Drug Store Make Up Recommendations

So my friend Jen requested this post and I'm actually really glad she did.  I never get to play with or talk about make up anymore.  My life revolves around IV's, catheters, surgery, and a plethora of human bodily fluids.
I am very glamorous.
So obviously I would be the person to come to for make up recommendations.  I actually made a Snapchat video about a month ago about this very thing that I will try to add to this post.
So pause Fuller House, grab some hot chocolate, and pretend I'm a famous beauty blogger about to unlock all my best secrets....

Foundation
Revlon Color Stay for Normal/Dry skin $10.99
I can't say enough good things about this foundation.  It goes on so well and stays on all day.  They also have every single shade.
Pricey comparison: NARS Sheer Glow $42

Eyeliner
Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner $7.99
I am obsessed with felt tip liquid eyeliner.  I think they are the absolute best and go on so smooth for that perfect cat eye.  Cat eye is kinda my thing so....it's what I do.  This eyeliner is just as good as the expensive ones I've used and it seriously lasts forever.  I only buy like 2 a year and I use it every day.  At $7 each I would say that's a huge deal!
Pricey comparison: Lancome Artliner $30

Mascara
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara $7.99
So everyone knows that I'm a huge mascara snob.  I am very picky and I don't devote myself to a mascara easily.  This is THE BEST.  I repeat THE BEST drugstore mascara you can own.  It fans lashes out so perfectly I want to kiss myself.
Pricey comparison: Too Faced Better Than Sex $24

Blush
Milani Baked Blush in "Luminoso" $8.99
I have a blush obsession.  Seriously.  I think I have like 15 different blushes.  I found this blush and fell in love.
Pricey comparison: NARS blush in Orgasm $36 (it's my one true love so please know I don't make this suggestion lightly)

And because I'm me....I have to include skin care.  I have found two wonderful skin care products both by Garnier that I'm obsessed with.

And that is that.  Jen...I hope it helps.  I'll stay on the look out and keep you updated.  And to everyone else....I know.  I'm like the plain oatmeal in the variety pack.  You can use all the fancy ones but eventually....you'll have to use me.  On second thought....I could also use that line on my Tinder profile.
xoxo
V
For my awkward video....{.here you go}

Did You Know....?

Hi guys!
Did you know that I have a beauty Instagram???  You didn't???  Well guess what?  I do!  You can head over to xoxo_ness13 and follow me for tips, tricks, and product reviews!  See ya there and share the love!

Back With A Bang!

Why hello there everyone!!!

Yes blogging has kind of taken a backseat to "real life" but I'm back and kicking it off with.......

A NEW VIDEO!!!

I know right???

Go ahead and just click HERE to take a peek! I talk about all my favorite things for the month of September so obviously....it's very important. You can even subscribe and give it a thumbs up if you want.

Hope you're ready to hear from me again!

xoxo
V

Pretty Polishes

I have a complete obsession with nail polish.  Which is weird since if you remember from my "50 Things About Me" video....I hate painting my nails.  At least I am a consistent contradiction.  

When I look at all my nail polishes, several different brands are represented.  OPI, Essie, Clinique, etc...however one brand stands out superior.  Butter London.  

The colors are phenomenal, the wear is fantastic, the names are adorable....there is nothing to complain about.  

L to R: Disco Biscuit, Cake Hole, Fruit Machine

L to R: Teddy Girl, Fairy Lights, Kerfuffle, Silly Billy

L to R: Lucy In The Sky, Champers, No More Waity Katie, Fiver

 I just thought I'd share a little of my Butter London nail polish collection with you.  If you're interested in swatches or more info let me know in the comments and I'd be happy to oblige!

Do you have any favorite polishes or colors?  I'd love to hear about them.  Enable my addiction people! 

xoxo

V

Defending the Selfie

*Disclaimer* I wrote this post awhile back but couldn't seem to get all my thoughts in order so I just saved it for another day.  Today a video popped up on Facebook that completed my thoughts for me so.....I'm posting it now!

I've heard a lot of people complain about or make fun of the "selfie".  When you are scrolling through your Instagram and there's the same girl taking a picture of herself in different places: bathroom, in her car, at the gym, etc... and we all kind of roll our eyes and think "ugh".
I've heard some people say that selfies are an example of how self-absorbed the world has gotten.  How we're obsessed with how we look and then we share our self-obsession.  The thing is.....I disagree.
I take selfies because I'm having a really good hair day or I love the lipstick color I'm wearing.  Sometimes....HEAVEN FORBID....I like the way I look. So why do we shame people who also like how they look and want to share it.  I can go back on the days where I'm not having a great hair day and I'm feeling kinda "blah" and think....."but look Vanessa....you've got some great eyes girlfriend".  And I don't think there's anything wrong with that.  I don't think there is anything wrong with liking the way we look!  It's good!  It's healthy!  I would much rather listen to a girl who loved her eyes, nose, hair, arms etc... than a girl who hated everything about herself.
There may be some who would say:
"But girls only do it to get likes"
Well....I don't know that that is the case all the time but to them I say "so what?"  What is wrong with us complimenting each other.  Telling each other how beautiful we are.  Pointing out the things on someone else that we find beautiful.  I don't think everyone takes selfies for attention.  I certainly don't.  I'm pretty ok with myself....I don't really need the attention of others to make me feel good...but boy is it nice to hear a compliment!  I wouldn't object to a compliment any day of the week.  I don't think any of us would...and that's ok!
I've heard girls say about other girls who take selfies "ugh she's so in love with herself".....and I'm sorry...what exactly is wrong with that???  We should love ourselves most of all!  So to all the girls posting selfies I say.....you go girl.

