The history of makeup goes back 5000+ years to Ancient Egypt. Throughout the centuries, makeup has become a rich part of many cultures around the world for purposes such as ceremonies, status, power, beauty, and theatrics. In the 18th century, makeup came to America and in addition to ceremonies, status, power, theatrics, and beauty; makeup also gave people confidence, a voice, and opened doors to creativity. 
If you love learning about the history of makeup or even taking a walk down Memory Lane as I do, let me share with you, three of my favorite vintage makeup vloggers.

1. Lisa Eldridge: Lisa has her own beautiful makeup line and is the author of the book "Facepaint- The Story Of Makeup" The video that I linked below is the first of hers that I watched and it had me hooked. In this video, she shows a historical makeup piece from China that is 1,000 years old and other amazing pieces in her collection! 

2. Erin Parsons: Erin is Maybelline's Global Makeup Artist. She has been in the fashion and beauty industry for over 20 years, has worked with multiple supermodels, and has had her work featured on multiple magazine covers. You can find Erin on TikTok and Instagram where she has tons of entertaining short videos recreating the looks of glamourous icons and experimenting with makeup recipes from different historical time periods. In addition to her many accomplishments, she has a super fun vintage makeup collection which she turned into an amazing makeup museum! 

3. Laura Jane Atelier: Laura is a full time blogger who is passionate about vintage fashion. Laura also makes small batch perfumes and owns Vintage Doll Cosmetics. She has good videos that are broken down by topics such as specific decades, vintage makeup techniques, vintage glam icons, vintage fashion, and more! She has a very extensive collection of vintage makeup, perfumes, and fashion. 

Comment below and tell us which vintage makeup vlogger/ blogger is your favorite. 

We are very excited to officially show off our Bonus Action Cuticle Oil. Made with Mineral Oil, Beta Carotene, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, and Lavender Oil. Easy to use, apply a moderate amount to cuticles once per day and then gently Massage in circular motions. This will help in the circulation of blood, which will promote nail growth. This product is cruelty free.

Below, are actual photos from a client who works a lot with her hands. She sent these photos because she was ecstatic at the results that she has been having from daily use of the product and now purchases multiple pieces at a time of our cuticle oil. The photos and message of her testimony is on the product page as well. 
For more information, client photos, discount codes, and more, be sure to check out our Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/cursedd20beauty

 
Beauty may be costly, but it doesn't have to be. You can employ a myriad of tips and tricks that I have also used when saving money and some I still use. Most, if not all, of these inexpensive beauty hacks, are either free or cost very little!

1. Use Baby Oil as a makeup remover: If you wear makeup, you can remove it with Baby Oil. You might never switch since it works rather well and is super budget-friendly. 
2. DIY organic facemask: If you do not like putting a plethora of chemicals on your face, then this hack will save your life. Mix fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, oils, coffee grounds, sugar and more for your mask and put it on your face for 15 to 20 minutes. Then rinse with lukewarm water for a fresh glow on your face. Different ingredients can do different things for your skin. Be sure to do your research to see which ingredients will help you meet your skin goals. 
3. Drugstore products suffice: You don't always have to be using high-end beauty products for a long-lasting makeup look. Most drugstore products, work almost the same and can save you tons of money. Drugstores such as Walgreens have given more access to good beauty products. Best drugstore makeup include: NYX and E.L.F.
4. Make Drugstore foundation look high-end: There are a number of ways that you can make your inexpensive foundation look flawless on your skin. On a clean face, you can use witch hazel as a toner, be sure to moisturize, use one primer (such as NYX The Marsh Mellow Primer). Let that set for a few minutes, apply light amount of foundation, then lightly apply translucent powder primarily under the eyes. Want to turn your foundation into tinted moisturizer (light coverage)? add moisturizer to your foundation and mix well (works well especially if your moisturizer is lightweight). 
5. Basic DIY body scrub:  Here’s how you can make yourself an organic DIY body scrub; take coffee grounds, or sugar, 1-2 drops of essential oil for scent if you prefer, and then pour the required amount of olive oil or baby oil over it. Mix well, and voila! your body scrub is ready.
6. Use lipstick as blush and eyeshadow:
It has been a practice for centuries, for women to use lipsticks on their cheeks and a little bit on the eyes. You can just use the lipstick as both and be on your way. 
7. Do your own manicure and pedicure: Manicures and pedicures can add up to a lot if you are trying to save money. You could do both at home by using a few items that are available at your home. These items include: oils, lotions, hand cream, nail file, and nail paints. You can look put together all the time without spending much money. Other items that you can purchase for a good mani/ pedi: cuticle trimmer and buffing block. 
8. Less is more: When it comes to skincare, less is more. You don’t need hundreds of products. All you need is a moisturizer (bonus if it includes SPF), witch hazel, and a cleanser to keep your skin clear.
9. Make your own lash serum: Save your pennies and apply castor, coconut oil, and opened vitamin E capsules. Mix well, and apply to your lashes with a spoolie to help with growth.
10. Best low cost mascaras: Maybelline Great Lash and Essence Lash Princess - both are on average about $5 each and do an excellent job. 

I Hope that these tips and tricks will be helpful to you. Remember to practice self care whenever you can, especially in these stressful times!

Much love to all of you, my Crit-Beauties! 

​- Lyn

There I was watching Netflix in the background while working, when I noticed a new Docuseries called "Broken". I LOVE documentaries and docuseries shows, so I was intrigued. First episode was about counterfeit cosmetics. If you have not seen this episode and you are a beauty enthusiast, you should.
With my clients, co-models, and students, I have always shared awareness about purchasing "knock-off" products. You never know what ingredients and chemicals are in them and how your skin might react. There are also high risks of infections and injuries that can permanently damage your skin, cause disfigurement, infertility, and other medical conditions.
Since the official beginning of the beauty industry, it has always been successful. People have been wearing makeup for thousands of years. In the beginning, it was used for special occasions, ceremonies, and status. People want to look good, people like to feel good, people like to feel empowered, people love to be creative, and have fun.  Makeup has given people of all genders the ability to do and have those things. The makeup industry has become a huge multi-billion dollar industry and will continue to grow. Aside from counterfeit cosmetics, one thing that has also become a big business has been "dupes". Dupes are a less expensive/imitation alternative to the high end brands. Just to be clear, there are perfectly safe companies who create dupes or similar products that very closely resemble much loved designer products such as Chanel, Tom Ford, and Dior. There are people who simply cannot afford $25 for a lipstick or $85 for an eye shadow palette or foundation. Therefore, these companies create products with the thought in mind that they just want to put out a more affordable product. Which is perfectly fine. The budget conscious has just as much a right to look and feel good as anyone else. As long as the dupe creating company uses at least some different variation of ingredients and does not give the colors and themes the same name, there is no law that says a company cannot have the same raw umber colored eye shadow as Chanel. Creating an imitation of an item, is not a violation of intellectual property laws. Creating a product with subpar or dangerous ingredients and posing it as the "real deal" is illegal and dangerous.
Counterfeit makeup is created by companies who manufacture cosmetics in clandestine facilities. They manufacture makeup with dangerous chemicals such as urine, industrial chemicals that are used in construction, arsenic, beryllium, lead, and other dangerous chemicals.   Most of the companies that sell counterfeit products are sold online on sites such as Wish.com. or some street vendors (not all).  There are trusted sources and independent sellers to purchase products from, but at the end of the day it is up to the consumer to be educated. If you are unsure about the selling source, then your safest bet is to buy direct from the company website or from third party reputable sellers such as Sephora or Ulta.
Stay safe Crit-Beauties!
-Lyn