On wearing makeup everyday...

Sooo,

I've been trying to wear makeup every single day this week. It's kind of an experiment for me, because I hardly ever wear makeup unless I'm going out. However, I run into people EVERYWHERE I go, especially, of course, the grocery store.

The fact is I do care about looking my best all the time, but out of laziness I usually don't wear anything on my face during the week, weekend, or even to church.

Cindy Crawford is pretty much my permanent muse.
I love her makeup here. I don't look like this when I wear
makeup but I look better than I usually do, lol.

So I started this trend of wearing makeup everyday on Monday and now it's Friday. I have to say my lips feel super dry from wearing lipstick for days in a row. I have worn MAC, Mary Kay and Benefit lipsticks and glosses. I am trying to use all my current makeup so I can buy new stuff. I'm probably even going to have a "free for all" of makeup with my family and friends. I have a lot of makeup I have only used once or twice and just didn't really like on me.

Of everything I am enjoying the most from wearing makeup, it's having a healthy glow and not looking pale and washed out. During the summer I don't really need any powder or foundation because I get a healthy glow to my face even with sunscreen; but in the fall and winter I get super pale, and because I am aging I have some darkness under the eyes which give the impression I am tired all the time.

I gave my bronzing primer and sunscreen from Colorscience a second chance and I'm really loving it. The consistency is a hot mess, so I mix it with some of the Mary Kay oil-free Time Wise Moisturizer and it goes on so well. While I wait for it to dry I use my favorite Mabelline under eye concealer, Age Rewind. Then I dust my whole face and eye area lightly with Mary Kay mineral powder in Ivory 1. These are ALL products I'm going to have to replace with new stuff when I run out. It's kind of terrifying because I will need all new skin care and makeup. But we'll cross that bridge in another blog post.

I then dust blush (right now I'm using up Strawberry Cream by Mary Kay and it is so gorge) on my apples of my cheeks and blend up my cheekbones, I highlight the top of my cheekbones with a powder highlight, again I'm using Mary Kay the shimmery pink one I nicknamed Fairy Dust. I have a lot of blush and highlighter to use up before I will need to buy new ones.

I'm usually in a hurry so I just do "garage door" eyes, one color all over the entire eye area. Today I used a shimmery honey color called "Honey Spice" by Mary Kay. Then I curl my lashes and use mascara on top and bottom. Right now I'm using up my Colorscience and Covergirl Lash Blast. I use them both for a wide eye effect. I have to put clear mascara on my eyebrows to keep them in place, and I don't usually color them in because they are pretty bold by themselves.

Since I'm always in a hurry I haven't been using lip liner, just a nude lipstick and gloss on top. I have pretty much come to terms with the fact I only love nude lips. Red lips are so high maintenance and can be so darn aging as well. I still have to rock them with some of my pinup looks, but I usually same them for only special events.

My hair is just a hot mess. I worked so hard to grow it long and now it just hangs there. If I curl or straighten it too much it gets all damaged even with heat protectant. I figured out I like to keep blond highlights in it, I think they brighten up my face and complexion and make me seem warmer overall. I need it, with my pale skin and dark eyes and eyebrows.

So I would love to get some more layers and highlights for fun this winter. Oh, how I hate winter. Another reason I am paying so much attention to fashion, makeup, and clothes is to distract myself from the fact that WINTER IS COMING!

My husband thinks I must have a boyfriend, he is so shocked I have been dressing up a lot. That's pretty sad, I'm going to have to stick with it this time, lol. He knows I can look super good if we are going somewhere, but he's not used to me making this much effort on just ordinary days. But hey, every single day could be a last day for any of us so I guess I better make them all special. I have been wearing my colorful sweaters from Pink (VS) and my new jeans. I need some more colorful clothes because sometimes I feel like everything I own is black or white!

I went through my closet not too long ago but I would like to go through it again and get rid of everything I don't absolutely love. I will do a post on it, because I found a new store I ladore that has stuff I look good, and am comfortable, in.

I have been working out with makeup on which is really weird and feels disgusting honestly. I don't have time to wash it off first so when I'm done working out I RUN to the shower and use my Clarisonic so get all the makeup off. I guess I should invest in some makeup remover wipes to use before I work out because I don't have time to do a full face wash. If anyone knows any that are NOT made by a company that tests on animals please let me know :)

I am also using a natural toothpaste I like quite a bit from a company that doesn't test on baby bunnies. It's awesome. For whitening I use baking soda straight from the box and it's working so well. I'm not smoking any longer but I still drink coffee so I need all the whitening I can get.

So I am trying really hard to get my mojo back. When I was in high school I wore makeup everyday, not a cake face just pretty makeup. I was always dressed as cute as can be and that's probably why I always felt pretty confident about my looks.

I love watching NeNe from "I Dream of NeNe" and "Real Housewives of Atlanta" because she is so confident in herself. In a recent episode of "I Dream" she was looking at her old wedding dress with her man Gregg.

"Oh honey I ain't never gonna fit that dress again," she told him and just tossed it on the floor, laughed and walked off. How hilarious!! She's not crying in the corner, she understood she's different now and she is just as fabulous. That's how I am trying to feel, cause Lord know my wedding dress wouldn't fit I'm sure!

xoxo

Tiff

Sorry I haven't taken any selfies this week so here is one Gabe took of me and the kittens.
As you can see my makeup isn't super fancy at all, but I do at least have some color to my face :)

My "Go-To" Beauty Products!

Hey all,

As we navigate through life trying to be as glamorous as we can, it's easy to encounter hits and misses regarding beauty products. I have been wanting to share my biggest "go-to" products for a while now, so those of you looking for new hair and makeup products here's some ideas as to what works and what's worth the money!

Some of the prices are a little off but close enough to get the idea :)

Makeup:

Once you start building a kit you will need to get organized.
I love this roll-up bag from Mary Kay. Retails at $30.00. So worth it!

*Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation $18.00, brush $10.00

Mineral powder foundation is so wonderful. You can dust it on by itself or on top of liquid. Most days I dust it onto freshly cleansed and moisturized skin for light coverage and oil control. It will absorb my oil during the day, so I don't need to reapply unless I'm going somewhere fancy. You simply apply it with the mineral powder brush it is sold with. Easy peezy lemon squeezy! My go-to foundation for every day. Why walk around with a shiny bland face when you can step it up a notch? Natural beauty is all good, but I like to improve on what God gave me :)

*MAC blush in Buff $16.00

I was recently introduced to this color by one of the counter gals at MAC's Zona location. It gives me just the perfect amount of color to my cheeks. I'm very pale, which I'm learning to love, but this color makes me glow!

*Mary Kay Bronzer in Sandstone $13.00

This bronzer gives a healthy glow and is completely matte, no glitter. It makes a beautiful blush, and looks especially fancy on fair skinned gals! Blondes and brunettes!

*Benefit lipstick in Mod $22.00

This is a fairly expensive lipstick, but it's totally worth it. A very light pink, very 60's, it looks great on gals with pale skin or dark skin. We all love a red lip but sometimes pink is lower maintenance! I highly recommend this color, and the texture of the lipstick is great too.

*Mary Kay lipstick in Really Red $13.00

This is the newest shade of red from Mary Kay and it's amazing. Just a bright wild red that looks great with retro or glam looks. You will be sure to turn heads. Great with pale or olive complections!

*Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara $8.00

I love this mascara so much. The wand is really cool, it lets you get all the tiny lashes in between...just a really great buy all around. I highly recommend it for ladies with the flakey lash problem as it does not seem to flake. My first choice was Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara but I didn't have any in my store so I bought this one at CVS. I really like it a lot!

Hair:

*Loreal Elnette Hairspray. $13.00

I bought this from Hyvee after reading about it in a beauty magazine. This is the best hairspray I have ever used, hands down. I'm growing out bangs, which is a painful process because they were short, thick, Bettie Paige style bangs, and this hairspray allows me to do any style. Pompadors, curls, parted in the middle, everything! I use it on wet hair, dry hair, whatever. I highly recommend this hairspray to anyone who loves hair styling, whether retro styles or just glam. What a wonderful product, it's my "go-to" hairspray for now!

*Loreal Fructis Sleek and Shine Conditioner $4.00

I know, Loreal again, but I have been using this conditioner for years and it's just magical. I have long straight hair, so any kind of frazzle or friz shows up big time. I love color treating, bleaching, and using straighteners, hot rollers and curling irons. You can imagine how my hair feels! Even when using heat protectant, a good moisturizing conditioner is a must. I apply the conditioner starting near the ears and down to the tips of my length. I try to leave it on for at least 5 minutes so it can really soak in. Then I rinse with cold water, not hot or warm. Sleek and Shine is the perfect conditioner for ladies who can't always afford the expensive salon brands.

*Lottabody Setting Lotion $5.00

If you enjoy pin-curling this setting lotion is perfect. You mix it one part solution two parts water in a squirt bottle, and then squirt each strand before you roll it into a pin curl and pin it with a clip or bobby pin. This solution helps your hair hold any wet set, and it brushes out perfectly. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to do vintage styles, or just curls that hold well. The only place I've seen it is Sally Beauty Supply. **Wet sets are perfect for girls with stick straight hair that won't hold curl. While heated curls cool and fall down, your hair will dry into the shape with a wet set and hold the curl much longer.**

Skin care:

Most of you know I love Mary Kay for skin care. I've been using the Miracle Set for two years now, and my skin has never looked better. I use the one for combination to oily skin, but there is also one for dry to normal skin ladies.


** Before you die seeing the prices, remember these bottles last from three to four months. Divide that up and you could very well be spending that much on drugstore brands!**

*TimeWise 3 in 1 cleanser $18.00

Little beads in a clear gel. Cleanses and makes the skin feel so soft. I never want to live without it. If I have on liquid foundation, I will also use a clean washcloth to make sure and remove all the makeup.

*TimeWise Day Solution $30.00

This is my sunscreen, it is SPF 30. You apply it after cleansing every morning or before you leave the house. Makes my skin soft and prevents further sun damage. Also prevents free radicals from creeping in my skin. Again, I never want to go without this, so I always keep plenty in my store. It's a best seller and recommended by the American Cancer Society.

*TimeWise Night Solution $30.00

I apply this at night, after cleansing, to help anti-age and replenish my skin. Makes it silky smooth! I need all the help I can get since I was a cigarette smoker for 14 years and I also tanned quite a bit. I feel good about where my skin is at right now, and I know the night solution has really helped.

*TimeWise Moisturizer $22.00

This is the perfect light, oil-free moisturizer for my skin. I know so many people who use it, basically every woman in my family and my husband's. It just doesn't get any better.

*Mary Kay Blemish Toner $13.00

I'm that grown up who still gets zits...or I did before I used this! It goes on after cleansing and before Day or Night Solution.

I know many ladies balk at paying higher prices for skin care. I totally understand, I'm not rich either! Just remember this. Your face will always be with you. You might pay $100.00 for a handbag or nice pair of shoes, but you won't be wearing the shoes or carrying the handbag every day. Your face is always showing, no matter what clothing you have on.

Even if a lady is wearing a $3,000.00 outfit, if her skin looks awful you will not notice the clothing.

I'm not saying you have to use Mary Kay, but make sure and take good care of your skin :) You will thank me later!

As a sign of good faith here is my skin completely un-retouched.
I am wearing foundation, but you know that doesn't fix problem skin.
Not bad for a 29, two weeks to 30-year-old woman!
All thanks to Mary Kay products :)
Oh, and makeup! hahahahahaha!!!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post on my "go-to" beauty products. For any questions on this post, or my photo studio, please comment below or send me an email at tiffanyaprilmiller@gmail.com
Love you all! 


xoxo Tiffany

'Adele' inspired makeup using Mary Kay products only

Hey all,

The makeup look I've created is great for those
into the vintage style, and those who are into
playing it safe with makeup colors! 

Everyone has been talking about Adele lately. I love her usual look of nude lips with a dramatic eye. Very 60's Streisand (I think). Just gorgeous!

So pretty!

There are some nude and peachy colors in the Mary Kay collection that really stand out, and good nudes are not always easy to find (haha). I also had fun styling the model's hair with no product, only bobby pins and a ponytail holder. She was going out later that night, and didn't want her hair teased or hairsprayed! Still, we came out with a fun hairstyle, and when she took it out her hair still looked great down. So without further ado, here is the look, product list, and photos! :)

My lovely model.

Mary Kay products I used for this 'Adele' inspired look:

FACE
Foundation primer *optional*
Cream Concealer Ivory 2
Medium Coverage Foundation Ivory 1
Mineral Powder Foundation Ivory 1

EYES
Blonde eye brow pencil
Cream Eye shadow in Pale Blush
Cinnabar Mineral Eye Color
Black eyeliner pencil
Black Ultimate Mascara

CHEEKS
Sunny Spice Mineral Cheek Color

LIPS
Neutral Lip Liner
Melon Sorbet Lip Gloss

Application:

Face: Begin with a freshly cleansed and moisturized face. I applied foundation primer. This step is optional, but I recommend it if you have any facial scars or wrinkles. The primer will settle in those crevices in your skin, and prevent the liquid foundation from settling in them. After primer I applied the concealer to under-eye area, and liquid foundation to face. I used a sponge, but fingers work just fine. I then dusted the mineral powder  all over face (helps set the liquid foundation) using a cotton ball. Cotton balls are great for makeup application, especially if you are trying to keep the look minimal.

Eyes: First comes eye brows. They are very important to these retro style looks. I watched a great Youtube tutorial by Pinuplovely87 on applying eye brow makeup. Her suggestion was to comb the brows DOWN, color in the arch, comb them back UP, and then color in gaps. I've found this method to work great with clients and myself. Pinuplovely87 suggests using brow powder, but I prefer a pencil. Just use small strokes and try not to press too hard. Good eye brow shaping is an art and you will get better with every application.

Moving on :)

Apply cream eye color to eye area from lid to brow bone. Use a nice thick coat. When it has dried (a few seconds) apply Cinnabar eye shadow to crease only. Follow the crease of your eye and go slightly above it, while still leaving space under your eye brow. Look at the pictures if you need to for an example of what I'm talking about :) Don't blend too much, we want to keep a little drama in the eye look.

Line upper lid only with a black eye liner pencil staying as close to lash line as possible and filling in any gaps. Go slightly out on the side with cat eye, but not too far. This isn't gel or liquid liner, so we're not doing a huge cat eye (I know Adele does sometimes, but this is a more casual, quick, and easy look).

Apply two thick coats of black mascara to upper lashes, one good coat to lower lashes as well (but no eyeliner down there!)

Cheeks: Apply blush to upper cheekbones. Blend slightly, but keep it dramatic without going overboard. Blush is good to apply a little at a time, but this color is almost impossible to mess up with! I used a cotton ball to apply the model's.

Lips: Line lips with neutral lip liner (fill in lips with pencil for extra long lasting color). Fill in lips with gloss.

That's it! Pretty simple!

You can substitute your brand or what makeup you have for Mary Kay and still accomplish this look. However, I am a big fan of all these colors, and a huge advocate of Mary Kay products! :)

For Summer's hair I simply separated a "bang" section, and took the top part of her hair at the crown and twisted it into a bump. Pin with bobby pins. This is a great way to fake a bump without teasing! :) I pinned the bang section to the side, and then pulled all the hair into a side braid. Very pretty.

After the shoot she kept the makeup but switched hairstyles!

Heck yes to super long hair! So on trend, but I guess it's the trend we should have been thinking
about three years ago haha. #growingtime

Please comment on this look and let me know what you think.

What celebrity look would you like to challenge me to recreate?

What trend are you loving right now?

For more information on Vintage Vamp Studios, please visit my Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/vintagevampstudios

Or just shoot me an email :)

tiffanyaprilmiller@gmail.com

Love you all!

xoxo

Tiff