Hiya everyone!

Wow... Where do I even begin? A lot has been going on lately, both in my personal life and what I've been learning in school. Everything that I've been dealing with is still kind of up in the air and things are starting to really get down to the crunch. In the end, however, I know that everything will work out the way they should. The best medicine in life is to remain positive and optimistic, and I hope you guys, no matter what situation you're in, will remain positive through the roughest of times. You gotta fight for what's worth fighting for, and in the end it is the greatest reward ever.

Right, so I won't go into too much detail about what's been going on in my personal life... Let's get right to the news about the makeup.

Since being in school, which started July 28th, I've actually only learned the basics--but it's funny what even just the basics can do to teach you how MANY different makeup looks worn by celebrities are actually created. I was watching Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" video -- both the UK and the US versions -- because I felt it was appropriate for the mood I was in earlier today when the makeup she wore in both videos, while varying greatly, I had actually learned how to do in school already. And like I said, I've only been taught how to do just the basics. Funny how that works!!

So here's what I'm going to show you guys how to do:

• Day Makeup: These looks vary from each individual's tastes; they're very light and easy on the eyes during the day. The foundation can either be dewy, to make the skin look youthful and give off a healthy glow (this is particularly helpful for older women with more mature skin look younger, but can help to show more definition in wrinkles), or matte, which will help with younger or oily skin look more normal and mature, or help to blend away any wrinkles and the likes. For day makeup, liquid foundation is typically used with little bronzer and blush. The eyeshadow is typically light, only varying between two to three colors. Eyeliner is also light and complimented with mascara; the lack of eyeliner actually helps to create longer-looking lashes without the aid of false strip or individual lashes. Mascara can also vary between how much each individual wishes to use, and the color. For day makeup, the choice of mascara is typically black or dark brown. The look is already light enough that you still want to draw attention to your eyes, but not in a dramatic fashion.
• Evening Makeup: I see this branch of makeup worn by girls in the daytime more-so than at night, and I laugh knowing how much of a fashion no-no this is now. Evening makeup seems to have been replaced by avant garde makeup, which is 25% decoration (I have not fully learned about Avant Garde makeup so I won't go into too much detail about that). Evening makeup is increasing the vibrancy and "temperature" of a look; usually defined by smokey "V"s, which are really popular and easy to apply, or smokey eyeliner. The amount of foundation is increased, and cream foundation is typically used (cream foundation is the best to hide away blemishes that are impossible to get rid of, and for fuller coverage). Blush is so warmed up and intensified (this just means that more is applied), as well as deepening contouring (which is not only applying bronzer to bring out certain features of the face, or to correct face shapes, but other methods of highlighting, which I will go more in-depth about in a separate post). Eye makeup is typically darker and heavier; false lashes may be used to really give the eyes an extra boost for attention.
• Contouring: As I said when talking about evening makeup, contouring (I always want to spell contouring "countouring", but that is just horribly wrong!!) is not just using bronzer to darken certain areas of the face, like under the cheekbones to add more definition, or bring out cheekbones that day makeup may not be able to do, but also involves highlighting areas of the face. This is easily done and will actually help to save you money in the end -- more on that in another post.
• Celebrity Makeup: This will probably be more into the winter season when I touch base on this, as my course teaches me how not only to do red carpet makeup, but the decades too -- traveling from the 20s all the way to the 90s, and I think we even go and apply 00s makeup (now let's not forget that 2000s does not include 2010s ... and makeup is always changing, and new trends are constantly being created). Regardless, I see makeup that was done in the 40s still being used on women today just from seeing advertisements in fashion magazines, and comparing that to the makeup that was done before I was even thought of!

I'm sure that there will be tonnes more of great makeup looks coming your way, especially going back to more Drag or Avant Garde makeup. But I think just for now, this will be a great starter to get you guys excited.

Now my posting will be a little bit irregular ... I was want to get started on a weekly-look challenge where I apply different styles of makeup and eye makeup looks for whatever the reason: my mood, the weather, a look I've been craving to do, etc., but this probably won't get started until after I graduate from school, and have a good job that will allow me to wear makeup (hey!, maybe I'll finally have a set makeup artistry job that will more or less require me to show my true colors... hehe) so then it's more like a "Hey, this is the look I'm wearing today, and here's how I did it" kind of deal. I think it would be fun. That way, it'll also be easier for me to post regularly, instead of having to work around a tight-enough schedule, and help to really get my mind going on creating new trends in the fashion industry... Which is the field of makeup that I aspire to work in.

Right, now that I've got that off my chest ... time for bed!! I think I left out some important words to make my sentences a little more sense, but that can wait till the morning.

Hugs and kisses and love to you all, C. xoxo