I feel it necessary to explain my lack of blogging lately. I know, I'm trying to post something once a week, but psh. I'm a realist. (See the title.) I've been supremely busy with the American River Review (I'm Gallery Director this year) and a few other projects going on. One of my clients is very ill, and I'm worried about him. Orange Lounge Radio has been nominated for a Podcast Award (vote for us please!), I went to Disneyland where I promptly got sick and have been sick for over a week.
Monday was Halloween, and while I don't particularly celebrate it anymore, I took the opportunity to glam up a bit. I'd been feeling horrendous all day, and I still felt crappy, but dang it, we were going to see Ghostbusters at the movie theater, and I wanted to have fun. I did white and faint pink eyeshadow, dark thick black eyeliner, heavy mascara (which always makes me look like I'm wearing falsies), and a really cute casual outfit. The result? I was still sniffly, still tired, but emotionally, I felt great and had a really good time.
Just goes to show, there's some benefits to this girly stuff after all.
Take care, Gals!
-J
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Lip Care - A must!
This one should be a huge "duh" when it comes to taking care of your face in general, but a lot of people don't really pay attention to it. Well, I am. Why? Because winter will be here before too long, and everyone's going to look chapped. Well, maybe not everyone. I personally have had an on-going problem with chapped lips ever since I was in high school band, so here's what I do to keep them healthy and un-peely.
Exfoliate!
You don't need to buy any expensive special "lip exfoliator". There are ways of doing this safely and gently. Here are a few tips:
These are all super easy. Here's a recipe I found at bellasugar for a sugar scrub:
See? Most of us have this at home. It works wonders!
Moisturize!
Your lips need the moisture, too! I actually use just a touch of cocoa butter-infused baby oil (I use Johnson's Baby Oil with Shea and Cocoa Butter) after I've rinsed off the scrub. I don't wear lipstick because of skin sensitivities, but I do love Burt's Bees lip gloss. I also use Burt's Bees Lip Balm (the tinted ones are nice, too) whenever I feel a little dry. I haven't had a problem with moisture since I've started using these products on a regular basis.
--
There's a few warnings I do want to pass on, and I'm not being some hippie eco-chick or anything by saying this.
Be careful with your lip products: Petroleum products are not good for you to use on your skin every day simply because the skin should be allowed to breathe. Some of the dyes and other chemicals in lipsticks are considered low-to-moderate hazard, meaning there is a degree of toxicity and people with sensitivities (like me) could react to them. Read the labels and be aware of what you're using.
If you're worried about what's in your cosmetics, try using the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. It's fairly complete and should help you make an educated decision.
It's also a good idea to switch things up. If you are normally someone who wears a ton of lipstick, try putting the makeup emphasis on your eyes and going with just a little gloss for your lips. They need a day off every now and again, too! Sometimes the best way to bring your lips out in a natural manner is just to use a little highlighter or white eyeliner outside your natural lip line. Blend it well, and your natural lip color will stand out.
I hope you've all found this useful! Leave me a comment to let me know what you do to keep your lips healthy or what products you like.
J!
Exfoliate!
You don't need to buy any expensive special "lip exfoliator". There are ways of doing this safely and gently. Here are a few tips:
- Use a wet washcloth or face buffer (gently!)
- Make a sugar scrub (or use dead sea salts)
- Use a soft toothbrush
These are all super easy. Here's a recipe I found at bellasugar for a sugar scrub:
All you'll need is a teaspoon of olive oil, a teaspoon of honey, two teaspoons of white granulated sugar, and a dash of lemon juice. Mix these ingredients together to make a sugary paste. Then use your finger or a toothbrush to gently sweep the mixture back and forth on your lips. The result: Softer, smoother lips for not a lot of money.
See? Most of us have this at home. It works wonders!
Moisturize!
Your lips need the moisture, too! I actually use just a touch of cocoa butter-infused baby oil (I use Johnson's Baby Oil with Shea and Cocoa Butter) after I've rinsed off the scrub. I don't wear lipstick because of skin sensitivities, but I do love Burt's Bees lip gloss. I also use Burt's Bees Lip Balm (the tinted ones are nice, too) whenever I feel a little dry. I haven't had a problem with moisture since I've started using these products on a regular basis.
--
There's a few warnings I do want to pass on, and I'm not being some hippie eco-chick or anything by saying this.
Be careful with your lip products: Petroleum products are not good for you to use on your skin every day simply because the skin should be allowed to breathe. Some of the dyes and other chemicals in lipsticks are considered low-to-moderate hazard, meaning there is a degree of toxicity and people with sensitivities (like me) could react to them. Read the labels and be aware of what you're using.
