My Wedding Makeup!

Hey Beauties,

Today I wanted to share with you the tutorial that inspired my wedding makeup look, and share the products that I used! But first, a little backround:

I was having such a hard time choosing my wedding makeup look. The main reasons were A) I would be doing it myself, and B) I needed a look that would translate well. I searched hundreds of photos and tutorials looking for looks that fit my personality, the message I wanted to send, and something with in my capability level. As I mentioned in my Wedding Things post about makeup, it can be really tricky to find the right look. Alot of websites and professionals suggest minimal makeup because you "don't want to look like a whole other person", but if you're like me, I wouldn't look myself with bare minimal makeup on. I love playing up my eyes, so I wanted to find a look that was smokey, but not overdone. I wanted it to be bold enough to show up well on camera, but no racoon eyes! About 2 weeks before the wedding, I found this tutorial, and it was perfect:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx8cGodgONs&list=PL302355F434506208&index=23&feature=plpp_video

I did tweak it a little to match up to my personal preferences, and I did add some steps to ensure that the look would last long. Instead of the pink lipgloss that Laura uses here, I did a berry-pink-roseish lipstick. I also used setting spray to hold all of my face makeup, and used a dark brown pencil liner on my lower lashline. The products I used (including face) were:

Cliniques Superbalanced Makeup in Petal
UMA Cosmetics Face Powder in Light
UMA Cosmetics Blush in Romantic Rose
Biju Cosmetics Sun Powder (bronzer)
Rimmel London's Fix and Perfect Foundation Primer
Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl Highlighter
Astor Cosmetics Concealer in Sand
NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Color
Benefit's Eyeshadow in Pink Fancy
MAC Matte Eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown
Benefit's Eyeshdow in Posh Amethyst
Rimmel London's Kohl pencil in Panama
Maybelline's Master Drama Kohl Liner in Ultra Black
ELF Liquid Liner in Black
Maybelline's Falsies Mascara in Black Waterproof
ELF Makeup Setting Spray
Rimmel London's Moisture Renew Lipstick in Vintage Pink

I used an assortment of brushes.

This look photographed beautifully, and was not way too overdone. It also held in place really well throughout the hot/ humid weather, kissing, and dancing. I think you could customize the lips to day or night, etc.

I hope you all enjoyed this look!!
X's and O's,
Amanda

I'm Not Dead!

Hello Lovlies!

I know it's been a long time, a week to be exact. I have really missed blogging! I want to take some time to update you all about the past week.

For those of you who are unaware, I just got married last Friday! I will be doing a "Wedding Re-Cap" post when I gather more pictures together, but I can tell you all that it was a fairytale dream come true, and my husband and I are overwhelmed with happiness and joy. We were showered with so much love and kindness on our special day. As you can imagine, it was hectic! I did alot of baking for our guests that would be at our house throughout the day, as well as baking for the boquet toss! Huh? Okay, I didn't want to throw my bouquet, so I baked cupcakes, and inserted a ring into one. The single ladies dug in, and whoever found the ring is the next to get married! Our friends and family had a blast, and it was a storybook wedding to remember!

A less than flttering photo from the wedding where I am getting flowers out of my dress.
So if getting married wasn't a big enough change, I  also started a job this week! I am just doing some part-time work at our local grocery store as a cashier. I was nervous to start- not because of the job, but because of the language! So far, I understand my co-workers and customers pretty well. It is suprisingly nice to have a place to be during the week. I missed working! Going to work is a double bonus for me because not only am I meeting new people and earning money, but I am learning more and more German everyday!

Recently, I have been so excited about my current life siutation, so I wanted to share.

I haven't been unhappy by any means, but moving to a new country, well, that brings on so many emotions. There have been so many changes in my life in just 7 months. I have had to adjust to being thousands of miles away from any family or friends, had to adjust to living with my husband, adjusting to a brand-new financial situation, being a housewife, getting engaged, learning a new language, getting married, starting a new job, the list goes on. I have defintely experienced ups and downs living here. When I first moved here, it was euphoria- I was finally with Andre physically again, and not for a limited amout of time. But then fear set in. I realized I wasn't on vacation this time- I actually had to learn a new language and become a fully functioning adult in a foreign land. I doubted myself so much; I spent SO much time doubting my abilities to learn to live here. I kept telling myself how bad my German was, or that I couldn't understand. Or that when I started working, I would get fired for sure, because I wouldn't know anything or be fluent enough. Funny thing is, My boss and customers DO understand me for the most part, and I was able to complete my training and understand my job. I have also spent so much time stressing out about the future. Would Andre and I earn enough to move back to the states in 3 years? When could we afford this, that , or the other? What was I going to make of myself? But recently, something clicked; I spent so much time planning on how we could leave here, that I haven't really let myself enjoy living here. Will we move back to the USA? If so, how soon? I can't  say what the future holds. I just know that I am going to continue to live life to the fullest and not dwell on the past or future!

As far as what to make of myself, I feel alot of pressure. I am soon going to be 21, and I have not yet attended college, or decided a "career path", etc. Most of my friends will graduate college soon. But I have been thinking alot, and maybe what "i'm supposed to do" isn't a real career. I truly believe that my purpose in life is to just be happy, maybe I will never have a "career". And that's fine with me, as long as I remain happy.

I will be resuming with my normal posts this week! If you have any requests, leave a comment! :)
X's and O's,
Amanda