We are who we are....

We ARE who we are!

I have not done a blog post in a long time. I have created a YouTube channel, I have opened a little store off line, I am back to making my skin care products (this time a lot different than before) and so many other things.  It seems like I am trying to make excuses why I haven't written anything lately, but truly that is not the case at all.  I have been very busy doing a ton of things  and I have a Sh*t load of stuff on my mind.  However, this morning when I got up, for some reason I was lead to do a blog post, and yes, I will be doing a YouTube video on this as well.. but let's get started on this post!!

Everyone that reads my blogs, or watches my YouTube videos are pretty much aware that when I was on a site called Squidoo (now closed *sad face* ) I wrote a lot about the Goth subculture, helped to promote small  Goth businesses and shared my views, thoughts, and love for the Gothic subculture!  Here is what brought me to writing this article.... over the weekend, I had someone come into my shop and yes, they were a little on the Goth side BUT with a twist!! As I was talking with them, and they were looking at me with these non-emotional eyes and (*laughs*) the energy was well ... different-I felt I needed to get this off of my chest (so to speak)!

So okay, let's start with that...what Goth's ARE NOT! Well, here are my views.. FIRST and foremost, you DO NOT get up one morning and decide you are going to be Goth. It is NOT an outfit you wear, or the color of your hair, skin, or your clothes.. it is a way of life. It is a part of you, not a separate entity.  Goth is NOT pretend, or a fantasy world adventure.. it is a life, a community of people who love things outside the box of the majority of the other people.  And most important they are an extension (my opinion only) of the Victorian Era. So, yes, I believe each of us are born the way we are!

Goth's see beauty where often others wouldn't.  There is a pull or a draw to more individuality, creativity, living decor, and yes style.  Goth love what many consider to be cold, gross, scary, and aloof.  Not all Goths are satanist, not all goths are vampires (real vamps not tv/movie drain your blood version) AND not all Goths are manic depressants who live to comment suicide. 

Most Goth's (in my opinion only) do follow a pagan path that is made of MANY different beliefs.  Yes, you will see a lot of Goth's that wear black, blood red, dark purple and other darker tone clothing... Yes, you will see a lot of Goth's homes decorated with a lot of black, unique Victorian style bedding, pillows, bats, skulls, ravens, and sometimes coffins! (the list is endless) Does that make the Goth subculture EVIL?  F*ck no it doesn't! Holy Shit batman... is a person evil because they are not afraid to express their own individuality? See life their way? Isn't that our birthright? 

To the best of my knowledge, I do not believe each and every human needs to see life the same way.  We are all different, WE ARE WHO WE ARE!! Does that give haters a right to beat-up, bully, and yes folks even KILL people who do not fit in a square box that is closed off to the rest of the world? And flipping this whole thing around.. some Goths believe if you are certain age you are not considered Goth-because you are way too old! Or, if your hair is not black, if you are not this or that, that means you are NOT Goth. (Again, Bullshit).

I do not find it necessary in life to wear a label of who or what I am. What I love, don't love, how I decorate my home. People know who and what I am its all over my home, and myself. I do not hide it, or try to cover it.. See the person from my store this past weekend, did a reverse judgement on me.. but what they don't realize is, that little episode will never make me change who I am.

On YouTube, I have a friend who supports this organization called Goths For Sophie.  This beautiful girl named Sophie lost her life (beaten to death) and her boyfriend was hospitalized  just because they were expressing their own individuality and were Goth. This organizations main focus is to help create respect and understanding of subcultures in the communities.  There are Others on YouTube who created a hashtag #createnothate. All of this is done to help ease down all of the damn hate in the World!

See, I am not saying anything different in this post, that isn't already written out there over and over again. But I also feel and I know many others do... each and everyone of us will continue to write post like this, create videos with hashtags that are against hate.. in hopes that one day.. people understand is okay to be WHO WE ARE!!

Do you have problems sleeping?

ZzzQuil

What keeps me up at Night? I have a mind that will not stop thinking. It seems like most of the nights the hardest thing for me to do is settle my mind to a quite state so I can get to sleep.  ZzzQuil truly helps to relax me in a way that is natural.   It is an Non-Habit forming sleep aid, so I do not need to worry about getting hooked on it.  One of the things I love the most is the fact it gently puts me to sleep almost naturally and I DO NOT get up the next morning feeling like I have a hang-over!

