When I found out I was pregnant one of the first thoughts I had was, “Will I be a good mom?” I wasn’t sure if I was cut out for being a parent. I didn’t know if I could even get through the pregnancy. I think it’s a very natural reaction for a first time mom. There are a lot of emotions I felt once seeing that positive sign on the pregnancy test. I had this weird mix between being completely ecstatic and overjoyed along with sheer terror.

I had no idea what I was doing and I immediately went to books and the Internet for answers to the questions I had. Looking back I wish I had just relaxed and enjoyed those few months of being pregnant, because a lot of the things I worried about were so small in the scheme of things. All the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy seem a little ridiculous. From drinking caffeinated products and eating lunch meat, there are rules for everything these days. But by the end of those nine months I had enjoyed my fair share of turkey sandwiches from the deli and even more delicious cups of fully caffeinated coffee. My son came out perfect and healthy and I wouldn’t have done anything differently.

A huge fear I had wasn’t only the long term of being a parent. It was the thought of child birth. Water birth, natural birth, home birth, there were so many different ways to give birth to a baby. I think I was more worried about people who would be watching a human being come out of my body. And as for birth plans and first time moms, be realistic. You really have no idea what your body is going to do until it’s put into that situation. If I had any say in it I would have had a quick vaginal birth with the most glorious epidural ever created by man. In the plan somewhere I would have also included the fact that I wanted my baby to come out and be a nursing champion. Be real people, you have absolutely no control of what your body is going do to, or that baby. I now have a 4 inch scar on my bikini line from my Cesarean Section and a formula fed baby because he refused to nurse. When my son was first born society made me feel a little bit like a failure for both of those things. Almost nine months later, looking at my son, none of those things matter. It doesn’t matter at all to me how he was brought into this world. It doesn’t matter to me how many hours I was in pain before the decision was made to have a Cesarean Section. When I look at him I see nothing but perfection. I see the most beautiful mixture of my husband and myself. My son means more to me than I could ever imagine. Sure, there are times when I wonder how I am going to get through the day. You have no idea the amount of patience you are capable of having until you have a 5 week old screaming bloody murder and nothing you are doing to calm him is helping. Patience is tested, sleep is deprived and life as it was changes forever. With that said I wouldn’t change it for the world.

There are moments in my new mommy life that I question everything I am doing with my son. If I was without the support system I have I’m pretty sure I would have gone crazy by now. My husband has given me the best gift any mom could ask for. He has given me the ability to stay at home with our beautiful son. That way I can be with him every hour of the day while he grows and learns. I can never thank my husband enough for allowing me to do this. Seeing the changes in our son day to day is amazing. There are some days that I swear I can see a change in his features or his size. He’s growing faster than anyone could have ever warned us.

        I guess if I had to give advice to anyone who is about to have their first child I would tell them to just relax. Don’t wish the time away. Especially when that baby is first born. Some people spend too much time comparing their children to others children or what family and friends say their child should be doing at a certain age. Just relax and enjoy the time you have with your child. Take lots of pictures because in the blink of an eye that baby will be a toddler. I have taken such joy in photographing my son. I love putting together photo albums and being able to look back and see how much his looks have changed in such a short time. Because those first few months go by in such a blur it’s so nice to have tangible proof that your child was actually a new born at one time. At the end of the day time goes by faster than we can imagine, no reason to rush it along. Live in the moment and love with all your heart.

 

A little bit of this, a little bit of that.

I suppose in the past I have dubbed myself as a beauty blogger. Due to the birth of my son and my recent occupation change I have different obligations. My days look a bit different than they used to. So....that being said there might be a change in content in my blog. Don't say I didn't warn you.

As always. 

Peace, Love & Waterproof Mascara. 

The Life.

