Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year and welcome 2014! Even though the New Years "Eve" festivities are through, there is still celebrating to be done!  I don't know about you but, I want this new year to be a new beginning and a chance to start anew and change for the better. So, let's celebrate! I hope your new year starts off well and you all enjoy time with your families today. You could even try out this makeup look in the tutorial above to go to new years dinner? (hint, hint) Anyway, enjoy your new year, new beginnings and your families! 

xoxo,

ThePurpleisbliss

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Bye 2013, Hello New Year!

This year has gone by in a whirlwind and with just a few days left, I thought it would be a good idea to think about the years old tradition of resolution making to ring in the new year of 2014. (that was strange to type!) However, before the year is over let's make a pre-resolution resolution. Let's all agree to not bite off more than we can chew. It's okay to make resolutions to reach for the new year but, we've all set resolutions and forgotten all about them once the ball drops and the champagne fog wears off. So, I propose we make our resolutions like we set our goals: long term and short term.

If your goal for 2014 is to loose weight then start with a short term resolution of becoming active and eating healthier by spring. Then move on to setting up an exercise routine by June and so forth. Also, write these resolutions down someplace that you can visually see each day such as a calendar or a planner. Most importantly of all, find a motivator! Whether it's a friends help or an inspirational quote app on your phone; find some way to remind yourself to keep pursuing those resolutions. Lastly, don't set so many that you can't possibly accomplish them or they make you become overwhelmed. Make categories such as household, personal, work, school etc. and only have one or two resolutions for each one.

Here are some of mine if you don't have any ideas for resolutions or are just curious! :)

School:
1. Make the deans list
2. Go to class regularly, complete assignments and make A's and B's on my midterms next semester

Personal
1. Make use of the rec center at school even if it's only a few times a week
2. Stop spending so much money on food at school + save money

Work
1. Find a job for the summer and/or one near campus for the remainder of the year

All of these resolutions are do-able and easy once the effort if put forth. I plan on writing these down and putting them on the wall by my bed in my dorm room so I can see them before I sleep and when I wake up so I can stay focused on them. I also plan on getting some of my friends together to help me out! I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season so far and that you will subscribe to my youtube channel for my unofficial countdown to new years starting with my Christmas Haul starting tomorrow. Also good luck with your resolution making and keeping!

xoxo,

ThePurpleisbliss

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Misty Day of American Horror Story Inspired Makeup Tutorial

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The Epiduo Diaries #2 - Skincare

I realize that it's been a while since I did an Epiduo Diaries entry! I did one on my last blog when I had just started using Epiduo so, today I thought I would delve further into Epiduo and explain to you my skin care routine. Now, lately I've had a couple of break outs on the side of my face that I sleep on more often. I attribute this recent development to not washing my pillowcase as I should. :( But, have no fear, I have since washed it. I also would attribute this to not cleaning my face brushes once a week, again, as I should. I've learned my lesson, wash your face brushes and pillowcase once a week!

Okay, without further ado, my skincare routine and products:

1. Cetaphil Oil Control Foam Wash: When I visited my doctor to try to get a prescription to treat my acne she gave me a sample kit that included a small pump bottle of this product, a small tube of Epiduo and some Cetaphil moisturizer. I immediately went home and used this wash and I really do love it! My face feels very clean and tightened afterwards which I love.

2. Clinique Acne Solutions Toner: My doctor also suggested I try Clinique's washes, toners and moisturizers so I bought an acne kit online and at first I did not enjoy these products. They burned and I was led to believe that these products were too strong for my skin. But, I gave it another go and I noticed that it helped dry up problem areas during the day while I wasn't wearing the Epiduo on my face.

3. Clinique Acne Solutions Moisturizer: The same goes for this product as the toner. This treats while it moisturizes. Great!

4. Garnier Refreshing Makeup Removing Towelettes: I use these to take my makeup off but I also use them to wash my face off when it feels icky or if I've been sweating and my face feels gritty. These towelettes are very sensitive to use on your face and the formula isn't too harsh so it doesn't leave redness. The fragrance isn't bad either!

5. Epiduo Gel: And, of course, what we all came for! Expect a miracle but, don't expect a miracle. You are going to notice a dramatic difference after the first use but, just like with new shampoos for your hair, your face has to adjust. You will still have breakouts! Right now, I'm getting closer to "that time of the month" and when that time rolls around I break out like a b*tch! However, I've noticed that I have not broken out as much as normal. WAHOO!!! Just don't get your hopes up it you still get break outs from time to time. That's supposed to happen. You know? Hormones and all.

Phew, now that you know what I put on my face I bet your wondering what my routine is, right?

Morning: In the morning I first get up and wash my face using the Cetaphil wash. Noting too fancy about it, just pump some into your hand and wash off your face. I then dab it dry with a towel. Next, I take the Clinique toner and put a bit on a cotton ball or cotton pad and dab it on my problem areas or sometimes all over my face just to make sure. Finally, I apply moisturizer and voila!

Night: The nightly routine is a little more time consuming. Wash face, check! Toner, check! And last but not least: Epiduo. You squeeze a small drop (the size of a pea) onto your finger and apply it all over your face. You don't need much! A thin layer will make a dramatic difference. You face will dry out TERRIBLY if you use too much. Personal experience here! You leave it on all night and wash it off in the morning.

I really hope you gained some knowledge from this post and that if you have problem skin you can talk to your doctor about Epiduo. I think it really works if you can commit to it and stick with it. You have to stick with a face routine, ESPECIALLY if you have acne prone skin. And, you have to make sure you're being sanitary. Wash your pillow case and makeup brushes once a week and your bedding every other week or two. Here is how I clean my makeup brushes:

         

Also, I know if you're an anxious person like me and you like to pick (scabs, acne etc.) you really have to try to stop because it will scar and scar badly! Not to mention get infection which only leads to more breakouts and skin issues. Best of luck and happy skincare!

 Make sure you subscribe to my Youtube channel for bloopers from the friend tag coming up next week. Also, I'm going to be reviewing a product called TONE here soon, which has it's ties to my skincare routine! I'm also hoping on doing a "easy hairstyles for curly hair" video soon! STAY TUNED!!

xoxo,

ThePurpleisbliss

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The Essential Brush Guide for Beginners

Brushes can be confusing! There are like a million different kinds out there and if you are new to makeup it's hard to choose which ones you will need or even want. So, here you are; you've ditched the sponge applicators and are ready to battle with the pro's but, where do you begin?! 

Before we get into brushes it's important that you know which parts of the face are which. Take a long look at this diagram (that I made especially for y'all!) and make yourself familiar with the parts of the eye and face. 

Brow Bone: Your brow bone is just under your eyebrow. It's the part between your eyebrow and the hollow of your eye. 

Crease: Your crease is just under your brow bone in the hollow where your bone and eyeball meet. To make things simpiler: your crease "creases" when your eye is open.

Lid: The lid is the part of your skin that covers your eyeball when you close your eyes. Simple enought, right?

Waterline: Your waterline is where your eyeliner goes. It's the small piece of skin on your lower lid that touches your eyeball. 

Inner Corner: The inner corner of your eye is the closest part of your eye to your nose. It's where your upper and lower lids come together. 

Outer V: This is the part of your eye where your upper and lower lids come together closest to your hairline. If you look at the outer corners of your eyes, this part is literally a "V". Check out the diagram for a visual if needed.

Apples: I'm not sure where the term "apples" came from when describing your cheek bones but, nonetheless, that's what they are called. This is also where your blush goes.

Phew! Now that that is over we can get to what we came for: brushes! Oh yeah! This is the fun part! I think it will be best to start with face brushes. Here we go: 

1. The Foundation Brush: The foundation brush should be the foundational brush (see what I did there!) in your brush kit. These brushes are often very thin and have a domed or flat top. This brush is used to apply and blend foundation to your face. 

2. The Stippling Brush: This brush is a recent discovery of mine and it's one I'm glad I made. This brush is quite thick and has a flat, circular top. It's used to dab and blend foundation or concealer onto the face. It works great at blending and applying foundation evenly. Definitely one you'll want to have in your kit!

3. The Kabuki Brush: Or as I like to call it, the brush of many uses. The Kabuki brush can be used in many ways. You can use it to apply powder to the face, blush, or to contour. This brush is thick and has more of a domed top. It's often extremely soft! 

4. The Eyebrow Brush: This brush might look tricky but its quite simple! Basically it's a hairbrush for your eyebrows. It just helps keep those tiny little hairs in check. 

5. The Blush Brush: As the title suggests this brush is used to apply blush to your apples. Pretty simple! My brush is angled (useful for contouring as well) but most foundation brushes are fluffy with a domed top.

Face Smace! Now it's time to deal with the big leagues! Eyeshadow Brushes: 

1. Eyeliner Brush: Used to apply eyeliner, this brush is very similiar to the foundation brush except it had a flat top. This brush can also be used to define certain parts of your eye-makeup to achieve the look you want. 

2. Domed Eyeshadow Brush: This brush is often used to apply shadow to your lid or to highlight your brow bone. This is the most essential brush you will need for eye makeup. These brushes have a domed top and are of medium thickness. 

3. Angled Crease Brush: This brush is angled and isn't very thick. This brush is used to apply shadow to your crease. The angle allows for extra defining of your crease to make it seem deeper or to "pop" more.

4. Crease Brush: Just like the angled crease brush, this brush is used to apply shadow to the crease. My brush also helps in blending your lid color with your crease color to help your makeup look better put together. 

5. The Blending Brush: The holy grail of brushes! Most beginners tend to forget (or don't even know!) that blending your eyeshadow colors will make your makeup look seamless and well put together. If you don't blend your makeup will look very blotchy! This brush is quite thick and is very soft. 

There you have it, ten brushes all beginners need! Good luck and happy makeup-ing! :)

xoxo,

ThePurpleisbliss

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