Just a General Making Sure My Soldier's Straight

August 6, 2018

WEARING: L'ATISTE FRINGE JUMPSUIT | TELEPORT SHOES BOOTS | SUNGLASS WAREHOUSE PRESLEY

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY L'ATISTE AND SUNGLASS WAREHOUSE.

This past week I left a question up on my IG stories asking you guys to drop questions relating to blogging. There were so many that I could no way put it in my usual Sunday IG post, where I've been selecting ten and answer them. So today's post is dedicated to a selected ten questions I've chosen to answer relating to my work and the world of blogging, which is more like the Wild Wild West. Just a General making sure my shoulder's straight ;) Continue reading to learn more about my experiences as a full-time blogger, where today marks three years since M + S launched. Happy Blogiversary to me and Happy Monday to you!

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START BLOGGING?

Right before I started MaQ + Suz, I had endured some pretty heavy-duty, life-changing experiences which encouraged and led me to my new platform. Along with my desire to find an outlet where I could put both my visual eye and the written word together at the same time had always been apparent, but it wasn’t until I entered the world of blogging before everything came full circle.

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE AS A BLOGGER?

Every day is different depending on my schedule for that week, such as what deadlines are approaching, upcoming events and so on. Overall, I spend over 40+ hours a week working on the blog and that includes responding to emails, meetings, posting on social media, editing photos, writing blog posts, working on SEO, going out for photoshoots and events, writing contracts - the list goes on and on and on. We have shoots every day so I try to stick to a routine that way I don't have to organize as much. So I usually start my mornings with emails, walking the pooch, a photo shoot, and/or meetings/events. It's never a day off when it comes to my job and there's just never enough hours in a day to get it all done.

HOW DO YOU GAIN MORE FOLLOWERS?

I get this question a lot and I have to say it's really all about the quality of your content! This, and being consistent every day and being patient. Remember, the number of followers you have is just a number. What's important is the engagement you have with your audience and what you do every day to give them something that makes them want to follow you. That being a source of inspiration, or a special skill one can learn from, it should be something that makes you stand out and be unique. Now if you're in this for instant-gratification, I'm telling you right off the bat, don't do it! Gaining a substantial amount of readers/followers takes TIME and a ton of work. You have to be okay with the fact that it could take years.

Also, AUTHENTICITY. I believe if you stay true to yourself and your branding image, along with high-quality content, then new and old followers will genuinely want to follow you and your business. Sharing the process of your journey keeps things real and I love people for that, and I know others will love you for it too!

So here are a few tips to help you grow your audience:

Create Killer Content – The more often you do something the better you'll get at it. And that goes for content, whether you're behind or in front of the camera, don't be afraid to think outside the box, take risks, and try new things you'd normally not try. This will help you find your aesthetic/style.
Post Daily – Consistency is key. I can't tell you how many times back in the earlier days when I wouldn't post every single day and my engagement dropped nearly half its size. YIKES! Don't be out of sight, out of mind in terms of posting!!!
Engage With Your Audience – I always try to comment back on comments whether its on IG or the blog, but I also comment others within my niche.
Tags & Hashtags – Yes you should abuse the #30 rule for IG. Don't be shy to tag promo accounts within your niche to get a possible repost after using their hashtag of some kind. You can tag up to 20 accounts in a single IG post. So take advantage!

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE DEMANDS/PRESSURES OF WHAT YOUR JOB?

As demanding as it can get, I take perseverance & determination, hard work, and discipline and yet at the same time it also requires you to not take yourself too seriously. Otherwise, it’ll no longer be fun anymore and life is also meant to be enjoyed. I guess it’s all about finding your own balance, and everyone has a different path and in variated times in our lives.

WHAT CAMERAS/LENS DO YOU USE?

Canon 5D models, Olympus EMD-5, lens Canon 28-135mm 3.5/5.6

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO GROW YOUR FOLLOWING & WHEN DID YOU START TO BLOG?

