Holiday Gift Guide 2015!

Hello my lovely stars, I hope you are enjoying your holiday season.  I know it's a little late, but I wanted to share with you some things that are on my gift guide for this year. I mean, this is my first year doing one, but it's better late than never- right?  Let's get started shall we?

Makeup Revolution Palette Review

Hello my lovely stars, long time no speak! I'm sorry for the fairly long, unintentional, break from my blog- life got hectic with the show I'm in and life got away from me.  We're up and running now, so I'm back in the saddle again and heading right out of the gate with a review of the Makeup Revolution London palette from Ulta.  Specifically the Iconic 3 Redemption eyeshadow palette, the rose gold one.  What caught my eye about this product is that it was only $7 and my thought was, oh boy this is going to be bad but... Well, just keep reading.

Life Update- October 2015

Hello all, long time no type! I hope you all have be doing well.  I don't usually do 'Life Update' type posts but I figured since I've been gone for such a long while, or so it feels like to me, I would do one so you know that I am not MIA or anything like that.  As many of you who follow me on my YouTube Channel, linked here, you know that I had been working on two shows at once.  The first show, Lost in Yonkers where I was the Prop master, sound designer, and the hair and makeup artist, just closed this past weekend.  It was such a great show to work on, albeit a bit trying with the voice overs.  Closing day, the cast was very sweet and presented us with a bouquet of flowers presented by the actor who played Louie.  To my mom and I especially, this meant a lot.

Pura d'or: REVIEW!

Hey there my lovely stars, I'm so sorry I've been MIA for the past two weeks but I'm back now! Everything will be explained in a later post, I promise, because this post is not about me but about a great hair care company called Pura D'or who were generous enough to send me some of their shampoo, conditioner, and Argan hair oil.  Keep reading to find out what I thought about their product!

Taken directly from their site's home page, an explanation about Pura D'or:

PURA D’OR for Hair Isn't Just Care

It's Therapy. Reinforced by Nature.

PURA D’OR Premium Organic Solutions uses a proprietary blend of organic extracts and oils, including the gold standard for helping heal hair’s individual issues, Argan Oil as well as other natural and plant-based ingredients include Tea Tree Oil, Ylang Ylang, Lavender, Vanilla, vitamins and nutrients. This cold-pressed, preservation-harvested oil, known for centuries as pure gold, fuses inside each formula to solve problems like thinning hair, hair loss and dandruff.

How Being a Blogger has Changed Me

Hello my stars, long time- no post! I'm really sorry about that, but working on two different shows really makes life a bit hectic.  While I will work on getting out the posts that I had planned for earlier  in the week of October 27, I wanted to start out with the one I was supposed to do on Sunday: How Being a Blogger has Changed Me.  I saw this post a while back on another bloggers site and I decided that I would like to do something like it, too. So here I am and here is my story.

Staple Skin Care

Hello my lovelies! I hope you all are doing well.  Today's post is about my staple skin care pieces.  Now, there may be some key pieces missing but that's because I flit between a few different products for certain areas.  I hope this will help you if you are having trouble picking skin care products.

Argan Oil Eye Cream- REVIEW

Hello my bright and shining Stars, I hope you are all doing well! Can you believe we're in October?! This is not a favorites post, that's coming later in the week on my YouTube channel (linked below) so yay!  This post is about my most recent favorite eye cream and the best part? Found it at Marshalls!  It is an Argan Eye Cream with Dead Sea Minerals within it, keep reading to see my thoughts!

Bite Beauty Watercolor Library: REVIEW!

A few months back, Bite Beauty released their Watercolor lip library.  Now, originally it was over $40 if I remember correctly but then it went on sale at Sephora online and I got it for about $20.  I absolutely love the different colors in the palette, as well as the mix of sheer washes and opaque colors.  

Life Update!

Hello my beautiful Stars! I hope you all are doing well.  I know I've been gone for awhile but life got a bit hectic but I'm back now, if only sporadically (but that should only be for a month or so).  So, let's start with the big news...

Lookbook #4: Wedding Makeup

As wedding season approaches for the fall, I figured it would appropriate to post a Wedding lookbook.  I did a purple and pink sunset eye with a black wing and a nude pink lip.  I hope you enjoy this look!

Why Do I Blog?

I've gotten quite a few questions lately as to why do I blog? I get no monetary gain from it, so why do I bother doing it? Well, my dear friends, read on and I shall tell you why!

Plan With Me #2

What Do I Do In My Spare Time?

Some of my followers have been asking for some non-beauty related posts, so who am I to say no?  I don't try to hide anything from you, mostly, what I do is out there for all of the world to see.  As an actor and a designer, my work is out there for people to see why shouldn't some parts of my life be too? Long way around saying that this post is all about what I do in the time that I'm not  working on something that is beauty or planner relate, although the planner related thing is fairly new as in under three months new. Anyway, I can really ramble on, can't I? Here are some pictures and explanations of what I enjoy doing in my free time!

Buy and Try: Why I Blog

I noticed a few weeks back that beauty bloggers were doing posts about why they blogged and, more importantly, why they would buy makeup just to try it.  So I figured, why not, let's give this post a shot.  So this is me, giving this post a shot.

Vlog Week #11

A little peak into my quite unexciting life, but I enjoy it.  I hope you enjoy this Vlog and click through to subscribe to my channel!

My Favorite Face Masks

Hello my beautiful Stars! I hope you have enjoyed what I have been sharing for my YouTube channel (linked down below) with you.  If you have, I would love to have you join the Star family and hit that subscribe button both on my YouTube channel and on this blog (if you aren't already ;) )  Today I'm going to be telling you about the facemasks I own and use and why I love them so much.  I would love to know what your favorite masks are because I'm always looking for a new mask to try out!

Giveaway #3: Pamper Me

Back to School Makeup Look

Eyeliner Explained

Ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of eyeliners they have at Sephora or the drugstore? There are how many types of eyeliners? Then you get to the styles on the eyes, but we'll leave that for another day.  Here I want to take the simplest form of each type of liner (that I know of) and help guide you through this maze of madness.  Since I do not own ALL of the types of eyeliner, I used images found on Google. Let's get on, shall we?

You're the Top Series: Top 5 Staple Jewelry Pieces

Hello my stars! I'm trying desperately to make this blog more diverse, so for today's post I've decided to share with my top staple pieces of jewelry.  Some have sentimental value and some I just love because they are beautiful.  I hope you enjoy! (In no particular order, of course)
1.  This used to be my Gin-Gin's ring holder and for the longest time after I graduated, I had no rings to put on it.  But then my dad gave me this beautiful silver and turquoise ring (not pictured) and I got to use it again. It's a small ring, fits my pinky and maybe my ring finger and just the gesture of him giving it to me meant the world.  The rings you can see I got from Claire's/Icing and I love bows sooo, I have a ton of bow rings that I wear quite a lot and really enjoy.

 2.  This is a big sentimental piece to me, this was my Gin-Gin's cross and when she passed away a few years back my aunt's decided that I should have it.  Sometimes I will wake up with my hand around it, or if I'm anxious my hand immediately flies to my throat to hold her cross.  It makes me feel like she's with me.  The only time I ever remove it is for surgery, MRI's, and if I'm in a show where I wear a costume that can't hide it.

 3.  There is nothing really sentimental about this piece, I just think it's beautiful.  When I saw it at Ulta I passed it up at first but when I went back a few days later it was still there and I thought of it as a sign, so I got it, not realizing there was a quote on the inside.  As I said I like bows, but I love quotes more.  It says "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."

 4. You may have noticed that I start each post with a variation of greeting you as Stars.  I got this earing at Walmart when I was at school because we're the Stephens Stars.  So when I lost the second one to this in a move, it became my cartilage earring of choice.

 5. Finally, my nose ring.  Not one specific nose ring like everything else, but just the fact that I have one.  It was one of the first big changes I made as soon as I got to college.  I still have the original stud, too.  Again, unless I'm having surgery, an MRI, or am in a show that it doesn't fit, I never take it out.  Not because it will close within seconds but because I just don't like having it out, I don't feel like 'me' without it.

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Adore Me Lookbook #2

Hello my Stars, Emma here, back with another Adore Me Lookbook! As I mentioned in this post, I have discovered the website Adore Me and I'm in love with their lingerie.  So as a little fun thing, I've decided to take some of their pieces of lingerie and pair some fun makeup looks with them.  You can find the Adore Me website here and specifically browse their lingerie through here.  They are always updating what they have on their website, which means I am constantly on there looking at all of the beautiful things they carry.  The look I did today is for a lingerie set called the Cindy Push Up and it comes in a total of six colors but I chose to go off of the yellow (mainly because I can't wear yellow clothes because they turn me red, so might as well wear yellow underwear!) Let's get to how I got the look!

Back to School: Lookbook #3

Hello my stars and welcome back to what is usually a video but today I decided to make my video into a post.  Today's post is a lookbook that is back to school ready and appropriate.  A fairly neutral eye with a pop of color on the lips and everything else being in the pretty neutral territory.

