Waking Up With CHANEL-Why We Should Go Back to the Make-up Counters

spend a minute with brow raised beauty

 Well,  I certainly hope I will be more of a blessing than a curse on this earth.  It's hard though.  What do you think? Yeah? I suppose on that note, I'm letting you know that the page is open for business but under construction.  Please excuse the mess.  There's method and madness in it.  What was that quote from TB's Alice? Anyway, too bad for us all that procrastination waits in the wings. *sigh* So tempting...

How's everyone doing?

Me? Happy. Today I went to an event for some playtime and guess where I went? 

CHANEL

...take the time once in a while to go back to the Counters and seek Professional Help.

Yay! Gorgeous.  Today was a make-up day.  Ever do that?  Just visit the counters to say, "Hello Lovely,"?  There's something to be said about seeking out advice about a specific line from someone who consistently attends training sessions held by their label.  They are given information fresh from the runways.  I highly recommend revisiting some soon:)
 I'd like to thank Moshi and Tracy (hope I spelled it right) for a fun girl morning.  You glamour girls are great!  M and T were not only knowledgeable about the product, but they also explained specific artistic technique and shared health savvy that far surpassed my expectations.  Love finding solid consultants!! Awwwwesommmmee... They even taught me a few tricks.  Seriously, you gals are so helpful!!  I'll Definitely be back! Ok, you ready?

First, though, there's a couple of things you should be aware of:

1. Not too much sleep last night.

2. Drank more coffee than water this month.

3. Hormones are cruel.

4. Milia (tiny hardened calcium on the skin) is a beyotch.

Now, shall we?

Top: No Makeup

Left: HydraMax Serum, Beaute Initiale Moisturizer

Right: #30 Concealer applied w/brush #1

Bottom: Beige Lumiere Translucent #3 applied with sponge and Brush #16

*isn't the fluorescent lighting so flattering? not.

Imprevu Blush

Eyebrows (and excuse my designer bags), Kaska Beige Eyeshadow, Ambre Liner

 Lips (a coral I can wear): Spice Liner

ta da!

Couldn't leave with out The Poudre Douce, and HydraMax Lip Care

(BRB approved!)

I tried to show the makeup under different lighting so you could see how it's blended really well.  It looks dewy.  It looks soft.  It looks great under sun, indirect sun, fluorescents, and flash:)  

Epic Win. 

 did not receive these as product/brand endorsements. 

Quite frankly, some of these pics are a bit close for comfort, but I really wanted you to see how the Poudre Douce (pink miracle powder) really highlights certain parts of the face (mountains vs. valleys) in a flattering way.  It seems to soften it Big Time. Love. Love. Love.  And really Great for pictures (even though I'm feeling a bit self-conscious with my face all over this post) if you have a date, dance, performance, whathaveyou!  And as for the HydraMax Lip Tx, it seems to be working so far...

 Happy Weekend Friends!  Hope you get to catch some moments of pure indulgence too;)

xBRB

Beauty Bliss on Fat Tuesday

My favorite time of night is when everyone goes to bed and I have a chance to completely relax.  Wanna join me?  Tonight for instance, I can watch LOST and post pics of my beauty haul without too much hassle (...well, aside form the fact that I cannot wrap my brain around this show most of the time but am completely addicted).  So as I tell my BFF, EJ, "Come see what I got and let's play..."

I've been told videos are the best way to play with your haul, but we'll save that fun for later.  So, no need to think my friends.  Let's just look @ the pretty pictures*_*

*Includes my free Back2MAC lipstick in Craving*

*The Closest to Barbie pink that this Olive skinned girl can ever get*

*Craving, Inky (Unintentionally, similar in color to the OPI color below.  You know when you buy something twice because you love it so much you forgot you already bought it?  Well, kinda like that...), Bamboom*

-Thanks for helping with the colors Carli @ Macy's SCP!

*Freebie Face Primer (I'll let you know how it goes)*

*Fnally, #217*

*Found You Alice!*

*Pistacio from Cousin C*

*Myer Lemons from Mom's Garden (How she says, "I love you," besides "I love you.")*

*Starburst from Dad (How he says, "I love you," aside from "Let's check the oil in your car.")*

*Flourless Chocolate Cake from Cousin C*

*A long overdue pedicure in OPI Yoga-ta Get This Blue! and my after Christmas Find @ Old Navy*

*Diva dress and F21 boots*

*Newest, Softest Sweater Ever*

*Chocolate from My Love*

That's probably all I can do for tonight my lovelies... time to slip into dreaming.

xBRB

In Search of the Superficial to Attain Momentary Bliss (Purple Eyeliner pt.3)

