Howdy!
If you love makeup and fashion, AND care about animals and the planet, you’re in the right place!
I really appreciate you being here! It means a lot that YOU, wherever in the world you are, have stumbled across my blog among the sea of millions of other blogs out there. I just want to take a second to let you know, in case no one has told you, that you are beautiful just the way you are, and that you are deserving of love. The world of makeup and fashion, well heck even the world in general, can move so fast that we can forget about ourselves sometimes. Sure, buy that pretty lipstick or new top, but it doesn’t mean anything unless it makes you feel beautiful.
I had a slow ascent into the beauty community. When I was in high school (circa 2009-2012), I struggled to find a foundation shade for me at the drugstore. There were basically 5 shades of orange, oranger, and orangest.
Back then, I had moderate to severe cystic acne. I tried basically any product I could get my hands on. The dermatologist offered some pills and creams – no luck. Eventually, this led me to a round of Accutane, which was traumatizing enough on its own and only helped a little. I kinda wish I had before-and-after pictures.
Soon after that was the beginning of my vegan journey. I stopped eating dairy products and LO AND BEHOLD, acne (almost) disappeared. I’m talking like 95%, except for a few spots around my period.
During that time, I had been trying to use makeup to at least cover up some of the spots. I remember those green concealer sticks that just turned my dry patches green, yikes. But, I did notice that even though the makeup looked like paint spackle, it did succeed in keeping me from touching my face because I didn’t want to mess it up and reveal that it was the wrong color.
I’m from a small town and had never heard of Sephora or Ulta, so when someone introduced me to Sephora I was pretty skeptical that they would have a pale enough foundation. My first attempt was a flop, and I went in to return it and maybe just pick up a nail polish. The associate was insistent that she could match me – she did, and thus began my makeup journey!
I was active on Reddit for a while, and found a lot of tips and advice on the r/makeupaddiction subreddit. Eventually I started my own little blog on BlogSpot (is that still around?) and did a few posts there, nothing too serious, it was fun. My first post was a little e.l.f. Cosmetics haul and I did a couple lip swatches with the $1 lipsticks. Good times. I believe it was after that when I started making YouTube videos. My first video was in 2015 and I began transitioning into cruelty-free products.
Now, I’m posting regularly on YouTube and Instagram. I love the platforms and the really awesome people I’ve discovered. However, I wanted a bit more freedom to create and share my passion, without the confines of a single photo or video.
I created this blog as a place to share my passion for everything cruelty-free and ethical. As in, makeup, skincare, haircare, clothing/fashion, household, etc.
As with my social media accounts, everything I use and mention here will be vegan and not tested on animals. You can read more about this here.
More about me!
Some fun facts, I am an INF(x), all of the personality tests point to INFP, but I feel much more in tune with INFJ. Depends on the day I guess.
On the Enneagram, I am a 6w9. A paranoid worrywart that wants everyone to get along. It’s quite the battle.
I am extraordinarily forgetful in the short term. Sometimes it’s a funny quirk, and sometimes it can become frustrating. I make the best of it.
My last “real job” was at a retail craft store, and I left in pursuit of my handmade business – Cruelty-Free Stitchery. That’s how I am currently making a living, I’ll go into more detail of how I got here in a blog post!
I grew up in Eastern Kentucky, and am currently in Northern Kentucky. If you don’t know why I made the distinction between North and East, you’re probably not from around here.
My favorite food is a Beyond Burger with Follow Your Heart cheeze, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and avocado. Mangoes come in at a close second.
Right now, I am waiting for my fiance to finish his training for the Army, and we will be moving to his first duty station. (So Hoang isn’t actually my last name yet… GASP! One less thing to have to change it on, am I right.)
