What's Up #9: Just a Chill Post

Hello everyone, and welcome back.
Today's post is going to be a very relaxed post as I'm currently not feeling well, but I still wanted to do a post.

Today's has been a day of quiet reflection for me. Typically, I try to set aside at least 5-10 minutes per day to reflect on my feelings and thoughts, in an attempt to keep track of potential mood triggers. My mental health has become a priority following months of being ill, which allowed my mental health to deteriorate.

Today as I was reflecting, one word constantly came into my mind. That word was gratitude. As a clinician, teaching and understanding the power of gratitude is an essential part of my practice with clients, however, within my own personal life, I allow it to be overshadowed by other events in life. As 2019 opened, I made it my goal to look for small moments every week that I was grateful for. From seeing beautiful butterflies fluttering in my garden, to hearing rain during our hot dry season here in Trinidad. Thus far, the results of this practice have been astonishing. I've noticed that I'm purposely looking for the good in everyday, rather than focusing on one event that may have been negative and dwelling on that negativity which would in turn greatly affect my mood. Rather, I would look for the lesson in that negative event, I take that lesson to heart and let the event go to rest.
While this is an ongoing process, and while my anxiety isn't miraculously cured, I've gotten a better hold on my anxiety, and I've experienced much fewer events of panic. I've been able to ground myself better because I've been practicing and learning to shift the focus from the event/catalysis to what I can learn or gain from this event.

Despite my profession, this isn't a help guide post. This post is legitimately just me pouring out what's in my brain at the moment. I'm grateful that I have this platform to allow me to speak freely about what I love and what I care about. I'm passionate about mental health and opening the door to discussions on mental health, just as much as I'm passionate about sharing my love for makeup. I'm grateful for each person who reads any of my blog posts; for you to willingly take time out of your day to come visit my blog means the world to me, and makes me very happy.
I'm planning on doing more posts like this one, where I pour my heart and brain out onto a keyboard. It's a personal touch, and as aforementioned I'm passionate about mental health, so it's important to me to speak openly about my own struggles.

Thank you all for coming by today. I'll see you all next time.
Bye guys (^_^)/

Product Review: Sacha Cosmetics Pro Powder Foundation

Hello lovelies! Welcome back!
Today, I was planning on posting a time lapse video of me applying a quick and easy makeup look, however, my video quality was extremely poor. I'll continue to test out filming conditions because I would like to post some videos both here and on my social media platforms.
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with Sacha Cosmetics. All products are purchased by myself .

A staple product for my quick, and easy makeup days is the Sacha Pro Powder Foundation. I purchased this foundation in July 2018, and it's one of my favourite products I've ever used. On Sacha's website, it retails for TT$75, however, if you purchase it at one of their Image Centers and you have their loyalty card, it will be discounted.

Sacha Pro Powder Foundation - Pure Beige

Shade
I purchased it in the shade Pure Beige, after being matched by one of the artists at the Image Center located in Trincity Mall. It is a perfect match for my yellow undertone. Most foundations tend to pull too cool-toned (pink) on my complexion.
If you're curious about my other foundation matches:

• 310 Sun Beige in Maybelline Superstay Foundation
• W6 Sun Beige L'Oreal True Match 
• 370 Natural Tan Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation

Product Claims

On their website, Sacha describes this product as "oil-free, 2-in-1 powder foundation absorbs oil and eliminates shine all day long. Quick and easy to apply, it provides full coverage, fits like a second skin and gives you a flawless airbrushed finish."

My Experience 

I use this product with a dry Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, and buff it in with my Urban Studios Buffing Brush and I do get a medium-to full coverage. The coverage depends on how much product you load onto the sponge in my opinion. It feels extremely lightweight on the skin, and it tends to trick the untrained eye into thinking you have flawless skin. Every time I've worn this foundation, I've been complimented and asked what I use on my skin to make it look seamless and flawless. 

In terms of oil absorption and eliminating all day shine, that's where I have to dispute these claims. I have combination-oily skin, and currently in Trinidad, it has been hotter than Satan's armpit. Coupled with having PCOS which causes my hormones to fluctuate, this powder does not eliminate my oily sheen all day. After 3-4 hours of wear, if I'm out and about, I will have to blot and do a small touch up around my nose as it tends to break down fastest there. However, if I'm indoors in air-con, I stay shine free for longer. 

I've also used this product to set my liquid foundation, and it helps extend the life of my foundation, as well as balance my complexion, if my foundation is running too cool. I really enjoy using it for minor touch ups, since it has a huge mirror.  

I never expect to have any powder or foundation last long on me however, despite the fact that it sometimes breaks down around my nose, elsewhere on my face, it tends to stay in place. Oils may peak through but the powder lasts. (My nose is a beacon of oiliness!) If you have any patches of dry skin, or in my cause healing breakouts (I know I should pick or pop my pimples but the temptation is real), the pro powder foundation will cling to those areas. 

I recently wore the Pro Powder Foundation to go visit my hairdresser, and I took some photos;  one being fresh after application, and the other 4 hours later. In the second photo, I noticed my nose becoming very oily, and breaking down the powder, as well as emphasis on some breakouts that are currently healing. 

Wearing the Pro Powder Foundation

After 4 hours (Look at that shiny nose)

Conclusion

I do really enjoy the ease that this powder foundation provides. Is it worth the price? For me, yes it is. It's versatile, quick and easy to apply, and easy to touch up if required. On hot days if I feel to wearing some makeup, this is what I reach for because it is extremely light on the skin, that I forget that I'm even wearing makeup. Sacha has been hitting it out of the park with their products lately, and I hope they maintain their momentum. 

I will link some of my other Sacha product reviews below this post, and until next time stay safe, and thank you for dropping by.

Bye(^_^)/

Sacha Reviews 

Buttercup Powder (Original): https://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/10/product-review-sacha-cosmetics_16.html

Intense Matte Lip Velvet: https://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2016/03/product-review-swatches-sacha-cosmetics.html

Product Review: My Juvia's Place Collection Part I

Welcome to the first post of 2019!
I do hope you all are doing well.  I'm so very sorry for abandoning the blog in 2018. However, I've rededicated myself to posting, and will be introducing new content to the blog throughout the year.

Today, I'm making my return by doing a series focusing on my Juvia's Place (JP) eyeshadow palette collection. I currently own five (5) palettes from their current line, and for this part,  I'll be reviewing and sharing looks and swatches of the two (2) palettes that I have owned the longest.
In December 2017, I purchased the Zulu, and the Saharan II palettes at a local store, Jeulynn. I paid TT$250, and TT$275 respectively for each palette at the time. However, Starlite recently added Juvia's Place palettes to their store with prices starting at TT$195, and they are authentic.

The Zulu Palette 

The Zulu palette was initially a limited edition launch by JP, however, it is still being sold on their website. I truly love this palette, and I hope and pray that they never...and I mean never discontinue this palette. This palette is absolutely beautiful. The colours are vibrant and vivid. When I bought this palette, I was stuck in a neutral eyeshadow rut. I was terrified of colourful eyeshadow due to my colourful hair, thinking they would clash with each other.

Juvia's Place Zulu Palette

This picture makes my palette look pristine, and untouched. However, I use this palette all the time. Whenever I need to add a pop of colour, I pull this palette. Whenever I feel like doing a colourful look, or a character inspired makeup look, this is what I reach for. *(Character inspired looks will be returning this year yay!!)* 

Swatches

These swatches are done with my fingers. The yellow and purple were layered (built up) to show the opacity of the colour. These colours build up well, and also blend well. I've not experience difficulty blending the purple eyeshadow; no patchiness and it does not blend away. I have experienced some staining with the bright pink, however, it doesn't deter me from using the palette.

The Saharan II 

Modern day neutrals that aren't for the faint-hearted with some pops of colour, is how I would describe the Saharan II palette. I bought this palette to help me ground the Zulu palette since it was far out of my comfort zone.
My Saharan II is very well loved. It was my first introduction to the texture of JP eyeshadows as I used this palette before breaking into the Zulu.

Current state of my palette. Very well loved.

These eyeshadows are the epitome of buttery, and blendable. The metallic and shimmer shades are very soft and delicate. I learnt this the hard way when my palette fell and Hadiya (top right) broke. I managed to repair it with some rubbing alcohol, and I've not experienced any texture change with the shadow since that. The mattes in this palette blend very easily, and are extremely pigmented so a little goes a long way.

Product Review: Maybelline Superstay Foundation

Hello Everyone! Welcome back to the blog today.

Today, I have a review of the Maybelline Superstay Foundation. I've been testing this foundation for two (2)months.....yes, TWO (2) months! This is the longest I've ever taken to test a product, and that's mainly because I've been having a hard time deciding whether or not I love this foundation.

I have this in the shade 310 Sun Beige, which is the lightest shade that is carried here in Trinidad. Firstly, I am not pleased with the colour selection available in Trinidad.This is a consistent issue with "drugstore" base makeup locally. I am far from the lightest complexion you'll see in Trinidad, and they carry too few shades for deeper complexions also. One would think that in a racially,and ethnically diverse country, the cosmetics being imported would reflect that diversity, but it does not.
Secondly, the pricing will vary according to the store you purchase it. I paid between TT$65-70 for mine, but I believe some stores have it for more than that.

Product Claims
This foundation claims to be/have;

• Full Coverage
• Matte finish 
• Lasts for 24 hours
• Breathable and Comfortable 
• Fade and Transfer-Resistant 
• Oil-free (Doesn't clog pores)

Does it live up to its claims?
I've worn this foundation for 8+ hours, and while my skin did get oily,the foundation itself was flawless. I didn't experience it breaking down throughout the day. The entire time I wore it it didn't feel heavy on the skin, and there was no sign of it fading in pigment or coverage during the day. I did experience a small amount of product transfer when my skin was oily, but it didn't impact the coverage whatsoever.

This foundation is full coverage. It hid any breakouts I was experiencing and it did not accentuate any pores when worn with a primer (I always wear primer underneath foundations). I love to apply this foundation with a damp makeup sponge (I use the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge),or with a buffing brush like the elf Ultimate Blending Brush. I get the same level of coverage with both tools, however, the brush requires a bit more time to seamlessly blend the foundation into the skin.

The left side of my face (right side of the picture)is bare. The right side of my face (left side of the picture) is310 Sun Beige.

I saw many people complaining that they got very oily throughout the day being one of the main reasons why they didn't like this foundation. However, the foundation does not claim to be an oil-controlling foundation. I do have combination/oily skin, and I do get oily regardless of the oil-controlling abilities of a foundation, so it didn't really bother me or my opinion of the product. A quick blot with blotting paper, and its good to go.
Regarding the claim of not clogging pores, I have not experienced any breakouts, or increase in blackheads or clogged, congested pores since I started using this foundation.

First Impression versus Continued Use
When I first tried this foundation, I fell in love with the coverage but nothing else. I thought it felt super heavy, and looked cakey, and I just wanted to get it off my face that day. On this first use, I had used 2 full pumps of foundation, so I decided the next time I used it I would use less product. This was the key to falling in love with this foundation. Less product is important. We live in a world of social media videos showing gurus piling on layers upon layers of product, which may translate great on camera but in everyday life, not so much. This was why I initially disliked this foundation, I was too heavy handed. Now I tend to use 1 full pump all over my face, and then if I feel the need to add more coverage I use a touch of concealer, however, I've found myself refraining from concealer because this foundation does such a good job at covering whatever I want to cover.

Final Thoughts
This foundation has many mixed reviews, and initially I didn't want to try it because of this. However, I am a believer in trying out products and forming my own opinions, as well as my genuine curiosity as to whether or not this foundation can hold up in a tropical climate. During the two months of testing, Trinidad has had some incredibly hot and humid days, and while I did get oily, the foundation itself held up very well. Honestly, I believe with a good mattifying primer, and good setting powder and setting spray, this foundation is worth the money.

Thank you all so much for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed.
I'm playing around with the format of my review(s) posts here, hence why no review blog post is the same. Feel free to let me know what elements you like or dislike, and I can adapt that into future posts.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy and positive.
Bye (^_^)/