Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Ulta Lip+ Cheek Color Stick in Golden

My friend Valerie texted me today and asked if I wanted to meet her at Ulta and help her pick out some new makeup one day this week.  How about today? Right now? Five minutes ago?  I'm a pretty easy sell on a Ulta trip.  If you are local to the Kansas City area, the Olathe Ulta location is moving, and has some pretty good sales going on. 

I'm a big fan of the Ulta store brand for a variety of reasons that I've talked about ad nauseam, and so I was excited to check this location out because I know they have a lot of their store brand products on sale. 

Nikkie Tutorials will have you believing that contour is super easy.  I have never found this to be the case.  Try as I might.  Because I wanted to start learning about contour, I bought an Ulta Sculpting Palette and quickly learned that while I loved the blush and highlight, when it came to contour, the darker powder wasn't blending and I just ended up with weird brown powder on my face.  I've been thinking for awhile that I really needed a cream to give this a decent shot, but because I'm still trying to figure this out, I didn't want to spend a ton of money.

When Valerie and I went to Ulta, they had the Lip+ Cheek stick on sale. Perfect!  Valerie bought me one, and I was so excited to try it out!  The first thing I noticed about it was that it was very creamy and has great blendability.



The product can work as a lip color, contour, or cheek color, and I tried it out all three ways (in the same order, left to right):





When I first got home, I did the full beat face first with the product as contour:



It really did go on and then blend very easily.  I used a sponge, but some people use brushes with creams.  I think that tends to muck up the brushes but I don't know a lot about this, so if it works for you, go for it.




Along with the stick-as-contour, I have the following on:

Eyes:
Skin:
Lips:


Before I even got home from work though, I had to try it on as a lip color.  It has some shimmer to it, and it felt really smooth on.  It definitely isn't kiss proof, and it definitely isn't matte, but its a fun color to wear if you are looking for a nude with a little something extra.



The eye makeup I have on is the same throughout, but I don't have any other makeup on in this picture, beyond some Ulta tinted bb cream.  Since I seem to be going through a nude lipstick phase right now, and since this is so creamy, I will definitely be wearing it as  lip color regularly.

My favorite, though, may have been as a cheek color.  I am super pale, though thanks to all my son's baseball games this summer, I have picked up a tiny bit of color.  I didn't think a color like golden would work as a cheek color, because I am so very pink.  But I was actually really pleased with how it turned out.  I think it added a lot of warmth to my face.


My makeup here is the same as before except this time I am wearing Essence color crayon in Say No To Redness on my skin and Smashbox Legendary Lip Gloss in Sugarcane.

And so there you have it! One product, three uses.  Makeup doesn't always have to be expensive.  You can mix budget products with higher end brands and still have a great face. If you are looking for a great brand in a super reasonable price point, I highly recommend Ulta's store brand!  I will definitely be getting this stick in other colors.










Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Beauty, Vol. I


I wrote that, about myself, in 2012.  I cringe when I look at it now, because today, though I weigh more than I did on May 25, 2012, I would never, ever say it.  I wouldn't even think it.  I would never dream of saying such an unkind thing about myself.

I've been fat for probably 30 of my 34 years, maybe longer.  Not only was I the fat kid, I was the fat kid with big glasses and a unibrow.  Head cheerleader I was not.  I think the first time I went on a diet, I was twelve, the age my oldest is now.  And for the next almost 20 years, I tried every insane diet that crossed my path.  You wouldn't believe some of the insane things I've done to my body over the years, in a quest to be smaller.  The small amount of calories I've subsisted on.  The bizarre supplements I've taken.  Feeling hungry made me feel strong.  Not eating made me feel self disciplined.  And then dizzy, but self disciplined first.

When I graduated from high school, and moved on to college, my world got infinitely bigger.  Removed from the fishbowl of the small town I grew up in, I found out there were all kinds of people in the world, and the were attracted to all sorts of other people.  I dated a lot.  I met my first real boyfriend during my sophomore year, and my second.  And after that, my ex-husband.  And when I jumped back into dating after our divorce five years later, I hit the ground running.  And three years later, the universe opened and smiled at me, and I met Joe.  But I say all that to say that being fat, at least in my adult life, never stopped male attention.  People think of fat girls as these sad, lonely, dateless creatures, and I am here to tell you, that is a lie.  David's Bridal sells more wedding gowns in size 16 and up than any other sizes.  Fat chicks get married every day of the week.  So, for me at least, it never had anything to do with male attention.  I knew I was cute then, and I know it now.  It was just about the belief that I held that the smaller I was, the more valid my place in the world was.  And that was the lie I couldn't shake.

