An update!

As some of you may or may not know, I had my beautiful baby boy Elliott in July!!! He has been such a blessing and has occupied much of my time, as I'm sure most of you new moms/or just moms in general are all too familiar with! Now that he's a bit older though, I wanted to return from my hiatus and get back on here beauty blogging! I really have missed it, and although my reviews/updates will probably be a bit more sporadic I'm really going to try to update as frequently as possible.


I wanted to review a couple things that I've purchased recently; all of which are really light on the pocketbook, which I love! So let's get on with it!

Wet N' Wild Mega Last Matte Lipstick
I have been in the market for a good, matte, longwearing lip color for a really long time. I've tried the MAC Longwear, which I liked at first, but then it just seemed to emphasize the dryness in my lips and the price wasn't too budget friendly. I've also tried their Pro Longwear Lip Creme which I really like although it doesn't really have a ton of staying power. It's kind of a tradeoff; the color is better and doesn't make my lips look as dry but it doesn't stay really matte or on for a long period of time. If only I could find a product that did all those things in one! I was strolling through the drugstore a few days ago and saw this product. For only about $3, I figured it was worth a try. It was way less expensive than the other longwear lipsticks by Revlon, Maybelline, or the like so I took the chance on it.

I am really enjoying the product so far. I purchased it in the color "Just Peachy". The color payoff is really great; it is super pigmented but it isn't actually a peach color like I was expecting. I would say it's more pink with a peachy undertone. I'm not complaining because I actually really like it but for someone who was expecting a true peach color, you're probably not going to get that here.

It comes in a really nice compact tube, and slides up and down really easily, so the packaging is a plus for me. Price, obviously is great, which I love!

Now onto the review of the actual product and what it says it is going to do versus what it does. Here is Wet N' Wild's description of the product:    This 4-hour, longwearing lip color leaves a semi-matte, crème finish in one stroke. Glides on easily with rich, velvety color that doesn't cake, feather, or bleed. Made with hydrating skin-care ingredients: Hyaluronic Microspheres provide extraordinary adhesion to lips, an exclusive polymer complex offers cushion-like feel and texture, and natural marine plant extracts Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamins A & E help smooth lips.

In terms of the wearing power, this product does not last for 4 hours. I would say maybe two at tops, if you are not eating and drinking. Most of it comes off with doing both of these tasks; obviously a big no-no for lipstick that is claiming to be long-lasting.The product is very creamy, and does seem to help moisturize my chronically dry lips which I really like. I don't feel like I have to apply a lip balm over the product which I have had to do with other long wearing lipsticks. The color, as mentioned before, is very rich and the payoff is great. As far as it feathering, caking up, or bleeding, I would have to agree with their claims. It doesn't run off my mouth or anything like that, and I haven't applied it with lipliner even. As I get older, I find that I have a harder problem with lipsticks running and haven't experienced that with this product.

Overall, I am really enjoying this produt. For the price, it's a great buy. It may not last as long as I want it to but I don't have that uber-dry feeling that so many longwear lipsticks give me. It's so similar in payoff to MAC's Amplified lipsticks which is awesome, since I love most of those but I would prefer a more matte finish. This provides both of those things.

I'm hoping I'll have another review up by tomorrow!

Lush Haul!

I have always been interested in products which are good for you as well as those good for the environment. If I can decrease my own potential for harming the planet, then I'm all for it! Additionally, a good skincare regiment is almost as important as knowing what makeup products look good on your skin. If you have a great base, then the makeup will be flawless, which is how it should be! Particularly since I've been pregnant, I've had such issues regarding my skin - preggo acne like you wouldn't believe! I've always been prone to breakouts but it has been really bad since the onset of my little one growing in my belly! The products I have used in the past a) were not working, or b) could not be used because of their ingredients (i.e. salicylic acid or willow bark is a big no-no during pregnancy). I can't use benzoyl peroxide either because my skin, in addition to being oily and acne prone, is also sensitive!

Lush is an incredible company who has one such similar philosophy about the environment and body/skin care and holistic health care in general. I recently visited their store at the Anaheim Gardenwalk and they were absolutely lovely! I am so excited to share with you all of my reviews! I plan on using these products for a few day to get the full range of their effect, and will post photos and everything as soon as I can!

A new beginning...welcome!

Welcome to my blog! I previously had another blog on this site, but decided to condense all of them to make it a bit easier for me! I have had seven years in the cosmetic industry, both with experience working in retail and also working as a freelance artist directly with clients. I have experience with various cosmetic brands, such as MAC, Bare Escentuals, Nars, Laura Mercier, and Bobbi Brown.

I enjoy the full scope of makeup! Makeup (Beauty in general and fashion as well) can transform one's personality and give someone an entirely new perspective! This may give someone the confidence to wear a lip shade they thought they could never wear, or try a new trick which makes their life a bit easier and gives them more confidence! Makeup can be empowering, and that is what continually draws me to the field every time I think about why I do what I do.

I am currently expecting my first child (a boy!) with my husband, and we are very excited! I decided to start a blog to share my own perspectives and techniques with others. I understand firsthand that sometimes different trends are a bit scary to try, or you may not know how to apply a product and it can be intimidating finding someone to help! Hopefully, this can be a place where many feel comfortable in asking questions and finding the answers to their questions! I do anticipate and hope to start a Youtube channel at some point to do reviews and things like that. Until that happens, bear with me and I hope you enjoy the blog!