Similar makeup (almost dupe?)

Hey guys! This isn’t quite a “dupe” I don’t think as the colors aren’t exactly the same, but I wanted to share some very similar lipsticks with you guys.  On the top swatched on my arm is a ColourPop lippie stix in the shade Aquarius.  Below it is a Mac lipstick in the shade Hug me.  I LOVE the Mac lipstick.  It was my first higher end lipstick I got when I was a teenager (don’t judge me, yes this is probably too old for me to still have) and it is a great shade it is listed as a flesh pink and is a lustre finish. This is great for an everyday look, and I’ve used it down to a little nub.  I didn’t want to finish it as I love it so much, but I found that it is very similar to Aquarius.  As you can see in the photo, the finish is a bit different.  Aquarius is listed as a soft pinky nude in the crème finish on the website.  I think the color and finish on the lips does end up very similar, with Aquarius being SLIGHTLY more nude, but if I put one on my top lip and one on my bottom lip they look the same.  I would recommend either of these to buy as they are both comfortable and beautiful.  I haven’t wear tested these for how long they last, but taking the swatches off my arm the ColourPop shade was actually more lasting.  I haven’t heard anyone really talk about the Mac lipstick Hug me, so let me know if you love this one too! I think there are some popular lipsticks people talk about, but I find myself loving others too :).

Product Review!

Hi guys,

I’m coming on today to review a product that was raved about by multiple people on YouTube videos that just did not work for me…

This was the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Mascara.  I got this in black pearl and according to Maybelline.com this “volumizing formula is infused with black pearl pigments and coats lashes from root to tip for a full-fan effect”.  The website also says the “formula delivers deep intensity for the most concentrated color”.  I think this applies okay to my lashes, but it doesn’t do anything amazing for them. I’ve used this multiple times, and I often find myself reaching for a different mascara to add that length and separation that I want.  The main issue I have with this mascara is what happens when I go to wash it off. This mascara just flakes everywhere when I go to take it off. I’ve inserted some real life pictures of my face right after washing without wiping anything off so you can see the flakes all over my eyes.  This is after using a makeup removing wipe and washing my face with a cleanser that removes makeup and rinsing my face.  This is actually better than other times I used this mascara and attempted to wash it off as I had flakes all over my face other times I used it (maybe because I used less this time? not sure).

I don’t know if this is because of the color I chose or what, but I do not recommend this mascara. The website says it is “suitable for contact lens wearers”, but when it flakes everywhere like this and makes me worried about my eyes I would not use this if I also used contacts or had sensitive eyes.  If anyone else has had this problem or has had a good experience with this in the black pearl version let me know.  Maybe I got a dud? Whatever it is this is totally going in the trash because I can’t make myself use this when it doesn’t do anything great for my lashes and flakes like crazy.

Declutter time!

So I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos lately, and a popular type of video is a “haul” video or an “unboxing” video.  While these are so fun to watch, they do tend to make you want to buy new things.  Add to that the sales around Black Friday and Christmas, and I have been buying things I probably don’t need (as well as getting gifts for Christmas).  To offset this I have been working on organization and decluttering.  I am trying to set up my organization so that I have products visible, especially those items I want to use or try more to see if I like them or not.  I have decluttered some older items and items I know I don’t like.

First on the chopping block was four lipglosses from Mary Kay that were very old.  I didn’t take a picture, but I did declutter them in a video of my lip product collection.

Recently, I got rid of a shampoo and conditioner that I haven’t been using because I didn’t like them and bought a new set.  It was the Not Your Mother’s moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.  This set did not seem to penetrate my hair to clean it well or moisturize my hair and decrease any frizz.  I was keeping the set, I guess in case I ever wanted to use them again.  But I don’t want to! So out they go.

I also got rid of some other makeup that was very old. I had an old Mac concealer, mascaras, and skinfinish.  Then I had an old Stila eyeshadow palette, Sephora eyeliner,  and Mary Kay mascara.  The other products in the declutter were a hair oil and eyelash curler refills. The positive of this little declutter is that I can back to Mac the old Mac items when I have 6 things and I can get a new lipstick!

Finally, I decluttered some clothing to clear up some space in my drawers and get rid of items I’m not liking. My drawers are clearer now! And I even went back and got rid of some of the “maybe” items after my video.

I’m excited to keep doing some little declutters often, and I’ll update here as I do more!

First blog post

Hi everyone!

This is my first blog post on this new blog of mine.  I started a YouTube channel, and started this blog to go with it.  I plan to post on here about various things in my life like skincare, beauty, clothing, decluttering, organization, books, fitness, journaling… I am excited to connect with new people!