tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90176029310721760962024-03-13T14:49:13.190-05:00by Jessica DawnJessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-20882025111043735102023-07-02T12:30:00.003-05:002023-07-02T12:30:47.886-05:00Well hello...Oh I am SO hijacking this blog. Can you hijack your own blog? Don't know but I'm doing it!
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I love seeing how much I've changed. I love seeing how much I loved this. And so I'm here again.
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I miss writing. I miss the images, photos, creating. I miss it all. I don't even care that I'm pretty sure no one ever saw, no one still will probably ever see. It's for me. And that's enough.
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So here I am. How many years later? I'm a bit of a different person. In a bit of a different season. It's a hard season to be honest. I floated through life until the last few years. And I can't even blame covid. I ran from one thing to another, lots good! Some not so great, but I didn't know I was running. Now I do. And now...it sucks. Because as much as I'm grateful to know and understand. It feels like it has a hold of me. And I am so completely stuck. I have been for a while now. Well over a year. And I hate it.
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No idea where I will go from here. Someplace happy hopefully.
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No idea what this will be. But I am hopeful that it will bring some joy into my life like it used to.
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Here's to almost being 37.
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Here's to something different.
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Hopefully something more.
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And something better.Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-38241240982462780912016-02-01T17:39:00.000-06:002016-02-01T17:39:04.525-06:00The beginning of something beautifulI feel like I'm going to sound like some sweet older southern woman right now. (Hang on, we're going there...for just a second. Please laugh with me. I mean no offense.) <b>His grace ya'll.</b> Oh my gosh, how deep His love is for us! I wish you could understand! I wish <b>I</b> could understand! But what I'm feeling right now is absolutely incredible. He loves us so much that He comes into our mess and meets us right where we are. And He stays there and sits with us. And allows us to feel the disappointment and frustration and to question Him why a million times with tears streaming down our cheeks. But He just sits there and wraps His arms around us, holding us with a constant love. A love so deep it spans the depths of the ocean a million times. And He graciously lets us fall into this place, knowing the hurt we'll experience and the pain He'll suffer watching us go through it all and look at Him with tears in our eyes, knowing He could have stopped it all. He looks back at the tears streaming down our face knowing He can take our pain away right there. And knowing <i>WE</i> know He can take it all away. But He doesn't because He's our loving Father. And He sees all. And He KNOWS we will make it out, and not just make it out, but be stronger for it, and even thankful for it. So He graciously lets us fall. And then gently shows us how and why we got there and tells us it's okay. That we're forgiven. That He will help us back out. And He doesn't just say it. He does it. He <i>saves</i> us. Which goes above and beyond what He ever needs to do. He fills us with His peace and joy.
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Okay. Off my soapbox. I swear to you though. This moment will go down in my history as one of the best moments ever. It took me 3 days to get here. (And yes, I'm well aware of how quick that is.) I sat and wallowed in my pity for those 3 days. Then slowly started being grateful and thankful for it all. Friday all I did was go to work. I went home, sat in my disappointment. And Saturday I just mostly sat in my disappointment too. There were glimpses of hope, but it was mostly just God delivering all of my sins on a silver platter. Gently. But it still hurts. I re-prioritized that night, like I said in my last post. I wrote my list down. And felt better, but was not "there yet" so I really really wanted to skip church and serving Sunday. (Not to mention the first meeting for a mission trip I'm going on. That I should be excited for. Hard when you're hurting inside.)
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I ended up at church. (And btw, can I just say how on point Pete's message was with what God had just taught me? Confirmation much?) And I served. And it was kind of hard, but kind of great. I came home, ate, didn't DO anything (remember, slowing down), and left for my meeting. The meeting was fine. And then I came home. And looked around. And...there wasn't really a moment. There wasn't really a thought that triggered it. It was just life going on as it always does. I reminded myself of my list and decided that I wasn't going to "do" anything. I made some food. Then decided to clean up my living room and kitchen (because it was a DISASTER) and I actually was happy doing the dishes for the first time in a while. Because it didn't feel like the dishes were something that was "in the way" of me getting to the "important" stuff, to tackling my todo list. It was kind of nice. (It's funny how when we look back, we see so clearly all the warning signs.)
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I sat down, read for small group on Tuesday, and I looked again at my 3 part list, (OH! I forgot to tell you what this list is...hang on. I'll get to it.) and went to bed genuinely HAPPY. I felt fulfilled. For the first time in... (embarrasingly) I don't know. Now I don't want you taking this as I wasn't happy. I was. It was just buried under the mountain of stress, todo lists, and really just life in general. But last night...that joy (HIS joy) was uncovered. That little list is going to be a life-changer. And here's why: because I made time, remembered, and prioritized what I care about most in life. It's so easy to over-look. We say we love our family, we say we love God, but then...how much time do we actually spend with them, or talking to them on the phone if you can't be with them, or DOING something for them, or praying for them, or...whatever it is that puts them on that list.
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Okay, the list... so, story... (I know. But my life is crazy stories.) So I had my 3 things from yesterday, the 3 big things that I learned in all this, and the first was re-prioritze. So being the crazy list person that I am (okay, fine I just like visuals), I decided to make a physical list of my priorities to remind me when I forget. TOTALLY MAKES SENSE! So I start. #1. Easy. God. Okay. #2 and #3 were easy too. People. (People in our lives are important!) And then I stopped. And I started drawing blanks. It wasn't that I couldn't come up with anything important to me, but it was that nothing even came close to touching how important the first 3 are. So I just looked at it. It was a clear cut line. One God had drawn long ago, but that I completely forgot. And then was like okay, let me draw that line. I'll draw a distinction and then continue. Except everything else kind of all swirled together and nothing stood out in any order. So I left my list at that - 3 numbers. Simple.
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<b>Hi. My name is Jessica and I love simplicity.</b>
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Perfect. So last night. I did everything I could think of around them for that day. And when I went to bed. I felt SO MUCH BETTER. I said "happy" before, but I could explain it this way too. It was like the weight of the world was lifted off of my shoulders. I did things I haven't done in a long time because I was just too "busy" and would "do them the next day." And it was just...I don't even know how to explain it. I was back to who I am. Who I am created to be. What my heart desires at it's core. Stripped down to the basics. Simple.
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And it's so obvious now. Honestly, it's embarrassing how obvious it feels like that should have been. And I'm SO thankful that it's just me and God who truly knows about the details, because ya'll would just look at me and be like you're insane. What were you thinking? How did you even get there? How could you forget something so important to you? <i>Sigh.</i> Such is life. I don't know. If I knew, I wouldn't let it happen again. The sobering part is that this will happen over and over and over again in all sorts of different ways. But thankfully we have a God who will save us every time. In big ways and in small ways.
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Can you imagine if He hadn't let me continue down this path and injure myself? I'd still be stuck in the crazy cycle I was in, unknowingly digging myself a hole and calling it amazing. Lol. Oh man. <i>Life is crazy. And I'm all in.</i>
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So, I think I completely didn't write about what I wanted to write about. Oops. ... I'm kind of pumped for this race. I know a handful of people running and I'm totally going to be the girl dressed crazy, with an awesome sign, screaming and cheering on all the runners. It's going to be fun. I'm excited. And I'll run my half marathon. Probably under God's spotlight only. On a random day where He's the only One cheering me on. And I think that's the way it should be. It aligns with who I am. But I'm super pumped for the girls running the race. They're going to rock it. And I'm going to give them the biggest hug ever at the end. With a TRUE smile on my face. Because this is their moment. I'll have mine. I'll run that 13.1. And honestly, I have a feeling I might run the full 26.2 someday. But if not, I'll be okay. Because I've got my list. And 26.2 is not on it. 13.1 is not on it. Ever running again is not on it. So even if I was never able to run again, I know that I would be okay. But I'm pretty sure I will run again. And if you ever see me out there, I will have the biggest smile on my face ever. Because I GET to do this. I GET to run. I GET to workout. <b>And that's amazing</b>!
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And for those of you who REALLY want to know my plan, or who really just like step-by-steps like I do, here's my thoughts:
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- I'm taking an entire week off of working out. Okay, almost. 6 days. It's un-necessary because I can totally do upper body. That doesn't have anything to do with my knee. But I'm taking it off.
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- I will ice and rest my knee. The first few days I did just that. Now I'm starting to incorporate some light knee exercises (3 positions, stand, sit in chair, sit on ground, and squeeze your knees/thigh muscles for 5 seconds, then off, 10 times - can you tell I've done physical therapy for my knee before? hahaha)
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- This weekend, if I'm feeling up to it, I will do extremely light exercises that benefit my knee. I'm going slow. I want to do this right and I don't want to be injured. Meaning, no pushups because that puts pressure on my knees. (And yes, I'm actually, truthfully sad about this.) And maybe some light walking, to get my legs moving. All listening to my body and not being impatient.
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- I'll do 3-4 modified upper body and abs exercises a week. Modified because you wouldn't believe how many incorporate pressure on your knees or movement of them.
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- I'm going to throw myself a party (okay, fine, it'll all be in my head) when I go get fitted for new running shoes in a few weeks. (Again, when I'm ready.)
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- I'm going to take a few weeks to build up to 3 miles. (BUT I WILL BE RUNNING! AND CELEBRATING THE FIRST TIME I RUN A MINUTE! =D) I think this is going to be the hardest one of all. 3 is my jam. It's my sweet spot. And I like to run "fast" and without break. Can't do that. We're going slow. Slow and steady wins the race. (If there were a race... ???)
<br/>- Then, I'll re-evaluate and maybe start training again. But I'm thinking this is about a month or even 2 out. So we'll see. Like I said, re-evaluate. I'm hopeful that I can hit big miles again before it gets too hot in the summer, but we're going to see. Take each day as it comes.
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So...if you've stuck around this long, you're probably crazy... Go get yourself checked out. No really, thank you. I appreciate you reading my rambling thoughts. I'm well aware of how jumbled this whole post was. It's kind of like how this whole thing happened. But, what I was going to say, is that if running and how it applies to God, or just faith experiences, or whatever...I don't really know what to call it....if that interests you, I stumbled upon <a href="http://amandarego.com/2011/10/07/why-i-run-part-1/" target="_new">this</a> and I loved reading it. It's a 2 parter, but it's Amanda Rego's "why I run"/faith story/whatever. She's an elite distance runner with a pretty interesting story that has really stayed with me.
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Okay, I'll stop now. I have a million more thoughts but they're all a <b>really</b> big jumbled mess in my head. And I'm hungry... Food wins. Peace out. (???)Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-38740398777731249052016-01-30T23:05:00.002-06:002016-02-01T10:47:26.034-06:00That time I thought I was Invincible<i>The title of this post should probably be "that time I thought I was REALLY invincible" because let's be honest, I think I'm invincible every day...</i>
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This is the hardest thing I've ever had to write, so will you please pause for a second and open your heart while I get vulnerable?
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Wait, let me get a joke out first... Cassadee Pope may be invincible, but I am not. And I sang her song one too many times, because, dang, did I think I was invincible. Not invisible. I'm pretty good at that. My specialty is hiding. You didn't know I was a super hero? Yes I am. But my power is invisibility, not invincibility. And there's a HUGE difference.
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Okay. I'm done. Now lets get real.
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There is very little chance that I will be running the half marathon in April. The one that I'm registered for. The one that I've been training for. And by "very little chance" I mean, if I end up running it, it will <b>literally</b> be by the grace of God. Literally. I don't want to say that I won't be running it, but I'm pretty sure it's off the table. And I have gone through every emotion associated with that statement. <b>Every</b> emotion. I am sad. I am disappointed. I am frustrated. I am embarrassed. I am humiliated. I am thankful. I am angry. I feel like a failure. I feel like everything I do from here on out is going to fail. I am hopeful. I am filled with peace.
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I present to you my Friday, my Saturday, and every day in the foreseeable future:
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<div align="center"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtwwldF4iz9sSLtfcZODaB2JNGn1gMgGIldIOyRrT-aDO8egjH_R47GFLq68CZhv9CUev8QMs5kRplDOyme8zITZ1xqmDYlxI-Tj2vVBlrb3lFBqhsiIE1o-rLMJVjSiOSDLv4rv-QHuG/s1600/IMG_2800.jpg" width="500"></div>
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Let me explain. On Thursday, I had scheduled a run after work. So I got ready and drove myself out to the trail. I started walking, and then started running. I made it an entire 3 minutes before completely stopping running. My right knee <b>hurt</b>. And it wasn't one of those, my knee hurts because I'm running, putting stress on it, working it out, and it'll go away in a few minutes kind of "hurt." This was a "you can't do this" hurt. So I stopped. Still hopeful. I walked a bit and then started running again. This time I made it .3 <i>seconds</i>. I was down and out.
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Being the stubborn person that I am though, I kept walking. I walked my route. I "ran" a few times. (Aka: went through the motions of running, but really I was inching along at basically the same pace I was walking.) For 30 seconds. And then kept walking. Defeated. Completely defeated. Walking back in the freezing cold. Dressed to be running. Watching other runners go by. I was about a minute away from my car, a minute away from tears, when I saw a guy running my way. Usually, runners don't look at you. They're focused. (Or just don't want to look at you.) He smiled at me. And it took <b>everything</b> in my to force a smile back. Because I wanted to cry so bad. I knew this was not one of those injuries you bounce back from a week later.
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I needed to get some groceries and was right by Target, so I stopped and let me tell you, it took <b>EVERYTHING</b> in me to not buy myself a pizza. To not drown myself in bad food. To not do some <i>major</i> retail therapy. And that's not really saying much, because at this point I pretty much had nothing left in me, so really it was all God helping me out. I made it back Thursday night and I don't even think I could really process what it all meant, what was all going on. I've been through Friday, and now Saturday (as I sit and write this). And I have gone through every emotion you can think of. And so while I don't have the words yet, and still really can't understand this whole thing, you get a list of all the fragmented ideas:
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- This has everything to do with my knees, and yet nothing at all.
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- I should have bought shoes with more cushion.
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- I should have paid attention to my knees, iced them, and strengthened them.
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- I should have did my knee exercises...10 years ago when I hurt my left one (not the same injury or the same knee).
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- No more crossing my legs twice.
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- I need to run more often, less mileage, increasing less.
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- I actually DO love running. I just didn't realize it. And now I miss it terribly.
