snowball- I started working out again, I got on Match.com (Oh dear… ) I am eating right, and I jump started my weight loss again. I am down 22lbs from my heaviest last October! Still have plenty of weight to go! I just needed to stop and take a second to express my thanks, sorry it was so scattered!  Please keep doing what you are doing, because I am sure my life isn’t the only one you have changed!

With Love,
Reilly

I am so grateful to Reily and all of the beautiful women who send me messages, letters and comments of encouragement and gratitude.
The only problem is, I don’t know how to fully express my gratitude for going out of your way to make me feel like what I do is worthwhile.

When I entered the Allure contest I wrote this: I think the best part of the blog is my readers. They are so sweet, funny and smart and always have a lot of great information to share. The comment thread is truly uplifting and informative, often better than the post itself.
Man, I hope I am not boring you with all of my blubbering, I just have to gush about you guys from time to time:)
Like I said, You’re the best.

-Melody Beattie

Posted on May 2, 2013 41 Comments

Coconut

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I know that coconut oil is basically taking over the world right now so I might be a little late on the uptake here.

Nonetheless, I figure the many many things that can be accomplished with this one, pure and natural goldmine need to be addressed.
Get it HERE or at pretty much any grocery store.

1. Shaving Cream -
My legs were in a bad way over the winter. They were itching so bad at one point I briefly considered the relief of scrubbing them down with an an SOS pad on them. I went to the interwebs to find a cure and The Pioneer Woman hooked me up. She claimed it was my shaving cream causing all the problems and suggested I use something pure and simple to shave with. So was the birth of my coconut oil shaving routine and the death of my itchy leg syndrome.
2. Body Lotion -
This stuff sinks into the skin enough to properly hydrate and leave you with that gorgeous tropical scent.
3. Eye Makeup Remover - 
Obviously this one isn’t oil free like the one photographed above but it is perfect for ridding your eyeballs from the black stuff.
4. Frizz Control-
Rub a little oil in your hands and tap down any flyaways. You can also run it through your ends to combat dryness and add some shine.
5. Lip Balm-
Smear some into your pout for an instant moisture lock.
6. Hair Deep Conditioner-
I mix about 1/4 cup coconut oil + half an avocado together and massage it into wet hair. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then rinse. It will leave your hair shiny, silky and moisturized.
7. Protect your tresses from the chlorine-
Before you jump in the pool wet your hair and oil it from about the nape of your neck down. Then throw it in a bun. Now you don’t need to worry about chlorine fried hair.
And that’s just the beauty stuff! It can also replace pretty much any other fat you use in the kitchen.
Be sure to let me know any of your cool ways to use it I didn’t discover yet..

PS Be sure to vote for me at the Allure contest if you can! Click HERE or on that badge over there>>>>>>

Posted on May 1, 2013 58 Comments

Nerd Alert!

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I’ve been dwelling on glasses makeup for A LONG TIME now.
Since I don’t wear glasses my knowledge was limited so I ordered some clear ones, started studying photos and celebs, and did some practice.
{from top to bottom}
Stila In the Light Shadow Palete & Liner
SEPHORA Classic Blending Eye Brush
Angled Brush
Mac Eye Shadow in Brun
Tarte Cheek Stain Tickled
L’oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder in Cocoa
Maybelline Color Whisper in Bare To Be Bold
CoverGirl Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil in Mink
NYX Cosmetics Concealer in Yellow
Stila Stay All Day 10-In-One HD Illuminating Beauty Balm

I forgot to photograph the mascara! It was Benefit They’re Real!


My brother in law Carl has been wearing clear (AKA faux) glasses for years. I grabbed some of his to do some experimenting. When I noticed things got a little blurry, Carl informed me that he actually needs glasses now (he was beaming). We shared a very high five and I congratulated him.

In other words glasses are cool.
They add 10 points to your IQ (visually of course), conceal dark circles in an instant, can shorten the appearance of a long nose and are a must for a Geek Chic look.
I had my sister Rachel throw some on and did her makeup to show what I’ve discovered.


As usual this is just my take, no one with glasses is stuck to using this tips every day but everyone of you four eyed babes should try it at least once!

1. Eye Brows: Drawing them in high and bold really frames those frames. It also adds a subtle sexiness that really feeds into the whole “I’m sexy and I don’t know it” thing. I used Dark brown shadow and an angled brush. Seriously, higher and bolder than you think. It won’t look very good without the glasses but once they’re on you’ll LOVE it.
2. Defining the eye: Spend most of your time and color directly around the eye. I used a dark brown liner and smudged it in with a brown shadow using this smudge brush. then I used a bare shadow on the rest of my lid up to the brow. Next, I layered her with a heavy coat of mascara.
You could use other colors as well but keep it right around the eye, that way it doesn’t compete with the frames.
3. Show some lip: I wanted to keep the look sweet and natural but I still wanted her lips to stand out. I defined them with a taupe liner (which creates a subtle contour and pout) then filled them with a nude sheer lipstick.

For the skin I did my glowing makeup (because skin is important with every look) and because the highlight and contour is especially important in this look.

Let me know if you would like to see a video tutorial on this, if so I will surely oblige:)

ALSO! Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me on the challenge last week…
I WON AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What the heck? How cool is that!?
You guys rock my world.
Go on over and check this weeks competition if you have some extra minutes. It will be worth your while, promise.
And be sure to vote!

Posted on April 30, 2013 93 Comments