Ipsy Tipsy

For the past 11 months I have been receiving my monthly glam bag from Ipsy.  I bought  a one year subscription because who doesn't want beauty goodies delivered to their house every month? I do. I had heard of the Ipsy and thought I would give it a try.

Every time I spied a shiny pink package in the mail I knew my ipsy bag had arrived. I was excited. I loved opening them to see the pretty bags and all the beauty products I had received.  At first I was curious about what I was going to get each month but as the year went on my excitement for the bag fell faster than over sprayed hair on a humid day.

The bags become predictable. Every month I knew  I was going receive the following: Nude lipstick or chapstick, Nude eye shadow, facial cleanser, or an eye pencil. Now don't get me wrong I like a little nude colored beauty products but my gosh not every single product needs to be Nude!! Lets have some variety here! My cynical soul needs color too!

Were they trying to subtly hint at something by sending a facial cleanser in every bag? Do they think I never wash my face?  Every month I have received some form of a facial cleanser or wipes. I end up giving most of them away. Don't get me wrong facial cleansing is important... but there are other beauty products besides facial cleansers. Lets widen our horizons Ipsy. I mean we have beautiful eye shadow, flawless foundation,  hauntingly dramatic eye liner, and so many other magical things in the beauty world but yet you choose to send face wash every single time...

Its not that I haven't gotten any good things. I have gotten some products I've loved, but I don't think the subscription is worth it anymore. So after I receive my last bag I will be canceling my subscription. I have decided to move on to BirchBox. I have heard good things about them and the boxes look so cute!

This month's Ipsy bag. I actually really like it. I mean its says what we are all thinking, Makeup is important. I am definitely going to use this bag just maybe not the products inside.

Well my divas that is all I have for today.

Queen Diva out.

                                                   Stay Adventurous, 

                                                                   Cherry XOXO

The Blushed Nudes Maybelline Review

I have been on the search for a decent eyeshadow palette. Let me tell you it hasn't been an easy one. Why are eyeshadow palettes so expensive? I don't get it. So when I was in Walmart and saw The Blushed Nudes palette by Maybelline for only 10 dollars I thought I'd give it a try. 

What first drew me to the product was the packaging. Its a pretty rose gold color which happens to be one of my favorite colors so obviously I had to check it out.  The colors of the shadows looked beautiful so I thought I had finally found a good palette I would actually love! 

The first time I tried this palette I used the lighter shades to go for a rosy pink look.  It was a causal day. I wasn't going anywhere important so I wanted the effortless, less is more summer look. So I got out my eye shadow brush and swirled it in the individual pot. My spirits were rising, tension was growing, and the suspense was too much. Would this palette meet my expectations? I applied the eye shadow to my eyelid and looked in to the mirror for that glorious moment of truth. Excitement filled the air. And as I looked in the mirror my heart came crashing down. That moment was so disappointing I can't even begin to explain. I had such high hopes for this and they were blown away as easily as the shadow could have been blown off of my eyelid. No pigment. I applied more to try and build it up but it only made a small difference. Defeat. 

However I wasn't going to give up yet on this palette. I was going to give it a second chance. I decided I should try it but apply eye primer first. I use Prime Time Brightening Eyelid Primer by Bare Minerals. I applied my primer and then applied my eyeshadow. This time I went for the darker colors.  My hopes weren't too high this time as I had already been burned once by this palette. I looked in the mirror for the moment of truth and I was surprised. There was actually color! Do my eyes deceive me?! I applied more since I was going for a more dramatic look. It was build able and had some form of pigment.  I have even worn the darker shadows a couple time since then. The quality was much better than the lighter shades.

I decided to try the lighter shade one last time. This time I used primer to see if it was my own inability to apply primer the first time that caused such disastrous results. I put on my primer and applied my eye shadow. My hopes were rising as I felt that there might be a redeemable quality to this palette. I was wrong once again. The colors were still pathetic. There was still no pigment. My hopes were dashed. Day ruined. If only the lighter shades were as pigmented as the darker shadows. 

So what is my final conclusion of this palette? Well... Maybelline you could have done better. You really could have. I like the darker shadows and will continue to use them, but if I can't use half of the palette due to the lack of pigment in the product is it worth it? I'm not sure about that. Please Maybelline work on the quality  and concentration of your pigment.

Well my dear darling Divas that is all I have for today. If you know of any good affordable eye shadow palettes leave a comment below. 

Queen Diva Out. 

       

                                                   Stay Fabulous,

                                                       

                                                               Cherry XOXO

Maybe it's not Maybelline

Dear Divas. Today I wanted to take a moment from the sass, sarcasm, and beauty reviews that are my blog and share with you something different. Something I have thought a lot about. Makeup.  Should we or should we not wear makeup? Does it ruin a woman's self esteem? Are we lying by "covering up" our faces?

To find the answer to this question,  we first must explain what the purpose of makeup is. Makeup was created to enhance the natural beauty of a woman. That means that the beauty is already there, it is just accentuated a little more. It doesn't hide beauty or mask a person's face. It can't change the bone structure of your face or make you have a smaller nose. It is simply powder that you put on in the morning and wash off at night.

I once read an article that said to marry a woman who does't wear makeup. They explained how a woman who didn't wear makeup knew what she wanted out of life, and was more confident than a woman who did wear makeup. Because clearly a woman who doesn't chose to cover her face with  cosmetics is better, right?

False.

Makeup is not the problem. Makeup has never been the problem.  Cosmetics are just cremes and powders we apply to our faces. They can't change our DNA or who we are as people. If you are a sweet and funny person without makeup on you will still be that same sweet and funny person with it on. And if you are mean nasty human being without makeup... Honey.. there isn't a concealer in this world that could cover up an ugly soul. Who you are is who YOU are.  Foundation can't change that. It doesn't have that power.  And to say that a woman who doesn't wear makeup is more confident is absolute rubbish. I wear makeup a majority of the time, and I will be just as fierce and fearless as the confident woman who doesn't wear makeup.  Because who I am is based on how I treat other people and how I choose to react to the situations that I am. Not on my eye shadow choice.

As I've gotten older I've started describing people as beautiful more often. But I wasn't talking about their physical appearances. I was talking about their heart and soul, who they chose to be. I know plenty of beautiful women who choose not to wear makeup. I also know plenty of beautiful women who chose to wear makeup. Their beauty is something deeper than what the eye can see. It is more precious and unique than any physical beauty could ever be.

So if makeup isn't the problem what is? What is ruining a woman's self esteem?

We are. People blame it on society and pop culture, but people forget that we are what makes society. If we want change, we have to make change. Change starts at home, not in magazines or t.v. shows. Because the truth is pop culture gives us what we want. We are not blind sheep who have no will of our own. We are human beings who have the ability to tell  corporations this is not what we want or what we want our daughters to be told. Once people stop buying into the lie  that our beauty is defined by whether or not we wear what comes from a bottle, pop culture will stop as well. It gives us what we have told them we wanted. So it time to make a change.


How have we gotten so far that we judge people on something so irrelevant as whether or not they wear makeup? If you don't like wearing makeup, don't let anyone force you to wear makeup. And if you wear makeup don't let anyone tell you makeup is just a mask  that superficial and insecure people wear.

So to the dear parents out there who are concerned that their daughter might get caught up in the nasty lie that makeup makes a person beautiful, teach your daughter that beauty can't be defined by a bottle. But neither does whether or not they wear what comes from the bottle. Don't teach them that when they look in the mirror all they see is beauty. Teach them that no matter what they are wearing or how they look, that when they look in the mirror all they see is themselves, because that is this most beautiful thing a woman could ever be.
         
                                                          Stay Beautiful,
                                                                    Cherry XOXO

The One with a Deer, Keys, and a Cold

Dear Divas. Winter is here...... and it has brought its blustery breath and white tears with it..... There is no escaping winter when you live in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. No escaping. You might be thinking but its only November it can't be that bad yet.. and well you're right its not that bad yet. We did have a high of 16 degrees fahrenheit today...so it could be worse. (Trust me it can be.. it got to -50 last winter.... aye nature hates Wisconsin.)

So you may be wondering what have I been doing with my life lately. Well the usual.. ya know working the sass, being fabulous, and running over deer. Nothing too spectacular.  And yes you did read that right. I ran over a deer.  You may be questioning how did you run over a deer? Like I said I live in Wisconsin ok anything is possible when it comes to deer here. (They and those stupid geese rule the roads.)  So  no I did not hit the deer. I ran it over. For me to hit the deer that would have meant the deer would have  been standing and to have been standing the deer would  had to have been alive...........it was not.......not at all.... It was 5:30 in the morning and I was on my way to work. I'm driving along having as grand of time as you can have at that ungodly early  in the morning and then all of a sudden bam! Massive speed bump. If there was ever a doubt that the deer was still alive.. there isn't now..  It's like they say,"If you're going to hit something, you might as well it hard."

Next on my list of failures is getting locked out of my car. Yep, did that.  And there isn't really exciting story other than I was up way too early so I wasn't really thinking and left my keys in the car. And I think my dad is really done with my existence because not only did he have to pick me up from the deer fiasco he had to drive to my work so he could unlock the car. And I think he is just generally done with my existence now that we have a dog. (Yes I am being upstaged by and English Mastiff/ Great Dane puppy mix... this is the life of a youngest child.) I mean he's raised three other children I feel like by the time our parents get to the last one there like, "eh this is old news... as long as they haven't killed themselves or someone else doing something stupid they're fine."

Last on my list of failures was getting sick. I am slowly but surely becoming a hot mess of reaching one new low after another. (My life in a nutshell.) Now getting sick wouldn't have been that bad if I hadn't already had plans to go a concert and had chorus music due. It was such an inconvenient time. And I found it weird because I never get sick this early in flu season but whatever.. I survived. However there was no way I wasn't getting to let sickness get in the way of concerting. I love going to concerts even if I don't know the artist very well. A concert is a concert. Oh and to you two 15 year old girls who were standing in front of me at the concert.....in what world is wearing 5 inch stilettos to a concert a good idea........ like.... I was judging. I may have been sick, but I am never to sick to  silently judge.  (Seriously who wears stilettos to a concert.. a concert?!) Anyways after the concert I spent the next 2 1/2 days in bed... it was great. I got a lot of quality time in with Netflix. You could say our relationship is on a deeper emotional level with all the time we spent together... ahhh love.  But finally after a few days my voice returned and well now I'm here. Oh joy.

Till next time my divas.. Queen Diva out.
           
                               Stay Swazzy,
                                        Cherry XOXO

Younique Fiber Lashes Review

Hello Gorgeous Divas! How are you today? Fabulous as usual I hope. Today is all about eyelashes! I know what your thinking a beauty post? Yes, its been awhile since I have posted a beauty related post but I'll try and be better about posting them more often. Well anyways if you are at all curious about the beauty world you have probably heard of this new product called Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash set. And if you haven't its this new product that promises to dramatically enhance the look of your lashes. It promises volume and grandeur.  And well I wanted to see what the hype was all about. So here are my thoughts.

                                           First lets start with the packaging of the product.

I love the packaging. It has this chic sophisticated design, and the texture on the case gives it this extra edge. I think it also very convenient that it comes with its own case so then you don't have to worry about losing or forgetting one of the tubes somewhere. 

The larger tube is the transplanting gel.

The smaller is the actual fibers.

First step in application is applying a thin coating of your favorite mascara. For me right now that is Cinique High Impact Mascara. After you have waited for your mascara to dry apply a coat of the transplanting gel, then before the gel dries apply the fibers.The last step is to apply a 2nd coat of the transplanting gel to set the fibers on to the lashes. It works best if you do one eye at a time.  I have read of some people who completely skip putting on mascara and just use the fiber lashes and like that better. I  haven't tried it that way since I personally like the fuller darker look best, but if you are someone who doesn't like that dramatic of a look maybe you could try it that way.  

