FBFF: You're Beautiful, It's True

Today's topic for Fashion Beauty Friend Friday is Beauty Products.

I have to admit, I'm definitely more into clothing and accessories than products, but as the days pass, I get more and more interested. I'm especially a fan of anything that will accentuate my blue eyes and long eyelashes. 

For more information on FBFF, to link up with today's questions, and to read everyone's answers, please visit Katy's blog, Modly Chic!

blazer: Christy Miller via TJ Maxx (or possibly Ross?)

polka dot top: Motherhood (and no, I'm not preggers. It's just cute!)

Adorablogger who IS preggers, though? ANDIE!

blue cami: Faded Glory via WalMart

skinnies: Charlotte Russe

blue bow flats: Gap (from Whitney)

gorgeous, sparkly necklace: Banana Republic (Christmas gift from ML!)

{one}

What's your favorite drug store makeup product and your favorite higher-end product?
 

Well, I don't use many high-end products, just because I'd rather spend my "fun" money on clothes! So, most of my make-up is from the drug store, Target, or WalMart. I have to say that I'm a huge believer in 

L'Oreal's Voluminous Full-Definition Mascara in Black.

My favorite high(ish) end product is definitely my Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. It's so buildable and goes on sheer, just like a tinted gloss. If you keep layering, though, it gives your lips a soft, beautiful, berry stain. I have to definitely give a big shout-out and THANK YOU to Louise, of Coffee & a Cardigan, for suggesting this product to me. I'm a lifer! I was SO afraid to wear lipstick until this one!

{two}

Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can't live without?

YES! I'm addicted to face cleanser. Am I so weird, or what? Wait... don't answer that. While most women don't leave the house without their lipstick, gloss, or mascara (and trust me, mascara and C.O. Bigelow's methyl lip shine are definitely close to tie for second), I ALWAYS have some sort of skin cleanser or oil blotter with me! I have seriously oily skin, so I really like oil blotters, like the ones from Clean & Clear. They help control and mattify without taking make-up off, which I really appreciate. I also swear by Estee Lauder's Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser. It's changed my life.

{three}

What's the best hair product you've ever used?

I use Avon's ADVANCE TECHNIQUES Daily Shine Dry Ends Serum every.single.day. I curl, straighten, or blow dry my hair at least every other day, and this stuff is a smoother, anti-frizzer, softener, and shiner upper all in one. Love it!

{four}
Fess up, what's the worst beauty look you've tried to rock and look back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did that? 

Umm.. white eyeliner. Oopsie. When I was a cheerleader in high school, all the Varsity girls wore white eyeliner.ON the TOP lid.Well, at least I thought I was cool. In all reality, I think I looked like a sick little monster. Ahh, retrospect is a beautiful thing.

{five}

When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flare and personality? 

 I am really basic with beauty products. In the shower, it's shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I use the skin cleanser I mentioned above, and my make-up is generally very simple: a little blush, some gloss or lipstick (if I'm brave that day), eyeshadow, and mascara. The one thing I really do like to play around with is eyeshadow. I like to come up with different combinations, highlights, accentuate my crease, and play with colors that accentuate my blue eyes and yellow flecks around my pupils! I always try to make sure, if I don't have time for make-up, that I at least wear mascara. I'm thankful for my long, flirty lashes, and I never want to discount their ability to make me look awake, even if it's a fib.

Don't forget, friends! You have until MIDNIGHT, tonight, to enter my giveaway!

Hurry! Go! Do it!

And then have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Friend Friday: Loving My Body

 Today's FFBF topic is Body Image. And isn't that something we ALL think about, whether it's good or bad? I'm excited to share my answers with you. And I hope you all enjoy reading what I have to say, because I'm extremely passionate about this topic. Even moreso than I'm passionate about colors!

For more information on Fashion Beauty Friend Friday, visit Katy's blog, Modly Chic!

You can also go here to find a list of everyone participating in this week's topic discussion.

 dress: Max Studio (via TJ Maxx), cardi: Old Navy, boots: Payless

All photos were taken by my lovely husband.

{one}

Since you started blogging, has your image of yourself changed?

I have to say yes and no. That's a fun answer to explain, right? I think my body image is about the same and my self-image has changed drastically. I have ALWAYS had problem areas with my body, skin, hair, or whatever part of myself that is driving me crazy at any given moment. I used to run four miles a day, two days a week, and four miles two other days. I was a cheerleader for several years and a swimmer, too. If you asked me to run a mile, today, though, I'd laugh at you and play dead. Anyway, I have never been my "ideal" body type, no matter what exercises or diet I've kept up with. As far as self-image as a whole, I'm much more confident to wear whatever I want and not have to try and wear what "society" deems appropriate for a plus sized woman. If I want to show my legs, I will. If my shirt is tight, I wanted it to be that way. If skinny girls can show off their flat stomachs, I will show off my round one. People may not like some of my sartorial choices, but if I'm confident in how I look and feel (which, generally, I am), I don't really mind others' opinions.

{two}

Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it, or do you post/talk about it anyway?

I think being "self-conscious" is a good thing. Doesn't that simply mean we're conscious of our selves? Whether it's consciousness of good or bad things? So, yes, all the time. I'm conscious of myself regarding how I feel, how I look, body parts (namely my midsection, tops of thighs and tops of arms), hair (mostly when it's frizzy and unruly or extra dirty), and my skin (which breaks out for two weeks every month). I don't go out of my way to avoid anything, though. This is a style blog about ME. I'm unique and I'm not going to hide any of it. If I don't love myself, how do I expect you to love me? Sure, I'm unhappy about my body sometimes, but I'm also really proud of all the things it has done for me. For instance, I created a little life inside of myself. The creator inside of me and the creation that grew inside of me are very gorgeous.

Thank you very much.

And obviously, I talk about everything. :)

{three}

Based on how you're feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image?

I feel great right now. I want to lose weight, and I don't want to feel pressured by anyone but myself to do it. I'm fine with that. I know what needs to be done and when I get there, I'll get there. I want to create more life with my body in the future. I want to be proud of my body and adorn it in beautiful things. I hope to continue being proud of what my body has done. I tend to look at myself in the mirror and choose bits and pieces that I'm not feeling confident about. Then I look at my face and into my own eyes and remember that I'm really beautiful.

{four}

Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you're having your picture taken? If you choose not to post pictures of yourself, what prompted that decision?

I take most of my own photographs and my husband has been taking more and more as of late. Obviously, with a personal style blog, I'm going to have photos of myself all over the place (see today's post- oh, you're seeing it right now, aren't you?). I feel awkward when I'm getting my picture taken or taking my own pictures, mostly because I'm unsure of how to pose. I want to switch things up all the time, but I find it difficult to not look like a human pretzel when I'm trying to be creative.

{five}

What would you want everyone who struggles with body image to take to heart?

You're not the only one. No one (and I mean NOT ONE PERSON) is perfect. What is perfect, anyway? If you're unhappy with yourself, you're the only person who can do something about it, and if you love yourself, it's going to show, no matter what you look like. Confidence and security are contagious and beautiful things.

I hope you all have an absolutely fabulous, beautiful, and confidence-filled weekend! Little S. and I are going down to Rochelle's tomorrow, then heading out for some post-birthday shopping! I'm so psyched to see my friend, again, and do one of our favorite things, together! I'll be back with some more 30 Things, tomorrow, too!