motd – Page 3 – O H A L Y S S A K

MOTD: Feeling Blue? Me Too.

A little (dramatic) pop of color never hurts anyone.

► F A C E
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
Nyx Cosmetics Photo-Loving Anti Redness Primer
Nyx Cosmetics Dark Circle Concealer – Medium
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Maybelline Matte + Poreless Foundation
NYC Cosmetics Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder
Nyx Matte Finish Setting Spray
Makeup Geek Cosmetics Contour Pan – Complicated
Makeup Geek Blush – Covet
ColourPop Cosmetics Highlight – Perilune & Honeymoon
Glitter Injections Highlighter – Piña Colada

► E Y E S
Makeup Geek Shadows (Shown in photo – Bottom to Top)
Makeup Geek Shadow – Tiki Hut
Makeup Geek Shadow – Bandwagon
Makeup Geek Shadow – Creme Bruleé
Makeup Geek Shadow – Rockstar
Makeup Geek Shadow – Nautica
Makeup Geek Shadow – Neptune
Makeup Geek Shadow – Boo Berry
Makeup Geek Shadow – Bada Bing (NOT PICTURED)
Maybelline Master Precise Liner
Koko Lashes – Queen B Lashes
Nyx Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil – Milk

► B R O W S
ABH Brow Fix
Ardell Lashes Brow Gel

► L I P S
Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick – Veronica
Side Note: → I have waited forever to get my hands on this lipstick because it’s almost always out of stock, and it’s everything I always imagined it would be. PERFECT.

Transformation Tuesday + Saying YES To Life.

08.30.1601.04.17 Alyssa K.6 Comments

Say Yes To Opportunity.

Connect with people. Be less afraid.
What is honestly the worst thing that could happen?

A really awesome friend of mine let me paint her pretty face recently.
This was my very first attempt at a full face of makeup on another human being! : )
– Skin
– Cheeks
– Brows
– Shadow
– Lashes
– Lips
and guess what?
She could have totally gone out in public w i t h o u t any embarrassment when I was all done. And not only that, but I was happy with it, even. Who would’ve thought? Haha! Not to mention, I had a blast hanging out. Say yes to stuff. Whether you’re ready or not. Just go for things. You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you go and d o.

NOTES

Some things I have learned s o f a r:

► Have a way better organization system, it probably makes life easier.
► Covering texture is more challenging than I would’ve thought.
► Not everyone needs false lashes 100% of the time.
► It won’t be perfect the first time – it takes practice, like everything else.
► Doing things that make you nervous is f u n.
► The less you think about something, the more you enjoy it.
► The less you think about something, the more it will just flow.
► There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of.
► Putting makeup on other people is one of the greatest things ever : )

I can’t wait to do it more!

Here is this beauties before & after.

Empties, Rambles & Other Things

08.25.1601.20.17 Alyssa K.4 Comments

“To repurchase?
Or not to repurchase..”

It’s always the question.
Answers may vary.

Anyone else notice that all of the essential stuff always runs out on you around the same freaking time?
like, a l w a y s…
W H Y ?

If that doesn’t happen to you then forget I mentioned it but ohmygosh…it happens to me almost every time and it is so j a n k. So naturally, I end up noticing multiple items running low and then just procrastinating wholeheartedly until I find myself reaching for a completely empty container of dark circle concealer and go “awww, seriously….??” as if I haven’t been watching it diminish for days and days. It’s alright though. I own it, haha.
▼ a n y w a y ▼
What I’m trying to get at, is that this makes my decision-making process incredibly easy when it comes time to repurchase. And I’m a Libra so anything that makes decision-making easy for me is a blessing in disguise. HEY UNIVERSE!
See. There’s always a silver lining. You just have to wanna see it ; )

Here are my most recent empties:

– Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer
– Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Primer
– Nyx Cosmetics Dark Circle Concealer

and here are some
– thoughts
– options you have when confronted with this potentially disruptive situation
– and what I did (personally) about replacing them:

• p s a •
What I d i d n o t do, is put a lot of thought into this.
don’t get me wrong, there are definitely times when I do my due-diligence with reviews, research, tutorials, swatch videos, traveling to Sephora for samples before I purchase and la la la, but this restock wasn’t one of them. these are all pretty fundamental products for me, so I don’t need to go into ‘Sherlock Holmes’ mode in search of some new magical orange paste to cover up the purple circles I have under my eyes, I just need more orange paste…ya know? : )

OPTION A: DO NOTHING.
► SHADOW PRIMER
Alright, so I’ve used the Same Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer for probably 3 years now. It works super good for me and I’ve always really liked it. I wear tons of shadows, so having a solid primer is major key. BUT. I actually have half a bottle of MACs Pro Long Wear Concealer in NW20 (I think) laying around somewhere so, I’m just gonna use that for the time being. Once that’s gone or feel like buying another primer, then I will. But right this moment, I’m not.
*GASP*
I know –
the idea of being fresh out of something and not immediately buying something else to replace it right away…how boring right? ; )
but that’s the decision I landed on so, moving on…

OPTION B: TRY SOMETHING NEW.
► FACE PRIMER
Try new stuff. If it doesn’t work out, don’t get it again. No harm, no foul.
I’m proud to say I was actually proactive about this one and have already replaced it.
*pats self on back several times*
I opted for this Nyx Photo Loving Primer (the green one, for anti-redness) and it’s been doing alright. It isn’t the greatest thing there ever was, but it does help with my unevenness and it makes my t-zone area feel really soft. With that being said though…I can say I for sure feel that the Porefessional Primer is way more effective in terms of minimizing the appearance of pores, but it’s also $18 dollars more, and I’m smart enough to understand and accept the logic behind the idea that sometimes the better things cost more money, no matter what my opinion on economics is. So if anyone knows of a solid, drug-store budget, pore shrinking primer (preferably cruelty-free), please link me in the comments thread, t y s m .

OPTION C: REPURCHASE
► DARK CIRCLE CONCEALER
It’s in my genetics to have dark purple/lavender-ish circles under my eyes; and therefore, in order to achieve what I like to achieve makeup-wise, I get to use a concealer concealer, AND a dark circle concealer. Just think of it as extra reinforcements – if you have purple circles and darker skin tones, use an orange corrector to cancel them out before applying concealer like your regularly scheduled program. If you have red ones, then use a green corrector. Makeup is art, learn your color wheel! : )
A N Y W A Y!
Moral of the story → sometimes you just gotta stick with what’s good. I love this stuff. It works super well, it’s easy to find at most CVSs or Target (if you must), and it’s bloody affordable. Like, $6 bucks affordable.

So there you go.
All crisis averted 😉

New Morphe Paraphernalia: 35O(M) + 35P

08.09.1601.20.17 Alyssa K.4 Comments

I always try to stop by the Morphe store any time I’m in the LA area considering it’s their only physical location and sometimes it’s just nice to not shop cosmetics exclusively online; to swatch everything first. It eliminates a lot of guess-work. Plus, they’ve expanded the store so it isn’t quite as painfully crowded as it used to be in the past, although there was still a line formed out the door by the time I was ringing out, haha! If you’re ever in the area, you should check it out. Unless you don’t like crowded spaces…then perhaps do not.

A N Y W A Y

I picked up two palettes for my freelance kit.

► 35O/M (Matte) – $22.99 —> c l i c k
► 35P (Plum) – $22.99 —> c l i c k

Someone in Phoenix should let me borrow their face so that I can use them.
Because that doesn’t sound creepy at all, right? : )

What do you guys think of Morphe as an overall brand?
What are some of your fav palettes by them?
TELL!

