Understanding The Journey To Success

Who determines whether or not a person is considered successful? And what qualities must a person have to be considered as such? Does having a big house with a white-picket fence, expensive car, happy family, fulfilling job, etc. all determine whether or not a person is considered successful? Perhaps your definition of success does not include having any of the above, but is measured solely on the fact that you're happy. And if that's the case, I'm happy for you because I think that success is above all determined by happiness. 

If you google the word success online, you'll find a variety of definitions that generally say more or less the same thing. Many of the definitions comment on the achievement of wealth, respect or fame and give a nod to attaining popularity or prosperity. And some of you may completely agree with that definition of success because it really is in the eye of the beholder. One person may have a completely different definition of success to another because every person is on their own path to achieving their own personal goals and ambitions. I've come to understand that the journey to success can seem relatively unclear especially when you're in your early twenties. No matter what your definition of success may be, the journey to get there is without a doubt frustrating and can leave you feeling completely lost. Throughout life up until this point, the road has been clear for most of us. As a kid, your job is to go to school, get good grades and continue your education until you graduate high school. In college, you continue learning in your desired field all the while thinking you're a young adult, independent and all that jazz. Your first full-time job is undeniably the wake up call of real life. That's what it felt like for me anyway.

Just know that there is no clear road to finding success on your journey. All we really can do is take each day at a time and continue to work hard to keep our passions alive. With each passing day, it can become easy to loose sight of what it is we really want and I know that first hand. We're caught up in our daily lives and the routine of sleep, eat, work, weekend, repeat, etc. As a busy young professional, I think it's all too easy to loose that fire that sparks our ambition to stay motivated. If we don't pay close attention to it, that drive can easily fade away and we'll look back on our young lives further into adulthood with regrets and the feeling of "what could have been." Take a step back and think about what your journey to success looks like. Are you actively working to get there? You deserve to give yourself the chance, don't forget that.

Makeup

Eyes: Naked Basics, MAC Fluidline Blacktrack, Ardell Demi Wispies

Foundation: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream

Bronzer: Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Blush: Hourlgass Ethereal Glow Ambient Lighting Blush

Lips: ColourPop Lady Pencil, ColourPop Tulle

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Cool For The Summer: Off-The-Shoulder

It was a Sunday afternoon and I had spent a good portion of the day writing in bed while listening to Fleetwood Mac. I was having a typical relaxing Sunday and was loving every minute of it. I'm all about a little R&R, but definitely don't want to feel like I've wasted any time indoors especially when it's too nice to not get out and enjoy the warm weather. I put on a nice, new off-the-shoulder dress and some makeup to make me feel refreshed and snap out of lazy Sunday mode. I think that's what I love most about summer. You can easily throw on a dress or a t-shirt and shorts in 30 minutes or less. No need to worry about a coat, hat, gloves, socks or any of the annoyances that come with winter like having to shovel your car out of the snow. Because you all know how much fun that is.

The off-the-shoulder trend is definitely back full force this summer along with chokers, which I'm very pleased about. Shout out to all of my 90's gals because I honestly do wish I remembered more of that magical decade. Who doesn't love Saved by the Bell, Beanie Babies and Third Eye Blind? Pop culture just isn't as cool anymore. Chokers have actually been around for centuries, but I think the 90's really takes the cake because the stretch tattoo chokers were the bomb. The off-the-shoulder trend has returned from the 50's when movie stars like Bridget Bardot and Grace Kelly flaunted their collarbones with the likes of off-the-shoulder tops in movies and red carpet events.

It seems my Instagram feed, Bloglovin' feed and every other social media feed is flooding with off-the-shoulder tops and dresses from various different brands and bloggers in all shades of pastel and white. It's no wonder why I decided that a light blue off-the-shoulder dress needed to be part of my wardrobe. And I'm not even too fussy when it comes to keeping up with the trends, but I just adore this one. There is something so elegantly sexy about this style without it overtly trying to be. I think I'll continue to appreciate the luxuries of summer like being able to wear a dress like this on a beautiful day with my guy as we walk in the park nearby. The sunset that night was absolutely beautiful and it's days like these that make me feel really lucky to be able to enjoy the simple things in life. Not to sound too corny and all!

What's your idea of the perfect Sunday afternoon and what will you be wearing? 

Denim Off-The-Shoulder Dress I Zara

Colorblocked D-Frame Sunglasses I Urban Outfitters

Kittyy Sandals I Steve Madden

 Mini MAC Convertible Crossbody Bag I Rebecca Minkoff (See similar)

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Get Ready With Me: Glowy & Fresh Summer Makeup

I definitely prefer a quick and easy makeup look during the summer as opposed to going all out with a full face of makeup which may include a full coverage foundation, heavy eyeshadow and some false lashes. I mean don't get me wrong, I definitely do like to spend more time on my makeup than most people as I find it to be weirdly therapeutic. Anyone else with me? Now that the weather is getting warmer and nights getting longer, I'm all about spending less time inside getting ready and more time enjoying the sunshine with friends and family. Heavy makeup just sweats off your face during the summer anyway and it's the most dreaded of circumstances especially when you're at a party, wedding or some sort of special occasion. Let's get on the minimal makeup train for a few months because I'm all about it.

FOUNDATION/CONCEALER: Last summer I used the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream almost everyday. I pulled it out of the bottom of my unorganized pile recently and have since been using it on a regular basis for the past few weeks. I almost forgot how much I loved this stuff. It's incredibly soothing and cooling on the skin, which is perfect for the 80-90 degree summer days. I also find the coverage to be just as good as many of my medium to full coverage foundations. Winner. I also enjoy wearing the Origins Smarty Plants CC SPF 20 Skin Complexion Corrector on those days when I just can't be bothered with normal foundation. Next on my list to try is the adored Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer because I've only heard great things. Let me know if any of you have tried it and what you think. I've been using the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer under my eyes for about a year now. I should probably try something new, but hey, it's hard to change things up when you really love something.

BROWS: I definitely love a fuller brow compared to a skinny one (who honestly loves skinny brows though?). I've also seen brows that take things a bit too far by being massively overdrawn and far too thick. My preference is a nice, full brow, but very natural at the same time. Benefit is launching an entire collection solely dedicated to brows in late June, which I'm very excited about. At the moment, my everyday brow routine consists of my Tarte eyebrow pencil, which has sadly been discontinued followed by the L'Oréal Brow Gel Mascara, which is a great, cheaper alternative for Benefit's Gimme Brow.

BRONZER: Lately, I've loving using the Benefit Hoola Bronzer with my Too Faced Kabuki Brush. I apply it all over the high points of my face where the sun would naturally hit: top of the forehead, cheekbones and jawline. Just think that bronzer application should be a "3" shape on either side of your face. If I'm not feeling like using powder, I'll put on Benefit Dew The Hoola Matte Liquid Bronzer, which is such a dreamy product especially for this time of year.

EYES/LIPS: My favorite makeup to buy is eyeshadow because I find that putting on eye makeup is definitely the most fun as there are so many different colors and options to choose from (creamy eyeshadows, eyeshadow pencils, powder eyeshadows, etc.) My favorite shades to wear at the moment are light shimmery and golden bronze shades. For this look, I used the Tartelette 2 In Bloom Palette, which is one of my favorite palettes I own because I get so much use out of every shade. I used the color funnygirl all over my eyelid and then swept firecracker over the top. I also blended both shades under my waterline with a pencil brush. Lastly, I lined my lashline and waterline with Stila Lionfish Smudge Stick Eyeliner, which is a beautiful deep bronze sheen. I finished the look off with my eyelash curler, Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara and ColourPop Midi on the lips.

GOING FOR THE GLOW? Then you're not done yet. I used my ring finger to put Becca Champagne Pop Shimmering Skin Perfector underneath my brow bone, cupid's bow and cheekbones for the ultimate highlight. To top it off, I used my Real Techniques Power Brush to lightly apply MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Lightscapade all over my face. Insert sassy girl emoji in pink with her hand out like she's holding an invisible tray. I love her.

xx JG

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Five New Beauty Things I'm Loving

I've added five new beauty products to my growing collection that I've been loving using recently. I remember when my stash fit entirely into one rather small makeup bag. Choosing what to bring on vacation was as easy as taking the only makeup bag I owned with me. Now my stash is what you would consider an "organized mess" because I have lip products with eye pencils mixed in with highlighters and concealers. I plan to have a new set up for my collection once I move in the next couple of months so stay tuned for a makeup storage post, which I'm really looking forward to putting together. Here's to adding a few more beauty bits and bobs that I don't have room for...oops. I must say they are all pretty perfect for summer and therefore needed. Am I right?

Benefit Dew The Hoola Matte Liquid Bronzer. Summer is almost here and this product has been my absolute favorite to use now that the weather is warm and my pale face needs a little bronzy glow action. The color this product gives your skin is the most believable bronze because it's not too orangey or fake looking. The formula is incredibly smooth and lightweight, which is perfect for buildable coverage. Did I mention it smells like a tropical getaway? 

Stila Lionfish Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner. I'm all about the bronze lately and this shade well, it's just the most beautiful deep bronze sheen with flecks of gold I've ever seen. I normally pick up certain products based on what I've seen on blogs, what beauty influencers are loving and so on. I never heard about Lionfish previously, but a little trip to Ulta on a rainy day was the perfect time to discover a great new product. I swatched Stila's Lionfish and it went straight into my basket. My favorite way to wear it is to line my upper lash line after I've swiped a bronzy/gold eyeshadow all over my lid. Then I smudge it out with my MAC 219 pencil brush. 

Too Faced Kabuki Brush. If you're considering getting a new brush for bronzer/blush/powder application, I highly suggest you consider this one. Not only does this brush have incredibly cute packaging, it's also retractable, which makes it perfect for traveling. I love that you can essentially use it to apply bronzer, blush, or powder although I mainly use it for bronzer. Its teddy-bear bristles are incredibly soft and blend in makeup for a flawless application.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Lightscapade. Here's another product that is perfect for that summer glow you're looking for. This 77-mineral complex slow-baked powder adds a radiant highlight to your skin. You can use it strategically to buff highlight onto the high points of your face or blend it subtly all over your face for a sheer, luminous glow which is my preferred method.

ColourPop Midi. You may have seen my recent post featuring a few ColourPop Cosmetics items I ordered recently. I really love all of the liquid lipsticks I now have, but I think Midi might just be my favorite. Trap is definitely a close second. Midi is a soft, neutral pink/beige shade that is really perfect for any occasion and a great, everyday shade.

xx JG

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