~ Raised on Mary Kay ~

I have shared two reasons via my Insta Story so far as to why I began the Glam Bag Series. In no particular order.....

1. I want to be a resource for those who might not have a resource. I grew up a only child so, I didn't have a big sister to go to with questions, tips, tricks, etc. My mother, grandmother and aunts were/are all beautiful and super fem with their hair and make-up forever on point. However, when you are 15 you aren't all that willing to listen to what the previous generations have to say about style and trends. Hence the need for a older sister type person. Also, not everyone is comfortable walking up to a make-up counter in a store and asking questions or getting one of those half face make overs. You know the ones I'm talking about?! Lol!!

2. The second reason I have chosen to begin the Glam Bag Series is because of my "flaws". I sometimes think that without them I may fail to exists. I do not have perfect skin. I do not have tons of money or limitless resources. I haven't gone to cosmetology school (yet) and I'm not sponsored (yet) by any one brand. I am just like you. I am trying to figure how to highlight the things I love about myself instead of feeling like I have to cover up the things I hate. Because I am not paid by one specific company my reviews are simply for your benefit, well, and mine, lol!! Since I haven't gone to cosmetology school (yet), I am not trained in a way that isn't like every other girl cruising Youtube looking for a tutorial. I am starting in the same place as many of you when doing my make-up for the day. I haven't been professionally peeled, primped, plucked and what not. The routines, products, tips, tricks, etc. that I share, I try. I let you know what does or doesn't work and why. I also want to share discounts and how to stock your glam bag with out breaking the bank.

 

 

3. All that said, who am I and what do I know?! Things you should know about me, as mentioned above I was raised around a group of glamorous females. Even the ones that spent the day in the garden had their nails painted and lip stick on come family get together time. One would have to make an extra effort to not allow some of that to seep in to who they are.

 

4. Speaking of these glamorous women, most of them were using that Mary Kay and a few of them were selling it. One of my cousins made it to pink Cadillac status. Do you know how envious I was of that car???!!!! A PINK CAR!!!!! I can't!! This cousin had a room in her house devoted to her Mary Kay business. Shelves with rows and rows of organized products and samples. Boxes of discontinued/sample size items that she would let us have something from now and then. Anytime that our family had a get together at this cousins house my very first stop was that room. I would make my younger cousin Erin go with me to stare at all the glam. With several relatives selling and even more using Mary Kay, I was often gifted products by the company for my Birthday, Christmas and even at Graduation. I loved those gifts every time. I still love a gift of cosmetics products, Lol!! Some things just don't change.

 

 

5. I'm a fashion magazine hoarder. I have had subscriptions to fashion magazines since I was in high school and my Mamaw got me a subscription to Seventeen. As I have grown up, my magazines have too. I now keep up with Elle, Glamour and InStyle the most. I currently have about five or six years worth of magazines in my guest bedroom. I can't bring myself to recycle them. I keep thinking they'll be something I at some point display somewhere, somehow. Does reading magazines make you a professional cosmetologist?  No. But it sure does help out. Helps with creative inspiration, product reviews, etc. I enjoy seeing how different eye's see products and trends. I currently have a Elle subscription and look forward to it arriving in my mail box every month. It is glamorous kine or brain candy if ever anything thing was.

 

6. While I am not the kind who HAS to wear make-up to go run errands, etc. I do enjoy wearing make-up. As I mentioned earlier, I think that putting on our make up should be a fun thing. We should feel as though we are highlighting the things we love about ourselves instead of covering the things we don't. I want you to see my posts and think if it worked for her or if she can do that, than so can I. I want to show you something you perhaps haven't heard before that will help stretch your buck and your products. I wanna help safe guard you from products that are all hype. I basically want to be your lab rat. Perhaps lab bunny is more on point w my personality, lol!

