Henna Adventure

It's been a while.

A long while.

Since my last posts, I've run off, gotten married, and have been keeping occupied as a freelance professional pet sitter. But anywhoo, last year I had gotten into using henna for a natural hair color. I missed my bright red Loreal HiColor Highlights in Magenta, so at the beginning of 2014, I reverted back.

About a month ago I rocked dreads (using the twist-knot method) before thinking I wanted to go back to henna. I really wanted to try the henna from Mehandi but it was a tad too expensive than what I wanted to spend (we're on a budget due to buying a house!) so the hunt landed me online at Swanson's where I picked up two 100gm bags of Color by Nature henna in Red.

While this is not PURE henna, I figured I would give it a shot since the price was good, and if anything it would be a deep conditioning treatment if it failed.



The packaging

So the instructions clearly state to mix and use immediately, which is odd since most henna you mix and leave overnight to release the dye. Also, it says it should only be mixed with water, no teas or citric acid like you can with normal henna. So, I decided to follow their directions and let the water boil, and mix



Green goodness!

I had to use almost a cup and a half of water per the 100 gm bag.




I applied it and let it set for about four hours. You can leave it on as little as one hour, but since I love the smell of henna I just go about the house doing housework and rinse it when I so choose to!



So, I will show you the before and after pictures. I tried to take them in the same lighting at around the same time each day (henna takes 24-48 hours to fully oxidize, so the color you have after first washing will change....the epicness of henna!)

Before (HiColor Highlights in Magenta about 5 weeks of grow out)




After rinsing and applying only conditioner:


Outside:


My phone's camera is very odd with how vibrant it shows red...this is a bit more accurate of the color


24-ish hours later



note you won't have roots like I do, the old dye has a pre-lightener in which you don't have to bleach dark hair before hand, so I will have an almost ombré effect once my hair grows out.


Henna isn't exactly for the faint of heart. Being as it's a red plant-based dye, if you have highlights already, it is NOT meant to dye over all your strands for a uniform look--you will still have highlights! If you observe in my pictures, there are some strands that look really orange and some a cherry red. I love that no strands are identical, however if you want your hair all one color, this isn't for you!

Thanks for reading, I plan to become more active with beauty, health, and maybe some tutorials =)

posted from Bloggeroid

RAVE: E.L.F. Eye Shadow Brush

RAVE: E.L.F Makeup Brushes

There's a company I just barely found out about a couple of months ago during my hiatus. The company, called Eyes, Lips, Face (E.L.F.), has some of their line Target; I've seen them in Wal-Marts, as well as (gasp!) my local Burlington Coat Factory.

The first brush I ever bought was from the mineral makeup line: the eye shadow brush.

 It was love at first swipe. This has medium-stiff bristles and has yet to shed with regular cleaning. With the price of $1, it's GREAT for those on a beauty budget!

I love it so much I think I might have to go buy five (or 20) more for replacements in my brush roll up. They do carry a "Studio" Collection, which are a little more expensive (but not by much).

You can check out their site for the brushes they carry.

E.L.F. has not just brushes, but has a makeup line and nail polish line. From a quick glance upon their eyes hadows, they do put in Mineral Oil, Petroleum, as well as parabens, so I'm not interested in the makeup.

I think I'll stick to the companies I know of, and support the indie community of makeup madness.

Have you tried any of E.L.F's products?


You can order off of E.L.F.'s website, and they do offer free shipping right now over $25 with the code SHIP25 which ends MIDNIGHT.

Get your brush on, ladies and gents!

RAVE: Lavilin Deodorant

Greetings! I am back from my hiatus! In the next couple of weeks, I will be giving you an inside scoop of what I have been up to. There will be a rainstorm of pictures and stories from the past few months! Definitely stay tuned and keep looking for more posts by me!
Like me on facebook so you don't miss out on my posts!

Now, back to business.

Alright, so I have to tell you about this product I've found on the shelves at my store. This is distributed by NOW Foods, which is one of the biggest supplement companies most health food stores carry. Some of their line extends into grocery, as well as body care.

Did I Mention My Jewelry Line?.....

I DID! Only that was a few posts ago....


I am slowly adding different types of inventory, based on what mood I'm in and what I decide to make. What I'm working on right now is a more "earthy" line which will have braided hemp cords and wood accent beads, as well as jewelry that is more jewel-toned itself.

Hair Adventures and FOTD

So, I have been a redhead off and on for almost 2 years now. I decided yesterday that it was time for a change and I was going to go dark again. Most people would associate that as going dark brown or black, but of course I have to put my own twist on that so I tried to remember my last venture with brown and burgundy and what I mixed.

I think I came pretty close!

Facebook Page--Incessant Beauty!

I now have a Facebook Page for this blog! I am uploading pictures from FOTDs and my hair adventures and such. It will be under construction for a while since I'll be looking through past posts for pictures and whatnot, but please like it to keep up to date with my latest blog posts and pics!

Incessant Beauty Facebook Page

Thanks!

-Katelyn

Last Night's Venture (Face of the Night!)

So lately I haven't been much into putting on makeup. Yes, I seemed to have let myself go since I came back from Vegas--my makeup muse must have been kidnapped!

Yesterday my friend Tina was having a get together which we used to have every Wednesday night but lately everyone has been so busy, it was put on the back burner. While texting what time she wanted everyone over I asked if she was up for a makeup challenge. Mind you, her and I used to be major Aromaleigh addicts back in the day and would challenge each other with different color schemes or inspiration and show up at the grooming shop the next day with our eye shadow decked out.

So she said she was up for a challenge so I picked blue, orange, and yellow as our colors. I went with an artsy mod style complete with geometric shapes :)

She's ALIVE!!

Yes, yes, I have been M.I.A. for quite a while now.

What have I been up to, you ask?

So about a month ago, I was fighting with oily skin. Usually products work for a while, then my skin turns rogue and becomes oily again.

I had been using BC Spa Facial in this order

Cleansing Gel
Exfoliating Polish

Tonic with AHAs

Moisturizer with SPF 20

(I'm bad, I'm not using eye cream :/)

I remember hearing the gel is better for acne prone skin, oily skin, blah blah blah. But I felt like it more-less dried my skin than help moisturize it.

So within this past month, I had the cleansing LOTION in my bathroom. I was too lazy to get my gel cleanser out of my spa bag, so I just used the lotion.

And that kept happening because I was too lazy.

Then I started using the Tight Firm and Fill Face and Eye cremes and stopped using the SPF Moisturizer (still wore foundation with SPF!)

Then my face started balancing out.

Behind the Blogger: Who am I?

So, I thought I would give a little introductory of who I am, besides the girl who posts random things about her dog, BeautiControl, and swatches. That's not ALL I do! I figured I'd give you a bit of an in-depth insider's peak of: ME :D

Name: Katelyn

Age: 20

Birthday: October 7th

Favorite Color(s): I've loved green since I was a kid, but I'm starting to like yellow now..

Favorite Animal: Wolves, Ravens, and lately my ex-brother-in-law's saltwater Goby cuz it looks like a weird machine when it sucks up the sand and spits it out the sides! xD

Favorite Flower: In art, red poppies. IRL, Dahlias. Give me a Dahlia and I will be your friend for life.

Hobbies: I like making jewelry; I love reading; writing poetry and short stories; I like creative grooming my dog... (=

Favorite Subject in School: High school was English; College right now is Philosophy :D

Religion: As of this point, I am none of the above, more of just learning about every religion out there at the moment and experiencing what people have to say that believe in each.

Movies/Series I Like: My movie taste has changed in the past year, but I like Donnie Darko, Wicker Park, Rio xD, almost anything of Tyler Perry's, American History X, The Dive Bell and the Butterfly, Gia, Girl, Interrupted; Serenity (loved the Firefly series!), of course, Dexter, semi-like True Blood, Californication,

Music I like: I'm way too eclectic now. Remy Zero, TrustCompany, Chevelle, Godsmack, Nine Inch Nails, Nickel Creek, Fiona Apple, Annie Lennox, a friend of mine Alex Serpent in Las Vegas, Apocalyptica, Cello Fourte, Celtic Woman, etc.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?: I first wanted to be a gymnast but then I broke my arm and shortly thereafter stopped going to dance. Then I wanted to be a famous singer until I realized how much crap musicians have to deal with the media frenzy and all. Then I wanted to be a lawyer because I liked to argue a lot.

Where do you want to be in ten years?: Hmm, I'd almost be 31. Let's see. I would have loved to have my degree in Philosophy and possibly Business Admin. Also have a degree with the University of Natural Medicine and be a licensed massage therapist and/or chiropractor with herbalist studies in energy and herbal/aromatherapy healing. I would also be a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner. By then I would like to be married with a possible kid in the works and living in Oregon. :)

Name three things you would want to do before you die: OOOOH See the Northern Lights; visit 39489230 castles in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland; and learn how to write calligraphy (yes I'm weird)!

Tell us something embarrassing that happened to you one time: I was at Hurricane Harbor (water park) and went down I think it was called Viper Drop which was a steep water slide. I got up and noticed a guy STARING at me, and was like uhh what? I looked down and my tank top AND bathing suit top had been pulled down from the water :/ at least it wasn't a big crowd of people!

Have you done anything interesting lately?: Well.... =) I attempted to kneeboard on 4th of July and ended up with more bruises than I could count. I went to a group discussion on Eckhart Tolle and talked about spiritual awareness and the hardships of living in such a fast-paced world. Went to a study session on the Greek God Dionysus. Attended a class on how to make interesting cordials with CANDY =D, and next week will attend a class on Ecstatic Dancing...I have no idea what this will ensue, but I like dance, and since it's freestyle dancing, I'ma shake mah bootay!

What's one of the hardest things you've done in your life?: There's a few on the list, but I think one of the hardest things lately has been to live in the moment and not be quick to anger and holding grudges. It gets everyone nowhere and living in the past or future never gives good consequences because then we tend to regret more often because this or that did or did not happen or WILL happen.

Name a good moment in a part of your life: It would have to be a little over a year ago when I moved to Las Vegas with my then-boyfriend. It was there that I found the truth about what he wanted out of life, but also met two people whom I hold dear to me which are like my long lost sister and brother. They helped me see that I was sabotaging myself, and gave Burlynn and me a place to stay when I had no where else to go. Although being in Vegas was one of the most stressful times, looking back

Pest Control!

So this is going to be two posts in one:
FIRST:

My poor Burlynn has been fighting fleas off and on for about two months. Spraying, bathing, brushing, washing bedding, etc. THEY WON'T LEAVE.

She must taste good -_-

So yesterday, having a day off, I was originally just going to trim up her paws, but as soon as I started her sani-cut, three fleas scattered up her tail. Great.

Grooming Stats:
#7F body
#30 poodle feet and ears
#15 face made into a mustache and goatee
Two pigtails
Frenchbraids on the back part of her topknot and tail

Without further adieu, here's the baby!











And regarding the fleas, I found all in all about 7--after her bath in Original Dawn Dish Soap (A groomer's best-kept secret--DILUTED!) we report all fleas picked off were x_x (dead).

Zack says she looks like a moose. I couldn't stop laughing whenever I looked at her...it's out of love!!

------------

SECOND MINI POST:

Alright ao the most interesting phenomenon happened a few nights ago and I have pictures to prove it--although unfortunately I couldn't get the WHOLE picture...but anyway.

I was getting ready to take a shower and as I was reaching for my towel Zack walks in and says "Oh cool, hey look at the little spiders." ONE: I don't like spiders, although I like Daddy Long Legs--we've had one camping out in our bathroom for over a week now. TWO: I turn around and IN FRONT OF MY FACE are little silk strands with baby spiders crawling up and down them...HOLY &^%(!

To be honest, this was actually pretty cool coming from someone that doesn't like spiders. Had I known what kind of spiders they were, I would've tried keeping them out on our patio. Anyway I killed 'em. I think they came from the vent fan in our bathroom. Zack said usually there's hundreds of babies and only a small percentage makes it out alive. That really didn't help my fear of falling asleep and being eaten alive by spiders that night =/

Here's a couple of pictures. The spiders were SO TINY I'm surprised my camera even got a few in focus!






Interesting huh? =D

BeautiControl Incentive

Hey readers! I just wanted to let you in on a dirty little secret BeautiControl has going on!

From now until July 21st (the day our Celebration starts in Texas!) They are only charging new recruits to buy the SPA NOW case for $99!!!!

This normally goes as $125, which is wholesale, considering buying everything separate would be $300+ so while the $125 is a good deal, $99 is a GREAT DEAL!

Let me know if you may be interested in saving money and earning up to 50% commission, as well as checks in the mail from BeautiControl from people you recruit yourself!

This would be great to help pay off credit card debt, or have a little extra spending money for a family trip, buying kids clothes, even just buying groceries if you're struggling.

The kit can pay for itself after one spa party--usually your sales are between $200-$500, and if you place a $500 order, you pocket $250!!! (or spend it on more product which I seem to do <.<) If you're interested, add me on Facebook:

Photoshoot Yesterday

Yesterday I did a photoshoot. It was supposed to be a dance-fun inspired one, but we ended up on the patio railing shooting because the light from our weirdly overcast day turned out some of the best pictures of the day lol!!

I had been dying to do a shoot since I dyed my hair last week and wanted pics of it before it faded (damn reds!)

These are all unedited, we have yet to mess with the contrast and saturation.

My makeup:

Aromaleigh Rocks! HelterSkelter on brows
BeautiControl Wet/Dry Foundation in N1
BeautiControl Bronzer in Bronzed Beauti
BeautiControl Spectaculash in Black

BeautiControl Lipstick in Shiraz

BeautiControl Mirage eye shadow trio. I used the light yellow from lid to browbone, as seen in the pic with me in the yellow dress--I added the dark grey into my crease in the pictures where I'm wearing black.









It took me an hour and a half to curl my hair...and it had mostly lost its curl by the end of the shoot (these pictures!) LOL

BeautiControl Eye Shadow

As I’m hoping to build my business and clientele with BeautiControl, this is the place I know I can reach out to people whether it’s from linking this on my Facebook to someone Google searching swatches, so these are the eye shadow trios of BeautiControl I have collected so far.
I received some as free gifts from doing some of the incentives with BeautiConrol through recruiting, sales, etc. A couple I have bought for demo/personal use.
Keep in mind, all are swatched using the BeautiControl Shadow Control Crème in Natural as a primer base. This has mica in the ingredients, so there still is a little shimmer. Some prefer to just use this as an eye shadow all by itself. There is also a pink tinted one and brown…kind of like the Indelible shadows that I love!





Here’s a picture with just the primer on—it’s light and natural with a slight shimmer.



THIS IS A PICTURE HEAVY POST

Onto the eyeshadows!!

EvilShades HAUL

Alright, so I had to find a mattifying powder (my Aromaleigh one finally ran out :[ ) so I started hunting one night.
I decided to try EvilShades Matte Silk since I hadn't ordered from Andrea in a while, and saw a few eyeshadows I wanted to try out too! I got the blogger sampler pack and colors I had not tried out yet since she's released new collections.

Here's my haul :)



I think the new packaging for the samples is nice, although it can be a little messy if the product seeps into the little grooves. Plus I prefer baggies because of the ability to have a sample binder :) Other than that, I think they are adorable.

Here are the swatches!!
Since these are so time consuming editing pictures and putting their names on, I only did it to one picture =/
I swatched on bare skin, indelible primer, and Pixie Epoxy

In order from wrist to forearm is
Potion
Incantation
Atomic Blush
Backtalk Blush
Illusive
Nightshade
Heartless Queen












I swatched the blush before I realized it was blush or else those two would have been separate from the other eyeshadows.

I love the blush Atomic, it's hard to tell from the pictures but it has a slight fushia duochrome which makes it gorgeous as not just a blush but even highlight!

I LOVE Incantation. Potion and Incantation are pretty close, although I noticed Incantation seems to have slight blue sparkles, but as you can tell, they are pretty close in color.

I also like Heartless Queen, as that will replace my Aromaleigh Rocks! in HelterSkelter in due time.

Obviously Pixie Epoxy does not do well with mattes, so Illusive and Nightshade don't look to well. I am curious to try them out with just a creme primer though--usually purples are hard to use because they don't seem to stick on my eye, I'm guessing it's just the color itself because I had trouble with some purple Aromaleigh shadows back in the day.

ONTO THE LIPS
In the EvilShades sampler pack, I got to choose two lip colors, so I chose Fearless and Roue.

Fearless is a cute hot pink, leaning closer to magenta. It lasts pretty long too and does not dry my lips.




Roue is every vampires dream. Although my camera doesn't show it well, it is dark deep blood red with high shine.






I left to run some errands and blotted it off to be more as a lip stain and it had pretty nice staying power. And it smells like
cherry =D


I did try the mattifying powder last night and it makes my face feel SO soft--it almost reminds me of the same texture as Meow Cosmetics' Equilibrium Balanceing Powder. It did mattify it, but made my face dry =/ I'll need to experiment because a little definitely goes a long way!

Anyway, enjoy! I have some not necessarily swatches, but makeup "looks" with BeautiControl eyeshadows to give you a look at their colors and vibrancy.