Bright Hub

Hey! So I was recently hired by an online article site called Bright Hub. Here's a link to my first article! I just wrote it tonight. Check it out if you want!

http://www.brighthub.com/parenting/young-adult/articles/80695.aspx

-Heidi Nicole

How to curl your hair!

Here's my response to this question:

• Can you tell me everything you do when you curl your hair? Every step every details (products and what not). Curious

First of all, I've always had problems curling my hair. I've never been able to get it to look like anything other than Shirley Temple or an 80s hairdo. I've had other people curl my hair too and they've never been able to achieve what I wanted either. BUT the other day I FINALLY did it!!! It was easy and actually fast (and I have thick hair! So this isn't just for thin hair-ed gals), and even better I did it with my straightener, so no need to buy a curling iron!

Ok, so here's how I learned what I know. I was searching around on youtube and found this video. This girl has a lot of videos that are great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w74e5aXrFs4

So, I didn't use ANY products in my hair before curling. It was clean and product free, just like Rosebud suggests in the movie. It took me a while to figure out which way she was curling her hair, so I'll tell you!

Use hair clamps to do sections of hair at a time. Then grab about a one inch section and clamp down on it with your straightener. Then wrap the hair UNDER the straightener, and then roll the straightener AWAY from you until the hair is sticking out from in between the plates of the straightener. Pull it down slowly, then release and twirl it with your finger. Once you're done with a layer of hair, lightly spray the curls. Pull the hair you have already curled back into a hair tie. This step makes it soooo much easier! I was worried about the tie creating a "kink" in my hair, but it didn't. Be extra careful and spend more time on the top. In the movie she tells you when and where to tease your hair. I teased a little bit and I liked it. Tease more or less or none at all, depending on what you like.

So, I've only tried this once and it worked wonderfully. Here's some pictures from my attempt! I was pretty darn happy with it for being the first time I'd ever been able to curl my hair

They aren't the best pictures, since they're just from my phone and I took them, but I plan on trying it again today, so if I get better pictures of how it looks I'll show you (the curls look better in person than in the pictures. . . ) NOTE: I added a little more hairspray before bed, and when I woke up it basically looked the same!

I hope this helped! This method certainly worked for me. Let me know if you try it and how it works for you! Or feel free to post your method!

-Heidi Nicole

Eye makeup, pale skin and foundation

Alright! So I've been doing some homework and I've come across the following information to help me answer the following questions:

• Is it true that if you have lighter skin (pale) you should avoid heavy dark eye makeup because it looks tacky? Can you have an entry dedicated to eye makeup (liner, mascara, shadow, etc.)?
• How do you propose a person choose colors for make-up and clothes?  Sometimes something you like doesn't always look good, and I have bought make-up too many time that doesn't work because it is either too dark, too light, or something.  (Especially blush and FOUNDATION.)

Alright! So, I will tell you all of the sites that I used for the info, so that they will be properly given credit, and also so you can read more on the topics if you want to.

On the topic of pale skin


Ok, so what I have read and noticed myself is that dark makeup really doesn't look good on pale faces. It makes your eyelids look heavy, making you look tired, or just plain too made up. I think it can also make it look like you are just trying too hard. Stick with natural and lighter colors. Honestly, as I have really had to find out myself, most of makeup really depends on trying things out. As I was searching I found tips for someone who looked like me, and the first thing it said was to NOT do what I am doing color wise and I just laughed because I think it looks great on me ( and I know it is because people say it does). No one has the exact same face and coloring, so you'll have to experiment. I think that with any look mascara and eyeliner are a good idea, but as I've found out, some eyeliner colors can make you look tired or washed out, so again experiment (or if you have the money, visit a makeup artist. I'm sure that for a fee, or not, they would be willing to do an analysis for you). I found the following sites to be very helpful when it comes to livening up a pale face:

http://www.carefair.com/makeup/Makeup_for_Pale_Beauty_2218.html
http://www.totalbeauty.com/video/the-right-makeup-for-pale-skin (in this one the model isn't even pale. . . but I think the idea would be worth trying anyways).
http://ezinearticles.com/?Makeup-Tips-For-Pale-Skin&id=500482
http://www.ehow.com/how_4464897_choose-make-up-fair-skin.html
http://www.funadvice.com/q/gils_i_need_some_advice_plz

Each one of these sites give info on more than just eye color. They also include blushes and foundations, which will be important in creating the look that you want.


On choosing the right colors


Again, you have to experiment. When deciding a shade of foundation test it against your neck, or as mentioned in one of the above sites, you can even test it against the inside of your forearm. Even though that does work, you still want to be careful. I use a color that is darker than my arm and my neck, but it is perfect for me. If you get a shade that you don't think IS perfect, try using different amounts. I've applied foundations that are FAR too light for my skin, but by using a smaller amount than I use of the right shade, it works out alright. On the other side, if it is too dark try using less.

For choosing the right colors of makeup, pay attention to your skin tone, the colors you usually wear, and your hair color. Your tone is really important in determining makeup colors. Check out this site for more info http://www.ehow.com/how_2223005_right-makeup-colors-skin-tone.html

It would be a good idea to purchase cheaper makeup (like the kinds at dollar stores or other places that come with a lot of different random colors) so you can try them out and see how they look on you without spending and potentially wasting a ton. When you find colors that you like and look good on you, compare those colors to more quality makeups and find what you would like. Another option would be to try out samples. A lot of companies offer samples. Look around or ask around online and in stores to see if samples are available. Another idea; play around with makeup with your friends, experimenting with their colors too, to give you a broader perspective.

For choosing the right colors of clothes, take some friends with you to the store who you know who will be HONEST and not tell you that you look great in everything. Try different colors and see what happens. I used to think I didn't look good in bright colors but in time I found out that I did. The seasons should be part of  your consideration of what colors of clothes to buy. Check out this site. It has some helpful tips

http://www.ehow.com/how_3249_choose-colors-flatter.html

Try different makeup looks with different outfits. For example, I've come to realize that I can't do my "brown look" when I'm wearing a blue or black shirt, and that my "ocean look" works really well with my green shirts!

SO, a lot of makeup is trial and error, but hopefully this post helped you out a little and gave you some ideas. Let me know what you tried and if it worked. If there was something I didn't cover let me know!

-Heidi Nicole

Questions and Answers

Hey, just another quick note. I really appreciate the questions, but in the future please ask me via the email address I posted at the top of this blog (it will stay there so you can always have access to the address). This will make it MUCH easier for me to manage and see which ones and need to address first. Thanks so much!

-Heidi Nicole

Delay

I just wanted to make a quick post here to say sorry its taking me so long to answer questions! I've been dealing with school registration problems, and I had to go out of town for a day, and I drove for about 3.5 hours today, so I'm a bit wiped out. Falling asleep at the computer actually. So, I may not be posting tonight, but I will definitely answer the first question I was asked tomorrow, and hopefully more of them. Thanks!

-Heidi Nicole

Whistle while you work!

Ok, so while I was looking at beauty tools online I came across this and thought it was a brilliant idea! I love that they made it so you can have music with you wherever you do your hair. Usually I use my laptop to listen to music while I work. This would be so convenient! The other thing that I really love is that the plates move so they are always working on your hair! Check it out. What do you think?

Mi-TUUNZ World First MP3 Nano Ceramic Flat Iron / Hair Straightener (1") Free Shipping

-Heidi Nicole

Makeup and hair tools

First of all, thanks to those who have asked me questions so far! I was so excited to get them and I've been researching and comparing info and I'll soon be posting answers! Before I do though, I thought I would share with you the products/items that I use when I'm playing with makeup and hair! I meant to have these more organized, but for some reason they uploaded in a random order. Oh well!

First of all, I'm not a big fan of hairspray, but it is definitely handy when it comes to those little fly-aways and keeping certain styles in check. I like to use White Rain Extra Hold. It isn't so strong that it makes your hair hard, but it holds your hair in place. For those times when you need something to stay put for real, use Aussie Instant Freeze. The second you spray this your hair will not move. It really does instantly freeze your hair in place. I would probably use this for an up-do, or if I had a style I really wanted to stay in while doing something active like going to a dance, but I don't use it everyday. Especially not on bangs. It makes them look like a shell over your face. Aussie has a GREAT fragrance!

This is just something I like to play with. I dyed my hair in November and by now my hair is mostly back to its natural red. I plan on dying it either a dark brown or black and weaving some of my natural red in in a few months. So for now, and just for fun, I got this temporary hair color. It instantly dyes your hair and washes out with shampoo. It says to apply when it is wet, which worked well until I dried it. Then the color was gone. I don't know if it is the heat or what, but the same thing happened when I used the mousse version of this dye for Halloween. I found out that when you don't dry your hair the color stays just fine, but what fun is it to color your hair and not be able to style it? So, I haven't tried yet, but my plan is to try applying it when my hair is dry, and then see if it fades when I try to style it.

Here is my new set of brushes! So far I've used the eyeshadow blenders (the 2nd and 3rd from the right) and they are great. I considered buying a larger set, but for my purposes I thought that these seven would be enough (especially since I have a rather small budget).  After searching around and comparing sets that I found I ended up buying these ones off of Ebay from a seller in Hong Kong. 

Here's my makeup set I've been waiting for! My sibling's thought it was a laptop or an ipad haha. It really kinda looked like one and it is so shiny! haha

This is to show you the size compared to my pressed powder. There are 88 different colors of eyeshadow in this palette 

Lots of lip color options!

Eyeliner and Mascara = huge musts! For a long time I've been using liquid black eyeliner, but lately I've been leaning more towards brown or black pencils (with very small tips - the kind you don't have to sharpen). They give a more natural, softer look. I've also added brown mascara to my collection. I used to use brown, then used black for a really long time, but now I use both, depending on the look I want. Brown is more natural looking and does not stand out as much as black. I always use my eyelash curler, for that extra bit of flirty curl!

Important stuff here! It is really important to make sure you use that right color of foundation. I really like trublend (by Cover Girl). I buy it at Wal-Mart. I've also just switched from using pressed powder to trublend minerals loose powder. When you find the ones that work for you remember the number and brand!

Here's just some fun stuff that I like to play around with: Fingernail polish (Sally's sells mini ones that are only $1 and they are great!). Hair glitter and eyelash adhesive - both bought from a local dollar store. I use the eyelash adhesive for adding hair or face jewels, or anything else for fun! White face paint, and a crown! For random fun stuff.

Good bobby pins! A huge must for sweet up-dos. The only kind I buy are from Sally's. They come in a package like this in a 300 pack. They are a little pricey, but so worth it!

You don't have to have professional brushes to do makeup! This is what I was using while waiting for my set. Applicators that come with makeup, some brushes from around the house, and even paint brushes. 

I bought these originally for applying foundation, and I probably would use them to apply it on other people, but on myself I just use my hands. I recently used them with the temporary hair dye (seen above) to get roots and hard to reach areas. They work really well because they don't soak up the dye. 

Just a few tools in my kit: Hair clips, comb, nail/foot file, and scissors. The reason the scissors are here are for those annoying random hairs on my face that tend to grow longer than the rest. I've been wanting to buy a waxing kit from Sally's but that will have to wait until I get more money. 

Lots of eyeshadow and blush to play and experiment with! I really like to buy the ones with four colors. They usually tell you how to apply each color and they really turn out great as long as you find colors that work well with your complexion and hair. 

To store all my makeup stuff I currently use one of these "under the bed" boxes that you can buy basically anywhere. I really would like to have a fishing tackle box though - they are full of separate compartments to keep your things organized. 

I've always had a dry skin problem and I've spent a long time looking for lotion that isn't oily or too watery or what not. I finally found this brand and it is perfect! I bought it at Wal-Mart and its really a good price too!

Just for fun, check out all my jewelry! I used to wear it more often, but nowadays I tend to just wear simple earrings. I probably should start wearing them again. 

All of these (except the brown one on the left and te big-beaded green one) I bought in Chinatown in NYC and I used to wear them all the time! The brown one was actually a belt that came with a skirt I bought. I just tied the ends together! The green one I got from my friend.

I bought this facial masque at a dollar store and I LOVE it! The sad thing is that a dollar stores, when you go back for things they usually aren't there anymore. This is made with oatmeal, banana and almond oil. I've been thinking about trying to make one on my own.

After searching and comparing A LOT of straighteners, I settled on this one and I have loved it since the moment I bought it! I can't remember where I bought it, but I think you can get it at Target and Wal-Mart.

This one should have been up with the makeup, but whatever! This is the lip color that I usually use. I actually got this from my Grandma! The mirror is convenient and the applicator is great. I love the three different colors of lipstick. I can choose which one would be better depending on what look I've got on.

So there you go! There's all my stuff. Not the best or anything, but it works. Once I get a more reliable income I plan on buying more professional makeup, but for now this is it. In my next post I'll take you through the process that I use in applying them! Let me know if this helped you at all in choosing products, and if you would recommend anything!

-Heidi Nicole