Get Your Face On!

So there was this party called Get Your Face On.  I read about it here and then it linked to here.  I read about it on the date the party was actually supposed to happen, so I obviously didn't make the deadline.  However, I liked the idea so much I decided to have my own party.  So here's me getting my face on.  Now, my dear friends, it's your turn.  Post it on your blog, link it back to this post and leave a comment so I can see yours too.  I've decided to have a giveaway to get people interested in doing this too (see below.) I don't always have personal entries on my blog, but I hope to add more do-it-yourself type entries as well.  I wear make-up when I go to work, sometimes when I go to church and occasionally on days off.  I like to let my skin rest so I don't wear it every day. So here goes:

My before and after shots (some of the coloring is due to lighting, but I took the shots from the same place in my bathroom):

How I do it.  These are my make-up brushes.  I've labeled them so I can reference them by number later.  This set of brushes came with my starter kit from Simply Karen.  It is a mineral make-up company.  I purchased their Allure Collection to get started.  It came with everything but lip products.  Now you'll see as I go through this that not all my make-up is mineral make-up.   

  

1) Foundation Buffer Brush

2) Perfect Coverage Concealer Brush

3) Multipurpose Powder Brush

4) Dual Ended Shadow & Blender Brush (large side)

5) Dual Ended Shadow & Blender Brush (small side)

   

So I start by applying my foundation (right) all over my face with brush #1.  I gather enough foundation on my brush, tap off the extra and apply all over.  Then I use brush #2 to apply a slightly yellower foundation (mineral foundation) around my eyes, alongside my nose and on any blemishes I might have.  

Next I apply blush (left) with brush #3.  You can see there are chunks of blush in the container.  Before I used the mineral I was using another blush which broke, so I put it into the top of the mineral container.  I keep cotton balls in each container to prevent spilling.  Most of the blush I actually use is mineral residue still on the cotton ball.  I tap it into the lid and swirl the brush around the lid, tap to remove excess and apply along my cheek bones. 

After my blush, I move up to my eyes.  I first use eye liner.  My current product is from Yves Rocher and is green.  Since it is green, I am using green shadow, too. The green really makes my eyes look green too.  I line the top almost all the way and try to get a little off to the side.  Then, I line the bottom about halfway.  I use my little finger to smudge or the smudger on pencil to blend the lines so they aren't too harsh.

Next I apply (with brush #4) a light eyeshadow all over my eye lids.  If I want to highlight the arch on my eyebrows, then I will use a very light (white, silver, cream) color right below the brow.  Then I apply a darker shadow (with brush #5) diagonally from the inside corner of my eye to the outer edge of my eye brow and then straight down to my crease.   I also use whatever is left on brush #5 and follow my eye liner (top and bottom) to seal my eye liner, which prevents smudging.  I finish off with mascara on top and bottom lashes.  I only apply one coat for daytime, however I will add a second coat if I am going out or dressing up.  I prefer smudge-proof over waterproof.

Lastly, I line my lips and fill them in with color.  I like darker cool colors on my lips.  I always keep a tube of lipstick in my purse.  Currently I line my lips with Artistry's Wine Liner.  My lipstick in my make-up box is Lancome and in my purse is L'Oreal.

Are you ready to "Get Your Face On?"  I am having a give-away.  This give-away goes until 3/31.  So you have until then to do any of these things.  I'll hold the drawing the beginning of April.  I don't have the exact prize picked out yet, but it will be make-up.  Good luck!  If you are a boy, you are more than welcome, to still post photos of your routine.  Here are the rules:

What we did in 2009

So I've never done a Christmas Letter and I used to be so good at sending out cards. I actually do have a box of cards that I can use to send out. However, I've become lazy and haven't done it. So this year I am writing a New Year letter of what we accomplished last year. So if you don't care to read it, then you can move onto another of my blog entries instead.

Joe – He fixed the green car (Dodge intrepid) so now it works and Victoria can drive it to work. He went to Disneyland (and CA Adventure) for the first time for his and Victoria's birthdays and anniversary. He works in the Junior Nursery in the ward.

Victoria – She learned to make pumpkin desserts out of fresh (not canned) pumpkins. She went to Disneyland, CA Adventure and Magic Mountain this year. She also works in the nursery in the ward. She learned seasonal loan products (RVs, boats, etc) at work. She's been with USAA 2 years now and her 401k now is completely vested.

Adam – He received the Aaronic priesthood and was ordained a Deacon by his Papa. He serves as the second counselor in the Deacon's Quorum. He played softball for his school earlier this year (7^th grade.) He made the football team again for this school year (8^th) and made the basketball team (8th,) all that practicing with the scouts paid off. He went to camp Geronimo for the first time. He went to Magic Mountain to celebrate his entrance into teenager-hood. He got glasses. He got to play with the Ironwood marching band during halftime of an Ironwood Football game. He went to the temple for the first time with the youth. He got stitches earlier in the year when he collided with a fence at school and it cut his leg.

Joseph – He earned his Webelos and Arrow of light. He is in his 2^nd year of home schooling through AZ Virtual Academy. He is in 5^th grade. He started taking medication. He got glasses. He almost met a rattlesnake. He has recently started reading books and really enjoys them. He went to Day Camp during the summer.

Joshua – He turned 8 and had a fun Army party. He got baptized along with his best friend Aaron on the 4^th of July. He got glasses too. He earned his Bobcat (with help from Aaron's mom, too.) He is in 3rd grade and his teacher at school is one of the counselors in the Primary so he sees her almost every day. He loves his teacher. He got to go to Cub Scout Day Camp for the first time.

Sam – He had surgery. He spent his last year in nursery and will be joining the ranks of Sunbeams. He was potty-trained and had a big boy party. He turned three. He fell in love with Lydia (Aaron's baby sister.) He loves to talk and tell stories and his language has improved since we started blogging although he still can't pronounce eses (S.) He kissed a chick. He dislocated his elbow once when Joshua and he were playing.

I am sure there is more and find that as I blog more I'll have a better record for 2010. Happy 2010!!

Sam’s Big Boy Party

Sam is having his “Big Boy Party.” I started this tradition with Adam. Once my child is potty-trained we reward him with a big boy party. To avoid embarrassment, if the child is too old, a party is not given. Ever since Sam had his first birthday party he has been fascinated with parties. He loves the candles, the cake, and the ambiance. In fact, he thinks every birthday party he attends is his. He started potty-training right after he turned two. He really liked the potty and whenever we thought he was going to be serious, he’d refuse to use it. He likes to flush the toilet (and other things along with it) and play in the bathroom so he didn’t have a fear for us to be concerned with. We couldn’t figure out how to motivate him. After Adam had his 12th birthday party and Josh had his 8th, Sam was excited and talked about his birthday party all the time. We decided to let Sam know about the Big Boy Party. We gave him two months to earn it and except for occasional accidents, he’s done very well. He picked the venue, Chuck E Cheeses. He has never been there, but has always wanted to go. I am not sure if the desire comes from commercials or his brothers talking about how cool it is there. So we have a Big Boy Party planned for this Thursday. We invited his friends from nursery (those on Facebook at least,) family friends, and family members.