Easy French Manicure Trick

Thought I'd share some manicure tricks I've picked up. Here's how to create the perfect french manicure, two ways, without the use of a sticker or stencil. 

Fun with Make Up

Make up is fun, and I often find myself in front of my mirror playing around. This is what happened tonight...

I was aiming for new years, and came up with space age drag style? WTF. I still like it tho! ha-ha! What do you think?

Household Beauty Items; Myths and Truths - Vaseline

Your mother and grandmothers and maybe even farther back have been using Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly as a beauty product for years, but like most things used long long ago, our outlook and knowledge has changed. I'm going to go over a few myths and truths about Vaseline you may not know.

World Aids Day - December 1st

Hey everyone, so I made this big long video talking about Make Up For Ever and what I thought of the brand as a whole and my damn video's audio is all messed up, that drives me nuts, so I'm not going to be putting that up.

Instead I wanted to talk about how today is world aids day. Becoming more aware of the disease is a HUGE step in direction for a cure. HIV and AIDS can effect anyone, no matter age, race, gender, sexual orientation or where they live.

Purchase a MAC Viva Glam lipstick (the colours rock!!), donate to a local charity, or volunteer your time.

AIDS in Canada

• An estimated 58,000 people had HIV/AIDS in 2006.
• Every two hours, someone in the country becomes infected with HIV.
• More than 27 per cent of infected people don't know they have HIV.
• Women now account for one-fifth of people with HIV/AIDS, up from one-10th in 1995.

Protect yourself, get tested if you're sexually active, and be aware. 

MAC Aids Fund
World Aids Day



This post contains external links for your convenience and knowledge only, I am not affiliate with either of the companies or organizations.

Make Up Basic Don'ts

I get a lot of questions about makeup. Things like "what eyeshadow colours should I use for my hazel eyes", or "what foundation do u use". But it's the questions I'm not asked that make me think.

These are my top 10 make up basic don'ts that you might be doing!

I haven't forgotten you!

Oh No! She's done it again! Yes yes, I didn't post last week. But I promise you I'm making up for it. I'm working on something really great (well I think it's really great...) for both here and my youtube account (that's youtube.com/heavenlymakeup if you didn't know ;) ).

Here's a sample...

Body Modifications

I've always been a big fan of body piercings and unconventional ear piercings, and I guess I'm one of the few in this part of the lower main land that embraces this. Which just shows the impact of the underground cultures that thrive in Edmonton. It's not just Whyte ave where you'd spot someone with tattoos and piercings, but it seems that those type of people stick to the Gas Town area of Vancouver.
Any way, I thought I'd take this chance to share my personal experiences with body piercings, and tattoos.

Lets start with what I currently sport...

Red Lips

I've recently changed jobs with my move, and in my new roll I've taken on more of a corporate feel. So I've abandoned (mostly) the bright green eyeshadow, and started rocking the classic red lip. I've gotten many questions about which shade I use, how do I get it to stay on all day, ect. So I'll share that with you now.

Starting off, I always apply a lip conditioner when I start my makeup. So the pattern tends to be, moisturizer, eye cream, lip conditioner, foundation primer...

My Skin Care Savior

I have been dealing with mild to medium acne for most of my life (yeah I did the math...). It's never been very serious, just the mild break out, the black heads around my nose, and the worst... these tiny little bumps! They're not quite milia, they're not quite pimples, they're somewhere in between.

I've used all sorts of cleansers, and scrubs from over the counter to specialty shops, and nothing seems to get rid of these bumps. Until now...

Nail Polish Marbling

I've been a big fan of a nail polish technique that's been dubbed "marbling". It's very popular and there are many videos online you can watch of how to do it, or you can read this post.

I got the idea to do this because of Jjacks48 on youtube's latest mission "project 48".  Her latest video was on nail marbling. So I decided to give it a go and take some pictures for you guys. :)

The New Diggs

Finally, I've moved into my new place in rainy Vancouver (ok not right IN Vancouver, but I'm in the lower mainland, and everyone considers it all to be Vancouver.)
I'm very excited to have my own area to do what I want with. I don't have to share it with any boys!
I couldn't find my camera so I made a quick video giving a tour of what I've done so far. I sound sleepy because, well I am sleepy, and the Boyfriend was still sleeping so I'm a little quiet.

Enjoy!

FOTD - Oct 15, 2010

Here's my day 2 look with the few same products as yesterday. The lighting is really off though... Not as good a yesterdays. So I only have eye shots. the skin stayed the same anyway.


Look #2 - October 15, 2010

FOTD - Oct 14 2010

Today starts the moving process. I've packed up all (ok almost all) my makeup, and only left a few products to use over the next few days. I'm taking this advantage to show you how you can get different looks from the same base products.

Health Canada Confuses Me! - Brazillian Blowout

So one of the beauty forums I visit regularly posts this link from Health Canada:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_167-eng.php

Very serious warnings about Brazillian Blowouts and the formaldehyde it contains... However when I go to the official Brazillian Blowout website, I read this:
http://www.brazilianblowout.com/About_Us

This isn't the first time I've witnessed Health Canada post something online that wasn't quite fully informed.  But it makes me wonder, who's fibbin'.

Do brazillian blowouts really contain formaldehyde (or one of it's just as damaging cousins)? Or is Health Canada blowing blowout out of proportions!

If anyone has any information on what might be truthful please let me know!

As a person with natural very curly, and frizzy hair I've concidered trying this treatment, but I really have no desire to put anymore formaldehyde on my body (a lot of nail polishes contain a small amount of it!).

Mini NYX Haul

I had a little extra cash today, and had a shopping itch. I got a couple NYX cosmetics from the grocery store, more for less right? I could have got 1 NARS eyeshadow for the price I paid for all 4 items.  I picked up 2 eyeshadow trios, a jumbo lip pencil, and a jumbo eye pencil. They're kind of boring colours, but I'm very into neutral, natural colours.

Over thinking, over planning....

I over think things, ALOT!!! So what am I thinking of 18 days before we move? The fact that I get my own room! My own place for makeup and beauty to thrive! For beauty to thrive in this room, it's going to need more furniture. The handmedowns I've been using for years just aren't going to cut it.

Luckily the Ikea is pretty close to my new place, which is great because I LOVE Ikea.  Plus I've seen what other beauty bloggers have done with Ikea furniture and I really like what they've done.

So lets wander over to Ikea's website and see what we can find...

FOTD - Sept 19

Just a quick FOTD, and what I used.

Lady Gaga Make Up - The Video

Finally got it done!

Where did I go?

Hey so you probably have noticed that I haven't been posting twice a week like I had been. Well I'm in the middle of getting a move planned.
That's right I'm packin' up, and headin' out!
Ha-ha. My boyfriend and I are moving out to Vancouver and it's been a little crazy.
I'm trying to get the cash together so we're not eating ramen and KD for a year, and I'm selling a BUTTLOAD (yup, a buttload) of old stuff on Kijiji. If you don't know what Kijiji is you're missing out!

Once I'm up and settled in Vancouver I'll be posting twice a week again, every Wednesday and Saturday. I'm hoping to have some contests and giveaways as well in the near future!

I'm also working on editing my Lady Gaga vidoes I filmed a while back. So keep an eye out for that on my youtube channel www.youtube.com/heavenlymakeup

Along with all that I have a workshop going on September 19th with the Churchmice, showing them how to score some awesome vampire stage makeup for their next production.... DRACULA! So hopefully I'll have some pix or video footage of that!

Kisses! *Mawah!*

-Erika

Taking Care of Your Nails - The trillogy

Today I decided to take off my nails with my newly purchased acetone, and I figured "hey, why not film it".
So here you go, all 3 of my nail videos I've made to date.

Removing Your Nails - Filing

Removing Your Nails - Acetone

Taking Care of Your Nails After You've Removed Them

Lady Gaga Make Up

So the Lady Gaga concert is next week and I'm trying to figure out what make up I'm going to do. I love doing make up inspired by the performer I'm seeing. For No Doubt I did a wicked green, yellow and red make up look, rasta inspired.

Homemade Exfoliants

We fork out the dough for all sorts of beauty products, but did you know that you most likely already have everything you need to make an exfoliant/scrub?! Its really easy! You just need a few basic ingredients.

Exfoliating the skin is a great way to promote the regeneration of healthy new skin cells, making your skin softer and more open to creams, moisturizers and serums. 

Face Charts

I was putting together some looks for fun, and to have on hand, and this is what I came up with. The scans aren't ace, but they're better than photos. I used MAC face charts because they're the easiest to use, and the most widely recognized.
PS - Eyebrows are hard to get even on paper!

FOTD - August 10

I'm in no way original or creative. This is my take on Resha from Accidental Beauty's look she posted on her blog, http://accidentalbeauty.com/looks-tutorials/face-of-the-day-fotd/mac-dare-to-wear-super-bright-fotd/ I'm a big fan of her blog.

Artifical Nails - FAQ

As a certified nail tech I get so many questions relating to artificial nails.
What's better, gel or acrylic?
Do they damage my nails?
How do I take them off?

You asked 'em, I'll answer 'em!

Avon Haul

Okay, I know "Erika, ANOTHER haul?!" yeah, I've been a little spend crazy lately. But in my defense, everything is really affordable!

Avon has always been in my life, my mom used to order Avon, Mary Kay, Arbonne, all those brands, and I got my first taste of make up by digging through my moms stuff.

Debbie in my office sells Avon and when I saw these colours, I had to get them, they were so cheep too! 2 eyeliners for $6, 2 eyeshadow sticks for $6, and 2 lipsticks for $10.  Not too shabby!

Drugstore Haul - Joe Fresh

Usually I try to avoid Real Canadian Superstore, it's over crowded, poorly laid out, and generally more of a head ache than it's worth. But I NEEDED to try out the new Joe Fresh Makeup. So I took a deep breath and went in!

Man am I glad I did! This is makeup is such a good deal! I picked up two eye shadows for $4 each, a blush for $6 and an eye brow powder duo for $6! Along with the Maybelline gel eyeliner, in black (I can never find black!) These products are all comparable to a high end brand version as well.

FOTD - Joe Fresh/Eve Pearl

not quite sure why the close up picture colour is so different...

Face:
Eve Pearl's Magic Salmon Concealer in Light Salmon, under eyes and around the nose; Eve Pearl's Foundation in HD Light 1; MAC Blot Powder in Medium/Dark; MAC Bronzer in Golden, under cheek bones around hair line and under the chin; Joe Fresh Blush in Hydrangea, on the apples of my cheeks.

Eyes:
Joe Fresh Brow Powder in Blonde, darker side; Too Faced Shadow Insurance, as a base; Joe Fresh Eyeshadow in Pebble; on the entire lid; MAC Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe, in the crease; Joe Fresh Eye Shadow in Silk, as a brow highlight; Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Lucky; Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara in Black.

Lips:
MAC Lip Pencil in Mouth Off, L'oreal Lipstick in 228 Mango Tango.

All products were purchased by me. All opinions are mine, and mine alone, with no outside influence.

10 Uses for Aloe Vera You Probably Didn't Know

I touched briefly on aloe vera in my sun burn post, but did you know that aloe vera has more uses than relieving the pain of that nasty burn?

Eve Pearl Haul & Review

I have gig doing makeup for a wedding coming up and I realized that my foundations in my kit were both old, and very limited. So I picked up the Eve Pearl Pro Trios Pro Kit.

Sunburns

'Tis the season for sunshine and the great out doors. Unfortunately we can feel the negative effects of the sun if we don't protect ourselves. I have happen to encounter such events this last weekend.
We went out to the lake and I had just got a new pair of shorts and was very excited to get some rays on my legs, that never seem to tan no matter what. So all day, I layed in the sun, basking in it's warmth. After dinner I realized I had some redness on the tops of my knees, I thought at first this was from crossing my legs for long periods of time. Nope, the beginning of a nasty burn.

Symbols On Your Products

Ever look on the back of your make up and beauty products and wonder what the hell all those pictures and symbols and numbers mean? Well I can tell you!

Make Up Organization

Sorry for the hiatus, I was fighting trying to get my movie maker program to work again. I also got around to organizing my make up in a useful way. Now I can find everything!! I filmed it so lets take a look!!

SinfulColors Nail Polish

I'm always on the hunt for a new nail polishes, new colours, and my favorite new GLITTER!! I'm a glitter junkie with nail polish.  New fun colours are easy to find, but glitters, those can be tricky.
I was at London Drugs (my treasure chest of cosmetics!) and they had a whole brand new selection of nail polish, including SinfulColors.

Liquid Eyeliner Review/Comparison

I've been using the same liquid eyeliner for years, Almay Liquid Liner, and I decided it's time for a change! So I picked up two new liquid liners, in two different, yet similar, forms. Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen and Maybelline New York Line Stiletto.

Self Tanner/Sunless Tanner - Update

One week later...


At about Thursday last week I had to stop using the tanning lotion.  I was starting to turn orange.  I was using it twice a day, since I ran out of my regular moisturizer and the box did say to use as your regular lotion.  After about 3 days I started to look like my regular old pale self.

Now this doesn't mean it's a horrible product, it just obviously didn't work for my skin type, that often. I may try this again after a weekend out in the sun and I have some natural colour, then it might work better for me.

The lotion on my legs unfortunately didn't take as well. I got a little darker. This product did even out my skin tone amazingly before I turned orange. Ha-ha!

I wouldn't recommend the Life Daily Glow lotion to anyone as fair as I am, with pink undertones.  It, like most self tanners/sunless tanners, may go orange. If you do choose to use it, I don't recommend using it everyday, once you get the desired colour stick to every other day or every third day.

All products were purchased by me. All opinions are mine, and mine alone, with no outside influence.

FOTD - OCC Lips

I'm a sucker for peachy, coral lip colour! I wear it almost as much as a bright red!
At IMATS Vancouver this year I picked up a couple of hot items, one of those items was a couple of the OCC Lip Tars.

Self Tanner/Sunless Tanner

After many hours of debate I have decided to take the leap into self tanner again. I haven't done it since high school and for good reasons. I ended up being super orange after a bad self tanning incident. So here we go!

Nail Polish - Top Coats

So I finally got my hands on the famous "Seche Vite" top coat. I've been looking everywhere for it, the only place I could find is online with over priced shipping. It's crazy what people charge for "international" shipping. Personally I wouldn't consider Wisconsin to Canada international...
Anyway, I ventured down to Southgate Mall here in Edmonton, I was searching the OPI stand at Beauty Express for some interesting colours, and saw this little gem!

Welcome!!

Welcome to my newly launched blog!!

This is Erika from HeavenlyMakeUp on YouTube. I've branched out into the blog world!! I'll be posting all my newest videos here, along with blog posts that don't have a video to go with them. I'll also link some of my favorite guru videos here too!! I spend a lot of time watching other gurus and they have such great ideas that I don't think I need to cover, but I want more people to see!

I'm re-launching my YouTube channel soon, so make sure you subscribe to see that!! I plan on doing more videos on a regular basis, branching out to more reviews, and more viewer requests!

See you soon!!

<3 Erika