Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post
Click below to see this month's ipsy bag!
Friday, November 15, 2013
Update! (More to Come)
Hello everyone!
Just a quick update before I release some of my new posts. I know I haven't been here in a while and I wanted to let you guys know what has been going on.
These past few months have been very hard for me.
I've been very sick and have been to several doctors. I've been unable to wear eye makeup up until recently, which has also been frustrating. I'm just now getting better. Those of you who follow my Instagram might have noticed I'm a bit more cheerful lately-- this is why!
School and work have been pilling on me to the point where I haven't had much time for anything else. A few of my co-workers recently quit and that's caused a strain at work. As for school, I'll be graduating this Spring! This, however, means I have a lot to get done. I've decided to go on for my Master's degree and I've been using my downtime to figure that out.
Some of you may remember a personal post from a long time ago when I mentioned my little brother had passed. This weekend marks one year since his death. I don't know how to feel about this or even what more I can say.
With everything that's been going on, I just needed an extended break to deal.
But....I never wanted to completely step away from the blogging community. Even then, I still would write down blog ideas or map posts out a bit.
I do have quite a few update posts to tell you what I've been up to, aside from all this negative stuff, which I'd rather not dwell on!
I've missed blogging and I'm ready to come back to that.
I hope you guys are still interested.
-Claudia
Just a quick update before I release some of my new posts. I know I haven't been here in a while and I wanted to let you guys know what has been going on.
These past few months have been very hard for me.
I've been very sick and have been to several doctors. I've been unable to wear eye makeup up until recently, which has also been frustrating. I'm just now getting better. Those of you who follow my Instagram might have noticed I'm a bit more cheerful lately-- this is why!
School and work have been pilling on me to the point where I haven't had much time for anything else. A few of my co-workers recently quit and that's caused a strain at work. As for school, I'll be graduating this Spring! This, however, means I have a lot to get done. I've decided to go on for my Master's degree and I've been using my downtime to figure that out.
Some of you may remember a personal post from a long time ago when I mentioned my little brother had passed. This weekend marks one year since his death. I don't know how to feel about this or even what more I can say.
With everything that's been going on, I just needed an extended break to deal.
But....I never wanted to completely step away from the blogging community. Even then, I still would write down blog ideas or map posts out a bit.
I do have quite a few update posts to tell you what I've been up to, aside from all this negative stuff, which I'd rather not dwell on!
I've missed blogging and I'm ready to come back to that.
I hope you guys are still interested.
-Claudia
Saturday, September 14, 2013
ipsy - September 2013
Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post
September's ipsy bag featured items for the classic beauty. When I think of "classic beauty," I think winged liner, thick lashes, and luscious red lips.
Click below to see this month's ipsy bag!
Friday, September 13, 2013
Pixiwoo at Ulta!
Pixiwoo is on a tour through the U.S. and stopped by the Ulta in Kildeer, IL today. You guys might have noticed I'm a pretty huge fan of Pixiwoo, so of course I trekked it on over to Kildeer from South Chicago. My husband would note it took nearly two hours, with traffic.
The event was advertised as a meet and greet with Samantha Chapman, but I was so happy to hear (I was checking the Facebook every few minutes on the ride over) that Nicola would be there as well!
I wasn't sure what to expect and I was very nervous walking into the store.
When I arrived, Sam and Nic were posing for fan pictures. They had just finished a set of Q&A's. I quickly got in line and worked my way up to where they stood.
I hadn't quite made up my mind on what to say until it was my turn for a picture. I told them how their videos have been such an inspiration and help in getting my self-confidence back. They were so sweet and humble. Nic told me I had plenty to be confident about and should be confident in myself. They both thanked me and we took this picture. It came out a bit blurry, unfortunately. I wish I could have told them more about how hard my life has been and to have articulated just how much makeup has come to mean to me, but I think the sentiment came across to them.
After the picture session, the girls began another Q&A. There were some great questions asked, one of which was from a guy asking how to conceal a black eye! Samantha applied a red lip on a fan who had a question on lip liners. She looked great! I asked them on tips for picking the right undereye concealer. Their advice was to look at whether the concealer made my undereye area gray (if it does, it's too light). Nic also said to try applying a very small amount of orange or red lipstick in combination with my concealer to see if that works.
Pictures of Samantha were then passed around and a line was formed for autographs. These fans were pretty intense! One of the fans asked the ladies to sign her arm! Samantha said it was a first.
When it was my turn, I once again thanked Sam and Nic for everything. My husband, Sam, jokingly said I was a huge fan and he was a "longtime listener," which made the ladies laugh.
After signing the picture, we posed for a "selfie." My arms were too short, so Samantha took the picture for us haha. I was still a bit emotional at this point, as you can tell. I gave both another hug and then that was it.
I walked out in an almost state of shock, not fully accepting what had just happened; I met Pixiwoo! One life goal, down! I'm so glad to have met them and to have walked out knowing they really are as great in person as they are in camera. Thank you, Ulta for hosting the event and thank you Pixiwoo, for your years of advice.
-Claudia
The event was advertised as a meet and greet with Samantha Chapman, but I was so happy to hear (I was checking the Facebook every few minutes on the ride over) that Nicola would be there as well!
I wasn't sure what to expect and I was very nervous walking into the store.
I didn't even notice the free brush promotion until after I'd purchased a set!
When I arrived, Sam and Nic were posing for fan pictures. They had just finished a set of Q&A's. I quickly got in line and worked my way up to where they stood.
They were so tall compared to this tiny gal, haha!
