It is with great pleasure that I am sharing my newest Makeup Monday Spring 2019 Eyes and Nails blog post with you all. A while ago, I had this idea when a friend recommended a product. While I was planning this post, the idea grew with the addition of more products. As a result, before I knew it, I was going to need time to gather a large number of pics to share this idea here. Let’s get to it!
One reason I kept delaying this post was that I needed to take close-up pics of my eyes.
I love my blue eyes, however, I don’t love the lines and bags under them. So one of the first products I added to the list was the Garnier Skin Active Clearly Brighter Eyes Anti-Puff Eye Roller. It claims to reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles. Brightens and refreshes with Vitamin C, Caffeine and an Antioxidant Complex. Since I am already using the Garnier Skinactive Micellar Water makeup remover for my eyes, when I don’t use the Vichy eye makeup remover, I am trying this eye roller product also.
It is recommended to keep this product in the fridge, so into the drawer it went with my insulin. I keep it in the box, to keep it from rolling around in there too much. The product says when you use it on a regular basis, more benefits will be seen. At this time I have used it twice. Since using it, I am not sure if it is helping or not. Let me know in the comments what you think about it.
Products used. In this pic, note #7 product and the pic of me. I have applied it under my right eye, where the #7 is. #6 is the eye shadow base coat or primer by essence, applied before the eye shadows 1-5 above.
Revlon Photoready Eye Art
I had seen my friend apply this product while we were at work, and I tried to pay attention. She has had a lot more practice than I have had with it. The amount of products I am testing in this Makeup Monday Spring 2019 Eye and Nails post required quantity over quality. Don’t worry, in 2 weeks I am going to write another one based on the votes from this week’s post. It will be a quality based post, for a final look, voted on by you! I really do have a plan here, and it took a while to think it all up before I was able to take action.
I have the pic below ready with the colours numbered as above, 1-5. Here are the product colours and numbers.
1 Burnished Bling – 090
2 Green Glimmer – 010
3 Peach Prism – 060
4 Steel Spark – 110
5 Lilac Luster 020
My pyramid of eye shadow trials.
I love the way it makes my eyes sparkle!
These pics show the base coat and the sparkle paint on top. Using my ring fingers to smooth out the essence primer and the base colour eye shadows was recommended from the videos I watched. I used the brush to apply the sparkle. I watched some YouTube videos and gave it a go. The top pics were taken on a different day, and the bottom 8 pics were all taken today. My eyes are tired, but I learned a valuable tip while watching the videos. Sephora makeup videos have a lot of useful information in them, and they recommend to hold the cotton pad with the eye makeup remover on your lid for 30 seconds before wiping the eye makeup off. I have not tried this with full eye makeup on, no mascara or eyeliner, but it worked really well to remove this product.
Sorry 4 & 5 are out of order in the first pic, I hope it doesn’t confuse anyone!
My friend doesn’t use the base coat, just the sparkles. I like using both and learned to let it dry between applications. If it is on for more than a few hours, my eyelids feel heavy, and after a while, I need to take it off. I would totally wear it for a photo shoot or a night out on the town. I mean, it is sparkly eyes!
Time for a little polish
Since I had 5 different colours of eyeshadow to try, I thought it would be fun to do my nails to match…you guessed it…all 5 colours! I know there are trends in nail art, and I don’t necessarily follow or understand them all.
As an author, I find it adds something to my day spent typing away at the keyboard if my nails are sporting polish. It makes the typing seem more important, more professional, and makes me smile when I see the colours flashing on the keys.
Here is the description pic for the nailpolish. As I am displaying fingers from both hands in this set, my husband was recruited to take these pics. He did a great job, and we didn’t even need any retakes!
Makeup Monday Nail Polish Details
As you can see I had fun with this too. With the Wet ‘n’ Wild sparkles on my right hand, I am giving my own spin to a nail polish trend. Who knows, maybe it will catch on!
The last pic shows the nail polish bottles, and my hands all polished up. It was a lot of fun to work on this blog post, and I look forward to using these products over the spring and summer.
Makeup Monday Pretty Polish for Spring 2019!
Now I need your help, please!
I am planning another Makeup Monday blog in 2 weeks to try out some more ( I used points to get as much as I could!) makeup out. Since I now have so many choices, I would love to know what look you want to see me put together for this post. I am going to create a poll for people to vote on below. There will be one for eyes and a separate one for nails. What do you want to see for my new spring look?
Help me to choose by filling out the following 2 surveys.
I am asking for emails just for my own curiosity. I am not planning to send any emails out to the participants of this quiz. It is just for fun! Please help me choose the colours for my next Makeup Monday Blog post. Deadline is next Monday, May 29th at midnight in my time zone. 1 hour ahead of EST. The next Makeup Monday will be ready on Monday May 6th! I look forward to completing my spring look with your help!
In this, the third Makeup Monday, I’ve got my eyes on the prize. I have been dabbling a little in make-up, and thinking about a new hairstyle. Oh, and now I have new glasses to work with. I am really liking them!
I tried to do my hair Saturday, and it did not cooperate. I want to try the beach hairstyle. If you google it, you will know what I mean. It was not meant to be. I might try one more time. But it didn’t happen this time. I made it work.
I am trying to learn a new eyeshadow and eye makeup technique. I have made a friend that sells Younique, and I have been watching her videos. I saw one that I want to share here so that you can see the look I am going for. Stacey gave me permission to link to her video here.
I am not using her makeup, but I wanted to try out the technique. After purging my makeup last year, I have 3 palettes with 4 colours in them. I have 2 eyes. I decided to wear the same palette on both eyes Saturday night, and today after work, I used the other two, one for each eye. As I am testing mascaras out, I used 3 different mascaras also.
Top: Maybelline Mocha Motion palette, L’Oreal Blackest Black Voluminous Butterfly Effectwaterproof mascara, with Marcelle Expresso Waterproof Eyeliner. Bottom: left Revlon Illuminance Wild Orchids Creme Shadow, Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara, center worn on both eyes, essence Gel eye pencil waterproof gunmetal eyeliner, and on the right, Lancome Colour Design Sensational effects eyeshadow and essence Lash Princess False Lash effect mascara.
Saturday’s look was the full makeup, and the lipstick was actually applied after I grabbed the pics. Here is a collage of before and after.
I was happy with the look, although I don’t see the depth of colours after I blend the eyeshadows. It is the top makeup the picture above.
Today I just did the eyes. The left is the purples, and the right is the Sensational Effects Eyeshadow Palette.
2 Different eyes, 2 different looks.
What I learned is that I do not know how to make the ‘v’ or the ‘7’ properly yet. The essence mascara is sticky. The Loreal mascara from Saturday looks great, and although the brush is weird, it did an okay job.
I don’t know how to get the colours on properly, and the creme eyeshadows I applied with my fingers. Then I tried the blending brush, but I really don’t know if I was supposed to or if I should blend with my fingers, or not at all.
Makeup is fun. I will keep playing. I will do something different for next month.
In Weekend Warrior #54 And the Academy Award Goes to…I am writing about my weekend as I am watching the Academy Awards. This was a weekend of big and small things. I made a significant decision in my life. It was important, and it will affect me for the next few years.
I have been searching for my new glasses for about a month now. I went out again this weekend with the intention to buy this time. I went back to Costco, where I learned that yes, I could get a temporary shopping pass twice a year, and I could get a member to buy me gift certificates to buy my glasses with there. It seemed like a lot of hassle to me, after I thought about it.
I went back to Pearle Vision. When I couldn’t find the paper in my purse with the frames I had tried the other time I was there, the salesperson walked away. I had told her that I was at Costco and that I was planning to buy my glasses. She lost that sale because she didn’t want to help me finalize my purchase. I had a friend with me, and she wanted to try another store.
I went to Hakim Optical with her. I was worried that they were going to be more expensive, and they were, a little. The prices are not listed on the frames, which made it a little scarier. Vogue was the most expensive store I had visited. I just hadn’t found any glasses that I thought were the pair I wanted to wear for two years or more at this point.
I have written about this on my Facebook page. There was a moment, at the last store. I was looking at a wall of glasses (they have the most frames to choose from of the 4 stores I visited) and my friend missed a pair that I am now saying picked me. Yes, just like the wands on Harry Potter, these glasses stood out from the wall and drew my hand to pick them up. It was magical. That was it. I found them. I got help with the sunglasses, and I am pleased with them as well. I will be sharing my new look as well as a new eyeshadow technique (new to me, anyway) a week from now, as it is less than 20 minutes into Monday where I am now. I might just try something different with my hair, too. If it works, I will be happy. If not, it will be time to plan to go and get my hair cut in a few months. I have been letting it grow, with a new style in mind, but I do not know if it is going to be an option for me. So I will see what happens when I play with my hair and makeup and new glasses, and I will share that in a week.
