I thought it would be fun to show you a few of my favorite things pertaining to makeup so I went around snapping pictures of things on my vanity and in my makeup bag. Then it quickly turned into a "whats in my bag/what can't I live without from all over my house/what products in my life do I absolutley LOVE"

 

This got to be so long that I decided to break it up into parts. I'll have part 2 up soon. Today I will cover part of my makeup basics.

 

My favorite thing/can't live without - top of my list - if I'm stranded on a deserted island and could only take one thing with me would be:

 

 

MAC's Fling eyebrow pencil! Fling is the name of the color. Brows have always been an obsession of mine (maybe because we want what we can't have and I wasn't born with Angelina Jolie brows.) I draw mine on. If you ever see me with no brows on then I must be having a bad day. This brow pencil is the best ever. Its the perfect color of ash blond. It doesn't go on too yellow or golden. It works with so many hair tones and it is not waxy at all. It is a very dry pencil (if that makes sense- think chalk not crayon) which works so well when you draw on as much of a brow as I do. I have tried other brands. Even brands that look the same down to the slim packaging and NOTHING compares to this. Trust me!

 

 

And the rest are as follows:

 

Going right along with the brows is the Tweezerman Tweezers. Love this. I have the shorter version (that's because it is cheaper.) These are amazing. I have 2 pair- One in the house and one in my purse (because often the best place to tweeze those strays is in the car....parked of course!) I am not a waxer I only tweeze and since I am obsessed with brows I have to have good tweezers. These are like $12 and well worth it. If you don't have some then you should! My all time favorite tweezers are the MAC Slanted tweezers. I couldn't find them to take a picture and they are $32!!!!! Thank goodness I got them when I worked there. They are worth it (as long as you don't misplace them like I did   :( they will turn up somewhere, they always do. But the Tweezerman are easy to find, cheaper, and are awesome! Don't settle for anything less when it comes to tweezers!

 

 

 

 

My handy double sided mirror. One side is regular and the other side is 5x magnification (for tweezing brows:) Don't break your back leaning into the mirror. Go pay $5 for one of these and you'll thank yourself. But don't look too close, sometimes I see things on my face that I would rather not have magnified!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit High Beam. I know I have mentioned this in another post and I know I told you I like to glow. Guide ships home glow! This helps me achieve that. I like to call this my "glotion". Its very versatile - you can glow as little or as much as you'd like with this. Use in under foundation for a soft glow or over foundation for a more intense glow. I LOVE this because it is NOT glittery at all. It's the perfect pearl! It literally looks like someone melted a pearl onto your face which gives the most beautiful glow you have ever seen.

 

 

 

 

Dazzlelight Eyeshadow by MAC. Ok I can't live without this. This may fall right under the fling brow pencil. This is basically the powder version of the Benefit High Beam (when I really want to GLOW I set the High Beam glotion with this eyeshadow.) This is the best highlighter ever. I use it over the High Beam, under my brows, on my lips. Like I said it is the powder version of my glotion. Its "crushed" pearl as opposed to "melted" pearl. Even though it is an "eyeshadow" I use this in lots of different areas of the face. If you have seen any photos of brides I have done and you've thought to yourself "wow, she has a pretty glow"- well its the Dazzlelight (and the glow of a new bride:) I have sold and given this stuff to more people that I care to count. I keep this stocked up right next to my brow pencil. Those are 2 things I DON'T want to run out of!

 

 

 

Strobe Cream by MAC. This is a pearlized moisturizer. I like it because, well, you guessed it..... It's pearlized. But more than just that it is great for anyone. I use it in addition to my regular skincare. I use it on brides before I apply the primer. It just makes the skin look alive and healthy. Even if you don't want a "glow" this still is good to use to make the skin look healthy and awakened! It's also good to use on the shoulders and decolletage for that pretty healthy glow without using makeup on your body. After all, it is a moisturizer.

 

 

 

 

 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If you have read my blog about "The Oil Cleansing Method" then you know what I love olive oil. If you haven't read it then you need to! Besides cleansing my face with it I also put a few drops in my bathwater and it makes my skin soooo soft. I also cook with it. But so do a lot of people. Now if only as many people washed their face with it as they do cook with it....that would be awesome!

Click here to read what I'm talking about if you haven't already: http://aevansmakeupartist.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-oil-cleansing-method.html
 

 

 

 

Argan Oil. I have been using this stuff forever. Long before it was on every shelf in every store. I have long blond (bleached) hair and have been using it in my hair for years to keep is strong and soft. I also use it on my face. It has sooo many good benefits that you can't help but fall in love with it. I buy mine at Rainbow Blossom Health Food Store. I buy the 100% pure argan oil. A little goes a long way. Its so much cheaper to buy it this way then it is at a cosmetic store or salon. Try it, you'll love it. Use it after you wash your hair on combed wet hair and a little on your skin (or anywhere that needs moisture) after you have washed your face.

 

 

 

 

MAC Complete Comfort Creme. As if I didn't pile enough on my face (I know that's what your thinking:) I also use this moisturizer. (please note I don't always use the Strobe Cream above) I don't use Comfort Creme all the time. Mostly in the winter months. Maybe its habit, maybe its because I like the clean sweet smell, or maybe it's because it feels so luxurious (and for not a lot of money) but I love this stuff. When I do use it I put it on after my argan oil. You may think I put a lot of stuff on my face but really I don't. I ALWAYS use the oil cleansing method and I always use the argan oil. I like to think of the argan oil as a treatment that happens to add moisture and suppleness to the skin. But sometimes my skin needs a little more. Sometimes it can't stand the cold weather. Sometimes I want to just drench my skin in moisture and pray I don't get anymore wrinkles! This is the only "moisturizer" I keep around the house besides the Strobe Cream which does not feel like this. The Strobe Cream is more used as a feature item to help the "look" of the skin and this is a true moisturizer. I also use this on my elbows ad hands- it really IS that comforting!

 

 

Clarins Instant Smooth Primer. I love this stuff. It makes my skin feel like a babies bottom and wrinkle free! Need I say more? Its a primer- the bridge between your skincare and your makeup. You prime a wall to paint. You prime your nails to paint. So prime your face with this. You'll love your wrinkle free soft babies bottom face too! Please note it does not remove wrinkles it's a smoother and line filler ;)

 

 

 

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation. I LOVE this foundation for me personally. Why? Because I like the way it makes my skin look. Plain and simple. It makes it look like Satin. Paired with the primer above these two could make sandpaper look like satin. It's not too dewy and it's not too matte. It's perfect!

 

 

 

 

Ben Nye Concealer Wheel- I love this because I love Ben Nye (not to be confused with Bill Nye the science guy. Although Ben is a science guy of makeup! He is in L.A. and makes makeup. Its all really pigmented and geared towards special effects/theatrical makeup. This concealer wheel is good enough for someone in Cirque du Soleil to use and its good enough for me. Its a hard brand to find. I have only found it here in Louisville at Caufields downtown. He also has a website.
 

 

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer. I love this because it is lightweight and provides moisture which is great for concealing the under eye area. Its got enough pigment to cover the late night under eye circles but does not cake up, which we all know can look just as bad as the circles themselves. It feels so light under the eyes. Its also a great travel concealer. Throw it in your purse and go-no mess because it has a wand applicator.

 

 

 

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Powder. This is a mineral powder that doesn't even look like powder when you put it on. I use this in all my makeup application on other women. It has the prettiest finish known to man and its a pressed mineral powder! I keep this in my purse with a little brush. When I apply it its like I am putting nothing on the skin yet the skin is transformed to this beautiful finish. I can only describe it as "a picture taken in soft focus"- everything is softened. I have a bunch of colors in this powder. I keep whatever one matches my skin at the time in my purse and I like to use a darker one as a bronzer. It makes a great "fool proof" bronzer with no shimmer.

 

 

Baby Wipes. I never used baby wipes before I had a baby (and he isn't a baby anymore.) I am pretty sure I will use baby wipes while my son is in college. Not only are they good to clean sticky hands and adorably sticky faces but I take my makeup off with them. Most of the time I use the "Oil Cleansing Method" to remove all my makeup but sometimes I may need to change my look and I don't need to wash my face so I use these. Or maybe I'm super lazy and tired and don't feel like getting my butt out of bed to wash my face (GASP- we've all done it!) so I grab and wipe and at least take off what I shouldn't be sleeping in in the first place. They are also great to wrap around your pointer finger and clean up around the eyes (if you have fallout from your shadow or if you mess up your makeup.) I keep these in my kit because they are much easier than remover and water. They also get food and liquid off of shirts, dirt off of a dirty area and so on. They have so many uses and they are so much cheaper than makeup removing wipes. I figure if it's good enough for a new born baby then its good enough for my face!

 

 

MAC's 181SH Brush. I don't even know if they makes this all the time. I bought it in a special set. But the reason I love it is because its small and soft and great to apply my MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Powder on with. (I don't like to carry around powder puffs) If I didn't have this tiny cute brush then I wouldn't be able to apply my powder on the go! Love it and it's so cute!

MAC's 130 Brush. This is what I use for my foundation. Its a duo fiber brush meaning its made up of natural (black) and synthetic (white) hairs. As you can see there are less white hairs but they are longer. The black hair does the buffing into the skin (the heavy lifting as I like to say) while the white hair-which is what the foundation actually sits on- lightly dances along the skin gently and softly applying the foundation. You get a really good finish with this type of brush. Its around $40. A lot of money for something so small but you'll use very little foundation (I only use one pump) that you will save money. Its WELL WORTH IT. MAC has many duo fibers but I like the 130 brush because it's the smallest and most compact of the duo fibers. I feel like I get a better coverage with it. I use their other duo fibers that are larger for my glotion and powders for a really soft coverage.

 

MAC 217 Brush. When I worked at the MAC counter I used to tell people that I could save the world with this brush. For an eyeshadow brush it is the best purchase you can make. It is the most versatile and you get the most bang for your buck. I own about 10 of them. I use it to apply, blend, and buff shadow and I also use it as a concealer brush. LOVE IT! I think it's about $24 and well worth it.

 

MAC Prolongwear Bronzer in "Nude on Board". This was a limited shade over the summer and I bought 3! Yes 3! Its the perfect bronze color and I wear it everyday. Its more of a yellow base and not a red/orange/pink base so it looks good on everyone. You wont look like an Umpaloompa or like you have a bruise on your cheek. That's why I love it and that's why I have 3! I really hope they come out with it again next summer.

Wow. I talk/type a lot. That concludes the "These are a Few of my Favorite Things/Can't Live Without" part one. Like I said as I started taking photos of all of these things I ended up branching out into other things I can't live without from all over my house. The second part will be up ASAP! 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read about a few of my favorite things. These are all products I believe in and wouldn't want to be without. They are staples in my makeup collection. These are tried and true products that can't be beat!

 

Are any of these your favorite things? If not then what is. I would love to hear about them and I ALWAYS like to try new things that come highly recommended! I think it's safe to say we all do!

 

 

 

Check back soon for part 2! In the meantime check out my other sites:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amelia-Evans-Makeup-Artist/217603118271715?ref=hl

AND on Instagram at:

http://instagram.com/aevansmakeupartist/

Thanks again and have a beautiful day!!

 

-A

      

Hello Y'all!

I am writing this from Alabama so my southern drawl is coming out! I am here celebrating Thanksgiving with my family! It's good to be home in the south!

I am also excited to share one of my latest purchases from Sephora!

It is the Tarte Smolder Eyes Set!

 

 

I have never purchased anything from Tarte and when I sampled them on my hand in the store I really liked them. They stayed really well. Tarte is made from natural ingredients.These particular pencils are made from Amazonian clay. That's not the selling feature for me but it may be for someone else who has certain sensitivities to things. Don't get me wrong I do think it's cool the clay came from the Amazon but I notice sometimes with makeup when its mineral or all natural you tend to lose pigment in the color but that is not the case with Tarte. I am impressed. I LOVE the colors in this set so I bought it and thought I would share it with you.

 

I have really been loving Kristen Stewart's shimmery smokey messy eye makeup lately and I thought these would be good to achieve that look. I was right!

 

 

They are really soft and go on smoothly. They set up in about 60 seconds and then they don't move. You're able to work with the product for the first 60 seconds and move it around depending on how you want to use it. This is great for an eyeshadow base and because they are a chubby pencil they will be great as a thick eyeliner for a shimmery smokey look. It comes with 5 smolder eye sticks and a black eyeliner (along with a sharpener for the chubby sticks.) I have swatched the colors below. I numbered them and then wrote the colors below the picture with a description.

 

 

 

 

All of the colors 1-5 are shimmery (as you can see in the pictures) The last thin line in the picture (not numbered) is the black eyeliner that comes in the set.

 

1. Ash Violet- grey purple with a hint of black

2. Rainforest Black- greenish black

3. Champagne- shimmery ivory

4.Gunmetal- smokey grey brown

5. Gold- bronzed golden brown

 

Onyx Black Eyeliner- true black with no shimmer.

 

 

I love this set more than I ever thought I would. I am able to achieve that messy smokey smudged look that Kristen Stewart has been rocking so well. These are great for eyeshadow bases, eyeshadows, and eyeliners. I love it. I also love the black eyeliner. This stuff is awesome. Normally I wear either MAC Powerpoint in Engraved or MAC Fulidline in Blacktrack. I like liner that is waterproof and that you can work with, move around, smudge up if you want but then it sets and dries down to become waterproof. This liner does just that. It is also sooo black which I love. It is so pigmented and stays so well. I have used it everyday since I bought this set last week.

 

The set was $39.00 and has a value of over $144.00. It was money well spent. I have had a lot of fun mixing these and using these for their multiple functions. One Sephora employee told me they have sold out of this set multiple times so if you're interested in getting some I would act fast!

 

Thanks for hopping on here and checking out the review. I hope you enjoy!

 

 

Check me out on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amelia-Evans-Makeup-Artist/217603118271715?ref=hl

AND on Instagram at:

http://instagram.com/aevansmakeupartist/

 

 

 

Have a beautiful day and a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

-A







Sorry it has taken me sooooo long to do the review that I talked about on Facebook and Instagram. So what was in my Sephora Bag?....

Smashbox: The Master Class Palette-

 

It includes 28 shadows, 8 cream liners, 2 blushes, 3 soft lights (highlighting powder) and 4 lipglosses. It was $59.00 but apparently the value is $250.00

As most of you know I worked for MAC Cosmetics for a long time and I have a hard time being blown away by another brand. Do not get me wrong I think every brand has something special but MAC takes the cake across the board. My boyfriend once asked if I could only use one brand for the rest of my life would it be MAC and without hesitation I said YES! Not every single thing that MAC sells is amazing. But as an artist there is a lot that I can count on with MAC. I can always trust the brand, the price, and know they will more often than not deliver the most bang for your buck. However, this is not about MAC, this is about Smashbox....

I have been having a lot of fun stepping outside my MAC box and that is why I snatched this palette up. I get to try A LOT of Smashbox for not a lot of money. It's going to give us a good welcoming to the kind of cosmetics they sell. Please dont get me wrong, I havent been living under a MAC rock or anything (or maybe I have) I know what Smashbox is famous for. I once ordered their cream liner off QVC (or HSN - dont exactly remember) and I sent it back. I wasnt too impressed with it. I bought a highlighting wand and returned it (nothing is better that Benefits High Beam and a dust of MAC's Dazzlelight shadow...NOTHING!) But I give things a try and I am honest on whether they fit my needs. I have over 500 MAC shadows so I haven't tried the Smashbox shadows. This palette is a good introduction to them. Please note: as much as I love a palette and a deal I am well aware that companies can water down the product when they pack 28 shadows in a palette for $59.00. I compared the colors in this palette to their single eyeshadows they sell at full price and they both seemed to have the same color payoff. Im not even going to buy a palette if I know they have watered the product down...becuase then, its not a deal at all!!!!!

Now, on to the review.

Shadows: I liked the shadows that I used in this look. The shadows are a little softer than I am used to and they create a bit more dust (you know what Im talking about, that shadow dust you blow off of your compact after you have dipped your brush in it.) It seems loosely packed in the pan. I also had a little more fall out than normal because of the soft powder. The color payoff was good though. They are true to color and they blend well (a benefit of soft powder)

Cream Eyeliner: I didn't like this. My feelings havent changed since I bought it off QVC. The color payoff is not that good. I kept having to go back for more product because the colors I used (purple and black) didn't show up the way I would have liked. I am going to stick with my MAC liners (and one that I just purchased- but I will be doing a review on that at a later date) Keep in mind if you dont like a strong line like I do then this may be a good option for you. Its definitely a softer color payoff and some people may like that. I on the other hand typically like something with the blackest black or the richest brown. Any eyeliner color that I wear I want the payoff to be intense and this was just a soft wash of color. It did stay well once it set. (By set I mean, dried down.) They will work well as an eyeshadow base as opposed to an eyeliner. I just use a large shadow brush and utilize the more sheer color payoff as an all over eyeshadow base instead so the product doesn't go to waste.

