Hello beauties! I have been gone a little while because I have been working more than usual! It was rather tiresome but I was happy with my hrs. :)

Anyway, here is what I received from a new etsy company who sells mostly vegan cosmetics as well as accessories.

• an awesome sample size of her vegan black mascara 
• three cuties sample shadows in Sunset(pink one), Antique Copper(the browner one), and Plum(the more purple one)
• a CoQ10 Makeup Primer
• a cute pin which I put on my purse!

I was sent these to review, however these are my honest opinions. :)

The one thing in my life that has made me the most insecure is acne. I have had it since I was at least twelve years old. I remember trying to hide those hugs pimples on my chin by covering it with my hands as I slouched at the table. I remember crying to myself in my room thinking I looked horrible.
I also remember thinking I never looked good in makeup.

That is many of your stories to, huh?

Now that I am 22 and STILL have issues, I have coped with the fact that I will have blemishes or bad breakouts often and need to get back on a routine that works. I was in a period in my life where my skin cleared up! It vanished. How? I will tell you. Most importantly, I need to get back into this routine.

I will list some steps it took to clear my skin.

*Disclaimer- This worked for me and everyone is different. These are just tips and ideas for you to try out. :)

• What is a skin type? Examples: Is your skin dry, normal(meaning easy to work with), oily, combination, or sensitive. 
• How do I figure out what my skin type is? 
• Easy! If your skin tends to be more oily around the t-zone, and you feel like your skin is always slippery, than you are oily. 
• If your skin flacks often after washing and you can see flakes on your skin through your makeup, then you have dry skin.
• If you have a oily t-zone and have dryness on the cheeks and chin/jaw area, then you have combination skin.
• If products make you break out or give you redness or your skin peels, then you have sensitive skin.
• Disclaimer- I am not a professional, but I am sharing what I have learned.
• I am also combination skin.

Step Two: Find the Right Skincare Products for you

• I used many products and it was so hard for me to find something that really cleared my skin of acne and scars.
• I finally used the Proactiv system my first year of college! It worked very well and almost cleared it completely. The thing about this system is that you must not be lazy or you will not get great results.
• Drugstore products never seemed to work not matter how patient I was.
• I even tried a prescribed cream and worked good but I wanted a system with a cleanser and moisturizer, so I stopped using it.
• Remember to wash your face every day and find a good moisturizer! 

I love to support and buy from independent brands. One of which is having a giveaway on their facebook page!

Frosting Bath & Body is giving away a lot of great things and you should go check them out and say I sent you! :) That would be awesome!

If you have anything from them, what is your favorite product?

Thanks for reading!

-Kristina

Alright, there has been some issues lately on the MyGlam facebook. Many people are complaining or giving feedback in some okay ways, and some rude ways.

Let me just say I understand that everyone has their own opinions and concerns, however there is a fine line between complaining and giving feedback.

Feedback is being nice about the situation whether you have a good experience or a bad one. Being helpful with your information, not demanding or .

Complaining is not having patience with the situation, may demand things or sometimes just say plain rude. Yes, you voice your concerns, but ......I don't know just be nice?

I have seen both on their facebook page, but mostly a lot of inpatient people.

Lets clear some things up:

1. MyGlam STARTED in December 2011! That means this is the SECOND month they have sent out bags. That also means they are new to this and problems or miss ups with happen.
2. They have emailed everyone the situation about the shipping and still people are complaining which I honestly think is so rude. People will demand good customer service but why can't they be patient nice customers? I just think it was nice they emailed us. 
1. Apparently something was up with their printing company. 
3. Don't get me wrong, I am a little bummed I have not gotten my Jan. bag yet, but I can cut them some slack. If these kinds of situations continue throughout the year then I would be concerned, but this is their second month for goodness sakes!
4. Lastly, they are learning from their mistakes and I am sure it will be a smoother ride. Have some patience.

What are some things you are not doing because you are afraid? Think about the things you really want to do in life, but too scared to do it. Why?

"Because I am not pretty enough!"

"Because I am too shy!"

"Because I am just not good enough"

"Because I am too old"

"Because I am not smart enough"

These are just a few things that may go through your head when thinking about life. I know I have had some thoughts that prevent me from moving forward.

Example: I want to be a makeup artist someday. You can't magically be one. You must push yourself, do new things, and grow. However, I am letting fear control me and not growing.

I want to encourage any of you to let go of the fear and live the life you want to live. If you don't, you will not be happy. Contentment is not always the best. Being content with what you have is okay, but be content with your life can be hard.

In order to learn more, grow more, and be more, we must take that first scary step.

I want to take that step.

Have you? Share your story on how you did not let fear control your life. :)

-Kristina

Today I had an eye exam and I finally got contacts! I had them a little over a year ago before I got married, but I ran out and had to use my glasses again. I was so bummed because I think I look better without my glasses and I like to see my eye makeup more. I did like my glasses though.

Finally I will not be blind when taking a shower or doing my makeup. I can see so much better with contacts in when doing my makeup. My sight is not the greatest.

• I like to make sure I have a nice deep neutral crease color so my crease is not invisible under my glasses when I want to look natural. Find a shade a few shades darker than your skin tone. You want to add some depth to your eyes.
• I have found that bright colors on the lower lash line is a great way to get your eyes some attention under your lenses. It also helps gives your look some spunk!
• I am sure that eye shapes give different effects so keep that in mind. If you have to create a crease, do not use a too dark of a color because glasses really point out the deepness of your eyes so be careful. You could create sunken in eyes or look like you have black eyes.
• I would use colors that are neutral and earthy. I personally would use all types of colors, but if you want to give the best look or not over do it, you should stick with neutrals because you can never go wrong with neutrals(browns, whites, blacks, greens, grey etc).
• Liner is a great way to give a shape to your eyes when wearing glasses. The one thing about glasses is that it does hide some intensity to your look like I have mentioned, so you do not have to worry too much if your liner is perfect. 
• Lastly, sometimes you need to use a little extra shadow on your eyes because I find that your glasses hide some of the boldness you may have. Don't cake it on, but you have to add a bit more than just your naked eyes.

Hey beauties!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and New Years Eve celebrating with family and friends! I sure did!
I wanted to share with you all what I got beauty related and not beauty related gifts with you from Christmas. I like sharing. :)