Beauty Tip: Use Liquid Lipsticks as Lip Liners

New discovery!

At least on my journey.

Liquid lipsticks make excellent lip liners.

Being super pigmented, easy to glide on but matte, long-lasting and serving to intensify the lipstick you put on, liquid lipsticks are It!

The Secret to an All-Over Glow

I always felt like there was some secret club of ladies who knew how to make their entire bodies look miraculously bronzed and ethereal.

I always wanted that.

But clearly I did not have enough interest to make that happen.

Until yesterday.

Yesterday I discovered bronzer.

Actually I had already been using inexpensive bronzers by BR and  liquid illuminators by ELF from shopmissa.com since I started my journey, and I had dibbled and dabbled in some MAC mineralized skinfinish like Gold Deposit.

But it's only that I had seldom been using bronzers/illuminators/highlighters. I only noticed that when I did use them on myself or on other people, they gave the effect of looking like a mermaid. Angelic. Out of this world.

I enjoyed it. But it never quite struck me as critical.

Yesterday I finally discovered that bronzer/illuminator/highlighters are not only beautiful but essential.

And this item had slowly been making it's way into my consciousness. The other day I saw a girl on pinterest go from a tired look to all-out glam, and she said all she had used was concealer and bronzer. That is when it first piqued how important bronzer/illuminators/highlighters were (I had already mentioned long ago this year to a friend that concealer was the secret to my sauce).

I had been noticing over the past weeks that I did not like my makeup on some days and liked it on others. I noticed that when I used bronzer/illuminator I received more compliments on my makeup. Yesterday it all came together.

I was looking in the mirror putting on makeup and it just did not look "right" when it was all done. It was all well-applied but the look did not yet have the "it" factor.

I applied a little highlighter and bronzer and voila! Magic! I instantly looked more poppy and all-out-glam celebrity in an instant. And I LOVED my makeup now. It was absolutely perfect.

I began to watch youtube videos to learn about best bronzers/illuminators/highlighters on the market, both expensive and inexpensive. I put a number of them on my wish list and will be building on this item over time.

There was one particular video yesterday that struck me where the girl mentioned that this item(s) makes or breaks her look. That for her bronzers/illuminators/highlighters were indeed her favorite makeup item. I had never heard such a statement from anyone's mouth before. She said that loving this item makes her have such a large collection of them.

As a lipstick lover, it was puzzling. But intriguing. And it made me take this item way more seriously. The girl in the youtube video looked absolutely bronzed to heaven. And she looked gorgeous. She had a ton of bronzers/illuminators/highlighters. She mentioned that even if she did no makeup, or if it were summer and she did not want to put on foundation, she would take her face and body cream and put some liquid illuminator in it, mixing them together and apply it to her face and body. The idea was brilliant. And I am sure it has been circulating around forever, but I am just discovering it for myself.

So I tried it today and oh my is it stunning. I can look naturally glowy and get a poppy look by mixing these items and then adding a touch more on my high points like my cheekbones, forehead, bridge of nose, etc. It was the best no-makeup makeup look I have tried on myself. And I may do it more regularly. It also served to remind me that when I actually do a full face of makeup, the bronzer/illuminator/highlighter is quintessential in a look, especially for a dewy/glowy look.

Another girl from youtube introduced me to the all over body glow. I always wondered how to look youthful, dewy and glowy throughout the seasons. Apparently there are body illuminators made for the body, which is why since forever there are 'some' ladies who have looked absolutely glistening with a healthy and stunning glow all over. Why has it took so long for me to discover this for myself?!

(Note that bronzers, illuminators and highlighters are three different items but I used them interchangeably sometimes depending on the shade. I can even use an eyeshadow as a highlighter.)

What an item!

I look forward to introducing this item to my face and body, with my newfound understanding. I can't wait to shine!

How Lipstick has lead to a Complete Transformation

In truth, I fell in love with lipstick first.

Everything else fell into place, or rather is falling into place, as a result.

Falling in love with lipstick made it necessary for me to learn how to properly make up my face.

When I learned how to do makeup, I started to wear makeup regularly. Because I enjoy it. Because it makes me happy. It feels like a massage every morning.

But doing makeup regularly made me start to question my style choices.

From there, I started to think more critically of the ways people put their styles together. It takes a special kind of creative genius to create well-coordinated outfits. I recognize that. I respect it. And I want to emulate it.

How people match lipsticks to purses or accessories and sometimes blouses and dresses. That is only one type of matching. Sometimes jewelry matches the shoes. Or the clutch matches the head scarf. Most frequently shoes match the bag. But I will be honest with you: I never noticed these things until recently. It just never passed my mind. It just did not fall into the line of thoughts of interest.

How people chose articles of clothing also intrigued me. What was truly high quality? I walked into a Saks fifth avenue store recently and felt a $2000 dress and it was heavy as bricks and thick as well. This turned me on to the fact that I had truly been wearing poor quality clothing for a long time. Thin material was not the way of fashion it turns out. It simply was a way to "encourage" more consumerism by making people desire material with more weight. More coverage. I am not saying it is right. But what I am saying is it makes a serious difference. The fit will be out of this world. Beautifully contouring the body. The comfort unparalleled. The look, intoxicating. I had been missing out. And while I would not shoot for highly priced items, I would aim for high quality pieces. And discontinue further investment in anything less than high quality.

How people select wardrobe items. A cousin of mine said that she bought Christian Louboutins on sale for $250 long before they were hot. She bought then simply because she appreciated the style and fit. This is critical for me to remember because it suggested not following current trends but rather selection based upon personal style. What you purchase may eventually become on trend but your personal style trumps trends always.

I am currently shifting my thoughts about appearance. My look never mattered to me, because I was so much more than my look. And while that is still true, my look can also reflect my creativity and my style. 2015 has truly been a transformative year in more ways than one. I look forward to finally becoming my own image of me.

A New FAV Shopping Experience: Burlington Coat Factory!

Yes! Ross is my favorite store to shop in. I love to find nice handbags, clothing and dresses here for phenomenal prices! The quality of the clothing lasts and lasts and look like materials sold for hundreds of dollars.

But recently, I took notice of a store I had seriously enjoyed all the while but have not gotten a chance to have it nearby me: Burlington Coat Factory. I bought a winter coat from there almost 7 years ago for about $60 and it looked great over time. I purchased a new coat recently from Burlington and I absolutely love the coat for the quality and price point.

I also picked up some Calvin Klein infinity scarves that look absolutely beautiful. I adore the jewelry and accessories at Burlington most of all. The watches and necklaces are stunning and the prices, excellent.

Now that I live near Burlington Coat Factory, I intend to enjoy it!

How a Lady on the Bus Inspired Me to Wear Lipsticks for the Rest of My Life

Let's be clear: I already wanted to wear lipsticks everyday forever and ever. But I was afraid.

Like so many of us, I feared lipstick. Lipstick, to me, represented power. It represented boldness. It was pure artistry. In some ways, wizardry. And bold and brights were trending. And how did I feel about it? Scared.

Will I look crazy? Like a clown perhaps? How can I look people in the eye knowing I have this bright, bold color on my lip that is completely unnatural? How could I wear lipstick so that lipstick wouldn't wear me? How do you even apply lipstick correctly when each attempt looks like a 2-year-old drew it?

I sheepishly thought to myself, "But I love lipstick." I feel like a woman in lipstick, feminine, daring, powerful. I had amassed several lippies and little by little I began to wear them out everyday. Because it made me feel good.

But then a new fear took hold. What happens when lipsticks go out of style? I knew that lip gloss was the hot lip product not too long ago and now everyone was onto lipsticks. But what happens when the next trend completely makes my lipstick collection seem null and void?

This is where the lady on the bus came in.

I was taking the Megabus to another state because it's $1 if you get it in advance so what the hey. While waiting on line I see a polished woman standing in front of me and she happens to have on a beautiful shade of orange on her lips...so I ask her which lipstick it is. She tells me it's Siren from Revlon. She continues to chat with me, telling me that she absolutely loves lipsticks (just like me!) and her favorite brand is Revlon. But what she would later say impressed my life forever.

She said gleefully that she had been wearing lipstick everyday for 3 decades. Whaaaaaa? Yes! 3 Decades! This woman did not look older than late 40s or early 50s. But she would tell me that she was knocking on 70! This woman was 68 years old...and she looked absolutely fabulous and stunning. She was well put-together and everything about her stated class, style and elegance. I told her I wanted to look like her when I grow up!

What struck me most about what she said is.....if she was wearing lipstick for 3 decades (and looking that fierce), it means that she was wearing lipstick even when the lip gloss trend was all the rage! Which means that I TOO can do it! I can wear lipstick regardless what the trend is. It is amazing what seeing an example makes you realize that you can do...and do well.

What put the cherry on top of the icing on the cake was that this woman's own mother had been wearing different shades of red lipstick everyday too since the early 1920s. Sadly, her mother had passed away. But I learned something from her mother as well. Something perhaps even greater. Her mother was wearing lipsticks through even more decades when trends and styles were definitely shifting...and she wore red solely, the most audacious yet classic shade, even though other shades had started to become available. That showed me that she did whatever she wanted...because it made her happy!

Inadvertently, the lipstick legacy of these two generations of ladies from that family has imprinted upon me the audacity and pure revelry of swiping on clothing for my lips each and every day, any and every way.

Gimme Gimme Liquid Lipsticks

I know it has been a while since I last posted but that does not mean I have not been keeping up with my favorite makeup item: Lipsticks!

I fell in love with MAC lipsticks early this year and I have not been the same since. I have also branched out recently and got into the newest trend for lippies: Liquid Lipsticks!

For so long, I stayed away from these because the price tag was simply too high and I figured that I had already built up a decent MAC collection so I thought I was good. But then I visited my cousin's house (where I learned even more about makeup in general because my aunt and her daughters know quite more than me on makeup), and lo and behold! My cousin had the truest purple, mattest, absolutely most gorgeousest lipstick I had ever seen.

I would find out that it was 3 Witches by Pretty Zombie Cosmetics. I tried to resist temptation but ultimately failed and gave in and purchased it. And I am sooo happy I did! This newest obsession has rocked my world.

I had ordered 3 Witches and Purple Poison and when I received them, they gave amazing pigmentation, lasted for hours and they barely budged when I drank something (but eating can cause it to smear in the inside of the lip). And they made me feel fierce. I was hooked. Of course. Since then I have tried liquid lipsticks from Kat Von D, Coloured Raine, Sephora, NYX, Milani, LA Splash, Colourpop, Stila, Hourglass, Limecrime and many more!

My absolute favorite formulas are Kat Von D, Coloured Raine, Stila and Sephora. They are each amazingly comfortable in their own way with fabulous color pay-off. But that is not to say that the others aren't great. I have a favorite lippie in most brands! Grab one!

WHOA, Wet N Wild Megalast Lipsticks

So, initially, when I was starting my journey I felt that Wet N Wild lipsticks were little cheapies at the drugstore which were good but not exceptional.

That was because I had only tried on 3 of the colors. And after buying almost all of the shades in the collection, I can say that those 3 original shades were my least favorites.

And yet when I compare these same 3 shades to other brands, I find that these colors are still better than other brands. Those shades are Pinkerbell, Don't Blink Pink and 24 Carrot Gold. I would later find that these types of shades simply are not my favorite type of shades.

I would also learn that many of the Wet N Wild lipsticks are exceptional colors when compared to all types of brands from high-end to drugstore. While the finish of these lippies are not the best when compared to more luxurious lipsticks, they wear well, look good and have mostly become my favorite shades out of all the brands I currently own including MAC, NARS, NYX, NYC, Milani, Jordana and LA Colors (and also brands I have tried/seen but do not own like YSL, Stila, Kat Von D, etc).

While I do have favorite shades in other brands and my favorite brand for lipsticks is still MAC, Wet N Wild as a collection reigns supreme for biggest surprise, best in drugstore and comparable and even rival to higher end brands when it concerns colors/shades. In fact, I used to think Jordana was my favorite drugstore lippie collection because their selection was vast, colors varied (i.e., good color range) and finish was very smooth.

But Wet N Wild have surpassed Jordana by far when it comes to the very best colors to enter the lipstick game. So much so in fact, I have largely forgotten about my Jordana collection. I seldom find a color I want to wear from Jordana even though I have 30-plus. But Wet n Wild competes with MAC on a daily!

I have purchased an excessive amount of backups for those $2 gems, especially for the lovely shades of Cherry Picking, Cherry Bomb, Just Peachy (gorgeous nude on me), Sugar Plum Fairy, Vamp it Up (super hard to find in some many stores so I purchased it on beautyjoint,com) and Spotlight Red (a red shade that rivals some of the best red shades on the market)!

I love lipsticks, and Wet N Wild has changed the way I view the world of lipsticks. Precious gems can be found in the most humble places.

Officially a Nordie Girl

No disrespect to Macy's lovers but my purchases at Macy's have not been the best of quality. I had never shopped at Nordstorm until recently and for the first time in my life I am seeing tons of effortlessly stylish, high-quality pieces rather than a few nice pieces here and there of semi-questionable quality at a department store,

Oh and there are samples! And free shipping and handling! Even the online experience feels more streamlined, sophisticated and pleasant.

I first started shopping at Nordstorm online last week and I am in love!  Granted, the store is far more expensive than Macy's but this is quality you can see. I look forward to future Nordie excursions.









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Every Day is My Wedding Day

There is a lot of hype in the wedding day. After all, some people have dreamed about this day all of their life. They wanted to be a princess for the day. They wanted everyone to look at them. They wanted everything to be perfect. It was their day.

In my beauty journey, I created this mantra in order to remind myself and other women that we can create a kind of excitement, anticipation, joy and warmth that comes with wedding in our everyday. This is both inwardly and outwardly. Beautifying ourselves is our gift wrap for the guests of our lives everyday. We want to be a gift to others. We invite them into our lives to celebrate our lifespace regularly. Let us cleanse our inner being so that we may be a gift.

Making sure we look pristine everyday, if we keep it in proper focus without vanity, envy or obsession, can make us feel like a princess. Keeping your life in order, doing regular meditation or praying, doing things that make you happy, being a blessing to others and nourishing your body can improve the feeling of perfection in your life naturally.

Every day is my wedding day. And you're invited.




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In My Opinion: The Glam Look

I thought I would start a new regularly themed post called "In My Opinion". And I want to use this platform to state my unvarnished opinions about global beauty trends, experiences, testimonies and random thoughts.

Today, I want to talk about the order of operation for the glam look. Basically, let's talk about the face. And my opinion about the most quintessential aspects of facial makeup that creates a glamorous, celebrity style look in order of importance. 

Eyelashes, eyebrows and lipstick, in my opinion, are the most important pieces of your facial enhancement to snatch everyone's eyes toward your spotlight.

The Eyelash

First, I believe that great mascara in addition to the application of false eyelashes (of course with an eyeliner) is the most quintessential aspect of creating a glam look, worthy of celebrity. You already know that adding simply mascara to your everyday look sans makeup quickly and easily enhances your look. But when it comes to blazing the runway, if you don't have eyelashes, you don't have anything. You are not the star. You are not a star. Let me just tell you that first and foremost.

If your eyebrows are scattered and all you have on is lip balm, but you have on the false lashes of life? People had better move out of your way. Because the princess is coming through.  

The Eyebrow

Knowing how to shape, sculpt and highlight your natural eyebrows is powerful. This is with or without the glam look but especially for the glam look. Your eyebrows are your face. Your eyebrows tell us everything we need to know. The size, the arch, the shape, the thickness, all tell us something about you. But regardless the shape it takes, if you can clean up your eyebrows and make it look flawless, you are instantly a beauty to be reckoned with. 

Even on a bare-faced beauty, glorious eyebrows are a woman's natural makeup to make her flawlessly beautiful. The beauty of your face I believe begins with your eyebrows. But if you want to look like a superstar, perfect eyebrows are not only quintessential, it makes or break you. 

It makes the difference between an everyday girl and an A-lister. If eyebrows are this critical, it must be natural then to ask why I ordered it as number 2 instead of number 1? Glad you asked. 

Had this been a list for the most important things for your face to look great as opposed to the most important things for your face to look like a celebrity, then eyebrows and eyelashes would be switched wherein eyebrows would easily take number 1. False eyelashes, however, create a supreme effect of celebrity status far and above the eyebrow and that is why it tops this list. Nevertheless, for non-Hollywood people, you can look amazing without eyelashes but eyelashes can be an amazing enhancer. 

The eyebrow stands as a tattoo for the face that shapes what we know and fixates our attention on the pure beauty, without which your facial beauty would be a little....formless. The eyebrows, thus, give your face a "form". And for the international supermodel, it's usually a signature. Eyebrows and celebrity go hand in hand. 

Lipstick

Want them to roll out the red carpet? Get the right lipstick. Lipstick can enhance your face from 0 to 1000 if you get the right shade in absolute perfection and create an irresistible look. Lip lines, lip highlights, lip plumping, lip contour are apart of the many lip tricks to create fuller, sultry and sexy lips that make your whole face pop. These tricks abound in the pockets of many pro makeup artists and I count them as part of the lipstick regimen that takes your face from just pretty to bam! can I have your autograph? 

While the right lipstick makes a bold statement and says definitively 'I am here', lipstick without eyelashes and eyebrows ain't cutting it for the pros. 

So, that concludes my list in order of importance to stand out like a celebrity. There are a range of things involved in facial makeup that creates a glamorous appearance especially for celebrities from illuminators to contouring to great foundation to prime concealer to the smoky eye to luxury setting powders and blushes of life, among many other things. They are all important for the glam look. But alone, without the aforementioned quintessential things, it would all be for naught.  

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Stand Out in the Crowd

It's easy to stand out in the crowd. If you know the tricks to the trade.

In America, we generally have a very casual culture when it comes to fashion (which in my travels I believe the world is rapidly picking up). We were once known as the T-shirt and sneakers culture, so to speak, while some other cultures dressed in blouses and boots.

For this reason, most people's everyday look is ordinary. And there is nothing wrong with ordinary if you want to look ordinary. But if you want to make waves, which I aspire to do, try dressing up everyday.

It doesn't have to be elegant wear but something that is just a notch more "dressy" than a T-shirt. A blouse, a special top, a dress (dresses make things easy), a pretty skirt...you get the picture. Boots can easily jazz up a look and sandals can be so sexy. Even the right sneakers can look completely glam. You could even choose a jazzy graphic tee if T-shirts are where it's at for you. But take it up just a notch.

Throw on a statement earring, necklace and/or ring. If it's winter, throw on a sleek infinity scarf. If it's summer, throw on fierce aviator sunglasses. Take care of your skin and hair. A fashionista I once knew said that most looks can be forgiven if you have great hair and shoes. I think she may have been on to something. Even if you do not have great hair, take care of it because your hair is your crown. Alternatively, buy a wig or get a nicely done extension. Wigtypes.com have great high-quality, inexpensive wigs that are made for African-American women but can be used by all! It would be great to try them out on that website.

While make up is not necessary, it can enhance the look. Just simple mascara can improve your appearance if you are really not into everyday or regular makeup. Also, if all you add is eyeliner, that is also really cute. But if you want a touch of makeup without the full face, I love bb cream (or a tinted moisturizer) for a fresh look without the heaviness of foundation. It's almost like easy moisturizer that gives your skin a warm glow. Alternatively a well-done full face will turn heads.

Be more than casual. Reach out of your comfort zone. Be you but better. When you look good, you can feel so good. It can literally improve your posture, your mood, your energy, your outgoingness, your boldness. Sometimes it even has a reciprocal effect for those you interact with, possibly improving their mood and energy. Do you want to brighten other people's day? Then beauty and fashion may be the way.






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Cheap but Excellent Foundation

Since we're on the topic of foundation, I have also found a product that can be used as foundation, which I covet more than my beloved Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream which I use as a foundation for everyday wear.

That is LA Girl HD Pro Concealer. Breathe.

As you know, I am a proponent of Makeup Forever (MUFE), which is a more expensive brand. But I love their HD liquid foundation. I believe there may be something in this "HD" (high-definition) thing. Because LA Girl HD Pro Concealer gives my skin life.

Oh, and it's only $2.99 at your local beauty supply store or beautyjoint.com.

I appreciate this concealer for it's beautiful application and that it beautifies my complexion as it brightens and smooths the tone. I like to save my MAC and MUFE products for special occasions or when I want to look my best, but I would use this concealer too when I want to look my best without using up my more expensive products. I love the look more than the amazing Maybelline product but only slightly less than MAC.

It's also extremely versatile. You can also use it for contouring because it has a thin applicator on its lid which makes application for contouring simple.

You can also use this concealer as foundation *and* contour at the same time by choosing your skin color, a highlighter color and a much darker color. Apply the skin color as foundation, then the darker color for contouring the cheeks and face, and then using the lighter color (highlighter) for the under eye, temple, nose, etc. With a setting and finishing powder added, you can make a beautiful full face application.

Alternatively, you could just use it as concealer. At which point, it's pretty much the only concealer I use.





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The Holy Grail (Currently) of Foundation

I believe that even the best products can get better. Therefore, I share my excitement with reserve.

I have found the holy grail of foundation.

Not long ago, I tried so many different foundations and I wrote a blog post about it. At the end of my exploration, I found that I loved MAC Studio Fix foundation and Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream. A few days ago, however, I entered the wonderful world of Sephora and literally spent hours trying out samples of makeup from everything to foundation.

Knowing nothing about Smashbox, Bareminerals, Sephora, Kat Von D, Nars, Cover FX, Urban Decay, Too Faced, Makeup Forever, and Bobbi Brown, among so many others, I walked in blindly. Or shall I say, I walked in with a fresh face and an open mind. I knew little about which brands do what and which do what better.

After trying on so many different foundations including all of the aforementioned brands, I landed on Makeup Forever's (MUFE) HD liquid foundation. It was so awesome. And I found out later after talking to a Sephora rep that it happened to be the most popular foundation. Look at me--I have taste!

But then! I encountered a beautiful woman at the store who was a shopper like me. When I tell you her makeup was flawless, I mean it. I asked her exactly what she was wearing. Ironically she was wearing Makeup Forever, but she had on the MUFE Face and Body Foundation topped with MUFE's new Pro-Finish (multi-purpose foundation or setting powder). So, I was in the right brand but I had not yet reached the holy grail product.

MUFE's Face and Body topped with MUFE's Pro-Finish is quite magical. It brightened and evened out my complexion for a baby-like, heavenly glowing appearance. It went on extremely lightweight and not cakey. It did not oxidize darker; it stayed the same color. I did not feel like I had makeup on but I felt like my face was the best thing going. I had reached nirvana. I would later experience further utopia when I saw the power of the setting powder, keeping my face flawless all day long...and into the next day (because I forgot to take it off!). And the next day it was just as flawless. It did not look "slept in". It looked just done by the makeup artist. The morning glow made it even better than before.

MAC has been beat. MAC is gorgeous on my complexion and enhances my appearance greatly but two of its main flaws are that it can look/feel a little cakey and it feels like it is melting during the summer time. The MUFE combination, however, is airy and wonderfully breathable. Moreover, it's like it becomes your face and it stays quite dry (but not drying) in hot weather.

MUFE is at the top of my list right now. And, as you recall, I was also a huge fan of the HD liquid foundation but I did not purchase it. The Face and Body with the Pro-finish was even more superior than what I had thought was my favorite foundation at Sephora, and both were in the same brand! MUFE is not to be slept on. Stay awake.

Or better yet, sleep with it, sleep on it but let your skin stay awake...forever.






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Trash or Treasure? The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Thrifting

Lalalala, discovering the thrift store sent me into a magical world! My first foray into a thrift store haul was at Plato's Closet near Florida Mall. I picked up two pairs of glorious heels, a Steve Madden purse and an Aldo hat for $40 bucks. I was hooked.

I later went to Plato's Closet's Grab Bag event, where you can have as much clothes that fits into a bag, all for $20! I got a ton of clothing and the value of it all came to about $1000 bucks. More hooked. With plenty of thrift shopping experience now, I can tell you the good, the bad and the ugly.


THE GOOD

You can save a ton of money. There are amazing finds to be had at thrift stores at phenomenal prices. Try finding a $200 blazer for $6! Yes, these are mostly used items but there are plenty of things in great condition. At places like Goodwill, there is a color-coded 50% discount every week. Try taking half off of $3.69 for any piece of quality clothing! While Goodwill takes most of the donated clothing to sell, other places actually buy-to-sell only gently used designer brands (consignment shops). While these types of places are usually more expensive, the quality of the clothing is also worth more and may last longer. Nevertheless, you can find great name-brands at Goodwill! Just by a look at threading and a touch for stronger material, you can pretty much tell the quality of a piece.

THE BAD

If you do not have patience, going through the racks to find hidden gems will be a pain. Check for missing pieces or do the "why did they give this piece of clothing away?" check. This involves looking at the piece in its entirety to see if you would be able to use it in its current condition.


THE UGLY

If you are going through clothing and you feel an itch, drop that clothing like a bad habit. I had the misfortune of going to a Goodwill Clearance center (as opposed to retail) in which everything that fails to sell in the retail store goes to the clearance center to be sold for $1 per pound. At first I thought it was an amazing deal until I saw the set up...literally tubs of clothing that you have to pull out and look at. The one I went to was dirty, filthy, musty, chaotic and....itchy. Bad, bad sign. Get out immediately.

Ever since that bad experience, I have been turned off to thrift stores. I want to stick to buying affordable *new* clothing. I think I had my fun thrift shopping for a while but that Goodwill scarred me and literally made me think of all that was bad about thrift stores....that I had not encountered up until that store.






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Forgiveness is the Key to Confidence

I feel abnormal in that I do not have a story of self image issues. I have always felt confident in myself. I can not honestly recall a time in my life where I lacked confidence in myself. Therefore, I can not justly inform someone on how to go from 0 to 100 in confidence. What I can educate them on is how I have lived my life.

I had every reason to have low self esteem. Growing up, no boy liked me. I was very chubby and almost everyone in class picked on me (and sometimes my family picked on me). And I never said a word back to them. I cried everyday because they would not stop bullying me. I wore pretty much the same pair of shoes everyday. My clothes were always oversized...in so not a fashionable way. I never wore fashionable clothing. My hair looked all types of crazy. I always had my head in the books. I was a really smart, quiet kid who was very sensitive and overly emotional. Sometimes I could barely speak. My mom always called me lazy. Though I had my middle school crew to hang with, by high school I went to another school in a different district and I did not connect with people at the new school very well. In short, I was isolated in high school. I would literally sit by myself in a corner....until after school when I would hang with buddies from my old school at the library. Being socially isolated made me not want to go to school many days. It was torture.

Despite all these issues, I was still very confident. Being a believer of God and His promises, it did not occur to me that anything was wrong with me. I relied more on how good I was as a person to measure my value. A value I measured. And you can tell what someone values most in others by the measure by which they value themselves. (If someone values something about themselves, they will seek others who match up with that value. Even if they lack something that they value, they will still seek in others what it is they value. Or, if they lack it, they could go the opposite way and find others who lack it also to feel better about themselves.) Because I could see and love the goodness in me, all I could see was the goodness in other people...even when they hurt me. And I gravitated towards the nicest people always. In this way, I always remained in a positive mindspace. 

It is only in my adulthood where many women my age are learning how to be confident in themselves that it even occurred to me that this was a struggle for many females growing up. It's in writing this post that I am even trying to recall some of the things that women mention that they had a hard time with. I was not exempt from these experiences. All of these experiences were painful. All of them made me cry. But I went through them with a conviction about myself. As long as I was a good person, all else could be forgiven. I prided myself on being kind, considerate, empathetic, patient, virtuous. This is why I loved myself. And consequently why I loved others. And this was how the world was painful, but it was a beautiful place. Because I felt love inside myself, I saw love everywhere. 

In spite of my humble beginnings, I knew that the Bible told me that the meek shall inherit the earth. And therefore I took pride in meekness. I took pride in humility and humbleness. I took pride in obscurity. Because the earth is mine. This is a guarantee. Even when my situation looked like rags, I always felt riches. That same invisible girl to someone felt like she had it all. 

I could naturally forgive myself. I truly do not know why I got this gift while others had to learn it. Lazy? Forgiven. Fat? Forgiven. Unattractive? Forgiven. Unlikeable? Forgiven. Mute? Forgiven. Sensitive? Forgiven. Lonely? Forgiven. I never sat and thought about these things negatively about myself, because they all came through a sustainable filter of forgiveness instantaneously. I was not those things, and I was more than those things. Ultimately, these were my experiences; these things did not define who I am. My confidence was in knowing and loving God, how I treated people and how I treated myself. Did people leave my presence feeling better? That has been my primary concern in my activities in life. 

Forgive what you can't do, what you haven't done, what you are not, what you are working on, what others say, what others do....keeping forgiving and focus on becoming a better you.









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The Truth about MAC Dupes

There are plenty of videos, sites, blogs and social media platforms suggesting that more affordable brands are "almost exact" dupes for MAC's higher-end lipsticks, for example. I am hear to say, yes and no.

What you can often find in drugstore brands such as Wet N Wild, Revlon, Milani, NYX and L'Oreal are repetitive colors usually in some variety of blue-based, orange-based, pink-based, mid-, light-, bright-, dark-, muted and mixed colors of all the shades of the rainbow...with just slight (and sometimes major) differences in specifications such as tone; undertone; finish (e.g. sheer, sheen, satin, matte, etc); texture; price; formula; packaging; application; type; and length of wear, among other things. 

Wet N Wild is a special favorite among lovers of lipsticks looking for a bargain because many of their colors almost exactly mirror those of MAC. However, the specifications of these lipsticks are quite different, hence the difference in price. 

For example, Wet N Wild megalast brand is semi-matte and MAC's matte collections are either fully matte (dry) or retro matte (more drying). This leaves a little more shine on your lips as compared to MAC. 

You will find that Wet N Wild does not cover with as good an opaque finish on the lips unlike MAC, which can enhance the appearance of the lipstick, your lips and your face in totality. 

Wet N Wild is good because it has great color payoff, but with less product (and better packaging) you will get amazing color pay off from MAC.  This allows your product to last longer. MAC, of course, also has longer wear, allowing you to use less product, thus further prolonging the life of the lipstick.

Wet N Wild also had the tendency to clump on me sometimes when applying (although pursing the lips helps) while this is never a problem with MAC. Sometimes Wet N Wild also settles in the lip, creating a poor application and requiring further application. I could go on and on about the differences but this is just to provide what these differences mean for you. 

I love a good dupe myself especially for colors I am on the fence about. However, the truth about MAC dupes (and dupes in general) is that when you buy a dupe, you should more or less just expect to get the same color. MAC products have a superior texture and finish that most brands can not rival. If all you are concerned about is a color, than go right ahead and get a dupe. A dupe usually is the same as getting the color, not the same as "almost" getting the product. Just know the truth that a "dupe" is no where near the same as getting the original lipstick no matter how similar the colors.  As long as that's straight, dupe away!



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Know Your Foundation

I compared several brands of foundation including Revlon Colorstay Combo/Oily Skin, MAC Studio Fix, Ideal Flawless foundation, Ideal Flawless BB cream, Maybelline Perfector Age Rewind, Maybelline BB Cream Pure, L'Oreal HIP foundation, Kleancolor pressed powder, Kleancolor Skin Wish BB cream, Ulta pressed powder. The through-and-through winner was MAC Studio Fix! Maybelline BB Cream Pure stood as the runner-up.

I really wanted something to beat MAC. I truly did. It would have been better for my pockets. My range of foundation and foundation-like products covered high-end, drugstore and beauty supply store quality. MAC Studio Fix costed $27, while Kleancolor pressed powder costed me $1. There were lots of different prices in between.

MAC Studio Fix gave me a perfect and luxurious coverage that made my skin look flawless. Maybelline's Pure gave my skin life. Revitalizing life. A coverage so natural but full. These will be my go-to foundations until further notice!




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Why Buy Any Other Lipstick Beside MAC?

MAC is a lipstick giant. And well-deserved. When I put on a MAC lipstick, I feel like I have precious gems on my lips. The level of fierceness can not be quantified.

But going at $16 a pop, I could not possibly get all the shades. I have to be very selective.

I chose my first couple MAC lipsticks, Ruby Woo and Flat out Fabulous, by looking at google images and youtube videos of these colors. They were absolute stand outs. And I had to get them. Currently MAC has free shipping for any purchase so I utilized that feature when I got my first Ruby Woo. Glorious.

I also bought Flat out Fabulous by chance when I tried to purchase MAC products on MACY'S website because there was a free gift with purchase. But shipping, handling and taxes came up to $12! So, since I was already close to the free shipping eligibility by $12, I figured what the heck, throw Flat out Fabulous in the bag! So now I psychologically tell myself I paid the $4 difference for Flat out Fabulous as opposed to paying S&A plus taxes...plus I got  a free gift! Exciting!

Yet while I adore MAC lipsticks and think it's the best out there, there are certain shades that I can deal with without them being pristine like these gems. When it comes to the color red, I want the best. And the best is Ruby Woo hands down for the color and the texture.

However, if it's brown or even purple, which are not my very favorite shades for lipstick, I can take some more reasonable quality lipstick that is not MAC. As you may know Jordana is a stand out lipstick brand for me as well. I also love Milani, which happens to be a sister to Jordana under the same company.

But give me a MAC any day of the week.

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My Favorite Stores for Quality Affordable Clothing

I love great, quality clothing but I am also looking for the best bang for my buck. Quality refers to strength of material, style and texture, figure-flattering, long-lasting wear and hold up of color/style over the years.

Rainbow, Easy Pickins, Dots and Pretty Girl were my go-tos in my teenage years. And while I still enjoy the styles found in these stores, it is very difficult for me to find clothing that will last at these shops. These stores would be a: No.

I then graduated to Ross Dress for Less. This store is a great store if you are willing to go through all the racks. However, I find mixed quality in this store. This store has name-brand clothing that are no longer the latest looks. I find that their blazers, purses and dresses are of very high quality. But the other clothing can be hit or miss. This store would be a: Yes.

Over time, I have always stopped into Target but I found their prices rising. I believe that Target has superior quality clothing compared to most stores. And the rising costs are justified, but unfortunately I will not be paying them. And I will go straight to their clearance! This store would be a: No.

In my late 20s now, I am looking into other quality stores for professional women, and one of my favorites is New York & Company. Their pants and blazers are particularly exceptional. Their jeans, however, make me look frumpy. Nevertheless, for the quality of their pants and blazers, this store would be a: Yes.

Ah, Macy's. I know real shopaholics live by this store! Unfortunately I have had several bad experiences. While the clothing appears quality and they do hold up over the years, the problem is the 3 items (a full $150 suit, blouse, $70 black stretch pants) I bought at Macy's tore within the first couple wears. It makes it hard for me to justify shopping there. Why MACY's is on this list is because you can find clothing in an affordable range even though my pieces were a little more higher-end. But I am not a fan of Macy's and would rather stick to other stores. This store would be a: No.

Likewise, Jcpenney's is a department store that I am not a huge fan of. The clothing looks frumpy and uninteresting. So, while the quality of the clothing is good because of long-lasting wear, the quality of the clothing is terrible in terms of style. But I do pick up some of their $19.99 curvy-average skinny Arizona Jeans, which has suited me well. This store would be: No.

I still peruse in stores like Forever21 because the clothes is so astonishingly cute, but I find that it also does not last for me. My purse broke on me after 5 uses! I love this store for staples like a quick cami or casual bodycon tank dress, but this store would be a: No.

I know H&M is a very popular store but I don't find that I really ever get excited when I go into their store. And you know, I must be excited to shop! They had more charcoals and grays like Wet Seal, and I am more into yellows, pinks, browns. Wet Seal used to be a favorite of mine in college because they had beautiful corals and yellows but there clothing would never last me. These stores would be a: No.

Primark in London (and other European countries), similar to other stores in Europe, used to have strong quality clothing but I find that quality has gone down dramatically. I bought T-shirts and bathing suits from Primark in 2009 and they are all still in great condition, but everything I bought from Primark just last summer in 2014 have basically collapsed. Unacceptable. (Note: A Primark should arrive in Boston in the US in 2015.) This store would be a: No.

I adore Charlotte Russe. Everything from their tops and heels to their skirts and maxis....and they always have an amazing clearance section on top of it all! I find it to be young at heart but with a sophisticated style, quality and approach. Their items are made with strong material and last me a long time, and so I truly get to enjoy them. They also have great deals and great sales! This store would be a: Yes.

Old Navy makes jeans that I feel make me look frumpy but their jeans sales are awesome, so it's always hard to pass those up...but I have to. Aeropostale has polos that are not so flattering to me. These stores would be a: No.

Overall, for quality I frequent Ross and Charlotte Russe. Every now and then I stop into New York & Company and pick up professional wear, or check out Target clearance, get a pair of jeans at Jcpenneys or pick up a Forever21 staple. But for quality, style and affordability, Ross and Charlotte Russe are my go-tos. I am not against spending more money at luxury brands but I would only buy a piece at a luxury brand of a particular look that I am going for. Great fashion can be accomplished at great prices.





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The Very Basics

On my beauty journey, I have studied the various elements that go into a "look". Note that there are  a vast range of accessories beyond the basics but I will list here the basic elements of a look (which don't have to all be worn at the same time):

Jewelry (rings, bracelets, necklace, earrings, watches, ankle bracelet, etc)

Makeup (eyebrows, wax/thread, eyelash, lipsticks/gloss, foundation, concealer, setting powder, finishing powder, baked/cream eyeshadow, eye/lip liner, makeup brushes, beauty blender, blush, bronzer, primer, highlighter, contour, kabuki, lip exfoliation, etc)

Hairstyle (blow-outs, extensions, wigs, etc)

Haircare (hair products, coloring, straightening, curling, combs/brushes, etc)

Hair Accessories (headbands, flower crowns, bows, etc)

Nails (mani/pedi, nail polish/hardener, gel, acrylic, crystal, nail art, 3D art, nail sticker, etc)

Handbag/Purse (crossbody, satchel, clutch, hobo, etc)

Shoes (flats, moccasins, boots, platforms, heels, sandals, wedges, sneakers, etc)

Outerwear (blazers, denim jackets, hoodies, coats, shawl, kimono, cardigan, etc)

Other accessories (hats, belts, sunglasses, scarves, bathing suits, cover-ups, intimates, etc)

Jean/Pants (skinny, flare, boyfriend, straight, mid-rise, high-rise, low-rise, leggings, etc)

Skirts (mini, midi, maxi, pencil, etc)

Dresses (maxi, bodycon, baby doll, skater, ponte, hi-lo, jumpsuit/romper, little black dress, etc)

Tops (halter, tube, sweetheart, off the shoulder, tank top, sweaters, long/short sleeve, sleeveless, chiffon long-sleeve, polo, cami, crop top, lace, blouse, button up, graphics, etc)

Perfume (perfume, body spray, scented lotion, deodorant, etc)

Skincare (exfoliating soap/shower gel/sponge/brush, skin softener, sunscreen, skin brightener/lightener/tan/glow, wax, night treatment cream, face wash, hair remover, emollient/moisturizing lotion, etc)

When you are starting from little knowledge of what is involved in a look, you really have to list out all of the things that people have been accumulating all of these years that you have been completely oblivious to. There are several steps to each of eye/eyelash/eyebrow/face/lip makeup alone. Thus, pretty is indeed an investment of time, money, care, thought, effort. Trial and error. And sometimes pain. I created this comprehensive foundation from which to start and pick and choose what is most important to me as I build upon my wardrobe, collection, stash.



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The Compilation of a Look

Did you know that longer earrings elongate your neck to create the illusion of height and great bone structure? Did you know that drawing with a lip liner slightly extended beyond your lip line with a color that is nude on your complexion will make your lips look plumper and create the illusion of sensual lips? Did you know that hip-hugger jeans (wish they would come back!) with pockets lift your backside and create the illusion of a toned bum? Did you know that stiletto heels elongate your legs and create the illusion of slimmer, toner legs? Did you? Because I am just finding this out!

There is more to a look than meets the eye. Every piece of jewelry, every touch of makeup, every heel of a boot and every stretch of skinny jeans creates an illusion that adds to the pull-togetheredness of a look. Colors, textures, styles, patterns, etc are all placed together strategically to complement one another.

I keep this in mind as I create looks and ultimately establish my own style.




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Introducing Shopmissa.com!

Speaking of jewelry, you must try out the online beauty supply store called shopmissa.com. Everything, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, scarves, sunglasses, nail art, tattoos, headbands, cosmetics, all for $1! Try-on alert! This is a great website for people who would like to try on all different types and styles of jewelry to prepare for buying the more expensive pieces once they have grown comfortable with the styles they like. It's better to try on cheaper items to establish what you like best before you make the larger purchases. Or, you may find that you are completely comfortable with the jewelry on shopmissa.com as a quick fix or a permanent staple. This website is also great for those who may like costume jewelry but could never justify the cost, who love to play around with jewelry and who may be looking to build a jewelry collection.

Have you ever gone into a store and saw gorgeous costume jewelry and then you looked at the tag of $12.99 and your eyes bulged out? I don't know about you but if I am paying $12.99 for something, it had better be a shirt. My costume jewelry breaks on me. They are so delicate and can break within a couple wears no matter how gorgeous and well-made they look. So I think I get better return for my investment by using that money to buy clothing. Or, coming back to the store to buy the jewelry only when I have a special event coming up that I want to look great for.

Shopmissa.com solves this issue. This website has allowed me to try on all types of jewelry and has improved my look greatly. I have always wanted to be the girl who rocks the multiple rings and bracelet on both wrists, necklaces and pretty earrings. And with $5 bucks, I can lace myself in all of these items and create an awesome look!

Let's talk about the quality. I know that is where your mind goes first. Shopmissa's quality is honestly mixed. There are some products like especially their pearl products that look great (and not cheapy), have some weight to them (and not light and plastic feeling) and last for a while. You can not go wrong with some of their beaded jewelry like the colored beads or the metallic beads either. It's hard for those to look cheap because they look similar to any more expensive fashion jewelry.

It's when you get to the gold and silver jewelry, and particularly the necklaces, that it starts to *look* questionable. And I will make an important distinction that I learned. First, only some of the gold and silver necklaces will "look" cheap out of the package but when you put it on yourself, they actually have a reverse effect. They look quite expensive. I found this out by having my sister try on a necklace I worried looked cheap. She assured me that the necklace looked amazing on me. But it wasn't until I looked at the necklace on another person that I could see that she was right! It looked like something of value. A few pieces may look cheap but get a model to see what it really looks like.

Second, the potential for a cheapy look has more or less occurred with necklaces near exclusively (a couple times with bracelets too). But like I said, they may have a reverse effect when you actually put it on. I find that almost exclusively their rings always look like exceptional quality. Their rings are a great buy! Their earrings are always cute, and if you get one with rhinestones, you may create bling envy. Other great purchases with good quality on this website are bronzer, mascara, baked/cream eyeshadow and blush. These come with good textures and highly pigmented. I am in love with their headbands--they have beaded ones, infinity ones, yoga ones, bejeweled ones, leather ones, and even plenty of the ever-popular flower crowns! Another excellent purchase with exceptional quality are all of their 100% human hair eyelashes. You would be hard pressed to find human hair eyelashes anywhere for a dollar and they look absolutely gorgeous.

Finally, on quality: one or two pieces came chipped or broken, which saddened me. And it is especially difficult to return to them because they make you pay for shipping and handling, which totally defeats the purpose after you have already paid only a dollar for the product. They also seldom run out of a product before it is shipped and refund the money.

This is my brief introduction to the shopmissa.com website which illuminates the value of this site and the quality of their products. Over the recent months, I have literally spent over $200 on this website and I can speak to a variety of products. Overall, I love the site and I will be using it over time but I think I have established a good enough base collection for a lot of beauty supplies. I will be sharing these soon.

Please note that they update with new arrivals everyday. But only cosmetics ever get re-stocked, so if you see a piece of jewelry you like, get it before it's gone! Items do sell quickly. The only thing I wish they had were watches. Please bring watches, shopmissa.com! They do have a charm bracelet section which is the only section that costs $5. Shipping and handling is a flat $3.95 no matter how much you buy. If you want to get more bang for your buck, search 'sets' for rings, bracelets or earrings, or search for 'palettes' for eyeshadows. I once got a 9-ring set including midi rings for a $1! What value. Try it out.



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Lipstick is Jewelry II

Your best bet in trying out new colors is to look at cheaper brands. Brands like Wet N Wild, Jordana, Elf, Kleancolor and LA Colors retail in drugstores and dollar stores from $0.99 to $2.49. These are great deals for these lipsticks. Wet N Wild Megalast lipsticks is a personal favorite particularly for people starting out, but even beloved by makeup veterans because there is great color pay off and their colors have frequently been compared to MAC. There megalast brand has a semi-matte finish, which is a slightly drier, flatter appearance to tone down sheen.

However, I am more of a fan of Jordana and LA Colors. I find that LA Colors is superior for a cheap brand, but I find Jordana to be superior just for any type of brand. It must be noted that I have only tried LA Colors lip gloss and moisturizing lipsticks and I love, love, love them. My favorite LA Colors color is Frozen Berries, a deep, rich "royal" purple color. It's hard to find but it's a great find! What most people don't like, and I am shocked that I do like, is that these moisturizing lipsticks are a bit sheer. But yet it still has excellent color pay off. It glides on so smoothly and you have never been moisturized by a lipstick the way you will be moisturized by these lipsticks! Amazing! Other favorites of mine in the moisturizing lipstick collection for LA Colors is Luscious Wine (deep red), Dusty Rose (frosty light pink) and Cocoa Shimmer (dark brown with gold flecks). Adorbs.

Jordana lipsticks are just...yaaass. The exceptional texture, look, make, formula, range of color, color pay off, application, wear, variety, versatility...all for an amazing price. They retail between $1.49-$2.49. They have regular lipsticks, matter lipsticks and modern matte lipsticks (their newest collection). When I say these lipsticks are superior, I *mean* they are superior. If you order on jordanacosmetics.com, you get free shipping after $25 but you will pay like $7 otherwise for taxes,shipping and handling. Better to order them from beautyjoint.com that only has $2.37 for shipping and handling. And you may find a better availability of the colors. Some fan favorites are Matte Rouge, Geranium, Pink Passion, Plum Obsession and Lavendar Lady. (Also, the new modern matte collection is especially popular). There are tons of youtube videos on these lipsticks. I have only tried Matte Rouge out of these fan favorites, and I am in love. While it's not MAC, it's my back up for my Ruby Woo. I have purchased literally 30 or more of Jordana lipsticks and there are still colors I am dying to try. They have that much range on colors, it's ridiculous. And majority of the colors excite me especially because I know their lipstick formula feels comfortable, goes on excellently and looks amazing. The colors are vibrant and yet natural. I am a huge fan of the modern Matte It Girl, a purple color.  I also adore Pink Showstopper (light pink matte) and Poppy Pink (bright pink matte). I am waiting on some nude colors and more purple colors from their website. Excitement!

I am personally not as much a fan of Wet N Wild, although I find their Cherry bomb (brownish red), Sugar Plum Fairy (deep purple), Don't Blink Pink (bright pink), and Stoplight Red (bright blue-toned red) quite superior colors. I do not like the application because some of the colors get thick and clumpy as you apply. And while you get lots of color for each swipe (color pay off), I do not get too many colors that flatter my skin tone in this line. They are way too bright for my complexion. The four colors that I mentioned, with the exception of Don't Blink Pink, are darker bluer-toned or deep purple-toned lipsticks that are excellent on me.

Moreover, I do not like Elf lipsticks at all. While I can appreciate their colors and color range, the application and wear pretty much sucksss. Yes, sucks with three s's, or four if you count the first s. It's streaky. It bleeds. It clumps. It sits in the creases of my lips. It makes the skin of my lips peel. Even if a color is flattering on me (like the beautiful red color Fearless in their $0.99 collection), these lipsticks have the potential to ruin the texture of my lipsticks so bad that any lipstick that try on immediately afterwards, go on similarly. Fail.

Kleancolor is in-between for me. I pick up their products for $1 on shopmissa.com (a new favorite website of my mine).  This brand has an exceptional application. It literally glides on to your lips. I place this application even superior to MAC application. It's good if you are into nudes, pinks, reds and purples. But I have only tried their Everlasting lipstick brand. I did not try their Femme lipstick brand (with blues and yellows), which has mixed reviews online. What I wish is that their everlasting brand came matte. I love their red Garnet color but it has a bit of a sheen. I don't mind sheen-y lipsticks but I would love that color in matte. The only issue with Kleancolor for me is that I am not a huge fan of their colors. Garnet is their most in-your-face color, and these are the type of colors I like. Super vibrant. Dark, deep or rich. Blue-toned. I am sure it's great for others who enjoy more toned down colors.

I can't speak too much to how long this wear unfortunately because I am doing a lot of this underground for now until I am ready to sprout like a flower. I wear my lipsticks out here and there and I am outside for maybe a couple hours. Of course after 2 hours, they all are still pretty much on your lips. But in a while I will be out and about longer and I will update on wear.

Alternatively new lipstick lovers can go to the MAC stores, where lipsticks go for $16 per bottle. You can sample different colors of lipsticks there at the store. Or you can splurge on a $60 lip palette with your choice of colors. Online they are currently doing free shipping on all orders. So I psyche myself out and tell myself  "Oh, this is not *really* a $16 bottle; I am just paying $10 bucks for an excellent lipstick and $6 bucks for 'free shipping'"! Honestly, there is no lipstick brand better than MAC. Yes, the love for MAc is cultish. But it is sincerely well-deserved.  There may be more colors somewhere else, maybe a single solitary better color somewhere else, or even a nicer, smoother application or wear somewhere else, but no brand has the magic that solidifies everything that a lipstick should be in all their products consistently. The best-selling red lipstick is MAC's Ruby Woo. And Russian Red is another fan favorite. Ruby Woo is a retro matte, which is especially drying, but looks absolutely fantastic on any skin complexion--a perfect finish. I am waiting on Flat out Fabulous!

Go and try on jewelry for your lips!




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Lipstick is Jewelry

My latest obsession is lipstick. I have gone through many obsessions and this is just the latest. I will talk more about this later in my blog.

I am so drawn to lipsticks right now that it literally lowers my blood pressure and makes me feel happy and at ease no matter how stressed out I get with daily activities. Shopping for lipsticks on MACcosmetics.com, Jordanacosmetics.com, beautyjoint.com, cherryculture.com, walgreens.com or simply running to the local drugstore or dollar store to try on new lipsticks has been a slight...addiction. I am literally floating whenever I purchase a new color I am excited about!

It is quite exciting to be excited about something that I never thought I would be excited about. It feels like I am in an alternate reality. Like a video game. I feel brand-new. Like I have entered a new level. I feel as though I am about to enter into a new season in my life...and I am so ready!

As time goes on (and I get a better camera and lighting), I will display my ever-growing lipstick collection. Today I want to focus on a new mantra that I created: Lipstick is Jewelry.

Say it with me. Lipstick is Jewelry.

As I go through my beauty journey, I discover new things about all elements of beauty, and I will be sharing the new mottos I come up with as I explore.

The truth is, as I am discovering, is that lipstick can make your face pop. Lipstick can make your outfit pop. Lipstick can make your hairstyle pop. Lipstick can even make your eyes or your skin or your teeth pop. Now that I am really thinking about it, lipstick might be even *more* than jewelry.

It's all about finding the right color to match your skin complexion and your undertone.

(Pause. Didn't I sound pretty legitimate with that last statement? Shhh! I still have no clue whether I have a warm or cool undertone...but I intend to find out!)

Do not fail to try lipstick in its range of colors (purples, pinks, reds, oranges, browns, cherries, mauves, nudes, blues, yellows, etc). You may be surprised to find out which truly compliments you.

Now go out there and pop!



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My Story II

I spent most of my life looking at girls and wondering why they were so flawless. Granted, I knew they all had flaws but their outward appearance was so, for lack of a better term, BOSS. I always wanted to be a boss.

But to me, those girls were magical. They knew how to "wake up like this". Thus, I figured I would keep my nose in my books and allow their sprinkledust to carry them off to the ball while I stayed behind in the forest.

Indeed I was in the forest. Lost. When it came to beauty, I tried to put one foot in front of the other. And I was going nowhere, walking in circles. Reason being, I was doing it quite passively. There was no intention. No purpose, No drive. It was haphazard. No direction. No passion.

In between all my other interests in life--whether that be research, travel, spirituality--beauty took a back seat. All the way back. In the trunk. So while girls were getting prepared for a life of flawlessness as early as middle school when they played dress up, improving in high school when they played with makeup, solidifying their tastes as they blazed the runway that is a college campus and ultimately becoming the divas they are today, I was into reading. About everything. Except beauty apparently.

Beauty, as a topic, never showed up on my radar ironically even though it passively interested me. I would pick up makeup here and there. And by here and there I actually mean once in 4 years. In short, I only knew about foundation, lip gloss and eyeshadow (and only after college), and at any time I usually had only one of them on. Which I guess is not so bad. Yay me!

Shopping was never an adventure for me. It was a means to an end. In fact, I used to breeze through the mall and find nothing. That was because I never had an intention of what I was looking for. I had no clue then that some people go into the mall with an outfit(s) or picking up a staple in mind. The mall was a very uninteresting place to me. I was a bit of an anti-shopping snob. And I could never understand how people could spend hours at the mall.

Forever, I thought it was magic that made other women stand out. But now I know that this is an industry. This is a trade. There are tricks to the trade. This is an intention. This is passion. This is an obsession. Beauty is a paint job to blur out the imperfections and enhance the superior features. Beauty is where you are the canvass. Beauty is nature, taking care of your skin and hair with nature's treasures to create a flawless look even as you sleep.

And now on my beauty journey, I am taking action. Unlike before where I passively threw something (anything) together, I want to actively create a pulled-together look. I want to establish my style. In fact, I want to know my style. And I am so grateful that you all will be joining me on this journey.




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My Story

I was a raised in a family of 5 kids, and my mom and dad never really took us shopping for clothes. My mom would buy me really oversized clothing (possibly to make the clothing last). And I would hate every minute of it, yet there was no change. And thus, I think from there I developed a lack of taste for style. Since my initial interest in looking at least slightly better by wearing clothes that were not oversized was squashed, I think I conditioned myself not to care about my appearance.

Therefore, I was consumed by my number one interest then: reading. And there is nothing like reading to make you forget yourself and the world around you. So, I fell deeper into an abyss of not caring about my look so long as there was a book on earth.

Of course, my style and look greatly suffered as a result. I did not know it then but now I do. I wore a similar outfit with similar shoes almost everyday.

As a child, I wore a uniform to school even though it was not a school that wore uniforms. Growing up, I might have owned exactly one pair of jeans. I did not wear dresses and skirts, as a matter of taste then because I became a bit of a tomboy.

I usually had one to two pairs of shoes because that was how I grew up. I carried a backpack with me almost everywhere I went...I knew little about purses.

I might have known about lip gloss. But I vaguely remember carrying vaseline in aluminum foil to keep my lips moisturized.

I had terribly dry skin and I had no idea how to take care of it, and I did not ask either. I simply did not know how to take care of my hair whatsoever. I always felt neutral about hair and only prayed that my older sister would have time to help me fix it up.

I got my first job at the library at the age of 16, and then I began to finally have the opportunity to choose my own clothing. But I knew nothing about clothing: size, fit, style, etc. Because I grew up wearing rather large clothing which I did not like, by the time I could buy my own clothes I started wearing tight clothing. Most of my wardrobe was ill-fitting because I thought it was cute.

And for 10 years, I went on like this. Now it's my turn to fit me. Along the way, I did learn things about size, style and fit but it was not until I started my beauty journey late last year that I began to put all of this very basic knowledge together to make it work for me in what is to become my personal style.

Literally, the start of my beauty journey has mostly been underground--meaning, I have only started to play dress-up and play with makeup now but only in my bedroom. I have only brought it out piece-by-piece (like a lippie here and a new hairstyle there but not altogether yet) to the public a couple times. But I want to start making it consistent and pull my look together. My goal is a polished, classic, stunning look.

I have been studying beauty and fashion intensely for months now. Passionate. I am a student to the world of beauty.



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The Purpose of When Beauty Brings (out) the Bea(s)t

The mission of When Beauty Brings out the Beast is multiplicative. I am starting a beauty journey right now in my late 20s and I would like to bring you along for the trip. I finally feel like I am becoming who I am and who I am meant to be, and beautifying myself is like the gift wrap.

This journey prepares me for the next step in my life, in which I will have to step out and show myself. I would like to have the best presentation possible of myself. This will indeed be transformative for a little girl who once hated lipstick so much that she once told her mother that she would never, ever wear it. And now I own more lipstick than all my sisters and friends combined. A girl needs color, you know?

The title of this blog "When Beauty Brings (out) the Bea(s)t" holds a significant meaning to me. The use of the term "beast" is both positive and negative. In slang terms, being a "beast" can mean being the best at what one does (think Beyonce). (Ironically "beat" is slang for an awesome look). However, "beast" also refers to an ugly, scary creature. We all know that beauty can bring out both the best and the worst in ourselves and in one another. And thus, this blog will show both the positive and negative sides of personal, interpersonal and collective aspects of beauty and appreciating beauty in ourselves and in others.

This blog will follow me on my beauty journey--the ups and downs, the trials, successes and failures, and the experiences and opportunities. It will also speak generally to the topic of beauty and manners and how it impacts me personally and us as women. I will do product, brand and store reviews. I am interested in telling my story of how to look and feel great inside and out. I will also talk about how my other interests in life are related to my quest for beautifying myself. I hope to upload photos and videos for your viewing pleasure to really illuminate the journey as I go through it. Please do enjoy, comment and subscribe!