MY TWO CENTS: July 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Touching Thursdays : Believe in yourself!

This week has been a great one so far, of course, not short of trials and challenges in the least! But these things come to help us grow right? We need that for sure!

Today I wanted to talk a little about believeing in one's self. When you're in an environment where you don't necessarily have a support system and people are voicing their opinions about your work and how they would prefer it, whether or not it is flattering on them (yes i'm talking about makeup, but this can be applied in general), it can be frustrating. Especially, when they are all wearing red, and want crazy blue eyeshadows and all that jazz....(yes, I'm venting). This is for a tv show, not carnival, not a photo shoot, not an editorial that requires craziness....is it me? I mean I thought that neutrals, golds, bronzes, smokey eyes best complimented red dresses....I just need some loveee....funnily, it's just one or two of my models that give me this headache...thank GOD for the others, who can appreciate the fact that yes, I would love to get away with the craziness on them but because of this red dress, it just can't be done...not to mention when a friend betrays you....I feel a little overwhelmed right now, but I can also say Charlene, you are awesome, you are blessed and favoured and you are doing well...i've heard :) (i'm just humbling myself....) Right now, it is my belief in myself, in my skills, that is carrying me through, I feel to cry some how...I'm emotional that way, but I also know that this is coming to get me stronger! It's a learning experience that I will count all joy~

So count it all joy ladies, that these trials come to make us stronger, and when no one else around you is willing to be your rock, remember, believe in yourself! You are beautiful, one of a kind, created just right, talented, skilled and well able.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

NOTD: Pretty in Papaya - Revlon Scented Nail Polish:Fruitful Temptations

Snifffff, mmmmm, yum!

Has anyone tried those scented Revlon nail polishes yet? I got Pretty in Papaya the other day and man oh man is it gorgeous, summery and smells soooo fruity and yummy like candy! I want to bite my fingers :) It still smells yummy through the top coat too! And all it took was two coats to get the perfect coral colour for summer! :) I'm a happy camper!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

NOTD: Brucci - JT's Ocean Blue

This summer is just filled with all kinds of bold, bright colours and I am loving it!! I love this blue for my complexion, it was easy to apply and only needed two coats :)

Friday, July 24, 2009

11 things that make me happy

1. GOD and His surprises

2. My Hubby...with him, there's never a dull moment! (Also and of course my family, they are HILARIOUS!)

3. MUSIC!...that's my escape right there, check out my myspace for a music video that was in rotation in Jamaica, NOTE: this was about 5 yrs ago, it was a no budget vid, we were just having fun but it got played and one TV station recognized as me a "breakout artist". That was super exciting. :) The myspace also has some home studio recordings (not my home studio, a friend's) www.myspace.com/charlenesounds

4. The Beach....the scent of sunblock/suntan lotion (u'll notice my Banana Boat spray suntan lotion very close by!)

5. Smoothies - Dirty Banana anyone?

6. LIPGLOSS! .....makeup really - I have a facebook group with most of my work on there, the group is Charlene Gordon makeup. (That's Rimmel's Lipstick in Airy Fairy on my lips)

7. Dressing up

8. I love going on the road, if you wanna go to the grocery store or just walk the mall, I'm you're girl!

9. The gift of giving, I love receiving presents and compliments, but I also love to give them, any chance I get!

10. Sitting home alone...I love being home alone, I get a thrill from it, sometimes I just need my space and home is my territory, I don't want just any and anyone in my home....I'm funny that way.

11. Indulging in the moment, I know, it sounds RECKLESS haha, but I mean it in a good way! Let down your hair, kick off your heels type of indulging! :)

If you wanna do this then you're tagged! :)

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Touching Thursdays : 100%= Attitude!

A=1, T=20, T=20, I=9, T=20, U=21, D=4, E=5 = 100%.

How many times have we seen this? Or heard this....that a good attitude carries you a far way?
I am here to remind you about that today. No matter who you are, or where you think you are in life, humility and a good attitude are key! The truth is, we are always on display, sometimes you think no one is watching or listening, or is observing how you behave towards a particular thing. Then BAM....the next thing you know, you're being cut from a make-up team because of your constant bickering, complaints and snide, rude remarks. Thankfully, this hasn't happened to me, but I happen to be a part of that team she got cut from.

No matter where you go, you will always find those people who you just know you will knock heads with, or they will make what could potentially be a peaceful place, one of misery! These people are everywhere, they're like garbage trucks, and once we entertain them, they get to dump all their piled up garbage on us.

So go out today, and smile, and be happy, be blessed, think positively, (try at least) and remember, to have a good attitude no matter what!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

MAC Lychee Luxe Lipglass + Wedding Makeup I Did!

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog, recommended this for me when I asked her if she knew what lipgloss or lip colour would match the juice in the pic above. (The juice is a locally made Cherry Juice by Tru Juice). Now, this doesn't exactly look like the pic of the juice I sent but i LOVE IT! The juice matches the L'Oreal Colorjuice Lipgloss in Cherry on Top perfectly! So I got my match, and I got a bonus with this. I love peachy/pink/coral/light red lip colors, I'm just loving nudes now since the whole MAC Myth craze haha...so Lychee Luxe is just up my street. I love the gold flecks and how pigmented it is too! It didn't feel too sticky to me either and is long wearing. I haven't bought a MAC lipglass in a while so it was good to get this one!

Lychee Luxe swatch on hand

Beautiful bride Alecia contacted me to do her wedding makeup. We go to the same church, and I am really proud with how it turned out and it helped me to fall in love with being a makeup artist again!! I love, love doing wedding makeup, although sometimes if they're not as organized as Alecia was, it can be a nightmare, but for the most part, I love it! I hope you'll give me your feedback as well :) Hope you likey!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

DRUGSTORE GOODIES!!!!!

Don't you just love receiving packages of unknown goodies!!!!! It just makes the day that much better!!! :D I can't wait to try the La Roche Posay samples, it also included the Thermal Spring Water Spray, I've wanted that forever!! I also got Lierac samples and a bunch of lip goodies which I will expore below!! BUT I'm so excited to have gotten the L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Masacara!!!! I'm really grateful for all my goodies, they were sent to me by my friend Suzanne in NY! I LOVE YOU SUE!!! You really looked out for me!! Thanks girl!

Rimmel Lipstick in Airy Fairy

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Cool Watermelon (I've wanted this forever)

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Make Me Pink

L-R: Maybelline Moisture Extreme L/s in Cool Watermelon, Rimmel lipsick- Airy Fairy, Maybelline Color Sensational L/s in Make Me Pink

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Revlon Protective Liptint in ROSY (Oh & Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Marine Scene)

Rosy on lips

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick - BORN WITH IT!

I love this shade so much!!! It's the Rimmel l/s in Airy Fairy for the NC42-44 complexion, but I suppose it would work well on everyone! I have Airy Fairy, and this is much more flattering, I must say and they look very alike when swatched on my hand.

(swatch of Born with it on my hand)

Born With It on Lips, Isn't is beautiful!!?? I LOVE!!!

L'Oreal Color Juice Sheer Juicy Lipgloss ( I LOVE THESE)

L-R: Raspberry Smash, Pina Colada, Cherry on Top

Cherry on Top on Lips (i loveeeeee)

Raspberry Smash on lips

Pina Colada on lips

Friday, July 17, 2009

NYX ROUND LIPSTICKS PART 4!

Okay....the finale...for now anyway :) This time around, i was looking for true skin toned nude colours, so that means browns that could pass for my match in a foundation...so with the exception of Darling, that would mean Tea and Perfect Taupe.....(that's what they had) otherwise, I would've tried Echo, Honey, Rea or Circe (tho the latter might have been lighter than my skintone) but you get the point. :)

L-R: Darling, Perfect Taupe, Tea

Darling on lips

Perfect Taupe on lips ( a little too dark for me but can be made more wearable with a lighter nude gloss)

Tea on lips (perfect!!!)

For Part 1 click here , Part 2 click here, Part 3 click here

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Touching Thursdays : Be Not Discouraged!

I've been facing some major discouraging remarks lately, which I can only use to fuel the fire within me to pursue my dreams, and realize my goals. So it was only fitting that today I say to you, that it is impossible to please man, but with God as guide, we in pleasing Him and following through on the dreams He has placed in our hearts, can rise and overcome negativity to be who God made us to be.

We won't always live up to other people's expectations of us, and then they are upset and hurl a ton of discouraging remarks....we can only use this as the motivation to get going with our dreams!

So be not discouraged, even if things seem to be moving slowly, remember, the darkest hour is just before the dawn.

Here's a quote for you to think on:

Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary. - Cecil Beaton

Sunday, July 12, 2009

NYX ROUND LIPSTICKS PART 3!!

Yes...there is more!!!! With all the colours to choose from I found it hard to just like 5....I find that some of them are similar, where two might be the same colour with the difference being one has shimmer the other doesn't. I'm really enjoying them though....so here we go ! :) I'll also include a FOTD with NYX Round Lipstick in Chloe....Such a pretty fuschia!! Out of these I am loving Herades, Eros, Chloe and B52, however Iris when mixed with a bronzey gloss is LOVEEE and Thalia, though it runs a little cool on me, is wearable with a coral or nude gloss on top. I really love these lipsticks.....can you tell?