Learning to Cope with Grief

Hello everyone!

Today, I'm doing a very different post. Earlier this week, I lost someone very dear to me, and I have been going through the emotional roller coaster that is grief. I've spent so much of life being a rock for others, that I've neglected tuning into and feeling my own emotions. Not this time!
I've become very aware of my emotions, and have chosen not diminish their meaning. When someone asks me how I am, rather than simply stating I'm okay, I acknowledge that I'm feeling sad, or angry, and it actually makes me feel better knowing that I'm not hiding what I am truly feeling.

I know I've made this blog into my space for talking about makeup or video games, but I feel that there is a need for me to be real and raw sometimes, and to just put whatever is on my mind out into the world. I'm not the type of person who freely opens up in conversations (something I'm working on), however, I have this platform to just be free and talk/write about whatever I feel, and today, I feel like talking about the fact that I am sad, but I am trying to cope.

Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy, even if you think you've prepared yourself enough, the emotional toll is still quite severe. You learn that the 5 stages of grief aren't linear stages, they get all jumbled up, and sometimes it makes it harder to acknowledge or know exactly what you are feeling, but it's okay. It's okay to feel confused about what you feel, as long as you feel it. Allow yourself to experience the emotions, the sadness, the anger, even the joy that comes from sharing your favourite memory. Allowing yourself to experience your own emotions is by far one of the healthiest ways to cope with grief. Don't bottle it up!

As much as I am typing this for anyone out their struggling to cope with the loss of someone dear to them, I'm also writing this for me, as a reminder that it is okay to feel what I am feeling. It is okay not to bounce back within the first 2 weeks of their loss. However, it is not okay to bottle up your feelings. It is not okay to alienate the people who care for you, and who are trying to reach out to you. It is okay to feel vulnerable, it is okay to cry.

I feel as though I've unintentionally vented, which truly wasn't the purpose of this post, but honestly, I feel so much better having all these things written in front of me, as opposed to being locked up in my head. If anyone out there is coping with the loss of someone they loved dearly, please don't lock yourself away from experiencing your emotions, or from the people who love you and care for you.

I may take some time away from the blog, but I've yet to decide just how long. I will do some posting on my Instagram, some hauls, selfies, and pictures of my puppy and anything else that I enjoy, so feel free to follow @ladyjpsych on IG.

Until next time lovelies,
Bye.
(^_^)/

Product Review & Swatches: Sacha Cosmetics Intense Matte Lip Velvets

Hello everyone!

I apologize for my disappearing act last week, but I was a bit under the weather, and decided to take it easy, hence no post. However, I'm back today with a review that I am extremely excited to bring to you!
Within recent months, Sacha Cosmetics, which is a Trinidadian brand, launched their Intense Matte Lip Velvets. These are their liquid lip colours, and they're beautiful. I had a few friends raving to me about these Lip Velvets, so I decided why not give them a try. I must say Sacha did a great job on these. From packaging, to colour range, Sacha hit the nail on the head.

Sacha Intense Matte Lip Velvet

Price:

• At local Pennywise stores, these cost TT$44, while at Sacha Image Centres they cost TT$50. I don't believe these are available online at website. 

Packaging:

• I adore the packaging of this product. I really love polka dots, and paired with the flat matte finish of both the glass bottle and plastic lid, it screams cute and chic. 

Applicator: 

• This has your everyday doe foot applicator. 

Product:

• The texture of the lip velvets are very reminiscent of the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, which I adore. They are soft, velvet smooth, and they aren't extremely drying on the lips. 
• For me, they are opaque in one coat/application, but you can build up the intensity if you like. 
• These don't have any fragrance or scent to them, so if you're sensitive to fragrance, you can give these a try. 
• I've heard positive reviews from persons with extremely sensitive skin and lips about these, and they don't cause them any irritation.
• These are not completely budge proof, but they do hold up after eating and/or drinking. 
• They don't flake like the L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss, and are easier to reapply if needed than the L.A. Girl. 

 Swatches: The following are swatches of the following four (4) shades: 

1. Partner In Crime - Red-Toned Chocolate Brown
2. I'm In The Nude - Neutral-Toned Nude
3. That's What She Said - Vibrant Purple *(2 layers)
4. Pass The Money - Vibrant Fire Red

Conclusion:
I honestly don't have anything bad to say about these. I've been wearing Partner In Crime and I'm In The Nude, almost everyday since I bought them, and they really are some amazing lip products. For the price, the quality of the product is exceptional. I prefer it over my ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip, because this formula is more comfortable on the lips, even if you forget to prep your lips with lip balm. The L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Glosses can't stand up to these. These are honestly one of the best matte lip colours I've tried. This and the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color are my new go-to liquid lip colours.

