Just a Small Town Girl: Rock of Ages-Inspired Hair and Makeup

When I think of Summer, my mind immediately jumps to the last couple of months of my Senior year of high school. I was seventeen--nearly eighteen--and drove a bright teal Buick Skylark (yes, the very same one that David Letterman openly mocked just because the steering column could spontaneously combust. Spoiled sport). My house was only two, maybe three blocks from the school, but for the five minutes it took me to drive home, I was completely and totally free. For those five minutes, I had no job, no homework, no chores, no obligations of any kind. I didn't have to talk to anyone, or listen to anything. For five minutes, I could roll down the window, feel the already oppressive humidity dissolve into a cool breeze as I drove, blare whatever music I wanted to (classic rock, thankyouverymuch), and just be.

Sometimes, I still do that.

This has been a week of Fridays. By that, I mean that every day, so far, has felt like a Friday; like it's the end of the week, and freedom is just around the corner. Those are the worst weeks, because once you realize that it's only, say, Tuesday, it completely wrecks your mood. Today, I needed Summer. I needed five minutes of blaring rock music with the windows down. I needed fun. So, I did the best I could, and tried to channel Summer, rock and roll, and freedom into my hair and makeup. It's a weak attempt, at best, at grasping freedom, but it was all I could really muster on a hectic day like today.

I haven't seen Rock of Ages, but I really liked Julianne Hough's hair in this shot I found floating around the web.

I decided to tone it down a couple of notches, to keep it from being so dated. My makeup is more or less inspired by the movie's 80s time period. I went with a blue eye and pink lips and cheeks, but tried to do so in a way that was wearable, and wouldn't be confused for a Halloween look. All told, I really like the way this turned out. What do you guys think?

I did my hair by adding a little leave in conditioner and root volumizer before blow-drying. Once my hair was dry, I spritzed in some salt water spray (I like Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray), then twisted sections in alternating directions and wrapped them onto foam curlers (I like Conair Soft Curlers). Then, I just left them in while I put on my makeup. After I took it down, I touseled the curls with my fingers, then sprayed with an anti-humidity (ha!) hairspray. Ta-da!

Here are the products I used for my makeup:

E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer in Nude

Buxom Stay There Eye Shadow in Cocker Spaniel (lid and inner corner highlight)

Buxom Stay There Eye Shadow in Mutt (crease)

Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Shadow Liner in Blueprint (discontinued, it seems, but they have a Navy that's really, really close)--top lashline ONLY, and flick the outer corners.

Buxom Lash Mascara in Black--top and bottom

E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in Light

Benefit Hoola Bronzer (contour and all over dusting)

Philosophy Lit From Within Cream Blush in Look On the Bright Side (apples)

NARS Blush in Super Orgasm (Sorry, Mom. Apples)

MAC Mineralize Duo Blush in Moon River (discontinued, but it looks like E.L.F. Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky might be a good dupe. Highlight)

Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint in Enchanted

Seriously, is it Friday, yet?

Now?

Help me.

But I Play One On TV: My Indie-Filmmaking Makeup Station

***Disclaimer: I am not a professional hair or makeup artist. Far from it. I can not stress this enough. I have no formal training, and am not licensed. I am just a well-informed amateur who has learned from experience and observation. Thank you.***

If you are a DIY indie filmmaker, or are thinking of trying your hand at some shorts, or maybe a local film scramble, this post is for you. This is not for folks with a budget who can hire a pro. By all means, if you can afford a professional, hire a professional. We hope to one day be able to, ourselves. For now, I've put together this kit, filled with essentials to keep us running.

Okay, let me say this one more time, just to be clear: I am not a professional hair or makeup artist, nor do I claim to be. That said, sometimes when Thomas and I are filming something, special makeup is required. Maybe we need a zombie; maybe we need people to look dirty and ragged; maybe we need to bruise an actor and he's just not comfortable with Thomas beating him around the neck and shoulders. Actors...

That's when my handy-dandy at-home makeup station comes into use.

As you can see, this is a super high-tech operation. The cart and counter-top organizer both came from Target, and I think were around $20 total. I like that the cart has wheels, because, if we're filming in our home studio (aka: the guest room "office"), I can roll it wherever I need to. Also, in a pinch, I can take the counter-top organizer off and use the top of the cart as a make-shift table. Not pictured is a small folding stool for the actor to sit on.

Here's a close-up of the smaller counter-top organizer. It's perfect for little items and disposables. Let's look inside!

I'm not going to be too detailed in these descriptions. If you really want me to go product-by-product, I can. Just let me know in the comments. This first drawer holds all my eye stuff. Pencils, mascaras, brow gel, some primers, a gel liner, and some individual and strip lashes with glue. You'll notice some items are sample-sized. That was a cheap way to expand my kit, up the quality of product, and use up some items that otherwise would have probably ended up in the trash.

Here are the smaller face items and a few lip products that really didn't have anywhere else to go. I've got my bruise and death wheels, Ben Nye setting powder and Final Seal, a couple of small HD powders (the better to toss in my travel kit if we shoot on location), some tinted moisturizer and mineral powder (for guys), lipsticks, lip pencil, primer samples (again, the better to travel with, my dear), a pigment, and some flesh latex and tooth color.

