I'm Chuffed as Chips!

I love this British expression; it thoroughly describes me today- content. So, if you ever do run into me- I'd feel chuffed as chips drinking an iced tuxedo on a hot California day & using that very expression in a sentence nonchalantly.

Very well then- I don't know about you, but I feel pretty content when I receive a package that's arrival has been long awaited (aka, refreshing the ups tracking page everyday even though I know the actual day listed of the delivery on that same page... & I still cross my fingers hoping that the mail fairies get my memo on my impatience... anyone else been there?).

Well, I ordered a fancy new MAC palette to hold all of my pressed pigments (if you haven't seen my DIY press your own pigments post, click here), & when I opened the package it was even more beautiful than expected. Needless to say, I'm chuffed as chips!

Oh, & yes I still have tons of pigment left. I still can't wrap my mind around that.

I also decided to celebrate earth day on April 22nd & bring all of my finished MAC products back to the counter ( If you're not familiar with the back to mac program, click here).

Cheers to free MAC lipstick in 'twig' & to an everyday matte color that fills my heart with such joy.

I will never fall out of love with you MAC- & you can assuredly take my word for it.

Cheers!

xoxo

Hannah Ruth

Hair talk: Redken Extreme Shampoo & Conditioner

Today is rather simple. I have a lot of people ask what shampoo/conditioner I use, to which I reply, "Redken."

I've tested & tried many hair products/concoctions. Redken though, they're it. That's all I'll ever use now. Especially since I've dyed my hair since I was thirteen.  That'll do a number on you, trust me.
My routine in specific includes the combination of Redken's extreme shampoo & conditioner + they're anti-snap leave in product. Sometimes I'll also switch off & do the combo of their blonde glam shampoo + all soft conditioner. Either way, they have an endless selection for all hair types.
Here's the catch: the price. I honestly do think you get what you pay for, which is why I'll spend money on a good shampoo & conditioner to extend the vibrancy & health of my hair. My secret is go to ULTA & buy the big bottles. They usually almost always have a buy two & get one free promotion with Redken going, so I'll pick up my leave in anti-snap product when I replenish my supply. That's it! In fact, I believe that promotion is going on this week! Did I mention you also get three bucks off that as well? Thank you ULTA for keeping it real & keeping us saving our money.

Keep it real & make good deals-

xoxo

Hannah Ruth

April Ipsy Glam Bag

I love getting packages in the mail. I couldn't convey enough as to how overjoyed I feel when I hold an envelope or cardboard box addressed to me.
Especially, if it's my monthly Ipsy glam bag!

This month's theme is Beautifully Bohemian & fell in love with the cosmetic bag itself.

My products included the following-

1. Hikari Cosmetics: Blush in tango

This blush in particular is super pigmented and lovely on the cheeks. I am definitely becoming a fan of Hikari & am very happy with this product.

2. Lather: ultra light face lotion

Every time I get skin products now days, I panic. My skin throughout the past few months has decided to become my worst enemy & reject all different types of cleansers/moisturizers other than anything super expensive or cetaphil. However, this lotion worked wonderfully on my skin & I didnt wake up the next morning with a break out! Cheers!

3. theBalm Cosmetics: Nude dude eyeshadow single

I love this brand not only because their name rocks, but also because they come up with the cutest packaging for their products. This eyeshadow is very pigmented & also my favorite color for spring right now- lilac with a little dash of gold.

4. Mica Beauty: Eye Primer

This primer I can't say I was completely impressed with due to how I received it. When I unscrewed the lid the product was cracked in the middle & my heart sank a little bit. However, the product still does its job & worked the same.

5. Mullein & Sparrow: mini lip & cheek tint

I am in love- this balm is too balm & knocked me off my feet. Usually when it comes to lip products, I'm rather picky. This lip tint though, wow. Totally give it 100%, epecially if you're going for a natural lip look.


Overall, I am very happy to say that I give my bag 5 out of 5 hearts this month. The products were nice & I'm happy to have yet received another package in the mail.


Keep it grand-

xoxo
Hannah Ruth

Makeup Monday: Pressing your own Pigments

Happy Monday beauties. It's a great day to blog, well everyday is really. It's sunny today & I'm sitting outside in the grass. Flowers are in bloom, then boom- allergy attack. I love spring, I really do. Just not the allergies. Is it just me that struggles with the love/hate relationship of spring? 

I know I definitely do! 

Over the weekend I decided to get artsy & decided let's add art to makeup- why not right? 

I decided to press pigments. It took a few tries to nail it down, however it wasn't for long that I understood how easy it is to press your own pigments!

To press your own pigments at home, you need the following:

- Pigment (I use MAC)

- 26mm pans

- Stick on magnets

- Rubbing Alcohol (Preferably 90%)

- Small mixing tool

- Piece of fabric or old pillow case 

- Squeeze bottle for rubbing alcohol 

- 1 quarter

Step 1: 

Take pigment of choice and pour carefully into small 26mm pan full.

Step 2: 

Squeeze rubbing alcohol drops into pan until pigment is saturated; mix until there is no more air bubbles.

Step 3: 

Let is set for about a few minutes, and add more pigment. Add a few more drops to pigment & repeat process.

Step 4: 

Let it set for about 30 minutes, then take fabric and place it over pan. Take your quarter and gently press into pan- the rubbing alcohol should seep into the sides around the pan into the fabric.

Step 5:

Let it sit over night, stick a magnet on the back, then place into desired palette & relish in your accomplishment.

I hope you enjoyed this post on pressing pigments- & I do hope you consider doing this yourself! It's fun & also a great way to fix broken eyeshadow as well.

Stay balm-

xoxo

Hannah Ruth

Flashback Friday: Call Me Bubbles & Lady Grey

Have you ever had any products shoved at the back of your drawer suddenly reappear & give you a zillion amounts of inspiration? Well, that is exactly what happened to me recently & rediscovered some oldie MAC collection quads that I have re-fallen in love with. 

My first favorite, the Call Me Bubbles Quad, isn't necessarily a quad shoved at the back of my drawer but a find online. I had bought it in my wee-beginning stages of MAC makeup collecting & thought the orange colors were too harsh & not attractive on me. In exchange, I insisted on the Lady Grey quad pictured below. Ever since then, I have sworn I would never return anything MAC no matter what- because I have lived with regrets of not having this palette within my reach. I know it sounds quite silly, but it's always been one of those regrets.

Low and behold- I found it. Not only did I find it, I found it at a lower price than it even retailed for online. Now, let me just say that I have been on the lookout for this quad for years at a decent price, to which I achieved as well. My heart was overjoyed + my conscience was vindicated greatly. 

The Lady Grey Quad- a quad that used to be filled with regret. However, now I can live better knowing that I have both quads snug in my makeup collection. I believe the one misconception I had when I first played with this palette was lack of experience & understanding of colors/textures.

 I wasn't much of a matte & pastel fan- however now, I'm a fan of all different types of shadows. I'm especially a fan of the color "Hazy Day".

The lack of my understanding at the time goes with the first quad mentioned as well. I think the biggest mistake you make in the beginning of pursuing makeup artistry is fear. This fear, in my dictionary, is not wanting to step outside the box & stay stuck in being afraid of intimidating colors. I know, ouch. I certainly wouldn't stand on the soap box if I didn't believe what I understand now.
Here's the deal I've learned about artistry- it's always changing. There's always lessons to be learned, products to be tested & most importantly your artistry to be grown. There are limits that need to be overcome & investment of time is necessary to truly relish in the learning process.

Now that I look back on these quads, I've seen how much I've evolved in the last four years. I hope this post isn't too deep for you, but at least let me leave you with this:

“I don’t like standard beauty. There is no beauty without strangeness.”- Karl Lagerfeld

"I am inspired by art. I’ve always loved art whether it’s fashion, photography, painting, architecture, or interior design, etc. It moves me in a visceral way. To me, art is the unspoken universal language."- Anastasia Soare, founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills

Love you beauties, happy Flashback Friday!

xoxo

Hannah Ruth