If you're worried about what's in your cosmetics, try using the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. It's fairly complete and should help you make an educated decision.
It's also a good idea to switch things up. If you are normally someone who wears a ton of lipstick, try putting the makeup emphasis on your eyes and going with just a little gloss for your lips. They need a day off every now and again, too! Sometimes the best way to bring your lips out in a natural manner is just to use a little highlighter or white eyeliner outside your natural lip line. Blend it well, and your natural lip color will stand out.
I hope you've all found this useful! Leave me a comment to let me know what you do to keep your lips healthy or what products you like.
J!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Product Review: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil
I've had a lot of people suggest Argan oil to me to use in my thick, coarse, curly hair. I've been told that it will control frizzies, make it shine, and keep it healthy. Well, when they used it at the hair place I go to, it just felt a bit sticky, and after a day or so, my hair felt greasy. When I saw Organix Moroccan Argan Oil on sale, I decided to give it another chance.
First off, what is Argan oil? Here's how Wikipedia defines it:
And here's what it looks like:
The plant has been used for centuries as a hair and skin treatment as well as used in cooking as a dip and dressing given that it's rich in essential fatty acids. These same fatty acids make the oil fantastic for hair and skin, much like how one finds olive oil treatments and the like. The pure oil can be pricey, so the best thing to look for are good blends.
That's where this product comes in: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil.
Now Organix makes a number of Argan oil products like shampoos and conditioners, but I used the Penetrating Oil. I've been using it for about a month now, and I really like it as long as I don't accidentally use too much. It does have a habit of pouring quickly from the bottle.
It feels rather sticky at first use, but it spreads evenly through the hair, and only a small bit needs to be used. I use it immediately after a shower once my hair has been towel-dried enough to keep it from being drippy, and make sure there's an even coat of it through my hair. I always let my hair air dry as it tends to dry out quickly, so once it was dry, I took a picture.
This is an unedited shot of my hair after it dried:
I haven't combed or picked my hair other than running my fingers through it. There's a little frizz, but no where near the amount I usually have, and the curls and waves are well-defined. It's also quite shiny under the light and the color comes out a bit richer. The photo is just a bit blurry (sorry), so it's hard to see some of the definition, but the ends also look a bit healthier.
Overall, I really like it. The one drawback is that I can't go as long between hair washings as I normally do. Again, because I am prone to very dry hair, I only wash it every three to four days unless I've been working hard at the gym or have been swimming (thinner oilier hair needs washing more often). With the Argan oil, I have to do it every two to three days or it feels dirtier than it is. If I use less of the oil and use it in conjunction with my regular leave-in conditioner, then I can stick to my usual three to four days.
If any of you have tried a different brand or have anything to share on your experiences, please leave a comment below!
J!
First off, what is Argan oil? Here's how Wikipedia defines it:
The Argan (Argania spinosa) is a species of tree endemic to the calcareous semi-desert Sous valley of southwestern Morocco and to the Algerian region of Tindouf in the western Mediterranean region. It is the sole species in the genus Argania.
Argan grows to 8-10 metres high, and live to 150–200 years old. They are thorny, with gnarled trunks. The leaves are small, 2–4 cm long, oval with a rounded apex. The flowers are small, with five pale yellow-green petals; flowering is in April. The fruit is 2–4 cm long and 1.5–3 cm broad, with a thick, bitter peel surrounding a sweet-smelling but unpleasantly flavoured layer of pulpy pericarp. This surrounds the very hard nut, which contains one (occasionally two or three) small, oil-rich seeds. The fruit takes over a year to mature, ripening in June to July of the following year.
And here's what it looks like:
The plant has been used for centuries as a hair and skin treatment as well as used in cooking as a dip and dressing given that it's rich in essential fatty acids. These same fatty acids make the oil fantastic for hair and skin, much like how one finds olive oil treatments and the like. The pure oil can be pricey, so the best thing to look for are good blends.
That's where this product comes in: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil.
Now Organix makes a number of Argan oil products like shampoos and conditioners, but I used the Penetrating Oil. I've been using it for about a month now, and I really like it as long as I don't accidentally use too much. It does have a habit of pouring quickly from the bottle.
It feels rather sticky at first use, but it spreads evenly through the hair, and only a small bit needs to be used. I use it immediately after a shower once my hair has been towel-dried enough to keep it from being drippy, and make sure there's an even coat of it through my hair. I always let my hair air dry as it tends to dry out quickly, so once it was dry, I took a picture.
