bailey bee

beauty, home and lifestyle blog

Sacrificing One Dream for Another

Hey, hey, hey.. today I’m doing a deep-dive into what’s been happening in my life so far in 2019. If you didn’t know, me and my fiancé moved to Raleigh, North Carolina from the DC area at the end of 2018. We are both from the Virginia suburbs up there and wanted to make a change. One of the biggest motivating factors for me was being able to afford the life I have always envisoned for myself (and now us as a family). The Washington metro area is notoroiusly expensive and full of high-earners. Although I had a job and career path that truly fulfilled me, I didn’t see an opportunity to own a home where I wanted to live and potentially be able to be as hands-on of a mom that I want to be down the road.

By moving to Raleigh I was essentially giving up my career path in the Federal contracting field that I was completely passionate about. I had a perfect sightline into my future and knew exactly what I could expect for myself. I was making good money but not good enough for the area. In Raleigh, I started out unemployed as I tried to make my way into a new industry: digital marketing. I’m equally as excited about this new field but, as a period of unemployment will do to you, I am nervous that I’m making the wrong decision. Most recently I even considered moving back north but after a deep discussion remembered that we moved here for a reason and I had to find a way to push through.

I started a new job at a fantastic company but in a role that I feel I am overqualified for and am being underpaid for. This is a lesson in humility that I partially expected but not as intensely as it has been served to me. I feel nobody sees my value and that the incredible experience I built in DC over the past three years means nothing. The only thing I have to rely on is my dream down the road of owning a home, starting a family and living a more balanced life away from the craziness back ‘home’.

It is going to be a rocky road for a bit as I won’t be able to save for a home on my new salary and will be digging myself out of the debt that I have accumulated whilst being out of work but I am sincerely hoping that in a few years I will look back on my present situation and feel grateful that I didn’t give up. The sacrifice of giving up on my dream career in order to live out my other dreams in life has been a prickly pain in my heart this year– I guess I can’t go anywhere but up at this point.

I am thankful for the friends we have made in Raleigh in such a short amount of time and I am so, so excited to celebrate our marriage down here next year. When we moved I told everybody, myself included, that I was embracing Carolina as home. I never questioned it until a few weeks ago when the going got really, really tough. I believe all I need to do to get by is to get back to that mindset that this is home now. Once I embrace it again I think everything will get a little bit easier every day.

I used to love that quote “if your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough” but now I have a bit of disdain for it because I am terrified right now and hearing that doesn’t make me feel better. But again– I think in hindsight, this era of my life will shine much brigher than it currently is.

That’s what has been happening with me. I hope to one day be able to take Bailey Bee full-time and THAT is my true dream in my new life. Until then, you can catch me plugging away at my new 8-to-5.

June 2019 Home, Beauty + Fashion Lust List

June 2019 lust list of things I want to buy
A. Tai Gold Alphabet Necklace / B. Ripple Gold Hammered Champagne Bucket / C. Huda Beauty Neon Obsessions Palette in ‘Neon Green’ / D. Bungalow Cat Eye Sunglasses / E. Daphne Cami / F. Confetti Candles / G. Fringed Zora Journal in Taupe

I’m a shopaholic but I’m trying to be much better with my product consumption and my spending so whenever I see something that I want, I add it as a bookmark into my ‘want’ folder in my browser. Every so often I’ll rifle through that folder to see what has gone on sale and to see if I even want half of it anymore. It’s a really solid way to shop smarter without feeling like you’re missing out on cool and/or exciting things.

This month’s lust list involves some goodies that I have had my eye on over the past few weeks. From a cute summer cami to one of the hottest beauty releases so far this season, these are some of the first things I’d nab if I were to win a few hundred bucks on a scratcher this week! Haha

I definitely don’t “need” a champagne bucket but wouldn’t that be the greatest showstopper at the next event you host? Also, that fringed journal is just screaming to become my new wedding notebook. I’m waiting for it to go on sale and then it’ll be all mine!

As for that B necklace and the candles? My birthday is next month and I want to treat myself to the cute necklace before throwing those candles onto whatever flavored birthday cake I decide to make for myself.

