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.... 

Blooming Season

It's not about the woman who wears her heels very high, It's about the woman who holds her standards and morals and values to the highest! 

A Flower never thinks about competing with the next flower, it just BLOOMS! 

Outfit Deets: 

Leather cut out top: Target

Floral Pants: Forever21 

Leather Cuff Bracelet: 2Bebe

Shoes: Old (maybe Shi by Journeys) 

I've Been Gone For A Minute

It has been over a month since I have written a post. A lot has happened and as you all know I transitioned over to a new job. It is not quite in the medical field but still in the medical field, if that makes any sense. So this post will not be specific to one topic, just my random thoughts and run on sentences, lol. Before I accepted the job offer my entire mindset was new environment, new job title, and just new things in abundance. But I always stated to myself that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. 

Soooo, with that being said my new job has not been all that easy for me to adjust too. I'm just going to be honest. It's the comparison that I make from my old comfort zone and now stepping into the uncomfortable. It's my criticism of self, wanting perfection and to be the best at everything that I do. In the last week I had been overwhelmed and afraid that I was going to mess up at something, that I only made everything tougher. It's that when we know our strengths and what we are capable of we expect so much more from ourselves at all times but we have to realize to just breath and take each task one step at a time. We know that soon we will achieve our ultimate goal/s. 

Now that my vent session is out of the way. I hope all has been well for you who do stop by to read my little ole' blog. :) 

Isn't it crazy how we know what we want in life but it often seems so unattainable? I feel like I've had so many dreams and goals but I haven't achieved them. I'm still just daydreaming and no further action to inspire the world. I see others going after what they want and making it happen and I think to myself what am I doing wrong or what else do I need to put forth. 

I really would love for Thee Lipstick Canvas to become a place of empowerment and inspiration. A website mixer where we as women chat together on our favorite topics such as fashion, faith, beauty, family life and much more. I want to be a motivational speaker, philanthropist, and I want this site to become a place where many people love to hit the URL link. It isn't for show, it's a passion that I hope to one day turn into reality.

What are you doing to go after your dreams and make them happen?

Lipstick & Love, XOXO ---Erica 

The Return of H.E.R.

The Return of I, H.E.R. 

Last time I posted I told you all of my new career move and I'm one week into my new job. My mind has been super full and filled with lots of new information pertaining to my position. It's crazy how we can be so happy for change but then doubt our moves. This was me at first but then I realized I have to pat myself on the back and be happy for my progression. So with that being said I'm excited for a new venture and much abundance. 

We have to keep reminding ourselves that we have the power to always be in a happy space. Sometimes we give other people or other things power over our position. We critique ourselves and sometimes it causes hindrance, because what we don't realize is that we fear self because we know but don't always understand that we are capable of greatness. 

Remember that you don't have to change for anyone unless it's for betterment. Accept positive feedback, be receptive to valuable information and do what's best to better you and others around you. 

A leader serves. She isn't of ego but of humility. 

Lipstick & Love, xoxo