Ask Sisi Q&A: Where have I been? Future of HouseofTheRisingSun?

Hey guys long time no chat! I have pretty much started the last couple of posts with this intro and there aren't enough words to tell you guys how sorry I am for being so MIA. So today I wanted to give you guys an update on where I have been and the future of this blog.

So where have I been? Unfortunately I did not have a summer this year. I had to continue my classes throughout the summer due to the first part of the internship that is required in my program. I was at my internship for about 20 + hours a week including a weekend. Along with my internship I had to take the class that went along with it as well as another online class. The online class was a little more than I bargained for because we had a huge project that required group work and meetings in person. But it wasn't just school. As most of you probably know if you read my last blog post, House of the Rising Sun Social Media Consulting services has been undergoing some changes and had to shut down for about 3 months. I will do a separate post on the changes.

Now with the fall semester about to start where does that leave this blog? In all honesty with everything that has been going on between school and work blogging is just currently not one of my top priorities at the moment. But it does not mean that I don't love blogging and want to stop. For those of you who are in school or were in school and those of you who know what it is like to start and run your own business you guys know how hard it can be doing that while trying to have a personal life as well. In terms of the future of this blog, I will not stop writing but I can't promise consistent posts. Hopefully one day when I am finally done with school and get all my business issues sorted out I can be more attentive and more deserving of you guys. In the meantime thank you all for the continuous support and love!

Si's Life: Getting To Know ME FAQs

I have been receiving some emails lately asking me to share a little more about myself and what exactly I do outside of this blog. So I decided to take the most FAQs and put it into one post. 

1.) How old are you?

I turned 24 this past June

2.) Are you still in school and if so what are you studying?

Yes, I am currently a full time graduate student pursuing a Master's of Arts degree in Rehab & Mental Health Counseling 

3.) Do you work?

Yes, outside of this blog I am a freelance social media consultant. I don't work for one specific company (I used to) but rather take on clients privately.

4.) What is your future career goal?

I want to specialize in transplant/trauma care.

5.) Do you have any pets?

Currently I have a turtle, a couple of chickens and one duck

6.) Do you have any siblings?

Yes, a little sister and little brother

7.) What do you like to blog the most about?

Definitely beauty products, it is what started this blog and has been a passion ever since I was a little girl

I hoped you guys enjoyed this little Q&A! I will definitely do more in the future. Please continue to send me more questions! 

XOXO,

Si 

Get To Know Me WOULD YOU RATHER BEAUTY TAG- BLOGTOBER OCTOBER 18, 2014

1.Would you rather go out with messy hair and nice make-up or Nice hair and no make-up?

Messy Hair & Nice Makeup (Messy Hair is def. more laid back and plus I'm not much a hair person)

2.Would you rather shave your eyebrows or have your eyelashes fall out?

Shave my eyebrows, I can always draw them back in but putting on false lashes everyday... nope.

3.Would you rather be forced to shop at only MAC or Sephora for the rest of your life?

Sephora, they have a variety of brands.

4.Would you rather wear lipgloss/lipliner look or 80's perm?

Lipgloss/lipliner look

5.Would you rather leave the house with an obvious foundation line or overdone blush?

Overdone blush, I can always lie and say it's a new trend, there is no excuse out there for poorly blended foundation.

6.Would you rather wear MC Hammer pants or biker shorts in public?

MC Hammer pants duh (can't touch this)

7.Would you rather have a bad orange-y spray tan or really weird tan lines that can't be covered?

Weird tan lines, I love sports so I can always say I got these tan lines from playing soccer

8.Would you rather have a bad haircut or bad hair color?

Bad hair color, you can always find some way to change it.

9.Would you rather have youtube or twitter taken away forever?

Twitter, YouTube is too entertaining. 

10. Would you rather give up using makeup brushes or mascara? 

Beauty Blogger Tag

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?

I been blogging on and off for years sometimes for myself as an outlet and sometimes for companies who want a review of their products. However recently with everything going on in my life, I find blogging has become my therapist. It helps me relax and not worry so much.

Whose blog did you fall in love with first?

This is a really hard one and honestly I couldn't just choose one so here are my top favorite bloggers of all time

Kandee Johnson (I follow both her personal as well as beauty blog)

Link to her personal blog

Link to her beauty blog

Laura Farrant from Buy Now Blog Later

Christine Mielke from Temptalia

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product you bought and was it worth the hype?

The first blogosphere hyped about product I bought was the Urban Decay Naked 1 palette. It was DEFINITELY worth the hype. It has all the neutral colors that a girl will ever need!

What are your favorite five things about blogging and being a beauty blogger?

1.) I get to talk about makeup as much as I want 2.) I have an excuse to play with makeup whenever and wherever I want 3.) I get to connect with people all around the world 4.) Lets out my creative side 5.) Help others

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger?

Beauty is skin deep and doesn't come from the products but rather within yourself. The products out there only enhance your natural beauty.

Have you changed anything since being a beauty blogger?