 

7. Lastly, this is just a part of who I am. I think that even if I had not grown up with such beautiful examples and influences around me, I 100% believe I would be as girly as I am. I like pink. I love glitter. Animal print when used in proper amount is adorable. I paint my nails, I wear red lip stick, I use purple eye liner and highlighter is my new favorite product. Putting on make-up is a way for me to be creative as much as writing this blog is. It is self care because it is a few moments where I can focus on myself and not feel like everything is out of  my control. It is all just who I am.

 



 

While this is not everything, it is a good dose of me and my why. I hope that it has encouraged you, given you some insight, and inspired you to take some time when doing your glam to enjoy it. To look at it as something you like doing, self care and not something you have to do to feel good about yourself. When you take a minute to love yourself, you are showing other people how to love you and themselves. Treat yourself like trash and others, eventually will to. Even taking five or ten minutes, with the door shut, you sitting in front of a mirror putting on some mascara and gloss is caring for yourself and you shouldn't feel guilty, vain, wasteful, etc. for doing it.

 

I hope you each have a beautiful rest of the week and get some time to relax and glam over this holiday weekend!! You are loved! Like what you like. Rock what you got. Boldly be uniquely you.



~ Glam Bag Tips and Tricks ~ Kiss and Tell ~ Holiday Glam ~ 4th of July ~

 

L'Oreal Infallible Paint in Navy Spy

Edit by Moldiv

 

We are midweek and most of you are half way to a long weekend. With the fourth of July just a few days away I thought it might be fun to do some holiday looks. I'm gonna do my best to give a bit of variety so that whether you are a risk taker or more of a low key lip kinda gal, you will see something for you.

Side Note: I have begun doing quick tutorials on my insta story and my goal is to always repost them here when I can for future reference. However, my phone is currently possessed by the devil and it is always a bit of a crap shoot when it comes to working/saving as it should. I seem to also be having issues with the transfer from socials to saving on my comp. I have several vids that I hope to add to this post, eventually. All that to say, head over to Instagram and follow me for day -to - day glam tips and tricks in my Insta Story, @stacietennessee.

O.K. Let's get started with some reds. I love a red lip when done properly. Not all reds are created equal nor are they for every skin tone, hair color, etc. I can't wear a orange red b/c it makes me look like I ate a popsicle and never wiped my face, lol. I do love black and or pink reds. I have the same rule w bright lipstick as I do with brightly colored eye liner. Test it out at home and get comfortable with it. Figure what works for you and once you feel comfortable with it start wearing it out and about.

I am going to start with one of my newest faves, Revlon HD in Rhubarb. This new line from Revlon is legit one of my favorites. I have three different colors from it and have yet to be disappointed. The red I am sporting in the picture was purchased at Walgreens. It was on sale for $4.96 and I had a coupon for $2.00 off making it a under $3 purchase. I think that when things are on sale, clearance, or one has a coupon it makes it easier to justify trying a new color or product. This color has some shine to it and is not a matte at all. Not high gloss, just a bit of shine.

~ Revlon HD in Rhubarb ~

Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Color

in Chunky Cherry

 

Above is a more low key, just a hint of color product. Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Chunky Cherry. These are more so like a tinted chap stick than a lip stick. Fat crayon shaped, fits in a pocket easy, comes w a lid, and goes on smooth and with just a hint of red. Not everyone wants a bold lip and that is perfectly fine! You do you, babes!! Clinique is a bit more pricey than a drug store brand, but their reputation precedes them in quality. So, in the long run it always ends up being worth it. I always arrange my ordering/purchases around a "Bonus". Bonus days are when you get a gift with purchase that usually includes about five or six sample items and a cosmetics bag. 

 

Revlon Colorist in Bronze Shimmer

 

For my au natural girls, I recommend a nude lip with a bold eye for your special holiday activities. Pictured above is a Bronze Shimmer by Revlon. I like to layer it over a nude lip stick or wear it on it's own. It has been a faithful go-to color that seems to go with any look.

 

Lastly for this holiday themed Kiss and Tell post are a few bolder looks for those so patriotic they have to show it from head to toe.....or to their lips, lol! Starting with Loreal's Infallible Lip Paint in Navy Spy. In the picture below I added some shimmer pigments by Hard Candy with a clear gloss as the adhesive. Currently on my Insta Story is a quick how to in the mixing/customizing of lip colors. I also add red shimmer pigments by Hard Candy to one of my red lip looks as seen below. I think it is just enough glitter and shimmer to go with a weekend full of fire works.

 

Loreal Infaillable Lip Paint

in Navy Spy w Shimmer

Pigment by Hard Candy

 

Maybelline Color Jolt in Red-dy

or Not w "Lock and Key" Red Shimmer

Pigments by Hard Candy

 

 

My base for this red shimmer is Maybelline's great line of lip paints. It smells great, covers well, and falls into that $4-$6 range of lip colors. I like this product for several reasons. One of which is it's size. Fits well into your pocket or small bag. I also like that the applicator is apart of the tube you squeeze the color from. One less thing to be lost or broken. Covers well, goes on smooth, and again falls into that $4-$6 drug store brand price range.

 

 Happy Fourth of July, Beauty Queens!!! Hope you have a sparkly weekend.



~ Relationship Status = Getting Serious ~

 

~ New Music Monday ~ June 26th, 2017 ~ Video Killed the Radio Star ~

Y'all there are so many new videos this summer that I hardly know where to begin. I kinda love them all and think they are creative, sexy, funny, and just perfect depictions of the artists sense of humor. Sometimes a song gets lost in the visuals of a video and sometimes a video is what gets the actual sound and lyrics of a song some attention. It's odd and I don't know that there is a formula to it all. But then again I am not a video director, artist or radio D.J.

I wanna begin with a video I shared two weeks ago. Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris, "Craving You". I am slowly becoming a Thomas Rhett fan. Partly because I think his relationship with his wife is down right adorable and partly because I am giving some of his tunes a second chance. With "Craving You" it is the video and the MM feature that have me being a fan. I love when artists allow their funny to show. I mean, yes, carrying a tune, being able to write, play, perform a song, duh!! But when they also share that part of their personality that shows us what they think is funny, it tends to win me almost every time. Maren is a total BA in this vid and of course Rhetts wife Lauren plays a part which is sweet as tea. Give it a watch and let us know what you think.

 

 

 

 

 

While we are discussing Maren lets take a look at her latest solo vid, "I Could Use a Love Song". This is one of my favorite tracks off of "Hero". Well, I may say that about them all if I am being honest, but for reals this one hit me from the first listen. I am glad to see it as the third single from the album, but I am tripping over the fact I haven't heard it as much as I expected on radio. Well, radio doesn't make a ton of sense to me anyway so maybe it is exactly as I expected. This is pre-short hair so she almost seems like a different person, lol!! Give it a watch and head to CMT and GAC countdowns to vote.

Next is Brothers Osborne and "It Ain't My Fault", their third single off of "Pawn Shop".  Brothers Oz have not been afraid to approach "controversial" topics by way of their music vids. In "Stay a Little Longer", they showed a same sex couple, idk if that's been done in country music video before?! If it has I currently can't recall it. In "21 Summer", they suggest prostitution. That one has been covered by other artists in a variety of ways. The first to come to my mind is Reba's, "Fancy". The lyrics to her tune lead you to believe she spent some times as a high price companion. And now, in "It Ain't  My Fault", which begins, very fittingly, in a pawn shop, takes on some political winks and nods. The thieves in this vid are wearing masks of some politico's you may recognize. Depending on the artist this kind of think might bug me, but being a fan of Brothers Osborne and after following them on socials, I really see not only their stand politically, but just their sense of humor. Today the duo posted a hilarious pic of their dad dressed in a variety of costume-esq pieces. The caption hinting to the idea that this should explain everything we know about them, lol!!! It did.

 

 





 

 

 

 

I have shared one of Maggie Rose's tunes in a past #NMM post. Girl has her a voice, a look, and just a artistic style that seems to be all her own. I think that is one of the many reasons I am a fan. This is the first video and single off of Rose's, "Dreams>Dollars" EP that was just released about a month or so ago. "Body on Fire" does not menses no words. From the first lyric to the last it is very clear what is being communicated and what's being communicated is ON FIRE!! No pun intended, but I really love it when it works out like that. I'm not a crazy fan of love songs, but I am a fan of this one. Maggie is doing the rounds of CMA fest performances, the Opry, etc. I think that Maggie is on the way upward and we will be hearing much more of her in the coming months/year. Give it a watch, a listen and then go download "Dreams>Dollars" like, right now. I have it on my Spotify and am legit listening to it daily.

Lady Antebellum has kicked off their newest album, "Heart Break" with the upbeat come on line of a tune, "You Look Good". Co-written by hit maker Hillary Lindsey who has written for Faith Hill, Shakira, Lady Gaga, Luke Bryan, T. Swift and many more. With this tune she teamed with new kid on the block, Ryan Hurd who's current single, "Love in a Bar", is being added to radio this month. And in the production of the much buzzed about Busbee and it was going to be hard for this song to not hit. Lady A removed any doubt that may have been in anyone's minds with their performance of the tune at the CMA awards. They included a college marching band as their brass and bgvs. Twas a good thing that they were the closing performance cause they sho' did shut it doooowwwwwnnnn!!!! For those that wonder, that is a good thing, LoL!! I look forward to the next singles off of "Heart Break". I am personally in love with, "Someone Else's Heart" which the trio co-wrote with Shane McNally.  

 



 

 

 

Mkay, I am winding this weeks post down with a artist that is new to me, but has already musically won my affections. Jillian Jacqueline doesn't currently have a full length album out. She has a EP from 2016 and two singles in 2017 that are most recent. I added her to my Spotify after hearing a small share of the song by another artist. Small rabbit trail, you guys!!!! If you aren't following artists, writers, directors, etc. on socials, what the heck is wrong with you???!!! Some of my most favorite artists and songs have come from someone "in the industry's" recommendation. They are hearing, writing, recording and seeing performances of songs that are never gonna hit a radio air wave because of politics and the pop culture of current country radio. I think Jillian is one of those artists that is slipping through the cracks. I am SOOOO grateful to the "industry" folk who posted the other single from Jacqueline, "Bleachers". It lead me to her tunes on Spotify and I have since been listening to "Hate Me" on repeat. It is so wonderfully perfect that if I could would send all of you a download of it. However, I don't have those kinds of Benjamin's, so, you'll have to just watch/listen to this video and go get it yourself. I repeat, if you never have listened to me before and plan to never listen to me again, let this be the one thing you hear!!!! Download Jillian Jacqueline, "Hate Me", ASAP!!!!!!

O.K. it is time to say goodbye to this weeks New Music Monday and I'm doing so with the small tease that Kip Moore and P.J. Brown have created for one of Kips upcoming vids. Last week Moore announced that his third studio album, "Slow Hearts" will be released September 8th, 2017. I was so amped to read that, that my heart literally jumped and then fell into to my tummy out of excitement, LoL!! Yes, I love Moore's music, THAT, much. Kip and his long time bff and videographer are each very talented guys, but one of the things they do best......is tease. I'm unsure anyone makes a teaser vid better than Brown. Now, some of the teaser vids from, "Wild One's" never had a complete version shared and I think I am not the only one who wishes they had. I say that to say, if this vid doesn't have a complete version I am gonna flip right out!!! I'll go full Dr. Phil if I have to. I don't want too, but I'm just saying......POST THE ENTIRE DANG VIDEO PJ!!!! I know, I know, it isn't all in your control and no, I would not really go that far....probably.

 

 

Since "Slow Hearts" will drop in m'birthday month I have already decided it will be my bday gift from me to me. I'm so thoughtful, lol!!!

 

 

Alright Music Addix, I hope you have a beautiful week, get some time to check out these tunes/vids and to do some downloading! Catch ya next week!

~ Coming Soon to the Glam Bag Series ~

~ Glam Bag Tips and Tricks ~ Kiss and Tell ~ Application and Longevity ~ Part 2 ~

 

Hey Glam Gals!! A little follow up on the Kiss and Tell Application and Longevity post. Another tip to helping your lip color last, is layering. Adding a gloss to the top of your lip stick or starting with a lip stain prior to applying lipstick helps a lot with this. I don't use lip stains as a first layer because they always make me look like a child in her mothers make up. I do however use them as a second layer.

 

Not everyone is going to be comfortable with bright or bold colors, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for a less that glam lip look. All of the tips shared in Part 1 and Part 2 can be applied when using more natural colors as well. I LOVE a nude lip!! I think it is the perfect go-to when rocking a fiercely smoky eye. If you do want to transition from a light gloss to a bold color I would suggest wearing it at home a while before taking it out and about. Simply because the more comfortable you are with it the less you will notice or care if anyone else is.

 

 

 

Alright Beauty Queens, I hope you find all of this helpful in one way or another. Stay tuned for other tutorials and follow me on socials, @StacieTennessee, for updates, etc.

 

 

 





~ Glam Bag Tips and Tricks ~ Kiss and Tell ~ Application and Longevity ~ Part 1 ~

Happy weekend beauty queens!! One of my weekend goals is getting the blog updated for you. Starting with the Glam Bag Series. This post will contain my first Instatutorial. It is a quick how to, why I use what I use, lip glam. With that said, please forgive my skattered-ness and lip smacking. Now that I know I do it, I am going to make an active effort to stop, lol!! It bugs me too!!!


First things first, lips are the last part of my glam routine. Prior to any lip specific product, I apply a teensy bit of foundation to my lips. I just use whatever is left on my applicator from applying my foundation. It helps with any kind of lip color whether it be gloss, matte, stick, shine, or whatev's to hold on to your lips. This along with the lip lock I'll share in the next paragraph help to make your liner and lip color have a bit of longevity.

Second, I use e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Lock. It can be found online and in store. I happen to come across mine at the Dollar Tree. I had never used a similar product before and was curious. I am glad I spent that buck cause it for sure helps to keep my lip line even and bolder colors where they belong. I don't have a steady hand so, lip lining takes me a minute. Using Lip Lock really does help with that process for me. It also creates a bit of a barrier between your lip color and skin.

 

 

Third I apply my lip liner. In the video I am using Jordana Cosmetics Easy Line in Rose. I have not seen Jordana in as many shops as one might expect considering its quality and price point. I get mine at Walgreens. The liner comes in around $2.00 and lasts for quite awhile. It is smooth and has a solid packaging so you feel like you can really get the color onto your lips with out breaking the point. In a later post I will share how to pick your liners in collaboration with your lip color. When lining your lips you don't want a thin, fragile line. You want the liner to be something your lip color clings to and wears at a similar speed as your lip color. So, as you apply the liner bring it in a bit from the corners of your lip line towards the center of your lip as seen in the vid. 

 

 

Lastly, apply lip color. It is very much like coloring a picture. Goals include but are not limited to staying inside the line, applying a color that compliments the rest of your cosmetic color choices for your look. Doesn't have to be matchy, matchy. In fact, not matchy, matchy is probably best in most normal day to day situations.

I hope that you have found this Glam Bag Instatutorial helpful. I'll say this a ton of times before I finish this series, but it is my opinion that cosmetics should be fun. Getting ready for the day should be something we look forward to. It is a few minutes for ourselves and should be considered self care as much as a pedi or facial. I think that having the mind set that cosmetics are to highlight the things you love about yourself instead of them being about covering up what you hate, has really helped me to change my feelings towards "having" to get ready for something. If that makes any sense to ya?!

Happy Glam-ing Beauty Queens!!!