Songs Never Get Out of My Head

AHHHH, the last couple of days I've had many a songs stuck in my head in an endless loop.  Many from H.M.S Pinafore, a little classic Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughn, and then add in the Cupid Shuffle? What is my life?
   Yesterday after work at Interact (which will not get shut down if the MN government does--thank god!) I went out for a dinner and movie date with my lovely friend Erin.  We saw "Bad Teacher," which was surprisingly decent for me hating Cameron Diaz and that big oaf guy who thinks he's so funny.  After dinner we stopped at Ulta (bad idea) and all of these nail polishes were on sale, sooooo, I have some new ones... plus I have an excuse because the Shrek Collection by OPI has great greens AND they don't make it anymore...and two of these were free...and green nail polish...and...I think I have a nail polish problem...

 From left to right:

OPI Who the Shrek Are You?

Orly Flirty

Orly Frolic

Essie Splash of Grenadine

OPI Fiercely FIona 

Orly Fresh

Essie Pretty Edgy

Essie Turquoise and Caicos

Painted with Orly's Fresh

Apparently this Orly collection is supposed to come out in July, but I already got it? Any news on this?

 This is a look from the other day where I mixed pink and blues from my EyesLipsFace Eyeshadow Palette.  I thought it looked pretty neat-o, minus the fact that I couldn't get a really good picture of it aka my face. I'm all, sun is in my eyes squinty. Lovely. Usual liner and mascara and such.  

Lips are by Bare Essential. It's their newish Pretty Amazing Lipcolor in Ambition and I loooovveeee it.  It's an in-between of a lipstick and a gloss and it's one of the best of those hybrids I've tried with a great color and finish.  Love.  

Have a great day and listen to some good music.

~Shannon

Life is Sweet

Today was a wonderful day, a perfect summer day, just plain and simple wonderful.  Life is sweet.  And by saying "life is sweet," well, it has multiple meanings for me.  Yes, my life is sweet, filled with sunshine and makeup and good friends.  And, "Life is Sweet" was a fall show that Interact, the center I work for--for people with disabilities-- did this past fall which centered on the actors with down syndrome.  I love Interact and all of it's messages and how it makes me smile and laugh without fail every single day.  The artists love to hear about my theatre makeup class and my radio show and there's never a day where I do not feel so much love and happiness from the place.  I could not imagine my life without it.  In Minnesota, there's talk of a government shutdown tomorrow and if it happens, Interact will have to shut down for an unknown amount of time.  A local news channel did a story about it here:

http://www.kare11.com/news/article/928414/14/Art-studio-for-vulnerable-adults-would-close-with-state-shutdown

I know this story is not makeup related and my post is a bit "deeper" than usual with a more serious tone, but I thought I'd take a moment to talk about this part of my life and how much it means to me and to also inform people about Interact and more people in the disability community.  How able, creative, inspiring, talented, funny, emotional, dramatic, caring (the list goes on) these people are and how anyone can realize this and treat these people with respect, notice their talent, and change their perception of those who are labeled as "disabled."

So, whether you be a politician or a makeup artist, a fashion blogger or a lawyer, an actor or a teacher, I hope you get something from this. Thank you.
~Shannon

License Renewal Powers Activated!

Yesterday was it? Oh, it feels so long ago I got my license renewed at that lovely place known as the DMV aka HELLLLLL! I waited 2 hours to get my bloody picture taken and pay $20.50 to do so. There were soooo many people there and it had been open for only 15 minutes when I got there, rage, rage, rage, continue and BLAH! Anyway, at least the DMV is a great place for people watching! So many ill-fitting tank tops and general oddness. I have a theory about places like the DMV or the airport, or the state fair, and other venues of that nature: that there are some people who live on the outskirts of society that you never see except at places like the aforementioned.  It's unreal.  Like these people come from little caves in the woods only to hop a plane or get a elephant ear at the fair.  I don't understand!

 So this was my look for DMVing, going to the doctor because I have another cold/sinus infection, and getting feathers in my hair with friends.   I ended up foregoing the doctor because it was a 2 and a half hour wait and I was not having it.  So, I later picked up my friend Alicia and we met my friend Jenny at this salon to get feathers, which I'm now obsessed with.  I'll have to take a picture and post them :).
    My makeup was a pretty general me look.  I opened up a new Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Perversion, which of course I'm mad about per usual.  I used some UD Eyeshadow in Baked before applying the liner and then added the blue liner (UD in Electric).  I just love the hint of blue under my eyes! Blush was MAC Blush in Tippy.
    From my previous Ulta haul I opened up myNYX Slim Lip Pencil in Bloom and fell in love.  It's so creamy and such a great color that fills in the lip nicely.  I had never tried a NYX pencil before and I am completely sold on them, especially for the fab price.  I applied a little bit of YSL Lipstick in No.7 just to add a little more pop of pink.

 On another note, I've been using my new Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Waterproof Mascara and I feel like it's actually making my lashes longer and thicker.  It separates my lashes nicely too.  The only think I'm not crazy about is the brush, it's a bit bulky and "old-school" I want to say.  Like it's a very big brush and not as dainty as my previous mascaras.  That does not make the mascara a deal-breaker though!

The mascara in question! See what I mean about it being an "old-school" brush? Haha

Thought I'd show off my new sunglasses too! I'm loving the red and white combo and am completely ignoring the fact that they could be considered "in" because of the color blocking.  I ignore such statements! AHHHHH, haha.  They're by an Agrentinian designer, Maria Rivolta who only has one store in the U.S, which happens to be in Mpls! We ordered my fake aunt/really should be a real aunt a birthday present from this designer and they had an issue with shipping and after WEEKS of trying to get this present, they shipped it to their U.S store.  We're like, "so, we have to go to what, New York to get this thing?" And they said the store was at Southdale center, Mpls surprisingly. What a small world we live in.  

~Shannon

My Only Child is Showing...

Hi friends and browsers of the World Wide Web! I am sups tired and keeping this post shortish and hopefully somewhat sweet...or evil depending on my mood I guess.  This weekend I went shopping with mi mama at a typically lame mall in Mpls.  Well, it appeared that they were giving away things at Ulta and Bare Essentials because I got soooo many presents-- mind you, everything was on sale and 50% off and they were paying me to take Nyx products, haha, so I'm not really as spoiled as it seems, it's just I'm an only child and I was just demonstrating that fact a little...yeah...

 Ulta stuff...not going to lost all the products, ask questions if curious and they will all probs make it into my blog.  My obsession with green nail polish continues in this Ulta haul.  I think I believe I am Sally Bowles from "Cabaret." Better work on my Liza impression some more :D

 Looove the lashes.  I have such a thing for fake lashes, I wish they were more socially acceptable to wear to work and such, but they would end up getting trashed...

 I've never actually tried Bare Essentials, so I' very excited.  My mom and I got some of the mineral pigments and the weird not gloss, not lipstick things.  I had never seen such bright lip colors from them before, so I'll let you all know what I think.  The cute little silver backs and wrapped set were free gifts-- $20 off cupon included :D

 Bath and Body Works $2 Rose Salve, yum

Green Tea Lip Balm...eek, my camera hates me taking pictures in my room, the flash makes everything stupid and unclear and no flash makes it blurry, le sigh.

Anyone have new fun purchases? I also got some neat-o stuff from H&M and some really cool sunglasses from this Argentinian designer who has one US store and it's in Mpls, yay.  Ah, I feel so spoiled right now, haha, at least I'm grateful for such a lovely mommy dearest who feeds my cosmetics addiction, ever when she says she will not get me one more bottle of nail polish :)

~Shannon

A Commercial? I'm Famous!

Hahaha, just kidding, I am not famous except in my own head BUT I did do someone's makeup for a commercial for...Century One College or something of the sorts (I don't recall) this past Tuesday.  Jen works with-ish my dah-rrrling mother dearest and her son is the one who went all artist on my face and neck with my makeup a couple weeks ago.  She's absolutely sweet and a really fab woman :) and she asked me to do her makeup for this commercial.

 Before picture, Jen decided that traditionally in before pictures people didn't smile, so it's a "classic" before picture. 

 The finished look!

      I started her makeup around 6:15 in the morning (I managed to get up!) and had asked her to bring some of her own makeup to use too.  Her main concealer that I applied all over her face with a sponge is a Revlon cream-based concealer, but I didn't catch the "NAME" or color. I used Urban Decay's Surreal Skin Creamy Concealer in Dreamy combined with Garnier's Skin-Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Eye Roller under Jen's eyes and set it all with a Guerlain Powder which I believe is now discontinued, but it looks very similar to their Terracotta Collection's face powder. 

     I used a NARS Multiple in Cococabana to highlight Jen's face and applied Benefit's Oh La Lift under her eyes and right under her brows after filling them in with Revlon's ColorStay 12-hour Eyeshadow in Copper Spice.  I set her eyebrows with a clear gel that came free with a Tweezerman's purchase. Blush was a combo of NARS Powder in Nico and Benefit Powders in Hoola and Dallas.

Her eyes were primed with Benefit Stay Don't Stray Shadow Primer and shadowed with Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Hotpants (pinkish to compliment her outfit) and Pop Green Eyes Palette. The Pop Palette has some nice tans and a darrrrrk brown which I lined her eyes with on top and bottom.  Mascara was a sample of Lancome's.

Finally, Jen's lips were first moisturized with some rose salve and with a lip brush I mixed together MAC Lipstick in Rebel and Chanel Rouge Coco in Rivoli to make this lovely purple-pink with hints of wine.  I love this newly discovered combo!

Apparently Jen got a ton of compliments on her makeup during the day :D and I'll be sure to post the commercial when it comes out.  I'm so excited to see it and Jen looked simply smashing, wouldn't you agree?
~Shannon

Lacey Nails and Racy Lips

I found them, I found them, I found them!!! The lace Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips IN LACCCCEEEEE!!! Ah! I've been looking for these for forever and they were just there, sitting innocently at Target, waiting for me to snatch them up :D Plus I had a coupon, so I can prepare myself for being on "Extreme Couponing" soon....yeah.

Yes, I went to Target, exciting, got some things, here are some pictures.

 The directions and application of these were super easy and I think look so much better than the Sephora brand nail stickers I reviewed a month or so ago.  Still, for like 8, 11, however many dollars, I feel like there is something lacking.  It's just how it can have an unfinished look to it and from far away this pattern almost looks like a shatter polish, so I'm not 100% sold.  If they stay looking this nice for as long as they say they do, I'll likely like them more, until then, the jury is out.

 Note: Rings are by Tarina Tarantino

 Target stuff...will review more later, below the Loreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolor Compact in Target Red.  I had another coupon and thought I'd try like the cutsey "Target Special" Color. I used to wear the Infallible Lipcolor a couple years back and kind of forgot about it.  It really does not budge from your lips, but it can be soooooooo drying and chalky feeling.  I remedy this with gloss and I think the "pain" of slightly chalky lips is worth it because of the intense and lasting color.

Target Red aka a nice little bright/racy scarlett

I'm excited to try that new Revlon mascara pictured above, apparently it is supposed to grow your lashes so we'll see if my lashes will soon be hitting the glass in my fake glasses.  Until then :)

~Shannon

Can't Sleep, Clowns Will Eat Me

   It's totally one of those night where I'm uber tired but cannot fall asleep, so I typically mess around on the net or try new and stupid makeup-y things when I do not look fit for displaying said makeup stupidity.  And I should probs go to bed because I have my volunteer "job" tomorrow at 9:30 at this wonderful place called Interact Center which is a center of visual and performing arts for people with disabilities based in Minneapolis.  It's such a fun and lively place I can never get enough of it :)
    Anywhooooooo a couple days...weeks, well, whatever ago I was reading an old manga series.  I used to be suuuuper into manga/anime, not to the point of dressing up as characters or anything, but I was very into it.  Now I think I appreciate it from more of an artistic point and historical standpoint, but will never turn down a chance to watch Sailor Moon or drool over CLAMP's artwork.  SO! A while ago I saw some whatever...thing on the internet where someone did manga-eqsue eyes on their lids, so I gave it a go.
   It was sssssoooooo hard, mainly because of smudging because I had to keep on opening my eyes to see what I was doing, so this is something I really want to try again with a model.  So, any takers to look beautiful and big-eyed? haha...ha...ha?

 Nordstrom Brand Black Eyeliner, Ben Nye Products and Makeup Forever was used, cream bases and all of that jazz.  White was added last on the eye along with the tiny bit of white on the lips to give it a more cartoon-y feel.  

 I didn't get the best pictures, but like I said, it was a hard look to accomplish on myself.  It's fun for maybe a Halloween type thing...ya know, because it is only June, so it's coming up.

Is it strange that I really like this look with my eyes open? Haha.

Now I'll go to sleep.  So, the manga look should most def be an everyday thing, right?

~Shannon

Carnage and Car Rides

Today it was absolutely lovely day in the land of Minneapolis.  I drove around with my windows down this evening after seeing a fabulous play at the Guthrie Theater called "The God of Carnage" hence my blog title.  "Carnage" is about these two couples who meet after one of the couple's son hits the other couple's son with a stick.  It's a satire on how these parents meet to settle things like adults and then slowly begin to behave like children and take sides, etc, etc.  It was sooooo funny and the playwright is this wonderful French woman and check it out...at least the play or see it if you're in the Twin Cities, haha :)
     My one complaint would be that people cannot dress when they go to the theatre or life in general! There were so many people wearing flip flops and sandals and t-shirts and AHHHHHHH-ness when they're going to a play at a nice place and going to a play...oy vey AND during the show we (my fake aunt and I) were seated next to this mother-daughter duo who, honestly, after every line said "what did he/she say" or "oh that was funny, she grabbed the cup/phone/bucket." People need to learn how to be quiet, they fail to realize that oftentimes the actors can hear every single thing an audience member can say because of the way the stage is built.  So, when going out dear readers, please use common sense and mind your theatre etiquette.  Thank you!

    Moving on, I used my new Wet n Wild eyeshadows over the past two days.  I used the silver-black-purple (Spoiled Brat) to create a "carnage-y" look for the show:

 Oh, you also noticed how shimmery and summery and nice my skin looked, oh thanks, the sparkle is totally natural...yeah, no.  My skin was looking a little dull from the heat of the past few days, so to make it more dewy I used a slightly pink-white shimmer powder--Tokidoki Luminosa Powder in Kabuki.  I used a kabuki brush (hah) and applied it all over.  Blush is MAC's Creme Blush in Florida to match the other pink going on.

 I used the base silver on my brow bone and lid (going against the Wet n Wild rules, gasp) and then layered a lot of the pink on my lids and some around my waterline.  Instead of using the given black shadow, I used black eyeliner (Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero) and gave it a slight wing.
   ANDDDDD the lips.  I used Lancome's La Laque Fever in Electric Pink, which is a nice not quite a gloss, but not a lipstick that is very sparkly and pretty vibrant.  The only problem is that it bleeds like crazy and tends to loose its pizazz and pop fairly quickly, so I ended up abandoning it later with a brighter pink.  It's one of those lip things that I forget typically disappoints, but when I mix it with something else, it tends to work and look better.

 OH NO, hints of bleeding! At least my eye looks pretty darn snazzy.  With a creamy but stay-put liner like UD's, you can have a lot of fun with wings and I tend to fade them further out of my eye if that makes sense...you can see it in this picture.  

What's in store in my next post? The green Wet n Wild shadows, where I used the left lipstick.  The right is the Lancome one mentioned earlier with that really nice applicator. 

On another note, I painted my nails using my new OPI Nail Polish in Silver Shatter! I paired it with my favorite OPI Pirates color, Mermaid's Tears. I'm actually obsessed with my nails right now and hopefully you are too, haha :D

Per usual, thank you for reading and have a fab day..week...year...summer...month, not necessarily in that order.

~Shannon

Flytraps, Nail Polish, and Walgreens

Today is fretfully hot out...ugggg. I am not the biggest fan of hot weather, I start to melt and then my makeup starts to melt and it's just not a pretty sight...bleh cue hashtag whitegirlproblems and realhousewives-esque problems, haha.  I had to run a bunch of errands and ended up at Bachman's (flower super-store) to get a Venus fly trap...well, there were only two aka twins aka they could not be separated soooo, I had to get them.

Buckled up and safe from harm in my car!

Then journeyed to Walgreens to pick up a prescription for my mom who is sick from dental surgery (ahh, eek, ick tmi) AND there were like twelve thousand sales and clearances for all of this makeup, so I got a couple drug store treats :D

 Wet n Wild Lipstick in Spotlight Red, Covergirl Lipstick in Spellbound, Covergirl Lipstick in Hot Passion.  I normally don't get drugstore lipstick just because I a) have so much lipstick in general and b) because I am a MAC and beyond lipstick snob, but they were suppppppppper cheap and I was looking for a bright candy red for summer, sooooo, went ahead and got...these...yes.  Anyway, I'm wearing one of the Covergirl lipsticks now and the color is very true to advertisements and it wears pretty nicely.  The only thing is it feels a tiny bit gritty, but otherwise good.  

 Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definers in Emerald Sparkle and Precious Gold, Wet n Wild Eyes Creme Shadow Pencil in Techno, and Wet n Wild Tri-Color Eyecon Shadow in I Dream of Greenie and Spoiled Brat.

 Reliving my childhood, no big deal, keep moving, all is right...

 Anyway, my mother who is actually the nicest and coolest got me all of these OPI Shatter Nail Polishes because she knows I'm obsessed with them and she went and got her hair done the other day and at her salon they had all of these shatter colors she had never seen or heard of, so she got me them :). It's really funny because she had to make the life or death decision on whether to get me the white shatter and she couldn't decide if it was cool or stupid and she asked three other people about it until it was determined that the white shatter is, indeed, cool. And it is.

Current nail polish through is OPI's Pirates Collection in Stranger Tides.  It's a really odd grey-green which I am now kind of obsessed with, figures. 

On another note, when I was getting this makeup from Walgreens, the pharmacy guy started giving me advice about what eyeshadows to mix with what colors and how the sparkles in the black would look good with the green and so on, it was very funny and amused me a lot.  I really like how the Wet n Wild eyeshadows tell you how to use and where to use their product because people could end up like me pictured above...hahahaha.  Yes, I'm excited to use those little sets and they come with instructions so I don't put eyeshadow on my nose and forehead.  What will they think of next?

~Shannon