I launched my blog in August of 2015. For the first year or so, I really didn't know what I was doing. I wasn't sure what my niche was, how I wanted to brand my image, etc; and most of the time felt completely lost. I experimented with a lot of different topics from interviews to meet and connect with other like-minded people in my field as well as attending events to network. Once I started to hone in on my style I felt more confident in pursuing blogging full-time. In two short years, I've gained over 35K on Instagram with a total reach of over 70k. I work with global brands such as L'Oréal, Aveda, Kiehl's, Dove and more & have been featured in WWD, BFA and Getty Images.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A BLOG/LIFE BALANCE?

It's always important to prioritize what you NEED to get done versus what you want to get done. Now that I do this full-time, I am always on deadlines, so these come first. Afterward, it's a matter of what else I can get done for that day. I never feel like I get enough done every day, but it's only because there's so much and so many hours in a day! Learning to accept what I cannot control has helped me so much, and has kept me grounded. I'm not as hard as I am on myself (which is super difficult for me, if you know me at all) as I can be onto to others just as much. Also, taking it easy more and more is actually healthy and well-balanced. For example, I rarely ever work on Sunday mornings.

WHAT DO YOU DO ON THOSE REALLY BAD DAYS?

Whenever I’m having a pretty awful day, I cut myself loose and leave the ‘office’ for the day. I’ll go and take a long walk with my German Shepherd, MaQ and the city always is an escapism from another escapism. New York has a way of clearing your head and at the same time eating you alive (if you’re not careful enough). And sometimes there are days that’ll defeat you, where you’ll feel so bad about everything that getting up seems hard enough on its own. But then I think of all the shit that’s brought me to where I am today and I do believe I made it here for a reason. Perhaps the past has made me who I am today, but it has certainly motivated me to keep going and to keep pushing boundaries I didn’t think were possible. You have to keep on keepin’ on…

HOW DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR CONTENT?

I gather inspiration from everywhere. The sights and sounds of the city. From traveling. From people watching. Food, books, music, film. The list is endless. If I ever find myself in a rut in terms of finding inspiration for content, I just take a break from thinking too hard about it and enjoy a good book/film, walk, bath, etc; and it always comes to me. If really stuck I am not afraid to ask my readers for feedback and what they want to see more of. Listen to your audience!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER BLOGGERS?

Word HARD. Be NICE to people. Always appreciate what you have rather than wanting what you may not have (yet). Just because someone else's journey is on a different (maybe even faster/or so you think) path than your doesn't define you or your work! It's not the destination that matters, it's what we go through along the way that does which is what I try to share with you guys more and more. And, the glasses are ALWAYS half-full, guys, I swear! 🙂

LOVE & XX'S,

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Orange You Glad You Stood up for Yourself?

August 2, 2018

WEARING: LA DOUBLEJ FLORAL PRINT RUFFLE DRESS | FLOWER EYEWEAR SUNNIES | 
SOUTH MOON UNDER STRAW POM CLUTCH | MARC FISHER ESPADRILLES | SMALL THINGS EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LA DOUBLEJ BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

“YOU’VE GOT ENEMIES? GOOD, THAT MEANS YOU ACTUALLY STOOD UP FOR SOMETHING.”

— EMINEM

Now before we get to anything, first's things first: I'm in no way supporting anyone to go around and make enemies or to become someone's enemy, in that it's the best option/solution for oneself, but rather, how important it is to stand up for yourself (without feeling like a jerk). A quote is only a quote, in that the one above is only to set the tone of today's post (Plus, I love my boy and I'm also from Detroit so whatever.) I'm no one's doormat, and you shouldn't be anyone's as well. This goes for jobs and relationships! Continue reading to learn why it's really good (and perfectly okay) for you to say NO and why standing your ground will always win over being a pushover/people pleaser/someone who's scared shitless of saying no.