Sunday had a slower pace. I have gotten up at my normal time, did a little creative work, and went back to bed. I slept in. How I love sleeping and not having to set an alarm. I worked a little on the computer and helped another friend. I ran the dishwasher and did some laundry. I am starting to get my gumption back. This is good, because it is MARCH already, and I have yet to get my spring cleaning done! If I leave it too late, it becomes a miserable job in the heat. I know this. Spring turns to summer overnight here. One day it is cool and rainy, and the next the heat wave hits. Just like that. So I need to get my act together and get some cleaning done. I started tonight, which gives me hope that I can keep it going and make things better here. I have other things to do too, and I find I need to start wherever I feel like I can, and then I can keep going. A start was made today, and this is a really good thing.
I did watch The Academy Awards. They just finished, and I loved all of the dresses. THere were a few beautiful gowns, and I think my favourite look was the one of Sandra Bullock tonight. I really thought she looked beautiful.
That is a wrap for this weekend. I must say that for me this week, it was a win. Hands down! I made an important purchase, planned an extra blog post for next week, and I got some chores done around the house. When you look at the big picture, that is a win for me!
Merry Christmas Weekend Warrior Readers! I am writing a day late as I am off today, and Christmas day just happens to be on a Monday this year. Which means New Year’s Day will also be on a Monday. That means 2 three day weekends, and 2 four day work weeks. Yahoo!
Friday night was spent shopping for coffee, and liquor. My husband wanted a bottle for Christmas, and I got him what he wanted. I also bought 2 bottles of wine (1 a week is my usual wine shopping plan) and I wanted a little something extra. I looked really hard at the Writers Tears Irish Whiskey bottles. There are three kinds, a Writers Tears Copper Pot, a Writers Tears Red Head, and a Writers Tears Cask Strength. I have tried the Copper Pot, and it was very good. I want to try the Red Head next, as the expert at the store recommended it as his favourite. When I am a Best Selling Author, maybe then I can splurge to try the Cask Strength. It is the most expensive of the trio.
I bought a new to me kind of wine. I had never heard about Cabernet Franc. I purchased two bottles, and they were $13 and $30 respectively. The less expensive bottle was enjoyed last night, and it was good. I am curious to see if the more expensive bottle is a different quality or not. I will be making a Facebook live video when I try new wines now, as something I am learning about as I try to find THE ONE. At that time, I will make my own in that same style. Roy said I wouldn’t be able to keep doing my videos and reviews if I did that. I enlightened him. I will then switch to white wine. 😉 Champagne will have to wait for me to be able to afford it. But there are always options.
This morning I decided that it would also be fun to do Facebook Live video reviews of the different coffees I try. I love coffee too, so why not? People seem to like these ideas so I will start with the one I bought on sale Friday night. Jingle Java. It sounds like fun!
Saturday we did a bit of grocery shopping after I joined some friends for a breakfast at Houlie’s. It was a ladies breakfast, and it was nice. I then joined one of the ladies for a trip to the mall. I went for the walk. She had a few things to get, and I had fun hanging out and commenting on the fun things we saw. I rarely go to the mall anymore, and it was fun to just go hang out at the mall. It is not something that I did as a teenager, like a lot of you would have done. It was an hour drive each way to go to the smaller mall of the two cities I had a choice between in Cape Breton, growing up, so it wasn’t a regular thing we were able to do.
Saturday was also the day to get groceries. In the two different stores we went to this weekend, they were sold out of turkeys. (I had to think of how to spell that one, -ies or -ys) By the time we finished, the weather had turned a little nasty. Freezing rain is not pleasant to walk or drive in.
Sunday involved a quick run out to the store for a few missed items, and that was all we did. I watched some tv and movies. I had my wine. It was a nice relaxing day.
Today is my bonus day off this week. I am going to make some veggies to go with the chicken I cooked last night, and get the kitchen back into working order. I cook, the food is great, I don’t like cleaning it up.
I dressed up and played with makeup again. You should expect a second Makeup Monday story soon. It may not be long, but it will have makeup and a pic of me in my new dress as well. 🙂 Merry Christmas, and keep on winning the weekends, folks. You make the best use of your time, and you will win them all, too!
When I post on social media about makeup, my wall literally blows up. People have thoughts, comments, and advice about makeup. I have recently purged my makeup, and have been adding to the collection that you see in the pic above even more since then. I have been using Shoppers Optimum Points to help me do this because, on a day like Black Friday, I got my purchases for half price because I cashed in the points to do it. That adds up to more product coming home, and less planning for the budget. Win-win!
The last time I wrote about makeup, I was asked if I had a favourite red lipstick. The answer is still no, but I did buy one on sale to try out. I have been busy with social media this weekend, asking about the two looks I created for this post. I will share the pics below and list what I used for each one so that you can look for any of the products I used if you want to try them for yourself.
