Glitzy Glam Fall/Autumn Look

Hello Lovies!!

I have been trying for weeks to film my tutorial on this look. It just wasn't in the cards for me until now. No matter how hard I tried to make time to do it, something always came up that I absolutely couldn't put off, and, unfortunately my channel,blog, and facebook page got put to the weigh side.

This look can be done simply which is nice for day wear, but you know me, and I have taken out all the stops for the hum drum simple day look. This has pizazz!! Glitz! Glamour!!! It's absolutely beautiful!!!

Who doesn't love glittah?!?!

Though this is a very fancy look, I used a combination of some higher end products and drugstore. All of these are pretty affordable even the high end stuff, which is what I like to do in almost all of my videos.  Sugarpill Cosmetics was definitely at the forefront of this look. I adore Sugarpill. If you haven't tried their makeup, I urge you, no, I COMMAND you go and check them out. Their shadows are very affordable for what you get compared to a lot of higher end brands. If you like shadows with a HUGE color payoff and just love bright colors in general, this brand is for you dearies!! 

Did I mention this makes green eyes POP???

 Products used in this video:

Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP)
NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk
Sugarpill Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Poison Plum
Sugarpill Cosmetics Eyeshadow in 2 AM
NYC Upper Zest Side (810B) in Orange
NYC Upper Zest Side (810B) in Yellow
NYX "Butt Naked" Eyes Palette (Off White & Cream Shades)
LASplash Splash Proof Sealer Eyeshadow Sealer/Base
LASplash Mineral Eyeshadow, Body & Face Glitter #16503 Phenomenon
Palladio Herbal Eye Liner PRE01 Pure Black
The Balm Cheater Mascara
LashGrip Eyelash Adhesive
LASplash LASHtease False Lashes in Night Life
Hard Candy Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette
L'OREAL Visible Lift Instant Age-Reversing Foundation #166 Natural Buff
Palladio Herbal Lip Liner PRL07 Sand
LASplash Lip Gloss #14123 Supersitious

Glitter + False Lashes = <3

This is one of my new favorite looks! You will definitely see me around town wearing this, whether it be toned down or turned up!!!

Until Next Time Dollies!!!

XOXO

Sam

A Step in the Right Direction

I have been away for quite sometime. For those of you that follow me on a regular basis know that I have been posting more on my Facebook page this week. This year has been a rough one for me. I remember at the beginning of the year I was going to make this one the best year yet and wanted to stay positive from day one. I had just made the plunge into becoming a vegetarian to gain better overall health and hope to lose weight while I'm at it. I decided to start working out, and being the happiest I could ever be in all my life. Things were going so well...then...I felt like I got stabbed in the heart. I lost my grandfather on St. Patty's Day. He had been going to dialysis because his kidneys were shutting down, so I knew I probably wasn't going to see him after this year if he even made it to the end of the year. It hit me a lot harder than I thought it would, but I have grown to learn over these few months and accept that he was ready. He lived a long life and had a lot of children and grandchildren, and even a few great grandchildren. His loss kind of pushed me forward in the right direction to continue my self improving and be happy and do things that make me happy. I also was going through some tough stuff with my husband, which I'm not really ready to talk about, but we have grown from it and have built a stronger relationship over it. It just goes to show you that we're given these obstacles to over come so we can become stronger people, learn from the mistakes we make and build ourselves better...so to speak. So this is why I've decided to take a back seat on blogging, updating videos on my YouTube channel and just really talking to anybody. I've even cut a lot of drama filled friends out of my life because I've learned my time can be well better spent on something productive...like updating my blog, then to trash talk people. Do I miss those people? Yes, but I feel like I'm becoming a better person and growing and have to do this for me...I know they wouldn't understand, but the drama and bullsh*t just gets old. I'm not in high school anymore and care about more important things and just feel I can't go on with being around people like that. Its nothing against them, I just can't mentally deal with it. Does that make me a bad person?

Anywho! I wanted you all to know that I am still here! I think about this blog all the time, and I have always felt some sort of release with writing...so on that note, I'm making a pledge to keep going. I will be making a slow transition back into this. I want to keep positive just as I had told myself I would at the beginning of the year. I want to inspire someone...whether it be through words, the art of makeup, or just a pretty picture I find interesting. Tell me what you want to see!!! I have a bunch of ideas running through my head, but I also want to deliver to the people the matter most...my followers!!! Comment on this post, send me a message on Facebook or YouTube...I want to hear from you!!!

Thank you all for being patient with me, the ones who I've heard from. You pushing me to keep going has done more than you'll ever know. Stay tuned because it's FALL and great things are in the works for you!!!

Much love,
Sam <3

Help for People Who Need It....

I hope everyone has been well. I know I have been gone for quite sometime, not posting here or on my YouTube Channel, but I have been going through a lot of personal happenings and have decided to take a break from blogging and YouTube for a little bit. I will slowly be getting back into this, but it is going to be a little while longer I think. To all of my viewers of my YouTube Channel, followers of this blog, and fans on my Facebook page I appreciate every one of you who have taken the time to check out what I do. But that's not what the reason of this post is today....

