What is "Agnostic Beauty"

To say that I've received a chuckle or two when I use the adjective "Agnostic" when describing my beauty beliefs is an understatement. It means exactly what it sounds like... I do not subscribe to any particular brand. After ten years in the industry and working as a makeup artist, skincare specialist and business manager of million dollar prestige counters the only belief that I have is in ingredients. Celebrity endorsements, high quality packaging, and advertising all result in price markups however they do not improve the quality of the product. Likewise, I don't believe that any one brand does everything perfect. Clients regularly ask me if they should use additional products from a brand if they are happy with one product they make. I always say, not necessarily! You can certainly try them, however our skin is not "one size fits all" and I find it best to choose what I call "hero" products from different brands and create the best regimen that suits your specific needs and concerns. You can expect honest reviews and recommendations from me along all my social media. I will tell you what I have seen work with my own eyes (for me and/or my clients) and why it works. If you you are looking for genuine help and not a salesperson, I'm your girl!

- XoXo Honest Amber

Success is A Choice #LeaveYourMarkxo Entry 1

Have you ever had those defining moments in your life where you can literally remember what happened and what it caused? Well....I had one of those moments today.... and I can feel it in my soul! Don't judge or think I'm corny either! ;)

So, three weeks ago, I started this blog... much like the way my career started in cosmetics started (with much prodding and encouragement) is how I started blogging. You see... my clients and family knew my calling before I did... AGAIN!

So what is my calling you may ask??? A straight-talking beauty specialist that helps any person find effective products perfect for them on any budget (or lack there of), that's what! Hence the title of my blog... Beauty On YOUR Budget! I will tell you what is worth a try, what isn't, what you are paying our the rear in advertising for...if that is worth it...what you can make at home...what to buy, where to splurge...when to save...I will tell you the who, what, when, where, why and how of all things beauty!

I ask questions and share my oh-so-obsessive-and-quite-nerdy-knowledge of products and ingredients week in and week out. I only make recommendations that I would use myself or on my loved ones. Not a week goes by that I don't experience a connection with a client that is so appreciative for my brand-agnostic recommendations and straight-talk. I live for these moments and am so fortunate that I get to do this without the pressure of sales expectations and need for the extra monetary commission. In past career roles, I not only had these expectations for myself, but I managed teams and was forced to write them up for not meeting their sales goals or god-forbid they didn't open up the required amount of flipping credit cards! Ugh.... I digress... as you can see.... it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Presently I have the luxury of working as a freelance artist as well as a beauty educator in the area of skincare and cosmetics. Education is where my heart truly lies and I'm drawn to it like a dehydrated mule in the Sahara Desert! How's that for a visual?! Ha! My dream job is to be straight-talking beauty educator who has the ability to reach the masses.... exactly what the job is, is yet to be seen! Could it be as an educator that trains professionals that in turn work with clients all the world? Perhaps! Could it be as a Beauty Editor for a Editorial Magazine or online feed? Quite possibly! Could I already have started my destiny with this blog and related social media, highly likely! I would love to do any of these jobs... all at once or at a time for that matter!

So where did this "ah-ha" moment come from today? I saw a post on Instagram from Aliza Licht that led me to her Twitter account and her @LeaveYourMarkxo Thunderclap campaign. Leave Your Mark is the title of Aliza Licht's book due to be released on 5/4/2015.  Aliza, (to quote AlizaLicht.com) "is a social media superstar....she is the voice the voice behind the wildly popular @DKNY PR GIRL twitter feed that now boasts over half a million followers.....she also became known for her top-notch career advice and her enthusiasm for mentoring." What caught me was the verbiage on the cover of the book:

(picture courtesy of AlizaLicht.com)

Fifteen words...that's all it took to light the fire within in me. THAT is EXACTLY what I want to do! I want to LEAVE MY MARK! I want to LAND MY DREAM JOB! I want to KILL IT IN MY CAREER! I want to ROCK SOCIAL MEDIA! Yessssssss!!!!! 

I WILL LEAVE MY MARK as a trustworthy beauty expert.... I WILL LAND MY DREAM JOB as a beauty educator in any way, shape or form! I WILL KILL IT IN MY CAREER.....10 years in and I'm just getting warmed up :)  I WILL ROCK SOCIAL MEDIA...and reach the widest audience possible! 

In this book, "Licht shares advice, inspiration, and a healthy dose of real talk... She delivers personal and professional guidance for people just starting their careers (‘To Whom It May Concern' never concerns anyone) and for people who are well on their way (Don’t just learn your job, learn everyone else’s)." WELL SIGN ME UP! In fact, I signed myself up and pre-ordered the book to arrive at my door the day it comes out! 

I plan on soaking in every bit of advice Licht dishes out and blogging about my progress reaching my "Dream Job" on a regular basis to help keep myself accountable! Feel free to join me in the #LeaveYourMarkxo campaign and share your story with me! I WILL GET MY DREAM JOB and hope you will too! 

 

XO- Amber Adele

Pixi by Petra - Brand Review & Spring Look

If you have yet to meet the brand 'Pixi by Petra,' let me introduce you!  Swedish model and busy working mom of two Petra Strand was always fascinated with the cosmetics side of her profession. She soon turned her career path to beauty and has now than twenty years experience as a makeup artist and product developer. 

Pixi by Petra was launched in its flagship store in Soho London over a decade ago and that is where the public's love affair with her products began.  Something I share in common with Petra is a strong passion for skincare and that shows in her carefully selected ingredients.  Not only do these cruelty-free products meet the naturals requirements within Target and Sephora,  but they are infused with skin-loving ingredients!

As if I weren't already in love with the Pixi products for their benefits, but it only gets better from there..... these easy to use cosmetics are mostly dual-purpose too!  One product that can be used multiple ways is a huge plus for a busy working mom like me.  Now let's talk pigments..... omgggg, Petra did not skimp on the quality and depth of pigment for the price!! I've been a makeup artist for 10 years and the pigment in her products rival any department store brand and are very bendable!  (I foresee posts of Pixi color swatches in the near future,  so keep an eye out if you are curious!)

The picture at the top of this blog post is just a small part of my Pixi by Petra collection and what I used yesterday for my spring inspired look below. I honestly can't remember the last time I received so many flattering compliments on my skin as I did with this look! 

Moral of the story.... If you want to have your cake and eat it too,  give Pixi by Petra a whirl! If you've tried her products before,  you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven't.... let me say,  welcome to the wonderful world of Pixi.... you'll never look back! I already have a list of her new spring products that are on my must buy list!

What have you tried by Pixi? What are your favorite products? 

Have a beautiful day!

- xoxo Amber Adele 

Hi from the New Girl on the Blog!

My name is Amber and although I am a 10 year beauty guru, I am brand spanking new to blogging! For those that know me, they will say that in addition to being a certified professional makeup artist, I am EXTREMELY passionate about skincare. Why you may ask?? Well, that brings me to the beginning of my journey in the cosmetics arena.... I fell into the industry quite by accident!

From the age of 11, I began my pretty severe struggle with acne. My mom had flawless skin and never needed makeup nor did she need to combat it, so it was always a learning curve and continuous challenge to which we both knew nothing. All though junior high and high school, I was bullied for my looks and bad makeup. Although the bullying stopped with adulthood, my struggle with acne did not. My husband loved me and my kids loved me, but I didn't love myself bare faced and the damage emotionally ran deep.

So long story short (or short story long) in my twenties I had a retail manager that persistently told me that I belonged in cosmetics and attempted to recruit me. All I could think to myself was, "Are you kidding me...........have you SEEN me?!?!? Have you SEEN my skin???" I wore makeup because I NEEDED to in order to face the world....not because I wanted to!" After a year, I had an epiphany..... I thought... WHY NOT?!! You see, I always avoided department store cosmetic counters like the plague because the women there looked FLAWLESS! They looked like they never had a blemish in there life! Why would I of all people subject myself to the the makeup artists at those counters.... I felt so intimidated!

My epiphany occurred one day when I looked in the mirror and thought, WHY NOT!?!! I wanted to be that APPROACHABLE makeup artist that UNDERSTANDS skin concerns and not only does not judge but can genuinely empathize with my client! Little did I know that in my journey to help others, I would learn so much and transform my own skin in the process! Is it an on going process... yes. Was it easy.... definitely not! Do I still have scars...yes, inside and out. Am I a survivor, absolutely!

So why blogging? I have worked in so many different areas of the beauty industry..... I've managed high volume prestige beauty counters at both Macy's and Nordstrom... I've worked as a beauty educator.... I've been a makeup artist and skincare specialist through it all whether it was for a brand or freelance. The one thing that hasn't changed no matter what I have done in the field is that I AM NOT A BULL SHITTER (yes, I sometimes have a potty mouth... HA!). Clients trust me because I am brand agnostic.... I will recommend whatever makeup or skincare I feel is best for you regardless of what brand it is and who makes it! I am an absolute research NERD and will tell you WHY I am recommending something; in this information age, I feel we ALL should know HOW something works for us and why!

After much encouragement from my friends and family as well as clients that I help weekly, I've decided that I simply want to reach as many people as I possibly can, hence my blog!

I WANT TO BE THE BEAUTY EXPERT YOU CAN TRUST TO GIVE YOU MY HONEST OPINION AND RECOMMENDATIONS! If I help ONE person even a little bit, I will be thrilled!

I believe that with good skin comes good makeup and that you CAN change this skin you are born with! I believe in defying age with skincare! I believe that makeup is an art and it expresses our spirit! Beauty should be fun and rewarding,,,, if this hasn't been your experience, I hope to take you there.

What you can expect besides honesty? You can expect reviews, recommendations and education! I will break down ingredients and discuss products at all price points! I named my blog "Beauty on YOUR budget" because everyone can achieve great skincare and makeup regimens whether you have a narrow budget or no budget at all! Continue to follow me and read my blogs to learn more! I eat, breath and sleep beauty and cannot wait for you to join me on this journey!

- XOXO Amber Adele