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My Big Announcements! – Sher Shares
Well, friends, because your girl didn’t have enough going on in her life already, she decided to throw a couple of new adventures to the mix! (I figure I’ll sleep when I’m dead, right? LOL) and I couldn’t wait to share the news with my friends and family as well as my global social media fam around the world! As you know, I’ve been dabbling in the beauty world for some time and living my dreams as an influencer for the last year and a half. Now, I’m expanding the scope of my vision and launching two new businesses within my beauty realm. The first exciting news is that I have joined a company called Arbonne. If you have never heard of them before, allow me to introduce you: Arbonne is a multi-level-marketing (MLM) company with a focus on holistic health, wellness and beauty. All products are clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated gluten-free. This news goes hand-in-hand with my second exciting announcement: I will be accepting clients for makeup services soon! Everything from bridal and formal makeup to facepainting parties/festivals to makeup lessons/consults, will now be apart of my local and virtual practice! Why Arbonne? Nontoxic Beauty is a must! Though I am not always 100% vegan or strictly a clean beauty customer, it is something I strive to attain as much as possible. As I have been researching and building my MUA kit, I noticed that nontoxic beauty is a frequent priority among many brides and consumers alike. It is extremely important to me that products are not tested on animals and that a brand I represent is cruelty-free and committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Arbonne has been invested in these values for over 40 years, long before it was trending. Their products allow me the opportunity to proudly offer my clients a 100% clean, vegan, and cruelty-free line when they come to me for beauty services.The flexibility! Not only do I need the flexibility in my schedule as a busy special/medical needs mom to work around the demands of my family life, but it is also crucial for me to have the flexibility to use other skincare and makeup brands, as well. As a beauty blogger, it is important that I be able to test other products and feature brands that I find helpful to my clients and social media family. Arbonne allows me that flexibility to put my customers first and foremost!The products! I have both consumed and sold skincare and makeup products with other MLMs before, and found that other brands had some features I liked, but still didn’t have everything. Arbonne offers the most of all worlds for me: both the skincare and the makeup. It was paramount that I find makeup that is high-end and of long-wear quality to use on my brides, while also offering nontoxic beauty ingredients that don’t trigger sensitive skin and particular skin issues. I also love that Arbonne offers several palettes that make it easy for the customer to choose from rather than single shades and required compacts that truly add up when put together. Other healthy products! Arbonne doesn’t stop at just beauty! They also have an entire line of healthy nutrition and personal wellness products. After years of yo-yo dieting, I am excited to discover Arbonne’s 30 Days to Healthy Living Program, a support program that retrains individuals how to make healthy lifestyle choices. This program includes videos, recipes, shopping lists, cheat sheets and most important to me than even the products- a support group to cheer you on along the way! As a stressed out special needs mom and avid believer in meditation and mental health advocacy, my number one favorite feature of the Arbonne mission is a focus on mindfulness in their program. I think this alone sealed the deal for me! :-)Best Value for the Buck! Not only was I impressed at the prices of the products that I found comparable to many of the brands I was testing and trying out as a beauty blogger, I was also blown away by the low entry fee and perks of being an Arbonne consultant! The fee to enter is only $49 and the fee to renew is only $29! Absolutely unheard of!!!! Not only that, but you do not have to have any minimum sales or any minimum inventory to stay active with Arbonne AND you automatically have a consultant website built in for free. So, it’s basically like you have nothing to lose! I also earn 35% off customer sales, which is well above the typical 20%-30% profit offered by most other MLMs on the market! Additionally I get 50% off all my sets, such as the 30 Days to Healthy Living program. If you are interested in joining me, feel free to reach out or register as a consultant here. Arbonne Preferred Customer Perks Join the Preferred Customer Program and enjoy these perks: 20% off individual products and 40% off value setsFree shipping on all $150+ retail, $7.95 flat shipping for less than $150Free full-size product with first $250+ orderNo auto-ships, no minimums or monthly chargesProducts shipped straight to the customerAdditional access to specials and sales To become a Preferred Customer, visit my page and register as a preferred customer here. MUA Practice Deets And, now for a little on my local MUA practice. Services I’ll be offering soon: Bridal makeup: On-site services for brides-to-be, plus the bridal parties and family. Traditional bridal makeup with clean/vegan options. Trial day, lashes and all makeup included.Prom/formal and holiday events: On-site makeup services for any formal event or party, including prom and homecoming season, holiday parties and galas. Clean/vegan options, lashes and all makeup included.Private and group consults/makeup lessons: Virtual or in-person lessons or consults. Two options will be available, including a session with all makeup included as part of the package or a session without all makeup included. Facepainting: Festive makeup and face: painting for all ages, including kids’ birthday parties, carnivals, group parties/retreats, and special occasions. Multiple designs and customization available. Bookings and rates will be announced in the future. In the meantime, check out my website pages, featuring my services and portfolio. Also make sure you take a peek and shop around my new Arbonne website as well. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. My email is always open at shersharesblog@gmail.com. Thanks to all of you for the allowing me to share my exciting news and for the love and support in my journey! Hope to see some of you there along the way!
