Monthly Favorites: July 2015

Good Afternoon!

Today I would like to share a few of my favorites from this past month, some of which will not be a surprise if you have read my previous posts over the past few weeks. This month, I have a few products and videos that I loved and would love even more to share with you. So let’s get into it shall we.

PRODUCTS

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief moisturizer.

This product has left my skin feeling so moisturized and plump. I never knew what a good moisturizer was until I discovered this. It is pricey, but it is worth the price tag in my opinion.

Clinique All About Shadow Single Shadow in Black Honey (as a bronzer).

I wouldn’t have thought to use this as a bronzer until the nice woman working in Ulta suggested it to me. After I told her my troubles of finding a bronzer for dark skin, she showed me this and it changed my life. Finally, I can add life and depth to my face and keep it from looking so flat.

The final three are three that I have raved about countless times, so here are the blog posts for those!

Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick in Restless

Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Sugar Scrub

Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Emerald Sparkle (250)

VIDEOS

Ombre Sunset Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial by Jaclyn Hill

5 Favorite Outfits: July by Amelia Liana

I watch YouTube videos nonstop, but those are the two that really stuck out to me this month.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend and that August brings you lots of joy and good vibes. See you in the next one!

The Morning After Detox: Skincare and Makeup Recover for a Rough Night

Good afternoon!

This post was inspired after, to be blunt, having an extremely bad hangover and also having a sad night. When recovering from a hangover or a sad night, I like to take some time to indulge in things that will help my skin and body recover.

The best way to lift your mood after a rough night is to put on a good playlist or radio station. I either like to use Grouplove Pandora or 90’s Pop and Alternative Pandora. Either one makes me so happy that I can’t help but dance and sing along. Next, you have to add some life back to your skin. Bringing life back to my skin is a four step process: cleanse, detox mask, toner, and moisturizer.

SKINCARE AND SHOWER

My go to cleanser and toner are the Body Shop Vitamin E Cleanser and Toner. My detox mask is a new purchase that I will be writing a review on soon. It’s the Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask. I like to add that to my face and let it sit for about ten minutes while I hop in the shower. 

In the shower, I like to use a fragrance that makes me happy, so therefore I will chose anything apple scented. These Bath and Body Works products smell amazing and fill the shower with an amazing scent that just fills my heart with joy. After the showering and cleaning the mask off of my face, I like to follow up with my toner and my new Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief moisturizer. After doing this, my face feels refreshed and awake.

MAKEUP AND HAIR

As for makeup, I always like to go for something light, but something that makes my skin look refreshed and happy. I rarely wear contacts after a rough night, so I always do a minimal but brightening eye look since I will most likely be wearing my glasses. Contacts are rough on my eyes and I only wear them for special occasions or big night outs. After using a light base of Complexion Rescue, I use my BareMineralsStroke of Light Eye Brightener that literally highlights under my eyes and makes me look so awake and well rested. You cannot even tell that I can was up all night and did not have a good night’s sleep.

Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of my concealer.
But it has been featured in older blog posts and I will link to those.

Something that always cheers me up is using a new product that I have recently purchased. A big purchase that I made recently was the new Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette. I have been using this palette all weekend to make dramatic or every day looks. I also love using my Kendall Jenner lipstick because a bold lip just makes me feel like I tried.

Recently, I have taken up wearing wigs because it is so easy to get ready with them. I pull my hair back under a wig cap and throw on my favorite wig to make me look like I put so much effort into my hair. It looks really nice and natural.

Finally, throw on your favorite outfit and take on the world! It is easy to stay in bed and wallow in sadness or sickness, but sometimes you have to get up and get out. Doing this always helps me to feel so much better about going out after a rough night. How do you like to get refreshed after a rough night?

I hope everyone is having a lovely day and I will see you Wednesday for a new post!

Products used:

The Body Shop Vitamin E Facial Cleanser and Toner

Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask

Bath & Body Works American Apple Shea and Vitamin E Shower Gel

Bath & Body Works Winter Candy Apple Sparkling Snowflake Scrub

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief moisturizer

Elf Studio Eye Refresh

The Body Shop All-In-One InstaBlur Primer

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue in Chestnut

BareMineral’s Stroke of Light Eye Brightener in Luminous 4

Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Deep

Clinique All About Shadow Single Shadow in Black Honey (as a bronzer)

the Balm Instain Blush in Swiss Dot

Urban Decay Naked Smokey Palette (Combust, Whirlpool, Thirteen, and High)

Tarte Gifted Amazonia Clay Smart Mascara

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

Something For Myself: My Decision to Have Breast Augmentation Surgery

2009, 2009, 2015, 2014, 2014

Plastic surgery is often looked down upon as something people have when they are shallow or filled with self-loathing. People think that you do not love yourself if you want to change yourself, but I have never thought that way. In my opinion, if you have something about yourself that you do not like and you have the means to change that, why not change it? This is why I have decided to go forth with the process to have breast augmentation surgery.

A very sweaty me at the Sweetlife Music and Food Festival this year. I'm braless if you can't tell. (2015)

I have struggled with my appearance for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was little, I have just been extremely tiny and have never really grown much since middle school. I’ve been around the same height, weight, and shape for my entire life; extremely thin and lanky with no curves. I would sit and wonder when my boobs would come in, but they never did. I got picked on a lot by other people and still often do about the size of my boobs. Sometimes I play along, but other times it hurts my feelings and I hate being the butt of a joke daily.

Me, last year, at an Ed Sheeran concert (2014)

I am recently learning to love myself as I am, but I do not feel that I should be stuck with a body that I am not fond of just because society tells me that I’m perfect the way I am and I should love myself as is. I don’t feel perfect, so I should have the ability to change the things that I do not like. However, I don’t want people to think that I am doing this for the wrong reasons. I am not doing this for superficial reasons except for the mere satisfaction of waking up and liking what I see when I look in the mirror. I do not want to be defined by my boobs. I believe that I will still be the same old Keyerra, just with slightly bigger boobs who is happier about her body.

Me on Halloween two years ago (2013)

I have wanted this procedure for years, but never took the initiative to do any research or meet with surgeons until recently. I have met with a surgeon and am planning on meeting with others to find the perfect one and set my date. This is a journey that will be very long and I know that not everyone will be happy with my decision or support me. I am not asking anyone to. This is something that I am doing for myself and anyone’s objections are not a concern of mine.

If you are going or have gone through this process, I would love to hear your stories, feedback, or advice. Any help would be appreciated. Also, if you are thinking about going through this process, I would love to talk about this with someone who can relate to what I am going through. Thank you for reading about this personal journey for me and I cannot wait to keep you posted with information as it comes. I will be back on Monday with a new post to share!

Have a lovely weekend!

The Ultimate Lady's Razor:The 4X Razor by Dollar Shave Club

Being a lady can be expensive, especially when it comes to shaving. It is not uncommon to hear women complain about how razors designed specifically for women are so much more expensive than men’s razors. I recently started using men’s razors instead of women’s razors to cut down on cost, but it still ended up burning a hole in my wallet. After seeing the countless ads for Dollar Shave Club pop up on my Facebook Newsfeed, I figured I might as well give it a shot and decided to try it out.

With some research, I decided to order the 4X which would cost $6 a month. There are two other razors you can choose from, but I thought that that would be the perfect one for me. When you first purchase, you get the razor and four cartridges then you will receive four cartridges monthly for a six dollar fee. I also decided to purchase the Shave Butter because I wanted to see how that product would work for my sensitive legs. My skin is very sensitive and is prone to break outs on my legs if I use certain products. I will never forget the Nair scare when my legs turned bright red for a week while I was on vacation and all I had were shorts and skirts. Anyways, my total after purchasing the razor and Shave Butter was $14, which is completely unheard of when purchasing razors. Normally my razors alone are around $14 so I could definitely see how this was a money saver.

When my package arrived, I was very excited to try my new razor out. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos of my unboxing, but it arrived in a small brown box with pamphlets for directions and information about the product. The razor was heavy and the blades were in a compact brown sleeve. It was very minimal and professional. No BS, just how I like it.

My legs a day after being shaved. They're still smooth and there is no irritation like I normally feel after shaving.

I will share some TMI with you, because I want to be honest about this review. You need to know this so you can understand why I call this the Ultimate Lady Razor: I do not shave often. If I shave, I normally will just shave my legs from the knee down and my pits. I’m hella single, so I don’t feel stressed about shaving above the knee or other areas because no one is going to see that. Also, my legs can feel very irritated after shaving and often hurt. I decided to put this razor to the test and do a full body shave. Most times that I decide to do a full body shave, it takes two sessions. This razor was able to give me a completely hairless and smooth body in one session without having to replace the cartridge. The cartridge was completely clean after leaving me with the closest and smoothest shave I have ever received. I would recommend this razor to anyone who is looking to invest in a quality razor while also saving a lot of money on cartridges. I am so excited to shave now because I know that it will not be a hassle.

