It's OFFICIAL: Lifestyle Beauty Bar is HERE!

It's so OFFICIAL right now Ladies & Gentleman. I have revamped my blog into a brand. To say the least, I am excited and very nervous. 

We are now LIFESTYLE BEAUTY BAR! Formerly known as THEE LIPSTICK CANVAS! The new site will launch in June but for now you can go check out www.lifestylebeautybar.com/enterthebar for VIP access to the updates and news. 

It hasn't been easy at all but it's been amazing to build my new baby from the bottom again. There will be lots of AFFORDABLE BEAUTY TIPS| HEALTH AND FITNESS BUZZ| & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CHATS for you all. 

So without further adu, I'll talk with you all soon over at LIFESTYLE BEAUTY BAR. 

Behind the Scenes: Blogger Lifestyle Evolution

It's exciting when one learns that it's time to transition into a new phase in life. When we feel as if it's time to grow to new levels, reach new heights and show the world what's inside of you. 

It's so easy to doubt yourself, to be scared to make major moves without knowing the outcome. But, have you realized that success is waiting on the opposite side of fear? 

If you aren't aware, I am in transition with Thee Lipstick Canvas. I have been working so hard BTS over the last few weeks. TLC will be "formerly known" in the upcoming months. 

There will be a new name, new site and so much more that I'm excited to share really soon. It's time to expand and become more of a business and brand. 

I promise that you all will really love what I have in store. It will still be a Lifestyle and Beauty site where I will be giving you lots of valuable content and resources. 

I'm really confident about the new venture. So stick around and I'll be giving you full access to everything really soon! 

Thanks so much for taking the time to ride with me on this passionate journey!  

Lipstick Chats: Depression, Worth, Self-Esteem

Geesh , I've had to edit the the first sentence over and over, so Happy Thursday Beauties, it's been a long but great week for me!... I've decided that I want to start a topic titled "Lipstick Chats." We will discuss everything that you can think of  in these chats, and I believe that they will be very helpful and inspiring, not only for myself but to others as well. 

As I always say, this blog is very transparent. No use of sugar coating or masking important subjects that individuals come across on a daily basis. 

One topic that stays in silence is DEPRESSION. Depression is a huge factor that has hit many individuals and many people still struggle with it day to day. It can be because they feel lost in life, they have a  partner or family members who makes them feel worthless, they hate their job, or they can't get out of the rut that they have been in for years. Whatever it is, I want to inspire you to KEEP PUSHING and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. 

There are many signs of Depression, take a look at this list below. 

via Help Guide

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
• Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You've lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
• Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
• Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
• Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
• Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
• Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
• Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
• Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.

We may know someone or we may have been the person suffering from depression or noticed the signs. Life can hand us our own ass sometimes but what I want you to realize is that DO NOT LET ONE BAD DAY, or ONE BAD SITUATION MAKE YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE A BAD LIFE! Get out around people who make you smile, who keeps you uplifted. Rid yourself of anything that does not deposit into your happiness. Listen to others, that may be all that they need. And smile, You're Worth Everytrhing that you think you are. 

Muah! 

 

BIG Business (Woman Files) 1587: Want to be FEATURED on THEE BLOG?

                                                   CC: 123rf.com/google.com


Besides my love for beauty and skincare, this blog is solely based on Lifestyle. I consider myself a (Newly Founded) Business Woman with a  Lifestyle and Beauty/Skincare Blog. It's not always easy being a woman and creating a business, especially an African-American woman. But, we have broken barriers, statistics, and we are honestly doing our thing when it comes to entrepreneurship and careers.

What is sometimes sad is that we as women feel insecure, can be jealous, and want to compete with other women because we don't want them to get to the top spot? LET'S JUST KEEP IT ALL THE WAY REAL FOR A SECOND LADIES! You know this happens in the world everyday.

BUT....

We also have women who love to empower other women, and support them. We see now that ladies are actually building a partnership and brand together. WHICH I THINK IS FABULOUS. Sometimes we don't realize that team work makes the dream work, and that if we help one another out we all could build our dreams and goals personally.

SO.....

Enough chatting,

If you are a woman who has a sense of STYLE, a woman who is all into BEAUTY and MAKEUP, or you are an ENTREPRENEUR, working a 9-5, I want to feature you here on the THEE LIPSTICK CANVAS.

Not only will I ask women to be featured because I think that they are amazing at whatever it is that they are doing, I want you to be able to feature yourself to give us more insight into your business.


To be considered for a feature, contact me via email at : theelipstickcanvas@gmail.com

Subject Line should state: Business Woman Files or BIG Business 1587


I look forward to shining some light on you all!

Lipstick & Love,

Erica 

Lifestyle: LIVE + Fitness

I've talked before about being alive but not truly feeling alive. It could be that you are drowned out by your career, your lifestyle, bad habits and/or relationships. 

One thing that has had me in this state has been my career, searching for purpose while pursuing passion. One day I woke up and decided that I no longer wanted to feel stressed and on top of that I no longer wanted to feel uncomfortable in my clothes and unhealthy. 

I woke up grabbed my Polar Fitness Watch, threw on clothes and plugged Pandora into my ears and started for a 30 minute walk. Upon that walk I felt motivated, released baggage, and kept pushing and I haven't stopped yet. 

I started March 8th, and it has felt really great. Now there have been setbacks such as this week, I've ate poorly and have had minimum exercise but trust me when I tell you I won't be giving up this time around. To see and feel those small changes is empowerment to keep going. 

Find someone who motivates you or find reasons why you should stay determined and BEGIN! Can't wait to show progress pics, more detailed food and exercise regimens, and workout gear. 

Current 3: BEAUTY & SKINCARE Favorites

Every month I would like to share my Favorite Beauty and Skincare Products with my lovely readers via blog posts or a YT Video. We all know by now that taking care of your body internally and your externally reaps the benefits of healthy skin. But, sometimes we all may have to combat a skin disorder that is out of our control.

So enough yapping, let's jump right in to my current favorites. 

1. Simple, Micellar Cleansing Water has been one of my ride or die products ever since it was purchased. This product is made to cleanse, remove makeup, and hydrate your skin. There was so much raving about Micellar Water that I had to give it a try. 

HOW I USE THE PRODUCT: After a very long workday and I'm sort of on the lazy side, I use it to cleanse my skin from all the pollutants from the day and hop in bed; think of it as my makeup remover wipe without the wipe, lol. Also since I have added retinol in my regimen which tends to make my skin peel, this refreshes my face after toning. 

 2. Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair is a product that I wanted to give a shot. It had so many benefits to this moisturizer that I could not just walk pass it on the shelf. It is packed with Sunscreen, SPF 30, Retinol, and Vitamin C. I mean really what more can a lady ask for. Dealing with hyper-pigmentation and acne spots, I wanted a moisturizer that will combat my problematic skin.

HOW I USE THIS PRODUCT: I like to apply this product after toning my skin and right before I leave the house. Dealing with acne scarring the sun can actually make those spots worse, so the high SPF really helps to shield your skin. I do not like to apply this everyday because the retinol does make your skin peel.

 3. Bio-Oil is an oldie but goody. I love this because it combats many problems such as scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone and more. Having oily skin, I've always been afraid of using oils but it actually works well. It's like killing two birds with one stone.

HOW I USE THIS PRODUCT: I use it like a spot treatment, I apply the product to my dark spots and massage it into my skin. I also use this product on my tummy area due to stretch marks and my bikini line for any shaving spots.

Beauty First Impressions: Maybelline FIT Me Matte & Poreless

I decided to try out a new foundation. For awhile I decided to do away with foundation and wear BB Cream. Because of my sensitive skin, breakouts, etc I did not want anything heavy on my face. 

I recently purchased Maybelline FIT Me Foundation. One thing that caught my attention is that it was Matte and Poreless. My oily skin gals know what I mean when we find anything that says Matte. 

The shade I purchased was #355 Coconut. 

What I love about this foundation 

1. It is lightweight but it is full coverage. 

2. It literally takes a nickel sized dab to cover my entire face. 

3. The shade matches my skin perfectly. I do not have to mix any other shade with this foundation. 

4. You can wear it for at least 4/5 hours without getting oily in the T-Zone. 

The picture above shows my first time applying the foundation without a primer to test it out. 

I would definitely recommend it. Thumbs up! Now when I apply foundation this is my first go to. Some compare it to MAC and Estée Lauder Foundation. 

Try it out and let me know your thoughts.