Things to Consider When Shopping for a Bridal Makeup Artist – Sher Shares
Shopping for a bridal makeup artist for your wedding? There are quite a few things to consider, some of which you might never have thought about. As a new professional makeup artist that just entered the wedding scene this past year, I’ve discovered some well-known (as well as not so well-known) industry secrets I hope to share with you in this article below. *Affiliate Disclaimer: This post includes ads/affiliate links, where I make commission on some of my recommendations/beauty picks. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Experience and Background Obviously one of the top things you want to know is whether you will like the makeup your artist provides for you. First, you want to be familiar with their style of work and whether it resonates with you. There are a range of styles from very glam and “snatched” to natural or glowing. Some brides are particular and others are not. I’ve had those who wanted all mattes versus all out glitters and shimmers. And then, there are even some brides who come with an exact picture or idea of the look they want to request. The first thing I’d recommend is to ask for a sample of their work and to look over their portfolio. For example, I keep a portfolio of my work on my website, so that it is one of the first things a prospective bride sees. Next, ask the artist some questions about how flexible they are. Do they have a standard look they do for everyone or do they customize the look for what you have in mind? You’ll find that some artists are not that flexible and it’s good to know ahead of time. Finally, I highly recommend that you go forward with a bridal trial. This allows you an initial consultation with your MUA to get comfortable with them, as well as to run through a practice session. You don’t want to be surprised or disappointed with the look you’re getting on your big day. Experience certainly goes a long way, as well. It can be reassuring to find an artist that has many years of diverse experience. This hopefully gives you a better chance of finding someone who knows how to handle different skin types and different scenarios that might pop up. It’s also nice to know they probably have a lot of experience for dealing with the rigorous schedule on the wedding day and how to keep things moving smoothly, despite any unforeseen circumstances. However, just keep in mind that experience is not always a guarantee that you will be satisfied. I’ve found that your more seasoned artists out there tend to be a little more strict about accommodating extra wishes and might not be quite as flexible as your less experienced artists (like myself, lol). I don’t say that because I blame them. They’ve learned over the years how to deal with no shows, late add-ons, and a lot of really frustrating or inconsiderate clients they have come across in the industry. Each artist has their own policies and handles contracts differently. For example, you have some MUAs that won’t even accept work from a bridal party under a certain minimum number. There are only so many Saturdays (the most common wedding days) in the year, and also time away from their own families. Therefore, they may only prioritize the bigger, more lucrative weddings. You may also have some artists who will not allow the bridesmaids and members of the bridal party to choose their looks. They have a set standard look for everyone and stick to that routine to keep the schedule flowing quickly. As a fairly new artist, however, I take a lot of time with my clients. In fact, I have had brides who became friends and frequently text me different makeup questions, because they know that my lines are always open to them. These are all things you want to consider when deciding on who to choose as your artist. It is up to you whether experience is more important to you versus flexibility and personalization. Wedding Makeup Rates Next, let’s talk about another obvious factor to consider and that is the price. Have you wondered why bridal makeup can be so expensive? There is so much that goes into it. Think about how pricey a visit to your hair salon can be. By the time I walk away from a session with my hairdresser for a cut, color and wax, I spend well between $100-$200 easily. However, I think about all the inventory that my hair specialist has invested in to stock the tools she needs to do my hair and it is not much compared to how much inventory a makeup artist must furnish. Each MUA has to carry every different shade of each type of product from foundation to brow shades to contour to powders to concealers. Double the inventory if they stock every airbrush shade, as well (which we’ll discuss in a different section). Plus, the MUA has hopefully done their research on which brands and products are best for flash photography, indoor versus outdoor weather, different skin types, color combinations and long-wearing products. On top of this, artists are constantly restocking basic sanitation and disposable products, plus lashes and beauty blenders, etc. When you add all these little details up, the costs to stock a typical makeup kit are extremely high. Yet the average person sometimes expects makeup services for super on the cheap, which are simply not sustainable prices, given just how much is required to stock a proper kit. You do see some variations in makeup rates across the region. Your typical MUA will set prices based on average prices in your city or location, their level of experience and particular niches, and the quality and range of their products in their kit. These are all things to consider when looking at rates to determine what you are getting for the price you are paying. Another factor in considering rates is what type of packages and services are included. Some MUAs include false lashes as part of the price, while others will charge separately. Some will also include a complimentary bridal trial in the package, while others may not. You may even find that some include basic skincare as a prep stage before the makeup, while others may charge for skincare as a bonus service. Most makeup artists travel on-site, especially for weddings where you are often getting ready at the venue or hotel. However, some will charge standard mileage or if traveling long-distance, will most likely charge for lodging and food expenses. Always check ahead of time to determine what extra fees will add up for travel. It may be that it is cheaper to hire a high-priced local MUA than a more affordable one with added travel expenses. This is something you want to ask up front rather than feeling you have to back out once you view the prices in the contract in detail. Also remember that it is somewhat standard to tip on top of the rates being charged. This is a detail that is often overlooked until it’s time to pay your artist. Therefore, keep this in mind for your final budget. Some questions to ask your prospective MUA about what types of things are built into their rates: False lashes Skincare masks, moisturizers, under eye masks, etcAirbrush versus traditional foundation Bridal touch up kits (and what is included) Bridal trial to practice the look Travel expenses for on-site makeup Makeup Products Next, you want to consider what type of products and makeup are being stocked in your MUA’s kit. Not every client is well versed on well-known brands, but there is a range out there on high end, high-quality products versus less professional quality drugstore products, etc. Keep in mind that some drugstore or lower end products do not indicate lower quality in service. There are quite a few affordable products out there that perform just as well as their high-end counterparts. However, there are certain products, such as foundation particularly, where you would not want your artist to skimp. It is helpful to know whether your artist’s products match their prices well. If you are paying luxury prices, you will want to expect quality products to show for it. Additionally, you may have other factors to consider such as skin sensitivities or your ethical values. A growing trend in beauty is certainly clean and nontoxic ingredients. It pays to know whether your artist carries brands that will not be toxic to your skin, especially on your wedding day. Nobody wants a break out from the products they are wearing. While you can’t 100% rule out all allergies and sensitivities, you are less likely to have skin issues on your big day if the products you are wearing tout clean ingredients. Another trending factor in beauty is whether a brand is vegan and/or cruelty-free. Many brides these days are asking for vegan makeup. It can often be difficult to find an artist that offers only vegan products, but this is something you want to ask to see if any specialize as a vegan makeup artist like myself. There are other issues to look for in makeup, as well. MUAs should be knowledgeable of which types of products work best with photography as well as which products work best with skin types and weather conditions. For example, you want to know that your artist is stocking products that avoid photography flashback, which tend to be an issue especially in certain setting powders and foundations. Additionally, if you are prone to oily skin and are having an outdoor summer wedding in a very warm humid location like here in Florida, you want to ensure that your artist plans their products accordingly. Airbrush versus Traditional Foundation Another thing to consider is whether your artist offers airbrush foundation versus traditional. What is airbrush foundation? It is a technique that uses compressed air to mist foundation on the skin. There are many benefits for your wedding day, including the flawless finish it gives off in person and in photography. It is also a nice light-weight option that does not get cakey, but can still offer full coverage. Another benefit with airbrush is the fact that it is water-resistant. This means that the makeup does not rub off onto your white bridal gown or on others with a day or evening full of tears, sweat and hugs. This does not mean it is any better that traditional foundations, however. In some cases, you may prefer traditional, especially if you have certain skin issues you want to cover. Traditional foundations can offer more full-coverage and specialized formulations. Therefore, you want to weight the pros and cons to determine which option you prefer. If airbrush is something important to you, you’ll want to shop for those who carry airbrush products and ask about which airbrush brands they use. Wedding Day Routine The next questions to ask your MUA is how they handle the wedding day schedule itself. Most brides are shocked to learn how long the makeup and hair process can take for a full bridal party. Typically, makeup will take even longer than hair. I’ve done weddings where both the hairstylist and I worked on the same person at the same time, yet the hairstylist was able to rotate two more people in while I was still finishing up the same individual. The average time for doing makeup is about one hour per person, maybe 45-50 minutes if you are extremely quick. Even your most seasoned artists don’t rush and do makeup for less time than that. And, trust me, you don’t want your artist to rush the job on your big day! But when you are trying to fit in all the bridesmaids and the family members who also want makeup, you can end up taking six plus hours at that rate! Usually we will determine what time the bridal party has to be ready for pictures and we count backwards from there as to what time we have to get started. So, for example, if the photographer is arriving at 1 pm and you have 5 people who need makeup, then we get started at 8:00 am sharp. Sometimes, we are able to prioritize those who need to go first for pictures and send out others as we are finishing them. Most artists will not be able to accommodate larger bridal parties by themselves for that reason. Once you get over a certain number, most artists will contract out or bring another artist in to assist or they may ask you to find a second artist. I typically will do up to six people myself, but any more over that number, I will bring in another makeup artist to handle the extra members. I know my own limits and that I can not handle more than that unless we get started the night before and don’t sleep through the night (not my cup of tea)! So, this is just another thing to consider. If you have a large bridal party planned, you may want to ask your MUA how they handle larger parties. If they bring an assistant or their own contracted MUA, I would make sure to ask for samples of the other person’s work, as well. They may not be your makeup artist, but you want to know that the other members of your wedding party will also be happy with their makeup. There are also some artists that will provide a bridal touch up kit, while others will not. Your artists don’t typically stay for the wedding, so they are not usually there to touch up lipstick that has come off or other smudges that may occur. (Usually lipstick is the main one that will wear off first. I assure you even if you are wearing a matte lipstick, it will not last through an entire day and evening filled with kisses, sweating, dancing, toasts and eating). It is nice when your MUA leaves you a small kit to at least be able to touch up your lipstick, if need be. I personally always provide this to my brides and I usually try to make up kits for the wedding party, as well, unless we are pressed for time. But, this is just an extra personalized perk that I like to offer. Not every artist does this. I can attest that it can be tough to make these up for each person when you are rushed, trying to accommodate everyone on a schedule. But it‘s something to think about and ask your artist if they provide anything like this. There are also some rules about the wedding day that makeup artists may have. Make sure you know the expectations up front. For example, you may be held responsible for any no shows or last minute run away bridesmaids that change their mind about needing makeup. Most artists will hold you responsible for the agreed to number of people identified in the contract, regardless of whether they had their makeup done or not. This also includes any list minute add-ons that are not covered in the contract. Ask your MUA how they handle these. I personally try to accommodate add-ons, but if we are crunched for time, I might not be able to get to them. I prioritize the ones who were agreed to in the contract first. It’s always nice when your MUA provides you with an agenda/schedule and possibly a list of tips and guidelines for how the day will go for makeup. I like to provide this to my clients ahead of time so everyone is on the same page and feels a little more at ease. I feel that it is a good sign if your MUA is organized and good at communicating these details up front. Sanitation Practices You would hope that if you are hiring a professional, that they implement proper sanitation practices. However, you can never be too sure or too safe. The eyes and mouth are the fastest ways that germs spread, which is all the areas where makeup and makeup tools will touch your face. Good sanitation is absolutely a must! In some states, MUAs do not have to be licensed to charge money as a professional makeup artist. I am actually not licensed myself and have never been to beauty school. I am self-taught and have gained my experience through beauty blogging and shadowing under other artists. In my state (Florida), as long as I am not performing chemical based procedures, I can charge for my makeup services. Many are reassured by a licensure, thinking it is regulated with health inspection checks, etc. But, this simply isn’t true in every state. Just like with selecting any other beauty option or even a good tattoo artist, you want to feel comfortable that you are receiving proper sanitation and hygiene services. Especially in this age of COVID, it is essential that your MUA is sanitizing all brushes, cloths, makeup and tools applied to your face. If they are unwilling to wear a mask if you request it, that is a red flag, as well. MUAs have to be all up in your face and you are obviously not able to wear a mask while getting your makeup done. Therefore, if you prefer they wear one as a minimal effort, they should be respectful of your preferences. Bottom line, if you notice that your artist is double dipping in the mascara tube while doing your lashes, fire them immediately, lol! Don’t feel bad about asking your MUA for details on how they sanitize. Some things are common sense but not every one knows that they really shouldn’t be re-using things like beauty blenders on different clients unless they have boiled them. Additionally, even asking them what kind of brush cleaner they use is valid. If I am re-using brushes on the same client, a regular brush cleaner spritz is okay. However, if I am re-using brushes on multiple clients, I only use makeup cleaner that has effective quick drying and sanitizing properties! Diversity and Inclusion A huge issue that often is not discussed is that of diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry. However, I’m going to address it and address it HARD! In this day in age, there is absolutely no excuse for a makeup artist to exclude particular skin tones and shades from their areas of expertise. It is their job to know what colors work for each and every person. Period! Yet, so often, a MUA will give an excuse, for example, that makeup for women of color (WOC) is not their specialty. If they do serve someone with deeper skin, they are prone to not serving them well, not having taken the time to do the research and practice for those who might be a minority. Often you will even find that local drugstores and beauty suppliers will not carry shades for WOC if it is a predominately white neighborhood or region. This may not be of importance to you if you are not a minority, but I assure you that it is a concern if you are. There are many who resort to doing their own makeup rather than risk getting theirs done by a white makeup artist, mostly because of the well known bad experiences of many in the industry. Every African American client I’ve encountered has given me a heads up and double and triple checked to make sure I was experienced with deep skin ahead of time. It is my opinion that they should not have to go to these great lengths to verify. Another area of inclusion that is coming up more and more is inclusion for LGBTQ weddings. In this day in age, you can’t always just assume you will have a bride and a groom. You may be applying makeup for two brides or even for men. For many, this may not be a concern. However, again, I assure you that for those who are planning a gay wedding, this will be the first thing they check: which vendors are going to be LGBTQ-friendly and willing to serve them. I am also often asked if I have experience with particular skin issues, such as acne and pigmentation. Makeup artists in general should be knowledgeable for how to handle each type of issue, whether it’s oily skin, acne or texture, etc. But these are all things to ask and consider when hiring an MUA. Are they diverse in their knowledge as well as in their practices? This was a lot of information to include. Hopefully I covered everything you may have been wondering about and more! If you are planning your upcoming wedding, I congratulate you and wish you much luck on your special day. May everything, including your makeup, be the day of your dreams! For more content like this in the future, don’t forget to subscribe to the blog. You can also follow my socials: My MUA Business Instagram Page as well as my Beauty Blog Page. Also find me on Youtube and Tik Tok.
My Top 6 Amazon Eyeshadow Picks – Sher Shares
Amazon Prime has been life changing. The day we decided to try it several years ago on a whim was one of the most transformative days ever! I’m not quite certain how we did life before Amazon. I buy just about anything and everything from there, including a lot of beauty and makeup supplies. With free two-day shipping, sometimes I can make out better than I would ordering on other sites like Sephora or Ulta. As I’ve hunted for certain items on there, I’ve come across some great finds that are truly undiscovered gems. In my hunt for different eyeshadow palettes, I tried several rounds and thought I’d share some of my favorite picks. All of these palettes are affordable, but fun versatile favorites of mine. *Affiliate Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links where I get paid a commission for some recommendations. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Neutral and Smoky Palettes It seems the most popular shades of choice out there are neutral tones. Most people want nudes and natural looks for every day wear. Therefore, I’ve prioritized these color options first. Below are a couple of my favorite picks for nude options. The Lamora Exposed Nudes palette is a personal favorite of mine. First of all, I just adore the packaging which is so pretty. I could just look at it all day. But at such an affordable price, you get several colors in one. The product is so blendable and easy to work with. I’m always so impressed at the durability as well. At the end of the day, my eyeshadow is still firmly in place when I use this particular palette. I don’t know about you but I love a good smoky look, as well. Here is a favorite from Amazon that rocks the sultry smoky vibe. Coastal Scents is a favorite brand with several different eyeshadow palette selections. Their “Revealed” series has some nice options, one of which includes the Revealed Smoky Palette. This palette offers lots of colors in charcoal, browns, greys and neutrals. I will admit that I have that one shimmer color I use on the lid that gets used down to the pan. It is my go-to color for shimmer. Sometimes I pick up this palette just for that one color right on the lid. Warm & Red Toned Palettes Shop clean beauty at Tree Activ. Use code “SHER10” for 10% off! I am a huge fan of pink. Most of the items in my closet are in the pinks, reds and violets family. It is no exception when it comes to makeup, as well, lol. I am so drawn to palettes that offer a soft and romantic rose tint. A few of my favorites from Amazon include the following: The Makeup Revolution Reloaded Velvet Rose palette is such a dream! This one has actually been touted as a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam palette. I have been wanting that one for a while, so I was thrilled to discover this dupe that offers such similar colors for such a low price. This palette truly is so versatile with pinks, burgundies, purples and even some neutrals. Though it does have nudes and golds in it, I’m always drawn to the pinks/burgandy tints! Another palette from Coastal Scents (can you tell I’m a fan of theirs yet) is their Revealed 3 palette. This one offers all the pretty shades of red and pink with a touch of sultry. I confess I tend to always go for the same burgandy fall look on this one. I just love the deeper cranberry shades this palette can offer. Fun Glitter Shadows Sometimes you just need some “extra” when you’re playing around with shimmer and color. There are a couple of palettes and kits I have been gifted from Amazon that I enjoy so much for playing around. First, this Glitter Eyeshadow Palette from Beauty Glazed is so fun. If you aren’t used to working with glitter, it can take some getting used to. I tend to use a little extra Mac Fix Plus to help get my glitter colors to go on more intensely and set in place. There are so many fun looks I’ve been able to create using this palette. I was also recently gifted this glitter kit from Etereauty and thought it was worth a mention, though you can use it as body and face glitter, as well. What I love about it is that it has a liquid gel included in the kit, which helps apply the glitter/confetti. There are several different containers, as well, with different shapes and color options. That wraps up my top six favorite palettes for eyeshadow looks on Amazon. I hope this was a helpful shopping guide as you mull over your eyeshadow needs and decisions. For more tips on all things beauty, style and makeup, check out my special beauty page on the blog and/or follow me here on my separate Instagram beauty page and/or here for beauty on Facebook.
Mascara 101: A Beginners’ Guide – Sher Shares
Mascaras, lash primers, application and more! National Lash Day is February 19th this year and in honor of the day, we are dishing about all things mascara and lashes! Full and beautiful lashes can really make all the difference in completing your makeup look and leveling up your beauty game! But what if your lashes aren’t naturally as voluptuous as you would like them to be? This is your comprehensive overview of mascara options that affect those lashes. As a makeup artist and beauty educator, one of the things I love to do is to breakdown my knowledge for you into easy to digest guides. Therefore, this post is taking you back to the basics, with “Mascara 101.” Probably one of the top-selling cosmetic items in the world is mascara. If you asked most people what makeup items they could not live without for every day wear, they would most likely answer mascara as one of the top picks. But, with so many different kinds on the market, how do you know which one is the right kind for you? When shopping for the right mascara, there are a couple of questions to ask: What do you want your lashes to look like?What kind of eye sensitives do you have?What brand qualities or ethics to do you look for?Do you prefer waterproof mascara or regular? Mascara Wands First, the look of your lashes will depend mostly on which type of mascara wand you are selecting. There are some wands that work well for lengthening only, in which you would want to select a long and somewhat thin wand (see wand A in the picture as an example). For extra volume, you would look for a thicker and fuller wand (see wand B in the picture). For lashes that you want to add more upward curl, you would select a wand that curls (like wand C in the picture.) But, you don’t always have to stick with just one type of wand. There are some that include lengthening and volume at the same time. Or, you can add layers for your own customization. For example, you could coat on one layer from a lengthening mascara first and then follow back up with a second layer of a volumizing wand. *Affiliate Disclaimer: This post includes ads/affiliate links, where I make commission on some of my recommendations/beauty picks. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Some of my top mascara picks/examples within each category include: Lengthening: the L’Oréal Telescopic MascaraVolumizing: the TooFaced Better than Sex Mascara and the It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara, and the Maybelline Falsies Mascara, L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara Curling: the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara Eye Sensitivities Have you ever experienced eye watering or irritation after using mascara? You may have sensitivities to certain makeup. While everyone is different and reacts to certain types of beauty products in different ways, there are some typical triggers that can cause skin irritations more than others. Unfortunately, many drugstore options are loaded with extra chemicals and toxic ingredients that lead to irritation. Even some higher end products are not free of toxins, so it pays to do your research on which brands are committed to providing clean ingredients. Mascara Brands In addition to clean beauty, there are other qualities and certifications one might also consider in choosing a mascara brand. As an avid animal lover, I’m personally a big proponent of cruelty-free beauty, which pretty much rules out a lot of drugstore mascaras for me. For example, I find that L’Oréal kills it in the mascara game, but I try to put my financial support elsewhere, due to the fact that they are definitely not cruelty-free. There is also a growing trend for vegan beauty as well as gluten-free for those with celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities. For a comprehensive guide to my research on different beauty brands and their certification status in some of these areas, you can check out my YouTube video here. In addition to some of these ethical qualities, some are just looking for affordable, but quality options in their mascara. For my top picks of mascara options that truly meet all or most of these categories, I tend to stick with the following: Arbonne Speak Volumes Mascara-I am an Arbonne Consultant because of my draw to clean beauty. All products by Arbonne are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, toxic-free, and B-Corp Certified. In my experience as a makeup artist using a significant stock of Arbonne products in my professional makeup kit, I have never once had a client react negatively to the mascara or any other makeup in the brand. You can shop or check out more about the brand on my website here.Thrive Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara-a great option that is vegan, cruelty-free, and clean of several of your typical offenders, such as parabans, sulfates, fragrances, etc.Essence Lash Princess Mascara-This selection is one of the most low-price affordable mascara options out there on the market (usually only around $5!) yet it is such an amazing mascara and is also vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and paraban-free at the same time! Waterproof Mascara vs. Non Waterproof As a bridal makeup artist, I pay close attention to which mascaras are waterproof versus not. Waterproof is a must for bridal makeup. Whether it’s the bride, the bridesmaids or the mother of the bride or groom, there is bound to be tears flowing at most weddings. In addition, sweat tends to accompany the tears from an afternoon or evening of dancing at the reception. If you want a mascara that will hold up against moisture or that will last longer and pass an all day wear test, waterproof is definitely the way to go. However, there can be downsides to waterproof. You have to be very careful and precise with application or it is very difficult to remove. It is not goof proof! My two mascaras that I stick to in my professional kit are the ones mentioned above: the Lash Princess and the Arbonne. Since the Arbonne is not waterproof, I tend to use it for clients with every day wear or in my makeup lessons, but for bridal and formal events, the waterproof Lash Princess is my ride or die! The wands on each of these are actually very similar, which are very effective both for lengthening and volumizing features. Mascara Application and Use So what is the right way to apply mascara and lash primer? There are some different tips and tricks for how you can coat your lashes, but I’ll share a couple of the standard industry ways: From the root, slide wand back and forth parallel to the lashes Slide the tip of the wand back and forth perpendicular to lashes Can you see the difference in how you hold the wand? In the picture on the left, you start at the root where the lashes meet the lid. Quickly wiggle the wand back and forth across the lashes, moving your way upward to the end of the lash. In the picture on the right, you apply the same principal of wiggling the wand across the lashes from the root upwards to the ends. However, you use the tip of the wand rather than laying it parallel to the lash line. If you use this approach, make sure your technique is soft and fast to avoid the clumping and spidery lashes. If you make a mistake, wait a few seconds for the spot to dry, then remove with a q-tip. Waiting for it to dry helps avoid making a further mess. There are also many who pump the mascara, thinking they will get more out of the container. This is actually a big no no, as it will dry it out faster. Always adhere to the general rule of tossing your mascara after three months. This is one beauty item you don’t want to take chances on, since you are applying it so closely to your eyes and the mascara tube can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. There are different ranges on the recommendations for how long you should keep your used mascara, from 3-6 months. But I like to cut it on the safe side at the conservative recommendation of three months. Bonus Lash Tips For even more help with those lashes, there are a few other tips that can assist: Use an eyelash curler before applying primer/mascara to get a head start on lifting the lashes upwardsUse a lash primer before applying mascaraApply a loose powder to the lashes for extra volume and staying power after applying mascaraTightline the upper lash line with eyeliner to get an even more voluminous effect. This makes it look like the depth came from your lashes rather than from your liner. Lash Primers And, now, just a little more on lash primers. Did you know that primer can actually treat the lashes by moisturizing, conditioning and strengthening? If you have primers that contain the right ingredients, such as peptides, vitamins E and B vitamins, they can actually act as a lash growth serum and help with long-term growth and strengthening. In addition to treating the lashes, they also help prime the lashes to help your mascara go on better. In many cases, it adds length and volume, as well. For my lash primer picks, I would have to say Tarte Opening Act Primer and the Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer . Though I mentioned L’Oréal early and how I prefer not to support companies that aren’t cruelty-free, I still feel I should share the lash primer that is just so bomb, I almost have to retract my stance, lol. The L’oreal Voluminous Lash Primer, you just can’t beat it. Hands down. Okay, I said it, ha! That wraps up my tips and recommendations for your basic mascara guide. For similar tips and articles, consider subscribing to my blog and following my beauty page here. You can also check me out on social media on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok or YouTube.
Rating My Latest Makeup Foundations – Sher Shares
The hunt for a great makeup foundation is at times an adventure. With so many factors to consider such as coverage, texture, application and affordability, it can be hard to know quite where to start. Recently, I had the opportunity to test out quite a few, whether it was through my monthly Ipsy bag or through my own purchases. With so many new ones I’ve discovered, I thought it would be helpful to provide some reviews on these products. *Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and ads where I receive commission from purchases made through my recommendations. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Yensa Foundation The Yensa BC Foundation is a new one I discovered in my Ipsy a month back. I was definitely curious about this one since it is both a CC and BB cream, yet boasts full coverage properties! Say what? How cool is that? So on a scale of 1-5, I would give this puppy a 4.8! Really good stuff! I am personally a huge fan of CC Creams and Tinted Moisturizers in general. With my aging skin and forehead wrinkles, the lighter weight foundations, the better for me. Some full coverage products only accentuate my wrinkles more. However, this product offers the CC cream texture with the full blown coverage of regular foundations and I was very pleased at the coverage. As you can see in my before and after pictures, my age spots and red patches don’t bleed through. I’m wearing shade “Medium Warm” in the picture below. I also loved the smooth application. It was very easy to apply without any flaking or caking. Yensa Foundation The price point on this one runs around $38, but you can also try it in the travel size for $15. I love when companies offer a travel or mini size so I can take it for a test drive without dropping serious dough first. You can find it easily on my Like to Know it shopping app. Shop the Yensa Foundation through my links to take you directly to the product. L’oreal Infallible Matte Foundation Though I do love my high end makeup, I try to opt for affordable, convenient options as much as possible. Therefore, I’m the queen of testing out drugstore makeup. L’oreal is a brand I tend to find really kills it in the base and mascara makeup game. Though hard to believe, the Infallible is foundation I had actually not tried yet, so I finally got around to testing it out when another drugstore brand was running low. L’Oréal Infallible Matte Foundation As far as a rating goes, I may give a couple of disclaimers first. I was not properly able to judge quite fairly. First, I don’t think my color match was exactly precise. I chose the Shell Beige (102) tint. But, it was slightly pale for my skintone. I also chose the matte coverage, which I’ve known to be a mistake for me. While I occasionally dabble in matte finishes in the summer sweaty months, I tend to stick with luminous finishes more. The mattes really dry out my skin and as you can see in my before and after pictures, the forehead wrinkle forces are strong with this one. Sigh. However, for a drugstore brand, I would judge this one as a very good foundation. The coverage is pretty darn good and you can’t beat the affordable price. I would not say it was as durable as the Yensa. By the end of the day, I did find myself retouching up some spots. My rating would probably fall around a 4.4 or so. But if I could rank it for the price, I’d go much higher. This one runs between $9-$11 at most drugstores and groceries. And, of course, you can also find it here on Amazon. L’Oréal Infallible Powder Foundation In addition to the L’Oréal Infallible Liquid Foundation, I jumped on the bandwagon and decided to grab the powder one, as well. I never, ever use powder foundations, because I am old and wrinkly. There is nothing worse for my forehead wrinkles than some dried powder product. But, since everyone was dishing about this one, I thought maybe there would be some kind of exception. I was wrong. Not gonna lie, this was the biggest flop for me in the history of flops. L’Oréal Infallible Powder Foundation Not only did this product dry me out like the Sahara desert, it also provided very little coverage. I hear everyone rave about the coverage and I’m over here thinking I don’t know what you jokers are smoking! There was no coverage and the powder just sat concentrated in one place with absolutely no glide whatsoever. I am not even sure I can rate it beyond a 1.5. Seriously, this always happens with me, where other people’s treasure is truly my junk. No offense, L’Oréal, your liquid version of this really rocked. So, you are redeemed. I just am afraid I am going to have to trash your powder for poor little ol’ aging 40 plus women like me. But, perhaps if you aren’t as ancient as me and are looking to trust the word of the other young ones out there, be my guest. You can find this product in most drugstores and groceries or here on Amazon. They typically run you between $8-$11. At least I didn’t go broke on a product I will never touch again. Mary Kay Timewise Luminuos Foundation I am a huge Mary Kay fan and have used it most of my life. I think you could say it was my first beauty love and one I keep running back to over the years. I even became a consultant and sold it twice. When it comes to skincare, this brand has always been a favorite. As I was comparing other foundations to my old Mary Kay tried and true, the Luminous Foundation, I was reminded that very few brands can compare for me! Mary Kay Timewise Luminous Foundation It truly still is probably tied as my number one pick even against some very high end products. The coverage is great, the smooth texture works beautifully with my aging skin and it hangs in there for a full day. As I compared the before and after pictures of myself to all the others, I think this one and the Yensa were my top pics. I would even give this one a 4.8 as well! Typically you would need to find a Mary Kay consultant to order through. However, there are a few naughty black-market Mary Kay products you can find available on Amazon and EBay if you look. Technically this is against the Mary Kay rules (I know this because I specifically had to sign a contract as a salesperson agreeing not to ever sell inventory on Amazon or EBay). But, as a buyer, when I need what I’m looking for and can even do it with free Prime shipping, I’m not feeling as guilty as I should. Just saying.. Therefore I’ve got it linked here for you straight from Amazon. If you need a different shade, however, you may have to dig a little further. I’m not as up-to-date on what these products go for with Mary Kay consultants. But, this particular one on Amazon is running around $19 currently. Not bad at all, this is pretty standard prices for Mary Kay. They tend to run as a medium end brand. But, I find them to give high end results for me. Mary Kay CC Cream In addition to the Mary Kay Timewise Luminous Foundation, I’ve also used the CC Cream option on and off at times, as well. There were times I thought I really liked this product and rated it much higher. But, after testing out some of these other goodies, I won’t lie, it’s not nearly as impressive to me now. Gonna have to rank this puppy quite a bit lower. I’m going to go with about a 2.8, maybe? Though it’s easy to apply and middle range on affordability, the coverage is just not there as much as I’d like. I know, I know, it’s just a CC Cream, so those are known not to be full coverage. However, I got a bit spoiled by the Yensa cream as well as the It Cosmetics CC Cream that covers so much more. Mary Kay CC Cream However, I do love that it has sunscreen in it and it can be a nice light weight option for beach days or on the go. The CC Cream runs anywhere from $18 to $22. Once again, you find this one through a Mary Kay consultant or through the naughty bootleg Amazon market:-) For your convenience, I’ve linked the Very Light shade, the light to medium shade and the medium to dark shade here from Amazon. Illamasqua Foundation I have been wanting to try Ilamasqua forever! So I was thrilled when it showed up in my Ipsy bag one month. I gave it a spin immediately and really loved it! The particular shade they sent me was the “SB 09”. I think it ended up being a good match. Illamasqua Foundation My first impression was that it has great coverage but a little goes a long way. I found that I applied a little too much and had to work on blending it out. It was easy application, maybe a little thicker than some of the previous light-weight ones I had applied. But, it wore like a dream and held up well all day. I’d probably rank it about a 4.5. The price on this foundation runs around $38. Once again, I have it linked for you here on my Like to Know it app. Urban Decay Naked Weightless Liquid Makeup I got lucky and scored my sister’s old Urban Decay hand-me-down, so I was able to test out the Naked Weightless Liquid Makeup. My sister has extremely sensitive skin and therefore, must shop high-end to avoid breaking out from certain products. Her pain is kind of my gain, because I get to try so many of her high-end hand-me-downs she tries out. I do hate that it’s at her expense, but at least some good can come from it. I’m very happy to give her the opportunity to make good of the situation;-) Urban Decay Naked Weightless Liquid Makeup So I was a little surprised that I wasn’t so impressed with this one. A little disclaimer first, though: my sister and I are not at all a shade match. Her cool-toned skin is much paler than mine. So, I definitely didn’t have the best shade match. The foundation was also a bit old and may have even reached it’s expiration date, now that I recall. So, those are two factors to consider. I just found the product not to cover as much, and on top of that, it was almost griddy-like in the application on my skin. I felt it was going on a little patchy and almost seemed to form little griddy bubbles. (Ok, maybe I need to recheck that expiration date, I will admit). This foundation runs around $40 and can be purchased online or you can find it at Ulta and Sephora. I’ve got it linked here on my LTK app, as well. Juvia’s Place Stick Foundation I am a huge fan of Juvia’s Place. Their eyeshadow palettes are so bomb and so affordable. But, I have been trying out some other products from them, as well, that aren’t just eyeshadow. The stick foundation is one of those products and I will unfortunately say I’m not as impressed with them as I am their eyeshadow formula. Juvia’s Place Stick Foundation The coverage is just not the greatest. It didn’t apply well for me either. I found it was not as spreadable. However, it was pretty lightweight and perhaps a good option for travel, when you don’t want to lug a Iiquid version around. I hate to disrespect the brand but I simply can’t rate the foundation sticks very high. Therefore, I’d probably go with a rating around 2. Sorry, Juvia’s Place, my bad. But your eyeshadow palettes are true champions in my book, so don’t be too sad. So, that about wraps it up for the makeup foundations I’ve been testing out recently. Hopefully, some of these snapshots and details provided some insight on how these products wear, especially for aging 42-year-old skin. For more related topics, feel free to check out my beauty page on this blog, or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, or Tik Tok. Other related blog posts you may like: https://www.shershares.com/2020/08/13/how-to-contour-the-most-when-youre-pale-as-a-ghost/ https://www.shershares.com/2020/10/05/my-top-6-amazon-eyeshadow-picks/
Choosing Zyon – Sher Shares
A Guest Post by Yvonne Pierre Shortly after giving birth to Zyon, he was taken to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) because he couldn’t digest or hold any fluids down. My husband and I had to wait before we could go see him. Every minute felt like an hour. Once we received the call, we immediately went to see him. As we stepped off of the elevators, there was a team of doctors near the entrance. I could see one of the doctor's mouth motions, “Here they come.” My heart dropped. Wait. Let me back up for a second. At 5 months pregnant, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I had to inject 3-4 shots per day into my stomach. I was put on bed rest because my pregnancy was high risk. My doctor feared that I would have a stillbirth or the baby might go into shock after they cut the umbilical cord due to the baby’s dependency on insulin. I had both of my sons early. Zyon was 5 weeks premature and my oldest son Zyair 4 weeks premature. Zyair is 10 years older than Zyon. Back to the hospital. So, as we came down the hallway to go visit Zyon in NICU, I felt like everything started to move in slow motion. I had to remind myself to breathe. After the doctor told us that she suspected that Zyon had Down syndrome, a diagnosis that I had no idea about, I zoned out. The CDC reported that there are 1 in every 700 babies born with Down syndrome. Although I didn’t know anything about Down syndrome, after she said those words I saw the doctor’s lips moving but I couldn’t hear what she was saying. All I could think of at that moment was that he might not live. “Can we see him?” I asked. She took us to go see him. I stood by his bedside. All I could see was that his tiny body was covered with tubes, IVs, monitors, and oxygen. I excused myself and went to the bathroom. It was a single restroom. I locked the door, slid to the floor, and cried. While crying, I caught myself. I stood up and walked over to the mirror. As I wiped my tears, I thought “What are you crying for? He’s alive. And he needs you. Get up.” I vowed to myself at that moment that I will focus on what Zyon needs and give him the love that he deserves. I never cried like that again. When I went back to his bed, I was able to see past the tubes and see HIM. I promised him that no matter where this road led, I would never leave his side. I will never be so focused on me and how I feel that I lose sight of him. When we received the results of my son Zyon’s diagnosis, the geneticist told us not to get our hopes up high. He told my husband and I that we’d be lucky if Zyon can tie his shoes. He went on to say that he wouldn’t be much of a contribution to society. I was very upset, not because Zyon had Down syndrome, but how this doctor was speaking of him as if he was not human. Zyon is 18 years old now. The life lessons learned are indescribable. The doctor was wrong, Zyon does contribute to society. His contribution is the many life lessons taught to most, if not all, that he’s come in contact with over 18 years. Zyon is a Special Olympics athlete that plays soccer and basketball. He played for the MLS Atlanta United Unified team as part of a Special Olympics inclusion initiative. He’s an orange belt in martial arts. He played baseball for two seasons for the Horizon League. Zyon loves to dance and entertain. He’s performed in three talent shows so far. He loves playing video games and is very good at it. The benefits of keeping him involved in activities that he enjoys are endless. Since 2005, I’ve been advocating positive awareness through projects in hopes to give parents who may struggle with accepting their child’s diagnosis a different perspective. My most recent project, ZOEY is a fiction book about a mom, Claire, who struggles to see her daughter in a positive light until tragedy strikes. I didn’t accept what the doctors said about Zyon but unfortunately, many parents do. We all deal with the diagnosis differently. I believe the response is based on the core beliefs and perspectives of life, ourselves, and who we believe them to be. Zyon will not be a doctor or attorney, but he contributes to our family and society. What many deem as “a contribution” is how they economically contribute. But Zyon contributes something more priceless and meaningful than money. He might not change someone’s economic status but he changes their heart and faith status. He has touched more lives in 18 years than some people touch in their lifetime. His mere presence encourages us to be better. Despite it all, if I could go back in time, I would choose Zyon over and over again. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Yvonne Pierre is a proud wife and mom of two sons – Zyair and Zyon. Her youngest son was born with Down syndrome, which led to her advocacy. Yvonne is a writer, producer, and advocate. For more information, visit www.ypierre.com. You can find Yvonne N. Pierre’s books at www.amazon.com/author/ypierre.