FOTD - Fall look 2

Today's fall look featured shades of gold and cranberry.

Here is what I used to achieve this look:
Benefit Porefessional Primer
MAC pro longwear concealer NW40 (brows and highlight)
MAC penultimate brow pencil
MAC Indianwood as eyeshadow base
MAC Texture and cross cultural (matte brown) to contour eyes
MAC Ever elegant pigment and silk stocking pigment on lid and on bottom lash line
NYX Jumbo eye pencil in rust and MAC passionately tempted (blush) in the outer corner
Urban decay blackout in crease
Sephora hollywood's calling in inner corner and along bottom lash line
Mac black ice pro longwear eyeliner in waterline
MAC Zoom lash mascara
Elf natural lashes
Avon liquid eyeliner to create wing
MAC Studiofix fluid in NW43
MAC studio stick in NW45 as contour
MAC woodwinked eyeshadow as highlight
MUFE Uplight No. 23 as illuminator
MAC Vino lip liner
MAC Violetta lipstick


The pic at the top is filtered for dramatics, the pictures below show the true colors of this look as they appeared in person:

Feel free to share questions/comments below. 

Adventures in Couponing

I have always admired those people who have a super-organized binder full of coupons that hold up the checkout line at Target. Annoying but admirable! I like the idea of couponing but I have never actually taken my coupons to the store and in the past if I did take them to the store I would forget to use them. No more passive couponing! I am learning the game and I enjoy it. I do not buy processed foods for my home and there won't ever be a coupon for fresh produce, so I scour the Sunday paper for savings on cosmetics and healthy/beauty/household items.

My first couponing adventure was a trip to Target.

 

Here are my savings:
Saved $1 on Spray and go moisturizer (I used a 50cent manufacturers coupon and a 50cent Target coupon that I printed from Target's website.) - paid $4.99
Saved $2 on Almay eye makeup remover - paid $2.99
Saved $1 on Rimmel Scandal Eyes mascara - paid $3.99
Saved $4 on L'Oreal Excess mascara (I had a mfg coupon for $2 off and a Target coupon for $2 off) - paid $3.99
Total savings: $8.00


My next couponing adventure was at Ulta.

I had a coupon for $3.50 off of a $10 purchase. I have wanted to try the Real Technique brushes and I saw that they were on sale (BOGO 50% OFF). I purchased the set for $17.99 and a single brush was 50% off of $8.99, plus I received $3.50 off. If I did not purchase anything else my total spent would have been less than $20 for 5 quality brushes!
Total savings: $8.00


The best haul this month came from Elf cosmetics.

 

I love ELF brushes! Especially for my client makeup kit. I was bored one night and decided to log on to ELF's site and I saw that they were having a 36% off sale that was ending in 45 minutes from the time that I logged on. I quickly filled up my cart but decided to edit it to ensure that I received free shipping on my order of $35 or more. I ran out of time during editing and the coupon code expired. My spirit was broken! But let me tell you how God works! I googled ELF coupon codes and found a 50% off code! Won't He do it?! My total was $35 for 23 items including brushes, lip exfoliators, brush cleaner, sealant, primer, setting mist, and a blush/bronzer duo. Most of these products are not easy to find in stores and I have seen positive reviews for these items. I was too excited. I got free shipping! Shipping would have been about $12 for these items as ELF was not offering flat rate shipping.
Total Savings: Approximately $47

 

 

 

Couponing Tips:
Get organized - Try sites like krazycouponlady.com to show you which coupons you should use at which stores in order to get the greatest savings. I print the list of items that I plan to buy and use binder clips to clip my coupons to the print-out.

Check store coupon policies - some stores double/triple manufacturer coupons so be sure to check each store's policy. Stores like Target also offer store coupons on their site so look out for those, as you can use store coupons in addition to a manufacturers coupon on individual items to score greater savings.

Check Expiration Dates - I am not going to embarrass myself by telling you guys that I had a coupon for $3 off of two or more Nivea lip butters and went to CVS to use it on their deal of 3/$10, thinking that I was going to get three butters for $7 and got up to the counter and my coupon was expired! I walked out empty-handed because the butters are $1 less at Ulta and if the coupon were valid I would have saved more at Ulta by getting three butters for $6. In real life, what is $1? But in couponing, you really don't NEED most of this stuff so $1 is all of the difference in the world!

Only buy items that you really want to try or that you actually use - I am experimenting with drug strore mascaras so I am benefitting from cosmetic coupons and I always look for coupons pertaining to my preferred brand of toilet paper/contact lens solution/household cleaners. You have to buy these items anyway so you may as well save on them!

Do any of you coupon? Do you have any advice or tips for couponing? Feedback is welcomed in the  comments section. Additionally feel free to leave questions below.

Monochromatic November - Part 1

My personal style challenge for this month was to feature monochromatic pieces (black and white) at least once per week. Here are the looks for the first two weeks of the month:

 

Week 1:
The first Friday of this month was alumni weekend for my undergrad alma mater and it was also Coleman Love weekend for members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. I met up with a few of my line sisters at Bambou Lounge to kick off the weekend. I opted for a completely monochromatic look with the only pop of color being from my clutch and earrings. I added a faux leather peplum belt to give it a little more fancy. I will be featuring that belt a lot this month. If you are interested in this season's faux leather trend but afraid to commit, I suggest a faux leather peplum belt which you can add to tons of outfits to up the ante as well as to wear an outfit that you have already worn in a different way. (Look out for my upcoming cumulative post suggesting ways to stretch your wardrobe).

Top: Asos

Belt: Simply Be

Skirt: Asos

Heels: Jessica Simpson

On Saturday night, I met a few of my line sisters and sorority sisters at Hudson Lounge to celebrate the end of the weekend. I wore a crop top with a high-waist pencil skirt and a peplum belt.

Crop Top: Forever 21

Skirt: Asos

Heels: Jessica Simpson

 

 

Week 2:

During the second weekend in November, I went to an all-white engagement party. It was freezing cold (below 59 degrees is freezing cold in the South) and the only white ensemble that I had was a sleeveless peplum fit and a peplum doesn't look so great under a blazer so I wore the next best thing, black and white. I wanted to keep my accessories simple since I was "out of dress code" and I wore the most comfortable shoes that I own because my feet were sore from the week's workout. I will wear this dress again under better conditions and add my own personal style to them!

 

 

Dress: Asos

Clutch: Aldo

Heels: Nine West

 

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog. Please leave questions and comments below. Follow me on Instagram @chaneldior1913. Check out my closet sale if you have not already, I have reduced the price of items and everything is brand new, never worn, with tags attached.
http://jarfullofglam.storeenvy.com

FOTD: Fall Makeup

I decided to create a look using products that I either had never used before, or that I rarely use. It is time for me to use up some of my makeup. I am such a product hoarder! It takes me forever to use everything! I plan to provide a more in depth review of the products in a separate post.

Here is what I used:
1. I primed my face with Benefit Porefessional. This product helped to minimize pores especially since I was suffering from a monthly breakout.
2. I primed my eyes with Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I usually use MAC's paint pots, so I do not need this product, I am just trying to use it up.
3. I defined my brows using MAC's penultimate brow marker. I have naturally thick, shapely brows so I usually just extend the tail of my brow and conceal my extra hairs. I do not recommend this product for filling in sparse brows. You will be sorely disappointed!
4. I concealed my brow area with Cover Girl Queen Natural Hue Concealer - This was my first time using this product and it does not work for me in any shape, form, or fashion.
5. I contoured my eyes with MAC texture, MAC brownscript, and MAC cross cultural shadows
6. I used Maybelline Color tattoo in pomegranate punk as a base on my lid.
7. On my lid, I also applied Estee Lauder berry ice and MAC plum dressing shadows
8. In my crease I used MAC Beautymarked and Urban Decay blackout, and I highlighted my brow with MAC seedy pearl
9. In my inner corner, I used Sephora's Hollywoods Calling (a sample that I received during my last trip to Sephora)
10. I lined my waterline with MAC Black Ice pro longwear eyeliner (one of my faves)
11. Under my bottom lash line, I used Sephora's Hollywoods calling, MAC taupless, and MAC spell caster
12. I used Avon liquid eyeliner to create my wing. I am trying to use up this product as well. I do not have another liquid eyeliner that I love so if you guys have any recommendations feel free to leave them below.
13. I used ELF natural lashes.
14. I used MAC Zoomlash to blend my lashes with the extensions, and on my bottom lashes
15. Foundation = Lamik full coverage in M26 set with Lamik mineral powder in light caramel.
16. Concealer = Cover Girl Queen Natural Hue in Light set with Ben Nye banana powder
17. Highlighted and Contoured with MAC Shape The Future MSF (love this product and wish it was permanent)
18. Blush = MAC Passionately Tempted (from Taste Temptations collection)
19. To create my lip color, I filled in my entire lip with MAC Nightmoth liner, I topped it with MAC Boyfriend stealer (from Archie's Girls collection), and to add a little shine and iridescence I added Makeup Forever lipstick in No. 15 to the center of my lips. The true color is in the unedited pics shown below.


Seems like a lot when you number things! But it was quick!

 

 

Questions/product suggestions/comments are welcomed below.
To book an appointment with me, email me at jarfullofglam@yahoo.com and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @chaneldior1913.

Breast Cancer awareness month

During the month of October I tried to incorporate pink into my look at least once per week in support of breast cancer awareness. I have loved ones who are breast cancer survivors as well as loved ones who have lost the battle. The older I get, I become more conscious and educated about my personal health, so I am trying to do what I can in terms of diet and exercise in order to prevent the diseases that are considered preventable. There is not enough scientific evidence about breast cancer to label it as a preventable disease, however, an overall healthy lifestyle is recommended to reduce the risk of developing cancer of all types. Unfortunately breast cancer effects African American women at a disproportionate rate and research places the blame on our hair care products filled with synthetic additives, harsh chemicals, and other questionable ingredients. Since 2010 I have switched to an all-natural hair and skin care regimen, however, what good is natural haircare/skincare if I continue to eat foods with questionable ingredients? I generally do not purchase processed foods at the grocery store but that does not stop me from stopping at Chick-Fil-A once per week for their processed fare. All things are okay in moderation, however, moderation is far less than once per week (which is about how often I eat fast food these days). This post is not completely about health and wellness but it is definitely worth mentioning.

I only consider one of my pink outfits from the month of October to be blogworthy and I am featuring it below.

I wore a pink peplum dress to my sister's birthday party during the first weekend in October. We had drinks and appetizers at one of the finest restaurants/lounges in downtown Houston - Mister Peeples. The place was very posh, the atmosphere was perfect, and I can not wait to return!

 

 

Dress: Simply Be

Bag: @legacythedesigner on Instagram

Necklace: @bleujones on Instagram

Heels: Nine West

 

 

October Favorites - Client Edition

Here are a few of my favorite client looks from the month of October:

I took a class from one of my fave MUA's/bloggers - Rae Michele from Naturally Glam by Rae. Rae guided me through a full glam session of makeup application and I learned so much and I absolutely loved the results! I love learning new makeup techniques from other artists. The best thing about makeup artistry is that no two artists use the exact techniques from start to finish so there is always something to learn!

 I also did makeup for a wedding party of seven. These two were my absolute favorites (bridesmaid and wedding guest):

Feel free to leave questions/comments below. If you would like to book an appointment with me you may email me at jarfullofglam@yahoo.com. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @chaneldior1913

Technology Tuesday

I am definitely not the most tech-savvy person in existence, however, I like to maintain relevance and I believe that technology makes life easier at times. I recently discovered an app that I felt was blogworthy enough to share with Jar Full of Glam readers. The app is called Apps Gone Free - it is a free app available to iphone, ipad, and Android users, basically available to most mobile devices with app stores/markets. Apps Gone Free features a list of approximately 8 apps per day, that are only free for that day - apps that normally range in price from $0.99 to $6.99 and upward. My favorite apps are the photo editing apps because I take a lot of pictures on my iphone. I also love productivity apps such as task managers and various note-taking apps - anything to help keep me organized. Through Apps Gone Free, I discovered an app called aremaC where I am able to create various photo effects. I have attached some of the photos that I edited through aremaC. If you are more technologically advanced the editing possibilities are limitless! That is not my area, so I stick to basic presets! I probably don't need half of the apps that I download but I love discovering new apps and I have definitely paid for my share of apps so it feels awesome to get new apps absolutely free!