Changes are a comin'

Beauty Trend 1923

So here's the deal folks. I really want to write often. I really do. I admire these beauty bloggers out there, They are so dedicated to keeping a very consistent blog and snapping photos of their awesome makeup looks of the day. They spend lots of money on beautiful, exotic product lines and brands that many people don't have easy access to, or we are willing to spend that much money on (definitely something you can't find at your local drugstore). But, I'm going to be honest-I'm losing that drive.



Beauty Trend 1933

It's not that I'm losing my love for aesthetics and makeup. I'm just not that invested in spending that much money on products and taking a ton of time throwing on makeup. I love makeup and I ALWAYS put some type of makeup on just because it's what I do. I will never leave the house without my brows on, some bronzer & blush, and a little mascara. It's just what I prefer to face the day with. But I just never have, and obviously never will be willing to spend a lot of money on makeup. I will search far and wide for an amazing foundation. I'll spend a little more money for a great eye shadow palette. But the truth is, I will stretch that product out as long as possible! It's just something I'm not willing to invest my money in. And blogging about my high-class, fancy makeup is not where I will be investing my time.



Beauty Trend 1943

I'm not saying that I'm over spending decent money on a product. Or that I don't care about makeup. I'm just saying that we all have areas where we spend our time and money with no hesitation; and fancy, expensive makeup is not my area of obsession.



Beauty Trend 1953

My focus has always been how to look beautiful, what is beautiful, what is the world's definition of beautiful and what is our society's thought of what's beautiful at the moment. This means that we are constantly changing our looks. Where it be hair color, hair length, hair style, golden bronzed skin or nice fair skin, dark lips, nude lips, smokey eyes, and what not. There are constant changes in the world's opinion of beauty and that's not fair. We can't possibly keep up! One day we think we've got the latest look down, and then the next day it's a completely different look. It's exhausting!! And truthfully it's unrealistic and disheartening.



Beauty Trend 1963

I'm tired of showing you all that this is the key to look good, and you have to have this product to look good. I mean, I will still share a lip color that's going to be huge for the season and give tips on how to achieve certain looks and use certain brands and products, but I want to dig deeper into this beauty journey.



Beauty Trend 1973

What I've noticed is that I have started to devote more time to how to feel good and beautiful on the inside, not on the surface. We're going deep here folks! For a long time I've been unhappy with myself. Being a girl, we all kind of compare ourselves to others at some point in our life. I've been like that too. There are TONS of points in my life where I don't like so many things about myself. I try to color my hair or find the latest fad diet to temporarily fix that void but it never works. I've been unhappy with so many different things about myself and it has truly been a journey. Each day, each month, each hour is a different obsession over what I needed to change about a certain aspect of my body and appearance.



Beauty Trend 1983

But slowly, and I mean very slowly, I have learned how to truly feel good and happy about myself. It's no special diet pill or diet at that. It's eating foods good for you, working out, making healthy choices and recipes, enjoying the outdoors, yoga, meditation, really getting to know yourself. This has become my new "thing" I devote my time and effort and money to. This doesn't mean I'm not buying makeup or Skincare, it's just that I'm not devoting all my time and energy towards it. I'm not basing my importance on my perfectly flawless look at all times. My basis of feelings good about myself is not solely based on my makeup look.



Beauty Trend 1993

From now on I will write about beauty products and more affordable skin care items of course. But I won't be writing solely on beauty products. I'm also going to write about how to feel beautiful. How to achieve true happiness with yourself and things that I've gone through with my journey. Because, it really has been a journey. It's still a journey. We will never achieve this one recipe for happiness and then we are done and we keep doing the same pattern over and over. We are constantly changing into different people and finding different interests and goals. So that's what I'm here for. I'm here to guide you through my journey. Give you tips and pointers in what I've learned, and also I'm going to document my route. It will be a really raw, real run down of what's going on in my journey to be happy and achieve my goals. You are not alone in striving to be happy and reaching that goal of simplistic happiness.



Beauty Trend 2003

I've got a couple of business things to announce and I have a fabulous partner I'm going to introduce into this mix very soon. And we have a goal together-
We are here to redefine beauty. A more simple version of beauty. One that isn't just on the outside. This type of beauty will change your entire life and the way you live and look at things. Are you ready to take the journey with me?? Let's go and do this!!!



Beauty Trend 2013



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Local Beauty Wednesdays

So I'm going to start writing a little weekly segment called Local Beauty. I'm going to focus on the beauty that is right around us here in Nashville, TN. It might be a restaurant, it might be a gym, it might be a shop, it might be a person, it might be right in your home. That's what I'm going to write about today.

There is a HUGE beauty secret right in your own home! Want to know what's even better than the convenience of being in your own home? It's free!! And-whenever you have just 20 minutes (or more) you can do it!!

I know it's something you don't want to hear, but it's called exercise! It's the secret to everything!! It makes you look and feel good! I know we've all heard the health benefits of exercise but the beauty benefits are great too!

Working out obviously increases blood flow which helps circulation. Good blood flow means clear skin! Working out also helps inflammation which will help calm the redness in the skin. Breaking a sweat also helps stimulate collagen production which means it smoothes out wrinkles!

These are just a few outward results but there are even more positive changes internally! Working out helps you stress less which in the long run helps your skin age less! Workouts help with anxiety and help your posture which both are great for your health! You also detoxify your body when you work out which makes you feel better! Your immunity builds up more as well which means less sick days for you!

All you need to give yourself is AT LEAST 20 minutes a day. If you can get your heart rate up for 20 minutes and sweat, the rewards are amazing!!! Just the feeling you will have right after you workout will be worth it!! You never regret working out, you always regret not working out!

Every day I do this awesome workout video from the early 2000's, haha. I ignore the awesome clothes (bold colors and cargo pants)and the bad music for the amazing workout that it offers. It's a HIIT kickboxing video. HIIT means, High Intensity Interval Training. This is a cardiovascular workout That rotates between short intense anaerobic exercises and less intense recovery periods. This video is 20 minutes long and I sweat my butt off!! If I'm in a super hurry this video is all I do. If I have more time, I will do weights or the Total Gym(yes, I have one of those) (and yes, it's the one Chuck Norris does infomercials for) or some Tracy Anderson webisodes on YouTube for arms, legs and abs. I always do squats every day and I like to do at least 20 minutes on the elliptical.




This is me after working out with my HIIT kickboxing video. I took this because I wanted to show that it's ok to not look perfect in everything you do. I say, if you still look good after your workout, you didn't workout hard enough!



Check out the gorgeous Adriana Lima after her boxing workout!






I love this!!! She's so absolutely gorgeous and we always look at her on the runway and just think, "Wow! She's flawless all the time! What does she do?" Well, she sweats her butt off!!! She still looks gorgeous but it shows she works hard!

If you have no equipment, jump imaginary rope!! I love doing that!! Look up YouTube videos, find workouts on Pinterest. Or go for a walk/run! Put on the Pandora Workout Station and just have a good time!! I promise you won't regret it! There is no excuse. Just get out there and sweat for at least 20 minutes. I promise you, you will notice a change in your skin. But honestly, you will feel so good on the inside that clear skin will be an added bonus to feeling so well!

This isn't about being skinny. This is about feeling good every day and making a conscious effort to do so. Once you start feeling better on the inside, those outside results will just be a nice extra. But what's most important is how you feel internally and how you feel about yourself!






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BB's & CC's

BB creams have been around for a few years now. I wrote a post about them about 2 years ago right when they came on to the US market. BB creams were in the Asian market around 1985 and made their way to the US around 2012. But now, there are CC creams! Like we didn't have enough decisions! So I am here to break it down for you.


BB creams=
Stands for beauty balm, blemish balm, blemish base
Originated by a dermatologist for post-procedure creams
Hydrates dehydrated skin
Primes the skin to give a smooth canvas to wear alone or as a great prep for makeup
Acts as a concealer to hide imperfections
Treats the skin with anti-aging ingredients
Has SPF so it will protect your skin from the sun

CC creams=
Stands for color correct, color care
Created and developed in Korea to correct discoloration
Hydrates the skin
Primes the skin for makeup
Has SPF to protect from the sun
Gives them skin a flawless finish
Evens the skin tone to color correct


I've noticed that I really love the luminosity from BB creams. But, BB creams also break me out like crazy!!! I hate that because I really did love the results from BB creams and I liked the results so much I have tried about 8 different ones but they just don't work with my skin. I have so many people that use them and love them! I just tend to break out very easy and primers have never worked for me so no surprise BB creams didn't work out in my favor. But Ike I said, I absolutely loved the glow that BB creams gave me. I was also really surprised at how much coverage there was in BB creams. If you have no sensitivity towards primers I would highly suggest you try them out. You will love the results! I also love that there are anti-aging ingredients in them.

CC creams have a lighter texture and coverage than BB creams. I have tried a few CC creams and I was super hesitant because of the breakouts I got when I tried the BB creams but so far, so good! I have found that the luminosity that I love from BB creams is not as noticeable with the CC creams. But, I will say on the days that I don't want to wear a full on foundation, the CC creams have come in handy.

