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