my drugstore tried and trues!

i'm a tightwad. really. i only buy expensive beauty bits when i absolutely think it is worth it. looking incredible does not mean a fat wallet. to me, it means being thrifty and paying close attention to what certain products are for- i say this because me, like many others i know, will at one point (or several times) purchase an eyeshadow, a foundation, or a blush, use it once or twice and then chuck it. why? because it doesn't work!  right? sometimes this is true, but i have found that sometimes these cosmetics just weren't used right.

 Let's begin shall we?

 Mabeline's DREAM-SMOOTH mousse
$4 - $6
this may seem like a risk not willing to take, but i beg to differ. these are one of those said products that seem very crappy first use. my theory is because there are two kinds of Maybeline mousse- one in a little glass pot (which in the same container are varied shades of blush and cream shadows as well), and there is the one shown above which is in a compact with a mirror, and a little applicator. if you use the applicator, this foundation is way more than "full coverage" and ends up looking cakey. my tip for success with this product is to wash your hands and fingernails thoroughly, gently smooth a finger over the makeup itself and apply it by hand. don't spread it over your skin- gently pat it like machine gun fire, and then finish with a loose powder, or even pressed powder will do. your skin will look flawless.  *another tip: if you wash your face and moisturize every morning before you put on makeup- wait until your skin soaks in almost all the moisturizer and feels kinda tacky to the touch- it's like the perfect primer for the Mousse foundation.

**Eczema friendly!**

 NYC's Liquid Eyeliner
$2 - $3
  i buy this at Target and i have been for the last 3-4 years. it is unstoppable and i love it. this liquid eyeliner is the type with a little brush at the end, but it's tapered, so it's pretty easy to get the hang of with practice. but it's all a matter of preference. i've never liked the felt tip kind because they typically make a messier application. NYC's eyeliner in Black is actually very dark, unlike most others i have used turn out looking like a softer black, or a gray, if you will. what i love the most about this eyeliner is that it lasts all day without flaking off, and it doesn't burn or sting when you apply it.

 L'OREAL's Neutral matte palette

$4 - $6

i think this Loreal palette is called, "earthscape" but it's not important, what is however is that this is one of the best neutral eye palettes i've come across. not just because of the great colors which have a gorgeous matte finish, but that these work both as a dry shadow, and a wet shadow to achieve a richer pigment. but ditch the little foam applicator, those things usually pop off of the plastic stem within 3 uses anyway. use an eyeshadow brush to apply.

L'OREAL's VOLUMOUS mascara
$6 - $8
Loreal's mascara is incredible any day. it does give volume: the thickness, the length, the oomph you desire to give bambi a run for his money. i have found that even after those late late nights and you find that you have mascara residue still, on a rushed morning you can actually apply this mascara over the aftermath and still look fabulous.

 Suave's MAX HOLD hairspray
$2 - $3
 i typically don't like to mess around with cheap aerosol hairspray unless it's AquaNet, but i'm not even a fan of AquaNet for all over hair stay power. Need an inexpensive hairspray in a pinch? go for Suave's Max Hold hairspray in the spritzer bottle, i love it to death. it gives excellent day long hold when used properly (please spray at 4-6 inches away from your hair). i especially love this hairspray because i like to spritz my hair lightly when i'm curling it. when my curls are cooled and dried, i can brush them out and shape them to my desire without the stickiness and the stiffness- and it really will hold your curls for at least 8 hours, which is a school day/or work day. 

Goody's Satin Fitted Sponge Rollers (37 in set)
$8 - $12
i love these!!! foam/sponge curlers really are my favorite for an overnight set. the set comes with 37 rollers total, 2" curlers, 1" curlers, and 1/2" curlers. i typically use the larges. each little spongey curler is fitted with a satin cover, which i didn't think much about when i first bought the set- but it actually keeps your hair smooth while your set is drying. they are fantastic.
 

**-Now for the pricier, but incredible beauty products that i recommend to you-**

 Davine's Hairspray for Wizards
$25 - $30
 that's right. the label clearly states that this is indeed made for wizards to use. this stuff is incredible, it holds like cement, but is not sticky. it is soft to the touch, and it is actually pliable! so you can mold your hair like playdoh, but it will not fall! it is perfect for you beehivers! you can achieve the tallest most perfect hive. there is no crunchy/stiff feel, a little bit goes a long long way, it washes out surprisingly easily- and listen here: it smells like sugar cookie dough. it's very light and not overpowering. plus- the packaging and label is so delicate and pretty.

