Make me up...Before you GO GO

Hey all.
 So I know this deviates from Home improvement DIY but it does involved another very important topic dear to my heart..

SELF CARE.

now for some self care is reading a good book, to others its showering.. to me its a little of both.. I need my time outs during the day.. and sometimes that's catching up on a magazine or reading.. or baking something I like.. but it has to be something for ME... and one thing that's TOTALLY for me.. is my MAKE UP..

Now.. I'm not a super girly girl.. honestly I'm not.. the color Pink and I have never really been friends..

HOWEVER.. make up and I have had a VERY long standing relationship.. and the photo below can show you why..

This is me.. NO MAKE UP.. not a drop.. now I don't think I look bad by any means.. but I have so  many area that need blending and evening out..

I take the time almost daily to put make up on and do my hair.. as you can see from my haircut its one that needs to be styled or it looks crazy..lol.. so for me, I enjoy taking the time to do this.. I enjoy finding new tips and tricks.. what products work, what don't.. etc etc..

Recently Ive had numerous people tell me they LOVE my make up.. what do I use etc etc.. so I decided to just share with everyone...

Now remember the before.. HERE WE GO.. mind you this seems like a LONG process  but I assure you, I have it down to about a 20 minute science.. 30 today because I kept stopping to take pictures..lol

I start off with a primer.. there are MANY MANY out there.. I feel i need to have a good base to work off of.. sooo I use 2 primers.. One I get included with a kit I will show you at the end of this post.. the other is one I will use until the day I die...lol.. Its Benefits POREfessional.. hides those large pores and its lightly tinted so it blends in those uneven spots..

this photo is of just me myself and I and my friends the Primer twins.. already my skin tone is more even..dark spot and pores minimized.. takes about 2 seconds to apply and a minute or so to dry..

I do a 3 step foundation process.. one step is an under eye concealer.. the next is a cover girl foundation.. its a powder but a liquid.. it comes in a blue compact.. LOVE IT... followed by my bare minerals foundation and warmth. NOW.. i know this sounds like ALOT.. but you apply a little of each. you don't want to look cakey.. you just want to even everything out without washing out your color.. 

I also use the cheapest blush Known to man.. Wet n Wild..lol.. it does the same exact thing an expensive blush I got in a gift set  by Benefit..lol.. who knew.. 20$ for Benefit.. or 2.99 for wet n wild.. if its the same darn thing.. Ill take wet n wild..

AND here we have the finished product... i add my eye liner and some eye make up.. which I will be very sad when it goes.. It was part of the benefit kit I spoke of above.. it came with primer, mascara (now a staple in my bag) as well as a blush and 4 eye shadows.. I don't think, even as much as I love these eye shadows I can justify the amount of money they ask for them..lol

I can however justify the money on the next photos..

I'm sure you have seen the commercials on TV about Bare minerals.. seems like a money grabbing product.. well its way better... I don't suggest buying it through the Internet or TV.. even with there color match guarantee.. Id rather test it out myself.. Head to your local Beauty store.. such as ULTA or Sephora. this is going to sound like ALOT of money but assure you Its A: worth every penny and B: not as expensive as you think...

for 62$ you get the Large Foundation, the regular Size Warmth powder, the regular size Mineral Veil, 3 different size brushes as well as the PRIME TIME primer I spoke of before.. If you were to purchase through the phone or Internet it automatically signs you up to send you a new set EVERY MONTH.. NO NO NO NO.. I have made my last set like this last about 6 months.. so that's 10$ a month for all over coverage.. NOT BAD.. currently less that 1 decent foundation at Rite Aid (Neutrogena sells for 12.99 and your only getting 1 foundation)

TOTALLY WORTH THE PRICE.. also if you go to ULTA and I'm sure Sephora has the same type of program.. Make sure you use your rewards card..(this purchase twice a year gets me over 100$ in free product when I get my rewards certificates.

Another thing I highly suggest getting is a decent mascara.. The one reason I spend money on good eye make up is due to a dry skin issue I have on my eye lids.. were talking Eczema bad.. Not fun.. so the cheaper eye make up's dry out your eyes (which I don't need) This mascara can take the finest and shortest of eye lashes and make them SUPER LONG.. if your like me and like the OMGOODNESS fake lash look add a second coat. This item is normally 32$ however I go to the grab n go section of ulta. Half the size for 10$, SCORE

The only piece of my make up collection I actually spend full price on is this tube of happiness right here.. This is a primer/pore minimizer all in one. ITS LIQUID GOLD IN A TUBE... a little goes a long way.. the tube is actually a very good size and has lasted me quite a while  now.. It has a bit of tint to it.. but doesn't change your skin color. it just evens out the tone.. and best part.. YOU CANT SEE MY PORES.. a nice smooth surface for my canvas when I start..

Remember.. Make up can be fun.. If you've never worn make up before you probably don't want to start with the amount I end up using.. but getting say the bare  minerals kit and a  nice eye shadow that has neutral tones for everyday wear, could be a perfect start for you.. I'm not saying we have to hide our natural beauty.. I'm saying enhance what you have.. we are all beautiful and I know this because I know most of you who follow the blog.. and the ones I don't personally know have some amazing hearts and kind words to say.That alone makes you beautiful...

I have a friend who just loves her skin the way it is.. doesn't want to feel like she is hiding it.. but she adds a touch of eye shadow and mascara.. and voila.. her eyes are now enhanced and you can see there beauty.. 

for me.. its less about my final appearance and more about how it makes me feel.. I feel beautiful when I put my make up.. taking the time for ME.. something I enjoy..Also.. its something that helps me start my day.. I'm not gonna sit around on the couch in make up all day.. I'm gonna be active and get things done.. 

So.. that's the make up routine.. for those of you who have been asking me personally what I do for my make up.. here ya go.. and for those who didn't ask..lol.. sorry :( I will be posting backups of Kelly's blog tips as well as some updated bathroom photos today as well..)

Much Love and Blessings on this Tuesday...

Shanun