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Red Lipsticks For Dark Skin

     Bri Fitzpatrick      Leave a Comment

black

Red Lipstick In American Culture

Red lips are iconic. Throughout modern American history, they have come to symbolize power, femininity, and sensuality. For many women, red lipstick is a tool that helps them tap into their strengths and tackle the world with confidence and poise.

I’ve had seasons of being intimidated by red lippies. Why? Negative messaging in media and culture. Growing up, some would say that red was unflattering next to deep brown- clownish even. I’ve heard it be referred to as loud, garish and even promiscuous.  Interestingly enough, these sentiments were only expressed when the bold color was worn by black women. Let’s pretend to be shocked. 

Rejecting Stereotypes About Red Lipstick

Throughout my twenties, I’ve been intentional about rejecting those ideas. Deep brown beauties can wear any color with style and grace. Let me tell you, I’ve seen some black and brown girls wear the heck out of a red lipstick. If you’ve been toying with the idea of going for a bold red, this is your sign to just go for it. 

Red Lipstick Inspiration

On the fence? Check out some amazing looks featuring red on women of color. PS. I threw in a personal example – plus a quick tutorial to help you achieve my favorite red combo! You can also get inspiration from this list of iconic red lipsticks from Harper’s Bazaar!

Rihanna

Rihanna stuns wearing a red lipstick from her brand Fenty Beauty

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae stands out with a red lip at the Met Gala

Lupita N’gyong

Lupita plays with color wearing a bright red lip and powder blue suit

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana holds an award on the red carpet- wearing a sporty black dress and a red lip

Brianna (@thatbreezybeauty)


My Favorite Red Lipstick Combo

I’m wearing my favorite red lipstick combo. I’ve been obsessed with lining my lips with Beauty Bakerie’s Bite Sized Lip Whip, in the shade Truffle. It’s a rich, deep brown. Then I fill in my lips with Beauty Bakerie’s Cake Pop Lippie in the shade Apple Acai. The result is gorgeous and really complements my skintone.

Do you have a favorite red lipstick?

Bright and Vibrant Sunflower Inspired Makeup Tutorial

     Bri Fitzpatrick      Leave a Comment

Affiliate disclosure

See how my summer’s going (quick life update) plus a fun tutorial to help you create a vibrant Sunflower inspired makeup look.

“Me: Hey beauties. What’s up?

You: So, are we gonna pretend like you haven’t ghosted us for the last 3 months…

Me: See, what had happened was…”

Yeah, so about that; I’m so sorry. I’ve been MIA for the past few months. Life has been a complete whirlwind. It’s still kinda crazy but it’s mostly a positive kind of crazy at this point and I’m embracing it and adding blogging back into my crazy life. I’ve missed you guys so much, so I thought I’d take a little time to catch up with you and give a summer 2021 life update. I’m also sharing a bold and vibrant sunflower makeup look(full tutorial), because those are the vibes we need as we head into August.

—–Keep reading for my life update, or skip ahead to the sunflowers—

SO- this whole year has been crazy. I mean truly NUTS.  I lost one of my grandmother’s in November of 2020. My other grandmother passed in March. Needless to say, it was a bit overwhelming and I chose to take a step back from blogging so I could focus on keeping everything else in my life together. 

A lot happened during my blogging break. My sister had my nephew in late May. He’s such a handsome little guy. He’s brought so much joy into my family’s life.  After a sad period of time, it’s so great to have something positive to focus on. So grateful! I’m in love. Of course, my nieces are still auntie’s little princesses / diva’s in training. 

In June, I started a new job. It’s a new exciting position with lots of opportunity for growth. I feel so blessed and fortunate. The company is amazing. Of course, with any job, there’s a learning curve. I’ve been devoting a lot of time and energy into my work and developing my skills as a professional. So much of my free time is spent listening to audio books on sales, leadership and business. Applied knowledge is power and I for one am trying to APPLY PRESSURE… OKAY. 

In July I took a few days off for a family wedding and mini vacation. We stayed in a gorgeous luxury cabin in Hocking Hills, Ohio for 5 days. 20 plus family members, many of whom I just met recently. I literally gain 6 (I’m counting their significant others) DOPE cousins. It was such a good time. I even played Spades for the first time. It’s an experience that I would not trade for anything but it also left me playing catch up the rest of the month. 

  • Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills, Ohio
  • Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills, Ohio



I’m hyper aware that thirty is right around the corner. At 28- almost 29, I have roughly a year and a half to achieve my flirty thirty goals. There are so many things I want to accomplish. I know I don’t have to have everything in place, but I want to have the ground work laid. These years are foundational. I’m really working to elevate myself both spiritually, mentally and financially so that I can be a better person for myself and my future family. I don’t want to be one small emergency away from stress and struggle, so I’m sucking it up. I’m learning how to adult in hopes of rewarding myself with mimosas on the beach once the world is fully reopened. 

One thing I have been extremely consistent about these last few months is my exercise routine. I think it’s kept me grounded and given me a sense of control. If you’re following me on IG, you’ve seen some of my post workout selfies. It’s nothing too complicated but I’m thinking of sharing some breezy workouts on the blog. After all, looking good and feeling good go hand in hand. I’m down to share anything that makes stuff that’s typically daunting, overwhelming and difficult feel breezy and approachable, so I‘M DEF HERE FOR IT.

Let me know what you think and what YOU want to see more of. My goal is always to make content that enriches this community. Just ask, and I most likely GOT YOU. The goal is to finish the rest of this year out strong. If you’re not already doing so, please take a moment to join my email list. You’ll get beauty inspo, updates and other cool tings. Anddddd, you’ll never miss a makeup challenge, product review or giveaway.  

I think I got most of the life ramblings out of the way. Thanks for “listening”. I know that a lot of you are going through strange seasons of life as well. Believe it or not, makeup is an artistic escape for me. I find it extremely relaxing. It helps me decompress. You would not believe how often I put on a full face, BEAT TO THE HEAVENS at 10 pm, snap a few pics and proceed to wash my face and throw on my bonnet. They say practice makes perfect. Because it is my go to way to destress, I can honestly say I get plenty of practice. It’s crazy to see my growth in skills –even compared to summer 2020. 


Okay, enough about me and life and goals. Let’s talk about sunflower vibes. It’s giving us- “we’re literally outside”, glow from within, skip through a field ENERGY. Like sis, ISSA VIBE. Almost as much of a vibe as Issa Rae eloping with her boo in Southern France.

What I love about this look is how forgiving it is. It’s very easy to correct mistakes. If you decide to attempt this look –1. TAG ME. 2. Blend, blend and blend some more. Going back to your transition shades (I used Mango Pudding and Warm Cocoa from my Proof Is in the Pudding Beauty Bakerie palette) if you over do a bright shade or if it looks too harsh will be incredibly helpful.

One tip that I did not use, but HIGHKEY wish I did was using tape. A lot of makeup wearers will use a piece of clear tape- think Scotch or 3M to tape off the outer corner of their eye to their temple. Once they’re done applying shadow they remove the tape and have a cleaner more polished look. Definitely not a necessity but oh so helpful.


Tell me what you think of this radiant look!  I challenge you to recreate this look. Post it using the hashtag #breezybeautysunflower. I’ll share it on my IG (@thatbreezybeauty)!

Ready to recreate this fire look and play hide and seek in a field of sunflowers? Of course, you are. Checkout my YouTube video to see exactly how I did it.


Full Product List:
Primer- Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF Primer (A radiant sunflower glow starts with sun protection!)

Foundation-IL Makiage Woke Up Like This Foundation

Concealer-IL Makiage F*#% I’m Flawless Concealer, Beauty Bakerie Aquaglass Concealer

Eyeshadow Palettes- Beauty Bakerie- Proof Is In The Puddin’ palette (shades Mango Pudding, Bread Pudding and Rice Pudding), Beauty Bakerie – Sugar Cookies Palette (shade name Dip Baby Dip), E.L.F- Hot Jalapeño palette (yellow shimmer … no cutesy name for this one).

Lashes- Magnetic lashes from OpulenceMD Beauty*. Style- Unicorn. Used with magnetic liner from OpulenceMD Beauty*

Eye Liner- IL Makiage Ink Liner

Lips- The Lip Bar- Savage and Heartbreaker

Blush/Bronzer/Contour- Beauty Bakerie Brownie Bar

Setting Powder: Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder– Shade Caramel/Plantain


I hope the rest of your summer is a vibrant as my eyeshadow!

XOXO,

Bri

*denotes affiliate relationship

Simple Everyday Skincare Routine

     Bri Fitzpatrick      Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing my 2021 skincare routine. With 2021 proving to be only slightly less hectic than 2020, you’re not alone if your skin is going through it. 

All of us want to feel confident. Even makeup lovers need to be able to love the skin they’re in. Part of this is a mindset. Embracing your authentic self is a choice. The other part requires spending time and energy finding a skincare routine that helps your skin flourish. 

Maskne (mask related acne) is my most recent arch nemesis. My current job is in retail sales. That means that I skin at least 8 hours a day, 5 days a week – wearing a mask. I don’t say this to complain.  COVID can be scary and I’m all for taking necessary precautions. The reality of situation, doesn’t mean I like my newly acquired crater face. 

A few months ago, my younger sister- who struggles with cystic acne Facetimed me to show off her radiant, makeup free glow. She’s always gorgeous, but I stunned to see how clear her skin was. She told me about her recent decision to try Curology. Impressed by her results; I decided to try Curology out for myself. 

It’s worth mentioning that I have no affiliation with Curology. All thoughts are my own and reflect my personal experience with the product. 

I’ve been using Curology for about a month and a half. The company uses an online assessment to pair subscribers with a dermatology PA. They take the assessment and submitted photos to prescribe a custom prescription formula. My kit included a cleanser, moisturizer, body wash and prescription medicine. 

My Routine

My skincare routine is pretty simple. In the morning, I wash my face with my Curology cleanser. I follow up with my moisturizer… and DONE.  I add one extra step at night. I wash my face with the cleanser, apply the medicated face cream and finish with the moisturizer. Of course, I use the body wash in the shower to address any blemishes on my body. 

My Prescription

Let’s take a look at my prescription.  According to the website, my custom formula was designed to address acne, hyper pigmentation/ dark marks and skin texture. The cream uses ingredients like azelaic acid, clindamycin and zinc pyrithione to help me meet my skin goals. 

During the past several months, my skin woes have been concentrated to my chin and cheek.  That is one of the reasons I attribute my breakouts to my mask. In addition to being more intentional about my skincare, I started wearing a silk mask. I wanted to ensure that I was doing what I could to be gentle on my skin.

I definitely took several weeks for my breakouts to calm down. Curology told me to expect results from the prescribed active ingredients with 6 to 8 weeks. At week 5 or 6, I’m just starting to see results. I also notice how soft and moisturized my combination skin feels. I’m hopeful to see dark marks lighten with continued use. 

I discontinued use of all other skincare products (including facial masks) to let my skin adjust to my new routine. I’m looking forward to incorporating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, rose water and aloe vera. 

My Results

Take a look at my progress over the last month or so. 

The photos I took for Curology to assess my skin. I look rough. Mask related acne and stress were significant factors.
Approximately 1 month of use. Experiencing less flare ups, however I still have significant scarring.
A better look at the scarring. I’m noticing that I’m not very good at taking makeup free pictures on flare up days.

Challenges

Using the right ingredients to target problem areas is an important component of any skincare routine. What’s more important, in my opinion, is consistency. Your products can be perfectly curated to address your concerns, but if you don’t use them as directed, when directed you won’t see the results you’re looking for. 

Using these products has actually allowed me to improve consistency. In the spirit of transparency, I’ll disclose the truth; it’s still a work in progress. I definitely have missed n occasional morning or evening during the past several weeks. 

Skincare Tips

I’ve found a few things very helpful in my quest to become more diligent and consistent with my skincare routine. 

Reminders

Utilizing the reminder/alarm system on my smart phone is super helpful. I set up a recurring note on my calendar with an alarm. It’s definitely helped me minimize my instances of forgetfulness. 

Leave It Out

As an extra safeguard, I keep my skin care products in a prominent location. Keeping my core skincare products on the sink helps me remember. I’ve had moments where I’ve gone to the restroom during the middle of the night. As I wash my hands, I see my skincare products by the sink. I realize that I skipped doing skincare and mistakenly snoozed my alarm. 

Doing your routine at 2 AM is better than not doing it all. 

Don’t Get Discouraged

It’s easy to feel like giving up if your miss a day of skincare. Don’t do that. If you had a busy morning and forgot, still do your evening routine. Shoot for progress, not perfection. 

It’s a journey…

That’s what I’m doing for my skin this year. Has the pandemic (stress or masking) changed your skincare needs? 

I’d love to hear what you’re doing to get or maintain your glow. Have you tried Curology or any other popular skincare system? Did you see results or did you think it was overhyped?

As, I continue my skincare journey, my biggest goal is to get rid of acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Leave any hacks you think I should try in the comments. 

Regardless of what your skin looks like, you’re beautiful. Enjoy the process and take care of yourself. 

Proof Is In The Puddin’ Eyeshadow Review

     Bri Fitzpatrick      Leave a Comment

Proof is in the Puddin’ palette from Beauty Bakerie

Eyeshadow can completely overhaul your makeup look. I absolutely love bold, bright colors but quality palette of neutral tones is essentially for creating beautiful blends and gorgeous everyday eyeshadow looks.

Proof Is In The Puddin’ palette from Beauty Bakerie

Beauty Bakerie is a black-woman owned independent makeup brand which I’ve been a fan of for the past few years. I recently got its “Proof Is In The Puddin’” eyeshadow palette on an insanely good BOGO deal. 

The eyeshadow colors are named after various puddings. Shades like Rice Pudding, Warm Cocoa, and Almond Jelly allow makeup lovers to create a variety of looks. In total, the palette includes 9 shades that range the spectrum from beige, tan, and brown. The palette typically retails for $38.

Proof Is In The Puddin’ palette

As a woman with deep brown skin, it’s super important that neutral eyeshadow colors be exceptionally pigmented. If they’re not, they simply don’t show up well. I was skeptical about shades like Rice Pudding and ‘Nana Puddin’ working for me at all. I was pleasantly surprised.

Swatched shades (listed from top to bottom): Rice Pudding, Chia Pudding, Bread Pudding, Butterscotch’d, Spiced Caramel, Mango Pudding, Nana Puddin’, Warm Cocoa, Almond Jelly

Check out this eye look featuring The Proof Is In The Puddin’ Palette:

Proof Is In The Puddin Palette
Proof Is In The Puddin' Palette

I used Warm Cocoa, Mango Pudding, and Spiced Caramel. I sprayed my Farmasi Mineral Water spray on my shadow brush before applying Spiced Caramel. I finished the look with my magnetic gel eyeliner and magnetic lashes from OpulenceMD Beauty‘s limited edition Warrior Lash set.

Overall, I’m pleased with this palette. The color pay off was better than I expected. The palette has enough variety to make a beautiful look by itself or combine with shadows from other palettes. Price-point wise, the palette provides a great value. Approximately $4.22 per .05 oz shadow pan.

As I mentioned previously, the brand is still independently owned and was founded by a black woman who refers to herself as “head baker”. All the products have fun whimsical packaging based on sweet treats. It’s adorable and worth checking out if you like supporting independent businesses, minority owned businesses, or are just fan girl-ing over its superb branding.

Have you tried the “Proof Is In The Puddin’’ palette yet? How did you like it? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this look and the “Proof Is In The Puddin’” palette. Let me know what you think! 

Make Your At-Home Spa Day Luxurious

     Bri Fitzpatrick      Leave a Comment

It’s the perfect time to step up your at-home spa day game. With COVID numbers rising, many may feel uncomfortable getting up close and personal with someone in the name of beauty. 

Does anyone else love a day of pampering? It feels so good to have someone else tending to your needs. Whether it’s professional hairstyling, nails or facials I love it. 

DIYing it can be just as fabulous if you put in a little prep work. If you’re staying at home in the name of safety, or simply trying to be frugal these at-home spa day tips are sure to elevate your next night in! 

Transform Your Space

First things first, start by creating ambience. Just because you’re not going to the spa, doesn’t mean you’re not at the spa. Transform your space. Grab a comfy chair, your favorite scented candles, bomb playlist, a fluffy robe and slippers. Create a relaxing atmosphere.  Get all your stuff ready in advance so you can stay relaxed (Set your phone on do not disturb). Enjoy “me time”. 

Okay, so you’ve created a relaxing oasis. How do you elevate your at-home spa day from average to amazing?

Boujie Bubble Bath

Upgrade your bubble bath by adding Epsom salt and lavender oil.

Lavender oil smells amazing, but that’s minor in comparison to some of its other properties. According to VeryWellMind.com, lavender oil has anti-depressant, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory qualities. It promotes relaxation and is rather affordable. Some people even grow lavender at home. Keep in mind, lavender oil, ingested in large quantities can be toxic. Keep out of reach of small children and pets.

Epsom salts, commonly referred to as bath salts, are used to soothe sore, aching muscles. The research on its effectiveness is inconclusive, but people have been using it as a remedy for centuries. It’s affordable, available at nearly every drug and grocery store, and easy to use. Simply add a small amount of Epsom salt to your bath water. 

Despite its name, Epsom or bath salt is actually magnesium sulfate. It is not truly sodium or a “salt”. So, you really will want to grab Epsom salt and not the salt on your kitchen counter, so that the magnesium sulfate can do its thing. Such easy at-home spa day hacks!

High End Press Ons

I don’t know about you, but my nail painting is definitely not salon quality. I also prefer long coffin style nails. My go to solution is custom press-on nails. A lot of small businesses sell them. Check out a few that I’ve been dying to try! 

Flaunting Presses

The Nailest

Crochet Braids

Crochet braids are a game changer for anyone who wants to switch up their style but doesn’t want to spend a ton of time or hire a professional. You basically cornrow your hair and attach pre-looped extensions to your braids via a crochet hook. It’s not very hard and turns a 7-hour style into a 2-hour style. A huge win!

I’ve been wearing Boho Locs, a black owned luxury crochet hair company, for years (since 2018) and am obsessed! Their product line up features various “loc and twist” looks that make for great protective styling.

Use my referral link,(above), for $10 off.

Virtual Spa Date

See if a friend is down to do their spa day at the same time. You can Facetime and gab just like you were next to each other IRL! Grab a hot cup of tea or a glass of red wine (for the anti-oxidants, of course) to make it feel more like a true bestie date. 

Venture Out Cautiously

Some salons are still offering services. If you’re not high risk, and want the full experience- visit a local beauty specialist who is committed to keeping clients safe. Wear a mask during all services. If your service prevents you from “masking up” (think things like facials), make sure your beauty professional is wearing their mask properly and wearing a shield. If you’re feeling at all unwell- stay home. Beauty is NOT a life or death matter. Your pampering can wait. 

What’s your perfect home spa day look like? Do you feel safe venturing out, or is it DIY season? 

Are Magnetic Lashes Worth the Hype?

     Bri Fitzpatrick      Leave a Comment

First Impression and Product Review

Magnetic Lashes

Let’s talk about magnetic lashes. I’ve been enamored with the world of beauty for years. I love the creativity and the glamour. Despite loving fairly bold, adventurous looks, I would seldom top it off with the “piece de resistance” aka a pair of perfectly curated lashes. The reason has little to nothing to do with my aesthetic preference. 

I love the look, but putting them on right has always been a major pain in the rear end. I would get messy lash glue on my eyelids and still struggle to get them to securely adhere to my lash line. Constantly riding the struggle bus, I was never comfortable and confident wearing them. I gave up years ago. 

Recently I started seeing lots of ads for magnetic eyelashes. It seemed kinda tech-y and I was intrigued. This spring, I saw a cheap set of magnetic lashes on Amazon. For 10 or 12 dollars, I was game. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, I was still waiting for my package a month and a half later. ANNOYING. I canceled my order and almost gave up until a stumbled across a company called OpulenceMD Beauty. They are a magnetic lash company, owned by a black woman eye doctor. The company believes that using magnetic lashes are healthier for eye health than traditional eyelash extensions.  

My Magnetic Lashes

Freedom Lashes and Liquid Magnetic Liner in Case- from OpulenceMD Beauty

The lash style I received was called the “Freedom Lash”. It’s not available as a regular item on the website. Here’s my quick review of the “Freedom Lash”, OpulenceMD Beauty and magnetic lashes in general.

The “Freedom Lash” is a very dramatic style. It’s so long! When I open my eyes wide, my lashes touch my eyebrows. I WAS NOT READY! It definitely took me a while to adjust. This length is not for the faint of heart. If you don’t love super long lashes or don’t want to use it to accentuate a specific editorial makeup look, this one may not be for you. 

  • Magnetic Lashes in Freedom Lash Style
    Bri modeling Freedom Lashes
  • Magnetic False Eye Lashes
    Lashes by OpulenceMD Beauty
  • Magnetic Falsies
    Magnetic Lashes from OpulenceMD Beauty
  • Freedom Lash Style Magnetic Lashes
    Magnetic Lashes From OpulenceMD Beauty
  • Girl wearing magnetic lashes from Opulence MD Beauty

Thankfully, that’s not the only style the company has to offer. I have yet to buy my 2nd pair but I plan to. I have seen beautiful ladies rock many of their other styles. If you’re looking for something demure, there are other options. 

Length aside, I enjoyed and am enjoying my lashes. Included in my set was liquid magnetic liner (OpulenceMD Beauty also sell a magnetic gel liner) as well as the lashes and a plastic case. To apply I took the liquid liner and smudged it into my upper lash line. You can also apply the liner the same way you would traditional eyeliner. I didn’t want dramatic black eyeliner on, so I smudged. It’s important to pay special attention to the placement of the magnets, and make sure you have sufficient liner on those areas.

It was easier than I anticipated.  The lashes are super lightweight. Once the liner was on, I popped on the lashes. Don’t place the lashes on the inner corner of your eyes. You’ll want to start approximately a ¼ of the way in from the corner of your eyelash. The end of the lash should line up with the outer corner of your eyes. I blink a few times after I put them on to make sure they are secure.

The lashes range in price, premium synthetic lashes being much less expensive than the standard cruelty free mink option. According to the website, their premium synthetic lashes can be worn up to 25 times, while the mink lashes can be worn up to 45 times. They also offer a Platinum Membership program. It’s a lash club that sends members a lash of the month, and grants them a 20% site wide discount for $30/ month. This brand had already secured a spot on my wishlist when an ad popped up for a limited time promo (I’m unsure if they’re still running it). I got a trial pair of lashes for free, but was responsible for shipping costs. 

They have a lot of staying power. In fact, when I first demo’d them for my VIP beauty group, I tested the liner on the back of my hand, and stuck on an eyelash. It stayed put while I put on my makeup. I honestly forgot it was there. 

Overall, this was a great first experience with magnetic lashes. I’ve worn my set 3 or 4 times at this point. I can confidently say it was lightweight and that the application process was far easier than what I’ve experienced with traditional lashes. I like the staying power that magnetic lashes offer. 

To date, I have nothing but good things to say about the company I bought these from, OpulenceMD Beauty. The product worked. I didn’t have issues with processing. Shipping took quite a while, but I can’t hold that against them. Most companies are facing the same challenges as they navigate logistical impacts caused by accommodation that allow social distancing in workplaces. I’m not gonna pressure someone to be unsafe so I can have eyelashes faster, so they have my complete grace on that one. I love that the company was founded by a black woman doctor. Being able to support a small black business and a female entrepreneur is a bonus that makes me smile. 

Would I buy this again?

I would not purchase the “Freedom Lash” style again, BUT I fully plan on purchasing more lashes from this company.  More pros than cons for me at this point in time. I’ll make sure to update, when I get around to getting another style. 

If you want to give OpulenceMD Beauty a try, you can shop here! The pretty teal liner in one of my “lash selfies” was from Farmasi.