 

Kevin Murphy's Powder.Puff

((watch the video below, Kevin tells all about this remarkable product!))

$25 - $30 

MATRIX's BIOLAGE conditioning hair mask
$25 - $30
 i had asked my sister what conditioner i should look for to hydrate and repair my hair after dying and color treating it, and she gave me a jar of this stuff. i had never seen it before and did not know where to find it- but i had to know because after the jar finally was done, i was totally hooked. this conditioner smells very fresh and light. it feels like a thick cream to touch. you leave it in your hair for 3-5 minutes in the shower- shave your legs or whatever, rinse, and you will probably cry because your hair will literally feel like the softest silk in the entire planet. AND your hair will smell so fresh and incredible for days! this stuff will completely repair your hair to it's strongest and softest it will ever be. you can also goop up your hair, wrap it in some saran-wrap and lay out in the sun for an hour and wash it out. and it's the easiest deep conditioning treatment you will never have to pay the salon for.

 Estee Lauder's Pure Color Eyeshadow

$15 - $23

my boyfriend's mom has this little glass-like box, that when opened, has a mirror, and a velvetey brown pigment. it's really dreamy stuff. i've used it only a couple times for special occasions, and it's just flawless. the eyeshadow is so incredibly pigmented that what you see right there is exactly what it will look like when applied to your eyes. it blends remarkably, and is so so sultry. also, this shadow can be layered, and it lasts literally all day and into the night without smudging and fading.

skin skin skin

some people are blessed with low maintenance skin. some people can use whatever soap they want, whatever perfume, whatever laundry soap. some people can relax in any environment and not have to worry about what their skin thinks. i, however, am the opposite. i have had moderate atopic dermatitus my whole life. most people know this skin disorder as

Eczema

1 in 4 children have eczema on and off throughout their childhood, and it usually clears up by the time of puberty. i wished and hoped that my condition would disappear like i had read and researched so thoroughly as a kid. i, like few others had quite the opposite. into the end of middle school, my eczema was full-blown, excruciating,  and there was nothing i could do to ease the pain and inflammation of 24/7 eczema. if you don't have moderate eczema, or know anyone who has it- this is everyday life for me:

to begin- i am going to try to find photos of what mine looks like, i say this because i cannot generalize what mild, moderate or extreme eczema looks like for everyone. this is because the name is for a very vague and mysterious disorder that looks and feels and reacts differently for everyone.

most of the time, my skin looks like this- many irregular shaped red, dry patches that itch and flake.

sometimes it looks like this, they aren't pimples, but small red bumps will appear and disapear and are very itchy as well.

when my eczema is at it's worst, it looks like the two photos above with the acquaintance of red welting and blotches of red/purple.

many people don't notice these physical ailments on people or even understand the excruciating pain, and psychological effects of having eczema. to shed some light, the patches of dry, red, inflamed skin feels like a bad sunburn, rubbed with gravel and poison oak, and a splash of lemon juice. i'm not kidding, it's enough to drive anyone crazy. i remember the itch of my eczema caused me to sratch so much without thinking to where it almost became like a tick. the itch was so intense that i would lose sleep, staying awake scratching all night. even when i was able to sleep, i would have to tape socks over my hands and cut my nails, because scratching in my sleep was actually more dangerous than when i was awake. i often would wake up with blood under my nails and find that i scratched the top layer of my skin off. i couldn't feel the pain, because all i could feel was the itch!

back then, me and my parents didn't know that laundry soap, food, and lotions, the humidity, seasons, and animals could cause this. as well as eczema, i also have asthma and allergies to cats, dogs, pollen, and mold.  there is no cure to any of these three, and it is only treatable. at least now, i figured out that i can't take hot showers, it has to be lukewarm, sometimes cold. too much water irritates my skin, so no longer than a 10-15 minute shower. i cannot be near cats or dogs without completely falling apart. no soaps or lotions with fragrances to smell nice, these usually contain alcohol and other terrible things (i don't recommend these kinds of lotions to anyone anyway). i can only use fragrance-free, lather-free, sensitive formula soaps. i used to use hydrocortisone steroid cream. about 1 tube per shower (all over my body). this is a great temporary relief, but your body becomes addicted to the steroids, and soon your skin will need it more often. i weaned my skin off of the hydrocortisone and started using Curel lotion.

