The pretender strikes again!
GreenLightGirl asked me to do a quick full-face makeup tutorial, and since I had so much fun doing the last one, I had to comply. Now, as stated before… and probably also stated in the video, I’m not a makeup artist. I do this because it’s fun, and because people have asked me for tutorials. I should warn you that I ramble and blunder a lot in this video, because I’m only professional in short bursts.
Pretender, remember? 😉
And as stated by a commenter on the last makeup tutorial: makeup can do ALOT!
Products used: Boots No.7 foundation in Nude (Target, $14.99); Cover Girl loose powder in Translucent Fair (no idea); Cover Girl Cheekers blush in Plumberry Glow (Target); Maybelline Expert Wear Quads in Designer Chocolates (Target, $4.94); Maybelline Volum’ Express in Very Black (Target, $5.94)
One thing I forgot to mention: I had just washed and exfoliated my face, so you might have noticed that the makeup routine didn’t fully cover up the redness of my blemishes, but rest assured: the redness goes away on its own once my skin calms down from being scrubbed… and ends up like this:
Yes. I do like making faces. Why do you ask? 😉
Details: Cardigan ($4), thrifted; Shirt ($7.97) and boots (unknown), Target; Jeans ($12), Walmart; Earrings ($4), Icing; Belt and ring, inherited.
Approximate outfit cost: $27.97 (+ $10 or so for the shoes)
Excuse the wonky pose. I don’t really know how to pose in jeans yet. And I’m really only wearing them today because I have to.
I was very excited when I bought these, because they’re a size ten. Which is a size smaller than I thought I’d wear. Don’t tell me that Walmart does vanity sizing, which I’m sure they probably do. I want to live in my happy bubble and think of myself as being a size above my “target” size of jeans (which has always been a size eight, for some reason.)
You know, I’ve always thought it was odd how touchy fashion bloggers get about their weight or sizes. I was reading through a FAQ of one of my favorite fashion bloggers, and as she sells clothes, someone had asked how much she weighed. Her first response was “none of your dang business!” and then she gave in and revealed her weight for the purpose of measurements. Because she seemed to reticent to say how much she weighed, I was very surprised that she– as a woman who is taller than me– only weighed 135lbs. Not that she looks like she weighs more, but I expected her to say more since she seemed to be so touchy about it.
And I’m just always surprised that so many women feel they have to hide how they weigh when they’re tall and beautiful and their thighs don’t touch in the middle. Because… it shouldn’t be an issue. We can all see that they’re not fat, they’re not unhealthy, etc.
I don’t have any problem telling you all that I weigh 150 pounds, nor with showing you that I have very blemished skin, or that I’m a total dork and I’m okay with it.
I wanted to say a whole lot more on this, but I have to run. So I guess I’ll just end it with this: don’t be so worried about your size; you are beautiful for you. Don’t ever forget that.
26 Comments
Booksphotographsandartwork
I used to weigh 95 pounds forever. Now I weigh about 140 give or take depending on the day. So I went from underweight to overweight 🙁 I say over because it’s such a drastic difference it’s all in the middle and my face. If it would spread out I would be fine. Ok more fine.
Love the outfit. And the way you split the pic. Very creative.
Mara
Haha, I know what you mean about wanting it to spread out! My extra weight always goes to my hips, and I’ve always wished it would even out on my top half. But oh well. 🙂 So long as I’m healthy, I’m okay with being a weight that most people probably would hear and consider “plus size.” Mostly because I know I’m not a plus size person, and that a lot of my weight is muscle mass.
Thank you. 🙂
Willow Finishing Course
That was, for some reason, mesmerizing. Why are makeup tutorials so fascinating?
Mara
I’m glad you found it fascinating. I have no idea! Perhaps it’s the transformation process?
Chiquita Banana
Just curious, who take all these pics of you? Do you have a self timer camera? I really like your blog!
Mara
Yes, I use a self timer and prop the camera on whatever surface I can find that’s about 7 feet away and is about waist-high. 🙂 Thank you!
The Creative Student
It’s always awesome when you find make-up (or anything else really) at a really cheap place. The best lip gloss I’ve ever tried was one I found for 105yen in Japan, in 2006. 105 yen is aproximately $1, so it is really surprising that this lip gloss is better than my $60 one. It makes me sad that I can’t get any more of it. I’m a poor university student, so I can’t often spend much on things I don’t really need.
Mara
It definitely is! I’ve learned not to judge a product by its price, because so far I haven’t ever found that “more expensive” means “better quality.”
That is really sad! Maybe you’ll find a good replacement someday.
My BlogJect
Congratulations! You have received the Versatile blogger award. To claim your award. Please see this post.
http://myblogject.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/80-woop-woop-my-first-blogging-award/
Mara
Ooh, thank you!
wittybizgal
Cute jeans! Are those jeans the White Stag or Faded Glory brand from WalMart by any chance? I’ve found that these brands fit very well on me. I don’t think it’s so much “vanity sizing” there as it is recognizing that women are shaped like women-not little boys. Overall, I have found that the quality of WalMart clothing has improved by leaps and bounds over the last 10 years. I can go there and put together a great outfit for practically nothing. Before that time, Target was definitely my one stop shopping place for affordable clothes. But, I’ve noticed their quality has declined at about the same rate WalMart’s has risen. That’s not to say that I can’t still get great stuff at Target, especially accessories!
Mara
Yeah, they’re Faded Glory brand. Thank you!
I agree about the quality of Target– they have cute stuff, but it’s just not as good as it used to be. I bought a cardigan there a few weeks ago and it’s already got a hole in the seam, which is disappointing. It’s one of my favorite cardigans.
wittybizgal
Exactly…not that their clothes aren’t cute, but they just seem to have chosen the wrong suppliers lately and they are more cheaply made. Luckily, WalMart stepped in and filled the gap for us. I have clothes that I’ve bought there a couple of years ago and have washed to death and they still look good. Congrats on your new job, BTW! You’ll have to do a video blog on how to make the perfect cup of coffee now. 🙂
Mara
Yes, exactly. Hopefully they’ll start getting good quality clothes again, because I don’t want to be buying stuff that’s going to fall apart after a wash and a few wears.
Thank you! I will have to do that. Hehe.
Mia
Hi Mara.. It’s me again.
Nice make-up tutorial. I’m not a fan of foundation, either. It’s just too heavy to my liking. I use tinted SPF for daily use. It really do a great job on my skin (nice coverage and great oil control). When I need more coverage, I’ll use BB.
Btw that jeans made you look slimmer. For me, this is your best look so far. I love it 😀
You’ve proven that women don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money to look good.
Repeating an unanswered question above, who take all of your amazing photos? *high curiosity*
Mara
Hello Mia! 🙂
Thank you. It’s so funny, I am much more comfortable wearing a dress– and I personally think it’s more flattering on my figure– but so far quite a few people have really loved me in jeans better.
I take my own photos– my camera has a self-timer, and I set it on a waist-high surface that’s about seven feet away from where I’m going to be standing… and hope for the best. 🙂
nancyfrancis
I’m surprised you’re a size 10! You look to be an 8 for sure in your photos. I’m a 12 (I blame the large Gluteal muscle genes that I have) and look twice your size!
I suck suck suck at smokey eyes, do you know any tricks?
Mara
Well, thank you! I have a bubble butt, and pretty curvy thighs, so I do fill out bigger sizes than you might think. But I tend to carry my weight pretty well, and I’m taller than average (well… according to the internet I’m taller than average.).
I do know some tricks! Someone else has asked me to do a more dramatic eye, so I will be doing a smokey eye tutorial soon.
Ariana P.
Oh make up make up. such an art. I personally haven’t used foundation since I was 15 years old but I ve always considered it the ultimate challenge not only to apply but to find THE one that won’t look like a mask or some sort of alien second skin. (exaggerating but you know what I mean 🙂
Thank you for your lovely comment no my blog darling !
xx
http://www.55-th-street.com
wittybizgal
Ariana: I’ve been wearing Bare Minerals for about 8 years now and it really does blend so well….not like that alien second skin at all. If you choose the right color, and apply it correctly, it really is like air brushing and looks like your own skin. I’m not trying to sound like their infomercials, but I’ve found that it lives up to the hype. I’m guessing I’m WAY older than Mara and probably a lot of the other people reading and commenting, but I think it works well on all ages–ends up being cheaper than even the drugstore brands too because you use so little that it lasts forever!
greenlightgirl
Mara,
Thank you so much for your full face tutorial. I’ve been pretty consistent about making sure I put on my sun screen/facial cream before I leave my home. Most recently I’ve been adding foundation and make-up to my morning routine. How wonderful to know I can simply skip a step by putting my moisturizer in my foundation! What a nice time saving tip. A peanut butter and chocolate moment! After trying out your suggested combo today, I really love the lighter, much more day time look.
