#even a drugstore one is like 20 bucks
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Why do Makeup Artists charge more for Wedding Makeup and Hair?
*All makeup & hair in these pics done by Darcy and the DgPro team
This is something a lot of people question and don't quite understand, why is it that I charge a certain amount for occasion makeup and for bridal I charge more?
I wanted to write this blog to explain to brides to be who are trying to budget for their wedding to help them understand the process behind how Makeup Artists decide their prices for bridal.
Here are some factors that effect Makeup Artists Prices.
1. Experience and qualifications.
Some makeup artists are self taught, whereas others have paid to do courses to learn or refresh their skills and this can often effect their pricing. Some courses cost hundreds to even thousands and tens of thousands of dollars depending on the course(s) taken. The more experienced and qualified your Makeup Artist the more they will have to charge to accommodate for this.
2. Quality of the kit
Some lower priced, less experienced makeup artists may use predominantly drugstore products whereas seasoned, professionally trained artists prefer to use higher end brands to get better results, a good makeup artists kit costs thousands and will need to be replenished frequently.
I will always research and try out products until I find the best products for the desired result, my kit is expensive and it has taken me a lot of time and money to build it. I prefer to use higher end brands as I find the colours and finish more flattering and the products photograph better and last longer. I also spend hundreds each month replenishing things for it as well as getting the latest products to keep up to date with trends.
3. Makeup Artists Demand
A well seasoned artist such as myself who has an experienced and skilled team, will be in higher demand and therefore pricing will reflect that. Makeup artists who aren't as busy may be able to charge less because their skills are not refined and not in as high demand.
Many makeup artists would not be able to do more than one wedding a day so their price will reflect how in demand their services are and you will be required to pay an upfront booking fee/deposit to secure your date due to the fact they will be turning other bookings away for your date.
If there is a makeup artist whose work you love, why would you compromise this because the prices may be a few bucks out of your budget?
Like all things in life you get what you pay for, some less professional artists may cancel your wedding to do a larger party because they want to make more profit rather than honour your earlier commitment, leaving you without an artist with little time to find someone else.
Often those who charge lower prices offer bridal makeup as a side job to their full time job and this often means they have little time to respond to you so you can be ignored for weeks on end, which is not something any bride to be wants from a supplier!
This is my full time job and with over 20 years experience, I know how to run a business, be organized and efficient and will always respond in a reasonable timeframe and never leave you hanging!
4. The time spent corresponding with the bride
I will email the bride a quote and correspond via email/ text/ phone with the bride to organize trials, answer her many questions about details, work out a timeline for everyone's services on the day of and secure payments, etc. more than I would with a normal client. Sometimes correspondance is many months and 50+ emails/ texts/ calls etc. This is necessary to make the bride feel at ease on the day. I also sometimes have to coordinate with the wedding planner on timelines etc. All of the correspondence and backend work is another full time job, which sometimes I need an assistant to help and this is something I have to account for in my pricing.
5. The time spent packing, unpacking and cleaning their kit
The day before a wedding I usually end up spending my entire evening off cleaning my kit and packing it for the wedding, assessing which products to take using notes from the trial and making sure nothing is missing. This can easily take 45 minutes to an hour and means that any social plans have to be put on hold.
6. The time spent travelling and the petrol cost
The bridal makeup prices will always include a petrol cost allow for the time it will take me to travel to and from the venue as well as setting up times and allowing for traffic. Most mobile artists may charge more than any makeup artist in a studio and this is for the same reason, they will miss out on one or two clients a day because of the time they spend getting to and from clients houses.
7. Makeup Artist Costs
Not only do I have to pay a lot for my kit but I also have to pay for Professional Liability Insurance, Website, other wedding advertising platforms, Accountants fees and Quickbooks to help me do my book keeping. This is how we pay our bills and make a living so all of these costs must be taken into consideration or we could easily make no profit at all.
Cheaper or less professional Artists may not be insured which is often found out too late when something goes wrong.
Not only do I have full liability coverage, I can add your venue to the COI as an additional insured upon request.
8. More than just your Makeup Artist
As well as being your makeup artist we are also there to help keep everyone calm, when we arrive we will find the perfect lighting to do your makeup in and often this can be difficult so I will bring my own lighting source sometimes, these can also cost hundreds of dollars as well as a makeup chair as often venues only have small chairs not suitable for makeup application. I also stay a little after we are done with the makeup and hair to get you those "getting ready" photos with your photographer.
9. Social Media Marketing
Along with all of these factors I spend a lot of my free time promoting my services, keeping my website and social media up to date to help brides to be find my work and feel confident that I am the right artist for them. This may not cost me in money but it does cost me a lot of my time making sure you are able to find me easily through my social media or website.
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Another question I am asked is "Why does the bride cost more?"
Often makeup artists will factor most of these charges outlined above into the brides cost, this is because occasionally brides decide not to pay for the bridesmaids makeup or hair therefore expecting them to cover their own costs.
As it is more of a bespoke service for the bride they expect to pay more as every detail of the bride and bridal parties makeup is discussed with the bride until everything is perfected, a bride is the main attraction of the day and needs to feel extra special.
With every bride I am there until everyone is happy and the photographer gets your "getting ready" shots with me. I absolutely love being part of weddings and being able to make women feel extra special on their big day. I am so passionate about what I do and I wont finish the bride until I have perfected every last detail, I hope this has helped you understand why it is worth every penny to get someone you trust for your wedding day.
#bride#wedding#bridalhair#bridalmakeup#weddingmakeupartist#dgpromakeupandhair#bridalmakeupandhair#bridehairstyles#airbrush#makeup#bridalstyling
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HQ Skincare hcs
a/n: i had too much fun with these hehe, hope you enjoy! onto my next series which will be longer than the skincare ones
characters: kageyama, kenma, kuroo, oikawa, iwachan, atsumu, osamu
warnings: none other than my language lol
taglist: @babydabi @suckersuki @bakugoustanaccount @animoozies @haiikyuuns @depths-of-your-soul @differentballooncollection @waitforitillwritemywayout
꘎♡━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━♡꘎
⇾ growing up as in going to middle school with oikawa, he picked up some stuff
⇾ small things, like which cleanser is better for his skin, what type of skin he has, the difference between toner and essence, what daytime moisturizer he should use and what nighttime one
⇾ things like that
⇾ and even once he was no longer around oikawa, skincare became something that he enjoyed doing
⇾ he would look up new products on his own and he was always willing to try new products too
⇾ his teammates are always so awestruck by his dedication just to his skin
⇾ wouldn’t mind splurging every once in a while on a holy grail product, but everything else is pretty much drugstore stuff
⇾ until he started getting products sent to him in pr packages once bokuto and atsumu let it slip in an interview that kags has a dedicated routine
⇾ his 4 step routine turned into 12 very fast and unfortunately for him, half the time he doesn’t know what he’s doing and ends up bothering oikawa about it
*+:｡.｡ ｡.｡:+*
⇾ he’s a rich bitch and it shows
⇾ he gets a facial two to three times a month, doesn’t care that he shouldn’t get them too frequently
⇾ his mentality is that if he’s not washing his face every day, it’s okay for him to get facials more frequently
⇾ he just really enjoys the massages they give him, but after learning that he doesn’t do anything at home to take care of his skin, they make him a list of products to use and create an entire daytime and nighttime routine for him
⇾ and because he can, he buys the fancy shmancy products that are overpriced
⇾ his favorite part of the routine is putting a cold sheet mask on his face and letting it marinate on his skin
⇾ he ends up buying a beauty fridge and stocking it up with mostly sheet masks
⇾ but because he doesn’t want to be wasteful, he ends up learning how to recycle them properly along with how to make his own sheet masks
⇾ his facialist starts crying when she finds out that he’s actually taking care of his skin now
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⇾ literally didn’t do shit for his face
⇾ but as he got older, he would look into ingredients more - not only with what he was putting in his body, but also on it
⇾ around his last year of high school, he decided to start a routine but it wasn’t anything too fancy
⇾ proper face wash and a moisturizer
⇾ slowly he started to build it more looking into the benefits of using toners and the difference between fermented products and regular ones
⇾ you can pry nerdy science kuroo from my cold dead hands but rigor mortis will make that even harder for you to do haha
⇾ once he got his fancy schmancy job, he had the money to splurge on skincare so not only did he get products that were good for him, he also got the expensive ass ones that typical people would save up for and make it last way past the expiration date
⇾ kenma got him hooked on sheet masks
⇾ he has a mini fridge in his office and whenever he’s stressed or just super tired, he’ll pop one on with some eye patches and just take a 10-20 minute nap in his chair
⇾ even though he’s not very active on social media (most of his followers are people who found him through kenma), he will still email companies and ask them to add him to his pr list
⇾ will bug kenma whenever he isn’t added to the pr list
*+:｡.｡ ｡.｡:+*
⇾ this bitch has a full 12 step routine that he perfected at a young age because he wanted to preserve his youth
⇾ ”why do you wait until you start aging to use anti-aging products? if i start at a young age, i’ll never get wrinkles and people will forever think i’m 20 years old”
⇾ rotates out one product whenever it finishes so his skin doesn’t get used to it
⇾ takes pride in his looks so he would never hesitate to drop money on a product that he knows works
⇾ but on the other side, he also doesn’t mind drugstore products if they do a bomb ass job too
⇾ tried to change the other seijoh third years to have better routines and they all either ignored him or assaulted him with body wash bottles or anything else laying around
⇾ everything is displayed in his bathroom in an aesthetic way
⇾ easily notices if even one product is off
⇾ has a travel sized version of his entire routine and it doesn’t matter if he’s away from his place for even one day/night, he will take the entire thing with him wherever he’s going
⇾ has never missed a single day of his routine which is why iwa went through his acne phase through puberty and oikawa didn’t he still holds it against him to this day
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⇾ literally uses bar soap to wash his face and moisturizes with coco butter BODY LOTION
⇾ oikawa has a heart attack whenever he sees him do this and proceeds with his cardiac arrest when iwa tells him to fuck off
⇾ wanted to punch oikawa in the face whenever he teased him about not having breakouts since he took care of his skin while they were growing up, but once puberty was done and his hormones were balanced, he never saw another pimple on his face again
⇾ will go to grave without a soul knowing, but his acne pissed him off so much he actually bought products to treat it
⇾ advocate for Proactiv MD
⇾ eventually grew out of his bad habits with skincare but still doesn’t do anything more than face wash, toner, and moisturizer
⇾ will never spend more than 25 bucks on a single product. ever.
⇾ enjoys how oikawa gets jealous knowing that he does the bare minimum and his skin looks as great as it does
⇾ quietly thanks his parents for their good genes
*+:｡.｡ ｡.｡:+*
⇾ aha ha ha he’s awful
⇾ rinses his face with water after practice, and if he’s showering, he’ll use his 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner to wash his face
⇾ complains about the weird coating it leaves on his face and when osamu tells him it’s because hair products aren’t for his face, he just says it’s extra moisturizing and walks away
⇾ wanna know why he copied osamu’s hairstyle in high school? it’s because his greasy ass forehead was covered in acne from the sweat, clogged pores, and lack of proper hygiene
⇾ in desperation, he stole osamu’s skincare products and used it to clear up his forehead their last year of high school
⇾ for once in his life, osamu let him get away with it because he was tired of hearing his brother complain about his skin
⇾ his patience ran out when he saw his brother using coconut oil on his skin - the kind you use for cooking
⇾ atsumu sat through three hours of his brother telling him what was good for his skin and what was bad - coconut oil was bad especially for his oily face
⇾ as an adult though, he has the money to spare to get facials and visit a dermatologist regularly
⇾ ironically became the face of a new skincare line and osamu never laughed harder when he saw the ads
*+:｡.｡ ｡.｡:+*
⇾ not super involved as a teenager but knows what products work for him and what don’t
⇾ definitely reads the ingredients and knows the good stuff from the bad stuff
⇾ doesn’t mind splurging on a product or two in high school, but nothing more than that he’d rather spend his money on food
⇾ as an adult it’s up to his mood on whether he would drop money for skincare or not
⇾ he enjoys getting microdermabrasion facials and gets one every 6-8 weeks to help his skin cell turnover rate
⇾ never misses his nighttime routine but not because he’s dedicated to his skin, but because he uses the time to relax before bed and just unwind
⇾ will have either relaxing music playing or complete silence as he does his routine - do NOT talk to him while he’s doing this though it’s his ‘me’ time just like when he works in the kitchen but that’s neither here nor there he needs a lot of ‘me’ time
⇾ if he can’t go to his facial, he will be working in the kitchen with a headband pushing his hair back and sheet mask on
⇾ has an anonymous blog where he rates and reviews new skincare products that’s pretty popular
#kageyama tobio#kenma kozume#kuroo tetsurou#oikawa tōru#iwaizumi hajime#miya atsumu#miya osamu#hq#haikyuu!!#haikyuu hcs#hq hcs
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9 months to hell and back: A Tim x Female Dallas Story
So this is an idea that wouldn't leave my head and has even haunted my dreams.
Point out any mistakes in comments and I'll fix lol
Warnings: Mild Violence and Pregnancy. Probably misspellings.
Summary: Tim accidentally knocked up Dallas Winston after a rumble. But...everything happens for a reason right?
.....
Week 6
Dallas Winston was in a god awful mood today, even worse then her usual moods. She huffed as she pulled herself off of Bucks bathroom floor and flushed the toilet, brushing her teeth in an effort to get the taste of vomit away from her mouth. She groaned and splashed her face with cold water, groaning a bit as she gazed in the mirror.
She was by all means a pretty girl. She was about 5'9 and weighed a nice 125 pounds, with a pleasant curve to her body and a rounded face, with wild brown hair, her skin having a dusting of freckles across it.
She groaned a bit and got dressed, frowning as she looked down and noticed her stomach was ever so slightly rounded. She just took it as a sign that she'd finally began putting on weight (Darry had suggested to her that she do) and carried on.
She went outside and saw Buck smoking. Normally she would join in for a stick or two, but her stomach clenched at it and another bout of nausea hit her. She groaned and went back inside. Maybe her period was close?
She laid back on her bed and through about whatever came to mind. She grimes as a craving for a blizzard from Dairy Queen hit her, but she again shrugged it off as her period coming.
Week 9
She was with the Curtis Gang when another wave of Nausea hit her. She groaned mentally, shifted in her seat on the couch, and tried to go back to watching the movie. Her period hadn't come yet, but it had never been regular anyways. She just tried to watch the movie and eat popcorn, but the taste just only made the nausea worse.
Week 13
Dallas frowned in the mirror and lifted up her shirt. Her stomach was starting to curve out now, and she had gained about 10 or so pounds, but it wasn't soft like she'd expect. It was almost like jello more then anything. She frowned and tugged her shirt down, frowning as she still saw it poke out. She sighed, thinking to herself.
When her period hadn't come for 2 months, she took it as a blessing. Now it had been three months, and her mind began to wonder to another option, one she wants entirely sure she was ready to face.
"Am I....." She mumbled to herself before dismissing the thought. That wasn't a reality she was ready for.
That she was pregnant, and fucking Tim Shepard was the father.
She just shook her head and grabbed a beer, or thought about it before grabbing a water instead. Just in case.
Week 15
She sighed as she saw her belly poke out more. She had to be pregnant, there was no other explanation at this point, but her mind refused to really believe it.
She walked to the drugstore and grabbed a test, one of the slightly more expensive ones, and took it, anxiously pacing until it dinged 5 minutes later.
She picked it up and just shook her head in resignation. Postive.
Oh.....that Shepard was so going to pay for this....after she puked.
Week 18
She walked into the clinic shyly, wearing a jacket to hide her bump. She didn't need any rumors flying already. She hadn't even told the gang yet, although, she was sure Darry suspected. She filled out the chart and waited in the room, looking at the other women there and looking away when she found herself staring at just how large a few of them were. She sighed softly as a doctor called her back for the first Ultrasound.
She got on the seat and saw an odd looking machine. Ultrasounds were still rather new technology, only having come out 10 years ago. She wasn't entirely sure she trusted it.
The doctor told her to lay on her back and lift her shirt, which she did shyly. She usually wasn't so shy, but doctors always made her nervous.
The doctor put a gel on her stomach before moving the wand-like object around. Dallas looked at the screen anxiously until a shape came into being.
The doctor looked over the screen for a while. "When was the last time you were...active...?" The doctor asked.
Dallas thought for a moment. "Almost 4 months ago..." She said softly. She was known for sleeping around, but she stopped shortly after she began to notice the pregnancy, more ashamed of her weight at the time than anything.
The doctor nodded and thought a bit more. He explained a few more things, stating that the baby looked in good health and was growing nicely.
The doctor printed her a photo and got it developed the same day for her. She took it and walked off, her mind swarming.
Week 20
It turns out, Tim Shepard was a really hard guy to find when she actually wanted to see him. She grumbled and walked around his part of town. She had her bump hidden as best she could, but her jacket did little to hide it these days.
She then decided to walk to the drive in and smirked seeing Tim's car. Slashing tires always got his attention. She flicked her blade and slashed a hole in one and walked off.
She walked to the Curtis house and let herself in like usual. She handed around before sitting by Johnny, subtly frowning as her bump (which was halfway by now) seemed to be more pronounced when she sat.
Johnny sat by her and looked at her in concern. "How are ya doin' Dal?" He asked.
"Fine." She said, before Two-bit politely handed out beer. He handed her one but she polity sent it away.
The jokester frowned at her. "What's up Dal? You sick?"
"Something like that." She replied, looking down.
Darry came from the kitchen and looked at her. He must have just finished a shower. "Unzip." He said, gesturing to her jacket.
Dally arched a brow in fake confusion, but Darry gave a look and she slowly complied, unzipping the jacket which let her bump be that much bigger.
"I knew it." He said. "You're pregnant aren't you?"
Dally looked down with a small nod.
Darry sighed. "Do you at least know who the father is?"
Dally glared a bit before realising he had a point, as she had the reputation. She nods. "It's Tim."
"Fucking what?!" Steve yelled in surprise. Sure, everyone knew she and Tim messed around, but Dallas Fucking Winston....pregnant ?
"Does he know?" Johnny asked quietly. He had suspected, but never said anything.
Dallas sighed. "Not yet...haven't been able to find him."
"Ah, speak of the Devil." Soda said, who had been watching out the window. A few seconds later, there was an angry knock.
Dallas instinctively went to zip her jacket, but Johnny grabbed her hand and stopped her, shaking his head.
"He deserves to know." He said. "Let him see."
Dallas swallowed. Why was she so nervous...?
Darry opened the door to reveal an angry Tim in all of his glory. God, he was sexy when mad. (Which, when Dally reflected, is what landed her in the situation in the first place.)
"Where's Dallas?" Tim asked in cold Anger.
"Inside but....well..." Darry stumbled for a moment. "well, you'll just have to see for yourself."
Tim arched a brow in confusion but stepped inside the Curtis house, his eyes landing on the Brunette. Something was off, he knew it. He could feel the tension in the air.
He stepped closer, and by the third step, he realised what was off. He glanced down and saw a definite swell on Dallas. He blinked and then saw it again.
There was a long silence.
"It's mine isn't it...?" Tim asked slowly, his anger seeming to fade away.
Dallas stayed silent for a moment and nodded, looking away.
Tim swallowed and walked up to her. He knealt before her, which was a rarity. Dallas looked at him confused.
Tim put a shakey hand on the swell and sighed. He looked at Dallas and then back to the bump. "I'll try to be there....if you want me that is?" He looked at her.
Dallas swallowed, the look in his eyes holding a....pleading feel. She looked down. "Sure..." She mumbled.
Week 25
Tim had began coming to the Curtis house more often to see and be with Dallas. They were in an awkward relationship to say the least, as neither had been on any real dates with the other but now they were having a kid together.
They had also began looking for a cheap apartments to live since Tim's side of town was not ideal and Bucks was a horrible place for a child.
She was on the couch eating some candies in the Curtis living room. They were the only ones at house currently, since Pony was in school and the others were out and about.
Tim sat beside her awkwardly and they held a small staring contest before Dallas felt something. "I think the kid kicked..." She said, unsure. She had felt it move before, but never actually kick.
Tim looked at her and, almost shyly, touched her bump, and soon enough, felt the kick hismelf. His eyes winded and a grin lit his face. He kissed the bump a bit and smiled softly. "I promise to be better for you than either of our dads were." He said to it.
Dally felt her eyes tear up, the sweet sentiment doing a number on her emotions. There was no way she'd make it through this with her dignity in tact.
Week 30
Now nearing the last stretch of her pregnancy, Dallas Winston was very obviously pregnant, and the talk of Tulsa. And she was sick of it, and impulsively said she was gonna join the rumble, which lead to a rather dumb argument.
She was out for a walk to clear her head after the dumb argument with Tim, when she heard the signature thrum of a car. She didn't think anything of it until she saw it was most definitely a socs car. She hoped they were just passing through since, as much as she hated to admit it, she probably couldn't fight for shit with this bump on her which was already giving her a slight waddle.
The car kept following her, slowing. She sighed. Great. Fucking perfect. She frowned as she realised it was night, and friend more as she saw the socs were drunk. She reached for her knife, only to realise she never brought it.
"nice going..." She thought to herself. "You totally screwed yourself."
A group of 7 socs popped out, and she noticed on was Bob. She glared at them and tried to keep going, but Bob grabbed her by the arm and slammed her against him. She gaged at the smell of alcohol and smoke.
"shit...." She thought panicked as she saw the group all had knives.
"Look what we have 'ere boys....a pregnant slut..." Bob slurred loudly to the group who laughed.
Normally, she would have already beat the group to pulp, but she suddenly remembered she was very pregnant when she squirmed and fled the child squirm. She shivered as bob lifted her shirt up and pressed his knife Into her stomach, drawing a small amount of blood.
"shit...." She panicked mentally, trying to get away. Bob gripped her tighter.
"Stop moving. It would be a shame if something happened to a mother before birth." The drunk taunted.
Her body froze and she looked down, her heart racing, trying to think of an out. She noticed she was surrounded and whimpered a bit against her will.
"Aww. Is mommy Winston scared?" A doc cooed mockingly. She yelled as she saw the man brace to punch her, aiming for her stomach as bob held her...
But the blow never came. She peered an eye open to see a very, very pissed off Tim Shepard. She had never seen the man so mad!
"Leave her alone you punk." Tim growled, holding the socs wrist firmly.
"Oh, it's her knight in shining hair!" Bob laughed.
"Actually, she has two." Came Two-bits voice from behind Bob. Two-bit held his prized knife to bob's neck, which made the doc let go of Dallas, who took off back to her and Tim's new place. It want by any means a great apartment, but it would serve until they could afford an actual house.
Tim came in a few minutes after, a little bloody but otherwise fine. He walked in and looked her over.
By now, the Adrenaline had worn off, and the realization of what almost happened hit Dallas hard. She wrapped her arms firmly around Tim and started to cry a bit.
Tim stood stunned before wrapping his arms firmly around her and rubbing her back, gently rocking.
"T-They were gonna...." She whimpered out quietly through chocked sobs.
Tim frowned and kissed her head. "I know Babe, I know." He said softly.
That was the night something shifted in both of them.
Week 38
Dallas was 2 weeks away from her due date, which everyone was happy for. Partly to meet the new baby, but also to make her not be pregnant anymore since she was even moodier now.
She was on the couch at the Curtis house and curled up, sitting with Johnny while Tim was out. She was eating some chocolate Tim had gotten her. She shifted around and Johnny glanced at her.
"You alright?" He asked
"Yeah, the kids just kicking more than usual is all." She said.
Johnny nodded, doubtful.
Indeed, a few hours later, she hissed in pain. "That wasn't a kick...." She grumbled to Johnny.
Johnny ran and got the phone, Calling Darry.
"Dallas is in Labor."
15 hours later....
Tim frowned as he held her hand gently and squeezed it. Dallas had been in labor for almost 15 hours now and had murder in her eyes.
Tim couldn't blame her for wanting to murder him. He kissed her head. It turns out, Dallas was allergic to Epidural and all the other medicines they tried didn't really help her, so she had felt almost everything for the last 15 hours.
"I'm going to kill you after this..." She grumbled as another contraction passed.
22 hours....
Tim grunted as Dallas squeezed his hand again. The pushing had come, and Tim had looked to see the baby, having been told it was a miracle. Well, turns out, that is a trap and he never looked again, just Focusing on Dallas. "You're almost done babe." He said softly as she panted.
Her blocked out her profanity in exchange for the sound of a sheer cry. Tim looked at the child and felt his eyes water.
"It's a boy." A nurse said
He left Dallas to watch them clean his son off, revealing the soft blond hair the kid had. The nurses swaddled him and handed Tim the child. Tim awkwardly held the kid before crying a bit.
His son looked a lot like him, but had some features of Dallas, like the ears and the general face shape.
"You plan on sharing?" Dallas asked quietly in amusement.
Tim blushed embarassed and handed their son to her. She held him with a fond smile, as all her worry melted away. She kissed his red forehead and giggled.
It was strange for Tim to see her hold a baby with such a fond look, but he just smiled. It was a good strange.
He sat by her and put his arm under her and kissed her head. "Not bad."
And thus, Ethan Shepard had entered the world.
#the outsiders#fluff#Tally#Tim x Dallas#Tim x Fem!Dallas#Fem!Dallas#Dallas Wisnton#Pregnancy#One-shot#tw: Violence#Soc Jumping#Tim Shepard#Baby#Slightly ooc
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Bare minimum!
If you go to the drugstore and wander in the cosmetics section, you can be completely overwhelmed by the quantity of products and brands you will find. If you don’t know what you are looking for, it will be even worse.
So I decided to put together a little cheat sheet of what you should have in your makeup bag to cover all your needs. Keep in mind that I’m always trying to achieve a natural look, so I really go minimal here, but it’s a good base to build upon.
Skin preparation
Before we do anything on our face, it is important we prepare it properly. Here is what you will need:
Facial scrub: you know these facial soaps that used to have micro-beads and that got banned almost everywhere? Well now they make mother-earth friendly products! These will clear your pores from dirt and clear your face from all the dead skin. It’s important to have a clean face or else your makeup can look cakey and won’t stick as well.
Day cream: a good day cream and/or serum. Nivea does some very good stuff at decent prices. Usually a little goes a long way, so even the small pots give you a good run for the money. If you shop at Costco, they have very good products for very decent prices in their home brand too. Apply after cleaning your face.
Makeup base/primer: some daycream can double up as makeup bases. You can also use BB cream or primer to get some light coverage or color correction before you apply your makeup. There are lots of options here and you will learn what you need over time. For example, I use a yellow base to cancel some of the redness of my skin (I have rosacea) on top of an anti-redness face cream.
You can stick to a face scrub and a day cream, but the makeup base is a good extra to help your makeup stick better. I found a few amazing products that I will list in another post.
Tools, etc.
Before applying your makeup you will need tools to apply it, etc. I will break it down into a few categories:
Consumables: this is the part where you will spend a few bucks every now and then. Makeup sponges (the small disposable wedges), makeup remover pads, Q-Tips, facial tissues, etc.
Face tools: Blender sponges (the big egg shaped sponges), face brushes, etc. The blender sponges are kind of a must have, but I don’t use them that much. A good brush set should at least include: a foundation brush, a blending brush, a concealer/contour brush and a powder brush.
Eyes tools: forget about all the gadgets for now! You need 3 brushes to get started with your eyes: a blending brush, a flat shadow brush and a liner brush.
If you watch videos on youtube with 20 years old girl advertising big brands and you look up the price, be ready to cry. Brushes can cost a LOT! But I managed to find a few good deals on big brands at Winners and Marshall’s and also stumbled on some surprising brands that are really affordable. One of my best find so far is ecotools. I’m not affiliated with them in any way, but I got their « Daily Defined Eye Kit » at Winners the other day and the brushes are awesome and they sell for really cheap. I haven’t tried their face brushes, but I will definitely give them a run in the future. From what I can see on their website, their « Airbrush Complexion Kit » looks really good for the price.
Eventually we will get to the eyebrows and lashes and the tools that go with them, but that is for another day. Now it’s time to grt down to business.
Makeup
Now to the good part! Let’s keep it to the minimum because you could buy things forever. If you want to look more feminine, there is only a few things you need to do to. The main one is to erase the beard shadow. The second one is to make your skin look more feminine. I know some girls are happy with just some eyeliner and lipstick, but this is not the case for me. If, like me, you have to change that face of yours to feel good in your skin, then the following is for you.
Beard cover: this is not an official product name, because girls do not have beard. What you will be looking for is a product that will be either pink or orange and that will stain your skin. Usually you can find those shades in the color correctors. I tried many things and for my skintone, orange is what works best. You will also have the choice between liquid or cream. My personal choice there is cream because I find it sets better on my skin, and also because I find liquid ones tend to mess my foundation color after. NYX is making excellent full coverage concealers in peach and orange. But if you are in a pickle, a cheap lipstick of the appropriate color can do as well.
Loose powder: pick a pot of loose powder that roughly matches your skin tone. If you have redness problems, you can also go with a yellow powder. This powder is multi-use, but the main one is to set your makeup in place and bake the areas that are the most at risk of rubbing off, etc.
Setting spray: it’s like glue for your makeup. Not much to add there: spray it on your face to set your makeup. Some people also use it as a skin primer. It usually works both ways.
Matched concealer: a concealer that matches your skin tone. I like a liquid concealer for that application. You will put that in the T zone and in the under eye area. Some people also use a concealer as an eyeshadow base, but I personally don’t like it.
Foundation: your color matched foundation. As I always say, better go with something that has buildable coverage as it is more versatile.
Eye shadow base: makeup companies now make specialized products to prime your eye lids. I prefer those a lot as they can help the colors pop and keep your eye shadow from creasing much better than any concealer would. My absolute favorite is the MAC Painterly base, but it doesnt work well with everyone. My girlfriend, for example, cannot use it because it drags the skin of her eyelids. She needs something more liquid. There are a few good liquid and cream eyeshadow bases in the drugstores. Revlon makes a decent one that really helps with creasing.
Eye shadow palette: if you are not certain what to pick, I suggest you go with a « quad » or something similar. Quads are those small palettes that have 4 colors that go together. They are basically a look in a box. If you are not sure which colors to pick, nude shades are pretty much universal. Otherwise, stay tuned and I’ll cover eyeshadow in another post.
Contour/Highlight/Blush palette: you might not find it all in one palette. I try to avoid highlighters that have too much glitter (it’s a trend to look shiny it seems) but sometimes it does look good.
Mascara: everybody knows what that is. Maybelline’s Great Lash has been a reference in the drugstore brands for years. Cheap and effective!
Eyeliner: you need two black eyeliners. A black liquid liner pen and a black kajal liner pencil. NYX make some really good liner pens and pencils. Maybelline also has amazing liquid liners and pencils. Experiment with different products because most of the fun is in the eyes!
Lipstick: pick your color! I really love Maybelline’s matte lip ink. It’s a liquid lipstick with a built it applicator that lets you draw on your lips with precision and that turns, once set, practically indestructible.
Conclusion
This is what I put in my makeup bag. The full makeup routine take time to do and time to master. Your first attempts will be disappointing if not frustrating. Don’t worry: it’s part of the process! Before I end that post, a quick reminder: get some makeup remover. Fractionated coconut oil also works wonders!
#trans makeup#makeup tutorial#makeup tips#makeup#mtf#mtf positivity#transition#trans is valid#trans is beautiful#trans girl#pre op mtf
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alone, i fight these animals [alone, until i get home]
To nobody’s surprise, I had another Kastle plot bunny, as I absolutely adore them being soft, but Frank and Karen are also messy, broken, dangerous people with a lot of trauma, and I wanted to write about them dealing with that and something from Frank’s POV. Also, I had a whole lot of feelings about Frank as a father, and well. This happened. Set sometime in my future verse where they’ve moved in together.
Rated M; content warnings for canon-typical violence, themes, and language, and mentions of sexual abuse, abortion, child loss, etc. Angst, but we get there in the end.
The door of the cellar stands half-open, letting in a wash of damp, cold New York winter night, that ever-present murky tang of the Hudson mixing with the sharper, metallic reek of blood. Frank completes his methodical pace around, making sure that nobody is still groaning, but if anyone is in fact alive, they sure as hell aren’t stupid enough to tip him off, and he wonders if he should shoot them all again, just to be safe. Jesus, he wants to. One shot, one kill, that’s always been the rule. Even Schoonover, who masterminded the murder of his family, got one clean shot to the head, no wasted energy, no needless mess. But these sons of bitches… Frank’s trigger finger is still twitching, and he clenches it hard. One thing at a time.
As far as he can tell, the seven corpses in the cellar are indeed genuinely in that state, and the faint, acrid whiff of shit confirms that. Frank kneels down by the nearest one and rolls him over. Pale, doughy, middle-aged white guy with glasses, looks like an office manager, which seems to be how most of them look. This fucking bastard was the leader of one of the biggest child porn rings on the Deep Web, made money hand over fist with his sick videos, supposedly used one of his own kids in them. He’s been on Homeland’s radar, they were preparing a big sting op to blow up the ring. Madani’s gonna be pissed that Frank got here before she could, but that’s her problem. Waiting for some fat-cat bureaucrat to get back from his Caribbean vacation to sign the warrants, have you ever heard something that stupid? These monsters were out here still hurting kids, hurting little girls, and needless to say, they were not expecting the Punisher to burst into their lair in all his trench-coated, jackbooted glory. Some of them put up a fight. Lots of bullets flying, but Frank was careful not to hit the servers. Madani’s eggheads can confiscate them and comb them to their heart’s content, see if there are any more they missed. He was never giving them the decency of a comfortable life in prison, no matter how unwelcome child abusers are in there. He still can’t slow down the roaring in his ears.
Frank dispassionately examines the bullet hole in the ringleader’s forehead. He’s definitely dead, but for the first time in his life, Frank almost wishes he’d broken his own rules. He doesn’t torture unless he needs information, and he had all the information he needed, here. But this asshole didn’t deserve to die that easy. Once upon a time, Frank would have believed that sinners would get their just desserts in hell, but that’s kid stuff, fairytales. He ain’t like Red with the Catholic shit. Watched it turn to ash a long time ago. Probably burst into goddamn flames if he stepped into a church now.
Outside, he can hear the drone of sirens -- someone, understandably, has taken note of the ruckus in the cellar and called the cops. Frank should get out of here, and as he rises to his feet, an unexpected pain in his side clips him and makes him grunt. He looks down to see a wet stain on his black hoodie, where one of the pedos got lucky and winged him low in the ribs. He didn’t notice it in the chaos, and it’s far from the worst he’s ever taken, obviously, but he should stop at an all-night pharmacy and get some shit to patch it before he gets home. He doesn’t want Karen to worry.
With a final glance around, Frank jogs to the door and lets himself out, just as footsteps are hurrying down from upstairs. He steps outside into the night and hangs a sharp left as red and blue lights start to splash the wet pavement – good ol’ NYPD, day late and a dollar short as per fucking usual. The appearance of a bunch of dead perverts in a basement isn’t going to cause anyone any personal distress, but it does serve as a calling card, and Madani, at least, is going to know who did it. Not that Frank thinks she’ll narc on him – they have a weird understanding, and part of him feels that she wouldn’t have mentioned that tip about girls being trafficked through Newark International if she didn’t want him to do something about it, wanted but could obviously never say or encourage him to undercut her whole sting. Madani can be ruthless in her fashion, but she’s still obnoxiously dedicated to the ideal of the law and truth and the American way. Give the feds time to do their job. That’s a good one.
Frank speeds up, almost growling at a goggling dog-walker to keep his eyes fucking forward, and darts into an alley to peel off his jacket and stuff it into his backpack with his usual clanking arsenal of automatic weapons. The wound in his side isn’t bad, but it’s definitely bleeding a lot, and he glances around (there are literally five million Duane Reades in Manhattan, he has to be within a few blocks of one). Sure enough, couple more minutes, he sees one, and steps inside with an anemic clank of bells. The bright fluorescents make him squint. They’re playing “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,” because apparently this might in fact be hell after all. Tacky Christmas stuff everywhere.
Frank strides past some alarmed local shoppers to the pharmacy, grabs some first-aid shit – bandages, disinfectant, surgical tweezers, whatever he needs to get the slug out – and heads to the counter. The clerk can’t help but try not to look too hard. He asks Frank if he wants the mouthwash on promotion, 99¢, or the $1.99 gingerbread cookie. Frank says sure. Man’s just trying (valiantly, really) to do his job, and doesn’t ask any dumb questions. He appreciates it.
“Happy holidays, sir,” the clerk says, as Frank hands over a $20, gets $4.46 change, and stuffs it all in his pocket. “You have a good one.”
Frank answers this with a curt nod, glances around to see the old lady in line behind him looking like she’ll hit him with her cane if he doesn’t scram and let her pick up her Geritol or what-fuckin-ever, and offers her a too-polite nod. “Ma’am.”
With that, and her eyes burning holes in him as some hooligan who is definitely Up To No Good, he makes his exit and tries to decide where would be the best place for an impromptu triage center. He could take advantage of that other ubiquitous Manhattan institution, Starbucks, though they’d probably get real precious about allowing him to use their bathroom if he didn’t buy one of their godforsaken overpriced drinks. Nothing else is coming to mind, however, and he could use some coffee. He crosses the street to the nearest one – they’re open until 9pm, it’s 8:23, he’d better not take too long – and goes in. It’s mostly empty by now, though there are still some hipsters bunked down with their ultra-thin iBooks and busy pounding out the Great American Novel or whatever they write these days. At that, Frank almost leaves again, but his side really fuckin’ hurts by now, and beggars can’t be choosers.
He buys a small (or ‘scuse him, tall) black coffee. The barista asks for his name. Frank says, “Pete.” Digs out the change from the drugstore and pays, sits at a corner table and sips for a few minutes, then gets up and heads into the bathroom.
Frank shuts the door, pulls out his kit, and shrugs his sweatshirt off over his head. He gets a look at the wound and has to admit it’s maybe a little worse than he thought. Thirteen bucks’ worth of medical supplies from Duane Reade is going to have to cut it, though, and Frank sponges off the blood, throws the used wipes in the sanitary bin, and angles his torso up to the mirror so he can get a good look at the hole. The tweezers are kind of shit, but they’re the best he can do, and he grunts and grimaces until he gets the butt-end of the bullet in sight, slick with blood. It takes a few more minutes (someone is passive-aggressively pounding on the door, and they’ll shut up if they know what’s good for them) until he finally eases it out. Wraps the deformed slug in another of the wipes and shoves it in the rucksack, as he’s guessing the Starbucks minions don’t want that in their garbage. Neither, frankly, does he.
Frank yells at the door-pounder that it’ll be a minute, and sticks himself awkwardly back together as best he can. He’ll probably need to stitch or staple it, but he’s got more stuff at home, and he’s hoping Karen will be out late. She went over to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with the Liebermans. They invited Frank too, of course; it’s hard to forget that he literally sacrificed himself to a couple of psychos to save them, and his stint as the family’s weird violent guardian angel/replacement dad and husband is still something that catches him in the vulnerable place he keeps only for his lost family and for Karen. He wants to see them, wants to see Sarah, but it just hasn’t seemed like the right time to walk back in. They’ve got their lives back. He doesn’t know if he fits.
Having finished his makeshift surgery, Frank sticks one more butterfly bandage into place, washes his hands, shoves it all back in the backpack, and emerges to glare terrifyingly at the hipster who has been fighting him for custody of the lavatory. The guy shrinks (good move, man-bun) and apologizes, which Frank ignores. He strides back into the store, all dim and Christmasy and whatever, and grabs his coffee off the table, finishes it, and tosses it into the bin. It’s 8:54, the baristas are sweeping and mopping up and putting the chairs on the tables, and he nods at them too. “Night.”
It’s even colder by the time he emerges, the raw wind slapping at his cheeks, and he wonders if he wants to walk the rest of the way back to Karen’s place, or if he’ll just get the damn subway. Not the weirdest sight New York has ever seen down there at this hour, but he does still have a lot of guns in his bag, and he doesn’t want some nosy-ass transport cop deciding he wants to make quota for the night. Frank decides to walk.
It’s about twenty minutes until he turns into the street where he has spent the overwhelming majority of the past four months, to the point where both of them have implicitly acknowledged that it’s not likely he’s going to move out. Frank has his own cubby in the bathroom, buys half the groceries, takes his turn on the chores, likes to make dinner for Karen sometimes when she gets home from work, and he knows damn well that he doesn’t want to live anywhere else. Or if he did, only if she was there. He needs her, needs her around, needs her there, whatever unspoken relationship they have, where they live together and sleep together and otherwise act like a couple in private, but still have not talked about it or taken it public or acknowledged it between themselves, let alone anyone else. Of course Frank is not letting any asshole get within sniffing distance of Karen again (it’s a hard job – she somehow attracts as much shit as he does), but it’s more than that. They belong together. Life, whatever it is for him now, for them, is just right when they are, no matter what else is going on.
To his surprise, Frank sees a light under the apartment door when he steps up into the hall, and he hurries to the end, then pauses, in case it’s someone in there who shouldn’t be. He takes a quick grip on his pistol, nudging at the knob, but it hasn’t been forced. When he opens it cautiously, he sees Karen’s bag and heels scattered on the floor; the light is coming from the bathroom. She’s home earlier than he expected. Shit.
“Karen?” He shuts the door and drops his rucksack with a clunk. “Karen, you here?”
She doesn’t answer, but he hears a weird sound from the bathroom, like a combination cough and sob and sigh, and it sends a sharp spike of panic through his bloodstream, the fear that she might have been badly hurt. He practically runs down the hall and finds her sitting on the edge of the bathtub, in dress and stocking feet, holding something in her hand. It takes him a few more seconds after that to realize that it’s a used pregnancy test.
All the blood drains from Frank’s head at top speed. He feels almost dizzy, faint, like the world has fallen out from under him and he has no idea how to stand upright, as if he half-wants to turn tail and run out of here as fast as he goddamn can. His tongue locks to the roof of his mouth and he puts a hand out for support, trying to muster up words, anything, but nothing is there. Why is this – how is this even happening? Karen’s on the pill, right? She’s on the pill, and they’ve only been sort-of-together for four months. Oh Jesus. Maria got pregnant with Lisa after three, told Frank that he could leave if he wanted but she was keeping it, and he proposed marriage that same day. He is obviously willing to do the same again if necessary, but if history is repeating itself – Jesus. Jesus, no. Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, no. Not the same cycle to the same violent end. He can’t. He will lose his entire mind, and this time, there will be no chance of ever getting it back.
“Karen?” His voice sounds strange and foreign to his own ears. “Karen, what the hell is…”
“I’m…” Karen takes a breath. He thinks, he’s certain what she’s going to say next, and he can’t prepare himself for it, and then it isn’t it. “I’m not,” she says, after another moment. “I’m not pregnant. If you were wondering.”
It’s pretty clear that Frank was indeed goddamn wondering, was in fact just about to have a heart attack over wondering, and he doesn’t know if this is better or worse to hear. On one hand, there is a burning, unbearable, savage relief, that they’ve escaped the trap, whatever cruel joke fate was just planning to set for them. On the other –
“Not,” he says, hoarse and gravelly, as if to confirm it. “Okay. There some reason you thought you were?”
Karen is too distressed to pay much attention to him, his dirty and disheveled state, and rocks back and forth on the bathtub rim. “I was taking my placebos,” she says, after a pause. “You know, the cycle of pills end, you take the placebos and have a period, and that was supposed to happen three days ago. But I didn’t, and I realized that there was at least one day where I forgot, and I… well, I haven’t been feeling that good recently, and tonight I was over there and I just… I didn’t… I couldn’t do it, and…”
She trails off, gripping her knees, as Frank remains frozen in the doorway. He has no idea what to say, this is far from his area of expertise, but he’s still too numb to interrupt. “So what?” he says at last. “You thought you should check?”
“Yeah. I…” Karen wets her lips. “There’s been a lot of stress recently, I suppose it could be like that. Sometimes I skip, you know, I’m not totally regular. I just… when I figure I’m going to start, I take a bunch of ibuprofen, just so I know I won’t be in pain. I don’t care about dosages or whatever. Take three every few hours. That way it doesn’t hurt. But it also means I didn’t notice right away, and…”
Frank flinches, not for any detailed description of female monthly habits (he was married, he’s not a caveman, and he definitely isn’t squeamish at the sight of blood) but just at the idea of it being that way for her. Take as much medicine as you can to make sure it doesn’t hurt, don’t give a shit, just want it to go away. Not only talking about cramps, there, and he knows Karen well enough to be sure. He runs a hand over his close-cropped hair, trying to think of something useful to say, but still can’t come up with it. He glances involuntarily at the test – it does appear to be negative, like she said, not that he thought she was lying to him – but part of him knows these things aren’t always accurate, especially very early. Maybe the question isn’t settled. Maybe the trap wasn’t escaped.
“Anyway,” Karen says, inhaling a shaky breath. “I really wasn’t feeling good, and Sarah told me to go home and get some sleep, and I had to… just on the way home, I… thought of it and I had to know right away. So I stopped off and got this – ” she waves the stick – “and. Yeah. I didn’t know you were going to be out tonight.”
Frank thinks unwillingly of both of them, probably in goddamn Duane Reades less than a mile apart, buying medical supplies for different reasons, terrified of the other finding out. He still hasn’t gotten his breath back, and doesn’t know if he will. At last, he perches on the toilet lid, still dressed in his grimy blacks, hesitant of reaching for her hand. There is still blood beneath his fingernails. Karen still looks close to tears, and he wants to comfort her, but he isn’t sure what she wants to hear. They’ve obviously never discussed the subject of children, not when they haven’t even talked about their relationship as a real and formal thing, as if acknowledging it and embracing it will set up the universe to kick it out from under them. Neither of them can really trust that it will be able to avoid the temptation. But at last Frank says, “You probably didn’t want – I mean, we’ve got enough going on right now, huh? It’s a good thing, right? Good thing.”
He mostly agrees with this, but it still scrapes his throat, and Karen lifts her head, blonde tendrils of hair falling loose from her bun. There’s another long pause, then she says, not looking at him, “No. I can’t say I really did want it. I can’t be – I don’t know that I could be the right kind of mother, I don’t… it’s complicated. If it was some other guy that I’d been with for just a couple months and this happened and it was positive, I would have – I would have made arrangements, and I can’t be blamed for that.”
No, Frank thinks, no, she can’t. He’s obviously the last person in the world who has any moral standing to prattle about the sanctity of life, and a woman has the God-given right to make her own choices about her own body. He isn’t going to open his fat mouth and step on a landmine. But it’s true that he feels something else, something visceral and tender and terrible, about the idea if it had been his. Would Karen have even told him, if he hadn’t gotten home now? Even if – or especially if – it was positive? Would she just make the arrangements, and live with the unbearable knowledge of what she’d done to him for a third time, even if it was nowhere close to being an actual kid? Jesus. Jesus.
“Fuck,” Frank says at last, since there’s still nothing else he’s coming up with, and has the feeling he shouldn’t sit in total stone silence forever. “Karen.”
“I’m sorry.” She rocks back and forth again, as he reaches out involuntarily to grab her arm. “But the thing is… Frank… I still feel that way, and I did, and I do… but there was also part of me that wouldn’t have minded if it was. I just – I thought about it, and you, and us, and some kind of real family… I wanted that. It scared me, but I wanted it, even with all the good reasons I shouldn’t. I don’t know. I don’t know if that’s enough for it. I’m sorry.”
“Hey. Karen.” He grips her arm tighter. “You don’t have to be sorry, all right? You do not have to be sorry. You don’t owe me goddamn anything, just because you think I want it. Especially not this. Jesus. I’m sorry you’ve been feeling shitty. I didn’t – I’m sorry.”
Karen looks at him, her eyes swimming in tears, but they don’t quite fall. There is a clear irony, painfully visible to both of them, that they have been living together for four months, they’re both messes in the bathroom tonight, and they don’t even really know all the reasons why. She takes him in, and a faint frown creases her brows. “Where’ve you been?”
“I’ve been…” Frank shifts his weight. “I had an errand to run.”
“The kind of errand you usually have to run?” Karen’s voice is sharp, and she pulls her arm out abruptly from his touch. “I thought you were done with that.”
“I’m done with some parts of it, yeah. But as for others – ”
“Goddamn it, Frank.” She stands up abruptly; they’re almost the same height, and she stares him cold and level in the eye. “Who did you kill tonight?”
“A bunch of fuckin’ pedophiles, that’s who!” His voice rises, despite his efforts to keep it down. “A bunch of disgusting abusive scumbags, Karen, that’s who! People hurting kids, hurting their own kids, in some cases! You gonna stand there and tell me they deserved a fair trial and a process of law and twenty years in special protective custody? Huh?”
Karen slaps her hand down on the bathroom counter, face white, except for the hectic spots of color burning in her cheeks. She doesn’t immediately say it was wrong; she can’t, and she likewise knows him too well to even bother. Finally she says, “And you too didn’t say anything.”
“It works better for us if we don’t.” Frank whirls on his heel. “Is that really what you want? Want to know every time I go out to put a bullet in some punk-ass piece of shit? Am I supposed to ask permission, fill out a goddamn request form for each one? If you want me to just move out and find my own place, you could say so, you could fuckin’ say so. Don’t feel like you have to keep me around if you still can’t stand who I am!”
“And see!” Karen takes another step, eyes flashing. “That’s part of the problem, Frank. Every time, every goddamn time, you go straight for that, go straight for that bullshit, you go straight for suggesting that you leave and I never see you again. You asshole, you goddamn asshole, why do you still keep doing that? What, do you think I’ve changed my mind overnight, that I know something about you that I didn’t know yesterday? You have to keep testing me, making sure I don’t suddenly hate you, or – I don’t know what, I don’t fucking know what? You son of a bitch. You son of a bitch.”
With that, she reaches out and shoves him hard in the chest with both hands, as Frank, surprised, utters a grunt and takes a few steps backward. She’s also caught him close to his bullet wound, and he winces, having the (accurate) feeling that she’ll be even angrier if she finds out about that. He feels like he has to fight back somehow, defend himself; he is, to say the least, not used to taking blows without retaliation. But he can’t lash out at her too much, not when she’s Karen, not when she’s right, not when he knows it. There is a crackling silence as they stare at each other, nose to nose. Then Karen says, “You want to leave, you can leave. But that is your fucking choice. Don’t make it about me.”
Frank opens his mouth heatedly, discovers that he has no good answer, and snaps it shut. He and Maria had a few blazing arguments in their time – she had an Italian temper on her, and he wasn’t joking when he told Karen back in the diner that she could be ruthless, rip his heart out and stomp on it. He also usually came out on the losing end of those scuffles, coincidentally. Any sane man knows it’s a chump’s game to fight with the woman you love, but that doesn’t mean he’s still just going to sit here and not even try to –
(Oh God.)
(He knew it, he knows it, he knows it every time he looks at her, but still.)
Karen continues to stare icily at him for several more moments, until he blows out a breath and backs down, feels like a wolf in the pack rolling over to expose his belly to the alpha, calling off the fight. “I’m sorry,” he says again, almost inaudibly. Not for doing it, of course, but for not telling her. “Sorry I was a dick.”
Karen gives him a weary, affectionate, exasperated look, as if to say that at this point in his early-forty-some years, Frank Castle could, unfortunately, hardly be anything less. She raises both hands to her head, shakes it, and turns away, tossing the pregnancy test in the trash as if to banish its existence from both of their memories. Not looking around at him, she says, “The Liebermans were hoping you’d come tonight. Sarah and Leo especially.”
Frank cringes. “Maybe you can go back tomorrow instead, huh?”
Karen gives him a searing look, as if to say that she was literally just talking about him, don’t change the subject, Frank. She steps to the sink and runs the water, washes her makeup off, as he continues to shirk there in the doorway like the useless fuck he is. At last he says gruffly, “You feelin’ any better?”
“I think it’s stress. I haven’t really been sleeping.” Karen pulls out a wet wipe and sponges off the remains of her mascara. “I just… Frank, I… no, I’m not pregnant this time, thank God, but if this keeps up, us two, together, there could be some other time when I am. I can look into something longer-term than the pill, something I don’t have to remember to take at the same time every day, since you know. Our lives can be dumb that way. If you wanted.”
Frank tries to answer, once more comes up short, and looks at her wordlessly instead. There is part of him that wants to assure her that she can do whatever she wants, she doesn’t have to ask him for permission. Another part of him can see – not clearly, not entirely, but still – some ghost of whatever she did, a blonde little girl with Karen’s eyes and hopefully her nose as well, a little girl running, laughing, calling him Daddy. The word he thought was burned and buried for good, the word that still echoes and haunts him in his dreams. Part of him feels that now that Lisa and Frankie are asleep forever in that cemetery in those child-sized coffins, Lisa’s bedecked with Disney princesses and Frankie’s with Mets gear and a United States Marine Corps teddy bear, no one ever gets to say it again. The other part – perhaps all of him, and then some – would offer his entire soul for the whisper of a chance.
“You can think about it,” Karen says, seeing his dumbstruck expression over her shoulder in the mirror. “I just… thought I would let you know.”
She straightens up, towels her face off, and turns to go past him, out of the bathroom, but bumps up against his wounded side, and he doesn’t bite his grunt fast enough. Karen stares at him narrowly, then steps back and folds her arms. “Take off your sweatshirt.”
“I’m fine, Karen, honest, it’s not a – ”
“Take. Off. Your. Sweatshirt.”
Frank thinks just then that if they ever do end up as parents, she’s got the maternal death voice down, and bites his tongue smartly on future remarks. He awkwardly tugs it off, notices that there’s some blood spotted on the bandages, and hastens to reassure her, “One of ‘em had some shitty .38, it’s not a big – ”
Seeing the thunderous expression on her face, he once more shuts up on the double, and she regards it without speaking. Then she blows out a long, ragged breath. “Jesus Christ, Frank.”
“It’s not bad.”
“I don’t care if it’s bad or not. Were you planning to tell me you got shot?”
“I was…” Frank thinks that the truth will hang him, and he doesn’t lie, but there you have it. “All right, probably not.”
“Christ.” Karen rubs at her temples. “What kind of relationship is this? We live together, we share a bed, Foggy’s eye twitches every time he tries to ask about my ‘boyfriend’ without saying the word, even Matt knows you’re here now – and we can’t tell each other anything? How did that happen to us, Frank? We used to be the only people who told each other the truth. We have some idea, we always do, but – what? We’re too scared for more?”
“Maybe.” Frank draws in his breath with a hiss as Karen’s fingers brush over the hole. “I guess I just thought you were happier if you didn’t have the details.”
“It’s not like I suddenly expected you to become an altar boy. Besides, I’ve got one guilt-ridden Catholic opposed to murder in my life, that’s all I need.” Karen’s voice is wry. “But if this – if us – means anything, then… maybe we’re going to have to talk about it.”
Frank tries to think how to answer that, and once more comes up with nothing. Not his style, to fire blanks. This time, however, he is saved from the necessity of an immediate reply by his phone buzzing in his back pocket, which is a bit of a surprise. It’s not like there’s a long list of people liable to call him up for a chat, and he pulls it out, sees it’s a restricted number, and debates a moment before swiping the screen. He grunts, “Yeah?”
“Castle, you son of a bitch.”
He grins then, despite himself. “Evening to you too, Madani. You find the little present I left for you?”
“Cut your shit, Frank. Of course I found it, that’s why I’m calling you.” Dinah sounds exasperated, which he supposes he can’t blame her for, entirely. “You have anything else you want to tell me?”
“Voluntarily incriminate myself to a government official? Yeah, I’ll pass. You’ll notice I left all the computer systems intact. You get whatever poor bastard’s job it is to look through that, see if there’s anyone else in the ring. I might even leave those collars for you.”
“You’re such a dick.” Madani definitely sounds mad, but – and it might be Frank’s imagination, but still – almost like she’s trying a little too hard. Like she knows it’s the expected response to discovering what is, no matter how good its motives, still a mass crime scene with multiple casualties, especially when this was supposed to be DHS’s hunting dog from the start. “You don’t think that the rest of them aren’t going to immediately erase their tracks and go underground, now that the main ringleaders just got executed? Change their names, flee the country, scrub their assets? You just made this operation months longer, however much more time and money it takes to track the others down, when – ”
“You’ve got the smart people, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Otherwise just tell me their names, once you find them, and I’ll take care of the rest. Be faster.”
“Jesus Christ, Frank. I really should arrest you.”
He snorts. “Yeah. You’re welcome to try. How’s your dad?”
There’s a pause, both of them recalling that Dr. Hamid Madani saved his life a while back, and Dinah would probably strangle him through the phone if she could reach. Then she spits, “Fine. How’s Karen?”
Frank wonders if that’s something Homeland knows, been keeping tabs on them somehow, or just something she guessed. “Fine,” he says. “But you jackasses mind your business. I see any kind of tail, any agent trying to ask her a couple casual questions, you’ll wish you didn’t. You’ve been hunting those shitheads for months. How about a thank you, huh?”
There’s a long, loathing pause. Then Madani says quietly, “I don’t regret they’re gone, no. But that doesn’t mean you have a blank check to do it again. This will not go on forever, you can trust me on that. Night, Frank.”
“Night, Dinah.” He doesn’t know if she hears it, because the line clicks dead almost immediately, but he takes the phone away from his ear and sees Karen staring at him with one eyebrow almost touching her hair. He puts it in his pocket and says, “Just our friend in the government. Wanted to check in on my handiwork.”
“I didn’t know you had friends in the government.” Karen clearly can’t resist the riposte, even as she knows well enough who he means. “And it was evidently spectacular, if she’s calling you right away. Damn it, Frank.”
Frank takes that stoically, aware he deserves it, to say the least. Karen makes another small sound of distress as she looks at his side. “Maybe we should go to Metro-General.”
“Yeah, no, I’m not sitting in the ER for hours with a bunch of crackheads.” Frank can’t see that going well, though he is aware that rudimentary self-surgery with unsanitized, off-the-shelf tools could be a recipe for a nice little case of sepsis. Under her withering stare, however, he amends, “Tomorrow. We can go in tomorrow morning. Okay?”
“Okay.” Karen blows out a breath. It’s plain that she is still ferociously angry at him, but she bites her lip. “God. I’m not going to ask you to tell me everything you do, but if you come home with bullet holes in you, is it too much to explain that?”
“No. Sorry.” Frank is eager to smooth things over, and he trails after her into the bedroom as she steps in, shuts the curtains, and briskly starts to undress. It is not suggestive in any way, just the way it is when you’ve lived together a while and you don’t care if the other person sees you in your baggy sweats or naked or haggard or otherwise as a mess. Nonetheless, Frank watches her, can never be unaware of her, as she strips off the dress and rolls down her pantyhose, digs around for her pajamas in her bra and underwear. He awkwardly clears his throat. “You want me to sleep on the couch tonight?”
Karen snaps off her bra, grabs her pajama top, and pulls it on. With it halfway over her head, she gives him a tolerantly irritated look, as if to ask when she’s ever really, really wanted him to go. There was definitely that one time with Grotto, Frank thinks, but if he is trying to get out of the doghouse, he probably should not mention when he was shooting around (if not at) her and terrifying her. Finally she says, “No.”
Frank is relieved, despite himself, and wisely decides not to say anything else that could prejudice his position. He digs around for his own pajamas and changes, then waits until Karen has gotten into bed before climbing in next to her. They pull the covers up. There’s a thick duvet on, since it’s winter, and Karen has some pretty quilt, and piles of pillows. Frank settles down with a long sigh, as he still does not quite trust this comfort, sleeps with a loaded Magnum in the bedside drawer, and they lie there, staring at the ceiling, until Karen switches the lamp off. There are another few minutes of silence, until Frank fumbles out, finds her hand where it lies on the mattress, and squeezes hard.
Karen hesitates, then squeezes back, and they edge somewhat closer together, until their shoulders nestle. They don’t do anything else – she’s angry, and he’s wounded, and both of them have a sense that it might be unwise to challenge fate tonight, given what just happened. But she settles down on his shoulder, and Frank feels his heart shake a little, and sleeps.
He’s very stiff the next morning, and the wound has a bit of a funky smell when he peels the bandage off to check, and it doesn’t take much badgering by Karen to get him to agree to go down and get it looked over at the hospital. It always feels like a crapshoot giving Pete Castiglione’s ID to people, especially since they know the Punisher isn’t dead (or do they think that again? Frank loses track of how many times he’s supposed to have died) but he gets properly cleaned and stitched up, started on a course of antibiotics, and assured he’ll probably be fine. Not that he doubted that, or needed a nurse to tell him, but whatever.
It’s midday, cold and grey, when Frank emerges from the hospital with his prescription in hand (Duane Reade, here he comes again, no doubt) and there are a few snowflakes swirling in the air, though they haven’t settled. There are Christmas tree stands on the sidewalk, and carts with hot chestnuts and cocoa and popcorn, people carrying shiny department-store bags, and he slows down a few paces, despite himself. Christmas was fun when you had kids, or at least when he was home for it. He spent too many of the Christmases of Lisa and Frankie’s ultimately-too short lives calling on Skype from a tent in the desert, Kandahar or Fallujah or wherever, nine and a half hours ahead of them, while they unwrapped presents and showed them to the camera. Jesus, what he wouldn’t give to have even one of those back.