usually $5.99-$12.99 per bottle depending on which kind you buy.

so the red and blue label bottles are greasy to me, and does not soak into my skin, but rather, leaves an oil on top that feels sticky, and itches. my tried and true is the green label bottle. it instantly absorbes into my skin and leaves my skin soft and protected all day! which is incredible. this lotion leaves my skin feeling hydrated and actually doesn't burn. i've tried basically every lotion available. and this is the only brand that works. even aveeno, lubriderm, eucerin, gold bond, jergens and others literally BURN my skin, it feels like a chemical burn on my skin and leaves a stinging sensation after i even washed it off for hours. i use a small, very expensive perscription tube of ointment that is highly toxic to ingest on extreme problem areas. i believe it's still a steroid, but i only have to use a tiny bit to a big surface area and spread it thin. but for anything else i use curel because their website explains all the testing they do to ensure relief and hydration. it is dermatologist tested and approved for dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. see link below.
http://www.curel.com/experts-corner/articles.aspx 

so if you are not perfect like me, and are looking and searching for help, try curel. even if you are afraid of what your skin will do- do not be afraid, and do not let your tempermental skin rule over your life. i used to think i was done for, now i have dreams of modeling on the side because my eczema is mostly under control. i still have bad days every once in awhile, but for the most part, my itchiness can be ignored. thanks to curel, my skin actually feels healthy and flexible, instead of like sandpaper. it saved my life.

Everybody loves Dean Martin

Oh what a lovely character. i've been drooling for a set of the Dean Martin Show. this man is not only so incredibly entertaining with one of the most extensive guest spots on his show than most others. But also, so talented, so hansome, such a sweetheart, and one of the greatest american icons in my opinion. if you don't know much about the Dean Martin show, here's a brief- Dean Martin is the lead host of a variety show that extended through 9 seasons, beginning in 1965-1974. His show aired on NBC every Thursday night at 10:00. His act was hilarious, as he would play a drunken, silly, "playboy". although it is reported that the glass he often held was filled with apple juice. hahaha
i love the man, i think he did an incredible job, as what drew me to this show was the charm of all characters acting candidly, working with mistakes and missed lines. enjoy one of my dear favorite songs he performed:

Everybody Loves Somebody

shoes, booze, and tattoos!

there are many vintage reproduction pieces that i will not venture towards; many dresses made in chinsy cotton or spandex type material are not supportive or strong enough to last and keep it's shape. this is why i enjoy vintage clothing so much- original pieces circa 50's-60's are built to last, while tucking you in and pushing you out giving a woman such a beautiful and intoxicating shape. with stockings, i would have to say that i much prefer to use repoduction seamed stockings made with nylon. they stretch and last very long, given that the owner takes necessary care of them. the stockings of old are unforgiving and tear much too easily for my taste. when it comes down to shoes- i used to be very set on vintage shoes if a lady wants to get all dolled up in the pin up fashion; But i've been swayed of my opinion lately. upon my search for vintage reproduction shoes i am delighted in my findings- and upon further investigation of comments and researching materials these shoes have been constructed with i am excited to say they are trustworthy for some thourugh tromping around.

to begin- www.modcloth.com

candydipped

cheetah cheetah bang

on a wing and a pair (aka the chocolate strawberry shoe)

wind beneath your wingtips (aka the toffee and cream shoe)

the soft serve heel

if you're looking for more a more sassy kind of stomper, trot down to www.pinupgirlclothing.com

satin holiday heel

satin holiday heel in brown

rose-slip shoe

satin pump with chiffon flower heel

 

patent peep toe platform in mint

although some are more expensive than others, they're worth their weight in style and reliability. from what i could tell with the comments left from proud owners, these picks are worth their licks.

