hello evo ♥

LMAO, I look so cock-eyed in the second pic. But I still think I'm pretty tight :)

my first giveaway!

John from Misikko.com has granted me with the opportunity of hosting my VERY FIRST GIVEAWAY! *hand claps* Yaaaay I'm excited!!

The giveaway will consist of the two products that were sent to me to review:

Hana Shine Shield & CHI Silk Infusion

REVIEW: http://toodangpretty.blogspot.com/2010/09/review-misikkocom-products.html

Rules:

1. Follow Misikko on Twitter (@misikko)

2. Blog about the giveaway on a personal website.

3. Join Misikko’s newsletter (www.misikko.com/newsletter-signup.html)

4. “Like” Misikko on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MisikkoBeauty)

5. Interact with Misikko’s Facebook – Comment on a post or picture, or write on our wall (www.facebook.com/MisikkoBeauty)

*NOTE* For the 5th extra entry option, please DO NOT just write “extra entry for ___ blog’s giveaway” or “XYZ Blog sent me!” Misikko's Facebook is one place where their customers can access their beauty experts directly. You may ask questions about products or hair care, or comment on a recent trend or style – anything relevant to beauty! It’s not a mandatory entry, so like your mother always said, if they don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all! - Yes, all of that was in the words of John haha.

I'll be choosing the winner via Random.org!

Open to US and Canada residents only! Giveaway winners are limited one product per household per calendar year. Ends January 7th!

sale

I would like to get started on pricing & photographing some items tonight for a blog sale. I have so much stuff that I just really really need to get rid of.

Problem is, I'm blog sale/PayPal retarded (no offense). If you've successfully hosted a blog sale before, please comment and help a sista out lol.

I've been told that all you need are some boxes from the post office. But what about S&H, especially for international sales? I'm probably making this way too difficult, but hey that's me.

Thank you, lovelies xoxo

* Don't forget, I also have a BB Curve 8530/Palm Pre for sale as well!

i'm obsessed.

♥

Charlotte Russe, I love you.

Cheetah print boots & a faux leather studded blazer. I can't wait to do two OOTDs/OOTNs with these babies!

* Sorry for the crap pictures, I'm still practicing lol.

i couldn't resist.

Laugh. You know you want to.

lol, look what i found.

Raeven @ 17, New Year's Eve 2009.

I was going through an old phone of mine (one that I'm trying to sell) and found like 2857689 pictures of me. I used to be such a camera whore, now I barely pull out my phone, Canon, or webcam. You can probably guess that I have no idea of what I'm wearing as far as makeup goes, but I remember the steps being very simple. Basically use a dark grey/black base on your lid only, add a midnight blue to your lid only, sweep a light and dark brown color in your crease for blending, and add a vanilla colored highlight. Top off the look with some shimmer in the inner corners and a light pink lipgloss. I swear I was ALL for colorful eyeshadow and smokey eyes last year. What happened? It's crazy how you can go through pictures of yourself and see all the things that used to amuse you.

xoxo

happy birthday, TDP!

[image courtesy of Google.com]

♥♥♥
OMG - I'm so late on this blog post :( TDP (Too Dang Pretty) actually turned a year old on the 21st. I'm such a crappy blogger, I can't even type a birthday blog post on time. *SMH* Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for EVERYTHING! Thank you for following my blog, following my Twitter, all the nice comments you've posted, etc! Seriously, I remember my very first blog post (http://toodangpretty.blogspot.com/2009/11/bloggalogging.html) and being so excited to enter the blogging world! Then look what happened: EPIC FAIL lol. When I do take the time out to post about something, I must say that it is fun. I just get kinda tired of typing everything, so I'm still debating on what my first YouTube video should be. I'm thinking a haul video, since it's probably the most simple video to edit and create for beginners.

On top of "celebrating" TDP's birthday, I have given my blog an alternative name as well. I'm not sure if it's only temporary or if it'll be permanent, but I've decided to title my blog J'Adore Raeven. If you don't know, J'Adore means "I adore" in French. I kinda want my blog to actually have my name in the title, but I'm not gonna change the URL. That whole "losing your followers/breaking links on blog rolls" thing just sounds so irritating. Which do you prefer, TDP or JR?

