Alexandra Butler Makeup Class and "Friend in my Head!"

Hi ladies,

I can’t believe its November already!! I mean really, Thanksgiving, Christmas and a new year is right around the corner.  Time is flying and I still haven’t posted my birthday haul from October.  But that’s ok because today I’m sharing about a very special gift I received this year for my birthday. 

Alexandra Butler a celebrity makeup artist has been touring the U.S. for the last year or so.  Alex has held classes in Dallas, NYC, and Chicago, and is headed to the Bahamas at the end of this month.  So, when I found out she was coming to Indy all of the early registration tickets were sold out! So I went to my hubby and said "hubby I really want to go to this class for my birthday."….and he said “well how much is it?’ and I said "(gulp) $309.00". After that I don’t really remember how the conversation went I think there was a slow nod or something and I just walked away feeling a little silly because (insert bad grammar for emphasis:) I know “we ain’t got no money!” 

Deep down I really believed that I was going to go. Yes, that God would work it all out somehow (won't he do it!) . I honestly can’t tell you the last time I’ve wanted something this bad.  The weekend of my birthday some friends came over to hang out and eat appetizers, brownies and such. Near the end of the night my hubby placed a laptop in front of me to show me a website where my friends and family were giving to my birthday wish! I was shocked and elated!! So here are a few pictures from the actual class! Yay!!

Here Alex is wiping the models face to make sure there are no oils or makeup on the skin

When I arrived the room of course was set up and under each chair there was a basket with a syllabus inside.  As the class progressed Alex had helpers pass out goodies to go in the goodie basket. Some of the things I received:  Tools/brushes, eyeshadow pigment, two lipsticks, and a Elf Eyeshadow palette and more.

There were several prize drawings near the end of class I won the funky earrings you see upfront.

In class I received a syllabus that covered quality brushes and brush care, foundation, eyebrows, highlight/contour to name a few. Here Alex teaches us how to apply eyelashes.

Alex, Me, and the lovely  Kori (model)

November 3, 2013 is a day I will never forget because it really was a dream come true! I’d like to thank my hubby Rasool, Crystal W, Angela M,  KB, Mike N, Bethini W, Karen M, Streeter, Christy M, Nicole, B, Kimberly S, Rachel R, and Boni S. It was a wonderful birthday surprise and part of me still can’t believe it happened! Thank your for this most gracious gift! I love you all!! To all my gaspgirls thanks for reading.

Always at your Service
The GaspGirl 

 

Ardell Villains Lashes!!

 Hello ladies,

Halloween is upon us gaspgirls! Yes, and for those of you who are into getting dressed up and well....... pretending to be someone your not :) I thought maybe I should post something fun yet useful. Ardell released these limited edition "Villains"  eyelash sets, featuring Disney's most notorious lady villains and they are amazing!! Now honestly I have a love/hate relationship with lashes in general. I looooove the way they look on the eyes! But I haaaaaate trying to get them suckers on!! However the price coupled with the sheer whimsy of these lashes were just too irresistible to pass up. You can find them at Walgreens for about $7.49 per set. If your a  frequent Walgreens customer you know that they have sales all the time so I ended up paying about $5.50 per set.  Yeeeess, I got all 4 of the sets (don't judge me :) I took pictures of everything to make sure you can make an informed purchase or not. (excuse the flash...working on it!)  So lets have a look see;

First Up Maleficent the evil witch from Sleeping Beauty

Next we have the infamous Evil Queen from Snow White
                                                                             

Third is the ever extravagant Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians

Last but not least Ursula our under water villain from The Little Mermaid

The packaging on these sets were sooo cute!! The lashes varied from set to set, having sparkle or pointy ends. I would say that all of the sets offered at least two pair of everyday "wearable" lashes, maybe with the exception of the Evil Queen set. It all depends on what your lifestyle is, maybe you consider rhinestones on your lashes as everyday wear. They each came with a tube of glue and located on the back were directions for application.  The other fun part included with the lashes was a description of each villains personal beauty style and color suggestions (both Daytime and Nighttime looks) for the user.

Overall I think these lashes are worth the money whether you are a collector of sorts or an avid lash wearer!  So ladies that's all for now. Be safe and have fun during this season!

Always at your service
The GaspGirl

A Little NYX Swag!!