In my line of work, I know a lot of you consider bloggers don't really 'work'. I get it. You see it like this: We take pics and get free stuff every day and basically get paid to promote brands and travel the world. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal! But guess what? There's so much more that goes into it. We don't just take pics. We spend countless hours in scouting locations, searching inspo from magazines, art, and more in order to come up with the perfectly styled photo-op. We take everything into consideration. I don't just aimlessly wander the streets of New York to stumble on some random backdrop in the regular outfit I'm in for the day and voila. Hell, most days I look like a chic bum in a casual tee and jeans while searching for the above mentioned for the next shoot. Or I'm behind a computer working like a madwoman. And then comes the shoot. I do my hair and makeup, we travel to the location; the shoot alone normally takes almost up to an hour. Post-production is about another two depending on the difficulty level of the edits. And then cross-promotion on social media. The whole process takes TIME and EFFORT and YES, hard work. We do this every day, not to mention meetings, endless emails, events, errands of everyday life and even more like prop shopping, dog walking, etc;! Phew!

So what irks me to no end? When a brand or agency who doesn't appreciate this and micro-manages you and/or takes advantage of you. Most bloggers are too afraid or are unwilling to disclose their horrific experiences (and let me tell you, we have ALL had them.) If you're going to tell me it's been nothing but smooth-sailing for you, then trust me, you're full of it. Because like anything else in life you take the good and the bad. But, once the line is crossed and you disrespect me or my work, I will most certainly call you out on it and stick up for myself. And you should too! Short but karma-induced blogger story: Cute blogger girl gets offered free boozy adult popsicles as the new brand ambassador. Brand ships product only to not have it delivered due to her not being home but at work. Instead of just shipping it to her office, they berated her for not being home to be able to receive the package. Cute blogger girl responds diplomatically but also assertively while also saying no to the collab after the mistreatment. She furthermore let other bloggers/influencers know about the brand and her experience with them. No this did not happen to me, but to a friend of mine. Moral of the story? Don't mistreat or take advantage of bloggers. You'd be surprised how more and more of us are so done with the bullshit and are done playing nice. Screw you at some point! Especially after having wonderful experiences with brands and agencies who do take care of you, fairly and with honesty. Don't stick around with those that do not respect you!

Because life's too short. Even in relationships. Yes, relationships are complicated. But if at any point someone just keeps making you feel more and more like BLEGH (and it's all usually for their own benefit: i.e; ego boost, someone to pass the time with, misery loves company, etc.) Walk away. Even ghost if they're that awful. If that's what they deserve. Why be nice anymore to anyone who doesn't treat you with the same respect for your time and effort?! Like I said, whether it's a personal or business relationship, both should be positive and beneficial to all parties involved. Everyone should be happy. So for me standing up for yourself is an act of self-love. Coming from a rough background, I've been doing it since I was a kid and it sometimes can rub off on others as being aggressive/combative but hey - I'm not Mary Poppins or in court so I will speak to you honestly and reactively when disrespected in any kind of manner. Today I had a pr girl interrupt and talk over me while I was asking for content specifics. And when I told her not to interrupt me she said she didn't appreciate my combative behavior. Mind you I had repeatedly asked for specifics beforehand. And for days. I have zero tolerance for any kind of disrespectful behavior. And in this way, the other person will definitely know what you are trying to communicate rather than using "qualifiers" in your speech - words that minimize the strength of your message by apologizing or minimizing what you have to say. Now there's no need for name-calling or taking hits below the belt. But don't say you're sorry if you're uncomfortable about something, just say that you're uncomfortable! Just be frank and get to your point.

Everyone can have their bad day(s). This Mercury in retrograde has me wonky beyond comprehension but this doesn't excuse anyone's behavior or mistakes. So the next time you're unsure about working with a particular brand/agency, trust your gut because it's always right! And remember what's more important? Selling out to some $$$-contracted job where you're not treated fairly or your SELF-RESPECT? And YES, no woman or man is too fine or too amazing to make this an exception. Take pride in how you treat others as well as yourself because it will, in turn, affect the way that person treats someone else too. Spread love, but when necessary, never ever be afraid to stand up for yourself! Shop this La Doublej orange floral print ruffle dress here or in the shop section down below.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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July Beauty Favorites

July 30, 2018

JULY BEAUTY FAVORITES: DERMAdoctor® MED e TATE WIPES | DERMAdoctor® KP duty | 
LAURA MERCIER FACE ILLUMINATOR POWDER 'DEVOTION' | LAURA MERCIER FAN POWDER BRUSH | 
GUERLAIN ABEILLE ROYAL YOUTH WATERY OIL | GUERLAIN KISSKISS LIPSTICK 'HOT CORAL' | 
KÉRASTASE TOUCHE CHROMATIQUE 'COOL BROWN' | AMOREPACIFIC CREME FLUID | 
PYT BEAUTY NO BS EYESHADOW PALETTE

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GUERLAIN, AMOREPACIFIC & LAURA MERCIER BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

My monthly roundup of beauty favorites is now live! I've mixed it up a bit in today's post, ranging from different items in skincare and makeup. In today's post, I'm featuring several on-the-go products ranging from a multi-purpose eyeshadow palette, antiperspirant wipes and even a hair color corrector. There are also a couple of beauty brands that I LOVE but just haven't had the pleasure of trying until now. One is Laura Mercier and the other is Guerlain! I even found my summer's moisturizer for those extra hot days, and trust me, you don't want to miss out on this creme! Continue reading to check out all the details plus reviews and as always, links to directly shop the beauty products featured in today's post.

DERMAdoctor® MED e TATE ANTIPERSPIRANT WIPES

MED e TATE your way to a blissfully dry existence with antiperspirant wipes that purify the being and help reduce embarrassing sweating and wetness. This patented harmonious union of antiperspirant therapy is fortified with botanicals to help create a supremely dry state of consciousness with a simple swipe. These wipes are a lifesaver, especially in the summertime when the temps rise. I find using a few wipes, one after the other helps on those extra hot days. I do notice a shine left from using them, but a little face powder takes that away. Great for people who sweat more than the average person, you can use them on your face, neck, underarms and on your hands.

DERMAdoctor® KP DUTY

KP Duty is an AHA moisturizing therapy for dry skin that contains a patented blend of glycolic acid, green tea extra and urea to help exfoliate, calm and hydrate skin. It helps to improve the appearance of parched skin and rough chicken skin bumps (like keratosis pilaris), leaving your skin feeling softer, smoother and more hydrated. This condition develops when the skin produces too much of a protein called keratin, which can block hair follicles and cause bumps to develop. The bumps are usually on the arms, thighs, cheeks, and buttocks. They're white, sometimes red, and typically don't hurt or itch. But they're annoying! I always get them during the summer and this is the ONLY lotion that helps get rid of these bumps! Highly recommended.

LAURA MERCIER FACE ILLUMINATOR POWDER 'DEVOTION'

A long-wearing, buildable and versatile highlighting powder that provides a natural-looking, radiant, allover glow. Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder highlights the skin with pure light-reflecting pigments for a color-true, multidimensional, and luminous finish that complements all skin tones. Its non-dusting texture allows for excellent color payoff and applies smoothly and evenly onto skin without dragging. Designed to complement all skin tones, the unique formula brings natural-looking radiance to the complexion for an instant glow that lasts up to eight hours.

LAURA MERCIER FAN POWDER BRUSH

"I developed this product to help women create a radiant look for themselves using a performance makeup artist tool that allows a buildable layer of shine from subtle illumination to extreme radiance." Laura Mercier A fan brush made to pick up and softly apply product onto the skin for a flawless application, I love that it's buildable to your liking. Some days I want that glow to be more subtle where others I want to pack that extra 'punch' to my skin. This brush has become an essential highlight brush in my makeup brush arsenal!

