What's Been Added to My Makeup Collection?

A few weeks ago I was talking makeup vlogs & products with my niece, Alura & my BFF, Love and it occurred to me that I had not updated you guys on some of my "needed" products. Somebody might want to know if my makeup items have changed. Yes, there have been some.

I was going to do this post last week, then Prince died and like many I was pretty bummed. Oh Prince with his perfect eyeliner. Whoever is getting his unused eyeliners will be blessed. Prince was never seen with running eyeliner, unlike my sinus attack having self. That another reason why I am a makeup free maven most days.

Well, my first makeup changes started about this time last year. ID was preparing us for her wedding. She mentioned that we will be doing our own face foundation for the wedding. Guess who didn't wear foundation? You guess it. The last time I wore foundation had to be my senior prom and I just borrowed my mother's Prescriptives because we are the same skin tone. At the same time, I was running out of face and eye primer and Avon, in its usual fashion had discontinued what I was using.

So, I researched on YouTube what drugstore products my favorite beauty vloggers were wearing (Because I don't wear foundation so, I wasn't going to pay $$$ for it) and I found some real nice gems. Avon's loss became gains for Covergirl, NYX and Rimmel London. I am in love with these products. Paired with my NYX Setting Spray, They are the base of my fabulous bridesmaid look for ID's wedding. Their staying power was great. Here is a little pictorial timeline on how well my makeup stayed on.

It's about 3pm, right before I got dressed.
Makeup was about 3-4 hours old and it still looked fresh. 

Still looks good at 8:30pm as I just danced into the
reception after the wedding ceremony and taking pictures outside.

At 10:30pm, I've had dinner . Now taking pictures with "Ridge" and others.
Oh, what do we see? A shiny forehead!

The only thing I ever touched up once was my lip before outside pictures. And after dinner, I didn't even touch that up any more. See, Avon that could have been you, but no you got rid of the stuff that once worked. Now my heart belongs to others. My next update is a indulgent one. I had been hearing about Beauty Blenders for a while. But the $20 price tag at Sephora was one I could not justify. Then while buying hair supplies on the Sally's website in September 2015, I came across a Beauty Blender dupe from Face Secrets.

Yeah, I just used it
But it is lilac

My Face on New Years Day

They had them 2 for 1 so, I added that to my order and checked out. I gave the other two to my niece & my Bestie, T.T. (Who is a great MUA, whose brain I pick for the makeup trends). I like this sponge. It blends my foundation (the bottom) & concealer (the tip) much better than brushes for me, It also feels better than brushes. I just wash it with hand soap and water after every use. It is a nice inexpensive investment. Now fast forward to this year, 2016.

I was purchasing Queasy Drops for my motion sickness in Target and I saw these eye makeup pencil brushes on clearance. The brand is a popular one called ELF (Eye, Face, Lips) that I hadn't tried yet. So, I indulged. LoL I sent a picture to T.T. and she gave me a thumbs up because of the brand. Then I hit pan on my Revlon blush. Blush is a product I own both an expensive one & an inexpensive one. Now, in a previous post I said I was protesting Revlon until the CEO leaves. And once my Revlon products run out I am buying another brand.

Well, I had to look up another brand of inexpensive blush to buy. Well, highlighting is the trend and I saw that Hard Candy had baked blushes with the highlighter in the same container. I got one in the color, Punch.

It has been a learning adventure with both. I was lining my eyes with what I was suppose to fill my brows with. My cheeks appeared sweaty because of too much highlight.

But, I finally got the hang of the products. I was on my way to a divorce party and I knew I looked extra cute. Well, I did before my sinuses were attacked and my eyeliner smudged. But like seen in that picture next to Prince, I was still cute. And yes, I will be discussing the hair in another post. I like the blush color on me. It give me the right touch of color on my cheeks. And the brushes are really a cool help with my cat eye.

So, that's an update on what new or new-to-me makeup products I have been using. Oh I have new lip & eye colors but I change those often. These products featured are not things I change up often. I might have to look for a new primer or start buying this one in bulk. My sister, A was trying to buy some and the shelves are sometimes empty. Rimmel, don't be like Avon. Do Not Discontinue the Stay Matte Primer, Please. Maybe if I beg for it to stay forever, it will. Keyword is Maybe!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Nailed It!!!

Yes, I have been slacking on the beauty blogs. I’ve done Eye Shadow Allergy. Answered Eye shadow questions Here. And when I speak you’ve seen what might be on my mouth with a Lip Product Blog. Well, the person whose question started these blogs nicely reminded me that I have not finished. I still need to do nail care and face care blogs. This is maybe a tad helpful for me right now. For Lent, I gave up buying makeup. Last year I acquired many makeup products. I couldn’t go to Northpark Mall without a stop in Sephora. My coupon stash was full of makeup coupons. My makeup kits have quite a few new shades of everything. I knew I had a problem when this January I got a notice that Maybelline had lip gloss on sale on Amazon for $1.99 and with free shipping. I bought two. Did I need any of it? NO!!! So until after Easter, I will not buy myself any makeup. My mother needs a new Vitamin E stick so I’ll get her one, soon.

My nails are like my eyes & lips. My fingers like my eyes see color sometimes. Like my lips, my toes see color a lot.

From March until October I polish my toes. I live in Texas so during those months I am mostly in a toeless shoe of some sort in public. Also, I have talked about enough people with chipped polish on their toes and finger not for mine to be chipped up too. My man will never do the “Boomerang” to check on me and frown. Either they are polished or not.
These are my feet after getting my tattoo, six years ago. I told you, I’m never slipping. If they are chipped in public I have on closed-toe shoes.

Okay, you probably noticed I said I polish my nails. I do. My fingernails grow longish so I don’t wear artificial nails.

The last time I wore them was for a wedding I was in, in 2004, so roughly 10 years. I only get a professional manicure for maintenance twice a year. I do my own feet. If I can paint my own fingers I can paint my toes. Plus that’s a few dollars I keep in my pocket.

My Finger Nails are usually clear. I only like Red, Pink, or Coral on my fingers. I paint them in other colors and don’t recognize my hands. Plus Red Nails Match Everything!!! You can Never go Wrong with a Red Nail!!!

Now my feet have seen every color but black, green, and yellow. Like my lips, I don’t like those colors on them. In 2012 I found Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips and fell in love with them. I’m going to try “Out of Line" for Easter. They are like nail stickers but its real nail polish. Since I can coat my nails with solid colors on my own, I only buy the kind with designs. My Favorites are “I Love Love” and ”Sweet Tart-an”

(in which those cuss words discontinued my faves but I did find the new shade “Love Letter” for "I Love Love" & stocked up on Sweet Tart-an too help me from writing them a scathing email) They are so pretty.

But like many stories my life, Sally Hansen would keep my Epic nail fail “I Love Lacey”. It was pretty in the box but on my feet, grossness (my feet look weird). I think I disliked it so much I got up at 3 am on a Saturday morning and took it off and painted them red.

Okay My Tips for Nail Color Care

Wear Clear Polish - Using clear polish gives your nails a smooth, shiny finish and even if it does start chipping, no one will be able to tell. A good choice would be a nail hardening polish, which if applied daily will harden your natural nail.

Wash it Off - I don't paint my nails the neatest. Especially with my non-dominant (right) hand. When I get polish on my skin, I wait until all my nail and mistakes are dry and wash my hands and feet. Sometimes I wait to polish my nails two hours before my bath. It comes off the skin and your color is smudge-free.

Either Wear the Polish or Don't - If it is chipped, Take It Off!!! While you're sitting there watching TV you can take the polish off. Chipped polish is uncalled for.

