Tips Thursday: When good bangs go bad! How to hide botched bangs.

Good Evening Beautiful People,
  
            I know this post is super late and in all technicality, it isn't even Thursday anymore, but today was jam packed with so many things. I am just catching up on my Thursday night shows and then off to bed because I have to get up super early in the morning. I wanted to quickly give you a post so here I am.

So, I have a tendency to take to the scissors and razor to try and shape my own bangs. FYI...not as easy as you think. For those who have done this, they know what I mean. I usually get them shorter than I want but this time was the worst. I looked up a video and tried trimming. Let's just say, this is proof that youtube doesn't have answers for everything. Needless to say my bangs are super short and I need a way to camouflage them. So, for all you guys who have put your faith in tutorials that claim to be as simple as 1, 2, 3...here it is.

 Things You will Need

Hair Spray, Rat Tail Comb, bobby pins and small foam rollers

 

 Make a Fake Bang Piece

Sometimes you just need to cover it so, a good way is to get a fake bang piece. Some beauty supply stores sell them but if you have a pair of old extensions, then you can make your own.

Tips for pulling this off:

• Take a piece of extensions and measure from one side of the bang to the other. If you need to, re-position the clips
• Separate bangs into two sections and clip back the top section, tease bottom section and then clip piece onto bang
• Un-clip top half of hair and brush over extensions
• If the bangs need to be trimmed or shaped, do so while they are in the hair

Head Bands

This works because you can push and hold the bangs out of the way.


Tips for pulling this off:

• Push head band over the bangs 
• Pin or gel back bangs that are sticking out
• This style works best after using foam rollers to direct the hair backwards

Pin Hair to the Side

This style has a very vintage feel and you can do this two ways, you can do a front faux suicide roll or a side roll.

Tips for pulling off the faux suicide roll:

• Use foam rollers to direct the bangs forward
• Make a 'U' shape by adding hair from the crown, you will need longer pieces
• Use a large curling iron to curl forward
• Tease the bangs and long pieces together
• Take hair and swoop it to either side
• When swooping, make sure they cradle or cover the short bangs
• Secure on side

Tips for pulling off a side roll:

• Use foam rollers to direct the bangs forward
• Make a 'U' shape by adding hair from the crown, you will need longer pieces
• Use a large curling iron to curl forward
• Tease bangs and long pieces together
• Take hair and begin to wrap it around your pointer finger and roll until you reach the scalp, pull to the side and secure with bobby pins
• Spray the hair with hair spray to set and secure

So that's it! Hope this helps all you bang hackers :) Thanks so much for reading everyone!!!

Review Tuesday: Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily skin

Hello Makeup Lovers,

              First of all, I wanted to take a moment to say that I am sorry that I did not post my fashion post on Saturday but I just had so much going on this weekend and my special guest was feeling under the weather. But I will be posting a fashion post this weekend for sure. Anyways, onto the review for today. Today's review is for the Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Combo/oily skin. So let's begin, shall we?

The Product

This product promises to provide 24 hours of lightweight coverage and comes in 8 shades. It is oil-free and provides medium to full coverage. This 1.0 oz bottle of product give SPF 6 coverage and runs for about $18 CAD.

My version of the Product

I purchased the shade 110 Ivory.

What I liked about the product

I have been on the hunt for a long-wearing foundation for a long time. I am a face sweater and my foundation wears off very quickly. The first time I used this foundation, I was floored by the lasting power of this foundation. I did not use a primer and it lasted me from 10 am until 11pm that night and my foundation looked great. This was after a day of working and then an evening of dancing. This foundation is extremely long-wearing. It does not oxidize and go darker on your skin tone. It is comfortable to wear and covers almost anything. I have bad acne scars and this covered them all. I sometimes do not even need concealer.

What I didn't like about it

This foundation is awesome but there are a few pitfalls with it too. It is a very sticky product that needs to be set. I also noticed that it is a bit harder to get off the skin because it adheres so well.

How I apply it

First things first when it comes to any foundation routine, moisturize. This will help the makeup to apply flawlessly. I have tried a few application techniques but my favorite so far has been a damp egg sponge, you can pick these up at shoppers drug mart or sephora. Because of this foundations sticky nature, I always set it with a powder or setting spray.

My final word on this product is...I am in love! It a great, long-wearing and flawless foundation. I recommend it to everyone. Go buy it now!!!!

Keep you eyes peeled for a new tip/tutorial post this Thursday and a hot new fashion post on Saturday! Also, for updates, follow me on all of my social networks, which are linked on the left side. 



I want to know, have you tried the Revlon Colorstay foundation? What did you like? What did you hate? Will you re-purchase? Let me know below!
 

Until next time...









Disclaimer: I am not sponsored or affiliated with the companies mentioned

Tips Thursday: Happy, Healthy Nails

Happy Thursday Everyone,

                 I hope everyone if ready for the weekend because we only have two more days to go. On the agenda for Tip Thursday is happy, healthy nails. How can nails be happy? - You may ask. Well, they can be crack-less, smooth and jagged-edge free and to me, that spells 'happiness'. I have had my struggles with weak, short and brittle nails and now I am going to show you how I take care of my digits. Here are some tips to help you have strong, health AND yes, happy nails.

Tip #1- File Free Edge

I do have a few nails that seem to get jagged faster so I like to file whenever the edges aren't even. This helps me not to bite (I am reformed biter) them and cause more damage. Make sure when you are filing your natural nails, that you aren't using a nail file with a grit too coarse for your natural nail. Some people like to use a 180 grit on natural nails but this is typically used on a thicker nail such as an acrylic or toe nail. This can damage the free edge of the nail and cause it to split the layers. Ideally, use a extra fine grit such as a 280 or 320 grit. This will give a fine file that will simply smooth the edge. When filing, always file in one direction, do not use a back and forth motion. This can also cause the nail to

split. I know this can be a hard habit to break, it looks cool in the movies when the chick is being all sassy, filing her nails. I still do it by accident once in a while.

Tip#2- Buff the Nail

There are a number of reason why we develop nail ridges but it is something we have to come to terms with, because as we age, they will deepen. But you can decrease there visibility and give yourself a smooth surface, whether it be for a clean look or a smooth canvas for a polish or nail design. Whatever the case, you will want a fine buffing block, which you can pick up at your local beauty supply store. The buffing blocks will be used in the same way as a the file, sweep in one direction, no back and forth motion.

Tip #3- Moisturize Your Cuticles

Health nails start from the cuticle. Therefore, if you want health nails, you need healthy cuticles. Do you follow? Day to do routines, such as washing hands, doing dishes and every bathing/showering can dry and damage your cuticles. Use a cuticle cream or oil daily (if possible) to soften and moisturize your cuticles. My favorite cuticle cream is European Secrets Hoofers choice cuticle and nail cream. This is available at Sally Beauty. The product is a thick cream consistency and moisturizes like you wouldn't believe. After filing and buffing, I always massage this product into my cuticles. It makes a big difference.

Tip#4- Minimize (Don't remove) Cuticles

These next few tips are more so for when you get down to an actual manicure. They do sell cuticle nippers, yes, but when possible I suggest to minimize more than cut cuticles. Cutting your cuticles can cause pain, bleeding and infection. The only time you should cut cuticles is when you have a hanging piece. Never cut an intact cuticle. (Trust me, I have done it before and it kills!) Instead, invest in a cuticle minimizer and cuticle pusher. They are usually affordable and easily obtained at a beauty supply store. Apply the minimizer and wait a few moments. Gentle push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher and Voila! Small, hardly noticeable cuticles without the pain and bleeding. Score! My favorite cuticle minimizer is the Barielle Advanced Cuticle care. It also has Argan Oil for more moisture.

Tip#5- Use a Nail Strengthener

A word of caution when using nail hardeners/strengtheners, sometimes with the product, it can be too much of a good thing. Too much protein can actually damage and cause the nail to split more, so use with caution. A nail hardener will tighten the curve of the nail, making it harder to break and/or split. My favorite is O.P.I Nail Envy.

Tip#6- Use a Good Base coat

The final step before applying polish is to apply a good base coat. A good base coat should prevent nail polish from chipping and also create a strong, hard reinforcement for the nail. My favorite is Orly Bonder.This product has a rubberized texture helping the polish to stick better.

Some final words with regards to healthy nails. Make sure to clip them regularly. Like a good trim of the hair helps it to grow longer and stronger, a good nail trim will help keep the nails strong. Avoid hand creams with heavy perfume scents as they contain alcohol with can have a drying effect on your nails and cuticles. When a snag occurs, simple file the edge and re-shape. If a nail breaks, do not be quick to cut it off. Visit a local beauty supply store and purchase a nail re-enforcement. These are relatively cheap and will keep your nails looks good!

I want to know...What are some of your healthy nail tips? What kind of files do you use? Do you use a buffer? A Cuticle Minimizer? Let me know below!

That's it for Tip Thursday! Stay tuned for more tips and tricks EVERY Thursday and keep your eyes peeled for my Saturday Fashion Blog with a special guest! Thanks for all the love and support and do forget to share this one Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. All my links are just one the left- hand side! 

Disclaimer: I am in no way sponsored by any of the products or companies listed above. The opinions expressed are that of my own.

Review: Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes

Well Lovlies, I am back!!!

            The Pretty Pauper is rested and ready to take the blogging world by storm. I really enjoyed my few weeks off from the blog as it gave me an opportunity to catch up on other things in life. I had some family visiting for a weekend and then we went car shopping and I got back from a friends cottage last Thursday, so life has been good to me and I can't complain. But now I am back and I have some awesome stuff on the horizon but let's start off with a review, you know, since it's review Tuesday.

          Today, I am going to give you a review on the Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes mascara.I will be honest in saying that I had this sitting in my drawer for a few months before I actually got into it. But I decided to give it another whirl and here is what I thought...

The Packaging and Product

The 'Claw' Brush

This mascara comes in a yellow tube with Goldy-orange lettering and leopard prints on the lid. When you take out the brush, it appears with a length-wise curve. The formula appears thinner than most mascaras. The smell was interesting to say the least. I don't even know how to describe the smell. This may sound weird but do you ever have someone sneeze next to you and you get a whiff of a random smell? That smell is what the mascara has. HA HA! You probably think I'm crazy but you need to smell it to understand. This product runs for about $7 CAD at Walmart.

The Promise

This product promises a black full lash with flared edges. It claims to have a collagen formula that gives up to 8x the volume in one swift stroke. It also claims that the 'claw' brush ( so that's what it's called eh?) helps to flair the corners for that cat eye look. It claims that for the best results, you need to apply from root to tip with one coat and remove with soap and water.

My First Impression

When I first tried this mascara I wondered what the rave was about. I didn't find it gave me the cat eye look at all. The formula was too thin to build and I didn't find that the 'claw' brush made a difference. Needless to say, I shoved this one away quickly.

My Second Attempt 

Months later I dug this bad boy out in hopes of my falling in love. I felt bad with it just sitting there in my draw collecting dust when I had paid money for it. I used it for a few days but I didn't notice the greatness until I applied it without any other eye makeup. I noticed that it looked like I was wearing false eye lashes although, I would not call this a one-coat wonder. I usually get by with about 3 coats. The formula was super black and i actually really liked the brush. It didn't flake and it looked great after an 8-hour shift!

So, lets sum it up with a round of Pro's and Cons...

Before Application

Pro's  

• The claw brush does extend corner lashes
• Good price   
• Gives the false lash look
• Super Black formula
• Not much flaking

 

 

Con's

• The smell is interesting
• Need more than the one coat promised

After 3 coats

So there it is Ladies and Lads! I hope you enjoyed this Tuesday review. Keep in mind that EVERY Tuesday, I will be posting a new review, so stay up to date by liking me on Facebook @ The Pretty Pauper on Facebook . Also, stay tuned for my Tips/Tutorial Thursdays and Fashion Saturday's!

I want to know, have you tried this mascara? What did you love? What did you hate? Would you purchase again? Is there something better? Let me know below and thank you all for reading my Lovlies!!!!

                                                   








Disclaimer: I am in no way sponsored by any of the products or companies listed above. The opinions expressed are that of my own. 

My date of return will be...

Hey Lovlies,

       Well, I am enjoying my 'time off' from the blog and I have been accomplishing alot. I just wanted to give you a quick update and let y'all know when you can expect a new post. But first, I want explain a new blog plan. This will be the blog schedule that i am going to try my hardest to stick to:

Tuesday - Review
Thursday- Tips or Tutorials
Saturday- Fashion Post

I am going to try and get my next post up on Tuesday, Aug. 17th. I am going to my friends cottage next week and i plan on blogging on my other blog about the excursion. If you have any interest in hearing all about it, hit up my other blog by clicking here: Shoes, Shopping and debt collectors .

That's it for now folks and see you in a few weeks.

Muah!
XO Sarah

Review: Maybelline Color Vivids and a Bittersweet Announcement!

Hey Everyone,
            The Pretty Pauper here! Hope you all had  fantastic weekend and are now enjoying this Monday. I don't know how you all spent your Sunday evenings but I spent most of the night reading tweets after tweet about the MTV awards. Man! So much drama and scandal packed into one room. Ha! Well, all drama aside, the stars had some pretty awesome looks tonight which I am always interested in. Now, on to the review!

Today, I am giving you a review on a product i have been using and loving for a while now. It's the Maybelline Color Vivids Lipstick.

Product Summary
These bright shades claim to offer bright opaque color that last all day. The vivids line come in 8 shades and offer a honey nectar formula that claims to soften lips and keep them hydrated. They come in an orange tube and have a color swatch and name on the bottom. They run for about $9 at any drugstore that carry Maybelline.

The Application
The application is pretty normal. No special instructions are stated so I just applied like normal. I noticed the color instantly and on swipe applied a bright, pigmented shade.

The Lasting Power
These bad boys stick well. I did re-apply a few times through out they day when the center or my lips would fade but that was just me being picky. I would say these guys last a good amount of time but they will leave residue on cups or food. These are not a stain so they don't dry out the lips either. 

The Final Word
I love them! These super pigmented shades are now a staple in my makeup collection and really surprised me. They last a long time, the color payoff is good and they come in a variety of fun shades. I look forward to re-purchasing and purchasing other colors in this line! Go get them now!!!

From the Left: Haute Plum, Pink Pop and shocking Coral

 

So that's it guys! I know this is a short, to the point review but I wanted to give you guys something to chew on. Now, onto the announcement.

As you know, life can get crazy and that seems to be whats going on here these days. Between work and plans and family, something always gets tossed on the back burner. I have been so busy and my life has been insane! The next few weeks is going to be crazy crazy CRAZY. I have so much to catch up on and I need to take a break. SO, The Pretty Pauper is going on hiatus. I love you all to bits and I will be back within the next few weeks. I am unsure of a date but I will keep you informed and posted. You can follow my twitter for updates or even check out my instagram which are all linked on this home page. When I get back I will be back with full force. I am hoping to have more posts throughout the week and more youtube videos up soon too. My video editing program is giving me technical difficulties and it will take me time to figure those out too. But stay tuned for that. I have an interview with an up-and-coming makeup artist coming your way when I get back as well as a HUGE review on my new Lime Crime Velvetine!!! So stay tuned for that!

I want to take a moment to thank all my loyal readers and members. I love you all and appreciate all your support. I will be back full throttle soon, all I need is some time to re-coup and deal with the craziness!

So, that's about if folks! Please stay tuned. I also want to know....when

I come back, what are some things you want to see on  the blog? Tutorials, more reviews, D.I.Y's...etc? Please let me know.

So, until next time my loves. Au revoir! 

Love,

Sarah XXO

July/August Favorites!!!

D.I.Y Home Facial

Hey All you beautiful people,

              Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend. I have a treat for you just in time for a lovely Sunday spa day and it's all about how to give yourself a sweet facial to clean out those pores and reveal glowy squeaky clean skin. Please keep in mind that the products mentioned are products that I prefer for my skin type. Use whatever works for yours. So shall we begin?

Step #1- Clip Back Your Hair
This step is actually the most obvious thing ever but I thought I would mention it. You really want to get your hair out of your face so you can work tangle-free on your face. I like using a turbie twist which is a turban style head towel. This really keeps my hair away from my face.

Step #2- Cleanse
Cleanse your skin thoroughly with your favorite facial wash. This is going to get rid of all the surface dirt and oil. I like to use it with a electric facial brush. I use the Olay Fresh Effects Cleanser with the beyond belief electric facial brush.

Step #3- Exfoliate
Exfoliate your skin with a medium grain scrub. You don't want anything too harsh but you don't want anything too fine. I would not recommend microdermabrasion type scrubs as they are too fine for a facial. You want something to really get rid of that dead skin. I like to use the Queen Helene Mint Julep Facial Scrub from Sally's.

Step #4- Steam those pores
 Put on a kettle full of water and bring it to a simmer. Remove from heat and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Pour into a metal bowl or pot. You can boil in a pot and use it directly from there but transferring it makes it less likely that you will hit your chest and burn yourself.  Sit with your face hovering over the hot water, place a towel over your head and slightly over the bowl to create a "steam room" for your face. Sit like this for 5-10 minutes. The steam will open the pores get all that guck out of your skin. And create a nice surface for our next step.

Step #5- Extract
Alot of bloggers and pro say that your should leave this to the professionals but I have something else to say. My nose collects quite a few blackheads (yuck!) and although after exfoliating and steaming, most are gone, I still have a few deeper stubborn ones that I like to get out. I use the tips of my fingers, NOT MY NAILS, to gently squeeze the surfaced blackheads. They usually pop out quite easily after steaming, as the pores have been enlarged. After this, I wipe my face clean with a clean warm damp cloth. Do not use a cool cloth because the cold will snap the pores shut and make it hard for the next step to do it's job.

Step #6- Mud Mask
This is my favourite step because you get to sit back and relax. Apply your favourite mud mask to your face and neck. After this, sit back and relax for about 5-10 minutes. I like to pop on some relaxing tunes and just lay down on my bed. The mask will settle in the open pores and really kill all that dirt and oil. Rinse the mask off with cool water to help the pores close. My favourite mask is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask.

Step #7- Shut those Pores
This step is pretty crucial since you want to avoid dirt and oil clogging your pores again. Take an ice cube and run it through your hands to melt it a little bit. Slowly run the ice cube across your face. Focus on areas where your pores seem to be larger. The cold ice will help to shrink the pores and avoid dirt getting into them. Pat Dry with a clean towel.

Step #8-Serum and Moisturizer
Apply your favourite serum and follow with your favourite moisturizer. Do not skip moisturizer! This is going to help to restore the oils that may have been stripped. If you have oily skin, this is also important because if your body detects that your skin is lacking in oils, it will produce more oils! I like the Beyond Belief Oil Control Serum and The Clean and Clear gel moisturizer.

You should now have smooth, glowy, clean skin! Follow this with your manicure routine for a full-on spa day/night.

Coming later this week, we get an interview with an up-and-coming makeup artist who will give us some makeup tips your can take to the bank. Stay tuned!!!

Have a great night!

XXO Sarah

Review: Clean & Clear Morning Burst Gel Moisturizer

Hello Beautiful,

        Yeah, I'm talking to you ;) How are y'all doing? Hope everyones weekend was fabulous and you all are ready for the week at hand. I, for one, had a great weekend. On Saturday I had a great afternoon picnic with a bunch of friends and then headed over to a local jazz festival. Then just vegged out today. It felt great and I am ready for my week!!! I wanted to give you guys a review on a product that I was super excited about from Clean and Clear called Hydrating Gel Moisturizer. The reason why I was excited about this was because I find moisturizers really heavy on my acne prone skin and wanted something a bit lighter. This really intrigued me because of the fact it's a 'gel'. So here is what I thought of it...

The Product
This comes in a 84ml tube and sports green to white ombre affect.   

The Promise

This product promises a light-weight, non-greasy facial moisturizer that will leave your skin replenished. It also claims to be formulated with water and not oil with blends of cucumber and green mango extracts, leaving skin fresh without clogging pores. It also claims to cool on contact and leave skin feeling fresh.

First Impression
 I usually wash my face before bed because through the night the skin heals and therefore it needs to be clean. After washing with my facial wash in the shower, I toned, applied serum and then finally this moisturizer. I squirted it on my hand and it had a cloudy look to it. I dotted it on my 5 points (forehead, cheeks, chin and nose) and then started to rub in. It felt light and fresh bust still felt like it was moisturizing. It didn't feel sticky or icky but felt nice and smooth.

Throughout the Day
I never once noticed it getting oily or greasy while going on throughout the day. It continued to feel cool and soft throughout the day.

Final Word
I actually really love this product!! I am so impressed by the feeling and overall power of this product. I also feel like it helps my makeup apply better. It helps to smooth out my overall makeup. I will continue to use this and will be buying it again.  

So, there you have it! Have you tried this product? Like it? Hate it? Any suggestions for a light gel moisturizer I should try?

Hope you all have a fantastic week and I'll see you next week!

Sarah XXO

Please Note: I am not sponsored or affiliated with any of the companies mentioned about. These are my own opinions.

2-for-1 Review: Maybelline instant Age Rewind Eraser and L'Oreal True Match Bleandable Foundation

Hey Dolls! First off I want to apologize for my absence over the last couple weeks. I was trying to stay regular (sounds like I am eating my fiber ;) with my blog post and I failed you all!!! So Sorry. But I was notified 3 weeks ago that I had to move into a smaller house so I had 3 weeks to pack up 23 years of life. So between that and my car blowing up about a month ago life has been crazy.  But you will be happy to know that I am getting back to normal life now and ready to blog some beauty stuff for y'all! Since I have kept all my loyal readers waiting, I am giving you a 2-for-1 Review. Yay!! I thought I'd let you know, as I write this, I am watching West Side Story. So, if I happen to use 'gang' language, you'll know why. Anyways, on to the review! I am giving you a review on the L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation and the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Corrector and Treatment. First of all, Let's start with the foundation.

If you follow me on Youtube, you know I am a loyal fan of the Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation but I needed to try something new. My co-worker and future make-up artist gave me a suggestion of this drugstore foundation and I decided to give it a try. The L'Oreal True Match comes in a cute little 30 ml. bottle and runs for about $12 CAD. The bottle is reminiscent of a magic potion bottle which I thought was adorbs! I purchased the shade C2-Natural Ivory for my pale complexion. The bottle claims that the foundation is a super bendable and gives full coverage. It also claims to blend evenly with your skin tone. The product contains no oil which is perfect for my oily acne-prone skin. It also come in 23 shades and come in warm and cool tones.

My first impression on the foundation was that it was super runny and it had a normal foundation smell. After applying it, I quickly learned that a little goes a looooooong way. Because it's so blendable, you can get away with alot less. The coverage is great and it covered all my acne scaring and hyper pigmentation. But being a full coverage foundation, it didn't feel heavy or thick. I find with my 3-in-1 foundation, I would get alot of build up around my upper lip and I used to think it was clinging to my dry skin but even after exfoliation, i still had it. With this makeup, I didn't have that at all!!!

The staying power was good! I took a picture in the morning and after unpacking some boxes and sweating alot, I still looked decent. Please excuse my no makeup look,  but I felt that since I was just reviewing the foundation and concealer, I didn't need to get all dolled up. Overall, I am impressed with this foundation and look forward to using it more!

Now, on to the concealer! The Instant Age Rewind Eraser for Dark Spots come is a tube and has a little hairy sponge on the top where the product flows from. You twist it and the product flows out. It runs for about $10. I purchased the shade 215 Light.

When I applied it seemed a little light and I wasn't sure how I felt about the coverage and it seemed like an okay coverage. For the sake of the review, I will be honest and say that I wasn't super impressed.

The staying power was okay but not super impressive. Overall, this eraser kind of disappointed me! Below is a before and after picture of the two products together.

Just Applied

After 5 hours

As you can see, the over all look is okay considering I was melting all day but you can see my scars and hyper pigmentation peeping through. I would defiantly buy the foundation again but I'm still not convinced about the eraser yet! I will continue to use it though.

So, there it is Lovelies. Your very own 2-in-1 Review. I hope you enjoyed and please tell me, have you tried either of the products mentioned? How do you feel about the foundation? What about the eraser? Any tips on how to apply them? The floor is yours. Thanks for reading!

Love Sarah XXO