Before Fiber Lashes

 I am wearing a thin coating of Clinique Mascara.

After applying Younique 3D Fiber Lashes. 

So what is my verdict? This product is defiantly easy to use. It may take a few tries to get the hang of it, but it doesn't take extensive knowledge of makeup to apply correctly. The product is also very build able. You can achieve the subtly volume or the glamorous eyelash look very easily. It all depends on how much you want to apply. That being said there are two things I did not like about the product. First the smell of the transplanting gel is horrendous. I understand eyelash glue doesn't smell that good in the first place, but I feel like they could do something to not make the smell so strong. Second thing is the spider effect.(If you don't understand what the spider effect, its just when well the eyelashes look a bit clumpy and like spider legs.)When it comes to products like these there is a very fine line between smooth and full or sticky and spidery looking.  Now this doesn't happen every time you apply the fibers, but if you don't apply it smoothly it can teeter on this line. 

It's a pretty decent product overall. And it defiantly delivers on its promise of giving you build able volume and ease of application. I will continue using my Fiber 3D Lash set since I like that burst of volume it gives my eye look. And if you have used this set comment below what you thought. And if you fancy to buy your own set of Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes just click Here.  Don't forget to follow and share with your friends. Queen Diva out.

                                                   Stay Glamorous,

                                                                 Cherry XOXO

Autumn Days

 Dear Divas,

 The Autumnal season is upon us and I could not be more thrilled. It is my favorite season and like I stated in my last post, in a perfect world it would be continually Autumn. Few things excite me more than the slight chill you feel in the air or the way the leaves change throughout the weeks. It is beauty. 

I love the way the leaves fall on the grass like they are peacefully floating down to find their spot on the grass. The wind will blow them here or there until the leaves have found the perfect place to watch the world go by. They are finally content. 

I love the mystery of Autumn. It's the way the air hits your face and swirls around your body. It's as it's saying "come find me." The sun begins to hide itself away and the clouds are finding their home back in the sky. The falling darkness holds the mystery in its palm. The mystery has finally returned after the innocence of summer. 

I love the smell of Autumn. Whether it is the aroma of grandma's apple pie or scent of your new candle, they never cease to make you feel at home. You suddenly feel the need to make chili or pumpkin pie to fill your house with the fragrance of fall. 

I love the life of Autumn. Most people think of Autumn as the  season where everything dies. But I see it as the time the colors come alive. Autumn must happen so the green leaves can finally burst into bright colors of red and orange.  Summer must end so neighbors can come together and complete corn mazes or hand out candy to the little ghost and goblins who knock on the door. Autumn must come to welcome the change.

I love Autumn. I love autumn not just for the pumpkins or the way the leaves crunch under your feet, but because Autumn reminds me I am home. Home is where I as child ran through leaf piles and danced as the leaves flew around me. I was in a world of fairies and princes and the leaves were my people. Nothing could stop us. The nostalgia of fall gives peace. It doesn't leave you hoping and waiting for more. With my sweater hugging my body and  my boots warming my feet and the autumn wind wraps around me I am home. Autumn will always be home.

                                               Love,

                                                   Cherry XOXO

 

Ipsy Bag

Hello Divas! How are you today? I am feeling pretty swazzy today. I thought for this blog post I would share what I got in this month's Ipsy bag. If you have never heard of Ipsy let me enlighten you in the world of glam bags. For only $10 month or $110 a year you can sign up to have Ipsy send you a glam bag containing 4-5 beauty products. The products in the bag are normally valued 40-60 dollars. Its a great way to try out new products and get variety in your collection. Its wonderful! I love it. 

This month's bag was themed Street Style.

This the the Crown C476 Crease/Shadow brush. The fibers of the brush are very soft. The price of this brush is $17.50

This is the Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss. The shade is Love Affair. In the picture it looks pinky, but I promise you its red. I couldn't get the lighting right. The price of the lipgloss $19. 

This is the Pacifica eyeliner in Gun Metal. I haven't used it yet but I've been looking for a silver/charcoal color eye liner. The price of the eyeliner is 10.99.

