Mini Makeup Clearout

Anyone that has a tendency to collect makeup knows the struggle--too much makeup and not enough face to put it all on! When you've accumulated a lot of makeup over the years, a good old fashioned declutter becomes necessary every now and then. Some are big, but most are just quick little clean-outs that consist of you staring at a product for several moments before finally setting it aside with a sigh because you just know you don't use it and you probably never will, so just get rid of it!

My mini declutter today consisted of three things. All three have been used several times and are also quite old, so sadly no passing on to a friend or donating. I do pass on to friends any makeup I've used a couple times and just didn't like, and I suggest everyone do this to keep from wasting product! What you may not enjoy, someone else would love.

First is the NYX HD Finishing Powder in mint green. Now there's nothing particularly wrong with this product. In fact I've used it quite a lot, and there's a sweet little dent in the middle that makes my heart sing a bit. But the reality is my skin is just too dry for most powders, this one included. I also don't even need powders, to be fair to myself. On any given day my makeup is very light, and powder just adds on an extra cakey layer that makes my skin look dense and flat. This powder is probably great for anyone that needs powders in their routine. The green is supposed to color correct any redness, which is why I bought it, but I haven't noticed any color correcting power from it, so I wouldn't say it works great for that purpose. Their regular translucent powder will probably work just fine.

Next is the 3CE Face Glow in Bondi Beach. It's their golden color, and is supposed to add a beautiful healthy glow to your face. I used to mix in a bit with my foundations, and also just apply it straight to the skin. It's honestly just a bit too dark for my skin, and doesn't quite look right on me, in my opinion, but the glow is gorgeous and if you love these kinds of products, I'd definitely recommend!

Last is the Xtreme eyeliner by Jo Mousselli, which I got in an ipsy back YEARS ago. It's honestly past time to be thrown out. And, I don't even use pencil liners. They tug on my eyes far too much, and I just don't like them. I much prefer gel or liquid. Even though it's pigmented and smooth and very dark, it's nearly $30, and honestly you could find a liner just as good for half the price. 

I tend to have mini declutters quite often as I often buy new makeup to try and end up disliking it or holding onto it for so long that I end up just hating myself for having to throw it away. I'm definitely trying to cut back on my makeup clutter, but it's a struggle for someone who's a collector at heart! What have you decluttered lately?

Review | Yes To Coconut Hydrate & Restore Mask

Sadly I don't have a picture of my own to use for this, as I threw the packets away ):

I bought these on a whim while at Target one day because I was looking for some new sheet masks to try. My skin has been feeling some kind of damaged after the lengthy dry, windy winter here and I've been desperately hunting for some pick-me-ups for my skin. I've tried a few things in the Yes To line that I've liked, though of course not everything has been perfect.

I should've read the reviews before buying this, honestly. I bought two, one for me and one for my best friend to try. He immediately took his off because it started burning. I only felt an extremely mild sensation that I wasn't sure how to deal with, so I left it on for five minutes. I read some reviews after this experience, and he wasn't the only one. A great many of the people who have tried this have experienced some mild to intense burning and even swelling/redness.

It didn't burn me, but my face was sticky after I took it off, and the smell is actually a bit nauseating. It's a very fake coconut scent that's a bit too sweet, almost like sunscreen. It didn't do anything noticeable for my skin, and honestly the construction of the mask is kind of wonky too. It didn't stick to my face, especially my chin area. I practically had to hold it on myself. I've never had this problem with sheet masks before.

I definitely would not buy this again, and would not recommend it to anyone. I'm kind of hesitant to try any of their other sheet masks, too. I'll just read the reviews first next time!

Dear November...

November in New York has been very finicky in terms of weather. There have been a few windy, cold days that required some extra layers, but many of the days have been mild and easy to endure. Today (and supposedly tomorrow) it rained all day, but it was hardly cold. 

It's been a very strange month for me, so I'm looking to December with some trepidation. In addition to ongoing therapy, I got a tooth removed, school has been trying to murder me, my job has also been trying to murder me, and my parents visited last weekend! They didn't stay but that weekend, as New York can be quite expensive and they have their own bills to pay, but it was a whirlwind of fun. I took them to a few touristy spots such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, we saw The Rockettes, and watched a hockey game featuring my mom's favorite team (Pittsburgh Penguins, in case you were wondering). It was extremely fun, punctuated with great food and nice people. 

In addition to all of that, I've just been feeling quite lost. What's new? I'm so unsure of what to do with my future, and any tentative plans I have I'm afraid to confide in anyone. There are a few things I dream of and desire, but I don't think those dreams are attainable any time soon. Perhaps, by the time they would even be considerable, I may even grow out of them. Who knows? 

But this feeling of listlessness and loss has been very overwhelming and emptying for me. I've not been feeling much like myself, sadly. I'm not sure how to break out of that. I hope December will provide some answers for me,

7.14.16

(photo by me)

"Now roll your tongue in honey till your cheeks are

Swarming honeycombs- your world needs sweetening, child."

-Wole Soyinka, "Dedication"

I am terrible about keeping up with this blog! As soon as I got back to New York I started a new job that's been sapping my energy. I only work part-time but for some reason it just drains me for the rest of the day and I barely get anything done, which is unfortunate because there is a lot I want to do! But it's been making my mental illness flare up pretty horribly so everything I want to do just becomes a big pile of mush in my brain. 

I'd also say this blog is quickly becoming more of a personal diary than anything beauty related, but I don't mind all that much. I'm still very much into beauty, but I just haven't found the correct creative approach I want to take for it yet. Every entry I attempt to make about something beauty related feels so forced and contrived, like you could read that anywhere. I just don't know where I want to go with it. But diary entries are easy, and I like filling my spaces with beautiful and calming things. Honestly I think I'd like to move into more fashion than beauty, but I still have issues with my face so I'm coming to terms with if I want to do that or not. I just love seeing the creative outfits people can put together and want to join in on that fun! 

Also, the picture is from Central Park! I found a gorgeous little pond surrounded by trees and thick grass and honestly just from this picture, you can't even tell it's in the center of Manhattan. It's so beautiful! I want to go back and just sit and relax here. But I was on a Pokemon Go mission, so I couldn't stay long ): I did catch a few good pokemon though!!

Hope your days have been well, and see you again soon~

New Journal!

  

I bought a new journal last week! It's absolutely beautiful. The minute I saw it I knew I had to have it. My old moleskine is almost out of pages, and I have another journal that I keep for strictly writing/diary entries. I needed a knew one to use for both writing, sketches, and pictures and this was the winner. It's from the brand Fawnsberg, but looking at their website, it doesn't seem that they list their journals. I just happened upon this in a local bookstore and fell in love!

I also recently picked up a gardening magazine to cut out from, so I have a gigantic pile of flower pictures to eventually paste into this thing. I'm pacing myself for now - I have so much pent up journaling energy that if I'm not careful, I'll use up this entire journal in a week! 

I've been following a lot of art journal instagrams lately to really get inspired to do these again. I really missed it. There's just something so satisfying about it! And then being able to go back to your old journals in the future and see everything you did and get nostalgic - it's one of my favorite feelings. 

I've also been going a little stationery crazy since getting back into journaling. I can't stop drooling over fancy pens and washi tape, I honestly need someone to take my wallet from me. Expect more of these from me in the future, they're so fun to do and even more fun to share! 

Kitty Kitty

I've been visiting my parents in Georgia this past week (still got a week left with them! good times) and on Friday my sister-in-law and I went to a "Cats in Bow-ties" exhibit. Let me just say it was adorable and I was very happy.

Her friend from college was the photographer for the event, and she had photographed all the kitties from a local, no-kill, all-volunteer shelter. They each wore a special bow-tie and had little tags on their pictures that said whether they were adopted already or not. There were over 100 pictures, but luckily quite a few of the pictures had "adopted" underneath them! Lucky kitties. I hope the rest find good homes very soon. There were more than a few kitties I wanted to take home with me, but alas, I could not...I already live with two anyway. I'm just greedy!

(ignore my sweaty face - it was hot!)

I really should take pictures of things I do more often, but I have a horrible habit of not doing it. I suppose "living in the moment" isn't so bad, but I tend to have a wispy memory and pictures really help me capture what I loved about those days. Plus, I'd have more to blog about ;)

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

Spring, She Comes

Wow, it's been a while! I fear I've neglected this little space as of late...I'm terribly sorry about that. Life and mental health got in the way, as it always does. I switched jobs a few months ago and adjusting was...a little hard for me. I've been more stressed lately, what with also going to school, and I haven't even been able to find much time for myself or collect beautiful thoughts for this place. 

But I'm back, hopefully for a regular amount of time again! Spring has arrived at last in New York, and I remembered why it's my favorite season. The breath of fresh life, green budding trees and new flowers giving color back to this tired old city...its really refreshed me. I'm feeling better than I have in months. There are still plenty of negative little things nibbling at my brain but I'm not going to give them any focus right now.

For now, I'm just enjoying this new beauty, catching up on some old video games (hello Skyrim!), journaling here and there, and trying to eat healthier. 

"When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever." 

-Alexander Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo