That Red Thing In My Closet: Brand-New Red Dress Addition

     As I have been ranting about my horrible, tarnished wardrobe, and it's desperate need for repair, I have some news...I bought a new dress!! Specifically, to be exact, a red dress. Yes, that's right, you heard me, a RED dress.

Great, ain't it?

     I'm quite pleased with myself, as I have been wanting such an article in my closet for some time now, and I hope I find the perfect opportunity to wear it.
     You don't just wear a red dress to any random occasion. No! Red says, "Look at me! I'm wonderful!" So, you want it to be just right. For example, one of the LAST places you want to be wearing a red dress is a funeral. Bad idea. In such place you are there to remember someone else, the time is not about you, nor the place to be flaunting your lovely beauty. Much too loud. People wear black to funerals for a reason...

     Now one of the BEST places to wear you red drapes is a happy, excited, social gathering. Like party! Not going out to the movies, where everyone's sitting in the dark, and can't see you. What was the point in wearing the dress, then? A party has lots of people, and the red dress will help you stand out. It says, "Come talk to me! I'm interesting!" Of course, don't forget your accessories. Put that smile on, it'll make all the difference, I promise. :)

There's a Moth-hole In My Jacket!: Updating an Out-of-Date Wardrobe

     Ever come to that point in your year, month, week, whatever where you finally take  a moment to reminisce on all the new clothing shopping you've done over the past season or two, and it turns out to be basically none at all? That's pretty much how I'm feeling right now.

     Really. Even today, I somehow managed to go the ENTIRE day wearing a shirt I thought was fine, and just barely realized a couple hours ago that there is a button missing on the sleeve! Oh, and did I forget to mention that the shirt was already a hand-me-down already before that? Not that I'm big on thrift store shopping or anything, I'm not. In fact, a thrift store is about one of the last places I want to go to pick out my new statement piece for the season. Isn't that sad that I seem to spend so much time on my face, that I don't even pay attention to how quickly my wardrobe is desintegrating? I mean, I've still got pieces in my closet from high school!! What??

     So, how does one fix this ever-growing problem, this horrible fashion rut and grave I'm digging for myself? It gets even worse, you should see my shoes!! Even at 22-years-old I'm STILL tripping over my own feet, and scuffing the dickens out of my beloved footwear! But by the way my shoes get treated you wouldn't think they believe that adjective, would you? On top of all this, how does one create a decent clothing fund while living off of a student budget? Ha! That's a good one, think it's possible? There's gotta be something you can do when even your own college student cousin has better-looking, and bigger brand clothing than you!
     What to do, what to do. Start a fund? How? Or do I promise myself to spend at least twenty dollars every paycheck on either a brand-new shirt, pair of shoes, or bottoms? That wouldn't be such a bad idea, would it? Put $20 in a jar every time I get paid, and at the end of the month go out, and spend it at my favorite store; or set my sights on a favorite splurge item, save up, and go spend it once I hit the big number.

     What are your favorite ways to ensure that you keep an up-to-date wardrobe? Trust me, I'm all ears for this one. I need all the help I can get!

Talk to you soon!

Loves,
    Jessica Ashley

Taking a Break From the Face: A Day Without Makeup

     Today, I don't have work, and I thought, "Hey, why not give my face a breather, and just not do my face today?"? You know? Since I'll most likely be lying around in sweats all day anyway, why not just take a break from dressing my face up as well?

     So, as I sit here in my newly washed hair, sweats, and sporting the most comfortable yet contradictory T-shirt EVER (Yes, meaning that it is a UTE T-shirt), my face remains untouched by any glamourous touch-ups.
   
