I'm Michelle. As a long time beauty addict I created this blog to help anyone out in their beauty endeavors by sharing swatches, comparing products, and writing reviews of makeup, hair care, skin care & niche fragrances.
I was born and raised in Denver where I studied Illustration and earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts then four years later I switched to Nursing and earned my RN BSN. Later, I spent some time in Montana, then moved to Texas in 2015. I've been a neuro nurse for almost twenty years specializing in Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries, plus Stroke. I love what I do career wise, though it does keep my busy as I usually long more than 40 hours a week as a program manager.
I live near Houston with my preteen daughter, husband and Great Danes. My skincare will be based on this climate-humid and hot. I have dry, mature, sensitive skin. The summer heat and humidity can affect my makeup and skincare choices because it's just so humid here.
I've been going through perimenopause since 2018 hoping that one day I may finally be free of this torture. HRT has dramatically helped my mood and symptoms, even helping a touch with the dryness I was suffering from skin wise. I was diagnosed in 2024 with Psoriatic Arthritis - a chronic autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. This has been a real challenge for me as we're still trying to find the right biologic for me.
To top it off I have a preteen - yay! She's so opposite of me and wants nothing to do with skincare. My family always comes first before social media. If you notice I took a break, likely it's due to work or home.
I'm almost fifty so I have all the struggles of aging, past sun damage from not wearing sunscreen (80/90s kid), or washing my face well for years in my twenties. I have rosacea, melasma, and sensitive skin. My skincare quests are to find well formulated anti-aging products that actually work. I have already gone through hormonal acne and finally got rid of it in my thirties.
For the first time in over twenty years I finally stopped dying my hair blonde and let my grey hairs show in my medium brown hair. Honestly, I don't mind it at all. I have way more of a well aging view versus anti-aging. I don't even mind my 11s at this point. I have never had botox or a cosmetic procedure. I'm not against it for those who do, I just don't feel the need. Aging is a privilege.
A consistent skincare regimen with daily sunscreen are essential for me. The UV index is so high in Houston. If I have one thing to teach it's washing your face well at night before bed. Skin care should also be tailored for your skin type, the climate you live in and what season it is. Taking all three of those things into consideration are very important in deciding on skin care. I have a light neutral skin tone and prefer quick, easy neutral makeup. Gone are the days of a full face of makeup with full coverage foundation. Less is more for me now. I look younger with less makeup on.
I've tried thousands of different products and brands over the decades so I'm no longer wooed by hype - except on occasion as I'm human. I'm a nurse and very detail oriented for my job so expect an honest, analytical view. I write things from the point of view of a person who wants easy, well formulated products. I may occasionally dabble in luxury products, but I tend to reach for indie skincare more. I want products that work for me, not because I saw it online or it was trending.