My new blog can be found here.  Lots of tutorials, looks and tips on the way!

hi you all! I am house-cleanin’ today. I wanted a fun, pick-me-up look.

Here’s what I did:

What I used (aromaleigh brand unless noted):

~gold frost cream shadow (lid to brow)
~penelope e/s on outer 2/3
~livewire e/s on inner 1/3
~latte e/s above crease
~hydrangea e/s on browbone
~black gel liner on waterline, tightline, upperlashline
~venomous gel liner on upper lashline
~drama queen violet liner on lower lashline
~black mascara (loreal voluminous carbon black)

~neutral-lite cream concealer
~pore reducer cream (clinique pore perfector)
~glissade 2wl w/ flocked sponge
~wildflower blush
~metamorphosis to finish
~star bright (cheek highlight and cupid’s bow)
~fixing spray

~heather l/l
~sweet l/s

wow, that’s a lot of product!

Thanks for looking!

What I used (all aromaleigh unless noted):

~nude frost cream shadow
~passion lid to above crease
~foxglove on lid
~moire on borders of passion
~black gel liner (tightline, waterline, upper l/l)
~oyster to highlight

~pink cream concealer
~silk
~pure cover #2
~glissade 2wl
~dolly blush
~illuminator

~fuschia l/l (NYX)
~pinnafore color cream

Forgot to add Loreal carbon black mascara.

Thanks for looking!

I took these pics mainly to show the results of the Surya henna for the review.  But here is what I used for the makeup:

What I used (aromaleigh unless noted):

~nude frost cream shadow
~glow e/s all over eye area
~entangle e/s on lid and lower lashline
~L’oreal HIP gel liner in brown on upperlashline, tighlined
~L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara
~black brow pencil w/ sealant

~silk to prime
~neutral-lite concealer under eyes
~glissade 2wl w/ flocked sponge
~kinetic cheek glisten on contour
~verve blush on apples

~healther l/l
~gossamer l/s (my HG nude)
~clear gloss (mac lipglass)

Thanks for looking you all!

Hey there.  I finally used up my second bottle of Surya Henna cream.  My first review said that the formula lacked the color payoff I was seeking, especially for my gray strands.  Here is the update after trying it a second time.

I’ll preface this review by saying that I tried ‘traditional’ style henna with indigo in it in an attempt to get the black color I was seeking.  All I can say is wooooah messy.  It was not a pleasant experience at all. The clean-up alone is enough to make me shy away from doing that again.  Not to mention the lackluster results.  I guess I have been spoiled by the rich color from traditional dyes.  Unfortunately, my scalp has taken offense to the chemicals in these formulas.  On to the review:

I waited till I had a good deal of gray showing again and decided to use up my second bottle of Surya Henna Cream.  The experience was just as pleasant as my first review.  The thick, hot-fudge like consistency smoothed into my hair like a dream.  It smelled herbal and fresh and rinsed out fairly easily, leaving my hair glossy and black.  Yes, this time my roots, grays and regrowth were dark, rich black.  So what was different from my first try?  One thing.  Timing.

Instead of 1 hour, I left on 2 hours.  When I dried my hair, it was rich, shiny, black.  Not blue black but black enough to satisfy me.  No trace of gray either.  I think i have found my new hair dye.   I will note, that this is not a true ‘henna’ dye as it does have organic dye in it.  But those dyes do not seem to aggrevate my scalp at all and the treatment value of the cream makes this experience more of a treat and less of a chore.

So for those seeking dark, rich, black hair from a more natural hair dye I give Surya Henna two thumbs up.  Just fool with the processing to see how long works for you. 

Pros

• Mixed and ready to use.
• Can save any leftover product for future use
• Natural, soothing ingredients
• Herbal scent is pleasant
• Goes on smoothly and easily
• Felt like a hair treatment
• Rinsed fairly easily
• Did not irritate my scalp
• Left my hair shiny and silky
• Covered gray hairs
• Beautiful rich color

Cons

• Old school gloves, large and awkward
• Stained my pillowcase (don’t go to bed w/ wet hair w/ this)
• Long process time (2 hours)
• Temporarily stained scalp (washed out w/ shampoo)

Results:

Thanks for reading.

I saw a Fotd from someone else similar to this.  I love the look of the pink and brown together. 

What I used (aromaleigh unless noted):

Eyes
~gold frost cream shadow as base (smoothed on w/ finger thinly)
~oyster e/s on browbone
~venus e/s above crease
~willow e/s on lid and smudged on lower lashline
~Prestige waterproof liner in black
~L’oreal Voluminous carbon black mascara

Face
~neutral-lite cream concealer under eyes
~cherry blossom under eyes
~silk powder as primer
~glissade 2wl
~kinetic on cheeks
~cherry blossom to finish

Lips
~Rimmel 1000 kisses l/l in Wild Clover
~sweet l/s (this is love love love, the actual color is alittle more muted than pic, flash distorted color)

Thanks for looking you all!

Here is my look today!

What I used (all aromaleigh unless noted):
Eyes
~Mac paintpot in bare study
~estranged e/s on very inner lid/lowerlid
~googoomuck e/s on lid and lowerlashline
~drama queen green in crease/v and lowerlashline
~sweet pea e/s to highlight
~black gel liner
~black brow pencil

Face
~silk
~pink cream concealer (under eyes)
~glissade 2wl
~in bloom perle on cheeks
~nectarine coquille to finish
~finishing spray

Lips
~heather l/l as base
~zen gloss

Thanks for looking!

J.

I’m staying in today, but I wanted to play with makeup anyways!  Here is what I did:

What I used (all aromaleigh unless noted):
Eyes
~mac paintpot in bare study
~sophie e/s on inner lid
~rockbottom e/s on outer and w/ sealant to line upper lashline
~oyster e/s for highlight
~ardent e/s on lower lashline
~l’oreal voluminious carbon black

Face
~cream concealer in neutral-lite
~silk powder
~glissade 2wl
~vision perle on cheeks
~illuminator to finish

Lips
~touch l/l
~cognac, blotted
~charm gloss

Thanks for looking you all!

Hi you all! Here’s my look for today, please excuse the wet, frizzy hair and the brows. I need to wax them so bad!

What I used (all aromaleigh unless noted):

~MAC paintpot barestudy
~foxglove e/s on lid
~bouganvillea e/s in crease
~dirtydeads on outer corner of lid
~sealant patted over dirtydeeds
~venomous gel liner, upper/lower lashlines w/ dirtydeeds smudged in
~oyster e/s to highlight browbone
~L’oreal voluminous carbon black

Face:
~neutral-lite cream concealer
~glissade 2wl
~in bloom perle on cheeks
~illuminator to finish

Lips:
~touch l/l
~zest gloss infusion

I did a look a while ago titled “Sex and Candy”, inspired by the song by Marcy Playground.  The look got a lot of positive feedback so I decided to do a tutorial of the look:

Here is what we are shooting for:

 Here is what I used (feel free to substitute as needed)(AL=aromaleigh brand):

• Mac Paintpot Bare study (not shown)
• flocked sponges
• Mixing plate
• Disposable spatula for scooping out minerals
• AL Glissade WL
• AL Pure Cover #2
• Black gel liner
• AL Ebony e/s (not shown)
• Lashgrip waterproof eyelash glue
• Ardel falsies #134
• Star Bright sparkle powder
• AL candy-o blush
• AL iwantcandy e/s
• AL ballet e/s
• AL drama queen red mineral liner
• AL aromatherapy balm in french cocoa bliss (label came off)
• AL moon e/s
• Rimmel vinyl jelly lip liner “be a star”
• Rimmel kiss off gloss (no idea of color, can’t find it on container)
• AL pink cream concealer

Lets start!

1.  Start with a clean moisturized face.

2.  I apply my eye makeup before my foundation.  I do this because I hate fall out and because my shadows are loose pigments, I save myself the frustration of having to redo it.  If you prefer to do your foundation first do it now in this step and then come back to the eyes.  Otherwise, just follow along!

Eyes

1.  Use a base.  My go-to base is Mac Paintpot in Bare Study.  I have dry lids so it gives me a creamy base that doesnt crease.  Use whatever base works for you.

2.  I apply a thin layer of the base with a brush, then smooth it into my skin with my ring finger.  This ensures the base is even and thin to prevent creasing.

After smoothing w/ fingers:

3.  Using a flat, firm bristled brush, apply ballet e/s to the inner 1/3 of the eye lid.

3.  Next, scoop out some of iwantcandy e/s onto a mixing surface.  I do this to prevent moisture getting into the minerals which can harbor bacteria.  Wet a takalon brush with water or mixing medium and spread on the outer 2/3 of lid and up into outer crease area.  Don’t worry if it isnt perfect, this is just a color base to intensify the color.

You should have something like this once done:

4.  Wipe down the same brush you used w/ ballet.  I do this on a clean dish towel that I use to protect my counter from all the mineral sprinkles!  Then pick up some dry i wantcandy e/s.  Apply the dry pink using patting motions, packing the color over the area you applied iwantcandy wet.  Do not apply over ballet.  Do not worry about blending at this point.

5.  Pick up moon e/s with a wide flat firm brush and apply to the browbone area. 

After browbone highlight, should look like this:

6.  Wipe down the brush you used for ballet again and dip just the tips of the bristles into drama queen red liner.  Then take the minerals and dab along crease line (with eye closed).  Hopefully the pictures can illustrate this.  You are going for an upside down smile shape along your crease. This does NOT have to be perfect, as the pictures show!

Remember dab dab dab the color across, do not sweep.

7.  Now it is time to blend a little.  We are just going for a slight blending now.  Over blending can make the colors muddy looking, so go lightly this first go.  Use a fluffy blending brush.

Go along the borders of the black shadow with the brush using a light hand and circular strokes.  It doesn’t have to be perfectly blended at this point.  This is just to soften it a little.  We will do more blending later! (over blending will make the pink muddy and we want it to be bright and sexy!!)

Eye on your left is blended.  Right is not.

8.  Time to define the outer ‘V’.  Dip a stiff, flat brush into ebony e/s (matte black).  Hold the brush at an angle at the outer corner of eye like in photo.  Dab the black on in an upward line.  Then do the same above making a ‘v’ that frames the outer part of the eye.  This adds definition to the look. (dabbing instead of sweeping helps minimize fallout)

9.  Now blend the harsh lines.  Wipe down your blending brush and use soft circular strokes on the upward line and windshield wiper motion on the top line.  Use a soft hand and wipe down your brush between eyes.  The goal is to soften the outer edges and pull some of the black color towards the center of the lid slightly.

The outer V’s blended:

10.  Using the same brush or another flat firm brush, dab the ebony e/s across the lower lashline. (sorry for the awful blurry photo)

Don’t worry if the lines look too thick, we’ll fix it later!

11.  Clean up any fall out of the shadows with a makeup remove wipe or removal method of your choice.

12.  Pick up moon e/s with a pencil brush or smudge brush or even a q-tip will work.  Apply this to the inner ‘v’ to brighten eyes. 

Now it is time for some detal work since the base is down.  These touches are what polish the look.

1.  Blend some more!  Wipe down the blending brush again (or get another) and blend the outer edges of your eyes and blend any harsh lines.  Use a light hand and blend little by little to prevent mudding up the look.

2.  Take moon on a wide flat firm brush and touch up the browbone highlight and also work the moon around the outer edges (lightly) of the look to soften the lines. Start at the browbone with the e/s and pull it down to the line of the black.  Don’t go entirely over the black, but just along the borders. 

3.  Using the same brush I used with ballet (wiped down of course), I pat on a couple more layers of iwantcandy to brighten up the look.  Once you have the color the intensity you want, lightly pull some of the pink into the areas where the pink and black meet, gently blending the borders of the two shades.

You should have this now:

4.  Next, I defined my eyes using black gel liner.  I used a 1/4 inch takalon angled brush from the craft store.  Glide the brush along the gel to ‘load’ it.  I always start at my outer corner.  I draw a slightly angled up line, working outward in.  Use the technique that you feel most comfortable with.  Line both upper lashlines with the gel liner.

Don’t be afraid to go back and ‘reload’ your brush often.  Use tiny strokes to make little ‘lines’ connected for one big line.  This works best for me.  I have dry, bumpy eyelids.

Now tightline:

I load my brush, then push the gel into the upperlashline from underneath. Black waterproof pencil also works well for this.

To finish lining, I took just what was left on my brush and swept it on waterline, getting as close to the lashes as possible.  Then I smudged the lowerlashline with a pencil brush.

Dont worry if it is messy like mine.  We’ll fix it.

eyes lined.

fix any smudges with a damp q-tip.

Face:

1.  Load your concealer brush of choice with pink cream concealer.  I smear it under my eyes, keeping away from any shadow, then go back and blend into skin with my ring finger. 

2.  I sprinkle some pure cover #2 into the lid of my foundation jar.  Then I apply it all over with the silky kabuki.  This brush is amazing.  I do this when I have bad breakouts and when I do dramatic looks to make my skin look as even as possible.

3.  Now that I am concealed, I apply my foundation.  I sprinkle some into the lid of jar then smoosh my flocked sponge into it.  Then I dab the powder on my forehead, cheeks and chin.  Then I go back and blend into skin with downward, circular strokes. Blendy puckered lip face is optional of course.

4.  Next apply star bright (from valentines kit 08) on cheekbones.  (if you don’t have this use something sparkly light and pinkish)

5.  Load your silk fiber blush brush (this is a MUST have for mineral blush) with candy-o.  Apply to the outer cheekbone area in a small triangle, next to the hairline.

Now blend it to make it look less scary:

5.  Define your brows.  I use a black pencil.

6.  Apply lip balm to lips, then apply iwantcandy e/s to them with a lip brush (no double dipping!).  Then I used a bright pink liner and gloss. ( i used the liner after the e/s because it is a very slick liner and would have just slid all over the place without something to ‘grip’)

7.  Grab your favorite falsies and apply.  If you aren’t sure about how to apply them, check out youtube.  There are a lot of great tutorials on how to apply them!

8.  Falsies on, adding black mascara to blend the real and fake together.

And finally the end result!!! (I added a generous dusting of Illuminator finisher before final pic.)

Thanks for reading my tutorial, I hope it helped!

J.