     Why am I giving myself this day, you may ask? Well, to give my face a breather, as I said earlier, from anything that might clog my pores and cause even more imperfections. Also to maybe, perhaps just spend time with me, and learn to love myself in my true reflection. Hey, it's a healthy exercise. If you can't learn to love yourself in your true colors, you'll never learn to like yourself in a mask of makeup. Am I right?         Just like you might wake up one morning and see a brand-new pimple on your face that you're sure is so prominent the whole world can see it; and even after you dab loads of concealer and product on top of it, and now TRULY no one can see it, you go the entire day flinching at the girl in the mirror, because the first thing your eyes drift to is that dreaded pimple. Right? Learn to love that beautiful, natural canvas of yours, and you'll learn to love yourself no matter how much makeup you do or don't have on.

Have a wonderful and adventurous Friday!

Loves,
Jessica Ashley

BB Creams, Satin Finish, Matte, Who Cares?: Deciphering Between Foundation Finishes

     It's summer time, and everyone is telling you the best way to go is a lighter coverage foundation, such a BB Cream, to avoid having you face melted off by the end of the day. Because that doesn't look good on anyone. Heck, what's a BB Cream? Whose to say it's any different from a liquid foundation? Matte foundation? What are you talking about? I am here to put those questions to rest.

     To start, a BB Creams, is the second lightest coverage you can go for next to a tinted moisturizer, which honestly doesn't do much difference. BB Creams will even out you skin tone while letting your natural color shine through, without it looking like you've caked on five pounds of makeup. If you're not looking to cover up a huge breakout of acne, this is the one for you. They also usually come equipped with their own defense against UV/UB rays (SPF). It is also the best when Earth has turned up it's thermostat, and outside feels like the inside of an oven.

     After BB Creams it's on to liquid foundations. Liquid foundations come in many different finishes and offer several levels of coverage from medium to full coverage. The finish of a liquid foundation refers to the amount of, hmmm how should I say this, glow the foundation has.

     Satin finish offers the best "glow" of all foundations. It gives your skin the appearance of a healthy, natural glow and shine.
     This is the best one go for if you are looking for a medium coverage, and have dry to combination skin texture. You do NOT want this if you have oily skin as it will only add to the excess shine that will accumulate on your face throughout the day.

      Matte finish, is just the opposite, the lack of a glow. Matte finishes, even out your skin's texture, gives you a nice level of coverage, but has to shine. All you will see with this foundation is a nice even canvas.
     This is the best one for you if you are one with combination to oily skin texture. This way you have some control over the shine that natural oils your face produces, and there is not too much shine on your face when you are prepping for your close-up.
   
     Still it is always, always, always a good idea to carry a little package of blotting papers in your purse to clear up that T-zone throughout the day to clean up, and to help prevent future breakouts.

     With all these different kinds of foundations on the market it is easy to get lost and confused amongst all of them when shopping for the best match. Don't be afraid! Practice, practice, practice always makes better, and you will soon find you are the master of your canvas.

     By the way, almost, almost, almost nearly finished with my makeup course! Oh so close to printing off my certificate!!

Loves,
   Jessica Ashley


   

Trifles of a Makeup Artist: Dealing With Disappointment

     When you're a makeup artist, you have this captivating vision set out in front of you. A vision that is full of success, and even possibly fame. One where everyone that meets you knows and loves your work, and wants you to come be the expert on their set, because they know you will be spectacular.

     Sometimes, your assistance is requested, and you become excited and hyped, ready to conquer the world. Your imagination flutters with creations and designs of how to beautify the models and subjects placed before you, and you can't wait to prepare and get started! You have all these extraordinary and unique ideas, and then without warning...the plug is pulled, and your once ginormous pool of creativity, swarming with magic, is now a swirling tub of water funneling down the drain. Ouch.
     It hurts, it does. But you can't let that get you down, you have to keep making goals, and working towards them, and above all, keep doing what you love; because one day, you will be noticed. Never stop practicing, practice makes better. The more you practice, the better you become. Thus the more magnificient your beauty profile, and your talent!

