*Spotlight* | xSparkage

Let's put the spotlight on one of my favorite makeup artists and beauty bloggers:

WebSite: http://www.xsparkage.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/xsparkage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/xsparkage
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xsparkage

From wearable looks...

...to bright & creative looks!

Tbh, there's not much else to say; Leesha's work speaks for itself. If you like what you see here, check out her website and other links.

YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram: xxbombchellexx

UD Color Scheme | Urban Wedding

The Urban Wedding Palette
A wedding palette for those who like some edge to their lives!

ITEMS
Urban Decay Build Your Own Palette
Urban Decay Eyeshadow (6)


BLACKOUT
Color: Blackest Black
Finish: Matte
Function(s): Crease, Outer Corner

RADIUM

Color: Peacock Blue

Finish: Shimmer

Function(s): Lid, Crease, Outer Corner

Dry Skin Foundation Recommendations | High-End Brands

*REQUESTED TOPIC VIA FACEBOOK*
Maggie, one of my readers, has been wanting to try a high-end foundation, and she wanted to know if I could help point her in a good direction. She, like many people, has dry skin--something I've never been familiar with. But I still wanted to answer her question in hopes that she would end up with more information and recommendations than she would have gathered before.
I went and searched info that one of the most educated people in makeup, gossmakeupartist, has on his YouTube channel. I also went and searched some other things on my own to come up with a few other foundation recommendations from around the internet. Plus, I also learned about a new topic that I can always apply to clients!

Review | REVLON ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin

PRODUCT INFO & CLAIMS

- Flawless & weightless for 16 hours.

- OIL-FREE!!

- Helps control shine all day.

- Looks fresh & feels great for up to 24 hours.

- SPF 6 except for the darker shades, beginning with and including Golden Caramel.

Source: http://www.revlon.com/Revlon-Home/Products/Face/Foundation/ColorStay-Makeup-with-SoftFlex-for-Combination-Oily-Skin.aspx

APPLICATION

Lately, I've been mixing about 1/3 Maybelline SuperStay Foundation in 120 Sand Beige with about 2/3 REVLON ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin in 330 Natural Tan. (I've stopped using the self-tanner that I reviewed a couple posts back--not because I didn't like it, but because I just wanted to test it out and use it at a later date--so the 330 Natural Tan is a bit dark for me currently.) Mixed together, these two foundations create a shade similar to REVLON ColorStay in 240 Medium Beige. (I'd just go ahead and purchase the 240 Medium Beige shade, but I don't have money to spend on foundation right now. lol. Long story. So, for now, I'm learning how to mix!)

I've used Maybelline SuperStay for a few months now (not mixed with anything else), and it does leave a bit of a dewy finish on my face and can look a tiny bit caky at times if you apply too much. REVLON ColorStay is supposed to be a matte foundation, so naturally, when I combine the SuperStay with the ColorStay, I still get a pretty matte finish!

However, I have used the ColorStay in 330 Natural Tan shade by itself when I was tan...and I loved it. My review will be based on how the ColorStay foundation applies and wears by itself--not with it mixed with another foundation.

I apply my liquid foundations with a flat-top brush, working from the inside of my face to the outside/toward my hairline. Then I use a translucent powder and a fluffy brush to set it.

My Go-To Natural Eye Look

INFO
I've been playing around with my eyeshadows throughout the past few months, looking for the perfect combination of shadows that compliment my skin tone for a natural look. And I think I've finally found a combination that works with whatever I'm wearing and still looks natural but has a little bit of smokiness to it.
The only eyeshadows I've owned for a couple of years now are from Urban Decay. I was never much into eyeshadow for a while after I had started wearing makeup, I started wearing makeup--loose-mineral foundation, eyeliner, and mascara--when I started my freshman year of high school in 2004. I purchased my first single eyeshadow my senior year of high school in 2008, and I purchased the NAKED Palette shortly after it was released in 2010. So I really haven't purchased eyeshadows lately, and I don't have much to work with. Hence, the look I came up with is only using colors from the NAKED Palette! Despite my lack of variety of eyeshadows, I think many of you will actually find my sole usage of the NAKED Palette to be convenient. I love that I don't have to pull out a bunch of single eyeshadows or use a ton of different brushes to complete this look. If I don't feel like creating a different/unique look in the morning when I'm getting around for class, I just grab my NAKED Palette and a few brushes to throw this look together!

