Fifteen of my Favorite Feelings

If have not seen the video, “Fifteen of my Favourite Feelings,” by Estée Lalonde, I would highly recommend watching it. It is one of my favorite videos of hers because it is so positive and really focuses on things that make you feel at your best self. I was inspired by this video to list fifteen of my favorite feelings and moments that put me in a positive mood, no matter how small or quirky they may be.

WARM COFFEE OR HOT CHOCOLATE ON A COLD, WINTER MORNING

I work in the same office with my mother and we arrive at work very early in the morning. I love having a warm cup of coffee or a hot chocolate to start the day when it is chilly. When she surprises me with a cup of coffee, it puts me in such a good mood that I feel like I can start the day with a clear head and not focusing on how much I despise cold weather.

LOUNGING AROUND IN MY PINK, FLUFFY ROBE

Don’t you have that one article of clothing that makes you feel complete when you are wearing? For me, that is my fluffy pink robe. As obnoxious as I look when I am wearing it, it is my favorite item to wear when I need that extra boost of comfort.

Arriving at home after a long day

I recent months, I have been making an effort to go out and do more; especially since those who I have been surrounding myself with lately would rather be out of the house than lounging around. That is definitely what I need and I absolutely love the feeling of going out and seeing more than my computer screen, however, my bed still feels amazing and I love laying in it after a long day.

Clean makeup brushes

I am terrible at washing my makeup brushes and I know it. It is definitely a habit that I need to do more because the feeling of clean makeup brushes on your skin is something that you cannot recreate anywhere. I have not been wearing makeup lately, but I did just wash my brushes so the next time I decide to put on a full face of makeup, my skin will be in for a treat.

Saying “I love you,” and hearing it in return

The phrase “I love you” is one that is often overused and thrown around. Saying it can leave you feeling vulnerable and open to hurt, so allowing yourself to say that and hearing the one you love say it back can lead to an overwhelming feeling of happiness.

Holding hands

My heart smiles when our fingers intertwine. Something about holding hands puts my mind at ease and just brings be back down to earth.

Broken in shoes

New shoes are great, but new shoes can also be very uncomfortable if you are wearing them for the first time for an extended period of time. The minute those shoes are broken in, you enter a new dimension. You can conquer the world because it feels like those shoes were made specifically for your feet.

being genuinely appreciated

I love telling the people that I love how much I love and appreciate them because I know that it has a positive impact on their mood. Hearing that in return instantly brightens up my day. All of the hard work, love, energy, and time that I put into any task, job or relationship that I have does not need to be acknowledged by anyone, but it is nice when it is.

Driving with the windows down and the music blasting

Screaming my favorite songs at the top of my lungs into the summer breeze extends sunshine from the sky to my soul.

A moment of steady breathing after an anxiety attack

Living with depression and anxiety can be a struggle. You have your good days and you have your bad days. Sometimes, you have even worse than bad days. The moment of clarity, where your heart slows to a normal rate, when you can breathe again, when you can smile again…that is a feeling that nothing can touch. You’ve made it through and you know that better days are coming.

Waking up next to the one I love

Opening my eyes and seeing the one I love, still sleeping and snoring, puts a smile on my face first thing in the morning. I love it and I always feel so lucky.

Cuddles from pooches

Is there anything better than dogs? No. So cuddling with my favorite dogs and telling them how much I love them brings me so much joy. Seeing the look on their beautiful faces makes me smile and talk in baby talk that is despised by so many. I don’t care though and will continue to do it until my last breath.

Laughing ridiculously hard with my best friends who I have known for years

I have some of the best friends. I have known this wonderful group of ladies and one gentleman for years, some since elementary school. Many of my best memories are because of these wonderful people and I love and appreciate every moment that I get to spend laughing with them. I cannot imagine a life without them and I don’t wish to. I feel lucky to have friends like this in my life because some don’t get to have that.

Happy endings for my favorite fictional characters

Like many people who have their favorite shows and characters, it is a lovely feeling when they get their happy ending complete with their success and love. It feels like you had some part in their success because you had been rooting for them all along and they finally got what you felt they rightfully deserved. Pat yourself on the back because you helped them reach their full potential. you did that.

And finally, taking off my bra!

Do I really need to explain this one?

I could go on about my favorite feelings, but these were the fifteen that stuck out to me at the time. These definitely help me to feel like I am at my best self. What are some of your favorite feelings? I'd be interested in hearing them.

Finding a Skincare Routine for Me: Updated Skincare Routine

I have always struggled to find a skincare routine that felt like it was working for me. It took a lot of me learning about my skin, trial and error, and discovering my skin type. I am lucky that I do not have to deal with blemishes or acne scaring. My skin, however, is very dry; dry to the point where if I do not immediately put on moisturizer, the area around my mouth will turn ashy. It is a problem that I deal with every winter and it has been a frustrating experience to deal with.

Recently, I changed my skincare routine and people have definitely noticed a difference. I have gotten many compliments on how healthy and glowing my skin looks and it is all thanks to my No. 7 Skincare items, Mario Badescu facial spray, and my Paul Mitchell Marula Oil Treatment that I have been using for the past few months.

For my every day routine, I stick with four key products: No7 Beautiful Skin Melting Gel Cleanser, Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater, Paul Mitchell Marula Oil Treatment in the light formula, and my No7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream.

These four products have really made an improvement on my skin. The gel cleanser starts as a gel and then turns into an oil as you rub it into your skin, adding moisture while removing any buildup that may have accumulated through the day. The facial spray just adds a refreshing boost of moisture that I can continue to use throughout the day if I feel my skin is getting dry. I keep a mini version in my purse if I need it on the go. The No7 Day Cream is a great moisturizer that I use for day or night because it really helps to add the finishing touches on sealing in the moisture that I put back into my face.

The Marula Oil was a surprising product that I recently started using, since I had originally purchased it for my hair. I was using it on my extensions to give my curls a boost without having to curl my hair again and it worked really well. However, when I took my extensions out, I felt like it was too light of a formulation for my transitioning hair. I started using it on my face right before I put on my moisturizer and it just really helped to lock in moisture that I felt like I had been losing during the winter months.

Two other products that I use when I need a little something extra are the No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator and Hydration Mask. The exfoliator is great at exfoliating my skin and helping to bring back brightness after a long week. I use it once a week to get any dead skin cells or impurities that have built up over the week. The mask is a wonderful mask that really helps to add an extra boost of moisture for my really dry skin days. The texture is something that you would need to get used to, as it kind of feels like glue when you apply it to your face; however, it does an excellent job at retaining moisture.

They have really helped me out during the winter months! Here is a makeup free selfie to show you how great it is!

 I really suggest trying some of these products if you have really dry skin like I do and see how they work for you. 

A Re-Introduction Of Sorts

Hello. It’s been so long, you probably forgot who I am. Well, let me reintroduce myself in case you forgot.

I’m Keyerra and I am the 25 year-old, still learnin’, just wingin’ it (everything but my eyeliner) Key behind So This Is The Key.

These past few months have been very rough. I was given an ultimatum and essentially forced into quitting my job, which led me to getting two jobs to compensate for the loss of my job. My bills fell behind and I was extremely depressed, so my blog sadly fell to the back burner. While I took this time off, I worked on myself and tried to get inspiration for different projects, blog posts, and an eventual YouTube channel that I had wanted to start for a while. I have learned so many things and met so wonderful people these past few months that have inspired and driven me to be my better self. Turning 25 has made me want to take the plunge to do things that I have always wanted to do; traveling, finishing school, moving out of Maryland, and anything that I want to set my mind to. I want this blog to be so much more than beauty. I want it to showcase my growth and how I plan on taking more chances and doing more with life than sitting behind a computer screen wishing for so much more.

I am so excited to revamp this blog and to launch my YouTube channel as a fun outlet to my hectic life. So, now that I’ve introduced myself to you, I cannot wait to take on this new journey.

Mini Hiatus

So some things have happened that I need to attend to so there will be a mini haitus from the blog. After I get things situated I will be back with full force. It's been a rough couple of days and I am trying to get back on track. 

Wishing everyone the best!

Just Call Me Dionne: 90’s Inspired Makeup Look Featuring Naked Smoky

Good Afternoon!