In 2014, I had a daughter.  Having her forced me to challenge my old ideas in ways I didn't expect.  Because I didn't- and still don't- want any of that body image crap on her.  The thought of her counting calories, and drinking detox tea, and weighing food and starving herself, made me sick to my stomach.  This was not for my girl. She has far too much to offer the world to be worried about that stuff.

But I'm her mom.  So she's watching me.  And if she is seeing me say mean things about my appearance, and go on crazy diets, and talk myself out of buying dresses because they show my arms, or not wearing shorts because they show my legs, or not getting the pool with her, because I refuse to put a swimsuit on, what is she learning? She's learning that unless you are a certain size, you don't deserve to wear certain things, or that its important to put off certain life experiences, until you are an appropriate size to experience them, and people, I refuse. I refuse to allow her to believe that.

Not long after my strong, smart, funny, beautiful daughter was born, I discovered Peggy Carter.  And I get it, she's not real.  She's a fictional character.  But something clicked in me, watching her.  Peggy Carter is gorgeous. I mean, just look at Hayley Atwell.  There's no argument.  But Peggy isn't Peggy because she's pretty.  The best thing about her isn't that she's sexy.  She is genuinely good at her job.  She is talented.  She is smart.  She is self sufficient.  She is capable.  She IS beautiful, but its the least interesting thing about her.

And then one night, we were watching Agent Carter (which I dearly hope gets brought back on Netflix) and she said the words that fully turned the light on in my head.  When asked why she allowed a co-worker to take credit for what she did, Peggy said:




 
 
And friends, as silly as it will undoubtedly sound, my life was forever changed.  I know my value.  Just as I am.  Right now.  Not when I lose 10lbs.  Not when I touch up my roots.  Not at some point in the future, contingent on me being anything other than what I am right now.  As women, we spend so much time apologizing, and trying to take up less space, trying to not bother anyone, or inconvenience anyone.  What if we didn't do that?  What if we knew our value, just as we are?
 
And it became my mission in that moment to let as many people as possible know what their value is, right this very moment.
 
Around the same time that all of this was happening, Tess Holliday really came on the scene after signing with MiLK Management and people went bananas over her.  People either love her (because she hustled crazy hard and achieved her dream + her style is fab + she is always beat to capacity) OR they hate her (because she is SUPER DUPER FAT, does she not know this is unhealthy?!? How dare she wear clothes and take pictures and not constantly apologize for being so fat.)
 
I posted a link about her on my facebook and I feel like the first two comments totally sum up the whole Tess Holliday argument:
 
#1- I honestly had never heard of her until she was on the cover of People magazine this week. SO had though and said the controversy surrounding her weight was that she was promoting that at her stature and nearly 300lbs that she was still healthy, and encouraged others to be "healthy" at that weight. I'm glad that she pursued her dreams and had made something of herself. However, if she is promoting being 5'5 and over 250lbs, I'm not looking for that sort of role model. Like I said though, maybe you can shed some light, I know very little about her.
 
#2- What's astonishing to me is the level of hypocrisy over a model setting a Bad Example and being a Bad Role Model because of her body size. God almighty, since when do FASHION MODELS set the standard of healthy female bodies?! There's precious little outcry over emaciated anorexic models; we take them for granted. Every once in a while (recently, in fact) we get a little uncomfortable with actually being able to count their ribs, and we say, no more superthin models! By which we mean, we'll still reward eating disorders, but try not to look like you're on the edge of actual death. And anorexia and other eating disorders are actually far, far more dangerous than obesity. So we're all fussed about this woman, but the entire fashion industry gets a pass? I call bullshit.
 
 
My feelings on her are basically, not  really that's its a role model thing, more of a situation where she is giving a voice to people who feel like they dont have one. Fat girls gotta wear clothes too.  You still have to be out in the world while you are fat, so you can be slobby and apologetic or look your best, and demand to be treated with respect and dignity. Know your value.
 
