Sunday, February 19, 2012

What Inspires You?


image courtesy of the artist, Laurel Roth
Peacocks made out of  Barrettes, fake nails, hair clips, faux lashes, and nail polish.
Artist: Laurel Roth


What inspires your makeup look?

Do you wake up in the morning and just match your eyeshadow to your blouse?
or
Have you been wearing the same exact look since 1987?

If so, you are missing out on some pretty spectacular makeup looks!

Look around you! It's a big, beautiful world with lots of colors and textures!

Look at that peach sherbet, wouldn't that make a great blush? And I want a nail polish that matches every vegetable in that garden! Or what about that gorgeous Caribbean ocean? I want an eyeliner that looks exactly like that! Even a stormy summer sky would be the perfect color palette for a sexy smokey eye! Look at that Monet hanging on the wall, I want to dip my face in those colors and look like a piece of art! And who can look at a beautiful rose and not think that is the perfect red for every woman's lips?

You get the picture-there is a lot of inspiration in the world be it nature, art, food, fabric, music, to be stuck wearing the same old boring makeup looks!
I remember when I was a little girl and my mother would take me to upstate NY. 
We would go hiking in the mountains and my favorite thing to do when we were resting near a stream was to collect as many rocks as I can. When the rocks are wet, you can rub them together and all the natural minerals would come out and make this pasty makeup palette of gorgeous blues and oranges!
I may have created the first mineral makeup without even knowing it!

One of my most favorite things in the world to look at are peacocks. I can go to the Bronx Zoo and spend HOURS looking at the peacocks. So this week, I wanted to do a tutorial for you, inspired by the colors you would find in a peacock's feathers! You would find dark blues, greens, golds, browns and turquoise!

So here is a rundown of all the products that I used:

  • Vanilla, Indigo, Jade, Sandstone, Gold Minx, Sand and Turquoise eyeshadows
  • Wild Pink and Champagne Peach creme blushes.
  • HD Mascara in Carbon
  • Brow Shaper Kit in Light
  • Nude Lipliner and Sangria Liptoxyl
and what I used off camera that you didn't get to see:

Mineral Sheer Tint in Light, HD Phototouch Concealer and Mineral Bronzer in Congo.

I also gave you a sneak peek of one of the new products I will be introducing in the spring-
Little Goddess Gel Eyeliner!
So exciting!

Enjoy the Video!




Thursday, February 9, 2012

Spring Cleaning


Spring is in the air!
I love the change of seasons because you know what that means!
NEW SPRING PRODUCTS!   
In order for me to add new products, I must phase out some of the old products and/or shades! 
So in preperation of our upcoming Spring Product Rollout, we will be offering the following products at a 50% discount while supplies last!  

  • Hydraradiance Mineral Powder Foundation in all shades-usually $25.00, now $12.50  
  •   Lip Rouge in all shades! Usually $20.00, now $10.00 
  • Super Balm in all Shades! Usually $16.00 now $8.00 
  • Super Gloss in Super Penny and Super Clear-usually $16 now $8.
  • Liptoxyl Sheer in Intrigue usually $20, now $10.
  • Mineral Sheer Veil in all shades, usually $28 now $14.                             
  • Mineral Illuminator in Peach Glow, usually $22 now $11.
  • Mineral Gemstone Finishing Powder in Blush, usually $35 now $17.50.
  • Liquid Lustre in Sundrop and Venomous, usually $17 now $8.50.                                                                                      
  • Mini Kabuki Brush, usually $16 now $8.
  • Mineral Shadow in Opal and Nova, usually $15.00 now $7.50. 
*The matching creative color shades will also be discontinued, however they are not on sale.
This sale is only while supplies last! Don't wait because I am sure supplies will not last long!
Just a little teaser as to what Spring will bring: Healthy fresh bare skin with a pop of color! So be prepared for new eyeshadow, gloss and blush formulas! I can't wait! Also, in honor of Spring, there will be another Little Goddess giveaway and some really cool specials!

Little Goddess Cosmetics




            

Monday, February 6, 2012

Clean Your Brushes!!

 
Something has come to my attention that I just assumed everyone did, but apparently a lot of you do not!

I really need to stress how incredibly important it is that you clean your makeup brushes!!!

If you are going to invest in makeup brushes and believe me, it is an investment, you really should be cleaning them on a regular basis. I am talking to you-->the everyday consumer! Makeup artist brushes are a whole different story-they have their own set of rules to follow. They are touching multiple faces with their brushes and need to seriously sterilize their tools, it is part of their job. I am directing this at the everyday women who uses the same foundation brush for 6 months without cleaning it--GGGRRROOOSSSSSS!
  • Any brush that you are using to apply wet products, such as foundation brushes, needs to be cleaned everyday!
  • Any brush that you are using on your eyes, such as eyeshadow, should be cleaned every day with brush cleaner and deep cleaned every couple days. 
  • Any brush that you are using to apply powder products, such as loose powder or blush, should be cleaned once a week.
If you do not clean your brushes, they will breed bacteria faster than a Duggar breeds babies and that bacteria will be transferred to your face every time you use your brushes. If you can't figure out why you are breaking out so much, try cleaning your makeup brushes! As well as the bacteria being transferred to your skin, you will have transferred it to your products, therefore contaminating them! Why would you spend your hard earned cash just to ruin your makeup!?

Now in between cleanings, I also use MAC Brush Cleanser. You put a few drops on a paper towel and run your brush over it until there is no more product left on your brush. This will clean and sanitize your brushes but this does not replace deep cleaning your brushes. If you only use these brush cleansers, a residue will form on your brushes so you do still need to clean them.

Everyone has their own way of cleaning their brushes. I have heard a lot of people favor baby shampoo. I personally use Dial anti-bacterial hand soap.
For tough jobs, I soak my brushes in a glass (such as honeybun's shot glasses which he gets a little pissy about) with some MAC Brush Cleanser and then wash with Dial soap. If you clean your brushes on a regular basis, there will not be such a need to "deep clean" them because there will not be so much product on your brushes.

IMPORTANT TIP: 

REMEMBER: When you are cleaning and drying your brushes, it is very important to tilt your brushes BRUSH SIDE DOWN-NEVER UP. You do not want water to get into the ferrule (metal part) because it will eventually ruin your brushes. Keep that in mind if you are going to soak your brushes in a cleanser-do not let the liquid go past the ferrule.

Brushes are not cheap, again they are an investment. You want to keep and take care of your brushes for a very long time. Makeup is not cheap either, so why ruin it with poor sanitary conditions?

So the lesson learned today is:
Clean your brushes and keep them sanitary, keep your makeup happy and your skin beautiful!

Your Welcome!

Jessica




Thursday, February 2, 2012

Plastic Lies






The beauty industry is a BILLION dollar industry. I love this industry and I have stated many times before that I LOVE makeup! A makeup artist brushes are very powerful tools in changing someones look, attitude and ultimately life. There is nothing like feeling pretty. When you feel like you look good, your confidence level will soar and so will you.
With that being said, the one thing I do not like about this industry, is sometimes there seems to be a little Tom Foolery going on with the advertisements of some of these products.
One of the major culprits of this is mascara ads!
Ladies! ALL of the women in mascara advertisements are wearing false eyelashes! Sometimes multiple bands! On top of the false eyelashes, they are photoshopped!


One ad in particular that comes to mind, is from a major cosmetics line that will remain unnamed. The ad for the mascara they are pushing states that if you wear their mascara, it will look as if you are wearing false eyelashes. The ad shows a model with the sickest set of winged out lashes that would make a Kardashian jealous with lash envy!
However, I believe it is actually the FALSE EYELASHES THE MODEL IS WEARING that are making her lashes look so amazing and NOT the mascara. I have used this mascara and although my lashes looked good, they did not look like the model in the advertisement. If you want that winged out fake eyelash look, invest in some fake eyelashes!

Another major culprit in this trickery are any ads having to do with skin, such as foundation or moisturizers. Now I am all for airbrushing and photoshopping, I do believe they have their place and are needed in advertisements-it is the over touching that becomes questionable. If I had to do a photo shoot, I would request the photographer airbrush me into a lineless, creasless, poreless, younger version of myself but as a consumer,  I would be very skeptical seeing a photo of a celebrity spokesperson, looking half her age and believing that some potion in a bottle caused that miracle! Especially when I just saw her the night before on the red carpet looking much more like her real self!
 
 

There are plenty of wonderful products on the market that do help to prevent the aging process, however there is not one single product that is going to take away every line on your face. It is a combination of good products, healthy living and avoiding the sun. It's a multi step process! And you still won't be completely lineless and who wants to be!? If you want to be completely lineless, start saving up for that plastic surgery (which I am definitely not against) or learn how to use photoshop!

This week the The U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority banned a L’Oreal advertisement featuring Rachel Weisz for being misleading. Although I did not think the ad looked over worked, I do think these companies need their hands slapped every now and again. If you look at Zooey Deshanel's Rimmel London ad's, she looks downright plastic!


According to Bloomberg Businessweek:

The ban follows a complaint by member of parliament Jo Swinson, a member of the Liberal Democrat party and co-founder of the Campaign for Body Confidence, a lobbying group focused on depictions of women. The ASA last year prohibited L’Oreal ads featuring actress Julia Roberts and supermodel Christy Turlington for similar reasons after complaints by the MP.

“The beauty and advertising industries need to stop ripping off consumers with dishonest images,” Swinson said in a statement. “Images can be aspirational, without being faked.”

A L’Oreal spokesman said the company doesn’t believe the ad exaggerates the effect that can be achieved using the product, adding that the claims are based on scientific research.

Again, there are some really great makeup and skincare products on the market that truly work. There really is no reason to mislead or exaggerate and women should not have to live up to such unrealistic standards of beauty! The women in these ads don't even exist-they are just plastic versions of themselves!



Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Little Goddess Mineral Illuminator





I know I've written about these before but looking awake has never been so easy!

Get bright eyed with just the click of a pen!

With just a quick click of our
you can banish those dark shadows and highlight those beautiful features quicker than 2 shakes of a lamb's tail! Dark circles and imperfections vanish leaving a radiant finish. Enriched with natures best antioxidant force of Vitamins A, C, and E.

Our Mineral Illuminator has a sheer, natural finish and does not settle into fine lines!

Light and medium can be used as a concealer as well as a highlighter, however peach glow has some shimmer in it and should probably be used only as a highlighter!

                       


Places you want to highlight:
Your brow bone
The top of your cheekbone
Under your eyes
The little v right above your top lip
Straight down the bridge of your nose
The inner corners of your eyes

Little Goddess Cosmetics

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Myth Busters! Don't put toothpaste on a pimple! Gentle ways to treat a pimple!

I hope everyone has recovered from their New Year's celebrations! I hope everyone's skin has recovered from all of the eating, drinking and late nights of the holidays!

Everyone has at one time or another been plagued with annoying pimples and inopportune breakouts. I am sure everyone has their own solutions for treating a pimple, be it an over the counter solution or an old wives tale.

Putting toothpaste on a pimple is definitely one of those theories deep rooted in fiction!!

Please, Please, Please
DO NOT PUT TOOTHPASTE ON A PIMPLE!

This myth may have started with triclosan. Triclosan is an antibacterial ingredient often added to personal care items like soap, deodorant, and body wash. Triclosan effectively kills bacteria. It is actually a common addition in acne treatment products, although as a preservative and not an active ingredient. Also, the ingredients found in toothpaste are extremely drying when applied to the skin, hence applying it to a pimple would most likely dry it out. Well toothpaste usually always contains some form of mint or cinnamon, as well as fluoride-all extremely irritating to the skin! Nowadays, there are so many high tech toothpaste to help with skin whitening, tartar control, etc-all of these ingredients do more harm than good when applied to the skin and besides irritating your skin can possibly burn your skin!

Also, keep in mind that when you over dry your skin, your skin will go into protection mode and your sebaceous glands will go into overdrive producing more oil to make up for the oil it has lost, which will most definitely mean more pimples!!

To treat an already existing pimple and to prevent new ones, you must do so gently so as not to over dry or irritate the skin.

1. Start with a gentle cleanser such as Aquanil (my current favorite) or CeraVe(drugstore).

2. Buy an over the counter Benzol Peroxide product and spot treat your pimples.
10% should do the trick.

3. Start using a gentle Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) product. I'm sure you can find a good one in the drugstore but I feel Paula's Choice 2% BHA Gel is the best BHA product on the market. It is gentle enough to use every night and I would only use this at night.


Another tip is to make sure you clean your makeup brushes on a regular basis to prevent bacteria from forming on the brushes and then being transferred to your skin and causing acne. I will do a separate post on how to clean your makeup brushes.

So to recap:
GENTLE CLEANSER
BENZOL PEROXIDE
BETA HYDROXY ACID

and save the toothpaste for your beautiful pearly whites!

BIG SMILES AND CLEAR SKIN!!







Friday, December 23, 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

7 Ingredients to Stop the Clock!



Hey guys!
Below is a re-post from Stylist, some really good anti-aging tips and ingredients!:



 Green Tea, Red Wine And 5 Other Ingredients To Stop The Clock
When it comes to anti-aging, we're literally inundated with creams and serums that promise to fill lines, even spots and even bring you back the smooth skin you had when you were younger. Lofty claims aside, how do you know what really works? While certain products make certain promises, there are a few ingredients that are scientifically proven to work -- and we've enlisted the best of the best in the skincare field to help break it down. Herewith, our guidelines for the top seven anti-aging ingredients:
1. RETINOIDS: A derivative of vitamin-A. Retinoids are hands-down the most important (and effective) ingredient on the market. "That’s always my first choice when people ask me," says Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, founder of Specific Beauty. "We’re talking about years and years of clinical research that has been proven to improve fine lines and wrinkles." Retinoids work by rapidly turning over the cells, which then generates healthier, younger-looking skin -- once the dead skin cells are removed. You should know that it comes in different forms (and strengths): Retinol (which is great for beginners) can be found in various over-the-counter products, while its stronger counterparts retin-A, Tazorac and Differin and require precsriptions.


2. GREEN TEA: A botanical antioxidant. The nutrients in green tea neutralize free radicals that damage cells and tissue, which in turn slows down the aging process. While you can reap the benefits by drinking green tea, Woolery-Lloyd advises applying it topically: "It's more concentrated and will work better as an antioxidant."


3. VITAMIN-C: A naturally-occurring antioxidant that helps fight free radicals. "One of the things that can cause wrinkles, among skin cancer and other things, is damage towards DNA,"notes Woolery-Lloyd. "80 percent of the damage that can occur in the DNA of the skin comes from some environmental sources like the sun or smoking or living in a highly-polluted environment. Antioxidants block the free radicals in our skin that can increase skin damage, photo aging, wrinkles and fine lines." Vitamin-C works to prevent that.


4. RESVERATROL: A powerful antioxidant derived from grape skin, and found in red wine. By promoting cell turnover and increasing collagen and elastin production, it effectively firms skin's texture. Resveratrol is also effective at repairing damage.


5. HYALURONIC ACID: A sugar that binds a thousand times its weight in water. This is essentially your best line of defense against dryness. "If you have loss of volume and want to fill in those surface irregularities, this is a great moisturizer for highly wrinkled skin," says Dr. Cheryl Karcher, consulting dermatologist for Avon Skincare. While hyalauronic acid-based products can applied topically, Dr. Karcher notes that it is far more effective when injected (Restylane, Juvederm) into the dermis.


6. GLYCOLIC ACID: An alpha-hydroxy acid (or AHA) that's derived from food, like fruit. "They basically exfoliate the top layer of the skin by breaking the glue that holds the top layer of skin together, so that when you exfoliate you have smoother, luminous skin underneath," says Woolery-Lloyd. "They essentially buff the skin, and help with pigmentation and photoaging issues," Karcher adds.


7. BROAD COVERAGE SUNSCREEN: This type of sunscreen will protect the skin against harmful UVA (aging) and UVB (skin cancer) rays. Karcher notes, "UVA and UVB sunscreens help fight against anti-aging by boosting skin's own antioxidants to fight free radicals."

Try one or try them all to have younger, smoother skin!
Who doesn't want that?

I can say from my own experience that I drink tea everyday and I use glycolic acid (and sun protection religiously) on a pretty regular basis and it does wonders for the texture of your skin.
Keep in mind that none of these ingredients or products are going to change your skin overnight. You will probably need about 3 months to see a real difference, also it is best to use a few different things and not just one. Compare it to your nutrition, you wouldn't just eat one thing and expect it to provide all the nutrition your body needs, you would eat a variety of things. Same concept with your skin, there isn't going to be only one thing that will improve your skin.


Sunday, December 18, 2011

Lady Gaga Crystal Encrusted Eyebrows!



Last week I was watching Ellen (LOVE HER) and the ever entertaining Lady Gaga was on. Never one to disappoint with her outrageous looks, she came out wearing these big, huge crystal eyebrows! The rest of her makeup was so tastefully done that her eyebrows looked almost normal encrusted in big crystal rocks! I thought it was a fun look especially with New Years Eve right around the corner, so I wanted to give you my version of crystal encrusted eyebrows!

Lady Gaga on Ellen looking fabulous!
What you'll need:
Crystals-whatever kind you want! I used Crystalazzi in size 125.
Duo Glue-Make sure to get the white kind because it dries clear.
Tweezers
and
Q-tips (or as my peeps across the pond like to say, cotton buds)

1-Groom your brows!! Make sure you brush and groom them to the shape you want. Also, make sure to take care of any stray hairs as all focus will be on your eyebrows!

2-Get the crystals out of the package and ready for use. 

3-Take a little Duo glue on the back of your hand, dip a Q-tip in it then apply to a small section of your eyebrow. We are working in small sections because the glue will dry faster than you think.

4-Pick up a crystal with your tweezers and apply to the glued area of your eyebrow. Apply pressure to the crystal with your clean, glue free finger or a clean Q-tip.

5-Repeat until both eyebrows are covered!


That's me looking glamorously disheveled

So here are a few tips!
This can be a little messy, I had glue on the back of my hand and kept running my hand through my hair! So be mindful of the glue and not getting it all over everything.

These stayed on for 7 hours until I picked them off-they probably would have stayed on all night. Honeybuns has announced he wishes this is how I dressed all the time. 
I had no problem picking the crystals off but it took a little effort to get the glue out of my eyebrows. I rubbed olive oil through them and then rubbed the glue off with a towel.

So try this look! I loved it!
You can have your very own New Year's Eve ball dropping good time!









Thursday, December 15, 2011

Congratulations and Thank You!!

Congratulations to Keisha White for winning the Little Goddess Happy Birthday to ME Giveaway!
Keisha is a makeup artist based in Hotlanta, GA!
Her website is

Congratulations again Keisha and thank you to all who participated in the giveaway!
The next one will be in the spring!
Can't wait!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Sundrop Liquid Lustre



The holidays are filled with all kinds of sparkly things!
Twinkling lights, tinsel, shiny ornaments and your lips!

Liquid Lustre Palette!

Your lips can shine like a disco Christmas ball with Little Goddess Liquid Lustres!

The color I am soooo obsessed with is Sundrop-it's like liquid gold with a brush!


You can wear it alone or over any color to give a high impact gold sheen!!
Watch my Festive Holiday Makeup video- I use Sundrop on my lips and you can see how shiny they made them!

Happy drops of liquid sun!!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Festive Holiday Look!

Time to wrap yourself up like a pretty little package!

If you have a lot of Christmas parties and holiday get togethers, then this is the perfect time to try something different and festive with your makeup!

The holidays are a sparkly time, so I wanted to create a look for you that has a little bit of glamorous shimmer in it!

I love gold mixed with just about every color. Gold is flattering against pretty much every skin tone so I picked a gold and pink palette to create a soft glowy look.

Watch the video to see the look!




Here are step by step instructions to get the same look: 

1. Apply Silk Sheets Mineral Eyeshadow as a base all over your lid.
2. Apply Roselle Mineral Matte Eyeshadow in the crease and blend.
3. Apply Gold Minx Mineral Eyeshadow to the lid up to the crease.

****TIP-Dampen your brush to apply a more intense color that stays on longer****

4. Apply Absolute Black Creme Liner to the outer corner of the upper eyelid.
5. Blend the eyeliner into the lashline and set with Volcanic Ash Mineral Matte Eyeshadow.
6. Apply Sandstone Mineral Eyeshadow to the brow bone and blend. Also apply Sandstone to the inner corner of your eye.
7.Apply Evergreen pencil eyeliner to the outer corners of your lower lash line.
8.Blend, soften and set with Gold Minx.
9.Curl and apply HD Mascara in Carbon.

****TIP-Apply 1/2 lashes to the outer corners of your eyes for and even more glamorous look!****

10. Shape brows with Brow Shaper Kit.
11. Apply Wild Pink Creme Blush to cheeks and blend.
12. Apply Baked Finishing Powder in Satin Glow to your cheekbones.
13. Apply So Sweet Lipliner all over your lips.
14. Apply Sundrop Liquid Lustre to your lips

Be careful around the mistletoe because you have now become irresistible!


All products available at


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Happy December!



HO HO HO and Happy Birthday to ME!

There are some really happy days in the month of December! You have Christmas, New Years Eve and the happiest day of all-my birthday!

In honor of my very special day-which in my humble opinion should be considered a national holiday, I am going to be doing a very special giveaway!!

What will we be giving away you ask?

A Little Goddess Creative Color Pro Palette!



Yes that's right! You will be able to build your own Pro Palette choosing whichever Little Goddess eyeshadow colors you want to be in it!



There are 3 different ways you can join in the fun!

1. Subscribe to my blog and write in the comments section below which 3 colors you would like in you palette.

2. Like us on Facebook and post on our wall what colors you would like in your palette.
or
3. Follow us on Twitter and tweet me which colors you would like in your palette!

Do one or do them all! Just make sure you get involved!

I will be announcing 1 winner on my birthday, Thursday, December 15th! So you have 1 week to join.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Cleansers for Sensitive Skin


Whenever I come across a skin care product that I love, I want to share it with you guys!

Now some of you may be aware of the year long search for a cleanser I had been on. The reason I was on such a hunt for a cleanser was because it seemed as though absolutely every cleanser was making me break out. One of the reasons may have been that I was on an all "natural" kick and apparently natural makes me break out, especially essential oils.


The criteria for my cleansers go like this:
  • NO Fragrance (fragrance is really bad for your skin)
  • NO Parabens
  • Not too many strange chemical ingredients

Well I would like to introduce you to TWO fabulous, and very different, cleansers that I have found.


The first cleanser I found is Aquanil.
This has become my primary cleanser and I am now working on my 2nd bottle.

According to the bottle, Aquanil "provides gentle, complete cleansing of sensitive skin"
Aquanil is specially formulated to be free of oils and irritating soaps. It has the same consistency as Cetephil or CeraVe but without the long ingredients list and it is fragrance and paraben free! Aquanil was created for people with sensitive skin and I have not had a bad reaction to this cleanser, it is very gentle and does not break me out. The one negative is you will need a separate eye makeup remover to remove heavier eye makeup. I bought an 8 ounce bottle at Dermstore.com for about $10.

The next cleanser I found is
FIX Malibu Wish Wash Exfoliating Powder Wash



I had received a very generous sample of this in one of my Birchbox deliveries.


Now this is an interesting little find as it is a powder that you activate with water. I had read that this was created by founder Rebecca Giles, who was tired of her favorite travel necessities being barred from planes, so she created this TSA friendly powder to make her life easier!

A little goes a long way with this so you want to place a small amount of powder in the palm of your hand and add a few drops of water to activate, massage into your skin and voila'! Clean skin! Wish Wash contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate your skin and I know it says to avoid the eye area but I found this took off all of my eye makeup without any irritation! This is probably best used in the summer when you are a little more oily-I feel this has the potential to be drying due to the salicylic acid. This cleanser is a bit more pricey at $40 for a little over 1 ounce but if you're feeling flush, it's worth a try!

So those are my reviews for today, I hope I helped anyone looking for a cleanser for their sensitive skin. I will include the links below so if you want to try them out for yourself you can.

I will be announcing a very exciting, celebrating my birthday, giveaway in a few days so stay tuned!


DONT FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
@LittleGoddessCo

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Merry Christmas!




Tis' the season!

 December is the most exciting month of the year and in honor of the holiday season, there will be FREE SHIPPING on all orders until January!!!

As well as it being the big guy's birthday, it is also my birthday month and in honor of that very special occassion I will be announcing a special givaway!!!! More on that next week!

So happy shopping and make sure to get your orders in early so you can receive your gifts with plenty of time until Christmas!