When I wanted to experience a true “California Press” on my curly kinky natural hair with real bounce and shine – there was CHI. When I wanted the classic layered look like Claire Huxtable – there was CHI. Whether I wanted a bone straight long weave or a slightly curled natural body wave look, I could always count on my ceramic curlers to get the job done. After trying many, many hair curlers and irons and exploring ceramic curling iron benefits, I realized that there is good reason for investing $100 in a CHI G2 Ceramic and Titanium 1 1/4″ Hairstyling Iron. It makes a major difference and after one try, I was immediately addicted. You have to CHI it to believe it!
From my initial discovery about 7 years ago to today, CHI has introduced many new products, but I will never forget that day that I fell in love with this curling iron did to my hair. It was amazing and well worth an exceptional ceramic curling iron review! I highly recommend this product for anyone looking to take their hair experience to the next level.
Hopefully you enjoyed my last post on the #UltaCollection. I created a weekly schedule for blog posts but forgot to post it last week so hopefully I can stay on schedule. I have something that I would really like to talk candidly about. I have had such a challenge with finding the right primer that lasts all day long, prevents creasing in my smile lines, and keeps me looking nice and fresh.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com
I’ll be honest and tell you that it is something that I ignored for the looongeeest time but when I got into it I immediately noticed a difference in the way my foundation lays and stays. I tried several different kinds and had to figure out what worked well for my skin and make up. Finally, after countless trials and errors I can tell what to do to keep an all day glow and keep you skin feeling refreshed, moisturized, and smooth.
The answer is primer.
I’ve found a few that work well at several different price points. I really like the Cover Girl Simply Ageless. It gave me a nice moisturizing layer to prepare for my foundation. I also tried the Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly. It has an easy to use pump and I just love the feel and hydration of the jelly primers. I also tried the NYX Bare With Me Jelly formula and was pleasantly surprised. I preferred the pump but found a way to put this cooling jelly primer on my face with ease. But here’s the key! I use the Ulta Hydrating Primer with Coconut Water underneath as an extra layer of moisture.
I know it may seem like a bit much to use two primers but the one is a bit more oily and tends to prevent the mid day dryness. It’s like the moisture activates at the right time and as I refresh my makeup I’m simply blotting away the moisture. I do not see creasing or any dullness. Sometimes I use the Mario Badescu Spritz Mist or Mac Prep and Prime Fix Plus Setting Spray for a little facial refresh. This has been my optimal path for all day makeup success. This is so important to me because I like a matte look but I don’t want to look too dry.
Here are the top primers I recommend (click to buy):
I hate to sound completely superficial and self-absorbed, but I fell in love with makeup a long time ago. I worked at Bare Escentuals at the Atlanta Airport for around 18 months and remember how much I loved helping customers look beautiful every day.
Photo by Kelsey Kaay
Aside from that I got to play in makeup – from shiny shimmery eye shadows and highlighters to top of the line skin products and body creams. I never fell away from all of that girlie stuff but just seemed too busy or stressed out to give myself the #selfcare that I needed.
Photo by Joanna Kosinska
Now here comes Ulta Beauty and their exciting gift with purchases that inspire me to try out new eye shadows, blushes, lipsticks, primers, and brushes. It is like my face is a canvas and there are a thousand different ways to color, accentuate, and enhance my features. Here are some the products that were in my 10 Piece Gift:
#UltaBeautyCollection with neutral Cherry Blossom and Walnut shades. The Cherry Blossom has just a little bit of shimmer but not too much.
#UltaBeautyCollection eyeshadows with Peony, Lilac, Hyacinth, Wisteria, Maple, and Tiger Lilly. I love the Peony and Maple shades together.
Nudely interrupt lipstick – an excellent replacement for that one lipstick color that I could never find again from last year 😊
Poreless Face Primer – I’m addicted to their hydrating face primer but excited about trying another.
Ulta Beauty Cheek – The softest, smoothest brush ever and I cannot stress the importance of the right brushes enough. I bought a NYX foundation brush a few months ago and it change my entire life.
Lastly, I never thought that I would like glosses again and wondered if a mature woman would do shiny lips. I actually adore the Ulta Beauty Jelly Gloss. It looks shimmery in the tube but it is still modest.
Ulta Beauty has played a huge part in helping me to remember how much I enjoyed this years ago. I’m excited to play in my makeup a bit more and share some photos and videos in the near future.