GUERLAIN ABEILLE ROYALE YOUTH WATERY OIL

Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil offers the skin all the power of Guerlain-exclusive ingredients: Ouessant Black Bee Honey and exclusive Royal Jelly. This revolutionary formula combines the power of a serum, the richness of an oil and the freshness of a lotion. The skin appears instantly smoother, plumper and revitalized. Replenishing micro-drops of oil are released at the very last minute, leaving the complexion looking radiant. The skin feels incredibly silky and baby-soft to the touch. Shake the bottle. Take 2-3 drops of the oil. Apply morning and night to the face and neck before the cream, instead of, or before the serum. Bee products are some of the world's most effective natural healing substances. Guerlain Research has extracted their powerful active ingredients to create Abeille Royale: a skincare programme with a Repairing Concentrate that stimulates key skin repairing mechanisms, continuously helping to diminish wrinkles and maintain skin firm. Definitely an A+ in my skincare book.

GUERLAIN KISSKISS MATTE LIPSTICK IN HOT CORAL

Guerlain imagines KissKiss Matte, a hydrating and plumping matte lipstick, intense like a lipstick and comfortable like a balm. The subtle spice extract it contains gives the impression of voluminous lips while the precious oils and the hyaluronic acid smooth and hydrate them. KissKiss Matte offers 9 captivating shades for all special occasions. The iconic packaging is adorned with a golden matte veil. My favorite color for the summer is their 'Hot Coral' shade.

KÉRASTASE TOUCHE CHROMATIQUE IN COOL BROWN

Kérastase Touche Chromatiques - Cool Brown is an ink-in-care to mix in Masque Chromatique. It neutralizes unwanted red reflects for an enhanced cool brown. I use this product about once a week to keep my hair from looking too brassy. They have other color correctors for copper and red shades as well. It's perfect for those who don't have time to make a trip to the salon every few weeks. I try to go every two months if time allows it. This has been such a game changer in terms of color for my hair in between salon visits!

AMOREPACIFIC THE ESSENTIAL CREME FLUID

The Essential Crème Fluid offers the ultimate in green tea antioxidants for your skin. Each bottle contains 150 baby green tea leaves handpicked from the brand's green tea gardens. T-Essentials, a vital nutrient from green tea polysaccharides and green tea carotenoid, enhance and recover skin's moisture, texture, and flexibility. Neutra-Melting Emulsion Technology, the brand's exclusive technology, neutralizes oils from botanicals for all the nutrient-rich benefits in a silky texture. Micro Moisture Capsule Factor unlocks moisture deep within skin's layers and teaches skin to retain moisture more effectively.

PYT BEAUTY NO BS EYESHADOW PALETTE

Consider this your new go-to, on-the-go eyeshadow palette. 8 shades, including essential mattes and glam shimmer finishes (plus a mirror to do it on the fly). PYT knows you hate hitting the pan on your favorite base shades, so they've made them twice as big. Best of all, it is small enough to fit in any makeup bag (or your back pocket) so you can really take it with you. This is a perfect travel-sized palette because you don't have to take 8 different products, just one that fits more than just eyeshadow! Plus the eyeshadows are easily transitioned from day to night looks, so there's that as well. All in all, a total steal and at only $28!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE PRODUCTS

Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

How I Game On the Go

July 24, 2018

This post is sponsored by Zynga, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Ever have a friend that's always running fifteen minutes late? Ever get anxious while waiting when you're the first to arrive at a meeting? One of my favorite activities to help me relax along with killing some time includes Words with Friends 2. It is also the perfect mobile game to exercise your brain and keeping you focused. So in today's post, I'll be sharing the new features on the game as well why I love to play this particular game while on the go, or rather, in some cases, while waiting for others. ;)

The first new addition is the Solo Challenges mode. In here you will find unique word challenges that you must complete by beating themed WordMaster characters. The further you progress in this mode, the harder the gameplay will get. I find this is a great optional section to play around in when you are waiting for players to take their turns in player-versus-player mode. Then there's the new Lightning Round mode. This is a team-based multiplayer section that has you competing with a team of up to 5 players in order to face off in a match to see whose team can score the most points. This will take a lot of coordination between members and should offer a great way to spend time playing with friends and family that isn't competitive against those you have purposely teamed up with. So it's kind of like a co-op mode where you can team with your friends, with the main difference being that you have to compete against other people in a battle for the most points.

