The Best Makeup Wipe/Remover Around..

Hola,
So I thought I would let you guys in on a little secret: Olay Daily Facials Express Wet Cleansing Cloths (All Skin Types). So here's the deal..

In my field of work I am required to wear business casual clothing to work. When I get home from a long day of work I like to peal off all my clothes, jewelry, and heels and throw on some sweats. I want to be comfortable so I can play with my toddler and feel 'free'. I also like to immediately take off all my makeup and throw my hair up in a bun!

For a while I was waking up in the morning, washing and moisturizing, getting off work, washing and moisturizing, taking a shower (at night), and washing and moisturizing. This was doing three things: 1. WASTING MY DAMN MONEY (and product)! 2. Drying out my face and causing more breakouts 3. Wasting my time.

Yall know I have oily skin, but really it is more combination..as oily as it gets, if I don't moisturize I feel extra cracked, dry, and dead..blah! I just felt like my pores were getting so clogged with all that facial lotion I was having to use by washing my face three times a day.....UNTIL..

I stumbled across my holy grail makeup wipe. I prefer to take off my eye makeup with EVOO and a cotton ball. I do this because I enjoy the conditioning effect the olive oil gives my eyelashes and it is much gentler on the eye area then using a cloth wipe. HOWEVER, when I am lazy, or not wearing much eye makeup, these cloth wipes work perfectly to remove all kinds of makeup (including waterproof mascara). These wipes will remove all of your foundation, blush, eye makeup, lip product, everything! They are soft but durable and have a nice gentle and fresh smell to them. The best part is: THESE WIPES LEAVE YOUR FACE LEAVING FRESH, CLEAN, AND MOISTURIZED! I don't even have to put on face lotion after using the product because my skin is soft and just perfectly smooth (not too dry, but not soaked up with lotion either..PERFECT). It is definitely a great pick me up after a long day.

Also, for $3.68 from Walmart ($4.68 for the sensitive kind), you get a 30 day supply. Most wipes only come in a 25 day pack (which makes no sense unless it is February) and are $1-$2 more expensive or they may be cheaper and less quality, drying, etc.

Definitely check these out! You won't regret it!

LOTD: Royal Paradise

Look of the Day: This is a purple and pink look with hints of blue. Hope you like it!

PS. It was my birthday in these pics!

Face:
Neutrogena Oil Free Lotion for Combination Skin
Milk of Magnesia (primer on T-Zone only)
Laura Gellar under makeup spackle in Bronze
Everyday Minerals foundation in Tan
MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC45
MAC MSF Natural in Dark

Eyes:
UDPP
NYC Brow Kit in Brunette
NYX Jumbo pencil in Black Bean (All over lid, this is crucial as it changes the NYX Purple to a more royal purple/blue )
NYX Purple (on inner half)
NYX Atlantic (lower lash line)
MAC Fuschia Pigment (outer half)
Jordana Fabuliner in Black (line upper lid)
NYC Autoliner in Black (waterline)
Loreal Collagen Volume mascara in Blackest Black (ehh, reminds me of CG Lashblast Waterproof)

Cheeks:
Physicians Formula Mineralwear Blush in Rosy Glow

Lips:
Sally Hansen Lip Plumper in Sheer Blush

Fight the OILIES: Milk of Magnesia

So you all know I am ALL ABOUT saving a buck. I have been searching for a good foundation primer for months. Unfortunately, my skin just does not like ANYTHING. I have tried Smashbox Photofinish Light, MAC Matte, Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel, and finally my Laura Gellar under makeup tinted spackle. With the exception of the Laura Gellar spackle, ALL OF THEM BROKE MY FACE OUT! Right now, my face is JACKED UP. My face has gotten much more oily since I began wearing makeup and I would have to use blotting tissues at least twice a day, along with MAC Blot powder. My t-zone is oily as heck and my cheeks are dry so basically I am screwed, lol.

Well, I have found my HG product. Believe it or not ladies and gents, Phillips Milk of Magnesia (original) is incredible! I did my research and the main ingredient is magnesium hydroxide. There are only two other products in it: purified water and sodium hypochloride. I checked the Walmart generic brand and it is the exact same ingredients it in. I got the Phillips brand just to be safe, but the Walmart brand is double the size for only $3 and some change! Beware of other generics because some contain mineral oil, and that is a NO NO.

This can be used as a nightly face mask, to reduce the production of oil your face makes OR as a foundation primer. As a mask, lighty spread a thin layer on your face with your fingers, foundation brush, or cotton pad, keep on for about 10-15 minutes and rinse. You can even leave it on all night and wash off in the morning. As a primer just spread a light layer on your t-zone or oily spots with a foundation brush, let dry, and apply your foundation as usual. I wouldn't put it all over your face, but only in the oily spots. If you see some white flaky residue after it dries, just lightly rub it off with your ring finger.