 On a basic level, I have to say, I really like her.  I think her face is incredible, her eyebrows are amazing, her hair is amazing, her whole head game is really, really fantastic.  If she was thinner, she'd be commonly accepted as one of the great bombshells of or time.  I love the way she dresses.  She has great style and the clothes she wears are all really cute. And she is the size she is. And that's her choice. 
 
I don't want to vilify losing weight.  There isn't anything wrong with losing weight.  Its wrong to do insane things to your body.  Crash diets and pills and starving yourself isn't honoring your body.  I'm not doing crazy stuff anymore.  Because my daughter is watching me, and she isn't going to learn that lesson.
 
A wise woman named Sarah Koppelkam wrote the following.  It describes perfectly how I'm raising my daughter, and how I am learning to raise myself:
 

"How to talk to your daughter about her body, step one:
 
 Don't talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works.

Don't say anything if she's lost weight. Don't say anything if she's gained weight.

If you think your daughter's body looks amazing, don't say that. Here are some things you can say instead:...


"You look so healthy!" is a great one.

Or how about, "You're looking so strong."

"I can see how happy you are -- you're glowing."

Better yet, compliment her on something that has nothing to do with her body.

Don't comment on other women's bodies either. Nope. Not a single comment, not a nice one or a mean one.

Teach her about kindness towards others, but also kindness towards yourself.

Don't you dare talk about how much you hate your body in front of your daughter, or talk about your new diet. In fact, don't go on a diet in front of your daughter. Buy healthy food. Cook healthy meals. But don't say, "I'm not eating carbs right now." Your daughter should never think that carbs are evil, because shame over what you eat only leads to shame about yourself.

Encourage your daughter to run because it makes her feel less stressed. Encourage your daughter to climb mountains because there is nowhere better to explore your spirituality than the peak of the universe. Encourage your daughter to surf, or rock climb, or mountain bike because it scares her and that's a good thing sometimes.

Help your daughter love soccer or rowing or hockey because sports make her a better leader and a more confident woman. Explain that no matter how old you get, you'll never stop needing good teamwork. Never make her play a sport she isn't absolutely in love with.

Prove to your daughter that women don't need men to move their furniture.

Teach your daughter how to cook kale.

Teach your daughter how to bake chocolate cake made with six sticks of butter.

Pass on your own mom's recipe for Christmas morning coffee cake. Pass on your love of being outside.

Maybe you and your daughter both have thick thighs or wide ribcages. It's easy to hate these non-size zero body parts. Don't. Tell your daughter that with her legs she can run a marathon if she wants to, and her ribcage is nothing but a carrying case for strong lungs. She can scream and she can sing and she can lift up the world, if she wants.

Remind your daughter that the best thing she can do with her body is to use it to mobilize her beautiful soul."


 
Amen and Hallelujah.
 
For me, the next step was makeup.  I'm a mom.  Of three active, wild, wonderful children.  And I work full time.  I'm a wife and a daughter and a sister and a friend.  And my time is not my own.  And I began to see that I was really depleted.  I wasn't doing anything to take care of myself.  Recently, some people I love had weight loss surgery.  You'd probably assume, based on what I've written here, that I was against that choice.  Not so.  I am very in favor of autonomy, and of people making the decision they feel is the right one for them to be their best selves and live their happiest lives.  And because I am a work in progress, I suspected I would be jealous of their weight loss.  It turns out, that it was not the weight loss that sparked jealousy, but rather, the energy they were able to devote to making themselves a priority. Self care is vital to a healthy existence.  You have to find time to care for yourself and replenish yourself.
 
Alicia Keys recently wrote an excellent article   explaining why she will no longer wear makeup.  I think if I was in her shoes, after a decade plus of the world fixating on my appearance, when I had so much else to offer, I would want to forego makeup as well.  I don't blame her a bit. 
 
There is no paparazzi constantly in my face.  Millions don't weigh in, safely hiding behind their computer screen, on what I do or don't look like. Even for me, it isn't about the makeup itself.  I'm not scared to be makeup free:
 
 
 
For me, its the ritual of putting on makeup.  Its the ritual of my time in the morning, of the delicious and feminine pots and powders that I use to celebrate the privilege of being female, in a way that resonates with me.  Its taking the time for myself to put makeup on.  Its my daily reminder that I have value, that I am worth the effort.  I fell in love with makeup.  It speaks my language.  Not because I am trying to cover anything up, but because the thousands of years of talent and innovation, and the love of beauty, and makeup as a form of art and self expression resonates with me. 
 