I hadn't quite made up my mind on what to say until it was my turn for a picture. I told them how their videos have been such an inspiration and help in getting my self-confidence back. They were so sweet and humble. Nic told me I had plenty to be confident about and should be confident in myself. They both thanked me and we took this picture. It came out a bit blurry, unfortunately. I wish I could have told them more about how hard my life has been and to have articulated just how much makeup has come to mean to me, but I think the sentiment came across to them.
Captured the moment she addressed the black eye issue.
After the picture session, the girls began another Q&A. There were some great questions asked, one of which was from a guy asking how to conceal a black eye! Samantha applied a red lip on a fan who had a question on lip liners. She looked great! I asked them on tips for picking the right undereye concealer. Their advice was to look at whether the concealer made my undereye area gray (if it does, it's too light). Nic also said to try applying a very small amount of orange or red lipstick in combination with my concealer to see if that works.
Pictures of Samantha were then passed around and a line was formed for autographs. These fans were pretty intense! One of the fans asked the ladies to sign her arm! Samantha said it was a first.
When it was my turn, I once again thanked Sam and Nic for everything. My husband, Sam, jokingly said I was a huge fan and he was a "longtime listener," which made the ladies laugh.
Samantha was concentrating on taking the selfie!
After signing the picture, we posed for a "selfie." My arms were too short, so Samantha took the picture for us haha. I was still a bit emotional at this point, as you can tell. I gave both another hug and then that was it.
I walked out in an almost state of shock, not fully accepting what had just happened; I met Pixiwoo! One life goal, down! I'm so glad to have met them and to have walked out knowing they really are as great in person as they are in camera. Thank you, Ulta for hosting the event and thank you Pixiwoo, for your years of advice.
-Claudia
Sunday, September 8, 2013
FOTD - Lucky Green
To be honest, I'm not sure I'd ever been to the mall this early. The store clerks were putting the final touches on their window displays and slowly their gates began to slide open.
I hit up a few stores, but couldn't shake that feeling of unsatisfaction. I wanted something, but couldn't quite put my finger on it.
I looked at various shirts and jewelry, hit up the usual places, but left empty handed.
Finally. I arrived at Macy's and headed to MAC.
At this point, my eyeshadow palette had yet to be filled. I swatched as I always do, looking for the one shade that will pop out and say "take me home!!" Still, I wasn't sold.
I left a few swatches on my hand and walked out.
It wasn't until I had walked into the morning sun and took another glance that I noticed the stunner:
Lucky Green.
I could suddenly see the different ways to pair the glinting, golden green and I turned right around for it.
After that long introduction, here is the look I envisioned with Lucky Green.
Face
Sonia Kashuk tinted moisturizer in Tan
MAC Stereo Rose, Sweet as Cocoa
Benefit Girl Meets Pearl
MAC Rice Paper, highlight
Eyes
MAC paint pot in Indianwood
MAC Woodwinked, Lucky Green, Swiss Chocolate, Embark, Bronze, Ricepaper
Urban Decay eyeliner in Underground, Zero
Rimmel London Scandaleyes pencil in 003 Bad Girl Bronze
Lips
Nothing
Have you ever had a similar experience finding a new shade?
-Claudia
Friday, September 6, 2013
Finally Finished: My MAC Palette!
Hello everyone! I'm so excited to finally write this post. After three long years I have finally finished filling my MAC eyeshadow palette.
It took a long time of figuring out what shades worked for me and what type of looks I like (or would like) to create.
So, without further ado....here it is:
It took a long time of figuring out what shades worked for me and what type of looks I like (or would like) to create.
So, without further ado....here it is:
Click below for more!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Birchbox - August 2013
Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post
{In this month's box}:
Miss Jessie's Original Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo
Violet Oasis 100% Organic Argan Oil
Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Watercolor Eye Liner in "Sailor"
BECCA Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation
Arangara Body Lotion
Miss Jessie's Original Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo
According to the packaging, this shampoo is best for curly hair. I've actually just ran out of shampoo, so I'll be trying this one out soon. Hopefully it works well.
Violet Oasis 100% Organic Argan Oil
My love affair with oils and serums continues! I like to use these to help keep my frizz in check, they're the only things that work! Violet Osais' argan oil has no scent, which is a plus if you don't care for scented hair products. It left my hair feeling soft, without feeling greasy.
Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Watercolor Eye Liner in "Sailor"
This eyeliner is quite pigmented! I received the color "Sailor," which is a dark navy blue. It's not too noticeable unless you are in brighter lighting which can be both a good and bad thing. I personally like that it's not so obvious, it looks like a toned down black with a bit of a punch.
BECCA Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation
I still have not tried out this foundation, but I have to stress that I'm REALLY glad they did not send only one shade; we were sent SIX different shades to test! I received the shades: Olive, Noisette, Tan, Bamboo, Fawn, and Cafe. The only downside to this is there is less product to test, but I will gladly take this sample over a bigger one, because I can figure out which shade I match best to.
Arangara Body Lotion
This lotion is a bit too thick and perfumed for me. I will be giving this one away.
I'm a bit worn out on all these moisturizers from Birchbox, which is part of the reason I've decided to take a break from the service. These last few months I haven't felt very satisfied with my boxes, but mostly I've felt overloaded with samples. I may resubscribe later on in the year, particularly for the holidays.
You can purchase a subscription to Birchbox through my referral link {here} or just go to Birchbox.com
What did you think of this month's box?
-Claudia
What did you think of this month's box?
-Claudia
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