Helloooooo Gaspgirls!!!  So sorry I've neglected you all for so long, but I'm back with lots to share!!
Since the last we chatted I've picked up quite a few items from various brands, online, and in drugstores. My goal is to give you my honest opinion and maybe even help you with your Christmas list. ; )
Today's items comes from the brand NYX Cosmetics. I am pretty fond of  this brand because of the consistency in the quality, its affordability, and variety of colors and products.  I also find that NYX usually offers the consumer a cheaper dupe/duplicate to a lot of MAC's products which is definitely a plus! So without further ado the review items for the day come from the NYX Parallel Worlds collection inspired by The Mortal Instruments City of Bones (book/and movie) This set was limited edition, however you may be able to find it at your local Ulta where I found mine on clearance.  I believe it originally sold for $26-$28 but I purchased mine for about $12. The good thing about this set is every item can be purchased separately at Ulta or on NYX website.

The Box Set includes
1 Look Book
1 Smokey Shadow Palette
1 Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul
1 Boudoir Mascara in Le Frou Frou
1 Powder blush in Pinched
1 Studio Liquid Liner Extreme Black
1 Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cashmere

Here you see the Jumbo Pencil, eyeshadow palette, mascara (left), and eyeliner(bottom)

left to right; Soft matte Lip Cream in Istanbul, Pinched blush, Eyeliner

First color is Jumbo lip pencil in Cashmere the rest are from the palette

Overall the colors are pretty pigmented.  I'm still undecided about whether or not I'm a matte lippy girl but with matte lipsticks being all the rage for the fall I have to give it a try.

The blush is nice and the picture above the arm swatch is more true to color. Pinched Blush actually reminds me of MACs Springsheen blush. The jumbo pencil is a nice champagne kind of color that works well under other shimmery eye shadows.

The colors in the smokey palette are good colors for the fall, but I had to layer the colors to get the pigmentation you see above. I did find them to be a little powdery so be cautious of the fallout you may experience underneath the eye area. You will definitely have to layer the colors over a cream shadow or base to get a more intense color payoff. I can't say I would have purchased this palette by itself.

My favorites or standouts from this collection would be the Extreme black eyeliner its veeerry black and the applicator is precise.  The blush and the jumbo eyeliner were wins for me as well, everything else....ehh I probably could have done without.  I look forward to sharing the two looks featured in the collections look books, and my take on the mascara. So stay tuned....

Always at your service,

The GaspGirl!

Candy Yum Yum Lips Silver Eyes

Hi gaspgirls

Its been a while!! I am definitely in the thick of  summer and have been really busy traveling but I really wanted to post something for you. I saw this look on Twitter a couple weeks created by the very talented Pat McGrath if you don't know who she is as the song says you betta "google her baby!" Well anyway she is an awesome makeup artist and creative-design director for Proctor and Gamble, where she is in charge of Covergirl cosmetics, among other brands.)   I was truly inspired and had to give this a try

TheLook at @dior Cruise in #Monaco
 

I used a silver eyeshadow from my BH Cosmetics Jenni Rivera palette and MAC Candy Yum Yum to recreate the look.

 

Hope you enjoyed this ladies!!Please fill free to leave comments, questions, and subscribe and remember I'm......

Always At Your Service

 The GaspGirl

Sea Foam Eye Color

Good morning gasp girls!

I am really enjoying my Lorac GloGetter palette and it is definitely traveling with me all summer. So I decided that I need to get more acquainted with this palette and practice some colorful summer eye looks. Here's the first one:

Covergirl Queen lipstick in Penelope Pink and NYX Toast lipliner

I used the sea foam color 4 colors in all over my lid, the brown in the crease, and shimmery cream on my brow bone.

Hope you enjoyed this ladies!!Please fill free to leave comments, questions, and subscribe and remember I'm......

Always At Your Service

 The GaspGirl

Werk It Wednesday! Pink lips Mint Nails

A Girls Companions

It is obvious to me that fashion and beauty go together like peanut butter and jelly!! So, it is my pleasure to bring to you another "Werk it Wednesdays" where we coordinate our makeup with our fashion (no matchy matchy). In this collage, which can also be found on Polyvore.com I add pops of pink to a mint and black springy ensemble.  I think  perfume, mascara, and lipstick are just a few of the companions a girl needs to go out and face the world.

Products left to right:

Chanel nail polish Nouvelle Vague
Similar Items: Illamasqua in Caress, Essie in Mint Candy Apple
 

Nina Ricci Nina L'eau parfume
Similar Items: Juicy Couture La La, Ralph Lauren Romance Summer, Marc Jacobs Daisy

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara
Similar Items: Loreal Paris Mega Volume, Maybelline Volume Express Falsies

MAC lipstick (name unavailable)
Similar MAC Snob and Pink Nouveau,  Revlon Pink Pout, Bobbi Brown Lip gloss Pink Lily

So there you have it ladies! Thank you for your time.  Please fill free to leave comments, questions, and subscribe and remember I'm......

