Ms. Dee

January Makeup and Skincare Favorites 2022

I have been rotating a few foundations every month and the one I stuck to for the month of January was the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Finish foundation. It gave me medium to full coverage, which I love. It wore beautifully throughout the day and I didn’t have to touch up very much.

The concealer that has stolen my heart is the Catrice True Skin high coverage concealer. This one was a real hidden gem at the drugstore. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s light and full coverage, and blends like a dream. It wears for a long time, and I don’t notice any creasing. This concealer also works great with my favorite setting powder.

My favorite setting powder has been the Laura Mercier loose setting powder in the new Translucent Honey. This is the greatest thing that Laura Mercier could have done with her iconic, translucent loose setting powder. This is my perfect setting powder. It’s the same cult favorite with a little hint of color.

I don’t have a new pressed powder because I am currently on a no buy/ low buy. I’ll have an update on that at the end of the quarter. I’m currently working through two MAC mineralized skin finishes and a Studio Fix powder.

My favorite blush, highlight and eyeshadows are all in one palette. The Natasha Denona glam face palette. I’m currently working on finishing that palette and I will have an update on how that is going and how long it’s going to take. The Natasha Denona glam face palette is so beautiful and not just the outer packaging but the products inside are just gorgeous. Just add liner and mascara and you’re good to go. I like to just tight line for day and winged liner for night. This palette is a true staple for the simple makeup lover.

Finally, to finish off the complexion, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush bronzer. This bronzer is exactly as it says. It gives an airbrushed bronze to my skin like no other. If I want a subtle contour, I apply with a tight brush. If I want a bronze, I use a fluffy fanned out brush. Either way, the bronzer is gorgeous. I got the deep shade, and I am an NC50 in MAC and it is perfection.

I have a kit that is my skincare favorite, and I am so glad I brought this into my Routine. It is the Charlotte Tilbury Magic skin Icons. This kit is a supercharged quartet of proucts that gives you supermodel skin. After using this kit in the trial size for a month, I had to get the full sizes.

Discover the results observed in a user study for Charlotte’s Magic Cream moisturizer: Charlotte’s Magic Cream is infused with supercharged skincare ingredients!

100% agree that WRINKLES appear REDUCED!
100% felt their skin was instantly MOISTURISED
100% agree dull skin was instantly TRANSFORMED

Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir:

Discover the results observed in a user trial for Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

93% AGREE SKIN LOOKS YOUNGER!
97% agree skin feels INTENSELY HYDRATED!
94% agree skin looks and feels FIRMER!

Magic Night Cream:

RESULTS OBSERVED IN A USER STUDY:

100% agree skin looks and feels SMOOTHER
96% agree skin looks and feels PLUMPER

Magic Eye Rescue:

RESULTS OBSERVED IN A CLINICAL STUDY:

100% agree DARK CIRCLES are significantly BRIGHTENED
100% agree skin looks and feels SMOOTHER
100% agree skin looks and feels FIRMER

Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir:

Discover the clinically proven results of Charlotte’s Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir.

Lip volume appears boosted by up to 70% in 28 days
MOISTURISES for up to 24 HOURS***
BOOSTS HYDRATION by up to 157% in 1 hour!***
Visibly REDUCES the appearance of LIP LINES by up to 20%

This kit is amazing and actually does what the clinical trial says it does. You get these awesome results from a company that really stands behind their products. A true “Supermodel” skin brand. Charlotte has magic elves working in her lab. I swear they are really putting pixie dust or something in these products to make them so amazing. You really do get what you pay for.

Well, that’s all of my makeup and skincare favorites. I’m going to give an update on my low buy in a future.

Natasha Denona Glam Face Palette review

I have had this palette for a few weeks now. I have been reaching for it every time I do my makeup. I like the convenience of having everything in one place. The only thing I have to add is bronzer and my complexion products.

It was a hard decision to get this one. I had to step back and examine my makeup collection and see where this palette would fit in. I am not regretting my purchase in the least. I don’t have any other Natasha Denona products, and this was a great starter palette for me. I find that this palette gives me a basic day to night look without worry.

I love that Natasha Denona as well as other brands are becoming more consumer conscious. As a consumer I want products that make my life easier. I don’t want to have to figure it out. That has been achieved with this palette. I’m not a beginner but I appreciate the simplicity. I can also experiment and come up with a very cohesive look that didn’t take too much time or effort.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.natashadenona.com

The palette comes in two versions, light and dark. I thought it was about skin tone, but it’s really about whether you want a soft or rich eye look. I now wish that I had gotten both. I have the dark palette and the colors are so rich and berry toned. In

This palette has two cream products and five eyeshadows that are named by placement rather than color. This is great for beginners and those of us who suffer with decision fatigue. This palette is excellent to grab and go if you are pressed for time in the mornings. I am a wife and mother of two. I don’t have a lot of time to get ready in the morning and instead of looking for makeup items that will work together, I just put on foundation, concealer, bronzer and this palette. I’m ready to roll in about ten minutes.

This palette is for the person who needs to get ready quickly. It is beginner friendly and easily giftable. If you are looking for a palette that will be easy to use and get you out of the door quickly, this is the one for you.

Manipulation

My topic for this week, if ya’ll have paid attention to my posts on Facebook, was manipulation. The reason why I was doing manipulation was because I felt like I was being manipulated myself. Manipulation comes in a lot of different forms you know. It’s more than people just using you but it’s people using you for their own gain. For what it is that they need done. For whatever it is that tickles their fancy. That’s the manipulation that I’m talking about.

So the number one way that you can know that you’re being manipulated is if someone is transcribing someone else’s feeling to you that means a lot to you and it causes you to change your behavior, you’re being manipulated. If someone makes a situation happen that causes you to act a certain way, you’re being manipulated. If someone has a reaction to you or something that you do in order to shift your energy, you’re being manipulated.

I’m saying all these things to say this, you don’t ever let anybody have the key to your energy, to your mind. You should not let anybody shift what is going on inside of you. If you feel like a million then you should always feel like a million regardless of how it makes the person standing next to you feel. I’ve done this a lot in my life. I will take down my shine to make other people in the room comfortable. I’m sorry that you are uncomfortable with my shine but, this is my shine. Maybe you need to turn your light up a little bit. Maybe you need to fine-tune your kilowatts. I am no longer going to turn down my shine to make you feel comfortable because what happens is you are basically negating yourself for the benefit and the comfort of someone else. If somebody feels some type of way about your shine that means that standing next to you they feel inferior and that’s their problem not yours.

It’s not your fault that they feel inferior, that they feel less than, because they’re standing next to you and your light is shining so bright. Don’t dumb down yourself for nobody and don’t let anybody have the key to your energy, to your spirit, to your shine. There shouldn’t even be a switch accessible for the outside world to even turn down your shine, even turn down your energy, to even turn down your glow. That shouldn’t ever happen.

You got people walking around from day to day really dumbing down their shine for the comfort of someone else. Listen, if your friends feel some type of way about your shine, they ain’t your friends, because your real friends gonna push you up to shine brighter. They’re gonna push you up to do better. I hate to have to go so far back but, this is about how far back as I can go. In high school I had friends, real friends, and and they know who they are because we still rock till this day but I had real friends that used to get on my ass and be like “dude what’s wrong with you? why are you looking like this? why your clothes wrinkle? what the [ %#@ ] is wrong with you? can you get your [ $#@! ] together? oh uh uh, you can’t sit with us looking like that.” I needed all of that. Why? Because I was dumbing myself down to fit into something that I didn’t even belong to.

See, that’s the thing, when God give you a shine, that’s your shine, and most of the time, when he gives you a shine, that shine is just for you. You can’t take nobody with you. You can’t share it. You damn sure can’t give people access to it.

You know what happens when people find fire, they want to put it out it’s just a natural instinct to put out a fire. So if you got the fire, I guarantee if you let people see it, they gonna want to put it out. Folks are afraid of fire. Fire burns, fire destroys, and most of the time the only thing you burning and destroying is their lack of self-confidence and self-esteem.

