{My (Possible) Comeback}

SPOILER ALERT: I stopped blogging. No, sadly, nothing grand happened. I actually live a really boring life. I am sure some of you are wondering why I stopped blogging. To be honest, I spent all this time trying to think of all these different things to sit down and blog about and I would type it all up and then I would just hit exit because I didn’t want to do it. I don’t even exactly know where I am going with this blog but all I am going to say is that makeup is not everything in life. We live in a world where everyone literally wants to one up one another and it is just weird AF to me. Like yes, having “stuff” is awesome. Having a huge makeup collection would honestly make me smile from ear to ear but you know what’s better? Having a body plump full of personality.  Your $22 eyeliner or $45 highlighter is not giving you a personality... YOU are the one in charge of giving yourself a personality. Side note, the expensive highlighters are still the best highlighters. What I am getting at though is that makeup doesn’t mean anything... Makeup is literally just an outlet for people to be creative and it makes them feel good about themselves. There is such a huge stigma with any type of girl. We can’t win. Girls who wear a lot of makeup are obsessed with themselves, girls who wear boots are hick, and girls who show cleavage want attention, blah blah blah blah, we all want attention because it is human nature. Any who, girls should not walk past girls and be like OMG she has winged eyeliner; she must be so full of herself. What girls should do it girls should walk past other girls and be like OMG her wing is on point and then wonder if they can make friends with that girl so hopefully that girl with the eyeliner can help the less fortunate! I am no saint nor am I trying to be one. Cats out of the bag cause I judge people too (maybe that should have been my spoiler alert). The part where I get annoyed is cause we let people do that to us. I mean, why does everyone sit there and be so concerned about what people think anyway and then why do we get upset about it? The people who have assumptions about you most likely do not know you. People spend so much time worrying about what people think and honestly, people just need to chill out for a sec and be who they are and not who someone wants them to be.  Real time talk now, I let ONE person’s opinion stop me from doing something that I LOVED (cough cough, my blog). I didn’t put a blog post up for like a month and I had people be like WHERE ARE YOU? Now, almost a year has passed and I still haven’t posted and I still get asked where the hell I am. P.S. I still like makeup and I still like doing makeup... I just realized that I was trying to be “that girl” who has all of this makeup and all of these expensive brands and for what? What the hell is all of this makeup doing to do in my drawer anyway? I only have one face and half of the time I am too damn lazy to do anything with it anyway! I guess I went into my blog with no real sense of “direction” and I just kinda went on to wing it (just like my eyeliner). Then once when I realized that I didn’t know what I wanted, I just stopped (everyone who actually knows me is probably smiling to themselves right now because that is so true about me).  I knew that I didn’t want to just be doing makeup because I have too many things to say than to just paint a face all day. I want to write things that make peoples day! I just want someone to be able to relate to me in areas other than makeup! I honestly just want to help people feel confident enough in them to do different things! Real time talk 2.0, don’t let someone’s opinion discourage you from doing something that you really want to do. You want to wear some bomb dark liquid lipstick? DO IT. You want to change your major in school? DO IT. DO WHATVER YOU WANT because life is a pretty badass thing when you just start letting life fall into place rather than calculating your every move. Back roads will always make you laugh WAY more than the highway (depending on who you are with). So, surround yourself with people who would be down for BOTH the rides and ditch the ones who aren’t. Life is too great to be boring and life is also too short to sit there and wonder what it would have been like if you took a leap of faith and just went with it. I truly hope everyone can relate to this blog post on more than just a makeup level. I hope they can relate to it on a personal level. I literally hope you (yes, you) can go out and be like “I am totally going to have a kick ass day today” because that is literally all I want from this. So, that is that. I may have more blogs. I might not. I just gotta figure out my own direction with this thing and it may be a little squiggly… Which is totally cool. 

Also, I hope this picture made your day as much as it made mine.

Xoxo,

Clarissa

[long overdue update/what's in my June glam bag]

Hello my loves! I’m back! Yes, I repeat… I (Clarissa) am BACK. I have had so many questions from soooooo many people about my blog and when I am going to post a new one and all I could think is like OMG people do read my stuff! So, S/O to you guys because I love ya’ll.

It is no secret that I have been a little MIA (again) and I am so sorry. Summer is seriously a busy time for like everyone under the sun! And I have fallen into the busy summer lifestyle. I feel like this summer is my busiest summer yet and I don’t even know why because I am really not even that busy on the weeknights. Here is the dilemma I am currently having, I live in a different town during the week for my internship but that’s not even the issue I am having... The problem I am having is when get home from work! I get home and I am seriously just like hello I want to watch Netflix and lay in my bed! Then on the weekends I am like driving my butt all around the South Dakota and Minnesota countryside. But hey, I got good news though folks; my summer is starting to slow down a bit! I have a few busy weekends coming up here and then I will have more than enough time to do whatever the hell I please AKA BLOG.

So, the other week I came home and I saw this lovely little pink bag sitting in my room and I was just like WTF is this? Turns out it that it was my ipsy glam bag! I totally forgot that I was on the wait list for this stuff! I was SO excited when I opened it and saw all my goodies that I literally screamed (ask my sister). So, I wanted to try them all out and of course let you guys know what I thought.

I am sure that some of you out there don’t know what the heck an ipsy glam bag is so here it is… An ipsy glam bag is just a makeup bag (this is what sets it apart from other companies similar) that has 5 deluxe samples of full-size beauty goodies for only $10 a month. It is a super fun way to try things out without paying an arm and a leg for them. You don’t like them? Fine. Bye Felicia! It’s no big deal. You love them? YAY. Go buy some more and then review them on the ispy website. JK, review them if you both love and hate them. Help people out!

What the heck was in my June ispy glam bag?

P.S. Sorry I don't have a nice picture of it... I was far too excited so I just ripped right into my bag. Oops.

My makeup bag was just a little black bag. Pretty boring but who doesn’t love a free bag? It comes in handy!

I received three BioRepublic facemasks and holy Hannah, I L-O-V-E these masks! I got an aloe one, a cucumber one, and a green tea detox one. I love them all. Every single one. I wish they had like full body masks because I would buy them. I will be hunting these down and buying more of these. P.S. You normally would have to buy 3 masks for $14.50. So, yeah… Life is good.

I got a Jules and Ester Vitamin C facial serum… I love a good serum. I also love facial serums that smell like grapefruit aka this Jules and Ester stuff. The full size of this runs for $36.00 and I got like a pretty big size of it in my bag. I know it will last me a while. Loving it!

I got the cutest little treStrique shadow crayon. It actually looks like a crayon, it is so cute. Mine is army green and I am normally not a green lady but I still love it! I am going to put a blog up featuring this bad boy one I play around with it a bit. The full size of these cost $26.00 so I am super happy that I can just try it out first because it is not something I would normally go out and buy.

I also got an Aurora Gel Effect Nail Polish… I got it in pink so I don’t know if they read my mind or what because I love pink nails! I really like this nail polish so far but I don’t know if I would go out and buy it from the store. It normally costs $7.00 and who am I kidding? I like my OPI better.

There was also a Too Face Melted liquefied lipstick in my glam bag. It was in the shade Melted Candy and I already got one of these babies from Ulta as a gift. It’s not my favorite color but I LOVE these lippies from Too Faced. I have talked about them before. Go try them!

So, yeah… I got 8 things in my glam bag for $10.00. Can you say amazeballs?

You can subscribe to get your own glam bag right here.

P.S. I would highly recommend it! I can’t wait to get my July bag.

Any who, that’s a wrap! I promise you that I will get a step by step up this weekend. I already know exactly what I will be doing because it’s my go-to lately.

Xoxo,

Clarissa

My May Fav's

Happy June! 

SUMMER IS COMING! Yay! So, if you follow my FB page then you saw that I said that I was going to have a post up two days ago aka Saturday… Well, today is Monday so that means that I was not one but two days late! Oopsies! 

Literally five seconds after I decided that I was FINALLY going to post something I got a message asking if I wanted to go to a twins game on Saturday and sit in a suite so I was like DUH! Who turns down a Twins game? I mean really, who would?

Then on Sunday I sat down and was going to do it and then what do you know? My charger that actually works is in St. Cloud.  I am scatter brained… It’s life.

In case any of you were wondering, Saturday was SUCH a fun day! I love unexpectedly fun weekends. Here were the best parts of zee day.

The view.

The people.

The desert cart… Diva Cake. Enough said.

And my personal favorite…The mechanical bull. Bucket list… Check!

It was a great day!

So, I have been bouncing around a few blog ideas and since it is the 1^st day of June, I figured I would post my May favorites.

Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-In-1 Foundation.

So, I found a new drugstore foundation! I was walking in Target with my sister and I walked up to it cause I have heard really good things about this foundation and she was like “you’re buying Cover Girl?!?” and I was like YASSS because I am usually not a Cover Girl face product fan like what so ever but hey, I am now. It is a 3-in-1 because it has foundation, primer, and concealer all built in. I still use primer and concealer when I am applying it though. I love the texture, love the coverage, and I love the packaging because it is a pump! Yay! I apply it with my beauty blender and it looks amazing.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

I FINALLY got my hands on this little ball of amazingness again. One perk of living in St. Cloud is the CVS’s. You can find Luminoso at some Wal-Mart’s and all CVS’s so you gotta snag it while you can’t is probably my favorite blush high end and low end. This blush is amazing and every single person should buy it. Yes, I am talking to you! ;)

NYX High Voltage Lipstick in Stone

I have been rather into the whole cool toned look this month (maybe it is because of the raining weather) and this lipstick has been on my lips throughout the entire month because of that! This lipstick is the most perfect grey, purplely, brownish tone and it has GREAT color pay off! If you like the cool toned lipstick look, go buy this! Not to mention… It’s super tiny and easy to take with you like anywhere. P.S. I will be going back to get other colors too.

Maybelline Color Elixir in Nude Illusion

I have mentioned these before but this one is my favorite! It is such a beautiful color and it is perfect for that whole “your lips but better” look. I put it on top of everything just because I love the formula. I put it on top of my NYX High Voltage Lipstick and it looks pretty damn good! Love this so much! Perfect for summer.

Makeup Geek Single Pan Eye Shadow in Rapunzel

We all know how much I love Makeup Geek but this shade is the best! I have been using this all the time as just an everyday shade or like a shade if I am ready to go out on the town (if I decide that my couch can have a break for the night). Any who, this shadow is like a yellowish champagne vanilla color with a slight shimmer to it! It is like a toned down version of Shimma Shimma and I think that is why I like it so much. It is amazing.

Makeup Geek Single Pan Eye Shadow in Barcelona Beach

Like I said, cool tones have been my life lately and this is a perfect transition shade for those cool toned looks! I love it because it is too not warm but it is too not cool… It’s very neutral and basically perfect.

Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Shadow Palette

Love, love, love! This is PERFECT for every day use. It has nine different shades and the names of them are the cutest things ever. I honestly don’t know what I would do without this palette for when I go to work because it is what I use almost every day that I am in the office (I am so grown up when I say that). It is $36.00 and worth every penny!

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara

Just buy it. It’s amazing.

Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner

I had a blog about how much problems I have been having with my skin lately and it is FINALLY almost gone! I think honestly owe it to this toner. I have heard amazing things about this toner and sometimes I feel like high-end toners aren’t really worth the hype aka the Clinique one which burns your face off. If you have issues with your skin, get this one and apply it like twice a day!

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser

Hi, I love this stuff! Fine, maybe it was the combination of the toner and this cleanser that helped my skin get better! I love this product. I have used it twice a day everyday for a while now and my skin is getting better and better. Thank the lord almighty!

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is so multi purpose but this month I have been using it a lot as a nightly moisturizer. Yes, I would oil all over my face. People don’t realize that putting healthy oil and a good oil like coconut oil will actually help you with various things like dry skin, oily skin, and it helps with scaring a ton! I put it on my face every night and I love it. I have no issues what so ever with it! Try it and see how it is.

Big Sexy Hair Get Layered Hairspray

I am really loving this stuff! It is perfect for how I like to do my hair, which are just really messy curls. It is not stiff or sticky and it just gives your hair like the perfect fluff. I love this product!

Hand & Nail Harmony Nail Prep pH Bond

I have the world’s best friend who used to do my nails once a week at school (Emily, I’m talking to you) and she gave me this stuff! She went to cosmetology school and gives me all the details about nail and hair prep. This stuff makes such a difference with how long your nail polish stays! You just take off your polish, put this on, and then do your bottom coat, polish, and topcoat. It is amazing! If you can get your hands on it, buy it!

Welp, there are all my addictions for you! Hope you go out and try some!

