Snow White and the Huntsman: Top Ten

     I knew today had the potential to be a difficult day...father's day. This is the second father's day without my dad, and I woke up this morning so sad, and so angry that I let it affect my mood and the mood of others all day. The words of Miranda Lambert's "Over You" rang through my head like a record on repeat..."You went away, how dare you, I miss you..." And I do, everyday miss my father who unexpectedly passed away on New Years Day 2011. I still somedays wonder if I even have begun to let myself except it...but I don't think I'm necessarily in any particular hurry to answer that question. So this morning I opted for one of my favorite distractions...the cinema. The husband and I went and saw "Snow White and the Huntsman" and I was so enchanted with this film I wanted to do a little top ten blog post about it...

1. The Hair..more specifically, all of the braids and details! Maybe it's just the stylist part of me shining through but I had an eye on everyone's hair...from Ravenna's elaborate work to the smallest of braids tucked into Snow's battle ponytail. And braids are totally hot right now, right. Valentino's ads feature some great ones, Katniss's ponytails on the Hunger Games, Daenarys on Game of Thrones and pretty much every other hair pin in pinterest....love love love.
2. The 3 Drops...I love how this rendition of Snow White incorporated the three drops of blood full circle...The Queen sees the 3 red droplets on the snow covered ground and is then pregnant with Snow White, Ravenna's mother spills 3 droplets which give Ravenna beauty as her power, only to be undone by fair blood...Ravenna spills three droplets onto Snow when she is slain...I just thought it was really cool.



Muir, to the right of the Huntsman

3. Muir...Muir is one of the dwarfs...and don't think Disney dwarfs, don't think Disney anything when watching this movie! He was blind and had a special gift to "know" things, like a seer of sorts, so it seemed. There was just something about him. I don't know if it was that he was so sage in his ways, or maybe he just rang true of a familiar father figure. I really appreciated this character and the ways he was able to enlighten others.



Charlize as Ravenna, in one of my favorite of her looks.

4. Charlize Theron...helloooo...can we please give it up for Charlize for nailing the part of the evil Queen, Ravenna. Her demeanor, her dialect, her mannerisms...everything was spot on with her acting; as was everything with her hair, wardrobe, the works. She is not a character you are rooting for, of course not, but she is one to be in awe of.

5. The Huntsman...while we are on a roll talking about casting...Chris Hemsworth was dreamy in the most rugged of a sense as the huntsman. Swinging his axe in that Thor like way...mmmhmmm...his character was really well developed and one you can actually see make that emotional transformation throughout the storyline...Who needs Prince Charming when you have the Huntsman!!
6. The Sanctuary...After watching the struggle through the dark forest, seeing the Sanctuary, home of the fairies was like a wonderland moment, where all is beautiful and magical and whimsical. It was a classic Snow White moment when she got to be amongst the animals and be so in awe of her surroundings...a really cleverly designed setting.

7. The Stag...Snow White is led by small fairies to a clearing where standing is this most magnificent white stag with a tremendous display of antlers. Muir lets no one but Snow approach as it is something that has never been seen before. Carefully Snow makes the initial contact with the stag and I hate to sound cheesy (I hate to say "cheesy") but it was a poignant moment in the film for sure while as she stood there the stag lowered his head, surrounding her with his antlers. It was said to be a blessing because she is the life that will save everyone else. It was another awe moment with what soon followed, but I'll leave that for your own viewing.
8. All Hail the Queen...this is just one of those triumphant moments that you look for in a movie such as this. After Snow has awakened from the Queen's apple betrayal she walks outside to address all of those who had been loyal to her father. She declares they will battle and that she will keep her promises and that the kingdom will be restored. Everyone, in the dark of night, drops to their knee and you hear them cry "All hail the Queen".
9. The Huntsman, Not Charming...Classically we know Prince Charming to be the one who awakens Snow from her sleep, but not this time, sorry Prince William. Stop reading now, if you don't want to read of this somewhat predictable spoiler...William kisses Snow when they first realize Ravenna has poisoned her, but nothing comes from it. It is the huntsman, grieving in the shadows where Snow's body is being displayed that declares his feelings and kisses her for the first time. Awww, why does KStew get to kiss the best looking guys?!?!
10. The Implied Ending...Of course we see Snow White go on to be crowned Queen, but there is never a face to face declaration of feeling between her and the Huntsman. When she rises from her throne she scans the room looking face to face, and finally locks eyes with the Huntsman, she in her royal garb and he in the garb of a far from noble huntsman. But it is in that eye lock that soooo much can be inferred, and normally I don't like to have to assume, in my own way, how the story will end beyond the rolling of credits, but that moment...yes...you knew there was something more to come.