The Shave Butter was also very nice on my skin. The smell is that of subtle men’s cologne which I actually enjoy because it pairs well with my Eucalyptus Spearmint sugar scrub that I use. Exfoliating after shaving is another key helping to ensure a nice, smooth shave.

If you do decide to try Dollar Shave Club out, let me know what you think about it. Until then, have a lovely day and I’ll be back Wednesday with another post!

The Great Destressor: Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Sugar Scrub

It is no secret that I suffer from anxiety. I do not take medicine for it for personal reasons, but I have learned to cope in my own way. My friend recommended this shower gel from the Bath & Body Works’ Aromatherapy range for stress relief and I loved it, so naturally I decided to branch out and try new products. Bath & Body Works’ Aromatherapy line has amazing products that are formulated for certain needs with scents that are calming and soothing.  I reached for the Eucalyptus Spearmint Sugar Scrub for stress relief and immediately fell in love with the overpowering scent of the product. It smelled like what I imagined the man of my dreams smelling like, so naturally I wanted to smell like that.

This sugar scrub is definitely a favorite of mine; so much so that I have already repurchased another tub. I also went and purchased the bubble bath and lotion. The Eucalyptus Spearmint Sugar Scrub is not too hard on your body and the sugar comes coated in an oil so moisturizing that it instantly leaves a smooth and soft feeling to the skin. It adds a layer of the moisturizing oil directly to your skin as you use the scrub so you are instantly adding moisture back to the skin while showering.

Does this relieve stress, you may ask? I believe it does. By following the instructions and taking deep breaths and inhaling the product while in the shower, I have noticed that I have been having an easier time falling asleep and sleeping much better and deeper. I feel relaxed before bed and it is so much easier to wind down after I shower with this product. However, that is only my experience with it and I cannot tell you how it will work with your body.

I had to share my love with my friends on snapchat so they could understand grand this product is and I hope by sharing this with you, you can maybe find something new to love!

Summery Coral Lip: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick in Restless

It is no secret that I absolutely adore Kendall Jenner. So when I found out that she had collaborated with Estée Lauder and released an exclusive, limited edition lip color, I screamed “Take my money!” and purchased it immediately.

The shade is called Restless and it is described on the website as “Part poppy. Part orange crush. All matte.” It is an absolutely gorgeous matte coral color that is so pigmented and moisturizing that it has been hard for me not to wear this every day. The lipstick comes in a signature Estée Lauder case with Kendall Jenner’s signature on the lid in coral, adding to my love of this lipstick. Many of my friends have gazed at me with wide emoji eyes as I told them the amount that I paid, but I feel as though the price stamp is definitely worth it.

Swatch of Restless

This is my first Estée Lauder lipstick, and the formulation blew me away. I absolutely love matte lipstick because I am not much of a fan of gloss or shine, but some matte formulations are hard to wear. Although this lipstick is matte, it doesn’t leave my lips dry and flaking like some matte lipsticks I own. My favorite thing about this lipstick, however, is not the formula. It is the satisfaction I get from the magnetic closure of the lid. Sometimes, I just open it to feel the magnetic closure and have my spirits lifted.

Straight from the bullet with red lip liner

Being a woman of color, I know that some bright lipsticks are hard to pull off. When I first swatched this shade, I was kind of scared to wear it out because I felt it was too bright. I tried it with a red liner and applying it straight from the bullet and I loved that, but I soon discovered that my favorite way to wear this is by patting it on the lips, blending it out with my fingertips, and slowly building up the color. The staying power is amazing and the pigmentation, as I mentioned earlier, is stunning. This has been my go to shade for the past few weeks and will continue to be my go to for the rest of the summer.

Patted on the lips with my finger. This is how it stayed throughout a day of shopping.

My New Pop Of Color On The Lid

I have always been one to shy away from color on the eyes. For the longest time, the most color I would do would be a muted pink on my eyelids, but recently I had a desire to branch out and experiment with more color. This is a goal of mine for the year. I have gotten so used to my makeup routine, so I am trying to bring more life into my makeup routine and switch it up every so often.

My new favorite pop of color for the lid has to be my Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in the shade Emerald Sparkle (250). It is so gorgeous on the lids, especially if you have brown eyes and/or a darker skin tone. The turquoise shade sits beautifully on the lid and the sparkle is just enough to make you look awake without looking overdone. I love popping this on when running errands, going to work, or grabbing dinner and drinks with friends.

Swatch of Emerald Sparkle

The formulation of this eye liner is amazing. It glides on very smooth with absolutely no drag and is very pigmented on the lid. The color absolutely pops, especially when I wear my glasses. I am a lazy gal when it comes to my makeup products, so this self-sharpening eye pencil is amazing for a girl on the go. I would recommend this eye pencil for anyone who is looking to add a pop of color to their look without going overboard.

It also looks great with a pop of color on the lips as well. I have tried wearing this look with a purple lip and a coral lip (below)  and the results were grand! I can’t wait to try more liners from this Rimmel range because if they are all formulated as well as this eyeliner, I will definitely be loving them.

Top 5 Life Changing Products

I got into the makeup game pretty late because I always felt like makeup didn’t work for me. I had a hard time finding the right products that gave me the “WOW!” factor and it was pretty disappointing buying a product only to end up being very let down by it. However, these five products made me believe that there was hope for a girl like me struggling to learn about makeup and how to make it work for her.

I’ll show you how each of these products have helped me to create a great go-to makeup look. Any other products that I have used, I will mention at the end but the main focus is these life-changing five products.

Bare faced and ready to go!

bareMineral’s Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

I got this product in the sampler back in 2009. I successfully made it last for a while because a little bit goes a long way with this baby and contrary to popular belief, I don’t wear makeup every day. I loved how it made my skin look so effortless, airbrushed, and FLAWLESS. I always got compliments on my skin because it evened everything out and just added such a lift to my dull skin. I solely use bareMinerals’ foundations because they do such a wonder for my skin. It’s so lightweight that it literally looks and feels like you’re wearing nothing on your skin and it just looks like your skin but better.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

Do I need to explain? Never have I had nice looking brows until I tried this. I tried pomades, but they made my brows look too fake and dark. This pencil adds the perfect amount of color to make my eyes look bold but natural. I have also never had my eyebrows done (waxed, threaded, plucked, etc.) so it is easy for me to fake a tamed looking brow now.

Foundation and Brows

e.l.f. Essential Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer in Sheer

Never did I know that eyeshadow could look glorious on my skintone before using this primer. I always had the problem of shadows never looking pigmented enough, but when I swipe this baby across my lid it really changed my confidence in wearing eyeshadow. Eyeshadow primer is a must, especially because I recently discovered that I have oily eyelids. You should have seen that creasing! I’m never going without my primer again.

e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeliner in Black

This product taught me how to do my winged eyeliner to the highest of fleek. Did I use that right? I don’t really care if I did or not because that’s how I feel about how my eyeliner looked. This liner has great staying power and I miss using it every day like I used to. I was never a liquid liner person so I tried this gel liner and it really helped me learn to do a feline flick. Also this liner is three dollars so how can you not try this liner to learn to do a feline flick?

Eyes primed and my gel liner on

MAC Lip Liner in Chestnut

I finally got my first MAC lipstick last year maybe and I absolutely loved it. It was in the shade Touch, but the thing that made me love it the most was the lip liner I used. I was solely using my Chestnut liner with the Touch lipstick, but then I had a brilliant idea; why not pair this liner with other lipsticks that are a little too light that you wasted money on Keyerra? Low and behold my favorite lipstick pairings were born. This lip liner has changed how I feel about nude lipsticks. It had helped me to create great lipstick looks without looking like my lips are made of ash. I always get compliments when I pair Chestnut with my Laura Mercier lipstick mentioned in this post. It is the perfect nude.

Lined the outer rim of my lips and it looks a little weird.

And this is the finished look. These products have really shaped the way I do my makeup and give me a really fresh looking face. My love for beauty has really grown because I found products that have helped me make makeup work for me and my style and that is a very important thing I feel.

Other products used:

The Body ShopAll-In-One InstaBlur Primer

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue in Chestnut

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer in Dark

L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Plumper in Medium to Dark

Clinique All About Shadow Single Shadow in Black Honey (as a bronzer)

the Balm Instain Blush in Swiss Dot

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette  (Limit, Nooner, and Blackheart)

Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Spiced Rose

I'm a Terrible Person

I have neglected my blog for far too long, but I am back and am taking my blog in a slightly new direction.  I felt so uninspired, but I realized that you have to make your own inspiration. I love makeup and talking about it makes me happy, so I will continue to just talk about the things that I love.

This means more posts. I am going to post every Monday and Wednesday because once a week was not enough. I got too lazy posting once a week, so I will be more motivated to post more than once. I want to grow with this blog and build my skills, not just with beauty, but with blogging, communicating, and being open. I want to share this love of mine with so many others who share the same love that I do. I'm excited to be back to this after that long month off.