Always At Your Service

 The GaspGirl

MAIL MONDAYS!!!! Mary Kay Lip Laccquers

Mary Kay Lip Lacquers


So I've decided that Mondays will be the day that I post hauls of purchases I've made online or via drugstore driveby, lol! Well either way this segment will be called Mail Mondays!! This Monday I have the awesome opportunity to showcase some fab new products from my wonderful Mary Kay consultant and fellow gasp girl Lindsay.

LtoR: Chai Latte and Pink Pagoda

So here's the 411. Mary Kay describes the lip lacquer as Intense, high-gloss formula glides on for a jelly finish that feels extremely moisturizing and smooth.
Each pot comes with its own retractable lip brush and holds .14 oz 
So I put these claims to the test and rated each one on a scale from 1 to 5.

Intense         
 2.5 I'm not really sure what "intense" was referring to but I didn't find the color or shine to be intense. Rich or creamy buildable coverage may be more accurate of a description. (just my view)
High-gloss
 3.5 It is not the glossiest lip product I own  (I have a pretty high standard for gloss though :) but it does give lips a glossy finish
Jelly finish     
5  Yes I definitely agree with this description. I love the jelly like feel, especially because its not at all sticky but really light.
Extremely Moisturizing and Smooth 
5 No disagreement here. It is like medicine for dry puckers everywhere!

The Brush
Each  pot came with its own little black retractable brush.  I found the brush cute and functional.  However for more intense color application I preferred using my finger. I don't know why  it just seemed to be more pigmented when applied that way.

Chai Latte to me is a creamy apricot beige

Pink Pagoda A Fuschia pink with purple flecks

 

Overall I'm satisfied with the product I give it a 4 out 5 for meeting most of their own criteria/description. If you are looking for a lip gloss that is highly pigmented this is not the product for you. Do keep in mind though that this product can be layered over lip liners and added to lipstick to add gloss and moisture.  I'd like to thank my wonderful Mary Kay Consultant Lindsay for getting me my products so fast. Ladies if you are looking for a great  MK consultant shes the gasp girl for the job contact her at www.marykay.com/lindsaykcole; 317-430-4786.  Hope this was helpful gg's!


Always At Your Service

The GaspGirl

Memorial Day Sales!!

 Ready... Get Set... Shop!

So ladies I know your being bombarded with commercials about sales from sofas to shorts. Well my inbox has been flooded with beauty deals going on this weekend, and I feel its my duty to tell you how to up your beauty game this weekend without breaking the bank!!

So here is just a few of the sales I know about. I'll be sure to keep you in the loop of any new sales I learn about this weekend. Happy shopping!

Carols Daughter

Memorial Weekend Special!

Free Shipping w/Any Purchase + Black Vanilla Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner

With Any $40 purchase + Free Monoi Repairing Shampoo/Conditioner sample Offer ends 5/27/13

 Clinique Online Free Shipping Now through Monday, May 27 (No code Needed)

Free Flip Flops + Free Shipping with the purchase of 2 nail enamels.

BH Cosmetics

36 piece brush set for $29 Limited time only Up to 55% off products

Sigma

Free gifts on Orders over $30

Sally Beauty

Stuff the Bag Save 10% on your entire

Purchase that fits in the Sally Beauty reusable bag = the bag is free

Online 10% online promo code 555166

Ole Henriksen skincare (they have a great Vitamin C serum)

Spend $50 Get $5 OFF Promo Code SAVE5

Spend $100 Get $15 OFF Promo Code SAVE15

Spend $150 Get $30 OFF Promo Code SAVE30

Their Ground Shipping is Free on orders over $50

Gone Shopping!!

 Have a Great Memorial Day Weekend gasp girls!!

Always At Your Service

The GaspGirl

Maybelline Color Vivids in Juicy Hues!!

Orange You Fabulous

I think by now you may have noticed that I am huge lip fanatic. I love bold color, even if I'm not able to pull off the look myself.  Yes honey, if I pick up a color that's a little challenging  for me I don't get discouraged. I just mix it with another color or a lip liner. No lip product goes unused on my watch.  If all else fails I settle for admiring the color on other fabulous gasp girls.  But, believe it or not orange is one of those colors that makes me pause.... so below I give it my best shot at wearing these orange and coral hues.

 

 

 Round 1

Maybelline Color Vivids Electric Orange

 Round 2

Maybelline Color Vivids Shocking Coral

For some reason they look the same in the pics.  In real life Electric orange is looks pretty much like the citrus fruit.  Shocking coral is much more pink.

Swatches

Left to Right: Maybelline Color Vivids in Electric Orange and Shocking Coral, Revlon Lip Butters in Tutti Frutti, Revlon Creme lipstick in Siren, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip balm stain in Rendezvous

Look if your still feeling timid just know that are multiple shades and ranges out there. Burnt orange, red/orange, brownish/orange so on and so on.  You can even go to Ullta and/or Sephora, or MAC and swatch yourself until your heart is content. So, there you have it ladies. Do you dare to paint your pout in orange? Well I hope so. Stay tuned for a fotd using one of these luscious colors. Please fill free to leave comments, questions, and subscribe and remember I'm......

Always At Your Service

 The GaspGirl

"Werk It!" Wednesdays

Seeing Green!!

I'm not sure what it is, but lately when I've gone  shopping my eyes are automatically drawn to the color green.  Green shoes, green dresses, green accessories, you name it, Ive gasped over it. Emerald was deemed the 2013 Pantone color of the year and I couldn't agree with that decision more.  I'm personally in love with all shades of green from mint to lime, and right now there is no shortage of nature inspired shades to choose from.

So I know your wondering Gasp Girl how do you paint the canvas of your face to compliment all that green in your outfit.  Well I'm sure glad you asked because that is what "Werk It!" Wednesdays is all about! Its about giving you the best color options to coordinate with you clothes not match them.

For this outfit there are many color combos possible;bronze, orange, melon, and lilac (just to name a few). I chose to keep the colors rosy and sweet. Nothing on the eyes except 2-3 coats of mascara of course ;).

NYX Blush in Pinched, Forever 21, Hot Pink Matte lipstick, YSL Voluminous mascara

.

Other Product Choices:
Covergirl Queen Collection lipstick in Penelope Pink
Covergirl Queen Collection jumbo gloss balm in Radiant Rose
Wet n Wild blush in Pearlescent Pink
Loreal Voluminous Fiber False Lash effect mascara (one of my favs!)

That's all for today ladies! Please fill free to leave comments, questions, and subscribe and remember I'm......

Always At Your Service

 The GaspGirl

 

 

RiRi Woo Changed My Life!

Okay that's really dramatic!  No RiRi Woo has not changed my life, I mean I haven't gotten any taller, thinner or richer but .... I have finally after  much disappointment found the perfect red lipstick!! Ladies this truly (gasp!) worthy.  I can't tell you how many "true" reds Ive picked up and they've had that muddy orangey color mixed in, ugh yuck. Take a look for yourself:

The color is beautiful and rich with pinky blue undertones not orange.  A lot of my favorite beauty gurus were really disappointed that the color was to close to MACs Ruby Woo ) which is in their permanent line(sorry ladies).  I can't share in that disappointment, however,  because I do not own Ruby Woo. So gasp girls if you you've been dying to try red lipstick or you have one that you hate, pick up the RiRi Woo when it returns in June. If you need more encouragement here is the gorgeous red on one of my deeper tone gasp girls!

Oooooo...,Lovely Right?!!

If you already have Ruby Woo and your on the cusp about whether you should buy RiRi Woo check out a couple of reviews on YouTube.  One of my favorites is by AllThingsFabulous101 on YouTube, she really puts a fun twist on comparing the two lipsticks. That's it for today ladies and remember I'm......

Always At Your Service

The Gasp Girl

Sundays Best FOTD!!

Hi gasp girls!!! Just thought I drop in and give you a little "face of the day" or (fotd) for short.
I needed something cute and quick for church this morning because I have a tendency to well, you know....be late. I only used two eyeshadow colors, (I normally use at least 3) blush and a nude lip, and I threw on some  mascara as I my husband drove. Yes, that's what I call team work :)!

 The products I use are pictured/listed below.

From Left to right:
Physicians Formula Taupe eyeliner I used to line bottom inner corners of my eyes
Milani  LiquifEye metallic eyeliner in Aqua bottom liner middle to outer corners of eye
Maybelline NY Blush in Coral Burst
BH Party Girl eyeshadow palette (1 color)
Black Opal Foundation stick in Nutmeg as contour and Black Opal True Color foundation in Truly Topaz
Maybelline The Colossal Volume Cat Eyes mascara in black
MAC lucky green eyeshadow
Mary Kay Lip lacquer in Chai Latte (review pending)
NYX lipliner in Toast

Close Up of Eyeshadows

Dark Green (middle) from the BH Party Girl Palette and MAC Lucky Green

  Please fill free to leave comments, questions, and subscribe and  I hope you experience a very blessed and peaceful Sunday!!


Always At your Service!

The Gasp Girl