Hello hello! I know it's been quite awhile & I apologize, I've
had an extremely busy last few months, but I'm back with another blog
for you all. It's a pretty in depth one, but I think you'll enjoy it ;-)
Happy Reading!!
A few months ago, I
created a YouTube channel & Facebook page so I could completely
bring out my creative side & the type of makeup that I love to do;
after a small contest simply called "Name my Channel", the contributions
of two awesome gals were combined & hence "Murderously Warped
Makeup" was born! The makeup looks I do aren't "normal" by any means;
since I got heavily into the wonderful & expanded world of makeup,
the special fx/ horror-type makeup looks have always been a preference
of mine. I just recently my 51st tutorial, & with a mere 28
subscribers, on I plow.
I bring up the
number of subscribers I currently have because for one, even though I'd
be thrilled to have subscription numbers in the 100's or 1,000's, that's
not what my channel is ultimately about. It was created for me to have
the freedom to do the looks that I wanted to do, & to also let
people see all the different facets of my personality that I might
otherwise not be able to express on an every-day basis. The subscribers
that I DO have consist of a few musician pals, fiction horror/ thriller
writers, & some all-around awesome people in general. I know they
actually WATCH my tutorials & appreciate my work, & that, my
friends, is more than I could ask for. There are mass amounts of
YouTuber's of all different personalities, with channels of all different
genres; as far as I'm concerned it's not a popularity contest. I've
always thought of it more as a way to share your talents, thoughts, what
have you with the world, & I also think it takes a lot to put
yourself out there & regularly maintain a channel.
It takes a lot of work for me to do a tutorial; coming up with the name, picking the music, the makeup, configuring the look, filming, editing, clean-up, & last ( but certainly not least), removing all the makeup & cleaning up my counter I film at. If I didn't enjoy doing tutorials, I wouldn't bother with any of that, however, I also refuse to do tutorials on looks that are completely the opposite of what I want/love to do for the sheer fact of following the mainstream. I'm not Jane freaking normal, never have been, & never will be; those tutorials are a part of my personality & who I am. I appreciate all the support I get from viewers/subscribers , but watching my videos is everyone's free choice & I don't twist anyone arm to do so.
I
recently received a message on my public Facebook page chastising me
for my looks being "too gross", & was also told that I was
"downplaying my talent" by the genre of makeup I choose to do. I know
that everyone is entitled to their opinion, & they're also entitled
to express it ( especially on a public page). In the same respect
though, I am also entitled to not give a shit about said opinions, for
I refuse to not stay true to myself & as rude as this may sound,
last time I checked it was MY channel. Haters are always going to exist,
& at the very most I find them pretty amusing. If I let everyone
stupid comment & remark get to me, I would have shut down my channel
a long time ago. I'm very far from an unfriendly or pretentious person,
quite the opposite actually; I am who I am though, & I make no apologies
for that.
In closing, it boils down to
this: Like me or don't, watch my videos or don't, I have no control over
that. I have a blast with my tutorials, & as long as I have the time to do
them, I'll continue to roll them out. Thanks very much to all of you who
have supported & believed in me & my ability from the very
beginning & continue to do so, for it means more than you know;
& for those who have discovered my channel either through
YouTube surfing or a mutual friend, I'm pleased & thankful to have
you aboard! Always remember that bullshit is exactly that, always stay
true to yourself & who you are, & don't take any shit! See you
all next time : ) XX
My Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g
My YouTube channel is dedicated in loving memory to the following people:
Brandon E. Bitner: 1/02/1996-11/05/2010
My dad, Joseph Lee: 8/07/1926-07/22/2009
Writings & Reviews Of A Makeup Junkie
Reviews on e.l.f cosmetics & tools, Special Effects semi -permanent hair dye, & haircare @ your local Sally Beauty supply that won't break your wallet. Plus, a look into the wonderful world of flat-irons; which ones will give you the results you want without damaging your hair or your budget!!
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
My Bullying Experience....
A major issue that effects so many young teens & pre-teens in this world today is bullying. When I was a kid, we didn't have the cell-phones & internet that's available today; in this day & age of vastly updated technology, these kids cannot get away from any hurtful words or comments that others feel the need to barrage them with. To say that it sad or unfortunate doesn't even begin to describe it, & perhaps those that have never been bullied have a severe lack of understanding about just what a serious issue it has become. However, that does not excuse the fact that many bullying cases are ignored, & those that are addressed are done so only after a young life has been taken because of it.
Here's my story about the bullying that I endured as a young teen, & the bullying that I sometimes still endure today. Please understand that I am not looking for sympathy, my main goal is that this reaches those of you who have been bullied & are still struggling with the after-effects, & also those that are being bullied today. I hope that perhaps it helps, even in some small way....
It started when I was in the 6th grade..At that time, grade six was not offered at any middle schools in the district I was zoned for, therefore we were all bused across town to a "6th grade center". I was bullied every day at the bus stop by a group of boys; they called me names, threw rocks at me, & harassed me on the bus to & from school. The bus driver did nothing, my so-called friends at the time did nothing, & sadly, when I told the school principal, she also did nothing. I was also friends with a girl at the time ( I went to school with her all the way through middle school) who could either be your best friend or your absolute worst enemy. If she decided she was angry at you ( many times for reasons that were unbeknownst to me), she would not only egg the others on, but participate as well.
Needless to say, 6th grade year wasn't pleasant or easy, & I was ecstatic when it was finally over! That summer before entering middle school, I got my braces put on, & I was feeling positive about the next school year.....That all came crashing down the 2nd week of 7th grade; I was not only bullied by some of the usual jack-asses, but a few new ones as well. I wore a lot of black back then ( still do to this very day), & there was a girl who decided that was a major problem for her. I didn't know her, I hadn't done anything to her, & for the longest time, I didn't even know her name, none of that mattered, nor did it stop her from threatening me every day. That is not an exaggeration either, it was literally EVERY school day! Her threat? "Don't wear black to school tomorrow, wear pink". "If you wear any black to school tomorrow, I'm going to beat your ass".
First of all, I absolutely despise pink! I have for as long as I can remember, but I have nothing against anyone else who wears it, nor would I judge or bully them for doing so! I was in state of shock as to how & why someone could be so cruel, & over something so incredibly petty & STUPID to boot! I could not wrap my head around how you could hate someone you didn't even know, relentlessly harass then on a daily basis, & (seemingly) take pleasure in doing so! So no, 7th grade didn't bring the positive changes I had hoped for, & even though it did dissipate a little, I'm sorry to say that 8th grade wasn't much better.
Fast forward to high school...It was a lot easier because I had brothers & a sister there, plus I was much more comfortable in my own skin, had developed my own sense of style, & made some pretty cool like-minded friends as well. As much as I would love to tell you that's where the bullying ended, I can't. We all have those particular "friends" from our past that we wish we had never met, & I had 2 of them in specific that bullied & manipulated me at every turn. I met them as potential friends, & I'm sure they regarded me as one; one they could push around because they knew damn well I wouldn't fight back.
