Get pretty! - Version 1.0

I can prettymuch promise that these types of posts will be few and far between. Back in May, I started a new job in what is, for all intensive purposes, an auto shop. Five days a week, I'm in work blues and change into a t-shirt and jeans for the duration of my day. Before yesterday, I hadn't worn makeup or - eep - waxed my eyebrows in I don't know how long. I'd been shaving off my overgrowth. I don't suggest going that route, seeing as I've had what I affectionately call 'goth mistakes' including shaving off giant portions of my eyebrows. Frickin' whoops! So yeah - have the patience to take care of yourselves, ladies - don't end up a half-eyebrowed freak of nature.

Sunday, I had what I called 'Get Pretty Day #2'. 'Get Pretty Day #1' included me dying my washed-out red/orange/pink/blonde/burgundy mop an auburn color I actually really love, and re-dying the undercut (shaved) side of my hair what I like to call 'mystery purple', where I mix Punky Colour in Red Wine and N'Rage in Purple Plum and see what happens. For the first time in awhile, I felt dang cute!

When I woke up on Sunday, I decided that I was actually going to take the time to look good - for me! In that, I waxed eyebrows, put on a full face of makeup, actually wore jewelry, and all to go to the craft store and on my weekly drive to nowhere. I loved every second of it!

lookin' like a new woman!

I think I did a dang good job! Now, I don't not wear makeup because I don't like it or anything of the sort. I just don't like wasting makeup I pay pretty decent money for on doing nothing more than sweating and running around a dirty auto shop with the boys. I've been told I'm pretty good with a makeup brush on several occasions - even had some friends ask me to do theirs! What a compliment. For maybe the first, and only time in history, I actually took stock of what I used as far as makeup went. Immediately after waxing my eyebrows, so blame the redness on that, not a creepy skin disease.

don't mind my junky skin! i've learned to live with it!

• Foundation: Covergirl Clean Oil Control/MAC Studio Fix
• Brows: Dark half of the Clinique Coffee Shop eyeshadow duo
• Eyeshadow Base: LASplash Splashproof Sealer (this stuff rules!)
• Outside Corner: Kat Von D shadow in Prague
• Middle Color: MAC Hepcat
• Inner Corner: Kat Von D shadow in Rehab
• Highlight: Kat Von D shadow in Sugar Skull
• Liner: MAC Penultimate in Rapidblack
• Lashes: L'Oreal Carbon Black Double Extend
• Loose Powder: Cover Girl Professional Loose Powder

And to think - all of that to make just one look happen. A lot of things in my makeup kit I've had for a long time, but I do have a few products I live and die by. I love Kat Von D's eyeshadows and lipsticks. I like the fact that I can get a bunch of colors for $36 (or $17 like the last palette I had), and the staying power is ridiculous. Her line also boasts my favorite lipstick of all time, Hellbent Red. I like to mix up drugstore and higher end makeups to complete my looks, and it's never done me wrong!

Now a look is definitely not complete without a good nail polish job. I have one better - and a new product to fall in love with - I know I did!

Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips are officially my new jam. I've used them three different times now (pictured above), and am in love. I bought my first set ("Kitty, Kitty" - leopard print) about a month ago, and was completely surprised by how well they stayed. I didn't experience any chipping with them, they just pulled up from my nailbeds as my nails grew, and didn't look as good as they once did. Second, I tried "Glitz Blitz", a crazy gold glitter. Loved that one, too. My newest nail strip endeavor has been "Laced Up", which I applied during "Get Pretty Day #2". I think out of these three, my favorite is still "Kitty, Kitty", but I haven't tried all of them yet!

As a former Minx enthusiast and addict, this is basically the exact same thing, only it saves you about $20 and a trip to the salon (you can pick them up for about $8.50 at Wal-Mart or Walgreens). I notice that these stay much better, also. Even though I'm always washing my hands and handling auto parts, typing, and knitting - I haven't experienced so much as a chip at the tips of my nails, which is incredibly impressive. I keep them on for around 10-14 days before taking them off, and they come off best with an acetone polish remover. The difference between these and Minx is that these are actual nail polish (they smell like nail polish and everything), that's about 95% dry, and it finishes drying as soon as you apply them to your nails. Application takes around 5-10 minutes, and there's no dry time! Some people like to use a top coat, but I don't and have been just fine. It's a personal preference for sure.

Until next time I decide to wear makeup...