These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

My Affordable Every Day Favorites.

People ask me ALL of the time what brand of makeup I wear. The truth is my own makeup bag is all over the place. I am, however, a girl on a budget. The things that I use the most are also the things that I don't spend a lot on. With that being said, once I find something that I love.. I stick with it!
These products have NEVER let me down, and the best thing is they are INEXPENSIVE. Its a win win!

I had a drawing when I reached 300 likes on my Facebook page, and these products are what the winner received. I was kind of nervous wondering what she would think, but I got a great response back and she even said she was going to use these on the day of her wedding! How cool is that?


COVERGIRL LASH BLAST MASCARA in Very Black-
It is all in the brush, people! The brush of this mascara does wonderful things to my eyelashes. I never get clumps.. you can apply coat after coat and not have to worry about having tarantula eyes.
I don't have to re-dip the brush in the tube a thousand times either. One dip is enough to coat BOTH eyes adding length, thickness and a nice dark color. I have made the mistake before and accidentally bought the color Black instead of Very Black, and it just wasn't the same. Personally, if I am going to wear black mascara, I want it to be dark. Other than that, I might as well just be wearing brown.
Yes, I have tried other new mascaras.. they don't hold a candle to this. Period.
Price- 8 Dollars
(The winner received a Smokey Eye kit which is shown in the photo below. In the kit was one of the Mascaras in Very Black!)

Maybelline NY BABY LIPS Lip Balm in Peach Kiss-
I have owned just about every flavor and color of these Baby Lip Balms. I am ADDICTED. I think I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary with Peach Kiss. I discovered it last summer and found it to be the most perfect peachy nude color EVER. It provides just enough pigment to really give your lips a healthy "glow"  It goes great with a little bronzer, peach cheeks and a light brown smokey eye!
When it starts to wear off, it doesn't leave your lips feeling dry. Super moisturizing, pretty and it smells and tastes really nice! I go through these things like crazy. I also may or may not have used it as a cheek highlight (in a pinch) before!
Price- 3 Dollars

Essie Nail Polish in Fiji-
I guess I should start off by saying I have NEVER bought a nail polish twice. I am always changing colors and buying new ones. If I did run out, it wasn't special enough to buy again. Although Essie is on the expensive side of drug store nail polish, it is totally worth every penny therefore it has made my "affordable" list. I find that a lot of pastel colors (especially in cheaper brands) never really dry all the way. They, for some reason, tend to stay gummy underneath resulting in major smudges. I used to work in a salon doing nails for years, and had always found this to be true. Pastels just take forever and a day to dry! Well, not this stuff. You can put on Essie nail polish, wait about 10 minutes and not have to worry about smudges. FIJI is a color that looks good year round! Its just amazing!
Price- 8 Dollars

Happy Friday, Everyone!
xox
Rachel

You put THAT ... on your face?

Oily Skin Relief brought to you by Milk of Magnesia... otherwise known as MoM.

As a makeup artist and also someone who has had problematic skin for years, I have tried just about everything to cure my oil problem. I honestly could list at least 3 things off the top of my head that work wonders on skin however they are NOT intended for skin AT ALL. One being a chafing cream... Ill save that one for another blog! Haha Anyway, to the point. Milk of magnesia is supposed to be used for upset stomachs however I like to use it as a mask or even under makeup. Random, I know.
So after posting to my Facebook page that I was treating myself to a MoM mask, I had a few people ask me questions about it. Hopefully this will provide you all with an explanation.

Basically after purchasing a bottle or the original Milk of Mag, I transfer it into a spray bottle. This makes the application much easier. If you do decide to do this, please get the original formula. I think it comes in chocolate and cherry flavors... not necessary for skin use unless you're into that?
Its also a good idea to test how your skin reacts to it. Dab a little bit behind your ear before bed. If the next morning you don't have any skin irritation, you should be good to go.

How to use it as an oil absorber under makeup-
Use your facial moisturizer as usual. Always let that soak in for at least 10 minutes or so.
Next lightly mist your face with the MoM.
Apply your primer as usual.
Apply a SMALLER THAN NORMAL amount of foundation. Seriously, don't apply the same amount you usually would.
If you have time, test this out before being seen anywhere as you may need to do a little adjusting with your foundation.
Honestly I skip powder all together with I use MoM under my makeup. THAT is how absorbent it is. If you find yourself getting a little oily, use an oil absorber sheet vs powder.

Facial Mask-
On days where my skin is just out of control oily,  I use it as a mask.
I wash my face with a mild cleanser. Pat dry.
I give my skin a good misting of it and lock myself in my room for a bit.
I wait until it all is dry. Its going to look very chalky. I let it sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse off.
I always moisturize after.

Spot Treatment for Acne-
If I have a little break out, I like to put just a dab of MoM on it as an over night treatment.
I wash my skin and moisturize as usual. Just a little dot of it usually does the trick. If anything, the next morning the redness will have gone way down. Victory in my book!

So there are the different ways I use Milk of Magnesia on my skin.
Its VERY inexpensive (under 10 dollars) and it will last forever.
Give it a try!!!

It Was All A Dream...

How It All Began and Who It All Started With

I can't tell the story of how I started booking makeup gigs without mentioning the person who helped me get the ball rolling. I am sure that if you follow my makeup page on FB you can already guess who she is... So drum roll please... Its Mallorie Byrum! Not only is she a very close friend, she has played a major roll in my world of makeup.

I first met Mallorie at Ruby Tuesdays. We were both waitressing there a few years ago. I was shocked that this chick, who is itty bitty, was scarfing down a bowl of Chicken Parmesan Pasta like it was nothing. I also thought she looked just like Audrina Patridge. Just sayin'
Anyway, I moved to Richmond shortly after she started working there, so I really never got a chance to get to know her well.
Just over a year ago I moved back home and decided to start really going after my dream of owning my own makeup business. I honestly had no idea where to start. I wanted to do weddings, movies, print... I wanted to do it ALL. Hair, makeup and anything beauty related had always been a huge part of my life. I went to beauty school during high school and passed my state boards the year of 07, just before high school graduation. Beauty school gave me the confidence to work in the industry. That's not to say that I wasn't scared out of my mind to get started. It is always scary to wonder if you are going to be accepted in the world of makeup artistry. Makeup, to me, is an art. Not knowing how people are going to respond to it is an intense feeling.

While I was beginning to work on my portfolio, Mallorie was also beginning her journey as a photographer. I was waitressing at Rubys talking to a coworker about all of the work I was putting into makeup when he mentioned that I should get together with Mal because she was working on her portfolio. The next time I saw her at work I asked her about it and we decided to get together and do a shoot. I remember that first day working with her very clearly. We both just had so much fun with our model that it showed through the pictures. I don't think we really even cared what people thought about the photos because we were so in love with ALL of them. It wasn't long after she posted that session that I started to get a lot of inquires for weddings and senior portrait sessions.
I think this is the part where I say "its all history from there."

Mallorie and I work together a lot. We like to challenge each other and try new things out in our sessions. Most of  the time our sessions are for portfolio purposes, but we also have a few bookings together this summer which I am very excited about!

With all of that being said... Here is a little interview with the very talented 21 year old farmers daughter- tractor pullin' champ- full time student- waitress- PHOTOGRAPHER :)

From Left to Right, Mallorie, Ashley, Me!

What is your favorite thing about photography?

The instant gratification of taking someone’s photo, looking at the screen, and seeing the image captured. I also love to show clients a sneak peak of the screen and seeing them get excited. It’s a confidence booster on both ends.

What has been the hardest thing about photography?

Having to go through the process of starting the actual business and all that it entails. Putting together packages and prices.

What is your favorite kind of session and why?

I love female portraits. I love making the client feel beautiful and capturing their true beauty. Plus us ladies always get SO excited with previews of the sessions.  HAHA

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In a studio doing photography full time. But also still shooting on location.

