How To Put Fake Eyelashes On

Wearing Ardell Demi Wispies

I recently ventured into the world of fake eyelashes. I always admired them from afar. I loved how they made people's eyes look and how they opened them up. But I have always been afraid of the whole process, it seemed daunting; the glue, what type of lashes should I use, would they look fake, and I especially worried they would come off midday.

But, I decided to give it a chance and it was so much easier then I thought it would be and I thought they looked super natural, you tell me.

So, I decided to write a little tutorial on how to apply them because it can be a little scary at first, but with a little practice you can put them on in a few minutes and they can last the entire day, and even through an intense and sweaty workout. Like running for a few miles. Yes, I tested that.

The first step is to choose the right type of eyelashes for you. There are so many different types of lashes with varying widths, lengths, some with thick or thin bands or dark and clear bands. There also different qualities of the eyelashes, some with real hair and some that synthetic fibers.  And different prices.

If this is your first time, I highly recommend Ardell Natural Eyelashes in 110,  above and below photos, these are universally flattering, very natural looking due to the varying lengths and cross hairs and the prices are reasonable for someone just starting out, like me and you.

And they have a clear and lightweight band. I bought a multi-pack from Amazon and that was a cost saver, as I estimated that it only costs about 30 cents each time I wear them.

And the next pair I recommend is Ardell's Demi Wispies, as shown below.

Ardell Demi Wispies have more lashes, little more length and curl, which is what I am wearing in the above photo.

Next, you will need glue. I use Duo, you can get it in dark tone or white/clear. I have used the dark tone as I was told it would dry dark and blend into my dark eyeliner and while it does dry dark, I have found that when it dries, it dries with a shine to it, but when I use the Duo in white, it comes out white, but it dries very clear. So for me, Duo in white/clear has worked well.

Pull the eyelashes out of the container, face them this way, so you know which ones goes on the left eye and which one goes on the right eye. Yes, this is a step, because I accidentally put the right one on the left and vice versa. You will know which ones goes on which eye but the length of the fake eyelash. The front end should be shorter to blend in with your natural short eyelashes that are at the beginning of your eye.

Some people trim the lashes if the lash band is longer than their eye length, but I have not needed to do this with these Ardell ones.

Add a very thin line of eyeliner to the top of the eyelashes. If your natural eyelashes are not curled, I first recommend slightly curling them, and then applying a very light coat of mascara and let it dry. This will help the fake eyelashes grip on.

Next, put a very thin line of glue on the eyelash band. 

If you have a heavy hand and think you will put too much glue, I recommend putting a dab of glue on a Q-tip and then adding a line of glue on the lash. I add a little extra to the end and beginning of the eyelash tips.

Next, wait about 25-30 seconds after applying the glue. You want to let it dry a bit so that the glue becomes tacky. The tackiness will give it staying power once you apply it.

Once you have waited for a few moments, using your fingers or a tweezer apply the eyelash to the center or your eyelid and pressing down. Next, apply it to the beginning and the end. Keep pressing them into the eyelash line, you want to make sure that there is a secure hold. I like my eyelash to begin a few lashes after my natural eyelashes start.

I especially press down on the beginning and end of eyelash, these are the two points that might come off during the day, this is why I added a little extra glue two the two end pieces.

You want it as close to your natural eyelash line as possible.

If you notice any glue I simply lightly wet a q-tip and clean up any areas.

The first few times, you might not get it down. You will improve with practice.

The above photos show how it looks like on right after the glue has dried and they are secured on. 

I have read and seen videos that it is recommended to apply all your make-up before putting on the eyelashes, but I have better results doing it after. The reason is if I get a little glue above and on my eyelid the glue adheres to my eyeshadow and eyeliner and if I try to remove the glue the eyeshadow is removed too, so I put the eyeshadow on after. I do prep my lids with a eyeshadow primer from Urban Decay ahead of time.

Next, I apply more eyeliner and black eyeshadow to blend the eyelash band in more. 

I have two favorite eyeliners, one is from the Pharmacy and only costs about $3.00, which is NYC Black Eyeliner and I love Kat Von D's Tattoo Eyeliner, which is available at Sephora for about $19.00.

I apply black eyeshadow over my eyeliner as it really gives it staying power and I like the smokey eyeliner look. And then I curl the eyelashes and my lashes, so it all blends together. You can apply a little mascara, but I don't even feel like I need to with these.

My goal is to make them look as real as possible and to do that you need: 

1.  Fake eyelashes that look real 

2. Applying them as close to your natural eyelash line as possible

3. Using an eyeliner to blend the fake eyelash band.

Note: Please ignore my eyebrows, I am in the process of growing them in, so they are a bit of a mess.

I am able to get about 5-6 uses out of these eyelashes. When it's time to remove them at night, I usually can just gently pull them off slowly and they come right off, but sometimes I need a little help from my makeup remover which I will add with a Q-tip or I use these Almay Makeup remover pads.

I then use those pads to clean the fake eyelashes off and remove the peel any glue from the band. I then brush them and put them back into the original container.

I hope this has been helpful. Enjoy and i hope you have fun.

Mario Mushroom Pinata

Mario was the very first video game I ever played and he's still my favorite after all these years. As I prepare a little Mario themed party, I am making Super Mario Brother themed pinatas. The first one, is the Super Mushroom, which allows for Mario to get bigger and break blocks. Making him was pretty easy. Here I show you step by step how to make the Super Red Mushroom pinata.

First, cut two identical mushroom tapes out of cardboard. I flatten a large box, use a pencil to make the shape, and then use a box cutter to cut it out.

Next, cut long pieces of cardboard. The width depends on how thick you want the pinata to be. In this case, this mushroom will not be used as a real pinata, but as a decoration. 

Next, using the strips tape the two identical pieces together. Tape the strips all the way around.

Starting at the bottom of the mushroom, using a cream color paper mache, I glue strips at the bottom, so that the bottom of the cardboard is not seen.

Gathering long lengths of paper mache, I cut small slits to make the fringe.

Next, I glue the fringe strips around the entire mushroom cardboard, until I get half way up. Next, we must start the red top of the mushroom.

Using red paper mache, I cut small strips and glue around the top half, so that all areas of the cardboard are covered.

Using red paper mache, I gather long strips and wrap it around my hand and then cut small slits to make the fringe.

Using glue, I glue the fringe around until I get to the very top.

Lastly, Using white and black cardboard paper, I cut out circles for the mushroom and eyes.

And that's all you have to do to make this super cute Super Mario Mushroom. 

Check out my other pinatas: http://peachycheek.blogspot.com/search/label/pinatas

Greek Koulourakia Cookies

While I celebrated my Easter last month, the Greek Easter is in May this year, so I am sharing these traditional Greek cookies, which are called "Koulourakia", and they can be found at special Greek celebrations like Easter. And if I am lucky I get to eat these about 2-3 times a year, usually when I go to a Greek festival or a celebration with Yanni's family. When I told his grandmother how much my mother and I love these cookies, she shared with me her recipe.

Ingredients

4 cups of flour
1 tablespoons of baking powder
1/2 a cup of orange juice (optional)
2 sticks of butter, melted
3/4 cups of sugar
3  eggs beaten
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or maple syrup
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
Sesame seeds (optional)

Oven: 350 degrees

- In a large bowl add flour and sugar and combine.

- Next, mix the baking powder in a little bit of orange juice until it dissolves and add to the flour and sugar. The orange juice is optional, if you do not have orange juice, simply mix the baking powder in the flour mixture.

- Add the slightly beaten eggs to the flour mix and combine a bit.

- Next, add the melted butter. Make sure the melted butter  is not very hot. You don't want to cook the eggs :)

- Lastly, add the vanilla (or syrup).

- Make sure your hands are washed, clean and dry and use both hands to combine all the ingredients in the bowl. The texture of the dough should be soft, yet firm, as you will be pinching off pieces to form the braid shape. 

Getting the texture just right is the key to a good cookie. It takes a little practice, once I am still trying to get right. If you feel that the dough is too soft, add a little more flour until the dough feels firm enough to mold something with.

- Sprinkle some flour on a clean counter or large board.

1. Pinch a piece of the dough, about an inch, and roll the dough under both hands to make a snake shape. 
2. Next, make an upside down U shape.
3.  Overlap the end pieces,
4.  Wrap the left left over the right leg to make a small braid.

- Brush egg wash (1 beaten egg with a tablespoon of water in a bowl)  and sprinkle sesame seeds on it (sesame seeds are optional).

- Put on parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Once finished put on a cookie tray to cool off.

I made a few dozen of these for Easter.

Enjoy as a breakfast treat or in the afternoon with some milk, or like the Greeks do, with a strong cup of coffee.

Fuller House DJ's Wardrobe Part I

I grew up watching Full House. I absolutely loved that show. It's been 21 years since its final episode. So, when I heard there was going to be a reboot of the show, I was super excited and it was one of the biggest reasons I jumped on the Netflix bandwagon. I know, I know, it took me quite a few years to finally join, but I did it and I have no regrets.

I am finally in the year 2016, before Netflix, I had no idea what was going on out there. I hadn't watch a TV show in years because I decided a long time ago to cut my cable. Long story. I will share that on another day, but back to Full House. The reboot, Fuller House, airs exclusively on Netflix and I have binge watching them all in the past week or so and absolutely love it. It's really a sweet show.

I was amazed how they all just fit right back into their former roles. Candace Cameron-Bure, who plays DJ and Jodie Sweetin, who plays Stephanie, have really stood out in regards to their acting, and not to mention, their amazing on-set wardrobe. While, I typically wear what "Stephanie's" character wears, I have been loving "DJ's" outfits.

Here is part I of my some of favorite outfits she has been wearing in the first part of the season.


Episode 1:

Jonathan Simkhai Crop Top  |  Jonathan Simkhai Skirt  | 

In the first episode of Fuller House, DJ wears a two piece Jonathan Simkhai Colorblock cropped top and skirt.

Clare V. Messenger Bag

And in one of the very first scenes in the first episode she carries this beautiful tan Clare V.  Messenger bag.



Episode 2:

Denim Top (Similar) |  Boots

In episode 2 of Fuller House, DJ wears a tucked in denim top, gray washed skinny jeans and black ankle boots and simple red necklace. This is something I would definitely wear.
Other similar denim tops include: Bella Dahl Denim Top

And her hair is just perfect isn't it? I have to do a post just on her a hair alone one of these days!

Episode 3:

Lush Romper 

In episode 3, DJ wears this cute mini lace romper, it's a bit too short for me, but if you have rock'n legs like Candace does I would say go for it. You can always cover up the top half with a fitted black blazer.  Unfortunately, this one is sold out everywhere, but there are a few similar ones:

• Lush Lace Romper
• Top Shop Black Romper

Episode 4:

Bella Dahl Denim Dress  |  Sandals  |  Bag 

In episode 4, DJ wears my absolute favorite look, when she wears this awesome denim Bella Dahl Open Back Halter Dress with brown Via Spiga Brandina Gladiator Sandals and a Clare V. navy bag. As soon as I saw this outfit, I knew I needed to have it. It looks comfortable, yet so chic. They really nailed this whole ensemble. While the sandals and bag are still available, the dress is sold out everyone, but I found a few look-a-likes:

• Bella Dahl Sleeveless Denim Dress
• Bella Dahl Denim Dress

Episode 5:

Bag

In this episode, DJ wears a few cute outfits, like this Narciso Rodriguez Colorblock dress (unfortunately is sold out) but I really loved this Clare V. Moyen Messenger bag, which is still available.




Episode 6:

Sweater (similar) | Necklace | Boots 

This is one of my favorite outfits because of the cut of the sweater and the contrasting necklace, paired with skinny jeans and these cute Rag & Bone gray ankle boots, and these Cole Haan booties look exactly like it at half the price.

The navy blue sweater contrasts beautifully with the pink and white howlite necklace. The collar necklace DJ wears is from Bauble Bar and is currently sold out, however, Bauble Bar has a waitlist you can sign up for, here: http://www.baublebar.com/howlite-botanica-collar-necklace.html


So that is Part I of my little wardrobe series of the first few episodes of Fuller House, stay tuned for Part II, with more awesome outfits DJ has worn on the show.

Revoking Authorization on Apps in Instagram

As some of you might know, during the day I work in the tech field, so when I am not crafting, taking photos, baking, or in the Taekwondo dojo, I am behind a computer.

And once an a while I will share some tech advice here.

Recently, I was looking for a quick app to repost instagram photos. I found the top three that were free and had great reviews, but when I downloaded the apps they seemed "sketchy", so I wanted to remove them from my device as soon as possible. However, even if you remove an app from your mobile device, that does not mean that you have revoked its authorization to access your content.

In order to full revoke access from an app you installed you will need to do the following:

1. Visit: https://instagram.com/accounts/manage_access
2. Login with your Instagram account.
3. And select 'Revoke Access' on the apps you did not install or would like to revoke access to.

And that's it. Now you can remove the app from your mobile device if you had not done so.