Lastly, those tortoise sunnies. I am a SUCKER for creamy/beige tortoise and I have been patiently, so patiently waiting for these to be available on a 30% off or higher deal so I can grab ’em.

Normally this is where I’d ask y’all to let ME know what you’re lusting over but honestly, I can’t handle it. I want so much. Heaven help me! Instead, I’m curious how you guys make yourselves shop smarter. I can use all the help I can get. Have a great weekend!

Feel free to shop this post below:

NABLA Cosmetics Secret Palette Review + Swatches

It has been a VERY long time since I have been excited about an eyeshadow palette release AND actually purchased upon debut. The Italian makeup brand NABLA is fairly well-received and once I saw the swatches for this palette I had myself creating a calendar reminder to buy it ASAP. The Secret palette is full of color and allows you to utilize different color stories for endless amounts of looks. This assortment of shades paired with the solid formulas NABLA is known for has made this palette a surefire winner in my book.

Just look at those shades! Each horizontal row complements itself well but I really like the funky combos that the vertical columns make, too.

Let’s get into the most important aspect of this palette— the formula and wearability of each shade.

All shades swatched well on the arm except for Hypersensual and Nablack. To be honest, I’m not sure why Hypersensual performed so lackluster-ly. It’s a seemingly easy shade to make. As for Nablack, I bet we all have better black eyeshadows that we’re loyal to anyway so it’s not a huge deal to me. It still performed just fine on the lashline to create a smokey vibe.

The standout shades in terms of formula were Giulietta, Fantasize and Ghibli. You barely have to even touch these shades to get them to provide pigment and all blend out effortlessly.

As for my sleeper pick, I Promise ended up being REALLY pretty on the lid. It wasn’t a strong swatcher but is a very dimensional shade that works well paired with a crease color blended out as well as on its own across the lid.

Just serving a warning– Rosemary is a stainer. I’m not really that surprised as that has been my experience with pigmented teal shades in the past and it’s not necessarily even a negative thing. But still a thing to mention.

Again, I have not been this excited over a palette release in freaking years. I’m so excited to dive deeper with these shades and get so much more use out of them! If you’re wary of purchasing from an international seller (if you’re from the US, of course) then fret not. NABLA is the real deal and they shipped this palette to me within a week! If you’re as into this as I was then there is absolutely no reason not to pick it up. Enjoy!

If you wanna see some other palettes I have reviewed, check ’em out here.

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My Dermaplaning Experience

A couple of weeks ago I experienced getting dermaplaned for the first time with my sister. Our mom previously had it done and liked it so much that she got us gift cards so we could go ourselves! I wanted to share my experience and show a couple before and after shots I got while I was there.

Firstly, let’s get into what dermaplaning is. If you did not know, dermaplaning is essentially shaving your face with a very high quality, medical-grade scalpel to remove vellus hairs(read: peach fuzz) and built-up dead skin. This procedure is supposed to benefit you in two ways: it heightens the ability for your skin to absorb skincare products better and also allows makeup to apply smoother across the face. I was intrigued but unlikely to ever pay to have it done professionally. I’ve used those eyebrow shaver sticks in the past to shave my upper lip and almost every single time I’ve used them, I’ve broken out. I was certain that if I got my entire face dermaplaned that I would break out EVERYWHERE. That was not entirely true.. read on.

The session started with a quick cleanse of my skin with a bit of alcohol. After that, the esthetician began shaving away in the direction of my hair growth; first starting at my cheeks and then moving to my forehead and nose/upper lip region. I felt and heard little to no sensation while I was getting everything done. I had expected some sort of scratching noise but found nothing audible really occurred. The process was fairly relaxing, actually!

After everything had been ‘planed, there was a round of witch hazel swept across my face. This was to further cleanse my now wide-open facial pores. My worries about breaking out were eased a bit because witch hazel is a strong astringent that is known for clearing and preventing breakouts. After the witch hazel was applied, a cooling rod was drawn over my entire face to close the pores. Process complete!

I had a handful of pimples pop up in the week following my dermaplaning procedure but they weren’t anything I couldn’t handle nor were they very painful. I assume they were a byproduct of the procedure and my skins way of removing toxins that were now closer to the surface of my face. The weirdest thing that happened was that over the following week, I noticed that my face was always clammy. Regardless of how many times I washed my face, it felt sticky (I guess) because there were no longer hairs left to make it soft to the touch. I didn’t love that.