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- I am so blessed to be able to workout. I GET to workout. (Or..at this time, GOT.)
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- I unknowingly made running/training/working out my #1 priority. That's wrong. God should always be #1.
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- I fell into comparison. I fell into doing it for me. And thinking I could do it by myself. I can't. I am not strong enough without Him.
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- I put off the things in life that matter most.
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- I made THIS race an idol, putting pressure on THIS race. I WILL run a half marathon, it's just most likely not going to be THIS one. And that's okay.
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- I forgot where my heart truly lies in this world, where I feel my calling is, and put running ahead.
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- I was looking in the mirror analyzing my body, picking it apart. (Heck, I'm still doing this...)
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- I have yet to experience disappointment like this. Any disappointment I may have had in my life was all hidden in front of people, but this was laid wide open.
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- I felt like I failed and was embarrassed. I had 2 friends tell me they signed up for the same race right around this time. One a few hours before. One a few hours after. They still don't know (as I write this) because I still want to hide.
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- I was in awe of what God was allowing me to do in the moment, but then forgot the enormity of it a second later.
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- I grumbled about running. I talked WAY too much about how I didn't like long-distance running and how ironic that was and how I would never run another half and how I loved BBG and higher intensity workouts more. (Come to find out, I kind of love running, long-distance included.)
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- I am extremely thankful that God stopped me in my tracks or allowed me to be stopped. Looking at the above list, and the list that's even longer in my heart. This was the right thing for Him to do. Had He not stopped me, I probably would have never seen it.
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- I am so blessed that He is sitting with me through all of this, opening my eyes, being there, and just showing me where I went wrong.
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- I am still hoping this is all in my head and I will wake up tomorrow perfectly fine and I can take what I've learned, apply it, fix my heart, and get back to running.
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To sum it up, this injury was a complete storm, physically and spiritually. Physically, there are things I knew I should have done to prevent this injury. There are things I should have done in hind-sight. There are things that I was up against physically that I have absolutely no control over. Spiritually, there are things I should have recognized. There are things I see in hind-sight. And there are things (many many things) that have taken me completely by surprise.
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I wrote a simplified list of take-aways:
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1.) Re-prioritize. God first. Love people. THEN workouts. <i>You shall have no other Gods.</i>
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2.) This is not a competition. <i>You shall not covet anything of your neighbor's.</i>
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3.) SLOW DOWN. (This is aimed at life, not speed in workouts.) Be intentional. Pay attention.
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I'm still processing. (Have I said that yet.) This is a big one for me. It's changing my plans and my heart. So Lord, please be patient with me. I'm trying to work this out, but I desperately need Your help because I'm just me. I AM hopeful. And I AM thankful. But I'm also still sad and disappointed.
Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-49561079808893278972016-01-24T17:43:00.000-06:002016-01-24T17:43:20.361-06:00Sometimes you just need a break...I mean, God<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4v5Sptg7x0NpK5lem2w7pwnoGIK_cyilORPQODbqaV6m_yuedu8kjYIsXH8KcMtUDrIe7B07OHH6yY40OnADeVg0srqJkFjHlpOWqvDTmgUQLo094hxJxVGWO6PepbzjiuhuflHurMUU/s1600/HZRF0641.jpg" width="400" />
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Today is Sunday. I worked out today. I did BBG Week 15 Abs + planks and a circuit of standing ab exercises. Yesterday I did BBG Week 15 Arms. And before that, I worked out....last Sunday.
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<b>And I haven't ran for a solid 10 days.</b>
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<b>And I'm not "scheduled" to run for another 4 days.</b>
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I KNOW. I fully remember that I'm training for a half marathon. I KNOW. But I am honestly not worried about it. I believe it was all part of the plan. His plan. I needed a break. I knew that I needed a break. But I fully under-estimated how <i>much</i> I needed a break.
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{Insert forced break.}
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Except this break was not just a physical break. I was not just physically tired. Though I was well past physically tired. I was also mentally tired. I have a LOT on my plate right now, and I got WAY overwhelmed. Like WAY past overwhelmed. And I was spiritually tired, almost empty. I was filled because of all that was going on, but the weight of everything was dragging me down and I just simply needed God. Not God's dreams. Just Him.
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And so there was a snow storm. A forced break. No running. And no driving. So naturally I camped out on the floor in my living room. True statement. It was amazing. (Hi, my name is Jessica and I go with the flow and sometimes that has me doing really strange things. Like camping in my apartment.) I slept on the floor. I didn't even use a blowup air mattress. It was straight up old school, just a bunch of blankets. Just me and God and blankets. And it was exactly what I needed.
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Here's some things I learned this weekend:
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* All I want is God. I need time with Him. A lot of time with Him. And that's okay. We're all different.
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* I won't die or get fat by taking a week-long break from working out. (Because clearly dying and getting fat are in the same category. I hope you're sensing my sarcasm...)
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* I need to work on the strength in my knees. Side lunges are going to be my friend.
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* I will be absolutely fine not working out for over a week while I'm in India a few weeks before the half marathon.
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* I can NOT handle the weight of God's dreams. Thankfully He shoulders the weight until we're prepared. Read more <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2016/01/your-very-best-idea-ever.html" target="_blank">here</a>.
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* I have vision and passion. And that's rare. I honestly never thought I would have that, but I think I might...
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* I still need God. After all His teaching, after all the rest this weekend, I still need God. Desperately. Every second. With every breath. I need Him.
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So...point is... go camp out in your living room with God. And lots of blankets. Just kidding. You don't need the blankets. =) Sometimes, when you think you need a break, you REALLY need a break. But actually, you really just needed God. And you always do.Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-73992117324653422502016-01-12T22:07:00.000-06:002016-01-12T22:07:13.749-06:00Dare To Be YouOh my gosh. I still can't get over this article. Go read it <a href="http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/be-who-god-created-you-to-be/" target="_blank">here</a>. You can come back. I'll wait.
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You're back. Okay. Good. Because I want to tell you exactly how true this is. I spent 27 years of my life trying to be someone else, trying to be someone who I was not created to be. I looked to everything and everyone and wanted what they had, what they were doing, their entire life. And I chased money, fame (yes, I'm admitting it), and everything in this world you can think of. (Except illegal things. I have my parents/upbringing and God to thank for that.) You name it, I wanted it. And I wanted to BE everything. I literally have a document sitting on my external hard drive entitled, "Who I Want To Be" and let me tell you, it includes about 20 different "jobs" if you will. And each of them can be pin-pointed back to a single person or shall I say..."inspiration." I wanted to have a blog (hey, look-y here!); I wanted to have a YouTube channel; I wanted to be an interior designer, and a fashion designer; I wanted to own a wedding shop, have my own clothing line. Are you starting to get the picture? I wanted to be EVERYTHING I wasn't made to be. <i>(The blog might be an exception, though this is WAY different than what I was envisioning.)</i>
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I loved reading the part where she's says "I'm messy and loud, a hugger and a crier." I laughed and smiled so ridiculously because, well...I'm messy. I don't keep a clean house because I'm busy and it's not #1 on the priority list, so sometimes I don't clean for a few weeks. No one dies, so it's all okay. I'm not loud. That one I CAN'T relate to, but apparently I'm a hugger. Lol. Anyone who knows me is truly LOLing about that one. I "blame" my church. They're huggers. The first time I hugged someone in a scenario that I normally wouldn't, I was <b>completely</b> surprised by it. I remember backing away thinking, did I really just do that? Wait, what just happened? But it just happened naturally - I just did it. It flowed out of me. It's who I was created to be. (Alright, I'M still giggling at that one.) And finally, I'm a crier. I don't hold my emotions back. I used to. I'd hide it all, telling myself that I needed to be strong, afraid of what people would think or that they might see a weakness. But now, I feel everything. I let myself feel everything. When something hurts, I let it hurt. And I cry. Heck, I cry when I'm happy. I cry when I don't know what emotion I'm feeling. (Makes you want to hang out with me, right? haha) But really, it's just who I am. I'm made to feel everything, be affected by everything, hug people, and be messy(?). Okay, maybe not the last one, but you get my point.
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<b>When we fight who we are made to be, we end up unhappy and looking to everything else and every<i>one</i> else to "fix" us, when all we need to do is just simply be us, be ourselves.</b>
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Yes, I know, easier said than done.
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It makes me really sad when I see people playing a part. Taking someone else's rules and trying to fit themselves into their box. You know another thing I've learned about myself? I thrive in an environment that's constantly changing. Apparently I'm NOT a planner. Though I constantly TRY to be.
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I'm running a half marathon at the end of April. (Like, what?!?) And I get asked what training plan I'm following. Well here's the truth. I'm not following a plan. At least not in the form of a traditional 12-week scheduled plan. My plan is to increase mileage up until the actual day. Everything in between is in God's hands. No plan. Because I know myself. If I try to follow a plan, I will completely fail. Completely. So I'm making it up. Week by week. And allowing it to change within the week, so far that I'm often changing my plan for the next day. That's my plan. The plan is, I've got no plan. That's what my mother used to say and quite frankly, I hated it. (Planner!) But I have no plan because I've seen how much better my life can be when I let go, let God be in charge, and just go with the flow. (Now I've really lost everyone who knows me...)
I don't have a plan, and that's okay. I'm not following someone else's rules, and that's okay. And you know what? If I miss a Monday, that's okay. If I have a bad run, that's okay. If I only run twice in the week, (hello, last week!) that's okay. Just because a traditional plan tells me I need to be running at least 3 times a week (or more!) doesn't mean that that's the right thing for ME. I find (right now, so don't quote me because this could change tomorrow) that more resistance workouts are better for me, better for my running. I'm happier with less running. (I think I've learned I actually don't even care for long distance running. Ironic, huh.) And my body is happier with less running. And so, I'm running less, and doing restistance and higher intensity workouts more. I'm doing what is right FOR ME. I'm doing what I was created to do, being who I was created to be. (No wonder I always failed at following the infamous couch to 5k plan!)
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Now I'm totally not saying, go run a half marathon and don't have a plan. Because you might be someone who needs a plan. Maybe that plan is one you've written out specifically for yourself. Or maybe it IS one of the popular training plans. Do what YOU need to do and don't do what works for everyone else, just because "it works for everyone else." Because you're not everyone. You're YOU. You're unique. Be who you were created to be. Because it's there that you will SHINE. It's there that you will see AMAZING things happen.Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-58553140311583670422015-04-05T19:16:00.000-05:002015-04-05T19:16:45.150-05:00Forever, He is Glorified!<div align="center"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/f8/db/51/f8db51635c0aa7d93b40d3596ccd8d92.jpg"><img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/f8/db/51/f8db51635c0aa7d93b40d3596ccd8d92.jpg"/></a></div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-32578537841897670512015-02-17T20:21:00.000-06:002015-02-17T20:21:14.055-06:00Tears<i>This is in response to Annie's post found <a href="http://shereadstruth.com/2015/02/12/tears-deliverance/" target="_blank">here</a>.</i>
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<a href="http://shereadstruth.com/2015/02/12/tears-deliverance/" target="_blank"><img src="http://shereadstruth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/SRT-Esther_instagram11.jpg"/></a>
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<i>I started to writing about how we're taught that emotions are a sign of weakness, but I don't feel preachy today, so I erased it and I'll just skip ahead to the question...</i>
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What do you find in your tears? When you cry or if you were to let yourself cry, what would your tears be for? Would they be for a person, a situation, yourself? Annie said something in her post that hit me like a ton of bricks and hasn't left me yet. Our tears tell us what matter most. After I read that, I started thinking about where my tears come from. And you know what? She's exactly right. They <i>do</i> tell me what matters most.
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I believe our tears are some of our strongest prayers. Our tears come from the depths of our hearts and that's where the things that really matter to us come from. Sometimes we don't even realize that they matter so much to us. Lately my tears have all come from the same place and you know what? I knew that this mattered to me. That I cared very deeply. But until I read this line about our tears telling us what matters most to us, I didn't fully realize exactly <i>how</i> much I cared. I challenge you to take a look at your life. Really take a look at it. And find out where your tears come from.
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<a href="http://adashofinspiration.tumblr.com/post/63105357774" target="_blank"><img src="http://41.media.tumblr.com/f69050b8726e28d6405f7435da650b5e/tumblr_mu5ua2AnYT1rkvhz0o1_500.jpg"/></a>
</div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-80461425757389605042014-11-16T19:05:00.000-06:002014-11-29T20:55:47.530-06:00CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation Review + Tutorial<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KI1Pi8FujAWEd67Zvse_WOGvQoRt-8lSQVs-KnAvHhxIRcKqO600FvVVGrOPSV8G_xUXEebVgrVqaP0F3QYDEAGa4BBTN3mKx2W4FvbXzQV4El5dnbKMLVBEs5gAGJMJgSO63yBqaCMY/s1600/covergirl_ready_set_gorgeous_foundation.jpg" />
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If you have oily and/or problematic skin, stop everything you're doing right now! Seriously. Just stop and read this. Because if you haven't heard about this stuff yet, I'm about to change your life. Dramatic? Yeah, but NOT DRAMATIC ENOUGH! Maybe I should do this whole post in caps? Would you get annoyed and stop reading? FINE. I suppose I would too. But I'll just say it - I will NEVER go back to using another foundation again. If I'm going for a true foundation, this is it right here. I don't need to try any others anymore. The search is over. It's the CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation.
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MakeupByTiffanyD" target="_blank">Tiffany</a> started talking about how amazing this stuff was and then did a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAEy-wpvFU0&list=UUrKdCadbo4eN_toHMa4-FSA&index=2" target="_blank">video</a> on it too, which I absolutely recommend. She titled it "The BEST foundation EVER?!" Hey, her caps not mine. =) And I was just like, sure sure. But I'm always willing to try and was looking for something new. See I had planned on doing a foundation routine post with what I <i>had</i> been using, since it was going really well with my crazy skin lately. (I've been having the most absolute worst hormonal acne. It's like I'm a teenager again except worse. Seriously. And my skin has been double oily too. It gets super oily in like an hour or two. So yeah, it's been a fun 6+ months.) I was using the Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream as a primer and then Rimmel's Stay Matte Foundation applied with the Sephora Pro-Flawless Airbrush #56, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and finished with Urban Decay's All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. It was darn good. I love the coverage of the bb cream, the concealer is amazing, and the Sephora #56 does give you airbrushed quality. The look really was flawless. BUT. Nothing can beat the CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous. Here's why...
