Practical Problems: There's not enough room in my bag for a lot of makeup.

Practical Problems: There's not enough room in my bag for a lot of makeup.

Roger and I love going up to the mountains but both of us kind of have weird schedules- so we usually end up figuring out when we can go sort of last minute. And if we invite friends, we usually all go in one car- meaning my whole truck is filled with food and other people's crap (including a board game calles Talisman, Magic cards, and wii)- but somehow I'm the asshole because I brought my blow dryer.

SUCH IS LIFE.

So let's be honest here, if I had my choice I would carry around a purse filled with makeup on any trip I go on because I like options and that is how I choose to life my life. 

But sometimes this is just not an option.

So here's how to do a full face of makeup on the least amount of products I could manage.

 Start with a thicker foundation. I'm using my Mary Kay foundation with a damp beauty blender.

Leave a small dot of foundation on the back of your hand while you apply your first layer of foundation. While you're applying, the spot on your hand is going to oxidize and thicken- turning it into a concealer. Use that to cover up any stubborn acne spots.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

 Then take a lipstick of a semi-bright/matte color and warm it up with your fingers.

Apply to your cheeks and then blend with the beauty blender to fix any strong edges. (I used Ruby Woo from MAC, for reference).

Apply bronzer wherever you like to. I usually go around my top hairline, under the cheekbones- 

-and under my jaw, because I've got some chunk. Sue me.

 Apply a shimmery light tone of cream shadow to your eyelids, brow bone, and inner corners.

Blend it out with your finger.

Apply your eyebrow pencil to your brows, and then run it under your eyes for a little added something something.

 Then, using a fluffy brush and your bronzer, run the color in your crease for some added depth.

 Now get your mascara and your favorite eyeliner brush, and use the goop that gathers at the top of the wand as a liquid liner.

Then use the mascara as a mascara.

Lastly, use the lipstick you used as blush as lipstick (confused yet?). You can dab it like I did and smear it to make it a stain, or you can just go to town and use it full on.

So bam, there you have it. Here's a pic of all the products and tools used. It would fit in a ziplock, it's that small. and if you get your stuff in travel sizes (like the brushes or the bronzers), it would take up even less space.

Have fun on your mini-trips and such!

-SamanthaK

Tutorial Time: Golden Eye

Tutorial Time: Golden Eye

It's not often I do tutorials.

Frankly, I am not the ideal candidate for being a makeup model. 

The reasons?

My skin is pretty horrible for the most part (dry with hormonal acne- FUN) and my eyes water at a pretty epic level- meaning just putting on my makeup is like a 20 minute adventure.

BUT I LOVE YOU GUYS A LOT.

So here you go.

Start off with a gold pencil, base, or whatever you like. I'm using this coppery tone because it makes my blue eyes look SICK.

 Make sure you do the bottom too. Blend a little with your finger.

 Layer a gold eyeshadow over the top. I stuck with the more yellow-ish golds. CAUSE I FELT LIKE IT.

Also, Half baked from Urban Decay is like, the only gold I have for some reason.

Take a matte nude-ish brown and run it through the crease. You could even use a little matte bronzer- it works great.

Next, dab a slightly darker bronze or gold in the outer corners. It adds dimension- ALLEGEDLY.

 Then I ran the same bronzey color into the outer crease and under my eye.

So following my eyeliner technique I outlined in my post all about eyeliner- I used a gel-based pencil and then smudged it around with a stiff angled brush.

Not pictured- I ran a soft vanilla color under my brows and in the inner corner of my eyes. 

MY CAMERA HAD A BRAIN FART- SORRY.

Follow up with mascara to finish the look.

OR DON'T, I AIN'T YOUR MOM.

Hope you enjoyed this simple look. Very fun, much wow.

-SamanthaK

Work Outfits- Advice and What I Actually Did

Work Outfits- Advice and What I Actually Did

So I've been working basically the last 2 weeks now and although I haven't photographed most of my outfits (because, you know, why?) I did manage to sneak a few pics in before work.

