What If I Never See Her Again?

for my sister...

As little girls, we once filled a hairspray bottle with ketchup, honey, shampoo, and vinegar with plans to “play with” our new babysitter’s hair. Ended up that we liked her so much we never used it. We made plans to run away from home with an afghan full of crackers and granola bars. We got as far as the corner of our cul-de-sac.

The relationship I have with my sister goes beyond friendship. As I gave her a final hug this weekend before our departure for South Asia my heart hurt. What if I never get to see her again? And I cried.

As my husband drove us back to our hotel, our 2-year-old chatted happily and our 3-month-old slept in the back seat. God spoke to me: “You get to spend eternity with your sister.”

Then other people came to mind: my South-Asian neighbor lady who is denied the privilege of leaving home without her husband, the man who sells chai in the corner shop, the little boys who play cricket in the street, the little girl who is learning to cook from her mother. I don’t have the guarantee of eternity with them yet.

I’ll have plenty of time to worship the King with my sister, but He is calling more to join the choir. That is why we must go.

 “How can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?” -Rom. 10:14

Episode 9 "Cream Shadows" - Missionary Makeup

You can read about why I'm doing this here.


YEAH! Cream shadows! Woohoo!

By far cream shadows are one of my favorite makeup discoveries as of late. I thought I hated them for a long time, but I think I was trying the wrong ones. Here's my collection, and if I had my way, I'd bring them all! But, space and simplicity mandates that I pack some in the suitcase. Only a few things will make it into my travel bag.

Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadows in Whippet and Pug

Buxom Stay-There Eyehsadows in Sheepdog and Mutt

 Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Birthday Suit and Tidal Rave

Maybelline Color Tattoo by EyeStudio in:

(left to right, top to bottom)

30 Pomegranate Punk, 25 Bad to the Bronze, 45 Bold Gold,

35 Tough as Taupe, and 05 Too Cool

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in 555 Perpetual Purple,

999 Eternal Black, 997 Eternal Sunshine, and 333 Golden Sage

Help me out! I can't narrow it down. What cream shadows should I take with me in my travel bag, and which ones should I throw into my suitcase?

Help me decide! Also, of all of these brands what has been your favorite: Buxom, Benefit, Maybelline, or L'Oreal?

Episode 10 "Eyeshadow Palettes" is coming soon...

Episode 8 "Eye Primers" - Missionary Makeup

You can read about why I'm doing this here.

On to eye primers... Here's my collection:

Elf Eyelid Primer

Elf Eye Primer & Liner Sealer

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden

Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer (travel size)

Laura Geller Eye Spackle (travel size)

I have to say I'm definitely persuaded in this category to take a travel size with me. It cuts down on space and is less cumbersome. That said, I haven't been impressed in general by the LG Spackle as an eye primer. I actually find it does better as a concealer under the eye. 

For that reason, and for the fact that Urban Decay's primer just works consistently every time, I'm throwing the little purple bottle into my makeup bag.

Many people love Too Faced Shadow Insurance instead of Urban Decay's Primer Potion. What's your opinion?

You can read about why I'm doing this here.

Laura Geller Toast of the Town Kit Review

I got Laura Geller's Toast of the Town Kit for Christmas 2011.  I wanted to use the products for a bit before posting a review. This primer was also included:

Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Make-up Primer in Champagne

Right off the bat, I have to say that I passed two of the items in this kit on to friends.  First, the purple liner was okay, but nothing too spectacular.  It didn't slide on super easily, and I'm not very patient when it comes to dry, hard eyeliners.  This one wasn't the worst, but I just knew I wouldn't be reaching for it that often. I was glad to see it go to a new home.

Secondly, the two-sided brush was disappointing. The sponge tip looked like any normal sponge tip applicator, but the brush side was what really disappointed me.  The bristles were flimsy, a little misshapen from being in the box, and just didn't feel like they were going to perform well.  Again, I said goodbye and bit it farewell.

The other three products in this box, however, have really been awesome.

Some Swatches:

Laura Geller Baked Eye Dreams Eyeshadow in Bellini

four colors: brown, tan/bronze, pink, cream (barely visible)

Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in Mimosa

Did anyone else try this and just love the brush and the eyeliner? Am I way off in my un-impressed-ness?

Episode 7 "Concealers" - Missionary Makeup

You can read about why I'm doing this here.


I never used to use concealers much at all, but I've been exploring options. My main "problem" areas I guess are under my eyes and a little redness around my nose. I'm not self-conscious about these areas, and I really think I look okay without concealer, but it's sorta fun to polish up a bit more from day to day.

Here's my collection:

Elf Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter

Wet n Wild Cover All Liquid Concealer Wand in 811

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in 01 Fair

Sheer Cover Concealer in light/medium

Everyday Minerals Aussie Perk Me Up Concealer

I think I've decided that for my foundation I'll take my Missha BB Cream, so I want a concealer that isn't a powder.  (Besides, I've been finding that my Everyday Minerals Concealer seems to be emphasizing my oh-so-fine wrinkles under my eyes.) So, I'm thinking maybe my Wet n Wild will travel with me. It's simple, not messy, cheap, etc.  Congrats, Wet n Wild, you're comin' with!

Does anyone else remember when Wet n Wild was kind of a joke brand. It was cheap, like it is now, but I think it was super poor quality too. I think they've come a long way!

Episode 8 "Eye Primers" is coming up next...

Episode 6 "Face Duos and Trios" - Missionary Makeup

You can read about why I'm doing this here.

Finally, we're reached the much anticipated Episode 6, and here I will answer the questions of which bronzer, blush, and highlighter I will also throw in my travel bag.

Here's my face duos and trios collection:

Charlotte Ronson 3 x a Charm Shoshanna (trio)

Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in Blushed/Bronzed

Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights Duo in AM/PM

I really do use all of these products pretty often. When time is of the essence, it's so much easier to reach for a 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 product in the morning. I love all of these.  But one of them I actually bought with the purpose of easy travel in mind.  Drumroll please!

Charlotte Ronson 3 x a Charm Shoshanna!

Congratulations, Charlotte! You just won yourself a trip to South Asia in my travel makeup bag! This is such a handy product. I love the blush the best. It is so richly pigmented that I actually have to be extremely careful when applying it. A gentle hand is absolutely necessary. The highlighter is probably the weakest element and the bronzer is middle-of-the-road. But the big benefit is that it is truly a do-it-all face palette.

This reminds me a little of the limited edition NARS Danmari palette. Does anyone own both? How do they compare?

Episode 7 "Concealers" is coming up!

Episode 5 "Highlighters" - Missionary Makeup

You can read about why I'm doing this here.


The next product I need to throw in my travel bag is a highlighter. I feel like a highlighter, or illuminator as some call it, really freshens my face and gives it a finished look.

My Highlighter Collection:

Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Champagne and Rose

Elf Studio Blush in Gotta Glow

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting All Over Face and Body Glow in Sugar Glow (Such a long name!)

Benefit High Beam Luminescent Complexion Enhancer

Elf Essential All Over Color Stick in Spotlight

So, I have a confession. I'm not bringing any of these highlighters! You'll have to wait until Episode 6 to find out what will serve as my highlighter instead!


Episode 6 "Face Duos and Trios" is coming up...