The last drawer is really the most important, in my book, anyway. These are my disposables. This isn't the best picture, since some things are stacked and layered, but this is where I keep my sponges, puffs, and all manner of applicators. I have individual mascara and lipgloss wands, so no two actors use the same. Each actor gets their own puff. Spatulas let me scrape out clean lipstick, gloss, gel/cream liners...etc. There are hand sanitizers and sani-wipes, and rubber gloves if need be. If you take nothing else away from this, please take this much: There is no sharing in makeup! Thou shalt not double-dip! I don't care if the person you're making up is your best friend, sister, or mom--you never share! Germs love mascaras, lipglosses, lipsticks, and pretty much anything else you can think of that's makeup related. Keep your hands clean, use disposable wands, change out your sponges, and clean your brushes and you'll be fine. It's okay to be paranoid.

This is the first drawer of the main cart. I also keep my brush belt in here, with E.L.F. studio brushes for use on greasepaint and to take on location shoots. They're only three bucks a piece, so if they get lost, broken, or what have you, I can afford to replace them. If I'm at home or in an indoor, low-key setting (not running through a cemetery), I prefer my Real Techniques brushes for non-greasepaint work. They're not terribly expensive, either, but they are a little pricier than the E.L.F. Here, you can see some face wipes, the larger HD powders (look for a difference between the E.L.F. and Make Up For Ever's HD powders. I dare you!), a tub of q-tips, and a whole buncha palettes. There's a Ben Nye foundation palette (and my deal of the year! Got it for less than $30, and it's normally closer to $60! I worried for days that I was getting an empty palette.), a couple of concealer palettes, a lipgloss palette, and a Z-palette with some depotted eye shadows, powders, and lipsticks. Then there are some Wet 'n' Wild palettes, a couple of single shadows, and my Pokemon-esque collection of Profusion palettes. I gotta catch 'em all!

The next drawer is the hair drawer. I wish it were more organized, but you work with the space you have. There are a few different hairsprays, a couple of volumizing mousses, extreme-hold gel, texturizing gel, volumizing powder, several pomades with different finishes/purposes, some samples of Fekkai glossing cream (I should just get a tube. it's awesome), a spray bottle for water, a comb, a couple of hair flowers that I know I'll be using on our next shoot, some spray temporary hair color, and some bobby pins, brushes and clips (not pictured, because I just picked them up today). Way in the back, under the hair flowers, are also a styling cape and an apron. I often have to work on people who are in costume, while wearing my costume. That is a recipe for disaster...and stains. These little protective coverings are vital, and they only cost a few dollars at the beauty supply shop. Please invest in them.

You'll also notice that I don't have any scissors or hair color, or anything like you'd find at the salon. That's because I'm not trained and licensed. I won't do anything that won't wash out immediately. If you want something more permanent, go to a pro. I do have hot rollers, a curling iron, and some velcro rollers, but they have homes in my bathroom, since they're mine and not the company's.

This last drawer is my special effects stuff. Here you'll find the edible fake blood (mint flavored!), a tub of white greasepaint (the rest of the rather extensive collection is in another kit until I can get a second small counter-top organizer for it), spirit gum, spirit gum remover, baby oil (for removing greasepaint), baby powder (for setting greasepaint), specialty powders, gelatin appliance bonder, brush cleaner, spray tan, extra sponges, extra containers, extra flesh latex, a couple of spatulas, and (oh, why not?) spray glitter.

So, there you have it. That's my amateur makeup station for low-budget filmmaking. A lot of it's E.L.F. A lot of it's drugstore. Quite a bit of it is on the higher-end, but some of that's made up of freebies, for crying out loud. It's completely about what works best for you and creates the look you want on camera. Just be careful about your hygiene, and have fun.

Do you guys enjoy these posts on what goes into low-budget indie filmmaking? Let me know in the comments.

Just When You Thought You Had Enough T-Shirts...

I want to be Ashley Eckstein when I grow up. Yeah, I know, I'm 32, but that hardly makes me a grown-up. This woman is amazing. She's a talented actress and voice artist, gets to hang out with the Star Wars crowd for a living, and designs some of the most beautiful "geek tees" I've ever seen. Recently, Her Universe (Eckstein's design house) branched out to partner with SyFy for some adorable Warehouse 13, Battlestar Galactica, and SyFy Original Movie products. Starting July 11th, though, Her Universe will be broadening its own universe by taking on that captain of time and space, himself, The Doctor.

I am going to be so very broke.
 

The new Doctor Who line currently consists of three shirts, and I can't decide which is my favorite! Two of the shirts are v-necks with flattering, elongated torsos. The TARDIS blue shirt features a white sketch of the little blue box in one corner, with the curlieque inscription, "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue". A black tee shows off a pair of bright red killer pumps, bearing the words, "Hell in High Heels" on one sole, and a minature TARDIS on the other. The last shirt is a navy, wide-necked box-tee. The Van Gogh painting of an exploding TARDIS that was so prominent at the end of 11's first season is centered on the front, detailed with gold foil. Doctor Who shirts are $28 each, and will be available online beginning July 11th.



Photo Credit (All): Her Universe



Are You Man Enough for Makeup?