Blush: The blush was nice. Intense color. A little went a long way. I don't think its the selling feature of this palette but I do like the colors and they will work well with a lot of different looks.

Softlights Powder: These powders are for highlighting the cheek bones. The color was soft and gave me a little glow. I typically like to have a "guide ships home" glow or a matte matte look and this was a nice subtle glow for everyday wear.

Gloss: I like the feel of the gloss. I used "Buff" for the look in the photos but they all have a pretty color and feel super smooth on the lips. They work well with lipliner too.

All in all: I like this palette. I am going to keep it in my wedding kit. It has a lot of great natural colors along with some pops of color that will be great for weddings. The look I did with this palette was a good "wedding" look. Not that it can only be done for weddings. When I started doing the look I wasn't even thinking "weddings" I was just trying some of the colors but by the time I was finished I thought to myself "this would look really pretty on a bride." It has golds and browns with a POP of color in it. The cheeks and lips are soft. All in all I think I am going to LOVE the palette in my kit. I probably wont use much of the eyeliner but all the other shadows, blushes, lips and softlights powder(oh the softlight powder will be so pretty in photos) will work BEAUTIFULLY for weddings and photo shoots. Good purchase and all in all I think Ill use a the heck out of it when Im on the location doing makeup :)

This palette will be good for anyone who wants a lot of bangs for little bucks and who likes to "play" in makeup, try new colors, or to have a good neutral "base" look (this palette has a lot of good everyday neutral colors) but would like to see what a pink, green, merlot, or blue would look like added to their  neutral "base" look without wasting money on full size experimental colors (if it turns out that you like the green or merlot then you can buy it in a full size!)

 

On a side note: I do like the packaging. Easy to carry and its solid black (I have a thing about packaging. I don't want it to be cheap and I don't like it too flashy) This has a good look to it and is super user friendly. It also includes directions on how to get the three looks on the front of the box!

If you like the idea of a palette too or as a good intro to a new line you are not familiar with then head to Sephora because they are only there for a limited time!

If you would like to see how I achieved the look then read below...if not, then don't read below. But hey, if youve gotten this far in my blabber, might as well stick around and learn some more :)

I have noted above with little red dots the colors that I used for this look. It is hard to see the TRUE colors because of my camera and the glare but the color scheme is golds, browns, and a really pretty raseberry color in the shadows. Purple and black eyeliner, a soft nude pink cheek and lip.

I first primed my eyes with a little concealer and set it with primer. The concealer helps even out the skin tone on the eyelid. It helps cover up any redness or darkness you may have and gives the skin an even appearance. You can always use your foundation to do this as well. Always set the base with powder afterwards. You can just use face powder. Dont put the shadow right over the concealer it wont last as long throughout the day. I used (see top picture to the right) Golden Orchid (light shimmery pink with a hint of gold) all over the lid and crease and then in the crease over the Golden Orchid I used Ambient (a true medium tone shimmery gold) I blended that into the crease and far enough up to where you can see the Ambient when my eyes are open. This is going to give a soft color to the entire look. I used a MAC #217 brush for this. Its a nice fluffy brush that is perfect for blending in the crease. In the outer corner of the crease I used Chestnut (darker golden brown) this can be seen in the picture collage above-bottom right corner. This adds depth to the look and the golden tone blends with the golden Ambient color.

As you can see in the picture to the left the look lets a little darker and gets a pop of color. Slightly above and also on top of the Ambient I used Frambois (shimmery raspberry) I also patted a little on my outer corner  I added a small amount in the outer most corner of the crease Sumatra (darkest matte brown.) Just build on what you have worked on. I like to build my colors on top of one another and it is ok to use the same #217 brush. Just use little bits of color on your brush at a time and build slowly.

I typically like to do my eyes first so that I can come back through with a q-tip and clean around the eye in case there is any fall out. This perfects the look of the eye before I apply the rest of my makeup.
(You can really see the pretty raspberry color here for that pop of color when the eye is open)




 











 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finished product with the eyeliner and mascara. I used Caviar (black) first then went over it with Midnight Purple.  the  I used Warm Apricot on my cheeks and the buff lipgloss with MAC Pink Treat lipliner.

If you have any questions, comments, or you are already a lover of this palette I'd LOVE to hear from you!!

 

 

PS- apologies for any typos. Its after midnight and I have a 5 year old asleep on my lap while Im trying to type. But those moments are heavenly and dont come often enough!