If you can get your hands on these, you definitely should. They are worth every cent. I would definitely recommend these to everyone!
Great job Sacha Cosmetics!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I haven't worn That's What She Said because it is the latest one I've recently added, but I will be trying it out on the lips very soon. Stay tuned to my Instagram (@ladyjpsych) for pictures of that.
I'm considering doing a full lip swatch picture on my IG, so please let me know if you'd like to see that.

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and positive!
Bye!
(^_^)/

Product Review: Revlon Ultimate All in One Mascara

Hello everyone!

For this past week, I've been testing out the new Revlon Ultimate All in One Mascara.

Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara in 502 Black

Product Claims: 

• High impact formula delivers the Ultimate 5 in 1 benefits:
• Volume
• Length
• Definition
• Lift
• Rich, intense color

This product also has an uber tiny mascara wand, referred to as the Revlon Power Mini Brush, made for easy application.

Revlon Power Mini Brush...it's so tiny!

Now, I'm picky when it comes to mascaras. I want volume, lift and intense colour, which are 3 things this mascara claims to give, so I decided why not give it a shot...although it costs TT$61.
For the price point alone, I was praying this wasn't gimmicky.

This mascara is hands down one of the best mascaras I've ever used. It volumises and lifts my lashes like something out of a dream. It lengthens and gives great definition to each individual eyelash, and it is intensely pigmented. I didn't experience any flaking or smudging with this product. It didn't smear or run on the days my eyes were watery.

Hello Eyelashes, Nice to see you! Only one coat of mascara.

The power of this mascara comes down to the brush. Revlon knew what they were doing with this little guy. It picks up every little eyelash, and coats them with product, making them visibly longer, fuller, and darker than they actually are. My friends were actually able to see my eyelashes, and complimented them, which was a definite first, and I've already started throwing recommendations out for this mascara.

This mascara has gone from testing, to everyday must have. I am officially in love with this mascara, and I'm probably going to be testing out the others in this range. I already have the Ultra Volume Mascara (pink cap) from Revlon, that I will be trying out next month.

Revlon has been killing it with some of their new releases lately. I wasn't supposed to post this this week, however, I just love it so much I had to make a post about it.

Feel free to let me know your favourite mascara at the moment in the comments.

I hope you all have a great weekend!
Stay happy, healthy, and positive, and I shall see you all again next Saturday!
Bye guys!
(^_^)/

Review: Revlon Ultra HD Matte LipColor

Hey everyone! Welcome back!

Today, I'm doing a quickie review on the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Liquid LipColor. 

I have this in the shade Passion, which is a beautiful red. Prior to purchasing this, I saw a lot of mixed reviews on this particular product, and was very apprehensive when purchasing mine. However, since purchasing this, I've worn it for almost 2 weeks straight. I've been out of the habit of wearing red lips, but this product made me fall back in love with red lips.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte LipColor in Passion

The consistency of this product is perfect, it isn't pure liquid, nor is it too creamy. If I had to give a specific texture, it'll be almost gel like. It glides onto the lips easily, and I haven't been a victim of it bleeding or moving outside of my lip line. It takes a long time to completely dry down, which is a bit of a hassle, however, a quick blot with a tissue and you're good to go. I ritually blot my lips when it comes to any lipstick, cream or liquid, just to ensure it doesn't get onto my teeth, so this step didn't bother me, nor did it impact my opinion on this product. 

The applicator on this liquid LipColor is divine. It is small, and triangular making application a breeze.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Applicator

 

My only problem with this product is the scent. It smells like cherry cough syrup. I guess it fits with the colour of the product but I could do without the strong fragrance.

Swach of Ultra HD Matte LipColor in Passion

I've truly been enjoying using this product, despite the strong fragrance, however, I know many people wouldn't consider this to be a true liquid lipstick, since it doesn't dry down to a full matte finish in a short period of time. It does manage to last through eating and drinking, and wears comfortably and beautifully throughout the day. It is small enough to fit in your pocket, so it is great for me whenever I want a punch of colour on the go. 

I would personally recommend this to my friends, but only this shade since I am yet to try others from the line.

I'm sorry about the short review, however, I have a lot of stuff going on personally right now, and my time is very divided.
This may be my last post of the next two weeks, depending on how things go, however, I am in the process of testing some products out, and I hope to bring those reviews to you very soon.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy and positive.
Bye (^_^)/