The Beauty Pirate

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Super Easy 2 Step Smoky Eye Tutorial

MAKEUP HOW-TO

Hazy Gaze

This video will teach you how to master a smoky eye in just two easy steps.

A smoky eye is one makeup trick that every girl needs in her beauty repertoire. It’s basically the sexiest thing you can do with makeup, and, when done well, it creates an aura of instant allure. The good news is that you can master this gorgeous eyeshadow look in just two easy steps. Watch our video tutorial and learn the secret to this low-maintenance smoky eye. Anyone can do it—we promise!

Dry skin recommendations and 20% off at Skincare RX

Ulta 20% off coupon and current specials

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel

I LOVE this stuff! It's perfect for polishing up your skin, but doesn't irritate my sensitive, rosacea prone skin. It gives immediate results, and really gets you glowing. I love everything by this brand that I've tried so far.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Xquisitely Lady M Chainmaille Review and GIVEAWAY!!!!

Xquisitely Lady M

You know what I love most about the world of handmade? The wonderful people I get to meet! You can't walk into most stores and get to know about the person who designed and made your piece. There's also something so special about wearing something one of a kind that makes me feel, heck, extra pretty! Lady M is no exception. Today I'm wearing a pair of her gorgeous chainmaille earrings and one of my students complimented me on them. I thanked her and she kept staring at them. "Wow, those are just so, wow!" Now THAT'S the kind of reaction I like to get!

(I'm totally buying this bracelet when I get paid, ya'll! - unless someone beats me to it, and I will not begrudge you. Well, maybe a little....)

Lady M's pieces are not only beautifully detailed and extremely well made, but also are incredibly unique and attention grabbing. These would make PERFECT pieces for a wedding party, and she will do custom work. She even has a layaway plan and free shipping to the US and Canada!

I had a chat with the Divine Miss M about her work, and here's what she had to say.......

How long have I been doing this?: I got bored one day about 6 years ago and decided to teach myself chainmaille...and got addicted.

Where do my ideas come from?: My ideas come from all sorts of places like characters on TV shows or in movies and the fashion runways, but most of them simply come from my imagination.

What are my favorite things to make?: That's a toughie. I love to make things with color and I love some of the more intricate (aka time-consuming) items, but it all really boils down to my mood and what's in my head.

What do I do when I'm not making jewelry?: A lot of time is spent marketing and networking. I'm also a full-time student and will be graduating with my Masters degree next year. I'm extremely excited about that! Then I'll take a break and start pursuing my Doctorate. I also do volunteer work with Veterans organizations.

Is this a full-time or part-time job?: It's definitely full-time! I want to relocate to Houston and I've started looking for employment in that area, but this will still be a full-time endeavor for me.

(I hope she does move to Texas! Then I can meet her in person!)

What/who inspires me?: First of all, my sons inspire - probably far more than they'll ever realize. There are just oodles of amazing artisans that also inspire and motivate me. They're far more than friends and their passion about what they do, why they do it, and just for life is simply incredible. When people aren't inspiring me, I look to stars and nature. The patterns in nature are amazing and to be able to duplicate those would be phenomenal. I'm working on translating Zodiac signs into chainmaille...stay tuned :o)

(I'm dying to see the zodiac pieces! Let a girl know when you come up with Pisces, okay Miss M?)

One of the things I love most about her pieces is how amazingly LIGHT they are. Despite my earrings being drop down chains, it feels like there's nothing in my ears at all. Amazing when you look at how many pieces make up the whole.

Argh! It's so hard to pick only a few pieces to show you, but visit her store and see for yourself how amazing all of her work is! Oh, but wait- the hair sticks! I LOVE my hair stick!

Okay, so I bet what you're wanting to know about is the giveaway, huh? Well, the lucky winner will get one of her handcrafted chainmaille pendants, an $18.00 value. Just use the form below! Easy peasy :-)

So here's the giveaway form!

Current hot deals from BH Cosmetics

New Year Exclusive! Buy a $100 Gift Card for only $85 at BH Cosmetics! Enter NEWYR upon Checkout! Get Gorgeous, Shop Now!

Buy any BH Cosmetics 120 Color Eyeshadow Palette and get a Free Liquid Eyeliner! Enter LIQDEYE upon checkout. Get Gorgeous, Shop Now!

New Lip Gloss at BH Cosmetics! Take an extra $1.00 OFF each Lip Gloss when you enter NEWLIP upon Checkout! Hurry, Save Now!

I have the 120 color eyeshadow palette and the big lip gloss palette and they are AWESOME, especially if you like to have one of a kind, hard to find colors.

I HEART Julep - Coupon code for FIRST MONTH ONLY 5 BUCKS! (updated with video)

Blow me down! Seems like new concepts in the cyber club market are popping up all the time, and I love seeing how creative each niche can be. Well Julep takes the cake as far as innovation. They are a monthly program focused on nothing but your sweet rocking mani/pedi! As with other monthly beauty programs, you fill out a questionnaire that determines your basic style. I turned out to be an "It Girl". Then each month after that, you'll receive a package customized to your style. As a bonus, if you've got a girlfriend with an upcoming birthday or such, you can send your month's shipment to someone else as a a gift! Julep is a series of boutiques in the Seattle area, and their all natural products are free of such nasties as formaldehyde, toluene, and parabens, too!

In my first shipment I received 3 polishes, a base coat/nail strengthener, as well as 2 lotion sample packettes. Well, my dears, the polishes are amazing. Rich, deep colors with excellent coverage, super smooth application and minimal drying time. Absolutely superb. Right now you can join and get your first month for only five dollars!!!!!!!!
Use the code FIRST5

Just did the math and my box value is FIFTY EIGHT DOLLARS!!!!!
Featured in:

They also donate $1 for every bottle of polish sold to a program called Powered By Girlfriends, which assists groups that provide support to various women's causes.

My polishes