 

Be sure to check out my other sites for lots of fun stuff!!

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http://instagram.com/aevansmakeupartist/

Facebook:


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amelia-Evans-Makeup-Artist/217603118271715?ref=hl

Thanks again. I hope everyone has a beautiful day and a Happy Thanksgiving
from my family to yours!

 

-A

 



I know it seems funny to think about washing your face with oil but it really does work. I have been using the Oil Cleansing Method for a while now and I am very happy with it (a method which I did not invent...I'll post the link to the person who did.)

I struggled with my skin. One moment it would look great, the next it would be as flaky as a Pillsbury biscuit, then all of a sudden a pimple would pop up. My skin could never make up its mind- oily, dry, acne prone, flaky. I had tried so many things and nothing worked. Then I stumbled across The Oil Cleansing Method and the light bulb went off. Oil and water don't mix but oil and oil do. Why not use good oil (like olive oil) to grab the bad oil out of the depths of your pores then wipe it goodbye with a hot wash cloth. It works.

Here are the ingredients you'll need:

Castor Oil- You will use this in small quantities but a little goes a long way. This oil packs a powerful punch for dirt and bad oil. Its also an anti-inflammatory so that's a benefit, as well. WARNING- Don't use too much of this great oil, too much can be a bad thing and dry out your skin...odd right, it's an oil but like anything in life too much of a good thing, can be a bad thing.

Olive Oil- You will mix more quantities of Extra Virgin Olive Oil then you will Castor Oil. The olive oil adds moisture to the skin and leaves it soft and smooth. It provides lots of goodness for your skin that lasts all day long! Make sure you get cold pressed extra virgin olive oil!

 I use 10% Castor Oil and 90% Olive Oil. This combo is working for me and the good thing is if your skin changes you can always adjust. I put it in a pretty little bottle and keep in on the shelf in the bathroom (I mean where else do you keep oil? Oh yeah, the kitchen!) If you're in doubt use less Castor oil. You can always add more at a later date.

So, the olive oil is an easy find. If you don't already have it in your kitchen to cook with then you need to. I use it not only to clean my face but I use it in my hair to soften it and I also use a little bit of olive oil in my bath water to soften my skin. Olive oil is so great in so many ways.

The Castor oil is going to be found in your local pharmaceutic section under the.....laxatives!!! When I went into the store to buy it for the first time I had to ask the pharmacist where it was and he gladly walked me over to the laxative section and said "I don't know what your using it for but it can always be found next to the laxatives" I quickly let him know I was using it on my face. I don't know if that was better or worse but at least it made me feel slightly less embarrassed.

Please read the entire website from the lady who knows all about it.

www.theoilcleansingmethod.com

Please note a few things:

1. She now uses Castor Oil and Sunflower Oil. She started this method with olive oil and switched to sunflower oil.  She says she likes the luxurious feel of the sunflower oil. I have been just as happy with olive oil and since I always have it at home I choose this as my method.

2. The first time I went to make my mix I was a little confused on how to come up with my perfect mixture. My cute little bottle (pictured above) is not marked with measurements anywhere on the bottle. I didn't even know how many ounces it held. So with the help of my brilliant boyfriend he decided to fill my cute little bottle with water and then pour the water into a measuring cup. This made it so much easier to get the perfect measurement of Castor oil and olive oil. I did NOT want to put too much Castor oil in it.

Directions:

1. Once you have your mixture apply at least a quarter size amount and massage all over face. No need to take any makeup off before. This will get it all off. The great thing is it wont burn your eyes and its really soft and gentle. I even go over my lips with it.

2. Keep massaging. just give your face a mini massage for as long as you can. I know sometimes I am in a rush but other times I just sit on the side of the tub and massage away. It gets the blood in your face circulating which is always a good thing. I pay extra attention to my flaky zones which are my chin and between my brows.

3. Use a hot washcloth and lay it over your face. Just let the steam work into those pores as the good oil is pulling out the bad oil. Heat opens the pores up and allows the oil to easily be released. Let it sit there till the cloth is cool and then GENTLY wipe away the dirt and oil. Don't scrub. As much as I wanted to the first time I refrained and I am glad I did. The oil will do all the work and took away my stubborn flakes WAY better than the Oil of Olay electronic scrubby brush thinga-ma-do would.

4. Repeat step 2 a few times. I do repeat 2 or 3 times. The website suggests more but I don't always have enough time for that and it still works out just fine.

5. Once I'm done with that I rinse the washcloth with cold water. The cold water will close your clean pores. Just pat your skin with the cold wash cloth and your done.

So that's it. Now go grab some oil and wash your face! And please let me know what you think.


UPDATE 12-3-2012

Anyone that is trying the "Oil Cleansing Method" - It's been almost a month since I posted a blog about it. If youre noticing a change in your skin and youre not happy with it PLEASE stick with it....
A LOT of people (no matter what kind of skincare they are using) tend to have a little bit of a breakout when they are trying something new and it usually starts at around week 3 or 4. Dont give up. ...

This is your skin going through its normal process. Your skin has a monthly cycle and right now whats happening is the effect of you getting all that dirt and oil out that has been buried in your pores. Even though it can be frusterating its a GOOD sign. Just stick with it and once all that dirt and oil are out and the breakout stops (about a week or so) you will notice dramatically new skin that coincides with your new skin cycle) This little breakout WILL NOT happen every month because with continued use of this method you will not have buried dirt and oil. Please, if you are having this issue it ok. Give it a week. I promise. And in the mean time if you have any questions please let me know. This is a step outside the box for some people- washing their face with Olive Oil but the results will speak for themselves!

If you have any questions please feel free to ask below.

Thank you so much!

-A

Check me out on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amelia-Evans-Makeup-Artist/217603118271715?ref=hl

AND on Instagram at:

http://instagram.com/aevansmakeupartist/

Im sitting here wondering what I should type. It has been a while. I guess I'll jump right into it.
I quit my job working at a bank to pursue my dream. I want to have it all. I want the best of both worlds...don't we all? I hated getting up in the morning and not liking what I was getting up for. It was a real struggle for me. I was getting up every morning to work for some big corporate bank that didn't care about who I was or the talents I had and all just to get a paycheck to pay my bills. All the while I juggled being a mom. A single mom. So how does a single mom get to be a stay at home mom and be there for her little boy as he grows up but still pay the bills?

That is the question I was dealing with.

Now don't get me wrong, I didn't have a horrible job. I loved my clients. I LOVE helping people. But I looked at my desk and the millions of emails (what felt like millions) and thought "Is this where you thought your life was going to be? Is this where you want your life to be?" The answer was NO!
I was tired of juggling a lack of sick days when my little boy is sick. I didn't want to choose to go to work and not get in trouble over my little boy having a fever and runny nose.
So again, how does a single mom get to be a stay at home mom but still pay the bills?

AMELIA- WAKE UP!!! Use your God given talent. Do what you love to do!!!!

So I quit my job. Planned my finances to get me through till business picks up and I am now in the middle of launching my business. A.Evans Makeup Artist.
Its not as fancy as it sounds. Basically I am a freelance makeup artist. My marketing degree sure will come in handy now. Ill have to market myself to all those beautiful people who need their makeup done....Im their gal! And I can be your gal too :)

Here's the back story: When I was 18 I started working for Estee Lauder Cosmetics (here is an even older back story- I was putting on makeup WAY before I needed to be putting on makeup)
I worked there for a year and then got a job with MAC Cosmetics. My Dream come true! I worked there for years and then when I had my son I decided to do something a little different....blah blah blah.....fast forward a few years and I have been gone from MAC for quite some time but still every year I have women who call me and ask me to do their makeup. I have never advertised, didn't have cards (until now) no website, nothing. It was all by the word of mouth. And I thank those beautiful women everyday who trusted me enough to refer their friends to me to do their makeup on some of the biggest days of their lives. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

So here I am. Taking this on full time. I figure if I can stay as busy as I have been the last few years just by word mouth I can surely support myself and my son if I market the heck out of my business.

Im using this blog for more than just that. I am addicted to blogs, pinterest, instagram, youtube tutorials. All of it. I could spend hours looking at other peoples blogs, tips and tricks and talents. So maybe there is someone out there who will stumble across this and see it and like it. Maybe they will find it inspiring?

This blog will not only have information about me as a makeup artist but it will also showcase all of my hobbies. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks
-A

p.s.- I have never won a spelling bee and Im not an English teacher. I write as if I am having a conversation. Please excuse any slip ups and be nice...it happens to the best of us. (Yes I use spell check but hey, things happen :)-Thanks