Alright so that what my nails might look like as I sit and type to you guys. Actually, they are that  Revlon "African Tea Rose" (pink) color you see in the opening picture. So, let me go stretch. Any questions or comments leave them in the comments below.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

OUTSPOKEN_DIVA'S Best of 2013

So I decided to do a blog on My Best of 2013. I like a many things but some things I like a little bit more than others. No, there will not be a Worse of 2013 blog. Am I not critical enough? Even though I want in 2014, for World Star Hip Hop to destroy All the Ratchet, All the Ghetto, and All the Dysfunctional videos ever known to man on its website. I will not make a blog to highlight the gross stuff of 2013.  LoL

In 2013, I decided to make it a mission to try some new Restaurants and make different recipes. Because No one will make New Foods, I had to do something.  I’m a foodie at heart. Probably why I picked the major. So here is some Good food worth sharing

Favorite Restaurant Dish

Disco Fries (Houlihans)

I went here for my birthday dinner. French Fries, Pot Roast, Gravy, Green Onions and Cheddar Cheese make a great dish. I had a salad also that was delicious, but it didn’t make the picture (maybe I was eating it)

Favorite New Recipe

3 Ingredient Chicken

On Facebook my sister tags me when she shares some of the recipes she wants to try. That’s how I saw this one. It’s just Chicken, dry Italian Dressing mix and Brown Sugar. Bake it and you have a finger licking good meal. I pair it with a simple Wax Bean & Carrot medley.

Favorite Meatless Meal

Pasta Puttanesca

I try to go meatless once a week. Usually Mondays except during Lent, which I go meatless on Fridays. One day going through recipes for clients I ran across one I made in my Basic Foods class in college. It’s linguine with sautéed chili peppers, Spanish olives, zucchini, diced tomatoes and oregano in light olive oil & garlic over it.

 

Favorite New Fast Food

Taco Casa

I saw a cousin on Facebook talk about this place. Well on National Taco Day, I got try them. Yummy!!! 

 

 

Okay I know you know I spend an obscene amount of time watching TV. Of Course you know about TV Thursday but Sundays I’m a tad obsessive about my shows also.

Favorite Food Show

Cutthroat Kitchen I love this show!!! It is like Chopped, the childhood game Dare, meets Vegas slots. It speaks to the creativity of a chef because these challenges can be a doozy.

 

Favorite Instead of “Popular” Reality Show I Watch:

Boardwalk Empire and Treme I love these two shows. Hate that this the last season for Treme. If you keep up with life after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans or at least watch the two Spike Lee Doc for HBO about it, you know Treme is very Accurate. Boardwalk Empire keeps my attention in a way that frightens me. It is full of violence yet it intrigues me. It’s like when Prohibition started and Atlantic City acted like it was not law. Nucky Thompson is the man. And there is Chalky White, the lone black guy in Nucky’s posse. How can one man be so upstanding and crooked at the same time, beats me. Right now all the key players are scattered away from Atlantic City so I can’t wait to see what brings them back to town.

Favorite Comedy:

Big Bang Theory Are you shocked? Especially since Raj now can talk to women without the use of Alcohol. Finally. That was bothering me. He was going to need rehab. Big Bang Theory are the people I knew and myself in high school. I can name someone for everyone on that show. Yes, I’m am Bernadette.

Favorite Rom Com:

Hart of Dixie Still Team Zeorge (George & Zoe) even though Zoe is with some writer named Joel & George is with the Mayor Lavon’s cousin Lynly. Zoe has finally connected to her birth father’s family, the Wilkes. Lemon is even seeing some promise in finding herself.

Favorite Drama:

Scandal & Greys Anatomy It is a tie. Both keep my heart pounding. Shonda Rhymes know the key to the drama side of my heart. Keep my suspense and tie up loose ends all at the same time. She does it well. Even though the Yang/Grey fighting stabs me in the heart and whenever Mama Pope calls Olivia, “Livie” scares me a bit, I have to watch these shows.

Favorite New Show:

Super Fun Night Nope it’s not Marvels Agents of Shield. It’s Super Fun Night. Little known fact about the Diva…I don’t go out that much. When I do it looks a lot like this show (Dollar to Donuts my friends will disagree but trust me I have stories to prove it). The first episode with Kimmie jumping around trying to put on her shape wear I died laughing. As a shape wearer I can totally relate.

