LIVING WITH FINESSE: FINDING YOUR PASSION

Hey Finesses! Have you ever sat down and thought what is my purpose in life?  What is my passion?  Finding and claiming something you love will have an amazing effect on your life.  Here are questions to ask yourself to help you find your passion:

• TAKE TALLY OF YOUR TALENTS:  What are you naturally good at that you don't mind doing.  Discovering these things is a great way to unearth potential passion.  Please note that you don't have to be good at something to be passionate about it for it to qualify as passion.  You don't ever have to earn a penny either.  Talent is simply a clue to a possibilities.

• PAY ATTENTION TO WHO OR WHAT MAKES YOU JEALOUS OR ANNOYED:  Upon closer inspection, is it that you wish you could live your life in that fashion?  Whether we like to accept it or not, we are often envious of the people that are living out our passions. 

• WHAT DID YOU LOVE TO DO AS A CHILD:  This may be the easiest way to unearth your passion.  Before the big people get to them, most children know exactly who they are and what makes them happiest.  Obsessed with animals--veterinarian, Dress Up- sign up for acting classes in your free time.  Finger painting-sign up for art classes. Sang all the time? Join a church choir

• WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHEN YOU LOSE TRACK OF TIME, OR WHAT DO YOU HATE TO STOP DOING:  No brainer here...my guess it is something that you have full fledge passion for.

Finally open your self to the possibility.  Don't be afraid to get it wrong.  Look at  your search for passion as an adventurous journey.  You will learn more about yourself and grow.  Take note of what you loved and made you feel like a kid again.  Now go find your PASSION, because a passionate life is a #finessedlife!!!!

As I live life, my passions evolve but these seem to be constant

Talk About It Tuesday

Hey Finessees!  When I started this blog a few months ago, my intentions were to use it as a means to share room makeovers in my home( see those here, and here), health tidbits, financial empowerment,  and lil bit of fashion.  MyFinessedLife has truly jump started my creative side and taught me new things about myself.

Those topics are such a small part of my life.  Going forward, my posts may at times  be random or have a more inward focus-meaning I may be more reflective of my own personal finessing.

Thanks for your support and taking this ride on the finessed roller coaster as we grow (i.e. figure things out).

Neutral Ground: My "No MakeUp" Makeup Look

Hey Finessess!  Lately I've been getting emails inquiring about my make up routine referencing pics from my instagram account.  I am impressed by the stalking you're doing.  LOL

Joi over at rxfitnesslady.com has challenged me to a 7 day blog.  The first is to solve a problem for MyFinessedLife readers. Here's to hoping that this make up tutorial fits the bill.

1NYX Studio Perfect Primer, Clear, 1.0 oz/30ml
/ 2 Iman BB Cream  /3MAC 'Pro Longwear' Concealer / 4MAC Moisture Foundation/ 5 No7 Highlights Illuminator
/ 6 NARS Blush & Bronzer Duo/ 7 NYX Cosmetics Natural Eye Shadow Palette 
/ 8 Benefit They'Re Real! Mascara
/ 9 Buxom Lip Polish

Start with a clean face (cleansing previously posted here).

1. PRIMER Prime your face. Makeup lasts longer and blends better on a primed face.

2. BB CREAM If you have great skin, you can use BB Cream instead in lieu of primer and foundation.  BB cream aka beauty balm an all-in-one facial cosmetic that replaces serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation, and sunblock. It can be worn alone as a tinted moisturizer, over serum and moisturizer as a regular foundation, and under powder, depending on the desired amount of coverage.

3.CONCEALER Use concealer to mask dark circles, age spots and other small blemishes on skin.

4. FOUNDATION  Blend well!  This is key to looking natural.

5. ILLUMINATOR Illuminator brightens the face giving you a dewy youthful face.I put it down the bridge of my nose, just under my brow bone, and on my cheek bone.

6.BLUSH/BRONZER I smile and apply blush the the apple of the cheek. Then I suck my cheeks in and apply bronzer to the hollows for a more contoured effect.

7. EYESHADOW Keep eyeshadow simple. Choose a color one or two shades above or below your skin tone. Your goal is to only have a hint of color. 

8. MASCARA Add a few swipes of mascara

9. LIP GLOSS. Nude lips have come a long way. It doesn't have to be all brown. Choose a gloss or lipstick similar to your lip color. Choose caramel and pink for lighter complexions and cinnamon tones for darker complexions.  Sometimes I put foundation and clear gloss on the lips for a true neutral look.

Some of my neutral looks:

Summer Face

For spring and summer, my makeup goal is to look fresh faced...think summer glow.  Magazine ads although air brushed, make me green with envy!  The models have the perfect glow and no pores.  Aquiring this look is impossible  tough, especially after a long brutal skin drying winter.   My recommendations are a few tweaks with the change of season to whip that gorgeous face into shape:

(From Right to Left) Olay Fresh Effects S'wipe Out! Refreshing Make-Up Removal Cloths / Decleor Aroma Cleanse Fresh Purifying Gel / Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System

(Left to Right) Cane + Austin Retexturizing Treatment Pads  / Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength / Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Peel & Reveal Revitalizing Mask

(Right to Left) Origins Out Of Trouble™ 10 Minute Mask  / Juice Beauty Organic Facial Rejuvenating Mask / GLAMGLOW Super-Mud Clearing Treatment  Healthy glowing  skin is soooo #finessed.  

Going Gatsby

It seems everywhere I turn, I see a woman sporting a roaring 20's bob.  I am a huge fan of bobs and wore my hair during my teen years in an asymmetric bob.  Love the do but just not willing to cut my hair in all those layers EVER again.  Here's how to get a glam bob without cutting your hair.

HOW TO STYLE YOUR HAIR IN A FAUX BOB:

• Create a deep side part above the arch of one of your eyebrows
• Using a one inch flat iron, curl your hair from the temple down, then brush for loose waves.
• Tuck and pin hair in a bun at the nape of your neck to create a faux bob, then pull a few front strands loose.

Skin Finesse: My Bad Skin Habits

If you are a person a color, then you are familar with the phrase BLACK DON'T CRACK.  Well, my  pigmented brothers and sisters, if you have some bad habits like myself you may be experiencing  a few fractures...EEK!  Bad skin habits can be the difference between a healthy glowing complexion and irritated, damage skin.  I KNOW is should be treating my skin better, but laziness is getting in the way.


2 BAD SKIN HABITS THAT I HAVE TO BREAK:

1. NOT WASHING MY FACE AT NIGHT EVEN WHEN WEARING MAKEUP

Sleeping in makeup is clogging my pores.  I'm risking eye infections, and making my eyelashes sparse.  Currently, I am trying Mario Badescu products.  Early Review...LOVE  Now to use it before bed.

2.  KEEPING MAKEUP TOO LONG- Make up starts to harbor bacteria. Based on  articles I've found at Cosmetics Suite101, and Confessions of a Product Junkie and About: Skincare, here is a list of the shelf lives of specific products:

Foundation and Concealers: 12 months (water based/oil-free), 18 months (oil-based).

Powder : 2 years.
Blush and bronzer: 2 years (powder), 12-18 months (cream).
Eye liner: Sharpen it regularly and it will last up to 3 years (pencil), 3-6 months (liquid).
                                Eye shadow: 2-3 years (powder), 12-18 months (cream).
                                Lipstick and Liners: 2-3 years.
                                Lip gloss: 18-24 months.
                               Mascara: Some experts say 3-4 months. Others say 6 months maximum. No matter 
                              whom you’re choosing to listen to, all experts agree that mascara has one of the shortest  

                              shelf life. Think of your mascara as a petri dish for bacteria.  
                              Nail polish: 12 months ( Sorry just won't conform to this one)

                              Applicators (brushes and sponges): 3-6 months. Wash them regularly

                              Moisturizer, Toner, Exfoliants, Eye creams: 6-12 months

                              Lip balm: 1-2 years     

6 Household Items Worth the Splurge

When it comes to household appliances, I am a firm believer in the saying you get what you pay for. Appliances get a lot of wear and tear. I am willing to pay more up front for quality and durability where as my husband is not.  Thus we are on washer/dryer #2 due to his frugality within 7 years.  But this second time.... Mrs FinessedLife got what she wanted.  Here are six household items worth the splurge.

Knife Set
Well-crafted cutlery can last a lifetime, so you’ll never need to replace them if chosen wisely. With that said, the most expensive sets aren’t necessary unless you’re a professional, but spending $200 to $400 on a knife block will buy you durable steel blades that resist corrosion and stains. Also invest in a sharpener, available for as little as $20 if it doesn’t come with the set, will keep your knives slicing, dicing and carving for years to come.  


Cookware

Quality pots, pans and casserole dishes can last for decades. Low-end pieces can become warped from heat and cheap non-stick surfaces can chip away, finding their way into your food. Instead, invest in solid pieces made of stainless steel, aluminum or cast iron. Look for non-stick cookware free of PFOA, a carcinogen that has been widely used in non-stick coatings.  (Read more about PFOA here). Invest in reputable brands.  Your body will thank you.

Coffee Maker
Depend on your morning coffee fix? A top-notch machine will not only save you from spending $4 on a store-bought latte, it can also produce better-tasting coffee compared to cheaper brands.  Higher end brewers have better water filtration systems and higher boiling points. Since coffee tastes best when it’s super hot, you want a machine that steeps between 195 and 205 degrees for that perfect cup. If you only want enough coffee to fill your travel mug before dashing out the door, consider a single-serve machine to reduce wasted leftovers. A $150 coffee maker will pay for itself in 3months. 

Steam Iron
By far my least favorite chore, ironing. This task would make me even more miserable with a cheap iron.  A low quality iron can damage your clothes, leak water, stain items, and fail to reach the proper temperature. Quality irons start at around $75 and have the following key features: fast heating and an anti-drip seal. Also look for stainless steel or ceramic-sole plates, which glide best over a variety of fabrics. It doesn’t have to have a lot of steam holes to be effective. 

Washer/Dryer
Speaking from experience, consider your needs. Do you have unique cleaning challenges that require special features?  Go for efficiency. Do you put loads in before bed? Perhaps you need quiet features. Also consider capacity. Also determine if you need a gas or electric dryer.   Also always buy a matching set.  They are most efficient that way.


Vacuum Cleaner
One chore I actually enjoy doing.  It's  mini workout in my head.  The fresh vacuumed lines in a  rug or upholstered item do something for me 0_o.  A smart budget here is between $200 and $400. Consumer Reports says a full-size canister vacuum, while more expensive than an upright, does tend to last an average of two years longer.  While you’re shopping, look for a model with a suction control switch, which will allow you to clean different types of floor surfaces. An edge cleaner picks up dirt and debris under the entire area of the cleaning head so you can vacuum right up to the wall. And for deep cleaning, pick a vacuum with manual carpet height adjustment. A top-notch vacuum should last about seven years. If you spend $300 and clean once a week, that breaks down to just 82 cents per use.

What items have you splurged on for your home?