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The second I put this stuff on, I knew it was different. They talk about how makeup shouldn't sit on top of your skin but blend in. I've always been like "uh huh, yeah" but never really experienced that. It always seems like the "good stuff" still slightly sits on top of my skin. I mean, don't get me wrong, I've tried stuff that truly sits on top and doesn't blend in at all too. Ready Set Gorgeous blends INto my skin. When I put it on, it still feel like my skin. At the end of the day, it still feels like it's blended into my skin and not sitting on top with the oil slick that developed at lunch time. Which brings me to my next point: NO OIL. I have NEVER seen my skin behave like this. I wore it all day yesterday and I didn't feel or look oily at all at lunch time. I exposed it to the elements and to situations where I should have been really oily, but wasn't. By dinner, there was a slight dewy-ness to it. Kind of like how other "luminous" foundations make you look right after applying it. I blotted with powder because I kept thinking something was going to happen soon. And the powder barely made any difference to my skin. By the time I got home at the end of the night, my skin was the same. Still...no oil. Seriously. It has NEVER been like this. I can't even tell you how shocked I am. They obviously found a magical formula. Oh and did I mention that it still looked flawless? Because it did. Every bit that I applied in the morning was still on my face. Truly insane. It lasts forever.
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The other thing that is very different about the CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation is its coverage. Now Tiffany talked about how great of coverage it has, but I'm not sure I totally agree with that. I would more-so say it's got great <i>buildable</i> coverage. One layer is not enough for me. And maybe it's because I do have such problematic skin right now. And maybe it's also because this shade is a tad too dark for me. But I need a second layer. Once the second layer was on though, a crazy thought popped into my mind - what if I used this as my concealer. So I did. Now, I'm not totally sure I would recommend this on a daily basis, but it's amazing to try. Think about it - a foundation and concealer in one? A little weird but intriguing. So if you like to experiment with makeup - try it. It's kind of amazing. And that's what I did for this tutorial. I used the CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation as my foundation <i>and</i> concealer. Anyways, enough talk...let's just get into it.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fyyF_UQuJip40whIcrp8YRRUasFiIiPpMoJck6G0jKzeOhdqya88OM6WbyDgZw3YBCbCoIuSnrrUYkux2r3adAeKDKwURIfqUZ4_QHohwNnCdr4lOjFrXfmfFFL3WI7-r8GHOwl3Bti_/s1600/covergirl_ready_set_gorgeous_foundation_1.jpg" />
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Step 1 (above): Take a picture of yourself with no makeup. haha. (Btw, that there is darn good skin for me for the past 6-9 months. Seriously. AND, I'll be totally honest with you guys...I'm not wearing any makeup, BUT blogger totally does alter the photos somehow when I upload them. Skin tends to look slightly airbrushed. I'm not sure why/how the upload does this, but it does. So in all honesty, the above does look better than my skin in real life. I'd dig into why it alters the pictures, but I mean, come on...who couldn't use a little airbrushing. Haha!)
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2tnGzs1RUurZ3PFBU4wKJqRzKFaNyrjn_3ckZRRcBqEyXCkgTGQJrAp6qhh1shyYO6tZg2DPShvjREFsfajPvGJx_ZTkImQ7KrY-ZKEW-Nw6A1jjS_2WwxsNMh-izQWhflgEmL_lKnko/s1600/covergirl_ready_set_gorgeous_foundation_2.jpg" />
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Step 2: Apply 1 layer with your fingers. I'm using shade 210 Medium Beige, and I only applied it to my face, not my neck. (You can see the color is a little too dark for me. It's also a little too orange - not enough yellow base, but then again most drugstore makeup is like that.)
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa6SdO7e_7XEJEfjdfAh9AcRQL6qRTiyxSIJhi4VK-vicp7viDjHrct9PL-OOoTOb5urIaS4T97Z-eEiY-DQHNPWK7-n7doIxSvGoE4Dcu4xV4DLoNeYBMlBmGxYqAVT92WuoC5UEILWX/s1600/covergirl_ready_set_gorgeous_foundation_3.jpg" />
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Step 3: Apply layer 2 with your fingers. I concentrated this in the areas that I needed more coverage. So the first layer was just all over evenly, but the second was more "only where I need it," which if I'm honest was most places. I also applied a layer to my neck. If the color of your neck matches your skin, just blend the foundation into your neck. My neck though is way lighter than my face, so I have to apply foundation to it so that it matches no matter what.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCrAp3LuqT6OwESsJuKzurDP3Dk3vXXiIX6lLt2QQOI5EqVQwM8i7NlKwo0RRcGf04HvcH_AF1BpF3wDOlyEHYozHQTGDkfwH5Z8NzVTxVc0DHiipz9q1i15C3L3dwtUf60a901sJCv8I/s1600/covergirl_ready_set_gorgeous_foundation_4.jpg" />
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Step 4: Use the foundation as a concealer. Basically I used it the same way I would my Nars Creamy Concealer, just applying to red areas with my finger. And since you already applied 2 layers of foundation, it should blend in perfectly. It will be a little "wet" when you first apply it like a concealer, but then will mattify as it sits there. A little weird, but kind of awesome at the same time.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFPYlZU_mpelX3kzi_WLT8BmDn2Zc0oSgeDXQrxheoxKL6ZINLmDXidefD773HQMCiwbQLvUZoG1Hu8v_ELH3NnQmA76WGBQnrTvetlf3NRdWMO2sqayoFYdzQWY_aR240KCzQG7ZXTCZ/s1600/covergirl_ready_set_gorgeous_foundation_5.jpg" />
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And just finish off your makeup! I did apply a powder after the foundation, but I agree with Tiffany in that I really don't think it's necessary. Have any of you used this and got the same amazing results? I can't imagine that it's a coincidence that both myself and Tiffany had the same results. And btw, I would definitely use the Nars Creamy Concealer with this, and will eventually. I just really wanted to give you guys a different spin on it. So, what did you guys think of this foundation?
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<i>CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation in 210 Medium Beige for foundation and concealer; YSL Touche Eclate in #2 Luminous Ivory as under eye concealer; YSL Matte & Radiant Pressed Powder in #2 Light Sand; Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universal; Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light; Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Blushing Bride; Anastasia Brow Whiz in Ash Blonde; Maybelline Great Lash in Clear as brow gel; Dior 5 Color Palette in Rosy Tan; YSL Babydoll Mascara; YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #6 Pink In Devotion</i>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIUsUjVVrUKXgiYF8vxk-PHHSw0VepNFsaC0Dasq6w-dEwSUH2-InGghQzLXLnl6nDTJrr8jzUElSxNqOA3wb_vep-S3jVz_LM5IKLebO4IDFVMqAfcSLANyA65-MEk2RW1D2VWPUqUrk/s1600/covergirl_ready_set_gorgeous_foundation_6.jpg" />
</div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-35398867642624669032014-11-15T21:03:00.000-06:002014-11-29T20:55:56.863-06:00Girls Night Out Outfit<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgMtkVLhFELo0Q9rGzFipBlPYV1DAhyphenhyphen76TySfAXkgk0GlJnnzV4rDPE6r5G8CyEGV5johqVWKsmd2kML_F7gpZTWVpPCY6mgb98befsnQLDrBSGseMAeRGaLDbERz5bFvAQyPDpSWdVrb/s1600/byjessicadawn_girls_night_out_3.jpg" />
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It was a GNO on Friday with the girls in my group at Cross Point Church. We went to Zanies in Nashville, which is a comedy club, to see Henry Cho. He was great. And I had never been to a comedy club - just comedy shows on a cruise ship, so it was fun. I sipped on an amazing mango margarita and laughed and laughed and laughed. It was definitely God's little gift to me after a long roller coaster of a week.
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Both the headband and the shirt that I'm wearing are from Forever 21. I ordered online and when the shirt came I was absolutely in love. It's probably the prettiest shirt ever. You can find it <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&category=top&productid=2000085059" target="_blank">here</a>. The front is pretty, but the back...oh my gosh. It's going to be so beautiful in the summer when I can wear just a tank top. This one is definitely worth the buy if you're looking for something similar!
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Oh and I finally got the new iPhone and am in looove. It's amazing. Just in case you didn't know. =)
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<div align="center"><i>Top - Forever 21; Jacket - Collection (I think?) from Marshalls with Victoria's Secret hoodie layered on the inside; Jeans - Kohls; Boots - Two Lips; Headband - Forever 21; Rings on my right hand - Free People; Lip color: YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #6 Pink In Devotion</i></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLz_y1QrOdAd19rjw9pBFRgOIyZUrWVzUUsy-KW3IWYFO5fmC_JGBlJYRbNlYOWKnMgwFpo9hkVfa60QE78LIGCTTSSPLAOBrtxGwXhUTp0zDXYwF45FUk_sSzsQkCaVzOISqpQAfZ43p/s1600/byjessicadawn_girls_night_out.jpg" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR8fQlOE2WNRLKjUY1Fzr1UWotT0K1TU0qcg_XqBDwZKLq0d-wvB5BrnFJzYX0EwojwYrcEYhLoACtXUewjr7ZdOzrc4ggvDR0sU7NkZADTwAov-LyIaf5gajHdAbG2YkZIOWJwrbqzwZ/s1600/byjessicadawn_girls_night_out_2.jpg" />
</div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-52031263722106962142014-11-12T22:21:00.000-06:002014-11-29T20:56:11.868-06:00Sephora VIB Sale Haul<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBbMc60Nu9MsAdOpiNV_G8GYWzh34SqL0P85UCNyH4wAKntjWgWubhc_iQGCpevZRnrwe7IM3NaSD6QkuuRNPOXOf2XCoCV64ww3i8gkAdcusQfWin1zckWrkjqfPAR45QbcaYb2xF-t5/s1600/byJessicaDawn_sephora_vib_haul.jpg" />
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I am swimming in makeup amazingness over here! My order from the Sephora VIB Sale came today. I knew I had gotten a little carried away when ordering, but I am SO glad I did. When I opened the box, I looked at it and was like oh boy, should not have ordered these. But after pulling them out and swatching everything, I'm kind of in love. I will absolutely be doing reviews on these even though they're ridiculously expensive. They're just too pretty and amazing not to! Of course I did pick up a few things that I just bought duplicates or re-purchased, like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, Nars Concealer, YSL Babydoll mascara, and YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch. I've been patiently waiting to order some of them because I knew this sale was coming up and let's be honest - it's silly not to purchase during the sale.
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<div align="center"><i>Clockwise starting with the red polish: Formula X VIB Rouge exclusive shade, Formula X New Classics VIB point purchase, Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm VIB point purchase, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light, YSL Matte & Pressed Radiant Touch Powder in 2 Light Sand, YSL, Touche Eclat Radiant Touch in 2 Luminous Ivory, YSL Babydoll mascara in black, YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 6 Pink in Devotion, YSL Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain in 9 Rouge Laque, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard, BECCA Blotting Powder Perfector Translucent</i></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3qDVX6N8CLcWthTQwa4cWdvFn8B6MNl7SjJr6wKj-pQKVsmK9dFSeGv6NFDfyZ4EoQnzDVVnrtNGA3YxrTmCRO5fO2H49nPJil79UXMflqhTUwzA02PML3gfO_EbyFqydACYvTwkMivt/s1600/byJessicaDawn_hourglass_ambiant_lighting_powder_diffused_light.jpg" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7fMJqgEZtsDmuzCTVqGTjmoYIfwwSrsTzIyWhmO88_Gt5s8q0Pzeu1J7mBSv92xI8M-D_R_7GqRIfZGuctWCjYSqu7ImreHig_IAD7KOMrtFOmcD_mEonI12U7J25VvHxWl6O-5UmMCF/s1600/byJessicaDawn_becca_blotting_powder_perfector.jpg" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4IInHDTRcFbP_TSxgWw1KBzosiBdvtmm5C9sysuadL7OAvz6XpSBlJpaiKFqwB4Dy52y8DvvJL-WqP5aBikNq5BEjef2mWDYiQMTB7aI5xUpf-FqLHIiWsmgGZOGm83YCf_MCIN36u9V/s1600/byJessicaDawn_ysl_matte_and_radiant_pressed_powder.jpg" />
</div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-62046207659585045532014-11-09T21:29:00.000-06:002014-11-09T21:31:39.906-06:00A Merry Music City Christmas<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwUAKRk1i35_kEcREvygTL-WYJpWZbGkRKGNoPDUgGdWdJKr1C4rJxWjP8BF_R7U9JuvW2dFLgIY4OyDfPzuDyrnUMdIUilaFVJc6D7v0XC4sLKnZ0p4ym87hxCFJW1K0THXPfXo7ZpMk/s1600/merry_music_city_christmas_cross_point_church.jpg" />
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It's that time of year again! And oh how I love it! I am in full on Christmas mode and yes I'm aware it's not even Thanksgiving yet. It's also going to be <i>almost</i> 70 degrees tomorrow. But it's going to snow 10-18 inches in Wisconsin, so I think that cancels it out and makes it okay that I'm in the holiday spirit. Right? This will be the first time the weather has been infinitely better here in Nashville than in Wisconsin. Infinitely. Actually, it made me a little sad to think that I won't have a white Christmas this year. Sort of. I'll be going home for Christmas, so it'll be white for sure, but from what they tell me, it won't be white here. And that's where the above comes in. A Merry Music City Christmas! It's an annual tradition put on by my church, <a href="http://www.crosspoint.tv">Cross Point</a>, that's free to the public. AND. They bring in snow. Like serious snow from what it sound like because supposedly there's sledding, building snowman, and snow ball fights! So I will get to see some real snow before Christmas! Whoo! If you're in the Nashville area, you'll definitely have to come check it out!