Did I fight back eventually? Finally yes, I did, but it was a long road of bullshit before I used the voice that I always had but never exercised. Why? I was gullible for one, & I also knew how it felt to be bullied & refused to ever become that person, much less even come close!
Fast-forward again...It's 22 years later, I have tattoos, multiple piercings ( in just my ears now), my hair has been numerous colors, so in short, no, it wasn't some sort of "phase" I was going through. My appearance is indeed very much part of who I am, but only a fraction, & what's sad is that even today I still continue to get nasty looks, negative comments, & cruel remarks. Granted, I have a YouTube channel where I do makeup tutorials that aren't "Jane Normal", & yes, I am 100% aware that everyone is entitled to their opinion, & yes, everyone has one. It could very well be written off as "Haters are always going to hate", but does that make it right, un-cruel, or any less hurtful? No, it doesn't, & some days it does indeed get very discouraging. However, I'm pleased to say that more often than not, there are a few key things that I remember, & more often than not, they do in fact keep me from getting overly upset about the blatant stupidity of others...
1.) People are ignorant to what they don't understand: If you choose to step outside the box as far as what most consider to be "normal", they unfortunately judge you without knowing anything about you. You would like to think that people can act like the adults they supposedly are, mind their own business, & adopt the "live & let live" attitude, but that sadly doesn't always apply. However, it doesn't mean that there's a damn thing wrong with you, so take pride in who you are & remember that they don't know you, & chances are that you wouldn't want to associate with them anyway.
2.) They feed off of getting you upset: Seeing your anger, frustration & tears gives these jack-asses more power, their goal is to break you down, for that makes them feel better about themselves. I agree that it's easier said than done, but please try & remember that you're not the one with the problem. Anyone who takes pleasure from being cruel & harassing others clearly has bigger self-esteem issues then they'll ever admit.
3.) Walking away &/or not responding does NOT make you a coward: There is absolutely nothing wrong with defending yourself, & you have every right to- but pick your battles. The moronic insults of jack-asses should mean ZERO to you, & ignoring them really pisses them off- for it makes them look like an even bigger ass! Remember, they WANT a response, it's fuel for their fire, & contrary to what some might think, walking away takes courage. When it comes to the laughs, nasty looks, & snickers, please believe me when I tell you that they are NOT WORTH IT!
4.) Unique is AWESOME! : If you're comfortable with how you look, your parents are supportive about it, & the people that do know you & love you have no problem with it, keep on keepin' on! Anyone who harasses, insults, ridicules, or makes fun of you for being different instead of getting to know you by offering the hand of friendship isn't worth an ounce of your breath or a second of your time! Also, this bs about slapping a label on someone " Oh, you're Gothic"?"You must be a morbid freak", "You're EMO"? You must be gay".....seriously? And plus the fact, who CARES?! That doesn't mean that they're not worthy of being your friend, & has nothing to do with their potential to be a great one!
Far too many beautiful, talented young kids have lost their lives due to the relentless bullying they have endured. At the tender ages they are, it is extremely difficult for these young kids to tolerate constant bullying when they are just beginning to find themselves. They are not being allowed to prosper & grow, for all they are forced to experience is the pain of the cruelty that is being thrown at them in school, online, etc. day after day. To be bullied to the point of taking the tragic measures they have is NOT ok; words have an impact, these young ones are very impressionable & want to be accepted, as we all do. There are parents that tirelessly share the stories of their loved ones, for these young teens can no longer do so- their families are now their voice.
To those of you who are being bullied, I can only hope that this blog reaches you, & I also have the hopes that if so, it helps in some way. It DOES get better, & please remember that there ARE people who care, you are loved! There is also help available, so please TELL SOMEONE! And of you know of someone who is being bullied, do not feel as though you are betraying their trust by keeping that terrible secret- you could very well be a part in getting them help & saving their life.
To those of you who feel it is necessary to bully, I strongly urge you to remember this: Words can & do indeed hurt, they have power, & they can break down & destroy. It is NOT the least bit cute, amusing, cool, funny, or right to bully another individual; if anything, it is one of most cruel & cowardly things you can possibly do. Reach out your hand in friendship, get to know someone, for there is so much that lies inside someone's heart. Outer appearance is nothing more than an expression of someone's personal style, be willing to look beyond that, be accepting, & be the someone that makes a positive difference! You never know if you could be missing out on a truly great friend by judging before knowing, making assumptions will get you nowhere, & harassment DOES equal cruelty.
There is a dear friend of mine who lost her 14 year-old son in 2010 to suicide, He tragically took his own life after being relentlessly bullied for five years. His name is Brandon E. Bitner, & I urge you all to please visit his memorial Facebook page & Website, & please read & share his story...
Brandon Bitner Memorial Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ripbrandonbitner?ref=hl
Brandon Bitner Memorial Website: http://www.brandonbitner.org/
You can also find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
My YouTube channel ( which is dedicated in part to the memory of Brandon Bitner):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g
THANK YOU FOR READING!
Here's my story about the bullying that I endured as a young teen, & the bullying that I sometimes still endure today. Please understand that I am not looking for sympathy, my main goal is that this reaches those of you who have been bullied & are still struggling with the after-effects, & also those that are being bullied today. I hope that perhaps it helps, even in some small way....
It started when I was in the 6th grade..At that time, grade six was not offered at any middle schools in the district I was zoned for, therefore we were all bused across town to a "6th grade center". I was bullied every day at the bus stop by a group of boys; they called me names, threw rocks at me, & harassed me on the bus to & from school. The bus driver did nothing, my so-called friends at the time did nothing, & sadly, when I told the school principal, she also did nothing. I was also friends with a girl at the time ( I went to school with her all the way through middle school) who could either be your best friend or your absolute worst enemy. If she decided she was angry at you ( many times for reasons that were unbeknownst to me), she would not only egg the others on, but participate as well.
Needless to say, 6th grade year wasn't pleasant or easy, & I was ecstatic when it was finally over! That summer before entering middle school, I got my braces put on, & I was feeling positive about the next school year.....That all came crashing down the 2nd week of 7th grade; I was not only bullied by some of the usual jack-asses, but a few new ones as well. I wore a lot of black back then ( still do to this very day), & there was a girl who decided that was a major problem for her. I didn't know her, I hadn't done anything to her, & for the longest time, I didn't even know her name, none of that mattered, nor did it stop her from threatening me every day. That is not an exaggeration either, it was literally EVERY school day! Her threat? "Don't wear black to school tomorrow, wear pink". "If you wear any black to school tomorrow, I'm going to beat your ass".
