Nail Polish

I'm giving myself a manicure today so I figured I would take a picture of my favorite nail polishes (otherwise known as the ones in my collection that are Sephora by OPI).  I have some other fun colors but I think as time goes on they'll all get replaced by OPI because it is by far the best brand I've ever used.

Left to right:
Chestnuts About You (shimmery pink champagne)
Curve-Aceous (shiny true red aka The Woman)
Just A Little Dangerous (slightly glittery deep plum, aka Purple of Sex)
Absinthe Makes the Heart (dark green glitter)
What's A Tire Jack (black -- online sources claim it's matte but I'm not sure if mine is)

EDIT: NEW NAIL POLISHES!

L to R:
What Aura Gonna Wear? (opaque hot pink)
How Cute Is That? (shimmery coral)
I Come In Peas (opaque kelly green)
Baker Street (opaque TARDIS blue)

Wedding Makeup

I decided yesterday that I'm going to do my own makeup for the wedding.  I think in general this will be a stress-reducer.  I'm very confident with my makeup, and it's one less appointment for the day -- the only getting-ready that will be done by a pro is hair, because I'm not really great at doing my own hair.  I also spent $100 at Sephora yesterday on products specifically for the wedding -- primer, waterproof mascara, and a new lipstick.

List of products

• Plain Chapstick
• Smashbox Photo Finish Light primer
• Ben Nye creme foundation in "Rice Paper"
• Mary Kay Signature concealer in yellow
• Rimmel hide-the-blemish concealer in ivory
• ELF mineral foundation in Fair
• Urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion in "Sin"
• Sephora Collection eyeshadow in "Geisha Kiss"
• Smashbox Be Legendary lipstick in "Legendary"
• Cover Girl Professional Loose Powder in translucent fair
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! waterproof mascara
• ELF natural radiance blush in unknown color (vaguely mauve) (this is a similar product -- the one I have has been discontinued)
• Maybelline Define-a-brow Gel (discontinued, suggested replacement)

List of tools (all Sephora except kabuki brush)

• Foundation brush
• Concealer brush
• Kabuki brush (ELF)
• Round eyeshadow brush
• Detail eyeshadow brush
• Lipstick brush
• Large powder brush

Instructions

1. Apply chapstick
2. Prime entire face, jaw, and blend to neck, except eyelids
3. Wait five minutes
4. With foundation brush, apply BN foundation to entire face (except eyelids) and blend to neck.  Make sure to get around eyebrows.  BLEND.
5. With concealer brush, apply MK concealer from back of hand to undereye dark circles and any major blemishes.
6. With concealer brush again, apply Rimmel concealer as outside-lip liner, paying special attention to center of upper lip (cupid's bow) and outside of lower lip.  Apply anywhere else that needs brightening, like nose.  Blend into foundation.
7. With kabuki brush, apply ELF mineral foundation lightly to entire face and neck, blending into chest.  Buff very well to eliminate powder look.
8. Touch up concealer if needed.
9. Apply UD eyeshadow primer to eyelids, inner corners, and almost up to the brow.  DO NOT cateye -- keep it close.
10. With round eyeshadow brush, apply Sephora eyeshadow lightly to entire lid.  Darken slightly at outer corner and crease, blending well.  DO NOT CATEYE -- keep it close.
11. With detail eyeshadow brush and Sephora eyeshadow, line upper lash line and outer third of lower lash line.
12. Blot chapstick, if needed.
13. Line lips with lip brush and Smashbox lipstick.  Overdo the Cupid's bow at first.
14. Fill in lips.  Allow to dry for a minute.
15. Gently blot lips with tissue.  Powder with CG loose powder through 1ply of tissue.
16. Reapply lipstick.
17. Touch up edges of lips with Rimmel concealer, if needed.
18. Apply Tarte mascara, first to tops of lashes, then to bottom (the normal way).  Lightly apply to lower lashes all the way across.
19. With large powder brush, apply ELF blush very lightly to create cheekbone contours.  Layer to darken if desired.
20. Apply Maybelline brow gel.
21. Be fabulous!