Brushes? CHECK! ... Beautiful Models? CHECK!

I am up early this morning getting my makeup kit together and just finished cleaning my makeup brushes.  (Some of these brushes I've had since 2004, I've realized, and I still use it ALL the time.  LOVE IT!)  My call time is at noon, so hopefully these bad boys will dry by then.  I should have done this since last night, but I decided to hang out with a few of the girls last night instead since I haven't done so in nearly a month since I've been sick.  I needed some girls' time and I had a blast... as I always do!  :)

I should finish getting ready, but I just had to come here and express my excitement.  Let me see if this better explains it:  I am sooooooooooooo exciiiiiiiiiitedddddddddddddddd!!

Okay all done!  LOL.

Let me share pictures of two of my models during my last photoshoot.  I added their pictures to my website at thydalim.com but am still trying to find a better way to make my portfolio more organized and run smoothly.  Anyone wanna lend a helping hand?  Oh well, I will worry about that later because I have a gig today, one next Friday, a beauty event next Saturday, and another makeup gig next Sunday!  Whoot whoot... I love LA Fashion Week!

Anyway, here are the pretty models I mentioned before:

I will write more about their looks on my makeup artistry blog,  thydalim.blogspot.com a little bit later when I have more time... but don't forget to subscribe to that if you haven't already.

I am still looking to do more high fashion, editorial, and beauty shots so that I can add them to my portfolio, so if you have any ideas, just shoot them my way and I'd greatly appreciate it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and please... wish me luck in all this.

XOXO

Starving Artist

I deserve it... I swear!

Traveling with makeup is hard work!  I used to have a few different train cases, but I outgrew them and I have way more products than what fits in them.  Also, when you don't transport all of your makeup properly, its gonna hurt you... emotionally and financially.  Therefore, I am needing this baby:


So if you are feeling extra generous and wanna get me an early birthday and/or Christmas present for the next ten years, do not be shy!  :D

I would love you forever and three days... I swear!

*hugs*

Eyelashes Giveaway - WINNER

Last week, I decided to give away some goodies to some beauties who read my blog:
Eyelashes Giveaway

The winner has been chosen!

Congratulations to MANDY at Hair and Makeup Overload!

I will be contacting you shortly for your information so you can expect to receive these flirty and fun lashes shortly.  :)

Thanks to everyone for entering, and better luck next time!

Eyelashes Giveaway!

Not too long ago, I came across this website that sold eyelashes for cheap! I was sort of skeptical about them at first because of the price and thought, "they can't be THAT great!".

Well, I was wrong... so wrong! I love these more than the eyelashes that I purchase locally for about five times the price. I even told some other Makeup Artists that I worked with this past weekend about the website... I recommended it to those who know the good stuff... thats how much I liked them!

Click here to visit Model 21 Eyelashes

The website shows tons of different styles, but I decided to go with five that are dramatic and ones that I do not already have anything similar to. My order shipped quick and got here in about four days... amazing! I also got free shipping and a free pack... hopefully they still have that offer.

Anyway, since I have about 50 pairs right now and am feeling a little generous, I am going to give away a few pairs.

I AM HOSTING THIS GIVEAWAY MYSELF SO TRUST THAT THESE PLAYFUL AND PLUSH LASHES WILL GET TO YOU QUICKLY... NO IF'S OR BUT'S ABOUT IT... I PROMISE YOU THAT!

How to enter:
1. Comment on this entry and let me know when you would most likely wear eyelashes. (ie. night out with the girls, date night, formal occasions, everyday, etc.) - Also include your name and email address!
(1 entry)

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet: Follow @thyda and RT to win some fun & sexy eyelashes at: http://bit.ly/bMdo01
(2 entries)

Giveaway Deadline & Winner is chosen on Saturday, October 9th at 11:59PM PST.


Please note that I purchased these on my own and am giving these lashes away at my own will.


P.S. I am sick right now and wouldn't look too cute on camera, so sorry for the lack of pictures. I will try to add some a little bit later.  However, I was wearing a pair of the lashes in the picture posted in one of my earlier entries:  Lookin' Kinda Crazy

Makeup - Expensive Nail Polish... worth every penny!

I used to wonder WTF was wrong with people who made a big deal over OPI nail polish and question their sanity when they think that it is OKAY to spend more than ten bucks for a small bottle of nail polish when I can get the same sized bottle of Wet & Wild for 99 cents.  If I am lucky, there is a buy one get one free special. HA!  Ten bucks (sometimes sixteen) dollars for a bottle of nail polish is just ludicrous, right?  Thats what I thought too...

