It's been a while.....

  A few months ago I received a sweet and thoughtful message from a reader who was wondering where/why I'd disappeared. I didn't really....I just had a lot going on the earlier part of this year and the dust finally settled in the late summer. In the meantime I learned more, shopped more and discovered the fun of iPhones and Instagram. Yes, I finally stepped into this decade and got with the program. I have yet to master the art of the non-ridiculous selfie but for now, I'm doing a pretty good job of taking pictures of the pretty stuff that makes me happy.

You can follow me here: Baharluvsmakeup

I've learned a few things in the last several months, in no particular order:

• I'm stronger than I ever imagined. I have cojones twice the size of some who have me beat by age and "experience".
• I can make any place cozy, comfortable and visually appealing.
• Health and safety always beats everything else. If you don't have health and safety, nothing else matters.
• Not everything good has to be expensive, and not everything expensive is worth the price.
• Longer hair is easier to blow dry than shorter hair. Flowy hair allows for a curl or volume...but shorter hair makes you look like a big disaster if your hair doesn't fall the right way.
• The left side of my head has more gray than my right.
• French products are almost always awesome.  Let's face it, they know what they are doing in the beauty department.
• My nails have never been better thanks to 4 products + nail color.
• I look better with sunglasses on my head. I can't explain why.
• I'm not as happy when I run out of my favorite amaretto coffee creamer.
• If you focus on certain products for a period of time, you WILL actually finish them...or at least use them enough until you are ready to part with them.
• Women gravitate to what they like and use. So if I like rose-toned lip products, it's okay to have a bajillion. But that little container of reds is almost just silly.
• Balance what you give with what you get. It eliminates any doubt or guilt if you know you're doing your part.
• Joy can come in all forms...watching your children, a warm embrace, a pretty plant for the kitchen window, a lipstick or a great smelling shampoo. Learn to appreciate every bit of joy in your day. And try to unclench the teeth when it comes to the rest of the day. ;-)

          I've got more to share so stay tuned. I'm back!

2013 Beauty Favorites

   It's the beginning of a new year and everyone has their goals or resolutions fresh in their minds. Over the course of the last year, I rekindled my passion for all things beauty-related. From skin care to cosmetics, every month brought new and exciting swatches, smells and colors. My favorite Youtube gurus enticed me with favoring reviews and tempting swatches. Some were duds and some were faves. Plenty were passed on as gifts, part of my Makeup Ministry or set aside for a future sale.  In an attempt to "shop my stash" and keep products in a rotation, it's important that I review what I loved and what I didn't before going forward into a new year.












Here's a look at my favorites for 2013 in no particular order:








Makeup Brushes:  Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman -  She has a full line of eye and face brushes, synthetic, soft and easy to clean.




Specialty Products:  Facial Masks (paper masks for anytime, peel-off masks right before a shower)




Lip Gloss:  Rimmel Stay Glossy (3D or the regular Stay Glossy line) - Affordable, great basic colors, creamy soft texture, non-sticky and smell fabulously "beachy" (in my opinion!)




Lip Crayons:  Tarte LipSurgence (high-end) and Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain (drugstore)




Drugstore Lipsticks:  Revlon Lip Butters and L'Oreal Infallible (clear and silver package, red metallic top)  -great colors selections, love the texture.




Bronzers:  NYX Taupe; NYX Raisin (drugstore) and Too Faced Chocolate Soleil  (high-end)  -great matte bronzers that suit a variety of skin tones.




New Brands:  ELF (eyeslipsface) and Essence - both lines are drugstore, extremely affordable, hits and misses but so inexpensive you can afford to trial and error without worry! The hits are truly great. ELF has many dupes for NARS products. Essence continues to surprise me with their products.



Blushes/Highlighters:  Hard Candy Living Doll; Hard Candy Honeymoon; Hard Candy Bombshell -  gorgeous pigmentation, Living Doll gives a "glow from within" look, Honeymoon is a great highlighter, and Bombshell is a great blush/bronzer AND a dupe for Laura Mercier's limited edition Ritual bronzer.  Honorable Mention to Maybelline's Dream Bouncy blushes; great color selection, awesome fun texture and they give a sheen to the cheeks in such a unique way. Best applied with a stippling brush.




Blush/Bronzer/Highlighter:  Urban Decay's Naked Flushed palette. The best matte bronzer, highlighter and blush to suit a variety of skintones. A one-stop palette, great for travel.




Lip Balm:  EOS lip balms - a variety of flavors and tons of product.




Concealer:  Coastal Scents Bright Eyed; Revlon PhotoReady stick concealer




Mascara:  Essence Crazy (pink or black tubes); Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes




Eye Liners: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On - awesome color selection, creamy and budge-free. NYX and Jordana have similar liners but Urban Decay has me committed.




Lip Liners:  Rimmel Exaggerate liners




High-End Discovery:  TheBalm cosmetics - great packaging, product selection and pricing is reasonable.




Accessories:  Forever21 - Unique accessories, extremely affordable from classy to edgy.




Eye Shadows: Urban Decay, MAC, MakeupGeek and BareMinerals Ready shadows




If you or someone you know would like to blessed with a beauty package from the Makeup Ministry, please contact for further info. I would be happy to assist with any products I've listed here.  Wishing all of you a beautiful and blessed 2014!