Spring 2011 makeup trends

Check out a slideshow on Spring 2011 makeup trends!

http://www.examiner.com/makeup-in-san-diego/spring-2011-beauty-trends-picture

Can't wait to try all of these. Which one will you be trying out?

xo

Hello Kitty comes to Sephora

Flipping through February’s edition of Vanity Fair, the last thing one would think to see is Hello Kitty...but that is exactly what I saw.

“Hello Pretty: Proof that cuteness knows no age limit, the Hello Kitty Beauty collection presents a pop of purrfect color.”

At first shock set in, but then true and unadulterated glee when I also read that this new collection would be sold exclusively at Sephora. 

Hello Kitty's new collection at Sephora includes:
Charmmy Eyeshadow Stick
Glittercute Eyeliner
Pen Pal Eyeliner
Apple Cheeks
Big Smile Gloss
Apple Balm
Say Hello Palette's in Super Fun and Happy Fun
...and so much more.

A review on this adorable collection is coming soon!

xo

Buried

I just started watching the movie Buried starring Ryan Reynolds which was released in 2010. I had never heard of it until my boyfriend and I stumbled upon it a couple of days ago at Blockbuster. Yes, we still go to Blockbuster. There is just something about actually going to a video store that may seem outdated to some people, but to me...well, I find it rather romantic. Strange, I know. Anyways, I shall cross the Red Box/Netflix bridge when I get to it.

So far, Ryan Reynolds' character is stuck in a coffin with only a cell phone and a lighter. He has no idea why he's there or how he got there. It's been only 5 minutes and I am already extremely frustrated with this plot line...and the boyfriend isn't helping.

Boyfriend: "If he had really been buried, he would have already run out of oxygen by now."

Michelle: "Well, not necessarily. What if he just got buried? I think you have about an hour."

Boyfriend: "Not with how heavy he's breathing, he would have run out by now."

Michelle: "Jkjhfjkghfd, YES I KNOW...but it's a movie."

Ryan Reynolds' character whose name has not yet been revealed has finally gotten a hold of someone only to have them further frustrate him (and me!).

Seriously people, he's stuck in a COFFIN and you're upset because he is speaking rapidly and "rudely" to you? I'd really like to see someone stuck in a coffin act calmly and rationally, however I think that is not very plausible.

(10 minutes into the movie) Ryan Reynolds' character has lost it...and with good reason. I would have lost it within the first minute of discovering I was in a coffin with no way out.

It's kind of hard to remember why we chose this movie to begin with considering we just started it around midnight and these types of movies just can't be good to watch before bed...but I think it has something to do with the fact that I'm a masochist.

Sweet dreams...I hope?

Kissable lips for Valentine's Day

It comes as no surprise that this San Diego weather has taken a toll on a lot of San Diegans skin. Recent weather has varied from cold and rainy in the last month to the most recent weather that has been sunny, dry, and windy. This extreme change has caused humidity to drop which can do major damage to your lips. Take for instance today, when the daytime high is estimated to be at 76 degrees, sunny and dry, and the nighttime low is estimated to be at a fairly chilly 49 degrees (at least for us San Diegans!) with wind gusts going at 25 MPH. For this reason, it is important to keep your skin, particularly your lip area very hydrated. Especially considering a very romantic holiday is right around the corner…

1. Remember to stay hydrated. Carry a bottle of water (not soda or juice!) with you at work, school, or when running errands because the first thing you’ll do when thirsty is suck on your lips. I know it’s tempting, but don’t do it!
2. Apply (and reapply) chapstick or a lip balm. There are a ton of products to choose from on the market, but one of my favorites is the Carmex Original Formula. The Carmex Original Formula has been around since 1937 and there is little room for debate as to why that is. This lip product was originally intended for cold sores and contains the ingredients Camphor to alleviate pain, Menthol which kills germs and relieves discomfort, and Phenol which gently numbs sore lips and removes old and dead skin. You can find more information on this and other products at www.mycarmex.com.
3. Wear a scarf! Now the weather here in San Diego may not be as extreme as in the East coast, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t protect your face and lips from the wind and cold. Wearing a scarf at night is not only a cute accent to any outfit, but also a lip saver. There are a variety of scarves that can be found at www.forever21.com or by simply stopping in to your local Forever 21. Stores are located at Fashion Valley, Westfield UTC, and Horton Plaza.
4. Brush your lips. Yes, you read that right. Now, this may sound bizarre but brushing your lips with warm water at night before going to bed is a great and simple way to exfoliate. Just as you might exfoliate your face at night, you can do the same for your lips. I suggest buying a soft bristle tooth brush (Don’t use an old toothbrush for obvious sanitary reasons!) and brushing your lips softly right before bed.
5. Slather on a nice coat of Vaseline. As mentioned in a previous article, Top 5 ‘old faithful’ beauty products, Vaseline is a great lip protectant but it can sometimes be too thick to use during the day. If you find this is the case for you, wait until bed time to apply a generous amount of Vaseline to your lips.
6. Use a hydrating lipstick or lip gloss. After all this work, the worst thing you could do on Valentine’s Day is apply a coat of lipstick or lip gloss that is not hydrating enough, sticks to your lips like chalk, and dries out your lips after a couple of hours.

