Confessions of a Beauty Blogger

So I was doing my usual twitter creep routine and I came across a beauty blogger, Caledonian Kitty, who decided to start a "Confessions of a Beauty Blogger" Tag and it seemed pretty cool so I decided to join in! Side note that has nothing to do with anything: Am I the only one who, when hearing/reading the word confessions, is graced by the musical styling of Usher for the rest of the whole dang day??? I can't be the only one! Usher isn't bad or anything, he is just not my first choice when faced with a song stuck in my head ya know. 

Okay, back to the point...

Q1, How long have you been a Beauty Blogger?

1.5 months. I am a baby blogger I know. I actually use to do youtube videos about 4 years ago but I had to give them up due to going to school full time and working full time at the same time. No spare time whatsoever. I missed spreading my love for makeup and beauty so I thought blogging would be a better alternative for me :)

Q2, Do you ever get to the point where you want to delete your Blog, if so, why?

No, not yet. This is still very new and exciting for me so I really haven't gotten to that point in my blogging where it becomes a hassle. I'm sure there will be a few moments along the road that I will contemplate it but not any time soon I hope.

Q3, What's your most annoying habit?

This is a loaded question lol It honestly depends on who you ask. I don't know if it is really considered a habit but more of a personality flaw that has been complained about by multiple people in my life. I'm kind of really introverted in real life. Weird profession for an introvert to choose huh? I just like to be alone sometimes (more than most people) and I can be really hard to get in touch with. It's not that I don't like the person calling me (most of the time) or texting me that I don't answer/call back/respond to...it is that sometimes I just don't want to talk to anyone. I like to be alone in my thoughts. There are times that I need solitude and silence to recharge my mind, body, and spirit and that is super hard to do when you are trying to hold a conversation with someone. My boyfriend gets so annoyed with me because I absolutely hate talking on the phone for the most part. If I'm having my me time and you call and I actually answer...you've got 5 mins tops and you better talk fast lol

Q4, Do you get annoyed that brands/companies will often go to more popular Beauty Bloggers to review their products? 

Not really. It's just business. If you had a product you wanted to promote, you are going to go for the blog that is going to reach the most people and make them the most money. Of course I would like to see them promote the smaller blogs more and give them a chance but if you think about just the $$$ and business aspect, its totally understandable. 

Q5, Have you been to a Bblogger meet up?

No I have not. I live in GA so if anyone knows of any going on, I would love to go!

Q6, What brand would you say was overrated? 

AHHHH this is a hard one. I have 2 brands. One is understandable and the other is considered the holy grail of makeup. 1.Benefit, I have never really found anything from that line that hasn't already been done and/or has a better substitute from another brand. There is honestly really no need for it. 2.MAC, okay go ahead and hate me but MAC is overrated in every sense of the word. Do they have a large variety of colors with good color pay off? Yes, but so do another 100 brands out there and they are usually cheaper. Why spend $14 on one eyeshadow when you can spend $5 and get the same or even better quality? You are paying for the name people. Don't even get me started about what it does to people's skin. I refer to MAC as MACne because that is exactly what it gives you. Do I hate MAC? No. Do I think it is overrated and not worth the money b/c you can totally find something better most of the time for a fraction of the cost? Yes.

Q7, What brand would you say is underrated?

Wet n' Wild. It is known for the cheap prices but I don't think many people really appreciate its the quality to price ratio. 

Q8, What are your phobias?

Snakes. I hate them. 

Q9, Which parts of your body are fake? (ie lashes, extensions)

Nothing really, I have a few highlights in my hair and I wear false lashes occasionally but for the most part I am pretty natural.

Q10, Least Fave part of your body?

My stomach. It's not nearly as toned as it should be and I honestly could stand to loose a few or more pounds.

Q11, Do you find keeping your blog up to date expensive?

Not really. I am still pretty new so I haven't gotten to the point of really spending money on it. My products I review are bought with my money but I was going to purchase them for myself anyways so I don't really count them as an expense. I have paid for one sidebar ad and It was super cheap and has actually gotten me some new followers. totally worth it.

Q12, Do you think some of the more popular Beauty Bloggers are overrated (not mentioning names)?

There are some that are very popular and I don't necessarily see why but I'm sure someone will eventually feel the same way of my blog. It is just how the world works

Q13, Are you an honest reviewer? 

Yes. I take pride in what I do. Whether I am giving my opinion of a product to my clients or on my blog I will not lead any of them in the wrong direction just for personal gain. My clients and followers trust me and to lose their trust would completely ruin my goal to spread beauty and knowledge.

Q14, What attracts you to reading a Blog Post?

I am usually drawn to the subject manner of the blog. If the title of the blog is about something I am not interested in, I usually skip over it.

Q15, Who's your Male/Female crush at the moment?

My boyfriend. He's the cutest :)

Q16, Is there a product that you have bought recently that you won't be buying again?

I bought a concealer from loreal that was way too dark for my skintone. Usually this would not deter me from not trying out another shade but this happened to be the lightest shade in the line. Also, I just didn't like how heavy it sat on my skin. It was the visible lift blur one. I was really disappointed in it so no repurchase for me.

I really like this tag. Be sure to check CaledonianKitty out and link back to her if you do this tag! Also, let m know too. I would love to see your answers :) Feel free to use my graphic I made for it if you would like!

Let's #backthatazzup with Whitney from I Wore Yoga Pants and jam out to Usher's Confessions b/c it is still stuck in my head!

Weekend Recap!!!

Happy Monday!!!

I've been really into finding new blogs to follow and different link ups to participate. They are really fun and a great way to meet new people in the blogging community. Today, I decided to do the "Weekend Recap" link up hosted by Dateless in Dallas and Showered with Design.