First of all, I absolutely despise pink! I have for as long as I can remember, but I have nothing against anyone else who wears it, nor would I judge or bully them for doing so! I was in state of shock as to how & why someone could be so cruel, & over something so incredibly petty & STUPID to boot! I could not wrap my head around how you could hate someone you didn't even know, relentlessly harass then on a daily basis, & (seemingly) take pleasure in doing so! So no, 7th grade didn't bring the positive changes I had hoped for, & even though it did dissipate a little, I'm sorry to say that 8th grade wasn't much better.
Fast forward to high school...It was a lot easier because I had brothers & a sister there, plus I was much more comfortable in my own skin, had developed my own sense of style, & made some pretty cool like-minded friends as well. As much as I would love to tell you that's where the bullying ended, I can't. We all have those particular "friends" from our past that we wish we had never met, & I had 2 of them in specific that bullied & manipulated me at every turn. I met them as potential friends, & I'm sure they regarded me as one; one they could push around because they knew damn well I wouldn't fight back.
Did I fight back eventually? Finally yes, I did, but it was a long road of bullshit before I used the voice that I always had but never exercised. Why? I was gullible for one, & I also knew how it felt to be bullied & refused to ever become that person, much less even come close!
Fast-forward again...It's 22 years later, I have tattoos, multiple piercings ( in just my ears now), my hair has been numerous colors, so in short, no, it wasn't some sort of "phase" I was going through. My appearance is indeed very much part of who I am, but only a fraction, & what's sad is that even today I still continue to get nasty looks, negative comments, & cruel remarks. Granted, I have a YouTube channel where I do makeup tutorials that aren't "Jane Normal", & yes, I am 100% aware that everyone is entitled to their opinion, & yes, everyone has one. It could very well be written off as "Haters are always going to hate", but does that make it right, un-cruel, or any less hurtful? No, it doesn't, & some days it does indeed get very discouraging. However, I'm pleased to say that more often than not, there are a few key things that I remember, & more often than not, they do in fact keep me from getting overly upset about the blatant stupidity of others...
1.) People are ignorant to what they don't understand: If you choose to step outside the box as far as what most consider to be "normal", they unfortunately judge you without knowing anything about you. You would like to think that people can act like the adults they supposedly are, mind their own business, & adopt the "live & let live" attitude, but that sadly doesn't always apply. However, it doesn't mean that there's a damn thing wrong with you, so take pride in who you are & remember that they don't know you, & chances are that you wouldn't want to associate with them anyway.
2.) They feed off of getting you upset: Seeing your anger, frustration & tears gives these jack-asses more power, their goal is to break you down, for that makes them feel better about themselves. I agree that it's easier said than done, but please try & remember that you're not the one with the problem. Anyone who takes pleasure from being cruel & harassing others clearly has bigger self-esteem issues then they'll ever admit.
3.) Walking away &/or not responding does NOT make you a coward: There is absolutely nothing wrong with defending yourself, & you have every right to- but pick your battles. The moronic insults of jack-asses should mean ZERO to you, & ignoring them really pisses them off- for it makes them look like an even bigger ass! Remember, they WANT a response, it's fuel for their fire, & contrary to what some might think, walking away takes courage. When it comes to the laughs, nasty looks, & snickers, please believe me when I tell you that they are NOT WORTH IT!
4.) Unique is AWESOME! : If you're comfortable with how you look, your parents are supportive about it, & the people that do know you & love you have no problem with it, keep on keepin' on! Anyone who harasses, insults, ridicules, or makes fun of you for being different instead of getting to know you by offering the hand of friendship isn't worth an ounce of your breath or a second of your time! Also, this bs about slapping a label on someone " Oh, you're Gothic"?"You must be a morbid freak", "You're EMO"? You must be gay".....seriously? And plus the fact, who CARES?! That doesn't mean that they're not worthy of being your friend, & has nothing to do with their potential to be a great one!
Far too many beautiful, talented young kids have lost their lives due to the relentless bullying they have endured. At the tender ages they are, it is extremely difficult for these young kids to tolerate constant bullying when they are just beginning to find themselves. They are not being allowed to prosper & grow, for all they are forced to experience is the pain of the cruelty that is being thrown at them in school, online, etc. day after day. To be bullied to the point of taking the tragic measures they have is NOT ok; words have an impact, these young ones are very impressionable & want to be accepted, as we all do. There are parents that tirelessly share the stories of their loved ones, for these young teens can no longer do so- their families are now their voice.
To those of you who are being bullied, I can only hope that this blog reaches you, & I also have the hopes that if so, it helps in some way. It DOES get better, & please remember that there ARE people who care, you are loved! There is also help available, so please TELL SOMEONE! And of you know of someone who is being bullied, do not feel as though you are betraying their trust by keeping that terrible secret- you could very well be a part in getting them help & saving their life.
To those of you who feel it is necessary to bully, I strongly urge you to remember this: Words can & do indeed hurt, they have power, & they can break down & destroy. It is NOT the least bit cute, amusing, cool, funny, or right to bully another individual; if anything, it is one of most cruel & cowardly things you can possibly do. Reach out your hand in friendship, get to know someone, for there is so much that lies inside someone's heart. Outer appearance is nothing more than an expression of someone's personal style, be willing to look beyond that, be accepting, & be the someone that makes a positive difference! You never know if you could be missing out on a truly great friend by judging before knowing, making assumptions will get you nowhere, & harassment DOES equal cruelty.
There is a dear friend of mine who lost her 14 year-old son in 2010 to suicide, He tragically took his own life after being relentlessly bullied for five years. His name is Brandon E. Bitner, & I urge you all to please visit his memorial Facebook page & Website, & please read & share his story...
Brandon Bitner Memorial Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ripbrandonbitner?ref=hl
Brandon Bitner Memorial Website: http://www.brandonbitner.org/
You can also find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
My YouTube channel ( which is dedicated in part to the memory of Brandon Bitner):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g
THANK YOU FOR READING!
Monday, January 12, 2015
New Year, new tutorials, & many new upcoming blogs..
Hello hello, & happy 2015! It's been quite awhile since I've written a blog, & I think it's due-time to get back into the swing of doing so. My YouTube channel is still up & running, & my makeup tutorials are still going strong! That said, I'm doing tutorials every Tuesday & Friday, plus a vlog once a week that I've dubbed "Coffee-Talk Thursdays". This will help me better discipline myself when it comes to set days for tutorials, which towards the end of 2014 posed a bit of a problem; the holidays & my work-schedule were so busy, the days that I initially planned to do tutorials kept getting pushed back, for I technically never set specific days to do them. So far it's been proving very effective, it's a good feeling to be able to film & post 3 videos a week!
When it comes to gaining more subscribers to my channel, I'm pleased to say that in the past week alone, I've gained 3 more! I now have a total of 18 subscribers, which may not seem like any big jump compared to some of the YouTube guru's- but for me it's an awesome accomplishment! Of course I'd like that number to be larger, as any YouTuber would, but it's not the end of the world if that doesn't happen. My tutorials that I do for my channel are a great outlet, for they allow me the freedom to do more of the looks I truly like to do, & as long as there are in fact people watching & enjoying them, I have nothing to complain about. It's impossible to gauge what kind of tutorials people want to watch, so staying true to yourself, having fun with it, & believing in your own ability are the things that matter the most.