My Brow Products

Everyone knows that eyes are the windows to the soul but also the eyebrows are the frame around that window.  Your brows help to frame your whole face, they can make or break you, so having the right product is key.  Luckily, there are many products on the market- drugstore and high end brand- that are now available.  So let's go and I'll talk a little about each product!

Etsy Shop Spotlight: KGPlanner

Here is another Etsy Shop Spotlight, this time featuring KGPlanner.  They are great sized sheets for the price you pay and the quality is impeccable.  You can check out the KGPlanner shop here, so go and show her some love guys! XOXO Emma

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Adore Me: Lookbook #1

I  recently came across the company Adore Me, website here, and wanted to do some lookbooks for some of  their lingerie pieces. If you would like to take a look at their lingerie page, please click here and browse all of their amazing sets! They are constantly updating the page with new designs and collections and it's a great way to satisfy your curiosity about this amazing brand.

The inspiration for the look.

Etsy Shop Spotlight: Vintage Gypsy Road

Hello my lovely Stars, I hope this post finds you well! If you subscribe to me on YouTube (if you don't and you would like to, click here) you would know that I have indeed been bitten by the planner bug.  My boyfriend gifted me an Erin Condren planner for my birthday and I have gone full tilt crazy for it- especially the stickers.  That brings us to today's post, an Etsy Shop Spotlight and today the spotlight shines bright on Vintage Gypsy Road.  Pictured below are the stickers that I own from them, except for my gumball weight loss tracker- I forgot to picture that but Whitney was absolutely wonderful about getting it out to me after it turned out to be out of stock.

 Planner Perfect set- $5.00

 Color Me Mine Tea Set- Not Listed Currently

Frou Frou set- $3.00

As you can see, the stickers they design are absolutely gorgeous and definitely look hand drawn.  The shop owners are wonderful about getting back to you if you have a question or issue with your order.  I know because I had an issue of my own and they fixed it quickly, efficiently, and beautifully.  Their Etsy shop is VintageGypsyRoad and they also have a Facebook page that is here but a little heads up it is a closed group, so you have to request to join.  

Again, these stickers are absolutely beautiful and are artfully made, so be sure to check out VintageGypsyRoad for your sticker planning needs! XOXO Emma

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You're the Top: Top 10 Lip Glosses

Here is another addition to my "You're the Top" series, this time featuring my favorite lip glosses.  Lip gloss was my first piece of makeup that I bought myself so they hold a special place in my life.  What are some of your favorite lip glosses? I would love to know! XOXO Emma

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Brush Basics

Hello my beautiful Stars, how are you doing? As you can tell by the title, today's post is all about brush basics.  I found a five piece brush set on Amazon with the most basic and necessary brushes and am going to explain for what and how you should use each brush.  Now for some of you this may seem super basic because, like me, you have jars full of brushes but for others just starting out brushes can seem very scary and confusing.  Well, have no fear I'm here to calm your nerves and explain how to use your most necessary basic brushes.  I will also end the post with a quick explanation as to how to care for your brushes, i.e. how to wash them and what soap to use.  Let's get started shall we?

Back to School Giveaway!

Hey Guys! It's time for another  giveaway! This time it is all school related.  Watch the video then go to the video page and enter, I promise you won't regret it! Just click HERE! XOXO Emma

Safe Summer Glow

Hello my Stars and happy middle of August! Now, I know what that means- trying to get tan before you have to head back to school, work, etc.  But fair warning, this isn't a post about what tanning oils to use or the best places to go to get a tan.  Instead, this is about all the ways you can get a safe tan without risking skin cancer because of too much exposure to the sun.

Back to School Series: Private School Beauty

Hello Stars! I wanted to share with you what's been going on at my YouTube channel emmadelfosseMUA.  I hope you guys enjoy the video and if you have any tips of your own please feel free to leave them down in the comments! XOXO Emma

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Fall 2015: Colors and Fashion Trends

Hello my lovely Stars and welcome back to another post! Yet today's post is a little different, it is geared more towards fashion BUT makeup trends and makeup in general is influenced by fashion- the colors, the styles, everything. So I figured I 'd share with you what I found for Fall 2015.  First, the color palette:

Of course we've got Marsala in there, since that is the color of the year.  The color, though, that makes me most happy to see is Cashmere Rose. I know we've seen it somewhere on many runways before but this year it somehow seems different- more adult, less childlike.  Something that can be work to work without being frowned upon.  The bottom row is definitely the most striking of the two but Panton knows their stuff and I suppose I shall trust them.
Now, onto this thing called 'fashion' I keep hearing everyone talk about....