UD Color Scheme | Classic Wedding

The Classic Wedding Palette ♥
A classy neutral palette that works well for weddings during all times of the year.


ITEMS
Urban Decay's Build Your Own Palette
Urban Decay Eyeshadows (6)

UD Color Scheme | The BLACK Palette

The BLACK Palette
Well, this palette doesn't actually have a name because it's all hand-picked by me, but 'The BLACK Palette' is what I'm calling it! (I know UD has a palette already called this, but it's not what I would choose for a black palette, so I'm making what I think a black palette should look like. lol.) This would probably be the first combination of shadows I'd purchase for the new Build Your Own Palette from Urban Decay.

I've heard so much about the new pop-out Eyeshadows and how they're supposedly AMAZING, but I have yet to purchase any...so they're definitely on my wish list! The Build Your Own Palette comes with the Walk of Shame shadow that can be used as a highlight color. So I'm picking out five other shadows to fill in the palette. And I'm taking out Walk of Shame and replacing it with another light color that can be used as a highlight; I don't care that much for a peach-toned eye colors, that's all.

Review | Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tan Liquid & Professional Mitt

Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tan Liquid & Professional Mitt
170 ml/6 fl.oz.

PRODUCT INFO & CLAIMS
- Fast-drying & non-sticky formula.
- Combines ease of application with intense professional color development.
- Applied with a professional mitt (included) in effortless gliding strokes for a perfectly even tan.
- Dual function cosmetic bronzer that assists in making the application even easier (shows-where-it-goes), providing an instant golden tan.
- Fast-drying, fast-absorbing formula that is transfer-resistant, so it can be worn throughout the day.
- Formulated with Fake Bake's exclusive triple tan formula (DHA boosted by DMI & Erythulose) for an intense tan that lasts longer.
- Suitable for all skin tones and skin types.
- Pleasantly fragranced with a tropical scent.
- No artificial preservatives or parabens.
Source: http://fakebake.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FBTU&Product_Code=FBF-01&Category_Code=FakeBake

Tutorial | Brow Routine

One of my aunts requested that I do a video on how to shape and style eyebrows. I quickly agreed and ran out to buy a few products from Target because I had never done my brows before. I usually just let them grow how they want to and pluck in between them so that it never looks like I have a unibrow. My natural eyebrows have a decent shape to them already, and I have never thought of them as unruly. But I was definitely eager to attempt a tutorial on trimming, shaping, and styling my brows!

Watch the video here:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/XxBombchellexX

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/XxBombchellexX

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XxBombchellexX

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/XxBombchellexX/

My Life | Extra Stressful Work Week = Successful Treat!

It's gonna be a stressful week with so many quizzes, projects, and paper due...plus a midterm! OMG.
...so I just ordered the Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tanning Liquid, the Fake Bake Tan Enhancing Lotion, and the Fake Bake Body Polish so I'll have a treat waiting for myself at the end of the week! I know that by the time these products arrive at my doorstep, I'm going to be in need of a treat for myself! The work is just piling up on me this week. I'm really into rewarding myself for extra hard work I put into things; that's just something that I've learned to do for myself. There's nothing wrong with being successful and treating yourself to something you've been wanting just to reward yourself. Sometimes it drives me to get stuff done when I really need to!

I've never used a tanning bed before, and I've never gotten a spray tan. I've used gradual self tanner from WalMart before, but it's nothing special and doesn't add much color. I have a naturally light complexion, and I hope to achieve a darker one so I can add some color to my skin in a SAFE way.

I've heard lots of good things about the Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tanning Liquid from beauty gurus on YouTube, so I figured I'd try it. (It's what SMLx0 currently uses. Check out her video here.)
Plus, I got all of the Fake Bake products at a discounted price since I ordered from Amazon. AND I saved on shipping by ordering all the products from the same seller, TanForLess! Goodness; what a deal! Now I won't feel so bad about doing all that extra hard work for school this week! =)