     What might one need to stay motivated? A new product to try? A new challenge? A checklist of things to do? Or how about all of the above? Oh! Almost forgot, chocolate. Chocolate never fails to better my day, even if it's only minimally, it always helps to have that goodness to savor and melt in my mouth. :)
     Ok, so a new product. What does one need for such an item? Money. Yes, that's right. Especially when you're stuck on a student budget, making a fund for "pick-me-up" splurges like this helps. For all you artists out there who love the feeling of holding new makeup for the first time, and taking it out of the crisp packaging, know how hard it is to SAVE that money. Now you need a way to make it FUN!!

     I find that one way to make it fun, and to help keep myself motivated to do so is to keep it where I can see it, but always in a place where it's not easy for me to reach it. This is where a simple DIY project with a traditonal mason jar comes in handy.

     But just placing a plain mason jar on your top shelf isn't very motivating, is it? No. You have to make the marker of your makeup fund look appealing, so to keep the goal of having a fund appealing. Slap a picture of your next big splurge item on the front of it, tie some ribbons around it, use a stencil and some paint, just make the jar itself look fun. :)

     Now, whenever you have any extra pocket change, or after each paycheck, put some money in there.
Maybe $10-$20 every payday. It'll add up quick, I promise. :) Never lose sight of your goals. Without goals you lose your ambition, and ambition is a big part of reaching for the stars!

Talk to you all soon!

Loves,
     Jessica Ashley

Makeup Artistry 101: Makeup Kit & Client Hygiene is VERY IMPORTANT!!!

     As a makeup artist, I have the skills and abilities to make you look how you wish, and how you don't wish. Whether that is glamorous and ready for the spotlight, or gruesome and ready to scare someone it is all up to you and what we discuss and plan out together. If you are also a makeup artist, you probably already know this, so that is nothing new, but there is one very essential thing you must NEVER forget when working with clients, and that is one very vital thing...HYGIENE IS CRUCIAL FOR THE HEALTH OF YOUR CLIENT!!!

     I am taking the time to give you this lesson so to protect you and your future clients (paid & not paid). So please, heed this wisdom, it will be very useful to you.

     Never is it okay or in any way a valid excuse to use your own personal makeup products and brushes on a client, whether that person is paying you or not it doesn't matter, NEVER use your own makeup and/or makeup brushes. There is a very specific reason that girls do not share makeup with each other, this includes everything from makeup brushes to mascara, and why makeup artists have a separate kit for their clients apart from their own personal makeup kit, and that reason is BACTERIA.
     Yes, that's right. As gross and horrifying as it may sound, there are thousands upon thousands of little, tiny, microscopic bacteria all over your makeup products. Do you know how many mites (microscopic little "bugs") live on your eyelashes? Or how many bacteria are in your eye alone? You reapply it day after day, and why doesn't it harm you, you may ask? Because it's all bacteria from YOU! But take those same bacteria-infested products and put them on someone else and that can be very harmful; anything from rash to infection can spread out on your client's face all from just one application of your own personal makeup.

    This is one very important reason why we makeup artists disinfect and sanitize all the products in our clients' makeup kit after EVERY SINGLE use. It doesn't take long, and it is not an expensive process, but this is an extremely crucial step to keep both you and your clients safe. Now this isn't to say that you need to personalize a makeup kit for every single client, that's going overboard; that's why we sanitize everything after every session, to make it clean and safe for the next client we use it on. Also especially be careful and cautious when using mascara. NEVER double dip the same mascara wand into a tube of mascara. If you do, plan on giving it to your client at the end of the session, or throwing it out. This is why we use disposable mascara wands, and get a new one for every time we need a new pump of mascara.
     Never use you hands and fingers directly on the client's face. That is what makeup sponges, brushes, powder puffs, mascara wands, and cotton swabs are for. Just because you wash your hands before beginning a session does not mean there is no bacteria on your hands. There is still bacteria that creeps back onto your hands, and there are still the natural oils on your hands and fingers that will dirty your client's face, and effect the application of makeup if you touch their face with your bare hands.

     So, please, please, please, PLEASE practice good hygiene and sanitation habits for the betterment of your career as a makeup artist. You will thank me.

I will talk to you all again soon!

Loves,
    Jessica Ashley

Birthday Bash Bragging Rights

     As an newly official member of the club of 22-year-old blonde ladies, I claim to the bragging rights of my birthday, it's festivities, gifts I received, and all events that took place there in.
     That being said and done, I had an awesome birthday!! I got the day off of work, I slept in, and my mom brought me baked oatmeal with home-grown raspberries in it for breakfast! How awesome is that?? Yummy. :) For most of the day, I just lounged around, chilled in bed, watched some cool videos, worked on my channel a little bit, but unfortunately, the event of my birthday does not cancel summer classes...so, I studied a bit, grabbed my books, and went to class.

     Class wasn't actually too bad, we watched movie trailers for a good part of it, haha. We watched an I Love Lucy clip, and then finished of class with a documentary of Johnny Carson, we even got out early! I loved my Communications class, my teacher is awesome. :)
     Though it had cooled down a little outside, it looked like rain, that's because it was...no! Not on my birthday! I had to walk home! I didn't want to go out to dinner looking like a dripping rag! In somewhat of a panic, I called someone dear to my heart, that was coming to dinner with me, and they speedily came to my rescue. Thank heavens, because just as soon as I had shut the car door it truly started raining. From there, it was onward to Spicy Thai!

     It is not weird being the first ones at your own dinner? I mean, when you're not the one hosting? "Yay, thanks for taking me out to dinner!...no one is here yet...", is that weird? So, not being the name on the dinner reservation, we waited in the car for the others to show up. Even after they did show up, I was surprised how long it took us to actually walk INTO the restaurant. Was I the only one that was hungry? But it was cool, because my mom pointed out and found a duck's nest under a little bush near the restaurant. It was actually really neat. Snapped a few pictures, and we finally went inside.
    Once we got into our seats and opened our menus, my eyes immediately darted for the curries. I LOVE Thai curry, especially green curry. So, naturally, that's what I ordered. Think I need to branch out a little?...Nah. I forget how much I really love Thai food. It's so good, and I love the spice, but my mouth can't take too much at once, but I kept eating too fast! My mouth was on fire! I glanced over at my significant other's plate, and I was even eating faster than them!! No way! As much as I love Thai food, I couldn't finish all of my curry, so I got a take-home bowl.

     At this point, I had to say goodbye to my dear sweetheart, being loaded with the burdens of a tough math course, they had a lot to get working on the was due the next day! Still, I thank him for the lovely flowers he sent me, and the lovely handwritten card. Mostly, thank for coming to dinner. :)

     Next of the agenda, I went back to my family's home, it's nice only living about 10 minutes away, and it was time for presents! The awesome part about it? Both me, and my sister got mostly makeup for our birthday. Haha. I got my little sample gift from Sephora, Urban Decay primer potion, zebra-print note cards, birthday money from the grandparents (at this point, they don't know what to get their 22-year-old grandkids, haha) and an amazing eyeshadow palette from Sephora! Complete with eyeshadow base, eyeliners, a brown eyeliner pencil, and a double-ended brush for eyeshadow and eyeliner. I'm having so much fun with it! :)
     After I got home, I changed into my pajamas, and had nearly gone the entire day with no one singing Happy Birthday to me, then a friend in my ward stopped by. Chatted about this and that, invited me to come along for slurpees, and then..."Happy Birthday to you..." ugh... Why is it so embarrassing to be stuck in the spotlight being serenaded with that song?? Oh well...all in all it was a great day.

As another piece to my rights of bragging, I feel like showing you my spoils, and what I purchased with my spoils (yes, I already found good use for the birthday money). Check out the video below. Enjoy!



New tutorial coming soon, thank you for joining me here in the limelight. :)

Love,
   Jessica Ashley