Holy guacamole, I believe I have found my new holy grail foundation.
DISCLAIMER: This blog post is not sponsored or recognized by Wet n Wild Beauty in any way, shape, or form. Honesty is the best policy. The Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Foundation has quickly become one of my go-to products after only three times of using it. All the rave and hype surrounding it is completely true, and I am here to say good job Wet n Wild! Named one of the best foundations to ever hit the drugstore shelves, the PhotoFocus foundation makes some pretty big claims. The website says that it was made to "...deliver flawless camera-ready makeup every time." They also claim that it is a matte formula and has been tested under seven light conditions "...with and without the use of flash". I had the opportunity to spend some time at the drugstore to pick out a few things for my birthday, and I found this foundation sitting there calling my name. After three times of wearing it for a full day, I can safely say this was a great purchase. A SHORT REVIEW: - It is matte as claimed, but not drying. However I would suggest, if you have dry skin, to cleanse and exfoliate really good before using this foundation; it works best that way. - The flashback statement is also true. I've taken several pictures with it (unfortunately I do not have any to share with the blog at the moment) and it looks incredible. - Drugstore price; high-end quality - Cruelty-free (Kudos WnWB) For the price and quality, I would highly recommend the curious shoppers to try it out.
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Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
A few times in the past, I've been asked what inspires me to write. This ranges from my original stories to what you find right here on the blog. Today I thought I'd share with you some of the things that give me ideas for the blog. One of the obvious ones is the Word of God. Sometimes a verse jumps out at me during my personal quiet times and it gives me the perfect opportunity to expound on what I've learned. Other times I will allow the Spirit to guide me or I look through things I've written in my study journals. My lifestyle and beauty posts are a little more difficult to inspire. Often I am intrigued by what my favorite bloggers and YouTubers are up to, so I like to give my own spin on what they've done. I'm not necessarily copying them but as they say, imitation is the best form of flattery. Most of my beauty content is on YouTube, but sometimes I will find a holy grail product that definitely deserves a review on the blog. About a week ago, you saw a post on my top five every-day products, so my inspiration varies. As mentioned before, lifestyle writing is generally based on things that other people are doing. I incorporate things into my life that work best for me, and then I come up with a way to write about it. For example, several weeks ago I did a two-part series on my morning and night routines. Of course I don't have a big fancy routine to show off, but I wanted to be real and show you that sometimes, being a blogger or YouTuber is not quite as glamorous as you'd think. Which brings me to my next point; reality inspires me. One of my blog entries from about a year and a half ago was actually inspired by a conversation that a friend and I were having. If you're interested, search for Milk Jugs. It's worth a read! I've come up with entry ideas based off of songs I've heard (my hymn series showcases that), television characters, and even other sermons I've heard. If you are a blogger or writer, what inspires you? What kind of ideas would you like to see here on Southern Grace And Beauty? Image above taken by me with an Android camera. Don't mind the blurriness, but hey, it kind of gives off an antique vibe from days long past.
Scripture reference - Hebrews 10:22 The awesome thing about the Christian life is that we can have a personal relationship with God. We aren't blindly following a higher power that can neither hear nor see us. This is why we should always strive to fully dedicate ourselves to Almighty God. One of our greatest desires in life is, as the song says, to "...long to rise in the arms of faith, and be closer drawn..." to God. Our lives should not be filled with meaningless endeavor. No, it should be the opposite. God gives us purpose and meaning when we clothe ourselves in His righteousness and fully depend on Him for our needs. When we pray, we must remember that we are speaking with the Creator. He wants us to be in fellowship with Him. And while in prayer, we must ask Him to keep us separate and blameless before the throne. As another song puts it, "...what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer". It's a beautiful thing to know that we can take time out of our day to place all of our burdens at the feet of Jesus. When we trust Him and really see that we are truly His, we can rest assured knowing that He will take care of the rest. Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
Sometimes when we don't have time to put together a full-blown glam look, we look for things that we can quickly chuck on our face and be done with it. My top five products do not include eyeliner or highlighter because I wanted it to be simple for the every-day woman who wants to still look and feel beautiful, but wants to get it done in ten minutes or less. Side note: I am also not including a foundation or concealer because that is based on your personal preference and needs. 1) NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in the shade Sunny. I am absolutely addicted to this stuff. It's the perfect shade for medium skin tones. It's not a "buttery" formula, but it's still smooth enough that you can easily blend it and it becomes part of your skin. I also use it when I am not wearing foundation, and it's also great to double as a transition shade in your crease. 2) NYC IndividualEyes eyeshadow palette for brown eyes. You've seen me use this in a "get ready with me" video a while back and it is so versatile. It includes two matte shades (a cream color and a light brown) and two shimmers (but it's not overwhelming; very wearable). The two shimmer shades are a dark purple and a dark brown. The palette also includes an eye primer and a cream highlight. Although I very rarely travel, I do pack this palette in the event that I do go anywhere so it is very travel-friendly. 3) BH Cosmetics Glamorous Blush 10 Color Blush Palette. While this is unavailable on their website, BH does have two other blush palettes with similar colors. It comes with ten shades and they can also be used as eyeshadows. The Glamorous collection has two shades that can be used as bronzers, and there are eight other shades that will work for every skin tone. Be sure to use a light hand with these formulas because they are extremely pigmented. 4) Mirabella Lash Essential Mascara. I am so obsessed with this mascara. It gives my lashes that wispy long effect with very little clumping. The color is jet black and it easily comes off when you are ready to take it off. It comes with a standard applicator and it's super easy to work with; great for beginners. 5) Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in the shade Pink Dazzler. This is a beautiful dark nude that will go with almost every look. I love to pair it with a "barely there" eye look (a crease color and mascara). I am going to put up a video soon featuring all of these products on my channel with swatches. Thanks for joining me and don't forget to find me on YouTube at Southern Grace And Beauty! Above image taken with Android LG phone camera.
In honor of my 26th birthday, I thought I’d share 26 random facts about yours truly! 1) I live in North Carolina 2) My favorite instrument is the organ 3) I run a Christian lifestyle blog (I mean obviously you knew that LOL) 4) My biggest pet peeve is loud eating 5) I share the same birthday as Aidan Turner 6) I have Asperger’s Syndrome 7) One of my favorite pastimes is taking online courses in the sciences 8) I recorded a CD a few years ago 9) My biggest long-term goal is to be a successful blogger and YouTuber 10) I much prefer comfort food like soup or pasta as opposed to burgers or sandwiches 11) I was homeschooled in high school 12) I am the proud owner of a certificate in Esthetics Technology 13) My favorite non-beauty YouTubers are Study With Jess, Kalyn Nicholson, and Nora Conrad 14) I love horror and historical dramas 15) I am engaged to someone from England 16) My favorite dinosaur is the Triceratops 17) I own a Hellraiser poster with the actors’ signatures 18) I know basic computer coding 19) One of my ancestors was a duke from France 20) I’ve always had a strange fascination with world religions 21) I once fell head-first into a trashcan (mind you it was empty but still) 22) I am easily amused 23) I failed my driver’s ed written test twice 24) I can play any keyboard instrument by ear 25) I have a rare skin condition called hypomelanosis of Ito 26) My current role model is either Jared Padalecki or Misha Collins Above image source unknown. If you can tell me where it came from, please let me know. Growing up in church, I've always heard that God speaks in a still, small voice. It's almost like walking in a garden speaking with a close loved one. They aren't yelling at you or being rough; they interact with you in a loving, gentle manner. It's the same with God. The voice we hear as we pray and read the Bible is the voice of the God that created the universe. It's the voice of the One that sent His Son to die for you. His voice should fill us with a sense of peace, not fear. Many people mistake fear with being afraid. No, we should never be afraid of God. We should never tremble and shake at the sound of His name, but we should ever be in reverence. We shouldn't use His name casually. When we speak of our Savior, we should respect Him. He never wants us to be afraid because love casts out fear. Listen for His voice when everything around you seems to fall apart. Be attentive when He's trying to speak to you. Don't let the distractions of the world pull you away. When God asks you to do something, do it. Stay in the garden as long as you wish, but make sure you step out to tell the world that it's big enough for everyone. Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
If you're anything like me, you probably sit around over the summer scrolling through Facebook and Instagram desperately wishing you could be on those lavish vacations. Boredom usually sets in and you feel like there's nothing to do, but fear not! I'm going to give you a list of things that you can do from the comfort of your own home that costs nothing but a little bit of time and a little bit of creative energy. - Read other blogs. I highly recommend reading Southern Grace And Beauty. *coughs* It's written by a very strange person, but she's got a good heart. *coughs* But seriously though, you'd be surprised at how fast time flies when you're on your favorite blogs. - Going along with the first thought, what about starting your own blog? You don't need fancy software or the technical know-how. All you need is something you're passionate about and roll with it! - If you have the luxury of your own vehicle, try volunteering or finding a local activity. A lot of major cities host festivals and events for everyone. Do some research and find out where you can be a part of a community, and you never know, you might make a few friends to go on vacation with! - Take up a new hobby. One of mine is surfing YouTube and watching beauty tutorials; afterwards I attempt to recreate the looks. It doesn't matter if it's just right because I know I'm having fun! If you have an instrument, pick it up and learn a new song. - Find some free online courses. UniversalClass is a great option if your library is connected with them. High-end universities such as MIT and Yale offer some of their courses for free. Learning doesn't have to be boring; make it fun! - Create your own stay-cation atmosphere. Put your hair up, apply a relaxing mask, and curl up with your favorite book. Sometimes home is the best place to be. Who wants to stress over making plans on what to do? If you have extra cash to spare, find a spa and treat yourself. It's just as good as luxury hotel amenities. What are some of your favorite things to do at home? Share your ideas in the comments! Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
Today I'm going to share with you three Bible study methods that everyone can enjoy, regardless of whether you are a beginner or if you've been studying for a while. These three methods are also some of my personal favorites. Note: I will be uploading a video to my YouTube channel going over these points as well. I will be linking a few resources there to get you started. The first two methods are beginner-friendly and anyone can do them. The first method is simple and straight to the point. Just sit down and read. The key here is to rely on God and listen for His voice. But make sure that with ANY method, you ALWAYS listen for God. It's best to stay quiet and let Him lead you to what He wants you to learn. As you're listening and reading, keep a notebook nearby and jot down anything that the Spirit is telling you. Some Bibles have margins that you can write in too (this is where journaling Bibles come in handy). The next one is fairly straightforward, but I'd like to give you a warning first; make sure you have a Bible to refer to because false doctrines are not easy to spot. This method is using devotional material to observe what other people, including pastors and teachers, have to say. Keep the material simple and practical, and remember that less is more in most cases. You're obviously not going to need several volumes of theology; it's not necessary unless you're studying in seminary. As mentioned earlier, less is more. The majority of people learn more and better with less in front of us. Read in small sections and don't overwhelm yourself with other sources. The last method is geared more towards those who are, for a lack of better terms, "experienced". This is not to say that beginners are limited to just the first two, but I'd recommend going in-depth slowly. Bible journaling is a wonderful way to go in-depth. There is plenty of room on the pages to do your work and you also have the option to draw or paint, if you are artistically inclined. Dictionaries, concordances, study Bibles, and other translations (be careful with that though) are all great resources to use in your studies. They give you more insight into what the Bible may have meant for that particular time and place, and it will help you consider modern-day application. Many of these resources are available online and with the rise of smartphone technology, you can find Bible apps as well. In your in-depth studying, you may find it helpful to highlight and make notes. One of my favorite ways to do this is to color-code. Keep an eye out for the video in a few days, and please let me know what kind of content you'd like to see either here on the blog or on YouTube!!! Above image credited to hymnary.org
To continue with our ongoing theme of hymns and the lessons they teach, this week we will look at one of my personal favorites: The Old Rugged Cross. It starts out in the first stanza by reminding us that the cross was not always a beautiful ornament that we wear around our necks. Historically speaking, it was an instrument of torture for the worst of criminals. It was a shameful death and often a very slow death. But Jesus was willing to go that route to save us. I've heard many a preacher say that even if you were the only person on the face of the earth, He'd still die for you. Many of the old hymns have wrapped the entire gospel message in their verses, and this is one of them. Jesus left the splendor and majesty of Heaven itself, was born as a humble baby, and died the death of a criminal. This hymn bears the pure doctrine of salvation. It teaches us that, although the sight of blood running down a piece of wood isn't attractive, the promise of eternal security is the most beautiful thing to ever exist. The fourth verse simply expands on that promise. If we only accept Him...if we only believe in His sacrifice...we can share in all the riches and splendor of Heaven. If you don't know Him, be wise today and call on His name. I hope you are still enjoying the hymn series. If you have any requests for any hymns you'd like for me to write about, feel free to pop me an email or visit me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. With all the love that only Christ can give, - Patricia Also known as first-world problems, we all have those minor, inconvenient struggles that sometimes irritate the daylights out of us. I've compiled a list of my person struggles in hopes that someone can relate. Feel free to add to the list in the comments!
The first one actually inspired this post idea. Ugh, that frustrating moment when you're trying to go to sleep BUT...it's too hot to sleep under your blanket, but if you kick it off, it's going to be too cold. I lose either way. When you walk into a room and forget what you went in there for. Go sit back and down and you remember why you went. Annoying right? You're watching a television program and you see a familiar face, but for the life of you, you can't figure out who it is! Dropping something, but when you go to pick it up, you continuously drop it. This leads to angrily grabbing it one last time. This one's for the bloggers...you have a really good point that you want to get across in a post, but you're too prideful to write it down so you don't forget it. Come time to actually write, what happens? You forget it. You prance into the kitchen with the intention of getting something to eat or drink, but instead, all of the dishes are dirty so you are left to starve. (Not really but I love exaggeration). Hey! Let's go shopping! *sees a really nice thing* Hmm do I have the money for it? Ah darn I guess I'll wait for pay day. *waits for pay day and goes back* *said really nice thing is no longer there* GOSH DARNED IT I REALLY WANTED THE NICE THING! I'll say this once: adding spice to any recipe can either make or break the entire mealtime. Typing something up in a document and something goes wrong, ultimately losing a beautiful piece of writing. This is more of a pet peeve, but that anger-inducing moment when your hair gets stuck in your lip gloss. Thank goodness for non-stick formulas. When you first open up a huge eyeshadow palette and you are faced with the daunting task of choosing which colors to use. When you're lazy, and the television remote is so close but yet so far away. The water getting cold in the middle of your shower. This might just be me because I tend to take showers that are two million years long. What are some of your "struggles"? Feel free to entertain me in the comments or on Facebook!!! |
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