You all know what happens when you get too close to fire. Nobody wants to be next to anything hotter than them. Nobody wants to stand next to a chick that’s hotter than them. They don’t want to be affiliated with nobody who’s faster than them or stronger than them. Don’t dump down your shine for them. They have the same opportunity as you. They can level up just like you. What’s wrong with a lot of ya’ll is that ya’ll are putting your level up on hold because it’s gonna make your friends uncomfortable. Your level up is about you. If your friend’s are uncomfortable, that’s on them

They got the same access to the same internet as you do. So, if that makes them feel uncomfortable, then too damn bad. Level up anyway. Do you anyway. You cannot put your shine on hold. You cannot put yourself on hold for the comfort of other folks. You can’t let people manipulate you into thinking that if you do this, that, and the third, if you come down from level one to level 10, that that’s going to make your relationship better. It does not because they’re already disrespecting you by demanding that you turn it down.

I hope this is helping somebody.

If you spend your whole life trying to make other folks comfortable, you will never take the time to make you comfortable. You’ll never take the time to make you happy. What makes you happy, what makes you feel good, is the only thing that matters. I used to be that person that was like “oh let me tone it down, let me bring it down, not any more. I’ll turn it all the way up every everywhere I go. Manipulation is only someone else’s way of turning down your shine, of turning down your energy. People who have more than you will be jealous of you. They will be jealous of you because of your shine and they will manipulate their way into your energy to turn it down for the comfort of themselves. Don’t let it happen.

The worst thing that you ever do is turn down your shine to comfort somebody else. If you let them do that that time then they’ll keep going and going and going and going and going and then after a while you find yourself on puppet string. Be aware of it and know when it’s happening to you so you can prevent the side effect of it.

You have to be strong. You have to be mentally strong, and you have to be emotionally mature. When you mature emotionally, there are a lot of things that you will let go of. You aren’t easily pushed or moved by other people’s actions. You will respond instead of react. I hope this post helped someone.

Rediscovering Myself

During the now almost two years we have been going through this pandemic, I have been dealing with a lot of shadow work and mental health issues of my own. Shadow work is an introspective psychological practice that anyone can do and can lead to a more fulfilling life. When working with the shadow, you may have moments of awakening that lead to greater authenticity, creativity, and emotional freedom.

Doing the inside work necessary for my own self improvement gave me the direction and clarity I needed to make real lasting change. I have been able to rearrange my habits and schedule to better suit my needs. I have regained my confidence and even became more punctual. Which, has been a weakness of mine for many years.

I’ve had time to reflect on who I am and what I believe in. I found myself editing my wardrobe and changing my hair to suit my needs, which, before the pandemic, were not being met by me very well.

Because of the pandemic, I was able to focus on myself and take better care of my needs and the needs of my family. I didn’t know what any of the shadow work was until I started my femininity journey. I felt like I had lost touch with my femininity and I went on a video hunt on YouTube to find out how to activate my feminine energy.

What I found was a treasure trove of insight and advice that literally changed my life. I rarely give any recommendation’s about YouTube because everyone’s taste is different, but if you are trying to activate or re-activate your feminine energy I would definitely go to YouTube and type it in and give some of these awesome content creators some love.

Twisted Feminity

For the past six months I have been feeling a little out of sorts. I was exhausted and un motivated. I felt out of control and not myself. I was depressed and had just given up on myself so to speak. I wasn’t doing my hair, my nails were a mess, I didn’t care for myself well at all. I knew something needed to change.

I started searching on YouTube and came across some very interesting video content about leveling up and femininity. I was searching for tips on how to always look good and Pandora’s box was opened. There were literally thousands of hours of content on the subject. Each and every one with a different statistic involved.

Most of the popular content I have seen is about self care, which we all need right now or about leveling up, which is a whole different subject. Femininity is truly a social construct. It is a set of actions and character traits. Most feminity can be learned, some only comes with being female, which is also discretionary. I was looking for true, female feminity.

Fast forward to today and I have finally achieved balance in my mind and my life. I am functioning on a better level today. The content I found, along with some good old fashioned research has helped me in ways that I could have never imagined. I was in love with myself again with a whole new perspective about self care and femininity as a whole.

What Changed?

My Idea of self care was generated around consumerism and the notion that I could buy products and that would make me feel better and that just wasn’t the truth. I needed to sort out what I considered to be self care. I had to reprogram my mindset.

Self care wasn’t a bath or a candle, it was a system that I would set up that would help me to be more productive, organized and stress less. I was basically going to have to mother myself. Just like I mother my children, I would have to show myself that same love and give myself that same attention.

I felt unworthy at the time, I really had to shift my thinking. It was time for a mental makeover. I developed a system to get me to work on time. I know that this may seem mundane but follow me here.

I was at least ten minutes late to work on a daily basis. My manager was sick of it and I was reprimanded. This defeated me because using the system I had, which was none, I was thinking that I was doing my best. I needed to save my job. I observed myself for a week and found out that I wasn’t starting my day on my terms.

I usually was awakened by a school bus horn or my phone ringing which meant I had to give something or someone else my attention as soon as I got up in the morning. I wasn’t able to give myself that attention because I didn’t create time for me.

So, after careful planning and research, and a lot of self-help books, I created a schedule that allowed me to start my day on my terms. I started by going to bed earlier so that I could wake up earlier and a month later I am slaying my mornings.

I never thought I could do this. I was so used to my mornings being a chaotic rush. Now I am up at 5am. I’m the first person up out of bed in my house each morning. This schedule gives me time to take good care of myself before meeting the needs of my family or the demands of my job.

Femininity is not one size

While most of the tips and advice I got was a big help, most of it was not a good fit for my life and my schedule. I had to make some adjustments to fit my needs. This was easy for me because I knew exactly what I was looking for. Most people dive into these searches not knowing what they really want out of it.

Take yourself and you lifestyle into consideration. Make sure to pick out the advice you use like picking out flowers. Only the most beautiful and the ones that really speak to you. Everything isn’t for everyone. What may work for me, may not fit into your life.

Be careful not to get too caught up in the “high value woman bit”. Your value is determined by you and not what you wear or how you act. Respect and love yourself and you will show others how to treat you. Don’t let these strangers behind a computer screen determine your worth. You are awesome and one of a kind. Love yourself. I know I do.

My First Charlotte Tilbury in-depth product review

The Pillow talk instant eye palette and Full fat lashes mascara. This Palette and mascara really surprised me. I wasn’t ready for the gorgeous pigment and the soft blend of these shadows. I am reaching for this eyeshadow palette every day. It really is gorgeous and soft on the eyes. The shimmers are beautiful and they blend like a dream.

The mascara was also a surprise. It has the perfect name because just like the name says it gives you full fat lashes. It builds and builds. You can go overboard really quick. The formula and volume are incredible. I am forever hooked.

This product started it all for me. The Airbrush Flawless Bronzer in deep. I purchased it after hearing and seeing hundreds of rave reviews. I couldn’t believe how many people loved this product. No matter the age or skin tone, everyone loved this bronzer. I got it in the mail and I haven’t put it down since. This was the product that introduced me to Charlotte Tillbury.

This, light as air, powder bronzer is so highly pigmented and easily blend able, which these two descriptions are rarely used together to describer a product, let alone a bronzer. I thought that it would be too warm. It is warm but in a flattering way on my skin tone. It gives me the perfect sun-kissed, and when I’m heavy handed, bronzy glow. It is like sun in a compact.

Another show stopper is the Hollywood Superstar Glow Highlighter.

Now this one had me on the fence for a while considering how many highlighters are on the market right now. From drugstore to high end, at least every brand has ten or more highlighters in their line.

The price didn’t deter me much considering the fact that I am in the middle of a makeup declutter and am now realizing how much money I am literally throwing away. I was ready to invest in one great highlighter instead of a hundred just okay ones.

This product certainly did not disappoint. It is as beautiful in person as it is in pictures. It is the most universally flattering champagne gold. Every skin tone across the board can wear this highlight. It’s not packed with glitter. It builds nicely. It doesn’t emphasize texture and it is beautiful to look at on your vanity. It is as huge as the bronzer and a great investment if you want something that will always work and last a long time.

I love kits. they make applying your makeup easy and simple. It’s really hard to find a face palette that can suit a variety of skin tones and still have ease of application. I believe that Charlotte Tilbury has made it her life’s work to make sure we are polished and put together on a daily basis no matter what. Her products and formulas are just unsurpassed. Each and every palette is crafted with the everyday woman in mind. We all have different styles, different lives, careers, etc.. Charlotte Tilbury made sure there was a kit for every woman in every walk of life and style.

Here comes the Gorgeous glowing beauty. This kit has literally saved my life. I use it every day and it is a staple in my makeup bag. When you need to get ready quickly, a face kit is truly a gem. The best thing is that I can use the whole palette. Every single product in this palette suits my complexion. I can’t go wrong with this kit. The only thing there is to add is my favorite concealer and powder and I’m off. This palette gives the perfect, glowing, neutral, daytime appropriate look. Whew! That was a mouthful.

I love the warm, mauve tones of this palette. The bronzer and blush go great together. The highlight glows without glitter or sparkles. This is truly for the grown and sexy or corporate America girl. You just can’t go wrong. This is an all powder palette, so you can use the powder any way you like. I have used the bronzer as blush and the blush as eyeshadow. The options are endless.

Here is a must have pair. Liquid foundation and pressed powder. You may say that there is nothing special about this. I’m here to tell you that I said the exact same thing. I asked myself, “How is this so much better than stuff I already have?” “Do I really need this?” I wonder how the coverage is?” I did my research on this product. I found all the reviews that I could and all of the ones that I trusted were giving these two products rave reviews and 5 stars. Of course, I was late to the party but, I still managed to get in. I have been loving this combination for the longest time now. I’m almost done with the foundation which, I might get a backup of.

The powder is really the star of this classy act. It blurs and perfects to give you a true airbrushed appearance. I have been in love with this powder from the first swipe. I love the finish and it gives just enough coverage.

The products are just the tip of the iceberg in the Charlotte Tilbury collection. She has made incredible products that have changed everyone’s makeup game for the better. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Best High End Makeup of 2020

Hello loves,
These are the products that make my morning and ultimately my day a whole lot easier. I love each and every one of these product and I will have each one linked below. Have a happy and safe holiday season.

Products Mentioned:

Charlotte Tillbury :
Magic Cream- https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/p…

Magic Cream light- https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/p…

Wonder glow primer- https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/p…

Instant look in a palette -stoned rose- https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/p…

Instant look in a palette- gorgeous glowing beauty- https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/p…

Airbrush flawless setting spray- https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/p…

Full Fat lashes Mascara- https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/p…

Other products mentioned:

Pat McGrath Labs sublime perfection concealer- https://www.sephora.com/product/pat-m…

Fenty Beauty bronzer- cocoa naughty- https://www.sephora.com/product/sun-s…

NARS- Soft matte complete foundation- caracas/ medium-deep 3.3- https://www.sephora.com/brand/nars?ic…

MAC mineralized skinfinish natural -Dark- https://www.maccosmetics.com/product/…

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Go check out my blog:

https://www.msdeewisdom.com

For business inquiries and speaking engagements:

msdeescorner@gmail.com

Disclaimer: this video is not sponsored and all products were purchased with my own money.

My Planner Dilemma

I have had a love affair with planners and planning since middle school. I can’t ever remember a time when I didn’t have a planner or some type of agenda. Now that I am a wife and mother having a planner means so much more to me now. I have appointments and keeping a steady schedule are staples of my every day life. I have to keep my plans together and my schedule is very tight.

Back in 2014 I came across MAMBI (me and my big ideas) and the Happy Planner. I enjoyed this planner for years. It was fun an functional and I loved all the colors and designs. I went sticker and washi crazy. I collected so many planner stickers and accessories that I overwhelmed myself. “Comparison is the thief of joy” I don’t know who said it but it’s the truth. Instagram photos of other layouts and YouTube videos of other people’s planner left me very un-inspired because my planner didn’t look like theirs.

Needless to say, I eventually stopped using the planner and moved to a more minimal style to try and get my life together. I tried a lot of different minimal styles and companies until finally I decided to take matters into my own hands and create my own planner from scratch.

First, I decided on a size. A5 was a favorite of mine. I had enough room to write while still being portable. The classic Happy Planner was not travel friendly. Second, I decided on a style. I love how The Happy Planner was easily customizable but the pages would fall out and not sit right so, six rings became my favorite. Finally, I went on a hunt for inserts that were functional, minimal and straight to the point. I found a company called Cloth & Paper. Their inserts were beautifully simple and minimal. I fell in love.

After finding the inserts and size I enjoyed I went on a hunt for a beautiful binder. I found a small company, Notiq, that was also geared at a more minimal aesthetic. Most of all it was PINK! I know that seems like a vain reason to pick a binder but the beautiful, soft, pink blush really attracted me. I loved the weekly inserts so much that a bought a half-letter plan book, on gold discs, no less. I now have two planners of two different styles and size. Half-letter and A5 aren’t much of a size difference other than the way these two are bound.

Both of these planners are my absolute favorites and they are vital to me keeping it all together as well as the key to my sanity. I’ve been doing double duty by keeping both of these updated simultaneously. Now that we have reached the end of the year I have set up both of these planners for 2021 with different jobs. The one on the left will be my social media planner and the one on the right will be my personal, catch all planner that will be with me everyday.

I will have more in depth explanation and setup of each. For the most part, my social media planner has weekly lined inserts and my catch all has daily inserts. Both of which you can get at CLOTH & PAPER – LUXE PLANNERS, DIVIDERS, & INSERTS (clothandpaper.com). They sell multiple size inserts for multiple size planners. Use code CPFAM for 10% off. (not an affiliate link)

I used to switch out planners every other month. I was in search of the mythical creature called “planner peace”, which I have quickly found out does not exist. Your planner should bring you peace and not you being at peace with your planner. If your planner gives you the least bit of anxiety, not related to an event or task inside, it is not the planner for you. Your planner should be a welcome site that brings you joy and fills you with passion to seize the day. If your planner does not inspire you to get more done and be great, get rid of it and start again. If it takes you more time to plan than to act, or planning takes you away from being productive, you should seek some planner advise. There are thousands of planner guru’s on Youtube that will help you get your planning together.

I had a big problem with procrastination and keeping a planner helped me to get through that. I hope that this post and your planner help you as much as mine has helped me to be a better planner and in some ways, person. Organization is important but not at the expense of living life and enjoying your time here. Make your life and your planner as simple as possible and you will be successful in everything you set your mind to.

Charlotte Tilbury makeup review

Teamwork, A beautiful dance.

If you have ever watched a Tango or Ballroom dance, it is a beautiful thing to watch. Each person in sync with their partner and the steps they take. This is teamwork and leadership on the grandest scale. Being able to lead also means being able to follow.

Every great leader knows that sometimes you have to be able to follow. No one who has ever become a leader was never a follower. And even in life, all leaders, CEO’s, heads of state, they all must follow at some point. This is the difference between a good leader and a great leader.

Knowing your team is another mark of a great leader. You have to be confident in your team. Just as the dance partners are confident in each other. Knowing that if one falls the other will help them and pick them up if need be. This confidence comes in knowing your team. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses. Observation and testing is the best way to know your team. Mother birds have to let the baby bird fall in order to know if they can fly.

The same logic applies to relationships. Knowing your partner (team mate) can help your relationship tremendously. Knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses, not for exploitation, but for the flow of energy between two people lovingly in sync with one another. When we master our emotions and really analyze what’s in front of us we can make better decisions for ourselves and our future selves.

Teamwork is not only a beautiful dance at work but also a beautiful dance in life. It takes us all to do our part and support each other. Not in scornful judgement but in loving direction and teaching.

I hope that this post helps someone who is struggling with teamwork or leadership. I want you to know that in order to be a great leader, parent, partner, friend, spouse or human you must learn to be patient with those you love and lead and have compassion for them. Everyone is different. and it is those differences that make us strong and unique, especially when we unite to form a great team, marriage, or family.