Mascara, 'Scara and MORE Scara

Hey wonderful, beautiful amazing readers.

1st off wow thank you to everyone that views my blog. I have people from ALL over the world. For some reason a LOT of people in Russia, which hey I love all of you too!!

Ok on to the mascara and the makeup.

For those of you that don't really know me, I am in LOVE with Mascara!! I love my eye lashes (yes I was blessed enough to have really long lashes (thanx to Mom & Dad)). Which is a good thing, because really I am not very good at putting false lashes on. :\

So I have always loved L'Oreal Mascara, and don't get me wrong I still totally do and still will use them. But where I am in my life (area wise) the only L'Oreal they have is on the expensive side, like its top of the line (which really it is in my book haha). But when I say expensive I'm talking Lancome expensive, ya dig?

So I decided to try Golden Rose, which if you haven't heard of you should click their name and go to their website, find our where you can buy it. I know they sell it in Turkey and where I live, but not sure where else. So I got like 4 different kinds of mascara cause they were cheap. Then they gave me a free one (different kind) for buying so many products. And let me tell you, BAYBY this was the best thing I ever bought!! These mascaras have L'Oreal beat. My lashes are touching my eye brows LOL!

Another thing about me, I can put alllll my makeup on in mmm lets say 10 min (for a regular day of makeup), but when ever it came to my lashes it takes me for ever because I'm SOOOO picky and I love full lashes. But while in Makeup school I learned probably the BEST trick you can know in the industry.

Sure contouring and highlighting, yes these are very important, but this here secret is by far the most useful and smart technique.

Haha, what is the secret? To hire me to do your makeup for your special occasions of course :). Hire me and I will not only DO this secrect on you but I will TELL you how to do it.

Ok, Ok I will tell you. This was taught to me by Robert Jones, Thank you Mr. Jones you made my life and make up application faster and well more beautiful!

Step one - After you put your mid tone curl your lashes, (which I thought I was the only one that did it this way but Mr. Jones does it this way also). No one wants a 'CRIMPED' eye lash right? I want a nice flowing curl. So start at the root of the lash, careful not to pinch your skin, LIGHTLY press a couple times, pull the lash curler out just a bit and repeat the process all the way to the tips of your lashes (so about 3-4 times). You should find a nice curl instead a 'crimp'.

*Note: Ok if you forget step one, which sometimes when I'm in a hurry I do, DO NOT DO THIS AFTER YOU HAVE PUT MASCARA ON. When you do, it not only takes some of your 'scara off but it breaks your lashes.

Step two - Put one thin layer of mascara (waterproof will hold the curl better) on your upper lashes, I like to use the new plastic applicators that are really popular right now. I like to put a SUPPER thin coat on the  bottom lashes cause, well my bottom lashes are not very full or long.

Step three - Finish your shadow, then add another layer of mascara to your top lashes, using a DIFFERENT type of 'scara  different, brand, different applicator which ever, just use a different one. Ok again I like to put a SUPPER thin coat on my lashes.

Step four - Add your blush and maybe some cheek contouring, then add a third and final layer of 'scara. Again using a different type of applicator.

And there you have it your perfect lashes.

The key here is to have your 'scara dry between each layer, so weather you are putting on blush or lipstick, finishing your shadow or doing your hair just make sure you give your 'scara time to dry. This will give you a more full and B-E-A-Utiful lash.

I hope you love your lashes as much as I do! post me before and after pics of how your lashes turned out, I will do a gift for the best lashes, so post by 7 Sep 2012 (my BDAY!). You can click on the brand names above and it will take you to websites.

From Golden Rose I used so far and love:
Cat Walk - its in an orange tube and has a plastic tip, with like 4 circles instead of it being "straight"
Mascara Volume - Thickening Mascara with Provitamin - reg thin black tube
Wonderful Lash - 12x Colume and Lash Life - this is very WET so I used it for my Second layer

From L'Oreal I love:
*Extra Volume Collagene - which I think they only have this in the UK areas
*Architecte 4 D, which again I think only in the UK BUT I am pretty sure its the same as Voluminous False Fiber Lashes
*Voluminous (original) My cousin Cari got me HOOKED on this probably in 2002 or 2003, been usin it ever since!

