Update: Where Have I Been?

 Since we last spoke, a whirlwind of things have been happening and though I've missed blogging I have been forced to prioritize everyday things over being able to sit down for a minute and produce content. Not to worry, they have been mostly good things but they have demanded quite a lot of my time. 

I have pondered whether I should share what's been happening, and how much I should share and I've decided to share only that which will affect this blog moving forward so as to maintain some privacy for my family and myself but still keep you guys in the loop a bit. So I'll stop rambling and give you my updates:

1. We're having a baby!!!

I learnt that contrary to popular belief, you're pregnant for more than nine months. I have found myself seeking out mommy blogs of calm mothers who juggle earning as well as being caregiver and I feel like that will be an added element of the blog in the future. I know that our lives will change beyond anything we can imagine so I am just taking it one day at a time and trying not to figure out how or who I'll be after the birth.

2.  I have closed/ put on hold my jewellery business

When I first started Namesake, I was working for myself and could handle quality control, processing and customer service because I could structure my time. Once I started working for someone else it became a definite struggle. It required using a delivery man, and someone who was unfamiliar with following up with customs and/or customers to handle queries. Further, asking clients to wait eight hours for a response to an inquiry was not a good idea. Eventually, because I could not get the help I needed, we decided to close the store for now.

3. I've been assigned more responsibility

I am now in charge of more than just myself. This means ultimately I have less time for myself at work but more things to do. This has required some massive re-organization in the way I carry out my daily tasks and requires me to learn and carry out management skills I had previously relied on infrequently. I now have to actively work on growing myself as a person and an employee and it's been quite the learning curve.

4. I'm writing a book...

Sigh. I'm writing a book I hope to finish by the end of this year. I feel compelled to write it and to finish it. I will be sharing snippets right here on the blog so you can look out for that. I really really hope you like it and will be able to see my vision and why it's so important for me to write it.

There are many more changes I wish I could share with you. Some you will notice if you pay close attention over time, others will have to remain a secret. I have a new appreciation for personal style and clothes, now that I can't fit into 80%  of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe so I know I will be curating my style and the things I talk about on this blog more carefully from here on out.

Thank you so much for sticking with me through this time and look out for more posts in the future.

'til lata,

*Jane

Read More

Review - L'Oreal True Match Blush

I first bought this product four years ago when I was shopping for new makeup to wear to work. I was just starting my job and I wanted to have the easy go-to of blush, mascara and neutral eye shadow. I knew I wanted something sheer that I could just swipe on and go without worrying about spending several minutes trying to blend it away or it looking too loud or too shimmery.

I spotted this at the beauty counter inside Michie Supermarket on the boulevard in Kingston, Jamaica. I don't remember if I got a chance to swatch it but typically I'm drawn to rosier colours so I picked up the true match blush in Cool C5-6 'rosy outlook' and I have repurchased it three times since. Every time I hit pan I scout out where still has it in stock and put a reminder in my phone to go out and purchase it. It is always in my makeup bag and though I rarely need to reapply it, I will layer it on if I am taking my look from day to night without going home. It has the uncanny ability to blend seamlessly over the product I had applied in the morning and sculpt my cheeks while making me look rosier at the same time. In case you haven't noticed, I'm saying you should go out and buy this now now now! 

Peer pressure aside, (teehee) here is the break down of my review of this product:

source

Packaging
The packaging for this product is not anything to write home about really. It's a grey compact with a transparent circle at the top so you can see the colour of the product. The labelling is easy to read and the blushes come in two different tones - cool and warm. Supposedly if you have blue undertones you should go for the cool blushes and if you have olive undertones then you should go for the warm blushes. I have an olive undertone and this cool blush looks pretty great on me if I may so myself so don't limit yourself. 
Where this becomes special is when you realize that this is actually two compacts in one. The top lid is the blush and the bottom compartment is a mirror with an angled brush that is super soft. I was also really impressed with the two little protrusions inside the bottom compartment that help keep the brush in place because really no one can stand that rattling around inside their makeup bag. 
This is pretty darn convenient especially if you're on the go. Just slip this in your bag and at the stoplight you can swipe on some blush and mascara and boom you're instantly more polished. The angled brush also makes application a breeze. It isn't one of those cheap-o brushes that prick you and shed like crazy when you're trying to apply the product. It's small but not too small and is just big enough to do the trick.
Over time you will notice that the writing on the top will fade and that the product may seep outside the perimeter of the rim especially if your handbag gets a few knocks. Thankfully though, it has not shattered and hopefully it won't.

 

Pricing
When I first bought this it was about $700. I haven't purchased it in a while but I will shortly as I have hit pan on the one I'm currently using. The last time I saw it, it was maybe $1,100 JMD. This makes it range in the mid-level of pricing. However, it will last you eons as the colour pay off is excellent, and the brush doesn't absorb alot of the product but deposits it nicely on your cheek. The colours and formula are also pretty unique as it is extremely blendable. This is probably the only blush I have that I can apply with my fingers in the dark because I know it will blend out nicely. You can get it on amazon here.


Application
The true match blush is super blendable, sheer and it layers nicely. I've used it with my fingers, various brushes including the brush it came with and I get pretty much the same effect. The first application is sheer but you can see the colour nicely along your cheek. I have never tried to apply it wet but I have layered it over cream blushes and it has not caked up. I just think the formula is pretty finely milled. 
If you look at it closely you may see some sparkles but this does not transfer to your cheek when you apply it. The blush is a matte finish but the texture is super silky so you genuinely don't have to worry about it being too bold even if you have a heavy hand.

Durability
I can wear this for about 6-8 hours without worrying about it fading. It fades pretty evenly along the cheek but if you apply it like a contour and sweep it under your cheek, it tends to fade a little less quickly - or at least on me. I have no clue why. When it fades it leaves a light colour with no oily residue  or sheen which is a problem I have seen with other blushes with a similar texture.

Results
I'm very impressed with this and will always have it in my makeup collection. The selection of colours that are available in Jamaica is quite shoddy to say the least. I wouldn't mind if they changed the package colour to something more alluring. I don't really find grey makeup products alluring but maybe that's just me. That aside, I genuinely have no complaints. L'Oreal really knew what they were doing when they created this formula and I am a super fan.
PS: Scoped out the new packaging - but haven't seen this yet in Jamaica - L'Oreal read my mind! lol

source

What about y'all? Have you tried this product yet? What are your thoughts?
Till later,
*Jane


I am an Amazon Affiliate and all indicated links are Amazon Affiliate links.

Read More