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And get ready, because it's the holiday season whether you like it or not. Red lips, sparkly eyes, red glitter nails, white chocolate peppermint tea, hot chocolate, furry boots, sweaters and scarves! Here we come! =)Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-62027969224786681542014-09-29T18:56:00.000-05:002014-11-29T20:56:58.229-06:00Mascara Wars (and an update)Well what do ya know, it's been super long time between posts yet again this year. I've had a hard time with this blog lately. I still love makeup and want to do tutorials, but there's been an authenticity issue that I've been dealing with. On one hand, I love makeup looks that are smokey, fun, and actually using lots of makeup. That's kind of the point when you love makeup - to use it. And that's what I used to do. Play around with makeup and photograph it. While that's great, I kind of feel like I'm being a little fake because I don't wear makeup like that. I can't tell you the last time that I did a full eye makeup look. My day-to-day makeup is more natural. And while that's great and I love doing the natural looks, they tend to photograph the same, and you just end up with the same tutorial over and over again. So I <i>could</i> sit down and actually do my makeup, but I probably wouldn't leave my apartment or I would take it all off and re-do it with less before going out. Anyways, I hope I've come up with a solution...
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It's a 2 part solution. #1. I'm going to do a tutorial only when it's a different style of look. On 95% of the other days, I'll just do the end result and talk about the products and such, because I do use different shadows and palettes, it's just all similar looks. And #2. I've discovered I love writing, so I'm actually going to write my thoughts on products. Or maybe I should say, <i>attempt</i> to write my thoughts on products, and makeup stuff in general.
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So there we have it. I promise other posts won't be as long as this one. I just had a really long intro to get through. =) Let's give it a whirl....
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<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlLEswi4y9729aTiyiQv6-nfyx2rCu7EnZYmPK_AzjgptOcNaFP1OEEGuqtHzVMTDurkryxqE5hrY7mc5gSBQj_4nCDOg4sNztCCTLDF1AkvOlFY_r4CooJSvp53AI9zfV_f9X6HuQSsc/s1600/mascara_wars_carbon_black_falsies_miss_manga.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
</div>
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So let's talk mascaras. I'm kind of a mascara junkie. I loooove mascaras. I'm lucky that they pretty much all work on my lashes - from the dry to the wet, volumizing to lengthening. But. I'm really picky. I have learned that I don't like mascaras purchased twice in a row. (I know, weird, right?) I fell in love with a Chanel one a while back, used it all up, and re-purchased. Makes sense right? Apparently not because I didn't like it. It just was lacking its luster. And that happens all the time. I get really excited about a mascara, re-purchase, and it's a no-go. I guess I just like to switch them up a lot?
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I do have one mascara that breaks that rule though. It's the L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black. NOT the waterproof - it's just not the same. The regular is definitely my favorite, even through all the high-end brands I've tried. I've re-purchased it twice now. It's my fallback when I don't have one I like or don't know what one to try next. And sometimes I just like to take it out every now and then (which I totally did after writing this haha)! It's a dry formula that is THE blackest you can get. L'Oreal knows how to do a super black mascara. The only complaint I have is that it can be really hard to work with. You have to have patience, which I know is the last thing you want to hear about a mascara. But I promise, this one is worth it! It volumizes like crazy and is just so black, it makes me end up looking like I have false eyelashes on. Oh man. Love it!
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I have 4 other mascaras in my drawer right now. Yes, I know. That's five total. FIVE. (Hi, my name is Jessica and I have a mascara problem.) And they're actually all drugstore mascaras. They are: L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black, Maybelline The Big Eyes Falsies, L'Oreal Voluminous Mis Manga in Blackest Black, and NYX Color Mascara in Purple. Now I haven't used the NYX colored mascara much yet, so I'm going to skip talking about that one, and I've got a tutorial of the L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black which you can find <a href="http://byjessicadawn.blogspot.com/2013/12/loreal-telescopic-carbon-black-mascara.html">HERE</a>. (Btw, L'Oreal Carbon Black anything rocks.) So that leaves us with two mascaras to talk about.
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First up, Maybelline's The Big Eyes Falsies. My first impressions of this were, eh, and do I really need a separate mascara for my bottom lashes? You're killing my dollar value when you cut divide the mascara into 2! Answer: YES! You NEED a bottom mascara. In fact, I just googled "bottom lash mascara". I guess Clinique has one, but it just doesn't look the same. Maybelline, please make this a separate, full size bottom lash mascara? Pretty please? I will say, the top lash is good. Not great, but good. I'd recommend it - it definitely seemed like what I remember the regular falsies mascara - that one was good too. It's a dry formula with a spiral brush. The bristles aren't close enough together for me though to really coat my lashes. I wouldn't say it volumized or lengthened, but like I said it's on par with the regular falsies mascara. But man, the bottom lash. Ugh. I can't get over it. I personally think it doesn't have much to do with the formula of the mascara, which seems about the same as the top lash formula. It's all the brush for this though. It's such a perfect size - such itty bitty, fine bristles, that I just works like a dream to separate and get each of your bottom lashes. This mascara is definitely worth a try for the bottom mascara alone. And if you liked the regular falsies mascara, you have to add this to your list to try.
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The L'Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga. I've heard a lot about this and a lot of people say they like it. I have it in the Blackest black and while it's no Carbon Black, it's pretty close. Noticeably blacker than the Maybelline Big Eyes Falsies. In my honest opinion, The Big Falsies top mascara is a touch better, and the Voluminous Carbon Black is a lot better (who would have guessed, ha). There's just something about this one. I think it's because it's not memorable, other than it's blacker than the Falsies. I do still reach for it from time to time, but this one was just, eh, for me. It's the wand. The formula seems very similar to the Carbon Black, but this wand is not my favorite. I find I get the best volume with wands that have the bristles really close together. These bristles aren't. And I'm not sure what's up with companies and their fascination with odd shaped wands, but I have yet to find one that does something - anything - different. They're just a little bit weird to me. Someone's got to have a different opinion though! Please explain it to me, because I don't get it. Yeah, I don't know. I'm just not feeling this one. I'll update you if things change.
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So I just wrote the longest post ever on mascaras. Hmm. And now I need to know - what's your favorite and why? Which one should I try next? Because I'll be looking....in about a week lol.Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-87398802183164758482014-07-29T18:56:00.000-05:002014-07-29T18:56:38.241-05:00Subtle Bright Shadow with Marc Jacobs The Tease<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHEkW2V-OqNDdkGndD-6m0vMKtMVYeJCdes2jX649_24Kaca-a9zJ-oUlD_7NKPsoWvEciV4leTtRD14sbKO2N9c9S124iLLeCwbo8MPdOdX0MhFiD4TolRwQ8eRl_uplB6ckV-OeYjdU/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChpBb9PYDjwacYk_6isPHirtHr2xWGuf5ukcuP4fWf1zuVx-R2R3n762aFej5SeoDMOFOqI5VzleLXyUqVI4eXGSeYfCA2vIuZ7ddbGShQtyDyc4agYn0AjIEXJWAS6nR2bkVQp2X6WFy/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage"/>
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Am I back? I don't know, but I'm going to try this thing again. Hopefully it'll stick this time since the craziness of my life has hopefully died down. I have 2 tutorials using the Marc Jacobs palettes that have been sitting on my computer for a couple months now and this is one of them. I fell in love with The Lolita palette over Christmas. (Yes, I know I'm mentioning Christmas in July. Sorry.) I loved it so much that when I saw The Tease, I knew I had to have it, and it's even more beautiful than The Lolita. A little less versatile, but still a great palette. I wanted to figure out a way to incorporate the bright violet shadow in this palette, but use it in a subtle way that you could even wear to work. This is what I came up with. Hope you enjoy!
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<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LcIdlhzxP0ptFQi-srJso9VFDvqiz3s3VyY-A92S453IVqInESwvcM18qzJaA6EJ0zZgLqQzH5eP4pg6OVCAOwLuS1GLur0mwz9up2ZAyC21x0lSDCx7uqig3s67R7RqsziOP3-BMmK4/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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<table>
<tr>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_s1Hk8d9A9q80tqxCRfd6qhifMIZFLrZmmeuWg_AMXbTMrHBrVVhnZxjQh3XPJaKIaH3OvioRQK6EySD0bDQL7McazOdwhsEebvDI6PwCieI0OBazV9s_ck7t6S_8SCHZJ4Z6GajIBKjI/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_step1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage"/>
</td>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha104YRjKEjSvSYtz7GertJ6skymOySheYNjx0r4Pac0EgRLWO6Oo2yZdQYpF9Qxx_VeoCSZXkVHF6_FFVVsFhEnFBTc_hYLBMhVFClSciSgXM2VS3Pma0oZZ3m45Gl_8ZFSVe5P57I3wU/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_step2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage"/>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24IkvmVYwiK-dFRYe_nxepay_pGIpIm1WDdDY6tgW3m86B8sWjSzQV71ml2dO3x2TJhJ9t9v_Btn_3ngKbcI0EV94PKZ7XghmMzzqPCGeMoBW05BnRJTO5Fc5A9vxXC_YnrrjbzhNqX-j/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_step3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage"/>
</td>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRl1OaS6pkdHlhwXpzjhlmyO36t19520RVDUv4jqSk2NuFexaOujrAziZyuvieAlEo1eUi1KmivvjkhFKRQt6N2MjJ3K-Z_h7FnoMU3V4ggqrkqHg2ZRfS3vQkexc0APoKVOfVqHvNz8w/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_step4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage"/>
</td>
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<tr>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisCswfSK82kDwff1qtnNK5lSnd1uPC8nE88RQ8HPkbs1HS96LE1htRQtybAjts-s0bDfvozgAwev7yXhR5qXjrVzH-6G2yyo-5bxCN6x-wlocIwJxdFcGpvyYFoSgaKYg2Cb7Sq2-RUPn/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_step5.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage"/>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnglkOgXxFXpZ2Xxmw8k2Kw-XdZzNxLXv9Xd29Br2SVzax9E_IPsCjlktNViY0HUc1Ku5Bnfa3MG339HeV3uzgK3Ty0mBUTrAIFnfZDUDFwLxfty6ROvC8Hjpd7ko9k5Q-4VN4D8jOLM4d/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_step5_4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage"/>
</td>
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</table>
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Step 1: Apply the peachy-pink color to the outer 3/4 of the top lid. Then apply the light brown shadow to the inner 1/4 and take up it up through the crease.
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Step 2: Now's the fun part. Take the bright violet color, using a E30 pencil brush, apply it like you would a liner to the outer half of your eye. This is meant to not be a perfect line and you can make it as thick as you wanted. I went a little thicker this time around than the first time. If you're a little nervous about using such a bright color, go slow and don't apply too much - you can always add more.
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Step 3: Line your top lash line. I just did the outer half again. I used the first purple shade and the used the matte gray/purple over the top. The shadows in this palette just tend to blend so nicely here that just simply layering the liner colors gives an almost rainbow type effect.
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Step 4: Next I finished the shadows with the lower lash line. I took what was left on my E30 brush from the violet and just lightly brushed it over the outer 1/3 of my lower lash line. You can skip this if you'd like though. I just like that it gives a little dimension. Then take the light brown shadow and apply it to the bottom lash line. It's a color that's close to my skin tone, so I applied it liberally here. Then I used Tarte's Inner Rim Liner on the outer third of my waterline to brighten and pick up the color even more.
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Step 5: Lastly, just curl your lashes and apply mascara. I used Dior's Diorshow Iconic.
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<b>Face:</b> It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream in Light applied with fingers; Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Treatment Corrector in Fair applied under eye with fingers; Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light applied with Sigma F30; L'Oreal True Match Crayon Correcteur in Fair/Light applied with fingers as concealer; BareMinerals Original Foundation in Fairly Medium applied with Sigma E60 as concealer
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<b>Eyebrows:</b> Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ash Blonde; Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Clear as brow gel
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<b>Cheeks:</b> Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel applied with Ulta Synthetic Kabuki brush as bronzer; Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Adored applied with Real Techniques blush brush; Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in Pink Rose applied to tops of the cheeks
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<b>Lips:</b> Revlon Colorburst Lip Button in Peach Parfait with Limited Edition Lorac Rockin' Red Hot Gloss in Rock Star applied over the top
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<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rl2r62_5cwqvLAw8qcNOvMhMefcD7SX4kl9NJU4r_rn2D4h45hEshmz-R0OdQc5sy1JnBppUiqpwK4g7SuQQDyeSIk86F8jpE_mJc_bDSEEsDjf6Oe0j8tWnsqhy4hyphenhyphen1j_paYj0cDnM_/s1600/marc_jacobs_the_tease_2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage"/>
</div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-21512120837617096232014-05-29T21:01:00.000-05:002014-05-29T21:01:45.626-05:00Simple Natural Look using Chanel Prelude Quad<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mEte9p_BRs_BmFaXosZTHCjmH4081sAW70_sDWpgjw_yeOlcsN6qkB5qxXoEgMo4dAm4hz346lYrEIYNUv-CphahUVScMyuJcwyQ3Ymy8QwWh2M4qu5TtxBzqMSrlKxnwVZFRkcSHpNh/s1600/simple_chanel_prelude_2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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This is a look that has been my go-to for weeks now. It's so simple, it really doesn't need a full "tutorial" but I thought I'd throw it out here anyways. I ordered the Chanel Prelude quad a while ago and was slightly disappointed when I first opened it up - blame it on the huge beautiful palettes that I've been buying lately. When I first used it though, I was in love. The shadows are so absolutely subtly beautiful! If you're looking for a natural smaller palette or quad for travel (and are in the position to spend an obscene amount of money), I'd definitely recommend this one! It'll for sure be the one I travel with, and just reach for anyways.
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<table>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg345xh6_jxN8YTaMpDNxROAWXnQ4rmjxBPfgyzYVpq2BvIo7N_dfjWzJzjDvo5kfUbWDUi-BmqQmtiDuYkk35kTPCnfAaPT6_N6W7PQjXtJyqVVIYaqiaTQSoEgMoQQxIWD4g2B-vzEGfh/s1600/simple_chanel_prelude_step1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oMsPXTRzWGQZX19KTiPb6pz-cOV6A2NObQmkhunTAQ5sgcuusuT-Qur03kBisnNuIF4YKLp85cLI4JpvUDFMFAZnXtAvsjKbqOBZzmRmP9nhkicRaZkIRRs75D7jonzYrHui1MzAc_l0/s1600/simple_chanel_prelude_step2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
</tr>
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<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkRlU3wuv4qSKFA-XN3ok3S4SoFgBxNNfzIG271qNiVKAdh2A3AMDkBxiq0Ul4CIdT1YqxN3_qGtccq_KSiX7ArOecxociiPMDe595-V-0XOD0kk2-HTPQHRjOEpI-5N8hlwJhSXWTeDM/s1600/simple_chanel_prelude_step3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLKmqYhOvxF94OvRdGr-abgSGa6hEOXFCdmhPuCysEP7jcpnWDe0iYVoDcpFoLSJH40LNmz0riccX6GLgpB6VcovhjfK_0XI8lzc8kyGSOFlGPf0tZaSGQUtyXS2GkrPNV8vcaJ-y62Id/s1600/simple_chanel_prelude_step4_3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
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</table>
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Step 1: Apply the top left shade on the outer corner of your top lid like you would a line and flick it out just a little. I used a Sigma E65 Small Angle brush.
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Step 2: Using an E30 pencil brush, apply the bottom left shade on the outer part of your bottom lash line.
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Step 3: Then take the same shade and brush and smudge just a little into your outer crease.
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Step 4: Curl your lashes and apply mascara. I used Dior's Diorshow Iconic
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<b>Face:</b> It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream in Light applied with fingers; Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Treatment Corrector in Fair applied under eye with fingers; Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light applied with Sigma F30; L'Oreal True Match Crayon Correcteur in Fair/Light applied with fingers as concealer; BareMinerals Original Foundation in Fairly Medium applied with Sigma E60 as concealer
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<b>Eyebrows:</b> Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ash Blonde; Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Clear as brow gel
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<b>Cheeks:</b> Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel applied with Ulta Synthetic Kabuki brush as bronzer; Benefit Rockateur blush applied with Real Techniques blush brush
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<b>Lips:</b> Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm
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<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMt0Vbd1qhFvkPJgdft1xNEsKpta7pdoSLEKwkIO-eefSmocflxexm1aczYHnR-YvhhAhBrfWshPP2AdN890QHv8NPgNvwZ_8w224s7VAwTrN8n9v0fOTph73szEYdb1gFdAPasHHfFyF/s1600/simple_chanel_prelude_3.png" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
</div>
Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-18080501978395049642014-04-16T17:51:00.002-05:002014-04-16T17:51:38.022-05:00Urban Decay Naked 3 Tutorial<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0zDUEHFFpV-OS-WZB-W79idGqtr6ZUYNFSmPTskGmOhhGcsYNnDqd0L8FJsQD47ang2wzau8VW_BLc5nC33LtHoBbGhQZeAmm85h803AZTS1tFiQzU6jHrh8UAES1wR057pIuIWH13-x/s1600/naked_3_3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Pigs are flying! I finally used my Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette! Alright, so I only used two shades, but that's way better than I've done over the past 4 months. (Has it really been that long?) This look is super simple and really pretty for the spring. It's just a fresh, bright rosy look. Hope you enjoy!
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<table>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Il10m6d4VYpP1ngewqkxVQhLSRYFkepaF0kVsrpgXc9gpLkcmtKkSErwtXONuvWDx6pkxq6VhPPfXyfomLv0EYgOXvX9PkawzRsTyNArrvkI8prlT6qBao7SPcEQDthf8Gerb5pOELwq/s1600/naked_3_step1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JEEhwXjiA99yUlnWjvCBSsL8GGa1AkXOyM6f075_QKmqN2DHoGSOcp80RrJ5mucRfEuERfmWm1434HKUYsVU9igKPMeUJv1T4kqDBcjVEkuF4dw8Jq27rtpJgdzXVCcovUPdoyxjMj_I/s1600/naked_3_step2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00Y6R3rH2M9-l9kNCNl-B-I1hKgRHkysx_MhRSmvNTsDH3hsnBNftMCIhhcmgPvt1FzqIYFqw2KNVbS0iy3yrygq0K4Y0ZoO9Ic4fklmFjRI9YepWYgyo8sacbU_dImFFIpwg6kA9OI17/s1600/naked_3_step3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidtgPb3v9Of_5rZLE2P_g_UjJ1Jla4kMi_Xh6U8hwd8637B_va-F4g82oVZRbucKKufKyUvXKpXBsq_8KrxyM_a34frydTWnhtQ0gHieu3g8Xhk_MZ2lGgjI-DSHnrhV_RKGUlJOoFkue/s1600/naked_3_step4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNndSlgsTmlmmp5jN9J0efUNzHO3u6romf2cEZICRetgUnHDo_7h7sLRgUMERv7NhlF1fU1BuZ2Rzy3HRpQkc9i4Np_jc9Sh0ur4ys7BPawMR-1RgeOEjrjoxIWKfZscLAB-Ux3OkmTA9/s1600/naked_3_step5.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ul41RlXW3fqU0iwvlw6Nb-SQ-PaylsVkJh3D9-VpYNkUO0m_Y8p54UqECnmSrKpNW9ju0E5uTmp3ID3o4zca5Ou0Vz_dZuoNOEtV_3rXoBtFV4SiaSUdxPrK4NlybMATgYoYXf0inX1o/s1600/naked_3_step5_1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
</tr>
</table>
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Step 1: Start with a base or primer. I uesd a Sigma Eyeshadow Base in Provoke which is just a nude base color. Then apply Burnout over all but the very outer corner of your upper lid.
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Step 2: Apply Buzz in the outer corner.
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Step 3: Line your top lash line with a dark brown to create a softer look. I used Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Damsel.
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Step 4: Line your waterline and inner corner in white. I used Rimmel London Soft Kohl Eye Liner Pencil in 07 Pure White.
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Step 5: Curl your lashes and apply mascara. I used a combination of L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black and L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black.
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<b>Face:</b> It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream in Light applied with Beauty Blender; L'Oreal True Match Crayon Concealer in Fair/Light; YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch in #2; Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light; Tarte Cheek Stain in Fearless
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<b>Eyebrows:</b> Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ash Blonde; Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara as brow gel
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<b>Lips:</b> Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede in Flashing Lights
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH879SE3uIv1EX64xtfiYH4e15xMCWUs8sbO5ZjVGGXkJwWBE07yUcCNbfNdqIBdh90NRQTeHzp0QwVzAZvtRKDLiwE022dBxSFv6xypaVMMC6EObow2VPvGpYv-UmhATgUYvgtk7XixL/s1600/naked_3_2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-90343967229766119752014-04-09T17:24:00.000-05:002014-04-09T17:24:56.278-05:00Hair Chalking<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQWzJG_xF8s1oWr_ctkpdIoU4UN80_AcXlgofhEBpIn9PGkP11xBwZv2rcOut5UB-tZ7af4jj1OFpCcYJ1rvhHnYWaUT_iPdZJ-K1tVm1Ns8SnN8CxCwhmspcSQS60dymRrlqUk0lPxT3/s1600/hair_chalking_1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Today I thought I'd talk about hair chalking. I'm by no means an expert. I've only chalked my hair a few times, but I've tried a couple different ways and thought I'd write down my thoughts. The first time I tried hair chalking was last summer. (The below Instagram picture was from then.) I used chalk pastels - you know, the kind you used in middle school. Real art supplies. I had mine from college and was excited to bust them out even if it wasn't to draw something. I simply used the red, which looks pink in my hair. They say you should wet the chalk somehow, but I applied it dry and it worked just fine. If I had cared about turning my hands red, I would have put a paper towel between my hands and the chalk, but I just got messy. There wasn't really any residual chalk, because the pastel sticks are so compact that you really had to draw on your hair to get the color to come off, but that meant that I didn't worry too much about it coming off all over my clothes. Of course it will come off, since it's just chalk, but it seemed like it would stay pretty well, especially compared to the next way I tried chalking.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QghM8k-id8jrlmAtU0LoBykadAqpZwAlkEKUIlBaly_KsJaYZ_XOVkVYU8zc1pJ8rNq9tzy4eRBp2RwvtaBQjreuu9uWRbPNEO33Ac1kDoJ3uTl41R6txCfo9HNRtFSXPFqmvPfWpNwP/s1600/hair_chalking_3.JPG" />
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I pinned this <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/84724036714213782/" target="_blank">pin</a> on pinterest and that's how I stumbled upon this second way of chalking. I did NOT use the Anastasia Hypercolors, since I wasn't sure how often I'd actually chalk my hair (not really corporate work appropriate), and honestly, I didn't know how well it would work. I used the NYX Primal Colors Pressed Pigments Facepowders. They're vibrant pressed colors. And I didn't use alcohol, just water. I figured that I managed fine with no water the first time, that I didn't need alcohol this time. Plus doesn't alcohol dry out your hair? Anyways, I just wet a cotton pad, rubbed it in the color and pressed my hair between both. What a mess this one made, and I feel like if I rub up against anything, all the color will transfer. The powder was just too soft and chalky and it got everywhere; my black sweatshirt looked like a tornado of yellow hit it. Maybe I was just too aggressive with the yellow because the purple/pink went a little better, but man - still messy.
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So overall, if you're going to chalk, buy supplies made for chalking OR if you don't want to spend the money, go to an art store or craft store and buy yourself a whole box of pastels. (Btw, did you notice I had to do a vertical picture? My hair is so long, that to try and fit it all in in a horizontal picture, it just looked silly with all the extra space on the sides. haha. But I love it!)
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWMQwqRlTpYMfHcP8StgAwDmg7ajcC1usVHtB0tRA2jSmeBFcWaPyDWonlt5KsEmVWo9-kyQ7Lh_kyUlX9DM2Du9bmotXDbRkCPGQf069C0ZezpNaPB9dmmI-ZTXOWzFRZRY60QR4k3-0/s1600/hair_chalking_2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage"/>
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Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-39519336234820196022014-04-03T20:18:00.000-05:002014-04-03T20:18:08.770-05:00Pink Barbie Look<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxWXfzilOeaSlvYXXl0YPOR0M21p_uyJoPiao4YfyJ_cY3RfQr2SI97jJSpDs2nYDyooHMrr6-MOhR77jE1KEfwrvgyfypoZrKL11QnK-1qAstMWjVNuMVYz5CBwdDQY_g6F3__1jhNOW/s1600/pink_barbie_13.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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I was going for a spring tutorial and one thing turned from hot pink to iridescent glitter and then it was barbie. Oh well, it's not like Mother Nature has realized it's spring yet anyways. We're getting more snow as we speak, though how much is still questionable; the weather this winter has seemed to change chaotically. We'll get spring and summer eventually, right? Until then, here's a super girly, hot pink, barbie look. I used the Lorac Pro palette, the Make Up For Ever Glitter in #4 White Violet, and the NYX Primal Colors Pressed Pigments Facepowder. The NYX pigments are not meant to be eye shadows, only for your face, but I threw caution to the wind and used it on my eyes anyways. (I haven't had any issues with it.) If you're worried about it though, the Too Faced Pretty Rebel palette has a bright pink you could use. It's a little deeper, but should give you a fairly similar result.
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<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDZJJ-uQlvf1E0GwIJoAqGcFT-J82pln2wOkTEKbubZc8V5XdZsw3zeYUwm1EMH7pC3Ng4sqK5nyNuG6pM_G6GeGuvg7_n3Kj5mChSq10TR7r1K5NUvag9-aCpqulx7vyxo8soNynwkqy/s1600/pink_barbie_12.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwer8N3GaDhugxdv8rHQLzNaW46rAFYyB6EMp5_-yncPwq2ibl1ZuWQ0KCkgehJhsYLVPeQq9PCpkyAy834IYbxlJvjOAANkEwA6PR3mR9amzXGPHxSgyrB7X8c8YH4hUPQ9YGlMHIPba/s1600/pink_barbie_step1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw8REuiVoh9RgSbYOb37h-UXdGNIM-TlalaNSV8B95-SsatiBBxJGaJsYyOVfnFebJPoYoTbdxeximqx_CRZNS3XuoYJiER7bWdSFsbwdMXge7CCi3JlssyPDf78lZLXtagiToyfCahlQ/s1600/pink_barbie_step2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1smdx1D3TLDYnTS-3UHwzauqyvZoYLxr_KXti9qfbLD3WkZk2svwTRLVC-gN_0uWnYEogCRVbRLxEILPkWrF8S806LMW83vZeTriSz_lTBFHmqJwoqxRtjHSGvuTrM413z5n8RRX36rtx/s1600/pink_barbie_step3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXJB4QEcwlDcAD0j0092lawDRDmqAfzpAYlnVCT_A4miHo8B83riYBm0p0Lqj1EtIp65zRdY5QCt7mEAzkspsaoTJ4c4wxkECIY5AYPLipmPKgBDfyDUTEOBdInTJAvpCD5KSVkLkqPi0/s1600/pink_barbie_step4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjsBmY5k9c0dAKbopMY_yp2xOmrNt-WbK6eozDESCC-cZmJA2VUriwKTdzWD6ulMeQ7k0TENi-JvMdX2GjYLcNLSHRHjquTEs_QgmnURjTENSJe3MNqgoidDe_nXBPvjAOatyXudIVVJ-/s1600/pink_barbie_step5.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLI6PABd-OiuiSJJQVkTCGNlldc9kfnSVmWWZ59QXUA0_L4DVNEociTFJXUFGRKgASSNabsxKgvepWG6mjQrAxdG5736tXjYVedtw3fPkISLRqUhe5sjSDWnfSTbDC0L258xh12H34NXYn/s1600/pink_barbie_step6.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2ez52flOBH0XFLkCPL5Uq7rcpvoRm_BSbvYFAfmRGA6QoggNA-0jguhNWj-BUMTE2tm0mv7Q18x2VMyHuxP4qEFC8k3SNDmsQ8UwZgmeePKQeM8SsOTRfwHt0QptURpQjikxn9JGEUiG/s1600/pink_barbie_step7.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWULhuVqb56LZ3tOrZV3_X5ZiJARlVpspCcRIzWlUDvLXp0uDRS-rfVC1Kzx3UzR0KPqHZqtL06ZRPYVpeIPAulzPNtbd6uBc9Rt9d0PS0yOSAuvGlX3FmUz2o_iGN3095KxeZzP6hxwX/s1600/pink_barbie_step8.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvienPlbqODCHqKvs-BEsM8RWQqCqcOkY1VvOmxvd5_HEleTGV2s6GuIHbg_HIWw9n34561oZCDTk4weudz04eHq4bnMFieQpHwL7OzpX51T6pVmZB54tzisi_7o2S6VcHPgD-EqS-l2p/s1600/pink_barbie_step9.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc1XVYZHcyU210WP1YpSnh5njG34ihocipHCNES7UyS2ibeMlqgntraa497WzJmT-HMWZizarwmM3n-nZThT-0sWpnmWYp9nYidK2m__rhftdwLH15KfaTuyP9XENHzqj11qXhR3r4cU5/s1600/pink_barbie_5.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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Step 1: Apply Sigma Eye Shadow Base in Awake all over you lid.
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Step 2: Apply Champagne as your base color over your lid and bring it down into your inner corner for your hightlight. This is a really sparkly shade that will help make the matte pink have a little shimmer to it and it will also help make sure you don't apply too much of the pink at once.
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Step 3: Take Taupe and apply it into your upper crease and blend up.
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Step 4: Apply Pewter in your crease to add a little dimension. Blend that as well. I also applied Cream as my brow highlight.
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Step 5: Now comes the fun part. Using NYX Primal Colors in Hot Pink, start patting the pink onto your lid. Be careful not to get it in the crease too much and also be careful of fallout from patting this on.
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Step 6: This is optional, but who doesn't like a little glitter. I applied Make Up For Ever's Glitter in #4 all over my lid with my finger. I also let the fallout fall into my inner corner and below it as well for a little extra. (Do I even need to warn how messy this is?)
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Step 7: Take taupe again and apply it on your bottom lid, extending a little up and out on the outer edge. Blend that out.
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Step 8: Apply espresso on the outer third of your bottom lid, just a little to give a deeper look on the outer corner. I like to take an angled brush and press it into my lash line.
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Step 9: Using Black, line your upper lash line making sure to get nice and close to your lash line. If you prefer, you can skip this step and tightline your upper lash line instead. With all the glitter, I decided not to press my luck with irritating my eyes and opted for shadow instead. Then line your eyes with a liquid liner to make sure the line is nice and dark. I used L'Oreal's Carbon Black Lineur Intense.
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Step 11: Phew, this was a lot of steps! Lastly, line your bottom waterline, curl your lashes, and apply mascara. I used Maybelline Unstoppable in Onyx on my waterline and used a combination of L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black and L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Back on my lashes. I applied the Voluminous like I normally do, and then used the Telescopic on the tips of my top lashes to get them a little extra.
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<b>Face:</b> Benefit the POREfessional; Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in shade SB 4.5; YSL Touche Eclat in 2; Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light; Sigma Eye Shadow Base in Composed as contour/bronzer; Tarte Cheek Stain in Fearless
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<b>Eyebrows:</b> Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ash Blonde; Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara as brow gel
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<b>Lips:</b> NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu
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<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5p18o9gksJTYfEa88Tn0fqwVspeFO6Vgvja10jKI3tD5rbAMpVGO77y7CMcTyR_7mjWvNf9eUwiEgnhER145Dzycim2Cllvk90yciU9DPrIXDkyaDvfomo3ku5IIFQEqg0HVxl04UDyz_/s1600/pink_barbie_10.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-69387600774294981312014-04-01T17:29:00.000-05:002014-04-01T17:29:37.576-05:00Maybelline Color Whisper<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjIM4vIe3yQRk4BtcmD4-s_l7CL6G617ezEEoFaJOklMSr-t58lVa2D7HvZ1zRsVohmqqSydl1sKnXNbLoU5BVDyptK78L5lFum0jjQAey0wpssSst_e-nahuEmaU9uNPs9Of5mfFs8Zw/s1600/maybelline_color_whisper_1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Let's talk about the Maybelline Color Whispers. In my last <a href="http://byjessicadawn.blogspot.com/2014/03/life-happens.html">catch up post</a>, I confessed that I went a little crazy in the lip department and it mostly revolved around the whispers. These are seriously great! If you want to see swatches of the entire collection, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RadqT713WCE" target="_blank">Jennifer's youtube video</a> has it all, so no need for me to repeat that here, but I thought I'd go through the ones I have an give you my thoughts on them.
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First though, the Color Whispers are all sheer lip colors, which you can build and get really dark. The consistency is light, but builds to be a little more on the glossy side without any stickiness. They do have a scent, or flavor rather, that is what I would call fruity. It reminds me of fruit loops. Most days I don't notice it, but there have been times that it gets to be a little too much for me. I wouldn't say they're long lasting because they're sheer, but I don't really mind that I need to re-apply. They remind me of more of balm in that way. If you're looking for something that has a bit of a color that's a step up from a balm, the Maybelline Color Whispers are the way to go.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKnUUQzJndGSCoeZWm1pgo1cEdjiGLd2kRWoWXweFnBAWEfr96zo9jB_lyl7gAuwwx_hby9cFgKao7d1OBmixCkBCiv1X_DKVz0dMu3AHv20f1_a_p3_ruGXp6qJzZQ2Zhf7MCTTGUblM/s1600/maybelline_color_whisper_4.jpg" />
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<b>Orange Attitude</b> - This is one I purchased but haven't tried. It's a very daring shade for me being that it's orange. No way around it. I'm hoping it'll be slightly wearable being that these are sheer, but I'll have to let you know. I just thought it'd be a fun shade for spring.
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<b>Pink Possibilities and Coral Ambition</b> - These 2 I bought a while back, probably last summer when I was looking for really light sheer colors that just give your lips a touch of color. Both of these will be great for spring with their light colors - the first is a light, but bright, pink and the second is a light more orange-y coral.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH9GAhJJWeqxlkUbcjZO6LQBAavnddzzQ6Wj7iCzvqGS_RZKlvXwykHiYtDaxUByu_96a4KpTS051_TqnF441JVSqpNUEizUlcT5AQXMcNYVGfSd_7P4_zNF-NRSzJdTnKKVn-4rtXSL6/s1600/maybelline_color_whisper_2.jpg" />
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<b>Who Wore It Red-er</b> - Tied for my #1 favorite. Judging it by the name and the shade in the tube, I would not normally pick this color. It's red and I rarely do a red lip. I don't know what I was thinking, but I purchased it and am so happy I did. On the lips, this is really a pink with a hint of red. It's so unique in that way and will forever be a staple in my lip collection. I have noticed that it seems to get a little more on the red side as the day goes by and I re-apply, but still stays more on the pink side.
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<b>Pin Up Peach</b> - Another favorite. I find myself reaching for this one the most right now, especially with spring right around the corner. It's a sheer, wearable coral that seems to go with just about anything.
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<b>Rose of Attraction</b> - I find this to be a true rose color that you can build. While it's a good color, I find myself reaching for others in the collection that have a similar feel, like the Pin Up Peach for a bit more coral, or Who Wore It Red-er for a bit brighter shade.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2W2S7TBQN9nY5ySGQZ5CmUK89rnCIEXU2qAc2CH1pufnub1EmdifXlD2jfI_ZnYV_OnklYnhDUr0oPOF0C4GaZgaqc7rpwHeMKhmGtIKQqqPsxeEDO7Sh0tbbPw6HPE9YMvQgzFxg9d33/s1600/maybelline_color_whisper_5.jpg" />
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<b>Made-It Mauve</b> - This one's similar to Lust for Blush which has more pink in it. This one is a bit more brown. I like it, but, again, find myself reaching for Lust for Blush and forgetting this one.
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<b>Lust For Blush</b> - This is one of my favorites. It's what I would call a "your lips but better" color. It's a very dusty rose color that gives your lips just a little more color when on.
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<b>Mocha Muse</b> - This one is a nudish brown color. I haven't worn it much at all because it's not really the typical color palette I wear, but I didn't have anything like this one, so I picked it up.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY5H4v9sxsTOr67DlAupvXMaX1ZqkGRz_81__FVdcL05ZvdpEXsNLjL3CKzqO7XQUfHkDl6HruE6ezjrr16OjAZNt19yrEtfjk_C1DbzNEgleVkhIaoxAk2WnRsFnNpC4mebgT7trHQK3/s1600/maybelline_color_whisper_3.jpg" />
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<b>A Plum Prospect</b> - The scary purple packaging and color in the tube. It's not purple though - not even the slightest bit. It's funny because I was actually looking for this EXACT shade but didn't know how to describe it. I just knew it wasn't anything like what I had. This one has about the same brightness as Who Wore It Red-er and is conveniently also tied with it for my #1 favorite. It's a bright pink with just a hint of purple. Yeah, it might be my favorite. Get this one. Seriously.
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<b>Oh La Lilac</b> - A light purple/lilac that's perfect for spring, because, well, that's what I bought it for. The sheer color makes this pretty wearable, so I wouldn't shy away from it just because it really is a lilac.
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Overall, my recommendations are A Plum Prospect, Pin Up Peach, Who Wore It Red-er, and Lust For Blush. But really they're all fantastic. I know I'll be buying more of the collection, they're just that good. =)Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-16571814626803859852014-03-06T21:36:00.000-06:002014-03-06T21:36:32.297-06:00Life HappensAnd sometimes life happens...
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It's been an eventful couple months over here, but I think I'm finally back. I've definitely missed this little part of my life and am excited to get back in the swing of things. I logged into Blogger this week to find out that my <a href="http://byjessicadawn.blogspot.com/2013/11/neutral-eye-using-stilas-in-light-eye.html">Stila In The Light Palette tutorial</a> was featured on <a href="http://www.15minutebeauty.com/" target="_blank">15 Minute Beauty</a>! (Check it out here - <a href="http://www.15minutebeauty.com/2014/03/best-stila-in-the-light-tutorials.html" target="_blank">14 Stila In the Light Palette Tutorials to Try Now!</a>) What a surprise considering I've been neglecting this blog! I can't even explain how excited I was to see that. =)
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I haven't quite decided where I'm going to pick up this blog - if I'll go back and put together specific posts on things that I discovered during the past months, or if I'll just skip it and pick up right now. Until then, here's what you've missed:
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* I went a little crazy with lip products. I'm pretty sure I doubled my collection.<br/>
* I re-discovered the Maybelline Whisper lip colors and now own over half the collection. Oops. =)<br/>
* I've been in love with the Marc Jacobs Lolita eye shadow palette. So worth the money!<br/>
* I purchased the Naked3 palette months ago and haven't touched it. Fail.<br/>
* I excitedly purchased a few Nyx Lip Butters and was disappointed until I watched <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZVMZDyuvgQ" target="_blank">Jennifer's</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjq-T3XnyMo" target="_blank">Alli's</a> reviews.<br/>
* I've totally fallen in love with Maybelline's Master Glaze Blush Sticks.
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I'm sure there's more, but those are the highlights. Hope everyone's been well and having a good start to 2014!Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-30229330444933786642014-01-13T19:16:00.000-06:002014-01-13T19:16:24.396-06:00Makeup Drawer Organization<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeMQTGFY-RRulMltABA8aCKOLUBk5CK90BvC0wgUZwO72riHIVpn6g2-PGzXG5E_gx1-XAxkK9dbsJB75rZMjYLrGhjxy2fZtk3PAWT8QCMDArLp9X7ISNqKvAHqKV9TpxIeYCHmRCQkt/s1600/makeup_drawer_1.jpg" />
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Now that I've done my <a href="http://byjessicadawn.blogspot.com/2014/01/everyday-natural-full-makeup-look.html">everyday natural look</a>, I thought I'd give a look into my makeup drawer organization. This is the drawer that holds everything I would want to use. Things that I always use, things that I'm trying, and others that are just good to have close. All my other makeup is stored away and I just rotate things through this drawer. That way I make sure that I'm trying new products and not buying things that just sit around. All the products used in my everyday natural look are in this drawer except for the foundation. I have been really trying to use a different one, but the Rimmel Match Perfection just always seems to find it's way back into my routine.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1FW8SWjppc9l71ZRSB83Wa5-Mzy1ib4MjWfgYpWwynUx8rzyDacyxqdt9mwx1sv0gsb91xo8BdqSWHtzlfPOKLWimt47VQwMmmT5UZIWdS3UJTe9rU05y9zWorVyIHiKN00s2SEChzUj/s1600/makeup_drawer_2.jpg" />
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From left to right: Revlon Age Defying Foundation in 15 Tender Beige, L'Oreal True Match Concealer Crayon in Fair/Light, (hiding underneath) Tarte Inner Rim Liner, YSL Touche Eclat in #2, Benefit the POREfessional, Maybelline Define-a-brow in Light Blonde, (hiding underneath at the bottom) Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium, L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara, Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss, Tweezerman tweezers, Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Damsel, and L'Oreal Power Volume 24h Black Smoke Mascara
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The foundation is one I'm currently trying and not loving. For something that has to do with age defying, it really creases in the lines on my forehead (not good) and it's way to thick of a foundation without the right coverage. I'm trying really hard to keep using it, but I think this one just might be going away soon. Tarte's Inner Rim Liner is one I've been trying too. Boy, does it sure brighten up your inner rim! It's actually a little hard to get used to, but if that's the effect you're looking for, this is your liner. The Stila Smudge Stick Liner came with my In The Light palette and I've been loving this. Anytime I want to use a pencil liner, this is the one I've wanted, and that's saying something since I've been in love with the Maybelline Unstoppable for years. It's a dark brown color and is just as creamy as the Unstoppable. Would I purchase the Stila one in black instead of the Unstoppable? Just because of the price, I doubt it, but it's still a good liner. The only reason I might is if the Stila one is really truly waterproof. (All others can be found in my <a href="http://byjessicadawn.blogspot.com/2014/01/everyday-natural-full-makeup-look.html">everyday natural look</a> post)
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HaGMNJQJs2k1ptipJ4NFO4lEYioUlyjsoZ3zFr7j9DjGOLMBZkCQDua-t7XHfWBHU2hIgmzeJxcOMiyUttMbSozOMZ62OhB88IOscsDbXlWhSo7Q4hHo68_IJ5DNeS6X3nj6Fwh51Ctx/s1600/makeup_drawer_3.jpg" />
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Clockwise starting at the top left: Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream, Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm, Lorac Behind The Scenes Eye Primer, (top) Sigma Creme de Couture Blush in Strawberry Ambrosia, (bottom) Sigma Creme de Couture Blush in Essence, RiRi for MAC Love Rihanna Bronzing Powder, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light, Bare Minerals Foundation in Fair, Bare Minerals Foundation in Fairly Medium, MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty, Sephora Gold Eyelash Curler, Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
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I'll start with the makeup products. I use the Sigma Strawberry Ambrosia blush the most and I'm trying the Blackberry Essence (it seriously is purple lol). The MAC one is the one I want to use if I'm not doing a softer, natural look with the Strawberry Ambrosia blush. It's just a very nice bright pink. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder is what I'm currently using for my setting powder and the Rihanna MAC bronzer is what I'm currently loving if I use a bronzer. The Bare Minerals Foundations I use for concealer. I use the Fairly Medium on my face and if I have anything I want to cover up on my neck, I'll use the Fair. My neck is always super pale and I do apply a small amount of foundation on my neck, but the Fair concealer still works best.
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As for the rest, the Burt's Bees Lip Balm I just keep around. I actually don't think I like it, but I'm still using it, thinking I'll change my mind, and the eye lash curler is just that. =) I use both the Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream and the Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream on the calluses that I have on the tips of my fingers from playing guitar. I don't think the hand and nail cream is anything really special, but I got a sample of it and thought I'd use it. The Burt's Bees is basically a wax that I use on my skin. It's pretty good if you can not use your fingers for a while. I'll just rub my fingers in there and let it sit for a while. I don't use these all the time, just when my fingers feel extra dry.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZazjfqb9DQENHPcLTiG9JKThHtzEFt8Kd9lsdx-GtJI0YjDlEILidH2MVCZ4DNEJtunu7RSt_PSEBYMTZCCeOigmxHstZFih31BGYHL8Cf1HOcX9fD1IapGlDmO2se3NOMoZT-8jXrOa/s1600/makeup_drawer_4.jpg" />
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From bottom to top, then left to right: Marc Jacobs Lolita Eye Shadow Palette, Make Up For Ever Midnight Glow Eye Shadow Palette, Benefit They're Real Mascara, Maybelline Baby Lips Fierce In Tangy, Maybelline Baby Lips Peach Kiss (extra), L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara, Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara, Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara, Forever 21 Makeup Bag
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I keep two eye shadow palettes out in this drawer. The Make Up For Ever palette you've heard enough about and is my favorite right now. The Marc Jacobs Lolita palette was a Christmas gift that I'm currently trying and of course loving (more to come). In the back, I keep some extra Baby Lips along with mascaras and a makeup bag that I throw in my purse. Since mascara goes bad so much more quickly than other types of makeup, I keep my open ones here. I definitely have a thing for mascaras. I love to try new ones but grow tired of them quickly. The Benefit one was one I liked in the sample and then I quickly grew tired of once I purchased the full size. The L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black was just as good the second time around and is definitely my all-time favorite mascara. The Lancome Hypnose Star mascara was something I purchased based off of great reviews and honestly, I didn't like. It was too dry, it felt like I couldn't coat my lashes enough, and it wore off throughout the day. I guess it was just me? And of course, the Maybelline Great Lash Clear for setting brows.
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That's it! Do you keep a makeup drawer like this where you have all your favorites or do keep your products more spread out?Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-89167131870882188922014-01-08T17:00:00.001-06:002014-01-08T17:00:16.925-06:00Everyday Natural Full Makeup Look<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEks2VT1aoxOhq2Q1-wKfMczORrDh5mchdHJ3-Ud8WPewNDh37EwRP9sCxYiZCc6jr9WWfs0i-x6jJIrVYqj2_d8abEjyparKCfRoN_3OLLLY703ZvMurvXOSOxf6jVMnW7GF4smOSXsL/s1600/natural_everyday_look_4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Today I thought I'd do a full face look. I've started posting the products I'm wearing in the eye tutorials that I do, but thought I'd go ahead and actually give a little more detail about how I use them, what I like about them, ect.
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I start by applying Benefit's the POREfessional to most of my face. I like this because it reduces the size of your pores, aka, it fills them in which makes your skin looks smoother. For me I notice most of the different on my nose and the apples of my cheeks. As far as the primer part of this, I don't personally think it does much, but I like the look it gives me so I keep using it. =) Next I apply my foundation. I've been loving the Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation. (I talked about this in my <a href="http://byjessicadawn.blogspot.com/2014/01/december-2013-favorites.html">december favorites</a>.) I use the color 240 Soft Beige and I apply this with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I pour a little onto the front of my hand and basically dot a little on my face with my finger. Then I just buff it in in a circular motion with the brush. It's exactly the same as you would apply the Bare Minerals Foundation if you're familiar with that, just a liquid foundation and different brush.
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Next I apply my concealer. I haven't found any one magical concealer that works for me, so I've been combining two, which really works out great and stays on all day long even when my face gets super greasy. I first use the L'Oreal True Match Crayon Concealer in Fair/Light. I just apply this with my fingers. Nothing special. It's a very creamy concealer and I love this one especially because it's got the perfect yellow base for my skin. Yellow bases are so hard to find in drugstore products, so I was really excited to find this one. To set it and blend it in a little bit more (since it's a little too yellow over a non-yellow based foundation), I use the Bare Minerals Foundation in Fairly Medium and apply this with the Sigma E60 brush. I find this part really makes it stay in place. For my under eye concealer I use YSL Touche Eclat in 2 Luminous Ivory applied and blend with my fingers. Lately I've been setting everything with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light using a Sigma F30 brush. I'm still testing this out, so I can't say it's better than any other powder. It's just an essentially step to set everything in place.
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Next I simply apply a blush. I've been using Sigma's Creme de Couture Blush in Strawberry Ambrosia applied with Real Techniques duo-fiber face brush lately. I keep this part simple and just apply the blush to the apples and tops of my cheeks - no bronzer, no highlighter, no contouring. Just trying to feel and look like myself here. =)
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Then I go and attempt to do my eyebrows. This is definitely a sore spot in my everyday look. When I was younger I did exactly what you're not supposed to do and tweezed my eyebrows myself, doing WAY too much, and they have never been the same. So I really do "attempt" here. I don't like when people draw on their eyebrows or trim the hair. I just think it looks so un-natural (personal preference) so I try to do as little as possible. Right now I'm just filling them in with Maybelline's Define-a-brow in Light Blonde and then brushing them out with Benefit's Gimme Brow in Light/Medium. Nothing spectacular, just a little something that hopefully evens them out a little.
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Then I do my eye makeup. As much as I love playing around with shadows, I actually don't use any on most days. If I do, I'll do something like this, and all I did was use the Gold Pink eyeshadow from the Make Up For Ever Midnight Glow palette applied all over my lid with a Sigma E70 brush. One shade, and not something that's really noticeable. It just gives a little sparkle. Then I just curl my lashes using a Sephora eyelash curler and apply mascara. Here I used L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara. You can read more about that mascara <a href="http://byjessicadawn.blogspot.com/2013/12/loreal-telescopic-carbon-black-mascara.html">here</a>.
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Lastly is lips, and like all the other things, I keep this super simple. I usually use Maybelline's Baby Lips in Peach Kiss. Here I used Revlon's Snow Pink Lipgloss. Both are very natural and don't have much of a color to them, just a slight tint. And that's it. The foundation and concealer steps are obviously my longest and involve the most, but other than that, I keep it very simple every day.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YzcORtkEuNSKJHgUanKRRUpsfWDkbMkcP8YwiyN05yEuOy-vNCP0tpbejrkkGsskeVKFHjCT_Uy8z3DETIOfvD_2amy6nrAMr02jjBUIhvTq-mk7THP8Cxwvs9By3rpVEgnK2wnCpuvV/s1600/natural_everyday_look_3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
</div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-16202065627276707452014-01-06T16:53:00.000-06:002014-01-06T16:53:41.392-06:00December 2013 Favorites<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwlQgvuxdlzphAsTS7SVkt3sIq7YjXEM71CjT4OLkNdYKmMcXazb8Ypz1ekStHo7qLbscfcQSW1diHxsAgQ2kNPWGq56fhWvS_FLcSk_b8c6Zxb38iaeA-0KWL3YsBKMT_HK0pq8jvVgk/s1600/december_2013_favorites_1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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I hope everyone is having a great New Year! The upper midwest is celebrating by having a high of -13 degrees today. Yes, seriously. I was debating on doing another monthly favorites or doing the yearly favorites that everyone else seems to be doing, but I really haven't been focused on beauty products for the whole year, so here I am with December 2013 Favorites!
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEvUCg8Rv-eCGWAsktyxvobGLnisLq7PA-S7Q78If0yb3tOmuUjIrAnYwESn1-Gx1ssU11rNrCxA4jv8rPqYeuhE-AdhvLIPEykR8gtykltVCFAFdm0EmEcl-ohP99wekWBxYqM4qPkRS/s1600/december_2013_favorites_2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation in 240 Soft Beige and Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
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This brush was really a discovery in November, but since I didn't do November favorites, I thought I'd lump it in here. It's. Amazing. If you use liquid foundation, go buy yourself this brush right now. It will change your life. I used to try so many liquid foundations and just never liked the way they sat on my skin until I bought the beauty blender. But that little baby is expensive. This brush is not and does the same thing. As soon as I used it once, I immediately started pulling out all my old foundations and couldn't wait to see them in a new light. It's that good.
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The Match Perfection foundation has been a favorite lately. I'm actually not looking forward to putting it away for a while to try something new. It feels light, but gives you pretty good coverage. My only complaint is the mouth on the bottle is very wide, so when I pour a little out onto my hand, a lot of times I end up pouring a little more than I mean to. Other than that, it's been really good - definitely one to try if you're looking for a cheaper liquid foundation.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaESXJ8RPhMM2v84tgmUmwya366CyOicDLRSGlwr9t-T23bIu9Mtoa8kSZxWcG-xiq8Wkz7nBWpw66YRzytwmS3Ol4Ku37F-mScw7ytOncdGOboN2GMiz0yoWW0IkbZy96h1JlDEl25A73/s1600/december_2013_favorites_3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Formula X for Sephora Translucents Nail Polish in Remarkable
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Hopefully you can tell from the picture that this polish is a very pale pink. And by very pale, I mean almost white. In some lights I would swear this is white, but it's not. And I've been loving it. It's a little twist on a winter white nail polish. I purchased this one and another Formula X polish after hearing <a href="http://makeupbytiffanyd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tiffany</a> rave about them so much. I personally don't think they're any more spectacular than other polishes, but I included this one because of the color. I just think it's super unique being such a pale pink.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeh9u2IyqgW4WJnBRu70tlQFYvTIjSxwZvDgFuuiucj95ttrMRxK5w_myYpkyONaAb7pQIbJ14PjSPBH81ZQXAAcjSzlP7OWxwPJFdfKzIMjPmaSOVVFFxs_Ww_Bz68_SkS18MWG2_bBp/s1600/december_2013_favorites_4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck
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I got a sample of this a long time ago and had every intention of trying it, but didn't. A little before Christmas I was going through a bunch of old things and came across all the old perfume samples that I kept, thinking I would use them. In the midst of getting rid of all of them, I pulled this one out because, well, it's Taylor. Who doesn't love Taylor. So I thought I'd give it one try and then ditch it in favor for my favorite perfume. Turns out I really love this smell. I wore it to work and throughout the day I kept smelling something good and realizing it was actually me - this perfume. And, it's on sale in a set at Target right now from their Christmas gift sets, so I even scored a good deal on it. =)
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuivfqyAbN06rEOazaz8nA8krqhu-gF6bflzSuOdunJaw0Z8bRMI8R_08MQaQvAgfyovpnOfZ4P75kbGn6l4tWL59X6mheXvYsz19cNGp3I1HaQOnS_8it1di-SBzKMq4tEWBgXtcSRXH/s1600/december_2013_favorites_5.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Sigma Creme de Couture blush in Strawberry Ambrosia
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This blush was part of a limited edition collection by Sigma and is no longer available, so I'll keep it short. I love this color. It's a very pale pink and when applied on your cheeks (well, mine at least), it verges on looking to pale. It's something I have learned to love and have been looking everywhere for a dup for this because when I run out, it's going to be a really sad day.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvXwRRXI3zUvibGXTj93qXRvtfcKSebkv95cldgKq9KmB2isDgyHegqdVBDiK0Q__uqBcrreB2F0uFcrkMV9dmD_1Lzc6pOSejEwmzO7MFTvCpgd565QWCI3GiI3kg2TfsGQwrcXGeAAj/s1600/december_2013_favorites_6.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Make Up For Ever Midnight Glow Palette
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Another limited edition item, sorry, but I had to include it because I've been using it non-stop. For my everyday looks, I rarely do much for eye makeup. In fact, I usually don't use shadow, but this palette has changed that. My favorite is to sweep the rose gold shadow over my whole lid. It gives just enough of a sparkle that makes it feel like you did something a little special, but it's something most people wouldn't notice, making it feel natural. I did a winter look using this palette which you can see <a href="http://byjessicadawn.blogspot.com/2013/11/frosty-winter-look-using-make-up-for.html">here</a>. Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-3330219708801878172013-12-30T20:11:00.000-06:002013-12-30T20:11:59.759-06:00RiRi for Mac 2X Dare Eye Shadow Palette<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyd-XOGG1DF7r8_nFohuQ__TAerd0jvnSeIaBkGxg4gVlhE8M3n3w9dSzz0x8UAVXnBEQELtaYRo2CQtrbMjaGU9kYeCt6C06_8grR-EZqlLC4HigkD6BH_5w1sBNHTIuoPGIalL09TzI/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare6.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Yep, back with another Rihanna for Mac Eye Shadow Palette. This palette, 2X Dare, is pretty similar to the other Rihanna palette, but I'm really glad I got both. They're different just enough to give a slightly different look. I think this could be another really pretty look that you could do for New Year's Eve too. Hope you have a good New Year!
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yw6bY4xryKnL0MDdU6PlezvRcz4zpKbmJhmAe_RUsQmJBUXIozPvekqpLe-lDF1ZH7RAw9Y7cUcG7V216gPKNpEzLgqsgfnLPDoyaufUv_mlSFebzmMUDuoPUhNY6KYlYiCMXBo8GybW/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare_step1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZLPkrlCG_jKFq0hHtJ45FduB8FGq460_bMrY4e_XG6G4Hrj9KLkm6UeaSVqYqD0oTYXLwKzD92oniozfZfY4uNlUksqGWlRNezovUI9F2i0g9UF_Lv6OaSYmkrXArylAbVA_qyso7d7-/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare_step2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsebFBn62obUjfaJDXPYwyRR16BgNJ2YVb110mQAxjxyFchTjoHY1Wzq_WOMTBgkAXbSGkh5IYmucPwXngaeR1LAaxhAB4CkbZwQnizsOjbFKVHEmwuKbsPWyf7E5SsZGA3wsyf0cVckf/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare_step3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
<td>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0zDl14IvkMJFogz48Q4E5RItDMus4sxlQXgZ9CcJr1SfbDll5zdw6Z70snIbv84T4m0a8oNciVRluC4jcynJVaITKZzeNeUCBkqywQ9mwpuyPmjcrdlM91qYamcxcMJ9ugswrwvNhgVP/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare_step4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44G0mE08fdHT2ld3akEy_JMQwutDLn14jB8xBXa7TWG6NTgUbr28JoKR3KbQbGe_bTwQb4AF2cTM12uGd9y1AVyLT3xn5LI8-K5MKvOJq0zHwUGB0CoSIlKlZAtMcipa0sVDwsOM6ozuz/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare_step5.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeKotuxU4_qMPe4tC9yguarfKbT5zuUBLl75qUHxq_KK6bhSy0HjM1Nk645NhwLqSqRiI8G_BhJDmfiN6S_wuSRMd77Xt8WMexGQjQK-bMdn5qOE4xwTpD0a_2sL8J7PxY4ZeYrVibZw_/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLceylOpyrViCvcgByGZKXN-F9gK-Oxeshf0yykeAjGaMwdARYXvfc0OM_6lQuTi56r3cemwm8GzQlHXfnz7SJdKwZVtLFPDSFf_Ic3PgX40oc86vODdw7HsYx2iqR-svFs9gEvg6u10Oz/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare_step6_3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaAyXNHOS8pHFpG_XEIEMt6mXaMKG1GNE8GjWyvos2Cab_05_2wIG0rujxBqXtLoXIecRXj2AQDnjWkKD5VW3Y-MBACfQUnKjUdVImBNc65wSomRhsJGZBt_biPe8F2oOObF3Zgt8cJ3l/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare_step6.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
</td>
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</table>
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Step 1: Apply the second rose gold shadow to the whole top lid, patting into place so that you don't get a ton of fall out.
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Step 2: Apply the first cream shadow in the inner corner and take that down the bottom about a third of the way in. Then apply the third blue-ish shadow in the center of your bottom lid, blending with the cream on the inside and taking it almost to the outer corner.
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Step 3: Apply the darkest shadow on the outer part of your bottom lid, bringing it up just slightly into the top lid area.
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Step 4: Apply the fourth brown shadow on the top part of the outer corner to give a little dimension.
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Step 5: Apply a black liquid liner to the top lid. I used L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense and winged it out just slightly.
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Step 6: Curl your lashes and apply mascara. I used L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black on the top lashes and then used L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black on my bottom lashes and on the ends of my lashes top lashes.
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<b>Face:</b> Benefit the POREfessional; Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 240 Soft Beige; L'Oreal True Match Concealer in Fair/Light, Bare Minerals Foundation as Concealer in Fairly Medium, and YSL Touche Eclat in 2 as under eye concealer; Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 011 Creamy Natural; Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light; Mac Mineralized Blush in Dainty; RiRi for Mac Bronzing Powder
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<b>Eyebrows:</b> Maybelline Define-a-brow in Light Blonde; Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium
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<b>Lips:</b> Revlon Lip Gloss in Snow Pink
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<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW21NnCXot63nMtFWmk60VAnn3KiP59pbAjNgjNSa8JC7CzbfstQa9YQtnUjyq3LaVTOE5frHaBcnwXahZ7b5Klhm_atDQ59pLBMCxgU8kwnWEWZQip2Fe7l67rF6fd3DiQHTimWqWU0Q/s1600/new_years_eve_rihanna_dare4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
</div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-2903193475255526062013-12-29T21:36:00.001-06:002013-12-29T21:36:05.094-06:00Rihanna for Mac New Years Eve Look<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwF50WAcj6Y1WBluoGuyR8jXA4W1jueUk6r7HUqDl3AqINQM6Rb3DG7DbwLt7T-Fc8km_lmUUm1NNYnytzAZtyMqHebRa5KG9NDClEECqReNd2ODn5387AfzRfKdp2EV7hyX164Xb3RJ6/s1600/new_years_eve_riri_woo3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! I really feel blessed this Christmas. Not just because I received a mandolin (yes!!) but because I was able to see all of my family. They have a way of reminding you who you are and keeping you grounded. It's just very special to see (almost) everyone, especially since all the cousins are getting older and starting to have their own kids. It will only get harder for everyone to get together and we always wonder if this will be the last year for this many people to be in the same room at once. Yes, blessed does not even begin to describe it.
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I broke down a while back and decided to join the crowd in the Rihanna for Mac collections. I purchased the RiRi Woo lipstick the first round, but didn't purchase anything the second round. But, there were just too many pretty pictures and videos of the second collection that I knew I had to buy something from the third. I ended up with a few things (read: too many) and am really loving them. This look is using the RiRi for Mac Phresh Out Eye Shadow Palette and RiRi Woo Lipstick which I think is perfect for a simple New Years Eve look because of all the glitter shadows.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4ytJOMHKmetAiDrJwKN8qXHBRGkxWTF6-nu9FghQ3aBTWuR_mswMbQG0AhsRBNfSwED7ZoM1aEF03YOX7CoCP_ITPyA78jx5DOzSp6NUTXwdFwc8gz1yl40udnvFN9La4pCAeMdTXafT/s1600/new_years_eve_riri_woo_step1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBIyt1rHAnAtvyXvQH0V23anzld5CWNq5vXP5-fGlpP-2N1N2RLvCW5YhPqQYp1EuRXyDYV9720URGodBbo1CtmirWxC7yuA8u_ZEklM2_yNfnDAdMnJZNx-EMTFMgzyTeRYcygmRvUUl/s1600/new_years_eve_riri_woo_step2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGyEkdHPbMO3_U4G4j-Wqnpl2Cp6TtQdncMMwStnGzvuEphRxCfQY_rIkiphA_TOa2d2YkaYL7aD8gmChPhfYWDJxu17jh8Q34AAaUukD1tjGn-zWYM8okhEIrFN-SuKz4AcaDnXB4MRk/s1600/new_years_eve_riri_woo_step3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymF4nNNdGPGeOJKuasx2UxfSJbgW68YOTeT3YZYWpaXxKkux1vwKpNF55o83PJa4cLvKbt54qqZ_IZDOvjrGD9pOH6LsMT5YB1YQg7zH-OKYKwhEbjEitge0zB5FomQJIGsXcYpTIpqUb/s1600/new_years_eve_riri_woo_step4.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpdof8Mxhk7mdgQSB90b9TXpDvo1u10PsHztTOyNaAuKXDmHaH5EzLK2Id_ZwGFyfjj-iAtBfASshC9m-L3hnvyiOuY_CSWkyh67Qv7f2alBDQgl7sB_FJ3-lgoUpidrP8p1QJENMnueZ/s1600/new_years_eve_riri_woo_step5.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ikS3iOL9uXsgEjIM3EuEvM6JuYQXYwjQBXV6YI0XgaFcRwAKGWbebkMRLpGCZjhyphenhyphenDAhKGogtFk6S8kTCZiQwer6qTtVYpSoUGl2uTzNAGdf9Eg6I2XkjlrIRQrv75sLOyhtPieKT9tSU/s1600/new_years_eve_riri_woo_step6.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Pq0Pm7m8dwhyMHlODyY5OtLv7Lnf0RUU8Y_X89uhGGgOaj_dcPH6p-qcqZi_7DGOeYTgLL0IEMiFiEA3hU8C4H6HaIOQpLkJ_ezU3yzJzb_it6VWhQ0YCB5VdCM71TqrWRCNOh12eZlY/s1600/new_years_eve_riri_woo_step6_1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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Step 1: Apply Mac Cream Color Base in Pearl to your entire lid. Then apply the middle shadow to the center of your lid, leaving the corners bare.
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Step 2: Apply the second gold shadow to the inner part of your top lid. Then apply the first cream shadow to your inner corner and carry that down about a third of the way under your eye.
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Step 3: Apply the fourth shadow to the outer corner and take this down under the outer third of your lower lash line.
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Step 4: Add a touch of the darkest shadow to your inner corner and blend that out.
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Step 5: Apply the darkest shadow as your top liner. I did just a really thin line.
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Step 6: Curl your lashes and apply mascara. I used L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black and then added a touch of L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black on the ends of my lashes.
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<b>Face:</b> Benefit the POREfessional; Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 240 Soft Beige; L'Oreal True Match Concealer in Fair/Light, Bare Minerals Foundation as Concealer in Fairly Medium, and YSL Touche Eclat in 2 as under eye concealer; Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 011 Creamy Natural; Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light; Mac Mineralized Blush in Dainty; RiRi for Mac Bronzing Powder
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<b>Eyebrows:</b> Maybelline Define-a-brow in Light Blonde; Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium
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<b>Lips:</b> Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in 057 Ravish as liner; Mac RiRi Woo
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<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyLm-4qXI51hZYOUaxFVy08r3SBxZkY0ODfGIIVrDIyfYyENKufHcwgE1wzLPG7m7FWsDU73XGIxQB_I3hIeO76LK-WZ8wBk5JLfs4GUXGwJ53x35M1FN9FtOSrrQypSuaoMivBc4KYOc/s1600/new_years_eve_riri_woo2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage"/>
</div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017602931072176096.post-23632554245941926882013-12-27T18:47:00.000-06:002013-12-27T18:47:15.088-06:00L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuBqAi_ecnlQrOyiuevyLMutp77zhtHBLfA4bXln8Zvv3rammocchlGr4beuu4GplrbdN97baHdzy4lAARwZt0eSLqdORSI9Me7GovLjAwuix3yFWd6EBEIWZyZvGNW7DmhazPjZC-gZm/s1600/loreal_telescopic1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Let's talk mascara. I am in love with the L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara. I also love the Voluminous Carbon Black mascara, but it's a little difficult to work with, which prompted me to pick up the Telescopic mascara in the Carbon Black line. The Carbon Black line is exactly what it sounds like - meant to be a super black mascara, more than usual. The telescopic does not disappoint in this. I think it's even blacker than the Voluminous. To compare these two, the Voluminous is a volumizing more dry formula with a dense bristle wand, while the Telescopic is a lengthening, wet formula with a plastic applicator. (They do have a Telescopic mascara that isn't Carbon Black if you find the Carbon Black mascaras too black, like if you have lighter eye lashes.)
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-eWShVu5qpRHVgkEoQPIanuuchYDMXIcxSE4oHXZICgAkbVlbEwrjCLGGQkwmkeGl_WnmMJhSHLupe-IJe4wcLQojV3pMaG3bJ6AtjqPOnHlsauFrBNv4JyB8V6Ms2tShsjEyjlJKLz3/s1600/loreal_telescopic2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
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Hopefully you can see from the above photo that this wand is a little different. It's a plastic applicator that has four sides. On each of the corners, it has the little spikes that a normal wand has, but it only has four of these. In between the bristles, the wand is flat. I was a little worried that the mascara would pile up on the flat sides and make it difficult to apply, but that hasn't been the case yet.
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This mascara gives me the longest lashes ever, and it holds the curl in my lashes literally all day long. Usually by the end of the day, my lashes start to fall as the mascara wears off, but this is not true with this mascara at all. I should give a disclaimer that I do have really long lashes already, but I noticed such a difference with this mascara that I just had to share. I'm not sure if this mascara will work for everyone, but it's definitely worth a try.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINydc4dXCUCGogegYrH21OxbtRHXCjEU-pfA55TFVUimK6fZZYRFpCa5dz72_5XaMZWQBgCEj5fZp1RDKNYHxAP0VXHtTgXo78oknupUq5qTPWaHcA5QnbH13A6NQS_3Rj8u0TM8ckX-n/s1600/loreal_telescopic_step1.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4Vd7UU98PKlAESanhV9bw0sGK1nISUFOAnqqwIbTtKfNE7hnj-GQe8noUnxFmwttNOUsOp9iZDHOIRUV3znywBeYxWjPO1hkhxPui0aiMCa4GLsRPaYKAy5MFa_aYxmxsxAMPvC2wAOZ/s1600/loreal_telescopic_step2.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aISmzcbhI86mkC_asRDZFeGf-MYuijAVG0mnGnKFRRKXL2CVy3ZVAQrFGHrc8zhOCCs71pG3-QbeHZeToJ68CR0Fl4Qmev3RsvJ64XTJQ-ZeML6oAulfKrrln-w3HQDlg3XsMhizSi5n/s1600/loreal_telescopic_step3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnEyeImage" />
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Photo 1: This is my lashes naturally. You can't tell how long they are since they're pretty straight when they're not curled, but thought I'd show a before picture anyways.
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Photo 2: I curled my lashes. I'm using an eye lash curler from Sephora. I first hold the curl for 5 seconds, then open and close the curler 5 times to really make it stay. I started this technique a couple months ago and have really noticed the difference, no matter what mascara I'm using. So, even if you don't use the Telescopic mascara, give this technique a try and I'll bet you see a difference.
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Photo 3: I applied L'Oreal's Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara. There's no specific way I apply this. I do usually go back after its dry and add a little more to the ends to thicken them up a little. Otherwise, just apply as normal.
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<b>Face:</b> Benefit the POREfessional; Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 240 Soft Beige applied with Real Techniques Expert Face Brush; L'Oreal True Match Concealer in Fair/Light and YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch in 2 as my under eye concealer; Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 011 Creamy Natural; Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle; Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light; Mac Mineralize Blush in Dainty
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<b>Eyebrows:</b> Maybelline New York Define-a-brow in Light Blonde; Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium
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<b>Lips:</b> Mac Cremesheen Glass in Pagoda
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(You can see below, even though I'm looking down, my lashes are still visible above my lash line and look long.)
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<div align="center">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmgQnY7jlDCKAwHcWQnWRH8MIk_qNfzeplOJayUibeR6BF7_YTy0e00xrmZ4SOIY7Sz-tajtn-Bhwo3-VtIyJzdsVho37EHnYV16mmfEIYGDm_PkSK10ubQ0r7ygvTLzKvI6T71ODr50X/s1600/loreal_telescopic3.jpg" class="byJessicaDawnMainImage" />
</div>Jessica Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12134165950445327824noreply@blogger.com