Erica goes to a Luminess Airess makeup party.

I've been to an Arbonne party and I've been to a Mary Kay party and now I've also been to a Luminess Airess party... the Luminess Airess party was by far the most fun of all of the makeup parties! My friend Melanie is a Luminess Airess consultant (https://luminessairess.com/melanie). She joined the business in April and in two months, has already become an airbrush makeup professional! Luminess Airess has natural, mineral- and water-based products that are affordable and easy to use. Their cosmetics are hypoallergenic, paraben- and fragrance-free, and completely filler- and oil-free.

The reason why I enjoyed the Luminess Airess party so much was because there was no presentation; no pressure to purchase a makeup kit and no pressure to join the direct sales business. It was just friends, snacks and makeovers, and the cosmetics spoke for themselves. I did end up purchasing a lip gloss and some makeup remover wipes but Melanie never once asked if I was going to purchase anything or tried to shove a catalog in my purse. She was super laid back and just wanted to show us gals how amazing the products are. Everyone in attendance could choose to receive a free airbrush makeover.

Alan (aka fiance of the year) went first. Although I do not know many men who wear makeup, I would recommend brow and root tint. She used it to cover the grey in his beard. The color blended into his natural beard color and you couldn't tell that the tint was being used. I told Alan he looked ten years younger! LOL I also told him that he could color in his beard for their wedding photos. "Great idea, Erica", we all agreed :)

I made Alan a fantastic pipe-cleaner tiara. 

Not long after Alan's makeover, it was my turn. Melanie expertly blended shades #3 & #4 (I think they were #3 & #4 at least) and went to work. The Luminess Airess system is an airbrush device. The hand device looks like an artist's airbrush. It hooks up to this power supply box. The makeup is liquid and is poured into the hand device, then you turn on the power to the desired speed and spray the liquid makeup onto your face. Sorry if the description is confusing; I should have gotten a picture of it. When the makeup is sprayed onto your face, it feels like a cool mist. It felt a little awkward at first (because it wasn't used to it) but then it became relaxing. Think of it like having a mini fan on your face on a hot day. Melanie started with a liquid primer, then the foundation, eye shadow and blush. Last was their famous lip stain. I chose the color "Fancy". The lip stain totally worked! I was drinking wine at the time and none of it came off onto my glass.

Alan & I were transformed into pretty princesses! I hadn't put on the lip stain at the time of the picture. 

I was impressed with the makeup; it felt light and didn't smudge. And my entire makeover only took about 15 minutes! I would say that it lands in the professional makeup spectrum. I did not purchase the airbrush kit because I do not wear that much makeup (I actually wear as little makeup as possible and just enough to look like a living female instead of a half-dead zombie). I thought I looked glamorous with the makeover. It would be perfect for a special event or a night out on the town. I would totally recommend the Luminess Airess airbrush system for anyone who lives a fierce and fashionable lifestyle.

My closeup! Sorry about the resting bitch face. LOL 

RagsReborn's SURPRISE show announcement!

I'm happy to announce a SURPRISE craft show!!
       Are you ready for it??!?!?!

I won't have my regular booth layout, though. (;_;) Some sad news... my "double decker couch" inspired shelf wore itself out. It lasted me 7 shows, which is quite the feat since it was completely homemade with cardboard, Velcro, cloth and craft glue. The Velcro started coming off last year, so for the past two shows, I've used yarn to tie the pieces together. The cardboard pieces started bowing in and warping more and more due to use; then in the middle of my show at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, the shelf just started falling apart! Wes and I were able to salvage it enough to finish out the show but it's time to let go.

My old display shelf. I cried on the inside as I walked it to the dumpster.

I'm currently working on new blue prints... with a new table... a collapsible table that Jessa so graciously gave to me!! I got some good ideas from some of my friends & fellow vendors so it's time to get to work.
       It'll involve more cardboard--because it's the sturdiest and lightest material I can transport on my own. I'm thinking of building bleacher-like boxes to put my pillows in and on. I'll also be making them different sizes so they can nest inside each other for transportation and give my display some different heights. We'll see how this goes. You should come check out the craft fair at the Wilmont Place Baptist Church. Be the first to see my new booth layout!!

An aside...
       This is what I really want for my booth display. A wooden folding shelf! It would look great with my antique trunk, don't you think? This is on my "for the future" wish list... many years down the line since I don't have money for something like this right now and even if I did, it probably wouldn't fit in my backseat. But, take a good look and keep this in mind. If you know of where to buy some cheap but durable and, most importantly, light weight wood and/or someone who would be willing to build this for me, let me know!

Anyway, back to my big show announcement... I'll be at Wilmont Place Baptist Church for their Craft & Vendor Fair this Saturday, April 2nd. Hooray  \(^_^)/ It's a small show at a local church in south Oklahoma City. I'll be there from 9am to 5pm. (Yup, aaalllllllll day!) I didn't intend on doing three shows in April but I haven't done a show since the Creative Craft Festival in Norman earlier this month and that has been way too long! 

       ***NOTE: This show is not a "pure" craft show; it is mostly a vendor fair, meaning there will not be a lot of handmade items. Instead, it will have a lot of direct sales consultants so if you're short on your Scentsy, Jamberry or Pink Zebra products, come on out. I still prefer handmade craft shows but I also support shows that allow vendors and have actually purchased a few of their products myself. 

       *gasp!* Why the sudden change of heart??? Well, I used to hate on direct sales when they go to craft shows (because, ahem... Pampered Chef is not a craft) but, lately, I've met a lot of the ladies who sell these products and they are all very kind and hard working. They take pride in their business & products and have befriended me as a fellow businesswoman. I still don't agree with their sharky sales pitches but I have learned a thing or two about sales & marketing from them. If you use any direct sales products, I would recommend coming out to a vendor fair to purchase your products in person instead of shopping online or from catalogs. If you would like a Paparazzi or Carey Pet & Home Care consultant, please let me know. I can recommend some wonderful ladies to you!

Funny story...
       One of the craft show coordinators, Karen, came to the Cleveland County Fairgrounds a few weeks ago to browse for talent & recruit vendors for her show at the church in April. She came to my booth and introduced herself.
     
Well, actually, the conversation went like this...
K: Hello, I know you!
E: Oh? Are you a vendor?
K: No but we've been talking. I'm with Wilmont Place.
E: Yes! Of course! I'll be at your show coming up soon!

We talked about RagsReborn, the craft show, the church and their mission trip. Her daughter is a missionary and will be the primary show coordinator but Karen has done craft shows for years and decided to lend a hand. She is a crafting veteran! 

I suppose this is what Wilmont Place OKC looks like. It was the first image that came up on my Google search. LOL

I've decided that my favorite shows are ones at local churches. I'm not particularly religious but the atmosphere of church craft shows is amazing. Everyone is so so supportive & kind and you can feel the positive energy all day.
       I'm actually really excited to be a part of this particular craft show because its purpose is to raise money for their Nicaragua Mission Trip later this year. I went on a mission trip to Mexico several years ago with the St. Thomas More college group. We worked with a local church by interacting with the children (aka playing and goofing off all day) and doing some light construction. It was a really good faith journey & humbling experience. It was probably the most I prayed and opened up about my personal experience with the church. (I know that sounds really cheesy and I'm sure everyone says this about their missionary experience but its true.) Anyway, since I had such a good time on my mission trip, I'm more than happy to aid Wilmont Place's missionaries attain their financial goals so they can also walk in Christ's footsteps by spreading love and aid to Nicaragua. Please come out to the show this Saturday. All of the vendor booth rent goes to their missionary fund and all proceeds from breakfast and lunch also goes toward the fund. If crafts aren't your thing, at least come out to grab a meal.

Here's a REALLY old picture of the St. Thomas More missionaries.