... but I admit that I am slowly moving on over to the dark side!  Eeep!  Save me!

I have never been crazy about painting my nails because...

1. I have huge hands and feet... meaning:  HUGE nails...!  A lady who did my nails last called me "Supa-man" for my big hands and feet and I haven't gotten a professional manicure or pedicure since.  Sorta traumatizing!
2. Can't afford weekly mani's and pedi's 
3. Don't have the patience to do it myself and wait for all that gunk to dry before I can even scratch my nose!
4. I am rough with my hands ("that's what she said" - LOL) and the colors start to chip by the following day, usually!

So yeah... those are just some of the reasons why I wouldn't think of spending a few extra bucks I could have spent on a Big Mac on a nail polish color.

BUT... lately I've been really bothered with the way my nails look sometimes.  My friends give me crap about my chipped nail colors often, so I usually just choose not to wear any nail color.  BUT... if I don't wear any nail color, my hands look massive and manly... and that just ain't cute!  :(

Anyway, I try to maintain my nail colors for those reasons... because chipped nail polishes aren't cute but neither are manly hands.

I would go to the drugstore around the corner and find the cheapest nail polishes I could find.  Yes, I am cheap like that!  I noticed that they take forever and a day to dry and I tend to eff it all up before its dry because I have to actually get things done from time to time.  Even if I sit around for an hour and it dries completely, it would start to chip and wear off by the next dish washing session.  How annoying!

Today, I decided to give OPI a shot after hearing all the great things about it.

Good thing I got mine for a discounted price, or else I would be beating myself up for it right now rather than typing this!  The color I got is not what is shown here... I got a color called "Senorita Rose-alita".  The description reads, "A rosy plum with a touch of golden charm".  Its REALLY pretty!  You can check out the color at http://opi.com/ but let me tell you that the picture online doesn't do it much justice.  ;)

The color dried fast and amazingly, I only needed ONE coat to get its true color.  I'm not talking about a gunky thick coat either... it was a really thin coat, but it gave the true color it promised when you look at the bottle.  I was so amazed that it was neither runny or too thick and gunky.  AND... it dried so amazingly fast... no more than ten minutes for my toes and fingernails, I would say.

Now, I am not usually an advocate of spending the same amount of money that is better spent on an eyeliner on nail polish, but look at it as an investment.  We'll see how long this polish lasts, but from what I've heard and read, it can last up to two weeks without chipping at all!  Thats amazing... but I will report if it is true or not.  If it is, then it truly is an investment because you would only have to do your nails once in two weeks.  Think about it... if you use the cheaper brands that chip and wear off after a day or two, you'd really be spending more money on nail polish than you think... considering you would have to apply multiple coats and you'd be done with your bottle before you even know it! (I didn't even use a top coat because I want to test it out)  I also find that I am never really satisfied with other nail colors and I would just buy it out of impulse because its so cheap. Its rare that I wear a nail color more than once, but in this case, I am so happy and in love with the color that I KNOW I will wear it over and over again.  Ahhh!  New love!

Do you use OPI?  What do you think of it?  What other nail polish brands do you recommend?  Any tips for those who are rough on the hands and the color wears off from easily?

THANKS!!

By the way... I don't know why, but that was a fun post.  I sure miss blogging!  You'll hear more from me now, I think!  ;)

Makeup - Preferred Foundation

On my clients, I have been using a professional brand of foundation that cannot be bought at stores.  (If you really wanna know, just ask)  It is way too expensive for me to afford for my own face and to be honest, I don't want to spend that much time applying foundation for myself on a daily basis.  I stuck with my tried and true MAC foundation since it didn't give me any problems and to be honest, it is less expensive than a lot of other brands that I would use if I could afford to.

Recently though, I was asked what type of foundation I would recommend.  I took a few trips to my lovely nearby Sephora to see what else is out there and really... I just wanted to play with all the makeup... its been awhile.  Good news... I think I found a winner!

Make Up Forever HD Foundation at Sephora

I tried pretty much everything... and this is the best one that I have found.  Great coverage that isn't too heavy and also doesn't seem oily and would run off people's skin.  If you haven't tried it, I suggest you give it a shot.  What you got to lose?  Forty bucks?  HAHA... I know it sounds like a lot if you don't typically use foundation or you are used to drugstore lines (though there is nothing wrong with that), but a little goes a long way.  I say a bottle would last about 6 months if you use it everyday... assuming you don't gunk on way too much on a daily.

Well, that was a quick post, but I just felt like sharing it with yah.  If you do try it or have tried it, let me know what you think!

Have a great rest of the weekend, everyone!  :)

CROSSPOST: When is a good time to say Goodbye?

(I just HAD to cross post from blog.teedaloo.com )

How often do you replace your makeup?

If you're anything like me, then you are probably a little embarrassed to answer this question. Am I right?

Supposedly, lipstick is supposed to be tossed after one year... after two years at the very most, but that is really pushing it. Mascara should be tossed after 3 to 4 months of use. Foundation goes bad after a period of time, but it really depends on what type of foundation it is. But come on... who really follows all of these rules?

Lipstick can run up to $20 (and up) per tube. BUT... how do we stick to only one tube? Personally, I like to buy a lot of cosmetics just to test it out and it takes awhile to find ones that I really love. Different occasions call for different lipsticks. A red tube may look perfect when paired with a sexy little black dress for a special night, but you can't really expect anyone to wear the color to the office Monday-Friday, can you? (No offense to those who do) If I buy a tube of lipstick for... lets say... $14 and I have worn it about 3 times all year, then no way in hell am I going to toss that little sucker. I want to get my money's worth!

A tube of mascara can easily run up to nearly $40 per tube (hence DiorShow... which I love). BUT... I also have other mascaras that I like to use... again, for different occasions. I am not going to toss my mascara that I've used about 5% of... I don't care if its past the three months mark, I am keeping it!

Maybe some of you might think that its gross or whatever, but thats fine... I'm not forcing you to use my cosmetics.

I like to get my money's worth on everything that I buy... and that includes makeup. Although I may not toss my beloved tubes after a few months, I know when its time to let it go. If I am on the verge of adding different types of liquids to any of my makeup to moisten it, I know its time to say goodbye.

After writing this post, I think I ALMOST came to my senses that I should give myself time lines as to when I am allowed to buy certain products. Maybe that will be my new project this upcoming week? (Go through all of my makeup and part ways with some)

So lets hear it... how long do you keep your makeup for? Are you guilty of saving the goodies longer than you should? What is the product that has been in your drawer the longest and WHY is it still there?

This should be interesting!

Being a BAD GAL!

I am being a bad girl and am in a shopping mood again! But then... when am I not in a shopping mood? I shouldn't be doing any shopping, but how can I not? I was probably born to shop or something, but I just haven't realized it yet or I haven't found a job that will pay me to do so. I should have kept the Personal Shopper job at Nordstrom many moons ago, huh? Nah... I don't see myself living in Cedar Rapids... thats just nuts! (No offense to anyone who lives there now)

Though I am in a shopping mood... even though I wouldn't be doing any real shopping, online window shopping, I can't seem to figure out what it is that I want to (online window) shop for. Anyone who knows me knows that if I don't have anything in particular that I need, you can probably find me in the cosmetics department! AND... that is where I am.

I love the cute little packaging and themes that different companies come up with. One of my favorites (for its packaging AND prodcts) has got to be Benefit! Whoever is the designer for it all is genius and must have a bubbly and fun personality! I haven't tried all of their products, not even most (can't afford to), but I've tried and loved quite a bit. Check out some of my faves:

Bad Gal Lash... how cute is that? I love this mascara... and you can get a small size for only $9 just to try! Even drug store brands cost almost the same as that. Totally worth a try if you ask me!

SO cute!! This thing really does work! It practically dries up your zit or pimple and within a few hours, its once considered a mountain bump is as flat as the plain (the rest of your face). I highly recommend... but please don't use it all the time or all over your face because as I mentioned, it dries up your skin wherever you apply it.

The packaging itself is a turn on! Oh my! But wait until you actually try the product. Lets just say that the packaging is NOT misleading. *giggles*

Ahhh... I love this! For a nice, subtle, glow... and its not heavy or too thick like a lot of highlighters... very easy to blend and you can mix a drop with your tinted moisturizer for a soft, dewy, glow.

Ever wondered how some celebrities have ultra smooth and sleek looking legs that don't seem to have any scars or discoloration at all? Almost looks like they are wearing pantyhose, even? Well, I think I may have found their secret!

Now... here are a few things that I would like to try... seems so interesting!

Why its called Dear John? I really don't know but it surely caught MY attention!

My current Want/Need/Must Have...!!

I broke my blush many moons ago and refused to fork up the money for a brand new one. The crumbles in its case worked fine for awhile and I still refer to it as my favorite blush... even if its in a million pieces and can never be whole again, my love for it will live on. Sadly though, I'm running low with only a few pieces of crumbles left. I told myself not to spend more money on makeup until I use up everything that I have, but knowing me... thats going to take a couple of decades. :( I Need/Want/Must Have this. If you love me, you will give me back my love!



Its simple, really. Just click on the picture and it will bring you to the site. Choose the color... and in my case, my fave is ORGASM (its the name of the color, perverts!)... put it in your shopping cart, enter in your billing information and enter MY shipping information (let me know when you need it) and voila! You will make my day! No wait... my year! :D

Yes... and I love you too! :)

My FAVORITE brush!

(I had to take a break from reading and learning... a blog post would be a picker upper and fix)

Anyone who knows me or has at least seen my makeup stash, you'd know that I have an obsession for nice makeup brushes. I never realized how important or how big of a difference a makeup brush can make. When I was younger, inexperienced... long before the day I fell in love and the birth of my obsession , I thought that people overpayed for makeup brushes and were ridiculous. Seriously... I was like, "who the heck would pay that much for some hair glued to a stick?"

I was WRONG. So, so SOOOOOO wrong!

Why do I love good brushes? Let me count the ways... or reasons... LOL!

1. You don't shed on me. Seriously... an annoyance of mine is when the makeup regime is going smoothly and then you look closer and see that a few strands from your makeup brush have found their ways and stuck on to your face below the otherwise would have been flawless foundation. FML moment, right? Ugh... then you have to pick it off your skin... then the once nearly flawless foundation had lost its smooth. Grrr!

2. You don't make me look like a kid had just got done playing finger painting on my face.

3. You allow me to blend so smoothly and freely. Ladies (and some boys)... come on... BLEND, BLEND, BLEND!! Hard lines to separate your foundation, blush, eyeshadows, bronzers... they are NOT okay!

4. You don't make my hands sticky and dirty. Imagine if brushes didn't exist. You'd have to use your hands to apply something... then wash it in between every product application... and so on, and so forth. We were only given two hands. Brushes... we are given (or sold) hundreds if we'd like!

5. I just love you, okay!?!?!

I have tried using some cheap brushes... you know, the ones that you can get for 99 cents? Or often times, free!? (Don't get me wrong... there are some great quality brushes for cheap, but you know what I mean? The ones that you only purchase just because its cheaper! You'd be lucky to get good quality brushes for free... I always do a happy dance if that is ever the case and so should you!) Anyway, there are some brushes that LOOK good, but are horrible!

Do NOT go for hard bristles that can possibly scratch your skin! Okay... I ordered these brushes from eBay once and I swear, I felt like a cactus just jogged across my face. Never again am I ordering brushes that I have never felt or tried... I don't care if its $1 with free shipping... never ever again! Thats a waste of a dollar I could have spent on a McChicken!

Do NOT just look for soft brushes. Yes, I know it sounds contradicting, but finding the right brushes can be difficult. There are many soft brushes up there... but do they pick up any pigment? Nope. So... why do you have them again?

What do YOU look for when you shop for brushes? Just curious.

My favorite brush that I actually am needing another one of at the moment?

Yes, I do realize that its $42 for a full sized brush. BUT... if you find it in a set (usually the anniversary or half yearly sale at Nordstrom or other MAC stores), then jump on it right away! Sure, its $49.50, but you get 5 brushes (usually) and if it comes with this duo fibre brush, then you can't go wrong. TRUST ME! I have tried a few other "duo fibre" brushes, but they are just not the same. People use these for powders... which works great! But personally, I like it for liquid foundation because it gives you a nice, soft blend and it doesn't cake on thick like how most other brushes that are made for liquid foundations. If you are looking for something to apply a heavy look, this might not be for you, but it is for someone who wants something light and natural looking.

I've been through so many of these... not because they fall apart or anything, but because I usually lose them by misplacing them or mixing them up with friends' when they come over or we go out or on vacation or something. (Sucks, I know) I used to give this baby away to my sister whenever it came with a set that I buy because I figured I already have one, but man... these things are precious and I will never ever give one away again. Not because I am selfish but because... okay fine... I am selfish and I want to keep it for myself. Sue me!

I still have an old one that came with the first set I've ever bought in 2002... and I still use it today... 2 days before it flips 2010! 8 years... I need to put that baby to rest. Its also frustrating because when I use liquid foundations, you know that it gets dirty in the brush and I'd have to wash it EVERY day and this can get harsh on the bristles. BUT... I love it too much to apply foundation any other way. Therefore, I should just have more of these and switch them up, right?

Give it a shot, and if you don't like it, hand it my way! OR... you can just get two... one for you and one for me? THANKS... you are so kind! ;)

PRIME... all the TIME!

A few years ago, I participated in a Smashbox Model Search type competition online. It wasn't anything serious and honestly, I just wanted to win some free makeup after a photographer told me about the contest and prize and encouraged me to enter. Yes, I did remind people to vote for me (thanks, by the way) and I made it to the Top 50 nationally and won about $300 worth of makeup! YAY me!!

One of the products that I won was this:



I fell in LOVE with it and it was the first time I had ever used a face primer and since then, I swear by face primers! They really do make a huge difference and they are great to wear alone!

After spending how much ever dollars at Sephora, I was rewarded with a sample.... and one of them was this:


Okay... I found a new love! The other day while I was at Sephora, I treated myself to a full bottle of this baby and am currently stroking my face as I type this! (You're welcome for the visuals... lol) I love the feel of it because its so silky feeling and absorbs so well!

Don't get me wrong... I love the Smashbox primer still, but I go through those things so quickly that it can get really expensive! Another thing that I don't like about both of these is the packaging. You usually can't use it to the last drop unless you are lucky enough to find it in a pressure type of pump (not the regular one, but the one that actually literally pushes the product out of there). Good luck with that!

Anyway, I highly recommend both of these, but if you are like me and want to save a few bucks, go with Tarte! They're both fabulous but I feel that the Smashbox one is lighter if you don't want anything too heavy. However, the Tarte one is extra smooth and silky feeling and the heavier side might be beneficial for those with rough/dry spots on your face (like me around my nose area).

Let me know what you think about them! Happy face priming!

Hope... my new obsession!

I've always loved philosophy's line... especially with their cute packaging that was simple, yet catchy and different and interesting. I always felt like their product was too expensive (though I have spent more on other stuff, unfortunately), so I never really gave it a shot except for gift sets I would get from people or small gift sets that I would get for myself.

After trying a small sample of this, I was in love:



I just HAD to go back and get some more because it was something that really worked for my dry skin that seemed to be more of a problem in cold weather (as it is for most). Its the only thing that really keeps my nose area hydrated all day long without making my face feel sticky, heavy, or icky. I love this thing!! I admit... the smell isn't very pleasant, but you get kind of used to it and its not that bad after awhile considering the miracles that its doing for my skin, bring on a skunk and I'd be okay with it! (Okay not really)

Its a moisturizer that hydrates, exfoliates, and protects... what more can you ask for? LOVE it!

If you haven't already, give it a try and let me know what you think because personally, I love it! Sure, its a bit more expensive than the moisturizers that I can afford, but it really is an investment if I only have to use a quarter as much prodct as I would my usuals. And to find something that actually works? Priceless!!

Have you tried it? Use it? Love it? Hate it? What do you think! Do share!

Get your free TOTE bag!!

Get your free tote bag designed by Kat Von D!!

Thats right! Sephora is giving away free tote bags with any purchase over $25! Starts this Friday, November 27th.

You can pick it up at a store near you or simply shop online and just enter code TOTE09 at checkout and anjoy this limited-edition reusable tote bag!

OH... but you're going to have to print out this coupon and bring it into the store for that!!

PRINT COUPON HERE

Sexy Little Things Noir

Sexy Little Things Noir™ Eau de Parfum by Victoria's Secret

Got this for my friend as a Bridal Shower gift (originally wanted to get her something else but they ran out of it and I was on a time crunch so this had to suffice and figured she can exchange it for something else if she didn't like it). I also got myself a very small bottle because I wanted to try it and I liked the soft and pretty scent at the store. I think I really really like it and might have to get a full bottle for myself!

Hehe... I know this was totally random and out of nowhere, but I can't help it. I had to post about it since I feel a bit silly sitting here and sniffing myself all by myself. HAHA!

Okay... back down to business!