The Most Excited I've Been in a Long Time....

Sooo.....if you follow me on twitter or facebook,  many of you already know (and are probably sick of hearing about) that I am a finalist in the Matrix "Spread the Love" campaign. I found out on Monday and I am still about to pee myself from excitement. In fact........ut oh..............

This opportunity means the world to me. I've never wanted anything this badly before, and I'm a pretty needy girl. I don't think I even wanted my boyfriend this badly and trust me, he is a pretty great catch. (hehe just kidding babe...lovies!).

Monday morning I was at home, laying on my couch, sick as a dog. Believe you me...it wasn't pretty. Around 11am,  I missed a phone call from a random number. But after listening to the voicemail that was left, I realized that this was no run of the mill telemarketer-trying-to-sell-me-a-lifetime-supply-of-magazines phone call. It was David from Matrix! The voice of an angel! **insert hallelujah music here**

We played phone tag for a little while (David, you so silly!) before finally being able to have a real, live chat. Long story short...on Dec 15th, I will be flying to NYC for a few nights, meeting with all the fellow finalists, and having a few one-on-one interviews with the judges. Here they will choose the winning 6. These few days will decide my fate. Signed, sealed, delivered......and completely terrified!

I know its so cliche to say, but I'm honestly happy to have just made it this far. Yes, of course I want to be chosen as one of the final 6. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. But even first being selected as a semi-finalist, and now as a finalist...its been an amazing journey. I honestly, 100% can already say that I feel like I've made some great friendships with fellow hairstylists, just through interacting with each other on the campaign's facebook page. It is so awesome for us all to be in this together. To be connected not only through our love and passion for hairdressing, but also in our want and almost complete NEED to be a part of this campaign.

To my fellow finalists - I look forward to meeting all of you in NYC. I'm so proud to be in the same category with you guys. You really are an amazing bunch, and I know Matrix has some tough decisions ahead of them. Until then, take care and keep up the good work. Whether it be here or in any other area of your life, you're going to go far.

I kid you not...I'm seriously a finalist. Here's proof!!

Spread the Love

I've been blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the Spread the Love competition by Matrix. There are a few questions that Matrix would like answered...so here are my thoughts!

1) If you could have dinner with one industry icon, who would it be and why?

So...to continue where I left off in my video, let me chat with you a little about this fabulous person named Ammon Carver. I mean...hello! It would be safe to call this infatuation slightly on the verge of....obsession. Is that weird?

Regardless, I'd kill for the opportunity to meet with him. I have spent countless hours online watching video after video of this little nugget! The more I write, the more I pray that he isn't one of judges for this competition haha. No need to get a restraining order Mr. Carver. I just admire your work. He makes his craft look so effortless, yet so meticulous. He is phenomenal. I'd love to have dinner with him, and like a sponge, soak up every word that comes out of that pretty little mouth. Its like gold to me. His work has graced the covers of Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, and Seventeen, just to name a few. I feel as though he is extremely versatile and artistic. I want to be just like him when I grow up....only better! (haha just kidding, Ammon...geez!)

2)Who is your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration is not the rich and famous. Not even someone who has accomplished the most. It is who, despite all odds, gets up every day and does what must be done to survive. And that, my friends, is my mom. I think it is easy being an inspiration to others during a dramatic situation. But those people who fight against all odds and continue to do their best are my true   hero's. My mom is one of those people. Yes, she has had a dramatic encounter. She was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer several years back. But before, during, and since that horrific time, she continues to be someone worth speaking of. She is caring and kind, yet unwavering in her beliefs. She doesn't belittle others, and knows when to acknowledge that someone else just sees things in a different way than she. She is completely selfless, always putting my and my brothers needs before her. My mom always has been, and always will by my hero and true inspiration.

3)If you could make one change in the world, what would it be and why?

I would change confidence in people. Most people have a lack of confidence in being all that they truly were meant to be. How many times have we heard our friends or family talk about an idea that we know could be a life-changing idea or would help someone in need? However, if you say to them "You should do that," they give you every reason in the book why they aren't able to.

 I think this world would be such an amazing place if everyone sought out to be confident in their own ideas. There would be less poverty, less sickness, and more love and compassion for each other.

We would not need to be envious of each other because we would know that we are confident within ourselves. We could start each day with helping one another, and not be worried about how someone will view us or react. We could change each others lives. If you were confident, you would be nice to others, and usually when you are nice to others it inspires them to be nice as well. And so on...its a chain affect! We all have the ability to change someones day with kindness.

I also think that its important to maintain your confidence because almost all significant changes throughout history have occurred not because of nations/armies/governments etc. They happened as a result of a confident persons courage and commitment. Joan of Arc, Albert Einstein,  Rosa Parks. Every thing in life matters. Every word you speak, every word you don't speak. It all counts. Never think "its not my job" or "I'm only one person so what can I do". Have the confidence to know that you can change the world.

4)What would your best friend say about you?

Upon asking her, she said (and I quote...) "awesome, amazing, beautiful, the best listener with the best advice who is not afraid to tell you that your choices may have been bad ones". Thanks Kate. But she forgot to say "funny" and "smart" sooooo... she is no longer my best friend. I am now accepting applications to fill her spot...any takers?....

5)Where do you look for inspiration?

I think as stylist, a majority of us find inspiration in our every day dealings with people. I often like to just "people watch." I like to see what is happening in the every day world, and imagine how I could elaborate on it or edge it out a bit. But, for me there really could be a 100 answers to this question. It may be people, it may be something I heard or something I read. It may be the color of your shirt, or the smell in the area. It may be the taste of my coffee or the shape of an architectural design that I find visually appealing.  Never limit yourself to what inspires you. Learn to appreciate life's beauty in all of its forms, not just those related to the cosmetology field. 

6)Why do you want to be a part of Spread the Love?

This experience sounds like the most amazing thing I have heard, probably in all of my life. I think its so great for Matrix to want to help up and coming stylist reach their goals by providing this opportunity. To travel, learn from some of the best in the industry, while meeting others and sharing your experiences along the way...sign me up! 

Good luck to everyone who has applied. Those chosen, I'm sure, will have one of the best years of their lives come 2011. This, without a doubt in my mind, will be the experience of a lifetime for those select few. I hope that everyone who was presented with this opportunity took the bull by the horns and ran full speed ahead. GOOOOOO YOU! (...and me....but mostly me....)

September Favorites!

I can't believe its that time already! The month of September flew by so fast for me. This month, I didn't really venture out into any unknowns, makeup wise. Only a couple of products caught, and held, my attention this month. Those being:

MAC Viva Glam VI
Milani Minky Pinky Lipstick (#45)

Other beauty related products that I enjoyed the most this past month include:

You Dont Know Jacques by OPI
Mario Badescu Drying Cream
Sunlabs Sunless Tanner
Tweezers from Forever 21

And as usual, my food and random favorites of the month:

Nutella (yummy yummy in my tummmmmyyyyy)
Dole Real Fruit Bites - Pineapple
"The Strain" by Guillermo Del Toro

I also have two favorite people favorites this month....Vixxenbby and What Looks Like Crazy. Be sure to check out my video to hear a bit more description on this months favorites and to check out these favorite people of mine!

Watch my Video here!

August Favorites

So...I know this is a little late. It's probably not the most timely thing to post my August Favorites in the middle of September, but I figured better late than never, right?! K...

This Months Favorites:

-MAC Viva Glam Cyndi lipstick
-Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara
-Loreal Extra Intense Lipquid Pencil liner
-Smashbox Metallic Cream Liner Palette
-Maybelline Age Rewind Face Perfector, fairest shade
-ELF Beauty Book - Neutral Eye Edition
-NYX shadow in Iced Mocha
-Clinique Happy Heart perfume
-Blue Goo Cracked Heel Softener
-Mario Madescu Strawberry Face Scrub
-OLAY Quench body lotion
-Blue Blood book series
-Yogurt Pretzels and Newmans Own Ginger-O's....hehe

If I had to pick my favorite, most recommended beauty product of the month, it would have to be MAC Viva Glam Cyndi lipstick. This by no means is a new product, but it remains a great one none the less. It gets my vote for a variety of reasons...

1). It truely is a universal lipstick. As mentioned in my video, I have used it on clients of all skintones, and it look amazing on each and every one of them.
2). Because it is a lustre lipstick, Viva Glam Cyndi is super moisturizing, never over drying.
3.) Lastly, and probably most importantly, as do all Viva Glam products, all proceeds go towards the MAC Aids fund...buying beauty products and putting money towards a great cause sounds to me like having your cake and eating it too!

Check out my video to view and learn a little more about each product!

Hope you guys enjoy these as much as I have, love you lots and stay Breezyy peeps!

ELF Beauty Book - Neutral Edition

Alright guys, so if you found my blog through my youtube page, you probably already know that I did an eye look featuring the ELF Beauty Book in the Neutral Eye Edition. I've mentioned this palette in my July Favorites video, and a month later I still stand behind this kit. Here are a few photos of swatches of the  colors, and an overall look at the product. All colors are shimmer, but the very last color (a deep dark brown) has the least amount of sheen. It is close to being matte, but does have a few specks of shimmer.

The kit has an instruction page on the inside cover.

Each kit comes with an applicator sponge and eyeliner.

First Row

Second Row

Third Row

Overall, I really do love this product. Its extremely affordable, easy to use, and has great pigmentation. One negative is that these shadows can produce a bit of fall out. Nothing too serious though. I've actually started to hit pan on the very first color in the book. It is an awesome highlight color and I use it daily. Although I've used elf eyeliner pencils in the past, I do not use the one that comes in this kit. They are a bit hard, so I prefer to use my Urban Decay or Revlon Colorstay liner. I've bought all 3 books, so if you're interested in seeing the others, be sure to let me know. These books can be found at Target for only 5 dollars each!! Go pick yours up while you can!!

Click here to see the smokey eye look I did using these shadows!

The Start of Something Great?

I sure hope so! So obviously, this is my first blog post. I'm super excited about starting this chapter of my life and finding yet another outlet to share with everyone my loves, passions, and daily living. It'll  definitely take some time getting into the groove of things and figuring out all of the in's and out's of doing this but I hope that you all enjoy reading and benefit from my experiences.

For any of you who stumbled on this page but are unaware of me, here is a list of my pages so you can figure out a little bit about me and decide if you want to be friends! haha

My Youtube Channel

Tweet Tweet!!

Facebook me!

Hope to see you all there!