Image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay. ~ ~ ~ As an esthetician, it is my job not only to help my clients feel and look their best, but to inform and educate them. Often those of us in this profession tend to forget that the average person does not understand the jargon and fancy stuff associated with the industry. So below, I've created a small, basic listicle of essentials that you will need to get started with your skincare routine. I also curated a video to supplement what you're reading and it will go more in-depth about each step. ~ ~ ~ NOTE: I will discuss the usage of toner in another post/video. The first step in any skincare routine should be your face wash or cleanser. While it's totally okay to use a bar of soap and water, it might be good to step it up a notch. Cleanser will help get rid of the dirt and impurities from the day/night. Choose your cleanser based on your individual skin type. Once to twice a week, you should be exfoliating. Exfoliation takes care of the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. It will help ensure that the next two steps do their best job. WARNING: Certain types of exfoliation can irritate sensitive skin. If you have any level of sensitivity, chemical exfoliants can do more damage than good. Once to twice a week, again, familiarize yourself with different masks and treatments. The majority of your skincare benefits come from those. Like your cleanser, choose them based on your skin type. For instance, if you have dry skin, look for ingredients such as shea butter or coconut oil. Moisturizing/SPF are very important. Moisturizers will lock everything in that you've just finished doing. SPF is to be worn during the day whether or not you wear makeup. It protects against the sun's harmful UV rays. PRO TIP: - For dry skin, find something heavy with a cream-based consistency. - For oily skin, lighter gel formulas will work the best. ~ ~ ~ Do you have any skincare tips, tricks, or hacks? Let me know in the comments or below the video on Youtube.
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Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
~ ~ ~ Welcome back! I know it's been a while but I think I should be back into the swing of things by the beginning of 2020. That sounds a bit crazy that we've hit yet another decade; any 90's babies here? Anyway! Today's post is going to highlight (lol no pun intended I promise) some of my favorite beauty products of 2019. They will be in no particular order but I will try to leave a few links with the products mentioned if they are still available. If they are no longer available, I highly suggest researching some dupes or branch out and try something new! If you do not see a link for any of these products, they're more than likely not available so make sure you do your own searches too. ~ ~ ~ The Wet n Wild brand itself has been around for a while, but they've stepped up their game recently. Their Photofocus Liquid Foundation is a staple in my collection and will probably be for a long time to come. As a makeup artist and esthetician, I tend to look for products that are made to be buildable and look great in photos. This foundation has been tested by professionals under many different lightings and with different types of cameras. There is no flashback. I raved about it last year when I attended an all-day Supernatural convention. I wore it from 7am until near midnight and it did not budge. It looks incredible in my photo op I did with one of the actors. I paired it with my Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer and it looked impeccable. Bonus? WnW is cruelty-free! Pro tip: Exfoliate before using this foundation and use a moisturizer and a moisturizing primer. My shade: Soft Ivory ~ ~ ~ You've been in the makeup world for a while if you remember the trusty Instant Age Rewind concealer by Maybelline. Deemed by many as an affordable dupe for the Tarte Shape Tape concealer, a lot of us can agree that it gives amazing, beautiful coverage without looking like makeup when you apply it correctly. If you watch my videos, you'll see that the concealer looks its best when I blend it in with my fingertips. Apply it first with the comfortable sponge-tip applicator and use your ring finger to tap the product in; use light tapping motions for maximum coverage. If you've got more fine lines and wrinkles than myself, lightly set it with an under-eye powder. Use a shade or two lighter to highlight the rest of your face if you so choose. My shade: Light ~ ~ ~ I got my first taste of Essence makeup this year when I purchased a few things from a visit to Ulta (my first Ulta experience too). One of the products I picked up was the Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara. If you know me at all, you know I hate wearing false lashes. But this mascara gives the illusion of falsies without the hassle. It gives you long, full, black lashes and they stay beautiful all day. Tena ASMR on Youtube recommended this in one of her videos and I was super excited when I saw it in store. I loved how it looked on her and it does the exact same thing to my lashes as it did hers. They also sell a lengthening formula and a two-in-one formula. While I was at Ulta, I also picked up one of their eyeshadow palettes and their eye primer both of which you've seen me use in my videos. Pro tip: Warm your lash curler with your breath for a few seconds, curl your lashes, and apply the mascara. This technique works similar to using hot tools on your hair. ~ ~ ~ The last product I want to talk about is the Shaaanxo x BH Cosmetics eyeshadow palette collaboration. Unfortunately it is no longer available but I wanted to rave about it since Shannon is so underrated. Not only do you get some beautiful eyeshadow formulas, you get lip colors on the other side. This palette is versatile and you can create so many different looks with it. Glam, neutral, day-to-night...you name it, you can do it. Pro tip: Use the top center shade as a cheekbone highlighter. ~ ~ ~ I want to know what your favorite products were for 2019. I had many, many more but I want to leave the door open for you guys to share yours! ~ ~ ~ The above image is courtesy of Pixabay.