I am hoping to get a couple step-by-steps in this week because my “go to office” look is calling my name!

Have a great 1st day of June!

Xoxo,

Clarissa

How To Cover Up The Not So Hot Imperfections On Your Face 101

I’m back! I feel like I have been gone for 68 years and counting now. I have had one hell of a last week or so. I pretty much managed to travel throughout half of the county... okay, that’s a little dramatic but I did go to 3 states before noon one day! Overall, I spent about 12 hours driving in 2 days… did I mention that I managed to move within those 2 days? It was pretty intense and I do not recommend it.

Anyway, I was planning on doing a makeup step-by-step BUT, I haven’t been putting on makeup lately because 1) I want my skin to have a nice break and 2) my skin is going absolutely bat shit crazy! I am going to just keep it real, I am having a pretty major battle with my skin right now. I know that there is really nothing that I can do so I am taking it as a grain of salt but, let’s be real, it still f’ing sucks! If there is one thing that really makes me feel like shit, it is probably a nice big giant pimple on my face (or five). I know that I am NOT the only gal out there that feels that way so, I decided to put my pride to the side (wait, am I a rapper?) and show you all how I cover up my acne because it is what it is and it just needs to be addressed.

In the mean time, enjoy the BEAUTIFUL selfies I have brought forth. The entertainment is on me! 

I am keeping it real for ya'll!

I hope you enjoyed those.

First things first, wash your face and moisturize.

I use a butt load of different face washes at all points in time... I just like to try them out!  Lately, I have been using the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser (holy grail to the max) and the Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser (it contains Benzoyl Peroxide which is an acne medication). Side note; I just bought the Neutrogena cleanser the other day and so far so good.

I always just used the Cetaphil wash prior to my skin deciding to freak out on me.

Moisturizing is UBER important everyday but it is especially important if you are using anything with any sort of cleanser with an acne medication in it (benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid).

Wait 10-15 minutes after you have prepped your face and then apply some Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer.

This stuff is my favorite concealer ever for when you want to hide an imperfection. However, I would not recommend putting this under your eye. It would be really unflattering because of the consistency of it. It’s just too heavy for the under eye area and it is going to crease like a mofo when you put it there.

Now, here is how I apply my Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer.

Put your desired amount of concealer on the back of you hand.

Dip your finger in it.

Apply it to that stubborn little B of a pimple.

Why is one side of my face almost perfectly clear?

Tap ever so gently until the product is absorbed and the imperfection is covered.

Apply some liquid foundation with a brush or a beauty blender.

I apply my liquid foundation as usual with my Real Techniques expert face brush.

Side note; I make damn well sure that I am pressing my foundation into my skin rather than wiping the foundation into my skin. Your first instinct will be to wipe or rub your foundation into your skin and DON’T DO IT!  Rubbing it on your face will just wipe all that concealer off, make your pimples more red, and it will make your foundation look kinda crappy in the mean time, so try your hardest to press it in.

This is how the finished product should look! This is just with my foundation and Glamoflauge concealer on. There are no other additional products on my face.

Go about your normal face routine as usual.

I applied my Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in the shade Light in an upside down triangle.

I set my concealer with a powder.

I bronzed myself to give myself some life.

I applied some blush to give myself some extra life.

I put on some shadows.

I lined my eyes.

Threw on some mascara.

Put some gloss on the lips.

I sprayed myself down with a setting mist.

This is how the finished product should look! This is just with my foundation and Glamoflauge concealer on. There are no other additional products on my face. It was real weird wearing makeup for the first time since Saturday.

I put absolutely no filters on these pictures I took and I took them in natural lighting. You can ever so slightly see the bumps on my forehead but those babies aren’t going anywhere for the time being.

Keep in mind; when it comes to covering acne, less is more. The more you poke, press, cover, tap, whatever the hell you do, the worse it will be! That is why I do the process of covering my acne up in the simplest way possible while still getting the job done.

This is my way that I have always covered my acne (when I have it) and I get told that I have beautiful skin almost every time I go out like this and clearly I do NOT have the best skin ever, I just am really good at hiding it. See, most of the time the only one who can see your acne is you!

You’re still beautiful with a little mark on your face!

Have a great day!

Xoxo,

Clarissa

P.S. You can find Glamoflauge at Wal-Mart, CVS, or online!