The Beauty of Vaseline

Hello, lovelies! It's been a bit of a gloomy day; a cold, rainy, "drinking hot tea while curled up on the couch with your dogs" kind of a gloomy day. I remembered I have a few exciting family and friend gatherings coming up, and I wanted to start planning my hair, make up, and outfit combos.

I practiced one makeup look and noticed that my under eye areas were super dry, like, drier than my next door neighbor's sense of humor (not kidding). I couldn't find my eye serum (probably because I've hardly unpacked my crap from college--but that's beside the point), so I used a makeshift moisturizer for my delicate eye areas: a thin layer of Vaseline. Biggest revelation of 2015! Okay, maybe not quite, but I was still very impressed with the results. 

After pondering this "revelation" for quite some time, I realized I actually use Vaseline for a lot of different beauty problems. Below are the ways that I have utilized Vaseline Petroleum Jelly in my beauty regimen. Enjoy!

Show Off Your Amazing Bone Structure

Vaseline has been in my grandma's medicine cabinet since the 1950's. It's what gave Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn their pearlescent complexions. To continue this ingenious beauty regimen, dab a thin layer of Vaseline on the tops of your cheekbones and on your brow bone to achieve a soft and aesthetic look. Work that bone structure!

Razor Burn--No more!

Vaseline is known for relieving burning and irritation, so stop buying expensive cooling gels that can actually make hair grow quicker and darker. Vaseline has the same cooling and calming effects of a cooling gel, but it won't burn a hole in your pocket. No more irritation after shaving or waxing.

Painless & Stainless DIY Hair Dying

Okay, no, I don't use this one because I am not good at anything with the name DIY in it... I get frustrated very easily, but my mom and aunt use this. For those of you who do dye your hair and/or eye brows at home, this trick is just for you. Slather a layer of Vaseline around your hairline, on the tops of your ears, and around your eyebrows to prevent the dye from staining your skin.

My Two Scents

To make your favorite perfume or body mist last longer, rub some Vaseline wherever you spray perfume (I do the back of my neck and my left wrist). The spray will literally stick to the Vaseline, enhancing the scent and making it last hours longer than spraying it straight onto your skin.

XOXO -Lip Exfoliator 

In need of super soft lips before a night out or even just for an addition to your daily regimen? Make a  super gentle, super wallet-friendly lip exfoliator: mix up some Vaseline and sugar (sometimes I use brown sugar if I want a bit of flavor), and rub all over your lips to vanish any flakes.

Bright Eyed & Bushy Tailed

As I said above, my under eyes (and probably a lot of other people's under eyes) get super dry, making make up hard to apply. Vaseline will tremendously help to banish bags, brighten under the eyes, and moisturize all at the same time. Dab a thin layer under the eyes (and around the nose if necessary) 5-10 minutes before applying make up, or rub on before going to bed.

Eyebrows On Fleek

I can't believe I just wrote that in a post, but I'm just leaving it because I can't be obliged to come up with something better. Moving on... Swipe on a bit of Vaseline across your brows as a holding/firming wax after filling them in. You can also brush some on your eyelashes with a spooly to make them pop and look mega-glossy without having to commit to mascara.

Skin as Soft as a Baby's Bottom

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way, but I hate cracked and dry elbows, palms, and feet. You know what I also hate? Going to bed wearing socks. *cringes while thinking about it* However, I will hesitate gagging when I put a load of Vaseline on my feet and cover them with socks before bed. Trust me, you'll awaken with the softest feet! No more $30 pedicures!

I hope you enjoyed this post! I hope this makes your beauty regimen less stressful and less expensive. I love finding new ways to use products that I have laying around at home. What do you use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly for? Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda 

Twitter & Instagram: amanda_wymore

Check out my post: The Beauty of Coconut Oil

Summer Beauty Haul 2015

I'm ironically not wearing any make up while I happen to be writing about make up.
Oh well, less is more when it's Saturday!

Hello, lovelies! As I've mentioned in my last post, it was my birthday recently. 

Just to keep this story short: with your birthday comes birthday money, with birthday money comes responsibility. However, I was not responsible. As a result, I bought brushes and new products to try.

I hope you enjoy!

Hair

The first hair product that I purchased was one I've heard some really incredible things about. I bought the OGX Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Shampoo. My hair gets really dry in the summer from being in the pool a few times a week so I thought I would give this shampoo a shot to see what transformations it can do for my hair. There is a conditioner to pair with this, but I didn't see it at ULTA, so I'll have to go back another time to find it!

The second product I got was Batiste Dry Shampoo in {Dark and Deep Brown}. This dry shampoo is a miracle worker. I'm not kidding. I've been so stressed while looking for dry shampoos because even when they say "transparent" on the bottle, my hair still ends up looking gray. This actually has a brown tint in it, which I've never seen before, but it makes my hair look really voluminous and put together (even when I haven't washed my hair for a week). What?

