My Playlist

I have a lot of favorite music of the moment and lots of music that will always be my favorite so I'll post a little bit of everything :)

wild world - cat stevens

vienna - billy joel

wild horses - the rolling stones

you can't always get what you want - the rolling stones

whole lotta love - led zeppelin

something - the beatles

all you need is love - the beatles

imagine - john lennon

across the universe - the beatles

rolling in the deep - adele

top of the world - the cataracs f. dev

sofi needs a ladder - deadmau5

transatlanticism - death cab for cutie

crooked teeth - death cab for cutie

miami 2 ibiza - sweedish house mafia

howlin for you - the black keys

tighten up - the black keys

your touch - the black keys

louder - chris willis

marching bands of manhattan - death cab for cutie

you make my dreams come true - hall & oats

sweet emotion - aerosmith

magic carpet ride - stepphenwolf 

come down - bush

i miss you - blink 182

drive - incubus 

the beautiful letdown - switchfoot

cosmic love - florence and the machine

hash pipe - weezer

the suburbs - the arcade fire

gimme tha loot - notorious b.i.g.

i need a doctor - dr.dre f. eminem & skylar

best of you - the foo fighters

hallelujah - jeff buckley

make it wit chu - queens of the stone age

old man - neil young

hurricane - bob dylan

angie - the rolling stones

here's to the nights - eve6

bring the noise pump-kin remix - benny benassi

i'm in the house - steve aoki f. [[[zuper blahq]]]

set the fire to the third bar - snow patrol f. martha wainwright

revolver remix - madonna f. david guetta & lil wayne

for whom the bell tolls - metallica

the adventure - angels and airwaves

those are all i'm going to post for now, i will most definitely be posting more later though! :)

Foundation 101

I will post my favorite drugstore store foundations, as well as luxury foundations and different foundations for all skin types, I will also post foundation that I do not like and I will also post the pros and cons of every foundation that I have tested.

Lancome Photogenic Lumessence Liquid Foundation with SPF 15
One of my personal favorite foundations that I use all the time! Has great coverage, that you can build from moderate too full but always looks natural. It makes my skin look glowy and it really does look luminous in pictures, doesn't appear cakey or wet, blends well and lasts all day, I honestly have no bad things to say about this foundation - I wear it in the winter and in the summer it is good for cold climates as well as hot ones doesn't melt off or go shiny on oily skin. This foundation stays on your skin, if you don't want too set it with powder to get a more dewy look or if you do want to set it with foundation it will honestly, last all day. This foundation also has SPF 15 which is great, I think everyone should look for a foundation with SPF because your skin will thank you!!   It claims that it smooths lines and other imperfections and I know I am only 18 so I don't have lines or wrinkles quite yet, but as for imperfections the finish is airbrushed looking and flawless, my mom who is 50, also uses this same foundation and her makeup always looks flawless. I definitely recommended this foundation to anyone.
The only con I can think of is the price, but it does last a long time and you are definitely paying for the product you get. I would give this foundation a 5/5

Covergirl Natureluxe Foundation With SPF 10
This foundation gives moderate coverage, I do not recommended this for dry skin, or for really oily skin either.. I believe from when I tried this product that it is more for combination skin than anything, overall it is a good foundation but you have to be careful when applying to your face that you blend it properly because it is a thicker formula that is mousse like so I also advise not to apply with a foundation brush, this makeup would be better suited for a sponge or just your hands. I did like how natural looking this makeup did look when applied moderately. Another good thing about this foundation was that it lasted for quite a while, touch ups were eventually still needed but I was definitely pleasantly surprised at the end of the day how well it stayed on my skin. This foundation as well has SPF 15 which is something you should look for in your foundations as I mentioned before! I was looking at other online reviews and a lot of people seemed to be upset about the price, it is pricey for a drugstore foundation but it is less than half of what you would normally pay for a department store foundation. In the end it is a pretty good foundation you just have to have a certain type of skin and apply it correctly. I give this foundation 3.5/5

Loreal Magic Smooth Souffle Foundation

This foundation is mousse like and have light-moderate coverage. This foundation goes on very smoothly and is easy to apply, but just the same as the Natureluxe foundation be careful that you do not apply too much in oily or dry areas.. but other than that I thought this foundation was wonderful, it made my skin look glowy and soft and I did not need a powder because it has a matte finish that didn't really require too be set with a powder. As for long lasting, it did not last quite as long as I would like my foundation too last but if you had time for touch ups this foundation is a one step foundation that really does cover imperfections and  made my skin look great while used in moderation. If you have combination skin and are looking for a matte foundation with light coverage I would recommend this foundation too you. I give this foundation a 4/5

MAC Pro Longwear Liquid Foundation With SPF 10

This foundation has moderate to full coverage. I purchased this foundation because I wanted a foundation for the summer that would not melt off from the heat and I wouldn't have to reapply, and that would last all day the makeup artist at MAC Cosmetics recommended this too me and when I first bought it in the summer I loved it, it did last all day.. but as the fall came and my skin started to get drier and the less the makeup looked good on my skin, this skin is more meant for oily skin types because when applied too dry areas it appears cakey, but other than that this foundation was great, now that spring has come and my skin is more oily/combination that dry I use it all the time, especially when I am broken out. I would recommend you wear this if you have combination-oily skin if you are looking for moderate to full  coverage, I would also recommend to set with a translucent powder to keep any additional shine away and keep your makeup flawless for another additional couple of hours. Overall, I would give this foundation 5/5

