Tips & Tricks Tuesdays: The Best Makeup Remover

Oil! Yep, oil is one of the best makeup removers. It's especially helpful when dealing with waterproof makeup. Unfortunately, I didn't read my own blog before buying a new waterproof liquid eyeliner a few months ago. I learned the hard, and painful, way that you shouldn't try to remove it by scrubbing viciously with a wash cloth. All it does is leave you with slightly removed eyeliner and scabs on your eyelids for about a week. I didn't even know that was possible.

No worries. I know better and now you do too!

Someone Who Made Your Life Hell or Treated You Like Sh*t - Day 8

I'm not exactly sure of where to start with this one. Not because I can't think of anyone, trust me I already have my answer, but because I'm not sure how to tell this story.

I suppose I'll keep this short and sweet.  For about a year there were some pretty nasty rumors spread about me. It took me that entire year to realize who was the main person spreading them. I was hurt, embarrassed, and betrayed. I considered this person a close friend. I had no idea that one person could have such a widespread impact. I felt like everywhere I went people looked me up and down, shared whispers with their friends. My friends.

Thing is, it also took me that year to understand why they did this to me. They were hurt by something I had done. It wasn't done maliciously or intentionally, but it was done. For a while I blamed myself for it all. But I grew past that.

Now although that person's intentions were malicious, I've said before I'm not big on holding a grudge. We're cordial today, but I'm not stupid. I don't socialize with this person, nor can I ever trust them again. Lesson learned.

Tips & Tricks Tuesdays: Fragrance

Before you yell at me, I am very sorry that this tip is being uploaded on a day that doesn't fit the alliteration. I thought I uploaded it last night. Oops! Bloggers are only human after all, and I dread the day that this too becomes a job for a machine. But, since it's not just yet I'll get right to it.

This may seem like a silly tip but trust me, it's well worth it. It has to do with where you use your fragrance. The typical place is on your wrists and the front of your neck or chest. This method is outdated and ineffective, that is if your desired effect is to attract the opposite sex. Think about it. If it's on your wrists, it will just get washed away when you wash your hands. The front of your neck or your chest is a bit better, but who on Earth is going to shove their face there to smell it? Hopefully that's not the kind of attention you want to attract.

Instead, I learned to use your fragrance primarily on the back of your neck or behind your ears. Why? Well first, the fragrance has less of a chance of wearing away because it gets trapped in your hair. That ensures that you smells wonderful all day long without the risk of having to reapply and going overboard. Also, when people lean in for a hug, it will be the first thing they notice. I'm sure you know, while it may not be on someone's actual checklist, that smelling good is a definite turn on. 

So instead of using too much perfume on places that have no lasting power, go ahead and try this method. Trust me, before you know it you'll have a trail of followers behind you...and I don't mean on twitter.

Someone Who Has Made Your Life Worth Living For - Day 7

Hey there. Hope you didn't think I forgot about you. I read this 30 Days of Truth question about a week ago and I knew it had to be just right. Why? Because if I'm going to write about the person who has made my life worth living for, I'm going to write a post worthy of him. 

This man right here has changed my life in ways that I never imagined and, at this point, I can't imagine without. People use the term "my other half" but I've always had a problem with that. You should be complete and whole on your own and the person you choose to spend your life with should add to that. Well, I'm happy to say you've been reading the words of a girl that's running on 200%. You're able to receive the very best of me because this man brings out the best in me. 

People who witness our relationship think that we're just this perfect little couple. While that's far from the truth, I will admit that we are extremely strong together. We're completely honest with each other, encouraging of each other's goals, and supportive and acknowledging when that support can't come from one another. We have the hard conversations instead of shoving them under the rug. We refuse to get upset over anything we see on social media; we can save that for a less trivial fight. We make it clear what we want from one another. We're not mind readers after all. And, our number one goal is to make each other happy...which usually just means a late night 7-Eleven run. 

He has without a doubt made my life so much better and has definitely made my life worth living for.

Tips & Tricks Tuesdays: Clear Skin

People are constantly asking me how I get my skin so clear. It actually started many years ago. I didn't have terrible acne but I have always been obsessed with my skin so to me, my skin was a war zone. During a routine check up, I remember asking my doctor what I could do about it and she wrote me a prescription for benzoyl peroxide gel. This stuff was super drying, super intense, and super effective. Definitely nothing that you could just get over the counter, I thought.

Target brand pictured

Every six months or so I would have to renew my prescription, but with every renewal came another doctor visit. They wanted to make sure I actually still needed the product. Even after I began coming in with clear skin, they always filled my prescription again. Why was I wasting time going to the doctor when they were just going to give me the product anyway?

Luckily, I discovered that drugstores carry creams with 10% benzoyl peroxide content and it works perfectly! Some consistencies I've found I like better than others, but overall they work really well. Most acne medications use salicylic acid as their active ingredient, but benzoyl peroxide is the real life saver. It's cheap and effective so what are you waiting for?!

Something You Hope You Never Have To Do - Day 6

I hope that I never have to settle. I hope that I never have to give up my dreams. I hope that I never have to wake up one day and realize that I'm not happy, that I'm not living (or at the very least, pursuing) the life that I want to live.

I don't want to become another person that just has a job to make ends meet. I want to have a career, a passion. I don't want to settle for a one-bedroom apartment back home. I dream of my future condo with exposed brick and 60s artwork and vases full of flowers everywhere. I don't want to accomplish these things alone either.

I imagine that whoever I'm with helps me reach these goals and I, in turn, help him to reach his. I want someone to share these things with. I hope I never have to come home to an empty house, rather one filled with love, joy, and peace. I hope I'm never without those things in my life.

Something You Hope To Do In Your Life - Day 5

I know this may seem a bit unexpected, but when I gave this question some actual thought, I realized that one day I hope to have a family of my own (degree first, husband second, children third though).  I have a very long time before I'm even ready to pursue this goal but it's definitely something that I think about often.

Initially I was going to list educational and career aspirations that I hope to achieve in life, but I realized that even if I don't achieve those things, having a family of my own would satisfy me far beyond any paper accomplishment. That doesn't mean that I'm not going to continue to work towards those goals. Instead, it helps keep them in perspective

Throwback Thursday: iPhone 5 Camera Quality is Nothing to Joke About

Something You Have To Forgive Someone For - Day 4

I started to say that there is no one that I need to forgive. Usually, that would be true. For me time heals all wounds. It's just my personality. No matter how wrong someone has treated me, with time, all is forgiven. While in some instances I find this a problem, in the end I know that I can't live being burdened with grudges, so I drop it. Before I could get through the first sentence of this post, however, I had to stop myself from lying. There are two people who I realize I have never forgiven, my parents.

It may sound a bit pathetic, but if I'm being completely transparent, I have never truly forgiven them for getting a divorce. Time heals most of my wounds but for some reason, even seven years later, this cut just refuses to close. 

I'm not sure how to get to a place of forgiveness with them but I know, for my sake, I definitely have to make a conscious effort.

Something You Have To Forgive Yourself For - Day 3

Truth is at this stage of my life there isn't one particular thing that I need to forgive myself for. If you would have asked me the same question a year ago, I probably would have broken down in tears pouring out a whole laundry list of things I was ashamed of. Thankfully, I've learned a lot within that year's time. I've learned that I can't beat myself up over actions that have long been done. So I suppose what I have to forgive myself for is all the time that I spent crushing my self-esteem and worrying about other's opinions of me. I should forgive myself for wasting that valuable time that could have been better spent on the people I love and the friends that stood by my side. 

It may have taken me a while to get to this place of forgiveness, but I am so glad to finally be here. I love my life, mistakes and all, and I wouldn't change a single thing. After all, it's those mistakes that have helped me grow as a person and those lessons I will hold on to for life.

Preview of Coming Attractions

I already have a pretty long list of different tips that I want to share with you, but if you have specific beauty related questions that you want me to tackle for you just email them to jordancwashington@yahoo.com! 

These posts will start next Tuesday so keep your eyes open and laptops charged.

Something You Love About Yourself - Day 2

I think it goes without saying that I much prefer this question. However, that doesn't make answering it any easier.

I love...

• My eyes. They're ridiculously huge for no reason.
• My lips. I think they are just the perfect shape.
• My smile. I've been told it brightens up a room.
• My skin. I care very deeply (probably too deeply) about maintaining its clarity.
• My curves. I love love love my shape. Breasts, hips, thighs, butt...too much?
• My feet. I think they're cute and little and weird.
• My ability to talk to people. I like being able to strike up great conversations with new people.
• My consideration for people. I generally put the well being of others above myself. Not always the best thing, but hey.
• My empathy. I'm never quick to pass judgement, believe rumors, etc. Probably because I've been on the other end of it. Not fun.

That's all I can come up with for now. I promise if I think of more I'll be sure to add them but for now I'm quite content with my list...and myself. 

Something You Hate About Yourself - Day 1

In case you were wondering about the title, my last post explained that I will be taking on the 30 Days of Truth challenge. Everyday I will post the question as the title and my answer as the post. This is the question for day one, so let's get started!

To tell you the truth I hate that they started off with this question. I mean why start things on a negative note? That being said, I suppose I'll go ahead and embarrass myself now.

I hate...

• The hair on my knuckles and toes. Really, why is that necessary?
• How much I sweat. I truly believe I have a condition.
• My oily facial skin. It makes my skincare regimen that much more difficult and it's nearly impossible to keep my eyeshadow from creasing. Ugh!
• The small hairs I get on my chin thanks to my grandma. That's just unacceptable.
• That I procrastinate! It's an absolutely terrible habit and no matter how many times I've gotten myself in a mess because of it, I still do it. I may need therapy.
• That I bury my emotions. While I am improving on communicating with my loved ones better, because I've done it for years it's still a very hard habit to shake.

I think that's it. I tried to name things that really do bother me as opposed to analyzing every inch of my body or personality. I don't think that's healthy or conducive to good self-esteem. Luckily, all of these things are curable, if not with tangible products then with a little something I like to call, confidence. Yes, I may not like these things about myself but unless I'm directly asked about them, they're definitely not on my mind on a regular basis. I have many more important things to think about and you should too. Acknowledge your flaws and either put a plan in place to change them or embrace them. Then move on!

Truth or Double Truth?

So my friend and fellow blogger, Amber, recently challenged me to do the 30 Days of Truth Tag. I'm so excited to do this because each day asks a new, and very insightful, question. Trust me, I wouldn't do this if it asked things like, "Fav color."

My goal is to start on Monday. Each day I will post the question as my title and the answer as the actual post. The most fun part about it? I'm tagging you! If you have a blog, I challenge you to 30 Days of Truth. Even if you're terrible at keeping up with these types of challenges, I think this one is worth it. You may uncover something about yourself or gain a new perspective by reading someone else's. What do you have to lose?

To find the 30 Days of Truth questions just click this link:
http://amberburns.com/30-days-of-truth/

It wouldn't hurt to follow this beauty while you're at it!

If You're Coming, Come On

If you must know the truth, I sat down to my computer with full intentions of writing a wonderful, heartfelt introduction to my new blog. Now that I'm here, however, it's not quite working out that way. That's fine, most things usually don't go as planned. All that being said I'll just leave it at this: The purpose of this blog is to help me discover and hone my interests. That's right. This is a self-centered blog. Don't say I didn't warn you. My hope is that while I'm on this path of discovery that you also uncover something new and wonderful about yourself. Sure it may be a bit cliché, but I want to go on this journey together.

I must admit I'm not completely lost here. I've come prepared with a slightly worn map for this journey. After all I know six things for sure: I love my family, my friends,  beauty, fashion, music, and writing. Those are essentially the core of who I am, and here is where I will come to express that.

Won't you join me?

Throwback Thursday: Merry Christmas Eve