De-clutter and Empties: The Return to the Mind Palace

Return to the Mind Palace! 

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the blog!
This is the first time in over a year that I've actually sat down to post, and I feel excited to be working on the blog again. Honestly, due to how hectic things have been in the past year, I lost my zeal for blogging. I just could not bring myself to sit down and dedicate time to the blog because it felt like a chore, and I felt that my lack of enthusiasm and interest would reflect in anything I posted. 😓😞
After many months away from the blog, I started playing around with ideas to motivate me to return. I love my blog, I love makeup and beauty, but I felt as though nothing about my blog stood out enough for me to enjoy returning to regular posting so the break continued. After a conversation with some friends, it struck me, Mental Health. I'm a training psychologist who is passionate about talking about mental health and breaking down mental health stigma, why not do posts dedicated to Mental Health?! Slowly, behind the scenes, I begun to reconfigure the blog, and give it a bit of a face lift.
Thank you all for being so very patient with me, and I can't wait to get back to posting regularly. Now to the De-clutter!

De-clutter and Empties!

The De-Clutter Gang!

I love makeup, and like many makeup lovers I tend to keep some products around for far too long. If I love a specific product, I want to hold onto it for as long as possible (even if I don't use it frequently), and if I dislike a product, I still try to get my money's worth. However, there comes a time in a makeup lovers life where they just have to let go of the products that are just taking up valuable space in their collection.

Eyes

Starting with eye primer, and cream bases. I absolutely love the Milani Eyeshadow Primer. I already have a back up of this in my collection. Honestly my favourite eyeshadow primer that I've tried. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold, and Caramel Cool while they are great cream eyeshadows, I just don't use them. I've had these two for far too long, and it's time for them to go. While they are great products in terms of colour pigmentation, texture, and longevity, I do not think I'll be repurchasing them.

Shades: Oro (left), Pine Nut (right)

My original NYX cosmetics eyeshadows. They're both extremely old so they had to be de-cluttered but definitely some of the best eyeshadows I've owned, and I will miss them.

I typically get rid of mascaras regularly (between 3-6 months). Jordana Best Lash Extreme is still one of my favourites, and is a guaranteed repurchase. Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam while it is a nice mascara, I find the brush to be a bit too large for my eyes but the large brush gives really lovely volume to the lashes. Will I repurchase? - Maybe not. I've got a couple of mascaras to try out, and this mascara wasn't one I was enthusiastic about.

Milani Eye Tech Extreme - possibly the only liquid eyeliner I use because it is easy to apply, and very pigmented. However, this time it started to apply very streaky and would end up smudging on the outer corner destroying my wing. I don't know if the one bought was just super old but it has me discouraged from repurchasing anytime soon.
Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal (Sparkling Black) - Didn't like it at all. The glitter takes away from the colour, so rather than sparkling black, you get a glittery grey that isn't waterproof at all and barely lasts on the eye. Not going to waste my money on this particualr shade, but I am willing to try their regular colours; brown, black, white, and nude.

Face

I did a full post on this and the Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation in Sun Beige (310). I do like this powder, however it started to get old, the texture was off and it was not buffing in seamlessly anymore. I am currently testing the new Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder (future post maybe?)

Lips

SMLC- Ibiza

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cremes are one of my favourite lip formulas. However, this colour just did not work for me. It was streaky when applied, and with the applicator I just could not make it work for me.

Nails

I don't remember the names of either of these nail polishes but they're old and goopy.

Makeup Remover

I love both of these so much. Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover has been discontinued or at least they are no longer stocked in Trinidad. One of the best makeup removers I've ever used.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is awesome. I typically use Micellar Water after removing my makeup with coconut oi to clear the skin of any remaining oil and makeup debris before I wash my face. I am currently using the L'Oreal Micellar Water and it is very similar so at the moment there is no need for me to repurchase.

Well folks, that's all I have for today. Thank you all so much for stopping by, I do hope you enjoyed!
I'm so happy to be posting again, and I can't wait for the next post. Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and positive!
Bye ^_^)/

Hiatus Over! - L.A. Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick Review

Hello everyone!!

Welcome back! I'm so happy to return to regular posting now that my semester is finally over!
In the past 3 weeks, I've been buried in assignments and examinations, but now I'm back. 

I've been testing products over the few weeks, and today I'm going to do a quick review of L.A. Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick in the shade Spicy. 

L.A. Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick - Spicy

A few months ago, I did a full blog post about the L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss, which I absolutely love, so I decided to try out this newer line of lipsticks from L.A. Girl. I chose the shade Spicy from some swatches I viewed, because it looked like a velvety brownish, red. I managed to find it at Wonderful World back in November. 

With a name like Spicy, I anticipated it being more red, however, this lipstick is straight chocolate brown on the lips in person, although, in swatches and pictures more of the red comes through.

Lip Swatch of Spicy - L.A. Girl 

Hand Swatch - Spicy (L.A. Girl)

I've worn it multiple times since purchasing it, and I'm going to come right out as say that I really do like it. I was expecting the worse, because there are some brands that get matte lipsticks incredibly wrong, but L.A. Girl did a great job. Here are some of my personal pros and cons of this lipstick.

Pros: 

1. Non-drying - because the finish of the lipstick is more of a flat velvet, as opposed to a true matte finish, it does not dry out my lips. 
2. Creamy texture
3. Pigmented - one swipe gives opaque colour. 
4. Inexpensive - I paid TT$22. for mine at Wonderful World here in Trinidad, and on the L.A. Girl Website, it  retails for US$4.00
5. Long Lasting - I've worn this lipstick multiple times on my longer days, just to test how well it wears while eating, drinking, and speaking. I usually only need to reapply at the center of my lips, after eating.  
6. Scent - This lipstick smells like a vanilla cupcake. 
7. Colour Selection - This specific collection comes in a wide range of colours, and I will definitely be picking up more, for family and friends this Christmas, if they're in stock!

Cons: I honestly can't think of any (@__@)

Would I recommend this lipstick to a friend? - Yes, 10/10 would recommend! Hands down one of the best lipsticks I've used in quite some time.

My camera is currently down, and in need of some repairs, so the picture quality in some of the future posts are going to be a bit shoddy, since I'll be relying on my phone. I was playing to invest in a new camera, however, with the cost of my textbooks, my new camera fund transformed into Psychology textbook fund. 

I will be doing a post all about my first semester of Postgraduate studies, so please stayed tuned for that.

Again thank you for being patient and waiting for the end of the hiatus, but I really needed the time to focus on my examinations and assignments.

Thank you all so much for returning the J's Mind Palace. it feels so good to be back talking to you all again, I can't wait to share more with you all. 

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and positive. Please stay safe out there everyone!

Bye (^_^)/