Dem bleached brows, gril!

Basically from birth my look has been blonde hair, red lips, dark brows. I define my personal style in two ways: something like the Jetsons (a little from the past and a little from the future) or slutty grandmas. Working in a place like Benefit Cosmetics, where laughter is the best cosmetic and brows are the fundamentals to a good life, I often pride myself on the construction of my brows. These babies, placed delicately above ones eyes, are the most expressive part of your face. I have spent over two years preaching this statement, helping the world to see just what his or her eyebrows could be, and not what they feel is wrong with them. Personally, my eyebrows are a bit scarce. Truthfully, they are basically just three wizard-long hairs that I mold into a shape, something that I take great pleasure in doing, both for myself and others. It is almost a cathartic thing, to raise up my brows from the dead. And luckily for me, I occasionally get paid to do just that. (working for benefit.)

In January I started to feel restless with my appearance, and usually this results in me dying my hair some random color, in fact, I still have a box of ice blue color waiting for me when I need it. However, this time it was different. This time I wanted to change the fundamentals of my appearance. This time, I was going after my brows. I mulled the decision over for most of the month of January, spoke with a few of my coworkers about it, who were all very supportive of this plan I was formulating. One of my coworkers even had experience bleaching her brows. It certainly wasn't to the nordic/slightly otherworldy extent that I wanted, but this gave me the perspective that it can be done. That I could do this. And there isn't a soul around who can say I don't know my way around a little bleach, information one can gather from my naturally blonde hair...

So I went into Walgreens, guns blazing, credit card out and purchased some good old facial bleach, specifically the brand "Jolen" (in my head I pronounce it like the Dolly Parton song, but I'm sure that's probably not how it goes..) I watched a couple youtube videos, put the song "Jolene" on repeat, and went at it. I would say "don't try this at home," but what the hell; watch a few youtube videos, throw on a relevant song, and try this at home!

Here are a few pictures from the process, and I'm happy to say that I achieved the look I was going for. The first picture is obviously with the bleach processing, 

the second is my naked eyebrows with not a hint of filler, in my head I look a touch like silent films from the 20s and 30s..

..and the third is the more socially acceptable, filled in blonde brow.

Despite how odd I find myself looking in the photo without any visible brows, I have to appreciate it. I set out a certain goal, and I achieved it. According to many different beauty blogs out there, there are mixed feelings about this particular look that has popped up in several different high fashion looks during fashion week. The feelings range from wild hatred, to just good old curiosity. I cannot attest to whether or not this is a look that can easily transfer over to the general public, but I can state that it is another great way to change up your look without breaking the bank or cutting off all your hair.

Sephora VIB Rouge

So the other day, when I was making a I'M STUCK IN SF WITHOUT ANY FAMILY SO I'M BUYING MYSELF CHRISTMAS PRESENTS purchase at Sephora (I bought a powder blush from Becca called 'gypsy,' one of their beach tints, and a third thing I can't seem to remember...) I was being rung up and the wonderful woman at the counter says to me "you're now VIB Rouge" and hands me this strange box. I say, "thank you" and probably looked a little puzzled, and walked home. When I reached my house, I finally took out the box and read a little bit about this whole VIB Rouge deal..

Basically, it is a new tier to their rewards program, the top tier, in fact. I don't really want to disclose how much money one has to spend to get this deal, because it is really just depressing to think of how much money I spend on certain things... but I digress. So! The best part about this, besides free shipping all the time at sephora.com, is this exclusive lipstick designed by Bite called "rouge." Now, I had never used any lipsticks by Bite before, somehow I didn't think they would be pigmented enough for me, or would just melt off my face like some lipsticks do... but this may actually be my new favorite red lipstick. The color is so wonderfully rich, and the lipstick is also hydrating. It has average long wearing power to it, but it doesn't claim to be a long lasting lipsticks, so that doesn't bother me one bit. It does leave a really nice, really soft stain as it wears off. I've been pairing it with Urban Decay's lip pencil in 69, and they work magic together. So I am one hundred percent obsessed with this lipstick, and it is also kinda awesome that only a handful of people are able to buy it. Because sometimes it is nice to get the VIP treatment, or VIB Rouge.

Tootsie Toes

The best nail place in the world, and a collage of the amazing stuff they've done for me in the past sixish months ! Tootsie Toes is on Polk and Clay in San Francisco, they are by far the best nail salon in the world, and when I say "in the world," what I mean is "that I've been to" and what I mean by that is "in the world." They take their time with you, they actually listen to your cares and concerns. I usually just go in and pick something on the spot, but occasionally I will decide on some crazy nail are that they are never intimidated by. The owner, a wonderful woman named Vi, is up to any challenge. I highly recommend going, but always make an appointment first! They are booking up fast.

Lollitint

Thank you benefit cosmetics, you hit one out of the park with this new tint!

Lollitint is benefit cosmetics new cheek and lipstain, it happens to be that amazing color that was all over fashion week as well as Pantone's color for 2014, RADIANT ORCHID!! Yes, it was completely necessary for me to capitalize that!

So this stain is gel based, so I feel like it wears better than Benetint, however if you are wearing it on your cheeks, it is best to blend it into a highlighter so that you aren't left with casual color blotches on your cheeks. My personal favorite highlighters to blend it with are Benefit's Watts Up, a champagne colored cream to powder stick you can smear on your face (and I do love the ease of smear technique,) and Nars copacabana illuminator. The latter of which I am wearing in the photo of me. I also accidentally dyed my hair purple this week...

Limecrime, a discussion..

So if it wasn't already apparent how addicted to lipstick I am, I'm going to go into more detail. Specifically with the brand Limecrime.

Despite the fact that this brands popularity seems to be increasing by the hour, not everyone has heard of it. 

And what's particularly strange is that despite its ever growing success, there seems to be a bit of controversy surrounding the founder, who goes by the name Doe Deere. In a world where you have the freedom to broadcast a photo of the socks you wore today, you must be prepared to accept the added spice of drama that comes with it. Everyone has an opinion, and unfortunately it ain't all compliments! 

I'm not here to feed the flames of discussion about Doe Deere and what is the truth (though I know it is out there...) I am here to talk about my favorite accessory: LIPSTICK.

Black Saturday, I purchased my very first limecrime velveteen. The new, ever anticipated Pink Velvet. Why have I never purchased the two reds offered in the velveteen category, you ask? Because I feel like they are exactly the same as the sephora cream lipstains, except pricier. In addition to that, it is very hard for me to justify the purchase of yet ANOTHER red lip color. 

Despite my inability to let my guard down and actually purchase a red velvet or a suedeberry, I HAVE tried them. Both of them. Courtesy of my favorite twin, Miss Ashley Miller. And to the delight of my wallet, it was exactly how I expected it to be... It was a pricier sephora brand cream lipstain. 

So what made me finally cross over and buy one? Well, it is pink. Not red, AND I also scored a Poisonberry for some sweet Black Friday deals! 

singing the praises of Wanelo

In the time that I was recovering from the whole wisdom teeth thing I discovered the wonderful ap that is Wanelo. It stands for Want Need Love, and it is by far the worst and best thing if you like a little bit of internet shopping. It is like a brilliant catalog of everything you could ever possibly hope to buy, you can make different lists, for instance "things that I could never afford" or "dreamy accessories" to help you organize all your material desires. Now be careful with this new ap, it could be very dangerous to ones bank account.. So feel free to download this baby and add me!

The art of getting lost

(Read: losing stuff, a poem, or really a list)

Days of the week, namely. Four wisdom teeth. All the makeup:

MAC lip primer, lip liner, lipsticks.

Generally red. 

Too faced lucky lipstick, made with champagne essence.

Brow pencils.

Eye liner: liquid, pencil, pens.

The naked palette, to be found later, surprisingly sitting in my makeup case.

Stockings: seamed, thigh high, black, ripped, fishnet.

That orange nail polish, glow in the dark.

One of the cat's green eyes, along with our friendship.

Love, simple and sweet.

Love, tumultuous deceit.

Blue hair dye. 

Fifteen other socks.

One pair of too big fake pants.

Assorted parts of my self confidence.

Countless poems written on the back of napkins.

Sketches of clothing.

Doodles of your eyes.

Sight of the future. 

The cap to almost every hair product,

The cap to the glue I use.

Any cap, really.

Glitter nail polish.

Glitter necklace.

Friendship rings.

Virginities, no such thing.

My mind?