Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

How Much Is My Face Worth?

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How Much Is My Face Worth?

Hiiii! Makeup is something that I definitely enjoy, but I would never say that I go overboard with my beauty product purchases. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t like splurging every now and again! And that begs the question of how much is my face worth. I’m also going to include my hair styling necessities, since that is a major part of my look, as well. Let’s find out together, because now I’m curious!

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A typical MOTD for yours truly looks a lot like the look above plus or minus the lipstick. The products and cost of what I use to achieve that MUG are the following:

Eyes:

Brows: Microbladed by La Marie Brow Club

Mascara: I use a combination of mascaras to get the super bold, fanned out look but the main component is Better Than Sex by Too Faced. This mascara runs for twenty-four dollars per tube.

Eyeshadow: My favorite eyeshadow to use is a gorgeous metallic bronze shade from The Body Shop. When the store that I live by had their half off closing sale, I purchased quite a few of them for six dollars each. Not bad!

Face:

Blush: Like my mascara, I use a combination of blushes to create just the right color. I use Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy blush in Fresh Pink which costs about eight dollars per compact. I also use a warmer baked orange shade from The Body Shop over the Fresh Pink to make a nice, summery glow over the pasty pale, which gives a contrast that I love. That blush is called Macaroon and I got it for close to eight dollars, as well.

Highlighter: The highlighter I’m using right now is Sephora brand from their Golden Hour collection in a shade called Dusk. I like this highlighter a lot and it was the cheapest one in the store, costing me nineteen dollars.

Shimmer: To finish the makeup on my face, I use the Blush On Radiance beads from The Body Shop to tie everything together with a shimmery finish. One jar lasts me such a long time and is twenty dollars.

Lipstick: And, of course, my lipstick! I use a matte shade called Pure Red by NYX and it is six dollars per tube. It is absolutely divine and I have never used a better lipstick in my life.

Hair:

Leave In Conditioner: To keep my hair silky smooth, I use the Mistress Leave In Conditioner by IGK. It’s a bit more pricey at twenty-nine dollars. But, I’ve been using the same tube since September and I literally can’t live without it.

Heat Protecting Spray: I am currently using a heat protecting spray by Tresemme that I’ve had since August. It cost me seven dollars for the bottle, making for an insanely cheap cost per wear!

Hair Dye: Of course, I would be nothing without my signature red hair. Nothing, I say! The Vidal Sassoon Runway Red color from the London Luxe collection is all I will ever use and, at ten dollars per box, I can definitely swing that!

Hair Straightener: My Hot Tools hair straightener from TJMaxx was twenty-five bucks and it had to be included on this list because if I’m doing my makeup, then I’m definitely straightening my hair to complete the look. This flat iron works great and the products that I use definitely work well along with it.

Grand Total: $162

This sounds crazy because one hundred and sixty-two bucks is a pretty big number – BUT, I’m actually really happy with it… I thought it was going to be higher! I make an honest effort to use more budget friendly brands than high end and I think that number shows for it. My makeup lasts me a long time because I try to take good care of it and use it until its completely done and the cost per use of each product makes those purchases well worth it.

How much is your face worth? What is the cheapest and most expensive beauty product you use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

My Favorite Thank You Gift

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My Favorite Thank You Gift

Hiiii! Sending out thank you gifts has become a snap thanks to the almighty Amazon and it is one of my favorite things to do. Of course, it’s always great to verbally tell someone that you appreciate them and I try to do that often. But, when someone goes the extra mile or you just want to thank them for being a wonderful friend, I think that a little extra something something is needed.

I have always loved Willow Tree figurines and have been gifting them for holidays and as thank you’s for years. My dad used to work in a religious gift store and they were sold there and I can remember seeing them for the first time when I was way young and thinking they were beautiful. In fact, we have quite a few at home that I’ve gifted to my mom:

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^^^ Lol, never mind the dust!

What I love about these figurines is that they really invoke whatever feeling that they portray. The item, animal, or even a person being held by the willow figure is usually what’s in color, so it pops against the cool taupe palette. I don’t know about you guys, but nothing makes me think of love more than a big red heart!