I DID NOT HAVE TO BLOT MY FACE AT ALL WHEN I USED THIS AS A PRIMER. I could not believe it. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and light. It has not clogged any pores or caused any breakouts. Ladies, you have to try this is you have oily skin. I can't speak for my dry skin chicas, but this is awesome. I am so glad I found this! Good luck and tell me how it works for you!

PS. Check my youtube video at www.youtube.com/tnxmami for more information and a demonstration as to how I apply it.

Motherhood

I just wanted to say that despite the frustration, loneliness, and and difficulties that come along with being a single parent...I absolutely love being a mother. I adore my son and thank God each and every day for being blessed with an opportunity to care and love someone in this way. I am truly truly truly lucky.

LOTD: The Peacock's Plume (120 Palette)

This look was inspired by my son's fantabulous daycare which has a peacock theme. Today just so happened to be BLUE Day so I went with it..hope you like!

All shadows were from the 120 Palette. I am really digging this palette. I bought it when I first started with makeup and have been slacking on using it until recently. I fell in love with it all over again!

Face:
Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer for Combination Skin
Laura Gellar under makeup spackle in Bronze
Everyday Minerals Foundation in Tan
MAC MSF Natural in Dark
MAC Studio Sculpt concealer in NC45
Everyday Minerals Finishing Powder in Soft Bronze

Cheeks:
NYX Pinky
NYX Pecan

Eyes:
UDPP
NYC Brow Kit in Brunette
Light blue (matte/for inner lid)
Darker light blue (satin/on top of light blue above)
True blue (satin/for outer lid and inner lower lid)
Aquablue green(shimmer/on top of the true blue)
NYC Auto liner pencil in black (line the outer half of your bottom lid and smudge)
Jordana Fabuliner in Black (line upper lid)
Wet n Wild kohl eyeliner in Sky Blue (waterline)
Covergirl Lashblast in Very Black (upper lashes)
Maybelline Define a Lash in Black (lower lashes)

Lips:
Revlon Beyond Natural cream gloss in Nude
NYC Liquid lip shine in 552

LOTD: Rasta-far-EYES

Look of the Day: Caribbean inspired/Rasta Girl eyeshadow

Face:
Neutrogena Oil Free moisturizer for combination/oily skin
Laura Gellar under makeup spackle in bronze (primer)
Everyday Minerals foundation in Golden-Tan
Everyday Minerals finishing powder in Soft Bronze
MAC MSF Natural in Dark
Everyday Minerals concealer in Mint
MAC Studio Sculpt concealer in NC45

Eyes:
NYC Brow kit in Brunette
-Bases: UDPP (all over), WetnWild idoleyes in Envy (it's a green) (inner), NYX Jumbo in Yellow (middle) and Cherry (outer)
120 Palette Green, Yellow, and Red (on top the appropriate jumbo color above)
NYX Sunrise (lower lash)
NYX Chrome Pigment in Yellow (lower lash)
NYX in Aquamarine (lower lash)
HIP Creme Liner in Black for upper lid
NYC Auto pencil in Black for waterline
CG Lashblast in Very Black

Cheeks:
NYX Blush in Pecan
Everyday Minerals foundation in Deep Tan (contour)

Lips:
Jordana in color lipgloss in Peach Sand
Revlon Beyond Natural Cream lipgloss in Nude

Tis all!

I AM A THETAWOMAN

UPDATE: Sigma Brushes

Hello all,
So after using my Sigma brushes for several weeks now I decided it was time for an update! I love all of the brushes still. They remain super soft and in correct shape even after washing a few times.

SS224 Tapered Blending Brush: $9.00
This is by far my favorite blending brush out there. The density is perfect so you can control how much color you brush on versus it being a big fluff puff with no control. If you were only going to buy one eye brush from the Sigma line..I recommend this one. No shedding at all!

SS188 Small Duo Fiber Brush: $14.00
Sadly, I rarely use this brush. NOT because it isn't a good brush..just because I find myself grabbing for other brushes over this one. It isn't flimsy or anything I just wish it was just A BIT denser. It is great for putting on blush though. I tried it with liquid foundation and it was okay, but I would much rather use a larger stippling brush or the small contour brush below. I cannot say it is comparable for MAC but I do think it is a good quality small stippling brush and worth the money.

SS 109 Small Contour Brush: $14
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BRUSH. It is so versatile. I use it for liquid foundation, contouring, highlighting, and applying blush. I would definitely buy like 3 of these. HOWEVER..there is one huge huge huge downfall to this brush. IT SHEDS LIKE CRAZY. Look at the picture and see for yourself. Your makeup may look flawless but it is incredibly annoying when there are bristles all over your face. I probably won't use it for liquid foundation anymore because this is when it does all that shedding. Any other use I do not find much shedding, if any. I have heard that the MAC 109 does this as well. I think it is the liquid that is just sticking to and 'pulling' the bristles out. I would definitely recommend to buy it if you are on a budget, but if you can save up go for the MAC.

Hope I helped!

www.sigmamakeup.com