Has anyone out there found themselves engulfed in the mission of finding the perfect lipstick? I have a cosmetic bag preserved for lipsticks only. There are a number of colors like purples, nudes, pinks, and mauves and it’s not because I’m a lipstick guru. I have been challenged in finding the right color and texture. I like a lot of them for different occasions or moments when I feel like playing around in my makeup, but the color that I’ve had trouble finding is the one for every-day wear.
Photo by Євгенія Височина on Unsplash
I’m talking about that perfect lip color that is appropriate for the quick run to the grocery store, business meeting, or even the gym. I’ve come close many times but end up making a mistake and letting the one that I like get lost in a cycle in the washer and dryer. I’ve literally ruined clothes over this major lipstick mission. And then I’ve found another, but then only find out that the store decided to discontinue it. Before I know it, I am on the hunt again and adding yet more lipsticks to my cosmetic bag.
Photo by The Honest Company on Unsplash
Here is my story on lipstick:
Ulta Festival Crayon – I instantly fell in love with this color only to learn that it was a seasonal color with limited availability. I’ve tried a few other sources like Amazon and Poshmark to find sellers.
NYX Slip Tease Strawberry Whip – I bought this one at a local cosmetic store and really like it on days when I’m feeling vibrant and ultra-feminine.
NYX Root Bear Butter Float – This is a nice neutral pinkish mauve that is suitable for the office or everyday wear.
Cover Girl Katy Perry Pink Paws – This is my absolute favorite color for special events or photo shoots. It gives just a little bit of sexy glam without being over the top.
MamaStarrr Satin Patrick Starr – I love the texture of this lipstick and this color is great with my browns, creams, and greens. It is super smooth and moisturizing.
I most recently discovered the Beauty by POPSUGAR Sweet Satin Matte Lip Color and ordered a color called First Kiss. I am hoping that I’ll love this one as much as I loved the Ulta Crayon. I did find a nice replacement in the Ulta crayon line, but it was a matte and I used the Burt’s Bees lip oil over the top. I’m hoping that this gives me the look I want, but glad to have found a few others along the way. I’ll be sure to keep you updated.
What is your interesting story about finding the right lipstick color, I’d love to hear?
Are you into purples, pinks, mauves, or nudes? I’ve heard that Kylie’s line is incredible!
I hope your year is off to a great start! One of the things that has really helped me this year is getting connected with a book club, trying new gym classes, and waist training.
Photo by Jonathan Borba via Unsplash
The book club has been fantastic! We are reading Awakening Joy by James Baraz. It really helps to reinforce my commitment to meditating and staying in peace no matter what life throws at me.
I’ve met some really great women and I’m glad to reconnect. After losing my sister and mother it feels very encouraging to get some good feminine vibes. There is nothing that can replace losing a mother or sibling. The book has helped me to understand suffering and use mindfulness practices to deal with loss.
Photo by Alexis Brown via Unsplash
On a more lighthearted note, I’ve always loved gym classes. This is a great way to be around people who are interested in being healthy and active like me. I’ll have to write another post to tell you more about these experiences, but they now have some really unique ways to burn calories that I am excited about. My last trial class was Pilates and that was much more challenging than I expected. There are many ways to stay enthused about working out.
The purchase of my new waist trainer is another adventure. The belly seems to be the last thing to go. Ive lost and kept off about 20 pounds, but this is still a trouble area for me. I’ve used waist training on and off for about two years and decided to get a new one just for my workouts.
The great news is that I think I finally purchased the right one! It is much more comfortable and still gets results. I’ll post more on this in the future too but I’ll tell you that the most impactful waist training routine was wrapping, applying sweet sweat, and walking for an hour a day at least four times a week.
That’s what’s going on in my world! I’ve been following along with your posts and thank you so much for your inspiration and encouragement!
One of my recent wellness experiences was a visit to a top rated boutique fitness and day spa called Exhale. If you really want to woosah this is the place to go. During this hour long flow yoga class, I was able to relax and let go of some tension.
My biggest challenge in the moment was holding my body off of the ground during several poses. It was pretty intense. The lighting was great, cool vibes, and a really great facility. I would highly recommend it to those true Yogis out there. They teach a lot of other classes there too. Here’s the link.
Ulta Beauty Hydrating Face Primer
