Victory Party

Hey everyone!

I haven't been very motivated to do anything lately (other than work, of course), especially since my husband is gone.  I normally put in crazy hours while he's away, but this time around I've actually managed to get in some late spring cleaning.  Otherwise, my life is pretty dull, and I'm a total hermit.

Well, last night a friend of mine had a "victory party".  He was running for local office (justice of the peace) and invited everyone out to the bar to watch the polls, have some snacks, sing a little karaoke, etc.  I almost didn't go, but I decided that I really needed some time away from the kids, and I had donated a considerable amount of funding to his campaign, so it would probably be decent of me to at least show my face.

He didn't win, but it was close!

I live in a tiny town in the middle of B.F.E. Arkansas, so most of the people there were dressed...hmm..."normally"???  (What is "normal" anyway?)  In this area of the state (which is MUCH different from the northwestern corner where I used to live), the women are a lot more conservative and "classic", I suppose.  You know, they aren't really "in style", but they aren't really "out of style" either...  Basic jeans and t-shirt most of the time.

I obviously don't fit in here.

Anyway...I always stick out like a sore thumb.  I grew up in B.F.E. Alabama, so I'm totally NOT hating on rural folk (I am one!)...  I've just come to realize that everyone here thinks I'm from New York City or something.  (Which I find hilarious, by the way...since I've never been any farther north than North Carolina!  LOL!)  Whatever.  The community I grew up in (yeah, it wasn't even big enough to be considered a town) was WAY smaller than here...  But I don't think I've EVER fit in anywhere.  No matter where I am on this side of the Bible Belt, I always seem to have the brightest makeup, craziest hair (which is, oddly, a "normal" color right now), most visible skin/tattoos, and sparkliest clothes/shoes.  I always feel over-dressed, and I'm often stared at like I'm an alien or something...but whateva.

It works for me, though.  As Mena Suvari said in the movie American Beauty...  "There's nothing worse than being ordinary."

Here's the look I did...

EYES:

I used the following:

Hi Fi Shadow in Polka Dot Bikini (VERY light application in inner corner)

Hi Fi Shadow in Epidemic (inner half of main lid area)

Hi Fi Shadow in Crazy Little Thing (outer half of main lid area)

Rockstar Loose Eyeshadow in Backstage (outer corner and crease)

Hi Fi Shadow in Lullaby (as highlight and lightly applied over Polka Dot Bikini)

Other products used:

Hard Candy Take Me Out liner in Ahi

Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black

Kiss Me liquid liner in Black

Lashes from eBay

Finally, a *real* smile for you!

I also used Hard Candy Painted Lady lipstick in Perfect 10 and NYX blush in Red...oh yeah...and a cream highlighter than I randomly decided to mix one day.  I might have some of these up in my shop soon if there's an interest.  

AND...for once...I wore a tinted moisturizer (e.l.f.) and *gasp!* powder (something I custom mixed for myself)!!!  Most of you know that I rarely ever wear anything other than blush or concealer on my face, so this is a date to remember!  LOL!  And I apologize for the craptastic hair...  I had to make the kids dinner before I left, so I ran out of time.

Anyhow...  Did anyone else do anything fun last night?

One Weekend a Month, Two Weeks a Year...

Hey everyone!!!  

As a lot of you know, my husband is gone for his annual training for a couple of weeks.  And well...  I miss him.  He's only been gone since Friday, but I seriously feel incomplete without him here.  (Go ahead, you can gag now.  LOL.)  

By the way, that whole National Guard thing...  "One weekend a month, two weeks a year"...  Yeah, that's total crap...if you're active duty.  My husband is full-time Guard, so he's gone A LOT more than that.

BUT ANYWAY...  We do this little thing when he's gone where we send each other photos of what we're doing.  I'll send pictures of the kids, cell phone "self-portraits", and maybe a few that are on the slightly "racy" side (hehe)...  And in return, I'll get some of the same "self-portraits" and pictures of him and "the guys" chilling on the humvees, etc.  Well, today he was missing me (aww!), and he wanted me to send a picture of myself.  

I always feel so guilty, because I'm usually bare-faced with raggamuffin hair and sloppy clothes when he comes home from work.  The minute he steps through the door, he can see the day's work all over me...covered in glitter, toddler smears (of who knows what), and a very stressed out look on my face.  He's usually greeted with, "Thank goodness you're home!  Watch the kids for me so I can finally shower!!!"  or, with car keys in hand, "Hi, honey.  I have to run to the post office.  See you when I get back."  Needless to say, unless we're going somewhere special, I don't usually get dolled up for him...  As a matter of fact, he sees me "au naturale" (not in the good way) a lot more than I'd like.  

A few years ago, things could not have been more different.  I used to wear makeup constantly.  I would get up early in the morning and put on "my face" so he wouldn't have to be subjected to a sallow, zombie-fied me.  I used to do my hair during the day and put on a fresh face of makeup before he got home just so I could be presentable for my hard working, loving husband.  Well, all of that was before baby #2 and self-employment came along.

So I guess I'm just feeling a lot of guilt lately.  I know my husband loves me no matter what I look like, but I feel like it's sort of "my duty" as a wife to not "let myself go".  A woman should always want to be desirable and attractive to her husband.  SO...  (after all that long, boring crap)  I wanted to be pretty when I sent him my picture today.

All products (unless otherwise noted) are Hi-Fi Cosmetics.

This is the look I did...

My camera's flash sort of washed me out in the full face photos.  The one I actually ended up sending him was on my cell phone with no flash, so it was a little less washed out.

EYES:

On my eyes, I used:

High Impact Shadow Fix (all over lid, from lashline to brow)

Hi Fi Shadow in Hail Caesar (inner corner)

Rockstar Loose Eyeshadow in Sound Check (middle of lid)

Rockstar Loose Eyeshadow in Sex, Drugs, & Rock 'n' Roll (outer "V")

Hi Fi Shadow in Beautiful Nightmare (crease)

Hi Fi Shadow in Lullaby (highlight)

I also used Hail Caesar, Sound Check, and Sex, Drugs, & Rock 'n' Roll on the lower lashline.

Used Kiss Me liquid liner in Black.  On brows, I used a generic dark brown pencil and e.l.f.'s brow kit in Dark Brown.  Lashes are from eBay.

LIPS:

   

I used Spotlight Lip Glaze in No Day But Today over Isomers Maxi Lip 2.  (I think that's what it's called.)

Here's a close-up of the Lip Glaze:

Here's a couple more pics of my face:

I'm a little washed out in this pic, but I was also wearing Get It On gel blush, as always, on an otherwise bare face.  (I always feel weird saying that.  I always feel like I've missed a step or two!  LOL.)  

I apologize for the wonky-looking lashes.  As you can tell, one of my brows was surgically "lifted" when I had to get a large gash sutured as a child.  Now I have one hooded eye (my natural eyes) and one not-hooded eye (due to my doctor's handiwork).  So it always makes makeup application difficult...not to mention penciling in the brows (because they are shaped differently now).  My lashes always look craptastic and unbalanced because of it.  How crappy is that?  (Maybe I'll get the other eye fixed to match one day...LOL.)

Jumbo photo!!!

My camera refused to show the spectacular sparkle of these shadows.

Also, here's a question you guys might be able to help me with...  My natural lashes are pin-straight (very similar to Asian lashes) and impossible to curl or blend with falsies because they grow downward.  Any suggestions?

Anyway...I was pretty happy with this look, and my husband raved and raved about it once he received his photo.  :)  Now I'm just ready for him to get home.  If I'm lucky, I might be able to go see him next weekend.  (They might be giving him a 24-hour pass.)

What are your thoughts on this look?  Do any of you have men in the military or that travel for their jobs?  If you do, how do you keep yourself occupied (and sane) while they're away?

Facebook Giveaway!!

Okay, the title kind of gives this one away...

ONE PERSON will receive FIVE of their favorite Hi Fi or Rockstar shadows and TWO Lip Glazes of their choice!

FOUR others will receive THREE of their favorite shadows and ONE Lip Glaze!

FIVE more people will win ONE shadow or Lip Glaze of their choice!!!

That's a total of 10 WINNERS!!!  (I told you it was a big one!)

Here's how you get entries:

1.  "Like" Hi-Fi Cosmetics on Facebook (click here to see my fan page).  (One entry)
2.  Go to the photo albums and comment on the pictures of up to three of your favorites.  (Up to three entries, one for each comment left after 8:00 PM CST, Friday, May 14)
3.  Share the link to your blog or video review/tutorial/etc.  (Two entries for each link or video posted.  For tutorials and/or FOTDs, you must focus on Hi-Fi or use Hi-Fi products for the majority of the look.)
4.  Share your Hi-Fi photos on the Hi-Fi Cosmetics Facebook wall (or Fan Photos section).  (One entry for each photo.)

At the deadline, I will organize and number all entries.  I will then do ten random drawings using random.org, drawing the "grand prize" winner first, the group of four next, then finishing up with the final five.  This will ensure a completely unbiased, random drawing for the winners.  :)

So, anyway...there are lots of ways to get entries!  :)  I'll be running this little giveaway from 8:00 PM CST, Friday, May 14th until 8:00 PM CST, Friday, May 28th.  That gives you two weeks.  :)

I hope to see lots of entries!!!  Good luck to you all!!!  :)

Introductory Sale!!!

Wow...  Long time no post!!!  I've been super busy lately with tornadoes (!!!), unexpected guests, and my husband's crazy military schedule, so I greatly apologize for not posting more FOTDs, updates, etc.

Anyway...  If you guys are on my Facebook fan page, then you know about all the new stuff that's been coming out.  Check out these photos for a peek at the new Rockstar Loose Eyeshadows, which are basically the same awesome quality of the Hi Fi Shadows, but packing more of a glitter-tastic punch.   This new line runs at $5.99 apiece, which is a little more than the $4.99 for Hi Fi Shadows...but since these are so packed with amazing sparkle-goodness, they cost me a little bit more to produce.  Either way, it's still an awesome deal!!!  :)

Also, if you're looking for something to make those sparklies stick, try out my new High Impact Shadow Fix, which is especially formulated for loose shadows (esp. those with lots of glitter, sparkle, etc.), but it can be used with any shimmery shadow...even pressed ones.  However, it's not so awesome for mattes, as it can cause an uneven or patchy application.  Just an FYI...  This product rocks my face off!!!  (To see this product in action, check out these photos.)

Now...  On to the sale!!!


I'm doing a special "introductory offer" on the Rockstar Loose Eyeshadows from May 9th until May 23rd!! That gives you two weeks to load up on these spectacular shadows! 

Here's the deal:  Buy 1 Rockstar shadow, Get 1 Free **OR** Buy 2 Rockstar shadows, and get a tube of High Impact Shadow Fix or a Spotlight Lip Glaze for FREE!!! 


You decide, and there's NO LIMIT!! As always, DO NOT put your free items in your cart. Simply mention in the message section which shades you'd like for free. :) Simple. No waiting on revised invoices! *yay!* 

Hope you guys enjoy the sale, and remember it ends in 11 days!!!  Start stocking up now!  :)