Now What?

Hola! So in my last post ('Holiday Harriet') I shared some of the make-up I have been using this holiday season (and I even forgot a few things...smh). But now what? What to do with it all you ask? Well, here are some quick tips and tricks for creating your holiday looks!  We all know we have a few more nights to party and we want to bring in the new year on point (especially with that damn Facebook documenting it all in chronological order...sigh). So let's make sure we don't try a new make-up accessory and commit any fashion felonies folks. LOL!

Here are a couple of GENERAL things to remember:

1. If you're going dancing or any place that might be hot, be sure to take oil blotting papers or your pressed powder to touch up your face throughout the night
• Penny uses MAC's Oil Blot Powder or Boscia's Oil Blot Papers
2. Wear waterproof mascara in your favorite brand; it won't smudge if you get all emotional at the top of the hour, or if you just tear up when you laugh like I do. LOL!  
3. Wear lip liner and fill in your lips with lip pencil. This allows you to have color even if your lip gloss or lipstick wears off. If you're concerned about changing the color of the lipstick/gloss, use the same color lip pencil or one that is a shade lighter. Some of you don't want to fight your way to the ladies room, or remember to reapply your lip gloss or lipstick as the night goes on; so this is very helpful. 
• If you're wearing red or dark colored lipstick this is a must!
4. Think about what you want your focal point to be: Are you playing up your eyes? Your lips?  Your cheeks? Try not to go all out if you're a make-up novice.
• Remember to always start with a light application of any product; it's much easier to go heavier/darker, than to fix a mistake because you put too much of something on.
5. Don't touch your face with your bare hands too much. You want to keep your make-up on your face and avoid any possible transfer.

• Be mindful of other people's clothing. Even with make up setting spray I think there is always a chance for some transfer.
6. We may not all like to use hair spray, but you might want to consider a light, brushable one for the weekend's festivities
• Penny recommends Sebastian's Zero Gravity Hair Spray ($9); Garnier Fructis Style Sleek and Shine Anti-Humidity Hair Spray ($4); L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hair Spray ($9-$15)
7. Carry Wet One's (Citrus Scented) in your purse if you can for emergency clean up. These work wonders for getting drink and food spills, even make-up out of clothing.
8. Always carry a compact mirror to check for eyeliner smudge or lipstick on the teeth (not a sexy look)
9. Please be sure that you're wearing the right under garments and that everything fits properly (go try them all on now!) There is nothing worse than the look or feeling of ill-fitting attire. Check your bra straps. Just sayin...
10. Pack your portable flats in your clutch or at least have them in the car. We all know that familiar burn in the balls of our feet that comes on half way through the night. Ummm hmmm. Walking out of a party barefoot is not a sexy look (unless your on the beach at a luau).
11. Give yourself time. Unless you're already good at it, make-up application is not a quick process. There are several steps to take for a flawless face.
12. Carry mints in your purse...nuff said. LOL!

(read full story...)

Holiday Harriet

Hi!
Happy Holidays! I know I've been missing in action and I apologize. Sometimes I have writer's block and I can't bring myself to write/focus. Other times I have too many things I want to talk about and don't know how to narrow it down. LOL! So feel free to let me know if there is something you want to know about.

The holidays are a fun time for Penny...so many new products...so many looks to try! LOL! With the many holiday festivities upon us...company parties, charitable functions, family gatherings, cocktail parties, concerts, New Year's Eve party, and more, what better time to amp up your look. Make-up is an accessory like any other. If you're going to buy a new dress, new shoes, a new clutch, and new accessories, why not add new lipstick or eye shadow to the list. A different make-up technique can change your appearance as much as any outfit can. Stay in your comfort zone or go all out...its up to you. But if you play it safe, be sure that the small change you makes a difference. For example, if you've never worn red lipstick, now is the time. Try a bright colored eye liner. If you're not used to sparkles, add a touch of glitter. Penny not only did the red lip this season, but I've even done a smoky eye and plum lip (instead of my usual nude lips) and I looked fab! (If I must say so myself). LOL!

(Courtesy of Black Opal)

For example, I tend to wear matte eyeshadows the most. I love the look, and they are more 'age appropriate' for me with my hooded eyes. LOL! But druing the holidays there is nothing wrong with a little shimmer or sparkle. So I take it to another level by playing with shimmery shades, brighter pigments, or deeper jewel tones. I also began wearing false lashes this season! Yeah...Penny's going there! (Nevermind I might look like the sister of a drag queen since I dont always get the strips on right. LOL! No offense to any queens or their siblings...one love!)

Anyhoo, since there are so many 'holiday looks' out there, Penny is just going to share some of the products she's been using this season:

I start with a cleansed and moisturized face:

• CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($14) - used on skin without make-up
• Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil ($26) - used to remove my make-up after I've done my damage out and about. LOL
• CeraVe Moist Facial Lotion P.M. ($10)

Then I prime my face:

• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer ($17, travel size)
• Make Up For Ever (MUFE) HD Microperfecting Primer - just trying a sample of this now; so far so good



Too Faced Shadow Insurance

• Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($18) - just for eye lids

Then I work on my eyes. This is new for me to do this first. When doing a smokey eye especially, the pros recommend that you put your eye make-up on before the rest of your make-up so that you can clean off any fall out under your eye without disturbing any make-up on your face. It works!

• MAC's Paint Pot (in Painterly) - used as my base to neutralize my lids and help eyeshadow colors to show true to color. My lids are dark naturally so I use this as a base to even out my skintone.
• Eyeshadow colors depending on the look I'm going for. I use the following brands almost daily: Bobbi Brown, MAC, Coasta Scents palette, and Urban Decay
• Colors that are standard for Penny: Urban Decay in Naked (matte) or Gunmetal (shimmer); Bobbi Brown in Cocoa (matte) ($20); MAC's shadows in Smut, Fig, Sketch, Rice Paper, Humid, and Outre, etc; Smashbox palette for hazel eyes ($42); NYX Eye Shadow Single in Black (matte) as a liner ($5).
• Sometimes I use ULTA brand shadow in Gold Leaf ($7); or Sephora brand eye shadow in City Fog, a perfect matte gray ($12)
• Sometimes I use Revlon  Eye Shadow Single in purple or navy (both matte)
• Sometimes I use NYX Jumbo Pencil shadows as a base to create intense and vibrant color (Gold, Dark Brown, Purple, etc).
• Eyeliner colors vary but I use the following often: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Liner Pencil in Zero ($18); Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Granite, Graphite, or Saphire ($21); Buxom Lashliner in Leatherette ($16)
• Mascara: Benefit's They're Real Mascara ($22);  Buxom Lash ($19); Buxom Amplified Lash ($22); or L'Oreal False Fiber Mascara ($8)
• False Eyelash Strips: Ardell #53 ($4), Mod Lash #108 ($5), or Red Cherry,747S ($13 for 6pk).

After my eyes are done, I clean up any fall-out under the eyes with a damp wash cloth or make-up remover towelette. (read full story...) 

Penny's LBD (for nails)

Penny here!
Just dropping a quick line to share my latest look...I call it Penny's Little Black Dress (LBD)...for nails. LOL! It is often called a 'black french manicure.'  (See pics below...looks better in person). It is by no means a new trend, just something I had not tried before. I like it! Ok...so Halloween has come and gone but this is quite a sexy little number for the holidays if you ask me. It's a funky twist if you're not afraid of the dark. LOL!

• Achieve the look:  Just polish the whole nail with 2 coats of matte black polish...let dry...then polish across the tip with a shiny clear top coat. I bought the black matte polish online at Amazon.com; its called Body, by SpaRitual ($10).  Because matte polishes are an older trend I had a hard time finding a matte black polish in store, but I would check there first.

I first talked to my manicurist a couple weeks ago about this look and showed her some pics I found on the Internet. She had not done it before but was down to try it. A couple days ago I tried it myself first using french manicure strips from CVS to mark off the tip I would paint clear, but it left a ridge when I pulled off the tape. I was going to try another technique but when I showed my manicurist she said she could do the tip free hand without the tape. I let her try it and it came out great. You can do this with ANY matte polish by the way. I know OPI has my favorite navy (Russian Navy) & deep purple (Lincoln Park After Dark) in a matte formula...I bet those would look cool too!

Wearability issue:

Day 3

Day 1 

I read on the Internet that you shouldn't use oils or lotions when you get your nails done with this look because it affects the matte polish (please ignore my ashy hands and dry cuticles in Day 1 pic...sigh). But it appears that warning isn't just for initial application. The only problem I'm having is that the matte doesn't seem to be staying that grayish dull matte color. I'm on Day 3 of this look and I think oils from hand/body lotion or maybe my hair could be changing the polish. If I wash my hands with soap and dry my nails completely they look a little better. But you have to look close to see the shiny tip. So I may put on a second thin layer of clear on my tip for more contrast. It just seems to me like that matte isn't staying truly matte. I tried cleaning my nails with hand sanitizer to see if the alcohol would reduce the luster but to no avail. This is a little disappointing to me because I have dry skin and will always have to use hand lotions. 

I'm curious to know if a matte top coat acts any differently than matte nail polish. I may try the look one more time with regular polish. I read one blogger who polished her nails with regular polish, then a shiny top coat. Once dried she used nail strips to cover her tip. Then she applied a matte top coat to the rest of the nail. Same look, different technique.

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
Penny

Nothing But Nails

Hi:

Tao by Zoya (main color)
Over the Top by Essie (accent nail)

Penny here! As many of you know I have a 'thing' for nail polish. I've gotten lots of questions lately about the polishes I've been wearing so I just thought I'd share some of my finds. So far I stick to a few of my favorite brands. The apple of my eye right now are Zoya's 4-Free polishes ($8). As mentioned in my July 25th post, Zoya is a great long wear, polish with over 300 colors to choose from (www.zoya.com). As a 4-Free polish Zoya's polishes are free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor.  Back in July I reported that the only down side was that these polishes were not widely available. Well since then I have now found Zoya in my local ULTA Beauty stores. According to their Customer Service department, these polishes are only sold at spas and salons. You can plug in your zip code on their website to see where the polishes are sold near you, or call: (800) 659-6909, Customer Service.

Marina, by Zoya

I also still love OPI ($9.50), and Essie. I also have a couple by China Glaze and my splurge buys are from Rescue Beauty Louge (www.rescuebeauty.com, $18; usually buy on sale). I have a new Sephora by OPI color I haven't tried yet as well. I try to keep my personal collection to 45 bottles or less. LOL! I gave away about 5 bottles last week. I just prefer to buy my polish and take it with me to the nail salon every two weeks. That way I'm sure to get the look I want and not have to worry about whether they have my colors.

I'm currently wearing Tao by Zoya (see pic above)...from their Fall Collection called Smoke & Mirrors. I bought 6 colors from this collection but didn't keep them all. I get so many compliments on Tao when I wear it. There is also a similar color in the same line with a hint more blue than gray, called Marina. Check them out! I love to change my colors with the seasons so I've been doing lots of dark to medium tone colors...lots of grays, wines, purples and rich hues. I don't go ga ga for sparkles around the holidays but I may pull out something dark with a gold or bronze shimmer like Jem by Zoya. (read full story...)

Penny's Pinked

Hello my lovelies!

Even if you lived under a rock some place you would know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) month. :-) Nevermind that the month is almost over...its never too late to show your support. I don't think I know anyone who has NOT been touched by breast cancer or some form of cancer in their lives. It has taken the lives of so many and will threaten many more if we don't continue to support the research and technologies that are hopefully bringing us closer to a cure, and helping to prolong lives today. Take a look at the statistics from the National Cancer Institute (NCI):

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast

Raise Awareness by Essie, $8.50

Here are some other organizations to check out as well:

• http://www.breastcancer.org/
• http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/default.htm
• http://ww5.komen.org/

Some of you may have already seen this article from Total Beauty with 10 myths about the causes of breast cancer. Interesting stuff. Check it out:

http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/bca-myths?lc=nw1895-1

Penny believes that every penny counts (no pun intended)! LOL! So whether you give $1 while paying for groceries, or $5 while buying cosmetics; or whether you write a name on a ribbon to hang in the window in honor of a loved one; or wear pink all month long...every gesture of support generates awareness and hopefully education. Early detection is key. So Penny's been pinking it up wherever she can and just wanted to take a moment to share some of the easy ways (while beauty shopping) that you can contribute to finding a cure for this disease.
 (read full story...)

Penny's Sharing

Hi all:

Penny stumbled across this article on Bobbi Brown's website and thought it was worth sharing. It talks about 'being yourself' and being proud to accentuate your features...instead of focusing on what you may consider your flaws. Make-up should be fun and should enhance your features...even Penny sometimes forgets that.

Check it out (paste link into browser if not active): http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/cms/learn/be_who_you_are_beauty.tmpl

Enjoy.

Be blessed. Be beautiful.

P

Lip Sync

Hi folks:
Last night I began chatting with my cousin about the 'nude' lip look I was wearing with my burgundy smoky eyes. The most important tip for a good nude lip is to first diffuse your own natural lip color with a lip pencil that matches or is close to your skin tone. If you blend the pencil over the entire lip it gives you a nice blank canvas to work with.

On my eyes I wore a Bobbi Brown's Cream shadow in Cement as a base. Then I smoked out my eyes with MAC's eye shadows in Sketch topped with Agate (Limited Edition) for some shimmer. I also blended in Bobbi Brown's Eye Shadow in Cocoa in the crease and above. I finished with Urban Decay's 24/7 Eye Liner in Zero (black) on my lids and smudged across my lower water line. I finished my lower lash line with a dusting of Sketch eye shadow over the black pencil to keep it in place.
I was wearing the following lip products:

Selma Hayek's NUANCE Color Vibrance Lipstick in Shimmering Nude ($9.99, CVS only)

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/promoContent/promoLandingTemplate.jsp?promoLandingId=1401#

Sephora Collection Nano Lip Liner in Belle Beige ($5, Sephora)

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P236904&categoryId=C17367&shouldPaginate=true

I also love to finish the look with this gloss; its the perfect compliment. I sometimes wear just the liner and the gloss too.

MAC Lustreglass in Love Nectar ($14.50)

http://www.maccosmetics.com/products/spp/shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT166&PRODUCT_ID=PROD707&SKU_ID=SKU3557
(read full story...)

Penny's UPDATE - Blank Face

Hi All:
Since my post on September 17th about facial cleansers/make-up removers I tried a new product I have come to like. On one of my many visits to Sephora I came across another great find in the bins near the check-out line with the travel size and mini items. I've been curious about the Boscia brand for some time. So I was pleased to see the mini-bottle of  Boscia's Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil (mini was about $10-$17).

This cleansing oil contains a blend of botanical oils that break up make-up without drying out the skin; much like my beloved Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil ($39). Bobbi Brown's formula contains olive and jojoba oils for softening, while ginger root extract is said to soothe and calm the skin. Boscia is a natural line and the Boscia's Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil (5oz, $26) is paraben-free, phalate-free, and free of dyes, and perfumes. It is really gentle and has a slightly cooling feeling and smell (possibly from the eucaplyptus and menthol), but neither lingers. The Bosica product also contains jojoba oil, as well as, rose hip oil (Vitamins A & C), and coconut and palm oils. I love that it takes off all my make-up and cleanses my face well without any drying or tigthening. It does not leave an oily residue and rinses clean. And unlike the Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleanser and Make-up Remover mentioned in my previous post, it does not burn my eyes or have a strong smell. Although the Neutrogena product is the most budget friendly, I prefer the Boscia cleanser and would definitely buy this again.

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
P