You're the Top Series: My Top 5 Lipsticks

It's been awhile since I posted something for the ongoing, 'You're the Top', series so I figured I would get together with some of my favorite lipsticks, have a photo shoot and show them off!  Great plan, huh? No? Just me? Ohhhkay then, well this is awkward. Kidding, I'm kidding! Hit that keep reading button, if you feel so behooved, and read on my little Stars and keep shining!

Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation: First Impressions and Review!

Hello my beautiful Stars! Today, I'm going to share with you my first impressions and initial review of the BRAND NEW Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation which was graciously given to me by Influenster for review.  But do not fret, all opinions are honest and completely my own- let's get started!

Back to School Series: Starter Makeup Kit

It's that time of year again, back to school time! That means new pencils, notebooks, and if you're going into middle school or high school or college that means getting to wear makeup for the first time.  Today I'm going to show you what I think you would need in your starter makeup kit.  I hope you enjoy!

Bare Minerals Products: REVIEW!

For my birthday I was lucky enough to receive some Bare Minerals makeup.  I haven't used mineral makeup in years, ever since I stopped using Pur Minerals powder. I received a small pallette and a package of lipglosses and here is what I thought after applying them and wearing them for a day.

You're the Top: Top 5 Perfumes

Another addition to the 'You're the Top' series, my top five perfumes at the moment.  These are my favorite perfumes at the moment. They range from roller balls to sprays.  As always, keep reading if this seems to peak your interest :)

NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipsticks- REVIEW!

NYX has a brand new lip product out, and it's going to take the drugstore world by storm.  It's their brand new Liquid Suede Cream Lipsticks.  They have a total of 12 shades ranging from nude to deep grey, with classic pinks and reds, and rebellious purples and mauves.  I was lucky enough to get my hands on my three favorite colors at BeautyCon LA so I've been testing them out for you so you can keep on reading and see what I think!

Rock Your Hair Leave-In Conditioner- REVIEW!

A few weeks ago when I was at Beauty Con LA, I came across an amazing booth and this booth was for the brand called Rock Your Hair by Michael O'Rourke.  The first thing that drew me in was the fact that he was doing hair styling and trimming while the Con was going on, I just found that absolutely fascinating and amazing.  To learn more about one of the products that I've bought that I've been testing, keep on reading! And don't forget:

You're the Top: School Series- Top 5 Nail Polishes for School

We're back to the You're the Top series but this time, it's school themed and all about nails.  I have polishes for people who can wear bright colors and colors for people whose schools don't allow bright nail polish.  Don't fear, my dear girls/guys, you have options and I'm going to give you my top five! So let's begin.

Eyelash Curlers, Torture Chambers or Objects of Brilliance?

Earlier today I was asked by one of my friends what the best eyelash curlers are and that got me thinking, besides answering just her question why not also calm the nerves of those just entering into makeup and trying one of them for the first time?  They look like 'torture chambers' as my boyfriend calls them but they truly aren't.  They do require a bit of finesse but once you've got it down, you're golden. So let's get started with some of the best curlers out there and then I'll explain, to the best of my ability, on how to use them.  Shall we begin?

Jamberry: Yay or Nay?

Jamberry: are they really worth the $15 each?  The answer, YES! But if you're still not trusting your trusty old blogger here, let me give you some reasons why and some pictures as to what it looks like.

You're the Top series: Top 5 Hair Products

Hello Stars! Now, I'm not a very big hair person when it comes to styling but I do take care of my hair (or at least try to anyway) and I wanted to share some of my hair care products with you today.  To give you an idea as to what my hair is like; it is color treated majorly, damaged, mid length, a mix between fine and thick, and stick straight.  These products do not weigh my hair down and they don't make my hair look oily after one day.  Onto the in depth descriptions!

BeautyCon 2015 Haul

Top 10 Favorite Books (With a Bonus!)

Hey fellow beauty lovers! A post about books? They all must be about beauty right? WRONG. Not only am I an actor and a Makeup Artist, I'm a HUGE nerd and that's a good thing. So, to break up the monotony of the beauty posts, I wanted to share some of my favorite books with you- I hope you enjoy! XOXO

Giveaway #1!

Be sure to go to my YouTube page for complete rules on how to enter! :)
I will be doing three seperate giveaways, one for this month, one for August, and one for September so be sure to check back often! Love you all and best of luck, XOXO

Be Bold, Be Beautiful, Be YOU!

My Top 5 Lotions

Lotions can be a fickle thing, can't they? So I narrowed mine down to my top 5 for my "You're the Top" series.