Try Cover Girl’s Continuous Color Lipstick ($5.49 @ www.drugstore.com) which is packed with Vitamin E and Vitamin A. My favorites are PowerPink (an iridescent pink that is blue based) and Natural Frost (a vibrant peach color).

If you’re a sucker for lip gloss, try out Bare Escentuals Buxom Lip Gloss in Sandy ($18). It’s a lip plumper that doesn’t sting (What a concept!), but leaves lips feeling full, hydrated, and carries a light vanilla scent. You can find this product at your local Sephora store or by visiting www.sephora.com.

If you're going for a more natural look, try C.O Bigelow's Ultra Mentha Lip Shine ($7.50). This lip gloss is extra hydrating and  infused with spearmint for a cooling sensation on your lips, and long lasting fresh breath. You can find this product at  Bath & Body Works or by visiting www.bathandbodyworks.com.

Good luck, ladies! Believe me, your lips (and that special someone) will thank you for keeping your lips extra kissable this year.

Top 5 'Old Faithful' beauty products

While beauty trends and products may come and go, there are some that have made a home in our makeup loving hearts because they are virtually fail proof and have never let us down (yet!) Here are my top 5:

Vaseline
This product is amazing because it is very versatile and can be used year round.

1. You can use this as lip protectant during the cold winter months when the air can really take a toll on your skin (particularly your lips). You can also use this in the summer to protect your lips from the sun.
2. This works great as an eye makeup remover because it is very hydrating to the delicate eye area and it gets everything, and I mean EVERYTHING off.
3. You can even use Vaseline as a quick and easy alternative to using an eye shadow. This is especially great in the summer when it’s hot and you might not want to cake on a bunch of makeup. Instead, I suggest putting a dab of Vaseline on your lids to achieve a summer dewy look that is carefree and radiant. Top it off with a strong lip or cheek, and you’re good to go! ($2.09 at CVS.com)

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
While I have bought other Paint Pot’s from MAC and loved them all, my staple has always been Painterly. I have thought about why this is my go to base, or all over the lid color and I think I’ve finally figured it out. Painterly is a universally flattering color, but it is especially great for my skin tone (NC30 in MAC Studio Fix in case you’re wondering). Painterly is a cream finish which is great for those days when you want a matte look that is very polished, and very chic. It is also great for brightening up the eyes as it covers any redness that you might have after a long night of studying, or ahem…going out with the girls.
($16.50 at maccosmetics.com)
Aussie- 3 Minute Miracle
For someone who has thin to medium hair I have always been very wary of deep conditioners that may get all those tangles out, but leave my hair feeling heavy, greasy, and lifeless. This product does just the opposite! It certainly does get all those tangles out (In 3 minutes, ladies. Can you really beat that?), but also leaves hair feeling soft, voluminous, and smelling great. ($3.06 at amazon.com)
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black
L’Oreal is a huge innovator when it comes to making mascaras that are water proof and long wear without compromising the softness and thickness of your natural lashes. What I have found out through countless trials and probably hundreds of dollars spent on mascara is that what most people want is for their lashes to look natural and soft whether you swipe on one coat of mascara or three.  You will find just that when you use this product because it is very buildable without getting clumpy or flakey. ($5.04 at target.com)
Stila #30 double-ended shadow brush
This brush is amazing, and not only because you are getting 2 brushes in one but also because of the quality. This brush was given to me by my mom as a Christmas gift over a year ago and it’s still going strong. As someone who struggled (sometimes still do!) to put on eye shadow correctly, this brush has been a savior! One side is dome shaped and dense for packing on a ton of color without getting fall out on the rest of your face, and the other side is perfect for blending. Next time you find yourself struggling with making a gorgeous cat eye or blending, pick this bad boy up…you’ll wish you had found it sooner! ($32 at stilacosmetics.com)

How To Build a Better Body Image

I have no idea why, but the video below made me irrationally angry. How is a better bra and colorful underwear helping people? I just don't think this applies to everyone. That is all.

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/new-year-new-you/video.aspx?vid=73bd3dc4-ca84-4c3c-99c1-2ff82078624b

Interviews Blues

This job search is getting ridiculous. I have had various follow-up interviews, but still no luck. It seems that most people don't want to hire me because I'm currently employed. Hellooooo, it's called having 2 jobs. It's not that big of a phenomenon.

Also, people who don't call you back when they say they will are very rude. If I have ever done this to you, I am very sorry. It's on my list of things that I want to correct this year.

Currently, I am thinking about other ways to make monies. So far I have: 1) winning the lottery  2) starting a super awesome blog that everyone loves and wants to sponsor 3) starting a super awesome youtube channel that everyone loves and wants to sponsor 4) marrying rich (this is obviiiiously a joke) 5) learning how to make pretty jewelry (or something that people love such as clothes, paintings, photography, food, etc.) and selling said thing 6) moving to L.A. and trying my hand at a passion that I've always had but always been too afraid to commit to: ACTING 7) writing a book (about what? who knows, but it's an idea) 8) applying to grad school earlier than I had planned, and taking out a ton of loans to survive...

My options all look pretty bleak, but I am honestly considering some of these because I don't think I can stand another interview.