Frank breathes hard, closing his eyes, letting the human tide pass him to either side. The memory is painful – it couldn’t be otherwise – but for the first time in he doesn’t know how long, it doesn’t immediately, instinctively drive him to rage and violence. Everyone who’s ever lost someone, or just doesn’t get along with their family, dreads this time of year. Karen went to Thanksgiving dinner with Foggy, Marci, and Matt, but Frank spent it alone, as goddamn usual. Didn’t think it was the greatest idea to turn up there, didn’t want to ruin it for her. He was relieved when the Liebermans extended the Hanukkah invite, if nothing else because that it spared him trying to think how to spend the time instead. Now, though. He doesn’t know.
Frank thinks he might drop in on the group later – he’s been trying to do that every so often, try to be accountable somehow, and if nothing else, he probably owes Curtis the chance to once more chew him out for being an asshole. Curtis, though, he’ll understand, at the end of the day. He’ll be pissed, but he’ll understand. He always does.
After a moment, Frank starts to walk again, pulling up his hood and shoving his hands in his pockets. Again, however fleetingly, he can see that little blonde girl running ahead of him, excited, looking back at him to follow her. If she was real, if she was here, he doesn’t think he’d ever let her out of his goddamn sight, not for an instant. Fuck all those other wars, all those shitholes in the dark. He would not ever want to be anywhere but there, but here.
He turns in the prescription, then gets home and cleans up the place, and in mid-afternoon, changes and shaves and puts on something at least a little nice. When Karen gets home from work, she’s surprised to see him waiting with his coat on and a bottle of wine in hand. “Are we – ” She eyes him up and down, pleased but wary. “Are we going somewhere?”
“Yeah,” Frank says. “We’re going over to the Liebermans.”
Karen pauses, then looks down, biting a smile, almost as if she’s not going to let him see that, not yet. She goes into their bedroom, changes out of her work clothes and freshens up, then emerges. “Okay,” she says, almost shyly. “Okay.”
They get into Karen’s car and drive out to Brooklyn, turn into the neighborhood and find somewhere to park on the street. They get out and head up the steps, and before he knocks, Frank suddenly freezes. He probably shouldn’t be back here. Who knows if someone followed them. What if it all happens again, somehow, and this time he can’t –
Karen reaches out and squeezes his hand. Then she nods at the door. “C’mon.”
Frank heaves a breath – Jesus Christ, he wasn’t that nervous jumping out a goddamn C-130 for the first time, it’s just a door, it’s just a house in the suburbs, he’s been here plenty – and rings the bell.
There’s a pause. Then he hears footsteps, the chain clicks back, and Sarah Lieberman opens the door. The smell of something good wafts out after her, and she’s wearing an apron, but as her eyes lock on him, it all seems to fade. She blinks hard, then presses a hand to her mouth. Finally she says croakily, “Frank?”
“Hey. Sarah.” Frank holds out the wine bottle like a peace offering. “We – felt bad that Karen had to leave early last night, and we were hoping – ”
Whatever else he’s going to say is lost as Sarah hugs him so hard that his ribs creak. She’s a small woman, and he’s a very solidly built man, but he drops the wine bottle on the doormat (fortunately it doesn’t break) and Karen darts in to pick it up. Frank wants to tell Sarah to go easy, he still does have a .38 hole in his side, but he doesn’t. Instead, he hugs her back, and there’s something for half an instant – unmanifest, unspoken – that he, that both of them somehow understand. Sarah is happy rebuilding her life with David, and Frank of course is utterly devoted to Karen, and neither of them want anything different. But maybe in some other world where David did die, and Karen was fucking sensible enough to stay far away from Frank (he still doesn’t know why she sticks around, not entirely, but no good can come of asking), maybe it would have been this. Maybe Frank and Sarah would have ended up somewhere, somehow, as part of their own little makeshift family. You never know.
After another moment, Sarah lets go of him, discreetly wiping her eyes, and leans up to kiss his cheek. “We’re – ” She stops, and has to start again. “We’re really glad you’re here.”
Frank grins crookedly at her, and steps into the warm house. Heads down the hall into the dining room as Zach and Leo jump to their feet in surprise, and Leo races to hug him like she wants to win an Olympic medal. Frank grunts. “Easy, sweetheart.”
She ignores him, which probably he deserves, and hugs a moment more before letting go, and he tousles her hair and grins at her. Zach is a little more cautious, but at least the kid seems to have gotten over his wannabe-tough-guy shtick after being kidnapped by some people a lot worse than anything he could have come up with. He coughs. “Hi, Pete.”
“Hey, kid.” Frank doesn’t bother correcting him, just as David emerges from the kitchen, carrying a glistening golden-brown challah. Upon sight of their unexpected visitor, he doesn’t drop it, but it’s close, and Frank clears his throat. “Happy Hanukkah.”
David recovers himself, puts the challah on the table and covers it, then stares at Frank. After a long pause he says, “Thanks, asshole.”
They look at each other for another long moment, then step toward each other, do the bro-shake, and clap each other clumsily on the shoulder. David half-hugs him, and Frank hugs him back, even as he has a feeling that he’s probably in for a roast, overtly or otherwise, for at least the first half of the night, and definitely after the kids go to bed. They step apart as Sarah and Karen enter the dining room, David recalls his duties as a host and offers to pour the wine, and Zach offers to get Frank an extra yarmulke. He agrees, and sits down, and thinks that he had a dream like this once, a nightmare. It was his family, Maria and the kids, and David’s, and it was Thanksgiving, at least until the armed men stormed in. Half of him can’t help looking for them now. It probably will never stop.
Tonight, however, they aren’t there. Tonight there’s company, and food, and the second candle in the menorah. Tonight the world goes on, and spins softly into the darkness of a winter night and toward the beginning of tomorrow, and Frank Castle, somehow, goes too.
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Tips to Buy Makeup on a Budget
Makeup now a days is something which every one needs and demands for, not only it helps you to feel confident but it also represents you somehow. A women is constantly judged by her looks and her overall appearance, in my opinion makeup in today”s world is more like a weapon for the women, it gives them those wings which no one could see but they still wear it. Although a women doesn’t need anything or anyone to feel confident but makeup indeed is a personal choice which one makes him/herself. The craze of makeup is so much in the industry today that be it girls, women, ladies or granny’s everyone’s into it and the markets are at full swing these day, everyone wants to look perfect and the advertisement companies are making sure they deliver the right message.
It is indeed one of the top most profiting industries these days. you may call it a con or a pro but 1000’s of companies are into the business, ranging from low to high so it really gives a vast diversity to the buyer whomever class he is belongs to but at the same time it gives such a prominent difference between the high end product and the cheap product.Try as we might we can not avoid using makeup.a dash of powder, sweep of lip gloss and that perfect winged eye liner is a part of our beauty regime. Drugstore may be a good option: Many people say that makeup is something which you’re going to apply on your SKIN, emphasis on the skin please. So it better be from a good brand but i say potato or potato, chemical is a chemical, which is at some point of your life going to effect your skin somehow, though what really is important and be kept in mind before going to shopping is whether the product is skin friendly or not? My whole debate here stands for the point that is why a same product but is under a big company;s name charging 80$ when the dupe of it when the same formulation and with the same apply charges 20$?Is the name so special that it costs 60$ more ? I as a women myself have always shopped drugstore makeup because • It is affordable • It gives the same results • You pay what you should pay for. According to the research L’Oreal is claimed to be the top most makeup selling companies in the world but yet at the same time its a drugstore product. So i would say use your mind before buying.
Try before buying: It is a very important step to be looked at while on a shopping spree, just how you try different clothes on before buying them to get the perfect size and design your makeup requires the same attention, trust me every penny you spend has its worth, you may see a product in the ad which looks flawless on the model but you my dear are not that model, every skin, every skin tone is different, so trying is one big thing because after buying a product you cant really return it Buy what you need: Don be that stupid women who buys whatever everyone is using or whatever is recommended, to stay in a budget one should know her/his needs. Unnecessary shopping is nothing but stupidity. Every time before going for shopping check what you don’t have and see what is about to be finished. If you don’t have mascara then just stick onto that, no matter how much your hearts pounds ladies after entering a makeup shop but please get a hold on it and act smart. SALES: No matter how cheap it may sound to some but trust me sales are one important part of our lives, its like a lifetime opportunity, always check on the calender’s of your favorite makeup brands and be the first one to cease a great opportunity. Sometimes actually No. almost every time you will find the perfect things in a sale and the best part is that they have an expiry date, me as a shopping expert I like buying stocks of eye shadows and face powders and brushes in sales because these products have long lives and guess what? Who hates a makeup haul? Picking the right product: So whenever buying makeup always know information about your product, for example, If i buy a drugstore foundation with that i would buy a nice high end brush because • i’ll be able to save some bucks • the apply will be as perfect as high end. Smartness is the key: Now here’s the trick ladies, buy durable products e.g. when you buy a bronze , use it as a eye shadow too, it’ll give you the perfect light glam look, buy tints, i can go on an on about this because tints are actually superheroes of today’s world, they can be used as blush on and lipsticks too? what else do we need for a budgeted makeup spree. MAKE-UP STORES: Always always always, buy makeup from a makeup store only, many departmental stores and other super markets have makeup available but when you go to a makeup store you get to see a whole lot of range of products,and with that they provide samples too, then you would be able to see and select the best for yourself. Coupons: coupons are like those guests who bring cake to the party, always the best.Be it a 10% discounts or a free beauty blender coupon , whatever comes for free is always a bounty to have. Although these coupons are easily accessible through various strategies but if you still cant locate a coupon, we got you a solution here. All you have to do is search for your favorite beauty shop and there you’ll have discounted gift cards online. Give yourself a chance to avail these offers as they are the blessing for the lovers of beauty products. So this offer is not at all problem for costumers, because people often sell their unwanted gift cards and there value for them is not to consider at all because do this get rid of them.
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LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, Ladies and gentlemen i present you the best hack for staying in a budgets that is YOU, yes i said it right you, yourself are the most important, whenever you go somewhere obviously your heart would want more and more but you are the one in control, always be smart because money doesn’t really grow on trees, I promise Fast search online has benefits more than you can imagine. They not only give you special deals, they also assist you with excellent coupons to get you a better deal on cosmetics. So its not just one way, the makers and the marketers put out such coupons that satisfies the costumer. And not only this, the manufacturers and stores often put out combined deals which ultimately gives greater savings for you. For more access to coupons all you have to do is don’t forget to keep an eye on daily circulars with an intention to really avail this offer. These coupons facilitates you even more when you register to your favorite cosmetic and beauty shops. By registering through emails they give you an easy access to more excellent coupons. So why not keep in touch with your vacant containers and when decided to recycle so this moment is not less than an opportunity to get the attention of high end make up shops. So the question is, how you get to know this? The high end make up shops will offer you credits for fresh products. And who doesn’t want to get the credits? So even if you don feel it like, think for once before throwing your vacant containers away.
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One of my stupid tiny peeves is when people hit the middle in the word super hard. She done it 3 times before I even got two minutes in. I pushing through anyway. It got Les Mis vibes war, doomed soldiers and romance. It also has insanely beautiful cinematography and for the first time ever. A love triangle (or rather square) where I rooting for every member. YTA seems like you're seeking validation here or something. You're bragging about how much you have and what she doesn't have. You know this dog is special to her and you say you see her being a long term thing so why wouldn't you try to help her? If you can easily afford it and you love her then why would you just sit there and do nothing while the dog and your gf suffer? Also, your dad sounds like a prick and you're going to turn out just like him if you aren't careful. Claricesabrina 1 points submitted 15 days agoCrap, crap and more crap. Nothing that does anything other than coat the skin with grease. I mean, if you want to use a good product under it this might seal it in and hold it there but there is so much grease in this anyone prone to breakouts shouldn't use it. Uses products for hydration or to appear more hydrated (glowy might be the word) that range from drugstore to mid range. She is very specific and descriptive on how and why she does what she does. Definitely something for beginners or those looking for a true tutorial! How do people feel about this half faced method? I found it really does help when it comes to minimal makeup. Most hotels of this size and class operate with staffs of over 35. Thirty five humans, 창녕출장안마 that is. This hotel gets by with less than seven staff members and the goal is to get down to a staff of just three humans. Edit: I just want to point out that I, nor the friends that have played it hate the game. As a matter of fact only ONE person I know doesn like 창녕출장안마 it. The problem is that they want us to keep shelling out cash to stay competitive. I hope you find a solution to this! I suffered from the same problem for a long time so I know how annoying it can be, and how insecure it can make you feel. It's mostly a tedious case of trial and error. Different products, different combinations, different methods of application, different skincare.. The dictionary definition may not state it, but when used colloquially, it is definitely implied that the evidence is inconclusive or fabricated. In other words, the implicit meaning is that the subject of the witch hunt is innocent and doesn deserve persecution. It really this simple. I would recommend the rapidfire diversity module. Close competition is laforge and the true d v3. Clearview ground station is the Ferrari option but it like $500 or something crazy.. I been into makeup for around 20 years. I remember when collections were seasonal, not biweekly. Damn, I old. It all leads to the feeling that he isn balanced, that he might not be 100% right in the head. And then he lashes out. His outfit is disheveled with frayed ends, his mask is battered. The old formalist canon apparently under attack has been an ailing horse, I think, for a while now, or at any rate one found bucking mainly on college campuses. And what, Dave Hickey, about revisionism? MoMA's very own exhibition, just a couple of seasons ago, of 1940s art from its collection a riotous assortment of stuff, cacophonous with rhetoric, much of it obtained during the period in question stands as evidence both of evolving contemporary tastes and of an institutional acquisitions program that was perhaps more catholic, even under Barr, than Hickey suggests.Elsewhere, the gentlemanly Hickey pulls a number of punches. He quibbles for an instant with Michael Fried, in a fairly friendly way, but otherwise refrains from citing specific works or movements or even texts to do with high formalism or other such puritanical therapies, leaving us to wonder what sort of art it is, exactly, that he secretly deplores.
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Help Me Help You - A Little Bit Of Bucky In My Life (20/?)
Character: Bucky Barnes x Enhanced!Reader / OFC
Chapter summary: Bucky doesn't know how to face his feelings for the new girl and so he thinks that ignoring her would distract his mind. Doesn't really help, tho.
Meanwhile Annabelle gets wind of what the man truly used to be, leaving the final question open for her to find out...
Warnings: none
Words: 2.2k
Previous Chapter // Help Me Help You - Masterlist
“Hey, Bucky! Hold on.” Abbie shouted his name, racing down the stairs as she spotted him in the living area, ready to leave the tower for a quick run to the grocery with Steve.They both turned, seeing her struggling to get down as quickly as possible, thanks to the fuzzy socks on her feet.
Of cause she’s wearing fuzzy socks, Bucky thought.“I’ve got one more thing to put on your list.” She breathed once she stood in front of them in her shorts and long-sleeved shirt.
She looked like she did the first time Bucky saw her. Well, the second… third time…
The
first
time she had been herself again. Eating that dry toast while staring at him with wide, frightened eyes and sunken cheeks.But not anymore. So much had changed within the last…
already a freaking month
of her being here with him. Them.
Her face had finally gotten its old shape back. Her body as well.
There were no more bones sticking out harshly, reminding not only herself of how badly she’d been abused.
Her skin had a nice, vibrant tone to it. Evidence of how she had truly discovered the rooftop for herself during sunny afternoons, especially while helping out Bruce gardening the small strip of roof garden that Tony had installed there along with a cozy corner where people would gather to watch a movie on the installable projector screen.
