Closet Decluttering

On this website, you will find numerous pages and articles about purging/decluttering/cleansing. I’m extremely passionate about it. I am a (reforming) shopaholic and have learned the hard way the importance of being selective about what I’m spending my money on.

In the past, I made impulse purchases regularly and bought something because it was cute, or I just wanted to have it in my closet. This erratic way of shopping has made the decluttering process absolutely overwhelming. This way of shopping also is very expensive and quickly fills up your closet with trendy and “like-it not love-it” pieces.

I have been selling my clothes for the past year, and thought I was finally done pulling from my closet, until I took a closer look. I started trying on my fall boots and realized half my fall shoes weren’t comfortable. A few are still within the return timeline, and they will be going back. The others will be up on the second hand economy. I will include photos of the items below to inspire you. I truly believe decluttering should be done in stages, and you need to do multiple rounds of decluttering.

I had two pairs of snakeskin boots, and neither of them fit me properly. Within five minutes of wearing them, my feet were aching. All my mid-range shoes will have to find a new home and when I find the perfect pair, I will welcome a well-made pair of boots to my wardrobe.

Just when you think you are done decluttering, step back into your closet, and take a second glance (or try on.)

Laura Mercier Highlight in 01

Overview

Of all my highlights, this is the most flattering and wearable. The magic of this beauty is that you can create a subtle, work appropriate glow to an intense highlight. Essentially, it's a your-skin-but-better champagne sheen with refined shimmer. And because you get the sheen without obvious sparkle, you can apply it to all the points of the face you want to enhance, without having to worry about “over-highlighting.”  It’s perfect for those with light to medium skin. If you have a deeper complexion, it might work for you. It is a champagne shade so it might look more intense, possibly ashy, against a deep skin tone. In terms of formula, it reminds me of the Hourglass ambient lighting powders, because it's super soft and blendable and allows you to create a natural highlight, suitable for any occasion. Yet, I feel you can get much more sheen from this than Hourglass. If you compare it to the Hourglass strobe powders, Laura Mercier is still a better buy, because there are no sparkles in the powder, just a champagne sheen with fine shimmer. Nine times out of ten, this is the highlight on my face.

Formula

The formula of this product is why I love it so much. The name: “matte-radiance” powder mystifies some people. How can a product be matte and radiant at the same time? But this is. There is shimmer in the pan and in a swatch, but it melts into the skin to give a luminous sheen. It is a super-soft baked formula that is very forgiving if you have mature skin or texture on your skin. Some highlights, especially metallic ones, can really emphasize any texture and imperfections you have on your cheekbones (or other areas you highlight.) And don't worry, it's a very fine shimmer- not chunky sparkle. With this, you can highlight with confidence. Below I compare this highlighter's champagne base with refined shimmer to a highlighter that's just pure sparkle.

Above you see the difference between Laura Mercier's Highlight 01 and Nars's Reckless. sheen vs. sparkle. Highlight 01 has a champagne base with fine shimmer & Reckless has no base or sheen, just iridescent sparkle.

Shade Range

Within the “matte radiance” powder line, this is the only highlighting powder. There are 4 bronzing shades available in this formula, which could serve as a bronzer, or perhaps even a face powder, if you have a very deep complexion. But they don't offer the highlighting impact and lit-from-within glow that Highlight 01 does. The brand more recently released their "face illuminator" powder line, which have the beautifully embossing in a baked gelee formula, such as the infamous Indiscretion. The face illuminator line offers a better range of shades for all skin tones, from Devotion, a cool pink, to Seduction, a topaz or deep bronze. These highlights are lovely, but in my opinion, they can't compare to the refined, soft-to-the-touch formula of Highlight 01. Honestly, I also own Indiscretion and planned to return the product; whereas, I use Highlight 01 pretty much every time I apply makeup. 

Laura Mercier's Highlight 01 on top and Indiscretion on bottom.