Beyond those two new modes, there are also a few other features worth mentioning. You can now collect unique badges through playing and completing weekly challenges. It is also worth mentioning that 50,000 new words have been added to the dictionary of the game, which was inspired by Words With Friends players and pop culture references. Overall, I enjoy playing in regular mode the most. It's the perfect time to play while in between meetings or waiting to meet up with friends after work. It's at your own pace and you can do other tasks like checking up on your email or posting on social media while you wait for your opponent's turn.

Have you played the new Words with Friends 2 on your mobile yet? Well, what are you waiting for?! Don't forget to look me up @sspiegoski - I love to meet new gamers all over the world! What are some of your favorite mobile app phones to play? Leave your comments down below!

LOVE & XX'S,

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The Importance of Quality Skin Care Products with Lionesse

July 23, 2018

LIONESSE® AMBER COLLECTION: AMBER EYE SERUM | AMBER DARK CIRCLE EYE CREAM | 
AMBER NEW AGE SYRINGE

This post is brought to you by Lionesse Beauty but all opinions are my own.

Hey guys! I've been getting several questions about my higher-end luxury skin care and a lot relating in the anti-aging & eyecare department so I thought of creating a post to share with you more on my thoughts on this and, especially now that I'm getting older, why it's so important to be using quality skin care products. Some of the main problems I've had with my skin due to age are dark circles and puffiness under the eye area and yes, a few wrinkles are starting to make their grand appearance. Continue reading to learn more about Lionesse Beauty and some of the products I've been using to fight back and prevent these common imperfections in our skin. But first, let's dive into why I choose quality over quantity every time when it comes to skin care products.

1. Your skin is only as healthy as the products you apply.

While some popular products may have designer packaging and celebrity endorsements, it doesn’t mean that the ingredients are of any quality. These ingredients play a critical role and can range significantly. I really take the time to consider the ingredients that are in the products I"m applying to my skin. The reason? Because some lower cost options may list that they use some of the same ingredients as higher-end products, but it’s been found that many of the lower cost options dilute the ingredients or don’t use as much of the same ingredient. For example, there are two main types of ingredients found in skin care – Cosmetic Grade and Pharmaceutical Grade. The latter of these two exceeds US quality standards and is also more highly refined, removing bacteria and impurities from the products. Your skin will benefit, both short and long-term, from using better ingredients. Looking like a million bucks is worth the extra pennies it may cost you. Think of it as a really good investment!

2. The amount of product used

Another factor that plays into using quality skin care products is how much product you actually need to use. When using genuine quality skin care products, you shouldn’t need to use an excess amount of products to get the results you’re looking for. In addition to the amount, you likely shouldn’t need to be using a massive collection of different products in your daily regiment. In which case, less is always more :) Using quality skin care products should allow you to use a minimal amount of product but produce quality results. When the products are created with quality ingredients that are truly beneficial, less product is needed to achieve results.

3. Protection from damaging environmental agitators

Top quality moisturizers and body products help to seal your skin, both retaining important moisture and sealing out damaging particles and products that may be in the environment, like pollution, dust, even UVA, and UVB rays. Your skin is your defense system against foreign substances that can make you sick or cause irreversible damage to your body. Skin is nourished and strengthened by the products you apply, make sure you are protecting this natural barrier and promoting healthy skin for your long-term health. Don't forget to put on that sunscreen before leaving the house! Be mindful to not just protect the face but also the body as well.

4. Help fight the looks of Aging

Keeping your skin sufficiently hydrated is key to keeping your skin looking young but more important, healthy. Starting skin care at a young age helps to defy some of the aging effects on our skin. Don't fret if you haven't because it's always better late than never! Fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, discoloration, dryness and problem skin, that can start as early as the late 20’s, can all be cared for with a dedicated skin care regiment. Quality products will help to alleviate some of the concerns about aging while nourishing and restoring your skin’s vitality.

5. I'm all about confidence, baby!

Who else here agrees that first impressions matter? Within a matter of seconds after meeting someone new, they will make their first judgment about you. Skin care is important to help you give your very best first impression. Your skin’s appearance is a check to your general health. A radiant and healthy complexion mirrors the health of your body on the inside and reflects a healthy lifestyle. Nourishing your skin with quality products is just as important as taking vitamins, drinking water, eating healthy foods, and getting enough rest. The way you feel about yourself also projects onto others- if you are feeling great and looking good, your confidence will shine throughout!

SHOP THE LIONESSE® AMBER COLLECTION

Speaking of lasting impressions, there's nothing worse when you have that big meeting in the morning and you wake up with the puffiest, darkest circles ever. But no need to fear: Lionesse is here! Roar! As I mentioned at the beginning of my post, these common imperfections are such a buzzkill, but look no further - I got your eyes covered with the Amber Collection by Lionesse Beauty, a beauty brand that brings you a range of skin care, hair care products and tools that are as diverse as your needs and as unique as your beauty. Eyes that sparkle are eyes without puffiness and dark circles. Let's take a deeper look at the three most favorite items within this collection:

1. Amber Eye Serum

This is the first product I apply out of the three. I love to use it thoroughly around the eye area, to get the full usage out the serum. You can instantly feel how much tighter the skin is where you apply the product and my skin around the eye area looked immediately more radiant as well. Definitely reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with this soothing, light-weight serum. Formulated with Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and Aloe, this serum will leave the skin surrounding your eyes looking younger and tighter. Apply a small amount of serum to the eye area and lightly dab until fully absorbed. For best results, use in combination with Lionesse Amber Eye Cream.

2. Amber Dark Circle Eye Cream

Once the eye serum is completely absorbed, I move onto this delight: this shimmery lightweight dark circle eye cream that is everything. I've been trying to find a cream that can really combat with my dark circles and voila! I finally met my match. Formulated with Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate), Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate) and Caffeine, this light eye cream instantly reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness under the eye area for brighter, well-rested look. Apply to freshly cleansed skin. Gently apply Amber Dark Circle Eye Cream under eye area and massage until fully absorbed. For best results, use in combination with Lionesse Amber Eye Serum.

3. Amber New Age Syringe

I'm going, to be honest... when I first received this final and last product of the three, I was a little intimidated to use it! I think my exact words to my husband were, "Want to play 'Operation'?" Haha! But all kidding aside, the luxuriously wonderful New Age Syringe's properties will help you refine the look of wrinkles while moisturizing your skin. Formulated with Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate), Hyaluronic Acid and Avocado Oil (Persea Gratissima Oil) this rich formula immediately reduces the look of deep wrinkles while moisturizing your skin with this innovative formulation and advanced application method. I've been applying it the edges of my eyes where I've obtained what I call my, "smiley wrinkles" from all the years of laughter! You can definitely see a major improvement and it's shed years off to my face! I literally look and feel like a young teenager again! Just apply to clean skin. Gently press the top of syringe down until product comes out and apply directly to wrinkle. If necessary, remove excess product with a cotton swab.

Now before you come at me with how expensive these products may be, remember what I talked about in this post. When it comes to skincare, the earlier you start the better, ALWAYS quality over quantity, and yes, less is more when it comes to luxury skincare beauty products! Like I said, think of it as an investment, just like the quality pieces you choose to hang in your closet, it's the same concept with your skin! Let all those delicious, high-quality ingredients hang from your beautiful, radiant face! Which product are you most intrigued to try? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section down below. I can't wait to hear what your guys' thoughts on this skincare post! And as always, you can shop the beauty products featured in each individual blog post at the beginning or at the end of each post! Since this post is a little longer than my usual ones, I've also linked them in the middle of the article - that way you don't have to scroll as much to get to the links. Happy reading and happy skincare ya'll! Follow Lionesse® on Facebook and Instagram!