Weirdly, she saw no one ever using it. Especially now, during the summer time.
She had to look into that.But until then she just continued gardening with Bruce. She enjoyed his presence. But also she enjoyed mocking him for his
green thumb.
He didn’t mind.
“Here.” She pressed another small piece of paper into Bucky’s hand.
He thought of how the last time she had touched his hand she had left a brand mark on his skin. He knew they haven’t touched since because in that moment he felt it again for the first time since then.
A sharp tingle, yet not uncomfortable.
“You’ll… find it in the, uhm, beauty section…? I think?” She said meekly, an insecure smile on her lips. Bucky looked at her and then back on the paper.
“What do you need it for?”
“Well” She sighed “Tony said I could only go out with an Avenger and a disguise.”
She chuckled nervously “And I really need to get out of here. No offense. I just need some…”“Space?” Bucky asked, one brow raised. First of all; he didn’t like the idea of her already going out. Even if it was with an Avenger for protection.
Second; Why did she need space? They haven’t talked since two days ago, yet somehow he thought it was his fault. Was he being too pushy? Ignoring her personal space?
Or maybe she didn’t like hanging out with him after all….
“It sounds mean when I say it like that…”
“No, it’s alright.” Steve said with a chuckle.
“I get it. This is like a living community and once in a while you just need a little bit of distance from it, right Buck?”He grunted a response, an unintelligible mumbling. Steve pursed his lips as he looked back at him.
“Right… don’t worry we’ll get it for you, Anna.” “Thanks, Steve.” She said, still looking over at Buck in confusion before heading back for her room.
***
“So, what was that about?” Steve asked his friend as they stepped out of the building.
Bucky simply pulled the hood over his head, put his hands in its pockets and shrugged.
“Oh, come on, Buck. Don’t you think I know when you’re angry?” He said as they walked along the street. Steve was only wearing a cap. A cap for the Cap. People were still staring. He felt like they all stared at him, though. Like they
knew…
But of cause they didn’t. Because there was Captain America walking right beside him.“I’m not angry, Steve.”
“Yeah, right.” He scoffed.
“I’m serious.” It was way too hot under that hood and the scorching sun, so he pulled it off. He only needed his arm to be covered anyway.
“It’s just-” He sighed, looking up at the sky.“It’s about Anna, isn’t it?”
The question took him by surprise, although it was.“What? No…” Steve cocked a brow at him.
“It’s okay, I’ve seen you take care of her. It’s good that she has someone like that, you know?”Bucky gulped and he cursed himself for the way his cheeks heated up way too quickly. He had nothing to hide so why the fuck was he making this harder for himself? Acting like he did?
Perhaps he should put the hood back on…“Whatever you say.”
Steve scoffed. “Hey, man. All I’m saying is that you’re good for her.”
His head whirled back at him, gaze completely horrified.
“Don’t fucking say that.” He mumbled perplexedly.
“And she’s good for you, Buck.” He looked away at that, not saying anything while they walked into the next drugstore.
He instinctively avoided the cameras, having already spotted them.“I just don’t want her going out when the case is still on-going, s‘all.” He muttered, face still facing the ground as they strolled through the isles, picking up the necessities.
Tooth-brushes, razors, toilet paper… and whatever was on Abbie’s list.
“You can’t keep her locked up in the tower forever.” Steve said, eyeing the bottle of shampoo in his hand.
“Perhaps you should go out with her.”Bucky almost choked on his own spit.
“Do what?”
“Yeah. Go out. Take her to the ice-cream parlor, to the mall or something. It doesn’t have to be something big, just a public place. She’ll be happy about it.” He patted his arm, smiling at him. That guy really was something.
“Sure, I-I can do that, I guess.” He was acting like that idea wasn’t making his heart race and he was seriously starting to worry about that.
“Hm.” Steve picked up the last thing on their list. Her list.
“Are you sure that’s what she wanted us to get?” He furrowed his brows at him as he turned around with the product in his hand. Bucky shrugged and held his hands up in defense.
“Hey, don’t ask me. I know just as much as you do.” He said, eyes wide.“Well, okay then…” He shrugged as well and put it into the basket as well.“Let’s see how it looks on her.”
***
“Wow, okay.” Wanda said and smiled at her as she sat on her bed, cross-legged.
“Yes, it’s definitely something more Dakota Fanning-like, no?” She asked as she looked her over.
“It’s just another hair color. Nothing world-changing.” She rolled her eyes as she sat down next to her, playing with her platinum-blonde strands.
“Also, Tony said that if I wanted to go out I needed protection and a disguise, so… voila.”
She grinned and threw it back. She actually kind of really liked it.
It suited her, made the brightness of her eyes pop.
“It looks good on you.” She said and poked her side, making her squeal.
“I’m probably not the only one who said it.” She grinned at her mischievously.Annabelle halted, tilting her head to the side.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on, Anna.” She laughed “Don’t tell me you don’t enjoy having that blue-eyed soldat jump around you all day.”
Her mouth fell open with silent laughter as she felt the heat rise to her cheeks.
“Oh. My god!” She giggled as she covered her face with her hands, shaking her head from side to side.
Wanda laughed at that.
“I knew it!”
“Don’t you dare!” Annabelle stifled a laugh, trying her best at looking at her seriously, but failing miserably.
“You are no one to talk! I’ve seen you and Vision.” She sat up straight in bed, imitating her lover’s voice.
“Oh, Wanda. There you are. Oh, Wanda, I’m so glad to see you. Are you sure you want to be alone right now?”Her eyes went wide in shock
“What! NO!” She yelled and Annabelle pressed a hand against her mouth, both of them giggling. It felt good to do something as normal as acting like school-girls talking about their crushes.
But that wasn’t what was happening.
Or
was it…?
“I just enjoy his presence, is all.” Wanda tried to explain herself, actively avoiding eye contact with her.
“Uh-huh.” Annabelle grinned.
“Oh, shut up. I know Bucky likes you and you sure as hell like him, too.”
She threw her hair back as well, trying to mimic her.
“I’m Anna and I don’t have a dog, I have something better. How about a Hydra assassin who doesn’t talk, but will kill you if you talk to me?” She giggled and Annabelle replied an instant ‘shut up’, before the meaning behind her words hit her.
“Wait… he was an assassin?”
Wanda’s smile faded from her lips and she blinked at her for a few times.
“I mean… yes. Didn’t he- didn’t he tell you?” She asked her perplexedly.
“No… he didn’t.” She stammered. Her heart rate picked up, an uneasy feeling settling inside her stomach.
“I mean I guessed that it had to be something like that… he told me he had a troubled past, but I thought…” She shook her head in disbelief “I thought he hadn’t wanted to work for Hydra, that he was…” She sighed “I don’t know. More like me, I guess.”
“But… Anna, he didn’t want to work for them.” She tried to explain “He was not… himself when Hydra took him in.”
“What do you mean?”
Wanda hesitated, looking around the room in panic. Annabelle looked back over her shoulder and then back at her again.
“Wanda.” She said seriously “What are you talking about?”
She was clearly struggling to find the right words to explain this.
“Listen, I really don’t think that I should be the one to tell you this, it’s very personal. Why don’t you ask him?” She said hesitantly.
“But, I’ve already tried talking about him. He’ll tell me about how he grew up with Steve, what his childhood was like…” Realization hit her.
“But never about what happened after the war…”
Wanda looked at her knowingly “Exactly…”
“But… he said he had been frozen, too. Does- Doesn’t that mean Steve and him went down in the plane together?”
She had remembered their conversation and later that day she had looked Steve up online. There was everything about him, the crash and all that, but she had found nothing on
James Buchanan Barnes.
“Well” Wanda was fidgeting on the spot “He was frozen, that much is true…”Anna’s look had changed from confusion to worry.
“Please, Wanda. I need to know.” She begged her friend “I know nothing about him. Not what matters most. I need to know what happened, or I don’t think I’ll be able to trust him anymore.”
That was a lie. She trusted him.
But she needed to know anyway. It was sick to think so selfishly, she knew that. But she always guessed, but never truly knew; if he knew her suffering. If he understood what she had been through.
It was seriously fucked up, but she needed to know what Hydra had done to him.
She was haunted by the fact that everyone looked at her as the fucking victim.
Wanda and Nat, they had both chosen that life. They had both decided for themselves. And it killed her, knowing that she didn’t have that choice. That everything she had done in her life had eventually lead up to it being completely destroyed by those bastards.
She couldn’t handle it anymore. And as god-awful as that sounded; she wouldn’t feel better if it had actually happened to anyone else, but it would tell her that it
hadn’t. Been. Her. Fault.
That she was not alone.She stared at her for a long couple of seconds before she finally gave in.
“Okay, listen. I still can’t tell you, but after Bucky came here, just like… four months ago, Steve told me he got a favor from Natasha. He asked her to get Bucky’s file out of Hydra’s system. Once and for all.” She sighed, rubbing her temple “And as I know Steve, he would only trust himself to keep it safe. So I guess he has it hidden in his room somewhere.”Annabelle gulped, but nodded her head.
“You’ll find everything you want to know in there.”
“Thank you, Wanda. Thank you.” She breathed and pressed a kiss to the girl’s cheek.
“Yes, yes. And don’t you dare tell them you got the idea from me.” Annabelle jumped off the bed, moving her wavy hair behind her ears as she shook her head.
“I won’t. Thank you so much. I owe you one.”
She told her as she stormed out of her room.“Yes, you do!”
.
.
.
Next Chapter
Taglist:
@humanexile @alt-er-love-er-alt @sam-jae
#slow burn#Bucky Barnes#bucky barnes x reader#bucky is not a villain#Bucky's metal arm#Eventual romance#eventual smut#eventual fluff#fanfiction#fanfic
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Pucker Up, Parker (Peter Parker/Reader)
A double update? In one weekend? Yes, this is really me, I’m okay, I’m just hyped to write about the actual loml after Infinity War. Again, just a reminder, this fic will have NO INFINITY WAR SPOILERS. I repeat THIS IS SPOILER FREE AND SAFE TO READ.
Warnings: Swearing, kind of a makeup tutorial in a fic, lots of description, cliche kind of kissing, blinding highlights, my own head canon for Peter’s skin type, and a make out session
Words: 1879 (I went overboard, I know, I’m not sorry)
“There’s no way I’m letting you touch me with any of that, (Y/N),” Peter says, his eyes suspiciously scanning over the many bottles and compacts of makeup now splayed across his bed. You pick up foundations and take his arm, wanting to start color matching him so you could be done with the look you were doing before Aunt May went to bed, which was lifetimes away, so you weren’t too worried about it. Even so, you told her to come check on the progress in about an hour, even though Peter kept protesting getting his makeup done in the first place.
He tries to pull his arm away, but before he can, you reassure him with, “It’s nothing bad. It’s gonna be like I’m painting on your arm, then when I find the right shade I start painting your face.”
You shoot him a smile and pump a little drop of your foundations out on his arm. The drugstore one you had run out and grabbed earlier today was the one that worked best, probably because you had a keen eye for shade matching and your foundation shades were bound to either not fit his complexion or skin type. So before you came over, you quizzed him and grabbed one you thought would be perfect.
“They look weird. Why are some all gel-ish and some are runny and some—”
“We just know that the different textures and different formulas have different results. I have no clue how they do it, that’s their secret.” You laugh and grab your primers before you put any foundation on him. “Alright, Peter, time to play 20 questions again.”
“What? I thought you already had a foundation for me?”
“I do, but I need to find out what I need for primer. They’re also specialized to skin type and all that. Plus, it’s fun because I get to learn about you.” You pick up the five different ones you had, all drug store, but differently colored and purposed.
“...Alright, then ask me the things,” he sighs, giving in, knowing that if he wanted to look like all the girls on instagram that everyone obsessed about (and get the $5 you promised him for being your personal barbie doll for the night), he had to just answer the questions and let it be over with.
“Do you have a problem with your pores or too much oil on your nose, forehead, or chin?”
“The pores on my nose kinda bug me sometimes. I heard that if you put an ice cube on there, it closes them up a little bit, so I do that every morning when I brush my teeth,” he admits, flushing slightly pink, thinking it was kind of a weird thing to do.
“Alright. Have you done anything else about it? Soaps, treatments, masks— any of that?”
“...” He is silent for a moment, flushing even more, before admitting even more. “I sneak some of Aunt May’s soap every once in awhile to clean the pores and when I have a few extra bucks, I’ll grab a pore tightening mask.”
“I never knew you were so into facial care. Now that I know your secrets, I may one day look as perfect as you,” you joke, but you’re secretly serious. You would do anything to have his perfectly smooth, acne-free skin, even though it’s marred by cuts or bruises sometimes from some of the fights he’ll tell you about now and then. “So you take extremely good care of yourself and are conscious of pores. Any of the oiliness or no?”
“Not unless I’m doing a little workout or in gym class, no.” You nod, putting the mattifying and redness-cancelling primers aside.
“Are you looking for a big glow or a more natural look?”
“I guess natural. I don’t wanna look like a light bulb, you know?”
“Right, right, that’s Mr. Stark’s job.” You snort out a laugh, avoiding Peter’s hand as it goes to slap your shoulder. “Sorry, sorry, didn’t mean to offend your dad.”
“He’s not my Dad! He’s just my boss and mentor and all that… And he doesn’t look like a lightbulb. He’s just… shiny.”
“So are lightbulbs, case closed.” You put the extreme illuminating primer aside with the other two as well. “Lastly, is your skin dry at all? Any flaky bits or spots that feel a big rugged when you run your fingers over it?”
“Not dry, but my slight beard coming in is a bit rugged sometimes…”
“Peter, you say that like you’ve got a beard that’s braid worthy or something, calm down there.” You set the hydrating one in the pile of rejects as well, focusing on the poreless primer that was still remaining in front of him. “Then here we go, we’ll use a poreless one on your forehead, nose, and chin, then just use a base moisturizer over everything so you still have a base for the foundation.”
Peter looked at you curiously as you squeezed out the peach-colored gel and started putting it on his nose first. He makes a face and scrunches his nose for a moment, muttering something about how it smelled and he didn’t think he was going to like this.
You then put a little more on his forehead and chin, grabbing a beauty blender that you had wet beforehand, making sure there was no excess water before you start buffing out the primer. You then grab the bottle of moisturizer and pump a little onto his entire face once you’ve given it time to sink in.
“Alright this foundation is going to feel like a weird extra layer of skin that you can’t pull off, but you seriously can’t touch it or feel it because it can and will rub off on your fingers if you do,” you warm him, pumping some of the foundation onto the back of your hand. You take a brush and start applying it liberally, knowing you were going to need to pack on heavy highlighter and contour to make him look like the Instagram model he wanted to be.
“It feels like you’re smearing pancake mix on my face. Half of me loves it and half of me absolutely hates it.”
“Focus on the half that loves it, ‘cause we’ve got a lot more to do.” With that, you grab your beauty blender and start to blend the foundation into his face, neck, and ears, making sure that he didn’t look cakey, but also had a nice, even base. “And now is where you need to stay very still and non-complain-y.”
You pick up the blush compact from beside you and sigh. Oh, how you wanted to make him look like a certain villain that isn’t even present in the marvel universe, but you were a kind significant other, so you restrained yourself from doing so.
Kind of.
—
Forty-five minutes and about fifteen brushes later, Peter Benjamin Parker has perfect smokey eyes, winged eyeliner sharp enough to cut someone, lashes put on perfectly to compliment the rest of his eye look, eyebrows done up to the gods, a blinding highlight, contour that he really didn’t need because he’s already got those good cheekbones, and the perfect Jenner lip look.
“You look… Woah.” You try to keep your mouth shut, or else a lengthy rant about how he looks super hot will come tumbling out, but it doesn’t work. You can’t help but gape at how amazing he looks, hair tousled, highlight shining from the moonlight shining through the window, his eyes only popping more from how you lined his waterline.
“Am I leaving you speechless?” He strikes a pose, puckering his lips with a small laugh, but fails to notice how your eyes bug out for a second at the beautiful sight.
You must have zoned out for a moment staring at him because the next thing you know, he’s way closer than you remembered and he’s calling your name, trying to get your attention back on him, unaware that it never left.
“(Y/N), you alright? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’ve fallen in l—”
“I fell in love with you a long time ago, Peter.”
“—ove with this look… Oh…”
“Oh, I didn’t… You can just ignore the fact that I said that if you want to, I’m sorry.”
“No, I, uh… I just didn’t, you know, um, expect it! It’s great that you love me, actually, ‘cause surprise! I love me— you— I love you, too!”
There’s an awkward silence for a moment before you two both lean in a little further for what seems like centuries before your lips connect. Neither of you move for a moment, afraid to do something wrong, but once it passes, you place your hand on his cheek and he puts a hand on your waist so he can steadily move towards you.
Soon enough, he’s over you, his fingers intertwined with yours while still keeping him above you and not crushing you into his mattress. You slide your tongue into his mouth at one point, courageously making the first move, but as soon as you do so, his door is opened by Aunt May, who takes a moment to see what’s going on.
“Hey, how’s the look going? I really hope you made him look weird— it would be going straight on my facebo— Peter what are you doing?!”
He jumps off of you, hitting his head on the top bunk with a small gasp. He looks down at you for a moment, both urging you to help him explain and admiring the small bits of glitter that had rubbed from his high points onto your face. It was also in this moment that he got lost looking at your puffy from kissing, lipstick stained, inviting lips.
“Peter, I asked you a question. What. Do. You. Think. You’re. Doing?”
“He was seeing if the lipstick would transfer easy,” you blurt out, not able to think of anything else. “He doesn’t have any celebrity crush posters, so I had to be his subject.”
“...I… I mean, valid point… but why in the bed so… teenager-y?” At this point, May is just teasing Peter, which you catch onto and join in on.
“Well, we are teenagers. We have glands which release…?” You look up at Peter, somehow managing to make you hiding your smile pass as you wiping the lipstick off your lips. “—Pete, this is review for you! What do glands release?”
“Uh, hormones! They release hormones! Wait, no, May, come on, can you give us a second, then I’ll show you how it turned out? Please?”
“...Alright, but that lipstick better be fixed by the time I get back in here in five.” She eyes you two down for a moment, then closing the door.
“...Wow, what a shit show.” He laughs out, resting his head in the crook of your neck.
“Tell me about it, that was hilarious.” You grab the lip liner again, just planning to make his lips look a little bigger so you didn’t have to redo any foundation or contour.
“Now, even though it got us into this mess in the first place, I’m gonna need you to pucker up, Parker.”
#peter parker x reader#peter parker imagine#spiderman imagine#spiderman x reader#spider man#spiderman#peter parker#marvel#mcu#marvel imagine#marvel x reader#avengers#avengers imagine#avengers x reader#marvel cinematic universe
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10 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales You CANNOT Miss
We know, we know -- Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales can be super overwhelming. Almost every store has some type of deal or special, so it's hard to know whats *actually* worth it. That's why we've done some of the grunt work for you -- whether you are getting a head start on your Christmas shopping, or doing a little shopping for yourself (you know we all do it!), here are some of the best beauty deals on the market!
10. e.l.f cosmetics
e.l.f cosmetics is already cheap enough as it is, so 50% off is a STEAL! Go Go Go!
9. Danessa Myricks Beauty
If you haven't heard about Danessa Myricks and her brand, you need to get with the program! Her artistry is out of this world and she has created her own beauty brand to match. Don't miss out on this sale!
✨✨ BLACK FRIDAY SALE✨✨ Enjoy 20% of SITE WIDE midnight Thursday through Cyber Monday using the code “THANKFUL” Stock up on all your favorites all weekend long! Gobble Gobble with love❤️❤️ . #danessamyricks #danessamyricksbeauty #blackfridaysale #blackfridaydeal #cosmetics #visioncreamcover #illuminatingveil #evolutionpower #colorfix
A post shared by Danessa Myricks Beauty (@danessa_myricks) on Nov 22, 2017 at 7:31am PST
YAS @danessa_myricks ! She creating an amazing full coverage foundation and look at that shade range! 👏🏽👏🏿👏🏾 Who's tried this foundation? DO WE LOVE? #CocoaSwatches #DanessaMyricks
A post shared by Cocoa Swatches (@cocoaswatches) on Aug 12, 2017 at 10:34am PDT
8. Colourpop Cosmetics
Colourpop is known for having one of most extensive lipstick collections at a very inexpensive price. Pick your poison: glossy, matte, or sheer -- you can get em all for 4 bucks each!
#BlackFriday officially starts tomorrow 11/23 at 9 am pst! $4 for all your fave LIQUID LIPS & $12 lip bundles 💋💋💋
A post shared by ColourPop Cosmetics (@colourpopcosmetics) on Nov 22, 2017 at 4:04pm PST
7. Anastasia Beverly Hills
If you've ever wanted to test out ABH, now's your chance. They have a bunch of customer favorites on sale all weekend!
♠ ABH WEEKEND SALES EVENT ♠ BLACK FRIDAY | CYBER MONDAY ♠ ENDS 11/28 @ MIDNIGHT 🕛 EASTERN STANDARD TIME ♠ ENDS 11/28 @ 8AM 🕛 Greenwich Mean Time AnastasiaBeverlyHills.co.uk ♠️SALE DETAILS BELOW 💄Introducing two new limited-edition lip sets, sold exclusively on AnastasiaBeverlyHills.com and our UK site AnastasiaBeverlyHills.co.uk 💄NEW 6 Piece Mini Matte Set - $24 (no additional markdown) 💄NEW 6 Piece Liquid Lip Set - $34 (no additional markdown) ▪️50% OFF▪️ All Contour Eyeshadow Singles Concealers Blush Trios ▪️40% OFF▪️ Glow Kits Liquid Lipsticks Lip Glosses ▪️30% OFF ▪️ Matte Lipsticks Darkside Liner ▪️20% OFF▪️ Brow Products Brow Tools Brow Brushes #anastasiabeverlyhills
A post shared by Anastasia Beverly Hills (@anastasiabeverlyhills) on Nov 23, 2017 at 9:41pm PST
6. House of Lashes
House of Lashes has some of the pretties lashes I own. (The Iconic Lites are some of my faves!) They are of great quality and great value -- they can be reused anywhere from 5 - 10 times.
5. NYX Cosmetics
NYX has always come through with quality, variety, and affordability all in one. This "mass-tige" brands gives customers premium products at drugstore prices. Lately though, they have been raising their prices just a tad bit so now might be a good time to stock up on some of their new releases. I definitely have my eye on the $30 "In Your Element" Shadow Palettes.
4. Juvia's Place
Juvia's Place is known for their uber pigmented, colorful eye shadow palettes inspired by African culture. Any time these babies are on sale, its time to *add to cart*! ( Use "COCOA" for some extra $$ off)
'Tis the season of warm toned palettes 🍂🍁 Throwing it back to one of the first warm toned palettes I fell in 💞 with: @juviasplace Nubian Palette 😍😍 (you can use the code "COCOA" for $$ off) Whats your fave warm toned palette? #CocoaSwatches
A post shared by Cocoa Swatches (@cocoaswatches) on Oct 14, 2017 at 2:18pm PDT
3. BH Cosmetics
BH Cosmetics is another super affordable brand that has a rannngggee of color cosmetics. They have a ton of items that are literally dirt cheap.
BLACK🔥FRIDAY🔥IS🔥HERE❗️ Up to 60% OFF!!!!! This is it and these deals are LIT like a blazing fireplace!!! And if you're asking "What about Take Me Back to Brazil?!" YAS even Brazil is on our UNDER $10 PALETTE LIST - check our lineup and GO CRAZY!! Search through tons of $4 and $5 deals hotter than chestnuts roasting over an open fire! Steals with 💥BESTSELLERS💥 like the Carli Bybel Deluxe Palette!!!! SHOP 🔗 IN BIO GO GO GO!!!!! . . . . . #blackfriday #blackfridaysale #makeup #makeupsale #beauty #beautysale
A post shared by BH Cosmetics (@bhcosmetics) on Nov 21, 2017 at 6:31pm PST
2. NARS
Unlike some of the other brands on this list, NARS falls under the prestige category. 20% will save you a pretty penny and give you the ability to experience some of the most top rated products in the beauty industry to date. (Radiant Creamy Concealer anyone??!)
20% off sitewide with code TAKE20, ends 11/28
BONUS: NARS is launching their latest eyeshadow palette for only ONE day -- Cyber Monday on Sephora.com. If you want to be the first one to grab it, be sure to keep an eye on Sephora's website.
Are you a #NARSissist? 11/27 @sephora.
A post shared by @narsissist on Nov 23, 2017 at 8:12am PST
1. Morphe Cosmetics
Morphe has launched some of the most viral eye shadow palettes and brushes, ever! They are another affordable brand that has a range of single shadows, large palettes, and small palettes to choose from, depending your flavor.
A little @morphebrushes 35O2 action😍 My first morphe palette and I’m impressed! Full Review and swatches of all 35 shades are available in the Cocoa Swatches app! Demo is now live on our YouTube channel! Who got their hands on this palette? DO WE LOVE? #CocoaSwatches
A post shared by Cocoa Swatches (@cocoaswatches) on Oct 21, 2017 at 4:09pm PDT
That's all she wrote! Hope you enjoyed this list! What are some of the other sales you are excited about this Black Friday/Cyber Monday?
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We have a deep-seated passion for familiarizing ourselves with all things beauty from all over the world. From secrets to products to brands, we want to collect all the best beauty dirt, and we've been reaching out to some of our favorite industry comrades to find out what our beauty-loving friends across the pond are super obsessed with right now. And more specifically, the brand and product obsessions we're either completely, or at least, less , familiar with over here stateside. The very first British drugstore beauty brand Lawrenson mentioned to me was Makeup Obsession, specifically it customizable and refillable eye shadow palettes. The 12-shadow palette itself will only set you back a measly three bucks and then every single shadow (they have so many gorgeous colors to choose from!) will be an additional $3. So, in total, the palette will come in at just under $40, which in palette speak is still pretty darn budget-friendly. Since it's summer and we're super keen on getting a sunkissed glow as fast (and effortlessly) as possible, we'd next opt for this handy foundation mix-in, which infuses your favorite formula with an extra-subtle but very flattering hint of sheen. It's a consistent best seller. Cruelty-free, fragrance-free, vegan, and über-affordable skincare? Um, yes. Revolution is a British beauty favorite and another top pick that rolled off Lawrenson's tongue almost immediately. We have our eye on this gold-flecked rosehip seed oil formula which, investment-wise, is a fraction of the commitment. Did you know experts say the optimal percentage of hyaluronic acid is between 1% and 2%? This formula from the brand fits the bill and is less than a weekly coffee habit. There's nothing better than a chicly packaged little lippie, and these clickable matte formulations from Sleek Makeup (another one of Lawrenson's top recs) satisfie the itch. It's one of the British beauty brand's best sellers and delivers a diffused, mousse-like finish that won't duck your lips dry of necessary hydration. Oh, and since they're only $7 apiece, feel free to buy every hue in the range. True statement: Glitter is taking over the world. (Just scroll through Insta or check out our latest red carpet coverage to see what we mean.) That said, we don't want to spend a fortune, nor do want to stoop quite so low as to buy the stuff you'd find at the craft store. These pretty loose pigments are the ultimate compromise—expensive, sparkling payoff without a gut-punch to your wallet. According to Lawreson, YourGoodSkin is a British beauty staple for, well, really good skin. And, she says this specific cleanser is one of the best. Ultra-soothing, it gently nixes makeup and the inevitable oil and debris our complexions accumulate throughout the day. As the brand's best-selling hero product, this multi-faceted skin concentrate, which you'd use like a serum (post-cleanse, pre-cream) and helps to enhance your complexion's natural balance for clinically proven results, is a must. (And you don't have to pay an arm, leg, and eyebrow for it.) In the market for a new grease-busting dry shampoo? Lawrenson says Colab makes some of the best drugstore-found formulas that British beauty girls love. Not into fruity scents? The brand has a wide variety of scent options, and we're equally intrigued by this volumizing elixir which smells of musk, bergamot, and magnolia. We're big into finding and testing the best dupes to replace (or at least sub in) for our favorite expensive formulas, and as Alyss Bowen told me, this drugstore buy is just as good as the Nars cult favorite. In fact, she says she can't live without it. She also swears by this budge-proof liquid eyeliner to nail the perfect cat-eye. (It promises bold 24-hour wear!) So, technically, The Inkey List can't be found at the drugstore, but the exciting new skincare brand from the UK is so effing affordable (and wish list–worthy) we had to give it a shoutout. Lucky for us, it recently became exclusively available at Sephora in the U.S. and features products with the industry's most-wanted yet minimal (in number) ingredients. Applauded for its amazing brightening benefits, vitamin C is one of the most in-demand ingredients in the world of skincare. This $10 cream is the perfect way to dip your toe in while lessening the appearance of dullness, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. According to Alyss, Simple's Micellar Water is still one of the best for removing stubborn eye makeup. Plus, it's so affordable, we recommend stocking up for the entire year in one go. (You'll thank us on those late bleary-eyed nights after one too many cocktails when makeup removal seems impossible.) Not into micellar formulas? The British beauty brand has a wipe for that! These gentle cloths are made without harsh or irritating ingredients and remove even the most stubborn waterproof mascara in one fell swoop. Plus, what's better than getting an epic pack of four for less than $20? "The British beauty brand Soap & Glory does great body products, and their sugar scrub is seriously great and super-affordable!" Alyss gushed to me. The secret? Crushed brown sugar, sweet lime, almond oil, and macadamia grains. Oh, and beauty editors are also unanimously obsessed with the brand's best-selling lip pumper which aside from the adorably cheeky name, transforms your pout into a shiny, pillowy, plumped-up dream. Next up, 12 Non-Basic Beauty Products French Women Love—and You've Never Heard Of.
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okay because i was traumatized at dc pride by people using lash glue to affix craft glitter to their actual mouths, we’re going to have a sit down about the actual things that you need to put glitter upon your person and places you can get it. namely, a real glitter glue, an actual glitter meant for putting on your person, and a way to take it off.
welcome to glitter 101, a purchasing guide
first off: glitter glue. highly essential purchase, the first thing you are required to get before you embark on this journey. this is a nonnegotiable item. nyx’s glitter primer is like $6 and works fine, ben nye’s glitter glue is excellent and comes in a clear bottle so you know when it’s getting fucked up and needs to be replaced, mac’s mixing medium is a great workhorse product ( and you can use to make your loose glitter into glitter liner) and beauty bakerie’s sprinkles glue is $6, from an indie black-owned makeup brand, and fabulous (i don’t like their actual glitters, they don’t have sifters yet. get one of their metallic lips or their eyeshadow palettes if you want shine from them). those are my personal favorites. in any case, buy yourself something that is marketed as a glitter glue for makeup purposes. this is very important. eyeshadow primers aren’t sticky enough, and actual glue is NOT FOR USING ON YOUR BODY STOP IT YOU’RE A FUCKING ADULT*
for face and eye glitter, we’re gonna split it up into a couple categories here.
drugstore:
the NYX liquid crystal eyeliner is a decent dupe for the urban decay glitter eyeliner; they have less exciting colors, which is a little annoying, but it’s also $4.50, so, you know, it’s not a bazillion dollars. and then there’s obviously Urban Decay and whatever but who the hell has $20 to spend on an eyeliner not fucking me that’s who. but if you do, their glitter eyeliner. i cry. for super portable and very cheap starter glitter, get yourself some wet and wild $0.99 glitter cream eyeshadows. they are like no work and excellent payoff and ninety nine fucking cents at target and cvs, go forth. also at the drugstore, nyx has face and body glitter as well as glitter liner (and roll on glitter in pastels, it’s fucking great). wait until there’s a buy one get one and have at it folks.
online:
hot damn, StarGazer glitter shakers are so fucking good and so fucking cheap, they come in a billion colors. they also have UV glitter. you’re welcome. eye kandy has the fucking rainbow in shades and is only $7.50 a pop, also fabulous--not unique and different colors, but if you need a specific color, they’re a good place to go. i personally really like the Makeup Geek sparklers--they’re ten dollars a pop, you get a decent amount of product, they’re a very fine glitter, and they have a unique color selection (and they finally have sifters jfc. buy extra sifters just in case you get old stock though they’re 75 cents extra you’ll thank me later). colourpop has a lot of glitters in its eye collection, and they’re five bucks a pop and come with a base shadow mixed in, so they’re also great starter glitters. you can apply them with your finger and not give a fuck, it’s great. and of course, make up for ever glitters cannot be beat. they have all colors, textures, sizes, i love them to bits. i’m linking you to their website and not sephora because sephora doesn’t carry all the varieties and doesn’t care about your glitter-loving problems.
the best:
the absolute BEST glitter for the eyes, however, are the stila magnificent metals glitter and glow liquid eye shadows. i know they are $24 a pop. i understand this. they are worth it. they look so fucking amazing, they’re neat and portable come in fabulous colors and are easy to work in with base looks but can stand out on their own with just a little eye definition. if you can treat yourself to them, go for it. it’s fucking worth it.
glitter lips can be done with loose glitter and a base color--get yourself a youtube tutorial that’s not what i’m here for--but some specifically lip-safe glitters are from magnolia makeup (another black-owned beauty brand, new orleans based, absolutely fabulous all around, never got a bad product from them. watch their space for glitter/lip product sets, they’ve come out with limited edition sets before). some of the occ lip tars are glittery as well, and are high high high recommend (as are their regular glitters tbh). any lip-safe glitter can be used on the face, but be very careful with these glitters. remember: you’re going to end up eating some of it. it doesn’t matter how careful you are. be careful with the products you use here.
body glitter is harder to find nowadays, because it isn’t popular and people are really sad in their life choices, but Lush has some excellent glitter going on in their life in general, and their body tints are my favorite--it’s basically a solid lotion filled with glitter, but they have one for light skin and one for dark skin, so the dark-skinned babes out there don’t get ashy or frosty-looking when applying their glitter (because who the hell wants that?). i tend to bring one in a tin to share to concerts/marches/parades, if this is a thing you want to do. for powder body glitter, i like the urban decay naked illuminated shimmering powder for face and body. do not be fooled by the word “shimmer”--this is straight up glitter once you get it on your damn self. use a big fluffy brush and go to town. if you’re doing designs or something, just use a loose glitter, which we went over above, and one of your glitter glues or mixing mediums that you’ve already got, and have at it.
for glitter nail polish, babes, i’m sorry, but Butter London does it best. i know they are expensive, i know, i’m sorry, but there’s a reason i’m linking you to Ulta! Ulta does buy one get one free on Butter London all the time, or marks them half off, or some kind of random sale, so if you want good glitter nail polish in interesting colors, keep a watch out! go in-store if you can, too, it’s much easier to tell glitter shades in nail polish in person. all of my best glitters are from them, i promise it’s worth it. Orly does some decent glitter polishes as well, generally for special collections.
for glitter removal: get yourself some painters tape. masking tape is also acceptable in a pinch. wrap it around your fingers or a makeup brush, sticky side out, and use it to pick up the glitter off your face BEFORE cleansing/makeup removal wipes/whatever your skincare routine is. i know your favorite drag queen removes hers with duct tape, but duct tape is too fucking sticky. painters tape is made to not damage things when it is removed, and is thus more gentle on the face. trust me on this.
and finally, and possibly most importantly: never, ever put craft glitter anywhere on your body, especially not on your face. craft glitter has sharp edges that can cut your skin or, even worse, slice into your eyeballs. this is not an attempt to scam you--this is because the shards of plastic (because that’s what glitter is like 99% of the time, actual shards of plastic or crystal) are cut differently and smaller for face- and eye-safe glitters than they are for fucking craft glitters. they use different colorants, different plastics, different machines, and have different sanitary requirements for craft glitter vs. cosmetic glitter. don’t do it. please. i gave you links to 99 cent glitter come on ya’ll you’re better than this.
AND THAT’S IT! go forth my pretties. sparkle to the heavens, slay the day, whatever the kids are saying these days. put some glitter on that shit. commit. no really it’s a fucking commitment the glitter will never leave you once it comes through your door.
*if you are a child and reading this how-to guide, please ignore the yelling. you don’t know any better, and this is not your fault.
#glitter#makeup#pride#how to#putting it in the fucking pride tag because CRAFT GLITTER AND EYELASH GLUE#EVERY YEAR I SEE SUCH NONSENSE#even thinking about it makes me feel faint
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There’s a lot to love about high-end makeup : the...
There’s a lot to love about high-end makeup : the luxurious packaging; the chic look of those brand-name palettes and tubes sitting on your vanity; the trend-forward, high-quality shades and formulations. Of course, not all pricey makeup lives up to its price tag, but for makeup gurus on a budget, it can be significantly more challenging to find cheap products that re-create the high-end feel of more expensive favorites.
Here at Who What Wear Beauty, we’ve put our makeup snobbery to good use, holding under-$20 products to the same standard as the highest-end foundations, blushes, mascaras, and more that we try. The result? This list of 15 cheap makeup products—both brand-new launches and tried-and-true classics—that cost as little as $1 apiece but feel expensive thanks to their packaging, color payoff, staying power, and shade selection. Keep scrolling to see our picks.
This holy-grail foundation’s studly packaging, genius doe-foot applicator, blendability, staying power, and satiny finish rival that of foundations three times as expensive. It’s our associate editor Erin’s go-to, and she says it earns her more compliments on her skin than any luxury alternative. ColourPop offers some of the most trend-forward colors and formulas on the market, making it seem way pricier than it is. For example, jelly-textured makeup is having a huge moment right now, and this affordable brand is already ahead of the curve with these super-fun eye shadows, which come in cutting-edge shades like Morning Light, a corally rose gold, and Foxes, a shimmery mustard. This instant beauty-editor favorite has everything you’d want in a volumizing mascara: a dense brush that even coats each lash with product for a falsie effect that won’t weigh your lashes down or mess with their curl. Also, the packaging is adorable (and very reminiscent of a different, cult-loved $24 mascara). So many celebrity makeup artists we’ve talked to have named this cruelty-free, nontoxic pick as one of their all-time favorite lip products (drugstore or not) for a lovely, subtle wash of matte color. Wet n Wild’s brushes go for as little as $1 each, which you would never guess from their dense yet soft synthetic bristles and chic pink-and-white color scheme. The eye shadow brushes are my personal go-tos. I find myself reaching for them over any of my pricier picks. Another makeup-artist fave is Nyx’s setting powder, which blurs pores, softens fine lines, and sets and mattifies makeup much like the best high-end powders. Not to mention a tiny bit goes a very long way, so that $10 price tag is even more of a steal. Not exactly a makeup product per se, but Sonya Kashuk’s incredibly stylish makeup cases deserve a shout-out. They’re available at Target in so many cute styles. I’m also obsessed with this Lovely Ladies print. More jelly makeup. What can I say? I have a thing for dewy finishes. This new formulation from E.l.f. leaves the sort of glowy, luminous finish you might find in a $30 highlighter for just six bucks. Milani’s iconic Baked Blush formula is one of the most popular on the market for a reason—namely, the high-quality gold packaging and almost upsettingly pretty selection of super-pigmented matte and shimmery shades, including Rose d'Oro, a taupe-pink, and Luminoso, a coral hue. Maybelline’s makeup artist–beloved ColorTattoo cream shadows are now available in stick form for even easier application, and I am obsessed, especially with its Lavish Lavender shade. We always find Ardell’s Wipsies in makeup artists’ kits. The flexible strip and subtle flutter of the lashes render spending more than five bucks on fake lashes totally unnecessary. Arguably the best coverage for your buck comes courtesy of Revlon’s concealer. The formula is blendable and long-lasting but not chalky. It’s an all-natural formula that creates a super-subtle, extension-esque effect with tons of separation (read: no clumps ever). It’s also super waterproof but will actually budge when you go to remove it. Sephora Collection's easy-to-use, flexible brush tip and stay-put formula make a cat eye foolproof for just $12. This brand-new release from Physicians Formula keeps the skin matte but not scarily so—providing an orb-like glow that lasts all day. It also doesn’t make your makeup pill on top, and a tiny bit goes a long way. Do you have more cheap makeup recommendations? DM them to me @amanda_montell!
source https://gothify1.tumblr.com/post/183600753360
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In Total Eclipse’s Path, Hope and Uncertainty in Rural Kentucky
By Campbell Robertson, NY Times, Aug. 13, 2017
WICKLIFFE, Ky.--A bluff south of the downtown, topped by a 95-foot metal cross, overlooks the states of Missouri and Illinois, and the convergence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
It is a great spot to look up at the sky, so the mayor, George Lane, had a flier drawn up: “View 3 states 2 rivers and a Total Eclipse.”
Wickliffe was going to join the rolling national boomtown on Aug. 21, when millions of people are expected to pour into the 70-mile-wide path of total eclipse that runs from Oregon to South Carolina. It is a coast-to-coast ribbon composed mostly of rural areas and small cities, many having struggled to attract people and money until a fluke of lunar orbit did it for them.
And Wickliffe could use a break. A shrinking town of around 670 people and one deserted paper mill, it no longer has a police officer, a hotel or more than a couple of places to get a meal.
Mr. Lane considered all of that. Then he thought again about his promotional plan. And he scrapped the flier.
“I kept reading more and more were coming,” he said of the crowds. “We’re just not geared up to handle this.”
There is great promise in the solar eclipse. In town after town across the United States, on the weekend leading up to the eclipse, there will be rock concerts, lectures, wine tastings, drum circles, costume parties, art exhibitions, mini-golf tournaments and car shows. They offer opportunities for civic boosters to show off overlooked towns and opportunities for many others to make a buck.
Farmers in some states are renting camping spots in their fields for hundreds of dollars; hotel rooms have been booked for years. The new Holiday Inn in nearby Paducah was booked before it opened.
But the millions flocking to see the eclipse will also mean a logistical headache, a claim on local resources in places like Wickliffe that have few resources left.
“Maybe we could have handled it,” Mr. Lane said. “But here we are not knowing if we’re going to have 20,000 people. We sit here with no city police and have to depend on the sheriff. I’ve heard estimates they’ll be just lying on the street.”
State officials talk of half a million people coming to western Kentucky, where the sun, moon and earth will line up most precisely, the point of greatest eclipse. The epicenter will be 100 miles to the east, near Hopkinsville, which has been preparing for this for more than a decade.
Hopkinsville has called itself Eclipseville and is planning to host as many as 200,000 people, more than six times its population. City officials are expecting a $30 million economic boon--“we actually think that may be conservative at this point,” the mayor, Carter Hendricks, said.
Ballard County, where Wickliffe sits, has the distinction of being the first place in Kentucky to find itself in the shadow of the moon. (Nearly all of the county lies in the path of total eclipse; Wickliffe is about a mile outside). The county has a lot of experience with the whims of forces beyond its control. Most of it has not been good.
The county was prosperous once, dotted with thriving towns and flush with wealth from the tobacco fields. This was before people quit smoking, huge lawsuits were filed and the government bought out tobacco farmers. Still, hundreds were making a good living at the uranium enrichment plant outside of Paducah. A Cold War relic, the plant eventually succumbed to its outdated technology and shut down in 2013.
The blow was softened by the presence of the paper mill, with hundreds of solid union jobs in the production of high-quality magazine paper. But the outlook for printed magazines is not so different from that for cigarettes.
“People don’t seem like they have the time to sit and read like they used to,” said Syl Mayolo, a former mayor of Wickliffe who, like Mr. Lane, worked at the mill for decades. The mill closed in 2015.
“It’s just devastating, some of the things that have happened to us,” Mr. Mayolo said.
Not much else is here now. Some talk of tourism: kayaking, fishing, duck hunting and goose hunting--well, duck hunting at least. The geese no longer come this far south in great numbers, since the winters have gotten warmer.
Up the road from Wickliffe, Barlow does not have a police officer or hotel either, and over the decades, it has also lost its grocery stores, gas station, appliance store, drugstore and dentist.
But Barlow, surrounded by acres of soybean and corn fields, is fully in the path of the total eclipse, and the mayor, Jo Wilfong, is not going to let that good fortune pass.
“I’m thinking 5,000 people, but that’s just off the top of my head,” Ms. Wilfong said of how many people she thinks could come.
The city is planning a big barbecue on eclipse day. Live music is lined up, and T-shirts are for sale (“I Blacked Out In Barlow, Ky”). The town, having voted to go wet in a recent referendum, will even have a beer tent, “the first alcohol event in Ballard County that is legal,” Ms. Wilfong said.
The mayor does not talk of an economic boom as they do in Hopkinsville. There are barely any businesses left in Barlow that could benefit.
Making money is not the aim, she said, sitting in her office in city hall, formerly a bank. “We’re just opening up this area to people who have never been here before, who might see this as a business opportunity or a place to live.”
Maybe somebody will look around, see a nice, friendly town and decide to open a convenience store. That would be the jackpot. It is not impossible to imagine. Barlow is the only town in Ballard County that is doing anything for the eclipse.
“That’s the issue around here,” Ms. Wilfong said. “They don’t want people coming in.”
The mayor was not wrong. The farmers eating lunch at the Bluegrass restaurant over in La Center thought all the talk of eclipse crowds was going to turn out to be just hype. And they were fine with that.
“Personally, I’d just as soon everybody stayed home,” said Bob Middleton, 53, picturing the back roads he travels crammed with sightseers. “An eclipse is not going to bring people a job for the next 20 years.”
Mr. Lane, the mayor in Wickliffe, is not going to park a fire truck across the road to keep out eclipse seekers, as he had said earlier. But there are still no firm plans for an eclipse event, besides the weekend of festivities over at the ancient Native American mounds. The church and the Boy Scouts will serve food there, but that event is managed by the state park, not the city.
Wickliffe might end up having something modest up on the bluff, selling soft drinks. But the city will not advertise it, not to out-of-towners.
The mayor asked somebody in the city hall front office to find a copy of the discarded flier. “Be in Place by 12:45 pm,” it read. “Spots Available First Come Basis.” “Hosted by the City of Wickliffe.”
“That’s pretty neat isn’t it?” Mr. Lane said proudly. “Maybe 10 people come, maybe 10,000. I just can’t operate like that. It’s the guessing that’s getting us.”
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