Closer and closer I get....

....to becoming a Professional Makeup Artist/Nail Technician! Total career change. I did personal insurance for 7 years (I lost my 20s to that horrible profession) and am ready to switch to a profession that I know I love! <3

Headed on over to meet with my Career Counselor today. I got laid off from my job just about 2 months ago, and in order to get the Education Grant through the WIA Act, there are a LOT of steps to do so. So far I've completed steps 1-2-3, and I'm going to start steps 4-5-6 within the next couple of weeks.

I am very excited to get started. Luckily in RI you only need a license to be a Nail Tech, but not one to be a Makeup Artist. HOWEVER, I plan on going to the Newport Hairdressing School (www.newportschoolofhairdressing.com) and then taking the online Makeup Artist course I found the other day at QC Makeup Academy (www.qcmakeupacademy.com) to obtain the Certified International Makeup Professional (CIMP) designation, and get a portfolio set up.

I am very, very excited about this. I wish I could start now but as they say...patience is a virtue! I really should repeat that to myself more often...

Makeup Hall of Fame: Face Primers!

As everyone knows, I'm a huge makeup fan. Love everything about it, have tons of it and have used tons of different products (both Department store AND Drugstore brands). So I'm going to start giving you guys the best of the best, and the worst of the worst, in my makeup hall of fame (and shame!) listings.

Today the products I'll be talking about are...FACE PRIMERS. Ah yes, primers. When they first started to become popular we all laughed and thought that it sounded more like painting walls than preparing ourselves for the all important foundation application. I've been using primers for years now, and since I have oily skin, I am not a fan of silicone based primers since they tend to make my skin look oilier. So, these are "creamy" primers and they are all wonderful. Depending on your budget, I've compiled a list:

Department Store Primers:

That Gal Brightening Face Primer

Benefit Cosmetics

Price: $29.00

This primer is a creamy, salmon colored primer. It goes on smooth and brightens up your complexion instantly. The twist up tube makes for easy application of the right amount of product. As we all know with primers, less is more and this helps with that fact. It dries on the face very quickly but doesn't dry your face out. It leaves a smooth finish and definitely helps to keep my foundation last longer throughout the day.

Where to purchase: sephora.com, benefitcosmetics.com, ulta.com, select Nordstrom & Macy's locations.

Oil Free Foundation Primer

Laura Mercier

Price: $30.00

This primer has a very "liquid-like" consistency. It goes on wetter than most primers I've tried but it dries up almost instantly. It almost feels like a silicone based primer once it's on your face, but it's definitely mattifying and gives an even look to your skin. The best part about this primer is that there is A LOT of product in it, more than you usually get in a primer - 1.7 oz. It's a little pricy but I never had any problems with it.

Where to purchase: sephora.com, lauramercier.com, select Nordstrom & Macy's locations.

Drugstore Primers:

Sheer Envy Face Primer

Hard Candy

Price: Varies by Location ($6.99-$8.99)

This primer is wonderful and will last you forever. It's got a thick, white creamy consistency and a little goes a LONG way. There is 1.6 oz of product in here and because it is thicker, it will last a long time. I like the way it makes my face feel prior to putting on my foundation, and Hard Candy, unlike lots of other drugstore brands, never tests on animals! 

Where to purchase: hardcandy.com, makeupalley.com, Walmart stores.

Studio Secrets Professional: Magic Perfecting Base

L'Oreal Paris

Price: Varies by location ($9.99 - $14.99)

Ah yes, probably my favorite primer of ALL time. This primer is amazing. It has a pretty pink color to it which instantly brightens you up, and the primer feels like SILK on your face. My ONLY complaint is that it comes in a jar, because I hate having to get the stuff under my nails, and it IS a bit more pricey than most drugstore makeup wearers are used to, but it's worth it - believe me. If you haven't tried this yet, leave this blog and head on over to your local drugstore NOW.

Where to purchase: ulta.com, Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid locations.

HALL OF SHAME - FACE PRIMER:

"Tricks of the Trade" Anti-Shine Primer

Sephora Brand

Price: $18.00

As a makeup guru, I love Sephora. WE ALL LOVE SEPHORA however, sometimes their own line of products are a hit or miss and this my friends, is a definite MISS. I purchased it because it wasn't too pricey and was "anti-shine" - PERFECT right? WRONG. I tried to give this a chance, but I almost felt like I was putting a gritty exfoliator on my skin instead of a nice, smooth face primer. It was watery and gooey at the same time (does that even make sense?) and I was just extremely disappointed with it. Ugh....

Where to purchase: You obviously know where to purchase it, but please take my advice and DON'T.

Top 5 iPhone Apps

I've been using the iPhone since 2008 and the one thing I have learned is what the best apps out there are. I've narrowed it down to five and tried to pick things people don't usually mention, so hopefully this is helpful to you!

Top 5 iPhone Apps, in no particular order:

Starbucks Card Mobile (FREE): I am a Starbucks freak, so walking into a Starbucks without having to bring anything but my phone to pay for my coffee is great, not to mention everyone thinks it's "so cool" when you use it in front of them. Check balance, reload & pay for your drinks with this app! I think all credit cards should adopt this format!

MapQuest (FREE): If you currently pay for a GPS system....I feel bad for you. This app is wonderful, it talks to you in a nice, clear woman's voice to give you directions with ease. At this point, GPS can almost be obsolete because of this App. If you don't have it yet...get it - you won't be sorry!

Accounts - Checkbook ($1.99): What is better than being able to balance your checkbook and savings account, and more accounts if you have them? The app is password protected to the point where if you are interrupted by a text message while working in the app, you gotta put in your password again. This is my lifeline. For real.

Wikipanion (FREE): Wikipedia in your pocket! Who could ask for more? It's so much easier to just whip out this app instead of using Safari or Google search to find a quick birthdate of a celeb or someone's name in that movie you love. If you don't have this on your iPhone, where have you been??

Skee-Ball ($0.99): This app is the ultimate time-killer. Once you get the hang of it you feel like some sort of a skee-ball master. There are in-app purchases so you can add more balls and ramps to purchase with all the tickets you'll win. It's tons of fun, my favorite game on the iPhone...hands down!

BONUS MENTION: eWallet ($9.99): This is a lifesaver. If you have a lot of passwords, can't memorize your credit card numbers or accounts, and have links to "questionable" websites, this app is for you. I know it sounds expensive but believe me, it's worth it. What's great is you can easily sync between your computer, iPhone & iPad (which is what I do). The app is totally secure and password protected!

*Rant* - Old Sitcoms on The Hallmark Channel

Dorothy Zbornak is not amused!

Okay. Here is a HUGE pet peeve of mine: The Hallmark Channel has a tendency to not only cut out funny and/or important lines, or entire SCENES from my two favorite sitcoms "I Love Lucy" & "The Golden Girls", but they speed up their SPEAKING as well!!!

Seriously...most of the time I feel like I'm watching them in fast-forward, all for the SAKE OF THE SPONSORS???

Lucy is SHOCKED!

Okay, I realize that I have both of these shows (the entire series) on DVD...but that isn't the point. I don't understand at what point did the commercials become more important than the show, ESPECIALLY a show that isn't even on the air and 99% of the actors in this shows are now dead (sans Betty White, who is still going strong!).

Seriously...the next time to catch either of these shows on The Hallmark Channel, really pay attention to how their speaking...it's almost like watching the Chipmunks instead!