My dear friends, I love a good makeup story—so please, expose yourselves. Any embarrassing secrets? Do you also sit there doing mascara with your mouth wide open like a stunned fish? Because same. Be honest. This is a safe space.

Personally, I’ve never been shy about telling people that I ate an entire Cherry ChapStick when I was about five years old. Not a bite. Not a nibble. The whole thing. Bon appétit. No one panic—I survived my delicious little meal and lived to tell the tale.

Now, are there mysterious toxins in my bloodstream that gave me superhuman speed? The ability to leap tall buildings? Night vision? A sixth sense for Sephora sales? Sadly, no. I think my le ChapStick du jour only gave me… let’s say digestive consequences. Also, as far as I can remember, I never told my mom. I just… processed that internally. Like a soldier.

Anyway—guys, help your sister out. What’s that TLC show where people eat things they absolutely should not be eating? Like Tide Pods? And wasn’t there someone eating ashes?? Whose ashes?? WHY ashes?? Is it My Strange Addiction? Because at this point I feel like I qualify as: “Former child who ate makeup and now expects all lip products to taste like a delightful snack.” To be honest I think ChapStick was my gateway drug into makeup. It all started there. A slippery, waxy slope.

Now L’Oréal. Let’s talk. When I said lip products should taste good? I was talking to YOU. Why do they taste like regret and broken dreams. I see you. I judge you. I will continue to judge you.

And Maybelline—I’m watching you closely. If those new Lifter Gel Oil-in-Gel glosses drop and they taste like horrible or, worse, like the world’s sadness? I will be personally offended. This is a threat. A loving one. But still.

If you are embracing your soft, cutesy cherry blossom spring era, and want a gloss that actually tastes good?? Let me put you on: Lawless Forget The Filler Lip Plumper Line Smoothing Gloss.
At this point I own… too many. TikTok Shop is my financial advisor and she hates me.

But listen—this gloss? Elite. Incredible. Delicious (not that I’m eating it anymore… growth!). I wore it recently and my friend hugged me and went, “Wow, you smell amazing.” And I froze. Because I was NOT wearing perfume. I panicked. I thought maybe I had unlocked a new biological scent?? Like… am I evolving?? So I asked her what she smelled and she said, “Something sweet, like cherry.”

IT WAS MY LIP GLOSS.

Explain to me how my lip gloss has more projection than some perfumes I own??? Were we just dangerously close?? Was the gloss announcing itself?? Either way, I was delighted and slightly alarmed.

So while we wait for Maybelline to release those glosses outside of TikTok Shop like the rest of us peasants, we will be thriving with Lawless in Cherry Vanilla—living our best cherry blossom fantasy.

Now tell me—what are YOUR favorite flavored glosses?? I need recommendations immediately. My standards (and taste buds) are high.

Where to buy

Sephora

Dude… I just realized inflation finally came for Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick in Cherry Frost. It’s not $1 anymore. The GASP I let out—$1.69!!!

I mean… still basically the price of day-old chips, but as your designated lipstick snob, I was genuinely shook when I first tried this years ago and actually loved the formula. Don’t even sit there and pretend you don’t have at least one lipstick in your stash that cost you an arm, a leg, and a kidney. I know you. I know all of you.

Guerlain, Dior, Chanel… maybe you even treated yourself to a Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte for $100+. Only the makeup gods can judge spending $50+ on lipstick while refusing to pay shipping on literally anything else in life. Be serious.

I think it was around 2015 when they repackaged the Silk Finish line, and honestly… nothing has changed. Including the most annoying part: it still doesn’t swivel down. And listen—I’m willing to admit I can’t chew gum and walk at the same time. Replacing the cap without taking a chunk out of a lipstick that won’t twist down? That’s a personal struggle. But hey… those are the sacrifices you make for a lipstick under two bucks, babe.

I actually had a tiny nub of this hiding in my stash, but then my bias started wearing red and suddenly I was like, I NEED TO WEAR RED.

Which meant:
– red Nike Valentine’s Day sneakers
– red sweater
– enough red lipsticks to summon the spirit of Marilyn Monroe

But tell me I’m not wrong—my bias looks insane in red. Ju… bro… you look GOOD in red. Muse approved. If you know, you know. The OGs get it.

Screenshot

Okay, fine—I won’t blame Junior completely. It was also February, and I was fully in my pink-and-red-everything era. And can we talk about when Timothée Chalamet wore that custom blood-red Haider Ackermann look?? Diet Prada reminded me recently and I got that same rush all over again. Because I’m sorry… they’re right. Timothée lost his fashion groove.

Timothée, come back to us. The fashion world needs you. I need you. I need that red carpet moment again.

