Don't paint by numbers your face

Ummmm, what's happening here?  Remember I said how much I loved J-Lo's makeup?  Well there is an exception to this statement... Behold:

Bad J-Lo. Bad.

Why the mega green and weird amount of blush??  I'm all for a lovely green shadow done right, actually there are endless colours that you can use to create a smokey eye and really make your peepers pop, but that means the rest of your face has to be somewhat subdued.  The blush just ruins it for me, and also how MUCH green shadow was slopped on her lids.  She's so beautiful, why the weird clown mask?  In light of this not-so-buzz-worthy face situation, I will be making a video that shows you how to do a coloured smokey eye in a fabulous way, without looking like you are either 80's fabulous, or a midget-clown.  I'm off to a Cirque de Soleil performance tonight; I've decided to share the fun makeup look I'm going for!

Smokey Eye + bubble gum pink lips.  Deeelish

Don't be a clown, be a monkey.  They get to swing from trees.

xo T

Bronzed and slightly Jaundicey... In a good way

The bronzed/neutral J-Lo inspired video is ready.  I decided to turn it into a more natural/wearable version of her rendition, as I think it's a perfect day look, especially coming into Spring.  I tried to put the video to one of J-Lo's songs, but as beautiful as she is, her music hurts my brain, so it couldn't happen.  I DID however wear my trusty hoochy-mamma hoop earring, so that makes up for it I figure. There was also a small issue with the camera settings I was using, and I didn't realize it until after the shooting; you may notice I look slightly yellow in the video...  Let's just say it looks bronzed shall we?

Exciting news time!  My fabulous friends Erica and Steve Hay are coming today just for a one-night visit!!  They are just married, and I can't WAIT to see them as we weren't able to go to their wedding.  I wanna get irresponsible with them in Houston!  ALSO, Just Wax It and Kayo by Théa are teaming up to do a fabulous prom offer, so anyone with teenage daughters about to graduate, send 'em our way for a professional eyebrow and upper lip wax + a professional makeup application...  You'll thank us when there are no temper tantrums later.  

A minor case of Jaundice looks kinda nice doncha think?  A little like self tanner.

xo T

Jenny from the block

I love me some Jennifer Lopez.  She's probably a weirdo, but her makeup and legs are something to be reckoned with.  I love watching the first few episodes of American Idol (i.e. all the terrible singers and a few unexpected major talents), and I especially loved this season as I was able to stare at Jennifer Lopez's makeup.  It's always so impeccable, and she is this perfect lil' doll.  I'm in the process of making a video tutorial to get this look:

Seriously!!!  She's so damn hot!  Female crush...  It's on.  Because of her makeup greatness, I'll forgive her for wearing high heeled converse.  In time.

Stay tuned.

xo T

Travel bags, and sugar drinks

So I got so distracted in the California sunshine and business of trying to fit everything in, that I forgot to mention my travel makeup bag goodies…  I try to travel light when it comes to hauling makeup, because I can’t deal with the thought of checking it, and not checking it means I have to carry it around with me, which means my klutziness has more of an opportunity to smash my favorite bronzer, or crumble my gorgeous blush I’ve been sporting...  So my motto has always been to bring stuff that will work in the day and can be altered to be fabulous in the evening as well. 

The first thing I require when packing my makeup bag are Ziploc freezer bags…  I love these lil’ lifesavers.  They are strong, keep everything together and compact, and if there is a spill, it keeps it contained to the bag.  Not to mention they are cheep, and I can chuck them when there’s any type of makeup dust in it (I hate makeup dust/debrit).  I separate my brushes from the makeup (in case there’s a spill), and throw the rest in a large Ziploc.  Irritatingly I have to separate the stuff that’s over 100 ml, but that’s usually only one or two things (in this case my Jojoba Oil, which I never travel without)…  Here we have the products I must have when traveling!!!

The Makeup travel jewels 

1. Guerlain 4 seasons bronzer
2. Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder:  This is perfect for layering...  For night you can add an additional layer and it will turn into a full coverage foundation.  Love this stuff!
3. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips blush:  Best blush for a little shimmer, and great staying power.  Perfect for the desert where a little glow is necessary!
4. NARS Copacabana:  Can be used for cheekbone highlighting, eyes, lips, whatever.  Great stuff.
5. Makeup Forever Concealer Palette no 2:  I have these palettes in my pro kit as well.  Fabulous coverage, excellent consistency, and endless colour combinations.
6. Stila Kajal Eyeliner in Onyx:  I love this pencil.  It's creamy, smudge-able, has fabulous staying power, and is perfect for the inner lash line!!
7. Bobbi Brown Eyebrow pencil:  Awesome brow pencil.  It gores on like a pencil, but dries like a powder.
8. Maybelline Falsies Mascara:  I go back and forth between this one and Covergirl Lash Blast.  Love it.
9. MAC eyeshadows in Saddle and Ricepaper + a Matte Black eyeshadow.  The combo of these three shadows allow for optimal variations; from natural and fresh, to deep and smokey.  Perfect.
10. Brushes:  Kabuki brush for the pressed powder application, a fluffy brush for bronzer and blush, an eyebrow angled brush to smudge eyebrow pencil, a blending brush for eyeshadow, angled brush for eyeliner smudging, and a short bristled brush for more smudging.

Sooooo, Saturday night I was back in Houston in time to go to a fabulous Gala to benefit Ovarian Cancer.  It was held at the Omni Hotel in the Galleria, and was super swanky and fun; not to mention helped to support a great cause.   

Leaving for the Gala..  Our masks are AWESOME

Husbo and I...  My mask was pushing on my false lashes I sported,
so obviously it ended up being some type of weird visor the rest of the night

These Ribbon things are hard to put on

It has to be said...  Dylan and I have some fabulous Arches happening here.
He officially has the best male brows I've ever seen

Oh wine induced PDA...

Post Gala, it was off to our new favourite bar:  Anvil!!  Old school mixology at its best!
 We had a few sweet sweet drinks (literally actually, the sugar + alcohol hangover
made me almost yak on the soccer field the next morning)

Off to do another Bridal Trial.  Man I love all this wedding good times that have exploded in Houston.

Sugar is for cereal and coffee, not alcoholic beverages.

xo T

Fun pics, minimal writing

Today's hike was a potential an 127 hours situation...  Seriously.

Don't fall

Brother attempting to not fall

At the top...  No tan lines

Bro + his friend looking very hiker-ish

Oh and we revisited the Parker Palm Springs for an AMAZEBALLZ brunch...  The location where the Husbo and I tied the knot :)

Ze siblings

Ze mamma and I

Ze pops looking very disapproving...  Common

Aaaaaaaaaand, I received some super coolio photos from Alyse, the very talented photographer at the wedding I did a couple of weeks ago!

Look at those CHEEKS!!!  I have a cheek bone obsession

I'm hilarious

And concentrating

This picture makes me happy...  I LOVE MAKEUP!!!

I scorched my face today...  Grrrrr.  Back to Houston tomorrow for a busy week!  Houston loves their March and April weddings!

I don't think I could ever chop my arm off...  Or my hair for that matter.  2 things the 127 hours dude has on me.

xo T

Théa-Fyed - Before and after 2

Okay, so work went fabulously, and now it's play time!  I adore Palm Springs for it's glitz, and layed-back glamour.  Not to mention the diamonds and boob jobs - those are awesome.  I'm a lucky lady as my parentals are down here living the retired life, so I've been treated to some fancy dinners, and good ol' family relaxing.  Turns out everyone in Canada is due for a vacation as my sister and brother flew down for a full on 2-day family good time (I actually like my family.  It's strange, yet lovely).

Let's get straight to the goods:  Théa-fyed Makeover.  I've received a few requests to do a makeover on "mature skin" - Like that would be the real challenge...   I'm not sure if this is because women over 50 assume they can't look as good as a 25 year old;  I disagree.  There is, however, a different technique to the application of makeup for mature skin.  The focal points are different, and there are certain products to avoid (for example, shimmer is bad...  It draws attention to creases).  I don't think laugh lines need to be hidden...  I in-fact love them, and think they show a life well lived...  Obviously I'm not gonna say that wrinkles are hunky-dorey, as I've recently seen the sprouting of a few of my own, and was none too pleased; however, aging gracefully is an art, and one that doesn't have to (and really should not IMHO) involve heavy duty surgery; I think face-lifts make everyone look like a cat - A scary cat.  Behold the Théa-fication of another beautiful woman...  My mum.  She has bravely allowed me to post a photo of her sans a stitch of makeup (it has been surprising how unwilling some people are to be photographed without makeup...  Hard for me as I want to start posting more of my makeovers), and depict the process of the application.  My darling mum happens to be turning 60 (don't worry she has given me permission to reveal her age - she's not gonna slaughter me later), and has not had an ounce of Botox or any of that jazz.  Wholly Santa Shiz she's a gorgeous specimen.

Before Théa-fication

After Théa-fication

On freshly moisturized skin, I added a light layer of
Laura Mercier Pressed Mineral Foundation.  I wanted to leave it translucent to show off her gorgeous freckles,
yet still even out her skin tone.
I also used some Makeup forever concealer under her eyes.

I added some MAC Bronzer and
highlighted her cheekbones with NARS Copacabana

For the eyes, I smudged black eyeliner (Stila kajal eyeliner in onyx),
added some depth with MAC eyeshadow in Saddle,
and highlighted with MAC eyeshadow in Ricepaper.
I finished off the look off with some black mascara (Covergirl Lash Blast)

I finish off the look with some rosey lipstick and that's it!!
Wow she's a gorgeous lady!!  Love her :)

Okay peeps, I'm off to bed...  I'm in for a doozie of a hike tomorrow...  A 9 miler in potentially snake ridden territory...  If I don't come back it's been nice knowing y'all!

Mature skin is beautiful.  Mature people can be annoying.

xo T

Say YES to Falsies!

Get ready for a tutorial to make your heart sing, and your eyes pop!  The Husbo and go on weekly date nights, and I always try to use these opportunities to get a lil’ dolled up…  For me, this means hair and makeup – mostly just makeup.  I can’t bring myself to dress up fancy.  I live in jeans, converse, and lately a delicious pair of military boots.  Pair these staples with a few drapey layers, or a hot leather jacket, and that’s how I roll (don’t make fun of me, but Lululemons, and Uggs are also a staple – I get hated on for this by many people, but they’re just so damn comfy).  Anyways, I filmed the date night makeup application (and Husbo did a MAN SNEEZE in the background, which I included because I thought I’d give you a taste of the nerve-shattering sneezes he throws out every day…  They don’t have to be that loud!!!  Pretend you’re in church or something and muffle it for eff sake).  We were going to a Escalante’s, which is an awesome Mexican place, that’s trendy and sexy, so I wanted to amp it up a bit.  Editing took a couple of days between soccer, the jewelry event, being high off Claritin, and getting ready for my trip to Palm Springs, but here she is!!  Behold (PS for some reason I can only upload videos via my youtube - I know this is a problem for my UAE followers and I'm sorry!!!  I'm trying to figure this out!!):

I also wanted to share the following photos of some of my favorite jewelry pieces Kym from Park Lane brought to the Just Wax It salon.  It was such a fun morning of playing dress up, and mingling with the ladies.  I’m going to purchase “Hootie” I think…  I like the idea of having an owl around my neck for some reason. 

"Hootie" Nacklace 

Close-up of Amazing Necklace

Fantabulous Ring

Next blog to come?  I’ve been requested by a few followers to show what I bring in terms of makeup/products when I travel.  I have my personal makeup that’s separate from my professional kit’s makeup, so I will show the staples that I always bring with me.  I always, always travel with my makeup as a carry on (unless there is a liquid too big to bring on (because clearly a MAC foundation is dangerous…  WTF that annoys me).  I look quite ridiculous faltering through the airport with my pro kit (two huge briefcases), my big carry on bag, and my big-ass purse, but it has to be done.  Security hates me – so do people in the Starbucks line who I routinely slam with a bag “by accident”… give me room people!!  The line is still there, you don’t need to eat my air.

Get some false lashes, and any other “falsies” you may desire.  I won’t judge.

Xo T