My Favorite Bloggers and YouTubers

I can honestly say that I am addicted to YouTube, Snapchat and Bloglovin. Mainly because I love learning about new products as well as learning things from these women about how to blog and snap! So I am going to list my top faves and why they rock my addiction!

beautyreflectionsblog.com  Tracy just plain rocks. Her blog is thorough, honest, funny and downright awesome. I can seriously not get enough and wait with bated breath for the next post lol! Visit her blog ya'll, she won't disappoint.

ellesees.blogspot.com Elle has awesome reviews, tutorials and beauty information. But the thing I love about her blog too is the DIY's that she has taught me. They are awesome!!!

willsingformakeup.blogspot.com Lauren has a beautiful and very professional blog. Her photos are top notch and I love reading this well though out blog. Seriously, check her out!

beautybroadcast.net emilynoel83  Emily is another straight up honest, informative and has a sweet personality! She has both a blog and YouTube channel. Go check her out!

grav3yardgirl.com is known far and wide. That doesn't stop me from obsessively checking her YouTube channel out because you just never know what she will throw out there. Her personality is incredible and she has a positivity about her that shines.

carolinehirons.com The skincare Queen!! I learn so much from her blog and YouTube. If I have a question she 99% of the time educates me on the whys, hows and how to's!

reddelicious is my favorite Australian YouTuber. Not only is she an intelligent, beautiful red head, she has a sweet personality. Seriously a great channel, you won't be disappointed.

zabrena is another beautiful redhead on YouTube and she is awesome. Informative, intelligent and funny. Her Frugal Fridays are a huge hit! Check her out.

lizwilliams has a sweet YouTube channel that chronicles lots of beauty, lifestyle, family and fun stuff. I love her reviews and her sweet personality.

vickieisenstein has the funniest channel. She mixes beauty, lifestyle, comedy and lots more. If you need a pick me up watch her Lunch Crunch series!!

uppiesbeads59 for those of us that are "mature aging" this lady and her channel makes it easy to work with what we have and still look good over 40!

ginamber is a European transplant and is funny! She does reviews, tutorials and general life. She seriously makes me laugh! Check her out!!!

lauraleeblogs.com Laura Lee is funny, informative and has great tutorials on her YouTube channel. Her husband is in many of her antics and is awesome.


These are a few of my favorites. Who do you love and why? Do share :)

Blessings, Sherry

Makeup Revolution Palette Haul- Outta my Comfort Zone!

Mermaids Forever Eyeshadow Palette
Blush Palette in Goddess
Unicorns Unite Eyeshadow Palette


Makeup Revolution palettes can be hit or miss. Some of the shadows in the top and bottom palettes are dry and the super glittery ones are a mess I tell ya!  Lots of fall out (I can work with that). They have great color payoff and overall are worth the money to me.

Even when I was younger, the most I went out of my comfort zone makeup wise was when I was in a metal band in the 80's and deep eyeliner and wicked lippies was the wildest I went. Then I got really tame and yes, boring. I am 50 next week and dang it, I am going outta my comfort zone and playing with my colors. YOLO and "it's only makeup and will wash off" and "who cares what others think", I'm gonna play! (Brave words from a tame woman LOL ).

Makeup Revolution has some awesome palettes that just speak to my inner rebel. Now Urban Decay and Wet N Wild have duochromes that I LIVE for, although yes I am cautious and light handed when using but it makes me feel a little daring. So my late new years resolution is play, play, play!!!

I have found Makeup Revolution in the last 6 months and have fallen head over heels. Not only for their colors, but their great prices and huge selection. Game on!!!

Already I have snuck a couple of the shadows into my routine and it feels deliciously decadent. I am not a young 'un and have to be careful of the super shimmery shadows with my old crepey lids but that hasn't stopped me from adding some fun pops of color. And ya'll I have gotten some compliments (one from the hubby who rolls his eyes with my makeup addiction/blog:) and it made me feel super happy.

So on to the living outta the comfort zone because ya'll it feels GOOD!!!

Blessings, Sherry

Benefit Some Kinda Gorgeous-Old School

Back in the late 90's, early 2000's I happened to find this product and it frickin changed my life! It is billed as a "foundation faker" and I purchased medium. I got it primarily for my 12 hour shift in the ER at night when I needed a touch up when I looked pretty rough a couple hours in. This did the trick.

First of all, the compact is sturdy, easy to throw in my work backpack and easy to use. It is velvety, smooth and does NOT cake up at ALL. I absolutely love the almost silicone texture and it pats beautifully on my hyperpigmentation and shiny t-zone. It melts into the skin without looking like you just layered on heavy foundation. Overall, this is a product I will repurchase until the end of time!

You can purchase this at the Benefit website, I honestly haven't seen this at Ulta and some Sephoras carry it in stock. It is $30 and lasts forever. I have hit pan on 2 of them after 6-8 months of regular use each. I carry it in my purse for on the go touch-ups and honestly think it is better than blotting papers!

Have you tried this Benefit goodie? What are your thoughts? Do tell!

Blessings, Sherry

Almay Foundations-my thoughts

Almay Smart Shade  makeup
Almay Age Essentials makeup
Both have SPF 15


Back in the day, I remember using the original Almay Smart shade foundation and loving it. Now they have several iterations including one for acne, regular and one for aging. Along with that a new base has come out that focuses on aging. So, me aging, me get one for aging LOL!

The Smart Shade comes out white, thin and very little fragrance. The Smart shade conforms to your own skin and gives you a beautiful finish that matches well (IMO). It has light to medium coverage, covers my redness and hyperpigmentation well for an easy face for regular running around. I like that it has SPF but still use sunscreen under my bases. Almay is a brand that is conscious about hypoallergenic, pure and great ingredients. I love this quick, easy and beautiful product.

The Age Essentials foundation is thicker, very little fragrance, medium to full coverage and chock full of ingredients that are good for your skin. I never have been one for full coverage bases and this blends out with a damp sponge well. This base allows me to have a great makeup for those times I need a bit more. As a side note, this base also has a bit of radiance to it that I wasn't expecting (no I wasn't having a hot flash at the time:).

Both of these are available at Target, Walmart, CVS and Walgreens. I'm sure it is at Ulta as well. I am impressed with these bases and pleased that they work so well for me. I have always loved Almay products and saw that they had Age Essentials concealer as well!! Go check it out for yourself, I think you will be pleased.

Have you tried either of these? PS: Tati Westbrook did a video on this product and color me impressed!

Blessings, Sherry

Blogging Education and Entertainment

Somerset Studios Artful Blogging magazines (found at Barnes and Nobles)


When I first started my blog I really didn't put a lot of effort in because it was more about a hobby. Then I started getting more into my blog and my husband commented that I shifted my passion to it more every day. This encouraged me to start reading blog posts about blogging and tips and tricks. Then I started buying blogging books and devouring them. I noticed these magazines at my bookstore and fell in love.

I love learning new things all the time. AND I love reading. Love learning from others. Trifecta!!!!

I also purchased 6 of the Blogosphere magazines and loved those as well. Here is the link if you are interested in purchasing, they are in the UK and have electronic copies of the magazines and you can pay with your PayPal. They feature prominent bloggers in beauty, fashion, food, travel and much more. They are awesome!!  blogospheremagazine.com

Tongue in cheek I say that although I have a "baby" blog, it's mine and I care about the people reading my posts. Therefore, I learn, implement the learning and have a lot of trial by fire!

Do you have any special places, bloggers, books or magazines that give you great information for blogging? Do tell!

Blessings, Sherry

Loreal Pro Glow Foundation

 

Before (top pic) with only skincare
After (bottom pic)

Everybody and their mother and dog are talking about this foundation ya'll! But I had to put my 2 cents worth in the ring.

I have combo skin, dry except for the T-zone. I have big time hyperpigmentation on my left cheek/chin. Redness on my cheeks and nose as well. I sweat super easily as it's close to 100 degrees every day and I am in full on hot flashing menopause. Now that is a test for a "glowy" foundation!!!

After researching the foundation I purchased it in the shade 204 and 205. I had heard that it oxidizes darker and just looking in the tube they appear a bit hard to tell the shade. In these pictures I am wearing shade 204.

The foundation is thin and watery but applies super easily. I tried sponge and fingers and both looked great. It covered my redness but not the hyperpigmentation. However, I only used one round of foundation on my face. The foundation claims to last 24 hours. Ummmm I will not be wearing this for 24 hours!

Here's what the website says:
Discover the new pro finish of longwear: up to 24 hour wear with a hydrating glow. Lightweight and creamy, this long lasting foundation goes on smooth with a glow finish that lasts. With medium coverage, it instantly hides imperfections for a clear complexion. The hydrating foundation with SPF is ideal for normal to dry skin.

COSMETIC INGREDIENTS WATER CYCLOPENTASILOXANE ALCOHOL DENAT. PHENYL TRIMETHICONE GLYCERIN PEG-10 DIMETHICONE BIS-PEG/PPG-14/14 DIMETHICONE DIMETHICONE MAGNESIUM SULFATE ETHYLHEXYL HYDROXYSTEARATE TALC SILICA PEG/PPG/POLYBUTYLENE GLYCOL-8/5/3 GLYCERIN DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE DIMETHICONE/POLYGLYCERIN-3 CROSSPOLYMER POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE TOCOPHERYL ACETATE ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE MAGNESIUM STEARATE SILICA SILYLATE DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL ALUMINA BHT SODIUM CITRATE TOCOPHEROL ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL MAY CONTAIN TITANIUM DIOXIDE IRON OXIDES BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE

It also is supposed to be a great base for dry skinned gals and I can attest to that fact! I applied one layer, no primer or anything else and wore it around doing normal errands and household cleaning. I was out in the 98 degree weather and basically forgot I was wearing it until I happened to look in the bathroom mirror. I was surprised that it didn't make me look greasy and the glow was present. It also didn't feel like I was wearing anything on my face. One of the tests I make is whether it transfers on my phone and it did, but not a lot. Remember I didn't prime or set this foundation when I tried it.