There are Willow Tree figures (Or keepsake boxes like the one seen above.) for birthdays, losses, babies being born, marriages, friendship, family, and basically anything that you can think of. I think that these figurines are such a lovely way to show someone that you’re thinking of them. I know that I would love to receive one as a gift and that is why I enjoy giving them so much. And, the fact that Amazon has them available to purchase makes that process so much easier. 😀

What do you love to give as a thank you gift? How do you show appreciation for your friends? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

March 2019 Funky Time Jams

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March 2019 Funky Time Jams

Hiii everyone and welcome to March! My recent drive to Pittsburgh provided me with the most rando playlist, because I definitely listened to Broadway musicals for most of it. Lol, to some this is lame and to others it is totally brilliant! For me, it made the drive so much quicker and it provided me with a lot of entertainment considering I had to be both the male and female lead, supporting characters, AND the chorus! So, trust and believe the Funky Time Jams this month will be peppered with a little Broadway flare. Check it out:

(And, as always, I do not own any of the rights to these songs or videos!)

Okay, so I often get asked why Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are on my iPod because I’m not religious at all. And, I honestly have no idea. But, what I do know, is that the music in those musicals are catchy AF and we also watched them basically every year at my Catholic grade school. So, I guess I got a permanent ear worm from that. I could listen to the soundtrack or watch any filmed version of those shows and enjoy myself, so they were a must on my drive to Pittsburgh. And, how can you not love Sweeney Todd?!

I have also been listening to a buttload of The Cure since they announced an upcoming tour, which I would LOVE to go see. Breathing the same air as Robert Smith would probably make my chronic depression go away, so it needs to happen!

And, finally, I watched Burlesque with one of my clients a few weeks ago for the first time and I thought it was so good! Christina Aguilera is definitely one of my favorite female singers, so it was easy to get down with a movie revolving around her. I also saw the second Lego movie with another one of my clients and anyone who says that Everything Is Awesome isn’t a banger is a stone cold liar.

And, finally finally, Black & Yellow needs no further explanation after a Pittsburgh Partayyyy! Turn up, turn up, turn up!!!!!

What is your favorite Broadway musical? Who do you have on your road trip playlist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Pittsburgh Partayyy

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Pittsburgh Partayyy

Hiii! This past weekend, I spent time in Pittsburgh with my cousin Laura and her boyfriend Victor. You might remember Laura from the amazing job that she did microblading my eyebrows in October! During my mini vaca, I got my eyebrows touched up AND I finally got some bling on my teeth, because Laura was able to put some tooth gems on me. They are SO cute! Laura is finishing up the final touches on the pictures that she took but, keep your eyes peeled, because once she’s done I will post them along with the microblading touch up process.

I won’t leave you guys with the details of the rest of my trip, because Laura and I suffered from the most debilitating hangovers ever and it was a really gross time for all parties involved. Despite this, we still had a lot of fun and I wouldn’t want to spend an entire day feeling like ass and binge watching Broad City with anyone but her!

Where is your favorite place to take a weekend trip? What are your go to hangover cures? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Introduce These Basic Ideas To Help Your Health

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Introduce These Basic Ideas To Help Your Health

We all want to have better health, but we don’t all have the time to commit to the many programs and plans that come up when we look on Google for help. Another problem with these ideas, is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach out there, because we are all different and experiencing different things.

Someone who has struggled with weight might need to address underlying mental health problems, while another person who has got caught up in drug addiction will need therapies that use things like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to help them get back on track. And that is all important to remember whenever someone promises you a quick fix guide. What we are going to look at is the basics.  Health is a spider web and you could be on any strand. But, every web has to start somewhere and that is what we are going to look at:

Exercise:

The big E-word. It can strike fear into some people while lighting a fire under others. For a basic idea instead of a quick fix, we are going to turn to medical science for help rather than the million YouTube videos of a guy in a gym making false promises. The Mayo Clinic recommends that we should all get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise and three days of strength training per week. That means with a little over three hours worth of working out, you can be doing what you need to do for a healthier lifestyle.

What do they mean by these terms? Well, aerobic exercise refers to the type of workout that gets your cardiovascular muscles working such as running, swimming, cycling, and even brisk walking. Strength training looks to use resistance to improve your skeletal muscles with exercises such as push-ups, squats, and lunges. So there is plenty of wiggle room for you to create a routine that suits your needs and nothing that asks you to start lifting weights like an Olympian.

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Photo by geralt from Pixabay

Diet:

Another area of life that we all struggle with is a healthy diet. It can be quite cruel to tell someone who is having difficulties with their weight about a fad that will help them meet all their aims, partly because they are either short term fixes or just not going to work. No, instead you should focus on getting a balanced diet of the six nutritional food groups that your body needs to operate. These are:

  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Fats
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Water

There is a good chance that at some point someone has told you to cut out one of these or increase another. But, the truth is, that your body needs them all in a balanced way to ensure that you are getting the energy and immune system support you need. Once again, this should provide you with the base of an idea to build your own diet from so that you are in control of what you are doing.

While it is easy to turn to Google to find all of the answers to your questions, it is always best to speak with a medical professional to get the help that you might need to start improving your health today.

Featured Image By: geralt from Pixabay

Social Media Tips & Tricks

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Social Media Tips & Tricks

Hii everyone! Last week, I enjoyed spending some time at my old high school talking about lifewithlilred and social media with the students in the Theater Arts Career Academy (TACA). The TACA program was something that I attended back in the day and I still keep in touch with the wonderful teacher who was in charge of the program.

A few weeks ago, he posted a link to my blog on the TACA Facebook page, and I was so flattered! So, I offered to come in for a visit and teach the students about some social media dos and dont’s, especially since all of them are applying for colleges and part time jobs. I was also able to share information on initially setting up social media pages, including how to get sms online verification without using your main details to further protect your identity. We had a great discussion and some of the students even took notes, which I thought was so cute!

You can read some of the key points that we talked about below but, bear in mind, that I came up with these according to their age group. However, a lot of these tips apply to many, especially if they work in the world of freelance, like writing or theater! Let’s get to it:

No Partying, Please:

Ohhhhh my goodness. This one should go without saying, but I’ll repeat it again. If you are underage (And, frankly, even of age!), no one wants to see pictures of you getting wasted. No one wants to see pictures of the ten bag of weed you just bought. And, no one wants to hear your drunk Facebook babbles… Although, those can be pretty funny.

Employers and colleges, alike, are not keen on any of the above behaviors, because it all has the potential to reflect poorly on your work. And, if you think that employers and colleges aren’t checking your social media pages, then you are living under a rock. Maintaining a squeaky clean image is important for future successes and it all starts with your social media pages.

Stay Clear Of Controversy:

We are living in a politically charged world right now and so many people have the mindset that if your opinion is different, then you are an automatic enemy. Who’s to say that your future bosses and deans are going to be any different? This is not saying to not have an opinion but, if you are posting really radical points of view, you might be shooting yourself in the foot, so to speak.

I’ve heard from many friends who work with talent agencies that political and religiously driven posts are a no no if you are working for them. And, all posting that type of info does is create arguments on your page, laden with profanity and off color remarks. Do you really want that featured on your profile if people who could benefit your future are looking at it? Not so much.

If you absolutely must share your opinion, talk about it over coffee with your friends. Put it in an argumentative essay. Or, maybe join a debate club. But, social media is not the best place for it.

Spread Positive Gossip:

Spreading good news about yourself is far different from bragging, as long as you approach it properly. If you are proud of your volunteer project, invite your friends to join. If you nailed an audition for a play, let the people know! Sharing the good stuff that is happening to you is far better than being a Debbie Downer on your page.

And, I get it, the world is not sunshine, rainbows, and puppies. But, searching for the positive in a not so great situation shows that you have a great attitude, which is an asset to any business or college campus. An example that I gave for turning a negative post around, was when I was driving to school and I spilled my coffee on literally everything but my white shirt. I was pissed about my coffee but, how lucky was I that a crisp white shirt didn’t suffer an unfortunate stain?! It’s all about perspective, baby!