Quick Poll: What do you think of makeup for men? Not like blush or eyeshadow, but tinted lip balm, BB Cream, or concealer? Leave your answer in the comments.

Photo Credit: Lab Series

I ask because I'm curious (duh). See, I recently ran across Lab Series BB Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35, and it caught my attention. Lab Series is a men's skincare company, but tinted moisturizers and BB creams are considered makeup. Had I missed a memo somewhere?

A quick Google search led me to Menaji, another men's skincare line, and one that carries concealer and powder. This is, apparantly, a "thing" now. I had no idea.

You know what? It makes total sense. Women wear makeup to look better. Why can't a man do the same? If I have a pimple, I pop on a bit of concealer to hide the redness. Why on Earth should Thomas have to walk around with a blemish on display? We should all wear moisturizer and sunscreen every day. If a guy wants his product to have a little bit of skin-tone enhancing color, more power to him. Why wouldn't a man want to wear something to absorb oil? He wears deodorant, and it's basically the same principle. I'm actually surprised that it's taken this long to go mainstream, really.

Would Thomas wear it? I have no idea. You'd have to ask him. I can tell you, though, that he hates blackheads and pimples and oily skin as much as I do. Then again, who doesn't?

I Need a Vacation

Hi,

I'm taking a mental health day. Okay, so not really. I'm still doing a gazillion things, but my stress level has hit somewhere around Code Orange, so in lieu of a post, I'm leaving you with Total Beauty's top hairstyles for Summer humidity. They're actually cute and pretty doable. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you Monday.

Love,
Erin

A Quick, Cheap Fix: E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer Review



Photo Credit: eyeslipsface.com



On a whim, I picked up some E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer the last time I was in Target. I've been doing the sunless tanner thing, and am just a little too dark for my Too Faced Beauty Balm. I've also noticed that my Garnier BB Cream has started to look a little greasy. I have to tone it down with a pretty heavy-duty matte powder, which kind of defeats the point of having a BB Cream, really. I'm wondering if, perhaps, I've reached that point in the tube where all the illuminating ingredients have settled. In any case, I needed something for my slightly less-ghostly-than-usual skin, and it needed to be cheap. I saw this product for $3 and figured, "what the hey?"

You know what? It's actually not bad. I've given it two days of wear, and I'm really happy with it. Here's a breakdown:

Packaging: The moisturizer comes in a really nice, black inverted tube with flat-top cap. It looks high-end, reminiscent of NARS or MAC. You can see the product's shade through a small, clear strip on the front. My only gripe is that my cap didn't fit quite right. It's closed and secure, but it sits at a strange angle. Not a big deal, but I thought you should know. 9 out of 10.

Texture: I really like the consistency. It might be a bit thin for some, but right now, it's so hot and humid that I'd wear tinted water if I could. I've just used my fingers to apply, and the moisturizer absorbs nicely. Best of all, you don't need to use another moisturizer with it. Believe it or not, some tinted moisturizers just don't do the trick on their own. This one leaves your skin nice and hydrated. 9 out of 10.

Finish: There doesn't appear to be any shimmer in this product (none that I've noticed, anyway), and I've only needed to lightly brush a little mineral powder over the top to set it and my concealer. Light coverage. 10 out of 10.

Ingredients: It's not paraben-free, but it does contain Aloe, Cucumber, and Vitamins A, C, and E. It also contains SPF 20. 7 out of 10.

Shades: Here's the kicker. There is a wide range of shades, from Porcelain to Espresso, and at only $3 each, you can afford to buy more than one shade and custom blend. Sadly, they all have a slight yellow cast to them. For me, that's not a problem, as I have yellow undertones, anyway. However, if you're rosier or more neutral, you can pretty much hang it up. It's not going to work for you. I have no idea why E.L.F. does this, but I've noticed in their other face products, too. 5 out of 10.

Price: For $3, you get .25 ml. I've heard complaints that that's too small of a size, but my normal face moisturizer costs $18.99 for .50 ml. The E.L.F. gives you half as much, but at a mere sixth of the price. I'd say that's pretty darn fabulous. 10 out of 10.

Final Verdict: 8.3 out of 10. I like it. Whether it's to get you by, or you just want a decent tinted moisturizer for a budget price, I recommend it.

I'm wearing "Nude", the second lightest of the seven available shades (over two coats of sunless tanner. I'm that pale. Oh, look! Tanner lines around the bridge of my nose! Yay! *sigh*).

Other Products Used:

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in Light

E.L.F. Mineral Foundation in Warm

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Free Love

Buxom Stay There Eye Shadow in Mutt
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Whiskey

Buxom Buxom Lash Mascara

E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

NARS Blush in Super Orgasm (sorry, Mom!)

Buxom Stay There Eye Shadow in Cocker Spaniel (as Highlighter)

Burberry Lip Mist in Copper

I swear, it doesn't look like that much on the counter!!

***UPDATE!! Spend $20 at eyeslipsface.com TODAY (6/21) and get a free mystery bag worth $20! Use code BDMYSTERY at checkout. 4 random winners will receive a $50 gift card in their bag!

Hunt For Nessie With Merida!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The latest Pixar movie, Brave, hits theatres this weekend, so I'm sure it'll only be a matter of time before kids everywhere are running around with pretend bows and arrows, and begging the parental units to cart them off to the nearest Disney park so they can meet Merida and her little bear buddies.

Please, for the love of God, don't let the kiddies know about this.

(However, anyone who wants to send me is perfectly welcome to. Please? Pretty, pretty please?)

You can now take a Brave tour of Scotland! Explore Loch Ness, experience the mysterious Callanish Standing Stones, learn horseback riding and archery, take a private after-hours tour of Edinburgh Castle, and so much more!

The trip lasts eight days, with accomodations and most meals included in the price. Airfare is extra. The recommended ages are 6+, with the age minimum set at four years. This would definitely be an experience of a lifetime, and it really sounds like the Adventures By Disney crew have outdone themselves.

(If you're unfamiliar with Adventures By Disney, click the above link to learn more. They organize family-oriented expeditions around the world. Very cool, indeed.)

The trips are not cheap. Not by a longshot. Pricing for begins at $5,619, with kids starting at $5,339. Seven family and one adults only vacations will run between March 24th and September 23rd of 2013.

So, when do we leave?

Want To Join Glossybox? Message Me!

THIS IS NOT A POST!

If you are interested in Glossybox, send me a PM and I'll send you an invite. I don't know if it'll help you circumvent any waiting lists, but it's worth a shot, right? And just so you know I'm not doing this completely out of the goodness of my heart, with each subscription that comes from one of these invites, I'll get 200 Glossydots. 1000, and I get a free box. It's win-win!!

*P.S. If the next box is as great as the last one, you won't be disappointed. Glossybox did not compensate me in any way for the message. They don't even know I exist.

***UPDATE!! I'm an idiot! I thought you could email me through my blogger profile, but you can't. It just takes you to my website. So, if you want an invite, there are two ways you can go about it:

1. IF YOU HAVE EMAIL ENABLED ON YOUR BLOGGER ACCOUNT: leave me a comment telling me you want in, and I'll email you back.

2. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BLOGGER ACCOUNT, OR DON'T HAVE EMAIL ENABLED: go to my website (http://www.erinlilley.com/) and email me through the contact there. I don't have a designated AN email, and don't want to give out my personal email here. I hope you understand.

Thanks!

Producer Productivity

I don't know how many of you guys stopped by because of my film ties, but if any of you haven't been completely run off by all the makeup stuff, this post is for you.

I'm not really sure how detailed I've been about the film stuff, so to recap (or tell you for the first time. I can't remember): My darling Thomas, started an indie film company called Fighting Owl Films. I helped. He handles the writing, directing, and all the technical jazz, and I handle the actors, extras, and organizational stuff. I also act, take care of a lot of the makeup, and we both work on wardrobe and props and whatever else has to get done. That's definitely the Reader's Digest condensed version, but there you go. We've also collected a small group of insanely talented (and probably just plain insane) artists who fill in the gaps with pure awesome. They compose, act, choreograph, write, film, apply false eyelashes, and sometimes just try to keep things calm. They're the folks who have allowed Fighting Owl to grow so that we can accomplish our goals, and we count them among our closest friends.

Of course, with growth comes the need to organize. A lot.

So I got an iPad.

Flip me!

Now, if you have an iPad or an iPhone ('cause this'll work on either) and do any sort of filmmaking, I have to recommend that you download the Pocket Call Sheet app. It's not free. You'll have to shell out $6.99, but it's completely worth it.

This app allows you to cull together a real, honest to goodness call sheet from your contacts list, and then emails it out to everyone involved. Before, I had to go into Google Docs, set up a spreadsheet or table (depending on what I needed at the time), and manually cobble together something that sort of resembled a poor representation of a call sheet's third cousin four times removed. Then, there were the emails. OH! The emails! Call times, locations, instructions, reminders...we're talking tl;dr of epic proportions. With this, I simply input all my information for the entire day of shooting--from pick-up times to wardrobe to set, including props and scenes--and it goes out to everyone on the list. You have no idea how much happy dancing I've been doing over this one little app. It's a fantastic organizational tool, and one that will immediately create at least the illusion that you know what you're doing. Good luck!

I'm Melting! I'm Melting!: Cheap Summer Makeup Picks

Recently, I've run across several tutorials for makeup that won't melt, fade, or just generally disappear while you're at the beach, the music festival, or--in the case of those of us down here in the land of 5,000% humidity--walking from your front door to your car. It's hot here.

It's Summer. You just plain don't need a lot of makeup. Plus, wearing a ton is pointless, because it's just going to slide right off your face, anyway. That said, a lot of folks are going to the beach and the music festival, and I know I'm not going to work sans concealer. In the interest of keeping things light, pretty, and on your face and not your beach towel, here are some of my picks for Summer beauty. They're all drugstore finds, too, because there is absolutely no sense in packing pricey products into a beach bag or festival tote, where you run the risk of ending up with a puddle of expensive goo.

Here we go!

E.L.F. Mineral Foundation SPF 15
In heat and humidity like we've had lately, the last thing I want on my face is a heavy foundation. Honestly, it's getting to the point that even beauty balms and tinted moisturizer are too much. When all else fails, pop a little of this mineral foundation on, and you have enough coverage to even things out, and a little SPF to boot.