There was so much in this film, I mean it was over 2 hours long, so needless to say I probably failed to touch on something else I found remarkable. I just wanted to do something fun, fun for me anyway, on this the day that it is. If you've seen the film leave your favorite moment in the comments below, if not, go see it!! And for arguments sake, who do you prefer, the Huntsman or Prince Charming?? (and not just in the film, but in their real life qualities)...Of course for me, the Huntsman wins.

XOXO,
J.













Birchbox: Gossip Girl

Why am I such a procrastinator when it comes to this blog?? Yes, this post is for MAY's Birchbox, and although I've had the box in my possession for over a month now, my review has yet to make it on here...but alas, here it is (June's box to follow).
I was particularly stoked about this box because it is inspired by one of my absolute favorite shows, Gossip Girl. Can it get much better? Why yes, I think it can. I looked at some other posts about everyone else's GG box (since not every box is identical), and not to be bias, but I think I got one of the better boxes!! Let's talk about it's contents so you can see why I adore:

• Dior: Diorshow Extase Mascara...J'adore Dior, right?? And what an iconic designer name that definitely begs to be associated with Gossip Girl. I am conjuring up images of Blair Waldorf and Serena VanDerWoodsen as I type! This mascara is, well, a-mazing. It gives you the volume and length and adds that extra drama to your eyes. It also contains a ceramide complex which is unique in that it actually helps to fortify your lashes. A full-size product is $28.50, and although it's not at a price point for me right now that I would stock my MUA kit with it, it is a definite y-e-s for my own personal use.
• Dior: Miss Dior eau du parfum...more Dior, please and thank you. This is a very feminine fragrance that I would love for a night on the town. It has floral notes and a hint of patchouli.
• Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF 20 in Glow...This is a tinted treatment that you can use all over your body to cover blemishes and scars and add that extra little bit of luminescence. I can't wait to try this one out more extensively.
• SHU UEMURA Cleansing Oil Shampoo...Now, SHU UEMURA, a great brand, but being a stylist I can be particular about what shampoos (and hair products in general) I use. The basics of it are that it's a scented cleasing shampoo that contains oil which turns into a foam, leaving hair "clean and bouncy". This is probably going to go with the rest of my shampoo samples I keep around, but if I do end up using it sooner and I do think it's a gem, I will speak on it down the road.
• Birchbox Extra: Notecards... This is just a cute little notecard (one...wishing there was more) that says "XOXO" on it. It's adorable, and I probably won't use it for it's practical use, it will most likely become a decorative piece.

So, that's the Gossip Girl box! Pretty cool stuff for May...June's box will be up soon, as well as another product review.
I started my new job at a hot, local salon and I've been there about a week now. The people are great and I'm really going to love growing as a stylist there! When I was finishing up cosmetology school I was beginning to feel a little bit lack-lustre about doing hair, I don't know why because I didn't feel that way about makeup. But now that I am in the salon, everything old is new again and I'm feeling more inspired to do great work. Of course, working full time in that setting cuts back a great deal on freelance makeup work, but I am trying to stay on top of that since you never want to give up on something you love. It's a balancing act, it really is. Hope everyone's summer is off to a brilliant start! And since we are talking about Gossip Girl, who do you prefer? Blair or Serena. Me personally, I'm a Blake Lively girl, but Blair Waldorf is my GG heroine.
XOXO,
J.



Tattoo Care.

     Being a self-proclaimed tattoo enthusiast (I have 7 right now, most recent being a memorial tattoo for my dad on my foot), I know how important it is to properly take care of your ink. And since tattoo aftercare is still a part of my everyday routine right now, I thought I'd share some of the best tips I've come across in caring for your forever art.


Memorial Tattoo for my dad. The Airforce logo with angel wings instead of jet wings, and that's his actual signature the artist was able to transpose from an old check. It's my favorite piece. It's not as red anymore either. A fitting tribute I'd say.



  Follow care instructions given to you by your artist-- the basics tend to go something like:

• Dont' remove your bandage until it's time to! You'll want to show off your new ink, but the bandage is there for a reason--a tattoo is still technically an open wound that is easily susceptible to bacteria and infection. So leave that sucker on there for "at least" 2 hours after your artist puts it on initially.
• NOTE: If for some reason your artist only covered your new tattoo with saran wrap, get an actual bandage on there soon as you can--just saran/plastic wrap can suffocate your tattoo.
• After removing your bandage, gently wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and an antibacterial/antimicrobial soap. This will wash away any excess ointment, blood, or ink and completely clean the area of your tattoo. Use your hands to wash--a cloth or loofah is too harsh at this point. Pat dry with a clean towel and follow with an ointment application.
• A lot of people like to use A&D ointment on their tattoos. I used to use it until I learned after my last few tattoos that a fragrant-free lotion like Lubriderm also does they trick (the A&D ointment thing can be quite a debate!).  I personally prefer the lotion because it's less greasy, but use which ever you prefer. Don't use neosporin though! This might be a good product for your run-of-the-mill cuts and scrapes, but it can actually be damaging to a tattoo, believe it or not--tattoos can have an allergic reaction to the neosporin which causes little red bumpls. When the bumps eventually do go away, so does the ink in that area--and I'm pretty sure you don't want a polka-dotted, splotchy hot mess of a tattoo.
• A lot of people also like Tattoo Goo. I have never used this personally since over-the-counter products work just fine, but if you do want that extra something something for whatever reason, just use the product as directed.
• You can of course shower with a new tattoo but you want to avoid the hot tub, swimming pool, and fresh/salt water for at least 2 weeks, as not to over-saturate your ink or irritate the healing process.
• Scabbing and peeling is a normal part of the healing process, but if you're ever concerned make sure to follow up with your tattoo artist. Warm compresses can be applied to scabbing areas for like 5 minutes a couple of times a day. You want to soften the scabs so they fall off naturally. Never pick the scabs or peel any areas of the tattoo, it can result in discoloration and ruin the overall asthetic.
• Even after your tattoo has healed you'll want to take proper precautions when out in the sun--this is always the hardest part for me since I go to tanning beds and I'm a lover of the beach--but if you want to maintain the quality of your tattoo you will need to protect it from ultra violet rays. It's recommended to use a minimum of SPF 30 to keep your body art nice and vibrant.

BONUS JONAS:

Are you a tattooed tanner like me? Check out Hellbent Tanning Lotion by Australian Gold! This lotion contains 10 bronzers to enhance your golden glow. It also contains hempseed oil, vitamins, aloe vera to soften and smooth your skin to enhance your color. ColorGuard technology helps to protect the color of your tattoo (a combination of Tiger Grass and and ColorRepair Complex).

Happy Tattooing!! Share your tips below, or a pic of your fave tattoo!

XOXO,

J.

Birchbox: Natural Wonders

SO, definitely leave it to me to put something like this off, but I felt lack lustre about writing this month's (and yes I know it's the last day of April) Birchbox review...pretty much because I saw the box as a little bit of a disappointment, so much so I didn't even take my usual pictures to show off the wondrous gems inside. ::sigh:: I love you Birchbox, so here's to hoping May's box is bangin.
Anyway...the theme this month was Natural Wonders and I'll just be brief and list the contents and say a little something something where I see necessary.

1. amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask...well, it's a mask, obvious from it's name, for your hair, and it's said to contain rare omega acids and Vitamin C that boosts shine and helps repair split ends.
2. Juice Beauty Oil-free Moisturizer...now, I actually love Juice Beauty so this little guy will probably be getting thrown into my in-purse makeup bag. It's a skin hydrator made with an organic fruit-based formula that won't clog your pores.
3. Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift...besides from the packaging making it's best attempt at looking super pretty, I'm sorry T. Swift, I don't see what is so standout about this fragrance other than the fact that it's marketing face is that of the notoriously blond curly headed country princess (using the word princess loosely) that has potentially dated Jake Gyllenhaal. Yeah, no. The description of the product says "scent is as catchy as her lyrics". Ok. There ya go then.
4. Zoya True Spring Collection in Lotus...can't go wrong with nail polish. I got the shade lotus which is like a shimmery deep lilac color, which looks promising for rocking out on the toes.
5. dropps Laundry Detergent...this threw me off when I saw them in the box. They look like the little finish/jet dry pods, etc, that you put in your dishwasher but they are for your laundry. They are little eco-friendly detergent packs, single-use, that are supposed to add that extra bit of convenience to your laundry doing. Well, I use All free and clear because of it not making my skin itch, soooo prob won't be trying these. They are adorable though, I will give them that.

There you have it. April showers bring May flowers, and all that good stuff. I've been busy finishing up school, and I graduate next month. Already had a very promising interview, have to go back in for a second practical interview, so fingers crossed and say your prayers. I have still been doing makeup, had an amazing session this past Saturday, and next Saturday I have gifted hair and makeup to a local Prom goer who won a facebook contest, so yeah, rockin. If you haven't already, head over to facebook and LIKE my page, MUAH by Jacqueline Clark. As usual, leave comments and suggestions below and have a great week guys!!

Birchbox: Teen Vogue Beauty Picks.

Soooo, the March Birchbox is here! I always love getting these every month; the whole "grab bag" concept of what you'll be finding inside the box is pretty exciting, haha. This box features items that are hot picks by the folks at Birchbox and Teen Vogue and I have to say although I was pleasantly surprised by most items, a couple were kind of "mehh" for me. Let's discuss...

March 2012 Birchbox contents.

*First thing that caught my eye when opening this box was the bottle of essie nail polish (rad!). It's their glitter luxeffects polish and is perfect for layering on top of solid colored polish, or worn alone for a little sparkle. There's actually some chillin' on the tip of my thumb nail right now and I'll have to say, I don't hate it. What girl doesn't love a little bit of sparkle!

* a sample of Kate Spade's Twirl fragrance...smells delightful...notes of fruits and florals, which is pretty perfect for spring.

*Keratase Elixir Ultime...this is a hair oil that is supposed to hydrate, smooth and "sleekify" your strands. Personally, I am a fan of the MoroccanOil line, but I'd be interested to see how this compares.

*tarte LipSurgance lip tint...I was stoked (yes, stoked) for this one. I adore tarte lip products and this one is certainly no exception! For one thing, it's cruelty-free (not tested on animals) which is always aces in my book. It's a long-lasting lip stain that also has moisturizing effects. You also get that nice little minty refreshing feel/smell too. The color,"lucky", is also really pretty for spring and summer (see where I swatched it below!)

tarte's LipSurgance in "Lucky"

Sorry the photo is blurry!!


*also in the box was a twistband hair tie. Okay, so honestly I don't know how I feel about this one. It's the little blue tie depicted in the contents picture up above. It's supposed to be a little snag-free elastic to give your ponytail some flair. I was pulling on the little guy and he was pretty much unraveling, so I don't know if it's supposed to come apart like that, but I assumed it was to be like any other ponytail holder and stay, circular, in so many words. A 12 pack of these is $18! I'd much rather run up to Target and pick up a pack by Goody and just have at it that way. But, to each his own!
*There was also a discount code to ModCloth included, so I might just peruse the site later and see if I come across anything must-have.

So that was March's box. I am curious to see what the boxes will hold with the spring and summer months quickly approaching! My top 2 picks from this box though would have to be the essie polish and the tarte lip stain. Do you guys have a favorite Birchbox find thus far (or Glymm box, or what have you?), share in the comments below! Also, if you're a follower recruit another blogger/blog reader to climb on board to this blog; that too would be rad!! I am also about to set up my facebook fan page for my Makeup artistry so that is a little something something in the works ;) Hope everyone is enjoying this nice weather and appreciating the life and love each day holds.

XOXO,

J.

Product Review: Bumble and bumble Surf Spray.

March! It's already March, and today has given us a day of rain (although, I had a blast working on a super rad photo shoot this morning)...rain-->water-->ocean-->beach-->surf. Even though those winter months are still technically here, we can still channel the summer beach vibes by rocking some super cool beachy waves. One product that can help you achieve those look, which stars like Blake Lively and Kate Hudson are known for, is to use Bumble and bumble's Surf Spray. So, here's my review/how-to on this little gem of a product.

One of the reasons I like this product is because it essentially does what it promises, but it doesn't make your hair feel stick or tacky once you work it in. Nothing I hate more, personally, then when my hair doesn't have a touchable feel/look because it is so caked with product. The Surf Spray also gives your hair a great hold, which is always a plus, as is a great smell (I'm a sucker for good smelling hair products!). 

