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5 Awesome Makeup items you can Splurge or Skimp

by admin | Apr 15, 2020 | Beauty

Being a former makeup artist, I have worked with a lot of products. I want to share 5 Awesome Makeup items you can Splurge or Skimp. Now I must say out the gate, makeup is a luxury item it’s not a requirement to be a feminine woman. However, makeup is a fun way of expression for me. As a lady, I work at keeping my image in a certain way. I like to look refreshed, well put together, and just that girl. Beauty at times can get a bad rap as some think it is frivolous.

Over the years, I have heard women say that don’t wear makeup because it’s expensive or it takes too much fuss to do. Everyone gets to decide what is best for them. For me no matter what my budget has been over the years, I have always made time for makeup.

Makeup doesn’t have to break the bank. If you know how to be strategic with your funds, you can have a wonderful collection that allows you the range to create a bunch of looks. Creativity is the key to beauty.

Marketing is often done in a way to cause the beauty girl to think she needs 50-11 products. As a former MUA, I thought I needed the full collection of foundations and concealers, but mixing became my friend. Same for those who only apply makeup to themselves.

Below are items in my humblest opinion that you need can Splurge or Skimp. I didn’t list brands as that is part of the beauty journey experience. If you would like a list of my favorite beauty brands let me know in the comments.

5 Awesome Makeup items you can Splurge or Skimp

Splurge

Foundation- Your complexion products can make or break your entire look. I have seen many pretty girls on IG with cute eye looks but their foundation is awful it takes away from the look.

I have found a higher-end foundation doesn’t break down as bad depending on formula as a drug store and depending on the brand will have a more sophisticated shade selection. Your want an even flawless canvas.

Concealer– I like to apply my makeup once a day and go on my merry way. Investing in better quality concealers allows me not to worry about creasing and other breakdowns throughout the day. Again complexion items are worth the investment as you want to ensure your skin looks refined throughout the day.

Blush esp for darker skin- For my ladies who are darker skin blush has not come up to the 20th century. I have found most drug store brands don’t have the range for such beautiful skin. I have found a few brands that aren’t necessarily a drug store but are affordable. The higher quality pigment is key for blush to last through the day.

Eyeliner– I have used so many eyeliners over the years from pencil to liquid and I have found those that are higher quality glide on and stay put. The eye area is very delicate so I look for products that glide with effective pigment.

Skimp

Eyeshadow– This is one I have gone back and forth on. If your someone who is new to makeup, you don’t need to rush out and buy a 50.00 palette. However, I would stick to neutral colors if I am purchasing a drug store brand. If your someone looking for some trendy colors, drug store brands are great to experiment and upgrade if I want.

Mascara– You need to throw out mascara after 3 months of use because of germs. I find many of the higher end brands are owned by a certain drug store brand and work just as great. Now if you are able to get some higher brands on sale, as Nordstroms, for instance, does a Mascara sale, then I would buy up and enjoy the indulgence.

Lashes– If your new to lashes please don’t get caught up buying 20.00 lashes unless you want to. When you first start using lashes you may mess up and it’s so much more forgiving to buy a pack of 5 for 11.00 from Walgreens then 1 pair for more.

Lip products (Lipsticks, Lip Liners, Lip Gloss)– A new lip color can make a sad day become a hit instantly. I have found over the years I can achieve the same look with a drug store lip color or liner. There are some brands that are awesome and allow you to have a wide variety of shades and finishes. On special occasions, I will splurge and get a YSL.

I hope these items help you prioritize your beauty budgets accordingly. Now if you have it go full-on splurge. I have looked over my makeup collection and have noticed I have migrated to more splurge items but some drug store brands will forever be in my arsenal because they are just amazing and beat out some higher-end items.

Do you agree with this list or do you have other thoughts? Leave those in the comment!

XOXO Christian Sismone

Washed up at 30: Creating the Feminine life you want

by admin | Apr 6, 2020 | Glow-up

You know your washed up at 30 right? I remember like it was yesterday being told that because I was turning 30, I was over the hill and no real man would want me. If you get to 35 then dudes will think something must be off about you.

As I pulled myself off the floor I was hit with this wave of anxiety and disappointment. Over the years I was groomed to be a mule. You see from a very young age I had to provide for myself and often told that unless I had money no one would want me to be it, friend or lover, by my family.

I don’t share that for sympathy but to paint the picture of how grooming happens early on. I worked tirelessly from age 8 from mowing yards in the blistering Texas heat, being a maid, to working retail. Now, most of my friends worked so they could have blow money for hair and nails, but I was financing my family household from keeping the lights on amidst having to forgo prom, providing gas money, and buying groceries.

All through my school years, I was chubby. Not having that aesthetically appeasing physique led to me throwing myself into my studies as a way to be seen. I was praised for my scholastic abilities and told just you wait you will be the boss. I worked and pined for collegiate recognition, however falling short due to depression.

Postgrad, I aspired like many 1st generational students to find a lucrative role and be able to climb the ladder of success. In my head, my many nights of poverty and lack would be a thing of the past. I worked hard, you know the normal stay late, come in early. Always going the extra mile. Within that, I noticed many of those who I graduated with had sauntered into nice roles but also some were able to have the freedom to pursue creative passions.

Finally one day it dawned on me that all my workhorse efforts had manifested into nothing. The scale was high, I looked old and worn, dressed frumpy. I didn’t take pride in my appearance as I felt that was for those girls and I wasn’t her. I felt I had work to do so my success would vindicate me. Some man would sweep me off my feet and give me a happily ever after.

The reality no man was looking in my direction. I had picked up many masculine habits and had a chip on my shoulder of letting a man know I was strong and fierce. But as the years passed and I hit 30, it dawned on me, I got it wrong.

As a woman, your looks are your virtue. It’s not nice to hear, and it may even invoke certain feelings of animosity. For me I was never told growing up to drop the weight, to fix up before leaving the home. I did the basics but I didn’t invest in myself as I was always working towards being validated.
In your 20’s you have your youth, energy, and vitality.

Now, what about those in their 30’s? You now may be saddled with debt, a full-time job with adult expenses. You may not have the energy you once had because of years of carrying around extra weight and a lot of learned behavior to make it.

I share all this to say, you’re not washed up if your in your 30’s and you’re not living the reality you desire. You have shown the ability that you can learn and execute. That is a great thing as it means you can unlearn habits that aren’t benefiting your life and learn new ones. My goal with this blog will be to share tips, inspiration and my journey on how you can level up at 30 and beyond!