The links to my YouTube channel, Facebook, Pinterest, & Twitter will all be listed below. Please subscribe to my channel, check out my Facebook page & give it a LIKE, & follow me on Twitter & Pinterest.
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/kelli_gilmore
My Pinterest: https://twitter.com/kelli_gilmore
When it comes to gaining more subscribers to my channel, I'm pleased to say that in the past week alone, I've gained 3 more! I now have a total of 18 subscribers, which may not seem like any big jump compared to some of the YouTube guru's- but for me it's an awesome accomplishment! Of course I'd like that number to be larger, as any YouTuber would, but it's not the end of the world if that doesn't happen. My tutorials that I do for my channel are a great outlet, for they allow me the freedom to do more of the looks I truly like to do, & as long as there are in fact people watching & enjoying them, I have nothing to complain about. It's impossible to gauge what kind of tutorials people want to watch, so staying true to yourself, having fun with it, & believing in your own ability are the things that matter the most.
The links to my YouTube channel, Facebook, Pinterest, & Twitter will all be listed below. Please subscribe to my channel, check out my Facebook page & give it a LIKE, & follow me on Twitter & Pinterest.
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/kelli_gilmore
My Pinterest: https://twitter.com/kelli_gilmore
Monday, August 18, 2014
A new flat- iron, Tape-in extensions update, & A special tutorial........
Hello hello! It's been awhile, but I am indeed back & I have a lot of new information to share with you all! So sit back, grab that splendid cup of caffeination, & happy reading!
A New Flat Iron:
When I first had my tape-in extensions installed, the stylist used a flat-iron that I was extremely impressed with! I've heard great things about CHI & Ghd, & I was contemplating purchasing one of the two. This flat-iron, however, is from Sally Beauty Supply, & is also less than $100: The GVP 1" black ceramic flat-iron. I received it as a birthday gift, & at the time it was on sale for $59.99 ( it is also available in digital for $10 more) , I can honestly say that it's worth every penny! The ceramic plates help to eliminate frizz, it has a curved-edge plates designed to straighten, curl, or flip your hair with ease, heats up in 10 seconds all the way to 420 degrees ( which makes it perfect for thick or curly hair), & has a 9-foot tangle-free swivel cord. I've purchased a fair number of flat-irons in the past, some that have worked fantastic, & some that didn't-which is disappointing, especially in regards to the ones that were higher priced.As with many styling tools, it's touch-& -go, which is why I tend to set a budget as to the amount I'll pay for them-but I'm very pleased to say that this one delivers the results I had hoped for! This flat-iron is currently on sale for $49.99 at your local Sally Beauty supply,( I'll put the link to their online site at the end of this blog) so if you're looking for a a high-performance flat-iron that will give you quite a bit of style versatility, yet won't break your wallet- definitely check this one out!
Tape-in extensions update:
In past blogs & YouTube vlogs, I've talked quite a bit about my tape-in extensions; from the washing, styling, & coloring, to the small mishaps & my overall experience with them. I indeed still have them, & through continued research & experience with them I've learned some very useful tips along the way! I recently did a vlog about a few of these tips, (I'll put the link to my YouTube channel at the end of this blog as well), & I have decided that in the future, I'm going to be taping them in myself. It sounds risky I know, but after my last visit to the salon where I had them done, yet another weft slipped out of my hair after having them completely re-done after the first mishap! I completely understand that these things can very well be trial & error, but consistent trips back & forth to the salon are time-consuming ( as I've mentioned before). I did some research, took the chance, & re-installed the last weft that slid out of my hair myself. That was close to four weeks ago, & it has stayed secure through all the hair-washings, flat ironing, & two hair dye touch-ups.
My natural hair has grown out quite a bit, but I definitely plan on keeping the tape-ins for awhile! Tape-in extensions are honestly not difficult to do; do your research, find a reputable place to purchase the hair wefts & accessories ( re: tape rolls or packages of pre-cut tape strips), follow the shape of your hair, & have patience!
A Special Tutorial:
I recently did a tutorial on the 16th of this month called "The Dark Violinist". I usually don't go too terribly "all-out" when it comes to costumes for tutorials, but this one indeed needed something special!Those of you who have been following my YouTube channel have heard me talk about Brandon Bitner- my channel is in part dedicated to his memory, & his story has been one that has profoundly effected me since I first read about it in 2010. A very talented & accomplished violinist, he walked six miles from his own home in the early morning hours of November 5th, 2010 & took his own life by walking out in front of a Weiss tractor-trailer after five years of relentless bullying & harassment in the Mid-West school district. He was fourteen years old.
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Brandon's mother, Tammy, & she has become a trusted friend of mine.After a fairly recent conversation with her, I came to find out that One of Brandon's favorite classical composers was Beethoven ( my favorite as well), hence an idea for a tutorial was born. "The Dark Violinist" is dedicated to my friend Tammy Simpson, in loving memory of her son Brandon E. Bitner. Artistic expression is something to be embraced, not bashed, & the way that someone dresses is only a minute reflection of what lies inside a person's heart.
Brandon Bitner had the right to dress however he felt comfortable & not be ridiculed because of it. He was a very talented, intelligent, & warm hearted person who was literally bullied to death for the mere fact that he was different, & that is not, nor will it ever be the least bit acceptable. His memory lives on through all those that knew & loved him, & his story has impacted many. I will include the links to the Brandon Bitner Memorial website, Facebook page, & Twitter at the end of this blog, & my message is this this: Reach out a hand to those who are different, for the beauty that lies in one's heart cannot be fully seen or understood if harsh judgement is passed. Think before you speak, for words have a strong impact, & they truly can hurt.
Brandon E. Bitner: January 2nd, 1996-November 5th, 2010
Brandon Bitner Memorial Website: http://brandonbitner.com/?page_id=23
Brandon Bitner Memorial Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ripbrandonbitner
RIP Brandon Bitner Twitter: https://twitter.com/BEBMemorial
My Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g
Follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/makeupjunkie_75
*All contact lenses used in my tutorials: http://camoeyes.com/
Photo from my recent tutorial: "The Dark Violinist...
A New Flat Iron:
When I first had my tape-in extensions installed, the stylist used a flat-iron that I was extremely impressed with! I've heard great things about CHI & Ghd, & I was contemplating purchasing one of the two. This flat-iron, however, is from Sally Beauty Supply, & is also less than $100: The GVP 1" black ceramic flat-iron. I received it as a birthday gift, & at the time it was on sale for $59.99 ( it is also available in digital for $10 more) , I can honestly say that it's worth every penny! The ceramic plates help to eliminate frizz, it has a curved-edge plates designed to straighten, curl, or flip your hair with ease, heats up in 10 seconds all the way to 420 degrees ( which makes it perfect for thick or curly hair), & has a 9-foot tangle-free swivel cord. I've purchased a fair number of flat-irons in the past, some that have worked fantastic, & some that didn't-which is disappointing, especially in regards to the ones that were higher priced.As with many styling tools, it's touch-& -go, which is why I tend to set a budget as to the amount I'll pay for them-but I'm very pleased to say that this one delivers the results I had hoped for! This flat-iron is currently on sale for $49.99 at your local Sally Beauty supply,( I'll put the link to their online site at the end of this blog) so if you're looking for a a high-performance flat-iron that will give you quite a bit of style versatility, yet won't break your wallet- definitely check this one out!
Tape-in extensions update:
In past blogs & YouTube vlogs, I've talked quite a bit about my tape-in extensions; from the washing, styling, & coloring, to the small mishaps & my overall experience with them. I indeed still have them, & through continued research & experience with them I've learned some very useful tips along the way! I recently did a vlog about a few of these tips, (I'll put the link to my YouTube channel at the end of this blog as well), & I have decided that in the future, I'm going to be taping them in myself. It sounds risky I know, but after my last visit to the salon where I had them done, yet another weft slipped out of my hair after having them completely re-done after the first mishap! I completely understand that these things can very well be trial & error, but consistent trips back & forth to the salon are time-consuming ( as I've mentioned before). I did some research, took the chance, & re-installed the last weft that slid out of my hair myself. That was close to four weeks ago, & it has stayed secure through all the hair-washings, flat ironing, & two hair dye touch-ups.
My natural hair has grown out quite a bit, but I definitely plan on keeping the tape-ins for awhile! Tape-in extensions are honestly not difficult to do; do your research, find a reputable place to purchase the hair wefts & accessories ( re: tape rolls or packages of pre-cut tape strips), follow the shape of your hair, & have patience!
A Special Tutorial:
I recently did a tutorial on the 16th of this month called "The Dark Violinist". I usually don't go too terribly "all-out" when it comes to costumes for tutorials, but this one indeed needed something special!Those of you who have been following my YouTube channel have heard me talk about Brandon Bitner- my channel is in part dedicated to his memory, & his story has been one that has profoundly effected me since I first read about it in 2010. A very talented & accomplished violinist, he walked six miles from his own home in the early morning hours of November 5th, 2010 & took his own life by walking out in front of a Weiss tractor-trailer after five years of relentless bullying & harassment in the Mid-West school district. He was fourteen years old.
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Brandon's mother, Tammy, & she has become a trusted friend of mine.After a fairly recent conversation with her, I came to find out that One of Brandon's favorite classical composers was Beethoven ( my favorite as well), hence an idea for a tutorial was born. "The Dark Violinist" is dedicated to my friend Tammy Simpson, in loving memory of her son Brandon E. Bitner. Artistic expression is something to be embraced, not bashed, & the way that someone dresses is only a minute reflection of what lies inside a person's heart.
Brandon Bitner had the right to dress however he felt comfortable & not be ridiculed because of it. He was a very talented, intelligent, & warm hearted person who was literally bullied to death for the mere fact that he was different, & that is not, nor will it ever be the least bit acceptable. His memory lives on through all those that knew & loved him, & his story has impacted many. I will include the links to the Brandon Bitner Memorial website, Facebook page, & Twitter at the end of this blog, & my message is this this: Reach out a hand to those who are different, for the beauty that lies in one's heart cannot be fully seen or understood if harsh judgement is passed. Think before you speak, for words have a strong impact, & they truly can hurt.
Brandon E. Bitner: January 2nd, 1996-November 5th, 2010
Brandon Bitner Memorial Website: http://brandonbitner.com/?page_id=23
Brandon Bitner Memorial Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ripbrandonbitner
RIP Brandon Bitner Twitter: https://twitter.com/BEBMemorial
My Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g
Follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/makeupjunkie_75
*All contact lenses used in my tutorials: http://camoeyes.com/
Photo from my recent tutorial: "The Dark Violinist...
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
My Experience With Tape-In Extensions......
Hello hello! I'm back with another blog for you all, this one documenting my experience thus far with tape-in extensions. I hope you enjoy it, & I also hope that it may give some of you who have considered this option a few tips to help you beforehand & along the way.....
WHY TAPE-IN EXTENSIONS?
I had a very bad mishap back in January of this year at a salon. I went in to get my hair colored, the bleach was left in for too long, & not only did it succeed in frying my hair, a large section of my hair also broke off. It was a month & a half-long struggle to repair my hair to the point where it would even grow, plus more money that was invested in the products to help repair my hair. When my hair did in fact start growing again, it was a very slow process due to the damage that was done. From about the end of February until May, the few times I attempted to wear my hair down & flat-iron it were very frustrating; due to the length ( or lack thereof) , the remaining damage, & the texture of my hair-so I just wore it pulled up. I've never had any kind of permanent extensions, so I did quite a bit of research before deciding that tape-ins might just be the best option for me. Due to the short length of my hair, Micro-link & wefted extensions were out of the question, & I had read a bout many nightmare situations involving both. Tape-ins are placed between two sections of hair, about an inch from the scalp, therefore allowing the natural hair to grow safe & sound. They last about six to eight weeks ( depending on your hair growth & care of the extensions), as to which time you get them moved up again.
THE CONSULTATION...
After three weeks of research on tape-in extensions alone, I found a salon with two stylists that specialize in them. It was a reputable salon that had been operating since 1987 with many rave reviews, & also relatively close to where I live. Not being sure I was even a candidate for tape-in extensions, I called the salon & made an appointment for a consultation that same day. The salon was small, clean, & very nicely set up. The stylist who did my consultation was friendly, professional, & took the time to thoroughly look at my hair, & I was pleased to find out that yes, tape-in extensions could in fact be done! My hair is blue, so I was told by the stylist that she would research a bit for the best color match & hair type, & that I would be contacted within a week's time.
As promised, the stylist contacted me, gave me a price of what the total cost would be ( re: the hair, color, & charge to install the extensions), & an appointment to have the tape-ins done was made.
THE INSTALL & RESULTS
My tape-in extensions were done on the 14th of June, it only took about an hour to install them, & it was completely painless; no tugging or yanking of my hair, & no feeling of " Yep, I'm gonna have a headache after this". It was literally what I call "Insta-hair"! A little past my shoulders, soft, & the color was indeed vibrant blue! After not having hair that long since about 2008, it was a big difference, & for the most part I was pretty ecstatic. I say "for the most part" because there was one thing I was confused about: When I went in for the consultation, it was obvious that my hair needed to be dyed ( at the time it was a a faded purple/blue). I asked the stylist if I needed to dye my hair myself beforehand, & I was told that she would be doing the color touch-up for me. Yet, on the day I had my extensions put in, no color touch-up was done in the least, & I was charged $65 for color?? When I inquired about this, I was told that the charge for color was for the EXTENSIONS, not my actual hair....Ah, ok. That wasn't what I was told originally, but I didn't debate it, for I knew I could do color touch-up on my hair myself. My stylist was asked before I left the salon if there were any products ( shampoo, conditioner, etc.) that she recommended, & I was told "not really", just as long as it's sulfate-free. I was then told not to wash my hair for 24-hours to let the tape-ins adhere to my hair, she was paid, tipped, & gave me her cell phone number if I had any problems with the extensions, & off I went with my nifty new hair!