Well I can say that the past handful of months has been quite the journey. My husband and I welcomed our first child into the world on June 15th, 2013. I always kind of knew that I would be one of those mothers that threw her all into being a mom. I never had a doubt that I would try my hardest to be the best mom I could be. Everyone tells you that babies are life changing, they make you a different person. Everyone was correct. I was ready as I could have ever been to bring a baby home from the hospital. I had all the necessary crap that blogs and videos out there tell you that a new parent needs. I had read all those books about quiet babies around the blocks and what to expect for the next 18 years! What I wasn't ready for was the fact that my life as I knew it had to completely change. Not in a bad way, I now just have very limited time to myself. I wish I hadn't taken for granted all those times I sat in front of the television watching trashy shows and painting my nails. I wish I had taken more long, hot, quiet showers. I should have cherished the hours of sitting in front of a mirror doing my eyeliner perfect and spending forever blending my eye shadow. Not that I don't love the fact that I know all the songs to Mickey Mouse Club House cartoons and the hours of tummy time I spend with my baby. No one can tell you accurately what the relief feels like when you hear your child cry for the first time. They can't explain to you what joy you feel when your child smiles for the first time, or when you know without a doubt that your child recognizes you and knows exactly who you are. I love all the time I spend with my baby, which is mostly all of my time.

These days I'm lucky to wash my hair every couple of days. And when I do shower it's usually short and cold because I have the door open in case Liam starts to cry. My sleep schedule totally depends on a 14lbs baby and his eating habits. I rock the same chipped manicure for about a week and half now, instead of changing it 5 times in a week. The one perk for my makeup routine, or lack there of, is the fact that my eyelashes look great! I wear mascara probably three days out of the week and it's done wonders for the length of my eye lashes. My postpartum skin however is not that fantastic. I had wonderful skin while I was pregnant, but as soon as I got the little bugger home my skin started acting up. Luckily I received PONDS BB cream in the mail complimentary of influenster and the MAMAVoxBox. I was a little skeptical going into this trial of the product because I had never tried a BB cream before. I didn't think it would have the coverage that I liked for my face, because I usually didn't leave the house without a full face of makeup on. But upon trying this PONDS BB cream I was very surprised. I was sent both a light and a medium skin tone. My current Casper complexion is more of a light but I have been mixing the two shades in hopes that it will give me a little bit of color. The application is easy because it blends so smoothly without much effort. It does have a faint fragrance to it, but that disappears throughout the day. With my temperamental skin this BB cream is exactly what I needed. Not only is it easy and effortless to slap on my face, it makes my face look natural and healthy. Makes the preparation for the trips to the grocery store to get formula or baby wipes a bit quicker!

A couple other things that have helped in my new beauty routine are cream blush and tinted lip balms. Both products are quick to apply, mostly because I can do it with my fingers. Maybelline Baby Lips came out with a neon collection that have a very decent color pay off. And as far as cream blush goes I only own a couple shades from MAC, which I love. So I don't see myself running out and getting any other brands. I don't make a huge fuss about my hair and makeup anymore if I'm just running errands or kicking around the house. Believe me, it's still nice to get all dolled up, run a curling iron through my messy hair and actually put a little eyeliner on. I'm also sure that my husband appreciates it when I spend a little time on my appearance. 

But there is one thing that the last 4 months has done. It has assured me that I am being the best mom that I can be. I have put my needs and wants behind another human being. Even if I haven't had a shower in two days, or even looked in a mirror in those two days. My son is clean, fed and loved by his parents. Now being a stay at home mom, things have definitely changed for me. What has been the most fun is getting into a routine for both my son and my husband. Being a good wife, mother and housekeeper is a bit stressful at times. Sometimes you just have to realize that those pictures of the 1960's housewife are staged. The housework will be there, the meals don't always have to be well thought out and on the table when your husband walks in the door. But my child and my family are taken care of and loved. They have a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. My child has everything he needs to grow up to be anything he wants.

                                              

A Review.

Inspiration Station. I've been trying to organize my thoughts and channel my inner beauty blogger. Lately I've come across some products that have switched up my game and made me interested in the beauty community again. If it wasn't for the already existing beauty community on forums, chat boards, blogs, v-logs and YouTube, I would be left in the dark ages. There are so many new and old products that are out there on shelves that I think people like myself could benefit from. I figured this post could be a small review on two of those gems that I've found recently and have fallen in love...or lust with. Whatevs.

 Like I said in my previous post, I have had to change up my makeup routine. That was due to the fact that every time I had to spend any amount of time outside (other than the walk to and from my air conditioned car to an air conditioned building.) my face would melt off.








And by melt off, I mean my primer and foundation along with any powders would all separate and start to form oily nasty blotches. Now first things first, yes, I have oily to combination skin. I have a REALLY oily "t-zone". In the summer in the hot hot heat I get that an oily face is going to happen, it's hard to control. I get that. HOWEVER, I do not want to walk around like I have some sort of skin disease because my makeup is doing something like this...might as well just name me Patch.






So, after some research online within the beauty community I decided to take a little trip to my local drug store and pick out a new foundation. All the buzz was surrounding Revlon and their Colorstay Whipped Foundation. On the shelves the product looks great, nicely packaged in a glass container. By the looks of the displays there are quite a few colors to choose from...unless the display has been picked over, which the one at my drugstore had been. I grabbed the color 370 in Natural Tan and headed to the cash register. The product rang up for close to $15. Yes I know, I thought the same thing, "Shit Kellie, that's a bit much for a drugstore foundation." You would be right, however I had full intentions on returning this product if it didn't do what I wanted it to...I was on a mission. Aside from it being a bit pricey for a "low end" foundation, I had high hopes.
Upon opening the product I was surprised by the consistency and the color. For one, the color looked considerably darker inside than it did from the outside of the packaging. Luckily it was a great match for my newly spray tanned face. The consistency was something that I was not ready for. The name of the product is Whipped, but the texture of it is far from feeling whipped. It's not at all light or fluffy. After curiously looking and it and poking around, I found that the texture is more that of a heavy gel. It does look like a medium to full coverage foundation. However it does come across a bit heavier than it's name makes it sound. As far as application goes I use what God gave me, my fingers. I've used brushes, wet sponges, dry sponges, beauty blenders...all sorts of tools to apply my foundation. With this product I believe my fingers work best to distribute and blend it into my skin. I do go over the foundation with a MAC 187, dou fiber brush to make sure I've blended properly. As far as the finish, without setting the foundation it does leave a natural matte-ish finish to ones face. It doesn't look greasy, or cakey. The product does make you look like you are alive tho, not dull or lifeless. I set mine with a translucent setting powder and go on with the rest of my face routine.
Now the product does say something about being good for 24 hours...I don't know what Revlon is doing with that marketing ploy. Who in their right mind is wearing any foundation for 24 hours? I just want it to last through the word day and not melt away. Which this product does flawlessly. It stays in place and keeps my face from getting oily or slippery. Out of 5 stars I give this foundation 4.5, I only deduct a half a point because, even though the packaging looks nice, it's a bit excessive. I like to be able to shove my makeup into my travel makeup bag and go. This packaging is a bit bulky and heavy for my day to day make up bag. However the glass bottle looks almost elegant on my makeup station. I on the other hand wouldn't mind paying a little less for this product if it was packaged in something cheaper...like...oh say...plastic??







My second, and last product for this review is De Slick by Urban Decay and Skindinavia. It is an oil controlling setting spray. When I picked this up I figured I'd give it a try and use it to lock in my new love, the Whipped Revlon Foundation. With this product added to my foundation routeen, my face would be unstoppable. haha. I really wanted to try it out not so much for the staying power for my foundation, but also for my blush. Ever since I've started wearing blush I have the hardest time keeping the color throughout the day. It seems to just disappear. This product can be found most places that sell Urban Decay like Sephora and Ulta, or online some places. It retails for just about $29. I use about 4 sprays
 on my bare face before I start to put my face makeup on. After I have finished my entire face...yup mascara, eyebrows and all. I spray another 4 squirts around my face. It takes a second to dry and feels a bit tacking but after that you're ready to rock and roll. It has a slight fragrance but it is so subtle and it wears of instantly after it drys. It keeps my foundation and blush in their original position through a grueling 10 hour shift at work. If you ask me I think it's worth every single penny. Out of 5 stars I give this product a 4. I deducted a little because of the stickiness that the product leaves behind until it is fully dry. I also deducted a small percent because of an event that occurred while camping. lol
Now I know that what happened was an extenuating circumstance. I wouldn't normally be doing what I was doing with a full face of makeup on. However I would like to explain what happened. Upon starting out on a camping trip with my husband and some friends to Lake George this past weekend I left the house with a full face of makeup. It was about 93 degrees outside and humid as hell. Once we got to the camp grounds I set off to set up our tent and sleeping quarters. After a bit of struggling the tent was up and I was unroll sleeping bags and setting up our bed. Well, as you might know, being inside a smallish tent setting up a bed in the blistering heat is like working in an oven set on BROIL! I emerged gasping for air and sweating a bit. Well at least I thought my face was trying to sweat. I touched my face where I thought it was sweating and it felt like I had sprayed it with half a bottle of Aqua Net. My face was sticky but it wasn't sweaty, and it might have even been a bit itchy. Later on I got a chance to check myself in a mirror and my makeup looked just as it had that morning when I left the house....so this product does what it's supposed to. But they should call it sweat blocker spray not oil control spray. SURVEY SAYS...don't try and sweat your perm out with it on your face...it kind of itches.







Until next time, Peace, Love, & Waterproof Mascara. <3

Feeling HOT HOT HOT.

Well well, where has the time gone?! Long time no blogging! It's been a busy summer...between weddings, weekend getaways, work and blistering heat, I haven't been much of a beauty blogger. Much apologies. However, what better way to get my ass back in the saddle than a blog on my Summer Favorites! Most are beauty products, but I do love to throw in a couple other random things that I've been loving these past few weeks. 

I do not know if it's been as hot as the gates of hell everywhere this summer. But in Central New York I guess weather men/women have been calling it a "scorcher". I don't so much enjoy that word, but it has been uncomfortably hot and humid for the past couple months. That said, it has drastically changed my makeup routine and all around beauty regimen. I've picked up a few things to help me cope with this hot sticky mess (when air conditioning just isn't cutting it).

There it is, in all it's glory....my summer favorites. I guess I'll explain from leftish to rightish.

So, letsbehonest, I watch a TON of Youtube videos on new products and product reviews. All the buzz this spring/summer was Revlon and their new Colorstay Whipped foundation. Now after watching videos on application as well as reviews on this product, I decided to drop the $15 on this new drugstore foundation and give it a whirl. My current foundation wasn't cutting it in the hot humid temperatures. I would have tried smearing dirt on my face if it was the same shade as my skin. Luckily, this foundation has been working out for me so far. I'll spare you all the boring deets just for now, I'm going to be doing a review shortly on the
 blog. But my color is 370 natural tan. It's a bit dark, but I'll get to that in a second. :)

The next product is a fairly new product from bareMinerals. It's a "Ready Bronzer" in the color The Deep End. This bronzer is marketed a little different from the rest of the bareMinerals line because it's in compact/pressed powder form. As most of you reading this probably know, bareMinerals is typically known for their loose powders and eye shadows. They don't dabble a whole lot in pressed pigments or powders. I have been thoroughly enjoying this product. It again is a bit darker than what I usually wear because I've gotten a bit of color as of recent.

Next is a hair product. It's by the brand got2b. It's a volumizing powder for your roots. Being summer and all, my locks are a bit dry and brittle. Sun damage, frizzy from the humidity....lookin' pretty much like a lions mane. This stuff really jacks up your hair without the teasing comb and hair spray. Just shake it in and rub with your fingertips....but be careful not to use too much. It has a way of clumping up and getting a little sticky if you use more than a few shakes. I haven't had to tease my roots or blast them with the dryer and defuser to get the volume I want...and in turn saving it from being even more dried out.

Please excuse my sad, used, half a pack of individual lashes. I can't find the packaging, but they are by the brand Ardell and they are in Black Medium Flare. I find these a lot easier to put on than a full strip of lashes. I just place three or four clumps on my outer lashes and it gives me a whispy look. I don't know if I'm imagining it but they feel a lot more comfortable than the full strip lashes. I use the product under, Revlon's Precision Lash Adhesive to attach them, and have been liking that product a lot more than the Duo Adhesive I have been using for years. It dries clear, and seems to dry a WHOLE lot quicker than the Duo brand lash glue. 

Smashbox with flash

Smashbox without flash

Wet-n-wild with flash

 The two eyeshadow palettes I've been reaching for are Blue Eyes by Smashbox and Comfort Zone by Wet-n-Wild. Both pallets are extremely neutral and bronze in color. Both have similar color pay off and quality. Which is a little surprising given that the Smashbox palette retails for about $45 and the Wet-n-Wild palette retails for a shocking $4.99 a pop. I don't necessarily use them with the corresponding colors and in the way the palette directs them to be used. I just mix and match until I get the desired look. :) 

Next product is the one I have been the most excited about. I've gone back and forth between different setting sprays. I've used the MAC Fix+, Model in a Bottle, and another setting spray by Skindinavia that I can't remember the name. These have all had pros and cons of their own but this product by Urban Decay takes the cake. It's called De Slick, and it is also by the brand Skindinavia. It's designed to control oil, but at the same time keep your makeup from disappearing throughout the day. I've been using it before I apply and after I finish my full face. I do have to say I am IN LOVE with this product. Along with another product I will be posting a more in-depth review on it in the future.

As far as nail polish goes for these summer months I've been a bit of a slacker. Where in the Fall and Winter months I would change my nail polish as soon as my manicure chipped. These passed months I've been changing my polish color about once a week. But the two colors I've been loving are Royal by Revlon and Pink Forever by Sinful Colors. Out of all the higher end nail polishes in my collection, I have really stuck to these two drugstore colors for the entirety of the summer months. 

I received a few frequent buyer points at Sephora and got an assortment of samples. The HD Makeup Forever setting powder was one of them. So far I'm really liking the finish of this powder, and it's been working great with my Whipped foundation from Revlon.

My last beauty favorite, and why I've had to buy a darker foundation and bronzer is SPRAY TANNING!! I've been a bit of a spray tan junky lately. I like the instant color it gives me. The technology of spray tanning has come a long way in the past few years. They now have booths that spray your naked ass down. No more awkward person using an actual spray gun on you. You get, for the most part even color and instant gratification. Yes if you aren't careful or if you go to a shoddy establishment, your color and consistency may vary. I've found that as long as I exfoliate before I spray tan, and then moisturize afterwards I have had nothing but good luck. My skin fades rather evenly, I've been going to the tanning salon for a spray tan just about once a week. I have found that my face fades a bit faster because of my extra washing and probably the alcohol in my makeup wipes. That's where my darker foundation comes into play. It matches perfectly to my neck and chest....that way I am one solid color. :) 

Lastly is a more random favorite. I wish I had stumbled upon this scent earlier in the summer. But because I wait for EVERYTHING I buy at Bath and Body Works to go on sale, I waited a bit too long for this. It's from their spring/summer beach collection. I finally cracked and bought it when the three wick candles went on sale for 2 for $20 down from $19.95 for one. I went looking for a totally different scent....Sun Tan. Which smelled just like suntan lotion, and I LOVED it. But they were completely sold out of that scent. I'm glad that I got the White Sands scent, it has a great scent throw and will more than get me through until I can start burning my autumn scents. mmmmmhmmmm. :) I also got a few of the "candle sleeves" that are also in the picture. I think they dress up any candle and are very affordable (Just about $5 each) at Bath and Body Works. 

That's all for now...but look for a new post in the near near future. :) <3 Peace Love & Waterproof Mascara.