Yes, I am definitely more precise when it comes to application and don't just slab it on anymore.

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?

Relax and enjoy! Being a beauty blogger is probably one of the funniest jobs ever however it does come with its downs. There will be many haters out there that will judge you and berate you. Never let them get to you they are not worth it one bit.

Name your top five brands!

Top 5 Makeup Brands

1.) Tarte

2.) Maybelline

3.) Nars

4.) NYX

5.) Benefit

Top 5 Skin Care Brands

1.) Peter Thomas Roth

2.) Neutrogena

3.) Clinique

4.) Clean and Clear

5.) Murad

Recommend your top five favorite beauty products!

Makeup Recommendations

1.) Maybelline Color Tattos (These are a great dupe to MAC paint pots but so much cheaper and they also work better!)

2.) Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation (Super lightweight with just enough coverage. One of the best foundations ever!!!)

3.) Jordana Eyebrow Pencils (So affordable and works just as well as any high end eyebrow pencil)

4.) YSL Baby Doll Mascara (Gives even the thinnest and tiny lashes so much length and volume. Plus it smells like flowers!)

5.) Maybelline Dream Matte Powder (Awesome setting powder that gets rid of shine and helps set your makeup)

Skincare Recommendations

1.) Murad Hydrodyamnic Moisturizer (Super moisturizing and great for all skin types)

2.) Clean and Clear Toners (These come in many different types to accommodate different skin types and works so well in cleaning and toning your skin.)

3.) Clinique Acne Clearing Gel (Great acne treatment that can be used under makeup)

4.) Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes (Simple and easy to take off your makeup or just use as a refresher)

5.) Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream (Depuffs and gets rid of dark under eye circles) 

Would You Rather Tag: Beauty Edition

1.Would you rather go out with messy hair and nice make-up or Nice hair and no make-up?
Messy hair and nice make-up (Always a fan of a grungy look)

2.Would you rather shave your eyebrows or have your eyelashes fall out?
Have my eyelashes fall out (You can always wear fake ones losing your brows and having to draw them in everyday... not so nice)

3.Would you rather be forced to shop at only MAC or Sephora for the rest of your life?
Sephora

4.Would you rather wear lipgloss/lipliner look or 80's perm?
Lipgloss/Lipliner look duhhh

5.Would you rather leave the house with an obvious foundation line or overdone blush?
Overdone blush

6.Would you rather wear MC Hammer pants or biker shorts in public?
MC Hammer Pants

7.Would you rather have a bad orange-y spray tan or really weird tan lines that can't be covered?
Weird Tan Lines (I use to dance and play soccer I'm very familiar with weird tan lines lol)

8.Would you rather have a bad haircut or bad hair color?
Bad hair color (my hair does not grow out fast)

9.Would you rather have youtube or twitter taken away forever?
Twitter

10. Would you rather give up using makeup brushes or mascara?
Makeup Brushes 

Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings

Recently Too Faced came out with a sample kit of their best tried and true products from their line. Not only these products are the best selling from Too Faced all the products in this kit are beauty blogger approved. If you are a fan of watching beauty videos on YouTube all these products will be very familiar. The kit includes 4 deluxe size:

1.) Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Medium- A chocolate scented, antioxidant- rich cocoa infused matte bronzer that is great for all over the face or just used for contouring. It neutralizes any red tones on your face and evens out the skin tone. Very easy to blend out and nicely pigmented. Unlike some other bronzers this one does not have any orange undertones that will make you look like an oompa loompa. This product is also cruelty free, paraben free and vegan friendly. By itself this product in full size retails for $30. 

Chocolate Soleil

More pigmented in person that on camera

2.) Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer (Little pink squeeze tube)- A vitamin infused face primer that contains vitamins C & A, mulberry extract, and retional. This primer not only preps your skin for makeup but also banishes pores, hydrates, firms and detoxifies. Your skin will appear brighter, fresher and younger. Makeup will stay put all day with this underneath. This product retails for $30 on its own. Contains no parabens. 

3.) Better than Sex Mascara (Pink Tube)- The name isn't exactly accurate (lol) however this is a pretty great mascara. It lengthens and volumes giving your lashes a luscious, sultry and fuller look. The brush has a curve to it that allows you to get into those annoying little lashes in the inner and outer corners. I wasn't a fan of Too Faced mascaras until I tried this particular one. Even those with sparse lashes will fall in love with this. Retails on its own for $23

4.) Shadow Insurance Eye Shadow Primer (Teal tube)- This is a long time favorite of mine. I been using this stuff for years since it was first released. It keeps your eyeshadows bright and vibrant and also long lasting. The texture is very nice not too thick or thin and keeps any shadows from creasing throughout the day.It comes out a creamy beige color but it does not show up on the eyelid or change the color of the shadow you are using. Retails for $20 on its own. 

This kit retails for $20 at Ulta which may seem steep for deluxe product samples however if you were to purchase these products in full size it would retail to about $50+. This kit allows you to try out these products and see if you want to commit to the full size later on.