THE AFTERMATH...
The day I had my tape-ins done, I purchased a "loop brush" ( which is a brush that has loop bristles as to not catch on the extensions while brushing them. A regular-bristled brush WILL indeed catch on the tape!) , plus a shampoo & conditioner that was specifically made for human hair extensions. I pulled my hair back in a loose ponytail before I went to sleep ( which you're supposed to do in order to keep the extensions from matting in any way), waited a full 24-hours, touched up my color ( I use Special Effects or Manic Panic-both semi-permanent hair colors that contain no ammonia), & washed my tape-ins for the first time.....
For those like myself that have never had extensions before, much less tape-ins, it does in fact take a time or two to get the shampoo/conditioner routine down. New hair, new routine, & you cannot wash your hair the way that you did previous to having them. There is indeed a method to the madness, so be patient! I would say that after about the 3rd time you wash your hair with tape-ins, you'll pretty much have it down to a science- that goes for the brushing & styling as well.
Can you curl them? Yes you can! Can you flat-iron them? Yes you can! Depending on the length & amount of tape-in wefts you have, be careful about the heat level. I place my styling appliances on a low to medium setting ( which is just about perfect), & a small amount of heat protector from the middle to the end of the extensions is more than enough.
DO IT YOURSELF...
I had a couple of mishaps with my tape-in extensions. Granted, every person's hair is different, & sometimes things can be trial & error. Within a week & a half after getting my tape-in extensions, I had two wefts slide right out of my hair in a span of 3 days. I contacted my stylist to let her know what happened, & I went in the next day to have them re-installed. Hair stylists aren't magicians, mistakes happen, & you have to be willing to work with your stylist without going berserk-especially if they offer to fix the problem with no qualms or questions asked. It was determined that when she dyed my extensions, it was possible that the tape got wet & didn't hold as well as it normally would when they were installed. Not only did she fix the wefts that had fallen out, she took ALL of them out & re-installed them again to be sure that they would hold better! I was very thankful & also very impressed, for when you deal with a stylist that cares about their clients-those clients will undoubtedly come back.
Fast-forward to three weeks later: I was blow-drying my hair & yep, a weft on the left side of my head slid right out! Yet another phone call was made to my stylist, & upon hearing what had happened ( yet again), she consulted with the owner of the salon....that's where the good impression ended. I was accused of not taking good enough care of my extensions; not using a sulfate-free shampoo, not brushing them correctly or enough ( it's recommended that you brush them out twice a day), not pulling my hair back when I went to sleep, etc, etc. These questions wouldn't have irritated me at all, if she hadn't asked me the EXACT same ones the last time I was at the salon-which was three weeks prior. In the end, my stylist apologized & wanted me to come in again so she could use a stronger glue on the extensions. As much as I appreciated her offer, I did not have the time to make another trip down there, yet I still had a weft that had fallen out..
What did I do? I purchased some glue strips from the beauty supply store, sectioned my hair off with a pin-tail comb, & placed the weft back in myself. I still have over two sheets of the glue strips left, so at least I'm prepared if I happen to lose another one any time soon. The weft I replaced myself is holding up well, & as much as I credit the stylist who installed my tape-ins, salon trips back & forth can be frustrating.
Did she do a good job? Yes, I honestly believe that she did, & I DO appreciate her efforts to fix the mishaps. However, the owner of the salon was a wee bit insulting, after what I paid for the extensions, three wefts falling out in less than a month is pretty annoying. Will I stick with the tape-ins? Most likely yes, at least for awhile, but I'm definitely looking forward to my own hair growing to the desired length!
MY EXPERIENCE OVERALL...
I do think that tape-in extensions are a great option. Despite a few frustrations, I don't regret getting them, for they've given the look & length of my hair that much-needed boost. My advice to anyone considering the option of tape-ins: Do your research! Explore the process, aftercare, & do not be afraid to ask a stylist questions if there's anything you don't understand. When choosing a salon ( if you don't have one you go to regularly), read the reviews, check out the Facebook pages, websites, photos, etc. Sometimes it's difficult to decipher what the feel of a salon will be until you've been there, so a consultation is always a good idea!
I know this blog is a bit lengthy, but I hope you all enjoy it! The links to my YouTube channel, Facebook page, & Twitter page will be listed down below, & I'll be back again soon with another blog post! Catch up with you gals & pals then ;-)
My Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
My YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/makeupjunkie_75
Here are a couple before & after photos:
WHY TAPE-IN EXTENSIONS?
I had a very bad mishap back in January of this year at a salon. I went in to get my hair colored, the bleach was left in for too long, & not only did it succeed in frying my hair, a large section of my hair also broke off. It was a month & a half-long struggle to repair my hair to the point where it would even grow, plus more money that was invested in the products to help repair my hair. When my hair did in fact start growing again, it was a very slow process due to the damage that was done. From about the end of February until May, the few times I attempted to wear my hair down & flat-iron it were very frustrating; due to the length ( or lack thereof) , the remaining damage, & the texture of my hair-so I just wore it pulled up. I've never had any kind of permanent extensions, so I did quite a bit of research before deciding that tape-ins might just be the best option for me. Due to the short length of my hair, Micro-link & wefted extensions were out of the question, & I had read a bout many nightmare situations involving both. Tape-ins are placed between two sections of hair, about an inch from the scalp, therefore allowing the natural hair to grow safe & sound. They last about six to eight weeks ( depending on your hair growth & care of the extensions), as to which time you get them moved up again.
THE CONSULTATION...
After three weeks of research on tape-in extensions alone, I found a salon with two stylists that specialize in them. It was a reputable salon that had been operating since 1987 with many rave reviews, & also relatively close to where I live. Not being sure I was even a candidate for tape-in extensions, I called the salon & made an appointment for a consultation that same day. The salon was small, clean, & very nicely set up. The stylist who did my consultation was friendly, professional, & took the time to thoroughly look at my hair, & I was pleased to find out that yes, tape-in extensions could in fact be done! My hair is blue, so I was told by the stylist that she would research a bit for the best color match & hair type, & that I would be contacted within a week's time.
As promised, the stylist contacted me, gave me a price of what the total cost would be ( re: the hair, color, & charge to install the extensions), & an appointment to have the tape-ins done was made.
THE INSTALL & RESULTS
My tape-in extensions were done on the 14th of June, it only took about an hour to install them, & it was completely painless; no tugging or yanking of my hair, & no feeling of " Yep, I'm gonna have a headache after this". It was literally what I call "Insta-hair"! A little past my shoulders, soft, & the color was indeed vibrant blue! After not having hair that long since about 2008, it was a big difference, & for the most part I was pretty ecstatic. I say "for the most part" because there was one thing I was confused about: When I went in for the consultation, it was obvious that my hair needed to be dyed ( at the time it was a a faded purple/blue). I asked the stylist if I needed to dye my hair myself beforehand, & I was told that she would be doing the color touch-up for me. Yet, on the day I had my extensions put in, no color touch-up was done in the least, & I was charged $65 for color?? When I inquired about this, I was told that the charge for color was for the EXTENSIONS, not my actual hair....Ah, ok. That wasn't what I was told originally, but I didn't debate it, for I knew I could do color touch-up on my hair myself. My stylist was asked before I left the salon if there were any products ( shampoo, conditioner, etc.) that she recommended, & I was told "not really", just as long as it's sulfate-free. I was then told not to wash my hair for 24-hours to let the tape-ins adhere to my hair, she was paid, tipped, & gave me her cell phone number if I had any problems with the extensions, & off I went with my nifty new hair!
THE AFTERMATH...
The day I had my tape-ins done, I purchased a "loop brush" ( which is a brush that has loop bristles as to not catch on the extensions while brushing them. A regular-bristled brush WILL indeed catch on the tape!) , plus a shampoo & conditioner that was specifically made for human hair extensions. I pulled my hair back in a loose ponytail before I went to sleep ( which you're supposed to do in order to keep the extensions from matting in any way), waited a full 24-hours, touched up my color ( I use Special Effects or Manic Panic-both semi-permanent hair colors that contain no ammonia), & washed my tape-ins for the first time.....
For those like myself that have never had extensions before, much less tape-ins, it does in fact take a time or two to get the shampoo/conditioner routine down. New hair, new routine, & you cannot wash your hair the way that you did previous to having them. There is indeed a method to the madness, so be patient! I would say that after about the 3rd time you wash your hair with tape-ins, you'll pretty much have it down to a science- that goes for the brushing & styling as well.
Can you curl them? Yes you can! Can you flat-iron them? Yes you can! Depending on the length & amount of tape-in wefts you have, be careful about the heat level. I place my styling appliances on a low to medium setting ( which is just about perfect), & a small amount of heat protector from the middle to the end of the extensions is more than enough.
DO IT YOURSELF...
I had a couple of mishaps with my tape-in extensions. Granted, every person's hair is different, & sometimes things can be trial & error. Within a week & a half after getting my tape-in extensions, I had two wefts slide right out of my hair in a span of 3 days. I contacted my stylist to let her know what happened, & I went in the next day to have them re-installed. Hair stylists aren't magicians, mistakes happen, & you have to be willing to work with your stylist without going berserk-especially if they offer to fix the problem with no qualms or questions asked. It was determined that when she dyed my extensions, it was possible that the tape got wet & didn't hold as well as it normally would when they were installed. Not only did she fix the wefts that had fallen out, she took ALL of them out & re-installed them again to be sure that they would hold better! I was very thankful & also very impressed, for when you deal with a stylist that cares about their clients-those clients will undoubtedly come back.
Fast-forward to three weeks later: I was blow-drying my hair & yep, a weft on the left side of my head slid right out! Yet another phone call was made to my stylist, & upon hearing what had happened ( yet again), she consulted with the owner of the salon....that's where the good impression ended. I was accused of not taking good enough care of my extensions; not using a sulfate-free shampoo, not brushing them correctly or enough ( it's recommended that you brush them out twice a day), not pulling my hair back when I went to sleep, etc, etc. These questions wouldn't have irritated me at all, if she hadn't asked me the EXACT same ones the last time I was at the salon-which was three weeks prior. In the end, my stylist apologized & wanted me to come in again so she could use a stronger glue on the extensions. As much as I appreciated her offer, I did not have the time to make another trip down there, yet I still had a weft that had fallen out..
What did I do? I purchased some glue strips from the beauty supply store, sectioned my hair off with a pin-tail comb, & placed the weft back in myself. I still have over two sheets of the glue strips left, so at least I'm prepared if I happen to lose another one any time soon. The weft I replaced myself is holding up well, & as much as I credit the stylist who installed my tape-ins, salon trips back & forth can be frustrating.
Did she do a good job? Yes, I honestly believe that she did, & I DO appreciate her efforts to fix the mishaps. However, the owner of the salon was a wee bit insulting, after what I paid for the extensions, three wefts falling out in less than a month is pretty annoying. Will I stick with the tape-ins? Most likely yes, at least for awhile, but I'm definitely looking forward to my own hair growing to the desired length!
MY EXPERIENCE OVERALL...
I do think that tape-in extensions are a great option. Despite a few frustrations, I don't regret getting them, for they've given the look & length of my hair that much-needed boost. My advice to anyone considering the option of tape-ins: Do your research! Explore the process, aftercare, & do not be afraid to ask a stylist questions if there's anything you don't understand. When choosing a salon ( if you don't have one you go to regularly), read the reviews, check out the Facebook pages, websites, photos, etc. Sometimes it's difficult to decipher what the feel of a salon will be until you've been there, so a consultation is always a good idea!
I know this blog is a bit lengthy, but I hope you all enjoy it! The links to my YouTube channel, Facebook page, & Twitter page will be listed down below, & I'll be back again soon with another blog post! Catch up with you gals & pals then ;-)
My Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
My YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/makeupjunkie_75
Here are a couple before & after photos:
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
"Moribund Tales": New Dark Fiction ....
Hello hello : ) Are there any dark fiction readers out there? My best guess is yes, & I also happen to be an avid reader of it myself. Have you ever come across a book that, after reading once, you knew beyond a shadow of doubt you would read again? I certainly have, but as far as anything completely "new", it's honestly been awhile....Until recently.
About two weeks ago, I purchased a new ( & admittedly my first) Kindle book. It is indeed dark fiction, & intriguingly so. The name? "Moribund Tales". The author? Erik Hofstatter, & if you are a reader & lover of dark fiction, I highly recommend you grab this one if you haven't already! A book that tells one story at length can undoubtedly be enough to indulge the mind, "Moribund Tales" obliges with nine short stories that effectuate more than one dark cornerstone. His ability to execute the visual details could be slightly compared to authors such as Poppy Z. Brite, with a style that will also remind you of the classic Edgar Allan Poe. These nine tales will take you on a journey that range anywhere from violent emotion to twisted psychological impulse, guaranteed to chill the mind & give the skin a thrilling crawl or two.
I've never been particularly compelled to write a blog in regards to a new book I've read, but because I'm drawn to the more sinister side of makeup artistry, things that are creepy & twisted do intrigue me-specifically in regards to what I read. I've always been drawn to the "not-so-ordinary", & being able to express that in my makeup is something that I'm very pleased about. I have even done makeup looks that deal with my two worst fears: Clowns & spiders ( shhh, don't tell anyone ;p). I've always loved to read, & dark fiction has been draw for me since my teenage years. If the content in a book I read scares me, turns my stomach, or makes my skin crawl-I applaud the author! Cheers to you Erik Hofstatter, job well done .
Check out "Moribund Tales" on Amazon asap: http://www.amazon.com/Moribund-Tales-Erik-Hofstatter-ebook/dp/B00GACB9ZC/ref=la_B00KO3SAQY_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405457769&sr=1-1
About two weeks ago, I purchased a new ( & admittedly my first) Kindle book. It is indeed dark fiction, & intriguingly so. The name? "Moribund Tales". The author? Erik Hofstatter, & if you are a reader & lover of dark fiction, I highly recommend you grab this one if you haven't already! A book that tells one story at length can undoubtedly be enough to indulge the mind, "Moribund Tales" obliges with nine short stories that effectuate more than one dark cornerstone. His ability to execute the visual details could be slightly compared to authors such as Poppy Z. Brite, with a style that will also remind you of the classic Edgar Allan Poe. These nine tales will take you on a journey that range anywhere from violent emotion to twisted psychological impulse, guaranteed to chill the mind & give the skin a thrilling crawl or two.
I've never been particularly compelled to write a blog in regards to a new book I've read, but because I'm drawn to the more sinister side of makeup artistry, things that are creepy & twisted do intrigue me-specifically in regards to what I read. I've always been drawn to the "not-so-ordinary", & being able to express that in my makeup is something that I'm very pleased about. I have even done makeup looks that deal with my two worst fears: Clowns & spiders ( shhh, don't tell anyone ;p). I've always loved to read, & dark fiction has been draw for me since my teenage years. If the content in a book I read scares me, turns my stomach, or makes my skin crawl-I applaud the author! Cheers to you Erik Hofstatter, job well done .
Check out "Moribund Tales" on Amazon asap: http://www.amazon.com/Moribund-Tales-Erik-Hofstatter-ebook/dp/B00GACB9ZC/ref=la_B00KO3SAQY_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405457769&sr=1-1
Monday, July 14, 2014
The birth of a new channel & other updates...
Hello hello! It's been awhile, but I am indeed back-& with a brand new channel to boot! I ran a contest on my Facebook page about a week ago to help me name my new channel, & at the end there were not only one, but TWO winners! "Murderously Warped Makeup" has been created, & again, congrats to Crissie Clark & Vicki DesRuisseaux for winning!
With the birth of my new channel, I did in fact carry over 2 tutorials from my previous channel: "Creepy Rabbit" & "Clowns Will Have You in Stitches" ( which was the last one I did on my previous channel). Since then, I've also done a new tutorial, a recent review, & another tutorial is in the works & will be posted very soon. The question in regards to why I shut down my previous channel has indeed been asked, well, here's the answer for all of you: I tend to be very self-critical & as with anyone, I have my times of frustration. Working so hard to create a tutorial & not getting the response you had hoped for is very disappointing. I 'm fully aware that not only is YouTube a very vast world with a large number of makeup artists, but also that because my tutorials fit into the realm of "not-so-ordinary", they aren't everyone's cup of tea. In the grand scheme of things, I unfortunately let my doubts get the best of me-& yes, I did regret it afterwards. In any case of placing yourself in the public eye, you open the door to many different opinions & criticisms. If someone doesn't care for the type of makeup I do, they won't always spare me the negative comments-everyone is entitled to their own opinion, & some are not the slightest bit shy about stating it, lol.There were a few cases of "OUCH", but to throw up my hands & say " I quit" was nothing more than a display of letting others break me down.
Having a sensitive heart is often a blessing as well as a curse, & as difficult as it is sometimes, I have to remain true to myself & the kind of makeup I choose to do. Many aspects of my personality shine through in my videos, it is 100% me,& I refuse to make any apologies for that. Yes, people can be cruel, & I'm not the only one who has ever experienced that. The compliments I receive mean a great deal, & they far outweigh the negativity. Having people believe in me & my ability is very motivating, but I also have to believe in myself, for I cannot fully succeed in my endeavors if I don't.
I urge you all to check out the "about" section of my channel, for I have dedicated it to two people who had tremendous compassion, strength & intelligence. I go into a little more detail about it in my recent review video, so check that out as well! Please rate, comment & subscribe to my channel, it really helps me out! Check out my Facebook page & give it a like as well if you would, I greatly appreciate it!
Thank you to all of you who have shown so much support & encouragement, & to all of those unique, artistic, creative & talented souls out there- keep on keepin' on & don't ever stop being you!
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g/feed
Find me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/makeupjunkie_75
With the birth of my new channel, I did in fact carry over 2 tutorials from my previous channel: "Creepy Rabbit" & "Clowns Will Have You in Stitches" ( which was the last one I did on my previous channel). Since then, I've also done a new tutorial, a recent review, & another tutorial is in the works & will be posted very soon. The question in regards to why I shut down my previous channel has indeed been asked, well, here's the answer for all of you: I tend to be very self-critical & as with anyone, I have my times of frustration. Working so hard to create a tutorial & not getting the response you had hoped for is very disappointing. I 'm fully aware that not only is YouTube a very vast world with a large number of makeup artists, but also that because my tutorials fit into the realm of "not-so-ordinary", they aren't everyone's cup of tea. In the grand scheme of things, I unfortunately let my doubts get the best of me-& yes, I did regret it afterwards. In any case of placing yourself in the public eye, you open the door to many different opinions & criticisms. If someone doesn't care for the type of makeup I do, they won't always spare me the negative comments-everyone is entitled to their own opinion, & some are not the slightest bit shy about stating it, lol.There were a few cases of "OUCH", but to throw up my hands & say " I quit" was nothing more than a display of letting others break me down.
Having a sensitive heart is often a blessing as well as a curse, & as difficult as it is sometimes, I have to remain true to myself & the kind of makeup I choose to do. Many aspects of my personality shine through in my videos, it is 100% me,& I refuse to make any apologies for that. Yes, people can be cruel, & I'm not the only one who has ever experienced that. The compliments I receive mean a great deal, & they far outweigh the negativity. Having people believe in me & my ability is very motivating, but I also have to believe in myself, for I cannot fully succeed in my endeavors if I don't.
I urge you all to check out the "about" section of my channel, for I have dedicated it to two people who had tremendous compassion, strength & intelligence. I go into a little more detail about it in my recent review video, so check that out as well! Please rate, comment & subscribe to my channel, it really helps me out! Check out my Facebook page & give it a like as well if you would, I greatly appreciate it!
Thank you to all of you who have shown so much support & encouragement, & to all of those unique, artistic, creative & talented souls out there- keep on keepin' on & don't ever stop being you!
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlvj4oSDaI5cG_wX9tPz6g/feed
Find me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/purplepeepleeater75?ref=hl
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/makeupjunkie_75
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