Chicks with Tattoos

we live in a day and age where to be surprised, tattooed women is still kinda scandalous. even in a place like this humboldt county where trustafarian paris hilton babes sport skinny dreads down to her booty. and even dudes tromp around in kilts, skirts and drag. awesome. but seems not as much of a zinger than a lady donning some ink. sure sure sure i know it's not all clean cut and conservative like people expect in a working environment. that's cool, so if you get visible tattoos, then be aware that you'll have to cover them up or get over the idea of a desk job or selling insurance. just sayin, most chicks and fellas i know who have tattoos aren't interested in that job field anyway. in my opinion the sleeves are way awesome on a lady, and to be fully honest i really am particular, and a little snobby about what kind of tattoos people choose to be their full sleeve or whatever. if you want the look or whatever you're looking for, please get a collection of images that mean something to you, and not just a bunch of windbars, or a giant icecream cone or that shit. not that i will give someone shit about their giant icecream cone tattoo, but i'll expect a damn good story behind it.
So! on with the point of the post- True FACT: chicks with tattoos are super hot. here's some eye candy...

It's getting colder...

It's getting colder and these times of the year hold very sentimental memories for me. mostly because every school year was basically cloudy days and a freeze that sets in right after Halloween here. me and my friends would run to cover at lunch times to giggle and smoke nat shermans or lucky strikes, and drink tea or coffee and munch on pesto cheese bread from wildberries (amazing stuff that pesto cheese bread is). these days i have a feeling like i have so much that's going to happen, but right around the corner......... because there is!

           That's right everyone. i have signed up to become an Avon Representative! i will be getting my starter supplies tomarrow, and i am so excited! i have been a long time lover of Avon makeup and beauty supplies and i hope that i can effectively share my love and loyalty to their rad products to women and old ladies everywhere!
       Also! i have created an Etsy profile. i don't have a shop yet, but stay tuned, because i have lots of dare i say, adorable and incredible things i want to sell and share with everyone. i've become increasingly interested in knitting lately (probably due to the decreasing temperature). i used to knit and crochet a lot, because my grandmother supplied me with such a cornucopia of needles and yarn i didn't even know what to do with. it was everywhere and i was a very unorganized type of child, so naturally the knitting was equally as unorganized. unfortunately when i had one of my cleaning frenzies i donated all my yarn and threads and wrote off the craft like i didn't care. but i truely do care, especially because everyone loves homemade scarves, hats, mittens and socks, am i right?                                                                            

maybe not.

but really, i am enthralled my yarn! there is so much you can do and make and create! it's incredible!  i was adventuring through etsy and found this lovely girl, an she has inspired me.

i don't have the moxy to make a bacon and eggs scarf, but i have made a cupcake before and there are sooooooo cute and fun!!! i have posted her blog link below. enjoy!  

http://www.twinkiechan.com/blog/

Happy Holidays!
XOXO
...Danae

Turkey Time!

from artyprofiles.com :)

         Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! hopefully your day of thanks will not be like the horror above. have a happy holiday and try not to eat til you can't move.

The Hair is where it's at! (Tutorial 1)

A photo tutorial of my simple curling set that will allow you to achieve an everyday style reminiscent of Miss Monroe. I typically set my hair in curlers overnight, so it will be dry in the morning. But of course you can set your hair doing the day if you have a hot date or whatever for the evening, as long as you have at least 3-4 hours to let your curlers dry, you'll have a successful set. Remember to practice lots!

What you need:

+  1" Curling Brush (the kind that's basically a cylinder with a bunch of spines on it).

+  Rat-Tail Comb

+  Bobby Pins (about 20 or more just in case)

+  Sponge Rollers (these are most comfortable and give great results)

+  Water Mist Bottle

+  HairSpray (aquanet is ideal, but inexpensive suave maxhold works great too).

+  Smoothing Lotion/Creme for hair (anti frizz stuff)

++  Pomade is optional, i recommend layrite, or royal crown. 

i use it to sculpt my bangs, to get that perfect swoopy shape. 

using pomade takes practice though, it's not a hair gel so if you're

feeling adventurous, expect maybe a little frustration.

++  Hair Flowers also optional.

Makeup done for the day. This is my hair washed and air dried overnight. i advise clean hair to start your set.

Step 1. Brush your hair, and rid of all tangles. Use the Rat-tail comb to part to the side. To do this, use the tail end like a pencil and draw a line from the crown of your head to your hairline, then comb over.     (A trick to the most effective part: Take the tail of the comb and line it up vertically from the highest point of the arch of your eyebrow, to your hairline. This point should look the most pleasing).

Step 2. Maintaining your side part, use the tail end of your comb to section out your bang. If it helps, use metal clips or a bobby pin to hold the rest of your hair away. This section should be about 2" wide, this will be the first curl of the set.

Step 3. Comb your sectioned bang away from your part. Mist your section with water, two spritzes are probably fine, you just want your hair to be damp to the touch. Not wet! Comb the section straight, align your roller under the end of your hair section and begin to slowly roll the hair under and under towards your head so it looks like the picture above.

                                                          

**Insert bobby pins to anchor the curl to your scalp because after time they will try to fall out or sag which could make your dried curls sag.**

Step 4. Use your Rat-tail comb to section hair at the side of your head. Remember to draw with the end of the comb, from your side part in a straight line down behind your ear. Comb this section toward your face and pin back the hair behind to stay out of your way. This section will become two curls.

Step 5. From the section you just created split it in half vertically. I usually curl the section toward the back of my head first. Mist it, comb it straight. Align the curler right in front of the sectioned hair ends and curl forward, toward your face. Repeat for the section on your hairline and bobby pin them both tightly. 

Step 6. Directly behind your bang curl, section the hair into a 2" piece. Mist, Comb it straight, curl under and under away from your part; just like the bang curl.

( I know in the pictures it shows i did step 6 before step 5, but it doesn't matter as long as you're keeping your sections clear of unwanted pieces).

Step 7. Section the hair on the other side of your head, and repeat all steps in #5. Mist, comb straight, curl toward the face, and bobby pin them tight.( My blue arrows are to remind you what direction the curlers should be on your head. It's actually very important that you follow them. Curl Direction is like a science, surprisingly, i will post an informational dialogue later about the details of curl direction. For your benefit, look for it soon!)

Step 8. Section hair at the crown of your head. Mist, Comb straight, and curl it under and down, toward the back of your head.

Step 9. Section a piece of hair below the last (on the back of your head). Mist, Comb it straight, and curl under (like the last) downward and bobby pin tight.

Step 10. This is the plan for the rest of the set. Keep in mind that the right side is the back of my head, and the left is behind my ear. So in reality there is another section behind the other ear. The blue curly-q's are the direction you will be curling the rest of your hair. Also: everyone has different hair types and whatnot, so depending on how much hair you have, you may need more, or less curlers. i happen to have a LOT of hair, when it was only 3 inches longer, it took about 11/2 bottles of developer to bleach my hair.

** My hair is all set!**

**Here's a map of the back of the set.**

**Here is a map of what the side should look like- make sure to hairspray all over your curls to lock in the curl factor.**

If you have errands to run like i did this day, wrap up in a bandanna and do what ya gotta do while your hair dries and sets.

Step 11. After about 3-5 hours, disassemble your curlers carefully and slowly to maintain your hair's set. You'll look a bit like Orphan Annie.

Step 12. Use your fingers to split your curls apart, and integrate all the pieces together.

Step 13. Use your curling brush to smooth your curls by setting it at the base of each of your curled "sections" and brush through in the direction that your hair was set. For example in the photo above, remember that the hair on the sides of my head were curled toward my face, so i'm brushing my hair in a circular motion like my hair was set.

**Using the same technique, brush your hair carefully in the direction that your sections were curled.**

**While using the curling brush, begin to shape your hair with your hand to achieve the desired sculpted effect.**

**On the side opposite of your curled bang, comb your hair back and up. The green arrows show how i secure the hair with bobby pins.**

**I don't know about you, but my hair frizzes after curling. i use this guy, the Pantene smoothing creme. i also like John Frieda's. When i put this in my hair, i continue to shape it and curl it under or over, using hairspray periodically to hold my hair when it's just right.**

Add a hairflower where you think it looks best, tease under your hair where you want more volume, a quick once over with hairspray- and you're done!

enjoy your sassiness!