Psalm 45:11-Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.

Hello and welcome to the world that is Miss Dress Up. I'm a follower of Jesus, a Wife, Mother, YouTuber, Blogger, Facebooker and lastly but not least(ly) a make up artist in the making. Helping someone feel good about themselves,inside and out, makes me happy and I want to do that to the best of my ability. I make it a point to learn more everyday about the field of make up artistry through YouTube videos, books, magazines, other websites and anything else I can get involved in. This is an adventure I've always wanted to go on and at the ripe old age of 39 I am finally able to do that. So if you want to walk with me as I learn and grow and help others do the same you are officially invited by me right now!

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Monday, February 28, 2011

Wake up little Susie...

Or Barb or Nicole or Melissa...whatever your name may be, here are some tips to help your face appear more awake on those days when you feel and look like you could have stayed in bed for two more days, I mean hours. Here's a little video for you describing them in detail.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAsCzSA4Tx4

Our eyes and skin seem to take on a dark appearance when we are tired or not feeling well.  Dark as in shadowed, not tanned.  If that were the case people would want to be tired all the time.  Ahem..ha ha.  Our lips, however, tend to turn pale in these instances.  So we will start off brightening those tired eyes:
1. A light/white/bright color applied to the inner corner of the eye, also considered the tear duct area, helps to draw light into that space and dispell the dark shadows that tend to hover there when we are tired/sick.

2. A brightening under eye concealer helps to remove the dark shadow from underneath the eye.  I use Revlon Age Defying Concealer in the color Light.  It stays in place, doesn't cake up and is brightening without making it look "white".

3. Either a flesh toned or white eye liner pencil applied to the lower water line does wonders for making the whites of your eyes appear whiter and brighter.  I prefer a flesh tone but it's a personal preference.  I use the Anastasia Brow Highlighting pencil for that as opposed to on my brow bone which is what it was intended for.  You can buy a white lining pencil in almost any brand including but not limited to NYC.  You can also use a pale yellow color which is quite lovely!

4. Eye lash curler.  Let's curl those droopy lashes ladies!  It really really does open up the eye and make it appear more "awake".  Lashes hanging down in your eye draws the own down and makes it seem more "closed" and sleepy.

On to the face.  We tend to look "dull" when we are tired/sick so a nice highlighting powder or cream (if you have dry skin I recommend the latter and vice versa for us oily girls).  In the video I show you the best places to apply that highlight to draw light into the face and make yourself appear more "alive" as opposed to putting it in the "wrong" places and appearing oilier.  I use a Mac Mineralized Skin Finish in the color Soft and Gentle.  Physician's Formula makes a nice one called a "Shimmer Strip" that comes in different shades and those are available at most drug stores.  They are a little more pricey than your regular "drug store buy", or for my friends from the UK, "high street brand" but still much less expensive than Mac.  And they are just as lovely.

And lastly the lips.  I don't know about you but I tend to go white in the lip area when I'm tired and/or sick.  Not a pretty look on anyone.  I like to use something that is just the same color as my natural lip color to bring the color back.  I used Covergirl's Lipslick in Bronze Goddess which is just a tinted lip balm.  Very natural.

And now that we are all looking wide awake, here's a few photos so you can see these products in action!
 And believe me I was tired today!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Rev up your natural/neutral look FAST

