Mock Made Up: 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Coconut Beeswax Moisturing Balm, DIY Style!

Made some balm tonight for my hands and feet.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of Coconut Oil
1 bar of Beeswax 1 of the bars in the package (estimated 1 oz)

I combined both the wax and the oil in a double broiler/bain marie. That's a fancy term for a silver bowl over a saucepan filled with water. I melted and stirred and mixed it all together. I let it cool down a bit then put it in a resealable container.

Voila! Coconut Beeswax Balm!

It is much harder than petroleum jelly, though I don't know if the consistency will be quite as hard in the summer as it is in the winter. It's definitely a balm, and I am using it on my lips, hands and feet. Basically, anything that seems to need a bit more protection from the elements or is a bit dry from the forced air furnace! It smells nice, and it feels good. This DIY was a success.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Konjac Sponge Update

Acne? Rosacea? Excema? Normal, Oily, Dry or Combination skin? This sponge is a miracle worker. The activated charcoal is so good at removing acne that I only had 1 day of hormonal breakouts this month. 1 freaking day! It works amazingly! The charcoal one actually improved my skin tone. I could use it with cleanser, but most of the time, warm water was all I needed. If you suffer from acne or rosacea, I cannot recommend this product enough for you. It's gentle, yet highly effective. It's cleanses without overdrying or irritating. It's a total win for me!
Natural PureGanic KONJAC Fiber Sponge Charcoal

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Konjac Sponge

So I ordered a Konjac sponge from eBay to see how it will work on my sensitive reactive combo rosacea prone skin. Supposedly it works WITHOUT cleanser since it is impregnated with bamboo charcoal.

Currently,I use a Micellar water to remove my makeup, and I alternate between Clarins cleansing milk, body shop seaweed non foaming cleanser, Cetaphil, and Eclos foaming wash, depending on the weather/hormones/skin condition. I am interested in seeing how it works without anything at all!

Have you heard about this yet?

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Eclos Dare to go Bare challenge 2 week follow up!

Follow up on the Two week Dare To Bare Challenge from eclos!

https://www.freemanbeauty.com/products/eclos/skin-care

Oil haul and Glycerin!

Yesterday I got 4 oils and 1oz of glycerin from Butterbear products.

Glycerin is a humectant which means it attracts and moisturises skin. Glycerine also repairs skin but it CANNOT be used at 100% because it can actually take moisture FROM the skin causing blistering! ACK! So I am going to be mixing it in with a water base, and seeing how it helps my skin. :)

Cherry Kernel oil has properties that are pain relieving called prostaglandins. I am pretty excited about working that into a muscle rub or acne treatment.

Hazelnut is similar to almond oil, so I am pretty excited to find it. Tons of Vitamin E and is used to treat oily skin. Sounds like a fun summer oil to try.

Macadamia is super emollient, so I am interested in that around my eye area and on my elbows and ankles.

Castor is getting a lot of good press as part of the oil cleansing method and people are using it as a lash serum.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Updated E.L.F Studio Blush! Twinkle Pink

I went to Hy-vee a few weeks ago and found one of the missing blushes from my E.L.F Studio Blush Collection. It's the Twinkle Pink version and it's beautiful! It's a warm pink with definite golden shimmer. I prefer to tap out the excess glitter for a daytime version and save the super shimmer (no tapping) for night time use.

Original post with update!

Raw hardcore Ipsy unboxing for August 2013!

So I am stuck in bed because my blood pressure is too low to move but I was super excited to get my Ipsy bag. So here's the result! Enjoy! And if you want to join ipsy here's my referral link! http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-h1dwbbfgt44z69

Friday, August 2, 2013

Quick Review Milani Color Statement lipsticks.

Went to Kmart, Milani lipsticks were on sale for buy 1 get another 50 % off. I got Sweet nectar, Candied Toffee and Sangria. They are super pigmented, smooth as silk and smell like watermelon Bubbilicious bubble gum. I am in love. This is Sangria.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Little Black Bag unboxing and mini review 'ish' thing for July 2013 (my first box of the month)

My Little Black Bag unboxing for July of 2013

Includes:

- NuMe Hydro Punch Shampoo- not shown in pic, shown in video

-'ZAD Shell and Gold Bangle Set

- Mata Traders Braid Bracelet 'add to bag' item

- Street Level Front Flap Satchel

I pay $10 for monthly VIP which gives me a discount on my items, plus a $10 once a month.
I got a discount on my initial bag plus used my $10 credit

I paid $45.90 for the initial bag plus shipping and handling

and add to bag was $15.44

If you want to join LBB, click on my invite link is HERE!! (we both get bonuses! You get 25% off your first bag, and they give me an item worth $50... Score!)

My youtube is here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Melanievf for more videos!

FTC Disclosure: I don't get reimbursed for reviews. This product was bought and paid for using my own money and all opinions are mine. No Faux Cows were harmed in the making of this handbag or video, however...quite a few electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

FOTD: Shimmer Sunrise with Rum Raisins

On face:
Eclos Primer
Skin79: Hot Pink and Orange
Blush Base (my DIY)
E.L.F. Studio Blush in Blushing Rose
Setting Powder under eyes (mine)
Coty Airspun in Neutral

On Eyes:
Etude House Proof 10
E.L.F Baked Shadow in Enchanted
Forever21 Unnamed pink shimmer champagne.
28 color Ebay Neutral in a cork like color
Sally's Palette in copper color
MAC Mulch
E.L.F Studio 3 in 1 mascara

On lips:
E.L.F. Studio Pencil Concealer in light
Revlon Super Lustrous in Rum Raisin (Cream)

Tools used:
Real Techniques Blush Brush
Velour Powder Puff
Sigma Flat Definer
Sigma E35
Sigma E45
Real Techniques Shader Brush
Generic Lash and Brow Comb

Mock Vanity: AKA where all my makeup lives!

I keep reading where people are applying makeup in their bathrooms, toting their makeup around in a case.

A vanity doesn't have to be a big deal. It can even double as a writing desk or even taken down, but a place to sit elegantly, a place to rest your elbow while using it as a fulcrum while doing your eyeliner, a well lit area (all you need is a single full spectrum bulb, and a place that you can be calm and relax.

I think it's a right of passage for every teenager to get their own little space to do their beauty routine, that isn't the same place they defecate. My vanity before this was a desk we picked up from the side of the road because some college students were moving and left it on the curb. It's been repurposed into a work table for an indoor metal shop.

The reason the bathroom is bad is because the humidity and bacteria can actually ruin your makeup and cause your mascara and other 'moist' products go bad before their time. It's better to do it near a window or with a full spectrum bulb. You can get a vanity set up for free from stuff around the house. :)

It really doesn't have to be fancy. It just needs to be YOURS. Here is mine. It was made by getting a bookshelf and not using it for books. This one used to have a hinged door on it but apparently it wasn't very strong, because it fell off.

There is a place for everything I need and it's in modular form so I just pull out the basket I need and put it on the top of the vanity when I use it. It makes it easier to put things away.

I made the dirty brush holder out of rice, a plastic cup and food coloring. It works great. When it gets full, I wash them. and it makes it so brushes don't roll off and get caught under foot. I accidentally ran over a few of my Real Technique brushes and ruined them. Total facepalm.

My mock vanity, filming and makeup storage area

And I didn't mark it on the picture but my cell phone tripod is up there,(by the foundations, near the mirrors) so I can see myself while doing reviews. It's all coming together pretty nicely. My husband also set up a brown backdrop from the ceiling at my request to cordon it off a bit more for me so I can get into doing my makeup more without being distracting to either of us. His office is also in the bedroom so it gets triple duty now.

Has this sparked an idea for you? Let me know in the comments below! I'll be doing a video of it some time, so it's a bit more interactive.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Apple Stem Cells? Say what?

I was sent a challenge from Eclos to do their Dare to Go Bare Skin Care 2 week challenge and the most challenging thing was posting my face without ANYTHING on it! GAH! ;)

Eclos is from Freeman (which makes super awesome masks that I would use if I wasn't on a kitchen beauty kit at them moment) and their anti-aging regime is apparently formulated with stem cells from some sort of Swiss Apples. I don't know about all that, but I am intrigued enough to try it and see if my skin fares well with the course.

I am doing a video documenting my experience, and I'll show it to you after it's done :) For now, here's my before.
https://www.freemanbeauty.com/products/eclos/skin-care

Mock Goth Spring Look

I was attempting light spring look, using golds and light purples... but you know... you can take the Mock out of the goth clothes, but you can't take the goth out of the Mock...

Lips: I layered the fig gloss from Juice Beauty over a purple brown lip color I depotted and forgot to label.

Base: I used Skin79 BB cream mixed with some Primer from Rimmel and a bit of Bourjois Healthy mix foundation and applied it with my hands, buffing afterwards with a blending sponge.

Eyes :I used the Neutral 28 color kit from ebay, and a bronze that I hand pressed from pigments I hand mixed.

Liner: I used a mixing medium for the eyeliner (from a black eyeshadow in the neutrals palette). I used a bit of primer for my lashes mixed with black eyeshadow because my mascara is missing! (que horror!)

Blush: 10 color blush kit in 4th over (orange corally satin finish). I applied it using a flat top bronzer brush and then I used a bit of Peach Girl BB cream to add shimmer and soften the edges a bit. I used a shimmer shadow from the NYX Nude palette as a highlighter on my cheeks.

Powder is a combination of the Mirabella Perfecting Powder on my cheeks, and on my T zone- ELF HD Powder and NYX Loose powder mixed together to create a shade close to my skin tone.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Friend Connect is going away!

So I set up my blog on this Bloglovin' site. It's like Google Reader, but it sends emails to you, so you can keep up with your favorite blogs!
Just click on the button in the upper right hand corner :) <3

[mock made up vlog] FOTD: Fab Orange Crush ! LOL

Friday, July 12, 2013

FOTD: Fab Orange Crush

I was trying to come up with a summery look, and orange has been on my mind lately. I found a Claire's palette filled with orange golds and fiery reds. I used Red on the outer corner, bright yellow on the inner, a basic orange on the lid and in the crease and a dark bronze on my lash line.

Brushes I used were
Sigma E35
Sigma E45
Real Technique Crease Brush (Eye Kit)
E.L.F essentials Flat Definer
Real Techniques Multitasking Blush brush
Sigma Large Powder Brush
Real Techniques Shader Brush (Eye)
Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Makeup Used
Rimmel Primer 002
Etude House Baby Choux in Mint
Holika Holika Miracle Real Skin Finish
Skin79 Vital Orange BB Cream
20 Color Concealer Camouflage Professional Makeup Cosmetic Palette
Coty Airspun Loose Powder in Nearly Neutral
L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick, Fiery Veil

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, SPF 15, Foiled 140Maybelline-Color Sensational Vivids in Electric Orange
Claire's Palette (Discontinued, but can be duped by any of the 88 palettes)
E.L.F Studio 3-in-1 mascara
Milani Coralina Baked Blush
E.L.F Studio Bronzer in Warm Golden

I am not quite ready to do tutorials, but I did a mini vlog about the shoot!

Little Black Bag: 3 Favorite things

3/4 of my favorite things from Little Black Bag! I hope you enjoy it :)
My Little Black Bag Link

Also check out my beauty blog http://mockmadeup.blogspot.com/

Danielle Nicole Satchel
Pink Cosmo Doctor Bag in Wine
Carol Dauplaise Pave Ring
Michael Marcus Blush

Monday, July 8, 2013

Orange you glad?

