Current Fav's

Here are some of my current favorites! I have been using these either every day or just have fallen in love with the look I achieve with it!

This is the Maybelline Eye Studio quad in Copper Chic. These swatches are with no primer, so when you do use one, the colors are even more intense. The shadows in this quad are very creamy in texture, blend very well, and all have a beautiful sheen to them as you can see. I love these colors for my blue eyes.

On the left is the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Caramel Cool. I wish this was in the permanent line. Sadly, it was limited edition. It is such a beautiful color. I'm sure there is a Mac Paint Pot that is similar

On the right is the L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Amber Rush. This is in their permanent collection, so run out and get it if you haven't already! It's the most perfect Rose Gold eye shadow! You will love it! 

Both of these are great on their own, but also look amazing as bases. I use it with the Maybelline quad picture above every time!

I have been obessessed with this bronzer from The Balm since day 1! It's the Bahama Mama matte bronzer. It is a wonderful contouring powder, even for someone with such fair skin as myself. I love using the Real Techniques contour brush with a light hand. 

This is something in my collection that I have recently rediscovered! I was watching a beautiful tutorial by Sam Schuerman and dug this out to try to recreate that look. This pigment if from Heavenly Naturals, I think, and it's called Passion. I just love the way this looks! It's not as intense copper as the one Sam used, but it does the job! I don't see this exact color on their site anymore, but they have something just as beautiful in their fall 08 collection!

This is a wonderful eye liner! It's from AVON and it's the Jullian Dempsey Kohl liner. I have had this forever and it still glides on smooth. And even those it's a Kohl liner, I can use it in my water line without worrying about smudging all over my face! It won't last 12 hours, but if you don't mind touching up, you'll be fine with this. It comes in a really long pencil and I am down to just 3" left. I will repurchase this product! 

I have had a long running love affair with Milani's Baked Blush in Luminoso! These are very domed products and mine is almost flat I've used it so much. As you can see it has the perfect peachy shimmer without having glitter. It's just the perfect summer blush for me.

And the foundation I've been loving is the L'Oreal True Match. I'm in color C3 Cool Creamy Natural. It has medium coverage and looks so natural on my skin. I just love it! I wish it came with a pump, but otherwise, just love this foundation. I don't notice any oxidization and it wears all day. 

I didn't take a swatch of the Garnier Skin Renew anti-dark circle roller because it doesn't really look like much. It's wonderful for under my eyes for a bit of brightening. 

Don't forget to leave me all your current favorites in the comment section and say NV'ious! 

Born Pretty Wishlist!

I recently found this store via someone's page on YouTube. I couldn't believe how inexpensive their items are! Here's what's on my wishlist now! Tell me which ones you like best!

How gorg is this necklace?  It reminds me so much of one from House of Harlow! And this one is just $2.86!! And if you want to buy multiples, they give you a percentage off! How cool? I especially like this piece for fall!

What a beautiful statement necklace! It comes in 3 colors (pink, blue, and black), all with gold accents. I think this piece would look great with any outfit year round! This necklace is only $6.26! 

I LOVE bow rings! As you can see, it comes in either black or red. Each is just $1.95! They are adjustable, so they will fit any one's finger. I love how dainty these rings are.

This looks perfect for this fall! I love these warm headbands! Comes in  so many colors to coordinate with any outfit. These are only $6.78!

I always see these in hair tutorials on YouTube but have seen where to get them. You can use these cute bows to push back your baby hairs will you style your hair or put on your makeup! How cute right? They have Velcro on the back to hold your hair in place. And the best part....these are just $1.20!!!! You can buy all three at $1.20 each!

And something else that's rockin.....Born Pretty gave me a discount code to save you 10%!! Can't beat that! It only works on things that are not on sale....but at these prices, I know that it's still worth it!! Just use this code at check out to get 10% off: COLT10 

 There are tons of categories like jewelry, makeup, hair accessories, nail art, cell phone accessories, contact lens, and more! Happy shopping all your NV'ious beauties!

FTC Disclosure: Born Pretty offered me a link to share with my readers and if people use the link, I have a chance to review some products for free. I have not/will not receive money for sharing this link or for writing any reviews.

My Makeup Story TAG

I love this tag on YouTube so I wanted to do it here on my blog! I tag anyone who reads this and wants to do it too! Make sure you leave a link to yours in the comment section so I can see it!!

My Makeup Story! 

1. How old were you when you started wearing makeup? 

I think I was about 14. I only wore mascara and lip gloss. I bought brands like Cover Girl, Jane and Wet & Wild. I didn't get really into serious makeup until about 5 years ago. =) Now I love to wear it all! (In moderation of course! No cake-face here!)


2. How did you get into makeup? 

I started getting really into makeup when I discovered the beauty community on YouTube and Blogs. I loved watching MakeupbyRenRen, MakeupbyTiffanyD, and MakeupGeek. I loved MANY, MANY blogs, as I could access them (and not YouTube) at work on my lunch break. I also was selling AVON so I was able to try a wide variety of products at a discounted price.

3. What are some of your favorite brands? 

Some of my favorite brands are Revlon, Maybelline, ELF, Wet & Wild,L'Oreal, Benefit, Urban Decay, Too Faced, Lorac, Laura Gellar,  and The Balm.

4. What does makeup mean to you? 

To me, makeup is a creative outlet and a hobby I love! I began taking the time out of my busy day as a full time working mommy and wife to give myself time to just be alone. As moms, we are always busy taking care of others in our lives (which is amaze and I would never trade it for any other lifestyle!) and it was a time that was just about me and doing something for myself. I found it really relaxing and exciting all at the same time. A few years ago I started doing freelance makeup for weddings, lessons, and events. I love it!

5. If you could only wear 4 products on your face what would they be? 

#1 Concealer
#2 Mascara
#3 Blush
#4 Lip gloss

6. What is your favorite thing about makeup?

My favorite thing about makeup is the creativity and friendship I've found in the online beauty community. I've made so many dear friends that I would have never "met" otherwise. I also love how trends change and looks evolve---things that initially look "eh" to me the first time I see it, then the more I see it on different people, the more I think I'm willing to try something new.
 
7. What do you think about drugstore makeup vs. high end makeup? 

I think that they are very good things in the drugstores and are comparable if not better than some high end items. I think high end usually has better eye shadows as far as color, blend ability, and texture types. Although I will say, the drugstore brands are impressing me all the time. Wet & Wild eyeshadows are amazing!! Maybelline can be hit or miss, depending on what you pick up. Revlon lippies are beautiful and they have a great formula! I love more high end bronzers, as it's easier to find matte formulas. 

8. What is one tip of advice you can give a beginner? 

Don't be afraid to try new things!

9. What is one makeup trend you never understood? 

Totally nude lips---like concealer looking lips. Just don't think it flattered anyone. 

Life Update

Hello all! So here's my promised life update for anyone who cares to read. =) I made a video on my YouTube channel here. 

So here's the basics: 

I was diagnosed in March 2014 with Graves Disease. Basically, it's an auto-immune disease in which my thyroid is overactive-hyperthyroidism. Some of the symptoms of Graves disease are rapid heart rates, swelling of the thyroid gland, sweating and excessive weight loss. I have been very fortunate to experience almost no symptoms. In fact, the only reason I found out I have Grave's is because I went into the Dr. complaining about my esophagus. The Dr told me that I have a hiatal hernia. **I know you are getting jealous now!** 

If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably saw this.

So....the Dr prescribed methimazole, which I had severely bad reactions too. It made me break out in hives and it was miserable. So then they put me on a PTU. I have to take it 3 times a day and I won't lie....I'm not good at getting it three times a day. But so far, I haven't broken out into hives---so yay!

In my video, I also spoke of having an opportunity to teach in public schools in Nashville. I moved back to Nashville, from Virginia, at the end of May. I began a program called The New Teacher Program. They have program sites in many states. Virginia didn't have one and Nashville does. My husband and I had been thinking of moving back for several years and this just seemed like the perfect opportunity! I applied for the program in October 2013 and was officially accepted in December 2013! I had to take two Praxis tests: Elementary Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages. 

I completed a really intensive 5 weeks program---we started with about 160 fellows and less than half completed it with the ability to continue into TNTP academy this upcoming school year as well as teach full time. It's been really tough and a lot of sacrifices have been made, but I got through it and am excited to announce that I will be teaching Kindergarten this fall working mostly with English Language Learners in Nashville!! If anyone is thinking about applying for Teaching Fellows in Nashville or any other city it's in, please feel free to email me and ask as many questions as you like. =) It's been a great experience and I'm happy to help anyone else through it.  I just finished another additional 2 week training called Gear Up and I'm preparing to begin teaching soon! In TN, the kids go back to school on August 6th! 

 I am going to try to start blogging more frequently---I have really missed it! I told myself when I started my YouTube channel that I wouldn't give up blogging---but we all know how that went! I don't often have time to film videos either....and I think it will be easier to keep up blogging. I've got a lot of reviews planned so be on the look out for those! Thank you for your support! It is much appreciated!

Stay NV'ious! ';)

FREE BEAUTY EVENT ALERT!!!

Hello everyone! I've been MIA for a very long time, and for that I do apologize! I will write a post soon updating you guys about all the exciting changes that have happened since I last posted. *I did do an update a while ago on my YouTube channel you can see if you want. ;)*

I know you guys love this site, so I wanted to let you know what's new!

"FreeBeautyEvents.com is a great site where you can enter contents, and find free beauty events in your city! On July 24^th and 25^th you can celebrate Revlon ColorStay’s 20^th Anniversary as America’s #1 long-wear brand at Walgreens with a free makeover! The event goes from 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. and there will be a great gift with purchase, coupons, and a sale. Also check out the TRESemme SaturDate with Beauty on 8/23 for a free Music Award Style Tip Card and a coupon for TRESemme products. Information about free beauty events is available on our website where spas and retailers can promote their events. 

To find out if an event will be near you, just enter your zip code in the upper right hand corner of our home page.

On our site you can enter your zip code to find out what makeover, gift with purchase, spa open houses and sampling events are happening near your home. Readers can also follow us on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter.   In addition to listing in-store makeovers, Freebeautyevents.com also features a blog on product reviews (http://www.freebeautyevents.com/beauty-blog) and a quarterly contest http://www.freebeautyevents.com/contest. We also do contests with smaller prizes on our blog.   

For our latest contest, we will be giving away 5 prizes. Each prize will consist of Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain-Romantic, Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm-Vivacious. Revlon Age Defying Wrinkle Remedy Line Filler, and Simple Facial Wipes, Cleansing. The Contest runs from 7/1/2014 to 9/30/2014, winners will be chosen on 10/1/2014 and notified by 10/15/2014.To enter, all people have to do is go to http://www.freebeautyevents.com/contest and supply their name, email (only used to contact winners), and zip."