 

This is the Mitchell and Peach Luxury hand Cream.It has a strong herbal scent to it. I have only used it once so far, but it feels very moisturizing. The price of this cream (full size) is 17 pounds 

(which is 27 dollars I think..)

This is Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Facial Cleanser with Cucumber and Watercress. It says that it is fragrance free. So for those of you that can't handle or don't like fragrances this could work for you.  The price of this is $ 13.99.

    So my Ladies if you are considering signing up for Ipsy hopefully this blog helped you decide. I haven't had a chance to use everything yet since I just received it. I plan on getting back to you on the reviews on everything. But till next time my Lovelies.. Queen Diva out.
                                                  Stay Sassy,
                                                          Cherry XOXO
       

Favorite Things

Hellloo Divas!! Today I thought I would make a little post about a few of the things I have been loving lately! Of course there is more things I am loving at the moment, but I just wanted to share only a few.

One of my favorite things without a doubt is my new laptop! Its a Macbook pro with retina display. It's wonderful. I wish everyone used Apple it would make the world so much better. I love the fact that the laptop  is very light weight and extremely portable. The screens graphics area also amazing! The only thing I don't like is the fact it doesn't have a cd drive.. So thats a bummer but overall I love it!
                                                                                     

 

My combat boots!! I love these shoes. I purchased them at Forever 21. (The only thing I have ever purchase from there.)  They make me feel down to business and ready to take on anything. It is wonderful! They have a zipper on the side which makes it easier to get your shoes on and off. The tongue has little tiny silver studs on it. These shoes are pretty comfortable too as long as you wear the right socks because then you might end up with a blister.. not that I'm speaking from experience or anything....ha..ha..ha.

Steve Madden!!!! Oh how I love Steve Madden shoes! These are my favorite. I love them. They're such beautiful shoes. They are suede with little silver diamondy like studs. The suede is a blush color. Its fabulous. I love them. A lot. I don't if I've mentioned that. 

This perfume oh how I love it. You, Elizabeth and James Nirvana in black, are a wonderful fragrance. These scent is a little bit of a musky sophisticated scent. If you like more of a sweeter scent there is a white version thats a bit lighter. The black version isn't too heavy though. (If you mix the two together you get one amazing scent.) The bottle I have is only the travel size in case you were not sure.

Klorane dry Shampoo is a life saver! I love it. I received it in my Ipsy bag and I was excited to try it since at the time I was in desperate need of dry shampoo. I spray it at the roots of my hair and hairline on my neck. It gives life to your hair when you haven't had a chance to wash it. It'll give ya that little oomf your hair needs to look fabulous.

 

 I've started this new thing where every night before I go to bed I make myself a cup of homemade hot coco, lights some candles in my room, and turn on netflix or youtube.. and Ahhhh the relaxing begins. I LOVE candles and having them in your room is just so cozy!  It makes you feel warm and stress free. So if you've had a stressful or busy day take some time and relax with some coco or tea with some candles and netflix, you'll be comfy and rested. 

So my dear Divas if you want to see more posts like this one or have anything you'd like me to talk about just leave a comment. Don't forget to follow and share! Love you. Queen Diva out. 

Stay Beautiful,

Cherry XOXO

               

Love your Skin

My Dear Loves, how are you today? Fierce I hope. Yes, yes I know I haven't posted in forever. I have neglected you and I'm sorry! Hopefully we can move past this. (I think you can, being the sophisticated ladies and gents you are.)

Well summer is upon us and you know what that means.............Sunburn!!! I know you were probably thinking summer dresses, or tan skin, or no school. But for us pale people summer is just one big burn fest.  I mean which is fine if you like looking like a dried prune lobster (prune  lobster? ya I don't know either.) but if you're like most people dead seafood is not look you're going for. And since I have been blessed with having the skin pigment of a whiteboard I have learned a little about skin care. Now these aren't ground breaking by any means. They are just the simple basics that people tend to forget so I though I would just make a little post to remind those who have forgotten or refuse to do the basics to protect their skin.