I hope that you all have a long beautiful life just like your long beautiful lashes. 

Remember post me before and after pics by Sep 7 and I will mail a prize :)

Love Always your fav Lady,

Jooa'anna Gypsy

XOXO

Dinner with Sandy

Today ( well actually I started this blog & forgot to finish it so it was a week ago today) Sandy and I made homemade enchiladas and spanish rice with strawberry shortcake for dessert. MMMM MMM MM thats all I can say! it was reallllly Yummmmmy!

Many thanx goes out to all of the Mexican families I grew up around. Learning all your recipes and tricks (glad to grow up in Cali).

There are tons of recipes out there. I do mine by taste and memory. If you want the recipe comment below and I will post it.

While dinner was cooking I straightened Sandy's hair and we watched "Love and Basketball", one of my all time faaavvorite movies! 

Hope you have a fantastic Day, and if your not having one go have some Fantastic food!!

Love your Favorite Lady,

Jooa'anna Gypsy

XOXO

No Taxes No Fees but for what price?

America, America!!!! how I miss thee. 

You charge me taxes on everything;

My food, my land, and even my blood;

Even when there is fire, wind or flood;

But I thank you, and this is true;

For these taxes are not in vain;

You make my life simple;

Easier to maintain.

Here,  there;

Days, Weeks, Months;

If your lucky;

For one simple form;

Not one, Not two but a billion different man;

The time it takes I just dont understand.

Things so simple, things so clear;

I might go crazy;

This I fear;

For the simplicity of America, they do not have hear.

Listen to me when I say;

For I am thankful everyday.

An American I am;

I stand true and strong;

For an American I am, all my life long.

New Make up on the way

Hey everyone, I have a lot of new make-up on the way. (InshAllah) I really cant wait. I want to start to review more makeup for you all. Right now I only have a few different brands of makeup that im sure most of you have already tried.


I would love to branch out and use other brands like:


Aromaleigh
luminessair - Airbrush system you can find a starter kit by clicking on this link ~~> Luminess Airbrush Makeup Starter Kit
Bourjois
Inglot
Lord and Berry
Illamasqua
Magnolia
Sleek makeup
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics


Just to name some of the brands out there that I would love to try. Some Im not sure where to even find them. If you know please comment and let me know.


I would love to go to some Makeup Forever or MAC week classes.


If you know of any other brands out there, or have any that you really love and want to recommend to me, comment below and I will try my best to do a blog on them.

Until next time, Stay beautiful, stay healthy and most of all stay happy.

Your Favorite Lady,

Jooa-anna Gypsy

XOXO

Friends + Bowling + ice cream = GOOD TIMES ;)

On Thursday  night I went bowling with Omer, Sandy and Danny (Sandy's little brother aka my BFF HAHA) It was fun. We only bowled one round because Omer wasn't too excited about it. It was a small place but fun none the less. I wore 1/2 size to small shoe size because my size shoes were NASTY! my poor cramped feet. They survived tho.

Sandy Smiling Pretty

Danny doin the . . . hmm well something haha

GOO OMER. .. hmm he missed . . lol

Hi Omer, Better luck next time

NIIICEE form Nancy ;) 

I will take the orange ball

Look, its the same size as my head

Me and Sandy

Me and Omer

Me and my BFF Danny ;) 

Looks good right? WRONG I'm PREEEETY sure I missed everything on this. I had them all convinced i was REALLY good at bowling! LOL. . Little did they realize I SUCK!! LOL

Danny pullin up his pants prior to the "drop" (HAHA)

After the Bowling match we went to Abu Afif for ice cream. I was laughing SOOOO hard, it was one of those from-the-belly-can-barley-breath-so-i-snorted kind of laughs. Both Danny and me we dying because we thought we heard Sandy say something else then what was really said.  .LOL was HILARIOUS.

I hope you like my pictures and fun times . .

Till next time, go for a round of Bowling, reach out to your friends and family. Stop being serious for a moment and relax. have some ice cream and kick your feet up.

Love your fav Lady -

Jooa'anna Gypsy

XOXO

Tigers Voyage

For those of you that have never heard of the "Tigers Curse" books, you need to look them up. They are very good and addicting. If you know me at all you know that I don't like reading very much. Well thanx to the Big Sis, Sumer-->  I love reading now and use her Nook account and read her books she recommends to me. I have read 3 books in about 3 months which is amazingly great for me. I am almost done with the 3rd book, I will finish tonight!  I have the Nook app on my iPad and on my Samsung Note. So I read where ever I am waiting. Which here in Iraq its EVERYWHERE!! :)

Right now I am reading "Tigers Voyage" which is the 3rd book of the series. Its about a girl befriends a White tiger (WT), turns out the tiger is really a Indian prince that was cursed over 300 years ago. The girl commits to helping break the curse. Turns out there is a brother a black tiger (BT). Girl falls in love with WT helps fight bad guys. WT gets captured BT comforts girl. Girl kinda starts to like BT, then WT is found but has no memory of her. Decides to date BT then right when all is finally going really good, WT gets his memory of girl back. Now its complicated with her love life. All the while they are fighting bad guys, and spirits with Hindi Goddesses and myths, legends and curses, dragons, mythical creatures deep sea adventures so on and on . . thats the just of what happens missing a few minor details (HAHA) needless to say its reallllly good .. check it out. Take your mind on a trip through your imagination. 

Thats why I love reading now cause I can make these characters look how I want them to look. When I read the twilight series I pictured all my characters way more beautiful then on the movie. I did NOT like the movies at all. of course there was so much left out and of course the people didn't look anything like what i wanted them to :) 



Anyways hope you take my advice and give your mind a vacation from the real world. 

'Till next time ~ Much love, respect and imagination,

XOXO

Mmmmmm late night drink

@ Second Cup, Erbil with who other then sir Omer :)

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My everyday view....

This is what I see everyday all day... Only usually there is someone at my desk....

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So Lately I have been going to the divan hotel with my dearest friend Mr. Omer, here in Erbil. You can check them out by clicking on the name so you can see what I get to see. The hotel is very nice! and right around the corner . . . . everyone that works there loves me. I talk to everyone so when I go they all remember me. I am ALWAYS passing out my business cards, which is a must to maintain a good business relationship with people.

here are some recent pics from dinner and dessert.

Dessert Formerly known as Deep fried coconut Cheesecake! MMMMMMMMM

Random mexican brand in a cool Skull bottle

tequila - WAS GROSS!

Hey To all my followers . . It has been a very long time since I have written to you. I am sorry! I'm not so good at this. You want to know whats going on in my life? I am going to post anything, this blog is not for anything specific. Just the small things so you can keep up with everything going on in my life. My thoughts, my feelings, my fears, my life. . . . .

sM.A.C tHat FouNdaTioN oN!!!

From WHITE     To DARK

M.A.C - Hello my new fav foundation! Match Master with SPF 15 by M.A.C . . THE BEST! my face looks FLAWLESS, and let me tell you I have Tons of flaws! It has a base color then it matches to your skin. HMM how does it do it you ask? MAGIC DUH!! 

NOOO Actually its New Foundation technology using translucent pigments to enable a fully personalized finish influenced by the subtleties of your own skin's undertone. Moisturizing demi-matte finish. Medium build-able coverage. Line-reducing soft-focus powders.

GET IT!! ITS AMAZING!!!!! 

The only thing I DONT recommend with this product is using a primer. The formulation works on direct skin contact. Today I tried it with a primer, and it came out a little caky and it didn't "absorb" into the skin as well. I didn't have time to redo it so I had to settle .. DONT worry y'all I still like FAB!!! 

Well Thats all I have for this one. 

Write to you next time.

'Till then, put some make up on, it will make you feel prettier then you already are & you will have a better day. :)

XOXO

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

So I was walking around the Dubai Mall when I see this store "LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics" I'm thinking ok cool, I love cosmetics. So I decided to check it out.

I walk in and was instantly greeted with 2 smiling faces. Taking me 1st over to the lotion station, the lotion she rubbed in my hand (which felt AMAZING, LOL) I loved. It was "sympathy for the skin" for dry skin.

It is:

Fresh, organic bananas:

They are emollient and highly moisturizing, when applied topically. They soften the skin, making it flexible and pliable.

Vanilla pod infusion:

Vanilla pods are made up of sugars, vanillin, fats and mineral salts. The sugars in vanilla act as humectants (moisture binding), when applied topically, and are particularly suitable for retaining moisture on hair, skin and lips.

Then she took me over to the wash station where she washed my hand with some "Ocean Salt Cleanser" O'EM'GEE my hand was sooo frikin soft!!! 

It is:

Lime extracted in vodka and sea salt

The antibacterial effects of lime and the trace of alcohol in the product is ideal for blocked pores, blackheads or blemishes. The minerals in sea salt soften as the salt scrubs away dirt and blockages, 

I went over the whole store looking at everything. I ended up leaving with a long list. The below are a few more things I purchased:

"Buffy Body Butter"

Ground rice

We add ground rice to Buffy as an exfoliant; the slight roughness of the ground rice sloughs away surface dry skin cells to reveal a brighter, fresher looking skin. In a shaving product, it also raises the beard prior to shaving.

Shea butter

Shea butter is moisturizing, emollient and softening on skin and it's so gentle that it has been traditionally used in Africa for baby massage.

"Black Stockings"

Sun Kissed and Spicy

Spicy pimento berry oil and cinnamon give Black Stockings its warm, deep fragrance. The fragrance was created by Shakira from our UK team, and we think it smells like a warm Caribbean beach. Rub Black Stockings over your legs to give them a gorgeous, sun kissed glow.

When Silk Won't Do, Try a Pair of Black Stockings...

Helen created another version of Silk Stockings for those with darker complexions. Black Stockings balances out skin tone and gives a stunningly realistic tan with its coppery pigment and hints of shimmer. Have a paler skin tone? Don't fret! You can use this sexy Caribbean-inspired number too.

Pimento Berry Oil

Pimento berries are full of fragrant oil that is distilled from the dry, unripe fruit. The oil is spicy and warming

Cinnamon Leaf Oil

Cinnamon is very warming on the skin and is known to increase blood circulation.

 Okay those are the few that I am going to post pics of. . Everything else check out on www.Lush.com.  I love that they are all 100% natural. . They are very much into recycling. If you bring in I think its 6 empty pots you get a body bar free. They also ask for your extra bags. A cute touch is, they put stickers of cartoon drawings of the people that make each product. 

I VERY MUCH RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT!! when I have more time I will post All of the stuff I got.

I hope that you love these products as much as I do. 

I am going to go to bed. I will be back with more posts.

'Till then, Recycle, Reduce and Reuse!!

I Love your FACE?!?!

Omer posing with "Billy's" Sushi ;)

Look at their fancy Chop stick rest

See its me, and an Edemame :)

Omer Eating Tempura Soft Shell Crab

So there I am sitting at my table with Omer and of COURSE waiting on. . (for the sake of this persons identity his name has been changed to Billy) Billy at this nice restaurant/bar/Club called Zuma, in Dubai. Nice atmosphere, music, low lighting the works. The waitress comes over, kneels down to my level and says "I ........" she what? "what was that you said" I had to ask her cause I was on my 2nd cosmo and it had been a while since I had last drank that much so I didn't quite get it . . "I love your face" . . LOL!! she said "I LOVE YOUR FACE."? EXACTLY what I thought she said, GOOD so I wasn't drunk after all. . . LOL. . WHOOO says such a thing .  . I wanted to bust out laughing!!! but that would have been rude! sooo, I nicely said "thank you" and went STRAIGHT into ordering everyones dinner. (yes I ordered for everyone).

HMM not sure why I made this face

For a starter I got edemames, and Tempura soft shell crab for Omer. For dinner I got the Yakatori, which was SMALL, seemed like 1/2 a chicken breast cut into small pieces then put on a skewer. I also ordered Shrimp Tempura California rolls. They were ok, the seaweed seemed not so fresh it was a little tough/chewy.  I didn't get to many pics because my battery for my phone was so low, and I didn't have my camera, HI I always have my camera, and I been taking it out so I can go on base ( I will blog about that soon) always the flash wouldn't work. So the few I do have you get to see on here. 

For Omer I ordered Teriaky Salmon, it looked delicious. And yes he confirmed that it was :)  . . For Billy I ordered a variety of sushi and the lemon herb with mushroom sauce Sea Bass. Trying to help my friend stay healthy. :)

Of course I ordered Bowels of rice and Miso Soup to start. Nothing like the salad from the Japanese restaurant in Felton ( the name is on the Tip of my tongue, help me out someone).

Omer Posing with the VOSS

This place was nice. . . . . Matter of fact it was SO fancy they served VOSS (said in my BEST deep russian sounding voice) water. Which by the way, they also served in the business class of Oman Airways. ;) Yes ma'am and sir I HAVE been in business class. Jealous much? HAHA don't be. . I work hard for my money :) 


Well I was now on my 3rd Cosmo feeling nice, and ready for a nice night out on the town.

That story is going to be on ANOTHER post.


SOOOOOO. . . . . . . . . . TO BE CONTINUED !!




'Till then, stay healthy, have some VOSS and Edemames. (HEY!! YOU GO BACK AND READ THAT WORD "VOSS" CORRECTLY RUSSIAN SOUNDING VOICE!)

Jooa'anna

I was trying to think of what a good name for my blog should be. So I figured that Gypsy was appropriate for me because I move around so much. Then what can I put with it, I like the sound of Jooa'anna and the meaning fits perfect. It is Arabic for HUNGRY! LOL .. I am hungry for knowledge, for history, and of course the foods of the many places I travel!!

To add to this (speaking of hungry) I found this cute website that has recipes and she has a show on The Food Network. www.hungry-girl.com

I have been trying to eat healthy but keep it delicious at the same time. There are hundreds if not thousands of websites that offer great tasty recipes that are healthy.

One thing that sucks, but is turning out to be ok, is here they don't have things like Pappy's Season salt, SOOOOOO that means I have to do everything from scratch. Which of course is very healthy. There is no preservatives and you know everything that is in the ingredients. I am still getting use to cooking like this but I know soon I will get better. And the ovens, well everything is in Celsius, so that too is hard to understand.  But again I will get use to it.

OHH YEAAHH!!

So pops sent me a package (through DHL incase your interested ask for my address) and of course he is my dad so he put allllll kinds of little random things in the box. Kool-aid (OH-YEAH), some expired coupons, some first aid sanitary hand wipes, (at first I thought they were condoms. I was like wow this guy is HILARIOUS!! guess he can't afford any more grandkids! LOL).. He sent me some of my shoes as well. YAY! more heals!!

With plastic top still on

BUT the best part of all this was the POP CORN!! what do you know about the Orville Redenbacher's POP UP BOWL??

Removing Plastic

Its the coolest thing!! and its so much better, you don't get your hands all buttery and greasy.

And of course its DELICIOUS!!!!!
Well thats it for this post. I will focus on some more work and figure out what I will make for dinner :)





~'Till next time, have some popcorn & some kool-aid to wash it down.

STELLLLLA!!

So right now I am sitting back relaxing drinking a Stella Artois beer,  kind of disappointed that the Niners are NOT going to the Bowl. Well guess it is what it is. My friends (who's names are being changed for the sake of their identity)  Brad and Billy are over hanging out with me keeping me company (as usual). Its always a good time when they are here.

Today I was asked if my workers can leave early. Of course I told them no. Their argument was, "well its Thursday, so we wanted to get prepare for tomorrow." They are crazy. FIRST of all today is THURSDAY a WORK day! Tomorrow is Friday their OFF day. I told the translator to tell them just that. Then one lady said "Well I have guests over." and I told my translator to inform this person that they will still be there when they get off work at the regular time. SMH. . I'm a VERY nice boss, but don't be lazy. They already don't have a lot to do in the office as is. ANYWAYS thats the story of my DAY in the "Work Zone"

Well I guess thats it for this time around!

~ Until then stay colorful, but not blue!