Anyway—back to the lipstick.

Formulas (and prices) have definitely changed over the years, but Cherry Frost? She’s still that girl. The texture is soft, lightweight, slightly slippery in the best way—super comfortable and surprisingly hydrating, with really solid color payoff.

And the shade? A stunning cherry red that somehow works both warm and cool depending on your skin tone.

So yeah, a lot in the makeup world has changed—but it’s kind of nice knowing Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick is still doing exactly what it’s always done.

Is this one of your favorite reds? If not… what is? Put me on

Hey, is this thing still on? I think it’s still working right? Hey, friends. What’s the story? Did you miss me a little bit? Did you miss me as much as I missed you is a better question? My ego could use a soft stroke or two.

We’re headed into April soon and I stopped actively blogging with a few posts here and there nearly a year ago. Kind of wild it’s been one year without me yelling at you about some new makeup launch.

Makeup, well, makeup and I still have a love affair from time to time. We aren’t actively dating at the moment and maybe, just maybe we went through a divorce period but it was mutually agreed upon and I got the house, the car, and the emergency bag of NERDS Gummy Clusters. We currently co-parent the last pot of MAC Parrot Eyeshadow together and we’re relatively in a very healthy relationship at this point in our lives. The other day my makeup collection came up to me and said bella, you look 12 years old, maybe you could just haul out a little blush, slather on a little eyeshadow, you don’t need a full beat, girl but at least add a little color into your natural face life, babe. And I was all, ehhh, maybe, let me ask the Internet first.

Life changed this past year and sometimes too much of a good thing can be tiring and beauty got tiring. The beauty bubble broke years ago and I honestly, don’t know if it’ll ever make a full come back for someone who lived through the Urban Decay Subway Token Eyeshadow era. I got this weird itch to waddle back into my Y-Girl life after I stopped blogging and I embraced it so hard my head near spun off my shoulders. If you’ve been here a while you remember the Lakorn and K-Drama Days and of course, the manga that came along for the ride with it all. Hell, most of you know all my weird and unusual interests like late night WOW sessions, Age of King binges, and overanalyzing Doctor Who episodes like the Queen nerd I am. What’s it like being a Y-Girl at my age? I dunno. It doesn’t seem any different than it did several years ago. The only difference was makeup isn’t part of that world at the moment. I was the girl walking around the house in my pajamas with a full face of makeup on while I did all the stupid viral things on Tiktok like make banana bread during the pandemic. What a time to be alive! At that point most people were embracing their self care era and I was like, “naaa! I’l wear red lipstick today and a bunch of eyeshadow while I re-organize the pantry and have a zoom meeting!”

The irony is the pandemic was over and that’s when I finally said, hey, I think I need a break to do things I love! Which is odd because maintaining Musings of a Muse was a thing I LOVED. But somewhere along this wild, wild ride of a blog I fell out of love. It became a chore, a task I had to do everyday, and that’s when I realized, I think I need a break from this to do things I let fall to the curb side. And here I am one year later telling you all about how makeup wasn’t part of my life for almost 365 days.

My makeup roo, she’s still here, waiting for me quietly to return. Musings of a Muse also, still here. But probably not as quiet lately as right now she’s tapping at my brain, brush her fingers across the back of neck, just subtle reminders that she’s here, waiting, wondering, is today the day I’ll write about the latest concealer or rant about the new Rare Beauty Eyeshadow Palettes.

Where do I go from here is the question?

Family! How are you? I haven’t been around much I know. I’ve been traveling, I’ve been goofing around in my fandoms, and I’ve just been taking it slow with beauty lately. Unfortunately, the beauty bubble has broken. Repetitive product releases, price increases, and tons of other chaos has just made it a less than magical experience lately. I know many of you feel the same way that I do. I’m trying to ease myself back into writing but almost as soon as I open a new post I end up staring blankly at it and struggle through trying to find something witty to say.

We’re entered a really interesting era in beauty. The lipstick index is being completely redesigned by zoomers and Gen Alpha. They’re out there shopping little luxuries like bag charms with lipstick being pushed to the sidelines. After years and years of double-digit growth we’re finally seeing the economic downturn in the beauty industry. Have you seen the steep loses beauty brands have reported lately? It’s pretty bad. Makeup and beauty is no longer recession-proof and the lipstick index, which has long since been the go measurement of the recession is slowly being dismantled by a new generation of consumers.

So who reported losses, who closed down, who’s still around, and who’s on the chopping block next? It’s a lot of loss lately with Coty reporting up to 6% sales decline and they have announced plans to lay off over 700 employees. Mother stepped into LV’s shoes but LVHM has a failed to see growth this year and L’Oreal posted a more reserved 3.5% growth report which is a massive fall from grace considering the double-digits we’ve seen from them in the past. Both Estee Lauder Companies and Shiseido continue to slide further and further down hill. Interestingly enough the post pandemic we saw such a spurt in skincare and self care with venture but we’re seeing a decline in that are as well!

So. what’s the problem? Value-seeking beauty lovers haven’t stopped purchasing it’s just that they may be consuming beauty on a different level now and a different demographic. You may feel beauty fatigue but those who indulge and use Tiktok as a way to consume their beauty content are of a different age and demographic. That being said, that group, isn’t necessarily propelling sales. But what will? And will beauty ever return to it’s glory days of old?

Fewer releases, more innovation, better pricing, less shrinkage, and other factors will perhaps help the beauty community to climb back up the ladder but whether or not it will actually secure it a spot in makeup lovers hearts remains to be seen.

What needs to be changed to revive your list for beauty? Do share your thoughts! I’d love to hear them!

Dude, I am like so proud of myself because I haven’t really purchased any makeup in the last month. Wild right? Me? Not buying makeup? BRB let me make sure fire isn’t raining down outside. Nope, we’re good. All safe. But yeah, like many of you, the need to purchase all the new makeup releases has def come to a standstill for me. With so many repetitive releases I feel like I’ve already have something similar in my stash! But never fear, I’m still craving stuff I don’t need so, your job, if you choose to accept it, is to de-influence me!

Let’s start with the most important matter. The Labubu Pin for Love Series. Guys, I think I’m good. I may need a little more support but all in all I made to executive decision to NOT shop this launch and I feel like I really did something by just saying no! Do I want a mini Labubu bag charm? Yes! Do I want to spend millions of dollars trying to score one with my initial, that’d be a nope. I’d normally say, screw it, let me get a complete set but what’s the point? I’d have a set with initials from A to M and would maybe only use two for my first and last name. And the initials are stitched into the Labubu’s butt so, not like you can hide the fact you’re carrying around a different initial. It’s such a weird, pointless release. I could see myself falling hard for this launch if initials weren’t involved but as it is, it’s a nope for me. I did see one of my favorite creators scoring a W and an F which are the initials of our fandom and it was like, dude, dude, wait, how did you pull those? Knowing me I’d end up with some odd pull if I did a blind box! If you see me walking down the street with a initial X on my Labubu just keep walking by and don’t say anything haha! So, yeah, I successfully de-influenced myself on this but words of encouragement are always welcome.

I think I successfully de-influenced myself on this too (with the help of some Reddit peeps). This was a hard one my friends. I said NO to purchasing the Timestopper DVD Set. Does it come with photocards? Yes, does it have backstage footage? Yes. Does it have ton of extras? Yes. Do I want to see Perth and Tata jump up from the bottom of the stage in synch at the same time in HD? Absolutely. Do I want to spend crazy tariff prices to purchase this? Eh…………………! Not really. It’s $60 retail (a little under) but it’ll set be back $145 with the tariff situation and I’m just about that. I don’t really mind the price but I do mind the wait time to actual get it shipped to the US. The wait wouldn’t normally bother me but the sheer amount of content that will be shared via edits and clips on Tiktok, IG, Reddit, and fan groups will be unavoidable and it will take away so much from my purchase. I’m consoling myself with a great purchase I made on Mercari as I got the Timestopper Photobook and the seller was super awesome as she was fangirling with me and put in a bunch of Timestopper photocards I feel well and properly over my need for this set. I hope I stick to that. Wish me luck!

But these photocards are carding:

Now for beauty…!

Dolce & Gabbana Ever Icon Eye Palette $72
I have no business looking at these. Not even glancing their way but I gotta admit the Ever Icon Eyeshadow Palettes are a vibe. They look like they have a slurry-like texture that we all know and love from some of favorite Japanese brands like Lavashuca and Majolica Majorca (what a time to be alive am I right?). But honestly, the price isn’t it. I feel like they should be at the $60 mark not $72 but, as we all know, makeup has gone up considerably. Expense aside do I need these? Absolutely not considering I have enough eyeshadow to last me into my next five lives. Do I want them? Yeah, I sort of want to check one out. The heart compact, the shade range, looking good, but do me a favor? De-influence me.

Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oil $25
That’s a nope, dog. I can’t with this launch. Really, someone stop me because I’m not 12 years old and do not need to stockpile lip oil like the world is ending and my lips will be forever parched because production will stop on all lip oils as zombies devour the living. But but seriously, remind me again how I don’t need another lip oil! These are actually really tempting because the reviews are unholy good. We got glossy, we got sheer color, we got comfortable to wear, moisturizing, but I think they may all look the same on lips since they are selling that old pH “one of a kind” shade bullsh1T that’s unique to you. We all heard that marketing before am I right? That being said, I’m wear, I can see myself indulging in one. De-influence me.

Dolce & Gabbana Everlast Concealer $40
Taking it back to D&G over here. I can never say no to new concealer. This new formulation promises crease, water, and sweat proof coverage in a lightweight matte finish that promises to blend easily under eyes and on face with a precise tip applicator for application. De-influence me and remind me to use the hundred other concealer I already have.

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I left for a few months but Too Faced is still over here marketing to the tween demographic and making me feel as old as hell! They just dropped Too Faced Fairy Bomb Fragrance Body Mist for Holiday 2025 and I have to say going from Too Faced Better Than Sex Perfume to “Fairy Bomb” Fragrance Body Mist is a big leap. I was one of the few people that actually liked Better Than Sex Perfume! I mean, look at this bottle:

And now we got this:

Yeah, a little different I’d say! But let’s not be quick to judge. What are we looking at with this new Too Faced Fairy Bomb Fragrance Body Mist? Ok, I read the notes, it isn’t all about smelling like teen spirit. We got some fruity top notes that include Apple, Madarin, Lemon and Pear with a floral heart that includes Lily of the Valley, Freesia, and Jasmine. And the finish more mature notes that include oakmost, amber, sandalwood, and musk. Too Faced is marketing it as a warm, effervescent scent. Unfortunately, it is $28 for a alcohol-free, water based formula which makes me question if it’ll have any lasting power at all.

Although, this does reek of Too Faced Holiday 2024 and the Too Faced Charmed Life Set Maximum Plump Lip Gloss & Key Chain that made us all question our age it seems like maybe this fragrance won’t be completely marketed to tweens. We’ll have to smell it first and see though.

As for me, well, it’s skip! I think I’m doing good over here without Too Faced Fairy Bomb Fragrance Body Mist in my life. That being said, I will do a little sniff scent if it pops up on my radar. This will likely end up on the sales rack before the Holiday season even gets here. Le sigh!

What’s your take on Too Faced Fairy Bomb Fragrance Body Mist?

Where to buy

Ulta

Wakey wakey! Time to get your hair smelling like vanilla birthday cake because Briogeo Vanilla Birthday Cake Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask is back for a limited time. Anyone know those people who are all like, “I don’t want to smell like food!”? Who are these crazy people because I can’t! My face when they say that:

I want to smell like cake with whipped up vanilla butter cream! I want to smell like just baked cookies! I want to smell like cupcakes with pink frosting! I can’t relate to the “I don’t want to smell like food” people at all! For those our little gourmand fan girl might I present to you the return of Briogeo Vanilla Birthday Cake Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask. Briogeo dragged this up from the dark realms of their haircare vault and are now offering it up for a limited time. I’m tired and I’m jet lagged so don’t quote me on the exact time and date this originally launched but I remember stupidly hauling one at the time and regretting it. I normally use the Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask twice a week and a jar will last me quite a while. After hauling that one jar of the Vanilla Cake I was nursing it for quite a while and when I went back for more it was too late! Briogeo really meant it when they said limited edition! Imagine my surprise when I got an email it was returning.

It smells like the most delicious cake with creamy frosting! Plus it’s the same awesome formula. Thick, creamy, with plenty of nourishing ingredients like B Vitamins and planet proteins that hydrate, smooth, and strengthen hair.

Briogeo Vanilla Birthday Cake Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask is back from the grave for a limited time and just in time to add to your cart of you’re buying anything from the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale.

Enjoy!

Where to buy

Ulta

Here’s Juju at a Rare Beauty Event in Thailand. Proceed to gush, melt, and just fan girl out to this man with me because did you ever think that you’d see him at a Rare Beauty Event (the endorsements are endorsing)? I mean, if you told me hey, so and so is endorsing Rare Beauty would he be the person that came to your mind? “People think I’m obsessed with this. But I’m okay with it, I am obsessed with it and um I think this is an obsession that doesn’t hurt anyone…”

If you know, you know, if you don’t, well, dm me, I’ll give you a complete history and profile breakdown including special access to never before scene edits (Just don’t ask me his shade of Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain! I have no idea! Somethings have to remain sacred!). You’re welcome!

But really all this was just an excuse to use to post about the new Rare Beauty Perfume. Yes, Rare Beauty has a perfume upcoming! Rare Beauty isn’t new to the fragrance world. We’ve gotten not one but two different fragrance mists from the brand over the course of the last three years. Both of which were quite lovely if not long lasting.

