For the Love of a Palette: Sephora

I saw this palette about a few weeks ago in Sephora. I played with it a bit in the store but I decided to leave it. Well, I went back yesterday and found myself eyeing it again. The thing that got me was the glittery shimmer madness!! I'm more of a matte/slight sheen type of person. However, if I am going out at night I like to have something on my eyes with a lot of shimmer or even glitter for that matter. The lighting at night captures my eye makeup and stuns everyone around me! LOL

Anyway, I played with it again for about ten minutes and came to the conclusion that it was something I wanted to invest in. I don't know if you guys have the original NAKED palette by Urban Decay, but I loved it when it first came out. I originally went into Sephora yesterday to purchase the 2nd edition of the NAKED palette but was less than thrilled by the color choices. For $20 less I got this palette and I can honestly say I am happy with it. It retails for $30 at your local Sephora and there are two editions to choose from.

Look forward to tutorials from this soon!

Kisses,

Rach

Where Have I Been!!!?

There comes a time in every woman's life when she must be real with herself and others around her. I am at that point in my life and you are the people around me. And the real is.....I've been neglecting you dear blog. How could I? Where have I been? What could have been so important that I stepped away for dare I say it? A YEAR!!!!

There's no excuse for this. I love you guys. And no matter how long I'm gone, you always have my back and you always let me know you miss me. I miss you guys too!!!! I don't even know how I've been able to survive without involving myself in what I love the most. Hair and makeup are more to me than a hobby. They're a way of life. The two combined have changed my career path, my motivation, and my enthusiasm towards others around me.

I want to make sure that I always take advantage of the platform that God has blessed me with. It may not be MILLIONS like those I admire on YouTube and other blogs. But nevertheless, you matter to me, each of you individually. So here goes....a fresh start...a new beginning.

Kisses

The New LOVE of My Life: MAC Face and Body Foundation!!

I have been on the prowl for the perfect foundation. I recently went back to my original drugstore love, Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in cocoa dark 3. However, even though this foundation leaves a flawless look, it does look like you have on makeup. More often than not when you're wearing makeup, it will look like it....but it doesn't have to really LOOK like it (if you get what I'm trying to say). Anyway, it's the summer time and I wanted a foundation that would give me a natural dewy look with not so much coverage. Where I live it gets HOT in the summer months and I really didn't want to look like my foundation was sliding off my face!! Who wants that!?

So, without further adieu...I'd like to introduce you to MAC's Face and Body Foundation!!! I found this just looking on their website. I had heard of it before but I didn't pay it any attention because of the "body" in the title. But when in doubt, turn to youtube! I logged on and found some GREAT reviews on this product. So, I went ahead and purchased it. Best decision in my life!

Now, I must admit, I really didn't try it on in the store. I just asked what color I would be, they told me, I bought it! I knew what finish I was looking for (kind of a light-medium coverage) and they assured me that that was what I was going to get.

I already had on makeup for the day because I was going out with my husband. So, I waited until the next day to do a full face.....but when I did.....words cannot even describe the joy that overtook me!! It gave me such a natural look. It's almost like your face still looks like your face but a more polished version. BEAUTIFUL. Even my husband commented telling me my face looks so nice lol.

STATS:

• It's very watery when it first comes out. But with application it becomes almost gel-like so you need to work it in fast.
• The color match is not a big deal because the coverage is so light.
• It comes with 4oz. of product (unlike the other foundations by MAC which are 1oz.
• It's important to find the right brush to apply it with. Otherwise the product will just be absorbed.
• Must be shaken before use because it does separate.
• Beautiful dewy finish
• Does not feel like you have on make-up
• May or may not be set with powder
• $32. Just $7 more than MAC's other foundations with 3 more oz.!!

Overall, this is my favorite new foundation. I LOVE IT!!! I will be posting a tutorial soon on my channel!

I chose the ELF Flat top powder brush to apply. It worked the product in beautifully!

Kisses,

Rachel

Am I Getting Creative? I Think I Am......

It's about time I tried something new with this hair. I wanted to spruce up my little signature ponytail that I always do. So, I added bantu knots to the front and flat twists to each side.

Natural hair is so versatile. Exploring the different things you can do with it is the best part of my journey!  :)

Kisses,

Rachel

Bantu Knots, Oh How I Love Thee...

I wanted to try something different with my hair today. So I worked up the strength to wash, blow dry, and bantu knot my hair. I had already seen so many success stories on YouTube and I wanted to give it a go! It was a lot of work but I finally finished all of the knots (almost 20) and put on a satin bonnet and went to sleep. In the morning I took out all the knots to get this result:

I looked a mess! It was literally like 6am. Anyways, separating curls, bantu knots, and braid outs can be a HUGE fear for many naturals. The overwhelming feeling that beautiful, shiny waves and curls can easily become a big giant NAP can be discouraging. But I had faith and I separated.....very....very carefully. Below are a few pics along with the products I used. Take the leap! Do the knots and SEPARATE! Happy knotting!

Kisses,

Rachel

120 Neutral Palette :)

I was on a search for a neutral palette that I could use for more toned down looks and I found it!!! The 120 Neutral palette is considered to be the 4th edition of the 120 palettes. I found mine on ebay and surprisingly I had never heard of it. I purchased it for $21.99 and it took about 3 weeks for delivery. Overall I am very impressed with it. The palette is of the same quality of all of the other 120 palettes. The colors are very pigmented and blendable. I can't wait to do tons of looks with it!

Kisses,

Rachel

88 Tropical Shimmer Palette

I got a new palette in the mail today. It's called the "88 Tropical Shimmer Palette." I got it from ebay for $16.99 and I must say that I LOVE IT!! I had never heard of it before until I stumbled upon it online. The colors are just as pigmented as all of the other 88 palettes but the are more toned down with an "earthy" hue to all of them. This would be a great palette for beginners who don't want to venture into super bright colors! I also purchased the 88 Shimmer palette for $13.99 from the same seller and that came today as well. Below is a pic of the 88 Shimmer and 88 Tropical Shimmer side by side!

Kisses,

Rachel