At first I was like- Yeah, I'll do the layering thing.

Here's the deal with layers and working- you'll ditch half of the things you're wearing in the first 5 seconds of running around and doing, you know, normal things. At the salon I'm working in- there's isn't a whole lot of space for jackets and over sized purses and scarves and whatever. Also, it gets hot in there from the blow dryers.

Side note: White tanks are great since they only cost like 5 bucks- however any color that touches them ruins them immediately. Ever try to bleach out pravana color? GOOD LUCK.

So then I got smart and dressed in thinner layers. 

Although here's the thing with maxi skirts- they pick up hair at the bottom if they touch the floor. I ended up tying it up in a knot around my knee to keep it off the floor.

This is by far my favorite and laziest outfit: Tank top, crochet cardigan (air travels THROUGH it), and my good jeans. I do wish I had cuter/nicer sneakers though.

My favorite outfit though, I didn't take a picture of- LIKE A DUMMY.

It was a black tank dress, crochet grey/knee length cardigan with fringe on the bottom, AND MY KILLER BOOTS. I looked like Stevie Nicks. I'm so bummed I didn't take a picture of it. I'll have to do one for the next installment of "Work Outfits".

So tips:

-Dress in thin layers because you will either be freezing or boiling hot.

-Avoid white clothes- just do yourself a favor ahead of time.

-Don't wear shoes with any holes in them. If your toes are showing, you're going to get busted by state board already and if you wear crochet shoes or shoes with sheer panels or something- it's guaranteed you're going to get hair in your shoes.

And have you ever had a hair splinter? It's literally the worst feeling in the world.

- SamanthaK

Review Time: MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

Review Time: MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

Let me throw this out there- as much as I like Mac lipsticks and I think they're great- I've never been a fan of the price.

Because let's face it- $15 for a lipstick is steep, especially considering the drugstore has been really great about putting out new formulas for lips all the time. Milani in fact has a really great line of lippies, and Wet n' Wild is known for making dupes for MAC lipsticks for awhiiiiile now.

But when it came to my birthday, my mom was really nice about it and went through my Pinterest boards looking for stuff she knew I'd want. This lipstick in particular was something she bought for me.

So Ruby Woo is one of those reds that tips a little to the cool side- it's more obvious when you sheer it out though. The formula is definitely matte but it's not uncomfortable and gross to wear- it's actually quite nice. I've even layered it with lip balm to create more of a red stain (which btw, IS SUPER PRETTY).

 At one point I even got brave and used it as a cream blush and you know what- it is exceptionally flattering.

It's kind of hard to tell on here because I barely put it on and also there's a little bit of a filter because I wanted the color on my lips to look more true to the swatch- but just keep in mind my blush is from the lipstick.

(Also, how adorable is the mug Roger got me? I love him. He is a precious gem in my world.)

So here we go:

Pros: A nice matte without looking gross, packaging is very nice, the formula is comfortable to wear, color lasts awhile, color looks great on pretty much everyone on the planet, easy to convert into a lip stain or blush, and layers easily with other lipsticks or glosses.

Cons: The price is ridiculous, it's not by any means a rare or special color, transfers onto coffee cups and the like, and it's kind of a color you have to commit to (so maybe not for the faint of heart?).

Here's my gripe with expensive lipsticks and I'm sure you've all heard it before- I would never spend that much unless the color was something I couldn't find a duplicate for (such in the case of my beloved Prune Daisy from Dior). If I get something like this for a gift- 99% of the time I split it in half for myself to play with and the other half goes right into my makeup kit for work- because frankly, my work is more important to me than playing around with expensive lipsticks. Sorry, I'm not sorry.

If you're like me and you're like, "I really want this, but I'd rather spend less"- here's a list of dupes for you to try out:

Wet n' Wild- Stoplight red (slightly less matte)

NYX- Chic Red (slightly cooler/slightly less matte)

Revlon- Really Red (pretty much identical)

Revlon- In the Red (pretty much identical)

NYX matte lipstick- Perfect Red (pretty much identical)

So here's my overall recommendation- Try out a red like this either in the drugstore format or splurge and buy the real thing. I think it's very flattering, easy to wear, and if you're scared of the matte- you can always layer a gloss over the top for some shine.

-SamanthaK

The Oscars 2014: Paises and Rants

The Oscars 2014: Paises and Rants

Can we just talk about the Oscars for a minute?

I can't believe that everyone stepped it up FINALLY. We all remember my rant on the Golden Globes right? We all remember how I discussed that this is awards season and these stars need to step up their damn game.

I'm going to assume they all read my blog because last nights Oscars were so incredible. Everyone looked amazing. 

So basically this year we got incredibly lucky. Normally there's like, 2 or 3 real stand out films and the rest (no disrespect) are just there for the food. But this year it seemed like every nominated film was incredibly note-worthy. "12 Years a Slave", "Her", "American Hustle"- I mean, the whole event was stacked and on top of it- friggin' Ellen hosted and she nailed it.

(photo from LA Times)

At one point she ordered everyone pizza and then when she took this incredible selfie...

She broke the damn internet.

Also, how adorable was Bradley Cooper? 

"We should turn it (the phone) this way".

"I'll take the pic, my arms are longest". 

HE GENUINELY WANTED TO FIT EVERYONE IN BECAUSE BRADLEY COOPER IS NOT SELFISH AND CLEARLY IS A NATIONAL TREASURE.

And, small discussion on this photo: I LAUGHED SO HARD.

Kevin Spacey's face... someone needs to photo-shop that face in everything from now on.

Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts could not look any more excited.

Lupita Nyong'o looks like her heart is about to explode, she's so pumped.

AND EVEN ANGELINA JOLIE JUMPED IN ON THE ACTION, GIGGLING THE WHOLE TIME- WHICH SURPRISES ME, BECAUSE I THOUGHT SHE WAS LITERALLY MADE OF STONE.

I can't. I just can't. Ellen, you are a precious gem in the world of celebrities and I enjoy you.

Ok, I'm sorry- fangirling aside- there was some incredible fashion and it really seemed to go either one of 3 ways...

Half of the celebrities went for the iconic idea, not matching anyone else remotely, doing their own thing and being amazing at it.

We all know I love Jennifer Lawrence, of course. Her Dior was to die for and the statement necklace was super interesting because although it looks high and tight in the front, it draped in the back. Stunnninnnnnggggg.

Cate Blanchett with that nude/metallic dress pretty much was where my eye went to every time she was on the screen. I can't believe how little contrast there is from her hair to her makeup to her dress but it still said so much. 

AND LUPITA NYONG'O... I can't even. She is Cinderella incarnate and the fact that she (spoiler alert) won the Oscar makes it so much sweeter. Also, that headband- I am living for the headband and her killer rings. I can't even. She keeps getting more and more fashionable and her outfits on the daily are to die for. She was amazing. (Also, how great was her speech? I love her. Her and Jennifer Lawrence are my favorites now.)

And then it was a sea of well tailored black dresses...

ALTHOUGH I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE CHARLIZE THERON IS THE STUNNER HERE.

Not to discredit the other beautiful dresses, but hers is crazy. The very light colored beaded strap made it look like her dress was held up by magic and I loved that the dress was actually quite tight around the leg and the train itself was sheer. So glamorous. I can't even.

(Also, WTF Anna Kendrick. Angelina Jolie got slammed for her infamous "Oscar leg" and you're bringing it back?! Stop it. You know better.)

And then, like a ray of sunshine came the metallics...

And weird metallics too- like Naomi Watt's white number, or Cate Blanchett in the nude-metallic, and then Angelina Jolie in the grey. I can't wait to see this eventually trickle down into everyday fashion. I am pumped.

As for Hair, it was pretty great all in all:

I mean ok, first of all- everyone went so subtle on their jewelry, rocked the stunning dresses and then let their hair and makeup just get them to that uber-glamorous state. 

Lupita, as we all know, ROCKED MY WORLD BY BRINGING BACK THE HEADBANDS. Oh man, the amount of prom girls with headbands I see in my future is going to be staggering. 

And then the short haired girls did this sort of glammed up, big, pushed back hair which on long haired girls looks insane (we all remember my post about the Golden Globes right?) but on shorter hair it looked right.

AND THEN THE GLAMMED UP CURLS CAME BACK. I am so happy everyone did the retro old hollywood vibe. Seriously, are you guys reading my blog? Did everyone call each other like, "Hey Kate Hudson, remember that awesome blog I told you about? She's saying we need to up the game" and then Kate Hudson was like, "Oh man... Let me call Olivia Wilde."

AND THEN SHE DID. I can't believe it. I said everyone needs to get with the updos and here, after her ridiculous decision to do beach waves- OLIVIA WILDE WORE THE FRIGGIN UPDO. I can't even. I am so pleased with her. She looked like a million bucks with her gorgeous black gown and baby bump, and then rocked it with the hair. THANK YOU, OLIVIA WILDE.

And then, when I was looking around for Margot Robbie, I FINALLY FOUND HER LIKE, 2 HOURS LATER.

She is a chameleon. She looks incredible as a brunette. She is stunning. All hail Margot Robbie.

And she was really the only one who went all out with the vampy makeup- the strong brow, the dark liner, the plum lip. She really stood out...

Which brings me to my makeup segement:

Thank the Lord. Seriously- because if I saw another sea of thick liner, nude lips I was going to be so sad.

Emma Watson, Lupida Nyong'o, Naomi Watts, Margot Robbie- they all went for a lip that was a little different and it made me so happy. HOPEFULLY SOON, NUDE LIPS WILL BE DEEMED BORING AND PEOPLE WILL GET OVER IT.

Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lawrence even ditched the all together nude lip and went for the "my lips but better" look- which although was a baby step- made me so incredibly happy. 

Noticeably there was a strong trend and it was flawless skin with incredibly light/barely there blush- which to me is very sophisticated. No one was contoured to death, no one looked overdone... Ugh. I can't even. I'm so pleased this year- so pleased.

And as a side note: I watched the E! Network's coverage of all the fashion and can we take a moment to give Kelly Osbourne some well-deserved praise?

FIRST OF ALL:

This dress was stunning and she looked so incredibly good. The beaded cape-let? Are you serious with this amazing-ness? 

Kelly Osbourne, you are wonderful. Even as a newscaster, you upped the game and went for it and for that I thank you.

Even the black dress you wore before the white was awesome. You looked so 50's glam, it made my heart sing. AND FRANKLY, thank you for wearing your lavender hair. Thank you for being cool and edgy and for living your life how you see fit. 

You have my praises.

However Guiliana Rancic, you deserve some of my ranting.

You literally are a walking, tanned skeleton and yet you picked the one dress in existance that makes you look like you're my size. What. The. Hell. You look like a mom going to her daughter's black tie-wedding. This is a matronly disaster.

However, the color is really cool, so you have that going for you at least.

And Giuliana- fire your makeup artist. FIRE THEM. 

The tan you have going on is nonsensical, and the 8 pounds of panda eyeliner is hideous, you are contoured to hell (AND WHY? YOU ALREADY HAVE INSANE CHEEKBONES), and- the cherry on top of this cake:

WHY DID YOU PICK LIPSTICK THE SAME COLOR AS YOUR TAN? WHY? YOU LITERALLY LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE NO MOUTH. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR WORLD THAT YOU SAW THIS AND YOU WERE LIKE, "YES, PERFECT"?

Just no....stop it, Giuliana Rancic. Stop it. You are encouraging bad behavior and this cannot go any further. You already chopped off the crazy ombre thing you had going on and you looked so good with the bob. Just take it the step further, wear some great NOT NUDE lipstick, and live your life being fabulous.

Honestly, you see Kelly Osbourne pretty much every day- just raid her lipstick stash and you'll be fine.

And that's my opinion. 

Hope you enjoyed the Oscars as much as I did!

-SamanthaK