Rare Eau de Parfum by Rare Beauty will be available August 7th at Sephora with early access on the app starting August 6th. The 50 ML bottle will be $75 or snag a travel spray for $30. According to reports the formula is not only vegan and cruelty for but ideal for sensitive skin. Rare Beauty continues to grow globally with sales reaching 400 million in 2024 which was 14% higher than the year before. A fragrance launch seems like the perfect addition to the main line particularly with the success of the Bath and Body Collection they already released. The nose behind the scent is Perfumer Jérôme Epinette. If you be familiar that name that would be because he’s worked on fragrances for both Byredo and Atelier Cologne (which of my fav brands).

What does Rare Eau de Parfum smell like? My mind did go to Sol de Janeiro as it has notes of caramel and pistachio….! Interesting! There’s pink pepper here as well with a warm vanilla heart, ginger, cocoa beans, sandalwood, tonka beans, and skin musks. It seems very much like the Rare Beauty Comfort Fragrance but perhaps with more complexity as that, too, is a skin scent. The launch of the perfume also includes four different Fragrance Layering Balms in Floral Peony Blossom, Amber Vanilla, Fresh Bergamot and Woody Oak to customize the perfume. This also introduces newer fragrance lovers to the art of cocktailing different fragrances. Each of the balms will be $19 each.

I’m looking forward to trying this out. How about you?

Where to buy

Sephora

Wakey, wakey friends I’m alive. Sort of. I’m actually currently sitting in a golf cart, in stupid degree humidity, typing this up on my iPad as my dad golfs. Why he thinks it’s ok to golf in the heat is beyond me but here we are. I’m temporarily safe from getting out of this cart to actually put in the effort to sport with him since he has his little old man group he is hanging out with today and I’ve turned into the Caddy Mate for all of them. When did my dad get old? And also, why is it so hot? Also, also, Ariana Grande has a new perfume. Ok, let’s get into that because I have thoughts.

Ariana Grande LOVENOTES Plush Vanilla Eau de Parfum is about to drop and I’m not blind buying. Look at me being all adult about my perfume purchases. Are you proud? Tell me you’re proud of me! Go on now. I’m listening. In all seriousness, Ari’s perfumes are normally a safe blind buy for me as I tend to love them. Are they a little juvenile? Yes. Am I an adult woman that wants to sweet? Also, yes. When Aria decided to drop LoveNotes back in in Fall 2024 the only thing going through my head was how do I capture all these Pokemon? Because here we had four different fragrances but only one was dropping in North America. The rest were scattered across the world.

Each fragrance was a love letter to a different part of the world from Ariana expressing messages of joy, gratitude, and affection. The US, Australia, UK, and the rest of Europe each got one exclusive fragrance. Here in the US we got LOVENOTES Pink Woods Eau de Parfum which was a fresh floral fragrance with notes of jasmine, tonka, and cashmere woods. I immediately purchased it online without having to smell it because I just like Ariana’s fragrances and I was convinced I’d love this. I didn’t. But it’s my own fault as I’m a gourmand girlie and this was a floral fragrance. That being said I did think it was going to be interesting none the less. It wasn’t. It just smelled like linen to me and that’s not my bag at all.

Fast forward and Fall, my dearest friends, is on the horizon and the drops are starting to happen! One of which is this new Love Notes Plush Vanilla Perfume. It’s being described as an older sister to Mod Vanilla which sounds promising. It’s a warm, sweet gourmand which checks off all the marks for me that has key notes of vanilla macaron, cashmere woods, and amber crystals as well as orange blossom, sugared petals, and warm amber. The only problem is they contradict themselves in the marketing and proceed to say it’s a delicate, fluffy, playful vanilla as hey, how can Mod Vanilla’s older sister being playful and fluffy when Mod Vanilla is already pretty girlish and fun and Plush Vanilla is supposed to be darker. Hmmmmm!

Is it a safe blind buy? Probably not. So far, LoveNotes has proved a little disappointing with that first launch so, I’m practicing caution if I do indulge in Lovenotes Plush Vanilla! How about you? Are you a fan of the original release and are you eager for the new one?

Ariana Grande LoveNotes Plush Vanilla launches the first week of August.

Where to buy

Sephora

Friends! How are you? I miss you all so much! And I’m sorry I’ve been MIA but I’ve been busy with life, the universe, and everything. I’m trying to slowly back my come back! Life has been pretty busy lately. I’ve been traveling, enjoying Summer events, and just busy being silly over here! Yes, I still love beauty but it’s just taken a backburner lately. Sometimes you need to take a break from the things you love the most so you realize how much you miss it!

I heard E.L.F. Jelly Pop Primer is making a come back and instantly I ran over here to blog about it. Because it’s Jelly Pop Primer and it needs to be screamed about it. Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer is my new current fav but I will forever be a Jelly Pop girl. I love how tacky it is, adore how makeup sticks to it like magic, and really think it just makes things look so much more flawless. It returns this Friday along with a new Jelly Pop Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm and a Jelly Pop Luscious Lip Mask plus the return of Jelly Pop Glow Reviver Lip Oil. I’m pretty excited about this and will absolutely purchase a few tubes when it drops! Are you a fan of the formula?

The past two weeks I’ve been spending time with my soulmate aka my online best friend turned real life best friend. Picture it. It’s 2020, we’re deep in lockdown mode. I download Tiktok and spend way too much time doom scrolling because during lockdown all we had was time right? I laugh and comment on a Tiktok and suddenly I’m on the fast tracking going 100 miles an hour to becoming the fastest friend with the guy who posted it. Suddenly we are talking daily, learning to cook yummy meals together because I burn boiling water and so does it! We end up taking a Jamie Oliver online Masterclass together (but we’re still a little hopeless)! I mean, how cool are we right now? At one point, we nearly burn down my house and his apartment as we attempt to make the perfect mushroom risotto which by the way we did using the microwave because we found a “quick recipe” online to do so. Don’t worry, Jamie wasn’t the one that endorsed that method. We end fangirling out to dramas together, game together, and I even met his boyfriend last Summer when he came to New York on a business trip.  We laughed a lot, we shared a lot, we texted, video called, and acted like two tween girls together for the next few years of our lives. We exchange gifts on our birthday, during the holidays, and just because. We’re over here living the best times of our online life together. 

And suddenly years flew by and I’m not even sure how that happened because it seems like yesterday I laughed at his Tiktok. He lives a million miles away but last week we finally got to meet. We went to Mexico together, saw Jeff Satur in concert, went to the Heart Killers meet (like, all four of them, together, in the same room!) and screamed so loud that we both had sore throats the next day. What is my life right now? It was pretty special considering Jeff so rarely makes it to this side of the universe. This week, we ended up eating all the things. He wanted to go to Olive Garden, he wanted to go to Wendy’s, etc…etc….the list if crappy restaurants and foods he wants to try is endless. I can’t believe I had to sit through endless salad and breadsticks with him but I did it haha! He weights about 140lbs soaking wet so, I’m not really sure where the food is going. At one point he asked me where the nearest Buc-ee’s was and I had to break his heart and tell him that would be Texas.

Here’s the thing though…! I was so nervous when it was time to meet him for the first time. Hand shaking, knees knocking, almost about to cry nervous. We had spent so much time together online but I was really scared he wouldn’t like real life me. What if the magic we had online didn’t work the same way offline? My boyfriend kept telling me how much I was overthinking it and I had no reason to feel the way I did but I was just scared as hell anyway! I mean, I met my Whovian Reddit group recently and that was a little awkward.

So, what happened next?

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Happy Monday, friends! It’s Monday and there isn’t a lot to smile about today but it’s ok. I got you. I hope had a good weekend, I hope you aren’t sweating too hard today, and I hope your walking around in 96 degree weather with a full beat on your face that isn’t melting off because that’s what you deserve. I know things are a little chaotic but if you want my sand pit is pretty comfy and we can all just stick our heads in it for a little while and pretend things are copacetic.

If it all goes well I should be posting this while fighting off tourists in Chinatown to get my hair cut. No, I’m not doing a pixie cut. But I’m taking several inches off because it needs it and my waves are looking like I put my hand in an electric socket as I screamed, “IT’S ALIVE!” Ya know, wavy hair+heat=holy freaking airball! Oh P.S. That made me think of Sting! We should all watch the Bride together. Who wants to do a online watch party with me? How hot sauce was he in that movie?

Anyway, here’s a few things to smile about in the world of makeup as we struggle through the chaos of the world. Guess who’s back? Back again!

Stains! Well, not really but E.L.F. is thinking of making that happen. Sheer For It Blush Lip + Cheek Tint are five bucks and available in five shade selections. I told you I had reasons to smile for you! You gotta smile so you can dot this new stain on the apples of your cheeks and get that doll-like look we all know and love (or am the only one stuck in my doll skin makeup era?). If you don’t like them on cheeks you can use them on your lips too! In this heat, I’m always up for a long-wearing cheek stain.

I’m throwing out there and you can disagree but I don’t hate Tarte x Dunkin. I don’t even drink coffee but these cute charms they did for the Maracuja Collection have me in a chokehold! How adorable? Don’t buy them on Ulta’s website though as you can both for $27 with free shipping on Tiktok shop! Super deal!

You know what I hope? I hope that Christmas in July isn’t a thing this year. I hope we actually get some cool Fall Collections! The last few years we haven’t and as a Fall baby that loves autumn I really love the colors of the season and adore makeup collections that feature them! We’re off to promising start as Lancome just dropped their Idôle Café Crush Nude Eyeshadow Palette and it’s stunning! Take my money! This screams warm, cozy eye looks! If you can’t smile at this palette I’ve failed you, my friends.

I can’t save you if you aren’t smiling to ear to ear at the fact Essence now has a collection of Juicy Bomb Body Mists! Inspired by their bestselling lipglosses and available in four fragrances these cute body mists look like an oversized lipgloss!

What’s making you smile in makeup today?

I’m an Etsy girl but I readily admit I’m cheap as hell when it comes to paying Etsy for shipping. I know, I know, Etsy is all about small businesses and artists and those businesses can’t foot the bill for shipping expenses but man, it’s hard to purchase a smaller item on Etsy and proceed to get slapped with a $8 or more dollar shipping cost. I feel like some small items I buy don’t even cost that to ship. But I get it. Like any seller website Etsy charges seller fees and some of that has to be passed on to the person purchasing the items. I don’t have to like it but I do understand it and hey, lots of the items I purchased are well worth it.

Etsy Insider is a fairly new program that will set you back $18 bucks for three months of service. The membership gets you early access to new drops from sellers as well as limited-edition items. But wait, the best part is the fact that you get access to free shipping from hundreds of sellers as well as a slew of different coupons.

I’ve always been an active Etsy buyer but lately I’ve been in my bag and phone charm era and have found so many great artists who create some amazing designs with collectibles like Skullpanda. I got two gorgeous phone charms coming soon from a seller who designed custom Skullpanda phone charms and another who is doing a baby duck phone charm to match a phone case for one of my fandoms. Best part, I got a small discount on both of these thanks to the Etsy Insider Membership.

This was one of the ones she created for me!

I also have a few upcoming fan meets and two concerts I’m going to shortly (I’m seeing Stray Kids tomorrow. So of course, I have postcard bag charms all over my purse of Felix!). I ran over to Etsy and got these incredible postcard photo bag charms made for each event. I already have photo post cards I’ve collected and I know I could have probably just purchase idol photo holders on Amazon and converted those cards to a charm myself but I didn’t want to ruin them as I’d rather use those for autographs. When you spend a good deal of money on a photobook that comes with post cards you really aren’t terribly inclined to wear them on your bag where they could be damaged. It was easier to grab some images off Pinterest, send to the Etsy artist, and have them do the charms. It honestly didn’t cost all that much to do either and they were able to create a cutout design versus the traditional postcard style that Japanese and Korean girls so commonly carry on their bags. I just hauled Dream Voyage from eThai and it comes with a few postcards but legit, I can’t see myself using those cards on my bag. I know how anal I am and dropping that kind of cash on a photo book only to ruin the cards on my bag is a no go. I’ll keep them safely tucked away.

Again, best part, I got them with a coupon code thanks to my Etsy Insider Membership! It cost me $18 and so far my savings on shipping plus with the coupons is $28 (I’m only a member for a month). So, yeah, this sounds sponsored as hell but it isn’t. I just thought I’d share as if you’re a frequent Etsy shopper it might save you a buck or two! So far I’m liking the Membership and I’ll be renewing it when the three months is up!

Anyone have this service? How’s it working out for you?

Ahhh the good old days of makeup when E.L.F. Cosmetics was smack talking in your e-mail like gangstas! Remember those days? When they’d casually slip in with a side by side pic of a NARS Blush and a pic of their own blush bragging how their version only cost a buck! Times have changed my friends and E.L.F. is no longer a dollar.

BRB let me check. Ok, cheapest we’re getting is lipliner at $2 bucks and your girl isn’t a lipliner user so that’s a bust. But yeah, E.L.F. has surpassed cheap as chips one dollar makeup a long, long, time ago in a galaxy far, far away from this one.

And like most things in this economy E.L.F. is about to increase prices again! Starting August 1st select products will be increasing by $1 due to inflation and tariffs. Despite the increase, the E.L.F. emphasizes that 75% of its products will remain at $10 or under. And their promise is they are “also keeping an eye on the tariff situation.” In my experience, once something goes up it rarely comes down. So, I have doubts that even if things improve at some point we’ll still see the price points remain the same.

The good news is that most of their latest launches are incredibly over-priced. They seem to come to a standstill at the $5 buck mark. So, if you’re in the mood for budget beauty E.L.F. Cosmetics remains affordable. But that being said, things can be murky with foundation, skincare, and other popular lines they carry like their “Halo Glow” Collection which has gone viral several times. The new Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50 is a whooping $18 bucks and some may question if they want to spend that much on an E.L.F. product which is known for being budget friendly.

I could be way off the mark but I feel like some of their more influencer pushed items, like Halo Glow products, seem to have a crazy markup compared to their less talked about products which seem to hover around $5. These is particularly the case with many of their lip product drops. I gotta admit $24 for their Jumbo Power Grip Primer seemed crazy to me taking into account the prices we know and loved from E.L.F. The Big Gripper is 2.7 oz at $24 and contains $30 worth of product versus their original size at 0.81 oz at $10.

The moral of the story is stock up on your favs before prices go up again this August!

When we all got cozy during lockdown the biggest trend in beauty was skincare. Everyone was taking really, really good care of their skin. I was the only one doing a full beat of makeup while walking around the house in PJs. I dunno, it just made the chaos feel normal at the time. But yeah, everyone became super fixated on face and sheet masks, moisturizers, eye creams, etc…etc..! Self care was buying everything and anything for your skin (and your body!). We all dealt with that time in our own way.

I’ve always been a skincare lover but when the pandemic hit I became super fixated on haircare. I dunno where it came from but within the second week of lockdown I was suddenly Miss Haircare. This from a girl with really long, unruly, wavy hair that she typically slicks back and wears in a bun to keep out of her face. Like, I’m really over here doing the very least with my hair during a normal work week but during the pandemic hell, I was Jesus Christ Superstar doing all sorts of things. Crown braids, elaborate buns, my foyer was the runway for my many new hair looks. What a time to be alive.

Recently, I’ve had a lot more time on my hands so I’ve been playing with different hair care products and trying out different things with my hair. I started following a few hair stylists and artists as well. James in particular belongs on my fixation list because he does some fire looks on Thai actors. Bas and Tonliew’s hair is my roman empire and James is responsible for that goodness. Bas’ hair is just always so damn good though! There is not a day this man doesn’t have good hair. Thank you, James! We love you for doing all the gorgeous hair now, please come do mine!?

Also, I’m still going to try really hard to convince myself to not cut all of mine off one day and just get the pixie cut I’ve been dreaming about. It’ll never happen but ya know, a girl can dream. Should I cut it? It’s currently down to my butt so I do need to get some of it clipped off. Maybe I can go all Carol Brady with a little flip mullet? I’m kidding. Let’s not get too crazy.

And by the way, I was today year’s old when I realized that Lisa Price is back with Carol’s Daughter. Who knew this? Because I didn’t. P.S. Why are the formulas still not as good as they once were? Le sigh! But actually, it’s still part of my list. It isn’t as good as it was but I’m still very much a Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla! It makes the list today because it still smells pretty good (wish I could say the same for Hair Milk!). It’s been a while but I started using this again recently and I forgot how much I loved the Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner Spray! It makes my hair so super soft!

Here’s some other stuff I’m putting in my hair!

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Hey guys I’m not sure if you realize this or not but Flower Beauty has been around for 13 years. Why does it feel it launched yesterday? Yup, in 2013 Drew Barrymore officially launched Flower Beauty at Walmart and for a while the brand was exclusively available at the evil empire and later branched out to other stores like Ulta and even CVS. One of the biggest drops from the line that we all went crazy over were the Flower Beauty Flower Pot Blushes. This was a time when packaging was everything in my makeup life and I think a lot of you felt the same. I’m actually trying to remember of Flower Beauty introduced their blushes first or was it Milani who dropped Rose Powder Blush first! Remember they looked identical to each other!

But yeah, here we are 13 years later….! Drew has moved on to other things at good old Wally World. She has appliances, home furnishings, and more under the Beautiful logo. Yeah, I brought the toaster judge me if you must. Why am I telling you this? Because Flower Beauty is 50% off at ulta.com as well as at CVS and other drugstores. Hmmm…! I’m a little concerned Flower Beauty is being discontinued so I’ll be stocking up on Plump Up Gloss Stick just in case! You can even use promo code MEMBERSONLY for an extra 20% off.

With brands going down like the Titanic it’s not too farfetched an idea that maybe Flower Beauty is going out of business. Or maybe they are just prepping for rebranding? Which do you think it is? Drew is really pushing the home collection lately and that collection gets new seasonal additions constantly but it’s been a while since we saw anything new from Flower Beauty.

Let’s hope I’m wrong and that Flower Beauty is just preparing for a rebranding! What do you think?

Where to buy

Ulta