CoverGirl CG Smoothers Concealer
No matter what the weather, I personally prefer a cream concealer to a liquid. That's just me, but since these are my picks, that's what I'm going with. To keep it from being too heavy or cakey, I apply with a Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush.

Milani Shadow Eyez 12 HR Pencil
This pick is based off of a review by DivaMakeupQueen. I'm in love with Urban Decay's 24/7 Shadow Pencils, and these pencils by Milani are supposedly darn near exact dupes. In fact, the Champagne Toast is an exact dupe for UD's Sin. They apply, blend, and perform identically, according to DMQ. Going off of that, I use these types of pencils to fill in the lid, blend out into the crease (with a brush or a finger), and run long the upper and lower lashes for definition. Easy peasy, and they don't budge. You don't even need a primer.

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Waterproof Mascara
For more natural looks (like this), I skip the lengthening mascaras and go for volume. This is one of my favorites, and the waterproof formula is a must for Summer humidity.

Physicians Formula Baked Bronzer
This bronzer is my go-to for after a peformance. When you have approximately 30-seconds between curtain call and set strike to wipe off your stage makeup and put on just enough street makeup to avoid scaring small children, this is your product. It adds a touch of healthy color, and has only the tiniest hint of shimmer. Honestly, some moisturizer, this, and lip balm is all I can manage, and it works perfectly.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso
This is the only product where I'm specifying a color, and that's because I am in love with this color for Summer. It's a gorgeous peachy pink, similar to NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom). The presentation is amazing, too. The baked blush is marbled, with little gold veins running throughout. It's drugstore, but you could have fooled me.

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm
I can't stress how much I love these things. They feel like lip balm, give a sheer wash of color, and protect your lips with SPF 15. Ever seen sunburnt lips? I have, and it changed me, man. It changed me.

That's it. Seven itty-bitty products. Don't even bother with brows, primers, liners, or any of that jazz. Throw these over a sunless tanner and some serious SPF, and have yourself a beautiful and safe Summer.

About That...

So, apparently, I'm a big, fat liar. I'm not back today, and I'm really sorry for that. I had a cool post planned, and everything. As soon as I can possibly post it, I'll have a list of some great drugstore finds for your beach bag. It's 88 degrees (that's downright chilly here) and we've had about two feet of rain--let me have my dream.

Ta Ta For Now,
Erin

(This totally sucks, and I'm so, so, so sorry!)

Oh...No...

Computer died. Things are a little...um...hinky today. I'll be back tomorrow.

Please think nice thoughts for me and my hard drive.

Loves!
Erin

"Honey, Remember To Tip Cogsworth!"

I'm starting to get excited for my trip to Disney! Yes, it is in October. Why do you ask?

Yeah, I know, Thomas and I have both been to Disney more times than we can count (seriously. I have no idea how many times we've each visited), but it's our favorite vacation destination. Of course we do Disney on the cheap, so it's a rare treat to get to a hotel in the park. In fact, we've never stayed on property together, and I've only stayed on property a handful of times, myself. When I had to go to Disney on business (I know, poor, pitiful me. Best. Business. Trip. Ever.) I was put up at Coronado Springs, which was gorgeous, and I highly recommend it, should money be no object. My high school Senior Trip boarded the class, dorm-style, at the All-Star Sports Resort, but the trip was so jam-packed and harried, I barely remember sleeping. In fact, I'm not entirely sure I did...

Anyhoo, the only other time I stayed at a Disney resort was as a kid. I was about fourteen, and my parents booked a cruise on the (now-defunct) Big Red Boat, with a trip to Disney World following. It was, by far, the most extravagant family vacation we ever took. Honestly, I don't know what my parents were thinking. We're not week-long vacation people. We're omigod-I-just-found-leftover-days-on-our-tickets-from-last-year-so-let's-hop-in-the-car-and-camp-at-the-KOA-for-a-weekend people. (This is where I learned to do Disney cheap, folks. I was taught by the best.) But I digress. The package included a stay at the Port Orleans Resort. Naturally, living so near the real French Quarter, we were interested to see the Disney version, and it didn't disappoint. The grounds were the perfect blend of Louisiana architecture and that magical Disney veneer of cleanliness and fantasy. It was beautiful, and I couldn't imagine a more wonderful place to stay.

Had I seen the new Royal Guest Rooms, I'd have likely flipped my sh--you know.

These just came to my attention today (and I seem to be the last to know, of course), and run about $189 per night, which is not bad by Disney resort standards. Not bad, at all. More than I want to pay, of course. (We're not staying here. We're staying at a hotel near Downtown Disney. I can't remember the name, but we found it online for practically nothing. The inside is surprisingly posh, but the outside is beyond tacky, and I've nicknamed it "The Pineapple Under the Sea".)

Now, before I start in on pictures or video, let me tell you the story behind the decor. According to legend (or the hotel management. Whichever), New Orleans-native Princess Tiana (from The Princess and the Frog) has hosted all of the other Disney princesses at this hotel. Being proper guests, they've each gifted Tiana with special momentos, which she has used to decorate your hotel room. See how many you can spot!


Video: zannaland.com

Cute. Very, very cute. Now, for the actual room details. The rooms are decorated in a golds, burgundies, and blues, with "royal" touches throughout. The comforters have a crown motif, with nods to each of the princesses. The Magic Carpet lies on the floor. The Beast's enchanted ottoman is ready for your tired tootsies...you get the idea. Sweet vacation "snapshots" of the princesses having fun are framed around the room, while official-looking silhouettes of the princes hang on the wall. Grownups will enjoy the flat-screen TV, coffee pot, and fridge, and the kiddies will love the Duffy the Disney Bear: Mickey’s New Friend bedtime story that the hotel televises on a loop from 6-10pm. All ages should get a kick out of the fiber-optic "firework" show that "magically" appears on your headboard. There's even a welcome message from Tiana waiting for you when you arrive!

Photo Credit: Mousesteps

All in all, I think this is a ridiculously adorable idea. Is the room tacky as all get-out? Oh, my, yes. Would I ever stay in it? In a heartbeat. It's silly and sweet, and terribly faux-castle-Fantasyland-chic. As a kid, I would have given my right arm to stay there. As an adult, I think it would be a hoot. You don't go to Disney for its sophisticated charm. You go because it makes you feel like a kid. For just a little while, you get to be a Princess, Prince, or Pirate. A 32-year old woman doesn't look weird in a light-up tiara; she looks weird without one. A 29-year old man should be wearing cartoons on his t-shirt and an Indiana Jones fedora on his head. Dinner can come in the form of a Mickey-shaped ice cream, or be served in a restaurant that's been taken over by dinosaurs or computer-generated rats who also happen to be gourmet chefs. Why not let that childhood wonderment carry over into your hotel room? I mean, if you're already paying to stay at Disney, you should be able to stay at Disney.

Now, does anyone know where I can get a royal coupon?

Unspeakable(-y Cute) Dooom

One site that I just love is Shirt.Woot. Every day, a new, original tee is featured and available for only $12. Yeah, there are a lot of sites like that, but this is the only one I've seen where the shirt is still available for sale after its featured day. The price just goes up to $15. I can totally deal with that. I don't know about you, but I don't always have the extra money lying around, and have missed out on some truly epic t-shirts on some other sites.

Anyhoo, the other day, one of my favorite Shirt.Woot artists unveiled the third installment in their Unstealthiest Ninja collection. Unfortunately, the first two are sold out, but I just had to share this with you:



Photo Credit: Shirt.Woot

How freaking adorable is that?! Oh, I just want to hug him! The artist goes by the handle dooomcat, and you can learn more about them on their site. You can also purchase prints and other items, as well as check out a web comic.

Know of any other cool artists? Want to share with the rest of the class? Let me know in the comments section.

UPDATE! Kissing Cousins: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain VS. Tarte LipSurgence

Thanks for bearing with me on Friday. I'm much better now. Of course, my sweet little Ronnie got a spider bite on his eye at 4:00 this morning, sending us to the Pet ER in a blinding thunderstorm, then back home for zero sleep before we had to be up for work, so I'm still a bit loopy. The puppy is fine and dandy, dandy and fine, but I'm zonked. I actually confused my acid reflux medicine with the sugar spoon this morning, and deliberately plopped the pill into my coffee. Couldn't fish it out, so I drank my Zantac, and you know what? Coffee sweetened with reflux meds tastes absolutely terrible. Oh well.

Anyhoo, I did manage to snag a couple of those Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains in Honey and Sweetheart, so I was able to see how they compare to the Tarte LipSurgence. I haven't tried the Clinique Chubby Sticks, so I don't know how similar they are. I'm sorry.

To start with, I only wanted the Honey, which is a pretty rosy nude. Then I saw that Walgreen's had them buy one get one 50% off, so I snapped up Sweetheart, too, since it looked very similar in color to my Tarte Enchanted. I figured I could really compare them that way. However, when I got home, I realized that the colors were quite a bit off from each other. Since I've not really had much of a call to wear hot pink this weekend, this review is mainly based off of Honey.

Pretty Packaging.
I also noticed that the Revlon is larger than the Tarte. Thought I'd throw that out there, too.

The packaging is very similar. The color of the stick is the color of the balm; both are retractable, but the Revlon has a pretty silver-toned twister, and the Tarte has a pretty silver-toned cap. The balm itself...well, there's really no comparison. The Tarte is much more transluscent, and feels more like a solid gel than the crayon-like texture of the Revlon. Both are highly pigmented, but the Tarte's pigmentation is just a little bit better, and much truer. Both felt very moisturizing, had lovely mint flavors, and proved to be long-lasting, but the Revlon does feather and slide more than the Tarte. Of course, the price points are wildly different, as well. Tarte will run you a steep $24, while the Revlon is just $8.99.

Swatch of Honey.

Here's the thing: I really like the Revlon. A lot. I've worn Honey almost exclusively this weekend, and loved the way it looked and felt. It's a great product. It's just not as great as the Tarte. It's also not anywhere as expensive, either. I just don't want anyone to get this thinking they're getting the exact same product for a third of the price. They're also not getting a cheap copy, either. The two products are similar, but they're not the same. As I remarked earlier, the Tarte is more of a gel stain, and the Revlon is more of a crayon balm. Again, both are wonderful products, but they are not the same.