The product also contains a sea kelp extract which is good for shine and manageability. It's great for all add types and actually adds body to fine hair. It's about $23 for a 4oz bottle and you can purchase it at bumbleandbumble.com, participating salons, and even some Walgreens and Targets.

So, how do you achieve that, as Bumble and bumble puts is, "sexy, sun-dried windswept style"? A look a la Blake Lively's is super easy!

1. Work product through damp or dry hair and let hair dry naturally or blow-dry with a diffuser.
2. Use on dry hair for detailing and adding lift at your roots.
   *note: the less you touch it, the longer it will hold.

It really is that easy! The end result: Beach-worthy bombshell locks!

Do you know of a similar styling product or have another product you want to see a review on? Just let me know in the comments!

XOXO,

J.

Birchbox #3: Spotlight

I never thought I would say it (ok, maybe I did), but right now I'm too tan. Yesterday I went to the tanning bed AND I mystic-ed on top of that. And if that wasn't enough I PaulyD-ed it up. So, needless to say when I got up this morning I was a little on the, umm, "tanner" side of things. Someone told me lemon juice can help with this situation, any truth to that before I go into my kitchen and start scrubbing my body with a lemon?? I will google fact-check that, since google is so legit when it comes to that sort of thing. Anyway, Jersey Shore tan status aside, my third Birchbox came in the other day and I'm actually not waiting a whole month to post about it, haha. It was another good one, so I hope they just keep getting better. This month the "theme" was SPOTLIGHT. So let's talk about it...



Look at all these little gems inside!!



Let's talk about what's inside. SN: I know when I've done these box reviews previously I more or less just list the contents and say a few things here and there without a lot of detail or review, and that's because most of these products are things I'm just seeing or hearing about for the first time. I like to share what's in the box to maybe encourage you to want to sign up as well, and to offer my opinions here and there. When I find something I really love, then I'll do a little review post on that particular product (and there are a few of those coming up).

CONTENTS THIS MONTH:

*colorscience pro glow and go travel puff...this little things seems amazing and I think it's going to be a real winner. It's a little puff that's already pre-filled with powder so you can de-shine your face and still look all glowy without having to reapply a full face of makeup and make a big deal out of things. They come in a couple of different shades from what I understand, and I think this is a more rad alternative to the oil absorbing sheets (although they are pretty handy little guys too).

*Eye Rock designer liner...Okay, these look like the coolest things ever! I wish I would've tried them out already, but I'm waiting for a special occasion (this weekend). They are single-use stick on liner strips, so you don't have to mess with busting out the liquid liner if you don't feel like it. If these are as amazing as I'm thinking I will definitely stock up...for 2 packs of 4 it's only $13! Check out the pic below!

*Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution...first of all, who doesn't love Kiehl's?! This is basically a brightening serum thats purpose is to even out your skin tone with Vitamin C and white birch extracts. Personally, I don't have a lot of issues right now with dark spots and noticeably uneven skin tone, so I might swing this one my mom's way to try out!

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel (Sensitive)... Honestly, I've never heard of the Juice Beauty brand before so yay Birchbox for showing me something new yet again. This is an organic facial peel that contains vitamins and fruit acids to leave your skin glowing. Who doesn't want that perfect glowy complexion?! I like this especially because it is organic and meant for sensitive skin. I have had problems in the past with some masques and facial treatments leaving me red and irritated so hopefully this one works a little magic...I want that glow!

And of course there's always a few non-beauty items thrown in the mix. There was a digital download for the band Green River Ordinance (indie rock) and then a Chuao Chocolatier Spicy Maya Chocopod, which is a dark chocolate mixed with chile and cayenne pepper. Now, I am by no means a spicy food kind of gal, but my husband can take the heat so I gave him this. He said it was "pretty good", which in my husband's terminology means it was delicious. If you dig the whole spicy chocolate thing you might love these. A full size bar is $6.

Well, it's a rainy day here and knowing that I have to run out to Target and Wal-Mart in a few makes me say "mehhhh". It's a hair-up cardigan on kind of day. Hope everyone is well and I am thinking of adding a few different types of blog posts. I try to keep things "beauty" centered but as my husband and I grow together as a couple, our lives, and all the whimsy therein, may spur a few interesting posts I have a feeling, so we shall see!!

Do you have a favorite Birchbox find, or a product you want to see a review on?? I entertain ideas!

XOXO,

J.