LAST BEAUTY HAUL....FOR NOW

Once again, I feel like I'm overspending on a bunch of makeup products, that I will either never use, never finish, or end up hating.  So from now, until the next 2 months, I'm putting myself back on a NO MAKEUP CHALLENGE.  I put myself on a makeup ban last year, and was successful in doing so.  I was able to save money and rediscover products I already had.  In order to really take advantage of this time, I will be doing some, "shopping my stash" YouTube tutorials and makeup looks with these products.  I hope that this too can encourage you to do the same, if you have an addiction, which necessarily doesn't have to be beauty related.  Well, here are the last set of beauty products I purchased this week.

Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Cleanser (Ulta)

Real Techniques Stippling Brush (Ulta)

NYX Super Skinny Marker (Ulta)

Revlon Photo Ready Blush Flushed (Ulta)

Revlon Photo Ready Blush Color Reef (Ulta)

Stilla Lip Glaze Trio (Hautelook)

MAC lipstick Sail La Vie

MAC lipstick Red Racer

MAC Mineralized e/s Young Punk

CURRENT FOUNDATION MUFE MAT VELVET +

I haven't been truly sold on any foundations that I currently have in my collection, except for the Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse foundation.  Though it's my favorite foundation, at the moment, it still leaves my skin feeling oily and so I was on the search for a high end foundation that can really matify my face, while giving me as close to a full coverage, as possible.  After a couple of YouTube videos, I saw a review on the MUFE Mat Velvet +.  I've been a bit skeptical about MUFE, because I was very disappointed in the HD Foundation, which left my face oily and with a white cast, whenever I was photographed.  I was afraid of paying for yet another high end product, and being completely disappointed, but I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did.  I'm really impressed with the quality and the consistency of this foundation.  Purchased at Sephora for 36.00 plus tax, 1.01 fl ounce, it is a bit small for my liking, but I'm loving the overall look of it when applied to my face.  It is an oil free, water resistant foundation.  I use a Sigma Angled Top Kabuki (F84) to apply to the needed areas.  This foundation is build able, and though I can add more, I use concealer instead, if I need a bit more coverage.  There isn't any need to set it with powder, though I still do, with the MAC studio fix powder.  This foundation is lightweight and last for hours.  After a couple of hours of wear (4 + hours), you may need to dab a little matifying powder, only because I live in sunny South Florida.  If you're an oily gal like myself, I highly recommend you try this product.  

**MUFE Mat Velvet + is the same size as the MUFE HD Foundation**

H&M LOVING

Though there isn't an H&M in Miami, I don't mind taking the almost 1 hour drive to Palm Beach Gardens, to shop.  I don't go often, I try to go once a season and stock up.  This trip was no different.  I was able to find a lot of key pieces that are wearable throughout the year.  I purchased a couple of clothing items from ASOS and Hautelook that I will do a haul video/posting, when they arrive.  So stay tuned.  Are you a fan of H&M?

This has become my everyday face routine.  I'm still not sold on the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer...I'm in the lookout for another...any suggestions?

MAC HEY SAILOR COLLECTION HAUL

I purchased a couple of items from the Hey Sailor collection online, prior to the in store launch, this Thursday.  I wasn't too thrilled about the products, because I felt like it lacked some essential items, needed in a summer collection.  I loved the packaging, and that is what I was drawn to.  Without seeing these items, face to face, I used my judgement from the different YouTube videos and made my purchase.  I can honestly say, that I am quite disappointed in some of my purchases...

Sun Dipped Pro Longwear Bronzing Powder is a huge disappointment.  On the website, it looked a bit darker in color but in person, this bronzer is only suitable for those with light complexion.  I am thinking of returning it.

Refined Golden Bronzing Powder is a bit suitable for my skin, though I was hoping that it too would be darker shade.  I can still work with this, so I will keep it.

This photo isn't the best quality of Sail La Vie.  This lipstick is a satin finish and is the best out of the 4 purchases I made.  For women that are afraid of red lipstick, this would be a perfect alternative for you.  It is an orange/red shade.  I love the finish and also the fact that I don't need to layer gloss on top of the color.  I would suggest with any red lipstick that you condition and line your lips, prior to usage.  I predict that lipstick will sell out very quickly in stores.  

Salute is an amplified finish.  For us brown or darker skin women, I would suggest lining your lips with a dark shade lip pencil, to make it less scary.  

Overall, Hey Sailor is a great disappointment.  If you are of lighter complexion, you would benefit from this collection.  The must haves in this collection are Sail La Vie and Red Racer lipstick.  These products will be in stores this Thursday for a limited time only.  

**Video will be posted to my YouTube channel soon**

ULTA & DRUGSTORE BEAUTY HAUL

I've been going crazy with the shopping lately!  I picked up quite a few beauty items in the past couple of weeks.  Though I try to make smarter choices with my purchases, I tend to spend more than the budget I give to myself.  Anywho, check out the video of my Ulta and drugstore beauty purchases.  There are more items, that were left out the video that I will show in a separate post.  If you haven't done so, subscribe to my channel and become eligible for future giveaways!  

OUTFIT OF THE NIGHT (SISTERS NIGHT OUT)

It's not often that my sister and I are able to go out with the girls (our daughters), so when we get that opportunity, we haul ass.  This night we did dinner and drinks on South Beach.  We got out there quite late (after 1 am) and decided to go to TGI Fridays.  We were the last guest to walk in before they closed the doors.  We had a nice night just gossiping and having a good time.  Lol!  

This has become my quick and on the go makeup look, as of lately.

Top: Forever 21

Pants: Zara

Crossover Bag: Aldos

Shoes: ERGE

Thumbs up for the return of Jack Daniels Salmon!

LAST WEEK OF FREEDOM...SORT OF

Believe it or not, this is my last week of maternity leave.  I'm feeling quite depressed knowing that I will be returning back to work and seeing less of my baby, on those days.  The good thing is that I will be working only 4 days a week, instead of 5 but that is still too much for me to bare.  Last week, my parents celebrated their official retirement, from the work field as I begin my journey into mines.  I'm so happy for them, and yet sad at the same time.  It's another milestone in what we call the game of life.  I'm glad that they are able to live out the rest of their years between here and Trinidad and that I am able to spend more time with them, being that they were always so busy.  I decided not to take summer classes, being that it may be a little too much for me right now.  I don't want to overwhelm myself, so I will go back in the fall.  Anywho, while I get my life situated, I will periodically post new YouTube videos and postings on my blog.   I know that I've been bad with keeping this site updated, but you know how it goes.  Thank you for continuing to support me through my transition.  Patty loves you!

TWO MONTHS UPDATE

So my baby is 2 months today!  Time is truly flying by.  For the past month, I've been trying to get her adjusted to being around other people, like her grandmother, who will be taking care of her on the days that I'm at work.  I feel a bit sad, because I'm so attached to her and I can't imagine going back to working nights and not being able to put her to sleep at night.  I know that working will provide for the 2 of us, but I only wish that I didn't work the night shift anymore.  What makes it worse, is that I'm also going back to school after a year off and that will take even more time away from my daughter.  So right now, I'm trying to analyze my life and see about making certain changes.  I just don't want her to grow up and think that mommy was away more than she was around.  Growing up, I had the same experience as a child where my mom worked evening shifts and my father became Mr. Mom.  It didn't affect me, because I have a great father in my life, but every situation is different.  I only have about 3 weeks left before I return back to work, so my goal is to really spend as much time with her as possible.  

SUNDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT

I had a break from motherhood as I sent my daughter to spend the night with her grandmother, so I decided to go to Wet Willies and have drinks with my sister.  This is the first time I've gone, since I had the baby and I so miss my Sundays on South Beach.  Parking was ridiculous...$20.00 and it was so pack with so many black lesbian women.  I had to go on Instagram and ask if there was some kind of gay pride weekend going on and I was told that it's called "Sweetheat".  I'm sure some of these women probably thought my sister and I were lovers too.  Anywho, the sun was blistering hot and we were lucky to even get a table outside but we did and I had an a great time, just being with my sister.  

BOLD EYE NUDE LIP TUTORIAL

I haven't done a makeup tutorial video in months and though I said I wouldn't until my Bells Palsy disappeared, I decided to face my fears and not allow this condition to hold me back.  I created this look using the Cover Girl Queen Collection quad.  I really like this quad and I will go back to CVS and pick up a couple of other colors.  I'm testing out a new concealer in the video.  I wanted to create the "Kim Kardashian" look that she is famous for, and it came out alright.  I did use a bit too much of the concealer and had to go back and use a brown powder to give my face a bit more color.  Either way, I'm happy the way the look turned out.  I'm also using the new iMovie to edit the video.  Please excuse the background, since I'm in the process of redecorating my bedroom.  Either way, I hope you enjoy the video and if you haven't done so, please subscribe to my channel.

OUTFIT OF THE NIGHT "RIPPED JEANS" / FACE OF THE NIGHT "BOLD SIZZLE LIPS"

Wednesday night, I went out to Mingles, which is a weekly dancehall party in Ft. Lauderdale.  The theme of the night was "snapbacks", and since I'm not a guy and I'm too old for that mess, I opted not to follow it.  I wore a pair of ripped jeans I purchased from Forever 21.  This jeans fit me so well.  I still can't believe I'm able to wear the same size jeans, post baby.  YIPPEEEEE!  I paired the jeans with a white button up top, also from Forever 21.  On my feet are a pair of platform sandals that I purchased from a store called ERGE.  This shoe is so comfortable and the best part is that it cost under 30 dollars.  

Here is the Face of the Night, which I created using the Cover Girl Queen Collection Quad.  On my lips is MAC's Quick Sizzle from the Shop/Cook collection.  These vibrant colors are in this season and what I love best about this lipstick is that it has a matte finish and it last ALL DAY!  I literally had to scrub off my lips.

OUTFIT OF THE NIGHT/FACE OF THE NIGHT "IGLOO"

Last weekend, I went to Igloo, which is a cooler party/fete that they hold occasionally, in South Florida.  This was my first time attending the event and I was disappointed that it occurred on one of the most rainiest nights of the year.  Either way, I made the best of the situation, and got completely wasted.  So wasted, I don't even remember how I got home.  Anywho, I wanted to show you guys my face and outfit of the night.  It's not the best quality of pics, so I do apologize.

I used the Urban Decay Naked palette to create this look...

Denim Vest: Urban Outfitters (Levis)

Top: Forever 21

Skirt: Forever 21

Sling Bag: Aldos

Shoes (not shown): Aldos