This weekend, I rocked this makeup look and god so many compliments on it while I was at work that I wanted to recreate it for a post! I have been obsessed with the Naked Smoky palette and my ColourPop Ultra Matte Lipsticks lately. The smoky neutrals and bold dark lip colors make me crave autumn so badly that I find myself just doing fall makeup looks regardless of if I am melting outside. This is a very easy makeup look that combines shimmery shadows with matte lips and a nice winged liner. I hope you enjoy!

For my base, I have been doing the same routine that I normally do, but for this look I used my Urban Decay Naked Skin concealer to highlight under my eyes, down my nose and t-zone, on my cupid’s bow, and on my chin. This concealer is great for really brightening up my face and making me look more awake.

The eyeshadow look is so simple for a nice neutral smoky eye look. I love the shades in the Naked Smoky palette so much and I feel like you can do so much with this palette because of the versatility. I started by using Combust (a matte tan shade) as a transition color all over my lid. Then I used Dirtysweet (a shimmery goldish tan shade) all over the lid over Combust. In my crease I used Radar (a shimmery dark gold shade) to add depth to my eyes. In my outer corner and on my lower lashline, I used Whisky (a matte chocolate brown shade) to give that beautiful smoky look. Whisky is my absolute favorite shade and the reason I keep picking this palette up every time I do my makeup. It is the most beautiful chocolate brown that I have ever seen. Finally, to highlight the inner corners of my eyes, I used High (a shimmery pale peach shade).

Winged liner is not my strong suit, but with practice I have been able to make a liner routine that works for me. Using my Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, I draw a little triangle in the outer corner to make the wing, and then fill it in only to the middle of my eye. Then using a black kohl liner, I draw the rest of the line in and also fill in my upper water line to make my lashes look thicker. I followed that up with the Benefit Roller Lash mascara, using the wand upside down because that is the only way I like to use that mascara.

When I make mistakes with my winged liner, the quickest way for me to correct it is to grab my Simple Micellar Water and a Q-Tip and wipe away the problem area. It is the fastest way to correct the problem while keeping your makeup intact, so don’t fret over those little liner mistakes!

Last but certainly not least, I finished the look with my ColourPop Ultra Matte Lipstick in Limbo to give that perfect 90’s lip color. All I need is a pair of Doc Martens and flannel to really set the 90’s mood.

This look is a perfect look to transition into the fall weather and even into winter. I cannot wait to continue to rock this in the upcoming months. I hope you enjoyed this post and have a wonderful day and I will see you Wednesday with a new post!

Matte Lip Madness: ColourPop Ultra Matte Lipsticks

Mars, Tulle, Creeper, Limbo, Zipper, LAX (left to right)

Good Afternoon!

I had been looking for a new brand of affordable lipsticks to try out because, as much as I love my high end makeup, I cannot always afford to shell out the money for those products. I decided to get my hands on the Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipsticks as soon as they came in stock. I tried to grab colors that I knew I would wear and would work on my darker skin tone. I know what colors will work for my complexion and try to avoid bright or lighter colors that will make me look washed out. I picked six colors, valued at six dollars apiece, which brought my total to $36. That was not a bad price for lipsticks in my opinion, seeing as though I shelled out a nice chunk of change for the Esteé Lauder lipstick. I chose mostly colors that I would wear in fall since the seasons will soon be changing and I tend to wear more lipsticks in the fall and winter than summer. Each color was unique, which I loved and I cannot wait to play around with them.

Zipper, Mars, Creeper, Tulle, Limbo, LAX (left to right) 

IN DEPTH OF THE SIX SHADES

Tulle was my second favorite of the lip colors that I tried. I loved this shade as soon as I saw it on the website. When I saw it swatched, I immediately thought that it would make a lovely peachy nude color that wasn’t too brown. The pink undertones make it look so feminine and perfect for a simple, girly, natural makeup look for an everyday face. The lipstick applied very smooth, the smoothest of the six and was the least patchy. Since it was so similar to my natural lip color, I was not able to really tell if you could see my natural lip color underneath.

Limbo was my absolute favorite of the lip colors that I purchased. In the tube, it looks like a light brown, but it applied to a deep, chocolate brown as soon as it hits the lips. I was initially shocked when it came out of the tube so dark and I thought I had grabbed the wrong lipstick, but it was really that dark and I was so enamored by the color. It applied with no patches and left an even distribution of product across the lips. One coat worked fine for me to get that intense, dark, matte brown color.

Mars was my least favorite of the six, simply because bright pink is already out of my comfort zone. It applied patchy it took multiple coats for me to get a visible color in the center of my lip. I felt like it kept wiping away every time my bottom lip touched my top lip.

Creeper was a shade that I felt you will need a liner for because, like Mars, it took multiple coats to get a visible color in the center of the lip.

Zipper was the shade that I had the highest hopes for because it reminded me of Heroine by MAC. This was my second least favorite of the six because the color payoff was not as high as I anticipated. It applied really patchy and took a lot of coats for it to look purple. I showed a picture to my friend and she said she liked it because it gave a fuschia ombré effect to the lip, which is nice, but I was really looking forward to the bright purple lip.

Last, but not least, LAX was the shade that I got the most compliments on. I kept it on for a few hours to see how it lasted and it lasted a very long time. No wear, unless I went to drink something and my lips got wet, but even then it wasn’t too bad of wear. LAX was buildable and bold, which I like in a lipstick and it did not leave my lips feeling too dry. I really liked this color a lot and felt it would look amazing in the fall.

Overall, I liked the lipsticks because I feel like when paired with a good liner, they will do wonders. I would recommend them to anyone under that condition only. The staying power for these lipstick was insane. Once they dried, they were completely matte and were not going anywhere. There was no clinging to dry patches, which I find happens with a lot of matte shades. They were pigmented, if you built them up to be and lasted for awhile. Getting them off was a struggle though, so I recommend that if you are to wear one of these shades, you should be positive that it is the one you want to wear all day and are willing to take the time to remove at night.

 I can’t wait to see what makeup looks I can create around these colors. Thanks for reading and I will see you next week with a new post!

Rough Morning to Great Day: How I Feel Better After Waking Up In A Funk

This morning I woke up feeling sick, tired, and really down. I had been having a bad weekend because of my anxiety and I just felt exhausted from the stress. Then I started thinking of things that I did not like about myself and I stopped and wondered, why am I doing this? I need to get out of this funk and boost my self-esteem and my mood. Here are some tips for how I get myself out of a bad morning and into a happy day.

Have a personal mantra.

On days where I feel like it’s going to be a bad day, I try to not fulfill the self-fulfilling prophecy of a bad day and repeat to myself “I’m going to have a good day.” Lots of people think that I am joking when I do this, but it really gets me through days that are stressful. Saying that to myself helps me to not make a big deal about little things that go wrong and look at the big picture. This is a good day because I’m still alive, I’m still healthy, and I have people who love me.

List two physical traits you love about yourself and three mental/emotional traits you love about yourself.

I love my eyes. I love my weird chicken pox scar on my cheek. I love that I am creative. I love that I am passionate about my relationships with my loved ones. I love that I am a survivor.

Reminding yourself about the things you love about yourself can really help you to not focus on the negative and see how great of a person you are.

Do a project that makes you happy.

For me, cleaning out and organizing my closet is a Zen experience. I work in retail as a merchandiser, so I love to organize clothes and make presentations out of clothing. Some days, tackling my wardrobe and makeup collections really help me to stay calm and collected when I feel like the world is crashing in. Then I can take the items that I know I am never going to wear and donate them to someone who could use them. It’s a good way to give back while also helping you to calm down.

Talk to someone who makes you smile.

I have wonderful people in my life that can lift me up whenever I am feeling down. Knowing who to talk to that will help get you through a rough day can help you feel like everything is going to be okay. Realizing that they love you and do not see you as a burden may be hard, but obviously if they are here and are helping you then they care and want to see you feel better.

Splurge on something.

I say splurge in a loose sense. I do not mean spend a ton of money on something, but if you want to spend the day playing the Sims or watching Netflix, splurge on that. If you want to eat your favorite meal that you know isn’t the healthiest but it makes you happy, splurge on that. If you want to buy yourself a present that is a little pricey, but you can afford it and it will not cause you to be broke or prevent you from attending to responsibilities, splurge on that. You deserve something nice every once in a while and you deserve to be happy.

Today is going to be a day of projects and splurging and I am already feeling better thinking about it. I hope everyone is having a lovely day and I will be back on Wednesday with a new post for you!