In the US a person dies of suicide every 14.2 minutes. Suicide claims more than 36,000 lives a year. Attempted suicide happens every minute, of every day, with close to a million attempts each year. It is the 10th leading cause of death and is the 3rd leading cause of death of people ages 15-24 years. The education and advocacy of suicide and depression lacks in awareness, and there is something we call can do to help.
 
I recently teamed up with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention in my area. They sponsor Out of the Darkness walks across the country. They are a non-profit organization who take the proceeds from the walks and use it for understanding and preventing suicide through extensive research, education and advocacy. They are the nations leading non profit organization for suicide prevention. I have decided to participate in the walk, as well as some other behind the scenes coordination with the Chairperson in my area. My goal is to raise $1,000 before the walk. 

I haven't lost a loved one to suicide, but I know many who have. I've seen the turmoil that families are left with after losing a loved one to suicide. So many unanswered questions, the hurt, the anger, the sadness. I've lost many loved ones, but will never know the feeling of emptiness that someone left behind feels when they lose someone to suicide. I myself thought of, and even attempted suicide when I was younger. I was very depressed and unhappy, but I am lucky to have the people around me today who make me happy and I no longer feel the way I once did. But sadly, there are so many who still battle with depression, mental disorders, who take their life each year.....and because of them I have decided to participate in the walk in my town.

Please take the time out to visit the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention's website, at www.afsp.org to find out more information, and see if there is a sponsored walk in your area. Also, below is a link to my donation page. I know times are tough right now for everyone, myself included, but if anyone reading this is able to make a donation to my page, even if it is only $1.00, you will make my heart smile. If you aren't able to, that's okay too. But please check out the website and see if you can sponsor a walk in your area, or find another way to help. Life is too short not to take time to help others. Whether it be through donation to this cause, or any cause for that matter. Helping someone in need is so rewarding.

My Donation Page:  http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=312395

Thank you for anyone who is able to help, and thank YOU, yes YOU, for taking the time to read this blog post....

<3
 

Super Heroine Series: Psylocke--Featuring Sugarpill Cosmetics!

Hi Beauties!

I'm not exactly sure why it took me so long to do this tutorial. This is probably by far the best look that I feel I have done. Maybe because it has my favorite colors in the look, purple & pink! This was a really fun look to create and hope you all enjoy. This is just the first part of my Super Heroine Series. 

Psylocke

This is the photo that I used for my inspiration. She is so beautiful and her costume is so bad ass!! The products that I used to complete this look are below:

UDPP

Wet N Wild #251A Brulee Eyeshadow

Sleek Makeup Acid Palette (both blue shadows in palette)

Wet N Wild Color Icon #C307 Stagedive Eyeshadow

UD Pigment in Rockstar

L'Oreal Infallible #555 Perpetual Purple Eyeshadow

Sugarpill Cosmetics Poison Plum Eyeshadow

Sugarpill Costmetics Magentric Loose Eyeshadow

Wet N Wild Color Icon Black Eyeliner

Physician's Formula Organic Wear Mascara in Black Organics

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder #03 Taupe/Ash

L'Oreal True Match Foundation in N3 Natural Buff

Milani Baked Blush #05 Luminoso

NYX Matte Lipstick #02 Shocking Pink

I used Sugarpill Costmetics eye shadows for the very first time in this look. I absolutely love the quality and how pretty the colors are! Big shout out to Amy over at Sugarpill! You rock girl!!!

I added false lashes in this photo just on the ends.

This was a very fun look to do. I can't wait to do more for this series!!!

Hope you all are well and until next time....

So long dearies!!!

XOXO

A Beauty Blogger Nail Tutorial: Ombre Nails

Today was my second attempt to do the ombre (sometimes called gradient) nail effect on my nails. Last night when I went to do the tutorial as I went along for the first time, I used a regular sponge like you would to do dishes with like was recommended in the article that I found on Facebook. I didn't like the way the effect was looking so I tried again today and this is the result.

This particular color combo makes me think of the Southwest

Below is a step by step instructional on how I achieved this look and some pointers that I learned by doing this look and how it will help me out the next time I try to achieve this look.


Step 1: Apply a base coat of your choice. 
This will help with keeping your color last longer on your nails and give the polish something to stick to instead of laying on a smooth nail.

Step 2: Apply a nail polish color all over the nail. Allow to dry completely.
My polish color I used was Aquadelic by China Glaze. I have absolutely loved wearing this color. Its a great spring or summer color, but can also be used differently all year.

Step 3: Take a cosmetic sponge and cut to fit the length and width of your nail.
You can use any sponge you want, but this seemed to work better than a kitchen sponge for me.

 Step 4: Take 2 or more other nail polish colors and apply them to the sponge. The two colors I used were Celebutant & Peach Parfait by Ulta.

Step 5: Press the sponge to the nail to get the color on there. You may have to do a few coats to get it to the desired brightness you want. At certain times I'd do one color at a time to reapply on the sponge and that seemed to help. Also you will have to re-apply polish to the sponge for every nail. When you are done they will look something like this:

Looks kinda sticky icky huh?? This was before I was satisfied with the amount of color on my nails.

Step 6: Apply at least 2 coats of a shiny top coat. This will smooth out the harshness and texture of the nail color and help it give that gradient effect.

Step 7: Take q-tips and nail polish remover and clean the area around the nail to leave your nails looking clean and beautiful!!

One step that you could also add is to apply cuticle oil to your cuticles once your polish has completely dried to help keep your nails looking healthy!

I hope you all enjoyed this look! Please share your thoughts and comments and post a video response on my YouTube page with your ombre nails!!

Until next time,

So long dearies!!

XOXO

Raspberry Beret...The Kind You Find in a Secondhand Store!!

Hello!!

I know I've been absent for a little while...life has taken me and swallowed me whole. But I am working adamantly on new tutorials and blog posts :)

I was inspired by one of, if not the best Prince song I have ever heard. "Raspberry Beret".  This bright look is great for spring/summer. However, you could also take a slightly darker raspberry-esqe color and make it great for night time or the fall season.

The frosty beige color for the inner corner makes your eyes POP!

Products I used:

UD Primer Potion

Wet N Wild Icon Eyes Eyeshadow Crayon in Pixi

WNW Color Icon Eyeshadow in Bruele

Sleek Cosmetics Acid Palette pinky/magenta Eyeshadow

Coastal Scents Eyeshadows in Red, Pale Raspberry & Hot Pink

Beautique Eyeliner in Black

Physician's Formula Organic Wear Mascara in Black Organics

Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Powder Foundation in Natural Ivy

Millani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Millani crystal lip gloss in Pucker Up

 

One thing that I did not do or mention in my tutorial on YouTube was filling in my eyebrows. I usually do this when I am trying to define my eyebrows a little bit more and it helps pull this look together. In these photos I was using NYX Eyebrow Powder.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!! Until next time,

So long dearies!!!

XOXO

A Review: Dark Heart Designs Hand-Made Eye Shadows

In life, we always root for the underdog. And when I say we, I mean, me. I can't really speak for everyone but you know. I always want to see small businesses succeed, especially in this time of economic hardships. Gigantic corporations are slowly causing small businesses to close because they just can't compete with these corporations. Its depressing, but it makes me uber happy when I find a small little company that makes such great products and offer a GREAT price for their products.

I first heard of Dark Heart Designs when the owner, Tina Z. liked my Facebook page for this blog. It made my day just to see someone who wasn't a friend or family member liking my page that I just had to check out her page. When you're just starting out with a blog, YouTube Channel, or Facebook page for your business or hobby it can be a little discouraging when you don't see many people other than your friends liking your page or subscribing. I've had my YouTube Channel for a little while but never did a bunch of videos to get my name out there until recently. I'm no Kandee Johnson, nor will I probably ever be, but I have fun with what I do, and even if I only have 3 people watch one of my videos it makes happy, because this is what I like to do. Anyway! Wow what a way to get off subject eh? 

So I checked out Dark Heart Designs page and was so in awe of what amazing products I had just found with this company. I spent a good 30 to 45 minutes just looking at every single color. I wanted them all but settled on just trying one eye shadow product until I knew how well the quality of the product was. The color I settled on (like I said I wanted them all) was Clean Slate. Described as a
"dark silvery blue tinted shadow", this color would look great on all skin tones. The shimmer in the shadow is similar to a diamond glitter. I absolutely love it. The texture is so smooth and soft and its 100% cruelty free and vegan! I spent a total of $8.50 with the shipping and it is one of the best purchases I have ever made. When my package came in the mail I was as giddy as a school girl. It was really nice to see that someone even took the time out to customize the padded envelope with stamps and a cool wax seal. When I saw that I just knew the product was going to be amazing before I had even opened the package. Inside was a small drawstring bag that held the eye shadow and other goodies.

I couldn't wait to see what was inside!

Inside the bag was my eye shadow, but also some other goodies! I got 4 free samples of some other eye shadows!! I was given Ultra Violet, a bright blue shimmery shadow. Cotton Candy, a baby shimmery pink shadow. Pumpkin King, a beautiful pigmented orange-y gold shadow. Last but not least, Howl, a canary yellow shimmery shadow. I was in love!!! The samples that were given were quite a good bit of product, which was very nice in comparison to other samples I have gotten from other companies. I also received a 20% coupon on my next purchase. 

Check out how bright those colors are!

I was ecstatic with everything that was included in my purchase. I definitely was not expecting it and was a very nice surprise. I love all of the colors and will definitely buy from Tina again!! Below you will see my swatchfest for you to see how these look on the skin.

Dry swatch. L-R: Clean Slate, Ultra Violet, Cotton Candy, Pumpkin King, Howl

Primer Swatch L-R: Clean Slate, Ultra Violet, Cotton Candy, Pumpkin King, Howl

Please take the time to check out Dark Heart Designs. There are all kinds of cosmetic products to see. Not only do they have eye shadows, they also have lipsticks, eye liners, and other supplies you may need. You can also purchase samples for as low as .99!! Trust me, you won't be sorry when you go to this site!

Until next time,

So long dearies!!

XOXO