Real Talk: Keep Pushing Forward

Sunday is closing and the weekend is coming to an end. We dread knowing Monday will be here and it's back to reality if you're like me and work the 9-5. Can I be honest? I'm absolutely not in the most amazing place when it comes to my job. I transitioned from a medical office to medical insurance call center without realizing how big of a difference it was. It leaves me frustrated, mind boggled and very impatient. I don't want to go back to my old job because I feel like a failure but I also don't want to stay in the current because I feel like it's not for me. 

How we do thrust forward? How do we step away from doubt, fear and frustration and find that happy place in our career? 

Thee Lipstick Canvas has been a passion of mine for many years and yet I feel like I've accomplished nothing in my blog. TLC is here for the woman to create her own art, her own beauty and lifestyle. It's to empower and motivate. 

So what have you all done to change your career that you weren't satisfied with or what have you done to make your dreams come true? 

I know the Best is Yet to Come and even when my faith seems so far off I won't give up or stop believing. I CAN, I WILL. 

Lipstick & Love,

Erica 

Fashion Files: Last Night Chronicles

*cues music* Shine bright like a diamond! 

I had the honor of not slipping into my pjs and balling up under the covers last night. I actually got out of the house with my co workers and attended a concert in my city. The likes of Rick Ross, Yo Gotti and other artists graced the stage to rap everyone's favorite songs. 

I enjoyed myself even though the rain turned my natural hair into a poofy poodle style. I had a few drinks, sang to the top of my lungs, and even shook a little tail feather.  

What I wore: Target Jean Top

Forever 21 Lace Skirt

Shoedazzle Cowboy Boots 

Clutch: Can't remember 

Accessories: Variety of Retail Stores 

Sometimes we have to get out and enjoy ourselves after a long, hard work week. 

Lipstick & Love,

Erica. 

Lippie Thoughts: Dear Diary...

Dear Diary, 

I was just laying here with a mind full of thoughts..... 

THINKING..... 

I've been to the top and I've been at the bottom. I've had a lot, and I've had nothing. I'm not impressed by much because I know that we can have everything, just as well as we can lose everything. We experience losses just as we can experience gain. 

Life is a Maze, a roller coaster ride. We become comfortable and we become frustrated when we are out of the comfort zone and feel change. Sometimes we don't think but we act fully off of emotions. 

But all in all, Life is merely up to us. It's what we make of it! 

Sealed with a Kiss, 

Lipstick & Love. 

Summer Style: Birkenstock Trend Sandal

The Birkenstock style is in full effect ladies. I know that I am not the only person who loves how fashionable they have created the Birkenstock trend to be this season. I can remember way back when it was just the regular pair usually created in one color, and now they are made in a variety of styles and patterns.

Let me just be honest here! Shopping in Target is my ultimate weakness, like I seriously think that I need intervention or a detox from the store. Okay, Okay so listen... I went in there one night for some odd reason, probably just to see what I can buy as always and I ran across the Sam&Libby sandal that resembled the Birkenstock. You see I never really thought about purchasing a pair of these before until watching Youtube Guru Vicky Logan Summer 2014 Lookbook: How to Style Birkenstocks and I fell in love with them, like Love at first sight.

I wear them every chance I get, Judge Me If you like. What are your thoughts on the style?

This is how I wore mine for a day at the Salon and relaxing with family :)

Top, Faux Croc Bag, Birkenstocks: Target
Jeans: Robins Jeans (Miami Boutique)
Polish Color: Ferrari Red

Sealed with Lipstick & Love,

Erica 

Mental Boost

Everyone know the saying "What we thinketh, We Are. I believe that this saying is undeniably true indeed. 

We have to think great thoughts, not only think them but BELIEVE! When we think of doubt and fear we become defeated by our situation. When we think that we CAN, we ABSOLUTELY WILL!! 

Clear your mind and Carpe Diem :) 

Sealed with Lipstick & Love,

Erica. 

Confidence Boost: Healthy Hair

Can we say Whoop! Whoop! to a good wash, trimmed ends and a style I love on my natural hair. I've been having a hard time battling with my hair and styles for many months now. To be honest it has affected my confidence tremendously. 

Where it all began is when I shaved my head thinking I was Cassie. *don't side eye me* lol. But I must say I really loved the style. Until it was time to grow my shaved side out and I was lost on what to do with my hair. I have been wearing installs for a long time but in reality I had dealing with the proceeds if sew ins and everything that comes with it. 

I struggle with thin edges and I have such fine hair but one product I have to really mention in this post is SIMPLICITY OIL. It has really helped me out so much. It's a product created by a lady name Lisa and I came across it on Instagram. The product is made with oils such as Jojoba, Tea Tree and Coconut. The regimen I use on myself is to place about 10-15 drops around my edges and massage for a few minutes. I also use it just to moisturize my natural hair before applying heat or whenever needed. It does my weigh my hair down at all. 

I haven't had my natural hair pressed out since I've been transitioning and I must say I'm in love with this style. It boosted my confidence once I looked in the mirror at the salon and I couldn't thank the stylist enough. I must say that I won't be wearing weave for some time. 

What boosts your confidence when it comes to your hair and what kills it at times? Do you have any style or healthy hair tips? 

Skin Care Routine: Heat and Makeup

Let's Toast to Pool Parties, Over-sized Sunglasses and Maxi Dresses..1...2...3...

So, as we all have realized the summer is nearly here and the weather has changed from it's subtle breeze to a mere hot day. During the next season it's obvious that we should change our skin care routine and makeup ritual so that we won't be sweating makeup all day trying to be cute, until we take that one #selfie or slide pass a mirror and realize everything is runny and oily....

Since I have been challenging adult acne over the past months I am always looking for a way to lighten the heavy makeup routine and wear less as possible. My favorite skin care options right now is to wash my face with Aveeno Complexion Foaming Wash or Neutrogena Naturals Acne Scrub followed by my Spa Serum or Shea Moisture's misting toner, and last but not least back to Aveeno Complexion Lotion.





After I complete my normal wash, it's time to apply my makeup. So for the past few days I've tried to keep it as simple as possible. I have hyper-pigmentation and acne scarring and with my fair skin tone it shows if there is no concealer applied first. But right now that does not even matter to me. I feel like as long as my skin is becoming more healthier by the day the scars will fade in their own timing. I've been using Iman BB Cream as my base, followed by my MAC Cosmetics Concealer to brighten under my eye. I then apply my Shea Moisture's blush and ELF Bronzer with a little Mascara  and I'm out the door. I know that may not sound simple but it really is and my skin still shines through instead of a CAKED FACE.






How have you switched up your makeup for those warmer days and months?? We would like some tips from you as well?

Signed & Sealed with Lipstick ----E.W

Beauty: Cosmetics Shopping

It's the season where we don't want to be clogged down with a cake face because the weather is just too hot for all of that. Don't you agree? I've been spending money on trying to find the best beauty products not only for the spring/summer but for my acne prone sensitive skin as well. 

So, let's start from the beginning. Throughout my entire life up until maybe a year and a half ago I've had great skin, and then one day the pimples came, kept coming and never went away. It was due to hormonal factors out of my control. I began suffering from acne prone skin and I wondered if makeup was even a necessity any longer; although it's left me with scars and hyperoigmentation. I started to choose to wear the bare minimum and take frequent breaks in between. What I have learned is that taking really great care of your skin with lots of water and more natural cleansing products helps tremendously. I also found out something you probably will look at this post and say "DUH! We knew that already" but DIET plays such a huge part in healthy skin #totalblonde right? 

Okay enough ranting and raving about my skin issues, lol. 

I've always wanted to try IMAN Cosmetics but every target that I frequently shop at do not carry the line. So, I went to a store maybe 20 minutes away from my area and wallah, let's say TOTAL HEAVEN! Not only did this target sell Iman, but Black Radiance and Shea Moisture Cosmetics. So I decided not to go crazy but indulge a little in makeup products for my skin complexion. See, that's a total plus again to find a cosmetic line that caters to my skin tone. 

I decided to try Shea Moistures foundation, blush and toner. I played in each of these products once I got home to see if I liked them or needed to return them. Don't judge me, lol. I spend unnecessary money on products that go to waste a lot of times.  I've told myself that I can't keep a routine such as that up. Let's just say I love them all. The foundation states sheer but it's a medium to full coverage and I bought the shade in Mahdi Mocha (I think)... I'm more than 95.5% that I'll be wearing it daily. The toner feels very refreshing and the blush is perfect for my newly tanned skin. 

I've heard it's always hard to find a BB Cream for us so I decided to give Iman's a try. It provided just an even layer over my skin but I think that I need to play in it just a little more. The foundation stick was amazing but too dark. I purchased the shade Earth 3 and when I got home and downloaded the app I was Clay. So I'm trying to decide if I want to return them for the correct shade or use the stick as a contour stick. 

I won't go on and on but I recommend you give the products a try for yourself. I'll bring you all a update later on how they held up throughout the day and many more specs. Let me know what cosmetics line works well for you! 

Lipstick & Love...Erica 

It's not that we are Inadequate

DIAGNOSIS: Failure to see things closer than they really are 

COMPLICATIONS: Frustration, Doubt, Fear, Negative Insight, Stress, Anger, Irritable 

INGREDIENTS: The Human Mind & Body 

TREATMENT: Renewing of the Mind:Faith, Prayer

Proper Health: clean eating and exercise 

Love: Give A lot of It

Happiness: Smile like you're in a Pageant  Confidence: Sprinkle some of that glitter from your veins. 

Many times we become frustrated in life only by what the keen eye expose to us, we limit our thinking and only see the current position instead of the mere total vision. It hinders and confuses our mental thoughts. At times we become inedeqate because of our impatience. 

A time or two or three or four in the past few weeks I felt like giving up in so many aspects. I'm such a critical person of myself and I must say others at times that it drains everything from me. My irritability radar and stress level has been at an all time high lately. 

But I ask myself over and over again, Why are you literally killing your positive energy with everything you have in you? 

I end up giving myself a pep speech but my actions still remain the same!! 

What good will that allow me if I'm not changing my thoughts with my habits? Life is tough but we have to realize that we are even tougher. We were designed and built with immaculate strength, with a purpose, and vision and as a masterpiece. 

We watch others and think if they can, I can. Or we say to ourselves how are they doing that; living their dreams, one step away from their true goals but we sometimes don't PROCESS the PROGRESS. 

We have to change our thinking, develop our habits, and chase down all that we want until it can no longer outrun us. 

These past few weeks for me has been a true challenge to my faith and I know that the upcoming weeks may just as well be too but another thing I know is that I'm going to take all I have to reach calamity, peace, and true vision! 

What about you? What challenges are you facing or have overcame? 

Lipstick & Love, Erica....