Once again, thank you so much everyone! To all those who have stuck with me since the beginning, I love you the most! Stay blessed XOXO

for the birthday giiiiiirrrrrl.

♥






Laaaaawd, please excuse the mess in the background! Totally forgot to edit that, but anyway, tomorrow is my good friend Lish's birthday! What better way to start off your birthday weekend than by getting your hair done? I just curled it with a small curling iron and did some cute bangs. Well let's not make it sound so simple, this is actually the third hairstyle that I did on her. She loved it, I loved it, EVERYBODY HAP-PAY! *Peter Griffin voice* I'm not sure what the weekend holds, but I'm sure there will be some madness! XOXO

dreams...

I've been having some thoughts for awhile..and I've come to realize that blogging doesn't necessarily have to always be about one thing. I find myself visiting certain blogs depending on what I'm interested in at the moment, but why be like most people and stick to one topic? That's just so...boring. And for the guys who follow my blog? Yeah pretty sure you don't wanna wear gold & black eyeliner to match your Supras, Jordans, whatever you people wear nowadays lol. Although I am team Sperry's all the way! But that's beside my point. The point of this loooong introduction is to say: Hey, I'm Raeven. And I have something I wanna get off my chest. So here it goes!

Let's start off with what I want. Yes, how typical. For those of you who don't know, I am a BEAUTY FREAK OF NATURE. I love beauty, natural or unnatural. Makeup, sculptures, paintings, hair, nails, etc. Even great room decor makes me smile like a kid in a candy store. I'll even be starting beauty school here in January if everything goes right. But my biggest fear is this: what happens AFTER beauty school? How do I really start to pursue my dream?

My ultimate dream is to be an all-around stylist and possibly open up my own salon here in Nebraska. In the Black community here, we don't really have people who will do your hair, nails, and makeup all in one spot. Go out to the White communities, yeah they'll probably hook you up. That's not what's up to me, at all. It should be something for EVERYONE out there, that everyone can get to.

Like anyone else, I'll be starting at the bottom of the ladder and working my way up. But where exactly do I start? I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to start out as a Freelance MUA while I'm young, do some hair/nails on the side to get my hustle on you know. And becoming a personal shopper to work my way up as a fashion stylist is DEFINITELY up my alley. But because of where I live, I always get stuck. WHERE DO I BEGIN?

So my question to you, my fellow blog-heads, what are some of YOUR goals/dreams and how do YOU achieve them? Feel free to comment on this post or send an email if you feel it's too long or personal of a story..completely up to you! Love you all!

XOXO Rae

brown smoke w/ purple & gold

This FOTD was ACTUALLY taken on Saturday. I know, I know *Blogger FAIL* but anyway, I did the makeup for a photo shoot that day and was going for a dark look to match the model's style. I didn't do much since the model was a male rapper (local), I just dusted his face up some and added some black eyeliner for his "Gothic" style. And I have zero photographer pictures to post of him right now, so whatever. It's all about experience people lol.

*Sorry, two pictures isn't really enough. But I was in a rush & had a last-minute BHD! (BAD HAIR DAY) haha!*

Face:
- Prescriptives Virtual Matte Foundation in Fresh Tawny
- MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW40
- Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in Deep Honey used under eyes
- Fashion Fair Face Powder in Translucent Topaz

Eyes:
- Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in Deep Honey
- MAC Shroom Eyeshadow (all over lid)
- Cover Girl Eye Enhancers e/s in Mink (lid)
- CS 88 Palette Eyeshadows
- MAC Soft & Gentle MSF (brow highlight)
- Stila e/s in Oasis (inner highlight)
- Rimmel London Volume Flash Mascara

LIPS:
- Cover Girl Tickled Pink l/s



Don't get me wrong, even though I had fun creating this look..I've gotten so use to wearing little to almost no makeup at all. I have fun doing looks on other people, but it's fun to play around with my own looks as well. So I guess I haven't lost my "funk" too much :) Makeup funk..'cause smelly funk is what you DEFINITELY wanna get rid of! XOXO

bird's eye view

Why am I posting a FOTD (from two weeks ago) at one o' clock in the morning? Ehh, 'cause I felt like it. ENJOY!





Sorry for the lack of lipstick or gloss, I took these pictures at like 2 am =/ LOL, teen nights man.

Face:
- Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Toast
- MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW40
- Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in Deep Honey used under eyes
- Neutrogena SkinClearing Mineral Powder in Honey Beige

Eyes:
- Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in Deep Honey
- MAC Shroom Eyeshadow
- MAC Soft & Gentle MSF (inner corner)
- Neutrogena SkinClearing Mineral Powder in Honey Beige (blending)
- CS 88 Palette Green & Turquoise Eyeshadows
- Rimmel London Volume Flash Mascara

LIPS:
- Cover Girl Tickled Pink l/s (from earlier in the day haha)

my very first bob

I did my friend Netta's hair for Homecoming this past Saturday. I just did a quick-weave, which is bonded (glued in) tracks then styled to the customer's liking. The hair was all 8-inches originally, and for the first time ever, I cut it up and styled it into a feathered bob.

* BEFORE *


* AFTER *




I cut and styled it alot more after these pictures, but this is what you get when you're nervous and you feel like you have to rush. In the end, she loved it so that's what matters. :)

misikko.com products

Alright, it's about time that I do this post for two products I received from John @ Misikko.com. First off, Misikko is a lovely, family-owned hair care site. They specialize in flat irons, but are not limited to just those styling tools. They also sell hair dryers, curling irons, makeup and skincare products, and of course hair care products. John emailed me about a month ago and asked if I would like to receive two products to do a review on. Of course I said yes, are you kidding me?

[images from Misikko.com]



PURCHASE HERE ---> HANA SHINE SHIELD

[From Misikko.com]

"Hana Shine Shield is the latest product in a line committed to safe, effective heat styling. Shine Shield is a thermal serum that can be used as a leave-in conditioner - lightweight and never greasy, it protects and strengthens hair whether you use it with a flat iron, hair dryer or alone. Shine Shield contains the natural magic of Jojoba oil for its superb qualities of deep moisturization, fast absorption into hair follicles and scalp, and unparalleled shimmer & shine. 6 oz."

PROS:
* Smells great
* Not thick/goopy
* Dries quickly, no greasy feeling
* Perfect styling aid
* Good size bottle, lasts awhile

CONS:
* A bit pricey, IMO

OVERALL:
* This is one of the top selling hair care products, and I do understand why. My hair is pretty thick and this product worked very well by itself and with others when it came to straightening my hair. It gives a silky, smooth, shiny finish to my hair and leaves it feeling nice and soft. I like how no matter how much product I use, it never feels greasy and yucky. I use it prior to all heat styling and for smoothing down those annoying fly-aways. I use a Sephora flat-iron which heats up to 410 degrees. Irons that heat up to 425-500 degrees could really get some great use out of this product.

RATING:
5/5





PURCHASE HERE ---> CHI SILK INFUSION

[From Misikko.com]

"CHI Silk Infusion™ - Reconstructing Complex is specially formulated for thermal styling and hair repair. CHI Silk Infusion contains no alcohol, so it won't dry your hair out as a leave in treatment - and it'll leave your hair with the head-turning, lustrous shine of pure silk."

PROS:
* Smells nice
* Lasts awhile, a little goes a long way
* Works well for curling irons

CONS:
* Doesn't live up to its reputation IMO
* Doesn't work well with flat irons

OVERALL:
* I honestly think that this product is beyond overrated. It wasn't very thick, but it felt gunky when I applied to my hair, even in small amounts. I used it on my cousin's as well and it made her hair feel somewhat "dirty" while styling. However, I heat my curling iron up to 500 degrees for tight waves and it worked well for that. But for my flat iron, I could pass on using it again. I found it to be very messy as well. I didn't realize I had knocked it over with the top open, and it took me forever to clean up the yellow stain off my bathroom floor.

* RATING:
2/5



Have you tried either of these products? What do you think of them?

well, hello there....

[I am in LOVE with this picture as my Twitter background. Follow me @RaeIsSuchaDoll]


Well, well, well...look at what we have here. Let's just cut the crap and get to the post, right? :D

This past month I've been on two different trips and haven't done much in between except work. What's my excuse? I honestly don't have one, except that I've been in a MAJOR blogging funk. My main focuses have been getting my license, how to successfully host a blog sale, and what my first Youtube video should be about. Random.