Another weird sensation I experienced post-procedure were the super heightened feelings on my skin. I was suddenly hyper-aware of whenever I was touching my face or if a stray hair brushed against the skin. It wasn’t a positive nor a negative– just a strange sensation that I had noticed. *insert shrugging emoji here*

As for the claim of a smoother makeup application, I absolutely can speak to that. Both liquid and powder products applied in a noticeably different manner. It took some time to be able to differentiate between the product ACTUALLY applying in a different way and my face just being extra aware of my makeup brushes touching my face. The most notable feeling was with my bronzer on the sides of my face– this is an area that I never focused hair removal on in the past and was seemingly the most obvious difference for me in terms of the weird “feeling” sensation. Below you will see my cheek/bronzer region before and after I got dermaplaned:

dermaplaning before and after

With the pros and cons considered, I’m fairly confident enough to say that I likely won’t get dermaplaned again. It was definitely a cool thing to have done but I didn’t love having breakouts afterward. I know that even happens after something like a facial but that and the clamminess were too much for me. It was fun, though, and I’m glad I finally got to test out and learn about dermaplaning. I suggest trying it at least once to see how you like it!

If you have been dermaplaned before, let me know what happened! I’m curious if the clamminess was just something I dealt with– my sister said she didn’t have the same issue. I find it interesting that we all have such different reactions to the same things in life and I’m curious to hear. Hit up the comments below ↓↓↓

To read up on some of my skincare posts, click here!

My 2019 Sephora VIB Sale Picks

I rarely do these kinds of round-ups simply because I am never ahead of the curve enough to get your attention before or as the sales begin. This time, however, I am! I wanted to share my favorite products from Sephora as their VIB sale kicks off today for VIB level members as well as Beauty Insiders. Read below for a short blurb about each product shown above.

From top to bottom, left to right…

I rarely wear foundation but when I do, it is the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Foundation. I wear 120 but really am more likely a match for 110. This is a matte, semi-sheer coverage foundation that dries down quickly and stays put throughout the day. This works wonders for my combination skin and I love that my freckles can still shine through when I’m wearing this.

In the same vein of Fenty, my favorite eyeliner currently is the Fenty Beauty Flyliner. It is a deep, dark black that doesn’t flake off and the pointed tip of the applicator actually stays pointy (unlike my old favorite, the Stila Stay All Day liquid liner). Even with a bit of age, it continues to be super saturated and applies beautifully.

One of my favorite lipstick formulas at Sephora are the NARS Velvet Matte lipstick pencils. They are opaque, super comfortable on the lips and are very easy to control the placement of with the pencil-like applicator.

The YSL Touche Eclat All-Over Brightening pen is a very bougie option, I understand, but it is incredible. This pen provides the right amount of coverage while not making the application area look cakey at ALL. I use this under the eyes to cover darkness, around the nose to cover redness and on blemishes as well. I feel really fancy when I click the bottom of the pen to dispense the product. It’s worth the splurge for that alone.. heh. But really, you have 15% off, why not?!

I have begun using the Anastasia Beverly Hills clear brow gel for things other than my eyebrows. This stuff is liquid concrete for your brows and lately I have been utilizing it as a hardcore gel for my baby hairs whenever I wear a power pony. It slicks them back and they do. not. move. Love this stuff 4ever.

If you aren’t a gloss person, you’ll enjoy the Bite Beauty French Press lip glosses because they are the perfect formula for us “non-glossers”. The formula is really slick and plush so you won’t feel like your hair is getting stuck all over your lips. The French Press range has a great nude for every skin tone, too. It’s hard to go wrong with a nude gloss.

Next up is my tried and true Tarte Amazonian Clay highlighter in ‘Exposed’. This is the ideal powder highlight because it contains no base pigment and gives a perfectly natural, glossy glow. I use this every single time that I do my makeup and somehow I haven’t hit pan. Talk about a good value!

