Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow...

It's with bittersweet feelings that I announce the farewell of my beloved blog, Makeup Junkie. It's hard to believe I started MJ 6 years ago. I can still remember sitting at my computer and publishing my first post and feeling bright-eyed and optimistic about belonging to the beauty blogging world. The countless people I've met, boxes and boxes of products I've tried, tested, and stashed, the awesome press mentions and the events I've been able to attend will forever be apart of my life and I am truly, truly, grateful.

Each and every one of you that I've met, become friends with, and conversed with virtually will remain near and dear to my heart always. It's been a blast being able to share my love of beauty with so many. Thank YOU the readers who take time out of your day to read this wee lil' blog. Without you, my addiction to makeup would seem pointless! I adore you and will be forever touched by the support you have given me over the years. Thank you to the many amazing PR reps who have generously fed my love of beauty products. Trust me, I will miss being able to try all the newest launches but even I know there comes a time when all good things must come to an end.

I had no idea where Makeup Junkie would take me or where I would take MJ, but that has been the fun of writing this blog. I feel like you've watched me grow from a young, wide-eyed beauty blogger girl and blossomed into this confident, drop-dead-sexy WO-MAN...NOT! Joking aside, I've definitely changed over the years which is why I've made the decision to close this chapter of my life. Why now at the start of a new year? It just feels right and I finally feel ready. It's crossed my mind over the last couple of years, but more so in the last month. I've decided to refocus my energy on spending more quality time with my husband and 2 boys and putting more time into my makeup career and other new ventures.

You'll still be able to catch me writing about beauty on my personal makeup artist blog, The Joy Of Makeup and on Glow Canada so do stop by and say "hi"! And I'll still be on Twitter so holla and follow me on Instagram - I finally ditched the Crackberry!

Again, many many thanks for sharing your beauty addictions with me and letting me share mine with you! Thank you for making my life richer and fuller. May 2013 and beyond bring you lots of love, happiness and very many pretty things! Farewell my Makeup Junkies!

Hugs,
Joy a.k.a. THE Makeup Junkie

A Big Makeup Junkie Thank You!

Where to begin! My last post I was still on bed rest. I still owe you a couple of posts on the beauty products I relied on to keep me looking pretty and sane in the hospital. Well, a lot has happened in 2 weeks. I am no longer on bed rest because my little buddy decided he didn't want to miss the summer and was born on June 11 just two days before his older bro's birthday!

Since he was born 8 weeks early, he's been in the hospital and is doing incredibly well. We're so grateful and fortunate that he has received the best care. I just want to thank my family, friends, blogger and makeup artist friends, and you the readers for your continued love and support! I am so overwhelmed by the messages I receive. Your kind and encouraging words have really gotten me through some tough moments and continue to inspire me to stay strong. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart and I love you all!

Hopefully, I will get back to blogging soon. I have so many hot summer collections to share with you and even some Fall ones! I hope you all are enjoying the summer! 

xo,

Joy

This Makeup Junkie Gets Real...

I don't know if it's the time we're living in but everyone I know is going through something. In the last few weeks, I've heard it all from relationships crapping out, to losing out on job opportunities, to not feeling recognized. Through all this negativity I've witnessed my blogger and Twitter friends, some I've only known for less than a year, swoop in to save the day. Some gestures are big and some are small but nonetheless, these gestures have brought much needed positivity to whatever the situation is. I think it's pretty amazing. 

I really love being apart of a community that I share and have so much in common with. We go about our days, blogging away, not really grasping what we really are to each other. We can be so focused on numbers, beauty reviews, and events that sometimes we forget to take time getting to know the person behind the blog or brand. When we think of the perks of being a popular blogger, we think of free beauty products and exclusive event invites. But the true perks are connecting with other people on-line and in person.

I've always been a pretty positive person and not just because my name is Joy. Like everyone, I've gone through a lot of struggles so to get through life being positive is my only option (plus my son and hubs are so darn hilarious it's hard to stay sad). I always try to help or promote people wherever I can and even when it bites me in the butt, I try not to get jaded. Some may take my niceness as naivety or ass-kissing, but it's genuine. That's just who I am and I'm not going to apologize for it (ironic because I always say "sorry" - guess that's just the Canadian in me eh?). I've had those moments - and I'm sure you have too - when I feel like I've given all I can (especially if you're a parent!) and I just want to say "screw them!". Then it just starts to eat at me, because if you can help someone why wouldn't you? I'm not saying to not be cautious because there are some people that just want to use and abuse you. But if you really want to come out on top, be honest. The same goes for helping others - don't do it to get something in return.

Anyways, I'm going off on a tangent now! With so many social media platforms like Twitter & Facebook, trying to make it as a makeup artist or blogger (or whatever your career is) is a hustle and highly competitive. If you're a new blogger or makeup artist, don't let the growing numbers of either industry scare you off or keep you down. If you are a talented makeup artist and work hard at your craft, you will get noticed and succeed! The same goes for bloggers - try not to worry about numbers or let jealousy take over you (that goes for personal life too). Keep doing what you're doing and the opportunities will come. Write what you're passionate about and do it because you really love it - not because you want free products, to be famous, or go to cool events. What's great about the blogosphere is that each blog(ger) is unique and translates to each person in a different way. You can't win 'em all and not everyone will like you but that's life. The internet universe is pretty roomy so there's lots of space! 

What compelled me to write such a long, sometimes cheesy, maybe overly dramatic post (hey- I can say whatever I want. It's my blog! lol)? When I needed to vent, a few special peeps (you guys know who you are!) brightened my day. A comment that almost brought me to tears (or I'm pms'ing majorly) was when one mentioned that I helped her out this week and she wanted to return the love! My gesture was small I thought, but I never realized how much it meant to her. It's that moment I realized why helping others is worth it! You just never know when you'll change someone's life big or small, so don't forget to check in once in a while and show some love to your fellow bloggers, friends, and family (even when he/she doesn't deserve it! lol). And remember, rise above all the negativity and be the bigger person! And more great advice I got from another special peep - use the negativity as fuel to get where you want in life because that is the best revenge!

At the end of the day, it's not our jobs or our blogs that define who we are. It's how we do it. And I'm done. Thanks for listening! xo