Orange you glad? by mocksoup featuring crossbody handbags

Versace long dress
farfetch.com

Chinese Laundry high heels
$97 - vanmildert.com

Dooney Bourke crossbody handbag
dooney.com

Oasis drop earrings
$8.98 - oasis-stores.com

Guess by marciano
guessbymarciano.guess.com

Orange eye shadow
$5.08 - etsy.com

Marni bracelet
$350 - theoutnet.com

Sunglasses
shopzerouv.com

Nail polish
$24 - conleys.de

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Embarrassed || Spoken Word by Hollie McNish

I know this is offtopic, but it's very important.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Love & Beauty Forever 21 Smoky Eyeshadow Palette Black/Grey

I was feeling bored one night and ran across the Forever21 website. I hadn't actually shopped there before, but I found the clothes were quite cute. On a lark, I clicked on 'Beauty' and I found some palettes that struck me as very similar to the Urban Decay Naked Palettes and they were only 7 bucks each.

I am always keen to find cheap dupes and I am a sucker for neutrals. On Beautylish, someone asked me to swatch this palette, so here it is. I got the picture in natural full spectrum light and with the flash as well. I think that this palette is gorgeous.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Face of the Day- Shine like the sun

On Face
E.L.F Studio HD powder and NYC Loose Powder in Translucent mixed together equally

Skin79 BB cream in Hot Pink

Love & Beauty Eyes & Face Palette natural peach golden shimmer highlighter

Love & Beauty Bronze & Blush Pearls

On Eyes:

Love & Beauty Smoky Eyeshadow Palette Brown/Natural

E.L.F Studio 3-in-1 Mascara

On lips

Revlon Lipgloss in Foiled

Brushes used

Sigma E15 - Flat Definer
Sigma E45 - Small Tapered Blending
Sigma E20 - Short Shader
Sigma E25 - Blending
Sigma F15 - Duo Fibre Powder/Blush
Sigma F10 - Powder/Blush
Real Techniques- Large Powder Brush

Forever 21 Haul. Love & Beauty makeup

Forever21 Love & Beauty Haul

I got most of them snapped. I am keeping half of them (and the one that got shattered and I had to repress the pigment). I will be doing swatches and looks of the day with them but I wanted to share. I managed to not get the creme blush I bought in there. *facepalm*

The eyeshadows are more fragile than I expected, but they are pretty smooth application wise.I used 91% alcohol to repair the few that got shattered during transit. I do suggest tossing out the applicators that are included and use your own brushes. I have heard okay things about the Love & Beauty Brushes, but I can't say for certain.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Face of the Day- Mock Winging It

Makeup Used:

Face:

Half Rimmer Fix and Pro Perfect Primer 002 and Half Monistat Anti Chafing Gel (experiment)
Holika Holika Peach Girl BB Cream
Milani Baked Blush in Rose D' Oro
E.L.F Studio HD powder and NYC Loose Powder in Translucent mixed together equally

Eyes:
E.L.F Studio 3-in-1 Mascara
theBalm What's your type Body Builder Mascara
Etude House Proof 10 Primer
Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero

Mica Beauty Cream Eyeliner
Wet n' Wild Color Icon Palette Silent Treatment
Wet n' Wild Color Icon Single in Creme Brulee
L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Iced Latte

Lips:
Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee

Chanel LÈVRES-SCINTILLANTES Glossimer in Seashell
E.L.F Studio Lip liner and Lip brush in Natural

Tools Used:

Real Techniques Multi Tasking Brush (medium pink)
Sigma E45 Small Tapered Crease Brush
Sigma E25 Blending Brush
Sigma Travel Eyeliner brush
Velour Powder Pouf

Gourd Style Blending Sponge
Large Real Techniques Powder Brush (to brush away excess powder)
Crimp style lash curler (I use one from an old Color workshop palette)

Face of the Day: Cerise Snow

Makeup Used:

Face:

Etude House Baby Choux Cream in Mint

Skin79 Vital Orange BB Cream

Mirabella Perfecting Powder

E.L.F Studio Blush in Fuchsia Fusion (with the microglitter knocked off)

Eyes:

E.L.F Studio 3-in-1 Mascara

theBalm What's your type Body Builder Mascara

Etude House Proof 10 Primer

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Palette in Comfort (Colors 4 and 5)

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Single in Creme Brulee

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Amber Rush and Eternal Sunshine

Lips:

Maybelline ColorSensational in Vivid Rose and On Fire Red (mixed)

E.L.F Studio Lip liner and Lip brush in Natural

Tools Used:

Real Techniques Blush Brush (large)

E.L.F Essentials Push Brush

Sigma E45 Small Tapered Crease Brush

Sigma E25 Blending Brush

Velour Powder Pouf
Large Real Techniques Powder Brush (to brush away excess powder)

Crimp style lash curler (I use one from an old Color workshop palette)

Monday, June 17, 2013

DIY: Brush Cleaning

One of the things I see a LOT is people not washing their brushes. Unclean applicators and brushes are one of the biggest culprits for promoting acne. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (aka P. acnes) and Staphylococcus aureus (Staph A) are the resilient bacteria that cause acne and whiteheads and often times what we are trying to cover it up with is what is aggravating it! That's why it's important to clean our pillowcases and phone often, but I digress. Cleaning our applicators helps reduce one of the ways that acne persists.

And washing your brushes isn't all that complicated.

First you need to see if your brushes are natural or synthetic. Natural brushes are made with animal hair/fur and should be treated as such. You want to shampoo them and condition them. Properly cared for brushes will last a very long time, and will continue to perform well. If you aren't sure if your brushes are natural or synthetic, treat them as natural brushes.

Synthetic brushes can take things like antibacterial soap. Natural brushes get stripped too much, and need to be reconditioned. I prefer to wash my natural brushes and synthetic brushes in Garnier Fructis 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner and then spray them afterwards with a conditioning spot cleanser and reshape the bristles.

Weekly:
Rinse your brush heads in warm water, taking care not to get water down the 'ferrule' (metal part) because you don't want to weaken the glue that is holding the brush head on. Putting a bit of your liquid cleanser in your hand *a tiny amount* you'll want to swirl them gently in your hand and rinse them until the water runs clear. Place your brushes on a towel and 'roll' them trying to get as much water as possible from them. Let dry either upside down or on a ledge, so that water doesn't run back in to the ferrule causing damage. After they are dry, spray them gently with the conditioning cleanser and reshaping and smoothing the bristles, bringing them back to original form. You can use brush guards for this or you can use your hands. Either way works well.

Daily:
I spray them with this conditioning cleanser and wipe clean with either a microfiber or paper towel until no more product comes off of the brush.

*adding a few drops of Tea Tree Oil is optional but very helpful in the cases of persistent acne.

If you want to make up your own conditioning cleanser, I made up a little instructional card to print out and cut out to keep with your bottle so you don't forget what it is!

Conditioning Cleanser printable cards

Hope this helps!

Friday, June 14, 2013

Review -Maybelline - Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick

I wish the packaging was a little more secure. No plastic wrapping makes me frown a bit.

I snagged the On Fire red a few weeks ago. I am always on the look out for a blue based red that goes with my pale visage. It's the goth in me, I can't help it. I finally started wearing red lipstick last year and I haven't looked back, but I digress.

I loved it so much that I went back for Vivid Rose and Brazen Berry! My next purchase will be Neon Red or Mandarin Orange... or possibly Electric Orange. I can't decide!

These lipsticks are fantastic. Because they are so bright, lip exfoliation is a must but other than that, they wear well, leaving a stain before disappearing at the end of the day. Easy to reapply, and absolutely fun to wear out paired with a neutral eye.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Review- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry

Absolutely love this lip color on. The formula is lovely, not a huge fan of the fragrance for some reason, but it wears for about 4 hours. It's definitely something that needs reapplied often because it's so creamy. It doesn't leave my lips dry at ALL.I depotted (de tubed?) this into a palette and find that the patchiness that plagued me when I would apply it with the tube is gone now that I apply it with a brush. Absolutely love it.

The internet says it's a exact dupe for Tom Ford's Black Orchid. I can deal with that.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Tapered Blending Brush

For brushes, I have collected quite a few but today I am just talking about the Sigma E45. I recently acquired the Sigma E45 because I lost my favorite crease brush from Target that was discontinued. In a panic I searched Amazon.com because the Sigma site was temporarily sold out of the E45. It took a bit but I just fell in love.

The E45 is a smaller tapered crease brush than the others I have collected. I have to admit I was a bit nonplussed at first. It was a bit scratchy, shedding a bit and it was bleeding black dye. Remembering that it's natural hair, not synthetic I decided to treat it how I treat my hair. I washed it a few times with Garnier Fructis Daily 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner and now it is perfect. It is fantastic for targeting the crease and perfectly blending my midtone color. It's perfect for my deep set eyes.

I still spot clean with 91% alcohol, but I remember to wash it in 2 in 1 shampoo when I feel it's getting scratchy again.

I'll show pictures later of my eyeshadow for now, here's a picture of the actual brush.

I had lost my brush after this picture, btw. I wound up buying a second one. It's still missing in the aether.

Nighttime Natural Look

Base: Etude House Baby Choux Base in Mint (SPF and to reduce redness)
Foundation: Skin79 Vital BB Cream (Orange Bottle)
Cheeks: Cream Blush from Holika Holika Peach Girl BB Cream
Eyeshadow: Claire's Boutique- Gold Rush (discontinued)
Eye primer: Etude House Proof 10 eye primer
Mascara: E.L.F HD Powder mixed with NYC'S Loose Powder
Lips: E.L.F Matte Lip Color in Nearly Nude, Revlon Lustrous Lip Gloss in Foiled, E.L.F LipGloss in Honey
Brows: Anastasia Brow Gel in Clear

Stupid lust...

'Rouge G de Guerlain' Lipcolor in Garconne or Chanel Dragon.
I want them, I can't find them and they've been discontinued.
They are beautiful blue based reds, that just look absolutely smashing swatched.
I need to find something like this... grr...

Cue EBAY!

I just bought 2 new NYX red lipsticks, one in Chaos, and one in Hero. Let's see if they quell the lust for beautiful bright blue red lipcolor.

One can only hope, right?

Friday, June 7, 2013

Blush Crazy Series- E.L.F Studio Blushes (Updated)

Doing a quick inventory of my blushes, l~~ooking for my elusive Small tapered brush that has gone missing. I took a picture of it, for the blog...at a very late hour... and have misplaced it. Bummer.~~ ~~I found it. And I bought a second one, right before it turned up. Because that's how I roll.~~

So I have a thing for E.L.F Studio Blushes. I know they are dupes for high end blushes, All of the Studio line have a high end counterpart. Part of the fun is finding out which high end cosmetic they are duping! I've gleaned these dupes from the internet, and I don't have any real comparison, I am posting it for informational purposes. I have compared image swatches but I am no where near a Sephora or Ulta, so I cannot compare them myself.

My current blushes are:

*NARS Dolce Vita

*NARS Deep Throat

*NARS Orgasm

*NARS Orgasm/Laguna Duo

*NARS Angelika

*Tarte Exposed

*NARS Desire

*NARS Luster

+ Just added *NARS Super Orgasm

I am missing:

Berry Merry (NARS - Sin)
Gotta Glow (NARS- Albatross)
Giddy Gold (NARS -Taj Mahal)
~~Twinkle Pink (NARS - Deep Throat)~~
Contouring Blush and Bronzer in Antiqua, and Turks & Caicos

I could have sworn I've bought the Twinkle Pink but it's probably lost in the same abyss that ~~my brush is, and~~ most of my left socks are.Edit- Got it! Found it at Hy-vee over an hour away a few days ago! Searching for Studio items I don't have IRL is kind of a hobby, now.

These are ones I reach for a bit less frequently than my Milani Blushes but I do reach for them. I really like the versatility, though a few of them i need to get the microglitter off the brush/blush before I use it. I find I have to do that with Milani blushes at first too, so it's not just an E.L.F thing. And for $3 dollars a piece, they are a great deal! I have found them at Target and Hy-Vee (grocery). They are also on Amazon, eBay and the E.L.F website.

Updated to add pictures and update the amount of blushes I have.