5 Beauty Blog Posts You Must Read

I’ve managed to come across a few really good, useful posts while browsing around the beauty blog community. Now I want to take a minute to share those with you, and tell you why I think you need to read them.

5. Diva Digest: Custom Formula or Repacked Mica?

This short post by Lorraine of LA Minerals is an easy way to educate yourself on how to sniff out repackaging (which is taking wholesale mica, putting it into smaller containers, and reselling it at a higher price). While I think people sometimes get carried away, starting witch hunts for innocent businesses, it’s good to know a little bit about the issue, and how to avoid it. If you’re not sure about a cosmetic company, trying asking them first. The company can probably give your mind some ease before buying, or samples to help you decide.

4. The Eyes Have It All: Finding Your Skin Undertones

In this post from Amanda, The Snarky Princess, she highlights information from Essential Daily Spa on how to find your skin undertones. If you were like me, you have no idea what they are. This post tells you a simple way to determine what color, if any, undertones you have. Learning what your undertones are will help you pick out your foundation, and other make up colors that will compliment your tones.

3. The Painted Mask: Makeup Safety-Eye/Lip Safe Product Usage

Nolie of The Painted Mask talks about product safety usage in her post, and how to be smart about it. You should really be aware of what you’re wearing, and if you’re wearing it in an area that it’s approved for. If you still want to try something that’s not approved, this post has some tips on how to be a little smarter about trying out products (could be applied to trying products from a company you’ve never purchased from too).

2. Lipsticks and Lightsabers: Brush Basics

If you’ve ever wondered what that funky shaped brush you’ve seen in the makeup section is for, Anastasia of Lipsticks and Lightsabers can tell you. Her post on brushes is extremely extensive and detailed. She tells you which brush does what, why she uses that brush, examples of that particular style, and where to find dupes (cheaper products that are essentially the same). I highly recommend reading if you’re confused about brushes, or if you just want to see some alternatives to popular styles.

1. Beauty’s Bad Habit: My Favourite...Eyeshadow Bases & Primers

What is eye shadow primer? Lily of Beauty’s Bad Habit answers that question in her post. She explains primers, bases, and gel bases. There are plenty of photos, and explanations of what each does, and their effect on the eye shadow when you use them. She also lists prices, and where to purchase each product.

I hope you enjoy the resources and take a moment to read over these wonderful posts!

-Tina

An interview with Brian of Cosmetic Viking

An excerpt about Brian:

Brian is a make up enthusiast & the writer of the Cosmetic Viking blog. He also does video tutorials on Youtube.

The Interview:

Favorites

Foundation: Illamasqua's Rich Liquid Foundation in RF120
Blush: MAC's Bite of an Apple
Mascara: Rimmell's Lash Accelerator in Extreme Black
Eyeliner: NYX's Black Bean jumbo pencil
Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion/ Kat Von D's High Voltage Eye Primer/ Fyrinnae's PIxie Epoxy
Eyeshadow: Sugarpill
Lipstick or Gloss: Lipstick, but no particular favorite.

Q: How did you come up with the name Cosmetic Viking?

A: Not the question I'm used to getting, actually. Most of the time its why 'Cosmetic Viking'? I used to like to come up with word gabs so for the longest time, the bio for my Twitter just said 'VIKING'; eventually I got the idea to put two and two together and BOOM.

Q: What made you decide to start blogging?

A: A lot of people I knew were doing it. Before, I was mostly doing YouTube but I was a little discouraged with my presentation so eventually I flocked myself over to Blogger and here we are.

Q: Do you have any tips for readers who want to start a blog and/or get more followers?

A: Modesty and presentation; leave ego out of the equation and put your best foot forward. Try and be relatable and really put yourself out there. Its your blog so really anything goes; its your world and you make the rules. Don't heed to anyone else's thoughts or opinions unless you're looking for constructive criticism, which in some cases most people are very kind about. There's always going to be a handful of people who enjoy getting under your skin but a few rude individuals versus potential hundreds or even thousands of dedicated readers is a fair trade. Just be yourself.

Q: Some issues discussed in the makeup blogosphere can attract a lot of heated debate. How do you, personally, control comment wars?

A: Well, I would say just don't intentionally write or post about a legitimate issue without thinking it through first but I know that doesn't stop a lot of people. If things get out of control, then close the post and if you want to, post a notice explaining your reasoning. However, even if those circumstances do apply, that's your blog and again, you make the rules. If a person cannot respect or understand that fact, I'd give them der Stiefel.

Q: What are your top three favorite blogs to read?

A: Gothique, Phyrra and Temptalia.

Q: What are some of your favorite posts to write?

A: FOTD's, I think. Reviews seem to confining. While its good to stay on topic, I always find myself floating off or meshing into another subject. With makeup looks I can just BS about whatever and then discuss the look at hand.

Indie VS Commercial brands

Q: Which do you prefer?

A: Indie.

Q: What do you like the most about commercial brands?

A: Eh...can't think of many pros when up against Indie.

Q: What do you like the most about indie brands?

A: Variety and creative freedom. While most Indie brands aren't on the path to creating 'revolutionary' liquid foundation, blahblahblah, many of them have amazing and creative eyeshadows (and if you know where to look, fantastic and unique lip products or face products). Basically, its a free-for-all and you don't have some prissy woman in a boring outfit and neutral and safe makeup telling you what and what not to wear for this season's HOTTEST trend!

Q: What would you suggest consumers do before purchasing from an indie company?