The Planner Life: Organization and Decoration

So, it happened, I am now the proud owner of an Erin Condren Life Planner.  Specifically the one with the saying "Believe You Can And You Will".  I was gifted that and a few Etsy giftcards for my birthday, so I figured what better way to jump in feet first than to do a post on my blog about it?

Studio 35 Beauty Detoxifying Mask: REVIEW

The other day while picking things up for my upcoming giveaway, I decided to pick myself up a mask and I was in Wallgreens so I got the Studio 35 Beauty Detoxifying Mask packet.  I liked that they had little packets of the masks so you could try them before deciding to by the whole bottle/container of the product.  The main ingredients in this mask were Lotus Flower and Ginseng, which I had never used on my face before- at least that I am aware of.  The mask itself went on very smoothly and had a very nice application.  Yet, unlike the other masks I use, this did not leave my skin feeling nice afterwards.  It didn't feel smoother, it didn't pull anything to the surface, I didn't see any difference at all which really disappointed me.  So I am glad that I tried the little packet sachet before getting the full product because it. Have you tried this mask? What did you think of it? XOXO

What are Primers?

I get asked this question a lot as a certified makeup artist, do I need a primer? What does it even do? How do I use it?  Well folks, I'm here to answer your questions and calm your fears about the magnificent world of primers, so let's get this party started!!

You're the Top Series: Top 5 Lush Products

Hi Stars! Welcome back to another insert into my new ongoing "You're the Top" series, which includes my top picks of- well- everything!  Today's post is about my top favorites from Lush.  If you don't know about the shop or have never heard of them click here and you'll be re-directed to their site and let the discovery begin.  And no, I am not sponsored by them- I just really totally LOVE their products!! I even bought their #GayisOK soap, which part of the proceeds go to campaign funds for Gay rights, you can find the soap here.

June Favorites 2015

Beauty for Women of a Certain Age

Now before this post starts I am in no way calling anyone 'old', I see that as a compliment anyway but I understand how people take it wrong.  The images I used are from the internet of some of my 'older' heroines, being an actress myself, they are actresses.  Dame Judi Dench put it best:

Top 5 Series: Palettes (Video)

Here is my latest video from my YouTube Channel under the playlist "You're the Top".  I have decided I really like doing series so instead of doing a whole month with posts just dedicated to one series (i.e. June Jubilee, Makeup Mayhem, etc.) I'll be posting top 5's or 10's here and there through July and August so you can get to know what I love to reach for when either I'm in a rush or getting ready in the morning or afternoon or evening to go out.  If you like this video please be sure to click my YouTube link in this paragraph and subscribe! It would really mean the world to me if you were to be so moved to do so. These shadows range from high end prices to drugstore prices, so there is something in there for everyone.  I hope you enjoy this video! XOXO

Be Bold, Be Beautiful, Be YOU!!

Ivation Curling Wand: First Time Review!!

 For my 22nd birthday, I really wanted a curling wand and I got one! My aunts and uncle are absolutely amazing.  This is the Ivation 3 in 1 Tourmaline curling wand.  The barrels snap on and off really easily but not so easily that it is unsteady or unsafe.  Keep reading to see what I thought of my first attempt at using a curling wand!

June Jubilee Day 21: Top 5 Foundations

Hi guys! Welcome back to another day of posting and another day of June Jubilee- which is sadly coming to the end, boohoo! But do not fear, I already have my blog and YouTube (channel found here) schedule up on my planning/inspiration board so there will be plenty more to come!  Today, I will be showing you my top 5 favorite foundations, so let's get started!

June Jubilee Day 20: Top 5 Blushes

Sorry for being gone for a while folks, but I was celebrating my birthday along with a few other things coming up but I'm back now and I'm starting a Top 5 series that will carry over into July and possibly August (If I find enough stuff, lol) So, as you can probably tell from the post title this one is about, that's right, my favorite blushes! So let's get started! (This is no no particular order)

June Jubilee Day 19: My Top 5 Single Eyeshadows!

Hey there Stars! I'm doing a little mini series inside of my Jubilee series and carrying into July (of which I will be taking a month's break from a monthly series).  The posts will be my Top 5's of different things like lipgloss, lipstick, brushes and, today, single shadows! Let me know if you like this series or if you think it's been over done.  I won't stop doing it because I like it but I do take all of your comments into consideration :D

June Jubilee Day 16: Lotions for Dry/Eczema Prone Skin

We all get it at some point in our life, dry skin or sometimes some of us (myself included) have Eczema.  Here are some lotions that I like to use to help keep the dry and super dry itchy skin at bay.