This weekend was a long one...let me tell you. It was filled with good music, makeup, good food, and a lot of driving. I also learned that I am physically capable of staying up for 36 hours straight. (I wouldn't recommend it though)

#9to5TotalSocial

Hey Guys! I decided to participate in my first #TotalSocial with Helene in Between and Venus Trapped in Mars. This month's topic is "My 9 to 5". #total social is a monthly linkup that any and everyone can join in on via twitter, instagram, facebook, and blogs. This is such a fun and cool way for bloggers and social media fiends like myself to connect!

My 9 to 5 situation is quite unique. I am a Licensed Esthetican and Makeup Artist in the beautiful, and unbearably hot and humid, state of Georgia. I have worked in salons and spas but I've always had a dream to be my own boss and start my own wedding makeup business and eventually one day have my own makeup line. Most salons and spas require weekend availability which threw a wrench in my dreams of  being able to focus on wedding makeup. Now, being 22 at the time and living on my own, quiting my spa job to focus on starting a business that is primarily focused on weekends was just not going to happen. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Follow my dreams or pay my bills. Not an easy decision let me tell you.

Fast forward to April of last year. My dad has worked for a landscaping business as the sales manager for quite some time. He started with this company when they were just starting up and he decided to stick with them in order to help the company grow. It wasn't always easy for him but by April of last year, the company had more work than they knew what to do with. With a flourishing company comes a busy and sometimes unreasonable schedule. He could not keep up with his work load and was finding himself working 7 days a week and sometimes 15 hours a day just to get everything done. He knew he needed help and had interviewed a few people for the position. Suprisingly I was not his first choice...thanks dad.

I was working at a spa full time that was ran by a crazy unique colombian massage therapist who was also quite vocal. Needless to say, I was misearble. I was once yelled at for purchasing a birthday balloon (using my money and gas) for her client that did not have enough helium. During that 15 minute rant on how disappointed she was that I did not meet her balloon purchasing expectations, I decided I wanted out. I called my father when I left that day so frustrated. I didnt know what to do. I was done dealing with crazy spa and salon owners. He offered me the opportunity to come in to the office and work on a few things for him to see if I would be a good fit.

He offered to let me fill the position for what I was making before I left the last spa, I had weekends off for wedding makeup, and in the event I needed some time during the week for my wedding makeup business I could have it as long as I made up my work/hours. Pretty sweet deal huh? Go ahead and slap a cape on my dad and call him Superman because he definitely saved the day. Naturally I took the offer...I mean DUH who wouldn't. It's an amazing feeling knowing that I have an amazing father who will do anything he can to make my dreams obtainable.

I work full time in his office doing and managing estimates, taking apart complete landscape designs and pricing them out, keeping up with his schedule, helping with sales, and anything else I can do to make his life easier. Right now I work Mon.-Fri. 9 to 5 (and sometimes more) and I focus my weekends on doing wedding makeup and extra in the occasional tv show or movie. I rarely have a day off these days but it is SO SO SO worth it. I'm a long way from being able to "quit my day job" and only do what I love but I am getting closer and closer every day. I am way beyond blessed.

Moral of the story, I am one lucky/busy girl with an awesome dad and the world in my hands.
That is my 9 to 5 story. Lengthy I know but I hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to follow me on bloglovin for some awesome sauce beauty related tutorials, reviews, and posts.

The Summer Tag!

It's Friday...Thank Goodness! Georgina over at Makeup-Pixi3 created this super fun Summer Tag and I figured it would be fun.  Hope you enjoy the tag and please feel free to answer the questions over on your blog if you have one... or just go on about summer in the comments if not!

1.  What's your favorite thing about Summer?

Definitely not the heat! I'm actually a huge fan of winter to be honest. It is of my opinion that you can always add more layers if you are cold, but there is only so much you can take off if you are hot until it is no longer socially acceptable and you are on the sex offenders list. If I had to pick a favorite thing about summer, I would have to say yard sales. I'm such a nerd I know but yard sale season is in full swing during the summer and I love a great deal...and opportunity to craft :)

2.  Do you have a favorite Summer drink?

Its a tie between strawberry lemonade and peach milkshakes. I'm a sucker for both during the summer months. Honorable mention - Sweet Tea. I'm from Georgia and If I didn't at least mention it, I would be shunned by anyone southern.

3.  Is there a location you like to go to each Summer?

Charleston, SC/Folly Beach. If you've never been...go. You will love it I promise.

4.  Favorite makeup look for Summer?

I love incorporating golds and bronzes into my summer looks. They just go so well with the season.

5.  Dresses or skirts?

Dresses! I love maxi dresses but sundresses are adorable too. I don't love wearing shorts and dresses are very forgiving for my body shape. 

6.  Sandals or ballet pumps?

Sandals. It gets HOT during Georgia summers so the more body parts out and airing, the better.

7.  Do you prefer to wear your hair up or down for Summer?

Well,  I'd wear it up every day but I just look funny with it up. It just doesn't work for my face, so I wear it down most days unless its just too humid or I'm having a seriously bad hair day.

8.  Deep smokey eyes or bold lips?

Smokey eyes all the way! I love the look of bold lips but they just don't work out on me as well as they do most people. I look best with a bronze or gold smokey eye and a nude lip.

9.  Favorite perfume for Summer?

Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture all the way!

10.  Last but not least, favorite music for Summer?

I love all kinds of music. During the summer, I find myself listening to a lot of chill indie music. Right now, there is an Atlanta based band called Mood Rings that I cant get enough of. Check them out here and here.