harajuku hunnies

2011 Blog Sale

2011-10-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas! It's been too long, I know... so much going on with me lately. 2011 has just NOT been my year. Hope you're all doing great. We have so much catching up to do! :)

So here it is... the 2011 Blog sale. I decided to clear out a gang of Bare Escentuals mineral eye shadow and blush products because I never use them and I figure that someone should be getting some use out of these fabulous colors. My best friend and I used to be really into BE. I spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on BE products throughout the years. I used to like their mineral foundation years ago while living in Hawai'i... but now that I live in Vegas and the air is so dry, I've switched to liquid foundations.

Now, I know there's been a BE "hate" vid circulating YT with some lady ranting on how stupid BE users are... to that I say "to each, his/her own". Whatever works for you is what works. I know that living in Hawai'i with the humidity and heat, a lot of liquid, creme, powder, and creme-to-powder foundations wouldn't hold up well without you having to retouch your powder every 30 minutes and after a few hours, your skin was packed with layers upon layers of product and it ended up looking rather cakey. With BE, I NEVER had that problem. Granted, I don't have bad skin, but my cousin, who has acne-prone skin and is very oily, also loved BE. It provided the right amount of coverage and remained matte throughout the day. Anyhooooo, I know quite a few people who don't use the foundation but love BE shadows...

Whew! I kinda got off topic here... bring me back, here we go! LOL The reason you're here is to check out the products I'm going to be selling. I'll be going through more make-up products over the coming months, so make sure that you follow the blog, if you're not already.

These products have been barely used, maybe swatched a few times, if that. As always, the prices are very fair, so please don't low-ball... not cool. ;)

If you're interested in purchasing, please comment the post or email me at: harajukuhunnies@gmail.com w/ subject line "Blog Sale"... Shipping will be $3 flat-rate Domestic, $5 International, so it doesn't matter how much you buy... even if shipping exceeds $3 for Domestic or $5 International, I'll pay the difference. Payments will be accepted through PayPal only, I will provide you with instructions once we agree on the sale. First to pay gets the item. Please let me know if you have any questions... Thanks! :)

xoxo Trinity

L-R, Row 1: Classic Rock, Gilded Taupe, Incense, Karaoke, Nice Pear.

L-R, Row 2: Disco, Bare Skin, Humor, Flamenco, Sublime, Beauty (blush).

L-R, Row 3: White Gold, Bahamas, Soul Sister, Bloom, Blue-ty Call, Dusk (blush).

L-R, Row 4: True Gold, Golden Earth, Legit, Water Lily, Dragonfly, Riches (blush).

L-R, Row 5: Stunner, Gold Mine, Opera, Beautiful Lisa, Skyline, Faux Tan (face color).

L-R, Row 6: Soul, Nice Rock, Amethyst, Rebirth, Skyline II.

$4.50 ea. OR $135 for entire 34-pieces (this saves $18.00)

***** IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THE WHOLE SET, PLEASE EMAIL ME ASAP SO I DO NOT SELL INDIVIDUALLY! *****

L-R: Chanel "Silver" Ombre Shadow- $5.00. MUFE Star Powder #929- $5.00. NARS "Night Clubbing" Shadow (swatched only)- $5.00. Kryolan Gray Shadow (swatched only)- $4.00.

L-R: Lancome palette 1- $1.00. Lancome palette 2- $1.00. Too Face "Oooh LaLa" duo-shadow- $4.00. Urban Decay "Grifter" shadow- $4.00. Benefit "My Date's My Brother" creme shadow- $1.50.

All 5 NYX chrome shadows- $5.00.

All Women Want Long, Thick, Strong, and SexXxy... LASHES! ;)

2011-01-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hey Glamouristas and Fexies!!

So for months I've been teasing you all, saying I've been experimenting with a lash-growth treatment and for months you all have been asking what it was... but I refused to say anything until I was certain it was going to work and that I had enough time with the product to give it a thorough review. This included the positive and possible negative effects... don't you love that I'd put my eye-health on the line for my lovely blog readers? LOL j/p ;-P

The time has come for me to unveil this miracle growth treatment I've been using religiously since September... it is... (drumroll please!) StimuLash by Fusion Beauty!

This product retails at Sephora for $89, but is well worth the investment if you calcuate the cost of mascaras and falsies, especially if you've been purchasing mascaras like Fiber Wig that can run upward of $20 or more per tube. StimuLash is an even better deal if you catch it with one of Sephora's VIB sales! However, even if you have to pay full price, it's worth every dollar. I am still using my original tube, and with the amount of product I can hear sloshing around in there, I estimate I've got a good 1 1/2 months left... that breaks down to roughly $15/mo. When you average the cost out, it's really not bad. Think about it, say you purchase a tube of fiber mascara at $20 a tube, over the course of 6 months, you've spent $120, plus you're probably still wearing falsies... so now factor in the cost of lashes and glue, not to mention that at the end of the night you'll be suffering from Cinerella sydrome. You know what I'm talking about, when the clock strikes 12 and you go to take off your eye make-up, your strong, thick, lashes are going to turn into itty-bitty mousey lashes!

A little history on these types of products... Once upon a time, there were these little old ladies with cataracts. No, not Cadillacs, cataracts! Opthamologists began noticing these little old ladies' lashes were growing like crazy. One thing leads to another and before you know it, they've discovered the ingredient responsible for the lash growth... aaaaand here we are!

I was very skeptical to try the perscription lash treatments because they came with some pretty scary warnings. One of these warnings were "permanent darkening of the skin" where the treatment is applied. Well, as you'll hear in my video, this is something I'm willing to live with because I'm usually wearing eyeliner anyway!

If you would like to see my before and after pictures, be sure you watch the video... and as always, if you would be so kind enough to follow my blog and subscribe to my YouTube channel, I will be forever grateful! :) Please also be sure to let me know if you've tried the product, I especially would like to hear from you if this review has prompted you to purchase StimuLash!

Make-Up Products Used For This Look

Eyes:
Wet-N-Wild "Vanity" Color Icon Shadow Palette (all colors except for the gold shade were used)
Wet-N-Wild "Greed" Color Icon Shadow Palette (only the black shade was used)
Harajuku Hunnies "Black Out" Gel Liner
Mally Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil "Midnight" (to accentuate the crease & as a base for smudging black and brown shadow on lower lashline)
MUFE Aqua Eyes Champagne 23L (to highlight lower waterline)

Brows:
Harajuku Hunnies "Brunette" Brow Quad

Lashes:
Maybelline Colossal Waterproof
Maybelline Pulse Perfection
(with the help of StimuLash!)

Cheeks & Contouring:
MAC "Accentuate & Sculpt"
MAC "Warm Soul" Mineralize Blush

Face:
MAC Pro Longwear Foundation "NC35"
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer "NC30"
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer "Light/Medium"
MAC Studio Fix powder

Lips:
MAC "Magenta" Lipliner
MAC "Girl About Town" Lipstick
MAC "Show Orchid" Lipstick

Foundation Routine Using MAC Pro Longwear, Concealer Tips, & Easy Natural Contouring

2011-01-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

Hey my favorite Glamouristas! ;)

About a week or so ago I posted a twitpic and a few of you asked for a tutorial. The look was pretty "natural"... well, for me anyhow LOL, using contouring only, no color (aside from lips). I achieved this look using the following products:

Face:
MAC ProLongwear Foundation
MAC ProLongwear Concealer
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer

Eyes:
MAC "Soft Ochre" Paint Pot
MAC "Accentuate & Sculpt"
Maybelline Collosal Waterproof Mascara
Maybelline Falsies Waterproof Mascara
Avon Super Shock Mascara
HH "Black Out" Gel Liner

Brows:
HH "Brunette" Brow Quad

Cheek and Facial Contouring:
MAC "Accentuate & Sculpt"
MAC "Warm Soul" Mineralize Blush

Lips:
HH "Sangria" Lip Liner
MAC "Rebel" Lipstick

Check out the vid below... be sure you subscribe and comment too! :)

Check Out MakeupJunkie88's HH Review!

2011-01-11T13:31:00.000-08:00

Hey Glamouristas!

I know, I know... I've been super M.I.A.! My laptop got trashed right before December and I finally got a new one and all of my programs back, so I'll be looking to post more blog and YouTube vids very soon. I also have a review for Feed My Skin that's been a long time coming... but yeah, comp issues suck! In the meantime, I wanted you all to check out the beautiful Priscilla's review of HH products! Be sure to let her know how you liked her review and follow her blog! :)

Thanks Priscilla, I appreciate your willingness to review the products and you did a great job with the look too! :)

MakeupJunkie88 Blog

Homemade Lip Exfoliation Sugar Scrub Recipe

2010-11-22T16:46:00.000-08:00

With Winter fast approaching, us glamouristas have to switch up our skincare routine... an that includes paying extra attention to our lips! If not properly cared for, the cold, dry weather can chap and dry-out normally soft lips. There are several ways we can prevent this from happening with adequate internal and external care.

First, we want to ensure we are not dehydrated by being conscious of our water intake. Make sure you are drinking enough water, this will help not only your lips, but your skin and complexion... Your skin is your largest organ, so let's take care of it so it can take care of us! Water also aids in kidney function, as well as everything else... remember, water is essential! I know it's cold and during these times, it's easier to reach for a hot cup of coffee or cocoa, but make sure you're getting some clear liquid intake as well.

Secondly, be sure you are properly moisturizing and protecting your lips with a balm or salve. If you notice sticky lipglosses tend to make your lips peel, use them sparingly or try to avoid them altogether.

Lastly, exfoliate your lips once a week to remove dry, dead skin. I've seen lots of products on the market as well as homemade scrubs including sugar and balms, baking soda, salt, honey... I don't like the idea of using a balm because if that were the case, I'd just go with a manufactured scrub. The whole purpose of this was to be in total control of what I'm using on my lips (also, I'm not too keen on the idea of eating lip balm). Baking soda, as good as it is for your skin, again... if it's not in a cake, I'll pass. LOL As for salt, it can actually irritate skin, so I decided to skip salt altogether. Not to mention that the sodium draws moisture out, and well, that would be defeating the whole purpose, wouldn't you say? So I decided to stick with good 'ole sugar and honey... it's delicious, easy to work with, and by adding olive oil, you've got an excellent moisturizer and natural antioxidant.

The recipe below is one that works well for me, of course you can tweak it to meet your own individual needs. For instance, if you have oily skin, you might want to skip adding the olive oil to the mixture and opt for carefully dabbing it onto lips once exfoliation is complete... you have lots of options and the best thing is, it's fool-proof. Oh, and from one Fexi to another, did I happen to mention it's delicious? ;)

1- tsp sugar
1 1/2- 2- tsp honey
1/2-tsp olive oil

Oh yes... and this recipe makes quite a bit, so feel free to scrub everyone's lips in your household or simply do a fraction of the recipe. ;)

MAC & Nicki Minaj?

2010-11-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

So everyone's been talking about a pink lipstick to be released next Friday by MAC especially for Nicki Minaj's "Pink Friday" album release. Word on MAC's website is this lipstick will be offered exclusively online for only four Fridays. (Click here for more info)

Personally, I'm not a Nicki Minaj fan... at all. Ok, there's a few songs she's featured on that I'll bob my head to in the car, but I really can't get into her for some reason. However, I'm a sucker for anything pink... so I just might have to get my hands on some.

My question for you is... are you going to be up at midnight on MAC's website trying to get your tube?

My Perfect Imperfections Tag!

2010-11-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

Hey Beauties! I just posted a video response/tag to mizzttzbellalife's "My Perfect Imperfections" vid. In this vid you're asked to disclose three of your "imperfections" and three things you like about yourself... Want to see what made the list and what didn't?? Go watch my vid! Then make sure you do your own vid and post it as a response to mine... let's get to know each other while having a little laugh! ;)

As promised in the vid... here's the products I used to get the "look" in my vid:

Eyes:
Wet-n-Wild Color Icon "Lust" palette
Wet-n-Wild Color Icon LE "Sugar Plum Fairy" palette
HHC "Black out" gel liner
Maybelline Colossal Waterproof mascara
Maybelline Pulse Perfection Waterproof mascara

Lips:
NYX "Louisiana" lipstick
MAC "Ban This" Lipglass

Cheeks:
Wet-n-Wild "Mello Wine" blush

Pick Your Favorite Inner Vegas Showgirl!

2010-11-11T07:30:00.000-08:00

Hey Glamouristas! It's time to pick the winner of my "Inner Vegas Showgirl" Halloween contest... For this, I'm enlisting your help! Please view each of the vids below and cast your vote for your favorite Showgirl!

You must be a blog follower for your vote to count, and please... only ONE vote! I'll accept votes until Friday, November 19th, winner will be announced that weekend via YouTube video, so please be sure you're subscribed as well... If not, --> CLICK HERE! <--.

Thanks for stopping by and happy voting! :)

xoxo Trinity

missroseblanc

GlamourosCity

kcmcleese

jenniferboston91

Wet-N-Wild H2o Proof: The Perfect Waterproof Liquid Liner!

2010-11-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

So late last week, I went to Walgreen's in search of the ever elusive Wet-n-Wild Holiday Palettes... I didn't find any (then), but what I did pick up is a product that I have grown to be equally, if not exceedingly excited about and I can't wait to share my latest drugstore-addiction with you!

Allow me to formally introduce you to Wet-n-Wild's H2o Proof Liquid Liner. I purchased this liner from Walgreens during a 50% off sale. It is normally $3.99, so I paid a little under $2. I figured if this didn't live up to expectations, I wouldn't be too disappointed because after all, it was just $2. Little did I know this under $2 liner would blow me away and inspire me to go on a Wet-n-Wild H2o Proof promotion-frenzy!

First, if you've watched my videos, you'll know I only use gel liner to line my upper lid. I've never been a fan of liquid liners for a few reasons. One, they typically head south at the slightest hint of water, sweat, moisture, tears, etc... I'm not trying to go through that entire mess and look like a 1985 Tammy-Faye Baker revival. Two, once your eyes start running, you can't reapply in those tough little corner areas! Am I the only one this happens to? It drives me completely bananas! Lastly, I'm never able to draw a solid line, the felt tips always seem to give me a "striped" effect where the middle appears lighter or disappears altogether!

Finding the perfect make-up product for whatever reason; formula, mechanism, color, etc... is kind of like finding the perfect man. Yeah, they're pretty much non-existent. Therefore, once you've found one that works, you may need to find a way to work with him, err... I mean, work with it. This is the case with Wet-n-Wild's H2o Proof liner.

If you visit the Walgreens website, you'll see that this product is receiving mixed reviews. While mostly positive, there are quite a bit of women who "hate" this liner for one or two reasons. One- it's hard to remove. Um, I'm sorry, did I miss something? Geez, you can sure tell we're women, huh? Never satisfied! We gripe if something doesn't have "staying power" and when we're hit with something that doesn't budge, we're still not satisfied! LOL Some of the other women were stating they absolutely despised the felt-tip brush and what it does to their lashes. While these are all valid concerns, let's revisit the reason we all purchased this product in the first place... it's a waterproof liquid liner- so let's allow it to do its thing!

The formula is definitely a force to be reckoned with. I have honestly NEVER found a liquid liner that I liked, much less a waterproof liquid liner formula, until now. It's like magic and I love this product... In fact, I love it so much, I want to show you how to make it work so you can love it too! Watch the video below, then run to your nearest Walgreens and make yourself the happy owner of a new, shiny, sexy, black, magic stick! Get your mind out of the gutter... we're were still talking about eyeliner here! LOL ;-)

Halloween Make-Up: Twilight Inspired- Alice Cullen

2010-11-09T06:48:00.000-08:00

I was hired by Karen, a model I had worked with, to do make-up for her mother-in-law, Shawn, for their Halloween party last Saturday. I had so much fun, they're all such great people, and their Halloween party was really well put-together! I wasn't able to stay for the entire party, because we had friends in from out of town, but I wanted to share a few pics with you all...

Meet Shawn... she's 54 years old and went as "Alice Cullen" for the party. She went all-out; button up top, vest, contacts, wig, even the Cullen crest choker! The transformation took us about 1 1/2- 2 hours because this look required a significant amount of airbrushing and foundation application to lighten her skin in order to achieve Alice's pale complexion. I really should have taken the pics before we applied the shimmer to her skin (her number one request was to sparkle like the veg-pires in Twilight). However it would have been too much of a hassle to have her get into costume just for pics, then remove it all to complete the shimmer application, just to have her get dressed again. :-/

Below are some pics from the hors d'oeuvres table...

On the menu: charred bones (wings), veggies, eye(meat)balls, mummy fingers, ghostly brownies, skull cupcakes, even a brewing pot in the middle of the table! Karen even whipped up some "witch's brew" for the kiddos... she did such an awesome job, this truly was photo-worthy. I wish I would've gotten some pics of Karen and her husband, Marty, they went as characters from True Blood. I haven't watched the show, but I heard it's great.

I had so much fun, it's really rewarding when you transform someone and they absolutely love the end result... Marty told Karen my fee was the best money they had ever spent! Hope all of you glam-ghouls and your little goblins had a great time! ;-)

A Lovely Review by MakeupJunkie88!

2010-11-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

So I woke up this morning and saw a Harajuku Hunnies review by the lovely MakeupJunkie88 in my reading list!

Click on her name to be linked back to her review of some HHC shadows, including swatches and a look she created with our "Get Lucky" Quickie shadow! :)

While you're there, be sure to follow her blog!

Thanks Priscilla!

xoxo Trinity

Coco as Avatar!

2010-11-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Wow... can you believe it's November 1st? Where did 2010 go? I could really use some help in slowing down the time lately... LOL

Yesterday was Halloween and Coco decided she wanted to be an Avatar this year. We purchased her costume from Halloween City for about $25 and I did her make-up. She braided her own hair and wore some furry boots... it was really cute and we had a great time. She especially loved all the attention she got and even posed for a few pictures.

I used the Temptu airbrush system for the blue base... a mixture of their blue and white SB make-up. The stripes were created with NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk and the HHC Gel Liner in Oceanic. Using the same Gel Liner, I lined her eyes in a cat-shape. I took a dot-tool I use for my nails and dabbed white SB airbrush make-up at the ends of her stripes. I brushed a little of a rust color found in one of my Smashbox palettes to her eyes, nose, and cheeks. I also used that same color to contour the sides of her nose to give her that wide-nosed look of the Navi.

Hope all of you enjoyed your Halloween... did any of you big-kids dress up? What did you send your little ones out as? I've always enjoyed Halloween... so much fun. Now bring on Thanksgiving!! ;) LOL

*Update- Temptu Pro posted this pic on their Facebook Fan Page! <-- Click to view! :)

xoxo Trinity

Hello Kitty Smart Car? Whaaaaat?

2010-10-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

So while browsing the net this morning, I came across this... would it be wrong of me to say, "Look what the cat dragged in?" LOL

Sanrio, along with Smart Car, has released three new Smart Car wraps. Yes, you read that correctly. LOL The three new designs now bring the total Smart Car wrap count to 22. The wraps will run drivers around $1,500, with HK being a Limited Release.

As cutsie as HK may be, I really can't see a grown woman in a vehicle that looks like a mini-van cut in half with HK plastered all over it. High schoolers, maybe, but honestly... I don't think see any 16 or 17 year old driving this around campus. They look extremely uncomfortable, impractical, and quite honestly- down right dangerous. I would not feel comfortable letting my daughter be a passenger in this, let alone drive it. I need something with a "buffer"... when it comes to my child, I wouldn't count on nine lives.

Personally, I think my big behind might throw this little tyke off balance and have me stunting on two wheels... LOL What are your thoughts on these tiny Smart Cars? Have you rode or drove one? If you had your choice of an environmentally-sound vehicle, what would you choose? Lastly, if you saw this HK Smart Car on the road, would it bring a smile to your face? I know I would get a few good laughs in, and in today's world, who couldn't use a smile or two?

*Images for this blog post courtesy of msn.com

Halloween Contest: Your Inner Vegas Showgirl!

2010-10-23T03:52:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas and Fexies! This year I wanted to do a contest and giveaway for Halloween, and although we've only got one week until showtime, this contest will run until 11/07 to give you time to compose your video entry. Here's the deal: you've got to show me your baddest Vegas Showgirl look! I know you're going to have fun with this one... think BIG! Big hair, big lashes, big headpiece, feathers, glitter, gems!!

Here are the guidelines:
1.) Must be a YouTube and blog follower (if you're not already, no worries, click the underlined links, I've made it simple! ;) LOL)
2.) Must submit a video entry in the form of a "response" to my contest/giveaway video (may be a photo slide show or video)
3.) Please be 18+ (or have parent's permission)
4.) Open to everyone... this goes out to girls all around the world! ;)

Ready? Alright... Lights, camera, action!!! It's time to dig deep and strut your inner Vegas showgirl!

The winner of the Inner Vegas Showgirl Contest will receive the prizes mentioned in the video below... and quite possibly some extra goodies as well, so make sure you hurry and enter! ;)

(Legal mumbo-jumbo time) This contest/giveaway is being hosted by myself. I did not receive these products free, or in exchange for promotion, and I am not in any way affiliated with any of the companies mentioned. You agree, by participating in any of my contests, giveaways, etc, not to hold Celestial Ambitions Inc. (Harajuku Hunnies), or myself liable for any damages or injuries you sustain in connection to this giveaway or product. It is YOUR choice to enter, if you do not agree, please do not participate!

MAC Venomous Villains "She Who Dares" Mineralize Look

2010-10-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas! I've got to tell you... I'm really loving MAC's latest Mineralize shadows! My last look using "My Dark Magic" has lead to requests for a look using "She Who Dares". The emerald green shade in this duo is a total showstopper, it's very rich and mesmerizing!

Here are some pics... a complete list of products used can be found below.

Eyes:
Harajuku Hunnies Shadow Base
MAC "Slick Black" Greasepaint Stick
MAC "Lucky Green" e/s
MAC "She Who Dares" Mineralize e/s duo
Kat Von D "Galeano", "Speed Blue", "Tequila" (Beethoven Palette)
UD 24/7 "Deviant" eyeliner
Mally "Caribbean Sea" eyeliner
Harajuku Hunnies "Black Out" Gel Liner

Brows:
Kat Von D "Speed Blue"

Lashes:
Miss Adoro "199"
Eve Pearl Black Lash Glue
Maybelline "Colossal" mascara

Face:
MUFE HD Foundation #120 & #140
MAC "Truth & Light" Magically Cool Liquid Powder

Cheeks & Contouring:
MAC "Sweet as Cocoa"
MAC "Harmony"
MAC "Trace Gold"

Lips:
MAC "Myth" l/s
MAC "Show Orchid" l/s
MAC "Magenta" lipliner
OCC "Conquest" Lip Tar

As always, feel free to let me know if you have any questions or to simply share your thoughts on the products or the collection itself. :)

Nothing Like Make-Up Shopping To Brighten Your Day!

2010-10-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

So I was in a bit of a slump yesterday and decided to hit up my neighborhood Walgreens and Ulta... Even though I told myself I wasn't going to shop, I couldn't resist the urge. Here's the goodies I scored! :)

Not much from Walgreens... just went in to pick up some cotton rounds but ended up grabbing two Wet-N-Wild "Idol Eyes" cream eyeshadow pencils for $1.99 ea., and a pack of the classic Maybelline Expert Wear pencils to throw in my kit. These are great when trying to achieve a simple smokey eye... however I usually make sure I run the tip of the pencil through a flame to soften the wax.

It was my bestie's husband's birthday yesterday so we went over to their place and had some dinner, let the kids play... and before going home, I stopped by Ulta. My original intention was to purchase the Mario Badescu Acne Repair Kit... but I picked up a few extras that I'm really excited to share with you!

I have been reseraching the Mario Badescu Acne Repair Kit for about a month now... Seems as though recently, within the last few months, I've been getting some cystic acne when my hormones surge during my cycle. This is cause for concern since I've never had an acne problem growing up... and I'm 31!

The Kit is $46, online and in Ulta stores, and contains the Drying lotion, Drying Cream, and Buffering Lotion. I used the Drying Lotion last night on a pimple, it claims to clear the whitehead pimples overnight... It was really simple, just dipped a q-tip in the solution and dabbed it on. I woke up this morning and it was gone! Pretty amazing stuff! I also massaged the Buffering Lotion onto a couple of areas which I could feel the cystic acne developing. This morning, after washing my face with warm water only, I noticed those areas that had noticable bumps due to the cystic acne had been significantly reduced. I was truly impressed!

I haven't had the chance to use the Drying Cream yet... But I'm sure it'll be just as incredible. I also purchased the Cucumber Cleansing Lotion and Silver Powder. The Cucumber Cleansing Lotion feels very refreshing and helps to prevent further breakouts by disinfecting (where bacteria is often the culprit). The Silver Powder has a consistency that reminds me of baking powder... I haven't had the chance to use this, but I can't wait! Simply dip a moistened cotton ball into the powder and dab onto areas where you would like to diminish blackheads, rinse after 10-minutes.
While at Ulta, I also picked up two UD 24/7 liners in "Zero"... my staple-eyeliner, along with "1999", "Covet", "Flipside", and a 24/7 lipliner in "Wicked". I love these liners... they're wonderfully smooth and have no problem staying-put! These liners are $16 ea, but well worth the investment as they are extremely long-lasting and give unsurpassed color pay-off.

From top to bottom: blue Wet-N-Wild eyeshadow pencil, purple duo-chrome Wet-N-Wild eyeshadow pencil, Maybelline Expert Eyes, "Wicked", "Flipside", "Covet", "1999", and "Zero".

You will also see the swatches of the two NYX lipsticks below...

As always, feel free to let me know if you have these products and how you like them. I'm especially curious to know if any of you have tried the Mario Badescu skincare line... since I'm a newbie, I'd like to hear your experience with it.

Have a great weekend, my pretty Glamouristas! :)

Have Something To Say To MAC?

2010-10-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well great... sound-off and let 'em know! This morning I received an email, as many of you probably did as well, allowing you to review your favorite MAC "must haves". I hope they realize they've just opened up a whole Pandora's Box on their behinds! As many of you know, I am disappointed in MAC's steady decline in quality. If you agree, here's your chance to let them know!

MAC Review Site

Fave Lip Care Products

2010-10-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Beauties!

I'm often asked what my favorite lip care products are... especially from my lovely clients and models. As many of you know, I swear by Aquaphor! Typically I will use this healing ointment before bed and in the mornings before I begin applying my make-up.

I used MAC's Lip Conditioner (and other lip balms) for several years, as part of the same routine, and noticed the condition of my lips had never improved. Though the MAC Lip Conditioner feels nice and smells pleasant, it does not heal chapped or peeling lips, nor does it protect and prevent further peeling.

From the moment I began using Aquaphor on my lips, I noticed a huge improvement! My lips no longer peel or feel uncomfortably dry. This truly is a miracle for your kissers! ;) I purchase the
1.75 oz tube and leave it in the bathroom to finish off my nightly skincare routine. This tube is usually around $5 and can be found at any Target, Wal-Mart, and many other drugstores. I have also purchased the twin pack of smaller tubes to keep one in my make-up bag and one in my kit, these are about $5 too. As for the male review; Rod typically uses whatever balm I use on my lips at night as well... and even he prefers the Aquaphor over the MAC Lip Conditioner.

Throughout the day I'll alternate different products, one of which includes Smith's Rosebud Salve (thanks to a recommendation by Ree, aka Mama Fexi, herself!) I found this 0.8 oz tin at Sephora for around $6, great investment and totally worth it. This salve carries a light red tint, but is clear when applied, and also incorporates a wonderful rose-scented. The texture is light, but long-lasting, and so very smooth! In fact, both the Aquaphor and Rosebud Salve are in a petrolatum base and can be used on other dry parts of your body, so typically I'll apply it with a clean finger and rub the remainder into my cuticles... bonus! ;)

Another product I'm loving is the C.O. Bigelow "Mentha Lip Shine" in Vanillamint. I didn't actually purchase this product itself, it was included in a Summer Tote I purchased from Bath & Body Works the other month. If purchased separately, it carries a pricetag of $7.50 (but we all know B&BW always runs specials, like buy 2 get 1.) It has a refreshing, cooling sensation from the natural mint but is not tingly, which I like. Not only is this lip shine infused with natural vanilla and mint, which mingle together to create a great, clean scent, but it also claims to freshen breath... sounds good to me! LOL

For healthy-looking lips and flawless lipstick application, you want to be sure you're gently exfoliating once or twice a week to remove any dead skin and increase circulation. This will soften and plump, along with enhancing your natural lip color.

If you're looking for a great lip-saver for the upcoming winter months, be sure to check out any of these great products. I'm sure you'll love them!

Question for all my Glamouristas: what other lip-care products you've found to work wonders on your smackers? Please share your recommendations or no-go's below, and as always, please feel free to ask any questions. :)

xoxo Trinity

Sex... Relationships... Cheating... and, of course, Love!

2010-10-07T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hey Beauties! Last year sometime I started a separate channel on YouTube for topics other than make-up. I only made about 3 vids before I stopped. My Masturbation vid, first posted on my make-up channel, got over 15k hits, more than any of my make-up vids! LOL That same vid got 1,600 hits on the relationship channel.

Needless to say, the vids kinda took off and I'd like to get back into the swing of things on that channel. So... if you've got an extra minute, check out the channel... sub, comment, and send me your questions, ideas, topics. Let's get this channel popping! :)

Feel free to check out the vid below... Oh, and please remember: if you're going to be a subscriber or watch the vids on youtube.com/RealTalkWithTrinity, please be over 18 and leave your sensitivities at the door! ;)

MAC Venomous Villains Products and FOTD

2010-10-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

As many of you are aware, after months and months of anticipation and Twittering, MAC dropped their latest collection right before your last pay-day... or first of the month, whichever way you roll! LOL

To be completely honest, I was not impressed by much of the collection. I truly believe this had the power to be one of MAC's biggest launches... I don't remember this much buzz over many of their collections, aside from '07's Barbie or 09's Hello Kitty launches. The fact that many of the products were colors from the permanent line, or re-promotes, took a lot of the "oooh & ahhh" factor away.

However, with that being said, I did manage to find four items that I decided I wanted... and agreed to pay full-price for. Does that sound spoiled or what?? LOL I refuse to pay full-price for packaging on items I find less than stunning! What I did pick up were the two mineralized shadows from the Maleficent Collection, the "Slick Black" Greasepaint Stick, and "Truth & Light" Magically Cool Liquid Powder from the Dr. Facilier Collection.

The mineralized shadows in "My Dark Magic" and "She Who Dares" were the only two shadows I had to own. The glitter in these two shadows are the type that make you say, "ooohweee!!" LOL "My Dark Magic" reminded me a lot of "Young Punk", which was released last year with the first Greasepaint Sticks...

The "Slick Black" Greasepaint Stick was a must-have for me because whenever you do a smokey eye, you need a base that holds up and fights creasing throughout the day... Being that the greasepaint sticks are movable and blend-able until it sets, these are great options for creating a base for dark shadows.

The Magically Cool Liquid Powder boasts a 70% H2o content... which is why when it hits your skin, it delivers a burst of refreshment, kind of similar to the feeling you get when misting Fix+ across your skin. The powder itself is very light and fine. I only picked up "Truth & Light"... I actually purchased the last one at the Town Square location in Vegas. I'm thinking of picking up "Cajun" because this powder is just that cool... After applying my make-up, but before applying mascara or false lashes, I'll hit the highlight areas on my face with this powder. The reflective/shimmery properties aren't overpowering, so you could use it as an all-over if you wish...just don't expect this to take away any sheen or act as a heavier, setting powder. Also, make sure your brush is dry... when the MAC artist was showing me this powder, it was literally rolling up- not good when you're trying to sell a product! However, I had no problems when using it at home with a big, fluffy, DRY powder brush. Just be sure you don't leave this powder in your car after purchasing... store it in a cool place, if not, I was told this could melt... yikes!

Soooo... that was my MAC VV trip. Hope you've enjoyed it! I've included some pics of my FOTD created with "My Dark Magic", "Slick Black" Greasepaint Stick, and the "Truth & Light" Cooling Powder... YouTube video will follow, so make sure you're subbed to --> My YouTube Channel <--

This is the look w/ an OCC Lip Tar mix of "Katricia", "Feathered", and "Clear"

It looked okay in the pics, but didn't turn out well for the vid... so I changed it to the lippie below...

This lippie was MAC "Magenta" Lip Liner, MUFE Rouge Artist Intense in #9, and MAC "Ban This" Lipglass. Other than that, everything else was the same... just different lighting. :)

*All product images are courtesy of MAC

Winner Of The MAC "Shock-a-holic" E/S & Sinful Colors Nail Lacquer

2010-09-29T10:58:00.000-07:00

Alright ladies...

The winner of the MAC eyeshadow from the Dare to Wear Collection in "Shock-a-holic" and the Sinful Colors Nail Lacquer in "Let's Talk" is... *drumroll please!* LOL

YT - krzyprisd88
email - prisd88@gmail.com

Congrats mama!! Please make sure you email me at: harajukuhunnies@gmail.com with your name and shipping info. Very important: you MUST email me from the email address you listed above (to verify it is you) and also please be sure to type "Blog Winner" in your subject line.

This was fun, tanks for participating everyone... stay tuned for the next giveaway! ;)

xoxo trin

MAC "Shock-A-Holic" Eyeshadow and Sinful Colors "Let's Talk" Nail Lacquer Giveaway!!!

2010-09-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

Aloha Glamouristas and Fexies!! ;)

Ready for the next giveaway? Here it is, watch the YouTube video below, comment this post with your YouTube name and email address, READ THE RULES, and comment the YouTube vid for a chance to win!! (Oh yeah, and you must be a subbie and follower to qualify!)

MAC Shock-a-holic E/S & Sinful Colors Nail Lacquer Giveaway
1.) Follow my blog.
2.) Comment this post with your YT name, Twitter name (if applicable), and also your email address. (You must contact me through the email you provide when claiming your prize.)
3.) Be a YouTube subbie <-- go 'head... click it! And comment the video below.4.) Please be 18 or over (parental permission required if underage).*Contest is open to everyone... everywhere! This is because I believe everyone... everywhere should experience this great product! Contest will run until 11:59 pm, Sunday, September 27th, 2010.

(Legal mumbo-jumbo time) This giveaway is being hosted by myself. I am not in any way affiliated with MAC or Sinful Colors. You agree, by participating in any of my contests, giveaways, etc, not to hold Celestial Ambitions Inc. (Harajuku Hunnies), or myself liable for any damages or injuries you sustain in connection to this giveaway or product. It is YOUR choice to enter, if you do not agree, please do not participate!

Winners of the Parian Spirit Giveaway!

2010-09-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

Okay Glamouristas and Fexies, thanks for waiting so patiently! The winners of the Parian Spirit Giveaway are...

Blog winner: "A Makeup Junkie" aka "deannario"

Youtube winner: "Krischeer50"

Congrats! Please message me your name and shipping info by Sun. Sep. 12, 2010 to: harajukuhunnies@gmail.com. If you do not contact me before Monday, an alternate winner will be chosen. Congrats again ladies! :)

On a Brush Hunt!

2010-09-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ok my Glamouristas and Fexies... I need YOUR help! I've been ~~searching~~, no, "hunting" for the goat-hair (or "capra") foundation makeup brush that Scott Barnes used in his recent "About Face" book.

It's not a circular head, rather it's more rectangular and looks more like a paint style brush. The bristles are a natural, creme color and it's supposed to be very, very soft. It's my understanding the brushes are cruelty-free due to using the "first cut" method... so the billy goats aren't harmed. Yay! :) LOL

Anyhow... I'm dying to try this brush because it's supposed to produce an absolute flawless application, so if any of my fab readers know where to pick this up, please post a response! Thanks so much for all of your help! :)

xoxo Trinity

Have You Entered The Parian Spirit Giveaway??

2010-08-31T14:39:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas and Fexies!! Have you entered my Parian Spirit Giveaway yet? If not, you're in luck... I've decided to extend the giveaway for another week. Please make sure you enter now because I will not be able to hold out any longer... I need these products off my make-up shelf! ;)

--> ENTER HERE <--

Blog Sale! MAC, Benefit, Bare Minerals, Lancome, Ulta, NYX!

2010-08-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

So here's some of the items I'm kicking off the blog sale with... they all have been barely used, maybe swatched a few times, some items have never been used at all!

All I'm asking is that you don't try to haggle me on prices... my prices are very reasonable and I have scoped out other sale prices as well as ebay, so I do know what the fair going-prices are on these items. I will, however, consider slightly reduced pricing if you're buying more than one item...

If you're interested in purchasing, please comment the post or email me at: harajukuhunnies@gmail.com w/ subject line "Blog Sale"... Shipping will be $2 flat-rate Domestic, $5 International, so it doesn't matter how much you buy... even if shipping exceeds $2 for Domestic or $5 International, I'll pay the difference. Payments will be accepted through PayPal only, I will provide you with instructions once we agree on the sale. First to pay gets the item. Please let me know if you have any questions... Thanks! :)

xoxo Trinity

MAC "Hundred Degrees" Pearlizer Sheer Pigment (used only a few times) $10

~~MAC "Persuasive" Mineralized Eye Shadow Trio (used maybe 2-3x) $9~~

~~MAC Pro "Yellow Scream" Cream Colour Base (swatched only) $9~~

~~MAC Pro "Air Force Blue" Cream Colour Base (used maybe 2-3x) $8.75~~

~~MAC Cream Colour Bases "Flighty", "Slick", or "Oooohhh" (used 5-10 times each) $4.50 ea.~~

MAC Paint Pot "Moss Scape" (used 2-3x) $11 - going for $30 on ebay

~~MAC "Firespot" LE Eye Shadow (swatched only; 1x) $15~~

~~MAC "Pink Bronze" Holiday Pack Sized Pigment (swatched 1x) $3~~

MAC "Ritzy!" LE Glimmershimmer from Raquel Welch Collection (pumped 2x) $7

MAC "Nice To Be Nice" LE Lipglass from Hello Kitty Collection (NIB) $15 - going for $20+ on ebay

Benefit "My Date's My Brother" Cream Eye Shadow (used 4x) $4

~~Benefit "Mint Julep" Show Offs Shimmer Powder (used 1x at Christmas) $4~~

~~Ulta Shadows in "Tempted" and "Sin City" (sold together, swatched a couple times ea) $3 for both~~

NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Gold Pigment (swatched 1x) $1.50

~~Lancome "Cherub" LE Powder Eye Shadow- beautiful silver shimmer! (used 2x max) $6~~

Bare Minerals Full-Size "Gold Gossamer" or "Diamond Gossamer" LE Face & Body color (dusted up to 2-4x) $6 ea.

Bare Minerals Full-Size "Soft Focus Glee" Face Color (gift, swatched once) $6

~~Bare Minerals Full-Size "Frisky" Blush (NIB) $8~~

Bare Minerals Loose Shadows & Bluses (ea. rarely used)

Top Row: ~~"Grace", "Celestine",~~ "True Gold", ~~"Diamond Laughter" (LE)~~

Bottom Row: "Beauty" (labeled pic incorrectly! sowee!), "Dusk", "Blue-ty Call" (LE), ~~"Myth"~~

$4.50 ea

Non-Nom-Nom!! Free Hottie Biscotti!

2010-08-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

So if you like free stuff like I do... especially free food (LOL), you should check out this offer by Hottie Biscotti!

Simply visit their website, follow the directions and wait for your scrum-deli-umptious goodies to arrive!

I submitted my email this morning... very easy! Just send an email to "free@hottiebiscotti.com", subject line must say, "Try Hottie Biscotti FREE"... the body of the email shall include your name and mailing address.

For more information, visit their website: http://hottiebiscotti.com/.

xoxo Trinity

Free "Latina" Cosmetic Bag

2010-08-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas! If you love free stuff as much as I do, you might want to check out this giveaway... Garnier is currently giving away a free "Latina" travel bag... just go to this website:

http://www.latina.com/garnier

Enter the UPC code: 603084234592.

And no... I'm not Latina, but who can say "no" to a free bag? LOL Hurry, supplies are limited. Have fun! :)

xoxo Trinity

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser; Gimme or Gimmick?

2010-08-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

A while ago I received a sample of the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser during a trip to Sephora... I used it once and felt immediate results. Needless to say, I went on to purchase a full bottle. The bottle I purchased was 1.7 oz for $15... pretty pricey, however they do have a 5 oz bottle for $38, which is more of a bargain if you anticipate continuous use.

Normally it takes a week or more to begin seeing or feeling changes in your skin once you switch products, but this little miracle worker got right to work.

I hate cleansers that leave your skin with a tight, dry, hard-feeling; the Soy Face Cleanser does the opposite. The morning after I first used it, I already noticed my skin felt smooth and softer, no tightness or dryness. I'm always up for trying products that promote a healthy, clean complexion, and the Soy Face Cleanser is definitely one of those skin care products that delivers, and I also like that a little product goes a long way. Bonus points for the Soy Face Cleanser for removing make-up too... I noticed I didn't have traces of waterproof mascara on my lashes as I normally would when using other facial cleansers!

The scent isn't extremely powerful but it does have a light, cucumber and rose-water scent. I do have to warn you though, the consistency is unlike most cream or foaming cleansers because this is a soy gel. You will notice it is a cloudy gel similar to Cetaphil's cleanser, however this has a much more slippery feel. Forget it, I'll be completely honest with you, it reminds me of um... "man juice"! LOL Think about it... soy = protein, man juice = protein too. Now, I know what you're thinking... but honestly it isn't that bad! I just couldn't think of anything else to compare it to! LOL

What two words would I use to describe the Soy Face Cleanser? Gentle and pure.

Gimme or Gimmick? Definite Gimme!

Below is what Sephora's website had to say about the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser:

What it is formulated to do:
Soy Face Cleanser, Fresh's most popular cleanser for all skin types, is an extra gentle, fragrance-free, multi-tasking gel formula that instantly whisks away every day impurities, removes makeup, and is safe to use on the eye area. Safe for use on the eyes, it's face maintenance made easy. Plus, it's soap free and will never leave behind a film or residue.

What else you need to know:
Soybean extract is a valuable protein that protects the skin and improves texture and resiliency. Soybeans provide amino acids that are essential in helping the skin to retain moisture maintain elasticity and preserve a smooth appearance. They contain a high concentration of isoflavonoids, a type of polyphenol that exhibits antioxidant properties. Soybean germ extract is derived from the soybean; after the hulls and oil are collected, the remaining flakes, which represent this valuable protein rich extract, are crushed into a fine powder.

Sally Hansen Double Curl Lash Curler Winner!

2010-08-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

I want to thank everyone who took the time to enter the giveaway! Coco helped me with picking the winner of the fabulous Sally Hansen Double Curl Lash Curler... bella_gureishi! Congratulations, hun!! Be sure to email me by Monday, August 23rd, 2010 at: harajukuhunnies@gmail.com with your name and shipping info... if you do not respond, an alternate winner will be chosen.

Thanks! :)

xoxo trinity & coco

Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner Giveaway!

2010-08-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

Hey beauties! It's finally time for the Parian Spirit Giveaway!!!

Back in June, when we attended IMATS in LA, I picked up the Parian Spirit show special... a 16 oz bottle, travel spray bottle, and brush cleansing jar all for $20. To think... I almost bypassed this booth until ReeRee reminded Mia and I. Luckily we were able to pick up our goodies before heading back to the hotel.

The "selling-point" for me was when the young boy at the booth hit me with his sales pitch- I was sold! I swear he could have sold me lint right from my own pockets at that moment, with his adorable, little, face-painted self! LOL I have since fallen in absolute LOVE with this brush cleaner!

Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner will thoroughly and gently clean all of your oil-based makeup, adhesives, spirit gum (for all of you theatrical beauties), including clay, dried acrylics and dried latex from all makeup brush materials. It's so versatile, you can also use Parian Spirit to remove adhesives from wig lacing and hair-pieces, you may also want to try it on false lashes to extend wear. Not only will it effectively disinfect and kill bacteria, if immersed for approximately one-minute, it pulls double-duty by also conditioning brush hairs and fibers. With Parian Spirit, you don't have to worry about harsh cleansers ruining paint or wooden brush handles, because it is so gentle... after all, it is created with real citrus fruit and boasts no artificial colors or fragrances. You do know what this means, right?? It extends the life of your brushes, and who doesn't love that?

As if this wasn't enough, it has the FASTEST drying time I have ever experienced. Being a make-up artist, time is of the essence. You must work fast, and if you're working on multiple clients, you probably have a pretty large set of brushes for your kit... with that being said, those of us who work with multiple clients, can attest to the importance of having your brushes ready to go. With the more popular brush cleaners (I've used MAC and Sephora), which leave your brushes semi-clean and wet, it proves quite difficult when you are being pushed for a quick-turn. The wet brush may also force you to instinctively rub the brush back and forth more times than necessary, decreasing the longevity of your brush and causing bristles to flare and lose its shape. Your brushes should only be moistened when you need them to be... for instance when you're packing on loose pigments or bringing out bold colors. There are times when a moist brush may ruin your make-up... such as certain matte shadows. Here is where the Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner soars above the competition- it is practically dry by the time you have finished wiping the make-up from the brush! This means you can bang 'em out, bang 'em out! LOL

Not to say this brush cleaner is only for the professional, because it's not. This product is all-natural, meaning it is safer for you and the environment too! Another bonus is the fact that the cleaner can be used to effectively remove make-up stains from clothing... yes, men, this means Parian Spirit might be of interest to you too! ;)

For spot cleaning and quick turn-around time, I recommend hitting the bristles with a few spritzes from the 2-oz travel spray bottle. For total disinfecting and deep cleaning, use the immersion tub and plastic grate to gently work make-up from bristles.

If you know me, you know I am not only a certified addict, I am also a "hoarder" too (according to Rod... LOL) This means I wanted to purchase another set at IMATS, but was advised against doing so because the Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner is made from real citrus, Levon suggests it should only be kept for about 6-months. Basically, treat it as you would a perishable food-item.

I have never seen a product work as wonderfully as Parian Spirit does... and no, I am not paid or endorsed to make these statements. However, I was so amazed by the efficiency of the brush cleaner, that I was compelled to write Levon Parian, himself... to which he agreed to help sponsor this giveaway!

If you are in Las Vegas, please visit Star Costume & Theatrical Supply on South Valley View, near Chinatown... this is the ONLY location in all of Nevada which carries the Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner. This truly is my brush-cleaner of choice, there is no other competition!

If you are interested in winning the Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner spray or travel wipes, please enter my giveaway!

Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner Giveaway
1.) Follow my blog.
2.) Comment this post with your YT name, Twitter name (if applicable), and why you would like to win.
3.) Be a YouTube subbie <-- go 'head... click it! Comment the video below regarding Parian Spirit.
4.) Please be 18 or over (parental permission required if underage).
*Contest is open to everyone... everywhere! This is because I believe everyone... everywhere should experience this great product! Contest will run until 11:59 pm, Sunday, August 29, 2010.

(Legal mumbo-jumbo time) Lastly, this giveaway is being hosted by myself and sponsored by Parian Spirit. I am not in any way affiliated with Parian Spirit. You agree, by participating in any of my contests, giveaways, etc, not to hold Celestial Ambitions Inc. (Harajuku Hunnies), or myself liable for any damages or injuries you sustain in connection to this giveaway or product. It is YOUR choice to enter, if you do not agree, please do not participate!

To Blog Sale Or Not To Blog Sale...?

2010-08-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

So... if any of you have seen my previous makeup collection, let me tell you... it has since then doubled! I need to get rid of some of this stuff because I have loads of stuff that I never use, barely used, and it's just taking up space. With that said, I was wondering if anyone would be interested in a blog sale? I have lots of Bare Escentuals that have been swatched a few times but weren't used, they're still full! I also have some other products like MAC, etc... There's way too much to post pics of, so should I simply list the items/colors and have you all get back to me? Or would you prefer to see pictures? Let me know!! :)

Thanks!

Sally Hansen La Cross Double Curl Lash Curler Giveaway!!!

2010-08-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas & Fexies!! It's finally time, I'm about to get the giveaways poppin' on many of the products you have been waiting so patiently for!

If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I recently did a review on the Sally Hansen Double Curl Lash Curler... I absolutely love it! I think it's about time some of you get to share this love... so how about a giveaway?!!

Here are the rules (and yes, you MUST follow these, and no... there are NO exceptions!)

1.) You must be a US resident (there are 50 states... do you live in one of them?) & be 18 yrs. or older, if not, get parental permission por favor!
2.) You must follow my YouTube (MissMauiMac) <-- click it!
3.) You must follow me on Twitter & RT this giveaway (HarajukuHunnies) <-- click it!
4.) And of course you have to be following my blog! (um yeah, that's this page you're on right now!)
5.) Comment this post with your YouTube name, Twitter name, and tell me why you want to try the Sally Hansen Double Curl Lash Curler!

(Legal mumbo jumbo time) Lastly, this giveaway is being hosted by me. I am not in any way affiliated with Sally Hansen, nor have I received this product in exchange for promotional favors (this means I bought this with my own money... be grateful! ;-P). You agree, by participating in any of my contests, giveaways, etc, not to hold Celestial Ambitions Inc. (Harajuku Hunnies), or myself liable for any damages or injuries you sustain in connection to this giveaway or product. It is YOUR choice to enter, if you do not agree, please do not participate!

All entries submitted by 11:59 (PST) Sunday, August 15th, 2010 will be considered. Now have fun and good luck! :)

The More The Make-Up Merrier!

2010-07-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

What's up glamouristas and fexies!

I'm looking to hold a contest or giveaway VERY SOON, but first I need YOUR help! As soon as I hit 150 blog followers, it will be on! Here's where I need your help- please get the word out for your friends, followers, subbies, etc. to follow my blog!

You want to know what you can win, don't you? Well, of course you do! LOL Once we hit 150, I'll post a video to my YouTube channel and also post here on my blog regarding prizes.

To be a winner you must:

1. Follow my blog!
2. Participate on blog posts (Let's keep it interesting! I like reading your comments/responses when I log-on!)
3. Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Simple, isn't it? Now let's get it poppin'!!! ;)

xoxo Trinity

Review Time- Sally Hansen La Cross Double Curl Lash Curler; Gimme or Gimmick?

2010-07-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

Right before going to IMATS last month, I ran into Walgreen's to pick up a few essentials for my trip... and by "essentials", I mean stuff I didn't really need. LOL

Of course I browsed the cosmetics aisle, after-all... how could I not? I picked up a few Sinful Colors nail polishes (which were great, btw) and also this nifty little contraption, Sally Hansen's new La Cross Double Curl Lash Curler.

At first I was a little skeptical and almost passed on purchasing it. If you've watched my "5 Products I Regret Purchasing" video, where I ranted about the horrible Mally curler, you'll know that I haven't exactly had the best experience when it comes to eyelash curlers.

If you take one look at the Double Curl, you'll notice a feature that sets it apart from traditional lash curlers; the double bar. With traditional curlers you have a single curved bar, whereas this curler has a second bar running parallel and a little higher to the first bar. This revolutionary design gently curls your lashes in two spots at once, results: a more natural, graduated curl.

The design works flawlessly for me, I have yet to pinch my eye or feel like I'm pulling out my lashes when using it. I love the pink grips rather than loops, making the curler appear more advanced than its predecessors. I also like that the curler comes with four pads, one in the well and three replacements. The pads differ from the norm, while most pads are flat topped, these have grooves to accommodate the double bars.The pads are of perfect firmness also, not too soft to where you run through replacements, or too hard.

I would not say the double bar feature cuts down on the actual time you spend curling your lashes, however it does give you the highly sought-after natural, relaxed curl, rather than the harsh crimped look... otherwise known as the "OMG!" crimp that has you looking like someone just scared the religion out of you! LOL Again, if you've watched my videos, you'll know that I have about five eyelashes, stick straight, and they like looking at my toes... Unfortunately I was not blessed with full, thick, curly lashes. :(

With lash curlers in the past, I would need to gently pull and slide the curler down my lashes to achieve a natural curl (though I do not recommend anyone doing that, as you risk pulling out your lashes and pulling the delicate skin on your lid). However, with this curler, I no longer need to sacrifice a nice, natural curl or pulling my lashes out!

Overall, I would definitely recommend picking this up. It's roughly about $7 (including tax), which isn't bad considering you have four pads, where most lash curlers come with two, that alone doubles the life of the curler.

Below you will find some comparison photos, enjoy!

My Natural Lashes Before Curling

My Natural Lashes After Using a Traditional Lash Curler

My Natural Lashes After Using the Sally Hansen Double Curl

If you've tried this, let me know how you like it... if you have a better recommendation, I'd love to hear about it! Be sure to follow my blog and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more information on a possible upcoming giveaway of the Sally Hansen La Cross Double Curl Lash Curler!

Photo Shoot With Male Model- Brandon Lundby

2010-07-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas & Fexies! I've been meaning to share these pictures from a photo shoot I did a few months back. This was a fun shoot because it was my first male model. Believe it or not, Brandon is only 16 and has amazing presence in front of the camera.

The photographer, David Eckert, is extremely talented and patient. This particular shoot was booked to try out new lighting techniques on-set.

The first set was more of an editorial-style shoot. I concealed his blemishes and evened out his skin tone using the Graftobian Super Creme Palette. To make his features and bone structure more prominent, I also contoured around his nose, cheeks, and jawline. With the same shade used for facial contouring, I added a little shape and depth to his eyes. I groomed his brows and added a single, light coating of mascara just to thicken his lash base and "open" up his eyes. His lips were kept natural with a bit of Aquaphor and a flesh-toned lippie.

The second shoot was more high-fashion/creative. David and the other photographer had a vision, they gave me a rough sketch of what they wanted, and asked me to create a look based upon their sketch.

The checkered print was created using everyone's favorite... NYX Jumbo Pencils in "Milk" and "Black Bean"! :) I added MAC's 3D Gold Glitter on lips and also used it to fade out the black strip across Brandon's eyes.

The shoot lasted approximately seven-hours, with two models and four sets altogether. We had a quick pizza break in between, though I didn't get to eat until after the pizza went cold... guess that's the life of a MUA on-set (who's lucky enough to even get to eat)! LOL

Luckily I had Ashleye there with me to keep me company and also assist with make-up and brush-cleaning between models. I've posted more photos of the shoot below. Feel free to ask questions if you have any... I always love hearing from my subbies! :)

Star Costume & Theatrical Supply, Las Vegas- & Info On Upcoming Giveaway!

2010-07-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I took a trip down to Star Costume & Theatrical Supply located at 3230 S. Valley View, Las Vegas, to purchase another Parian Spirit Brush Cleanser specifically for my kit. As most of you know, I attended IMATS last month and one of my haul items happened to be Parian Spirit.

I loved my Parian Spirit cleanser so much that I couldn't say enough about it and many of you have requested a review on my blog and /or YouTube channel. I am in the process of working on this request and hope to have a sponsored giveaway featuring Parian Spirit very soon!

I will post a haul video sometime this week detailing my purchases, in the meantime, I wanted to do a quick post regarding my recent visit to Star Costume.

Upon entering, you can't miss a large sign with store policies prohibiting customers from taking photos, or trying on costumes for the sole purpose of taking photos, to name a few. I made sure I received permission from the Store Manager (I forgot his name!) before breaking out the Canon.

The bulk of my time was spent at the make-up counter, of course, LOL! It was there that I met Jennifer Rice at Kryolan, also owner of MadDaffodil.com, an online apparel and wig site focusing on none other than Tokyo Street Fashion! Please check out her website by clicking on the link above.

Jennifer was nice enough to show me some fun Kryolan products, including their amazingly bold "Shimmering Vision" Palette, an 18-color array of sparkling treasures with shades from every color grouping you would ever need. The consistency of the product was smooth and easily blend-able. We also played with the "Viva" palette, which blew me away! The Viva palette is water-activated and will return to its original state once dry, meaning you can mist water directly onto the shadow itself and not have to worry about ruining the whole shadow! The color intensity of both palettes were extremely satisfying, especially for the color-junkie in me.

Although the Viva & Shimmering Vision palettes were a bit on the pricey end, the sticker price really doesn't seem that bad once you realize how much product you're receiving, not to mention the quality of the make-up. I am definitely putting these two items on my shopping list! :)

Jennifer awesome, she also gave me a goody-bag with four Kryolan products to review.The organza bag included a tinted moisturizer, face primer, lip primer, and amazing matte gray eyeshadow. I've already used most of the products since receiving them, with the exception of the face primer, and have loved the results thus far!

The tinted moisturizer worked great this weekend while shopping & going to the gym, when I needed some moisture to battle the desert heat, but would rather skip an entire face-full or product.

The lip primer is excellent, very moist and blends superbly, unlike most other lip primers that are too dry, resulting in tugging of delicate lip surfaces and/or patchy lips.

I absolutely loved the gray matte eyeshadow, it's a wearable, easily blend-able, silky-feeling shadow. I pressed it onto my lashline this weekend to enhance eyes, yet keeping the appearance very natural.

I will publish a post sometime in the upcoming week or two, focusing specifically on the Kryolan products.

The majority of the costume shop was dedicated to, well, just that- costumes! Aside from make-up, you can expect to find tutus *LOL*, leotards, dresses, dance-wear, traditional costumes, as well as props, acessories, wigs, and shoes. Here are some photos below... enjoy! :)

Soft Summer Bridal

2010-07-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

With wedding season in full-swing, I decided to do a bridal tutorial using soft-pink tones. Always a fan of color, I find myself instinctively wanting to throw some tasteful teals or pretty purples on my own lids... but I resisted! LOL A lot of bridal make-up is kept very simple, most brides request a "natural" or more "beautiful" version of themselves. Often times their request is due to a comment made by the Groom, as we all know that most men claim to not like a lot of make-up on women, but here's a secret between you and I... most men can not differentiate between what is make-up and what isn't!

With that being said, here is a bridal look that I put together using the Harajuku Hunnies "Babydoll Bride" Menage-a-5 Palette. I kept the application fairly light and focused on more neutral tones so that the make-up would still be pretty, yet not overpowering to the point where it would compete with your natural beauty or the glam of your wedding gown.

Product List

Face:
Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse "Sandy Beige"

MUFE HD Powder

Brows:
Harajuku Hunnies Brow Quad "Brunette"

Blush:
MAC "Plum Foolery"

MAC "Harmony" (contouring)

Eyes:
Harajuku Hunnies Eye & Lip Primer
Harajuku Hunnies Menage-a-5 Palette "Babydoll Bride"
MAC "Haux"
MAC "Shroom"

Harajuku Hunnies Pick-Up Lines Gel Liner "Black Out"

Lips:
MAC Lip Liner "Dervish"

Harajuku Hunnies Lip Slick "Strip Search"

MAC "Deliciously Rich" (layered over "Strip Search")

Smokey Purple & Plum Tutorial

2010-07-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas & Fexies! :) So, some of you know that back in February, Rod purchased a new Canon SX20 IS camera for me as an anniversary gift. I couldn't do any videos or tuts with it because whack-@ss Windows Movie Maker doesn't work with "mov" files... grrrr! LOL So, after months of procrastination, I finally found a video editing program and was able to "produce" my first HD tutorial for my YouTube channel! :)

The look I did was a dark purpley/plum, I actually get a lot of compliments on this look when wearing it out and since I get a lot of requests for purple looks... here it is! :)

Product List

Face:
Temptu Airbrush SB foundation (004- Sand, 006- Toffee)
MUFE HD Powder

Brows:
Temptu Airbrush SB formula (062- Deep Taupe, 063- Light Putty)

Blush:
Temptu Airbrush SB formula (047- Raspberry)

Contouring:
Temptu Airbrush SB formula (009- Natural Mocha)

Eyes:
MAC Greasepaint Stick (black)
"Nocturnelle" e/s
"Very Violet" e/s
"Beautiful Iris" e/s
"Dovefeather" e/s
"Shroom" e/s
(Harajuku Hunnies) "Black Velvet" Quickie e/s
(MAC) "Blacktrack" Fluidline

Lips:
(MUFE) Rouge Artist Intense "15"
(OCC) "Hoochie" Lip Tar

April Photoshoots

2010-06-18T22:23:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas & Fexies! Hope you are all having a fab summer so far. I haven't been doing much in the way of photoshoots lately due to my intense work schedule and keeping up with the business. However I did want to share a few pics with you from a photoshoot in mid-April.

I had the pleasure of working with a very skilled photographer by the name of David Eckert. He along with another photographer, Charles, booked two models. This was the second time working with one of the models, "Twiggy Bladez", from Model Mayhem. Twiggy was one of the models for the fashion show Ashleye and I did in early April, Ashleye also accompanied me on this photoshoot as well... I love having her company and help, she's great!

Twiggy has a very unique look about her that's both unusual and captivating at the same time. Her eyes are piercing and she's the type of model who takes the lead while in front of the camera. I've worked with models before that needed coaching during the shoot; not Twiggy, this girl's got it.

Here's some of the photos I recently got back from the shoot... the first showcases what else, but her amazing eyes! The photographer requested a smokey, dramatic eye and super glossy lips. There's no telling how many coats of lipglass I applied that day! LOL

Twiggy is also sent clothing by designers, this is one of the animal-print jackets she was asked to model in exchange for the clothing. This look was tamed down a bit to flow with the more neutral tones in the fabric.

There was also a male model at this particular photoshoot. I will post his pictures soon... his shoot was fun, so stay tuned!! ;)

Mally Waterproof Evercolor Starlight Eyeliners

2010-05-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I purchased two sets of Mally's Waterproof Evercolor Starlight Eyeliners from QVC. The first of the two sets included: "Midnight": deep black, "Lucky Penny": bronze/copper shimmer, and "Caribbean Sea": the site describes this as a 'teal blue' but in my opinion, it's closer to green than blue. The second set consisted of: "Royal Plum": beautiful, shimmery purple, "Milk Chocolate": smooth medium-shade brown, and "Ice Blue": silvery-blue shimmer, great for applying on the waterline to 'open-up' the eyes.

QVC offers the set of three liners for $25 + $3.97 s&h. It breaks down to about $10 each... still beats paying $18 for one Urban Decay 24/7 liner.

The consistency of the Mally liners seem to be smoother, creamier, and thicker. The liners are listed as waterproof yet they are creamy enough to blend (as long as you blend and smudge within 30-seconds of application).

I've been using "Midnight" eyeliner on a daily basis and have found it to have slightly better staying-power than Urban Decay's 24/7 liners on the waterline. I also tested the "Milk Chocolate" pencil for brow filling, and it's worked wonderfully, especially if you stroke a light dusting of brow powder over the pencil to help set it.

My favorite colors would have to be "Midnight" and "Royal Plum". I use those most frequently and love the "Royal Plum" liner when I want an alternative to black, but still desire a dark shade. I also like "Caribbean Sea" for a pop of color when using neutral shadows. Overall, I would recommend the Mally liners if you're looking for a long-wearing liner at a reasonable price (for brand-name cosmetics).
Below you'll find pics of the liners themselves as well as swatches... enjoy! :)

Fashion Show

2010-05-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hey Glamouristas and Fexies! ;) It's been a while since my last post. April was a very busy month for us. It began with a fashion show at the Aruba Hotel here in Vegas. This gig came off of Model Mayhem (MM), from designer Alainah Marie for the Steven Paul Collection. It was a collaboration of many different and talented local designers as well as design students in the Vegas fashion scene.

I was set to do 5 girls, but it ended up being 6, all had to be done within 2 1/2 hours (designer was running 30-minutes late), talk about stress and high pressure! Luckily I had the help of Ashleye, an aspiring MUA, to assist me with brush cleaning, priming, etc. When it came down to crunch time, it was sink or swim, so I threw Ashleye a brush and prayed that she'd "swim"! LOL She was great and I couldn't have gotten everyone done in time without all of her help, she's awesome!

The designer was featuring a denim collection with bright tees, along with a dark fashion collection. The desired look was brightly colored eyes for some, with dark smokey eyes and dark lips for others. Here are some of the photos taken from that night, courtesy of Undone Photography...

Not the same 'ole MAC!

2010-03-17T23:25:00.000-07:00

I began my MAC addiction about 10 years ago, but things got really "bad" in about 2005 when my ex was deployed. I needed something to occupy my time and thoughts. Now, when I say "bad", I mean I would spend hundreds of dollars at the store or online every week. Yes, I was a junkie and proud of it. I haven't counted lately, but I'd say I have close to 130-150 MAC shadows alone, not counting the countless other cosmetic brands.

Recently I have been noticing that the color pay-off has not been the same between the old MAC shadows and the newer MAC shadows. I have not officially heard anything released by MAC stating such, but I believe the proof is in the pudding.

Below you will see unedited photo two swatches. Both swatches were swiped a total of four-times each. No, they are not different colors. They are MAC's "Plum Dressing" eyeshadow. The swatch to the left came from a pan purchased in '05 or '06, whereas the pan on the right was purchased a few months ago.

That is an extremely noticable difference in color pay-off, even to the untrained artist-eye! I have found the new formulas to be not as easily blendable and lack the "wow" factor for which MAC has built a reputation on. Needless to say, I found this to be very disappointing and I can not help but feel somewhat cheated. Being a MAC customer for years, I have come to expect a certain unparalelled quality in their cosmetic products... Guess their downfall is where other cosmetic companies begin their rise. ;)

Photoshoot!

2010-03-11T00:24:00.000-08:00

So a few nights ago, after a year of working with one of my photographers, I finally decided to do a photoshoot myself. I've been to shoots before, but always as the MUA, not as the MUA/model! LOL So I thought I'd share a few photos from the shoot... I was nervous as hell but we ended up having a lot of fun. Hopefully I'll be able to do a more risque boudoir shoot before Rod and I get married!! ;)

This was my make-up and hair before leaving the house...

Here are the few that I've gotten back so far...

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me... as always, nice to catch up with you all. Make sure you hit me up with any questions or comments. I will be adding more make-up postings soon!

OOOhhh! Please don't forget to add my newly created Facebook Fan Page! Click to become a FexiFan!! Gooooo Fexies!!! ;)

NOLA Saints Tutorial!

2010-02-06T00:53:00.000-08:00

Ok so... y'all know I'm a diehard Steelers girl. However, since our boys didn't make it this year (which to our defense, we did suffer a lot of set-backs this season, but we'll be back! lol) I'm gonna lay my bets down on the Saints. Not exactly MY black & gold, but it's closer than blue and white! LOL I know the Colts are favored to win, which is why I'm sticking with the underdogs!! Plus, I've met Drew Brees right before he was drafted into the NFL... in fact, I have a pic somewhere of him holding Coco when she was 6-months old. He also signed her first pair of Nikes... now if I could just find those dang baby kicks!! LOL

Here's my Saints look for this weekend... the actual tutorial will be uploaded onto YouTube Saturday morning. Hope you enjoy it! =)

Clarisonic Skin Care System

2010-01-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

So a couple of months ago I purchased the Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System from QVC. It was about $240 (with tax & shipping), but it was offered on Easy-Pay! If you've never watched QVC, Easy-Pay is where they split the charge for a certain number of installments over several months. It's actually a life-saver and had it not been offered with Easy-Pay, I can honestly say I probably wouldn't have purchased it.

Aside from the obvious, I was curious to see what other benefits and improvements I would notice in my skin. Basically, the Clarisonic is to your face/skin, as the Sonicare Toothbrush is to teeth. Sonic technology boasts over 300 movements per second, now that's a-lotta shakin'! This helps to remove 6x more make-up and dirt, leaving skin practically brand new.

This particular Clarisonic has 3 speeds; low, normal, and high. In fact, it isn't just effective at cleansing your skin, the cleansing duration actually adjusts according to which brush head is attached to the unit. How cool is that? What I love about this cleansing system, is the fact that you can customize your cleansing time. If any of the facial brush heads are attached, it will run according to your customized setting, with audible beeps to let you know when to move the brush to the next area of your face (forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, etc.) If you have the body brush attached, the Clarisonic will run for 3-minutes.

The system I purchased came with two full-sized products; a Refining Skin Polish and Gentle Hydro Cleanser. Both products are 6 oz. and retail for $25 each. It also came with a total of four brush heads, two normal brush heads, one for sensitive skin, and one body brush head.

The system also came with four additional travel/trial sized cleansers. A 2 oz. Refining Skin Polish, 1 oz. Gentle Hydro Cleanser, Refining Gel Cleanser, and Nourishing Care Cleanser. The charging cradle requires no actual plug-in from cradle to Clarisonic, simply place the Clarisonic into the cradle and it charges... like magic! ;)

Now I'm sure you're wanting to know how effective the system cleans, right?? Well, I've been using the system for about two-months now and I can honestly say that I LOVE the way my skin feels after using the Clarisonic Plus! In fact, about two days after using it, Rodney kissed my nose and rubbed my cheeks (as he normally does,) and commented that my skin felt really soft. My eyes lit up and I shrieked, "It works!!" He looked at me all weird and was like, "Huh?" I replied, "My new Clarisonic! It works! See, told you it was worth it!" LOL

Not only has it softened my skin, I've noticed significant improvement to texture. It has alleviated dry patches and the exfoliation has helped remove dead, flaky skin from the cold, dry Winter months. I can tell the difference in my skin if I skip cleansing with the Clarisonic the next morning when applying my foundation. When I skip a cleansing session, my foundation application is not as smooth, and dry skin/flaking is very obvious. Due to the exfoliation, it also helps your skin to absorb your skincare products better. As any "educated esty" will tell you, good make-up application starts with good skin-care!

Here is a photo from the Clarisonic website, which was also featured on the product box. It clearly shows how the Clarisonic system removes dirt and make-up. Still not convinced? Ok, how about this...

After washing my face, I used the Clarisonic on the left side of my face only. I then applied toner onto two cotton rounds and using one for each side, swept them across my face. The cotton round on the left shows minimal residue after cleansing with the Clarisonic. The (brown) cotton round on the right shows much more residual make-up and dirt, even AFTER washing my face with Cetaphil gentle cleanser.

Before the Clarisonic

After the Clarisonic

For as long as I can remember, I've always had these red bumps on the back of my arms. I have a condition called "Keratosis Pilaris". In lament terms, my skin produces too much protein or "Keratin", which accumulates in the hair follicles and leads to these tiny red bumps. I've been using a special alpha-hydroxy acid lotion called "Amlactin" which has helped. However, Here are some before and after photos of my arm. The first skin photo is the "before", and the second photo is after using the Clarisonic Plus in conjunction with Amlactin (these photos were taken of the same arm, in the same lighting, and have not been altered or adjusted in any way). I've noticed a definite improvement and reduced redness... Which is good stuff if you ask me! ;)

All-in-all, I'd say eventhough the Clarisonic Plus is a bit pricey, if you have skin conditions or could stand to see yourself in softer skin (who doesn't), the Clarisonic is worth a shot. Plus, if you purchase it from QVC, you can return it within 30-days if you're not satisfied for any reason. What's not to love when you've got nothing to lose... except maybe a few dry patches?

Best $1 Eyelash Curler Ever Sold!

2010-01-10T14:55:00.000-08:00

Good lord it's been a month since I've updated my blog! Sorry glamouristas, the holidays had me booked!

About a month ago I was at Target and browsed their little holiday E.L.F. section and came across this $1 eyelash curler. I love a cheap lash curler! It's one of the simplest things you can do (or not do) that can make or break your "look".

Now, if you're subbed to me on YouTube, chances are you've probably heard me rant once or twice about the Mally Eyelash Curler that I purchased from QVC about 4 years ago. Ugh, worst purchase ever. Pulled out all my lashes! That P.O.S. was $25 or so, plus tax and shipping... consider yourself forewarned! People always love that video, "5 Products I Regret Purchasing", not sure why, but I've been told it's funny. I'm glad you all seem to find humor in my pain! ;) LOL

I've also puchased the $20 Shu Uemura curlers... eh. So NOT impressed. Trust me when I say they can't do anything that a $2 Wal-Mart lash curler can do just as good, if not better! So, back to my purchase... there was only one curler left, so I threw it in my cart and proceeded to check out. Afterall, what did I have to lose, other than a dollar?

Let me tell you girlies... this is by far one of the BEST eyelash curlers I've ever purchased! It's considered "mechanical" because it has a swirled metal spring that makes the handles bounce back (um, ok genius'. lol). It also comes equipped with a replacement pad, as all curlers do. The pad itself is soft and helps create the softest, natural curl. Out of the 5 eyelash curlers I have in my make-up room, I find myself reaching for this curler every morning. I foresee myself being completely devestated when I start cutting into that replacement pad! :(

Overall, this was a great purchase and if you're able to find this curler at your local Target or online, definitely throw it in your cart too (maybe 4 or 5 if you can!) You won't be disappointed... and if you are, heck, I'll buy them from you! ;)

Dollar Tree Haul

2009-12-09T22:02:00.000-08:00

I really have to dedicate this Dollar Tree haul to Ale (QueenBMakeup)!! She is always hauling inexpensive products and making it look great. This weekend, while shopping for window treatments with my mother-in-law, I came across a Dollar Tree... I was compelled to try and find quality products in exchange for my good ole' George Washington's. I was quite surprised at what I was able to find. Typically I wouldn't even browse the cosmetic aisle of the dollar store, but I'm glad I did. Here's my buried treasures!

All of this for $9! I picked up three Maybelline glosses, one Maybelline Superstay Power Gems 12-hour lip color, one L.A. colors lip gloss, two Loreal Refreshing Eye Liners, and two Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadows.

Here are swatches of the lip glosses. The first three Maybelline glosses are somewhat light, not overly sticky, the consistency is just right (I can't stand very thick, sticky glosses. And no, jizz-lips are NOT cute. LOL) The shades are very sheer but are great for applying over lip liner or solo for a touch of shine.

I have to say that I was very impressed with the Powerstay 12-hour lip color. The shade itself reminded me very much of an old MAC Pro Longwear color that I used to have. I was never a fan of the Pro Longwear, only because it was horribly drying and would cause my lips to peel. However, the Maybelline 12-hour lip color was delightfully sheer and dried quickly and smoothly. Once it dried, I applied the shimmer gloss on top and was very happy with the way the color held up. The only con was that I found the shimmer gloss to be very thick and heavy feeling. In the end, the 12-hour lip color was an overall plus and I wouldn't be surprised to see a sticker of $8 for this product in drugstores. (I actually saw it at Target, the day after I began writing this blog, for $7.99... right on the money!)

The L.A. Colors gloss was labeled "pink" eventhough it appeared red in the tube. When applied, it was very sheer and did appear more of a glossy-pink than a red. I would consider this gloss more "glittery" than "shimmery". It is fruit scented and reminds me of something you would have picked up as a teenager. I feel this would be a perfect, fun gloss for layering over lipsticks for the holidays.

I also picked up these Loreal Colour Fesco liners... One is a light, shimmery white, the other a nice, brownish-toffee shade. The consistency was almost perfect, I would have prefered them to be a tad more on the creamy side, just for ease of application. However, the fact that they weren't very kohl-like was great in my opinion because that equals longer wear, but they weren't severely dry to the point that it would skip or tug on delicate eye areas.

My only gripe with this is that the brown shade was completely unattached from the wood casing. I'll try warming it up and seeing if it will "melt" into place... hopefully I don't ruin it altogether. If I do, well at least it was only a dollar! LOL

I decided to try two of the Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadows... one in "Pink Halo" and another in "Lilac Cloud". These were very light but extremely shimmery. Being that it was my very first time trying the mousse products, I wasn't sure what to expect. It in fact, as its name implies, has a very mousse-like consistency... very light, airy, reminds me of a fluffy meringue or key lime pie! (Mmmm, fexi! LOL)

"Pink Halo" on the left, "Lilac Cloud" on the right. The pink shade is much more shimmery than the lilac. I did use "Lilac Cloud" yesterday with a purple look that I wore. I applied it to the entire lid and it held up exceptionally well throughout the day- no noticable loss of color or sparkle, no running or creasing. Great find for only $1!

So there! I finally did it; a Dollar Tree haul, aren't you proud of me? LOL Heck, I know I am! Typically 9 products would run me close to or over the $200 mark, and well... with the holidays around the corner, I've got to learn to get my beauty fix on a budget!

Feel free to comment or ask questions... lata Glamouristas!

OOOOHHHHHHH!!!! and one more very awesome thing... please go check out my interview with Amanda11762!!

Thanksgiving Weekend

2009-11-29T11:07:00.000-08:00

Well... it's Sunday and Thanksgiving weekend is officially coming to a close. I don't know about you, but I really don't get into all that "Black Friday" lunacy. Those who know me already know that long lines and I don't mix. I'm the one that will "come back later" if I can't get a good parking stall at Wal-Mart! I don't know... maybe it's just people in general that get on my nerves? LOL

Anyhow, hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend. :) Thanksgiving was just Rod and I this year. I cooked for 5 hours (longest cook-time ever!) and our menu consisted of fried catfish, mac & cheese, collard greens, stuffing, candied yams, potato salad, cranberry sauce, biscuits... and of course, rice (for the Japanese in me!) We finished the night off with some bomb peach cobbler, thanks to a family recipe from Mama-Fexi herself (@ReeReeKins on Twitter), topped with vanilla bean ice cream! There was no turkey on the menu (because we don't eat meat), but I sure felt like a butterball after all that food.

I knew that once I began my cooking journey, I wouldn't feel like putting my face on after the food was done, so I opted to do my holiday make-up before breaking out the pots and pans. It was very simple and neutral, just added a little glam to it by laying down some glitter liner over my eyeliner and in the bottom inner-corners. If I had gone out, I would have just added some sexy red lips to finish the look... but since we stayed at home, I chose neutral lips.

Products Used

Face:
Bare Minerals foundation (Golded Medium), w/ Mineral Veil.
Eyes:
HHC Shadow Base, HHC "Tabby Cat" Menage-a-5 Palette (lighter shades for highlight and base color, browns for shading and depth, green shade on lower lashline), MAC "Her Glitz" glitter liner, HHC "Black Out" Pick-Up Lines Gel Liner.
Brows:
HHC "Brunette" Brow Quad.
Lashes:
Maybelline Colossal Waterproof "Classic Black", Red Cherry #1
Cheeks:
MAC "Other Worldly" blush, "Harmony" (contour)
Lips:
MAC "Stripdown" liner, HHC "Strip Search" lip slick, dab of MAC "Peroxide" lipglass.

Monday-Monday!

2009-11-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

Monday was a very busy day for me... I had a meeting with the ladies of the Rio Spa & Salon at noon for instruction and demonstrations. Well, being that I have the luck of the non-Irish, I woke up that morning and went to put my kit in the car, only to discover a nail in my tire!! Grrr! (This stuff must only happen to me! LOL) I have a feeling it's because we recently moved into our new home and there's still construction going on, thus explaining nails on the road and in my tire. I go to a tire shop and wouldn't you know... they don't have my tire in stock, it had to be ordered. *sigh*
So I get to the Rio (about 15 minutes late) and begin the demos... this was the highlight of my day. The ladies were so much fun. They sat with their notepads, asked questions and were very interactive, I love groups like that! :) We played with the Harajuku Hunnies products (HHC), swatched colors, did make-up application- it was great.

HHC is now available for purchase at the Rio Hotel & Casino's Spa & Salon in Las Vegas!!! I'm so excited about that... plus, they've told me that the products are doing really well and they are looking forward to using HHC for the upcoming holidays, specifically New Year's make-up. If you're in Las Vegas or will be visiting soon, please go check them out and let them know that you support HHC! :)

The bright teal shade on my lid is from the "Lolita" 3-Way Palette. Here's my make-up for the day...

Products used:
Face:
MUFE HD foundation (123), MUFE HD microfine finishing powder.
Eyes:
HHC "Lolita" 3-Way Palette (teal shade), MAC "vanilla" es, MAC "nylon" es, MAC "print" es, MAC "blue brown" pigment, no-name olive/brown shimmer. HHC "black out" pick-up lines gel liner.
Brows:
HHC "brunette" brow quad.
Lashes:
Maybelline Colossal "classic black", MAC #7.
Cheeks:
MAC "harmony" (contour), MAC Mineralized "warmed".
Lips:
HHC "spice" lipliner, MAC "c-thru" lipglass.

Interested in Sponsorship/Reviews??

2009-11-19T23:51:00.000-08:00

So... you've been hearing about being sponsored or possibly doing a review for HHC, huh? Good! Keep reading!

In the past I received a lot of emails from blog sites asking for products so they could review them, yada, yada, yada, you know the rest. I really haven't been able to extend that opportunity to many people until now, and I have to tell you, I'm soooo excited! :) I've already had several very active and talented ladies inquire about doing reviews within the last day. As much as I wish I could take everyone on, there's just no possible way for me to do that, so I have hand-picked just a few for now. But don't worry... I'm positive that there will be more opportunities to come, just be patient with me (please?)!! LOL

Through the emails and messages on Twitter, I did notice that I was being asked quite a few of the same questions. Therefore, I thought I would share just a few of these questions/answers as they pertain to sponsorship and reviews.

Q: Do I have to have a YouTube channel?
A: That would be great, as it would increase views and exposure, but it's not necessary. This used to be a requirement for me, but it's no longer applicable. Personally, if you've followed my YouTube channel, you'll notice that I hardly make many videos myself these days, so I completely understand. You must however, either have a YouTube channel or a blog, some way of "spreading the word".

Q: If I'm sponsored by Harajuku Hunnies Cosmetics, does that mean I can't be sponsored with any other company?
A: Heck no! Ok, let's be real for a minute... I'm not Cover Girl and you're probably not a Ford model, and there's definitely NOT a million dollar check exchanging hands here. Therefore there's no contract and I don't own exclusive rights to YOUR face. I personally find it pretty absurd for small companies, such as myself, to restrict YOUR right to who and what you want to represent. You're a big girl, I'm sure you can make informed decisions on whose company and what philosophy you approve your face and name to be associated with.

Q: Is there a time limit on when the review or look has to be completed?
A: No. BUT (you knew that was coming, didn't you? LOL) let's make sure we're all on the same page here; if I send you free products for a look or review, you understand that this is in exchange for service/time. This is not a prize (see the difference?) No, I'm not a b*tch, nor do I care to be, so please don't take me there. However, if you get to know me, you will know that I'm very easy-going and I really don't let little things bother me. If you're busy, fine, I understand, just try not to blow me off for a month. There are nights in which I barely find time to sleep, so I know "busy"... But the reason I'm "busy" is because I'm handling business, therefore I expect those that I associate with to have somewhat similar values and work ethic. At the same time, I'm not one of those over-bearing cosmetic gurus who feel entitled to your every waking moment... If it's one thing I know, it's that the more you hold onto something, the harder it will fight to get away. ;) Are you feeling me yet? Do I need to keep going?

Q: I have severe allergies and am extremely sensitive to pets, smoke, etc... since you're a home-based business, I need to know if any of these apply to you.
A: I'm glad you asked! Aside from being asthmatic myself, Rod, Coco, and I are very sensitive to things like smoke, dust, and pets. You'll be happy to know that neither of us smoke, nor do we allow smoking in our home. Given our allergies, though we love pets, we simply can't own them... therefore you will never have to worry about your make-up being subjected to any of the above. When I create shadows, I am also masked and gloved for your protection and mine... so relax, hunny! ;)

Like I said, I'm pretty laid back. With that being said, I pride myself on excellent customer service and the highest level of professionalism. I refuse to get sucked into any drama involving other businesses. Some of what I have witnessed has been absolutely ridiculous and I have no desire to be associated with companies with low values, both personally and professionally. I am a firm believer that your company, and what it stands for, is a reflection of you. You will never find me bad-mouthing my customers on any site, all the while claiming to "love" them. I don't grumble and gripe about the valid concerns of my customers. Sadly, this is something that I've seen from other business owners and I find that to be a major turn-off, especially when I am a cutomer of theirs myself. I promise to always value the opinions and concerns of those who make what I do possible!

So... now that you've read it all, let me hear your thoughts. Do you uphold high standards for yourself? Are you a cut above the rest? From what you've read, is Harajuku Hunnies an extension of you? If so, let's talk! :)

New Quickie Shadows on HHC!

2009-11-18T00:07:00.000-08:00

Hey Glamouristas! So although I've had a lot going on these past few weeks and have been more than my fair share of "busy", I decided I needed to devote some time to developing some new colors. (Now if I can just find the time to master this blog thing! lol) Here is a preview of the new Quickies Shadows available on HarajukuHunnies.com!

"Get Lucky"

"Mean Green"

"Bright Eyes, Bushy Tail"

"Oral Addiction"

"Lyric"

"Too Deep"

"Schoolgirl"

"Here, Kitty Kitty!"

"Mauve-ahlous"

"Purple Majesty"

OHHHH!!! BTW, I'm looking for a few new faces to rep HHC! :) If you like what you see and do regular blogs, reviews, etc. with cosmetics, send me your link (with photos) and let's chop it up! Email me!! -->[harajukuhunnies@gmail.com] If you've got what we're looking for, you may get some free products in exchange for your time... and hello, like WHO doesn't like "free"? LOL

First Blog Post... EVER!

2009-11-16T20:56:00.000-08:00

Hey! So after months and months of having this blog site, I've finally decided to try and put it to some sort of use. If you follow me on Twitter or have subbed me on YouTube, you probably know that I'm not very active on YouTube anymore... my apologies! I just find it very hard to find the time and energy to sit down, record a video (possibly record it a few times), then spend hours editing and cr*p to get it upload-ready. I'm a very busy woman (ha!)... no, really, I am.

So, for my very first blog, I'm going to share a few pics of make-up that I did today for a lovely bride named "Liz". Her bridal party's color was "purple"... one of my faves! She wanted a smokey look, which I was more than happy to oblige... One thing to remember: you do have to be cautious when using trendy colors (like purple, blue) for things like wedding photos. You want to keep it elegant and sophisticated, ensuring the Bride acheives the look she's going for, while being careful not to go overboard resulting in dated-looking wedding photos. Before we go on, I do realize I need a "real" camera, but here are some from the Sony phone (hey, it's a CyberShot! lol) I'm waiting on her professional wedding photos, I'll be sure to post some later. Anyhow, here is Liz "before"...

Here is Liz "after"...

Here are the products used:

Face

MUFE HD foundation (127), MUFE HD microfine finishing powder, Model in a Bottle (sensitive skin)

Eyes

MAC "brown down" es, MAC "haux" es, MAC "nocturnelle" es, MAC "shroom" es, MAC "vanilla" es, MAC "nylon" es, MAC "print" es, MAC "carbon" es, HHC "black out" gel liner

Brows

HHC "brunette" quad

Lashes

Maybelline Define-a-Lash waterproof, Red Cherry #47

Cheeks

MAC "gentle" mineralize blush, MAC "harmony" (contour)

Lips

MAC "dervish" lipliner, HHC "spice" lipliner, MAC "myth" ls, HHC "plump asset" ls, MAC "flowerosophy" lipglass