Happy Hump Day everyone!! Heyyy, February is pretty much over – doesn’t that make you feel like Spring is REALLY on it’s way? Even though it doesn’t officially start for another three weeks or so, I always feel like March marks the end of Winter and the beginning of good (re: warm) things 
For the past week, since Lent began, I have been steadfastly putting in an effort to take FOTD shots of my makeup looks every day, but unfortunately for all of us – I have been failing spectacularly. I just can’t seem to get it right, and it’s frustrating me to no end. However, fortunately for everyone, I don’t give up easy, and I am going to keep on trying until I am successful! Embarrassingly, here are some of the shots I’ve taken over the past week:
MUFE Aqua Liner #14 with the purple shade of NARS Habarnera in the crease and along the lower lash line. I swear in person the shadow was actually noticeable, more than just the hint of shimmer showing here!
This was my getaway look this past weekend – Urban Decay’s Bourbon liner on the upper and lower lashes, Benefit’s Bella Bamba on cheeks, and MUFE’s Star Collection Lab Shine in S4.
I snuck this photo at work while in fear of someone finding me taking pictures of myself lol – I’m wearing Urban Decay’s Bordello eyeshadow (from the BoSIII palette), with UD’s Smog in the crease, theBalm Down Boy blush, and MUFE Lab Shine S4 again.
Tonight, I managed to get a couple shots I was fairly happy with, though I still wish I could get close-ups of eye makeup so that you can see what I’ve done. But – beggers can’t be chosers, I guess! Below, I’m not wearing too much – just a touch of the pale shade of Hourglass’ Exhibition shadow duo on the lid, UD’s Crash liner, Benefit’s Bella Bamba on cheeks, and the star of the look – Chanel’s Rouge Allure Laque in Empire.
My goal with all of these FOTD shots are to showcase the products that I haven’t been giving enough love to, and figuring out how to make them work on a regular basis. Chanel’s Empire perplexed me from the start – it was such a gorgeous shade, but I just didn’t see it working on my skintone. However, now that I’m easing into wearing pretty Spring hues, I find this lippie works PERFECTLY. It’s just not a Fall/Winter shade on me, AT ALL. Now that I’ve figured that out, I’m gonna have some serious fun with this color!! It’s absolutely perfect for pretty much any Spring look I’ll be wearing.
What makes me cringe chuckle when I go back through these pictures, is that my makeup looks almost identical in each – this is one of the frustrating parts, because each look was different, honest! ~sigh~ Anyway, as I said, I’m going to continue to press on, and *one day* I’ll get it. At the very least, I’m having a great time wearing different products every day and giving all the neglected items I own a little attention. Talk about shopping your own stash! 
Have you rediscovered a product that you weren’t sure about, only to find that you’ve changed your mind and have now fallen in love?
#1 by Eugenia on February 29, 2012 - 11:45 pm
Toya, Honey….you are beautiful! Seriously, girl! I can understand your frustration in taking photos that showcase each individual look, only to find that they all look the same (been there, done that). I have some advice: make friends with your camera ie: play with the settings, lighting, macro, flash, exposure….that might make all the difference you need in achieving your goals! You may not necessarily need sunlight/daylight to show your looks; personally, I always found daylight to be rather harsh and aging for a face shot and prefer indirect light or flash. Remember that overhead lighting casts unflattering shadows on one’s face, so avoid that like the plague! Other than that, the camera loves you!!
#2 by Latoya on March 4, 2012 - 11:12 pm
Eugenia, stop with the flattery (though you know it’ll get you everywhere
). Thank you so much!! Re: FOTD photos, I have been taking your advice and playing around with my camera in every way possible – the same old just doesn’t apply when it comes to face shots. I’ve not been successful so far in FOTD’s; however, I have been getting better product pics, so thanks for the great suggestions!
#3 by Liz on March 1, 2012 - 11:09 am
WOOHOOO!!! FOTDs!!!!
You look amazing in all your shots – and don’t worry, these things just take a lot of practice! Take Eugenia’s great advice into consideration and just have fun. It’ll alllll come together eventually!
I started laughing at the caption where you said you were afraid to be caught taking self pics at work. Yesterday I took a pic of my emptied hand lotion at work but had to do a sweep of the area first, LOL. I bet I can walk around the office and catch who the bloggers are by their photography habts.
#4 by Latoya on March 4, 2012 - 11:15 pm
LOL Liz, I adore your excitement for FOTD shots! Thank you so much my dear
I’m definitely learning a lot about photography as I go along…unfortunately I haven’t learned enough it seems LOL, but I have been taking your guys’ advice and hopefully will start to see some improvement! As for taking photos at work, I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one guilty of that crime haha…you gotta get it done when you can, right? It’s honestly like a second job anyway!!
#5 by Larie on March 1, 2012 - 4:32 pm
You are gorgeous, girl! And your lashes!!!!! I had to laugh at the caption about being afraid of getting caught at work. And at Liz’s comment. So true, haha!
#6 by Latoya on March 4, 2012 - 11:17 pm
Thank you Larie, wow, that’s so nice of you to say!! And my lashes LOL…your boosting my self-image really well
I’m glad you can also relate about the work shots – so sad but true, blogging is a big effort and it’s sort of a full-time job in itself! So far I haven’t been caught, but I can’t see that lasting for much longer lol.
#7 by kat on March 3, 2012 - 2:56 am
You have the most gorgeous skin I’ve ever seen…ever!
#8 by Latoya on March 4, 2012 - 11:26 pm
Oh wow, Kat….that a very serious compliment, thank you SO much!! Wow! In person it doesn’t look as nice lol – it’s pretty good but I think it’d let you down haha. But thank you for saying so, nonetheless