How You Gonna be Matte on Vacation?

Ok Kanye puns aside, I've searched for the perfect matte lip shade that will suit my top-lip heavy mouth for months. My cupid's bow is deep guys. While everyone else is going gaga over the Kylie Jenner lippies I'm not even gonna try getting one of them. It's near impossible.

Instead I collected and swatched some soft pink 'matte' shades (which suit me best) to decide which one is coming with me on my next vacation. There is nothing like a soft pink lip to subtly glam up a 'natural' faced look (concealer and a bit of mascara).

I like my lips. In 2016 that's an odd thing to say when everyone is trying to plump, fluff and expand the amount of space theirs takes up. All power to those who want to change their lip size and to those who are keeping their original look. I think it's important to know what works for you and to not be afraid of trying new things.

Matte lips were a territory wasn't sure I was ready to fully embark on, so  Makeup Forever's Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick was a great 'transition choice'. It's subtly moisturizing and such a pretty colour but isn't a 'true' matte. The only true matte of the bunch was the LA Girl Matte Flat Gloss finish. It's not as moist as Maybelline's Creamy Matte lipstick but it doesn't transfer at all. If you need long-lasting matte lips and don't mind a bit of dryness go for it. I would need it in a colour with less auburn in it though. The By Kiss Matte Lip Lacquer was a gorgeous almost Barbie-pink that I'd need to do with muted eyes and a matching blush. The Kiss New York Moisture lippy was a drugstore dupe for Makeup Forever's Rouge Artist but not as pigmented. It would do on a more casual day.

The pale JMatte lipstick in Bare nude was a very light choice I borrowed from my mum. I'd only wear it if I were blending with a deeper shade since it's a bit chalky for me.

So...what's your favourite nude matte shade of the season?

*Some products used in this post were provided free of charge, all opinions are my own.

I'mma let you finish ft. Guerlain's Météorite Skin Perfecting Matte Powder

I have a friend who could write the book on unfinished projects. She's all 'talk' and no 'do'. Putting in work requires more than an idea, but follow through. I however, have a rushing problem.

The power of finishing things is extremely underrated. The excitement of starting a project eventually fades into a reality of deciding to put in the hard work needed to persevere and complete it. Concentration, discipline and determination all aid in finishing the proposal, assignment or task. While speed is a skill I'm proud of gaining, slowing down is the one I need to work on. I remember one of my clients would always try to get me to slow down. Eventually I did and the benefits were incredible. I wasn't just going through the motions but really thinking about the task and doing the best job possible.

That in itself was an accomplishment for me. While I've got a ways to go, at least I know that really finishing is, as my biggest cheerleader DJ Kaled would say, a major key to success. The limited edition, Météorite Skin Perfecting Matte Powder by Guerlain is a steep investment with an incredible pay-off. The $200CAD finishing powder was crafted to leave the face skin matte yet luminous after applying foundation. I thought it would be too light for me but I was wrong. I dusted the powder in trouble areas that tend to get a little, shall we say, dewy as the day progresses (shoutout to my t-zone). It definitely added extra oomph to my 'natural' look. While the price may warrant use for very special occasions, I personally love the luxe packaging and texture of the finishing powder. It's soft fragrance is also a nice touch too.

*Some products used in this post were provided free of charge, all opinions are my own.

Speak no Evil

In middle school, I thought the way to fit in was to cut others down. I felt that being nice only got me taken advantage of…so instead I was mean. Really mean. I wrote things on bathroom stalls I wish I hadn't. I publicly pointed out the faults in others that I hated in myself, all just to seem funny. But I hated it. I couldn’t stand it.

My spirit was uplifted when I sang in my school choir at seniors homes, volunteered at my library and served at a homeless shelter on Christmas. But I kept all of that to myself because it didn’t match my ‘follower’ mentality and actions.

But why did I keep doing it? I didn’t know my worth outside of how other’s measured it. So I chose to be mean so people would include me…so I could be kept around as the funny girl. So I wouldn’t be thought of as the weird girl who always wore skirts, was too chubby and desperate for friends. But that’s who I was. Rather than embrace it I was mean. This was difficult to write because I’ve worked so hard to separate myself from who I was when really I should accept it to learn from it. To teach me how to treat others. Instead of doing to them as they’ve done to me: do better. I had to learn who I was to know who I’m not. I’m proud to say that I don’t identify as a mean girl anymore. It doesn’t mean that I don’t occasionally have foot in mouth syndrome. Sometimes my mouth works faster than my consciousness and I slip up and say something I didn’t intend to be mean but was still insensitive or inappropriate. But I'm learning.

What came out of your mouth today? What did you hear around you? What did you see? Hearing, speaking and seeing No Evil isn't a passive thing; it's active. To not see, hear or say negative things against others you need to take a stand within yourself to speak up and stand up for those around you.

Just remember...before you can use your voice for others, you have to find it first. 

My favourite shades of the Maybelline Colour Sensational Creamy Mattes lipsticks in: Rich Ruby, Burgundy Blush, Nude Nuance, Vibrant Violet.

*Some products used in this post were provided free of charge, all opinions are my own.