This is an unedited shot of my hair after it dried:
I haven't combed or picked my hair other than running my fingers through it. There's a little frizz, but no where near the amount I usually have, and the curls and waves are well-defined. It's also quite shiny under the light and the color comes out a bit richer. The photo is just a bit blurry (sorry), so it's hard to see some of the definition, but the ends also look a bit healthier.
Overall, I really like it. The one drawback is that I can't go as long between hair washings as I normally do. Again, because I am prone to very dry hair, I only wash it every three to four days unless I've been working hard at the gym or have been swimming (thinner oilier hair needs washing more often). With the Argan oil, I have to do it every two to three days or it feels dirtier than it is. If I use less of the oil and use it in conjunction with my regular leave-in conditioner, then I can stick to my usual three to four days.
If any of you have tried a different brand or have anything to share on your experiences, please leave a comment below!
J!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Multiple Haircolor Disorder
I'm sure many of us have gone through the whole hair chameleon thing. When I was super gothy, I had hair that was black in front, black on the underside, and blood red everywhere else. It's been completely unnaturally red, coppery red, dark brown, black, purple, tree green... you name it, my hair's probably been it. I started using Palty Sakura Creamy because I heard the dye really blends older colors well, will lighten darker dyed hair, and I loved the color.
The color on the box is very much a creamy red, slightly coppery, but subdued. It's a gorgeous color, and I fell in love with it immediately. This is what it looks like when my hair is freshly dyed.
Sadly, this does NOT last. My natural hair color is a sort of mousy brown that picks up a little red in the winter and a little blonde in the summer. I love having some red in my hair, and was a little upset when the color was gone in three weeks. The last time I dyed my hair was about two months ago, and this is what color my hair is now.
These were taken directly in front of the bathroom lights. (Please don't judge my poorly-styled hair; I'm getting it cut and dying it later.) As you can see, it's pretty darn blonde except for my roots. It's a lovely golden color, and I don't really hate it. My hubby loves it, as do most of my friends, and a ton of people says it's very youthful on me. As you can see, however, it's NOT a creamy red.
Now, I understand why it's like this. Palty dye is meant for Japanese hair, meaning it will lift black. When one bleaches black hair, it turns orange initially, and I'm positive the dye takes that into account. When you bleach a lighter brown, it turns blonde. Mine will turn near-platinum with 20 minutes of 40 volume peroxide. That being said, as much as I love the Palty dye, I may have to give up using it if I don't find a color that will last better.
This is really hard for me, since I love nearly everything about Palty dye. It smells nice, it leaves my hair in decent condition, and the applicator bottle makes things so easy (I even saved one in case I change back to American dyes.) The only things I don't like is the super-tiny conditioner packet and that not as much seems to come in the bottle as American dyes.
Since my hair comes out this blonde color after a couple of weeks, I'm considering trying a different Palty color to see if I have the same issue. I'm considering Maple Doughnut.
It's pretty much the color the Sakura Creamy fades into, and I think it might be more consistent to where I don't have to worry about it changing colors on me. I still have three boxes of Sakura Creamy left, which means one box for my next dye job and probably two for the one after since I'm growing out my hair.
Ah well, First World Problems and all of that, but hopefully my experience with this helps shed some light on any person of Caucasian origin who might think Palty dye looks interesting enough to try. If your hair is brown, THE RED WILL FADE. Not in a bad way, but... it will.
J!
The color on the box is very much a creamy red, slightly coppery, but subdued. It's a gorgeous color, and I fell in love with it immediately. This is what it looks like when my hair is freshly dyed.
Sadly, this does NOT last. My natural hair color is a sort of mousy brown that picks up a little red in the winter and a little blonde in the summer. I love having some red in my hair, and was a little upset when the color was gone in three weeks. The last time I dyed my hair was about two months ago, and this is what color my hair is now.
These were taken directly in front of the bathroom lights. (Please don't judge my poorly-styled hair; I'm getting it cut and dying it later.) As you can see, it's pretty darn blonde except for my roots. It's a lovely golden color, and I don't really hate it. My hubby loves it, as do most of my friends, and a ton of people says it's very youthful on me. As you can see, however, it's NOT a creamy red.
Now, I understand why it's like this. Palty dye is meant for Japanese hair, meaning it will lift black. When one bleaches black hair, it turns orange initially, and I'm positive the dye takes that into account. When you bleach a lighter brown, it turns blonde. Mine will turn near-platinum with 20 minutes of 40 volume peroxide. That being said, as much as I love the Palty dye, I may have to give up using it if I don't find a color that will last better.
This is really hard for me, since I love nearly everything about Palty dye. It smells nice, it leaves my hair in decent condition, and the applicator bottle makes things so easy (I even saved one in case I change back to American dyes.) The only things I don't like is the super-tiny conditioner packet and that not as much seems to come in the bottle as American dyes.
Since my hair comes out this blonde color after a couple of weeks, I'm considering trying a different Palty color to see if I have the same issue. I'm considering Maple Doughnut.
It's pretty much the color the Sakura Creamy fades into, and I think it might be more consistent to where I don't have to worry about it changing colors on me. I still have three boxes of Sakura Creamy left, which means one box for my next dye job and probably two for the one after since I'm growing out my hair.
Ah well, First World Problems and all of that, but hopefully my experience with this helps shed some light on any person of Caucasian origin who might think Palty dye looks interesting enough to try. If your hair is brown, THE RED WILL FADE. Not in a bad way, but... it will.
J!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Falling In Love With Fall
It's hot here in Citrus Heights, CA. We're in the Sacramento Valley, so air gets trapped in this pocket during the day with the hottest part being in the later part of the afternoon. Of course, all the stores are already getting ready for Autumn fashions, and our friends overseas are no exception. I've been looking over blogs lately to get ideas, and so far, I'm falling in love.
I'm seeing a big trend going towards preppy/retro styles. (Read Mitsu's Egoist and Titty&co report.) Seeing everything from 70s prints to preppy sweaters to classic flower print dresses with cardigans has really made me think that fashion is going to be pretty fun during the transitional months until it gets too cold for that much leg. 80s-style suspenders are also coming in (*shudder*) and many earth tones and rich brick colors are to be seen (and some purples). Personally, I'm pleased to see the rather retro-classy look associated with Egoist and Laguna Moon this upcoming season.
So far, this is one of my favorite offerings from Laguna Moon. It's well-defined, classy, and still feminine, but overall it's still a functional outfit. It's perfect for cooler summer to fall nights and can easily be dressed up for a work day or for going out.
Now, the other side of my fashion tastes spectrum is d.i.a., which sadly has no online shop.(I again need to link to one of Mitsu's posts to show you pictures as I have a hard time finding anything online other than through Rakuten.) This store, to me, screams OraOra-gyaru-kei. It's fun with a bit of bad-girl edge to it, and what I love overall is the emphasis on monochromes with splashes of gold or something else bright. It's sexy and creative.
That's it for this blog entry. I'll think of something more exciting to do later, I promise.
J!
I'm seeing a big trend going towards preppy/retro styles. (Read Mitsu's Egoist and Titty&co report.) Seeing everything from 70s prints to preppy sweaters to classic flower print dresses with cardigans has really made me think that fashion is going to be pretty fun during the transitional months until it gets too cold for that much leg. 80s-style suspenders are also coming in (*shudder*) and many earth tones and rich brick colors are to be seen (and some purples). Personally, I'm pleased to see the rather retro-classy look associated with Egoist and Laguna Moon this upcoming season.
Now, the other side of my fashion tastes spectrum is d.i.a., which sadly has no online shop.(I again need to link to one of Mitsu's posts to show you pictures as I have a hard time finding anything online other than through Rakuten.) This store, to me, screams OraOra-gyaru-kei. It's fun with a bit of bad-girl edge to it, and what I love overall is the emphasis on monochromes with splashes of gold or something else bright. It's sexy and creative.
That's it for this blog entry. I'll think of something more exciting to do later, I promise.
J!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Make Up Battle! Urban Decay vs e.l.f.
Are you on a budget but want the joy that is the Urban Decay Naked palette? Loads of Gals swear by it not just for the use it has as an eye shadow palette, but for it's use in contouring, especially on the nose. There actually is an alternative. First off, however, let's look at Urban Decay.
What have we here? Twelve colors and a dual-ended pencil are included for your $48.00. There's tones included for smokey looks as well as deep neutral colors as well, with a combination of cool and warm tones to make any skin tone happy.
Where does that leave e.l.f.'s offering? Let's have a look.
This is a photo of the set I just bought, which I think is a few months old to be honest. You get twelve colors, a pencil, and applicator. There's some nice matte shades and a few shinier ones, so you have your contouring colors as well, and it has the same range of tones the Urban Decay set has. It also retailed for $5.00, though I purchased mine for $4.00 as it was an older package. This regularly gets re-released, and I think it's a great buy.
I'll be posting pictures of what I've done with it soon, so keep your eyes here!
J!
What have we here? Twelve colors and a dual-ended pencil are included for your $48.00. There's tones included for smokey looks as well as deep neutral colors as well, with a combination of cool and warm tones to make any skin tone happy.
Where does that leave e.l.f.'s offering? Let's have a look.
This is a photo of the set I just bought, which I think is a few months old to be honest. You get twelve colors, a pencil, and applicator. There's some nice matte shades and a few shinier ones, so you have your contouring colors as well, and it has the same range of tones the Urban Decay set has. It also retailed for $5.00, though I purchased mine for $4.00 as it was an older package. This regularly gets re-released, and I think it's a great buy.
I'll be posting pictures of what I've done with it soon, so keep your eyes here!
J!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Why does it say 2000 kcal on my labels?
Seriously, I can't eat that much unless someone takes me to the Cheesecake Factory. 2000 kcal is a lot of food for some people! I see Gals restrict themselves severely, while some tend to hover between 1200 and 1500 kcal diets. I use SparkPeople as my calorie tracker, and it says I should have 1500 - 1850 kcal per day. The food labels don't care! They all say 2000 as the standard. Where did that come from?
I did some digging, and apparently it was the FDA standard established after rounding from 2350, which was the standard for post-menopausal women. It was easy to establish food plans with it, a nice round number that was easier for people to remember, and represented the aspect of the population with the highest average level of weight gain.
Should we all be sticking to 2000 kcal? Well, that depends on your genes, level of activity, and your own body. Don't go hungry, but don't eat until you're stuffed. Be mindful of portion sizes and eat your fruits and veggies. Here's some good visual references:
What One Serving of Fruits and Vegetables Looks Like from The Kitchn
A Visual Guide to Fruits and Veggies from The Chow
Another Visual Guide to Serving Sizes from HealthUnit
Now I'm not a nutritionist/doctor/physical trainer/blahblah, but I do my research. Hopefully the stuff I found will help my readers out, too. =) What good is it if you don't share?
J!
I did some digging, and apparently it was the FDA standard established after rounding from 2350, which was the standard for post-menopausal women. It was easy to establish food plans with it, a nice round number that was easier for people to remember, and represented the aspect of the population with the highest average level of weight gain.
Should we all be sticking to 2000 kcal? Well, that depends on your genes, level of activity, and your own body. Don't go hungry, but don't eat until you're stuffed. Be mindful of portion sizes and eat your fruits and veggies. Here's some good visual references:
What One Serving of Fruits and Vegetables Looks Like from The Kitchn
A Visual Guide to Fruits and Veggies from The Chow
Another Visual Guide to Serving Sizes from HealthUnit
Now I'm not a nutritionist/doctor/physical trainer/blahblah, but I do my research. Hopefully the stuff I found will help my readers out, too. =) What good is it if you don't share?
J!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Bicycle Race! (cue Queen)
First of all, I'd like to welcome my new followers! Greetings!
I'm going to jump back today to the whole health and fitness thingie today. No, really, it's not a lecture, just sharing a few things. First of all, this is my pride and joy right now:
This is my bike, an Electra Townie 21d. I LOVE my bike. I really hadn't ridden a bike regularly for quite some time now, so I'm excited to have the chance again. The problem is that my body isn't used to the work, so it's like I'm training myself all over again. I can go farther and farther every day, and my time is improving, so before too long, I'll be able to ride my bike all day without worries.
A lap around my neighborhood block is about 2.5 miles, according to Google Maps. Well, I did that twice and another mile, so 6 miles for me is pretty good. I have to stop because my butt gets sore while I'm getting used to it! Still, I can go farther every day, and while the scale hasn't twitched much, my clothes are already fitting better.
So why the bike? Well, I kept reading about all of my friends in Japan who bike to work or wherever they need to go and ride public transportation for the rest. I'd be saving something like $40 in gas and getting exercise! A number of friends lost weight when they moved to Japan from eating better quality/lower quantity food and regular exercise (like bike riding). I'm inspired by that. =)
So watch out, California. Look for that green blur on her way to the Farmer's Market!
J!
I'm going to jump back today to the whole health and fitness thingie today. No, really, it's not a lecture, just sharing a few things. First of all, this is my pride and joy right now:
This is my bike, an Electra Townie 21d. I LOVE my bike. I really hadn't ridden a bike regularly for quite some time now, so I'm excited to have the chance again. The problem is that my body isn't used to the work, so it's like I'm training myself all over again. I can go farther and farther every day, and my time is improving, so before too long, I'll be able to ride my bike all day without worries.
A lap around my neighborhood block is about 2.5 miles, according to Google Maps. Well, I did that twice and another mile, so 6 miles for me is pretty good. I have to stop because my butt gets sore while I'm getting used to it! Still, I can go farther every day, and while the scale hasn't twitched much, my clothes are already fitting better.