Overall it lasted about 7 hours on my skin and around my mouth and nose it seemed to break up and disappear by that hour. However, I feel that if I wear it with primer and set it, that it will last longer for me. I never looked greasy and the glow looked natural and pretty.

Color me impressed and finding a good natural glowy foundation, especially in summer is a win! Have you tried this most talked about foundation? Do tell!!

Blessings, Sherry

Oldies but Goodies

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are some products that I have been using for a long time and if they are available I repurchase! Let me tell you about a few that make my makeup stash a little cooler :)!

 

 

The Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stains are a staple in my makeup stash. They are easy to throw in a purse, scrubs pocket and backpack. They don't leak, melt and go on smooth and the stain lasts on me for a good 4-5 hours. The range of shades call to my inner fun side!

 

Benefit Bathina Body Balm is something I purchased in the 80's and fell in love with. I have repurchased and love the subtle shimmer, the beautiful fragrance (they have since made a perfume with this scent!) and ease of application. It doesn't hurt that the packaging is fun and flirty!!!

 

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat pen has been with me since the 90's and when I was younger it was perfect to cover my undereyes. As I have gotten older, the pen is a quick and easy highlighter. My purse is not without this as it is easy to touch up and look like I am alive!!

 

Benefit Benetint is another 80's find and a couple of drops on my cheeks or lips makes me happy. It stains well and lasts quite some time. It's still going strong in the Benefit lineup today.

 

Formula 10.05 Deep Down Detox mask is absolutely the best when I need to deep clean my face and the mud mask is no joke. It does dry me and strip me pretty quick after use but sets the skin up to drink up my moisturizer. Staple product for sure!

 

Benefit Dr. Feelgood Balm is an awesome silky refiner with some good for you ingredients. When I use it, it mattifies, soaks up oiliness and perfects my pores. Plus can we just give a moment for the cute package?

 

Last but not least is the Smith's Rosebud Salve. Long been a favorite of beauty/makeup lovers with good reason. Not only is it awesome for the lips, it handles rough cuticles, fly away hair and pats the stray eyebrow hair into place. The tin is cute and the benefits are noteworthy. The fragrance is subtle but pretty.

 

What are some of your oldie but goodies? Do tell!

 

Blessings, Sherry

Eyeshadow Primers in Rotation

 

 

 

 

For years I haven't used eyeshadow primers for 2 reasons: I was lazy and younger! The older I have gotten they have become necessary for the increasingly more wrinkled and dry my eyelids have become. Even with straight up proof that they help, I tend to get lazy and forget them. So I do them no matter what now. These are a few of my favorites.

 

 

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Minor Sin (I had the original back in the day) is multipurpose for me because I can wear it alone for a sheer wash of color. Also with my eyeshadow for a better adherence and color help. It does have a sheen to it but doesn't make my crepey lids look worse!

 

Milani Eyeshadow Primer. Affordable, easy to use and leaves a skin colored wash on the lid. It covers veins and discoloration very well. A little goes a long way!



IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lid Lines. This has a doe foot applicator, a skintone color and definitely helps eyeshadows pop and last longer. My gripe with this is that the tube doesn't hold a lot of product and it's expensive. I feel like I get ripped off when I buy this and I love IT Cosmetics a LOT.

Christian Dior Backstage Eye Prime. Expensive, a little goes a long way. The color is also skintone and covers well. It's a bit thicker than other primers that I have used. Seriously, the less expensive primers perform just as well.

Urban Decay Primer Potion Anti-Aging. Another Urban Decay primer that does the same but with anti-aging properties that drew me in as my eyelids are "mature" :). Wears well, takes a little and definitely makes the eyeshadows stick and last.

I plan on trying some more drugstore primers in the future as I have found that the less expensive products in some categories perform just as well as high end. What are your favorite eye primers? Would love to know your thoughts!

Blessings, Sherry

Makeup Geek Love

I had never tried any Makeup Geek products until this last 2 weeks and I am very impressed! I decided to buy their small z-palette, a blush in Spellbound and a duochrome (I'm addicted to duochromes) shadow.

First, the packaging from the box it was sent in to the box that the z-palette came are top notch. The shadow and blush are finely milled and pigmented. Basically the small tryout order I placed made me want to order 30 more!!!

I also adore Marlena, her personality and infectious laugh as well as the hard work she puts into her company. It is so refreshing to have a company that you would want to share with everyone and not be embarrassed about their "public issues". Hmmm ummm :).

All in all, I see my future self making orders to have some fun with the gorgeous and well made products that Makeup Geek produce! Check out their website ya'll! makeupgeek.com you won't be disappointed!

What are your favorite MG products if you have some? Do tell!

Blessings, Sherry