FOTD: Michelle Phan Transformation

Hello everyone! Schools are finishing up and summer is aobut to start in a few days but I'm still keeping the creative juices flowing.  I was recently watching a makeup tutorial video by the one and only Michelle Phan (I'm a big fan. I've been watching her channel since I was a senior in high school ^_^) and as I watched it I thought it'd be neat to transform into her for the day.  With my makeup and brushes I went from Sammy to Michelle in no time! :)

Here's the video of her look:


Some more pics of the transformation:

Pretty cool, huh? I even had some fun recreating her outfit.  In the photo that she posted on her Facebook fanpage, it only shows the top portion of her body, so I used my creativity and had fun dressing up the bottom portion.

Wardrobe Used in this Transformation:

Shirt from New York & Company

Scarf from New York & Company

Capris from Aeropostale

Ballet Flats from Target

Pants from JC Penny's

Shoes from Steve & Barry's

Which outfit do you guys like better? Personally I like the capris one for a casual day but the pants one for business and work. :)

Even though this look is gorgeous on Michelle it still looks good on lil' me.

xoxo Sammy

Outfit of the Day 06/16/11

Wardrobe Used in this Outfit of the Day:

Shirt from Body Central

Shorts from Body Central

Shoes by CONNIE from Burlington's Coat Factory

Tights from Urban Outfitters

Fedora from Kmart

What do you think? Tights or no tights?

Contest Entry and FOTD: Summer Sunflower Tutorial

Good afternoon everyone! Today's tutorial is a bit different from my normal tutorials.  DSK's Steph is holding a contest where you create a detailed FOTD.  I thought it'd be pretty neat to enter so here is my entry for the contest.

For my look, I was inspired by the song Angels by Hope (if you have ever played Sims 2 Castaways they play the song there in Simish language) as well as the beauty of sunflowers.  I really wanted to keep the look soft and feminine but still show the beautiful radiance of a sunflower in my makeup.

Products Used in this Tutorial:

Clinique concealer in 05 Medium Beige

bare Minerals foundation powder in Summer Bisque

bare Minerals Mineral Veil

Smashbox Brow Tech & Cream Eye Liner Palette

Ulta eyeshadow kit (gold and matte brown)

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush eyeshadow in Money Baby
Smashbox Lash DNA mascara
Ulta bronzer in Afterglow
Sephora's lipgloss in Aztec Gold

Starting off with a clean and moisturized face, apply a yellow toned concealer to hide dark spots and shadows around the eyes, nose, and mouth.  Use foundation to blend the concealer and to set your face ready for makeup. Be sure to fill in your brows with an eyebrow pencil or powder since they will be framing your face.

Take a matte brown eyeshadow and apply to the inner corners of your eyes.  Next, take a gold eyeshadow and apply to the middle of your eyes and gently blend it in with the brown eyeshadow.  Now with a bright green eyeshadow, apply to the outer corners of your eyes by tracing the outer V.  This will make your eyes look like they are surronded by leaves.  Very lightly blend the green eyeshadow a bit to mesh well with the rest of your eyes.

Now with an eyeliner brush loaded with brown gel eyeliner, line the upper lash lines.  Curl your lashes and apply on mascara.  I didn't have any brown mascara so I opted for black instead.  I wanted to go for a glowy complexion, so with your favorite bronzer apply to the apples of your cheeks and gradually build up the color to your desire.  Finally take a lipgloss with a golden tone to it and apply to your lips.  Now you're finished. :)
Here is the final look:

These feathers came from my masquerade mask and I couldn't bear to throw them away since they were such a pretty green color so I decided to be creative and stick them in my hair. :)

Questions for the Contest:
1.) I originally found your jewelry blog through one of Bubzbeauty's videos a year or two ago.  Your beauty blog on the other hand I saw on your jewelry blog :)
2.) I currently do not own any Sigma brushes
3.) I absolutely love my Smashbox Lash DNA mascara.  It really gives my eyes more volume for a more dramatic look. :)

For those who still want to enter, the deadline is June 10th Seattle time but I encourage you all to be creative and unique :) I hope you all enjoy wearing this look throughout the summer.

Good luck! <3 Sammy

Review: Solutions to Acne, Wrinkles, and Other Skin Ailments

Hello everyone!  It's been a while.  Sorry I haven't been blogging lately.  I've been trying to stay healthy and fit by playing the Wii Fit with my boyfriend as well as spending less time on my laptop and eating less fast food and more fruits and veggies.  I'll have to make a post about foods for a skin another time but for now I figured I'd make a post about some of the products that my family and I have been using for skin problems. You know saggy skin, blackheads, whiteheads, and of course...ACNE!!!  If you or your loved ones have been plagued by any of these problems them here are some products that can help reduce these nightmares.

First I would like to talk about Clinique's Acne Solutions Starter System.

 It's a three step system containing a foam cleanser, toner (but they call it a clarifiying lotion), and a moisturizer. Step 1 is the cleanser which is very soothing and relieving since it contains acid that penetrates your pores and thoroughly removes dead skin, dirt, and oils. The clarifiying lotion is a toner that refreshens and balances the pH on your face after finishing Step 1.  Step 3 is the moisturizer which rehydrates and moisturizes your face to avoid dry skin.In about 2 weeks (results may vary) your skin will become clearer and smoother.

I acutally heard about this product from my mom when I was in my junior year of high school. From my experience with this product, it really got rid of the zits that I had been struggling with for years. The only problem I had with this system is that I had difficutly adjusting with the moisturizer since it can sting a bit when first applying it on.  Before my skin got use to this moisturizer I would use a different moisturizer to rehydrate my skin. Other than that, I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is having a difficult time trying to find a solution for clear and healthy skin.

I currently do not use it anymore because the severity of the acne that I had diminished.  I still do get zits here and there but I use a different system now.  For the new skin regime that I use please check out the Daily Skin Regime post in the sidebar.

The second product I'd like to introduce you all is Philosophy's When Hope is Not Enough Facial Firming Serum. 

For those of you who are worried about losing skin elaticity,  this product may the answer you are looking for.  It feels cool to the touch and it doesn't give off that uncomfortable tightening of the face like other facial serums.  Within a few days, your skin will feel firmer and smoother.  Fine lines and wrinkles will fade little by little each week.  My mom has been testing out wrinkle removal products for years and I have to say that this is her favorite products to use by far.

Last product I'm going to mention in this post is Clinique's Skin Supplies For Men 3-Step Skin Care System. Try saying that 5 times fast lol.

This system is designed for men who have trouble with their skin needs.  It cleanses, exfoliates, and moisturizes the skin and it has even been said to make shaving better for men.  My cousin acutally used this system a few years ago and he still uses it to this day.  It got rid of the blemishes and redness on his face and it helped to promote better shaves.  Just be sure that your loved one doesn't shave before using the kit. His skin will burn if he applies on the toner after he shaves. A lesson my cousin learned since that incident lol.  If your husband, boyfriend, relatives, or even guy friends are struggling to keep up with their skin needs, then I would recommend this skin care system to them.  It makes a great holiday gift and will be his face feeling soft and smooth. :)

Review: Vivica A. Fox Hair Collection Extensions

Good morning everyone! Lovely day isn't it? Today I'm here to talk about hair extensions and not just any hair extensions: Vivica A. Fox Hair Collection Extensions! My mom went out a few beauty stores yesterday to buy my hair perming kit (I have naturally curly roots that annnoy me so I perm it every 3-4 months to keep them straight) and in one of the stores she found these extensions for only $22! When she got home and showed them to me I was estatic because next week I'll be getting a haircut to get rid of these split ends.  I really want to have long, healthy hair but due to constant flat ironing I have to get it cut short. :*(  Since she showed me the extensions, I'll take a bullet and get it over with.

The extensions themselves are synthetic yet feel close enough to feeling almost human hair-like and come in a variety of colors.  All you do is just part your hair, clip them in, blend them with your own hair, and you're ready to go.  The color of the hair in this package is dark brown. 

In Flash

In Natural Light

This is actually the first time I have ever tried any type of hair extension and I must say I was really surprised that they cost only $22.  You would think that they'd be more expensive than that since they give you several pieces of hair to work with.  After 4 hours of perming, washing, blow-drying, and straightening, she finally put one clip of the extensions in my hair.  Below is the comparision:

Overall, I really like the extensions.  They feel close enough to real hair and the package itself gives you several pieces to give you length and volume for your hair.  You can curl, crimp, and straighten the pieces if needed and they sit comfortable in your hair.  Just be sure to take good care of them if this is your first time trying out extensions.  They can get knots and tangles if not treated properly.  Now I don't feel bad about cutting my hair short next week :) Anyone else tried any other hair extensions?