I Miss the Most Show

Emily Owens Yep, a show that is about an awkward nerd that went against the grain of pop culture’s definition of Nerd on a Broadcast Station (The CW) that is filled with mostly shows that are geared to fans of pop culture. Dr. Emily Owens, I still miss you!!!

 

Web Shows are next. Y’all know I’m addicted to them. Vlogs also. I can’t go a day with watching something. I see a pattern I think my emotional & inner dating self is in its late 20's. Web Series might be my way of  finding out what went wrong. Just a guess!

Favorite Continuing Web Series (Tie)

Unwritten Rules Season 2 Link

Spoiler alert! Racy has a new boss. She thought it was going to be easier. Umm new boss, new issues.

That Guy Season 2 Link

Two guy Mike & Judah, somewhat trifling, but they have good hearts and they mean well. Season 2 delves into the emotions of That Guys. Hilarious stuff.

 

Favorite New Web Series (Tie)

No Strings, Please Link

Think living in a New city gets rid of you. Nope! You are still you.

Smoke & Mirrors Link

Dixon, Dixon, Dixon! Go through a journey of a man who finds out if relationships and the problems in them are illusions we make for ourselves.

Favorite Vlog

KevOnStage Link

You know those quirky churchy/non churchy articles we read or videos we watch and can’t believe they are real. Meet the man to discuss them. Also he make the “Cartoon Scandal” videos we all love so much.

Favorite Sketch Comedy

The Playmakers Link

The future of Christian Comedy is on YouTube. I first fell in love with The Playmakers with a video called “Stuff Black Church Girls Say” http://youtu.be/uGKWVv53eX0. Black Church Girls now have Web Series and also check out Music Videos by a group called Praydeci. Good Clean fun!!! Oh and KevonStage is member of The Playmakers

 

Yes I still read books. In 2004 I heard myself go stupid and was losing my grasp on the English language. Never again so of course I am still reading. I read some wonderful ones this year.

Best Fiction

The Awesome Girl's Guide to Dating Extraordinary Men by Ernessa Carter

4 Women in 2 years get nothing they want but All that they need. Also look for cameos from Davie Jones, Main character of 32 Candles by the same author.

 

Best Non-Fiction

Ghettonation: A Journey Into the Land of Bling and Home of the Shameless by Cora Daniels

I wrote a blog about it sometime ago. Go read it Here

Best Sci-Fi

Long Division by  Kiese Laymon

Defying a patronizingly racist contest on live television, 14-year-old Citoyen “City” Coldson’s rant goes viral and becomes an embarrassment on a national scale. Sent to stay with family in the small town of Melahatchie, he distracts himself from Internet infamy, redneck racists, and a grandmother who’s not afraid to make him cut her a switch by reading a mysterious book where his name and the name of his grandmother's teenage missing neighbor appear.

 

Best Novella

I Met Him in the Ladies' Room (pt1) by Michelle Simpson

Where did you meet the Lord? Kerri Dalee met Him in the Restroom. That simple, right? Read it and find out. 

Favorite Memoir

Self-Inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation by Aisha Tyler

Okay only Memoir I read. Charging $12-$15 for your life on my Kindle is gross. No one is that interesting. When they go down, I’ll read more of those. The Nerd Queen proves why she is just that. I love this book. I know she and I would have been friends in Latter Elementary & Middle school.

For Lent, I’m giving up buying makeup. In 2013, I found myself buying product after product. So let me share my favorite lip products for my looks I experimented with this year. Yes, All lip products. I didn’t do anything new with my eyes.

Favorite Lip Stain

Loreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain

It stays on for many hours, moisturizes and has shine.

Favorite Go To Lip Stick

Maybelline Color Sensationals Vivids - Pink Pop

If I needed to add some color to a look it was my trusty bubby. It is smooth & long lasting.

Favorite Trend (Ombre’ Lips)

Two tone lips are not new. But 2013 was the year of doing more than red lip liner and pink lip color. I saw ladies adding different colors to their Ombre’ lips. And I am happy to say I think the Black eye liner on the lip phase may be going away (cuing the praise music, I’m going in, in advance),

My Autumn Ombre’ was done with SEPHORA COLLECTION Nano Lip Liner - Beau Bordeaux, then REVLON Colorburst Lip Butter – Sorbet then topped off with Maybelline Color Sensational High Gloss Shine - Captivating Coral.

 

My October Awareness Ombre’ I talked about in a  Blog earlier this fall, was achieve with COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipliner – Plum & Loreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain -  Rose On and On.

 

 

Yep, those looks were that simple!!!

Favorite MakeUp Vlog

Cosmetic Candies FYI Link

Oh I fell in love with another Makeup Vlog. She’s the only Vlog that made me truly understand Ombre’ Lips

 

Alright the video playing while you were reading is one of my favorites in Music for 2013

Favorite Sacred

Ultimate Relationship by Donald Lawrence (Ft Lalah Hathaway)

I follow Lalah Hathaway on Twitter and I saw tweets about this song. It’s remake of a song fame Gospel artist Donald Lawrence wrote for Mary J. Blige. Who is the Best Person to wake up and talk to in the morning? I added it to my worship playlist and never turned back.

Favorite Secular

Finally by Carolyn Malachi

Watch the Video Here

Y’all can play this at my funeral (Bishop might not mind) LoL On Sunday evening I listen to a Podcast called Black Girl Nerds http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blackgirlnerds (Shout out to BGN) and this is the opening song. It’s simple, “Finally, I’m Finally Me. Finally, I’m Finally Free. Refreshing!!!

 

And that wraps up my favorite things of 2013. Hope you enjoyed it! What were some of your favorite things of 2013? Let me know in the comments below. If the Lord says the same I’ll see you in 2014.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

What's on my Mouth? (Lip Product Blog)

Okay the answer to the "Answering Eye Shadow Allergy Questions" blog question is B. All were at home but A was right before bed, B was fresh from the Salon, and C was fresh from the salon but I was so sleepy that morning I did good to make it to the salon let alone put my "dry face" look on. *smile*

I didn't wear eye shadow until Senior Prom. Lipstick got an early appearance in 7th grade. I was sneaking it on at school. Two days after my uncle died I was caught. I forgot to scrub it off last period and tried to get it off on the 15 minute bus ride home. Well his widow saw my lips and loudly announce it. My mother said "Oh, you want to wear lipstick? Okay!" (Trust me had my family and I not been grieving I don't think it would have gone over that well). She only let me wear Riiid (bright red) & Paink (bright pink) until 10th grade. I have the school pictures to prove it. Then I added brown and gold. Finally one day in college I look and had every color but black, yellow, & green (I don't like those lip colors). My lips have been white, blue, color blocked, silver just like they have been gold, red, brown, & pink. If my lips were like hair, they would have broke off from color damage.

Before you ask my basic look for my lips includes a vitamin E stick or a medicated lip balm, a clear lip liner (I like Mary Kay & Cover Girl) and a clear or sparkle lip gloss.

Makeup Confession: I am ADDICTED to glitter & sparkling lip gloss.

I blame the Makeup companies. If they only put it in little girls lip gloss then... The older I get, I try to cut back on the sparkle gloss purchases. I won't be a senior citizen still looking like I still shop in the Lip Smackers section in the store.

My little arsenal of lipstick, lipglosses & lip balms
(well what's not in my purse)

The bag all my lip products are stored by color in zipper bags

Let me see some advice on Lips

1. Find your perfect shade of every Lip color out there. I think everyone can where all the colors, we just choose not to. Sometime because we don't know & are scared to find out what looks good on us.

2. Lip Balms & Vitamin E sticks are inexpensive moisturizers. Use them.  It makes no sense to have chap lips with all kinds of free with purchase or $.99 lip protection are out there.

