FOTD: Simple & Bright

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Hello all...

It's been a while since I've regularly posted, and I've been thinking of starting back up again.

Playing with makeup definitely helps relieves stress, and I've got tons of it now that I've started my last year of college. (or what I hope will be my last year assuming things go as planned)

I'm torn between whether I want to blog sale my unused stuff away.. THERE'S A LOT.

Or whether I want to keep it, but even then I'd still have makeup to last me years.

With it being my last year, I have completely stopped working for this fall semester because the amount of time I have left of school really depends on how good I do this semester so I thought it'd be a good idea.

Now with that being said, I've already burned through half of my student loan (which I didn't get much of) and now I'm going to be needing money which is why I want to get rid of the stuff I don't use.

I actually took photos of everything I'd like to get rid of, yet I still want to keep it, but then it'll sit here and not get used :(

Everything is ready to go live for a blog sale... but the prices are not the same as I had in the past because I don't want to part with it.

Should I post, or not?!

Please give me some feedback :)

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Although it's not entirely related to anything on this blog.

My username is:

onlylindah

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Review: GiGi Brazilian Bikini Hard Wax Kit

Today's topic is of my own experiences and finally taking the plunge after months of debating!

Here's a little background story before I get to the review.

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I debated for a few months whether or not to get a Brazilian wax. I live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas and there's hardly any places in Fort Worth (which I live closer to) that specializes in Brazilian waxing. Dallas over the past few years practically have one everywhere you turn now.

How did I normally groom myself down there? I used to grab that annoying razor every few days and shave, as did most of my friends. It was the cheapest, time efficient way because I worked 2 part time jobs and went to school full time.

Well I was in luck! I took a semester off school and just started working one job so I had a lot more time on my hands! I made an appointment to have a Brazilian wax. The place I went to was in Dallas, which is about 30-40 minutes from where I live but it seemed a lot closer since I started going there more often. They specialize in Brazilian waxing so I was confident they were going to do a phenomenal job.

When I arrived, the receptionist greeted me and asked me to fill out a disclosure since it was my first time with them. The facility was clean, organized, and nicely decorated which made me feel comfortable. After I successfully checked in, they moved me to a dim room and asked that I take off the bottom half of my clothes and lay on the bed. When the aesthetician came in she turned on the bright fluorescents and went to work. Now it's been a while since I've actually gone and done this so I'll try to be as accurate as I can but I believe she took a cotton pad with a liquid on it and cleaned the area that was to be waxed and then put powder on top of it which helps with the waxing process and prevents the wax from pulling on your skin.

I went back there a few times since she got me in and out in 15 minutes but paying $50 each time was becoming too costly. ($50 is the average price in this area unfortunately.) I researched online to see if there were a way I could just do it myself at home. On one of the search results I found out about the GiGi's Hard wax which they sold at my local Sally's. I went in there and just grabbed the microwavable kit since I just wanted to try it out.

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NOTE: I went to a professional waxing place before and paid attention to the techniques she aesthetician used in Brazilian waxing so I felt I was comfortable enough to try it on my own. If I had not had this service done before, I definitely would be too afraid to try it on my own especially because that is a very sensitive area.

***

Okay, so now onto the review.

The kit I purchased was less than $20 at Sally's Beauty Supply. I don't know where else they sell this at but I noticed there's basically a Sally's in every city so if you're interested here's the online link: *click!*

The kit includes:

• Brazilian Bikini Wax Microwave Formula, 8 oz.
• Pre-Hon Lotion, 2 fl oz.
• Pre-Epilation Oil, 2 fl oz.
• Wax Off, 2 oz.
• Slow Grow, 2 fl oz.
• 5 Small Acuu Edge Applicators
• 5 Large Acuu Edge Applicators

I would recommend picking up a few more of the Acuu Edge applicators while you're there at Sally's since you can really go through them quickly.

I believe they had instructions in there but maybe I missed them because I kinda just winged it. First I microwaved the wax for about 30 seconds at first but it didn't seem to melt anything so after that I just did 2 minutes constantly. (Instructions says to do 30 second intervals until it's melted.) After the 2 minutes were up, I took a really sturdy kitchen skewer and stirred it because it was closer than the applicator. It still wasn't completely melted so I did another 30 seconds. It was melted thoroughly afterwards but way too hot! I let it sit for a few minutes before proceeding. While I waited for the wax to cool off I prepped the area to be waxed!

First things first, make sure whatever surface you're going to do it on is covered! I just took a towel and placed it underneath me and plopped down in front of a large mirror just so I had an "extra set of eyes". I took the Pre-Hon lotion and squeezed a little on the area then took a cotton pad and dispersed it evenly. I believe this step disinfects the area. Next I took the Pre-Epilation Oil and did the same thing. At the salon they used a powder, which you can purchase from Sally's, but in the kit it comes with oil. It's used for the same purpose -- to help the wax not tug on your skin. Don't use too much of this otherwise the wax won't adhere to the hair either. If you did use too much you can simply wipe away excess with a clean cotton pad.

After the wax cooled down to a manageable temperature I began to wax! This wax formula is a HARD formula so you don't need muslin strips. You simply smear it on a small area and let it cool for a few seconds and then pull it off quickly and it'll take the hair with it! Techniques I observed from the aesthetician definitely helped with the hair removal process and kept it at minimal to no pain :)

The process took about 30 minutes for me since it was my first time doing it but I'd say it were successful! After you're finished with the hair removal, you can use the Wax Off provided in the kit to remove any excess wax that could've stuck to your skin. They also provide a Slow Grow lotion for uses after you shower. Everything has a pleasant... coconutty...? scent to it.

***

The kit is a steal! I only do a Brazilian wax once a month and I would say the kit has about 4 uses out of it. (I can't quite say because I still have wax left, all that needed to be replaced were the applicators.) I definitely plan to invest into a warming tray and the full sized Hard wax for future waxing.

The key is to know how to wax that area before trying this out! If you don't, you won't have complete comfort and you'll experience a lot of pain from incorrect hair removal.

***

I'm more than open to answer any questions, since I usually notice my posts "miss" things that should be addressed :)

I hope you all have a blessed day!

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Swatch: MAC Watch Me Simmer Lipstick

Hello my loves! It's been quite some time and life has been filled with ups and down. I've also been a busy bee traveling Texas since summer started :) I've been wanting to do a post on this lipstick for a while now! I almost didn't grab it when it came out so hooooray!

Watch Me Simmer came out twice with MAC already within a few months of each other. Apparently its first release sold out super fast (information from my make up artist :P) and I was fortunate the second time since she called me in for a pre sale ^_^!

 The lipstick is an extremely bright coral. When leaving the house and going into public during the daytime, unless you're a makeup lover you must think I'm crazy to be wearing this on my lips! O_O

 MAC Watch Me Simmer

MAC Watch Me Simmer swatched on the back of my hand

On my lips it comes off as a more pinky coral in the photo for some reason but it really does have that bright orange to it like the swatch does!

Here's the lipstick worn :) I absolutely love this lipstick and pray I won't ever run out (although I know I will never even get half way if you want to be practical about it). It's basically the perfect summer color; bright, coral, and bold!

Do you own this lipstick?
What are your thoughts on it?

Hope all is well with everyone here on blogger. I've also created an instagram account, and then a year later when finally everyone is on it I started using it! My username is onlylindah if you want to follow :)

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