#LipstickProblems

I don't know if it's just me, but recently lipstick and I have not gotten along. My lips will be feeling good all day long and then the minute I decide to add a splash of color it all goes south. Chalk it up to changing seasons and dry skin? Maybe. Whatever the reason, I use two products to combat this issue:

Lip Scrub: There are so many varieties out there of lip scrub it's hard to mention just one. They range in price greatly, but they have one purpose: exfoliate all the crap off your lips. All the dead skin, peeling parts, and general seasonal dysfunction on your lips will be scrubbed away. Take a little tiny bit (think pinky fingernail) and scrub in circular motions. Current favorite? Sweet Lips by Lush. If you are feeling especially broke here is a recipe to make your own.

Aquaphor: If you are reading this and you don't own Aquaphor you need to shut down your computer and get to the drugstore. This petrolatum (read: vaseline) based ointment is meant for burns, scrapes, and other minor abrasions to your skin, but it absolutely takes the cake in lip care. It's the best lip balm $4 can buy and will soothe all the cracks that tend to shine thru this time of year. I put it on before lipstick for a smooth base and I lather it on before bed so I wake up with baby smooth lips. 

Did you know?

That I have a beauty channel on YouTube? Yup, you read that right. I sit in front on a camera talking to no one about awesome products that I love. I upload 1 to 2 times a week {in a perfect world} and it's really fun for me! While my filming is super duper low budget and the lighting is always weird, this is something I love to do and something I would love for you to watch! Enjoy!

Beauty School: Perfect Mani

I love a gel manicure like everyone else, but my bank account sure doesn't. I know, I know, in the grand scheme of things it *looks* like you're saving money. Maybe the gel will last three full weeks without fail. But you know what simply does not last three weeks? My patience. I need the color to change after a few days, but I still want my nails to look perfect until I'm ready for the color change. Too good to be true? Nope...these three products are just the ticket:

Orly Bonder Base Coat ($10) This rubberized base coat is essential. It coats the bare nail with a tough, sticky surface that grabs hold of the color and keeps it there until you're ready to take it off. I find Orly products at CVS and Walgreens, but find the best prices at Ulta.

The Balm Cosmetics Hot Ticket Nail Polish ($10) This is not a brand I typically investigate, but I received this item in a beauty box a few months back and have fallen in love. This polish goes on smooth, opaque, and with enough density to stay on for many days. While I don't think this particular polish is essential, this brand does work far better with the other too products in keeping polish on for 7+ days. You can find these online and at Nordstrom.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat ($8) I love nearly all Sally Hansen nail products, but this top coat takes the cake. Nails look shiny, dry quick, and simply do.not.chip. It's affordable and easily found...even at the grocery store! 

Holy Grail Status: Powder Blush Faves

Blush is one of those products I can not get enough of. If someone (god forbid) forced me to wear only three products for the rest of my life blush would be one of them (as would concealer and mascara, but that comes later). It's tricky though, you can't just pick a color based on what you think will look nice. You have to feel the product. Does it have shimmer? Glitter or matte? Blue or orange undertones? How is it milled? The four gems below are perfect products. They run the gamut on variables, but each one plays an essential role in my collection. I would suggest collecting each one of these...you won't be disappointed!

Benefit Hervana (top left): I bought this beauty the day it came out. I love all the boxed powders, but this is especially versatile. All four tones look incredible swirled together for subtle glow, but a little goes a long way. It's a buildable blush, so start light and build into your look. It also smells nice....bonus!

MAC Well Dressed (top right): A true baby pink, this is my "what am I doing with my face today?" blush. It's subtle, mostly matte, and so finely milled that blending is a no brainer. It goes with everyone and everything. Enough said.

Nars Orgasm (bottom left): I know, I know...everyone loves this blush. It's the most over discussed product in the entire beauty world, BUT that's because it's incredible. Peachy pink, golden shimmer. This is the perfect glowy number for Wintertime. January skin has met it's match...if you don't own this go get it. Seriously.

MAC Mineralized Blush in Gentle (bottom right): My friend Sam wore this everyday for about 5 months before I finally asked what it was. It's the color of a raisin in the pan, but on the skin it's a multifaceted, cool mauve with very fine flecks of glitter. It looks insane in combination with a good bronzer and it's ideal for evening looks.

Red Lips?

There is nothing in this world that makes me feel more confident than lipstick --hence the name of this blog. During the day I stick to nudes almost exclusively, but take me out at night and you'll probably find me looking like a Beatnik in black cigarette jeans and a matte red lip. Ruby Woo (left) is a the perfect flat red. It's not too blue, not too orange, and it's opacity is perfection on the lips. I love Mac's matte formula, albeit slightly drying, it really just looks incredible while on. A little bit of Aquaphor right before you put it on and it's smooth sailing. Brick-o-la (right) is a dark, creamier color from Mac's Amplified line. The formulation is really easy to apply and comfortable once it's on the lips. It has a rosey undertone, which is flattering on paler skin (read: wintertime). Best part about the Amplified lipsticks? They leave a slight stain on the lips so no need to reapply after every sip while you're out! Both of these reds are staples in my collection-- if you're thinking about diving into reds for the first time or simply adding to your makeup bag these are perfect. 

Current Mascara Rotation

If there is one thing I never leave home without it's mascara. I love dark, clumpy, pin-up girl lashes...even for a sloppy trip to Harris Teeter on a Tuesday morning. Give me high-end or drugstore, it simply does not matter--if they give me doll eyes I.am.in.  Given that I throw each tube away religiously after 3 months, these are simply what's in my current rotation.

Benefit BADgal Lash ($19) This is my second tube of this baby. I switch back and forth between this and the brand's other mascara. They are very different from one another (more on that later) and overall I don't favor one over the other. BADgal is a fabulous formula, there is no denying that. Leaning to the dryer side, this is definitely only for those who like some c-l-u-m-p. It takes some work and a couple coats, but with almost no drying time it's a quick route to dramatic eyes. This is not a mascara for those just starting out with makeup, but a staple for those with some experience.

Covergirl LashBlast 24hr ($8) I love drugstore mascaras so much--I feel like I could devote an entire blog just to them.  I discovered this about a month ago and it will now forever be in my summer makeup routine. The wand is plastic, which I tend to stray from, but it delivers a dark, opaque black color with one swift coat. The formula is easy to work with (as with all the LastBlast products) and this really lasts. It promises no smudging, printing, or smearing for 24 hours come hell or high water and it really lives up to these lofty claims. Pool tested and sweaty run approved.

Diorshow Extase ($29) Before you write me off as being a complete lush for spending $30 on mascara, know this: I have been using my deluxe sample from Birchbox for the last month. Having said that, however, this mascara is worth every single penny and I will 100% be buying a full size as soon as I'm out of the baby size. I have fallen in love--the brush is incredible, hitting every single last with uniform color and thickness. While it's not waterproof, it withstands the elements like a champ. Oh, and the fancy packaging doesn't hurt either. 

Hits and Misses: Drugstore BB Creams

Lying somewhere directly in between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation, BB creams are ideal for the "no makeup, makeup look." I love these babies for the no muss, no fuss approach. You simply slap them on your face and you're good to go. The best part about these BB creams is not only in the extra benefits (primer, moisturizer, coverage, and brightener all in one bottle?!), but also the pricetag. I love Sephora and Ulta like everyone else, but sometimes trying out a new, trendy face product at $30-$45 can seem a bit silly. Here is a little guide to what's out there right now:

Loreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream ($9): Hit! This is a hilarious product in the sense that it comes out of the tube looking and feeling like it's gone bad. The product itself is white in color with sandy, color depositing particles that feel very odd when applying. The payoff, however, is outstanding. This provides an incredible amount of coverage without looking like you're wearing any makeup at all. It won't hide freckles or help conceal fine lines, but acne scarring and discoloration was nowhere to be found. Have I seen drastic improvements with my skin from using this? No. Is it a "real" BB cream? I doubt it. Will I repurchase this? Absolutely. 

Maybelline Dream Fresh Beauty Balm ($8): Hit! This was the closest BB cream I found in the drugstore that acted like a real BB cream. This particular product has a broad color range with varying undertones and the price could not be beat. It applied and blended with ease and had fantastic staying power throughout the day. I felt like my skin was reaping the benefits this product boasted and the sun protection in this one was higher than all the rest...win! If you are wondering which one to buy this would absolutely be the winner. It's easy, cheap, and great for your skin!


Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfecter BB Cream ($13): Miss! What an oily mess. I have very normal, unproblematic skin. I've got some acne scarring I like to cover lightly, but that's it. I'm not too oily, not too dry, but this product would fool you into thinking I'd taken a bath in vegetable oil. Most complaints I've heard about this one are regarding the scent. I didn't mind this at all, in fact the floral smell really was nice. It was the product itself. The color range, all 2 options, are really narrow and I found myself not being able to even try this until I was at my tannest a few weeks ago. The coverage is really not that good and while it feels like it would be easy to blend, the product never sinks into your skin! For me it just sat on top of my skin looking like makeup until about 3pm when it simply slid off my cheeks. Ew. Don't waste your money on this one.