3. Learn the difference between Eyeliner & Lip liner. I am sick of women putting black & brown Eyeliners around their lips. Eyeliners dry out your lips. Lip liners moisturize them. Find darker colors of lip liners to use. They are out. Many times near the eyeliner.

4. Bold lip Lighter eyes and Bold eyes Lighter lip Not Bold eyes & lips. Your face will be overpowered with too much color. I'll say it that way instead of saying "You will look like a Clown"

Okay that's all I will say about color on my lips & eyes. Hopefully what I do help someone out there.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

Answering Eye Shadow Allergy Questions

Okay I am "face naked" most days. I only wear makeup for church and social occasions.  l got a few questions after my Eye shadow Allergy blog. So I'm answering them here.

Is that clear mascara?

Yes, that is Clear Mascara. The brand is Maybelline. Clear mascara is designed to tame, shape and gives a slightly darker (wet) look to your natural lashes.  It's also good for shaping your eyebrows. I like clear because it matches all looks and it is easier to clean off my lashes.

What do you suggest as a basic look for the eyes?

My basic look is eyeliner (black or brown), clear mascara, and eye shadow primer (it helps your eye shadow last longer but can give your lids a hint of color). It goes from day to night. A Simple look  that can't go wrong.

Make up confession: I'm never totally face naked unless I'm at home. I never leave my house without Brown Eyeliner (unless the look requires Black or Blue). I've worn it since senior year in high school. It defines my eyes without being noticed with my peanut butter skin color.

A

B

C

Can you tell which picture I have brown eye liner on? A B or C The Answer will be in the next blog. Good Luck!

 Where do you find eye shadow advice? Are there any how-to websites out there?

Makeup looks are everywhere. I first used to follow the Mary Kay sample  that they have at Mary Kay parties in college. Then I found a brand is called Urban Decay and they have a great Steal Our Look section on their website. Now thanks to YouTube makeup advice is everywhere. From makeup brand to vloggers, YouTube is full of makeup tips; all you have to do is a search. I personally like Beat Face Honey (She's a makeup artist. She does Brandy's Makeup) and iCRAiZ (She's a fashion & beauty vlogger. I liked the way she did her nude lips with drugstore products). Hover over their names to get to their pages. And good ol' see someone's look and ask. Sounds goofy but it works. People will share tips with you after a nice compliment.

Okay, Hope I answered your questions. Now I'm inspired to do a lip color blog. Stay tuned!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

Eye Shadow Allergy

Running late, I had to put on my makeup in a car. The person I'm riding with was amazed on how I did my eye makeup. She had never seen Eye Shadow Pencils. So this blog is for her and anyone interested in traditional eye shadow alternates.

Traditional eye shadow actually gives me a headache that equal sinus or migraine. My eyes and talc have issues together. I don't know why. It took me few years and to many headaches to actually notice the link. Well when the silver line on the eye lids was very popular, I bought a Jumbo NYX pencil (yeah that it's replacement) at a local beauty supply store. Going out one night I did that look and noticed I didn't have a headache. Light bulb went off and I started buying pencils in the shades I wear the most.

Then I heard about eye shadow cheat sheets from Avon. The eye shadow came on tissue sheets already in the pattern you want. You pressed the sheet on your eye lid for a minute. Viola! Eye shadow done. I Loved those. But the story of my life "The stuff I really like or love, gets cancelled". But while they were in clearance section I stocked up. If you like animal prints Hard Candy has Eye Tattoos. Never tried them myself but if you do let me know. I know Avon SHOULD bring back In a Wink Eye Shadow Sheets. I liked them.



My eyes with In a Wink Sheets (I miss that hairstyle)



My eyes with Jumbo Pencils (what happen when I wait)





All of my Jumbo Pencils are inexpensive. I think Sephora is the most expensive. I'm graduating to gels & higher price pencils like Urban Decay, one day. I have some $$ in lip & face products but not eye. Hmm, Interesting. Some people use the pencils like an eye primer.  But since I was tired of taking pain relief just to wear eye makeup I'll wear it as a shadow.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms