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.
*Enjoy, comment and subscribe!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
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.
*Enjoy, comment, subscribe!
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.
*Enjoy, comment, subscribe!
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.
*Enjoy, comment, subscribe!
Saturday, March 28, 2015
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.
*Enjoy, comment, subscribe!
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.
*Enjoy, comment, subscribe!
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.
*Enjoy, comment, subscribe!
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.
*Enjoy, comment, subscribe!
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.
*Enjoy, comment and subscribe!
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.
*Enjoy, comment and subscribe!
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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.
*Enjoy, comment and subscribe!
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.
*Enjoy, comment and subscribe!
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