Chatter

Discuss: How Much is Too Much?

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In the past several years, the online beauty world has exploded. Brands, blogs, vloggers, Instagram sensations – what-have-you. Even though I wasn’t really aware of it until three years ago, it has been impressive. Personally, I’d love to see revenue comparisons on the brands alone for current day versus five years ago.

On  YouTube, Vanity Tour videos are insanely popular. Some of these men and women are professionals, actual artists sharing their at-home setup; others are just people who enjoy makeup and happen to like getting on camera. Regardless, their viewers and readers want to see what their favorite personality has in their stash, how their vanity is laid out, and how they decorate.

So many three-wick Bath and Body Works candles, girl.
So many IKEA Alex drawers.

How Much is Too Much?

I can appreciate getting inspiration for organizing efficiently, and for decor (I am exceptionally decor-impaired). The work these people put in to present an organized (usually..), visually appealing setup is hard to ignore. I haven’t really pinned anything to that effect in ages, but their willingness to share has helped so many people get inspired to create their own little beauty zen space.

It is hard not to notice, however, the size of (some of) these collections – they border on madness. For a professional artist who is actively working as an artist (not an artist-turned-YouTube sensation who hasn’t worked on a client in three years), it’s one thing to have two full drawers devoted to foundations and concealers. For a, “guru,” though – does it really make sense? How many of those bottles and tubes even match you throughout the four seasons? How many are expired?

I realize that might come off as hate-y or judge-y; I don’t intend it to be that way, but even as someone who has come to find makeup so fun, I can’t relate. I can’t relate to an overflowing vanity with stuffed-to-the-brim, stacked MUJI drawers and overflowing IKEA Alex sets. I’d love to get some perspective on this – so I’d love to know what you think (update: added the following to clarify) about your own collection:

How much is too much when it comes to owning makeup?

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Landing the Makeup Sale

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If there’s anything I abhor, it is the overabundant use of BS as a tool to drive sales. Be it marketing that promises miracles or a salesperson desperate to meet their quota (commissioned or not), there are just some things that should be left alone.

Namely? False flattery. It doesn’t matter what is being sold, but since this is a beauty blog, let’s talk about the use of BS to land a makeup sale.

I’m a regular face in my local Sephora. Sometimes I’m browsing what new stuff they have, sometimes I’m buying, sometimes I’m getting a sample before committing to a product. If they don’t know my name, they at least know my face and recognize me.

There’s one employee, though… I haven’t had this issue with any of the other employees. We pleasantly chat without awkwardness – we talk about product and technique and YouTube and weekend plans (and it all happens way more comfortably and naturally than that time I got my hair cut).

The particular associate is friendly, energetic, and personable… but trying entirely too hard to make me feel warm and fuzzy, to butter me up to buy product. Yes, I have done my time in retail. I get it – you have sales goals to meet! Landing this makeup sale or upselling directly impacts your store’s labor budget which translates to hours for you and your teammates. You want me to feel good because customers who feel good tend to spend more money. There’s a way to build a positive relationship and leave a lasting good impression without bombarding me with false flattery.

It feels insincere. And I can tell. Why?

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Discuss: Most-Used Summer Products

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While I’m over here lamenting the pending demise of summer, some of you are eagerly anticipating Fall – chunky sweaters, boots, cozy shit, PSLs… Hell, some of you might be drinking PSLs already. I don’t know if its available yet and I don’t want to because I don’t care (so don’t tell me). Autumn is my favorite season but I haven’t yet gotten my fill of summer. The workload at my day job has been a bit more intense (not complaining – it’s just been cutting into time I might otherwise use for the blog.) My past couple weekends have been spent desperately clutching the remnants of summer as it escapes all our grasps.

The question I asked in the LORAC Pocket PRO 2 giveaway post (now ended, thank you for participating) was what everyone’s go-to looks have been. A lot of responses were dewy, glowy, simple – some bronzer, some mascara or an effortless lip. Solid choices!

What I want to know more than the looks, though, are which products you found yourself using the most. Here are my top four:

 

bioreBiore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 PA+++, $9

If you haven’t boarded the Asian sunscreen (at least for your face!) train yet, you’re missing out. My face has been so much happier since I started using this, and my skin is safer too.

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Babying Products

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When I get something new, I coddle the shit out of it. I procrastinate on using a lot of things. I go easy on them; I try to preserve their flawless, pristine state as long as possible.

I bought a brand new beautyblender over two months ago and still haven’t used it yet. I am guilty of babying products.

Does anyone else do this?

Ponds Luminous Finish BB+ + Babying Products

Ever since I found out that Ponds Luminous Finish BB+ was discontinued, I’ve hardly used it. I love it to the moon and back, but I’m hardly using it because I’m afraid of running out, “too soon.” Totally freaking irrational; it DOES have a limited shelf life, after all…and no matter when I run out of it, it will be, “too soon.” Psh.

When it comes to palettes and compacts and makeup bags, I try like hell to keep them pristine. Obviously a palette with shadow dust all over it is mainly indicative of a well-used palette, but since (in many cases) these things are also investments, doesn’t it make sense to keep them as clean and pleasant to look at as possible? It isn’t a neat freak thing. I promise I’m not a neat freak…but when I see product-caked packaging it does make me slightly crazy.

Two years ago, a couple friends plotted and surprised me with the Urban Decay Naked palette. No real reason, just because. How amazing is that? It still gives me feels. So I don’t know if it is just because the quality of the shadows is SO high that you only need so little product, if it is because I am excessively babying it, or because I am inexplicably amazing at getting juuust what I need for a look and not wasting any ever (hint: it’s not the last one). I am conservative with how much I pick up on brushes, though – I prefer not to have to tap a lot away.

I take care of my brushes and tools. I won’t lie and claim that I wash my brushes every week. I definitely believe Jenna Marbles quip regarding people who claim that they do so (unless they are a professional and, you know, have to). I DO, however, wash them fairly regularly (remember: I don’t wear makeup every day, and when I do wear it, I don’t always go full-face). Even though you may hate it, it isn’t just important as far as your application goes…hygeine AND longevity of the brush or tool itself is a big concern. So take care of your brushes and tools properly; they’re investments!

It’s nice to use items that have a nearly-new look or feel to them, and it doesn’t take much effort to pull off.

The Bottom Line

Well, I’m asking you – is it crazy, or is it reasonable to continue babying my products?

July 2015 Empties

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I try like hell to be consistent, but sometimes life gets in the way. I needed to prepare graphics for this post, which I intended to publish yesterday but had a hell of a migraine yesterday and the day before. So thanks for being patient, and here are my July 2015 Empties.

July 2015 Empties

I’ve been wanting to do an empties post for a while, but for months I’d only have 1-2 empty items and who is writing a post about 1-2 empty things? The stars aligned this month and I actually finished up a good bit of stuff.

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Brows on What?

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Confession:

The term, “fleek,” makes my skin crawl.

I don’t love it.

Not for sculpted, perfect eyebrows. Not for flawless, gorgeous highlights. Not for sharp, crisp winged liner.

“On point,” I can dig. But for some reason I just can’t stand, “on fleek.” I’m not anti-slang, it’s just this specific term.

Research suggests the term has been tossed around since at least 2003; but it came to prominence after a Vine user mentioned it to describe her own brows while en route to a party. Somehow, it blew up and became this meme-esque slang phenomenon.

I don’t get it. Maybe I’m getting old?

Brows on what? Listen, dear – your eyebrows, highlight, and winged liner look fabulous and masterfully executed…but stay out of my dang hyacinths and azaleas, alright?