Getting to Joy

Young jenny from the block! lol (Mission: Get back to this size) 12th grade I think!

Hi Luxe Ladies! So a few months ago while sitting under the dryer and visiting some of my favorite plus size blogs, I began to reminisce about my high school days. To me, it wasn’t anything spectacular about high school (well maybe prom, graduation, and being an senior superlative). Probably because I was known as the smart, quiet, and cute but fat black girl with long hair! However, one thing that I really enjoyed was my personal style. I would wear heels at least 3 times a week and rock makeup like no tomorrow (only eyes makeup and lip gloss.... no foundation for me!). I even filled in my eyebrows and got ridiculed for them being too long!!! HAHA.  

Anyway, my clothes weren’t name brand, but I enjoyed them still the same because it was how I expressed myself. I was very much confident and happy with whom I was.  Then I entered college. It seemed to be the prospect of achieving greatness and partaking in every event possible, only to witness the dreaded fact that my plans were not reality. So I asked myself, “Is it really happiness I’m missing, or joy?” Only then did I realize that happiness is a temporary solution to the lack of joy in my life. Happiness equated to the gain of material things; all of which would eventually be lost. However, in the midst of searching for happiness, I found joy in writing and in being me. I decided to go back to those joyful days of high school and relive them now with more edge, voice, courage and most important confidence.

The purpose of this VENT was to express to all that despite life circumstances, you have to find joy in the self and serving God. If we are constantly searching for others to make us happy, then life will pass by and all we will have is a lot of bitterness towards people and self-hate. At the end of the day, look for peace within yourself. To be continued…

Have you been Glazed?

Hi Luxe Ladies! About two months ago I decided to purchase the L.A. Girl Glazed lip paints from Juvia’s Place. I saw quite a few reviews on them and decided to see what the hype was all about. Now, I understand! LOL! These liquid lipsticks are really great for the price ($2.99). Even though I’m not really a gloss person, I suggest everyone purchase at least two of these lip paints. The container is a standard plastic tube with a gold top for a touch of elegance. Because of the hard plastic applicator and the consistency, I suggest buying a lip brush and/or disposable lip-gloss wand to apply them.

The “super intense color and extra glossy finish” lip paints originally came in 6 shades: Baby Doll, Bombshell, Blushing, Hot Mess, Coy, and Pin-Up.  However, on Monday, August 18, L. A. Girl Cosmetics released 12 additional shades: Peony, Daring, Flirt, Whisper, Feisty, Tempt, Elude, Tease, Tango, Seduce, Whimsical, and Gleam.   These shades range from nude to a deep vampy burgundy, all great for Fall.

Excuse my mustache! lol Im no lip model!!

Pin-Up with MAC reflects gold in center

Coy

Bombshell

Pros: Pigmentation, Smoothness, Buildable coverage, and Extra Glossy.

Cons: Minty Flavor, Streaky (if applied too heavily), Not long lasting, Hard plastic Applicator and very liquidly (runny consistency).

Overall, these lip paints are great for makeup enthusiast, makeup artist, and everybody and anybody in between.  I purchased them for my kit and they have been great so far. Although I listed the consistency as a con, it is also a pro because you can easily mix different shades to create new colors such as a blood orange (hot mess + pin-up) or lilac (babydoll + coy) lippies.

The L.A. Girl Lip Paints can be purchased at the following locations: L. A. Girl Cosmetics, Juvia’s Place, iKatehouse, K-Mart, Local Beauty Supply Store, Ebay, Amazon, etc. Don’t forget to comment and share pictures of your lip paint purchases.

Wedding Bliss

 Its wedding season and guess who had the opportunity to do their first bride and client!?! ME!!! I was so ecstatic and quite nervous at the same time.  However, I overcame nerves and gave my first client the beat of a lifetime! HaHa If you like what you see, feel free to consider me for your next special event!

*Pictures were taken by Courtney Watkins Photography*

Stila Magnificent Metals Eyeshadow Dupe

Did you get up on the hype of the Stila Magnificent Metals eyeshadows? I know I did. However, after visiting Ulta and eyeing the price ($32), I politely put the eyeshadows back on the shelf! Lol 

Comex Platinum

Metallic Gilded Gold

Although I didn’t purchase any of the eyeshadows, I fail in love with the texture and appearance of them as soon as I saw them. The consistency was velvety, seemingly with a mixture of mica flakes and glitter. They were highly pigmented and just all around gorgeous!

E.L.F. Top: Toast
Bottom: Confetti

Top: Toast

Bottom: Confetti

Fast forward to today, while browsing the makeup aisles at my local department store, I stumbled upon the E.L.F. Long-lasting Lustrous Eyeshadows. Jackpot!!! Without even opening the package, the E.L.F. eyeshadows appeared similar to the Stila metal eyeshadows.  So, I decided to open one and swatch it.  The eyeshadow had the same smooth gel consistency as the Stila eyeshadows. However, they contain more glitter. The E.L.F. shadows were very creamy in texture and are build able. I believe E.L.F. long-lasting lustrous eyeshadows are a great dupe for the Stila Magnificent Metals eyeshadows, and an item worth purchasing. You can’t go wrong when its only $3!

Want to watch a live demo? Click links below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O_sF3-95lQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkWXyG8Iy3M

For One Night Only

For one night only, do you wish that you could be crowned prom queen? People would gaze upon your beauty and the rest of the night the crowd’s conversation would be directed towards how astonishing you look. The guy you had been admiring all school year, suddenly decided to ask you for a dance, and as you all gracefully dance the night away, he can’t help but stare into your eyes. Yep, that’s how my dreams always begin! Then I wake up and realize I’m single and getting a late start for the days activities. Anyway, this look was inspired by the multiple prom dresses that I saw on social media; many of which were form fitting, loud, bold and obnoxiously colorful, and I loved it! 

 As always, I primed and added a base to my eyes. Then using CS oatmeal tan, I blended my brow bone highlight out. After that, I applied La Femme blush in russet to the crease. All over the lid, I applied MAC blue brown pigment. To further deepen the crease, I applied CS deep roast eyeshadow. To finish off the eyes, I applied Wet n’ Wild turquoise eyeliner, Broadway wispy lashes, and Maybelline green envy (limited edition) mascara to my bottom lashes. I also added CS eyeshadows in paris green and laguna green to the bottom lash line. My foundation routine was the same as usual, except I used CS dark mango eyeshadow as a blush. For the lips, I applied Wet n’ Wild lip liner in willow and lipstick in just peachy. I also added a faux mole just for character!

So if you had the chance to go to prom, or relive that whole evening, what would you do differently?