~ ~ ~ If you're anything like me, you probably spend hours...yes I said hours...on Youtube. The majority of that time is spent searching for ideas for my own ideas or keeping up with my favorite online people. With the latter being said, I'd like to share five of the ones that I watch the most regularly. Granted I do have many more and this list is in no particular order, but I wanted to give these folks a shout-out. Note: These people are within the beauty and lifestyle realm. ~ ~ ~ The first person I'd like to mention is the queen of blending. Fans of Jaclyn Hill will know exactly what I'm talking about. When I moved forward and improved in my own journey with makeup, Jaclyn was the one that inspired me to do something different. It is because of her that I now have a humble filming set-up right here in my office. While I was initially inspired by another beauty guru to get into makeup in the first place, Jaclyn gave me that extra boost I needed to have fun with it. The next person is such an absolute sweetheart. Shannon Harris, aka shaaanxo, is definitely without a doubt one of the most talented ladies out there. She is genuine, funny, and is never afraid to give her opinion on new products. I can honestly say that my heart burst out of my chest the few times that she has liked one of my comments or responded back to me. She loves her audience and interacts with them in a way that a lot of people won't. Moving into the lifestyle category, there are three ladies that caught my attention some while back. Kalyn Nicholson has truly got to be the best lifestyle vlogger out there. Her content is inspiring and unique. She brings her audience into her own life via routines and work flow. Her yearly YouTober series is something that everyone looks forward to no matter what; there is a video for everyone for each day of October. I dare say she'd be the friend that you could go to for an extra oomph and encouragement. I only discovered Sunny Lenarduzzi a few months ago, but she has changed my game plan on my projects as a whole. Her content is centered around social media and productivity. While a much different vibe from Kalyn, she still has the same mindset when it comes to getting things done and reaching her goals. Her videos have taught me how to create my own goals and I now have a step-by-step plan on how to get there. The last person is a mix of beauty and lifestyle, but that doesn't mean she's any less awesome. Rachhloves won my heart about two or three years ago when she did some first impressions on makeup products. Since then, I've enjoyed her taste in humor and the hilarious intros. Her content ranges from beauty reviews to trying cooking hacks. Rachel not only is relatable to me as a beauty enthusiast, but many of the ladies that watch her are moms just like her. She has such a warm and positive energy about her and it's pretty hard to resist. BONUS YOUTUBER: While I'm on a roll here, let's give you one more! Safiya Nygaard is probably the most unique out of all the Youtubers I watch. Have you ever wanted to go to a Japanese theme park? She's been there, vlogged that. Have you ever dared to try $1 beauty products from an online shop? She's done that too! She never falls short of making my day when she uploads. You never know what she'll come up with next. ~ ~ ~ Do you have any favorites in the beauty or lifestyle category? Let me know! I might just check them out on your recommendation. Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
~ ~ ~ Every year about this time, hundreds of aspiring estheticians have registered for their state exam. If you're one of them, here are some tips on how to survive and ace the exam. Good luck!!! ~ ~ ~ 1) Review important points. The majority of esthetics classes will drill hygiene into your head, as well as skin conditions and contraindications. Pay attention to anything that is repeated. 2) Test yourself. If you're still struggling with certain subjects, it would be wise to revise (cute little rhyme there). 3) Before the practical exam, find a willing friend or family member that would allow you to practice on them. If your local cosmetology school has extra dummy heads, ask if you can borrow it for exam purposes. If you were provided one in your class supplies at the beginning of the school year, you can use that too. 4) Make flashcards. If you're creative, you can make them out of index cards. Another simple but effective way is to use Quizlet; your particular exam may already be on there so keep an eye out! If you have someone driving you to the exam location, take the commute time to look over your cards. If you are driving yourself, take off early so you have time to sit in the parking lot to study. 5) This may sound cliche` and basic, but be sure you have your brain foods. Eating right will improve your memory and score tremendously. Afterwards, reward yourself for a job well done with whatever you'd like. Sleep is important too! 6) Dress appropriately. Wear what your school required of you or dress as if you were going in for an interview. ~ ~ ~ If you've already taken your exam or have had your license for a while, share your tips!!! Above image created in Canva.
~ ~ ~ Welcome back beautiful! Today we will start a "mini-series" within my skincare series. We'll discuss the different skin types, choosing products that cater to your type, and how to care for it. This week, we're looking at normal skin. You don't really have any trouble areas (maybe the monthly hormonal acne) but overall, you have a healthy complexion and it does not take much effort for upkeep. When choosing skincare, (and even makeup) consider the fact that you want to maintain your skin type. You don't want to exacerbate anything or cause your skin to become sensitive. Take a look at the ingredients; perhaps you'd like something that is universally good for your skin such as vitamin C, coconut oil, or argan oil. Oils are particularly helpful in cleansers if you wear stubborn "hard-to-get-off" makeup. Going back to the thought earlier about avoiding a future problem, I recommend exfoliating once a week just to ensure that all those dead skin cells aren't laying on the surface. Doing so will reveal a bright, smooth complexion. This will also help your makeup apply better in the long run. Your skincare will sink in when all of that ick isn't there. Masks and treatments can also be used once a week, but always be sure you are reading the directions carefully. Using a make or deep treatment will assist in the upkeep of healthy skin. Again, choose ingredients that are good for you and will benefit you long-term. As you are moisturizing, you want to promote blood circulation. You'd be surprised at how much the lack thereof will affect the health of your skin overall. Gentle massage movements will do just that. Take some time out of your morning and/or night to treat yourself to a self-massage; if you've got a willing loved one, that's even better. Estheticians often offer this as part of your treatment service. If you have normal skin, perhaps you'd like to recommend your favorite products to fellow readers. Comment below! Above image created in Canva.
~ ~ ~ Well hello! Welcome to part one of my brand new series. As an esthetician, I know how important it is that I educate my clients on skincare and its short and long-term benefits. As you can tell by the title, I will be showing you the four basics of skincare. We will build up each week (every Friday) and hopefully you'll have gained a better understanding of skincare. One of the perks? You're not paying to go to beauty school for this series. Hop on board! This one will be lengthy so bear with me, but it'll be worth it. DISCLAIMER: I am a licensed esthetician in the state of North Carolina. I cannot diagnose you; please see your GP if you have a medical concern. ~ ~ ~ WHY IS SKINCARE SO IMPORTANT? This question can be answered by another question that has been asked all across beauty groups that I am a member of. Ladies will fret over why their makeup isn't laying well or why it's not staying put all day. Let me tell you this; your makeup will only be as good as the skincare underneath. Making sure your skin is being cleaned daily and well-taken care of on a weekly basis is vital. Your products will pull the ick and filth out and the final steps will ensure that your skin stays healthy. I don't know of anyone that doesn't want that healthy glow! ~ ~ ~ THE FOUR BASICS CLEANSER Also known to some as face wash, your cleanser will get the grub and dirt out of your pores. This is super important in the mornings because while you've been getting that beauty sleep, dead skin cells can build up. Be sure you are choosing a cleanser based on your skin type; it will make all the difference in the world. If you can help it, avoid products with excess alcohol in it. Cleanse daily; preferably morning and night. EXFOLIATOR Facial scrubs are especially necessary for dry to dehydrated skin. Remember the dead skin cells I referred to? A scrub will assist in removing that. A cleanser takes care of the surface; exfoliating gets a little deeper. Some cleansers offer exfoliating properties. Manual exfoliation refers to the typical scrub that you would find on most bathroom countertops. Generally, you would keep your face damp after cleansing and gently apply the product. Remove with a warm washcloth. Exfoliate at least twice