Also have a happy Tuesday. More importantly, that : )

Aqua Eyeliner + Androgyny Liquid Lips

08.04.1601.20.17 Alyssa K.4 Comments

I picked up a bunch of these $2 dollar eye pencils from the Morphe store in Burbank when I was there a few weeks ago.
They’re by some off-brand called Italia Deluxe, which sounds a little sketch I’ll admit but, so far, so good….

I’m a major advocate for the “pops of color” concept. I tend to always grab for neutral/brown shadows, so incorporating accents of bright colors into my eye looks is a simple way to change things up a bit when I’m feeling bored or uninspired. That’s Alyssa-talk for “it’s an easy way to look like you’ve actually tried, without really trying”.

O V E R A L L T H O U G H T S
► They stay in tact pretty well. There was a little bit of smudging toward my inner corner, but nothing major or noticeable that couldn’t be fixed with a quick 5 second touch up.
► The color lasts at least 8 hours.
► Good pigmentation.
► Easy application. Super creamy.

I’m sure they’re not cruelty-free and I wouldn’t be surprised if they contained parabens or other questionable ingredients. But I mean honestly, for $2 whole dollars, I can’t say that I’m mad.

Full look + other d e t a i l s:

E Y E S

► Makeup Geek Cosmetics Single Shadows
– Hipster (Crease)
– Barcelona Beach (Crease)
– Latte (Transition)
– Creme Bruleè (Transition)
– Shimma Shimma (Tear Duct)
– Whimsical (Tear Duct)
– Mocha (Outer Corner)
– Vanilla Bean (Brow Bone)
► L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara
► Ardell Demi Wispy Lashes
► Italia Deluxe Aqua Eye Pencil
► Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil – Milk (as a base for the blue liner)
► Maybelline Master Precise Liner Pen

B R O W S
► Ardell Brow Gel – Dark Brown
► ABH Brow Fix Pencil

L I P S
► Jeffree Star Cosmetics Androgyny Liquid Lipstick

C H E E K S
► Anastasia Contour Pan – Clay
► Nyx Powder Blush – Dusty Rose
► Smashbox Cosmetics Fusion Soft Lights Bronzer – Baked Starburst
► Jeffree Star Cosmetics Peach Goddess Skin Frost
► ColourPop Cosmetics Super Shock Cheeks – Spoon

Cry. Cry Glitter: Colorful Makeup + Real Thoughts.

07.23.1601.20.17 Alyssa K.5 Comments

It was about time for some color in my life – and also glitter.
Living in human skin can be a little bananas sometimes. If any of the (countless) issues in existence have you feeling down, or your energy slightly “off” lately – just try and remember to keep these things in mind:

• Having thoughts, feelings and emotions is what makes you human. Do not let anyone put a negative connotation on expressing these things.
• Sometimes a solid cry is necessary, and that is okay. Cry, or maybe channel that and cry glitter!
• If you must engage with others on matters of substance, debate, or importance – pick your battles wisely. Be patient, be open. Be informed. Hold ground. But mostly, just know when to disengage.
• Be a source of light in a world that’s over-crowded with douche canoes. No matter what.
• Spread knowledge, acceptance, and love. Only actually do it though. In real life. Everyday. Not just via inspirational quotes on social media. Help people. Give. Put your money where your mouth is and donate to legitimate organizations that you support. More doing. Less talking.
• Know your outlet. Makeup is obviously one of mine.
• And finally, let literally no one else’s opinions, thoughts, words, life, actions, existence etc. have any effect on you, or the path that you’re on. Once you can achieve real confidence and inner-peace you start to realize that there is no outside, and it frees you.
(the quote from an Amanda Palmer interview that made me reconsider and restructure my entire outlook on the day-to-day, as well as the bigger picture – “we are constantly judging and criticizing ourselves and wondering how this looks from the outside, but time rolls on and you realize there is no outside…“).
► *link to said interview*◄

– O K A Y –

Colorful makeup!