A: Check around for reviews first. If there isn't anything available, look around for accurate swatches to see if someone didn't just have a field day with the sponge brush in saturation mode and some random stock photo. Be aware of the 'repackaging' concept, too, so you don't purchase overpriced product that the seller put no effort into blending or creating themselves.

A big thank you to Brian for taking the time to do an interview with us!

-Tina

A Humble Request

Technorati Tags: charities,donations

I know you’re all but busy, and this is a long post, but if you read anything today, please let this be it.
Right now, our nation’s eye is turned to Japan, and the devastation that has taken so many lives, and left even more without a home.  While I feel absolutely terrible for those people, I ask you to turn your attention a little closer to home, to the story of Kyle and Amanda Franklin.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Franklin’s Flying Circus and Airshow. If you haven’t yet, here’s a short excerpt from their about page:
“(Kyle) Franklin comes from a pedigree of talented pilots and airshow stunt people. His father was none other than the legendary pilot Jimmy Franklin. Kyle Franklin’s wife and partner is Amanda Franklin, the daughter of legendary pilot Bobby Younkin and sister to Matt Younkin. Together Kyle and Amanda have created a swaggering, wing-walking pirate show that would make Captain Jack Sparrow gulp.
This flying circus of “Pirated Skies” will have audiences yelling “Aaargh” as Amanda wing walks, playing the part of “Scandalous Scarlett” and sword fights with Kyle, the menacing “Captain Kyro.””

You can watch a short clip of the couple’s  pirate show in this video:



Now that you’re familiar with the Franklins, I’ll get to my request. As some of you may know from the news, my fan page, or another source, Kyle & Amanda’s plane engine stalled in a recent show, causing the plane to crash. Miraculously, both of them survived the crash, but Amanda was severely injured. You can watch the news except from MSNBC’s Today Show here:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/42190777#42190777

While I must say, I can’t making as much of a donation as I’d like, since my family lives paycheck to paycheck like most Americans, I will be donating $2 from every Dark Heart Designs sale, no matter how small. If the sale is larger than $25, we’ll be donating $5 per sale for the remainder of the month of April.
If you don’t want to make a purchase, but still want to help the couple, the following funds have been set up for them:
Moonlight Fund
www.moonlightfund.org and specify the Kyle & Amanda Franklin Fund. You can also send a check to the Kyle & Amanda Franklin Fund, c/o The Moonlight Fund, PO Box 1299, Bandera TX 78003. The Moonlight Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides 24/7-assistance to burn survivors and their families in their hour of need.
International Council of Air Shows Foundation
www.icasfoundation.org and specify the Kyle & Amanda Fund during the donation process. You may also mail a check or money order to: ICAS Foundation, 750 Miller Drive, Suite F-3, Leesburg, VA 20175. Make your check or money order payable to the ICAS Foundation, and indicate "Kyle and Amanda Fund" in the memo section. You may also donate by credit card call the ICAS Foundation Chairman, Caroline Trinkwalder, at 734-595-0864 or call ICAS headquarters (703-779-8510) with credit card information.
For updates on Kyle & Amanda’s condition, you can visit the Franklin’s Flying Circus & Airshow fan page on Facebook.
Thank you for taking the time to read their story. Until next time!
-Tina

Color Spotlight: Carnival Queen

Carnival Queen is a bright, sparkly yellow.

Carnival Queen was inspired by my life in the carnival industry. My family has traveled with the carnivals for five generations. My parents had rides, games, an exotic animal show, and 4 arcades.

In my photo below, I used Carnival Queen

Technorati Tags: color spotlight,carnival queen,pixie epoxy,cosmetic viking

over Urban Decay Potion Primer & Pixie Epoxy Primer:

Why yes…I do have a tree growing out of my head. I totally missed that when I was taking the pics, but it looks too funny not to post.

If you don’t know what Pixie Epoxy is, or how to use it, I seriously recommend you watch this video:

Thanks for reading!

-Tina

I’m a bad little blogger

Yup..that’s me!

I apologize for getting off schedule. I’ve just got a loooot going on lately. I’ve been trying to fill orders, work on Project: Safe Indie, keep the blog up, take care of my family and home, and get my car back on the road. As you can see, the blog kinda fell to the bottom of the list.

I’ll be back on track with Tuesdays story behind the color. Thanks so much for reading!

-Tina

Tutorial Tuesday: New Leaves

 

Sorry for the late post everyone! I’ve been uber-busy lately.

Here’s a pretty green look that’s great for spring!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Dark Heart Designs colors:

• Frost Shadow
• Absinthe Shadow
• Limelight Shadow
• Carnival Queen Shadow

Other makeup I used:

• Mary Kay Foundation
• Blush (A trial type of my own)
• Avon Eyeliner
• Avon Mascara
• Morgana Cryptoria Coraline’s Kiss
• Covergirl dark brown shadow to shade brows (this should match your brow color)

Optional:

· Urban Decay Potion Primer for setting eye shadow

The look:

1. Start by applying a light facial moisturizer, and then apply your foundation, blush, and whatever else you use personally. I do my brows before my eye shadow. To do this I fill them in with a small brush and a shade of eye shadow that matches my brows. If you’re going to apply eye shadow primer, you’ll want to do it now.

2. Apply the DHD eye shadows in this area, starting with the lightest color, Carnival Queen:

3. Continue to add the rest of the colors from the inside of the eye, out, blending as you go.

4. Apply Frost along the brow line for a highlight.

5. Finish by applying eyeliner to your top and bottom lid, and apply mascara to your top lashes. Finalize the look by adding a light lipstick.

This is the look in natural light:

 

-Tina