Konnichiwa!  (that means Hello in Japanese)  I'm glad you're here.  I have filmed and uploaded sort of a "part two" to the neutral/natural look I filmed a few days ago.  Have you ever heard your Husband/Boyfriend say "hey honey, let's go out for dinner!" on one of those days when you've done the bare minimum with your hair and make up not to mention your "outfit" is anything but an outfit?  And of course he's already on his way home from work and has been as such for the past 20 minutes...uh oh.
Or how about at the last minute, when you thought you were just staying in for the umpteenth night in a row, putting the kids to bed and hoping to find a little entertainment with a netflix movie?    Needless to say you're probably looking anything but cute and BAM, your friend texts and says "HEY, I have a babysitter for you and I wanna take you out for sushi. I'll be there in 30 minutes!"  WHAT! you say.  My hair is standing on end, I have eyeliner smeared under my eyes and I'm wearing polka dot jammy pants and my silk shirt from work today.  I can't go anywhere!  Yes, yes you can.  And this video will help you with at least your make up, your hair and clothes....well, you're on your own there.  He he he.
In the video I start off wearing a minimal amount of make up, something you might wear just on a daily basis while running errands and whatnot.  Or it's just your daily, natural look.  Then we take it up a notch to a look that's more suitable for going out to dinner or to church or just anytime you want to wear "a little something more".  And we do it quickly.  It's a little slower in the video than it actually takes of course because I'm talking to you and stopping to show you things.  But in real life this "revving" would take me about 5 minutes.  So go ahead, go for sushi!  Tell your Husband/Boyfriend "SURE, we can go out honey!"  because you've got the quick fix for that dead or just not too exciting make up.
Here is what I used in the video:
Eyes-
Mac 217 brush for the crease color
Matte dark brown color in the E.L.F Beauty Encyclopedia Neutral's Edition palette (Target, $5) in the crease and under the eye. Eco Tools smudger brush for under the eye.
Covergirl Outlast Smoothwear All Day Eyeliner in Onyx
L'oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black

Brows-NYC Browser in Brunette

Cheeks-
Motives Shape and Sculpt Duo (it doesn't have a "color" on it) to contour
Mac Mineralized Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle for highlighting (a good dupe for this is by Hard Candy, you can get that brand at Walmart and they have a powder that looks almost exactly like this one I showed you in the video)
Blush (already on from previous video) was Laura Gellar Blush-N-Brighten in Pink Grapefruit on the apples of the cheeks

Lips-
Revlon Velvet Chrome lipstick in Garnet Chrome-if you have a problem with your lipstick feathering outside your lip line you can use a lip liner in the same shade as your lipstick or the same color as your natural lip color to help build a barrier to keep your lipstick in the lines)

I am very sorry that I don't have any still shots of either, I don't know what took over my brain.  I completely forgot to take pictures!  Please forgive me, I'll remember next time.  If you have any questions at all please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to help.  Have fun!
Nicole

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Quick and Natural

Good Morning Everyone, (well it's morning to me right now anyway ;0))
  I've finally been able to film two videos for the series "Why should I wear make up".  I wanted the very first video to give you the ability to quickly achieve a neutral/natural look for any time.  Something that could be your "every day look", doesn't take much time or effort and you can achieve it with inexpensive products.  It's also suitable for anyone of any age.  **I must stop here and apologize.  I'm still fairly new to this "YouTube/Blogging" concept and it seems I forgot to take pictures of this look before changing it for the second video.  I'm very sorry, I'll do better next time I promise.
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SFqr8XYytY

Here is what I used in the video:

Face-
Revlon Colorstay Foundation in 110 Ivory
Revlon Photo Ready powder in 10 Fair/Light (which I've decided is too light for me so I switched to 20 Light/Medium)
Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in Pink Grapefruit (any blush in the color you naturally blush is fine)

Eyes-
NYC Browser Brush On Brow Kit in Brunette (I get this at Target or Walmart)
Urban Decay Primer Potion in the color Eden (matte skin tone) *This is optional but does help keep your shadow in place longer and helps neutralize any redness etc on the lids.
Revlon Matte eyeshadow in Vintage Lace (any color that matches your skin tone is good.  A matte color is best if you're going all the way to the brow with it)
E.L.F dark brown matte shade from The Beauty Encyclopedia Neutrals Edition (Target-$5) on one eye.
Covergirl Outlast Smoothwear All Day Liner in 300 Onyx (I really don't care for too many Covergirl products but this one is a decent black eyeliner if you're going for a more natural look as it's not very black but did stay in place all day)
L'oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black

Lips-
Sonia Kashuk Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in 07 Barely Nude
OR
Softlips tinted lip conditioner/sunscreen in Pearl

