Product-a-Day: Uplift

Uplift Eye Serum! 

I shared some results last night and I assure you, they are real. No small print at the bottom. And what better day to highlight this fantastic product than the last day it is avaliable in our Black Friday bundle! 

A drop or two a day, keeps the wrinkles away!! Formulated to replenish, moisturize and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, it's time to wake those beautiful eyes up with some added nutrition for your skin! 

Made with squalane, Earth's natural moisturizer, also used in our Divine Daily Moisturizer for your skin, Lucrative Lipgloss for your lips, Touch Mineral Skin Perfecting Concealer for your face and Moodstruck Precision Brow Gel for your brows, (not to mention, vitamins C and E) it is the perfect product to turn back ten years! Any of the ladies in your life have that on their Christmas list? Be the Santa in their life Christmas morning! They will thank you later! 

Message me to check out the bundle, it is an awesome Black Friday special. I know my mama would love it! Hurry, everything is flying off the shelves!

Pigment Problems?

So, don't let the title of this post fool you, the pigments are not the problem!! My never ending series of momentary natural blonde moments are. So, I don't know if I mentioned, but I received a 4 pack of pigments this last order. I needed some color in my life. I have owned a few before. A couple by Mac that I acquired from someone along the way, I'm sure. Some cheap ones. Some Wal Mart brand ones. You tell me. I basically had the same results with them all. What I lacked at that time was the proper tools to apply these pigments, I was convinced they go on best with fingertips. So, I never really have gotten the most out of them. Until now. Between a deluxe eye shadow brush and an incredible crease brush, I am now a believer! 

First, let me start by telling you that it gets easier as you learn the art of makeup, to do your face quicker. Unless your me and can't seem to remember a routine everyday to save your life. Hell, I have to refer to my own ten spot sometimes. Lol. But seriously, I'm getting there. Almost. Anyways...today...I had decided I was gonna do a side by side...one side of my face without primer and one with. So, obviously I only primered one side. Well sometime right after doing that I found out I may be going somewhere tonight, so I decided I would just do the side by side tomorrow and instead, catalog one of my new pigments today. So I got started on my eyes, and as I got about halfway done with the green pigment I was trying out on the second lid, I started to get frustrated that things were all the sudden not going so smoothly. Wasted another have a pan of color before it finally occured to me, I had not primered the other side of my face! Gahhhh. Baby wipe. Towel. Try again. Primer. Ahhhh, much better! Seriously, it makes such a difference.  And now, I'm convinced it saves you makeup too!

So, this is today's feels. Green. Actually, Empowered is what it's called. Super bright and shimmery. Love mineral products. They really are so radiant on your skin. Check it out...

Totally made me want some mint & chocolate chip ice cream. Love the combo of green and brown. The shimmer pigment subbed well in the inner corner/tear duct. Bright and sparkly. Definitely has great staying power, once you remember the primer ;) With pigments, I'm starting to figure out that the smaller brushes work best for applying, and dabbing them on in small areas a time seems to work better for me. Cause it takes a lot of pigment to get the brighter effects and brushes tend to rub the color back off. Especially the shimmer colors. 

I also read somewhere not to use shimmer on the brow bone if you have hooded lids like I do. So, I ordered Innocent, a cream colored matte pigment for highlighting that spot...works great, too! Solved the problem I was having with that! They all had great staying power and were easy to use. I can't wait to try the rest! Here's a few more pictures with the other ones I used, Glamorous & Playful. 

This is Playful on my inner corners. Blue. 

Glamorous comes out a really great purple. 

So, it's nice to know that pigments really do serve a better purpose than taking up space in my makeup box. Learn something new everyday with this stuff! The tools you use are really key. I should know this, I'm a chef! Can't cut even the ripest tomato with a dull knife! 

Shop pigments, Here.

Shop brushes, Here. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday! 

- A Moodstruck Mama

Product-a-Day: Illuminate

What's the first thing you do before applying makeup? If you're me, you take a baby wipe to yesterday's makeup, cause Lord knows a shower usually leaves me looking like a racoon and baby wipes are the perfect solution. We have a fantastic set of Shine wipes that don't leave a single trace of yesterday behind. We will be going over those tomorrow, though. Lol. Then, I wash my face. Before Younique came into my life, I had been using Suzanne Somers organics. While I will not knock that line, it works also, it doesn't work nearly as quickly as Illuminate has! I received the samples in my presenter kit for both of our face washes and I was thouroughly impressed by the one I chose for my oily face.

Introducing the Yin and Yang of facial cleansers...Illuminate Clean and Clear were designed to meet the needs of any and all skin types. And they are all natural, of course.

First, the Clear. Formerly known as Awake, it is the same fantastic formula for oily and combination skin. It features a mixture of chrysanthumum, aloe vera, licorice root and coconut oil to balance oily skin everytime. Trust me on that!

And, the Clean. Same name, NEW formula! This awesome cleanser works great for normal to dry, sensitive skin and features horse chestnut, ginko biloba, olive leaf extract, blue lotus, gotu kola, and botula aliba extract that will surely nourish and cleanse even the most sensitive skin.

The Clear worked so well for me that I started seeing differences in my skin the very same day I used it the first time. My T-zone is a temperamental area and the more makeup I wear, usually, the worse it gets. Until now.

Don't be fooled by fancy, expensive cleansers, the price and packaging of the products you use to wash your face should NOT be the selling factor in your decision, the ingredients should. Mother nature doesn't lie, chemical free, all natural, earthly ingredients are the way to go. Unless you intend to keep wasting money buying face wash to counteract your face wash ;)

To see for yourself:

How TO-torials: Contouring

BB FLAWLESS CONTOUR SET & BLENDING BUDS HERE

Customer Kudos: November

Are any of you as excited as I am for this new season? I hope so! I love the Fall! The fashion, the holidays, the attitude of gratitude and giving I am surrounded by, and most definitely, the Fall cosmetic combinations! What colors do you imagine when you think of Fall? Naturally, the neutral tones, right? Browns, tans, oranges, greens, yellows, creamy colors, maybe even a little hint of blue or black here and there? Everything gets a little bit darker, even the days...and I for one, am perfectly fine with that!

So with this gorgeous new season upon us and the best fashion we FINALLY get to enjoy, why not treat yourself to a brand new set of Fall themed lovelies to add to your makeup bag!? Do you ever find yourself putting your face on, as my grandma always called it, and think, "Dang, if I just had the right brown tones, or a lighter cream for my brow bone, and a darker brow liner to match my new darker hair for Fall and Winter. Or maybe a great dark grey or black for a smoky eye I have never been able to master! A dark red lipstick for those Christmas pictures I have coming up"? I know I have! Pshhh, I still do! That's the beauty of the changing of seasons when it comes to makeup! There are so many options to choose from, and right now, we have a hell of a reason for you to endulge yourself OR your loved ones and score a BIG perk in the process of building your Fall collection!

Every month, somewhere around the beginning of the month, I will be posting our Customer Kudos...which is essentially, just that. A nifty little SUPER SAVINGS deal to say "thank you" to Younique's loyal crew of presenters as well as clients! Though this is a brand new blog, and I will definitely be going into much deeper details regarding all of our products, I could not miss the opportunity to share this month's Kudos with you right away! It's that great! Matter of fact, I am already late!

This month, when you purchase $130 in product, that includes ANY product or collection listed on my website, and all those things you have been wishing for...you will receive our BRAND SPANKIN' NEW...

Moodstruck Minerals Eye Primer

As a presenter, I can't tell you how envious I am! I have already filled my bimonthly order, the day before November Kudos opened up, and I spent, EASILY, the minimum to earn this little beauty, because like I said, I am obsessed with this product line and want as much of it as I can get my hands on, as quickly as possible. It was a bummer, to say the least. But, don't let that fool you, I will not miss the chance...I am sure I can come up with another list of necessities I can't live without for any longer, Lord knows I can't keep lashes on hand for long! But I am dying to make sure I have the chance to see what all the buzz is all about, FOR FREE! 

I have used primer before. I actually have a teeeensy weeensy bit left of the sample of Glorious Eye and Face Primer Younique sent me with my starter kit...it's almost gone and I feel part of my soul fading with it every little drop I use. So, I am really excited to get a new HUGE bottle of it with my next order. I have also used Smashbox, only because I went to get my makeup done at Sephora for my senior prom and the makeup artist explained to me that I needed primer for my makeup to really stay put as she caked it on my face like a Vaseline blanket. Needless to say, my makeup didn't move a millimeter that night, I have some pretty throwback pictures to prove it, but you'll just have to trust me on that, a lot of things have changed since 2005 ;) Like I have said, when you don't realize the art behind makeup, you aren't really going to take heed to advice like that, especially when you're 17 years old. And me.  

My only other experience with primer, was Younique, two months ago. That little sample I spoke of. What a difference it makes! It really makes it so much easier to blend, completely eliminates creases or caking of any kind, and of course, holds the look for much longer than you even need! Not to mention, it feels so light and airy, while still doing it's job. I guess that girl was right, after all. Finally clicked in my head! Better late than never, right?? Though, I still question the thirteen or so layers she applied like she wanted this to be the last makeup session I'd ever need, ever!! :) 

I have a little sample here to share with you, so you can see the legitimate difference primer makes on your face. Because consistency of the blending on BOTH eyes is key when learning about eye shadow and your eyes are a very sensitive, drippy, irritable part of your face, probably the most temperamental area of all, and the last thing you want is to cry off all your expensive shadow in church, or even worse, lose one side while you work on the other in front of the mirror before you even make it to church! I can't assure you that won't ever happen, but I can assure you, primer will help slow down the process. A lot! That being said...let me show you what I mean...

This is MY arm, as evident from MY wrist tattoo, with MY anniversary date with MY husband. I promised to share MY experience with y'all, so I figured it more appropriate to do this experiment on MY own arm rather than google a side by side, and believe me, there are lots to choose from. Here, I used the Glorious Primer only on the bottom row, mind you, as I mentioned I am almost out of it, so consider yourselves loved for this side by side! The colors are each of those featured in the Moodstruck Addiction Shadow Palette #1, my newest shadow addition to my own collection. I thought with the Fall theme we have going here, that would be best. I didn't use any secret tricks or brush more onto either side. I used the Deluxe Eye Brush to coat each color three times from top to bottom and this is how the colors held...there are no tricks, no treats(with the exception of the primer itself), and NO FILTERS...

Quite a difference, huh!? I think so too! Which is why I KNOW it will be totally worth saving that $22 bucks for this incredible little magical bottle of amazingness! While, I can not speak for the new Mineral Primer entirely, YET, I can speak for primer itself. And I can also speak for the mineral line as a whole. Almost my entire collection is a part of that particular branch of our company's incredible products, and I am obsessed with how lightweight and fresh feeling it all is. Definitely not a Vaseline blanket, that's for sure! One of my elite coaches was quick to snag her FREE primer and she graciously shared this with our team today...so I thought I would share it as well...thanks Stephanie!!

Like I said, with a perk like this one, there is really no better time to refill your makeup bag with your hearts (and faces) desires! Pick up something you have never had before and try a look you've never tried before! Order stocking stuffers for your loved ones! Never tried our #1 Seller, the Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes?? Now is your chance! Snag that red lipstick you've been dying to have, and grab one for your best friend, too! Like I said, the possibilities this month, are endless! The FREE primer is hardly the most exciting part! 

 On that note, I am going to get back to writing down my next order...Presenters ALWAYS have a list! :)

Feel free to email me with any questions you may have to place your order today!   

AngiePeterson@moodstruckmama.com

Breaking the Mold.

I want to take a moment to address something with those of you taking the time to read this tonight. Something that I think may help both me, who is very fresh on the cosmetic scene and you, who is in the same boat I was in justttt prior to making my commitment to join the YOU forces. Also, it is a lot of the reason I hope those of you who are interested in giving this incredible company a try, realize how serious I am when I tell you how much I love it and stand behind it, already. Because trust me...I have been a a stay-at-home sales-mom before, let me tell you, not so wonderful. Some of you may know that, for those of you don't, you're just gonna have to trust my judgement here. Younique is incredible, all of it. The sales side AND the product side. Bottom line.

When you are going to run an at home business...it takes work. Just like any other job. Sometimes, more than that. It puts you in uncomfortable situations for many, making you communicate with people you may not communicate with on a regular basis, about a product or service you don't always know much about, and given my past...I would venture to say, many times come to find, is nothing like they portrayed it to be in the beginning of your interest in the first place. And if you're anything like me, at some point you decided, it just wasn't for you. With Younique, those nerves are completely eliminated by the quality of the makeup when it hits your face. Furthermore, it is YOUR business. Hence the YOUnique. I mean that, quite literally. No one is going to tell you how to run it. No one is going to do anything but what they promise to do when you decide to give it a shot for yourself, finally...UPLIFT. EMPOWER. VALIDATE. For a scorned representative, presenter, associate, whatever, that is a game changer. I tell you, cause I know from experience. I have never met such a wonderful group of women (and probably a few men, too) who truly show their support and determination for each of us, as my upline have. For those of you who have never done direct sales, that word refers to your coaches who were in the game before you, your mentors, if you will. Actually, that's not true. I have met one group like that...the women from my church. That should tell you a ton! So, if you're questioning any of those things, let me tell you...you are in good hands with Younique.

Now, for those of you out there with a different hesistation, or if you're like I was, ANOTHER hesitation, maybe this next paragraph or so will cover it.

For any of you thinking you will never be able to figure it out, no matter how great the product, you are convinced you are just not made for makeup, or worse, it wasn't made for you, I want to politely assure you, that is not true. One of the things that makes Younique so much fun is the simplicity it adds to doing your makeup everyday, or every couple days if you're me. It is so easy to apply properly and appear elegant and well done, that it makes you WANT to study up, learn the techniques, be a closet makeup artist, and of course, own as much of it as you can.

Like many of you, I had NO desire to learn the art of makeup until about, last summer, when my twin sister taught me how to do my eyebrows, and let's be honest, that's a neverending learning process. My sister has always been great with makeup. Me, not so much, it just kind of hit me recently. And it made me realize that it really is just kind of a science. An art, like I said. It was somewhat hard to believe, really. I figured you were just born with it, like my sister. Or not. Like me. Maybelline had me convinced when their stuff didn't treat my skin very well...that was just the reality of it. SHE was born with it.

Anyways, the point is simple, that is just not the case. We can all do it. Learn it. Love it. Be good at it. But you have to think about it logically, when you go get your makeup done by someone who WAS born with it, or maybe just figured it out earlier on in life, do you think they are going to bust out drug store makeup? Dollar store eyeshadow? Clearance rack foundation? No. They are going to treat you to beautifully packaged, high end, QUALITY product. And you are going to get what you paid for. Most times, anyways. Lol. This leads me to believe one thing is true...it is simply, about the quality. When you have quality mediums to use, your bound to want to create a masterpiece, right? Who wants to feel like they are misusing twenty-nine dollar mascara? No one who spends twenty-nine dollars on mascara, right? Right. When you have the best, (and I am going to vote for Younique for that award) you WILL undoubtedly do your research. And I assure you, day by day, you will throw out your old junk and replace it with something your skin, and hopefully, wallet, will thank you for. And you WILL see yourself transforming into a cosmetic Picasso, quicker than you can imagine! I'd like to consider myself a local artist still. I have so far to go, much to learn and so much practice to do, but I am getting better, everyday! Orrrr other day ;)

Don't worry, I am halfway done with my first product highlight post, and we will be discussing ACTUAL makeup very soon, you can all catch that one tomorrow. But in promising to share as much of my journey as I could, and since I am just starting out for the most part, I think it only fair to keep it real with y'all about my experience and realizations along the way. Blogging is meant for that, right? So, this is me blogging to anyone reading this, with questions or hesitations, I want to start with the basics. So that I can get to work. Cause like I said I have a lot of studying to do, and some really awesome new looks to try out!

Cheers to better blending!!! Night, y'all!

-A Moodstruck Mama <3

Risk free is the life for me!!

Welcome to the lash life, ladies (and maybe a few gents, too)! Believe it or not, our founder, Derek Maxfield is, indeed a man! An incredible man at that! We don't discriminate, at all! This forum is going to be so much fun! I will be doing the best I can to go over as many details and nooks and crannys in regards to my Y business and our incredible products...but it's a lot to take in...so we can start slowly! 

First and foremost...allow me to introduce myself! I am Angie Peterson, an independent presenter for Younique and I absolutely ADORE this company!! I am not one of those women who wakes up every morning reaching for a silk robe hanging next to my bed, smiling like a giddy schoolgirl and head off to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. I am just not. Never have been, and fortunately, thanks to Younique, I don't think I will ever have to be. Honestly, I am more a run, actually drag myself into the kitchen for a cup of coffee and peel the eye crusties back while I stretch like a dinosaur coming out of it's egg, as I pull the potatoes and eggs and a skillet out for breakfast, kind of girl. Just keepin' it real. And one who, clearly, likes really long, run on sentences ;) 

That being said, I had never understood how essential it is, if you are going to put makeup on your skin, to put QUALITY makeup on your skin, until I experienced Younique on my skin for just a few days. If you would have asked me five years ago, to purchase a hundred dollars worth of makeup, at one time, I can assure you, I would have just laughed. I would be lying if I said I haven't ever spent a good amount, though. Few years back, I was home visiting family and the local mall had just opened a new Bare Minerals location. Knowing nothing about their products, but loving the flashiness of it all, I was somehow able to convince my husband to let me purchase the Bare starter pack. Again, I would be lying if I said I didn't love it! Because as I mentioned, quality is the most important factor in what we use on our skin, and in comparison...that was the best makeup I had ever owned.

Fast forward about a week...I was fully invested in doing my makeup everyday. It was finally fun and easy! (Mind you, the starter kit only included the basic foundations and a bronzer, which I hoarded for years, because back then, I had no idea how to use it, but couldn't imagine getting rid of a 30 dollar bronzer. It also came with a couple blusher brushes andddddd that's about it. Soon enough in my blogging, you will understand the importance of this "deal".) The best part...I was finally not broken out like a high schooler anymore and I was more and more convinced of the quality each passing day. However, convincing my husband to let me spend that kind of money in the first place was hard enough. Continuing the habit was going to be, and turned out to be, impossible, it just wasn't in our budget. Instead, I decided to come to terms with the facts. If I wanted my skin to get better, I was going to have to have to give up on cosmetics. Period. And that's what I did.

As I adjusted to loving my own skin over the years that followed, I got used to not NEEDING makeup. I am pretty confident internally, not to mention mouthy as hell, so I had no issues with baring it all in public. Let anyone say a word about it, they would have gotten a mouthful. Lol. But I assure you, I did brush my teeth during those times!:) Eventually, having lost sight of the quality versus quantity aspect, I started purchasing a little bit of cheap, WalMart makeup over time...just for days when I wanted to feel sparkly and pretty...or prettier than I already am naturally, teehee. Hope you can all take a little joke! Cause I'm a clown! Fortunately, now my makeup doesn't reflect that ;) 

Anyways, let's get to the part where it alllll changed for my face, and my standards, for the long haul. My coach, is a hard working mama who has dreams of staying home with her kiddos and playing with her makeup all day. But since she has a REAL job for now, she doesn't get the luxury, yet. Which also means, I didn't hear from her about trying to sell me her products. What she didn't say spoke sounds through her face, however. She did her makeup everyday for work and then shared an adorable selfie and headed off. And for me, actions spoke so much louder than her words would have. Like most people, I don't like being marketed to that way. I'm a see it to believe it kind of girl! For months, (yes it took me that long...refer to paragraph 2) I noticed the visible difference in her skin, her confidence, her look...all of it. She was always glowing. The same way I felt like I did on that day I applied Bare Minerals for the first time. And nothing I had used since, had made me feel that confident. That was years ago though, and our finances aren't the same. Maybe now, we might be able to consider it... 

If you wear makeup, any brand at all, you know that the price of cosmetics has changed dramatically, as well. Any brand you see advertised on TV, these days, is almost as painful to purchase as the others. I can truly tell you, now, even as a presenter, there are days where I wander through the cosmetics section, thinking I will somehow do myself a service to just purchase something a litttttle bit cheaper and combine it with my beautiful collection of Younique...and no one, myself included, would ever know the difference. Wrong. They will and I certainly will. But more than that, you are not really saving yourself any money. What you MAY save in drug store makeup, will be replaced in drug store face wash...and let's be honest, that's no service to your skin, either. But, that's for another post ;) 

I could tell you the entire conversation we had via Facebook messages, which then became text messages, the day I decided to ask her what it was all about. It would take me most of at least four more paragraphs and half the day to go over my excitement as she shared with me the incredible details of the products as well as the compensation plan if you choose to become a presenter. Or, we can save everyone reading this who is not quite ready to be "sold" a few minutes of their time and you can ask me yourself. I will gladly share with you why and how I was able to EASILY convince my husband that this was an opportunity, we LITERALLY, could not afford to miss. Hell, if that isn't good enough, give him a call, he will tell you the same thing! But the entire point of this post is to share with you ONE of my favorite details that this company was founded on...for both client and presenter, as well as the DEFINING factor in our decision to give it a shot. Younique is all-no loopholes, no maybes, no stipulations-MONEY BACK GUARANTEED. Yes, I just said that! 

MONEY BACK GUARANTEED!!! If you try it and do not fall in love with it, send it back. All of it, some of it. Whatever. I will do you one better...if you don't like the COLOR you received...send it back for another. NO STRINGS ATTACHED. Now, this company is not unfair or unreasonable in any way, shape or form. They don't expect you to spend one makeup session with it and then have to decide, or should I say, guess, if it's going to work for you or not. Because, let's be real...that is not going to happen. Which is why they offer a 14 day NO QUESTIONS ASKED trial period. 14 days!!!  That's incredible! What other makeup brand can you buy that offers that?? I don't know everything about cosmetics, yet, so I won't falsely claim that there aren't any others out there...but I will say that NONE of them, are naturally based, animal testing free, easy to use, bill paying product lines like ours! And that my friends, is the MOST important thing you need to know about Younique when considering the option for your life. AND, as if that weren't great enough...here's the EXTENSIVE facts for your shock value pleasure...

Not everything works for everyone...we get that. If by some chance, it doesn't work for you, you shouldn't be stuck obligated to the financial loss as well as product you can't use. But with the chances of that being soooo slim with a product line as wonderful as those we offer to thousands of very satisfied clients everyday....I assure you, TOO...

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS, EITHER! SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?