etsy Eye Shadow Collection #makeupmonday

Eye shadow is my favorite makeup product and, while it may not be the most necessary or the most important, it definitely makes up for about 85% of my makeup collection! I have shadows in every color from black to white (which I am aware are not actual colors), every finish from matte to just plain glittery, every formula from cream to pigments, and from many different brands! Most of you can probably describe your eye shadow collection in the same way, but what you might be missing are the twelve-hundred-and-seventy-eight-gazillion eye shadows that are sold on etsy.  I began looking around at the makeup shops on etsy a few months ago and have grown quite the collection of indy-shadows!
My Beauty Addiction

My Beauty Addiction was the first etsy store I started buying from. I was introduced to them by Maria over at AgapeLoveDesigns! (She sent me some in the swap that we did!) They have over 200 shadow colors! (They also sell other face makeup including lippies, foundations, blushes, and quite a bit of skincare items.) You have the option of buying single shadows, a pack of 5 samples, or a pack of 10 samples. You get to pick the colors that you want to try! I also have a jar of their eye shadow primer. I love that they come in clam shells and they come with plenty of product to do several applications. They also have the FASTING shipping in the entire world!

Star Crushed Minerals

I found this brand by searching etsy for "mineral eye shadow". It was a new shop so I was drawn to it immediately. Star Crushed Minerals sells sample only as singles instead of in a 5 or 10 pack. They also sell foundations and blushes. Their colors are SO RICH and pigmented and their primer is also wonderful! I have developed a great relationship with this shop owner. Her name is Edie and she really values the relationships she has with her customers. 

She puts a great amount of product in her samples and all of them come in a jar with a filter, which makes little to no mess! Definitely my favorite packaging out of all the etsy makeup I own. 

Be on the lookout for a full review of this brand and maybe even a giveaway! (wink, wink!)

Beauty Bar Baby

I stopped in at this etsy shop when I saw that everything was 50% off! It was easy to pick the colors that I wanted from BeautyBarBaby because there are pictures of each of her shadows swatched so I could see exactly what they looked like on the skin! Some of the colors are even swatched dry AND foiled(with water or a solution added)! Like most all mineral makeup on etsy, their products are vegan/cruelty free. 

This shop, much like StarCrushedMinerals, sells samples as singles. They are packaged in jars with screw-top lids and no filter. If you aren't VERY careful, they can be very messy, so don't open them over anything white...including your new white bedroom rug...found that out the hard way! They color payoff was worth the mess! Beautiful!!

Okay, I know this post was long! I'm just so in love with the eye shadows that I've found on etsy and I think more makeup lovers need to know about these shops! Etsy is not just cross-stitch art work and macaroni necklaces anymore. (Okay I don't know if it ever WAS...) There are some serious treasures to be found on the site! You will find ANY color you are looking for, and probably some colors that you didn't even know existed! They are reasonably priced, and even the samples come with plenty of product. I'm not even close to running out of anything yet!

Don't forget that the people who are running these shops are usually the ONLY people running the shops. When you buy from etsy, you are supporting someone's dream and that's so important!

I'm going to link this post up with Maria (Agape Love Designs) and Andee (Wink4PinkBlog) for Makeup Monday. You can go by and link up anything that you have (blog posts, YouTube videos, Keeks, Instagram pics, etc) as long as it's beauty related!

If you're looking for a little extra money to spend on some etsy makeup of your own (or to spend on  anything else you'd like), you still have an hour to stop by Tales of a Twenty Something, aka TOATS, for your chance to win $200! Enter here!
Okay, my sisters, that's it for me today! As always, be kind & spread love!

These Are My Confessions!

I decided on Friday that I was going to "attend" this link-up party. Obviously, it didn't come to fruition until today. Oops...honestly, I have no excuse but I really wanted to participate in this! Sorry for piling all of my shortcoming onto you guys, but I need to get this stuff off of my conscience. DON'T JUDGE ME BUT....
I confess: I feel like I am terrible at blogging! I have so many big ideas and plans for this blog, but I don't know how to realize them. 
I confess: I love makeup. If I had to choose between makeup and toothpaste, guess what?! I'd be buying a LOT of mouthwash and chewing gum. ...I REALLY hope this is never an issue.

I confess: I wear brown and black together. (I can't BELIEVE people still think that is a rule.)
I confess: Sometimes I wear brown, black, AND navy blue (Pippa Middleton AND Rachel Bilson both do it!!)...whatcha think about THAT?? lol

I confess: No matter HOW early I wake up and start getting ready, I ALWAYS have to finish my makeup in the car. Sometimes it's just lipstick, sometimes I have to bring everything from primer to setting spray. I NEED THIS SETUP:

I confess: I truly believe that the only reason I graduated high school was because the administrators lost sleep over having me in that school for one more minute, let alone an entire semester. #hellraisingrebelinaprivateschool
I confess: I wear Old Navy flip flops year round. Maybe not every DAY, but I have definitely been known to wear one red flip flop and one green flip flop to Christmas dinner.

I would love if you ALL would join us for the Confess-sesh! Head over to Agape Love Designs or Let It Shine to get some weight off of your chest!

Thanks for coming by! I'm off to say my Hail Marys.

Spread love and be kind!

What do Miley Cyrus, Moon Pies, and Makeup Have in Common?

I love knowing what other people are into. I like to see what they're wearing, how they are doing their hair, what songs they are into at the moment, etc. One reason that I started this blog was to share what what I am into, and that happens to include blog posts! I put together a little list of some of my favorites from this week. Make sure you check them out and also, let me know what your faves from blog-land have been lately!
My favorite fashion post: "Different is Good" by Maria at AgapeLoveDesigns.  I think pantsuits & jumpers are amazing...on everyone else but me! Maria ROCKED this one! She has the ability to add accessories and shoes to a pretty basic piece and change the entire look! She is also a MASTER at matching her makeup, shoes, and accessories without looking too matchy-matchy! Love this girl.

The post that made me have a "moment": "Embracing You Imperfections" by Kelly at MessyDirtyHair.

True story, this post had me a little bit choked up. As women, as a community, and as friends, it's SO important to encourage each other and lift one another up. Especially in a world where beauty is defined by such shallow standards. 

I-laughed-so-hard-I-almost-peed Post: "The 13 Commandments of Instagram" by Sarah at VenusTrappedInMars

I wish this post could be seen all over the world. I literally wish that this was included in Instagram's Terms&Conditions. And I wish that those who are caught excessively breaking these rules would be banned for LIFE. (And I say "excessively" because I've broken a few of them before!

The post that got me most excited for fall (and yes, it's makeup related!): "How to Transition Your Makeup from Summer to Fall" by Casey at Beauty101Blog

Yeah, the fall weather is great. So is Halloween, and wearing boots, and football season, but what I REALLY get most excited for around fall are the makeup trends! I love the darker lips and eyes! Casey left some great tips for transitioning from Summer makeup to Fall makeup!

The post that made me re-think the whole Miley Cyrus situation:"Forgive Her. Her Brain Isn't Fully Developed" by Nadine at BackEastBlonde

I reacted to Miley's VMA performance just like almost everyone did...until I read this post. Nadine was able to put the whole thing in a totally different light. If you've been Miley-bashing, you need to read this!

The post that ALMOST made me eat my computer screen: "Pumpkin Moon Pies" by Carly at LipglossAndCrayons Seriously, I don't even need to explain this....but I sure did have to wipe saliva off of my computer screen.

I can honestly say that when I started this blog, I had no idea that I would have put Miley Cyrus and Moon Pies in the same post! haha! Like I said, let me know what posts you loved this week! Spread Love and Be Kind!

Straight and Narrow Nail Art #makeupmonday

I recently found some pretty cool nail art tools at Sally Beauty Supply. One thing I found was a pack of nail striping tape! The tape can be used for MANY different things. For this simple little pedicure, I just used the white roll to create a very simple design that turned out MUCH better than I thought it was going to!

My feet are hideous. My toes are crooked, and I have scars and even some fresh puncture wounds from a couple of little kittens that I love so much, even though they do butcher my feet! Literally, the only way to make my feet even KIND OF cute, is to fancy up my toe nails!

Also, yes there is a gemini tattoo on my foot...no, I'm not a gemini. Don't ask. haha!

I love Essie polishes! They are my favorite brand of polish (tied for first place with ORLY) because of the color selection! I have ran into a couple of Essie polishes that are poorly formulated and peel & chip very fast, but not many! I buy mine at Target.

I've been buying Pure Ice polishes since I began painting my nails! They are usually very opaque, but I don't expect them to last long on my nails. They are always chipped by the end of the day, but they are very cheap, so it's okay! They also have a great variety of colors! I buy mine at WalMart.

I purchased "Speechless" early this spring and I have gotten great use out of it. It is a great color and appropriate for all year round! 

I just bought "Bobbing for Baubles" about two weeks ago. I have wanted this color since it came out and I'm so glad that I finally did! It is a grey-based navy blue. It will be perfect for fall and it pairs well with a ton of different colors! 

I can NOT paint a straight line on my nails. It doesn't matter what kind of brush I use. I have tried using scotch tape as a guide. I just can not do it! Truthfully, I was not expecting these tapes to work. I really didn't think they were going to stay on! So far, they have and I'm very pleased with them. I'm definitely planning to go back for more. I found mine at Sally's, but I couldn't find them on their website. These are similar.

I originally painted all ten toes with Bobbing for Baubles. They needed something else, to I put one coat of Speechless over the piggy that stayed home, and I like that the blue can still be seen under the wash of pink. It is exactly what I needed to change the look just a little bit.

 

There's that stupid tattoo again....WHY did I do that?????!!!!!!!!!!

Ugh. Oh well...at least it's not his name...

Thanks so much for coming by today! Again, I'm sorry for my ugly feet! I don't know what I would do without nail polish to make my feet relatively pleasing to look at! I LOVE that I've discovered this striping tape! Have you made any discoveries in nail art that I should know about??

I hope you girls enjoyed this post! I'm linking up for MakeupMonday, hosted by Agape Love Designs and Wink4Pink. Make sure you swing by and link up ANYTHING beauty related that you have! It can be a blog post, YouTube video, Keek, Instagram picture, or whatever you have as long as it's beauty related!

I hope you girls have a wonderful Wednesday! Spread love and be kind!

YouTubesday (on Thursday...oops!) 2

Happy YouTubesday! I am a couple of days late posting this...it's been a crazy week around here! I didn't get an edition of YouTubesday up last week and I didn't want to skip another one so....better late than never, right??
This is a series I have created because I love YouTube. I love beauty videos, comedy videos, music videos (from famous people, and from the people sitting in front of a webcam with a guitar...those are usually better, actually!), and I'm the first to get all hyped up for a viral video! I have learned SO much from YouTube and I wanted to start this project to highlight some of my favorite YouTube personalities! I hope you enjoy it and please comment down below letting me know who YOUR favorites are!

Laura

Channel Name: MrsLolaLynn

bringing her own sass to YouTube since: April 27, 2012

subscriber count: 12,291 (and counting)

Facebook Instagram Twitter Blog

Keek: @mrslolalynn

I found Laura's channel through another beauty vlogger, Melissa (melmphs). We became friends quickly. She is one of few YouTube's elite who take a lot of pride in actually interacting with her subscribers. If she can, she WILL respond to your comment or question. She is a GREAT editor and always makes videos that are entertaining, and more than that, informative. She makes makeup videos, skincare videos, and hair videos. She uses drugstore makeup AND high end makeup. Her tutorials are for beginners, and the more experienced. There is really something on her channel for everyone! Make sure you stop by and see what she has for you!
BeccaMaybe: Tell me something that YouTube has taught you about: a)Makeup, b)Life, c)Yourself. MrsLolaLynn: YouTube has taught me a bunch about different makeup brands, application of makeup, product reviews and opened my eyes to the beauty world more so than ever before!  More so it has taught me about myself! I struggled with the thought of opening myself up to filming videos because I was at my highest weight of my life after having 3 kids and I had an infant when I started the channel.  I was self conscious, which I still am, but I realized.. Nope, this is me, I am real and I have something to say so I am gonna say it.  I promised myself I would always be myself, try to keep a relationship with those people that were on the other side supporting me and still try to build my channel as best possible.  YouTube taught me that I can still be me and people accept that! It made me proud of myself that I took the plunge and put myself out there! On the flip side… I have watched my friends get slaughtered by certain gossip sites and although you know those people are terrible for saying those things about you, it still hurts to read. I learned if I was going to do this, I would keep my family out of it. That is why i choose to not show my children, not talk about details about them because people can say what they want about me, but if you question me as a mother, I will go gangbusters on you! lol… So far it's been a great experience!
B: What is your favorite type of video to make? MLL: My favorite type of video to make are my empties & my Friday Favorites! The empties videos are fun because I like showing what I used and giving a snap review of if I would purchase it again! The Friday Favorites are my other favorite because it's so fun sharing what I have been using the week and then possibly bringing attention to products that didn't work for me and telling why! 
B: What is your favorite type to watch? MLL: I like hauls, tutorials & Favorites, both monthly and weekly! I like hauls because i like to see what others get! It's fun for me! Tutorials have taught me so much and to see products in use is helpful for me! I also do like reviews too because I like to know what I am buying before I spend my money on it! The monthly & Weekly favorites are great to watch bc sometimes I am reminded of products I already have and someone else will mention how they have used it and what they love about it and it reminds me to pull it out again!
B: If you weren't making beauty videos, what kind would you like to make? (Example: cooking, parenting, inspiration, etc) MLL: I would probably make cooking videos!! I love to cook and I have a cooking blog, so I probably would make those types of videos!
B: What is the best advice you have for someone wanting to start a channel? MLL: My best advice sounds so cheesy but it's really: Be yourself because if you aren't people can tell and it's not fun to watch when you try too hard to be something else.  Make connections with other YouTubers that you genuinely enjoy watching and learn things from because the more networking the more your name is out there! I have built so many amazing friendships with Beauty YouTubers that have become some of my best friends and we all share the same passions so it's nice.  Never do it for money, or other reasons but because you love making videos. People can tell if you are in it for something else and it makes you look less credible and you come off looking disingenuous!
B: Name a few beauty Vloggers who you think I should be watching. MLL: I love Hannah from BeautyChats, Rachel from GlowofGrace, Carol from TheBlushinbrunette, Sarah from BeautyBuzzHub and Stefanie from LittleLadyLohrey. I also love Amanda from TheBeautyBox1211 and Lizzy from WhatWouldLizzyDo… my obvious favorites are Kassie (ShadesofKassie) & Melissa from (Melmphs) All these girls I would also call friends.  There are so many more!!  
B: Everyone always asks "what is one product that you can't live without?"....instead of that, tell me one or two that you COULD live without. MLL: I would live without brow set … I mean I know that sounds crazy but thats the only thing that came to mind! lol
B: Would you rather have a room full of elf makeup, or a box full of Chanel makeup? MLL: Duh, I'd rather have room full of Elf makeup because its about options in my book! Cheap doesn't always mean poor quality & Expensive doesn't always mean quality!
B: You've been on YouTube for over a year now, where do you see your channel in one more year? MLL: I would love to see my channel grow in another year because it's something I love and I love the interactions with others!!! It has opened so many opportunities and friendships for me!!!
So, as you can tell, MrsLolaLynn is someone you need to be watching on YouTube! If you aren't subscribed to her, you really should be! Her channel is growing everyday and you don't want to miss out on what she is coming out with next! As always, let me know who you would love to see featured on YouTubesday and be on the lookout for who is coming up next!

Spread love and be kind!!

Swap Haul! #makeupmonday

I have always loved shopping for people! Shopping for Christmas gifts, housewarming parties, birthday presents, bridal showers, any opportunity to buy gifts for someone is very exciting to me! 

Recently, my friend Maria, over at Agape Love Designs, came up with the idea for us to do a swap! We exchanged a few emails talking about our makeup preferences, favorite brands, and colors, exchanged addresses, and went shopping! My package from Maria came last week! I was actually at the lake when the mail ran. My fiance called me and told me that there was a package for me at the house and I knew exactly what it was! Don't get me wrong, the lake was great, but the whole weekend, my mind was on that package sitting at my house! When I got home on Sunday, I went STRAIGHT for it! (Do NOT pass go. Do NOT collect $200. Do NOT even stop to pet your cat!) I tore into it and didn't even think to take pictures of how beautifully everything was packaged!

 Each individual item was wrapped in a different color of tissue paper, and on top was the sweetest hand-written note! I have really been blessed with some great friends through social media. Maria was one of the first ones!

elf

The girl knows I love elf products! Who doesn't love elf? I'm telling you, they are always improving their brand and coming out with great new products! She sent me:

From Left to Right:elf Pout Perfecter in Light Beige

elf Eyeliner and Shadow Stick in Basic/Brown

elf Lip Stain in Nude Nectar

elf Eye Widener in Pearl White

My Beauty Addiction

Maria turned me on to My Beauty Addiction! If you follow her on Keek or her blog, you know how often she uses their eye shadows! I am SO excited that she sent me these to help grow my MBA collection! You can find these on etsy and they have a website! The colors she sent me are: Raspberry Martini, Red HOT!, Kiwi Kiss, Papaya Punch, Aloha Rose, Bahama Mama, Smoke & Mirrors, Tequila Sunset, Island Sunshine, and Twilight. 

These are all loose, mineral shadows. They are SO pigmented. You have to try them. They have great deals on samples in their etsy store!

Nail Polish

LEFT: I LOVE pastels! Especially on my nails! This is only my second ORLY polish and I am REALLY loving this formula! The color is called Lift The Veil. Light colors like this can OFTEN be streaky! This one, however, applied beautifully! I chose to use two coats, but I probably could have left it at only one coat and it would have been fine!

RIGHT: This is my first Forever 21 polish! It is going to be perfect for fall! I don't have many metallic, duo-chrome-y polishes and I'm really excited to use this!

Love & Beauty Eye Shadow Notebook

This is another first for me! This is the first Forever21 makeup I have ever had! I love neutrals!!! And ya know what, the shimmery-er the BETTER! I have been using these on top of the elf 

Eyeliner and Shadow Stick!!

      ISO Bouncy Spray Curl Activator  

                  

ISO Bouncy Spray Curl Activator My hair is NOT curly...it's NOT wavy...it's NOT straight....it is lumpy. Seriously, it's the worst texture. I have always looked for something that I can run through my hair when I get out of the shower that will make it curly without having to do anything else! Fingers crossed that this one works! 

Nail Decals

Nail Stickers!!! I have never been able to get these to work for me, but I REALLY hope these work because they are SOOO cute! I'm sorry the picture isn't very clear, but you're just gonna have to take my word for it, okay? haha! They are mint/teal with little pink hearts all over them!! (Also from Forever 21!)

Blush

I was SUPER excited to see this! I don't even know what these are called, but the little pearls of blush are AWESOME! I have a pearl bronzer that I love and this blush is becoming a favorite too!! (From Forever 21)

Black Soap

African Black Soap from My Beauty Addiction. When Maria told me about this, I wanted to try it SO bad and she sent it to me!!! It is supposed to be a cure-all for skin problems! I'm so excited to see how it works!

bling

 Aww!!! Look at this little guy!! I'm not sure if Maria knew or not, but I love...LOVE owls! There is at least one owl in every room of my house!! This ring will go perfect with the rest of my owl-bling collection!

Eye Shadow and Naked Ladies

When I got to the bottom of the package, I screamed so loud!! I was SO excited to see this! I had a hint from Maria that is was coming, but seeing it in real life and holding it in my hands was something even more amazing! The colors in this palette are INCREDIBLE!! Make sure you come back here later this week for a full review on theBalm's Nude 'tude palette!!

 Handmade Bling

I waited to share these last because they are the most exciting thing in the whole package. Maria made these earrings!! I absolutely LOVE everything that she sent me! They will all get a lot of love from me, but she could have ONLY sent me these earrings and I would have been happy! When you create something with your own hands and give it to someone else, it means SO much. I know she puts a lot of work and love went into these and I am so honored to have a pair of original Agape Love Designs earrings!!

If you ever get the opportunity to do a swap, take it!
Even if you just get together with some of your girlfriends
and trade beauty products or clothes or
accessories that you don't use or wear or want anymore!

I had so much fun opening this package, and I had even more fun shopping for Maria! 

As I mentioned earlier, there will be 
a review
up soon of theBalm's 
Nude'Tude palette! If you
would like to see a review
 of anything else that Maria sent me,
 feel free to let me know!

Have YOU ever done a swap? I'd love to hear about it!

What are some ideas for swapping? 
An etsy swap?
A candy swap?
A health items swap?

Let me know your favorites!

Here is the last of 15 keeks that I had to do when I was opening Maria's package! Make sure you follow me on Keek @beccamay81203

to see the rest of them! (Really, keek? 36 seconds? Can we at least get a minute?? lol)

Aug 11, 2013 | #swap #haul with @agapelovegirl pt15!!!!! #happymail #besties #swaphaul #mail #packages #makeup 💌💄❤ by BeccaMay81203 on Keek.com

Last thing, I am linking up with Maria and our friend Andrea (Wink4PinkBlog) for their #makeupmonday linky party! Make sure you come by and link your Instagram pics, Keeks, blog posts, YouTube videos, etc and join the partayyy! Click hurrr:  http://www.agapelovedesigns.com/2013/08/makeup-monday-linky-party.html Have a great week, my friends!! Spread love & be kind!