The best part is, there is no one way to do this.  I'm not wrong, and neither is the talented Ms. Keys. We all get to celebrate in our own way. 
 
I gave up silly diets.  I made a promise to myself to move my body every single day.  I eat mostly things that are good for me, and some things that are not.  I'm a little bit smaller than I was, but who knows what will happen.  I could very well be fat forever.  But I'm done tormenting myself.  What will be, will be.  And I found makeup.  For me, that's self care.  Taking the time to enjoy that ritual.  That's the kind of woman I want to be, but there's no one right way.  Whatever way you choose, as long as its rooted in kindness toward yourself, is exactly what you should be doing.  Whatever it is, its beautiful.
 

Monday, June 13, 2016

Kat Von D- Adora

I really love red lipstick.  Like, really, really love.  The only downside to this is that there are only so many times to invent the wheel.  I don't really love shiny reds, and so I tend to stick with just mattes, or maybe a satin finish if I'm feeling adventurous.

So imagine my surprise when I was scrolling through instagram and saw a shiny-metallic- red that looked like fun.  Its a Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in a color called Adora.  Not only is it metallic red, its a sort of firey, orange-red and not in my normal color palette at all.  Kat Von D isn't sold at Ulta, but it is sold at Sephora (which is shocking to me given that Kat Von D is a known animal lover and Sephora is not  cruelty free brand) so I slunk off to Sephora to see if I liked it.

Kat Von D lipstick is really lovely, but at $21 is on the pricier side and I didn't want to pay that much for a lipstick I couldn't try on.  I went to one Sephora, but they didn't have it.  One turned into five pretty quickly.  None of the Sephoras around me carried it.  I learned through investigation that the closest Sephora to me that actually had some was about an hour away, which is really saying something, because I can easily count ten of these stores that I could get to inside of 20 minutes.  Nobody had it.  And nobody having it only made me more curious about it.

And then in one of my many internet searches to find out more about this elusive color, I found this.  I figured it was a pretty decent price, and even if I hated the lipstick, sparkly red nail polish is right up my alley so I'd call it a win over the polish alone. 

So I ordered it.  On the same day as I placed my Colourpop order, and Colourpop beat it here by four days.  And Colourpop is kind of known for slow shipping.  I'm just saying, weak sauce, Sephora.  Weak sauce.  It got here today though, and its the cutest widdle baby colors I've ever seen.
 
I wasn't sure right away that I would love the color on me but I was sure right away that I loved the color.
 
 
After seeing it online, I pictured it grainer somehow, but it is actually really smooth.  And of course, it slides on like a dream. KVD is amazing to apply and its like wearing pillows.  I haven't always thought that her lipstick had a lot of staying power but in terms of application, its pretty much the best.  In fact, I want it to come off so I'll have to apply it again.  Its really lovely.  And it smells amazing.  Full bonus points to Kat Von D for the scent. I've worn other KVD colors before but this one is easily my favorite!
 


 
As usual, you only need one coat, and the color is very saturated.  I actually really loved it.  I didn't find the shine overwhelming, and I think in person its really fun, and a fun change of pace from the same old same old of: red. matte. red. matte. red. matte.  Its  fun color because its sort of red and sort of orange all at the same time.
 

 
I've had it on for a few hours, and my lips still feel amazing.  This is a color I'll be excited to wear over and over.
 
 
ETA: After wearing this for the past few days (and I have been, continuously, because I love the color!) I wanted to give a little bit more of an update on this product.  This lipstick, like every KVD lipstick I've tried, is soooooo close to being perfect, but not quite.  This color will grab every little piece of schmutz anywhere around my lips and cling to it.  Make sure if  you wear this that you exfoliate your lips thoroughly first! And throughout the day.  I don't know if it's because the lipstick is metallic, which means there has to be little bits of glitter in it, but it sort of balls up on itself.  I have found that I am wiping it off every few hours and starting from scratch.  It is still a joy to apply, so I don't mind, but this isn't something that you can just apply and go.  It will need to be re-done.  And its a good idea to exfoliate your lips before each application.  Sometimes, you can get by with a lip primer or some chapstick underneath a dryer formula, but that won't work with this, you will really need to wipe your lips down. 
 
Having said that, I still think the color is amazing and rich, and smells totally yummy.  Its still a good buy, just a high maintenance one.





Colourpop II-- the hunt for nudes

I've written so much about my search for the perfect nude lip color.  I fell in love with Colourpop, in terms of their formula, though I had yet to really find the colors I loved.  I'm pretty picky about my lip color (outside of red, which is always a good choice) and its hard with companies that only deal in ecommerce, because I cant try to colors on before I buy.  I hate not trying the colors before I buy. 

After our last try with Colourpop on the blog, I knew I wanted to try again.  I love this formula, and you really cannot be the $6 price point.  Colourpop tends to read a little dark on me, so I figured if I got some really light colors, it would come out just right.  Sort of.

Shockingly, this order got here really fast.  Colourpop is everywhere right now, and they warn you to expect a little wait when you order, but these were on my doorstep in less than a week, which I felt was extraordinary.


From left to right, the colors pictured are Vice Midi and Solow.  I figured one of those had to be pretty close to what I was looking for.  I fell in love with Solow the first time I put it on.


 
Its essentially the color that my lips already are, but it gives them that polished liquid look.  I wore it all weekend and found it really wearable no matter what else I had on.  Colourpop tends to be a little bit dry and these are no exception.  I also found, with all three shades, that they were really not budging.  Not even soap and water could take them off.  I had to use makeup remover and scrub.
 
It took my two tries with Midi to fall in love, but I'm there now.  Its the truest nude that I've ever work, and I really enjoy it.
 
 
I ended up wearing Midi to work today, and it had no trouble staying put through the whole day.  Both Midi and Vice are a little more sheer, so it takes a couple of coats to really get total coverage.  I didn't run into that problem with Solow, and there are worse problems to have.  Its only $6.
 
I am not loving Vice.  Its too light.  Even for me, someone who magically makes Colorpop colors appear way darker than they would on another human, cannot make it dark enough.  I took lots and lots of pictures of this one, so that someone considering Vice gets a really good idea of just how light it is.
 


 
I don't even know who could wear this color or where.  Maybe if I ever found myself as an extra in a movie about the 1960's.  I theorize that a very tan blond person could maybe bring out the peach tones in this color, but otherwise, its probably one to skip.  Its so light that it ends up being a little streaky, so I'm really not sure what to do with it. 
 
I'm sure this won't be my last order with Colourpop, as they have too many great shades that I still want to try.  I love that once the formula dries, that it isn't moving for anything, and it really gives the look of liquid that I love.  I don't understand how this company can make such an inexpensive product, but far be it from me to ask questions.  And this time, I feel like 2/3 were great choices.  For me, when I can't try them on in advance, that's a big victory.



ImPress Nails

 
All week long, I was fawing over the nails of a girl I work with.  I'd noticed her before, because she has great style, but I really loved her nails.  I couldnt figure out if they were acrylic or gel or jamberry or what.  I just new they were the cutest.
 
 
When I finally got up the nerve to ask, she told me they were an ImPress Manicure.  I have always sort of turned up my nose at press on nails.  They seem kind of tacky, and they cant possibly stay well, right? I always figured they just popped right off. 
 
From my deep love of instagram I have already been learning that there are lots of new things happening with this kind of artificial nail.  Its not like when I was a kid.  After she told me that these things are super easy to apply (no glue!) and really do stay on, and best of all, only cost $6, I figured I'd have to give them a try.
 
 
 
They had so many cute styles, but I had to choose these because yellow is my favorite color.  I figured even if they came off before the end of the day, it was only $6.  They were super easy to apply.  I just wiped my hands down with an alcohol wipe, fitted the correct size nail, peeled the back off, and stuck it on.  I learned quickly that you only get one shot at this.  Once its on, its on, so place carefully!
 
The website says the nails are designed to last seven days, and here we are on Day Five going strong.  I've showered, done about eight million loads of dishes, cleaned, worked, and taken care of my kids.  No problems at all!  I am really amazed at how well they've stayed on.
 
My co-worker, now friend, went out over her lunch break and bought enough nails to last her several weeks.  They are all so cute, I couldnt even deal with it.
 



There are so many cute styles.  They have different lengths in both square and talon style nails.  I can't believe the quality for what they cost and I have had so many compliments on them!  I will say that where the website says that they can pop right off, I haven't found that to be true. There was one nail that I realized I put on upside down, and so I needed to take it off and re-apply a new nail.  I could not get it off no matter how hard I tried, and ended up having to soak it in nail polish remover.  Some press nails can be re-used, but these aren't those.  When they come off, they kind of distort in shape, and cannot be re-applied.  Hey, for $6, you can't have everything.

If you are needing a cute nail style, and don't have the time to get into a salon, these nails seriously take five minutes to apply and with almost no effort.  These nails are cruelty free, and you should already be on their website checking out the selection.  I will definitely be using more of these.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Giovanni D:Tox Scrub- Baby Steps to a Charcoal mask

Over the weekend, my friend Angie sent me a picture of her in a charcoal mask.  I have been wanting to try charcoal for awhile now, its known for its ability to suck every bit of debris out of your skin, but I've been too chicken to try it.  I have very sensitive skin that reacts easily to a lot of products, and charcoal is no joke.  It is not messing around.  Short of something a dermatologist does to you, charcoal is about as hard core as you can get.

While I feel like I know a thing or two about beauty products, Angie knows about seven or eight things.  She's the one I ask for reviews, and for the products she likes.  She said after she does a charcoal mask, she tries to leave her face product free for the rest of the day, with the exception of a really good serum.  This stuff isn't playing around.

I told her I was scared to jump in with both feet, and she suggested that I try a charcoal scrub.  We have sons on the same football team, and now that they are becoming teenagers, a good facial scrub is really important.  She suggested Biore Charcoal Scrub because that's what she has for her son.  This lady has seven children and flawless skin, so whenever she talks about skincare, I am all ears.  After seeing how bright her skin looked after the charcoal mask, I knew I had to give a scrub a try!

As luck would have it, I found myself at a store this afternoon that carried a lot of organic and cruelty free beauty products.  It didn't take me long to find one that looked like a winner!


 
Giovanni D:Tox Scrub had the activated charcoal I was looking for, along with volcanic ash.  It also promised me lots of antioxidants, and smelled surprisingly yummy.  I was expecting the smell to not be so great, but was really happily surprised. 
 
The best way to put this on would be in a hot shower, once your pores are good and open.  I washed my face with hot water and let the mask rest on my face for a minute before I got in the shower and started scrubbing.
 

 
Keep in mind that an actual charcoal mask will not look like this.  It will look like you have smeared thick black paint all over your face.  When the mask dries, it will stick, and may hurt a tiny bit when you peel it off-I'm told- but it shouldn't be anything too insane, and should leave behind a really fresh face.
 
Here are some great charcoal masks in variety of pricepoints:
 
Feeling Beautiful Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask (there is some debate about whether the company that makes this, Freeman Beauty, is truly cruelty free.  As of the last time I checked, they are still rated cruelty free by The Leaping Bunny, so I am listing the mask here)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
But back to the scrub.  I could definitely feel it tingling, and my skin felt incredibly smooth after I washed the scrub off, if a tiny bit raw.  Because I have sensitive skin, I really believe that whatever charcoal products I use, I would use at night, so that my skin can rest afterward and not be in a whole lot of light.  Even now writing this, I keep touching my skin because I cant believe how soft it feels.
 




You can see that fresh out of the shower my skin is a little bit on the pink side, but I feel like it has good circulation, I can feel the blood flowing, and I know for sure that there isn't a speck of dead skin left on my face anywhere.  Dead skin is dull can clog the lines on your face, making you look older than you really are.  Its a good idea to use some kind of scrub from time to time, just to make sure that healthy new skin is at the surface.  Don't over do it though.  Exfoliating doesn't really need to be done more than 2-3 times a week, and if you are using charcoal probably less than that. 

Make sure after you use charcoal (ESPECIALLY if you do a badass mask) to put a really good serum on your skin after to help protect it.  I'm using Tata Harper Rejuvinating Serum which I got a sample of and it has lasted me ages and ages.  The product itself is $$$, but you see how little my jar is, and its lasted forever.

 
I like anti-aging serums best, because I feel like the collagen and other products they usually contain really soothe my skin when its feeling a bit exposed, but really its whatever you'd like!
 
So, my first time with charcoal went really well!  I will definitely be using this scrub again!  It isn't very expensive, I got it for about $7 on sale, but it smells like (and works like) a much pricier product!  I think I will branch out into a full on mask next, since this went so well.  I would advise you to start with a scrub or a face wash if you've never tried charcoal before, just to make sure your skin reacts well.  I am super pleased with the results, and cant wait to try more!

Monday, June 6, 2016

Besame Lipstick: Victory Red (with bonus Red Velvet and Cherry Red)



 
 
I am super excited!! I have been waiting for today since I heard that this color was coming out. Besame is, without a doubt, my most favorite lipstick on the market.  A true Treat Yo Self, its inspired by classic makeup designs from the golden age of beauty.  If you have some time to kill, go and get lost on their website, www.besamecosmetics.com.  They don't just do lipstick, they do it all, and it is all classically gorgeous.
 
I've reviewed Besame before, here and here.  Since that time, they've come out with so many new products.  They have a new line of blushes launching next week and their powder compacts are maybe the most glamorous beauty product you can buy.
 
I fell in love with Besame almost instantly, after learning of them on twitter from the lovely Hayley Atwell, who plays my sheroine, Agent Peggy Carter.  The lovely Agent Carter wears Besame's Red Velvet, and if its good enough for her, its good enough for all of us.
 
Red Velvet is a universally flattering deep red color.  Anyone can wear it, and look amazing.  There is no one of woman born who cant rock Red Velvet.  It's been my favorite since the first time I tried it. If you are new to reds and nervous as to where to start, or you want something fabulous, but aren't sure what color red works best for you, please let me recommend Red Velvet.  Its the gold standard, literally.
 
My next Besame color was Cherry Red, which is similar to Red Velvet, and yet different.  I'm sure that's a very clear explanation.  Though we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit, here is a side-by-side of Victory Red, Red Velvet, and Cherry Red, so you can see how close in tone the last two are:
 


 
Where Red Velvet is a 40's era red (1946, to be specific, making it somewhat anachronistic for Agent Carter)  Cherry Red is a 30's era red.  Whereas Red Velvet maintains its tone all day, the Cherry Red fades to almost a berry pink color, despite starting off as the darkest of the three.  On the Besame website, it looks almost pink in the tube, but in real life, it is not.  No matter how much light I used to take the above photo, it still came out dark.  Cherry Red is a lovely color, but its sort of difficult to put your finger on.  The website also says it can be used as a stain, and so it may be a bit more sheer than some of the other shades.
 
 
Anyway, I've been drooling over Victory Red since its release was announced.  As far as I cam concerned, in terms of beauty, there is no better time than the 1940's.  The looks were so classically feminine and beautiful.  And because World War II was raging, women had to be creative with very little.  That ingenuity is something to celebrate.
 
 Imagine my happiness when I got home today, and saw this in my mailbox!
 

 
 
Gabriela never disappoints, and my new treasure came complete with a history lesson, which I am always excited about.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
In the early part of the 20th century, American women wore red lipstick as a sign of their empowerment as they campaigned for the right to vote.  In World War II, red lips were a symbol of victory, and thus, 1941 Victory Red was born, with $5 of every sale of the $28 lipstick being donated to Hope For the Warriors, an organization that supports veterans and their families.
 
This military inspired lipstick comes in an Army-green box, rather than Besame's traditional red and gold, and it comes with a victory lapel pin, a remake of a traditional pin from the 1940's.
 



 
Right now, I am loving bright, bold summer reds, and that's exactly what this color is.  Like the other colors, it goes on like a dream, and is really easy to apply, because of its unique pointed top edge.  Its a satin finish, but to me, it wears more like a matte than the other two.  It has a little hint of a vanilla scent, and doesn't feel sticky or like you have anything on your lips at all.  I love this brand.  Think up any positive adjective in the world, and it would apply to this product.  There just isn't anything I can think of that compares to it, and I've worn a lot of lipstick.
 

 
Victory Red
 

 

 
Red Velvet
 

 
Cherry Red
 
 
 Side by side, in the same order
 
All makeup is fun.  All makeup can make you feel good, but Besame is a real treat.  Victory Red is an amazingly fun color that I will be wearing often this summer.  You really can't go wrong with any of the colors, so do something special for you this summer, and treat yourself to some Besame.  You wont be disappointed.