So why the bike? Well, I kept reading about all of my friends in Japan who bike to work or wherever they need to go and ride public transportation for the rest. I'd be saving something like $40 in gas and getting exercise! A number of friends lost weight when they moved to Japan from eating better quality/lower quantity food and regular exercise (like bike riding). I'm inspired by that. =)
So watch out, California. Look for that green blur on her way to the Farmer's Market!
J!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Make Up Lines Are FAIL
Well, I've had a hell of a time finding examples of this online, but there is something that I think we all recognize, and that's the Makeup Mask. Here's my definition: gorgeous make up with a visible foundation line along the jawline. Perhaps your face and neck are two different colors after you're done with your foundation? Here's an example borrowed from Skin Deco:
That doesn't drive me as crazy as the ones that are orange in the face and white on the neck. It looks tacky. If you're like me and use a darker color than your facial skin tone, this is something that is difficult to combat, so I'm going to share some of the tips I've picked up over time.
1. Use a foundation brush.
You'll get a much more even blend with your skin tone using a brush, and you can fade it out to the edges of your face. Since I use a darker foundation, I spread it out to my hairline and to my ears. Do I stop at my jaw? Nope, I keep going down my neck until it's fully blended and seamless. It also doesn't require an expensive brush. I use e.l.f.'s foundation brush that costs a dollar.
2. Try tinted moisturizer.
For an every day look, tinted moisturizer is the way to go. It blends much more evenly with the skin and, in my opinion, blends very well. Save the thicker foundation for meet ups and events. One can still have smooth even skin without caking it on. The point of foundation is to hide flaws and even the skin tone, not look like you're about to go perform for the circus. If you do use regular foundation, make sure it's water-based and that you can still blend it smoothly.
3. Bronzing/Blushing/Powders
I'm a fan of bronzing, but something that contributes to the cake-mask face, too. If you use a darker bronzer, tap off the excess so that you don't use too much, and layer it until you have the effect you want. Don't be afraid to use it on your neck, either, to make sure your color stays consistent. Sometimes using a larger powder brush to blend in edges makes it a lot more natural looking and less glaring.
The same goes for contouring. I see sooooo much on the "Gal-nose", meaning the dark contours on the side with a light stripe up the center to thin the nose out. The problem is that I'm not seeing a lot of blending done, so that ends up on my pet peeve list, too. Here's a good tutorial from Chaigyaru on proper contouring:
See? It's not that hard, just blend it in.
4. Give yourself a good once over.
Look for visible lines, get a second opinion. Do your make up in the right light and really blend. Again, don't forget your neck, ears, and hairline. Visible contour lines and foundation lines are really distracting and detract from the overall package. Keep the illusion going! A couple of minutes of reviewing your finished make up and blending in places you might have missed will go a long way.
I hope you all found that helpful. I know most of what I bring up are pet peeves and the unglamorous side of being glamorous, but these are all things that I believe are necessary to presenting oneself properly. If you have tips of your own, please share them in the comments!
J!
That doesn't drive me as crazy as the ones that are orange in the face and white on the neck. It looks tacky. If you're like me and use a darker color than your facial skin tone, this is something that is difficult to combat, so I'm going to share some of the tips I've picked up over time.
1. Use a foundation brush.
You'll get a much more even blend with your skin tone using a brush, and you can fade it out to the edges of your face. Since I use a darker foundation, I spread it out to my hairline and to my ears. Do I stop at my jaw? Nope, I keep going down my neck until it's fully blended and seamless. It also doesn't require an expensive brush. I use e.l.f.'s foundation brush that costs a dollar.
2. Try tinted moisturizer.
For an every day look, tinted moisturizer is the way to go. It blends much more evenly with the skin and, in my opinion, blends very well. Save the thicker foundation for meet ups and events. One can still have smooth even skin without caking it on. The point of foundation is to hide flaws and even the skin tone, not look like you're about to go perform for the circus. If you do use regular foundation, make sure it's water-based and that you can still blend it smoothly.
3. Bronzing/Blushing/Powders
I'm a fan of bronzing, but something that contributes to the cake-mask face, too. If you use a darker bronzer, tap off the excess so that you don't use too much, and layer it until you have the effect you want. Don't be afraid to use it on your neck, either, to make sure your color stays consistent. Sometimes using a larger powder brush to blend in edges makes it a lot more natural looking and less glaring.
The same goes for contouring. I see sooooo much on the "Gal-nose", meaning the dark contours on the side with a light stripe up the center to thin the nose out. The problem is that I'm not seeing a lot of blending done, so that ends up on my pet peeve list, too. Here's a good tutorial from Chaigyaru on proper contouring:
See? It's not that hard, just blend it in.