  Skin Care

As I am going to New York in less than 2 months (*internally screaming with pure joy*), I wanted to find some products I can use that are in travel-size bottles or containers, but are still reliable products. I found this Formula 10.0.6 Packet called {Clean Getaway}. It includes So Totally Clean Deep Pore Cleanser, Pores Be Pure Mud Mask, Keep Me Clean Facial Wipes, and Best Face Forward Daily Foaming Cleanser. Tonight will be my first night trying all of these out together. I'll keep you posted if I enjoy these products.

 Make Up

I finally caved and bought Benefit's Gimme Brow in {Medium/Deep}. I was trying to tell myself that powder is sufficient enough since I still have a lot of powder in my brow kit left, but during the summer, I am beginning to get lazy with my eyebrows. This product will help me to shape and define my brows without having to put too much effort into creating them.

Oh, no! Amanda bought another mascara. Confiscate it and put it with the 3,000 others we've had to take away. Yes, I bought Benefit's Roller Lash, but it is purely amazing. Benefit is very true to their word when they say you do not, I repeat, you do not need to use a lash curler before applying mascara. This mascara is amazing at curling, lengthening, and separating my lashes. Flawless.

Swatches...
Imagine Declare smudged into your water line and Enlighten in your inner corner.
Look how it catches the light!

Now, I know I'm not really an eyeliner person, but these really interested me. These are Sigma's Extended Wear Eye Liners in the shades {Declare} and {Enlighten}. Declare is a cool, dark brown shade with hints of purple. Enlighten is a pearly-gold with a hint of shimmer. I have not tried either on yet, but I'm super excited to see when these will do for my eye make up! 

More swatches...
Smoke Screen Palette (left side): Ember, Nebula, Cinders, Svelte, Almost Jet
Warm Neutrals Palette (right side): Innocent, Dove, Optimistic, Warm Stone, Oyster Sand

Along with the Sigma eyeliners, Sigma sent me a few samples of their eye shadows from a couple of their palettes. I am a fan of the Sigma Warm Neutrals Eye Shadow Palette just because I think the colors complement my brown eyes a little more than the Sigma Smoke Screen Eye Shadow Palette. If you have blue or green eyes, I think that would be your glory palette! My favorite shade is {Dove}, which is the second color to the left of the Warm Neutrals palette (in my sample). It's a shimmery taupe color, and it looks lovely in the inner corners, or just all over the lid! 

Tools

This is new for me. I have had the same 12 brushes since maybe 7th or 8th grade. I felt that it was time for an upgrade. For my face, I got a Sigma 3DHD Kabuki Brush and a Sigma 3DHD Precision Brush. Does anyone else think they look super fascinating. They say the point on the brush really makes it easy to reach each nook and cranny on your face to achieve a perfect foundation look. I'm super excited to use these!

For my eyes, I bought the Zoeva Rose Golden Complete Eye Set. How freaking beautiful? They couldn't get more gorgeous if they tried. Hello?! Rose Gold!!! I haven't used any of these yet because they only showed up on my doorstep this afternoon, but when I touched them for the first time, I was amazed. They are so soft, seriously! They are going to make applying eye shadow a lot easier than with my old and rough brushes.

That's everything! I hope you enjoy posts like these! What would you buy with your birthday money? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

The Side Effects of Being "Overly Emotional"

Hello, lovelies! I have something a little more serious to talk about than just make up and food.

I, for one, always had positive connotations when it came to "summer." Yet, it's only been a month since I've finished my first year of college, and I already hate it.

Within the last few days, my emotions have been on quite the roller coaster--the fluctuation is real.

I just celebrated my 19th birthday... that's exciting. I had an enjoyable day spent with family and friends. I should be feeling great. 

However, beginning yesterday, I hit a low point. 

I had a stressful day. There isn't something that specifically made me anxious, but as the day progressed, my thoughts got increasingly more negative, and I became sadder. My motivation was fractured, and I am no longer able to complete tasks. Sitting and crying are my two newest hobbies.

In the past two days, I've cried six times. Six. 

I feel alone, abandoned, and unwanted.

Things don't ever seem to go my way.

People think I'm being dramatic.

Do you know why?

Because I'm being "overly emotional."

Do any of you know what being "overly emotional" means?

Because I sure as hell don't.

If you do, please explain in the comments. I genuinely want to know.

•••

I view being emotional as a power, not a flaw.

To be completely honest, as I become more experienced with social and emotional occurrences, I think I become more empathetic. I am, at this very moment, publicly sharing my feelings. I hope that if any of my readers feel trapped in an emotional cage, they can know that I am empathizing; I want to give my emotional support, and I want you all to learn from my experiences.

Along with being empathetic, I think being emotional can actually benefit relationships, as well. Being emotional should not frighten your partner or upset them, they should bring you closer together. Due to what I have observed (e.g. failed marriages, aggressive fighting, verbal abuse), I feel that I've learned how to be a more loving, considerate, and honest human being. I bond with my partner on a high level because I am emotionally capable of feeling deeply for him.

I think I'm more creative when I express my emotions. For instance, I'm writing to you all now in the hopes of creating something powerful and inspiring. I have literally created content based on my emotions. Creating content makes me content. I want to reach individuals who want to be empowered. If that's a flaw, I'm pretty damn proud of it!

So, please, tell me being emotional is a bad thing.

Thank you.

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

More posts about my experiences with anxiety:

The Pep Talk: Dealing With Stress

Panic Attacks and Natural Solvents

My Birthday Make Up Tutorial 2015

Hello, lovelies! So by the title, I'm sure you have all noticed that I just recently had a birthday. In fact, yesterday was my 19th birthday! Thanks for all the "Happy Birthday" messages you guys sent me!

I celebrated with my family and friends at IHOP...so obviously, I didn't wear any make up. For dinner, Zachary took me out to dinner. We went to Osaka and got a heap and a half of sushi! It was amazing!

P.S. I wasn't in the mood to fully participate in society and looking like a functioning female being is too overrated... therefore, my hair is in a bun.

Let's get started!

Preparation

Before I started the make up, I washed my face and then toned and moisturized with Lush's Tea Tree Water and Aveeno's Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15.

Primer

To start the face, I primed with Maybelline's Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. I just smooth it under my eyes, on my forehead, around my nose, and on my chin. This really helps to make my foundation application smoother and last longer.

It looks like I've seen a ghost.

Concealer

As always, I used Maybelline's Dream Lumi Highlighting Concealers in Ivory and Buff. I use Ivory to highlight under my eyes, my forehead, my cupid's bow, and chin. Buff is dotted around my nose and any other spots I may have. I use an RC Cosmetics Foundation Brush to blend all of that into my face.

You always have to show your war paint.

Foundation

I shook it up a little. I went for a powder foundation instead of a liquid foundation or BB cream. I used Clinique's Blended Face Powder in 03 Transparency. It's a very pale color that has low coverage, but I don't have too many spots so I felt confident wearing this. It really worked to just balance the discoloration in my face. I use an RC Cosmetics Powder Brush to dust that all over my face and neck.

I shouldn't have done this tutorial on a white couch.
This foundation was a bit messy.

Bronzer

I really don't use bronzer because I think I'm too pale for it, but it's the summer and I really wanted to add some extra color and depth to my face and neck. I used Too Faced's Milk Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Light/Medium. I used an RC Contour Brush to contour my cheek bones and jaw line. I also balanced that out by applying some around my hairline and temples.

Cue the fish face.

Blush

I used NYX's Powder Blush in Mocha. I think this color really compliments my skin and works well in any season. It has a soft pink hue that brings a little color back into my face. I use a Real Techniques Multitask brush to apply this to the apples of my cheeks.

Eye Brows

Once again, not a whole lot has changed when it comes to my eye brows. I use Too Faced's Brow Shaping and Defining Kit. I just use my finger to spread the wax on my brow hairs. Then, I use the cute little angled brush in the packet to shape my brows with the brunette shade.

Excuse my slight wind-blown effect. I was sweating buckets
while doing this tutorial so I had a huge fan blowing on me.

Eye Shadow

I used Urban Decay's Original Naked Palette to create a subtly smokey eye. I started with brushing Sin across my entire lid and emphasizing that on the inner corner using an RC Cosmetics flat shadow brush. Then I used a combination of Naked and Buck in my crease, and blended the crap out of those with an RC Cosmetics Blending Brush. I tried not to make it too smokey because I'm really trying to focus on the lips. I only dusted a little bit of Naked under my eyes with an angled brush.

Such a classic palette. So beautiful. Cant' stop staring.

Lashes

For my eye lashes, I start by curling the top lashes with a lash curler. Then I used my new favorite mascara which is Estée Lauder's Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black. Some people think I apply mascara in a weird manner because I start with my bottom lashes. This is because I am avoiding getting top lash mascara all over my eye lids. It's not required that you do this, but I think it helps. I also apply a layer of mascara on the back side of my top lashes to get extra lift. It works wonders.

I totally posed because of the pressure of the camera.
I normally make the most hideous faces when
working on my lashes.

Lips

Whenever I wear lipstick or a lip stain, I always start by using a lip scrub to remove dead skin and assuring that my lips will look smooth and kissable. I always fall back on Lush's Mint Julips Lip Scrub. It tastes super minty and tastes delicious, as well. As for the lip stain that I used, this was my newest purchase, and I was super ecstatic to use it. I used Revlon's ColorBurst Lacquer Balm in 115 Whimsical. It's a beautiful magenta color with the smallest shimmery specks in it. When it catches the light, it looks even more flawless!

What a beautiful color! It's shiny and a bit shimmery,
but it's still a very wearable color.

AFTERWARDS...

After doing this flawless look, I had to take it off. I only recently discovered this make up remover, but once I tried it, I ditched my Neutrogena wipes. I now use No. 7 Beautiful Skin Quick Thinking Wipes. It is compatible with all skin types, removes waterproof mascara, and is hypo-allergenic. My favorite part about these wipes, unlike Neutrogena's, is that they don't leave an oily residue behind on my skin. I actually feel like I have a clean face.

That's my finished birthday make up look! I hope you all enjoyed this post! What do you wear for special occasions like your birthday? Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore