Easy as Pumpkin Pie || Video Tutorial 2018

03 Saturday Nov 2018

Posted by MonicawithRA in Beauty, makeup

Tags

Some affiliate links*

Sometimes you just have to update a previous makeup look and that is exactly what I’ve done. Last year, I created an arthritis-friendly orange, autumnal look that I have to say came out quite well.

I find myself reaching for similar colors and tones and decided to film an updated version. It is just as if not more arthritis-friendly and very easy to achieve. I’ve linked as many of the products as I could below the video.

But before you check it out, don’t forget to…

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Products Mentioned:

CVS Oil Blotting Sheets $4.99

*Milani Eyeshadow Primer $8.00

Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette (Shades: Mousse/Butter Pecan)

Morphe 35OS Nature Glow Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette $24.00

Tom Ford Eye Defining Liquid Liner Pen Eye Defining Liquid Liner Pen Eye Defining Liquid Liner Pen $58.00

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon (Shade: Blacquer) $25.00

YSL ‘babydoll’ Mascara $32.00

*Simple Cleansing Wipes $5.00

*Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream $10.00

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette $68.00

Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray $32.00

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Easy as a Cranberry Mocha Festive Eye Look || Video

12 Tuesday Dec 2017

Posted by MonicawithRA in Beauty, makeup

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Tags

makeup, video tutorial

This look has been puttering around in my head for a while but I think it’s perfect for this time of year. It’s dark, moody and festive. Winter color schemes are generally very cool which don’t work particularly well with my skin so I am thrilled I have a look that is warm-toned.

My only pet peeve is I had to dig into multiple eye shadow palettes. I can create something extremely similar with the very pigmented and blendable Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette but I didn’t want to feature it again so close to the last makeup (Easy as Pumpkin Pie eye look linked here). Though, I don’t think people would mind too much. After all, it shows I use the palette frequently, right? I’m also getting into a little pickle because my favorite palettes are also limited edition and no longer available. It’s a fine line isn’t it!

Now that I’ve rambled on about random slightly unrelated things let’s get into the video. It is simple, easy and very arthritis-friendly! And hey, if you try out this look let me know send me a Tweet so I can see it (is ‘tweet’ capitalized??).

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Products Mentioned

Milani Eyeshadow Primer
Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
the Balm Nude’tude Palette // Sultry, Sexy
Lorac Mega Pro 3 Palette // Eggplant, Pomegranate
Anastasia of Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette // Cypress Umber
Urban Decay Electric Palette // Slow Burn
Sephora Waterproof 12H Eye Pencil // Cappuccino
Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eye Pencil // M-10
Tom Ford Eye Definer Pen
Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara
Pond’s Makeup Towelettes
Aveeno Positively Radiant SPF 15 Daily Moisturizer
Make Up For Ever Artist’s Palette Vol. 2

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Silver and Blue Eyes | Tutorial Video

16 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by MonicawithRA in Beauty, makeup

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Tags

eye makeup, lorac, Urban Decay, video tutorial

Contains some affiliate links.

Hey all! I hope you enjoy this look I created using blues and silvers. Below, I linked the products I used.

Milani Eyeshadow Primer

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder – Medium Deep

Lorac Mega Pro 3 Palette (no longer available…sorry!)

Urban Decay Electric Palette – Gonzo, Chaos

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencil – black (M10), brown (25L)

Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara

NYX Butter Gloss – Tiramisu

Sugar-Spun Spider Webs | Nails & Video

12 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art, Video

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Tags

Halloween, sugar-spun, video tutorial

I have severe arachnophobia that manifested later in life. When I was young I let tarantulas crawl up my arms and shoulders. I touched the spiders who set up shop in the corners of my house. Then, at the age of twelve, I watched Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I had my worst fear realized. The Forbidden Forest scene changed my life and since then spiders send shivers down my spine and shakes through my soul.

Think I’m exaggerating? One day, during college, I found a spider in the corner of my room. I couldn’t move off my bed or take my eyes off that corner until my best friend and roommate came home and took care of it.

All this being said, spiders are fascinating creatures. They are small but they create the strongest structures in the natural world. In the inorganic world, engineers and scientists alike try to copy the strength and lightness of a spider’s silk and still have not succeeded.

thtx1rz I avoid spider webs like the plague because if there is a web, a spider is not far off. But, I just can’t help staring at the silky threads. They are beautiful. They are unique. The are strong yet thin and nearly invisible. They are made in such a way that it traps even the smallest insects. It legitimately blows my mind.

spider_web_necklace_with_pearls_of_dew-1 Claire over at IG@clairestelle8 hosts a monthly nail art challenge and October marks everything Halloween.

I most certainly am not going to put spiders on my nails but sugar-spun webs are the perfect alternative.

I hope you like the look I came up with! And, if you’re interested check out my talk-through tutorial (here).

spiderwebs Base: SinfulColors Secret Admirer

Sugar-Spin: Pipe Dream Polish Sonic Transducer (holo), Barry M Cosmetics Chai (grey)

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Chocolate Drizzle Nails | Nail Art + Tutorial

15 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art, Video

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Tags

Nail Art, sugar-spun, valentine's day, video tutorial

Nothing to disclose.

Why does Valentine’s Day exist? Shouldn’t we show our love year-round? I do have to admit, I enjoy the discounted chocolates on February 15th.

I have a soft spot for truffles and chocolate-covered strawberries (hint hint, nudge nudge) so what better way to show that than with a fun white chocolate drizzle nail art?

Before you scroll down and see my latest sugar-spin don’t forget to…

Join my Spoonie family!

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Base: Zoya Louise

Sugar-Spin: OPI So Many Clowns…So Little Time

Unlike most people, I like the thicker strands but they can be tricky to get right. If you’re interested in how I do this sugar-spin nail art, check out my tutorial below!

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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Splodge and Squish | Nail Art

25 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art, Video

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Tags

Born Pretty Store, China Glaze, Formula X Nails, marbling, metallic nail foils, Milani, Nail Art, Picture Polish, SinfulColors, video tutorial, Wet n Wild

Some items provided for review.

Oh Winter Storm Jonas, how you have flared my rheumatoid arthritis. I am going to be all over the RA-friendly nail art techniques because of the aftermath (read: shoveling ourselves out of our houses) of the freak blizzard we had on the East Coast. As of now, we are still stranded on our street and just finished shoveling our driveways. Tomorrow we tackle the walkway to the mailbox!

One of the most RA-friendly nail art techniques is plastic bag marbling in which I place dots of polish on my nail then squish it around with a plastic baggie. I saw stamper-made marbling all over Instagram recently and gave it a go. It was interesting and fun but I liked the former technique better. When I used the stamper, the polish applied sheer and it took three “attempts” to build up the opacity; once it dried on the stamper I had to start the process all over again. Placing the polish directly to the nail was quicker, easier and just way more convenient.

Regardless, I will continue to play around with the stamper and see if I can come to enjoy it more!

Please check out my video tutorial for this look! I also demonstrate how to use the new design foils from the Born Pretty Store.