Forte

   Currently, I'm watching Black Swan (for like the 6th time) and I was compelled to finally recreate an inspired look. My 2 favorite actresses in a psycho thriller WITH ballet is like my dream come true.
  As always, I started off with my brows but then I moved on to the cat eye with black liner. I went with more of an ethereal look with a liquid highlighter as a base for my eyes and light shadow, because of my dark skin and I liked the constrast. I then added black liner to my crease for definition and blended it outwards with plum shadow. On my waterline, I applied white shadow. Directly under my waterline, I added black gel liner to my large eyes look even larger.
  This look is great for those with hooded eyes and monolids. The strong and dark crease adds dramatic definition for those who don't have much of a crease.
   You might be kind of confused by the title. For those aren't music aficionados, forte means strong and powerful. In addition to the movie itself, I was inspired by Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake 23, No. 13. This piece starts of sweet, endearing and piano (soft) then suddenly grows in volume (forte). 

Note: I actually didn't wear foundation. I forgot to put it on (whoops~). But it's suggested,  since the makeup is heavy and eyeshadow falloout is inevitable.    

Bella Berry

As summer is coming to a close, I decided to share with you some fun colors I added to my lipstick collection!

   Honestly, I don't deviate to brighter, ostentatious lipsticks. I either go for nudes (harder to find for my skintone) or a deep, brick but classic red. I used Sweetheart by Revlon, Crush (repurchased) by Revlon, and Berry Smooch by Avon. Berry Smooch and Sweetheart look similar. However, I feel that since Sweetheart is a stain, it's complimentary for the faint of heart. While Berry Smooch is more "in-your-face". 
  Crush by Revlon is lovely as always, but I honestly prefer Sweetheart at the moment, due to the season and sheerness. Crush is more suitable for the colder months, with either a bronze smoky eye or a simple cat eye. Sweetheart compliments my skin, as I have more golden undertones. One problem that I have is that Berry Smooch by Avon dries out my lips and looks patchy after a few hours. 

(L-R) : Berry Smooch (Avon), Sweetheart (Revlon), Crush (Revlon)

Sweetheart by Revlon

My favorite of the 3: Sweetheart by Revlon

Crush by Revlon

Berry Smooch by Avon

Review - Naked2 (Urban Decay)

    Hello all! Well, I felt that this cosmetic product review is long overdue. Today, I'm going over the coveted Naked palette. In the process of purchasing, I was unsure on whether to get the original Naked (warm neutrals) and Naked2 (cool neutrals). Naked3 is out the question - those shades do not look so universal (unless you count fair skinned to light medium as universal).

    I honestly regret the purchase. I should have chose the original Naked, since there are bronzes, browns, and golds. But I think I'd still regret it. I favor matte shadows, than to shimmer which is what the Naked palettes mostly consists of. I honestly can't use more than 3 or 4 shades because they look so...ashy on my skintone.
    Nonetheless, my favorites are Snakebite, Busted, Blackout, and maybe JUST MAYBE, Half Baked. A perk is that the palette comes with all 4 samples of primer and a dual ended eyeshadow brush. It really isn't what people make it out to be.

Sing Me to Sleep

Gentle fingers, strum

His bobbing Adam's apple

Serenades, my sleep

Soft laughter, moans wakes the night

'Only in my dreams', I say

Let Them Eat Cake!

I think I've become a bit too friendly with the kitchen this summer. Food is just too good. A couple of days ago, I made blue berry hand pies and blueberry waffles. Yes, they were yummy. I just wish my boyfriend was there to enjoy all this food with me.

It's the little things

I've always found myself to be content with the little things. Like rain, grey skies, the smell of wet earth, the dancing notes in my sheet music. Remember when I said I was going to spoil myself this summer? This here is Moroccan chickpea stew with rice. I've always was so fascinated by different cultures and I show my appreciation through learning different languages and new recipes. I'm going to attempt to create a new dish every day this summer. I'm so in love with Arabic and Middle Eastern culture. And South/East/Southeast/East/Central Asian culture. As well as, Hawaiian culture. Native American culture. You get the idea.

 I've already made my pastry dough for tomorrow's task. Hint: Blueberries are in season in Florida.

The Moviegoer

Like the protagonist Binx Bolling, I was caught in the humdrum of life, specifically high school. For the past 4 years, it's been academics, chorus, studying, and church. When I wasn't doing homework, I'd numb my mind from all the shit going around me with pointless TV. People began to note that I've lost the light in my eyes and glow to my face. Again like Bolling, I take that stride into spontaneity and search for self meaning. I'm currently in the process of finding out who I want to be and what I want. It's not easy, but is necessary. 

Vanity

These are roses I received for my graduation and I was so elated because I actually never received flowers before. When I came home late that night, I decided to move my makeup to a desk in my room from my bathroom and placed the flowers right next to it. This has really changed how I view my mornings. As I'm putting my makeup on, I feel this sense of reverence to the prettiness of the flowers. Weird, right? I feel as if I could never compete with the beauty of these flowers and spend more time in awe of the flowers than I do putting on makeup. It puts a smile to my face. The sunlight makes it an even more joyous occasion.

Post - High School

    I've been anticipating this day for years, but most considerably my senior year. I graduated this past Thursday and I have to say, it's all pretty bittersweet.

           

 I turned 18 in April. College is right around the corner and I've already chosen my classes. I received my license last month and my diploma shortly after. I drove out on my own for the first time on my last day of high school. I went on my first date late May. I went out on my own unsupervised and have been doing so since May. Plenty of firsts for me this year.

It may sound pedestrian or even strange to you, but many do not know, I was (still am) raised in a strictly religious household. But I promise, I'm not at all psychotic and depressed and deprived of society~

   I finally found time to read again and spent hours almost each week at the bookstore, stretching $40 to buy multiple books. I've gotten back into my art. I've been (attempting) a healthier lifestyle and working out. The very thought of me growing as a person and simply becoming more confident to do more of what I want to do excites me. The possibilities are thrilling. I can easily get into my car, turn on the ignition, and just go and see where the road leads.

I'm on the verge of tears writing this post. Tears of joy (including the familiar goofy, reminiscing smile).

This summer, I'm taking the time to spoil myself. I'm catching up on all those nights of sleep I missed in favor of straight A's and 5's on AP exams. I'm doing at-home spa treatments. Smiling more.

I don't want to be an example of "youth is wasted on the young". This is the time to live. This is the time to laugh and go on road trips and have bonfires, just like in those teen movies. Be optimistic. Have summer love(s). Don't be afraid to say no or yes. Go.

Just go.

Things are a-changin' !

I'm thinking of possible changing the direction of my blog. I won't stop speaking of cosmetics, however I feel I would like this blog to have more elements of me, to be more 'Hillary'. I'm considering changing my blog into a sort of lifestyle blog. I feel this will prevent monotony and discrepancies experienced. I'm so sorry for the lack of posts and inconsistency, but please look out for something a little different.

It's almost summer, guys! Plans anyone? Comment down below, I'd love to hear from you!