Resolution: To Complete Things I Start

I suppose on New Years Day, we all expect that we have a chance to start fresh.  Maybe that is why we celebrate like mad on the 31st - drunk with thoughts of reconciliation and possibility - until well beyond the stroke of midnight.  I sit and wonder how many celebrations I can actually recall but quickly come to realize, save a handful of fabulous moments in time, I have spent this specific "holiday" not doing much more than watching the ball drop on tv from the comforts of home.  I know, bo-ring, right?  Meh, sometimes I think NYE ranks up there with St. Patrick's Day - no offense, but somewhere inside, I hear a voice: "Amature Night."  I mean, we all celebrate these with glasses in the air, but the probability of the Foolish people sneaking out from under their rocks is high on these evenings.  And quite frankly, I like to steer clear. Actually, I welcome the banality of pjs and a remote control with open arms, because by the time the last day of the year has piled up, I am flattened and fried. And in my exhaustion, I shall hole up, at least for the next few days, and do absolutely nothing in particular except catch you up with my latest adventures.  I know it may be frivolous, but make-up/beauty/youth is all about pushing creativity.  It's my little piece of colorful in this shades-of-vampire-gray world.  I would also like to address one of my main resolutions, which is to live this year while consistently answering the question, "What do I want?".

So tonight, I offer you a blog:)  It will have no particular direction, but hopefully, as I mentally process this time of the year, it will be somewhat entertaining in the are-you-kidding-me-right-now/well, that's somewhat interesting kind of way.   Why?  Because after braving counter after counter during the Christmas season, I need to share.

I've been hitting the pavement and investigating products just for the sake of finding the best stuff out there.  Without all the brainwashing from the media or influence of free product bribery (I wish! Wouldn't that be a kick?!), I would really like to discover the Creme de la Creme.  I try to hold no bias based on price or label.  I've been testing things on my face, my hands, my inner arm...  I've sniffed perfumes until my head pounded and my nose bled (just kidding, but it felt like it would).  I have kept pages of notes comparing and contrasting, but what it really comes down to is You Have to Go Knowing What You're Looking For.  Case in point? Purple eyeliner mission completed.

I had a plan. I was to focus on all available purples and test them out on my hand.  After one hour and a hand slashed with multiple shades of purple eyeliner, it was clear that I would only find what I wanted based on what my standards were. 

Some were great going on but insulted the hell out of my wallet.  Some were cheap and not just in price.  Some were just plain discontinued. *Sigh* There are just too many options sometimes.  I went from counter to counter, store to store, and found that even though there are a bazillion people standing around doing nothing, they do not necessarily want to help me.  But I will say that Haley and Myrissa @ Macy's should get a raise because in the sea of stares, they are the two stars willing to help a girl out.  Props ladies;)  Unfortunately, I still did not find the color I loved.  Onward.

Whew! In a word: OVERWHELMING. Time passed.  I began to tire of being the human scratch board.  Suddenly, in the hazy light of late morning, I was lured into the bright, well-organized  M.A.C. store, and checked out the gamut of purples available.  It was like an oasis in the desert of proper product presentation.  However, I realized that I had 15 minutes, but I was in the right place so np. I found not 1, but 2, exquisite shades of purple that quenched my thirst.  My head was spinning, but it was early enough so that I was offered a proper tutorial by a guardian angel of M.A.C. (I would mention the artist's name, but I'm not allowed to tell...). After several attempts to find the perfect match for me,  I finally had a plethora of choices AND a guide (Speaking of options, go to the website if you want to find out about the differences in liner types for this particular brand; there's something for everyone). 

I just got absolutely hooked on "Bordeauxline," which is a no-nonsense, creamy, sultry, aubergine "powerpoint" crayon. We're talkin sexy smooth - just waxy enough to glide-on and just matte enough to stay put.  Yummm.  It's the kind that glides on and just begs to be laid on the waterline.  Then, there it was.  A flicker. A spark. Eureka. I'm shown the most intriguing, electric, violet color that ever graced my prescence.  It's name: "Electrolady," of course.  Not for the faint-hearted, it's a metallic, purple, liquid liner (just use small, manageable strokes, and rest your outer hand lightly on your face as you line to stay steady).  It's sensational.  It demands to be taken out about town.  This little liquidlast liner is said to withstand almost anything including time.  I was instructed to use an oil-based eye make-up remover for this.  I'm thinkin' Lancome Bi-facil hands down.  Anyway, I couldn't decide, so I took both home.  One for day, used with "Shale" and one for Date Night, used with "Indianwood" paint pot.  Defined brow and thick black lashes, and Welcome back Hotter.  Btw, I left the liquid on overnight (bad, I know, but for testing purposes) and it even stayed through the steamy shower! 

Well, that's that for now because it's late and purple eyeliner doesn't go well with dark circles. I'll probably share my Beauty Booty Blog tomorrow and hopefully get savvy with pics;)  Night night, don't let the haters bite...

xBRB

Spinning Brown Skin into Gold

I've gone through my entire day trying to write for the blog but have had serious blogger blockage.  Why? After hours of back and forth with my virtual vs. real life, I've been challenged.  Beauty Blogs: Shallow and Fake?  Well this is a good question and I have come to realize, it's time to get down and dirty.  Why do I do this?  So we can hopefully join hands and work together within this fickle and confusing industry.  Multi-colored women unite!

In the blogosphere, who do I think I am?!  There are so many issues that I've had to deal with on my own that, well, I've been ashamed to admit...until now.  My skin is brown. Some say caramel, but I like how my husband says it, "perfectly brown like I like my coffee," (There. I said it. I'm brown.  He said it. He likes it.). And who was ever there to help?  Not too many.  I mean, even my own mother would continuously tell me to "stay out of the sun so you don't get dark...".  I'm sure she's just  parroting her own european aristocratic atrocities.  I'm sure her mom was just as lovingly harsh.  But let's face it.  If you can't love yourself, you can't love.  And after years of self-loathing, I've realized that I am only fighting to love myself - my brown skin self.  Ridiculous, right?? For one, I'm dark anyway; I'm a Filipino/Guamanian girl for goodness sake!!  Two,  dontchaknow?!  Everyone's down with brown now!  Embrace Mama, Embrace!

And we're finally living in a world where the majority of the world wants a heavenly kiss from the sun.  Sure, it's nice now, but for years, I've been forced to wear Light Girl makeup.  Light peach and pink blush and washed out lip color would accompany my imbalanced "dark golden" pressed powder.  Until about 10 years ago, I've had to mix and match, compromise and sacrifice, fake and make it.  I've looked muddy, disheveled, pale, painted and two-toned (you know, even in the face and neck but not with the body?).  Then along came Halle Berry.  Let's face it ladies, until this empowered woman won an award and impelled everyone to watch her have emotional catharsis on television, the world really did not consider the multi-toned, brown skin girl.  She cried and the world focused on her waterproof mascara and impeccable complexion.  She became the face of  Revlon.  Before this, there was no focus on shades of brown.  There was no giving yellow/olive/brown/black girls much more than a "Tan" consideration in the foundation/powder world.  And I know, I am not alone when I say, "It was pretty f'd up."

How many times have Asians, Latinos, and African queens had to stand in the aisle staring @ our options only to realize that not only do we Not fit into the Golden Beige category, but we have been forced to choose the darkest shade even though it made us look like we played in clay.  In some lines, we have even had to buy, "DARK" even though it may not have been dark enough at times.  Well, now because of women like Halle, like Beyonce, Tyra, Eve and Rhianna, WE HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED.

I suppose there are so many other women who have affected our status, like Oprah, Margaret Cho, Brooke Burke, Lucy Liu and Maya Angelou (hell yes), ETC., ETC., ETC.   BUT in the fashion/beauty world, Grace Jones, Iman, Vanessa Williams, and Naomi Campbell have been the few Brown Goddesses that have even put our needs on the beauty agenda.  But now, there is a LARGE network of women who pride themselves on brown skin.  It is amazing how many colors cosmetic companies have added to their "skin tone" palette.  But even before Halle, there was one cosmetic line in particular who was based on accomodating all skin palettes.  Perscriptives.

Listen, Perscriptives was focused on finding your perfect match, remember?  So here's the skinny my beauties, pale pink to dark blue:  Perscriptives is going OUT OF BUSINESS.  Say what?  Maybe you haven't even gone to their counter except to spritz some CALYX on your wrist, but they were one of the only lines who acknowledged the diversity of skin tone from 1979 til now.  It is an Estee Lauder Company and LISTEN UP BEAUTIES, it is going away for good.  Wanna know how I know?  I've got an insider;)

Yup.  While on my search for the perfect purple eyeliner (shallow as it may seem), I  ran into the most amazing shopgirl who not only led me to the aubergines and the eggplant, she also gave me the skinny.  Her name is Haley.  SHE IS AWESOME.  She's knowledgeable, helpful, and, of course, a fellow beauty.  I suggest you RUN NOT WALK to the Macy's in the Shops At Mission Viejo and find her NOW.  She will get you all the great stuff that's left in inventory and probably lead you to the stuff you can't live without...  But you'd better hurry, the sell outs are insane (Someday in the future, I hope to add her to the list of important beauty bloggers on our list).  So let's say adieu to Perscriptives, a quality line that is soon to not even brag of an online site, and say hello to this BRB network of insider 411.  So let's wrap up this beauty bubbliciousness shall we?  I will address ALL concerns here on this blog.

Labeling beauty research as shallow filler is a type of self-denial, don't you agree?  Beauty should be FUN my Lovely Ladies.  I don't care how rich or poor, young or old, bitchy or savvy you are.  These times are tough my fellow Beauties.  Sometimes a tongue-in-cheek about the perfect concealer that erases your Christmas Party "faux pas" is what we all need to get us through to the next day of work;)  You can come here for respite from judgement and criticism.  You may come here and ask without hesitation.  And together we will get through this crazy life looking F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.

Stay tuned, beautiful women of all colors, I promise to hold your hand each step of the way along this economically challenged, beauty brand endagered world.   Hang on, it's all about the journey right?;)

Lots of love,
BRB