Color Elation Destination: Austin, Texas!

Welcome To The Color Elated!

     So sorry for the blogging delay.  The school year is over, report cards complete, the tears and "good byes" over as I see another grade to its next level, and as you can probably tell by the title of this post, I have been traveling.  My husband's family reunion was held in Austin, Texas.  Where I have traveled to other cities in Texas, I had never visited Austin.  Color Elation follows me everywhere.  I wanted to share my experiences and my inspired look with you.
    Austin is known as "The Live Music Capitol of the World".  No surprise here.  Walk up and down Sixth Street at night and you see a proliferation of taverns and eating spots with live bands and fun entertainment. A long time lover of Old School, I found myself moving to the beat of country and blues.   Sadly, I could not experience the more famous music festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, but I did not feel cheated.  Because it is a college town, the pulse of the city is young and vibrant.  A poplar motto is "Keep Austin Weird".  I am sure there is a detailed story here, but I see it as a testament to and a celebration of difference and individuality.  There are no words to describe my love of barbeque at Ironworks...nuf said!

      One of my favorite times was walking the city at night.  Just know, my biological clock is on Pacific Time.  So walking at 11 p.m. or midnight caused no pain for me.  The state capital is just stunning at night.

   
     Another favorite time was exploring the Inner Space Caverns (innerspacecavern.com).  It was breathtaking and amazing.  Our tour was a little over an hour.  But they have a variety of tours to take.  This tour took us directly under Hwy.35 and were discovered in the early 1960's.  The tour guides create a memorable experience.

     
     Now, on to the makeup!  The look I wanted to create centered around earthy, rustic tones quite reminiscent of the west.  I wanted varied browns, ranging from sparking cream to dark, dirt brown.  Texas is bold, trail blazing, and proudly individualistic.  I wanted the look to mirror this so I topped it off with a red lip like no other.

       The products used starting at the top left:  Sleek Makeup Blush in Sahara, Red Cherry Lashes #43, Wet 'n' Wild Coloricon Palette in /the Naked Truth, NYX The Natural Shadow Palette, Mn Waterproof Brow Pencil in Dark Coffee (colorelation.com), Rimmel London ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Pencil in Nude, Profusion 3 Color Blush #4 and Color Elation Shadow Singles in Scarlet and Henna (colorelation.com).  Finally Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Matte in Black Dahlia.
     Color Elation Henna and the "crease" color of the Wet 'n' Wild palette were used to warm the crease.  The second shade in the NYX palette is a gorgeous shimmery cream and was applied in the inner corners and around the tear duct.  The third shade in the same palette is a rosy pottery shade, applied to the remainder of the mobile lid.  Using that same palette and a precision crease brush, I took the dark brown to define the crease.  Color Elation Scarlet added a rosy blush above the crease to compliment the lip color.  Brows were defined (View my previous blog post, The Art of the Well Groomed Brow to see my entire brow routine.) with the Mn pencil and the nude pencil rims the lower waterline to enlarge my eyes.  Kleancolor Pixie Jar provides intensely dark liquid lining for the perfect cat eye.  The top separates to reveal black eye pencil (colorelation.com).  Mascara and full lashes complete the eye look.  Since the lip color was so strong, I mixed two blushes to get earthy and rosy combined.  Sahara and the middle shade in the 3 Color Palette worked well.  Lastly, I lined my lips with MAC Nightmoth Pencil and richly filled them in with the dramatic Lip Tar.  
     

    Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share my memories of Austin and the resulting inspired look.  I love the way the colors blended and had a great time creating it.  I hope you enjoyed this post.  And I hope you will take time to join my blog as I love to get color elated and share that elation with you!  Stay blessed everyone and stay Color Elated!

                                                                                                   -Tamera
      

   

Influenster Review: Freeman Spa Professional Collection Exfoliating Polish

Welcome my Color Elated Friends!

     It has been a while since I have done a product review and it seems even longer since completing one for Influenster.  They recently sent me a questionnaire, and upon completion I soon learned I would be sent a coupon for a product of my choice in Freeman Beauty's Spa Professional Collection.  What I adore about doing these reviews is that my honest opinion is valued. I would never dream of giving my followers anything but my honest truth.
     I remember Freeman products "back in the day".  I loved their facial masks that came in a variety of fun formulas for moisturizing, exfoliating, oil absorption, etc.  The two newest additions to their line fall under the Spa Professional Collection:  Spa Professional Moisturizing Massage Cream and the one I chose, the Spa Professional Exfoliating Polish (both $5.99 on freemanbeauty.com.)  These product choices could not have come at a better time since summer is essentially, perhaps not officially, here.  And baring arms, legs, shoulders, etc. will be the norm over the next few months.
    

What's In It?
     The tube contains 5.3 oz/ 150 mL of product.  The key ingredients are sea salt, apricot oil, and mica.  The sea salt provides  gentle exfoliation to reduce roughness.  Apricot oil nourishes and smooths.  It also contains a Triple-Botanical ReCapture Complex to eliminate toxins, restore nutrients and invigorate skin. Mica is added to add shimmer and enhance skin's radiance.

How Do I Use It?
     Per manufacturer's directions, you should message onto damp skin with fingertips.  Use twice a week.

So...What Did You Think?
   I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the product.  The product consistency is good.  Smooth with the right amount of grit. It left my skin feeling soft and it rinsed away quite well. I admit, I really did not believe the claims that it would leave my skin luminous.  After all, I am applying this to wet skin that will be rinsed, and soon after dried with a towel so any mica applied would have to be down the drain or on my now glittery bath towel, right?  No!  After drying, I immediately checked my skin in the sunlight that pours into my bathroom and was delighted to see pretty golden flecks on my skin.  I adore shimmer on the skin as it not only looks lovely in sunlight, but it brightens and heightens my skin color overall.  The icing on this cake is the product is nicely priced.  I received my tube from Wal Mart and it retailed for $4.59.  Again, it is $5.99 on the website and you can enjoy free shipping on orders over $25.00 (U.S. only).

     Overall, I highly recommend the product and would consider it a summer essential.  For the spaghetti straps I plan to wear, I want skin that is polished and smooth.  Where I think Wal Mart is fantastic and less expensive, I would also suggest you visit the Freeman website and have fun shopping their  fun products for face and body.  If you get a chance, please comment and send a pic of your favorite product from their line, especially from the Spa Collection. I will soon mention this on my You Tube Channel, Color Elated, so please stop by to rate, comment, and subscribe.  Become part of the Influenster community.  Visit influenster.com to sign up.You too could review products that interest you.   Thanks for stopping by!  Stay blessed and color elated!