I Tried To Get A Natural Face Beat With Glossier - Here's What Happened
I love makeup, it's a form of art and expression to me. You can be as creative and as simple as you want, the choice is yours. For me personally, I lean towards a minimalistic look that allows me to enhance and bring out my natural features with just a little bit of product.
I discovered the skincare and makeup brand Glossier a while back but never actually gave the line a try. However, when their products were constantly popping up on my Instagram feed, I decided to cave in and give it a try. When I checked out their website, I loved how focused Glossier is with enhancing your natural beauty and turning makeup into something to have fun with instead of something you need. While doing research, I also noticed that some people think you have to be flawless or have "good skin" in order for the products to work – that made me even more tempted to try it!
So, as someone who experiences hyperpigmentation, hormonal breakouts, and designer bags under the eyes, I bought a few of their products to put Glossier to the test.
I purchased four products — Perfecting Skin Tint, Generation G lip color, Cloud Paint, and Stretch Concealer, which brought me to a total of $80 (with free shipping and no tax). This is how the experience went:
Perfecting Skin Tint, $26:
Glossier
The skin tint gave me a nice even glow, but it didn't even out all my discoloration the way I thought it would. I knew it wasn't going to give me a full coverage but I expected just a little more coverage than provided.
The skin tint was also too dark. The selection of colors on the website are very limited; if I went one shade lighter it would have been too light. Glossier definitely needs to widen their color tint range. With all that being said, for the price, it's not worth it.
Cloud Paint, $18:
Glossier
The Cloud Paint is Glossier's version of a blush. I purchased the Color Storm, which is like a raspberry color. I really like the Cloud Paint, it's easy to apply and a little goes a long way. If you like a subtle look when it comes to your blush or just want to add a little pop to your highlight, then this is perfect.
Generation G, $18:
Generation G is Glossier's sheer lipstick. It claims to have a dialed down pigment, and it does. I bought the shade Leo, and didn't notice a hint of color on my lips. I figured because the shade was a dark cocoa, it would at least show on my bottom lip (since it's more pink) and nothing. It did moisturize my lip, but we can also get that result with a lip gloss or Chapstick.
Needless to say, I won't be purchasing this again. In fact, I'm interested in returning it.
Stretch Concealer, $18:
Glossier
I purchased the Stretch Concealer in the shade Deep and it was pretty good. Although it doesn't have the same coverage as my MAC concealer, it definitely brightens my skin. It adds a glow and refreshed look to my skin. Another thing I loved about this concealer is that it's buildable and sinks into your skin instead of caking up on top. It's a great subtle coverage for the days when you want to keep it simple.
Here's my final look using Glossier products:
Writer Krissy Lewis with a full face of Glossier makeup products.
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Overall, I don't think Glossier lived up to its hype, but I do believe some products are good for those who want a little extra without doing too much. From what I tried, the all-star product is the concealer. On the other hand, the lipstick is definitely not worth the $18, and you can explore other options to get a natural look that's moisturizing for your lips. I also noticed that the Glossier products all have a very dewy look, so if you have oily skin, so it may not be the best option for you. I think these products are ideal for normal and dry skin.
Here's my look using Glossier with other non-Glossier products I love:
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
I like my way a lot better, using just one of the Glossier products. I used my Milani Rose Prep + Brighten Face Oil with the Japonesque Liquid Light Illuminator (shade 03), mascara, and the Glossier Stretch Concealer products. I applied the face oil on my lips along with the Fenty Beauty Fenty Glow Gloss Bomb. With these five products,I got the natural glow and simplicity look I was looking for.
Featured image by David Espejo/Getty Images
Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images