All in all, I suggest you go out to a makeup counter and go try a sample of a CC cream and a BB cream and see what you think! I have tried the Garnier, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, Smashbox and a few other BB creams and honestly I love them all. I've only tried two CC creams, Clinique & Almay and I love both! So go check them out, and try some for yourself!



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Double Your Pleasure

Hi!! Here's a new product I have been trying and LOVING! I love foundations. I think foundations are one of the most important products in your makeup routine. I always love trying foundations. Sometimes my trials with foundations are good, sometimes they're bad. But when I find a good foundation, all those bad trials are worth it! I have used a few foundations that have just been, ehh...okay. But if you have a good foundation then it will make the rest of your makeup application steps a lot easier!

A good foundation will even out your skin tone, smooth out your skin's texture and really give your skin a flawless finish. There are different finishes foundations can give and I will get into that in a later blog. But today I want to write about a foundation that fits my wants and needs perfectly, and I have a feeling that my perfect foundation wants and needs will be the same as many of you all as well.

I like a really an even skin tone.(Who doesn't?)nI like for my skin to look really even and cover up my imperfections but I also like to show my freckles and look natural too. I also like foundations that have awesome staying power. I don't want to have to reapply foundation later in the day or if I have somewhere to go after work. I don't mind touching up my concealer and bronzer and powder. But I do not want to start all over and have to reapply my foundation.

My lovely friend Andrew told me that I should try this foundation and now I am hooked!!



Estée Lauder Double Wear Light foundation. This foundation has a 15+ wear-time and it feels so light!! This foundation controls oil but also doesn't smudge or melt off throughout the day. It gives me the perfect amount of coverage and sheerness. It's the best of both worlds!

I also love that this foundation has a great coverage but it doesn't clog the pores either! So this will even work for people who suffer with acne but don't want to deal with breakouts from heavy foundation either!

This foundation is $37 and a very little bit goes a long way!! Please run to your nearest Estée Lauder counter and ask for a sample! Trust me, you will be pleasantly surprised!

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Tattoos for Everyone!

So y'all know I love a good find. I get suggestions all the time and I SO appreciate it!! If I can remember what people suggest (if I don't write it down, I will forget it!) I will go give them a try for myself. I love hearing suggestions or trying to test out certain things y'all are looking for, I'm here to help ;-) so keep the suggestions and questions coming!

So when my best friend Laura told me that she had tried some bold eyeshadow colors and she loved them, I just had to try them! She is a mother of two and a teacher so she doesn't have tons of time to throw on makeup and she doesn't get to reapply often. So when she said she was pleased with the colors and the staying power of these shadows, I was thrilled to try them out!! I had always seen them at Target and drug stores but had been a little hesitant to try them.

What she told me about was Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24 hour Cream Gel Shadow. I had seen the ads and they always caught my eye at the store because the colors were beautiful!! But like I said, cream shadows make me a little leery. Cream shadows crease really bad and you look like a mess usually by the end of the day. So I always skipped right over them. But, when Laura suggested it, I knew I had to try them!

Left-Bad to the Bronze, Right-Pomegranate Punk


Left-Bold Gold, Middle-Painted Purple, Right-Tough as Taupe,



I went straight away to Target and picked up 2 colors, Bad to the Bronze & Pomegranate Punk. I wanted to get more, but they were on sale at that moment and those were the only two colors I wanted. All the others had been swooped up! This line has really bold blues, silvers, greens and turquoise as well. But I really wanted to focus on a few subtle colors. The pomegranate is this beautiful rusty maroon color. I love it!! It's beautiful to use on the lid and crease and it gives a dramatic punch but it's still subtle. The bronze color is this gorgeous chocolates brown and they both have a beautiful shimmer to them. Not a bad shimmer, not glitter-just a nice multifaceted quality to them.

WARNING!!! I have no makeup on and I seriously just smeared these cream gel colors on. So, these might look like mug shots, but I wanted to show you these amazing colors!! Plus, I seriously smeared them on with my finger, so the application is super easy!

Here is Pomegranate Punk-








I love Pomegranate Punk because it's this beautiful maroon color that is something different but it's still subtle. You can layer it up to a smoky eye or just sweep it on real quick to draw some attention to those peepers.

Here is Bad to the Bronze-





I


This Bronze color is bright but still a good neutral. It's nothing too shocking but you can throw some major liner on top and make it dramatic or just throw it on by itself and the gold flecks to it will really bring out your eye color!

I feel like this wet, shimmery eye is going to be big through this summer & even stretch into fall. And this is exactly what these eye shadows give to your look. I like these shadows because you can swipe them on and smudge a little liner and go. So it's a really beautiful look, but it's also really easy to achieve.







I loved these two colors so much that the moment I started booking more photo shoots and weddings I went and bought more colors (it was the perfect excuse to buy more!!)

My next 3 colors are Bold Gold, Tough as Taupe & Painted Purple. I really love these too!! My suggestion would be that if it is super hot outside you might want to throw a little translucent loose powder on top or a shadow similar to the tattoo cream gel color just to ensure the longevity of the product on your eyes!

Here is Bold Gold-








Bold Gold is super subtle but if you want a bronzed, beachy look. Then this is the one! I would usually use this on the brow bone and in the inner crease of the eye. Doing both of those moves will really open your eyes up! But if you want something to draw attention to your eyes but you don't want too much color, this is a great option!

Here is Tough as Taupe-









Tough as Taupe is the one and only matte cream gel colors that I have from this line. It's a great starter for a smokey eye or if you want a light, day smokey look-this is your color! I like to use this as a base for a good sensual smokey eye! This taupe option is a good shadow to use for a simple smokey too. Just throw this on and bring it up to the crease and put a little under the lid and smudge, easy! Love it!!

Here is Painted Purple-








Painted Purple can be applied alone and have a little color pop or you can mix it with the taupe for a smokey, mix it with the bronze to punch up the purple, you can throw the gold with the purple (I love purple and golds together on the eyes!). This is a great color to use with other shadows because purple looks good on everyone and it looks good with most shadows. Very versatile violet!

Now like I said, this is me, with no other makeup on at 10:30 at night with eye shadow that I smeared on with my finger super quick. So, I feel like it does a pretty good job considering. I swipe the cream gel on my lids up to my crease and I do a little on the lower lid too. Super easy and great colors!!

I feel like these shiny, metallic looks will be so popular for the summer and fall as well. I would throw a little liner on the top lid right on the lash line and smudge it up and then throw a little mascara on and you're good to go! Make sure to put some lid primer on because creams are more prone to creasing and if you really have problem with creasing then throw some loose translucent powder or shadow on top!

Now go to the drug stores and try these babies out!! They're about $6 each and they will last you a very long time!!

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New Stuff!

So I am back and I know I always say I'm going to be consistent with blogging but now it's for real!!

Let me update you on some stuff. So I worked for a high end skin care line called La Mer. I was the brand ambassador at Nordstrom. So basically I promoted and represented this skin care line. I helped educate customers and fellow employees on the line. Well, I absolutely love La Mer but honestly, I had a hard time fitting in time to blog. I have slipped away from doing facials, which is something that I love and I really have been out of touch with doing makeup.

I truly believe that certain career paths will open your eyes and lead you where you really need to be, if you will just listen and watch. I went to college for fashion design, so I love fashion and designer brands and Nordstrom was the perfect fit for me! But, once I was surrounded by all these amazing, expensive, designer brands I realized I was not happy. These things didn't make me happy and it certainly wasn't the most important thing to me. I knew I needed to take a risk and do my own thing. I have always wanted my own place where I could do facials, makeup, education, girl's nights, whatever! So I knew now was the time!

There were a few other major signs that happened while I was trying to figure it all out and I just went for it! So here I am, not in a stable job, not having the cushion of a great hourly rate, but all the freedom and opportunities in the world!!

I just opened an office with my friend who is an AMAZING photographer! We work wonderfully together and she is so uplifting and positive and I am just so glad that we will be working together. We have an office now where I can do makeup, facials, makeup parties & lessons, we can shoot there, meet with our customers. Everything we wanted, including the best location!

I'm so excited about what is to come! It took a giant leap of faith and a huge risk but I'm so excited to see what is in my future. So this means more blogging!! A girls gotta get her name out there and build her business!!

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Bright bold lip

I wanted to write a quick blog on a new lipstick I just tried. It is such a pretty fruit punch pink. A lot of bold lipsticks tend to dry or completely melt off. Not this one! This lipstick was creamy, easy to apply and the color isn't drying. It is a beautiful pop of color without being really thick and looking like you have lips painted on your face. I've done that before, have you? You throw on a color and then you look in the mirror later and you're like, "Whoa!!! I look like a clown!!" Well this won't happen with this lipstick. It has the right amount of sheer but still has a great pop of color. Once again, it's not drying at all and it stays on!!



This is the color! It #42 by Chanel in their Rouge Allure Velvet Lipsticks. It is beautiful and I believe it will be one of the colors for summer!



It's $34 and I know that might be little high, but it will not disappoint! The color is amazing, the lipstick feels great and it stays on!

www.chanel.com


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