How did you initially get started?

I got my first DSLR camera when I was 16 years old as a Christmas present. I started shooting around and found out that I loved photography. I began taking pictures of my friends posting them on facebook. People liked my photography and style, which was huge to me.

What is an average day in the life of Mallorie Byrum?

Waiting tables at Ruby Tuesdays. Going to School at the visual arts center working towards my degree in studio arts with a specialization in Photography. All in between Im taking pictures and promoting business.  
What advice would you give someone who wants to start photography?
 
Keep at it. Never give up and always stick with they style you love.
 
 
With all of that being said, expect more from Mallorie and I! We even have a Richmond trip booked for this Sunday. :)
Thanks for all of the love and support!
xo
-Rachel


 

How to Achieve a Fabulous Fake Tan

ITS SPRING TIME Y'ALL!
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and we are all PASTY WHITE thanks to the frigid winter! Whomp Whomp!  I'm sure everyone can agree that having a tan just makes you feel better. How to achieve a tan when it is just a little too cold for the pool or beach? Choice A - Drop 50 bucks (at least) at a tanning salon (we all now the dangers yet they are oh-so tempting...)  Choice B - Self Tanner.

I have chosen Choice B and here is why I think you should too. (Ill spare you the skin cancer rant.)
SELF TANNER HAS COME A LONG WAY, EVEN SINCE LAST SUMMER!
Ive been trying a lot of new products this Spring and am totally impressed. Smothering yourself in a lotion and praying that you aren't orange in a few hours is risky business! After a few trial and errors, I have found my go to products for this Spring and am SO excited to share them with you!

THE DAY BEFORE USING SELF TANNER.
# 1:  EXFOLIATE. Do not skip this step or you are liable to look splotchy!!!!  Also do any shaving the day before. Just use your favorite body wash with a loofah and scrub scrub scrub!

# 2: MOISTURIZE: Use a good thick moisturizer and concentrate around elbows and knees after you exfoliate. I like to use Palmers Shea Butter.



My MUST HAVES!

THE DAY OF
For my body I use Jergens Natural Glow (Medium) I wash my hands VERY well after.
For my face, neck and hard to reach places on my back I use Neutrogena micro-mist in Shade 3 (deep) .I spray this while standing in the shower as it will leave a film on the floor resulting in the bottoms of your feet turning orange. (not cute) Its also a good idea to hit up the tops of your hands with it.
If I want to wear a dress or something that reveals my legs and I don't have time to wait around for the tan to set in, I use Sally Hansen Airbrush legs in Tan Glow. This stuff is SO amazing. I spray a line down the front and down the back of each leg, and then I rub it in thoroughly with my hands.

I used Neutrogena the day before this photo.

So lets do a little pro and con review of each product.

Jergens Natural Glow - Pro - Because it is a gradual tanner, its less likely to streak. It smells wayyyyy better than it has in the past. I don't know what they did to the formula, but I SWEAR it is so much better.Con- You have to plan ahead. Lets say you want to be tanned for the weekend, you'll want to start this regimen at least 4 days before.

Neutrogena Micro-mist- Pro- Develops rather quickly. Super easy to use. You can spray the backs of your hands and not have to worry about orange palms.
 Con- The smell isn't great, and you literally have to hold your breath while spraying your face.

Left leg - Before Sally Hansen. Right Leg - After (you can see the shimmer)

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs - Pro- Waterproof. Washes off easily with soap. No funky smell. Instant tanner..so there is no waiting period. Doesn't transfer onto clothing.
 Con- Super sparkly. This might not even be a Con to some however I found it to be a little much for the daytime. I was even asked if I used glitter lotion? haha But if that's the only con, Ill take it!


I usually apply self tanner in the evening and let it really set in over night. The next morning I use a moisturizing body wash and again my Palmers Shea Butter lotion. I wont do another deep exfoliation until I'm ready to start the process over.

Enjoy :)
-Rachel xo