Sometimes Yaya

First Ever Tutorial!

The Simon Duncan fashion show had me excited to try out my first ever tutorial for you guys. I have to give a huge round of applause for the ladies and gents that do this on a regular basis because it is a painstaking process – do you know how many pictures and editing goes into it?!

The look was a pretty natural face & a smokey, black eye with gold sparkle in it and very light bronze contour with a neutral lip. The first thing I thought of when I saw this look was my Stila 24k smudge pot. I dug around for some more Stila goodies and created a one brand look.

I’m already a fan of Stila as you may know, their shadows & gel liners are ultra longlasting and apply like silk. Plus – who hasn’t had a clickable lipgloss from them? I used them up like candy! Click after the jump to see the good stuff.

To achieve this look, you can use the products mentioned below, and pair them with your shade of foundation/concealer, and eye primer (I usually put some concealer on my lids to prime the eyes if I don’t have primer handy).

Stila Eyeshadow duos in: Punaluu (buy at Amazon) and Salome (sold out on Stila & Sephora – google away!)
Stila 24kt Smudge pot- golden noir (buy at Stila)
Stila Pomegranate Crush lip and cheek stain (buy at Amazon)
Stila Convertible mascara in black (check out my review here). (buy at Amazon).

Before you start reading the tutorial, there is homework: prep and prime on your own. Everyone has different habits and products, so feel free to use your own. Whatever makes your skin the most comfortable and matches the best is optimal!

1. With a wet brush, dip into the black shade of Punaluu and make a mark for what shape you want in the corner of your eye. I like to do this so that both eyes are even. Plus this doesn’t pull on your skin like using tape would.
2. Wet your brush a bit more and use more of the same shade from Punaluu to create a thick line.
3. Blend the line and your marker in the corner of your eye. I like to do this to create a soft background for the look. This helps you create a gradient look without trying too hard at all!
4. Using a liner brush, dip into some of your smudge pot and go over the area you lined in step 2. Do not extend too high as you will have to blend this out (think about how much of your eye you want to cover for this look & apply accordingly).

5. Add a second or third layer of the smudge pot. Since it is a gel, it might start to get really thin when you begin the blending process.
6. Blend until there is no more harsh line, or until you reach the effect you are looking for. This is where you need to see if you want the black to extend higher along your lid or not.
7. Use the darker bronze color from Salome where the smudge pot starts to fade out. This creates a warm bronze-y glow.

8. Use the lighter shade from Salome to apply (very lightly – this is just for a light shimmer) from your the center of your eyelid to the brow.
9. Blend the colors. I added a bit more of the shades from Salome both in the middle and at the top (you can spot some more shimmer on my lid in this step, can’t ya?).
10. Apply mascara to lower and upper lids. (Not pictured: Apply Pomegranate Lip and Cheek stain lightly on lips and either cover with clear gloss or leave as is).

You’re finished!

Here’s how it looks:

What y’all think about this tutorial? Do you want more? Let me know!

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js

Talk It Out Tuesday! Choice of Nails

Happy Tuesday! Happy December as well!

How are your nails doing? The reason I ask is because I tend to use my nails as tools and more often than not, abuse them. I use them to open boxes, cans, plastic packaging, scrub away tough spots, etc. No surprise then that they often break.

I also have to admit that I have been slacking on the vitamin intake and those darn white spots have popped up on my nails. Call it silly, but the reason I hate seeing them is because they show other people my business. Snitches!

But it’s not just me. When I used to work in retail, that whole year of handling clothing, hangers, and tags on a daily basis caused unimaginable havoc on my nails and cuticles. And when I went nutso shopping this past weekend? All the hangers and clothing molestation (you know when you walk through the store just running your hand over all the fabric… lol) had me in the car on the way back filing my nails and muttering to myself like a madwoman.

You know what I hate most about them breaking?

It breaks up the flow. One nail always ruins it for the hand and then I compulsively adjust the length on all the nails.
Sometimes the nail breaks in a different shape and I have to decide between changing the shape or having a tiny nail (because I’d have to file it down to the wanted shape).

Clearly this is a dilemma to rip your hair out and not sleep for days (… not really). But nails are so changeable and so noticeable to me, that I have to find out from you:

What is your nail shape?

Here are some celebrity images I put together of different mani styles, from fake to real, bitten to long, squares to talon-like shapes.

I also found some good tips for y’all to transition into new shapes, or just get the shape that you want (sometimes I get the perfect shape on everything but one nail – drives me crazy!!). I am a rounded square myself, but I would love to try out the style Dita von Teese is sporting (top left corner).

Here are the various shapes of nails:

Talk it out!

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js

Hydroveil Hair Show

The first time that I mentioned Hydroveil, I was posting a review of their hair oil that continues to work wonders for my scalp. I made promises to post images and gossip from the event, and I am coming through!

As you might have read through Twitter, this was an event I was not used to at all. Anyone seen Good Hair or been to the hair show in hotlanta? This show harkened back to their commotion and excitement, but on a smaller scale (I don’t think the original size can be duplicated at all). The air was full of dancers, Hydroveil hair spray, and scissors galore.

Check out all the photos and contest details after the jump!
Remember that all images are clickable for detail.

There were several competitions for the event. They stylists competing had to stick to a ‘go green’ theme. Hairstylists chose to promote being green from eyeshadow to making costumes out of recyclable materials. There was an everyday hair style contest, a performer contest, and an avant-gardeish contest.

Can you guess who this fella is? Send me a twitter reply that goes something like this: “Hey @myownjudge, I know who that stylist is from the @hydroveil show. His name is ______” to win yourself a hair and scalp mist! (must be a follower) First three to respond correctly will win.
peep the heels, even I wasn’t as bold

lovin’ the eyeshadow? I was!

the blurry left image was my attempt to show how dark it was and on the right you can see the stylists and their fans holding up phones for light!

these are some of the avant-garde designs. There were a lot less stylists for this competition

my favorite was the Poison Ivy do

Which hairdos were dos and which were don’ts? Any favorites for you? Let me know!

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js

Deals Galore!

Black Friday has morphed into Cyber Monday – to Cyber Weekend at a pace set only for Olympic runners. Between the holiday get togethers, the food comas to follow, and catching up with cheap shopping, I have slacked on MOJ for the last 60 or so hours. Trust it not to be a trend though!

I have put together the best deals and steals for the weekend so that y’all can take advantage of them! I will keep this up until after the holidays. There will be a link at the top for this post, and I will be adding and removing expired/new codes that I find. E-mail myownjudge@gmail.com if you have deets on something I don’t have!

Alloy
Get 20% off your order (use code AFF20A). ends 12/03/09

Ann Taylor
Save 25% off your order (use code PRESENTS).

Benefit
Check out their list of deals day to day here.

Chickdowntown.com
Get 10% off your order (use code: MYOWNJUDGE).

Curlfriends
Save 30% off your order (use code: LINK30).

DSW
Save $10 off $49 or $20 off $99 (use code: 2XLOVE) ends 12/14/09

E.L.F

FREE 27-pc Mini Makeup Kit with purchase! (use code LOYAL) ends 12/31/09

ESPIRIT
Get 10% off your order (use code ESP12). ends 1/31/10

Foot Petals

Save 20% off your order! (use code FPVIP2009). ends 12/31/09

FragranceX.com
Get 10% off your oreer (use code CJD2009). ends 12/31/09

Fredericks of Hollywood
Save 15% off all orders (use code AXG15OFF). ends 12/31/09

Gap
Saletopia: 40% kids sweaters, 20% adult outerwear, etc.

Juara Skincare
Get 10% off your order (use code DEC09).

Ralph Lauren
Save 25% off your order (use code HOL2009). ends 12/07/09

Sally’s Beauty Supply

Save $5 off your $25 order (with link). ends 12/31/09

Timberland
Save 40% off your order (use code FFDEC09). ends 12/07/09

Ulta
Save $3.50 off any $10 purchase on the site (use code 26403).

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js

Simon Duncan – Beauty

A month ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Simon Duncan Fashion Show. The fabrics and models left me in a fashionable frenzy, as I started to think of my upcoming vacation to Barbados & how many outfits I’d love to bring with me straight from the runway. But that wasn’t it.

As the show came to a close, I got to thank my lucky stars for not having it during Fashion Week. The models walked around in the ready to wear creations and modeled and posed for closeups. Upon close inspection, said closeups showed a smoldering black shadowed eye with subtle but standout gold shimmer. As I took pictures I vowed to go home and attempt to recreate the look. That’s coming tomorrow. Today? Check out the closeups after the jump!

What do you guys think of the looks?

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js

Talk It Out Tuesday! Shopping!

Tuesday is back and I can already hear the loud banging of the holidays at my door. I just sat down yesterday and wrote down a stern list of people I plan to get gifts for.

My gift giving habits in the past have been to write a few names and improvise on the rest. Improvise on the people and the gifts leads to empty wallets. So this year I will try to write down a gift for each person, cross it off, and move on. This is a drastic change to my usual “this would be great for ____” and ending up with five gifts per person.

And darn me for not being a Scrooge and loving all these little kids in my life!

Who are you shopping for this holiday season? And while you’re at it – with Thanksgiving coming up, what are you thankful for?

I’m glad to have my health and all the people in my life that make my life such a joy to wake up to every morning. And of course, for readers like you!

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js

Some sales need more attention

Some sales just need to be announced over a loudspeaker. Remember E.L.F. – our fave cheap but great quality makeup brand? Well they are having a blowout sale of their refill shadows, glosses, & powders along with the compacts. How much of a sale? %75 off! That means the refills that cost $1 are now $.25!

I’m placing my order pronto, and you should too. Just click on the link and use code “EH75CE“. They also have free gift wrap and free shipping after $75. So you can get all your makeup gift shopping done right now.

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js

American Music Awards: Rihanna

Yesterday was the first day in a couple of years that I got to catch the American Music Awards, or any awards show for that matter. When I was younger I would wait for the shows months in advance like it was a holiday coming up and now I barely give it a thought.

But my girl Janet Jackson was said to perform. In between American Football madness, those words could always break me out of any spell. I awaited her opening performance and sang along to each and every song telling anyone willing to listen which song used to be my favorite (there were plenty). Janet didn’t disappoint, but she didn’t wow either. As a matter of fact, that was how the whole show was for me.

So why the post? Y’all already know I don’t like to stand on my soapbox and spew negativity because there are so many good things to discuss. Good and questionable. Like Rihanna‘s new makeup.

Check out the video of her performance & more pictures after the jump.

Miss Riri has started sporting fabulously bright hues lining her bottom lids. This is bright waterliner colors to the max. From fuschia to plum-red, your girl has been lining the lowers & baring her uppers.

While I approve of the winged tip (it elongates the eye so you don’t even need to bother about what magic tricks your lids up top should be creating), I question the color choice. Though she carries the color well enough not to look sleepless or addicted (to anything other than fashion), I find it hard to believe anyone else could.

The color seems too close to the shade your eyes get post-irritation, and with the smudge factor of any girl’s life, this spells disaster for yaya.

On the flipside, I am absolutely in love with the new honey shade she darkened her hair to from the blonde she had before. It works much better with the darker shade around her temples and her skin tone.

And you? What’s your verdict?

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js

Updates

Just some updates for y’all.

I have changed the layout a bit and am working on updating the design and some buttons. I have started to get the feeling that the site is a little too busy on the sidebar and am working to improve on that.

Also gone are the ‘Read more’ large links. These will be replaced with smaller links. To catch older posts in their full length, just click on the post title, or to comment & the post will show up on their own. This will also clear up the gap that was created by posting when reading in Google Reader.

Along with these, there will be a new post/editorial calendar coming up, as well as links for contests and giveaways. I am still behind in the mailing part of my past giveaways, so don’t get mad at me. As a matter of fact – if you have not received what’s due for you, let me know!

As always, I love to hear what you guys are thinking, and if you have an idea to improve My Own Judge, just let me know!

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js

Inglot Freedom Palette

I’ve previously mentioned Inglot and it’s fabulosity. I’ve also taunted you non-New Yorkers about the fact that only we (NY residents) can get these snazzy products in the US. But I have yet to show you the continued vast collection of their products and how amazing their shadows are.

Their Freedom Palette comes in nearly a million variations. You get to choose the size of the palette and if you want small round pans or slightly larger square pans. These can be chosen from the shadows, blushes, bronzers, etc. and can be combined in whatever way you like. Want three on a palette or ten? The world is in your hands. Plus they have hundreds of colors to choose from.

This is how the scene is in the store: You get a little tray and choose the colors you want (they’re on a table and you walk around it like a starving makeup junkie in a makeup buffet palace). Once you combined the colors that you like or want (I swatched my hands enough times to warrant three makeup wipe cleans), you hand over the goods to a salesperson and they go in the back to perform magic. When they come back? They have what you will be referring to as your ‘baby’ for days to come.

I tried really hard not to indulge too much, given that my wallet seems to run thin after every ~~beauty~~
, ~~clothing~~
purchase I come across. I honestly can’t even specify because a lot of things catch my fancy. So what did I do? I convinced myself that the largest palette would save me the most moolah in the end run for the per shadow price, and forced myself to choose colors that I felt were missing from my collection. One can argue that nothing is missing, but that one really wouldn’t know me that well…

The palette comes with a frosted cover so that it’s not completely clear, but definitely transparent. I think the plastic cover for the shadow debris is very elegant and looks great with their brand name all over it. Other plus? The palette has four magnetic dots, one in each corner. The top has matching dots. This lets you swivel your top or take it off. You can even be like me and make it change shapes every five seconds… just because.

The pans are removable, but fit very snug inside the palette. There is very little spillover of debris when you use this, so the palette stays very clean without you turning obsessive. Another plus side: The cover and the palette, though not that thick, are sturdy enough that when I dropped this palette on the floor (I’m a stinkin’ klutz), not a single shadow shattered. There was a surface crack on one of them, but that went away with a sweep of shadow application as well. That was impressive.

The colors are on the back of each pan so if you want to go crazy and collect each color in the set, make sure you make a note of what ya got.

I swatched just as it
appears in the palette, except for the fact that I misjudged the size of my hand (don’t ask) and ran out of space for the light color. That is on the row below. Should make sense though, being how the colors are completely different! Click on the picture to check out the detail of the shimmer and intensity of the swatches. Oh and just in case you were wondering, that’s a single swipe of shadow thankyouverymuch.

The freedom palette of 10 is something like $50 or so. This isn’t so bad when you calculate per shadow. Or so I told myself at the time of purchase…

What y’all thinking about Inglot? Warming up for a NY trip, twiddling your thumbs for their internet launch? Let me know!

tweetmeme_url = ''; http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js