Just a quick post for you, my ladies :)
First of all, I am so happy to have 5 followers in such a short time - thanks to you all! You get me goin' :)
Secondly, I spent all day translating, so I am sorry not to post anything more productive/creative than that... Moreover, it's terribly windy today in Vancouver, which gives me a headache (of course!).
I decided to follow lollipop26's example and do this silly game :) You probably now the instructions, but anyhow, this is how it goes:
1. Put your MP3 player/ iPod/ itunes library on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? Take Away Your Love (Justin Timberlake)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? Contort Yourself (Disco Not Disco)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Hearts on Fire (Cut Copy)
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Long Way 2 Go (Cassie)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Recreation (Tryo)
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Oh, Joe (The Car Is On Fire)
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Just The Way You Are (Milky)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Jus A Rascal (Dizzy Rascal)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Cough Coughing (Menomena)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Everything (Alanis Morissette)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? I Want Candy (Mel C)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Starting Over (John Lennon)
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? You Were Right (Built to Spill)
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? My Love (Justin Timberlake & T.I.)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Dance, Chance, Romance (Junior Senior)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Tell Everybody (Roisin Murphy)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? Don't Stop the Music (Rihanna)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Like A Child (Junior Boys)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Heartbeats (The Knife)
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Train in Vain (Stand By Me) (The Clash)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
March favorites
This month's favorite products and stuff in random order:
1. GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in Darling - mentioned in my last haul. I really like the color, it's a good mix of light beige and pink, so it doesn't give you a 'concealer-lips' look. The only downfall is that it will accentuate any dryness or flakiness on the lips, so don't forget to exfoliate!
2. NYX Round Case Lipstick in Indian Pink - check out my Perfect spring lip color post for pictures.
3. NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Loose Eyeshadow in Walnut (in the bottom)- beautiful dark brown with bronze shimmer. The color is very buildable, so you can go from subtle to more dramatic. Actually, when I look at the swatch now, it would be great with the bronzer used as a lid color...
4. Coastal Scents G Bronzer/Blush (on the top)- at first, I wasn't convinced at all if I am going to use it or not. Well, this was mainly because back then I hadn't seen Pixiwoo's contouring tutorial. Now I use it everyday with Dare Blush on the apples of my cheeks, but I think it would also look amazing on its own.
applied with
5. Quo Bronzer Brush (duo fiber stippling brush type)- I actually hoped I could use this one for liquid foundation application, but it's far too soft and big for that. Instead, it's great for applying powder or bronzer. It does shed a bit at first, but I am past this annoying stage and I can enjoy it now.
6. Up Stage Crease Brush Duo - I guess this is very similar to the Essence of Beauty duo, I just couldn't get my hands on that one because there are no CVS drugstores in Seattle. I got this one at Fred Meyers and I use the bigger of the two to darken up my crease, and the small one to apply highlighter in the inner corners.
7. China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners in Heaven - very wearable, everyday color and long-lasting too!
8. Headbands - my hair is terrible length lately (as I am growing it for the wedding) and I try to tame it with headbands, even though my fiance doesn't like them at all.
9. Patchouli scent - featured in my Olay shower gel. Sweet and feminine, great before going to bed.
10. Coastal Scents 78 Eyeshadow and Blush Palette - using it practically everyday for practically any look. Great pay-off, size and range of colors. A must-have for frequent travellers.
1. GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in Darling - mentioned in my last haul. I really like the color, it's a good mix of light beige and pink, so it doesn't give you a 'concealer-lips' look. The only downfall is that it will accentuate any dryness or flakiness on the lips, so don't forget to exfoliate!
2. NYX Round Case Lipstick in Indian Pink - check out my Perfect spring lip color post for pictures.
3. NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Loose Eyeshadow in Walnut (in the bottom)- beautiful dark brown with bronze shimmer. The color is very buildable, so you can go from subtle to more dramatic. Actually, when I look at the swatch now, it would be great with the bronzer used as a lid color...
4. Coastal Scents G Bronzer/Blush (on the top)- at first, I wasn't convinced at all if I am going to use it or not. Well, this was mainly because back then I hadn't seen Pixiwoo's contouring tutorial. Now I use it everyday with Dare Blush on the apples of my cheeks, but I think it would also look amazing on its own.
applied with
5. Quo Bronzer Brush (duo fiber stippling brush type)- I actually hoped I could use this one for liquid foundation application, but it's far too soft and big for that. Instead, it's great for applying powder or bronzer. It does shed a bit at first, but I am past this annoying stage and I can enjoy it now.
6. Up Stage Crease Brush Duo - I guess this is very similar to the Essence of Beauty duo, I just couldn't get my hands on that one because there are no CVS drugstores in Seattle. I got this one at Fred Meyers and I use the bigger of the two to darken up my crease, and the small one to apply highlighter in the inner corners.
7. China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners in Heaven - very wearable, everyday color and long-lasting too!
8. Headbands - my hair is terrible length lately (as I am growing it for the wedding) and I try to tame it with headbands, even though my fiance doesn't like them at all.
9. Patchouli scent - featured in my Olay shower gel. Sweet and feminine, great before going to bed.
10. Coastal Scents 78 Eyeshadow and Blush Palette - using it practically everyday for practically any look. Great pay-off, size and range of colors. A must-have for frequent travellers.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Pastel green and violet look
Just a new spring look for you :)
Products used:
(eyes)
Coastal Scents Eye Poxy Primer
Eyeshadows from Coastal Scents 78 Pallette: two shades of green, two blue-based shades of violet, silver as inner corner highlight, black to set the eyeliner
Black eye pencil
L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara
(cheeks)
Coastal Scents G Bronzer/Blush to contour
Coastal Scents Dare Blush on the apples of my cheeks
(lips)
Neutrogena lip balm
GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in Darling
Products used:
(eyes)
Coastal Scents Eye Poxy Primer
Eyeshadows from Coastal Scents 78 Pallette: two shades of green, two blue-based shades of violet, silver as inner corner highlight, black to set the eyeliner
Black eye pencil
L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara
(cheeks)
Coastal Scents G Bronzer/Blush to contour
Coastal Scents Dare Blush on the apples of my cheeks
(lips)
Neutrogena lip balm
GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in Darling
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Vintage wedding
As you know, I'm getting married in September in a lovely, nineteenth century palace near Warsaw. Or, should I rather say, the wedding itself will take place in a neo-gothic church and the reception will then follow in the palace and the old park that surrounds it.
The venue, of course, has a vintage (or even historic) feel to it, but I had been wanting a retro dress even before we found it. In fact, it's quite a funny story :) You know how you usually browse through hundreds of wedding dresses' catalogues, find that unique one, go to a store where they have it, try it on and it looks just horrible on you?
Well... This is not my story :)I'd found my perfect dress in a catalogue like 5 months before even thinking about going to a store, and when we finally went dress hunting, it was the last one that I tried on and I promised myself not to try on anymore. And... it looked perfect, even another client complimented this particular gown saying I looked like a fairy. Here it is:
It's from a Spanish company called Lugonovias, which means I have to wait 3-4 months before they send it to Poland...
Anyhow, since it is such a Napoleonic/ Empire silhouette, I was wondering what kind of make-up look and hairdo would go nicely with it. As far as hair is concerned, I've found a hairdressers' manual containing history of hair, and it says that empire hairstyles were very feminine, with locks of hair pinned up to the scalp. Just like in a Polish film "Pan Tadeusz", based on a XIXth century book and featuring lots of examples of the Empire style:
This photo of Gladys Cooper, an Oscar-nominated English actress, offers a different solution:
Still, I haven't found any information as to the Empire make-up. Judging from various paintings, the complexion was usually very pale with a very bright, pink blusher on the cheeks and quite accentuated lips. Personally, I will probably go for a subtler look with the emphasis on the eyes instead of lips. What would you suggest?
The venue, of course, has a vintage (or even historic) feel to it, but I had been wanting a retro dress even before we found it. In fact, it's quite a funny story :) You know how you usually browse through hundreds of wedding dresses' catalogues, find that unique one, go to a store where they have it, try it on and it looks just horrible on you?
Well... This is not my story :)I'd found my perfect dress in a catalogue like 5 months before even thinking about going to a store, and when we finally went dress hunting, it was the last one that I tried on and I promised myself not to try on anymore. And... it looked perfect, even another client complimented this particular gown saying I looked like a fairy. Here it is:
It's from a Spanish company called Lugonovias, which means I have to wait 3-4 months before they send it to Poland...
Anyhow, since it is such a Napoleonic/ Empire silhouette, I was wondering what kind of make-up look and hairdo would go nicely with it. As far as hair is concerned, I've found a hairdressers' manual containing history of hair, and it says that empire hairstyles were very feminine, with locks of hair pinned up to the scalp. Just like in a Polish film "Pan Tadeusz", based on a XIXth century book and featuring lots of examples of the Empire style:
This photo of Gladys Cooper, an Oscar-nominated English actress, offers a different solution:
Still, I haven't found any information as to the Empire make-up. Judging from various paintings, the complexion was usually very pale with a very bright, pink blusher on the cheeks and quite accentuated lips. Personally, I will probably go for a subtler look with the emphasis on the eyes instead of lips. What would you suggest?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tiny drugstore haul
As you can see from my previous post, I'm a very freckled person. This just got worse with our last snowboarding trip to Whistler; the weather was amazing for riding, but with all that sunshine reflecting from the snow my face slightly burned by the end of the day and it was hot pink. It turned brownish now, but I guess I started to worry about what my face will look like in 10 or 20 years from now. I have a very fair complexion with some redness and I decided I defo need a good moisturizer with SPF in it.
Since I'm such a conscious consumer, I logged on to Makeup Alley and started researching different moisturizing products. In fact, I only took into account oil-free, 'lightweight' products, because my skin is indeed very oily and I hate the feeling of an oily residue sitting on top of your face, as I have with my La Roche-Posay Effaclar H. So, I browsed hundreds of products... and couldn't find any that would be 1) moisturizing, 2) oil-free, 3) with SPF. Yes, that's no joke!
Then I came across Marcelle's Essentials Protection + SPF 15 Oil-free Multi-defense Lotion (jeez, what a name!). This is what it claims:
"A light yet effective barrier to protect and moisturize skin on a daily basis.
Our ultra-light fluid leaves your skin feeling soft without any oily residue. It has an FPS 15 sunscreen to prevent damage caused by UVA and UVB rays and helps prevent the appearance of hyperpigmentation stains and wrinkles.
Formulated to moisturize and stimulate cellular regeneration, it contains vitamins A and E, renowned antioxidants to fight the effects of free radicals.
Hypo-allergenic and perfume free.
Ideal for combination to oily skin."
Well, this sounds perfect, maybe just the SPF protection could be a little higher... But you can't have everything. So I jogged to our local Shoppers Drugmart and bought it along with much desired GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in Darling, which is supposed to be a perfect nude color (and it was on sale!). The swatch on their website is definitely one of the worst I have ever seen.
I can't say much about these yet apart from the fact that I really like the packaging of both Marcelle's lotion (it has a hygenic pump that you can lock for travel) and GOSH lipstick (elegant, black case with a solid lid so that it won't open in your purse). I'll keep you updated on how I am liking these :) What are your latest treats?
Since I'm such a conscious consumer, I logged on to Makeup Alley and started researching different moisturizing products. In fact, I only took into account oil-free, 'lightweight' products, because my skin is indeed very oily and I hate the feeling of an oily residue sitting on top of your face, as I have with my La Roche-Posay Effaclar H. So, I browsed hundreds of products... and couldn't find any that would be 1) moisturizing, 2) oil-free, 3) with SPF. Yes, that's no joke!
Then I came across Marcelle's Essentials Protection + SPF 15 Oil-free Multi-defense Lotion (jeez, what a name!). This is what it claims:
"A light yet effective barrier to protect and moisturize skin on a daily basis.
Our ultra-light fluid leaves your skin feeling soft without any oily residue. It has an FPS 15 sunscreen to prevent damage caused by UVA and UVB rays and helps prevent the appearance of hyperpigmentation stains and wrinkles.
Formulated to moisturize and stimulate cellular regeneration, it contains vitamins A and E, renowned antioxidants to fight the effects of free radicals.
Hypo-allergenic and perfume free.
Ideal for combination to oily skin."
Well, this sounds perfect, maybe just the SPF protection could be a little higher... But you can't have everything. So I jogged to our local Shoppers Drugmart and bought it along with much desired GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in Darling, which is supposed to be a perfect nude color (and it was on sale!). The swatch on their website is definitely one of the worst I have ever seen.
I can't say much about these yet apart from the fact that I really like the packaging of both Marcelle's lotion (it has a hygenic pump that you can lock for travel) and GOSH lipstick (elegant, black case with a solid lid so that it won't open in your purse). I'll keep you updated on how I am liking these :) What are your latest treats?
Perfect spring lip colour
I've already mentioned in my S/S 2009 make-up trends post how much I liked the idea of a peachy-orangy lip colour for spring or summer. This is what I came up with today:
without flash
with flash
And the whole face:
I used NYX's Round Case Lipstick in Indian Pink mixed with slightly orangy lipgloss with golden flex.
without flash
with flash
And the whole face:
I used NYX's Round Case Lipstick in Indian Pink mixed with slightly orangy lipgloss with golden flex.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Venetian masks
I've been fascinated by masks, especially Venetian masks, since I was 10 or so. I used to make my own, mini papier-mâché or clay masks and paint them in varous ways afterwards. I would often come up with a white face decorated using black, purple and gold paint with some glitter, feathers and beads. Unfortunately, mine never looked even close to these gorgeous designs:
Venetian masks can be a terrific source of inspiration for make-up art. Just watch closely this Dior Fall/Winter 2009 make-up look:
Obviously, this is not something you could actually wear in the street, but if you use your imagination, the possibilities are endless :) Maybe this would be a good inspiration for a party look? Stay tuned for my rendition of a 'Venetian look'.
Venetian masks can be a terrific source of inspiration for make-up art. Just watch closely this Dior Fall/Winter 2009 make-up look:
Obviously, this is not something you could actually wear in the street, but if you use your imagination, the possibilities are endless :) Maybe this would be a good inspiration for a party look? Stay tuned for my rendition of a 'Venetian look'.
Eyes of the day
That's just denying the weather, I know :)
Products used (eyes):
Coastal Scents Eye Poxy Primer
NYX Ultra Pearl Mania e/s in Oro in the middle part of the lid
NYX Ultra Pearl Mania e/s in Walnut in the crease and on the lower lash line
Collection 2000 e/s trio in 01 Mirage (golden e/s) as inner corner highlight
White e/s as brow highlight
GOSH Eye Liner Pen in Black on the upper lash line
Black eyepencil on the waterline
L'Oreal Telescopic Clean Definition Mascara in Black
Products used (eyes):
Coastal Scents Eye Poxy Primer
NYX Ultra Pearl Mania e/s in Oro in the middle part of the lid
NYX Ultra Pearl Mania e/s in Walnut in the crease and on the lower lash line
Collection 2000 e/s trio in 01 Mirage (golden e/s) as inner corner highlight
White e/s as brow highlight
GOSH Eye Liner Pen in Black on the upper lash line
Black eyepencil on the waterline
L'Oreal Telescopic Clean Definition Mascara in Black
Friday, March 20, 2009
Spring/Summer 2009 Looks
A little late, but still - my favorite S/S 2009 make-up trends:
Yves Saint Laurent
This one looks really fresh, colorful and girly - I can totally picture myself wearing this one :) I like the lip color; even though I am currently on the lookout for a good, nude baby pink lipstick, I know that oranges look good on me, so that's something to try out.
Givenchy
It reminds more of a hot, sunny summer evening. This elegant, smudgy look is spiced-up with golden shimmer under the brow bone and would go great with a nice dress. Also, check out the pink parting :) Did I tell you one of my favorite perfumes is by Givenchy?
Yves Saint Laurent
This one looks really fresh, colorful and girly - I can totally picture myself wearing this one :) I like the lip color; even though I am currently on the lookout for a good, nude baby pink lipstick, I know that oranges look good on me, so that's something to try out.
Givenchy
It reminds more of a hot, sunny summer evening. This elegant, smudgy look is spiced-up with golden shimmer under the brow bone and would go great with a nice dress. Also, check out the pink parting :) Did I tell you one of my favorite perfumes is by Givenchy?
Ins and Outs
This is a really cool idea that some of my favorite bloggers have been effectuating, so I wanted to check it out too :)
Ins:
1) My parents coming to Vancouver
Yay, they have eventually decided to come! They'll be here for about 2 weeks after visiting my brother in New York. I want to show them everything! My mom especially hopes to see some racoons in Stanley Park.
2) Franciszek
Franciszek is our friends' son who was born this Tuesday night. We haven't seen him yet, but I'm really loooking forward to it. We are thinking what to get him when we come visit; any suggestions?
3) Easter packages
Since we're not spending Easter together with my parents, my mom decided to send me and my brother Easter packages with candy and little gifts. Me and Mateusz have also thought it would be nice to send something like that to my parents and Mateusz's family. I have already researched shipping options, but we don't know what to put inside the packages yet...
4) French tip manicure
I bought the Art Deco white nail polish (it has a very fine brush applicator) while we were in the US last week, so I was finally able to do it! Yesterday was the first time I ever tried it and have to say I like it :) I got complimented on my nails by a waitress and even my love said they look nice... like plastic ;P
5) Pixiwoo channel
I found it yesterday through lollipop26's blog and I adore these girls. They have the most amazing tutorials on Spring/Summer 2009 fashion looks and very professional videos on recreating period looks, like this one:
So inspirational!
Outs:
1) Weather
Last week in Seattle and this week in Vancouver have been glum and rainy beyond imagination. I hate to wake up in the morning just to see a thick, grey layer of clouds hanging above the city. It simply drains all the energy out of me. And the weather forecast for next week is not any better than that... I tried to convince myself that the spring is coming by buying a violet hyacinth - it smells great!
2) Laundry
I really dislike doing laundry lately. We don't have a washing machine in our apartment, so I go down to the building's laundry room at the second floor. Each time, I have to cruise between the laundry room and our apartment 4 times to finish the whole washing-rinsing-drying process. The halls in our building are really cold, so I always have a temperature shock when I enter the corridor. And lastly, some people out there are so impatient that once your washing/drying cycle finishes, they don't wait for you to come and take your clothes, but they take them out of the machine themselves. Hate it! I would never touch someone's clothes and I hate the feeling that some stranger has been touching my fresh laundry...
3) My rock-climbing attitude
I am quite mad at my own attitude towards rock-climbing. I've been promising myself to change it and Wednesday morning I even felt a tiny bit enthousiastic about going to a climbing gym, but when the time came to actually go there, I lost all my motivation and was so miserable... Eventually it turned out to be ok, but I just shoot myself in the foot with my whining and "I don't want this, I can't do this" thoughts. It's like an emotional sabotage.
4) Waiting for so long to start out my own blog :)
Random facts about me
Since I decided to write this blog anonymously, I thought I owe you some kind of description of who I am and what is going on in my life recently.
Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to describe yourself in a nutshell? How would you answer the question "Who are you?" if you were asked by a stranger? Usually, if you're being introduced to someone, you refer to some relation between you and the person known to both you and the stranger. However, in this case, there are no common friends, and I have to choose some other way of self-presentation. Telling you ALL about me would be such a long and probably boring story, so I am just going to give you some random highlights.
I'm a 22 year old student of applied linguistics in Warsaw, Poland, currently on a dean's leave and living in Canada. I'm not a native speaker of English (thus sorry for the errors!), but I decided to write this blog in English firstly not to limit my audience only to Poles and secondly as an exercise. I also speak quite decent French.
I work as an English teacher and a translator.
I'm engaged to be married in September this year, which is both overwhelming and wonderful.
I'm a blondish redhead with dark brown eyes.
I used to collect shells when I was a kid and I like art and history of art, hence the name of the blog.
I enjoy reading, watching films, going out with friends, travelling and for some time now, make-up art; you'll see all of these things (and some more) here on this blog.
Well, I guess that will do in terms of a short introduction... We'll get to know each other better in some time, won't we? :)