Weekly Update 5/29

A picture update of the last few weeks here at MeShe. As always its been a busy few weeks. In am currently cleaning up my shops on Etsy.  I have put most items in my Vintage Etsy Store on clearance, as these listings sell and expire I will move over all my "cheaper" items into  New Shop where almost everything will be under $20.00.   So now I will have three shops total the last being my Metal Line.  I will really be cleaning up my original vintage line with higher quality items, crystals and more boho with a vintage twist.

Love these new Buddha Crystal necklaces, featuring a Vintage Buddha, Moonstone, Iolite, and Aura Quartz.

I purchased these vintage Intaglios from a retired jeweler.  These are black onyx warrior intaglios, he traveled all around the world collecting and buying throughout his career.  I was lucky enough to pick through some of his collection and purchase these amazing materials.

A Morrocan Agate, this was hand cut and polished by a local lapidary artist.  I am in love with the striping in this stone. I am happy I did not make this in my size, I would have kept it :)  

I have a big dipper necklace that is similar in style to the prototype above.  I am currently making a whole zodiac series, each zodiac sign will have a constellation pendant similar to the above picture.  Which is still not completed but you get the idea.  

 I picked up the Happy Herbivore Light and Lean cookbook.  Every recipe I made tasted delicious was easy to prepare.  I am not someone who likes to cook by any stretch of the imagination so these recipes were very easy to follow and didn't feel like I was slaving all day to make a meal. This was one of my favorite,  Peanut Soba Noodles.

 Just sold this vintage ivory inspired piece with a piece of faceted labradorite.

 I launched this little Jelly Bean ring, I set a chrysoprase on a hammered band. Great for everyday wear. or stacking.

I went to see David Gray in concert in Manhattan and it was hands down the best show I have ever seen.  I love live music and have seen some great shows, but the acoustics, instruments, overall experience was very personal and engaging. If you haven't heard any of his music I highly recommend you look into him.

I have had my nose pierced for years and I always wanted to make nose rings.  I finally got around to making small recycled sterling silver studs. Available now.

Beautiful weather, loved this little boat just hanging by the water.  

I used these tigers eye beads to make handmade earrings in sterling silver.  Would you like to see more stones available in this style?

Was feeling my tribal look.  Backpack I got at a market in London near Brick Lane, and the shoes were by Topshop.

New pink opal! Just launched this stone made to order.  I have a very limited quantity.  This was a custom order that I now offer in the shop.  Set on a very thick luxurious band.

Also I shared these on my IG and Facebook.  All new man in the moonstone styles have launched.  The peach moonstone is such a rare large size, again same band is used for the peach as above pink opal. Click photos for pricing.

I have some plans for these vintage bows.  Will be launched in a few weeks.

Currently reading #Girlboss and it rocks if you can see in the middle I also posted a photo of my new business cards :)

A photo of my moonstone moon stackers in the oxidized finish. I also just did a behind the scenes video for these rings.  Click photo for the video.

I have lots of swarovski crystals available if you are interested email meshedesigns@yahoo.com they are not listed on my sites yet.

Beautiful large vintage Czechoslovakian crystals, I even have the original packaging!

All new pieces launching this weekend in my vintage collection :)

Lots of customs being prepared and a few new rose quartz posts, multi color sapphire ring, and coral post earrings will hit my metal shop this weekend as well.

A clean soldering station, where most of the magic happens!  I bought new tiles for my soldering bench.  It is so nice to have a clean work space.  It doesn't last long with orders being prepared and filled.

A closer shot of soldered post earrings, this is pre pickled (pickling - removes fire scale from the heat of the flame).

 I am redoing the setting for this ring.  It will be a bit magical and mystical, I can't wait to launch.  I am in the process of building the prototype.

Leaving this weeks blog post off with two pictures.  One of my best friend and Quattro the smallest cutest Jack Russell Ever, and Quattro and I.  A beautiful day for a hike at the beach.  Summer is finally here!

Behind the Scenes: Moon Stacking Rings

So some of you may know, I started a YouTube channel for all things jewelry and handmade. I figure it would be a nice hands on approach to connect with other artists and my customer base. I really enjoyed making this video, I recently upgraded to a Mac and I am teaching myself how to edit using IMovie. 

It took me about two days to finish editing, clipping, fast forwarding, adding music and voice overs for this project.  I love these moonstone stacking rings they are available in  a bright shiny polish (shown below) or the oxidized shown 

I hope you enjoy my new video, if you would like to see more videos let me know in the comment section :)

Top Three High End Foundations

So I have decided to put together my list for top three foundations.  I am a makeup addict and don't discriminate against drug store. I love the drug store, but I have yet to find a foundation that knocks my socks off for my skin type, needs and desires.

So without further ado here are my top three picks.  I have tested and used these foundations all for over a year.

My skin type: Normal/combo summer and Normal/dry in the winter.

Issues I like to address with a foundation: redness, natural skin light coverage, my skin but better. Poreless effect.

Pick # 1: Chanel Vitalumiere:

Price: $45.00 USD

Finish: This foundation is beautiful, this gives a very natural finish to the skin. After application it almost immediately sets, powder is totally optional. If you are oily I would recommend a powder in to prevent oil breaking through midday. I would say most skin types can wear this foundation, it is not matte or drying for the drier skin types, will be flawless for normal to combo, and for oily  it is not oil controlling enough on its own so set with a powder. It provides a medium coverage can be sheered or built slightly.

Consistency: Because this is a water based foundation (my favorite) it is light weight, it is not a running consistency that will drip down your hand, but it is not thick at all.  When blended it is so lightweight it just melts into the skin.  Providing you with natural coverage, generally thicker foundations are medium to full coverage.  I find most people really don't need that much coverage for daytime.

Application: I really like using a foundation brush for application, preferably a flat top brush, or my hands.  This is effortlessly to blend.  Because it is so lightweight the application is so easy, and doesn't require a ton of work.

Average wear: Like most foundations unless they are really long wearing, heavy coverage and matte I find I get a good 6-8 hours our of this.  I need to touch up 4 hours in, in my T-zone.

Other notes: Like most Chanel foundations it has that Chanel scent, I find it to be very old world beauty and reminds me of the classic Chanel makeup.  Its not offensive, if you are fragrance sensitive maybe not for you. Has an SPF 15 and a very low SPF odor. I have repurchased this foundation twice.

Pick # 2: Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat:

Price: $57.00 USD

Finish: This is interesting the finish is a luminous finish, not completely dewy. Meaning your skin will look radiant have a luminous glow from within look.  It does not have a true "dewy" finish, which I stay away from because it slides all over the place and has terrible staying power.  This is a foundation I choose for a light night out meaning no dancing, or serious activity. Date night, movie, dinner and drinks. Your skin will look divine, flawless and healthy.  It does not have great staying power for high activity or a full work day.  Light to medium coverage.

Consistency: Again another water based foundation, this has a very liquid texture.  Not quite runny but thinner than the Chanel Aqua Lumiere. Blends out to a dream, very easy application.  Needs to be buffed in with a brush.  Provides a super natural coverage skin like appearance.

Application: Brush all the way with this bad boy.  I find it needs a dense brush the keep that liquid texture very even, love a good flat top.  Effortless, I like to powder my T-zone especially in the summer months.

Average wear: 4-6 hours not a very long wearing, really this foundation for me is all about the finish and kind of occasion I am wearing it for. Touching up all over or just t zone anywhere from hour 2-4. It can start to break up a bit after that. My oil starts to really produce in the T zone especially.

Other notes: Again YSL has a very distant smell to there lipsticks and foundations.  Very fresh though and I hate fragrance in a product but this and the Chanel is luxurious. A SPF of 19 which is light in odor. Many oily skin girls either love or hate this one,  can break out some skin types, and or just be a but too dewy for oily girls.

Pick # 3: Nars Sheer Glow

Price: $45.00 USD

Finish: A true satin finish foundation, don't let the name fool you. This foundation sets super quick almost immediately, providing a nice satin like appearance to the skin.  The term "glow" can be referred to the non flat look, its like matte and dewy made a baby.  You get the staying power and look of flawless matte, without the flat dry thick consistency.  A true medium coverage.

Consistency: This is the thickest of the three foundations, yet it is very lightweight on the skin and still thin enough and easy to work with and blend. Again water based, and easy to blend.

Application: Nars recommends using your fingers for application.  I like that but generally love using a brush for work, or nights out and a beauty blender for lighter day wear. I don't need any powder generally with this foundation. It really sets beautifully.

Average wear: 6-8 hours, this is an average wearing foundation. I find oil starts to breakthrough in hour 4-5 but not terrible.  I like wearing this out at night especially when I want medium coverage and to look flawless. This can work for oily skin girls as well, I would recommend setting with a powder, they also have a matte version of this foundation.

Other notes: The color selection runs very yellow undertone, which I don't mind. Fragrance if any is undetectable, a pump is available on the Nars website. I hate pour containers, not very sanitary. I have repurchased this foundation 4-5 times.  I love it.

I hope this was helpful and your guys enjoyed reading my top three picks.  I will continue to review foundations and other products. I don't review something unless I really have given it a good run.  I like to provide knowledgeable opinions on the products I use.  And I am always looking for the next best makeup product especially foundation! I will talk soon about my day to day routine for a natural everyday look.

Kiehls Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment Review

My under eye area took a beating this winter.  Here in NY we had a really long rough dry cold winter, wreaking havoc on the skin.  My under eye area has fine lines and crows feet, in combination with the dry weather I was in need of some moisture. Here is my full review on the Kiehls Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment.

Purchased: 

Price: 28.50 for 0.50 OZ

Texture: This is a very emollient thick cream, almost scent free. When applied to the orbital bone under eye area it feels very rich, if you rub the cream in it will get this watery rubbery almost texture to it.  Very odd and hard to explain, but if you pat as your suppose to with eye cream that rubbery watery feeling decreases to a rich thick absorption.  I recommend your skin be completely dry when applying otherwise that watery texture will be there as well.

Overall Results: Mega moisture, this cream really delivers in the hydration department.  It is a no frills eye cream, doesn't claim to really reduce aging but provides hydration.  To be honest most creams promise so many claims and don't deliver.  Most do not make our under eye bags/wrinkles/discoloration disappear.  This provides exactly what it says it will moisture.

Additional Notes: I would not recommend this eye cream for people with very oily lids or under eye area.  I noticed a big complaint on the reviews is it makes peoples under eye concealer crease.  I didn't have that issue it made mine stay longer because my under eyes were properly hydrated. I am now about 3/4 done with the jar.

Would I repurchase: Yes I would repurchase, maybe not for the humid summer weather I think it's too heavy but a nice luxurious eye cream for the cold drier months.  For dry skin I say this is a go, also it did not irritate my retinol products.I think this makes for a great night eye cream as it really is a treatment product for any time of the year.