Application

Because this product is pigmented, super-soft, and blendable, any highlighting brush should work. The Anastasia highlighting brush picks up the powder beautifully for a more intense highlight. Today I applied the Ulta cream highlighting stick and patted Highlight 01 on top, both with my fingers. Even that way, it blended out beautifully. That’s how good the formula is. To give you an idea of the product's versatility…for a while, I dusted this all over my face to set my makeup-using a large, fluffy powder brush and with just a light touch into the powder-to create an all over, luminous finish. 

Purchase this if…

You want a lit-from-within-glow rather than a stark highlight, have texture or mature skin, or just want a gorgeous champagne highlighting powder. If you are under-whelmed with Hourglass’s ambient and strobing powders and Becca doesn’t strike your fancy, this is the powder for you.

Interview Make-Up

Recently, I’ve tried my hand at an entire new avenue of beauty...interview-appropriate makeup. Now, let me first premise that the makeup you wear should depend on the job and environment. For instance, interview makeup for a corporate work environment will look completely different than if you are interviewing to be a makeup artist or in another related, creative field. So, maybe you will customize your interview look based on your fashion and makeup style. Easy additions to up your interview look might be a precise winged liner or soft contours. Just be sure to blend and pick a product with the right undertones! Despite what job your after, there is one common thread: we all want to look like we mean business. For that aesthetic, I’ve found a natural, soft, but polished look, to be my go-to face as a young professional. 

Just a few of my interview must-haves as I scramble to create an unforgettable first impression...

I first run my hair through a straightener to silken my locks but still keep my hair’s natural waves. Then I focus on creating a natural glow that makes me look fresh and ready for anything. To achieve this, I begin makeup application with my gorgeous YSL touché eclat blur primer. The silicone consistency and stream of gold shimmer throughout, makes me feel like a queen. Which is essential...we should feel like a million dollars if we’re about to sell ourselves to a future employer and explain what makes us so fabulous. Following the primer is my beloved Josie Maran Vibrancy foundation. This gives an effortless glow and sinks into the skin within seconds. 

This glow-getter combo will give your skin the right amount of dew, so you look fresh, not sweaty.

Following my base comes my eyeshadow, which I wanted to keep light and delicate.  I immediately scavenged through my makeup drawer for Tom Ford’s Nude Dip quad, because this product is the epitome of sophisticated shimmer and effortless eyeshadow. 

The quad of all quads when you want an enhancing assortment of champagne and taupe.

To fix any fall out and add coverage to blemishes, I then spot conceal with my Josie Maran concealer crayon in Fair 1. Now that our base looks flawless, we can add some dimension to our face with bronzer and highlight. I used a limited edition Givenchy bronzer in shade 2, Douce Croisiere. Any bronzer will do, as long as it doesn’t pull too orange and is buildable. As for highlight, I picked Farsali’s glazed Jellybeam highlight, which can be applied with a pat of the fingers and gives a barely-there glow.

Barely-there glow is the way to go for interview situations.

Last but not least, I add on the finishing touches with a lengthening mascara. My favorite is Tarte’s tarteist lash paint. They will make your lashes bold enough that liner is optional. Then, for the ultimate rosy mauve pout, I would recommend Tom Ford’s lip color matte lipstick in First Time, topped with Smith & Cult’s lip lacquer in Now Kith, if you opt for a glossy lip.  

The ultimate lash and lip duo.

I hope these makeup products will make the stressful process of getting ready for an interview a little more fun. I’m a believer in the adage that the better you look, the better you’ll feel. Hopefully this insight will help you tackle tough interview questions with finesse. 

Good luck beautiful!

Kat Von D Traincase

The gold handle and trim make this traincase very luxe and eye-catching.

Recently, this work or art joined my collection of traincases. She definitely holds her own, next to the Sephora Collection traincases. Even Sephora’s Rainbow sequin and leopard print editions pale in comparison. Kat’s classic and artsy style cover the traincase. Gold trim and handle make this seem like something you’d have to start a payment plan for. And while it isn’t affordable at $150, for the quality, I’d buy it again... Especially as I compare it to Sephora’s $110 version. Although, to be fair I purchased the Rainbow edition during the VIB sale and was able to snag the leopard edition for half the price in the online sale section. To to be honest, from the inside it would be more comparable to the Bobbi Brown traincase released during the holidays. And that beauty came with a $300 price tag.

Whereas the Sephora traincases are tall, Kat’s is wide...You will note the size differences between the sequin and leopard traincases, as different collections may vary the sizes.

Red suede fabric lines the interior. Two wide sections ideal for brushes, narrow palettes or lip and eye pencils, give generous space and glide out easily. Underneath, you have the entire length of the traincase to stack palettes, powders, and other bulky beauty products.

A long, rectangular mirror adorned with gold-embossed stars and the Kat Von D logo make this a gorgeous and functional option for makeup storage. Let’s be honest...this is my third traincase purchase, so it won’t hold my entire makeup collection (or even a third of it.) Yet, this traincase is much more generous with space than most I’ve seen. While some provide more smaller compartments, Kat’s give you wider areas to hold larger items. The downside is that items may roll around, but I still appreciate the versatility and options to hold larger products, such as face palettes or even entire brush sets. If you are a Kat Von D fan, are moving house in the near future, or just running short on beauty space, you’ll be happy to have this work of art.

Black & white artistry combined with gold hardware make a bold statement.

I also appreciate that this traincase offers you width, rather than height. That allows you to lay your products down and even layer them. I also enjoy the one clasp to open the case, rather than the traditional two you see on most traincases. The artistry details, ease of use, high-end feel, and adequate room for your beauty products, make this a collector’s item. If you are picking up one item from Kat Von D’s 10-Year Anniversary collection, this traincase is the showstopper. 

Marc Jacobs Air Blush

Overview         

This is one of my newest blushes- and also my favorite. I realize calling a product your favorite blush is a big statement. Even though it’s technically a blush, this particular shade is skin-enhancing and the darker color in the pan gives a subtle rosiness and slight shadow to the face. On me, it contours my face without looking like I actually contoured my face. Because these blushes have two colors in the pan, brush placement will dictate the color pay off and intensity. This makes these blushes workable for a variety of skin tones; it also means your $42 is going towards a very versatile product that is actually two blush shades in one blendable formula.

Formula                        

Aside from packaging and the Marc Jacobs brand, this blush has earned the title because of the wearable color and blendability. The brand claims this product provides a 24-hour glowing radiance and custom blush to fit the occasion, based on where you place your blush in the pan, and how much you layer the product. Japanese air powder is infused in the blush for an almost undetectable finish. As described by the brand, the process of soufflage (French for "air-whipped") created the Air Blush Soft Glow Duo formula, giving us a silky-soft, creamy texture and even color application with every brushstroke.

Inspiration

The striped pattern in this blush was supposedly inspired by a Marc Jacobs dress; the light shade in the pan is designed to highlight, and the darker shade to contour. Inspiration also comes from Way Bandy, the first celebrity makeup artist, also a friend of Marc Jacobs, and the concept of naturally draping the face with color. The packaging was modeled after vintage cigarette cases.

Shade Range

The beautiful formula in the shade Flesh & Fantasy makes this a skin-like, sculpting blush. The color is ideal if you have a fair to light complexion; however, with a more dense brush, and by swirling into the deeper tone in the pan, this is workable for medium skin tones. The line offers 4 other deeper shades... Lines & Last Night-creamsicle/deep tangerine; Kink & Kisses-pale petal/peachy rose; Lush & Libido-petal pink/orchid pink; Night Fever & Hot Stuff-cherry/deep plum. Again, the two shades in the pan make these blushes customizable- based on your skin tone or color preference.

Application

Because I am fair and like my blushes very light and flesh toned, I center my brush at the far left and use a wispy brush, like this Morphe M509. A angled blush or contour brush would work beautifully, as this product is designed to highlight and contour the face. I would avoid too dense of a brush or any brush that applies product heavily. This blush is buildable, but it is fairly pigmented and builds quickly.

Purchase this if...

You are on the fence about the Air Glow blushes; if you fall in love with the formula, maybe get another shade that speaks to you- depending on if you prefer your blush to be more peach, pink, or berry. One warning though: I think these blushes are for the cheeks what Viseart palettes are for the eyes. Meaning, once you have a selection of wearable shades in a fabulous formula, your other blushes may pale in comparison. When I want a natural, skin-like contour-which is every time I put on makeup- I reach for Flesh & Fantasy. 

Laura Mercier Highlight 01

Overview

Of all my highlights, this is the most flattering and wearable. The magic of this beauty is that you can create a subtle, work appropriate glow to an intense highlight. Essentially, it's a your-skin-but-better, champagne sheen with refined shimmer. And because you get the sheen without obvious sparkle, you can apply it to all the points of the face you want to enhance, without having to worry about “over-highlighting.”  It’s perfect for those with light to medium skin. If you have a deeper complexion, it might work for you. It is a champagne shade so it might look more intense, possibly ashy, against a deep skin tone. In terms of formula, it reminds me of the Hourglass ambient lighting powders, because it's super soft and blendable and allows you to create a natural highlight, suitable for any occasion. Yet, I feel you can get much more sheen from this than Hourglass. If you compare it to the Hourglass strobe powders, Laura Mercier is still a better buy, because there are no sparkles in the powder, just a champagne sheen with fine shimmer. Nine times out of ten, this is the highlight on my face.

Formula

The formula of this product is why I love it so much. The name: “matte-radiance” powder mystifies some people. How can a product be matte and radiant at the same time? But this is. There is shimmer in the pan and in a swatch, but it melts into the skin to give a luminous sheen. It is a super-soft baked formula that is very forgiving if you have mature skin or texture on your skin. Some highlights, especially metallic ones, can really emphasize any texture and imperfections you have on your cheekbones (or other areas you highlight.) And don't worry, it's a very fine shimmer- not chunky sparkle. With this, you can highlight with confidence. Below I compare this highlighter's champagne base with refined shimmer to a highlighter that's just pure sparkle.

Above you see the difference between Laura Mercier's Highlight 01 and Nars's Reckless. sheen vs. sparkle. Highlight 01 has a champagne base with fine shimmer & Reckless has no base or sheen, just iridescent sparkle.

Shade Range

Within the “matte radiance” powder line, this is the only highlighting powder. There are 4 bronzing shades available in this formula, which could serve as a bronzer, or perhaps even a face powder, if you have a very deep complexion. But they don't offer the highlighting impact and lit-from-within glow that Highlight 01 does. The brand more recently released their "face illuminator" powder line, which have the beautifully embossing in a baked gelee formula, such as the infamous Indiscretion. The face illuminator line offers a better range of shades for all skin tones, from Devotion, a cool pink, to Seduction, a topaz or deep bronze. These highlights are lovely, but in my opinion, they can't compare to the refined, soft-to-the-touch formula of Highlight 01. Honestly, I also owned Indiscretion, but returned the product; whereas, I use Highlight 01 pretty much every time I apply makeup. 

Laura Mercier's Highlight 01 on top and Indiscretion on bottom.

Application

Because this product is pigmented, super-soft, and blendable, any highlighting brush should work. The Anastasia highlighting brush picks up the powder beautifully for a more intense highlight. Today I applied the Ulta cream highlighting stick and patted Highlight 01 on top, both with my fingers. Even that way, it blended out beautifully. That’s how good the formula is. To give you an idea of the product's versatility…for a while, I dusted this all over my face to set my makeup-using a large, fluffy powder brush and with just a light touch into the powder-to create an all over, luminous finish. 

Purchase this if…

You want a lit-from-within-glow rather than a stark highlight, have texture or mature skin, or just want a gorgeous champagne highlighting powder. If you are under-whelmed with Hourglass’s ambient and strobing powders and Becca doesn’t strike your fancy, this is the powder for you.