Inspired Makeup Monday: Open Doors and New Beginnings

Hello Friends!

Welcome to another Inspired Makeup Monday. Today’s creation is pretty on the nose - open doors and new beginnings. I know, it’s cheesy. But I am so head over heels obsessed with 2019 even though we’re only 21 days in.

As I’ve said before, I’m not one who believes new beginnings are only for January’s or Monday’s. I think any moment is the perfect moment to change your life. However, being reminded that things can change and that you’re capable of changing them is a good thing. Everyone has the power to upgrade themselves, they just have to believe they can.

The Creation:

The Inspiration:

Ok, I know this isn’t the most artistically advanced work I’ve done but hear me out! I wanted to do this piece because opening the door is the easy part. Getting to the door is the part where we realize the good idea, go towards it, and are on the cusp of doing what we need to get it. The hard part is walking through. The darkness isn’t hardship but uncertainty. We have no idea what is going to happen after the “plan” stage and we begin the “do” stage. It’s pee your pants terrifying. There’s no way around the darkness. Maybe someone gives you some tools that you can use as a lamp but there is no light coming from the other side of the door. It’s impossible to know until you get to the other side and reach the next door on your journey. I hope you walk through your door because deep down I know it’s going to be worth it.

Products Used:

Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation

Tarte Maneater Liner

NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede Liquid Lipstick Stone Fox

Colourpop Private Party Bronzer

The Balm The Nude Dude 2 Palette

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick Queen B

Grande Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick Honey Ginger

Ofra Cosmetics Rodeo Drive Highlighter

NYX Cosmetics White Gold Liquid Liner

Juvia's Place The Magic Palette | Blue Makeup Tutorial

Hello Friends!

Just wanted to upload the video meant for last Wednesday and then this Wednesday and now today!

Hope you enjoy this quick, late tutorial!

FIND ME HERE!

FIND ME HERE!

www.BackPorchPoet.com

instagram.com/backporchpoet/

Products Mentioned:

Juvia's Place - The Magic Palette

Shop Miss A - AOA Studio Fat Lash Mascara

Urban Decay - All Nighter Foundation & Concealer

The Balm - Mary Dew Manizer Liquid Highlight & Bahama Mama Bronzer

Dose of Colors - Desi x Katy Highlighter Fuego

Wet N Wild - Contour and Highlight Palette - Dulce De Leche

MAC - Powder Kiss Lipstick - My Tweedy

MUSIC:

Music by Arianna Jonae - Drank It Up - https://thmatc.co/?l=BD21812

More Where That Came From!

Inspired Makeup Monday | Water & New Beginnings

Hello Friends!

For those who do not follow me on Instagram (I mean, REALLY, you should be following me on Instagram. We have QUITE the time!) I have been complaining about being sick for about 3.5 going on 4 weeks with bronchitis.

BOOOOOOO!

Because of this I haven’t been as active as I wanted to be…HOWEVER! I did push myself to try and get a look out today because 1) I miss painting weird stuff on my face 2) I’m tired of being sick in bed 3) I was excited for this series so DANG IT if I let coughing my brains out ruin my fun.

The Creation

The Inspiration

I really wanted January to be a month of new beginnings. I’m not talking about New Year’s resolutions (I personally don’t believe in that). I’m talking about a reminder for new growth, to celebrate how far we’ve already come, and to cut away the things that no longer serve us. I’m not talking about a new diet or changing credit card carriers, I’m talking about listening to your soul and taking stock of what you actually want - and going after it fully.

Water has been used to symbolize cleansing, new birth, life, and healing. I chose to forgo the turquoise waters for something a touch more sinister. Cleaning out the muck and grime of your former life is not easy, actually it’s poop-your-pants scary. There are uncharted places you’ll have to go, turbulent waves, dark and stormy depths you’ll have to explore. That’s where true healing and true birth begins. In the stuff you don’t want to do, in the things you’re afraid to do, in the things that are less relaxing than sitting under a palm tree.