I have taken ZzzQuil for a while now and honestly can say I really like the product.  It does not make you space out or feel like you are drunk.. instead it is just calmly makes you fall asleep in a way that seems natural.  It is hard to explain really.  Regardless, this is a product that I would suggest researching and trying if you have a hard time getting to sleep in the evening.  I usually take the liquid form but found the LiquiCaps are easier to carry with you when traveling.

I believe enough in this product that if you have a sleeping disorder, ZzzQuil is worth researching to see if it can work for you!!  If you would like more information about Influenster and perhaps become a member please click here!

Please Note:  I received this product sample complimentary for testing purposes.

LASplash Lipstick

Okay, here it is, if I could freaking marry a lipstick I would marry LASplash Lipstick! Yes, I know damn that sounds crazy but I am actually in love with the lipstick I just purchased from them. So here is the scoop....

Since I am taking a Makeup Artist course all I seem to do (when I have the time) is study my course, watch a freaking ton of makeup tutorials and play with my makeup!  I have been drawing out some of my own makeup designs (all will be revealed soon) and in one of the designs, I needed a black lipstick. ALL OF YOU know that I am picky as hell with my lipstick and the most important thing is when I put it on, I want it to stay the hell on!!

I was watching this one video and the chick was going on and on and on about black lipstick comparisons. One of the companies she mentioned was LASplash! So I did my regular Google search and found their site!  Well, as I was looking around I see this one shade called 'Vampire'.  Yes, it is a shade I have been searching for forever it seems.  Kat Von D has one but it is always sold out (and I love her lip stains btw but not as much as this brand) SO when I found LASplash sold a color very similar to Kat Von D's color I ordered it!  But I did not stop there.. No.... I found another color I loved (which I will write a review about later) so I got it.  I never got the black lipstick because I forgot all about it when I found 'Vampire color'.

So, LASplash Lip Couture waterproof Lipstick comes in a tube with a flat double sided sponge applicator.  IT WORKS PERFECT BTW! I am not sure of the amount of the tube but I know it will last a while.  The tube cost $14.00 and it is made in the U.S.A.  One thing that impressed me if you ever look at sanitation.. the lipstick comes in a box and the tube inside is seal... so there is no tampering with this product.

It took one application to get the shade I have on in this picture.  I used a black waterproof liner because the two colors just look great together to me! With the applicator being flat, it makes it super easy to apply and also to line your lips if you so choose. I was going to count how many seconds it takes to dry.. (yes, I said seconds) but I forgot... I do know it was very few ; when I blotted my lips it was dry!  This lipstick is not going anywhere. The Vampire color is a very deep blood red...omg  it is beautiful!!

So,  on a scale 1 to 10,  I would give this lipstick a freaking 100!! It feels great on your lips, it has not budged since I have had it on, it is not hard and heavy... and the only other thing I can say is YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS STUFF!! Here is their link if you want to visit their site: 

LASplash Cosmetics

Love for Makeup

Okay, I wanted to do a fast post, I am calling this Love for Makeup because I am a full blown 100% Makeup Junkie especially now since I am taking a makeup artist course.

I wanted to write real fast about several items I am going to do a write-up review on: 

-Younique 3D Fiber Lash Mascara

-Ipsy February Package (Which I love by the way)

-LASplash Lip Couture and Studio-shine Lip Lustre  (I can already tell you that LASplash will see my business again! No doubt about that!!)

I have a few other things I will be writing about but I wanted these three to be the first.. Hopefully, I will get the reviews up by at least Friday Evening (Feb 12th). 

I am so excited about these items... honestly, I have entered a brand new world of makeup lately. Things I am learning, items I am trying and the different techniques I am personally using on myself.

I have been extremely busy this week with family issues including having a brand new beautiful niece "Ava" that was born Feb 8th (almost on my birthday just a few days past). Regardless... all is good and I will be able to catch up on my makeup stuff!!

Hope everyone has a beautiful day... Is everyone ready for Valentines Day this Sunday?

Boxycharm Product Review-Jan 2016

Okay,  straight up no bullshit, I love the products that came in my January 2016 BoxyCharm box! I know I am a few days late writing my reviews but I have been a little busy.  So let's get started on what I think about the Royal and Langnickel Revolution Eye Shadow brush set, Coastalscents Smoky Eye and Starlooks Luxe Pro Long ware Eyeliner Pen.

Now to be fair I have to say this:  I am a mascara junkie, no lie. I have tried very expensive, and very cheap mascaras so I know what I like. I did try on the Blinc Mascara Amplified BUT only one coat on one eye because I did not like how it was going on. HOWEVER, I plan on trying a full application of the mascara before I fully review it. So I will get back to this one!!!

I love, love the Royal and Langnickel Revolution Eye Shadow brush set! I love how the bristles pick up just enough product and the application goes on soft and gentle.  The little card that was included in the Boxycharm box reads that the bristles are 100% vegan. synthetic natural fibers that mimic the performance and feel of fine natural hair for a flawless finish. I will totally agree with this description. I would without a doubt purchase additional brushes from this company.  I loved the crease brush when I applied shadow under my lower lashes and in the corner of my eye. Perfect.. and the blending brush is wonderful. It is soft, blends your shadows great and when I wiped the brush off on Scott towel no bristles came out.. to me that is a huge plus!! I cannot say enough good things about these brushes!!

The Coastal Scents Smoky Eye-Shadow pallet gets a double thumbs up from me. As most of you know by now that reads my blog, I am officially a QC Makeup Artist student and not only am I learning so much already but my view on makeup has changed more than I expected. I will tell you, if I like it I will wear it and if I don't I won't. Although, I love shimmery shadows I have found in my age group, matte shadows look better. THAT DOES NOT MEAN NO SHIMMER SHADOW AT ALL!! That means the shimmer shadows should be used a lot less. This Coastal Scents smoky eye pallet gives just the right amount of matte shadows and shimmer shadows. I love how smooth the shadows go on, how easy they are to blend, the color combinations are endless and the shadow lasted (on me) all day! I would carry this brand of shadow in my makeup artist case-I loved it that much!

My favorite item in this box no hold bard is the Starlooks Luxe Pro Long ware Eyeliner!  This liner will become one of my everyday go to makeup items. When anything reads waterproof, smudge proof, blah, blah, blah, I have to question it because of my experiences with these kind of items. This liner said it would last all day.. well, it lasts longer than all day!! I feel asleep with the liner on and it looked as fresh the next morning when I got up as it did when I first applied it the day before. I love how the liner glides on, you can apply it thin or bold, light or dark.  I would gladly pay the $19.00 for this eyeliner pen.

So there it is folks... my first review on my first BoxyCharm box!! Now I am excited to see what next month will bring.. so as far as the BoxyCharm box goes, more reviews to come next month.  I will be writing more makeup post.. so bookmark me if you like what you read, links are below to the sites I have mentioned!

Beauty from the eyes of a makeup junkie!

BoxyCharm

Royal and Langnickel 

Coastal Scents

Starlooks Luxe Longwear Eyeliner

BoxyCharm First Box

Jan 2016

I have been impressed a lot in my life, but I have to admit today when I opened my first package from BoxyCharm I was beyond impressed! True story: my boyfriend was sitting at the table when I opened my package.. of course him being a guy; he does not realize a lot of differences between makeup, HE WAS impressed to see such great items!!!

A monthly subscription to BoxyCharm is $21.00 and they send four-five full-size products. When I signed up I thought okay that will average out to be approximately $5-$4.50 per item.  Well here is a rundown of what I received in my box:

I am not sure if each month they run a new theme but this month the card read: "Eyes on 2016" it also has the retail price of each product and some directions how to use the product. So the first thing I saw was a set of (3) Royal and Langnickel Revolution Eye-Shadow Brushes.  (1) is detailed eyeshadow application brush (1) is a professional pointed crease brush (1) is Precision eyeshadow detail smudge brush.  The brushes are full size with a silk touch grip handle. They alone cost more than the whole BoxyCharm box this month. The brush set retails for $23.97

Now this item just about floored me: It is a Coastalscents Smoky Eye-Shadow pallet with 20 eyeshadow colors. It has rich deep dark matte shadows and beautiful mid-light tone frosted shadows.  The eyeshadow palette retails for $39.95. I have never tried Coastalscents products before that I can remember, so I am excited to try these shadows.  Since I will soon be starting my makeup artist course.. I am sure I will learn how to work with these shadows in new, different ways.

The next item was a Starlooks Luxe Pro long wear eyeliner pen. It is black and has a felt tip applicator end that can apply thin soft lines or thick bold lines. I drew a line on my finger last night it is still on my hand this morning. That is after washing my hands a ton of times since last night. So needless to say, it is waterproof!! This pen retails for  $19.00

The last item is Blinc Mascara Amplified. It  adds  volume and lengthens your lashes and creates little tubes on your lashes and is waterproof. I am a mascara freak.. mascara and lip products are two of my favorite things.. so I AM really looking forward to trying this. This mascara retails for  $26.00.

I am going to try each of these products today and write a part two to this post.  So, let's add this up. The retail price of this box is $102.92 and I paid $21.00 for it AND the products are full size, and beautiful.  So am I excited about next month's box... HELL Yeah!!!

If you are interested and want to sign up and get a BoxyCharm subscription here is my link:  If you do not want to bother with clicking on my referral link and just want to read more about BoxyCharm click here! 

Alright Lets do some Sexy Lips

So if you read my blog post called lip care made easy, and decided to try my techniques chances are you have soft, smooth lips this morning.  Just the right pallet to build those full, lushes, sensual, sexy lips!!  Now let's build those lips and fill them with a beautiful dark rich color.  I am going to be using  NYX Liquid Suede in Amethyst and Palladio waterproof Lip Liner in Blackberry.

Recently, I have been experimenting with lip primers. Rule of thumb is when you wear a lip primer you need to make sure it is completely dry before applying your lip products. A primer is suppose to help keep your lip color on longer and it is suppose to stop it from feathering.  But I learned the hard way and applied my lip products before my primer was completely dry and it made the whole lip experience not a good one.

There are several different brands of lip primers out there.. the two I have tried is: Stila Water Plumping Primer and Lip Insurance by Two Face.  I cannot remember trying any others unless e.l.f. sells one..  But here are my thoughts on the two lip primers I have tried. (1) Stila Water Plumping Primer... I love this product! It is a little pricey $21 at Sephora  I do not like it as a primer. Sometimes in the evening after using my coconut sugar lip scrub, I will wear this product instead of the vaseline. It feels excellent on your lips, it makes them soft and smooth... I just really like wearing it alone. I have tried using it as a primer but I may have done something wrong.. one time I know I did not allow it to dry before applying my lip product. Who knows, I may try it again. (2) Lip Insurance by Two Face... I had to try this product again this morning because I forgot how it worked the last time I used it. I am not impressed with it at all. I have actually had a hard time with my lip color this morning and that is after allowing the primer to dry. So.. bottom line for me and primers until something better presents itself to me... I will stick to adding a little of my powder foundation to my lips to give me a smooth clean pallet to work with.  All you have to do is lightly take your makeup brush with powder on it and gently run it across your lips... BAM... your lips are primed!

I wrote an article called How to Apply Lipliner Tips. You can read it if you want too just click on the link.  But here is a fast run down on how to line your lips. You should always start with a darker liner than the color of lip color you will be wearing. I am not sure if this rule applies to everybody or everything but it has worked for me and many others for a very long time. Start on your top lip in the middle and outline the two mounds, next draw the line down to one corner and then the other. Draw a line on your bottom lip in the middle and attach those lines to the corners. If you read the article I wrote it will go more into details. I also wrote how to make your lips appear bigger or smaller.

Next apply your lip color! As I have mentioned many times, I wear a lot of stains because I want lasting color. I am not the type of person to carry around lipstick and reapply it a million times a day. So I put it on in the morning and take it off at night.... mine last throughout the day: eating, drinking, kissing and ugg... yes smoking! What I do is apply the stain and wait for a few minutes and blot it. Repeat a couple of times until hardly any color comes off on the tissue when I blot-this assures me my stain has set. Oh.. and as crazy as this is going to sound.. use Scott towel to blot not tissues. Tissues WILL stick to your lips.  I know this sounds a little time consuming but truly it isn't. I do this every day I put my lipstick on. Another thing I do just for reinsurance is: when I apply my lip stain, I also lightly go over my liner.. the liner remains darker, but it just makes me feel a little better knowing my liner will stay in place. 

Have beautiful Friday Night. I would love to hear some of your favorite lip liner and lip color combinations!!