Me, wearing Honey.
No, the funky angle doesn't mean I'm going through an art photography phase. I just can't shoot worth a flip.

Bottom line, if you're looking for a moisturizing stay-put stain and have the extra money, go with the Tarte. If you just want long-lasting, lightweight color, save yourself a lot of money and go with the Revlon.

Final Verdict (not as a comparison): 8 out of 10. Keep one on hand this Summer.

Frugal Friday: Who Painted the Kitten?*

E.L.F.: Take $10 off any puchase of $25 or more. Use code TENOFF. Exp. 6/11.
Ulta: Ultamate club members earn 3X their usual points on purchases of Naked or Naked 2 palettes by Urban Decay. No code necessary. Friday and Saturday only.
BeautyMint: First time buyers receive a free JewelMint Parisian Dream necklace with their orders. No code necessary. Today Only.

I'm sick, y'all. I think my sweet, little puppy must roll around in pollen before he jumps in my lap. Currently, I'm beyond drugged. We're talking fuzzy-wuzzy, singing along with the Spice Girls (when no music is playing), look at all the pretty colors, dopey. The fact I can sit up straight astounds me.

I'd planned on reviewing the new Revlon just-bitten...is that right? The new Revlon...um...that thing that's like a Clinique Chubby Stick or Tarte LipSurgence, but I can't think of the name right now, and I just plain don't feel like looking it up. You know, that product. Unfortunately, my Ulta doesn't carry it, yet, and the Walgreen's I stopped by before I realized that I probably (definitely) shouldn't be driving was out of the color I wanted to try. I'm not spending nine bucks on a color I don't want, so we're all sort of s.o.l. on this one today, I guess. There's a Walgreen's by my house, so I'll try that one when Thomas can drive me. If I find it, there might be a surprise post tonight. Or, I might do what I did last night and take my meds and pass out on the couch watching Jurassic Park. Thomas got the trilogy, so I have a few opportunities to do just that. We'll see.

Well, that's about enough excitement for one post, I think. I'm going to go ask this cookie why it's dancing. Goodnight, everybody!

*Points for the title reference.

Ready For Anything?

Today is kind of a crazy day, so I figured kind of a crazy post would be appropriate. I now submit, without comment, the Swiss Army manicure:



Photo Credit: iwastesomuchtime.com

 Thank you, and Good Night.

Lingerie For Nails

Remember that great Zoya polish that came in my Glossybox? Well, I decided to jazz it up a bit.

How cool is that? The holographic glitter top coat is White Noise by Warpaint Beauty. I found it on clearance at Hot Topic for $1.99, and figured, "what the hey? It'll be fun!" Now, I'm in love with it, and it's been discontinued...of course. So, now I'm on a mission to find a replacement for it. But look at how pretty it is over nude nails!

Seriously, this makes me think of that mesh material designers use on red carpet gowns. It's like lingerie for your nails, and it's so easy to do. Swipe a thin coat on the top third of your nail (you may have to "set" the glitter where you want it), then add a thicker coat on the white tip only--like a French manicure. Add a clear top coat to seal. I used Finger Paints in Natural Talent for the nude base. It's very sheer, so what you're seeing is around five coats. Feel free to find something more opaque to save time.

Moving on, let's dip into the ol' Magic Glossybox o' Samples to check out the Burberry Lip Mist in Copper. One word: Gorgeous. This is less a lipstick and more a butter. It's sheer, but pigmented, a beautiful Summery bronze, and oh, so moisturizing. My only complaints are the flavor, which is far too perfume-y for my taste, and the thirty dollar price tag. It's very similar to the Revlon lip butters you can get at the drugstore for less than a third of the cost. In this case, you're really just paying for the Burberry name and packaging. I'm definitely enjoying my sample, but I won't buy a full-sized one.

How Glossy Is Your Box, Part II: May Glossybox Reveal

My Glossybox arrived!! Happy early birthday to me!! In case you missed the post announcing the launch of Glossybox, this is a subscription sampling program. For $21 a month (or less if you sign up for several months at a time) Glossybox will send you five deluxe mini, travel, and/or full-sized products. There may be other surprises tossed in, too, but not necessarily. I signed up for what turned out to be the second US Glossybox (they've been around in the UK and elsewhere, but just turned up here). I thought I was getting the first, but the first boxes were actually raffled off before the official launch. Those were the boxes with the Kryolan and C.O. Bigelow. Instead, I got what I believe to be a better box. Let me take you on a little tour:

Here's the Glossybox, directly out of the mailing package. It's a pretty shade of pale pink, and sturdy enough to repurpose as a photo box, hair accessory holder, etc. It's about the size and weight of a good shoebox.

When you lift the lid, you're greeted by a sweetly wrapped package, topped off with a bow and a neat little list of everything enclosed.

Taking off the ribbon (*cue stripper music*) and checking out the pretty packaging a little more.

And here's what I found...

Minus the shredded paper. Clockwise, from top: Marvis Whitening Mint Toothpaste (full-sized), Phyto Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask for Dry Hair, Burberry Lip Mist Natural Sheer Lipstick Copper No.202, Amorepacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra-Gel, Zoya Beach and Surf Collection Nail Polish in Wednesday (medium faded turquoise cream, full-sized), and a Glossybox brand blush brush.

Not bad! I'll definitely be signing up for the next box. This was outstanding. Out of five products, two were full-sized, and the other three were generously portioned travel sizes in beautiful packaging. The Burberry sample even came in the exact same packaging as the full-sized, right down to the Burberry plaid embossing on the lipstick itself! The blush brush isn't the greatest quality, but considering it was an added bonus, it was a very sweet gesture on behalf of Glossybox. I have been most impressed.

Now, I've only gotten to try two of the products: the toothpaste and the nail polish. The first time I used the toothpaste, I hated it. However, it's grown on me with each use. The mint flavor is very natural and refreshing. I don't think I'll trade in my Optic White for it, though, since there hasn't been a discernable change in the cleanliness of my teeth.

The nail polish is stunning. It's the perfect non-traditional color for Summer. I don't know about you, but I'm a little sick of hot pink toes. Orange has been a welcome change, but this sea green has stolen my heart. I can't tell you how many compliments I've gotten on it, either. It's absolutely lovely, and not terribly expensive. The MSRP is $8, and I highly recommend foregoing a couple of lattes to snag a bottle.



Fuzzy, but you get the idea.

Frugal Friday: More Bing, Bang, Boom For Your Buck!

Bath & Body Works: $10 off any purchase of $30 or more with code ENJOY1050. Exp. 6/3.

Starbucks: Free tall drink when you buy a pack of Starbucks VIA Iced Coffee. No code or coupon needed. Exp. 6/3.

Today's Frugal Friday tip is probably a no-brainer, but I thought I'd throw it out there: Value Kits. If you love high-end makeup, but hate high-end prices, value kits are definitely the way to go. In case you're staring at the screen, wondering what in the world I'm blathering on about, value kits are small collections of coordinating products. Sometimes they're full-sized, sometimes they're deluxe samples, and sometimes they're a combination of the two (see Benefit's Rare Beauty kit). No matter what, you're getting a lot of product for less than you would normally have to pay.

Now, there are a few cons to going the value kit route; namely, you can't pick your colors or products. You might end up with something you absolutely hate! There's also the fact that some of the products can be miniatures, and a lot of folks don't care for that. Personally, if there's a product I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like, but the overall set is amazing, I'll save that product for someone else who'll go nuts over it. If you haven't opened it, save it for a stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift. As for the minis, I personally prefer them. Rarely do I finish a product before it's either expired or out of season. Plus, I like to keep my most used products in a counter-top organizer. Minis take up less space and cause less waste. Anyway, if I end up using it all up and loving it, I can purchase the full-size without feeling like I'm gambling away my money.

Here are some of my favorites out there right now. The most expensive is $50, and the least is only $12!


Buxom Beach Bound Lips & Lashes: $12, Sephora

You can't beat this deal with a stick. You get a full-size Big & Healthy Lip Balm in Copacabana (nude) and a deluxe mini Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black. Normally, the balm alone costs $15, so basically, you're getting a $3 discount on the balm, plus a free mascara. Yeah, it's a mini, but it's a good-sized mini that will last you a while. 

Photo Credit: Sephora



Benefit Legally Bronze: $38, Sephora

Another amazing deal here: four full-sized products, and they all work together for a nearly complete look! Hoola bronzer (a $28 value all by itself), BADgal Brown mascara, Gilded highlighter pencil (which works well as a shadow/liner), and High Beam liquid highlighter, all in a cute, reusable makeup bag.



Photo Credit: Sephora



LORAC Elite Collection: $38, Sephora

I picked up a LORAC set once on a whim, and fell in love with the brand. In fact, just this week, I pulled out one of their baked blushes to add to my Summer staples. It makes a fantastic bronzer on my crazy-pale skin. Anyhoo, in this kit you get a blush, three shadows, lip pencil, lip gloss, mascara, and mini eye primer, all in gorgeous neutrals. Everything's full-sized except, obviously, the mini eye primer. If you only like two or three products, you've gotten your money's worth. If you like them all, just add foundation and powder for a complete look. Bonus: comes with a sweet little makeup bag.



Photo Credit: Sephora



Smashbox Beauty Exposed: $39, Ulta

A mix of minis and full-sized products, this is another kit that will give you almost an entire look. You get a palette with five neutral shadows, a mini Photo Finish face primer (which will normally set you back $17 on its own), a pretty pink blush, medium-sized coral gloss, and a brown eyeliner pencil. Fantastic kit for someone just starting out with makeup, or who is interested in trying neutrals.

Photo Credit: Jules Darling

Sephora Favorites Beauty & the Bride: $50, Sephora

This is really the most hit and miss of the bunch, but I still think it's pretty darn awesome. It's a sampler of 11 mostly miniature products (there are a couple of full-sized, though), housed in a "keepsake" box (meh). These are all different brands, but, oddly enough, you could do an almost complete look with what's in here. There is so much stuff, I'm not even going to try to list all of it, but you can click the link for full details. This is also a kit that would be very easily broken up into several small gift sets. 

Photo Credit; Sephora


Have a great weekend, y'all!