Nanowrimo Survival Kit

Obligatory I've-been-gone-for-too-long-apology goes here. Really though, guys, I have an excuse. In the beginning of October, I took a trip to Daytona Beach, Florida, where I still am, so being on vacation kind of took away from blogging. I've discovered boat loads of new beauty products though, so expect reviews galore when I get back. While I'm here, however, I've taken on the massive task of nanowrimo. What is nanowrimo? National novel writing month. What do you do? You write a novel. 50,000 words in 30 days. It's actually kind of a FREAKING CRAZY THING TO DO. But it's super rewarding, so if you're a writer and/or have a good novel idea swirling around in your little noggin, go for it. It's currently Day 8, and over the past week I've found myself using the same several items to help fuel me in my novelling quest.

To start, caffeine. Tea and coffee are my favorite, also chocolate for when you have a psychotic break. Really guys, I'm going nuts, here.

Next, healthy snacks. I see you reaching for the candy. Stop! That sugar rush is not worth it. Candies and junk food are really instantaneously satisfying but the crash will kill you. Healthy snacks will keep hunger and drowsiness at bay.

These next three items are really only for the rare occasions during which you'll leave your writing cave. Chances are, you're going to be sleep deprived, smelly, and pale. There are no selfies in this post for a reason. I like this high coverage concealer for my black under eye circles, the deodorant for the benefit of people around me, and the self tanner so that I don't have anyone throwing garlic and crucifixes at me while I'm out. Sunglasses might be good too. *hisses at the sun*

Next, you're going to need to do your research. Dictionaries, thesauruses, character building resources like I have pictured, the whole nine yards. This is only if you're a planner like me. Have all your research supplies on hand. In addition to this, I have my kindle pictured, because many writers pick up their writing style from reading things. Also in the kindle photo, if you're like me, typing all day is no fun if you don't have a good looking manicure. Take care of your hands, as you'll  be using them often.

Find me here nanowrimo.org/participants/cerashain

Love,
Your very crazy author/blogger,
Cera

Cheeks

Beginner's Series Part Two:

Cheeks Tutorial!

We can't all have cheekbones like Angelina Jolie or Kate Moss (don't I freaking wish), so those of us that want them without cosmetic surgery have to improvise! All pictures are under the cut.

This is just the tutorial version. All breakdowns of products and such will come shortly.

Step 1: Sweep a bronzer of your choice in the hollow of your cheeks, in something of a triangle shape, with the base of the triangle at the outer perimeter of your face, and the tip of the triangle pointing towards your mouth

Step 2 & 3: Sweep a blush across your cheekbone, and then a highlighter across the top of your cheekbone

Step 4: Blend it out! Grab a large powder or stippling brush and buff out the colors until they don't have a stark contrast against each other and your skin.

You're done!

Again, pictures under the cut.

Hope you liked it, 

Love,

Cera

Insomnia and Face Demons: A Personal Post

This is not a beauty post. Well. Maybe it'll end up being one, but as of now I don't plan on beauty things happening here. I'm really just blogging because I can't sleep (surprise surprise) and I'd like to talk about face demons. This post may contain some feminine related TMI so I'll put the meat and potatoes of it under the cut. 

But before I cut it off, for those of you who want to read but were like "I don't want to read a post that may contain TMI," I'd like to recommend an album for you, so that everyone can get something from this. I highly recommend anyone that enjoys listening to things with their ears take a gander at the Plastic Beach album by Gorillaz. 

Clicky Here to Take a Listen!

Okay, now that I've done that (I hope you guys like it it's a big favorite of mine, because it's such an eclectic mix of different genres all meshed into one album).

Also ignore any cursing that happens below the cut. It's all censored with little asterisks, just to be sensitive, as I know some of you may not be into that kind of thing. 

So, here goes....

My Favorite Blush of All Time

I think everyone has one holy grail product that you discover and instantly can't wait to share with people you know, and I've found one of mine! For the longest time, because I have very red undertones,  I had a hard time finding a blush that not only suited my skin tone, but was nice all around. But about two months ago, I found one! This blush is Shy Blush by Mary Kay. It retails for $12 on marykay.com. 

This blush is phenomenal. You can tell by the beat up packaging that I use it a lot. By "a lot" I mean every day. The color is a rosy pink that has golden undertones, so it acts as a highlighter and a blush. It's a mineral blush, but comes off very smooth and almost creamy. It appears to be glittery, but on the skin, it's far more reflective than glittery. It's very buildable, with the pigmentation fairly light, but easy to intensify.

 This is a great shade for fair skin tones, but I think it could work on many others as well. I just couldn't resist sharing this awesome product with you guys! 

Rating: 5/5

The Best Acne Treatment!

Anyone out there that is reading this that suffers from acne knows, whether it be a spot here or there, or a full on war is being waged on your skin, that sometimes it feels like there's no way out. We go through hundreds of dollars (maybe even thousands, yikes at the prices of some higher end acne solutions!), hours of time, and many frustrating breakouts in search of the ultimate cure. The most frustrating part, for me, is that the best treatment so far for me is in my own kitchen!

I started this treatment 4 days ago and have noticed 50% less breakouts. I have sensitive, easily irritated skin. I didn't change my diet, exercise, or any other routine aside from the products I'm using.

Interested yet?

Well, my holy grail acne treatment is....

Honey and Sea Salt 

This treatment is 1 teaspoon and 1/4 sea salt. My sea salt grinder is adjustable, so I like to include both smaller and larger salt grains, just make sure that they aren't particularly sharp! You don't want to scratch your face!

So, what? Still not sold? It's just a regular exfoliant that smells good, you say? What exactly is it doing to combat acne? I can't blame you for being skeptical. Really, I've been there. But, after copious research and the ol' try it yourself method, I've come up with some serious reasons as to why this scrub is for ALL skin types. Yeah, you read correctly. ALL OF THEM. Oily, dry, acne prone, sensitive, combination, and even more mature skin types. 

Reasons Why Honey Rocks:

• contains antioxidants
• antifungal
• antibacterial
• calms inflammation
• draws impurities from the skin
• ultra hydrating
• smells AMAZING

Okay, so you get honey. That might be worth slathering all over my face, you say. But what about salt? What's so good about salt?

Reasons Why Sea Salt Rocks:

• exfoliates
• absorbs toxins from skin
• during the manufacturing process, sea water is evaporated, leaving the salt and lots of minerals behind, so it's like you're slathering minerals all over your face
• fights infection

Do I really even need to say more?

This stuff is awesome. 

Have you ever tried it? Are you going to try it now? Let me know in the comments if you have, and what your experiences are!

Cera

Tutorial: Shimmery Rose Gold Smokey Eye

Hey guys, today I bring you a tutorial on achieving a Rose Gold Smokey Eye look, and it's one of my favorite eye looks to do, as it has the drama and visual appeal of a smokey eye while softening the look up with a gorgeous metallic twist. Le'ts get right to it!

Step One:  Make sure your eyes and face are clean and free of debris, oils, and leftover makeup.  In this photo I've just cleaned my face and applied foundation to the area around my eyes, below my eyes, and my eyelid.

Step Two: Prime. If you want this look to last all day or night, a primer is the best way to do it. I'm using e.l.f.'s essential eye primer in pearl, but you can use any other primer, or a concealer of your choice that you know isn't oily and will keep the shadows all day.

Step Three: Now that the eyes are primed, I'm taking a matte light pink and sweeping it all over the lid and up to the brow bone. The color almost looks white but is a very light pink. This sticks to the primer and acts as a matte base for the other shadows, as the primer (although not recognized by the camera) is very sparkly. Also here, I've filled in my brows but I'm not going to describe how I've done so, as I have an extensive brow tutorial on the way.

Step Four: Now I'm taking a gold shadow and packing it onto the lid, up to the crease. 

Step Five: To create the "rose" part of the rose gold look, I'm sweeping a medium pink over the gold that I've just applied.

Step Six: To add definition to the eyes, I'm taking a dark pink and then a coppery medium brown, and applying them respectively, the brown slightly lower than the pink. I'm using a windshield wiper motion to apply these to the crease.

Step Seven: To smoke out the look, and keep the lines between the crease color and the highlight shade from looking too harsh, I'm taking a light pink just above my crease color (the dark pink) and blending it between that and the matte baby pink.

Step Eight: Next I'm going to open up my eyes by adding a very light shimmery gold color to the inside corners of the eyelid.

Step Nine: Now to Balance the top and bottom of my eyes, I'm applying the dark pink to the lower lashline, relative to the length of my lower lashes, going from the outside corner to about the middle. Then I'm taking the light gold to the bottom lashline in the inner corner, connecting it to the inner corner of my top lid.

Step Ten: To add to the drama, I'm taking a black eyeliner, and lining my lower and upper waterline, and then I'm going to smudge it along the top lashline, not adding too much, but just enough to thicken up the base of my lashes.

Step Eleven: Now I'm taking my favorite mascara and simply applying that to the top and bottom lashes.

Step Twelve: I'm now sweeping a soft pink blush along my cheekbones, not using a highlighter because the blush has golden tones to it, and then contouring my cheekbones with a bronzer for added definition.

Here's the completed look! I've decided to leave my lips bare, aside from a lip balm, just because I wanted to keep the focus on my eyes. Ignore all the craziness in the background, I swear I'll get better at taking pictures!

Cera

Welcome All!

Hey!

Welcome to my beauty blog, where I'll be posting blogs about all things beauty. So far I have reviews, makeup tutorials, diy skin and haircare tutorials, and comparisons planned, and I'm really excited to carry this out!

See you soon,
Cera