So let me give you a summary of my travels:

* Dentox, TX - Well, I was happy to see my cousin. Let's just leave it at that. =/ We never made it to see my friends in Tyler or Houston, so it sucked. BADLY.

* Seattle, WA - Never made it to Canada, but who cares! I had soooo much fun with my mom, cousin, uncle AND dog...yeah it was alot of us but the more the merrier in this case. And while shopping, I met Judy @ It's Judy Time! She was so cute and sweet, you seriously can't help but love her. I wanted to take a picture with her, but it was at her job and my "cute when I left the house" hair looked a wreck after awhile. Whatever.



Ummmm, other than that...I have the top of my hair highlighted and I cut myself side bangs again. I have pretty round face, so bangs do it alot of justice as far as slimming goes. They're just extra annoying when they fall and stab me in the eye lol. I'll post pictures soon. That's about it. Man, my life...lmao.

and i miss you...

Well, I'M back. AGAIN. I'm just gonna give you guys a quick little update on what's been going on since my last post:

* Visiting Dallas, TX from the 24th - 30th + Houston somewhere in there
* Visiting Seattle, WA from Sept 8th - 14th + Canada somewhere in there
* Working like a mad woman at my new job
* Got my camera up & running! Skype me: RaevenMarie
* Almost done redecorating my room! ALMOST.
* Figured out that I'm attending beauty school in January. SCORE.
* Won a giveaway thanks to LiptonTee!
* Thinking about doing a FormSpring...buuut I'm not sure about that one
* Hosting a blog sale VERY soon, stay tuned!

Also, I changed my blog layout. Again.

Love you all!
PS - Here's the song that inspired my blog title. Idk if it's Sade though lol.

Laptop Internet Is Back On, Oh Boy...

You know what that means right? No you probably don't. I know you clicked this post just 'cause you're bored, which is totally fine :) But no really, that means I'll be on Skype and *drumroll please*...YOUTUBE!!! Ooooiiiii I'm so excited :D Regular blogging just gets so dull, you know? I really want people to look at me talk about girly crap and hear me blab for 5-10 minutes...problem?

AND NOW...A SILLY PICTURE. HOORAY FOR GOOFBALLS ^_^

Super Late FOTD.

This look is alllll the way from Saturday. *Sue Me* I strongly believe in the "natural" look with a little makeup. Too bad I've faced reality and realized that my no matter what I try to do, my face will probably always look a little bit off, since it's always been lighter than my neck. WTF.



Face:
- MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC45 ALSO mixed with Clean & Clear Moisturizer
- MAC MSF Natural in Medium Deep
- MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW40
- Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in Deep Honey used under eyes

Eyes:
- MAC Bamboom paint
- Milani Secret Cover Concealer Stick in Medium
- Rimmel London Volume Flash Mascara

LIPS:
- Cover Girl Tickled Pink l/s

forever 21 nail polishes

This was requested from one of my followers awhile ago (meaning some WEEKS ago, smdh) so please forgive me for creating this post so freakin' late.

Anyways, let's get to the point:

(LMAO @ me forgetting to crop out that excess garbage in the pics!)



I love, love, love this color! I love lighter pinks on my skin complexion, it makes everything look that much brighter. However, the formula is a bit thin and should probably be applied over a base. You can tell that the color kind of skips and isn't very...umm...smooth? Love it anyways.



I normally apply this on my toes for a colorful French tip. I don't believe I've ever just used it on its own and I see why. The color is pretty in the bottle, I just don't care for how it looks on me. I don't like dark polishes that much besides black when I'm feeling really lazy, so this pink is too dark in my opinion.

BTW, I'm not sure if any of these polishes have a name on them.

Overall:
I have to give this product a fair rating of 4/5. For less than $4, why not? Just grab a base and a clear nail polish for a little shine :)

I Like Big Hair & A Butt-Load Of Makeup.

Ya'll like my "Boo BYE" stanky face? Haha gotta love 2008 & being Sweet 16 xD

If I had a dollar for every time someone gave out their unwanted opinion, trust and believe that Donald Trump would be kissing MY feet. Seriously, I know everyone has something to say..but sometimes people need to just keep their mouths shut. Especially if they're clueless to what's going on.

WTF Rae...where are you going with this? Haha okay let me explain:

So I'm looking at some foundation tutorials on Youtube and my cousin (a GROWN man) creeps up behind me and goes "What is this wide mouth heffa talkin' about?" Really? *NOTE* I'm not one to laugh when people talk about others..I just sit there like this: -____- and say "WOW". Anyways, if he stopped messing with those "Ladies free b4 10 PM!" club skeezers who still wear Claire's body glitter and synthetic wigs then he would know what that "wide mouth heffa" was talkin' about. He would know that she is a very talented LADY who has something going for herself with her career, and who's trying to help others with their day to day makeup skills. "She has on ALOT of makeup." "She's creating a look from a music video and it looks exactly like it." *Silence...Exactly, shut it up.* Makeup CAN be a form of art, people. Not just to make you call females "cake face". Hence the name makeup-ARTIST.

- MY POINT (SERIOUSLY).

Basically, unless you know makeup in all of its forms and not just as "cover-up"..SHUT UP. SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP, AND SIT ALL THE WAY DOWN. The day I ask you why Stevie Wonder cut your hair, why Hottie from Flavor of Love did your weave or why you let Crayola create colored contact lenses for you is the day you can assume things about me and my makeup. 'Til then, ask questions nicely and be easy :)

Going Blind Over Circle Lenses?

Now I for one do not wear any sort of contact lenses and have never purchased any. I get worried when eyeliner hits my inner tearduct, I can't touch my eyeball. I really just can't do it. However, I have seen the circle contact lenses and I must say that they are pretty hot. Only thing is....you can possibly go blind from them. Don't believe me? Check out the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/worries-over-circle-contacts-trend-20734327

Sorry, no fancy pictures to add on or anything. How boring :)

Pinkstrawberrieloveyum Giveaway.

ENTER HERE!

8 Questions Tag!

Tag, You're it!
The gorgeous JAY tagged me in this, so here it goes! If you'd like to be tagged (first three people) just leave a comment :)

1. What are three things you love about yourself?

* My sense of style
* My shape
* My hair texture

2. Where are your favorite places to shop?

I'm a Charlotte Russe FREAK. Forever 21, Shiek Shoes, Journey's, Younkers (BON-TON), anywhere that sells girly junk pretty much.

3. If you have a tattoo(s), what is it and why did you get it? If you don't have one, what would you get and why?

I have two feathers and some cherry blossoms on my upper back. The feathers remind me of my grandpa since he was Native American, and the feathers mean to always fly above the rest. The cherry blossoms remind me of my grandma and mean to stay beautiful and keep growing..or blossoming :)

4. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

I would hope to be alive, happy, living in another state and getting PAID.

5. If you could live somewhere for a month where would it be?

California, hands down. I belong there.

6. What is one thing that you could eat everyday?

I eat some type of cheese pretty much everyday. Right out the package sometimes.

7. What are some things you like most about having a blog?

I love interacting with people from all over the world. It's like we're so close, yet sooo far away haha. Also discovering new products, collections and viewing swatches is fun.

8. If you could choose to have all the products of one cosmetic line, which one would you pick and why?

MAC. I'm not too sure about their eyeshadows, but I enjoy their face products, especially foundations.

*EDIT: There's no limit to who gets tagged in this Q&A anymore. Just let me know, point blank lol.

charlotte russe and forever 21

Today was just one of those "Take me to the mall NOW" type of days. So glad I went too, I found alot of nice deals :)




The bow on the bunny...it just got me.


Tried to capture another view of my FOREST GREEN, not black off the shoulder top & blue vest.




Two-finger ring..POW!


This is actually a bra-top sort of thing. I think I'll wear it tomorrow over a black corset or something.

New Follower? Yessir.

Someone very important to me has gotten back on Twitter. Who could it be?


TWITTER.

Haha, follow my big bro & get a free laugh 24/7 :)
* P.S. Yes, he did yell at me about not posting frequently...so I did this to make him happy lol.