a week; once if you have sensitive skin. Chemical exfoliation is an extremely deep treatment that is usually limited to the professional environment. If you go to a skincare therapist, they may recommend a chemical peel. It sits on your skin for a short amount of time, working hard to get rid of the dead skin. As a result, your skin is soft and smooth. Side note: If you plan on getting a peel, plan ahead. You may be instructed to stay out of the sun for 24 hours. MASK/TREATMENTS Ah yes, the mask. This is the step that will give you the most benefit out of the entire skincare routine whether it be at home or at a spa. A mask or treatment is packed with ingredients that will nourish your skin (and hair; yup there are hair masks). There are tons of them out there, so choose one based on your skin type and the results you want. Use them at least once or twice a week for maximum results. MOISTURIZER This step will seal the deal and makes sure to bring back any hydration that was taken away during the cleansing process. If you've exfoliated beforehand, your moisturizer and serums will sink in a whole lot better and do their job more effectively. Again, choose one based on your skin type and apply morning or evening. If you have a beauty oil, apply before bed. ~ ~ ~ I'm curious; what are your favorite skincare products? Comment below! Good Sunday afternoon dearest readers! I'm writing to you from the depths of my nearly empty wallet. Yes folks, I spent nearly $50 on makeup; I know it isn't much compared to other influencers but t'was a lot for me. I'm going to be doing a haul/review so that you are updated on my thoughts on all products. I'm also writing this up just in case you are more of a reader than a Youtube fanatic.
Enjoy! ~ ~ ~ ESSENCE LASH PRINCESS VOLUME MASCARA (4.99) Y'all, listen, mascara is a tricky little thing. But if you want some volume, Essence is where it's at. I use a lash curler before application and let. me. tell. you, my lashes look incredible. NYX MICROBROW PENCIL - ESPRESSO (10.00) It's horribly frustrating how "expensive" this brow pencil is, but it's worth it. It does the job but your brows still look natural. Bonus? It comes with a spoolie. It's not too creamy or waxy, but it still holds your brow hairs in place, but you can still add a gel for longer staying power. ELF LIQUID MATTE LIP - PRALINE (5.00) I'm not a liquid lip person. I'm not usually a matte person. But ELF has stepped up their game and I highly recommend their liquid matte line. Most liquid lips are very drying on me and it just does not look cute. But this, however, applies so smooth. You can barely feel it once it's dry and it's not sticky whatsoever. ESSENCE INTENSIFYING EYE BASE (3.49) I find that this eye primer is unique in the way it applies. Most primers apply very sticky (not necessarily a bad thing) and you know for a fact that it's ready to do its job. The Essence primer is smooth upon application and it's very cooling. The staying power is really nice and for the price? Yea I dig it. FORMULA 10.0.6 BE BERRY SASSY SCRUB (6.99) Exfoliation is super important for me since I have dry skin, and it's hard to find something that's aggressive on the skin since new guidelines have been placed on skincare recently. I honestly wasn't expecting a whole lot from this face scrub since I'd never heard of the brand before but it feels really nice on the skin. It's not terribly aggressive but it's enough to make me say "Yea this feels much better". The smell isn't too aggressive and there are several skincare benefits in the ingredients. ESSENCE BE-YOU-TIFUL EYESHADOW PALETTE (9.99) Eyeshadow palettes are kind of a "whatever" thing for me. If it gives me pigment, cool. But seriously this palette blew me away. The blendability, the pigment, the everything about it...I'm impressed. For nearly ten bucks, completely worth it. ~ ~ ~ Okay, I hope you enjoyed my little haul/review for Ulta! It's very rare for me to do this kind of thing, but I had fun! Let me know if you've tried any of these products and let me know what you thought! Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
In the last post, we discussed how to spruce up your living arrangements such as a home office and/or bedroom. This time, we will look at how to keep your vanity or beauty area tidy. *coughs* This post is brought to you by...a very messy filming area with makeup and brushes all over the place. If your brushes haven't been cleaned since your New Year's sparkle look, now would be a good time to do so. Cleaning your brushes (a deep clean) will prevent bacteria and ick from building up in the bristles and your makeup will go on a lot better. Clean brushes are satisfying! Organize your products. The dollar stores have tons of containers you can store your palettes and lipsticks in. But don't just "store" them; get creative! Label your containers. I've seen beautubers label their drawers "warm palettes" or "drugstore highlighters". Have fun with it ya know? Wipe down your vanity and mirror. This should be self-explanatory! ~ ~ ~ Quick tip: Now that you've got clean brushes, let's try on a fresh spring look shall we? Pastel eyeshadows Pink lipgloss Subtle highlight (let's get real, we all want the bling...go as blinding as you want) Fluttery, girly lashes ~ ~ ~ Got any makeup declutter tips you'd like to share? What about your favorite spring makeup looks? Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
Valentine's Day is upon us and hundreds of ladies reading this are probably wondering what they're going to wear for their date. This isn't limited to the official day of love though; you can wear this for a date night or even if you're single and ready to...mingle with Netflix. Regardless of your relationship status, I've hand-picked a few products that are sure to last you an evening full of love and laughter. DISCLAIMER: A few of these items may be high-end, but they were gifts. I'll be sure to include drugstore/affordable things as well. This post is NOT sponsored or affiliated with any of the brands or products mentioned. All opinions are honest and my own. 1) MAC Ruby-Woo Lipstick. This classic red lip will woo your partner...or your pet. But seriously, I adore this color. Perfect for the bold, sultry eyes or a minimal look with fresh, glowy skin. 2) If you're not the biggest fan of priming but you still want a soft glow and moisture, I highly recommend the Almay SmartShade Primer. It features two liquid color-correcting shades that will reduce redness, brighten a dull complexion, and give you an overall healthy look. You can wear it alone or underneath your makeup. 3) The trick to any beautiful look is a flawless base. Let's get real; unless you've got an airbrushing system, we can only go so far. But the Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation comes pretty darned close. Tested under seven light conditions and guaranteed to have no flashback, this foundation will last you the whole day. I actually spent a day in mid-August 2018 at a convention right here in North Carolina, and there was really no time to sit down and rest until around 8pm. I wore that foundation from around 7am til midnight and it did not budge. The flashback claim is very true; I had a picture taken professionally with an actor at the convention and my base looked beautiful even after over seven hours of wear time. If you have dry patches, I recommend cleansing and exfoliating as well as moisturizing before wearing that foundation. 4) The ELF Liquid Liner in Jet Black is bullet proof. Want a sharp wing? It'll probably be your best buddy, but it is not forgiving if you mess up. It's definitely hard to come off, but totally worth the hassle in my opinion. What are your favorite go-to date night products? Above image courtesy of the volunteer photographers for Pixabay.
It's fascinating to see how beauty trends seem to change with each season, but there are a few staples during the fall and winter months that everyone should be able to enjoy! Remember, there are no rules to makeup, so wear whatever you want whenever you want. 1) Dark, bold lips 2) A pop of color on the eyes (mustard yellow is beautiful in the crease) 3) Smudged eyeliner on the lower lashline 4) Gold glitter in the inner corner 5) Champagne highlight What are your favorite products to wear during the holidays? Anything you try to stay away from? |
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