Stars and Stripes and Cateyes!

     It's that time of year again. Yes, the wonderful anniversary of our beloved country of the United States of America. Time to fly our colors high, for anthems, music, and to dawn the colors of our nation all over. That includes ourselves!

     I thought I might try something I've never done before. I usually only sport blue on my face, being my favorite color, but this year why not all three? On top of that, why not pair it with a glamourous cateye? Yes, yes, sounds like a party to me. :) What makes a celebratory party look even better? Glitter! Whenever you feel that your look, whether clothes or cosmetics, needs a little more spice, add some glitter! When in doubt, add glitter, that's what I say. It's the perfect kind of sparkle to show others your ready to have some fun!


     So get out there, be brave, and show some patriotic spirit! I know you have it in you. You won't gain that confidence until you've done the scary part first. Try something new! Who knows? You might actually love it! :)

Happy Independence Day! Talk to you all soon!

Loves,
   Jessica Ashley

Stay In Line: The Perfect Cat-Eye Liner

     One of the biggest struggles for a girl is perfecting the art of liquid and gel liner. Why is it so hard? There's just something about having to apply it with a brush that makes our wrist so anixious it just can't hold enough control to draw a nice, crisp line.       Then what happens when we mess up? We try to keep going and to mend the flaw by making the liner just a little bit thicker, and then we mess up AGAIN, and then the line keeps going thicker and thicker until we've given ourselves a raccoon mask for our day look. Congratulations...

     Ugh, but who wants to look like THAT, unless they're going to a costume party? My assumption would be, no one. How do we fix this perplexing dilemma? There must be some method, stencil, SOMETHING to help us in this struggle. Well, I'm here to tell you today that there is. :)

    My favorite way to conquer this feat is simply by using the triangle. Yup, that's right, a triangle. If you really think about it, the basic outline of your cookie-cutter cateye liner is a triangle. Really, all you have to do is this:

1. Take your preferred type of liner (liquid or gel)
2. Load it up on your liner brush (fine tip or angled)
3. Close your eye gently, and starting from the inner corner of your eye, trace a line along your lash-line, angling the brush so the highest point is at the outer eye (and the tip of your cateye).
4. Make a liner from the tip of the liner down to the corner of your eye at the base of your lash-line. Then fill in the outline.

Ta-da! There you have your perfect cateye liner.

Happy Adventures! Have fun!

Loves,
   Jessica Ashley

Will You Be Rockin' it Tonight?

     Behold! I have returned! I come bearing a new video tutorial for your own entertainment. Yes, I FINALLY made my next tutorial, I know. It's actually straight from the assignments I've been doing for my makeup class. I learned some new tricks with Scotch tape. Who knew it could be so beneficial in the beauty world?

     I'm very glad that this video pulled together. While I was filming it, my camera was at twenty percent battery life, and I had a feeling it might die somewhere in the middle, but I pressed through anyway. Just like I had previously suspected, after having been filming for thirty minutes (don't worry, the video's not that long) I had about a minute and a half to go, and guess what? Yup, it died... I was not pleased. I plugged it in immediately, turned it back on, and searched my camera for the video, but I couldn't find it! I thought I'd lost it all! What?? Almost completely done with a tutorial, and it all goes ka-plooy right as I'm about to make my last marks? No way!
     Fear not though, I waited another minute, and it appeared on the memory! Phew...that was a relief. So, I continued filming, and now have what is presented before you.

     I know, I probably won't film it vertical frame next time, but hey. You can see me clearly, and that's what matters, right?

   
For all those of you now wondering know how in the world are you ever supposed to successfully apply false lashes, and make them look believable, don't worry. I got your back.

Loves,
   Jessica Ashley

From Natural to Sultry to Hello Sexy!!: Amp Up Your Natural Beauty

     Well, I did it! I finished my first project of the online makeup course. Which included a trilogy of natural looks: Natural, Evening, and Cat Eye. Beautiful neutrals, and awesome liner! I loved how all of them built up on one another, and none look as if you're caked in 50 pounds of makeup!

Natural Eye

Natural to Evening

Fashionista CatEye

Fashionista CatEye

Fashionista CatEye

     The interesting thing about the Natural to Evening part of this look for me was that it included falsh eyelashes. The only thing I have against falsh eyelashes is that they're so difficult!! But other than that, they make your lashes look fuller and darker, so if the glue and application part doesn't give you a headache, it's an all around win-win situation. But as you can see, I came, I glued, and I conquered!! Can you even tell they're not my real lashes??

    I'm really proud of my CatEye. I was actually supposed to use tape, but of course of all things to forget on my last shopping trip, what do I realize I neglected to purchase in the exact moment I need it?...tape... So, I improvised. I used two Post-it notes instead. And despite the fact that Post-it notes are not as adhesive as a brilliant piece of Scotch tape would have been, it worked!! Whoo-hoo!! Whose got two thumbs up, a smile, and a beautiful Cateye? This girl! That's right. 

     Now if only I had a sexy red dress, and a date tonight... Lame, must all my successes always be celebrated in silence? Well, you my lovely friend reading this post won't let that happen, will you? Thanks, I knew you wouldn't let me down. :)

More to come! Hopefully I will get the video up soon.

I love you all!

Loves,

   Jessica Ashley