The mascara that unseated my favorite of MANY years (the Maybelline Colossal) is the Hourglass Caution mascara. This stuff is a rich, dark black and separates the lashes while simultaneously lengthening. It doesn’t flake off during the day but comes off easily with remover at night.

Lastly, we have a new favorite of mine in the Velour Lashes Effortless lashes in ‘Would I Lie?’. I love me some falsies but I don’t love when they are too long or super thick. Velour’s ‘Effortless’ line is what my dreams were made of and this style in ‘Would I Lie?’ is the wispy star of said dreams. They look so natural and have a very comfortable band that blends into your natural lash line easily but are not too finicky to apply.

I hope I persuaded you to try out at least one of my favorite products! There’s no other time than the present with your 15% off coupon code (HEYVIB) to try out some new makeup!

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NEW Pixi Beauty #SkinTreats Goodies + Review

Before we begin, I must state that I received these products courtesy of Pixi Beauty. That being said, as always, this review is entirely unbiased and are my own opinions.

Hey guys!

Pixi Beauty sent over some of their skincare products from the #SkinTreats line and I was so. over-the-moon. excited. to get these.

No BS, I love Pixi. I have said it before and I’ll say it again but thus far, everything I have tried from the brand has been stellar– Both from the makeup and skincare categories. This new slew of goodies is no exception!

I’ve been trying out their Peel & Polish concentrate, T-Zone Peel-Off Mask, Glow Mud Mask, Detoxifeye eye patches and GLOW Glycolic Boost face masks. I have super positive things to say about them all!

The Peel & Polish reminds me a lot of my favorite Microdelivery wash by Philosophy– except better! The base product is creamier and feels more lush on the skin and the scent is ever-so-slightly citrus smelling. Plus, you can leave it on the skin for a few minutes to have the product act as a peel. I can’t really speak to THAT side of this product but as for the physical exfoliation, I really enjoy it.

The T-Zone Peel-off Mask is your typical peel-off mask. This one is metallic light green when applied and peels off easily in one attempt, which is my main benchmark when judging a peel-off mask. There is nothing more annoying and less satisfying than a mask that breaks off into a bunch of pieces when you attempt to remove it. I haven’t noticed any signs purging when I remove this mask (blackheads, etc) so it probably isn’t the best if you’re looking for something Biore Pore Strip-like. As for a light exfoliation? It’s good!

I have owned Pixi’s Glow Mud Mask in the past and it is a super solid mud mask. Applies evenly (I’m looking at you, GlamGlow) and dries fully in about ten minutes. That’s the perfect amount of time between “getting a short activity done” and “forgetting this mask is on and leaving it on for an hour”. Speaking of, that could totally happen with this mask because it didn’t pull my skin or feel tight after those initial ten minutes. I absolutely feel this mask absorbs the oils on the face with ease. A good mud mask is a staple of mine in my skincare collection.

My FAVORITE product from this grouping of products was their Detoxifeye eye masks. These buggers come packed like sardines in their container and you get such a huge bang for your buck. You get SIXTY eye masks for $24 ($28 at Target). They don’t slide down your face, which means you can mask while getting shit done. That’s my biggest qualm with masks is that when I have them on, I feel like I have to lay back and “rest” for fifteen minutes. I don’t have time for that! These were hella hydrating and stayed put for the whole time. I am a huge fan of these. They’re even a bit glittery (which just makes the application process more fun!)

The last product I tried was the GLOW sheet mask. These come in a pack of three for just $10. I’m not a huge fan of sheet masks for a handful of reasons.. one of which being what I just explained above. I hate that I can’t be mobile with them on although I do have to say, this one didn’t slip around all too much. It leaves my face feeling hydrated afterward and I liked that there was some extra serum leftover that I could rub into my skin further hydration and benefits.

2019 is shaping up to be the year of Pixi! They’ve launched so many new products and I am so genuinely excited that I get to try them out and share my thoughts with you all. There are two different eye masks in their collection (the other is called Fortifeye) and my next “to try” will be that one.

Until next time! Thanks for reading.

If you’d like to shop these products, check ’em out below:

MAC Powder Kiss Lipsticks in ‘Scattered Petals’ + ‘Style Shocked!’

Hey there! Happy Friday.