4. Give yourself a good once over.
Look for visible lines, get a second opinion. Do your make up in the right light and really blend. Again, don't forget your neck, ears, and hairline. Visible contour lines and foundation lines are really distracting and detract from the overall package. Keep the illusion going! A couple of minutes of reviewing your finished make up and blending in places you might have missed will go a long way.
I hope you all found that helpful. I know most of what I bring up are pet peeves and the unglamorous side of being glamorous, but these are all things that I believe are necessary to presenting oneself properly. If you have tips of your own, please share them in the comments!
J!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Exercise and Smoothies
Yeah, yeah, I should update more often. =P
Well, as all ten of you who read this know, I'm putting an effort into working out again. So far, the scale hasn't moved, but my waistline has, which is good. The hubby and I have been doing circuit training and regular cardio at the gym, but we also take our bikes out. Yesterday we went bike riding for two hours, going almost 12 miles on a trail! (SO SORE!)
The green bike is mine, the red one is Dan's. =) We both have 21-speed Electra Townies. SO CUTE and very comfy!
Anyway, like an idiot, I went out to the gym today to do circuit training, which is amazing for exercise, but oh-so-painful when one is recovering from something new. However, maintaining good health is very necessary, so activity must continue. It's important to have at least an hour of activity every day, even if you don't feel like it (unless you're sick).
I'm going to share with you all a recipe I just made up. You use the following ingredients:
1 Banana
2 Tbsp Ovaltine Chocolate Malt
1 Scoop Spiru-tein unsweetened vanilla protein powder
10 oz soy milk
Throw it all in a blender, make sure everything is blended smoothly, and drink that numminess up! Want the stats on it? This is according to SparkPeople:
354 kcal
052 g carbohydrates
006 g fat
024 g protein
So really, it's not that bad at all. Since I work out before lunch, I have it as my lunch, and it really fills me up. ｖ（≧∀≦）ｖ
J!
Well, as all ten of you who read this know, I'm putting an effort into working out again. So far, the scale hasn't moved, but my waistline has, which is good. The hubby and I have been doing circuit training and regular cardio at the gym, but we also take our bikes out. Yesterday we went bike riding for two hours, going almost 12 miles on a trail! (SO SORE!)
The green bike is mine, the red one is Dan's. =) We both have 21-speed Electra Townies. SO CUTE and very comfy!
Anyway, like an idiot, I went out to the gym today to do circuit training, which is amazing for exercise, but oh-so-painful when one is recovering from something new. However, maintaining good health is very necessary, so activity must continue. It's important to have at least an hour of activity every day, even if you don't feel like it (unless you're sick).
I'm going to share with you all a recipe I just made up. You use the following ingredients:
1 Banana
2 Tbsp Ovaltine Chocolate Malt
1 Scoop Spiru-tein unsweetened vanilla protein powder
10 oz soy milk
Throw it all in a blender, make sure everything is blended smoothly, and drink that numminess up! Want the stats on it? This is according to SparkPeople:
354 kcal
052 g carbohydrates
006 g fat
024 g protein
So really, it's not that bad at all. Since I work out before lunch, I have it as my lunch, and it really fills me up. ｖ（≧∀≦）ｖ
J!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Product Review: Banana Boat Sunless Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion, Deep Dark
Greetings, Gals. This is the first in a line of product reviews. Now, a lot of people associate having a dark tan with being Gal, and that's not always the case, of course, as ganjiro is becoming more and more regular, but as a follower of "姐ギャルズ悪羅悪羅" (as taken from Soul Sister: Adult Gals Ora Ora Style), I love the tan look. I've spent the last decade being extremely sun-phobic as my Welsh ancestry makes me burn on an overcast day, so I looked pretty unhealthy. Time to change that.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Face It! (Make Up for Face)
I did a post last week about the make up I use for my eyes. Today I'm going to talk about the make up I use on my face and neck. I include my neck with this because I have a major pet peeve about visible make up lines on the jaw. It looks like one is wearing bad theater make up or a mask! Awful! At any rate, keep reading for a little more on how I avoid this and what I use.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Mars Planet Power... MAKE UP! (Eyes!)