** P S A **
I rarely use less than 5 shadows when I do my eyes.
Blending/layering different shades, adding dimension, and creating new and unique colors is one of most fun parts of the whole process, for me.

E Y E S
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Too Faced Glitter Glue
Jeffree Star Beauty Killer Palette
-China White ► Brow Bone
-Violence ► Lower Lash Line
Makeup Geek Single Shadows
-Unexpected ► Crease
-Dragonfly ► Crease
-Shark Bait ► Crease
-Sea Mist ► Lid
-Ocean Breeze ► Outer Corner
-Mermaid ► Center Lid
-Black Light ► Inner Corner
-Whimsical ► Tear Duct
-Shimma Shimma ► Tear Duct
-Masquarade ► Lower Lash Line
Glitter Injections “Famous” Glitter
Nyx Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil – “Milk”
Maybelline Master Precise Liner Pen
Ardell Double-Up Lashes

L I P S
Nyx Cosmetics Creamy Lipstick – “Rea”
Nyx Cosmetics Butter Gloss – “Angel Food Cake”

Be human to the fullest you guys, don’t forget!
😊🌻🌏

Pink,Purple & Summer: Bright Pink Makeup (Jeffree Star Beauty Killer Palette)

07.10.1607.10.16 Alyssa K.10 Comments

S H A D O W S:
– Courtney (Transition)
– Star Power (Crease)
– Violence (Lid)
– Princess (Inner Corner)
– Vanity (Outer Corner)

W A T E R L I N E
Nyx Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil – Milk

L A S H E S
Koko Lashes – Queen B

Summer Fav – Nyx Cosmetics JET SET Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick

06.28.1606.29.16 Alyssa K.9 Comments

When I saw that Nyx was coming out with a candy-apple blue lipstick, I was all over it.
The fact that it happened to be called ‘Jet Set‘ was just like, a cherry on top of something already amazing and sweet..

This is a:
cruelty-free
semi long-wearing lipstick –
with a formula that doesn’t leave your lips with more cracks than the San Andreas fault-line..
for $6.99!

Hi.
WINNING.

Continue reading “Summer Fav – Nyx Cosmetics JET SET Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick” →

Makeup For Kindness – Let Love Be The Loudest Thing You Hear From This.

06.21.1609.19.16 Alyssa K.6 Comments

A lot of really awful things go on in this world that we live in.
This world that we have to exist in.
So many people advocate for change yet so few are truly prepared to reflect inward and start making change where it actually needs to start; which is with yourself.
I couldn’t even begin to go into the inner-workings of my mind about something like this in a single blog post.
Or about all of the awareness that’s come over the years..
Awareness of myself, other people, and so much of the world around me.
It’s insane to me how we’ve made this so hard.
How we’ve clouded the simplest things. The simplest concepts.
We need to start moving in a direction that creates way more environments where people can truly feel comfortable just being themselves. But like, genuinely themselves. Some people don’t even get this in their own home. It’s a major problem. How have we gotten here?
..rhetorical questions.. ^^

Continue reading “Makeup For Kindness – Let Love Be The Loudest Thing You Hear From This.” →

MAKEUP MONDAY: Jeffree Star Cosmetics Peach Goddess Skin Frost (SWATCHED)

06.06.1606.06.16 Alyssa K.3 Comments

As promised in my last post, here are the swatches I did with the new JS Cosmetics ‘Peach Goddess’ Skin Frost.
Believe in the hype, people.
Believe it with your entire being…

Continue reading “MAKEUP MONDAY: Jeffree Star Cosmetics Peach Goddess Skin Frost (SWATCHED)” →

Like this:

Say Yes To Opportunity.

NOTES

Like this:

Here are my most recent empties:

and here are some – thoughts – options you have when confronted with this potentially disruptive situation – and what I did (personally) about replacing them:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

and here are some
– thoughts
– options you have when confronted with this potentially disruptive situation
– and what I did (personally) about replacing them: