Senior Portraits

No. Not that kind of senior. The high school kind!

Today i went to my BFF Tina's house to do her nieces make up because Tina is taking her senior photo.

The last time I saw Jenny we were taking her to the playground, and now she is almost eighteen years old! It is just so bizarre. She has grown up beautifully (you wish you had dimples as gorgeous as hers!), and it was so fun to watch her have her picture taken.

Tina ironed her hair and picked out a dress for her, and I did her face in really soft neutral shades. She seemed really happy with the results, and there is nothing better than seeing someone feel good about themselves.

Right now they're off at Fort Williams getting some more shots, but as soon as Tina sends me the pictures (with Jenny's permission), I hope to share them with you guys.

Also, if you or anyone you know needs senior photos taken, send me an e-mail! wickedprettyblog@gmail.com. I'm sure Tina and I could put together a nice little package that includes hair, make up, styling, a shoot and digital prints. Or even if you just want me to do your make up, hit me up!

We had a blast today!

xoxo Melissa

Thursday Three - Noella's Picks

On this gloomtastic Thursday I am going to talk about some real pick-me-ups, for these reasons: My girly bits are in knots, my face is broken out and I feel about as pretty as a Chinese Crested (see left). So in the spirit of still putting a little effort in, even when you're not feeling so hot, in hopes of maybe feeling slightly prettier, here are a few of my favorite things.

Stila Wonderful in Waikiki Palette

Nothing brightens up my face/day more than using this handy kit. It has four eyeshadows: Wahine (a nice shimmer cream shade, perfect for highlight), Sarong (a metallic peachy/orange/pink that is quite flattering for my baby blues, thanks Melissa!), Coconut (very versatile brown with just a hint of shimmer), and Surf (a matte, BOLD, bright blue that is perfect over my UD Flipside eyeliner). North Shore, (peachy blush, very nice) and Hanauma Bay (bronzer) finish out this set. Now, I would love these colors regardless, but the $14 price tag for all of this is just too good to pass up! What value! And Stila’s quality is second to none. The formulas are smooth, pigmented and easily blendable. The packaging is cute, to boot. I can’t resist anything with a hula girl on it!

Korres Mango Butter Lipstick in Natural Pink

This is my favorite everyday lipstick. Trust me, I would wear it EVERY day if it hadn’t been so expensive. I’m savoring it! The formula is very moisturizing and lip softening but it has a much nicer, more “mod” finish than just a lip balm or gloss. The natural pink color is very nude on me, which I like for feeling put together but not necessarily looking all made up. The finish is dewy but not shiny, no shimmer, no stickiness. I will definitely add more of these to my collection in the future!

Sonia Kashuk Eye Make Up Remover 

So this isn’t really a “pick-me-up” except that it makes you happy that you aren’t wiping residual mascara on your nice new white face towel. This is seriously the best remover I have found. It is one of the dual layered, “shakey” kind that has to be mixed up, then applied to a cotton pad. It needs a moment to do its job, but if you are patient and gently dab away, your eye make up will be totally gone. It doesn’t sting, it doesn’t feel greasy, (it’s oil free) and you get 4oz for $10. 

Melissa's Thursday Three and Camping Adventures

What do you mean, "it's Sunday?" I know, I know. I am a few days late.

I had to do a bunch or errands after leaving the office on Thursday and fully intended on writing this after, but I was running super behind and by the time I got home I had to rush to get ready to go see my brother-in-law's band, Powers, play their last show ever. Originally I planned to leave after their set, but you know how it is. You have one drink, and that leads to two, then three, and before you know if you're wobbling home at one-thirty in the morning sending obnoxious texts to everyone you know.

I had to get up early on Friday and run around like a headless chicken all morning before heading off into the woods of Hartford, Maine for a few days. Let me tell you, it was COLD. Cold doesn't even begin to describe it. I am a fairly tough chick, but i do not do cold. I had to get up at midnight to pee last night, and the thought of leaving the sleeping bag and blankets made me burst into hysterical tears. I fumbled around in the dark to find my phone, wandered until I found some bars and promptly sent a text to Thomas, who was home in our warm bed with our cuddly kittens.

Despite the frigid temps, I had a splendid weekend of no work, no computers, no phone calls, and no bullshit! I got to spend three days with some of my favorite women. It was a weekend full of good food, good laughs, and good medicine.

So... that is why I am doing this so late! On the bright side, this means you will get two Thursday Threes this week! One from me today, and one from Noella on Thursday!

Keeping in the spirit of things, my Thursday Three will be Three Things to Take Into the Woods...

1. Dr. Bronner's
Dr. B's comes in a variety of scents, but you have got to stay old school and stick with that minty-fresh tingle we all know and love. This is the perfect soap for camping because you can use it in the lake or in a solar shower without worrying about contaminating Mama Earth with a bunch of nasty chemicals. You can also use Dr. Bronner's to wash your dishes and your clothes! Take a minute to check out their web page or look up Emanuel Bronner on Wikipedia. If you have Netflix, put Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox in your queue. Dr. B was a wildly interesting fellow.

2. Sunblock
Just because it is negative one-hundred degrees doesn't mean the sun isn't out to get you. Protect your skin! Personally I am a fan of the Alba Botanica Green Tea Natural Sunblock. Don't forget to reapply your sun protection throughout the day, especially if you are going to be in water or you are camping somewhere with a lot of open, sunny spaces. Not only can you prevent an ugly, ouchy burn, you will prevent unwanted wrinkles and protect your skin against harmful, cancer causing rays. Remember your sensitive lips! Alba also makes some awesome lip balms with an SPF of 25!

3. Hair Accessories
You can never have too many barrettes, bandanas, hair ties or headbands out in the woods. Not only will you want to get the hair off of your face and neck when you are working up a sweat on a hike or hunting for firewood, but a cute hair barrette or some braids are the perfect way to feel pretty whether you are renting a cabin or roughing it. If you can't shower for a few days, a headband will hide your greasy bangs and a pony tail will keep the oils from getting all over your face. Invest in a good shower caddy, like the EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone Hanging Valet or an L.L. Bean Personal Organizer. This is a great way to carry all of your essentials, and maybe even sneak in a few girly things, without taking up a half of your tent.

xoxo Melissa

What's in My TSA Approved, Quart Sized Ziploc

Traveling is stressful enough without the threat of a surly TSA agent tapping your inner thigh and then confiscating your make up bag. Avoid the muss and fuss by having your shoes already off and your adorable clear zip up neatly packed with the following travel friendly essentials at the ready.

-Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheer SPF30. This oil free formula gives light coverage and great SPF- perfect for laid back, yet radiant vacation skin.

-Mini Coppertone Sport SPF 50. DO NOT skimp on sun protection, especially on vacation! I know you want a tan! But you can’t have one! You’ll get wrinkles on not only your face but your chest, neck, knees etc. 

-MAC Select Moisture Cover. This concealer is ever so portable and easy to pat on any blemishes or under eye circles when you want to look all foxy-mama for a night out.

-Clinique Naturally Glossy. This mascara rules so hard it actually stays put in the water if used sparingly. You know how much I love this. Go buy it. Build it up for sexy times or leave your lashes fresh and pretty for every day. Just don’t rub, as it is not *technically* waterproof.

-Benefit Creaseless Cream in Birthday Suit. Find the Creaseless Cream in the best shade for your skin and buy it and never look back! If Benefit’s shades don’t suit you in that easy-breezy, every day neutral way, try Make Up Forever Aqua Creams which are equally as awesome and come in a wider range of colors. The creamy formula won't budge if you sweat or swim and you can rock nice, glowing lids and bright eyes even whilst traipsing around a new city or whatever mischief you're up to on vacation. 

-Aveda Conditioner. Whichever one you fancy. They come in the most convenient wee bottles and really keep your hair looking fancy even with weird hotel water. I usually take a chance on hotel shampoo and just bring my nice conditioner to save space.

-Aveda Brilliant Damage Control Spray. The only hair product I travel with. Detangles, protects, de-frizzifies, smells delovely. Done.

-Philosophy Purity Made Simple. This cleanser is perfect for travel because it removes make up so effectively in addition to cleansing your face to a nice, comfortable, moisture balanced glow. And it you can buy it in mini size.

-Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap. The only shower gel for this ex-hippie. Once you get this Dr's prescription, nothing else compares!

-Contact Lens Solution. You’ll save a lot of room if you don’t rely on this like my blind ass blind eyes do!

This next part takes some tiny jar hoarding throughout the weeks leading up to your trip, (get free samples from Origins, Sephora, MAC, Clinique, then save the jars!) resulting in the freedom to bring ten scrillion skin care products in your carry on! All for the price of **FREE**

Tiny Jar of Clinique Moisture Surge

Tiny Jar of Bare Minerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer

Tiny Jar of Origins Out of Trouble Mask

Tiny Jar of Origins Modern Friction Scrub

Tiny Jar of Origins Ginzing Eye Cream

With these miniature essentials your suitcase will boast an array of gels and liquids without unnecessary bulk! And wherever you're headed, you'll be looking wicked pretty!

--Noella

Color Wheel for Green/Hazel Eyes

Final installment of the color wheel series, featuring Roberta's Cinderella-esque good looks and lovely hazel eyes. Melissa uses three simple steps to create this wearable purple look!
Products used:
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Kat Von D True Romance palettes in Ludwig and True Love

Thursday Three - Noella's Picks

Hi WPs (stands for Wicked Pretties), Happy Labor Day Weekend! 

This week I’m going to get a little biased and go all AVON on your asses. Yes, I know it was just a matter of time since I signed up to sell, but I am now for real crazy about AVON’s offerings. I treated myself to some “research related” purchases with my first order and wanted to say a little bit about my favorites from the bunch.

Nailwear Pro Polish in Vintage Boutique

Not only is the muted grayish brown color quite chic right now, but the formula also happens to rock. It applied evenly and smoothly, dried quick and hasn’t chipped (yet). A nice, opaque finish after three coats. An added bonus which has recently become trendy in upscale nail companies is “Three Free” meaning that this polish is non-toxic, (made without three known harmful ingredients, Formaldehyde, Toulene and DBP). Also paraben free, this polish is on par with designer ones that cost literally five times as much!

Super Extend Mascara

I’ve never been one for the new-fangled, nubby, uniform, rubbery mascara wands, but I wanted to give this a chance. Whaddya know-- It’s great! I’m left clump-free, rocking demure, featherlike lashes. And no smudges even though I sweat like a sow in heat, (*pause* for mental image of Noella wallowing, panting in the sun-baked mud, very much as a sow would). I’m very stubborn about new mascaras and I don’t like to waver from my two Clinique favorites. I like this one though, and I will delight in using it as an every day staple.

Super Shock Liquid Lip Shine in Melon

So, besides this lip gloss’s supreme shine and lovely scent, I could basically kill a man with the packaging. So that’s an added safety feature. I’m not kidding around here, it’s literally the size of an Oscar Mayer Wiener (My baloney has a first name…). So part billy club, part cosmetic, hmmm are we onto something here, Avon? Maybe next it will be a switchblade eyeliner? Kidding aside (It's HUGE), this is a highly pigmented, shiny, un-sticky gloss. The wand is honestly so massive I could easily paint the house (2 coats) and that makes it a little clumsy to apply. I'll live though-- I still really recommend it.




Avon's products so far seem to be the poster children of affordable quality. Though the packaging isn't as sleek or sexy as some of my favorite brands and I am still an Avon beginner, I look forward to trying more bits and letting you all know what's what! 
Want some Avon delights of your own? http://www.youravon.com/noelladelaney has all the products I've mentioned and waaay more!


-Noella

The Color Wheel for Brown Eyes

Second installment of the wicked pretty color wheel looks Melissa masterminded! Thank you to gorgeous Jessica for being our guinea pig. This looks works with Jessica's brown eyes to create maximum *pop* and flattery. Products used:
MAC Naked Lunch
Urban Decay Vegan Palette- Smog/Twice Baked
Kat Von D Ludwig Palette - Leather
Benefit Bad Gal Brown

(Noella Note: iMovie can be really beastly sometimes and so on it's behalf I want to apologize for the abrupt ending of this video. It's sorry it's so hard to use and I'm sorry I don't know how to use it :o)