My Everyday Foundation Routine

I get asked quite often what my foundation routine consists of. So what better way to show you guys than to do a tutorial! All of the products I have used are below. There are so many ways you can apply these products. This is just my way of applying them to get the results I want in the quickest amount of time for myself. So enjoy and as always... Thank you for watching and reading!

Products in order of appearance:

Lancome La Base Pro
Estee Lauder Ideal Light Brush on Illuminator (Light medium)
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (Rich Ginger)
Estee Lauder Double Wear Mineral Rich Loose Powder (Intensity 4)
Estee Lauder Double Wear Pressed Powder (Rich Caramel)
N.Y.C Sun 2 Sun All Over Bronzing Powder (Bronze Mist)
Dior Blush (Peechy Keen)
Too Faced Candlelight

Brushes in order of appearance:

Estee Lauder Limited Edition Foundation Brush
E.L.F Powder Brush
Estee Lauder Powder Puff
Estee Lauder Powder Foundation Brush 3
Dior Mini Fan Brush
Avon Blush Brush
E.L.F Bronzing Brush

LIPS:
Estee Lauder Double Wear Lip Liner (Plummy)
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (Berry Haute)

3 Year Natural Hair Length Check

So here's to my 3 year anniversary! This video was taken back in November of 2012. Very short video to show some progress. Stay tuned to more :)

~Elle

Natural Hair Growth

Natural Hair Growth

While this isn't my most recent hair length check... I thought it would be better to upload this one to the blog before the new one. This will give those of you who aren't following me on Youtube a better idea of the growth I have experienced within the last year. I made this video at about my 2 1/2 year mark of being natural. Natural hair rocks and I hope I can inspire and encourage you guys to start your own journey and thrive within it. Enjoy!

~Elle

Where Are My Virginia Followers???

 

It's time for some fun!! What kind of fun you may ask... well we are having an Artistry Show! This event will include food/drinks, gifts, and a runway show for everyone. You will be able to vote on your favorite model looks and mingle with other guests and Beauty Advisors. I would love to send out an open invitation to you guys. So come on out, bring your family and friends, and enjoy the show! 

In addition I am looking for 3 volunteers to walk the runway!! No experience needed. I will be doing your makeup personally which will show off a Fall/Winter look. All models will receive a door prize from the store for attending as well as a special gift from myself. This will be a contest between all cosmetic counters! If we are the winning team, I will definitely show my appreciation to you guys for being a part of this experience. So if you enjoy makeup, free gifts, and want to try Estee Lauder products, email me if you would like to be a model for this show! 

Details (GUESTS):

Date: October 27th

Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm

Place: MacArthur Center (300 Monticello Ave, Norfolk Va 23510)

Price: FREE

Details (MODELS):

(Same as above except Time)

Time: Will come in between 12pm and 1pm to allow me time to do your makeup before show begins.

Attire: Must wear all black and have hair in ponytail to properly show the makeup.

Interested in attending? Email me at xosimplyellexo@gmail.com and let me know if you would like to be a guest or model. Gifts are given out to only those who are on the guest list. So be sure to contact me so I can put you on the guest list. 

What A Busy Week!

Yesssss! It has been such a busy week for me. I don't know how in the world I got through it and I still have a head full of hair. If you ask me, I should be bald or grey. But I did it and I can finally kick my feet up!

After a 6 day work week consisting of 10 hour days, I feel so rattled and unorganized. I have videos that I have been meaning to upload to Youtube that will be posted shortly. I also have emails that I need to get to from you guys! I also want to thank all of my new subbies/followers from Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, and this Blog. You guys and gals are truly my inspiration.

I just wanted to poke my head out of hiding and let you all know Im doing great and there will be some requested videos posted soon! Thank you all for the support.  :)

~Elle

Caged Bird

I dream of having wings in order to fly

Fly out of my cage into the topless blue sky

It traps me within, containing my rage

People pass me by and are amused, there’s no escape

I scream and I cry feeling powerless… a simple captured bird

They may hear my voice but they never interpret my words

I see all the others walking so free

And I tell myself be firm it could some day be me

But a trained bird gets used to its supervised cage

You let it go free… yet it returns the next day

So I go back and forth getting captured in the storm

I have no other place to rest. I have no other place to keep warm

So I may dream… dream of wings to fly away

But its only a way out… its only an escape

So I realize I dont need to be the gorgeous bird with wild wings

Maybe God made me to be strong and spiritually free…

~Elle

Natural Hair Wash Day!

Am I the only one who really loathes wash day?? My hair has a combination of curl patterns and textures which in turn causes it to be easily tangled. To keep the knots and kinks from forming again while I wash and detangle, I have to wash and co-wash in sections. This allows me to cleanse more thoroughly and detangle with as little damage to my hair as possible. 

I have different technique when washing in the shower and washing in the sink. So here is how I go about washing my hair in the shower.

(1) I separate my hair into four sections, pulling each into a ponytail.

(2) I remove one ponytail and begin wetting that section. While adding my conditioner to that section, I began finger detangling and massaging scalp to break up any debris/dirt. 

(3) After finger detangling, I then go through with either my Tangle Teezer or Denman Brush . This is optional. I do not use hair utensils every time I detangle.

(4) Twist this section up and move onto the next one.

(5) After I have detangled each section, I allow the conditioner to sit in my hair as I do the rest of my "business".

(6) After allowing conditioner to sit, I remove one section at a time and rinse with cool water. I add my leave in conditioner and then re-twist to prevent tangling. 

And there you have it! You have any tips on detangling on wash day? Leave comments below.

~Elle