Another of your commenters suggested a darker, smokey eye tutorial. I’ll second that. When you get time, all after all you are not only a busy economical fashion blogger/writer/pseudo make-up artist, but a newly minted barista too! Congrats again!
Green Light Girl
http://greenlightgirl.wordpress.com/2011/06/05/me-a-fashion-maven-ha/
Mara
You’re welcome! It was fun, even though I had no idea what to say. 😀 Hehe. I’m glad you liked the way it worked for you! I tend to moisturize and then put on tinted moisturizer, but that’s just because I have really dry skin. So for someone with less picky skin, it’s definitely a great way to save time, by just putting the foundation in your moisturizer.
I am definitely going to do a more dramatic eye makeup tutorial– I’d like to do three in one, so that you can see the different looks depending on which eye makeup colors you use.
Demy
Hi, Maraaa! 😀 Sorry for the absence, but FINALLY my exams are over! YAYAYAYYA! Summeeeer! Yeah, whatever, you didn’t have to read this, you know 😛 What a freaking awesome tutorial! It’s such a simple makeup, but it totally makes you look even more pretty than you already are! Again, I really really loved the way the rosy shade make your eyes look. It’s incredible! I’m certainly gonna try the whole thing, since I’m not exactly experienced in makeup and I’m open to suggestions! That said, I agree with the people above that asked for a smokey eyes tutorial. I could find many tutorials on YouTube, I’m sure, but your tutorials are just so perfect and you are really..real! You know what I mean? You don’t use expensive products (which is a pros since most girls -me included- don’t have the money to spend on makeup stuff), you explain what you do really well (which I really like to, because otherwise I’d look like a clown :P) and you say funny things (you don’t need an explanation here!). Btw, I like your hair, it looks amazing!
And onto the outfit, WOOOOWWWW!!! Jeans meet amazing Mara again! Respect! 😀 They look perfect on you. I don’t really think that Walmart does a vanity sizing. It’s just you. You have a beautiful body and actually…150 pounds?? Seriously? That would be a Europian 68, which is what most girls weigh (at least in Greece!). What’s wrong with girls over there? You’ve got hips, you’ve got curves and they’re AMAZING! End of discussion!!! 😛 I don’t understand the logic of some girls, who are obsessed with their weight. For heaven’s sake, do they even know that there are people who die because of lack of food?? Ahhh, our world is reeeeeaaally messed up.
Whatever, did I say I love your earrings? Because I do! You are awesome!
Excuse the long comment, BUT I’ve been absent for three days, which is too long for me, AND I haven’t spoken in English for these three days and I missed this awesome language 😛
Mara
Yay, I’m glad your exams are over! I bet you feel so relieved and free!
I will definitely be doing a smokey eye tutorial! It will be fun. 😀
I know what you mean. I think it’s just that I’m not so concerned with being “perfect” or even really that professional, since you all know that I’m not a makeup artist… and I feel like it’s more fun to be taught when the person teaching is speaking to you like you’re a friend and not a student. 😀
Haha! I hope not. 😀 I *sort* of understand the obsession with weight just because of the media and social expectations, but for me… it’s not that important to be skinny, and having brothers I know a little better how guys think and that most guys like girls with curves. I mostly just want any girl to know that she’s beautiful for who she is and not what she weighs– I know girls on both ends of the spectrum, who are either incredibly skinny or more curvaceous than they want to be, and both ends are insecure about it. Funny how it works both ways!
You didn’t. Thank you!
I like the long comment. 😀
Oni
Nice look with the make-up! Good point about the mascara, never really thought about that. Anyway, don’t get hung-up on not having the brushes. A lot of makeup artists use their hands too because they feel they have more control. I think your tutorial was marvelous.
Mara
Thank you!
I won’t. 😀 I just use what works for me. 😀