All of these items can be purchased at Walmart or Target with the exception of the Urban Decay primer.  If we are going to talk primers (meaning you are interested in purchasing one) I recommend the Mac Paint Pots (painterly for those with pinky undertones and soft ocre for those with more yellow undertones. They have TONS of colors though) over Urban Decay or any of the others.  They crease less, stay on longer and give your shadows a smoother base to glide onto.  A primer also makes your shadow more vibrant.  But like I said, it's optional.  Also, I am not pushing Mac products by any means.  Like any other brand some of it's good and works like it should and some of it....just doesn't.
The next video in the line up is how to turn this everyday/natural look into something just a little more dramatic for evening or anything where you feel you want a little more "oomph".  It's still neutral and definitely nothing over the top.  I hope this is helpful to you, let me know if you have any questions or comments.  The best way to get a question/comment to me is to leave it on the YouTube video if I have attached one.  If not then under the corresponding blog post.  Have a great day!
Nicole

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Some Things To Show You

Hello Everyone,
  Thanks for taking the time to read my blog post.  I recently went to Rite Aid and ran across a few clearance items that were a bit unique so I thought I'd share them with you.  I've used most of them at this point except one and I'll get back to you on that one.  Here is the link to the corresponding video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNqWz5uettk
  The first item is the Modele brand Facial Peel Clothes.  They are sort of like the pre-moistened make up removing clothes etc that you can find about anywhere these days.  I use those on a regular basis.  These are not intended for that and you are actually supposed to cleanse your face before using them.  One side has a "grainy" texture, almost like a fine grit sand paper but softer.  It feels quite nice and ex foliating which is always good!  The other side is just soft cloth.  You use the grainy side first and then the other.  Wait 1-2 minutes, then rinse with warm water.  The package claims this: an extremely effective one-step and easy to use peel system, thanks to their combined mechanical and chemical action. Use weekly to greatly improve the efficiency of your skin care products. It also claims you will see immediate results.  While I do like the feel of them I did not experience any immediate noticeable results after one use.  I will keep using them and let you know what I think after at least two weeks of use.  They were originally $14.99 at Rite Aid but on clearance for $4.99.  I'm not sure if that means they will no longer be selling them or not but you can still order them online at this website in the UK that ships to the US.  They are $14 pounds there with free shipping.  http://www.thebeautygenie.com/Face/c3/index.html
  The next product I show you in my video is the Divinci Clogged Pore Strips, much like the Biore brand strips that remove blackheads and oils to unclog pores.  This is the product I have yet to try but will certainly update you here and the video when I do.  The line is "for men" but I don't see why a woman couldn't use them.  There are only four in the package and were originally $5.99.  I find that a little pricey to be honest.  I will use one and ask my Husband to do the same and I'll let you know if we think they are worth the original price in case you can't find them on clearance like I did for $1.49.

  I also picked up a cuticle remover that was originally $2.99 but was only $.74.  I think I know why...it didn't work.  Well, it didn't work for me.  I used it exactly as directed on the package with no cuticle removed at all.  Not my favorite I must say.


The final item was the Rite Aid brand buffing block for nails.  I really love these things and have used several brands, from expensive to prices like this one, and they all seem to work rather well to be honest.  This one was originally $2.99 and was $1.49 on clearance.  These buffing blocks really get the ridges out of your nails as well as put back the natural shine to where you almost don't even want to polish them they look so good!


  Well, that's all for now.  If you would like to see more product intro's just let me know.  I really love doing them for you!  Have a great day and don't forget to watch the corresponding video!
Thanks,
Nicole










Modele Facial Peel Clothes-I did end up using this one time so far and though it feels good when using it I didn't see any "immediate" results. I am going to continue using them though and will update once I've done that. The grainier side feels quite nice and ex-foliating and the other side is fairly soft. I did try to register my product purchase but the website seemed wonky.
**UPDATE as of February 25, 2011.  These are a waste of money in my opinion.  Especially if you pay $14.99 for them.  I didn't see any results and they all dried out in the pack quickly.
Originally $14.99 Clearance $4.99
Divinci Clogged Pore Strips-I have no used these as of yet but will be doing so this evening and will update tomorrow.
$5.99 originally 1.49 Clearance
Quickie Cuticle Remover-Wasn't too impressed with this. I did it exactly the way it said on the package but it didn't seem to remove anything at all.
$2.99 Originally .74 on Clearance
Rite Aid Buffing Block- Works as intended with no issues
Originally $2.99 $1.49 on clearance