Saturday I want for Drama. I am wearing a black sparkly sweater and red lipstick. I styled my hair instead of letting it dry on its own, and picked a new mascara.
Here is what Saturday’s look turned into:
Saturday, December 16th Makeup Selfie
Admittedly, I see now that it is a little less focused and I should have kept snapping until I got a better pic.
Here is the list of products that I used, in the order, that I used them in:
1: Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel
2: Vichy Purete Thermale Perfecting Toner
3: Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask ( This is only used twice a week, and rinsed off after 2 minutes)
4: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream (Moisturizer)
5: Quo Satin Face Pressed Powder Nude colour
6: NYX Colour Correcting Concealer Palette (yellow under my eyes, the pink beside the purple for concealer)
7: Lancome Colour Design, Sensational Effects Eye Shadow (Impress & Avant Gold, the 2 on the left in the product pic below)
8: Top Lid Eyeliner: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (604 Milk)
9: Lower Eyeliner Essence Gel Waterproof Eye Pencil (05 Gunmetal)
10: Maybelline Lash Sensational Full fan effect Waterproof Mascara Black (P70001)
11: Clinique Blush Pop (Ginger Pop)
12: Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick (714)
I used some of the same products on Sunday. Here is my Sunday look:
Sunday, December 17th Makeup Selfie
My hair is also differently styled. This pic is clearer, but my smile is not as nice.
Here is the list of Sunday’s Makeup application:
1: Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel
2: Vichy Purete Thermale Perfecting Toner
3: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream (Moisturizer)
4: Quo Satin Face Pressed Powder Nude colour
5: NYX Colour Correcting Concealer Palette (yellow under my eyes, the pink beside the purple for concealer, green for red skin tones)
6: Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow Wild Orchids (the bottom 2 in the product pic below)
7: NYX Super Skinny Eye Marker for eyeliner
8: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara (Black – AAAFB)
9: Clinique Blush Pop (Ginger Pop)
10: Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick (ZZ)
On both days, I used 2 cleansers to remove the makeup, and then I used the toner and light cream moisturizer listed above. I used the Vichy Purite Thermale Soothing Eye Makeup Remover for just my eyes. I found a makeup remover since I bought that one that’s safe for eyes and lips. I really like it. It’s Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover. It is for normal and sensitive skin and removes waterproof makeup. It is oil, alcohol and fragrance-free. It has to be shaken before each use.
I have two more pics to share here.
Product Picture: The Makeup I used this weekend.
Then I went to my favourite editing program, canva, and made a final picture for my weekend of makeup fun. I need to get more used to wearing makeup as I will be needing it for Book Tours and Author Headshot pictures. There is a goal, but it is also fun!
When I shared my edited side by side picture, I asked on my Facebook wall which picture they liked better, and why. I had an overwhelming response, and the landslide winner was the one in the purple shirt.
Pick your favourite look!
I got some valuable advice, as always, from my fellow makeup lovers. The hair and smile on the left are more liked. The blurriness and red lipstick are not. I was advised to find a different shade of red lipstick. The hunt will continue.
I got quite a few nice compliments on Saturday, before Sunday’s pic was posted.
One person said the blush was too harsh. It is a darker colour of blush, but I wanted a pop of colour for the winter. I think I may need to find a different blush to go with the pink lipstick, and also that I may need to blend it in better, with less applied next time. The Sunday pic was described as looking more like me, and that my eyes pop in this one. People said it was the purple, but I also know that the lady at Shoppers told me that this pink lipstick will make my eyes pop too.
I tried on new glasses this past week. I have not ordered them yet. I may shop around. I can’t wait too long, as I do need them, but if I can find the right look for the right price, I will be ordering them as soon as possible. I have had these glasses for more than 2 years, and I actually enjoy shopping for new glasses because it is like a mini makeover for me every couple of years. I have narrowed it down to 2 frames in the first store I went to. I will try a few different locations and hopefully have a friend join me on the next day I go out. It is hard to do when you have to look really close in the mirror. The last time I had contacts put in just to shop with, and that was a remarkable experience. Now that I am going to be needing progressive lenses it is not a real option anymore. I will stick to glasses, and then I will be able to have more makeup fun when I have the new glasses to complete the look.
Which look do you prefer, and why? If you haven’t commented on my facebook wall, feel free to comment below. I agree that I like the hair and smile better on Saturday’s look, but the Sunday look is more natural for me. I would wear the Sunday look again for a more dramatic look, but I guess I am still hunting for my next favourite red lipstick. I hope you enjoyed this article, and am open to feedback. 😉