How's that for a blast from the past? I'll start it off with a Sailor Moon reference. Now that I have your attention, I'm going to answer a question from a couple of friends here on my blog. That question is: "What's in my make up bag?" It's a mix and match of cheap and less-cheap, but I like to be frugal and try certain things out on a cheaper brand before I spring for the more expensive. That being said, we'll start with eyes.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Fitnessing Again
I know we've all looked at magazines and oggled over how skinny a model is and whatnot, but I can tell you that they're not exactly healthy unless they're a fitness model. Also, they have a certain genetic makeup that keeps them that way. I can tell you that not all Gals are skinny either, and those who are either have the genes for it, work hard for it, or are probably under-nourished. I sure don't have the genes, and I don't want to be under-nourished, so I better get my butt in gear.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
California Sun is EVIL.
I've been sick for the last four days with a sinus infection. Today is the first day that I've felt good. I've been stuck in the house with the windows shut and AC on for three of those days, so I decided I wanted to get out and get some sun and start walking. Problem: It's 98°F/35°C outside.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Play yourself up!
I don't consider myself to be an average Gal. I don't even think I'm Gal by the definitions of most bloggers out there, or at least by their examples. I really don't care, because hey, I'm a realist and I know where my limitations are. I think that's the big thing that turns people off from the style is the whole "omg all these people look like this and I don't" mentality some of the newer people face. Now, I was going to blog about something else today, but this is on my mind, and I'm going to get it out, dang it.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Disneyland... again! (Repost from LiveJournal)
I love Disneyland so much. I do. I went with my hubby, Rob , and Bobby , and we met up with Peter on Friday and then with him and Jasmine on Saturday. It was so awesome to see Bobby again and get to hang out with him, and Peter and Jasmine are so awesome. I'd love to have everyone up here for California Extreme this summer. I also met one of Rob's friends, Bobbie, and she's so funny and nice! I also made two new friends on the monorail. At any rate, we rode tons of stuff both days and had a blast.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
ギャル系 (Gal-style)
I don't have time for a huge massive post, so I'm going to be going over some of my favorite ギャル系 at this time. I may be referencing other blogs, so to the peeps that posted those, thanks in advance! ｻﾝｷｭｩ♪(o￣∇￣)/
Friday, June 3, 2011
My Hair is a Pain
I have to beat my hair into submission almost daily. By beat I mean tug at, press between hot plates, put goo onto, and comb like crazy. I turn it colors it wasn't meant to be because I have a different set of aesthetics than my DNA. My hair is naturally very curly, so I do the aforementioned beating into submission with a flat iron. People say they would love to have hair like mine, and I say I'd like a little bit less of my own hair. So what goes into beating my hair into submission? Here we go.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Fitnessing
I've been lazy. I put back on poundage. The problem is that I cannot afford to put on poundage, so I got up and went to the gym with the husband today. With as easy as it is to just sit my ass down in front of the computer and play WoW or Portal 2, it doesn't make me feel very good. In fact, I keep slowing down until all I want to do is sleep. When I go the the gym, however, I feel great when I'm done, even if I've only done a bare minimum of work.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
It's a Blogging Bonanza!
It's been a little while since I've blogged, but I'm only doing a short one today to show off my tumblr. I know, I've got a bajillion bloggy things, but I like to keep my blogs a little separate. Why? Because I can.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Saga of the Gaga and the Al
I am going to say this right now. I am a huge fan of Weird Al Yankovic. HUGE. I have been since before I could properly pronounce his name. While I have not been a long-time Lady Gaga fan, I have more recently come to appreciate her and some of her songs. I still think she's at her best when it's her own voice and a piano and nothing else. Now imagine my excitement when this hit YouTube.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
ギャル系?
I've made it no secret that I've been a fan of Gyaru for years. Even in the height of my goth club days, I secretly envied the bright colors and fun styles and outrageous looks these Gals displayed. I always thought, however, that I'm not skinny, I'm not Japanese, I just can't pull it off. That being the point, I didn't try. My make up was always boring. I wore the same sorts of clothes. I didn't accessorize. I just wore what was comfortable and didn't really care so much about fashion unless it was dark.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Self Esteem and the Internet.
I was looking at a little bit of drama from Facebook and trying to make logical sense of it. People get offended over the most trivial of things, it seems. It doesn't even occur to me to think that way, because frankly, I'm well enough in control of myself that I can tell when someone's being petty or when someone has actual feedback. I don't take into account things like low self esteem, which instantly makes people think that any negative thing said is said about them. Of course, I also don't take into account things like egotism, where people are so self-centered that everything must be about them.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
What should I get? An award?
I'm going to start blogging again. Why the hell not? I'm using this service until I get mine set back up on my own domain. I'm thinking of axing darksakura.com, but I've had it forever. Oh well.
Keep your eyes on this. I'm going to be HUGE.
J
Keep your eyes on this. I'm going to be HUGE.
J
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