Now you might be wondering why I would include cosmetics, beauty products and makeup on this blog. The answer is simple. I feel it’s important that we all feel good about ourselves when our disease processes often make us feel so terrible. And if you are anything like me, most days unless I’m going somewhere, makeup or skin care is the least of my worries.
 I recently read somewhere though that changed my way of  thinking. I read that even if you are home in your sweats and you are a person who wears makeup normally, you should put on a little. Even if it’s just the basics. At first I thought it was hogwash and just a way for cosmetic company’s to make more money. But then I tried it. And most days it works. On days that I’m home and feel bad if I’ll at least put on my moisturizer, some mascara and some lip gloss and most of the time it will perk me up a little bit. There is something about laying around in your Jammie’s looking like a ragamuffin for days that can really bring down your sense of self and how you feel about yourself. So in the last few months I have been doing that most days. And I feel like it helps so much. So I really recommend that you try it. It doesn’t have to be a full face, maybe just your moisturizer, mascara and something on your lips. And nothing says it had to be the expensive stuff. Lord knows my makeup isn’t the high quality stuff. Just use what you like and have on hand.  To make you feel better about you. When so many days we feel so bad about ourselves. 

I know there will be some that read this and say that lady is just playing into the industry about how a women had to wear makeup to be beautiful!!  Ohhhhh so far from it. If you only knew me. I don’t believe you have to wear cosmetics to be beautiful.  My sister for instance is one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out. And most days you won’t find an ounce of makeup on her face. But she takes care of her skin by using moisturizers and cleansers. And that’s what makes her feel beautiful. That’s really all I’m saying. Don’t let your disease take your beauty away from you. Whatever it is you do to make you feel pretty and confident, THAT is what you should keep doing!!! YOU BE YOU!!!! 

Now on to my most recent makeup haul! I purchased a couple products from ULTA and got all the rest as a gift. So let’s dive right in. 

We will start with what I actually purchased first. 

First is the Ulta setting spray. Being that I’m really pretty new into this makeup game I knew I needed a setting spray but didn’t know where to start. I did know that I was tired of my makeup rubbing off on everything I touched to my face.  So I thought I’d start here. And I’ve been very happy. It’s a very light spray that I apply at the end of all my other makeup. And the best part it smells really great. Ok, so maybe that’s not the best part but I really enjoy the smell. Each time I’ve used it I’ve been very pleased that my makeup “look” has lasted all day (10+ hours) and doesn’t come off on my phone anymore. I would definitely recommend this product and will buy again. 

Next is the Ulta Brightening Serum With Vitamin C. I wasn’t completely sure what I was getting when I bought this but I LOVE it. It’s very light, I apply it in the morning before my moisturizer and the rest of my face. And then again at bedtime. I don’t always put moisturizer on top at bedtime. This product is so smooth and leaves my face feeling silly smooth.  It’s so far the best product in this category I have bought. And I will be buying over and over again!

It leaves my face looking fresh and almost dewy on its own. It’s my go to product on those days when I only want to put on one or two things. Great product. 

Now onto the gifts I received from Ulta after my above purchases

This is probably my least favorite product of the bunch. These are pre-moistened pads for eye makeup remover. I was teally excited to try them as I feel like my eye makeup is often the hardest to remove. However, I did not like the product once I tried them. I felt the pads were to moist and got everywhere. Even after trying to squeeze them out. And the liquid on the pads actually hurt my eyes. Maybe I don’t use them correctly but it seems impossible not to get a little in your eyes. And when that happens my eyes burn. They may work for some people but for me they did not.  Not a product I will be buying in the future. 

Next are these beautiful colors for your checks. I will admit I never wear anything on my cheeks bc they are always red due to my lupus. And I’m

Not good with blush vs highlighted.  (Like I said earlier this makeup business is pretty new to me). At any rate, I love these colors. I have been using the French Glow, which I’m thinking is more of a highlighter, and it’s beautiful. It takes some of the natural redness out of my cheeks and just gives me a really soft pretty glow!!  Another product I will buy in the future. 

On to this awesome eye shadow pallet. These colors are amazing. I didn’t get to pick them, but they are the colors I wear most with the exception of one. I have enjoyed this pallet. The colors are nicely pigmented and I don’t feel like I have to cake a ton on to get the look I’m going for. Very easy to layer and blend!!! 

Two of the three products Pictured here I love. The other isn’t for me. I had never really used any eye shadow primer and man I didn’t know what I was missing. The Ulta Beauty Nude Matte primer has been a game changer. It’s amazing that I can apply my eye makeup in the morning and it’s still in place and not all face by the end of the day!! What a difference it has made in my makeup game. The Ulta Beauty Amped Lashes Mascara is phenomenal!  I have really blonde lashes that you can hardly see, and with this mascara my lashes look full and voluptuous!!  The product that hasn’t been for me is the Ulta Beauty Medium Brow Tint. Like is said about my lashes my brows are also very very light. When I applied this tint it felt like it was WAY to dark and looked out of place on my brows. Not to say a different shade wouldn’t work better.  But for now the medium tint is much to dark.

Last but not least is this beautiful lip color, Ulta Beauty Matte Petal. When I first pulled it out of the package I thought. No way that’s wat to Dark I can never pull that off. Because I geberaly wear different variations of pink. But I tried it and LOVED it. My only complaint is that it doesn’t last very long. It seems like I am having to reapply within an hour or so. And I don’t have time to be reapplying lipstick all the time. Love the color just needs to be longer lasting. 

Here is a picture of the whole haul! Great products overall. And a line I would definitely recommend!!

The one thing I want you to get out of this blog isn’t necessarily about the makeup, although finding a new product to try is exciting. I want to to remember to DO YOU. Whatever that is. Do whatever makes you feel pretty. It doesn’t matter whether anyone else thinks you look gorgeous or not. It’s all about how you feel. And how it makes you feel on the inside.  So find a routine that works for you and make you feel pretty. That’s the takeaway. 

‘People often say that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realising that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves.’ Salma Hayek

Leave me a comment letting me know what makes you feel beautiful.  I can not wait to read them!

Xoxo, Amber 
*if you enjoy this types of blogs let me know. I may do more.