so long, farewell

i will no longer be pursuing this blog, or makeup artistry of any kind.

i’ve always had a passion for yoga, and will be pursuing my practice more seriously instead.

but i don’t want to delete this blog.  for a wordpress blog, i thought the design was pretty nice- simple & chic! heehee

it was super fun while it lasted.

don’t worry, i’ll be back with “the art of yoga”. just kidding, so kidding.

so long, farewell!

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

tarte cheek stains

i recently tried an alternative to powder blush, which had the tendency to irritate my skin, a cream/gel blush, more specifically tarte cheek stains.  it hasn’t irritated my skin yet, and the effect is very pretty!  it’s more dewy which compliments my dry skin. application is a cinch. give it a go ladies!

for those with sensitive skin…

like mine.  having sensitive skin can be frustrating, as most of the products out on the market will irritate our skin.  even ingredients that are normally beneficial, all natural, or specially created for “sensitive skin” can wreck havoc!  after dealing with sensitive skin for many years, here are some tips i’ve compiled along the way. some may seem obvious, but i was slow to learn!

• don’t mistaken dermatitis (e.g. skin rash due to an allergy) for acne. sometimes a mild allergic reaction may show up in the form of small bumps on the face.  you may begin to treat this with a harsh acne medication and worsen the condition, if indeed, the bumps are a result of a skin allergy
• only test out 1 product at a time. that way, if you skin does react you can better pinpoint the culprit.  sometimes, you’ll be tempted to buy an entire skincare regimen: cleanser, toner, moisturizer.  if your skin reacts, you won’t know which product(s) is causing the irritation
• sunscreen is a must, BUT be aware that suncreens tend to cause allergic reactions. there are 2 types of sunscreens 1) chemical 2) physical.  chemical suncreens are absorbed into the skin, so opt for a physical suncreen that will protect your skin by creating a physical barrier without skin absorption.
• be careful in subscribing to the theory that products take time for your skin to adjust. if it burns/stings/causes bumps, STOP using it!  this will save you lots of grief!
• no need to commit to purchasing products. at department stores, you can request a sample jar to test before purchasing (explain your skin sensitivity issue).  also, if you do purchase a product and find that it is irritating your skin you CAN return it–not only at Sephora or Nordstorms, but even CVS and Target.  since sensitive skin requires trial & error, this will save you some $$
• be cognizant of when and where your skin is/has been irritated. e.g. i had problems with pink, irritated cheeks.  recently i stopped using powder blush and my cheeks are no longer irritated!/ in the past i was allergic to Aveeno products which contain soy, so now i check product ingredients and avoid soy altogether
• try cosmetic brands (Lorac, Korres, Tarte…) and skincare lines (Eucerin, Boscia, Cetaphil…) that are sensitive skin conscious, but don’t assume that every product labeled as appropriate for ”sensitive skin” will work for you
• talk to other women with sensitive skin. okay this tip sounds real corny, but i’m being serious.  recently at church i was telling some girls how sensitive my skin was.  one of the girls said her skin is the same way and suggested Dove bar soap for facial cleansing (which i would’ve never considered). i tried it, and i love it.  in fact it has replaced my ever so reliable Cetaphil gentle cleanser

it seems i have become a sensitive skin expert, not by choice…haha just kidding.  honestly, it’s a guessing game.  what works for me, may not necessarily work for you……..with that being said, Good Luck!!

Julia

a very spring/summer appropriate look!

julia is a h.s. senior just a few months away from graduation and prom!  we had some fun in preparation for these milestone events to come.  i took advantage of her youth and played around with purples and pinks…when you’re young you can pull off just about anything!

with each face, i’m trying to figure out the best techniques and colors to use. some of it is intuitive, but a lot of it is also trial & error!  there’s always a few things i wish i had done differently, which i try to keep in mind for the next face.

all cute and natural

your lips, only better

i remember hearing or reading somewhere, Bobbi Brown saying that your most flattering lip color is 1 or 2 shades darker or more vibrant than your natural lip color.  well, what about siren red lips or the ever so sophisticated nude lip?  i’m realizing that although red lips or nude lips are fun to try on occasion, it takes too much effort (for me) to go the extra mile in transforming my lip color to that extreme.

i found a new product from Tarte Cosmetics, which supposedly has been in the works for 10 years.  a lip stain, that claims to increase moisture on your lips up to 6000%. initially, i was almost annoyed at their bold claim which sounded a tad (6000%) exaggerated . to my surprise, i was not disappointed. this lip stain moisturizes better than ANY chapstick, vaseline, or lip treatment product i have used!

moody, amused, lust, enchanted, charmed, joy

being overly excited, i impulsively purchased 3 (joy, charmed, and enchanted) and returned joy (was hoping for a peach, but appeared more orange) and charmed (was hoping for a soft pink, but appeared hot pink), but fell in love with enchanted which REALLY is a shade or two more pigmented than my natural lip color. taken from the sephora website,

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

i’m thankful to cosmetic companies such as Tarte, Lorac, Korres…who are devoted to meeting the needs of women with sensitive skin or those who are simply conscious about the ingredients they are slabbing on their faces!

i am totally digging this look.

her eyes mesmerize me.

http://ihaveabf.blogspot.com/

my next face date is saturday and i am very excited! i’m planning to do something fun with purple eyes paired with nude lips.  also, have i mentioned i tentatively have on my calendar about 15 bridesmaids to beautify?! let the wave of spring and summer weddings begin…although, i’m not quite sure i’m ready.

Soon to Be Mrs. Yoon

3rd time’s a charm?  i think so. Rose looks so B E A U T I F U L, just as a bride should look and feel!  imagine her in a pretty white dress…i see it, do you?

it’s cray how natural the makeup appears in pictures. it was more dramatic in person.

and look what i found, a picture of the groom!

Spring forward

Why Hello there, Spring.

You’ve rescued me from the misery of winter.  But there is one I love even more than you and her name is Summer. 

as if lips were meant to be pink

 

 

so dewy and ethereal...

 

 

 

image sources from top to bottom:

www.angelastone.co.nz

www.industryfolio.com

www.marieclaire.com

she's thinking, the sun is so Glorious...and so am I...haha j/k.

Hope you get some sun this weekend  

Michelle Phan: YouTube to Lancôme

Michelle Phan, the most popular makeup guru on YouTube, was recently picked up by Lancôme as the brand’s first-ever video makeup artist .  Her videos are pleasant to watch with her soothing voice, and carefully chosen background music.  Ms. Phan has uploaded a wide variety of videos from everyday looks, to costume party makeup, movie character-inspired faces, product reviews, and numerous “how to’s” on cleaning makeup brushes and DIY home facials…..go ahead and peruse through her YouTube channel.

Already planning for Halloween? (I am. I’m gonna be Kim Yuna….you better not steal my idea.)

Wanna add some pizazz to your traditional eyeliner?

And for those of us who are not as daring…

Michelle Phan is a current art student and a self taught makeup artist.   I enjoy her unique approach to makeup, inspired by art and artist’s techniques.   A couple years back,  she applied for a Lancôme makeup counter position and was denied…well, look her at her now!

 If you love doing something, keep doing it and maybe someday you’ll get paid for doing something that you would do for free!

 

thank you

i have so many inquiries coming in for “face dates”– i’m pretty overwhelmed at all your support.  thank you for lending me your face, sharing your time with me, and trusting me although i am just a newbie…experimenting, and figuring things out. oh, and also for following my blog!

much love to all you women!

xoxo,

Angie