I recently picked up two of the new”ish” MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks in the shades ‘Scattered Petals’ and ‘Style Shocked!’. Although I had found myself going back and forth on Ulta’s website and Temptalia‘s swatches on her site for a few weeks, I really don’t know what initially stemmed my interest in these lippies.

I concur; here ya go. A review of the MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks with swatches

MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks in 'Scattered Petals' and 'Style Shocked!'

Seeing this formula in the bullet is so interesting because the lipsticks themselves give off a powdery appearance, as the names would suggest. They’re matte looking– almost as if they’ve been sprayed with a butter spray. They’re definitely different looking than your usual MAC lipsticks.

MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks in 'Scattered Petals' and 'Style Shocked!' applied as on-arm swatches

I was fully introduced to the powdery formula of these lipsticks upon swatching. Although that may sound like a negative attribute, it really is not. These lipsticks apply sheer and matte but are comfortable and give a very effortless feel. You could absolutely swipe this on without looking in a mirror and have a perfect application every time.

As I prefer a less sheer application, I was pleased to find that these do layer up very nicely and build to opaque coverage while still giving a chic “blotted” look to the lips.

As for the shades themselves, ‘Style Shocked!’ is my winner of the two. This comes as no surprise to me because that is the exact shade I’ve been itching to buy for Spring/Summer and it’s hard to go wrong with a nice, warm red! As for ‘Scattered Petals’, I enjoy it a teeny bit. It’s much warmer than I had expected it to be and it’s kinda giving me Makeup Geek ‘Foxtrot’ vibes (which was one of the worst lip products I have ever tried). If I lived closer to an Ulta I would probably return it but since I don’t, I’m going to try to actually wear it a bit sheerer than I would normally and embrace the warm tone.

MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks in 'Scattered Petals' and 'Style Shocked!' applied on the lips against bare lips

I definitely want to try some more shades from this collection but the fact that they are online only at Ulta keeps getting in my way! Sigh. I guess I’ll have to actually go to a MAC and forgo my precious Ulta points. *sarcasm*

Any of you have other shades from this range? I’d love to hear which you like on your own complexion! and if anyone is similar in tone to me, I need recommendations. I haven’t found many on-lip swatches from people with my skin tone.

If you would like to shop these lippies, check them out below:

CHARLOTTE TILBURY FLAWLESS FILTER WORN TWO WAYS

Hello there! I am back again with another Charlotte Tilbury review and man, has this one been in the works for awhile.

By ‘works’ I guess I mean it’s just been sitting in my head for awhile. That is because this product, Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter (for a superstar youth glow) has been so difficult for me to get my hands on. That being said, I have it. It is mine. and I really, really enjoy using it.

When I first determined that I wanted to buy this product, I wasn’t even sure what it did. It wasn’t until I physically put it on my face for the first time when I finally learned. It’s advertised as a product that filters away imperfections and that can be used as a subtle highlight or all-over glow. Those claims made me think of either a 1. liquid highlighter and/or a 2. tinted base product. I can now claim that this is a luminosity product that you can, indeed, use in spots or everywhere on the face. I purchased the lightest shade in the range, 1-Fair but I feel that the shade is very forgiving and if you choose the “wrong” one for you, you won’t be able to tell. Thankfully that is the case because there are only seven shades and the darkest ain’t very dark.

Below you will see me use this product in two ways. First, I used it as a focused highlight on the high points of my face. This is my preferred method of use and you get an outrageously healthy, natural glow this way.

Second, I applied it all over the face. This was the method I had planned on using before I purchased the product but I have to say that you walk a thin line between “dewy” and “sweaty” looking. This Flawless Filter is just so healthy looking that you truly can come across looking like you just left the gym. That being said, if that’s the look you are going for them you’ll love this application method.

For being a product that I didn’t understand and for being priced at $44, I am genuinely very pleased. A little goes a long way so in my mind, the price is justified. There are no other liquid illuminators on the market that come across in the way that this does. It gives the face such a beautiful glow and I can see myself using this entiiiiiire (decently sized 1oz!) bottle.

If you’re interested in trying out the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter for yourself, feel free to shop this post below: