Finding the time to be glam!

I know a lot of you are wondering how I find the time to get myself as ready as I do in the morning and get two kids dressed and off to school. Here are some of my secrets and tips I have learned from others.

I read a book by Maria Menuonos. I probably misspelled her name. Oops. Anyway her book is about organizing your life so you can be more efficient and successful. In her book she advises us to find a day where we get all of our chores done and put your lunches, outfits, etc. together for the week. Well, it works! I do this every Sunday. My outfits are picked out down to the accessories. When I already know what I am wearing it is easy for me to decide how to do my makeup and hair. I recommend finding her book. I got it at Barnes and Noble. Also, she has great tips if you like her facebook page.

I also allow myself time! If you want your makeup to look good it is going to take atleast thirty minutes. I always allow myself an hour and a half to get ready. This includes getting my kiddos ready too. By the way, their outfits and lunches I get ready with mine on Sunday. I recommend knowing what look you want to do before you even get started doing your makeup. I will already know how I want to look before I get to the mirror. That makes it easier to navigate through my millions of products!

Now my hair, I have to admit to you, I only spend ten minutes tops on it. I prefer people focus on my face so, it's usually up. If I am going to spend time on it I have to add on even more time to my routine. Products and styling tools make it easier to get done faster too. Buy the expensive dryers and irons. They really speed up drying time! I swear by T3. You can find them at Von Maur or www.qvc.com

I know this sounds really high maintnance but, I like how I look and I think that people feel better when they look better and are more effective in their jobs and relationships. I am sure that is in a poll somewhere. Also, being organized in your life helps you get out the door in time. If you have any questions feel free to email me them.
ashleygaa@live.com

Happy Organizing!

One is not enough!

I don't believe in having just one of something when it comes to beauty products! I am about to share with you some of my beauty secrets...

Eyelash Curlers:
I use two. Why? I use one to curl, my favorite is by Laura Mercier. I also use a junkie metal one, not to curl with, to use for setting mascara. I hold it up to the lashes while they are drying to hold the curl, I do not put the lashes in the curler I just hold it up to them. That's one of my favorite lash tricks.
Mascara:
There is not ONE mascara that does everything! They try but, do not succeed. I have a defining mascara and a thickening mascara. I will use the defining one first, then use the thickening one. Let the first coat dry before layering. My favorite mascaras right now are (changes often): Bad Gal Mascara from Benefit, first coat, then I layer on top the new Lancome Hypnose Baby Lashes. Between each layer I use the metal curler to set.
Bronzer:
There are many different variations in colors with bronzers. I use three different tones to create that bronzed look. First bronzer I use is to create depth in color and warm the face. I love the Laura Mercier Warm Bronze Mineral for this. Remember, bronzer is only to be used for facial contouring not the entire face. See my bronzer post for where to put the bronzers. Next, I use a warmer darker tone just under my cheek bone to give it more depth and cut out the cheek bone. I like Lorac's Tantilizer for this step. Last, I use a highlighting bronzer. This is lighter in pigment and mostly brings light to the top of the cheek bones. I love Napoleon Perdis's Bronze Patrol for this step.
Blush:
I just like to mix colors to get the perfect peachy pink cheeks.
Check out: Laura Mercier's Lush Nectarine with blush duo #2 from Napoleon Perdis. And cheek color ONLY goes on the apples of the cheeks.
Brow products:
I fill in with a pencil and brush brow powder over them to set and soften.
I love Laura Mercier's brow products.Brows really shape the face and lift the eyes, this step is essential.

Where to find these goodies:
I think you should support your favorite makeup counter girls so, here is the information to some of the best!

Laura Mercier @ Von Maur Lincoln, NE
Call Katie 402-420-9100
You get a real person, free shipping and they have an interest free charge card!
Napoleon Perdis @ Von Maur Omaha, Ne or Lincoln, Ne
Call Brooke or Stasa 402-390-0381 or 402-420-9100
They can help you and again, free shipping!
Lorac @ Sephora
www.sephora.com
Lancome @ Von Maur Omaha, NE
Call Marlita 402-390-0381
Again, free shipping, interest free charge card!



Now, I know you will be wondering how I get all this done and get kids ready and out the door. My next blog will explain!

30's

Recently, I have been battling my turning thirty. Working in an industry that always has younger talent and where aging in frowned upon (unless you are botoxed) I have been beating myself up. I have wondered if I still was as talented and exciting as I had been in the past. Through a lot of soul searching and many new colors of eyeshadow added to my beauty routine, I have discovered that being who I am is why people come to see me for makeup advice. I have been in the business longer than some and have gained a lot of knowledge. I am constantly learning more and more. The younger talents keep me on my toes and being thirty is absolutely amazing! God bless blue eyeshadow and hot pink lipstick for bringing me out of my everyday natural looks!

Peace :)

Snowed In!

Well, I am snowed in for the second day in a row! What to do?
I have done a purifying mask and also did a hair mask. I have attempted to clean but, my children refuse to keep it that way. I am sick of facebook for the moment. I have waited patiently for someone to post something interesting. Discovered a new product that I love: Duwop Clear Revolution Sunless Tan lotion! Envious that my parents are "stuck" in Florida due to not being able to drive back through the blizzard. Must be rough! I am waiting to go completely insane from cabin fever. I think I might read if and when the kids lay down for a nap. I might wash my hair again. I think seeing the sun is great just wish it would warm up Nebraska at the same time. I officially have just shared my insanity with you all! Happy Snow Day!

Peaces!

Quick Tip

Just a quick tip!
I discovered today that I love Peter Thomas Roth's Gentle Complexion Pads. My skin feels amazing. It's good for normal/oily skin to help fight breakouts, minimize pores, reduce black heads, etc. Oh, and to get more for my money I cut the pads in half and only used one half. I suggest them if you have these issues.

True Beauty

What is True Beauty?

I think that our reality of what true beauty is has been distorted and we have searched high and low in fashion magazines and aspire to look like what we see on TV. I sit here, fresh faced thinking about whether or not I think I am pretty without makeup. It's sad that I almost can't except what I see in the mirror without foundation, eyeshadow, concealer, lip gloss, cheek color, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love makeup this isn't about not wearing it. This is about me accepting that the true beauty lies underneath and the makeup on top is only enhancing what I see.

Here are several tips to loving fresh faces:
1. Look in the mirror at your so-called "flaws" and remember how you got them. Mine is a scar above my eyebrow. Funny story, hit in the head with a bowling ball in high school! It was a huge accident, but it's so funny now! Now my eyebrows will never be even, but I have a great story.
2. Take care of what you have. Nuture your body and skin with only healthy foods and lots of water. I believe that when we value what we have we really try to keep it healthy.
3. Use sunscreen and a daily skincare regimen. Skin cancer is serious and in severe cases of melanoma can spread quickly and be fatal if not caught in time.
4. Accept that aging gracefully is truly amazing. Laugh lines didn't get there without a lot of happy times! Who wants to forget those.
5. God gave us one beautiful face different from those around use. That makes us special and accepting it is even more beautiful.

Peaces!

My Website

I have set up my makeup business website! Check it out and recommend to your friends!

http://ashleysmakeupartistry.webs.com

Also, I have a faebook page

Ashley's Makeup Artistry
please like!

1.1.11

So, it's the new year again! This means a lot of resolutions broken by next week or the following! I have decided this year is resolution free I am just going to take the days as they come and live my life day by day. I feel like resolutions only make us feel like if we don't accomplish them we are failures and that's not a feeling I want. Instead of a resolution maybe I will sign up for a class or let more natural light in or maybe just vow to smile at everyone (even if I don't like you!). Maybe I will make up my own daily mantras and read them and live them everyday to the best of my ability.

1. I am a good person.
2. Smiling makes me and others happy.
3. I love my face and body because that's what God gave me.
4. Now just take care of what God gave you!
5. My kids are the funniest people on the planet!
6. We are not perfect and there is no such thing.
7. Those people that try to bring you down are not people you need to be associated with.
8. But pray for them anyway :)

My New Year's Mantras... they are subject to change too :)