(selfie heaven right there)

I will say that I don't think that us posting selfies and the comments/likes we get should define the way we feel about ourselves.  If I posted a selfie and no one "liked" it....eh who cares?  I like it and that's all that matters.  We do need to be careful with letting others define our beauty.....
which is where this video I just watched comes into play.  It's by Dove (don't you just love their beauty campaigns???)  and I think it's an awesome video for mothers and daughters alike.  So before you go and criticize someone's selfie or re-consider taking one yourself....just think about this for a minute......and then for heaven's sake....post that selfie!!!



xoxo,
V

A Few Words About Beauty

Blonder hair, flat chest

TV says "Bigger is better"

South Beach, sugar free

Vogue says "thinner is better" 

Pretty hurts

Perfection is a disease of a nation 

We're trying to fix something but you can't fix what you can't see

it's the soul that needs the surgery

The immortal words of Ms. Beyonce Knowles Carter.  

I've been thinking a lot recently about beauty.  Maybe it's because I work in the "beauty industry".  Maybe it's because growing up, I hated the way I looked.  I always wished something about myself was different. 

Working in skin care and make up I meet all kinds of women on all different walks of life.  When I meet someone who is looking to purchase something I usually ask a lot of questions "what concerns do you have?" "what type of foundation are you looking for?" "what colors do you want to try on?"

The answers sound like this:

"I just want to look younger"

"I hate these wrinkles around my eyes"

"I just don't want to be ugly"

"Anything to hide this disgusting dark spot"

"I wish some of the fat around my thighs could be transferred to my face to make it look young and full again"

"I hate my _________"

It's so sad to me that women talk this way about themselves.  Especially because I doubt men do this.  I know men have body insecurities but I really don't think in the same way women do.  We have high standards for ourselves.  Completely unrealistic standards for ourselves. I was teased about the way I looked starting in elementary school....and the words of others when you're 9-10 years old really play a role in how you feel about yourself.  I went through all of jr. high and high school hating the way I looked.  I wished I was blonder, thinner, had straighter teeth, better hair, better skin, better everything.  I was never good enough.

 (working those glasses)

(dreaming I was Britney Spears)

 I missed out on so many opportunities because I never felt good enough.  When I was about 20 years old I had a friend who just loved everything about me.  She thought I was so cool and was amazed at the stupid little talents I had.  I finally started to feel like...."hey....I'm kind of cool"....it still took me awhile to be ok with the way I looked and there's still days when I feel like I look like a potato (at least my Instagram selfie game is hella on point)

I just wish women would stand together and say " I don't care what the media tells me is beauty.....I have dark circles, my hair is a mess, and I'm not a size 4 and I'm HOT".  We can't really totally blame the media for this focus on perfection.  We are the ones who give it power.  We give it power every time we criticize ourselves.  Every time we criticize another woman.

I by no means am saying that those with seemingly "perfect" features shouldn't flaunt what they have.....because they totally should....but so should people without seemingly "perfect" features because there is no such thing as perfection.  

I obviously love skin care and make up.  That will never change.  And yes a lot of products I use to help me with a certain concern I have about myself.  But also....red lipstick just makes me feel good!  

(pretending I've got it all figured out now)

My point is....do what makes you happy.  If you want to be a healthier person....do it!  Don't do it because you are trying to get that "gap" between your thighs....do it because you want to live longer.  Do what is going to make you happy....just don't do it because someone is telling you that's the only way you'll be beautiful.  When you feel your beauty...everyone else does too.  It literally shines through you....the love and confidence you have in yourself.

Just love yourselves, love others, and the world will love you back.

Now I'm going to go do what I love and that is binge watching "Teen Wolf" like the beautiful adult I am.  

xoxo, V

New Lipstick Is A Girl's Best Friend

I got a fun bright new pink lipstick that I'm very excited about!!!

 Post about my favorite lipsticks at the moment to come soon!!!!

**also be looking for some fun make up tutorials**

Holiday Haul!

My Holiday Haul video is posted!!!  Check it out HERE!!!

Leave me lot's of cute comments and thumbs up because I'm a girl who needs those things for validation.
xoxo

Thursday Ten

Love the jacket

I can't handle how adorable this is.  My future babies will all be Holly Golightlys.

How amazing does this look?

Ah so gorgeous

Ah Paris

So so adorable

OPI - I Brake For Manicures - wearing right now...LOVE

Pretty much sums up my life

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake....minus the Bourbon

We've discussed this already....but I really do watch Anne of Green Gables probably once a week.

What are some of your favorites?

xoxo

Thursday Ten

I thought I would share 10 things that are my current favorites...

love the vintage look

Clinique Chubby Stick

I love Fall clothes so much

Unique and gorgeous

Beautiful

OPI - Rally Pretty Pink the prettiest color

When I die....bury me in these shoes

Sometimes the best inspiration comes from nature

Pumpkin Crunch Cake - Delish!  Find the recipe here 

This is amazing.

It's almost Friday!  Make it a good one.
xoxo