Sunscreen.
 This seems like a no brainer, but really how many times have you thought oh I don't need the sunscreen or I want burn that badly, its cloudy out.. *spoiler alert* You will get sunburn. It will hurt. And most importantly it will damage your skin. Your skin is valuable and fragile if you don't take care of it, it will shrivel up and you will look and feel horrible.

Also make sure you are checking your sunscreens to make sure they haven't gone bad. A lot of people don't know that sunscreen expires, so maybe its time to go through your closets and chuck those bottles of sunscreen you have had  for years. (I know you have old bottles somewhere.)

Another is make sure you are using the right SPF. Is it too high or is it too low? If you have very fair skin and burn easily you would defiantly want a higher SPF. A lot of chapstick and foundations come with sunscreen in them which helps to give you extra protection from those UV rays.

Limit your Time.
 Sometimes when you are running around you don't stop to think how long you have been out in the sun. If possible you should take a break and go inside or  go in the shade if you can't go inside. Bring an umbrella or a fabulous sun hat at the very least. But its very important you don't spend the whole day outside.

Moisturize.
Moisturizing is soo important! I mean think about it you have just spent your day in the sun which has been drying out your skin you need to refresh your skin. Creams are most of the time better than lotions, but whatever works better for you. But do NOT forget to moisturize. Your skin will thank you.

Drink WATER!!
I cannot stress this enough. You must drink water. This sounds so basic and irrelevant, but its so important. Most of your body is made of water and wouldn't you think it would be a good idea to replenish your dehydrated skin and body with actually drinking water. Don't just drink sugary sodas or juices. Give your body a break and DRINK WATER! This isn't just good for your skin, but your overall health. Do it. Commit to drinking more water. Take care of your body.

Now I don't want to scare you away from the sun because lets be real you can't hide from the gigantic fire ball in the sky and really who wants to? It feels warm and its good for you! You need that Vitamin D. Its good not only for you physically, but also your mental health. So enjoy the sun, but be smart about it.
   
                             Stay Wonderful,
                                      Cherry XOXO
 P.S. While I was in Florida this waiter was telling us about how he used to live in NY and he said," I was white when I moved down here 10 years ago, and look at me now I'm bacon!" He was probably one of the nicest waiters I have ever had.

Beautiful Face

Hello little Divas! Today is a gorgeous! A very Swazzy day if you ask me! And since it is so beautiful out I thought it would be the perfect time to introduce you to my gorgeous best friend Charity whom I've known since I was 3 years old. You might be thinking oh no not another crazy shoe obsessed over dramatic diva, but you'd be wrong (you probably weren't thinking that I just like to assume my audience is as judgy as I am.)She is fun, kind, sweet, semi patient, and quiet.. and as you can probably tell I have the gift of gab, a very generous gift of gab. She is the yin to my yang, and we fit as friends perfectly. We are actually are more like twins who were separated at birth... even though I am 4 months older than her...  so that would make our theory impossible...but who cares about logic anyway!

A few days ago Charity and I had a mini beauty day. I did her makeup and hair then afterwards we had a little spa treatment! ahh relaxation.  She is already GORGEOUS so it didn't take much work to do her makeup. We decided for Charity to go semi dramatic on the eyes with dark silver, black, and glitter charcoal colored eye shadows. We also gave her winged eye liner and mascara. For her face we used a little foundation because Charity is one of those blessed people who has almost perfect skin. We also went with a little blush and bronzer for conturing. Add a little color to her very fair complexion.

These products were used to create the eye look. The Brushes are from Eco Tool, Maybelline Mascara, elf eye shadow, and revlon eyelash curler. 

                                                 As you can see Charity has very fair skin. 

We added a lift color but not too much.

These products below are what I used on her face.

                                                         

We went simple on the lips we used Revlon Nude and a sheer lipgloss that I received as a gift. I'm not sure on the brand. 

                      Future model? I think so.

       For Charity's hair we gave her a teased messy look.  We used Caviar Anti Aging Working Hairspray. 

Well that is today's beauty look.  Don't forget to subscribe or follow for more!   

Stay Swazzy, 

                Cherry