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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Worth it? Glamglow Poutmud

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Glamglow seems to be continually expanding their line of luxury skincare products. Frankly, I’ve lost track of the entirety of their line, but came across the new Glamglow Poutmud during some Sephora.com browsing.

Glamglow PoutmudGlamglow Poutmud

Like all their other products, the packaging is appealing – bright colors, clean lines, very sleek. But packaging isn’t enough – I’ve waxed disappointed about the Thirstymud mask (it breaks me out) already, and I can’t imagine paying full price for Thirstymud ($69). Really, I’d be hard-pressed to pay even half price for it. My skin’s reaction aside, it isn’t that impressive a product.

Glamglow Poutmud, as I’m sure you may have guessed, is a lip treatment; supposedly a, “powerful duo to gently exfoliate, nourish, and treat lips.” Poutmud, which retails for $39, features two hocus-pocus containing 0.88 oz spheres – one is an exfoliant, the other a balm. But really, the ingredients aren’t anything special. A bunch of oils and butters, fruit extracts, some sugars and salts. It really isn’t ground-breaking, and it damn sure is not worth $39. Plus, being in little pots means they’re less sanitary than, say, dispensing from a tube.

Of course the hype machine has people convinced that everything Glamglow is selling is so amazing (and I haven’t tried their other facial masks) but almost forty bucks for not even an ounce of each a salt and sugar scrub and then a lip balm in cute chrome spheres? Seriously? One reviewer on Sephora’s site says of Glamglow Poutmud,

“Once again, Glamglow made an amazing product. I don’t know how else to describe this, but AMAZING.”

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Sephora Cream Blush in Golden Spice

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Since I discovered that cream blush is actually pretty neat, I’ve been looking for inexpensive ones to try. In Sephora recently, they had a few shades marked down so I was able to pick up Sephora Cream Blush in Golden Spice for $8.

In the pan, before swatching, Golden Spice looked like a golden rosy blush – I thought it might be nice for fall since my other blushes are lighter or brighter.

Getting it home, I had a hell of a time opening it, thinking that it would open at the seam in the front like, oh, every other single compact that looks like this.
 Sephora Cream Blush in Golden Spice - Hinges

Nope. There are indents for your fingers on the sides! It isn’t meant to be pried from there, though; you gently squeeze on the indents and the lid springs open effortlessly.

Because I’m an impatient oaf sometimes, I failed to get a photo of this before meddling with the contents. The rosy Sephora Cream Blush in Golden Spice is SO LOVELY and the first swatch was fantastic. I was excited to add it into my rotation.My first use though, happened on a workday with no time to remove or redo. The below photo shows just a hint of the sparkle. I’m basically channeling Ke$ha, here.

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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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August 2015 Favorites

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August 2015 Favorites
August 2015 Favorites
1. Philosophy Fresh Cream EDT, $38 / 2. Urban Decay Naked Skin Powder Foundation, $36
3. Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner (2oz), $8 / 4.  Gigi No Bump Roll-On, $6

Damn September, sneaking up on us. You can check out the details on my August 2015 favorites after the jump.

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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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