Pretty On The Outside

If there is one fact that will forever mark 2010 for me is that this is the year I officially started using anti-aging facial moisturizer. While most ads and people say that you should really start using anti-wrinkle creams at 25, I held on for a couple of years.

I am pretty lucky with my skin and hair, and never needed to go to the dermatologist for acne treatments or anything serious. While that's a good thing, it also means I have no clue of what products are good for my skin type - from sunscreen to foundation. To make matters worse, I also decided not to go tanning ever again (sorry, Snooki), and absolutely rely on make-up to look, uh, normal during these winter months.

Beauty blogs and websites have been helpful and I'm learning as I go. My top favorite is Dia de Beaute, which is written in Portuguese. Victoria, the girl behind the blog, is a down-to-earth make-up addict that not only is on top of cool beauty trends, but translates them in a very realistic way, making it all sound real easy.

As usual, I will go ahead and post an awesome video in a language some of you may not understand, but again - it's a make-up tutorial video.. follow the images :)

Here, Victoria shows us how to make a SUPER QUICK messy black eye style. I personally think this rocks, and have already tried it myself. The main message to be translated here is: try not to make it look even, or "right". It's a punk-rock look, almost :)



On the downside, I have yet to find an English-spoken blog to help me with beauty/skin issues. Boston, is there anyone out there?

As far as make-up goes, I feel more confident about my own skills. For our NYE party, I ended up canceling my MAC appointment and loved the result I achieved by myself, in front of the mirror. If I wasn't camera-shy I would risk some tutorials here and there. Who knows, one day?

Thanks to many Sephora gift cards and many, many awesome tips from bloggers out there, I was able to go beauty-shopping and have a few cool products to recommend:

After months of using concealer to give my lips a nude look, I finally decided to go traditional and got myself Revlon's Nude Attitude. I had never tried the brand before and loved it! Thank you, CVS!

Every single make-up artist, on and offline, swears by Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I was happy to find out that the product now comes in a different color - Sin, a champagne shimmer. The sales associate recommended wearing it even when I'm not planning on applying any eyeshadow at all, just to guarantee that glow on my lids. <3


Okay, so this was a NYE purchase. It's not like I go to work with fake eyelashes on, but it's also true that I would if people wouldn't think I'm weird. I heart big lashes, just like Dolly, and my grandma Juanita :) These are from Sephora, and come with the infamous glue.
Urban Decay's Big Fatty Mascara has been my favorite for two years now, so I had to go back for some more. I do still love and support Maybelline, though. Despite their low prices, there are no other mascaras like theirs in the market. With the exception of the Big Fatty one. Which also makes fake lashes look AMAZING.
My first red lipstick, or at least the first real one. I'm still not 100% adjusted to how high maintenance red lips can be, but I sure am in love with it. I am glad I bought Viva Glam I instead of MAC's Russian Red, which I considered for a few seconds. The darker tone matches my olive skin and isn't that bold. Or is it?

This is also a first. MAC's Humid eyeshadow, a shimmery green, now lies in my make-up bag and have yet to make its debut on my eyelids. I need to go all out and NOT top it with smoky black eyeshadow, to honor its (green) purposes.


Changing lanes. Like I said before, I never had to really take care of my hair's health. Pantene always worked for me, and all was well. Until I decided to allow a Brazilian hairstylist dye the bottom of my locks a lighter color. All hell broke loose, and I learned what frizzy, dried hair meant. Then someone introduced me to Mr. Paul Mitchell, and his conditioner. Christmas miracle right here! LOVE. IT.
Is this blog speaking nail polish again? YES, YES WE ARE!

My latest purchases in the Sephora by OPI world (because that Christmas wishlist post totally worked and I got TONS of it):

I embarked head first on the glittery trend and got both Worth My Weight, the gold one above, and 212 Sephora, a mix of all glittery colors on a black polish.



* until my next dermatologist appointment (in a MONTH! gee, thanks Dr.), I've been relying on a 25-SPF anti-aging Neutrogena facial moisturizer, which is good, but sometimes makes my skin feel a bit too sensitive around the eyes. Ugh, help!

self-taught learner

the Polaroid shot displays what was probably my first encounter with
Daisy, Mickey, Donald, grandma's blush and red lipstick.

I love tutorials.

Make-up tutorials, hairdo tutorials, jewelry/holiday ornament tutorials.

I wouldn't say I'm skilled, but definitely persistent. And I have a passion for beauty products and tricks. Combine both and you have a person who grew up teaching herself how to do her own nails, cut her own hair (from basic bangs to insane layered-styles) and give herself the infamous smoky eyes.

Every now and then I will check out my favorite beauty websites and YouTube channels to try and learn some of the styles I see girls wearing on fashion magazines.

Here are a few of my favorite teachers:



Julia Petit is a Brazilian fashion icon, and I simply adore her. In one of her latest hairdo tutorials, she teaches us how to get the side-swept beachy effect on your hair. Perfect for a night out, it's all the smart Brazilian girls have been wearing lately. Beautiful!

Marina Smith writes for Julia's website. She's the make-up guru and posts weekly tutorials (available for download in PDF format at her own blog). Her focus is mainly on eye make-up and colorful effects, and they're all really pretty.

photo source: Petiscos

*Though both websites are in Portuguese, all you need is to pay attention to the photos/video steps ;)

When it comes to retro hairdos, there's only one girl I will listen to: Strawberry Koi's Aya. Her YouTube channel is the place to go for 1940's bangs, curls and poofs. I blame her for my addiction to the Bumpit. Though they were not around back in the day, the cheesy tool does make the job easier.

I love her how-to on the beehive:




As far as more modern, borderline exaggerated make-up goes, Kandee Johnson is who knows it all. I like how she will give you a pop culture icon as a reference for each tutorial result. She is super nice too, which helps you feel like it's ok if you mess it up, say, a THOUSAND times before getting anything right.

Here's the 'Kim Kardashian' look, which doesn't necessarily apply to all events you'll attend, but sure is glam:


Hair and make-up aside, I do feel as though Boston girls don't have the same obsession as we Sao Paulo gals do: nails! nail polish! manicures! pedicures! Not that in Boston no one cares about it, but like I said, it's not a crazy obsession -- hey, correct me if I'm wrong, that's what the comment area is for! :)

Photo source: Unha Bonita

My favorite 'nail blog' is Unha Bonita ("Pretty Nails"). Those girls really know their business and will inspire you to get yours done anytime. You don't even need to feel like reading or understand Portuguese.. the photos they post of all colors, recently-manicured hands and different mixtures of tendencies will do the magic. Trust me.

I wish good luck to all girls out there who, in mid-recession, brave through hours of self-embarrassment in front of the mirror in order to achieve beauty skill perfection!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T! <3>