Experiment With the Rainbow (On Your Face)

Do you remember when you were a little kid and you had those little play makeup kits?  My favorite was in the shape of a cell phone and included an eyeliner pencil, which I was super excited about.  Now, this is going to sound weird, but I received one of those recently (it was at a party).  Well, maybe not recently, but about a year ago.  While I'm aware that old makeup can get gross, this seemed fine (and really un-used) so I decided to just mess around with some of the colors.  Applying a bright orange in a thin line by my eyelash and in the crease of my eye, I used my regular brown tones to blend and fill in the spaces.  What I got was a slightly more orange, almost copper-y smoky eye that was one hundred percent wearable.  Let's just say I was inspired.  While further experimentation revealed that not all of the colors in the pack were really going to work, it was so much fun and since I had no attachment to the makeup, I tried (and wasted) different shades without feeling bad about it.  This was truly the perfect way to see which tones that I'd always been afraid to try actually did work on me.  So, go get yourself some cheap, little girl eye shadow and try, try, try.  Who knows, you might find your next signature shade.  And for those of you who are completely color shy and have no idea where to start on this journey, here are a few colorful ideas to brighten up your face!

 

 Try bright blue eyeliner if you have blue eyes to really bring out the color.  It also looks great on hazel and green eyes.  In fact, the only color eye I would advise caution with this product is brown.  For some reason, the two colors never seem to gel well.  But, try it for yourself.  If your skin complexion is right, you might find your shade.  (Covergirl, Ink It! By Perfect Pint Plus in Aquamarine Ink)

This mascara comes in some understated jewel tones that are perfect when they reflect in the sunlight (trust me, my friend has this and I am so jealous).  (Covergirl)

 I love this palette from Lancôme.

Talk about bizarre! This brush is to change the color of your eyebrows...to your choice of blue or pink.  While it's temporary (of course), that seems a bizarre route.  Instead, I would advise it for the other advertised purpose, mascara.  (Anastasia Beverly Hills)

 I love this Burberry color! But if that's not to your taste, try this one (just be careful to keep an otherwise clean face)...

 The above look (and the one following it) are perfect ways to keep bright shadow controlled.  Found on Become Gorgeous, this is exactly how I wear bright color!  For more dramatic, take it out to the sides like this...

...or pick an even brighter color and do your whole lid!  The key to all of this is an otherwise natural face (there should be only one "wow!" element).

XOXO,
Anonymous

Looking to a New Year

This year has been both prosperous and disastrous for our country, and the world at whole.  US Troops came home, but there were bombings in Israel.  Windows 8 launched, as did the new iPad mini, but there are 26 people in Newton who will never use these gadgets.  It's tragic and bittersweet.  But, it seems that the times we live in constantly involve this tug of war between good and evil, success and failure.  We can never know happiness without pain, and so I believe we must simply live our lives to the fullest, being grateful for what we have, because there are people who would kill to be in our shoes.  This post isn't about fashion.  It's one of the only times I will post something that's not here to help you be better on the outside.  This post is about your inside.  After all, as Audrey Hepburn once said  "Makeup can only make you look pretty on the outside, but it doesn't help if you're ugly on the inside.  Unless you eat the makeup." So, here are my New Year's resolutions, not for just me (although many of them I need to follow) but also for the world, so that we can continue to make progress and to make the world a better place.

1) Talk it out

We all have a bad tendency to act rashly when confronted with an opinion we disagree with.  Whether it's your best friend saying she called dibs on that guy or if it's the leader of another nation saying that land is HIS, it is my belief that starting wars (both literally and figuratively) is something that should only be a last resort.  So, put your big girl/boy panties on and at least TRY to talk it out.

2) Respect yourself

This one is mostly for everyday people.  Sometimes I look in the mirror and I think, "You're too fat, too ugly, too..." and I know I'm not the only one who does this.  But it's time we all start respecting ourselves, even if that just means paying yourself one compliment a day, because in the end, we are our own worst enemies.

3) Respect others

Um...no explanation required.  Just do it.

4) Experiment

Both in life and in fashion, it's important to experiment.  If we always do the same things, life goes by without any new experiences.  So next time you are ordering at a restaurant, try one new dish.  Next time you are shopping, at least try on that trendy dress.  And next time you are sitting in your room alone, be brave, and call up that guy you've been thinking about.  Who knows, you just might be surprised. 

5) Try your best

Every year we all make resolutions that we never keep.  Whether they are to lose weight, experience more culture, stop cursing, etc. everyone has those goals that they set every
New Years that inevitably fall by the way-side.  I'm not going to tell you that this is unacceptable, because God knows I have these little broken promises too.  No, I'm simply going to tell you to do your best.  Your best is definitely not just going to the gym for two days and then saying you are too busy.  If this change really matters to you (and it should) then sit down and look at your schedule.  Maybe waking up twenty minutes earlier and taking a shower at night instead of in the morning gives you just enough time for a morning run.  Maybe not.  But the point is, if you don't try, and I mean REALLY TRY, then you never will succeed. 

Here's to what has been a great 2012, and hopefully an even better 2013!

Kisses,
Anonymous