I promise you it’s worth it.

What uncharted waters are you planning on exploring in 2019? What dirt are you washing away? What are you healing this year? I’d love to know.

The Products:

• Anastasia Beverly Hills - Subculture Palette

• Wet N Wild - Mega Cushion Foundation Light Ivory

• Colourpop - No Filter Concealer - Fair Neutral

• Morphe - Eyeliner Pencil - Pool Side

• Essence - Extreme Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil - BlackLove

• Makeup Geek - Single Eyeshadows - Dragonfly, Pegasus, Secret Garden, and Epic

• ELF Cosmetics - Glitter Eyeliner - Seafoam Green

• Tarte Cosmetics - Maneater Liquid Liner

• Jouer Cosmetics - Skinny Dip Palette

• NYX Cosmetics - Strobe of Genius Highlighter Palette

• MAC Cosmetics - Bold & Bad Lash Mascara

• Shop Miss A - AOA Studio - False Lashes in Amelia

• Jouer Cosmetics - Long Wear Lip Liner - Nude

Swatch Party! | Shop Miss A - AOA Studio - Crystal Powder & Diamond Powder

Hello Friends!

Yes, yes, it’s not Friday…again… but that doesn’t mean I’m not stoked to swatch these AOA Studio Crystal and Diamond Powders for you!

After watching ThatGirlShaeXO perform dozens (if not hundreds) of live swatches on her face it inspired me to do the same all in the name of helping you find that next holy grail item.

Every week (mostly…) I’ll swatch a product on my arm and respective application site (minus glitters because, at the end of the day, I love myself too much to do that to my face). I hope this growing swatch catalog of my own personal collection will help you decide if it’s meant to have a home in your check out basket.

After all, what better way to celebrate the weekend than with makeup? I’ll wait…

Shop Miss A

AOA Studio Crystal Powder & Diamond Powder

Each color can be purchased individually for $1USD or as a pack of 12 for $10USD.

Shop Miss A Describes Each:

The AOA Diamond powder is a high intensity sparkly glitter that creates a high-level sparkle effect on face, skin and hair. These loose glitter pigments can be used in so many different ways! The Diamond powder is a chunkier glitter size than the AOA Crystal Powders.

The AOA Crystal Powder is a high intensity sparkly glitter that creates a high-level sparkle effect on face, skin and hair. These loose glitter pigments can be used in so many different ways! Crystal Powder is finer in size than the AOA Diamond Powders.

However, as you may be able to see in the swatches, I don’t necessarily agree with their definition of difference. In fact, I found most of the powders (minus a few clear pigment-like shades) to be essentially the same glitter size in both the Crystal and Diamond ranges. This doesn’t personally bother me but for disgression sake I find it a touch misleading. If you want a glitter you should be able to see that the product is a glitter. If you want a pigment then you should clearly be able to see that it is a pigment.

As far as package size is concerned - you tell me when was the last time you finished a full container of cosmetic glitter? And no - not to create body painting or another extravagant look, I’m talking your run of the mill glam.

If your answer is yes, and often, I bow to you because you are a more dedicated makeup addict than I. If you answered no, congrats, you’re like the rest of us makeup hoarders! Welcome to the club, we’ve made hats.

Overall, for the price, the quality, the range, and the selection, I say go for it. I’m a Shop Miss A junkie so I know I’ll be trolling the likes of my favorite dollar site sometime soon. You really can’t go wrong with most of the AOA Studio range (minus a few duds as seen here).

Have you shopped at Shop Miss A? Is there a hidden treasure I need to find? How do you feel about dollar makeup? I’d love to hear from you!

The colors I found to be more pigment-like rather than glitters were White Opal, Rosaline, Amber, and Citrine.

All swatches were done using the Model’s Own Glitter Glue as a base stamped on with a finger.

Inspired Makeup Monday: 2019 and New Beginnings

Hello Friends!

Welcome to the first Inspired Makeup Monday of 2019. I know…I KNOW! This seems so basic but I can’t even begin tell you how excited I am to continue on this journey with you all in the upcoming year.

The Creation

Inspiration

I am beyond inspired to make this year the best year. I am so glad for all of you who have joined me on this ride and I hope that all of your goals are accomplished quickly and with ease.

Tell me, what are some of your new year resolutions?

Process

I started out by applying my base with my PÜR Cosmetics Beauty sponge and filling in my brows. I then highlighted with my concealer as I would typically, but before setting my face I sketched out where I wanted my 2019 to go using that same concealer. I then powdered, contour, bronzed, and highlighted before doing a simple brown smokey eye - lining my upper and lower waterline with a black liner and my lash line with a liquid liner.

I used the same liquid liner to outline my 2019 balloons and sketch on my other balloons. I filled in the balloons with the Jouer Skinny Dip Palette and brushing a light coat of Diamond Dust glitter shadow on top and in my inner corners. Finally I lined my lips, filled them in with liquid lipstick, mascara and lashes and the look is complete!

Products Used

Face

• Urban Decay - All Nighter Foundation

• Urban Decay - All Nighter Concealer

• Colourpop - No Filter Powder - Fair

• Wet N’ Wild - Contour Duo - Dulce De Leche

• The Balm - Bahama Mama Bronzer

• Ofra - Rodeo Drive Highlighter

Eyes / Design

• Jouer - Essential Matte and Shimmer Palette

• Jouer - Skinny Dip Palette

• NYX - Epic Ink Liner

• POP Beauty - Eyeliner - Sooty Black

• MAC - Bold and Bad Lash Mascara

• The Bold Face Lashes - Go Get Em False Lashes

• Shop Miss A - AOA Studio Brow Pencil - Medium Brown

• Benefit - 24-hr Brow Setter

Lips

• NYX - Liquid Suede Lipstick - Stone Fox

• ELF - Lip Liner - Deep Brown

Swatch Party...Saturday?! | Gourmande Girls If Stef Wears It Highlighter Palette

Hey, it’s (the day after) payday, and you’re looking to treat yourself after a long week of not flipping every document on your work desk and throwing the computer out of the window. Of course, that treat is going to be makeup (what else would it be), but what do you choose?

Swatch Party Fridays are here to save the day! After watching ThatGirlShaeXO perform dozens (if not hundreds) of live swatches on her face it inspired me to do the same all in the name of helping you find that next holy grail item.

Every week I’ll swatch a product on my arm and respective application site (minus glitters because, at the end of the day, I love myself too much to do that to my face). I hope this growing swatch catalog of my own personal collection will help you decide if it’s meant to have a home in your check out basket.

After all, what better way to celebrate the weekend than with makeup? I’ll wait…

Gourmande Girls

Ok Ok Ok I’m late…and a little wishy washy…but I’m finally pulling myself out of the pumpkin pie haze to get back to the good stuff. And apparently my motto for 2019 is “better late than never” because…here we are.

Gourmande Girls is owned by boss babe besties Christina and Stef whom I luckily stumbled upon through Instagram. Their passion for European inspired cosmetics and their larger than life take on style is front and center. Their products range from imported fragrance to bold hits of color.

The If Stef Wears It Palette ($30 USD), to me, is as if an Hourglass Ambient Light Palette and an Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow kit had a baby. They give a creamy glow to the skin while also giving a hint of other-worldly alien-babe color.

DISCLAIMER

I am 1) 100% biased in my opinion on this brand - not because I am paid to be (which I am not) but because I resonate with the brand philosophy and their attitude towards cosmetics, women’s empowerment, and our animal friends.

I am 2) fully aware some of the bottom row of highlighters are too dark for my skin tone. I tried to build up my bronzer a bit for the final shade (since I would realistically use it as more of a bronzer or blush topper) but I would LOVE to see a medium skin tone rock the green shade. Any girl with olive tan undertones who wants to check this palette out PLEASE send me a selfie because that shade with a light hand is going to look SICKENING on you and I need to see you SLAY.