MAC Mineralize Satinfinish With SPF 15

This foundation has light to moderate coverage and gives a dewy foundation look. When I purchased this foundation I told the makeup artist that I have an oily t-zone lately and she said that this foundation is not that good for oily skin, it is made more for people with dry-combination skin and I also would not recommend to wear this when you have a breakout, it does not have very good coverage on acne. This foundation would be great for someone with dry skin because it moisturizes your skin. I did just purchase this a couple days ago and so far I am definitely liking it, my only concerns that I have is when I apply it on my face with a foundation brush I find that it is harder to blend - it would probably work better with a sponge or your fingers and that if you do not set it with a translucent powder it probably will change color on you and go darker and no one really wants that.. but overall if you are looking for a sheer foundation and have combination skin it is a good choice. I would give this product 4/5

Clinique Supermoisture Makeup

This foundation gives you full coverage and a dewy finish. This product is ideal for someone with severely dry skin. A couple years ago I was on medication that caused my skin to dry out so bad that I could not wear any makeup I tried everything, I tried other foundations that were good for dry skin but my skin was too the point where it was almost looking like it was peeling from a sunburn or something, then I found this foundation and it was the only foundation that I used while I was on that medication. It leaves your skin looking wet because it has so much moisture in it. The only complaint I had about this foundation when I was using it was how easily it came off on to your hands if you barely touched you face or if it went on your clothes (you wouldn't lose coverage on your face but it would just come off onto your hands) But I really enjoyed this foundation when I had it and when I was having my skin problems it was honestly a life saver.. dry skin can be much worse than oily shiny skin, I tried every skin product, every scrub and nothing worked, but this foundation I believe was an honest help to my skin and I do recommend it too anyone that has the same issues as I did.

I give this product a 5/5

Clinique Perfectly Real Foundation

I bought this foundation in search of a lighter foundation with sheer coverage and just to wear when I am working or if I am just going to go to town to get something and want to appear a little bit put together, this foundation was actually really great, it was sheer and it covered up little imperfections and made the overall skin tone look better. This foundation would even be great for someone who is just starting to use foundation or someone who is skeptical about wearing foundation this appears very natural, blends well and lasts all day aswell! I give this foundation a 5/5

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup

This foundation has light to moderate coverage, appears natural and I believe is good for all skin types, it is probably the coolest makeup I have tried it really is mousse - it looks like the mousse you put in your hair and it bubbles! But overall this foundation was absolutely great, I wore this foundation to my prom and my makeup remained flawless and natural all night and it is so easy to put on, blends well and looks nice on.

I give this foundation 5/5

And I think I am going to leave my first Foundation 101 post at that, I will post more foundation reviews in the future I just figured might as well start with a bang, hope this helps!

The Best Straightener

I own an Avanti Nano-Titanium Ceramic Silver Digital Flat Iron (1-3/8" inch)
It is a pricey one, but in my opinion - worth every penny! It ranges from $150-$250
and the reason being why it is so expensive is because it is a salon straightener, when I was looking for
a good straighter to purchase I was looking a lot at thinner ones that could curl hair - but unfourtantely this one does not curl hair, I never opted for a thinner straightener and I always figured that I would never get one unless it curled but one of my friends has this straighter and once I tried it I had to have it, it was honestly the best straightener I have ever used, I have owned other salon straighteners by brands like Ceramix and Babyliss and they were great but not close to the quality of this straightener. I personally, have wavy hair that is very stubborn when it comes to straightening it, it always seemed to be curly by the end of the day or flipping in all directions so for the longest time I did not even try to straighten my hair maybe in the winter when it wasn't as humid but it just felt like a waste of time but since I have purchased my Nano Croc I have straightened my hair on a regular basis regardless of the humidity and my hair has actually been staying straight! I also contribute that to a couple of products that I have found and I will probably list them in a bit but this straightener is great, my friend that owned it that showed me it has showed it too other friends and they have all gone and purchased it as well.

So some perks of spending this straightener, aside from having great hair are:
- Heats up too 450 F
- Digitally displays temperature
- You can adjust the heat by a button to any temp. you would like
- Is light, only weights 1Llbs.
- Extra long chord, so it can reach wherever
- Heats up to 450F in a matter of seconds
- Compact

TIPS for better straightening and healthier hair and for use of your Nano Croc Straightener:
- Always use a heat protector spray or cream, to protect your hair from heat damage. I use 'Matrix Sleek Look' Spray - it protects as well as helps with humidity and gives your hair great shine!
- Don't turn up your straightener all the way up if you have thinner hair, only adjust the heat setting too what you need - if you have curly/hard to straighten hair you would put it up higher and medium-thick hair you would use a setting in-between. Most People put it up as high as you can cause they think it is faster, but it will damage your hair!
-As for the actual straightener, I have read online some people have had issues with them turning off, I myself have never had that issue with this straightener and I have had it for about 5 months I think the issue is people being rough with their straightener, wrapping the chord around the body (which you do not want to do) and unplugging the iron before it has been turned off, if I ever do have an issue I will definitely post it, but thus far I have not had one issue with this straightener.

(Left To Right) Avanti Nano-Titanium Ceramic Silver Digital Flat Iron (1-3/8" inch)

Matrix Sleek Look Iron Smoother.

My Skin Care Routine

This specific skin care routine does work for me - I have combination skin which is basically just means that your skin isn't really dry or oily except it is oily in the t-zone which is your forehead, in between your eyebrows (my biggest problem area) down your nose, and on your chin and around your mouth,

I will post different skin care that I do find effective because I have experienced servilely dry skin as well as oily skin. Thank you :)

I use the 'Dermalogica Clean Start' Line I buy the whole set (Minus the 'Sebum Clearing Masque' which is on the end to the right) I buy it at my local salon that sells Dermalogica Skin Care and it costs approximately $45 - $50 dollars but one set usually does last 1-2 months and the Masque comes to approximately $60 dollars.

It is pricey but it is a solution to acne that does work for me - obviously I still get the odd breakout but most days I do have a very clear complexion. 

On a daily basis you wash your face in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed and that is the way this system is set up.

IN THE MORNING:

First I use the 'Wash Off' face cleanser. Lather & rinse to get rid of dead skin cells and cleans your face!

Then, 'All Over Clear' this is a spray toner, to clear problem areas you just spray and I let it dry a little bit before the next step. TIP: you can spray it even on a breakout on your body if you have acne on your back, chest or shoulders or just for your face

I then use the 'Welcome Matte SPF 15' Moisturizer which controls shine and protects your skin from sun damage! TIP: I always, always wait at least 5 minutes to let the moisturizer settle before putting on any makeup! 

AT NIGHT:

I do the same routine in the morning, but instead of using the 'Welcome Matte SPF 15 Moisturizer' I use 'Bedtime For Breakouts' Which is basically just a treatment cream that works overnight and prevents breakouts and reduces redness. You just leave it on your face and go to bed!

There are additional steps that you don't do everyday but more so every other day or more simply, every 3-5 days a week.

The first additional product is 'Ready Set Scrub!' Which is included in the 'Clean Start' Kit. I use it after Cleansing and before using the toner.

And what it is, is an exfoliating scrub and basically what it does is soaks up oils and gets ready of dead skin cells and makes your skin feel fresh and soft! I leave it on for about 5 minutes and rinse with warm water

Finally, the second additional product is the 'Sebum Clearing Masque' which I bought separately from the 'Clean Start' Kit This product is my absolute favorite skin care product I have ever purchased, I truly credit this masque to the clearing of my skin. I use it usually 3-4 times a week after Cleansing and before the toner.

And what this product is, is a clay masque that soaks up oil and helps preventing breakouts with salicylic acid, I apply a smooth layer of it of my face (you may want to just put on t-zone) and leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

Some additional skin tips that I have learnt are:

-Products don't work right away, sometimes it can take up too a month - and it MAY get worse before it get's better it does suck, but in the end it really could be worth it!! 

-Do use a SPF and avoid going in the sun without it or going tanning, I myself personally do love tanning but I have given it up because it is terrible for your skin and it also causes skin cancer and you could always opt for a really good self-tanner and you won't have to worry about looking leather-y in the future or worry about getting skin cancer.

First Post! My Background

This is my first post on this blog! I have had blogs before but never a beauty one! So maybe I will start off with talking about myself and my makeup background.

All of my life I have absolutely loved everything beauty - makeup, hair, fashion, fragrance,skin care and exercise and well-being (I know it's not beauty but - music!) and I have always followed beauty, fashion, music blogs or watched videos but I just recently thought that maybe I should do something like that!

This upcoming September I am attending a beauty school and I am going to take Makeup-Artistry! It is a lifelong dream and I cannot wait - I am beyond excited!

As for my experience, it all really basically just started when I was a little girl, I have two older sisters, one is 13 years older then me and the other 9 years my senior, I was always enchanted by their makeup and hair as even a toddler and they eventually taught me some basic makeup tips and I haven't looked back since! My mother also is a Makeup Consultant for Lancomè makeup in my area, and I attend (or work) at every Makeup Gala that she has or any makeup related event that is going on in my small town.
I figured this blog would be a great way for me too post and let people know good products, products I dislike and how to properly apply makeup among many other things, I have always been the guinea pig that tested absolutely every product that intrigued me for my friends and family, I cannot walk by a makeup counter and not take a glimpse.. often the visit does end with a purchase and I would like to extend my knowledge of makeup and product knowledge along for others to pass along as well :)
Fashion, another one of my favorite things - if I was not taking Makeup Artistry I would probably be studying fashion or maybe even designing or something to do with the Music Industry, so this blog will have music posts because it is an obsession of mine as well.

Hope you enjoy the blog!
Katie