Pick The Right Profile Pic:

I think that it is so important to have a profile picture that is easily recognizable as you. And, by this, I mean that the picture should be the version of you that people are most likely to see if they run into you on the street. So, if you got glammed up for prom, that’s probably not your best choice. And, if you took a selfie while you were sick in bed, that isn’t a good option, either. Choose a picture that you would like future employers or professors seeing. And, always make sure that the picture is just of you. Nobody wants to guess who you are in a group photo!

I was happy with how receptive the students who I talked with were about these ideas. And, all of them agreed on these tips making sense, being helpful, and something that they could implement on their social media pages. I felt really proud of that and I am happy that I had the opportunity to spread some knowledge at my old school. 😀

What are some of your social media tips and tricks? What is your preferred social media platform? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

These Are My Confessions…

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These Are My Confessions…

Hiiiii everyone! I have to confess… after close to two months post break up with my most recent ex, I made a Tinder… and a Bumble, too. Lol, *Facepalm Emoji* But, damnit, I just couldn’t help it. All of my single lady friends encouraged me to make one, as they have one, as well, so I figured “why not”?

In a social media world, it can be difficult and even damn near impossible to meet someone the old fashioned way. And, for me, it feels even harder considering I am self employed. I have no coworkers and the people who I do work with have special needs so getting my flirt on while on the job is a NO, as I’m responsible for someone else at the time. It’s just not a good look.

At twenty-four, I’m over the going to the bar stage of my life. And, because my working week keeps me so busy, my weekends are normally spent recouping from that. So, how in the HECK do I meet someone?! Hence, I downloaded Tinder… and Bumble. -___-

I haven’t had a Tinder since I was nineteen and, I have to say, it is exactly what I remember it being. AKA, swiping through a bunch of pictures of guys holding up fish. Lolol, seriously! I’ve never seen so many fish pictures in my life. And, because I am anti-fishing, it’s always a no, no, no.

AND, if it’s not fish pictures, it’s pictures of a huge group of people. How am I supposed to figure out who you are if your profile picture is of your entire graduating college class?! No, no, no siree BOB. I thought that maybe Bumble would be a little different and I liked the idea that the girl had to contact the person who you matched with. But, it’s literally the exact same as Tinder.

In fact, I have seen so many of the same fish pictures on Bumble as I have on Tinder and I just can’t take it! Does anyone else notice this?! I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!! I’ll admit, that I have absolutely NO idea where I was going with this post, but I really felt like I needed to get all of that off of my chest, so thanks for listening! Lololol WOOF.

How do my single friends meet people? Who has had some success on any of the dating apps? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Week Adjourned

February 2019 Finishes

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February 2019 Finishes

Hi! The itty bitty baby month of February is nearing an end, so it’s time to chit chat about the products that yours truly used up this month. There were quite a few good ones in my February finishes that I would happily use again. One in particular, was a serum that has been getting a lot of attention on my page so I take it that all of you liked it, too! Take a look at my empties and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

LPM Shower Creme: I found a half used bottle of this Orange Blossom scented shower creme in my stock pile, so I figured that I would use it up. Obviously, it was pretty disappointing, because I definitely wouldn’t use it again. Shower cremes are supposed to be moisturizing and this one dried my skin out so badly. It didn’t lather well and I had to use a lot to feel clean. The one thing that I was most looking forward to was the Orange Blossom scent, because it sounded so lovely. And, unfortunately, this product didn’t really smell like anything. Whomp whompppp.

TBS Face Mask: The Honey & Oat face mask from The Body Shop is one of my favorites. Its creamy texture is so nourishing, but the flakes of oats give it some exfoliating power. This combination helps get all of the dead skin and gunk off of your face but it leaves it absolutely glowing with peaches and cream perfection. I also got over ten uses out of one container, which is a great value.

B&BW Lotion: Ahhhhh, the Golden Pear & Brown Sugar scent is SO yummy! The warmth of the brown sugar paired with the softest hint of a juicy pear made this a lotion that I actually wanted to put on, which rarely happens. I got a one and a half full body use out of the travel size and I would love to have this scent in a full sized bottle, for sure.

Azure Lux Serum: I have had SO many people coming to my page to check this serum out and I hope that all of you liked it as much as I did, because I friggen LOVED it! This serum had gold flakes in it and it left my skin so radiant that I just want to take a bath in it… That’s how much I enjoyed it. It also took me at least three months to finish it. Now, if only I could find some more!

Garnier Cleanser: I got this mini micellar foaming cleanser FO FREE with a bottle of Garnier micellar water and it was okay. It did an okay job of removing my makeup and it felt okay and it was a very average cleanser. It didn’t foam very well, though, which is too bad considering that’s in the name of the cleanser and I loves me a foaming cleanser. This mini size took me about a week and a half to finish, which is pretty good. I definitely wouldn’t use it again unless I got it for free.

My February finishes were a mixed bag, but that’s okay, because the ones I liked were ones I liked a lot, which makes up for it! Now, hopefully I can find some more Azure Lux serum at TJMaxx soon…

Which products did you use up this month? What were your thoughts on any of the above products if you’ve used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accessory Story: New Sunnies Edition

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Accessory Story: New Sunnies Edition

Hiiii everyone! I know that after my last post about the fifty cent sunglasses I got from the thrift store, I vowed to never purchase sunnies for over ten bucks again. But, sadly, seventy-five percent of my sunglasses collection has broke in the past year, because all of them are old AF. Seriously, I’ve had some of these pairs since high school, so it’s no wonder that the ones that are almost a decade old have been snap, crackle, and popping their way into the trash can.

So, needless to say, I really needed a reup of shades and, although the two pairs I picked out from TJMaxx were slightly over my ten dollar budget, I am so happy with them! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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As you can probably tell, I am a huge fan of huge sunglasses. Don’t get me wrong, I love the teeny tiny pairs, too. But, nine times out of ten, I opt for a pair that’s big enough to cover half of my face. To me, there’s something so glamorous about big shades and, although my life is far from luxurious, it’s nice to play pretend!

The big frames are a Lil Red must, and so is a more muted color palette when it comes to my sunnies. Huge shades in a bright color would like a little much with my bright red hair and lipstick, so I like to go for the tortoise patterns, blacks, and browns. Both the Sam Edelman and Tahari pairs that I purchased feature a tortoise hue, which makes their size chic instead of cartoon-y and I am so looking forward to wearing them once the sun finally makes an appearance in Ohio. Now, here’s to hoping that they don’t break! #fingerscrossed

Do you prefer large or small sunglasses? What does your favorite pair of shades look like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accessory Story: Michael Kors Necklace Edition

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Accessory Story: Michael Kors Necklace Edition

Howdy! When it comes to jewelry, I either really like it or completely hate it. There’s no happy medium. And, when I choose to wear it, I pile it on so much that I would surely sink if I took a trip to the ocean. I rarely buy jewelry, because I have quite the collection from my beloved grandma and from when I would spend my money more frivolously. But, trust and believe that when I do find a piece that I like enough to buy, I have every intention of wearing it constantly. Like the Michael Kors necklace below, for example:

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I would never consider myself one who would obsess over labels but, I do really really like Michael Kors. Ever since religiously watching Project Runway when I was young, I fell in love with his simple but oh so chic brand. From his clothing to accessories, everything looks so sharp and crisp and that’s something that I try to emulate in all of my looks. I only own one pair of shoes from this coveted brand so, needless to say, I admire everything that TJMaxx has in stock by him from afar.

So, why would I go ahead and purchase a fifty dollar necklace if I look but never buy? Because I know a good deal when I see one! The original price of this necklace was one hundred and twenty-five bucks, so I felt like I was getting it for a steal. And, of course, I absolutely LOVE it and sometimes you’ve just gotta treat yoself!

I am a flashy girl and gold jewelry speaks to me. And, this Michael Kors lock necklace had a lot to say. I love the blingy golden yellow color and the length of the chain. The darling little lock makes it sweet, but the almost gaudy color and past my belly button length chain makes it a statement. But, like all of the pieces in Michael Kors’ collections, it makes a statement while somehow still maintaining that touch of elegant simplicity and I am living for it.

I have worn my new necklace almost daily since I bought it and the compliments have been pouring in. This is nice, but I like the fact that it reminds me of a wonderful Sunday afternoon spent shopping with my beautiful mother even more! ❤

What is a brand that you admire from afar? What is your favorite style of jewelry to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah