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

Outfit, Makeup and Hair of the...day at the park!

Hi all,

Read on to learn how I did this look!

The weather has been so lovely in Kansas City, Missouri. Mild, almost hot even! Usually in March we are getting snows that no one wants to deal with and longing for the cold days of April when we'll wear a skirt or shorts and freeze our asses off pretending like it's May. Imagine my delight to have the windows open and be sitting here next to an open door with sweet smelling air pouring in and I'm warm. Wow, it's the little things in life, it really is!

It's spring break for the students of NKCSD and so my son and I have been spending lots of quality time. Yesterday we devoted to parks, and we visited Macken Park and Penguin Park. We also went on a nature walk and I followed while Gabe roller-bladed at the Wheel Park.

I wanted a look that was fun but practical for where we were going and what we were going to be doing.

How to get my look:

One of the victory rolls got smushed by
the bandanna, lol. Oh well!

Hair:

First, I put hot rollers in while I did my makeup. Always be sure to spray on some thermal heat protectant, especially if you have long hair! I rolled the front sideways, since I have bangs that are growing out. The rest of the rollers I just threw in haphazardly. Basically, I just needed the base curls to make it easy to roll up into pin-curl, victory roll type curls.

After the rollers cooled I removed them. The front I brushed with a styling brush from Sally's and fashioned into a sideways wave. I used tons of Loreal Elnette hairspray, my new favorite hair product. I then rolled two waves behind my bangs into big pin-curls and pinned them with bobby pins, again using hairspray to tame flyaways and get hold. The side pieces I rolled up into victory rolls, pinned, and hairsprayed. I left the back down. I wore a bandanna, rolled up, to prevent sweat from dripping down my back or into my face, since I knew we would be getting a lot of exercise. Use tons of hairspray for this style. The wind was hitting my hair and it didn't move! The long part I just brushed into easy loose waves, which fell straight but with a nice bend at the bottom.

Makeup:

My son is applying sunblock in SPF 30 to his face.
Teach them while they are young!

Start with a freshly cleansed and moisturized face. I use Day Solution from Mary Kay's Time Wise line under my moisturizer. This has SPF 30, to keep skin protected from sun damage. Always wear sunblock every day if you don't want age spots as you get older and wiser. Make sure your neck is included when applying!

I slathered Mary Kay concealer in Ivory 2 carefully on my eye area and blemishes and then dusted Mary Kay Mineral Foundation in Ivory 1 all over my face. On my eyes I applied brow mascara to keep my brows in check but did not color them in. I put a small amount of NYX shadow stick in Milk under my brow to highlight the area. I also applied Mary Kay eye shadow in Hazelnut to the crease only, very lightly. I finished off by drawing a cat wing on eyes using Mary Kay liquid liner in Black, and Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara in Black to lashes.

On cheeks I liberally dusted on MAC blush in Buff for a sun-kissed glow :)

Clothes:

I should have tucked the shirt in!
Bunched up stripes are no flattering...
Oh well!

For my outfit comfort was pretty much number one. I've learned, the hard way believe me, that you need to dress accordingly to what you are doing. For the park, you need sneakers, not flip flops, not heels, and not wedges. I knew it would be hot, so I needed a tank top and shorts. I do not like to show my thighs, so I usually wear shorts that are longer, or capris.

Shirt: French Connection from Sears

Shorts: Tommy Hilfiger from Macys

Scarf: Vintage from an estate sale

Belt and Buckle: Viva Fashion

Earrings: Retro Vixen

Sunglasses: Target

Shoes: Keds from Macys


We had a great day, and I was comfortable and confident with my look, which is about all you can ask for. I did get pointed and laughed at by some 5th grade girls Gabe knows. Ah, to still be getting hated on by 5th grade girls twenty years later, haha.

I'm going to end with some random pics of our fun day. If you have any questions or comments please leave a comment below or send me an email at tiffanyaprilmiller@gmail.com.

Luv you all!

xoxo Tiffany

Rockabilly Prom at Knucklehead's Saloon, How I got my look!

Hey all,

Me outside of Knuckleheads with our Caddy.

This weekend was such a blast. Friday night my husband and I shopped the clearance at Dillard's and then played pool. Saturday was the most fun I've had in a long time. We started the day off right having breakfast with family, then on to estate sales. Trips to Boomerang and Retro Vixen for outfit support were very fruitful. I was so excited to wear my new outfit, which cost me just under $100.00. Shoes, socks, skirt and a shirt all retro reproduction and brand new for under $100.00 is a great price, let me tell ya!

Me and the hubs.

How I got my look:

Hair:

Earlier that day...

Haha, I accidentally watermarked the photo!

I pin-curled my hair first thing in the morning after showering with it pinned up. To pin curl you need some setting lotion, I use Lottabody which can be purchased at Sally Beauty Supply. For those of you who don't know how to pin-curl, I can sum it up. Simply dilute the setting lotion one part solution, two parts water (in a squirt bottle) and spritz inch or two inch wide sections of hair before rolling them into a curl and pinning them. A pin-curl looks a lot like a victory roll, but smaller. I did this to my entire head using bobby pins to fasten instead of  pin-curl clips. I used bobby pins because I was going in public, but I might use them from now on because they didn't pull my hair out as bad as metal clips. I added a yellow bandanna to the look and I was ready to go!

Makeup:

Showcase those bright red lips!

I applied Mary Kay medium coverage foundation in Ivory 1 to my freshly cleansed and moisturized face. I then applied Mary Kay mineral foundation in Ivory 1 to set the liquid. On my upper cheek bones I lightly dusted Mary Kay mineral bronzer in Sandstone (matte). I dusted MAC blush in Pink Swoon to the apples of my cheeks only and blended well. I curled my lashes, and colored in my eye brows with Mary Kay eyebrow pencil in Brunette. Under the brow bone I applied NYX shadow stick in Milk and blended well. I dusted MAC eye shadow in Mylar over the entire eye area, and finished up with a cat eye using Mary Kay liquid liner in Black. I put Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara in Black on my real lashes, and after it dried applied false lashes using lash glue. On my lips I wore Loreal Lipliner in Red, and the newest Mary Kay red lipstick called Really Red. I love it!

Adorable Megan and I at the prom!

Clothes:

Shirt, Skirt, Socks and Shoes all RETRO VIXEN!!! I highly recommend going there, the owner Melissa is such a doll, so sweet and helpful!

Here is the link to her Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Retro-Vixen/121784784516085

Even my purse is from Retro Vixen!

My biker jacket is Lauren Conrad from Kohl's. I got it a few years ago and it is one of my wardrobe staples!

I love wearing these cute lace socks!

Earrings: Betsy Johnson, Necklace, Dillard's



Hair-do:


Later on  I took the pin-curls out, and refashioned some into an half-up victory roll type hairstyle with a few extra pin-curls; the rest of the curls I brushed into soft cascades using a styling brush from Sally's. My hair was a pretty big hit, I got lots of compliments. I did not use a flower because I had so much going on with the outfit and makeup. I didn't want to over-do it.

What a blast!

I have to say this was the most fun I've had in Kansas City in a long time. People who say there is nothing to do in KC can't be more wrong. There is a ton to do, but a lot of it does cost money. Chris and I paid for this event at the door $18.00 a person. It was well worth it, and I could have drank twice that amount of money compensating for being bored out of my mind at any mainstream bar or club in KC. The bands were amazing!!!! So hip. So cool. And what a crowd. Everyone was awesome. No fights, no douche bags. 

I also want to share how cool and down-to-earth Kim Lenz was. I have honestly never seen someone who was a celebrity act like her. She mingled with her fans, took pictures, danced with them. She is such a class act! What a lady! And her band was cool too!

Me and Kim Lenz. Kim freaking Lenz!!!

Knuckleheads is an awesome venue. Please go there at least once and you will see :)

I'm going to end off with some cool pics of the event. Please comment me if you have any questions or comments! Mwah!

Lurlene! 

Daddy-O and Tiff (moi)

Yours truly with Ramon Espinoza!

Chris with Kim and Ramon

Not to be outdone, me with Kim and Ramon!

We stopped by Anthony's for a drink.
Such a cool place, always feels like home!

Chris being too cool for skool as usual!

Daddy-O and his Caddy!

My hair looked so good when I took it down, lol.

Who loves Photoshop Lightroom?
I do!!!

What I would look like with light eyes!!!

xoxo Tiffany

My Blonde Ambition, and some history of my strangeness

Hey all,

I am thinking of going blonde!!!!!!!!

Madonna blonde!!! Here she is channeling Jayne Mansfield.

I love the look of pale skin, super dark eyebrows, and white blonde hair! I have been blonde before, and I really loved it. I was so young though, the upkeep was too much and I ended up chopping it all off. I was in 8th grade at Eastgate Middle School. I was the biggest pariah there, so scandalous! Everyone always had something to say about me.

I have always been an odd one. Ask anyone who knows me (if you can). I've been the subject of gossip pretty much since middle school. My style, my hair, I have always been weird. Even when I try to fit in, I just can't! Now that I'm older I've learned to appreciate being a bit of an oddball, but when I think back on being a kid, I know I had some awesome but different influences.

For example,

When I was 9 years old I wanted to grow up and be cone-boob Madonna. It was that or Cindy Crawford. My mom and dad used to cringe because Madonna had the big reputation for being a ho back then,  her Sex book and all that was blowing up the tabloids. I, however, even as a child knew a fierce, strong woman when I saw one. Hell, I still want to grow up to be cone-boob Madonna!

So now you know! hehehe...

More recently I was loving white blonde hair on the dragon girl from Game of Thrones!

Moving on...

If you are reading this blog chances are you are into the vintage style, since it's the subject matter of my writing (most of the time). Well, vintage hair styles and makeup looks so amazing with light blonde hair. If you need further proof, look to all the "bottle blondes" from back in the day!

Everyone knows Marilyn, but do you know Jayne Mansfield?

It's so exciting to think about changing myself so much. I don't have any tattoos, so I'm not used to making giant changes in my appearance that are so permanent. I know you have tattoos forever, and hair can grow out, but it has taken me three years to get long hair again. If I had to cut it and start all over again...well, it would suck to say the least!

I love styling blonde hair because I feel like I can see all the details....hmmmm...

Oh, and let's not forget my newest blonde I love and another sister from the "strange" brig-aid. Coco (and I don't mean Chanel)!

I love Coco, she is so funny and different. She really doesn't give a care what anyone thinks. She's got her big butt and big fake boobs and bleached blonde hair and she goes hard and gives it all she's got. She lets it all hang out most of the time. I think she's very brave and smart. She's just kooky, like me!

I love it that Coco is a good, loving wife.
As someone who's been married 10 years, I know
how hard it can be, so I really respect her.

What do you all think? Do I have what it takes to be a blonde?

xoxo Tiffany

Outfit, Makeup and Hair of the Day

Hey all! Okay, so this was Monday...

Makeup: Mary Kay mineral powder foundation in Ivory 1, Mary Kay concealer in Ivory 2, Mary Kay eyebrow pencil in Brunette, NYX shadow stick in Milk on the browbone, MAC eye shadow in Myler over the entire eye, Mary Kay eye shadow in Hazelnut on the crease, Mary Kay eyeshadow in Emerald on the lid. MAC gel liner in Black Track for the cat eye and Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara in Black on lashes. On the cheeks MAC blush in Buff, and Mary Kay lipstick in Inspiration.

Hair: I wanted a bump that was also a chignon. I twisted the top into a bump and secured with bobby pins. My bangs are growing out, so I pinned them to the side and used loads of Loreal Elnette hairspray to help keep hair in place. The long part in back I twisted into a bun/chignon. It wasn't my best hairstyle yet, but it kept my hair out of my face and up, which is all I wanted really. Next time I will tease the hair on top to a way bigger pouf/bump. Also, the chignon will be higher and the sides by my ears not so "pulled up."

Jewelry: Earrings from Charming Charlie, necklace vintage from an estate sale.

Dress: Dillards

This is my first "outfit of the day" type post, so I hope you enjoy! I couldn't get a good picture of my full body myself, lol, but the dress is just a cute sundress with a retro feel. I had on flip flops for shoes since I had just given myself a pedicure :) This was me on Monday, today I'm bumming out hehe, no makeup and hair in a scarf!

xoxo Tiffany